OT: My 1st MLB game....how about yours?

[jimivintage]

I had to share this. My dad just texted me a link to the boxscore for the first MLB of my life. He had been telling me stories about how George Brett got injured sliding into second base and you could hear a "pop" from the upper deck.

My first one:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-...d=198006100CLE

Old Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Royals had 4 errors and still beat my Indians 8 to 4. Plus, only 6,000 in atendance that night....no surprise there.

I thought this was really cool that he "finally took the time to find the boxscore", as he says. Nothing major in this game, but still the first of several hundred MLB games in my life. I was 2 years old in 1980.

Can you find the boxscore for YOUR 1st MLB game?

Jimi

[baseball tourist]

April 7, 1977. White Sox @ Jays. Happened to be the first game of the franchise's history too. Cold! Snowy! I was 9 and loved it!

http://m.bbref.com/m?p=XXboxesXXTORXXTOR197704070.shtml

[kmac32]

August 23, 1969 Cubs vs Astros for my 9th birthday. Cubbies won and I bacame a lifelong Cub fan

[itjclarke]

I'm 90% sure this was my first game. I remember it was Giants v Dodgers.. Was during the '84 Olympics.. And that the Giants lost.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...98408110.shtml

It was also "Japanese American day" at the ballpark, and my grandpa took part in some sort of on field pre-game ceremony with Atlee Hammaker. During the game my grandpa asked me if I wanted to join him in the dugout (he'd been invited), but I got scared and said no. I was a pretty shy little kid, but at that point was also a Dodger fan and was wearing a Dodger hat, so I was literally afraid to go into a dugout with all those big Giants. Much has changed since then, including my Dodger allegiance, which was short lived and really just based on my dad's having liked the Brooklyn Dodgers as a kid.

Go Giants!

[wolf441]

1984 - Roger Clemens struck out 15 Royals in his rookie season. I remember sitting three rows back down the left field line (where you are about 20 feet above the field) and yelling to Jim Rice, trying to get him to acknowledge us. He didn't look over once!

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...98408210.shtml

[nickedson]

June 27, 1961 - the Tigers hosted the Chicago White Sox for a twi-night doubleheader. More than 56,000 were in attendance and the Tigers went on to win 101 games that year, but that night they dropped both games of the doubleheader. I still have the program from my first game. Probably the one thing in my collection I will never part with.

[z28jd]

My first game was Old Timer's Day at Yankee Stadium in 1982

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...98208070.shtml

For the longest time I thought my first game was a September 1982 Phillies/Cardinals game. I was really young back then, but not sure how I misremembered the order.

I posted about the Yankees game here with video because I was excited to find out I saw Lefty Gomez pitch

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=173041

[Econteachert205]

My first MLB game was at Fenway in 1988 against the Blue Jays. I was six. While going down to get autographs my father and I helped an older lady through the crowd to her seat. She motioned toward the Blue Jays dugout and her son Mike Flanagan, along with Tom Henke, came over. She explained how nice we had been and directed them to sign my ball. They were both gentlemen, and for quite a while I became a Blue Jays fan, until both players had moved on. I felt terrible when I heard the news about Mike Flanagan, he was one of the most polite men I ever met.

[Section103]

I could find my sons' but no real chance of finding my own. I was 4 - 1973. It was a non-descript game against the Cardinals or Reds in the Houston Astrodome. I remember thinking how huge the stadium seemed and how far away the players were.

[byrone]

My first MLB game?

How about this barn-burner...

July 21, 1983 at the Seattle Kingdome

Boston Red Sox 14 Seattle Mariners 13 in 10 innings!

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...98307210.shtml

[Buythatcard]

My first game was at Yankee Stadium in 1960. I have no memory who they were playing that day. I was a huge Roger Maris fan and would take many pictures of him and Mantle with my polaroid camera while they were out in the outfield. My father took me to many games at the stadium during the early 60's.
My grandma lived 1 block from Ebbets Fields, so my father would walk me down to the stadium and I can remember hearing the crowds but never attended a game there.

[ajg]

My first game was June 8th 1969. i was about to turn 7 in September and it is one of my first memories. It was Mickey Mantle day and my dad and I drove down from upstate NY. I remember my father putting me on his shoulders so I could see the ceremony that took place between games. Of course I have no recollection of who won that day ( I have since looked at the box scores many times) but what a day for a 6 year old.
Knowing my father I am sure we ate at Mama Leone's and at Nathan's as we stayed overnight at my grandmothers on the Grand Concourse.

[Tim Fritz]

My first game was August 7th 1977. Blue Jays came to Milwaukee for a double header. I was 5 years old. The only thing I remember was buying a San Diego Padres plastic batting helmet (no idea why, I wasn't a fan, probably just thought it looked cool in my 5 year old brain) and my brother got sick on the bus ride back.

