Last night, I went to see my beloved Milwaukee Brewers beat up on the stupid LA Dodgers. Now, considering how opening day went, I was fairly sure that the Brew Crew would dominate the game. Well, that was not the case. They won the game with four runs to LA's three. And so, as a good and faithful Brewer fan, I cheered and applauded when I should, and got nervous in between those times. Now, when I go to Miller Park (usually with my friend Lurch), we generally go early to get in some batting practice time, watching the other team bat, with our ever vigilant baseball encased hands up and ready to catch a line drive aimed for the section of seats we are watching from. Well, unfortunately we came up empty...watching other fans jump over seats at the risk of life and limb to acquire a ball.

My other proud obsessive compulsive habit I have is I usually take a few official MLB baseball with so that if the chance arises, I can go over by a dugout, wait for some choice players, and see if they will sign 'em. Last night, I forgot to do this, and wouldn't you know it, after batting practice, who goes over to the fans to sign stuff but the man of the Dodgers, Nomar Garciaparra. Yeah, NOMAH from the great Red Sox from not so long ago. As one who collects autographs from musicians and baseball players, I usually appreciate anyone who signs stuff, but that showed me last night, that Nomar cares for his fans and takes time out to meet them. That was cool! Trust me, I have met my fair share of musicians and baseball players who are just jerks and frankly believe their signature is not worth their time for you.

All in all though, the game was fairly tame, the group of college-aged drunken fans behind me from LaCrosse seemed to have a better than average good time, and I spent a small fortune on dinner (15.75 for two brats, a cup of fries, and a large Mountain Dew in a souvenir cup). I mentioned to the nice lady ringing my food order up, "I could buy a steak for what I am spending on this!" She laughed nervously of course. I also bought my yearly press book so as to read up on stats and the new players! It was a good night, considering the fact that EVERYTHING at that ballpark is expensive! Even parking went up a dollar this year to EIGHT bucks! Now, parking is another one of my pet peeves. They put you in this gargantuon lot side by side and two deep. If you happen to get your vehicle before anyone around does, you are waiting for them to move, and maybe then you can back out. But, if the moron behind you does not let you in as was the case last night, then you are really stuck until someone sober decides to let you in.

Ahh, yes the baseball season has begun! I look forward to many more days and night like this at my favorite expensive baseball park, cuz afterall, the Brewers are my team. Got to go and see them, despite the fact that they are not usually all that good, but I am hoping that this year might finally be our year. We'll see! Now, all I have to do is start saving for my next trip...gotta save at least forty bucks for the three hot dogs I will slowly savor along with my eight dollar bottle of Mike's Hard Lemonade! Can you spare a quarter to my baseball fund? More later...