Patriots in Houston

Well, I may have found a solution to the photo posting issue here...the Blogger app for IOS.  So I'm going to post the pictures from my trip to see the Patriots beat the Texans in Houston first as a test, then finish the story later.

This place is huge.

From our club level seats.  Did I mention they were free?!

Zoomed in, so a little blurry.

L-R. My brother Tom, AA and his dad, who scored the tix.

Tried to get the Gronk TD spike and just missed.

This app seems to work, though am finding it awkward using a tablet to type a lot.  So I'll make it short and the pics are more interesting. We obviously had a great weekend of food, drink, golf and then capped off with the game. Patriots 27-6

The Best Team Doesn't Always Win.

Or a goalie standing on his head , a freshman at that, can steal you one; or this is why they play the games. You pick your preferred title.
We went to the final game of the 2015 Ice Breaker Tournament last night, which is the traditional tipoff of the college hockey season, this year held in Portland, Maine.  $25 got you a ticket to both games held that day but I wasn't going to torture Shelly with that much sports in a day or $45 would get you a ticket to all four games.
Portland is renowned as one of the best restaurant towns in the country. So we had dinner at an excellent Greek restaurant, walked around the city a bit and went to the finale, which turned out to be the game to decide the tourney winner between the host Maine Black Bears and Brent's highly-ranked North Dakota Fighting  Sioux.
There was never any doubt as to which was the superior team -- just look at the shots on goal difference of 2/1.  North Dakota dominated puck possession and zone time.  They're much more polished and experienced, and probably more talented but they couldn't solve Maine freshman goalie Rob McGovern, who turned away 43 of 44 SOG!
To me the turning point of the game came in the 2nd. ND was up up 1-0, was continuing to dominate and I noticed the Maine players start to look dispirited...this was going to get ugly.  But suddenly there was a sloppy clearing pass by ND and a very quick goal for Maine.  While the Souix continued to dominate, Maine played hard again from that point forward, a lesson for you youngsters out there.
Portland is going to bid to host a 2018 regional and I hope they showed the arena and city quite capable last night.

Baseball and old friends

You may know already, which makes me very late posting, that I went to DC to see my old friends DCHomer and TPUBGU (aka George and Rick), two of my best friends in the world and old Marine Corps buddies.  So I'm here to just give a little rundown of my visit, mostly focused on going to a couple of minor league baseball games.
I landed at Reagan National, where Rick picked me up and went straight to the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, VA, picked up some goodies and had a beer in the replica Tun Tavern.

New shirt bought at the museum
 

 Then we headed over to George's, where we caught up, told old "war stories" and drank plenty of scotch and had some very good Chinese take-out.

Me, George & Rick after a few scotches
 

Next morning we got up and headed to Gettysburg, where we spent a few hours with a tremendous guide who took us around the whole battlefield area and taught us history buffs a few things.  Then we had dinner at Dobbin House, which is a great restaurant that happens to be in the oldest house in Gettysburg and pretty much has always been at least a tavern.  If you've never been, go!
Then we hustled on up to Harrisburg for a AA Eastern League matchup between the hometown Senators and the Altoona Curve (it's still a stupid name, G!)  We had a very good time, of course but two things of note:  George decided he was going to be the world's biggest fan of this kid who played for Harrisburg, a first baseman by the name of Shawn Pleffner.  So G was hollering/rooting for this guy with every at-bat and every play at first base.  We had a great time with that.  On the way out I noticed a plaque, which George took a picture of but no longer has.  But since we all love baseball and history, this plaque telling us the history of the Harrisburg Giants of the Negro Leagues was pretty cool.  Oh, and the ball field is on an island in the river, same place that the Giants played.

The next day G had a prior engagement, so Rick and I shuttled off to Richmond to see his son and go to another Eastern League game, this one pitting the hometown Richmond Flying Squirrels against the Bowie Bay Sox.  Of most interest to me is the ballpark  in Richmond, which from the outside looks like a major league stadium.  There are very few of these "mini-major league" ballparks left.  Pawtucket is another, though even older than this one.


