tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25609951434397852942024-03-05T23:21:28.477-08:00Junior's Baseball BeatUseless thoughts on the exciting world of America's favorite past time.Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-81946425400457431002019-03-23T15:47:00.002-07:002019-03-23T15:49:52.440-07:00It's the time again! Time to Play Ball!!!Next week kicks off one of the most exciting times of each year...which in my opinion, should be a national holiday in America! If you haven't ever attended an Opening Day game, it is definitely a must for a baseball fans. There's a special electricity in the air. There's that sense of hope for fans of all 30 teams that this very well could be their team's year to win it all. The music and patriotism in the MLB stadiums in incredible. Winter is finally OVER and it's the kick off to Summer! The military jets flyover during the National Anthem is such a great feel. Really gets my Red, White and Blue blood pumping! Here's to an exciting 2019 MLB season to all of you MLB fans out there! <br />
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PLAY BALL!Juniorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01322953052471398557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-89970902353680268622014-09-10T21:28:00.001-07:002014-09-10T21:37:34.491-07:00San Diego- Petco Park<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Petco Park</b></div>
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<b>Year Built: 2004</b></div>
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<b>Capacity: 42,302</b></div>
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<b>Surface: Bulls Eye Bermuda Grass</b></div>
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<b>Cost to Build: $450 million</b></div>
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<b>Overall Grade: A</b></div>
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<b>Return Someday: Yes</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSrUEw9LjN6Lvbiihi_psbOVLL4vzbr9W46z7o45V1olUwX0k6qUEZiurHFyjAl2OFWUIaLHQC1EmrkwhhbotT0dnXxgNXwwRuaPGis7JbWNE3NxMrDFcAX12iJkcV0zgko_33CARES8/s1600/petco+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSrUEw9LjN6Lvbiihi_psbOVLL4vzbr9W46z7o45V1olUwX0k6qUEZiurHFyjAl2OFWUIaLHQC1EmrkwhhbotT0dnXxgNXwwRuaPGis7JbWNE3NxMrDFcAX12iJkcV0zgko_33CARES8/s1600/petco+park.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Ah San Diego...such a fantastic city with nearly year-round
perfect weather, and easy going friendly people. Petco Park is located on Tony
Gwynn Way right in the heart of beautiful downtown San Diego's Gaslamp
District. This is a very nice
venue to enjoy a Padres game. I
often will drive down to this ballpark to catch a game when the Giants are in
town, as this is a much safer alternative compared to the other southern
California NL stadium. Padres fans
are much like Angels fans, very mellow.
This ball park is very fan friendly. There is a great kids' area where the young fans can play in
the sand box just outside the outfield fence or play wiffle ball on the mini
diamond in the park. It is very
safe to attend these games as a visiting fan wearing your team's gear. In fact, this was where I brought my
daughter for her first MLB game.
She has a blast every time we visit this stadium. It is always a really
cool treat to see the Padres honor the military and wear their camo uniforms. The surrounding area is
full of shops, restaurants, hotels, and bars. There are tons of public transportation options with the San
Diego Trolley stop right outside the stadium making getting around the city
very convenient. The ticket prices
are decent and it is very easy to
be able to walk up to the ticket window and purchase your tickets the day of
the game, since it seems like they never sell out. The food options are
good. I really like the inside
nacho bar area on the 2nd floor.
Big portions and reasonably priced. The design of the stadium pays homage to San Diego's
culture & history. The sand colored walls
represent the beaches, the light towers symbolize the bell towers of the
California Missions, and the all brick original Western Metal building is a cool
addition to the left field area. The priceless view beyond the outfield walls
is of the San Diego bay and the Coronado Bay Bridge. Do yourself a favor and
make it out to this extremely friendly stadium!Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-5491751548869634032014-09-10T20:29:00.001-07:002014-09-10T20:39:42.353-07:00"Holy mackarel, that's embarrassing." - Vin ScullyIn case you missed this play, the Dodgers made 3 throwing errors in one play. One of the funniest bloopers ever.<br />
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Cue the Benny Hill music!<br />
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<a href="http://mweb.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24702073/gif-dodgers-make-three-throwing-errors-on-one-play?v=1&vc=1">Dodgers make 3 throwing errors in one play!</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNAc1X_JuSadwlsU-sGeNY4Fez2LNqnV2UU6pVkPU_Pg13Ga1fyzjoS7UJUdIaUPAR4FD_0JPDCuqSQWRLGhkNfHy2PhcmILsFUZqJ4S4JGX_uVsUYmvmVNB3scaGiu6Qknj0yTt0g68/s1600/benny+hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNAc1X_JuSadwlsU-sGeNY4Fez2LNqnV2UU6pVkPU_Pg13Ga1fyzjoS7UJUdIaUPAR4FD_0JPDCuqSQWRLGhkNfHy2PhcmILsFUZqJ4S4JGX_uVsUYmvmVNB3scaGiu6Qknj0yTt0g68/s1600/benny+hill.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-25095301749131106852011-01-05T21:25:00.000-08:002011-01-05T21:59:55.535-08:00Alomar & Blyleven- HOF Class '11<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfe2emU7IqQPDYj7SCWqzq_Jyh2aWJOwBKenBmNhWi8DxqEsS0MRSBZZkmjvt0i1qp7TU2Z6tBWPvMep0ltHMgdclxJOckAozcoeaCDG6XjV4l01-rzB_w0ewpKsfGxfv9Ag0OJZxY-HQ/s1600/Baseball-Hall-of-Fame.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfe2emU7IqQPDYj7SCWqzq_Jyh2aWJOwBKenBmNhWi8DxqEsS0MRSBZZkmjvt0i1qp7TU2Z6tBWPvMep0ltHMgdclxJOckAozcoeaCDG6XjV4l01-rzB_w0ewpKsfGxfv9Ag0OJZxY-HQ/s200/Baseball-Hall-of-Fame.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558947026232010770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY8qudg7j8P0XHGJ9xqpb8LZVKMBztoG66LNQYFqPRzxfNTHiatDDaomvM-7WzEvStkemZpEQeadAhmhieWJVYltq83IZPE4BlzXiojaZ57X_uZVnxztI6atb3r1c_zrtJhghGhnMJAU/s1600/blylevenfarting.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 176px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY8qudg7j8P0XHGJ9xqpb8LZVKMBztoG66LNQYFqPRzxfNTHiatDDaomvM-7WzEvStkemZpEQeadAhmhieWJVYltq83IZPE4BlzXiojaZ57X_uZVnxztI6atb3r1c_zrtJhghGhnMJAU/s200/blylevenfarting.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558946805570027154" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span></a><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">It's official, the writers have decided that Roberto Alomar & Bert Blyleven are going to be inducted into Cooperstown this summer. I must admit, that I am pretty disappointed in the choices this year. Please don't get me wrong, I think that they were both very good at their game, but it's the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Good ! I know, Alomar is one of the best 2nd basemen to ever play the game, even if we ignore the alleged HIV transmission claims made against him. But really think about it and think about the legends that have preceedingly been inducted into the Hall over the past decades. Do these two REALLY muster up to having their bronze plaques hanging next to the all-time greats???</p> <!--EndFragment--> <img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKDidG89WYQNa8_laOqe9qVGvAZV9SFGF4dXg1S1UlCNBjvDdjzZkMyt6vw2nEC-XWSiGqCwBJiZtnyucvLicVbjJMymwQs5Ku1oYdgXZm_3mQGUK1Oy3zC_e9CZk6yw4lPAnpdfKy3Y/s200/oCyNVnv8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558946636793719346" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What about Lee Smith & Barry Larkin? I would have voted for them over Alomar and Blyleven...but what the heck do I know? I'm just a lowly baseball blogger, and not an all-mighty professional baseball writer. Congrats anyway to Alomar & Blyleven for getting in...I ask the question every year...when is it gonna be Pete's turn to get in?</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLLVoPr0YMJkw6af0zCa9NhYGdPD_mdrjo06Gt4TBXb196qQjiCsLSgMo1-TK5OzN251VvT3QGBMzjCn_vMA6S2lm36l_Um01jv9LYuLNclMHhqGo6Nmi-hG6m8gN9EvlG66oW1MP8hs/s400/medium_PETE-ROSE-HALL-OF-FAME-07-27-09.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558946202712998930" /></div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-85120462214044471652011-01-04T17:46:00.000-08:002014-09-10T19:52:53.052-07:002010 WS, HOF, & 40 DAYS...2010 was an amazing season, as you all know that I am a life long Giants fan, I was ecstatic. What a great bunch of guys on that SF squad. The torture is finally over, and it felt great seeing the Giants finally win one. I still am in shock and can't believe it! I even thought of growing a beard in support of the team, but my wife hates facial hair...oh well. Take that Dodger fans!!!<br />
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Tomorrow is the 2011 HOF class announcement...should be a good one! Who do you think will be announced???</div>
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Yep, only 40 more days until pitchers and catchers report. I'm getting excited already! I am already planning my trip to Arizona to check out the defending champs in Scottsdale this March. I can't wait.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchDwbUpdqeb_VogAkn66P2u_RCbaLQJ6MhtEq2yUKBN2Qe19C-dJDDrmAdWBaCBDByVq5PGhQpwjFlpctLTyCKNY8wbRu5rKqNqSUv1WGFa_zlQaw4a8AnMy8wSPCnQPIXHF9Ewu7fj8/s400/cactus_league.gif" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558516215116431410" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 134px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 126px;" /></div>
Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-27090871516829605972010-06-03T19:57:00.000-07:002010-06-03T20:14:11.778-07:002010 MLB All-Star Game<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhKUyhIK59HjaY6n9PWRsgsAVOjxc_lcsq5mVr4yn7Ud0K94YnuDAld4ZFPT8utiJ4Q_eNLac4isbF5hyphenhyphenxuRVwcs9megpLU1vMNXA3FWNFzTUZ5010_6kRaSlFS8lH5vRRRzQ1uAfNvY/s1600/z1qnkghbob7u2galyrp9dkzpg.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhKUyhIK59HjaY6n9PWRsgsAVOjxc_lcsq5mVr4yn7Ud0K94YnuDAld4ZFPT8utiJ4Q_eNLac4isbF5hyphenhyphenxuRVwcs9megpLU1vMNXA3FWNFzTUZ5010_6kRaSlFS8lH5vRRRzQ1uAfNvY/s400/z1qnkghbob7u2galyrp9dkzpg.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478750149696154946" /></a><div>A-yeah, yeah. I am so stoked...I just bought my tickets for the AS Game and HR Derby!!! I have never been to an AS Game or a WS Game, both of which I have planned to accomplish in my lifetime. Well, at least I can scratch one of those goals off my list. We are going to all of this year's events. The AS Game, HR Derby, Celebrity Softball Game, Futures Game, and Fanfest. Since we aren't traveling to any new ballparks this season, we have been saving up to go to this event of a lifetime! Since the AS Game is at our closest ballpark, we had to go. Stay tuned for my official post AS weekend review. "Today was a good day..."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-7198666202728527412010-06-03T19:46:00.000-07:002010-06-03T20:16:28.591-07:00Ken Griffey Jr.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEclYYfSW8LCObdO2aNSmdJAI-b1WWw3GoDPM7pDswr-1pcgUeHRWWCOiVgEjh6MK36PB539zZHpZ7x9eA7NKbpRVg2yi3H3Uukrkz8gEoA-3u6Agc-v_uknrIYt0FaabB6lcGCcyzw8/s1600/pg2_e_griffey-rookie-card_400.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEclYYfSW8LCObdO2aNSmdJAI-b1WWw3GoDPM7pDswr-1pcgUeHRWWCOiVgEjh6MK36PB539zZHpZ7x9eA7NKbpRVg2yi3H3Uukrkz8gEoA-3u6Agc-v_uknrIYt0FaabB6lcGCcyzw8/s400/pg2_e_griffey-rookie-card_400.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478746591768406882" /></a>Talk about a sad day in baseball...Ken Griffey Jr. officially retired and sadly, I feel like a little part of my youth has died. The Kid has always been one of my favorite players of all time. I will miss his positive attitude, his big smiles, his backwards cap, his Nike ads, and his golden glove plays made in CF. I still have my unopened 1989 Upper Deck complete set that I have treasured since a teenager since it has his rookie card in it. This and my autographed Mantle ball are probably my most treasured baseball items. Unfortunately, Griffey Jr. had a bunch of injuries that really slowed down his career. He probably would have broken Aaron's all-time HR record. Nonetheless, Junior should be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Junior, you will be missed. Thanks for all of the great memories !!!Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-20135817164522589912010-03-22T10:18:00.000-07:002010-03-22T18:19:03.411-07:00New York- Yankee Stadium Review<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MNe81jZaRbnqCeBbD17uypavuqavIhuX0DrTtiK-ewC2xk8sHZIAtbXVYKO14UB3-jhyphenhyphen8ftem3FxOAveK1vFscbt9YGk1PkrKhyphenhyphenjIyERCYLzkG1UVG7eitgulqUltPKg8HLVg2lvVt8/s400/DSC01861.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451522642128864450" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Yankee Stadium</span><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Year Built: 2009</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Capacity: 52,325</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Surface: Kentucky Blue Grass</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Cost to Build:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">$1.5 billion</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Overall Grade: A</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Return Someday: Yes</span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In 2009, professional sports most winning franchise got a new home, and they christened it by winning their 27th World Series Championship. The new Yankee Stadium, "the House that Jeter Built", is a very beautiful ballpark. It should be, after all, it is the most expensive stadium ($1.5 billion to build) the majors to build. The seating prices definitely are reflective of the stadium's cost to build...way too pricey! Eve</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">n with all of the modern amenities and upgrades, I still prefer the old Yankee Stadium.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The new stadium is really really nice, but it's just not Yankee Stadium to me. I felt like I was watching the Yankees on the road in a super nice ballpark. I miss the old 1923 stadium a lot. I also liked Citi Field better than the new Yankee Stadium, which is really hard for me to admit to. I'm sure the House that Jeter Built will eventually grow on me, but it will take some time. The new stadium comes complete with the Great Hall, where players of the past are honored. The stadium also has a Hard Rock Cafe, the NYY Steak House, a Lobel's Butcher Shop, Monument Park, a Steiner Sports memorabilia shop, the Yankees Museum, the largest video screen in sports, and Babe Ruth Plaza...just to name a few.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYU-4sAFLlKob7QJStDgoittsIDNjU6wxO5tJcyYUFopK-NXJjy4Q4yekPezMlFdrRjhBiY8iw0nZttxEvRGRceahrgCxk6XdxXYbiynum_8hYydtah0Dt5yLUjForoxcxXjLwFenrdE/s400/DSC01692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451523070713333858" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div><br /></div>My favorite thing about the new stadium is the Yankees Museum. They display jerseys, autographed baseballs, WS Trophies, bats, etc... from former and current Yankees players. I really enjoyed the Babe Ruth display case. You can see the museum before the game or on the guided stadium tour. Save your money and avoid the Stadium tours. The Stadium tours aren't that great. You got to see a lot more in the old stadium. The only good things are seeing a less crowded Monument Park and the new Yankees Museum. Going into the Yankees dugout was cool too. No stops were made to the visitor's clubhouse or press boxes. It's really not worth the 20 bucks per person.The customer service at the New Stadium is far superior than that of the old Stadium. In addition, the food options are an enormous, much needed improvement from the latter. There are a lot of NYPD staffing the stadium as security, and they are actually really friendly for getting directions. Getting to the stadium is very easy via train. The Stadium is family friendly, and even visiting fan friendly. Just expect to pay an arm and a leg for some decent seats.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Lhc5T9gS3X4fewyinPo88m1B_jKjk94jXHOvK65C7RN4eepH33194zoR12E6SnDNmPKvijdvsbl135kBIr0WaR4LqvPcBf5z5G-PdtDHIOwcFW-DTH6EVZEjWPzyylYvInju45b4qlA/s400/DSC01851.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451522301442777890" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE1259xh5Ool_dE6NIiSD07tjagdzIRkH-aASi5oMSTxPaEqwlJO_QRiCTW9Rz4rIYx-mDuscOCGck1a-L4J7omToVWG31hDUUwDrzMu4wrCJOtncDmu_okjuZtLPp1Kn8Mzb99Sti48/s400/DSC01847.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451522015314647618" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgT6jFrHkaY4GJjSeYWgz094w3nkdoFcEQVQdClr4DCNMr-T4U1tfyO5TQjZBGA4CFjpOW-9sZn4LDoC6ip-Ua4-6pc_NlQInEYUAN6-0nv4McRlYSnbwkfc8uJJAHzzqWuoJkNHs88hc/s400/DSC01818.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451521676152511986" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIMCQKHZCBYq8WsA9APDZ3gyDRwT3zX_w-v0g-CjS-Q3iaOyuX-7SGzoCgypF5homaliIRjYGJZxMVKosibXpTyvaV69xaGQ1bluOXuE9KUOyqGh2CUASqordirlMvH4QR99AJDxmZzs/s400/DSC01802.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451520848857777506" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6WDe58b1WAkB-2_AFAlnTTUT4a7qKmSRgkAc-auBz6qvvza9WxHXDTRGncOm-h1wwEncijY44nq_6Mu_DAbUWt16kO5EOHPOvsygfM92LSp0utkZ2Ys7vYUrjJt01WEs442FtvPIfkY/s400/DSC01835.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451519845021640482" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfNZM6b_sMaqRxJQPu0GHuZR7BjpUSxvvTtRNZimCV9GrZg4DA-hFat4rDOQJtlSOSbst0o7alyeaohj-iRF0tB53IKCk_iglhGR2h4PFqkj01xK0KhG6BEechoKRWcvtCwsrlWw9dUI/s400/DSC00538.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451517928362975250" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97LDwTkbmj1hWQB24MBTtepg6pzfBD3v2e1qKzpQJFy1uQoYBtiVn7l2shNaaWHR4KVBTM1ElMwatzXVnRcSpiQ9tdqaMwr9_yvm3QwlnN5EKQLIU5CZ0OV3GRmgq3eL0KxB0hIfe6QA/s400/DSC01682.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451520426998209474" /></span></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKuYZvqkqhzBudKne7XBMOt30EzgsRpeNcXTXCCjoq1Mm6IYKHcD6xwpfykdo9ZcLIafmNHDUEp0MJUUII7gA7kHiC5oL7BsRbg6vnFo1izsX3HsmGz_ZGvMibPOfm8_oPYbDaZnOhbw/s400/DSC01666.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451519356784704274" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8F4fQt0GTwREf1OHwDSyizQNzLn26t6KEnbbXkZOAOepUfClZgED-9S-zDu9vx1l9dNk_vIHP7BrHJdhC8EKNqV62dDWnqZ0g0OGREnVx59Qow56YfEAAtPyWVvAaG08ICmmefHl9zI/s400/DSC01653.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451519037089057954" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwACWaHKMvyTnQfZlPeOdDNqfFJPqFmeR-MVByORWzustYUlvqhqs7vpbw_R05QRDLi2vSVTt2PTgHJtd4RwqQxybji5mJzlMPr7UVhbjUUwpLOk_ut7cYDskZu2qTTU_totN37T7fHc/s400/DSC01652.