I started baseball season this year with my first opening day with Joe Blanton pitching (but of course not hitting) for the American League Oakland As.
I got the chance to see him pitch one other time before he got sent to the (NAtional League) Philadelphia Phillies, and when they made it to the World Series with him pitching... well, despite the fact that everyone else I know is rooting for Tampa Bay... I just had to go with my guy! To be honest though... I also have a hard time - the pirate or no pirate - rooting for anything from Tampa Bay! Besides... my mom was born in Philadelphia so I've got plenty of cred here.
Last night... as Karen and I were just getting home from a day of gorgeous fall weather, good eats, and soft leisurely time, we turned on the TV just as Joe was stepping up to bat. To everyone's surprise, he whacks that baby outta the park!
His first major league home run (his career batting record includes 33 at-bats, 22 strikeouts and just two hits, both singles) turns out to be the first world series home run from a pitcher in 34 years! Even Karen, who's busy rooting for TB, had to give him his props!
Then of course, the Phillies (led out in pitching by Good Ol' Joe) went on to clobber The Rays 10 - 2.
Now THAT was the way to end my first real season as a baseball fan.
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