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MLB ROAD TRIP 2001
2001.7.7 <VOL.22> Days 78-83
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*We are in Salt Lake City, UT (again)
Index
1. Dallas
2. Ballpark in Arlington
3. Ichiro tries to impress Aya again
4. We are now back in the West
5. Bishop Castle
6. Unexpected exposure
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Dallas Description
Last week saw us in Texas for three Rangers' games. As well, we spent a couple of days in Dallas. Surprisingly, there is not a lot to see in Dallas, which is most famous as the site of JFK's assassination. There is now a museum located on the 6th floor of what used to be the Texas School Book Depository where Oswald allegedly fired the shots. The museum presents Kennedy's life and looks at the assassination in some detail, without concluding either way on whether it was a conspiracy. Dealey Plaza is much the same as it was in 1963 and you can walk on the grassy knoll and try to figure out what really happened yourself.
Once you have spent a couple of hours here reflecting on one of the defining moments in American history, it seems anti-climatic to go to the zoo, or any of the other attractions, so we spent our time wandering around - the historic West End and Reunion Tower are both within minutes of Dealey Plaza and are both interesting. Other than that, there isn't a lot to do downtown - Dallas is really spread out and the tourist spots are as well.
In fact, the Dallas area is referred to as the Metroplex and includes Arlington and Fort Worth, and a number of smaller towns in between. Without a car here, you would be stuck. There is a good commuter train system, but it doesn't stretch far into suburbs. Our hotel was near the Ballpark in Arlington, so we spent a lot of time driving into the train stations, more than any other city so far.
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The Ballpark in Arlington
Built in 1994, The Ballpark in Arlington has the most unwieldy name in the majors. Fortunately, this is about the only negative that we could find. The Ballpark really has nothing surrounding it and when we first approached, it seemed like a mirage shimmering in the Texas heat. From far away, it is truly an amazing structure. As you walk from your car, you see that the park is uniquely structured - with arched entry gates and second floor windows, it almost seems like a Roman Coliseum. But when you look closer, you see that it is really Texas: steer heads and Lone Stars sit above the upper arches.
The park has some interesting features, including a Walk of Fame on the outside and an office building on the inside. If you've seen highlights on TV, you will have noticed the kids scrambling on the lawn beyond center field to get home run balls. Behind this lawn, which is actually the batter's eye and is known as Greene's Hill in honour of former Arlington Mayor Richard Greene, there is a four-story building that houses the Rangers' offices as well as two floors of commercial office space. Can you imagine working there? Leave work at 5:30, walk down a flight of stairs and into a ballpark - I'll find out which firms occupy that space and let you know in a future issue.
By the way, we discovered a secret way to get free parking - show up around 3:00 for a 7:00 game. The parking lots are open, but no-one is there to take your money. Then check out the Legends of the Game Museum (only $3 with your gameday ticket), which has some items on loan from Cooperstown and a great display of Rangers history. After that, grab a bite at Friday's Front Row Grill which is above the right field bleachers and serves pretty good food. By the time you are done dinner, it will be time to take a tour of the ballpark before settling in for the game.
There is a lot more to tell about this park, but we will save that for the website - check out the Dallas section (click on the Cities button first) in a few days.
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Ichiro Shows Off
On Monday, we went to the Mariners-Rangers game, and of course, we were looking forward to watching Ichiro. But when they announced the starting lineups, we were shocked - because the Rangers had a lefty on the hill, Ichiro was being given the day off. Aya was sad, to say the least.
Although the pitchers were walk-happy, both teams had trouble capitalizing, and the score was tied at 4 after 6 innings. Then in the top of the 7th, the Rangers brought in a righty reliever and Ichiro was summoned to pinch hit. Aya was happy and she went to take some pictures. But it was a quick at-bat as Ichiro struck out.
The Rangers scored 3 runs in the 7th and were leading 7-5 in the ninth when Ichiro came up to bat again. On the hill was Canadian Jeff Zimmerman, the Rangers' closer. A man was on 3rd and two were out. Aya screamed at Ichiro to get a hit (in Japanese). I screamed at Zimmerman to strike him out (in Canadian, so it sounded like 'strike him oot').