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451518740215539474" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEKawDSaBcc0VDYNROCcv4lp3LCdeBUtUeWd_WDsdv22-1mde15X0bGQGnehysS_jfYggWxyGs51YMwhRIHC7bcPtLZs64ZZ0bwM8Kr0Ktdh69Lx-bBS25kYE2qWBB11itqhXGxe1IP8/s400/DSC01683.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451518279624936514" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzsPc-I0h8IxTZMyyBK6pyPdIgzilYmSn9fuHP7B4NZ83flI9v3fdmjPb12of3HSOoj_zOx4R4Y62c39eD765wjprx_m0VkWaYvU63lijFt4pE0IyPIqDPlq20I-WGpy-lqvoPIeWJr8/s400/DSC01670.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451517699258726946" /></div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-67435023951127209292010-03-17T12:32:00.000-07:002010-03-19T13:30:05.734-07:00New York- Citi Field Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIEZu0ZqIREzb2NA3Z6AwOCzDIs7zAEM-QhtT-IG7qRu_qXsHf_2xciCvTk3oUkfCuZUkoYesl38rjmlpBkZQUc4-506-llBiPclAvOjURllPNAjG7KosZd3b5_idUoyTUJM1HRRwnsU/s1600-h/DSC01743.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIEZu0ZqIREzb2NA3Z6AwOCzDIs7zAEM-QhtT-IG7qRu_qXsHf_2xciCvTk3oUkfCuZUkoYesl38rjmlpBkZQUc4-506-llBiPclAvOjURllPNAjG7KosZd3b5_idUoyTUJM1HRRwnsU/s400/DSC01743.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449694060184709842" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Citi Field</span><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Year Built: 2009</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Capacity: 41,800</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Surface: Grass</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Cost to Build:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">$900 million</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Overall Grade: A</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Return Someday: Yes</span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>"Meet the Mets, greet the Mets..." The other New York team, the Metropolitans (aka the Mets) opened up a fabulous new stadium in 2009. It is designed as a tribute to Ebbetts Field, former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Mets pay homage to old time NY baseball with their ballpark, not just by the exterior design, but also with the Jaclie Robinson Rotunda. This area is completely dedicated to MLB's first black player, with quote from Jackie on the walls, to pictures and stats of him, and a huge 42 on the floor. The rotunda is definitely a must see. My only issue, is they pay tribute a little too much to the Dodgers and not nearly enough to the Mets, honestly, hardly any at all.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcfBQaCZjgvYr4xJ5l2Za_xf_NmEKng1oWIoU7FsN6AsDDxxI3b_PukwaGbOX_HsaC2ckaltwiYRDzeeQj2Ww5WKHiqbGVZ_bCEB6JJvqz0bFOxcv_9prDDjn_oSWER68huXh0iWei6U/s400/DSC01749.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449693849752875810" /></b></div><div><b><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X7RRTnHzlntTwN8SwVxNX2FgozaULDihBJprVbpOp0XP11Q9zwejjMmqQKAd8jTgwXf2pSTb8QdSmLFfMQru8HlOA_Df3TzggFd68Nyukkx9-DQQTQlZUctHWncCOpXmhwBqPX8mm1E/s400/DSC01761.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449694726914161666" /></b></div><div><b>This is by far one of the nicest ballparks in the majors, and Citi Field is definitely a huge improvement over Shea Stadium. Believe it or not, I actually liked Citi Field better than the New Yankee Stadium. The ticket prices are by far more fan friendly than those in the Bronx. The fans were very friendly, as well as the staff of Citi. The ballpark food options are really good. The toppings/ condiment stations are the best that I have ever seen. The have onions, sauerkraut, jalapenos, ketchup, brown mustard, etc... Very cool setup. Another one of Junior's secrets, is to go to the main level up from the escalator and sign up as a designated driver. They will put a wrist band on you to get a free soda. They actually give you a big soda, not a dixie cup full of soda like some other parks do. See my pic below as proof !!!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisv8ijyCJA7tIJpRPwUhvTbiseBONL35plYvMjn-M1oY5xOqFHAyWAT8k-zLJZte1n5tgVI8H_qbb1hsUWLoegdSHanH4OYrtwL2Ftx5oS-oycaX5cUITIsnhjFZymnWVoWt7pw3a9Yk0/s400/DSC01788.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449693557666100114" /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The old Big Apple from Shea is on display in the stadium's public areas, and there is a new Big Apple beyond centerfield. Citi offers a lot of retail shopping options. Check out the Nike store before you buy anything in the main shops, they seemed to have nicer shirts and hats. Even though the Mets are always considered NY's "other team," kinda like the Clippers and Lakers relationship, the Mets definitely have a nicer place to call home. If you are in NYC, do yourself a favor, head over to Queens and hit a Mets game, you'll totally love the new ballpark and the fan atmosphere.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnvUa1B5NLL2veVAUW1tUeL6t2eQ4ZqkDoil2IY4zQ7UJESv1VUt7iFUScgNac4GB7BuvVbPgtkFyDL4oZUujxDA4BEW-TjdYQB278Rcu-vm_wHXhc-MnclGLKMInmL4sF-HOF4u52BE/s400/DSC01780.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449692457678382338" /></b></div><div><b><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeouOmJGdH90vbv3zDFB3ZqDiuGzOhrfMWyRi14AaGqFcsBTH_DhvWcpZfSDT3vOa1IR0au9Qapjc54gCkLHW8or2YpIKJVTAM5V6gevpsGmjKxvzWSfomPTvdOCi61DPpVrIy6vQUuI/s400/DSC01790.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449692818515939202" /></b></div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-42567825824674134462010-03-15T13:25:00.001-07:002011-01-04T21:51:46.387-08:00Los Angeles- Dodger Stadium Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HisM5Emvw1x71AZxXy_FJ8jR_w8KMdTNten7WnqoagQofD6ZBVDPgrcnfi2QjHLbHBe2biq5TmbiwBGpA4MH86LSBqgJFQVNw7AfWy32Br0SWJmdZm2h0ExEeOnmnhQwHSt5BGGrlrU/s1600-h/Picture+166.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HisM5Emvw1x71AZxXy_FJ8jR_w8KMdTNten7WnqoagQofD6ZBVDPgrcnfi2QjHLbHBe2biq5TmbiwBGpA4MH86LSBqgJFQVNw7AfWy32Br0SWJmdZm2h0ExEeOnmnhQwHSt5BGGrlrU/s400/Picture+166.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449438019726082530" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Dodger Stadium</span><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Year Built: 1962</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Capacity: 56,000</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Surface: Grass</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Cost to Build:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">$23 million</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Overall Grade: C+</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Return Someday: Yes</span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Dodger Stadium, baseball's largest seating capacity stadium and third oldest ballpark, is located in Chavez Ravine in the heart of Los Angeles. Let's face the facts...the Dodgers are and always have been LA's true team. Growing up in LA, this is where I attended my first ballgame as a kid, where I saw the Houston Astros against the Dodgers in 1985. I remember seeing the blue and orange seats, and thinking that the Dodger fans sat in the blue seats and only Astro fans sat in the orange seats. I remember as a kid, stopping the LAPD patrol cars that would drive down our street to get LAPD Dodger baseball cards from them. I love listening to Vin Scully on the radio or on TV. It's really cool that he has been the voice of the Dodgers since the 1950's. Vin is by far the best baseball broadcaster in the majors. His voice can be heard echoing throughout the stadium during a game, due to many fans traditionally bringing their am transistor radios to the game. "It's time for Dodger baseball..." It will be hard to imagine watching or listening to a Dodger game without him. The Dodgers have honored Vin by naming the Press Box after him. If you get to the stadium early, you can catch Fernando Valenzuela for an easy autograph outside of the Vin Scully Press Box, before he begins his Spanish radio broadcast of the game. The Dodgers have a lot of tradition. They have the history from their Brooklyn days with Jackie Robinson, to playing at the LA Coliseum, to Tommy Lasorda, to Koufax, to world famous Dodger Dogs, to Fernando-mania, to beachballs, to Kirk Gibson, and four WS championships...just to name a few.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B8NbbgwkUOxTNj3L3NWywmuAXHpnC_7yP4lsWbG2_TidQhthjJFSl3VZgfRJgAyloUVMqmKnjITY-AUdtRtWZYxDaFRECktetMLWoJz3MZKSiscCkbeAF_M5R2dCf-u2kAl1umXZs0k/s400/100_0142.