The Journey goes on

After a nice little stay in Aberdeen we cruised over to Ripken Stadium to take a glance at where the Aberdeen Ironbirds play. After that Gary, Mike and I headed out toward Philadelphia for the first part of our doubleheader.

We made it easily into Philadelphia andwalked over towards Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Once we got into the game I got to meet up with some of Royalty's fellow roadtrippers Frankie Centola, Frank Anichiarico, Phil Butleman and Bryan Gilligan. The game interestingly was Christmas in July day. Santa Claus and the Phillie Phanatic were in full Christmas attire. Unfortunately San Diego didn't have a win to give the Phillies as Cliff Lee and the Phillies fell short 5 to 4. After the game, Mike headed back with Bryan to New York to catch the Yankees and Gary and I headed towards Wilmington, Delaware to see the Wilmington Blue Rocks in action.
 
Before the game, Gary and I met up with Ballpark E-Guide author, Kurt Smith. We caught a meal across from the ballpark at Joe's Crab Shack it was a definite feast well worth the cost. We then headed over to the ballgame to see the Wilmington Blue Rocks host the Potomac Nationals. Unfortunately for us it wasn't meant to be as the game was called due to rain after 4 innings. It was a great visit though as we had some great company to enjoy it with. After the game, Gary and I headed towards Hancock, Maryland to spend the night as we had a long trip to Cincinnati the next day.

Royalty celebrates the Ultimate Sports Baby's First Birthday in Chicago!

Ultimate Sports Baby & Dad joined by the King and the Prince

Last May just before the King and I made our annual Wrigley Field visit, I was contacted by a guy named Andrew Van Cleve, the Ultimate Sports fan who has and will circle the globe to see any sporting event.

Andrew found me thanks to our friend Sean MacDonald . One day he came across Sean's website and blog when he was surfing the internet. As a result, he got wind of my blog too. He decided to take a chance and he sent me an e-mail in hopes that I would reach out to him.

I did and we've been in touch ever since. Just before we came to Chicago on May 14, 2010, Andrew informed me that his wife Nicole aka the Ultimate Sports wife gave birth to their first child, a boy on Mother's Day, May 9th.

When the major league baseball schedule came out back in the middle of September, I decided to plan to be back in Chicago in the middle of May. I didn't take into account that their son Dylan was going to be one around that time though.

A few months ago, Andrew mentioned to me that they were having a birthday party for Dylan. He asked me what the King and I were doing that Saturday afternoon before the Cub game that was scheduled to start at 6:10PM that night. I told him we didn't have anything set yet.

He replied would you and the King like to come to Dylan's first birthday party that afternoon which will take place between 1 and 3PM. I was speechless at first then after I gathered myself I told him we would be privileged and honored to do so.

As the time got closer, Andrew told me the details for the big bash. He said it was going to be at a place called D'Agostino's Pizza and Pub which was located within walking distance from Wrigley Field. Please stay tuned for the special post I'm going to do about this restaurant.

As for the party, the King and I went over there early so we could get situated and ready for this special occasion.
Besides Andrew, we didn't know anybody when we first walked into the restaurant. That changed instantly as Andrew introduced us to his parents who came in the Bay Area to be part of this memorable day.
Ironically his parents met Sean MacDonald a few weeks prior when they were still home. Sean was in the States on a three week sports road trip of his own out in California and Nevada. Andrew was out there too so they met up and he introduced him to them. What a small world it really is.

I can see why Andrew is such a great guy. He's blessed to have such wonderful parents. The King and I enjoyed spending some precious time talking with them. They travel all over the globe like their son who showed them the way it's done.

For example, his father told us about a trip that they took to Italy. Andrew arranged it for them and he made sure they saw a sporting event too. His father said they wound up at a basketball game that was being played 15 minutes away from their hotel. What a convenience he said. Upon hearing this story, I was left in awe.

Andrew proceeded to introduce us to his lovely wife Nicole aka the Ultimate Sports wife or should I say "Doctor". Nicole just got her doctorate degree as she's now a PHD. Now that's an accomplishment.

Congratulations again, Nicole. You are a very special lady. She referred to us as the Prince and the King. What a thrill it was to finally met her.

