Day 20 - Atlanta

Today was Atlanta. This is Turner Field's last year, it is being torn down and replaced. Although the current version isn't too bad. 

The day got off to a fun start, there was a ground stop at the Tampa airport due to lighting 

We held in the air for 20 minutes going into Atlanta due to weather in the area. I wasn't sure if we were holding or if maybe my colleague Andrew J got hired by the FAA and we were being subject to his radar vectoring skills. 

We were less than 5 minutes from deviating to another airport when we got the all clear and landed in Atlanta. 

It was a battle of last place teams so I wasn't expecting a large crowd. I was wrong.  Not only was it large, they were dancing and singing out by the center field gate. 

It took me a while to find my seat. "Where's section 204?" "it's over at the other side of the stadium with the rest of the even numbers" 

The "oblivious cam", these two were on the big screen for almost 4 minutes before they realized it 

They had a pretty good run of division titles here

They still do the "tomahawk chop" and there are a few fans running looking like this 

Now I am at another airport at 5am and will be flying Detroit for an afternoon game against the Astros, 1st pitch is in 8 hours. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game 19 - Tampa

The bus ride from Miami to Tampa was interesting. When it rains here, it rains so hard it stops traffic. We ran into 3 "showers" along the way that brought the interstate to a halt.    

The Tropicana Field is actually in St Petersburg so I still had a bit of travelling to do once I checked into my hotel. 

I found a sports bar across the street 

And met this guy 

Turns out he is one of the original designers of Tropicana Field and he had some great stories (want to know where Jimmy Hoffa is buried?). He also has been a regular at Fergs Sports Bar since it was converted from an old gas station 30 years ago. 

After seeing the rain they get here, I now understand why this place has a roof 

It also has a pool in centerfield like Miami, but instead of people they filled it with Manta Rays

There is a hitters hall of fame exhibit here that is worth the trip if you are a baseball fan.  

Today I fly up to Atlanta for game number 20, and it's laundry day again. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 18 - Miami

I arrived in Miami just after 9am. I was going to go to the beach and workout but it was laundry day again. 

The Miami "ballpark" is unique.

There are no Marlins signs outside. If it wasn't for fans wearing Marlins jerseys I would have no idea they played here. 

There's a DJ, he made me dizzy.

There's cheerleaders dancing on the dugout 

There's a night club, with a pool, in left field. You can hear the music during the game all over the park. 

There was a souvenir booth selling the visiting teams gear 

There's this thing

There's a nice view of downtown thru the left field windows 

It was a fun game, there were some great defensive plays and I saw Ichiro get his 2,998 hit.  

Today I'm on the bus to Tampa to visit the  Rays. I'll be honest, that is one park in not looking forward to. 1st world problems right? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 17 -Toronto

I arrived in Toronto just before 10 and took the train into the city. The game was scheduled to start at 1237 so this was probably the tightest connection so far.  I made it to the park in plenty of time.  

It was tough to find, I was told it was next to a tall spire looking thing.

I felt fortunate to have some friends join me at the game, two were already in town and visiting from Edmonton and one made a special 7.5 journey from Quebec just for the game. 

The roof was open so it provided some pretty wicked views 

Since it was an early game, we went for dinner after and then I had a chance to go up the spire looking thingy for a view from above 

I got my foot selfie

Today I'm off to Miami, Ichiro is only 3 hits away from 3000, this could be the night. But before the game I plan to go for a quick workout on Miami Beach. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 16 - Minnesota

I landed in Minnesota just before 11 and took the train to the airport. Which was right beside the Mall of America, so what the heck, I walked thru the Mall of America.  Yep, it's a mall. 

I took the train to the ball park and got there a couple hours before the game 

Outside there are plaques for every year of the Twins past depicting the full rosters.

The view from inside were amazing 

Nice shirt! 

I still like mine better!

I met a great couple from Chicago who are also Cubs fans. They are also trying to visit all the parks, albeit at a more manageable pace. Every year they try and get a few parks in. Don't let the Twins hat fool you, he collects hats from all the parks they go to. 

The game was good, another nail biter between two last place teams. It's now 430am and I am at another airport. Today  is Toronto. I have a few friends meeting be there so it should be fun. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 15 - Texas

Texas was the half way point of this journey. Almost there....I think.   I woke up in Dallas so all I had to do was to take a train/bus to Arlington. 

To find the ballpark, all you have to do is find the 100,000 capacity Dallas Cowbiys stadium and hang a left, that thing is huge.

I found the park 

Check out the Wicked Pig 

The suites are named after hall of gamers, even though they didn't play for the Rangers

This guy played for the Rangers 

The park has a retro feel to it.

There's also the Beers of the World booth....featuring Bud Light...

The game was exciting, the Rangers were down 6-1 in the 2nd, and hit a walk off two run homer to win. The place got really loud.   Today I fly to Minnesota and tomorrow I'll be in Toronto.