Progressive Field (Cleveland Indians)

This is the MLB stadium I have been to the most times. By far. We lived in Cleveland for three years and took pretty good advantage of only being 20 minutes away from MLB action. I would estimate that I probably went to about 15 games here. A lot of the games were really, really good. I will mention the ones that seem noteworthy and leave out the rest. The pictures above are of our first time to the stadium. The pictures below are also from our first game which resulted in a tenth-inning walk-off HR down the right field line by Asdrubal Cabrera:

Here's the link to the box score:
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2010_08_28_kcamlb_clemlb_1&c_id=cle#game=2010_08_28_kcamlb_clemlb_1,game_state=Wrapup,game_tab=box

And here's a video of the walk-off:
http://m.mlb.com/video/v11486991/kccle-cabrera-homers-to-deliver-a-walkoff-win/?game_pk=265740

Our next game was another good one. There was a fairly long rain delay, but we fortunately stayed warm since we were given Indians snuggies at the gate:

We had sweet seats and were treated to another great game. This one went 12 innings. Unfortunately, Cassie was very pregnant and due to the rain delay, it was quite late and we were quite hungry (we didn't get scammed into buying majorly overpriced concessions). Cassie was a big time trooper, but we decided to call it after the 11th inning. As we were leaving we were still able to watch the game while we were walking behind the right field seats. And that's when Jim Thome (of the Twins at the time) hit a solo bomb. So we parked ourselves in the right field seats and watched the rest of the game in which the Twins took it 1-0.

Box score here:
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2010_09_11_minmlb_clemlb_1&c_id=cle#game=2010_09_11_minmlb_clemlb_1,game_state=Wrapup,game_tab=box

Our next game was also great. We had amazingly awesome seats. And it was Mallory's first ever baseball game. She sat on my lap the entire time without moving a muscle.

After the game the plan was to leave the two ladies at the field while I went to the car and I would come pick them up. However, I walked out of a different gate that I have never gone through and I got myself turned around a little bit. It was very dark and a very sketchy looking guy asked me if I was lost. I asked him where Walnut St. was and he said he would take me there. As we were walking together, alone, through downtown Cleveland, he informed me that he just got out of jail. It was at this moment that he told me of a shortcut that goes through a very dark and skinny alley. The kind of alley where dead bodies are found. But I followed him through and we came out the other side and he pointed me right where Walnut St. was located. I gave him a hearty thank you and hustled back to my car. Good times.

I have also watched my Jays play several times at Progressive Field. It's fun going to opposing ballparks in my Jays gear because people always welcome me to America or make Canadian jokes or chant USA! My first Jays game here was also my third Jays game I ever attended in person. Jays were 0-2 previously, so I was hopeful to finally see the Jays win a game in person. My first game was going great. Jays led 4-0 going into the bottom of the ninth. Frank Francisco (worst closer ever) promptly loaded the bases without retiring a batter. Luis Perez came in, got an out and let one run in. He then gave up a walk-off grand slam to Travis Hafner. I was so bummed. Hafner crushed it so far. I knew it was gone right off the bat and so did everyone else in the crowd. It was one of the most amazing atmospheres I have ever been in, but unfortunately I was not taking part. As I walked out of the stadium to many jeers from Indians fans, I wondered if I would ever witness a Jays victory.

Here's the box:
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_07_07_tormlb_clemlb_1&c_id=cle#game=2011_07_07_tormlb_clemlb_1,game_state=Wrapup,game_tab=box

And here's Pronk's bomb:
http://m.mlb.com/video/v16733457/torcle-indians-walk-off-on-hafners-grand-slam/?game_pk=288229

Finally, Jays won a game for me the very next day. The day after that was another sweet one. Jon Rauch (another sucky Jays closer) blew the game in the ninth. Jose Bautista hit his second homer of the game in the top of the tenth and the Jays hung on for the one-run victory.

Box:
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_07_09_tormlb_clemlb_1&c_id=cle#game=2011_07_09_tormlb_clemlb_1,game_state=Wrapup,game_tab=box

Go-ahead HR by Joey Bats:
http://m.mlb.com/video/v16812697/torcle-bautista-homers-in-extras-to-put-jays-ahead/?game_pk=288259

My next Jays game was yet another sweet one. After Kelly Johnson hit a go-ahead HR for the Jays in the top of the ninth, Sergio Santos (another sucky Jays closer...sensing a trend?) blew the game in the ninth. Fortunately, Jays scratched out four runs in the 12th to pull out the W. We watched much of this game down in some pretty good seats amongst some very loud Jays fans:

Box score:
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_04_07_tormlb_clemlb_1&c_id=cle#game=2012_04_07_tormlb_clemlb_1,game_state=Wrapup,game_tab=box

I watched Jays win one out of three in 2013. Their lone victory was super intense. Jays broke a 2-2 tie by scoring three runs in the top of the ninth and almost blew it in the end (aided by a huge throwing error by Kawasawki), but hung on for the one-run victory. Delabar stranded runners on 2nd and 3rd for his first career save.

Box score link (that I am sure no one is actually clicking on):
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_07_10_tormlb_clemlb_1&c_id=cle#game=2013_07_10_tormlb_clemlb_1,game_state=Wrapup,game_tab=box

Final out video:
http://m.mlb.com/video/v28788479/torcle-delabar-picks-up-first-career-save-in-win/?game_pk=348107

I only have two more games to note. First, is the game where I choked catching a homer by Shin-Soo Choo. The instant the ball came off the bat I knew it was coming right at me. I could just tell. If I would have brought my glove then it would have been game over. I tried to catch it with my bare hands but flubbed it (partially due to being bumped by my friend who was next to me; this same friend came up with the ball off the ground during the ensuing scrum). I still should have caught it though. My thumb was in a decent amount of pain for the next several days. I tried to find the video of the homer, but can't find it on mlb.com anymore. I know it was once on there because I watched the video after the game and saw me going for the catch and dropping it.

