Game #98-Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers vs Los Angeles Dodgers

Comerica Park

August 20, 2018

Headed back to Indianapolis again, but this is the first time for a new client in about 2 years.  I guess I should be excited about the fact that I will be in a great viewing area for the total eclipse that is going to take place on Monday the 21^st (Indy should be at about 91% vs 58% back in San Diego), but honestly I just wanted to take advantage of my proximity to Detroit so I could knock off my final team in that city…also they just so happen to be playing my Dodgers.  On paper 300 miles seems bad, the 4.5 hour estimated drive on google maps is worse, but the actual drive is fairly mind numbing.  Todays technology is great, I set up my phone in the car with my map app on and was on my way, but seeing the miles s-l-o-w-l-y tick away is rough.  At one point I needed to just turn off the screen because I knew I had 96 miles to go on one freeway but all I was doing was looking at the screen every 5 minutes.  “How can I still have 92 miles to go!!!!”.  But after a while I got into a groove, put on some Kevin and Bean podcasts, had the cruise control set for 79mph, and the radar detector was in the right position to spot cops.  By the time I entered the parking lot it was after 9pm and I was wiped.  Mind you, I was up at 4:30am PST so this was a 13.5 hour travel day.  I got to my room, went out for a drink at the Whiskey Parlor, and headed to bed around midnight.  I didn’t move all night until the alarm at 9:30am…

Game day I initially had big plans.  I was going to drive to the University of Michigan to check out the campus and then maybe go for a run along the board walk to look across the river to Canada, but I had no energy for that.  Instead I had breakfast, went to the gym, took a nice long shower and then packed so I could go straight from the game to the car and back on the road to Indy. 

I was just in Detroit a year ago for the Lions game so I had an opportunity to check out Comerica (Tigers Field) before.  They have awesome statues around the park, banners on the poles, and an old timey feel to the building.  The stadium is 17 years old now but the architects didn’t miss a beat for the fans.  Tigers were everywhere.  Be it statues, pictures, even a carousel in the Tigers Den, they really did it up.  I was also really glad to see that they paid homage to the old teams.  This franchise has been around since 1901 and although they have only won the world series 4 times (1935, 1945, 1968 and 1984), there is a lot of history.  So in each section of the park the builders put up these cool displays with mitts, banners, player pics, championship trophies while underneath where display cases with notable players like Ty Cobb and their jerseys, gloves and bats.  Not to mention in the outfield the statues of all the players who have had their numbers retired is a great addition (Al Kaline, Charlie Gehringer, Hal Newhouser, Willie Horton, Hank Greenburg and Ty Cobb).

As for the game, it was a pitchers duel for most of the afternoon.  Kenda Maeda looked sharp until the 6^th inning when the Tigers put on a hitting clinic getting 5 hits and 4 runs to take a 4-1 lead into the 7^th.  To that point, new Dodgers outfielder Curtis Granderson knock a ball off the foul pole for his first homer in the uniform but that was not enough vs all-star Justin Verlander.  Once the Tigers got the lead they only extended it in the 8^th with a two run homer from Miguel Cabrera and there was no looking back.  Normally I would stay to the end of the game, especially since this was a day game and the Dodgers ability to come back this year, but with the 300 mile drive back to Indy I called it quits the bottom of the 9^th hoping to avoid any additional traffic.  I didn’t miss anything as the Tigers won 6-1 ending LA’s six game win streak holding them to 87-35 for the year. 

Most notable thing about the game were the people around me.  All were very friendly, I had great conversations about the history of the Tigers, the old stadium, the upswing of the Detroit area, and the father/son behind me were awesome.  They clearly loved being with each other and I gave the kid a bit of strife when I found out he was a Giants fan (as well as Tigers follower).  He likes Buster Posey, can’t fault him cause the guy is a great player, but I let the kid know that I boo’ed BP at the world baseball classic even with him being on my team.  Too funny. 

