BALLPARK HISTORY

Ballparks are full of history. They each have thier own distinct features, The bricks and ivy in Wrigley, monument park and the mystique of Yankee stadium, the warehouse at Camden, the green monster at Fenway, and more, but when you go to a park its more than to see the game, its to take in the environment. As much as I dislike it, part of going to Turner is listening to the fans do that tommohawk chant. I also enjoy seeing the statues or plaques of players who have contributed to all that history.

Each ballpark also gives you a different perspective of the game. What might be a HR at one park is just a fly ball in another. The site lines, angles and views of a game vary from park to park, even if your sitting in the same general area. Also the in game extras , like the mascot races, or singing the stretch at Wrigley, Sweet Caroline at Fenway, or the 7th inning God Bless America at Yankee stadium.

Another great thing about parks is visiting the local bar near the stadium. Harry Carays and Murphy's in Chicago, Pickles in Baltimore, Hockeytown Cafe in Detroit, Hooters in Anaheim, Rock Bottom Brewery in Denver (and Cinci), Harpoon Brewery in Boston, and Billys sports bar in the Bronx.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Hot stove 2012


Well the off season is here and Hot Stove has begun. I have been busy reading a lot of rumors about players.   Cub fans seem in the majority that the Cubs will not make any moves and will tank again this year. I disagree. I believe that they will get a couple of players that can help the team, while not going after that "big" name and $$$. I think they want to compete this year and after watching teams like the O's, A's and Nats make big improvements,without major moves, it is possible that with a few moves they can compete. If they can just hover around .500 until the deadline next year, they will have money to go out and get some upgrades. The Cubs front office has had a tendency to not let things leak, and moves happen without a lot of rumors first. Only time will tell. 

So next years trips are being planned but I cannot commit until I get confirmation from my travel mates. It looks like we will be heading up to the NE and would like to hit at least 4 parks on the trip, but maybe more if it works out. One park that will definitely need to be worked in is Fenway. I've been trying to work it in the last couple of years, but it just hasn't worked out. Also, Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, PNC Park, Citizen Bank Park, and Nationals Park are the other options. I will also try to work one of the parks that is out of the way into one of my regular vacations, like Minnesota or Seattle. 





2 comments:

  1. You'll absolutely love Fenway Park if you make it there. It's been a while since I've been to Wrigley, so it's hard to compare the two. I was there to watch the Tigers play in 2011, and the Cubs were coming in the next day. Lots of Cubs fans, and there were t-shirts and pins all for the Cubs/BoSox series. I love the minors, and there are lots of those teams around Boston, too. Here's a couple of posts from my trip, if your interested:
    http://minoringinbaseball.com/2011/05/30/2011-bbt-day-4-invading-a-nation/
    Our ballpark tour and the Freedom Trail:
    http://minoringinbaseball.com/2011/05/31/2011-bbt-day-6-fenway-and-the-freedom-trail/
    Enjoy!!!
    -Mike

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  2. Thanks Mike, I am definitely looking forward to Fenway more than anything when I head back to the NE. I have been to Boston a few times, but never planned a trip to Fenway (kicking myself for that). I will try to get to Wrigley this year too, but with trying to do my tour, I have to sacrifice a little.

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