And I do vaguely remember the Brewers winning both games.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-...d=197708071MIL
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-...d=197708072MIL

[clydepepper]

My first in-person ML game was Opening Day 1966: Braves vs. Pirates when I was ten and my cousin, Whitlow Wyatt, was the Braves first pitching coach.

I honestly do not remember much, but I do remember him helping me down to the dugout and giving me an autographed team ball (Aaron, Niekro, Torre, etc.).

I wish I had been able to appreciate who I was seeing play- Aaron, Clemente, Stargell, etc.

The family group I was with consisted of three women and my brother (who was not interested) and me.

Us 'guys' got sleepy before the ninth inning and left.

We stayed in Atlanta overnight and I remember seeing in the newspaper that the game had gone to 13 innings and they had lost.

The game was tied going to the 13th, Pittsburgh scored twice in the top, and Torre hit his second homer in the bottom, but it was solo.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...96604120.shtml
?
?

[WhenItWasAHobby]

My first game was July 8, 1967, Reds v. Pirates at Forbes Field. The Pirates won 6-1.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-...d=196707080PIT

I was fortunate to see one of the most amazing plays ever made in a baseball game that day and naturally it involved Roberto Clemente. In the top of the 7th inning, Lee May hit a lead off triple for the Reds. The next batter strikes out. With May on third, Jake Wood hits a line drive, one hop single to Clemente in right field, and CLEMENTE RIFLES A THROW TO HOME TO PIRATE'S CATCHER JERRY MAY AND THROWS OUT LEE MAY AT THE PLATE! The crowd went wild with a standing ovation and my father told me that you'll probably never see a play like that again and so far he's been right.

Now looking back at the box score I'm actually surprised that Wood's at bat was ruled a single when in my opinion it should have been a fielder's choice.

See top of the 7th inning for the play-by-play.

http://www.backtobaseball.com/playli...July+8%2C+1967

[mattsey9]

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1...100SLN1976.htm

Shortly after my kid sister was born. Saw Lou Brock steal a base, and nearly had a foul ball.

[darwinbulldog]

I think it was this one.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/histo...D=SDN198606090

Tony Gwynn went 0 for 4, and that's probably the most interesting thing to be said about it. I went to several Astros games as a kid because the Astrodome was the closest MLB stadium (albeit still a six hour drive), but I was a Giants fan and always rooted against the Astros when I was there. Or so it was until I married a Texan and moved to Houston many years later. There's not much that I prefer about the modern game, but Minute Maid is my favorite ballpark.

[Jayworld]

It was this one:
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-...d=197508030TEX

California Angels at Texas Rangers. My dad took our family and we sat behind the visitor dugout at old Arlington Stadium (which was unusual as we would sit on the home side after this) so that my dad could introduce us to one of the Angels that he taught and coached in the Dallas High school system, Dave Chalk. Got his autograph on the program still today.

[savedfrommyspokes]

As a Yankees fan, it was hard to admit my first MLB game was a Red Sox game, 5.10.80. The Eck got shelled.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-...d=198005100BOS


My parents were not comfortable taking me to the Bronx....good call on their part as later in the summer of 80 during my first trip to the Stadium a HUGE fight broke out in the right field stands where we were sitting. I saw one of NYC's finest get hurled over multiple rows of seats, etc. The right field stands looked like a warzone....Reggie looked back and just shook his head.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-...d=198006220NYA

[bnorth]

My first game was 9-14-89 the Twins VS Blue Jays. Box Score http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-...d=198909140MIN

After this game I was hooked. Minneapolis is 300 miles 1 way from my house and till the Twins built the outdoor stadium I took that 600 mile round trip to see 100's of games. For some reason as soon as they quit playing at The Dome I quit watching baseball completely. The Yankee game last night was the first game I even watched on tv in years.

[CamaroCPA]

I have done this as well. I recently came across the ticket stubs from my first game. It was July 10, 1983. The Indians played the Twins at the Metrodome. The Twins won 6-4. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-...d=198307100MIN

I have collected autographed cards of all of the players, umpires, and both managers that participated in the game. I am getting them framed and matted, along with the ticket stubs and box score to give to my Dad for Christmas. I only wish I had a picture of us from that day.



And these are from my daughter's first game. I took her to Comerica Park 25 years to the day of my first game. We saw the Twins beat the Tigers in 11 innings, with Justin Morneau hitting a home run in the top of the 11th. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-...d=200807100DET

[obcbobd]

Originally Posted by WhenItWasAHobby

Now looking back at the box score I'm actually surprised that Wood's at bat was ruled a single when in my opinion it should have been a fielder's choice.

I think its not a fielder's choice because it was not a force play. Awesome play though!

