January 18, 2010 at 2:11 pm
I think it's about 8 hours. I've never seen them, so it would be a fun day or two trip. Plus the Negro baseball HOF is there.
I'm not sure where else I might travel this year to see a game, nothing planned that would get me to a new city, so it's a good year to go there.
January 19, 2010 at 9:52 am
Ah, baseball. Big Twins fan here.
Alomar will go in next year, probably with Bert B. There are a bunch of grumpy old guys out there who have a notion that a "First Year Hall of Fame Electee" is different from "Hall of Fame Electee" so once he's paid his dues and waited (or something) he can be chosen. I think it's dumb. Dick Young, the legendary New York sportswriter, wrote this after Willie Mays did not get a unanimous vote to the Hall: "These guys wouldn't vote for Jesus Christ--after all, he dropped the cross three times." (Dick was a cantankerous sort.)
Also, one of my favorite writers took a hard look at the phrase "throwing like a girl". Back in 1996 James Fallows wrote a piece on it for The Atlantic Monthly. He later described researching it as some of the most fun he's ever had as a professional writer. "Throwing Like a Girl" (The Atlantic Aug 1996).
[font="Arial"]Are you lost daddy? I asked tenderly.
Shut up he explained.[/font]
- Ring Lardner
January 19, 2010 at 10:03 am
I've always felt you still have to see and hit the ball and that's not something steroids improve. That being said you do have to wonder if they contribute to how far the ball goes once they connect.
Regarding this, I think there's more to steroids than simple strength. Over the course of a six or seven month schedule covering hundreds of games, the benefits of quicker recovery and enhanced healing for little dings can be a huge advantage. And in the off-season being able to spend an extra couple hours in the batting cage each day without falling over can make a big difference. And pitchers take these too. If you can maintain leg strength longer, which lets you maintain your delivery longer, that'll mean you maintain your control and power longer. It's not rocket science. If two guys have similar skills, then the one who can train more and play longer without getting tired has an advantage. We're not talking about normal people here, major leaguers are all so much better than regular players that it's not funny. This is about separating the top 1% from the next 2%, and stuff like steroids matters at the far ends of the bell curve.
[font="Arial"]Are you lost daddy? I asked tenderly.
Shut up he explained.[/font]
- Ring Lardner
January 20, 2010 at 8:15 am
Cris E (1/19/2010)
It's not rocket science.
Shouldn't that be "Rocket" science, in honor of Mr. Clemens?
-- You can't be late until you show up.
January 20, 2010 at 8:19 am
I heard King Felix signed a five-year extension with Seattle. And a number of others avoided arbitration by signing contracts.
Speaking of arbitration, I understand Tim Lincecum submitted a figure of $13M.
Only 28 days until pitchers and catchers report! :w00t:
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January 20, 2010 at 8:34 am
And the Giants countered with 8 million. Really, when talking about the types of dollars these guys make, does a mere 5 million really make a difference? Heck, I'd take 8 mil and walk to the bank smiling all the way.
-- You can't be late until you show up.
January 20, 2010 at 8:51 am
tosscrosby-60625 (1/20/2010)
Heck, I'd take 8 mil and walk to the bank smiling all the way.
So would I, but hey, I don't play big-league ball! 🙂
I'd be concerned about offering a long-term contract to Lincecum. His delivery has to be one of the ugliest I've ever seen. I really don't understand how he avoids injury with mechanics like that. When (not IF) he gets hurt, he won't be the same.
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January 21, 2010 at 12:23 pm
This thread seems too quiet, so let me throw out some fodder . . .
Your opinion: what are the best and worst places to watch a game?
Note that I didn't say best/worst ballparks (although the ballpark itself is indeed a huge contributing factor). Sometimes, things around the ballpark (neighborhood, hangouts, food, transportation, etc.) contribute to the experience!
Also, you don't have to limit it to major-league venues; feel free to list minor-league parks as well!
My list might look something like this (all major league, unless noted -- also, I only list places where I've actually been):
The best . . .
The worst . . . (thankfully, these venues all either no longer exist or are no longer used for baseball)
More thoughts later when I'm not actually looking at code . . .
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January 21, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Very interesting topic! I have only been to old and new Cleveland Indians and new and old Cincy Reds. The old ones were... concrete bowls to get 50k plus in for a game and that was it. Dull, boring, not fan friendly. The new ones are very nice and give you that feel of what baseball is plus with all of the newer ammenities. I am a Reds fan so I have to say I like the Reds ballpark better but it is sandwiched to fit in an area that really it should not be in. The powers at be at that time were hell bent on putting the ballpark on the Ohio river no matter what. No new development has been built around it but when originally concieved in 1997 it was to have.
From a TV prospective I have to agree with your list of best and worst lets say that.