Me, Rick and Eddie.

It was a fabulous trip, getting to see old friends, drink and reminisce together and see baseball in the sunshine, which had yet to come to Maine.  And Eddie, thanks for suggesting Joe's, the food and beer were great.  Thanks for the ride also.

 George wanted to add these two pics.  The top one is of two pillars that border one end of a bridge that we drove through.  When you're coming across the bridge heading south, you'll see the State Capitol building between them.  Pretty cool.  The second photo is of the island that the ballpark sits on, and you can see it in this picture.   We did not take this.

Cincinatti

This will be a relatively short post since I plan on writing a bigger one on All Things Zebster regarding my whole weekend trip to Dayton to see my daughter and her beau.
I had bought tickets to fly from Portland to Atlanta to Dayton but the fire at O'Hare pushed our departure from Portland back 45 minutes, which was the exact amount of my layover in Atlanta.  Shelly was able to reschedule a connector for her from Atlanta to Raleigh to see her daughter but I couldn't get another flight into Dayton.  Luckily I was able to get a flight into Cincy, and since we were planning on seeing a game there on Saturday anyway, I just got us a hotel room and problem solved.
I got into the Cincy airport on time, where my daughter was waiting for me.  We went back to the hotel, had a cocktail at the bar and then had pizza and beer in the room.  The next morning we drove across the Ohio to park in Newport, KY to then walk across the bridge to the ballpark and see the Reds take on the Pirates in the next to last game of the season.

Crossing from KY to Cincy looking NE up the Ohio.

Some Cincy skyline and Reds history banners outside the park

Directly across the ballpark

We planned to get something to eat outside the ballpark but I was surprised, being downtown, how few choices there were at the ballpark.  We ate at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill, where the food was good and service bad.  It's now a corporate chain.  So despite the fact there was a big Hudepohl Beer sign hanging inside (just like you can see on the outfield wall of old Crosley Field, they didn't have any to offer.  They are definitely missing out on opportunity down there.
The Reds really had nothing to play for but the Pirates still had a chance to win the division.  Unfortunately the ballpark was half full and frankly rather lifeless.  I ordered tix that would give us a view of the game but also of the riverfront behind the ballpark.  I guess I should've consulted a sun chart because the bright sun that day was directly in our faces. 

Dad and daughter

And Wes using the '14 Reds team photo as a visor

From our seats, right above home plate

From the top of our section in the shade, which made for a better photo

So we watched a few innings from our seats but then retreated to the overhang and concourse to walk around, see the park and game from different angles.  In the end the Reds dashed the Pirates' hopes of a division title.

I did like the ballpark and how it was built in a steamboat motif, with smoke stacks in right center and the centerfield deck looking like the captain's deck of a steamboat.
We subsequently walked across the bridge, taking pictures of the Roebling Bridge and back at the skyline and stadiums lining the river.

Roebling Bridge

Statue of a fullsize paddle wheel in the park along the river behind the ballpark

The bridge we walked across with paddlewheel boats

Back at the skyline at from L to R football, baseball and arena

Roebling Bridge

Even better skyline shot and sporting venues

On the concourse of the arena was a statue of a pig wearing a hockey helmet and carrying a stick, despite the fact that the ECHL franchise that plays there is called the Cyclones.  RJ, do you know of an earlier franchise there that would explain the pig?
Once across the bridge went to the Hofbrauhaus, an authentic German bierhaus, where we had arguably the best time of the weekend.  The atmosphere, food and especially beer were outstanding.
I would like to go again sometime and spend more time downtown, including WKRP.