[obcbobd]

July 19, 1970 I was 8. Seats right behind home plate and saw my hero Yaz hit a home run in his first at bat. Wasn't till years later when I looked up the box score I realized it was off of Rollie Fingers. Still have the ticket stub. Lost the prgram (I kept score) during a move.


http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-...d=197007190BOS

[PM770]

Here's mine. We were going on vacation to Kings Island and I talked my dad into going to the game that night.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...97907310.shtml

[LKeeler]

June 6th, 1989. Oakland-Alameda County Stadium. A's 1, Twins 0. Traveled from Wyoming to Oakland to watch the game as a 12 year old. We got robbed at Fishermans' Wharf in San Francisco that morning. My collection of '88 Topps football and baseball cards were the only thing in the car that wasn't stolen. Memorable day!

[mets41]

Mine was 8/25/59--Dodgers at phillies at old connie mack stadium. There were 10 future HOFers paid by the Dodgers or phillies in the park for the game (plus umpire). Can anyone name the HOFers?

[jimivintage]

Originally Posted by LKeeler

June 6th, 1989. Oakland-Alameda County Stadium. A's 1, Twins 0. Traveled from Wyoming to Oakland to watch the game as a 12 year old. We got robbed at Fishermans' Wharf in San Francisco that morning. My collection of '88 Topps football and baseball cards were the only thing out in the car that wasn't stolen. Memorable day!

So the thieves knew those cards wouldn't be worth anything later on back then, too, eh?

[LKeeler]

Originally Posted by jimivintage

So the thieves knew those cards wouldn't be worth anything later on back then, too, eh?

Yeah, they must have been psychic. They even ripped off a cassette player with a Tiffany tape in it :-)

[jimivintage]

Originally Posted by LKeeler

Yeah, they must have been psychic. They even ripped off a cassette player with a Tiffany tape in it :-)

Woah! So they were THOSE kind of thieves? LOL

[Runscott]

July 28, 1968 - Juan Marichal pitches a complete 11-inning game in the Astrodome to improve his record to 19-4

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...96807280.shtml

[Texxxx]

Scott we were not too far off. My first game was Sept 21, 1968 at the Astrodome.
Cin vs Hou Cin won 5-0
Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and Tony Perez were playing for Cin. Perez had one hit between the three of them.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...96809210.shtml

[bbcard1]

1970 Riverfront Stadium. The thing I remember most is seeing an aging Willie Mays play outfield. Reds rallied in the 9th to win.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by mets41

Mine was 8/25/59--Dodgers at phillies at old connie mack stadium. There were 10 future HOFers paid by the Dodgers or phillies in the park for the game (plus umpire). Can anyone name the HOFers?

Snider, Ashburn, Anderson, Roberts, Alston, Koufax, Drysdale, Campanella, O'Malley, and Conlon

Very Tricky!
?

[mark evans]

July 2, 1960. Cleveland at Washington. I was 10 years old.

Remarkably, the only two major leaguers to have attended my high school (Granby High, Norfolk, Va) both appeared in that game. Chuck Stobbs and Hank Foiles were high school battery mates.

[GoldenAge50s]

My 1st game was very memorable as I saw BOTH Jackie Robinson & Roy Campanella hit home runs!

Sat May 9, 1953 when I was 12 yrs old, I saw my 1st game at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, Dodgers-Phillies w/ Preacher Roe against Robin Roberts.

A back & forth game in which the Dodgers won w/ 2 outs in the 9th via a walk-off (they didn't call it that back then) 2-run shot by Campanella against a route-going Robin Roberts for a 7-6 Dodger win.

I still have my ticket stub from the game!

Here's the box score and all the players I saw that day:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...95305091.shtml

[Shoebox]

July 4, 1993 Cubs - Rockies @ Mile High

Cubs lost 3-1. Sammy Sosa and Ryne Sandberg were a combined 0-8 with 4 Ks. Mark Grace was out of the line up with an injury. No homeruns hit by either team.

[Collectorsince62]

June 21, 1963 at Busch Stadium. 21-year old Tim McCarver hit a 3-run homer off Sandy Koufax in the bottom of the ninth, but not enough as LA beat my Cardinals 5-3. Unfortunately, I had to settle for hearing Harry Caray call the homer on the car radio since we left early. My Dad wanted to beat the crowd to a local rib joint. Didn't matter. It was magical. Still have the scorecard and the tickets . . . and an indelible memory.

[mets41]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

Snider, Ashburn, Anderson, Roberts, Alston, Koufax, Drysdale, Campanella, O'Malley, and Conlon

Very Tricky!
?

Campanella is wrong, O'Mally is also wrong, Conlan was the umpire (not paid by either team). You missed Reese (coach for Dodgers), Dodger announcer Scully and phillie announcer Saam.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by mets41

Campanella is wrong, O'Mally is also wrong, Conlan was the umpire (not paid by either team). You missed Reese (coach for Dodgers), Dodger announcer Scully and phillie announcer Saam.

