tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11538654902282697682024-03-21T18:38:31.268-04:00 Baseball DreaminThis blog is about a dream, the pursuit of a dream, and the execution of a dream. Please feel free to come along for the journey, and more importantly enjoy!BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-19788311623982223252012-06-30T18:15:00.003-04:002012-06-30T18:15:54.770-04:00Incredible time at Kauffman<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Between St. Louis and Kansas City I had an extra day to
kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I contacted my friend, who has a
super hard name so we’ll call him Oaley, and went to go stay the night with
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me and Oaley were in basic training
together and hadn’t seen each other in six years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are both civilians now yet we took very
different paths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out of Basic Training
Oaley got stationed in Korea for a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Upon his return to the states he was stationed at a base in Washington
DC where he spent the remained of his career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He married a fellow soldier and has a kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The interesting thing about hanging out with
Oaley was seeing him as a single parent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His wife is still in the Army and has been in Afghanistan for a really
long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Army they give tons of
training so we know how our loved ones will feel while we are gone but this was
the first time I had seen it firsthand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Usually I was the one being missed, not seeing somebody else missing the
person they love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a military
spouse and temporary single parent is incredibly hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how they do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you know somebody who is in the situation
offer to watch the kids for a night, these military spouses need to get away
for a night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oaley got his In-Laws to
watch his daughter for the night and we spent the evening catching up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing that after years of not seeing
each other you can see a friend from a unit you were once apart of and it’s
like you spent no time apart at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hopefully it won’t be another six years before I see Oaley again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The following day I headed to Kansas City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a night game and I got in around noon
so I had some time to kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tweeted
asking people what I should do and they had told me I had to try some real
Kansas City BBQ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had heard about
Kansas City BBQ in passing before but I was unaware that Kansas City was known
for their BBQ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to go with
Gates BBQ because that seemed to be the closest to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found my way to the restaurant and was
greeted with a hearty “May I help you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I responded with “just one moment, this is my first time here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was yelled at several more times asking if
I needed any help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly they yell at
you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The veterans of Gates know what I’m
talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s rather
intimidating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stepped up to the plate
all flustered and asked the lady what I should get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was like whatever you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t much help but I eventually settled
on some pulled pork monster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took it
to my table and ate it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pretty
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t too impressed but I also
have some crazy stomach disorder where I eat less than a four year old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was told through twitter that I should have
gone to Oklahoma Joes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next time I’m in
KC I will try it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any world famous
restaurant that is in a gas station is something you have to try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After I had lunch I decided to go over to the Negro Leagues
Baseball Museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put it my GPS and
started to make my way over there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
passed a building with a big veteran’s memorial so I decided to stop and take a
look at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The memorial was incredible
and it was located at the base of the Veterans of Foreign Wars National
Headquarters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a Veteran I didn’t
know much about the VFW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been there
on a few occasions to have a beer and they also threw us a going away dinner before
each of my deployments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not attend
either of those dinners because I just wanted to spend time with my family the
day before I left not with the guys I would be with for the next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My unit was also adopted by a VFW hall in El
Paso Texas on Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were down
there training up for Afghanistan during my favorite holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was disappointed I couldn’t spend it with
my family but it wasn’t my first time missing it due to the military.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went inside the building and explained to
the security officer at the front desk that I am a veteran who would like to
know more about their services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
given a guest pass and told where to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I went up to that floor and spoke with a gentleman who explained to me
that the VFW was much more than just a place for people to drink or get a fish
dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave me several pamphlets
about their different services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told
him about my idea of an organization that helps veterans returning home chase a
dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said it sounded like a good
idea and sent me down a floor where they deal with little known programs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went down there and they told me about the
different programs they have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one
that sticks out to me is a program that helps out veterans who are struggling
to pay their bills once returning home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I deployed with a unit from Michigan where the unemployment rate is
higher than the national average and many soldiers are struggling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thanked them for everything that they do
and told them I would pass the information to any Soldiers that may need
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you know any Veteran who is
struggling and has returned from deployment in the last 36 months please pass
this link on to them </span><a href="http://www.vfw.org/Assistance/National-Military-Services/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.vfw.org/Assistance/National-Military-Services/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I found my way over to the Negro Baseball Hall Of Fame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The block that it’s located on is really
nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several restaurants and
bars as well as theaters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only is the building the NBHOF but it also
the site of the American Jazz Museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before
I entered the museum I went into the gift shop and looked around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wished I had more disposable income because
they had a bunch of really cool stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While I was in there I met a couple by the name of Ellen and Michael
Glatt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Glatt was wearing a New York
Yankees hat so I asked him if he was in town for the game that evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was and he told me that he was trying to
make it to all of the parks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got
excited and told him about my trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. and
Mrs. Glatt are spending several years making it to all of the major league
parks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will reach all 30 next
summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also discovered that Mr. Glatt
was in Vietnam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had just become a
lawyer when he was drafted into the Army.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He did not want to be a JAG officer so he enlisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been a lawyer in NYC since his return
from Vietnam and a season ticket holder to the Yankees since 1996.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we wrapped up our conversation I made
my way into the museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is such an
amazing museum and I learned a ton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is a museum where you have to read a lot and there’s not as much memorabilia as
you would expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way around
and it seemed to take forever because I was so into the history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coolest part of the museum for me was at
the end they have a field with Negro hall of famer statues in the positions
that they played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was impressed by
this museum and it’s a must see if you’re a baseball fan in Kansas City.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I arrived at Kauffman stadium and parked for $10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got there early and had no problem parking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t have many expectations for Kauffman
Stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kansas City hasn’t had a good
team in what seems to be forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
aunt lived in Kansas City for a few years and I didn’t remember her saying too
much about Kauffman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked in and
walked around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love when parks have
play areas for little kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kauffman has
to be the second best kid area behind Comerica Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m biased and I just love that if I take my
little sister and niece to Comerica they can ride a baseball Ferris wheel or
are tiger merry go round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Kauffman
they have putt putt, a child sized field, and several other fun things for a
kid to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park itself is
beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fountains in the outfield
are a wonderful touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I made my way to the seat I had purchased before the season
had started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I contacted the Royals
before my journey and they offered me a free ticket to any game as long as they
weren’t playing the Yankees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at
my schedule and of course they were playing the Yankees that evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paid $30 for my ticket and it was on the
third base line mid left field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not bad
seats for the price at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was
sitting in my seat looking around I noticed that there were a lot of people in
the outfield attending to a Yankees Player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a player was taken off the field on a gator I checked my twitter and
learned that it was Mariano Rivera who apparently had torn a legiament in his
knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would not be good for the
Yankees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They Yankees luck would stay
that way the entire night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the seats
started to fill up I realized that almost all of the fans were Yankees
fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only people in my section that
were Royals fans were the two married couples sitting directly behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout the game I chatted with them and
they were very friendly people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
even offered to buy me a beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned
it down because I always feel awkward when somebody offers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you ever see me at a game just buy me a
beer, don’t ask!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crowd that day
seemed to be a younger crowd then I’ve seen in most parks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of 20 something’s out to enjoy the
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the sixth inning everybody
stands arm in arm and sings I’ve got friends in low places which I thought was
pretty cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> inning I started to walk around and
explore the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started talking to
an usher and told him about my journey and asked if he would be able to get me
an actual ticket from somebody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took
a while but this usher was determined to help me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent a lot of time talking to him and he
told me that he used to be a high school baseball coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Him and his other coach buddies would take a
few weeks out of every summer and try to get to parks as they marched towards
every park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked about my favorite
experience and I told him it was with the Cleveland Indians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that his best experience at a park
was also with the Cleveland Indians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
of the gentlemen he traveled with was suffering of cancer and they wanted him
to get to as many parks as he could before he passed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t doing well when he was in Cleveland
and they were nearly carrying him through the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple ushers saw this and decided to help
them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They grabbed a wheel chair and
were able to upgrade their seats closer to the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only that the ushers contacted people in
the front office and told them about this man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Cleveland Indians staff brought him a grab bag full of Indians gear
and it really made the trip for everybody in the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> inning it was apparent that the Royals
were going to win the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was early
may and the royals had not one a home game yet that season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Royals fans in attendance were
electric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I snuck my way down to the
patio area in front of the fountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
the Royals recorded the final out the fountains went off and I had an awesome
view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had an amazing time at Kauffman Stadium and I tweeted the
Royals to let them know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They liked what
I had to say and retweeted me which I always love!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was in the parking lot I got a tweet
from a friend in Boston who told me that Reggie the blind guy was also in
attendance to the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reggie is a
blind guy who made a journey to all 30 ballparks in 30 days this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had heard his story and wanted to meet him
but didn’t realize he would be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
would not be the last opportunity for me to meet him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you would like to check out his amazing
journey you can check out his facebook page here: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/BlindBaseballTraveler30ParksIn30Days"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">https://www.facebook.com/#!/BlindBaseballTraveler30ParksIn30Days</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My next stop along the way was Houston.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was going to be a very long drive but I
was getting used to the long hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It’s Baseball Season!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-20524523118070080512012-06-17T12:53:00.003-04:002012-06-19T23:53:02.541-04:00Busch Stadium<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was really excited leading to my game in St. Louis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Cards sent me a ticket voucher just
before I left on my trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t
expecting anything from them seeing as they never responded to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I had to do was get online and pick my
seats and my game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did just that and
chose to have the tickets waiting for me at will call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leading up to the game I started talking to
several St. Louis bloggers via twitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They asked me where my seats were and I told them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dennis blogger for pitchershiteigth.com
contacted the cardinals and was able to get us some better tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be watching the game with him and his
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that I had four tickets and
only one person going with me I had a pair of tickets to give away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I stayed at the Millennium hotel that evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found it using my hotels.com app on my
phone and only paid $60.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great
hotel with views of the Arch as well as Busch Stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I checked in I told the guy at the front
desk about my trip and asked him if I could get a room overlooking Busch
Stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he could upgrade my
room if I signed up for their rewards program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I gladly filled out the paperwork and he put me on the 23<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>
floor with an amazing view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went up
and got settled in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to go over
to Busch Stadium and see if I could get my tickets so I could find somebody to
give them to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I made my way through
the lobby I noticed a US ARMY Staff Sergeant in uniform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him I had two extra tickets to the
game that evening and asked him if he would like to go to the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked the two gentleman he was with if
they would like to go to the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
said yes and we exchanged information so I could get the tickets to them once I
got them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I walked around the perimeter of Busch and found my way to
will call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no problem getting my
tickets and took the opportunity to take pictures of the statues outside of the
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love how you can see the Arch
from the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way back to the
hotel and gave the tickets to the two young men that I had spoken with
earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a short chat I learned
that they were both about to enlist into the Army.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had asked me a few questions about the
Army and I was glad to fill them in on my experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Early on in the trip I was looking for somebody to show me
around in each park and I had arranged to meet Breanna in St. Louis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a huge Cards fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took a college course on the history of
baseball and seemed incredibly knowledgeable on baseball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met her just before the game and we grabbed
a drink just outside of the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
our drinks we went in and I met with Dennis and his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They got us excellent seats in the
outfield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was literally feet away from
the outfielders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dennis and his family
are big supporters of the military and were happy to help me out along my
journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me about different
promotions that the Cards do and what it’s like to write for
pitchershiteight.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like a
great site to write for and they seem like they have a lot of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a few innings I went and explored the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me and Breanna walked around and she told me
the ins and outs of Busch Stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
the upper levels there are some amazing views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The park has plenty of food options and the corridors are large and
incredibly clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat in an empty
section in the top deck and repeatedly had Breanna tell me how awesome she
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made our way back down to Dennis
and watched the remainder of the game there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We joked around and had a great time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dennis had me laughing the entire time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had an excellent time in St. Louis and Dennis had gotten me in contact
with some bloggers he knew in Kansas City for my next stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It's Baseball Season!!</span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-58455328820616207222012-05-25T04:19:00.002-04:002012-05-25T04:19:20.513-04:00www.ballparkchasers.comIt was about a year ago when I found ballparkchasers.com. I was sitting in Afghanistan and I had decided that I wanted to not just talk about a dream but be able to come home to the United States and fullfill one. I did a simple google search and found this community. It has simply been the most important connection of my entire trip. Tonight was the most fullfilling experience I've had thus far. <br />
<br />
I attended a game at Safeco Field in Seattle. Through this website I met Ken Lee. He is one of the co-authors of "the fastest 30" I have stayed with him the last few nights while in Seattle and he has showed me a great time. At the game this evening I got to hang out with Ken, Douglas "Chuck" Booth, Craig Landgren, and Doug Miller.<br />
<br />
When I found this site I contacted Craig and asked for advice. He is the creator of this site and I figured he would have some good words of wisdom. He guided me in the right direction by telling me I needed to contact Chuck who was the expert of all experts. I did just that and have become good friends with Chuck who has fed me an invaluable amount of information. After talking to Chuck I also got to know his good friend Ken Lee who was with him for many games on his record breaking tour this year. Ken invited me to stay with him and has also become a good friend. Through ballparkchasers.com I also had several conversations with Doug Miller. He was trying to get a job with the Mariners and gave me great advice on how to make my own website. <br />
<br />
For us to all be at the game tonight was so sureal to me. I consider all of these guys to be legends in the chaser community. I would like to thank them all for being part of the most amazing time of my life. I would like to thank Chuck and Doug for their advice. I would also like to thank Ken and his wife Yo for allowing me to stay with them and showing me a great time. My final thank you is for Craig. If I never found his site I never would of met all these amazing people. I could not have come as far as I have without him paving the way and a simple thank you is just not enough.<br />
<br />
It is an honor to be part of the <a href="http://www.ballparkchasers.com/">www.ballparkchasers.com</a> community and wether you're just a casual fan of baseball, trying to chase all 30, or like us crazy fans seeing all 30 in a short period of time, you have to admire what this site can allow you to accomplish.<br />
<br />
I have neglected this site since the start of my own journey. Once I have wrapped up the trip I will be here alot more. If you ever want tips I will be happy to give them to you and I know the guys I have mentioned will too. <br />
<br />
Happy Chasing<br />
<br />
Keep On Smilin- It's Baseball Season!!BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-49957014787163023622012-05-21T14:54:00.000-04:002012-05-21T14:54:17.383-04:00Turner Field<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I dropped my cousin Mike off in West Palm Beach and decided
to drive through the night to Atlanta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike
gave me some energy drink and said it would keep me going all night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me to only drink half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me being the genius that I am drank the
entire thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was feeling great until
I crossed the border to Georgia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of
a sudden I felt like I was going to throw up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I fought it off and kept driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The problem was is I was crashing hard from that drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was about an hour outside of Atlanta when I
just couldn’t go on any further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
stopped off at a rest area and took a quick one hour nap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had booked a room at the Extended Stay and
tried to check in as soon as I got there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was so tired and only wanted to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The lady at the front desk informed me that check in wasn’t until 3pm
and I would have to wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I waited until
noon and went back and they got me into a room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I crashed out until it was time for the game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had always heard that Atlanta traffic was terrible but I
had no trouble making my way to Turner Field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My stomach was still upset and I wasn’t really up for the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I got there I tried to get my tickets at
will call but didn’t have any luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
got a hold of Matt Lynch from the Braves and he brought me down my
tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He escorted me inside of the
park and over to Billy who would give me a tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turner Field was built for the Olympics so it
was pretty cool seeing the ins and outs of this park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Billy took me below the field level and I got
to see the Players parking lot, Upper Management Parking lot, the Keg Room,
Where they store the field dirt, and I even got to step out onto the
outfield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coolest part about the
tour was seeing where Hank Aaron parks his car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He wasn’t there that day but it was awesome for me to see the parking
spot with his name on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the players
parking lot there were all varieties of nice cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was even a Prius.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked Billy who the owner was and he said
it was either somebody who just got called up or somebody that had to buy one
as a prank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Braves gave me excellent seats on the second level just
behind home plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt Lynch had
upgraded my original seats and gave me access to the Delta Sky Lounge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went up there to eat after the 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>
inning and got a table overlooking the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was an incredible way to watch the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you can imagine the prices for food were
pretty high and I got some super nachos on steroids that I ate about half
of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really liked Turner field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The people were friendly and very welcoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wish I had felt better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as the game ended I made no haste in