Well, Aya won this first battle of MLB Road Trip - Ichiro must have heard her screaming and in an attempt to impress her, he smacked the second pitch over the right field fence to tie the game. The Mariners went on to win in 10 innings and Ichiro continues to amaze baseball observers everywhere. Out of Ichiro's four dingers, we had seen two, so clearly Aya's luck is helping him as well.
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Come Back West, Young Man
After leaving Texas, we entered New Mexico and then Colorado. For me, it is great to be back in the west again - the drives are so much more interesting. The scenery is unbelievable, the roads are pretty clear of traffic, and there are plenty of national parks and monuments to stop at. A couple of days ago we saw Capulin Volcano, an extinct cinder cone in northeastern New Mexico. You can drive up to the top of the mouth and enjoy the spectacular view in all directions. and you can even walk down into the cone and see where lava spewed thousands of years ago.
Today, we drove through the Rockies and went to Dinosaur National Monument in Utah - they have on display a section of earth that contains thousand of dinosaur bones that have been preserved exactly as they were uncovered over 70 years ago. It is one of the more amazing sights you will see. The Monument also includes some driving tours and hiking trails.
Check out our Route Map page on our website for some pictures from these two spots.
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Bishop Castle
A couple of hours south of Denver there is a tourist site that is difficult to find in any of the travel magazines - it is known as Bishop Castle and is the work of just one man, Jim Bishop. For over 30 years, he has put together this structure which stretches 160 feet into the air. It defies simple description, but resembles a castle, and includes a church on the second floor, a fire-breathing dragon, and a tower that induces vertigo in the most accomplished climber.
Bishop refuses to charge admission because he would have to follow a number of laws and codes if he did so. I presume these would include safety codes, as this is definitely not a building that you would let your kids run around in - stairs are steep and there are a lot of areas where you are inches away from falling - with nothing stopping you. You are supposed to sign a guest book which absolves Bishop of any blame should you injure yourself. I suppose Bishop could be called a radical, but he approaches this project with a passion that is admirable.
Check out the home page at http://www.bishopcastle.org for a good explanation of what the project is all about, and if you are ever in the area, have a look. It is the most unique attraction we have seen so far.
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Our first radio interview (in English)
We have been keeping a low profile on this trip, for a variety of reasons. That all ended on Friday when we received a call from Thor Tolo of KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh. I found out about Thor while visiting PNC Park - he was broadcasting live from the Adecco Deck above center field. Although I had sent him an e-mail when we were in Pittsburgh, I didn't expect a call now that we were in Denver.
The first contact came around 4:00, just after we had finished touring Coors Field. I wanted to get back to the hotel to do the call in a quiet place, so I asked if I could be on at 5:30 (7:30 in Pittsburgh). Thor said OK, but about 30 minutes later, the phone rang again - they needed us on right away. We were walking in front of the Colorado State Capitol at the time, which was still 10 minutes from the hotel, so we had no choice but to find a bench and sit down.
This was my first live radio interview, and it was very surreal. Here I was in Denver, on a cell phone, talking to people driving home in Pittsburgh. Thor asked some interesting and unexpected questions, and I guess I answered them. Frankly, I don't know how I did and thankfully, I will never hear it. Aya sat beside me, but she wasn't prepared to do an English interview - afterwards I found out she didn't realize that I was doing it live! It was fun to do, and we got some good e-mails from people who listened, but I think I am going to need some practice before our next media exposure.
By the way, KDKA is the first radio station in the world, it is certainly humbling to have my first interview on the first radio station!
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Tomorrow we drive all day to Seattle where we will enjoy the home run derby and All-Star Game on Monday and Tuesday as well as watching Barry Bonds and the Giants take on the Mariners on Thursday. Hey, we also might see a minor league game on Wednesday. Our next report will include info on all this and more.
Talk to you later,
Sean and Aya
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