Game 2: August 30, 2013 Angels at Brewers

I must admit, it was a struggle getting to Miller Park, but well worth. It started with getting up at 3:30 AM to make a 6 AM flight to Chicago. Then I spent way too much time catching a few winks in my hotel before heading over to the rental car place. The line at Dollar was ridiculously long and it took forever to get a car.

And then there were massive thunderstorms, which made traffic look like Los Angeles.

Eventually, I got to Miller Park, arriving in the first inning.

I was fortunate enough to be able to buy Loge seats, which gets you to the Club Level food.

Don't those desserts look delicious?

My seat was a little high, but it provided a good view of the stadium. Miller Park does have that warehouse feel you get from domed stadiums, but overall I liked it. The people were seated around me were cool. At the ballpark, everyone is your friend.

I could go on and on about Jared Weaver beating up on the Brewers or the Angels blowing the game open, but what you really want to see is the sausage race.

Game Previews From the Trip

My trip starts tomorrow, so I'll do a preview:

Friday, August 30 - Los Angeles Angels at Milwaukee Brewers
This is a game that doesn't figure to draw many people, as both teams will struggle to win 75 games. The Angels have been playing better lately but they are just finishing a disappointing season. Jered Weaver faces Wily Peralta, two pitchers who typify what went wrong for both teams. Weaver isn't having a bad season, but after three consecutive top 5 Cy Young finishes, his ERA+ of 109 hasn't been good enough when you consider Joe Blanton and Tommy Hanson have been terrible. For the Brewers to contend, Peralta, a top 100 prospect, was going to have to post an ERA like the 2.48 he had last year in a cameo appearance. His WAR (wins above replacement) is -1.4, meaning you can find someone who can do better on a minor league roster. There may be some rain, but Miller Park has a retractable roof. I'm good.

Saturday, August 31 - Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago Cubs
Another game that has no playoff implications. It does mark new Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg's return to Chicago, for the team he had a Hall of Fame career. Chris Rusin faces Cliff Lee. Rusin has been impressive since he was added to the rotation and Lee is having a Cliff Lee season. So those are bright spots for both teams. The weather figures to be warm, but no rain.

Sunday, September 1 - Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers
Finally a battle of contenders. The Indians chances of winning this division don't hinge on this series, but they certainly could be greatly helped or hurt. Former Cy Young winner Justin Verlander faces Indian phenom Danny Salazar. That's a reflection of the two teams. The first place Tigers have the established star and the Indians are relying on an up and comer. There's a chance of thunderstorms. I'm packing an umbrella, but it'd suck to have the game rained out.

Monday, September 2 - Baltimore Orioles at Cleveland Indians
If the Indians don't win the division they'll be trying for the Wild Card. So are the Orioles. So both teams need this. Indians ace Justin Masterson goes up against Bud Norris. The Indians were 9-4 in their last 13 before dropping two this week to Atlanta, while the Orioles have been treading water. There's also a chance of rain for this game. Yuck.

Tuesday, September 3 - St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds
The Cardinals recently recaptured first place and the Reds want it. Both teams figure to make the playoffs regardless, but if you can avoid that Wild Card game, you want to do it. Joe Kelly goes up against Mat Latos in another premium match-up. It figures to be cooler but there's no chance of rain.

Game 1: August 25, 2013 Red Sox at Dodgers

I've already been to 11 stadiums, including Dodger Stadium, but if I attend a stadium for the first time subsequent to starting this blog, I'll give a new review. It'll be a challenge to hit the remaining 19 stadiums, without having to repeat the 11 I've been to. I don't know when, or if, I'll complete this challenge. It's relatively easy to hit several in the Midwest at once. Besides the two New York stadiums, the rest of the stadiums are at least 250 miles from one another. I may be able to knock a couple out driving, but not many.

I went to Dodger stadium last night, mostly because my cousin is a big Red Sox fan and I wanted to do something nice for him. So I bought two tickets in the bleachers. Less than 90 minutes before game time, and less than 15 before we planned on leaving, he texted me he wouldn't make it. Seriously? We were going for him. His excuse was lame.

I took a new way to get to the stadium, getting off the 10 Freeway and going through Downtown LA, thus avoiding the 110 parking lot freeway. It was a great move for a Sunday. So I got there a little early and parking was a breeze.

Then I was faced with the question, beer or no beer. Here was the selection:

Not only was the selection lame, but they were charging $12.50 for a beer. Nope. No beer. I went to my seat, where I sat in front of these people.

There were a bunch of Red Sox fans, who were all very nice, and who had a good time. In fact, the fans were very nice to each other, regardless of the team they rooted for. There weren't any boorish drunks and there were only a couple of fans making off color comments about Jacoby Ellsbury's wife. I'm not sure that's boorish, although Ellsbury wasn't rattled. He made a great diving catch. In fact, the Red Sox weren't rattled at all, hitting three home runs that went to left field, if not near me. They won 8-1.

Food selection in the Left Field pavilion concessions was very limited, but I saw someone with french fries, a major weakness of mine. They weren't for sale at the concession stand, but I was told I could go to a different level. Just see one of the Dodger concierges. I did, but she was giving a "pass" to someone looking for a veggie burger and told me that she couldn't let me go to the Field level. Could I come back in 20 minutes? Twenty minutes? It was the 7th inning. By the time I got my food and got back to my seat, we're talking 35-40 minutes. The game could be over. Disappointed, I bought a beef dog, one of about three choices for someone who doesn't eat pork.

