Tag: Ernie Banks

In a few hours, the New York Mets will play their first home game of 2011. Thanks in part to the decline in demand for Mets tickets, I’m going to my first Major League Opening Day game. (Never mind that it’s game seven of the season and the Mets are coming into it with a 3-3 record, I’m excited!)

The first 25,000 fans attending today’s 4:10 p.m. game against the Washington Nationals will receive a Mr. Met bobblehead. Fans attending tomorrow night’s 7:10 p.m. start will receive a Mets ski cap, while those attending Sunday’s 1:10 p.m. series finale will receive magnetic schedules. The homestand concludes next week with a four-game series against the Colorado Rockies. The first three games are 7:10 p.m. starts, while Thursday’s getaway day game begins at 1:10 p.m.

The Trenton Thunder opened their season in New Hampshire last night, defeating the Fisher Cats 5-1. They’ll play their first home game on Thursday, April 14 against the Harrisburg Senators. The first 2,000 fans will receive magnetic schedules. (If anybody gets an extra, I’d like to have one.)

The Lakewood BlueClaws beat Kanapolis 2-0 last night to begin their campaign to win a third consecutive South Atlantic League Championship. The series continues this weekend, with a 7:05 p.m. start tonight, a 4:05 p.m. game on Saturday and a 1:05 p.m. finale on Sunday. There will be a fireworks display after tonight’s game. All reserve and general admission tickets are just $1 for the three games, thanks to the Asbury Park Press’ Dollar Days promotion.

The BlueClaws will play the Greensboro Grasshoppers next week, with 6:35 p.m. starts Monday through Thursday. Each night, the first 2,000 fans will receive a magnetic schedule.

The Somerset Patriots will hold their pre-season fanfest on Saturday from noon – 3 p.m. Manager Sparky Lyle and some Patriots players will be on-hand to meet fans and sign autographs. The Flemington Neshanock and the Elizabeth Resolutes will play a baseball game according to 1880s rules and customs.

Baseball card shows
GT Sports Marketing is holding a sports card/autograph show at the Garden State Exposition Center in Somerset this weekend. It’s geared more towards football collectors, but I thought I’d mention it since Deion Sanders is a guest on Saturday and Ernie Banks is scheduled to be there Sunday.

There will be smaller sports card shows in Rahway and Toms River on Sunday. The Rahway show is from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Rahway Senior Center, 1306 Esterbrook Ave. The Toms River show is also from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the East Dover First Aid , 530 Garfield Ave.