Everything’s Bigger in Texas

article

-1

2009-10-13T16:03:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

141 5598 Texans love to tell you how big everything is in their state. Since they live in 2,268,601 square miles it’s understandable why they are obsessed with size. As of July 2008 the census reported a population of 24,326,974. I know of one woman who relocated to Seattle and with their hatred of open container laws I have to assume that some Texans exited in a fiery pickup truck while clutching their Lone Star tall boy and their Colt 45, but we can conclude there is still a hell of a lot of Texans living in Texas. Just about all of those Texans need somewhere to go and, since they all love football, Cowboys Stadium is as good a place as any for them to gather.  In poetic terms you can quote that “in Xanadu the Kubla Khan a stately pleasure dome did decree” to sum up the wretched excess that is Cowboys Stadium. However, since it is Jerry Jones who was the architect behind this behemoth it’s better to say he needed a bigger place since all his rowdy friends are coming over tonight.   Since the stadium can hold 111,000 Texans you could easily vacation there for a week. In New York City apartment terms, Cowboys Stadium would have its own weather pattern. The stadium is so big that it needs two Cowboys Clubs to satisfy that Texas hunger. There are so many bars and restaurants in Cowboys Stadium that one wonders how anyone finds a seat that faces the playing field. However, with the way the team has performed as of late, perhaps drinking, eating and cutting those Texas size deals is preferable to watching the on field action.   If you are curious as to what the score is you can always peak at the 60 yard long HD screen that hangs about 90 feet above the playing surface. You may be distracted by the punts bouncing off of it, but it’s there if you need it. If Ray Guy could nail the gondola in the Super Dome imagine what he could do with this battleship sized visual display.   Like the team that inhabits its bloated confines much has already been written about Cowboys Stadium. From its unique player entrance; where the team walks among the folks like ancient gladiators, or in a reference more understandable to Jerry Jones, like wrestlers entering the ring in some third rate arena, to its retractable roof that was designed as a homage to Texas Stadium, but from aerial views better resembles an ugly belt buckle.   Still, if you love America’s Team and don’t hail from the Lone Star State, perhaps you are planning a visit to the mother ship that houses the Cowboys. In that case, take advantage of the splendors that the Dallas-Fort Worth area has to offer.   For instance, since you obviously love cowboys, why not visit the Texas Cowboys Hall of Fame in Fort Worth. The museum is dedicated to rodeo performers and those who have influenced the sport. Some of its entrants may surprise you. For example, Nolan Ryan was inducted this year. No, it is not for riding out the rough seasons with the number of losing teams with which he was saddled. Ryan has been raising Beefmaster Cattle since 1972 and is a member of various ranching organizations. No wonder he can ride herd over the Rangers.   Visiting the museum may make you anxious to see more steer and you’re in luck. After all, you are in Texas and Texas has steer, Longhorn steer to be exact. At Texas Longhorn for Hire you can rent one of the aforementioned cattle for photo ops and just to have it hang around and be a topic of conversation. A cowgirl accompanies the steer to provide background on the Longhorn and is available for photo ops and to hang around and be a topic of conversation.   While they won’t reveal the age of the steer the cowgirls are all over the age of 40, or as they put it, “$39.95 plus shipping and handling”. They come from all walks of life and apparently share a love of Longhorns and spreading the gospel of the steer.   My favorite Longhorn story involves the Sex Pistols. During their misguided tour of the US Johnny Rotten purchased a set of Longhorns to take back to England thinking it would be a laugh to show the horns off to his punk friends. The roadies who were assigned the responsibility of keeping Sid Vicious off smack were constantly confounded by where he was hiding his stash. One of them deducted he had hid the junk in Johnny’s souvenir horns so they took to them with hammers and after reducing them to powder realized they were heroin free. Johnny was out of a great visual joke for his UK buddies, but he did have a new reason for hating Sid. As for the stoned bass player, we all know how well he handled his drug problem.   While Sid was spitting up blood and looking for a fix in Dallas, the band was playing the Longhorn Ballroom. Since you’re already on a Longhorn roll, you may as well check out the music hall that is still open. Just like when it hosted the Sex Pistols, the Longhorn Ballroom normally books C&W acts, so maybe you can see someone perform “Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys”. While it may be more country than punk, the venue also hosted a Mod vs. Rockers scooter event in March of ’09.   By now you may have embraced the Cowboy way of life. So, depending on where you come from you may require a change of wardrobe. In that case be sure to check out Wild Bill’s Western Store. Wild Bill’s is rated as the best of the west in Dallas and has everything you need including ostrich boots for $575.00. Owner Bill Dewbre is a certified expert on the cowboy life and has designed a variety of boots so he can hook you up with a pair that has big, blue stars.   Just make sure you get the stars really huge because everything is bigger in Texas and you don’t want your bad taste to be the exception.   76.97.188.228

