Yesterday marked Day Six of Ballpark Tours Rocky Mountain High Redux – and tourers celebrated with a day game (in beautiful baseball weather, museum visits and a night on the town.  BBRT Highlights for the day included an “Immaculate Inning;”  a look at Lou Gehrig’s; a virtual ski jump; a 438-foot home run; and a Rocky Mountain Oyster Po’ Boy. Read on for details.

Day Six – Game Five – The Immaculate Inning

There is lots to write about for Day Six of Ballpark Tours Rocky Mountain Redux, but we’ll start with the game – won by the Pirates 4-3 – because it included a first for me as a fan.

In the top of the fourth inning, Rockies’ starter German Marquez – who had already given up eight hits and three runs (in three innings) pitched an “Immaculate Inning.”  Yes, Marquez, who had been battered around pretty well to that point, retired the side in order, notching three strikeouts on just nine pitches (becoming the 85th pitcher in MLB history to throw an immaculate frame).  Not only that, he did it against the top of the Bucs’ order – LF Corey Dickerson, CF Starling Marte and RF Gregory Polanc0 – three of Pittsburgh’s most dangerous hitters.  Marquez, who fanned ten Pirates in six innigns of work (and got the loss), indicated all three fourth-inning whiffs came on curveballs.  In his six innings, Marquez gave up ten hits and three walks (three earned runs).

MULTIPLE  IMMACULATE FRAMES

While “Immaculate Innings” aren’t exceedingly rare, multiple Immaculate Innings are pretty unique.   On April 18, 1964, Sandy Koufax became the first (and still only) MLB pitcher to throw three immaculate innings in his career.  Four other pitchers have tossed multiple (two each) immaculate innings: Lefty Grove – who did it for the Athletics; Nolan Ryan – Mets & Angels; Randy Johnson – Astros & Diamondbacks; and Max Szcherzer –  Nationals.  BBRT note:  Nolan Ryan is the only pitcher to throw an immaculate inning in both the AL and NL.  The Astros were in the NL when Johnson threw his for them.

The Pirates put up two runs in the first, on three singles (Marte, 3B Colin Moran, 2B Adam Frazier) and a double (Polanco). They added one in the third on a single by Moran and a double by Frazier. The Rockies fought back with a two-run homer (off Pirates’ starter Chris Archer) by LF David Dahl in the fourth.  The score stayed at 3-2 until the top of the eighth, when the Pirates played small ball and touched Rockies’ reliever Adam Ottavino for a run on a walk (1B Josh Bell), a rare error by five-time Gold Glove winner 3B Nolan Arenado (SS Adeiny Hechavarrria), a pinch-hit bunt single (Josh Harrison) and sacrifice fly (Dickerson).  The Rockies got the run back in the bottom of the inning when reliever Kyle Crick hit Arenado with a pitch, SS Trevor Story singled him to third and 1B Ryan McMahon brought Arenado home with a single. Crick and reliever Felipe Vazquez then shut the door and preserved a Pirates’ 4-3 win. (Vazquez’ 26th save in 30 opportunities.)

We had great seats for this day game – just 37 rows from the field, to the left field side of home plate. Note that despite all the video boards and technology providing info around the part, out-of-town scores are still posted by hand on the old-style scoreboard in right field.

BBRT saw a couple of turning points in this tight contest.

In the sixth, down by a run, the Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon – who had opened the inning with a single – attempted a one-on, no-out stolen base, and was tossed out at second (on a challenged play) by Pirates’ catcher Francisco Cervelli.  BBRT’s playbook says you should attempt the steal if you are ahead by one, but not when you are down by one. (The Rox did not score that inning).

Then, in the eighth, with the score 4-3, the Rockies had runners on first and third, with two outs and pinch-hitter Chris Ianetta the plate. Ianetta hit what looked like a run-scoring single between first and second, but Pirates’ 2B Adam Frazier made a diving (game-saving) stop and threw him out at first.  Game – Set – Match.

A few other highlights from a tight game:

• Rockies’ LF David Dahl‘s 438-foot home run in the fourth.
• Pirates’ 2B Adam Frazier’s three-hit day.
• The fact that the Rockies first hit (bottom of the third) came off the bat of pitcher German Marquez – who is now hitting .357 on the season (15-for-42). #More WhyIHateTheDH.
• A little NL ball for us AL fans – five pinch-hitters.
• A rare error for five-time (every season he has been in the NL) Gold Glover Nolan Arenado.
• A great Rockies’  7 (LF David Dahl) to 6 (SS Trevor Story) to 1 (C Tony Walters) relay to nail the Pirates’ Francisco Cervelli at the plate in trhe fifth inning.
• On ball four of a walk to Rockies’ LF David Dahl in the fifth, Chris Archer’s errant pitch got past catcher Francisco Cervelli, smashed hard into the stone behind home plate and shot past Cervelli (appearing to go through his legs) going back into the infield. Dahl did not take second, so there was no wild pitch.

The Coors Field Bloody Mary

Coors Field’s Bloody Mary came from the Smirnoff stand (Section 136) at a price of $9.  A plus right away is that they asked if I wanted a single or a double and if I wanted mild, medium or hot.  Choice is always good. Among the other positives, good vodka, fair pour and plenty “hot.” On the negative side, it could have used a dash of salt and the only condiments were lime and lemon wedges.  Something salty like a pickle spear or olive would have added a lot. Still a nice Bloody Mary, and a 7.5 on a scale of ten.

Well, I did it. I had the Rocky Mountain Oyster Po’ Boy ($9.25) at Coors Field. Right up front, it’s not seafood, but it’s great. Loads of deep-fried, breaded “Mountain Oysters” on a hoagie bun – with sweet/sour garlic slaw, creamy guacamole, green chile ranch dressing, pico de gallo and a healthy topping of cotija cheese.  Delicious.  If you go to Coors Field, try it, you’ll like it.

The Garlic Fries and Helton Burger also got good reviews from our group.

And thus ends BBRT and Ballpark Tours Coors Field adventure.  More to come on this trip, as we move on to Kansas City – and read on for more from Denver.

