Big changes, Baltimore, Big Apple, Beantown and Brotherly Love

2010 brought a lot of changes for me…I had just moved to a new city/state, got a puppy and was accepted to an MBA program. There were a myriad of things changing in my life at the time…one thing that hadn’t changed…baseball was still one of my great loves. While sitting in my grad school orientation in the summer of 2010 I listened to the director of the program say, “Hopefully you all have your final hoorah vacation planned before the start of school because it’s going to be a tough couple of years.” I looked around aimlessly because the thought had never crossed my mind. Where should I go? How much can I spend? How long can I take off work? Again, this is where most people choose Paris or Tahiti, right?

Touring baseball stadiums was my dream vacation – a fantasy of sorts – yes most want romantic beaches or the magic of Europe, but me, I want to savor a hot dog at least 30 different times. I want to check out the lines of the baseball fields – no two stadiums have the same measurements. I want to know which one has hallowed halls with the men watching over the team and which ones have curses. There is history in baseball – not the same as Westminster Abbey or the Taj Majal, but nonetheless, this is my quest, my seeking out of knowledge. The only thing I knew in planning the first annual Baseball Stadium Tour was that I hadn’t seen the new Yankee Stadium so that was a must for my first journey!

The research began…I basically picked a few teams around New York and figured out their schedules and the plan fell into place. A week and a half later I was on my way for my own mini baseball tour. This first trip included four new stadiums: Camden Yards, Citizens Bank Park, The New Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park.

I planned it all out, packed my bags and set off on a journey of the unknown. I spent my sophomore year of college in Germany and I thought, how hard could this be to travel the Eastern seaboard seeing baseball games. Well, going solo, I did not have my Eurorail, a huge backpack or 10 of my closest friends to accompany me, so it was definitely new traveling territory.

My first stop was Baltimore where I ate crab cakes, went to the Babe Ruth birthplace museum, and saw the Orioles beat the Rangers. While I was at the game I ate at Boog’s BBQ, drank a few local brews and talked to Buck Showalter’s wife. Camden Yards is beautiful – it is in a very calming location right on the water. The fans there were friendly and hospitable. At the time the Orioles weren’t playing very well – but those around me knew I was a Yankee fan and still talked to me. I’m sure it’s tough year in and year out to be in the same division with the likes of the Yankees and Red Sox…they took it in stride and treated me like the weary traveler I was.

This stadium is the first stadium to do the “throwback or vintage” look with its brick walls and historic location. One of the cool features of it is the scoreboard in center field, which advertises The Baltimore Sun. The “H” in “E” “The” will flash to show a scoring decision of a hit or error respectively. Nice!

The next day I took a bus to Philly. Yes, you read that right…a bus…being an LA native this was foreign to me. Angelenos don’t use public transportation. Heck, I don’t even know if I could find public transportation in LA if I my life depended on it. Let’s remember…this was MY fantasy…public transportation and all. It was the cheapest way to commute along my journey of dreams! 

Philadelphia is such a great city – so much character and history! I walked from the Liberty Bell to the Reading Terminal Market to Philadelphia Museum of Art to Jim’s Steaks. I had no idea that the “cheese” in cheese steak was Cheese Whiz…so tasty, who knew? That night I watched Roy Halladay and the Phillies take on the Washington Nationals – they won, 1-0. Right outside the third base gate is McFadden’s bar - people hang out there after games. So, I decided to stay, listen to the music and dance with a bunch of people I have never met before. It was a blast!

Citizens Bank Park itself felt pretty mundane. Other than the Philly Phanatic and McFaddens – there wasn’t a whole lot to write home about. They have a great fan base and they love their Phillies, which I can understand and appreciate!

Next stop was New York, which meant another bus trip. I spent Saturday walking around the city – I never tire of visiting NYC. The city is so alive – always moving, always new! I had dinner at Barbuto in the West Village and went to bed early. The next morning I would get to see the New Yankee Stadium…it felt like Christmas Eve for baseball fans! This stadium was George Steinbrenner’s (may he rest in peace) baby. It’s a monstrosity. I remember watching the groundbreaking ceremony on YES and thinking how sad I can’t believe they are going to tear down such a historical stadium.

