South by South Duggs: A Journey from Canada to Mexico
After returning Frank back to Jersey, I headed out once more to see America and baseball, but I repeat myself. The first stop of this journey would be in Buffalo, where Duggs would eat wings and get wet, but I repeat myself. This was my first trip to the Northern border. Niagara Falls was beautiful and I understand why Jim and Pam chose this as the best place to tie the knot. Next time I come here, I'm definitely going to ride the misty maid!
Before leaving town, I stopped in to Bar-Bill's Tavern for some wings. Wouldn't you believe it, I sat down at the bar right next to a Coors light Athlete and didn't even know it!
I got to try another Buffalo food staple, The Beef on Weck, which is roast beef on a kummelweck roll. The roll is topped with kosher salt and caraway seeds, and is perfect. If you're wondering how to pronounce the sandwich name, our buddy, Steven Chea is here to help.
Unfortunately, MiLB takes Mondays off, so I wasn't able to go to a Bison game, but I will be back for a game (and more wings!) real soon.
From Buffalo, we traveled around the Great Lake to Erie, PA. While traveling through town, I passed a high school stadium with a familiar name. It turns out, Erie is the hometown of Seminole great, Fred Biletnikoff. The Biletnikoff rookie card is one I'm looking to buy for Duggs personal collection. As a big fan of Pirate Dogs, I think Dave Portnoy would appreciate the Erie team.
After scouting The SeaWolves, the Double-A affiliate of Chris Castellani's Detroit Tigers, it was time to head to Louisville, but first, a quick stop in Cincinnati to try their famous Skyline Chili.
Louisville was a great stop as I took a tour of The Louisville Slugger Museum that you can read about in my blog here:
I threw out the first pitch at The Bats game (just a bit outside) as they went on to beat the Nashville Sounds 13-3. Bats are the Triple-A affiliate of the Reds.
The next stop was Nashville for the weekend where I took part in a 48 hour film fest. It was a wild experience staying up for most of the 48 hours to film scenes at different times in different locations. I'm sure I'll be blogging about it once released. My favorite part of the film may have been my wardrobe, which I absolutely kept.
Next stop south would be in Huntsville, Alabama better known as Rocket City. They call it Rocket City because this is where the rockets were designed and built that would one day put a man on the moon. After touring the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, it was time to see the Trash Pandas play. They are the Angels Double-A affiliate. As you can see, my first pitches are starting to come together.
And this may be the most athletic picture of me in the past 15 years. I love it!
From Rocket City, we head south just a couple hours to Montgomery. While the Trash Pandas are one of the newest MiLB teams with a fun name, Montgomery, the Double-A affiliate of the Rays, has been home to their wacky team since 2003.
Just a few more hours south, we cross into Florida and hit the Gulf of Mexico. Pensacola is home to the Blue Wahoos, but on Thursdays, they go by another name, The Mullets! They are the Double-A affiliate of the Marlins, and feed right into my home town Jumbo Shrimp.
The Gulf of Mexico makes a great stadium backdrop, but that wasn't all this stadium had. They had a ballpark dog! How cute is that!
After I held the dog, it was time for the first pitch. I knew I was getting better, but I think the dog helped. With some heat on it, this would have been a strike for the Majors!
And go ahead and hang this in the place where they hang portraits!
What a trip! I made new friends, tried new foods, held a dog, and added some cool new hats to my MiLB collection.
Duggs is back home, safe and sound (as much as one can be) in Florida. I can't wait for my next journey (which will begin in just a few days as I tour Florida teams!)