The day started out ominously, with Jeff and Steve hitting several patches of traffic (some toll induced, some rubbernecking induced) in arriving to The Vet late for the game - a first for both. The situation dripped with irony, as shortly before leaving, Steve and Jeff agreed that they didn't care if they were there when the gates opened, because "it's only The Vet."

Neither wanted to get there late, though, with Jeff later remarking that while he doesn't need to be there when it opens up, it's in a "thirty-way tie" of parks to which he doesn't want to be late.

The blame for their tardiness rested squarely with their gracious hostess, Lauren. Jeff and Steve worked long and hard to convince her to join them for this leg of the tour. She, refused, however, scrambling for excuses about "getting fired" or some such nonsense. Had she just agreed to accompany the boys, they surely would have been on time for the first pitch.

There was one bright spot, however: Andruw Jones' spectacular diving catch on a sinking line drive. Andruw would receive a standing ovation from Jeff and Steve and TWO stars in Steve's scorebook.

"Steve Gray likes defense." (Wildeman, 2001)

With home on the distant, distant horizon, Camden Yards was their only option. So it was back to Baltimore. And what a game it was. Steve and Jeff had planned on seeing two games - they had no way of knowing they would see two and a half!