Deathtour~!: Fenway Park, Boston

So far, over the course of the Deathtour, I’ve been extremely fortunate not to encounter a rain out. Because I have to map out the tour in advance and because this is rather costly, I only give myself a single day in each city. So there’s no room for error, or in this case, rain. If a game gets canceled on the day I’m in town, I’m out of luck. So far, the closest I’ve come to not seeing a game was in Washington, where the start of the game was delayed by an hour. Tonight, I’m in Boston to see the Green Monster, Pesky's Pole, Manny being Manny, and the most important rivalry in the history of sports (according to ESPN’s coverage), but…it’s raining.

The game is scheduled to start at 8pm local time. As of twenty minutes before the top of the hour I’m still stuck in my hotel room waiting for the heavens to part and keeping an eye on the tube hoping for some positive news. Karl Ravach says the game could start by 8:15 but the window to get this game in is small. If this game goes late or enters another delay I may call it a night. But at least it looks like some of this game will happen, so it won’t be a total loss for me.

They’re taking the tarp off the field. That’s my cue to head to Fenway.

The walk was longer than I realized to the point that I thought I’d been walking in the wrong direction, but eventually I saw the lights.

When I get to my seat the tarp is still on the field making me question what I was watching on TV in my hotel room. The game is going to start at 9pm, giving me plenty of time to stare in awe at the Monster. It’s amazing to see it with my own eyes. I’m geeking out for the hand operated scoreboard and the old-timey style ads. Forget the game, I’m just going to stare at the wall for 9 innings.

Hey, Angel Hernandez is calling balls and strikes tonight. That’s the second time on this trip. Every time I see Angel Hernandez I remember back to a game at Wrigley where a drunk Mongo McMichael, former Bears football player and member of the 4 Horsemen, before singing Take Me Out To The Ballgame, said he’d ‘take care of the umpire’ for calling a poor game.

Sir Sidney Ponson is warming up in the bullpen. The scoreboard says his record is 6-1. That can’t possibly be right. Is there more than one Sir Sidney Ponson?

Even though I hate Boston fans for letting the success of a single championship go to their heads and turn them into the most repulsive and dislikable fans in sports, I will say that they know how to make the atmosphere electric. Everything gets a reaction, positive and negative. It doesn’t sound like there are too many Yankee fans. I’m a bit disappointed. I was hoping for some good back and forth chants from the crowd.

Boston goes up immediately in the first with a 3 spot. Now that looks like the Ponson I’m familiar with.

This has to be the worst section in the stadium. The location is fine but the seats are facing center field. And I’m behind Pesky's Pole. I have to crane my neck at a 90 degree angle to the left to see home plate. I can’t believe they haven’t restructured these seats in the last 90 years to face home plate. It’s only the third inning and my neck is developing a cramp.

Meanwhile, Boston keeps rolling with a run in the second, a run in the third, and a 2 run blast from Big Papi down the right field line. With not much to cheer about after two losses the last two nights, Sox fans are letting it all out tonight. And there’s activity in the Yankees’ bullpen.

The blimp is here tonight covering the game for ESPN. When I looked up they were showing advertising for UFC and Chris Leben was knocking someone out. Cool.

Yankees get 2 off Jon Lester in the 5^th inning but the Sox get it back in the 6^th. Ponson was pulled after 4. Someone give that man some Brandy.

The bleachers tried to get a wave going but failed. I’m still shocked to see it here. And there’s beach balls too. How embarrassing. I didn’t think I could have lower opinion of Boston fans but I do now.

Retired Massachusetts State Trooper Dan Clark overcomes a bad mic to put on a great show in belting out God Bless America in the middle of the seventh. He got a loud ovation and even I was clapping.

It’s approaching midnight. I’m not getting much sleep tonight, that’s for sure. Thankfully I only have one more day of this.

Boston finally wins this one sided affair a few minutes shy of 12am. All but one Sox player had a hit and JD Drew had 2 walks. As I’m walking out the Sox fans are jeering the few Yankee fans that are here. One of the New York fans comes back with chants of “26” and “2 out of 3”. I guess he’s got a point there.

Deathtour~!: PNC Park, Pittsburgh

PNC Park is another in a series of new stadiums that have cropped up in the last decade. Kruk and Kuip gush about this place on TV and they are absolutely right. This place is a gem. Situated right on the Alleghany River, much in the same way that Pac Bell is situated at China Basin, perhaps slightly further inland, PNC is one of the smallest parks in the Majors, making it a real intimate experience. The stadium size, the structure, the smaller crowds, the promotions, the small market atmosphere, the lack of club level seating and the ticket prices ($24 for a lower box seat) combine to create an almost minor league experience. And that’s not a slight. But there’s a major difference between Pittsburgh and say, Chicago or Philadelphia. The Pirates have acted as a feeder to the major markets for the past 10 years. The future stars may play here now but ultimately they get traded for prospects to perennial contenders like the Yankees (who just made a trade for the Pirates’ leading hitter, Xavier Nady). But despite the recent struggles of the Buccos, it hasn’t stopped them from creating one of the most pleasant baseball experiences in the country.

At one point, long, long ago, Pittsburgh was a great team and remnants of that history are scattered throughout the park. Hall of Famer and one of the greatest hitters who ever lived, Roberto Clemente, has a statue right outside the center field gate. Inside the left field gate are the hands of Ralph Kiner.

The bullpen is right up against the center field walkway, a perfect location for heckling opposing relievers.

The Pirates have one of the most affordable ticket prices in the majors. I can’t believe this seat is only $24. the seats behind the plate are a fraction of the price at many other stadiums.

You can watch the game through a screen under the right field bleachers. Unlike Pac Bell this area is within the ballpark gates. The scoreboard, which sadly is not hand operated, is directly below.

The scoreboard is almost identical to Philadelphia’s, minus the pitching matchups.

There are two rotundas; one behind home plate and one in left field. The left field rotunda looks like a great spot to stand and watch the game.

The announcement of the Pirates line up is preceeded with a video package set to the Pirates of the Carribean theme that includes an entire history of the franchise combining stills, video and old newspaper clippings. It blows away any similar video I’ve seen at a baseball game. I wonder if they have this available to watch online.

Van Benschoten is on the hill for Pittsburgh. After striking out Jody Gerut he gives up two walks and a home run, followed by a third walk, a single and a double. Ouch. 41 pitches in the first inning. This game could be out of reach before the Pirates even come up to bat. San Diego up 4-0.