2009-10-13T16:03:00-04:00

everythings-bigger-in-texas

Yes 208.104.15.58, 66.249.67.136, 66.249.68.248, 65.55.105.217, 174.46.170.179, 72.16.253.197, 203.236.210.210, 174.46.170.180, 216.129.119.11, 190.102.206.48, 72.30.79.93, 72.30.78.232, 65.55.105.221, 206.53.153.178, 67.167.150.127, 174.129.87.184, 202.54.61.99, 67.218.116.164, 24.28.18.66, 114.127.246.36, 209.211.7.1, 67.218.116.130, 67.218.116.131, 219.90.91.69, 67.67.222.130, 119.63.199.49, 210.212.216.228, 67.195.115.163, 212.150.82.15, 97.92.239.121, 78.83.29.89, 200.31.42.3, 66.249.68.245, 66.249.67.133, 118.175.22.69, 74.206.98.195, 66.249.68.227, 66.249.67.238, 174.46.170.184, 67.195.113.245, 60.172.179.14, 195.229.62.157, 217.91.70.238, 67.195.112.109, 120.28.64.77, 66.249.68.242, 66.235.124.58, 211.138.249.178, 117.25.129.200, 67.195.114.233, 66.249.67.174, 94.23.238.27, 203.110.245.250, 202.44.4.85, 203.147.4.68, 61.28.162.234, 222.124.213.114, 110.8.253.100, 200.241.244.5, 189.14.192.91, 216.82.160.142, 123.138.18.114, 80.156.18.110, 120.28.64.94, 67.195.37.172, 67.208.234.6, 120.28.64.78, 88.41.111.190, 66.249.67.206, 65.55.207.123, 205.209.170.2, 58.246.76.76, 67.195.112.159, 66.249.65.199, 66.249.65.200, 67.202.15.176, 120.28.64.85, 65.55.207.93, 208.43.229.68, 116.50.181.247, 66.249.68.172, 163.1.5.150, 65.55.106.160, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.68.152, 87.250.252.241, 209.249.53.134, 209.249.53.179, 72.54.168.178, 66.249.68.233, 65.55.106.131, 72.30.142.161, 66.249.68.143, 65.55.106.183, 74.53.3.132, 67.195.114.42, 65.55.207.120, 65.55.108.242, 65.55.106.133, 203.131.250.162, 66.249.68.204, 65.55.216.55, 67.195.112.114, 67.195.37.188, 38.99.97.10, 129.234.193.111, 71.96.72.132, 208.115.111.245, 65.55.207.70, 66.249.68.187, 79.67.163.134, 66.249.68.175, 67.195.112.88, 67.195.115.214, 66.249.68.81, 207.46.195.233, 67.195.113.247, 66.249.67.81, 207.46.199.45, 85.17.171.225, 65.55.104.26

Everything’s Bigger in Texas

No the Sex Pistols, Longhorn Ballroom, Texas Cowboys Hall of Fame

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Everything’s Bigger in Texas

writer

article

-1

2009-05-18T09:06:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

300 3095 Fenway Park is the last of a dying breed. The ballpark that opened on April 20, 1912 has few contemporaries. Only Wrigley Field and Dodger Stadium remain as long standing original homes of their franchises and Chavez Ravine got a later start in the proceedings.  Like its Windy City counterpart Fenway was a long time morass of ruptured emotion. Instead of the loveable losers from Chicago the Red Sox seemed to fester in frustration; taking their nation of fans so close before snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. After 4/5’s of a century of said frustration the dawning of the millennium brought about change in Fenway and an overwhelming sense of satisfaction from its nation. Instead of computers crashing, VCR’s rising up to extinguish those who dared to program them on December 31, 1999 and the economic system grinding to a halt because all financial records were deleted, the 21st century saw the end of the Bambino’s curse.   Pedro Martinez once said that if Babe Ruth were exhumed he would drill him in the ass. He never got the chance, but David Ortiz and the self proclaimed idiots toasted his demise with a shot of Jack Daniels and two World Series titles. Suddenly the balance of power shifted from NYC to Boston and anyone with knowledge realizes that the true rival now resides in Tampa.   No longer saddled with a feeling of what might have been the nation crowds the cramped, outmoded confines of Fenway and provide it with an instant sellout; not difficult considering it only holds 36,000 even if the maximum capacity differs by about 500 depending on if it is a day, or night game. Still, finding fans willing to pay $30.00 to stand on a fence is quite a feat.   Fenway ticket prices may have seemed high until the Yankees christened their new stadium with quadruple digit pricing. Now, Fenway seems like a bargain compared to pay what is required to stare at the 26 World Series Championships banner, even though those championships are fading rapidly in the mental rearview mirror they still demand much in the way of lucre.   As an ancient ballpark Fenway lacks those modern amenities that have become standard in new stadiums. For example, leg room is nonexistent proving that people back in 1912 were either shorter than us, or could fold themselves down when seated. Don’t go looking for any of those fancy, overpriced, hermitically sealed restaurants, either. While Fenway now boasts of “healthy options” in its food concourse, the majority is standard ballpark fare and, of course, clam chowder. The Absolut Lounge does cater to those who sit in the Dugout Section, but those tickets are sold out, so have some vodka before you arrive.   When the Standells sang, “I love your dirty water, oh Boston, you’re my home.” they could have been referring to the standing puddles that are in the dirty corridors in the bowels of Fenway. Winning changes attitudes, but there was a time when the home team disliked Fenway as much as the visitors. Pedro’s criticism of the facility may have been part of the decision to allow him to ply his trade in Queens.   It took the threat of condemnation to force vacating Boston Garden, so Fenway will stand as long as it stands. The quirks of the field’s layout and the fans being on top of each other and the playing surface are built in home field advantage, but beyond being a cathedral to the nation, if the Sox weren’t winners the place might be considered a dump.   Still, tradition is important in baseball, so a 37 foot high wall, a foul pole named after a player and a red seat are enough to bring a tear to the eye of any Red Sox fan. Since they also groove to Neil Diamond, don’t take their feelings as solid indicators, but not seeing at least one game in Fenway is a sure way to enter baseball purgatory when you shuffle off this mortal coil.   Prior to hitting the park make sure you stop at the Flagon ‘n Cask. A Drop Kick Murphy’s shirt or a Boston team jersey is pretty much required dress code. Yankee Stadium has Monument Park, but the Flagon ‘n Cask is decorated with visages of Red Sox greats and the beer is cold and plentiful. The nation gathers to discuss strategy before the games and after Fenway empties either reconvenes to celebrate or, these days, curse the Rays. Even with their natural rivals falling on less than illustrious times it is still a safe bet that shouting out “Go Yankees” will incur the wrath of your fellow patrons and I wouldn’t risk drinking the next pint you receive. One of my favorite Flagon ‘n Cask artifacts is the photo montage of Julia Ruth visiting the watering hole. She is, of course, a daughter of George Herman.   Since Red Sox games go on forever and the policy of Fenway is to stop the sale of beer 150 minutes after the start of the game, you may be better able to slake your thirst by spending the night at the bar and bypassing the park. Red Sox souvenirs are plentiful in Boston, so you can score a cap without risking not having a cold one when Big Papi ends his homerless streak.   Excuse my heresy and make sure you wander out of the pub at 62 Brookline and enter the stadium at 4 Yawkey Way. After all, it is unlikely you will run into Stephen King at the Flagon ‘n Cask, but there is a chance he will be at Fenway. Like Jack at Staples, the King of horror is a fixture at Fenway. However, these days the season doesn’t end as horribly as his tales of terror.   In fact the scary writing Dead Head has ditched his Yankee Hater cap for the traditional B. That provides further evidence that Cujo no longer wears pinstripes. As for those folks paying to stand on the Green Monster, the playoff picture appears clear and they sing to Sweet Caroline how good times never felt so good.   Photo Credit: Brian Jenkins / Icon SMI   0.0.0.0

