2008 Woodie Awards
Nothing can beat being at the game
Commentary by Andy Gates
Andy Gates
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: Sports
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Nothing can beat being at the game
On Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004, Major League Baseball's regular season came to an end. The season has been one of the most competitive ever, and coming into the final weekend of play there were still two playoff spots open, the National League wild card, and the American League West. It was also the final game for the Montreal Expos, a team and city that have rarely enjoyed a successful season throughout their existence. The Montreal Expos, bought by Major League Baseball in 2002, are headed for our nation's capital next season.
So on Sunday, while football games were being played and baseball games that mattered were on television, I was watching the Mets play the Expos. No, I was not watching the game on television, I was fortunate enough to attend the game at Shea Stadium. Some thought it foolish to go watch the Mets and Expos. But as it was the last game of the season and they are two of the worst teams in baseball, the experience and excitement of a live sporting event made this otherwise pointless game enjoyable.
As much as I love watching sports on television, there is nothing quite like attending a game. The only advantage of watching a game on television is the view and clarity of the action of the playing field. At a game you do not usually have the best seats, where you could actually see the faces of the players, but for most of us we are content with just being able to read the numbers on the backs of their jerseys.
Going to a sporting event is much more than just having a great view of the action. It is the crowd, the company, and the food that we get from a game. As much as television tries, they cannot display the emotion from the fans; the chants, singing, yelling, or feeling when a balloon or beach ball comes into your section.
It was a long day on Sunday, and waking up early and rushing to catch a 10:30 a.m. train was only the beginning. A few hours later, and after a quick subway ride, we were at Shea Stadium. It was my major league baseball game, and it did not matter that I dislike both the Mets and Expos; with good company even a bad game can be exciting.
On Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004, Major League Baseball's regular season came to an end. The season has been one of the most competitive ever, and coming into the final weekend of play there were still two playoff spots open, the National League wild card, and the American League West. It was also the final game for the Montreal Expos, a team and city that have rarely enjoyed a successful season throughout their existence. The Montreal Expos, bought by Major League Baseball in 2002, are headed for our nation's capital next season.
So on Sunday, while football games were being played and baseball games that mattered were on television, I was watching the Mets play the Expos. No, I was not watching the game on television, I was fortunate enough to attend the game at Shea Stadium. Some thought it foolish to go watch the Mets and Expos. But as it was the last game of the season and they are two of the worst teams in baseball, the experience and excitement of a live sporting event made this otherwise pointless game enjoyable.
As much as I love watching sports on television, there is nothing quite like attending a game. The only advantage of watching a game on television is the view and clarity of the action of the playing field. At a game you do not usually have the best seats, where you could actually see the faces of the players, but for most of us we are content with just being able to read the numbers on the backs of their jerseys.
Going to a sporting event is much more than just having a great view of the action. It is the crowd, the company, and the food that we get from a game. As much as television tries, they cannot display the emotion from the fans; the chants, singing, yelling, or feeling when a balloon or beach ball comes into your section.
It was a long day on Sunday, and waking up early and rushing to catch a 10:30 a.m. train was only the beginning. A few hours later, and after a quick subway ride, we were at Shea Stadium. It was my major league baseball game, and it did not matter that I dislike both the Mets and Expos; with good company even a bad game can be exciting.