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Tony Gillen

  • 2025 Year in Review

    2025 Year in Review

    It’s long past but it’s time for a review of my personal ballpark travels for the past year. 2025 included visits to:

    • 11 Major League ballparks
    • 5 Minor League ballparks
    • 1 Collegiate Summer League ballpark
    • 1 NASCAR race track

    Opening Day in Detroit

    This early season trip to Detroit actually happened because my son wanted to watch a live football game in the spring and the Michigan Panthers of the UFL were scheduled to play on the same day as the Tigers’ home opener.

    Seattle Day Trip

    This trip to the Pacific Northwest happened before I wanted to see if I could pull off flying from Minneapolis to Seattle for Mariners vs. Blue Jays and back in the same day.

    Milwaukee Card Show and Game

    I drove to meet up with my friend, Tim from Madison (who previously lived in Baltimore), to go to the Wisconsin Sports Card Show in downtown Milwaukee and then to watch my hometown Minnesota Twins play at American Family Field.

    Big Texas Trip

    For the fourth year, I’d taken the annual week-long trip to visit consecutive ballparks. In 2025, I flew into New Mexico to meet with my friend, Ernie from Albuquerque (previously from Minneapolis), to begin the road trip through New Mexico and Texas.

    To keep the consecutive game streak essence of the annual trips, I include a mix of minor league ballparks along with the Major League parks.

    The Big Texas trip went: Tuesday for the Midland Rockhounds, Wednesday for the Round Rock Express, Thursday for the Astros, Friday for the Rangers, Saturday for the Amarillo SodPoodles, and closed on Sunday for the Albuquerque Isotopes.

    Twins/Saints Doubleheader

    Each year, there are a few opportunities to watch both the Twins at Target Field and the St. Paul Saints at CHS Field on the same day.

    I did this for the first time for Twins vs. Cubs for the afternoon game and then the Saints vs. Iowa Cubs for the night game.

    Bristol Trip

    The trip to Bristol actually started the Tuesday night before.

    The plan was always to arrive in Tennessee on Thursday but the chance to watch Shohei Ohtani pitch on Wednesday led to a convenient detour to Cincinnati.

    During the same week, the Appalachian League (previously a rookie-class minor league and now a collegiate wood bat league) closed out their season with the Appalachian League Championship Game in Johnson City.

    Closing out the weekend was the MLB Speedway Classic for the Reds vs. Braves, the first MLB game played at the Bristol Motor Speedway and first ever MLB game in Tennessee. Due to heavy rains on Saturday, the game would stretch into Sunday.

    Upper Midwest Trip

    Ian from Canada, who I met during my 2024 East Coast trip, returned to the U.S. for his own ballpark road trip. I took the Amtrak train to meet up with Ian in Chicago to kick off a four-day stretch.

    End of Season in the Bay Area

    A work trip to the Bay Area brought me the opportunity to revisit one ballpark and add on a new ballpark. Friday night, I flew in late to the San Francisco airport and stayed in Millbrae. Saturday, I took the CalTrain to San Francisco for a day game at Oracle Park. Sunday, I took the two-hour Amtrak ride to Sacramento to watch the A’s in their temporary home at Sutter Health Park.

  • Closing the Season in West Sacramento

    Closing the Season in West Sacramento

    Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals

    Its the second consecutive game to close out the regular season and now a slightly longer trip to watch the A’s than it was the last time I was in San Francisco and saw the club in Oakland.

    Since I had already visited Oakland Coliseum, I had no previous intention of watching the A’s in West Sacramento for my journey for thirty. However, the work trip to the Bay Area and a short Amtrak ride made the visit to Sutter Health Park a possibility.

    Amtrak

    When the Athletics played in Oakland, it was only a BART train to get there from San Francisco. Now, it’s only an Amtrak ride. San Francisco will still be the most convenient airport in which to fly, then a BART train to Oakland, and then a two-hour ride to Sacramento. It’s pretty convenient if you do not have a car or do not plan to drive.

    Seat Selection

    Sacramento field view

    Section 113 Row 14 (Behind home plate)

    When you go to ballpark with a capacity of just over 14,000, seating become scarce. At the same time, the A’s aren’t exactly in demand. Hence, lower level seats behind home plate feel like a huge value.

