Mariners - The Baseball Sentinel

I went to the Opening Day game between the Seattle Mariners and LA Angels at Angels Stadium of Anaheim, I got a great seat, it was situated between home plate and the first base dugout, 20 rows from the field. The place was packed, the people excited, the pageantry of Opening Day was on full display. This excitement I felt the night before in San Diego, it is a coming together of people, everyone with high hopes of the season. People were spending lots of money to buy team apparel, to show the world who they represent. I was grateful to be at the game to watch and to listen to all that was happening, watching the dad who spent a fortune on a Mike Trout jersey for his 10 year old daughter, along with the “rally monkey” she absolutely had to have. He needs to work some overtime to make up for that out lay of cash, but they have the moment embedded into their memory of being at Opening Day 2014.

The guy next to me talked non stop to the guy behind him about how knowledgeable he was about the Angels and the game of baseball, the guy behind was probably wondering why he got stuck with this “know it all”, since he looked and talked like he knew nothing of the game but got free company tickets and thought he would see what all the fuss was about, I don’t think he will be coming back since he spent as much time on his phone as the wife of the “know it all”. I enjoyed how it all played out, this type of scenario was happening all over the stadium. People discussing the Angels chances this year, Mike Trout signing that huge contract and then not disappointing in his first at bat of the season by hitting a 2 run home run, the fans booing Robinson Cano, I didn’t understand all the boos, until I heard the “know it all” say something about the contract, I wondered why he didn’t boo Mike Trout then… The guy was even trying to explain what Don Baylor did to hurt himself on the cerimorinal first pitch, he was way off, as was I, my guess was that he twisted his ankle, but he broke his femur! I hope he is okay!

Don Baylor's freak accident... — Don Baylor’s freak accident…

I didn’t feel like walking around the stadium, I liked the place but it was one like many I have seen in the past, it is converted multi sport complex that was changed to baseball only, it is surrounded by parking lots, there isn’t a lot of personality to it, but I have to say that I am grateful that they still utilize it. It has some history to it and they have been adding features. Angel Stadium has been the home of the Angels since their move from Los Angeles. In 1964, ground was broken for Anaheim Stadium and in 1966, the then-California Angels moved into their new home after having spent four seasons renting Dodger Stadium (referred to during Angels games as Chavez Ravine Stadium) from the Dodgers. I found a great website call Stadium Journey that I have been utilizing and I have posted a few reviews on their site, I highly recommend that you take a look at it, here is the link to their review of Angels Stadium: http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/angel-stadium-of-anaheim-s14.

I got to my seat about a half hour before the first pitch, I didn’t leave it until after the game, I wanted to observe, I was feeling tired, I didn’t feel like talking to anyone. Being at the game made me feel secure, I have been traveling so much and not knowing where I going to end up on a day to day basis the one “comfortable” thing in my life is the baseball game that I will be at. If that sounds weird it really isn’t, we are creatures of habit and comfort, why do people stay in bad relationships? Because it is familiar, it is comfortable… I love the journey I am on, I am finding out a lot about who I am as a person, what things I have taken for granted, the people I have also taken for granted, the simple things I miss, the things I don’t miss. I am finding out that as a person I can adjust to things, not get so upset by things, not be so attached to people or places. The biggest thing I am learning is the more I open up and show the world who I am the more I am embraced. Do I recommend this for everyone? Not what I am doing, but I do recommend to get out of your comfort zone more often, be courageous and have NO expectations of people, places or things, you will find some happiness that you never knew existed! Anyway, the Angels got beat by the Mariners 10-3, the fans still had a fun time and I heard on guy yelling, “161-1 we can do it!” Please read the next sentence, I really do need help, not just financial!

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I went to the Dodgers vs Padres game at Petco Park last night and had an awesome time! The place was packed and the Dodgers and Padres fans were into it! There was a big party around the stadium for about four hours prior to the game with lots of food and drinks! I was very impressed with Petco. The stadium opened 10 years ago in the downtown area of San Diego and lots of condos have sprung up since then. Inside the ball park there is so many unique site lines and interesting features. There is a historic building incorporated into the park, Western Metal Supply Company. The building looks great the way it is utilized, check out the following link to see more of it: http://www.heritagearchitecture.com/pro_wmb.html. I walked the entire place and was constantly surprised at what I found. In the outfield there is a park for families to come letting the kids run around and fans can watch the game on a big screen TV that is situated on the back of the centerfield wall.

The bullpen is also very cool. I felt “kinda” sorry for the pitchers, but the fan appeal is great. It is in left field with a stacked set-up. The Padres bullpen is in front of the visitors with seating at the same level as the visitor bullpen. Fans could get very close and were able to watch players from each team stand and talk to each other. I stood and watched the bullpens for an inning as I watched the game on a TV. I was standing on stairway, everyone was coming over and shouting to Dodgers reliever Brian (Fear The Beard) Wilson. He look smaller in person, by the way…

I went up to the second deck. Looking at the right field seats, it reminded me of the set-up at Wrigley Field. I had a great view of the entire ball park. I looked over near the Western Metal Supply building and to the right was a large scoreboard which was straight down from the bullpen. The design of the park with the building, worked very well with the skyline of downtown. I went to the third deck and watched the game from behind the first base dugout. I was up very high and, again, the view was fantastic. I looked out to the centerfield wall which had retired numbers on it along with some huge torches that would go off between innings. That was very different, but cool! I enjoyed the fans. I talked to a lot of them and they were having a great time on a perfect night for baseball – okay, it was a little cooler than I would have liked but it worked well with the atmosphere. Dodgers’ fans were telling me about Dodgers Stadium and how nice it is with a lot of history, compared to Petco. Even though, they all liked this park. My frustration was the price of everything. I paid $30 for parking in addition to $24.50 for a ticket to the park in the outfield. The food choices were excellent and I loved the fact that all kinds of places existed in this place; but – I paid $9.50 for a bratwurst… I know the vendors have to make money, but I can’t see how a family of four can afford a place like this. However, I say to all the baseball and stadium enthusiasts out there, “you have to experience the place!” It is my top “new” ball park. I have only been to four – Petco Park, Miller Park, US Cellular Field, and Chase Field – so don’t get too excited. I was at Turner Field, but it was over 10 years ago. My top MLB park overall is Wrigley. I haven’t been to Fenway yet, so that may change! Again, I just want to say well done San Diego, well done! Check out this website for a more in depth review of Petco Park: www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/petco-park-s24!

I have to say I was disappointed in the outcome of the game because the Padres didn’t “Fear the Beard”. They lit Brian Wilson up for three runs in the bottom of the eighth and they won 3-1. I can say, “I am happy that I got to be apart of their Opening Night of the MLB season.” Next up, Angels Stadium in Anaheim to watch the Los Angeles Angels take on the Seattle Mariners (I really think the Angels have identity issues) for Opening Day, even though it will be a night game…

Tag: Mariners

Day 46 “Opening Day”

Day 45 “Opening Night”