Fear and The Cubs in Las Vegas
by steinmer on Mar 5, 2009 10:49 AM CST
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PrintI had the pleasure to go to the Cubs/Sox game last night here in Las Vegas. I live in Chicago, but my sister lives out here. So, I took the opportunity to come out here for the 2 games and some sunshine. I thought I would give a rundown of what it was like to be at the game last night. More after the jump....
1) The minor league stadium here in LV is OK. It is pretty small, but the attendance numbers from last night were completely shocking to me. I can't believe that there were 11,000 or 12,000 people there last night. I would have guessed closer to 5,000 or 6,000. Regardless, the stadium is on a nice piece of land, and there was plenty of tailgaiting going on. My sister is a member of her alumni association here, and they had a big party with 2 kegs. We got our $25 ticket and full access to beer and food for only $30 total. This was a good thing.
2) The mayor of Las Vegas threw out the first pitch. Everyone who lives here LOVES this guy. He went out to the mound with a showgirl on each arm. I can't imagine a more perfect person to be the mayor of a town like Las Vegas. Apparently he has done a lot ot keep this town afloat in the bad economic times. In Al's game post, people were asking how the recession has effected Vegas. Well, just driving around here and listening to people who live here, it is not good. Vegas is a construction wasteland. There are half built buildings everywhere with no construction activity going on. They are building a large city run convention center which should bring thousands of jobs to the city. Aparently that project is on the verge of loosing funding as well. Like I said, not good.
3) The stadium was packed last night. The lines for food were ridiculous, and they didn't have vendors walking up and down the rows selling anything (besides some guy wearing light up sunglasses selling ray guns and other things that light up and make noise). So, to get a beer or any sort of food, you had to leave your seat and wait in line. I know that there is a lot of talk about Vegas getting a professional sports team. They will have to have a better showing than this to convince me that they are ready.
4) Someone in my section tried to start The Wave. Luckily, they were unsuccessful. That said, the fans were great last night. Lots of good baseball fans who knew a lot about the teams. There were probably 4 Cubs fans for every 1 Sox fan. Though there was some playful banter back and forth between the fans of their respective teams, it was nothing like being at an actual Cubs/Sox game in Chicago (a.k.a. there were no fights).
5) Alfonzo Soriano came up to bat with a man on 1st and a man on 3rd with 2 outs. I think that the Cubs were behind by 1 run at this point (sorry, I can't remember the exact details. There was beer involved). He struck out. Possibly on 3 pitches, if I remember correctly. This did not surprise me in the least. Welcome to the Alfonzo Soriano Era!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Welcome?
We have been in that era the last two years already..where have you been. Soriano is the worst situational hitter in baseball..a lot like Sosa was.
Fully Aware
Just trying my hand at some sarcasm :-)
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Mar 5, 2009 11:40 AM CST up reply actions
I think it's the unaware groom....
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Mar 5, 2009 11:44 AM CST up reply actions
Do have some stats to back that up or is that just your subjective opinion?
My sig line is out for jury duty.
Notice his name?
I’m guessing this is a crack induced analysis.
"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion
Thanks for the review
I wonder if the lack of vendors was due in part to someone trying to save costs (not that it was a smart idea).
Enjoy tonight’s game.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Not sure
I did see one or two beer guys, but they just stood on the concourse. I didn’t see a beer guy walk the isle until they were making a last ditch effort to sell something during last call in the 7th. But i’m pretty certain that food vendors on foot (hot dogs, peanuts, etc.) did not exist.
I've been to Cashman Field numerous times
Lack of vendors has been the case for as long as I can remember. It certainly has the worst concession selection of all the AAA minor league facilities I have visited. And not to clown on your positive impression, but Cashman field is a dump — and its located in a pretty sketchy area of Vegas. When it was first built it was the standard to work towards — now it is the last vestage of crummy minor league facilities. The Dodgers organization was glad when the contract ended last year, and very happy to now be in Albuquerque, in a modern facility.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
Minor League Ballparks
Have you ever been to Victory Field in Indianapolis? While I’ve never been to a Major League stadium (I’m going to Wrigley one of these years), I have gone to several games at Victory Field and I have been pretty impressed. Great concessions, they usually have good deals at times (Family night where you can eat for a few dollars). The tickets are $15 for the best seats.
The only other stadium I’ve ever been to is Sec Taylor Stadium (now “Principal Park”) in Des Moines, home of the Iowa Cubs. Victory Field has Principal Park beat hands down.
Check it to Pancakes! Pancakes!