The second, and last, game to mention was a sweet game I went to with my Dad who came out to see my graduation ceremony. It was a great back and forth game against the Mariners. Tribe took a 6-5 lead in the 7th. M's tied it up in the 8th on a Kyle Seager homer. M's took the lead in the ninth on an Endy Chavez home run. Indians tied the game in the bottom of the ninth when the pitcher dropped the ball for the would-be final out at first base. Mariners took the lead again in the top of the ninth on a Justin Smoak homer. But Indians prevailed in the bottom of the 10th on a walk-off three-run homer by former Jays catcher Yan Gomes (his second homer of the game). It was one of the better games I've ever been to.

Here's the box score:
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_20_seamlb_clemlb_1&c_id=cle#game=2013_05_20_seamlb_clemlb_1,game_state=Wrapup,game_tab=box

Here's a good recap video of the game which shows most of the action I mentioned above:
http://m.mlb.com/video/v27287441/52013-gomes-walkoff-homer-lifts-tribe-in-extras/?game_pk=347408

I really like this stadium. I have sat all over and like sitting anywhere. My favorite spot (other than being way close up, obviously) is probably up high on the 3rd base side. It's a great view and is in the shade. It is also good to sit at least once out in the left field bleachers nearby John Adams, the Indians drummer guy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdvM8lhJ2mI&ebc=ANyPxKpwDaQYNRe6BoUv_9TQ1LpnpL9j1X5kDzhpDVV49A81ihUg06hHWFRu-EaYo8BgKnKdpG7gJ638PiXrOmGAZa7deM54kg

They also have a really good and informative Indians hall of fame area behind center field:
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/cle/history/hof_heritage_park.jsp

Rogers Centre (Toronto Bluejays)

My first MLB stadiums post has to be of my favorite team's stadium - da Jays. We lived in Cleveland, Ohio for three years and managed to get up to Toronto one time to take in a series against the Seattle Mariners. It is only a bit over 4.5 hours away. Seems like we should have made the trip a few times, but we didn't.

We (myself, the Mrs. and little Trevor) went up right after my last law school exam, but prior to the graduation ceremony and bar exam study period. We stopped at Niagara Falls for a quick looksie. Proof:

But, even though we had plenty of time, I was anxious to get to the stadium, so we departed the Falls after getting the gist of it. It was a good thing we left quickly because we were only a few miles from the stadium and got caught in some extreme traffic. Super frustrating to say the least. I even got flipped off by an angry Canadian. Cassie dropped me and Trevor off at the stadium while she went to find a place to park. Trevor and I rushed in to see one out had already been recorded in the top of the first. I immediately looked to the left field fence where Joe Carter hit his World Series walk-off homer and was pretty happy to be there. We watched the rest of the top of the first from the concourse down below. Trevor and I then got settled in to our seats up high on the third base side and this usher girl was obsessed with Trevor and Trevor was flirting with her nonstop. Come on son, focus on the game.

Notice the fan in the background hanging his head. It was that kind of game. Ricky Romero (former all-star who forgot how to pitch) was called up from the minors for a spot start and King Felix was on the bump for the M's. Cassie finally made it to the stadium around the 4th inning. This picture below was taken after the game concluded. I put on a fake smile for the camera after the disappointing Jays performance.

Here is the box score (I can't figure out how to post the box score on the blog directly, so you'll have to follow the link if you care to take such a bother):

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_03_seamlb_tormlb_1&c_id=tor#game=2013_05_03_seamlb_tormlb_1,game_state=Wrapup,game_tab=box

As you can see, it was a dominating performance by King Felix.

The next game was also a dud for the Jays as Iwakuma picked up right where Felix left off. Plus, R.A. Dickey made me hate more than ever the trade where they gave up Syndergaard and d'arnaud. 

It was a beautiful day for a ball game as you can see:

Here's the box score:

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_04_seamlb_tormlb_1&c_id=tor#game=2013_05_04_seamlb_tormlb_1,game_state=Wrapup,game_tab=box

So after two terrible losses, the next game was huge. I did not want to drive all the way up to Toronto to watch the Jays get swept at home. Fortunately, Brandon Morrow was on the mound and he always has pitched well in the few games I've watched him pitch while in attendance. Plus, we switched to the first base side to mix it up.

Cassie tricked the Jays staff to believe that it was my birthday (because I got these tickets for my birthday a month earlier, so it was my birthday trip and an extension of my birthday). This picture below is of me while they are singing Happy Birthday to me:

And below is the girl from the first game that had a crush on Trevor. She randomly was assigned our section again on the other side of the stadium. She played with Trevor for a handful of innings.

The last game was great. Jays dominated. The worst part though was that for some reason it was pretty difficult to pick up the ball off the bat from the first base side of the field. It was weird. I could never see where the ball was hit. I just had to watch the fielders to see where they moved to. So that put a damper on an otherwise very enjoyable game. As you can see from the box score below, I finally got to fulfill my lifelong dream of seeing Mark DeRosa hit a homer and have an all around swell game.

Box score:

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_05_seamlb_tormlb_1&c_id=tor#game=2013_05_05_seamlb_tormlb_1,game_state=Wrapup,game_tab=box

Cassie spent much of the last game going around getting us free Bluejays t-shirts. It was a great trip and an awesome stadium which will be even better once it gets grass (it is getting a dirt infield this year).