Ballparks

[Chris.]

So I've embarked on a family reunion of sorts, driving up north and catching some baseball games where I can.

First up was the Tribe in Kansas City.

Getting here, I just beat the tornadoes in Oklahoma and now there are some pretty serious storms going on in KC. Seems oddly appropriate, considering who's playing.

Nice view from the hotel when I got here, though.

Hopefully they'll get the games in. I plan on catching the games on Tuesday on Wednesday, then hopefully paying visits to Wrigley, PNC, Miller and of course the Jake. More pictures and stories to come....unless this weather follows me along.

[Beanpot]

So very cool! Keep us posted on your travels, bud.

Beanpot

[Chris.]

Just got back from the K. And to think I was regretting having to miss the Cavs.

But yeah, I was really impressed, it was a great stadium. Great views from all over, cheap tickets and parking, decent food. Definitely worth a visit if you're ever in the area.

Some pics + comments...

My first stop was checking out the gift shop, where right when I walked in I was greeted by my hero.

And there was a pretty good selection...

Next I went down to check out BP, where I saw Chris Perez warming up with Unleash the Fury Mitch Talbot.

Chris liked my style.

Then I found my seats. Not too bad for $25.

Like I said, great views from every angle. I took this one waiting in the beer line.

Just a great looking outfield. I think that's the second biggest HD screen in the world (after the new Cowboys stadium).

They also have some pretty fancy entrance videos for all the Royals. I got a good laugh at this one.

He went on to give up 2 hits and 2 walks, then got yanked without recording an out. Good stuff.

That's all I feel like posting from tonight, I'm a terrible photographer but I thought those ones all came out pretty good.

Oh yeah, and a couple random things.

I always like to see what jerseys people where when I'm at a road game. I'd say it's 70% Greinke, 25% Butler, 4% Soria. Only saw a total of two non-those guys jerseys. One Coco Crisp and one Rick Ankiel. That's when I was reminded why everyone just sticks to Greinke jerseys.

Grudzielanek got a big cheer when he was announced. A Royal fan noticed my Tribe hat and said, "Dude, spell Grudzielanek." I'm guessing this was a way for him to embarrass me by exposing how little I knew about baseball, or how little I cared about the Indians, or how little I love Mark Grudzielanek. Anyway, I said "uhhh." He said, "come on man, spell it." I said "u-h-h." He won that battle.

And Choo had a couple big Korean cheering sections, which was pretty entertaining. "CHOOOOOO! SHIN! SOO!"

Really good time overall.

[Pumpkin Eater]

good stuff.

[BrownB499]

Great pics! Keep em com'n

[Beanpot]

Loved every bit of it!

You're pretty good for a "terrible" photographer. Really, REALLY nice shot of the scoreboard and the dancing fountains! Same goes for the fountains in the Perez picture.

Josh Rupe was --->this<--- close to joining my fantasy team based on his picture alone. Seems the Royals got smart and designated the guy for assignment after not being able to retire anyone from our sorry club. Hope your trip continues to be a blast and you keep us updated bud.

Beanpot

[Chris.]

Glad you guys are liking it. Just got back from game 2 (assuming it's over, can't imagine they keep going with 5 innings played).

No pictures today due to the rain, but it was another good game. Royals ruined every potential rally they had with sac bunts, which leads the guys ahead of me to start screaming about how Retarded sac bunts are.

Then Mike f'in Redmond comes through in the 5th with a.....sac bunt. Droob knocks in 2 runs. Fausto is Bug Game-esque mowing em down through the elements. Thank God we're winning these games.

Next up.....Wrigley on Friday. Assuming the weather lightens up, I'll get some more pics up here.

And Bean....I'm glad I got that Rupe picture when I did. Could be a collector's item. Maybe I'll get him to sign it.

[Kosar_For_President]

@chris. said:

Glad you guys are liking it. Just got back from game 2 (assuming it's over, can't imagine they keep going with 5 innings played).

No pictures today due to the rain, but it was another good game. Royals ruined every potential rally they had with sac bunts, which leads the guys ahead of me to start screaming about how Retarded sac bunts are.

Then Mike f'in Redmond comes through in the 5th with a.....sac bunt. Droob knocks in 2 runs. Fausto is Bug Game-esque mowing em down through the elements. Thank God we're winning these games.

Next up.....Wrigley on Friday. Assuming the weather lightens up, I'll get some more pics up here.

And Bean....I'm glad I got that Rupe picture when I did. Could be a collector's item. Maybe I'll get him to sign it.

