20?!
Woah! I started this ballpark journey 3 years ago having only ever been to 2 parks and here I am with 20 down, 10 to go! I'm so close!
Woah! I started this ballpark journey 3 years ago having only ever been to 2 parks and here I am with 20 down, 10 to go! I'm so close!
Saturday morning, I went for an easy shakeout run around downtown Cleveland. I was staying about half a mile from the ballpark so I ran down to the stadium, picked up a ticket, finished my run and headed back to get changed for the game.
It was a 1:00 game and I got there around 12:15 with plenty of time to walk around the stadium. I made my first stop at the Team Store to buy my collector's pin that I get from every stadium and then walked around.
Formerly the Cleveland Molly McGuires, the team became the Indians to honor baseball's first Native American, Louis Sockalexis, who played in Cleveland in 1897-1899. So, I guess that kind of makes up for the whole...controversial name thing. Though I very much appreciate that true Cleveland fans just call them "The Tribe."
Anyway, Cleveland pays true testament to their history all throughout the ballpark which is really cool.
The Market Pavillion is an area with food and beer that leads to Heritage Park, Progressive Field's Hall of Fame which was one of the nicer ballpark Halls of Fame I've seen.
Emily and I had planned to meet up at the game and just as I was leaving Heritage Park, she texted to let me know she had got to her seats so I made my way over to meet her.
We had great seats! Right behind home plate, which was a lot of fun! The game was pretty exciting with Cleveland winning 4-2...blowing the lead in the top of the 9th and then winning with a walk off.
I really liked Cleveland. They automatically get a point for the fact that you can walk around the whole stadium. I love that in a stadium. I can't comment on the food since I didn't have any (I know!) but the game itself was a lot of fun. They do a Hot Dog race which is similar to the Sausage Race (Milwaukee) or the President's Race (DC) or the Taco Bell Hot Sauce Race (Houston)...which...I don't know why because they're so ridiculous, but there is something about people dressed as mascots running around the warning track tripping over each other that cracks me up.
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This brings me to my biggest issue with Progressive FIeld...or rather the Cleveland Indians as a whole. When I think of the Cleveland Indians, I think of this guy:
So apparently does everyone else because a Google Image search of "Cleveland Indians" yields about 9,573,583,381 images of this guy...who I thought was the Cleveland Indians mascot...until there I am, sitting in my seat, watching the game when this guy shows up:
What is that thing? It looks like the what would happen if Wally the Green Monster, the Philly Phanatic and Barney all had a baby together. Apparently his name is Slider and somehow, somehow he was elected to the Mascot Hall of Fame with Mr. Met (Baseball's ORIGINAL mascot and the future officiant at my wedding). This is unacceptable. I'm sorry but I don't know what that thing is. While it would probably be racially insensitive and piss a lot of people off to have a red Indian running around...he's still their 'mascot' or logo or whatever the hell he is, so just go with it, Cleveland.
#endrant
So, there you have it. Ballpark #20. I had a blast with Emily and her husband and I think I should start incorporating day games at the stadiums I haven't been to yet with races because it was the perfect way to relax before a race...and it must have worked because I still managed to PR! Here's where I have left to go:
Seattle (Mariners)
Oakland (A's)
Los Angeles (Dodgers and Angels)
San Diego (Padres)
Arizona (Diamondbacks)
St. Louis (Cardinals)
Minnesota (Twins)
Detroit (Tigers)
Miami (Marlins)
20 down, 10 to go! With tentative plans for two more in July, I'm getting close!
Love this breakdown. We saw the stadium, but didn't get to cross it off our list because we didn't go to a game. This made me excited for our trip back :)
ReplyDeleteI am laughing SO hard at your rant about slider!! He's ridiculous, not sure what he is either. But that's who my dog is named after hahaha. I'm really glad you liked Cleveland! Next time you come back you will have to get a bratwurst! Or a hot dog with stadium mustard :)
ReplyDeleteIf you love races between people dressed as mascots- you'll enjoy the Miami Marlins Sea Creature race for sure whenever you get around to making it to their stadium!
ReplyDeleteWhere are you tentatively going in July? I promise, when my life gets in order, I can help you knock out at least 3. Email for further curiosities! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're so close! I love this adventure of yours!
Love the description of this and the people in the hot dog suits; I agree that that's hilarious! I
ReplyDeletewill def be following your blog from now on : ) I found it after starting a bucket list blog a few days ago and looking for other bucket list bloggers, if you want to check it out! I look forward to reading more of your posts