getting back to my hotel so I could get some rest before heading to visit a
friend in Alabama the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It’s Baseball Season!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-4626043778664207762012-05-13T13:45:00.000-04:002012-05-13T13:45:34.606-04:00Miami<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I picked up my cousin Mike at his house in West Palm
Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was really excited about seeing
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike used to live in an apartment
with me and my other cousin Christian but up and decided to move about a month
before I started my own journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the
next two hours or so we caught up and found out what was new in each other’s
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had heard about the terrible parking situation around the
park so I looked at getting a parking pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wasn’t worth the price so I made my way near the park and found a
parking lot a few blocks away for only $5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The neighborhood wasn’t great but, is there any ballparks in a great
neighborhood?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to the park and
checked things out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first thing I
noticed was the giant letters that just happened to be on the ground
outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure exactly what they
spelled out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had just assumed it
spelled out Miami Marlins but now as I sit here and think about it I don’t know
where an O would fit into those words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They had a few vendors set up around the park, info on a new Chevy, you
could even get free tickets for giving blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would actually love to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Before I deployed overseas I would give blood every 8 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now my blood is compromised and they don’t
want my blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I went to will call and tried to pick up my tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t have them for me so I got on my
phone and started double checking all of my information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked the email that I had received from
the Marlins and everything seemed to be in order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called the number of <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Juan Leonel Gárciga who was my contact with
the Marlins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he had the tickets
in his pocket and was holding them so he could meet me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met him at a gate and he gave me my
tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked about my trip,
favorite parks, and this amazing dream that I am going after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Juan went back to work and me and my cousin
headed towards the gates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both had to
go to the bathroom and there was nothing on the outside of the park, no restaurants
or bars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We got inside and made our way up to the 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>
level which was the seating level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
first thing I noticed was of course the lime green monster in the
outfield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not a monster in the
sense of the wall outfield wall in Fenway but because of the color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at it for several minutes and came
to the conclusion that I liked the lime green color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just seems to fit Miami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were watching batting practice when they
were testing out the t-shirt gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It went
off and two shirts fell in the very first rows of the stands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike ran down there and just as he was about
to grab one some other guy snuck in there like a ninja and got the shirt
first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike was upset by this but I was
amused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way down to the visitors’
dugout area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Marlins were taking on
the DBacks that night and I was standing 20 feet away from Allen Trammel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For you Tigers fans out there you can
understand how cool this was for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
grew up watching Allen Trammel and Kirk Gibson playing infield for the
Tigers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were an amazing team and
now they are an amazing coaching team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
tried to get both of their attention so I could get their picture with Doc but
it didn’t work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After batting practice was over me and Mike decided to check
out the rest of this new park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked
like it was going to rain so the roof was closed which was a little disappointing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a side note every park that I’ve been to
during rain has been an indoor park which has worked out perfectly for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We checked out the bobble head museum which I
thought was pretty awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coolest
ones I saw were Ernie Harwell and a Justin Verlander one that had a strike
counter on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made our way to the
very top seats just to see what it looked like from the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed that the top seats seemed really
far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was incredibly steep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like if you stumbled at all you would
fall all the way down and go over the barriers onto the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that never happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it does I really hope it’s not me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t imagine a worse way to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me and Mike watched the game and it really seemed like a
slow paced game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went out to smoke,
on special occasions I like to enjoy a cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hanging out with my cousin in Miami seemed like the perfect time to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were standing outside on the
patio a few shady looking gentleman walked out and were happy to see that I was
smoking a very heavy smelling cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They lit up a joint and were smoking weed in the open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t see that happen in too many
places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started walking around again
when we saw Miami’s Billy the Marlin Mascot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was in the seating area and people were swarming him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little kids were flocking to him trying to
get pictures and he was trying to run away from them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He jumped over a few seats and ran out into
the corridor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wanted our picture with
him so we chased him down and forced him into a picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I talked to an usher in the top of the 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and he
led me to some pretty good seats behind the visitors’ dugout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met some really cool people who were
excited to hear about my trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked
to them for a while and before I knew it the game was over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Marlins opened the roof a little bit
which allowed a nice breeze to come in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we were exiting the park we noticed a long line of people trying to
get into the Clevelander which is a club inside Marlins Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the outside of the park you can see in
and we saw something you would only see in a baseball stadium in Miami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were several girls standing on top of
the bar wearing nothing but body paint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It seemed like a fun time but I had to get Mike back to West Palm Beach
so I could make my way to Atlanta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got back and dropped Mike off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave me some crazy energy drinks and we
said goodbye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so great to see my
cousin and to see how great he is doing in Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am really close with all of my cousins and
cherish the time we get to spend together now that we are older.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an amazing two days in Florida hanging
out with my family and I’m so glad that during this trip I had the opportunity
to spend a few days with the people that I love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It’s Baseball Season!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-25242506220990813432012-05-12T13:58:00.002-04:002012-05-13T01:50:45.624-04:00Family Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi042A9VhixrYziIDUfphrwqCgeYheg96ebr4A4xo57afcwSO-J0dRDXIOl8UGCQhLWyUvQvTmIW4UHn3wd1HNvANlemg_kpRDkwE_vTU1BgLDeZL9TelqRLE248-i7CiLrU1WfSsnhySA/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi042A9VhixrYziIDUfphrwqCgeYheg96ebr4A4xo57afcwSO-J0dRDXIOl8UGCQhLWyUvQvTmIW4UHn3wd1HNvANlemg_kpRDkwE_vTU1BgLDeZL9TelqRLE248-i7CiLrU1WfSsnhySA/s320/IMG_1691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It just so happened that I was going to be in Orlando area
the same time as my parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
traveling the country and my parents were going to Disney World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never been to Disney World before so I
was a tiny bit excited for that but I was more excited to see my sister
(Monster) and my niece (Blondie).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before
I left for Afghanistan Monster was six years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to watch her one night when my parents
went out and we watched a Disney movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As the castle logo popped up before the movie Monster says to me “I’ve
been there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I said “I know, punk!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mom and Dad never took me there when I was little.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You can come with us this summer”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m sorry sweetheart; I have to go to Afghanistan”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After this she proceeded to ask me why I wanted to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She followed that up with making fun of me because
she got to go on vacation and I got to go Afghanistan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Damn little kids!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I called my parents and told them I was on my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That day they were hanging out at Hollywood
Studios.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I parked, made my way to the
gate and went to purchase a ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
know Disney is very military friendly so I asked for the military discount and
the gentleman informed me that the military rate was $146 4 day park
hopper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t going to be around that
long so I just asked for a normal ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>$90 for a one day pass to Hollywood Studios.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I informed the man that I would only be in
there for maybe 3 hours and asked if he could get me in for a cheaper
rate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could not so I paid the money
and went to go spend time with my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVm-UI2ZQ7OpNMs9uT4V4tO0AWFrF6NV9jv_Xk1RoVRsb3s_OA9YmxYr0punmxgiSDnVHaYLAC-W3ixm7v479XGz6f2yPV3WMo9OZhb-ob3kZ5tfFcubQrMNLv4Ug7tDuvyjjqXDAzh1c/s1600/IMG_1694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVm-UI2ZQ7OpNMs9uT4V4tO0AWFrF6NV9jv_Xk1RoVRsb3s_OA9YmxYr0punmxgiSDnVHaYLAC-W3ixm7v479XGz6f2yPV3WMo9OZhb-ob3kZ5tfFcubQrMNLv4Ug7tDuvyjjqXDAzh1c/s320/IMG_1694.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The girls were excited to see me and I was excited to see
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They told me all about my vacation
and I told them all about mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monster,
my dad, and myself all rode the Aerosmith rollercoaster together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were sitting around waiting for one of
the Disney parades to start I got a phone call for an interview with the Toledo
blade (</span><a href="http://m.toledoblade.com/local/2012/05/09/Dreams-of-fields-come-true-for-Army-veteran.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://m.toledoblade.com/local/2012/05/09/Dreams-of-fields-come-true-for-Army-veteran.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)
I excused myself from the group and answered some questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I came back my parents were gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me a while to find them and when I
did I had to take off to go eat dinner with my Aunt who lives in Orlando.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I left I told my parents that I wanted
a picture of all of us together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
not very often that we have the whole family willing to take a picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked around the area for the picture lady
but she was nowhere to be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I returned
my dad was talking to the table that was eating lunch next to him and I heard
him telling my story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father is not
the type of man that shows a lot of emotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I could hear pride, as he told how we were all in Orlando at the same
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s only one other moment in
my adult life where I remember seeing my father this proud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents had just picked me up from the
airport as I returned home from Iraq for my two weeks of leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had stopped at a gas station and I went in
to grab something to drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dad was
telling everybody who could hear that I was his son and I had just gotten home
from “war”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLMV0ag2ox8YvsoyMMH_T7RffbpyQBvltfpn9vtuHSYhAM2AUNbAuxDeD-CJYtWFd7-UuxWJZU9OmPUKznlUeinQQQOJGQCWMzUDf7bFLAEaAy62DWBmbZk_V9SlnkAD194khJ2qUUR4/s1600/IMG_1697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLMV0ag2ox8YvsoyMMH_T7RffbpyQBvltfpn9vtuHSYhAM2AUNbAuxDeD-CJYtWFd7-UuxWJZU9OmPUKznlUeinQQQOJGQCWMzUDf7bFLAEaAy62DWBmbZk_V9SlnkAD194khJ2qUUR4/s320/IMG_1697.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I said goodbye to the kids and my parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drove over to Universal Studios in Orlando
and met up with my Aunt Cindy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
generally only get to see my aunt twice a year so I was pretty excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She works for Snap On Tools and she has
always lived far away since they have no office in Toledo, Ohio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She showed me around the boardwalk area and
we chose to eat at the Hard Rock Café.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The food was good, but just like any giant food chain that preys on
tourists, it was incredibly overpriced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had a great time with my aunt as we caught up over dinner and was sad to say
goodbye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went back over to where my
parents were staying and hung out by the pool for a little bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The following day I had to go to West Palm Beach and Miami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the people that know me they know that I
am a family man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing more
important to me in this world to me than my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so incredible to see my Sister, Niece,
Mom, Dad, and Aunt while I was in Orlando and I was super excited to spend the
next day watching a Marlins game with my cousin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
Keep On Smilin- It's Baseball Season!!</div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-12854150470512916732012-05-07T17:52:00.002-04:002012-05-07T17:52:47.735-04:00Tropicana<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had a lot of things planned for when I was in the Tampa
area but the drive seemed to be taking forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was something like a 15 hour drive from Baltimore and I was ready to
be off of the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents were at
Disney World so I decided to catch the game a day early so I could spend the
following day with my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to
the park and bought a pretty cheap ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I attempted to walk around the outside of the park but there wasn’t much
to look at. I did notice a large trailer set up with TV’s all over so people
could go over and play MLB 2k12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I later
noticed that they had an entire lounge area inside the park dedicated to MLB
2K12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once I got inside I immediately noticed how clean it
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s one thing that inside parks
have on outdoor parks, they’re always cleaner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They had concession stands all over the place and the lines seemed to be
moving quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked the bottom
level and explored a while when I met Matt Elflein an usher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was pointing people in all directions when
he asked me if I needed any help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told
him no, that I was just exploring the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I told him about my journey and he was really excited for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked for a little while when I told him
about my one idea to help soldiers fulfill their dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He informed me that he used to run a
non-profit organization for paraplegics and may be able to help me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also let me know that he was an inventor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt is in a wheel chair and came up with the
idea to have a table and cup holder that attaches to your wheelchair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took his card and let him know that I may
be in contact someday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My tickets were on the top level and the park wasn’t very
full at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to go all the way
up to the top seat and watch the game from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In front of me there was a large group of
people and you could tell they all knew each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t very hard to figure out that
several of them were military.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing
I’m not a big fan of is people walking around like they’re in the military and
they don’t wear it well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a
young kid wearing a shirt that was a little too small for him and a bit of a
gut hanging out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had his dog tags
hanging out and was also wearing his combat boots with gym shorts and black
socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a good look for anybody let
alone when you are unknowingly representing the military.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided I needed a beer and food so I went
out to the corridor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked around for
a little bit and realized that all the good concessions are downstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess teams don’t put good food up where
the cheap people are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get down to the
bottom level you had to go outside and walk down a winding ramp to the lower
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily it was a pretty nice
night out so I didn’t really mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got some food and some beer and decided to stay on the
lower level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat on the first base
line in the outfield probably ten rows up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The area was pretty empty so I was able to stretch out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the lower corner I couldn’t hear
anything that was being said on the PA system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The game ended quickly and I made my way to the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outside was a street performer named Kevin
who was banging some drum sticks on a couple buckets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a giant crowd around him and he put
on an excellent show even doing an incredible drum roll only using one
stick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once he started asking for money,
like any good crowd, everybody left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That night I had arranged to stay with a stranger that I had
met on </span><a href="http://www.couchsurfing.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.couchsurfing.org</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This website basicly puts people in touch
that like to travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People offer up
couches and guest rooms to people traveling through and they show you
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its an awesome website for
meeting new people and getting to know a new city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a little nervous staying with a
stranger but it ended up being another great experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stayed with a man named Allan who knew
nothing about baseball but knew somebody that did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allan had an amazing house and a guest room
(with a door that locked) for me to stay in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I stayed the night and the next morning he took me to breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that we ventured over to his office
where I got to talk with a former Yankees special pitching coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that I headed over to Orlando to go
hang out with my family at Disney World.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It’s Baseball Season<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-82705860506992285552012-05-07T04:16:00.002-04:002012-05-07T04:16:20.390-04:00Hitchhiker Mike<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ok, So I’m going to jump forward a little bit because I had
such an eventful night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I’m
several games behind in my reviews but you guys have to hear this story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have met me in the last couple weeks
on my trip you know that I want to pick up a hitchhiker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody thinks I am crazy for this but I am
convinced it would be an incredible adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last night I was driving from Houston to Phoenix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided I would go as far as I could and
when I got tired I would stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
weather had a different plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was
getting past the San Antonio City limits a wicked storm hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was raining really heavy and I could barely
see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t want to risk anything so I
decided to call it a night there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw
a sign up ahead for a hotel so I exited the highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was on the off ramp I heard the loudest “boom”
I have ever heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It rattled my entire
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that moment all the electronic sensors
in my rental car went off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently at
that moment I had low tire pressure, needed an oil change, and washer fluid was
low amoungst other things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made it to
the hotel and checked the car and everything seemed to be fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only assume that lighting struck very
close to my car and set everything off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxI5nV4qLQJ_ezS4_kMARt7OPbueGkaPc8F3sUb1siniuOkIjdeMx0J3M8i4z5JR7p6R1utEVD5guyVLzSfoKc3SvXDUIRkUCEOy2Yk3LsgvjSJDTXtgnlDJfvC_gyft687HU2s5aWe8/s1600/IMG_1974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxI5nV4qLQJ_ezS4_kMARt7OPbueGkaPc8F3sUb1siniuOkIjdeMx0J3M8i4z5JR7p6R1utEVD5guyVLzSfoKc3SvXDUIRkUCEOy2Yk3LsgvjSJDTXtgnlDJfvC_gyft687HU2s5aWe8/s320/IMG_1974.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This morning I woke up and started my journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had only made it a few miles down the road
when I saw a hitchhiker standing on the side of the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly changed lanes and pulled the car
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the hitchhiker was coming up to
my car I cleared some room for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
threw a bag in my back seat and hoped in the passenger side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said his name was Mike and I asked him
where he was going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hitchhiker Mike
informed me that he was trying to get to Oregon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let him know that I could take him as far
as Phoenix and he was incredibly grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me and Hitchhiker Mike started to get to know each other
when I noticed that he had a tiny odor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It seemed to be a tiny mix of Urine and Cigarettes combined with a
fruity bubble gum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that he
had been standing out there for a while and the previous night had been allowed
to stay in an RV at an RV dealership next to the highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn’t you just love to purchase that
RV?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hitchhiker Mike had recently quit
his job on an oil rig and was trying to make it back up to the
Washington/Oregon area where his kids live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also found out that he was a Vietnam Vet who had been drafted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wondered if Hitchhiker Mike had teeth back
then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Hitchhiker Mike started to fall asleep in my passenger
seat there was an SUV that kept pulling up next to me, speeding up, passing,
falling back, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I traveled about 100
miles playing leap frog with the woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When Hitchhiker Mike woke up he caught on to the came and let me know he
did not like this random woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
time we were next to each other the woman would not look over at us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hitchhiker Mike even tried to wave several
times with no response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the back of
her vehicle was an advertisement of some sort and a phone number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in a rather adventurous mood with my
new travel companion in the car so I decided to text the number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent a message that read “Are we playing
leap frog? RJ-The guy in the green car and Hitchhiker Mike.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About 20 minutes passed before I received a
response that said “I guess so.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me and this woman started exchanging texts messages and I
let hitchhiker Mike read them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was getting
low on gas so I let the woman on the other line, Danii, know that I had to stop
soon but I would be willing to play this game until Phoenix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She informed me that she was only going to El
Paso but she would be happy to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
got off at the very first gas station I saw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The drive between San Antonio and El Paso is filled with emptiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only had 50 miles until I was out of gas so
I was glad to see a fueling station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
filled up the tank and Hitchhiker Mike smoked a cigarette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was getting back on the highway Danii
informed me that she too stopped to get gas and was getting back on the highway
