For the Love of the Game

Boston Red Sox at AT&T Park

Probability or coincidence? On August 19, 2013, during this years birthday celebration, among other city sites, we visited AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. For those who may not realize it, AT&T Park sells out for every game. According to Alex Pavlovic of the San Jose Mercury News, as of September 23, 2013, “The sellout streak is at an MLB-best 240 games heading into a six-game, season-ending homestand.” Knowing this, our trip was planned months in advance with the purchase of tickets to secure seats.

The match-up, the reigning World Series champion San Francisco Giants and the 2013 World Champion Boston Red Sox (though we did not know this at the time). The Giants lost that night behind Tim Lincecum (7-0). I’m a fan of the game and make it a point to watch many (probably too many) ball games on television. Now, deep down, I’m a National league fan at heart (put that designated hitter on the field or the pitcher at the plate) however, I love the ethereal game of baseball and truly enjoy watching the season unfold. The reality, teams play 162 games a year, we had no idea who would make it to the World Series.

Admittedly, this years series was riveting. Superb pitching, excellent defense, (by the Red Sox), however it was the on-base and offensive combination of three players that won the series for Boston. Shane Victorino, Dustin Pedroia, and David Ortiz (Big Papi). In game six, Victorino ripped a bases-loaded double that ignited the Fenway Park crowd and gave the Red Sox an early 3-0 lead. Ortiz went 8-for-11 in the World Series with two home runs, four walks, five RBIs, a .688 batting average, and a 2.114 OPS. Sports analysists were quoted, “He's playing off the charts.” Only one other Red Sox player, Dustin Pedroia, had even half as many hits, with four. Pedroia was always making highlight plays or seemed to always be on-base when Ortiz came to the plate. Yes, this year I was rooting for the Red Sox (Cubs fan at heart).

Living in Southern California, San Diego area, there are many options to visit a major league park for those willing to drive; Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, Angel Stadium, the perennial palace of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Dodger Stadium, the cathedral for the Los Angeles Dodgers, AT&T Park, the beauty by the bay for the San Francisco Giants, and the Oakland Coliseum, home to the Oakland Athletics. However seeing the Red Sox play, in a National League Park, does not happen often. We were anxious to see the bearded ballplayers in action.

Back up a few years, in 2002 Kristen (my niece) had just graduated as valedictorian of her class at Cuba High School and her graduation present was a trip to California with my Mother as her chaperone. During that visit Lori and I took Mom and Kristin to their first major league ball-game at Angel Stadium. The Angels would go on to win the World Series that year. That was a special year for Kristen, she was awarded a women's soft-ball scholarship to attend Baker University in Kansas. Needless to say she is a baseball fan, and loved the trip to Anaheim.

The question I want to pose - is it Probability or Coincidence that somehow we just happen to visit a ball-park where one of the two teams make it to the World Series. Is there a Sabre Metric on that stat? Hmmm, I wonder . . . There are 30 major league teams, this year we attended only five games, visited four different ball parks *(see complete list below); Petco Park, Angel Stadium, Oakland Coliseum, and AT&T Park. If there is major league team, like the Cubs for instance, that would like to sponsor Lori and I with free season tickets to increase their odds at winning the World Series I’m happy to obligee. I’m sure is pure coincidence, but we’re willing to buck the odds - for the love of the game.

* All Major League Ballparks visited to date; Fenway Park, *Shea Stadium, Yankee Stadium (original), Citizens Bank Park, Comerica Park, Wrigley Field, Bush Stadium, Kauffman Stadium, Ballpark at Arlington, Coors Field, Safco Field, AT&T Park, *Candlestick Park, Oakland Coliseum, Dodger Stadium, Angel Stadium, *Qualcomm, and Petco Park.

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