    As far as watching the game, the smaller size of a minor league ballpark offers a more intimate feel and a more engaging fan experience.

    Ballpark Food of Choice

    Footlong Hot Dog

    I had to go with the tradition choice and it definitely did not disappoint. This particular one was from the Golden Spike Chophouse stand: mustard, sauerkraut, pepper, and (yes I add) ketchup.

    To be honest, I put this as one of the better ballpark hot dogs. Definitely, it is far superior to hot dog I had in Oakland two years before.

    Game Highlights

    The coolest thing about the final game of the regular season is that all 15 games start at the same time regardless of time zone (3:05 PM Eastern Time/12:05 PM Pacific Time).

    Prior to the game, the Athletics announced that next season the team will begin wearing ‘Sacramento’ alternate jerseys.

    The Royals beat the A’s in the final game 9-2 but I did get to watch phenom Nick Kurtz hit his 36th home run of his rookie season.

  • Back in the Bay

    Back in the Bay

    San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies

    A work trip to the Bay Area has brought me the opportunity to see a couple of games before the end of the regular season. This visit to Oracle Park is the first of two consecutive Major League games to close out the regular season.

    Today’s game is my second game lifetime at Oracle Park. This will also be my fourth different ballpark watching the Colorado Rockies.

    Hotel and Transportation

    When I visit the San Francisco area, my preferred hotel location has been along the San Francisco side of the bay and then taking the CalTrain. The San Francisco station is short walk from Oracle Park, so the CalTrain is very convenient to getting to and from the game without the hassle of traffic or parking.

    Seat Selection

    Section LB104 Row 20 (First base side)

    Moreso than most clubs, in my opinion, the San Francisco Giants offer regular promos to get seats at a discount. In this case, it was a two-for-one sale with no fees that would put the cost of the two tickets lower than I would have paid for one ticket.

    I never found someone to take the second ticket.

    However, turns out I was not alone. Next to me is Dave, a longtime Giants fan who also did the two-for-one sale and came solo. His second was supposed to be his wife.

    Most of the time, I am a solo traveler to the ballparks. Sometimes though, you get the opportunity to meet someone new, a fan of the home team or someone who is also trying to visit all 30 Major League ballparks. And baseball opens up the opportunity to chat about the game, or about your teams, or about life overall. I won’t ever meet Dave again but moments like these make the ballpark chase so much more enjoyable.

    Ballpark Food of Choice

    Lumpia and Filipino Lemonade

    Oracle Park has one of the broadest selections of food for any Major League ballpark and any choice you make will always be a good choice.

    However, I keep going back to the Lumpia and Filipino Lemonade. Only Oracle Park serves the lumpia eggrolls so that alone makes it a uniquely Oracle Park food choice. Plus, the lumpia is really good.

    When I go back to Oracle Park for a third time, maybe I try something different or I go back to something I love.

    Game Highlights

    The greatest highlight of the game is that I got to see Justin Verlander pitch, perhaps, for the last time. There is speculation on whether Verlander will return for a 21st season either with the Giants or another team but I would look at that as a ‘wait and see’.

    If today’s game were Verlander’s final start of his career, then, at least, he would have ended it on a good note. Verlander pitched six innings allowing only five hits, one walk, two runs, and throwing seven strikeouts to earn his fourth win of the season and the 266th of his career.

    The win was boosted with a three-run home run from Casey Schmitt in the 2nd inning. Rafael Devers doubled in the 8th inning to drive in the fourth run.

    The Giants beat the Rockies 4-3.

  • Sunday Funday

    Sunday Funday

    Minnesota Twins vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

    My home ballpark is the final stop of the four-day four-ballpark stretch with Ian from Canada. For me, Target Field is a regular site. For Ian, this is his first visit. With both the Twins and Diamondbacks well out of contention, the WNBA playoffs completing next door at Target Field, and the Vikings playing later on Sunday night at US Bank Stadium, we have a sparse crowd but plenty of opportunity to explore the ballpark.

    Seat Selection

    Target Field upper level view

    Section 210 Row 3

    The good thing about near empty games at Target Field is that, for the most part, you can sit wherever you want. The seats we purchased were on the 200 Level on the third base side but that side is right in the sun. So we moved to the first base side to stay in the shade.