2009-05-18T09:06:00-04:00

sports-travel-im-shipping-up-to-boston

Yes 66.249.68.248, 83.167.62.168, 174.46.170.179, 72.30.78.232, 65.55.106.135, 24.18.212.152, 71.13.38.175, 72.30.79.93, 208.115.111.246, 66.249.68.245, 66.249.67.133, 137.43.105.17, 66.249.68.227, 72.30.142.161, 86.180.153.190, 67.195.115.163, 65.55.106.183, 67.195.113.245, 66.249.68.242, 67.195.114.233, 67.195.112.109, 128.2.212.85, 66.235.124.8, 65.55.106.182, 202.180.34.186, 67.195.37.172, 66.249.65.200, 67.195.112.159, 136.167.118.132, 114.159.91.104, 65.55.106.110, 66.249.68.172, 163.1.5.153, 67.195.111.172, 67.218.116.131, 65.55.109.15, 87.250.252.241, 65.55.107.182, 66.249.68.233, 66.249.67.229, 66.249.68.135, 66.249.68.143, 65.55.106.109, 66.249.67.245, 76.119.65.254, 74.53.3.132, 207.241.228.152, 65.55.106.155, 65.55.108.242, 66.249.68.137, 208.115.111.245, 67.195.114.42, 217.65.8.94, 65.55.207.98, 74.124.195.29, 67.195.112.85, 67.195.37.188, 65.55.216.53, 67.195.112.114, 38.99.97.10, 65.55.207.75, 216.9.9.200, 71.75.184.48, 66.249.68.187, 99.37.224.206, 66.249.68.81, 207.46.204.243, 67.195.115.214, 66.249.67.137, 67.195.113.247, 66.249.68.236, 66.249.67.49, 66.249.65.36

