Setback
| Game 76: June 20, 2008 | |||
 Cardinals |
5 | W: Kyle Lohse (9-2) H: Russ Springer (5) S: Ryan Franklin (10) |
43-32, 1 game winning streak |
| Red Sox | 4 | L: Tim Wakefield (4-5) | 46-30, 1 game losing streak |
| Highlights: Julio Lugo’s errors outstripped his runs produced last night, 2 to 1, but the two mistakes enabled the Cardinals to score. The shortstop slammed his first homer of the season in the sixth inning to knot the score at two runs. | |||
The happenings on the diamond were disappointing after not one but two appearances by the World Champion Boston Celtics. I was there but didn’t even see the shamrock mowed into center field; it’s odd to not to notice certain things despite one’s close perspective.
Manny Ramirez came up to bat with the bases loaded in the fifth and seventh but neither time did he add to career total of 20 grand slams. He leads all active players; the next three closest are Alex Rodriguez (16), Ken Griffey, Jr. (15), and Richie Sexson (14).
I was amused by Tim Wakefield waving off Kevin Youkilis to field Ryan Ludwick’s pop out to conclude the first. He did so impatiently, like an old man pushing his apprentice out of the way so that he accomplish a task quickly.
I give credit to the St. Louis fans who showed up in force last night. They support their team but not in an impolite way. They are truly excited by their team’s success, not revelers in others’ despair. We did have to drown them out when they started a “Let’s go Redbirds” chant, however.
One thing news reports won’t mention is that the Celtics weren’t the only ones who threw out the first pitch. Kids from Best Buddies trooped onto the field for their own attempt. One of youngsters sat in my section and had the tendency to yelp quite loudly at unexpected times. Clearly he wasn’t in control of this.
Not everyone in the area realized it was someone with an intellectual disability. In the eighth inning or someone from the next section over yelled, “Shut up!” It prompted jeering laughter and one guy in my row stood up and applauded the admonition. “Thank you!” he boomed drunkenly.
I watched him sit smugly with his friends clapping him on the back. Someone from the young kid’s group came over to him and explained to him why his charge acted they way he did.
Some people have real excuses for their “inconsiderate” hollering.
