2009 Ballpark Trip - Photo Collage

We posed for a picture in each park. Here's the final product:

2009 Ballpark Trip - Statistical Evaluation

Statistical Evaluation

Length of trip: 54 days

States seen: 36 (+1 province, +1 district)

What states?   

Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada*, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware.
      + Ontario, Canada (province)
      + District of Columbia

      * While at Lake Tahoe, CA, we drove over the Nevada state line, turned around, and came back.  It still counts.

Total miles traveled: 14,524
Gallons of gas used: 387.415
Number of fillups: 65
Average fillup: 5.960 gallons

Souvenirs, etc. (aka The Swag with which We Came Home)

Our only souvenir for the trip is now complete: 

Final Odometer Update - August 11th

Miles this week: 687

Total miles: 14,524

8/10/2009 - Oriole Park at Camden Yards - MLB Ballpark #32

2009 Game #30 - Oakland Athletics at Baltimore Orioles

Final Score: Athletics 9, Orioles 1

Hot Dog - 3/5

As to all good things, the end must inevitably come.  Our thirtieth, and final, game of the trip took us to the Charm City on a humid Monday night.  We were joined by Tony, Jen, and Pete M. for our Baltimore experience and we made the most of our time.

Fellow Road-tripping Bloggers

8/9/2009 - Nationals Park - MLB Ballpark #31

2009 Game #29 - Arizona Diamondbacks at Washington Nationals

Final Score: Nationals 9, Diamondbacks 2

Hot Dog - 4/5

Looking at our schedule a week ago, we thought, “Oh yahoo.  A Nationals vs. D’Backs game.”  The reason for this disappointment, of course, is that both teams stink.  (Of course, our disappointment pales in comparison to Amanda’s when she finds out we didn’t get souvenirs for anyone.)  As it turns out, the Nats had won 7 in a row going into yesterday’s game, which they also won.  Who’d have thunk it?  It was a pretty good game through the 8th, when the Arizona bullpen blew up and allowed 4 runs.  Adam Dunn hit a homer in the bottom of the first, and it was all more or less downhill for the D’Backs from there.

Sightseeing in DC

Odometer Update - August 7th

Miles this week: 1,764

Total miles: 13,837

8/6/2009 - Yankee Stadium - MLB Ballpark #30

2009 Game #28 - Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees

Final Score: Yankees 13, Red Sox 6

Hot Dog - 2/5

I’d been looking forward to game 1 of this Yankee-Red Sox series since before we left on our trip.  I wasn’t looking forward to seeing a Sox away game in New York (I absolutely hate going to Sox-Yankee games), I was looking forward to the new Yankee Stadium.  I was looking forward to this park as much as I was Wrigley Field.  Everything I’d seen or read built the new stadium up to be a cathedral or museum or coliseum; and from the outside, that’s what it is.  The facade is impressive and beautiful, capturing the historical significance of the ballpark perfectly.

8/2/2009 - Turner Field - MLB Ballpark #29

2009 Game #27 - Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves

Final Score: Dodgers 9, Braves 1

Hot Dog - 3/5

7/31/2009 - Tropicana Field - MLB Ballpark #28

2009 Game #26 - Kansas City Royals at Tampa Bay Rays

Final Score:  Rays 8, Royals 2

Hot Dog - 3/5

Okay, I think I’ve figured it out.  About domes, I mean.  You know, why they’re lousy places to watch baseball games.

Odometer Update - July 31st

Miles this week: 3,301
Total miles: 12,073

7/30/2009 - Land Shark Stadium - MLB Ballpark #27

2009 Game #25 - Atlanta Braves at Florida Marlins

Final Score: Braves 6, Marlins 3 (10 innings)

Hot Dog - 4/5

Yes, you read that correctly.  We went to Land Shark Stadium to watch the Marlins!  They used to play at Dolphin Stadium, but apparently the naming rights were sold to Land Shark a few weeks ago.  We have no idea what kind of business Land Shark is.  Dolphin Sta– I mean, Land Shark Stadium is also really, really, really, really… orange.

The Drive into Florida

Here are some pics from our "scenic" drive into Florida.

