#14/30: T-Mobile Park, Seattle
The Force is strong with this one.
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
STAR WARS NIGHT!!
Lots of ballparks do this at some point in the season. My luck pointed me to Seattle on the night they scheduled theirs.
To take full advantage, I had to buy a special ticket and wait in a separate line for the special “Dark Side” button up shirt giveaway.
Like most other promo items, I doubt I'll ever wear it. I'm not a Mariners fan, and it's moreso a team-themed shirt than a Star Wars one. But I couldn’t not get one, obviously.
I also got to say what's up to this guy.
And - you can see I got a ball!
Perhaps even better than amusing the Star Wars fanboy in me, I learned ahead of time that there's a gate at T-Mobile Park that opens half an hour ahead of the others. This is clutch for ballhawking. What's even more clutch is that this fan area by that gate featured some amazing access to the bullpens. So I walk in and within minutes found myself this close to Mariners pitchers and catchers warming up…
Pretty cool, eh?
My hopes for getting a ball were very high, but the fear of disappointment still loomed. I’d been shut out for nearly a month, having to buy authenticated balls rather than free toss-ups. But luckily, one of the catchers dropped a ball and before he was able to set it to the side, I said “toss it here, please?” He kindly obliged and practically handed it to me as we were only about six feet apart.
When you get a ball early it's literally a game-changer. I didn't have to see if game-used balls would be for sale in the later innings. I didn’t have to try and get a ball during the game. Both of those things require movement and focus away from the game (and from taking score). So instead, I was left with the pleasure of sitting in my assigned seat and relaxing for the whole game.
There would still be one small piece of business to handle - getting a souvenir cup. Generally I “steal” by finding a cup left behind in the stands after the game. It's usually not too challenging. But this time I decided to buy a cup, and for very good reason. T-Mobile Park has free soda refills and the soda fountains are all self-serve. Another game-changer. It literally steered me away from having alcohol. I pulled a Forrest Gump and drank me ‘bout 15 Docta Peppas.
I also had to try out a proper Seattle Dog…
Let's break this down: a Seattle Dog is known for having cream cheese. Beyond that, other condiments are allowed but not required or definitive. This whole concept doesn't quite make sense to me as I'm loyal to Chicago Dogs. A dog is only a true Chicago Dog if it has an EXACT combination of components. No substitutions or additions. And trust me - a Chicago Dog at Wrigley Field is undoubtedly the best hot dog experience on planet Earth.
That means a Seattle Dog at T-Mobile Park is not the best. I did like the cream cheese. Grilled onions and fresh peppers were also a welcome addition. I was foolish to order mine with everything on it, because that included mustard and sauerkraut. I don't love mustard, and I slightly despise sauerkraut. But hey… it was still a proper hot dog at the ballpark. Not many meals can top that experience.
The game itself was a pitcher’s duel. Or maybe just two bad teams not hitting worth a darn. The Seattle Mariners are not very good, and the visiting opponent Chicago White Sox are the worst team in baseball. The two teams combined for just five hits in the first six innings. The first run came in the bottom of the 7th via a solo homer from Mariners outfielder Luke Raley. The White Sox did respond - they started the 9th with pinch hitter Luis Robert Jr blasting a solo home run of his own to tie the game at 1-1. Suddenly this snooze fest was setting up for an exciting finish. I had goosebumps! But not because of any suspense on the field. The sun had set and it had suddenly become a chilly, windy Seattle evening. With the Mariners unable to score in the bottom of the ninth, we went to extra innings for the third straight game on my schedule. The White Sox did practically nothing in their half of the 10th. The Mariners really only needed one hit to win in walk-off fashion…
Mitch Haniger delivered with a pinch hit single to right center field, scoring the extra innings runner from second base. Final score: Mariners 2, White Sox 1.
Extra Innings
My time in Seattle was short. I flew in from San Francisco on Tuesday afternoon and had a 5:00am flight back home on Thursday morning. But that was no excuse not to spend a little time taking in some of the city.
I went down to Pike Place Market around 4:30pm, leaving just enough time for me to see it alive before the 5:00pm close. Fresh fish were still out on display over mounds of ice. A few were even still flying through the air.
Thankfully there were places still open past 5:00pm which allowed me to graze my way through dinner. For an appetizer I went with the famous mac-n-cheese at Beecher’s.
This stuff was easily one of the top five macs I've ever had. And if you know me, you know that's a big statement. But it really is that good.
Next up was Piroshky Piroshky. They sell piroshky. Or is it piroshki? Pirozhki? And is it the same as pierogi? Let's just decide on it being delicious. I went with one of their best sellers, the beef and cheese… thing.
They also had an offering of sweet baked goods, so I decided to finish with an apple cinnamon roll for dessert.
In case I've made you hungry with all the pictures of food in this post, here's something to kill your appetite: have you ever heard of The Gum Wall?
Indeed a dangerous place to walk through right after a big meal. But don’t worry, I didn't lose anything.
I rounded out the evening with a quick visit to the most obvious Seattle sight…
… and then took the train back to my hotel by the airport.
Until next time… May the Force be with you.
Next stop: June 21, Cincinnati