Comments on: The Empire Struck Out http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Sat, 25 May 2013 05:23:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Jon DeRosa http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80975 Jon DeRosa Fri, 20 May 2011 13:08:58 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80975 [13] Let's see if we can put a date to that for you... Reggie only hit one walk-off homer as an Angel, that was 5/29/82 vs the Brewers to win 5-4 in the 10th. He also hit a 2 run shot down 3-2 in the 8th on 9/25/86, and they went on to win 6-3 over Cleveland. Abd a 2 run shot down 5-4 in the 7th on 8/22/82, and they went on to win 6-5 over Detroit. So assuming the homer came late in the game and "won the game" it's got to be one of those three games. [13] Let’s see if we can put a date to that for you…

Reggie only hit one walk-off homer as an Angel, that was 5/29/82 vs the Brewers to win 5-4 in the 10th.

He also hit a 2 run shot down 3-2 in the 8th on 9/25/86, and they went on to win 6-3 over Cleveland.

Abd a 2 run shot down 5-4 in the 7th on 8/22/82, and they went on to win 6-5 over Detroit.

So assuming the homer came late in the game and “won the game” it’s got to be one of those three games.

]]> By: Boatzilla http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80974 Boatzilla Fri, 20 May 2011 06:14:58 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80974 [11] It appears that the Elvis memory is the false one. I'm absolutely positive we left an Angels' game early in which Reggie Jackson hit a game winning HR. I know I was also in CA at that aunt's house the day that Elvis died, so I must have blended the two memories to make for a better story. I can also confirm that I would not had anything to do with that wacky tobaccy in 77 at the age of 13. So drop out the Elvis part and the rest is true. [11] It appears that the Elvis memory is the false one. I’m absolutely positive we left an Angels’ game early in which Reggie Jackson hit a game winning HR.

I know I was also in CA at that aunt’s house the day that Elvis died, so I must have blended the two memories to make for a better story.

I can also confirm that I would not had anything to do with that wacky tobaccy in 77 at the age of 13.

So drop out the Elvis part and the rest is true.

]]> By: joejoejoe http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80973 joejoejoe Fri, 20 May 2011 04:13:42 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80973 I watched this game on TV too! I remember straining to understand the chant through the little television speaker "What are they saying? What? Steinbrenner...sucks?!?" like I was some kind of inverse Grinch listening to the singing in Whoville. I had a Reggie poster over my bed as a kid taken from Sport magazine, maybe a Leroy Neiman painting? That game was awesome. Reg-gie is still the best two syllable chant in sports. I watched this game on TV too! I remember straining to understand the chant through the little television speaker “What are they saying? What? Steinbrenner…sucks?!?” like I was some kind of inverse Grinch listening to the singing in Whoville. I had a Reggie poster over my bed as a kid taken from Sport magazine, maybe a Leroy Neiman painting? That game was awesome. Reg-gie is still the best two syllable chant in sports.

]]> By: Jon DeRosa http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80972 Jon DeRosa Fri, 20 May 2011 02:49:04 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80972 (10) that is some good shit you were smokin. Reggie was on the yanks in 77 and they weren't in Anaheim on august sixteenth. Bobby bonds hit homer for the angels that night but it wasn't a game winner or anything. I would love to know how that memory came to form in your noggin. (10) that is some good shit you were smokin. Reggie was on the yanks in 77 and they weren’t in Anaheim on august sixteenth. Bobby bonds hit homer for the angels that night but it wasn’t a game winner or anything. I would love to know how that memory came to form in your noggin.

]]> By: Boatzilla http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80971 Boatzilla Fri, 20 May 2011 00:59:41 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80971 Saw Reggie play for the Angels in Anaheim the same day that Elvis croaked. Went with my cousin, who made the 10-minute drive from their home in Orange. As was our pattern, back in the day, we got stoned before the game, and probably during the game. I ate popcorn and nachos with jalapenos and got a bad stomach ache. My cousin, who was not a big baseball fan, got restless and made some B.S. excuse that we had to leave to get home in time for dinner, and anyway the Angels were going to lose. As we were walking through the parking lot, I heard the place going nuts. When we got home my Aunt was watching the news, talking about Elvis. Then she says, that must have been something, "Reggie won the game with a home run in the 9th." I couldn't even fake it. She was astonished that we missed it. I was sick. Saw Reggie play for the Angels in Anaheim the same day that Elvis croaked. Went with my cousin, who made the 10-minute drive from their home in Orange. As was our pattern, back in the day, we got stoned before the game, and probably during the game. I ate popcorn and nachos with jalapenos and got a bad stomach ache.

