Scoreboard Gourmet

NYC Bars for Fans of Non-NY Baseball

The Presidents, Nationals Park

Given the number of games (ten times as many) baseball doesn’t draw regular season crowds like football. But that doesn’t mean you gotta sit alone on your couch in your jersey to root for your favorite team, even if that team resides outside the five boroughs. If you’re looking for your kind, a good rule of thumb is to check out your usual NFL (or even NCAA) spot because often the affiliation is based on owner homesickness. Otherwise, check out the list below and be thankful you live in a city unafraid of opposing cheers, though we do not recommend, say, parading into Stan’s (836 River Ave., Bronx) in anything but pinstripes. Ditto for orange and blue (and black) at McFadden’s (36-2 126th Street, Flushing).

Here's the list of Best Bars for Baseball Loving NYC Ex-Pats:

2012' #1: San Francisco Giants
FINNERTY’s (221 Second Ave.; 212-677-2655)

Finnerty’s is a no-brainer for fans of last year’s champs (and everything San Francisco sports, thanks to about a dozen 49ers fans who morphed into the hundreds and spun off). The World Series Trophy has been here - twice, of course - while on tour. And Giants CEO Larry Baer has stopped in and bought pizza for the house. Finnerty’s even organizes tickets and buses to NYC games when SF is in town. This year that means back-to-back Mets and Yankees series in September.

AL EAST

Boston Red Sox
PHEBE’s (359-361 Bowery; 212-358-1902).
PROFESSOR THOM’S (219 2nd Ave.; 212-260-9480).
NYC may be as far from Fenway as you can get (figuratively speaking), but Red Sox fans have many choices when it comes to sharing in their forbidden love. These venues tie for fan favorites. Phebe’s is a longtime frequented Red Sox refuge. Decades. With TV’s of all shapes and sizes, and one owner determined to get a rise from his neighbors (all of NYC), Professor Thom’s is becoming the same, with ticket giveaways, and Boston-related specials on Tuesdays (like $4 Harpoon).

Baltimore Orioles
SIDEBAR (120 E. 15th St., 212-677-2900).

This all out Ravens bar is also nest to fans of the other Baltimore bird who have landed far from Oriole Park.

Tampa Bay Rays
VILLAGE POURHOUSE (64 Third Ave.; 212-979-2337)

This NYU-friendly bar has tuned in to every Rays game since third baseman Evan Longoria first stopped in for a post-Yankees-game drink in 2006

Toronto Blue Jays
TAVERN 29 (47 E 29th St.; 212-685-4422)

A favorite spot of an ex-pat Canadians group, this bar will show any Blue Jays game, any time, though maybe not every TV (hey, this IS NY, eh?).

NL EAST

Philadelphia Phillies
SHORTY’S (576 Ninth Ave.; 212-967-3055)

We don’t like to say nice things when Philly and sports are in the same sentence but we cannot deny appreciation of cheesesteak, $9, nearly 40 beer options, and a venue that has deep (brotherly) love for its hometown teams. A Phanatic himself, owner Evan Stein has bread shipped in daily for that extra authentic taste. Of all the mini chain’s locations, this one is the place to watch everything Philadelphia. They’re currently swapping out Eagles gear for Phillies gear – on the walls, of course - to really get into the current season.

Atlanta Braves
Foley’s Pub and Restaurant (18 W. 33rd St., 212-290-0080)

Last fall, to honor the last time Chipper Jones – who named his son Shea for the stadium he loved to play in - would play in NYC (after 19 seasons with the Braves), Foley’s changed its name to Chipper’s for the Braves’ weekend visit. Since they have no official NYC home we’ll deem Foley’s the place for Braves fans.

“If you’re a true sports fan, you root for your team, but you have to respect greatness. I took grief from Mets fan but he’s a hall-of-famer. I had to go to Citi Field and meet him before his last game,” says owner Shaun Clancy. But, really, you’ll find fans (including visiting players and umps) of all teams at this classic, memorabilia-laden sports bar named for Red Foley, the NYC-based baseball writer and major league official scorekeeper, who was friends with Clancy (they met at a Mets game).

