Sports: Athletes and houses ~ free agency, trades, and real estate

It's been a rough day...  I woke up this morning after having a nightmare that my parents bought the house I used to live in, when I was engaged a million (ok, so it wasn't really a million) years ago.  The house is the one he and I picked out when we were dating.  He actually proposed to me in the backyard on the deck by the water. 

The house is also the same house where he and his current wife (i.e. who I used to hang out with and was once engaged to his former teammate) resided once I left town and they coupled up.  But, that's all neither here nor there for the purposes of this blog...

Needless to say, I was bothered by the nightmare.  I woke up angry.  Later in the day, I decided to Google my old address and wouldn't you know that house is for sale?  Actually, it was listed 10 days ago!  Scary coincidence... 

I've always been someone who can sense when there's a problem or when something is happening.  I get a feeling about people and things and most of the time I'm right.  Obviously, I'm not batting a thousand or I'd be wealthier and more successful in my professional and personal relationships ~ but I've learned not to ignore my gut feelings.

The owner of the house has always said that Cleveland will always be "home".  He was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1996 (i.e. 1st round, 20th pick).  Based on the effort to sell this house, all signs point to that not being the case.  I can't speculate on what I don't know, so I'm not going to say for sure that he hasn't purchased another home in Ohio.  I don't really care.  Obviously this won't garner as much attention as LeBron's decision to leave Cleveland, but for someone like me, I have to say I'm a bit surprised. 

I looked through the pictures on the house listing and am surprised to see so few changes in the house that I once called "home".  Of course, the woman that "replaced" me tried to renovate it and make it hers (e.g, redoing the kitchen, expanding the terrible closet space), but at the end of the day ~ that's still the house that he and I picked out for our life together and the house that she moved into AFTER I left. 

Admittedly, I wanted the house in Gates Mills, but he always wanted to live on the water.  ****  I conceded since he was only my boyfriend at the time and life was hard enough with him injured and on crutches.  When we were house-hunting it was my job to climb stairs or descend downstairs to check ceiling heights to make sure that a 7 footer could stand upright without hitting his head.

That reminds me.  One of the coolest basements I'd ever seen was John Hart's.  He's the former General Manager of the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers.  Damnit, ironically I just read his wikipedia page and it says that he currently serves as senior adviser, baseball operations, for the Rangers. Ugh, I was just in Texas for the World Series!!!!  Anyway, John Hart had one of the best collections of baseball memorabilia I'd ever seen.  Baseball posters, stadium seats, signed baseballs and bats. It was awesome.  I remember walking down there and calling up the stairs to my guy, "You really need to come down here!" and watching him precariously negotiate the stairs and low-ceilings on his crutches.

It's not uncommon for athletes to sell or rent their homes to other athletes.  Free agency, trades, seasonal work, and retirement are part of the business of sports.  I watched MTV Cribs before and saw Shaquille O'Neal's Miami house.  It used to be Rony Seikaly's and Shaq put his Superman touches on it.  I remember Shaq and Shaunie remarking that it was nice to move into Rony's house because things were built/customized for a taller man (e.g. door heights). 

Here's one for you...  In the master bathroom the sinks were higher than your average sinks, to make it easier for him to wash his hands.  Um, that's fantastic.  What about people who have normal heights?  Do you know how gross and annoying it is to have water drip down your arm onto your sleeves?  I wonder if the toilet in the master bathroom of my old house is still raised.  It was elevated to the point that Danny Ferry once gave me a "step stool" as a joke for Christmas, since he was concerned my feet would dangle.  I never used it, but I still have the stool.

When a veteran Cleveland Cavalier moved out of his home after being traded, Damon Jones a "new Cleveland Cavalier" (i.e. at the time) moved right in.  That house was featured on an episode of MTV Cribs.  Seriously?!?!  I've been in that house many times (i.e. numerous parties, dinners, and random nights).  It's not that extraordinary.  I can't find the episode anymore. I can only find the unaired clip.  See for yourself with the following link.  Never Been Seen: Damon Jones: "Damon Jones lets us look behind his fully stocked bar, and gives us a spin in the chair in his private barber salon."

When I get around to it, I might post some pics of the house from back in the day or I might not, since it doesn't really matter.  I'm debating on whether or not I even want to post a link the listing, and at this time I'm deciding against it. I don't need/want my former address published. 

Mi "old" casa, es su casa ~ for almost $2 million.  The stories I could tell ~ priceless...


