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I just got back from another mini "baseball vacation" via car. There were only 3 current MLB parks that I havent been to, all in the midwest, so I thought I would knock out these last 3 all at once. Then I could claim all 30! It didnt quite turn out like I had planned, tho.
Friday, April 25 - St Louis vs. Pittsburgh
I left from Maryland Thursday afternoon and got to St Louis an hour early for the game. There was no heavy traffic getting near the stadium. I saw a $10 lot about 2/3 mile from the stadium, which I thought was reasonable so I parked there. The stadium is rt downtown in what looks like a fairly "renovated" part of town. These games regularly sell out, so I decided to make this the only ticket that I purchased ahead of time. Fairly expensive - about $36 for a bleacher seat, which was about $45 w fees. As usual, the park was packed, and the announced attendance was 43,000+.
The stadium looked nice inside and out. It reminded me somewhat of Camden Yards, sans warehouse, and also of Turner Field. I'd definitely put it in my top 15 stadiums, maybe top 10.
Weather was beautiful - about 74 degrees game time and blue skies. A small bratwurst and a souvenir soda cost me $12.25. I was going to get a media guide, but when I found out it was $20, I decided to pass. This is one of the more expensive parks I've been to.
There was a guy behind me that kept yelling the entire game, "Hey, McCutchen. You smell like beef and cheeeeeese." The ENTIRE game. Also other assorted retarded cries, like "Hey Andrew, what kind of beer do you want?"; "Hey Andrew, can I have a date?". At first, noone paid him much mind, but the 6th inning or so, several others were yelling the "beef and cheese" chant along w him. The power of persistence.
The game itself matched 2 of the NL's best young pitchers: Shelby Miller and Gerrit Cole. Going by the box score, this looked like a classic pitcher's duel. It was, but both pitchers struggled w their command, altho they allowed very few hits. The Cards scored a run in the 1st on a double by Holliday. It took me until the 5th inning or so before I located the pitch velocity display. Miller threw about 93-94. Cole threw about 93-96, which was surprising to me as he previously has touched 100. Siegrist came in and threw about 93-95 and had no trouble. Martinez pitched the 8th, and he regularly threw 98-100. However, he struggled, loading the bases w 1 out on a hit, walk and HBP. But he went to an off-speed pitch on 2 strikes (slider or maybe a change-up) to strike out the next 2 hitters. Rosenthal worked a 1-2-3 9th to close it out, throwing about 95-96. Holliday's RBI was the only run as the Cards won 1-0.
After the game, it took FOREVER to get out of downtown St Louis. I think it was about 1 hr 45 mins just to go a few blocks to get to a bridge to get over the river to Illinois. Usually, at a large sporting event, or at any large event, there are police directing traffic at intersections so stadium traffic can flow more quickly. No such police in this role this night. Traffic constantly got stuck in the middle of intersections so that no traffic could move much of anywhere when the light was green for them. Does this city have any clue on how to manage traffic? Apparently not.
Overall, this was a nice stadium experience, but I'll take a different route getting away from the park next time.
Grades:
Park: B+
St Louis Traffic Management: F
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Saturday, April 26: Milwaukee vs. Cubs
Ever had a flat, put on the spare and then the spare went flat also? This happened to me in St Louis. I managed to endure a tow to my hotel and taxicab rides back and forth to the tire shop to make it to Milwaukee for the Brewers game more or less on time. The temperature dropped dramatically driving up from St Louis and it was about 44 degrees in Milwaukee. The weather was clear tho, and I wondered whether they'd have the stadium roof open or closed.
The stadium is located mid-city, away from the downtown area. I went to the old County Stadium years ago and I think this new one is located rt next to where the old one used to be, but I'm not sure.
I saw a small shopping center parking lot about a mile from the stadium w plenty of spaces, so I parked there for free. The Brewers' attendance has been lousy, so I thought it would be no problem buying a ticket at the box office. Turned out that the fans came out in droves for this game, and tickets were somewhat scarce. But I had no problem getting a reasonable single ticket, which cost $29 for an upper deck seat on the 3rd base side. But w the droves of people trying to get in, for some inexplicable reason they had only 1 gate open on my side of the stadium, so it took forever to get in, which caused me to miss the 1st half inning.
