tripforthecycle

Conclusion

2007-07-10T09:46:00.001-04:00

With all the ballparks I have seen over 9 days, I can safely conclude that the culture of baseball fans does not change from city to city. By the culture, I mean, the love of the game shared by the fans. However, the execution of this culture is what can make or break a city and their team.

Once simple case where this execution is bad is in Washington with the Nationals. This franchise is not only poor on the playing field, their fans have no reason like them. They are an expansion team out of Canada that plays in a cross-purpose field, and attracts just over 20,000 fans if they are lucky. First of all, remind you of anywhere? Toronto, perhaps?

You would never see these traits in Chicago in Wrigley field.

Day 9 - Sightseeing Washington D.C.

2007-07-10T09:45:00.001-04:00

On day nine, the final day of my trip, there was no ballgame. Rather, there was a bunch of sightseeing through Washington D.C. We slept in until about 9:30, and had breakfast at the hotel restaurant. We walked over to the White House, but no sign of George Dybya. Within sight of there was the Washington monument. We hung out there while we tried to find shade from the 100 degree heat.

On the way to the Lincoln memorial, we stopped by the WWII memorial and the Vietnam memorial.

Because it was 100 degrees, we cabbed it over to the Smithsonian. While we were there we did more McDonald’ing than sightseeing, although, there was some cool stuff to see. We then went to the National Art Gallery. Dang, those people are crazy about their art. We bought a listening tour device, but we cut them off when they got into minor details that anyone would overlook. We actually saw two Leonardo da Vinci paintings.

At the archives, we saw the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights, but not before being stalled by a security guard.

We then scurried over to the Museum of Natural History, and saw some old bones. Not much else. We caught an earlier flight back to Toronto, with no change fee.

Day 8 - Milwaukee Brewers @ Washington Nationals

2007-07-08T21:13:00.000-04:00

Today, me and my dad (my trip, I come first) got up at 6, and left for another on-time flight. We had a cab driver that believed that if the U.S. finally caught Osama, as long as they shaved his head and gave him some Chinese tattoos, he could play basketball for the New York Knicks, and New Yorkers would love him. Okay. He then proceeded to say that his right foot is asleep because of a bypass surgery that he had not too long ago. That made us feel uneasy to say the least.

We took the U.S. Airways shuttle to Washington. In Washington, we had a very friendly and helpful cabbie that showed us around town, without bringing us around town. We got to the hotel, and surprisingly, were able to check in at 10:30 AM.

Soon thereafter, we took the subway to RFK Stadium. All that I can say about this stadium is that it is very comparable to the Rogers Centre. They are both big, circular, and they both inhabit teams whom it is very challenging to be fans of. The stadium did not fill up by any stretch of the imagination, even though the Brewers were in town. This reminded my dad of an old joke they used to tell in Cleveland during the 80’s.

Visitor: Hey, is this the ticket line?
Ticket Agent: Yeah.
Visitor: Is there a game tonight?
Ticket Agent: Yes.
Visitor: What time does it start?
Ticket Agent: What time can you get down here?

The game was great, with the Nationals slugging the Brewers early and often for the 7-2 win. One highlight, was that as soon as we sat down in our seats, we were in the first row of the shade. The row ahead of us was in the sun in the 98 degree heat, we were thankful. Also, before the game started, they asked an 8-year old who he thought would hit a home run. He said Ryan Zimmerman. Zimmerman hit a blast into left field, and the kid won an autographed ball.

After the game, we took the subway to a station not too far from Union Station, a massive train station similar to an airport. It was very clean and very large. Next, we saw the Capitol Building, and my dad tried to explain the American government system to me. We walked back to the hotel and had a great dinner at McCormick & Schmicks.

Day 7 - Sightseeing New York

2007-07-07T23:15:00.000-04:00

**NOTE: New York photos being delayed due to PAINFULLY slow internet. Check back soon.

Today, me and my dad had breakfast at a restaurant near Times Square. We then cabbed it over to the Empire State Building. We went to the top to see all the great sights. We saw where the Titanic would have docked (which is now a driving range.), and we saw the island where my great grandparents landed from Italy in the early 1900s. Right after, we went to Madison Square Garden. We saw everything. We saw the locker rooms, the luxury suites, and even the Club restaurant. We then went to Ground Zero. On the cab ride there, I slammed the door, and jammed my hip. It hurt. Yes.

