I Didn't Wait for 2 Hours and 47 Minutes to see the Mets to Lose 10-5 to the Houston Astros in 11 Innings

If it is Sunday, Lee and I are at Citi Field watching the Mets.  The Astros took a 4-0 lead with a home run by Jon Singleton in the second inning followed by two runs in the fourth inning followed by a single run in the fifth.  The Mets had no hits until the sixth inning when Mark Vientos doubled to left scoring Nimmo and Alonso.  Brando Nimmo hit a two-run homer at 4 in the seventh inning.

The score stayed tied until the middle of the ninth inning at 4 PM when it started raining very hard.  We decided not to stay since we were getting hungry and we sensed there would be a very long rain delay.  We went out to dinner at Ginos of Whitestone and then returned home.

The game resumed at 6:45 PM after a 2 hour and 47 minute delay.  There were some diehards in the stands who stayed.

Both teams score in the 10th inning to tie the game at 5. Matt Festa, a New York native made his Mets debut and first big league appearance this season and gave up all five runs in the 11th to lose the game.

Game Recap

 

Bob Dylan was Featured at the Outlaw Fest at Jones Beach

 

Wantagh, New York Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater June 29, 2024

1.	Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on piano)
2.	Shooting Star (Bob on piano and harp)
3.	Love Sick (Bob on piano)
4.	Little Queenie (Bob on piano) (song by Chuck Berry) (Tony on standup bass)
5.	Mr. Blue (Bob on piano)(song written by DeWayne Blackwell) (Tony on standup bass)
6.	Early Roman Kings (Bob on piano and harp) (Tony on standup bass)
7.	Can't Wait (Bob on piano)
8.	Under The Red Sky (Bob on piano and harp)
9.	Things Have Changed (Bob on piano)
10.	Stella Blue (Bob on piano) (song by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia)
11.	Six Days On The Road (Bob on piano) (song by Earl Green and Carl Montgomery)
12.	Soon After Midnight (Bob on piano and harp)
13.	Ballad Of A Thin Man (Bob on piano and harp)
14.	Simple Twist Of Fate (Bob on piano) (Mickey Raphael on harp)
15.	I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (Bob on piano and harp)

The setlist above is certainly different from the ones at the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour.  There were songs from several periods in his career plus covers.  My favorite was Highway 61 Revisited.  I was intrigued by Mr. Blue, a cover of a 1959 hit by the Fleetwoods.

It took us about an hour to drive to the theater.  We had to park far from the theater, but we are walkers.  We caught the very end of the opening act, Celisse.  She was followed by Allison Krause and Robert Plant.  Dylan was next.  

Willie Nelson was to appear but was taken ill.  His son Lucas led a band that played covers of Willie's hits.  We didn't want to stay to the bitter end to avoid traffic at the end of the concert.  About 15 minutes into our trip home it began to rain.  At least it didn't rain during the concert.  Most of the people were middle-aged or elderly like myself.

Cell phones were allowed at this venue.  I did take some photos, but I was too far away from the stage.

I had seen Dylan at Jones Beach several times in the past.  The opening acts were:

• Santana
• Ani DiFranco
• Paul Simon
• Leon Russell
• Laura Nyro

The New York Times Editorial Board Calls on Joe Biden to Leave the Race

 

Based on his performance on Thursday night's debate the New York Times editorial board has called on Joe Biden to leave the race for president.  I have gifted this article so that my readers can click on the link and get access to it.  Many good points are made, but it does not discuss the consequences of Biden's leaving the race.

Since no more primaries exist, a new candidate would have to be chosen at the Democratic National Convention.  How many Democrats would throw their hats into the ring?  Would this phenomenon splinter the party so badly and allow Trump to win.

We have to hope for the best.

Mets Hang on to Beat Yankees 9-7 in Game 1 of the Subway Series

 

It appears that Yankee pitcher Gerrit Cole may not have completely recovered from his injuries as he gave up 6 runs and 7 hits in 4 innings.  This included home runs by Mark Vientos (2), Harrison Bader, and Brandon Nimmo.  Juan Soto hit a home run in the fifth inning to make the score 6-1.  The Mets scored three more runs in the sixth inning to make the score 9-1.  It appeared to be a blowout at this point, but the Yankees fought back.  Their comeback featured a grand slam by Aaron Judge.  I was so afraid that the Mets would collapse and lose the game, but the bullpen without the suspended Edwin Diaz closed the door on the Bronx Bombers.

I am guessing that about 40% of the crowd was Yankee fans who went crazy when Judge homered.

Lee posed with Grimace before the game

The Mets are now 10-2 in the Grimace era.

I Got a 4th Generation Amazon Echo

In November 2016 I bought an Amazon Echo.  I used it primarily to listen to music.  I would regularly say  "Alexa, play Pop Gold Radio."  I also would say "Alexa, play Bob Dylan."  Suddenly, the top came off the cylinder and I could not place it properly.   No product lasts forever,  I can't complain as I got 7 1/2 years of use out of it. I thought it was time to get a new one.  The 4th generation Amazon Echo is shaped like a ball and does the same things as the older model.

 

Too Many Fish in the Sea - Versions by The Marvelettes and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels

 

 

 The Marvelettes version peaked at #25 on the Billboard Chart in 1965

   

 The Mitch Ryder version peaked at #24 in Billboard in 1967.  The two versions are quite different.

Thank Goodness I Don't Have to Be Concerned About Amtrak/NJ Transit Overhead Wire Problems

 

For the third time this week, overhead wire problems caused massive delays for riders of Amtrak and New Jersey Transit.  Whenever I feel down, I am grateful I don't have to commute from NYC to Newark as I did for 25 years.  One of the reasons I decided never to revisit my former employer was the fear of getting caught in a miserable train delay.

Can Amtrak solve this problem?