Baseball

"As an alumnus of U. of Missouri, I'd like to watch Mizzou play football in every SEC stadium."

If you're a baseball fan, or a sports fan of any kind for that matter, you've probably thought of what it might be like to go to a game in every single baseball stadium across the country.  That's exactly what Retro Brand fan, Wes Milligan from Collierville TN, has done.  I caught up with him to get some details of the sights, sounds, highs & lows of what living one of the ultimate sports fans dreams come true was like.

Andy:  You have fulfilled a fantasy that many sports fans dream of – attending at least one baseball game in every Major League Park.  Can you tell us what was your favorite and least favorite parks are and why?

Wes:  When fans learn I’ve attended a game in all 30 ballparks, plus seven old ones, they immediately ask me which one is my favorite – so I had to rank them (See list below)!  Number one has to be PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Every seat has clear sight lines of the field and downtown Pittsburgh.  The pedestrian Roberto Clemente Bridge adds to the experience, the club section is the best in baseball, and concession prices are very reasonable (cheap beer!).  Words really don’t do it justice.  My least favorite is the Oakland Coliseum (sorry A’s fans).  It’s not even a ballpark.  Baseball is just played there.  I really hope Major League Baseball allows the team to move to San Jose.  I must say, however, Oakland has the cheapest field-level tickets, the fans are very supportive of the players, and vice versa, and how can you not love an MC Hammer bobblehead giveaway?

Andy:  Aside from the cheap beer, surely you had to have had taken notes on cuisine.  Any comments on the best hot dog, beer, or other foodstuffs that you thought stood out?

Wes:  The garlic fries at AT&T Park (San Francisco), pulled pork at Boog’s BBQ in Camden Yards (Baltimore), and Schlafly Pale Ale at Busch Stadium (St. Louis) top my ballpark cuisine list.  But the best ballpark cuisine is grilling local bratwurst while tailgating outside of Miller Park in Milwaukee.  Oh, and Dodger Dogs are way overrated.

But the best ballpark food I’ve ever had was during a Philadelphia Phillies spring training game.  I still dream about the sliders with grilled onions, along with a tall can of Yuengling beer, at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla. The Hooters ball girls didn’t exactly hurt the atmosphere either.

"I’ve attended four MLB All-Star Games and Home Run Derbies, and cheered on my St. Louis Cardinals from the stands during the 2011 World Series"

Andy:  Can you describe a little bit about how you traveled, scored tickets, lodged (always a hotel, or friends house, your car, etc.?) and set up the schedule from the get go?

Wes:  My ballpark “quest” started when I drove from St. Louis to New York to watch the Cardinals play a three-game series at the old Yankee Stadium in 2003.  After seeing that ballpark, I needed to see them all.  Planes, trains and automobiles sum it up.  Plus, it gave me an excuse to visit my friends who lived across the country.  I have my ticket stubs from every ballpark proudly displayed in my home, and each one has a fond memory attached to it.

Opening Day April 4th!

I’ve attended four MLB All-Star Games and Home Run Derbies (2004, 2009, 2011, 2012), and cheered on my St. Louis Cardinals from the stands during the 2011 World Series (Games 1, 2, 6 and 7).  I’ve also been to the revered Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, and cheering on Team USA at the 2013 World Baseball Classic was recently crossed off my baseball bucket list.

Andy:  Did you get to meet any players, celebrities, and/or crazy fans when all was said and done? – describe.

Wes:  When I attended my first game as Nationals Park (Washington, D.C.), St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday threw me the third-out baseball in the bottom of the seventh.  It’s one of my favorite souvenirs, especially when I met him the next year and had him autograph it.  I’ve seen several fist-fights break out at Yankees vs. Red Sox games (surprise, surprise), nothing beats watching the Clydesdales round the warning track at Busch Stadium during Opening Day – and I cherish seeing Stan Musial.

Andy:  Do you have any plans to do another trip – Minor League Parks, Pro Football, SEC, etc.?

I’m an alumnus of the University of Missouri, the newest member of the SEC, and I would like to watch the Mizzou play football in each SEC stadium.  So far I’ve seen the MU Tigers play football at South Carolina and Tennessee, and Ole Miss and Vanderbilt are on deck next year.  I’ve also flirted with the idea of knocking out the AAA Minor League Ballparks, because I’m a huge fan of the Memphis Redbirds.

Andy:  Yes, do the Minor League Parks!  How’d you hear about Retro Brand and what do you like about our shirts?

