Episode 160 — Bucketheads at the Ballpark: 2024 MLB All-Star Week

[00:00:00] Anna: What’s up bucketheads. Thanks for tuning in and welcome to episode number 160 of the baseball bucket list podcast. I’m your host Anna DiTommaso. And each week on the show, I speak with a different baseball fan about their favorite memories. What’s left on their baseball bucket list and what the game of baseball means to them. This week show is a little different than normal. As all of, you know, we just wrapped up the Midsummer classic here in north Texas and our fresh off of all-star week and Arlington. 

[00:00:24] Anna: This was my second all-star game ever. And in the last three years, And I decided to bring along a recorder for the three days I spent at the ballpark. So in this episode, you’ll be tagging along as I interview other fans and ballpark personnel about their all-star experiences. I can’t explain how much fun these few days were and how incredible it was to meet so many people. 

[00:00:44] Anna: I wish I could have seen everyone who is in town, and I definitely know that our paths will cross again in the future. The whole experience was just so cool. And I can’t wait to share it with all of you. Now without further ado, sit back, relax and enjoy some baseball banter from the 2024 all-star game. 

[00:01:01] Anna: Because as the great Chuck Morgan says. 

[00:01:03] Chuck: it’s all star game time in Texas, but it is baseball time in Texas. 

[00:01:10] Anna: I started my all-star week experience on Saturday with the futures game skills challenge and celebrity softball game. One of my traditions at global field is to head up to the Karbach sky porch in left-field for a Karbach love street. It’s a beer that you can find pretty much anywhere here in north Texas, but I find myself only drinking it when I’m at the ballpark. 

[00:01:28] Anna: So it just seems a little more special. The best part about all of this is that it’s always poured by one of my favorite people to see at the park, miss Annie. And since I had my microphone on hand, I had to swing by and have a quick chat with her.

[00:01:41] Anna: I’m here at the Karbach Sky Porch with one of my favorite people at the ballpark, Annie. She always pours the Karbach Love Street the best, she gives me the biggest smile, always makes me feel happy to be here. Annie, I want to know, what’s your favorite part about working at the ballpark? 

[00:01:57] Annie: Meeting everybody.

[00:01:59] Annie: Meeting different people and just being of service to everyone. 

[00:02:04] Anna: You’re the best at it. You really do make my day every time I’m here. And What’s the best thing to eat here? The 

[00:02:10] Annie: brisket is the best and I am a vegetable person so I love the green beans and potato salad.

[00:02:21] Anna: After that I met up with Randy Wheeler in the Balcones speakeasy to hear a bit more about one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen at a ballpark.

[00:02:29] Anna: Alright, so right now we are midway through the MLB Futures game. It’s All Star Week here at Globe Life Field, and I am joined by Randy Wheeler, who has a pretty cool job here at Globe Life Field, if I do say so myself, and there’s a lot to love about this ballpark, there’s a lot of really cool things that you gotta do while you’re here.

[00:02:51] Anna: You gotta go up to Karbach, you gotta take a lap, you gotta see Chuck’s booth, but a bunch of folks maybe know about this. area that we’re sitting in right now. Maybe they don’t. So, uh, I joined here by Randy Wheeler, the premium manager of the Balcones Speakeasy here at Globe Life Field. Randy, how’s it going?

[00:03:10] Anna: I know this is a crazy busy week for y’all. 

[00:03:13] Randy: Yeah, this has been great. There’s been a lot of opportunity for us to kind of showcase things that we do during a normal Rangers game. . 2024 all star game. I mean, here in texas, the lone star state. Last time it was here in Texas was in 95 when the Rangers did it, but it was in Houston, I believe in 2004. Um, and it just brings a great crowd. I mean, we’ve been preparing for this. We knew it was coming. We knew it was coming.

[00:03:42] Randy: Um, and kind of how things go here in this speakeasy. Um, Everybody that works for me with me. Uh, we all have a passion for one thing and that’s for, uh, creating special experiences one guest at a time. I mean, it’s that simple. It’s going above and beyond. We offer things that other places in the ballpark don’t.

[00:04:08] Randy: We offer things that some places in the United States don’t. Uh, we specialize in our craft cocktails. Um, Chris Henley, Betty Cocktail. She runs um, our cocktail program here. Uh, we feature a different drink every night of the week. Um, when we’re hosting a team, uh, majority of the time, of course, it does have some something to go along with that team.

[00:04:32] Randy: You know, we like, uh, being creative, um, we do smoked old fashions, Manhattan’s, uh, boulevard DA’s. Um, yeah, there’s a lot of, a lot of, uh, great things. And if you’re never been here, I would recommend for sure to come because we’re, we’re excited. Um, I know we get a little bit of a break tomorrow back for the home run derby on Monday.

[00:04:54] Randy: Um, and. I just really appreciate everybody that’s had the o opportunity to stop in. I know a lot of you that are probably gonna listen to this have, uh, been here and I appreciate your, your time and, um, I’m always gra grateful to see a fan and you know, anybody that’s, that’s around the park. So, um, and my passion for this, it comes from a long time ago.

[00:05:19] Randy: Uh, you mentioned that, you know, I have a very cool job and it is, this is a. A literal dream job for me. Um, I wanted to be a peanut thrower at a baseball game, uh, when I was little and, um, this is way, way beyond that. Um, I manage a great group of individuals and the company I work for, Delaware North, is wonderful.

[00:05:39] Randy: I mean, they are. 

[00:05:40] Anna: It’s, it’s such a cool story. I mean, this is such a cool place. I’ve been to all 30 ballparks. I’ve been inside several, like, presidents level clubs like this. I’ve never seen anything like this, if I’m being honest with you. It’s, it’s one of the coolest spaces in all of Major League Baseball, I gotta say.

[00:05:57] Anna: And, uh, you know, It’s very obvious that you take the ballpark experience and you kind of elevate it. It kind of gets, it gets a little more polished here, you know, like you mentioned smoked old fashions, actual cocktails, like crafted. You just made me a couple samples of your, your sangria, which is just out of the world, out of this world.

[00:06:18] Anna: And, um, you were hand muddling stuff, you know, you weren’t, you weren’t, uh, pouring it out of a huge batch that somebody had made earlier, but I know a lot of people are listening right now and they’re like, okay, this place sounds awesome. I’ve heard about it How the heck do I get down there? So what do they got to do before they get to globe light field to make sure that they can come see this space?

[00:06:40] Randy: so basically if you go to Rangers website or the MLB, I know there are third party ticket sellers out there, too You can Buy tickets and have access to this club, uh, by sections 13 and 14, and it’s rows 9 through 16. So, directly behind home plate, there’s two lower areas that goes to the home plate club right below us, and then there’s two upper areas, which are the 9 through 16 rows, and that has access to the Balcones Speakeasy.

[00:07:18] Randy: Um, and you’ll see that when the ticket comes up for the QR code, it gives a little bit of explanation of what’s included. Um, it is like beer and wine. Uh, we do our specialty drinks, which, uh, we have a full menu for that for y’all to purchase as well, so. 

[00:07:35] Anna: and I gotta say to anyone who is listening who is wondering if this is worth it It is it definitely is and you know, you get you get the best of both worlds You get a great view of the field in your seat And then when you want to come down get yourself a nice cocktail, maybe grab some dinner This is the spot to be so Randy.

[00:07:52] Anna: I can’t thank you enough for taking a few minutes I know this is a crazy week for y’all And, uh, I just really appreciate it and wish you luck for the, the rest of the, the few days coming up. This event is a huge thing and, uh, glad to have it here in Texas. 

[00:08:05] Randy: Yes, thank you so much. Um, I will definitely continue to follow you.

