The Morning Tailgate

The Kentucky Derby has loads of tradition—the big hats, the mint juleps, the singing of My Old Kentucky Home, blah, blah. 

Meanwhile, the second leg of the Triple Crown—the Preakness—is pretty much the opposite. It’s at a crappy, run-down Pimlico Racetrack and tends to lack the prestige that is ever present in the Derby.  

But one tradition that it did have that none of the other Triple Crown races could match was the infield.  Oh sure they let people into the infield at Churchill Downs, but at Pimlico on Preakness day, anyone entering the infield can also be accompanied by their very own cooler filled with ice-cold beverages of their choice. 

Needless to say that typically resulted in an interesting “atmosphere” leading up to the Preakness.

Unfortunately, that atmosphere will no longer be as prominent this year as Preakness officials formally announced this week that starting this spring, coolers are not welcome at the big race.  Instead they will be serving 16-ounce beers for $3.50 a pop.  A reasonable price in comparison to most sporting events, but a blow to the Preakness loyalists nonetheless.

To make up for the lack of coolers, raceday in the infield will feature concerts from ZZ Top and Buckcherry along with the opener of the Toyota Pro East Beach Volleyball circuit.

The Maryland Jockey Club CEO commented that “it’s time for our public infield customers to enjoy a new way to party.”  Unfortunately for him, many of them will enjoy a new party watching on TV at home.

As we formally kick Pimlico out of today’s Tailgate for their assault on the common fan, allow us to make a prediction—with the mixture of television coverage, commercial interference into the party, expensive drinks and a stage, its only a matter of years before Bon Jovi plays the infield. 

February 6

1958 - Ted Williams signs with the Boston Red Sox for $135,000, making him highest paid player in baseball.

1962 - Axl Rose is born into the world with a bandana on his head and smelling like a carton of Marlboro Lights.  29 years later, he instigated a riot at a concert venue in our hometown of St. Louis, MO - which became infamous as one of the most ridiculous acts in rock n’ roll history.  Ah yes, sports, right?  Alx Rose looks a lot like Mark McGwire.

1966 - Rick Astley is born.  Unlike the preceding item, this has nothing to do with sports….we just gotta do it.

1971 - Astronaut Alan Shepard hits the 1st golf ball on the moon.  It was a tough day for Chris Berman, who  planned to scream, “And that one….is…to the moon!!!” during the broadcast….but realized it didn’t make sense.###MORE###

Mike Ditka, ESPN - Self-gratification always goes twice as fast when Ditka thinks he looks sexy.  Ditka thinks he looks especially dapper when his suit matches his skin tone.

(Entire Collection of Sports Anchor “Oh” Faces)

In the event you missed it yesterday or Tuesday, JoeSportsFan has been in close contact with Mike Krzyzewski.

And he got his new HP …

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