Small ball. The idea of manufacturing runs is almost extinct. Pittsburgh gets it done with a single, a stolen base, a sacrifice fly and a second hit.

A single, a walk and another home run for San Diego in the second and Van Benschoten is out of the game, leaving to a chorus of boos from the Pirate faithful.

9-0 in the middle of the fifth. Time for some in-game entertainment. In Pittsburgh it's the Pyrogie race, and surprise, surprise, it's a total work. Mrs. Pyrogie(not her official moniker but I didn't catch name) suffers an injury and the camera guy takes out the other three pyrogies and helps the Missus past the finish line.

Either the Pirates are having a fire sale or manager John Russell has given up on the game. He's just subbed three of his top four hitters out.

The Pirates have made a game of this as I've moved around the ballpark, settling in at the left field rotunda.

Across the river, just outside my hotel, there's some sort of festival going on. And they're capping it off with a fireworks show, visible from the bleachers and right field side of the field. The game is still going on here but most everybody has turned their attention to the sky.

Trever Hoffman comes in and records a single out to close the game after Pittsburgh scores again to make it 9-6 San Diego. After the final out I head down the home plate rotunda and out the exit to look at the Honus Wagner statue.

Deathtour~!: Citizen's Bank Park, Philadelphia

To my complete surprise, the Phillies game was sold out, so in that sense it was good that I wasn’t with anybody for the game. I don’t know if I could have found 2 tickets next to each other from a scalper. As it was, I bought a ticket, for well more than I should have, from the first person who had one to sell.

It was pretty close to first pitch by the time I’d walked the several miles down Broad from my hotel to the sports complex, so I went upstairs immediately to find my seat. I was hoping it was in the shade. The top of my head is beginning to resemble a beet.

I’m in the first row of the top level and I’m right behind the Phillies dugout, but it’s not worth what I paid. I feel even worse when I learn how much the guy next to me sold my seat for to the guy I bought it from. And the sun is right in my eyes. I have to check to make sure I’m wearing my shades.

Time for some food. I’ve heard that Bull’s BBQ is the place to go. It’s all the way down in Ashburn Alley behind centerfield. Ashburn Alley is the featured attraction here. From the Alley you have a great view of the game from center, you can heckle the opposing team’s bullpen, walk the Phillies All-Star lane and relive the history of baseball in Philadelphia. I just want food for now, the rest can come after the game.

Aaaand I took one look at the line and decided on something else. I’ve never seen a line that long for food at a game. Not even for garlic fries at the Phone Booth. But at least I got up close to Braves starter Jair Jurrjens. Instead I have a Cheesesteak, which at least fits with being in Philly. Oh, and through all that I missed the first half inning getting back up to my seat.

It’s Christmas in July at Citizens Bank Park. Christmas music and movie clips have been playing between innings. Not much to talk about in regards to the game so far. It’s been a pitchers’ duel through three.

Brian McCann breaks through with a soaring shot to right. Two batters later, Jeff Francour sends a blooper into right field. I didn’t think Jenkins had a shot to catch it, and neither did anyone else, but he came on to make a spectacular diving catch.

Even though it’s not a hand operated scoreboard, I like the Phillies classic electronic design. It’s simple, has room for every game, and is free from clutter. A single light indicates outs and runners. No giant graphics or any of that nonsense.

It’s Christmas in July so the Phanatic, dressed as Santa, meets the real Santa. I was hoping he’d get booed but that didn’t happen.

The Phillies just aren’t hitting tonight. 1 run might be enough for the Braves. And Kendrick has pitched well for the Phillies, he’s just not getting any support.

We have a cameraman in our section. We spent a half inning debating what’s he’s here for. Prizes? Kiss Cam? Turns out a kid in the next row down won two tickets to a local theme park. He then turns his attention on a little girl who is a bit camera shy when she sees herself on the big screen.

Kendrick gets pulled after 6 due to pitch count. I remember when guys would throw 200 pitches over 13 innings without breaking a sweat.

Have I mentioned it’s Christmas in July?

Ouch! Jayson Werth hit a comebacker that nearly took Jerrjans’ head off. Jerrjans recovered, found the ball and threw Werth out to end the 8^th.

Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel is bringing in Brad Lidge, his closer, into a non save situation. This never, ever ends well. He must need the work but I would never do this as a manager. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen a pitcher who’s used to coming in to close a game, come into a losing situation or blowout game and give up 3 runs. It always happens.

Greg Norton leads off with a double and Henry Blanco beats out a bunt. It was a really close play, and even though they’ve shown a replay of nearly every at bat prior, no replay here.

Mark Teixeira singled and McCann hit a grand slam, his second home run on the night, blowing the game wide open. See? Happens every time. The guy next to me says the same thing. The Braves score 7 times in the ninth.

Ryan Howard homers to left but it’s a little too late. The Braves take the game 8-2.

Time to go check out Ashburn Alley. There’s a Phillies Wall of Fame and an all time Phillies team. Pete Rose is listed at 1^st base.

The timeline of Philadelphia baseball includes the A’s, who for 40 years or so were by far the better team in the city.

I can’t even name a single Phillies player from that era but I could name several A’s.

Deathtour~!: Shea Stadium, New York

As I was on my way back to Manhattan, a thought occurred. “Hey, it’s 3 hours before the Mets game tonight. Why not try for the New York doubleheader instead of waiting for tomorrow’s afternoon game.”

So after dropping my Yankees program in my room I headed back out for Queens and Shea Stadium, also in its final season. Flushing is also the grounds of the US Open but I decide against checking it out as I haven’t purchased a ticket to the baseball game yet. To my surprise I was able to get a ticket in the upper deck section behind home plate, which means there must be more tickets available than I thought there would be for a Mets and Phillies game.

Before walking into Shea I take a look at CitiField, the Mets new ballpark next season. It’s miles more impressive looking than their cross town rivals new digs. I love the brick finish and the arches remind me a bit of Ebbets Field. Now if only we could build a replica of the Polo Grounds.

Shea looks much like Dodger Stadium and early Candlestick, which were all built in the same era. It’s one of the few 4 level stadiums in baseball and circular design of the lower level seating were designed to swivel based on what was being played, baseball or football. Since 1983, when the Jets moved to Giants Stadium, the Mets have been the sole tenants of Shea.