Wes:  A friend who is an alumnus of Oklahoma State introduced me to Retro Brand when Mizzou was still in the Big 12.  I really liked the throwback designs and 50% Polyester, 38% Cotton, 12% Rayon blends, and quickly purchased Missouri Tigers, St. Louis Blues and Memphis Chicks shirts.  My favorite Retro Brand is definitely the gray Memphis Redbirds shirt I purchased after my first game at AutoZone Park. I’m looking forward to buying another one on Opening Day!

You can find out what Wes will be planning for his next trip by following him on Twitter @wesmilligan

Wes Milligan’s Ballpark Rankings below.....

1.    PNC Park – Pittsburgh Pirates
2.    Petco Park – San Diego Padres
3.    Miller Field – Milwaukee Brewers
4.    Coors Field – Colorado Rockies
5.    Target Field – Minnesota Twins
6.    AT&T Park – San Francisco Giants
7.    Comerica Park – Detroit Tigers
8.    Safeco Field – Seattle Mariners
9.    Busch Stadium – St. Louis Cardinals
10.    Camden Yards – Baltimore Orioles
11.    Yankee Stadium – New York Yankees
12.    Wrigley Field – Chicago Cubs
13.    Citizens Bank – Philadelphia Phillies
14.    Progressive Field – Cleveland Indians
15.    Ballpark at Arlington – Texas Rangers
16.    Nationals Ballpark – Washington Nationals
17.    Citi Field – New York Mets
18.    Kaufman Stadium – Kansas City Royals
19.    Fenway Park – Boston Red Sox
20.    Dodgers Stadium – Los Angeles Dodgers
21.    Chase Field – Arizona Diamondbacks
22.    Minute Maid Park – Houston Astros
23.    U.S. Cellular Field – Chicago White Sox
24.    Angels Stadium – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
25.    Marlins Stadium – Florida Marlins
26.    Turner Field – Atlanta Braves
27.    Great American Ballpark – Cincinnati Reds
28.    Rogers Centre – Toronto Blue Jays
29.    Tropicana Field – Tampa Bay Rays
30.    Oakland Coliseum – Oakland Athletics

Old Ballparks (7)
·    Old Busch Stadium
·    Old Yankee Stadium
·    Old Comiskey Park (Chicago)
·    Shea Stadium (Mets)
·    Metrodome (Minnesota)
·    Dolphin Stadium (Marlins)
·    Veterans Stadium (Philly)

Puts the STRONG in journalism.

It's probably a safe bet to say the majority of folks lucky enough to be employed these days, don't love their jobs.  That's why my interview today with sportswriter Elliott J. Smith is so refreshing.  This guy really loves his job.

Andy: Traveling the country to various major sporting events and then getting to write about them.  What's not to love?  How'd you get into the business?

Elliott:  Yes, it definitely is a lot of fun.  Like a lot of young kids, I loved sports and knew that I wanted to be either a sportscaster or a sportswriter "when I grew up."  I took a pretty traditional path in that I worked on my school papers in middle and High School as an editor, and then chose a college with a strong journalism program in Northwestern.  After I graduated, I worked for a small paper in Odessa, Texas - home of Friday Night Lights - and that was pretty eye opening to see over 30,000 people attend a High School football game!  From there, I moved on to work for a medium sized paper in Olympia, Washington where I regularly covered the Seattle Seahawks, Mariners and Washington schools.  Eventually I picked up enough contacts wherein I was able to set out on my own as a freelancer.

Andy:  You've definitely paid your dues.  As a freelancer, do you find it difficult to break out from the rest of the pack?  It just seems like there are a billion bloggers and the like out there.

Elliott:  On the contrary, today provides a variety of ways to get your voice out there.  Anybody who has a true passion and works really hard can stake their claim.  In the blogosphere, I think your best bet is to pick that passion and stick to it.  If you love the MMA, or MLS, or Premier League Soccer is your thing, then write about that and make the niche yours.  If you know your stuff and persist, you should be fine.  As I noted earlier, I've been fortunate to have picked up a good roster of clients that call on me regularly to cover various events from the NBA Draft for the Washington Times, to the Orioles or Nationals for Major League Baseball.  I should also point out that freelancing is different then being a day to day sportswriter.  It gives you much more freedom, and opens you up to a much broader platform to cover.

Andy:  While I'm sure you probably had a good time covering the NBA Draft, I'm also pretty sure you've covered a few more events that were a bit more memorable.  Can you talk about a few of your favorites?

