Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA – Game No. 5

By Nolan Rice

LOS ANGELES — Once again, our day began with writing reviews. I don’t stare at a screen this much at work.

OK, it’s time for a negative review. Today we went to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies, but that’s beside the point.

Upon arriving at the park we were informed by security that there is no tailgating. What the hell? Whatever. Daren’s backpack was put in to “check” at the gate for him to retrieve after the game because it was too big, even though all he had in it was a clipboard and a whiteboard. My bag is almost as big, and full of stuff, and I made it through.

Five minutes after getting seated we were escorted to a security station again because we had cameras. Daren was forced to talk to security personnel on the phone about our project in order for us to be able to stay. Apparently no one has ever seen a camera in HOLLYWOOD.

After doing a lot of thinking about Beth and how much I miss her, I realized I had a project to complete. The dudes and I had previously discussed that I was to eat as much stadium food as possible today (in addition to my standard dog) and give an opinion. We had heard that Dodger Stadium has an “all you can eat” park buffet. We asked where it was and were informed that our tickets were in the wrong section for this and we would not be able to visit the buffet. What the hell? Whatever.

I decided to try several items from the concession area we were allowed to visit. The “Super Dodger Dog” does deserve a positive review. It will be No. 2, behind Seattle’s dog. The Super was longer than the bun. The bun wasn’t soggy. Condiments were still standard. No sauerkraut. Don’t people know about the benefit of sauerkraut?

MLB Park “Dogs”

1. Major League Mariner Dog (Safeco Field — Mariners)
2. Super Dodger Dog (Dodger Stadium — Dodgers)
3. Farmer John Super (Angel Stadium — Angels)
4. Miller All Beef Coliseum Dog (McAfee Coliseum — Athletics)
5. Giants Dog (AT&T Park — Giants)

Next was a park pretzel. This pissed me off. I paid $4.50 for the pretzel and when I received it I was informed I had to pay $1.50 extra for cheese. Who eats a pretzel without cheese? Next I dug into some nachos, which came with cheese and salsa included. Explain that logic.

Next were ballpark peanuts. I was full. The food was good, but the experience here sucked. I drank three beers, including one in my “flashing lights” Dodger beer glass, and thought about my girlfriend some more. If you haven’t noticed, you’re going to continue to hear about her.

I left the park disgusted. I can’t wait for the Celtics to put away the Lakers this week.

We returned to our host’s apartment. Bryan Mansell is a grade-school buddy of Troy’s, and has put us up for the past two nights. We owe him thanks. After the game he showed me his collection of Jordans. He had my favorite pair of Jordan 4’s. I know it’s wrong to hate Jordan, like his shoes and root for Larry Bird, but that’s what I did as a kid. Thanks again, Bryan.

Later…………………Nolan  (Key Grip)

(There’s more on this and our other adventures at BaseCrawl.com)

Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA – Game No. 4

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Al and Rochelle for allowing us to stay in their beautiful home while we were in the Oakland/San Francisco area.  Your hospitality was wonderful.  We enjoyed your stories and having drinks with you on our final night.

 

June 1^st.  As we entered the LA/Anaheim area we came across Knott’s Berry Farm (accidentally).  This was quite nostalgic for me, as I hadn’t seen the park since my family trip when I was in third grade.  From the street I took a photo of the free-fall ride.  I remember this ride specifically.  The floor of the ride is see-through, and was quite a scary experience for me at the age of 8.

 

We arrived at Angel Stadium late.  Today’s game features the Toronto Blue Jays vs. the Anaheim Angels.  We discussed the game plan in the parking lot, and headed in.  The park was quite impressive.  I expected to take loads of hell for my jersey as a result of last year’s playoffs.  However, everyone was friendly.  At one point I dropped my Fred Meyer Rewards card and a fan came running with it.  What a nice gesture.  A Yankee fan would have looked at my jersey and kept walking.  (…OK, Maybe that’s not fair…) 

 

Upon going to the concession area to get my standard game dog, I met Kaleb.  The young man couldn’t have been more than four or five years old.  He was decked out in Angels gear.  His dad asked him to tell me, “Who’s #1?”  His first response was, “Daddy!!”  His father laughed and asked again.  His second response was, “The Yankees!!”  Hilarious.  What a cute little boy.