Since I have a seat behind home plate I decided to sit in the very last row. You can’t sit any further or higher than where I’m sitting.

The atmosphere at this game is electric. Philadelphia is only an hour and a half by train and there a tons of Phillie fans at the game. I saw a few Phillie fans at Yankee Stadium and a couple of Twins hats here so I must not be the only one who thought to watch two games today.

When the lineups were announced Mets fans booed through the entire Phillies lineup while the Philadelphia fans booed through the entire Mets lineup. Each group of fans is attempting to out do the other.

After the Phillies went down in order in the first Bret Myers conceded 4 consecutive walks and a fielder’s choice to bring in 2 runs for the Mets without giving up a hit. A kid in front of me, who’s sitting with a friend that’s a Phillies fan, is doing a brilliant job of heckling Myers. His friend doesn’t look too happy.

The Phillies come back in the second with back to back home runs and now it’s the Phillies fans turn to heckle the Mets fans. There’s dueling chants going on right now.

Myers walks a 5^th batter and hits the next one. Still no hits.

And just as I say that the Mets get their first hit. After 3 innings the Mets have 3 runs on 2 hits.

I’m getting cold up here. It looks like it might rain. According to the score board they’re in a rain delay in Baltimore so there’s a system coming through the northeast.

Jose Reyes breaks a tie in the sixth with a three run home run and the big apple comes up. Myers was taken out after five innings due to pitch count. He had settled down after the third. A ‘Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose’ chant to the tune of ‘Ole, ole, ole, ole’ breaks out. That’s cool.

Billy Wagner comes out in the ninth to save the game. Mets win and the New York teams sweep the day night double header. From here I have to ride the wave of fans taking the train back to the city. It’s still rockin’ as Mets and Phillies fans are still going at it with the chants. And right on cue it starts pouring rain.

Deathtour~!: Yankee Stadium, New York

After the night game in Baltimore it was an early wake up call to catch Amtrak up to New York for the afternoon Yankee game in the Bronx. I rode up and checked into my hotel, a dive right in the middle of Times Square, without any delays, and after taking a few minutes to figure out New York’s subway system, rode out to the Bronx for my first and last taste of The House That Ruth Built.

If Wrigley is a 1930s baseball experience, Yankee Stadium is the 1970s baseball experience. Hard seats with no cup holders, an old electronic scoreboard, a run down PA system, and a cramped concession area gives you the sensation of standing in an antique. These are more than a few of the reasons they’re replacing this stadium with a more modern yet almost identical looking facility, even down to the boring prison-like exterior.

New York is still pretty paranoid. They asked to see my cell phone. It doesn’t look like anybody is allowed to bring in backpacks and they’ve also banned sunscreen, which is just indefensible. After getting through the gate I slowly make my way behind home plate. It doesn’t look as though they are checking tickets so I sneak a peek at the lower level. Batting practice is just about to wrap up.

It’s 30 minutes before game time and I need something to eat. I’ll I’ve had today is iced coffee at Penn Station in Baltimore. There’s a nice café area behind home. Beer is $9. That’s outrageous but it’s a sporting event. You could price beer at $20 and it would sell.

I’m all the way up in the upper deck in right field. Not too bad, but I can’t see the right field foul line and I can barely read the right field scoreboard at this angle. Flipping through the Yankees’ program, there’s a story on Jose Molina. I’ve lost track of how many Molina brothers are catching in the big leagues. At some point I think all 30 teams will have one.

The anthem is played over the PA system after the Yankees partially take the field. The bleacher roll call goes out. Nice. I'm not sure if you can make it out in the picture, but there's a metal fence above the left part of the Modell sign. A guy next to me was saying that it was recently put up after A-Rod hit a home run off the yellow above the sign that was ruled in play by the umpire. The fence is designed so that when a ball hits it, it will make a different noise.

Monument Park is out in left field in front of the visiting bullpen. It doesn’t look like you can walk through it during the game. I would have liked to see DiMaggio and Berra’s plaques.

Mussina’s on a roll today. Every strikeout brings a chorus of ‘Mooooooooose’ from the crowd.

The Yanks finally wake up in fifth and score twice.

Alexi Castilla lines a double past the diving Richie Sexton at first. Sexton is 10 feet tall and that’s second time he’s come up short diving to prevent a ball from going into the outfield. He has the range of a sloth.

The grounds crew comes out and performs YMCA. The Seattle crew's Thriller dance was better.

Mussina has a shutout through 8 innings and a five run lead but he’s hit the magical 100 pitch count which in 2008 means you’re out of the game.

LaTroy Hawkins, former Giant for a brief period, comes in and does his job by giving up a run and three hits creating a save situation for Rivera. So now I can say I saw future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera save a game at Yankee stadium.

Rivera strikes out the only batter he saw, Jason Kubel, to end the game. "Yankees win! The Yankees win!"

Deathtour~!: Camden Yards, Baltimore

Perhaps even more ambitious and stressful than traveling to 8 games in 7 cities over a 12 day period (not including the 13^th day for travel) which I just completed two weeks ago, is covering 7games in 1 week in 6 cities. That’s a game a day without interruption journeying to a new city every day except for the two days I’ll be spending in New York. It’s exhausting. And I’m just watching the games. I can’t imagine the additional toll having to play through all this travel must be like. It must be worse for circus performers, although that’s neither here nor there.

I never make things easy for myself, or so it seems, and my Northeast trip begins with a long day of travel from early morning to evening, followed by a game at Camden Yards at night. I’m scheduled to take off from San Francisco at 7:25am and land in Baltimore at 5:25pm, giving me a scant 90 minutes to make it to downtown Baltimore, check in to my room and head to the game. I managed to coerce a friend into driving me to SFO at 5:30 in the morning so I don’t have to worry about lugging my bags from home to Muni to BART at God-awful early in the morning.

I have a layover in Phoenix. I don’t have to change planes but we’re told that there’s a hold on all Northeast flights due to thunderstorms. Uh-oh. A woman near me just hopes to make it to Baltimore in time for the game. Me too. I wonder if we’re thinking about the same game. I strike up a conversation with her about baseball. Turns out she’s on a baseball group tour. Coincidentally we’ll be at Camden and Yankee Stadium on the same days. She’s also going to Cooperstown. I’m jealous. And she works at Pac Bell Park, but not near my section (121). I’m really jealous.