    For afternoon games at Target Field, look to the first base side for your shaded seats. Third base side will start in the sun but shade will begin to creep down from the upper rows throughout the game.

    Game Highlights

    Unfortunately, as a Twins fan, there hasn’t been much to highlight since the trade deadline that resulted in half of the team going to playoff contenders. For this game in particular, the Twins had the early lead until the Diamondbacks pulled off a strong fourth inning with a three-run home run from James McCann. The Diamondbacks beat the Twins 6-4.

  • NL Central Showdown

    NL Central Showdown

    Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals

    The divisional showdown at American Family Field is the third of a four-day four-ballpark stretch with Ian from Canada and my second game in 2025 at a ballpark that is not Target Field.

    Local Shuttles

    In my previous visits to American Family Field, I have always opted to park in the huge lots surrounding the ballpark and parking in the lots add another $25+ to the cost of the game. Today, we decided to visit a local restaurant for dinner and take the complimentary shuttle to the game. A big plus is that we don’t have to deal with traffic. Because we had dinner at the restaurant, you will not see a “Ballpark Food of Choice” section in this journey post.

    Every baseball fan should experience a Friday afternoon game at Wrigley Field. Part of what makes the experience unique is that the Cubs are the only team that regularly hosts a Friday game at 1:20 p.m. Friday afternoon games are a regular tradition and games sell out regularly for these games.

    Bob Uecker Statue

    Sitting with Bob Uecker

    One of the standard rite (and probably the most important rite for any baseball fan) is to visit the Bob Uecker statue found at the very top of Section 422.

    Seat Selection

    Section 418 Row 11

    Our relentless search for value seating for the Brewers game led us to the upper level between home and first base. The view itself is decent but having the roof open provides comfort on a fall evening game.

    Game Highlights

    Because this was Game 3 of a four-game trip and we needed to make sure we would be well awake for Sunday afternoon game in Minneapolis, we left the game after the 8th inning when the Brewers were trailing the Cardinals 4-6. While we were on the shuttle back to the restaurant, the 9th inning end with the Cardinals scoring one and the Brewers scoring three to start extra innings 7-7. After leaving the restaurant and on the way to Minneapolis, the Brewers walked off the 10th inning with a 9-8 win.

  • Friday 1:20

    Friday 1:20

    Chicago Cubs vs. Tampa Bay Rays

    The Friday game at Wrigley Field is the second of a four-day four-ballpark stretch with Ian from Canada and the second of two games watching the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.

    This game is my 4th different ballpark watching the Rays in 2025. I am not purposely following the Rays but, sometimes, that’s just how the odds work.

    Every baseball fan should experience a Friday afternoon game at Wrigley Field. Part of what makes the experience unique is that the Cubs are the only team that regularly hosts a Friday game at 1:20 p.m. Friday afternoon games are a regular tradition and games sell out regularly for these games.

    Seat Selection

    Wrigley Field view from section 420R

    Section 420R Row 4

    One of the challenges of finding low-priced value seats at Wrigley Field is finding a seat that does not have a pillar in your view. You are safe with any seat in the 100 and 300 Sections, as well as the Outfield Bleachers. In the 200 and 400 Sections, there is always a chance of having an obstructed view. Fortunately, we are obstruction free. We are also shaded the whole game so we got that bit of comfort.

    Ballpark Features

    Wrigley Field is the second oldest active Major League ballpark (with Fenway Park in Boston being the oldest). The features of the ballpark offer a mix of historical tribute and modern amenities.

    Marquee

    Wrigley Field marquee

    One of Wrigley’s most notable features is the red marquee that adorns the outside of the southwest corner of the ballpark. For many fans, it’s an opportune place for a selfie.

    World Series Trophy

    Standing with the 2016 World Series trophy

    In the lower level concourse, the Cubs have a space where fans can take a picture with the 2016 World Series trophy. The World Series trophy has become one of my regular scavenger hunt items when I visit ballparks.

    Gallagher Way

    Gallagher Way is a gathering space outside the west side of Wrigley Field where people can hang out before entering the ballpark. Gallagher Way also hosts a number of statues of Cubs legends, including Hall of Fame second baseman, Ryne Sandberg, who had passed away in July.

    Game Highlights

    On Friday games in 2025, the Cubs take the field in their alternate blue jerseys.