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The Colorado History Center – and other museums.

A Ballpark Tours Kind of Story …  from the Colorado History Center

On June 27, 1870, the final spike was driven connecting Denver to the transcontinental railroad line – and the ceremonial spike (in silver) was to be sent to former Governor John Evans, president of the Denver Pacific Railroad, to be used in an official ceremony.

The actual spike never made it. The miners responsible for its safe transport pawned it in Denver, drank away the proceeds and slept through the ceremony. John Evans used a substitute spike and later recovered the silver spike form a Deniver pawn ship.

Now wouldn’t that group fit in to the “back of the bus.”

—-THE PLAY BALL EXHIBIT—

Before Wednesday’s Rockies game, a group or BPT trekkers, myself included, headed out (walking distance) to the Colorado History Center, which just happened to be featuring a Play Ball Exhibit – the Marshall Fogel Collection (billed as one of the greatest sets of baseball artifiacts ever). We went ($12) and it was.

I knew we were in for a treat when the first thing we saw were game-used (and mostly autographed) bats of 43 Hall of Famers and baseball stars – from
Ty Cobb to A-Rod. I was very pleased to see my personal favorite Eddie Mathews’ (signed ) bat in the collection – and Twins’ fans will be glad to hear that the bats of Rod Carew, Harmon Killebrew and Kirby Puckett (Puckett’s unsigned) were also in the collection.

The exhibit also included artifacts from such icons as Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio,Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, and Sandy Koufax – each with uniforms and unique items, like Ruth’s glove, Gehrig’s 1936 MVP pocket watch and Hank Aaron’s bat.

GAMBLERS AND CHEATERS

The Play Ball exhibit included a “Gamblers and Cheaters” display case with signed uniform tops from Pete Rose and Mark McGwire, as well as artifacts from the 1919 “Black Sox.” 

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We also visited the Colorado Centennial State in 100 Objects Exhibit – which covered Colorado history with one item from each of 100 years.  Some that caught my eye: a shotgun (1869) from stage coach driver John Cisco; John Denver’s (1986) Special Edition Yamaha Guitar; and a Pot Smoking Water Pipe made especially for the 2014 Denver County Faor.

Then there was the Colorado Stories A-Z; Living West; and Destination Colorado exhibits – informative (lots of history, culture and current Colorado information) and, at times, even interactive – like a vitual ski jump, a trip down an 1850’s mine shaft and a chance to wear a bit of legendary Colorado sports apparel.

All in all a great pre-game visit.  I should add that other trekkers highly recommended both the American Museum of Western Art and the Denver Art Museum – with emphasis on Native American art.

FOR THE FOODIES

For the foodies among BBRT readers, I went with a small group to the 5280 Burger Bar on the 16th Street Mall for supper. My choice was a pair of jumbo sliders: The Mediterranean (Colorado-raised lamb, butter lettuce, marinated cucumbers, feta cheese and a Calabrian Chilio Aioli) and The Durango (Black Angus Beef, pecan-smoked bacon, jalapeno cream cheese, red leaf lettuce, roasted red pepper and fried onion straws). I washed it down with Malbec. Other fanned out across the area for both casual and fine dining – as well as live music and late-night cavorting. 

Now it’s on to Kansas City and the Cardinals/Royals.  More reports from the road to come.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research; The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.  

ROCKY MOUNTAN HIGH REDUX – MEET “BREAKFAST AND A SHOW” REDUX

The day started with the complimentary breakfast at the Denver Downtown Holiday Inn Express.  And, as Yogi Berra said, “It was deja vu all over again.” First, the breakfast was solid.  All the usuals: omelets, biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage, fruit – you get the idea.  There was also the pancake machine, which spit out pancakes, like a copy machine, at the press of the button.  BBRT first wrote about the pancake machine while on a June 2012 Ballpark Tours trip (click here for that post); lauding the joy of starting the day with “breakfast and a show.”  Now, it’s even better.  They’ve added a window on the side, so you can watch as your (pancake) batter prepares to come to the plate. 

LUNCH – GOING YARD BEFORE THE GAME

Dozens of taps keep the beer flowing at The Yard House.

There are about 400 bars and restuarants within walking distance (depending on your stamina and stride length) from out hotel, so various BPT groups planned lunch (it was a night game) at varying distances. Our small contingent made it just over a block to The Yard House – which boasts an interesting menu and 137 beer choices.  (Note: It turned out to be 136; my first choice – Boulder Hazed and Infused – was unavailable. I settled for Colorado Native Lager.)

Yard House has great atmosphere and outdoor seating for even better people watching. You can buy your brew by the glass, goblet or half-yard.

Shitake and Garlic Noodles with a Clam Chowder side – delicious and just $9.95.

Guess what I went for? Well, aren’t volume purchases the most economic? Again, I had the Colorado Native Lager – nice and hoppy, with a crisp, fresh taste. ($14.00 a half-yard.) Another of our group had the House Honey Blonde goblet and gave it postivie reviews ($6.50).  The lunch menu was both extenive and interesting.  I went with a house lunch special (Shitake Mushrooms over Garlic Noodles, with clam chowder as my selected side). Out table also had a Philly Steak sanwich with a salad side – both of these lunches were $9.95; while the final member of our group had the Blackened Chicken Torta ($12.45).  We were all impressed.

A ROCKY MOUNTAIN BLOODY

At Denver’s Yard House, my roomate started lunch with a Bacon and Egg (Bloody) Mary (sounds like breakfast to me): Tito’s handmade vodka, filthy Bloody Mary Mix, spiced and candied bacon, seasoned boiled eggs, olive, lime and a five-ounce Honey Blonde chaser.  Just $11.50 and rated as worth every penny. It was given an 8.5 on a ten-point scale. Kudos, Yard House.

We headed out for the ballpark at about 5:00 p.m. for a 6:40 game – many of riding the free Mall Shuttle  which takes you down 16th Street through the hopping LoDo (lower downtown) shopping and entertainment area to within about four blocks of Coors Field.  Who says theres no such thing as a free ride.