I got to Camden at the middle of the first. It’s the first time I’ve missed the first pitch all season. I had 40 minutes to get from the airport to the hotel to the game. It just wasn’t going to happen. On the upside I missed the anthem. On the downside I missed the Canadian anthem. I also lost my Panthers hat. I was in such a rush to get to the game that I forgot I’d removed it from my head in the taxi I took from the airport to the hotel. I should also note that I nearly forgot my Passport at home this morning, remembering to grab it at the very last second as I conducted a mental check of everything I had as I was locking the front door. I also haven’t eaten anything. But the game will turn the day around.

Camden Yards is a sweet looking field. It’s the park that started the flood of new ballparks and the influence it had is visible just about everywhere. It has the brick finish of Pac Bell and New Busch. The Centerfield scoreboard reminds me of Comerica in Detroit, the bullpen in Anaheim. San Diego does the warehouse behind right field one better by using it to determine the dimensions of the field.

Out front is a statue of baseball’s most legendary figure, Babe Ruth, possibly the most famous person ever born in Baltimore. The Orioles gallery of retired numbers is also outside the main gate, which are, in fact, actual numbers with a plaque naming the player the number was retired for.

At some point Cal has to get a statue here, right? Unless he already has one at an entrance I didn’t pass.

It’s a thin crowd. Looks to be about 14,000. I bought an upper deck ticket in left field out of the sun. What’s nice about a small crowd is you can move around wherever you want almost. At least in the upper level where there are entire sections with just a few people. Just for kicks I’m going to move to a new seat every few innings.

An ad runs on the scoreboard for the Virgin Music Festival with such acts as Nine Inch Nails, Stone Temple Pilots and the Foo Fighters. Is it 1996 again? I’m pretty sure turn back the clock night is tomorrow here.

I start to move around in the middle of the third. A short trip down the stairs puts me right behind the bullpen. They have it roped off so you can’t walk right up to it. This was as close as I could get. I managed to snap this right as Brian Tallet was looking at me.

After three innings it’s 4-0 Orioles. The home team is winning! Don’t think I haven’t forgotten about the curse. For some reason this has the feeling of a really long game. I hope not. I have a 5:30 wake up call for my train to New York in the morning.

Top of the fifth and it’s time to move around again. I still haven’t eaten anything. I pass up a Crabcake sandwich in favor of a burger and fries (huge mistake, I know). It took forever and by the time I took my new seat in right field it was STILL the top of the fifth and the Orioles were making a pitching change. The score: Toronto 5, Baltimore 4.

I’m sitting in a section all by myself. I’ve always wanted to do this. The Orioles come right back in the bottom of the fifth to take a 7-6 lead. Both starting pitchers are out of the game.

They showed a blooper reel which is mandatory at every game now. It’s only worth mentioning here because half the clips were of the Giants, which, given how bad they’ve been doesn’t sound surprising, except that these clips were of the Giants’ Ball Dudes^TM.

Apparently this section is closed. I guess that explains why no one was sitting here. I’ve been asked to move to the next section over which is literally 15 feet to my left. It seems rather pointless and silly but that’s what I do.

After a single and a walk the Orioles make another pitching change. Alberto Castillo immediately gives up a three run homerun and relinquishes the lead to Toronto. But he won’t be credited with a loss if this score holds up. That unfortunate blemish goes to his predecessor, Francisco Cabrera, who gave up the walk. This scoring rule has always seemed completely illogical to me. If you give up the winning hit, shouldn’t you get the loss? Cabrera gets credit for holding the lead while he was in but loses the game because the next guy couldn’t get the job done. Makes no sense.

The PA guy says that Orioles fans are the best fans in baseball, but he’s lying because the wave has started, which is an automatic disqualification in the “best fans” category. Also, a USA chant. I don’t know who that’s directed at. I’m pretty sure most of the Blue Jays players are Americans.

The Orioles score a run and load the bases in the ninth but fall short. BJ Ryan earns a ‘save’ for his ‘effort’ and once again the road team prevails. At this point I’m expecting to be shot by a deranged Yankee fan from the board before tomorrow’s game.

Deathtour~!: Miller Park, Milwaukee

Is there a better way to celebrate the 4^th of July than tailgating at a baseball game and enjoying America’s pastime? I submit that there is not. And so that’s what a I did, along with Jon (here for his third appearance on the tour), Brewtown Andy (making a second cameo) Jim and Jess (their first and only game on the tour). These fantastic four comprise the largest group I’ve had at a game with me and given the occasion tailgating seemed like the perfect idea and I have Andy to thank for that. When I first proposed the idea of the deathtour, Milwaukee was one of the places I was most excited to watch a game at. Not because I care for the team but because I’d been wanting to get up there to see Jim and Andy (and the sausage race which I’ll get to later). As it turns out Andy must have been equally excited. He offered to pay for my ticket if I tried to eat for the cycle. I’d been determined to pay for anyone who came to a game with me but he offered and eating for the cycle was a challenge I couldn’t pass up.

For the uninitiated, eating for the cycle is similar to hitting for the cycle in baseball. The baseball cycle includes a single, double, triple and home run. Eating for the cycle includes a hot dog, Polish sausage, Italian sausage and Bratwurst. We set up in the parking lot at 11:30, two hours before game time, giving me plenty of time finish all 4. Pacing is very important for this so any extra time is always welcomed. I started off with a hot dog a little while later devoured an Italian Sausage enjoying the games of catch and carnival atmosphere between bites.

We went through the gates shortly before game time, passing Hank Aaron’s statue just outside the main gate. Aaron played only 1 season with the Brewers, his last, but he did spend the bulk of his career playing in Milwaukee, for the Braves. Like many other cities that have had teams come and go, Milwaukee celebrates the history of all those franchises, not just its current one. Aaron’s statue fittingly bears the Braves logo. Opposite Aaron is a second statue, this one for Brewers Hall of Famer Robin Yount, which we passed on our way out.

We’ve got great seats for this game on the third base side, even better than my usual spot back home. And what’s more, Brewtown paid less for these than I paid for our Nose bleed seats at Wrigley last week. I suppose that’s the advantage of small town baseball. It’s also 1000 degrees down here. The shade is all on the first base side of the stands but it’s slowly creeping towards us.

Ben Sheets, the Brewers ace, is pitching today. The streak is in jeopardy.