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449433482496520578" /></div><div>With that said, this is a stadium review, not my walk down memory lane!!! So, putting aside my fond childhood memories, I am going to do my best to give Dodger Stadium an impartial review. Depending on what day of the week, your experience of the stadium can vary greatly. If you want the best overall experience, go to a weekday daytime game, if possible. It doesn't get very crowded, but most importantly, the typical Dodger fan knuckleheads aren't there. If you don't know what I am talking about, think of typical Raider fans, and bingo, there you have it. This is a must if you are looking to bring the kids or are trying to root for the visiting team. I strongly recommend NOT wearing any visiting team gear at all, unless you don't mind get messed with, and possibly assaulted. You can avoid the profanity, fights, and potential physical harm. I have seen fans get in fights and there was even a fellow Giants fan that got shot while I was at Dodger Stadium. At all costs, <b>avoid</b> the outfield pavilion seating, as this is where the trouble makers like to sit. If you must go to a weekend or weekday evening game, remember, the lower & pricier the seats are, the safer you will be. If you are looking for a good family weekend outing, either shell out the bucks for lower section seating or drive down the I-5 to Angel Stadium. As far as the stadium staff, they aren't very fan friendly at all. The could really use some customer service training, especially if you are sitting in the top deck section. The food has gotten much better over the years, but still has a ways to go. Try a world-famous Dodger Dog at the game. Make sure that you get a grilled Dodger Dog, they are much tastier, than the regular ones. The grilled dogs aren't sold everywhere, so you will have to hunt a little for them...trust me, they are worth it. One of Dodger Stadium's best kept secrets is the Stadium Club. This is a bar and restaurant that is open to the public before and after the game. It overlooks right field. If you want to eat there during the game time, you will need a special pass and reservations to get in. Season ticket holders are given a couple of these passes, so thanks to my buddies, Eddie & Robert, I have had the privilege to watch a game while dining in the Stadium Club. It is a really cool, high end type experience.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCClYtkLNvBHP6ONoSaz0N29kaar0z1COW4wXx82BovtE68XMj-bF2ogSFrM1HBPiR5KI5tFwet210dEiUvVUpS6jzJeG7i70TQRslGBpdQkdooAoG0Nxrd3bb-_bpUxHXsJjmff0KnXI/s400/100_0148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449438286991148114" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I would have rated Dodger Stadium a little higher if the fan factor wasn't such an issue, but at least you know what to expect, when you go to watch one of baseball's historic teams in Chavez Ravine. </div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-33986429863045972312010-03-15T10:08:00.000-07:002014-09-10T21:17:52.409-07:00Kansas City- Kauffman Stadium Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fLQu2gLgtgKeK4R9U4rXDQ8WMBVgijItgkBSUWfGayvIKexjO9lR8A20R0y0zi7pDNfK_yGtRa9aw-kD3i2jPt2pETbbJrW7qEzbdKe8hFFF9u1_FtMl22IQj2zYZT3yltJp7tfvF6Q/s1600-h/Kauffman-Stadium-Scoreboard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fLQu2gLgtgKeK4R9U4rXDQ8WMBVgijItgkBSUWfGayvIKexjO9lR8A20R0y0zi7pDNfK_yGtRa9aw-kD3i2jPt2pETbbJrW7qEzbdKe8hFFF9u1_FtMl22IQj2zYZT3yltJp7tfvF6Q/s400/Kauffman-Stadium-Scoreboard.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448917122816588098" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Kauffman Stadium</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Year Built: 1973</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Capacity: 39,000</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Surface: Grass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Cost to Build:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">$70 million</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Overall Grade: A</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Return Someday: Yes</span></div>
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Kauffman Stadium is now MLB's 6th oldest stadium, built in 1973 and received a $150 million renovation in 2009. It is located in the Truman Sports Complex, which also has the Kansas City Chiefs stadium adjacent to Kauffman. It is named after the Royals original owner, Ewin Kauffman. Kauffman Stadium has had it's historical moments over the years. It's first began on 5/15/1973, as only one month old, hosted Nolan Ryan's first of seven no-hitters. Kauffman also hosted it's only All-Star game during the inaugural season. Kauffman Stadium has hosted two World Series in 1980 & 1985. </div>
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I really enjoyed my 2006 trip to Kauffman, and I would like to take the opportunity to share with you a story about how I have received the "Royal treatment" by the Royal's organization. The Royals staff are truly a class act. We brought my parents on this road trip to see Johan's Twins against the Royals, and I had bought some nose bleed seats directly behind home plate. The height of the seating area above the field became too much for my lifetime Twins fan mother, due to her uneasiness with heights and we went to speak to the Royals customer service reps. They gladly swapped our tickets to bottom level seats right behind homeplate for no extra charge. This was a big-time upgrade. I have a lot of respect and gratitude of the Royals' staff for doing that for us. This wasn't the first time that I was given the "Royal treatment" by the Royals staff. When I was about 14 years old, I wrote to practically every baseball organization requesting my favorite players' autographs. The only team to respond back was the Royals. They sent me autographed pictures of George Brett, Bo Jackson, and Kevin Seitzer. I actually still have them. The stadium staff were the friendliest in MLB that we have encountered so far. The food options were pretty standard ballpark fare, the ballpark seating was very comfortable and the stadium's ambience was very pleasant. The fans were just as friendly as the Royals staff, even if you are sporting a visiting team's gear. A special THANK-YOU to the Royals organization. The other MLB organizations can definitely learn a thing or two of what I have dubbed as the "Royal treatment." I tip my cap to you and look forward to returning someday in the future. </div>
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Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-73294891945162951382010-03-10T19:37:00.001-08:002010-03-24T17:06:22.154-07:00PLAY BALL !!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9vJjUjrTerreHT42dlVZ9QlaFsnon_nlMCc50cqGnfgdm8C_XDQBTVeReij60lI0dERwE0_SPuKROdPCgez8tpNjhGgrAqu8JamoJE5q7g3Xktku7BbJIUeH1C9KoY52fKQqr5TFVBo/s1600-h/Picture+127.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9vJjUjrTerreHT42dlVZ9QlaFsnon_nlMCc50cqGnfgdm8C_XDQBTVeReij60lI0dERwE0_SPuKROdPCgez8tpNjhGgrAqu8JamoJE5q7g3Xktku7BbJIUeH1C9KoY52fKQqr5TFVBo/s400/Picture+127.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447227869130211730" /></a>Welcome to Baseballville!!! Yep, it's that time again my friends. It's Spring Training and I am pumped. I ordered MLB.TV to watch the games on my computer, and I even got the MLB At-Bat 2010 app for my iPhone to listen to the games when I am away from my computer. A special thanks to my awesome wifey for getting my those for my B-Day, so I can help feed my lifelong addiction. I have been watching the Spring Training games and I am so excited to see how this year will unfold. So far, I am very impressed with Stasburg and Chapman's Spring Training pitching performances. They are living up to their reps so far. I know it's early, and even some of you discount Spring Training performances labeling the games as "meaningless." But I love this game so much, that I appreciate all of the efforts from the WBC, Caribbean Series, and Spring Training.<div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbM-XyQjzW2gLNGeDKrIJ65raNDC6dEyNpE1jmYLX4rmHP2_had18VxaKcNdD6HfpBapbijQX0oQHZ0oMs_aRT12QUjXvqGe_6DV2TPdVYkB3OPy2HsY87NeRGZZgqVFDGvDxMqH91yfc/s400/Picture+089.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447231020787250210" /></div><div>With this posting, I am going to give my faithful readers my bold predictions, and highlight some of my plans for the season. First with my baseball plans. We will be going to AZ in a couple of weeks to check out two Cactus League games. Friars vs. Cubbies and Pads vs. Giants. Should be fun, just like every year that we've gone out there. If you've never been to a Spring Training game, do yourself a favor and go. Get the lawn seats and enjoy the warm sunshine watching some much needed hardball, after a cold baseball-less winter. I promise you that you will have a blast.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM03-Ezbj23GYWZYbCIcNAkQZhM9e6Re5G4XJtgqgmA7U-EdDzfsAOWGQkcg6dFWzOsgu5uwIqmuiXnEBzKFDoJirALDHyHNlOI0eplYuMi9TKVXjvZaTfgFAKwKi-TeBPBL-ji1pwk-0/s400/Picture+214.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447225889638353330" /></div><div>My good friend Rob, has season tix at Chavez Ravine, and he has offered an open ended invite for me to go to some games this season, as he generously always done so every year. I already told him that when the Reds or Nats are in town and either Chapman or Stasburg are on the mound, count me in. I saw Chapman pitch in San Diego last year for Team Cuba in the WBC, but he didn't pitch very well against the two-time WBC Champs, Team Japan. I predict that he will do pretty well this season. Time to enjoy a world famous Dodger Dog.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjzsNtHGQjxKrK0yriOhdAM21C1BKBqk47RBzNl7R7ntE78dEE7VntToMyHGROyT12Y6rvC2AdKpA2RNdo9Wcx2BHVdp-Ap7zPvXuMwF-CAjGJqZrBSdcg3ZNBORZ5FdrI9I9ITpMixg/s400/DSC02025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447231716559803778" /></div><div>Since the 2010 All-Star Game is at the Big A, this summer, I am going to try to go, as long as the tix aren't outrageously expensive. I will at least try to go to the HR Derby, if anything else. I've never been to an All-Star game, nor a World Series game, both of which I hope to do sometime in my lifetime. We aren't really going on any baseball related vacations this summer, like we have the past 4 years, so I will definitely be using my online subscription to get my fix this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>As far as my predictions go for the upcoming season, here's what I have come up with:</div><div><br /></div><div>NL East- Phillies</div><div>NL Central- Cubs</div><div>NL West- Giants</div><div>NL Wild Card- Marlins</div><div><br /></div><div>AL East- Yankees (of course !!!)