Game #97- New York City Football Club

New York City Football Club vs. New England Revolution Yankee Stadium May 31, 2017 I’m in New Jersey for a pitch meeting, but because it takes so long to fly out to the east coast I needed to arrive a day early. That allowed me to make my way to New York to catch a soccer game between the New York City Football Club and New England Revolution. The game took place in the new Yankee Stadium which looks very similar to the old building. They mimicked the upper rafters, the front of the stadium has the same facade, and the layout of the field all play homage to the original ballpark that was demolished just a few years ago (now there is a sort of sports complex in its place). I was able to snag a good seat almost dead center field to enjoy the action. I was excited to see super star David Villa on the pitch. After seeing him play for Spain for years in the World Cup, it was cool to have him lead the new franchise NYCFC to a possible home win. The action started early with a quick goal by Jack Harrison in the 16 minute to give NY an early lead but it was quickly equalized by Kei Kamara in the 24th minute to tie the game. It wasn’t until the second half in which Miguel Camargo placed a perfect ball into the net to give the home team the lead again making the crowd of nearly 30,000 jump to their feet, feeling they surely will come away with 3 points. But after a brilliant ball juggle and pass by Kelyn Rowe, Xavier Kouassi headed in the tying goal into the left side of the net for a final 2-2 draw. The game ended right on time because as the players were leaving the field it started to drizzle and by the time I got back to the car it was pouring. The highlight of the game was the chant from the NYCFC faithful. After several clear dives trying to gain a card or set piece, the supporters club started screaming “Masshole, Masshole, Masshole!!!!” So funny. The other part of the game that was somewhat entertaining/annoying was the d-bag sitting two rows in front of me. He was the typical loud, obnoxious “fan” who doesn’t actually watch the team let alone sport. He had a brand new team hat (on backwards, off course) and jersey that were clearly bought that day, and was drunkenly screaming at ever call against NY. Clearly the intention was to have his conversation heard by everyone around him not just the 4 dudes sitting in his row. “D bag” made a $100 bet that NY would not lose with 20 minutes left in the game. So when the Revs tied it with 4 minutes left I was laughing out loud along with the rowdy dudes next to me who were in town from Manchester.

I walked around the stadium to take some pictures, but it really didn’t have much displayed. Perhaps everything was in the area in the outfield (obviously it was all Yankee centric) where the retired player numbers and plaques are located, but I don’t think you can get down there unless you are on a stadium tour.

Game #96- Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Chesapeake Arena February 24, 2017 I haven’t been to Oklahoma City in about 8-9 years, nothing has really changed. The first time I made my way out it was for one of my best friend’s engagement party with his soon to be wife’s family. They live in the area and were throwing a huge party. The flights and hotel were cheap so we headed out for a weekend of partying. During that time we were able to check out Bricktown but only shortly because it was pouring rain and, as you can imagine, thunder (OKC team name) and lightning everywhere. This time around, coming home from a work trip, the weather was much nicer. Although extremely chilly outside (around 45 degrees), there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. So before the Thunder game I decided to run the canal that goes through Bricktown in order to take some pictures of the buildings, the baseball stadium, the Centennial Land Run Monument, as well as the Oklahoma River. It’s a very unique area and the brick buildings remind me of the Three Little Pigs, the tornados in the area can huff and puff but won’t blow these bad boys down. After the run I headed back to the hotel to get ready for the game. I chose to come out here to knock off a game but also because the Lakers were in town. Although my home team is awful (again) this year, it was good to dust off the old purple and gold jersey to cheer on the Lake Show in person. I fully anticipated a steamrolling by the Thunder with their high power office lead by Russell Westbrook, the home crowd, and a lackluster LA team hitting the floor…suffice to say I wasn’t disappointed. In the first 5 minutes of the game OKC controlled the ball, the boards, and three’s. The building was rocking every time the Thunder shot and made a basket which happened a lot in the first half. By the end of the night Westbrook had his 28th triple double of the season (65th of his career) while the only highlight from the LA squad was D’Angelo Russel’s 29 hard fought points in the paint. The Lakers were blown out 110 to 93 without much fanfare at the end of the game.

OKC is a fairly new franchise, spawning from the old Seattle Supersonics, so they don’t have much in terms of fanfare displays as you can imagine. Also the arena is really new, so as in all of these types of buildings, there isn’t much to look at except the lightning machine over head in the rafters. So the highlight of the game for me was that Magic Johnson was in the building. Everywhere he walked people were trying to take pictures/selfies with him. At his seat fans were consistently attempting to bypass the security to get to him (never worked), except one person. Wouldn’t you know a beautiful, big chested woman asked to take a picture with MJ and when security went to push her away you could see Magic saying “No, no, no man. It’s cool…” Oh to be a celebrity. Ha!