Mets 4 Detroit Tigers 3

About a week ago the Mets were 20-25 and there were rumors that the manager was going to be fired.  They returned to Citi Field and won 6 of 7 to reach the 0.500 mark.  Today's game was part of our 13-game package, so off we went to see the game.

The Tigers took an early 3-0 lead with a home run and RBI single by Nicholas Casetellanos.  In the 4th inning, Todd Frazier got an RBI single by beating the shift and pushing a bunt into right field.  One out later, Adeiny Hechavarria hit a three-run homer for a 4-3 lead.  I was hoping for some tack-on runs since the Mets' bullpen has been inconsistent.  Starter Zach Wheeler was relieved in the 8th inning by Jeurys Familia who struck out his 2 batters.  Closer Edwin Diaz was shaky in the 9th inning but struck out JaCoby Jones with runners on second and third to secure the save.

Game Recap

Another Visit to the Guggenheim Museum

I was last at the Guggenheim in February, but since the exhibits have changed since then, I thought it would be time for a return.  The major exhibit was:

Artistic License: Six Takes on the Guggenheim Collection

The following artists - Cai Guo-Qiang, Paul Chan, Jenny Holzer, Julie Mehretu, Richard Prince, and Carrie Mae Weem had influential solo shows at the museum sometime in the past.  Each was asked to make selections to shape a discrete presentation, one on each of the six levels of the rotunda.

Since this exhibit is scheduled to run until January 2020, it will not be necessary for me to revisit the museum until next year.

Thoughts on Bob Dylan's 78th Birthday

Every year I post something about Bob Dylan's birthday so here I go again.  I woke up to WFUV this morning and heard New Morning and I Want You played back to back.  Don McGee said the station will be featuring Bob Dylan music all day.  After 9 AM they will be playing Dylan covers as suggested by their listeners.  I remember back in the 1990s WFUV would devote the entire day's programming to Dylan.

When I listen to Bob Radil's 60s 70s show later today I will mention that and recommend that the 4th-hour theme be devoted to artists whose name is Bob, Bobby, Robert, Roberta or Bobbi.

All of a sudden I am becoming more anxious about traveling to Tulsa for the World of Dylan Symposium.  I am just afraid that I will miss my plane connection in Chicago,  I guess the organizers didn't want to do it on Bob' Birthday since it would conflict with the Memorial Day weekend.

Mets Beat Washington 6-5 on a Walk-Off Infield Hit by Amed Rosario

We had tickets for the Met game on Friday Night April 26 when the game started at 9:50 PM after a long rain delay.  The team announced that ticketholders could redeem those tickets for a game played Monday-Thursday.  Thus, we went to last night's game.

Zach Wheeler started for the Mets and pitched well for 6 innings but yielded a 2-run homer to Brian Dozier in the 7th that gave Washington a 3-1 lead.  J.D. Davis hit a 3-run homer for the Mets to give them a 4-3.  Jeurys Familia was ineffective in relief in the 8th innings as the Nationals regained the lead at 5-4.  In the bottom of the 8th Pete Alonso hit a home run that tied the game at 5.  In the bottom of the 9th, Amed Rosario hustled to first base and beat a throw from shortstop Trey Turner as the Mets won 6-5.  Walk-off victories are always exciting.

Game Recap

Can the Mets use Yoenes Cespede's Non-Baseball Injury as Grounds to Void His Contract?

It was reported today that Yoenis Cespedes fractured his ankle in a violent fall at his ranch.  Until now the Mets hoped that he could return to the team sometime this season.  He is now being evaluated by physicians in New York.  He is in the middle of a $110 million contract that runs till the end of 2020.

In 2004 Aaron Boone's playing contract was voided by the Yankees since he was injured in a pick-up basketball game during the offseason.  Can the Mets do the same thing with Cespedes?  I don't think he has done much since the 2015 season.  All of the Mets fans are paying his salary unless it is covered by insurance.

Tampa Bay Rays 2 Yankees 1 in 11 Innings

Even though I am a big Met fan, I like to go to Yankee Stadium about 2 times every season.  I was able to get tickets through StubHub in the upper deck behind home plate.  We arrived at the ballpark at 12:50 PM, but had to wait on line for about 30 minutes to be screened.  This is what everyone must face in this post 9/11 world.

The Yankees have performed quite well this season in spite of losing so many players to injuries.  At this point in the season, they are fighting with Tampa Bay for first place in the AL East.  However, the bats died in today's matinee.  They only scored one run as Brett Gardiner scored on a Blake Snell wild pitch in the third inning.  The Rays tied the game with a 7th inning home run by Brandon Lowe.  The game went into extra innings with Austin Meadows hitting a home run in the 11th inning to win the game for the visitors.

Game Recap

I was on the Staten Island Ferry Today for the First Time in Decades

Over the years I have passed through Staten Island many times, but I rarely stopped there.  Back in the 1970s, I met a club to hike through Clove Lakes Park.  I once interviewed for a librarian position at the hospital.  I'll never forget that this was the only time that a Human Resources Manager actually phoned me a few weeks after the interview to tell me that I didn't get the job.

I don't remember the last time I took the ferry there.  Since I didn't have anything planned for today, I thought I would take the free ride and look around.  When the boat docked on the island, a light rain began.  I quickly walked over to the Richmond County Bank Ballpark where the Staten Island Yankees play.  From there I walked over to a new outlet shopping mall and looked around.  Since it was still raining I thought it was best to go back to the ferry terminal and begin my journey home.  Had it not rained at that time, I would have taken a longer walk through the borough.