Elliott:  There have been several, but being a student during Northwestern's Rose Bowl run when they played USC in 1995 has got to be the tops.  Working for the school paper that entire dream season that kept bringing us huge upsets over Notre Dame, Michigan & Penn State culminating with the near upset of the Trojans in Pasadena, was simply an amazing experience (the Wildcats were perennial losers and 3-7 in 1994 before pulling a worst to first type scenario with a 10-2 post in '95).  Almost on par was covering the Seattle Mariners in 2001 when they tied a Major League record with 116 wins.  They just won and won and won!  It was incredible to cover the team with the entire city caught up in the momentum on a daily basis all season long.

Andy: I was pulling for your Cats in that Rose Bowl - they nearly pulled it off!  Let's talk about a few more of your favorite experiences like when you wear Original Retro Brand shirts.  What do you like about our apparel?

Elliott:  Finding cool Northwestern gear is almost impossible, so when I saw Original Retro Brand had that covered, I was all over it.  I'm also a big NHL fan, and love your old Colorado Rockies and Pens gear.  Having worked in Seattle for a time, naturally seeing your Seattle Rainiers shirt brought a smile to my face as well.  Basically the logo's on your shirts are what I love to wear and when I do, I often get asked "Where'd you get that shirt from?"  People are impressed by them.

We're glad that Elliott found the cool he was looking for in Original Retro Brand, and want to thank him for sharing a little bit of his sports writing passion and experience with us today.  There is plenty more of where this came from, and you can find it by visiting elliottjsmith.com

FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS, FASHION, AND FUN FROM THE ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND,  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.  CHECK US OUT ON PINTEREST AND INSTAGRAM TOO!

10-0.  Not a bad record to boast in the post, eh?  As in the Arizona Wildcats "Bat Cats" knocked off baseball powerhouses this post season like UCLA & FSU, before sweeping 2-time defending champion South Carolina enroute to their 4th College World Series Championship last night.

Arizona alumnus and Original Retro Brand CEO Marc Herman (above) was on hand in Omaha to witness the drama firsthand.  While Marc was busy celebrating, the guys and gals in the ORB warehouse were scurrying to get the NCAA 2012 CWS Championship "Victory" apparel screened and shipped (available online now)!!

THE CATS DIDN'T TANK, BUT YOU CAN...

V-NECK FOR VICTORY!

"LOVE IT!! Love our Cats!!!! Way to Bear Down! @ArizonaBaseball is Nat'l Champs!!!! So excited 4 @AZATHLETICS @UofA GREAT DAY 2 BE A WILDCAT!" - UA Alumna and US Olympian pitcher Jennie Finch on Twitter after the final out of CWS.

GOT ONE FOR THE GUYS TOO!

Congratulations again to both Arizona and South Carolina for outstanding seasons.  And speaking of seasons, how much longer til football and COLLEGE COLORS DAY (65 days, 8 hours, 1 minute, 44 seconds to go as of this post but who's counting...)?!

FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS, FASHION, AND FUN FROM THE ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND,  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.  CHECK US OUT ON PINTEREST AND INSTAGRAM TOO!

These days, is there really anything better for you then a good laugh?  No, there isn't!  That's why we're very happy to share our latest interview with Comedians of Chelsea Lately roundtable regular, Comedian John Caparulo. 

Andy:  How did you end up becoming a professional comedian?

John:  I never really saw myself doing anything else, at least after about age 13.  Up until that point, the only thing I ever wanted to be was a professional athlete.  Football was my first love, but I was a very small kid, so my mom would somehow conveniently forget to fill out the registration forms every fall.  My parents knew they hadn't provided me the genetic necessities to follow my dreams of athletic greatness, so they would drop subtle hints in the form of terrible birthday presents, like kicking tees and books.  But they did notice that I had a talent for telling stories and making people laugh, and I seemed to enjoy it a lot more than riding the bench or having my shot blocked.  So, from about the time I finished middle school, I pretty much knew this is what I'd be doing someday.

Andy:  Well, we're happy it turned out the way it did (kicking tees..brutal)!  You seem so natural & comfortable in your delivery on stage and on TV.  I think most folks take for granted how hard that is to pull off.  Was there ever a time when you just got scared s***less while on stage/TV?  How do you overcome the fear (imagine everybody naked in the audience)?

John:  I don't think the nervousness ever completely goes away.  If anybody tells you he's 100 percent comfortable telling his life story to a group of drunk total strangers, there's something wrong with him.  But that's part of what makes stand-up comedy so much fun.  We all feel a little awkward at first-- the comedian, the crowd-- but that first moment when we all laugh together is pretty cool, and well-worth all the anxiety.

Laughing with the crowd pretty cool....