After we stared into the green net covering Ground Zero, we went to Battery Park, where you could see the Statue of Liberty.

We saw Wall Street, and the New York Stock Exchange.

We then entered McDonalds. In this McDonalds, there was a woman at a piano singing. It was the classiest McDonalds I have ever been in. The cashiers were even dressed as if they were French.

We then met a nice cabbie from Montreal on the way to the Apple Store, to play with the iPhone again, among other things. This Apple Store, is literally a glass cube. Inside of this glass cube, you have two choices: the elevator or the stairs down into the mecca of Apple.

After that, we went into a 5-story Nike store. And to the hotel for a nap. We had a great dinner. We went back to Times Square, and past the Ed Sullivan theatre, again. I declared that “I have to see a David Letterman taping before I die”. I quickly corrected myself, saying that “I have to see a David Letterman taping before HE dies.”

Day 6 - Anahiem Angels @ New York Yankees

2007-07-07T22:36:00.000-04:00

On day 6, me and my dad got up at around 8 and walked around in Boston. We went to Starbucks to have a quick breakfast. Also, we went into an AT&T store to play around with the iPhone. What a cool device. It works as fast as it looks on the commercials and feels like a very durable phone. I had a lot of fun with it. Too bad there is no service for it yet in Canada!

We caught another on-time flight, and drove to our hotel on the SW side of Central Park. After we checked in, we walked to the Ed Sullivan Theatre, to see the site of the Late Show with David Letterman. This was very special for me because I really enjoy his show. We also walked through Times Square, through the theatre district.

We cabbed it through the massive Central Park to the mecca of baseball, Yankee Stadium. Get this: there are no knapsacks allowed in Yankee Stadium. Guess what I brought? So, we asked a woman with a truly horrific set of teeth where we could put the bag. She said that there was a bowling alley that checks bags for five dollars. On the way to the bowling alley, we saw a cop chasing someone into a parking garage. I believe that the cop was searching the man and he found something that he wasn’t supposed to have, and my dad believes that he was trying to sneak into the stadium. At the bowling alley, we met a bunch of other confused tourists.

We walked by the new stadium, set to open in ’09.

When we got into Yankee Stadium, we were very confused as to where we were to go. We asked a few people for directions, and found that we were in the Luxury Seats. Me and my dad both looked at each other, surprised, and worried that we would be under dressed. We were the first ones in the box. When we got in, we saw a massive YES poster on the wall. YES is the Yankee’s broadcaster. Could this be George Steinbrenner’s box? We both briefly thought so, before some guys from Hyundai came in.

In the third inning, we moved down to the wheelchair-accessible area to meet one of my dad’s friends, his son, Hollis, and his daughter, Hillary.

The game was great. The score went back and forth, but in the end, the Yankees won 14-9. We took the subway home, which was like packing sardines into very old tin cans.

Day 5 - Tampa Bay Devil Rays @ Boston Red Sox

2007-07-05T23:56:00.001-04:00

Before I start, I DO plan on organizing my photos a little better. I will rotate the ones that are sideways, and make it easier to drill down into the day you want. All in good time.

Today I got up with my dad at the ungodly hour of 5:15. We caught another flight that was on time. WE have a little streak going, here. We are kinda’ due for a late flight. Earlier, there were thunder showers in Pittsburgh, so we were quite worried about what kind of weather we would encounter in Boston.

When we got into Boston, we took a walk through the Boston Common, and saw the original Cheers bar. Very nice. Then, we cabbed over to Harvard, and took a walk there, bought some t-shirts, hoodies and the most gloriously silky boxers I have ever seen. At the cash, the person at the desk actually asked for my Student ID! Do I really look that smart? And old? Maybe I shouldn’t get any ideas, as we are in a foreign country.

We went back to the hotel, and I played some pinball while my dad took a call. We went into Borders bookstore, and got a bite to eat at a pub called Kennedey’s, an Irish pub, naturally placed in Boston.

The subway to Fenway was conveniently placed and easily reachable from most places in the city. We went to a restaurant called Chicago UNO, a place that is virtually packed before every ballgame.

Then we got onto the street where concessions are sold, hats and jerseys are sold, and so on. There was music and dancing, etc. Magical. I could only imagine this place 3 years ago in the World Series. Once we got into the concourse area, images of Wrigley flashed into my head. This place is just as old as Wrigley, and designed in very much the same way.

