There Are Those Who Call Me Tim's Ticket Stubs

I was shocked we ended up going to this game, as it was in the day and our family doesn't like sunburns. The Padres were in a very close pennant race, and this game was tied after the Reds scored 2 in the 5th inning. Dave Burba for the Reds and Fernando Valenzuela for the Padres were both done after 5. The game remained tied until the 12th when Jody Reed got a single to drive in Greg Vaughn from second base, which Vaughn had stolen after a walk. It was a very exciting win.

Labels: 1996, Baseball, Jack Murphy Stadium, Padres, Reds, Stub, Ticket

The Royals used the power of a 7-run 6th inning to win easily over the Mariners 10-4. Mike Sweeney hit his first career home run in this game off of Jamie Moyer. The one bright spot for the Mariners was an Alex Rodriguez home run. Rick Huisman saves his first and only career major league game. This was also the last game I ever went to in the Kingdome.

Labels: 1996, Baseball, Kingdome, Mariners, Royals, Stub, Ticket

Sound the alarm, it's a pitcher's duel. Fernando Valenzuela bests Greg Maddux as the Padres win 2-1. Playing for the Braves in this game are 3 future Padres: Ryan Klesko, Ed Giovanola, and Maddux. Chipper Jones hits a solo homer off of Trevor Hoffman, but the Padres' closer still records the save.

Labels: 1996, Baseball, Braves, Jack Murphy Stadium, Padres, Stub, Ticket

The Padres hit three homers (Rob Deer, Ken Caminiti, Rickey Henderson) off of Giants' starter Osvaldo Fernandez, helping the cause in a 10-3 victory. Fernando Valenzuela picked up the win for the Padres in this one. Also great, Barry Bonds did not hit a home run in this game.

Labels: 1996, Baseball, Giants, Jack Murphy Stadium, Padres, Stub, Ticket

A 16-inning marathon! I'm not sure if we stayed for the whole game or not. Knowing my dad, we probably didn't. The two starting pitchers, Mike Cambell for the Cubs and Andy Ashby for the Padres, were long gone before this game was over. Both teams scored 4 runs in the first 3 innings, and then nothing until the 12th inning. Then they traded single runs in the 12th and 15th innings. Finally the Cubs got 3 runs off Willie Blair in the 16th that the Padres could not match. Brant Brown and Sammy Sosa homered for the Cubs. Fernando Valenzuela pinch-hit for the Padres, ending the game by striking out.

Labels: 1996, Baseball, Cubs, Extra Innings, Jack Murphy Stadium, Padres, Stub, Ticket.

My first and only (I think) roller hockey game. This was very strange to watch. The playing surface was a sort of teal tiled pattern. The players wore pants. Remembering all this makes me wish I had a camera way back then. I wrote on the back of the stub that the Barracudas won 6-5, so there you go, the Barracudas are your winners.

Labels: 1996, Barracudas, Coyotes, Roller Hockey, Sports Arena, Stub, Ticket

My second Padres game in a week and for the second time the opposing pitcher throws a complete game shutout. This time it was Zane Smith blanking the Padres as the Pirates won 10-0. Sean Bergman started the game for the Padres and was largely ineffective, giving up 5 runs in as many innings. Jeff King and Orlando Merced both homered for the Pirates.

Labels: 1996, Baseball, Jack Murphy Stadium, Padres, Pirates, Stub, Ticket

Bob Tewksbury started this game for the Padres, pitching against one of his former teams. Alan Benes started for the Cardinals, and pitched a complete game shutout. Tewksbury also went the distance, giving up 3 runs in a losing effort. Early in the game, Tewksbury was pitching to Willie McGee, and he threw him a 45 mph curveball. My dad and I were sitting right behind home plate, and we were just as shocked as McGee. Also a rarity, Steve Finley made an error in center field for the Padres.

Labels: 1996, Baseball, Cardinals, Jack Murphy Stadium, Padres, Stub, Ticket

A group from the church went up to Anaheim Stadium to see the Tigers and our own Eddie Williams play against the California Angels. During the 1994 and 1995 seasons, Williams played for the Padres and went to the same church as my family. Before the 1996 season, Williams was acquired by the Tigers to be their DH. This was our first opportunity to go see him play. He went 1-4 in the game with a strikeout. The Angels DH, Tim Wallach, made a bigger impression by going 2-4 with a home run. Mark Langston started and won the game for the Angels, defeating Scott Aldred.

Labels: 1996, Anaheim Stadium, Angels, Baseball, Stub, Ticket, Tigers