The First Time I Saw Derek Jeter

Time for a TBT post, baseball edition of course. 

My friend Lyndsey and I had been 16 for less than a year, and we (actually probably just me since I was the baseball fan) convinced our parents to let us make the 90 mile drive to Angels Stadium by ourselves. We funded the trip (gas, parking, tickets, snacks) with money earned from recycling cans. Plus a little extra help from our parents. Our directions came from Mapquest and had a Thomas Guide Book as backup. We hit the road with Cheeto Puffs, Hot Tamales, and Pepsi and after 2 hours of driving, we made it to the Big A. 

I actually don't remember if that's is how it all went down, but recycling cans for money, having a Thomas Guide Book, and Cheeto Puffs, Hot Tamales, and Pepsi are things definitely happened.

Story time. We got to the game early, sat in our seats, and watched batting practice. We sat next to a father and son and the kid who was no more than 10 years old kept saying that A-Rod was a sucky player. I wasn't having any of that because that's when A-Rod was a big deal, and not a pathetic excuse for a baseball player. I started to banter with the kid and eventually told him that he's the suckiest player, not A-Rod. I went there. Maybe getting told I look like I need exercise was karma for that. Full circle. I hope that kid took my statement to heart and used it as motivation to become the next big prospect for the MLB. MAYBE I SAID THAT TO MIKE TROUT?!! OR BRYCE HARPER?!! Probably not. Sorry about being mean, kid. You didn't deserve that. You called it, A-Rod is the suckiest player.

Anyway, I couldn't tell you how I felt the first time I saw Jeter or if he made any sweet plays or pretty much anything about that game. The only memory I have of that day other than everything mentioned above are these sweet pictures captured by Lyndsey.

Crotch grab :] Hahahaha.

That's about all I've got. You're welcome for the picture quality. They're pictures of pictures. It's crazy to think that this was just about 10 years ago. And crazy to think that this guy became one of the most talented and beloved players in baseball history. And lastly...crazy to think he's done.

  

Yankees v. Padres

After the Yankees v. Dodgers game, the weekend I had been anxiously awaiting for 11 months finally arrived. The New York Yankees were in San Diego playing the Padres. Not only was I excited to purchase tickets at face value instead of $75 a pop thanks to our season tickets, but Jeter was scheduled to come back after KO-ed for half the season, and it was the last opportunity I'd get to see Mariano Rivera save a game.

I love baseball weekends...or so I thought. This last one taught me that 3 days of partying is exhausting! I'm 17 days away from turning 25 but I felt like a grandma by game 3, and couldn't wait to get home and go to bed that night! 

Let's break down the weekend :]

Friday: 

I took the day off from work to get down to the stadium early and increase my chances of meeting Jeter and Mo. The gates were opened about 2 hours before game time, but people didn't have access to the field level seats until 1.5 hours before the game. 

The pitchers came out to left field to left field and throw and I'm pretty positive Mariano Rivera and David Robertson chose to warm up right in front of me after seeing my sign!

Yankees took the field to warm up, cue the Derek Jeter photos

<3

<33

<333

We got to sit in our regular seats for face value! These seats were selling for $120 on stubhub! Yankees ended up losing game 1, no Mariano. Whomp.

It was great to get Bettis for a couple of days!

hazyyyy nights!

:]

Saturday:

We woke up early-ish, had some bomb.com brunch, mimosas, and sangria at Barleymash. This was the start of our 5 hour barhop around downtown San Diego. We hit up Barleymash, Bub's at the Ballpark, South Paw, The Tilted Kilt, and The Corner. 

Fireball shots at Bub's!

Tequila shots at Southpaw...I might have done quacks here.

Riveting conversation at the Tilted Kilt

I see Kayyyyy! and a little bit of Joey G. at The Corner!

We eventually made it into the stadium, and watched the Yankees kick some butt, and  it was my last opportunity to see Mariano Rivera save a game.

We spent the night after the game barhopping, and on our way back to the place we were crashing at, we ran into Andrew Cashner...one of the Padres pitchers!

Another hazyyy nights pic with me not looking cute!

Sunday:

We RSVP'd for brunch on the field months ago because I would be that much closer to the Yankees. Unfortunately, the Yanks decided they would like to take batting practice that morning so we couldn't eat on the field. Instead, we were seated in the batter's eye...which wasn't as great as being on the field, but we got a pretty cool view!

Creeping on CC Sabathia throwing!

Scored an autograph!

The Yankees ended up dropping game 3 to the Padres and San Diego took the series. As great as is was to make it to all 3 games, I was ready for the game to be over and get home ASAP. Because of that, I wasn't as upset about the outcome as I should have been. It was definitely a fun little weekend, glad I got to see the Yanks in town, and hang out with so many people that I love. As exhausting as the weekend was...I look forward to the next one! Which probably won't be until 2014 since baseball is almost over. Wahhh.

30 DAY CHALLENGE: DAY 29&30

Happy Friday and the last day of November! OMG where has the time gone?!! I’m not against setting up Christmas decorations in November, but I guess it’s now officially okay to start decorating :]

Yay for my last 30 day challenge post :] 

Day 29 – A picture of something you want to do before you die. 

One of the things on my short bucket list is to play catch with Derek Jeter.

He’s my favorite athlete. I’ll admit, I first gravitated to him because he was hot...back in 1998. Hahaha. The softball player in me recognized his talent and his skill is what has pretty much kept me as a fan. His looks have certainly faded…in my opinion, but I still love the guy!

Day 30 - A photo of yourself today & three good things that have happened in the past.

Blah. I look so gross today. I woke up feeling sick so I slept until the last possible minute I could before I had to leave for work. As a result, I kind of look disheveled today. Can I use pictures from this last weekend? I look better in those. Hahaha.

3 good things that have happened in the past…recent past or over the course of my entire life? Hmm. Let’s stick with recent past. 

-My grandfather and his family from Mexico are now permanently in the United States. 

-My grandma and my aunt's visas [from Colombia] were approved [aunt for the first time!] and will be in the United States this winter. 

-My brother’s term with the Army is done and he’ll be home for good on Wednesday!  

I’d consider all of these 3 things important because although my family is pretty large, between the distance and drama…we don’t all talk. This is the first time I’ll be surrounded by so much family here in the United States.