Sunday Night Baseball

Growing up in LA, Sunday night baseball was always a big thing. 5:00 game on a Sunday afternoon. Early enough to enjoy the whole thing. Late enough to be a special Sunday thing. I grew up such a big baseball fan I watched almost every week, even when the Braves wernt playing.

Then I moved to Boston. First for college, now for real life. In college, The games were still great. Heck, 8pm was still 15 hours before my first class at 11am. I was still in a fantasy land.

Then, real life but. Sunday's wernt as fun anymore, and the Sunday night game wasn't quite as common. Sure I would tune in if the Braves were playing or I needed a win from my fantasy pitcher, but it wasn't an every week thing anymore....

...and that has made it kind of special.

Last week, in Sunday night. I attended the Red Sox-Yankees Sunday night game. It was my first since probably 2011 and I was pumped.

The crowd was too. It was game 2 of a Double Header. The Sox had lost earlier in the day and their lead dwindled to 1.5 games. It was Price vs Tanaka. Betts vs Judge. It was going to be a showdown.

The specifics of the game aren't that important. The Sox won 3-0 in a close game with a lot of intensity. Jackie Bradley Jr robbed Aaron Judge of a homerun with one of the better catches I've ever seen live and the Kimbrel closed it out with 2 on in the 9th.

But that was the least important part. It was more fun going to the game with my dad. Sitting behind the dugout, enjoying a beer, having a laugh and doing an uncountable amount of "would you rather". The lateness and rarity added to the fun, as it's a game time neither of us are used to seeing.  In the end, I appreciate the late start, The rarity, and the fun I got to have on a late Sunday night.

One piece of advice, but an extra shot in that coffee on Monday AM.

The Cape

There's nothing quite like baseball on a Sunny afternoon. My favorite part of watching baseball games is the the ambiance is different everywhere you go. The site lines, crowd, food, chatter and more. There is always so much going on!


 Last night I was lucky enough to take my 6 week old daughter to Orleans in Cape Cod to her first baseball game - the Orleans Firebirds vs the Brewster Whitecaps. This was extra special for me. I have traveled to every MLB stadium with my dad and brother in trips since I was 7. I wrote my college essay about my baseball trips. My best friends today are guys I played little league with. So you could imagine The excitement when I could bring my daughter to a game, alongside my dad, wife, sister and father-in-law.

The field in Orleans is like I've never seen. Minimal bleachers set up behind home and in the outfield, and instead fields of grass down the lines for folks to set up picnics, lawn chairs or just sit on the cool grass. Though the sitelines were not great,the atmosphere was! Kids everywhere running around, food good baseball, and enough space for everyone to enjoy. Free entrance, Programs and cheap food along with all this space made bringing my baby extra easy and extra special.

For those unaware, the Cape Cod Baseball League is the summer league with the cream of the College crop. Guys like Chris Bryant, Aaron Judge and Chris Sale have all showcased their skills here. In fact, in 2016 279 MLB players came from the cape league. Everywhere games are free, fan friendly and nearly every day. Below are some pictures of my trip with my baby girl. I'm excited to go to many more!I

group at the game

view from the seats

selfie with my girl!

group selfie from our seats

Bringing Things Back

Boy its been a long time! And a lot has happened since I worked on this blog as a graduate out of school...I think its time to bring this sucker back, even if just for fun. So lets see how it works! I'll be blogging my trips, cool events, ideas to make sports fun again and much more. If anything just to keep me on my toes during my trips.... First blog coming back at you this week as I head to spring training with my pops - a little last father son trip before some big life events come! T

Fantastic Site: Sports Trekker

http://sportstrekker.com/

If you haven't already done so, check out Sportstrekker.com. A fantastic site currently in development will turn into the one stop look for Sports Travelers. Fantastic articles about events all over the world, commentary on cities/events/stadiums and user generated advice what to do when traveling to multiple different types of sporting events. When you get a chance, check it out!

