A summary of my baseball tour was published in today's Quad City Times. An online version of the article is available here.
This photo was with the print version.
And now that it's playoff time, go Phillies and go Rays!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Tour article in today's QC Times
A summary of my baseball tour was published in today's Quad City Times. An online version of the article is available here.
This photo was with the print version.
And now that it's playoff time, go Phillies and go Rays!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Tour favorites
On the way to Washington, D.C., a ballot was handed out on the bus for us to vote on our favorites of the tour. Here are mine, with a few variations.
Best ballpark overall
Yankee Stadium
This was the place where I stopped during the game to think “oh my God, I’m really here.”
Best new ballpark
Nationals Park
We visited several new ones on the tour – Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Philadelphia – but the best was last.
Best food
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
Best beer
Fenway Park
Best fans
Red Sox
Best baseball moment
John Lackey’s near no-hitter
Best non-baseball moment
The “Sweet Caroline” experience
Place I most want to return to
Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown
Wow, there are a lot of Red Sox references on my list! Perhaps I can list that as “biggest surprise” – I couldn’t hate everything there as much as I’d intended.
All in all, after the thousands of words describing it, the one word that kept coming to mind while anticipating the trip still describes it most accurately: incredible.
And I’m very fortunate to have been able to go on the trip with Marybeth and Eileen. Their generosity, and being able to share all these experiences with them, is something I’ve very grateful for.
Best ballpark overall
Yankee Stadium
This was the place where I stopped during the game to think “oh my God, I’m really here.”
Best new ballpark
Nationals Park
We visited several new ones on the tour – Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Philadelphia – but the best was last.
Best food
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
Best beer
Fenway Park
Best fans
Red Sox
Best baseball moment
John Lackey’s near no-hitter
Best non-baseball moment
The “Sweet Caroline” experience
Place I most want to return to
Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown
Wow, there are a lot of Red Sox references on my list! Perhaps I can list that as “biggest surprise” – I couldn’t hate everything there as much as I’d intended.
All in all, after the thousands of words describing it, the one word that kept coming to mind while anticipating the trip still describes it most accurately: incredible.
And I’m very fortunate to have been able to go on the trip with Marybeth and Eileen. Their generosity, and being able to share all these experiences with them, is something I’ve very grateful for.
Game 8 – August 1, 2008
Red vs. Nationals
Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
Nationals 5, Reds 2
Home runs: Jay Bruce (Reds)
Beer: $7
Photos
We’d now reached the day of our last game. In some ways, the trip went by so quickly. Yet, as someone said on the bus that morning, it seemed like a month ago that we’d been in Pittsburgh.
The drive back from Cooperstown was thankfully uneventful (no bus trouble), just long. We arrived at our hotel in Voorhees, N.J., outside Philly, around 1:30 a.m. Luckily, we didn’t leave the next morning until 10:30 – a little later than our usual departure time. But I still fell asleep after the bus started moving Friday morning. (The hardest part about going back to work was not taking at least one nap every day!) And our ride through New Jersey and Maryland to Washington, D.C., also was uneventful.
Once in D.C., we had time for lunch at the Old Post Office – now filled with restaurants and shops – and then our guide joined us for a city tour. Since I’d never been to Washington yet always wanted to go, it was terrific to see all the sights – even just the glimpse from afar we had of many. We did have the chance to get out in front of the Capitol and the White House. Interesting to see the war protesters in front of the White House and also the cameras and equipment for the various television networks kept off in the distance under tarps. Our guide explained this is so they can have the White House in the background for reports yet not have to haul equipment back and forth. Then it was to the World War II Memorial, which was beautiful and expansive. After that, we had our choice to visit the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial or Vietnam War Memorial. The Vietnam one was the farthest walk, and it was really hot that day (the only hot day we had, 90+ degrees) but that was my choice to see. The guide went with us, and his stories and explanations added much. It was so impressive to see, although very somber as the flags and flowers and letters that people left along the wall were both touching and sad. A man from the other bus, someone we’d shared the airport shuttle with in Pittsburgh, was standing a distance away and just looking at the wall. He caught up with our group several minutes later and said he was thinking about his friends who’d been killed in Vietnam.
After a welcome opportunity to visit a concession stand and get something to drink, it was off to Nationals Park for the Reds-Nationals game. With neither team having much success this season, a lot of people had been looking forward to seeing Ken Griffey Jr. play in this game. That wasn’t to be, however – he was traded the day before to the White Sox. Such is baseball at the trading deadline! Before going in, we all gathered on the steps for a group photo.
This is the first year for Nationals Park and it is definitely one of the nicest stadiums we visited. Very comfortable for fans – wide seats, wide aisles, wide concourse, big variety of food. I had my first nachos of the trip, and they were covered with chili, cheese and salsa. Very messy, yet very good. Our seats were great, down the left field line and maybe 20 rows up from the field. The game – the Nationals won 5-2. They had a lot of hits and scored all five runs in the first two innings. Odalis Perez (who the Cardinals always score a ton of runs off of) pitched into the eighth inning and allowed only one run. The crowd – there wasn’t much of one, which is too bad. Because it’s definitely a great ballpark.
The Nationals have four mascots, all presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. And, as you might expect, they have a President’s Race. George and Abe were wandering in the stands a bit near our section after the race. At first, they seemed pretty cool as far as mascots go. But the more I looked at them, the creepier they seemed with those giant heads. (Look at the pictures and see for yourself!)
There was one special treat for us at the conclusion of the ballgame: fireworks! Definitely the perfect ending for the final game of the tour.
And then it was one more long bus ride (for us, anyway) to our hotel. Along the way, Stevette passed around the microphone so everyone could share their favorite memories or thoughts in general. It’s amazing how much we experienced in those nine days!
The next morning, it was officially over – those leaving that day boarded the bus for the airport, we took a taxi to our hotel for the night and a day of further sightseeing with my friends Michael and Tammy. Yet before departing the tour group, there was a flurry of hugs and photos and goodbyes – and birthday wishes for me. To honor the occasion, I received a baseball that said “Happy Birthday” on it with the Yankees logo – purchased by Marybeth and Eileen at Yankee Stadium. An appropriate way to acknowledge and remember a special day that concluded such an amazing trip!
Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
Nationals 5, Reds 2
Home runs: Jay Bruce (Reds)
Beer: $7
Photos
We’d now reached the day of our last game. In some ways, the trip went by so quickly. Yet, as someone said on the bus that morning, it seemed like a month ago that we’d been in Pittsburgh.
The drive back from Cooperstown was thankfully uneventful (no bus trouble), just long. We arrived at our hotel in Voorhees, N.J., outside Philly, around 1:30 a.m. Luckily, we didn’t leave the next morning until 10:30 – a little later than our usual departure time. But I still fell asleep after the bus started moving Friday morning. (The hardest part about going back to work was not taking at least one nap every day!) And our ride through New Jersey and Maryland to Washington, D.C., also was uneventful.
Once in D.C., we had time for lunch at the Old Post Office – now filled with restaurants and shops – and then our guide joined us for a city tour. Since I’d never been to Washington yet always wanted to go, it was terrific to see all the sights – even just the glimpse from afar we had of many. We did have the chance to get out in front of the Capitol and the White House. Interesting to see the war protesters in front of the White House and also the cameras and equipment for the various television networks kept off in the distance under tarps. Our guide explained this is so they can have the White House in the background for reports yet not have to haul equipment back and forth. Then it was to the World War II Memorial, which was beautiful and expansive. After that, we had our choice to visit the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial or Vietnam War Memorial. The Vietnam one was the farthest walk, and it was really hot that day (the only hot day we had, 90+ degrees) but that was my choice to see. The guide went with us, and his stories and explanations added much. It was so impressive to see, although very somber as the flags and flowers and letters that people left along the wall were both touching and sad. A man from the other bus, someone we’d shared the airport shuttle with in Pittsburgh, was standing a distance away and just looking at the wall. He caught up with our group several minutes later and said he was thinking about his friends who’d been killed in Vietnam.
After a welcome opportunity to visit a concession stand and get something to drink, it was off to Nationals Park for the Reds-Nationals game. With neither team having much success this season, a lot of people had been looking forward to seeing Ken Griffey Jr. play in this game. That wasn’t to be, however – he was traded the day before to the White Sox. Such is baseball at the trading deadline! Before going in, we all gathered on the steps for a group photo.
This is the first year for Nationals Park and it is definitely one of the nicest stadiums we visited. Very comfortable for fans – wide seats, wide aisles, wide concourse, big variety of food. I had my first nachos of the trip, and they were covered with chili, cheese and salsa. Very messy, yet very good. Our seats were great, down the left field line and maybe 20 rows up from the field. The game – the Nationals won 5-2. They had a lot of hits and scored all five runs in the first two innings. Odalis Perez (who the Cardinals always score a ton of runs off of) pitched into the eighth inning and allowed only one run. The crowd – there wasn’t much of one, which is too bad. Because it’s definitely a great ballpark.
The Nationals have four mascots, all presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. And, as you might expect, they have a President’s Race. George and Abe were wandering in the stands a bit near our section after the race. At first, they seemed pretty cool as far as mascots go. But the more I looked at them, the creepier they seemed with those giant heads. (Look at the pictures and see for yourself!)
There was one special treat for us at the conclusion of the ballgame: fireworks! Definitely the perfect ending for the final game of the tour.
And then it was one more long bus ride (for us, anyway) to our hotel. Along the way, Stevette passed around the microphone so everyone could share their favorite memories or thoughts in general. It’s amazing how much we experienced in those nine days!
The next morning, it was officially over – those leaving that day boarded the bus for the airport, we took a taxi to our hotel for the night and a day of further sightseeing with my friends Michael and Tammy. Yet before departing the tour group, there was a flurry of hugs and photos and goodbyes – and birthday wishes for me. To honor the occasion, I received a baseball that said “Happy Birthday” on it with the Yankees logo – purchased by Marybeth and Eileen at Yankee Stadium. An appropriate way to acknowledge and remember a special day that concluded such an amazing trip!
Cooperstown, N.Y. – July 31, 2008
National Baseball Hall of Fame
Photos
The longest day of the trip, but in many ways the most special – we were headed for Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame. Since we had plenty of bus time, Stevette brought along a collection of baseball movies. The morning’s selection: Fever Pitch. I watched it, and didn’t hate it (especially since the 2004 World Series was basically a footnote at the end). The best moment, though, was the scene where “Sweet Caroline” was played at Fenway in the movie – everyone on the bus sang along.
The bus had a tough trip to Cooperstown, chugging along very slowly up all the hills. While it gave us a great opportunity for an extended look at the beautiful scenery, it was a little worrisome and caused us to arrive about an hour late. But John our driver had everything taken care of during the day – the bus needed a new fuel pump.
Cooperstown is a lovely little town. Main Street is filled with all kinds of shops, many (not surprisingly) baseball-related, along with some restaurants. Lots of people everywhere. It took a while to get lunch but, finally, we made it to the Hall of Fame.
Our first stop was the Grandstand Theater, to see a movie called “The Baseball Experience.” The theater itself had ballpark-style seats. The movie was an appropriately sentimental overview of baseball and its history. The quotes from Roger Angell (a baseball writer who wrote the book I was reading on the bus) moved me to tears. Oh well, it was only the first time that day.
We split up to tour the Hall of Fame, so we could each take our time at what we wanted to see. I started on the third (top) floor, in a section called Sacred Ground that covered a fan’s experience at the ballpark. There were displays of different kinds of memorabilia from stadiums (I took photos of several) plus a section on concessions and even music played at games. That included a recording of Harry Caray singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” which was a delight to hear (and almost made me cry again). Another section had recordings of songs that are known for being played at certain stadiums. Yes, of course, Boston was there, as was “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” played at Camden Yards (which we heard when there).
