On the road again

I had a chance to stop. Two, actually. I couldn't do it.After deciding that I wanted to visit all the major league baseball stadiums (a decision made in 1978) the task was completed with my stop at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. Seeing my name on the center field scoreboard announcing my feat of going to all 26 major league parks could have spelled the end. It did not.When Jacobs Field opened in 1994 it meant that I had come full circle. My first park was in Cleveland at Municipal Stadium. This new Indians stadium would have been a place to end the hobby. But no, the fun would continue.The following year I was on the road again. Part of the reason for continuing my trips was that I like traveling. I've always enjoyed seeing places in person instead of just in pictures. But the main reason was likely the fact that I liked to tell people that I have been to ALL major league stadiums. With new ones being built and expansion taking place, how could I make that statement without keeping up with the progress?So, it was out to Denver as the Rockies had completed a baseball only stadium called Coors Field. This was the first time our kids went along and it meant a true family vacation. The stadium was nice, the views of the Rockies in the distance were spectacular and we enjoyed the Mile High City.From there we traveled south as the Texas Rangers had new digs themselves. The Ballpark at Arlington was nice. We had taken an old bed sheet from home and printed a message to family and friends. The Rangers were playing the Indians on that day and we held it up between innings. Some people who were watching the game claimed to have seen it.It was also here that I was interviewed by a reporter from USA Today. They wanted my views on the work stoppage that had ruined my pennant race the year before. I did not hold back and was told the story would be in the next day's paper. It did not make the final cut I guess as we never did see any evidence of the interview. You'll have to take my word for it that it took place.In 1988 we made a one park trip to Phoenix to visit the new Bank One Ballpark. This stadium was the first to incorporate a swimming pool that people could rent out during games. I talked to an employee that told me the price tag which led me to believe that only corporations could afford to do the renting. She surprised me when she said it was about half and half between businesses and private families. You can get 40 people in the pool area, so I suppose if you split the cost…This trip was not just about baseball. We managed to stop at Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands National Park and see the cacti in Saguaro National Park. We also had relatives in the Phoenix area, so it was not simply a baseball trip.Tropicana Field opened in Florida in 1999. It is likely my least favorite park as it just seems weird with part of its roof missing. All of the roof came off during Hurricane Milton in the offseason and the Rays are forced to play in a minor league park in Tampa this summer. Hopefully Tropicana will be repaired by next season. Then they can build a nicer stadium for the new ownership group. Please?In 2002 it was another trip out west with Brian and Ashley going along. We stopped in Yellowstone National Park on our way out to Seattle where the Mariners were opening Safeco Field. From there we headed down to San Francisco to Pacific Bell Park.We could not get tickets for a game in the Giants new stadium as they were playing the Dodgers and the series was sold out. I emailed the sports Editor of the San Francisco Examiner about getting tickets. Amazingly he replied, but he could not help with my request, so we took a tour of the park instead.The tour was fantastic as an elderly gentleman took us into the clubhouse and throughout the stadium. He suggested that the people that sat down the right field line complained that they could not concentrate on the game as their view also included the sail boats out in the bay. I understood.He took us out by the big baseball glove in left field and asked a question: "tell me folks, he said wistfully as he pointed out the Bay Area Bridge, what other park has a view like this?"I raised my hand and said "excuse me sir, but I can answer that question as I have been to every other major league stadium and NONE of them do." Moments like that one is why I'm still hitting the road when a new stadium opens.Three new ballparks opened by 2001 and Milwaukee's Miller Park, Detroit's Comerica Park and Pittsburgh's PNC Park joined my list. The following year it was off to Houston for their new stadium.When we left home we were expecting to go to Enron Field, but before we got there the name was changed. Some scandal that perhaps you have heard about made the change mandatory. Minute Maid Park was fantastic whatever its name.It was there that I was carded to buy a cold refreshing beverage despite the fact that I was well into my 50s. I felt pretty good about it until I was told that they had to card everyone. That was a little deflating…By 2003 the Cincinnati Reds had built the Great American Ballpark. One of my shorter trips, the stadium is known for its riverboat "smokestacks" which are better that Jacobs Field's "tooth brush" light towers.The wording on the outside of the stadium got my attention. It reads "rounding third and heading for home" – a tribute to former player and broadcaster Joe Nuxhall. Nuxie was the youngest to play in the majors making the Reds roster before turning 16. He later became a broadcaster for the club that lasted for some 40 years.As any Reds fan can tell you he ended his broadcast with a signature line. "This is the Ol' lefthander rounding third and heading for home." The tribute is fitting.