2005-Diamond Dreams & Desert Heat

August 21 thru August 24, 2004

8/21 – Red Sox vs Angels – 5-1 – Box Score
8/22– Astros vs Padres – 6-2 – Box Score
8/23 – Rockies vs Dodgers – 3-8 – Box Score
8/24 – Mets vs Diamondbacks – 18-4 – Box Score 

Perhaps our boldest tour was the 2005 Baseball Odyssey. Fresh off the Red Sox curse-breaking triumph of the previous season, we leased our very own Homeric Galley (get the Odyssey reference?) from Cruise America. From there, our faithful vessel transported our very own crew of Greek warriors from Las Vegas to Anaheim, San Diego, Los Angeles and Phoenix - a total of more than 1200 miles. Who can forget Demo’s exquisite pasta sauce crafted with delectable cipollini onions and fresh tomatoes, lovingly agitated in a 3 hr simmer between Vegas and our RV Park in Corona, CA. The risk of having an 8 quart sauce pan filled to capacity and simmering on a stove top through the Sierras was far outweighed by the deliciousness that overwhelmed all of us upon our arrival at Glen Ivy RV Park. 

Following a brief award ceremony to award last year’s BO Contest winners, we proceeded to Angels Stadium to see the young wunderkind, Jonathan Paplebon, start for the Red Sox (“Pap-Pap-Pap-Papelbon”). He was pulled in the 6th inning, giving up 5 hits and no earned runs. This would be one of only 3 starts for the year - his first start had been three weeks prior - as he soon began a transformation to becoming a dominant closer in the league. The Red Sox won handily and there was much rejoicing (and rhythmic clapping). We caught newly acquired David Wells hopping on his hog after the game on the way out of the stadium. He was too busy to share a moment with some traveling Red Sox fans and just sped away.

Following the game we hustled back to Corona for food, fun and games and left early the next morning for our RV Park in San Diego. Here we hopped in “our” pool for some refreshing shenanigans before heading out to PetCo park where the Astros handed it to the home town Padres. It was a bit of a pitcher’s duel until the 7th when the Astro’s blew it open. Lance Bergman (a third of the infamous “killer Bs”) launched a two run shot to add to his 2 doubles for a great night. We headed back to our lovely RV Park for more smart talk and some zzzs.

We departed San Diego at about noon the next day, set up camp and headed over to Dodger Stadium to see the Dodgers hold court all over the visiting Rockies. We bumped into Pat Sajak at concessions. He was entertaining his son or grand son or nephew or something. They appeared to be having a good time. Vanna was nowhere in sight. 

The next morning we headed out on our nearly 6 hour drive to Phoenix. Up until this point we had been traveling as a group in the more densely packed urban areas in a separate passenger van we had rented in addition to the RV and had not had to contend with parking our beast. So, we were a little worried we wouldn't be able to find a parking spot. However, we arrived in Phoenix early enough we could seek out parking and eventually found a suitable open air lot which served the purpose. The stadium opened in 1998 and was in the process of changing its name from BankOne to Chase Field. It featured  a retractable roof that rarely retracts (ahhh, duh, Arizona??!!) and tonight was no exception. The climate under the roof was very pleasant while outside was miserably hot as you’d expect. The game started and then about 2 hours later finished. The Mets somehow pulled it out.

From there, if memory serves we headed back to Las Vegas to spend the evening, return the vehicles and blow dodge. Another great BO, amIright?

Here are da links!

• Photos Album - features some of the pictures for your viewing pleasure.

• Secretary's Report - our esteemed Secretary/Historian prepared this gem as a tribute to the Rhythmic Clap.