two miles up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I feel the need to inform you that I have been really,
really good about not speeding since I got my first ticket on the New York
Thruway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just throw it on cruise
control and coast along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Danii was only
two miles away and I was excited to play iSpy with a stranger in another
car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The speed limit on this stretch of
highway is 80 which is the highest I’ve seen on a US highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was drunk with the power of my lead foot
and I hadn’t seen a cop all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
pressed the gas pedal down and as I was getting over top of a hill I saw a cop
directly in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He apparently
saw me and my alleged speed as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
pulled over to the side and I knew that he had my number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I passed him and his lights came on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The officer approached my car and asked me to step out and
come to the rear of the vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
asked me if I knew why he pulled me over and I told him I had a sneaky suspicion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He informed me that at such high rates of
speed if I had a blown tire I could easily roll my vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That makes perfect sense but this man had no
idea how much I love iSpy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked me
who the gentleman in my car was and I responded with “That’s hitchhiker Mike.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer seemed to doubt this and started
asking me questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him about my
journey and how me and hitchhiker Mike came to be best friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked over to the vehicle and asked
Hitchhiker Mike for his ID and how he knew me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cop said he would write my citation and get me on my
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was told to stay behind the
vehicle and that is what I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood
out there for about ten minutes in 100 degree weather getting eaten up by giant
Texas bugs before the cop came back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
informed me that I would be receiving a ticket for allegedly going 99 in an
80mph zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked the officer if
hitchhiker Mike popped up in his system at all and he informed me that we were
both clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me to slow down and
sent me on my way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was relieved to know that hitchhiker Mike wasn’t a
confirmed serial killer and I didn’t have to be any more vigilant than I
normally am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got up the road a little
bit and may have set my cruise control to 85.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I texted Danii and let her know that I just received a ticket and I
would be trying to catch up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
several hundred miles to El Paso so why the heck not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked in my rear view mirror and saw a cop
car quickly approaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yup, the lights
came on and I was getting pulled over for a second time in a very short
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the exact same cop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t believe that this guy was pulling
me over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t a jerk to him,
there’s no reason to pick on me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He got out of his vehicle and approached the passenger side
of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked hitchhiker Mike to
step out of the vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had him
place his hands on his head and proceeded to search him. I couldn’t believe
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why hadn’t the cop arrested
hitchhiker Mike the first time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe he
wanted to catch him off guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
officer came over to the car and informed me that hitchhiker Mike had shown up
in a small fashion in his system and they had to run it through the state to
see if he was still wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told the
officer that either way I wanted him to take hitchhiker Mike because I didn’t want
anybody in the system in my car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
what you’re thinking, most hitchhikers are going to have some sort of record,
but it’s a lot easier to deal with it if you live in denial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer went back to his car and made
hitchhiker Mike stand in the heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
did not like this and you could tell he was very grumpy, and sweaty, and
probably smelling worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another cop car
pulled up and I could not stop smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had never been so happy to get pulled over in my entire life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are the chances I get the adventure I
wanted by picking up a nomad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two
cops got into one car and were hanging out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My car was starting to get really warm and I considered walking back to
hang out with the cops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t want to
startle them by asking if I could get in the back seat so I stayed in
mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cops got out of the car and took a tactical approach to
hitchhiker Mike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They talked to him for
a few minutes and he got back in my car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why the halo is this guy getting back in to my car?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main officer asked me to step out of the
vehicle and walk to the rear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I was
super confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was I going to be
arrested now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cop informed me that
the state level couldn’t find him in the system and they had to let him
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bummer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told the two officers that this was the
greatest story ever and they thought I was funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly the first officer informed the tardy
officer of my story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told the cop to
hold on and I ran back to my car to grab a business card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him I would be writing about it and
that he should read it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also told him
that I was hoping hitchhiker Mike would get arrested so I could be rewarded by
having my ticket go away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer
ran back to his car and grabbed some things for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got two junior trooper stickers (cause I’m
a big boy), his business card, and information on becoming a Texas State
Trooper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boy this guy had sure given me a
lot of stuff today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had previously
planned on becoming a police officer someday, but then I got deployed to two
detainee operations missions overseas which required me to get pepper sprayed
and tazered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After feeling that pain I
will never willingly do it ever again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirLY0IviuaJDix-AjmaaBTtCnTi8vxlup5sUQOuHYmdaLoMRItrndKAUxYEP26pVkdk7Iu-PrXF5k_R76aJs1n_Jo6Mr5iiqacktIT3ReHw_g2ZLB2zUBCzbjj61MMW4wAecbeQ5VWqk/s1600/IMG_1994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirLY0IviuaJDix-AjmaaBTtCnTi8vxlup5sUQOuHYmdaLoMRItrndKAUxYEP26pVkdk7Iu-PrXF5k_R76aJs1n_Jo6Mr5iiqacktIT3ReHw_g2ZLB2zUBCzbjj61MMW4wAecbeQ5VWqk/s320/IMG_1994.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got back in the car and started texting my family and
friends to let them know how amazing my trip was becoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again they all think I have a screw
loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told Danni about my mishap and
had given up on ever playing iSpy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wanted to call and tell my dad, the cop, what happened but didn’t think it
would be good with this crazy mad man sitting next to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think hitchhiker Mike could tell I no
longer wanted him as a guest because he got on his cell phone and called his
brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His brother agreed to come pick
him up from a rest area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I
stopped hitchhiker Mike informed me that the reason we got pulled over a second
time was because he had broken up with his girlfriend and she called the cops
because he had her car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believed that
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got near a rest area and he
told me I could just pull over on the side of the highway and let him out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as the car stopped he thanked me for
my service and told me he was hungry and would be willing to sell me
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached into my change jar
and got a couple dollars in quarters while hitchhiker Mike dug through his
bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave him the money and he tried
to give me some nudie magazines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told
him that he could hang on to the magazines and he went on his way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got on the phone and started telling people about my
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother claimed that I was
insane and that I was switched at birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I thought it was so much fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was about 20 miles from El Paso when I saw a car that I recognized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Danii.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently she was driving slow as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I started texting her again and found out that her number is on her car
because she is a realator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also let
me know that I was the first weirdo to randomly text that number while
driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We chatted back and forth for a
while and I found out that she was from Germany and she moved to the US to
marry a US Army Sergeant Major.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For you nonmilitary
people that’s a pretty high rank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
continued with the small talk until we parted ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wished me luck on my journey and promised
that she would share my journey with her husband.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I drove for several more hours when I found myself on a very
strange highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was running through
several small towns and the speed limit kept jumping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would go from 50 to 65 down to 45 all
within a mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was driving and noticed
it was 55mph so I set my cruise control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I took a look at my GPS to see how much longer I had and when I looked
up I noticed two things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First would be
the cop in an SUV looking for speeders to my left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second thing I noticed was immediately across
from him on my side of the road was a speed limit sign that read 35mph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crap, crap, crapola!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slowed down but carried on down the
road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a vehicle behind me but
I couldn’t tell if it was the cop or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I made it through the town and had reached a point where the speed limit
hit 65.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I set my cruise and saw red and
blue flashing lights behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yup, I
was getting pulled over for the 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> time with in a 12hr time
frame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That has to be some sort of
record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pulled over, rolled down my
windows, and got all my paperwork ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I heard him walking up to the car whistling and had a glimmer of
hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mean people don’t whistle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got to my window and asked me where I was
going and where I was coming from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
informed him of my trip and why I was doing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also felt the need to let him know that this road could be very tricky
for a non-local.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He agreed and said he
would run my information and get me on my way in a jiffy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ran my information and came back to the
car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shook my hand and thanked me for
my service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave him my business card
and told him that he would want to read my blog because I just had the craziest
day ever and he would get a laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
shook my hand again and sent me on my way without a ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dodged a bullet on that one so I decided I
needed to get off the road immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
found myself a hotel and thanked the lord that I couldn’t get pulled over from
the comfort of my room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do not regret picking up hitchhiker Mike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope he finds me on Facebook so we can be
real friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I tell my grandkids
about the amazing adventure I went on when I got home from Afghanistan I will
be sure to tell them about the day I picked up a hitchhiker and got pulled over
three times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every day is an adventure,
why not smile?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It’s Baseball Season!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-21504946046140287952012-05-05T16:49:00.001-04:002012-05-05T16:49:34.248-04:00Social MediaThroughout this journey I have discovered how powerful social media can be. I have a plan to show how powerful it really is. Step one of my plan is going to be to get all 30 MLB teams to follow my twitter account @baseballdreamin. This is a pretty hard task I'm finding out but I will be successful. I already have two MLB teams following me and they are the super fan friendly Cleveland Indians and my favorite team the Detroit Tigers. If you have any connections or know a way for me to accomplish this first task please let me know.<br />
<br />
I wouldn't be able to do as much as I have already if it wasn't for some amazing people. Bloggers really do rely on each other and I want to take this time to thank everybody who has helped me out so far.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.didthetribewinlastnight.com/">www.didthetribewinlastnight.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.stadiumjourney.com/">www.stadiumjourney.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pitchershiteigth.com/">www.pitchershiteigth.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.baseballjourneyman.com/">www.baseballjourneyman.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.garlicfriesandbaseball.wordpress.com/">www.garlicfriesandbaseball.wordpress.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.mlbreports.com/">www.mlbreports.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.30parks-in-1season.com/">www.30parks-in-1season.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
I'm sure I left a few out so hit me up and smack me in the head. I'm in a McDonalds parking lot stealing the internet and its about time for me to go get my Astros Tickets. <br />
<br />
Keep On Smilin- It's Baseball Season!BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-72594224103188972762012-05-05T16:26:00.000-04:002012-05-05T16:26:19.811-04:00Camden Yards<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a few days hanging out with my family in North
Carolina I headed back up north to Baltimore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I arrived into town pretty early so I walked around the park for a bit
and watched the street vendors set up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had purchased my tickets on stub hub but I didn’t have the opportunity to print
them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way to the ticket
office and they printed them out for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I told the guy that I was trying to get an actual ticket from each park
and he gave me what he called a “Dead Ticket.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a season ticket holder’s ticket and I think we can all agree that
those are the best ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I went over to the Baltimore Sports Hall of Fame but didn’t
get the opportunity to check it out because they were hosting a private
event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they ensured me that the gift
shop was still open if I wanted to purchase a souvenir from the museum that I
was unable to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had recently seen
somebody post on </span><a href="http://www.ballparkchasers.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.Ballparkchasers.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
about the Babe Ruth Museum a few blocks away from Camden Yards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to check it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I followed the giant Babe Ruth baseballs that
were painted on the sidewalk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to
the Museum which is the actual birthplace of Babe Ruth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The attendant explained to me that Babe’s
parents actually lived above a bar not too far from there but when it was time
to give birth they came to Babes mothers house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a pretty cool sight to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tons and tons of Babe Ruth Memorabilia along with other great hitters as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was only one room that
seemed “untouched” by renovations and that was the room the Babe was born
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked around that museum thinking
of memories of my own past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
great walk down the great bambino’s memory lane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would recommend any baseball fan that
visits Baltimore go check it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was a bit thirsty and had some time so I found the tiny
little strip of bars outside of Camden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are three bars side by side, Pickles Pub, The Bullpen, and
Sliders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a man advertising a
sign that said “Cheap Ass Beer” and he was correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tallboy cans of beer were only $2.00 which is
pretty amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, they did not
have Bud Light which is my drink of choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tried a local Baltimore brew called National Bohemian Beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pretty good, I could drink it for $2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I went into the park and did my normal routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the things I noticed about the park
was that it appeared that people were smoking everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked a worker about it and he explained to
me that the street between the park and the warehouse is actually a public
street and people are free to smoke wherever they’d like in that section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed that the park was incredibly
clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were plenty of trash cans
and recycle bins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were tons of
concession stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite concession
stand was Pollock Johnnies sausage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have a Pollock uncle named John so this amused me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything was incredibly expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was literally freezing out that night so I
went to go buy a hoodie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t care
what team it had on it, I just needed to be warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first one I saw was $120, I don’t need to
be warm that much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After looking I didn’t
see any prices that I was willing to pay and decided to be cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way to the top deck like I usually
do when it’s a small crowd and I noticed that there were already giant groups
of people leaving and it was only the 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> inning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the later innings I made my way behind home plate and
talked with a few people there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent
most of that time talking to a Police officer who was originally from
Philadelphia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave me the history of
the awesome looking clock tower, the warehouse, and told me about the museum of
dentistry that they have in Baltimore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a really interesting conversation and this man knew a lot about a
lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was freezing so I decided to
leave the park at the end of the 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> inning and make my way to Tampa
Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">See Pictures <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.314919315245433.67393.286634988073866&type=3">Here</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Keep On Smilin- It's Baseball Season!BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-3159534024292052922012-05-01T02:32:00.003-04:002012-05-01T02:32:29.716-04:00NYC Citi Field<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coming from DC I was relieved to be in NYC traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crazy isn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the traffic in DC is so much more
unbearable, on highways, than NYC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hate all the looping highways of Washington DC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was on my way to pick up my friend Melissa from La Guardia
airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made it there just as she
made her way to the curb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me and Melissa
have known each other forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She will
even try to claim that I body slammed her as a little kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This did not happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We became really good friends when I was
deployed to Iraq.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my downtime I was
always online talking to people at home and Melissa was always in an airport or
hanging out in a hotel when she worked for Circuit City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is the one who gave me the idea for this
blog so I was pretty excited that she was coming to experience the Mets game
with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We made our way to the hotel which was right next to the
airport and tried to figure out what we were going to do next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were both down for just about anything but
I really wanted to go see the 9-11 memorial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had been to the World Trade Center once before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I visited just before I left for
Afghanistan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was there before
they were building the memorial so I visited St. Paul’s Chapel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so overwhelmed when I looked
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not the type of person who
likes to show too much emotion but my eyes were filled with tears on that
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melissa got tickets to see the
memorial on-line and we picked them up a few blocks away from the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being at the site of the World Trade Center
is emotional for any American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept
saying to Melissa that what happened here is the moment my life changed and I
didn’t even know it on that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it
wasn’t for the events that say I never would of joined the military and I
wouldn’t be writing this blog right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Me and Melissa talked about how it has impacted our lives and where we
were when it happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t realize
it until then but we were in the same class when we got the news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were in Mr. Kerry’s American Government
class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were in a new wing of our high
school when the principal came over the PA system and told us what was going
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somebody wheeled in a tv and we
watched the events of that day unfold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After we left the 9-11 Memorial we went to time square and
tried to get tickets for The Lion King on Broadway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tickets were $200 a piece and we both
decided that that was too much money too spend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wish I had that extra capitol because I’ve always wanted to see that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lion King was one of my favorite movies
as a little kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we left time
square we went over to Central Park and walked around for a little bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had both been in NYC several times before
but never been into Central Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
didn’t venture too far in but we did take the opportunity to take some pictures
on the giant boulders where you can see some of the skyscrapers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked a few blocks from Central Park and
found McGee’s pub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McGee’s pub is the
bar McLaren’s in the TV show How I Met Your Mother is based off of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me and Melissa are huge fans of the show and
were excited to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike McLaren’s,
McGee’s Pub is two stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McGee’s
isn’t too much like McLaren’s but you can see resemblances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bar on the 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> floor is
EXACTLY like the one in the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are also pictures of the HIMYM crew all over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had a beer at McGee’s and decided to head back to the hotel to get
some rest for the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made our
way back to the subway station near Central Park when we saw a group of street
performers dancing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched the show for
about 20 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they started
asking the crowd for money everybody started to leave and we followed
suit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to walk a few blocks
back to Times Square and we sat in the bleachers and people watched for a
little bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day we decided to grab a taxi and head into
Manhattan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went up to the Empire
State Building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been there once
before but Melissa hadn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last time I
was up there it was night and limited visibility so I didn’t get to see
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NYC just seems to go forever and
ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent a long time looking at
NYC from all sides of the Empire State building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that we decided to head back to the
hotel and get ready for the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Mets requested that I wear a button down shirt and some dress pants so I needed
that stuff ironed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m really bad at
ironing so I had Melissa do it for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the readers that know me and Melissa I
got her to iron my clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
that’s the highlight of our friendship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The New York Mets gave me four tickets to the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had invited a couple people but most