In the next area, there was a full-wall display of small portraits and baseballs from all pitchers who have thrown no-hitters and perfect games. Very cool to see the signed ball from Bud Smith, whose no-hitter for the Cardinals was on Labor Day 2001. It was right next to one from Randy Johnson’s perfect game in 2004. (The display was in order vertically, which is how they were next to each other.) Beyond that area was one on the post-season, which had different artifacts on display. A large case in the center of the room contained World Series rings from each year. Of course they’ve evolved over the years, getting bigger and more elaborate. Everyone standing at the case – no one I knew – commented on the gaudiness of the Marlins 2003 ring, far bigger than any others and tacky looking in its ostentation. The rings that have followed – the Red Sox two, White Sox, Cardinals – all are classy looking. (So at least Josh Beckett has a nicer one from last year to go along with his Marlins ring. Because I’m sure he wears them all the time!) I tried to take photos, but the glare from the case was too much.
Another memorable area on this floor played the original Abbott and Costello “Who’s on First” routine. Classic, and it had the big crowd standing there watching laughing hysterically. (Here’s a link to it – the magic of YouTube!) There also was the George Carlin bit comparing baseball and football. I’d read about it recently, when Carlin died, but it’s much funnier to hear him deliver it. (Find that here.)
Down to the second floor, where I ended up spending the most time. The history of baseball is brought to life here, through a variety of artifacts like uniforms and equipment and photos. It starts back in the 1800s and moves along to today. Uniforms and equipment have changed tremendously through the years, not surprisingly. But it was the items from specific players that were the best part of this section. Seeing plaques and monuments honoring Babe Ruth in New York and Boston was one thing; seeing his locker and his actual uniform was amazing. The displays are chronological, finishing with an area called Today’s Game that has cases filled with items from each team. I enjoyed that a lot too, just seeing what was represented.
On the first level was the gallery with the Hall of Fame plaques for all the inductees, in chronological order for the year of induction. It was by far the most crowded area, since it’s the essence of the Hall of Fame’s existence. Such a history lesson too, reading about the tremendous accomplishments of so many – almost more unfamiliar to me than known – throughout the game’s history.
Beyond this, and away from the crowd, was a section that honored broadcasters and writers. There also was a little gallery called Baseball at the Movies that had walls lined with posters, photos and a list of all the baseball movies through the years. Clips of movies also were shown, and I managed to catch those of my two favorite baseball movies: Bull Durham and Field of Dreams. Seeing the clip of the latter, being surrounded by so much baseball history and such a love for the game, had me ready to cry yet again.
As I walked back through the plaque gallery, I saw a Field of Dreams moment come to life. There were some fathers and sons on our tour, on the other bus. One group had two teenagers, though I was never sure if the boys were brothers or friends. The youngest (around 13) was embracing his father in the middle of the gallery and saying something into his ear. Having just seen the movie clip, this made my eyes fill with tears. The older boy then spoke to the younger, with the result being the younger punching him on the arm. Relationship now established: brothers. Later, as everyone from our bus was gathering on the sidewalk outside the Hall of Fame, I saw the mother and 18-year-old daughter from our group. The daughter said something to the mother and they hugged for a long time as well.
It turns out I wasn’t the only one moved to tears that day. The following night, as everyone on the bus shared memories from the trip via the passed-around microphone, a man who’s a baseball coach in North Carolina said he was glad he didn’t run into any of us at the Hall of Fame, because we would have seen him crying.
I know I’m a hopeless romantic when it comes to baseball – more Field of Dreams than Bull Durham, or the opposite of what Bob Costas calls himself in his book Fair Ball. But it’s the history, the sharing of baseball through generations and through friendships that means the most to me. That’s what made visiting the Hall of Fame so special – an entire museum, and much of a town, devoted just to this. I can’t wait to go back.
Photos
The longest day of the trip, but in many ways the most special – we were headed for Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame. Since we had plenty of bus time, Stevette brought along a collection of baseball movies. The morning’s selection: Fever Pitch. I watched it, and didn’t hate it (especially since the 2004 World Series was basically a footnote at the end). The best moment, though, was the scene where “Sweet Caroline” was played at Fenway in the movie – everyone on the bus sang along.
The bus had a tough trip to Cooperstown, chugging along very slowly up all the hills. While it gave us a great opportunity for an extended look at the beautiful scenery, it was a little worrisome and caused us to arrive about an hour late. But John our driver had everything taken care of during the day – the bus needed a new fuel pump.
Cooperstown is a lovely little town. Main Street is filled with all kinds of shops, many (not surprisingly) baseball-related, along with some restaurants. Lots of people everywhere. It took a while to get lunch but, finally, we made it to the Hall of Fame.
Our first stop was the Grandstand Theater, to see a movie called “The Baseball Experience.” The theater itself had ballpark-style seats. The movie was an appropriately sentimental overview of baseball and its history. The quotes from Roger Angell (a baseball writer who wrote the book I was reading on the bus) moved me to tears. Oh well, it was only the first time that day.
We split up to tour the Hall of Fame, so we could each take our time at what we wanted to see. I started on the third (top) floor, in a section called Sacred Ground that covered a fan’s experience at the ballpark. There were displays of different kinds of memorabilia from stadiums (I took photos of several) plus a section on concessions and even music played at games. That included a recording of Harry Caray singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” which was a delight to hear (and almost made me cry again). Another section had recordings of songs that are known for being played at certain stadiums. Yes, of course, Boston was there, as was “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” played at Camden Yards (which we heard when there).
In the next area, there was a full-wall display of small portraits and baseballs from all pitchers who have thrown no-hitters and perfect games. Very cool to see the signed ball from Bud Smith, whose no-hitter for the Cardinals was on Labor Day 2001. It was right next to one from Randy Johnson’s perfect game in 2004. (The display was in order vertically, which is how they were next to each other.) Beyond that area was one on the post-season, which had different artifacts on display. A large case in the center of the room contained World Series rings from each year. Of course they’ve evolved over the years, getting bigger and more elaborate. Everyone standing at the case – no one I knew – commented on the gaudiness of the Marlins 2003 ring, far bigger than any others and tacky looking in its ostentation. The rings that have followed – the Red Sox two, White Sox, Cardinals – all are classy looking. (So at least Josh Beckett has a nicer one from last year to go along with his Marlins ring. Because I’m sure he wears them all the time!) I tried to take photos, but the glare from the case was too much.
Another memorable area on this floor played the original Abbott and Costello “Who’s on First” routine. Classic, and it had the big crowd standing there watching laughing hysterically. (Here’s a link to it – the magic of YouTube!) There also was the George Carlin bit comparing baseball and football. I’d read about it recently, when Carlin died, but it’s much funnier to hear him deliver it. (Find that here.)
Down to the second floor, where I ended up spending the most time. The history of baseball is brought to life here, through a variety of artifacts like uniforms and equipment and photos. It starts back in the 1800s and moves along to today. Uniforms and equipment have changed tremendously through the years, not surprisingly. But it was the items from specific players that were the best part of this section. Seeing plaques and monuments honoring Babe Ruth in New York and Boston was one thing; seeing his locker and his actual uniform was amazing. The displays are chronological, finishing with an area called Today’s Game that has cases filled with items from each team. I enjoyed that a lot too, just seeing what was represented.
On the first level was the gallery with the Hall of Fame plaques for all the inductees, in chronological order for the year of induction. It was by far the most crowded area, since it’s the essence of the Hall of Fame’s existence. Such a history lesson too, reading about the tremendous accomplishments of so many – almost more unfamiliar to me than known – throughout the game’s history.
Beyond this, and away from the crowd, was a section that honored broadcasters and writers. There also was a little gallery called Baseball at the Movies that had walls lined with posters, photos and a list of all the baseball movies through the years. Clips of movies also were shown, and I managed to catch those of my two favorite baseball movies: Bull Durham and Field of Dreams. Seeing the clip of the latter, being surrounded by so much baseball history and such a love for the game, had me ready to cry yet again.
As I walked back through the plaque gallery, I saw a Field of Dreams moment come to life. There were some fathers and sons on our tour, on the other bus. One group had two teenagers, though I was never sure if the boys were brothers or friends. The youngest (around 13) was embracing his father in the middle of the gallery and saying something into his ear. Having just seen the movie clip, this made my eyes fill with tears. The older boy then spoke to the younger, with the result being the younger punching him on the arm. Relationship now established: brothers. Later, as everyone from our bus was gathering on the sidewalk outside the Hall of Fame, I saw the mother and 18-year-old daughter from our group. The daughter said something to the mother and they hugged for a long time as well.
It turns out I wasn’t the only one moved to tears that day. The following night, as everyone on the bus shared memories from the trip via the passed-around microphone, a man who’s a baseball coach in North Carolina said he was glad he didn’t run into any of us at the Hall of Fame, because we would have seen him crying.
I know I’m a hopeless romantic when it comes to baseball – more Field of Dreams than Bull Durham, or the opposite of what Bob Costas calls himself in his book Fair Ball. But it’s the history, the sharing of baseball through generations and through friendships that means the most to me. That’s what made visiting the Hall of Fame so special – an entire museum, and much of a town, devoted just to this. I can’t wait to go back.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Game 7 – July 30, 2008
Angels vs. Red Sox
Fenway Park, Boston
Angels 9, Red Sox 2
Home runs: Garrett Anderson, Torii Hunter (Angels), Coco Crisp (Red Sox)
Beer: $7.75
Photos
Day two in Boston began with a city tour. While it was interesting to see the sights, our guide left much to be desired as far as telling us what we were driving past. We did stop on the Northeastern University campus to see where Huntington Avenue Grounds had been. This was where the Red Sox played prior to Fenway, and also the site of the first World Series game between the Sox and the Pirates in 1903. There is a plaque where home plate was, as well as a statue of Cy Young where the pitcher’s mound was located. (My photo of that is of knees. Oops. It was really sunny and, obviously, I couldn’t quite see what I was doing!)
Following that tour, we had time for a quick lunch – pizza from a little stand across the street from the ballpark – before the Fenway Park tour. It was impossible not to compare it to the Yankee Stadium tour, given that it was just the day before. Plus we heard about the Yankees plenty during this tour, since the guide mentioned them 10 or so times throughout the hour – when talking about Babe Ruth, of course, but also in several snide comments. Seems like, even with two World Series victories in the past four years, Boston still has an inferiority complex when it comes to New York! This tour also was different than the Yankee Stadium one, mostly covering a variety of different seating areas throughout the park. It started in the centerfield party area seats – tables of four that are sold for each game and include waitress service. To the direct left of these are so-called premium seats that were added, and which we would be sitting in that night. More on those in a bit. Then it was up to the Pavilion Club, where seats are $160 each. (For one game.) The view is great, right behind home plate on the second level. With those tickets, you also get the chance to go into the bar/restaurant on that level.
Beyond the bar/restaurant is the Red Sox Hall of Fame, which we passed through on our way to the Green Monster. I will resist the temptation (unlike our tour guide) to compare it to anything else I might have seen, oh, 24 hours or so before and just say it was pretty small – a couple of rows of plaques on a wall, other plaques with memorable moments in Sox history (but only the good ones) and then a long wall filled with magazine covers. I had to hurry past some of those, like the ones from 2004 …
Through a doorway and up some steps, we were at the Green Monster (the high left field wall that’s green, in case you don’t know). Seats were added atop it five or so years ago and they are wildly popular. Sitting there for batting practice and a game (there’s a lottery when tickets go on sale to be able to purchase the seats) almost guarantees that you will leave with a ball. And even I have to admit that would be very cool.
The final stop was some grandstand seats down the left field line that have been there forever – very tight, with your knees hitting the row in front of you. It was after 3 p.m. and some of the Angels were meandering out onto the field before doing some exercises with a trainer. Three others came out with a soccer ball and started kicking it around. And that was it for the tour. Apparently, on non-game days, you get to go to the dugout and clubhouse.
