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MLB ROAD TRIP 2001
2001.9.24 <VOL.32> Days 155-161
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*We are in Cleveland
Index
1. Toronto Tribute
2. The Sports Road Trip
3. Completing the Sports Cycle
4. Guest Columnist
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Toronto Tribute
Our first game back after the terrorist attacks was at Toronto's Skydome, a facility that I have visited many times as a Blue Jay fan. But tonight was different, as the atmosphere both outside and inside the park was more reserved. The first noticeable difference was with security. All knapsacks had to be left at a coat check before entering the stadium - the wait was not very long before the game, but when picking up your bag afterwards, the wait was about 5-10 minutes. However, most parks don't even allow you to check these bags - you simply cannot bring any large bag to the stadium anymore.
Upon entering the park, we were handed small American flags, which fans received without complaint. Before the tragedy, Canadians occasionally had a mild case of anti-Americanism, fueled mainly by an unnecessary inferiority complex. But now, we realize that we are essentially the same, and we will be fighting this battle together - trivial national differences have no part in our lives at this time.
The pre-game ceremony was very simple and tasteful. The Metro Toronto Fire Department and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police presented the colours, while the honour guard representing the Fire, Police, and Emergency Services performed a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace on bagpipes. After a very long moment of silence, during which only the whirring of the air conditioning was audible, both national anthems were sung, with fans singing along to both with noticeable pride. Finally God Bless America was sung, and again fans sang along as the words were displayed on the scoreboards (we Canadians don't know the words!). Some fans had signs of support for the U.S.A. and overall, it was clear that the differences between the two nations were no longer of concern. It was a moving ceremony and one that will not be forgotten.
The game itself was very interesting as Toronto twice had leads disappear, including a 5-4 lead that was lost when Cal Ripken homered in the 8th, earning him a curtain call from the fans. But the Jays won it in their half of the 8th as Alex Gonzalez hit a 3-run homer, his second of the game and the 7th overall, tying the MLB Roadtrip record. The fans cheered the victory, but it was more subdued than usual as the events of the previous week were still on everyone's mind. Nonetheless, this game marked a return to the business of baseball. But it also served notice that things are different now and will be for a long time.
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The Sports Road Trip
Many of our readers believe that we are crazy to spend so much time on the road watching baseball. Perhaps we are, but there are always people crazier, and we had the good fortune to meet two of them in Toronto. Andrew Kulyk and Peter Farrell are two guys from Buffalo who are in the process of visiting every major league sports venue - that would be all stadiums in MLB, the NHL, the NBA, and the NFL. That makes 121 venues that they will visit over 5 years. They are also freelance sports writers, as they have a regular column in a small Buffalo-area sports newspaper as well as a show on local access cable.
They contacted us a couple of weeks ago and told us that they were interested in meeting us in Toronto. So we met up before the game and immediately began our discussions as to which park is good and which is not so good. A lot of fun to talk to guys that like sports just as much, and have visited nearly 100 different sports venues. Their trip is detailed at http://www.thesportsroadtrip.com, and we recommend that you pay it a visit - lots of cool info about nearly every single stadium in pro sports as well as some funny stories about their traveling travails.
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Completing the Sports Cycle
As we were saying our good byes to Andrew and Peter, they mentioned that they had extra tickets to an NHL pre-season game in Buffalo on Saturday night. Since we were driving from Cooperstown to Cleveland, they invited us to stop in Buffalo for some hockey action. So on Saturday, we made a little detour into Buffalo where we first walked around Dunn Tire Park, the minor league stadium of the AAA Buffalo Bisons. We then met up with Andrew and Peter at HSBC Arena, an excellent facility for hockey. We enjoyed a 4-3 Sabres' victory while continuing our discussion of the pros and cons of various ballparks and other venues. Another milestone - this game made it 3 different sports leagues (other than baseball) that we had seen on our trip - NBA, WNBA, and NHL.
The only thing left to see would be the NFL. And wouldn't you know it - the next morning in Cleveland, the Browns were hosting the Detroit Lions. A beautiful sunny afternoon was on order as we walked down to the stadium and found some tickets from a guy whose kids didn't want to come to the game- thanks Don! Great seats in a great stadium, and 70,000 fans. This was the NFL's first week back after the terrorist attacks, and security was tight. Once again the pre-game ceremony was somber, but football fans are a breed apart - during the moment of silence, a number of fans decided that shouting out "USA" or "Go Browns" would be appropriate. Cleveland football fans are known for their rowdiness, but this was a bit much.
Anyway, this was Aya's first experience with live football, and the game was interesting, although poorly played as the Detroit quarterback tossed 7 interceptions and both teams combined for 24 penalties. I tried to explain the rules to Aya, and she picked it up quickly, but it was tough trying to explain the wide variety of penalties that we witnessed.
