Road Trip Update #2

Just got into Seattle last night, so the 2,100 miles of driving over the last week is all done. We got in six games, and my initial stadium ratings look like this: 1) San Diego 2) San Francisco 3) LA 4) Anaheim 5) Arizona 6) Oakland. The Sox got beat in Oakland while we were there and nearly coughed one up in Seattle last night. We’ll see what happens at the game tonight.

Day Five: After a stay in Flagstaff, we started the day with a trip to Slide Rock State Park near Sedona, AZ. Slide Rock is basically a natural Slip-N-Slide along a creek. The water is crisp and cold and there are several places to jump into deep pools. Jay took a 40-foot plunge and enjoyed it thoroughly – if you think you’re gonna find me doing that, you’re crazy. Sedona is also beautiful town surrounded by unique red rock formations.

Chase Field in Phoenix – hmmm, what to say. It’s a lot like Miller Park in Milwaukee – a great big enclosed stadium, except this one has air conditioning – kind of a necessity on a 109 degree day. The fact that the D-backs are in last place, however, means the park was about a third full. Arizona put a 13-1 beating on the Mets but the place was still pretty lifeless. Am I criticizing Arizona baseball fans? Yes. I still don’t think they totally get it – and despite the fact that they won a World Series in the last decade, they really don’t seem to care about their team. Considering there doesn't seem to be much to do in downtown Phoenix, you'd think baseball might be popular. After the game, we polished off a few beers (and some much-needed waters) at Seamus McCaffrey’s.

Day Six: The long haul from Phoenix to LA.  When we arrived in LA we went to El Arco De Iris north of the city for some more delicious Mexican food and the happy hour yielded half-price drinks. Then it was on to Dodger Stadium for a Clayton Kershaw-Tim Lincecum matchup against the Giants. The Dodgers knocked Lincecum around pretty good; he even had one of those pitches where the ball went flying out of his hands and straight up in the air. The Giants, behind former Y-D Red Sox catcher Buster Posey, made a furious comeback against Kershaw and Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton, and when Andre Ethier struck out swinging in the bottom of the ninth with two on, it was official: a 7-5 comeback victory for the Giants. The Dodgers fans were none too pleased. They were the most vocal fans on the trip so far, and the place was packed, but I’m not sure if it was because the Giants were in town or because it was James Loney bobblehead night. Not to mention, when the Giants started coming back in the late innings, everybody started leaving – so the stadium was less than half-full when the final out was recorded in a close game against a rival. Did I love L.A.? It’s a great old stadium (third oldest behind Fenway and Wrigley). The fans seemed into it. But when they left a close game early, my opinions changed. I still don’t get LA fans. Kristen Cavalleri did throw out the first pitch – which has to count for something.

Days Seven and Eight: After a six-hour drive to Oakland, we arrived at the Coliseum about a half-hour before the first pitch. Gio Gonzalez was matched up with Clay Buchholz and neither were particularly effective, with Buchholz getting knocked out after four innings. Jack Cust went deep for the A’s and Adrian Beltre hit a bomb for the AAA Red Sox (starting such luminaries as Jed Lowrie, Dusty Brown and Eric Patterson) in a 6-4 Oakland win. The Coliseum is a big place and I’m sure it gets crazy for Raider games, but the upper deck is completely covered for A’s games, making attendance in the 30K + range a “sellout.” This one was close to capacity, either it had to do with the Red Sox (plenty of Boston fans there) or dollar hot dog day (I had four). Remember how Nomar played for the A’s last year? Well, his t-shirt was 50% off at the team store. I’m happy with my deal.

We then traveled over the Bay Bridge and met up with our friend Cait. I had a fried prawn and scallop dinner at the Buena Vista Café, along with one of their signature Irish coffees, which got me all messed up because I don’t drink caffeine. We also met up with our buddy Greg for some tourism, food and drink at Pier 39. If you’ve been to SF, you know the deal: Lombard Street, Alcatraz, check out some zany sea lions, etc. We also stopped in at the Red Jack Saloon, a Red Sox bar a short walk from the waterfront. The weather was “beautiful;” I just can’t get over the fact that it’s July, the sun is shining, and there’s a constant wind that legitimately makes you feel cold.

Sox at Seattle tonight - first pitch 10:10 for you East Coasters - Josh "The Blister' Beckett vs. Jason Vargas is your pitching matchup.