The Pirates threaten with runners at the corners in the first. Sheets tries the third to first pickoff. Never has this been more of a failure. Jason Michaels, taking his lead from third, didn’t so much as flinch towards third. I’ve never seen this move work. Ever. And I don’t know anyone who’s seen it work either. And if ever anyone tells you they’ve seen it work, they’re lying.

Bill Hall blasts a two run homer in the bottom of the second giving the Brew Crew the lead. Bernie Brewer, Milwaukee’s mascot, takes a ride on his slide. If the Brewers don’t homer in a game does he just stand up there from beginning to end?

It’s still unbearably hot. And my giant lemonade isn’t helping. I seek the shade in the concessions and wander around. It’s time for number three on the food cycle. I don’t think my stomach is going to hold up and given the choice between a Brat and a Polish Sausage, I’m taking the Brat. I can’t come here and say I didn’t have a Brat.

The Brewers score 5 in the 5^th, blowing the game wide open. Andy and Jon are giving me dirty looks. Hey, I can’t be counted on to curse the home team 100% of the time. They disagree. I think they’re forming a committee to determine what went wrong here today.

It’s been determined that Andy paying for my ticket is the cause of the curse being broken. Good work team.

After six it’s Brewers 9, Pirates 1. More importantly it’s time for the main event of the trip. After 8 games in 12 days I finally get to watch what I really took this trip for; a 30 second race between 5 people dressed as sausages. And I’ve been told this is absolutely legit. The race is contested between a Bratwurst, an Italian Sausage, a Polish Sausage, a Hot Dog and a Chorizo, which sounds like a made up name to me. It goes without saying that I’m pulling for the Italian.

Aaaand they’re off. The Chorizo, Polish Sausage and Brat pull out in front mixing it up for positioning. Hot Dog and the Italian are lagging behind. They’ve turned the corner at home plate. It’s a three sausage race now. The Chorizo pulls ahead. He’s going to win.

The Italian and Hot Dog are about 15 links behind. The Italian Sausage trips. How embarrassing. Not so much for him but because he was my pick to win.

It’s the 4^th so I have to endure God Bless America before we get to Take Me Out to the Ballgame and Roll Out the Barrel.

The game ends 9-1. We were about 30 minutes away from shade. I just hope I’m not as burned as I was in LA.

It’s the last day on this leg of the tour and we’ve got a whole gang here, so why not a group shot?!

As we were taking the group picture, guess who came running down to our section? I don’t know why I marked out like I did.

It's over already? Where did the day go?

Deathtour~!: New(ish) Comiskey Park, Chicago

A week after baking in the blistering heat of Wrigley, it’s time to hop on the red line and head south to New(ish) Comiskey Park, now called US Cellular Field, and finish off the Windy City for the season. Joining me once again is Jon Dye who was kind enough to let me keep my stuff with him while I took a detour to Cincinnati yesterday. I’ve spent this entire trip in shorts. It’s been that hot. If you added up the number of days I’ve worn shorts in the past 5 years I don’t think it would be more than the number of days I’ve worn shorts in the past 2 weeks. Tonight it’s cooled down but not enough to make me change back to my familiar jeans or grab my sweatshirt. I hope I don’t regret this.

We arrived on the South Side 30 minutes before the first pitch amongst an enthusiastic crowd. The Sox are the less beloved yet more successful franchise of Chicago. They lack the national fan base that the Cubs enjoy and they’re not the media darlings the north-siders are either, but at least they can claim a few World Series crowns in the past 100 years.

The cheapest seats are $21 in the upper deck. That seems a bit steep after visiting Cincinnati where my upper deck seats were only $14 and bleacher seats were $7! So my wallet is $42 lighter when we pass though the gate. Before we head up I want to take a look around at field level but I’m halted by this…

…seriously?! Segregation in 2008! I guess they don’t want us poor schmucks intermingling with the elite of the South Side. More reason to hate Jerry Reinsdorf.

Okay, the game hasn’t started and I’m already regretting sticking with the shorts. To make matters worse the concession we went to was out of hot chocolate. I settled for pizza which was comparable to a decent microwavable pizza.

The only benefit to having upper deck seats tonight is getting to sit where ever we want within the top level seats. After finding some prime seats in the front row of the right field corner and filling out my scorecard I go on a search for another concession stand with hot chocolate. I find one near by. I have a feeling I’ll be coming back for seconds, thirds, fourths and fifths before the game ends.

We’ve got a great view of the outfield promenade from our seats. Looks like a lot of fun down there…

Sox starter Javier Vasquez strikes out the side in the top of the first and the offense scores twice in the bottom half on a home run and 2 doubles. Jon’s unhappy with me since supposedly I’m not doing my job of bringing the home team bad luck. I remind him it’s only the first inning, the A’s have plenty of time to come back.

Vasquez strikes out the side again in the third! He has 7 Ks through three. He’s single-handedly trying to break the curse. As a reminder the home team is 0-6 on this road trip and 2-11 overall.

It looks plenty warmer out there.

At the beginning of the forth inning I decide to walk around the stadium, at least the parts that I can. The concession area is a bit warmer and I need a refill on my drink. Anything to get away from my cold, hard seat. When I get back, the A’s have tied the game up after a hit-batsman and a homerun.

I take another timeout to walk around. I’m absolutely freezing up here, to the point that I’m considering buying a White Sox jacket or sweatshirt. I think better of it after stepping into the team shop and taking a look at the prices. Given the choice between paying $100 for a coat and freezing I’m choosing freezing.

I get back to my seat and it’s 3-2 A’s. Jon (a noted Cubs fan) is happy and I’ve missed every run for the visiting team so far. If the key to the A’s success is that I have to leave my seat, that’s fine with me.

I can’t take this wind anymore. We decide to head to the opposite side of the stadium where the wind will be at our backs. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this sooner.

This has been a fantastic pitching duel so far. After 7 the A’s have 3 runs on only 4 hits. The White Sox have 2 runs on 5 hits. Both Duchscherer for the A’s and Vasquez for the Sox could go the distance. The A’s need insurance runs so I take a powder to the concessions.

About the only interesting feature of the upper level is a photo mural of the White Sox history from the beginning of the previous century to the present day. The Sox have the bizarre distinction of donning my favorite and least favorite classic jerseys. The 1919 “Black Sox” team has my favorite look in baseball. The colors, the logo, the way in which they wore them – it’s a flawless look. Conversely the mid 80s unis are the worst I’ve ever seen. The 80s had a lot of really awful looking uniforms but this is the worst. It’s even worse than the candy corn Astros shirts.