couldn’t make it out to New York.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
decided to invite Tom Grazisoe who I had met through </span><a href="http://www.baseball-fever.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.baseball-fever.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him that I had two tickets for him and
he could bring an extra person. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got
down to Citi Field and met up with Jared George.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave me my tickets and left two for Tom
and his daughter Tina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brought us
into the Delta Sky Club where we would be able to eat as much as we wanted and
drink all the pop we could handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
still had to pay for alcohol which I didn’t mind a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After showing us the Delta Sky Club he took
us to our seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t even begin to
describe to you how amazing our seats were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> base side I was literally feet from the batters
circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like I could reach out
and touch every single one of the players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were also granted access to the field while Batting Practice was
going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I was standing there I
look over and I see Tommy Lasorda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tommy
friggin Lasorda, people!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did a few
interviews and went over to talk to some people he knew while everybody tried
to get a picture with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood out
on the field for a little bit and went back to where my seat was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The usher who stands there and opens the
entrance to the field asked me if I got a picture with Mr. Lasorda and I told
him I didn’t want to bother him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told
me that he had to walk back out that way and I had to get a picture with
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Mr. Lasorda made his way off the
field I jumped up and asked him if I could get a picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kindly obliged but seemed to have some
negative words about people who expected it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I believe his words were “Of course, see this nice young man knows how
to ask.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unbelievable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I decided to attempt to walk around the park and check it
out before it got too busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a
fellow ballpark chaser there by the name of Paul Sanders so I went and chatted
with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did the usual talking about
my trip and discussing what we thought of other ballparks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul’s family had been season ticket holders
forever but when they moved over to Citi Field his family didn’t like the price
and the view so they got out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul still
attends tons of Mets games a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
talked to him for a little while longer but had to get going so I could meet up
with Tom and Tina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me and Melissa went down and had some food in the Delta Sky
Lounge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came out and there were two
people in our seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t recognize
them and the usher asked if I knew them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I said I did not and he was ready to toss them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when it occurred to me that it must be
Tom and Tina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went over and introduced myself and they
were so happy to be in the seats that we had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were both Yankees fans but couldn’t pass up the opportunity to
watch a game from such amazing seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What was awesome about Tom and Tina is they’re not just Yankees fans,
they’re baseball fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was taking park of the Mets “Welcome Home Veteran’s”
program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That meant they gave me these
wicked awesome seats and at the end of the third inning I was going to be featured
on the jumbo tron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a tad bit
nervous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With two outs left my leg
started shaking and I had a huge knot in the pit of my stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the third out of the inning a camera
crew was right on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They featured a
little video with pictures that I had submitted when requesting to be part of
the “Welcome Home Veterans” program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the
end of the video I stood up and waved at the camera and the crowd went
wild.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my head I was just trying not
to look like a fool in front of thousands of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They instructed me to turn around and wave to
the crowd and they got even louder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was such an amazing surreal moment and I was terrified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was less scared when my chopper landed in
Iraq for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned and
waved at the camera for a few more seconds and they turned it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whew the hard part was over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had Melissa take a video of it on my phone
but I was too nervous to watch it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later
when I watched it I felt so awkward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
unreal seeing yourself on the jumbo tron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know that feeling when you see yourself in a picture and you think
you look weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine seeing that on a
giant TV in front of thousands of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We watched the rest of the game with Tina and Tom talking
about anything and everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Towards
the later innings I kept thinking I did not want this experience to end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily for me the game went into extra
innings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately it didn’t last
long as the Mets lost a heartbreaker in the 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> inning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jared came back over and we talked for a
bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked us out to the corridor where
I met up with Paul Sanders again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
went in and checked out the museum and called it a night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One regret I have about my experience in Citi Field is that
I didn’t walk around more and get a real feel for the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was too caught up in my amazing seats to go
explore anyplace else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to make it
back someday so I can give a true review of the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to thank Jared George and the
rest of the Mets organization for making such a truly special experience for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I left NYC the following day and headed down to North
Carolina to visit some family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed
to catch up on some writing and I was excited to see my Aunt, Uncle, and
cousin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It’s Baseball Season!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-1811592919907796622012-04-25T00:17:00.002-04:002012-04-25T00:17:52.700-04:00DC/Nationals<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next stop on my trip was Washington DC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been to DC a few times before but I had never actually seen anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last time I visited I went and spent time with my friend who was injured in Iraq and was held up at Walter Reed Medical Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a veteran it is very important for me to give back to the veteran community as much as I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided since I was in the area I would stop by Walter Reed once again and see if any soldiers needed somebody to hang out with for a little bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I entered Walter Reed into my GPS and made my way to the front gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I got there the people at the security checkpoint informed me that Walter Reed was no longer a functioning facility and there was a new facility for our wounded warriors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gave me the address and I headed over there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way onto the base after receiving directions from a Navy security officer who was working the gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loaded my book bag with stuff I’ve collected from different ballparks; programs, magnet schedules, books, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was in Iraq and Afghanistan I liked to decorate my personal areas with things from my favorite sports teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured these soldiers could get better use of this stuff than I could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way to the hospital building and asked an Army Specialist if there was any way I could hang out with some soldiers who were kind of lonely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked at me like I was from Neptune and told me to hold on while she asked her supervisors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She came back and told me that I would have to talk to somebody in the Red Cross office and gave me the number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dialed the number and asked the lady on the phone if it would be possible to visit some soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She explained to me that this was a time for soldiers to deal with their new situations and get reacquainted with their families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me I could come to her office and discuss it further if I would like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chose that option hoping I could have a better chance if I were there in person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way to her office and was greeted with the same response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked for a while and she told me that the Army just doesn’t allow random visits anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found out that this woman was in Iraq and Afghanistan at the same times that I was and she recently helped the closing of a Red Cross office in Baghdad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me that my best chance of interacting with our wounded heroes was at their dining facility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gave me directions to their dining hall but they weren’t the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were directions that locals would understand but a new person could get confused easily. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must of made a wrong turn and found myself heading outside of the base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than go through the hassle of going back onto base and trying to find my way around I gave up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way through the awful DC traffic and found my hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Nationals game didn’t start until 7:05 so I had some time to kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The number one priority on my tourist to do list was seeing Arlington National Cemetery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have driven by and seen it from a distance before but I wanted to pay my respect to true American Heroes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I went into the welcome center I noticed all the pictures of ceremonies at Arlington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As was taking pictures I received a call from a friend I was in Afghanistan with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him where I was and he told me he always wanted to see it but thought it would be too emotional for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For somebody who truly understands the sacrifice of the men and women who are laid to rest here it can be a bit overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started walking towards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a big monument where JFK is buried but I had no interest in seeing that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes he’s one of our most captivating American Presidents but to me Arlington is about the soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to the Tomb of The Unknown Soldiers as they were just completing the changing of the guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The changing of the guard is a ceremony that takes place every 30 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tomb is guarded 24/7 no matter what the weather is like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soldiers who guard it and the most disciplined respectable soldiers I have ever seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the most honorable position in the military and my hat go’s off to each and every one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stuck around and watched the full ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was blown away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an amazing experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was lucky enough to be there for a presentation of a wreath ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a simple ceremony where a group of four people give a wreath on behalf of a larger group to honor the unknown soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of this is a trumpet player who plays taps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I hear taps it brings tears to my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put my sun glasses down and watched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For any soldier who has been at a ceremony overseas and witnessed the final roll call, the soldiers cross, and taps being played for a fallen soldier you are changed forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is easy to tell who the veterans are when you are walking through Arlington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With groups of children on tours and other people talking the veterans are silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they walk past the graves they read the names, they wonder how that person lost their life, and they thank them in silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arlington National Cemetery is a very somber place for veterans such as myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next time I am there I hope there’s not many more graves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I didn’t receive any free tickets from the Washington Nationals organization so I hopped on my stubhub app and bought a ticket for $2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting down to the stadium is easy if you can stomach the DC traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I got down there I found a spot to park for $10 a few blocks from the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept hearing that it was in a rough neighborhood but it really didn’t seem too bad to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought a thing of peanuts from a vendor outside for $2 and made my way towards the gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t have an actual ticket or even a printed one so I went over to the Ticket Service window and asked if they could print me one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They guy said it was no problem and printed one for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was standing there I heard a man ask for a printed ticket because he printed his tickets offline and was visiting all 30 parks and wanted a ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked him which park he was on he said it was number 8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got excited and introduced myself to him telling him that I was doing the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee informed me that he was from Detroit in DC on business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is trying to get to all 30 ballparks but not in one summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I got inside the park I instantly enjoyed the vibe of the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the main entrance they had their four president mascots taking pictures with fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a look at the field and wandered around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw a batting cage area so I decided to check it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lady who was working as I walked in informed me that there was different areas for pitching and batting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the walls they had diagrams showing you differnet things like how to throw a curve ball or how to properly swing a bat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started talking to Chris, an employee of the area, and he explained to me all the different diagrams and how the pitching/hitting games worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that this was his second season working there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was incredibly knowledgeable and was a good fit to work in that area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Walking around the park was interesting to people watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were more people in business suits than I’d seen at all other parks combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also noticed that it seemed to be a melting pot for baseball fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed people wearing Tigers, Indians, Yankees, Red Sox gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also noticed a lot of Montreal Expos hats which I thought were pretty cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park was pretty empty so I made my way to the upper levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a park is empty I like to see the view from the very top seat if possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat there for a bit and decided to find my seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was walking down I noticed that the second deck was like a giant party area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When that place is filled later this summer I bet it will be a blast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another cool thing I noticed about the park is there are lounge areas everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are tons of places to sit and enjoy a drink or eat your food at a picnic table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My seat for $2 was pretty amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was on the 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> base line right in foul ball territory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several came over my way but I was unable to snag one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My section was a ton of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was one super fan in front of me who was dressed to the 9’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a fuzzy red hat and scarf with a blinking Michael Jackson glove and he kept getting the crowd pumped up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The section was also getting fired up by the camera man who was assigned to our area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anytime they did something on the jumbotron such as kiss cam or dance cam people in my area got on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mascots kept making their way to our area as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up close I also noticed that they were kind of creepy looking but the children loved them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">During the game the Nationals welcomed home a group of veterans that were give a suite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crowd absolutely erupted for a standing ovation that seemed to last forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It always makes me proud when I see a group of veterans being honored in that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really enjoyed my experience at the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is extremely fan friendly and the people were really nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is defiantly a park I would like to visit for a Saturday afternoon game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It’s Baseball Season!<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-33369078627636368492012-04-23T15:12:00.002-04:002012-04-23T15:12:28.711-04:00The Bronx Bombers<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I left Philly pretty early in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I planned on posting a blog but the Wi-Fi in
the hotel I was in went out and the guy said that they couldn’t get anybody out
to fix it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to head in the
direction of New York but stopped at a place with internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I posted a blog and worked on my next
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After spending some time I got back
on the road and made my way to NYC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had previously talked to Gary Herman of Royalty Tours and he advised me to get
there early and park on the street to avoid paying 30+ dollars for
parking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a spot a few block away
from Yankee Stadium and made the journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tweeted about this and several people informed me that the Bronx was a
bad neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was 2pm and the
game wasn’t until 8pm so I had some time on my hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked over to Yankee stadium and walked
around the outside taking pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
found the Yankees offices and tried to talk my way into getting in early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man told me I could try again later when
more people there but I would probably get shot down because the Yankees were
playing the Angels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I walked back to my car and charged my phone while I talked
to people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody kept staring at me
like I didn’t belong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was really
hoping my car would be safe for the duration of the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After my phone was fully charged I went back
to Yankee Stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went into the Hard
Rock Café and had a beer and looked over the menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing really jumped out at me that I just
had to try so I just decided to drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hung out at the bar for a little bit but then decided to go on the patio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat on the patio for a while just people
watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like any good American I love
people watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was amazed that the
fans were at the park five hours before game time and they flooded the streets
two and a half hours before first pitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After I had a few beers I made my way over to the McDonalds on the
corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured I’d be better off to
get something in my stomach now then pay insane prices inside the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I ate my food I sat in the courtyard and
watched the ticket scalpers try to work their magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very entertaining to watch and see the
chain of command in their little world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I left McDonalds I decided to check out what appeared
to be a small bar called the dugout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
walked in and it was flooded with people, which is expected before game
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t take very long to get my
beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bar tenders were quick and
efficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked towards the back of
the bar and there was another room to the right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A much bigger room with another bar and a lot
more people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They even had a little
concession area that sold ballpark foods for way cheaper than ballpark
prices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad I stepped in there it
was a pretty cool place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I walked into Yankee Stadium and had to see the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Stadium is more of a coliseum or an
arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked an employee the quickest
way to the field and they pointed me in the right direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did my normal ritual and started to explore
Yankee Stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been to Yankee
Stadium once before but it was a rather rushed experience so this time I was
trying to enjoy myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love seeing
the baseball greats at every turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
really loved how they had pictures from decades of baseball around the entire
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My last time in Yankee Stadium I purchased a ticket at the
ticket counter just before the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was on the 500 level and cost me around $90.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was an insane price and made me never want to sit in that area
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time around I got tickets
from stubhub.com for the bleachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
was an excellent decision on my part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The bleachers are where the true Yankee fans sit in my opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were so full of passion and it was truly
contagious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before the game even started they
had to play the National Anthem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it
was playing and I was paying my respects I noticed that two gentleman who were
sitting next to me did not stand up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was offended by this so I said something trying to be respectful as well as not
disrespect the anthem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it was all
said and done and people were sitting down I asked the guy why he didn’t stand
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then explained to me he is a <span style="color: black;">Jehovah's Witness and that it was against their religion to
stand up for the flag but he meant no disrespect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was perfectly fine with that answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that my generation is a generation
of tolerance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been around the world
a time or two and I understand that your beliefs are your beliefs and people
should respect that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also something
I enjoy about this trip, I get to learn things like this regarding different
cultures in American society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked
to him a while longer and found out his name was David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He really didn’t want to offend me so he
explained in detail why he didn’t stand up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know Jehovah’s Witnesses have a reputation for being a little over
bearing but it wasn’t like that at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I gave David my contact information so he could read my blog at the end
of our conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following day
he emailed me a more detailed explanation of his beliefs on this subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought that was amazing and I will share
with you what he wrote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“</span></span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Flagsalute. Jehovah’s
Witnesses believe that bowing down to a flag or saluting it, often in
conjunction with an anthem, is a religious act that ascribes salvation, not to God,
but to the State or to its leaders. (Isaiah 43:11; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 John
5:21) One such leader was King Nebuchadnezzar of ancient Babylon. To impress
the people with his majesty and religious ardor, this powerful monarch erected
a great image and compelled his subjects to bow down to it while music, like an
anthem, was being played. However, three Hebrews—Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego—refused to bow to the image, even on pain of death.—Daniel, chapter 3.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In our age,
“nationalism’s chief symbol of faith and central object of worship is the
flag,” wrote historian Carlton Hayes. “Men bare their heads when the flag
passes by; and in praise of the flag poets write odes and children sing hymns.”
