Midseason All-Star convention!
It's been about 10 years since our last midseason All-Star convention -- 1995 in Texas, I believe? Anyway, the stomping grounds of many league members at one time or another, Detroit Rock City, is hosting this year's events. Because of the anticipated excess of ticket requests, the Tigers and MLB will be holding a drawing to determine who gets a chance to purchase ticket packages. The chance to sign up for the drawing begins today, Wednesday, at 10 a.m. Information on how to register for the chance is here.
Please go to the page and sign up, even if you have no interest in going; those of us with Detroit ties will be happy to buy the package off of you. The deadline to register is Thursday, May 26 and the drawing is Tuesday, May 31. Each winning entry can purchase two ticket packages, priced at $286 or $386 per package, which includes a ticket to the game plus all of the other festivities surrounding the game.
Let me know when you've signed up so we can keep track.
A midseason convention is also a great opportunity to play face-to-face July games, as well as conduct those all-important trade talks! Some of our best memories are from midseason conventions in Cincinnati, Houston, Baltimore and Dallas. All we need is tickets.
Update: The form to register for the all-star lottery is here.
Here's a couple photos from past All-Star Game Extravaganzas...
1986, Houston: That's Gary and Dave with fellow Daily Libel Cub Schwartz.
1988, Cincinnati: Jamie and Dave engage in some Balcony Strat during the Midsummer Convention and All-Star Game Extravaganza.
posted by Gary @ 5/13/2005 12:11:00 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
I have attended all four previous Midsummer All-Star Conventions, and I strongly recommend them.
Alas, the Gophers have already planned a golf trip to Michigan in late June, so I am officially listed as "highly doubtful" for the July convention.
Here are a few brief memories of the four past All-Star events:
Houston: Sat way up high in the Dome...Tiger great Lou Whitaker forget his jersey, forcing intrepid Tiger PR man Bob Miller to buy one at a souvenir stand on the concourse and draw the numeral "1" on the back with a magic marker. Sweet Lou wore this poor fascimile of a uniform during the game...After the game, Gary and Dave flew to Detroit to begin a week-long baseball trip with Kenny and Bizek to four more stadiums: Tiger, Wrigley, Busch and Riverfront. We made this trip in a car that we rented under the strict stipulation that it could not be taken out of the state of Michigan. Car conked out on us in downtown Chicago, causing several moments of sheer panic until we realized it was merely out of gas.
Cincinnati: By far the greatest and best attended mid-summer convention, hosted by Gary...Played softball...hit a motherlode of tickets at the last minute...we all actually had decent seats and we sold our extra for a tidy profit...Kenny rode up an elevator with Lou Brock and some other Hall of Famer...Bizek stood next to Wade Boggs at a urinal...saw MVP Terry Steinbach hit the winning homer.
Baltimore: Another unqualified success, hosted by Gary...Kenny and I sat in the top row of the left field stands at Camden Yards, while Gary watched the game from a window in Bob Miller's office. Bob (in PR now for the Orioles) had an office in the warehouse overlooking right field...HR Derby was more memorable than the game, with the juiced-up Juan Gonzalez hammering tremendous homers over our heads in the second deck at Camden Yards.
Arlington: Was relieved to secure enough tickets for the managers on hand, including Kenny, Jamie, Steve Hart and Gary...had to work through much of the festivities...weather was hotter than hell.
Great memories Dave! I remember being so hot in Baltimore at the HR derby that ushers were going into the stands and encouraging people to take shade breaks. And in Arlington just pouring sweat in 100-degree-plus days. Cincinnati did take the cake though, as I recall we had nine folks slumbering on my apartment floor and our entrepreneurial spirit really took over as far as ticket handling. I think Guido is still looking for us.
Additional star thoughts:
1. Sat with Bizek in Cincinnati along the first-base line, craning our necks to see Steinbach's homer, possibly the most non-descript blast in All-Star history (opposite field, barely cleared the wall).
2. Gary and I alternated sitting on the sill in Bob Miller's office in Baltimore during the game, until someone from the press box called Bob and warned him that a TV image of us would ruin Baltimore's city image (or somesuch). On the other hand, Boog's barbecue was right underneath us, and that was pretty excellent.
3. Hot, hot, hot in Texas. Did I mention it was hot? For some reason, I have absolutely no recollection of the game, but do remember Juan Gone in the home run contest ... and Piazza (I think) barely getting anything out of the infield.
The only MLB All Star game I ever attended was the one in Arlington with Dave Renbo and Gary. I had a blast, particularly at the Fan Fest. The game was brutally hot, though. Seemingly, it was hotter there than any of my four tours in the Middle East. I'd love to attend another. Where is the 2006 game to be played? I'd gladly drive to a location that is less than 500 miles from Savannah.
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