Houston

As you may already know, I flew to Houston last weekend to see my brother, good friend AA and catch a Red Sox game at Minute Maid Park.  (I think that makes five different ballparks where I've seen them play and nearly three times that many ballparks total)
I don't really have a whole lot to say except that we had a great time eating lots of great food and drinking beer during the three days I was there.  The ballpark is beautiful.  Got to see Big Papi hit a homer in a game they ultimately lost 3-2 (the only game of the three-game series they did lose).  Jake Peavy pitched very well again with no run support, although I disagreed with the manager's decision to let him start the 8th inning having already thrown 102 pitches and the top of the order coming up.  I was right as Jose Altuve led off with a hit and ultimately scored the game-winning run.  An Astro hit a homerun, so we got to see the train over the left field wall go choo choo and then run down the track.
Did you know this ballpark is built right behind the old Houston South Station train station?  We entered through South Station and then walking out the opposite side you enter a covered area that is a picnic area that essentially connects the station to ballpark.  Thought that was a great touch.
I took a few photos and from them you'll be able to see we splurged and sat in the club level.  What's great about that is not only do you have a seat outside that's pretty close with good sight lines but you can go back inside the club level and watch the game in air-conditioned comfort.
Below you'll see pictures from inside and outside Minute Maid Park but you'll also see a picture I took from my window on the airplane of the Atlanta skyline.  I think it's pretty cool, and if you zoom in it's even better and you can see what I think is the Georgia Dome.  The other couple of pictures are of the Astrodome, which I wanted to see before they tear it down.  Unfortunately we couldn't get very close to it. 

Minute Maid

Houston skyline

Astrodome

Astrodome

Left field and the train from our seats

From our seats

Biggio to Bagwell

Atlanta

Minute Maid

JETERS FAREWELL TOUR IN SEATTLE.

Living on the border I have the chance to catch most any team I want in Seattle. This past week my family;(jake dasnake, my wife May, my daughter Taral, and my son in law Mark) took in Jeter's farewell tour. Three of us are rabid Yankee fans, and Mark is a rabid Oakland fan, but despite his shortcomings we love him anyway. The games were the picture perfect version of fans support, every at-bat Jeter had was given a rousing ovation, and with Suzuki playing the support was even more so. The games were good and the right team won all three games.
There is a lot of Yankee support on the west coast and a lot of it coming from Canada. The media was there as they seem to be following him like puppy dogs to every stadium to pick up any little nugget he may drop.  I don't mind these farewell tours as the players who receive them are quite worthy, and I think that staying on the same team for close to 20 years has gained them this right of passage. Chipper and Mariano are two of the latest over the last few years.
The new Safeco Field is a lot different from the old Kingdome.  Back then you could catch a player getting out of his cab and catch an autograph.  That is what happened 20 years ago when Jeter was in his first season.   I caught him coming from his cab and got him to sign a bat I was putting together of Yankees.  That wasn't going to happen this time, not by a long shot, but the fun I had watching the other people going after him made my day.
There are a few things I remember from a lot of games and this series did not change that, outstanding fielding by both teams and the roof closing.  If you never remember anything from a game I tell you the sight of umpteen tons of steel moving slowly along a track over your head, you will remember that. All in all good weather, good camping, and good gamesmanship this was quite an enjoyable time.

My Addition to Fenway 2014

This trip, as stated in a prior blog, started with Zeb's purchase of tickets to a Red Sox game. I was excited to share his love of sports, namely his love of the Red Sox with him. This being my first game there were several items on the agenda. We arrived early enough to take a stroll down Yawkey Way and visit the store for my first Red Sox t-shirt. I didn't wear it at the game but did wear it for Zeb last weekend... it fits well and I wore it out of the store! 





 

After a quick exit from Yawkey Way while management set up for game entrance we ate a bite for lunch at Game On! Then off to the game!
Our walk around the park would not be complete without a visit to his family's brick.  They truly

are a Red Sox family! I was told, early on in our relationship, to never speak the 'Y' word in a

favorable light... and I never have.  LOL

 

A few more photos of us both and off to our seats...

Once at our GREAT seats we took a selfie (not very good one)  LOL and then let the game begin!

