Unless you have been living in the seclusion of your parents’ basement with basic cable and no internet connection, you have heard about the scandalous dogfighting ring financed — and participated in — by former Atlanta Falcons’ star QB Michael Vick.  So I will spare the disgusting details.  After serving 18 months in prison, Vick was recently cleared to resume his career in the NFL.

About a week ago, my wife and I were just happening to have a casual conversation about our stances on Michael Vick being allowed to return to the NFL.  Her stance was clear — that scumbag should not ever be allowed to play again! (with that stern look on her face that so many women have mastered).  My viewpoint was a bit different — hey, he did something horrifically wrong, spent time in prison and essentially will be a prisoner of his own idiotic mistake for the rest of his life…I don’t have a problem with him receiving a second chance.  But then yesterday, the unthinkable happened.  The team that I have rooted for over 30 years of my life — a team which has cut ties with walking distraction, Terrell Owens and have passed on many talented players because of character issues — had decided to do exactly what I thought should be done with Vick.  They gave him a second chance.

My reaction to the signing was not exactly in tune with my argument weeks prior when Vick was still unsigned, and certainly was never thinking he’d ever be a Philadelphia Eagle.  Our organization is too prestigious to take on such a public relations disaster, right?.  But there I was, hearing the news about one Michael Vick being given a contract to play for my team…in my city…at my stadium.  Ironically I had  just returned from taking my greyhound — who is named after a certain all-star Phillies 2nd baseman who happens to be heavily involved with his wife in combating animal cruelty — to the local dog park.

So herein lies my absolute moral brain-f**k.  I am a passionate pet lover, specifically dogs, and I am just as passionate about the Philadelphia Eagles.  So even though I feel Vick deserves to earn his living and clear his damaged image, do I really want him to have the opportunity for redemption with my team?  I still don’t know how to answer that.  And this is the same dilemma facing many other fans after this unexpected chapter in our beloved franchise unfolds.

But for some it will be completely cut and dry.  My wife — not a die-hard, just a passive rooter — stated without blinking “I will never watch them again!”  So will other fans do the same? Fans both new and tenured…will they completely jump ship and start rooting for other teams based solely on their feelings about the senseless mistreatment of dogs?

Without question.

I am positive that the Eagles have turned off quite a few backers to the point of total detachment.  Then again, the curious dynamic of this whole story is that there will also be fans who are 100 percent behind Vick in his plight to reform his tattered existence.  And still, there will be a majority of fans such as myself who don’t know how the hell to feel.

So imagine the atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field this season.  Remember the unrelenting circus atmosphere for the brief period of time our house was burned down by Terrell Owens?  Of course you do.  But the “Michael Vick Experience” will make the T.O. saga seem like Saturday morning cartoons (whatever happened to them anyway, they used to be kick-ass…so weak nowadays).

So “The Linc” will no doubt be the center of the NFL universe for the media, protesters, animal rights activists…you name it.  The Eagles — for better or worse — will get more attention this season than any other, and will also be the main attraction when visiting other venues.  But, a word of caution for all protesters.  Philadelphia fans are a rare breed indeed.

I don’t think it’s beyond the realm of possibility that, if Vick is performing on the field and making an impact on the scoreboard as well as in the community, some fans may turn their hatred toward the many protesters invading their home.  These fans may take the demonstrations as a personal attack on the entire franchise and lash out in defense of Vick.

It’s a possibility, not a probability.

The more likely scenario is Vick being chastised by the Philly faithful.  It seems like poetic justice that Vick would land a gig to play in front of one of the most infamously rabid fanbases in the history of sports.  Almost like Vick’s purgatory.

So no matter how all of this plays out, one thing is for certain, the fan-friendly; corporately-enhanced Lincoln Financial Field will be more emotionally charged than any given day at old Veterans Stadium (that’s saying something).  And I’m still not sure how I feel about all this.

MLB – St. Louis Cardinals – Busch Stadium
Sunday, August 16 vs San Diego Padres, 1:15 p.m.

- Fredbird Bobblehead Picture Frame (first 25,000 fans)

This one is for the kiddies.  Although the promotion is for fans of all ages, clearly this is a great giveaway for the little ones.  However, proud parents will also be able to capture their fondest Busch Stadium family outings for office or home display.

The Cal Ripken Jr. Foundation’s Swing for the Future has recently announced a plan to build several new stadiums in the greater Baltimore area — including building atop the old Memorial Stadium site.  The goal of the project is to give at-risk children the opportunity to become involved with playing baseball, football, and many other sports activities.