Denver has come up with a new solution for public restrooms downtown. Movable “facilities” built into what appears to have been horse trailers.   At times, there were lines. Emptied daily (I hope.)

THE GAME – WELL PLAYED … EVEN IF THERE WAS ONLY ONE DOUBLE PLAY

We got to Coors Field at about 5:30 p.m. for a 6:40 game, plenty of time to cruise the concourse, pickup (and fill in) a scorecard and soak up some atmosphere.  It was Dollar-A-Dog Night and I had enjoyed a rather large beverage at lunch, so I won’t get into concessions in this post.  (However, I will note that the Dollar-A-Dog promo was sponsored by Nathan’s, so that bargain-priced wiener was pretty good quality – especially after adding raw onions and ketechup.)

The brick façade of the ballpark is impressive as you approach – and entry lines move quickly. Once inside, you see there are plenty of concession stands, but they are set a bit deep in the enclosed (a bit dark) concourse. Game watching while in line is not an option. Don’t know if it was our seat location, but I did not see a single vendor busking the aisles the whole game.  Our seats were in row 11, lower deck, right-field corner. Good sight lines.

I should again note that we traveled through Denver’s LoDo (Lower Downtown) area to get to the park – and passed literally dozens of dining and shopping opportunities.  It is a very lively area that deserves multiple visits. (I’m thinking Uncle Joe’s Honk Kong Bistro and the 5280 Burger Bar on this trip.)

It promised to be a good contest – two teams over .500 (a plus if you’re from Minnesota) and in the post-season hunt.  In addition, both starting pitchers had earned run averages under 3.75 – Pirates’ righty Joe Musgrove (4-5, 3.63) and Rockies’ southpaw Kyle Freeland (9-7, 3.20). Neither the teams nor the pitchers disappointed.

Side note:  I stopped for a program and scorecard on the way to our seats. I got in line and most of those ahead of me were purchasing a program ($5) and a scorecard ($1.50) – so, I had my $6.50 ready when I “approached the bench.” On a hunch, my request was “I’ll have a program and a scorecard. (Pause) Unless, of course, there is a scorecard IN the program.” The vendor pulled back the scorecard and replied. “That’ll be five-dollars and our little secret.”

Spoiler alert:  It was my kind of game … a 2-0 final with some sweet tension along the way.

Over the first 4 ½ innings, the pitchers dominated. Musgrove had retired 12 in a row with one strikeout, Freeland had fanned four.  He’d also allowed two walks and two hits (one a double to Musgrove – more #WhyIHateTheDH), but pitched out of trouble, inducing: 1) a nice pitcher-to-second to first double play (RF Starling Marte, not an easy guy to double up) batting after Pirates’ LF Corey Dickerson opened the game with a single; and 2) a pop up to first by catcher Elias Diaz with two on and two out in the fourth.

By the time we got to the fifth, we seen a handful of very nice fielding plays – a sliding catch and a Rockies’ CF David Dahl for the second out in the second; Rox’ SS Trevor Story ranging far to snag a Jody Mercer ground ball headed for center in the third and making a nice “spin-move” throw to get him at first and then later in the inning making a charging play on a low roller by Dickerson. On the Pirates’ side, second baseman Josh Harrison made a diving stop on grounder by Rox’ RF Carlos Gonzalez, nailing him at first to end the inning.

BBRT observation:  Perhaps the biggest difference I consistently see between minor league ball and “the show” is the quality of the defense.

NO!!!

In the seventh inning – of a tight 2-0 game – Colorado fans apparently lost interest, starting an annoying (isn’t it always) wave. It made the rounds at least a half dozen times.

In the bottom of the fifth, the rain (which had been anticipated) began and it seemed to affect Musgrove, who (as noted earlier) was perfect through four. He gave of single to the first two batters (Rox star 3B Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story). Then with runners on first and third, CF Gerrardo Parra hit what looked like a sure double play grounder to Pirates’ 2B Harrison. Don’t know if the now wet (the rain was picking up) ball and field contributed, but Harrison booted is and Arenado scored. Then the storm came on in earnest, drenching fans scurrying for cover and leading to a half hour (32 minute it was reported later) rain delay.

Once play resumed, Musgrove hit Rox first-sacker Ian Desmond with a pitch (loading the bases). Catcher Chris Ianetta’s sacrifice fly to left scored Story. Freeland then popped up a bunt for the second out, bringing up Rox’ leadoff hitter CF Dahl, who singled to left.  We then saw another of those defensive plays that separate the major from the minors. Pirates’ LF Dickerson charged the ball and threw a one-hop strike to the plate to nail Parra (trying to score from second) for the final out.

Over the final three innings, Rockies’ starter Freeland and relievers Seunghwan Oh and Wade Davis (who got the save) held the Pirates to two walks, while fanning four. On the other side of the ball, Musgrove and Edgar Santana held the Rox to a Dahl double. We did see one more sparkling defensive play. This one by Pirates’ SS Mercer, who handled a tough short hop off the bat of Rockies’ 2B DJ LeMahieu.

Side note:  It’s been awhile since I’ve seen both starting pitchers make it through the seventh inning. Musgrove did it on 87 pitches (65 strikes), while Freeland used 103 pitches (65 strikes). As you might expect the pitch count difference can be attributed to walks and whiffs. Freeland fanned five and walked three. Musgrove whiffed two and didn’t walk a batter. Overall, the game saw just seven hits (two doubles and five singles, plus three walks and two hit batters).

After the game it was back to the hotel, to rest up for the Tuesday (August 7) Pirates/Rockies rematch and a pre-game visit to the National Ballpark Museum.  Four games left on the trip, two here in Denver and two in Kansas City.  Life on the baseball highway is great.

Watch this space for more from the road with Ballpark Tours.

For the tour Day One wrap, click here.

For Days Two and three, here.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT.