Interesting Article: Comparing the Two Outdoor Hockey Games

http://www.bcinterruption.com/2010/2/16/1309238/frozen-fenway-vs-camp-randall

Great article comparing the two.  In different cities, in two different types of venues, with different rivalries on the line, this article takes a look at it all.  Even with all the things better about Camp Randall Stadium (food, better seats, better game experience) I would not change my experience at the Frozen Fenway, and neither would this writer, giving it the 4-3 edge.  After reading this, heres my likes and dislikes about my experience.

What I liked about Fenway Park:

1) Pre-game atmosphere.  It was exciting.  I went to the Cask n' Flagon and then and had a blast.  Fans from both teams were all over the place getting excited for the game and having a hockey game on before helped get the hockey feeling going

2) The nostalgia.  I've been to Fenway Park many times, but this was an awesome experience.  It snowed for most of the 1st period giving it the true outdoor feel.

3) The rivalry.  Glad it was BC-BU and nothing else.  I'm also glad it wasnt the Beanpot which many were hoping for as the viewing experience wasn't great and that game is too big for fans not to be able to see.  It also could have prevented BC and BU from playing in the finals.

What I wish Fenway Park Had:

1) A tradition like Camp Randall.  The jump around video scene from the hockey game below is one of the great traditions in College Football and its great that it spread to College Hockey



2) Change in Food and Drink.  I know that its Fenway Park, so Fenway Franks should be everywhere, but there has to be some sort of hockey (cold weather) food they could have served.  Hot chocolate wasn't enough and some sort of warm meal may have done the trick to keep warm.

3) Better Seats/ Big Screens.  Nothing Fenway park could do about this, but they could have put a screen near the ice so fans in center field knew what was going on.  The experience there was more about the party, which was a blast, but would have liked to see more.

Overall, I never would give my experience up for any other game, but its cool to see the differences.

Hidden Gem: Daytona 500

Because it's the Mother of All Races for NASCAR Daddies.  This is pure party, party, party.  The winner is considered the Super Bowl Champion and it leads to the entire season.

Video You May Not Have Seen

Hidden Gem: Caribbean World Series

 February is a tough sports month for a fan like me.  No baseball, no football, cold weather.  Well that can change.  If you want to see some of the best, most passionate baseball, head down South to the Caribbean  World Series, a baseball tournament held this year in Estadio Nueva Esparta in Porlamar, Margarita Island, Venezuela in February.

The Caribbean World Series is affiliates with the Winter League programs of the MLB featuring many players from the Major Leagues as well as the Dominican Winter League, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League and Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.  The winner is decided in a round robin tournament, where each team plays the others twice in a Round Robin Style.

Fans at the Caribbean World Series are some of the most wild fans in all of sports.  Rabid fans from Mexico, the Caribbean and even some lucky ones from the USA travel down to the chosen location (this year it is in Venezuela)  to enjoy the atmosphere.  Fans jeer back and forth the entire game, trying to will their team to victory.  Don't worry, this jeering is mostly friendly.  In between innings, fans will be found dancing together in the stands and even on the dugouts and will be seen hanging together after the game.  The Caribbean World Series, in fact, is considered one of the most fan friendly atmospheres in sports.  Little kids constantly run on the field for autographs, where they are met with a smile and a hug.

Trivia Question

Trivia Question of the day: can you name two sports in which the participants move backwards most of the time in attempting to win? There are 3

Hidden Gem: Beanpot Classic

Tonight is the start of a 2 day tournament (first two Monday's in February) for the biggest college hockey crown in Boston.  BC, BU, Harvard and Northeastern compete for the coveted Beanpot trophy and a chance at bragging rights for a year.

For those outside of Boston, this may seem like another 4 team tournament.  However, to those in Boston, this means as much as a National Championship.  4 teams, many of the kids had played against eachother growing up, fighting for a chance at being called Boston's best for an entire year.  In the words of ESPN "You'll never see athletes competing this hard for a beanpot anywhere else."

