Ballpark Memory, Mac's McFarlanes, Uncategorized

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Seattle Mariners (Family, Backwards Caps and Memories of a Dome)

May 14, 2016

What: LAA of Anaheim at Seattle Mariners

When: April 7, 2015

Who: Amanda, Mac, Amanda’s Sister Anna, Her Husband Kevin, Their Kids Jolene and Cecilia, Amanda’s Parents Ross and Patty, and Me!

Why This Game Mattered: We had all traveled to Seattle for the wedding of Amanda’s cousin. Since we it was Opening Week for the season, we were able to add to our ballpark list. The special bonus was that our family was able to join us for a great night at the ballpark. We really enjoyed sharing this night with our family. It made it even more fun and special.

Originally, writing this blog was to reflect on not just the games but the people we shared the game with that day. This game truly matches that mission. Safeco was great, game was fun, but the most important thing was being there with our family.

At the end of the day, our memories consist of who we were with and how we felt surrounded by the people we love.

Mac was excited to take his cousins to their first Major League game. They enjoyed copious amounts of cotton candy, pizza, ice cream, new caps, a sweet M’s blanket and quality bonding time! Definitely a night to remember during a great trip to the Emerald City.

Also, Mandy and I lived in Seattle back in the early 2000’s before returning to Tucson to start a family. This trip was enjoyable to share with Mac a place we had lived before him. Seattle was where we lived when we got engaged and married.

11377393_10206442353475249_5833927911217175962_n[1]

Then (2000) and Now (2015) Lincoln Park, Seattle

Beautiful Night for a Game

Shooting the Arrow:

One of our favorite player rituals is Fernando Rodney’s Shoot the Arrow following the final out of a game. Here is Mac re-enacting it in Rodney’s home park (in front of really cool mosaic of the clinching run in the 1995 ALDS).

Cool Feature of Safeco Field – The Big Car Port

Like many new stadiums, Safeco was built with a retractable roof. However, there is one significant difference between their roof and the rest of the league. Instead of folding into itself and retracting inside the stadium, Safeco’s roof functions like a car port. It remains as single long cover that moves over the field when needed. When not in use, the roof actually moves to the rear of the stadium in a single piece.

Here is the roof extending behind the stadium while not being used over the playing field.

This is a side view of the roof sitting over the train tracks behind Right Field.

Unique Sculpture:

Bat Display Hanging in the Main Foyer of the park.

The Kingdome

A large part of Seattle’s baseball history rested inside their previous stadium – The Kingdome. I was fortunate enough to live in Seattle while Safeco was built and opened so I have been to both ballparks. Granted, the Kingdome was loud but terrible for baseball. The last game I saw at the old stadium featured my friend catching a Todd Zeile foul ball. Awesome! Sitting right next to Safeco Field, the dome was imploded one summer morning. Our home was right across the bay in West Seattle so we were able to have brunch and watch this amazing event.

Before the Implosion:

Our view from Salty’s Restaurant on Alki Beach

The Implosion:

McFarlane Purchase:

McFarlane figurine’s are not always available in team stores. However, we got lucky and they had King Felix for sale. This was a no-brainer.

Family Night at the Game

Cousins!

Obligatory Seattle Photo Opportunity with the Space Needle

Mariner Museum

Big Unit and the Little Units

Tucsonan Tom Wilhelmsen’s Jersey representing the M’s multi-pitcher no-hitter

Junior

When it comes to the Seattle Mariners, one name stands above all. Junior. As usual, we made our way to the Team Store prior to the game starting. What did Mac want? Two items: Mariners cap and a Ken Griffey Jr. shirsey.

Shirt in hand.

Hat

If you are in Seattle and admire Junior, there is only one way to wear your cap.

More Junior and hat on backwards, of course.

Mike Trout

2015 was a good year for us to see the reigning MVP. First, we saw him this night in Seattle. Next, we watched him play the Diamondbacks in Phoenix. Finally, we were lucky to see him grab MVP honors at the All Star Game in Cincinnati after hitting a home run off of Zach Greinke.