THE WIRK

In Dallas for the World Series, but never made it into Rangers Ballpark ~ Rangers rally today

I went to Dallas for the World Series, but I never made it to the game.  

****  Incidentally, last year I was working in London and on vacation in Rome for Halloween weekend.  I visited the Roman Colosseum and many other sites during that weekend, but being the sportsfan that I am, I have to say that the Colosseum was definitely my favorite destination on the trip.

OK.  Enough about that.  Back to Dallas...  I was planning on going to Game 3 on Saturday (i.e. and looked forward to seeing my friend from school, who was also in town with his kids).  Game 3 was the first home game for the Texas Rangers and they were 0-2 after losing both away games to the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park.  Prior to arriving in Dallas, I did what I always do.  I called a couple of my contacts and began hawking ticketing sites.  I looked on Stubhub.com on Friday and I was ready to pull the trigger, but I hesitated.  In addition to going to Dallas for the World Series, I was there because I wanted to get to know someone better and wanted to spend time with that person.  Therefore, when it came to the game I hesitated. 

I never hesitate.  Correction:  I've hesitated one time before, and I have never forgiven myself.   Til this day, I still remember forgoing a concert for a birthday party, and til this day I want to kick myself.  I can't lie, those feeling are creeping into my brain again, and I'm beginning to turn sour.

If it were me, JUST ME, I would've had a ticket in hand on my way to the ballpark.  I had the money I won in Vegas earmarked as the funds for the the ticket to the game.  If it were just me, I would've been prepared.

It wasn't JUST ME, this time and I was accommodating someone else in my plans.  When we walked around the park it was clear that there weren't many people selling.  The fans of the Texas Rangers were obviously excited since the team was in the World Series for the first time EVER.  Yet another reason to go to the game since it would be so compelling for the fans.

Before going to the game, while sporting my presents, a new Rangers T-shirt and a new Rangers hat, my new person of interest and I had a quick bite a Charlie Palmer at the Joule.  The lobster corn dogs and beef skewers were my favorite.  I must disclose that the sauce for the beef skewers was a bit salty though.

After our meal, we headed towards Rangers Ballpark to scope out the scene.  Around the stadium there were various scalpers, but their inventory was scant, undesirable, or even fraudulent.  There were a few guys that purchased fake tickets that wouldn't scan or were printed out numerous times so that the bar codes were no longer any good.  There were only about 3 pairs of upper level seats that were up for grabs and the going price was $500/ticket.  Standing room only tickets were also up for grabs, but there weren't many (i.e. less than 10 were being offered by the scalpers outside).  SRO tickets were going for $400-$500 also.  ****  There was a Goldentickets.com bus parked near the stadium, but I never checked their inventory.  I've used them before though, and I've been satisfied with their service.

Saturday was a beautiful night for a baseball game.  We saw the fireworks light up the sky when the Rangers hit a home run.  There were plenty of people tailgating for the game and enjoying the game from the nearby parking lots.  They'd set up the power cords and had the game on TVs for other fans to watch and enjoy.  Guys on rickshaws were transporting people from the lots to Rangers Ballpark and charging a minimum of $10.  Have you ever ridden one?  They can be fun and the guys get a good work out as they pedal you to the park.

After giving up on getting a ticket into the game, we headed off to dinner at the Dallas Chop House.  If you haven't been to the restaurant yet (i.e. it's about 8 months old), I recommend that you check it out.  The food was fantastic.  For appetizers, we enjoyed a lump crab cake and an avocado, ahi tuna, and cucumber appetizer  and a dry aged sirloin for my main course.  I think it was a sirloin, but I could be wrong.  Whatever the cut of meat was, it was very tender and juicy...  In addition to the food, the restaurant's design is appealing.  The outdoor bar and seating area at the Dallas Chop House had an outdoor fireplace that was very sexy and offered warmth when temperatures started to fall at night. 

My Saturday night in Dallas didn't go as expected, but great food and company helped ease the disappointment.  This blog started with the NFL Playoffs and covered my adventures at the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game, The Masters, NBA Finals, and most recently covered my run during the the MLB Playoffs...  Wouldn't you know, Game 3 was the ONLY game the Rangers won in the World Series, and I missed it...  Ain't that a kick in the head?!!?!? 