Yeah. It was about as tasty as it looked.

Overall, the view was good, the fans were nice, and the game was a good one. I even made it out of the parking quickly for once. I enjoy Dodger stadium. I just don't plan on enjoying the food or beer.

Stadium Review: AT&T Park

I was up in San Francisco a few years ago and the place was a mad house. I'm sure there were no more fans than there are in many other parks, but there was a great energy coming from these fans. I sat in the bleachers and had a good view of the game. I can't give a great review of the food, but I remember I enjoyed it. The ballpark is in China Basin and you can walk there. That's a big plus in my book. My big problem was that I wanted to go to 21st Amendment Brewery after the game and the place was overrun with people. I couldn't get in. Fortunately, after another 10 minute walk I made it to Thirsty Bear and all was good in the world.

Where I'm Sitting

I'll let you know where I'm sitting at each game, so if you want to join me, you can. I've added a new game onto my journey, as detailed below.

Sunday, August 25 - Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers, Section 313PL, Row D
My cousin is a big Red Sox fan. So I thought I'd take him as a late birthday gift. We're seated in the Left Field Pavilion. I've been going to Dodger games for years, but have never sat out there. I wonder if this'll be the best way to watch Yasiel Puig miss the cut off man?

Friday, August 30 - Los Angeles Angels at Milwaukee Brewers, Section 331, Row 3
I'm on my own for this one, so please come by and say hello. It's almost directly behind home plate in a "Club Infield Box." I doubt that means much, because a lot of their seats are called boxes.

Saturday, August 31 - Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago Cubs, Bleachers
I'm on my own again and this time I'll be in the bleachers. Yes, the famous bleachers! I've never actually sat in them, but I'm really looking forward to it. I assume that's open seating. Any tips on sitting in them? Will I get killed if I wear a Phillies cap? Did I mention it's Anthony Rizzo Bobblehead Day? Excitement!

Sunday, September 1 - Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers, Upper Box Infield 332, Row 4
The Tigers are doing their best to make this a non-race and the Indians recent mediocre play hasn't helped. I'm being joined by my friend from Philly Brendan, who has never been to Comerica either. The seats are a little high but on the third base line, which I like. I have my 1980s Thomas Magnum Detroit Tigers cap in a closet somewhere. I may wear it. Be warned.

Monday, September 2 - Baltimore Orioles at Cleveland Indians, Infield Lower Box 254, Row E
Brendan will also be going to this one too and hopefully both teams will still be alive for a Wild Card, as they're both on the outside looking in right now. The seats are much lower than Comerica and it looks like they're right in front of the suites. It's 1973-78 Primary Logo T-Shirt Giveaway. I don't know what that means, but I'm sure I'll want it.

Tuesday, September 3 - St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds
My friends from Cincinnati, Mike and Janet, will be taking me to this game. They're getting the tickets from some super secret inside source, so I don't know where they'll be.

Saturday, September 7 - Colorado Rockies at San Diego Padres, Field Box 117, Row 30
I gave blood last month in Los Angeles and one thing that entitles me to is discount San Diego Padre tickets. Yeah, that makes sense. Just what people in LA want. But I wanted the tickets. So I bought what they were offering and ended up down the right field line. My philosophy on tickets is that I don't care how high the ticket is as long as I'm between the bases. Tickets down the line like this usually don't face the mound. So you have to twist all game to watch the action. Maybe because the Padres are out of it, we can move closer. I'm planning on taking my friend Bill. Where do you park?

So there you have it. Seven games. Seven ballparks. Thirteen teams. Join me. Give me advice on parking or concessions or whatever.

Stadium Review: Nationals Park

I went to games at Nationals Park twice in the last five years, one a day game, and one at night. The stadium was a delight. First, the location is terrific. It's an easy Metro ride from most anywhere in DC or Virginia, but I probably could've walked from my hotel the first time I went. I've heard parking is limited but when public transit is this good, who needs a car?

When I went, tickets were easy to come by, although I think they were much tougher in 2012 when the team was good. We sat down close to the field on the first base line both times and site lines were great. Home plate is usually in the southwest corner of the stadium so that the sun won't get in the players' eyes for afternoon ames. I think it's in the northeast corner here, probably to give fans the best view. Great for the fans. Tough for the players.

The stadium features Dogfish Head and Flying Dog Breweries, both of which make very good beer.

The crowds were decent but the fans didn't get as excited as they do in other cities. Maybe it's because they hadn't yet had a winning season.

Stadium Review: U.S. Cellular Field, Coors Field, and Oriole Park

I've got to admit that I went to U.S. Cellular Field about 20 years ago, Coors Field about 18 years ago, and Oriole Park about 16 or 17 years ago. I don't remember a ton about any of them. I sat in the upper deck and I was pretty far from the field and it was dizzying. My understanding is that they've renovated since then. Coors was a lot of fun because we sat in the lower deck close to the field and it was intimate. I do remember that the stadium was located in the Lower Downtown neighborhood and it was fun to leave the ballpark and be in the middle of some good nightlife. Oriole Park definitely felt intimate and their incorporation of the warehouse into the stadium was clever and innovative, something others have copied.