Nationalism, he added, also has its “holy days,” such as the Fourth of July in
the United States, as well as its “saints and heroes” and its “temples,” or
shrines. In a public ceremony in Brazil, the minister general of the army
acknowledged: “The flag is venerated and worshiped . . . just as the Fatherland
is worshiped.” Yes, “the flag, like the cross, is sacred,” <i>The</i> <i>Encyclopedia</i>
<i>Americana</i> once observed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The aforementioned
encyclopedia more recently noted that national anthems “are expressions of
patriotic feeling and often include an invocation for divine guidance and
protection of the people or their rulers.” Jehovah’s servants are not being
unreasonable, therefore, when they view patriotic ceremonies involving the flag
salute and national anthems as religious. In fact, when commenting on the
refusal of children of Jehovah’s Witnesses to give homage to the flag or to
swear the oath of allegiance in U.S. schools, the book <i>The</i> <i>American</i>
<i>Character</i> stated: “That these daily rituals are religious has been at
last affirmed by the Supreme Court in a series of cases.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While not joining in
ceremonies that they view as unscriptural, Jehovah’s people certainly respect
the right of others to do so. They also respect national flags as emblems and
recognize duly constituted governments as “superior authorities” serving as “God’s
minister.” (Romans 13:1-4) Hence, Jehovah’s Witnesses heed the exhortation to
pray “concerning kings and all those who are in high station.” Our motive,
though, is “in order that we may go on leading a calm and quiet life with full
godly devotion and seriousness.”—1 Timothy 2:2.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I said before the bleacher section was a ton of
fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point there was a Boston Red
Sox fan that was getting kind of rowdy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was a confrontation of some sort and the entire bleacher section
erupted on this guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a few
people who took it kind of far by throwing their beers on him but other than
that it was kind of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually
security came by and escorted the fan out as he flipped off the Yankee
fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They ended up escorting out
several more people who were sitting in that general area as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the commotion the Yankees scored
several runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fans were amazing, and
on their feet every time something exciting happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They showed Time Tebow on the giant screen
and everybody booed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a good
laugh out of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New York Sports fans
are intense.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was set to meet Gary and pretty excited about
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a seasoned sports traveler and
has tons of knowledge to pass on to anybody who wants it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He goes to over 400 sporting events a year
and knows the east coast intimately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
talked for a while and he gave me plenty of helpful tips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were talking Douglas “Chuck” Booth came
over to say hi as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chuck is the
world record holder for the fastest 30 ballgames.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had previously seen a game from start to
finish in all 30 MLB ballparks in just 24 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This season he was trying to do it in 20 days but after a few setbacks
he is on pace to do it in just 23 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Either way you look at it, it’s nothing short of amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took our conversation down into the
concourse so we wouldn’t disturb the people around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat there and exchanged stories and travel
tips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave chuck the information for
my contacts with the Cleveland Indians and the awesome people at </span><a href="http://www.didthetribewinlastnight.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.didthetribewinlastnight.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
for his visit to Cleveland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a
while we parted ways but I hope to see those guys again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am trying to collect an actual ticket from each
ballpark and not just one I download from stub hub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was telling this to somebody when Dima
Raskolnikov overheard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked more
about my journey and then offered me his ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He introduced me to his group of
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were nice people and I was
glad to have met them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked around
to get one last look at Yankee Stadium when I stopped on the 100 level to watch
the rest of the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a young
boy who was trying to get pictures and I told him to sneak up into an area
where the ushers were trying to keep people out of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him that he was a kid and nobody was
going to stop him from trying to get a picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His father agreed with me and we started talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him about my trip and an idea that I
had thought of earlier that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
love to start a nonprofit group that helps soldiers returning home from tours
of duty to chase their dreams like I’m doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think it would be an incredible adventure and I love helping soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anybody is reading this and can help
please contact me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man I was talking
to explained to me that he creates TV shows including reality TV and I may have
a wonderful concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We traded business
cards and said that we would be in touch with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I enjoyed my visit to Yankee Stadium this time a lot
more than my previous visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met a lot
of great people which is what I enjoy most about this adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was asked last night on a radio interview
that I did who had the nicest fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off
the top of my head I said Cincinnati but after some thought it was the Yankees
fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.308696125867752.66045.286634988073866&type=3">View Pictures Here</a></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Keep On Smilin- It's Baseball Season!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-90011136273901493592012-04-22T13:45:00.002-04:002012-04-22T13:46:03.514-04:00Phillies<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I left Boston kind of late in the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes about six hours to reach
Philadelphia and by the time I got there I was pretty tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was another one of those times where
getting a hotel really didn’t make much sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I did what any normal person would do, I found a hotel parking lot,
parked in the way back, and took a nap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I woke up pretty early in the morning because I got cold and decided to
start my day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked up local YMCA’s
on my phone and decided to head towards one so I could take a shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I arrived there it was in what appeared
to be a shady neighborhood and there was no parking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to forgo the shower and just wear a
hat all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My next stop was a Starbucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was hoping to get some writing done and
post a new blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starbuck did not have
an internet connection so I just stayed there and did some writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My next step for the day was getting some
food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t be in Philadelphia and
not get a Cheese Steak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way
over to the cheesesteak corner and went with Genos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody I talked to said I should go to
Genos instead of Pats so that’s what I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I liked the feel of this place and it was really busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All over they had signs thanking military and
police.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One sign in particular that made
me laugh said if you can’t speak English get out of the line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ordered a cheesesteak with provolone and
everything on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I go to a
new place and try something I try it just the way it’s intended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pretty good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot different than a Philly Cheesesteak
from Subway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was still kind of tired so I decided to make my way to one
of the parking lots in the arena district and take a nap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a parking lot that cost $10 so I went
in and parked there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a spot that
was un-crowded, tilted my chair back and fell asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I woke up there was full on tailgating
going on all around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were beer
pong tables, hillbilly horse shoes, and corn hole being played everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off in the distance they had a food tent, a
ying-ling beer tent, and a band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat
there for a while and realized I was pretty thirsty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way over to the beer tent and
realized that everybody and bracelet on their wrist showing that they were of
age to drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked over to a table
and asked a lady how I could get one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She informed me that the tailgate was actually
a fundraiser for fallen fire-fighters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She told me I could purchase a bracelet for $95 and that included all
the food and drinks from the tailgate plus a ticket to the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her that I already had a ticket to the
game and I just wanted something to drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just a bracelet to par take in the tailgating was $45.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no way that I was going to be able
to get my money’s worth on that deal so I declined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m all for supporting good causes but that
was a little steep for my blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I walked towards the park and walked around for a little
bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took pictures of the statues and
people watched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On feature I like about
the outside of the park was all the sitting space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are waiting for somebody to meet you
at the game you have plenty of areas to take a load off your feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way into the park and found my
seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was pretty early so there weren’t
very many people in the crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My seats
were four rows up in left center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
a pretty good view and I enjoyed sitting there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The people were interesting and entertaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crowd filled in and I was in a sea of
red, wearing my “cheers” t-shirt I picked up in Boston.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beer guy for that was section was
friendly and seemed to know everybody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One thing I noticed as I watched the game was how quiet the
fans were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a few people who
would yell out something but for the most part it was pretty quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I expressed this to the gentleman next
to me he said it was because they were mad at the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently they’re only loud when their team
is doing well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve heard how crazy
Philadelphia fans are and I was kind of disappointed I couldn’t see it first-hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was in Pittsburg and saw the Phillies
play the Pirates the Phillies fans were louder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> inning stretch came along and I said
goodbye to my new friends from that game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I walked up to the corridor and met Andrew Van Cleve and the Ultimate
Sports Baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The baby isn’t even two
years old yet and he was attending his 60<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Professional Baseball
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was his 135<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
professional sporting event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t
even been to that many sporting events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
couldn’t even tell you how many games I’ve been to in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The baby sat there and played with his hot
wheels and me and Andrew discussed sports traveling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I walked around the park one last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I honestly wasn’t too impressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a nice park, very clean, large
corridors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just wasn’t a park that
stood out amongst any of the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the game I made my way back to the parking lot and hung out while
traffic died down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My next game was
going to be in the Bronx and I was looking forward to it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It's Baseball Season<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-43796458071495687532012-04-20T09:44:00.001-04:002012-04-20T09:44:44.268-04:00New York CityHey everybody. I'm in New York City for a night game this evening at Citi Field to watch the Giants take on the Mets. I will be meeting with Paul Sanders, Tom Garziose, and Gary Herman. I will also be honored as part of the welcome home veterans program. Me and my friend Melissa are exploring NYC until the game. Any recommendations on what we should do? <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1014342684394.2002209.1399869644&type=3#!/media/set/?set=a.310902778980420.66494.286634988073866&type=1">Pictures from New York</a>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-68970192407581757812012-04-18T13:28:00.001-04:002012-04-18T13:28:06.676-04:00Boston 100<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I made my way towards Fenway Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had intended to scout out the area the
night before but I was tired so I went back to my hotel instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured that the traffic would be crazy for
Opening Day 100 so I parked at the very first parking garage I saw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was two miles away from the park so I
figured it would be way cheaper and I would get the opportunity to walk through
Boston a little bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked Siri on my
iPhone and she told me where to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I
was walking I saw a big sign that said Cheers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Several people told me I had to go visit one of the Cheers’ while I was in
Boston so I gladly went in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a huge
fan of that show growing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember
watching it with my parents every time it came on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked in and it kind of almost looked like
the TV show cheers just a lot smaller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently there are two locations, one is the bar that the show was
based odd of and the other is a replica of the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went into the gift shop and got a super
awesome Cheers’ shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only t-shirt
I’ve purchased so far on this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I continued my way towards the park and the excitement
continued to build as I got closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
the millionth time on this trip I just couldn’t believe I was here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The streets were packed with people and
everybody had a smile on their face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had purchased a standing room only ticket a while back and was in no rush to
get to my nonexistent seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to
the outfield bleachers and stood by the wall for a very long time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched all of batting practice and just
stood there looking around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in awe
of this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every great baseball
player in the last 100 years has played on that field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Joe Dimaggio, Cy Young,
Ted Williams, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the things I
noticed standing near the bleachers is that the Green Monster didn’t seem so
big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly I’m not the one out there
trying to hit a ball over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t
help but imagine my grandfather watching games here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagined my great grandfather listening to
games played here on the radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I loved walking through the corridors and seeing all of the
rich Red Sox history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At every turn
there was something awesome to look at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have no shame in being the guy in the ballpark standing in the middle
of a crowded corridor trying to take a picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yea, I’m that guy, stop by and say hi next time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the bottom of this blog there will be a
link to the pictures I took from that game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You have to check them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I found an ok place to stand to watch the first pitch and
National Anthem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching the National Anthem
was pretty awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had an Air Force
unit on the field and they received a standing ovation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flag that they draped over the green
monster was outrageous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing was
absolutely huge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the Star
Spangled Banner there was a fly over of F-16’s by an Air Force National Guard
unit out of Vermont.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently I was
standing in a no standing room only zone so an usher asked me to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was several of us standing there and
some of the men got extremely upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They commented on how the staff at Fenway has taken a turn for the worst
over the last several years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
know if that is accurate or not but the guy just seemed to be doing his
job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I found some seats that nobody was sitting in because they
were directly behind a pole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I had
to do was lean a little to the left and right to attempt to see what was going
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I looked around the park I
noticed that there were a ton of these poles all over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing I dislike most about Fenway Park is
that nearly every view is an obstructed view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s hard to say that they should build a new park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This park is an absolute amazing part of
history and should live in Boston forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But it certainly has its drawbacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I walked around a little while and found the perfect place
to stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was on the first base side
just beyond the beer patio/standing room only section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the top of the 100 level there’s a tiny
walkway, maybe big enough for two people, and it has a little ledge behind
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood on the ledge and could see
most of the ballpark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a fly ball
was hit I couldn’t follow it so I would just watch the field for player
reactions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man who was standing next
to me was a loud Sox fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is one
thing I loved about the Boston fans, they were loud and very passionate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Sox would make a good play this man
would slap my back or shake me a little bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was really into the game and it was really making for an enjoyable
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started exchanging stories
and I found out his name is John and he is a fourth generation Firefighter on
Cape Cod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a nice guy and kept
thanking me for my service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a
while his daughter Sarah came up and her dad introduced us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked to her for a while and she was just
as much a Red Sox fan as her father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once again showing the hospitality of the average American person she
offered me a place to stay if I’m ever in Cape Cod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It still shocks me that people actually do
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a good conversation I parted
ways with Sarah and John and went on to meet Bill Pritchard whom I met on </span><a href="http://www.ballparkchasers.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.ballparkchasers.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I met up with Bill and his friends who were in Boston via
New Jersey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill and his brother are
huge Sox fans and their buddy is a Yankees fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their friend was afraid to wear his Yankees gear so he bought a San Francisco
Giants hat instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess anything is
better than wearing a New York Yankees hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The group gave me tips about Boston and other cities they’ve been
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me and Bill discussed out journeys
to get to all 30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told them I was
going to walk around for a bit and they invited me out for beers after the
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to get to Philly for a game
the next day but I had plenty of time so I met up with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to a pizzeria Uno (which didn’t seem
anything like the pizzeria Uno in Chicago to me) and had a beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a lot of fun hanging out with them and
hopefully our paths will cross again at some point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My next stop on the journey was Philly and I wasn’t sure
what I should expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Philly fans
have a reputation for being rather harsh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.306676386069726.65801.286634988073866&type=3">View Pictures Here</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It’s Baseball Season<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-31520447971831550682012-04-17T11:09:00.001-04:002012-04-17T11:09:41.642-04:00Meeting fun people<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got up the morning after the Toronto game and started
headed towards Boston.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent a message
to a friend from basic training and told him I would be driving through his
area later that evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arranged to
meet up and I was pretty excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hadn’t seen him in six years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was
driving on the New York thruway (turnpike) I got spotted by a New York State
Trooper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was texting and didn’t
realize how fast I was going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked
down at my speedometer and realized that I was going 85 in a 65.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh crap!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hadn’t even passed the officer and he was already pulling out to pull
me over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lights came on and I moved
over to the shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer
approached my passenger side and requested my license and insurance and I gave
him the documents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No small talk, all
business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went back to his vehicle
without giving me a chance to weasel my way out of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I immediately started tweeting and face
booking that I was pulled over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everybody said to use my military status to get out of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a big fan of using that to get out of
trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cop came back and explained
the ticket to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept asking question
trying to get a conversation started but this man wasn’t having any of
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave the officer a card with all
my information on it and told him that he would be included in my blog!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re reading this and would like to take
away the ticket now, I would be ok with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I made it to Catskill, New York where I was meeting my
buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an hour before we were
supposed to meet so I decided to go to their downtown area and get some writing
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was looking for a place with Wi-Fi
so I could post when I was finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
such luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This town was everything you
think of when you think of a small town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was just after 5pm and everything closed at 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked around looking at the store fronts
and noticed that most of them had something supporting the anti-1%
movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t a political blog so
I won’t go into my feelings on that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I met Cory and his wife at a local pizza shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We played catch up talked about our tours overseas
and how life is being out of the Army.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We reminisced on life in basic training, and our evil yet awesome Drill
Sergeant, Drill Sergeant Garcia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
see that man, thank him for his service, and then run as fast as you can in the
opposite direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I stayed that night in Boston and the game wasn’t until the
following day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t sure what to do
with my day when I got an idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
figured I would get to as many states as I could that I had never been to