So then we had a couple of hours before we could go back in for the game. We decided to eat at the bar/restaurant at Fenway, on the corner of Landsdowne and Brookline right across from Cask & Flagon. It had outdoor seating and we were lucky enough to get a table there. Highly entertaining watching the tons of people walking by, especially as game time got closer. There were several Angels fans amidst the parade of every kind of Red Sox shirt imaginable. And among the Angels fans were two guys carrying brooms, since – with a victory – their team would sweep the series. Somehow I bet they weren’t able to take those into Fenway.
After eating and people-watching, it was time to go back into the ballpark. I walked down around the home plate area, just to check it out. The ushers were very friendly, saying hello and asking if I wanted to come into the section and watch batting practice. I did for a few minutes and saw Mark Texiera in his brand-new Angels uniform. (We’d already watched him play on Saturday, in Philly, as a Brave.) I also noticed a large group of kids next to the Red Sox dugout, hoping for the chance to get autographs. Several of them were over the wall, laying on the rolled-up tarp. I was surprised they were allowed to do that, yet it made a cute scene.
As mentioned, our seats for this game were adjacent to the party area in center field. They were called roof box seats on our tickets, which led me to expect a good view. Not exactly – couldn’t see center field or the scoreboard at all thanks to the wall underneath the party section directly to our right . Oh well. I COULD see Josh Beckett starting his pre-game preparation, though. And I could see him even better through the binoculars! After his stretching was done, he began tossing the ball – make a few throws, step back a few feet and toss a few more. He started maybe pitcher’s-mound distance away from the catcher (honestly, I was so caught up in watching Josh that I don’t know if it was Varitek or not), who was standing at the edge of the warning track in right field. When Josh finally quit backing up, he was standing on the warning track in center field, tossing all the way across the field. Wow.
Even with eight strikeouts, it ended up not being Josh’s night – although he was good until the fourth inning, when the Angels started hitting him well and scored three runs. Coco Crisp homered for the Sox in the fifth to make it 3-2. But then came the highly entertaining top of the sixth. The Angels scored five runs, Josh left the game, the Sox made three errors (one by Josh himself) and I couldn’t help but laugh as a ball dropped in between the shortstop, second baseman, centerfielder and rightfielder in shallow center as they all raced for the ball yet no one caught it. For different reasons than the night before, it was a great game!
It ended up being a monumental game of sorts – the last one on the Sox for Manny Ramirez. He received mixed boos and cheers every at-bat both nights. During a pitching change in the top of the eighth inning, I saw him walk toward the Green Monster and a door open. He went inside, which we learned he does frequently. On the Fenway tour, someone asked what he does in there but the tour guide didn’t really give much of an answer. When the game was ready to resume, out came Manny.
Then it was the middle of the eighth inning, so of course Sweet Caroline time. I will admit it was definitely a highlight of both games. As was seeing the Angels win – hmmm, maybe I’m a curse to the Red Sox when I’m at their stadium. That would be a shame …
However, I will say this about Fenway and Red Sox fans: despite my huge bias, I liked Fenway and enjoyed to a degree seeing the Red Sox fans. Their devotion to the team is definitely genuine. So I can appreciate the whole Sox experience, even if my hatred for the team didn’t change. Because they still beat the Cardinals in 2004.
Fenway Park, Boston
Angels 9, Red Sox 2
Home runs: Garrett Anderson, Torii Hunter (Angels), Coco Crisp (Red Sox)
Beer: $7.75
Photos
Day two in Boston began with a city tour. While it was interesting to see the sights, our guide left much to be desired as far as telling us what we were driving past. We did stop on the Northeastern University campus to see where Huntington Avenue Grounds had been. This was where the Red Sox played prior to Fenway, and also the site of the first World Series game between the Sox and the Pirates in 1903. There is a plaque where home plate was, as well as a statue of Cy Young where the pitcher’s mound was located. (My photo of that is of knees. Oops. It was really sunny and, obviously, I couldn’t quite see what I was doing!)
Following that tour, we had time for a quick lunch – pizza from a little stand across the street from the ballpark – before the Fenway Park tour. It was impossible not to compare it to the Yankee Stadium tour, given that it was just the day before. Plus we heard about the Yankees plenty during this tour, since the guide mentioned them 10 or so times throughout the hour – when talking about Babe Ruth, of course, but also in several snide comments. Seems like, even with two World Series victories in the past four years, Boston still has an inferiority complex when it comes to New York! This tour also was different than the Yankee Stadium one, mostly covering a variety of different seating areas throughout the park. It started in the centerfield party area seats – tables of four that are sold for each game and include waitress service. To the direct left of these are so-called premium seats that were added, and which we would be sitting in that night. More on those in a bit. Then it was up to the Pavilion Club, where seats are $160 each. (For one game.) The view is great, right behind home plate on the second level. With those tickets, you also get the chance to go into the bar/restaurant on that level.
Beyond the bar/restaurant is the Red Sox Hall of Fame, which we passed through on our way to the Green Monster. I will resist the temptation (unlike our tour guide) to compare it to anything else I might have seen, oh, 24 hours or so before and just say it was pretty small – a couple of rows of plaques on a wall, other plaques with memorable moments in Sox history (but only the good ones) and then a long wall filled with magazine covers. I had to hurry past some of those, like the ones from 2004 …
Through a doorway and up some steps, we were at the Green Monster (the high left field wall that’s green, in case you don’t know). Seats were added atop it five or so years ago and they are wildly popular. Sitting there for batting practice and a game (there’s a lottery when tickets go on sale to be able to purchase the seats) almost guarantees that you will leave with a ball. And even I have to admit that would be very cool.
The final stop was some grandstand seats down the left field line that have been there forever – very tight, with your knees hitting the row in front of you. It was after 3 p.m. and some of the Angels were meandering out onto the field before doing some exercises with a trainer. Three others came out with a soccer ball and started kicking it around. And that was it for the tour. Apparently, on non-game days, you get to go to the dugout and clubhouse.
So then we had a couple of hours before we could go back in for the game. We decided to eat at the bar/restaurant at Fenway, on the corner of Landsdowne and Brookline right across from Cask & Flagon. It had outdoor seating and we were lucky enough to get a table there. Highly entertaining watching the tons of people walking by, especially as game time got closer. There were several Angels fans amidst the parade of every kind of Red Sox shirt imaginable. And among the Angels fans were two guys carrying brooms, since – with a victory – their team would sweep the series. Somehow I bet they weren’t able to take those into Fenway.
After eating and people-watching, it was time to go back into the ballpark. I walked down around the home plate area, just to check it out. The ushers were very friendly, saying hello and asking if I wanted to come into the section and watch batting practice. I did for a few minutes and saw Mark Texiera in his brand-new Angels uniform. (We’d already watched him play on Saturday, in Philly, as a Brave.) I also noticed a large group of kids next to the Red Sox dugout, hoping for the chance to get autographs. Several of them were over the wall, laying on the rolled-up tarp. I was surprised they were allowed to do that, yet it made a cute scene.
As mentioned, our seats for this game were adjacent to the party area in center field. They were called roof box seats on our tickets, which led me to expect a good view. Not exactly – couldn’t see center field or the scoreboard at all thanks to the wall underneath the party section directly to our right . Oh well. I COULD see Josh Beckett starting his pre-game preparation, though. And I could see him even better through the binoculars! After his stretching was done, he began tossing the ball – make a few throws, step back a few feet and toss a few more. He started maybe pitcher’s-mound distance away from the catcher (honestly, I was so caught up in watching Josh that I don’t know if it was Varitek or not), who was standing at the edge of the warning track in right field. When Josh finally quit backing up, he was standing on the warning track in center field, tossing all the way across the field. Wow.
Even with eight strikeouts, it ended up not being Josh’s night – although he was good until the fourth inning, when the Angels started hitting him well and scored three runs. Coco Crisp homered for the Sox in the fifth to make it 3-2. But then came the highly entertaining top of the sixth. The Angels scored five runs, Josh left the game, the Sox made three errors (one by Josh himself) and I couldn’t help but laugh as a ball dropped in between the shortstop, second baseman, centerfielder and rightfielder in shallow center as they all raced for the ball yet no one caught it. For different reasons than the night before, it was a great game!
It ended up being a monumental game of sorts – the last one on the Sox for Manny Ramirez. He received mixed boos and cheers every at-bat both nights. During a pitching change in the top of the eighth inning, I saw him walk toward the Green Monster and a door open. He went inside, which we learned he does frequently. On the Fenway tour, someone asked what he does in there but the tour guide didn’t really give much of an answer. When the game was ready to resume, out came Manny.
Then it was the middle of the eighth inning, so of course Sweet Caroline time. I will admit it was definitely a highlight of both games. As was seeing the Angels win – hmmm, maybe I’m a curse to the Red Sox when I’m at their stadium. That would be a shame …
However, I will say this about Fenway and Red Sox fans: despite my huge bias, I liked Fenway and enjoyed to a degree seeing the Red Sox fans. Their devotion to the team is definitely genuine. So I can appreciate the whole Sox experience, even if my hatred for the team didn’t change. Because they still beat the Cardinals in 2004.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Game 6 – July 29, 2008
Angels vs. Red Sox
Fenway Park, Boston
Angels 6, Red Sox 2
Home runs: Garrett Anderson (Angels), Kevin Youkilis (Red Sox)
Beer: $7.75
Photos
Visiting Fenway Park was eagerly anticipated by many on our tour, but I arrived with a bias: I don’t like the Red Sox. The simple reason is because they beat the Cardinals in the 2004 World Series, and I hold grudges. (Even though I’m no longer a Cubs fan, I still detest Steve Garvey for game four of the 1984 National League playoffs.) To top it off, we were going to two games at Fenway – the only time on the tour we attended more than one game at a stadium. At least Josh Beckett, one of the few Sox I do like (thanks to his Marlins days), was pitching the second night.
The drive to Boston was nice, through Connecticut and briefly in Rhode Island then into Massachusetts. Boston was pleasant – traffic didn’t seem too bad, city looked interesting. Lots of Dunkin Donuts. We arrived at the bus parking lot around 5:30 p.m. and walked toward the ballpark. Right away, the Fenway area reminded us very much of Wrigleyville – shops and bars and people all around Yawkey Way. The exterior of the ballpark, I have to admit, was very picturesque with its red brick and decorative touches. There also were World Series and American League championship banners along here too, which weren’t quite as picturesque (to me, anyway).
We went into a gigantic team store across the street. I did end up buying something there, but it was a t-shirt for my Mom. She’s not a Red Sox fan, but the shirt had a shamrock on the front and a gigantic one adorned with the Sox logo on the back. And she is a bit Irish – her maiden name was Pat O’Brien and her birthday is St. Patrick’s Day. After Marybeth and Eileen also bought Red Sox t-shirts, it was across the street and into the ballpark.
There is one thing Fenway and Yankee Stadium have in common: narrow, crowded, dark concourses. And since we were going to be at Fenway for two games, plus have a tour the next day, I didn’t wander around this first night like I had been at the other ballparks. After the long walk through the concourse to find our seats, which were in the right field bleachers, it was time for dinner. Stevette raved about the Fenway Franks before we arrived, saying they were the best in the major leagues, so we had to try those. Mine was good, especially since I knew in advance about the white bread-like bun, but the one in Philly was far better. However, Fenway definitely had the best beer selection of any stadium. Sam Adams (of course), Guinness, Harp’s, Smithwicks, Heineken – and those were just at the two stands closest to our seats.
That’s another difference at Fenway: no beer vendors in the stands. Anything else, you could get without leaving your seat – and they even had girls going around collecting beer cups and other plastic items to be recycled.
