Ballpark Memory – Take Me Out To The Ballpark

Tampa Rays at Baltimore Orioles (Oriole Park at Camden Yards)

February 1, 2016

When: April 16, 2014

Box Score: Tampa Rays at Baltimore Orioles April 14, 2014

What: A quick trip to Baltimore for a matinee game during our visit to Washington, D.C.

Who: Amanda, Mac and me.

Why: This game was a bit different from our usual ballpark visits. We decided just to jump over to Baltimore for a game without any advance planning. Our plan was to get there near game time and find tickets from a seller around the stadium. Note: this day was not warm! The anticipated high was 35 degrees. Good thing this would be a day game.

Bonus:

Since the April 15 game was rained out, this game was to be Jackie Robinson Day. Being uniform geeks, we were excited to see our first game where everyone wore the Number 42. Exciting!

Fun Part:

To get to the ball game from DC, we decided to take the train. Not only was this mode of transportation different than our usual method of travel, but we had the pleasure of using two of the nicest train stations in the country.

From DC we caught the train at the legendary Union Station.

All Aboard!

Next Stop: Downtown Baltimore. Continue Reading…

Ballpark Memory, Bobble Head Collection, Uncategorized

Oakland A’s at Texas Rangers & the Baseball President (The Ballpark at Arlington)

January 28, 2016

When: June 19, 2013

Box Score: Athletics v. Rangers June 19, 2013

Who: Amanda, Mac and Me

Our Trip: We were traveling out to San Antonio to pick up my dad’s car. So we decided to fly into Dallas for two important reasons. First, a Rangers game. Second, a visit to the George W. Bush Presidential Library. Mac is not only a baseball fan, but also has a significant interest in US Presidents.

Near the top of his “favorites” list – W. Why? Because he used to own the Texas Rangers and threw out a pitch during the World Series won by the Diamondbacks (See video below).

George W. Bush Presidential Museum, Southern Methodist University

Located on the campus of Southern Methodist University, the museum is really cool. Regardless of your political persuasion or opinion of W, the museum is an amazing experience. You don’t have to be a supporter of W to enjoy the historical elements of the museum. Whatever your opinion, touring the museum will not change your viewpoint of his presidency. However, you will see and experience key moments in history.

Ballpark Memory, Mac's McFarlanes, Uncategorized

2015 All Star Game Part 4 – Fan Fest

September 22, 2015

Fan Fest, Saturday and Sunday (July 11-12)

Sure, attending the HR Derby and the ASG were the primary focus of the trip. However, we were also eagerly anticipating the MLB Fan Fest being held at the Duke Energy Convention Center. It is the greatest collection of memorabilia, souvenirs, cards and baseball activities located anywhere. Let’s just say that Mac was ready for this part of the trip. Our plan was to get up early on Sunday and spend the entire day there. However, Saturday morning, Mac asked if we could go on Saturday as well.

Absolutely. What is better than a day at Fan Fest? Two days!

After running a 5K and walking two additional miles, we were ready to head over to Fan Fest. The event was held at the Duke Energy Convention Center which was about a 15 minute walk from the house. We ended up spending the entire Saturday afternoon there, then we got up the next morning and went back for a few more hours. The following summary combines both days so these are not necessarily in chronological order.

Here we are at the main entrance which featured a large image of Paul Goldschmidt above the door.

Priority Number 1

Ever since Mac learned about this trip to Cincinnati, he has been focused on one specific souvenir. An authentic Paul Goldschmidt National League jersey. This is serious business. Mac counts down the days every year until ASG uniforms and hats are unveiled. This is a big deal in our household. Upon entering the building, we went straight to the Majestic Jersey store. It is a great set-up. The jerseys are embroidered to-order on the spot. On a slower day like this, Mac had his jersey in about 30 minutes.

Ballpark Memory, Uncategorized

2015 All Star Game Part 2 – Home Run Derby

September 15, 2015

Welcome to the 2015 Home Run Derby!

Home Run Derby has become a very anticipated event every year. This year with some new rule changes, the event promised to be even better. Of course, there was an extra sense of anticipation due to the presence of hometown hero, Todd Frazier. That afternoon brought huge thunderstorms to the area, but the worst rain just missed downtown. With electricity in the air, we headed down to the ballpark.

My favorite building from the week.