</div><div>AL Central- Twins</div><div>AL West- Mariners</div><div>AL Wild Card- Tampa Bay</div><div><br /></div><div>Initially I was leaning towards the Cardinals and Twins winning their respective divisions, but I'm not too sure with the Cards and Twinkies anymore, because of Pujols and Nathan having arm issues. If they miss the season from having surgery, their teams might not do too well, since they are crucial parts of their respective teams' overall success.</div><div><br /></div><div>My friends, please keep in mind that historically, I have not been very successful with making pre-season predictions...so don't go running off to Vegas with them! Speaking of Vegas, while I was there a few weeks ago for my buddy's bachelor party, I made a couple of sports book bets on the AL and NL winners. Since I have never bet on sports in Vegas, I thought that I'd give it a shot for fun. I picked the Mariners and the Giants...we'll see what happens. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last, I am even excited that I will be playing in my usual Fantasy Baseball League- I hope to repeat my success from last year, as Junior's Dynasty looks to actually win it all this year!</div><div><br /></div><div>Regardless of how my predictions turn out, or how my Fantasy Team does, I am happy that baseball season is finally back. As I look onward to the 2010 season, as with every MLB fan, we all have one thing in common...HOPE for our team to win it all this year- as for me... # 28 here we come!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0giJbkY7M5lVOKvkLfW-GmXUpatYmWH5KWCEv9mHu7_yc0HbPCu4s3AYwARsFJkOOhsQ2Q5BL2iB0myMyIJENYVWvQ0IH05b6oVRgeOQttmbfW30fE3Bzv5LrtsDYp-JUdZigdmUxlnA/s400/DSC01846.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447229627605500002" /></div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-27490494219715647252010-02-02T18:09:00.000-08:002010-02-02T18:18:06.830-08:002010 Caribbean Series Starts TODAY!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cE5R5K0ucGpvLFV6RHkCZrTLUEclwO64BPv9LKk8PV9wNP86ikq2JDJHqgrVyCd4886HhiRXXPISeVlwasRoiY1NMLSQbJE1LIEjfbRKp0TClWHOiF2KWkMUwilcjGFdbi4duOPs46M/s1600-h/serie-del-caribe.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cE5R5K0ucGpvLFV6RHkCZrTLUEclwO64BPv9LKk8PV9wNP86ikq2JDJHqgrVyCd4886HhiRXXPISeVlwasRoiY1NMLSQbJE1LIEjfbRKp0TClWHOiF2KWkMUwilcjGFdbi4duOPs46M/s400/serie-del-caribe.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433835239398210914" /></a>Yes, it's finally that time...time for the Serie del Caribe (Caribbean Series). Bring the heat, latino baseball style! I have been a fan of this championship tournament since 2005. I watch it religiously every year on TV, and this year it is being broadcasted once again on the MLB Network in English and also on ESPN Deportes in Spanish. If you've never watched it, give it a chance. The level of play is very exciting and the fans are extremely passionate. The series began in the 1940s and involves the champions from each of the Latin American winter leagues. The teams involved are Mexico, Puerto rico, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. They rotate the location among the four countries every year. This year's contest is taking place in Venezuela. Next year will be in Puerto Rico- I hope to go to next year's tournament, as I have always wanted to go visit Puerto Rico, and mixing beisbol (baseball) while on vacation, would make it perfect. Check it out, I promise that you won't be disappointed !<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-60668366946280067792010-01-30T22:53:00.000-08:002010-01-30T22:57:49.493-08:00Is it baseball season yet???<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nybm4zawfOGlK3LnZDNAPaeSHwISYx1_WBPdTW1orY9wYPQKgRWQrZtOIXgzlsOMgZeBfM3LXpEd_JVVM1vVwbWZnB8E0AubIJg-j3RBz_9HnrpQ5d2qHIwsucSqlIZ-stojRqecnrQ/s1600-h/roger.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nybm4zawfOGlK3LnZDNAPaeSHwISYx1_WBPdTW1orY9wYPQKgRWQrZtOIXgzlsOMgZeBfM3LXpEd_JVVM1vVwbWZnB8E0AubIJg-j3RBz_9HnrpQ5d2qHIwsucSqlIZ-stojRqecnrQ/s400/roger.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432794050063541778" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b>"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring".<br />-Roger Hornsby</b></span></span></span>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-91009614809681806192009-10-22T08:27:00.000-07:002011-01-04T18:30:13.668-08:00My trip to the ALCS game #4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvtkLUpgJGswjocYLfJs-0ovrXOms3wZmGqxnw0yq_vRfy4m64h7OeajKcPwbrrZEI-3qCaYWYIggMQmvelKQ-ctUIEusOj8Fv-8ctNEeeW0Zy2x39ETbTmUNpR48n1yO0L1aCwbGmk8/s1600-h/DSC02034.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvtkLUpgJGswjocYLfJs-0ovrXOms3wZmGqxnw0yq_vRfy4m64h7OeajKcPwbrrZEI-3qCaYWYIggMQmvelKQ-ctUIEusOj8Fv-8ctNEeeW0Zy2x39ETbTmUNpR48n1yO0L1aCwbGmk8/s400/DSC02034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395816480251834210" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-family:Verdana, Geneva, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Big A, a sea of red, rally monkey dolls, thundersticks, a monument to Nick Adenhart, bad umpiring calls, footlong italian sausages, Sabathia's strong 8 innings on 3 days rest, and more. We went to last night's ALCS game and it totally rocked! There were so many NY fans throughout the stadium, cheering on Jeter and the boys. The best was seeing most of the depressed Anaheim fans with their annoying thundersticks leave in the 7th inning when the score was 5-1. No rally monkey sightings at all last night. Tomorrow's game is now just a formality...To quote Ice Cube..."today was a good day."<br /><br />Too bad Torre couldn't pull it off. It's kinda boring with the Phils in the WS again. Plus I was really hoping to go see the Yankees in a WS game at Dodger Stadium, since I've never been to a WS ever...stupid Dodgers!!!</span></span></span>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-15572109338563133692009-10-12T16:22:00.000-07:002009-10-12T16:38:57.731-07:00Don't Follow Me to Vegas...<div style="text-align: left;">Once again, please keep in mind that I have a really bad track record when it comes to making my predictions...so, please don't take my predictions to Vegas, because I know I certainly wouldn't. I just take my most educated guesses. I give that old college try...community college that is!!! But hey, like college football, it's October baseball, anything can happen! Just sit back and enjoy my friends! Happy Columbus Day everyone!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLUXW6QfmNLAyjbTQnjCg7u5yAOPbx_S3d0QKwyu76A71FzDKdMRFPIvP7NCnqS4CMlSnKCJw6R5oogqUrRDheeAfr0kvFO6dn4_TbqEPdEikYxMkbhu15iScb67vtlmjbjDz_SxfNlg/s400/LasVegasSign.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391858463970235698" /></div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-21755801659667033302009-10-07T18:52:00.001-07:002009-10-07T18:58:25.208-07:00Post Season PredictionsHere are my MLB post season predictions:<div><br /></div><div><b>NLDS</b></div><div>Phillies beat the Rockies in 4 games</div><div>Cardinals beat the Dodgers in 5 games</div><div><br /></div><div><b>ALDS</b></div><div>Yankees sweep the Twins</div><div>Angels beat the Red Sox in 4 games</div><div><br /></div><div><b>NLCS</b></div><div>Cardinals beat the Phillies in 6 games</div><div><br /></div><div><b>ALCS</b></div><div>Yankees beat the Angels in 5 games</div><div><br /></div><div><b>WORLD SERIES</b></div><div>Yankees beat the Cardinals in 6 games to capture their 27th World Series Championship</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZA5qWqo0rofIJLxrzY-aHh68kgmGrbu5AMOxvzoL0mAuOdtXoT9WNAvK67NOnePGSFnllR74UkqrFIx6ounUBhCGOb3KOhPnwCzxKhsi09u4EJPxNI_rEC42Wz8CgwTWXFEvUJJXLNA/s400/DSC01819.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390042377403329490" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-4233169785897614742009-09-14T10:55:00.000-07:002014-09-11T21:01:22.748-07:00Cleveland- Jacobs Field Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6bGgOv2EbMYNpwmt04fobEOvySDzDU681DhB4RkVgrLCAn_v9DPsxjvagxSPFfgYupfAH6T5-7DmxRDw9JCJgklFv0iWjfzPF-rPvlhiDlKLbO-Kufl0ugx0VoRydXliPUHx38Sa86w/s1600-h/100_0621.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6bGgOv2EbMYNpwmt04fobEOvySDzDU681DhB4RkVgrLCAn_v9DPsxjvagxSPFfgYupfAH6T5-7DmxRDw9JCJgklFv0iWjfzPF-rPvlhiDlKLbO-Kufl0ugx0VoRydXliPUHx38Sa86w/s400/100_0621.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381385900988343858" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 266px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Jacobs Field</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Year Built: 1994</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Capacity: 43, 515</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Surface: Grass</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Cost to Build:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">$175 million</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Overall Grade: B-</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Return Someday: Yes</span></div>