The view from our seats was OK, yet so far away since we were near the top of the right field bleachers. For anyone familiar with Fenway, we were about 10 or so rows and one section over from the red seat – so designated in the midst of all the green ones because Ted Williams hit a homer to that spot in 1946. At 502 feet, it was the longest home run hit at Fenway. (More info on it here.)
It was a hot night – game time temperature, 87 degrees, according to my photo of the scoreboard – and the sun was shining directly into our eyes for the first couple innings (and glaring off the signs atop the Green Monster in particular). And for every other game of the tour except this one, I’d bought a program and kept score. (I was going to do so the next night.) So it figures this game would almost be historic …
Since I wasn’t keeping score, I didn’t realize the Sox had no hits until I heard it from the radio broadcast while I was waiting in line for beer in the sixth inning. John Lackey walked his first batter of the game and the announcer said that was only the second base runner of the night for the Sox. Up until that point, I was just happy the Angels were winning and the Sox weren’t. There were several Angels fans on our tour, and a couple of them were cheering so I joined in – although not as loudly.
In the middle of the eighth inning, Lackey was going strong and the Sox still had no hits. And anyone familiar with Fenway Park knows that point of the game means one thing: Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond. I vaguely knew that they played this song at Fenway, but had no idea about the tradition. But I, and everyone on our tour, quickly caught on. In fact, it became the theme song for our bus. Since the tour ended, there have been countless e-mails back and forth to the entire group with links to Sweet Caroline ring tones, YouTube videos and this history of the tradition.
That night, however, with a no-hitter in progress, the crowd decided to serenade John Lackey even after the music stopped and he was on the pitcher’s mound warming up for the bottom of the inning. But it didn’t affect him – one, two, three outs.
Jonathan Papelbon came on to pitch the top of the ninth for the Sox, an odd spot to use their closer since they were losing 6-0 at the time. Last year, I remember (unfortunately) seeing a video somewhere of him dancing a jig in one of the Sox victory celebrations. Given that, I wasn’t surprised that the music blaring as he took the field was some jig-like tune – although it quickly turned into a heavy metal version of a jig. Inspired by the music, I’m sure, he retired the Angels in order.
So, there we were, going into the bottom of the ninth, three outs away from a no-hitter – with about 80 die-hard fans on a baseball tour in attendance. How incredible for the baseball gods to give us this rare gift as part of our trip – provided Lackey could get three more outs. And he had to get those three outs, right? First up: Jacoby Ellsbury. A strikeout! This was amazing. Next: Dustin Pedroia. And – damn, a single to left field. SO close … Still, Lackey can have a one-hitter. But Kevin Youkilis took care of that, hitting a home run. Damn again. (Actually, that wasn’t the word I was thinking at the time.) But, Lackey still had the chance for the complete game – which he did get. Angels win, 6-2.
A few days later, when I had a chance to check my e-mail, I had a message from my uncle Jim that perfectly summed up the evening: “I bet you were going crazy in the bottom of the 9th. Would have been a great story: “Red Sox hater sees the Sox no-hit in first game at Fenway!!!!!”
Fenway Park, Boston
Angels 6, Red Sox 2
Home runs: Garrett Anderson (Angels), Kevin Youkilis (Red Sox)
Beer: $7.75
Photos
Visiting Fenway Park was eagerly anticipated by many on our tour, but I arrived with a bias: I don’t like the Red Sox. The simple reason is because they beat the Cardinals in the 2004 World Series, and I hold grudges. (Even though I’m no longer a Cubs fan, I still detest Steve Garvey for game four of the 1984 National League playoffs.) To top it off, we were going to two games at Fenway – the only time on the tour we attended more than one game at a stadium. At least Josh Beckett, one of the few Sox I do like (thanks to his Marlins days), was pitching the second night.
The drive to Boston was nice, through Connecticut and briefly in Rhode Island then into Massachusetts. Boston was pleasant – traffic didn’t seem too bad, city looked interesting. Lots of Dunkin Donuts. We arrived at the bus parking lot around 5:30 p.m. and walked toward the ballpark. Right away, the Fenway area reminded us very much of Wrigleyville – shops and bars and people all around Yawkey Way. The exterior of the ballpark, I have to admit, was very picturesque with its red brick and decorative touches. There also were World Series and American League championship banners along here too, which weren’t quite as picturesque (to me, anyway).
We went into a gigantic team store across the street. I did end up buying something there, but it was a t-shirt for my Mom. She’s not a Red Sox fan, but the shirt had a shamrock on the front and a gigantic one adorned with the Sox logo on the back. And she is a bit Irish – her maiden name was Pat O’Brien and her birthday is St. Patrick’s Day. After Marybeth and Eileen also bought Red Sox t-shirts, it was across the street and into the ballpark.
There is one thing Fenway and Yankee Stadium have in common: narrow, crowded, dark concourses. And since we were going to be at Fenway for two games, plus have a tour the next day, I didn’t wander around this first night like I had been at the other ballparks. After the long walk through the concourse to find our seats, which were in the right field bleachers, it was time for dinner. Stevette raved about the Fenway Franks before we arrived, saying they were the best in the major leagues, so we had to try those. Mine was good, especially since I knew in advance about the white bread-like bun, but the one in Philly was far better. However, Fenway definitely had the best beer selection of any stadium. Sam Adams (of course), Guinness, Harp’s, Smithwicks, Heineken – and those were just at the two stands closest to our seats.
That’s another difference at Fenway: no beer vendors in the stands. Anything else, you could get without leaving your seat – and they even had girls going around collecting beer cups and other plastic items to be recycled.
The view from our seats was OK, yet so far away since we were near the top of the right field bleachers. For anyone familiar with Fenway, we were about 10 or so rows and one section over from the red seat – so designated in the midst of all the green ones because Ted Williams hit a homer to that spot in 1946. At 502 feet, it was the longest home run hit at Fenway. (More info on it here.)
It was a hot night – game time temperature, 87 degrees, according to my photo of the scoreboard – and the sun was shining directly into our eyes for the first couple innings (and glaring off the signs atop the Green Monster in particular). And for every other game of the tour except this one, I’d bought a program and kept score. (I was going to do so the next night.) So it figures this game would almost be historic …
Since I wasn’t keeping score, I didn’t realize the Sox had no hits until I heard it from the radio broadcast while I was waiting in line for beer in the sixth inning. John Lackey walked his first batter of the game and the announcer said that was only the second base runner of the night for the Sox. Up until that point, I was just happy the Angels were winning and the Sox weren’t. There were several Angels fans on our tour, and a couple of them were cheering so I joined in – although not as loudly.
In the middle of the eighth inning, Lackey was going strong and the Sox still had no hits. And anyone familiar with Fenway Park knows that point of the game means one thing: Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond. I vaguely knew that they played this song at Fenway, but had no idea about the tradition. But I, and everyone on our tour, quickly caught on. In fact, it became the theme song for our bus. Since the tour ended, there have been countless e-mails back and forth to the entire group with links to Sweet Caroline ring tones, YouTube videos and this history of the tradition.
That night, however, with a no-hitter in progress, the crowd decided to serenade John Lackey even after the music stopped and he was on the pitcher’s mound warming up for the bottom of the inning. But it didn’t affect him – one, two, three outs.
Jonathan Papelbon came on to pitch the top of the ninth for the Sox, an odd spot to use their closer since they were losing 6-0 at the time. Last year, I remember (unfortunately) seeing a video somewhere of him dancing a jig in one of the Sox victory celebrations. Given that, I wasn’t surprised that the music blaring as he took the field was some jig-like tune – although it quickly turned into a heavy metal version of a jig. Inspired by the music, I’m sure, he retired the Angels in order.
So, there we were, going into the bottom of the ninth, three outs away from a no-hitter – with about 80 die-hard fans on a baseball tour in attendance. How incredible for the baseball gods to give us this rare gift as part of our trip – provided Lackey could get three more outs. And he had to get those three outs, right? First up: Jacoby Ellsbury. A strikeout! This was amazing. Next: Dustin Pedroia. And – damn, a single to left field. SO close … Still, Lackey can have a one-hitter. But Kevin Youkilis took care of that, hitting a home run. Damn again. (Actually, that wasn’t the word I was thinking at the time.) But, Lackey still had the chance for the complete game – which he did get. Angels win, 6-2.
A few days later, when I had a chance to check my e-mail, I had a message from my uncle Jim that perfectly summed up the evening: “I bet you were going crazy in the bottom of the 9th. Would have been a great story: “Red Sox hater sees the Sox no-hit in first game at Fenway!!!!!”
Monday, August 11, 2008
Yankee Stadium Tour – July 29, 2008
Photos
July 29 was our earliest-starting day, leaving our hotel in New Jersey at 7:30 a.m., to head back to the Bronx for a Yankee Stadium tour. Our bus was divided into two groups, and ours went on the tour first.
Inside the stadium, we waited a few minutes for the tour guide. That gave us the opportunity to stand in a mostly empty, silent Yankee Stadium on a sunny morning and look around. The infield grass glistened from just being watered, the flags atop the frieze blew in the breeze – it was a beautiful sight. Then it was out to Monument Park, which honors the Yankees greats. First are plaques that recognize those whose numbers have been retired. There are quite a few, as you might expect. Beyond that is a section with monuments honoring the greatest of the greats – Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio. There’s also a monument honoring the victims of 9/11, which was dedicated on the first anniversary of the terrorist attack. As the tour guide was describing Monument Park and the individuals being honored, she was very respectful and referred to everyone as “Mr.” – Mr. Lou Gehrig, Mr. Babe Ruth, Mr. Yogi Berra, etc. But there wasn’t nearly enough time to look at everything out there, or maybe it was because I was taking pictures of all the 1960s-era plaques for my Dad since he was a big Yankees fan then. Monument Park will be moved to the new stadium, of course, and more information on it, if you’re interested, is here.
We then walked along the warning track from left field to our next stop, the Yankees dugout. A security guard was there to make sure no one walked on to the field or even touched the grass. One older man from our bus, a Yankees fan, bent down to scoop up a bit of dirt and rocks from the warning track a couple of times.
I was one of the last to the dugout (since I was taking pictures along the way) so I didn’t get to sit on the bench as the guide was talking about the dugout. So I stood at the dugout entrance nearest home plate, the spot where Yankees manager Joe Girardi had been standing the night before. Not a bad view! But the dugout seemed pretty small, and the ceiling very low above the bench. If it hadn’t been a game day, our tour would have continued on into the Yankees clubhouse.
Then it was up to the press box. It reminded me of the old Wrigley Field press box from my internship days in 1988 – which was replaced the following year by a bigger, new one. The tour guide pointed out the various broadcast booths and, at the end past those, George Steinbrenner’s booth with blue leather chairs.
We went back down to the main concourse and that was it, end of tour and a time for any last questions. One question our guide received: where was George Costanza’s office? Our guide laughed, said she was asked that question on every tour and that George was off today. She also handed out a gift for each of us, a “final season” keychain. We also received a keychain the night before.
Then we had an hour or so of free time while the rest of our bus went on the tour. We ate breakfast and went to some of the souvenir shops, at last finding Yankee Stadium postcards and a “final season” t-shirt in a size other than small (which was all the gift shops in the stadium had).
During the All Star Game coverage, there was so much talk about Yankee Stadium and its historical significance, that it’s “baseball’s cathedral” and the like. The tour definitely gave us a better look, and better understanding, of the stadium and a greater appreciation of the Yankees. The game (despite the outcome) and the tour were definitely highlights of the trip for me.
July 29 was our earliest-starting day, leaving our hotel in New Jersey at 7:30 a.m., to head back to the Bronx for a Yankee Stadium tour. Our bus was divided into two groups, and ours went on the tour first.
