Buy Me Some Peanuts and…

Earlier this year, I wrote about website Thrillist’s ranking of all 50 states by fast food establishments. It was a tasty edition!

Now, coinciding with the week of MLB’s Opening, Thrillist is out with a ranking of all 30 MLB ballparks with the ranking based on…you guessed it…yummy ballpark concessions.

Like any ranking, you can agree or disagree with the numbers. This one should be higher, that one should be lower, why did they rank this one at all?

Anyway, I don’t want to disagree with the countdown. In fact, the ranking of the our own location in Braves County - Turner Field – being right in the middle seems about right to me. The image that comes to mind, for me, is standing in a very long line for a Chick-Fil-A milkshake that I could easily get at any of its location throughout the country.

But, it just seems right when you are in Atlanta to sample something that is Georgia-based. Too bad The Varsity doesn’t have a booth out in Fan Plaza!

Generally speaking, I’m not a big fan of ballpark food. Well, let me clarify: the food may be good. But, I’m not a fan of paying the crazy high prices that come with it. 

My usual practice is to try to grab something more reasonably priced before going to the stadium.  Still, sometimes you have no choice. If time is short and options are limited, ya gotta do what ya gotta do – even if it costs an arm and a leg. 

For the record, some of the places I’ve eaten that appear on the countdown:

• Pizza – I remember getting some very yummy cheese pizza both at Fenway Park and at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philly. For Fenway, especially, I remember walking up a flight of stairs out to find the pizza stand and thinking it was definitely worth the trek. I also had a slice of LaRosa’s pizza in Cincy during my last trip. As much as I like Skyline, I can’t imagine trying to juggle a plate of three-way while preparing to dodge a foul ball coming my way at the Great American Ballpark! 

• Q - In New York, at Citi Field, I sampled the barbecue the writer references I will concur with his assessment. I don’t usually associate the Big Apple with Big BBQ but, in this case, it was a tasty treat.

Speaking of barbecue, the Boog Powell BBQ stand at Camden Yards in Baltimore is mentioned in the article. Talk about yummy. It may be my favorite ballpark bite I’ve had over the years. If you go there, I highly recommend it. And as I’ve told you before, it’s one of my favorite parks, hands down.

Of course, everything about our trip to San Fran was special, including the stadium. I think I have told you before how the warm cup of Ghiradelli cocoa really hit the spot on a blustery night at AT & T Park.

For many of you who have seen a game in your favorite park, I’m sure you’ve got some great ballpark concession stories to tell, so I’d love to hear them. Scrumptious plate of nachos? Juicy burger? Zesty fries?

Everyone has a favorite, I’m sure, and the great thing about opinions about food and fans is that no answer is a wrong one!

JG

Question of the Day: What is your favorite ballpark food?

Originally posted 4/8/2015

The Great Facebook Experiment

By now, you probably know that I took a roughly six week break from Facebook; gave it up for Lent.

Truly, Lent gave me the opportunity to disengage because I was finding that Facebook had become more a source of aggravation than adulation.  Maybe I received one too many game-playing requests; encountered one last caustic political posts? Whatever the case, I logged off for a while

Holly and Paul say the break wasn’t a true break because I still logged on to post the daily blog URLs for Coach Jeff’s Blog. Now, granted this is true. On the other hand, I announced that exemption up front.  I simply couldn’t figure out a better way to do it.

Rest assured, if I repeat the practice in the future, I will work out those logistical details. And you know what, I just may do that.

Here’s the take-away from my break away: I found I didn’t really miss it.

If there was any pertinent news via FB, Lisa was able to update me. I certainly didn’t miss political posts. 

The biggest thing I missed was the opportunity to wish all my FB friends a Happy Birthday.  As much as I wanted to do so, I felt like that would have really invalidated my observance. So, if you’ll bear with me, let me take the opportunity to wish all my FB friends who had a birthday in March, early April and late February a collective Happy Birthday!

Belated, of course.

Now, moving forward, what does all of this mean? In the big picture, not much. I’m not planning to run out and permanently log off.

I may, however, engage a little less often. 

Don’t get me wrong, it’s an excellent communication channel that allows one to stay in touch with friends who are scattered throughout the country, from Maine to Malibu. It’s also a great way to distribute a blast of information, such as when Lisa is organizing one of our FHS theater alumni parents (Class of ’13) get-togethers.

I don’t play any of the online games and, as I’ve mentioned here, I try to adhere to my politics-free zone online.  Now I want to spend even less time with the tool in general. With the advent of the warm spring weather, I’ll be outside more often and will have less need for inside activities.