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Cleveland ROCKS!!! We went to the Jake in 2007, now called Progressive Field. It was one of the best family atmosphere's that we have seen in a ballpark. Jacobs Field was pretty cool to see. The franchise is one of the older teams in MLB and the fans show their constant devotion for this team. I actually have a lot of respect for this franchise and their devoted fans. The fans were friendly, the stadium workers were friendly, and the food options were good. The stadium is kinda bland looking. The seats were comfortable. The national anthem was sung by the Bare Naked Ladies rock group. Heritage Park was neat to see, as the Tribe honored their historical past. You could hear the drum beating in the crowd. It was a great midwest summer afternoon and the Indians won. I recommend checking out the Jake, if you've never been, and bring the kids!</div>
Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-39021041612234721662009-09-14T10:32:00.000-07:002009-09-14T15:32:59.997-07:00Chicago- Wrigley Field Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0qcB00FKNS9iia4SRZ4qPJyIYJ5cllUbn72hL8oprpiT2fPU2roBkL7ei65eBcXDgyqjVfhgriJ5Srv-CwuZ8178L4EYFuZAQB5mHPRDzjSoheugwsxq1L4eIvvlUH1zyBxuuMxoHGI/s1600-h/100_0321.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0qcB00FKNS9iia4SRZ4qPJyIYJ5cllUbn72hL8oprpiT2fPU2roBkL7ei65eBcXDgyqjVfhgriJ5Srv-CwuZ8178L4EYFuZAQB5mHPRDzjSoheugwsxq1L4eIvvlUH1zyBxuuMxoHGI/s400/100_0321.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381382237816633186" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Wrigley Field</span><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Year Built: 1914</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Capacity: 41, 118</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Surface: Grass</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Cost to Build:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">$250,000</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Overall Grade: A+</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Return Someday: Yes</span></div><div><b><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcS2sySXiFr__QyO8WZwZHfUgrFW1pWKNcKsdWkpEUZ-YIDBbSU1rnYpEq79iNExopDqoo2CScmb9HWKTRhGdoDJa60xwvEUJKX_VO3bwyYLUZ2LBYipQGn_Hvxtfh9hd76q2ZRaMQjg/s320/100_0325.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381381962264638962" /></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Go Cubs go...What can I say about Wrigley Field? Being in this ballpark actually brought a grown man to tears. I got really choked up in disbelief that I was actually in Wrigley Field. I am not ashamed of telling my readers that I got teary eyed. This is the 2nd oldest ballpark in the majors and I was actually there staring at the ivy covered outfield walls that I had only seen on WGN throughout my lifetime. Wow, what an experience.</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQvWp5XEsPOd6UKysdyuJMHPA-9IWVssURfXAAtoeqEu18GlUBvYufRixjUgXmR99sq-4OZsng9t1wkYyyz2xEMMY6AP4P_Jt_-lMOh3ECHRYWjaD5eFvDxSMeXVUTTszgESCDVBhdBI/s320/100_0324.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381381492726231954" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Right before we walked into the ballpark, there was a statue of the late great broadcaster Harry Caray. There was a barber shop quartet singing and you could smell the Italian sausage and peppers being grilled up. Wrigleyville is the surrounding area and it is like a party atmosphere everywhere inside the stadium and outside. not to mention the cool rooftop bleachers on the houses across Addison Avenue.</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkBCdfeC8u7iL_9yoceBzG2IDu3zVsDYxBNZd5gN8kTfVJtLlkQH_nzlS7on8GP2cJJZqTwQ-rXmdeCoE31uhX0LWSMIgMyqsUixOZdwcz5Q2ic-bpqNWmV-tEYzRbjOV_cqSO57UnNQ/s320/100_0330.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381381278163266242" /></div><div><br /></div><div>The original wooden seats were really neat to see and pretty comfortable to sit in. The food was good. The stadium staff were very friendly, the ballpark had a nice family atmosphere. In addition, there were a lot of college aged kids just chillin' and looking to hook up with potential dates. This is history. If you've never been...GO!</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZUETa8RfIYU5Frgtf2uaQQePgJMrvWnFMExtsdtMlUg82kOfYS7fZDuco8lYQA5ZuvjXs1CbZ8Iv-X82nU2oysBd6mspvXIx316u4G6hWlaLux43OdvYawHMt27md2hTbHyV_09qF0M/s320/100_0347.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381380664059072194" />Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-20965773303843720112009-09-14T10:16:00.000-07:002010-03-16T20:30:27.965-07:00Chicago- U.S. Cellular Field Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDKvFKHDMfvNvhQ9R0_kXwURJUbFSoJFk5RD-7ilL-uH0tcfgZAqY4wV0J9cNTwWnZVLhnlcvmLEOsvIW0JDyXuGZtTcE6fYxfOTL7NF1ZafmFRZ1QnFHESKVedaLPo-11efYwKH0WQg/s1600-h/100_0226.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDKvFKHDMfvNvhQ9R0_kXwURJUbFSoJFk5RD-7ilL-uH0tcfgZAqY4wV0J9cNTwWnZVLhnlcvmLEOsvIW0JDyXuGZtTcE6fYxfOTL7NF1ZafmFRZ1QnFHESKVedaLPo-11efYwKH0WQg/s400/100_0226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381376977025256018" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">U.S. Cellular Field</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Year Built: 1991</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Capacity: 40, 615</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Surface: Grass</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Cost to Build:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">$267 million</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Overall Grade: C+</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Return Someday: Maybe</span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I went to Chicago in 2007 and visited both MLB ballparks in the windy city. We took the train from our hotel to the southside of shy town to catch a White Sox game. Unfortunately our seats were in the upper level, which restricts you from traveling to see everything that it is in the lower levels. There is a secret to get to the lower levels if you dare. Just tell the ushers that deny you access that you want to go to the Majestic custom t-shirt shop, which is located on the bottom level. This worked, even though we weren't lying, because we got a couple of matching shirts to commemorate our trip, and we got to see the rest of the stadium. The stadium workers were friendly but not overly friendly. The food options were pretty standard. The stadium was pretty generic looking overall. I did like the pinwheels in the outfields that light up when the Sox hit a homer. There are statues of historic players on the main concorse that demonstrates the franchise's rich history. I even took a photo next to the original pudge's statue. Not sure if I would ever return someday, maybe if the Yankees were in town and I happened to be in Chicago. </div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-14990816111174060672009-07-31T08:43:00.000-07:002009-07-31T09:21:24.249-07:00Papi, Manny, A-Rod..who's next?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-iKVynbYkzHC8imzjJtuPq18572BGkArqhHehh6qwwrW1pxhCCN2VYNOFxRI-r31hN36jYTIbmRHiE4PjkJsDmSYDsXThUJtOf_jyyAaPwA4u-cOS_TMtVr64vEXNm4_6um-mW8H6yY/s1600-h/100_0509.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-iKVynbYkzHC8imzjJtuPq18572BGkArqhHehh6qwwrW1pxhCCN2VYNOFxRI-r31hN36jYTIbmRHiE4PjkJsDmSYDsXThUJtOf_jyyAaPwA4u-cOS_TMtVr64vEXNm4_6um-mW8H6yY/s400/100_0509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364656132526392306" /></a>Okay, I know that I haven't written a baseball related posting in a while... but with yesterday's news about Manny and Papi testing positive for steroids in 2003, I had to get this off my chest. WTF!?!? I am so close to walking away from this ridiculous circus of a game completely. Were all of the MLB stars from the last two decades on steroids? Are all of beloved players cheaters? Are all of the Dominican players on the juice? I am so sick of hearing about these players cheating. It's really disgusting to think of the past couple decades and all of the broken records that were treasured by baseball purists. And what's up with the ridiculous stupid fans continuing to cheer for these losers? Manny comes back and gets standing ovations by almost all of the fans, except my buddy Rob, at Chavez Ravine! Aren't these the same idiots that booed and vilified Bonds just a few years ago? So it's okay if he's on your team? Trust me as a Giants fan, I didn't cheer for Bonds. And to Bonds' credit, his name hasn't surfaced from the 2003 list, at least not yet. Even the idiots at Fenway were jumping on their feet cheering for Papi after his double and HR during yesterday's game...come on BoSox fans, you are smarter than that! These are the same morons that held up asterisks signs and booed Barry at Fenway in 2007 when I was there watching my beloved Giants (see the proof above). Even most of the fans of the Bronx Bombers still cheer for A-Roid...come on people, show some respect for the game and it's history. Do something that Papi, A-Rod, Manny, at whoever's next hasn't done...RESPECT the game and it's treasured records!<div><br /></div><div>So even the Curse of the Bambino wasn't strong enough to ward off the great cheaters of 2004 and 2007. What do we do, strip them of their WS titles? Put asterisks on everything achieved since 1989? No, that's not practical, but it is very very sad. I already once walked away from the game in 1994 due to the strike because I was disgusted by the players greed, but this is way worse...talk about greedy disgusting players! I didn't return to watching baseball until 2000, when my wife got me back into it. Who's next? Pujols, Howard, Ichiro, Vlady, Mo? I promise you all this...I will walk away from the game FOREVER if Derek Jeter, MLB's poster boy and fan hero, is ever found to have used steroids. I will keep my words and find a new past time. Maybe soccer or hell kite flying, why not?