"In his domestic administration my father had this system . . . to keep a journal and insert in it all occurrences of any note . . . A record very pleasant to look at when time begins to efface the memory of events, and very well suited to get us out of perplexity: When was such and such a thing begun? When completed? What retinues came? How long did they stay? Our trips, our absences; marriages; deaths; the receipt of happy or unhappy news . . . An ancient custom, which I think it would be good to revive, each man in each man's home. And I think I am a fool to have neglected it." (Montaigne, Book I, Essay 35 (publ. 1580))
Courtesy of our customary tickets-via-POC, Romie attended his first in-person baseball game on 4 August.
It was delightful to have him along but perhaps we didn't pick the best game. The team was honoring its 20th anniversary team - meaning a lengthy battery of ex-player introductions accompanied by concussive scoreboard eruptions and raucous cheers from an immense crowd (38,000+). That's a rather challenging introduction for a rookie. But a fine time was had by all, even if the rook only made it through a couple innings. You have to start somewhere.
For those of us that stuck around: D'backs beat Giants!
All is good pregame as we buy H2O from our customary vendor.
Host-POC explains the situation to The Rookie. Etc.
As the years pass, I find that I like baseball more and more. This despite pace-of-play issues. Positive changes: "statcast" information is amazing; the super-slo-motion cameras let us see things previously unseen.
The fun has been much enhanced by POC's connection to the D'backs, and POC & NOC living right by the stadium. Super-convenient (and cost-effective) for tickets, parking, fun before and after. Works great.
NOC had a fine pre-game party for us.
2017 expectations for D'backs were low, but the team got off to a fast start, navigated some ups and downs, and eventually clinched a wild-card spot - meaning a one-game playoff with the Colorado Rockies.
most of our crew . . .
Via POC, a group of us bought tickets for the wild-card game - held October 4, 2017. Not that I've attended many high-profile sporting events - but I'm quite sure this was the most fun we've ever had a live sporting event. D'backs won - which was important - but (per line score below) - while they always maintained a lead, they never could quite put away the game. Long game, exciting throughout. The single-elimination format certainly puts the pressure on both teams. Large/lively crowd; our group was fun per usual.
our vantage point . . . full house
Within a couple days we were traveling to visit Kerry & Luis, so we missed the championship series games v. Dodgers; that didn't go so well. But a fun year.
Courtesy of POC (per usual), we had two fine baseball outings within the last few weeks.
With bride+groom-to-be, at a spring training game we intended to watch.
Outing #1 - driven by Kerry, actually - was a rare visit to a spring training game - Salt River Fields, where the D'backs played somebody on Tuesday, March 21. One problem - record-breaking heat - and POC had gotten tickets so good that our seats were in full sun for this afternoon game. We had some serious intentions of watching the game from those seats, but somehow never left the concourse. SRF does offer some good beer choices (food also); we avoided sunburn; and it was pretty pleasant if baseball-lite. Joined by attorneys from Greenberg Traurig. PJ makes dinner at the house after.
for some reason we never left the concourse
Outing #2 - Opening Day was Sunday, April 2. Downtown Phoenix packed for the Dbacks - and with visitors for the Final Four (games being played Sat/Mon in Glendale). We meet up downtown - coordinated by 706 folks - fantastic weather, moderate temps, a rare open roof for a day game.
Pre-game crew, early stages
Pre-game crew, gradually building attendance.
Carol & Jim joined for pregame, then started working their way back to Alaska. William Gales joined throughout. Dbacks struggle mightily but pull off a 5% win probability come-from-behind in the 9th inning. So that's always fun. Dinner at 706 after, a very enjoyable day indeed.
lovely afternoon, roof open, fine seats
Mini-reunion of Chaparral High School's [so-called] [and misnamed] "Adventure Club" (circa 1999) (with Jon)
PJr drove to San Diego with PJ shotgun; CPG 'n me holding down backseat. Nice and early start such that we made it for lunch by noon (despite too many stops enroute for some reason) at some BBQ joint ID'd by CPG. POC (already in town with D'Backs), NOC and EPG (arrived Thursday via driving down from LA together) met us for lunch. We heard that the three of them had an entertaining evening prior.
NOC hoping to be invited into photo.
