A Night at the Ballgame

The weather was delightful. The food was fine. The company was wonderful. The seats were perfect. The occasion was historic. The game was . . . disappointing.
We went to Great American Ballpark Friday night, the kickoff to Barry Larkin weekend and the last of this summer's Friday Night Fireworks. John and Mary Jane Burgess got great seats for us from the fellow they know in the Reds organization. We were about 25-30 rows off the ground on the first base line. It had been hot all day, but a nice breeze off the river made for comfort after the sun set. We walked through the crowds spilling out of the bars and restaurants in the developing Banks project and snagged wonderful hamburgers at the new Johnny Rockets that's part of the complex.
The game started well, but the Cardinals' combination of better hitting and pitching overpowered the Reds in a game that didn't end till well after 10:30. (Lots of walks and lots of hits by the Cardinals against the Reds.)
The after-game festivities featured several of Barry Larkin's former teammates being interviewed about their years with him and then a long speech of thank-yous from Barry himself.
The fireworks finally started around 11:00. We had met Burgesses at Christ's Church at Mason at 5:30 (Evelyn drove from home, and I drove from work). We were back there about midnight, home about 12:30 and not in bed much before 1 a.m.
It was a great night. But it would have better if the Reds had won!