[00:08:10] Randy: I have a passion for anything, baseball, sports, uh, so I really try to keep up with what’s going on around us. And, um, I love the idea of going to the different parks and things like people that do that. Like, I think about that. I want to do that. I want to do that. One of these days I’m gonna do that. But I mean, I sometimes I feel like I’m not even at a ball ballpark, you know, because we’re just on the grind.

[00:08:33] Randy: But, um, yeah, thank you so much for having me and, uh, let’s go. We got 2024 to get ready for and home run derby is gonna be crazy. So, um, I’m super excited, super excited. Thank you. 

[00:08:48] Anna: Later in the night, I bumped into two college ball players who had the opportunity to play in the HBCU Swingman Classic the night before on Friday. It’s an awesome game highlighting the stars from historically black colleges and universities all across the U. S. My friend Cheats, who has been on the show before, talked a bit about it during his episode, and I know he’s got some great coverage over on the Black Baseball Mixtape Podcast. So be sure to check that out for more info on the Swingman Classic. But in the meantime, enjoy this short conversation I had with Tiger Borum from Grambling State and Joseph Eichelberger from Jackson State.

[00:09:20] Anna: Cool, so then just start with your name and 

[00:09:23] Tiger: Borum, Grambling State University. 

[00:09:26] Joseph: Joseph Eichelberger, Jackson State University. 

[00:09:28] Anna: Awesome. So I just ran into these two guys in the concourse here. It’s a all star Saturday. They just finished up playing in the HBCU Swingman Classic last night. You got to tell us a little bit about the experience.

[00:09:41] Tiger: experience was beautiful. You know, the scenery in Dallas, the Texas Rangers stadium. It was, it was beautiful and it’s truly a blessing to be here. 

[00:09:49] Joseph: yeah, it was. Amazing experience, you know, I enjoyed it seeing get to seeing King Griffey jr.

[00:09:54] Joseph: Is pretty pretty awesome The atmosphere was just amazing and every all the HBCU fans and all of them They turned out and they showed out and it was great 

[00:10:04] Anna: Do you guys get to stick around for the whole weekend or do you do you head back to school? You got to get back to the real world, right? 

[00:10:10] Tiger: Yeah, we got to get back to the real world We’re all we all have flights to leave tomorrow tomorrow morning But yeah, it was a great experience, you know, um, great atmosphere the fans showed out just like Jojo said and it was beautiful 

[00:10:27] Anna: Joseph I got to hear what was it like to step on the field? I mean you talked about you talked about The Kid being there But like y’all are playing on a major league ball field. Like what does that feel like? 

[00:10:38] Joseph: Oh man, that field was surreal. I mean, just stepping on that field, it was just, I couldn’t explain it, but it was awesome.

[00:10:44] Joseph: And just get to see, just see my parents and all, all my family members there just watching me. I mean, it was, it was just a surreal moment. 

[00:10:51] Anna: Favorite part? 

[00:10:53] Tiger: My favorite part, I would say, will be the camaraderie in the dugout. Everybody was just having a blast, you know, dancing, having fun, playing free.

[00:11:03] Joseph: My favorite part was really get to meet the coaches. Uh, Ken Griffey Jr. You know, meeting them. Um, just seeing my family and then also a couple of my, uh, alumni from Jackson State, you know, there to show out. And it was just great, man. Everything was awesome. 

[00:11:18] Anna: Awesome. Joseph and Tiger, I can’t thank you enough for making time to do this.

[00:11:21] Anna: I really appreciate it.

[00:11:23] Anna: That wrapped up my Saturday night, but we were back at the ballpark Monday for the home run Derby, where I had a chance to chat with several folks who were hoping to see a show and maybe even catch a home run. All right. I am here just on the main concourse in right field. We’re about two hours out from the home run derby. And wouldn’t you know it, I just bumped into one of my good friends from middle school. So we’re not going to, we’re not going to put a timeline on that middle school, you know, experience, but, uh, Sara and her husband, Brian are here.

[00:11:57] Anna: And, uh, where are y’all in from? 

[00:12:00] Sara: We’re in from Waxahachie, just south of Dallas. It’s about a half hour south of here, probably. 

[00:12:06] Anna: so Waxahachie is a short drive from the metro. You’re not commuting from out of state or even across the state, but uh, What was the impetus behind being here tonight?

[00:12:17] Sara: So, Brian’s been talking about it for a few years, and now that it’s local, I decided for his father’s day gift, I would get him tickets to come see it.

[00:12:25] Anna: Is that the greatest Father’s Day gift that you’ve ever gotten? 

[00:12:28] Brian: Best Father’s Day gift ever. 

[00:12:30] Anna: Brian, tell us where you’re sitting. 

[00:12:32] Brian: Section 130, right field, nine rows up. 

[00:12:36] Anna: Over, under on how many balls you get. I’m gonna put it at two.

[00:12:41] Sara: Yeah, Brian was saying there’s only one batter that’s gonna be batting towards us, so I’m gonna say one. 

[00:12:46] Brian: Yeah, there’s actually two. Okay. Probably under. There’s a lot of balls landing near us, but we’ll see how it goes. 

[00:12:55] Anna: who’s your favorite to win the Derby? 

[00:12:59] Brian: Pete Alonso, of course. 

[00:13:01] Sara: I’m gonna say Pete Alonzo. He had the most, like, career home run in the Derby, so I’m gonna go with him. 

[00:13:08] Anna: he’s very strong. Every year he’s, like, right up there. And then they just changed the format of it this year, so I feel like that’s gonna work in his favor.

[00:13:15] Anna: But I feel like it would be pretty cool to see Adolis Garcia win one in front of his home team here. What do y’all think about that? 

[00:13:23] Brian: Yeah, we’d love to see Adolis be able to win at home, but, uh He didn’t have the best performance last year. So we’ll see what happens. 

[00:13:31] Anna: thank y’all for taking some time. Enjoy the, the Derby and I hope y’all walk away with a ball and, uh, we’ll have to do a check in after the game. I’ll text you. We’ll see how many balls you got. 

[00:13:44] Brian: Of course. 

[00:13:44] Anna: Thanks for talking to 

[00:13:45] Brian: us.

[00:13:47] Anna: we’re just about an hour away from, I guess, the Home Run Derby swinging off here. And I’m here with the Instagram sensation Valerie, otherwise known as Stadium Food Girl. Valerie, how pumped are you to be here at the Home Run Derby? 

[00:14:03] Valerie: I am. I’m so excited. I was lucky enough to be able to come in at three.

[00:14:08] Valerie: So we were able to see all of the media. You know, the whole setup behind the scenes, and I can’t believe that this ballpark, my city is hosting an all star game for the first time in 19 years. 

[00:14:20] Anna: Is this your first all star game slash home run derby? 

[00:14:24] Valerie: This is my very first one. I was so close to going to the one in Seattle last year, but when I found out that it was going to be in Arlington, I was like, nope, I need to say that my first one is in my city.

[00:14:36] Anna: I just talked to you before we started rolling here and, uh, you’re sitting just two seats, two rows back from the wall. I should say, what’s the over under on two balls that you catch 

[00:14:49] Valerie: the over under on I’m going, man, if my head can come through tonight, I’m going big over. We’re doing over as heck because I’m just hoping just hit me right here on the top of the head and we’re good.

[00:15:01] Valerie: I’ll catch it from there. 

[00:15:03] Anna: Go big or go home. I like it. I like it. So, uh, this is your home ballpark. I know you don’t live in the area anymore, but I mean, I asked you this when you were on the show, but has, has anything changed in terms of if someone’s rolling through here for the first time, what they’ve got to eat?