The Classic 1919 team.

The worst uniform in baseball.

The modern look.

At least they’ve gone back to a more classic look with the 30s style emblem and home white with black pinstripes. You can’t go wrong with that. They should never change this look (unless they plan on going back to that 1919 team jersey).

Vasquez puts the A’s down in the ninth. Unless Chicago scores in the bottom of the ninth he’s in the hook for a complete game loss.

Huston Street gives up a single but strikes out the next two batters to end the game. That makes 7 straight for the road team. The odds of watching 7 straight road wins is staggeringly low. It’s like flipping a coin 7 times and having it come up tails every time. It’s an impossible improbability. There’s no way Pittsburgh makes it a complete sweep tomorrow in Milwaukee, is there?

Deathtour~!: Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati

5:10pm – The gates to Great American Ballpark open and I’m the first one through the turnstile. I’m like Charlie in Wonka’s factory. I’ve got the whole place to myself (almost). And batting practice has just started.

5:20pm – I’ve got front row seats!...in the upper deck. I’ve never had the pleasure of sitting in the front front row but I justify it by choosing to believe the view is better from up here. I take a look around and I’m completely alone. I’ve got the entire top level to myself. At least for the next 30 minutes or so.

5:25pm – This Reds team has a few things in common with the Giants. Both are teams with a wealth of history behind them. Both built fabulous new parks on a waterfront. And both feature bad teams led by one of the best players of their generation. In this case, their future Hall of Famer is still playing and continues to achieve milestone after milestone. Centerfield features a Ken Griffey home run counter, stuck on 603, six four-baggers away from Sammy Sosa.

5:27pm – Just to the left of the Griffey counter is the centerfield hitter’s eye which incorporates Cincinnati’s steamboats into the design. Neat!

5:32pm – As I’m sitting alone in the second deck watching BP a thought occurs. Why aren’t I sitting in the bleachers for this?!

5:40pm – Much better. The right field bleachers are separated into two decks. The second level is the only one that features actual bleacher style seating. I position myself a few feet from the left field foul pole. Again, I find myself alone. Everyone else has chosen to shag home runs in the lower level of the outfield seats. If anything comes up here I can just walk to pick up the ball.

5:45pm – This close! *holds up fingers* One of the Pirate hitters smacked a ball that hit the front row of the bleachers 15 feet to my left. It clanged off the bench and ricocheted back down to the first level before I could get there. In all likelihood that is the closest I’ll come to catching a ball on the tour. But you never know…

6:00pm – Nothing else comes close to reaching the bleachers for the remainder of batting practice and I continue my walk around Great American Ballpark. By know my shoulders are feeling fatigued from lugging my backpack around all day. It’s hot and I’m thirsty, but not so much hungry despite not having a meal all day. Strange, considering my level of activity for the day.

6:05pm – A root beer float at a baseball game?! Awesome. Additionally I pick up a sausage on my way back to my seat.

6:15pm – The wait continues for game time. The grounds crew prepares the field and a few others have joined in the upper deck. It’s still an hour from game time but it’s looking like we’re going to have a small crowd tonight.

6:25pm – Waaaay to much Lenny Kravitz being played right now.

6:35pm – Cheerleaders in baseball?! There’s no cheerleaders in baseball! I’m so upset about this I couldn’t even be bothered to get pictures of them.

6:54pm – “They’ll come, Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom.” 20 minutes from game time and they play one of the greatest scenes from Field of Dreams, James Earl Jones’ monologue as the old ballplayers stand behind him. That scene gives me chills and I need to watch the whole film when I get back home.

7:10pm – And on the first pitch of the game Nate McLouth lines a double down the right field line.

7:16pm – 6 minutes in and we’ve got our first visit to the mound. It’s 2-0 with no outs in the top of the first.

7:20pm – Bases loaded now and still nobody out. There’s bullpen activity. Reds’ starter Daryl Thompson may not last an inning, or an out for that matter.

7:29pm – Somehow Thompson survived but it’s 4-0 Pirates before the Reds even come up. Do I need to mention that the visiting team is unbeaten on this road trip?

7:30pm – Who designs a scorecard with no place to put the inning totals?!

7:54pm – Neither pitcher wants to win this game. VanBenschoten, Pittsburgh’s starter, gives up 4 in the second and Cincy takes a 5-4 lead. Could they break the streak?

8:03pm – And the Pirates tie it right back up in the third. This has the feeling of a game determined by whose bullpen holds up.

8:09pm – Griffey flies out for the second time. I have not rooting interest in the game but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t rooting for Griffey to knock one into the right field seats.

8:12pm – Brandon Philips hits a one out double and we have our first pitching change. Van Benschoten’s line: 2.1 innings, 5 hits, 5 runs, 45 pitches. I’m sure Thompson won’t last much longer too.

8:40pm – Thompson and the game look to have settled down. After that rough first inning Thompson’s only giving up one hit, a homer by Xavier Nady. This is one of the quietest crowds I’ve been a part of.

8:42pm – Of course, just as I write that Doumit singles and Nady hits a second home run. There’s activity in the bullpen and I get the feeling we’re about to experience Dusty’s patented slowest pitching change in baseball.

8:45pm – Sure enough, Paul Bako walks out to the mound to chat with his pitcher. He spends the entire time looking at the dugout. Finally, after he’s asked Thompson what his plans are after the game, he walks back to the plate. He’s almost back in his crouch when Baker makes a move out of the dugout. Thompson’s line: 4.1 innings, 8 hits, 7 runs, 90 pitches. A very Barry Zitoesque performance.

8:55pm – Griffey raises his paltry .238 batting average with a single in the fifth. With all the injuries he’s suffered he’s become a shell of his hall of fame self. I’m thinking he hangs it up after this season. You’ve had a great career Ken, you have nothing left to prove.

8:58pm – Wow, this crowd is dead. They gave almost no response to the “Make Some Noise” prompt on the big screen.

9:15pm – Both ‘pens have performed well. Pittsburgh’s in line to make it 6-0 for the road teams.

9:28pm – Top of the seventh and we’ve got a second Dusty switch. I don’t know why he does it. Majewski’s completely warmed up in the bullpen.

