It Is Done

Hard to believe Reese and I completed our baseball adventure. Tonight the Atlanta Braves proved outstanding hosts for this momentous occasion. We really enjoyed visiting with Carolyn who manages the Braves museum. And what a wonderful museum it is, capturing the incredible history of the Braves. 

Of course it was a big day for the Braves with the firing of their general manager. We went on a ballpark tour right after the press conference that announced the change. The tour included the press area that was still abuzz with events of the day. A really kind AP photographer invited our small tour group to look over his shoulder as he edited pictures he took at the press conference. Later, we saw one of those pictures on the news. A neat behind-the-scenes view. 

The Braves arranged an interview with us that they played on the stadium screen prior to the game. Reese is much more articulate than his father. 

Before the baseball part of the day, we quickly toured the Georgia State Capitol. A very nice building with tons of history displays. Then it was on to the World of Coke where we spent a couple of hours exploring the marketing genius of this iconic company. Part of the tour included sampling Coke products from around the world. There were 65 available. I made it through about half, some of which were very good and some of which challenged the taste buds. 

It was great fun to walk the parking lot that contains an outline in bricks of the old Fulton County Stadium and, more importantly, features the outfield wall over which Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run. 

Planning is now underway for the next round of ballparks--Minneapolis, New York (2) and St. Louis. And a visit to the Hall of Fame is a must. 

We owe our sincerest appreciation to Brian McDonald, Josh Alkin of MLB and all the people associated with the Marlins, Rays and Braves who treated us so well during the past few days. And this whole adventure would not have been possible without Julie holding down the homefront. I can't thank her enough.

Atlanta Day 2

Beautiful day in Atlanta. About the same temperatures we had in Florida, but much less humidity. Very comfortable.

We have found it difficult to get Braves' gear this late in the season. There was no hat in the stadium that was my size and limited selection on plain Braves' shirts. We finally located a Target store and got one shirt my size but couldn't find anything for Reese. Life is tough. 

I'm starting to wonder what hotel management has against us. Today we greeted the housekeeping staff in the hallway as we left for the day. When we returned six hours later our room was the same as we left it. We did manage to get a couple of bars of soap at the front desk. 

Dinner tonight at Fox Brothers BBQ, a place recommended by a relative who used to live in Atlanta. Excellent. A long wait but well worth. 

Tomorrow's the big day, the culmination of our baseball journey. The docket includes a ballpark tour, Braves batting practice, a good game (hopefully) and who knows what else. We can't wait. 

On The Road to Atlanta

First things first--this morning we checked in for our room last night. Thanks to Brian Cox, manager of America's Best Inn, for such warm hospitality. He turned a European ski trip into a hotel management career at which he is very good. Saying goodbye to Brian we began the long drive to Atlanta. 

North Florida rest stops are quite nice with clean restrooms and plenty of picnic tables. But Reese and I were reluctant, desperate and brief visitors after seeing the sign "WARNING: BEWARE OF POISONOUS SNAKES." Sure didn't lolligag there. 

South Georgia featured miles and miles of cotton fields. And countless billboards advertising adult businesses. We also noticed a lack of trucks on the road. Not sure if there is any relationship here. Just a curious coincidence. 

Our hotel challenges continued in Atlanta. We arrived at the Ramada about 5:30, stepped into the lobby and faced a line to the registration desk that wound completely around the lobby. We took our place at the end of the line and after moving just a few feet in 45 minutes, decided to walk down the street to the Braves game. 

I should mention here that Reese and I have specific criteria for what constitutes a ballpark visit including a photo in front of the stadium and a number of different entries in our scorebook. Our "official" and 31st ballpark visit occurs on Monday night when the Braves play the Pirates. Can't wait. 

Stop 2: Tampa Bay

It never rains inside Tropicana Field which is a good thing because it certainly poured outside. Out of the domed stadiums we've seen (Kingdome, Olympic Stadium & Metrodome), The Trop is the best. And the Rays are a class organization.

Diane Villanova was waiting for us when we arrived at the ballpark. She escorted us to the field and made sure we had everything we needed including an Express Pass to pet the rays swimming in a tank in center field.

Around the batting cage, the Rays players were very accessible. We were with a group from Westchester, NY. Seven kids were clamoring for autographs and the Ray's players accommodated them in spades, signing everything thrust at them by eager little hands. And then posing for individual and group shots, really talking with the kids and ably fulfilling the professional baseball players hero role. I'm not an autograph hound, but even I couldn't resist asking Evan Longoria to sign our scorebook. Cool.