Sports Travel: I’m Shipping Up to Boston

-1

Sports Travel: I’m Shipping Up to Boston

writer

article

2009-04-19T16:52:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

1042 2708 If any of you baseball fans out there want to see a winner, then you need to visit Citizens Bank Park, home of the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.  It truly is a perfect place to watch a baseball game. The ballpark opened in 2004 and was a vast improvement over Veterans Stadium, which was one of those awful, "Cookie-cutter" multipurpose stadiums that were all the rage in the 1970s.  The only problem for someone visiting Philly for a game is that there really is nothing within walking distance of the ballpark, except other sporting venues.  Unlike in other cities where they plop a ballpark in the middle of downtown and ignore the fact that the traffic will be insane, all of Philadelphia's sports teams play in the same area in South Philly.  The corner of Broad and Pattison Streets is where it all happens.  The Eagles' Lincoln Financial Field, the Flyers and Sixers' Wachovia Center and Citizens Bank Park are all within walking distance of each other.  What that means is that there is not much else besides parking lots for miles. When I tailgate for a game we go across Broad street to FDR Park.  What, you mean you don't tailgate for all sporting events?  Must be a Philly thing.  This park is withing walking distance to the ballpark, but is the perfect place for a tailgate.  Instead of being in the middle of a parking lot, this park allows you to set up your grill on grass, under the trees.  There is plenty of room play catch with the kids and there is even a small golf course for those of you who like to waste your time chasing around a small white ball. The best bar in the vicinity has to be Chickies and Petes, just a few blocks from the ballpark.  Chickies and Petes is the ultimate Philly sports bar.  It's just not for the snooty rich.  This is a place where the average sports fan goes to eat some of their world famous "Crab Fries" before or after a game or to actually watch a game on one of the many TVs. The city of Philadelphia itself is a beautiful place filled with history.  You all know about the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where they signed the Declaration of Independence.  You can run up the famous Art Museum steps just like Rocky Balboa.  I suppose if you're traveling with your wife or girlfriend you could even go inside the Art Museum.  Not sure what's in there exactly, but I'm guessing some sort of art.  You know, if you're into that sort of thing or if that's what you have to endure to get her to go to a ballgame.  If you're traveling with your kids then you can visit America's first Zoo, located in Philadelphia.  Or you could even cross the bridge into New Jersey and visit the Camden Aquarium.     But if you're just interested in a great place to watch a ballgame, then Citizens Bank Park is the perfect place for you.  Whether you're with your family or just in town with the guys, this place has everything you could want in your ballpark experience.   During the game kids will be entertained by the greatest mascot in sports, the Phillie Phanatic.  There is also a "Phanatic Phun Zone" where kids 8 and under can climb, explore and have the slide of their lives in the largest Softplay area in MLB.  Kids 14 and under who wear Phillie colors have a chance to be selected as one of nine kids to stand on the field with the Phillies starters during the National Anthem and even be introduced by the PA announcer.   Any baseball fan will love Ashburn Alley, named for Phillie Hall of Famer, Richie Ashburn.  Ashburn Alley is located beyond the outfield walls and includes the history of Philadelphia baseball, including the Phillies, Athletics and the Negro League teams in the city.  There are bronze plaques for each member of the Phillies Wall of Fame.  There are many interactive games where you can run the bases and play Ballpark Pinball.  But the best feature of Ashburn Alley is the access to the bullpens.  If you don't know, the visitors bullpen is right under a railing in Ashburn Alley.  There fans can lean over and offer "advice" to the opposing team's pitchers.  They don't call Philadelphia the "City of Brotherly Love" for nothing you know.   If the weather is a bit too hot or cold for you, then you can simply duck into McFaddens.  This bar / restaurant inside the ballpark has plenty of big screen TVs and lots of food and drinks.  Yes, I've been in there. If you want the best in ballpark food then you've come to the right place.  Heck, Citizens Bank Park was recently named the best ballpark in America for Veggie fare, but I'm going to ignore that here since it's just so damn un-American.  How can you go to a game and not eat meat?  The answer is that you can't.  Here are a few of the highlights. Bull's BBQ - Located in Ashburn Alley, it is named after ex-Phillie left-fielder, Greg "The Bull" Luzinski and features the largest grill in all of MLB.  You can get barbecued ribs, pit turkey, pulled barbecue pork and the "Bulldog", an extra-large Kielbasa sandwich. South Philadelphia Market - Features ballpark favorites like hotdogs, popcorn, crackerjacks and of course, pretzels. Chickies and Petes Crabfries - You know, in case you don't have a chance to visit the restaurant a few blocks form the stadium for some crab fries. Planet Hoagie - The place to go if you want a real "Philly Hoagie" while at the ballpark.  It's all in the proper roll.  Old City Creamery - Here you can get some ice cream served in a miniature Phillies batting helmet.  Come on who doesn't want to recreate the famous Seinfeld scene where George was caught on camera pigging out on ice cream at the ballpark?  Classic. Hatfield Grill - French fries and traditional grill favorites, such as hotdogs, hamburgers, Italian sausages and chicken sandwiches. Tony Luke's - If you want an authentic "Philly Cheesesteak" then look no further.  They serve other things here, but who cares.  I think it's a law that every out of town visitor to Philadelphia must eat a cheesesteak.  Forget those tourist traps, Geno's and Pat's, this is better. The Schmitter - The "Schmitter" is a famous sandwich from NcNally's Tavern in nearby Chestnut Hill.  They serve it at the ballpark because they just have to.  A Schmitter starts out as a cheesesteak on a kaiser roll, but gets amped up with grilled onions, tomato, grilled salami (yes, really) and covered in McNally's Special Sauce.  You can almost feel your arteries hardening as you eat it. One other place that you simply must visit is my favorite part of the ballpark, Harry the K's.  Named for Hall of Fame Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas, it is located just below the giant left field scoreboard.  It is an outdoor restaurant / bar with a wide variety of food and beverages.  I love it because you can just mill around and talk to people.  And they have a fully stocked bar, where you can get any mixed drinks or shots you want.  If you've seen my profile picture, then you know that I am on a first name basis with Jack Daniel's.  Also, for the last few years of his career, I organized a giant outing with over 100 of my friends to go and Boo the crap out of B*rry B*nds.  We're going again this year even though B*nds isn't playing.  We have over 200 people this year.  It will be our own little tribute to Harry. If you ever get a chance to visit Citizens Bank Park be sure to look me up.  You're sure to find me at Harry the K's with my buddy Jack.      0.0.0.0

