Tagged: Road Trips
Nice chat with Yasiel Puig
Greetings from San Diego! My beisbolera friends and I made the trip to San Diego for the Opening Series in San Diego. We lost the Opener on Sunday. Monday, a day off we went for a late breakfast close to Petco Park. We happen to be seated at the table next to where Yasiel Puig, his cousin and Paco Rodriguez were sitting. Yasiel was pointing at something in the USA Today special baseball section that appeared on Monday 3/31/14. The section has salaries for the 856 major league players on Opening-day rosters and disabled.
We could hear what they were talking and they could hear us but we did not bother them, my back was facing Paco’s back and Rosie’s back was facing Yasiel. Lorena was facing their back. When I heard Yasiel say “Todas las mujeres son iguales..” “All the women are alike..” I just had to turn around. He looked at me and said “Perdone senora.. but it is true..” “I I heard you talking in Spanish so you understood me..” From there we started talking. I introduced myself saying I was from Honduras. He said “oh, Hondurena..” I said “Lorena is a teacher..” He said “Oh you can teach me English.” I asked him how did he liked Australia. He said very pretty but the flight was too long even though he had a comfortable bed. then I don’t know how we were talking about water but he said “I don’t like to be near the ocean, I had enough of ocean when I came to the U.S.
We found Yasiel Puig very nice, personable, friendly, funny and witty. He introduced himself, then he said this is Paco and this is my cousin Federico. He laughed then saying that “we just call him Federico, you know for Federowicz,…” I said “oh yeah, Fed-Ex. They were glancing at the tv telling me a lot of teams are playing today their Opener. I said yes, and showed him the MLB At Bat scores where at the time they were a lot of ties. He said they were enjoying the day off and they needed it after the long flight to Australia. I said “You will face Ian Kennedy tomorrow” He touched his face and said “Don’t hit my face because he is going to make me ugly..” “Hit my ribs instead…” Then Lorena said “Did you see Chapman” He said “Oh yeah, he texted me in Australia saying “even getting hit, you are still uglier than me..” It was funny.
When he mentioned Fed-Ex, I said, yeah and Javy Guerra went to the White Sox. Yasiel said “yeah, Belisario is there.” I said “Oh yeah, the ugliest one from the team left.” Puig laughed and said to Paco and his cousin “Did you hear that? LOL”
Afterwards Yasiel was saying we should take some kids to the game. then he got up and extended his hand to me then to Rosie and Lorena. Yasiel walked to a table where they was a kid dressed in Dodger Blue. He said hi to the kid and family then took a picture with the kid.
Like I said, we found him to be very friendly, personable, funny and witty. We did not bother him asking him for a picture. We thought it was not appropriate but we loved the chat. Oh yeah, I forgot to say when he was talking about stadiums, he said to me “No me gusta Dodger Stadium.” He sounded serious but when I looked at him with a sad face he laughed and I knew he was joking. He said he couldn’t wait to be home playing for the home crowd, “his gente”. I mentioned other stadiums I like like the view from Pittsburgh. He said well we don’t see the view, we look at the field but still I said “You should look at Dodger Stadium from the Top Deck, look at the natural beauty, the mountains in front and the downtown in the back. Rosie mentioned you could see the Hollywood sign from there. I said “go after all the fans have gone home.” He said “I could go when I first get there.”
It was a great day. We like Yasiel Puig even more now.
picture from Lorena
Pictures from New York
I had a wonderful time in New York in our Baseball trip. There was five of us in our group, four women and a guy. At Yankee Stadium we ran into friends
Here in the picture, George, Rosie, Lorena & me. Natalie that we run into her in New York and Trinidad.
Everywhere we go, Yankee fans were saying how much they love Mattingly.
I love this picture taken by Jon SooHoo of Mattingly and Mariano Rivera.
Joe from Brooklyn in the white Dodgers shirt with his Brooklyn hat and his umbrella. Also in the picture Turtledip & her boyfriend, Bob Bacon, Serena and her dad Joe, Lorena. If you know anyone else, please ID. We saw Dodger fans walking by and we asked them to be in the picture like the guy with the sombrero.
