Tony Gillen

Back in the Bay

September 27, 2025

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

September 14, 2025

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

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

September 13, 2025

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

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

September 12, 2025

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

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

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

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

September 11, 2025

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

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

August 2, 2025

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.

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

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

July 30, 2025

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

June 1, 2025

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
Amarillo – Hodgetown

May 31, 2025

Amarillo Sod Poodles (Diamondbacks Double-A) vs. Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers Double-A)

Day 5 of the Big Texas 6-day 6-game road trip continued with a not as long drive to Route 66 and Amarillo.

On a Saturday night, downtown Amarillo near the ballpark was packed and, fortunately, we found free street parking about two blocks away from the ballpark.

Today, I skipped the ballpark food. Before the game, we stopped at the Big Texan Steak Ranch, world famous for it’s 72-ounce steak. I did not get the 72-ouncer, but I did get a good steak that made skipping the ballpark food worth it.
Back in the Heart of Texas

May 30, 2025

Texas Rangers vs. St. Louis Cardinals

A second trip to Texas brought an opportunity to meet up with some friends from last year, a deeper look at a ballpark, and a rare game with the roof open.

A second stadium tour on the Big Texas trip

Ernie and I are in Day 4 of a six-day six-ballpark trip that started in Albuquerque and the second on taking the stadium tour. (I will post another time about the Big Texas trip.) I enjoy taking the ballpark tour when I have a chance and the tour of Globe Life Field did not disappoint. Great insight on the history of baseball in the Arlington area, peeks at premium areas, and even a stop at the public address announcer’s boot and a chat with Chuck Morgan highlight the tour.

Ballpark Features

Last year, I stopped by the Nolan Ryan statue at the north entrance. This year, I caught others I missed, including the Ivan Rodriguez statue at the south entrance, the Mickey Mouse 2011 All-Star Game statue, and the 2023 World Series trophy.

Open Roof

During the tour, we had a discussion about opening the roof and what it would take, including accounting for the change of air pressure between inside and outside. No decision had been made at the time of the tour whether the roof would be open. I’m told in late May, temps usually get to the 90’s. (It was 90+ degrees the day before in Houston.) Fortunately, temperatures for most of Texas has been in the low 80’s and that is good reason for Globe Life Field to open the roof shortly after the gates opened.

Seat Selection

Section 226 Row 9

For today’s game, we have ADA seats in the upper level on the first base side. With the roof open for the game, the feel of the cool breeze enhances that viewing experience.

Ballpark Food of Choice

Brisket Eggrolls

Last year, I had the Boomstick and was not able to finish. While it was tempting to take on the challenge, I opted for something new.

Brisket is all over Texas, including at Daikin Park in Houston and any Buc-ee’s massive convenient stores. The Brisket Eggrolls offer its own unique way of serving Texas brisket.

Highest Place in the Park

Probably the most underrated feature of the ballpark, but go out to the centerfield area and look for the stairs or elevator to go to the very top. From there, you will have an uninterrupted view of the field. The view is even better with the roof open.

Game Highlights

The Rangers dominated over the Cardinals with a 11-1 win. Marcus Semien had a career game with a 4-for-4 night, a 4th inning home run, 3 RBIs, and a stolen base. Wyatt Langford hit a 2nd inning 2-run home run and Sam Haggerty and Josh Jung each has 3 RBIs.