Two Brothers Embark on MLB Ball Parks Tour

In June of 2004 my brother Matthew and I embarked on our first trip and the Christening of our "MLB Ball Parks Tour". Destination... California here we come! A car drive from Portland to Oakland's Network Associates Coliseum was our first stop and we saw a barn-burner, An Inter-League contest between the A's and the Pirates. The A's won the game in the bottom of the 9th!

Next, a afternoon game the following day in Los Angeles to see the Angels play host to another NL team, the Cubs. This was our first extra inning game to see in which the Cubs finally won in 13 innings, 6-5.

After a day off at Disneyland, game 3 of our Tour was a short trip south to San Diego and a visit to the NEW Petco Park. Tampa Bay was in town and the team made its manager Lou Piniella proud by beating the home team Padres, 5-2.

A drive back to LA the following morning for a night game at The Old Chavez Ravine. We saw a pre-game Torch burning relay with Tom Cruise as Torch runner for next months 2004 Summer Olympics. By the way the Dodgers beat Rafael Palmeiro's Orioles, 4-2.

We saved the best for last, an overnight drive from LA to San Francisco for a 12-noon first pitch at the BEAUTIFUL SBC Park. A Sunny, warm clear day and seats up on the 3rd deck to see the game and view of San Francisco Bay! Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays were in town however Barry Bonds sat this one out but the Giants won anyway.

This past year Matt and I flew to Florida for two games and then it was off to Atlanta and a visit to Turner Field and also an enlightening visit inside the Braves Franchise "Hall of Fame" Museum located right inside Turner Field complex. Details of this trip later...