Transportation up to U Cal San Marcos always requires a bit of planning; PJr and I score with Gaslight district Tahoe rental; PJ as always graciously DDs us back to San Diego after the event.
EPG's patented selfie technique.
The reception was, I think, the best yet for us. Better organized as to food. Better weather (the inland location sometimes can be a little hot). EPG creates spot-on tasting-tracking sheet. Beer is always good; I particularly like trying the casked versions.
Was it really "last call" if a relief-pourer volunteers to fill the breach?Love the "a lot more/big pour" compliments starting around 0:19 of this short (CPG-captured) clip (gratitude from patrons otherwise expecting their night was over):
Just a delightful evening. In addition to our group: Michael Cafiso for his third straight year of this, plus Chris Wagner - who puts up with, or promotes, our group's shenanigans and fits in seamlessly throughout. POC finagles the night off from his D'backs duties to join, unexpectedly. Nice.
NOC's Instagram compilation . . .
After the reception - PJ and I get the Tahoe returned - then join the group at a Gaslight area bar - lots of D'backs folks, a nice finish to a fun day.
NOC had a fine idea for belated PJr b'day observance - cupcakes from a fancy cupcake-vendor - but the evidence suggests the cupcakes didn't quite survive Wednesday night.
Saturday: PJ and I (joined by EPG) go for coffee/breakfast. Our entire group then gathers for lunch; we lose POC to work; lunch is followed by a Cafiso-sponsored afternoon of games/sipping/food at some Gaslamp place that worked quite nicely. Back to hotel for game prep, where we do a little in-house tailgate (NC-style) courtesy of Chris W. Petco Park - across the street - is quite lovely - we arrive in the 5th inning of a fast-moving game. The stadium is its own beer-heaven. D'backs win; we are able to make a bit of strategic racket at key late moments. Fun. Then we get a very late dinner - that's it for most of us, EPG/NOC/POC continue.
Sunday: coffee/breakfast for PJ 'n me (joined by PJr). Meet with the group and recap recent doings; then we go to lunch (a Greek place, really good); EPG napping in Audi as we hit the road for Phoenix. NOC joins us rather than waiting for team plane, which we like! Fun ride back, fun weekend . . .
We spent hours here on Saturday afternoon. Pleasant hours.
Thanks for the tix, POC (per usual). Lovely Saturday evening, fun game, D'backs win.
As D'back promotions go - this one caught our attention. (Especially CPG's attention, though his rigorous travel schedule prevented his attendance). D'backs offered a "tribal cap" to the first 20,000 customers - a fine-looking piece of head-wear. Still - that wasn't really enough - POC's influence is vast, but not vast enough to get hats for all, unless we actually went early and stood in line. Not an attractive prospect in mid-June.
Then the deal was sweetened - POC comes through with discounted tickets for the first-ever "Burgers & Beers" event that same evening - as you might speculate, this features burgers and beers - and a tribal hat! So PJ, NOC, PJr and I scurry down for the (Alison-driven) event - at the restaurant just west of the stadium.
OK, we don't really know these folks (save one) . . . but I rather adore the trophy they won.
The "burgers" portion of the evening was much better than expected - five respectable local restaurants competing for a trophy based on customer votes - and they did a great job. As for the beers, we approached this Bud-sponsored event with understandable trepidation - but with the recent acquisition of Four Peaks, that aspect also turned out well. PJ was a great sport throughout, and we thriftily rescued her beer-tickets from wastage. Oddly enough, a restaurant that doesn't even include a burger on the menu - The Mission - won.
And we also had a baseball game to attend. A fun evening, to say the least.
Nicole and POC are traveling with the Arizona Diamondbacks - the team opens the season in Australia this weekend with two games against the Dodgers. So that's a pretty unique experience.
Anyway - they went along with some of the team members on a climb of the famous harbor bridge. Our heroes get a smidgen of video-time starting around 1:10.
As previously noted, we've much enjoyed having POC, NOC and CPG living downtown (a mere block from Chase Field). They were nice enough to invite us downtown for the final game of the Diamondbacks season on Sunday, September 29.
Top of 9th on last day of season (the record-breaking inning!)
After watching the last moments of a stirring come-from-behind win by the erstwhile hapless Cardinals at their townhouse, we wandered over to watch some baseball. And saw another stirring come-from-behind win, one which allowed the Dbacks to finish the season 81-81 (for the second year in a row).
