My half birthday was a few months ago, and my wife got me tickets directly behind home plate for last Friday's game to see the Camden Riversharks, who play in what must be one of the nicest minor league ballparks in the country. Here's a picture:
The park is right off the Delaware River in Camden, NJ. As you can see from the pictures, the Ben Franklin Bridge is right behind the outfield fence, and somewhat reminiscent of Yankee Stadium's B train going past the outfield and the Amtrack train that rumbles past Safeco Field in Seattle, the PATCO train goes right over the bridge, giving a perfect view into the park. All in all, its a very charming place to catch a ballgame.
By chance the starting pitcher for the Riversharks was former Padres starter Brian Lawrence. I didn't recognize any opponent York Revolution players, but I did notice that the Riversharks catcher was former Met, Dodger, and Blue Jay, Jason Phillips. In what is probably a sad statement about my social life, I recognized both Phillips and Lawrence immediately, even going so far to discourse to my wife about which teams they played for and when.
My wife had bought possibly the best seats in the house, as we were seated in the second row behind the catcher. The people in front of us were gripping that net that saves you from getting killed on balls that are fouled straight back. Seated in front of us (and then behind us when a family showed up to claim their seats) was a man with a radar gun. Because he was in front of me, I could read the gun during the first few innings. According to the gun, Lawrence didn't top 85 mph, and regularly sat around 82. Still, he comes from the side, and as a right hander, I can see how he would give right handed hitters a problem.
Lawrence ended up pitching very well. The recap is here, but the short version is he struck out eight, didn't walk anyone, and only gave up a few hard hit balls over eight innings. He did allow two runs though, which was two more than Camden could generate against someone named Corey Thurman.
I bring this all up because days after seeing Lawrence barely break 80mph in Camden, he was picked up by the Braves. Thats the Atlanta Braves. I'm guessing the man with the radar gun worked for them, and he must've been sufficiently impressed by Lawrence's work that he put in a recommendation.
So, here's the big finish: Neat, huh?
**The riversharks' roster is here. Check it out and see how many names you recognize.
**Matty's Minor League Adventures (MMLA) continue this coming weekend, when I visit Allentown, PA to see the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs take on the Pawtucket Red Sox. I'm holding out hope that Clay Buchholz pitches for the Pawsox. How cool would that be? I'll be sure to bring my camera (and masturbatory sock) for that.
2 comments:
Have the PigIrons won a game yet?
Also, Scott doesn't have a half-birthday.
Last I heard the Iron Pigs were like 4-35, so yes, they've won a game.
I'm assuming the month six months following Scott's birthday doesn't have the same numerical day as his birth month? Either that or he's a vampire.
(Vampires don't have half birthdays.)
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