All-Star Festivities.... live from STL

by traphicg on Jul 13, 2009 4:05 PM EDT

Happy Mid-Summer to everyone!

I dont post too much, nor do I fanpost at all really, but I couldnt pass up this opportunity. I live in St. Louis and have been for around 6 years. It's a fantastic baseball town, and it is common during playoffs for businesses to close early for day games, dress codes to be thrown out of the window in favor of Pujols' jerseys, and a palpable excitement at events such as this week's.

Just a few thoughts.

Since last Thursday, there has been celebrity sightings and long lists for reservations at restaurants. By yesterday morning's news, there was a list of restaurants closed to the public, a handful of parties open to the public, and more flotsam and jetsam loosely related to baseball.

For a small fee there's a Fan Fest going on at the football dome, but highly geared towards children, and autographs and other meet and greets arent really going on there so much. I'm sure there are some, but its more of the kids time to experience the game.

Since President Barak will be here, Busch had to abandon all home rules - no reentry, no smoking, no plastic bottles allowed in. A friend who ushers there said the water bottles are a concern - someone in the upperdeck could launch a full Evian towards the prez and kill him, and the rest of us will have to pay 7 bucks for water.

Hanley Ramirez is having the only player-sponsored party open to the public on tuesday night. Jim Edmonds', Mike Shannon's, and Albert Pujols' restaurant/lounges are having closed parties, with some celebs mentioned like Billy Bob Thornton, Tommy Lasorda, and Edward Norton.

I'm rambling, trying to think of all the coolness going on. Really the only reason I posted this is b/c this town is literally electric right now. I'm ticking off the seconds until I ditch my car and take the metrolink downtown. I have no tickets and no desire to be in the stadium tonight - there is one section of Busch that the balls surely will come out to the streets, and a bunch of my pals and I are going to try to catch some. Kinda like the kayakers at Pac Bell a few years ago.

Its wild. I cant stand working anymore - if you're a baseball fan, this is amazing. Like the super bowl but freakin better.

This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Talking Chop.

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Awesome. I cannot wait until the All-star game comes to DC, Baltimore, or Philly.

by 17843 on Jul 13, 2009 4:47 PM EDT reply actions

Your enthusiasm is truly awesome. I only wish I lived in Atlanta when the all-star game was down here, and I can only hope that within the next five years, MLB decides to have it in Washington, since they have a nice new park which could desperately use the injection of some notoriety.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Jul 13, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

I used to live in the St. Louis area

And i’ve never been to a place that loves baseball and their Cardinals more than they do with the possible exception of the north side of Chicago and the Cubs (I’ve never been to Boston or New York tho.)

I can only imagine the city tonight and tomorrow. If anyone else is going to be at the game, check out Ozzie’s. Its a great restaurant/bar and is the place to be if you’re a baseball fan.

Here’s hoping BMac hits a bomb off of Papelbon or Rivera.

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by Scott Coleman on Jul 13, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions

Al hraboskys

The entire downtown is a party! Supposedly Jeter is somewhere close too.

by traphicg on Jul 13, 2009 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Just saw the D-backs released Tony Clark...

Switch-hitter with pop, do the Braves have any interest?

"...Braves tie! ...Braves tie! ...Braves tie!"

by The Keith Lockhart Era on Jul 13, 2009 7:39 PM EDT reply actions

Really?

Maybe four years ago. A corner infielder who OPSes 700 ain’t worth much to anybody.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 13, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I went to the festivities in Philly 13 years ago…total cost to my dad, the season ticket holder for everything? $130…that included 2 tickets in the 300 level outfield, tickets to the HRD, workout day, fanfest…everything. Oh how times have changed.

BravesHeart, my new, corporate-sponsored blog - FANBALL BLOG OF THE MONTH JUNE 2009!!!!!

by bigjoe on Jul 13, 2009 8:49 PM EDT reply actions

now a days, you’re probably looking at something closer to $1300 rather than $130.

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by Scott Coleman on Jul 13, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

We didn’t have to pay for a hotel either, since my aunt lived in a Philly suburb. Good times

BravesHeart, my new, corporate-sponsored blog - FANBALL BLOG OF THE MONTH JUNE 2009!!!!!

by bigjoe on Jul 13, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Plastic bottles are also a great way to sneak in liquor.

I’m sure they want everybody on their best behavior.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 13, 2009 9:18 PM EDT reply actions

No plastic bottles of any kind allowed since Obama is in town and they’re crazy paranoid.

BravesHeart, my new, corporate-sponsored blog - FANBALL BLOG OF THE MONTH JUNE 2009!!!!!

by bigjoe on Jul 13, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Bottles

Yeah, no plastic. Apparently some usher went ape shit and said that some bottle of evian launched from the upper deck could kill Obama…If someone did that, I hope the Braves offer him a contract on the spot. Thats fucking impressive.

by smscardinals1 on Jul 13, 2009 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, I read that.

This was actually meant for the post that mentioned it.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 14, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Wait, no, that is that one.

But I think it’s less that than what I wrote.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 14, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions

celeb count

ZERO. Tons of people had stuff trying to get signed, but really no players were out and about at the end of the show last night. A few people had success by the hotels, but hey, some of us have jobs. Damnt.

Well anyway it was fun being down there seeing all the promotions and what not. Only ONE ball even came close to bouncing from the concourse outside the stadium, and it was Nelson Cruz right away. Pretty lame.

I definitely had more fun wandering around downtown than I would have watching the commercial fest they call the HR Derby.

Oh yeah, half the city called in sick today.

by traphicg on Jul 14, 2009 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

Watching the game now…and man that long hair is NOT flattering on Lincecum. CUT IT.

by soup du jour on Jul 14, 2009 8:55 PM EDT reply actions

Observation: why are the pitchers hitting in the all star game? I realize that its at an NL park, but come on. This way you can get more excitement instead of a few auto outs a game.

by soup du jour on Jul 14, 2009 9:11 PM EDT reply actions