It was 28 years ago today that I watched my first Major League Baseball game in person.
It was a Phillies/Reds game at old Riverfront Stadium on July 22, 1980. I remember it rained that morning and there was no batting practice. Before the game, I bought my first plastic helmet. Remember those? 
It was a Cubs helmet, and I was probably the only person in attendance wearing one.
When I pulled up an old box score of the game, I had forgotten how many future Hall of Famers played in that game. HOFers for the Phillies included Mike Schmidt (3B) and Steve Carlton (P). HOFers for the Reds were Johnny Bench (C) and Tom Seaver (P). Pete Rose also played in the game for the Phillies.
Bob Boone hit the game's only home run.
Mario Soto oupitched Steve Carlton for the win. Soto pitched a complete game nine-hitter to get the win. Carlton took the loss. Tug McGraw, father of country singer Tim McGraw, pitched the final two innings for the Phils. Carlton was 24-9 that year and pitched an incredible 301 innings.
Other things I remember about the game:
- The big scoreboard in center field was neat. I remember the Cubs beat the Giants that day (3-1).
- It was the first time I ever ate peanuts I had to shell.
- There was only 28,079 in attendance, but it seemed like half a million
- I always thought Bake McBride was a cool name. The 1980 Phillies had players by the name of Tug, Bake, Del, Ozzie, Nino, Sparky, and Dicky on their team.
- The Phillies lost the game 3-2 but went on to win the World Series that year.
- The game featured five players that later managed in the Major Leagues -- Bob Boone, Pete Rose, Larry Bowa, John Vukovich, and Ray Knight.
I later went back to Riverfront two other times -- in 1994 and 1995 before it was torn down.
Some things you never forget. Your first Major League baseball game is one of them.
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