Saturday Night Souse
Dedicated to the Demon Rum and all her acquaintances
I drink, therefore I am
Here’s to the Baseball Playoffs!
Is there any better way to celebrate baseball playoffs than with a cold beer?
And is there any better story about beer and baseball than 10 cent beer night?
In 1974, 25,134 fans came to the ballpark on a Tuesday night in early June to watch the Cleveland Indians take on the Texas Rangers. It is possible, however, that most came to take part in the Indians’ ten cent beer promotion, as only 8,101 returned for the second game of the series the following night.As early as the first inning explosions could be heard from the stands as fans began to light fireworks from their seats.The early innings of the game were marked by several fans interrupting play. A woman ran to the on deck circle and lifted her shirt, while a naked streaker sprinted and slid into second base during a home run trot. Several other fans began streaking the field at random times during the game.The crowd’s behavior became worse as the game wore on. In the seventh inning, the Texas bullpen had to be evacuated due to fans throwing smokebombs and empty beer cups at the players.Shortly after the home team tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, a fan rushed toward Texas right fielder Jeff Burroughs and stole his glove. As Burroughs attempted to recover his glove, the bleachers started to empty onto the field.Dugouts emptied as players from both teams worked together to fight the crowd off. Several players were hit with bottles and chairs. After umpire Nester Chylak was hit on the head with a folding chair, it seemed obvious that the game would be forfeited to Texas.Though the boxscore shows a 5-5 final, the official game score was a 9-0 win for the Rangers.
The Yankee Legacy
Can there be any doubt that the Yankees kick ass when it comes to drinking? Heres a look at a few of the heroics of the boys in pinstripes:
Babe RuthAt 6 feet 2 inches and 235 pounds, Ruth is deluxe model drinking machine. The epitome of the functional alcoholic, Ruth was capable of hammering down a bathtub full of beer and two bottles of rye, closing his eyes for two hours, then rise to smack three homers out of the park. None of his hard-drinking baseball contemporaries could keep up with him and he is reputed to have never been beaten in a drinking bout.
Mickey Mantle
Showed up to countless games drunk and still managed to run down fly balls, hit like a machine and become one of the greatest players ever.
David WellsWas half drunk when he hurled a perfect game in 1998. He later backtracked and said he was just “hung over.” Don’t we all?
At Babe Ruth’s funeral on a hot day in 1948, his old teammate Joe Dugan says, “I’d give my right arm for a beer.” Waite Hoyt replies, “So would the Babe.”
And lets give some love to the Milwaukee Brewers; the only team that honors those who produce our favorite libation.
From Modern Drunkard Magazines 86 Rules of Boozing
20. Drink one girly drink in public and you will forever be known as the guy who drinks girly drinks.
This is especially true at the ballpark. No matter how chic you think it is to stop at the margarita stand at the game, don’t do it. There are two acceptable alcoholic beverages at the ballpark; Beer and anything in a flask.
Obligatory Disclaimer: Saturday Night Souse® reminds readers to drink responsibly at the game. When you do drink at the field, plan ahead for safe transportation so you don’t drive and have a friend make sure you are keeping your clothes on and your ass in the seat. And if you do not plan on drinking at the game, then just know that Babe Ruth is turning in his grave knowing that his great contribution to our American culture was all for naught just because some cheap ass teetotaler who bitched about paying six bucks for a beer opted instead for the four dollar soda.
