Baseball Ahead

Angel Stadium

With a quick ride north on I-5 from San Diego, the final stop on the first part of the 2012 30 or Bust road trip brought me to Angel Stadium in Anaheim.  Amazingly, Angel Stadium is now one of the oldest in baseball – constructed in 1966.  The stadium has undergone a lot of renovations over the last few decades and still holds up as a good place to see a ball game.  The rock pile out in center adds a bit of character to what has otherwise been a fairly boring park.  There was a lot of food options and really not a bad seat in the house.

The game tonight featured a brilliant pitching performance by the Angels’ Jerome Williams.  He threw his first complete game shutout in his nine year career and just dominated the Twins lineup facing only two over the minimum.  Howard Kendrick almost provided the second cycle of the season falling just a double short.  Unfortunately for the Angels, Albert Pujols was still struggling at the plate as he was hitless and still doesn’t have a home run in almost 100 at bats this season.

And so comes to an end the first trip on my 2012 30 or Bust adventure.  The final leg of the trip starts in just a few weeks and will have stops at Marlins Park, Minute Maid Park, Busch Stadium, and Safeco Field.  Make sure to stop by the blog or follow along on Twitter or Facebook.

Been to Angels Stadium?  Rank the stadium here!

Petco Park

With a quick two hour drive down I-5, I arrived for my fourth stop of the trip in San Diego.  The first order of businesses was a morning tour of Petco Park.  Unlike my experience in Texas earlier in the trip, this tour was a bit more leisurely taking 90 minutes and allowing plenty of time for photos and pictures.  The stadium was quite nice and nestled into a corner of downtown San Diego.    We were able to visit the usual stadium tour stops like the press box, a couple of luxury suites, and of course the field.

After having seen the top 2 teams in both the American League and National League on this trip, the match up between the Brewers and Padres seemed like it could be a bit of a let down.  However, for the second time on the trip I was able to witness a small piece of baseball history.  In this case, it came from an offensive explosion by the Brewers Ryan Braun.  During the game, Braun hit three home runs and a triple.  It was the first time in his career he hit three home runs in a game and it was also the first time in Petco Park history that anyone had ever hit three home runs.  This isn’t much of a surprise since the stadium is considered pitcher friendly.  All of Braun’s home runs were shots.  The first was an opposite field drive over the 400′ sign in right center field (the deepest part of the park).  The second home run was right down the line and managed to land on the top deck of the Western Metal Supply Warehouse in left field.  When we were on the tour, we were told that only a few players had even reach the third deck making Braun’s shot even more impressive.  The third home run was a line drive over the left field wall and got out of the park in a hurry.  Braun had a shot at four home runs as he was able to get an extra at bat in the top of the ninth but instead hit a ball in the right field gap and legged out a triple – just one base short of the elusive four home run game.  All told, Braun drove in 6 runs as he helped the Brewers take the win 8-3 over the Padres.

As an interesting aside, if you are in to trying to catch foul balls at games – sit in section 201 when you go to Petco Park.  I was sitting their tonight and five foul balls landed in the section (alas I didn’t get one).  Apparently it is well known to be the section to catch a foul ball.

Been to Petco Park?  Rank the stadium here!

Western Metal Supply Co. Building

Question of the Day

Q: What is currently in the Western Metal Supply Company building?-Ed

A:  When the Padres renovated the historic structure, the team added two levels of luxury suites (which are rented out by the game), a Padres Hall of Fame and restaurant, as well as bleacher seats on the roof.  The restaurant is open to anyone with a ticket to the game.  In addition, the team built a merchandise store which is accessible from outside of the stadium.

Tip off at the Lakers game.

Since I was in Los Angeles, I decided to change my usual game watching pattern and honor the tradition of the city who is known to arrive late and leave early.  In this case, it was partly by choice and partly due to a scheduling conflict.

If you read this blog, you probably realize that I like most sports and about a week ago, the NBA announced its playoff match ups.  After looking at the schedule, it turns out that the Lakers would be playing a game the same day I was planning to be 4 miles away at Dodger Stadium.  Well going to a Lakers game should be on any sports fans to do list so I was able to find a ticket and was ready to watch both games.  Originally the game was set for 7 pm local time and the Dodger game set for 1 pm – which should have provided plenty of time to see both games.  However, the NBA for some unknown reason moved the Lakers game to 12:30 pm – in conflict with the baseball game!  So I decided to see the beginning of the Lakers game, leave early then head over to Dodger Stadium, arriving late, and catch the end of the baseball game.

Bryce Harper at the dish.

Amazingly, this plan worked fairly well.  The Lakers took control of the game early and breezed through the first half in about 50 minutes – which meant I was out of the Staples Center by 1:20 – only 10 minutes after the first pitch of the Dodger game.  By a stroke of luck, I had managed a parking spot right by the ramp to the northbound 110 Expressway, which is a mere two exits from Dodger Stadium.  There was no traffic and the total time from my seat at the Staples Center to my seat at the Dodger game way up on the top deck was a brief 22 minutes.  This put me in my seat by the time the bottom of the second started.

