#21. McAfee Coliseum home of the Oakland Athletics

Times visited: 1
Date: 7/7/07 vs. Seattle (L: 4-0)

This story actually starts on 7/6/07 when I arrived in San Fransisco after a very long flight from New York City. It’s a long flight to begin with but for those on the plane with me, we had the honor of sitting on the runway for two hours before taking off. This was not a great start for the All-Star Trip to San Fran. It was nearly Midnight on the West Coast by the time the plane landed and I went down to baggage claim to get my stuff. I waited and waited and after 20 minutes I heard what I thought was my name paged over the loud speaker. I inquired about the name and didn’t find out it was my name they called. I was the lucky person who’s luggage hasn’t arrived yet. After filling out some paperwork, I arranged for the airline to drop off the luggage at a hotel in Oakland I was planning to stay the next night, I took a cab to a hotel near the airport to rest up for the night.

The next day I ventured into San Fransisco wearing the same clothes from the night before. I took the bus into town and was just in awe of the city. It was such a beautiful city and there’s was so much to see. It was nice to see some of the items on the bus route where I wanted to go and what parts of town I wanted to avoid make planning so much easier.

Since the All Star festitives didn’t start in San Fransiso until the next day I went to Oakland on Saturday to see the A’s play. I took the subway into Oakland and upon my arrival, quickly changed hotel plans. There wasn’t much around the hotel I was staying at and I didn’t want to waste a night in Oakland. Luckily, the place where I was staying in San Fran had an opening for that night so I changed hotels. I even notified the airline that was I staying at a new hotel so they can take the luggage there.

I made it to the Coliseum to watch Oakland play Seattle. In this game Seattle pitcher Felix Hernandez put on the pitching clinic as the Mariners easily won. The Coliseum is a huge stadium, it’s built more for football than baseball and has more foul ground territory than most ball parks. It was very easy to get around this stadium which I liked. The one thing that this place lacked though was personality on the outside. This may be because the Stadium is shared with the Raiders.

After the game I checked into the hotel in San Fransisco. Still no luggage. Sunday came and still no luggage, I hit the thrift stores and drug stores to add to my wardrobe. After attending some of the All-Star Festivities Sunday night I came back to the hotel and still no luggage. I called the airline and found my out my luggage had indeed been delivered… to the hotel in Oakland.

Hanging out with Rob Scheinder

Finally on Monday morning I hopped on the subway and picked up my luggage in Oakland. I learned my lessons when you change hotels make sure you can still get your luggage on time or you’ll be spending part of your time shopping at thrift stores. I did end up with a nice shirt though.

WrestleMania 24 with "Hogan" and "The Warrior"

This weekend is one of the greatest sports weekends of the year. It’s the beginning of the baseball season, you have the final four in college and it’s also the weekend of WrestleMania. This year, WrestleMania 27 will take place down in Atlanta featuring nine matches and the return of The Rock who will be hosting the event. I have been lucky enough to attend to WrestleManias. I was at WM23 in Detroit and WM24 in Orlando. Both were quite the experience.

The energy, the crowd and the people who come to this event to have fun, make this a great time. Whether or not you’re a wrestling fan, its fun watching the crowd. Even if you don’t know who the Undertaker or J0hn Cena are, there are some people who come dressed as these wrestlers. Think of it as going to see KISS or a Star Trek convention. Those who do it for fun and not taking the whole thing too seriously are the best to talk to, hence the picture up above. Of course all of this is coming from a guy who has worn dog suits at wrestling shows.

Best tip I can give you. Next time you head out to a wrestling show, get some pictures with the people who are all dressed up. It’ll be well worth the memories.

I will share a few of my favorite Wrestling stories this week from my experiences at various shows throughout the years.

This really doesn’t need a description does it? It’s a Richard Simmons Airline Safety video. If doesn’t make you feel safe about flying, I don’t know what well.

#22. Cinergy Field home of the Cincinatti Reds

Times visited: 1
Dates: 7/16/01 vs. Detroit (W: 9-1)

Ruben Rivera was known for 4 things in his major league career. #1 He was the cousin of legendary Yankees Closer Marinao Rivera. #2 He took some of Derek Jeter’s equipment in 2002 and sold them. #3 He’s know for what some people consider the worst base running play of all time.

Those three items are pretty well known among some baseball fans. The fourth item is only known to a handful of people. Ruben was responsible for me getting my hands on a major league baseball.

I was living in Indianapolis at the time and ended up scoring front row tickets to the Reds/Tigers game in Cincy. I ended up with more tickets than I exected so I had a few seats in the front by myself. Once the game started two ladies came down into the front row and we talked throughout the game. It was about in the third inning that I finally figured out why they were there. They knew one of the ball players. From time to time they would converse with Ruben Rivera of the Reds in Spanish. Apparently they met at an apartment complex that Ruben was looking at.

