Random Musings
This is going to be a short post, because, well, I’m ridiculously busy, but I didn’t want to go another day with just a game thread for you guys. See, we do care.
If you’re wondering, Derek’s “Off The Wall” column in the P-I is on hiatus because he’s on vacation. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, when he goes on vacation, USSM postings grind to a halt. Derek is the straw that stirs the drink.
Interesting article in the P-I today about parking around Safeco. Check it out.
The KJR afternoon guys are auctioning off stuff for charity. Included is a dinner with Bill Bavasi, an afternoon with Howard Lincoln (I mean, how much fun would that be…) and some other Mariner related stuff. Auctions end tonight, so check them out if you’re so inclined.
Happy Felix Day!
Minor League playoffs resume tonight. Check em out if you’re in T-Town.
Comments
41 Responses to “Random Musings”
I’m gonna tear that parking map out and keep it in the glovebox. I like the City attitude of “well, it’s illegal, but we can’t do anything about it….”
I like to think of myself as the drink that holds the straw upright, myself…
I live in Bremerton, and rarely take a car to games, but this is one of those things I have always suspected; the parking at Safeco is not just a screwing-over, it’s an illegal screwing-over…
I would NEVER drive to a game. Not in this traffic, and given how tough it is to find parking, and with the way the parking lot owners, licensed and otherwise, cram cars in like sardines to maximize their profit. Seriously, if you get there early, you literally can’t leave till the game’s over because you are completely surrounded by parked cars. Unless you live outside of Seattle, you just shouldn’t do it. Those in outlying suburbs are better served parking downtown and walking down to Safeco.
Of course, I haven’t owned a car since I lived in Las Vegas, but I think my point stands.
I’m tempted to take the train down from the border.
The KJR afternoon guys are auctioning off stuff for charity. Included is a dinner with Bill Bavasi, an afternoon with Howard Lincoln (I mean, how much fun would that be…) and some other Mariner related stuff. Auctions end tonight, so check them out if you’re so inclined.
I liked:
‘The All Star Auto Glass Brick’ autographed by Jamie Moyer
Item: 31-0603
Current Bid: $175.00
Bidding ends in 6 hrs, 10 mins
My wife has The Gift. We usually park for free. Not too far a walk, either. She can smell a free city spot from twenty blocks away. Though with all the contruction closing off the area under the Viaduct, it’s gotten a lot tougher.
we park further up town– there is usually a lot with $2 to $5 event parking if it isn’t during the work day, and it is a short walk through the ID.
I usually park in the international district. They usually only charge a leg there.
I’d promote taking the bus to the games, but they actually jack-up the fares if you’re taking them to the game. ($2 normal fare vs. $3 game fare).
Its 210$ more to have your own suite, than to sit in the owners suite with Howard Lincoln.
bet you get better food with Howard, too….
Should be an interesting game today, with Felix pitching against the high powered (at home) Rangers team. Here is a team that can rip the cover off the ball (at home), against the power pitching of the King. But he is pitching in a closet called a ballpark. Here is hoping for a LOT of groundballs.
Just finished reading the Art Thiel book, “Out of Left Field.” What a great read, especially for a longtime fan who has been away from Seattle for 12 of the past 13 years.
Gomez, the traffic isn’t that bad.
I always park in the garage just north of the quest field parking lot, 10$ and no traffic getting out(at least for M’s games).
After being in Boston and people charging 50$ to park at a gas station for a sox game(they would close down the gas station and cram as many cars in as possible) the parking situation here isn’t that bad.
I know good places to park. Since I don’t drive I don’t have to find a parking spot.
This is already a great day, with Youppi! joining the Montréal Canadiens.
Okay, folks, here’s your task for the next 5 hours:
Everyone chip in $10 so we can bid up the FX McRory’s “Happy Hour for 25” auction.
Everyone who contributed’s name is put into a hat, and Derek, Dave, Jeff, Jason and Peter take turns drawing 20 names out of that hat. The lucky 20, plus the USSM crew, get to go drink FX McRory’s dry.
Preferrably, of course, before a Ryan Franklin start.
I most often take the bus in. If I get in early, I get off near the market, and quaff one or two at Pike Pub. Then I amble (stumble, if I’ve been drinking kilt-lifters) down First Ave to to stadium. Since I’m in the fare free zone, I sometimes hop a bus heading to Jackson Street, and walk from there. I always make the trip up Occidental to buy a few snacks and maybe a Buhner dog. If I’m buying from a scalper, I score my tickets on Occidental also, near King.
If I get in a bit later, I just get off the bus in the ID and walk over, along Occidental.
After the game, if I don’t want to pay the jacked up fare, I walk back to King Street station and catch a regular Metro or Sound Transit bus there.
I only drive in if I’m going to arrive at 6 pm or later. Then I find some street parking downtown (free after 6 pm) and walk on down to the stadium.