Follow/Like the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page here.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research; The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

DAY TWO – BLUES, BREWS AND BASEBALL

Rocky Mountain High Redux Day Two featured another game at Omaha Werner Park … the big, little ballpark in the soybean sea.  This time, it was the Las Vegas 51s (Angels) visiting the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals) in a 6:05 p.m. tilt.  But wait, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Our dedicated trekkers started the day with the complimentary DoubleTree breakfast buffet and then headed out on the town.  The most popular destination? Old Market Street for the “In the Market For Blues” festival. Eight venues and more than thirty blues bands from around the country (as well as Canada and even Italy) – with live music from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.  Not to mention ice cold beer and, of course, Rye Manhattans.  A happy coincidence or great planning by our tourmaster?  We may never know.

But the music was great – with plenty of BPT folks found in the Old Market taverns before and after the game.  One of the hottest bands -playing at the Dubliner Pub – was Kurt Allen & Titanium Blue from Kansas City (and they will be back in KC when our group is there).  Our cadre was also impressed with a group of local high schoolers – Blue Sunday –  who could really bring the blues.  A member of the wait staff informed us that the group “really packs them in, but they have to leave by 9 o’clock.”  

PS: Julian found a cigar bar.

Good seats great view.

At 5:00 p.m., it was back on the bus to Werner Field, where the Las Vegas squad topped the Storm Chasers 4-3 in a game that was closer to what BBRT expects of the national pastime. (More on that to come).  We had even better seats than yesterday – right behind home plate, less than ten rows from the field. It was Dad-Daughter Princess Night and all the Disney princesses were there and even one of our BPT group was spotted wearing a tiara.

A few observations on contest number-two of our trip:

• There were a total of 17 ceremonial “first” pitches (ouch);
• Unlike last night, with its 23 runs, 32 hits and nine home runs; this contest featured just 15 hits and 13 of them were singles.
• There were four wild pitches in the game, three by  Las Vegas hurlers.
• Our group sang a hearty Happy Birthday to me – as I celebrated 71 at the ballpark.

As regular BBRT readers know, I love the 6-4-3 or 4-6-3 double play – and that combination provided the highlight of the game for me. The game went into the bottom of the eighth with Las Vegas up 4-1, when a bit of wildness (more than a bit, actually) by Las Vegas’ reliever Williams Jerez contributed to a rally. To start the inning Las Vegas reliever Sean Isaac walked Omaha SS Nicky Lopez and then fanned number-three hitter (DH) Paulo Orlando. Las Vegas brought in Jerez to face cleanup hitter and local hero (lots of chants of “I Like Frank” followed by the reply “Me, too.”) 1B Frank Schwindel.  Then things got a little ugly. Sczhwindel doubled putting runners on second and third. This was followed by two singles and a pair of wild pitches (one on a third strike that let the batter reach first) and suddenly it was 4-3 and Omaha had the bases loaded, just one out and Jerez – who had already let two runs score on wild pitches – facing LF Donnie Dewees (four-for-five the night before, but zero-for-two in this game). Dewees grounded to Vegas’ 2B Luis Rengifo, who flipped to SS Alberto Triunfel, who relayed to 1B Matt Theiss for a rally-killing, game-saving double play. My day was made.

Overall, a much crisper game than Friday night and,  once again followed by fireworks and a concert. (We skipped the concert and headed back to town for the Blues Fest. (I actually cashed in for the night.)

More Why I hate the DH

On this day (August 5) in 1953, St. Louis Browns’ rookie pitcher Don Larsen – yes, that Don Larsen – rapped three singles in three at bats in a game against the Red Sox. While he lost the game (a complete-game 5-0 defeat), Larsen’s three singles gave him base hits in seven consecutive at bats – the MLB record for pitchers. On the season,  the rookie hurler hit .284 (11-for-82), with three home runs and ten RBI. 

I had better luck with food at this game (see my first trip post for the Pop Tart Ice Cream Sandwich).   The Pulled Pork,  Bacon, Cheese hot dog (Hot Dog Nation – $10) was delicious, but also messy to eat. (Plenty of napkins are recommended.) Other BPT trekkers gave solid ratings to the Chicago Dog from the same stand – rating it 70 percent “Chicago.” (The lack of a poppy-seed bun and a little too much relish sweetness brought the score down.) Overall, the food concessions were rated fairly solidly for taste and price by our group.

A few other observations: 1) The ballpark has a nice “walk-all-the-way-around” concourse; 2) a great family play area (complete with carousel) beyond the outfield; and 3) even mini-golf, basketball and Wiffleball.

BLOODY MARY TIME

Here, BBRT will rate a pair of Bloody Marys. One from Day Two and one from Day Three.

Day Two’s Bloody Mary was from the Downdraught Bar, beyond centerfield at the ballpark. The price was right at $8.50, the vodka pour was good.  However, there were no spices (no pepper, celery salt or Tabasco) and no “garnishes” (no celery stick, olive, pickle, etc.) The limited combination of just bottle mix and vodka did not stand up to the competition.

Day Three’s Bloody Mary came from Pals Brewery in North Platte, Nebraska (more on the location later). Slightly higher priced at $10, but worth it. Again a good pour, but garnished with squeaky cheese curds, locally made beef stick, olives and pickle – plus a 5-ounce beer chaser. (It was served at a brewery after all.) And, of course, it was delivered to your table.    My tour roomate, who ordered it, gave it thumbs up. 

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A final look back at Omaha, where they were celebrating 50 years of minor league baseball.  Here is their all-time team – a lot of whose names may ring a bell for our veteran crew.

C – Salvador Perez

1B – Eric Hosmer

2B – Frank White

3B – George Brett

SS –  Buddy Biancalana

OF – Lorenzo Cain

OF – Willie Wilson

OF – Alex Gordon

DH – Luios de le Santo

Utility – Whit Merrifield

P – David Cone

P – Danny Duffy

P -Paul Splittorff

RP – Dan Quisenberry

Manager – Mike Jirschele

DAY THREE – BREAKFAST, BUS RIDE, BEER, PIZZA and MUSIC

Lots of bus time today, as we made the ride from Omaha to Denver. We started with the complimentary breakfast buffet and today they substituted Kielbasa for pork sausage links and French toast for pancakes – great for this Polish kid. Left Omaha about 9 a.m. Central Time, got to Denver at about 6 p.m. Mountain Time. Pretty quiet time on the bus, but a great stop at Pals Brewery North Platte – where we enjoyed craft beers, spirits, wine and homemade pizza – as well as live music (Mark Daniels Three Wring Circus).  The pictures that follow tell the story.  Oh yes, I had the Jalapena Light Cream Ale (highly recommended.) Others were fond of the Irish Stout.