[00:15:22] Valerie:  So, so far I’ve done the South. Street tacos in 106 and the Texas steak sandwich in 106. Um, I would say 106, 107, 108 is where the party’s at tonight. You’ve got all the cool foods over there. They’ve got a really cool display.

[00:15:36] Valerie: So go, go check it out. 

[00:15:39] Anna: Nice. I like it. Um, what are you looking forward to most about this week in general? 

[00:15:46] Valerie: I think for me is seeing, uh, What Arlington has to offer now since its first all star game in 95, obviously I wasn’t there for it, but I was around for the 04, 05, 06, and beyond that seasons. So seeing how much Arlington is its own city now, it’s not Dallas, Fort Worth, and then oh it’s Arlington, but it’s like Arlington is, is its own thing now.

[00:16:08] Valerie: Look at all these people here, I mean, this wasn’t around 15 years ago, so to see it alive and just this whole area just so lit, I love it. 

[00:16:18] Anna: It’s really exciting. It’s a different experience. I wasn’t here for the, uh, 95 all star game. My dad came without me as all good fathers do. I did get souvenirs, but, um, I just was across the street and it’s like a million degrees outside.

[00:16:34] Anna: So the AC is a welcome change this time around. Have you run into many people who have made the journey from outside of Arlington to come see what’s up in this part of the world? 

[00:16:45] Valerie: I haven’t had the time to talk to anyone yet, but I will say that I have seen a plethora of Braves, Phillies, Dodgers, just jerseys from way out there, so I’m going to assume that they traveled all the way here and, you know, to catch this game, and I hope they did because this city has so much to offer.

[00:17:05] Anna: It’s exciting. It’s a good time to be here. Um, I’m super pumped. I know you are too. And I’m gonna let you go get ready. And all I can say is good luck. I hope you catch like 16 balls. 

[00:17:17] Valerie: Me too. Thank you so much. Thank you for having me. 

[00:17:20]  Where should they go to find you what’s your handle 

[00:17:22] Valerie: at the Stadium Food Girl on Instagram, TikTok, and now YouTube.

[00:17:28] Valerie: We’re starting to get stuff on YouTube now, so. 

[00:17:30] Anna: That’s exciting. I feel like, uh, food is something that needs to be shown. So that, that makes perfect sense, but, awesome. Looking forward to it. 

[00:17:38] Valerie: Thank you so much.

[00:17:39] Anna: All right, so now I am joined by two adventurers from the Chicago area, um, Jeff Ragauskis, who has been on the show before and his good friend Spy. We’re standing again up above, we’re waiting for the magic to kick off here at the Home Run Derby, but Jeff and Spy, I gotta hear this story about coming down to Arlington, Texas with the, uh, I’m calling it on a wing and a prayer.

[00:18:09] Anna: So Jeff, tell us what made you decide you wanted to be here in the great state of Texas? 

[00:18:15] Jeff: Sure. Yeah. We’ve been doing, uh, starting 2021. Um, and I’m okay with sharing. I was struggling with anxiety and during the pandemic and was having a hard time leaving my house. So we’re trying to find something to get me going in the home run derby in Colorado that year was the thing.

[00:18:31] Jeff: So spy and I just picked up, got a flight, went to Colorado, uh, Saw the Derby and we decided we’re doing it every year. So this year, you know, it’s been a little tougher year for a lot of folks financially. So we were trying to figure out if it was in our budget and it was, so plane tickets are super expensive, but getting in a car with your best buddy for 14 hours is cheap, but exhausting.

[00:18:55] Jeff: So we are here. 

[00:18:58] Anna: Spy, how did this guy talk you into this whole adventure like going back several years ago when you decided that the home run derby was going to be the thing that you all two did together? 

[00:19:08] Spy: We’ve been big baseball fans going back to when we first met in about fourth, third grade. Um, and we’ve always connected over baseball and talked about arguing White Sox versus Cubs and then just baseball in general.

[00:19:19] Spy: And then just the pandemic kind of set in, we both were looking for an outlet and something to do and wanted to go to Colorado and thought. Let’s do it and let’s start going for a yearly tradition and decided to road trip on down to Texas 

[00:19:32] Anna: What’s been the favorite all star experience since you started all of this?

[00:19:38] Anna: I’ll start with you spy and then I’ll ask Jeff the same question 

[00:19:42] Spy: I think it’s just seeing the awe of everybody once the home runs start going in the Derby and We’ve all been to baseball games and you see that there’s people who are just Casual fans and watching and trying to understand the game which is great and then you come to And it’s just, you’re here just for the home runs.

[00:19:58] Spy: Everyone knows all you gotta do is watch the ball go over the fence. And just everyone’s sheer reaction is, Ooh, uh, oh my God. And everyone at the same time is just rooting for the same thing. 

[00:20:09] Anna: Yeah, it’s a, it’s a really exciting environment. It’s really cool. I’m excited to see what it looks like inside.

[00:20:15] Anna: The only other derby I’ve been to has been outside. So obviously it’s going to be a little bit of a different game. But Jeff, same question to you. Like since this journey has started, what’s been your favorite all star week experience? 

[00:20:27] Jeff: Uh, you know, I think I come from, uh, the cub fandom and I have a bias of, you know, how great that fandom is, uh, even when they’re bad, we love our team so hard.

[00:20:40] Jeff: And I always had this weird arrogance that I, that was the only way that those were the only good baseball fans that exist. And. I was wrong. Like these events are incredible. It is like cleaning the slate of all rivalries and it’s the UN of baseball. We all come here because we love this sport and it’s a sport that sometimes even has a hard time helping itself or loving itself.

[00:21:05] Jeff: So being here and being able to kind of share in the joy of a game that I have been infatuated with since as long as I have had memories. It’s really cool to kind of share in that experience with other people. I remember when we were in Colorado, we were starving and there was like a pizza place open in the night and we sat at a table at a bar and ordered pizza with a bunch of Cardinals fans.

[00:21:27] Jeff: Which is like, I could lose my Cub fan card for saying that out loud. But they were the nicest guys and we talked about MLB The Show and like the All Star game and like how our teams were like in a very objective conversation. And like, I always think about that. Like, we friended them on PlayStation Network and like.

[00:21:47] Jeff: We’ve like talked since, it’s just really cool to like, meet other people who care about this thing as much as you do. 

[00:21:53] Anna: I love that. I think it’s so true. It’s like, um, The U N a baseball is a perfect way to describe it. It’s also like a truce in the middle of a war, it seems like, but you’re walking around, you’re just rubbing elbows with a bunch of people who, who have different loves than you.

[00:22:08] Anna: But everybody’s in a good mood today, right? Like nobody’s going to be devastated if their team doesn’t win tonight or tomorrow night, everybody’s just happy to be here. They’re just soaking in the good energy. And it’s, uh, it’s one of my favorite things about this game that we all love before I let you go, you got to tell us about the, uh, bricks behind the Ivy podcast and, uh, let people know, especially Cubs fans where they can find it.

[00:22:35] Jeff: Yeah, Bricks Behind the Ivy is a passion project I started with a guy I met. I started writing for a baseball blog called Northside Baseball. And during the offseason, I have a, as people who might have heard my episode and seen the images, I have a very robust Chicago Cubs cave in my house. And I wanted to meet other people who had this type of space.

[00:22:59] Jeff: And I found a Facebook page of About 800 Cub fans who have exactly the type of space or insanely better space in their house. So it became my mission to kind of interview these people. And then I shifted to some of the social media personalities around the Cubs that are on Twitter. And I met a guy named Sean Chapin, uh, who’s on Twitter as Hot Stove Cubbies.

