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.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Progressive Field, 2010

#11
Progressive field
Went here at end of June 2010. It was a great night for baseball. The stadium was very nice, but not filled even close to capacity, but with the way the Indians have been playing lately, no surprise there.


Heritage park, located out beyond the center field fence, is a neat bit of history about the Indians. It has plaques for alot of players, even if they are not HOF or retired numbers with the club. There was 1 statue of Bob Feller by the left field entrance. Cool statue, but it should be either out front or near the Heritage Park, IMO.







The stadium has a pretty nice scoreboard. I have been looking a lot more at the scoreboard set-up when I go to parks lately. Wrigley is so basic, and manual of course, but still one of the best, not that I dislike the new styles. Some get a little overzealous with the advertising, but something has to pay these guys salaries.


I had on my (Cubs) Kerry Wood jersey hoping to see him pitch in the game, and he came in for the save in the top of the 9th. The Indians shot down the Jays 2-1. It was good seeing one of my favorite Cubs come through at the game, even though he wasn't wearing Cubs gear.


I went to this game with my brother in-law Pat, nephew Sean, and my son Chris. Pat got us great seats on the 1st base line, right behind the dugout about 8 rows up. Close enough that when Jays 1B Lyle Overbay threw a ball into the stands in between innings, I caught it. I gave it to Sean right away, and the look on his face was priceless. I hope I just made a lifelong baseball fan. This was the third park that I have been to a game to with Chris. Yankee Stadium, Turner and here. Hopefully he can go next year on the trip with us.

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