"Well, beat the drum and hold the phone - the sun came out today! We're born again, there's new grass on the field." (Lyrics by John C. Fogerty). This pic taken in 2007 laying on the edge of center field and the dirt warning track at Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX. Stadium Tour.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Craig Biggio, #7, Academy Sports
"When you play this game twenty years, go to bat ten- thousand times, and get three- thousand hits, do you know what that means? You've gone zero for seven- thousand." - Pete Rose (Picture taken in January, 2004).
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Lakeshore Drive, Skyline
Big cities have incredible "cityscapes", sometimes breath taking. I captured this view while on Lakeshore Drive. (1999-2000).
"26 Time World Champions"
This is a walkway from a parking garage to the stadium. The "26 Time World Champions" can be seen on the walkway. Taken May 2004.
BIG BAT!
This picture was taken in May, 2004, in front of Yankee
Stadium. We were told by our friend Larry, who lives in NY, to meet him "under the Big Bat" (in foreground).
A True Baseball Fan
I've always wondered what a true baseball fan really was. A few years ago I found the answer in Lowes and I purchased the true fan. However, it remains in my former home which was sold in 2005.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
The "old" Yankee Stadium, May, 2004. Now on sale piece by piece (2009). This picture was taken from the upper deck behind the third base line. In clear view beyond the outfield wall is Monument Park. Contains monuments, plaques, and retired numbers honoring distinguished players such as Mantle, Gerhig, DiMaggio, and Babe Ruth.
Applebee's Park, Lexington, KY
Applebee's Park is actually in a shopping center on the outskirts of downtown Lexington, Kentucky, home of the University of Kentucky and the famous Rupp Arena, also located downtown. Applebee's Park is the home of the Lexington Legends (Class A), an Astro's affiliate. Like the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Applebee's is a newer, beautiful park. The "Bat" is beyond the outfield fence. Taken 2003.
Comiskey Park, (NEW), Chicago, IL. (2)
One of my favorites. I walked this ballpark for at least an hour or more on two occasions. I took this picture in 2001 standing on the center field concourse. The scoreboard looms in the background. Food and drink was abundant throughout this area. Fantastic experience. Ballpark order: Old Comiskey Park, New Comiskey Park, U.S. Cellular Field (current)
Comiskey Park, Chicago, IL. (1)
This picture was taken at a game on a bad weather night in South Chicago, in 2001. The ballpark was to become U.S. Cellular Park in 2003. Bill Veeck, former owner of the White Sox, installed this (1960) exploding scoreboard that had fireworks, aerial bombs, and numerous sounds. The dark clouds naturally illuminate the scoreboard. Notice the "toothbrush" style lighting.
Enron Field. Houston, TX, Construction
Another in the collection of Gary's Enron construction ruse. Dressed as an architect with a hard hat and clipboard, I strolled unobtrusively throughout the stadium taking pictures at will. 1999.
John Beasley "Jack" Brickhouse (1916-1998), American Sportscaster
Known primarily for his play by play coverage of Chicago Cubs games on WGN-TV from 1948 to 1981. He also covered national events from time to time, including three World Series for NBC television. He was best known for the expression "Hey-hey", and that phrase now vertically adorns the screens on the foul poles at Wrigley Field, pictured above. Taken by Gary P Smith.
Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
The iconic crown is the trademark of Kauffman Stadium. Home of the AL Kansas City Royals. One of the most beautiful ballparks in America.
Mike Ditka's, Downtown Chicago
Mike Ditka's restaurant in Chicago. We met Mr. Ditka when we were there, he was doing a remote radio show. A very personable guy. Our menu selection was the "Kick Ass Ribeye." Bone in. Excellent.
Fenway Park, Front Facade
Opened April 20, 1912. Second oldest ballpark in the majors. Narrow corridors and concourse inside. Equal game day activity on the outside (bars, restaurants). Along with Wrigley Field, America's best.
Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
Yes, I've seen this one. I'd recommend the park tour, when the team is on the road. The clubhouse and locker room are spacious yet intimate. One of the best ballparks in the country. Never a rain out. Beer is $7.50 but we buy it anyway.
American Airlines Arena, Dallas, TX
Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, as Dallas Mavericks. Parker and Duncan from backside. Not a bad All Star team right there. Great arena. Great fans.
Fenway Park at Night from Cambridge
This pic was taken a couple of hours after a Friday night game from the 22nd floor of the Marriott Hotel in Cambridge, MA.
George Foreman at Macy's, Houston, TX
I went to see George at the grand opening of Macy's Department Store at Memorial City Mall, Houston, TX. He's promoting his Foreman Grill. I said, "Make a fist George." He's quite the entertainer.
Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI
Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers (as in Miller Lite). About an hour and a half north of Chicago. Billed as North America's only fan shaped convertible roof. Ballpark opened in 2001. Picture taken by Gary in August, 2001.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Progressive Field 2, Cleveland, OH
Scoreboard at Progressive Field. The park is still referred to as "The Jake", after jacobs Field. Pic taken in 2002. Quicken Loans Arena, home of the NBA Cleveland Cavs, is located right across the street behind the outfield scoreboard.
Progressive Field 1, Cleveland, OH
Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field), opened in 1994 in downtown Cleveland. It's the home of the American League Cleveland Indians. Gary took this picture from the upper deck behind first base in 2002.
Enron Field, Houston, TX
Gary posed as an architect with a yellow hard hat in 1999 to gain entrance to the soon to be completed Enron Field, which was to replace the Astrodome as the home of the Houston Astros.
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo
This picture of Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, was taken from a perch in Kauffman Stadium. The stadiums share a common parking lot.
Great American Ball Park, Cincinatti, Ohio
Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinatti Reds, sits on the banks of the Ohio river, in downtown Cincinatti. It's very near Paul Brown Stadium, home of the Bengals. The 25 foot high smokestacks are a recreation of a paddleboat. They explode after a home run.
Jeff Bagwell
Jeff Bagwell, on deck at Minute Maid Park. My seat was two rows up. One of the most significant sports figures in Houston history. Career home run total, 449.
Wrigley Field, Chicago
The Wrigley Field scoreboard. Team pennants are arranged according to their standings. Wrigley was built in 1914. Some consider this park the best in the country.
Yankee Stadium, the Bronx, New York
This is the front of the "old" Yankee Stadium, taken in May, 2004. The new ball park opened in April, 2009.
Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
The third stadium in St. Louis to carry the Busch name. This version operated from 1966 until 2005. The statue in the foreground is Stan Musial, Cardinal great.
Dell Diamond, Round Rock, TX
Round Rock's favorite ball park, the Dell Diamond. Stadium exterior. Home of the Round Rock Express.
Drayton McLane & Tal Smith
Gary P Smith pictured with Astro's owner Drayton McLane and Astro's President Tal Smith, the namesake of "Tal's Hill" in Houston's Minute Maid Park.
Autozone Park, Memphis, TN, "The Peabody"
The famous Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis, TN, looms over the contemporary Autozone Park, home of the Memphis Redbirds.
Monday, June 8, 2009
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