Cactus in my Pants

[Lefty Specialist]

My wife says I'm crazy, but I have this itch.

I have a conference next week in LA and I've got a free day to play with. So I decided I'm going to drive to Arizona and catch a Cactus League game next Thursday. It's a long drive and all, but hey, who knows when I'll be back.

I was going to see the Cubbies, but they weren't home that day and you won't see anyone you care about. So I decided to go to the heart of the beast. Surprise, Arizona, home of the Kansas City F@cking Royals. I will wear my bright orange World Series t-shirt and World Series Mets hat.

I may get abused, but these are Kansas City people. I hear worse on the subway. Besides, I relish the abuse, because the Mets were actually in the World Series last year and they have learned from their mistakes.

I will stroll the concourse and walk the berm. I may even buy a beer and watch the game for a while. But I will be loud and proud, something I'm not that used to being as a Mets fan.

[Guest d'Kong76]

It's early, but best Subject Title 2016.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Long drive!

Give 'em a little extra hell for us.

[dgwphotography]

Long drive, but worth it, IMO. Have fun!

[Guest Mets Willets Point]

The states are really big out there.

[Guest cooby classic]

Have a great time! Send reports

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

You may not want to be too loud and/or proud, given the law in that county, no? (Also, make sure to bring your ID.)

[Lefty Specialist]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: You may not want to be too loud and/or proud, given the law in that county, no? (Also, make sure to bring your ID.)

It's all right, old white guys get a pass on pretty much anything in Arizona.

[MFS62]

Is that a cactus in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?

Later

[Lefty Specialist]

Well, I'm here. I'll add pictures later. Royals fans couldn't be nicer....well, they can afford to be magnanimous, can't they?

Nice ballpark, shared by the Royals and Rangers who are playing each other today, but it's 80% Royals gear in the stands. Oh, and it's 80 degrees and patchy clouds.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Always been a fan of KC hats, but I am prejudiced. Have fun.

[Lefty Specialist]

Small world alert: the woman on the Texas shirt next to me taught Dillon Gee in High School and said he was smart as a whip.

[Lefty Specialist]

Royals give up a run in the first on an error by, um, number 74.

Where was this sloppy play last October?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

74 sucks ass.

Since when do the Royals train in AZ (I can guess it's probably been 15 years). They used to be on the Gulf Coast somewhere.

[Lefty Specialist]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: 74 sucks ass. Since when do the Royals train in AZ (I can guess it's probably been 15 years). They used to be on the Gulf Coast somewhere.

2003 to be exact.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Remembering now they trained in "Baseball City" which sounded like a cool place but was actually a theme park near Orlando.

The business plan seemed to be to go hard after that demographic of baseball/log floom enthusiasts, KC expatriates, and just maybe, Disney overflow.

Apparently Baseball City is now just another retail power center

[Lefty Specialist]

Arizona- Land of Dangerous Animals:


And Dangerous Food:


Omar settled down here:


They all asked 'what the hell are you doing HERE?" But then they were happy to snap pictures. The old guy on the far left thought it was some kind of Candid Camera segment and that Allen Funt would jump out of the bushes or something. By the way, I'm the one in the orange shirt.


The view from the berm in center field:


Today's Menu, including hot fresh Moustakas:


Everybody wants a picture with the guy in the Mets shirt:


Creepy Eric Hosmer dolls:


Oh, look- it's an Alcides Escobar vs. Noah Syndegaard doll!


Willie Wilson, Bert Campaneris and Pete LaCock in da house!


Sitting four rows behind the dugout, I learn that Mike Moustakas has a really big ass:


Hosmer is a professional hitter. Even his outs were well struck.


There are worse ways to live than sprawling on lush grass in early March to watch a baseball game:


Talked baseball for a few hours, had a brat and a beer, and had some fun. Mostly retirees as you would expect, with skin like a Wilson A2000. Dillon Gee's Algebra teacher was pleased as punch that she can get to see him in person now that he's a (minor league) Royal. And nobody abused me about last year; they're actually a little worried that the Royals might crap the bed on ESPN Opening Night against the Mets. I kind of liked that.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Awesome! Way to represent. LOLLOLLOLL Escobar.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Based on your avatar, I was certain that you looked like Jacob deGrom. And I was right! (More or less.)



(What does this mean about what people think I look like?)

[Lefty Specialist]

Well, I did cut my long, flowing hair a little while ago. 1977, I think it was.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Royals fans never fail to disappoint in the cockiness department.