</div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-73341166160086159362009-07-13T14:20:00.000-07:002009-07-13T15:22:43.464-07:00All-Star Game<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YylD_pAaJT1AGp-SiGsTZ9NYvoNVAb5DLXcW2EKxsMAWDg9e-nxQhwgIBFMYzWKZICRA1WulrhkeskwTnzoKNh0N-czb2lgcRCW6Z8tsKOjLzBpJ7VOXdmwRdaMxfL6jrvzy1lR3eu8/s1600-h/3188994155_b1518b1bbb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YylD_pAaJT1AGp-SiGsTZ9NYvoNVAb5DLXcW2EKxsMAWDg9e-nxQhwgIBFMYzWKZICRA1WulrhkeskwTnzoKNh0N-czb2lgcRCW6Z8tsKOjLzBpJ7VOXdmwRdaMxfL6jrvzy1lR3eu8/s400/3188994155_b1518b1bbb.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358073719721907250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzhnxtnG56KHXMhFNt6QJIU8bdMWRIqwB_n02DA9HFo7ON5LrYYgiiU1pnOdZ-S9Tkapaj-rfl2VcmQCBtAOUniDECE83l0qVJAyDiT6pJgpa6uOXvh6tsMqeCBtwza4yZgnFS44SySc/s1600-h/spaceball.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 1px; height: 1px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzhnxtnG56KHXMhFNt6QJIU8bdMWRIqwB_n02DA9HFo7ON5LrYYgiiU1pnOdZ-S9Tkapaj-rfl2VcmQCBtAOUniDECE83l0qVJAyDiT6pJgpa6uOXvh6tsMqeCBtwza4yZgnFS44SySc/s400/spaceball.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358061515126948274" /></a><br /><div>It's finally here...the 2009 All-Star game in baseball's most beautiful ballpark in St. Louis. I love the homerun derby. My prediction is Adrian Gonzales to win tonight HR derby contest. I have been to new Busch Stadium, and it is the best stadium that I have been to so far...I even like it better than AT&T Park. I will write my stadium review later on when I get to that part of the alphabet. Enjoy the festivities my friends!</div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-64925429259845382082009-07-13T10:39:00.001-07:002009-07-13T11:43:44.787-07:00Atlanta- Turner Field Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yd9gSbPFaiGnvetSn4sZRKIXzS-VAzzS2fd4RME361_RdIrX5XMWCAVvuypqaLsgbXpdS5g257_8QK7sQCgCw7x42QIAVPkPZP3EJVFzd7hFgGqh6HyBiCNQbK5ExLsID74e4053jU4/s1600-h/DSC01268.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yd9gSbPFaiGnvetSn4sZRKIXzS-VAzzS2fd4RME361_RdIrX5XMWCAVvuypqaLsgbXpdS5g257_8QK7sQCgCw7x42QIAVPkPZP3EJVFzd7hFgGqh6HyBiCNQbK5ExLsID74e4053jU4/s400/DSC01268.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358017230661179858" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Turner Field</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Year Built: 1996</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Capacity: 50, 096</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Surface: Grass</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Cost to Build: </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">$209 million</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Overall Grade: A</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Return Someday: Yes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div>I apologize to my faithful readers that I haven't written a posting for quite a while, we spent a week in Atlanta, then went to Costa Rica. We were fortunate to visit Atlanta's famous Turner Field. What an experience! The stadium was originally constructed as the 85, 000 seat Olympic Centennial Stadium for the 1996 Summer Olympic games. Immediately afterwards, it became the new home to the Atlanta Braves after some modifications. The stadium's nickname is "the Ted", affectionately named after Atlanta business tycoon, and former Braves owner, Ted Turner. In the parking lot is the original outfield wall from Fulton County Stadium with te exact marking where Hank Aaron hit his 755th homer. </div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBYOWLopk-Ohyphenhyphen5XbQJPEQl4VjCf9H2vQBTPQed_LlBujP9wuK6jGT627H7TBbu_LScsSzpNKLIQhBWPROAXa0GXlG9sRG-oUMaM9ffxyx7yQIurMttOrXQG-o4Vz27XqUZIjEEk2eaQ8/s200/DSC01269.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358016384333828354" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There were many bronze statues of former Braves greats like Hank Aaron in the front plaza o</div><div>utside the stadium. Once you enter, there is a huge photo of Hammerin' Hank's 755th homerun ball on the side of the stadium wall. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In the entry plaza, there is a Cartoon Network kid's zone with games and activities. The was a talented marching band playing a drumline outside which was really cool to see.</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudp9WiLE53YZDfSq-nBj8GQD6JUuqGH7JgI1D3KV_IBnTovHU1gnZfsl4L4vAwgrgiDfG8fAlfMy3SORq2HocnYr-UxerK7uxti4CVgGIheFF1UwS3uTPrQrkOqpb-SfjUkQeXRUcLx8/s200/DSC01329.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358016788298762434" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Since Atlanta is the home of Coca-Cola, there is a Coca-Cola area in the LF. They have these huge Coke bottle shaped chairs to sit in and Coke bottle cannons that shoots out smoke when a homerun is hit.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEify73thzicUgdJptg87bspxEnvPyOsY2B5QxfHX2fkj99pWCVAZJaDL7np5uwud0mdcyAAkGdIoJgVL5zo-EVhY5DFq7QsOCPWu6mDkwgaIcD8V79ezdNBbwsyOBLzsZl43yXfSGj4eTQ/s200/DSC01273.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358015311635867938" /></div><div><br /></div><div>There is also a huge Coke bottle standing up that is made up of Braves jerseys, bats, and coke bottle plastic caps. The food options were really good. They had a nice restaurant that we dined in before the game. The menu was pretty much usual ballpark fare, but it was a great experience, nonetheless. We both had the pulled BBQ chicken sandwich with fries. The stadium staffwere very friendly...as they d</div><div>emonstrated that famous southern hospitality. This was pretty much universal throughout the city as well. It was a very humid day with the temperature at 94 degrees, which doesn't seem all that bad, but with the humidity, it was pretty brutal. I have never experienced humidity like this before in my life. Before the game, we took a tour of the stadium and the Braves Hall of Fame museum. Both were very interesting and historical. We got a free foam tomahawk to do "the chop." We never did "the chop" because we were actually rooting for the visiting team...luckily for us, the Yankees were in town! The Yankees won by the way. The fans were very friendly, showing their southern charm. The seats were very comfortable. Apparently Coca-Cola isn't the only company based out of Atlanta. Chik-Fila is a hometown favorite and they have a few Chik-Fila concession stands, but even better, they have a 25 foot tall cow standing up holding a sign and a wearing a Braves cap. He does the tomahawk chop with the crowd when they play the chop music. It was really cool seeing that. </div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqB1N_45eS1bEOQ968xK7g9r6C9v5wTPtIdXmu7PmMJpQFejBweDJ0229Fyf72QmyCzyTo4hKvK8M0ggbj2CXo8lOwDHDswodCLYS_QxcFTY-x4fTqUD-CvdQkl45v4-A6oQI9F-KGCd0/s200/DSC01307.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358014527786710706" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We truly enjoyed our Turner Field visit, and would definitely go back if we were ever in the neighborhood. We also toured the World of Coca- Cola, CNN, Centennial Olympic Park, and the sweet Auburn neighborhood where we saw Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth house and his final resting place. If you've never been to Atlanta, Georgia, treat yourselves and make the trip. You won't be disappointed, I promise.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZmNh9OLjQ4kcT0WednIhr6TrT4kSBqamxCE9A7NIbAmXzTZErMmrHoU-yRx29jpG-t17L090ltBZh9Efs-42_BPtEvyhyphenhyphenBiml_Gn9l3XuCfj__gLxGKvaxgEu0_qr9cqKkwRMa9CnpM/s200/DSC01234.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358013323551896994" /><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTIqJKEAE__iUdU7Gu3yYhbX1F8G_GXcR4qsJkrJWs511UDEnPI3kEkshpJBoD-1bhDlK-rJnRnv9dEvfO5XJ2dOcxONRxYRny1pbyWT2xWr9alPyQ7rQ9gQcN-tIPY_f7Y88FQFoEV0/s200/DSC01252.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358012276172433282" /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeKTvl8VCtsCfbf8DI7E9CxYg3v9l6SxIEUY3Vt2C7ebSmYuHN2te6K2j-FkZQ1_Sig3Sq5CcFr1GGgnLWI2s6oR3iq5ZEUfClKeotVcE6bGxPme02cYhyphenhyphenLX8p__mBwYEhldXGeaThJ8/s200/DSC01192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358012283407000626" /><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1CDex65Tppz85PqOeuZOVQH4nuBFQEx1AsPCyuEcbcExhSaBuJyoLGMUL4xVDwbK_GuVLydsuL0Umx7oK9Ffhbd315KRzfOIXhXflqVMYRCyUfH9gDxrt4wH2tYEhk7cCJrrdrwoN-s/s200/DSC01354.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358012270476724642" /></div></div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-92096570891127868952009-05-11T10:00:00.000-07:002009-05-11T11:34:16.345-07:00Boston- Fenway Park Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ2glPM_7c3WwpDUoi4MQTbsCCoybsEs-rgJUZu_VgL0uD3s9L2maYyWOklKA5S8OF70adIbqa5WfNxyu5rH4gEc0bsDHASRSVtMp_osPj5qh_ktzEcxwrxBp2C2qgVcVjLsEL7iHI9Q/s1600-h/100_0479.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ2glPM_7c3WwpDUoi4MQTbsCCoybsEs-rgJUZu_VgL0uD3s9L2maYyWOklKA5S8OF70adIbqa5WfNxyu5rH4gEc0bsDHASRSVtMp_osPj5qh_ktzEcxwrxBp2C2qgVcVjLsEL7iHI9Q/s400/100_0479.