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that area that consisted of
Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started driving north towards New Hampshire
and once I arrived there I stopped to try to find a post card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first place I stopped didn’t have any
post cards so I kept trying over and over again with no luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually I made my way into Vermont without
finding a postcard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjgA_nh7CJxvoUB-lIVL05jGnySzXDm0BG1MyUEQhHDnHzcoJJcF8xwBvFTAy8S-icMcx6VLYaFbHp5I4S1ogZMVjs9Rlfq0locE-U7itw9m04_MpWedh4JldMuh5ojxwsj1QimK-460/s1600/IMG_1245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjgA_nh7CJxvoUB-lIVL05jGnySzXDm0BG1MyUEQhHDnHzcoJJcF8xwBvFTAy8S-icMcx6VLYaFbHp5I4S1ogZMVjs9Rlfq0locE-U7itw9m04_MpWedh4JldMuh5ojxwsj1QimK-460/s320/IMG_1245.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I arrived in Vermont I decided to take a random road
and see what I come up with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found an
old country store that looked like something strait out of a movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went in and grabbed a Red bull and found
some post cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a New
Hampshire postcard so I was rather excited and expressed this to the lady when
I was checking out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked me what I
was doing in the area and she I explained to her my trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then told me that she was a Tigers
fan!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly told her that I was a
Tigers fan as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told her husband
to come over and we started talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were originally from the Detroit area but ended up moving around a
bit for work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I even told him
about my blog he asked me if I would be writing a book about my journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him that that would be excellent and it’s
something that I may attempt to pursue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
started to tell me stories of baseball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Regarding my trip to Boston he informed me that Fenway Park and Tiger
stadium were opened up the same week the Titanic sank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me about how he saw the first ever
night Cubs game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t have tickets
for the original first night game but because it got rained out he was able to
see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also told me he has an old
friend who has written a few books and I should contact him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After checking Facebook I was given his name
and number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come to find out the writer
is from my home town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Small world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The owners of the store gave me a free bowl
of maple creemee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its vanilla ice cream
mixed with real maple syrup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t
sound like it’d be too great but it was amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re ever in Quechee, Vermont stop by
the Route 4 Country Store and say hello to Tony and Margie Battaglia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After leaving there I was in a great mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drove back to the Boston area and decided
to meet up with my friend Ashley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ashley
is a good friend who was a manager at a movie theater back when I had my first
job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friends and I weren’t exactly
the best employees so it was always an interesting time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the years Ashley and I have become
friends and she always sent me packages when I was overseas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pulled into the Movie Theater and was pleasantly
surprised on how awesome it looked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were bars and restaurants throughout the theater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had them page Ashley and we played the
catch up game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me I had to see
a movie in the “Luxe” area of the theater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a luxury dining experience while watching a movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched American Wedding and ate
steak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great experience and
National Amusements always gets it right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I said goodbye to Ashley and drove to Rhode Island to get another state
off my list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was kind of tired after
all that driving so I returned to my hotel and called it a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day was the Fenway home opener and I
didn’t know what to expect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BaseballDreamin#!/media/set/?set=a.305106612893370.65437.286634988073866&type=3">View Pictures Here</a><br />
<br />
Keep On Smilin-It's Baseball Season!BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-36438566960767891842012-04-16T10:39:00.001-04:002012-04-17T00:59:02.022-04:00Toronto, it was.... fun....<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After I left Cleveland I immediately started driving towards
Toronto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a day for travel so I was
in no rush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to stop in Niagara
Falls for the night and see the falls in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used my hotels.com app and found a cheap
place to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I booked it and went to
check in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I arrived the man at the
front desk informed me that because I ordered the room after midnight I wasn’t
due to check in until the following evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess that makes sense
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paid for a room and decided I
would deal with cancelling with hotels.com the following day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIxo9xPj89bg6-snyhyphenhyphen90KMQ0ZrV5SV7O1twnoiIWCk8XvrRhJ4-nGxfVE2RvL4P6bd3KiYuMxsdITjYeumPYaOZqoapiAWfeCKaHYxp0_0HgXQSWi1urOf6oa_OW3li2Cn_4AJPPjKo/s1600/IMG_1188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIxo9xPj89bg6-snyhyphenhyphen90KMQ0ZrV5SV7O1twnoiIWCk8XvrRhJ4-nGxfVE2RvL4P6bd3KiYuMxsdITjYeumPYaOZqoapiAWfeCKaHYxp0_0HgXQSWi1urOf6oa_OW3li2Cn_4AJPPjKo/s320/IMG_1188.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I woke up and headed over the Canadian side of Niagara
Falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sort of remember being there as
a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the very least I’ve seen
pictures of me being there as a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you know what I realized?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’re not as big as I remembered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I mean yea, they’re still pretty monstrous but I thought they were
bigger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing about the falls
themselves is they’re only good for a few minutes of entertainment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked over to the touristy area of Niagara
and sat down at a Tim Horton’s to attempt to catch up on some of my
writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a while I started to get
hungry so I walked across the courtyard to Boston Pizza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had heard a ton about Boston Pizza before
so I had to try it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the tropical
chicken pizza Stromboli with cactus cut potatoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Stromboli was excellent and the cactus
cut potatoes just meant fresh potato chips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The potatoes were rather spicy but still delicious and I ate them
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked for the bill and handed the
bar tender my debit card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came back
with a hand held machine and told me to enter my pin number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was looking at it, it read declined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh crap, did I forget to tell my bank I was
going to be doing a ton of traveling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rookie mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily I had
some cash on me and paid the bartender after apologizing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called my bank and after a few moments got
everything taken care of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that I was
handeling issues I decided to call hotels.com and cancel my room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a long and very painful conversation I
was informed that there was nothing I could do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The room was booked and whether I stay there or not I was getting
charged for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was planning on
calling the hotel and telling them to just give the room to somebody but my
phone started roaming because I was in Canada.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once I hit the Canadian border my GPS no longer wanted to
give me directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as people
like to joke Canada is a real country with roads and my GPS should be informed
of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least I still had my
iPhone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Siri would never let me down,
she loves me, I’ve asked!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Siri let me
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently my phone doesn’t want
to do anything in Canada except allow text messages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept getting a message that said if I
wanted to enable my phone to do more I would be charged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No thank you, I think I can handle a few
hours without my phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily Toronto
wasn’t that far away so the highway signs pointed me in the right
direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My next issue: Speed Limit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kilometers per hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think they realize how slow driving
not in miles per hour is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The speed
limit on the highway was roughly 50MPH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not familiar with Canadian traffic laws so I decided to obey the
speed limit the best that I could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AS I
approached the city of Toronto I was instantly turned off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like cities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like old buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Toronto was too new, too modern for my blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the building were all glass and there
were a million of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not an
attractive looking city by any means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
either didn’t see a sign for, or they didn’t have a sign for the Rogers
Centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way I saw it from the
highway and went for an exit after I had passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived right at the heart of rush hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traffic was awful and I just really wanted
out of this country already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting to
Rogers Centre was pretty easy and parking was not a problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I didn’t plan on going to the game that night but I wasn’t
comfortable being in a place where I couldn’t use my phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last time that happened to me I was in
Afghanistan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to ticket sales and
bought a $16 ticket for the upper deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It started to rain so I was glad that Rogers Centre had its retractable
roof closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found my gate and went
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get to the 500 deck I had to walk
up a huge ramp that was steep and seemed to take forever to navigate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached my level and walked right in to get
a look at the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked out a
random seat and watched the Boston Red Sox take batting practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was well before game time so I walked
around getting a feel for the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were two unique features that I love about this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have a phone charging station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know in some parks my phone is always
searching for a signal so it seems to die rather quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be awesome if more parks had
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next thing that was so cool to
me was a vending machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this
was no ordinary vending machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead
of candy or pop this machine dispensed baseball cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want one of these in my house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I walked down a ramp to attempt to explore the rest of the
arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to the 200 level and was
told that I needed to turn around and go back up to my level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Blue Jays don’t want people who bought
the cheap seats to have access to other areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tried getting through by explaining my trip but the usher was not
having any of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He informed me once
again that I had a ticket to the 500 level and I could only be on the 500
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After returning to the unworthy
patrons who also buy cheap seats I found a guest services counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked to the gentleman and told him why I
would like to see other areas of the park and he gave me the same answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man did give me a phone number just in
case I would like to schedule a tour of the park at a later date and get to see
the park that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was getting really
frustrated with the way the Jays fans get treated by the organization when I
found another customer services representative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This woman told me that I could see the 100 level to go to the shop or
grab food but they would probably ask me to return to my seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you kidding me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went down to the 100 level and walked
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I stopped walking for the American National Anthem and paid
my respects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did notice that few
people took of their caps or even stopped talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s ok it’s not my country so I can’t
complain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the anthem they sang O’
Canada and I noticed that people were still talking and wearing hats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only time anybody seemed to pay attention
was at the end when people started singing along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked around for a while and stopped
towards the outfield where unruly fans were heckling the players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t really expect that in Toronto but I
guess everybody has their crazy fans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I made my way back to the 500s and decided to get some food
and a beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw signs for Pizza Pizza
and assumed it was an affiliate of Little Caesars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember that being Little Caesars slogan
as a kid so I wanted to see for myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was not Little Caesars pizza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was by far the worst ballpark pizza I’ve ever had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a thin slice of crust and really hard
cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe I just paid for
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next stop beer line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed a beer after this ordeal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beer line was insanely long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were moving at a crazy slow pace and
people were incredibly agitated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
talked to some people in the line and at least they were friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reaching the front of the line I was informed
that their credit card machine was down and I needed to pay in cash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank God they accepted my American cash
because I didn’t want to show the Canadians an angry American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2r0IQT8UQmZ4i8qq-5fUhWe_wjCtFEKtDo30oM8UAmTiKZ5Gz0qf6-70s783phP1VvhPZrkasnpdNfdiMPEnOPzYGqg14hkru4quZIMcE227E_wilm1NKKwQMpyejYIdoIiIIxbDWNfU/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2r0IQT8UQmZ4i8qq-5fUhWe_wjCtFEKtDo30oM8UAmTiKZ5Gz0qf6-70s783phP1VvhPZrkasnpdNfdiMPEnOPzYGqg14hkru4quZIMcE227E_wilm1NKKwQMpyejYIdoIiIIxbDWNfU/s320/IMG_1204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sat down in my seat and started to have some fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crowd was really into the game and the
group around me was really fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two
guys next to me were a couple of pot heads who spent more time looking at the
girls in the crowd then watching the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were pretty funny. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were two gentlemen behind me who really seemed to know their baseball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept overhearing their conversation and
they were clearly intelligent baseball fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I heard them reference a few things in Michigan so I finally asked them
where they were from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are from
Toronto but apparently go on shopping trips to the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve heard of Canadians doing this but I
didn’t realize they came from so far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The game seemed to take forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only time the Red Sox showed any sign of life was in the top of the
9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and I was ready to get back to the states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was so glad to have accidently booked a hotel the night
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only an hour drive back
to Niagara Falls and I didn’t have to look for a place to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way back I was slightly confused on
where to go by I accidently took all the right roads and saw found the United
States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently my Army training paid
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going through customs the agent
started asking me the routine questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Come to find out me and him were deployed to the same place in
Afghanistan at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought
that was pretty cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even cooler, I was
back in the US.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t get me wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have nothing against Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually
wear an I love Canada bracelet on my wrist every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just did not have a good experience on the
way to, from and at a ballpark I did not enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From Niagara my next game was Boston Opening Day for the 100<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
year so I was pretty excited to continue my journey.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.305102909560407.65435.286634988073866&type=3">See pictures here</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It’s baseball season!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-80519529029889742012-04-15T09:57:00.002-04:002012-04-15T09:57:42.900-04:00www.didthetribewinlastnight.comI'm so sorry everybody for taking so long to post this. Busy days combined with bad luck when trying to post this. But it is finally here!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to
Cleveland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had such an amazing time
and met so many fantastic people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope
I don’t leave anybody out but I apologize if I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was contacted several weeks ago by a writer
for </span><a href="http://www.didthetribewinlastnight.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.didthetribewinlastnight.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
Matthew Van Wormer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked if he could
do a story on me and then a follow up story after me game in Cleveland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was more then happy to answer his questions
and the story ran back in March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt
asked me if he could show me around when I’m in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounded like a great plan to me so I was
happy to accept his offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the season
approached Matt seemed to get more and more excited about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he had some special things in store
for me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStr7_AjHDd1-uyHTRQcn6QWp-NjQp-o37aLQVmANkQZp5G-ek4DkGo8AxmSe9uBz9dhO_gRhPcUhq1wQwzzSarP7GCcy5du1sIjxPDOE5oxzFMSligxQ10mBsmfY_Yx3A_1gDeXf9gXw/s1600/IMG_1132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStr7_AjHDd1-uyHTRQcn6QWp-NjQp-o37aLQVmANkQZp5G-ek4DkGo8AxmSe9uBz9dhO_gRhPcUhq1wQwzzSarP7GCcy5du1sIjxPDOE5oxzFMSligxQ10mBsmfY_Yx3A_1gDeXf9gXw/s320/IMG_1132.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The day of the game I was due to meet up with Matt at Melt
Bar and Grill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a few locations
but I met him at the original in Lakewood, Ohio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never met Matt before so we were
standing by the door with our group’s texting each other when we realized we
were standing next to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
waited a few minutes and got our table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My group which consisted of Melissa, Christian, myself, and #andRyan
looked at the massive menu as Matt and Jason, another </span><a href="http://www.didthetribewinlastnight.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.didthetribewinlastnight.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
writer, and his girlfriend gave us recommendations on what to get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got the Parmageddon, a sandwich contraption
consisting of toasted bread, a pirogue, sour kraut, and some cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also tried a great lakes brewing company
beer that was named for the Indians fan that beats his drum at every game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t remember what everybody else got but
we all loved what we ate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we finished
up lunch and were getting ready to leave the owner of Melt came over and
introduced himself to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t what
I was expecting in a restaurant owner but you could see why this restaurant is
successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The atmosphere of Melt is unlike
any restaurant I’ve been to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
employees don’t wear uniforms they just show up in whatever they want it
appeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had a very cool hipster
feel to it and the owner Matt Fish lead the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5MjezywtR1SEdRvJpT-1VoolR1u8FdOTjIzlbt0BMlYkBT1C_ihCK2IaVDDMOXsLrIdftJk5J4QGP6DwVQyYHhym0qJ4GPkIqjj-a04HbrL_vrz9I4M3_A96HF1CD2MFtnO8PR-K9Hk/s1600/ActaAlomar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5MjezywtR1SEdRvJpT-1VoolR1u8FdOTjIzlbt0BMlYkBT1C_ihCK2IaVDDMOXsLrIdftJk5J4QGP6DwVQyYHhym0qJ4GPkIqjj-a04HbrL_vrz9I4M3_A96HF1CD2MFtnO8PR-K9Hk/s320/ActaAlomar.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once we were finished with lunch we headed to the ballpark
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to the park and retrieved
our tickets from will call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way
to our gate we were greeted by Erin Parker an employee of the Cleveland
Indians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She guided us inside the gate
and we made our way to the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Indians were stretching out and getting warmed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was only yards for the Cleveland Indians and
I’m sure I had a giant smile on my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Erin escorted us behind a rope that was placed behind home plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were informed that we were supposed to
stay behind that area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was then
introduced to Anne Keegan who would be my chauffer for the rest of the
evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me and my friends looked around
in awe and took pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt got the
attention of long time Indians broadcaster Tom Hamiliton and had him come over
and talk to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him about my
story and why I was doing what I’m doing and he seemed to enjoy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt got the attention of players Jack
Hannahan and Justin Masterson and they talked to me and took pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also had conversations with Many Acta and
Sandy Alomar Jr.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were standing
there I was also introduced to the Lake Erie Monsters, an ACHL hockey team
located in Cleveland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked with them
and they all seemed like pretty cool guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were being escorted around by Indians employee Danielle Cherry who
kept pulling me in for pictures with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Batting practice was over so we decided to walk over to
Heritage Park which is the Cleveland Indians Hall Of Fame area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been to Progressive Field in January
for a hockey game but Heritage Park wasn’t open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the baseball history in that area was
fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love seeing how much they
give recognition to legendary Indians pitcher Bob Feller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked around taking pictures as Matt
filled me in on Indians history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt is
a great Indians fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can rattle off
any number of fun Indians facts at the drop of a hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really cool getting the insight of
such a strong Indians fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After visiting Heritage Park we walked around the park and
looked in the gift shops and purchased some beers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made our way up to the Social Suite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Cleveland Indians have designated a suite
for people who utilize social media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was a pretty chilly evening so the suite would come in handy when we needed to
warm up a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The suite was nothing
short of spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never been
in a suite before so this was another experience that had me all giddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure you’ve all seen pictures of suites
before but if you ever get the chance you have to sit in one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can make a request through the Indians website
to sit in the suite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you have to do
is use social media to tell about your experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s pretty easy for people of my
