My husband is from the UK, so he's impressionable when it comes to US sports. I was able to spark his love of baseball (i.e. at Orioles Park in Baltimore last year), so it was a no-brainer that I needed to take him to watch Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers take on the Baltimore Orioles.
Miguel Cabrera at bat
Prince Fielder is a big man...
It was a gorgeous Friday night for a baseball game and as usual we couldn't help but indulge in the food on the concourse. I had the compulsory funnel cake and cheesesteak sandwich, and even had a bit of his soft crab sandwich from Old Bay Seafood. I'm originally from Southwestern Ohio. When you say "seafood", I think of Red Lobster and I get excited. **** If you say you don't like Red Lobster, I think you're lying. It's good. Have you seen this sandwich? If you look closely, you can actually see the crab's shape. After some coaxing, I reluctantly took a small bite of his sandwich. It wasn't for me, but he enjoyed it very much.
We were behind home plate and to our surprise there were plenty of Detroit Tigers fans around us. Seeing as though my husband and I really didn't have a dog in the fight, we appreciated the offense from both squads.
The flow of the game seemed to favor the Detroit Tigers, but the Baltimore Orioles' bats had been HOT in previous games (i.e. which were unfortunately against the Washington Nationals) so I knew that you should never count the O's out.
I expected the Orioles to rally, but I NEVER expected to see Chris Dickerson hit a walk-off 3 run homerun in the bottom of the 9th!
Moments like that are exactly why true fans don't leave the park until the final out is called. Orioles win!!!
By now you've seen the video of Jim Joyce blowing the call and taking away Armando Galarraga's perfect game. The game was Wednesday night and the Detroit Tigers were hosting the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. I feel for the umpire, and I can't even imagine how bad he feels for making the bad call. I also can't believe the reaction from Armando Galarraga.
While I'm sure Ernie Harwell rolled over in his grave at the umpire's mistake, Galarraga simply smiled when the bad call was made. The poise that Galarraga showed and the strength it took for the umpire to apologize amazed this sports fan. In a time when almost all the stories are about athletes and some sense of entitlement or unprofessional behavior I commend these two gentlemen for taking the higher road.
Here is footage of Jim Joyce talking about his blown call:
Here is a play by play of the action on the field:
It's my understanding that Bud Selig won't reverse the call and Galarraga will be denied the perfect game. Galarraga would've been the first to pitch a perfect game for the Detroit Tigers, and Wednesday night's performance would've been the 3rd perfect game pitched this season.
I guess Galarraga's performance will be the text preceded by an asterisk in the history books, until he pitches a PERFECT GAME again.
The Tigers defeated the Indians, 3-0 ~ but I guarantee no one cares or will even remember the score...
Coincidentally, in 2005, I went with friends to Detroit to visit Comerica Park and witnessed the same Indians v Tigers match-up. A picture I took from my seat is here for you enjoy.
Twins defeat the Tigers at Target Field, the Ernie Harwell Rainbow, and my 66th venue
Tonight I made it out to Target Field, my 66th venue. Target Field is the new ballpark for the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers were tonight's visiting opponents.
I'd been to Target Field a week or so ago, but there wasn't a game. I'd walked over one afternoon when I was in Minneapolis and took some pics of the statues around the park, but it's just not the same as catching a game. Earlier today, I checked the weather report and although it called for rain, I gambled and headed towards the ballpark.
I took the skywalks most of the way to the ballpark and scalped a ticket on the way. Scalping is legal in Minneapolis. I scored a $57 ticket for $50. I didn't feel like negotiating, I just wanted inside the ballpark.
I like new stadiums. I realize there's a certain degree of sterility with a new stadium, and that some people prefer the charm of older parks (i.e. Fenway, Wrigley, etc.). I appreciate both types of stadiums, but I do like "new".
Below are some views of the stadium from my seat.
Did you know that Johnny Damon was with the Detroit Tigers now? I didn't. I also didn't realize that Jim Thome played for the Minnesota Twins. I remember Jim Thome from his days in Cleveland with the Indians. He was a great player for the Tribe and a class act. I even have an invitation to his surprise birthday party somewhere with all my "memories" from my days in Cleveland. **** When I was a Cleveland WAG (i.e. Wife and/or Girlfriend) I'd met his wife Andrea at a graduation party for the former Indians' trainer's son, and we had hit it off. I never did make it to that party, but I digress.. Regardless, it's great to see him still playing well.
Johnny Damon plays for the Detroit Tigers...
Jim Thome still playing well
Sure enough it started raining during the game. Like the commercial says, "No rain, no rainbows" right? Ernie Harwell passed away right before the game. For those of you that don't know, he was a Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers and had battled cancer. He died yesterday at the age of 92.
Ernie Harwell rainbow in the distance
Anyway after about 2 innings with the Twins leading 2-0, I went to the concourse to see what Target Field had to offer. Below is a picture of the menu board for Mill City Grill. I was curious to know how the walleye fingers were, but I chose to try Murray's Steak Sandwich. The steak sandwich was good, but I don't really like it when there's more bread than meat. As for the sandwich, there are 2 pieces of steak and it was cooked well. If only I could've put my $10.50 sandwich on the Underhill's tab. **** Did I tell you that Fletch is one of my favorite movies?
Murray's Steak Sandwich
The concession stand was doing a lot of business (i.e. possibly because of the rain) and people had to wait about 10 minutes for their order to be ready. The people working the stand would take the name of the person placing the order and then call it, when that person's order was ready. I was amazed at how well the "honor system" worked!
Oh yeah, I should mention that Target Field now sells Killebrew Root Beer. I don't like root beer, but for those of you that do, check it out!
When I returned to my seat the Tigers had tied the game at 2. The Twins took a 3-2 lead in the 6th inning, but the Tigers would end up tying up the game in the 9th. It all came down to the bottom of the 9th inning. With J.J. Hardy on 3rd and Wilson Ramos at bat, the Tigers' pitcher threw a crazy pitch and Hardy was able to score. Andddddddddddd, guess who happened to be shooting vidoe at that very moment. Yep... It's ME! Enjoy the clip.
Twins Win!
**** I saw these stations for people to charge their mobile phones. I told you I liked new venues. This is a great idea since power users and travelers like myself, rely on having enough juice to function. Thank you, Best Buy and Minnesota Twins for providing this amenity to Twins fans!
It was a gorgeous Friday night for a baseball game and as usual we couldn't help but indulge in the food on the concourse. I had the compulsory funnel cake and cheesesteak sandwich, and even had a bit of his soft crab sandwich from Old Bay Seafood. I'm originally from Southwestern Ohio. When you say "seafood", I think of Red Lobster and I get excited. **** If you say you don't like Red Lobster, I think you're lying. It's good. Have you seen this sandwich? If you look closely, you can actually see the crab's shape. After some coaxing, I reluctantly took a small bite of his sandwich. It wasn't for me, but he enjoyed it very much.