“I’d go as far as to say we’re the number one bar in NY for fans of other teams. If you’re respectful, we welcome you. Root for your team; don’t root against the other team.”

If you’re any kind of baseball fan, plan to watch at least one game here this season.

Miami Marlins

THE GIN MILL (442 Amsterdam Ave.; 212-580-9080)
Official home of the Gotham Gators (alumni association) for more than a decade, this is a well known destination for Florida fans, which spills off to include a few Marlins.

Washington Nationals
THE FULTON (121 Fulton St.; 646-545-6647)

About a dozen Nats fans congregate weekly (informally, on weekends, sans jerseys to root for of the team that finished first in the NL East last year.

NL CENTRAL

Chicago Cubs
Kelly’s Sports Bar (12 Avenue A; 212-388-1464)

Owner Gerry Doyle — who equally loves Wrigley Field and feels bad for “a team with a lot of bad luck”— tried to import Old Style beer (the Wrigley classic) to NYC’s only Cubs bar to enhance the game watching experience. NY laws blocked his efforts but there’s no law against supporting one of the MLB’s original teams.

Cincinnati Reds
MUSTANG SALLY’S (324 7th Ave; 212-695-3806)

It’s not quite the Great American Ballpark but two seasons ago management at Mustang Sally’s announced allegiance to the Reds to align with customer request and though it may not be en masse, you will see red here for every game.

Milwaukee Brewers
KETTLE OF FISH (59 Christopher St., 212-414-2278)

Owned by Wisconsin native Patrick Daley since 1999 this bar is the place for Brewers fans who know there’s more to Miller Park than the awesome Racing Sausages, and the stellar selection of beer. Every season there’s WI-brew too. Right now it’s Sprecher, on draft and in bottle.

Pittsburgh Pirates

HIBERNIA (401 W. 50th St., 212-969-9703)
Technically a Steelers bar that starts every spring with Pirates fans who peter out around July (hopes dashed), it’s just like the limited crowds at PNC Park.

St. Louis Cardinals
STUMBLE INN (1454 Second Ave. 212-650-0561)

Honoring the request of three guys from St. Louis who now live around the corner, Cardinals games are on the screen here nearly every night. This is just how some of these more crowded ex-pat fan bars got their start.

NL WEST

Colorado Rockies
TRAFFIC BAR & GRILL (701 9th Ave., 212-837-2702)

Don’t expect a bar full of purple and black caps but as a University of Colorado alumni association bar (the president lives down the street), there are often Rockies fans in the house. And in the fall they serve Boulder Beer.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Your Apt

It’s hard to believe that fans of the team birthed in Brooklyn and managed by Don Mattingly, have no true home in NYC, not even in bars near the former Ebbets Field. For shame! Dodgers fans, hope MLB Extra Innings (Time Warner Cable) out-of-market games suit you.

San Diego Padres
DEWEY’S FLATIRON (210 5th Ave.; 212-696-2337)

San Diego fans lost their NYC bar last season (it closed). A former Dewey’s waitress used to watch Chargers games there. Last season she brought the group here, and the expectation is that Swinging Friars faithful will follow.

Arizona Diamondbacks
STANDINGS BAR (43 E 7th St.; 212-420-0671)

At Chase Field there are concessions stands called “Streets of New York” -- but here in NY the streets don’t reciprocate the goodwill. So we suggest Diamondbacks fans slither down to the East Village where the folks at Standings have rotating baseball-themed beers – like Brooklyn Pennant Ale -on tap, and a high tolerance for out-of-towners (incl numerous alumni groups and Bostonians).

AL CENTRAL

Chicago White Sox
GAEL PUB (1465 Third Ave.; 212-517-4141).