generation unless you’re some weirdo who doesn’t use social media (if you’re
reading this it’s probably not you!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were joking around all night because we were all sitting in the Social Sweet tweeting
away, except for Ryan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow my friend
Ryan uses no social media at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
why if you see #andRyan on any of my tweets it’s because we had to include Ryan
in our experiences even if he doesn’t have a twitter handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feel free to use #andRyan in any tweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would be nothing funnier to us then if
that started trending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me and my crew sat on the balcony and watched the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were having a blast joking around hanging
out with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We couldn’t help
but notice how few Indians fans were there that evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a Wednesday evening game in April so
it’s understandable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fans that were
there were loud and dedicated to their team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Indians fell short to the Chicago White Sox that evening but there
fans stayed with them the entire time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During the game I got to meet Mike Brandyberry, a founder of
</span><a href="http://www.didthetribewinlastnight.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.didthetribewinlastnight.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked about my trip, the Cleveland
Indians, and everything in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike
is a high school teacher and baseball coach who runs did the tribe win on the
side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how this man ever
gets any sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the game we said
our goodbyes and I had to be on my way to Toronto.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1keDFUclbw_Dvv6EJ8AbL7-FWd-qKIUJYO5kn4WijnwSTg7YQi8Lp0UcJ0vx05Fn84_Zas0SFBT8h8OWswcPpBfNQLmYVQuNrlf9v1JFNkXEniiL9r0qUoblgylCD3D4PKkWDBlPhDlU/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1keDFUclbw_Dvv6EJ8AbL7-FWd-qKIUJYO5kn4WijnwSTg7YQi8Lp0UcJ0vx05Fn84_Zas0SFBT8h8OWswcPpBfNQLmYVQuNrlf9v1JFNkXEniiL9r0qUoblgylCD3D4PKkWDBlPhDlU/s320/IMG_1151.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had such an amazing time in Cleveland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t really put it into words but it was
truly one of the best experiences of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A dream come true on a road trip of dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Cleveland Indians showed me an excellent
time and the staff of </span><a href="http://www.didthetribewinlastnight.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.didthetribewinlastnight.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
went above and beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was everything
I could hope for and I have to thank Melt bar and Grill, Anne, Erin, Mike, and
the Indians organization as a whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
special thanks go Matt VanWormer who was the guy that put this all together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an experience I will never
forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody who reads this should
go check out </span><a href="http://www.didthetribewinlastnight.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.didthetribewinlastnight.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">#andRyan </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.305092489561449.65433.286634988073866&type=3">View more pictures here</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It’s Baseball Season!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-41940503589052640802012-04-11T01:25:00.000-04:002012-04-17T01:00:20.936-04:00PNC Pittsburgh<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I left the Cincinnati game as soon as it was over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a five hour drive to Pittsburgh and I
just wanted to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that
is my general attitude for this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d like to get to my destination as soon as possible that way there’s
less chance for something to go wrong and I miss a stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t sleep much the night before because
I was excited but I still had plenty of juice left in my tank for this
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped and got gas and energy
drinks and continued on my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t
say texting while I was driving with several friends made the trip go by
faster, because texting and driving is illegal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So don’t do that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I certainly
won’t say that using my iPhone to Skype my friend Rachel took place
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it had though she would have
seen my face as I was going through the tunnel to get into Pittsburgh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate tunnels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no idea why, it’s just an irrational
fear of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But coming out of the
tunnel in downtown Pittsburgh was really cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You have no idea that the city is right there until you come through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I reached Pittsburgh it was nearing 3 o’clock in the
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t see any point in
getting a hotel for only a few hours so I decided to find a place to park my
car and catch a nap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I would run
into situations like this so I came prepared with my pillow and blanket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of you may be thinking how could you
just sleep in your car like that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
had to sleep in some pretty gnarly places in my military career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lying down in the back of a car is actually
kind of nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I’m not very tall)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a parking garage and decided I would
camp out there for the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made
my way to the top story so I could get the best view I could of the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I parked the car and walked over to the edge
so I could have a look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was directly
across from PNC Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a gorgeous
view looking across the river at the ballpark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I woke up the next morning the very first thing I saw was PNC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a man who’s sleeping in a car, there’s no
better way to wake up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I charged my
phone a little bit and got cleaned up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
changed my clothes, brushed my teeth, reapplied deodorant and cologne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trick to quick sanitation is baby wipes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do the trick when you don’t have time to
shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the military folks out there
know exactly what I’m talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I left the parking garage and started walking towards PNC Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love cities so I was taking in the
surrounding area as much as I could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan yet I had never been to Pittsburgh before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked being able to see the yellow seats of
Heinz field just a few blocks away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
made my way to the sidewalk and started crossing what I believe is the Roberto
Clemente Bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Half way through I
realized that they had the bridge closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I made a mental note of this because I wanted to walk in the middle of
the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I approached the park I
loved the atmosphere I was walking into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They had giant blow up bounce things for little kids in the
streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The outside of the park has
almost a European feel to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
several restaurants and they all had tables set up so people could enjoy their
food and enjoy one of Americans most prevalent pastimes, people watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several statues on the outside of
the park of the Pirate greats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
statues were extremely crowded with people wanting to get pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went and picked up my tickets at Will Call
without any issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Pirates
organization had comped me one ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They offered more but I knew I would be traveling to Pittsburgh on my
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I continued to walk around the
stadium and check out the sites and made my way into a gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I carry my backpack with me usually when I
travel so they checked it and allowed me to enter their palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I entered near a back entrance by the river
and a kids play area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Easter so
they were giving a plush toy of the pirate mascot to all the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted one but unfortunetly I am slightly
over the age limit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jerks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only they knew the age I actually act at
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As always I walked right in and found my way to a place
where I could look at the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took
it all in and noticed a family bathroom right next to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing I already appreciate on this trip
is the opportunity to have a private bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I continued to walk around when I noticed a lot of people standing in
line and eventually spinning a wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wanted to spin that wheel too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to
the front and gave the lady all my super personal information such as my
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In return she gave me a Pirates
card that makes me eligible for prizes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also got to spin the wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
mustered up all my strength and spun this tiny plastic wheel that could rival
The Price Is Right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wheel stopped on
$6 off a ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took my voucher and
started to walk away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An older gentleman
at the end of the line asked me what the whole process was about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I informed him and also gave him my ticket
voucher seeing as I probably won’t be back in Pittsburgh for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I made my way towards the front of the park and ran into
something I did not like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bottom
level of the park is the concession level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As you get to the front you are forced to go to the seating level which
is actually the second level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t
just walk around the whole park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
want to do that you have to go up a level then back down once you get to the
other side of home plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just before I
headed to the upper level I noticed some statues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the High Park Legacy Square there are several
statues that are in honor of the Negro League Greats that played in Pittsburgh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went up to the main concourse and found my
seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was on the third base line 20
rows up or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the national
anthem they had a United States Army Reserve Specialist stand at home plate and
honor the salute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They informed the
crowd that she was deploying for Afghanistan tomorrow and everybody’s heart
went out to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing you only have
one day left at home and you’re wearing your uniform standing on home
plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s an amazing experience I’m
sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Kids Opening Day at PNC park
and they had 9 kids down on the field to take part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They introduced the kids, ages ranging from
6-9, and they ran to whatever spot they were told on the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Pirates came out they stood next to
the kids, signed a ball for them, and sent them on their way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really cute to see these tiny kids
running out and then standing next to these giant ballplayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the first thing I noticed once the game began is the
sea of red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no doubt that there
were more Phillies fans there that day then Pirates fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Phillies got off to a good start and you
could of thought by the cheering that they were the home team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look over and I see the Pirate Parrot
mascot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was taking pictures with kids
and kept putting people’s heads in his beak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you’ve ever been to PNC you know what I’m talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I decided to get some food and found a place that served
burgers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a $9 “Bucco Burger” which
consisted of beef patty, bacon, BBQ sauce, onion straws, and cheddar
cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat down to eat it and the
first bite was delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few
bites I wasn’t feeling it so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t like the flavor of the BBQ sauce and there was too much of everything except
burger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished half of the sandwich
and decided to take all the toppings off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The stands were empty and it was pretty chilly out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to go to the very top level and see
what a ballgame looked like from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was rather impressed by how close you felt to the game even though you
were 7 miles high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was only a few
people in the entire section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had
kids and they seemed to enjoy the freedom of allowing them space to play in the
nosebleeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Directly across from me the
section was completely empty except for two people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way over to get a view from that
side and saw that these two gentlemen were die hard pirates fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure if they dressed up like pirates
or if they always looked like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
watched nearly the rest of the game from this section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started making my way down and missed a
walk off hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was disappointed to miss
that but I was ready to go get warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
next stop on my trip was Cleveland and I had a very special day in store for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.302749049795793.64827.286634988073866&type=3">View Pictures Here</a></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It’s Baseball Season!<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-65662286541861210642012-04-09T11:22:00.000-04:002012-04-17T01:02:58.535-04:00Great American Ball Park<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the trip is underway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My very first stop after leaving home was The Great American Ballpark,
home of the Cincinnati Reds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But before
I could leave I had to pick up my rental car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I ordered the car through </span><a href="http://www.orbitz.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.orbitz.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I researched several options and the best
option for me was to rent a car from Budget and pick it up from Detroit Metro
Airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at picking up a car
and exchanging it roughly once a month around the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That option was way more expensive then
returning it to Detroit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I attempted to
book a return trip to Detroit but was unable to because it was longer than 42
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The website had me call customer service
and I got to spend the next 20 minutes talking to some gentleman who was probably
in Pakistan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too difficult but I
had to phonetically spell my last name like eight times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My last name is ten letters long and even
confuses me sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got everything
set and picked my car up from Detroit Metro Airport on Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was nervous going into Budget because
renting a car is like going to the dentist, even on the best days it’s an
experience you’d rather not have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
dropped my car off at my moms and had her take me to go the rental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got out in front of Budget and couldn’t
figure out where to go in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a big
fenced in lot and the only way in, that I saw, was an exit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A security guard informed me that I had to
park the car in the employee parking lot and walk across the lot with the
rental cars to the office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No big deal
but I thought it was minorly inconvenient and not very customer friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked in and was greeted with no wait
which was nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I go to the counter and
the guy introduces himself to me and asks me to bear with him because he is
new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled up my reservation and
realized that he had no idea how to help me since my reservation is considered
a mini lease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked a few ladies what
he had to do and they informed him that the lady who could do it wasn’t
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently she had snuck out of work
to do laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The manager came out and
began to help me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had never done a
mini lease before but he followed the checklist in front of him in a
professional manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It only took about
ten minutes and I had my keys and was ready to hit the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My rental car is a very light green, almost
blue, feminine looking, 2012 Ford Taurus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aside from that I love this car so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It has Microsoft Sync so I don’t have to touch my phone when somebody
calls which I really like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It tells me
based on my driving how many miles I am getting per gallon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m averaging about 31.5 miles to the
gallon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday morning I finally got all my packing done, I’m the world’s
worst procrastinator, and started to make my 4 hour journey to Cincinnati from
Toledo, Ohio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived into Cincinnati
at 2pm for the 7pm game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided I
would park and walk around the area for a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I parked at a place just east of GABP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a parking garage that was located directly underneath a brewery
and a park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a clearly visible
sign that said “remove cars two hours before event”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I parked the car and hoped that it wouldn’t
get towed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I started walking around the Great American Ballpark and was
instantly amazed with Cincinnati.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
four or five friends from basic training that were from Cincinnati and they
made it sound like an awful place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was clean, everything was new, and the people were friendly. I noticed that
there were recycling bins all over the place. Outside of the park has
spectacular views of the Ohio river and bordering state, Kentucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After making my once around I decided to go
to will call and see if they had my tickets ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I got the call from the Reds
organization offering me tickets they informed me that I could pick the tickets
up after 6pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t even three pm but
I figured I would give it a shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No dice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to come back later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During the research about my trip I keep hearing amazing
things about the Cincinnati Reds hall of fame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I knew I had to check it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
cost of admission to the HOF was only $6 for Veterans and active duty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a Reds fan but I am a baseball
fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved this exhibit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that they embrace Pete Rose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a guy who grew up watching Sparky Anderson
I loved reading all about his journey before putting on a Tigers uniform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coolest thing for me to see was the World
Series tickets from the 1975 World Series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have seen these up close and personal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My grandfather attended a game during this World Series and he kept the
ticket stubs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parts of the HOF are so
much fun and interactive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can look
through an umpires mask while people hurl baseballs at you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can be a radio broadcaster for a few
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are ever in Cincinnati
even if it’s not for a game, even if you don’t like the Reds, you have to go to
this museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After I was finished at the Museum I decided to go back to
my car and drop off some stuff that I got there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily it was still there so I got in and
charged my phone for a few minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
iPhone gets terrible battery life when I’m in these big cement buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I returned to the street level when I noticed
that something was going on in the Phyllis W. Smale Riverfront Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park seemed to be a courtyard for the Moerlin
Lager House where they make some good local brew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a few vendors set up selling
t-shirts, a band playing on a stage, and beverage tents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went over and got in the beer line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked the server which was the most popular
beer and told her I would have one of those.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wish I remembered the name of it because it was a very flavorful easy
beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sat down on a cement wall in the courtyard and did what I
love to do best, people watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were people sunbathing on the lawn, people lost in the band, and little kids
playing catch with their fathers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
exactly what I imagine when I think of summer time in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was watching other people a couple sat
down near me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed the man had a
military tattoo, one very similar to mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I started the typical veteran conversation what unit were you in, how
many tours did you do, what is your Military Occupational Specialty?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name was Shane and he did four year in
the Active Army, he was a member of the 182<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> Airborne Infantry
Division and did two tours in Afghanistan on in Iraq.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked him if him and his buddies dreamed of
what they would do when they got home and he said that they did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked him if anybody actually did it and he
said he didn’t know of anybody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told
him what I was doing and asked him what his big dream was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He informed me that his first big dream was
to see all 30 ballparks but life got in the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> stadium he had
ever seen his favorite being Yankee Stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I decided I would go get my tickets since I had time before
I met up with a couple people I had arranged to meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to will call and they did not have my
tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked to a concierge from
the ballpark and told him that I was given tickets by a lady I thought was
named Alysha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had written down her
information on my whiteboard at home and taken a picture of it but my hand
writing is not the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man looked
around trying to find me the tickets for about a half an hour and could not
find them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went and talked to the
lady in charge of the department and she came and talked to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me that she remembered reading my
email and that she had given it to her interns to make sure the order got
placed for my tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere along
the line there was a breakdown in communication and they did not have my
tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman in charge said she
would take care of it, she came back a few minutes later and gave me two
tickets saying that they were literally the very last two for the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The very first person I met up with was Amber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a Reds fan and had offered to show me
around a little bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After dealing with
my tickets I met up with Amber and I needed to go get another beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went back to the park and I ordered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I offered her a beer as well but she only
drank “fruity” drinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her quote not
mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amber talked a lot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second person I was due to meet up with
that afternoon was Conrad Klank from Stadiumjourney.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never met Conrad before so I had Amber
take a picture of what I was wearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is way easier then I’m over here this is what I look like etc.
