Where/when did you attend your first pro games?

[Randy Steinman]

Had this conversation with some co-workers the other day. Thought it might be interesting to see where/when you witnessed your first games and what your memories are of them.

You don't have to disclose the dates if you don't want to. ;) Here are mine:

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Chicago @ Toronto - March, 1967
I was seven. My dad took me. Up until that night, every pro sports event I had seen was on our grainy B&W teevee. I'll never forget how brilliant the colors were.
I went down to the ice during the warm-up and got two autographs. The Leafs' Terry Sawchuk recorded his 100th career shutout that night. I still have the program.
A few years ago, a friend who works for a Canadian network went into the archives and made me a dub of the original broadcast of that game. A very cool keepsake of one of the best nights of my life as a kid.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Cleveland @ Detroit - May, 1974
Went with some friends from high school. Sat out in the bleachers somewhere in left field. I think I fell in love with the smell of cigars that day.
Was surprised at how crisp the colors seemed. The field was a perfect shade of green. The Indians' uniforms were all-red... jerseys and pants.
Mickey Lolich pitched for the Tigers. It was a low-scoring game and I honestly don't remember who won.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
New Orleans @ Detroit - November, 1974
Went to a game with my dad when the Lions still played at Tiger Stadium. My favorite player back then was a Saints' Defensive Back named John Fuller, who had been traded from the 49ers that summer.
Cold, rainy day. The game was pretty sloppy and the Lions won by a couple of field goals.
Again, loved the smell of the food and the cigars. I recall the restrooms being disgusting.

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Chicago @ Detroit - November, 1984
Staffed the game for NewsRadio, a few weeks after covering the Tigers' World Series win over San Diego. This NBA game was the first time I had ever sat that close to the action at a pro sports event.
Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas were just beginning their careers, but I honestly don't recall much about either player that particular day. Pistons lost a high-scoring, close game at the Pontiac Silverdome.
I think I spent much of the game flirting with a blonde usherette from Dearborn. :thumbsup:

[kmfdmatt]

I don't remember for sure, but it had to have been a Phillies game circa 1978 at (gag) The Vet.

[nywx10]

I've never seen an NBA or NFL game live....

NHL: The Old MSG in 1967, Rangers vs. Blackhawks
AHL: Adirondack Red Wings 1987. Saw them win 3 Calder Cups in my years living in Glens Falls.

MLB: NY Yankees 1961. I also saw one WS Game...Yankees vs Cards...Game 6 in 1964. I saw Mickey Mantle's last WS HR, a walk-off, off of Barney Shultz.

Mets: Shea Stadium 1965

Minor League Ball: Saw a few AC Yankees and Glens Falls Tigers games in the late 80s-1991 period.

I have to say "Minor" league sports teams/games were great in so many ways.

[Kace]

Circa June 1990 - Watched the Braves and Giants at Candlestick. It was one of Dale Murphy's last games with Atlanta as he was traded to the Phillies not long after. Poor Dale...he was one of my favorites as a kid and when I finally got to see him, he struck out thrice. The third time, he spiked his batting helmet in disgust. John Smoltz was the losing pitcher. Kevin Mitchell and Will Clark hit Home Runs. Giants won 7-0. Fell in love with the stadium, though.

October, 2001 - NASCAR Winston Cup at the Rock. It was the Pop Secret 400 (or something like that). Pissed in a trough during a caution while some dude got high in one of the crap stalls. Caution came at a good time, too as I was needin' to pee somethin' fierce. I remain a big fan of Carl Long to this day 'cause his inability to drive allowed me to use the bathroom without missing any green flag racin'. "Front Row" Joe Nemechek won the race.

[Charles Loring]

I LOVE sports and being a TN guy...well.

NBA: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Houston Rockets; Got to see the tall Yao Ming.

NHL: Nashville Predators vs. I believe the Detroit Red Wings

NFL: Countless Tennessee Titans games

MLB: Latest one was a Cincinnatti Reds vs. San Francisco Giants; Barry Bonds hit a home run...too bad it was a cheated home run.

[Sir Dropham Pants]

The first pro sporting event I saw was an NFL exhibition game in Phoenix in 1980. Baltimore Colts vs. Falcons. Not a great game.