2009-04-19T16:52:00-04:00

the-best-ballpark-food-in-mlb

Yes 208.60.67.163, 72.30.142.117, 66.249.68.248, 192.104.181.229, 209.249.53.80, 72.30.79.93, 72.16.253.197, 98.232.132.11, 24.115.27.244, 174.46.170.179, 208.89.21.14, 67.195.115.242, 99.49.4.243, 66.235.124.59, 151.197.177.190, 208.115.111.246, 24.144.177.246, 65.55.207.132, 85.17.211.164, 72.30.79.27, 131.30.121.23, 74.11.193.82, 174.129.143.254, 198.179.243.22, 66.249.67.205, 85.10.242.138, 65.89.12.2, 66.216.140.242, 67.195.115.169, 69.45.18.220, 174.129.87.184, 174.129.81.149, 66.249.68.245, 66.249.67.135, 67.195.115.163, 75.101.196.209, 76.253.98.172, 114.30.107.204, 66.249.67.133, 24.131.189.68, 68.45.221.12, 71.106.88.226, 65.185.55.201, 71.10.77.61, 98.113.30.88, 99.190.96.102, 75.101.181.32, 66.249.68.227, 209.242.137.229, 70.89.35.46, 96.252.194.113, 32.166.188.107, 66.249.67.243, 24.209.185.12, 38.98.19.111, 67.195.113.245, 38.100.41.67, 205.246.4.96, 69.58.178.27, 24.44.143.29, 71.175.249.68, 174.129.101.63, 218.26.170.84, 216.226.180.3, 89.253.70.223, 67.195.115.110, 67.195.112.109, 65.55.207.98, 66.249.68.242, 66.249.67.132, 68.39.210.235, 71.199.59.11, 67.195.114.233, 76.124.122.16, 173.77.208.179, 76.107.158.92, 167.206.53.94, 64.12.116.80, 85.25.124.132, 166.214.151.199, 71.162.76.13, 123.125.66.37, 216.129.119.10, 76.126.65.88, 71.242.216.62, 63.215.202.4, 216.16.209.97, 165.130.136.208, 24.227.168.66, 69.242.46.218, 67.195.37.172, 65.55.106.181, 70.15.195.83, 166.137.135.189, 67.195.115.180, 146.145.80.175, 66.249.65.200, 63.215.202.234, 218.28.29.234, 96.225.105.160, 192.251.125.85, 92.241.182.24, 67.195.112.159, 67.195.111.172, 70.50.189.162, 72.11.103.143, 69.58.178.33, 208.115.111.251, 12.51.33.86, 130.156.64.89, 202.180.34.186, 219.94.100.217, 66.249.68.230, 67.195.112.245, 24.209.186.225, 71.175.120.113, 95.27.39.115, 216.125.163.51, 66.249.68.172, 163.1.5.150, 95.108.157.251, 38.105.83.6, 67.42.201.56, 24.42.89.3, 74.182.216.243, 163.1.5.153, 66.249.68.178, 65.55.207.52, 66.249.67.249, 67.218.116.131, 123.125.66.36, 87.250.252.241, 66.249.68.233, 65.55.106.133, 218.28.29.236, 98.198.124.245, 205.193.50.10, 12.233.96.198, 99.196.160.56, 212.227.136.205, 99.225.233.225, 66.249.68.150, 96.248.98.207, 76.15.117.156, 65.55.207.126, 85.25.124.4, 85.25.124.167, 71.175.126.145, 72.93.223.92, 66.249.67.229, 66.249.67.131, 207.241.228.152, 66.249.68.219, 24.186.32.152, 66.249.68.166, 66.249.68.143, 63.192.29.6, 98.114.237.208, 24.11.237.237, 166.137.138.67, 66.235.124.57, 69.106.224.131, 76.121.201.219, 96.253.38.125, 98.228.72.250, 69.58.178.29, 74.176.194.132, 92.241.182.23, 204.14.13.65, 123.125.66.87, 38.99.96.226, 209.55.86.156, 65.55.107.217, 74.53.3.132, 66.249.65.109, 66.249.65.119, 65.55.106.161, 70.52.160.28, 66.249.68.137, 190.2.136.242, 209.195.184.76, 208.115.111.245, 66.249.67.162, 208.115.111.248, 174.48.174.149, 198.143.239.122, 67.195.114.42, 69.249.130.164, 74.116.154.201, 71.127.155.151, 65.55.106.111, 95.26.245.238, 24.155.82.144, 65.55.106.162, 66.249.67.136, 66.249.67.138, 24.94.61.111, 67.195.112.244, 138.87.176.241, 38.100.8.50, 130.156.68.230, 38.99.98.34, 207.106.138.2, 66.249.67.199, 69.139.146.179, 69.249.17.32, 76.16.149.3, 66.249.67.218, 67.80.28.187, 66.249.68.149, 173.110.218.181, 67.195.112.246, 75.163.237.212, 66.249.68.204, 98.192.4.251, 66.249.67.142, 75.75.64.210, 66.249.65.114, 66.249.65.77, 66.249.65.110, 123.125.66.117, 67.195.112.85, 69.8.216.70, 68.80.112.22, 71.175.121.192, 99.49.227.124, 66.249.67.161, 12.47.107.4, 198.209.13.253, 67.195.37.188, 128.187.0.178, 65.55.106.186, 38.100.41.112, 69.119.45.236, 174.92.133.153, 69.142.165.213, 67.195.112.114, 66.249.67.146, 198.183.184.25, 74.197.41.119, 66.249.67.129, 65.55.107.180, 173.67.27.218, 38.99.97.10, 66.249.68.155, 165.123.207.78, 125.7.56.12, 77.43.61.162, 173.70.53.167, 24.235.115.2, 67.241.67.223, 66.249.68.187, 203.193.139.83, 74.111.33.119, 94.75.229.132, 208.125.139.18, 72.242.132.14, 98.208.200.61, 72.58.121.178, 67.202.0.31, 161.185.150.180, 66.227.163.242, 123.125.66.127, 67.195.112.88, 148.4.9.80, 66.249.68.251, 151.196.60.25, 70.129.13.12, 66.249.68.236, 68.28.51.118, 205.167.198.122, 66.249.68.72, 204.248.24.165, 96.245.116.79, 65.55.109.60, 66.249.67.246, 207.46.204.192, 70.15.40.246, 96.227.19.10, 65.30.38.83, 149.142.201.218, 24.144.142.193, 67.195.112.31, 66.249.68.81, 67.195.113.247, 71.191.14.226, 67.195.115.214, 72.249.45.161, 66.249.68.210, 99.59.188.56, 90.211.103.24, 67.195.111.228, 192.234.2.24, 82.95.74.253, 144.160.130.16, 72.54.77.194, 66.41.93.112, 69.150.163.1, 156.144.107.21, 74.104.179.208

