The All-Star Game

As the All-Star break arrived, it marked the halfway point to the regular season. The Diamondbacks had struggled, but during June they had put together their best month to date. They were starting to play as a team and seemed much more relaxed on the field. With each game before the All-Star break, I took my kids to the ballpark and had them vote for their favorite players. When the All-Star teams were announced, Devon White was elected to represent the Arizona Diamondbacks. Devon had quietly been producing numbers worthy of his selection. He had patrolled center field with a vengeance. When a fly ball was hit there, it could almost be classified as an automatic out. Offensively, he was leading or near the top of most categories including home runs, runs batted in, and stolen bases. During the All-Star game, Devon went 3-3 with a run scored. Had the National League won the game, it is highly likely Devon would have been the Most Valuable Player.

Travis Lee also represented the Diamondbacks during the MCI All-Star Hitting Challenge. He was teamed with George Brett and Tim McGraw. They won the event with a score of 370-210 beating the team of Kevin Costner, Ben Grieve, and Dave Kingman. The Arizona Diamondbacks should be proud to be represented by these two players. They are positive role models who showed what can be accomplished through hard work.

Beanie Baby Night II

In the middle of August, I was attending the Montreal Expos series at Bank One Ballpark. During the game, I was keeping score as I always do when the Public Address announcer recounted upcoming events for the Milwaukee Brewers series starting the last week of August. He announced that August 27 would be Sly the Fox Beanie Baby day for the first 10,000 kids ages 15 and under. My blood ran cold, all the color left my face and I noticed the pencil in my hand begin to quiver. After the June 14 game, the mere mention of the word Beanie Baby would cause me to wake screaming from a dead sleep. For those who have never experienced this phenomenon, surviving a Beanie Baby giveaway can best be equated to surviving a prisoner of war camp. Of course, this announcement had the opposite affect on Mallorie my twelve-year-old daughter. Plans were quickly amassed with the children and it became apparent that I did not have enough seats to take everyone to the game. Calls were made to the ticket office and tickets were purchased. This would be the first game our whole family would attend.

As August 27, 1998 arrived, plans were finalized as to how we would accomplish our quest for Sly the Fox. There could not have been more planning done for the invasion of Normandy during World War II than there was for Beanie Baby day at Bank One Ballpark. As Trina and the kids made plans of attack, I sat in the corner reliving the carnage of Beanie Baby Sunday. Although never actually having been in the military, I feel I know how those soldiers felt who suffered from battle fatigue. We picked up the children from school, some getting out a little early. It should be noted that the Arizona school system is quite sympathetic when allowing students to leave class if you mention the words Beanie Baby and Arizona Diamondbacks in the same sentence. I must give the Diamondbacks credit, this second giveaway was much better than the first. It was well organized and each usher was accompanied by a security guard. The looks of terror were gone from their faces, replaced with smiles of gratitude. Having the entire family at the game was a tremendous experience for all of us. Each family member had identified something special at Bank One Ballpark. Going to this game together allowed each of us to share our experiences. It was the highlight of the season for us.