Munch Musings from E. 53rd and Hamm Ave

I went to the RMFH last night for the Bruce Springsteen concert and just strolling into the Cavaliers, Monsters and Cleveland’s Palace to see The Boss I thought of a word I coined years ago…”Sportsrockers.” It was meant to denote my listeners when I first started at Q-FM-96 in Columbus but was also a moniker for so many, like me, that have sports and music near the top of their life list, hopefully after God, Family and Roots!

When #DonnaStrong (aka Mrs. Munch) and yours truly got to our seats I immediately looked at the stage and the proximity to our seats and was happy but then my wondering eyes looked around this grand venue and thought of how excited I was when it as first announced the arena was coming back downtown. Yes, the Miracle of Richfield was exciting along with the “team of the 90’s” as noted by Magic Johnson, plus some great concerts, hockey and Force soccer. Best concert for me? It had to be the Grateful Dead in March of ’93 when a blizzard cancelled the Saturday night show so to make it up to the Dead Heads who missed the show the Sunday show went ahead plus it was broadcast on WMMS!  I was with the Buzzard at the time and was invited to join legendary soundman Dan Healy at the soundboard for the show. Still I was not a huge Richfield Coliseum fan!  Why? It was in Richfield, not Cleveland especially downtown where venues for pro sports and more belong and yes LOL I will “fight you on this.” Plus you basically had 2 ways in and out of the parking lot and for those in the know the back door off of the parks.  Arenas and stadiums downtown bring life to the city. Ask the merchants who have bars, restaurants and other retail. Parking too expensive? Walk a few blocks or take RTA. You’re welcome.

Yes I deviated but the retired CAVALIERS banners caught my attention and put a smile on my face even though there is sadness with those that have left us. Price, Daugherty, Mr. Cavalier Austin Carr, Bingo Smith, Nance, Big Z, the great Nate Thurmond plus Joe Tait. I always feel that #21 needs to be in those rafters, the banner of World B. Free. The man saved pro basketball at the time in Cleveland. That to me is reason enough to retire his number!

Now since I started out talking about “Sportsrockers” allow me to give you my thoughts on the Springsteen show. I must mention that after getting my chest cracked open a year and half ago for open heart surgery I treasure life just a tad more and all that goes along with it. I have seen Bruce going on 20 times from the Born to Run tour, the world famous Agora concert, the Seeger Sessions tour and more and must say every tour he does is enhanced to bring out his best and the best in the E Street Band. Indeed this was THE BOSS 2.0! Horns, backup singers, a percussionist along with Mighty Max and of course the rest of the band made it special. I shed some tears singing some of the songs and Bruce played to the sold out crowd as only Bruce does. He becomes one of the fans. I know ticket prices were high, aren’t they all and this does mean that is right, nope, but a sad reality. Look for a miracle (Huh you ask? If you know you know). Go to a Pro Sporting event, the theatre or or even festivals, amusement parks and more…admission is not cheap! I had a friend say I don’t need a multi millionaire singing about the working man when I pay $350 to see him. Then don’t go. I also heard someone yell out “what about fifty bucks for a tee shirt?” Then don’t buy one. Have some street savvy and buy it from the short scalper on the street for $20!  Now I am ready for BLINK 182!

It’s Home Opener week at Progressive Field and I look forward to see you and meeting you at ballpark all summer long. Along with “Top Woman” and sports writer extraordinaire Natalie Turk we will bring you stories about the games, updates and stories about YOU, the fan, and baseball. They are never ending.

I’ll leave you with some words from Bruce and always go ten meters through the finish line no matter what you do because…”Glory days well they’ll pass you by, glory days in the wink of a young girls eye, glory days, glory days.”

Yes I did get a wink from Mrs. Munch during the song. Enjoy every sandwich, hope to see you soon. Adios amigo, long may you run!