Sunday, April 3, 2016

Take Me Out to the Ballgame...

It's here!  I know many of you think baseball season is boring, but not in this house!  I get a little giddy when I hear Steve Busby's voice on my TV.


I became obsessed interested in baseball when I was eight years old.  I had quite the collection of baseball cards...for a girl.  I would memorize the back of the cards (I know, complete weirdo) and know all about the players.  I even sent a few birthday cards.  My parents would take me to Ranger games and I would insists that we arrive when the gates opened (like 2 hours before the game) to attend batting practice.  But, let me tell you where being a sweet, little girl paid off; all the fifteen year old boys at batting practice were yelling at the players, "Hey #17, throw me a ball!" but sweet, little Emily would politely yell, "Mr. Navarro, may I have a ball?" (because I had studied the baseball cards and programs and knew who everyone was).  Who do you think the players would toss the ball to...the polite, little girl, or the obnoxious teen age boy?

When my parents realized this fascination with baseball was not going anywhere, they decided to plan our family vacations around baseball parks.  I am so thankful to have been to some of the most iconic baseball stadiums in the country.  In honor of the Seventh Inning Stretch, today I'm sharing seven of my most memorable baseball moments.

In no particular order...

1.  I am so incredibly thankful to have been to Wrigley Field.  It is truly legendary!  If you're a longtime baseball fan, or had WGN growing up like me, then you know it was a long standing tradition for Emmy award announcer, Harry Caray, to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh inning stretch of the Chicago Cubs games.  Being there and participating in that was something I will never forget!

2.  My parents also made it a tradition, the years that we lived in the DFW area, to take me to Opening Day for the Texas Ranger's baseball season. Fun fact, my parents were at the FIRST EVER Texas Ranger Game in 1972 at Turnpike Stadium.  In fact, my Dad's ticket stub was on display at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum for a while.  One year, probably in the early 1990’s, President George H.W. Bush was there to throw out the first pitch.  Unfortunately around that same time, a lady in a section next to us, had a little too much to drink and tossed her cookies…all over the presidential limo that was waiting below the bleachers she was sitting in. This has absolutely nothing to do with baseball, but something I will always remember.  Hey, I didn't say these were going to be good memories.  I didn't take this picture, but I'm George's pitch went something like this...



3.  The summer before my sophomore year, my parents took me back to school shopping on Rodeo Drive and to Dodger Stadium.  #OnlyChildProbs  We just happen to be at Dodger Stadium when "children" could run the bases before the game started.  Y'all, I didn't care that the day before I was trying to be all California cool on Rodeo Drive, I made my way to the field and ran those bases like I had just got a hit off of Orel Hershiser.  I mean, how many opportunities do you get like that?

4.  My husband totally surprised me one Friday night in 2012 and bought us tickets to the Wild Card game against the Baltimore Orioles.  We had some of the best seats I have ever had at a Ranger game.  It was incredible.  I never understood exactly what it meant when the announcer on TV said the crowd is electric, until that night.  The atmosphere in that stadium was off the charts.  We ended up loosing the game and ending our season, but what an experience it was!  And, I just happened to run into a few of my favorite cousins!



5.  October 2011 was such a good time in our life.  We had just welcomed our first son into our family, and the Rangers were in the World Series.  And then...game six happened.  It's still so raw.  I can't even.  Just google it.

Poor little, Jess, just two weeks old and was about to hear his Dad yell like no newborn should...


Little sister, Jentry, sported the same onsie a few years later...with a bow the size of Texas!


6.  Steve Buechele!  I wouldn't consider myself an overly compassionate person, but my little, eight year old heart broke into a million pieces when this batter named Steve Buechele got up to bat because the whole stadium "booed" him.  Why?  What had he done to tick off Texas?  My Dad explained to me that his name was pronounced Boo-shell, so people chanting "Booooo" were really just cheering him on.  From that day on, I became the loudest "Boo-er" out there.  We were even at a game when he got hit by a pitch and charged the mound.  That was fun!  I went to a baseball card show (I told you I was obsessed) a few months later and I got to meet the one and only Steve Buechele.  He quickly became one of my favorite Rangers ever!  I'm not exaggerating when I say I cried the whole, entire day when he was traded to the Pirates.