Last but not least we got to meet the youngest person as far as I'm concerned to see a live baseball game at a mere 3 days old at Wrigley Field no less. He's none other than the Ultimate Sports baby, Dylan Salvatore Van Cleve. In fact, according to his Daddy Andrew, Dylan has seen 65 sporting events in his first year on the planet. That's definitely a record for sure. I hope the Guinness Book of World Records is taking notes.

As for Dylan, when the party was over I joked around that he's my adopted son. I should be so blessed. He was not only adorable but he was so such a good boy all afternoon long. It's true he was the center of attention but it was amazing how well behaved he was. He had a blast.

As for us, we didn't come empty handed. We bought him a Phillie Phanatic doll. I came up with a brainstorm. Since Dr. Nicole is going to be a professor in the fall at Temple University in Philadelphia, it made perfect sense.

Dylan will probably grow up to be a Phillie phan. If not, his favorite mascot will be the Phanatic. He's mine. Andrew and Nicole thought it was a great idea since it came from royalty.

As for the party overall, it was truly a day I'll cherish for many years to come.

It was in my eyes, the highlight of the weekend. The food was excellent, the company was second to none and the cake was so fitting. It had a baseball glove and it said and I quote "Holy Cow, Dylan's 1"! They acknowledged the late great Cub broadcaster, Harry Caray, who was known for using that terminology on the air.

I want to personally thank the Van Cleve family for giving the King and I the opportunity to celebrate this special day with them.

Stay tuned as the rest of the weekend recap will eventually follow.

Thank you for reading and following along.

Your truly,

Gary Herman

Royalty sees the Mets down in the City of Brotherly Love!

Phillie Phanatic

Saturday morning I went to Avis and I rented a car for the weekend. I picked up the King and off we went to another one of our many second homes, this time we went to Philadelphia to see the Mets play the Phillies in an early afternoon affair.

We got to see the best pitcher in the major leagues pitch. I'm talking about the "Doc" aka Roy Halladay. He didn't let us or the fans in jammed packed Citizens Bank Park down either.

Doc pitched a gem of a game as he went the distance in beating division rival, the New York Mets. He struck out eight batters as the Phillies backed his great pitching with just enough run support to beat the Mets, 2-1.

Thankfully the game took only 2 hours and 25 minutes to play. My rule of thumb is to allow 3 hours on average. As I like to say, a baseball game can go two hours or five hours. I just hope that it goes fast when I want it to. Unfortunately for the King and I that doesn't seem to be the case that often. This time we got a break.

Since the game went so fast we had plenty of time to get to our next game which was in Trenton, New Jersey, 40 miles away. In addition, we were able to sit down and enjoy a quality meal at a rock bottom price. We wound up going to the Golden Corral for dinner. Stay tuned as I'm going to write a special post about that unique experience.

After we ate, we continued on our way to Trenton to see a minor league baseball game between the Trenton Thunder who are the Yankees double A affiliate and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the farm club of the Toronto Blue Jays who we saw play a few weeks ago in New Britain, Connecticut.

The last time we saw the Fisher Cats win. This time they lost to the Thunder, 4-1. We even got to see former major leaguer Kei Igawa pitch and he picked up the win in relief because starting pitcher Manny Banuelos didn't get the last out in the fifth inning to qualify for the victory. He pitched effectively for the two and a third innings he threw.

He pitched in Japan before the Yankees brought him to the States back in November 2006. Since he signed a huge long term contract, the Yankees are stuck with him. He didn't cut it in the big leagues, now he's pitching in the lower minor leagues after spending time in Triple A. He turned out to be a total bust.

Sunday afternoon the King and I went back to the Bronx to see the Yankees play the Blue Jays. This time the Yankees beat the Jays, 5-2.

After the game, we went back down to Philadelphia to see if the Mets could savage a game in their three game series with the Phillies. After facing the best pitcher in baseball, the Phillies followed up by sending their next best pitcher to the mound, that being Cliff Lee.

Fortunately for the Mets, Cliff Lee didn't have his best stuff on this night. The Mets managed to take a 1-0 lead but the Phillies fought back to tie the game after Lee departed for the night.

