{"id":223,"date":"2004-06-08T01:50:00","date_gmt":"2004-06-08T01:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bobtherieau.com\/blog\/index.php\/2004\/06\/08\/07174008-f825-49e2-bbd8-501dd11efb98\/"},"modified":"2018-06-13T01:29:42","modified_gmt":"2018-06-13T01:29:42","slug":"07174008-f825-49e2-bbd8-501dd11efb98","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bobtherieau.com\/blog\/2004\/06\/07174008-f825-49e2-bbd8-501dd11efb98\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"
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Monday? Already?<\/b><\/p>\n

I was just getting started. The Padres beat (like a rented mule) the Brewers in the game yesterday. Sure, the victory wasn’t pretty—it seems that only the Yankees and the 1998 Braves can do that—but we won and we thoroughly enjoyed our new ballpark in the process. My brother, sister, one other, and I sat on the third base line next to the Western Metals Building. The long-bankrupt company’s home has been incorporated into the design of the park and adds a feature not unlike transporting yourself into solid rock. The park appeared suddenly, embedded into the side of the turn of the century brick warehouse. But it didn’t appear suddenly. The engineers had their work cut out for them in fortifying and reinforcing the structure to make it a part of a new San Diego landmark.<\/p>\n

No, that was not the five dollar beers talking (sixteen ounce plastic widemouth bottles, old-school without the annoying “my head hurts” complaining from outfielders in the firing line). That was the architectural appreciation talking. Once inside, it became obvious how monumental the task of building the park must have been. How many bolts are required to secure this joint? How about eighty? (I counted forty per side while waiting for the restroom) How many welds? None. We’ll use the aforementioned bolts, thank you very much. My only complaint is with the East entrance. The stairs leading up to the plaza level funnel from a generous (and estimated) seventy feet up to a paltry twenty feet at the top. Nobody wants to stand in line on a staircase to reach an upper level. Nobody.<\/p>\n

Besides that, the comparisons to the Padres’ former home at Qualcomm Stadium were flying. I thought that Petco Park was a lot more like a mall. Fascist Valley or Horton Plaza. My brother missed “The Q” with its clearly defined seating, better parking, and (hold on to your hats) better views.<\/p>\n

“I don’t know, it was okay at The Q. You could see just fine from anywhere. I don’t know what the big deal was.”<\/i><\/p>\n

I do. It was the luxury boxes. Bark Park has a lot of them. They even built two three-storey towers to accommodate more. (yes Virginia, that’s how you spell “storey,” despite what the spell-checkers tell you. – ed<\/i>) It’s all about revenue generation and the opening season at The Litter Box has shown that you can make money at the ballgame game after all. Okay, maybe not until the revenue bonds are paid off, but still, attendance records have been shattered.<\/p>\n

I’m rambling, so I’ll try to reel it back in…<\/p>\n

Nobody got hurt. Nobody passed out. We didn’t scuffle with the cops despite their insistence that we walk on a certain side of the street (control issues kids? just wondering). In short, the game was lovely, the park that we purchased with our vote was outstanding, but the cops made the the walk to the car so miserable that in my mind at least, we should never go there again. Thanks SDPD! <\/p>\n

Your pal,<\/p>\n

bob<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Monday? Already? I was just getting started. The Padres beat (like a rented mule) the Brewers in the game yesterday. Sure, the victory wasn’t pretty—it seems that only the Yankees and the 1998 Braves can do that—but we won and we thoroughly enjoyed our new ballpark in the process. My brother, sister, one other, and … <\/p>\n

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