7.  I've been a part of baseball history a few times; A triple play is rare in baseball, but I was fortunate enough to see one in 1991 in the amazing Houston Astrodome against the Los Angeles Dodgers, involving legendary "Darr-yl" (insert the crowd chanting),  Darryl Strawberry.
Again, on August 17, 1990 in the second game of a doubleheader (and yep, we stayed for both games), White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk broke Johnny Bench's career home run record for catchers by hitting his 328th longball as a catcher.  That same night former Texas Rangers, Gaylord Perry and Ferguson Jenkins were inducted into the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame.

I do love my home team, but oddly enough I am also an Angles fan (except Mike Scioscia).  I LOVE me some Boston Red Sox and vow to get to Fenway one day soon. Apparently, for the first time ever I am going to be an Indians fan, because that's where my boy NAP-O-LI went.  On the National League side, I respect the Cardinals, and always "Root, root, root for the Cubbies!"  As much as I want to see the Rangers win it all in 2016 finally, I love to see a good, strong ball club compete.  I am ready for some baseball in this house!

So, as boring as baseball is, how many of you finished this post...maybe ten of you.  If so, who are you cheering for this year?

Emily

Today I am linking up with Angels fan, Elizabeth, over at Chasin' Mason for Hooray, It's Opening Day!


40 comments:

  1. Well, that brought back some memories! You remember the time you screamed at Nolan Ryan so loud and long, that he finally looked at you? Oh, I love the Rangers! But, I've come to be quite a Brewers fan, too! Been to Miller Park a few times. It is beautiful!

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    1. I forgot about that! I'm sure he looked at me just so I would leave him alone! Miller Park looks nice, maybe we'll get up there one day.

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  2. Eek can I be honest - baseball season is not my favorite because of the traffic it causes when I commute back from work on the train...but if it's on the weekend I totally love games and hope to make it to at least one lol! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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    1. I can understand that. My dad went to Fenway last season and said the traffic was crazy. If I ever get up there, I'll let you know, I'd love your recommendations!

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  3. While I personally am not a huge baseball fan, my husband is, and I even find these baseball tidbits interesting! So many of the guys I worked with wanted to plan a cross country trip just visiting stadiums. We went on a tour of the Giants stadium in San Francisco and I loved it! Other than that I've been to the Mets, Yankees, and Phillies stadiums :).

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    1. My husband has been to the Giants stadium, but I haven't. It looks like they have really good food there! I'd love to go to Napa, so maybe we'll squeeze in a game then.

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  4. That's so cool that your parents planned trips around your love of baseball! How great! We love the Phillies around here, and are so excited it's opening day!

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    1. I like the Phillies, too! I've never been to Philadelphia, but I've seen the Phillies in Atlanta & Houston. Pretty much once I've seen a team play, I become a fan! Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. Of course, your Dad's a Brewers fan because I'M a Brewers fan! And I'm sure he's already told you, if you ever DO get to Fenway, be careful of the seats you choose! It's a tight fit!!

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    1. Yes, I remember him mentioning that! People were smaller when Fenway was built! ;)

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  6. This is the BEST post! I have so many similar memories about growing up and baseball! And I'm so sorry about 2011, but game 6 and 7 were probably the most fun games I've ever experienced! :)

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    1. Ha!! Thank you!! Notice I didn't even mention game 7. I'm still heartbroken... We live to play another day!

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  7. I great up a red sox fan but my husband is a Yankees fan.......I have tried to at least learn some of their players but the things we do for love lol

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    1. The Red Sox & Yankees are two of the most iconic teams ever! At least you haven't started rooting for the Marlins! ;)

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  8. your Steve Buechele story reminds me of hearing people shout MOOOOOSE (which sounds at lot like BOOO) at Mike Moustakas. I can totally appreciate your love for baseball. I grew up going to games at the old Memorial Stadium in Baltimore - before they built Camden Yard. Moved to Kansas City when I was 8 and my heart has belonged to the Royals ever since. This was before it was cool to be a Royals fan. I was 12 when the Royals won the world series in '85 - and my Son was 12 when they won it last year. Go Royals!

