Wednesday, August 25, 2010

 

Bobby D's Blog - 2010 Day 143

 



Holy schmoly Bobby D – 2 whole new blogs in one week. What has gotten into you man!?!?!?! Ok, go ahead and mock me but I have found a few extra minutes at night this week to pop out 2 of these things and if you are nice to me I might just have a 3rd one on Monday morning. The line to be nice to me starts to my left.

In our last edition of “As Bobby D Travels” – I was at Citi Field where I met up with Alyssa Milano and thanked her profusely for the Power of 3 spell she placed on Charlie to make her fall for me. And you thought it was my witty blogs and dorkishly good looks that won her over. No way Jose, I needed help!!! The bad thing with this paragraph is that I just admitted that I watched “Charmed” and know waaaayyyyy too much about it. My favorite episode was when Phoebe (played by Alyssa) rode the horse thru San Fran like Lady Godiva. Ok…back to baseball Bob or at least thoughts of grandma.

So on to DC I went the morning after my visit to Citi Field. I had wanted to see Steven Strasburg pitch for the Nationals so I kept Nationals Park as a floater on my schedule waiting for him to pitch at home on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday and lo and behold he was scheduled to pitch on August 1st. I booked my flight to BWI, scheduled the game at Citi Field on Saturday and then would drive back to DC Sunday morning and see the greatest pitcher ever ( or so the media has us believing) on Sunday against the Phillies. Well a funny thing happened minutes and I do mean minutes after I booked my flight. Strasburg got hurt and was placed on the D/L. Now I have a whole weekend planned around seeing his replacement Joe Schmoe pitch. Ugh!!!! At least I will get to see Ryan Howard and Chase Utley play – right?

In my best Alex Trebek – oh so sorry Bobby D, wrong question – Utley has been on the D/L for over a month (where have I been, oh that’s right – Power of 3 spell) and Howard sprained his ankle in the first inning and went on the D/L after the game. I never have been good at Jeopardy. At least I got to see Cole Hamels pitch for the Phillies against the previously mentioned Mr. Schmoe.

I ended up seeing a great game with the Phillies winning in the 11th. My first extra inning game of the Quest – how is that? Last season I saw 6 extra inning games. As for Nationals Park – I really like it, except that ticket prices are very high for a team that is basically a glorified AAA team. Also I am sure there is a good reason for this – but it would have been great if the ballpark could have been turned with a view of the Capital from the seats. That would have been way cool, similar to what the designers did in St. Louis with the Arch basically in dead center field. The food is great at Nationals Park with a Ben’s Chili stand (only the best chili in the world, sorry fans of Skyline Chili but it is true) and also a Hard Times Café stand which also has amazing chili and reminds me of all the nights I spent at Hard Times in Fredneck, MD. I love when ballparks bring in local establishments to set up food stands in the ballpark - gives it the local feel.

The highlight to the game was the President’s Race with big mascot thingies of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. To date since they started this race many moons ago – Teddy has not won a race. He was in lead in this race but George with a late kick over took him for the victory. I have attached a You Tube video of a race to this blog for your viewing pleasure.

Now for you old Notre Dame fans envision the voice of Lindsey Nelson as we move to further action in this summer’s Quest – yes I just jumped two weeks forward from August 1st or from today it is one and a half weeks back to August 15. Whatever – August 15th was my official US Cellular Field game or Comiskey Park as I will always call it. August 15th was also Charlie’s birthday and knowing to keep quiet about a woman’s age – let’s just say she looks really good (for her age or any age, whew good catch there Bobby D. I guess a better catch would be to delete these last few lines). We were joined at the game by Charlie’s son Brent, who this summer has been on a ballpark Quest of his own now seeing a game at 5 ballparks this season. Also joining us was Charlie’s great friend and super duper SADS Foundation supporter Sherri as well as Charlie’s brother Tim and his family Margaret, Anna and Karen. Are you still with me? I thought not – to assist, in the picture attached is Tim, Karen, Anna (with the big beautiful smile) and Margaret modeling her brand new Sox t-shirt.

The strange part to the day was when we picked up Sherri at her home. Sherri, Charlie and I all graduated high school together but Sherri and I didn’t know one another. Kind of strange introducing yourself to someone you graduated high school with. Then again our high school senior class had 550 kids in it and as mentioned in a blog a few months back – I was a dork back then. Ummmmm Bobby D – still are!!!