In the middle of the game Ruben tosses one of the girls a ball. Jealous, I asked the girls if I could get one, next thing I know Ruben tosses a ball my way. Even though this wasn't a game ball. After years and years of going to a game and coming close on a few occasions of getting a ball, I finally had one. I had the biggest smile in the ball park that night.

There was a baseball game that night and the Tigers got smoked by the Reds. Ken Griffey Jr. hit two homeruns although I missed one thanks to the very very slow service at the park that night. The stadium by the way was one of the old cookie cutter ballparks and since the new stadium was being built right next to it, part of the outfield of the current ballpark was removed so the new structure could be built.

After I visited this ballpark I would end up with baseballs at the nex 3 out of 4 ballparks I visited but on this warm summer night in July of 2001, thanks to Ruben Rivera. I finally got a baseball!

#23. Comiskey Park II home of the Chicago White Sox

Times visited: 1
Dates: 7/5/01 vs. Minnesota (L: 12-2)

Of the active stadiums this is a lowest ranking American Leauge park.

While I lived in Indianapolis I made three memorable trips to Chicago. Once for a Robert Plant concert in June of 01. Then a White Sox and Cubs game in July.

I had heard rumors that Cominsky II wasn’t located in the best of neighbors. When I arrived to the southside of Chicago the stadium was very easy to get too off the highway. There’s nothing around the ballpark, when you’re there for a game that’s about all you can do there. You can’t wander around, well you can but it’s not a good idea. I don’t know if that’s changed in the last 10 years since I’ve been there.

There’s something about watching any team play the Minnesota Twins live in person I rarely see this team lose, whether is the Tigers or another team, the Twins seem to win.

I ended up with a front row ticket right by left field foul pole and had a great time chatting with some White Sox fans who were having a good time. In my years of going to a game I never got a ball at this point. Came close though as a double can screaming down the line only to bounce off the hands of the guy that was next to me.

One of the “highlights” of the game was watching Jose Canseco play during his last season. He actually had a pretty good game as the DH getting a couple hits and scoring a run.

As for the stadium, at the time this ballpark was about 10 years old it already seemed outdated. There was a lot of concrete, everywhere. Even the upper decks seemed to be made out of total concrete and seemed really high up. Beginning in 2001 the ballpark has gone under many changes to make the stadium friendly for the fans. I would love to go back and see how it is now.

In the parking lot they have an outline of some parts of the old Cominsky Park that was torn down after the 1990 season. I wish I had a chance to see that park. 

I was happy to see when I was leaving the ballpark there was plenty of signs directing traffic back onto the highway.

For fans of the TV Show “How I Met Your Mother” I present to you the same show in Russian. Even though it’s not in English its pretty funny.

#24 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

Times Visited: 2

Date: 6/29/01 vs. Detroit (W 3-2); 6/30/10 vs. Detroit (W 3-2)

The trip to Minnesota set a personal record for the longest drive to a baseball stadium. At the time I was living in Indianapolis and thought that a 10 hour drive from Indy to Minnesota was a great idea. I will say this parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota are beautiful in the summer time, a lot of great scenery. I decided I would stay in Minnesota for two games since I had such a long drive plus my Tiger’s just happened to be planning the Twins. The Tiger’s were in the middle of their long drought and usually don’t do good against the Twins. In the first game I thought the Tigers had a chance to win but a late rally by the Twins ruined that chance.

Before the second game I had more time to check out Minneapolis and St. Paul (the Twin Cities). Minneapolis is a very well kept city and at the time Jesse Ventura was the governor, I was hoping to catch a glipse of him but he wasn’t in the Capital building when I made it there.

I finally made my way to the Metordome where the Twins played. This stadium was more constructed for football and baseball seemed like an afterthought here. The rightfield wall looked like it was covered what looked like black trash bags. Many people referred to it as baggies. Before the second game I was highly impressed with what the team did outside. There was a lot of activities for the kids and adults to do and the staff was very nice. Inside the ballpark there wasn’t as much personality. Walking into a domed stadium all the doors were revolving doors that feel like you were getting sucked into park when you would go through them.

A nice treat for me was seeing the 1991 Twins team come on the field before the game, a ten year celebration of their World Series Championship. It was great to see former Tiger Jack Morris and Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett on the field. The Tiger’s also lost the second game, although it was by one run they didn’t seem like they had a chance to win. Just a couple of years ago the Twins moved into a new stadium, one I have yet to visit, this time I think I’ll fly.

After the second game I drove quite a ways to make good time for my next trip, Milwaukee. I don’t know what city I was in but when I got off the interstate around midnight I swear I heard gunshots. So I turned around and got back on the interstate and drove for another hour before getting a room.

Sadly, I realized after I left the state I missed out on seeing the biggest ball of twine.

#25 Pro Player Stadium

Times Visited: 1

Date: 8/4/02 vs. Milwaukee (W 7-2)

Florida baseball hasn’t worked out as planned when it’s come to popularity. This is the case despite the fact the Florida Marlins have won 2 World Series in the last 20 years and the Tampa Rays have been playing good baseball the past couple of years. I think one of the factors has to be that in Miami where the Marlins play, it’s that in the summer time it’ssunny, hot and humid. That was the case when I made my visit in 2002.