Inside the stadium, we waited a few minutes for the tour guide. That gave us the opportunity to stand in a mostly empty, silent Yankee Stadium on a sunny morning and look around. The infield grass glistened from just being watered, the flags atop the frieze blew in the breeze – it was a beautiful sight. Then it was out to Monument Park, which honors the Yankees greats. First are plaques that recognize those whose numbers have been retired. There are quite a few, as you might expect. Beyond that is a section with monuments honoring the greatest of the greats – Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio. There’s also a monument honoring the victims of 9/11, which was dedicated on the first anniversary of the terrorist attack. As the tour guide was describing Monument Park and the individuals being honored, she was very respectful and referred to everyone as “Mr.” – Mr. Lou Gehrig, Mr. Babe Ruth, Mr. Yogi Berra, etc. But there wasn’t nearly enough time to look at everything out there, or maybe it was because I was taking pictures of all the 1960s-era plaques for my Dad since he was a big Yankees fan then. Monument Park will be moved to the new stadium, of course, and more information on it, if you’re interested, is here.
We then walked along the warning track from left field to our next stop, the Yankees dugout. A security guard was there to make sure no one walked on to the field or even touched the grass. One older man from our bus, a Yankees fan, bent down to scoop up a bit of dirt and rocks from the warning track a couple of times.
I was one of the last to the dugout (since I was taking pictures along the way) so I didn’t get to sit on the bench as the guide was talking about the dugout. So I stood at the dugout entrance nearest home plate, the spot where Yankees manager Joe Girardi had been standing the night before. Not a bad view! But the dugout seemed pretty small, and the ceiling very low above the bench. If it hadn’t been a game day, our tour would have continued on into the Yankees clubhouse.
Then it was up to the press box. It reminded me of the old Wrigley Field press box from my internship days in 1988 – which was replaced the following year by a bigger, new one. The tour guide pointed out the various broadcast booths and, at the end past those, George Steinbrenner’s booth with blue leather chairs.
We went back down to the main concourse and that was it, end of tour and a time for any last questions. One question our guide received: where was George Costanza’s office? Our guide laughed, said she was asked that question on every tour and that George was off today. She also handed out a gift for each of us, a “final season” keychain. We also received a keychain the night before.
Then we had an hour or so of free time while the rest of our bus went on the tour. We ate breakfast and went to some of the souvenir shops, at last finding Yankee Stadium postcards and a “final season” t-shirt in a size other than small (which was all the gift shops in the stadium had).
During the All Star Game coverage, there was so much talk about Yankee Stadium and its historical significance, that it’s “baseball’s cathedral” and the like. The tour definitely gave us a better look, and better understanding, of the stadium and a greater appreciation of the Yankees. The game (despite the outcome) and the tour were definitely highlights of the trip for me.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Game 5 – July 28, 2008
Orioles vs. Yankees
Yankee Stadium, New York
Orioles 13, Yankees 4
Home runs: Kevin Millar, Ramon Hernandez (back to back), Adam Jones, Aubrey Huff (Orioles); Xavier Nady, Johnny Damon (Yankees)
Beer: $9.50
Photos
During our introductions on the bus a few days earlier. Yankee Stadium was mentioned by quite a few people as the ballpark they were most looking forward to seeing on the trip. (Me included.) As I was watching the Home Run Derby and the All Star Game two weeks before – and eagerly digesting all the talk about the stadium’s history – I couldn’t quite believe I was actually going there. I woke up the morning of July 28 with that feeling intensified.
First on the agenda, though, was a trip back to Manhattan. We had some free time in the Central Park area that morning, so we wandered around a bit (searching for Yankee Stadium postcards, which were impossible to find) and even walked a bit in Central Park. Next was a group lunch at Mickey Mantle’s restaurant. The walls are filled with Yankees and other sports memorabilia, which made it enjoyable to look around a bit. It was fun to sit with other members of the tour group and get to know them. And the food was really good. The service, however, was terrible and it took forever for our food to arrive – despite the fact we’d made our selections in advance. Oh well. Despite that drawback, it was a good time.
When we got back on the bus, our tour guide joined us and we spent the afternoon touring Manhattan. He was filled with stories and entertaining tidbits about which celebrity lived where and how much that “where” costs. No way to know for sure, but still fun. (Kathy, as we drove past Trump World Tower on First Street, he said that’s where Derek lives, in a $20 million apartment. For everyone else, that’s Derek Jeter.) When we arrived in Battery Park, the walking tour began. First was the chance to take pictures of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Then we walked to the Financial District, Wall Street and stopped briefly in Trinity Church. I’d been to New York once before, Labor Day weekend 2001, so much was familiar from our tour at the time. Then it was on to Ground Zero – which looked nothing like it had from my trip past there by bus in early September 2001. Despite the new construction in progress, the area still seems very solemn. As we returned to the bus, we walked past a beautiful Firefighter Memorial honoring those who lost their lives on 9/11.
The bus wound its way uptown, with the guide departing in Harlem. Then it was across the river to the Bronx – the time had finally arrived! Our walk from the bus parking lot to Yankee Stadium was long, as Stevette warned us in advance. Even in the parking lot, there were guys trying to sell us Yankees hats for $10 – Stevette said they’d be selling them for $5 after the game. (They were.)
After our blocks-long walk, it was tricky to find a spot for our traditional photos given that Yankee Stadium is in the middle of a neighborhood with a lot of traffic going by everywhere. Our spot ended up being across the street, on a narrow sidewalk that was crowded with others doing the same thing. After that, we went into the team store. It was so jam-packed we quickly left and went into the ballpark instead. And discovered that the majesty of Yankee Stadium really comes from the field itself, not the concourse area. Narrow, dark, crowded – I quickly made my way toward the field. And there it was – the NY logo behind home plate, the famous white frieze atop the signs in the outfield, the grass manicured in perfect rows of green. It seemed surprisingly cozy and intimate, but it looked even better than it ever has on television. The Orioles were taking batting practice, although I didn’t pay attention to that. I just wanted to look around at what seemed so familiar. I sat in a seat behind home plate, in the second row of the second section of seats, and tried to imagine what it would be like to see tonight’s game from here.
Our actual seats were between home plate and third base, but probably 15 rows from the very top of the stadium. And those rows are steep! Wow. Once I made it up there, hot dog and beer in hand, I knew I’d only be having that one beer – I didn’t want to walk down to the bathroom! The rows are also close together, so that cozy feeling I had upon first seeing the field continued all night. Yet once the starting lineups were announced, nothing else mattered. I was watching a game at Yankee Stadium!
I like the Yankees, and I know a lot about them since my friend Kathy is a huge Yankees fan. While so many people complain about George Steinbrenner and the salaries he’s paid and how he attempts to buy championships, I don’t have a problem with that. All he’s ever wanted is to win, and he’s willing to pay to get players to help him do that. Contrast that with other owners who just try to make money and don’t care about winning – where are the complaints about them?
The game – well, there was a lot of action and a lot of runs scored, but most were by the Orioles as Mike Mussina had a rough night. That allowed for plenty of time to use the binoculars and look for famous people sitting around the Yankees dugout. Marybeth thought Jimmy Carter was there. Of course we had to joke that we saw Madonna, and then discovered that her picture was in the program on a page that featured photos of celebrities at recent Yankees games. (I think I saw the same photo in Us Weekly while flipping through it at the grocery store checkout recently.) No Rudy Giuliani. Actually, no identifiable celebrities at all, although someone was getting an autograph from a guy in the seats right next to the Yankees dugout.
The middle of the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium, of course, features the singing of “God Bless America.” Having also watched that so many times on television during the past seven years, and having been at Ground Zero hours before, I had to sing along. Then it was “Take Me Out of the Ball Game.” While no other ballpark makes a spectacle of that like Wrigley Field, no fans at any of stadiums on the tour really got into singing it much either.
Then came the Yankees one and only exciting inning, as they scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the seventh. Xavier Nady hit his first home run as a Yankee to start it, which gave those of us on the tour a unique distinction: we saw his last Pirate and first Yankee homers. Johnny Damon hit a three-run homer and, despite the fact he was on the 2004 Red Sox and therefore I don’t like him, I cheered.
One non-game highlight came when the song “YMCA” was played between innings. The grounds crew was on the infield at the time and they were dancing along just like people in the stands, including forming the Y, M, C and A. Fun to see!
As the later innings went on, more and more Yankees fans left. By the bottom of the ninth inning – when Jeter, A-Rod and Giambi were replaced by Betemit, Christian and Sexson – there were few people remaining, especially in the lower deck around the Yankees dugout. And as the Yankees finished out the game quietly, one of the guys from the tour sitting nearby said this wasn’t how the game was supposed to end. We were supposed to be watching Mariano Rivera right now, in a 3-2 game. Oh well. We did get to hear Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” after the final out. And it was a game at Yankee Stadium, even if not the type of game we hoped to see. It was still amazing to be there, even up so high, and take a minute to think about everything else that had happened in that ballpark, all the players through the past 85 years that had been there. Plus there was still the Yankee Stadium tour to look forward to the following morning …
Yankee Stadium, New York
Orioles 13, Yankees 4
Home runs: Kevin Millar, Ramon Hernandez (back to back), Adam Jones, Aubrey Huff (Orioles); Xavier Nady, Johnny Damon (Yankees)
Beer: $9.50
Photos
During our introductions on the bus a few days earlier. Yankee Stadium was mentioned by quite a few people as the ballpark they were most looking forward to seeing on the trip. (Me included.) As I was watching the Home Run Derby and the All Star Game two weeks before – and eagerly digesting all the talk about the stadium’s history – I couldn’t quite believe I was actually going there. I woke up the morning of July 28 with that feeling intensified.
First on the agenda, though, was a trip back to Manhattan. We had some free time in the Central Park area that morning, so we wandered around a bit (searching for Yankee Stadium postcards, which were impossible to find) and even walked a bit in Central Park. Next was a group lunch at Mickey Mantle’s restaurant. The walls are filled with Yankees and other sports memorabilia, which made it enjoyable to look around a bit. It was fun to sit with other members of the tour group and get to know them. And the food was really good. The service, however, was terrible and it took forever for our food to arrive – despite the fact we’d made our selections in advance. Oh well. Despite that drawback, it was a good time.
When we got back on the bus, our tour guide joined us and we spent the afternoon touring Manhattan. He was filled with stories and entertaining tidbits about which celebrity lived where and how much that “where” costs. No way to know for sure, but still fun. (Kathy, as we drove past Trump World Tower on First Street, he said that’s where Derek lives, in a $20 million apartment. For everyone else, that’s Derek Jeter.) When we arrived in Battery Park, the walking tour began. First was the chance to take pictures of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Then we walked to the Financial District, Wall Street and stopped briefly in Trinity Church. I’d been to New York once before, Labor Day weekend 2001, so much was familiar from our tour at the time. Then it was on to Ground Zero – which looked nothing like it had from my trip past there by bus in early September 2001. Despite the new construction in progress, the area still seems very solemn. As we returned to the bus, we walked past a beautiful Firefighter Memorial honoring those who lost their lives on 9/11.
The bus wound its way uptown, with the guide departing in Harlem. Then it was across the river to the Bronx – the time had finally arrived! Our walk from the bus parking lot to Yankee Stadium was long, as Stevette warned us in advance. Even in the parking lot, there were guys trying to sell us Yankees hats for $10 – Stevette said they’d be selling them for $5 after the game. (They were.)