My cousin, who was not a big baseball fan, got restless and made some B.S. excuse that we had to leave to get home in time for dinner, and anyway the Angels were going to lose. As we were walking through the parking lot, I heard the place going nuts.

When we got home my Aunt was watching the news, talking about Elvis. Then she says, that must have been something, “Reggie won the game with a home run in the 9th.”

I couldn’t even fake it. She was astonished that we missed it. I was sick.

]]> By: Mr OK Jazz Tokyo http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80970 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo Thu, 19 May 2011 22:09:44 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80970 Mr. October, greatest nickname ever. I was 8 when he went to the Angels, my aunty downstairs then bought me a framed picture of him in his new uniform and it took prime position in my bedroom. You're right about today's bland athletes, there's no one in baseball (sports?) today who is as so stylish, charismatic or controversial as Reggie. Always going to be my favorite baseball player ever...just ahead of Donnie Baseball, Willie Randolph, Jeter and Lord Mariano. Mr. October, greatest nickname ever. I was 8 when he went to the Angels, my aunty downstairs then bought me a framed picture of him in his new uniform and it took prime position in my bedroom.

You’re right about today’s bland athletes, there’s no one in baseball (sports?) today who is as so stylish, charismatic or controversial as Reggie. Always going to be my favorite baseball player ever…just ahead of Donnie Baseball, Willie Randolph, Jeter and Lord Mariano.

]]> By: ms october http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80969 ms october Thu, 19 May 2011 20:01:03 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80969 great piece jon. that must have been an hilarious exchange at gucci. as a little kid i just found reggie so mesmerizing. he's one of those people that commands attention, whether he is speaking, or just walking to the plate, or spinning out a hr. great piece jon.
that must have been an hilarious exchange at gucci.

as a little kid i just found reggie so mesmerizing. he’s one of those people that commands attention, whether he is speaking, or just walking to the plate, or spinning out a hr.

]]> By: weeping for brunnhilde http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80968 weeping for brunnhilde Thu, 19 May 2011 19:52:55 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80968 [6] Ohhhh, Nooo! hhaahahhaha!! Mothers, indeed! [6] Ohhhh, Nooo!

hhaahahhaha!!

Mothers, indeed!

]]> By: Chyll Will http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80967 Chyll Will Thu, 19 May 2011 18:43:02 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80967 My first year in Little League, we were allowed to choose our own numbers for our uniforms. My Mom knew I wanted Reggie's number, but somehow she got the '44' mixed with '42' and I ended up with the latter. She apologized, but also reasoned that it was just as well, if not more honorable because '42' happened to be the number of one Jackie Robinson. Well, that wasn't a problem at all, was it? My first year in Little League, we were allowed to choose our own numbers for our uniforms. My Mom knew I wanted Reggie’s number, but somehow she got the ’44′ mixed with ’42′ and I ended up with the latter. She apologized, but also reasoned that it was just as well, if not more honorable because ’42′ happened to be the number of one Jackie Robinson. Well, that wasn’t a problem at all, was it?

]]> By: Jon DeRosa http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80966 Jon DeRosa Thu, 19 May 2011 18:36:39 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80966 [4] That's a great point. And the thing is, your son would have loved Jeter whether Jeter was bland or not. We loved Reggie for the baseball, same as Ruth, DiMaggio, Mantle, Munson. The players are cleansing themselves of style and flaws for the corporate sponsors. The adoring kids would have latched onto Jeter the first time he made a jump throw or got a big hit and they never would have worried about whether or not he was an asshole. [4] That’s a great point. And the thing is, your son would have loved Jeter whether Jeter was bland or not. We loved Reggie for the baseball, same as Ruth, DiMaggio, Mantle, Munson.

The players are cleansing themselves of style and flaws for the corporate sponsors. The adoring kids would have latched onto Jeter the first time he made a jump throw or got a big hit and they never would have worried about whether or not he was an asshole.