[Jane Craig]

Baseball: Detroit Tigers (at Briggs Stadium) -- Dad took us about once a year. I remember the way the field looked under the lights, keeping score in my program with a tiny pencil, and the peanuts in the shell.

Football: Lions (yeah, if you care to call that football...) -- early '80s in that horrid dome -- I used to choose which games to go to by the opponent.

Hockey: Bruins at the Boston Garden (oh, how I miss the old barn -- the cure for all known diseases was growing in the rafters). The speed of the game amazed me, and trying to follow the puck drove me bats. But the most vivid memory was the irony of the blood right over the United Way logo under the ice. (Forgive me, Randy -- I am both an American and a girl!)

Basketball: Celtics at the Garden -- Bird, McHale, Parrish, Ainge, and DJ. Wow. Especially against the Lakers.

[Sir Dropham Pants]

I was thinking about this more since my previous post about the Colts Falcons game. I think that was my second game. First was a Chiefs v. 49ers pre-season game. Steve DeBerg's backup got a good amount of playing time that game. He did OK for himself the following season.

[Ralphie the buffalo]

I have better college game memories, but what the heck.

I saw my first NFL game at Mile High stadium when it only held about 50,000.
It was a preseason game between the Broncos and the Vikings in 1971.
That was a thrill for a little boy.

The wife and I saw the Nuggets and Lakers play in the late 80's.
Kareem was there and the Nugs pulled out a tight one.

Pro baseball didn't come to Denver until the early 90's so I didn't see a game until then.

I practically grew up watching Air Force football.
Yeah, I know it is only college.
I remember when Air Force had Notre Dame on the ropes in 1975.
The Falcons were up by 20 points in the 4th quarter.
Some sophomore comes off the bench and rallies the Irish to a one-point victory.
I will always remember that a huge flock of crows flew over the stadium right before the TD pass that won the game.
That was a Hellva game.
The sophomore relief quarterback was Joe Montana.

[Kace]

Here ya go, Ralphie.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=S_y1hH_Lo_k

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Here ya go, Ralphie.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=S_y1hH_Lo_k

I know my memories of the game are clouded with distance and time, but I could have sworn I saw that game in color.
Thanx, Kace.

[s'news]

Baseball: Wrigley Field. I had the sound of the vendors in my head for days. I lost interest late in the game and went to running up and down the ramps. The game ended and I was separated from my group -- paperboys who had sold some subscriptions. Somebody guided me to the office there and the newspaper people retrieved me.

Football: Soldier Field. It was back when they had those preseason games between a pro team and college all-stars. We were in the end zone. There was a wide track around the field. You could barely follow the action. I was once again there with paperboys who had sold subscriptions, but didn't get lost this time.

Hockey: Whatever the name of that stadium was where the Blackhawks used to play. Bobby Hull would get the puck and the whole crowd would hold its breath.

Basketball: The Summit in Houston. It was the "Twin Towers" team with Hakeem and Ralph.

[halfpiperocks]

MLB - My first game was the World Champion Boston Red Sox when they were the happiless lovable guys who hadn't won a WS in a long, long, long time. That was prob 84' or 85' (I honestly don't remember who they played)

NHL - Boston Bruins vs the Edmonton Oilers in the late '80's, the Boston Garden, or Fleet Center (not positve what it was called then, thank God it is now again the Garden. Stupid Corporate name changes)

NFL - Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers at Bills Stadium in 2005.

I have never been to a NBA game - not a big fan anyway. I do like March Madness, but can't seem to latch on to the NBA, even tho the Celtics are the Champs this year.

[Clever Login Name]

Baseball: Red Sox, natch, in the early to mid-70s ... saw many a game, so I don't remember which was the first. Do recall being thrilled at seeing guys like Jim Rice, Fred Lynn and Yaz in person after reading about them in the sports pages. College in Boston was four years spent in the Fenway bleachers ... could still get in for $3 ... much better value than that 2pm Philosophy class.

Football: Saw some college ball as a kid, but didn't see my first pro game until 1990-91, Rams at Saints, when we were in New Orleans to cover UVA playing in the Sugar Bowl, and the NFL game was held a couple of days prior. Have since seen the Giants win twice in Washington, and Favre throw for like 4-5 touchdowns in Carolina. Have watched and worked too many college games to remember.