This is a Bears bar that happily caters to off-football-season Chicago sports fans by tuning in to White Sox games upon request.

Cleveland Indians
MANNY’S ON SECOND (1770 2nd Ave,; 212-410-3300

Browns and Buckeyes fans from across the city know this bar well, and the open Ohio invitation extends to the less represented Indians too. Ask, and you shall receive televised Tribe.

Detroit Tigers
Cody’s American Bar & Grill (154 Court St.; 718- 852-6115)

Once a base for a few Michigan fans, Cody’s says they show Tigers games because they like to make people happy, and apparently many natives of the Wolverine State live near Cobble Hill (we know 4!).

Kansas City Royals
MULHOLLAND’S (312 Grand St., W’burg; 718-486-3473)

Another team that’s short on a NYC cheering squad (a 30-year curse started by George Brett and some pine tar, perhaps) so if you want to watch the Royals why not try to take over a sports bar in a not so sporty neighborhood?

Minnesota Twins
THE WINDSOR (234 W. 4th St.; 212-206-1208

Chances are high you can catch every Twins game at this upscale sports bar where a Minnesotan manager keeps constant tabs on his team.

AL WEST

Houston Astros
Any Bar You Dare

The team originally known as the Colt .45s is starting its first season ever in the AL (after 50 years in the NL). Maybe that will draw out their NYC fans and inspire someone to adopt them. We called some 200 bars and not one stepped up. Guess it’s hard to get too excited about a team with more than 100 losses in each of the last two seasons.

Los Angeles Angels
THE AUSTRALIAN (20 West 38th St., 212-869-8601)

Technically The Australian turns the sound up for any MLB team with a player from Oz. That mostly means A’s games (pitchers galore) …but convince the bartender that Sydney-native got called up from the minors and the Angels will rule the TV (or, just ask, because they like fans of all teams here).

Oakland Athletics
PACIFIC STANDARD (82 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn; 718-858-1951)

Since 2007, Berkeley-grad (and NoCal transplant) proprietors Jonathan Stan and John Rauschenberg have been supporting everything East Bay in Park Slope. Show up in A’s attire for $1 of Sierra Nevadas.

Seattle Mariners
CARLOW EAST (1254 Lexington Ave.; 212-650-9118)

Since owner (and former employee) Sean Spratt visited and was seduced by the Emerald City (!) many years ago, Carlow East has been home to NYC-based Seattle fans of all sports.

Texas Rangers
STOUT NYC (133 W. 33rd St.; 212-629-6191)

A Texas Exes bar (that’s the Univ of Texas) with Lone Star beer on the menu, they’re always ready to tune in to anything with Texas in the name.

Mr. Met waiting to enter Citi Field

p.s. If you cannot find a Yankees or Mets bar in this town, perhaps you should try leaving your apartment. And since this is NY, most every bar will show both teams, on at least one TV.

How Safe is Ballpark and Stadium Food?

ESPN's "Outside the Lines" reviewed health department inspection reports for food and beverage outlets at all 107 North American arenas and stadiums that were home to Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Hockey League and National Basketball Association teams in 2009. At 30 of the venues (28 percent), more than half of the concession stands or restaurants had been cited for at least one "critical" or "major" health violation. Such violations pose a risk for foodborne illnesses that can make someone sick, or, in extreme cases, become fatal.

ScoreboardGourmet surely sees the theoretical value in inspections but the public needs to understand there are many different categories of violation, some not particularly severe. The public also needs to understand that home kitchens are generally way more ripe for problems than restaurant kitchens. Really. That said, this article nicely points out inconsistencies in inspections reporting (inspecting Chicago ballparks on non-game days). And, let's also remember the grossness of all food that been in someone else's hands. Oh yes I'm talking about you, local supermarket deli guy who never changes his gloves.

Check out the story by ESPN's Paula Lavigne: What's Lurking in Your Stadium Food?