 

 

The “Farmer John Super Dog” was a slight step up from the last few parks.  I think I might have to rethink my standards for MLB park dogs.  When the trip began I was expecting large, juicy, bratwurst type meals.  Seattle has been the only park to come closest.  The Farmer John was juicy and charred, yet small.  It was hot, so consequently the bun was a little soggy.  The condiments were typical.  No sauerkraut.

 

MLB Park “Dogs”

 

1.  Major League Mariner Dog  (Safeco Field – Mariners)

2.  Farmer John Super Dog  (Angel Stadium – Angels)

3.  Miller All Beef Coliseum Dog  (McAfee Coliseum – Athletics)

4.  Giants Dog  (AT&T Park – Giants)

 

I informed my comrades that Beth and Wendy are planning to do some painting in my house while I’m gone.  I am a little scared.    Actually, I’m not.  Any color will be an improvement.  Wish I was there to help those foxy ladies.  Daren does too.

 

We were lucky to see an exciting game today.  The “Rally Monkey” appeared after the seventh-inning stretch.  I have learned the words to, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”  Beth gave me shit about that in Seattle.  The Angels hit a walk-off base hit to win 4-3.  The crowd roared!!!

 

We stayed in the stands late.  The attendant asked us nicely to leave.  He was cool, and jealous of our project.  Upon leaving, Troy realized he left his phone in the stands.  He was let back in to find it.

 

 

So far I have almost lost my phone and Daren almost lost one of the cameras.  We are a “hot mess,” as Beth would say.  (…Can you tell I miss her?…)

 

When viewing a slideshow, click on “Options” and choose “Always show title and description” to view photo captions.  For photos click here and choose between Thumbnails (left), Detail (left) and Slideshow (upper right).

 

Later…………………..Nolan  (Key Grip)

AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA – Game No. 3

 

May 30^th.  Our day started with preparation work at Starbucks in Redwood City, CA.  I felt like a “Yuppie” drinking my $3.80 iced mocha while working on my laptop.  Today’s game is at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.  The park was also home to last year’s All-Star Game, and is the location of Barry Bond’s record-breaking homer.  I forgot to mention I witnessed “Big Papi” hit a homer in Seattle against the Mariners.  My gorgeous girl was too much of a distraction for me to remember to write about it.  (…No, she didn’t tell me to write that…)    Ortiz’s home run was a true highlight since he is my second favorite player, next to Mike Lowell.

 

Prior to the game, Daren and I decided to play a little catch and have a beer.  Life is hard. 

 

 

On our way in we did some interviewing for the documentary.  I have continually been taking a load of crap for wearing my Red Sox jersey.  The comical part about this is the home team fans at each park have given me a hard time, and we have yet to see a home team win.    (…However, at the gate I did find a Red Sox fan wearing Giants gear.  What is that?…)  Today’s game will be a 13-inning, 3-7 loss for the Giants against the San Diego Padres.  The ESPN highlight of the day will be a triple play turned by the Giants in the 8^th inning (…I believe…) to keep the score tied at 3.

 

OK.  Seriously.  The Giants and the Athletics have the same gas station deliver dogs to their park.  The “Giants Dog” will be third of three on the rankings list.  The dog itself was of the same low quality as the A’s dog.  The bun was even worse.  I have yet to be impressed with MLB dogs so far.

 

MLB Park “Dogs”

 

1.  Major League Mariner Dog  (Safeco Field – Mariners)

2.  (distant)  Miller All Beef Coliseum Dog  (McAfee Coliseum – Athletics)

3.  Giants Dog  (AT&T Park – Giants)

 

AT&T Park is home to the largest baseball mitt in the world.  There was a fireworks show after the game in honor of “HIV/AIDS – find a cure” efforts.

 

The next day we returned to the park to rent kayaks for the McCovey Cove experience.  Daren and I went in the water. 

 

 

Bond’s hit several splash homers into the cove in years past, however he’s not around anymore.  Honestly, not to be negative again, but I was disappointed.  The cove experience has been around as long as the park and there were no services for the kayakers.  I didn’t expect to catch a ball, or even see one for that matter.  However, it would have been nice to be able to see a TV screen with the game on, or even one of the park score boards.  The only thing in sight was the pitch count board in extreme right field.  We spent the afternoon staring at a concrete wall.    Granted, a boat did cruise by and give us free roast beef and cheddar sandwiches, and beer.  That was a bonus.