We visited Jackie Robinson’s grave. At the entrance we met Mr. T who when we asked him where Jackie Robinson’s grave he said “Is a long way up there…I can give you a ride there so we squeeze the five of us plus Mr. T in his Jeep Cherokee.
We lid a candle for the Dodgers at the Cathedral of St Patrick. I bought a St. Christopher’s medallion and a chain for me plus some other souvenirs. I looked for St. Rita’s medallion but they did not have it.
We visited the statue of Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese at the site where the Brooklyn Cyclones play
We went to visit the former site of Ebbets Field.
I had to take a picture with Hilda Chester, the original Dodger fan.
Met a Giant fan that wanted for us to take a picture putting up our dukes.
I became a member of the Hall of Fame museum so I got my ticket free after paying $40 for membership, a $10 discount offered while we there.
We visited Citi Field where the Mets were playing the Cubs.
In the picture is Miss Puiggy who is traveling with me now. She has visited Citi Field, Yankee Stadium and now Petco Park and of course Dodger Stadium is her home stadium.
I was going to include the pictures of San Diego but I’ll wait for more pictures from Sunday and besides I forgot my camera at home but I do have my i-phone. Lorena will share some pictures.
Dodger Road Trip! Cooperstown then Dodgers and Yankee Series
I arrived at 7 a.m. in the Big Apple. I have done plenty of walking and with lack of sleep I just waiting for Lorena to show up so that I can go to the room and rest. Oh, I also forgot the laptop power adapter. I was able to find one at Staples. I do need it as although I am on vacation, I am also on call and will be doing some work from here.
I ran into one of the MLB Big Apples statues for the upcoming MLB All-Star game here in New York. Funny that it happened to be the Red Sox apple I ran into. It is located at the Party City store. I forget exactly where, 33rd street?
Now I want to see where the Dodger apple is located.
Here is a picture I found online of the Dodger apple
Pretty, pretty, pretty.
Tomorrow: Cooperstown. We stay a night and then is back to New York City.
I am waiting waiting for Lorena and Maria who arrived yesterday morning and headed to Atlantic City. Tonight Rosie and her brother George arrive. Yay! Lorena and Maria are here! Bye!
Megabus returns to Los Angeles! Remembering my Megabus trip from LA to SF
Megabus returns to Los Angeles! Woohoo!!
The first time I took Megabus was with friend Erik and brother Vic. Here is what Erik said about that trip:
The first road-trip I ever went on with CrzBlue was to see the Dodgers on September 8 in Frisco. CrzBlue, Brother Vic, and I took Megabus, we left L.A. at 11:30pm on Friday and got to Frisco at about 5:30am on Saturday. I don’t think we slept more than 15 minutes the whole way. David Wells pitched for the Dodgers, he pushed a perfect game through 5 1/3 innings. Way to shut those jints down Boomer! His performance and the Dodgers’ win had me and CrzBlue singing “I Love L.A.” at the phone booth–T’was great. It was exciting, it was uncomfortable, it is unforgettable!
The second time I took Megabus was to go to San Diego. And yes, it was Dodger related. I can’t believe that was four years ago! I do hope this time the Megabus is a success. I could take it to watch Dodgers on the road to San Diego & San Francisco. Maybe I can also go see Oakland A’s. Maybe they will add Arizona. I know Las Vegas is also one of their destinations.
Megabus will start December 12 with rates as low as $1. Wow! I hope more people take advantage of these deals.
From ATVN:
The company hopes to provide an alternative transportation method for West Coast customers looking to avoid the high gas prices. The bus line will offer free onboard WiFi, power outlets, bathrooms, heating and air conditioning.
Customers can begin to purchase tickets on Wednesday at megabus.com and the first trips will begin on Dec. 12. Ticket prices range from $1 to around $25, but most seats are priced between $5 to $9.