This game brings all schools together, the whole city of Boston, for two nights.  Fans from BC, BU Harvard and Northeastern fill up the entire stadium in hopes that their team can win the crown and claim the title.  The atmosphere is wild, the games are well played and the bars are always packed.  Here's Sports Bound's Guide to the Beanpot Classic.

There are two games today.  BC takes on Harvard at 5:00 in the opening match, and the nightcap holds reining champion BU against last years runner-up, Northeastern.  If you are a BC or a Harvard fan, I'd head over to the Garden area around 3:30 to experience the pregame festivities.  However, if your a BU or a Norhteastern fan.  No need to rush.  Arrive at 5 and watch the first game from the loads of bars and restaurants around, enjoy the atmosphere before you go cheer on your team.  Before the game, bar hop at some of the most popular bars in Boston, called “Bars on steroids.”  Start off at Boston Beer Works, a two story facility that is the oldest and largest brewery and restaurant in the Boston Area.  Shoot some pool, play some darts and try one of 50 different Beers, Ales and Lagers.  If that is too small for you, head over to The Greatest Bar.  Part sports bar part night club the Greatest Bar features a lot of big screens (including a 14 inch projector screen), plus DJ’s and live music.  On game nights, the Greatest Bar plays a 90 minute video highlighting the greatest moments in Bruins history, good way to get the people pumped up!  Another great spot is Hurricane O’Reillys.  This bar is popular not just on game days but other nights, specifically for young to mid 20’s Boston residents.  Enjoy these bars before and after the game, and get ready to be back next week!

From Seeing the Sports: Frozen Fenway: BC v. BU

It was the perfect setting.  20 degrees, slight wind, falling snow and college hockey.  An experience of a lifetime, BC v. BU, the greatest rivalry in college hockey, in one of the greatest, most historic sports venues in American history.  From the opening trip to The Cask 'N Flagon (rated the #2 Sports Bar in America according to ESPN), our stop to Game On, the game, and our final bar hop the gameday experience was a once in a lifetime event.

To quote ESPN: With any luck, it won't be the last "show on ice" played at Fenway Park, and with any luck, I'll be there again.   

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4819957

Video You May Not Have Seen: What a Goal

There are so many great parts to this video.  1. More than one guy messes with the defense as they are making moves towards the goal. 2. All the amazing moves 3. The pure excitement when they put it in.  Really fun to watch.

In My Opinion: StubHub

Last night I went to the Celtics-Clippers Game.  My buddy and I decided to go on Saturday night, after remembering that our hometown team was in Boston and (unlike the Lakers) would probably be reasonably priced. 

Anyway, we bought our tickets on StubHub.com on Sunday morning and were in to go.  The tickets were amazingly cheap, but the service charge was just obnoxious.  I understand they need to make money, but a $15 buck "Late Pick-up Fee" was a little annoying, considering I would have picked them up whether I purchased it on Sunday or a month ago.

That being said, I was very happy with my experience.  I work in Charlestown about a 25-30 minute walk from the garden (or a quick 2 stop T-ride to North Station).  Since it was a nice day, I decided to walk.  After arriving with my buddy at around 7:20, I was amazed at how quick and efficient picking up Stub Hub Tickets were.  Their meeting spot is the Greatest Bar which, if I wasnt trying to save a few bucks, I would have stopped off before and had a few drinks as the place has a great atmosphere, is decently priced and has a lot of screens.  As soon as I arrived to the Greatest Bar, I was quickly escorted to the 3rd floor where a booth of StubHub people were there ready to give me my ticket.  There was hardly a line (I had to wait for 2 people in front of me) and they quickly found my tickets, got them to me, had me sign them and get me off toward the Arena.

As I walked in, I noticed that there were tons of people waiting in line for Will Call or Ticketmaster Machine Pick-Up.  I realized that the "extra-fee" was easily worth it as I skipped that group, got into the arena, grabbed some food and was in my seat just before the 7:37pm tip-off.

The experience was great, the tickets were decent, and everything was efficiently run.  Overall, I recommend StubHub to guarantee your tickets and to get you in and out of the arena in time. 