[00:23:21] Jeff: And we hit it off immediately. We just had really similar and appropriately differing opinions about how the team is built. We both wanted to really try the pod thing because we had been writing about the Cubs for years. So we thought maybe we should talk about it in longer form. So we’ve been going since the end of February.

[00:23:40] Jeff: We started in spring training for about four or five months in, uh, we’ve already eclipsed the 2000 listen mark, which is, was a really exciting day. And yeah, it’s, it’s a Cubs podcast for Cub fans by Cub fans. And one of my favorite features is Pat Erickson. He’s a firefighter in Northern Illinois. He Does a award winning Harry Carey impression.

[00:24:03] Jeff: And he comes on about every other week and he has a segment called deep thoughts with Harry Carey in which he plays Harry Carey and he evaluates the team as if he were still with us. So great. 

[00:24:17] Anna: I love that so much. Spy and Jeff, thank you so much for joining us today. I wish you all the luck in the world of catching balls.

[00:24:24] Anna: One 30. What’s the over under of catching a ball? Yes or no one or more. 

[00:24:29] Jeff: Uh, where we’re sitting is going to have to really get smoked, so I’m going to get injured, probably. So, uh, Spy’s the one who’s the better baseball player between the two of us. One of the best baseball players and fielders I had ever seen growing up.

[00:24:41] Jeff: I was not that. I could not catch a fly ball to save my life. But he’s here to protect me, so my children have a father. That’s 

[00:24:48] Anna: a good, that’s a good role to play. Spy, good luck to you. I, I can’t thank you all enough for joining us, and uh, good luck and have fun. Thank you. 

[00:24:56] Jeff: Thank you.

[00:24:58] Anna: I’m joined now by former podcast guest Tommy Schaaf from the St. Louis area. St. Louis. Tommy, I gotta know, first thoughts on arriving in Texas and how you’re feeling about our weather in particular? 

[00:25:14] Tommy: Well, you know, somebody ever said, told me once, go to hell, and I think I’ve been there.

[00:25:19] Anna: I think that’s a succinct explanation of how a lot of the out of towners are feeling 

[00:25:24] Tommy: right now. This whole event has turned into hell. I’m 

[00:25:26] Anna: just telling you. Oh, man. So, Tommy, you’ve been to several All Star games. Nine, to be exact. And, uh, my first question for you is, you know, a lot of the folks we’ve run into so far, they think that this event is a Monday Tuesday type deal, where you roll in, you see the derby, and then on Tuesday you get to watch the All Star game.

[00:25:45] Anna: But I know you, a veteran of All Star week, Has some insight to our listeners as to what they should be planning for if they’re attending all star games in the future. 

[00:25:54] Anna: Well,

[00:25:55] Tommy: the last two I’ve come in on a Friday. And so, uh, HBCU game is a new game. Last year was amazing. My favorite game of my whole life.

[00:26:03] Tommy: This year, a little dull, little, they, they took the music out of it. It was like a party waiting to happen. And this year it was a baseball game, but it’s an important game. It just wasn’t as fun. Uh, Saturday you’ve got. You know, run all through FanFest or whatever they call it now, Play Ball, Park, uh, Play Park.

[00:26:22] Tommy: And then, um, you’ve got your Futures game, and then you have the Celebrity game. Which, you know, this year’s Celebrities weren’t as big a deal, but it was still damn fun. Like, it was a great time. And then the Draft. go to the Draft, and then today was a lovely day to be, I worked part of the day, but it’s a great day to go over, see the exhibits, come here early, go to the workout and the home run derby.

[00:26:45] Tommy: And tomorrow, apparently there’s something called the all star game. And it’s supposed to be a big deal. I don’t know. I’ve heard. 

[00:26:51] Anna: I’ve heard that they invite like only the best players to that. I don’t know. And then some, some spares, I think it get roped in at the last minute, but, What are you looking forward to most? So we have this new format home run derby. What are you looking forward to most over what’s remaining in the week? We have home run derby tonight, then we’ve got the all star game tomorrow.

[00:27:11] Tommy:  Um, I’d like to see balls fly 2018 at the Nationals when they had set the record for the most home runs. Like every at bat was home runs and home runs and home runs. I’d like to see that. I don’t think it’s going to happen, but it’d be great.

[00:27:25] Tommy: Some history would be great, but I mean, we’re, you know, what’s going to be the highlight of this week. It’s tomorrow night, National League starting pitcher. That could be one for the books. He also could be Mark Fidrich. Does he talk to balls? Does he? I don’t know. 

[00:27:44] Anna: Mark Fidrich is one of my dad’s favorite pitchers of all time.

[00:27:47] Anna: He grew up in the Detroit area and he has such fond memories of going to that old Tiger Stadium but man, Paul Skeens is something to be watched. Someone to be watched. I look forward to seeing that too. There’s no 

[00:27:58] Tommy: question about it and I’ve done some research. Most people think his girlfriend is way more attractive than Mark Fidrich’s.

[00:28:05] Tommy: Because Big Bird, let’s just be honest, you know, a little tall for me. 

[00:28:10] Anna: Tommy, I can’t thank you enough for making time to chat with us. Enjoy the derby, enjoy the game, and we’ll have to catch up. 

[00:28:18] Anna: I also had a chance to chat with legendary Texas PA man, Chuck Morgan, about the differences in all-star week, since it was last hosted in Arlington in 1995. And about what he was looking forward to most this year. All right. I’m here in probably the most beautiful PA booth in all of Major League Baseball. If I gotta say, with the man himself, the voice of the Texas Rangers, Chuck Morgan. Chuck, you’ve done this once before. What’s different about this year? 

[00:28:49] Chuck: Air conditioning. Uh, the last time we had it was in 1995 at the ballpark in Arlington.

[00:28:54] Chuck: And you know, the way the Texas summer is, it gets hot and, uh, the roof is something we needed for a long time. So I’m going to say air conditioning. But You know, there’s a lot more to the all star game now than there used to be. So it’s a whole week of activity. So great for baseball fans, but number one for me is air conditioning.

[00:29:11] Anna: It makes a huge difference. I was just across the street at the old ballpark. That’s where the, uh, all star villages this year. I’m drenched in sweat. I was thrilled to death to walk through these doors. Um, a beautiful home you have now here in this, uh, this booth is, is it can’t be beat for sure. Um, what are you looking forward to most this time around?

[00:29:32] Chuck: I’m looking forward to, uh, the home run derby. It’s a little bit different than it was in 1995. Of course, I was in Seattle last year and our fans are going to have a lot of fun. And what’s great is Adolis Garcia’s in it tonight. And, uh, and then I’m looking forward to the game, but, uh, our fans, and of course, we don’t have to watch this again.

[00:29:50] Chuck: I’m going back to the air conditioning, but they don’t have to watch it in the heat, looking for them to have a great time tonight. 

[00:29:55] Anna: Yeah, and I hope Adolis does well. I think he will. This is his home park. He knows it well. The fans are 100 percent gonna be behind him. It’s gonna be really special to watch.

[00:30:04] Anna: I’m gonna let you get back to it, but I’m hoping you can give us that famous saying here before we sign off. 

[00:30:10] Chuck: Well, I’ll give you a couple of them. For tonight, I’m gonna, it’s it’s home run derby time in Texas. Tomorrow night, it’s all star game time in Texas, but it is baseball time in Texas. 

[00:30:22] Anna: I love it.

[00:30:23] Anna: Thank you so much, Chuck. I appreciate it.

[00:30:25] Anna: All right, so we are outside on the plaza after the Home Run Derby. We just saw Teoscar Hernandez win it in nail biting fashion. I’m here with former podcast guest David Ostrowski in from Boston. He’s here on official business is the rumor I’ve heard. So David, How are you doing? I 

[00:30:45] David: am doing very well.