Awesome! Keep the pics coming.

[Chris.]

Back from Wrigley. Not much to say....beautiful, classic, awe-inspiring, etc.

Souvenir stands could use a little work though....

Uploading a bunch of pics but in a bit of a hurry around here. Here's my favorite one, I'll be back later with more.

[Beanpot]

Awesome! Pretty cool that you got to see McCutchen go off too.

Where were your seats?

Beanpot

Edit: Doh! Stupid question if you took that shot from your seats, I now realize. I just remember running around all over that place with the camera when I was there far too long ago.

[ballpeen]

Thanks.....I have been to both KC and Wrigley.....both great places to catch a game.

[Tad329]

Cool thread...

Best place I've seen a game is Wrigley but I'm a biased Cubs fan lol. Also got the chance to check out the Twins new stadium a few weeks ago, it's awesome.

[Chris.]

Ah, it's been an exhausting last couple days but there have been a few hours of baseball-inspired bliss. First a few more pictures from Wrigley.

Obligatory "Wrigley Field entrance" photo.

The view coming up from the stairs to catch BP. Amazing.

Upper deck before the game to see the whole field.

Like Bean said, McCutchen was everywhere in this game, and I took a bunch of pictures of him. Mainly because he was one of the only interesting players in the entire game.

Evan Meek vs. Derrek Lee

More McCutchen. Crossing the plate after a solo shot.

Sweet Lou reminding Carlos Zambrano he's being paid $18 million to be a set up man (he gave up 3 earned in a tie game in the 8th)

And there's much more, but they become pretty redundant. Obviously it was another great time overall, followed up nicely by...

[Chris.]

Miller Park.

(Ryan Braun at bat)

Not as many photos due to the focus on beer.

Of course I did make sure to catch the sausage race.

And honored the winner (Polish) by eating one of his own.

And of course washed it down with a High Life.

As I said, not many pictures of actual baseball, but...

Here's Chase Utley

And a look at the scoreboard

And a man close to my heart and yours....

Parking was juuuuust a bit outside.

Another great time, obviously. It's hard to find anything to complain about with this much baseball happening.

Next up: Jake/PNC.

[Chris.]

@beanpot said:

Awesome! Pretty cool that you got to see McCutchen go off too.

Where were your seats?

Beanpot

Edit: Doh! Stupid question if you took that shot from your seats, I now realize. I just remember running around all over that place with the camera when I was there far too long ago.

Yep, just slightly down the first base side, in the "second" level. Partially obstructed by one of those damn beams, but I managed.

@ballpeen said:

Thanks.....I have been to both KC and Wrigley.....both great places to catch a game.

And great contrasts to each other. Kauffman's pretty high tech (and in a sectioned off "stadium section" of the city) where Wrigley is obviously just a historic place. Miller was really impressive, too. My pictures didn't do justice to how good it looks. Walking around inside the stadium was a little hectic, but the field and all the seats looked great, another great atmosphere.

[Kosar_For_President]

Awesome dude.

Is it me or does Wrigley looks like a minor league ball park?

[Chris.]

@kosar_for_president said:

Awesome dude.

Is it me or does Wrigley looks like a minor league ball park?

Yep, especially the concourses. No doubt it's a great place to watch baseball, though.

Unfortunately I was at the game last night. I took this one seconds before Wood gave up his leadoff triple.

[Kosar_For_President]

@chris. said:

Yep, especially the concourses. No doubt it's a great place to watch baseball, though.

Unfortunately I was at the game last night. I took this one seconds before Wood gave up his leadoff triple.

It's packed. lol

It's embarrassing.

[Chris.]

No kidding. I wonder if Santana will be enough to re-gain some fan interest.

Speaking of drawing interest....I went to PNC yesterday. About as enjoyable as a game can get when there's a total of one player worth a damn, on either side.

View from across the Clemente bridge

From my seats

And of course the one player worth a damn....Andrew McCutchen. (Jason Heyward sat out....came in to pinch hit and walked)

[Chris.]

Went to Huntington Park. Very nice park. Santana is fun to watch. Weglarz is hitting below .100, but showed off his arm with 2 outfield assists and got the walk-off single in the 11th inning. Brian Bocock, as expected, is an absolute wizard at short.

I wish I took more pictures of the actual park....but I was a bit preoccupied with a certain player.

At some point I was struck with a pretty incredible surprise. Can't imagine anyone but Bean will remember this but look who I found...

So slick with the glove, and so cool after hitting a bomb to left field.

Good time.