But this game had more significant implications for our road trip - we have completed the sports cycle, witnessing games in all 4 major sports leagues as well as the WNBA. What's the point to this? Umm, I don't know, but it sounds cool, at least. I guess next we will have to check out an Arena Football game or something.
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Guest Columnist
Our friend Sharpy joined us for a week at the beginning of September, and saw games with us in New York, Boston, and Montreal. Here are his thoughts on his week on the road:
If I had a choice between visiting the Great Wall of China or seeing the left-field wall at Fenway Park (aka: the Green Monster), I would choose to go to Boston. Such are the reasons for why I joined the MLB Roadtrip -- it was like being a kid and running away to the circus. I had the pleasure of seeing seven games in eight days, with two games each at Shea Stadium, Fenway Park, and Olympic Stadium in Montreal, with one Double A Game in New Britain ,Connecticut. In the process, I also got to enjoy the other side of the MLB Roadtrip with the following observations.
Shea Stadium (New York Mets versus Florida)
After taking the "John Rocker Express" (the 7 train to Willetts-Point Shea Stadium), I soon realized that Shea Stadium is one of the worst stadiums in the majors. It is hard to believe that the Pope and the Beatles made this stadium famous. I also got the strong sense that the Mets are definitely the junior partner in comparison to their cross-town rival, those hated Yankees. At Shea, there are many seats that are under cover of the stands where your line of vision is limited to perhaps the top of the outfield walls. Furthermore, it is difficult to move down, as the "Grumpy Old Men" in orange outfits are very strict in enforcing the law as to where you sit. Being New York, they do not mess around, so if you want good seats, you better buy 'em..
Fenway Park (Boston versus Cleveland)
Red Sox fans are the most bitter and deluded (if not loyal) human beings on the face of the earth - one can't blame them, they are one of the most cursed sports teams ever. In their inanity, Red Sox fans have ample opportunities to buy t-shirts outside the stadium that read "Yankees Suck" -- that'll show 'em. Being witness firsthand to another Red Sox meltdown was painful and the desperation bordering on insanity that this creates was obvious as Red Sox management tried to force Pedro into pitching with a ripped shoulder and 9.5 games out in September. The upside of this mess is that Fenway Park shall remain the Red Sox home for a few more years because ownership is up in the air, so if you can, visit the park, go touch the Green Monster for Kharmic luck (yes you can do that) and feel the ghosts of Williams and Yaz taking those careening balls off the wall and yes, even the Babe pitching and hitting a few here.
Olympic Stadium (Montreal versus Philadelphia)
If you and a few of your friends wish to get together and enjoy, as if in the quiet and comfort of your own home, a fairly private viewing of professional baseball, go to Montreal. It is hard to imagine that this team will exist for much longer, simply out of embarrassment for the lack of support. Olympic Stadium is concrete ugly and should be blown up. It is amazing that despite all the travails, the Expos can still put on a half-decent team on the field. The highlight, beyond the game, was seeing the master mascot, Youppi, showing his stuff.
Observations
I used to be a baseball fanatic up until the last strike of 1994, but lately have only followed the sport peripherally. With this trip, I regained quite a bit of my interest in the game and particularly in terms of connecting with the athletes on some level. Most of us flame out on our dream of being a professional athlete by around 14 years old, if not earlier. One could only feel sympathy for the 29-year-old Akron pitcher in Double A whose look of failure was not the giving up of a particular hit or run, but someone who knows that their own dream of "making it" to the Show will probably never happen. Unlike T.V., seeing the game up close and in constant fashion (as per the roadtrip), the talent displayed becomes more apparent. Roberto Alomar made one play that for him is routine, but simply defies the laws of physics. On the other hand, seeing the John Rocker act was definitely worth the price of admission given the rain of abuse and heaped on the poor fellow -- it was like a taping of the Jerry Springer show, "Jerry, Jerry, Jerry".
Roadtripping on baseball was a lot of fun, but also demanding given the travel and the touring combined. I would recommend doing it in some form for a short time, but as for six months ---- that is dedication to a craft.
Thanks to Sharpy for his unique take on life on the road with us.
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Today marks Day 162 of the trip, which means we are 90% complete. We will celebrate by attending a game at Jacobs Field, which will be the 30th and final major league park on our trip. After that, we will stay in Cleveland for a couple of days before returning to Detroit to see one more game in Comerica Park. The games that were postponed have been rescheduled to the first week of October, and we will stop in Milwaukee to see the Cardinals as they move towards the playoffs as the NL Wild Card.
From then, it's the mad cross-country dash as we get to Seattle for the final day of the season, and where we hope to see at least one playoff game. After that, well, we don't know yet. But when we do, you'll be the first to find out.
Talk to you later,
Sean and Aya
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