Looks like I exhausted all my luck during the New York Yankees v Texas Rangers ALCS series, when I happened to have the best seat in the house next to someone special... C'est la vie :-P

I received an email today about the Texas Rangers rally that will be held today Wednesday, November 3 at 6:00 p.m. in Lot J on the west side of Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.  The rally will feature President Nolan Ryan, Manager Ron Washington, and a number of the players from the 2010 American League Champions.  The Rangers Rally is free and open for all fans. Free parking is available in Rangers MetroPCS Lot A, Academy Sports + Outdoors Lot B, Lots C, M, and N and Cowboys Stadium Lot 4 beginning at 2:00 p.m. Fans should note that Nolan Ryan Expressway between Road to Six Flags and Randol Mill Road will be closed today beginning at 8:00 a.m.


THE WIRK

Yankees rally in the 8th to defeat the Rangers ~ ALCS, Game 1

I'd never been to Rangers Ballpark so I decided that there was no better time to go then last night to watch game 1 of the ALCS.  I flew to Dallas and immediately went to see my family.  After catching up with Ashley, the kiddos, the new kitty, and meeting her neighbor Dave ~ they whisked me away to the game.  I got there early so that traffic wouldn't be an issue and it worked out well so I could eat and not worry about picking up my ticket at will call. 

For under $20, I had a hotdog, a large drink, and a funnel cake.  ****  Funnel cake is one of my guilty pleasures!  After satisfying my inner fat kid, I walked the concourse to see what the park had to offer.   I found a large gift shop (i.e. the Majestic) and a huge Nolan Ryan statue.  After taking the obligatory photo it was time for me to get ready to watch the action. 

Nolan Ryan threw out the ceremonial first pitch.  Here's the video I shot:

It was a comfortable 80-degrees, and I settled in my seat.  Before you knew it, the Texas Rangers were up 3-0.  I'd never heard the name Michael Young until yesterday, but after last night I won't forget it.  Evidently he lives down the street from my cousin.  At his first at bat, he singled and then next thing you knew Josh Hamilton drove him and Elvis Andrus home with a home run!

I watched game 1 of the ALDS and CC Sabathia got off to a slow start at Target Field (i.e. against the Minnesota Twins) so it felt like de ja vu...  CC managed to get himself out of some other jams, and before you knew it Joba Chamberlain was in the game, pitching in the bottom of the 5th.

Anyone else remember Joba Chamberlain on the mound in Cleveland when those flies came out?!?!  That's an image I can't forget!  So gross... 

Around the time of the 7th inning stretch, I noticed George W. Bush in the crowd.  Here's a picture.  He's in the blue shirt, front row, to the left of the sign.

Anyway, some time around the 8th inning I noticed the guy to my right.  He was a cross between Rick Fox and another guy I grew up with (i.e. that I had a crush on).  Needless to say he was attractive and shooting pictures with a serious camera.  I found it all very interesting.  After some small talk, we both noticed the Yankees had scored!  Wouldn't you know it?  The Yankees were beginning to rally!  It was so quiet in the ballpark that it was as if the Rangers balloon had completely deflated, but thanks to some good conversation and Yankees offense ~ I was still smiling!

If you want the box score or a play-by-play check ESPN.com.  Great game and definitely a good time!  Rangers lose at home.  Final score Yankees: 6, Rangers: 5.

"The stars at night, shine big and bright ~ deep in the heart of Texas".

Game 2 is today (i.e. Saturday) at 4PM ET.

THE WIRK

Yankees v Rangers, ALCS Game 1 ~ I'll be there!

Cliff Lee pitched a complete game, and the ALCS match-up is set.  Further, I just scored my ticket to Game 1 in Dallas!  I had to rearrange my schedule, but I'm more than excited to see the New York Yankees take on the Texas Rangers and check off another stadium (i.e. Rangers Ballpark) on my tour. 

The Texas Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays earlier tonight, and the minute the Rangers advanced, I was on the phone with US Air changing my existing weekend flights.  Thank goodness I have plenty of dividend miles coming out of my ears and a very flexible schedule, otherwise it'd be basically impossible to continue living the dream!  ****  Direct flights to DFW cost almost $1,500.00 right now and with a connection you'd still pay more than $500.00. 

Friends and family, hopefully I can see you before or after the game this Friday.  Fellow baseball fans, I'll see you at Rangers Ballpark!  Game time is set at 8PM (ET).

****  Still on the hunt for a ticket for the NLCS, Game 1.  I really want to see Lincecum v Halladay.  If you can help me out, contact me: thewirk@gmail.com.


THE WIRK