Tomorrow, the Pirates at the Rockies – and time in Lodo.  More reports to come.  Oh yes, and Julian has already found a Denver cigar bar.

Pizza and beer – always a hit with ballpark tours.

The smoking section was a bit far from the bar.

Much as the Omaha ballpark was in a soybean field, Pals brewery was surrounded by corn fields. Here my “Is this heaven?” t-shirt seems to fit right in.

Nuff’ said.

Sunday morning, and the last day of our baseball extended weekend.  The bus was leaving the hotel at 8:30 a.m. and the early morning saw groups of happy Ballpark Tour-ers hitting local coffee shops for hot java, baked goods and the sharing of tales from the night before.  (Note:  Some of those memories were a little fuzzy, but all of them were quite enjoyable – fine dinners, music and dancing, rib-tickling comedy and ample libation.  You get the idea.

My Saturday night included a meal at a nearby true “family” Italian restaurant, where our small group met an octogenarian who overheard the baseball chatter and immediately issued us a baseball trivia challenge.  (His first words were, “I’ve got one for you gentlemen (didn’t know us well), can you name – by position – all the players who have won consecutive Most Valuable Player Awards? ”  With that the game was on and the challenges flew back and forth.

But, back to Sunday, we rolled into Appleton, Wisconsin and the Fox Cities Stadium lot about an hour before game time.  Good thing, too.  There was lots going on.  A parking lot full of tailgaters, grills smoking and beverages raised in toast as our bus cruised through the lot.  Inside, we found some great concessions, a Sunday Bloody Mary Bar, a poster give-away, free programs, baseball Bingo and even a visit by Curious George.

Free MRI’s?

The full name of the ballpark in Appleton is “neuroscience group field at Fox Cities Stadium.”  (Their lower case on the first letters of neuroscience group field.

Appleton’s Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are in the same division in the same league (Class A – Midwest League) as the Beloit Snappers (who we visited on Day One), but there was no comparison. While Beloit drew a quiet crowd of just over 700 (and we all thought that was a generous accounting), the Timber Rattlers brought in close to 5,000 (4,844 announced) and they were into the action.  (For more on our Beloit experience, click here.). I thought it might be the quality of play, but I checked the standings once I got home and Beloit was one game over .500, while the Rattlers were 21-under.  I guess that Snappers really need that new stadium, they are raising money for.

Timber Rattlers’ Sunday Bloody Mary Bar

Well, how can you not give five stars to a Bloody Mary you make yourself?  We were at Fox Cities Stadium (Appleton, WI) as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers hosted the Cedar Rapids Kernels. We were also – through our good luck or, perhaps, great planning by our tour operator – there on a Sunday.  That means we were in the house for Bloody Mary Day.

At two locations in the stadium, the Timber Rattlers set up make-your-own Bloody Mary Bars.  For $9.25, you get a very generous pour of vodka in a Timber Rattlers souvenir mug.  Then, you slide to the left and get to work on your own creation. You have a lot of choices as you “Build Your Bloody”:

• Six mixes – from Classic to Super Spicy Jalapeño;
• Bitters, Worcestershire, Tabasco;
• Pepper and celery salt;
• Cheese cubes, beef sticks, olives, marinated mushrooms, celery sticks, dill pickle spears.

I went with horseradish mix, bitters, Tabasco, cheese cubes (three), olives (two), mushrooms (two), a dill pickle spear and plenty of celery salt to top it off.  Pretty much everyone on the tour agrees – a solid, five-star, Bloody Mary experience. Many of our tourers left with the beginnings of a nice “set’ of Timber Rattlers’ mugs.

Ballpark Tours “spindoctor” visits the Bloody Mary Bar.

Now, to the game.

We had great seats, just behind home plate (and our tickets got us access to the bar and seating on the Fox Club Level).  The ballpark was beautiful (as MOST are) – bright green grass, sunshine, deep blue sky and a very informative scoreboard.  (If I had one complaint, it was a lack of vendors moving through the aisles, but the concessions stands were all very close.)

The game itself was crisply played – a 4-0 Cedar Rapids’ win, with no errors, a total of only 11 hits, and three or four nice defensive plays. I had a bit of an “Is this what the game has come to?” feeling, as – just as in Saturday’s Cubs/Nationals tilt – we saw too many strikeouts (23 in each contest).

The star of the game – who was declared by our group as the King of the Cup Game (see the section of this post on The Cup Game) – was Cedar Rapids’ right fielder Shane Carrier.  Carrier – a 2016 eighth-round Twins’ draft pick – started the season with the Rookie Level Elizabethan Twins, where he hit .348, with five home runs and 32 RBI in 32 games.  (He went .275-6-29 at Elizabethan in 2016.) In the first 30 games since his promotion to Cedar Rapids, he had hit .214 with one home run.  He upped his game on Sunday.  In his first at bat, he pulled a home run to left field; in his second trip to the plate he launched a long home run to center; and in his third at bat, he banged a double off the wall in right.  He ended the day three-for-four with two runs scored, two RBI and ten total bases. Being from Minnesota, we will keep an eye on this 21-year-old.

Another Kernel who looked good was southpaw starting (and winning) pitcher Charlie Barnes – a fourth round Twins’ pick in 2017.  Barnes went 2-1, with a 1.19 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings pitched at Elizabethan before his promotion to Cedar Rapids. Yesterday, he went five innings giving up no runs, two hits and one walk – while fanning seven.  In his first professional season (at Elizabeth and Cedar Rapids combined), Barnes is 3-1, with a 0.85 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings.