The Dodger game turned out to be a pitchers duel with a combined 7 hits and 2 runs between the Nationals and the Dodgers.  I did manage to get to the game in time to see the new rookie sensation Bryce Harper make a great running grab at the wall to rob a sure double.  I’m glad I managed to arrive early as the game was a brisk 2 hours and 40 minutes as the Dodger swept the Nationals to claim the best record in the National League.

Tomorrow is a short drive down I-5 past Angels Stadium (where I’ll be Tuesday) all the way to San Diego to see the Padres take on the Brewers.

Been to Dodger Stadium?  Rank the stadium here!

Proof I stayed until the last out in 43 degree weather!

It was a brisk evening at Coors Field here in Denver for the Mets and Rockies matchup.  The wind was blowing out and there were two rookies on the mound – all the makings of a high scoring game.  However, as things got started, both pitchers were working quickly and efficiently, only giving up a combined 4 runs through 4 innings.  At that point, the game was quick paced and was looking like it would be a fast, low scoring game.  And that’s when the 5th inning happened.

By the time the Mets came to plate to start the top of the sixth inning, the Mets had scored four more runs, the Rockies scored eleven, and the Mets had 4 errors.  If that wasn’t crazy enough, the Mets started a rally in the top of the sixth scoring three runs to draw the game back to 13-9 making a comeback with 9 more outs well within the realm of possibility.  However, the Rockies kept adding to their run total as the Mets decided to keep pace and add to their error total.  When all was said and done, the final score read 18-9 in favor of the home team – a very Coors Field score if there ever was one.

The lone bright spot was that the Mets’ Scott Hairston hit the first cycle of the season in the Majors.  It was also the first time I had ever seen a cycle in person making watching the drubbing the Mets took a bit more palatable.

Tomorrow is an off day then a quick trip over to Los Angeles to see the Dodgers and Nationals.

The Mile High seating ring.

Been to Coors Field?  Rank the stadium here!

Question of the Day

Q: Why is there a ring of purple seats around the top deck of Coors Field?-Frank

A:  One of the neat features of the ballpark is that ring of purple seats around the upper deck.  It was set at an elevation of 5,280′ above sea level – or exactly a mile high.  These seats can be purchased from the ticket office

When they say everything is bigger in Texas, they mean it.  I spent the day touring the stadiums of the Dallas sports teams and getting to see behind the scenes of these operations proved the point.

The giant TV at Cowboy Stadium.

The first stop of the day was an early trip over to Rangers Ballpark for a stadium tour.  I’ve been on quite a few of these stadium tours and today’s tour guide was in a no nonsense kind of mood and in a hurry!  I think we managed to see everything in about a half hour.  Usually these tours are somewhat laid back and can take an hour or so with plenty of time built in to take some photos and ask questions.  I think the tour guides were a bit overwhelmed as there were some large tours of school kids running around the park in addition to the general public tours that I was on so I will give them a bit of a pass.  However, I did get to sit in the dugout for a minute (my favorite part of any tour) so we’ll call it all good.

Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders locker room.

After the Rangers Ballpark tour, I went next to the Rangers neighbor, the Dallas Cowboys, to visit Jerry Jones’ Cowboy Stadium.   While I know I am on a baseball trip, I’m a sports fan and stadium fan so not seeing Cowboy Stadium would be a trip fail.  I decided to take the guided tour (the Cowboys offer a self guided tour) and when we first entered the stadium, my only thought was that gigantic wasn’t nearly a big enough term to describe the stadium.  While my favorite sport is baseball, I’ve been to 10 NFL stadiums and nothing comes close to the level of luxury in this stadium.  In many ways, it can be compared to the over the top nature of the new Yankee Stadium in MLB.  The stadium features the largest TV in the world – bigger than two basketball courts!   I had of course seen it on TV but until you see it in person – you just can’t understand how big it is.  The tour also stopped at the usual stadium tour locations like the press box and luxury suites.  However, the best stop was a visit to the locker room – not the Cowboys locker room (although we went there too) – the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders locker room.  Having been inside enough locker rooms, it was a bit strange to walk into one with bright pink on the walls.  The tour finished on the field where fans are allowed to run all over – you can even throw a football around.  All in all a cool stadium.  I’ll have to come back when the Packers are in town.

Having seen behind the scenes at the Rangers Ballpark and Cowboy Stadium, it was time for another match up between the Yankees and Rangers.  The game today was the complete opposite of yesterday’s pitcher’s duel.  Both starting pitchers were out of the game after three innings and each team managed to hit tape measure home runs.  The Rangers took the series from the Yankees with a 7-3 win.

Tomorrow it is back on the road for a trip to Colorado to see the Mets at Coors Field.

Been to the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington?  Rank the stadium here!

