A Journey That Began in 1979

Two college friends recently completed their 21 year journey to drink in every state of the union. They recently made it to Alaska to complete their arduous journey. I'm proud of them but I wonder if they will be happy if Puerto Rico ever becomes a state. I always have mixed feelings when a new ballpark is built. On one hand, I'm excited to go to a new park, on the other, I'm annoyed that I've got to cross one of the ballparks off the list of my goal of attending a game at all 30 active major league parks. I was up to 26 parks before the Expos supposedly left for Washington. I've decided not to count my exhibition game visits in the early 90's to RFK in my tally. So I'm back down to 25 but I think that I can make it to at least four of them next year: Washington, L.A., Phoenix, and San Diego. Houston might be a little tougher next year, but we'll see.

And then it hit me! I've talked to Jamie about this before but now I've decided to make it my official goal- go to a baseball game in every dang state in the union. Jamie and I discussed this over the summer and we weren't sure if every state even has professional baseball. I'm too lazy to check on it right now so I'll let someone else burst my bubble if they'd like. Which then brings up another question- do I only count professional games? Or can I count American Legion, college, high school, and Little League?

Either way, I'm almost halfway there- with either 23 or 24 states (depending on whether or not I count that American Legion game in South Dakota) already hit. Who's up for some travelling with me over the next few years?

And while I'm talking about baseball, let me remind you all to check out my baseball blog (2004 Baseball- link on the right) on balgavy.com. Even the non-baseball fans should find something to enjoy.

And by the way, the score of that first game I ever attended at Memorial Stadium in 1979 was Royals 7- Orioles 1. I remember that two Royals collided in the outfield. I remember that my dad taught me what a bullpen is. And I remember being immediately hooked, much to the chagrin of my mom who knew she was about to lose her craft fair buddy to baseball.