Our seats were incredible, only 5 rows back from the center of the Red Sox dugout. The only way that you could get closer to the action is if you were to be calling the balls and strikes. These seats were simply epic. In the first inning, there was a grand slam, and the starting pitcher for the Devil Rays was pulled after only .2 innings, giving up 6 earned runs. Also, our seats were perfectly placed, in that, it was very possible to get a foul ball. While this did not happen, there were a few VERY close calls, and one foul-ball-off-the-jaw-in-other-words-watch-out-when-you-are-that-close-call. Poor woman.

Beside us, there was a mother with 5 of her 6 grown sons. These brothers knew everything there was to know about the Red Sox, the Flyers, the Bruins, Bobby Orr, and so on. Very entertaining to listen to. We told them about our trip, and they were extremely envious.

Starting in about the 4th inning, some little negligible drops of rain came down. No big deal. Then in the 6th, it came down hard. We left after the complete 7th inning, for a total of just under 3 hours, when the score was 15-4, Boston.

Day 4 - Milwaukee Brewers @ Pittsburgh Pirates

2007-07-04T22:23:00.001-04:00

As I sit here in my hotel writing this column, I can hear the fireworks celebrating the 4th of July. These American’s love their country, as well as their baseball. This can be best described by the sign that I saw in left-center field “Because you love baseball and you’re an American”, clearly describing the state of the country.

I got up this morning, and hopped into a cab. After a quick scare that the tickets for the trip were lost, we were on our way to the airport. After another flight that arrived early, we drove through the hilly city of Pittsburgh and through a tunnel about ¾ of a mile long. After checking into our hotel, we took the short walk to the ballpark. I bought a Jason Bay jersey along with a Pittsburgh Pirates hat. Bay did not play this game, coincidentally. We had lunch at the Outback Steakhouse, overlooking left field.

During the game, nothing startlingly special happened until my dad got up to call home, and the Pirates were at bat. All at once, a pitch was hurled toward home, and the crowd became silent. CRACK. What a magical sound. The only voice that I could hear was that of a fan in front of me. “Gone.” He said. It was. The Pirates tied the ballgame at 3. They never looked back. Another two-run homer late put the Pirates up 5-3. Final score.

The only real commentary that I have on this park is that it is strikingly similar to U.S. Cellular Field and Comerica Park. The seating configuration is similar, the scoreboard configuration is similar, the concourse design is similar, the ramps are placed in ways that one can watch the game, and the list goes on. Perhaps it is this style of ballpark that I like, because all I have is another great review.

My only complaint about PNC park is that in between what seemed like every half inning there was some terrible game, or contest of quiz. It seemed very scripted and acted out on the part of the staff. Oh, yes, and the man that told me to ‘use my own fucking row to exit into the aisle’ in front of his kids, in which I simply told him to ‘lighten up.’

Another special moment took place when the Pirates field announcer asked all of the past or present US forces members to stand up. Many men and women young and old stood to a thundering applause. Happy 4th of July. Now, let’s go look for Osama.

At the end of the game, there was a country band of who’s name I cannot recall set to perform. At least 90% of the fans in the ballpark stayed to see this band do their thing. Me and my dad stayed for one song. I guess you have to be from America to understand the meaning of the song “Save a horse, ride a cowboy.”

When we got back, I had a lovely banana-stuffed pork chop for dinner, and a salad. I am now full. Boston, here I come. You better not rain on me tomorrow.

Day 3 - Cleveland Indians @ Detroit Tigers

2007-07-04T00:03:00.001-04:00

Well, three days into tripforthecycle, I have to say that I am thoroughly impressed with the variety and quality of the ballparks and cities that I am seeing. Chicago had some top notch ballparks, and the city, again, thoroughly impressed me, as it was clean, and easy to navigate. Detroit, today was no exception. Me and my dad got up at about 8 o’clock, to exercise and to head on out. After a very fast flight that was 20 minutes ahead of schedule, we were in Detroit. Firstly, this place is not as bad as it seems. It is very clean, and easy to navigate. The entire city is not one big trailer park, and not everyone in the city packs heat up every sleeve.

Comerica Park is a stunning example of how a simple thing like baseball can be turned into a dazzling experience for everyone. The place is an amusement park. There is a ferris wheel, a water show, and a museum all packed into one neat little place where there is still a game being played.

