After the Sounds split their last two games with Oklahoma City at home, it was nice to be “on the road again” as Willie Nelson would sing since this is my first year in the Pacific Coast League, my excitement to visit new cities and ballparks continued to build.
We had a bit of a bumpy flight to New Orleans yesterday morning, but it was still a great ride. The bus ride from the airport to the hotel was lengthy, but worth it. The ride to downtown New Orleans was exhiilarating. We passed by the Superdome, the home of the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints. The Sounds’ pitching coach, Rich Gale, mentioned that the Cardinals had their Triple-A affiliate play in the Superdome one year and the talk was that if the Triple-A club drew at least one million fans, there was talk of having a major league team come to the Big Easy. Unfortunately, the team drew 650,000 fans, way short of the goal of one million. Therefore, the plan to have major league baseball in New Orleans was scratched. The City went without professional baseball until the Zephyrs moved from Denver, Colorado to New Orleans in 1993. This was due to the Mile High City getting the expansion Colorado Rockies to start play in the National League that year.
I got to see a bit of downtown and saw the abundance of Southern and Cajon Style Restaurants that were there for the taking. I didn’t have too much time to head out since I had to prepare for the game last night.
It was a lengthy ride to Zephyrs Park in suburban Metairie, but it was worth it. The park looked a bit older than its age, since the park opened up in 1997. It seemed older, ,but the view in the broadcast booth was great. It was also nice to see former Met and Yankee, Ron Swoboda, who is now a Zephyrs’ broadcaster. He played on the 1969 Miracle Mets World Championship team and is always asked about his famous and great “CATCH” that saved Game 4 of the 1969 World Series. It’s something that Ron always treasures.
The Sounds won, 8-3 and Chuck Lofgren started for Nashville and won the game. Lofgren pitched a good five innings, but he also showed WHY he loves to hit. Chuck helped his own cause by driving in three runs with a two run double off the right-center field wall and a single to center. Both of those hits came with two outs. Lofgren is a very hard worker.
Anyway, with today’s game being an afternoon game, I won’t have time to sightsee until either later today as well as tomorrow. The city is hosting a Jazz Festival in town this weekend. Of course, Jazz has always been BIG here in New Orleans. There’s the French Quarter and other places where I hope to tour. Looking forward to visiting this city by the Bayou. It’s my first time that I am ever here.
Well, the Sounds look to make it three in a row with RHP Marco Estrada going for Nashville this afternoon. It’s a beautiful and sunny day as I look outside my hotel window. The Sounds hope to make it three wins in a row. The webcast starts at 1:45PM Central time today at www.nashvillesounds.com. Hope you get to tune in. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your weekend!
- Posted on April 25, 2010 at 11:07 am
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