If it's in the newspaper, it must be true: "Innings record."
Something interesting: the team has had a ridiculous amount of extra-inning baseball this year, including an 18-inning marathon on August 24 in Philadelphia attended by Charlie and Mark Gales (who, not shockingly, stuck around for the whole game). All those extra innings paid off: the team set a world record for most innings played in a single season.
After the game: walked back to the townhouse for bags, drinks/snacks, a fine dinner, plenty of yakking. Involving various interesting folk associated with the team, all of whom seemed grateful that the daily grind was over for a few months. Fun night.
Footnote: our hero POC was somewhat featured on the TV broadcast from Philadelphia the day after the 18-inning marathon (August 25), per below (at beginning of clip we think he is looking down to send text message(s), not just managing sleep-deprivation (which would have been the rational thing to do)):
In addition to access to tickets via POC and the general fun-ness of being at professional baseball games, we have an additional reason to head down to Chase Field: as mentioned midway through this post, we have a great place to stop off on game day.
Opening Day 2013
Opening Day 2013 was back on Monday, April 1, 2013. The crew at 7th St & Washington outdid themselves with game-day hospitality on a perfectly beautiful evening. Tickets; parking; pre-game drinks, appetizers, grilled chicken sandwiches; opening day win over St. Louis Cardinals in front of a sell-out crowd. Hard to beat, a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Then back to the ballpark on April 9 to observe CPG's birthday. Though oops, Dbacks lost pretty convincingly that evening. But PJ and I had fun with CPG, and POC was able to stop by for an inning or so.
We worked with POC to arrange one last Dbacks game prior to All-Star break - PJ, CPG, PJr and I went Saturday evening, 7/7. Big crowd - almost 37,000. Dodgers are in first place, but they're not very good - especially right now, when their key guys are hurt. Dbacks won handily. Fun night - crowd was more alive than usual (perhaps because there was a goodly number of Dodgers fans keeping things stirred up).
And the give-away promo was original, and fun - "luche libre" - a form of pro wrestling - apparently they love to wear masks, as described here. It was quite entertaining to see a big chunk of the crowd actually wearing these things. POC stopped by with a couple masks for us (which was nice, since the "free to the first 15000 batch" was long gone by the time we arrived). PJr seemed to like wearing the mask. Prompting a grandmotherly-type in the row behind us to lace it up properly.
Here's something for the 4th of July - a video (at bottom of this post) that has to be one of the very finest renditions of our national anthem that we've ever seen (or heard, for that matter).
All finished. A look of pride. Or relief.
It was a Sunday afternoon game for the Diamondbacks during the interleague portion of the summer 2011 schedule - Chicago White Sox in town. Sunday is kids day at the ballpark. Meaning the team lets kids do various tasks, such as some of the in-game announcing, introducing the lineups and - best of all on this particular Sunday - singing the national anthem.
Yes, we've heard the anthem more times than we can count. But there's something about this performance . . .
We were quite worried that this singer wouldn't make it all the way through. I think the whole stadium felt that way.
But she seemed to pick up confidence as she went along. And how about the (tenuous, then triumphant) moment when she goes for the high note (1:55 of the video). You can feel the crowd responding at this point . . . almost exhaling collectively in relief, then quickly breaking into cheers and applause for our young performer.
As previewed here,
PJ and I tried something different - a weekend in downtown Phoenix
(June 8-10). We've had good luck with various Kimpton hotels, and a new
one opened in Phoenix on June 5. The Diamondbacks were in town for a
weekend series with Oakland (a really bad team), and POC worked his
ticket thing.
Walking back to hotel (it's in background) along Jefferson after Sunday's game.
It all turned out very nicely. Tried out various downtown restaurants. We thought the new Cityscape development (encompassing the new hotel and a number of the restaurants) is shaping up nicely. Hotel was quite good, and the hotel restaurant (Blue Hound) is very well done.
Duggan to the rescue - part of the disastrous start to Friday's game (which turned out well).
As far as the baseball - Friday night's game was the best of the year - Dbacks went down 6-0, eventually won 9-8 on a three-run walk-off home run courtesy of Tatman. So that was fun, even if we had left after 2+ hours to eat dinner (and follow the game on TV at least). Dbacks also won the games on Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday's game - "Star Wars night" - imperial storm troopers - it was amusing . . .
