Jake Trekkin

I went to the Indians game on thursday night, and didn't get a chance to chronicle that journey, so I figured since I was watching the game I would sit down here and go over my 4 trips so far this year.

Jake Trip 1: vs. Minnesota

Sidekick: Mary
Seats: Bleachers

For the month of may, Pepsi ran a promotion at Jacob's field that granted half off bleachers tickets when you brought a Pepsi can to the game. So, taking advantage of this promotion, Mary and I made our way to the Jake for the first time this year. And boy was it ever a great game. We were down for most of the game, and this was the case by one run in the 9th inning. But, in the bottom of the 9th, Ben Broussard stepped up and launched a solo homerun to tie the game. I joined the rest of the Jake crowd and we lost our collective heads. It was amazing and I was going nuts. Then, in extra innings Ronnie Belliard got to second base, and was hit in on a bloop single by Travis Hafner. It was an incredible game.

Record after 1 trip: 1 - 0

Jake Trip 2: vs. Boston

Sidekick: Mary
Seats: Club

Talk about doing it in style: Mary and I made our second trip to the Jake with the oppurtunity to sit in the club section. A large contrast to the first game, this one we were greeted by various Jacob's field staff, and treated to a smorgasbord of great food. Pasta, stir fry, subs, chicken, just about anything you could want, they had it. All of it free. Not to mention free water, pop, ice cream, hot dogs, pretzels, cracker jacks, and any other baseball food of which you can think. As for the game? Well, the game was less enticing. Coming in to the game and listening to the makeup of the crowd during it, there must have been between 8 and 12 thousand Red Sox fans at the game. On top of this, I did not see a single Massachussetts liscence plate. This leads me to believe that there have been quite a few traders in the Cleveland area, and that the en vogue nature of Red Sox fans has reached epidemic proportions. This, coupled with a close Red Sox victory had me less than enthused for the rest of the game. On this day Cleveland was swept in a 3 game series, and I went home a bit discouraged.

Record after 2 trips: 1 - 1

Jake Trip 3: vs. Cincinati

Sidekicks: Pop, Kris, Sal
Seats: Club

Can we say lucky? Not a half week after I am blessed with Club seats for the Indians, my dad's banker comes to the door with four more! I didn't expect to go, but my pop ended up giving me the nod after my mom declined to go. And it was a great game. I introduced the idea of the rally cap to Kris and Sal, and we got a big hit from Victor Martinez when we needed it the most. The Tribe won in exciting fashion, and I went home quite pleased.

Record after 3 trips:2 - 1

Jake Trip 4: vs. Chicago White Sox

Sidekick: Ally
Seats: Upper box

At the Cinci game I took advantage of a promotion that provided 2 free game tickets to anyone spending 50 dollars or more in Cleveland Indians team shops. So I took the opportunity to go see the first game after the allstar break. However, what I did not think about was who I would be going with, as I found out later that Mary would bei in Hawaii for the game. So I got a hold of Ally Hovance as I knew her to be every bit the Tribe fan Mary is. So on Thursday we made our way to the corner of Carnegie and Ontario to watch the Tribe take on the hated White Sox. And I do mean hated, as I hate the White Sox with all that I am. But the power of my love for the Tribe and hate for the ChiSox was not enough to make the game even interesting. The White Sox scored one run in the first inning, and there was not another run scored for the entire game. An eternity of a baseball game, and a true failure in entertainment. Luckily, Allyson provided much better conversation than was expected and the evening, while not so on the baseball field, was an overall success. As most any evening at the Jake is.

Record after 4 trips: 2 - 2

So that's what I've been up to so far. Mary comes back this sunday, and I am hoping to go to a game with her on Tuesday. Pepsi is running another promotion that will allow for the purchase of mezzanine tickets at a 4 dollar discount. So I find it well worth it to sit in 15 dollars seats for 11 bucks. Not only that, but Giant Eagle will be running a promotion at the game allowing for half price on all ticket sales with the presence of an advantage card. So, hopefully, Mary and I will trek up to the Jake on Tuesday and be able to ensure that I make it to 6 games this summer, plus any extras that may meet my fancy.

Here's hoping for a 4 -2 record on the year.

Adieu.