Then there were the baseballs. People risk serious injury diving in the stands for baseballs or standing in front of a screaming line drive to catch one. Kids beam when a major league baseball ends up in their hands. The Rays clearly understand this love affair with the round, stitched leather. We've never seen such effort to get baseballs to kids. For example at the end of a half inning, youngsters storm the dugout pleading for the ball that landed in the player's glove for the third out. On several occasions, not only the third out ball landed in outstretched little gloves, but additional ones came out of the dugout as well. And during batting practice the downpour of baseballs to kids matched the storm outside. Nice job Rays.

The game itself was a good one, except the Rays lost 4-3. Reese caught a t-shirt during the seventh inning stretch toss. He promptly handed it to a lady in front of us who was absolutely thrilled with the addition to her Rays wardrobe.

One of the things we've noticed on this trip is the employment of cheerleaders by both the Marlins and Rays. Can't recall seeing that before.

We did experience another housing challenge tonight. During the game I received a call from America's Best Inn letting me know they closed the front desk at 9 pm. We received instructions on opening the lock box where we found our room key.

Off day tomorrow as we make the long drive to Atlanta and ballpark 31.

Stop 1: Miami

Sure tires a body out to fly all night and then be ready for a full day of activities but we embraced the weariness. We were greeted by a hot and sultry Miami, in more ways than one. I'll explain.

In my never ending quest for the cheap, I reseved a room at a hotel through Hotwire (where one doesn't know the name of the hotel until it is booked) named the Aladdin. It was inexpensive, had free parking and had fairly easy access to Marlin Park. What's not to like? What I didn't realize was that The Aladdin challenges its guests to "dare to step into a world of exotic fantasy. . .an experience that other hotels would never dare offer." Talk about hot and sultry. YIKES!!!

I called Hotwire. Hotwire called the Aladdin. Now Reese and I have a room with two double beds somewhere in the back forty with a housekeeping cart permanently parked outside our door. So far so good despite the flashing pastel lights that greet guests.

More important is the baseball. We were treated royally by the Marlins where Sabrina gave us a personal tour of Marlins Park and escorted us to the field for the Washington Nationals batting practice. What a kick. And by the way, can Bryce Harper ever crush the ball!

Another highlight that was completely beyond me was meeting a stud named Juan Pablo who apparenltly created quite a stir on The Bachelor. I had no idea who he was but Reese did and struck up a conversation with him around the batting cage. Turns out he played soccer in Salem and lived with a host family in West Salem. He was at the game as the leader of an effort to develop a baseball museum in Venezuela. He is collecting baseball memorabilia from Venezuelan players. He said he hopes to meet with Felix Hernandez tomorrow in Houston.

Marlins Park is colorful and unique. We loved the field layout with a lot of angles in the outfield. It's an intimate field that Reese commented feels like a big minor league stadium. Two issues we observed: 1) the roof and windows are closed whenever there is a chance for rain or the temperature is higher than 75. In South Florida that means an open stadium like twice a year. And a dramatic Miami skyline is hidden as a result. 2) the sound system is very poor making it very difficult for the PA announcer to communicate.

Still, what a wonderful day we had. The home team lost 6-2 and we saw some unbelievable plays including one being featured as a top play on ESPN.

Sleeping horizontal tonight and ready for the drive to St. Pete.

Beginning of the First End

And so it begins–

It all started sometime in 1999. I think because I wasn't there at the beginning. 

I love baseball. And I'm blessed by the fact that my son Reese shares that love. Like his dad, his love affair began early in life and continues to this day. At one point in Reese's Little League baseball experience, I mentioned that one of my dreams was to visit Fenway Park in Boston. 

Little did I know but that off–hand comment led to a bunch of scheming led by then 11 year old Reese and involving my wife Julie and my mom. With Reese grubbing for money at every opportunity and Julie and Grandma making the arrangements, I was blown away with an early 2000 Father's Day gift of a trip to Boston to see the Red Sox.

Suffice it to say Reese and I had an incredible father–son adventure in June 2000, watching two Red Sox games, including a Yankees–Red Sox battle. Flying back from Boston Reese and I agreed that this was way too much fun to stop with one trip. We then set the goal to see a game in every major league ballpark. And 28 stadiums later (we made it to Montreal before they moved to Washington), we are on the final leg of our journey.

Leaving tonight from Portland, we are set to see games in Miami, Tampa Bay and Atlanta.