Question of the Day

Helipad at Rangers Ballpark.

Q: Was the helipad at the Rangers Ballpark built for former Pres. George W. Bush?-Jenn

A:  For those who don’t know, yes there is a helipad located next to Rangers Stadium.  When I was on the ballpark tour this morning, I asked the tour guide if they knew why it was built.  Although they didn’t know for sure why it was built, it was an addition to the stadium built in 2001 – the year after Pres. Bush was elected to his first term.  The helipad features a private underground entrance that leads straight to the VIP seating on the first base side of the stadium.  That’s a lot of coincidences.  All I know is that if I ever win the lottery, going to a game via helicopter to Rangers Ballpark is on the list!

Darvish pitches to ARod.

After missing the opportunity in Japan to see Yu Darvish pitch – (not once but twice!) – the first game of the 2012 30 or Bust Road Trip featured the Japanese right hander spinning a gem on the mound for the Texas Rangers.  I had waited to get tickets to see if Yu would be in the rotation during my two game stop here in Texas and managed to get a seat behind home plate for the game this evening.  Wow was it worth it.

A nice bonus in the game was that on the mound for the Yankees was Hiroki Kuroda – another Japanese pitcher – creating only the seventh matchup between Japanese pitchers in MLB history.  Neither pitcher disappointed.  While Kuroda was touched for two early runs, he managed to settle in and keep the game close until he was finally pulled in the seventh.  Darvish, on the other hand, pitched his best game to date in his early MLB career.  After throwing over 110 pitches through eight innings, Darvish came out to start the 9th inning.  He managed to get the leadoff batter out, but then gave up a hit to Swisher and was pulled to a standing ovation.  He finished with 10 strikeouts, two walks, and no earned runs.  It was amazing to watch the movement on his pitches.  The famed Japanese shuuto pitch (basically a two seam fastball which runs away from lefties and in on righties) was working for both Kuroda and Darvish.  I’m always amazed at the movement of these pitches in person – TV never does it justice.

The trip is off to a great start.  Tomorrow are stadium tours at Rangers Ballpark as well as at the neighboring Cowboy Stadium.

Been to the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington?  Rank the stadium here!

Question of the Day

Q: Where did Yu Darvish pitch in Japan before coming to the Rangers? – Jack

He pitched for the Nippon-Ham Fighters in Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido in northern Japan.  Most Americans make the mistake of calling the team the Ham Fighters when the company which sponsors the team is Nippon-Ham (yes they make ham as well as other meat products) and the team’s nickname is just the Fighters.  The team plays at the Sapporo Dome which, in my opinion, is the most technologically advanced dome stadium in the world.  Check out the video of the stadium below.

It's 30 or bust in 2012.

Due to an opening in my calender, I am planning to finish my quest of seeing all 30 MLB stadiums this spring.  With the construction of several new stadiums over the last five years, I am now 9 short on the current MLB stadium list (I was as close as 6 at one point).  However, with two trips – one at the end of April and the other at the end of May, I plan to visit all 9 stadiums and complete this epic journey exactly one decade after it began.  Feel free to follow along on Facebook or Twitter as well as with the blog.  Just as I did with my trip a year ago to Japan, I’ll be answering questions each day.  If you have any, feel free to send them to me on the contact page and I will try to answer them here on the blog.

April Trip

April 24 – Yankees at Rangers – The Ballpark at Arlington »
April 25 – Yankees at Rangers – The Ballpark at Arlington »
April 27 – Mets at Rockies – Coors Field »
April 29 – Nationals at Dodgers – Dodger Stadium »
April 30 – Brewers at Padres – Petco Park »
May 1 – Twins at Angels – Angel Stadium »

May Trip

May 22 – Rockies at Marlins – Miami Park »
May 23 – Cubs at Astros – Minute Maid Park »
May 24 – Phillies at Cardinals – Busch Stadium »
May 25 – Phillies at Cardinals – Busch Stadium »
May 26 – Angels at Mariners – Safeco Field »
May 27 – Angles at Mariners – Safeco Field »

CitiField Opening Day

Well, it is time for another baseball season and there is no better day of the year than Opening Day.  This year I was able to visit CitiField for this great event.  Even though I’ve been to five Opening Days, this was the first at the home of my favorite team – the New York Mets.  While the expectations aren’t high for the year for the team – and amazingly Opening Day did not sell out at CitiField – baseball season is still a great time of the year.

The game itself was a nail biter with the Mets holding on for a 1-0 win over the Braves.  Before the game, the Mets had a nice ceremony to honor the late Gary Carter who passed away during the off season.  In addition, the team received its annual gift from the Shea family – a flower horseshoe – as a symbol of good luck.  Maybe it will pay off for them this season although Vegas certainly wouldn’t take that bet.

For me, 2012 is looking like it will be a big baseball year.  Stay tuned to the blog for some big announcements as well as the release of the book Baseball Ahead coming later in the year.