]]> By: Yankee Mama http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80965 Yankee Mama Thu, 19 May 2011 18:31:09 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80965 Lovely prose, Jon. Year after year, my son would send a letter to Jeter, hoping against hope that his letters would be answered. I was the sobering voice of reason. It makes me think about heroes, how colorful and illustrious a hero Reggie was as compared to the antiseptic heroes in baseball today. Don't get me wrong, I think Jeter is a class-act and has been a decent role model, but not nearly as deliciously flawed as our Reggie. Lovely prose, Jon.

Year after year, my son would send a letter to Jeter, hoping against hope that his letters would be answered. I was the sobering voice of reason. It makes me think about heroes, how colorful and illustrious a hero Reggie was as compared to the antiseptic heroes in baseball today. Don’t get me wrong, I think Jeter is a class-act and has been a decent role model, but not nearly as deliciously flawed as our Reggie.

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80964 Alex Belth Thu, 19 May 2011 18:19:54 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80964 I remember this game well. Watched it on our 13" Sony Trinitron. Did laps around our apartment when Reggie hit the dinger. Still probably one of the great sports moments of my life. Great piece, J. I remember this game well. Watched it on our 13″ Sony Trinitron. Did laps around our apartment when Reggie hit the dinger. Still probably one of the great sports moments of my life.

Great piece, J.

]]> By: Jon DeRosa http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80963 Jon DeRosa Thu, 19 May 2011 18:13:06 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80963 [2] Thanks man. Alex and I discovered we both used to send Reggie birthday cards. I went as Reggie for Halloween in 1980. My aunt Susan saw him at Gucci and went up to him and said,"Hey can you sign an autograph for my nephew? He was you for Halloween." Reggie grabbed some Gucci gift card or something and wrote his name out. As he handed it back to her he said, "This is a white kid?" [2] Thanks man. Alex and I discovered we both used to send Reggie birthday cards.

I went as Reggie for Halloween in 1980. My aunt Susan saw him at Gucci and went up to him and said,”Hey can you sign an autograph for my nephew? He was you for Halloween.” Reggie grabbed some Gucci gift card or something and wrote his name out. As he handed it back to her he said, “This is a white kid?”

]]> By: weeping for brunnhilde http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/05/19/the-empire-struck-out/#comment-80962 weeping for brunnhilde Thu, 19 May 2011 18:05:04 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=59189#comment-80962 Wow, exquisite, poignant piece of writing, Jon, thank you! I wonder if I was at that game? I did see Reggie hit one out with California and I remember my heart soaring and the thrill of standing up with the whole stadium to chant "reg-GIE, reg-GIE, reg-GIE!!" What a moment. As I recall, though (and I was probably 9 or 10, depending on the season), the ball carried out to left-center, somewhere into the black. Also, I named my cat Reggie. Everyone asked, "Oh, after Reggie Jackson?" and I'd always deny it, "No, I just like the name." How absurd and amusing that preposterous denial must have looked! I mean, I had a Reggie autographed photograph (along with one of Bucky Dent!), several Reggie shirts, Reggie books... And yet, "No, it's just a cute name for a cat." Even at that age I felt a little embarrassed about being *that* much of a fanboy. The shirts, the autograph, that's one thing, but naming your pet after the man? All of which is to say, happy birthday, Reggie. Wow, exquisite, poignant piece of writing, Jon, thank you!

I wonder if I was at that game? I did see Reggie hit one out with California and I remember my heart soaring and the thrill of standing up with the whole stadium to chant “reg-GIE, reg-GIE, reg-GIE!!” What a moment. As I recall, though (and I was probably 9 or 10, depending on the season), the ball carried out to left-center, somewhere into the black.

Also, I named my cat Reggie. Everyone asked, “Oh, after Reggie Jackson?” and I’d always deny it, “No, I just like the name.”

How absurd and amusing that preposterous denial must have looked! I mean, I had a Reggie autographed photograph (along with one of Bucky Dent!), several Reggie shirts, Reggie books…

And yet, “No, it’s just a cute name for a cat.”

Even at that age I felt a little embarrassed about being *that* much of a fanboy. The shirts, the autograph, that’s one thing, but naming your pet after the man?

All of which is to say, happy birthday, Reggie.

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