MLB Ballparks Opening Dates

In honor of the Twins new ballpark - Target Field (pictured above and in a lovely album in the middle column) - officially opening tomrrow, Monday April 12th, 2010 when the team takes on the Red Sox at 3:10pm, here's a list of all 30 MLB Ballparks and the year they opened.

Big Slugger Nachos at Wrigley Field

New in 2010 at Wrigley - Big Slugger Nachos in an adult-size Cubs helmet! Two-pounds of tortilla chips, chili con carne, cheese, tomatoes, onions, japalenos, black olives, scallions, cilantro, sour cream, intended to satisfy 3-4 people. You can get them at Big Dawgs (lower left field), the Cub House (home plate terrace), and Bleacher Bums (outfield bleachers).

Cubs open at home v the Brewers at 1:20pm on Monday, April 12th.

Perjury Killed the Superstars of Baseball

I"ve been thinking about Performance-Enhancing and I'm not convinced those are the right words to use when referring to steroids. A-Rod still had to swing the bat, Pettitte still had to throw the ball, and Giambi still had to fumble at first base.

I'm not saying I'm pro-drugs, but, as the person sitting next to me just pointed out, I'm not anti-drugs. Level playing field? Before 2004 there was "no penalty system" in MLB which means players were free to smoke 'em if they had 'em (though certain drugs were banned). It was a choice. Isn't entertainment the point of professional sports? Don't we like watching people hit further and run faster? It's not like steroids are a magic pill - I couldn't take them and hit and average of 42 home runs per season (A-Rod's 5 years in the Bronx).

Do not take this away from A-Rod (or us). That's dumb. Does this mean Hank Aaron was a better hitter than A-Rod? We can't know. Ever. Even sans steriods we couldn't know. Get over it.

The thing that I do oppose is lying. Bonds, Clemens, McGwire, Sosa, Tejada and the hundreds of other players who are liars are idiots. It's like pretending you don't dye your hair or whiten your teeth. Be honest. It's like anonymous comments on blogs. Why so ashamed? Nothing is more important than being ok with who you are, and manners.

Wrigley Field Popcorn Tin

Why do I never write about the Cubs? They have one of baseball's most classic and least generic ballparks: Wrigley. Not saying I don't enjoy clean sightlines and being able to sit forward in my seat, but anyone who can get themselves to Wrigley Field should do so as soon as possible. And the Cubs are the NL Central Champs. It's not like I'm recommending you to a Nats game.

Anyway, about Wrigley, some popcorn people have come up with a way to clutter your home, I mean commemorate the ballpark: a tin. You can fill it with their stuff or make fifty batches at home. I vote for option two but warn you to take breaks between batches so whatever your vessel (pot, popper) doesn't overheat. Tin info here. Warning: the top stinks (the design, not the smell). No kickback to me.

Other Wrigley news: The Triple-A Iowa Cubs will play the Las Vegas 51s in the first Pacific Coast League game to be played at Wrigley Field on August 9th, 2009.

And don't forget to consult the Chicago Bar Project for detailed Chicagoland guidance. SG admits her weaknesses.

The Cubs play the Dodgers in Mesa, AZ on 2/25.

Is this my little nod to the Obamas? No. The President is a White Sox fan. But I'm sure he thinks Victory is Sweet.

Ohio Baseball Brawl: Single A

from The Associated Press
DAYTON, Ohio -- Fifteen players and both managers were ejected _ and a fan was sent to the hospital _ following a 10-minute, benches-clearing brawl in a Class-A minor league game between affiliates of the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs on Thursday night.

The ejections were reversed by the league president George Spelius and the game was completed with Dayton winning 6-5.

The fan was taken to the hospital after being hit by a ball thrown by Peoria (Cubs) pitcher Julio Castillo, who was throwing at the Dayton (Reds) dugout but missed during the first-inning melee between Midwest League teams.