The Best Ballpark Food in MLB

198

writer

article

-1

2009-04-10T14:14:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

232 2585 The 12th Man, loud and proud, a contingent of leather lung faithful who fill Qwest Field when the Seahawks play to create the ultimate home field advantage by generating a level of noise that equals or surpasses an airplane taking off, a heavy metal concert, or a high powered detonation. How loud does it get during a Seahawks game? So deafening is the noise that some teams have accused the Seahawks of amplifying the sound in Qwest. No proof has ever been unearthed to justify that claim, so it appears that the fans provide the decibels that cause visitors to jump off sides or go in motion too early.  With an atmosphere like that, you know you want to try it out once just to see if it is what it is said to be. Coming off of a 4-12 season with the economy in the toilet this may be your best opportunity to score tickets to the loudest show on earth. Once you secure the keys to the kingdom you may want to download bands like Mastodon, Pantera and Helmet to get your audio senses set for what is on hand when you take your seat at Qwest.   Football tickets cost a lot of money, so let’s live it up when it comes to accommodations. The Hotel 1000 on 1st Ave is the rest stop for this journey. It is a stylish boutique hotel with valets who dress all in black and wear fedoras while hailing taxis, toting luggage and pointing out the direction to that location you seek. Black is the color of dress for all the employees so, everyone from the late Johnny Cash to Slayer will fit right in and blend with the chrome, granite and recessed lighting that provides the ambience and lets you know you’re going to get your money’s worth.   The rooms in the 1000 have paintings that, should they not strike your fancy, can be rolled until you find one you like. They’re kind of like the ads on the time keepers table at NBA games. The mini bar signals room service when you are out of your favorite beverage. Hell, you could go broke downing $8.00 Red Hooks just to watch someone bring in replacements.   Once you bore of that activity you can retire to the Boka, a lounge that offers good food and drink and faces 1st Ave to give you a perfect view of Puget Sound. Across the street from the hotel are the Harbor Steps that lead down to Alaskan Way and Elliott Bay. Small shops and restaurants are located on the artfully created steps and Alaskan Way offers plenty of stores, eateries and Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe. That’s a tourist trap that offers Seattle souvenirs and the mummified remains of an old prospector, or so the withered package of browned, aged tape claims. You don’t need any of the trinkets they sell, but it is worth poking around and looking at the pickled preserves of two headed fish and other oddities.   Pier 57 is at the foot of the steps and houses an old carousel that is worth taking a spin for both children and young lovers, including those young at heart. The pier is also next to Argosy Cruises. Argosy offers short excursions out on Puget Sound. One will take you to the Ballard Locks.   The Ballard Locks is similar to the Panama Canal, but its major purpose is keeping the salt water of Puget Sound out of the fresh water of Lake Washington. It is also a canal for ships to pass from one body to the other and is an area where salmon migrate to spawn. The technological wonders also offer a cool view of their workings and sit in the midst of a park. Aboard the Argosy vessel you can sip a cold one and take a look at something you probably don’t have back home; unless you live near the Erie Canal.   On Saturday night you will want to eat hearty if you are going to mingle with the face painted, soon to be hearing impaired crew that grace Qwest, so let’s go to a true Northwest tradition. Ivar’s Salmon House is located on the north shore of Lake Union next to the University Bridge. Ivar’s gained You Tube fame when they ran a half second commercial during the Super Bowl. The image of a gull shouting Ivar’s is still up for viewing on various sites, including Ivar’s home page. The Salmon House is a beautiful wooden structure that is decorated in Northwest Native American art on both the exterior and interior. In the main dining area a hand carved dugout canoe is suspended over the center of the room. Windows on the west and south sides offer breath taking views of Lake Union and the Olympic mountain range.   As you dine on expertly prepared fish with locally grown vegetables as side dishes you can watch seaplanes landing and taking off on the lake along with a steady flow of pleasure craft. If a large vessel wishes to pass under you may get to see the bridge drawn open. As you savor a local beer or wine and watch the bridge rise just remember it is more fun to watch it from the restaurant than it is from the line of traffic that may form.    Now that you have savored the Northwest pride of their native artifacts, cuisine and scenery it is time to go from the proud to the loud. To get yourself ready for a Sunday afternoon of rooting on the Seahawks you need to work up your energy with some music. That calls for a trip to the Crocodile. The Crocodile is a club in the Bell Town section that has recently reopened. In its heyday it was the home of the then burgeoning grunge scene. It was home to bands like Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and, yes, Nirvana.   There’s not as much flannel, tattered shorts, or baseball caps worn backward visible these days, but the club is up and running again and hosting a local music scene that is still filled with talent and doesn’t have to worry about becoming romantically involved with Courtney Love.   Bell Town isn’t far from the Hotel 1000, so go nuts and try to bring back the bygone days of grunge, or even resurrect the spirit of another local band, the Kingmen’s Louie, Louie. Just make sure you get back to your room in time to change into your Seahawks jersey so you fit in with the rest of the Qwest crowd. You can use the noise of the Crocodile to practice screaming at the other team.   0.0.0.0