10:00pm – Griffey, Philips and Dunn go quietly in the bottom of the eighth. The small crowd gets even smaller and a few idiots two sections to my right try to get a wave going. Thankfully, they are unsuccessful

10:02pm – I spoke to soon. The entire stadium is doing the wave. Can’t we ban this already? I’m writing my congressman when I get home.

10:14pm – Tyler Yates closes it in the bottom of the ninth. The road team is now 6-0. I have a feeling the White Sox have no shot tomorrow night, no matter how hard they try. Just a few hours left in Cincinnati before I take the train back to Chicago.

22 Hours in Cincinnati~!

22 hours in Cincinnati! 3am to 1am. Sleep on the way there and on the way back. That was the plan as I drew it up. Theoretically, a nine hour train ride overnight should give me plenty of time to sleep for a 22 hour marathon day on the Ohio-Kentucky border. Alas, only in my dreams would this ever happen. It was a foolhardy, half-cocked plan that never had a chance of success.

4:05am – The train arrives in Cincinnati, three-quarters of an hour behind schedule which pleases only me. I have no where to go until a Starbucks opens up and the late arrival gives me just enough time to wander into downtown just in time for the doors to open at 5am without wasting time at the station.

4:15am – I have an address but no directions to downtown. I piece together the necessary information from a series of maps in the yellow pages and leave the station. It’s then that I realize, “hey, downtown has tall buildings, why don’t you just walk towards them, you idiot.”

4:50am – I get to the Starbucks with ten minutes to spare. A quick glance inside gives me bad news. There’s no one there. Speaking from experience, this is not a good sign with 10 minutes to the open. With nothing to do I begin to walk around the area. The ballpark is just down the street so I go to check it out.

5:05am - I don't really have anything to see here, I just really liked the name Salmon Portland Chase.

5:15am – Back at the Starbucks and the Shift is just now arriving. I know it’ll be about 20 minutes from now when they open so I inquire as to where the nearest store is. It’s just two blocks away.

5:30am – I make myself comfortable. I rarely get drip coffee but I’m going to need it if I’m going to make it through 22 hours. I plan on staying in the store until 9 when everything starts to open up. And it gives me plenty of time to catch up on my blog.

6:30am – So much for that plan. I didn’t even last 3 hours. I know I’m not going to make it without crashing so I quickly check online for the closest hotels. It’ll cost me, but I need a few hours of peaceful sleep.

7:00am – I check into the Hyatt. Hotels.com listed a room at $160 but they give me a day rate at only $80 which, considering what I was expecting to pay, feels like I’m getting away with larceny.

12:00pm – After 5 hours of sleep, I’m well rested enough to make it through the rest of the day. I want to get out to see the sights but I still need to finish up my blog report for the Twins game on Monday so I schlep back down to Starbucks to post my recap.

2:00pm – Kentucky is one of the states I’ve never been to and Cincinnati is right on the border. Newport lies just on the other side via a series of bridges including the Purple Pedestrian Bridge. A tourist type shopping center, similar to Pier 39, is right on the Ohio River. The main attraction is the Newport Aquarium.

2:15pm – Newport Aquarium. This reminds me, I can’t wait for the new California Academy of Sciences to open up in September. Aside from the planetarium, it wasn’t all that great. The Aquarium especially was outdated. The Newport version is pretty solid. Some highlights: The Monkeyface Prickleback. I went to school with a guy named Monkeyface Prickleback. He was a short fellow with long hair and frequently mumbled. He was known for eating two cafeteria lunches a day, except on alternate Fridays and was completely uncoordinated with the exception of juggling swords.

There’s an eel exhibit. I can’t see an eel without being reminded of the classic scene from The Princess Bride.

The Alligator Snapper is not an alligator, but rather a turtle. It lives up to 150 years and its diet consists of “just about everything.” So much for learning the secret to longevity.

The giant Isopod lives on the ocean floor and has 3,500 eyes which “scientists believe serve no function,” which is carny for “we have no idea what they’re for but we’re scientists so we have to make up a reason.”

There was a cool tank that went over the top of the walkway. Supposedly there were stingrays in the tank but I waited 10 minutes for nothing. Thankfully the next tank produced better results.

Feeding time at the Gintoo Penguin tank. There were no Chin-strap Penguins (or Strap-on Penguins).

3:00pm – I’m going back to Ohio. But unlike the Pretenders song, the city is still there.

3:10pm - I was told Mt. Adams is the closest thing the Midwest has to San Francisco so that’s my next destination, but I’m having the most difficult time figuring out how to cross a maze of highways.

3:30pm – I’ve reached as close to the summit of Mt. Adams as I’m going to get. It’s a decent view but doesn’t beat anything from back home. It’s a nice looking neighborhood. Reminds me a bit of Glen Park.

4:10pm – I think it took me longer to get down the hill than up it. I head back to the yard to visit the Reds Hall of Fame. Unlike other ballparks where the team’s history is contained within the gates, the Reds Hall is a separate building and requires paid admission (except to military and veterans).

4:25pm – I haven’t gotten past the first room when the fire alarm goes off. Everyone in the room gives each other that confused “do we have to leave?” look before lollygagging out of the building. It’s just like a high school fire drill.

4:30pm – It’s only 5 minutes before we’re let back in. The Hall is a really great exhibit. It’s educational, fun, hands on and kid friendly. There are pitching, umpiring and announcing activities for kids, videos, a history of baseball and the game’s oldest pro team and a team hall of fame which includes one noticeable omission, Pete Rose. Despite being mentioned in almost every area of the building, he has no plaque in the Hall.

Expelled for selling beer at a baseball game?!

Marge Schott's chair. I can't believe this wasn't burned in a bonfire when she died. I'm tempted to take it and do just that.

5:10pm – I’m out of the team Hall of Fame. The gates have just opened and I’m one of the first ones in. You can read my game report here.

10:15pm – Just a few more hours until I’m safely on the train back to Chicago. I stop in at the same Starbucks I walked to this morning before I try and navigate my way back to the Cincinnati Museum Center.

11:05pm – Back where I started my day. Just two hours here before I can (attempt) to fall asleep on the train. It’s been a grueling 22 hours (17 if you don’t include the stop at the Hyatt). I’m dreaming of home and my bed. Just 3 more nights until I’m there.

Deathtour~!: Metrodome, Minneapolis

5:45pm – After checking in and getting settled in my hotel room I left for the game, making sure I had my camera, feeling for it every few seconds in my right pocket, as I walked the downtown streets of Minneapolis.

