Gerry's 2002 Visit to the All-Star Game

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
• Peanuts
• Watching batting practice
• Brats with the Special Stadium Sauce
• The Sausage Races
• Pine tar and rosin bags
• Come-from-behind wins in the bottom of the 9th
• The sound of wooden bats vs. "chink"