After a Preoria player was hit in the top of the first, Castillo hit two batters in the bottom half _ one in the head. The second hit batsmen by Castillo, Angel Cabrerra, made an aggressive slide into second to break up a double play. Castillo followed that by throwing his next pitch up-and-in to the next Dayton batter, prompting Dayton manager Donnie Scott to complain to the home plate umpire. Interim Peoria manager Carmelo Martinez _ filling in for Ryne Sanberg _ came onto the field to join the discussion.

The two managers began arguing, and when Martinez pushed Scott, the benches emptied.

During an hour-long delay, the teams protested the ejections by phone to league president George Spelius, saying they didn't want pitchers playing in the outfield to complete the game.

Spelius will take appropriate action once video footage of the game has been reviewed, Dayton general manager Gary Mayse said in a statement.

A telephone message left by The Associated Press left for Reds general manager Walt Jocketty, who attended the game, was not immediately returned.

Sandberg was in Cooperstown, N.Y., for the weekend's Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Earlier this season, he was suspended three games for confronting the opposing manager during a game.

what the Cubs / White Sox Series Tie means for ESPN Zone

The naming rights for the ESPN Zone's "Black and Blue Burger" went unclaimed this past weekend as the Cubs and White Sox finished with identical three-game sweeps to leave the season series tied at 3-3 and the all-time series tied at 33-33.

In honor of the rivalry and the series, ESPN Zone officially renamed the burger the "Crosstown Classic: Black vs. Blue Burger" for the rest of the season. Had the White Sox won the series the burger would've been renamed “35th & Shields Black Burger” and had the Cubs won, “Clark & Addison Blue Burger.”

Cubs v White Sox = burger naming rights at ESPN Zone Chiacgo

The Cubs and the White Sox are currently tied 30-30 in interleague play.

ESPN Zone Chicago is looking for the tie to be broken after the upcoming 6-game series. If so, in honor of the winninger team, the restaurant will rename its Black and Blue Burger (half a pound of Angus beef with blackening spices and gorgonzola cheese. it's served on a toasted sesame seed bun with chipotle mayonnaise. yum). $13.99.

If the Cubs win, the Black and Blue will become the “Clark & Addison Blue Burger” and if the White Sox come out on top the burger will be known as the “35^th & Shields Black Burger”

If the teams split the series ESPN Zone will call the burger the “Crosstown Classic Black and Blue Burger”

The new name will be used through the season, at which point SG recommends a football renaming. No further contest necessary as "Black and Blue" already signifies a certain pummeling by a certain Big Blue.

Interleague play in Chicago starts Friday June 20th at 1:20pm (White Sox at Cubs). That's tomorrow.
Other games:
White Sox at Cubs - June 21, 12:05p
White Sox at Cubs - June 22, 7:05p
Cubs at White Sox - June 27, 3:05p
Cubs at White Sox - June 28, 2:55p
Cubs at White Sox - June 29, 7:05p

ESPN Zone Chicago is 43 E. Ohio St. (Corner of Ohio & Wabash)

2 things about the Boise Hawks, more to come

Can anyone watch the game from the Brew City Hawks Nest?

The majority of the Hawks Nest is for our group outings. That said, the Hawks Nest bar area is available with a reservation. Any tables not in use are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Is outside food allowed?

No. We do, however, make exceptions for medical reasons.

Frosty Malts at Wrigley Field and Kaufman Stadium and other places not in NYC

I am Not a Frosty Malt expert.

What I do know is Chicago Tribune reporter Paul Sullivan (In his "100 Questions for 100 Years" Cubs story) asks and answers:

-What is the tastiest treat ever sold at Wrigley Field?
-Frosty malts. As Steve Goodman sang: "Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, and I'll be ready to die."

That's Paul's #1 question. (Here's the full story, if you're looking for a fun Cubsy read)

The Frosty Malts pictured are the ones sold at Royals games. I also happen to know there are Frosty Malts at the Great American Ballpark. But that's about all I know. I'm hoping some Frosty Malts fans can write in and tell me about this sweet treat.