5:52pm – Tickets were available in every section but after Wrigley I needed to save some money. In 11 games I haven’t sat in the bleachers yet so I got a ticket for what is referred to here as the Home Run Porch. There are no bleacher style benches in the Metrodome, just section after section of dark blue single seats. But regardless of type of seat my butt is planted in or what they choose to call it, these are the bleachers.

5:55pm – I decided to walk around the exterior of the dome. Why? I have no idea. It looks identical from all sides.

6:02pm – I finally went in and found my section. Since the field is completely obstructed from the concourse this was my first look at the field and the inside of the dome, which reminds me of those inflatable houses that kids jump around in. I wonder if I can pay to get up there and jump on top of the dome. I’m sure that sounds like more fun than it would be.

6:04pm – The Tigers are still taking batting practice. And, hey, I’m sitting in the bleachers. The sixth row, no less! Maybe I’ll catch something. I should have brought a glove.

6:06pm – Okay. I’m losing every single pop fly in the dome. I can’t see a thing. Every time I see a ball coming towards the bleachers I find myself looking for cover. And I notice a couple of Tigers doing the same in centerfield. Luckily it appears I’m sitting a section or two down from all the action. Sitting more towards left center there aren’t any making out to me.

6:15pm – BP is over so I decide to scour the concourse for some decent food. I haven’t had anything since I was at the airport and I’m unlikely to get a solid meal after the game.

6:21pm – Bingo. Found what I was looking for: a roast beef sandwich. And they make it right in front of you! Throw some barbeque sauce and mayo on it and you’re all set.

6:26pm – Back to my section. My seat is in the sixth row but I decide to hang back in the very last row of the section. I have the entire row to myself and what’s more, there’s no way anything is reaching me up here, so losing a ball in the ceiling won’t be a problem.

6:35pm – Pre-game entertainment. 3 fans try to lob a ball through a hole in a Subway sign hanging between the first and second decks in right field to win a prize. This is followed by a race around the bases by 5 costumed geeks dressed as fish. The race is won by Harvey Killer Fish. Hey, I don’t make the names.

6:50pm – We’ve had three first pitches tossed. How can we have three ceremonial first pitches? By definition only one of them can be first. Am I wrong?

6:58pm – Another perfunctory performance of the anthem by another high school choir. As I’m standing I notice a giant Canadian flag on the far side of the field. The sight of the Maple Leaf brings feelings of giddy anticipation for my eventual trip to Toronto. O Canada is a fantastic song. I should have tried booking a few Toronto road games just to hear it.

7:08pm – The Twins take the field to an atrocious theme song. I’m having flashbacks of the San Diego (Super)Chargers theme. *Shiver*

7:10pm – First pitch and we’re under way.

7:12pm – Edgar Renteria opens the game with pop fly down the line. Denard Span makes a fantastic sliding catch down the line. I’m glad he saw it because I completely lost the ball in the ceiling. I’m glad I’m not a ballplayer. The only other stadium I had this problem at was Dodger Stadium.

7:17pm – Alexi Casilla reaches on what is generously being called a single. A throwing error allows him to take second. There’s no way he would have beaten an accurate throw. A prime example of hometown scorekeeping.

7:20pm – The Twins take an early lead on a single by Justin Morneau.

7:24pm – Placido Polanco makes a leaping catch at second to end the inning and prevent a another run. Still, the Twins are up and I’m beginning to think about my hometown curse.

7:30pm – Marcus Thames ties it up with a bomb to the football seats in right field. The Metrodome has the absolute worst outfield fence in baseball. It’s just a giant tarp stretching from center to right. They don’t even have a yellow line to define what is and isn’t a homerun.

7:56pm – The Tigers make a defensive switch, removing Miguel Cabrera from the game. I’m assuming an injury but they don’t announce those things over the PA. It’s the only thing that’s lost by not watching the game at home. Maybe I should bring a radio to these games.

8:02pm – Galarraga throws a pitch to the backstop followed by a pitch inside which prompts a warning to both teams. For whatever reason, Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire comes running out like a freight train to argue this. I’m guessing its because he isn’t being given a chance to retaliate. I’d use the ‘It’s the only thing that’s lost by not watching the game at home’ line but I already used it. So it’s the second thing lost by not watching the game at home. I hope this doesn’t turn into a recreation of the Spanish Inquisition sketch. Anyway, Gardenhire must really have had better things to do because he got tossed in about 15 seconds and the standing ovation he got coming out to argue quickly turned to boos.

8:10pm - The Twins retake the lead.

8:30pm - Inbetween innings they continue the countdown to the new Twins stadium in 2010. 117 home games remaining over the next season and a half.

8:37pm – Some guys in the bleachers – excuse me, The Home Run Porch – are trying to get The Wave started. And these fans had been great up to this point.

9:02pm – Tigers manager Jim Leland comes out to argue a blooper which looked like a catch in right center that was ruled a trap. It resulted in a double and another run for the Twins. Leland is out there far longer than Gardenhire was but doesn’t join his counterpart in the clubhouse.

9:22pm – Twins bench coach Steve Liddle uses 4 pitchers to get 3 outs in the 7^th inning. Somewhere in St. Louis Tony LaRussa sheds a tear of joy. The Twins get the outs but give up two runs and they look like they’re trying to blow this game. Come on guys, just two more innings.

9:45pm – The bullpen gives up two more in the top of the eigth and the Tigers have the lead. Unbelievable. The home team just can’t win when I’m there. A guess this saves me from watching Joe Nathen close it out. He’s on the cover of the Twins program and reading the article on him was depressing. I don’t need to be reminded of the Giants worst trade in 40 years.

9:52pm – We’re in the bottom of the 8^th in a one run game and the Home Run Porch crowd is attempting another wave. All I can do is shake my head.

10:15pm – Joel Zumaya shuts the doors on the Twins with 2 strikeouts in the bottom of the ninth. The home team record on the deathtour is now 2-10. Everyone files out quickly but I take my time to snap a few pics of the Twins hall of retired numbers. Kent "I'd like to buy a vowel" Hrbek, Harmon "Cardcarrying member of the Skrull" Killebrew (Chris Berman would be proud of that one) and Kirby Puckett.

The Reds are going to need a lot of luck with me in the crowd to break the streak. Next up: 22 Hours In Cincinnati!