But, winter will come again and the internet is a pleasant diversion on cold, blustery nights. So, I don’t plan to go away for ever…maybe just a slight cut-back.

In the meantime, I look around the kitchen table and see a bunch of chocolate! Maybe that is some inspiration for next year? 

JG

Originally posted 4/7/2015

Since 1991

Opening Day should be a national holiday. It isn’t, but it should be.

Every year since 1991, I’ve managed to be home for Opening Day. I guess this makes it 24 in a row – through job changes, grad school, two babies and more.  Opening Day should be a national holiday but formore than two decades, I’ve been able to observe it as one.

Today at 1 p.m., I’ll enjoy ESPN’s broadcast of Jays at Yankees. Then, at 4 p.m., our beloved Braves – albeit a stripped down version – take on the Marlins in Miami. Who knows, maybe I’ll even stick around for some of the night games too.

But, even though that’s the plan for Opening Day ’15 it wasn’t always this way.

Looking back, it’s kind of a funny story when I think back to my last Opening Day. I wasn’t laughing then, of course. A few minutes that day led to me  deciding to take the next one off. And the next. And the next.

In those days, I was still a big St. Louis Cardinals fan.

At the time, I was working at Children’s Hospital.  There was this guy we knew – he was married to a friend of ours – who also claimed to be a Cardinals’ fan. Notice I didn’t refer to him as a friend. He’s just one of those guys who you get stuck with.

And, he was one of those kind of guys who is a one-upper.

If you went to a Cardinals game, he went on Opening Day. If you bought a new Cardinals t-shirt, he bought a jersey.  I’m sure you’ve known people like this. For our purposes here, let’s just call him Mr. Cardinal. 

Maybe he’s the reason I am now a diehard Braves booster? I mean I still like the Cardinals; I just don’t love them as I once did. 

Anyway, back in 1991, tv games were hard to come by. It wasn’t like last night (with ESPN covering the Cardinals). You searched for your opportunities to see them. And since they were opening with a day game at the Cubs, one of my first chances came on Opening Day. Cardinals at Cubs. Day game. Opening Day. Thanks, WGN. 

Since I was working that day, I set my VCR (pre-DVR) to record the game. That evening, I planned to enjoy the game ‘as live.’ Enter Mr. Cardinal

Sometime around 2 p.m., the phone on my desk rang and I answered. Mr. Cardinal was on the line. He had taken the day off. He was generously volunteering to call me every hour to give me live game updates. 

“No thanks,” I told him. “I set my VCR and I plan to enjoy the game at home tonight.”

That wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear. He wanted to tell me the updates so that was what he was going to do. So, he just started blurting out game details right then and there…because that is the kind of guy he was (is).

“Stop!” I told him, somewhat more sternly, “I want to watch the game at home and be able to enjoy it when I get off work.”

“But, but, but…” was the last thing I heard him say as he was starting to tell me more game details (and as I said a quick “Gotta run. Goodbye.” I, then, hung up the phone).

Needless to say, the moment was lost. He gave away plenty of information, ruined my plan and put me in a very foul mood for the rest of the afternoon. I don’t remember that I ever watched that game, a 4-1 victory for the Redbirds.

But, as this is Coach Jeff’s Blog, there is a happy ending to this story.

Moving forward, I thought “If that guy could take off Opening Day, so can I.” I wouldn’t have to implement a news blackout, hope the VCR actually records and wait ‘til evening to see the first pitch. I, too, could take Opening Day as a vacation day.

And a new tradition was born.

A year later, in ’92, I was in grad school so it was easy to be available for all the Opening Day action. Moving forward, I took the day. Now, I just build it into my annual schedule.

Mr. Cardinal might have ruined my 1991 Opening Day but he helped me to enjoy every Opening Day since then. And today, I renew the tradition for the 24th time.

Wherever you are celebrating this Opening Day, I hope you - and your favorite team - have a good one. There isn’t a better day on the calendar than this one!

And, here’s a toast to Mr. Cardinal. As the folks say out in St. Louis, “This Bud’s for You!”

JG

Originally posted 4/6/2015

On Braves Country, Cardinal Nation & the Rest of the Ones

Opening Day of the 2015 Major League Baseball season is just a few days away. The traditional Opening Day is Monday; ESPN has a Sunday Night Game to get things started.

And just a few days ahead from that Sunday night match-up between Cardinals and Cubs, you can see the official line dividing “Cardinal Nation” from “Cubs Nation.” It looks like it runs right through the center of Illinois – maybe about halfway between Peoria and Springfield.

I’ll post a copy of the map and insert the link here and then we can talk about the specific details of the ESPN map.