After our blocks-long walk, it was tricky to find a spot for our traditional photos given that Yankee Stadium is in the middle of a neighborhood with a lot of traffic going by everywhere. Our spot ended up being across the street, on a narrow sidewalk that was crowded with others doing the same thing. After that, we went into the team store. It was so jam-packed we quickly left and went into the ballpark instead. And discovered that the majesty of Yankee Stadium really comes from the field itself, not the concourse area. Narrow, dark, crowded – I quickly made my way toward the field. And there it was – the NY logo behind home plate, the famous white frieze atop the signs in the outfield, the grass manicured in perfect rows of green. It seemed surprisingly cozy and intimate, but it looked even better than it ever has on television. The Orioles were taking batting practice, although I didn’t pay attention to that. I just wanted to look around at what seemed so familiar. I sat in a seat behind home plate, in the second row of the second section of seats, and tried to imagine what it would be like to see tonight’s game from here.
Our actual seats were between home plate and third base, but probably 15 rows from the very top of the stadium. And those rows are steep! Wow. Once I made it up there, hot dog and beer in hand, I knew I’d only be having that one beer – I didn’t want to walk down to the bathroom! The rows are also close together, so that cozy feeling I had upon first seeing the field continued all night. Yet once the starting lineups were announced, nothing else mattered. I was watching a game at Yankee Stadium!
I like the Yankees, and I know a lot about them since my friend Kathy is a huge Yankees fan. While so many people complain about George Steinbrenner and the salaries he’s paid and how he attempts to buy championships, I don’t have a problem with that. All he’s ever wanted is to win, and he’s willing to pay to get players to help him do that. Contrast that with other owners who just try to make money and don’t care about winning – where are the complaints about them?
The game – well, there was a lot of action and a lot of runs scored, but most were by the Orioles as Mike Mussina had a rough night. That allowed for plenty of time to use the binoculars and look for famous people sitting around the Yankees dugout. Marybeth thought Jimmy Carter was there. Of course we had to joke that we saw Madonna, and then discovered that her picture was in the program on a page that featured photos of celebrities at recent Yankees games. (I think I saw the same photo in Us Weekly while flipping through it at the grocery store checkout recently.) No Rudy Giuliani. Actually, no identifiable celebrities at all, although someone was getting an autograph from a guy in the seats right next to the Yankees dugout.
The middle of the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium, of course, features the singing of “God Bless America.” Having also watched that so many times on television during the past seven years, and having been at Ground Zero hours before, I had to sing along. Then it was “Take Me Out of the Ball Game.” While no other ballpark makes a spectacle of that like Wrigley Field, no fans at any of stadiums on the tour really got into singing it much either.
Then came the Yankees one and only exciting inning, as they scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the seventh. Xavier Nady hit his first home run as a Yankee to start it, which gave those of us on the tour a unique distinction: we saw his last Pirate and first Yankee homers. Johnny Damon hit a three-run homer and, despite the fact he was on the 2004 Red Sox and therefore I don’t like him, I cheered.
One non-game highlight came when the song “YMCA” was played between innings. The grounds crew was on the infield at the time and they were dancing along just like people in the stands, including forming the Y, M, C and A. Fun to see!
As the later innings went on, more and more Yankees fans left. By the bottom of the ninth inning – when Jeter, A-Rod and Giambi were replaced by Betemit, Christian and Sexson – there were few people remaining, especially in the lower deck around the Yankees dugout. And as the Yankees finished out the game quietly, one of the guys from the tour sitting nearby said this wasn’t how the game was supposed to end. We were supposed to be watching Mariano Rivera right now, in a 3-2 game. Oh well. We did get to hear Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” after the final out. And it was a game at Yankee Stadium, even if not the type of game we hoped to see. It was still amazing to be there, even up so high, and take a minute to think about everything else that had happened in that ballpark, all the players through the past 85 years that had been there. Plus there was still the Yankee Stadium tour to look forward to the following morning …
Friday, August 8, 2008
Game 4 – July 27, 2008
Cardinals vs. Mets
Shea Stadium, New York
Mets 9, Cardinals 1
Home runs: Albert Pujols (Cardinals), Fernando Tatis and Ramon Castro (Mets)
And Ryan Ludwick DID have one, but Carlos Beltran leaped to catch it when it was over the wall
Beer: $8
Photos
First, apologies to my friend Karen in New York. I know you’re a Mets fan, but I really didn’t like Shea at all. It’s hard to come up with a positive about it. Well, it IS good this is its last year. Although that fact – with good reason – isn’t being publicized like the final season at Yankee Stadium. And the new stadium does look much, much nicer. (Even though the bar is set pretty low.)
This was the game I was most looking forward to on the trip, since I would be seeing the Cardinals. I was giddy when I woke up that morning, eagerly anticipating seeing my team play in person for the first time since August 2006. As we drove toward Shea, the increasingly gray skies should have been an omen.
Here’s a summary: crappy stadium, crappy weather (rained before the game and then late in the game, windy and cool), crappy seats (couldn’t even see the whole stadium – see pictures), crappy game.
And, actually, it was only a crappy game from a Cardinals fan’s perspective. Johan Santana pitched a complete game, his first as a Met, and had a perfect game until the fourth inning. The crowd was chanting “Johan” throughout the ninth inning. Fernando Tatis (long-ago former Cardinal) had three hits, including a homer. Carlos Beltran made that incredible catch to rob Ryan Ludwick of a home run – he reached over the wall to grab the ball. It reminded me of Endy Chavez robbing Scott Rolen in game 7 of the 2006 NLCS.
And speaking of game 7, there is one plus about Mets fans: they have good memories. Each time Yadier Molina came up to bat, they booed him. (Yadi hit the game-winning home run in that game, which sent the Cardinals to the World Series and the Mets home.) They also booed Albert Pujols continually, I suppose just because he’s Albert.
I did laugh (hysterically) at this e-mail on the game from my uncle Jim when I read it the next day: “I turned on the radio in the 6th inning, 7-0 Mets. Turned it right off. I said to myself "At least I didn't have to sit and watch it with 2 Cub fans like Christine.” [Marybeth and Eileen are those Cub fans.]
Ah, well. It WAS the first time I ever saw the Cardinals blown out in person. In the 15 or so games I’ve been to since 2000, they’ve now only lost twice. And at least I can say I’ve been to Shea and heard the airplanes roaring overhead in person.
Following the game, we had several hours free in the Times Square area. That was nice, once we got away from the crowds, and we had a terrific dinner here.
Then it was off to our hotel in New Jersey, where we were actually going to stay for two nights! Not hauling our suitcases out to the bus the next morning would be a nice change.
Shea Stadium, New York
Mets 9, Cardinals 1
Home runs: Albert Pujols (Cardinals), Fernando Tatis and Ramon Castro (Mets)
And Ryan Ludwick DID have one, but Carlos Beltran leaped to catch it when it was over the wall
Beer: $8
Photos
First, apologies to my friend Karen in New York. I know you’re a Mets fan, but I really didn’t like Shea at all. It’s hard to come up with a positive about it. Well, it IS good this is its last year. Although that fact – with good reason – isn’t being publicized like the final season at Yankee Stadium. And the new stadium does look much, much nicer. (Even though the bar is set pretty low.)
This was the game I was most looking forward to on the trip, since I would be seeing the Cardinals. I was giddy when I woke up that morning, eagerly anticipating seeing my team play in person for the first time since August 2006. As we drove toward Shea, the increasingly gray skies should have been an omen.
Here’s a summary: crappy stadium, crappy weather (rained before the game and then late in the game, windy and cool), crappy seats (couldn’t even see the whole stadium – see pictures), crappy game.
And, actually, it was only a crappy game from a Cardinals fan’s perspective. Johan Santana pitched a complete game, his first as a Met, and had a perfect game until the fourth inning. The crowd was chanting “Johan” throughout the ninth inning. Fernando Tatis (long-ago former Cardinal) had three hits, including a homer. Carlos Beltran made that incredible catch to rob Ryan Ludwick of a home run – he reached over the wall to grab the ball. It reminded me of Endy Chavez robbing Scott Rolen in game 7 of the 2006 NLCS.
And speaking of game 7, there is one plus about Mets fans: they have good memories. Each time Yadier Molina came up to bat, they booed him. (Yadi hit the game-winning home run in that game, which sent the Cardinals to the World Series and the Mets home.) They also booed Albert Pujols continually, I suppose just because he’s Albert.
I did laugh (hysterically) at this e-mail on the game from my uncle Jim when I read it the next day: “I turned on the radio in the 6th inning, 7-0 Mets. Turned it right off. I said to myself "At least I didn't have to sit and watch it with 2 Cub fans like Christine.” [Marybeth and Eileen are those Cub fans.]
Ah, well. It WAS the first time I ever saw the Cardinals blown out in person. In the 15 or so games I’ve been to since 2000, they’ve now only lost twice. And at least I can say I’ve been to Shea and heard the airplanes roaring overhead in person.
Following the game, we had several hours free in the Times Square area. That was nice, once we got away from the crowds, and we had a terrific dinner here.
Then it was off to our hotel in New Jersey, where we were actually going to stay for two nights! Not hauling our suitcases out to the bus the next morning would be a nice change.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Game 3 – July 26, 2008
Braves vs. Phillies
Citizens Bank Ballpark, Philadelphia
Phillies 10, Braves 9
Home runs: Mark Texiera (Braves), Greg Dobbs (Phillies)
Beer: $7
Photos
Following breakfast at the Waffle House next to our hotel (a first for me), we were off for Philadelphia. First on the agenda was a city tour. Since I’d never been there before, it was a good overview of the historic sites – we saw the Liberty Bell and then had a walking tour to see Congress Hall, Independence Hall, Ben Franklin’s print shop, Christ Church and other places. Definitely made me interested in going back again when there’s more time to explore.
Then it was off to Citizens Bank Park. All the other major sports teams – Eagles, 76ers, Flyers – also have their respective stadiums in this same area. There was a lot of parking nearby, including a lot for buses right there. That was a nice change from the long walk the night before. We took our now-traditional pictures outside the ballpark then went inside in search of lunch.
I had no expectations about the stadium before arriving, but was very pleasantly surprised. It’s beautiful. New, having opened in 2004. There’s a big concourse area between left field and center field that has all kinds of food stands and shops, ending with a seating area outside Bull’s Barbecue (named for, and run by, Greg Luzinski). The selection of food here was terrific, although I actually had my first hot dog of the tour. However, it was from a stand that also sold grilled Italian sausage and it was grilled as well. And it by far was the best hot dog I had the entire trip. (The Fenway franks did not live up to their reputation.)
As I was wandering around the stadium after lunch, I saw a large banner with Jamie Moyer’s photo on it. Twenty years ago, I had an internship with the Cubs and Jamie was on the team then. I met him and he was very nice – during the Cubs Convention that year, he met my friends and posed for pictures with them, signed autographs. So I’ve always liked him and have found his success in the past 10 or so years amazing. (I also love that he’s almost four years older than me, and now the oldest player in the major leagues, yet still playing!) So I was taking a photo of the banner when a security guard asked if I would like him to take my picture with it. Well, sure. And then I felt like a total dork …
Our seats were OK, down the left field line on the second level. We had an unobstructed view of home plate and the seats were comfortable – both plusses from what we’d had the night before. But we couldn’t see the main scoreboard in left field, which was a bummer. There were smaller video boards along the right field side of the stadium, though, plus detailed out-of-town scoreboards. The game started and Mike Hampton was pitching for the Braves, his first major league start since 2005 due to all kinds of injuries. He had a great first inning, got into a little trouble in the second and gave up two runs, and then another in the third inning. During his first at-bat, I noticed he bats right-handed though he pitches left-handed.
The fourth inning for the Braves was the whole game for them – some hits, some walks and some really sloppy play by Cole Hamels and Chase Utley (for which the sell-out crowd of 43,000 loudly booed them) added up to 12 men batting in the inning and nine runs scoring. Yet the Phillies, now trailing 9-3, got to Hampton and sent 10 men to the plate in the fifth inning – scoring seven runs on seven hits, including a pinch-hit three-run homer that had the crowd going absolutely crazy. At the end of five innings, it was 10-9 Phils. That also was the final score, so there wasn’t a lot of action the rest of the game.