Now being a Cub fan it is hard for me to say nice things about the White Sox without a tongue planted firmly in my check, but I must say that I really like the new Comiskey Park. The food choices are so much better than Wrigley and being an open concourse ballpark allows you the opportunity to stand and watch the game if you so wish especially in the outfield area. Since our seats were directly in the sun and there wasn’t much of a breeze I decided to walk around much of the game and do the Bob thing – meeting people and spreading awareness about SADS. I was only heckled 3 times by Sox fans since I was wearing my Cub shirt. That was a poor showing by the Sox fans I must say. The only negative I have about the new Comiskey is that there is nothing to do there before and after the games.

We left after the 7th inning to get out of the heat of the afternoon and beat the crowd to Greek Islands for dinner. The Sox were winning when we left 7 to 5 but ended up losing 13 to 8 to the Tigers. It didn’t matter - we had a great dinner and the company was even better. The best part to the dinner was when all the wait staff came over to sing happy birthday to Charlie. The wait staff is all Greek so picture “Christmas Story” in the Chinese restaurant only with a Greek accent. I wish I had video of it or at least audio. All in all it was a great day on the South Side of Chicago – wow I even admitted that in writing, first that I watched Charmed and second that I had fun at a White Sox game. What is happening to me?!?!?!?!

I am almost caught up with my blogging and only 2 ballparks behind. I will be posting that blog on Monday with all the details of the “Flipping the Bird Weekend”. No, I didn’t get flipped the bird – but went to games in St. Louis and Baltimore in the same weekend and even got photos of me with the Cardinal mascot and the Oriole mascot – hence flipping the bird weekend.

In closing I would like to mention again that we are in the midst of our Cardiac Science 100% donation match pledge drive. We have had $520 donated so far and have an extended deadline date of September 18th to raise $2,000 which Cardiac Science will 100% match. Please help in any way you can. Your donation directly goes to saving lives and assisting folks like me who have lost a loved one to a SADS condition. The donation link is at the top of the page – just click on the banner and it will take you to Shawn Marie’s Memorial page.

Well that about wraps up this episode of “As Bobby D Travels” – check back Monday for the further adventures of our hero, Bobby D. So for now this is so long and good bye from Columbus, OH where I wonder how many people got that baseball and grandma reference, I know Rick Pitino didn’t. There go the Google searches on Rick Pitino, baseball and grandma.

Breaking News – I have been bestowed the honor of throwing out the first pitch on September 4th at the Salt Lake Bees (AAA affiliate of the Angels). I have added a new poll as to where that first pitch is going to end up. On the menu to the upper left of this screen is the link to the First Pitch Poll. Please click on the link and vote

 

Monday, August 23, 2010

 

Bobby D's Blog - 2010 Day 141

 



It has been weeks now since my last actual update blog. Sorry for the delays on the blogs – just been really busy with work, travel and other fun stuff. I now have been to 25 ballparks and only have KC, LA, SF, Oakland and Florida to complete all 30 MLB ballparks. Since it has been so long since my last blog I will update on a few cool happenings that are going on.

On August 31 at Dodger Stadium for the Phillies – Dodger game I will be joined by 17 folks from the Run for Rosanna group. Bryan Metoyer lost his wife Rosanna to Long QT Syndrome which is a SADS condition. Bryan and his wife Remy have organized a 5K run/walk to raise awareness and funds for the SADS Foundation. This past summer was the 3rd Annual Run for Rosanna and raised in excess of $4,000. I am extremely honored that this group is taking time out of their very busy schedule to meet me at Dodger Stadium. If you happen to be at Dodger Stadium on August 31, we will be in Loge Section 160, so come by and say hi. For more information on the Run for Rosanna please visit runforrosanna.com.

We have added a very special ballpark on September 4th in Salt Lake City – home of the SADS Foundation. Spring Mobile Park in Salt Lake City is home to the Triple A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Orange County of Disneyland (those Angels sure have a long name). The Salt Lake Bees are hosting a SADS Event at their game on September 4th. We will have over 30 folks join us for the game and yours truly will be throwing out the first pitch. Vegas odds makers have set 2 to 1 odds that the pitch will be in the dirt or over the head of the catcher. If you would like more info on the SADS Day with the Bees please visit stopSADS.org. There is a link to this event on the right side of the screen.

