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Toledo Mud Hens Opener
2009
Schmoozing on a Sunny Afternoon
Toledo Mud Hen fans, not unlike
Punxsutawney Phil
are coming out of hibernation.
They are feeling the warming sun of April 16th, 2009 and deciding that spring is
indeed here--
and a day at the ballpark is just the ticket to celebrating the release from
winter's discontent.
The streets, sidewalks, alleyways, rooftops, office buildings and pubs are part
of a migrating,
movable party that is threading it's way from place to place, through throngs of
heavily-packed
revelers to smaller sideshows of old friends and familiar faces-- seeing who's
alive and
who didn't survive since last season. Mothers and fathers pushing baby
strollers,
brothers and sisters wheeling chairs for those unaccustomed to ambling alone.
Publishers, politicians and peddlers displaying their wares from booths
along the way--
handing-out trinkets and special deals to anyone stopping and listening to
their appeals.
About a third of the nearly 14,000 people inside
the park are not in the seats. If they aren't
working they're schmoozing beneath the stands or atop the clubhouse loges and
walkways--
or hanging out on the steps and roosts, catching the last
warming rays the evening's sun.
The "I LIKE MIKE" (Mayor, Mike Bell) campaign stickers are displayed upon the
clothing
of thousands of supporters. The bathroom phenomena
has everyone guessing. It seems like
this is the first time ever for long lines at the little boys room-- with
virtually none for the girls.
Retired and all-time media favorite, Jim Tichey
is at the game while
veteran broadcaster Frank Gilhouley catches it at home this year.
Tony Packo's,
Legends, Fricker's, the
Bronze Boar, Club Liquid
and Pizzapopolis
are all catering to overflow crowds. At
The Blarney, across from the Hen's northwest corner,
the rocking tunes of
Empire Drift are
wafting into the purple night's sky-- while on the patio it's SRO.
Michael's
a few blocks away is less frenetic and expensive with more room for rubbing
elbows
and less noise and confusion away from the amplified music and chattering
crowds.
Also See Galleries: Hens
Main Page
Links:
Mud Hens Site
Mud Hens Live Cam
Blade--Sports
Blade--Hendel
Blade-Smith
Free Press
Streaming Video:
11CBS
36FOX
13ABC
24NBC
(Click Picture to Enlarge)
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