[00:30:46] David: Thank you very much for having me on. It’s cooled off a little bit so I can actually catch my breath and hopefully provide some insightful answers, semi insightful answers to your questions. 

[00:30:58] Anna: I, uh, every person I’ve interviewed today, I asked them how they are and the answer has been hot. So I think it’s, um, a pretty solid consensus around here.

[00:31:06] Anna: But why don’t you tell folks why you’re in town and, uh, you know, what you’re up to. 

[00:31:11] David: So I write a sports column for the Atlanta Jewish times, which started in the 2021 world series because they’re ace pitcher, Max Freed happens to be Jewish and they needed someone to write about that. And I’ve stayed on board ever since.

[00:31:24] David: So Max is back, um, on the all star team for the national league as is the other of his teammates writing about Chris sale, Ronaldo Lopez and Marcello Ozuna. So covering the Braves contingent. Um, and yeah, unfortunately Max got named as a replacement. 

[00:31:42] Anna: You were in Seattle last year, I know. Um, but this is also your first trip here to Globe Life Field in Arlington, so I’d kinda like to hear a little bit about what the experience has been so far at this new ballpark, and just kinda like, the all star experience over the last two years.

[00:32:01] David: Yeah, no, it’s a good question. Um, it’s similar in some ways in the sense like, you know, you got all these fans from all their different, you know, uniforms and the mascots and all the hoopla and the posters, but it is a different feel than Seattle. Um, you know, that was downtown. Everything was there. It was a much more, you know, comfortable temperatures, you know, in the mid, it was like perfect, you know, 70 mid seventies.

[00:32:24] David: Um, and you could really explore the city here. It’s a little different, right? You have this like Texas live, which is cool. You know, there’s only so much you can do before like 11 o’clock at night. Let’s call it. Um, so no, it’s been great. I mean, Major League Baseball’s done a great job. There’s, you know, a million people here, um, which is good and bad.

[00:32:42] David: I guess it’s good that baseball is still popular to a degree, but it’s also kind of tough, you know, to be around the throngs of, you know, the masses all the time, but no, it’s fun. It’s no complaints at all. 

[00:32:53] Anna: What are the thoughts on the ballpark? This is your first time here. Um, You, uh, we, we were just talking, you hadn’t made it to its predecessor across the street.

[00:33:01] Anna: You might check that out tomorrow, but what do you think about baseball’s newest ballpark for now? 

[00:33:06] David: Um, you know, I was really excited to check it out and I think probably ’cause when I watch games, the roof is open so you don’t realize like it’s kind of like a warehouse. Um, but no, it’s fine. I mean, you know, it’s comfortable.

[00:33:18] David: Um, there’s, I’d much rather be in kind of a place that doesn’t have a lot of personality, but be not sweating bullets and. You know, the old ballpark, um, it’s comfortable. It’s user friendly. I mean, there’s wide concourses, you know? Um, so yeah, no, it’s fine. I mean, you know, I think the one in Seattle definitely stands out.

[00:33:36] David: We’ve talked to San Francisco, San Diego, Baltimore. You know, those parks really kind of stand out. Atlanta’s got a nice one, but, um, you know, it’s fine. Given the climate, I much preferred inside. So no complaints at all. 

[00:33:48] Anna: Yeah, the AC is crucial. That’s uh, I think that’s the only reason the all star game would ever have been allowed back in Texas I think after 1995 they had to cancel some events like call things off early due to heat 

[00:34:00] David: It’s funny, like I have pretty fond memories of that 95 All Star game. I was like 10 years or 11 years old at the time. And, um, you know, it’s the new ballpark, right? It’s open in 94. I want to say, so it was in this new wave, you know, Baltimore was in 92. Cleveland also was in 94.

[00:34:16] David: Um, you know, parks were starting to get that retro feel and, you know, it was really kind of like, uh, it was really a big deal at the time, but, uh, no, absolutely would take this 10 times, you know, a hundred times out of a hundred times being in a Indoor air conditioned place than across the street. No question.

[00:34:31] Anna: Yeah, definitely. All right. So this is um, Your second all star game in as many years a lot of folks think that you know Monday tuesday are the big draws and that there’s not much else going on outside of the home run derby and the actual all star game itself, but What is it that you look forward to most about maybe being here in the city or just you know, checking things out?

[00:34:54] Anna: What what’s the best part? 

[00:34:56] David: No, it’s a good question. I think the fans, I just think it’s so cool seeing fans of all the different teams, you know, as we were talking about earlier, the players don’t wear their uniforms anymore, so at least we can see the fans wear them. Um, so I think it’s very colorful, you know, to see all the different, um, And I think it’s also kind of a celebration of America in a sense.

[00:35:12] David: I realized baseball is no longer as popular as it was when you and I were kids and football is obviously in basketball taking over, but it’s the middle of the summer. There’s no other major North American professional sports going on. So to see baseball kind of have the center stage, so to speak for a few days, it’s kind of cool.

[00:35:28] David: So. 

[00:35:29] Anna: Yeah, the Midsummer Classic, it always, it just, it still warms my heart. Like, I still kind of tear up, I anticipate that tomorrow as I’m listening to all the player introductions, and doing the pregame ceremonies and stuff, I’ll probably, I’ll probably maybe shed a little tear, because it’s nostalgic, it feels that way, but, um.

[00:35:48] Anna: So last we spoke, you had just released your book about Roberto Alomar. I’d love if you could just give listeners who maybe missed that episode a little, a brief overview about the book and, and maybe where they can find it. 

[00:35:59] David: Yeah, no, thank you for asking. So the book, uh, Roberto Alomar, The Complicated Life and Legacy of a Baseball Hall of Famer is, um, out on Amazon.

[00:36:07] David: Um, for those who are listening in Canada, it’s on Indigo as well. Barnesandnoble. com, you know, libraries, a lot of them have it, but, um, yeah, you know, it takes a look at, The life and times of a very controversial baseball figure who is still in the Hall of Fame even though he’s banned from baseball and the book’s been out now for about a half year and you know, it’s got an It’s got a very engaged audience in the sense people have very strong opinions of Robbie Alomar one way or another 

[00:36:34] Anna: When we were speaking just a little bit ago, I feel like there’s a Mulligan situation here where, uh, you know, I had asked you about your favorite baseball memory on the show and it sounds like maybe, um, your wife, your wife says you owe us another story.

[00:36:49] Anna: So we, we gotta, we gotta hear it. 

[00:36:51] David: Yeah, I totally dropped the ball on this one. Um, 2003 ALCS Red Sox and Yankees. My wife and I are undergrads at Brandeis and you know, she was at one of the games and I was, and that’s how we struck up a conversation. And then. You know, we were friends and then a couple years later we started dating, but it’s a very good chance had it not been for that classic ALCS, which of course the Red Sox lost, um, we probably would have not known each other and gotten married.

[00:37:17] David: So that has to be atop the Mount Rushmore of baseball memories for me, without question. 

[00:37:22] Anna: Good save. I like it. Um, so what’s next? Let people know what’s coming next and then where they can find you online. 

[00:37:29] David: Yeah, so it’s funny you ask. I just, um, agreed to a deal with the University of Nebraska Press to publish a biography of Jim Rice.

[00:37:36] David: But that, Red Sox Hall of Famer, um, but that won’t come out for a few years. It won’t be out for 27. So, um, you know, yeah. 

[00:37:44] Anna: Awesome. David, thank you so much for making time. It was great catching up.