We walked around downtown a bunch. Ran into Jeff Ward, who invited us to soft opening at his new restaurant (Fuego Cityscape) - so that was nice as a pre-game activity on Saturday.
I predict we'll do something like this again.
. . . including Star Wars riffs on player introductions.
Just prior to Sunday afternoon game. Roof closed for the first time all weekend.
PJ has often regaled us with tales of opening day for Chicago Cubs falling on her birthday. This year, opening day for our local heroes occurred on 4/6. POC came through with four tickets. PJ, PJr, CPG and me attended. And appreciated the quite excellent seats.
Plus the game was enjoyable - Dbacks roughed up Tim Lincecum, as they are wont to do of late. Perfect weather - roof open, upper 70s. And CPG got me a Fretzy's.
Tim Lincecum pitching to Aaron Hill. Opening Day 2012.
After: bite to eat at Hanny's downtown - fun. Steve & Laura Buck were there with a contingent.
We (me, PJ, Chris, PJr, Nedda, PJr's friend (Alan)) attended game four of the NLDS between Diamondbacks and Brewers on October 5, 2011. This was our second post-season venture in recent years, four years to the day since the last one (see here for description of 2007 outing v. Cubs). And our second in-season venture to the ballpark (see here).
pre-game view; we arrived very early. I like this vantage point.
Diamondbacks looked weak in Milwaukee and had fallen behind two games to zip; not a good thing in a five-game series. But they had won on Tuesday night, extending the series to game four.
Maybe because of the weak start to the series and uncertainty about getting to game four; maybe just because; the place wasn't filled. But it certainly was quite loud. The team gave away 35,000 black T-shirts for what was billed as a "black-out" (complementing the team wearing black uniforms) - I can't say it was terribly effective. All in all: we enjoyed the game a bunch - long, lots of scoring, Ryan Roberts grand slam, just a nice outing. For a full description of the game, see here.
In response to the Brewers' "beast mode" antics, the Diamondbacks (via Miguel Montero) offered up a "snake bite" mode. An amiable Brewers fan sat beside me, and patiently endured multiple "snake bite" attacks from PJ as the Diamondbacks thrived throughout the game.
The D'backs ended up losing the series on Friday in Milwaukee - many missed opportunities.
It was a ridiculous season in many respects - a team that had lost 90+ games two years in a row, looked awful in spring training, looked awful on paper, played awful for the first six weeks. Then caught fire and somehow won 94 games - very entertaining throughout. The team brought up this kid named Josh Collmenter - a/k/a Chainsaw Jim Duggan (or whatever) - perhaps the single biggest factor.
Our local heroes have exceeded expectations all year, and currently lead their (admittedly weak) division by two games. CPG, PJr, PJ and I headed out to the ballpark Saturday evening to check things out.
Great seats in second row in left field bleachers - we all liked the
vantage point. It was "Bark in the Park" promotion, featuring a fine
doggy parade just prior to game time (and right in front of we fans in
left field).
Great seats in second row in left field bleachers - we all liked the
vantage point. It was "Bark in the Park" promotion, featuring a fine
doggy parade just prior to game time (and right in front of we fans in
left field).
Walked to dinner at Hanny's downtown after the game; then home for unspeakable Euchre games; fun night (except for the last part).
Patricia claims that, back in the day, the "Opening Day" for the Cubs often fell on her birthday. I'm a believer. Doesn't happen much anymore because the season opens a few days earlier than it did "back in the day". But this year, thanks to the "World Baseball Classic", the Diamondbacks' opening day fell on April 6!
This wouldn't have made much difference to us except that Mary Beth came up with a four sweet tickets and one sweet parking pass; so we went to the game with she and Mark. V. fun, plus the Diamondbacks looked pretty good and won the game.
It was a gorgeous day outside. But unfortunately the roof was closed shortly after the typical "fly-over." No idea why they don't keep that thing open whenever possible, the park is so much nicer with the roof open . . .
This was our second trip to the ballpark in a few days, as POC had lined up tickets for the Diamondbacks - White Sox exhibition on Friday evening. Also very fun.
This makes three games in less than a month. And we haven't paid for a ticket yet.
