My Sports Bucket List
J Rose
Boston-based commentary with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer
I’m heading to Cincy this weekend to visit the in-laws, and in order to make the trip more palatable for me, my brother-in-law got us tickets to see the Reds play Sunday afternoon at Great American Ballpark.
I had been to the old Riverfront Stadium (actually I think it was called Cinergy Field then) before it was demolished in favor of this new riverfront gem, and being a baseball fan who loves to visit new ballparks, this got me thinking about the venues and sporting events I’d like to attend before I bite the big one.
So, in no particular order, I present my own personal Sports Bucket List:
I don’t care who’s playing or where it is, even if my seats are in the nosebleed section of some ginourmous stadium, I want to attend once just to say I’ve been there. The biggest sporting event/day of the calendar year, this one is at or near the top of every sports fanatic’s list
Since I’ve already been to Fenway Park hundreds of times, I always wanted to see what the second-best baseball shrine in America has to offer. The ivy, Wrigleyville, the chance to yell “swing, batter batter batter, swing” while swilling brews with the Bleacher Bums - all good reasons to visit the house that Harry Caray haunts
Intimate, cramped, loud, hot, exciting…sounds like my wedding night. Seriously, you don’t have to be a Duke fan to want to visit one of college hoops’ most historic arenas, but I’m sure it helps when dealing with the Crazies.
Speaking of Duke, gotta hit the F4 in my lifetime. Although I’ve attended quite a few early round games, that’s nothing compared to the pomp, pageantry and partying associated with the crown jewel of March Madness
Unlike the Super Bowl, this one does depend on the teams. Subway Series? I’ll pass. Red Sox vs. anyone? Please, I’ll give my left one.
Something about the scenic setting and sleepy spectators makes me want to grab a Dodger dog, doff some headphones and listen to Vin Scully as I sip a cold one and watch the sun set over Chavez Ravine
This “tradition unlike any other” is the holy grail of the sport. A must-see for avid golfers and even casual fans, not just for the beauty and grandeur of Augusta National, but also because it’s one of the few tournaments Tiger Woods is guaranteed to partake in.
The biggest rivalry in college football (now that FSU sucks), complete with 100,000+ rabid fans and, more often than not, a Big 10 or National Championship title on the line. Second choice: Florida/Georgia, a.k.a. the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” (for obvious reasons).
I’m not really a soccer fan, but I’ve watched the last couple of Cups, and I would love to experience the madness and mayhem that surrounds the greatest event for world’s biggest sport. Provided I am wearing body armor and equipped with a Taser.
“‘The most exciting two minutes in sports” is preceeded by the biggest liquor and gambling-drenched week in all the land. Mint juleps, crazy hats, hobnobbing with the rich & famous and the thrill of losing money are all part of the charm of this annual Louisville equine cotillion
Bonus - places I do not want to visit before I kick it:
Yankee Stadium; Notre Dame Stadium; Lambeau Field (with or w/o Favre); WNBA game; Staples Center; Olympics; NASCAR race; Tropicana Field (shit, too late!)
Well that’s my list. I’m sure you’ll agree with some of them, and think I’m crazy when it comes to others. If so, let me know.
Now I’m off to the Queen City, and soon I’ll be able to add another ballpark to my “been there, seen that” list. After that, it’s a straight week of family funtime.
Wish me luck!
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Interesting list. I think most people want to go to the Super Bowl. I have been to a World Series game back in 1997, game 2 of the Marlins-Indians, one of the greatest sports experiences of my life. Interestingly enough though, when I saw the FSU-Alabama game in Jacksonville, it was one of the greatest sports atmospheres I had ever been a part of. I have always wanted to go to Wrigley too. I’ve been to Fenway (loved it) and Yankee Stadium (the steepest upper deck I had ever seen, I thought I was going to fall off) and I took a tour of Coors Field (beautiful ballpark).
I for one would like to catch a Giants game at AT & T Park, because I always hear it’s the best venue in the bigs. I’ve always been intrigued by March Madness, and would love to go to the Final Four. Unlike you, I’d like to see the Olympics, especially the US mens basketball team in person. I think that would be amazing. I’m not a big tennis person, but I’d love to go to see a Wimbledon men’s final just once.
I’d like to be at the first Oklahoma City “THUNDER” game in OKC, because that place will sound like a crazy college.
There are a lot of other things I’d like to do when it comes to sports, like sit in an announcer’s press box and see how a broadcast truly comes together, but for now this is my list.
By the way: take some pictures so we can feature them on the site. I heard its a very nice ballpark, and its the best new “ballpark name” that you don’t know has anything to do with a sponsor unless you see the sponsor’s logo. Great American Ballpark has a classic sound to it, and if I didn’t know, I would never guess it had to do with insurance. But yeah, have fun in Cincy!
I’d rather go to the BCS Championship than the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is largely a corporate event. College football has more spirit and tradition than the NFL. A few years ago, I went to an Ohio State-Penn State game, and there was about 100,000 people outside the stadium hours before the game, then you go inside and there’s 100,000 more people.
Mitch- good point about the SB, but like I said, I really just want to go just to say “yeah, I went to a Super Bowl”. It’s here in Tampa next year, so maybe I’ll get to cross that one off (we tried to go in 2001, but the best we could do was the Maxim Party, which was a pretty good consolation prize).
Scott- I’d say Wibledon and AT&T are in my next 10. You notice I only have one foreign event on the list (World Cup), and that’s because it would take a lot for me to go to another country, esp. the way Americans are perceived abroad right now. Not sure if tennis would do it.
I will definitely take pix at GA, and you’re right on about the name. Better than freaking ‘Cinergy Field’-yuck!
BTW- went to the 1998 All Star Game at Coors; that was one of the best sports experiences of my life. Player’s party was cool, too. Maybe that’s for another list. I’ll work on it while I’m gone!
Wow J. I underestimated you: Maxim Party, All Star Game, what’s next the ESPY’s Red Carpet?… haha
Was the Maxim party as amazing as it sounds, or was iot toned down a LOT? Gotta know… lol (ya know, for future reference, like when the Super Bowl comes back to Miami in 2010!