2023

2023 was another year where I didn't travel for baseball, well kinda. It was a year of family and kids and work. The casualty being the once constant obsession to travel the country seeing stadiums and games. Such is life I suppose. What I did was still enjoyable. As I recall it I went to 3 games in total, which is a far cry from what this blog used to be about. 

Number one was game #1 of the 2023 season, the home opener at that. April 7th. Afternoon tilt against the hated Astros. It was a Sunny day and but boy howdy was it cold. Winter jackets, hats, and hand warmers. We got someone to pick the kids up from School and stayed the whole way through. It went extras. Twins won it in a walk off in the 10th. A story book beginning to the season which was fun. All the fans a twitter. Wish I could carelessly root for this team like 20 years ago, but they have continued to have a formula to be competitive with out being relevant every October. I'm thinking about softening my scrutiny and just enjoying the journey in the future, but that's a skill I've not yet mastered. 

Number two was a Mother's Day game between the Twins and the Cubs at Target Field. Very grateful to have seen the cubs in town. We had decent seats on the 3rd base side trending toward outfield. Was something of an oops as it was real thought for Joe to see. Forgot that he was small. Still a great game, great weather. First time we'd 'enjoyed' a game as a family probably. Twins lost and we were sorta bummed as we still carry Cubs Fan Memberships after our Chicago stint and the World Series experience. No shade on the Twins, still root for them at every opportunity they try. Anyway, great day...and I apparently didn't get a photo. 

My 2023 baseball journey was highlighted by a Boyz trip to Dyersville, IA to visit the field and its dreams. This was a trip to give Molly a break after my constant work travel and it held up. It was manicured, cared for, understated, and awesome. Vinny stayed up late with me the night before and watch a chunk of the movie and I really treasured the experience. Probably the first time I'd watched the movie as a dad and it had new meaning. Not going to fully convert this blog into a parenting forum, so I'll stop there. If you ever enjoyed that movie and have the opportunity I highly recommend stopping by Dyersville. It's one of those quietly awesome things that people have created and preserved. Totes worth appreciating. 

My 2nd and last baseball game of 2023 was a Twins v Pirates game on a late August night. Molly and Joe had gone to WI for some family stuff and some of my dearest friends loved attending Jimmy Buffet night at Target field. If you know me, you know Jimmy has always been a thing for me (thanks to my dad). I hate committing to plans, but eventually bought some tickets and met a gaggle of friends I've had the pleasure of doing life with for 20+ years. It was a hot night and the Jimmy Buffet spirit was in the air. While I obstained form much of the 'buzz' that every one was getting, I very much enjoyed watching Vin go full party mode and embrace extrovert attitude. He and MarkyJ got on the Jumbotron a couple of times and it was a RIOT. Another memory I'll never forget. Great Night. Pirates won...

2022

Baseball has entered a new level of importance in my life, let's call it what it is, a lower one.... It's almost Nostalgic at this point ass opposed to the passion it once was. Call it age, call it family, I don't know, but I'm sitting here staring the 2024 MLB season in the face and realize I haven't cataloged 2022? That's just bush league. Luckily my phone has my back. Here is what I got for 2022 baseball. 

1. Vinny's Kindergarten had an outing to a very cold game in April which was kind of a trick, maybe it was cheap or something but this was NOT a day you want to spend at the park. Very wintery conditions, hand warmers, coats, hats, gloves, the nine. We sat in our seats for only moments. Then retreated to the old 'Captain's Deck' with a couple of kids from his class. It was a nice time down there cause they could run around and burn calories. No idea who they played or who won. We DEFINATELY left early. Remember paying something unworldly like $17 for a beer after tip. Enter the new world I suppose....

2.  St. Paul Saints game in June as a fairwell to two good friends relocating out of MN. Excellent intimate stadium that I really recommend. Super fun Summer night with old friends. The kind of night that doesn't come around much anymore and I was very grateful for this. Not really the place or time, but the candy really did a number on me socially and it was hard getting back into the swing of being a member of outings and social events again. I can recall this one being one game as a stepping stone for feeling normal again. 

Saints went up like 7 runs in the first inning and it was never a game, which was great as it freed everyone up to catch up and chat. One of the underrated parts of baseball I think, its ability to be passive entertain as much as active entertainment. It can be the back drop or the focus of your attention. 

3. Boyz Day Baseball - One sunny/hot/late Summer afternoon Mom needed a break so I saddled up the Boyz and did a spur of the moment trip to Target field for our 2nd and final MLB game of 2022. Again, did NOT capture who played (getting sloppy), but it was the first time I'd taken the boys and they weren't BABIES, they were KIDS. We had fun, messed around, got all kinds of snacks. Really enjoyed this one as a dad. Want my kids to like/love baseball like I have. Want them to see the ballpark as a fun place to be with friends and family. We stayed for about 6 innings and bounced. Strategically not making the stay and get bored because I was hoping the good vibes, grow good memories, and baseball is happy place for them like it is for me. The photo of the the kids here I thought was a perfect depiction of their personalities at this time in their lives. I could break this down, but I'm just going to leave it at that. They are my favorites.