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A Perfect Night
🕑 Added 2024-08-24 15:19:27 +0000 UTCYo Gang! Fun show! Bret Stevens is here. Man I love when those spontaneous bit come out of nowhere!
My daughter is turning 11 next week, but I'll be out on the road, so a few weeks ago we agreed that to make up for this, I'd take her out to a "fancy" restaurant for a little daddy-daughter dinner. I picked a spot near us called "Taylor's Steakhouse" that's maybe not the BEST of the best, but a classic dark oak table, grandpa-style steakhouse.
The night before I had a thought though: We could go to the Dodger's game after dinner! There was simply nothing stopping us. I looked on Stub Hub and found reasonable tickets in the bleachers, back behind Centerfield... and picked up a couple but kept it a secret.
We hit Taylor's and Milie was in full "pretending to be royalty" mode, studiously perusing over the big leather menu and opting for a Shirley Temple, Caesar Salad and Fish and Chips. I was able to instill an important life lesson here, when the Fish and Chips arrived they were a bit disappointing. More Fish sticks and chips. I said, Mill, when you go to a steak house, get the steak. :)
As dinner was wrapping up, I suggested we maybe go somewhere else for desert. I had an ice cream place in mind, and then I took out my phone and showed her the tickets to the Dodger's game. Boom. The surprise hit hard - She flipped - We're going to the game tonight???? Huge. I knew it'd hit big, as Millie loves going to games and we haven't gone to one since May. She watches a lot of the games at home with me and knows the players well.
For whatever reason, it was a breeze pulling into Dodger's Stadium. I guess we had accidentally timed it perfectly and there was hardly any wait to get into the parking lot. It was Friday night, the weather was perfect, walking into the stadium was just magical - Everyone was in a good mood. We found out seats and I wondered why I'd never opted for the cheaper bleachers before! These were great seats to watch a ballgame: A great view of every position and a chance to have a homer land in your lap. I didn't even mind the less comfortable bench seating.
In fact, right off the bat (literally) after 2 outs, The Tampa Bay Rays got a dinger off of Bobby Miller and the ball landed into the hands of a dude three rows in front of us, which he dutifully threw back onto the field.
The Rays went up 3-0 on the Dodgers through 5 when Kiki Hernandez tied things up with a 3 run homer. Things stayed run free for a while and we ate plenty good - Some dippin Dots, and a couple of hot dogs...
I checked out the recap on youtube and after that first home run you can see me and Millie!
Into the 9th, we went in a tie game and I was hoping we didn't have to go into extras, because Millie really wanted to see this done show they do on Friday nights, which I suppose has replaced their usual Friday Night Fireworks? Which is fine with me, as I'm not really a big Fireworks guy.
Dodger's Bullpen shut down the Rays over the last few innings and so the bottom of the ninth was set up for the Dodger's offense to produce. a couple of singles and some smart bunting got Will Smith into scoring position. And we had men on first and second with no outs. But a couple of outs later, Will had moved over to third and Muncy was up to pinch hit for Kiki. Muncy, who had been in the IL most of the year but had come back strong the past week. I had a good feeling. Muncy, though with a new pitcher hung back and let the pitcher throw wild and walked to first, loading the bases for Ohtani who was 0-3 but had earlier in the night reached a milestone 40 bases stolen.., he was now 1 home run away from joining some rare air in baseball: a 40/40 season - 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases, a feat only 6 other players have managed to accomplish in MLB history (what is that? 140 years or something?)
And so Ohtani took to the plate with a tie game, bases loaded with 2 outs, and needless to say, we were all on our feet. First pitch, Ohtani swung and knocked the ball high and right towards us and I watched as it JUST arched over the head of the Ray's centerfielder and into the hats and hands of the first row in front of us.
WALK OFF GRAND SLAM HOME RUN AND RECORD BREAKING HISTORIC MOMENT IN BASEBALL HISTORY!
Not only did Ohtani join that club of 6 other players, he became the one to do it the quickest. Kinda cool to watch maybe one of the best to ever do it, DO IT in real time.
Oh boy did that place erupt! I high fived all the stranger around me. It was a glorious few minutes of mass joy.
We watched Ohtani's post game interview on the Jumbotron and then worked our way down to field level where they opened the gates for everyone to pile onto the field to watch the drone show, which that evening was designed to be a tribute to The Lakers. It was impressive technology but kinda boring after a few minutes. Millie thought it was very cool, but we headed out, somehow perfectly timing a bathroom stop before massive lines formed.
After an easy departure from the parking lot, surrounded by happy fans we were back home before 11... Just in time to watch the rest of a Leftovers episode to ensure I'd have some weird, unsettling dreams.
What a good night.
Heading to NYC tomorrow! I hope to see MANY of you out there on the road, Central Park FREE Show on Tuesday! Be There!