Andy:  That kind of answers my next question, but I'll ask anyway.  What do you love most about being a comedian?

John:  What I love about being a comedian is getting paid for something that I would do for free.

Andy:  Great answer.  You kill it on Chelsea Lately.  How'd that gig come your way?

John:  Chelsea Handler and I used to do shows together upstairs in The Belly Room at The Comedy Store.  They were all-female line-ups, but Mitzi Shore (Comedy Store owner) made them put me on because I was a door man.  I remember Chelsea stuck out right away for me because her comedy was so honest and unapologetic, and I think she remembered me for the same reason.  I think that's the type of comic she wants for the roundtable, people who can weave comedy into normal conversation instead of breaking off onto some shticky tangent.  Even though I know pretty much nothing about the Kardashians or Lindsay Lohan, I seem to be able to grab a few laughs without pulling out a guitar or a puppet, so I guess I fit in.

No shtick needed.

Andy:  No shtick is good shtick.  We're pumped and honored that you wear plenty of Original Retro Brand gear when you're on the show and when you perform.  What got you hooked?

John:  I actually got hooked on Original Retro Brand at the mall in Columbus a couple years ago.  I bought a Chevron shirt and an Indy 500 shirt, and the only reason I stopped there was because those were the only 2 XXL's I could find.  Less than a week later, my friend Josh Wolf (another regular CL comedian) saw me wearing the Chevron one and said his buddy Marc owned the company (Owner/CEO Marc Herman).  The next thing I knew I had a box of T-shirts on my front porch.  So, I guess wearing ORB is similar to doing comedy;  I love getting shirts for free that I was gonna buy anyway!  I actually feel like kind of a mooch asking for freebees of all the T-shirts I want, so I still place orders in addition to those little care packages I receive.  I love the Minor League teams, like the Durham Bulls and Springfield Cardinals, but lately I've been especially hooked on all the automotive shirts.  I'm a bit of a muscle car enthusiast and grew up the son of a gear head, so I can't resist buying every Trans Am and Corvette shirt I can find.

Connecting with his audience (His first ORB shirt!).

Andy:  Knowing you shoot Chelsea Lately in LA and that you graduated from Kent State University, which are you more excited about - The Kings winning the Stanley Cup, or the Kent State Golden Flashes making their first College World Series appearance (and eliminating the # 1 seeded Florida Gators in the process!)?

John:  I'm excited any time Kent State gets recognition for anything besides dead hippies.  I've never been a big hockey fan, but I've been wearing LA Kings stuff ever since I saw Chuck D do it in about 1989.  And it's really cool to see a team win that has that kind of fan base.  Kings fans don't go to those games because they wanna look cool-- they go because they love that team and that sport.  I look at sports like fine art, and I like when other people can appreciate them the same way.  Half the people with floor seats to the Lakers don't even understand what they're watching-- they're too busy ordering sushi and tweeting.  So I'm really glad some genuinely great sports fans were rewarded with a genuinely great season.  However, like I said before, Kent State winning anything trumps everything.  Go Flashes!

We'd like to thank John for brightening up our day, and hope he did the same for you!  You can stay updated on when & where John will be performing by visiting his website at www.johncaparulo.com  One more thing - Good Luck to your Golden Flashes against South Carolina tonight!

FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS, FASHION, AND FUN FROM THE ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND,  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.  CHECK US OUT ON PINTEREST AND INSTAGRAM TOO!

Ok, I'm sure the Ft. Wayne TinCaps would prefer another Midwest League Championship like in 2009, but the honor of being the Original Retro Brand Retailer of The Month will still be a nice addition to their trophy case.

I had the pleasure of speaking with the team Merchandising Manager, Karen Schieber (left) about her experiences since joining the San Diego Padres Single A Affiliate....

Andy:  Have you always been a baseball fan, and how did you end up working for the TinCaps?

Karen: I actually grew up without television and listened to St. Louis Cardinals games on the radio, so yes, I am a big baseball fan.

I'm sure that influenced me in that I always knew I wanted to work in a sports related field.  I was lucky enough to get an internship with the Frisco Rough Riders through a sorority sister while I was at Oklahoma State, which led to a position with the Greenville Drive, and eventually my current position with the TinCaps starting in 2009.

Andy:  2009 was a good year to start, eh?

Karen: You can say it was unreal.  It was really such a perfect and exciting season to be involved in my first year with the team. There was a buzz before it even started as the organization had just opened a new ball park downtown (Parkview Field) and the team switched their name and look from the Wizards to the TinCaps. The team set a franchise record for wins (101!) and attendance (378,529 came through!) enroute to the Championship.  Not coincidentally, the team success boosted our sales in the team store all year.