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    1. Aww...love your Royals story! I have been to the Royals stadium & loved it! I've always wanted to go to Camden. Baltimore has some good Texas boys playing for them! We miss Chris Davis!

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  9. I think game six of the World Series will always be raw to us Rangers fans. Just so horrible. :( We are in Chicago for a year, and I really want to make it to Wrigley Field before we move back to Texas!

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    1. Right! I still shake my head at Nelson Cruz (although I still like him)! You have to go to Wrigley before you move back!! It's a classic!

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  10. Such a fun post!! Love that you have gone to the ballparks AND ran the bases!! I am a red sox Fan. Opening Day was postponed due to snow!! :(

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    1. I can't imagine snow on Opening Day! The weather here has been perfect for baseball.

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  11. I totally finished the post! I loved reading all your stories and I can tell by your pictures that you're a HUGE fan!
    We're in Pittsburgh, so I cheer for the Pirates with my kids. We love going to the games! ;) My husband loves baseball! He will cheer for the Pirates, but his favorite team is the Detroit Tigers! He will-and has-cheered for the Tigers when they play against the Pirates!

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    1. That's funny! There's always that one fan of the opposing team in the crowd!!

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  12. Love the tradition of opening day with your family. Those are the kinds of traditions I want to start with my kids!

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    1. Thank you! We haven't braved taking our little kids to a game yet. We may start with a minor league game & see how they do...

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  13. I love that you collected and memorized baseball cards as a girl...I was busy collecting beanie babies, which got me nowhere! ha! Also, you win the award for biggest baseball fan in the linkup ;) I love it!!!

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    1. Ha! Thanks, Vanessa. I had my share of beanie babies, too.

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  14. I love that you are such a hard core fan... though of a bad team ;) I kid I kid! LOL. But seriously, it's my husband's dream to go to every baseball stadium at some point in his life time and you've already one upped him on that! You're experience some cool things in baseball history!

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    1. I love seeing different stadiums. I hope it's something we can incorporate into our vacations as my kids grow up.

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  15. So yeah.... about that game 6.... that may have been the best day of my life. Will you still be my friend even if I bleed Cardinal red? Seriously that was the year of "the tornado" and that World Series was one of the many amazing distractions we had. I hope that softens the blow a bit.

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    1. That actually does make me feel a little better. I'm glad it brought you a little joy!

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  16. Great post. It's lovely to read about your past baseball experiences!

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  17. You know I definitely made it to the end! I don't know that I've always been a huge baseball fan. I can remember when I was young thinking it was boring....but then I really learned the game and realized how exciting it can be! Of course you know I'm rooting for the Astros for now....Riley was assigned to the Lancaster Jethawks (single A) to start the season. We are really hoping he will end up in Corpus this summer so we can see him on the mound!

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    1. That's awesome! I hope you get to see him this summer. I've been to a Hooks game before...it was fun! We usually try to go to a Rough Riders game every year, too. Minor league games are so fun!

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  18. So many memories, facts, and special occasions that revolve around baseball! I love it! Thanks for linking up with us! And happy baseball season!!

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    1. Thank you, Sarah! This was so fun to write.

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  19. We definitely have this in common! I am obsessed with baseball (and the Texas Rangers) as well. I am so jealous that your family planned vacations around baseball. Our dream is to retire and travel visiting as many baseball stadiums that we can! These are such great baseball memories that you have. I am loving the Steve Buechele story!! I am an Angels fan too, except when they play us. And I am a big Mike Trout fan! I am still heartbroken over Napoli. Love that guy. And how cool is it to be at a game when history is made? There is nothing like it.

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    1. I agree with everything you said! I miss Napoli so much, but I love seeing Buechele back in a Ranger's jersey! It brings back good memories. Now, if only Nolan would come back!

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  20. I have to say, I was all ready to say something about the Red Sox, and then you came back at the end and said you love you some Red Sox! Thank you!! haha We are HUGE Red Sox fans here in Maine. I've been to a couple of baseball stadiums, but nothing can compare to Fenway. It's simply amazing. Amazing is honestly all I can say about it. You must make it there someday for sure!!

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