Foundation officials, working with community partners, are raising money for that $1.5 million complex, the flagship project, and for a $1 million multipurpose field in Park Heights near Pimlico Race Course. Three other sites will be chosen as well, in East Baltimore, West Baltimore and one other city location. No deadlines for sites’ selection have been set.

“The goal is to give kids a safe and wonderful place to play and be together,” Ripken said Wednesday in an e-mail through a spokesman. “Sports is just a hook to get us in front of kids and give us the chance to help teach them valuable life lessons.”

“It would give kids a safe place to play, whether competitive sports” or other physical fitness and character-building activities, Salem said. “It’s a basic need that’s lacking in so many of these communities. That’s a gap we’re trying to help fill.”

Helping keep the dream alive not only continues to involve children in sports, but also helps to keep them out of trouble. This is a great opportunity for both the local community and the children.

Source:
Ripken Foundation to back 5 ballparks in city [The Baltimore Sun]

MLB – Philadelphia Phillies – Citizens Bank Park
Friday, August 7 vs Florida Marlins, 7:35 p.m.

- Harry Kalas Wall of Fame Print (all fans)

Not many Philadelphia sports personalities — if any — are held in such high regard than the late Phillies announcer, Harry Kalas.  As such, the organization has done a wonderful job in honoring the voice of the Phils and will continue that recognition this week during the team’s Wall of Fame ceremony.

The late Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas will be inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame posthumously during a special pre-game ceremony. Among those in attendance: Kalas’ sons Todd, Brad and Kane, as well as returning Wall of Famers Robin Roberts, Senator Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton, Mike Schmidt, Dick Allen, Greg Luzinski, Garry Maddox, Tony Taylor, Bob Boone, Dallas Green and Juan Samuel…

This will surely be a highly-emotional event for all involved.  Go here for further details and ceremony start time.

Spend the night sleeping under the cozy blanket of stars high above Dodger Stadium in the 4th annual “Blue Heaven Sleepover” on August 14. Tickets for adults cost $200, while the kiddies get in for half that price.

Fans are invited to bring their sleeping bags to the stadium on Friday, August 14 to watch the Dodgers play the Diamondbacks on DodgerVision, eat dinner, play catch on the field, watch “Field of Dreams,” and enjoy breakfast the following morning.

Enrollment deadline is August 10.  Go here for details.

Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) gets a visit from the "ghost" of Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) in the classic film, Field of Dreams

Source:
Fans Once Again Have the Chance to Sleep Under the Stars at Dodger Stadium [MLB.com]

Perhaps I might be a little biased with my opinion on this, but it’s such a tragedy to see the “old” Yankee Stadium in its current state. The demolition of Yankee Stadium has begun and although “The Stadium” will no longer be a visible part of the New York skyline, the many magical memories will still be retained.

Mickey Mantle (1931-1995) once said, “There was a great, dark mystery about [Yankee Stadium] when I first came here from Oklahoma. I still get goose pimples walking inside it. Now I think this is about the prettiest ball park I ever saw”

Nicknamed “The House that Ruth Built,” Yankee Stadium is arguably the most famous ballpark in the world. Bounded by River Avenue, Babe Ruth Plaza, East 161st and East 157th Streets, and Ruppert Place, Yankee Stadium opened on April 18, 1923 when famed composer and bandleader John Philip Sousa and the Seventh Regiment Marching Band led the Yankees out onto the field and Governor Alfred E. Smith threw out the first pitch. More than 74,000 fans crowded into the 62,000 person capacity stadium to see the Yankees beat the Red Sox 4–1. Baseball legend Babe Ruth (1895-1948) is said to have stepped up to the plate that day, taken one long look at New York’s massive new stadium, and simply uttered “Some ball yard!”

One positive note about the demolition of this magnificent piece of history is that New York City is planning on developing the land into 3 separate ball fields for youth softball, baseball, and a championship caliber playing field for tournament play. These new ball fields and subsequent parks, playground, water features and more will be called Heritage Park. What a fitting name for such a site rich in history for the City and its residents.

From a personal standpoint, I remember taking my family to see the Yankees play the Angels a few years back. This particular day happened to be a back-and-forth struggle for the ballgame. To this day, I can vividly remember when Hideki Matsui stepped up to the plate in the 9th inning with the Yanks behind by one run. With two runners on, Matsui stepped up and hit a triple to the left-center gap to score both runs and win the game for the Yanks. To me, this is a memory – along with many others – which will live on forever once the dust settles on “old” Yankee Stadium.