September 10th will be the 2nd anniversary of my wife Shawn Marie’s passing from a previously undetected heart condition called ARVD. To honor her memory on this most special day - the SADS Foundation has organized an event at Citi Field in Queens that evening to see the Mets take on the Phillies. Currently we have over 40 people and growing that would like to join us for this event. This will be my second trip to Citi Field this season and am honored that so many folks are joining us on this most special night. If you are interested in joining, please send me an email to bdevries23@yahoo.com.

The final ballpark to this season’s Quest to get to all 30 (now 31) ballparks will be September 18th in Miami (well Fort Lauderdale) where we will see the Cubs take on the Marlins. Currently over 20 folks have expressed interested in joining us for the final game of the 2010 Quest. If you would like to join, please email me at bdevries23@yahoo.com for more info.

Now for some business and fund raising – I had mentioned in an earlier update that Cardiac Science has offered up to $2,000 as a donation match challenge. To date we have had $520 donated against this match. We have until September 10th to get to $2,000 to get the full amount. Please help in any way you can as all donations will be 100% matched by Cardiac Science. To donate – just hit the donate banner at the top of the page and it will take you to the First Giving page we have set up for Shawn Marie’s Memorial Fund. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.

Whew – that is a lot cool stuff going on. As I was mentioning to the Commish the other day – now that 25 ballparks have been Quested people are now taking us just a bit more seriously. At the beginning of the season I was just some Yahoo that said I was going to all 30 ballparks. People were – yeah right, wake me when you get to 25. Well WAKE UP – I am at 25 and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and that light is most definitely not a train. I have one big trip left which kicks off next Monday in KC, then LA, then SF, then a day of rest, then Oakland, then Salt Lake City on Saturday. A whirlwind of a week for sure but so worth it since our mission is about saving lives and raising money for the SADS Foundation which at times this season has gotten lost in the shuffle. My goal this last month of this season’s Quest is for it not to get lost – but become our focal point.

So now that I am on 810 words in this blog I better get to some of the parks I have been to since I last updated. So let’s jump into the Delorean and hope Doc Brown has the Flux Capacitor fixed and get that sucker up to 88 MPH. Marty floor it and bring us back to July 31 – Citi Field in the beautiful borough of Queens…

…wow that was cool. So back on July 31st I made the trek to Queens to take in Citi Field. Last season Citi Field was ballpark #30 and I didn’t get to see the park at all. The Mets had been so nice to give us a suite for the game that I spent most of the day hanging out with my friends that I didn’t walk around. So I made it my goal this season to get to Citi Field early and check out the park. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made on the Quest as I got to meet List #2 – Alyssa Milano. What is the List you ask? Remember Ross in that Friends episode with his List of 5 famous people? (If not - the You Tube clip is attached to the blog). Well let’s just say I have my list on a napkin – laminated of course and in the #2 slot is Alyssa Milano.

As I was walking around Citi Field, which by the way is an amazing ballpark. There is much to do for families out in the outfield area of the ballpark – it is almost like a mini amusement park out there. They have the Jackie Robinson Rotunda when you walk enter thru the main gate. There are pictures and mementos honoring past Met teams. Citi Field is definitely a ballpark that is worth seeing and get there early because there is much to see and do. I also would like to point out that the staff at Citi is one of the most friendly I have encountered at a ballpark – in New York City no less. I will have to revisit my rankings of ballparks and reevaluate Citi Field.

Ok – back to Alyssa, we are on first name basis – just saying. I was walking around and heard that Alyssa was signing autographs in her Touch store in the ballpark. Alyssa has a line of clothing for MLB and in some of the ballparks has a store set up just for her stuff. With the purchase of a Touch item you get a free autograph and a photo with Alyssa. I found the least expensive item to purchase – a $25 butterfly necklace with the Mets logo – and got in line to get her autograph. I didn’t have my laminated napkin which I would have loved to have her autograph on, so I had to go with the standby poster. When it was my turn for my autograph and photo op – I jonesed and got all tongue tied. She asked me something about the Ted Lily trade which had happened earlier that day – seems Alyssa is a huge Dodger fan and was bragging about the great trade the Dodgers pulled off. I did get her autograph and the photo which is attached to the blog – yes I am smiling so wide that my face hurt. And no – I didn’t mention the List and her inclusion on it.