7/27/2009 - Rangers Ballpark in Arlington - MLB Ballpark #26

2009 Game #24 - Detroit Tigers at Texas Rangers

Final Score: Rangers 5, Tigers 2

Hot Dog - 4/5

Driving into Rangers Ballpark was a snap, as was finding a primo parking spot.  This could be because of the well-planned infrastructure of the Arlington area (outside Ft. Worth), or it could be because of the evening’s forcast of thunderstorms and heavy rain.

7/26/2009 - Minute Maid Park - MLB Ballpark #25

2009 Game #23 - New York Mets at Houston Astros

Final Score: Mets 8, Astros 3
Hot Dog - 4/5

It was hot and steamy in Houston yesterday.  Thankfully, it was neither hot nor steamy inside the air conditioned Minute Maid Park.  However, it’s too bad that, after an early lead, the Astros quit trying and lost the game.

7/24/2009 - Chase Field - MLB Ballpark #24

2009 Game #22 - Pittsburgh Pirates at Arizona Diamondbacks
Final Score: Pirates 10, Diamondbacks 3
Hot Dog - 4/5

Our adventures into the Land of the Rising Bird began several hours before game time, when we arrived at Chase Field to buy tickets.

Odometer Update - July 24th

Miles this week: 809
Total miles: 8,772

7/23/2009 - Angel Stadium of Anaheim - MLB Ballpark #23

2009 Game #21 - Minnesota Twins at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Final Score: Angels 6, Twins 5 (10 Innings)
Hot Dog - 4/5

Another exciting game!  And again, it was extra innings with the Twinkies.  This time, however, it was more like a middle-distance jog instead of the marathon we sat through last time.

"Los Angeles... He walks again by night..."

7/21/2009 - Dodger Stadium - MLB Ballpark #22

2009 Game #20 - Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers
Final Score: Dodgers 12, Reds 3
Hot Dog - 4/5

San Diego Sunset

Some pics from our evening on Ocean Beach...

7/18/2009 - PETCO Park - MLB Ballpark #21

2009 Game #19 - Colorado Rockies at San Diego Padres
Final Score: Padres 3, Rockies 1
Hot Dog - 4/5

PETCO has taken over the top spot, not counting Fenway or Wrigley.  And if anyone knows what is wrong with San Diego, please let me know.  I mean there has to be something… the weather is perfect, the ocean is right there, the city is great… what’s wrong with it?  Frequent alien abductions…?

The Pacific Coast Highway

Odometer Update - July 17th

Miles this week: 1,551

Total miles: 7,963

Winchester Mystery House

Some pics from our tour of the Winchester Mystery House...

Crookedest

More sightseeing in San Francisco...

7/16/2009 - Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum - MLB Ballpark #20

2009 Game #18 - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Oakland Athletics
Final Score: Angels 6, Athletics 2
Hot Dog - 2/5

Aimee and Tony joined us for our jaunt into Oaktown.  We took the BART (light rail) into Oakland and arrived early at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (formerly McAfee Coliseum, also known as Al Davis’ Assisted Living Home).

Seeing the Sights in SF

We were able to spend some time doing touristy things in San Francisco.

Late-night Baseball

Staying with the cousins provided time to try out Tony's recent purchase:

Rec. League or Major Leagues?

We stayed with Tony, Jen, and the kids in San Francisco. On our first night there, we joined Tony for his softball team's weekly game.

Lake Tahoe

We spent an afternoon at Tahoe and, despite a mild bout with food poisoning, it was nice afternoon.

7/12/2009 - AT&T Park - MLB Ballpark #19

2009 Game #17 - San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants

Final Score: Padres 10, Giants 4

Hot Dog - 3/5

Sacramento Sights

While in Sacramento, we stayed with Aunt Donna and Uncle Don and spent some time with cousin Aimee. Here are some pics from our city sightseeing...

Odometer Update - July 10th

Miles this week: 2,962

Total miles: 6,412

7/9/2009 - Safeco Field - MLB Ballpark #18

2009 Game #16 - Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners

Final Score: Mariners 3, Rangers 1

Hot Dog - 4/5

Seattle is a beautiful city in a beautiful part of the country.  Like almost every other city we’ve visited, we wish we could spend more time here.  We’ve got to stick to our schedule, however, so a day and a half (including a great ball game) will have to do for now.