I knew the Philadelphia fans were passionate (to put it nicely). Between innings, there are videos and crowd shots shown on the big screens. At one point they showed a guy proposing to a girl – and everyone booed. Later, during the ever-popular Kiss Cam, an old couple was shown on the screen. So they kissed. And the crowd went nuts cheering. Also, for as quickly as they booed Chase Utley for making an error, they cheered him for getting a hit in the fifth. But after being in small crowds in Pittsburgh and Baltimore, it was a nice change to be in a full stadium.
I was looking forward to seeing Brad Lidge pitch the ninth inning for the Phillies. Now that I’m a Cardinals fan, I saw his meltdown with the Astros during the 2005 NLCS when Albert Pujols hit the massive home run off him that prevented Houston from clinching the National League pennant at home (but then allowed one final game at old Busch Stadium). I’d also heard, just before the All Star Break, how he was perfect in save opportunities this year. Again, as a Cardinals fan, that is something to truly envy this season since the Cardinals combination of closers have 27 blown saves so far. Lidge walked out from the bullpen – like Baltimore, there’s a double-decker bullpen in Philly – to some heavy metal song while “Lights Out” (his nickname from his good Astros days) flashed on the screens. And then he did was he was supposed to do: one, two, three outs, Phillies win.
Back on the bus, waiting for everyone else to arrive, a few of us noticed a guy standing behind the bus next to ours. The next thing we knew, he was unzipping his shorts and started peeing. Some people were banging on our bus window, but he either didn’t hear or ignored us (or was too drunk to even know what was going on). And then we were laughing too much as he kept going and going and going. Moments later, it wasn’t a surprise at all to see him return behind the bus with a beer in hand. (How’s that for a nice memory to end on??)
Citizens Bank Ballpark, Philadelphia
Phillies 10, Braves 9
Home runs: Mark Texiera (Braves), Greg Dobbs (Phillies)
Beer: $7
Photos
Following breakfast at the Waffle House next to our hotel (a first for me), we were off for Philadelphia. First on the agenda was a city tour. Since I’d never been there before, it was a good overview of the historic sites – we saw the Liberty Bell and then had a walking tour to see Congress Hall, Independence Hall, Ben Franklin’s print shop, Christ Church and other places. Definitely made me interested in going back again when there’s more time to explore.
Then it was off to Citizens Bank Park. All the other major sports teams – Eagles, 76ers, Flyers – also have their respective stadiums in this same area. There was a lot of parking nearby, including a lot for buses right there. That was a nice change from the long walk the night before. We took our now-traditional pictures outside the ballpark then went inside in search of lunch.
I had no expectations about the stadium before arriving, but was very pleasantly surprised. It’s beautiful. New, having opened in 2004. There’s a big concourse area between left field and center field that has all kinds of food stands and shops, ending with a seating area outside Bull’s Barbecue (named for, and run by, Greg Luzinski). The selection of food here was terrific, although I actually had my first hot dog of the tour. However, it was from a stand that also sold grilled Italian sausage and it was grilled as well. And it by far was the best hot dog I had the entire trip. (The Fenway franks did not live up to their reputation.)
As I was wandering around the stadium after lunch, I saw a large banner with Jamie Moyer’s photo on it. Twenty years ago, I had an internship with the Cubs and Jamie was on the team then. I met him and he was very nice – during the Cubs Convention that year, he met my friends and posed for pictures with them, signed autographs. So I’ve always liked him and have found his success in the past 10 or so years amazing. (I also love that he’s almost four years older than me, and now the oldest player in the major leagues, yet still playing!) So I was taking a photo of the banner when a security guard asked if I would like him to take my picture with it. Well, sure. And then I felt like a total dork …
Our seats were OK, down the left field line on the second level. We had an unobstructed view of home plate and the seats were comfortable – both plusses from what we’d had the night before. But we couldn’t see the main scoreboard in left field, which was a bummer. There were smaller video boards along the right field side of the stadium, though, plus detailed out-of-town scoreboards. The game started and Mike Hampton was pitching for the Braves, his first major league start since 2005 due to all kinds of injuries. He had a great first inning, got into a little trouble in the second and gave up two runs, and then another in the third inning. During his first at-bat, I noticed he bats right-handed though he pitches left-handed.
The fourth inning for the Braves was the whole game for them – some hits, some walks and some really sloppy play by Cole Hamels and Chase Utley (for which the sell-out crowd of 43,000 loudly booed them) added up to 12 men batting in the inning and nine runs scoring. Yet the Phillies, now trailing 9-3, got to Hampton and sent 10 men to the plate in the fifth inning – scoring seven runs on seven hits, including a pinch-hit three-run homer that had the crowd going absolutely crazy. At the end of five innings, it was 10-9 Phils. That also was the final score, so there wasn’t a lot of action the rest of the game.
I knew the Philadelphia fans were passionate (to put it nicely). Between innings, there are videos and crowd shots shown on the big screens. At one point they showed a guy proposing to a girl – and everyone booed. Later, during the ever-popular Kiss Cam, an old couple was shown on the screen. So they kissed. And the crowd went nuts cheering. Also, for as quickly as they booed Chase Utley for making an error, they cheered him for getting a hit in the fifth. But after being in small crowds in Pittsburgh and Baltimore, it was a nice change to be in a full stadium.
I was looking forward to seeing Brad Lidge pitch the ninth inning for the Phillies. Now that I’m a Cardinals fan, I saw his meltdown with the Astros during the 2005 NLCS when Albert Pujols hit the massive home run off him that prevented Houston from clinching the National League pennant at home (but then allowed one final game at old Busch Stadium). I’d also heard, just before the All Star Break, how he was perfect in save opportunities this year. Again, as a Cardinals fan, that is something to truly envy this season since the Cardinals combination of closers have 27 blown saves so far. Lidge walked out from the bullpen – like Baltimore, there’s a double-decker bullpen in Philly – to some heavy metal song while “Lights Out” (his nickname from his good Astros days) flashed on the screens. And then he did was he was supposed to do: one, two, three outs, Phillies win.
Back on the bus, waiting for everyone else to arrive, a few of us noticed a guy standing behind the bus next to ours. The next thing we knew, he was unzipping his shorts and started peeing. Some people were banging on our bus window, but he either didn’t hear or ignored us (or was too drunk to even know what was going on). And then we were laughing too much as he kept going and going and going. Moments later, it wasn’t a surprise at all to see him return behind the bus with a beer in hand. (How’s that for a nice memory to end on??)
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Game 2 - July 25, 2008
Angels vs. Orioles
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore
Angels 6, Orioles 5
Home runs: Casey Kotchman and Juan Rivera (Angels), two for Kevin Millar (Orioles)
Beer: $6.50
Photos
We left Pittsburgh and headed for Baltimore, our first day on the road. Pennsylvania is surprisingly pretty, hilly with lots of trees. We stopped for lunch at the Gateway Travel Plaza in Breezewood (and I only know this because I have my receipt!) Back on the bus, our tour guide Stevette passed around a microphone so everyone could introduce themselves. It was very interesting to hear the stories, as it was a varied group on our bus. (Two buses total on the tour.) There were a few more women than men on our bus and about 40 or so people overall. There was a mom and daughter who were celebrating the daughter’s high school graduation, which was cool. The other bus had some fathers and younger (around 12 or so) sons. Also on our bus was a couple from Australia, in the midst of a nine-week tour of the U.S. They’d been on the West Coast baseball tour earlier in July. It was really enjoyable talking to them throughout the trip.
A note on Stevette: she is great! I don’t know that there’s a bigger baseball fan anywhere, and she has the best stories to tell – such as how she won a Radio Shack contest in 2003 to attend the All Star Game and sit with Cal Ripken Jr. and his brother Bill for two inning. She was terrific at getting everyone talking to each other and had an infectious laugh, plus she took care of us the whole trip – we didn’t have to think about a thing, just show up at the bus when she told us we had to be there.
We arrived in Baltimore around 4 p.m. and went to the Inner Harbor, deciding to have a good dinner before we went to the game. Since it was Baltimore, of course we had crab cakes, and we sat outside at a restaurant that overlooked the harbor. After dinner, we walked to Camden Yards. There are all kinds of vendors along the way, selling food and drinks and telling you that it’s cheaper than inside the ballpark. And I’m sure it all was – although beer was cheaper at Camden than at PNC the night before.
I was at Camden Yards once before, for a few innings on opening day in 2005. I was in Baltimore for a conference at the convention center, right across the street, and was finished for the day while the game was still going on. Since the Orioles were playing the A’s, my favorite American League team, I decided to see if I could get into the stadium. As it was opening day, I knew no tickets would be available so I was going to ask if they’d let me in. The first man was very nice and said he couldn’t but I was welcome to come back after the game ended to get in and look around. The next man was not nice, just said no. On my third attempt I asked a woman, hoping she’d be more sympathetic. I explained that I was in town for a convention, that I just wanted to see the ballpark, and she asked if I knew how many times she’d heard that story today. I started digging into my bag for my convention badge, to prove to her I was telling the truth, and she looked at me like I was crazy and told me to go in. I said thank you. She said not to sit anywhere. And I didn’t. (Like anyone would know … ) It was the eighth inning at the time, so I had a brief Camden experience.
This time, however, no worries about getting in! Coincidentally, we went in the same gate I’d entered in 2005. It was floppy hat night, so we all received a lovely reversible orange hat. I wasn’t too disappointed when beer got spilled on mine later (it was on the ground, not my head, at the time) but Marybeth graciously gave me her hat. Is anyone an Orioles fan??
The area in front of the warehouse in right field at Camden is very neat – bars and shops and kiosks selling food out there, including Boog’s Barbecue (run by Boog Powell). He was there that night and threw out the first pitch. People at Camden seemed really friendly – a random guy said hello as I walked by, a group of people asked if I’d take their picture and were so appreciative.
Our seats were along the left field line. It seemed very cramped, plus the seats faced forward – toward centerfield, not home plate. Because of the angle and the crowd, it was hard to see home plate at all. Since there were a lot of empty seats (crowd was about 28,000) we moved up after a few innings and had a much better view, as well as more room.
We heard the worst rendition of the National Anthem I’ve perhaps ever heard. The poor girl singing kept hitting wrong notes. As it reaches the line “Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave…” the entire crowd screams the “OH.” Pretty surprising, yet funny.
The Angels came out swinging and scored two in the first, then had two homers in the second for a 5-0 lead. The Orioles got their first hit in the third, a home run by Kevin Millar. Since he was on the 2004 Red Sox (who, of course, beat the Cardinals in the World Series) I don’t like him. (I hold grudges.) However, I did cheer for him in the ninth inning. The score had been 6 to 4 Angels when that inning started, with Francisco Rodriguez (K-Rod) pitching for the Angels. He is leading the major leagues in saves and had 42 going into that game. As a Cardinals fan, with the huge bullpen/closer struggles I’ve had to see this season, it was comforting to see K-Rod struggle. He gave up a homer to Millar (when I cheered) to make it 6-5, then a double right after that. But he was able to get his 43rd save successfully.
About cheering for the Orioles: most of the time, I cheered for the home team at the games.
Since we’d had dinner right before the game, we only got dessert at Camden. But it was good – Butterfinger soft-serve ice cream. As Marybeth and I walked out into the concourse to get ice cream, we ran into the Orioles mascot. People were lining up to get their pictures taken with it. So we did too.
After the game, we had a long walk to our bus – it was parked near the Ravens Stadium. Then it was off to our hotel for the night in Maryland.