I have heard that Coors Field and The Padres Petco Park are great places.. but... who would not like baseball in beautiful San Diego anyway right? My parents have been to SafeCo, SkyDome and say they are nice as well. My brother loved Fenway for the old look but said the facililties leave alot to be desired.
January 21, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Markus (1/21/2010)
My brother loved Fenway for the old look but said the facililties leave alot to be desired.
. . . hence the reason why I said places, not ballparks! Had I said "ballparks," some of those that I listed would've gone out the window! 🙂
I love Fenway (which is a lot coming from a Yankee fan)! It might not have the best facilities, but it's a great atmosphere. Also, BU, Kenmore Square, and a number of watering holes are within easy walking distance, and it's easy to get there using mass transit. I mention (minor-league) East Field for similar reasons: it was all about the atmosphere. The ballpark itself was just a bunch of nondescript wooden bleachers, but the setting itself was out of a Normal Rockwell painting. At one point, I even stood by the bullpen and struck up a conversation with the pitcher warming up to go into the game!
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January 21, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Best parks: Fenway, Wrigley, (the former) Yankee Stadium, Camden Yards
Worst parks: Fenway, Wrigley, (the former) Yankee Stadium, Three Rivers, METRODOME!
Others: (Old) Busch Stadium, Tiger Stadium, Shea, Kaufman Stadium
There are lots of tradeoffs in parks. As cool and historic and close to the field those old parks were, they were also dirty and worn out with small seats and narrow concourses and lots of bad sightlines. Part of what made them so neat is stuff that no one would do any more because it works better to do it differently. Tiger Stadium had seats close to the field, and the upper deck was *right there*. Oh, and you had posts all over the place. No posts at New Comiskey, but in the upper deck you're three nautical miles from CF. That's maybe a bad trade, but as a 6' 4" person grinding into middle age I've had my fill of Fenway's quaint sizing and really prefer a place with larger seats.
I'm from St Paul, so the new field (that the kind folks in Minneapolis are paying for) has me pretty excited.
[font="Arial"]Are you lost daddy? I asked tenderly.
Shut up he explained.[/font]
- Ring Lardner
January 21, 2010 at 1:57 pm
The Metrodome has to be at the top of the worst places to watch a game list...not sad to see the Twins move at all....
January 26, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Josh B (1/21/2010)
The Metrodome has to be at the top of the worst places to watch a game list...not sad to see the Twins move at all....
I've been to the Metrodome, but it wasn't for baseball . . . I was there for the NCAA tournament.
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January 26, 2010 at 3:38 pm
If you like Camden, come to Coors field. Same designer.
I did like Safeco. Seeing the roof close was cool, and when it's closed you still have a fairly open air park. Arizona was weird. Felt like it was a small park, very closed in.
January 26, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Ray K (1/21/2010)
Your opinion: what are the best and worst places to watch a game?My list might look something like this (all major league, unless noted -- also, I only list places where I've actually been):
The best . . .
- Camden Yards, Baltimore
- Safeco Field, Seattle
- Fenway Park, Boston
- Coors Field, Denver
- SkyDome (now Rogers Centre), Toronto
- East Field, Glens Falls, NY (former home of the Glens Falls White Sox/Cardinals, Class A NY-Penn League)
- Bruno Stadium, Troy, NY (Tri-City ValleyCats, Class A NY-Penn League)
The worst . . . (thankfully, these venues all either no longer exist or are no longer used for baseball)
- Shea Stadium, New York
- Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia
- Olympic Stadium, Montreal
- Kingdome, Seattle
- Heritage Park, Albany, NY (former home of Albany-Colonie Yankees, Class AA Eastern League)
As promised, some more thoughts . . .
I was in Florida for a vacation two years ago, and got tickets to see the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Funny thing -- everybody (myself, included) talks about what a crappy stadium "The Trop" is, but actually, it's a great place to watch a game! First, they have the Ted Williams museum and the Hitters Hall of Fame. (Wish I had more time to explore that!) Second, the shops and restaurants (including a micro-brew) in the concourses are worth checking out. Third, the seats had great sight-lines. We were in the second deck, yet we still felt close and we could see everything!
And this blew my mind: I asked for a scorecard (I'm one of those people that you see keeping score at games). The first thing that got me was that they were free (even the minor-league ValleyCats by my house charges for scorecards)! But there weren't any left. The usher said, "I'll find one and get back to you." Of course, my thought was, "yeah, right." But wouldn't you know it, he delivered!!!
And one more -- of course, as a Yankee fan, I should talk about the ballpark in the Bronx. Went to see a game at the new Stadium (yes, we Yankee fans spell it with a capital "S") this year (I've been to the old Stadium more times than I can count). Sight lines are much better, it's easier to get around, and there are many more amenities. As much as I loved the old Stadium, I like what they did with the new one.
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