Side Note:  I earlier noted the solid concession offerings.  A trio recommended by Ballpark Tour trekkers who tried them: Cajun Chicken Mac & Cheese Sandwich; Mad Dog & Merrill Piggy Burger (Burger topped with pulled port, Merrill BBQ sauce and Onion Tanglers; and Mad Dog and Merrill Pulled pork and Slaw. They run between $7.50 and $10 – and bring a fresh taste to the ballpark experience.  You can see the Cajun Chicken Mac & Cheese to the left. 

The Cup Game

A Ballpark Tours’ favorite pastime witthin the National Pastime is THE CUP GAME, which a group of eight of us played in Appleton.  Here’s the idea.  First, you need an empty beer cup.  (You can either ask a vendor for one, or buy a full one and empty it. I suggest the latter). Then you pick a batting order of Cup Game players (this determines the order in which you will receive the Sacred Cup).  As each hitter comes to the plate, the Cup is passed to the next Cup Game participant. 

If your player makes an out, gets hit by a pitch, is safe on error or fielder’s choice, you put a quarter in the Cup and pass it on to the next Cup Game participant. If your player gets a hit, you empty the Cup – you are an instant winner – and pass the empty Cup on.  If your player hits a home run, you empty the Cup, pass it on and get an extra quarter from each Cup Game participant.  Side note: The second time the cup came into my hands, the batter hit a home run – pretty much assuring me of a profitable outcome.

After the game, it was back on the bus, where the lively “Back of the Bus” crowd entertained with, literally, hours of group karaoke (think a flash mob singing 60’s-70’s-and 80’s rock to a boom box) and the front the bus kept wondering when the group at the back would finally tire out.  The trip home, back in Saint Paul by about 9:30 p.m., included a couple of rest stops (one for a fast food meal) and the usual BPT Awards ceremony. Awards go to those who achieve veteran status (three trips), the best rookies on the trip and, when so deserved, to those credited with memorable “missteps.”

So, that’s it for Ballpark Tours Bleacher Bums XXXV.  You can check out Day One, here; Day Two, here; Day Three, here.  Or look at past tours, using the link ats the top of the Baseball Roundtable home page.  You can also visit the Ballpark Tours website, here.

So long, for now.  You normally scheduled blogging will resume shortly.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook page, here.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Baseball Bloggers Association.

Day Three of Ballpark Tours Bleacher Bums XXXV – saw our group headed back to Wrigley to watch a pair of division leaders (Nationals and Cubs) face off.  We were a bit luckier with the weather – 79 degrees and sunny. Today, we also got to see the home town Cubs bring home a victory (7-4) – which also meant we got to hear the crowd belt out the “Go, Cubs Go” victory song. Note: For the post on Day One, click here.  Day Two, here.

Our seats were on the lower deck just to the right of first base.  The overhanging deck did not turn out to be a problem in tracking game action, although we did have a restricted view of the video board. The Cubs get kudos for: 1) Not calling the multiple ceremonial pitches “first pitches,” but rather simply ceremonial pitches; and 2) Having only two ceremonial pitches.  However, it was perhaps the slowest version of the National Anthem I’ve heard at a ballpark (it is supposed to be sung/played at a brisk pace.). To be fair, the crowd loved it, so maybe I need to quite griping.

MORNING GLORY

In the morning, a number of BPT trekkers took in the multi-block Farmers’ Market on Division Street, just a half block from our hotel. Flowers, vegetables, great baked (read breakfast) treats, live music, arts and more.  A great way to start a Saturday.

Today’s ball game “seemed” to be pretty much decided early, as Nationals’ starter Edwin Jackson gave up hits to five of the first six batters he faced (two doubles, two singles and a home run). Ultimately, the Cubs scored four runs in the first – and it could have been worse. Nationals’ right fielder Bryce Harper, who had homered in the top of the first  (his 28^th of the season) to give Washington a short-lived 1-0 lead, made a great one-hop throw to third base – cutting down Cubs’ LF Willson Contreras (yes, there are two L’s), who was attempting to go from first to third on a single by 2B Ben Zobrist. Remarkably,  starting with the final out of the first inning, Jackson righted the ship, retiring 12 of the next 13 batters (giving up just an infield single) – striking out eight. When he left (for a pinch hitter) after five innings the Nationals had closed to 4-3, and Cubs’ fans were getting nervous.

The Cubs tacked on some insurance with a two-run home run by Contreras (his 19^th) in the sixth (newcomer Alex Avila hit a two-run shot in that disastrous first inning – his first hit as a Cub) and another run in the seventh.  Those were charged to a pair of relievers named Matt – Matt Grace for two tallies and Matt Albers for the other.  The Nationals scored once in the top of the eighth to keep it interesting and had Bryce Harper at the plate (as the tying run) with two out in the ninth. Cubs’ closer Wade Davis (who walked two and fanned two) struck out Harper swinging (with the crowd standing and cheering) for the final out and his 23^rd save.

As with almost all games, there was plenty to see: a few sparkling defensive plays, three home runs, a couple of stolen bases – as well as three errors and too many walks (seven) and strikeouts (23). We saw a total of nine pitchers (five Cubs/four Nationals), the most effective of whom might have been Washington’s Sam Solis, whose 2017 ERA is 11.81, but who (in this contest) pitched 1 2/3 innings, facing six batters and striking out four.  Stars of the tilt: Cubs’ Willson Contreras (catcher turned left fielder) with a home run and a single in four at bats, a run scored and three RBI; Cubs’ catcher Alex Avila with a two-run homer in four at bats; Nationals’ RF Bryce Harper with a home run and a single in four at bats, two runs scored and an RBI; Cubs’ pitchers who gave up just two earned runs.

All in all, another pleasant and interesting afternoon at the ballpark.

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH

I should note that I joined with a group of trekkers that headed to the The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen in the South Loop (1301 South Wabash Avenue) before the game.  The Scout is known as a friendly sports bar, with great pub food.  It did not disappoint – in terms of atmosphere, friendliness, service or food.