I don't know if they were actually at the ballpark that day, but Peter O'Malley, as team owner, was definitely paid by the Dodgers and I'm fairly sure they kept Campanella on the payroll even after his accident.

I erred on the ump and forgot that PeeWee was a coach and the announcers altogether, but the two above would make it a dozen if they were there.

I'm ashamed I forgot the best Baseball Broadcaster ever.
?
?

[mets41]

It's doubtful that Campanella and O'Malley were at the ballpark and, at the time, Walter O'Malley was the team owner (Peter's father).

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Texxxx

Scott we were not too far off. My first game was Sept 21, 1968 at the Astrodome.
Cin vs Hou Cin won 5-0
Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and Tony Perez were playing for Cin. Perez had one hit between the three of them.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...96809210.shtml

The Reds were my favorite team other than the Astros. I'll never forget attending the following game in 1970. Pete Rose hit the first pitch of the game out of the park (at least, that's what I remember). My Dad commented "There goes the no-hitter AND the shut-out". I thought that was very witty and packed it away for future reference.

Later in the game Tony Perez hit a HR right over our heads. I hit the deck and looking up, could see my Dad jumping as high as he possibly could, just barely missing it. I remember being impressed with an old man jumping that high. He was 34.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...97006280.shtml

[tedzan]

Summer of 1950, my friend Chuck's dad took us to Yankee Stadium to see the Yankees vs White Sox. I still have the Yankees 1950 yearbook
from that nightgame.

But let me tell you about the 2nd game I went to in September of 1951. My cousin George (avid Dodgers fan) took me to Ebbets Field to see
the Giants vs the Dodgers. It was a real pitchers duel, in which the Dodgers were leading 1-0 into the top of the 9th inning. The Giants started
hitting to tie the game 1-1; and, had a runner at 2nd base. The next batter hit a single to RF. Carl Furillo with his rifle arm threw the ball to Roy
Campanella. When the dust cleared at homeplate, the Ump signalled OUT. A split second later, the Ump changed his call to SAFE.

There was BEDLAM in BROOKLYN....the fans went wild. The Dodgers were scoreless in the bottom of the 9th....and we all went home.
I was only a 12 year old kid then, but I still remember the excitement of that game in Brooklyn that night.


TED Z
.

[VintageBucs]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Summer of 1950, my friend Chuck's dad took us to Yankee Stadium to see the Yankees vs White Sox. I still have the Yankees 1950 yearbook
from that nightgame.

But let me tell you about the 2nd game I went to in September of 1951. My cousin George (avid Dodgers fan) took me to Ebbets Field to see
the Giants vs the Dodgers. It was a real pitchers duel, in which the Dodgers were leading 1-0 into the top of the 9th inning. The Giants started
hitting to tie the game 1-1; and, had a runner at 2nd base. The next batter hit a single to RF. Carl Furillo with his rifle arm threw the ball to Roy
Campanella. When the dust cleared at homeplate, the Ump signalled OUT. A split second later, the Ump changed his call to SAFE.

There was BEDLAM in BROOKLYN....the fans went wild. The Dodgers were scoreless in the bottom of the 9th....and we all went home.
I was only a 12 year old kid then, but I still remember the excitement of that game in Brooklyn that night.


TED Z
.

What a great story, I love hearing stuff like this

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

1996 Yankees game at Yankee Stadium. My aunt's friend was dating someone in the front office so we had seats behind home plate. To this day I have never again had such good seats to a game.

[blackandgold]

My first game was August 7, 1971 at Three Rivers Stadium. My Aunt took me and my older cousin. The Pirates were playing the Phillies, and before the game, they had a "Reunion" game to celebrate the 1960 World Series. The "old" Pirates won the Reunion game, but the "current" Buccos lost 5-3.
I still have the yearbook, and the special program for the Reunion game, with photos of all the participants in 1960.
I also bought a Willie Stargell poster that day, which is long gone.
Great topic !

[AustinMike]

My first game was Aug. 18, 1968 at Oakland, I was 14. My dad was in the Air Force and we happened to be living in Northern California at the time. I was a big Yankees and Mantle fan so my dad took my brother and I to see them. If you look at the box score you won't see a certain name in it. He was given the day off. Just my luck! My only chance to see Mantle play in the flesh and he sits it out. Although, with binoculars, I did see him pick up a bat a couple of times late in the game. The game was still fantastic. Rocky Colavito threw out Campy Campaneris at home with a bullet throw from deep left field to help preserve the tie. The Yankees won in the 10th. Oh, yeah, there was a 2-inning old-timers game before the Yanks and A's played. The '48 San Francisco Seals against the '48 Oakland Oaks. A trio of DiMaggio brothers played in it.