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore
Angels 6, Orioles 5
Home runs: Casey Kotchman and Juan Rivera (Angels), two for Kevin Millar (Orioles)
Beer: $6.50
Photos
We left Pittsburgh and headed for Baltimore, our first day on the road. Pennsylvania is surprisingly pretty, hilly with lots of trees. We stopped for lunch at the Gateway Travel Plaza in Breezewood (and I only know this because I have my receipt!) Back on the bus, our tour guide Stevette passed around a microphone so everyone could introduce themselves. It was very interesting to hear the stories, as it was a varied group on our bus. (Two buses total on the tour.) There were a few more women than men on our bus and about 40 or so people overall. There was a mom and daughter who were celebrating the daughter’s high school graduation, which was cool. The other bus had some fathers and younger (around 12 or so) sons. Also on our bus was a couple from Australia, in the midst of a nine-week tour of the U.S. They’d been on the West Coast baseball tour earlier in July. It was really enjoyable talking to them throughout the trip.
A note on Stevette: she is great! I don’t know that there’s a bigger baseball fan anywhere, and she has the best stories to tell – such as how she won a Radio Shack contest in 2003 to attend the All Star Game and sit with Cal Ripken Jr. and his brother Bill for two inning. She was terrific at getting everyone talking to each other and had an infectious laugh, plus she took care of us the whole trip – we didn’t have to think about a thing, just show up at the bus when she told us we had to be there.
We arrived in Baltimore around 4 p.m. and went to the Inner Harbor, deciding to have a good dinner before we went to the game. Since it was Baltimore, of course we had crab cakes, and we sat outside at a restaurant that overlooked the harbor. After dinner, we walked to Camden Yards. There are all kinds of vendors along the way, selling food and drinks and telling you that it’s cheaper than inside the ballpark. And I’m sure it all was – although beer was cheaper at Camden than at PNC the night before.
I was at Camden Yards once before, for a few innings on opening day in 2005. I was in Baltimore for a conference at the convention center, right across the street, and was finished for the day while the game was still going on. Since the Orioles were playing the A’s, my favorite American League team, I decided to see if I could get into the stadium. As it was opening day, I knew no tickets would be available so I was going to ask if they’d let me in. The first man was very nice and said he couldn’t but I was welcome to come back after the game ended to get in and look around. The next man was not nice, just said no. On my third attempt I asked a woman, hoping she’d be more sympathetic. I explained that I was in town for a convention, that I just wanted to see the ballpark, and she asked if I knew how many times she’d heard that story today. I started digging into my bag for my convention badge, to prove to her I was telling the truth, and she looked at me like I was crazy and told me to go in. I said thank you. She said not to sit anywhere. And I didn’t. (Like anyone would know … ) It was the eighth inning at the time, so I had a brief Camden experience.
This time, however, no worries about getting in! Coincidentally, we went in the same gate I’d entered in 2005. It was floppy hat night, so we all received a lovely reversible orange hat. I wasn’t too disappointed when beer got spilled on mine later (it was on the ground, not my head, at the time) but Marybeth graciously gave me her hat. Is anyone an Orioles fan??
The area in front of the warehouse in right field at Camden is very neat – bars and shops and kiosks selling food out there, including Boog’s Barbecue (run by Boog Powell). He was there that night and threw out the first pitch. People at Camden seemed really friendly – a random guy said hello as I walked by, a group of people asked if I’d take their picture and were so appreciative.
Our seats were along the left field line. It seemed very cramped, plus the seats faced forward – toward centerfield, not home plate. Because of the angle and the crowd, it was hard to see home plate at all. Since there were a lot of empty seats (crowd was about 28,000) we moved up after a few innings and had a much better view, as well as more room.
We heard the worst rendition of the National Anthem I’ve perhaps ever heard. The poor girl singing kept hitting wrong notes. As it reaches the line “Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave…” the entire crowd screams the “OH.” Pretty surprising, yet funny.
The Angels came out swinging and scored two in the first, then had two homers in the second for a 5-0 lead. The Orioles got their first hit in the third, a home run by Kevin Millar. Since he was on the 2004 Red Sox (who, of course, beat the Cardinals in the World Series) I don’t like him. (I hold grudges.) However, I did cheer for him in the ninth inning. The score had been 6 to 4 Angels when that inning started, with Francisco Rodriguez (K-Rod) pitching for the Angels. He is leading the major leagues in saves and had 42 going into that game. As a Cardinals fan, with the huge bullpen/closer struggles I’ve had to see this season, it was comforting to see K-Rod struggle. He gave up a homer to Millar (when I cheered) to make it 6-5, then a double right after that. But he was able to get his 43rd save successfully.
About cheering for the Orioles: most of the time, I cheered for the home team at the games.
Since we’d had dinner right before the game, we only got dessert at Camden. But it was good – Butterfinger soft-serve ice cream. As Marybeth and I walked out into the concourse to get ice cream, we ran into the Orioles mascot. People were lining up to get their pictures taken with it. So we did too.
After the game, we had a long walk to our bus – it was parked near the Ravens Stadium. Then it was off to our hotel for the night in Maryland.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Game 1 -- July 24, 2008
Padres vs. Pirates
PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Pirates 9, Padres 1
Home runs: Jason Bay, Xavier Nady (back to back), Nate McLouth
Beer: $7.50
Photos
PNC Park has always looked beautiful on television, with the Pittsburgh skyline visible in centerfield, and it looks even better in person. It was a great night for baseball – a few clouds but mostly sun, blue skies and puffs of white overhead.
We arrived plenty early. Heinz Field, home of the Steelers, is very near PNC and we drove around it on our way to the ballpark. The bus driver showed us “The Point” where the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers meet – the three rivers of old Three Rivers Stadium, which was next to where PNC Park is. Once the other bus arrived and we met the rest of our tour group, we wandered around a bit before going in. It’s a beautiful riverfront area, with boats out on the water and several bridges in the area. At the main entrance there’s a statue of Honus Wagner. Seems like most ballparks have one or more statues honoring their greats. Though we didn’t see them, there are statues of Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell outside PNC Park as well.
Inside, we decided to explore the food options instead of watching the Padres take batting practice. There was an outdoor patio area that overlooked the rivers, so we sat there to eat. They had more than just typical ballpark food – I had fish and chips – plus Pittsburgh-brewed beers in addition to the usual. There probably were pierogies available somewhere, since there is a Pierogy Race at PNC. It’s not quite as exciting as the Sausage Race in Milwaukee. For one thing, animated pierogies start the race on the big screen. Then the “real” costumed ones come out, but only race a short distance.
That big screen gets a lot of use – animation is very big. There was a long cartoon of a Pirates ship sinking a Padres ship before the game. Between innings, there were other cartoons on screen.
Our seats were great, just past first base and maybe 12 rows up. Our whole group was seated together but as the game went on (and the rest of the ballpark didn’t fill up) some moved off elsewhere.
PNC Park is deceptively large looking. The seating capacity is under 39,000 but it looks much bigger. The attendance was just under 18,000 and they were very quiet. It wasn’t until there were two outs in the top of the ninth inning that the crowd really cheered at all. A few scattered people stood up and cheered, or danced, after homers. There also were fireworks after Pirate homers, and those definitely looked better when it was darker. The first two homers – Jason Bay and Xavier Nady hit them back-to-back – were when it was still light out. Nate McLouth’s came later and thus looked more vibrant. Something we weren’t able to know at the time: the homer by Nady was his last as a Pirate, since he was traded to the Yankees the next day.
As soon as the games started in the Midwest, we were keeping track of how the Cardinals and the Cubs were doing. The scoreboard with that info was fairly detailed, which we appreciated.
There were two mascots running around, a pirate (of course) and a parrot.
All in all, great stadium and good game!
The next morning, on our way out of Pittsburgh, our buses stopped on the University of Pittsburgh campus to see where Forbes Field (the Pirates home before Three Rivers Stadium) was located. Home plate is still there, though now inside a building. There’s also a row of brick in the sidewalk in front of the building to signify where the outfield was, with a portion of the actual wall still there. There are plaques commemorating the spot where Bill Mazeroski’s home run that won the 1960 World Series went over the wall. Very interesting to see all of this and learn more baseball history. Then it was on to Baltimore …
PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Pirates 9, Padres 1
Home runs: Jason Bay, Xavier Nady (back to back), Nate McLouth
Beer: $7.50
Photos
PNC Park has always looked beautiful on television, with the Pittsburgh skyline visible in centerfield, and it looks even better in person. It was a great night for baseball – a few clouds but mostly sun, blue skies and puffs of white overhead.
We arrived plenty early. Heinz Field, home of the Steelers, is very near PNC and we drove around it on our way to the ballpark. The bus driver showed us “The Point” where the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers meet – the three rivers of old Three Rivers Stadium, which was next to where PNC Park is. Once the other bus arrived and we met the rest of our tour group, we wandered around a bit before going in. It’s a beautiful riverfront area, with boats out on the water and several bridges in the area. At the main entrance there’s a statue of Honus Wagner. Seems like most ballparks have one or more statues honoring their greats. Though we didn’t see them, there are statues of Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell outside PNC Park as well.
Inside, we decided to explore the food options instead of watching the Padres take batting practice. There was an outdoor patio area that overlooked the rivers, so we sat there to eat. They had more than just typical ballpark food – I had fish and chips – plus Pittsburgh-brewed beers in addition to the usual. There probably were pierogies available somewhere, since there is a Pierogy Race at PNC. It’s not quite as exciting as the Sausage Race in Milwaukee. For one thing, animated pierogies start the race on the big screen. Then the “real” costumed ones come out, but only race a short distance.
That big screen gets a lot of use – animation is very big. There was a long cartoon of a Pirates ship sinking a Padres ship before the game. Between innings, there were other cartoons on screen.
Our seats were great, just past first base and maybe 12 rows up. Our whole group was seated together but as the game went on (and the rest of the ballpark didn’t fill up) some moved off elsewhere.
PNC Park is deceptively large looking. The seating capacity is under 39,000 but it looks much bigger. The attendance was just under 18,000 and they were very quiet. It wasn’t until there were two outs in the top of the ninth inning that the crowd really cheered at all. A few scattered people stood up and cheered, or danced, after homers. There also were fireworks after Pirate homers, and those definitely looked better when it was darker. The first two homers – Jason Bay and Xavier Nady hit them back-to-back – were when it was still light out. Nate McLouth’s came later and thus looked more vibrant. Something we weren’t able to know at the time: the homer by Nady was his last as a Pirate, since he was traded to the Yankees the next day.
As soon as the games started in the Midwest, we were keeping track of how the Cardinals and the Cubs were doing. The scoreboard with that info was fairly detailed, which we appreciated.
There were two mascots running around, a pirate (of course) and a parrot.
All in all, great stadium and good game!
The next morning, on our way out of Pittsburgh, our buses stopped on the University of Pittsburgh campus to see where Forbes Field (the Pirates home before Three Rivers Stadium) was located. Home plate is still there, though now inside a building. There’s also a row of brick in the sidewalk in front of the building to signify where the outfield was, with a portion of the actual wall still there. There are plaques commemorating the spot where Bill Mazeroski’s home run that won the 1960 World Series went over the wall. Very interesting to see all of this and learn more baseball history. Then it was on to Baltimore …
Monday, August 4, 2008
2008 Northeast Baseball Tour
As a long-time and die-hard baseball fan, having the chance to visit Yankee Stadium is something I've always wanted to do. That goal was shared by my aunt, Marybeth. And that simple shared goal, with the clock ticking on visiting the current stadium, expanded into a shared dream vacation: attending games at all the stadiums in the Northeast, along with visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame, between July 24 and Aug. 1. Ten days, 12 teams, seven stadiums, eight games was how the brochure for Broach Sports Tours described it. "Perfect" sounded good to us! So on the morning of the 24th, Marybeth, Eileen and I flew from O'Hare to Pittsburgh to begin the adventure. And I'll capture some of the highlights by day here!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)