Lots of people brought their own beer and were drinking it while they were waiting in line to get in. Near the entrance, there was a bin that people tossed their empty bottles and cups into. I dont recall seeing this at any other MLB park. And while inside, lots more beer was bought. People in Milwaukee sure seem to love their beer. Again, I had small brat and a souvenir soda, which cost me $12. Stadium bratwursts apparently have been greatly reduced in size but the price is about the same as before.
When I got to my seat, I saw that the roof was closed, and the temperature was comfortable w my sweater and jacket on, which I kept on the whole game. The stadium seemed nice enough for a dome. I believe that baseball should be played outdoors on real grass (altho for northern cities like Milw, a dome has some practical advantages), so I can grade a domed stadium only so high no matter how nice it is. It reminded me of Minute Maid Park in Houston, which I remember as being a little nicer, or Chase Field in Phoenix. The dome was closed the entire game, so hard to compare it w the other domes, which, except for Chase, I've seen w both the roof open and closed. Chase I've seen only w the roof open, and I remember it as being still rather dark even w the roof open and it had a very "inside" feel. The only one of the retractable domes that I felt had an "outside" feel w the roof open was Safeco.
The matchup was Travis Wood vs. Marco Estrada. Neither of these pitchers throws hard. Estrada's FB was only 88-89, and he threw mostly off-speed pitches. Wood was about 88-91. The Brewers took an early 3-0 lead. Wood got into trouble a few times and I believe he came out in the 5th. Estrada hardly allowed anything, altho they hit some deep shots off of him. Valbuena's solo HR was the only hit off of him until the late innings. Khris Davis hit a solo HR for the Brew Crew in the middle innings, and they set off fireworks. At first I thought that they must be simulated fireworks since the roof was closed, but then I saw smoke at the top of the roof. The guy next to me confirmed that they were indeed real. Doesnt that violate some sort of safety code?
During the 7th inning stretch and "Take Me Out To The Ballgame", I heard a lot of Cubs fans cheer. I asked the guy behind me whether this many Cubs fans was usual and he said it used be 70% Cubs fans at the games, but now that ratio has been reversed.
Late in the game, there was a commotion in the upper deck out in left field, and apparently some fights had broken out. Using my binoculars, at first I couldnt see exactly where it was, but the commotion continued for several minutes and finally I saw a guy wailing away on somebody. Several people around me remarked that the security people still hadnt arrived after several minutes of this ruckus. First, not enough employees provided to let in the hordes of people and now missing or unresponsive security to break up a violent disturbance. Is there an employees strike? A thought occurred to me that maybe the state should require a license to drink in public which can be suspended for certain violations, like for a driver's license. Does that seem like an off the wall idea? I wonder if there is such a requirement anywhere in the world.
K-Rod came on in the 9th for the save. He threw only about 88-89 but threw practically nothing but strikes and closed it out 1-2-3. Brewers won again as usual, 5-3. And they set off the real indoor fireworks again. Oh yeah, and the sausage race was won by Polish.
Announced attendance was 40,000+. which is good for an April game anywhere, so Brewers fans apparently are getting excited about their club.
Grades:
Park: B
Stadium Staffing, particularly the security staff: F
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Sunday, April 27: Minnesota vs Detroit...uh, Tuesday, April 29: Minnesota vs Dodgers....uh,.....oh well
The best laid plans of mice and men. It should have been simple: 3 games at 3 parks in 3 days w enough time in between to get to all 3. I saw that there was rain forecast for this game and that it might be postponed. But the Twins had home games w the Dodgers on Tues, Wednes and Thurs, so I figured that I could hang around a couple days extra if necessary.
I got to the park on time. The stadium was rt downtown. It looked yellow, which seemed to be designed to fit in w other yellow downtown buildings. I hadnt heard on the radio whether the game was cancelled, but noone was around so apparently it was. So I decided to stay around town a few extra days to see if one of the Dodger games would be played. I saw that the forecast was for rain all week. But this was the only time this year that they'd play the Dodgers so all the more important that they get these games in now. Monday, it continued to rain all day. I really didnt do anything but just wait around. I considered going to a jazz concert Monday nite, but decided not to. Tuesday morning, it was still raining almost constantly, and some sports guys on the radio said that the Tuesday game almost certainly would be cancelled and the best bet for playing any of these games might be to play a doubleheader on Thursday. I had already paid for an extra night at a hotel, and I decided that I couldnt continue to spend extra money and time to hang around until Thursday when it seemed iffy that a game would be played even then. So I started the long trek back home. They did cancel the Tuesday game, but they played the Wednesday game.
