SoDo Mojo

Repeat road trips may sound like a bland exercise. Boarding the same trains, walking the same cities, visiting the same ballparks and frequenting the same watering holes is a routine. But, if you keep an open mind and get outside of the comfort level, you really can experience something truly unique. I like to believe that what transpired on this trip up to Seattle has set the stage for a season of exciting and unique experiences.

The early morning Amtrak train and I have this special relationship. I hardly ever get any sleep before I board her, and I don't get much sleep on her after. Still, the train ride up went without a hitch as my girlfriend and I arrived into Seattle right on time. The only highlight had to be the renovated King Street Station in Seattle which was just completed in April. It seemed like it had been under construction for the past ten years, so seeing it completed was pretty extraordinary.

Getting to Safeco about an hour before the game started, I immediately noticed two things: I had never seen a game in a dome and where were all the people? Since I started Baseball Road Trips back in 2007, I had never seen a game in a legitimate dome setting. Sure, Safeco has a retractable roof on it, but in all the games I have been to at Safeco, I had never seen one with the roof on. When I went up for Fan Fest back in January, the roof was on then, but no game was played. When I filled out the entry in my logbook for the game, I simply stated for the weather conditions "Dome". It didn't really make much of a difference as the roof at Safeco was designed to keep the rain off and not the other prevailing elements (wind and cold), so the game wasn't affected too much. However, I wonder what it would be like to see a game in a legitimate domed stadium like Rogers Centre in Toronto or Minute Maid Park in Houston?

As for the fans, the turnout for the game was an utter joke. Sure it was a holiday and it may have been a little cold, but 18,000 for a Major League Baseball game? That is pathetic. I know that I may offend some people, but Seattle sports fans, in general, are "fair weather" to the extreme. One thing you can say about Cubs fans at Wrigley is that they will always go out to the park to see the Cubs, even though the team is horrible and has the most distinguished losing tradition in professional baseball. But, Seattle fans, they support the team fanatically when they're winning, but abandon them when they are losing. I understand that the match up between the Padres and Mariners is less than scintillating, but really, Seattle? You have a great ballpark, but if you aren't careful, you will lose everything as quickly as you gained it. 

I had never been to a ballpark on such a patriotic holiday such as Memorial Day. Ordinarily, I stay away from holiday games as they usually are more expensive to go to, but I took a chance on this day, and I was glad I did. The Mariners did an incredible job of promoting a patriotic atmosphere. Both teams were special camoflauge uniforms and hats. Instead of the traditional flags of the teams in the outfield, they were all decked out in American flags. 

The most moving aspect of the ceremonial atmosphere had to have been the pregame ceremonies. Throwing out the first pitch was a World War Two veteran who had served on D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. Then, delivering the game ball, was Sergeant First Class LeRoy Petry, who received the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in defending his fellow soldiers. He lost his right hand throwing a live enemy grenade back at the enemy Taliban, that had landed only feet from him and two of his fellow soldiers, exploded in his hand. Bottom line: the guy is a hero and hearing his story on the PA made me choke up a little. I have a sibling serving in the armed forces right now, so these types of stories really do hit home with me and put life into perspective.

The game got going in a real hurry. The Mariners jumped all over the Padres starting pitcher Clayton Richard for four runs in the first inning. From there, Mariners starting pitcher Aaron Harang did the rest. He went the distance in pitching a four-hit shutout to blank the Padres 4-0. It was one of the most dominant pitching performances I have ever seen in a professional baseball game. 

After the game, we made our way back towards the train station. We had about an hour to kill, so we ducked into a small bar about three blocks from the station. After a few drinks, we walked back and caught the train for home.

This trip was short, sweet and to the point. It may have been an up and back trip, but I think this represents a great start to the season. I'm starting small and building a foundation for the more elaborate road trips coming up in July and August. It was fun, yes, but now I am REALLY looking forward to the next trip and the adventures ahead.

Now there is another break. In learning my lesson from last year, I am taking about a month off here in June, working like crazy and saving up money for the summer. I say about because my next scheduled road trip will be the weekend of June 24-25 when I go back up to Seattle and Tacoma for the 2013 edition of the Puget Sound trip. Until then, there is a lot of softball to be played, the Emeralds season will be starting, and the Ducks are making another run to the College World Series. There are opportunities to keep my foot in the game, and will most certainly write about it.

Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)