The first thing that jumps out, to me, is how there are certain teams with large fandoms that dominate the game. You might find an occasional Yankees fan or Red Sox fan in the Southeast. But, for the most part, this is Braves Country.

In a similar fashion, the upper Midwest belongs to the Twins, Brewers and Tigers (from west to east). All of Canada is solidly for the Jays, eh.

AZ is all about the Diamondbacks; the Rockies go for…well…the Rockies. The Pacific Northwest roots for the Mariners; New England is for the Red Sox.

Then there are pockets of unexplained fan affiliation. Who knew, for example, that the Bosox had a great following in Idaho and Utah? Same for the Yankees. They are popular in the mid-Atlantic and New York state, of course, but also there are huge swaths of Yanks supporters in places like Montana, New Mexico and Alaska. And, of course, in parts of Florida.

The second thing that jumps off the page, to me, is how shared markets affiliate. You think of the Bay Area and how there are two teams? Wrong. According to this map, it’s all about the Giants (sorry A’s).

Ditto for SoCal: Dodgers=Yes; Angels=No.

Texas is totally dominated by the Rangers. The Astros have just a small chunk of the state right along the Gulf Coast. The Big Apple is totally and completely dominated by the Bronx Bombers.

There are some geographic entities that play nicely in the sandbox. Pennsylvania seems to split right down the middle with the Phillies belonging to the eastern part of the state and the Pirates in the west.

Back to the aforementioned Cardinals. Most of Mizzou affiliates with the Redbirds. The western part of the state and into Kansas and Nebraska roots for the Royals.

And so on and so on.

As I’ve told you before, this kind of stuff fascinates me. And maybe it’s the turn of seasons or the flip of the calendar but I’m starting to feel the energetic burst that comes from Opening Day.

No matter where you live, it’s time to celebrate. Your team is in first place. The boys are undefeated.

Hurray. Opening Day is just a few days away. We’ve survived another long cold winter and it’s time for the boys of summer to return.

JG

Originally posted 4/2/2015

JG

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Year of the Cat

Editor’s Note – Today is the second of a two-part edition devoted to our weekend roadtrip to spend “An Evening With Al Stewart.” Yesterday, I gave you the back story. Tonight, I will tell you about a fantastic concert in a very special place.

On a morning from a Bogart movie
In a country where they turn back time
You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre
Contemplating a crime

In last night’s edition of the blog, I told youwhy I wanted to attend the Al Stewart concert in suburban Augusta, GA this past weekend; today I’ll tell you about the show, itself.

The Al Stewart Concert – billed as “An Evening With Al Stewart” – was part of a 17-show series presented by Augusta Amusements.  

The concert hall, the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center, is located in a suburb of Augusta. Evans, GA actually reminded me a little bit of Farragut.

The Hardin Center was located in a municipal district of the town along with a large city park, an amphitheatre, town hall, and library. The auditorium, itself, was in the same building as the library. It was a very nice area of town.

We arrived about 15 minutes before the show – cutting it a bit too close for my tastes – and we were in our seats with six minutes to spare. Just at 7:30 p.m., the emcee for the evening took the stage.

He thanked an army of volunteers for all the work necessary to produce the series. This included tech staff, ushers, a photographer and other miscellaneous individuals. His remarks underscored the Southern, small town feel of the venue. In other words, it was very nice, tasteful, comfortable.

After completing his acknowledgements, the emcee noted that there were a number of out of town guests who had driven to the Augusta area to see the show. The crowd applauded. Then, one by one, he read the names of all the out of town guests. The crowd applauded even louder.

Those in attendance came from places like Charleston, SC; Charlotte, NC. One guest even drove over from MS. There were three Tennessee groups in attendance.

I kept waiting for my “Jeff Gray” moment but, honestly, it never came. About two-thirds through his list, he called my name and he nailed it. We gave him a hearty woo-hoo in return.

As the names were being called, I noticed something else. The three of us were among the youngest in attendance. Stewart, himself, is about 70 so I guess it isn’t surprising that the seats were filled with his generational contemporaries. It was definitely a 60+ crowd.

Some were dressed in vintage, late 60s (see: Woodstock) garb. I was thinking that style was about 10 years before Stewart’s heyday, which I would timestamp as mid 70s to mid 80s. But, it was all good. And they were having fun.

We were all having fun.

Soon, Dave Nachmanoff, a virtuoso guitarist who accompanies Stewart on his tour, took the stage. He performed three numbers to warm up the crowd and then he introduced Al Stewart.