2009-04-10T14:14:00-04:00

sports-travel-loud-and-proud

Yes 66.249.68.248, 24.187.68.147, 72.30.79.93, 174.46.170.179, 83.167.62.168, 72.30.78.232, 65.55.106.134, 208.115.111.246, 72.73.29.247, 67.195.115.163, 66.249.68.245, 66.249.67.133, 66.249.68.227, 67.195.113.245, 65.55.207.77, 38.96.184.38, 66.249.68.242, 67.195.112.109, 65.55.217.54, 65.55.207.120, 67.195.37.172, 59.93.144.78, 66.249.65.200, 67.195.112.159, 163.1.5.150, 66.249.68.172, 65.55.207.30, 66.249.68.178, 67.218.116.131, 66.235.124.58, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.68.233, 87.250.252.241, 66.249.68.150, 65.55.207.75, 66.249.67.131, 66.249.67.229, 12.175.178.250, 74.53.3.132, 65.55.207.27, 67.195.114.243, 208.115.111.245, 67.195.114.42, 74.124.195.29, 65.55.207.97, 66.249.65.122, 66.249.67.174, 67.195.112.114, 67.195.37.188, 66.249.67.167, 65.55.109.20, 66.249.68.204, 38.99.97.10, 66.249.68.149, 65.55.207.100, 67.195.112.88, 207.46.12.170, 66.249.68.72, 67.195.114.230, 65.55.110.166, 67.195.115.214, 66.249.67.120, 66.249.67.150, 207.46.204.236, 67.195.113.247, 85.17.171.225

Sports Travel: Loud and Proud

No Sports Travel

-1

Sports Travel: Loud and Proud

writer

article

105

2009-03-24T15:07:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

453 2343 When deciding what MLB destination I should write about I gave thought to the teams that inhabit the cities on my list. Then, I realized that baseball is more than wins and losses. It’s the glory of the game and the enjoyment of watching it played. A huge part of that enjoyment derives from the ballpark where the game is scheduled. Having made that determination I have chosen Safeco Field in the glorious city of Seattle.  In terms of ballparks there are none better than the jewel that sits south of Elliott Bay. The sightlines are perfect. There really is no bad seat in the stadium, leg room is present in all sections; regardless of ticket price, and the stadium architecture has been unsuccessfully copied by several parks built since Safeco opened. Now approaching its tenth year in existence the park is as pristine as it was on July 15 1999 when the San Diego Padres set the tone for the Mariners fortune and made away with a 3-2 win in the inaugural game.   Amenities abound at Safeco with a bill of fare that offers ballpark standard hotdogs, peanuts and carbonated soft drinks all the way up to sushi, broiled salmon and the pride of the Northwest; our handcrafted beers. The Ichi-roll and a Pyramid Curve Ball beer are highly recommended. If you want to impress your date suggest she tries one of the Northwest wines that are available. Reds are best suited to Mariners baseball.   Along with the food stands that populate the concourse there is also a pub located out by the bullpen and the Hit it Here Café named after those ads of yore that featured Ken Griffey Jr. sending balls into the stratosphere. The Bullpen Pub offers a view from beneath the scoreboard and you can also retire to terraces that are located atop the stadium. These offer a view of the field and, if the action has turned against the home team, you can turn around and admire Puget Sound. If it is a night game you may have one of the best views for a Pacific Northwest sunset. TV monitors and a radio feed will keep you in tune with what is happening virtually anywhere you choose to roam in the stadium and it is the type of place where you will want to see everything there is to see.   One area where you will be most welcome is the Team Store. The Mariners pride themselves on their retail division and it is a model that has been studied by other franchises. As of yet no one has come close to capturing the retail fervor that is found at Safeco. The Team Store is two levels and covers more square feet than retail in any other stadium. The usual can be found on the first level, but the real treat is the second level. Upstairs is where collectibles like autographed items and game used merchandise is found. Since the store outsells any other MLB outlet they get to pick stuff outside of the Mariners, so you could get an autographed David Ortiz shoe, an autographed picture of Nolan Ryan the night he stopped a ball up the middle with his teeth and a Derek Jeter autographed baseball.   Another unique feature to the Team Store is the personalized jersey service. Let’s say you are watching the game and you decide you must have a Roy Corcoran jersey. Or, perhaps you favor having a jersey with your name on the back, or that of your favorite Player Press scribe. All you have to do is purchase a blank jersey and pay to have it personalized. It will be ready for you before the game ends. The man who does the work, Jerry Thornton, also does the embellishing for the team and owns a business where he provides the same service for the Seahawks, Sounders FC, Washington Huskies and a variety of local teams. I’ve even watched him do spot repairs for road teams and attach All Star patches to players uniforms who got picked to the gala. Safeco is the only stadium offering such a service and it is both unique and worth the investment.   If all of this sounds great, but you are fearful of making the trip and encountering the infamous Seattle rain, remember, Safeco has a roof. If the rains come they will close it. Try getting that service in NYC, Boston or Chicago.   You will need accommodations and you can take refuge in a location that is close to the stadium and within walking distance of downtown. The Silver Cloud, a hotel chain from Oregon, has a fantastic facility located across the street from Safeco at 1st and Royal Brougham. It is less than three years old and has an excellent sport themed bar and dining area. Along with being across the street from the ballpark, you are around the corner from Qwest Field, that would be dynamite if you pick a time when both the Mariners and Sounders FC are in town; baseball one night and futbol the next. It also is a block away from two brew pubs. The Pyramid brewery and restaurant is across the street from Safeco on 1st Ave. and the Elysian brewpub is a block north of the Silver Cloud on 1st.  First Avenue will also take you downtown to more restaurants, the Seattle Art Museum and keeps you in walking distance of the Pike Place Market.   The Pike Place Market is a famous food, clothing and sundries market sitting on Elliot Bay. If you don’t think you are familiar with it you are wrong. It is the place where they show the guys tossing the fish every time national television sets up a camera in Seattle. It is an old, barn like structure that has several levels accessible by steps, elevators and ramps. There is plenty of good, inexpensive food to be had, including fresh made mini donuts that are sold by the half dozen and up.    Seattle is known for a music scene that exploded with the popularity of Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, but music has always been a staple in the Emerald City. Back in the day Ray Charles developed his chops in Seattle and Quincy Jones is a home town guy who still resides here. The Triple Door on Union St. and Jazz Alley on 6th Ave. cater to jazz, blues, soul, country music worth hearing and rock that isn’t the standard “alternative” fare. The Triple Door is an easy walk from Royal Brougham and while I would hike to Jazz Alley you can grab a reasonably priced cab, or even try your hand at riding King County Metro; the bus service that runs through Seattle.    The great thing about Seattle is that it is a west coast city where you can walk to your destination.  If you want to avoid the construction on 1st Ave. you can take my favorite route to and from the stadiums and walk on Occidental. Occidental is a street east of 1st Ave that fronts Qwest and will lead you through Pioneer Square. Pioneer Square is part of the old town of Seattle and the architecture is worth stopping and savoring. You will be hit on by panhandlers in Pioneer Square, but welcome to any city in the US.   Before game time you can head over to the Space Needle which was built for the 1960 World’s Fair. It costs $13.00 to go up to the top of the Needle, so I’ll let you decide if it is worth that investment. The Needle is located in the Seattle Center which is also home to the Experience Music Project; a museum dedicated to music, and a curious arena named the Key that spends most of its time alone with its memories of glory days. The Seattle Center is north of downtown.   Another thing to do is take a ride on the ferry to Bainbridge Island. That is the ferry terminal closest to Safeco and it takes you across Elliott Bay and docks at Bainbridge. The Bainbridge dock is on beach front property that contains restaurants and retail. It is quaint and overpriced, but I recommend it over the money spent riding an elevator to the top of the Space Needle. Plus, the ferry ride is something you have to do if you are a visitor.   The Mariners may be a work in progress, but their home and the surrounding city is complete and worth the trip. While I recommend the weather anytime of the year, you may want to arrive in summer when temperatures are lower than most of the country with blue sky and little chance of rain. If you can’t wait to get here, remember, we have a roof, so the game is always on.   0.0.0.0