NFC Title Game: Minnesota at New Orleans

The marquee matchup.  The one everyone wanted.  New Orleans - Minnesota.  The top two offenses in the NFC.  Two teams that destroyed their opponents last week in anticipation for this one.  The biggest party city in America.  I couldn't think of a better location for the Sunday Night NFC title game than New Orleans.  Will Brett Favre make it to his 3rd Super Bowl and make all the off season (and in season) controversy worth it?  Or will New Orleans, led by Drew Brees, make it to their first ever Super Bowl and officially remove the 'Aints nick name?  This place will be absolutely rocking all week, the streets will be crowded, the stadium will be loud.  If you can get a ticket to this one, I wouldn't give it up, this could be one of the best sports experiences of the year.

Capacity: 65,000

City Guide: New Orleans is famous as a party town, and for good reason. No matter what day or what time it is, there are always people partying in the Big Easy. New Orleans is home to the Saints of the NFL, who play at the Superdome downtown. The dome hosts the Sugar Bowl each year, and is also a frequent host to the Super Bowland Final Four. The NBA's Hornets play at New Orleans Arena, adjacent to the Superdome. New Orleans is fairly compact, with the airport about 15 miles west. As for expenses, it is not so much the prices but the excess that make the town slightly expensive; even cheap food and beer becomes pricey when consumed in large quantities. Hotels in New Orleans are no more expensive than in other cities (for normal weekends, ie, not Super Bowl or Final Four), and there are plenty of hotels to choose from.  

History: The Superdome, opened in August 1975, is the largest indoor facility in the country for football and with its 20,000 tons of structural steel is the biggest steel-constructed venue. Besides its sheer enormity it might not be much to look at, but, remember, you're only a mile from the French Quarter. The Saints Hall of Fame (415 Williams Blvd., in the Rivertown section of Kenner, La., west of New Orleans, Web site), honors the team with busts and paintings of the 33 inductees, exhibits, memorabilia and videos. The hall really is quite impressive, especially considering the team has never reached the Super Bowl. Close to $140 million was spent to repair damages to the Superdome suffered in August 2005 during Hurricane Katrina; nearly 30,000 people reportedly took refuge in the building following the hurricane.

Parking: The Superdome has a garage attached with paid parking available. For more information, call (504) 587-3805. Tailgating in New Orleans is good but not spectacular, mainly as a result of the hundreds of bars within walking distance of the Superdome. But there are still plenty of diehard tailgaters at Saints games. The main tailgating area is the roof of the parking garage next to the dome. The Superdome has rules prohibiting open fires, but people manage to grill anyway. There is an organized tailgate party, featuring live music. You can bring your own beer or buy it there.

Restaurants/Bars:

Acme Oyster House - Located half a block off Bourbon St, the Acme Oyster House gets very high marks for its raw oysters ($6.95/doz), jambalaya, and other entrees ($7-$15). There is usually a wait outside, but its worth it. Don't miss this place.

Mothers - Mothers has great Cajun cuisine, including breakfast. Po' Boys run $4-$9, and entrees run $10-$18. Located a few blocks from Canal Street, near Riverwalk.

Mr. B's Bistro - Mr. B's is a moderately priced restaurant that serves up authentic Cajun food and also features live music. Located a block from Bourbon Street.
Kerry Irish Pub - Kerry's is a small Irish bar with live music and no cover charge. Relax to some good music and a pint of Guiness.

Other Attractions: The French Quarter is full of shops, in addition to bars that never close. There is a D-Day Museum and a Marti-Gras Museum in town, and the Aquarium and IMAX theater are on the river just outside the Quarter.  The Riverwalk, on the Mississippi at the end of Canal Street, is full of shops and restaurants. Jazzland Theme Park is also nearby. Or, if you want to drink all day, just walk up and down Bourbon Street with a beer in your hand.