Our choices were Scout’s signature Foot-Long Triple Cheese Grilled Cheese (with tomato-basil dip); Fried Egg and Ham Foot-Long Grilled Cheese; Breakfast Burrito (pulled chicken, chorizo, multiple cheeses, scrambled eggs, black beans, corn, cholula sour cream – in a whole wheat tortilla), Pot Roast Benny (English muffin, Black Angus pot roast and poached eggs topped with chipotle hollandaise); and the more traditional scrambled eggs and smoked bacon.

The food was great, the service friendly and exceptional and – to top it off – the guys told our server I was celebrating my 70^th birthday on the trip and she soon arrived with a birthday cake to share around the table. No wonder this place is so popular.

 

THE NIGHT LIFE

Tonight, groups are heading out to a variety of ethnic restaurants, blues bars and comedy clubs. (Ballpark Tours always leaves ample unstructured time to enjoy local arts, food and culture.) Not sure where I’ll end up yet, but I am reporting on the day now (rather than tomorrow morning as is my custom on these tour diaries) because our bus leaves at 8:30 a.m. for a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game, so I won’t have time to blog tomorrow.

At any rate – more to come.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like the Baseball Roundtable Facbook page, here.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.  

Ballpark Tours – Day Two Wrigley!

Day Two of Bleacher Bums XXXV (Ballpark Tours 35^th Anniversary Trek) started with a rather overcast Chicago sky. Still, it looked pretty good to our hardy group of trekkers. After all, we were going to a ballgame. For a look at Day 1 – Beloit Snapper, click here.

 From about 11:00 a.m. to noon, small groups gathered in the Hotel Indigo lobby and began to make their way to the EL for the short ($3) ride to Wrigleyville. As always, the EL ride was filled with fans decked out in Cubs (and, in this case, Nationals) gear – and the conversations focused on beer and baseball (as in “Where should we go for a beer before the baseball game?”).

Our group answered that question with “The Cubby Bear” – one of the many sports-themed bars near Wrigley Field.  No surprise, it was packed.  We spent some time there – think loud music, laughter and lots of appetizers flying out of the kitchen – before heading to the ballpark.  If you are going to Wrigley, you also have to go to Wrigleyville (pre- and post-game.)

Our seats for the Friday afternoon game where on the upper deck, right-field corner.  While it may sound like a long ways from home plate, the site lines were fine.  The wind chill, however was another story.  It was darn cold – 63 degrees, overcast and windy – and I was in a short-sleeve pullover shirt.  (By the fifth inning, I actually made my way to the gift shop to look over the Cubs’ sweatshirts and hoodies.  I discovered, however, that I was not $75 cold yet.  Fortunately, in the sixth, a fellow BPT trekker, who had and extra Ball Perk Tours 30^th Anniversary windbreaker, made me a much welcomed loan.

The Bloody Mary – from the Jim Beam Patio (below and behind the Press Box) – was solid. A generous pour, just the right amount of celery salt and you could order it spicy or mild (go for spicy). My only recommendation would be that the Cubbies go beyond the slice of lime in terms of condiments.  A couple of olives or a dill pickle spear would add just the right touch of flavor.  Still, worth the $10.50 – especially considering the Cubs are World Champions.  (I, however, am looking forward to the Timber Rattlers Sunday Bloody Mary Bar – reviewed on these pages before – a true Baseball and Bloody Mary Bargain.)

Putting on a poncho in the wind was a challenge.

It was a good ball game (although we didn’t get to hear the Go, Cubs, Go victory song), won by the Nationals 4-2.  With these two clubs, there were plenty of All Stars in the lineups and Nationals’ 2B Daniel Murphy’s star shone the brightest. Murphy bashed his 18^th and 19th home runs of the season – going three-for-four with two runs and three RBI. We also got to see the Nationals’ revamped bullpen at work.  In July, the Nats (who, at the time, had a bullpen ERA north of 5.00) acquired Brandon Kintzler from the Twins and two A’s with closing experience in Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle. All three pitched (seventh, eighth and ninth) giving Washington 2 2/3 innings of one-hit, three-strikeout  ball, For a look at the major July moves by contenders, click here.

The Cubs also benefitted from the long ball, a seventh-inning, two-run shot by SS Javier Baez, but it wasn’t enough. From BBRT’s point of view, I was pleased to see lots of infield work – and a pair of groundball double plays.

The most unique play of the day came in the bottom of the second.  Cubs’ second baseman Ben Zobrist led off with a walk (Tanner Roark pitching for the Nationals). LF Kyle Schwarber then fanned, bringing up RF Jason Heyward, who lifted a soft fly to medium center field – a can of corn for CF Brian Goodwin.  Oops! Goodwin totally whiffed on the fly ball – don’t know if it even got near his glove. RF Bryce Harper was there to field it on a bounce and fire the ball to Roark (covering second because 2B Daniel Murphy had also given chase).  Zobrist, who had help up (like all of us, expecting the fly to be caught), was forced at second (right field-to-pitcher); the first time I can recall writing 9-1 on my scorecard. (Probably would have been a TWIN-GO winner.)

After the game, small groups from the tour headed out for a post-contest libation – while we waited for the EL lines to dwindle a bit.  Our group chose the nearby Raw Bar – the three-block walk just far enough to thin the crowds some.  Later, it was back to the Lodge, which has become a sort of gathering place for BPTers, meeting to discuss what type of cuisine and atmosphere to pursue for the evening meal.

I ended up with a group of four at Eduardo’s (half block from the hotel), where we dined on a four-cheese appetizer, seared-tuna salad, Spaghetti Boulegnese, prosciutto and arugula pizza, pepperoni pizza and a nice Chianti.  Another Ballpark Tours group semi-anonymously picked up the tab on the wine (for my 70^th birthday, now a day behind me) and the restaurant gave us a free round of Lemoncello for dessert.

All in all a great day.  And for Saturday – another Cubs/Nationals tilt.

More to come.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Baseball Bloggers Alliance

Thursday morning August 3, 2017 and Ballpark Tours is on the road again – and so am I.