 

Later………………Nolan  (Key Grip)

 

P.S. For photos click here and choose between Thumbnails (left), Detail (left) and Slideshow (upper right).

 

When viewing a slideshow, click on “Options” and choose “Always show title and description” to view photo captions.

McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, CA – Game No. 2

 

So…………. here we are in Oakland, CA.  The Toronto Blue Jays are visiting the Oakland Athletics.  The site is McAfee Coliseum, home of the A’s and the NFL’s Oakland Raiders.  Game time is 12:35 on a Thursday.  Consequently the crowd is sparse, with the exception of hundreds of grade-school kids, all of which are wearing brand new A’s hats. 

 

The stands are roughly half full.  The very upper level seats weren’t even uncovered for the event.  It is a sunny day.  (All three BaseCrawl crew members will leave with a sunburn.)  I am being sentimental and find myself looking at Beth’s ring on my hand, wishing she was here.  I’m sure Troy and Daren will throw me crap for typing that.

 

A fan behind me was just giving me shit, in a friendly way, for wearing my Boston jersey to an A’s game.  He then proceeded to call his mother in Detroit to tell her about my choice of clothing.  Turns out she is a Pistons fan, and consequently doesn’t enjoy hearing about Boston anything do to the current NBA series between the two cities.

 

The dog of choice at the coliseum is the Miller All Beef Coliseum Dog.  I’ve purchased one, and must say I am quite disappointed.  The bun is better than at Safeco, however that’s were my positive reviews stop.  The dog itself could have come from your local gas station, and the condiments were weak to say the least.  Poor display of ball park dog tradition.

 

MLB Park “Dogs”

 

1.  Major League Mariner Dog  (Safeco Field – Mariners)

2.  (distant)  Miller All Beef Coliseum Dog  (McAfee Coliseum – Athletics)

 

Since the game is continuing to get more and more boring, (Final Score: TOR 12, OAK 0) we’ve decided to try and move down in the seats for a closer look.  We’ve made it to the first level and have noticed the bullpens are just outside the two foul lines.  Interesting???  I’m sort-of a ballpark rookie, however I was surprised to see this.  (Daren has since told me this is present in a few other parks.)

 

Game No. 2 is over.  We’ve placed sticker No. 2 on the Jeep.  Next stop in San Francisco.  Daren and I will be in the bay on Saturday in kayaks.  Watch for us.

 

Later … ……… Nolan  (Key Grip)

 

P.S.  For photos click here and choose between Thumbnails (left), Detail (left) and Slideshow (upper right).

 

Safeco Field, Seattle, WA – Game No. 1

One down, 29 to go…

 

Our first game was last night (May 26th).  The Red Sox were visiting the Mariners.  Ironically, Seattle is my girlfriend’s team, and Boston is my team.  Beth flew in for the game.  All had a blast, of course.  We did the standard Seattle stuff, i.e. Space Needle, Pikes Place, downtown, etc.

 

 

The game was close until the 8^th.  Boston won, 5-3.  The experience was one to remember since Boston is the defending champ.  I ate a “Major League Mariner Dog.”  Although it’s been done before, I plan to rank the “dogs” of all 30 parks.  The Mariner dog was juicy, thick and slightly charred, which I like.  The bun and condiments left a little to be desired, although sauerkraut was available, which is a plus.  Since this was the first, my ranking list is short. 

 

MLB Park “Dogs”

 

1.  Major League Mariner Dog  (Seattle, WA)

 

Big League BaseCrawl is officially under way. I am now on Amtrak headed to Portland to meet up with Daren and Troy, as they left Beth and I in Seattle last night.  We have many miles and dogs to go.

 

Later…………………Nolan

 

P.S.  For photos click here and choose between Thumbnails (left), Detail (left) and Slideshow (upper right).

Big League BaseCrawl

Hello Everyone…

Two of my buddies (Troy and Daren) and I are about to begin a great adventure.  We are hopping in an SUV and road tripping for the next 10 weeks.  Our goal is to watch a game in all 30 MLB parks.  Along the way we will be producing a documentary (movie and book).  The project is called “Big League BaseCrawl.”  There will be a web page to view and other blog locations to keep you informed.

More to come.

…Nolan