I expect Felix to have command of 95% of his “stuff” today. Still, I expect he’ll have trouble with Blalock because he crushes fastballs. Are there any other hitters that have the ability to vex Felix even if he has great stuff?
Car Culture Causes Congestion; Congo Calls Circumscribed Cavaliers
If you’re willing to walk a little ways, I have found that South 1st has a lot of on-street parking and it’s really easy to get out. I have a feeling though, that if the Ms and their attendance get better that parking will get swallowed up.
Pernicious parking pressure persists, prolonging pulminary pain
dam….make that “pulmonary”
Park in the street (pay a small meter fee) near McCormack and Schmick’s fish house on 4th and Columbia (not the crowded Yuppie mecca on 1st), sit outside (always a seat available these days), have $1.95 food before 6:00 (big cheesburger and fries, wings, etc.) and (pricy but good selection) beer. Shortish walk from there.
Unkle Rusty!! You’re back?!?! Have you found me from the Great Beyond?
Seriously, I had an uncle named Rusty who died 10 years ago. He wasn’t a baseball fan.
That is great advice. I’ll add that commuters arriving prior to 4 p.m. can eat tasty Italian treats and sandwiches at Salumi (Jackson and 3rd Avenue area). Or get one to go. Salumi is a secret to many but a favorite to those who have tried them once.
And for day games, there is ample time to get a sandwich and bring it to the game.
I’ll be enjoying King Felix from Steamworks Brewpub this evening. No parking worries for me.
Salumi – yumm!!
I worked in Pioneer Square for several years – that was a good place. Another favorite is Saigon Gourmet, on the corner of King and Fifth. Vietnamese greasy spoon hole-in-the-wall. Get the Saigon Chicken – very similar to Pad Thai. Order it at the To Go window and watch them cook it in front of you. Tell them how hot you want it. Find a comfy spot to sit and enjoy.
Have you tried Cafe Hue on 2nd Avenue South? The folks in there are the hardest working people in Seattle.
The food is very similar to what I ate in Vietnam. And the tarts are homemade.
Rob, of course Seattle isn’t as bad as NYC, Boston and San Francisco. I wouldn’t drive in any of those cities either. Fifty bucks?! Sheesh. Anyone foolish enough to drive to a game in any of those cities almost deserves it.
As for the $3 buses to the game, screw em. Take the regular buses, which remain at regular fares, and transfer to and from buses to get to Safeco, or get off the bus downtown and walk over. The $3 is a matter of convenience, as those buses go straight to Safeco.
Mariner action items that recieved the lowest bids:
 Batting cage session with Greg Dobbs
 A three-hour lecture on drafting strategy by Pat Gillick
 Mike Morse autographed glove
 Ryan Franklin autographed hypodermic
 First-edition copy of “Uncle Dave Myers’ Third-Base Semaphore Signals” children’s book
 Matching set of Kazuhiro brand luggage
 Hairstyling session with Bill Bavasi
 Chris Snelling knee ligament preserved in formaldehyde
 A bundle of money from Geico Insurance
 Four hours of home roofing with Jorvit Torrealba
 One hour of Dave Niehaus narrating your latest sexual encounter
 Greyhound cross-country bus ride with Ron Fairly
 A slightly soggy box of fine Cuban cigars courtesy of Yuniesky Betancourt
#28:
What about Jeff Nelson’s bone chips?
Pie-Making with Eddie
It’s been done.
DriveByBlogger said:”Pie-Making with Eddie”
which reminds me– glad to see the old “pie drill” commercial on the M’s website, with Rich Amaral demonstrating proper pie technique….
i’d actually like the lecture on drafting strategy. 🙂
Considering Pat Gillick had no drafting strategy, you’d actually be signing up for three hours of excruciating silence.
“One hour of Dave Niehaus narrating your latest sexual encounter,” huh? If I had a guarantee of hearing about the rye bread and mustard at go time, I might bid on that.
Re: #28.
What?! No items involving Willie Bloomquist?!
Surely, anything to do with Willie would garner bids through the roof.
#35: It depends on whether your salami qualifies as “grand” ….
#36: Just for you, there’s the “Willie Bloomquist-insignia Utility Player Toolbelt,” featuring:
 Handy side pockets fulll of dirt to smear on your uniform at opportune moments
 Scraps of bat wood, clothing and hot dogs for enhanced “scrappiness factor”
 Empty holes where tools would be if you had any, just like Willie
rAUl CAREER YEAR! IBAnez
#38:
That sounds like something like that would be on one of the current crop of Mariners commercials. “Folks, this is the genuine article. A Willie Bloomquist toolbelt, with a special pocket in the rear for keeping the intangibles close at hand.”
“I would like to return your quote unquote, Ultimate Belt… I won it as a door prize at the Star Trek convention, although I find their choice of prize highly illogical as the average Trekker has no use for a medium-sized belt.”