[00:37:48] Anna: The next day was the main event where we headed back to the ballpark for the actual all-star game. I finally got to buy a beer from former podcast guests, Reggie, who is currently working on selling beers at all 30 ballparks. I also had the chance to chat with a few more folks about how their all star week had been. We’re here in the left field concourse about an hour before the all star game, the main event here. And, uh, here I am with former podcast guest Reggie Duval Saint, who is working his way around all 30 ballparks. And I’m so thrilled to see him here tonight. Reggie, how’s it going? 

[00:38:23] Reggie: Pretty good. Thank you for having me on.

[00:38:24] Reggie: Uh, super excited for the all star game. Uh, the derby was super fun yesterday, so we’ll see how today goes. 

[00:38:30] Anna: What ballpark is this and how many do you have left on this quest to vend beer at 30 parks? So, uh, 

[00:38:36] Reggie: lifetime I’ve done 27 out of 30, this season I’m trying to do them all again, uh, right now I, uh, this would be number 30.

[00:38:44] Anna: Have you done an all star game before or is this a new experience for you? 

[00:38:49] Reggie: So, I’ve done the past few years, uh, last year which was great, uh, and then the year before as well, so Seattle and then Colorado, so this would be my third in a row. Lifetime I’ve done quite a few, so. Oh. 

[00:39:01] Anna: How do Texans rank up there in terms of just like overall congeniality and just happy to be here and, you know, good people to be around.

[00:39:11] Anna: What do you feel about Texas versus like some of the other places you’ve been? 

[00:39:15] Reggie: Well, Texas, you know, it’s got a homey vibe, a lot of hospitality here. Everybody was super nice. Everybody I talked to was super welcoming and then, you know, everybody had a, they’re all about having fun here. So, you know, a little, you know, little, uh, here and there, some jests, uh, depending on what team’s, uh, jersey you have on, but, uh, Like I said, the fans are really nice here, really cool.

[00:39:33] Anna: You 

[00:39:34] Reggie: said 

[00:39:34] Anna: 27 active ballparks. That’s a little different than the last time we talked. So you’ve checked off a little more along the way. What’s left? What are the final three? 

[00:39:44] Reggie: So the final three, I’m missing the Twins, which I hope I should get this year. Red Sox at Fenway, which I’m knocking on that door to see what I could do.

[00:39:51] Reggie: And Toronto, which is going to be the toughest challenge, because it’s international, you gotta figure out the customs and getting a visa. And all that good stuff. But, uh, like I said, I’m hoping to get, uh, Minnesota done this year. Fenway, if I can, that’d be awesome. And then Toronto is that last, uh, that last, uh, step there.

[00:40:09] Reggie: So. 

[00:40:09] Anna: Dude, I was at Fenway for the first time in like 16 years and that ballpark is awesome. So I can understand why you want to get back up there to, to vend some beer. What’s the number one seller here in Texas? So we’re in Arlington, Texas. What’s the number one seller for folks? Uh, 

[00:40:26] Reggie: right now, Michel of Ultra, what’s selling right here at the ballpark?

[00:40:29] Reggie: Yeah, so I would say that’s the number one beer seller right now. Uh, like I said, they’re also, we have, uh, some Love Street as well in on the, uh, inventory. Uh, I think, uh, Astrea, uh, some Bud Light Seltzer as well. But right now, ultra is, uh, clearly the number one seller. 

[00:40:43] Anna: What’s next after the Allstar game, right?

[00:40:46] Anna: Like you check up this ballpark. I know you’ve been here before because you worked some of the, the previous events, but. Like, what’s next? You got those final three, or are you trying to cycle back through to hit a couple others? 

[00:40:58] Reggie: Well, like I said, this season I wanted to do them all again, you know, just kind of as part of the quest, and it feels fresh and fun to try to redo everything, but, um, I guess during this little All Star break, I’m doing some concerts.

[00:41:09] Reggie: I’ll be at Citi Field tomorrow for, uh, Def Leppard, and then, uh, I’m sorry, Foo Fighters are at Citi Field tomorrow. And then, uh, Thursday, Def Leppard at Comerica Park. And then I’m doing a music festival this weekend. So, you know, there’s always something going on within sports or sometimes within music industry as well.

[00:41:27] Reggie: Uh, I’m just, you know, excited to be a part of all this, you know? 

[00:41:30] Anna: Yeah. You’re all over the place. Like you’re literally catching a flight tomorrow and then another flight the next day. And so, um, I got, I asked you this question last summer when we, when we talked, but give me your favorite. to, uh, to vend in 

[00:41:48] Reggie: right now at this season, I got to say Comerica Park.

[00:41:51] Reggie: I really enjoy Comerica Park, so that’s got to be my number one spot. A lot of people, you know, feel like that’s a surprise pick or sorts, but I really do like Comerica. 

[00:42:01] Anna: We just ran into some folks across the street who they’re trying to hit all the ballparks as fans, and they said the same thing, like Comerica was a nice surprise to them.

[00:42:10] Anna: And we had the same experience when we were there a couple of summers ago, Not really expecting much from it, but holy smokes. It was a great time. Yeah. what’s your favorite part about all of this craziness in terms of getting it all across the country Meeting all these people.

[00:42:25] Anna: What’s the best part about it? 

[00:42:27] Reggie: Honestly, I enjoy just talking to the fans and interacting with the fans. I feel like Every time you you go to a new park you see some new fans and you get to you know, either Get a chance to talk to them, explain to them what I’m doing and what my goal is. The fans are super supportive of it and they want to see more and hear more about the quest, which is cool.

[00:42:45] Reggie: And like I said, the best part about vending honestly, is alleviating fans weight. So realizing they don’t have to wait, they can get it from you right away. Uh, that’s the best part about doing it. 

[00:42:56] Anna: What are you saying to someone who’s on the fence in terms of, should I go to an all star game? Should I attend these events? Do you think it’s worth the time, the resources, the energy to come out and experience a week like this? 

[00:43:08] Reggie: For sure. If you’re a big fan of the game, you want to get to know who some of the star players are.

[00:43:12] Reggie: I guess a lot of fans sometimes are a fan of their team particularly, and you know, they know everything about their team, but they’re not familiar with all the other teams as well. So if you want to get to know all the other players and some of the other teams, uh, All Star Game is where you want to be.

[00:43:25] Reggie: You get to see some of the best stars right now, some of the best pitchers, some of the best, uh, players, and, uh, you know, you get a good feel of the game coming to one of these. 

[00:43:34] Anna: Awesome, Reggie. We’re gonna let you get back to it. But, uh, before we let you go, where do folks follow you online if they kind of want to follow along with this journey?

[00:43:41] Anna: It’s a pretty cool story. So where should they go? 

[00:43:43] Reggie: Sure. Absolutely. I’m on Instagram. You can find me at, uh, Reg, R E G, the beer guy, or I’m, I’m working on, uh, getting a TikTok going as well. So. 

[00:43:51] Anna: Very cool. Well, good luck tonight. Enjoy the game. And, uh, we look forward to seeing you on our next adventure.

[00:43:56] Reggie: Awesome. So like I said, I just completed this, uh, little journey here. I did, uh, 13 parks in 15 days, which was great. here at Globe Life. So I hope to, uh, finish and get the final nine for the rest of the season going here. 

[00:44:09] Anna: I love it. We’ll be following along. Can’t wait to talk to you after the fact. So appreciate it.

[00:44:13] Reggie: Absolutely, guys. Thank you so much for having me.

[00:44:15] Anna: We’re out on the main plaza outside of Globe Life Field here. We just wrapped up the 2024 All Star Game. It’s hard to believe it’s over. And uh, all this fanfare, all this excitement that we’ve been looking forward to for the last year plus is wrapped up. But right now I’m joined by Sandro Prosperino, who’s here in town from New York with his son, Kori.

