Let them play! Let them play! Not the perfect ending to an otherwise
perfect All-Star day, but at least a BIB was there to witness baseball
history!
So here's the scoop. As we were heading down to FanFest, I needed to stop by Miller Park to get two more FanFest tickets (I had gotten 4 free tickets) When the ticket agent asked if I wanted tickets to
the game, I said "What?" (I had been watching ticket prices thru brokers and seriously had been contemplating paying $300+ to go) Face value on all the tickets was $175 and $125. Someone had just turned in a few of the $125 so I decided, what the heck, this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime, right?
So, I went with my friend Jeannie to the game and 4 of the 6 Brady Bunch kids ;) to FanFest. FanFest is extremely well done and reasonably priced
($15/adult, $10kids and everything inside is free) Great pregame, seats and game until the end!
Here are a few picture highlights...at the Fan Fest, at the Ballpark, the "Say Hey" Kid, and Player Introductions
Gerry's Highs and Lows
Top Four Ballpark Experiences (BIB Trips Only):
Dodger Stadium: This park is like your high school sweatheart that comes to your 25 yr reunion still looking like gold! I really expected Sandy Koufax to take the mound (instead we had to see Sheffield). Reminded me of the good old days, watching World Series games during the day!
Seattle's Kingdome: This was perfection! Last game in the Kingdome, Griffey reaching over the wall to take away an HR, yes - the streaker, bringing back all the old Mariners at the end of the game. Even ran into an old friend of all of ours "JoeBob" at the Pike's Place Market.
MetroDome: I had heard so many bad things about this place. It wasn't that bad. It's a stretch to put it in the top, but I don't want my picks to be all the same as the other "brothers"! The weather is always perfect! The last time I saw Paul Molitor play.
Double Day Field - Cooperstown: I'm going back in 2001. Hoping that Gina Davis will be there too!
Bottom Three Ballpark Experiences (BIB Trips Only):
Missing the BIB 1993 Trip to Cleveland, Pittsburg, Detroit. My wife broke her ankle mowing the lawn while I was playing softball the day before I was supposed to leave. Three Rivers is the only stadium I missed. That chance is gone forever!
Shea Stadium: I never could stand the noise of the airplanes, on TV or in person. I don't like orange, but I'd still go back!!!!
Fenway: Buildup was too big! Wrigley or Yankee Stadium anyday!
Top Minor League Ballpark Experiences (BIB Trips Only):
Fox Cities Stadium - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: This started the minor league thing! Better baseball than what we saw from the "bigs" that weekend. Closer to the action. Can't believe I waited so long to see a minor league game!
Portland Rockies: Old stadium, field looked like they got used Astroturf samples from around the league. But, big crowd and I won't forget asking those two little leaguers from Milwaukie, OR (not Milwaukee, WI) if we could take their picture for a buck. Surprised we didn't get arrested!
Bottom Minor League Ballpark Experiences (BIB Trips Only):
Yakima Bears: Too quiet and cold. Reminded me of April baseball weather in Wisconsin.
Top Baseball Things That Suck:
5 Game playoff series after you play 162
Cold or rainy ballgames
Players who think they are bigger than the game
Parents that don't know the game but still yell at umps, coaches and kids
The "ruins" of baseball card collecting
"Buying" a World Series Title
That Willie Mays just turned 70!
Top Baseball Things That Are Great:
The smell of ballparks and the first view of the field when you walk in