Hidden Gem: Conference Title Game

I'm sure you've seen it before... one of the top events in Sports is the AFC and NFC title games.  Why this over the Super Bowl you ask?  One reason: The Fans.  The Super Bowl is expensive, usually over-hyped, many times boring and only the Super Rich (and mostly not true) fans can go.  The Conference Championship games, however, are filled with wild fans and a super excitable atmosphere.

This years conference championship games take us to New Orleans and Indianapolis.  The top two teams all season, the way it was meant to be.

In the AFC, the suprising New York Jets travel to Indianapolis while in the NFC, Brett Favre hopes to head back to the Super Bowl, but Drew Brees and New Orleans hope to stop them and make their first ever trip.  Both games should be exciting. 

Look back later in the week for guides to both New Orleans and Indianapolis.  Where to go before the game, where to celebrate (or sulk) after, and how to enjoy the best atmospheres in football: Conference Title Games

From Seeing the Sports: The Final Game

Wonder who scheduled this?  When I first heard that the Jets were playing the last game at Giants Stadium, I was shocked.  Now, it turns out to be a brilliant decision.  While the Giants played a meaningless last homegame in which they lost by 30 points, the Jets one meant something.  Win, and your in.  Lose, and its over.  Jets playing for a shot to head to Cincinnati to play the Bengals.  While the big game didn't live up to its billing - the Jets won 37-0 - the excitement of the stadium made the trip worth it.

I arrived via the Port Authority in New York City and, once stepping out to the Meadowlands three hours before kickoff, instantly felt the cold of a windchill making the temperature 0 degrees.  This didn't stop the tailgating, however.  With the cold weather I was shocked to see all the busses, RV's and cars lined up with fire pits a blazing.  All over Jets fans were screaming "J-E-T-S Jets,Jets,Jets!" and Bengals fans trying to respond with "WhoDey? WhoDey? WhoDey Think Gona Beat Dem Bengals?"  It was a battle of teams chanting against eachother, drinking and eating to keep warm, and nostalgia filling the air hearing about the memories at Giants Stadium.  Halftime was filled with old Jets like Vinny Testaverde and Wayne Chrebet making appearances.

While I found tickets on Craigslist for 75 in the upper deck, I wasnt there for long.  After the 1st quarter, my friend who was in the second section at the 50 yard-line informed me that he had two extra seats near him and I ended up sitting at the 50 yard line in amazing seats.

At the end of the 3rd quarter, and a Jets blowout, I left the stadium with an enjoyable experience.  I walked and hopped on the bus back to Port Authority.  From there I walked over to Penn Station and hopped on a midnight bus back to Boston.  Though tired the next day at work from a long day of travel (especially after a whole New Years Weekend in New York) I appreciate my chance to be at the Meadowlands, to see history and add another memory to those that I currently have.

From Seeing the Sports: Going Bowling: Emerald Bowl

Most fans wouldn't be happy with a trip to the Emerald Bowl: a mid range, pre-New Years Bowl, played in a baseball stadium.  Yet I was excited.  I was going to get to see BC play USC, the local team that I always disliked, and close to my Christmas Trip in Los Angeles.

The trip started off with a morning flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco.  7:15 to be exact, a flight dominated by USC fans.  After a quick trip to San Francisco in which my brother talked the entire time about his career, love life and more about his career.  While he's the Junior in college I'm the one out of school, still not a convo I have every day.

At San Francisco, we checked into the Drury hotel near the stadium and took a nap, had some breakfast and began getting ready to head to the stadium.  A quick stop at a liquor store and we were on our way to the tailgates.  My good friend Dan Couch, who lives just outside San Francisco, set up an incredible tailgate just 5 minutes from the Stadium.  His tailgate, spanning three spots, consisted of beers, brats and burgers.  A perfect setting for a bowl game, sun was shining, food was great, and I was with a bunch of old friends.

Unfortunately, with about an hour before kickoff, things started to go downhill.  The rain began to come, harder, harder and harder and the disaster of getting to the game on time set in.  Waiting in a 20 minute line, in the rain, at a will call that was the other side of the stadium, is not a way to get ready for a big game.