Peace and Love, T
Comments
Joseph Davis
Damn. That gave me chills
Matt James
I've done the bleachers thing once or twice now. It is pretty awesome. I still prefer the high seats (cheapish ones) You're lucky you made that game man, that may not happen again in our lifetimes.
Taylor DB
Bret Stevens is here.
Noah
that's so awesome. you can't beat the feeling and camaraderie that comes about after a walk off home run in person. Amazing you got to see the natural Ohtani! I was there for Muncy's walk off against the red Sox in the WS in the 18th inning. still can feel the joy
Logan Dotson
This story really brightened my day. Truly perfect. Happy Birthday!
Will Chapman
So great! Happy birthday Millie!
Carol A Dukes
That sounds like the perfect day for Millie. She'll never forget her 11th birthday. Great job, Dad!
Pee Pat
Never throw a ball back, keep that thang (or give it to a kid)
Kevin Doyle
Awesome pre birthday night for Mill! Tim, have you been to Laser Wolf in Williamsburg? Had dinner there this week whilst visiting my mom. Great spread and views.
Will Ewell
My daughter is only 3 and I can’t wait to take her on daddy-daughter dates like this someday. We’ve already instituted a weekly movie date (this week was Coraline) and it’s always a highlight of the week. Anyway, loved this! It’s cool to see a comedy legend also be a standup Family Guy
Andrew C.
Sounds like a really nice time. Happy pre birthday to your daughter
Mary Newman
Fun read, thanks for sharing that magic : )
Alex B
Love it, sounds like a perfect night. Gives me strong memories of my first visit to the US. Nice work
Carol
thank you Tim, this was so heartful and uplifting to read♥️
Mars Hottentot
This made me smile! HPp BRd 🎉 MILLIE!
Josh Parsons
I love it. Love that you got to take in and share and create a great memory of a special day and a special sports moment. I think that you can actually spot Tim and Millie on Shohei's home run as well from the TV broadcast as the camera tracks the play. Love that you got to experience this. P&L
Ben Posey
Sweet post! I even teared up.. reminds me of going to the baseball game with my dad when I was small .. I have a 10 year old daughter but I guess she isn’t into sports but she does like to play video games with me and draw ! Thanks Tim!
skeletonmeat
obligatory perfect dad day comment
Skyler Butenshon
Ohtani magic! I watched it live! But what birthday joy to see it live! GREAT JOB DAD!
Sean Slavin
Truly nothing better than a late-August ball game in nice weather. A perfect respite before life starts up again around us. Excited to see you & the VGB at Arrowood Farms!
KL
Great memories going to baseball games with my Dad. Good job all old man. See you in NYC! Hope you bust out some new tunes.
Michael Antonelli
Wow what a perfect night!!!! I have a 1 year old son and cried reading this thinking about someday getting to do it with my boy. Love you Tim. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us rubes.
jeff s
I have a similar birthday memory with my dad, and it’s still one of my fondest memories. Happy birthday Millie
EKB
speaking as a former 10-year-old girl baseball enthusiast, this birthday sounds like an absolute all-timer
Alan Copeland
The Leftovers Seasons 2 and 3 are some of the best TV ever made. So glad you're experiencing it.
Brandon Holmes
Also would love to hear some thoughts on the Leftovers once you finish, one of the best series of the last decade for sure
Brandon Holmes
Wow what a cool memory for both of y’all! I am just in awe of how good Ohtani is.
Parker Shields
Wow! As a dad with a daughter and a baseball fan, this was the best Saturday blog yet. Enjoy tour. See ya at Hopscotch!
Travis C.M.
Special game to catch. Always here for the baseball bits.
Zach Pierce
You pay a billion dollars for a player you should get something out of it
Tim Heidecker
that is correct
Mark Bisi
Way to go, dad!
Jim D.
Nice job on the lifetime memory T. Trying to get up to the NYC show after work. Rock and roll production math hints at the VGB going on around 7pm. Blink once if I am almost right. Enjoy the tour. Local tip: check out the Silver Ball Arcade in Asbury Park after the set. Clinch art gallery too. Lots of great rock portraits there.
Blizzard Wuffy
I saw about the Ohtani thing this morning and watched the highlight, so cool you were there for that what an absolute classic of a game to be at!
Melissa
What a lucky kid!!
🖤Cassie🖤
Tim you’re a great dad! Glad you got to do that for her before you start touring. You guiding the acid trip has to be one of my favorite bits. Hope you rock it man in New York!
Hanz
This is the cutest!! Happy birthday!
Monique
I was watching at home and my poor mom had just gone to bed during the seventh inning. It's so cool you were there!!!
Jim Schroeder
Now I know… “Bret Louis Stephens (born November 21, 1973) is an American conservative journalist, editor, and columnist. He has been an opinion columnist for The New York Times and a senior contributor to NBC News since 2017.”
TheReal007
Glad it was a great night. Safe travels on the road. Hope Charlottesville treats you well.
Brian Rooney
that jumbo tron screenshot is definitely an album cover
Jim Schroeder
Bret Stevens is here.