Grades:
Park: TBD
Minnesota weather: F
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Tuesday, April 29: Beloit vs Peoria
On the way back, I decided to take in a minor league game as a consolation. Beloit is in southern Wisconsin about 40 miles or so from Chicago. It is the A's affiliate in the Midwest League, and Peoria is the Cards' affiliate.
The Beloit stadium looked rather old. It was still raining off and on, and this was the second game of a doubleheader which was prompted by the previous night's game also being rained out. The rain really kept people away and I counted about 16 other fans in the stands, so the players on the field greatly outnumbered the spectators.
The most prominent prospects of note in this game (to my knowledge) were C.J McElroy for Peoria and B.J. Boyd for Beloit. The each had good games, 2-3 and 2-4 respectively (at least during regulation). McElroy is the #24 prospect for the Cards. He's speedy and looks athletic. Boyd is the #20 prospect for the A's is chunky.
Beloit has a player named Boog Powell (no kidding!). This was "$1 hot dog" nite, so after getting one I decided I'd go back later and get another one, but when I returned the concession stand was closed! (only the 3rd inning!) For one of the between-inning features, they had a hog-call contest. You dont see that every day at a game. Also, because this was the 2nd game of minor league doubleheader, regulation was only 7 innings, and they had the "5th inning stretch". I think I've been to other 7-inning minor league games but I dont recall a 5th-inning stretch. Also, when I was in the rest, a Peoria player was in there w me. Never seen a stadium where the players had to use the same rest room as the fans. The game was tied 3-3 after 7 innings, and I left. I saw later that Peoria won the game in 9 innings, 6-3.
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So despite my best efforts, I still cant claim all 30 current MLB stadiums. I guess I'll have to fly to Minneapolis at some future date to see a game there. Definitely too far to drive for just one event.
Friday, April 25 - St Louis vs. Pittsburgh
I left from Maryland Thursday afternoon and got to St Louis an hour early for the game. There was no heavy traffic getting near the stadium. I saw a $10 lot about 2/3 mile from the stadium, which I thought was reasonable so I parked there. The stadium is rt downtown in what looks like a fairly "renovated" part of town. These games regularly sell out, so I decided to make this the only ticket that I purchased ahead of time. Fairly expensive - about $36 for a bleacher seat, which was about $45 w fees. As usual, the park was packed, and the announced attendance was 43,000+.
The stadium looked nice inside and out. It reminded me somewhat of Camden Yards, sans warehouse, and also of Turner Field. I'd definitely put it in my top 15 stadiums, maybe top 10.
Weather was beautiful - about 74 degrees game time and blue skies. A small bratwurst and a souvenir soda cost me $12.25. I was going to get a media guide, but when I found out it was $20, I decided to pass. This is one of the more expensive parks I've been to.
There was a guy behind me that kept yelling the entire game, "Hey, McCutchen. You smell like beef and cheeeeeese." The ENTIRE game. Also other assorted retarded cries, like "Hey Andrew, what kind of beer do you want?"; "Hey Andrew, can I have a date?". At first, noone paid him much mind, but the 6th inning or so, several others were yelling the "beef and cheese" chant along w him. The power of persistence.
The game itself matched 2 of the NL's best young pitchers: Shelby Miller and Gerrit Cole. Going by the box score, this looked like a classic pitcher's duel. It was, but both pitchers struggled w their command, altho they allowed very few hits. The Cards scored a run in the 1st on a double by Holliday. It took me until the 5th inning or so before I located the pitch velocity display. Miller threw about 93-94. Cole threw about 93-96, which was surprising to me as he previously has touched 100. Siegrist came in and threw about 93-95 and had no trouble. Martinez pitched the 8th, and he regularly threw 98-100. However, he struggled, loading the bases w 1 out on a hit, walk and HBP. But he went to an off-speed pitch on 2 strikes (slider or maybe a change-up) to strike out the next 2 hitters. Rosenthal worked a 1-2-3 9th to close it out, throwing about 95-96. Holliday's RBI was the only run as the Cards won 1-0.