This game was spectacular. Early in the game, Nate Robertson, or “the TermiNATEor” (hardly fair.) was hardly brilliant, but Byrd was. He went 7 innings with only 6 hits allowed givin up four runs. Somehow, the Tigers also did so, creating a tie ball game into the ninth inning where neither side threatened the other. Amongst all the moans from Inge’s final fly out to left field, you could hear a faint “Free baseball.” That was me. At the time, I did not think that this game had much of an emotional impact on me, but I was later proved wrong.

With the bases loaded, and one out in the bottom of the tenth inning, the Tigers were threatening to end this game, but with a Guillen popout to third base and a Rodriguez comebacker to the pitcher, fans were beginning to become agitated.

A home run that was out of the park in a hurry was all the Indians needed to secure a 5-4 victory over the Tigers.

Some highlights: The Iron Sheff’s solo blast in the third inning.
Career game #2000 catching for Ivan Rodriguez.
A near walk-off Grand Slam for the Tigers in the tenth inning.

Pittsburgh, here I come.

Day 2 - Baltimore Orioles @ Chicago White Sox

2007-07-03T00:28:00.000-04:00

After one of the best baseball experiences of my life, I woke up refreshed and ready to see some more ball. After running 2 miles in just under 20 minutes, or ‘way too fast’, according to my dad, we went to Starbucks, and I got a Orange Crème Coffee Cake, and an orange juice.

Searching for something to do, me and my dad turned on the TV, and there was a promotion for the Taste of Chicago. Cool! After a 25 or so minute walk, we were there. The Taste of Chicago is supposed to attract about 3.5 million people over about a week, and generate about $23.5 million in revenue. I was thoroughly impressed. There must have been 350 booths all with a unique taste of Chicago. Trust me. I tried a lot of food. A Sloppy Joe, a butter dipped, cajun spiced corn-on-the-cob, and a deep-dish pizza. On the way back to the hotel, we saw a human-statue. His awkward whistling and quirky movements sprung just three words in to my dad’s mouth. “Get an education.”

Back at the hotel, we hung around for a while, and decided to get to the game in time for the gates to open, for batting practice. A funny thing about U.S. Cellular Field: you need a ticket to even access a level. If you do not have a ticket to the 100 level, you do not see that level whatsoever, due to the configuration of the park. So, we thought that we could grab a bite to eat in a nearby restaurant, but no such luck. Another funny thing about U.S. Cellular Field: it is in the middle of nowhere! So, we grabbed a bite to eat inside the park.

About 30 minutes before the game, the ads started. Okay, let’s hear the sponsors of the White Sox, shall we? 20 minutes later, the ads finish. Those were the most horribly boring 20 minutes I have ever had at a ballpark. I did not want to hear what the preferred limo service of the Chicago White Sox is. Before the game, more specifically, after the Star Spangled Banner, the fireworks went off. Awkward, considering the White Sox are below .500, and they really have nothing special going on.

During the first little while of the game, more specifically, the first 7.2 innings, Buehrle was on fire. Constant “RE-SIGN BUEHRLE” chants rung out from the grandstands. When Ozzie Guillen decided to give him the hook, the fans erupted, and so did the game, for the worse. After taking Buerhle out of the game, the White Sox’s defence fell apart, and their bullpen did very little to reinforce the 3 run lead that they were given.

On the way back to the hotel, I had my first taste of Chicago public transit, save a few cabs. The train that we took back was packed. Absolutely packed. People’s personal space shrunk to the size of their skin. If they did not like it, there would be another train arriving shortly.

However, the facility of U.S. Cellular Field is outstanding. Hands down. Maybe next time you can win, White Sox.

Day 1 - Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs

2007-07-01T18:04:00.000-04:00

At 6:30 today, I awoke to the pleasant thought that tripforthecycle had begun. With a quick shower, a bunch of sports highlights, and some last-minute packing, we were off. We hurried down into Toronto to catch our flight. I got a pair of sunglasses and a WIRED magazine, and hopped on the plane.

The flight was quick, arriving 25 minutes early. I was amazed at the size of O’Hare airport, even though I knew that it was one of the largest in the world. Massive amounts of people come in and out every day to enjoy the Windy City, as well as to connect and depart elsewhere in the world.