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334631137384095490" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Fenway Park</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Year Built: 1912</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Capacity: 37, 400</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Surface: Grass</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Cost to Build: $650, 000</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Overall Grade: A+</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Return Someday: Yes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>We took a baseball bus tour trip in 2007 on Diamond Baseball Tours (www.diamondbaseballtours.com). The tour took us to see games at Wrigley, PNC, New York, Cooperstown, Fenway, and Cleveland. It was totally worth it. We got to see a lot of ballparks on the east coast that we have never been to before. Check out their website for all of their trips available. I recommend this tour group, having had a great time on our trip. </div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9VQmyub6RVWsygaS5dcetympWz7qVAKCCnD_vhi5qZbcttihPSHI9WAvTZ5VMRrvrUpFbMVXwstxw_svALgrgw6-AZGDFb0kmuc0AGop9mFShpifiWs_2FAq_xLB4cWFxg2P5vMJK78/s320/100_0476.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334620571742257874" /></div><div>Anyway, this week's stadium review is Fenway Park, the oldest stadium in the bigs, and my wife's favorite ballpark. Talk about baseball's great history!!! Part of the bus tour included a behind the scenes guided tour of the stadium. We got to go on top of the Green Monster ("Monsta"), touch the Pesky Pole, see all of Fenway's wonders, and sit in Ted Williams seat (the lone red seat in the right field bleachers- section 42, row 37, seat 21, siginifies where the longest measurable home run ever hit inside Fenway's 1934 configuration landed. Ted Williams hit the home run on June 9, 1946 which measured 502 feet. In between the tour and the game we had some time to kill, so we decided to tour the colonial city. We saw Paul Revere's trail, Quincey Market, Boston Common (the U.S.'s oldest public park), and of course the area surrounding Fenway. When we returned to Fenway for the game, the streets around the ballpark had been shut down and there were musicians, food and merchandise vendors, and people partying it up. It was like a Red Sox mardi gras. This was going on even stronger after the game. The surrounding bars and restaurants were pumping on Yawkey Way. </div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2HxboGeXtlmSUIjJmBuzdaKlNcW5Cd3Ut7KVfNVKMvxJa4F4Df08WMuf46-eBlXdE7XA6cfHWgZ4V4x8dm3iXXgZYNaXhmOnPALZOsgHILpGbA4uKXrxOra3awO7ee4p7TkA2ERGzMM/s320/100_0477.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334630119800019682" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I was in for a real treat because my SF Giants were in town for some interleague action. Barry Zito was on the mound and ready to take on Big Papi and Manny. <br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzimiTxxETaL0V7jF9A1nkSCDPnTaYA6_qqof-DmFyuF38nlIqZhpWNvz520NVwuC6dFC9UWlT53G9za_clDlBWgTx5O4hURVAlO1UfahMqBXAtp1y0_ikzEqKAWbcUGCHSyA6cP03N4/s320/100_0504.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334621390143931602" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As you can see we took some great photos at this game. I even have my Ted Williams with the orphan statue picture as my blog header. The food was good, the stadium staff were very friendly, and the Boston fans were actually pretty cool. I expected a bunch of obnoxious and rowdy fans, but it wasn't the case at all. It was hispanic heritage night and the Red Sox honored a couple of hispanic high school kids with college scholarships. We had decent seats in RF. The hot dog vendors in the stands actually carry the hot dog wieners in a separate hot box container from the buns and use tongs to remove the hot dog wiener and place them into the square bread-slice like bun. I have never seen the vendors assemble the hot dog for you in the stands before. The other Barry, Bonds...Barry Bonds, was taking his typical visiting stadium fans abuse with boos and chants. The Boston fans even were holding up asterisk signs up...pretty clever. I have never seen that at Dodger stadium before. It's probably safe to assume that the Boston fans are much more intelligent than those in LA. Anyway, there was a silent auction at the concord level which had Red Sox memorabilia to benefit the Jimmy Fund. In the 8th inning, as tradition holds it, the stadium played "Sweet Caroline" and the entire stadium sang along, just like in Fever Pitch. My wife even got a game used ball tossed to her from the Giants pitching staff from the bullpen. Unfortunately, the Giants lost 10-2, partly due to Pedroia having a 5 hit game with 5 RBIs. Hands down, Fenway has the best atmosphere of any ballpark that I have been to. If there is one ballpark out there that you haven't been to, go to Fenway, you surely won't be disappointed. I hope that the Red Sox never get a new stadium. It would be a real shame to lose this one, like we just lost the House That Ruth Built. We can't wait to go back again someday!!!</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBF8Cka0rJYTid0F3j964iyZcaS6tbXim3GHqlBBPm0TXdod5t6UdeSlJJVvLtY5d800Seymsf9vmRKQMsHhzgC3TB1EjWMZ7I3eHuKj4bnopqrVzY9ULRUtuw83sjBtdi-R8MTiMhfk/s400/100_0509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334629149621308690" />Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560995143439785294.post-46948767741945492312009-05-04T11:43:00.000-07:002009-05-14T17:11:57.610-07:00Anaheim- Angel Stadium Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDqBgE1sDTlxV8OlHT_XH2TZ6g_JsJJTxwdbFy_bECNmHEOvansRbXy3BUrX0xHa0Y-o0q8tA0tF_PBdzpfrc_W3DE0OyEoTppI2bhS7trAnuccP0v0RXh8f_s10kVXkNJ0Befw6FvO4/s1600-h/astadium2_9l7r.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDqBgE1sDTlxV8OlHT_XH2TZ6g_JsJJTxwdbFy_bECNmHEOvansRbXy3BUrX0xHa0Y-o0q8tA0tF_PBdzpfrc_W3DE0OyEoTppI2bhS7trAnuccP0v0RXh8f_s10kVXkNJ0Befw6FvO4/s320/astadium2_9l7r.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332049086592210274" /></a>Having been to 15 of 30 current MLB stadiums and a handful of MiLB, college, and spring training ballparks, I have decided to begin a series of review postings on the MLB stadiums that I have been to in my lifetime. My grading criteria includes: staff friendliness, food options, seat comfort, overall ambience, stadium appearance, and fan attitudes.I will begin with the Anaheim Angels and move on alphabetically according to geographical location. I will be going to Atlanta in June and the two new NY stadiums in September, so I will review those ballparks then.<div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">ANGEL STADIUM</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Year Built: 1966</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Capacity: 45, 050</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Surface: Grass</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Cost to Build: $24 million/ $118 million renovations </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Overall Grade: A-</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Return Someday: Yes</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>I have been going to Angel Stadium since I was a kid and it was a multi-purpose stadium when the LA Rams were still in town. I've seen the Angels go from the California Angels to the Disney Anaheim Angels, to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. But nonetheless, I have always enjoyed going to the stadium. It has a very special place in my heart, because my parents used to take me and my brother to games here. The renovations that Disney did in 1997-1999 really made the Big A look great! I used to like the Angels as a team until they beat my beloved Giants in the 2002 World Series game 7. What a huge heartbreak loss that was for me. Anyway back to the stadium review.... great food varieties: Carl's Jr, Panda Express, typical ball park fare, roasted corn on the cob, mexican food, a Ruby's, and a Hooter's. YUMMY!!! The seats are very comfortable, the employees are very friendly and accommodating, it is a great family environment, the best in LA. Family fun is in the kids zone, and in the Nestle Family seating area, where there isn't any beer sold. They have a splash mountain looking rocky area in center field, where fireworks shoot out of after an Angels homer. Other notable landmarks are the two gigantic Angels hats in front of the stadium's main entrance and of course the iconic Big A in the parking lot. They have their 2002 WS Trophy proudly on display in the glass case by the stadium store. I hate walking by the store having that heartbreaking reminder. Even the nose bleed seats are nice...unlike their cross-town rivals. I would and am returning this season in July to see a game when the Yankees are in town. This stadium is right off the 5 freeway and it is very easy to get in and out of. For some reason, I always have a hard time finding my car after the games, but that's just me forgetting where I parked, not the stadium's fault. One time we walked the entire parking lot around the stadium after a game trying to find the car. Expect a good looking fan base, especially since it is the OC. The fans a mildly tempered. Don't be afraid to cheer for your visiting team while wearing your team's gear here.family environment, so bring the kids and enjoy the rally monkey's antics! </div></div>Junior75http://www.blogger.com/profile/08534438735929625650noreply@blogger.com0