I got up early Sunday morning and arrived at the stadium before it actually opened. It was a cloudy, misty day, but I took in every inch of the cathedral in the Bronx. While waiting in line I was envious watching all the dads and sons beaming with excitement at experiencing America’s Greatest Pastime together and hoping someday I get to do the same – I actually got a bit teary-eyed.

I went all over the stadium – Monument Park, the Great Hall, the NYY Museum and of course I ate a Nathan’s hot dog! There was about a 2-hour rain delay and I stayed until the very end to watch the Yankees beat the Mariners, 10-0. It was one of the most wonderful days I have ever had in my (then) 32 years. Sitting in the new Yankee Stadium felt like the old one, which I loved. The differences were on the outside, but the inside is what matters.

Next stop: Beantown. To be honest, I felt conflicted about this part of the tour. While I love and appreciate baseball and its history, I loathe the Boston Red Sox. I knew going to Fenway Park would be both thrilling and irritating. All in all, I love the city of Boston, but nothing else…I even cheer against the Bruins, Celtics and Patriots because all those fans cheer for the Red Sox. I can’t stand anything about the Red Sox – I find NOTHING redeeming about them. They ARE idiots (homage to the 2004 WS team…gulp) but not in a good way. The only endearing things I can muster up about them is Ted Williams, the fact that they traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees and possibly Kevin Millar (oh yeah and Johnny Damon).

Kevin Youkilis has to be the ugliest man in baseball – including his goatee and batting stance (yes, it matters). Does David Ortiz EVER run out a fly ball? Is Manny being Manny really a good excuse? While writing this I heard the Red Sox fan chanting “Yankees suck” (the most ridiculous chant in all of sports) while Brett Gardner hit a home run to take the lead. Those things make my night! I love watching called third strikes from Mariano Rivera to end a game.

Throughout the course of 162 games, nothing makes me happier than beating the Red Sox…in 2003 when the Yankees went to the WS by beating the Sox in 7 games…I cannot recall one thing from that WS because I was hung over from the elation I felt by beating the rival Red Sox.

I made a bold choice before I left my hotel room: I put on a Yankee hat. Little did I know how much attention I would get!!!

I made a conscious effort to be neutral at every other stadium besides this one – I needed to make a statement and I did. I was on Yawkey Way and a guy approached me and asked if I was really a Yankee fan. Thinking there was a joke or some harassment coming, I obliged and said, “Yes, I am!” He said, “My friends and I are very impressed by you because we are all Yankee fans but we were scared to wear anything that would identify us as such. We wanted you to know how awesome it is that you are wearing a Yankee hat at Fenway – by yourself, as a girl.” I smiled and said, “The last part of that statement is probably the reason I’m not being harassed.” They were somewhat in awe. Here I was, alone at a Red Sox game wearing a Yankee game…mind you, the Yankees ARE NOT playing. At every stadium I had been to on this trip I had sported some Yankee paraphernalia…this one was just the most obvious.

They happened to have tickets near my seat and invited me to sit with them (the 4^th in their group couldn’t make it). I did and had a wonderful time! They could not believe the journey I was on…and at that point neither could I.

I got a little grief for the hat throughout the night, but was glad I stuck to my guns and showed my pride. After all, as far as baseball history is concerned, we all know which way the pendulum swings.

Relish this Boston fans: Fenway is amazing. A treasure. Truly a wonderful and beautiful place to see a ball game. Ok, I’m done.

All in all it ended up being an amazing adventure! Each one of the home teams won and I added four new stadiums to my repertoire. Which stadiums would have the pleasure of my company next? My fate was in the hands of my summer break from grad school and those who create the Major League Baseball schedule. In addition to those factors I missed the Yankees and knew they had to factor into my schedule – the cities’ stadiums that won out include The Steel City, The District and The City That Never Sleeps.