Zeb always gets caught with an awkward expression

Zeb refreshed my memory, he taught me at a minor league game in Portland, for taking score (simplified version).  Below is a picture of the score sheets.  It helped me to understand the game a little better as well as helped me to concentrate on what was going on.  God forbid I started people watching and not get the score right.  :-)  It was great fun and wouldn't mind going again, although I was told I saw a highly active game.  The Bruins information in the background was pretty neat.  One thing I learned was the Boston fans are a unique group!

Thank you, Zeb, for a wonderful time at my first MLB game!

Petco Park, San Diego, Friday, May 9, 2014 (A Woman's Viewpoint of a Baseball Game)

Can you tell by the photo that my husband Ted loves the Padres?  He has been a Padres fan forever!  He has season tickets, but I only go with him once or twice a season.  The decision to go to the Friday night game was made that day, and I'm so glad I decided to go because we had a great time!

We traded in our tickets to get closer to the field, and we ended up in the second row by first base next to the Padres' dugout.

Ted wanted to sit close to the field because Miami's pitcher, Fernandez, was the National League's Rookie of the Year last season.  Well, he must have had an off night because the Padres won the game 10-1.  Jedd Gyorko hit a two-run homer in the second inning.  And later in the sixth inning, the next thing you know old Jedd's a millionnaire 'cause he hit a grand slam!

The Padres pitcher, Ross, almost had a shut out, but a Marlin hit a homer in the seventh.

All in all, I picked a great game to attend because there were lots of hits and homers!  And the Padres won (and that doesn't happen too often)!  Haha! (A little humor!)

Also this weekend, Petco Park is already celebrating their tenth anniversary!  This park is really worth seeing. It is so neat and clean!  And did you know that San Diego is the craft brewery capital of the world?  Well, it is!  You can get about a dozen different craft brews at the stadium.  Ted and I had a Green Flash Pale Ale and a Mission Pale Ale.  I was worried about drinking so much beer when I had a big marathon training run the next day, but I can't go to a ballgame without having a beer -- I repeat -- I can't go to a ballgame without having a beer!

Fenway 2014

The subtitle to this post should be:  Why Boston is still the best sports town in the US.

You'll hopefully be seeing another post regarding our trip to Fenway, as I've encouraged Shel to do a short one since yesterday was her first ever trip to Fenway as well as her first MLB game ever...this has been many years in the works.  LOL

A little background but only a little:  Most of you know our story and I won't retell it here, suffice to say we've been together nearly 20 years and something always comes up when I've tried to get her to a game with me.  Since my brother as well as good friend AA lived in the Boston area for many years, it was easy to give her an out by me going with one of them, even G and Cuz Aaron have bailed her out a time or two.   But now Bro and AA both have moved to Texas.  So as soon as Sox tickets went on sale, I went and bought a pair of good seats for a weekend I "knew" would work.
So with that weekend approaching, we decided to take Friday off from work, drive halfway down and spend the night in Portsmouth, NH (you'll hopefully see an All Things Zebster post shortly), then drive the rest of the way for the game on Saturday.  Everything is going along perfectly but then her cellphone rings at 3:00 in the morning Friday morning...her dad has been taken to the hospital by ambulance with chest pain.  Tongue in cheek, "Can you believe it?!"  She leaves for the hospital and I'm lying in bed with a huge dilemma -- Sox tix paid for, hotel reservation nonrefundable and two restaurant reservations.  What to do?  I do manage to fall back asleep and awake when she calls at 7 and says to be ready, she's on her way.
Her mom and other three sisters were with her dad, who was doing fine (turns out to be a very mild heart attack) and they're all "making" her go on her trip.  But still, can you believe it?!
I'll talk a little about the trip and share some pics on the other blog.  The game?  Oh, it was a nice day at Fenway, of course; and John Lester twirled a gem, striking out 15 (a career high), walking 1, giving up 1 hit and no runs.  Shel kept score...she's a quick learner.  Here's a pic from our seats

Big Papi, from about 30 rows back at field level

That's Big Papi, of course, who drew a walk during this at-bat but who later put one over the bullpen.  Johnny Gomes hit a grand slam over the Monster in the first inning, David Ross hit a solo over it later in the game; the aforementioned pitching of Lester and a very nice catch by Grady Sizemore.  She had a great time and saw an excellent game.  She'll share a few more pics later.

