“By George, it’s a new ballgame in Columbus”
Monday, May 7th, 2007
OK I am not a big sports fan. I am even less a fan of the Columbus Clippers .. I went to one game and the cowbells did me in.
Why are there cowbells at the Clippers game…? Isn’t a Clipper is a boat or ship… a cowbell is a nuisance. Just thinking abut it my headache is back and that one Clippers game I went to was in the early 90’s. For all I know what I attended was the Columbus Clippers Cowbell Classic and they’ve never had a cowbell at Clippers Stadium since.
In an article in the TimesLeader.com of northeastern Pennsylvannia I read:
“But strong feelings were stirred up after the Yankees severed their 28-year ties with Columbus after last season and moved the Triple-A franchise to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre market.”
So that’s where they went….
In “By George, it’s a new ballgame in Columbus” Dave Konopski sports editor of the Timesleader.com Northeastern PA’s “Home” page…. wrote:
“Craig Merz, a longtime sports writer for the Columbus Dispatch newspaper, has covered the Clippers for four seasons and was shocked by the apparent apathy.
I got one e-mail opposing the Yankees’ move out of town, said the 25-year Dispatch veteran. That surprised me, it really did. They were here for so many years. The Yankees have a worldwide name and the Clippers were associated with them. The people liked that. I think they felt a little betrayal from Steinbrenner. I was a little surprised there wasn’t more of a backlash.
Strong feelings of apathy were stirred up….
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees pitcher Colter Bean who spent four seasons with The Columbus Clipper’s when the Yankee’s triple A farm team, originally of Birmingham Alabama said of Columbus:
“I have a lot of great memories of Columbus. I love this city. It almost reminds me of back home. It’s very easygoing and there’s not a lot of hustle and bustle.”
According to an editorial review for Columbus Clippers written by John Oklok on City Search The Columbus Clipper is “One of Columbus’ Best”
“Nominated for Best Family Fun because a quality attraction that’s suitable for all ages and easily affordable covers all the bases.”
And the really good news from Oklok’s review?
“Name That Missing Tune”
“Cowbell activity has declined. The “Ring Your Bell” song, which used to play nearly every half-inning, is now seldom heard”