[00:44:40] Anna: And not only did they make the journey from New York this year, but this is kind of their father son tradition here. We’re actually, I think, on, I don’t know, All Star Game number 10. And Sandro, I, I, I’m very curious to hear, you’ve been doing this for a decade now, how does Arlington, Texas compare to some of the other places that you’ve, you’ve been for the All Star Game?

[00:45:07] Sandro: This is pretty cool because in the bigger cities, everything is really spread out here in Texas. It’s all confined to one area. So it’s very nice in terms of being able to get around and it’s just an amazing ballpark. I know there’s a little bit of hate.

[00:45:21] Sandro: With the fact that it’s closed up. But my son and I just absolutely love the ballpark. Very spacious. Everybody here was just very kind to us and we really enjoyed it. 

[00:45:31] Anna: I’ve heard, um, some mixed reviews from folks that I’ve talked to over the week in terms of just, you know, new park versus old park, but I think it did well, right?

[00:45:41] Anna: Like, I mean, it was 102 today, so we were all thrilled to death that there was AC, and, like you said, this Texas Live kind of entertainment district that we’re sitting in right now is, is a really cool place to spend a day, right? Like, you, you get the whole day here. 

[00:45:55] Sandro: No, it’s, there’s a great vibe here, which, which is, it’s, uh, it’s fun to be around, so the Texas Live is great.

[00:46:01] Sandro: We stayed at the Lowe’s hotel here right next to the, to the stadium. Uh, I didn’t realize that the old ballpark is still up and that was very cool to be back in there again and do the all star village. But everything being in one area, it’s just, uh, it’s very convenient and it’s just a great vibe. 

[00:46:19] Anna: Yeah, so not only was this your 10th all star game that you’ve attended with your son Kori But this was also kind of a monumental occasion because you checked off ballpark number 30 here, right?

[00:46:30] Anna: like you’re both current now on all 30 parks and talk us through like that process of Deciding that you were gonna do 30 parks and how long it took 

[00:46:41] Sandro: so we started it back in I want to say 2008 with the old Yankee Stadium And it just sort of morphed into this, doing this road trip around the all star, all star trips and all star games.

[00:46:54] Sandro: And we had it mapped out a few years ago that Texas would be the last one. And there was always that goal there and that hope that everything would fall in place. And obviously having had COVID there, you just never know what the universe is going to throw out at you. But everything just fell into place.

[00:47:10] Sandro: And here we are, um, our 30th ballpark and, and it’s been such a wild ride. 

[00:47:16] Anna: But it’s kind of extra cool because Kori heads off to school. We were talking in between innings. He’s like five weeks out from being a college freshman. He’s headed down to Gainesville at UF. And, um, that’s just wild to me. So what does it feel like to wrap that up?

[00:47:30] Anna: I mean, it’s kind of poetic, right? Like the timing just kind of worked out 30 ballparks before he heads up to school. Does the tradition continue next year? 

[00:47:39] Sandro: So that’s a great question. But he. He brought it up himself saying that, Oh, it’s, we’re in Atlanta next year. And then the year after Philly. So he seems to be looking forward to it, even though we we’ve, we’ve done them all.

[00:47:51] Sandro: So I’m not going to turn down that opportunity to keep hitting these ballparks with him. And Atlanta is also, reminds me somewhat of the Texas Live here with the battery there. It’s a pretty cool setup there, so that should be another great place to do a game at. 

[00:48:08] Anna: What park was the best park to do All Star Week at?

[00:48:12] Anna: Like, who do you think did it better than everybody else? I know it’s a tough question, but if you had to pick one. 

[00:48:18] Sandro: So, you know, we did L. A., we did New York. They were way too spread out. In terms of picking one. You know, the smaller cities are, um, they’re easier to get around. They’re all, everything’s located in one area, like the Fan Fest, or the All Star Village, whatever you want to call it now.

[00:48:35] Sandro: Um, wow. I haven’t thought about that. Um, nothing jumps out. Like the ones that were too spread out, jump out as ones that weren’t as. as easy to manage, but, um, I mean, something like this was just unbelievable in terms of just the convenience of walking literally across the street to get to the stadium each night.

[00:48:58] Anna: All Star game versus the Home Run Derby, you know, like a lot of people think that those are the two only events that happen during All Star Week. Obviously, there’s much more going on, but let’s say that somebody has, you know, The opportunity to go to one or the other they’re gonna hit the derby or they’re gonna hit the all star game Which one in your opinion is the better?

[00:49:19] Anna: Environment the better the better deal the better day. 

[00:49:23] Sandro: You know, I guess it all depends on who’s in the derby If you know this year you really didn’t have home run hitters Let’s say in it. So it was a little anti-climactic this year, but in the past year, some of these home run dirties, it was just electric in the stadium with the home runs and, and you know, someone going on a tear of hitting like five, six straight homers and, and the crowd just feeds off it.

[00:49:45] Sandro: Uh, but if you had to pick one, wow. I, I would say wait until the last minute if you could, and then see who’s in the derby. And if you’ve got some home run hitters, I’d go to the Derby. Yes. 

[00:49:56] Anna: I can’t thank you enough for making time to do this. This was such a blast. Thank you for allowing us to sit next to you and um, helping us finagle our tickets and everything.

[00:50:04] Anna: This has been such a blast to hang out and I look forward to, to meeting up with you and Kori at more events in the future. 

[00:50:10] Sandro: Well, this is, you know, we, the, the, you know, the last podcast, we were actually, you know, over the phone, right? And now, uh, or over the, you know, computer. And now here we are sitting side by side and, uh, and, and, and actually talking to you face to face, which is pretty wild.

[00:50:23] Sandro: So yeah, that’s. I’m glad we were able to make it work. 

[00:50:25] Anna: Yeah, me too.

[00:50:28] Anna: After the game, my wife, Nicole and I sat down outside the main Plaza to discuss her thoughts on all-star week as a first time attendee and my own thoughts about how this experience compared to my time in LA, back in 2022. star week here in Arlington, Texas. We’re sitting outside of Globe Life Field. Everybody is kind of filtering away here. It’s, it’s a little sad to see the week come to an end, but right now I’m joined by my wife, Nicole, who has never been to an all star game before.

[00:51:00] Anna: And so we’re going to ask her some questions to get a first time all star week goers. of how the week went. So, babe, first question is, all of the hype, all of the hoopla that I kind of pittered out there towards you, saying it was going to be the greatest week ever, did it live up to the hype? 

[00:51:24] Nicole: I would say it was probably no different to me than like a regular Rangers game that we come to here. It didn’t seem any more lively or like there was not a whole lot going on. I think opening day was actually more fun than the All Star game. 

[00:51:41] Anna: I kind of agree with you there because Like, the only other All Star game that I’ve been to was obviously LA.

[00:51:46] Anna: That was two years ago, and I feel like, I don’t know if I was just a little more, like, enamored and more excited about it because it was the first time I had been to a game, but I feel like there was way more fanfare in LA. Like, the whole thing just seemed to be a bigger event for the city than it did here.

[00:52:03] Anna: And again, it’s hard to say because, like, we got up and we left our own house this morning, we weren’t staying in a hotel, we weren’t meeting, but You know, people throughout the day, but, um, 

[00:52:13] Nicole: Fan fest was really fun. Like I had a lot of fun there. I actually like enjoyed that. I wish that was like over here.

[00:52:21] Nicole: Like as you walk in, I feel like it would have been =like, I don’t, I don’t know. Going into the old ballpark was like nostalgic and. I liked doing that. There was a lot of cool stuff, you know, but I don’t know. I feel like I should have just been moved to the entrance of the new ballpark and then everybody would have been excited to come into the new ballpark and like, I don’t know, it just would have made it more.