2009-03-24T15:07:00-04:00

sports-travel-the-grass-is-always-greener

Yes 72.30.142.117, 66.249.68.248, 83.167.62.168, 174.46.170.180, 65.55.207.26, 66.249.67.34, 208.115.111.246, 174.133.177.66, 208.115.111.243, 195.210.57.83, 85.10.242.138, 174.127.132.10, 76.117.159.193, 67.195.115.163, 65.55.207.53, 66.249.67.133, 67.195.110.182, 38.108.180.163, 67.195.113.245, 125.16.65.6, 91.181.100.220, 66.249.68.227, 212.235.107.33, 67.195.112.109, 38.100.41.67, 66.249.68.242, 66.249.67.110, 89.189.137.21, 66.249.67.43, 69.58.178.30, 76.218.218.210, 74.61.61.235, 216.129.119.11, 92.241.182.24, 67.195.115.106, 65.55.207.47, 67.195.114.233, 71.238.254.92, 89.253.70.223, 66.249.67.8, 71.227.232.163, 67.195.112.153, 67.195.112.159, 65.55.207.76, 67.195.111.172, 67.202.15.176, 123.125.66.37, 65.55.207.45, 66.249.67.55, 93.182.136.150, 163.1.5.153, 209.249.53.34, 38.100.41.105, 69.58.178.27, 67.218.116.131, 66.249.67.122, 202.191.127.4, 66.249.68.233, 66.235.124.58, 87.250.252.241, 212.227.136.205, 95.27.154.80, 173.212.246.154, 65.55.106.107, 123.125.66.25, 123.125.66.23, 85.25.124.4, 94.75.229.132, 67.195.110.174, 85.25.124.167, 66.249.67.229, 72.30.142.170, 174.127.132.159, 65.55.110.36, 38.105.83.12, 216.129.119.14, 92.241.182.23, 208.115.111.244, 65.55.106.135, 74.53.3.132, 66.249.65.115, 65.55.106.209, 64.180.84.115, 208.115.111.245, 216.9.9.200, 65.55.106.111, 66.249.67.78, 38.99.98.163, 174.127.132.155, 67.195.110.183, 207.81.166.116, 66.249.67.84, 173.183.76.251, 66.249.67.116, 93.174.95.160, 74.124.195.29, 65.55.106.205, 72.70.165.116, 67.170.216.209, 69.249.17.32, 76.28.68.196, 99.155.40.197, 67.164.173.19, 66.249.68.204, 65.55.106.183, 98.250.132.212, 95.25.229.23, 66.249.68.163, 123.125.66.83, 65.55.108.242, 67.195.112.114, 65.55.107.182, 66.249.67.167, 66.249.68.149, 38.100.41.112, 38.99.97.10, 67.195.37.188, 67.195.111.44, 66.249.68.117, 65.55.207.102, 67.195.112.88, 69.58.178.29, 38.100.8.50, 67.195.115.39, 65.55.207.22, 99.37.224.206, 66.249.67.91, 69.115.240.20, 66.249.68.81, 198.54.202.182, 66.249.67.37, 71.227.156.190, 174.127.132.112, 67.195.114.230, 81.141.46.67, 123.125.66.124, 66.249.68.42, 69.58.178.26, 67.195.110.171, 95.211.83.88, 66.249.67.54, 66.235.124.55, 67.195.113.247, 66.249.67.75, 66.128.169.94, 216.104.15.142, 174.129.152.208, 207.46.195.234

Sports Travel: The Grass is Always Greener

No MLB, Mariners, Safeco Field

Sports Travel: The Grass is Always Greener

writer