After the game, it took FOREVER to get out of downtown St Louis. I think it was about 1 hr 45 mins just to go a few blocks to get to a bridge to get over the river to Illinois. Usually, at a large sporting event, or at any large event, there are police directing traffic at intersections so stadium traffic can flow more quickly. No such police in this role this night. Traffic constantly got stuck in the middle of intersections so that no traffic could move much of anywhere when the light was green for them. Does this city have any clue on how to manage traffic? Apparently not.
Overall, this was a nice stadium experience, but I'll take a different route getting away from the park next time.
Grades:
Park: B+
St Louis Traffic Management: F
-----
Saturday, April 26: Milwaukee vs. Cubs
Ever had a flat, put on the spare and then the spare went flat also? This happened to me in St Louis. I managed to endure a tow to my hotel and taxicab rides back and forth to the tire shop to make it to Milwaukee for the Brewers game more or less on time. The temperature dropped dramatically driving up from St Louis and it was about 44 degrees in Milwaukee. The weather was clear tho, and I wondered whether they'd have the stadium roof open or closed.
The stadium is located mid-city, away from the downtown area. I went to the old County Stadium years ago and I think this new one is located rt next to where the old one used to be, but I'm not sure.
I saw a small shopping center parking lot about a mile from the stadium w plenty of spaces, so I parked there for free. The Brewers' attendance has been lousy, so I thought it would be no problem buying a ticket at the box office. Turned out that the fans came out in droves for this game, and tickets were somewhat scarce. But I had no problem getting a reasonable single ticket, which cost $29 for an upper deck seat on the 3rd base side. But w the droves of people trying to get in, for some inexplicable reason they had only 1 gate open on my side of the stadium, so it took forever to get in, which caused me to miss the 1st half inning.
Lots of people brought their own beer and were drinking it while they were waiting in line to get in. Near the entrance, there was a bin that people tossed their empty bottles and cups into. I dont recall seeing this at any other MLB park. And while inside, lots more beer was bought. People in Milwaukee sure seem to love their beer. Again, I had small brat and a souvenir soda, which cost me $12. Stadium bratwursts apparently have been greatly reduced in size but the price is about the same as before.
When I got to my seat, I saw that the roof was closed, and the temperature was comfortable w my sweater and jacket on, which I kept on the whole game. The stadium seemed nice enough for a dome. I believe that baseball should be played outdoors on real grass (altho for northern cities like Milw, a dome has some practical advantages), so I can grade a domed stadium only so high no matter how nice it is. It reminded me of Minute Maid Park in Houston, which I remember as being a little nicer, or Chase Field in Phoenix. The dome was closed the entire game, so hard to compare it w the other domes, which, except for Chase, I've seen w both the roof open and closed. Chase I've seen only w the roof open, and I remember it as being still rather dark even w the roof open and it had a very "inside" feel. The only one of the retractable domes that I felt had an "outside" feel w the roof open was Safeco.
The matchup was Travis Wood vs. Marco Estrada. Neither of these pitchers throws hard. Estrada's FB was only 88-89, and he threw mostly off-speed pitches. Wood was about 88-91. The Brewers took an early 3-0 lead. Wood got into trouble a few times and I believe he came out in the 5th. Estrada hardly allowed anything, altho they hit some deep shots off of him. Valbuena's solo HR was the only hit off of him until the late innings. Khris Davis hit a solo HR for the Brew Crew in the middle innings, and they set off fireworks. At first I thought that they must be simulated fireworks since the roof was closed, but then I saw smoke at the top of the roof. The guy next to me confirmed that they were indeed real. Doesnt that violate some sort of safety code?
During the 7th inning stretch and "Take Me Out To The Ballgame", I heard a lot of Cubs fans cheer. I asked the guy behind me whether this many Cubs fans was usual and he said it used be 70% Cubs fans at the games, but now that ratio has been reversed.
