Yesterday afternoon I drove down to San Diego to see the Padres beat the visiting Mets by a score of 5-1. It was not a particularly well-played game for the Mets, who continually came up short with runners in scoring position. What’s more, at least twice they ran themselves out of innings. In the seventh inning, with the score 2-1, Ruben Gotay reached on an infield single with two outs. Then, inexplicably, he attempted to steal second base with either a 3-0 or 3-1 count on Jose Reyes, and he was out by a mile. Also, in the previous inning (same score — 2-1 Padres), David Wright got picked-off with Delgado standing at the plate and nobody out.
Tom Glavine bullpen session
Paul Lo Duca warms up
Jorge Sosa warms up
PETCO Park absolutely lived up to its name. There was almost no traffic in downtown San Diego when I arrived nearly two hours before the first pitch. Parking was easy (but expensive at $20), and the walk to the stadium took about 90 seconds. I bought a ticket at a reasonable price for an incredible seat, third row center just beyond the right field fence. From here, I could see all of the action, and could easily recognize off-speed pitches/breaking balls/fastballs. During batting practice, David Newhan (???) hit a ball about five feet to my right, which was snared by a young kid after he initially dropped it. The biggest display of power during batting practice was either Jose Reyes or Lastings Milledge, both of whom launched balls into the second deck in left field.
Left Field Bleachers
My view from Right Field
Nearby foul pole
Seats to my right
I was seated between two heavily drunk parties. To my left were three hardcore Padres fans, who continually harassed Shawn Green for the entire game. Green didn’t win any support from this guys with a warmup throw he made between innings when the ball came out of his hand awkwardly and traveled roughly three feet before hitting the outfield grass. To my right, a married/dating couple were getting absolutely sloshed, and the woman was very talkative. She told me I was cute when her husband was getting her drinks, and asked why I didn’t bring her another beer when I was out getting food during the previous half-inning. The food at PETCO was great. I had a cheeseburger and a Sam Adams. I think I spent close to $20 on food, but it was quality, and the lines at the nearest station were short.
Game Photo
Mid-Game
Mid Game
The highlight of the night was the sobriety test that was administered to me following the game. No, I am not joking. After Cla Meredith retired the last batter of the game, I left the stadium and briskly walked to the parking garage to retrieve my car. I was not even remotely buzzed or anything from my one beer, which was consumed about five hours before during batting practice. In any event, in my rush to escape a potential downtown traffic snarl, I peeled out of the garage and onto 11th Avenue. I noticed a cop standing on the corner directing traffic, so I rolled up to him to ask directions to the Interstate.
“Excuse me,” I asked, suddenly noticing I wasn’t wearing my seat belt, “can you tell me how to get to the Interstate?” I motioned towards the seat belt, but figured it would probably look worse if I attached it while he was staring at me.
He walked over slowly, pulling a flashlight from his hip.
“First of all, you should be wearing your seat belt if you’re going to be talking to me. Now, where are you going?” he asked.
“I’m looking for I-5…” I paused for a few seconds trying to remember. “…North.”
My apprehension must have concerned him. He flicked his flashlight on and shined it in my eyes. “Do me a favor. Follow my finger with just your eyes, not your head.”
Realizing what he was insinuating, I instinctively responded with, “Oh, I haven’t had anything to drink tonight.” He did not respond.
He held his index finger roughly a foot from my face, and moved it slowly to his right. Unfortunately, the combination of the bright flashlight and the thick plastic frames of my glasses prevented me from following his finger into my periphery, so in an attempt to do what he asked to the best of my ability, I moved my neck slightly. This did not please him.
He asked me to put the car in park and step outside for a moment. Now, I hate police officers. I really, really hate them. And I know that these field sobriety tests are voluntary, but part of me hated this guy and his smug assumption that I was plastered enough to not bother entering into a debate about whether or not I was required to do as he said. So I angrily put the Volvo in park, and got out of the car.
I was asked to perform both the one leg test and the finger to nose test, both of which I passed with flying colors. I almost got a bit testy with the finger to nose test, as he asked me to “slowly” touch my finger to my nose with my right hand, and I quickly closed my eyes, touched my nose (without missing, of course) and then proceeded to go back and forth between right and left hands and quickly touching my nose to prove my sobriety. I don’t remember his exact response, but I had sufficiently proven I was capable of driving, and he pointed me to the interstate. When I got back in my car, I accelerated away from him and cut off a car to merge back into traffic. I found the freeway with no problems, and made great time getting back to Echo Park. A fun night! Good times! Six silver smiley stickers!