Those who follow Baseball Roundtable may remember last year’s Ballpark Tours (BPT) trek – ten days-ten ball games-seven cities; with Independent, A, AA, AAA and Major League ball and extra nights in Memphis, Nashville and Kansas City.

This year’s trip is less ambitious as BPT is celebrating its 35^th anniversary by revisiting its first trip.  So, it A-Ball in Beloit and Appleton, Wisconsin, sandwiched around a pair of games at Wrigley Field and three nights in Chicago. Topping it off for me is that I will celebrate my 70^th birthday (August 4) at in Wrigleyville.

So, at about 9:30 a.m., 46 touring baseball fans – most friends from previous BPT trips (this is my 29^th such adventure) – board our coach and headed for a Beloit Snappers/Peoria Chiefs game. Lots of smiles, hugs and baseball stories and we renew old frienships and begin new ones.

It started out like a typical BPT jaunt, plenty of music and noise at the back of the bus, a more subdued (almost studious) atmosphere at the front.  Then, of course, there was the usual BPT hoopla – some provided by the tour operator (Thanks, Julian), and even more by the paying customers (think Tom Sawyer and the fence whitewashing scheme.)  As we board, we received out upgraded tour T-shirts and the chance to purchase some ultra-fine BPT 35^th Anniversary swag.

Then it was off to Beloit, with a stop at the Leinenkugel Brewery on the way. (Ballpark Tours in big on brewery stops.)  Even before we got to the brewery tours and ice cold beer samples, the festivities began on the bus.  First, complementary cognac shots – in honor of my birthday – then the (now traditional) mid-bus Bloody Mary Bar, which opened at 10.30 a.m. And, of course, the walking-down-the-aisle proof that tequila is not just for breakfast any more.  As we rolled, on travelers shared check mix, chocolate chip cookies, cherries, donuts, chips and more.  Then to top it off, the associate pope (who often appears on these trips) shared crackers, cheese, “mystery meats” and even pickled herring.  (And, we haven’t even had a lunch stop, yet.)

There was also a baseball book exchange, the announcement of the “Guess How Many Runs are scored in MLB this Weekend?” contest and distribution of the baseball trivia “K-Kwiz.”  By this time, the tunes being played at the back of the bus were being joined by on-the-bus voices.  We were clearly on an early roll.

I found a good seat for the brewery picnic.

First stop, the Lienie’s Brewery (tours and tastings), where we were quickly informed to “Form a single file line” … “Listen up, I’m only gonna say this once” … and a number of tour-specific rules (from wearing safety glass to no photos to don’t step across the yellow lines). A little stern, but remember, the ultimate goal was free beer.  After (and during) the tours/tastings, we gathered for a covered (Oh yes, it was raining) picnic lunch (bring your own) on the brewery patio.  (Like we all needed even more to eat.)

Then back on the bus to Beloit (arrival about 6 p.m.), where we were served a pre-game tailgate dinner (hot dogs, brats, potato salad, chips, fruit, water, soda and up to three beers each).

Now to the game. Rain was still threatening and (in a less than wise decision), the Beloit Snappers front office choose to move the 7:00 p.m. start to 7:40.  (During the interim only a few drizzling drops fell.)

Once the game was ready to start, two youngsters from our group were called upon to throw a pair of “first” pitches.  A thrill for the kids and kudos to the tourmaster. Still, my question remains, how “first” pitches can you have? Last night, there were five.

The Snapper mascot attempted to quiet one of our touring fans. Good luck with that!

The game?  The unusual Class A fare.  The Peoria Chiefs jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first five innings, and then the Beloit Snappers (snapping turtle mascot) stormed back to win it 7-6 in ten innings. (Weather delay, extra innings and a couple hundred miles to Chicago post-game … not the ideal combination.)

I might add that the Snappers walked their way to victory, Chiefs’ reliever Dewin Perez walked the bases full in the bottom of the tenth (around one out) and then gave up a walk-off sacrifice fly to Snappers’ CF/Leadoff Mike Martin.  In fact, during the contest, Peoria pitchers walked nine batters – four of whom scored.  (And, the tying run scored in the eighth on a wild pitch.)

A few other highlights:

• An announced crowd of 715 – which looked like about 300 fewer and sounded like 700 fewer. (It was disturbingly quiet when the stadium music wasn’t blasting. Except, perhaps in our section.)
• Home runs by Peoria 1B Juan Yepez (his seventh) and Beloit 1B Miguel Mercedes (his 14^th).
• A couple very nifty backhand plays for Peoria 3B Danny Hudzina. (In fact, there were a half dozen fine fielding plays, sprinkled among a pair of errors by Beloit SS Eric Marinez.
• A four-for-four night by Snappers’ number-nine hitter SS Kramer Robertson (makes up for those two errors), who came into the game hitting about .220 and left hitting .248.
• Several “final calls” on the 50-50 Raffle (the team’s 50 percent was earmarked for new ballpark – which by all “appearances” would be a good idea.
• Some snapping-turtle-based heckling. (For example, as the Snapper fell behind, “It a turtle disaster” and, as they made their comeback “You’ve got ‘em shell-shocked now.”

Being from Minnesota, our group cheered loudest for Peoria RF Matt Fiedler, an Eagan, Minnesota native, who also played for the University of Minnesota – where he was the team’s ace pitcher and one of its top hitters. As a Junior, in 2016, Fiedler was named Big Ten Player of the Year and was Academic All Big Ten.  on the mound, he went 7-4, 4.32 in 16 starts (4-0, 3.33 in the Big Ten). At the plate, he hit .366 with eight home runs.

In 28 games for Peoria, Fiedler has hit .273-2-7 … but he’s been hot as of late, hitting .389 over his past ten games. 

After Beloit, it was back on the bus for the run to Chicago – lights were outs and, thankfully, the eating had ceased.  We checked into the Hotel Indigo in Chicago’s Gold Coast at about 12:30 a.m. (I had aged a year during the day).  Great hotel as always – thanks Ballpark Tours.  Today – Wrigley and the World Champion Cubs.

More to come.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro League’s Baseball Museum. Baseball Bloggers Alliance.