Scoreboard Gourmet

MLB Home Openers and New Food

Who is Home today and what can You eat at the game? Game start times are local.

Phillies at NATIONALS - look for the Chicken and Waffle Sandwich (fried chicken breast on a waffle with cayenne maple syrup; photo coming; it's open-faced). 1:05pm

Indians at WHITE SOX - Sarah Willis from Niman Ranch will be in the Stadium Club to talk meat and meet fans. 1:05pm

Blue Jays at RANGERS - take it from a guy who really knows his food+sports, DelawareNorthSportservice's Rick Abramson says Go for the Brisket in Arlington. 1:05pm

Marlins at METS - we've covered that. 1:10pm

Premio sweet or hot sausage at MSG

Arizona Spring Training Super Day

Let's say you have only one day to spend in Arizona, or you just want to scout out as many teams (and ballparks) as you can in the least amount of time...Scoreboard Gourmet presents Arizona Spring Training Super Day (which is actually Phoenix Spring Training Super Day).

As you know, even including Tucson, which I'm not, Arizona Spring Training is way more convenient than Florida, for the teams and for fans. Once you're there. The ballparks are close enough that you can realistically hit more than one or two in one day.
Monday, March 15th is Super Day. The schedules are such that you can see *part of* five games:
1. Land before noon.
2. 10-min drive to Tempe Diablo Stadium, Dodgers at Angels . (1:05pm)
3. After about 1h of game watching, 25-min drive to Maryvale Ballpark, Indians at Brewers.
You can switch the order here, since these are both 1:05pm games not far from the airport, but that will mean more driving after this second game. SG created this Super Schedule based on efficiency of travel, and at least (but sometimes not much more than) 1h per game.
4. 30-min drive to Surprise Rec Campus , Giants at Rangers. (6:05pm)
5. 15-min drive to Peoria Sports Complex, Giants at Padres. (7:05pm)
6. 15-min drive to Camelback Ranch, Royals at White Sox. (7:05pm) 
Again, you can switch the order of the last two games.

The Cactus League themselves, regarding SG's Super Day, said, "It sounds like a perfect route. Good research! The Goodyear to Mesa leg will take the most time, but you should be fine (mid-day traffic will not be a problem at all)."

If you're not too tired or sick of driving, we need to push you to Pizzeria Bianco (623 East Adams St., Phoenix, AZ), arguably the country's best pizza.

THIS ITINERARY IS ONLY VALID ON MONDAY, MARCH 15th. And clearly is not for everyone.
You can check out Goodyear Ballpark, Giants at Indians, then Hohokam Stadium, Rangers at Cubs on Tuesday March 16th. Both are 1:05pm, but the ballparks are 45min apart. The only Phoenix ballpark you'll miss is Phoenix Municipal. Oh, and Scottsdale Stadium. But you'll have seen the Giants so you're only missing the A's. And, anyway, this is a Super Day, once you add on you're ouside of the spirit of the trip.
What's the only flaw? No overnight flights back to NYC.

Drinking Rules at The Garden

Madison Square Garden Drinking Rules:
2 at a time to each 21+year old person.

Alcohol NOT Sold when the 4th quarter of any Knicks or Liberty game begins, when the 3rd period of any Rangers game begins, when the 11th minute of the 2nd half of any college basketball game begins (ie St. John's), towards the end of any concert (this one is hard to nail down in terms of time). 

How the Garden Gets Rangers Specific for Games

It's all about the cups...

Madison Square Garden v Yankee Stadium Steak Sandwiches

The Yankees have some competition for Best Steak Sandwich in Sports. I know, hard to believe given how much I enjoy the Lobel's option. But here we're talking half a pound of thinly sliced prime rib, on a substantial roll, with two pickle halves (other one eaten while fishing for camera). I'm not saying I couldn't eat a whole one, but two people can legitimately split the Garden's sandwich. You can't do that in the Bronx.

Prime Rib Sandwich, MSG

Thanks to Schmitty in Section 316 for sending us over to Gate 76 for The Prime Rib sandwich.
Schmitty says, if he owned the Garden, he'd have eight of these concessions throughout the venue for better distribution and shorter lines. Pre-Rangers games you have a long, long wait to get this prized $14.95 eat.
I'm going to write more about this when I get my other MSG photos up.

Together We Bleed Blue

You know what this means, don't you? Someone wants me around the ice.

Wayne Gretzky's Toronto Restaurant

I can't believe I've writing about hockey in between the ALDS and ALCS, but I've been meaning to share this picture with you. It's Wayne Gretzky's Restaurant in Toronto. This is surely not a dining destination, but it's located on one of the main roads to the Sky Dome/Rogers Centre so you can go get a beer and think about the life and times of #99 before seeing the Toronto Argonauts (CFL) or Blue Jays. Or maybe you're the type who enjoys a mediocre burger (or Grandma Gretzky’s Perogies) with an important NHL player's name attached to it. Actually, his name is not on the burger. It's called The "Great One" Burger and "99" is branded on the bun. I enjoy that.

Wayne Gretzky's
99 Blue Jays Way
Toronto, ON, Canada

Hockey Star Sean Avery Drops the Puck for Boozy Offseason at New Tribeca Bar

from the New York Observer...Tempestuous New York Rangers left-winger Sean Avery won't be lacing up the skates any time soon, following his team's anticlimactic exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs.
But he still knows how to tie one on.
"How do you say 'cheers' in the Jewish language?" the flashy forward asked guests at the opening of his new Tribeca bar and restaurant Warren 77 on Friday, May 15. "L'chaim!" the crowd replied. Full Story Here.

Last Licks Ice Cream Sports Parlor

Former New York Rangers great Mike Richter to appear Saturday at Last Licks ice cream store
by Star-Ledger Sports Desk
from September
NEW YORK -- Former New York Rangers goaltender Mike Richter will do the honors of cutting the ribbon at the grand opening ceremonies of Last Licks ice cream store Saturday at noon at the brand new location at 104 South Ridge St. in Rye Brook. Richter and Last Licks' executive vice president Steve Costello will announce Richter's brand new ice cream flavor, "Ricky Road." Richter, who led the Rangers to the Stanley Cup title in 1994, will be joined by Steve Costello, family, friends and dignitaries at the 1 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Following the ceremonies, Richter will greet fans and sign autographs, with the proceeds going to Riverkeeper. Riverkeeper is an advocacy group that monitors the Hudson River ecosystem and challenges polluters, using both legal and grass roots campaigns. A sports-themed ice cream parlor, La st Licks caters to the youngsters, and kids can enjoy a sundae, meet major league stars past and present, watch televised games on monitors throughout the store, and fantasize in a simulated Yankees dugout.