Hey look it is two-time MVP Joe Morgan!

The park was packed and ready for the fireworks sure to come.

Ballpark Memory, Bobble Head Collection, Uncategorized

Pittsburgh Pirates at Houston Astros (Minute Maid Park)

August 21, 2015

When: July 27, 2012

Box Score: Pirates – Astros July 27, 2012

Who: Mac, Gramps, Grams and Me

Why This Game?

This was all about extending a family tradition. As I wrote previously, going to a game with my dad was a big deal for me as a kid. Now that my son was getting older, I wanted to share that experience with the three of us. My dad (Gramps) and his wife (Grams) lived in San Antonio so I thought we could meet in Houston for a game. Something in my head was telling me that this was a good time to do the trip. Little did I know at the time, that this trip would turn out to be our last chance to go to a game together.

The Trip

This was going to be a quick journey. Mac and I would fly in to Houston on Friday afternoon and meet Gramps and Grams at hotel in downtown. Game would be Saturday night with us leaving later Sunday afternoon. While the game was randomly chosen, we ended up choosing wisely. First, we would have the chance to meet up with a friend at the ballpark and watch batting practice. Second, it was a bobble head day. Third, one of Mac’s favorite players had recently joined the Astros from the Diamondbacks. Finally, it was also Faith & Family Night featuring a post-game concert by one of our favorite bands, Mercy Me. Yep, not a bad game.

Batting Practice & Meeting a Baseball Hero

Ballpark Memory, Uncategorized

Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox (Fenway Park)

July 4, 2015

Joey Bats talking with Mike Cameron before the game

When: April 17, 2011

Box Score: Blue Jays – Red Sox April 17

Who: Amanda, Mac and Me

Why: We headed out to Boston as I prepared to run the 2011 Boston Marathon. It was my third time running, but the first time Mac was able to travel with us to the race. We had a big Patriots Day Weekend planned. Some sight seeing, dinner with friends on Saturday night, Race Day and a Red Sox game.

This was building to be an emotional trip. First, the excitement of seeing Fenway Park was a quite exciting. Second, the reason I run Boston is raise funds and awareness for Hydrocephalus research as part of Tedy’s Team. Led by a friend from Tucson, this group gives me the chance to help my son and run a lot. I had run many times in Mac’s name, but this would be the first time he would be at one of these races.

The Set Up

Thanks to our awesome friends Anne Marie and Margaret, we were able to obtain great seats right behind First Base. Also through the kindness of our friends, they arranged a private tour of Fenway before the Sunday afternoon game. We met our tour guide, Sarah Applewhite, in the VIP area of Fenway. To say that Sarah was kind and informative, would be an understatement. Her and Mac hit it off immediately. Sarah took us out to the field where the visiting Blue Jays were taking batting practice. Mac ended up with a ball given to him by Jose Bautista. Not bad. Seeing these ball players up close was amazing.

Thank you Blue Jays

Got it!

Ballpark Memory, Pinch Hitter

Now Pinch Hitting: Meeting Eric Karros written by Blake Keathley

June 23, 2015

Meeting Eric Karros: Dodger Legend and My Hero

By Blake Keathley

Blake’s Facebook Page

For as long as I can remember, I have been a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers. I grew up in Central California in a house divided; my dad is a lifelong fan of the Dodgers while my mom is loyal to the San Francisco Giants. So the first opportunity he got, my dad packed me in the car, put a Dodgers cap on my head and a Dodgers Dog in my hand, and in those moments, my allegiances were sealed forever.

I am very fortunate to have a wealth of memories that I’ll cherish forever, and I’ll always be thankful for the quality time that I got to spend with my father and friends at Dodgers Stadium. However, no individual game has been as memorable as the game I most recently attended at Dodgers Stadium on May 1, 2015. Even if the Dodgers had lost 100-0 to the Diamondbacks that night, nothing could have taken away from the excitement that I was fortunate enough to experience before the game.

In order to understand why this moment is so significant in my baseball fandom, I first have to say that Eric Karros has been my favorite baseball player since the first Dodgers game I attended in 1995. Throughout my own baseball career, I always wore #23 in his honor and even though he hasn’t played in the big leagues since 2004, I’m fairly certain no baseball player will ever come close to meaning as much to me as Eric Karros did in my childhood.

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