Andy:  Not a bad rookie season for you!  I know the season is young, but I'm curious as to what you do in the off-season.  Is the stadium store open year -round?  Do you have the winter months off like teachers have summers off (to go to TinCaps games no doubt)?

Karen: Actually the off-season is more crazy-busy then the regular season.  In addition to the Stadium store remaining open all year, the team opens another store at the Glenbrook Mall for the Holiday season.  So basically it's like having two opening days busy!

Andy:  I assume you are directly involved with the buying and merchandising for all store set-ups.  Can you give us a quick description of what that experience is like?

Karen: I do a good deal of the buying when I attend the Winter Meetings, which is really the only trade show I attend.  As far as merchandizing the stores, I really enjoy the opportunity to use my creativity in bringing out the best for our team and the products we carry/display.  It's fun and rewarding to see people enjoy the store the way they do, and to hear so much constant positive feedback.

"...CONSISTENT YEAR IN - YEAR OUT IN DELIVERING QUALITY.."

Andy: We're extremely excited for your personal and team success, and so appreciative that when you attend those Winter meetings, your buying plenty of the Original Retro Brand.  Can you tell us what it is about our brand that works so well for you?

Karen: Obviously the retro look and feel are key, and you know you're going to get a product that lasts. I find the brand is consistent year in-year out when it comes to delivering quality and new styles.  To borrow a well known tag line, the Original Retro Brand simply "sells itself."

Thanks so much to Karen for taking the time to join us between innings today, and congratulations to the Ft. Wayne TinCaps for being named the Original Retro Brand Retailer of The Month for May, 2012.

If you're in the Ft. Wayne, Indiana area, try and catch a TinCaps game and visit the team store!

Store Hours - Non Game Days

M - F: 10am - 5pm (closed Sat & Sun)

Store Hours - Game Days

M - F: 10am - 4pm (Re-Open when gates open.)  Saturday - 10am - 4pm (Re-Open when gates open.) Sunday - Open when gates open.

You can also shop online at The Orchard team store.

What makes a Snapback truly a Throwback Snapback? Having a vintage logo helps, but how about one that looks & feels like it was worn by the old full service gasoline attendant you remember from the good ol' days?  Not the clean cut guy from Texaco, but the one who worked under the cars too, and had tears and oil stains and smudges on his lid.  Well if you don't remember the full service days, then that proves we're really talking throwback here!

Original Retro Brand mudwashed Snapback Trucker caps ARE these caps.  Our mesh backs are the broken-in-anti-stiff style, so it's like slipping into your favorite pair of jeans, but on your head!  I really like all of the caps in our current collection (and there is a whole new shipment about to arrive very soon...), but I can't help but lay out my personal favorite TOP TEN, and here they are....

10. I'm a carpetbagging Yankee living in Atlanta 21 years via Long Island. Can't forget my 4 Cup Isles! Plus the dang Flames & Thrashers skipped town on me..

9. Can't you just hear Tone Loc referring to Alex the Dog in "Funky Cold Medina?" The Stroh's advertising pooch was a hit before Spuds Mackenzie.

8. Happy to don this Dons.

7. Always loved the Capitals Red, White, & Blue patriotic logo with the stars & stick. A Caps Cap for a Man's Man, I always say..

6. "It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen" - UCLA Legend John Wooden. All ORB truckers have the vital little details.

5. Have to include any Hockey team that had a Hall of Fame goalie named Gump Worsley.

4. The bleacher bums at Wrigley stop drinking Old Style only long enough to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch, unless they’ve already spilled it on the ivy-covered outfield wall.

3. "You can observe alot by watching." Ok, this is the Scanton Wilkes Barre Yankees, but I can never pass up an opportunity for a "Yogiism." AND it's the only hat on our site that has 3 images!

2. Amazing to realize Hockey legends Gordie Howe & Bobby Hull played on the same Hartford Whaler team that made the playoffs in their first NHL season.

1. It's late Friday, and clearly the hat speaks for me: "LONG LIVE LONG NECKS!"

Like I said, I like all the truckers in our collection, but these are the 10 I'd like to hang my hat on (You can always count on me for cheesy references like that).

Before you go, please take a minute to follow us on Pinterest.  We're totally into it, and would love to see your pins & boards.  We'll be having a pretty awesome "Pin it to Win it" contest coming in the next few weeks, and you won't want to miss it!

ALSO, FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS, FASHION, AND FUN FROM THE ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND,  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER TOO!