Journey to the Juice Box

The Park

I traveled to Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas to watch the Cardinals take on the Astros on August 30 and 31.  I had never been to the rather unique Minute Maid Park.  Earlier this year, I ran across a forum where Cardinal fans were discussing how much they hated the park, so I was curious to see if my impression would be the same.  I should have known better.

 

When  I walk into a beautiful Cathedral, there is a hush and awe that comes over me, like I'm standing on holy ground, perhaps in the company of the saints that have gone before and the saints that will come after.  It doesn't matter that I'm not Catholic.  I simply feel connected to all of Christendom.

 

This may be blasphemy, but when I walk into a major league ballpark, I feel the exact same way.  In that first moment when I enter the hallowed halls, I am overwhelmed with awe for the great games and players that have gone before, and the ones that are to come.  I feel connected and a part of this grand old game.  In that moment, I'm not a Cardinals fan or a Cub-hater.  I'm just a humble girl, who loves the game of baseball.

 

Minute Maid Park was no different for me.  Oh sure, I hate the hill in centerfield (sprained ankle waiting to happen or a concussion from a collision with the flag pole).  The outfield grass looked like it could stand the roof being open more so it could soak in real sunshine and rain.

 

But, in this ballpark's young life, it has hosted an All-Star game and a World Series.  The greats of our age have played here.  In fact, a few of them were playing there this weekend.   So, except for the hill, I appreciate the uniqueness of the park and the history in the making that happens there each day. 

 

 

 Astro fans never forget that Albert Pujols hit a big homer over the top of this sign.

 

One of the great things about the park is there are a lot of really good seats.  I sat in the 2^nd tier even with 3^rd base the first night.  I was looking down right on top of the game.  The 2^nd game, I sat in the Crawford boxes, which is another great view.  The Crawford street entrance is right behind these seats, so getting in and out is no hassle at all.  However, if the roof is closed, bring a sweatshirt.  The air-conditioning blows straight down on these seats.  Very weird to be cold at a baseball game in August.

 

As for the Astros traditions, I like that they play "Deep in the Heart of Texas" after "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the 7^th inning stretch.  They must only play "God Bless America" on Sunday, which seems plenty to me.  I didn't test the security to see if I would be arrested for trying to go to the bathroom during the song, but I figure this is Texas, not New York City.  If freedom still rings anywhere, it's here.  Don't get me wrong "God Bless America" is a wonderful, meaningful song, but seriously when did it become the second national anthem?  And since when is being apathetic akin to treason.  Sorry, that's another subject entirely.  Back to baseball.

 

The Place to Stay

 

If you visit Houston for a game, and your budget allows, I highly recommend the Inn at the Ballpark right across the street from Minute Maid Park.  I had originally booked at the Hilton a few blocks away because the Inn was a little out of my budget.  But, I checked rates a couple days before my trip and was able to get a room priced about the same as the Hilton room.

 

This is a view of Minute Maid park from the 10th floor of the hotel.

 

The hotel is very plush.  Everything is baseball themed, yet elegant at the same time.  I knew when there was a picture on my wall of a catcher that they had put me in the right room.  The Lobby Bar is a great place to meet other Cardinals fans, grab a quick bite, celebrate after the game, or in our case...drown our sorrows.  The fare is pricy, but good.

  

The Experience

 

One of the best parts of the trip was meeting the other out-of-town Cardinals fans.  Cardinals fans are among the best fans in the world.  They know and love their baseball.  It was nice to be among others that share my obsession.

 

The other thing I enjoyed was seeing the fathers and sons taking in the experience together.  I had the opportunity to talk to a couple youngsters, one a Cardinals fan and one an Astros fans.  These boys knew their baseball.   Despite all the other distractions (TV, video games, movies, computers, other sports) there are still boys that still live, eat and breathe baseball, just like their fathers and grandfathers before them.  Maybe, I'm just a sap, but there is just something beautiful about the tradition.

   

I missed getting a picture of it, but there was a birthday party of about a half dozen  little boys (maybe 5 or 6 years old). They were all wearing #12 Aaron Miles T-shirts.  There were almost enough of them to cover all the positions that Miles can play!  Which brings me to the question I've been asking a lot lately, how do you not put a guy batting .320 in your lineup everyday?

 

Here's Miles getting ready for batting practice.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Mather was giving the lineup on TV the other day, and he said Skip Schumaker was the most intense guy on the field.  In watching him prepare for a game, I believe it. 

 

Here he is before the game, getting in the zone, taking some practice swings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Games 

 

The only thing that would have made the trip perfect would have been a couple Cardinal wins.  However, there were some great performances to be noted:

 

In Saturday's game, Albert Pujols went 4 for 4, collecting career hits 1499, 1500, 1501 and 1502.  Number 1500 was a double in the third.  It's fun to be able to say, I saw that.

 

Also, in Saturday's game, Braden Looper had a dismal first inning...career high dismal...giving up 6 runs.  He managed to pull it together and get 3 outs in a row to end the inning.  Then, he pitched three solid innings.  My hats off is off to him.  It's one thing to start a game pitching well and keep that going.  It's another thing to be on the ropes and battle your way back.  He's a professional.

 

In Sunday's game, Todd Wellemeyer turned in as good a game as you could ask of your starting pitcher.  In seven innings, he gave up 4 hits and 1 run.  He had three innings of 3 up, 3 down.  He struck out 4, walked no one and hit no one.  He even laid down a nice sac bunt.  Yet, he still got the loss. 

 

 

Todd Wellemeyer is ready to go, as he, Dave Duncan and Yadier Molina make their way from the bullpen to the dugout.

 

Ya'll are going to be sick of me talking about Aaron Miles, but that's too bad.  Aaron Miles got one at bat on Saturday and four on Sunday.  He was 3 for 5 with a stolen base, and the only Cardinal I saw get a hit off the Astros flame-throwing closer, Valverde.  Here it comes again...why is he not in the lineup everyday?

 

 

Speaking of guys batting over .300, the Cardinals have more than their fair share:  Pujols, Miles, Molina, Schumaker and Ludwick.  When you have that many guys getting on base a high percentage of the time, I have to believe the common denominator is hitting coach, Hal McRae.  Some of our guys are having the best year they have ever had at the plate.  A big nod to Hal McRae.