I've maintained my love of the game to this day for a couple of reasons. I love the ballpark experience, soaking up the atmosphere around and in the stadium, eating health foods such as hot dogs, peanuts, nachos, etc. Also, baseball unlike the other major sports allows you to sit back relax and carry on a conversation while the game is going on and the best part is that so many of the games that I've been to that conversation has been with Beth, Ben and Sarah.
Living in Texas we frequently had access to Rangers tickets that we took advantage of frequently. One of the great things about the Rangers games is that you can bring in your own food and drinks. Beth and I would load up Ben and Sarah along with enough food to feed a small army and have a great time at the ballpark.
For Ben's 13th birthday we took him to New York to a Yankees game (he was a big Yankee & Derek Jeter fan at that time). We took the subway out to the stadium and I can still remember his eyes lighting up when Yankee Stadium came into view.
Some of my favorite "Tucker Road Trips" were baseball road trips. We did one that included 4 games in four days (White Sox & Cubs games in Chicago, Brewers game in Milwaukee and a Twins game in Minnesota. We also did one that included an Orioles game in Baltimore, Nationals game in Washington and Phillies game in Philadelphia. We've also done games in numerous other cities including San Diego, St. Louis and Kansas City to name a few. These were great trips and now that the kiddo's are full fledged adults I appreciate them even more.
Keeping in mind that with all or part of the family in tow they were all great experiences. Below are a few of my favorite parks:
Wrigley Field and Fenway Park-Hey, I'm not only old, I'm old school. I love the old parks that are located in neighborhoods like these two parks. If you go to either of them go early and take in all the activities around the stadium where every game day is a party.
Yankee Stadium (the original one)-I have to admit that everytime I went there I got chills thinking about all the greats that played there. Ruth, Mantle, DiMaggio, etc. and the late, great Bob Sheppard on the PA.
Camden Yards-Great location with the warehouses in the outfield. Try Boog Powell's BBQ if you go!
Petco Park-San Diego Great setting but be warned that even if it's been a hot mid-summer day in San Diego when the sun goes down it's going to be chilly.
Candlestick Park-San Francisco Clam Chowder in a bread bowl and baseball....a winning combination!
Honorable Mentions include: Minute Maid Park (Houston), Kaufman Stadium (Kansas City), Safeco Field (Seattle) and Globe Life Park (Rangers).
I'd be remiss if I didn't give a James update:
He's had a great first Monday and continues to get cuter by the minute. Sarah is doing excellent and Joey is such a big help to both of them. It's a joy just to sit back and watch them!
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| Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Rays)- Where the majority of fans show up disguised as empty seats! |
