Indians vs Cubs

I was sadly unable to catch any of BP or other pregame activities. I am car-less this year and had a slight transportation problem that caused me to get to HoHoKam Park right as the Cubs took the field. However, that does not mean my camera was not stuck to my face for most of the game. So here we go!

I had never been to HoHoKam before and loved that they had this at the entrance.

Sadly the weather was not the greatest, but it did not rain so that was better than Friday.

Within a few minutes of me taking out my camera, Javy hit his two run homer in the top of the first.

Above is a shot of the pitch he smashed.

Also a side note, I noticed that Javy’s bat wiggle has decreased.

I know I tweeted this photo on Saturday, but I was rather pleased with the placement of Javy’s jersey.

So I enjoy the fact that my camera can shoot 4 frames per second, so here is a collage of Chris Rusin’s delivery.

No luck on Rusin’s pick off throw to Brad Nelson.

Though a few plays later, that same player (Lou Marson) was caught stealing. Javier Baez making the tag as Logan Watkins watches.

I almost spat out my soda when I saw this margarita stand. For those who don’t know Spanish. That means two “foreigners” or “white people.”

I made another collage for Brooks Raley. (Because I am a dork)

Here is the mysterious Jorge Soler.

Funny story, I run over to RF to take picture of him and a guy asks me “Why don’t you take pictures of important things?” I response was a lecture/scolding of how Jorge Soler is an important prospect and why he should know about Soler too. His friends laughed at him for getting a smack down on baseball from a girl.

I am guessing his english is improving, because Jim Belushi was drawing the 50/50 raffle ticket while he was playing catch with Fujikawa and Belushi made and joke and Soler smiled.

Sadly Soler only had one at bat.

Here is Kyuji Fujikawa, of course I made a collage of his delivery.

During the last half inning, I looked over at the press box and spotted these guys.

Photos of Indians vs Cubs

Sorry there is no story to go with this, I am rushing to get to Chase Field for Italy vs USA.
Enjoy the photos!

Javier Baez rounding the bases after hitting a two run Homer in the bottom of the first.

Javier Baez caught stealing.

Logan Watkins bunting.

Check out his tattoo. 

Jorge Soler.

More México vs USA

Now that I am not exhausted from watching México vs USA, I thought I would show a bit more of my experience of last night’s game.

Fans for México were much more festive than those for USA. Most USA fans were just wearing jerseys or gear of their favorite MLB team.

There were a good number of fans of México with flags on a pole to wave. Most USA fans just carried their flag without one.

Whenever USA fans tried to get a chant of “USA! USA!” going, it was almost immediately drowned out by chants of “México!”

I apologize for the sound quality, I took this with my phone, but this give you an idea of how loud it was.

 

 

México vs USA

Walking up to Chase Field was surreal. It is huge compared to Wrigley and had parking!

Not much of a surprise, but there were a good number of fans for Mexico. I would guess that there were more fans for Mexico than USA.

I was sitting in the left field bleachers. The bleachers have backs to them, which is very nice if you are stuck watching USA get men on base and then fail to clutch hit.

There was a pregame exhibition of local Native American dancers. They were fantastic! The youngest dancers were so cute!

By the way, how would you like this job? Picking up gum spit out by players during BP and warm ups.

The introductions and the anthems were just like any other ball game. (I admit to booing Brandon Phillips and Ryan Braun)

Tip: hold your flag the right way at a baseball game.

Mexico took the lead early and held on to the entire game. R.A. Dickey did not have a good night.

The fans were dressed in the craziest ways.

Sadly due to my seat location, I could not get close up shots of players.

In case you didn’t know, USA lost, 5-2 was the final score.

The flight there.

I apologize, this post has no baseball pictures in it, just the story of how I got to Phoenix. Baseball photos will be coming tomorrow.

I flew out of Midway with Southwest. The flight was about three and a half hours and I was lucky enough to get a windows seat.

I treated myself and spent $8 on wifi! It really made the flight go much faster.

Finally landed and saw evidence by baggage claim that the WBC was going on.

I am currently writing this up while enjoying Venezuela vs Dominican Republic (Go DR!) in my hotel room.

 

Random Ramblings

Watching today’s Cubs vs Dodgers game at Camelback Ranch.

That is a great, state of the art park.I highly suggest seeing a game there.

Yes, I realize my pictures of the park are more focused on the players.
But this one isn’t!

How tall is Junior Lake?

I’m going to Arizona for Spring Training in less than two weeks and I have been going through my photos from last year to see what I did well, what I need to improve on. During this whole thing, I realized I have a few photos that give an idea of how tall or big Junior Lake is. So, here they are:

Everyone is curious about Junior Lake and from my memory last year, he is huge! Sadly I do not have the greatest photos of him, but I still have a few to offer to give you an idea.

Lake is the player walking straight towards my camera.

Closer look at Lake while he signs for fans.

From the left: Lake, Cardenas, Castro and NRI Edgar Gonzalez.

Good luck, Tony!

Now I know many people are tired of fans whining about Tony Campana being traded, I just want to make it clear I am not one of those people.

Campana was mainly a one trick pony and did not have much to offer. He was very friendly with fans and especially the younger fans. He always signed before games and was very charismatic. As a photographer, I loved to photograph him both on and off the field. You never knew what he was going to do.

That being said, the trade made sense. He will do well with a change of scenery and the Cubs got two prospects in return.

This post is to share some of the fun photos I captured of Tony. Enjoy!

Campana about to playfully smack the bill of DJ LeMahieu’s hat before the first game of the Crosstown Classic in 2011.

Campana looking small even next to LeMahieu and Blake DeWitt.

Yes, that is LaHair to the left of Campana. It is easy to see which one of the two has speed.

Campana being dwarfed by Joe Mather in the outfield pow wow.

This was hilarious! Campana motions for Anthony Rizzo to pull him up. Rizzo starts to pull him up, but then starts to let him fall back down towards the ground before completely pulling him up.

For Kids Only Press Conference

So for those who don’t know, the For Kids Only Press Conference is a panel where only kids can ask the players questions. This year the players being grilled were Darwin Barney, David DeJesus, Brooks Raley, Anthony Rizzo and Chris Rusin.

The questions were adorable, but the response were even better!  Here are a few of the ones I was able to get down while taking photos.

Barney: I like the way they play, I dislike their fans sometimes. (On the Cardinals)

Q: If you could be any player, who would you be? DeJesus: Anthony Rizzo. Sick body, cool dude.
Leff: Uh oh, Anthony. You gotta return the favor.
Rizzo: Babe Ruth.
Barney: Tony Campana, wonder what it is like to be that fast.

There was one kid who forgot their question, so DeJesus asked her a question.
DeJesus: Who is your favorite player on the team?
Kid: Castro.

Q: What is your favorite song? Raley: I think Rizzo’s is Call Me Maybe.
Rusin: Not gonna lie, I like Call Me Maybe.

Q: What is your favorite park to play in?
Rizzo: San Diego is my least favorite.

Q: What is your goal for the 2013 season?
Barney: Try to hit more home runs than Dave.
DeJesus: Not gonna happen.

Q: What goes through your mind when you are facing a really good pitcher?
Rizzo: That I am a really good hitter.

At one point, Rizzo leaned over and whispered something to the host, Bill Leff. Later we learned that he was asking to make sure that everyone who wanted to ask a question, got to.

The final question was one were a girl busted Rizzo on his slip up a few questions earlier. He had said girlfriends instead of girlfriend and she wanted to know how many he had. DeJesus got a big kick out of that question.

More Opening Ceremony Photos