August 22, 2009 [LINK / comment]
It took a lot of time, but I finally selected and edited the best of the photos I took at Coors Field two weeks ago. As with PNC Park (see ), I must admit that I got carried away with the stunning scenery, and I posted nine (9) photos altogether. The first one shown below (slightly reduced) is on that page, but other four are "special interest" in nature, and are hence excluded from that page. It was perfect weather for the afternoon game, and I took almost sixty photos. (In contrast, the game I saw in 1998 was in the evening, and we arrived late, making it hard to get any good pictures.) I will make a couple minor corrections to the diagram(s) based on my thorough inspection of the stadium.
As for the "fan experience" (the way normal, non-geeks evaluate ballparks), Coors Field ranks very high. The Clem family had seats in the lower deck not far third base, and yet fairly close to the concourse, where we had many choices of food and beverages. It was a very convenient location, and on a sunny day such as we had, being in the shade made a lot of difference.
The Rockies took an early lead in the game, scoring three runs in the first inning, and the Cubs kept wasting run-scoring opportunities. They actually out-hit the Rockies, 17 to 14, but three errors contributed to the home team's greater number of runs scored, which is what counts. Final score: Rockies 11, Cubs 5. Coincidentally, it was the same pair of teams that we saw play there eleven years ago, when the Cubs won, 11-10.
This was an especially meaningful game for me: It was only the second time I had ever seen a major league game with my father. The first time was at Wrigley Field in 1963, along with my brother Chris. He and the other younger brothers couldn't make it to this game, unfortunately. Even so, it was a great day at the ballpark, and afterwards we drove around Denver to see old family places of interest.
Coors Field in all its glory, from the top of the upper deck behind home plate.
Sister Connie, Dear Old Dad, and Yours Truly at Coors Field.
Kudos to Connie for arranging to have this message displayed:
"Alan 'Cub' Clem Welcome to Coors Field!"
A happy family of Rockies fans in the very highest row behind home plate at Coors Field; they've got a lot to cheer about this year. This is what baseball is all about. (If I can find the scrap of paper with their names, I'll update this piece later on.)
Cubs manager Lou Pinella was ejected in the top of the second inning after arguing with umpire Chris Guccione, who made a horrible call at second base.
Another round of the perennial "holy war" between the Yankees and Red Sox is taking place in Boston this weekend, and not even the approach of Hurricane Bill could interfere with the games. Last night the Yankees overwhelmed the hapless home team, 20-11, as Hideki Matsui hit two 3-run homers. Today was a completely different story, however, and the Red Sox got revenge, 14-1. 
Tomorrow night is the rubber match, broadcast on ESPN... With a lead of 6.5 games in the AL East, the Yankees are playing better than they have this late in the season for several years. Love 'em or hate 'em, whenever the Yankees do well, baseball as a whole does well.