Basketball: like Jane says, the Gah-din was the best place to be. Saw Bird, Parrish, McHale et al a few times there ... was just a few floors away when I worked for the Celtics for a season, logging the videotapes of their games up in the offices.

Hockey: my beloved Whalers, New England and Hartford versions. They played my home town for an exhibition when I was maybe 9 or 10, and then saw dozens of games at the Civ ... Pleau, Rogers, Liut, Howe, Sanderson etc. ... them were the days. Saw them twice in Washington, beat the Caps both times. They shoulda hired me to accompany them on the road ... might never have had to leave CT.

[MN News]

MLB: Late 80's - Minnesota Twins vs. Who knows? I grew up less than 15 miles away from the Metrodome, so I've been to a bunch of games. Got to love the ticket prices there. I can remember watching St. Louis play there when McGwire was playing. I've had the chance to watch Jr. Griffey, A-Rod, Jeter, Frank Thomas, Roy Halladay play there.

NFL: I want to say it was in 1995 or 1996 that I made it to my first Minnesota Vikings game when they hosted the Dallas Cowboys. My first (and only) playoff game was in 2000 when they, again, played the Cowboys (and won).

NBA: Hmm, I've been to a few Minnesota Timberwolves games, and I'm sure the first one was somewhere around '96. I'm not sure who they played for that first game, might have been The Phoenix Suns.

NHL: Too young to have been to a North Stars game, but I got to my first Minnesota Wild game in 2002 or 2003. I think they played the Calgary Flames.

First minor league game was in the mid-90s. Saint Paul Saints baseball, who at the time were in the Northern League.

[22]

Well... this will go back a while for you guys.

MLB 1955 Cardinals and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Sportsman's Park, St. Louis.
Saw Roy Campanella hit a home run. When Stan Musial hit one out, the Anheuser Busch eagle flew across the score board

NBA circa 1957 St. Louis Hawks against the Philadelphia Warriors. Bob Pettit lit up the net

NFL circa 1970 Football Cardinals against the 49'ers. I hated the Big Red and became a lifetime niners fan. Worked out nicely since I later moved to work in he Bay area.

NHL At the St. Louis Arena. Blues played some one I can't remember.

NCAA circa 1965 Illinois against Wisconsin

INDY 500 circa 1975 Took two days to run the race. Tried to start on a wet track on race and it resulted in a terrible crach in the first turn. A driver named Swede Savage had his hand burned off.

[sportzchick]

Geez...really had to think on some of these.

First NBA game... Denver Nuggets back in the day with Dan Issel.

First NFL game... I imagine it was a Bronco game in the 80's.

First MLB game... um... the Denver Bears? I think. Saw the St. Louis Cards in the late 80's.

First NHL... Dallas Stars game when working in Texas.


I have better memories of attending my first pro tennis match. We were often ball kids during some pro tennis events when they came through Colorado. Nothing like being tagged by an Ille Nastase serve when you are 12. And he didn't say sorry. Shocker.
Pat Cash wasn't very nice either.

[Tripe Face]

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Can't remember the date. I know the Capitals played the Flyers at Cap Center in Largo. All I remember about the game is a fight... one player had the other in a head lock and was throwing upper cuts at the guy's face one after another... suddenly a pool of blood appears on the ice under the punchee's nose and they stopped it. That blood was on the ice for the rest of the game. Disgusting and meaningless to the concept of the sport. It really spoiled me to the game. Only Olympic and College hockey get my attention these days. (Watching the 1980 USA victories in Lake Placid with my dad is one of the highlights of my life. He can't remember them anymore but I always will)


MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Os vs Indians early 70s. Boog, Frank Robinson and Brooks at third. We were in seats on the third base side at Memorial so I figured I'd see Brooks make some spectacular Gold Glove worthy play right? WRONG. He did squat in the field. But he did blast a home run that hit halfway up the Scoreboard in Memorial. All my years of seeing O's games, when Reggie played there, Boog, I saw Killebrew, Dave Winfield plenty of great long ball hitters and none of them came close to hitting that scoreboard, much less halfway up.
I miss that field. Screw Camden Yards... it's built and priced for yuppies in suit pants and oxford shirts. And the team doesn't win there. They should have refurbished Memorial instead.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Baltimore Colts vs Jets. I could google the date, it was Riggins last season with the Jets. We sat three rows for the corner of the end zone in Memorial (the place wasn't so good for football) Before the game some goofy Jet comes out in his fulol helmet and pads, sits in a chair just inches from the Colts fans in front of us. They verbally abused the sh!t out of the guy. He takes off his helmet and he has a MOHAWK... the Colts fans just yell louder. Turns out it was Riggins and I was yelling right along with everyone else at the guy who would soon become one of my all time favorite NFL players.