On the Oregon Trail...

OH NO!!!!

Rest Stopping

Roadside cooking in Utah...

Half Way There

Our souvenir cap (featuring a pin from each stadium) is halfway to completion.

7/6/2009 - Coors Field - MLB Ballpark #17

2009 Game #15 - Washington Nationals at Colorado Rockies
Final Score: Rockies 1, Nationals 0
Hot Dog - 2/5

Seventy-five

Welcome to Colorado.

Flatland

Got an oil change in Kansas, and the manager of the place was a student from Brown University, home for the summer. Typcal Rhode Island story... "Small world" and all.

Here are pics from the [long, boring, extremely flat] cross-state drive...

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

After the Royals game, we spent an hour (just before closing) at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. It was a really incredible place to visit.

Greetings from Pilgrim High School!

Thanks to the folks at Pilgrim for pitching in to greet us from halfway across the country! The sentiment was certainly appreciated, despite the fact that the Royals displayed it at the wrong game.

7/5/2009 - Kauffman Stadium - MLB Ballpark #16

2009 Game #14 - Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals
Final Score: Royals 6, White Sox 3
Hot Dog - 2/5

Today’s ball game was at the “New K.”  That would be the newly remodeled Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

7/3/2009 - Metrodome - MLB Ballpark #15

2009 Game #13 - Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins

Final Score: Tigers 11, Twins 9 (16 innings)

Hot Dog - 3/5

  

16 innings. 15 pitchers.  20 runs scored, and 5 hours of baseball.  And it couldn’t have happened in a better place– no wait.  It couldn’t have happened in a worse place.  The Metrodome stinks.  

Odometer Update - July 3rd

Miles this week: 1,882

Total miles: 3,450

7/2/2009 - Wrigley Field - MLB Ballpark #14

2009 Game #12 - Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs
Final Score: Cubs 9, Brewers 5
Hot Dog - 4/5

Before we started this trip, there were two ballparks that I was really dying to see:  The new Yankee Stadium and Wrigley Field.  We’ve seen some absolutely gorgeous parks along the way so far, but those two have remained at the top of the list.

Well, tonight we went to Wrigley Field… and it did not disappoint.

7/1/2009 - Busch Stadium [III] - MLB Ballpark #13

2009 Game #11 - San Francisco Giants at St. Louis Cardinals
Final Score: Cardinals 2, Giants 1 (10 innings)
Hot Dog - 3/5

6/30/2009 - Great American Ballpark - MLB Ballpark #12

2009 Game #10 - Arizona Diamondbacks at Cincinnai Reds
Final Score: Diamondbacks 6, Reds 2
Hot Dog - 1/5

I really like Great American Ballpark.  While it’s not the newest or prettiest of the parks we’ve seen, it has a charm to it.

6/28/2009 - Miller Park - MLB Ballpark #11

2009 Game #9 - San Francisco Giants at Milwaukee Brewers
Final Score: Giants 7, Brewers 0
Hot Dog - 3/5

Miller Park has a sausage race, tailgating before and after the game, an organ, and Super Mario Brothers World 1-2 music.  What more do you need? 

6/27/2009 - U.S. Cellular Field - MLB Ballpark #10

2009 Game #8 - Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox
Final Score: White Sox 8, Cubs 7
Hot Dog - 4/5

Many of you know how I feel about interleague baseball.  For those that don’t, I’ll give you the condensed version:  I loathe it.  Other than the continued existence of the Designated Hitter, it’s my single biggest pet peeve pertaining to Major League Baseball.  I don’t think teams from different leagues should see each other during the regular season.  That’s what made the World Series so magical to me as a kid; I never saw the ‘88 Dodgers or ‘90 Reds.  I did see Oakland beat my Red Sox both of those years, but it was special to watch the A's go down to these great, mysterious National League teams (hyperbole, I know, but hey, I was 10!).  The All-Star Game was unique then, too.  Other than baseball cards, those of us in New England never saw most of those players, and it was amazing to do so in that one, special game.  Now, some of the magic is gone.