The game remained tied when we were forced to leave the ballpark after watching the game for four hours after the Mets batted in the top of the 12th inning. The King had to get to work. He works overnight at the Post Office. He starts at 2AM.

The Mets wound up winning the game in the 14th inning when catcher Ronny Paulino doubled in the go ahead run to give the Mets a 2-1 win. Paulino finished the game with 5 hits.

We hated to leave but we had no choice. We got back to the car at 12:23AM. I had to drive 100 miles to get him back to work on time. I got him there at 1:56AM. He said and I quote "I'm impressed." It should be noted we had to stop for gas too.

I proceeded to drive myself home and I got home at 2:27AM.

Monday morning I woke up and I returned the car back to Avis and then I went to work.

Another adventurous weekend was in the memory bank.

Thank you for reading and following along.

Yours truly,

Gary Herman

Phillies add another toy named Roy!

With the major league baseball non-waiver trade deadline fast approaching on July 31st, the Philadelphia Phillies added another pitcher named Roy.

For Phillie fans, Christmas came early.

Today they acquired Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt for pitcher J.A. Happ and a few minor leaguers to help them for the stretch run.

In the off season, the Phillies made the biggest splash when they traded for Cy Young Award winner Roy Halliday.

Despite winning the World Championship in 2008 and falling short of winning again last year, the Phillies decided to continue to give their fans what they deserve a competitive product for their loyalty since Citizens Bank Park opened back in 2004.

They have arguably the best modern ballpark in baseball.

They've had standing room crowds in excess of 45,000 day in and day out, night in and night out.

They have the best mascot in all of baseball and all of sports for that matter in the Phillie Phanatic.

I wrote about the ballpark and the Phanatic in a previous post dated May 6th so you can also reference it for further details.

Even though they've been hit by injuries this year the Phillies are treading water.

With the addition of Oswalt they should be in position to go deep into October again in hopes of bringing the City of Brotherly Love another World Championship.

On the business side of things, this move should guarantee the Phillies sell out all their games next year as well.

By putting themselves in position to win, they will be taking deposits for next year so that will enhance their bottom line now and later.

They have signed a number of their core players to long term deals which is a rarity in this day and age.

With that being said, it further proves the Phillies are committed for the long haul.

I tip my hat to the Phillies organization.

That's the way royalty prefers to operate.

They're first class in my book.

If you want to see Citizens Bank Park I do have plans to go there a few more times this season.

Let me know and I'll make it happen for you.

If you're a baseball fan this is definitely an opportunity for you.

Thank you for reading and following along.

Yours truly,

Prince Charming

Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia

Here we have arguably the best of the new modern Major League baseball stadiums.

The ballpark opened up in April 2004.

It's the home of the 2008 World Champion and 2009 National Champion Philadelphia Phillies.

It's conveniently located right off the Walt Whitman Bridge as well as I-95.

If you don't drive and have to resort to taking public transportation, the subway stop is the last one on the orange line which is Pattison Avenue.

The experience here is rather unique.

They have the best mascot in all of sports not just baseball.

Their mascot is known as the Phillie Phanatic.

He's quite a character who entertains fans of all ages.

The ballpark itself has very spacious concourses which allows fans to wander around without missing the game action.

With the recent success, the ballpark has been jammed packed every game.

They do sell standing room tickets which allows you to stand where ever you see a space.

They also have tables set up with a ledge where you can put your food down and/or your scorebook if you like to score the game right behind the seating on 100 & 300 levels.

On the first base side, they have a glass cage with two elevators that take you to all the different levels in the ballpark.

Out in centerfield, they have what is called Ashburn Alley named after former Phillie the late Richie Ashburn.

Fans like to hang out there and watch the pitchers warm up in the bullpens.

They have a wide variety of local eateries such as the famous Philly cheese steaks.

In addition, they have a barbeque ribs stand out in rightfield that's run by former Phillie Greg Luzinski aka "The Bull".

In right centerfield, they have a Liberty Bell which lights up during night games.

When a Phillie hits a home run, it sways back and forth as well.

When you go to Philadelphia you come with "high hopes" as the late great Phillie broadcaster used to sing.

As a whole, regardless if you like the Phillies or not you shouldn't pass the opportunity to see a Phillie game.

Trust me you'll have a memorable experience.