As an opening promotion, the company will offer $1 trips for all seats and all trips in California during its first week of service.
Passengers can get on the express bus at its arrival and departure location at L.A. Union Station’s Patsaouras Transit Plaza.
The express bus runs four schedules each day to and from Las Vegas; the trip takes about six hours. There are six scheduled trips to and from San Francisco, which take about eight hours, and four schedule trips from Sacramento going different directions to San Francisco and Reno. The bus runs seven days a week.
Megabus will run 22 buses in California and is a subsidiary of Coach USA. The double-decker buses have a capacity of 81 passengers.
For more information go to http://us.megabus.com/
The Last Regular Games at Dodger Stadium
I am getting sad that is the next to the last game at Dodger Stadium. No matter what like Frank Sinatra’s song said “It was a good year” Dodgers have new owners and will put a good product on the field.
This year my friends and I went to Spring Training for the first FanFest there. It was six women and a guy in a van. What fun hat trip was!
pictures from that trip here: http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/?s=six+women+and+a+man
Three of us returned to Spring Training to watch a few games. We went to the four game series in San Diego that started with Opening Day there. San Diego is always a lot of fun.
Lorena, Rosie and I headed to Seattle. We saw the Dodgers get no hit by six pitchers but the Dodgers took the series. Rosie and I went to see our Bums at Cincinnati, a new stadium for the two of us. In between I went to the SABR convention in Philadelphia, haha I am thinking of next year. I meant Minnesota where I met up with more friends there and made some new ones.
There were some frustrating losses but win or lose, we love our Boys in Blue! Last night Rosie, Lorena Pricilla and I were reminiscing about our road trips and hanging out at Dodger Stadium. There were more good times than bad times. Maybe I am just remembering the good times.
What a fun game last night! Boys played like they are capable of playing but now they are running out of time. Here are some of my pictures from last night’s game. Some of the pictures Lorena took. Some days she just says “Give me your camera Emma” She knows I get busy keeping score and miss some pictures opportunities.
I have not met Cochito Cruz yet. I don’t have his autograph or a picture with him but maybe tomorrow! Today I will be at the stadium by game time. (I hope I hope).
Bottom of the 9th, Herrera batting for the pitcher.
Herrera at the plate
Herrera came with this record:
Cochito left him without a shirt? that is Ok, Cochito gives him his jersey
Boys celebrating the victory over the Giants
Cochito eyeing Herrera being interviewed
Bam! got you!
Dodgers Win!
Fun fun game!
Oh and prior to the game, I got interviewed by Ben Platt of MLB 🙂 for the MLB Blogs. I was a tiny little nervous. The interview took place of the Dodger Dugout. Thanks Ben!! Thanks Mark!!
Let’s Go Reds! Letg’s go Dodgers!
Splurging on Dugout seats for Wednesday’s game.
Tomorrow Lore, Rosie, Ilda and I splurged buying dugout seats. We are going to be behind enemy lines but we will be there. Our friend Jeanine suggested we try some Santeria, voodoo dolls to bring bad luck to the Giants. haha.
Society for American Baseball (SABR) Convention
Dodgers lost 1-0. Billingsley pitched well. We lost the series with the Nats, Weaver, Manny and Padilla went on the DL on this trip. Dodgers go to to New York where the Mets are playing well.
I am a little depressed so I need to write about something else
In January, I became a member of the society for American Baseball Research (SABR). Reading the Spring 2010 Newsletter I see the annual convention will be in Atlanta. I never been to Atlanta. 
