Hitting the Road-Akron

My weekend trip with my good friend Doug Hopkins started with a trip to Akron and the Rubber Ducks.

I had worked all night, and I thought I might be tired, but I managed to get through the entire day without sleep and had a great time doing it.
Doug and I drove through most of the time before hitting Ohio for a quick bite at Arby's and then a stop at a tremendous antique market in Ravenna, Ohio.

This market always has great stuff, and this time didn't fail either, although I didn't buy anything.
Doug found some older Indians programs, and I took a picture of a classic vending machine from the 70's of a "Bozo the Clown" Balloon machine.
If only I were richer....

We then stopped at an Akron institution named Strickland's, which is the local standard for frozen custard, and had a personal connection for Doug, who used to have family members in the area who raved about it.

Sometimes places like Strickland's can be just as important for the memories that they make as they are for the food, and I certainly have had places like that in my life, too.
I ordered a small custard of the flavor of the day, which was grape on this day.
As a usual mark for grape offerings and never having seen grape ice cream/frozen custard before, I eagerly tried it.
It was good, but reminded me of the flavor that so many kids like-Party Cake, which is essentially vanilla with food coloring, so basically vanilla with purple coloring.
But it was pretty darn good vanilla!

As we stood in the parking lot of Strickland's waiting in line, you could see from a distance the Rubber Bowl, the crumbling former stadium of the Akron Zips.

The WPA project built during the Roosevelt administration has become an eyesore, and since the Zips built an on-campus stadium has been essentially left to rot, crumble, and be at the mercy of vandals.

After our custard, Doug drove us to an access road that we actually walked out into the upper deck and looked around.

It was both neat and sad at the same time, as I had never been to the Rubber Bowl before, despite all of those years spent driving through Akron and seeing the signs for the exit for the Rubber Bowl.
I have more pictures than just this, but I'm saving them for a future post on abandoned history.

We then headed to Canal Park, the urban home of the Rubber Ducks, for a trip to meet Christopher McDonald, who played "Shooter McGavin" in the film "Happy Gilmore" on a night dedicated to the film.
We had bought the VIP package to ensure meeting McDonald, getting the "Shooter" bobblehead, and having my stuff signed.

In addition, a great food spread that featured some awesome burgers was included with the VIP price.
The Rubber Ducks sure do know their customer service; I wish they could give some lessons to some of the Hagerstown Suns front office on that front.

After a wait, McDonald came out and was super gracious in signing our items.
The only issue was that just as Doug and I walked up to his table, the Ducks announced that due to time constraints, he would reduce from 2 items to one.
Doug was going to get a golf ball for me since he didn't have anything to get signed, but he changed his mind and added his bobblehead.

The announcement came just as McDonald grabbed the bobble, so he missed the golf ball.
I didn't feel right about adding a picture with McDonald to slow the line further, so I didn't take one.
It didn't stop others from taking one, and I get that, but I've been in the other slot of waiting for someone and not getting items signed because of pictures, so I passed, but I'd be back later.

We sat down and ate our meal, and the food was terrific-exactly what you would hope for in these situations from the Duck Club.
When you pay extra and the team goes the extra mile to make that worthwhile, you have to be thrilled, and Doug and I both were.

Anyway, as we ate, looked over to the field from the inside (with windows that opened up to enjoy good weather), or stepped out on a private deck and chatted along, the line continued to move.

Doug grabbed the ball and got into line to finish what he started.

McDonald stayed a little over time and signed for the entire line before leaving.

There have been many times (as noted) that a guest, who has been paid for, dropped the pen at the desired time and left, no matter how many people remained in line.
Classy move.

There was still one more inside joke-When Doug and I talked about the trip, one person said, "I'd much rather see 'the shooter' with a nice looking woman than 'you two guys".

With the line gone and as McDonald was talking to the staff, I remembered that statement and was able to have the beautiful Linda Borelli, who manages the restaurant and adds sales to her workload to snap a picture for us and our friend to complete an inside joke.
I'll keep the person's name between us, but so there!
Thanks to Linda for the help and great food!