As for the rest of the game – I had a great time and met many nice people. I even had a few who took a photo of the back of my Every Park Cub jersey. I did have one guy ask me who Every Park was and I replied “I am - my name is Chan Ho Every Park.” He said “funny you don’t look Korean” and I replied “you must be from Staten Island” and he said “how did you know?” Funny thing – that is a true story.

Well I have rambled on for a bit now and will save the reviews of Nationals Park, US Cellular Field, Busch Stadium and Oriole Park at Camden Yards for my next blog which I promise will be this week. So for now this is so long and good bye from Columbus, OH where I still haven’t washed that shoulder and I am surely not saying where my other hand is.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

 

Bobby D's Blog - Exciting Announcement

 



Quick update as I am heading to the South Side of Chicago today for ballpark #23 at US Cellular Field or as I will always call it – Comiskey Park. I will be wearing my Cubs stuff today and Vegas has installed 12 to 1 odds that I will make it out of the Cell alive but as my good friend Ken Lee says – you have to remain true to yourself. The other thing is that this is a Quest game and I am all about spreading awareness about SADS – even in the South Side of Chicago.

Now for the exciting news – we are excited to announce that we have hooked up with a true rock legend, Dave “Bucket” Colwell who has played with Iron Maiden and Bad Company. Bucket has recorded a song for the SADS Foundation – Reach Out – which will serve as the anthem for SADS. Bucket’s new album, Guitars Beers and Tears is being released on Tuesday. I have attached the link to purchase the album to this update. Later this week I will be sharing the link to download the Reach Out ring tone and song. Thanks go out to Shawn Fahy for all his work in partnering with the SADS Foundation and our Quest. I look forward to a wonderful partnership of spreading awareness of SADS and saving lives.

Finally I would like to wish Charlie a very happy birthday today. I am very excited to be sharing this day with her and hope that the year ahead is one of her best ever. I know I am so looking forward to it. So for now this is so long and good bye from McHenry, IL where I am hoping that the only slugging today will be the Sox beating up on the Tigers not the Sox fans slugging on this Cub fan.

And one last note - today's lottery pick is 1437!!!!!

Monday, August 9, 2010

 

The Cardiac Science $2,000 Donation Challenge

 



The final push for the baseball season is underway as well as our push to spread awareness and raise funds for the SADS Foundation. To assist us in meeting our goal of $10,000 raised thru the Shawn M. DeVries Memorial Fund, Cardiac Science has pledged a 100% matching donation challenge for all donations up to a total of $2,000. The donation challenge runs until September 10th - to donate just click the donate banner at the top of the page. So please help in any way you can and add your name to the list of generous donors below:

• Van Brandon
• Maggie Pritchard
• Andy F. McRae
• Charlene "Charlie" Cahill
• John & Judy Chmielecki
• Gini Pariseau
• Harley Griffin
• Alexandria Jorge
• David Quinn
• Denny & Pat Hubbard
• Kim De Vries
• Angel Chion
• Gayle & Kevin Synder
• Lola Pelletier
• Jim Cowan
• Colleen Esposito
• Joanne Faille
• Kathy Eckstine
• Aaron Jorge
• Bob De Vries
• Joe Barrer
• Megan Colleen McGlynn
• Winkler Family
• Alisa Koch
• John Civali
• Lally Family
• Joni Karr
• Cheryl Newman Dostalek
• Cathi Newman Park
• Reggie Lockwood
• Andrea Laundry
• Dutch Van Duzee
• Forrest & Nancy Miller
• Owen & Melinda Baier
• J.P. Ambrosio
• Mike Sukow
• Jana Simpson
• Ballparkchasers.com
• J.T. Horsfall
• Brian Denny
• Blair Duff
• Matt Reynolds
• Corinne Bakken
• Sullivan Family
- Heidi Wachter
- Elliot Dubin
- Sherri Hlavacek

I along with the SADS Foundation would like to thank Cardiac Science for their most generous donation challenge as well as to all the folks who have donated to Shawn Marie’s Memorial Fund.

For more information on our wonderful sponsor, Cardiac Science, please click on the below link
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