Whenever I travel to a ballpark I try to get there in a decent amount of time to avoid any traffic jams. There was none of that here so I had a lot of time to kill before the game. The Marlins don’t play in a traditional Stadium, they share it with the Miami Dolphins and the Stadium was constructed for Football. Once inside I found out that since they don’t expect large crowds that top section of the Stadium is closed off. I took my seat on the first base side and realized pretty much where you sit, there’s no shade. So, on a 90 degree plus day and it’s sunny and humid you’re gonna sweat in your seat. That’s what I did. It was hot. The announced attendance was 6,630 but there had to be less than that there. It was a good game to watch and Florida won with some good pitching and it was nice to see the winning pitching get awards with a shaving cream pie to the face after the game.

I’d really like to see Florida baseball work, I don’t know if a new stadium is the answer but on a hot day sitting outside in this weather isn’t an ideal setting to watch a game. The Stadium just doesn’t work, it’s made for football.

#26 Veteran’s Stadium

Times Visited: 1

Dates: 4/6/02 vs. Florida (L 7-3)

The trip to Philly was quite fun, this was the first time I ever drove up the Eastern shore. The one thing I loved with this ballpark was how easy it is to get to off the highway, although this was a game with less than 2o,000 people. Much different situation if it’s a full house. This game was the second home page of the year for a Phillies and attendance wise a huge drop from opening day, something that is pretty common on baseball and helped me score a great seat behind home plate. It was very cold that day and I was thankful that they were selling hot dogs that day at a much cheaper price as I needed some hot food to stay warm. Before the game I actually ended up with one of the baseballs from batting practice thanks to a Phillies coach. Although this stadium was the same as many other cookie cutters, I thought the Liberty Bell on the scoreboard was a nice touch. It goes off after the Phillies homer or win, neither of which happened that day. The Phillies and Marlins kept it close until the last two innings but Florida pulled ahead with four runs in the last two innings. Although Philly was supposed to have some bad fans, I didn’t see it at this game. They wouldn’t let me down during a visit to the new ballpark though but that storycomes further down the list.

One thing I thought was cool here was that if it was your first time at the ballpark you could get a certificate that states such accomplishment. That reminds me I need to see if I still have that. One major dislike at the ballpark, it was very hard to find a good place outside the Vet to take a good picture.

After the game I walked over to the Spectrum and watched the Norfolk Admirals take on the Philadelphia Phantoms. This was the first time I saw two sporting events in the same day. After the game I started a trek down to Balitmore to watch the O’s in action the next day.

#27 RFK Stadium

Times Visited: 2

Dates: 4/17/05 vs. Arizona (W 7-3), 9/23/07 vs. Philly (W 5-3)

After the 2004 season the Montreal Expos became the Washington Nationals and moved into RFK stadium which hasn’t hosted baseball since the 1971. When the stadium was initially opened in 1961 it was designed to support both football and baseball. Yes, this was the first of the cookie cutters we saw in Philly, New York, St Louis and others. . The Redskins played there until the Mid 90s and the stadium has hosted soccer for a number of years. It didn’t seem completely ready for baseball to return. The Nationals only played for three years at RFK before moving into a new stadium (which I have yet to visit).

I was surprised the first time I went to this stadium how easy it was to drive up to DC on a Sunday. I wouldn’t be as lucky after the game, more on that later. I would say there was a some excitement for the return of the baseball to DC during my first visit. While this stadium didn’t allow for great viewing on some parts of the lower deck, a big problem, the view on the upper deck was great and you could see just about everything in and out of the Stadium. Before the game the team unveiled a new mascot, Screech, who represents the American Bald Eagle. The first homestand was also the beginning of a new DC tradition. The race of the US Presidents, during the 2005 this was only done in cartoon form on the scoreboard, this would change with live people in mascot outfits a year later. After the Sunday game in which the Nats won thanks to a big rally in the seventh I drove up to Philly to catch a Sunday night game. Yes I saw two ballgames on the same day and that wasn’t the first time I did that.

The second time to RFK was for the last National’s game at the ballpark. This is where I could tell the thrill of the team being in DC may have worn off a little. The game wasn’t a sellout and most of the crowd left late in the game. I asked around since the game was actually pretty close. I found out that the Skins were home playing a four o’clock game and people were either going there or home to watch the game. So DC is a football town. One of the highlights of the final game at RFK was watching Hampton Roads’ native Ryan Zimmerman play in the game. The other highlight was the President’s Race, throughout the National’s history of the four Presidential characters, Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt, Teddy was the one to have never won a race in all those years. During the last race the National’s bullpen came out to stop Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson from winning. However their plan back fired as Roosevelt was at the future National’s ballpark and never showed up to race. The tradition continues at the new stadium with the President’s Race and Teddy still loses.