[00:52:45] Anna: Fan Fest is always really cool. I like that they do that event because, like, the tickets to the Derby, the tickets to the All Star Game, they’re not easy to come by, right? Like, they’re obviously only going to sell 40, 000 of each of those, and you’re sitting in the middle of, like, the fourth largest city in the country, and so not everybody who lives here is obviously going to get a chance to come to either one of those events, so I love that they sell these tickets to fans.

[00:53:10] Anna: Folks who get a chance to get a taste of all star week and you know like come see the sites Meet up with other people and do some cool stuff like that, even if they’re not able to attend the event So I’m with you. I think the fan fest is is one of the cooler parts of all star week But you attended both events.

[00:53:30] Anna: We did the Derby last night. We did the all star game tonight, obviously You know, going into it, I know you had told me that you were so, so, so excited about the Home Run Derby. And now that you’ve sat through the Derby and the All Star Game, like, is your perception of what’s more exciting the same or did it change?

[00:53:50] Nicole: It’s the same. I would much, I thought the Home Run Derby was just so much more fun. Honestly, like the all star game was fun. It was just it seemed like a normal baseball game to me But the home run derby was just fun. It had a lot a lot more energy. I feel like it had a lot I don’t know. It’s just different.

[00:54:07] Nicole: It’s not something you see at this ballpark all the time it just had like a unique vibe to it and We watch it on tv and I think it’s It’s something you’re like excited to see in person, which it was um But now that i’ve been here i’ll just Be watching next year, probably from my couch. But I had fun.

[00:54:31] Nicole: It was a lot of fun. I really liked the home run Derby. It was, it was cool. 

[00:54:35] Anna: Yeah. One of the things we were talking about yesterday on the way home is that. The Derby is obviously like produced for television. You know, you have these guys walking out with the pyrotechnics behind them and all of this stuff.

[00:54:46] Anna: And if you’re sitting up in like the 200 level like we were, you kind of, you kind of lose a little bit of that. And then you don’t get the, the human interest stories of it, right? Like you were saying you had wished that you could see them sitting there with like their wives and their kids and their families.

[00:55:00] Nicole: Yeah, I was like, they usually show like their wives or their kids or even their, um, their, their like teammates. on the sidelines, like rooting them on or like doing funny things. And like, I don’t know, I just, it wasn’t the same as watching it. Like, cause they don’t show that stuff on the Jumbotron. Oh, that’s another thing. It’s like, you have no idea what the rules are on TV. They reiterate the rules all the time. Like they’re just constant, like, here’s how you get a, you know, extra out. Here’s how you, you know, get a bonus round here. And. I didn’t hear any of that. So it was just very like, why is there an extra purple star next to his name?

[00:55:35] Nicole: I have no idea, but 

[00:55:37] Anna: one of my favorite parts about coming to all star week is like. There are no games going on that actually matter. And so, you know, we just spent a good chunk of time before tonight’s game talking to some O’s fans and like the O’s and the Rays right now are in a very heated division where usually O’s and Rays fans are a little like, there’s a little bit of, You know, obviously no animosity, but one of the really cool things about this week is that everybody’s in a really good mood because their team’s not going to lose.

[00:56:07] Anna: And if they do lose, it’s not going to matter. So do you think that you recognize that as opposed to like when we come to Rangers games and the opposing team fans are here, like they get a little bit of a jibber jabber coming from the home team? 

[00:56:21] Nicole: Yeah, I feel like I am normally just like. Oh, they made a really good play.

[00:56:27] Nicole: Let’s just like, clap for them anyways. No matter what team they’re on, I feel like, Oh, you did a good job! Like, you made a home run! I just want to clap for him anyways. So, I don’t know. Um, I think, I don’t know. It was interesting. 

[00:56:41] Anna: What do you think, if people are sitting, they’re like teeter tottering on the edge, right? Like, this was me for so many years, I’ve considered myself a huge baseball fan for years and years and years, and yet, never made it to an all star game until two years ago. If someone’s sitting on the edge and they’re like, man, I think I would enjoy that.

[00:56:59] Anna: But I’m not sure. Should they, should they try to make it happen? 

[00:57:03] Nicole: I think you should do it at least once, and I think you should do it maybe somewhere you would want to go anyways, like a city you would want to visit anyways. you know, then it, it might be more exciting than if you were just to do it in, for instance, like in our backyard that we go to all the time.

[00:57:19] Nicole: Like we go to this ballpark all of the time. And so it wasn’t necessarily something like that. Super duper exciting or different. It was just like, we’re going to see something different at the same ballpark we go to all of the time. So I would say it was, I, you should do it one time for sure. 

[00:57:35] Anna: You’ve done it. You’ve checked it 

[00:57:36] Nicole: off. Yeah, I checked it off my book, my bucket list.

[00:57:38] 

[00:57:38] Anna: I think that’s what was really cool about going to L.

[00:57:40] Anna: A. is like, I had been to L. A. once before with you, right? Several years before, and we had gone to Dodger Stadium, we had seen a regular season Dodgers game there. But it’s like you said, like coming into the city specifically for this event, it just felt so different to me than just like, like I said, we like got up at our own house today and we made breakfast in our own house.

[00:58:01] Anna: And like, then we drove to our regular ballpark. And so it was super cool. I’m very, very grateful that we had the opportunity to be here, but I think it becomes more and a bit more of an event if you’re traveling to see a city. So 

[00:58:15] Nicole: every city is going to be unique, you know, like. Even just visiting the ballparks in general, every city is, you’re going to have your favorite.

[00:58:22] Nicole: You’re going to have like the one that you’re like, Oh, that was so cool. And it’s going to be different for everyone. It’s going to be like, because of the location or because of the people or because of the weather or because of the, whatever it is, it’s not going to be the same for everyone. So it’s just going to depend on your own personal experience.

[00:58:38] Anna: What’s left at the top of the baseball bucket list. So you’ve been to a world series game. You’ve been to several post season games. You’re sitting at 20 ballparks, but now you’ve been to a home run derby. You’ve been to an all star game. What’s number one on the bucket list?

[00:58:53] Nicole: So I’m at 20 ballparks. I’ve been to, um, I’d want to get to 30 for sure. So I have a big chunk of like New England. some random like ballparks, Colorado, Arizona, things like that that are gonna probably take some planning But I think I can do it, but that’d be the next like bucket list item is to See all 30.

[00:59:18] Nicole: I’m so close 

[00:59:20] Anna: You’re right there. You’re right there. We’ll have to knock them out. But I can’t thank you enough for coming and experiencing this with me. I was super sad in 2022 when you weren’t with me in L. A. And I was just so thrilled that we could do this together. And I appreciate all the support with Bucket List.

[00:59:36] Anna: And, um, I love you. 

[00:59:39] Nicole: I love you. And I’m so proud of you. 

[00:59:40] Nicole: And I love doing this with you. This is so fun.

[00:59:44] Anna: And that will wrap up this episode of the baseball bucket list podcast. Special. Thanks to everyone who joined me at the ballpark this week. It was truly at one of the highlights since I’ve started the show. If this sounds like something you’d like to do, if you think you’d like to be, I guess, on the show, head to baseball bucket list.com/podcast and fill out an application at absolutely love to hear from you. While you’re there to make sure to spend some time on the site, sign up for a free membership, build your own baseball bucket list, track your ballpark visits and connect with other fans. And if you find yourself enjoying the show each week, please take a moment to rate and review it in the podcast app of your choice. 

[01:00:17] Anna: It goes such a long way in helping new listeners find the show. And I would really, really appreciate it. That’s it for this week. Thanks so much for listening. We’ll see you. Next episode.