Never been
But have heard its really nice, Principal park is what it is, but it beats Cashman any day of the week. Thats nice about the family deals, its one of those things that makes Minor league baseball enjoyable for everyone. I’d like to see your face when you walk up the concourse at Wrigley, they oughtta put a camera there just to catch photos of pure joy. Hope you get there soon. I have nothing but the best memories from every visit I have made there.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
Victory Field is
how we killed many summer afternoons in high school. Take a bus downtown catch a game and some sun. Great times.
Hide your Molina, Lilly's free!
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 7, 2009 7:43 PM CST up reply actions
Cool summary.
I always like reading “man person on the scene” accounts like this. I’ve read about the construction woes of Vegas – definitely a sorry state of affairs. And that really sucks about the lack of vendors. (Ray guns?!)
My sig line is out for jury duty.
Ray Guns.
Yes. Ray Guns. I think it comes from the fact that the minor league team there is the “51’s”, like, Area 51. So, I think they have a spaceman vibe going on.
Ah, yes. Area 51.
By the way, I like the title of your Fanpost, too. It would have been extra cool, though, if you would have written it Hunter S. Thompson style. Recreational drug use optional, of course.
My sig line is out for jury duty.
That's what I was hoping for.
http://thegettinplace.blogspot.com/
Some Gonzo style posting?
I like the idea…
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Mar 6, 2009 9:21 AM CST up reply actions
The Mayor Of Las Vegas A Good Guy?????
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Goodman
He’s a mob attorney who ought to be doing life by now.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
Oh man...
I did not know any of this when I posted. I just got a feeling from the crowd last night that the guy was well liked. This wikipedia page is very interesting though…
He's clearly pretty popular
since he’s been elected to three, four-year terms as mayor. But yes, before he went into politics he was a mob attorney, although I’ve never heard a credible claim that he was actually an organized crime member or even did anything illegal in the representing of accused mafioso.
Oh, come one, how can you not enjoy this
That when speaking to fourth graders, he was asked what would he bring if he was stuck on a desert island. His response, “a showgirl and a bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin.”
"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion
Honesty in politics?
What more can you ask for? :)
I think
I just found a new hero
If John Paxson were a Greek hero he would be known as Sans Testicles
Didn't say a good guy.
Said a perfect person to be mayor. Ex-mob lawyer, yeah, I think that would be perfect for Vegas.
Other than a showgirl, I’m not sure I can think of someone more fitting.
by chitownhawkeye on Mar 5, 2009 7:22 PM CST up reply actions
There only reason that Soriano struck out on three pitches
is because you can’t strike out on two.
by jerry morales rules on Mar 5, 2009 12:39 PM CST reply actions
Were you counting the people on the lawn?
On TV, the place looked virtually full — not that many yellow seats were visible.
Only Las Vegas could elect a guy like Oscar Goodman. (or, Chicago’s 1st Ward….)
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 5, 2009 1:04 PM CST reply actions
Boohoo
Nevada elects a socialist Senator and President then watch the socialist President rip their town. Looks like they have no one to blame but themselves
The journey is the reward!
No politics, please
Everyone else here restrains themselves. Please do the same.
by dr stabbingworth on Mar 5, 2009 1:49 PM CST up reply actions
It doesn't belong here
we’re a baseball blog, not politics. There are billions of places to talk politics online. Give me my one corner of politic free talk. :-P
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 5, 2009 2:20 PM CST up reply actions
this is the same mayor who wants apologies
from anyone in the public eye who even so much as hints that LV’s tourism industry, founded upon excess and glitz might be a little bit questionable in the present economic straits.
Well, it’s certainly no secret that Vegas and he have lived big and high by the sword of American excess (part of the reason the country is in the mess it’s in) and now they’re falling on it .. what’s going on there isn’t staying there, as much as he’d like to think so, and he’s going to make a big stink about it.
The obligatory shilling for that sleazy place was supplied by an unctuous Vegas salesman during the game and it was tiring to hear them tell us there’s “something for everyone” there. Puh Leeze. I hate that there’s a lot of people there hurting and unable to find work, but I won’t be in the next red-eye from Atlanta out to pump revenue in.
That said, it was nice to see Chad Fox still hanging in there. That was the first time I saw him pitch since that horrible April night that he got yanked from Dustyball and religated to rehab (the night I think it was that Mark Prior supposedly cried for his team mate’s misfortunate injury). I really do hope he gets another chance for a bullpen slot.
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
"I've got an idea...an idea so smart my head would explode if I even began to know what I was talking about." ~Peter Griffin
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