Stewart’s performance was one part storytelling, one part audience interaction and one part singing and strumming. He is a great storyteller, in terms of his lyrics and musical presentation and he has a great sense of humor. So, it was no surprise that he would introduce many of the musical numbers by telling the backstory or setting up the song with a funny punchline. At some points of the show, he would weave great points of history into the narrative.

The first set built to a conclusion with his performance of the 1978 hit “Time Passages.” Then Al and Dave took a 20 minute intermission.

The second act was much the same as the first. The crowd was enthusiastic. Stewart was funny. Nachmanoff was excellent on guitar.

As the evening grew late, I think we all realized they were building to the climax, Al Stewart’s most famous song, the venerable “Year of the Cat.” For that number, they brought out a local bassist and a young man to punctuate the end of the song on saxophone.

Then, the first few chords signaled us that we had, indeed, arrived at the penultimate moment of the show.

She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running
Like a watercolour in the rain
Don’t bother asking for explanations
She’ll just tell you that she came
In the year of the cat

As the song played, as Nachmanoff navigated the intricate chords, as Al sang the familiar words I’ve heard so many times, I soaked it all up. I breathed in all the sights and sounds much as you might imagine someone strolling the picturesque marketplace would do.

It took me some 30 years to get to this point but it was well worth the wait.

Well morning comes and you’re still with her
And the bus and the tourists are gone
And you’ve thrown away your choice you’ve lost your ticket
So you have to stay on
In the rhythm of the new-born day
You know sometime you’re bound to leave her
But for now you’re going to stay
But the drumbeat strains of the night remain
In the year of the cat

JG

Originally posted 3/31/2015

An Evening With Al Stewart

Editor’s Note – Today is the first of a two-part edition devoted to our weekend roadtrip to spend “An Evening With Al Stewart.” Today’s edition gives you the back story of why the trip meant so much to me.

When I was a senior in high school, I was invited to attend the state high school newspaper convention in Nashville. While I was there, I met a girl from Memphis and we became great friends over the years.

We’re still in touch via Facebook. Maybe she even reads Coach Jeff’s Blog when I post the link? 

In any case, I remember receiving a call from her in 1982 and she was telling me about her family’s recent trip to Vail. Unfortunately, she said, there wasn’t any worthy entertainment in town. Only an Al Stewart concert she said, with great disdain.

And there was no way she was planning to go to an Al Stewart concert.

Al, I promise, she didn’t know what she was saying! You see, I would have loved to see an Al Stewart concert during that era. Or any era.

You might even say I put it on my long-term to do list – I’m not a big fan of the term “Bucket List” – as the one concert I’d always love to experience.

Fast forward to March 28, 2015 and I’m happy to report I checked that box. Lisa, Holly and I – along with a group of a couple hundred other folks – spent “An Evening With Al Stewart” in the suburbs of Augusta, GA. It was part of a concert series presented by Augusta Amusements.

More on that to come.

I told you recently about how I discovered popular music at the end of my freshman year in high school. In fact, I showed you the photo of me balancing a number of the LPs I received as Christmas gifts that winter. One that didn’t make the picture, however, was Time Passages by Al Stewart. My friend Ed bought it as a gift for me that winter and I have always been thankful for it. 

I discovered Stewart’s music that year and I always found his lyrics fascinating; the genre referred to as historical storytelling. The musical accompaniment to Stewart’s unique vocals was at one time haunting and intriguing all the same.

This was perfect for a high schooler trying to sample all the musical styles on the AM/FM buffet. I collected as many of his albums as I could.

If I happened to find myself stressed, melancholy or just in the mood to relax, I’d put on one of Stewart’s LPs and, voila, I was traveling through time or some far-off land.

During the aforementioned senior year, he released his next LP, 24 Carrots, and I saved my pennies and dimes until I could go purchase it. When I hear those songs, I think of that fantastic year. It was great stuff.

Still, he never brought his band to Tennessee (at least not that I am aware of) and as my 20s turned into my 30s and so forth, I went to fewer and fewer concerts and the dismissive concert comment of my friend faded away. 

I still listened to his music but the thought of going to see one of his concerts was no longer on the top of the to do list as life as a twentysomething and thirtysomething unfolded.

Then – about five years ago – I was doing some sort of internet search and I ran across Al Stewart’s website and I noticed some tour dates listed but they were all on the west coast. I didn’t think to check that, again, when we headed to San Fran in 2012. I should’ve.

Then, late last year, I ran across his website again and I noticed some tour dates listed for the Southeastern U.S. Three dates in Georgia caught my eyes and I circled the one for Saturday March 28.

Before you know it, we had tickets purchased, a hotel room booked and we were on our way to the show. Long overdue…

JG

Originally posted 3/30/2015