We watched a little (so, it would count as a ballpark on Doug's list) and were off to Lake County for another game, some graphing of the Fort Wayne Tin Caps (Padres), and to finish the evening.
I was thrilled with my trip to Akron, and in another VIP situation, I wouldn't hesitate to pay the extra and go to the Duck Club..

Back soon with the next stop! 

Akron's Canal Park or Downtown is the place to be?

Another stop on my weekend jaunt was knocking a ballpark off my list on Hardball Passport (You really should use this site!) in Akron's Canal Park, home of the Cleveland Indians AA affiliate.

I had been to Canal Park once before as Ryan and I stopped by years ago on a non-game day to buy a team set when we were in the area, but I have two lists for ballpark visits.
The most important is actual game action, but there is a second list that is less prestigious that covers ballparks that I have been inside, but did not see a game there.
That list covers Ernie Shore Field, the former home of the Winston-Salem Dash (then Warthogs), and a bunch of Appalachian league stadiums, so eventually, I would like to eliminate this list altogether.
The only way that Ernie Shore is getting off the list is for me to see a Wake Forest game (The Demon Deacons own the field now) and I doubt that will happen anytime soon.

I originally was going to go to Akron on Saturday for the Joe Walsh bobblehead (I hate the Eagles) and be able to add it to the pile that accumulates of giveaways that I sell at the end of the season, but that game was sold out, so since Rachel was finished with the festival for the day on Friday, I decided to make the 45 minute run to Akron.
Right off the bat-parking is a pain.
Akron is one of the cities using the downtown revitalization reason to put their park there and it did seem to do just that.
The streets were closed around the park for the fan experience and that makes things rough on the GPS as it obviously doesn't deal with closed streets when it calculates directions.
Finally after parking on the roof of a parking deck, which at least allowed us to look straight down into Canal Park for what I hope was a cool picture.

Upon entering the park at the ticket window, I was greeted by one of the nicest employees that I've met, who saw my pass and went to the extra mile to get the best seats possible with three together, which wasn't easy considering that this game was also an eventual sellout.
Very nicely done and super professional.

Inside, the place was a zoo.
I've been to three other Eastern League parks (Altoona, Harrisburg, and Reading) and none of them were like this-lots of people, frenzied activity all over, and simply put-a major league crowd in a minor league park.
In other words, a team's dream and my nightmare.
It wasn't a baseball guy's crowd, it was a party crowd with the park as the backdrop.
Now, I don't blame the Rubber Ducks, it is a business and the object of said business is to fill the seats and make as much money as possible.
The Ducks can check that box for sure.
It did seem more about the peripheral things than baseball, but that's the way it can be at times.
The hardcore baseball fans usually aren't enough to fill the seats on their own, so this is what it is.

For a team with a new name and everything else, you would never know they re-branded things because other than the retained (as one of ) mascot Orbit, they have scrubbed everything that remotely said "Aeros".
Cherie asked how long they had been the Rubber Ducks and the reply that this was the first year surprised her.
In the team shop, normally you see lots of leftover items on clearance and past team sets etc-in Akron-gone.
One would think that perhaps the team decided not even try to get a sliver of clearance sales and move the Aeros to the dust bin as quickly as possible by taking the loss on anything that retained the name.
I'm not sure if this is correct or not, but one urban legend is that the teams held two "Name the team" contests that Aeros won both times, and new owner Ken Babby just decided to change the name anyway, only relenting on the fans pleas to keep Orbit around...
After a team set purchase for Mike Oravec in return for Mike's constant help with 7up 10 and a sharp-looking road alternate hat that was my Father's Day gift from Cherie and Rachel (thanks ladies!), we moved to our seats.

