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MLB ROAD TRIP 2001
2001.10.18 <VOL.35> Days 176-186
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*We are back in Seattle, WA
Index
1. ALDS Playoffs
2. Trip Limbo
3. We Take the Train?
4. ALCS Playoffs
5. Kerry and Eric
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ALDS Playoffs
The playoffs started in Seattle on October 9th as the Mariners hosted the Indians in game 1 of the American League Division Series. We were still in Seattle, so we went down to Safeco to see if there were tickets available. Fortunately, due to the fact that the game was starting at 1:00 pm, there were lots of tickets on sale and we had no trouble getting seats. Unfortunately, the Mariners had significantly more trouble scoring runs off Bartolo Colon and lost a rather disappointing game 5-0. The crowd never had an opportunity to get excited and the festive atmosphere that marked the start of the game quickly disappeared. A quiet crowd filed out of the stadium, hoping for better luck in Game 2.
After the game, we saw people selling tickets for Game 2 at half-price - the afternoon starting time was too inconvenient for these poor working people. However, we passed on game 2 tickets, preferring to save our money for potential ALCS action. By the way, this was our 100th game on the trip, which means over 900 innings and 5400 outs that we have seen. Just so you know.
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Trip Limbo
You may have noticed that this update is a bit later than usual. This is because we weren't sure what was going to happen with the trip - it all depended on the outcomes of the divisional playoffs. After game 2, we drove back to Vancouver where we returned our trusty car. We then spent the weekend in Vancouver watching baseball from morning to night, wondering how our trip would end. It was sort of trip limbo as we really had no idea where we would end up and when.
We decided that if Seattle and Oakland both lost, we would end the trip, but if either team won, then we would try to see games there. On Saturday, it looked like Oakland would be the team that would advance as they led the Yankees 2 games to 1, while Seattle had just been pasted 17-2 by Cleveland to go down 2-1. But both series were tied up on Sunday and then on Monday, in two exciting games, the Mariners advanced while the A's did not. On Tuesday morning I got up early and headed to TicketMaster in Vancouver to get tickets for the ALCS games 1 and 2. The line was small and we got seats for both games, so we were on our way back to Seattle. Aya had planned to return to Japan, but she changed her mind when it became apparent that we would be able to see more baseball, particularly Ichiro and the Mariners. So she is still with me, and enjoying the extension of the trip.
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We Take the Train?
We were now car-less but still had to get back to Seattle. After a quick check of rent-a-car rates, it was obvious that the train would be a better option. So I made a reservation on Amtrak's website - we would take a train from Vancouver to Seattle, a nice scenic ride, I thought. We arrived at the train station, and gave our reservation number to the agent. He came back a couple of minutes later and told us that our bus was boarding outside. Bus!? It says our on reservation that we are supposed to take train #8957. Yes, he replied, but train #8957 is actually a bus. Apparently Amtrak runs buses between Vancouver and Seattle, but still refers to them as trains on their website. So an expected smooth ride on a train was actually a bumpy ride back down I-5 on a bus. It really wasn't inconvenient, as only one other passenger was on the bus and there was no wait at the border, but we thought we should warn our readers - double check your mode of transport before booking an Amtrak ticket.
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ALCS Playoffs
Yesterday and today were spent at Safeco Field as the Yankees and Mariners renewed their ALCS rivalry. Game 1 was held on Wednesday afternoon and again there were plenty of tickets available around game time; some could be had for half-price. The game itself was again disappointing as Andy Pettitte shut down the Mariners as the Yankees won 4-2. Again the fans were unable to cheer much as the M's only managed 4 hits and were never in the game.
Thursday's game was more of the same, although tickets were tougher to get because the game was an evening affair. But the Mariner bats were again silent, particularly with men on base. Stan Javier hit a 2-run homer off Mike Mussina, but that was it as the Yankees won 3-2 to take a 2-0 lead in the series heading back to NY. In two games, the Mariners managed only 10 hits, which isn't going get you much. Lou Piniella stated that his team would return to Seattle for game 6, we hope so because all we have seen so far in the playoffs are Mariner losses.
Overall, the playoff crowds are good and loud, but there are still fans that leave early. I cannot understand why someone would spend a lot of money and time to get seats to a playoff game and then leave in the 7th inning with the score 3-2.
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Kerry and Eric
The main reason that we are able to spend so much time in Seattle is that our good friends Kerry and Eric live here. They have allowed us to stay at their house every time that we visit here and have been very gracious hosts. Until now that is. When we arrived back in Seattle to watch the ALCS games against New York, we were greeted by Eric, who replaced the usual "How's it going?" greeting with several loud "LET'S GO YANKEES". I had forgotten - these guys are dreaded Yankee fans! And now it was the Yankees against the Mariners in the ALCS. And of course, the Yankees won the first game. So we had to endure some good-natured ribbing from these two.
Seriously, a big thanks to Kerry and Eric without whom we could not have enjoyed our playoff games here in Seattle.
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There are only two weeks left in the season, and we are still wondering how it will finish. We have decided that if Seattle advances we will stay in the Northwest and try to see a game in the World Series. And if Arizona makes it, we may head south for some warmer weather and Arizona Fall League action as well. But if NY and Atlanta advance, the trip will end, as will my enjoyment of the World Series. I mean, can't somebody beat these guys? I am so tired of the Braves and Yankees - please Seattle and Arizona, make it interesting this year!
Talk to you later,
Sean and Aya
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