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elliot and his buddy Elliot were a
lot of fun to talk to and we said we would try to meet up for a beer after the
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I went into GABP and looked at the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I see a new field I’m instantly in
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked around for a little bit
and loved the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had batting
cages and a playground for kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its
going to be hard to rank these parks at the end of my journey because each day
I have a new favorite ballpark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made
my way to the seats and loved them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were in the very last row of the lower deck but they were still great
seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people who were in the
section around us were all family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
giant group of them all enjoying the game together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman next to me, Jessica, kept asking if
she was in somebody’s seat every time a person looked like they were coming to
sit down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason she was sitting
next to me is because her young son, Colin, was sitting in her ticketed
seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Reds allow free admission to
the park for anybody under the age of 3 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t matter how packed the game is as
long as the kid sits on your lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
thought that was excellent for fans with young kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked to the dad, Josh, and he said the
park is very fan friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t
make a big deal about bringing in food for your kid or a bag full of
stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their son was possibly one of the
cutest kids of all time in his Votto shirt and Cincinnati Reds shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey Votto hit a home run in the 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> inning (earn
your money)and fireworks went shooting out of the two smoke stacks they have in
the outfield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the outfield there is a
party deck and it looks like a steam boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I thought the area looked pretty awesome and later in the night I would
try to get in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But first, I needed
another beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way they filled my
beer was so weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It filled from the
bottom up and I made a mental note to further investigate this when I was done
with my beverage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made it about
halfway through my beer before I couldn’t take it any longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at the bottom of the cup and saw a
black circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pushed up on the black
circle and beer started pouring all over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a magnet folks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s all
that keeps the beer in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little
magnet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started laughing and Josh didn’t
even have to turn around to know what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said it happens rather often around there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess you can tell the new guys because
they look like they peed themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nice play, Great American Ball Park, Nice play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was getting into the late innings and I still wanted to
see more of the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to try some
food that was unique to the area so I went and got a Coney from Skyline
Chili.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a Coney dog with everything
that comes on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paid $4.25 and the
hot dog was HALF the size of a normal hot dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was so confused by this but apparently it’s normal in Cincinnati.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After eating my dog I decided to try to get
in the steam boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked to the men
guarding the entrance and they were very friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said they couldn’t let me in but to talk
to another gentleman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked to the
second guy and he told me that I probably could, I just had to go downstairs
and talk to his supervisor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really
didn’t feel like it was worth it so I walked around a little further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took some pictures with the mascot and went
on my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The game ended the Reds lost
but there was fireworks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to the
parking garage and my car had not been towed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I couldn’t get ahold of Conrad because of poor cell reception in that
area so I just decided to drive to Pittsburgh that night.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.302619273142104.64796.286634988073866&type=3">View Pictures Here</a><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>Keep On Smilin- It's Baseball Season!</o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-45103543011954350162012-04-08T13:03:00.001-04:002012-04-08T13:03:23.242-04:00Quick updateHey everybody. Sorry for the lack of updates. I was in Cincinnati last night and had a wonderful time. Great park great atmosphere. Immediately after the game I got in my car and drove to Pittsburgh. I got in rather late so I went to bed right away. I'll be in Cleveland tonight so I'll have ample time to fill you in on the excitement of my journey this far. <br />
<br />
Keep on Smilin- it's baseball season BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-30761074567950722642012-04-06T03:09:00.002-04:002012-04-17T01:04:18.000-04:00Opening Day Comerica Park!!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Opening Day!!! It’s finally upon us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For every fan today is Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me this was Christmas, my Birthday, and Columbus
Day all wrapped up in one!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The official
start of my trip, even though I don’t leave home until Saturday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few days ago I got a call from my buddy who was supposed
to go with me to Opening Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His father
had gotten sick and he had to take off to New Jersey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After he informed me that he could not go to
the game I instantly started sending out messages, text messages, and posting
on Facebook to see if I could get a replacement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had plenty of people let me know they were
interested but for the tiny cost of $130 they weren’t that that
interested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a last option I was going
to sell it to a scalper and hope to get at least a little bit of my money
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when my friend Chloe told
me she would like to go to the game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chloe had never been to a baseball game before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact she said that she had never been to a
professional sporting event before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
was also not very familiar with Detroit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This morning she had texted me and informed me that she was running late
and she wouldn’t be able to make it to Detroit until 11:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was planning on being in the park at 11 but
I decided I could push it back a little further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No big deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had timed it out and both hit game day traffic at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Geeze, was this traffic bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not exactly the most patient person in
the world so I hopped off the highway one exit too soon and navigated my way
closer to the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is where I
ended up in that awesome Detroit entertainment district traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was stop and go for what seemed like
forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every lot that I passed was already
filled up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was getting incredibly
frustrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I circled back on Woodward
past the stadium and started heading towards Wayne State University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nowhere to park and Chloe called me
she had found a place to park closer to the stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now she was waiting on me and time was
ticking away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I parked in a parking
garage at Wayne State and made my way towards Comerica Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a ten minute walk I had finally made it to the
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I just needed to find
Chloe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were on the phone playing the,
what are you wearing, I’m standing right here, no you’re not I’m standing right
here game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about ten minutes I
found her and we made our way towards the gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>10 minutes until game time and I wasn’t in the stadium yet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was swearing in my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could see them introducing the team on the
amazing new score board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting into
the game took FOREVER because they didn’t have all the gates open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were standing there I counted five
closed gates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think it being one of the busiest games
of the season they would have them all open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wanted to go to will call and attempt to exchange my printed ticket
voucher for an actual ticket but I didn’t have the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was rather disappointed in that but figured
I could get an actual ticket when I return for a game at Comerica on June 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The promotional give away for Opening Day was
a DVD of Justin Verlander’s second career no-hitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were only available to the first 20,000
fans and I was not one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We got into the park and I immediately walked to an area
where I could see the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
always the very first thing I do when I get into a baseball game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to walk around and see the park but
I also wanted to watch the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
decided that we would make our way up to the third deck and find our
seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before getting to our seats I had
to stop for a bathroom break, I didn’t want to have to get up if the game was
getting good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also stopped by one of
the many concession stands and got two tall Labbat Blue Lights for $17.50.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The seats I had purchased off of StubHub.com
were in section 342 row 5 seats 8&9 and I had paid $125 apiece for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The view from that high up is just
simply amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nice to be at a game at the field level
but being up top is just as good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got
to our seats and there were two gentlemen sitting in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We informed them that they were in our seats
and they kindly moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group that
was around us seemed like a lot of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were razzing each other and throwing peanuts around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They told us that the guy who was supposed to
be sitting next to me was drunk out of his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily the man was not in his seat at the
moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two gentlemen who were
originally in my seats, I never got their names, turned around and offered us
their tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They told us their seats
were in a better section and they wanted our seats because they were friends
with the surrounding group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man
grabbed his ticket from his pocket to show me where he was sitting and I
instantly noticed that it was an actual ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It also appeared to be the style of ticket that is given to season
ticket holders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him that I would
love to trade him tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him I
would move seats but only after I finished watching the half inning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His friend reached into his pocket and
grabbed out the Justin Verlander DVD and offered it to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This day was certainly turning around for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is when the drunk guy returned to his
seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was completely impaired and
appeared to be having a difficult time with basic functioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The inning ended and I was more than happy to
get out of there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We made our way to section 334 row E seats 9&10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our new home for the rest of the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were pretty good seats and we were
surrounded by families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a pretty
quiet section and I enjoyed sitting there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was half way down the third base line and I had an excellent view of
the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also had a great of the new
screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is pretty awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kind of have a thing for TV’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a bit of a weakness, but hey, at least
it’s not drugs!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The screen is crystal
clear and the Tigers screen/neon sign lights up with fire graphics during the
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not only was there excitement in the air because it was
opening day but, Verlander was on the mound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He pitched a great game and made it through 8 innings without allowing
anybody to score.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no score
until the bottom on the 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> when the Tigers got a run followed by
another run in the 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Top
of the 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Jose “Papa Grande” Valverde came in to attempt to finish
off the Red Sox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Sox were right at
the heart of their lineup and the capitalized on it scoring two runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point I had to go to the bathroom so
bad I just couldn’t wait any longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
moved as fast as I could to the bathroom and had to wait in line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just my luck I got stranded behind two older gentlemen
who moved like any sudden movement would notify the Grim Reaper of their
location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily in the bathroom they
had Tigers radio playing so I wasn’t really missing the action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, like everybody else in the park, was on
the edge of my seat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bottom of the
lineup came through for the Tigers and were able to load the bases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Austin Jackson stepped up to the plate and
hit a line drive past Jacoby Ellsbury at third for the win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crowd went wild.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such an amazing end to the first game of the
season and it only has me even more excited about the 2012 season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I stayed in the upper deck and took pictures while the crowd
filed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to the team store and
looked for a post card to send to my friend, Rachel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately there were no post cards to be
found anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked a woman who
worked there and they said that they don’t carry them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mail is kind of a lost art these
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way to the bottom level
and walked around the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love all
the amenities that Comerica Park has to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Ferris wheel and merry-go-round for kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are numerous restaurants and bars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my favorite things about Comerica is
how they proudly display Tigers history at every turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking through the main corridor you notice
that every so often there is a pillar that’s dedicated to a decade of the
Tigers with pictures and other memorabilia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I went over to the statues of the Detroit Tigers legends and took
pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I visited one more gift shop
in hopes of finding a post card they had none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My last stop as I left the park was the giant tiger statue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everytime I come to a game at Comerica I have
to take a picture at that tiger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.301055663298465.64380.286634988073866&type=3">View Pictures Here</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smilin- It's Baseball Season!<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-21775832949161783582012-04-05T00:28:00.002-04:002012-04-17T01:07:42.845-04:00Tigers visit Toledo<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I attended the first ever Detroit Tigers vs Toledo Mud
Hens game at Fifth Third Field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last
time the Tigers played the Toledo Mud Hens was 12 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was pretty excited about seeing my first
game of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was hoping to get in
early for a tour but I had to drop my cousins off at the airport yesterday and
didn’t respond to an email from the Toledo Mud Hens until after 5pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to the park around 9:30am and there was
a line at every gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gates opened right
at 10am and everybody rushed to the first base sideline to try and see their
favorite players and get autographs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was standing right on the wall for about 20 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was enjoying watching the Mud Hens take
batting practice and seeing the Tigers players make their way on to the field. Johnny
Peralta came out on the field and was really enjoying himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was “whoooo” to the crowd that was “whoooo’ing
him right back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around 10:20 an usher came over to the section
I was standing in and told everybody that didn’t have a ticket for that section
that they needed to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He informed
us that no players would be signing autographs today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked back a few rows and continued to
watch the warm ups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My attention was
drawn to Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They threw the ball back and forth and were the first ones to step into
the batting cages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fielder, Cabrera, and
Boesch were crushing the balls over the fence into the crowds of fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right by where I was standing Alex Avila was
warming up Rick Porcello.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once they were
warmed up Avila came over and started signing autographs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved seeing the excitement of the little
kids once their baseballs, cards, or shirts were signed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing I did not like was the grown men
pushing their way to the front of the crowd to have their things signed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One gentleman had several bats in cases that
he pulled out and had signed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
think that this fella was having them signed for his own personal
collection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t justify ever cutting
in front of a little kid, let alone to have a bat signed that you’re probably
going to sell on eBay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me
wrong, I would love to get every players autograph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was in fourth grade my teacher, Mrs.
Koppus, was a huge Tigers fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to
write a story and I wrote a story about how I hung out with my grandfather,
Cecil Fielder, and Prince Fielder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
remember all of the details but they had a house with trap doors and we were
playing in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nearly 20 years later I
am standing yards away from Prince Fielder and it would be amazing to get his
autograph but, I would never jump in front of any child who was seeking his
autograph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I decided to do a lap around the park since I still had
plenty of time to kill before the first pitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I made my way behind home plate and decided to get closer and take a
seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was only a few rows up from the
net as I see Jim Leyland wave to somebody in the crowd and they came right over
to where I was and chatted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jim Leyland
is originally from the Toledo area so it only made sense that he would see some
old friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started chatting with a
gentleman who was sitting in the row in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We discussed baseball and our excitement for
the upcoming season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told the man about
the journey I’m taking and he told me he would love to do the same someday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked me about my life plans after I’m
done with my trip so I informed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
doing so I had mentioned that my dad was a Sherriff’s deputy in the area and he
told me he used to be a cop in California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had mentioned several times
in the conversation that he was from California so I asked him what had brought
him to Toledo, Ohio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His response was a
very nonchalant my son plays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked
him who his son was and he informed me that his son was Doug Fister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked Larry Fister how it was to have a son
playing pro ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me how excited
he gets, how proud he is, and how surreal it can be when his son gets talked
about on Sportscenter and other sports shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Larry asked me when I would be in California and I gave him the general
time frame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that if I needed
a place to stay when I am in his neck of the woods that I could stay in an
extra bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you serious?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A professional baseball player’s dad just
offered me a place to stay and we had only been talking for half an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one thing that impresses me over and
over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The baseball community as a
whole has been incredibly generous to me during the stages of this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that people can be so kind and
caring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the many reason I love
being an American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave Larry Fister
my contact information and we parted ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I made my way around the ballpark and hung out just below
the flags that were being flown at half-mast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Recently, somebody from the Mud Hens organization had passed away and
the flags were honoring him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t
eaten yet and was starting to get hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I looked at my phone and it was ten minutes until the first pitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to put off food for a little while
longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time for the National
Anthem and a local boy scout troop escorted the colors to the pitcher’s
mound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crowd was asked to remove their
caps for the Star Spangled Banner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two gentlemen
in front of me did not remove their hats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is one thing that infuriates me every time I see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said in a very controlled voice “take of
your hat”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one man obliged me and
took his off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave it another few
lines and he was still wearing his hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tapped the man who had taken his hat off and asked him to please have
his friend remove his cap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told his
friend to take it off and he responded with “I don’t want to” but he did
anyways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was shocked at that response
but I just let it go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I watched the Austin Jackson and Brennan Boesch strike out
followed up with a fly out by Cabrera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The grumbling in my stomach was getting rather loud so I decided to get
a bite to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went over to one of the
concession stands called the Hen & Hound eatery & pub. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The line was very long but it seemed there was
a long line at every turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The TV’s in
the concession stand were not turned on so every time you heard a roar from the
crowd you had to turn around and attempt to see what you missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I waited about 20 minutes to order a “Muddy
Dog” (hot dog, chili, cheese, onions) for $4.25 and a tall Bud Light for $7.50.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave the concession attendant a $20 bill
and he informed me that he didn’t have any change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The line was held up as it appeared nobody
was going for change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The attendant
started helping people who had exact change or people who cut it close enough
not to care about the change as I stood by the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood there near ten minutes before my
change had arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minus the 25cents
that never showed up but at that point I simply didn’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I ate my hotdog and found a spot to watch the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched for several innings and noticed
that people had already started to leave the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way all the way down the 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>
base line and found a few empty seats on the end so I sat down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched the game, relaxed, basking in the
spring sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed an older gentleman
standing near me wearing a Vietnam Veterans hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked over and started talking to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name is Jerry Brzuchalski and
served two years with a Cav division in the Army. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spent one year in Vietnam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked him if he spent time talking with his
buddies about all the things they wanted to when they got home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not get the answer I expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jerry told me that he never really thought
about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just knew that he would
return to Toledo and continue to work at the Jeep plant like he had before he
was drafted, and that’s all he really wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had a great conversation with Jerry, we exchanged stories, and I went
on my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cell reception at Fifth Third Field is like a black hole
for modern technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to tweet,
check in to foursquare, and update my Facebook status with no avail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My phone spent most of the afternoon
searching for a signal and just killing my battery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> inning I received a
text from Tammy Esper who is the marketing coordinator for the Toledo Mud Hens
informing me that she would still like to give me a tour if I wanted it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me that there wasn’t much I would be
able to access because of the game but I could still see some areas I hadn’t
seen already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met up with her during
the 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> inning and she took me upstairs to where the suites and
press boxes are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to see the TV
crews working through a window and it was very cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I recently took a tour of Wrigley field
their press boxes were completely empty so it was neat seeing one in use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that she took me to see “The Roost” which
is an area of the park that you can rent for parties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This section of the park is in the corner and
offers an excellent view of the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
talked to Tammy for a while about various topics and thanked her for her time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At each ballpark I will be collecting a post
card to send to a good friend of mine so I went down to the gift shop and got
one, and then made my way down the block to my car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All in all I had a great day at fifth third field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bit crowded and the lines were long
but it was way busier then I had ever seen it before due to the visiting
Tigers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s my hometown park and I love
going to games there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomorrow starts the official season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m excited about getting this adventure
rolling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never been to an Opening
Day at Comerica Park and I just know it’s going to be a great day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.300459873358044.64271.286634988073866&type=3">View Pictures Here</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smiling- It’s Baseball Season!<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153865490228269768.post-42175665216763408232012-04-04T00:46:00.000-04:002012-04-04T00:46:02.096-04:00Do I hear sleigh bells?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you know what time it is?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you thought “Tool Time” you’re probably a child of the 90’s because that’s
what I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m sorry to disappoint
all of you Tim Allen fans but it is time for Baseball!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so excited for the season to start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preseason games have concluded and it’s time
for the real games to start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s after
midnight here so I will be seeing a game today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Tigers take on the Toledo Mud Hens at 12pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be arriving to Fifth third by 930am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I emailed the Toledo Mud Hens and told them
about my project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They invited me down
for a quick tour 30 minutes before the gates open to the general public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess, I should attempt to get some sleep
but for all of us baseball fans it’s Christmas eve and I think I hear Santa
downstairs!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep On Smiling, It’s Baseball Season!<o:p></o:p></span></div>BaseballDreaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04894440848070320644noreply@blogger.com1