Week 1 - New York Mets at Atlanta Braves

Friday night's game was rained out. The tarp was on the field most of the day and not too many players were out on the field.

Due to the rain I wasn't able to give any batting tips to the Braves...sorry boys, maybe next time

What do players do when it rains? You can watch and see what Braves pitcher Tom Glavine does

I apologize for the lame music. We are experimenting with some new musical samplings and I promise better beats next week. I don't apologize for the plug of Tim's new book "Diamond Gems"

Food For Thought...

You can't go to Atlanta without going to "The Varsity" - an Atlanta institution where the counter people wear paper hats and serve up chili cheese dogs, burgers, onion rings and fries. And for dessert you have to have a frosted orange.

I personally want to thank "The Varsity" for letting me pull a shift there while I was in town and allowing me to supplement my paltry pay. I'm still wearing that paper hat.

Don't forget to watch FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL - 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT

Check you local listings for games in your area

Lenny Dykstra aka "Nails" aka "The Dude," formerly a fiery centerfielder for the Mets and Phillies, currently an investment guru and author of the financial newsletter "THE DYKSTRA REPORT" is about to launch his newest project; a magazine aimed at professional athletes, aptly named the "THE PLAYERS CLUB - Keep Living The Dream."

Below is the inaugural cover featuring Derek Jeter

While Dykstra was playing he was part of two of the most colorful clubhouses in recent memory...the 1986 New York Mets and the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies.

Each team had tons of players that were labeled anything from characters to free spirits to bad boys to outlaws to worse. Screwballs wants to find out who was the most colorful character of them all...we let you the fans decide.

It's our won version of March Madness - the 1986 Mets vs the 1993 Phillies - the candidates:

1986 Mets: Darryl Strawberry, Keith Hernandez, Roger McDowell, Wally Backman, Nails (the NY version) and Mr. Met

1993 Phillies: Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams, John Kruk, Darren "Dutch Dalton, Pete Incaviglia, Nails (the Philly Version) and the Philadelphia Phanatic

New York Nails vs The Philly Dude: Mets fans remember the 1986 NLCS (game 3) vs the Astros. The Philly Dude sported a bigger frame and more chew. Traded to PHI for Juan Samuel...that's still a tough one for Mets' fans to stomach.

Pete Incaviglia vs Darryl Strawberry:  Inky vs Straw. 'Nuf Ced - Probably the most intriguing match-up in all the brackets.

Keith Hernandez vs John Kruk: Hernadez was the smoother both on the field and off. Kruk ate more - you decide. A great battle of polar opposites.

Roger McDowell vs Mitch Williams: McDowell could always be counted on for a good hot foot or lighting off fireworks in the dugout. The "Wild Thing" featured a full throttle delivery and was always entertaining. Joe Carter anyone

Wally Backman vs Darren Daulton: Backman and Dykstra were affectionately known as the "Wild Boys" while in New York and Backman sported a killer moustache.

"Dutch," as Daulton was known, was the leader of that Philly team and had the long flowing locks that were in style (maybe) in '93.

The Philly Phanatic vs Mr. Met: Kind of an easy one. From his famous feuds with Tommy Lasorda to his animated antics with players, fans and umpires alike it has to be the Phanatic. Footnote - The Phanatic is Tim McCarver's favorite mascot.

So...who was the most colorful character of them all...leave a post and weigh in - A free FOX Sports hat sent to the best reply.

Watch FOX Saturday Baseball this Saturday at 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT

Mets at Braves or White Sox at Tigers or Dodgers at Padres

Red Sox and Dodgers From the L.A. Coliseum...

The first baseball game at the L.A. Coliseum since the Dodgers played their last game there back in 1961 ... 

A possible record crowd of 115,300 for a baseball game? (The people at Guinness will let you know on Monday) ...

Tons of passionate Dodger and Red Sox fans hurling insults at each other ...

This was a game you didn't want to miss.

With the left-field foul pole only 201 feet away, a huge netting was in place to keep the balls in the yard. The Teams played with five infielders and two outfielders for most of the night. The dugouts consisted of  tarp with a metal bench under it.

The fans did the wave, and even some players on the Red Sox bench joined in.

Big Papi and the Case of the Woo Woo...

Maybe you've heard him do it before, maybe this will be your first time. I heard it for the first time at Fenway last year after ALCS Game 7, when Big Papi addresssed the crowd. He punctuated his World Series guarantee with it -- with what? With a "Woo Woo."

Screwballs correspondant Nathali Parker went to Big Papi to find out why ...

Guys that played Cops on TV in the '80s Like Baseball

'80s TV cops Don Johnson, aka "Sonny Crockett" from the show  "Miami Vice," and Fred Dryer, aka "Hunter" from the show "Hunter," were at the game.

Dryer hung on the field while Johnson sat next to his "Tubbs" for the game, Commissioner Bud Selig (not pictured). Both were in brown leather jackets - a coincidence or something more?

