A New Record!

Sadly.

I've been a huge baseball fan since I was a young child. My grandparents had season tickets to the Philadelphia Phillies for years. Later on, friends of my parents were close friends of the Carpenter family who owned the team.

I had season tickets to the Memphis Redbirds for many years.

The stadium, AutoZone Park, is only 1.5 blocks from my condo.

Seeing baseball games has been fairly easy in my life.

Between minor league and Major League games, I've probably averaged 15 games per year in person for most of my life starting at age 10.

This year I've seen a grand total of one game in person.

It was an early season game watching the Memphis Redbirds.

The damnedest thing is I'm missing one of the most competitive seasons back home. From first place through fourth place in the PCL American North, the teams are three games apart.

Three games.

The season ends Labor Day weekend (like ALL baseball should).

It's shaping up to be a drag race.

Some of the most exciting baseball in years for the division.

I've seen one game.

I miss the Barbecue Nachos.

I miss the 1/4 pound chili/cheese/topped with onion rings hot dog.

I miss my pre-game ritual of enjoying a cold beer while the teams are warming up.

The "Air Traffic Mike World Tour 2010" returns home in early August.

I look forward to seeing the Downtown gang.

I'll be easy to find.

Look for the middle aged kid grazing on stadium food and beer, hopefully sweating out a 17 game home winning streak.

If you're nice I'll even share some BBQ Nachos with you.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.