    Unlike the White Sox, who are well out of playoff contention, the Cubs are very much in the playoff hunt and they showed it in their 6-4 win over the Rays. Christopher Morel, current Ray and former Cub, enjoyed his return to Wrigley Field with a 3-run home run to start the game. However, the Cubs would come back with Ian Happ, the Cubs’ top performer, hitting 3-for-4 with a home run, double, and 2 RBI.

    Postgame Bonus

    One of the cool things about ballpark chasing is meeting some really cool people along the way. And one of those cool people is Erika, who works for the Cubs, and who I met when the Cubs visited Target Field in July. I told Erika I would be at Wrigley and she hooked me up with an awesome perk: getting my picture on the field.

  • Thursday in the Windy City

    Thursday in the Windy City

    Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays

    A stop at Rate Field (aka New Comiskey) is the first of a four-day four-ballpark stretch with Ian from Canada and the first of two games watching the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.

    This game is my 3rd different ballpark watching the Rays in 2025.

    As I had shared in previous journey posts, Ian from Canada is another ballpark chaser I had met during my East Coast Trip in 2024. Turned out we were going to much of the same games: Boston, New York, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington on the same dates so we met up. I had also met up with Ian later in 2024 when I made the trip to Toronto.

    Ian’s 2025 journey was going to take him through the Upper Midwest. Considering that he was eventually going to hit Target Field and Chicago is an easy Amtrak train ride for me, I decided to join him for the Chicago-Chicago-Milwaukee-Minnesota segment of his trip.

    Seat Selection

    Rate Field seat from left field

    Section 159 Row 5 (Left field)

    One of the main areas than Ian and I have in common when it comes to our baseball journeys are our tendencies to find cheap tickets. Considering this was a Thursday afternoon game in September and the White Sox were well out of playoff contention, decent seats would be easy to find.

    These seats feel close to the game but in the hot sun, even for September, you may want to take the occasional break and find shade.

    Ballpark Features

    Rate Field has a number of features that honor the game, the club’s history, and enhance the ballpark experience.

    Chicago Skyline

    Go to the top level of the ballpark at the right field corner and you will see the ‘Chicago’ script and the skyline in the background for a picturesque view of the Windy City.

    Da’ Pope

    Rate Field added a tribute to their most famous fans, Pope Leo XIV. After Pope Leo had been elected as the first U.S.-born pontiff in May, the White Sox added a mural in his honor on one of the pillar on the lower level just behind home plate.

    Comiskey Park Home Plate

    Across 35th Street, the northern side of the current ballpark, you can find home plate for the old ballpark. It is one of the ways the White Sox honor the history of Chicago baseball.

    Ballpark Food of Choice

    Out of all of the Major League ballparks I have visited, the selection of food at Rate Field is, by far, the most underrated. In my previous visit, I had the Italian beef sandwich and nachos. In this visit, I had the barbecue pulled pork sandwich. I also could not leave Rate Field without trying their most recent sensation.

    Campfire Milkshake

    Rate Field debuted the Campfire Milkshake in 2024. They followed up this year with the Birthday Cake Milkshake. For me, one shake at a time and I had to go with the chocolate shake topped with marshmallows, graham cracker crust, whipped creams, and a chocolate bar with fudge on the rim of the cup. Definitely get the shake if you have the chance.

    Game Highlights

    As noted, the White Sox are well out of playoff contention. However, the Tampa Bay Rays still had a chance. However, those hopes faded in a 5-1 loss to the White Sox.

  • It’s Bristol Baby – MLB Speedway Classic

    It’s Bristol Baby – MLB Speedway Classic

    Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves

    Bristol hosted the first‑ever MLB Speedway Classic, which also happened to be the first Major League Baseball game ever played in Tennessee. Normally known for NASCAR thunder, Bristol Motor Speedway traded horsepower for hardball as a full baseball field was built right inside the iconic oval for a matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves.

    Even though the game was officially a Reds home date, Bristol’s nearly perfect midpoint between Cincinnati and Atlanta pulled in fans from both cities. Add in the army of ballpark chasers eager to check off a brand‑new venue—and plenty of baseball fans who simply wanted to witness history—and the result was a record MLB crowd of 91,032 fans.