Once we got in, thats when the excitement happened.  We pulled into our fantastic seats behind the bc bench on the 20 yard line about 20 rows up.  The seats were great and the game wasn't bad.  While we went down 14-0, a few exciting plays brought us with-in 1 at 14-13.  It was a wild few plays and a lot of fun.  A few bad calls including a blatant fumble overturned and a roughing the passer call, and BC ended up losing 24-13 but not with a few more chances.

The night ended with a trip to The Kells, a local bar filled with a very young crew.  While upstairs was quiet and peaceful, downstairs was filled with hip hop dance music and a wild crowd.

The next day in San Francisco involved a little football watching at a nearby sports bar, a trip to the Wharf which had fantastic eating and a little wine tasting and took a trip to Union Square for a little shopping.  We finished off the night with burgers and beer at a popular San Francisco joint: Gordon Biersch.  After filling up on a great local brew and a Giant Bacon & Mushroom Cheesburger.

While BC didn't pull it out, my overall trip was a lot of fun.  I got to hang out with friends, see a great game, and enjoy the great city of San Francisco. 

In My Opinion: Going Undefeated

Don't listen to what Peyton Manning has to say, ignore Joseph Addai and Reggie Wayne.  The Colts want to go undefeated.  If they don't, they're crazy.  Quick who won the 1987 Super Bowl?  Unless your a fan, you probably don't know it was the New York Giants.  Now try another one, who is the only team to go undefeated?  That's right, the Miami Dolphins (if you said the New England Patriots I'll also accept that as they did go 16-0).  Yes, the Super Bowl is the most important.  If someone is injured, I understand avoiding the risk and keeping him out, but the Colts have a chance at history, the chance to pass the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the greatest team ever. 

I don't care what you say, there is no better team.  Not the 1984 Chicago Bears who went 15-1 and dominated the Super Bowl, the greatest team is the only one that has never lost, the 1972 Miami Dolphins.  Michael Irvin recently said that he would give up all the other Super Bowls to have one full undefeated season.  while that may be a little bit of an over-exaggeration, I get his sentiment.  It gets harder and harder every year to set a record, or become a legend.  There aren't many things that NO ONE has done before.  One of the few left in the NFL - Go 19-0...

Peyton Manning has it all, 3 MVP's, a Super Bowl Trophy, and numerous individual records.  He may be one of the best players in NFL history.  Still, Peyton Manning is not a man of legend... this could make him that.  To describe Manning, I want to take a quote from one of my favorite movies of all time, The Sandlot.  In it, Babe Ruth speaks to one of the stars, Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez to motivate him.  Before he walks out of the scene, he said something that resonates perfectly for this situation "Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."  To me, you need to do something special to be this never dying legend.  One that not only were people not alive when you played, but they don't know anyone who was alive then either.  Babe Ruth is a legend, and Peyton can be too.  Go undefeated, go through the playoffs and win the Super Bowl.  This is your chance to become a legend Peyton.

I want to take a quote from one of my favorite movies, The Sandlot.  In this, Babe Ruth visits Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez to inspire him to go get his baseball and become a neighborhood legend.  After his inspirational talk Babe Ruth fades away stating "Remember Kid, Heroes Get Remembered, But Legends Never Die."  Babe Ruth is a legend, Peyton Manning is not.  This is Peyton Manning's chance to become a legend.  Go undefeated, win all your playoff games and win the Super Bowl.  If he does this, Peyton Manning will become a legend, and his memory will never die.

Go See Your Team

Stub Hub Bowl Site

If you want to go to the game, go, here's one way to get tickets...

Merry Christmas

Hello Everyone!

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! I hope your made it home safely and have a fantastic holiday. Look for future updates on my blog including Seeing The Sports recap of my trip to the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco and the College Winter Classic in Fenway as well as my Bowl recap! There is much more to come in Sports Bound to stay tuned!

Merry Christmas!

Sports Bound Guide