The seats were boxes and nice ones, especially considering the crowd and that we walked up.
The sightlines were quite impressive and the video board was nice as well.
I intended on attempting to graph the visiting Portland SeaDogs, but an EBAY purchase of Henry Owens and his top 100 didn't arrive in time (I bought in enough advance times that it should have been and it was waiting for me in the mailbox when I returned of course), so I didn't lug the briefcase along to weigh me down.
From what I saw, I wouldn't have had a ton of success as there seemed to be a lot of graphers and the crowd would have made things tough.
I'll get another shot at Owens, who is a good signer, in Reading on an upcoming date as long as he isn't moved up by then.

I'd like to report that I stayed the entire game, but I didn't.
Between the long trip, the travel back in forth to Avon, traffic hassles on a Friday in Akron, etc, I left after a few innings, but as we walked out, I saw a familiar face in Mike, who was there with our most loyal reader Big Don!.
After a few minutes of verbal patter, we left Canal Park, but not after giving our seats to Don and Mike to give them an upgrade from general admission, which I imagine wouldn't be fun.

All and all, Canal Park was just a little too busy for me.
Nice park, nice employees, and pretty customer-friendly equals that I would consider a return trip.
IF I could hit a weeknight day or travel with another driver that is!

Perhaps back later with another anniversary from yesterday or more from the trip and if the Cavaliers officially name a coach today (I hear that could happen), I'll be back.
I told you that I'd be back with a flurry of posts!!!  

A little of this,a little of that

Just a few notes from the files since I am motivated.

Full disclosure,I went to bed after a long night of work on Saturday and skipped the Ohio State game.
I taped of course,but figured rest was more important than either a blowout or a Purdue surprise that would only make me angry.
The lovely Cherie was proud of me for putting rest first for a change!
Anyway ,I doubt that I will bother with a recap of a 56-0 game.

Another KO win for Gennady Golovkin,who bludgeoned Curtis Stevens in submission after eight rounds to retain his WBA middleweight title.Golovkin asked for Sergio Martinez,the WBC and lineal champion,but will be unlikely to get him anytime soon...

The New Orleans Saints are starting a ring of honor and starting with three players.
Archie Manning along with Hall of Famers Rickey Jackson and Willie Roaf are the first season inductees.
I like the small classes for things like this as when teams put in too many players too fast,the program drops in a few years as the quality players are unavailable and marginal ones are the choices resulting in lukewarm classes and reduced fan interest..

The Eastern League's Akron franchise was bought last season and new owner Ken Babby promised changes.
He delivered with a name change and new colors as the Aeros are now the Rubber Ducks.
Rubber being a nod to the local area of Akron as Akron is or at least was the "Rubber capital of the world".
I didn't like it at first,but it is starting to grow on me.
Still,I just might get myself an old Aeros hat while they dump Aeros merchandise ...
Most of these name the team contests are just window dressing anyway,if they are running a contest-the name is getting changed.
The Rubber Ducks will be keeping mascot Orbit around to join the new mascot in a smart move as the team mentioned that many fans mentioned keeping Orbit even if a new name was picked.
So,Derreck and I would be able to get Orbit,if we ever get to Akron for our "pictures with mascots" collection...

Something new will be coming to the blog in a recurring feature soon.
My new friend Tricia gave me the idea and look for it to be coming soon and be used in a similar fashion as we use Forgotten Superstars,which is always so well received...

I also wanted to add my recent non-sports additions to the signing front.
As soon as I buy more pages and binders,we will be back with more from the minor league season!
Football
Former Redskins tackle Joe Jacoby (Thanks to Kendall Morris)
Former Jets running back Bruce Harper
Former Jets and Broncos quarterback Matt Robinson
Former CFL star quarterback Damon Allen
Browns linebacker Barkevious Mingo (EBAY)
Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro (EBAY)
Al-Jazerra meteorologist Nicole Mitchell (two blank cards)
Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean 8 x 10

Finally,just wanted to thank some of you for the compliments on yesterday's post.
I use this in various manners and it is as much for me as for you.
David Mccullough once said "Write the books that you want to read" and that's how I do things with this.
Thanks to those that liked it and indulged me....

Photo Credit;Akron Rubber Ducks