    It's Bristol Baby sign

    Everyone showed up ready for Saturday night baseball, but heavy rains had other plans. After just one inning, the game was postponed and eventually resumed on Sunday afternoon, with only a fraction of the original crowd returning. Still, for those who made the trip, the Speedway Classic became one of those once‑in‑a‑lifetime stops that every ballpark traveler loves to brag about.

    Seat Selection

    View from our seat at the MLB Speedway Classic in Bristol

    Section JGT-J (Jeff Gordon Terrace) Row 15

    This might be the farthest I have ever sat for a Major League Baseball game (with my seat in Yankee Stadium last year being the farthest).

    For this August matchup, I bought my tickets back in October 2024 when sales opened up, the earliest I have ever bought tickets for any sporting event. I made my hotel reservation as soon as the event was announced in September 2024 to make sure I would have a place to stay at a decent price.

    Game Highlights

    After heavy rain pushed the Saturday start into a rare two‑day affair, the game wrapped up on Sunday with the Atlanta Braves edging the Cincinnati Reds, 4–2, inside the towering walls of Bristol’s “Last Great Colosseum.”

    The star of the weekend was Braves outfielder Eli White, who carved his name into baseball‑oddity history by becoming the first player ever to homer at a NASCAR track—and then doing it again five innings later. His three‑run blast in the second and a solo shot in the seventh powered Atlanta’s offense and gave the Speedway Classic its signature highlight.

    Defense had its own flair, too. Luke Williams made a spectacular diving stop at third to save a run in the eighth, while Elly De La Cruz turned a slick inning‑ending double play that showed off his trademark athleticism. Even the in‑game entertainment got a Bristol twist: Redzilla, the Reds’ beloved monster‑truck‑mascot hybrid, took laps around the track, firing souvenir balls into the stands and giving fans a moment they’ll be telling stories about for years.

    The Reds struck first before Saturday’s rain delay, but once the game resumed on Sunday, the Braves took control and never let go. Between the novelty of the setting, the record‑breaking crowd, and the mix of big swings and big plays, the Speedway Classic felt less like a one‑off game and more like a pilgrimage-worthy chapter in ballpark‑chasing lore.

  • The Road to Bristol

    The Road to Bristol

    Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

    The plan to watch the Cincinnati Reds play at Bristol Motor Speedway started ten months in advance. The plan to watch the Reds for my second visit to Great American Ball Park started when Shohei Ohtani was scheduled to start. The game also marks my third different ballpark watching the Los Angeles Dodgers.

    Seat Selection

    Section 523 Row R (Upper level behind home)

    With the Cincinnati Reds in contention for a Wild Card spot against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the reigning Most Valuable Player Shohei Ohtani starting on the mound, great seats at a great price on SeatGeek are going to be hard to come by.

    Still, this seat from the upper deck behind home is shaded for a 7 p.m. start time in July and offers a great view of the river and Kentucky.

    Ballpark Food of Choice

    Skyline Chili Cheese Dogs

    Skyline Chili is all over Ohio and so it is fitting you would also find it at Great American Ball Park. When you do have Skyline Chili, accept that their ‘chili’ is not really chili but more of a ground beef mix. Topped with cheese on top of hot dogs, it makes for a great hot dog option for any ball game.

    Game Highlights

    My biggest reason for making it to this game is to watch Shohei Ohtani pitched. After spending the all of 2024 and the first season of 2025 exclusively in the designated hitter role, Ohtani is slowly being worked in a starting pitcher role. For this game, Ohtani would pitch 3 innings before getting replaced with bases loaded in the top of the 4th. (Ohtani would still continue to play as the designated hitter.)

    The game remained 2-2 through the 8th inning until Spencer Steer’s 2-run triple. Steer would eventually score on a single from Will Benson to lead to a 5-2 Reds win over the defending World Champions.

  • Albuquerque – Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park

    Albuquerque – Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park

    Albuquerque Isotopes (Rockies Triple-A) vs. Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Astros Triple-A)

    Day 6 of the Big Texas 6-day 6-game road trip closed with the return to Albuquerque.

    The Albuquerque Isotopes team got their name from The Simpsons. As such, Isotopes Park is full of The Simpsons references and includes statues of Homer, Marge, Bart, and Lisa.

    Ballpark food of choice: Barbecue turkey leg