Readers, we're nearly 2 months into baseball season here at MM, and that means one thing: the Cincinnati Reds are back on our radar screen for another season of heartbreaking defeat (but what's that you say? The Reds have been in first place recently? And they haven't been in first place this deep into the season since 2006? True, but the cynical Reds fan that I am--read: lover of perennial losers held hostage by declining ticket sales and bad front-office decision making--will not allow me to enjoy it, knowing that crushing defeat lies in wait for that moment when I decide to emotionally invest myself).
Anyway: Cincinnati's Crosley Field made history back on May 24th, 1935 when it was host to the first ever baseball game played at night, at which the Reds beat the Phillies 2-1.
I was really disappointed that I couldn't make it up to Cincy to see the game last night: in honor of the anniversary, the powers-that-be 86ed the obnoxious, hiccuping drone of the Mega-tron (and the accompanying hip-hop styling of whatever crappy song each player wants played as he's walking up to bat) and instead opted to play organ music(!) ORGAN MUSIC! They apparently still have one stashed away somewhere at the ballpark (or at least a keyboard that has a calliope setting on it). That alone would've been worth the hour and 20 minute drive.
According to an article on MLB.com describing last night's festivities: "during the seventh inning stretch, a sparkling 'C' was illuminated on the right-field porch as part of a ceremony to commemorate the moment when President Franklin D. Roosevelt pushed a button at the White House to activate the lights at Crosley Field."
Wow! FDR! This was back when baseball was such a big deal in America that the President wanted to get involved! Go Reds!
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