This was the least memorable of the trip, with the most interesting event being the departure of the Ranger starter, Kason Gabbard, only 18 pitches into the game with arm stiffness. The Rangers went on to a 9-1 laugher.

This was the least memorable of the trip, with the most interesting event being the departure of the Ranger starter, Kason Gabbard, only 18 pitches into the game with arm stiffness. The Rangers went on to a 9-1 laugher.

On the road to Houston. Another 4 hour drive, this time the destination was Houston. Our stops included a visit to the Astrodome and the former site of Buff stadium (hidden in a furniture store).

Today’s game features the Astros hosting the Brewers. I really liked Minute Maid Park – it’s definitely one of my favorites. Of course, the fact that it was air conditioned didn’t hurt. The game got off to a great start as we saw our 2^nd #1 ESPN Top 10 play in two days, with Corey Hart going way over the fence to steal a home run from Jason Lane in the 2^nd inning. The Astros built a 4-0 lead, but it took Luke Scott throwing Ryan Braun out at the plate in the 8^th to hold the score at 4-3. A 2-out, 9^th inning, 3-run home run by Ryan Braun off of Brad Lidge, followed by a solo shot by Prince Fielder, turned the game into a 7-4 win for the Brewers.

One funny moment was watching El Cabello, Carlos Lee, swing out of his shoes (ala Tony Pena) and stumble to the ground. He received a nice ovation for the feat.

Remaining stadium count down to 2.

Back on a plane and off to Arlington. We got there in time to visit the Legends Museum and the Dr. Pepper Youth Ballpark at the Ballpark in Arlington. Another warm one (still over 100 degrees) and off to another game - this time, the Devil Rays at the Rangers. Before the game, we enjoyed the Rangers alumni game, even though I must admit, there were some alumni that even I didn’t recognize.

Frank Catalanotto was the star of the game, hitting a 3-run home run and knocking in 5 runs. But it was B.J. Upton made #1 on the ESPN Top 10 with a diving grab of a line drive.

It was back to St Louis for our next game. Arriving in St Louis, we were able to take in some of the sites including the Gateway Arch, the former site of Sportsman’s Park, the former site of Busch Stadium, the monuments.

This was to be out most memorable game of the trip, the Padres at the Cardinals. This was the game that started what can turn out to be one of the greatest comebacks of all-time. It was the return of former pitching phenom Rick Ankiel as a power hitting outfielder. I still have the goose bumps from his 3 run homerun that brought the crowd to its feet (again) and demanded a curtain call. Having witnessed the trials and tribulations of his start at Shea Stadium in the 2000 play-offs, this was unbelievable. The offense combined with fine pitching by Joel Pineiro led to a 5-0 shutout.

Day 3: Back on a plane and off to Arlington. We got there in time to visit the Legends Museum and the Dr. Pepper Youth Ballpark at the Ballpark in Arlington. Another warm one (still over 100 degrees) and off to another game - this time, the Devil Rays at the Rangers. Before the game, we enjoyed the Rangers alumni game, even though I must admit, there were some alumni that even I didn’t recognize.

Frank Catalanotto was the star of the game, hitting a 3-run home run and knocking in 5 runs. But it was B.J. Upton made #1 on the ESPN Top 10 with a diving grab of a line drive.

Remaining stadium count down to 3.

We got off to an inauspicious start, being delayed for an hour (thankfully only an hour) at the start of our trip by a freak tornado in Queens. However, after that, all things were go. We arrived in St. Louis and beat a quick path to Kansas City. We arrived there in time to take in some historical baseball sites before the Royals game with the Twins. We made it to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (the Jazz Museum as well), The Paseo YMCA – birthplace of the Negro Leagues, the former site of Municipal stadium (former home of the Kansas City Monarchs), and paid our respects to the late, great James “Cool Papa” Bell. I had a chance to converse with Cool Papa in Cooperstown, years ago (also with his wife Clarabelle). He was a class act and one of the best dressed Hall of Famers.