The title sounds a little melodramatic for the content of this post, but something odd did strike me last night traveling the short distance from Pizza Hut Park to the house. By the way, it is really nice to only have to travel a few minutes to/from a DFW professional team. The drives associated with the teams in Arlington really makes it hard. Back to the reason I am writing this…
It hits me last night that after taking in my first FC Dallas soccer match that each of my first-time experiences with the Dallas professional sports teams have been rather unique. How so? I took in my first Cowboy game by watching it from a luxury box on the 50-yd line. It was cool, comfortable and came with a parking pass. If you have ever been to a Cowboy game you know just how valuable close parking is! I wasn’t part of the “steerage” that was ”forced” to watch in the “elements” and walk the length of the Florida Panhandle from your car to the stadium. Just kidding, but hey when it’s 98 degrees outside and even hotter inside the stadium…. well you get the picture. Needless to say, I haven’t been back when I have had chances to do so-just plain spoiled after that.
My first Mavericks/Stars games were similar to my Cowboy experience in that they were in vantage points reserved for corporations or people with money like corporations! I was fortunate with both. I am, however, more willing to “slum it” when it comes to baseball. Afterall, it is my sport of choice! But that first season here in DFW wasn’t just a normal Ranger season, I was able to secure playoff tickets for the series against the Yankees. After missing out on my own team’s post-season magic (Mariners), this was a nice taste of what it must be like. Sadly, and I sort of chuckle when I type that, the Rangers haven’t been back to the playoffs much since that season. So again, I was a little spoiled.
Obviously this is very much tongue in cheek and I am very thankful for having those opportunities, but last night the unique and privileged qualities associated with each example did register. I spent last night watching my Sounders FC from right behind their bench and with a prime view of the north goal. Money well spent, and that’s not saying much. But to complete the Dallas pro sports cycle in such fashion was pretty cool.
Who would’ve thunk little Joe from Seattle would have such accomodations!
I remember that Ranger game…spending the night on the side walk, waiting to buy tickets is the only time I have ever done that!
I seem to remember that or feet were on Sport Center when the one of the Yankees hit a home run…the ball went under the deck we were standing on!
Our feet had their 5 seconds of fame!