After a cab ride comparable to a Formula 1 car, we hit the hotel and gave our bags to the desk. We then scurried up some stairs and down a couple blocks to the conveniently located ESPN zone. What a place. With over 100 HD TV’s, and loads of video games and Chicago sports memorabilia, it was definitely a great time. The food was great too. The Smoke House Burger really hit the spot.

Okay, the game. I got my picture with Harry Caray, and got my picture of the infamous ‘Welcome to Wrigley Field’ board. I stepped into the concourse area, and to be honest, it looked more like the underside of the rusty bleachers at any local park, than the class and cleanliness of the Rogers Centre that I was expecting. I sat in the 94 year old seats, and stared into the sea of blue, rowdy fans. This is Cubs baseball. I was asked a number of times about my tripforthecycle shirt and told to have a great time. A great highlight was the Miller Lite sign across the street, but in view from Wrigley Field that read “We prefer a pennant chase to a sausage race.” This of course is ironic, as the Brewers play at Miller field.

With the manual scoreboard, minimal electronic displays and the atmosphere of a TRUE baseball park, Wrigley Field was the perfect way to start the trip.

SHIRTS!

2007-06-30T14:47:00.000-04:00

They come in white and black. I will try to give one or two away after the trip. AWESOME!
1
2

Tomorrow.

2007-06-30T12:58:00.001-04:00

By this time tomorrow, I will be in Chicago with my dad to start TripfortheCycle. Exciting stuff. And, as always, pictures and stories to follow.

Zooomr > Flickr

2007-06-29T20:16:00.000-04:00

Due to the upload limit on Flickr, I have chosen to switch to Zooomr to log the photos of this trip. They have unlimited upload.

The useful links as they stand:
Zooomr - photos
tripforthecycle blog - stories and whatnot.

All other links to flickr have been changed. Including on inadamsworld.com

3 more days!

2007-06-27T11:26:00.000-04:00

Only three more days until my epic journey across the Northeastern United States. A few things before I go.

My Zooomr - for photos.
Trip for the cycle, for text updates and stories.

Check back regularly, because there will be quite a bit of new things posted on a regular basis.

Memory book.

2007-06-23T08:53:00.000-04:00

My dad's assistant did her homework on all of these parks, and created a book for me and my dad to jot some notes in, as well as some fun facts about the park and so on. What a great surprise. It is also decided that we will be making a display case tentatively consisting of a ball from each park, a hat from each park, the ticket, and said book.

Seats cont'd...

2007-06-21T12:14:00.000-04:00

I have all the seats save Wrigley, and just awaiting a few of them in physical form.

I had the chance to sit in the owner's box at Yankee Stadium, but I turned it down for dugout seats. oopsie!

I leave on July 1, which gives me 9 more days.

Seats so far.

2007-06-18T18:01:00.000-04:00

I have all the seats for this trip save Wrigley and Yankee Stadium. -- But I have connections working on it.

US Cellular Field: Upper Box 529 Row: 10
Fenway: Sec. 15, Box 25, Row H, Seats 1 and 2.
Comerica Park: 331/A
RFK: Section: 214 Row: 10
PNC: Section: 115 Row: K

Read 'em and weep.

Coming up.

2007-06-13T15:58:00.000-04:00

Just over two weeks left until I depart. (July 1, 2007)

Schedule - Trip for the Cycle.

2007-06-12T20:21:00.000-04:00

Hey, folks! Welcome to Adam's 'Trip for the cycle" web page. This trip will bring me to 6 major league ballparks in the Northeast United States in 10 days.

The trip will consist of:

7/1 Fly to Chicago AM

- Milwaukee @ Chicago Cubs 2:20 PM

7/2 - Sightseeing in Chicago

- Baltimore @ Chicago White Sox 8:00 PM

7/3 Fly to Detroit AM

- Cleveland @ Detroit 7:00 PM

7/4 Fly to Pittsburgh AM

-Milwaukee @ Pittsburgh 4:00 PM

-Fly to Boston PM ???

7/5 Fly to Boston AM ???

- Tampa Bay @ Boston 7:00 PM

7/6 Fly to New York AM

- Los Angeles Angels @ New York Yankees 7:00 PM

7/7 New York Sightseeing

7/8 Fly to Washington AM

- Milwaukee @ Washington 1:35 PM

7/9 Washington Sightseeing

7/9 or 10 Fly to Toronto

Your comments are welcome on this site, but please be respectful, and visit regularly, as there will be frequent updates (hopefully :P)

My Zooomr account will have pictures as they come.