http://www.andrewdickerson.co.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/johnriggins.jpg


NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
I saw the Bullets with Wes Unsled play the Hawks in a playoff game. All I remember was we were in Channel 9's corporate box at Cap Center. This was before I ever worked in TV. I worked for four years for that company they never even got me seats for a minor league baseball game. Pricks... I'm glad Gannett is going down the toilet.

[Obewon]

Cincinnati Reds vs. Brooklyn Dodgers 1957 at Crosley Field

My dad was a huge Dodger fan but NY was too far and we lived in TN. It was a long drive back then before interstates.

I don't remember much because I was busy eating Cracker Jack and hot dogs, but the among the players I might have seen were Don Newcomb, Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax, Carl Erskine, Don Zimmer, Carl Furillo, Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese, Gil Hodges and the great Roy Campanella. A young Frank Robinson was playing for the Reds at the time.

The only one I specifically remember was Pee Wee because I thought his name was funny. Became a real fan in the 60's during his broadcast of the NBC Saturday Game of the week with Dizzy Dean.

Ah the memories, but every time I think of being young again I remember Algebra

[jrat33]

MLB - Summer of 1989 - Red Sox vs Mariners at Fenway. Sox got crushed 8-0.

NFL - Cincinnati Bengals vs Arizona Cardinals at Riverfront. Bengals rallied in the fourth to win it.

NBA - 1992 Celtics vs Pacers, NBA Playoffs - C's won it with Bird, Parish and McHale

NHL - Boston Bruins vs Chicago Blackhawks - 2001 at the United Center. Game was a Sunday afternoon affair on ABC. Hawks won 7-4 in a game that featured three fights and a hat trick. What was even better is that it was on St. Patricks Day weekend and the Hawks passed out these green plastic hats that EVERYONE threw onto the ice after the hat trick. A little kid behind me goes, "Does that mean we've won?"

[s'news]

Loved the hats story, jrat.

One of the s'newslets first hockey games -- Houston Aeros vs. somebody -- was hat night. Free hats galore. And somebody on the home team had a hat trick. And thousands of hats end up on the ice. Awesome. They skated around with shovels to scoop them up.

To this day, the kids may think that hockey games always have all those hats getting thrown out there, despite my efforts to explain.

[JoinUsForCake]

NFL: Tennessee Oilers (!) at Baltimore Ravens: 1998. Almost got run over by Eddie George on the sideline.

NHL: (Not counting a Flyers-Caps exhibition here in '00) - Calgary at NJ Devils - Feb. 2004. Finally got to see my boys in action as they thumped the soon-to-be Western Conference champs. Took my girlfriend at the time. She broke up with me 2 weeks later! BEEYOTCH!!

NBA: Only NBA game I ever went to was a Cavs-Wizards exhibition in Baltimore in 1999 or 2000, I can't remember. It was lame. This was when Shawn Kemp was fat and trying to resuscitate his career for Cleveland.

MLB: Colorado at Pittsburgh, April 1994. Road trip w/ my ex and 2 of her friends. Andres Galarraga hit 2 HRs, one dead down the left field line, and one down the right field line.

NCAA Football: OK, OK I know it's not pro, but my first college game was in 1980: Miami (FL) at Penn State. Some QB by the name of Jim Kelly for Miami couldn't handle the Nittany Lions in the bitter 20-degree cold that fine Saturday afternoon!

PBR: (Professional Bull Riding) - Spring, 2006. I got to shoot on the catwalks where the riders hop down on to the bulls. Holy crap that was intense! A sport that TV absolutely does not do any justice to!

NASCAR: Winston Cup - May 24, 1998: Charlotte Motor Speedway. Haven't missed a 600 since!