2012 road trip

Thanks for the advice Basset, but the roof as been closed for both games, I got a ticket for today's game (1.05 CT) and the roof should be closed again. It's around 70 degrees inside minute maid park with the air-con and 95 degrees outside, I can deal with the heat, it's the humidity that's the problem 100% at times. The 2 games in Arlington and 3 games in St Louis are all evening games, so I should be fine.

Astros loose again 4-3, not the best game I've ever seen but still enjoyable. Bigger crowd at 34,000. Hopefully I will see them win today at my final day here, I can't see it, McDonald (10-4) is pitching for the pirates and I can't see the Astros giving him any trouble, but you never know, I can hope!!

As I said earlier, I can't see the Astros winning today, well I was wrong, they played a great game today and won 9-5, the crowd was terrible, only 20,000 today, the people of Houston have really given up on them but then again there has been a sneaker convention at the Reliant stadium today where you can buy, sell or trade sneakers (only in America).

Hi y'all,
Busy day today, heading over to Arlington soon, I have a Rangers stadium tour at 2pm, Cowboy stadium tour at 4.30pm and then it's game time at 7.05pm Holland v Weaver and tomorrow it's Darvish v Haren, should be 2 fantastic games, I can't wait, just hope my camera battery lasts today, should have got a spare one

Sooooooo HOT in Dallas, around 105-110 degrees.

When I said stay out of the shade I mean at Arlington.

I was there for a day game June last year and all of the locals had to get out of the sun. My Dad watched the game on TV and asked me where was everyone - I said hiding in the shade. All of the locals were complaining about the heat.

I see what you mean now Basset, it's an oven inside the stadium, but a fantastic place to watch a game. Weaver was really good and it was amazing to see Albert Pujols doing what he does best.

My second and final game at Rangers ballpark tonight, looking forward to seeing Darvish pitch and hopefully the Rangers will put on a better show and make a game of it. (Angels look really good).

As for Cowboy stadium, WOW, it's unbelievable, infact it's the best stadium you will ever step foot into, everything from the concourses to the locker rooms to the corporate boxes just perfection, Jerry Jones new exactly how to build a stadium. WOW!!!!

Tonight's game in Arlington was the most exciting game I've ever seen, the atmosphere was amazing. I thought the Angels had it wrapped up pretty early but the Rangers battled back and just pipped it in the tenth, unbelievable game. The Ian Kinsler homer was pretty special to tie up in the ninth, then came the tenth.......if you haven't seen it, watch it.

Albert Pujols was fantastic again, I've seen him homer 4 times in 2 consecutive games, (that doesn't happen to often), even watching him take batting practice is mezmorising, one after the other crack, crack, crack, but the fans boo him, it's crazy, the bloke is a genius, I don't think they realise they maybe watching the greatest 1B man of all time, fools or maybe it's just me.

Next stop St Louis, people keep telling me that Busch stadium is probably the best place to watch a ball game and that the fans are great up there, we will see!!!

Glad you're having a good time, mate . Whilst I agree that Pujols is great, Lou Gehrig was greater.

I was at Busch stadium tonight, it was fantastic, my seat was perfect, the Cardinals were celebrating 30 years of defeating the brewers in the 1982 world series final. The whole 82 team was there, Ozzie smith, Bruce sutter, whitey herzog, and both teams played in the 82 uniforms, it was a good show.

Cardinals won 6-1, Wainwright pitched a great game, he pitched all 9 innings and gave up 5 hits and 1 run, they should sweep the brewers now with Lohse pitching tomorrow. Looking forward to Monday, the Giants are in town, Lynn v Cain. ( then its home )

As for St Louis, (going through a storm now) it's great, the people are great, the town it's self is great, the food is unreal and everyone here is just cardinal mad. Of the 10 cities I have visited, these are the most diehard fans.

Cardinals win 3-0, Lohse pitched 6 scoreless innings with mujica, Boggs and motte taking care of the rest. The Brewers were pretty poor and only got 6 hits in all. Descalso, Molina, Holliday and Freese had good games tonight, getting 2 hits each and Descalso 3 hits.

Stadium tour in the morning which i am looking forward to, and then it's the giants game. I brought my Pablo Sandoval jersey along for this one, be an away fan just to see how it feels.

Well that's it for this year, final game tonight, Cardinals beat the Giants 8-2, I think every Cardinal got a hit tonight with Jon Jay getting 4 singles. Pagan homered for the Giants on the second pitch, Posey and Beltran also homered.

My stay in St Louis has been fantastic, I've loved every minute, the food is amazing, local beers are not to bad either. St Louis is definitely a will do again city unlike Houston and Dallas, I knew there wasn't a great deal to do there but I had to go if I want to visit all 30 ball teams and i am sure there will more cities just the same. I would like to watch the Rangers again but I'd stay in Arlington (Dallas was a bad call, $100 return in a cab) and it would be a short visit!!!

Highlights- Astros win over the Pirates 9-5, good game.
Angels win over the Rangers 6-2, good game
Rangers win over the Angels 11-10, best game I've ever seen
Seeing Albert Pujols play amazing baseball (and hitting 4 homers)
Cowboy stadium (unbelievable place)
All 3 cardinals games (busch stadium is a fantastic place to watch a game)
St Louis (everyone is Cardinal crazy)

Sounds a great trip, st Louis will go on the list on go to places now then!!

Any pics?

Yeah it's definitely worth sticking your head in for a few days, the locals are so proud of their history of the Cardinals and are really enthusiastic when they were telling me about it. Busch stadium has the best view in baseball (in my opinion) and the statues outside the team shop are a nice touch too. Apparently the best time to visit is when the Cubs are in town, it's like a carnival around town, (so I may do that when I visit Kansas City). The only downside to St Louis was you can walk into places you shouldn't be pretty fast and it looks a little rough let's say.

Don't get me wrong, the other 2 were really nice ballparks, but there is just not a great deal to do.
Houston and Dallas are dead, they are just business cities and when work is over at night and weekends and all the shirt and ties go home they turn into ghost towns. I never saw a shop in Dallas apart from Starbucks and Deli bars.
So if I were to go again it would only be for a night.

I will post some pics this weekend, a lot of my photos turned out crap, my camera wouldn't focus right when I zoomed in, I will have to get it serviced!!!....

Mmm, I was wondering whether that might be a problem for me, too. In the end, I've booked a hotel next to Six Flags, within easy walking distance of the stadium. I can go directly to the hotel from the airport and won't go into Dallas at all.

Mmm, I was wondering whether that might be a problem for me, too. In the end, I've booked a hotel next to Six Flags, within easy walking distance of the stadium. I can go directly to the hotel from the airport and won't go into Dallas at all.

I stayed in a hotel near Six FLags.. Homewood Suites by Hilton.. it's walkable but a disctinct lack of sidewalks.

Never attempt it pushing a buggy...

There was a bus thing that went back and forth but you can only buy tickets at the hotel end.

I think staying in Arlington is a good idea Stewart, the only thing I did in Dallas of any interst was the 6th floor museum, which is where JFK was assassinated but if your going solely for baseball it leaves you 24 miles away from Arlington and its a mightmare getting away from the stadium at night because everyone is in a car so the roads are solid, walking distance is a great plan, (you live and learn). If you find you have a couple of hours spare before a game it's worth having a look at Cowboy stadium, do the 4/4.30 tour, finish around 6pm then walk across to the ballpark just in time for the game. (it has the wow factor).

Your trip sounds amazing, have a safe one and enjoy.