Late in the game, there was a commotion in the upper deck out in left field, and apparently some fights had broken out. Using my binoculars, at first I couldnt see exactly where it was, but the commotion continued for several minutes and finally I saw a guy wailing away on somebody. Several people around me remarked that the security people still hadnt arrived after several minutes of this ruckus. First, not enough employees provided to let in the hordes of people and now missing or unresponsive security to break up a violent disturbance. Is there an employees strike? A thought occurred to me that maybe the state should require a license to drink in public which can be suspended for certain violations, like for a driver's license. Does that seem like an off the wall idea? I wonder if there is such a requirement anywhere in the world.
K-Rod came on in the 9th for the save. He threw only about 88-89 but threw practically nothing but strikes and closed it out 1-2-3. Brewers won again as usual, 5-3. And they set off the real indoor fireworks again. Oh yeah, and the sausage race was won by Polish.
Announced attendance was 40,000+. which is good for an April game anywhere, so Brewers fans apparently are getting excited about their club.
Grades:
Park: B
Stadium Staffing, particularly the security staff: F
-----
Sunday, April 27: Minnesota vs Detroit...uh, Tuesday, April 29: Minnesota vs Dodgers....uh,.....oh well
The best laid plans of mice and men. It should have been simple: 3 games at 3 parks in 3 days w enough time in between to get to all 3. I saw that there was rain forecast for this game and that it might be postponed. But the Twins had home games w the Dodgers on Tues, Wednes and Thurs, so I figured that I could hang around a couple days extra if necessary.
I got to the park on time. The stadium was rt downtown. It looked yellow, which seemed to be designed to fit in w other yellow downtown buildings. I hadnt heard on the radio whether the game was cancelled, but noone was around so apparently it was. So I decided to stay around town a few extra days to see if one of the Dodger games would be played. I saw that the forecast was for rain all week. But this was the only time this year that they'd play the Dodgers so all the more important that they get these games in now. Monday, it continued to rain all day. I really didnt do anything but just wait around. I considered going to a jazz concert Monday nite, but decided not to. Tuesday morning, it was still raining almost constantly, and some sports guys on the radio said that the Tuesday game almost certainly would be cancelled and the best bet for playing any of these games might be to play a doubleheader on Thursday. I had already paid for an extra night at a hotel, and I decided that I couldnt continue to spend extra money and time to hang around until Thursday when it seemed iffy that a game would be played even then. So I started the long trek back home. They did cancel the Tuesday game, but they played the Wednesday game.
Grades:
Park: TBD
Minnesota weather: F
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Tuesday, April 29: Beloit vs Peoria
On the way back, I decided to take in a minor league game as a consolation. Beloit is in southern Wisconsin about 40 miles or so from Chicago. It is the A's affiliate in the Midwest League, and Peoria is the Cards' affiliate.
The Beloit stadium looked rather old. It was still raining off and on, and this was the second game of a doubleheader which was prompted by the previous night's game also being rained out. The rain really kept people away and I counted about 16 other fans in the stands, so the players on the field greatly outnumbered the spectators.
The most prominent prospects of note in this game (to my knowledge) were C.J McElroy for Peoria and B.J. Boyd for Beloit. The each had good games, 2-3 and 2-4 respectively (at least during regulation). McElroy is the #24 prospect for the Cards. He's speedy and looks athletic. Boyd is the #20 prospect for the A's is chunky.
Beloit has a player named Boog Powell (no kidding!). This was "$1 hot dog" nite, so after getting one I decided I'd go back later and get another one, but when I returned the concession stand was closed! (only the 3rd inning!) For one of the between-inning features, they had a hog-call contest. You dont see that every day at a game. Also, because this was the 2nd game of minor league doubleheader, regulation was only 7 innings, and they had the "5th inning stretch". I think I've been to other 7-inning minor league games but I dont recall a 5th-inning stretch. Also, when I was in the rest, a Peoria player was in there w me. Never seen a stadium where the players had to use the same rest room as the fans. The game was tied 3-3 after 7 innings, and I left. I saw later that Peoria won the game in 9 innings, 6-3.
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So despite my best efforts, I still cant claim all 30 current MLB stadiums. I guess I'll have to fly to Minneapolis at some future date to see a game there. Definitely too far to drive for just one event.
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