The leaves are changing colors and there is a crisp bite of a chill in the evenings now, both of which signal the arrival of fall. I've started to trade in my Saturdays for watch parties for my Oregon Ducks. However, with the change in seasons means that pennant races are heating up and that my travels to Major League games are ending. I may try and make it to some postseason games, if the opportunity presents itself, but I think after this last month of games, I'd be content with shutting it down. It is a great time to reflect on what was a fun season of seeing "The Show." I certainly did quite a bit related to Major League games, and 2015 is definitely a season that I will remember for a very long time.
This was my second season with a partial season ticket package for the Angels. I ended up going to thirteen games at the Big A, and saw some pretty special and spectacular games. The one wrinkle that was added this year was the late start on Sundays for the ESPN broadcasts. I was a little worried that the 5pm start times would mess up my carefully planned logistics on Sundays with the train and my bike, but I really did adapt to the change with a great routine down to the beach in Newport. I hope that I get to do that a couple more times next year because I still think I can refine it better. I finally got my bodyboard rack working on my bike, and I'd like to add a casual bike ride along the beach in Newport before the brewery stop. I did it once and very much liked it, but didn't do it the second time.
When the game wasn't a late start, my routine down to Angel games on Sundays was always a lot of fun. The weather seemed a lot warmer to me this season as I regularly felt like I was always sweaty and grungy for my entire day down in Anaheim. It helped to wrap a frozen towel around my neck after my bike ride to cool off, but I really need to get up in the shade seats at the Big A. There were a couple times when I just felt like I was baking in the sun, and after the eight-mile bike ride, it made me really uncomfortable. When I go for my season tickets next January, I'll have to remember that and pick seats that are more conducive to me cooling off.
The Angels certainly were a frustrating team to follow this season. I really felt like they underachieved, and they did some stuff that irked me in one way or another. They failed to make the postseason after a furious run in September, which made things exciting that last weekend of the season. The ballclub is poised to have a very interesting offseason as they're hiring a new General Manager, on the market for some talent acquisition. The Angels really need some help in their bullpen as they really have zero depth in it. I think their lineup is stout, but needs to be consistent and supported. Finally, I think they need a new manager. Look, I like Mike Scioscia, and he has had success with the Angels in his past 14 seasons with the team. But, especially after this season, I think that there needs to be new blood in the organization with a new approach to the game.
If there is one Southern California team that I will be following with a rooting interest this postseason, it will be the Dodgers. After a shaky first game of the year for me, I ended making the trip to Chavez Ravine four times this season. I really warmed up to the ballpark after that really frustrating first trip, and I am very comfortable scheduling 3-5 games at Dodger Stadium every season. I really think that the experiences in LA are hit-or-miss because of the fans that go to Dodger games. If I can land a game where people are respectable and the gangbangers stay away, going to games is very enjoyable.
I am kicking myself for only making it to San Diego for two games this season. If we want to talk about fun experiences, San Diego is where it's at. That trip really is a full-day of fun as I have really gotten the experience down pat. I love riding around downtown, hitting the Mission Brewery before the game, catching the Padres game at Petco, sailing to Coronado afterwards, and ending with dinner and a quiet drink at Coronado Brewing. I recently discovered that San Diego has bike share, so I might be incorporating that into my trip down there in the future. I'd like to schedule 3 games in San Diego for next season.
We can't have a recap of the Major League season without going in to the Hiawatha trip. It was fun to finally hit the road for an extended multi-city trip again, even if it was completely exhausting. I saw three great games in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Chicago. I rode bikes in all three, and had fun, non-baseball, related experiences, as well.
One of the great things I discovered this season, primarily for the Major League season, but also the Minors, was the PassPort program. I've been doing Baseball Road Trips for so long, and I have resisted the temptation to do it. I don't know why I resisted for so long, but I'm glad I broke through for this season as I have felt that it has added another level of engagement for me at the games that I attend. While a lot of people like to stamp their books themselves, I actually like to have the respective stadium personnel do it. I think it adds a little bit of authenticity to the moment. I'm excited to, possibly, make return to ballparks I have visited in the past to get stamps. After visiting my sixteenth professional park, and entering the back half of the ultimate goal of hitting all thirty, making return trips is on my radar, for sure.
I think the greatest thing about this Major League season was that I got to go to a fair amount of games with people I very much care about. I hit up games with my girlfriend, brother, and mother and father. What was great was that all of them saw just how great the experiences are, and that the routines I've created are better when they're shared with others. It made going to games so much more fun. I can't tell you just how much I appreciate that and I hope that the future holds those same opportunities.
I have about a three week layoff until departing for my annual trip to see the Arizona Fall League play in Phoenix. In that time, you can bet that I will be watching the playoffs and hoping for some great action. What I find very cool is that in the more than twenty Major League games I went to this season, I saw every playoff-bound team, except the Mets and Yankees. In retrospect, I saw some great teams.
Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)
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