This convention (their 40th) sounds like a lot of fun. Here are some highlights
| SABR 40 Events |
Wednesday, August 4Turner Field Ballpark Tour – time TBDTour cost is $6 per person. This is the only day we will host group tours of Turner Field. Limited availability Thursday, August 51:00 p.m. Ballparks of the Southern Association IAn impressive lineup of panelists will offer a series of presentations on the history, evolution, and demise/preservation of various Southern Association ballparks. These include Russwood Field in Memphis; Rickwood Field in Birmingham, and Pelican Field in New Orleans. 2:30-7:30 p.m. Visit to Ty Cobb Museum and Gravesite, Royston, GA(pending sufficient pre-registration) Ty Cobb is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Royston, GA. 8:00 p.m. Signs of the Time (2009)Screening of the documentary Signs of the Time including discussion and commentary with producer Ray Manard. This one-hour documentary discusses the origination of umpire hand signals, with significant emphasis on the careers of Dummy Hoy and Bill Klem. Friday, August 69:00 a.m. Presentation by National Archives & Records Administration, Morrow, GA10:00 a.m. 1990s Braves .Worst to First. Era PanelModerated by former Braves play-by-play man Pete Van Wieren. Potential guests include Bobby Cox, Mark Lemke, Ron Gant, and Tom Glavine. 1:00 p.m. Ballparks of the Southern Association IIIncludes presentations on the history, evolution, and demise/preservation of Sulphur Dell in Nashville, Engel Field in Chattanooga, and Ponce de Leon Park in Atlanta. 7:35 p.m. Braves vs. Giants, Turner FieldRound-trip bus to Turner Field is $15. The stadium is approximately two miles from the hotel. Public buses, taxis, and walking are also viable options. You have two ticket options:
We will have more information online on getting to the game soon. Saturday, August 79:30 a.m. Discussion of Shoeless Joe Jackson with sportswriter Furman BisherFurman Bisher is a retired sports columnist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he once served as sports editor, and a columnist for The Sporting News. Bisher wrote for Sports Illustrated, The Saturday Evening Post, and many other national publications. His final column for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution was published in the print version of the October 11, 2009, Sunday paper. 12-3:00 p.m. Awards luncheon, Keynote Speaker John SchuerholzLuncheon cost is $33 (choice of blackened chicken or tilapia) John Schuerholz is president of the Atlanta Braves. Before joining the Braves in 1990, he spent 22 years with the Kansas City Royals, where he was farm director, Scouting Director, Assistant GM, and General Manager. He was the Braves GM until 2007, when he left the post to become team president. Schuerholz has a reputation for building strong farm systems and championship teams. Among the teams he has built are the world champion 1985 Royals and 1995 Braves. His teams have won their division 15 times. Schuerholz shared the inside life of a GM in his 2006 book Built to Win. He is the only General Manager in baseball to win a World Series championship in both leagues. The luncheon honors the winners of the McFarland-SABR Award, the Sporting News-SABR Award, and SABR’s highest honor, the Bob Davids Award. 2:45 p.m. Visit to Joe Jackson Museum and Greenville Drive baseball game, Greenville, SC(pending sufficient registration) In 2006, the home of Joe Jackson was dismantled, moved three miles, and reassembled in the historic west end of Greenville, South Carolina. The house was deeded to the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Library Foundation in July 2007. The museum held its grand opening and dedication on June 21, 2008. The new house number is 356 – also Jackson’s lifetime batting average. 3:00 p.m. New Technologies in Baseball, panel moderated by Alan NathanLearn more about Pitch/Hit/Field FX and Trackman 7:30 p.m. Ty Cobb, a one-man play by Norm ColemanSunday, August 89:00 a.m. The Research Process: Seymour Medal Winners PanelDorothy Seymour Mills and local member Ken Fenster will co-moderate .Trials and Tribulations of the Research Process: A Panel Discussion with Recent Recipients of the Seymour Medal.. This panel will focus on the creative processes and problems involved in seeing a research project all the way through from conception to execution to publishing a final product. Participants will draw on their experiences with their award-winning works and their current research. 9:00 a.m. Visit to Rickwood Field, Birmingham, AL(pending sufficient registration) |
More information here http://convention.sabr.org/schedule/events
Dodgers are home but I am seriously thinking about attending my first SABR convention. Registration for members is $119 and $149 for non-members before July 4th. Registration, under 18 is free with registered adults. Also SABR has a negotiated rate of $129/nite plus tax with Sheraton Atlanta.