Oh, the subtitle, you ask?  As you may know, while this game is going on the Bruins are hosting the Habs at the Garden (which sits above North Station, which we came through on our way to Fenway) starting at 12:30.  There's an extra place on the manual scoreboard of the Green Monster to add a non-MLB score.  So periodically the scorekeeper would be updating the Bruins/Habs game as well as the fact that obviously many in the park were listening to the game on various devices.  So either because of that or the scoreboard changing, you'd hear a cheer or groan go up at Fenway that obviously had nothing to do with the Sox game.
So we knew going into the 3rd period that the Bruins were behind 3-1 (they "couldn't" lose both of these home games), and you could feel some tension as a result in the park, despite the fact the Sox had their game well in hand.  Well, suddenly you started hearing pockets of cheers at Fenway and you could hear folks around saying "they scored" and "they tied it up!"  What was greatest, and I hope there's video of it somewhere, is that at the end of a half-inning the scorekeeper comes out of the Green Monster wearing a black Patrice Bergeron sweater, and this guy is confidently and slowly strutting along the front of the Monster holding a big green 3 in his hand that he's displaying to the crowd; and when he places it on the scoreboard to show that 3 meant the Bruins had tied it up, the place went pretty bonkers (you have to remember that he keeps score and had been for the Bruins game from WITHIN the scoreboard).  So this was an awesome touch of theater to have him come outside to do it.  (I'm not smart enough to take a picture)
Then we start hearing more cheers and more buzz and more whispers that they've taken the lead.  Then an inning an a half or so after the first piece of theater, out he struts again.  He's not showing you the card but he's tugging on his sweater to make sure you can see the spoked B.  Then you realize he has the number 5 as he places it next to the Bruins and removes the 3 that went for the third period, meaning it was a 5-3 final...the place absolutely erupts!
So no, we didn't really miss the Bruins game at all.  What a memorable day at the ballpark!
UPDATE:  The post on All Things Zebster is written and the link is in the first part of this blog post.  What follows is a link to a NESN article describing the guy behind the wall.

A NEW HOPE

I attended the Washington Nationals' Opening Day on Friday, 4 April.  It was a great day ("great" in that it wasn't cold and it didn't rain, like on some other opening days).  The fellas and I started the day with our ritual of breakfast tacos (don't ask) from "DC Taco," a bloody mary (I hate bloody marys), and, of course, beer--lots of ice cold beer.  And I mean really ice cold--with ice cold ice--not like that so-called "ice cold" lukewarm beer the beer guy in the stadium sells.  I felt just like a kid on opening day! 

Okay, so the Nats lost 2-1 (we did pull a boner by getting caught in a rundown between 2nd and 3rd with no outs), and we blew a 2-on, no outs opportunity.  But other than that, it was a great day!  The beer was cold, (the girls were cute), and I wasn't working!!!  Maybe that's why I felt so much like a kid!

The following is a poem I found that will be my 2014 inspiration for the Washington Nationals.  We have a good team, we have the players who have talent, and a good manager.  I say we approach this season with wide-eyed hope like we were kids!  GO NATS!!!

 

CLOTHESPINS (By  Stuart Dybek)  

I once hit clothespins  

for the Chicago Cubs.  

I'd go out after supper  

when the wash was in  

and collect clothespins  

from under four stories  

of clothesline.  

A swing-and-a-miss  

was a strike-out;  

the garage roof, Willie Mays,  

pounding his mitt  

under a pop fly.  

Bushes, a double,  

off the fence, triple,  

and over, home run.  

The bleachers roared.  

I was all they ever needed for the flag.  

New records every game—

once, 10 homers in a row!  

But sometimes I'd tag them  

so hard they'd explode,  

legs flying apart in midair,  

pieces spinning crazily  

in all directions.  

Foul Ball! What else  

could I call it?  

The bat was real.