Source:
Yankee Stadium [NYC Dept. of Parks & Recreation]

Photo courtesy of www.stadiumpage.com

“You’ll never eat corn any other way!  Ears of corn are sprinkled with seasonings, wrapped in bacon, and grilled for a savory treat to serve at your next barbecue.”

Directions:

1. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.
2. Sprinkle each ear of corn with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper, and wrap each ear with 2 slices of bacon, covering the ear as completely as possible. (A big ear might need 3 pieces of bacon.) Wrap the ears in aluminum foil, twisting the ends tightly to seal.
3. Place the wrapped corn on the preheated grill, and grill on high heat until the corn is hot, about 10 minutes per side. Turn the heat to Low, and grill the corn until the bacon is cooked and the corn is tender, about 45 minutes.

Source:
Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Corn on the Cob [Allrecipes]

MANAGER
Tom Kelly

The left-center field Metrodome seat, upon which Kirby Puckett's game-winning HR in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series landed, was colored gold and labeled #34 in remembrance of historic feat.

STARTING PITCHER
Bert Blyleven
Brad Radke
Johan Santana Frank Viola

RELIEF PITCHER
Rick Aguilera
Joe Nathan

CATCHER
Joe Mauer

FIRST BASE
Kent Hrbek
Justin Morneau

SECOND BASE
Chuck Knoblauch

SHORTSTOP
Greg Gagne

THIRD BASE
Gary Gaetti

OUTFIELD
Tom Brunansky
Dan Gladden
Torii Hunter
Kirby Puckett

DESIGNATED HITTER
Paul Molitor

Source:
Twins and Wendy’s Restaurants announce All-Metrodome Team [MLB.com]

MLB – Minnesota Twins – Metrodome
Friday, July 31 vs Los Angeles Angels, 7:10 p.m.

- Justin Morneau Wind-Up Walker (first 10,000 fans)

There were many worthy promos around the league this week, for example Rickey Henderson Day which we have already touched on.  But I kind of wanted to get other teams involved who haven’t been featured much in POTW.   Plus, the “Twinkies” certainly do have an odd enough giveaway planned for Friday when fans will receive a scary-looking Justin Morneau wind-up figurine.  The likeness is spot-on…if they were going for Conan O’Brien’s sidekick, Andy Richter.  Nonetheless…it’s all about effort.

]]> http://thejaunt.com/2009/07/27/promotion-of-the-week-72709-8209-justin-morneau-wind-up-walker/feed/ 3 http://thejaunt.com/2009/07/27/the-lasting-embarrassment-of-turn-ahead-the-clock-mlb-promotion/ http://thejaunt.com/2009/07/27/the-lasting-embarrassment-of-turn-ahead-the-clock-mlb-promotion/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:57:35 +0000 Mark Williams, Jr. http://thejaunt.com/?p=4687

Ten years ago today, Major League Baseball and sponsor Century 21 came up with the nonsensical idea of playing a slate of 14 games with a futuristic theme — the polar opposite of baseball’s classic “Turn Back the Clock” games.  The idea — first introduced a year prior by the Seattle Mariners — was to put baseball fans into the state of mind that these games were being played in the year 2021 (a plug for Century 21) where, apparently, uniforms are a galactic failure in fashion.

20 teams participated in the promotion, wearing ugly-ass stylized uniforms and caps, as well as turning stadiums into futuristic space fortresses complete with jumbotron player photos altered into alien beings.  The New York Mets even went so far as to be called “Mercury Mets” during their “Turn Ahead the Clock” event of the 1999 season.

THE voice on Shea Stadium’s public-address system had a spooky alien squeakiness.

”Join us as we play baseball in the year 2021,” the voice announced. ”Your favorite team, the Mercury Mets, will do intergalactic battle with the Pirates of planet Pittsburgh.”

In that game played in 2021, the Pittsburgh Pirates went on to defeat the hometown? Mercury…uh, Mets 5-1.  Fans of the Mets, however, would be on the losing end of this horrible gameday gimmick for the duration of their lives.

Mets' Pitcher Orel Hershiser throwing what very well may be a tiny; unpopulated planet

This article is an expanded version of The Jaunt’s “Today in Sports Venue History” updates on Twitter.  Be sure to follow for daily (or as daily as I wanna be) updates, as well as site news and other banter.

Source:
Looking back at the Mariners’ futuristic night [ESPN Page 2: Uni Watch]
Sports of The Times; 2021? Mets Miss Chance For 1988 [The New York Times]

Related:
Turn Ahead the Clock jersey photos