Baseball and Other Essentials of Life

Although we originally planned to tour U.S. presidential libraries as we traveled across the country, it turned out we were drawn to Major League Baseball.  After Arizona’s fan-friendly stadium, we went to downtown St. Louis to see the Cardinals play in their new ballpark.  The view was beautiful.  From our seats, I could see the Arch, the old courthouse where the Dred Scott citizen case was heard before it went to the Supreme Court, and of course, Beltran, Freese, Holliday (the handsomest man in baseball), and the rest of the Cards.

We also traveled to Miami with my parents to see the Marlins in their new park  (with all these new ballparks, you would think the economy was booming…).  It is a techno dreamboat for fans and fish.  The roof opens for outside ball games when the weather cooperates.  My favorite thing in this dazzling, bling-infested park is the Homerun Sculpture designed by the famous artist, Red Grooms.  We were lucky enough to see two homers the day we went—and the sculpture comes to life: lights blink, fish swim and splash.  It’s FAN-tastic!  Oh, and they have a bobble-head museum, too.  Pretty neat stuff, even before the first pitch is thrown!

Those poor Tampa Bay Rays are "forced to make due" with a stadium that was built to woo a major league team way, way back in the ‘90s. “If we build it, they will come…” said city leaders.  After many failed attempts, St. Petersburg finally bagged a team of its own, only to have the team leave the name of its host city out of its name.  Ever heard of the St. Petersburg Rays? It’s like being a parent to a teen who doesn’t want to be seen in public with you…they don’t want to share your name and your house isn’t fancy enough for them. But that is all behind the scenes owner’s stuff.  The Rays are my new team and I enjoy watching them whenever I get the chance.  Larry even bought me a scorebook so I can keep track of what the boys are doing. 

Bottom line, I seen a lot of baseball, but I missed many of the presidential libraries along the way.  It wasn’t my fault: I had the plague in Texas so I missed both the Bush museums and the LBJ library is closed because its being renovated.  The stop at Jimmy Carter’s library in Atlanta was canceled because someone in the group was tired of traveling…

I still plan to visit those libraries and more—they are a treasure for those of us who love history.  But not today, there’s a game on at 3.  Play ball!