I wondered all night who would win in a battle of '80s cops. I have to think it would have been Hunter, although I think it's a worthy discussion topic without a clear-cut answer. Any thoughts, post 'em.

Don't Drink and Sing...

I don't know what I like more about this guy, his enthusiasm or his satin cut-off Steve Yeagar Dodger jacket ...

 Food For Thought...

I usually review some food at the ballpark each week. But after seeing this sign in the L.A. Coliseum, I lost my appetite (and since it's really only a football stadium, I don't feel that bad)

And after seeing Derrick (owner of the stand?), I was even more disturbed.

Sights and Sounds...

Someone actually has (and wears) an Eric Karros jersey - I was just as shocked as you. Lasorda and Manny pose for the cams (unfortunately not exactly at mine)

Former Dodger Steve Garvey (he's still got picture-perfect hair). Former Dodger Don Newcombe (still got that cool hat) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hangs with (and above) Coco Crisp.

Kareem threw out some type of ceremonial pitch during the game, and he bounced it bad. He did, however ,have the presence of mind to get the ball back and do a "sky hook" to the catcher that got a huge ovation from the crowd.

My most artistic shot of the day ... Jason Varitek through the backstop netting

And of Course...

The funnest part of my day, and probably your favorite. The Pickups.

Sonny McLean's (a local L.A. watering hole that is the home of Red Sox Nation West) came 250 people strong to support their Sawx. They go up easy with no explanation needed.

It was all fun and games until a "Wally" imposter tried to steal my move - Not Cool Wally

DON'T FORGET TO TUNE IN THIS SATURDAY AT 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PT ON FOX

WEEK 1: METS at BRAVES or WHITE SOX at TIGERS or DODGERS at PADRES

Check your local listings and WATCH!

What's the best part of my job? Picking up girls (literally, not figuratively) without any doubt. What does it have to do with my job or baseball? Nothing really but people seem to enjoy it...so why not.


 

Thanks to Tina Cervasio for being such a good sport. Not really sure how she feels about having a picture of me picking her up in the Red Sox dugout come up when you google her name. I thought it was cool.

This year I'm going to attempt to pickup Erin Andrews. A challenge but one I think that I'm up to.

Jimmy Rollins will probably want to take me out to a nice dinner in Philly week 3 to thank me for teaching him that new batting stance last season. Attention all MLB players...I'm very approachable and would be happy to give you a few tips...worked out pretty well for Jimmy.

Last year we fell a little short in our bid to help Mr. Met into the Mascot Hall of Fame - who will we get into a Hall of Fame this season?

Don't forget MLB on FOX coverage begins next Saturday at 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT

Week 1 Games:

Mets at Braves - Featuring my emotional reunion with Ken Rosenthal
White Sox at Tigers
Dodgers at Padres

Leave a comment

Howard Stern may have the likes of Beetlejuice and Captain Janks but check out  "Screwballs" Wack Pack.

Meet Freddy "Sez" - Ever hear a metal clanking during a game at Yankee Stadium? Freddy, his pan and spoon and motivational signs are a staple at Yankee home games. Ask nicely enough and you too can take a bang on his pan.

Meet the Biggest Head in Sports Television - aka Richie Corbello (the guy on the right)

This picture doesn't really do justice to how big Richie's head really is...Actual measurements of his head: 7 inches wide, 11 inches long and a 26 inch circumfrence. Don't think that's big...measure your head and then let me know what you think.

We also had 2 guys that dressed up in lifesize red dixie cups (and little else) aka The Boston Red Cups, the singing beer guy from U.S. Cellular Field and of course Ronny Woo Woo - Cubs super fan.

Meet them all - play the video

 Look for all these guys to be back in 2008.

SCREWBALLS CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK

Know someone with a bigger head than Richie? Send me a pic or video to prove it and I'll send you a FOX Sports T-shirt.

WATCH FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL - STARTING APRIL 5th at 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT

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The 2008 season has officially started. Unfortunately, our first game isn't for another 13 days (METS at BRAVES SATURDAY - APRIL 5th - 3:30 PM ET ON FOX - WATCH IT)...so until the new content comes in we will be taking a look back at some of the great (and not so great) moments from 2007.

With the Red Sox and A's squaring off in Japan I though; why not look back at some of our time in Boston.




This Saturday we will be live from the LA Memorial Coliseum to cover the Red Sox and Dodgers exhibition game. Over 100,00 tickets have been sold...traffic will be a nightmare but we will (hopefully) bring you the 1st look at the hairdo that Eric Karros will be sporting for the 2008 season - (he still won't return my calls so we are not completely sure he will be in attendance)

Next week we will have an interview with Lenny Dykstra and coverage from the launch party of his new magazine "Players Club; Keep Living The Dream." - "Nails" dishing out financial advice to athletes...you couldn't make this stuff up if you tried.

Can you guess which of the pictures is really Lenny Dykstra and which is a guy with a mohawk in a Lenny Dykstra jersey - does it really matter?





Have a question you want me to ask Lenny - let me know - I'll ask it

WATCH FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL - STARTING APRIL 5th at 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT