Gaslamp Ball Seattle One and a Half Asian Invasion or INVASIAN

by Dex on Apr 28, 2009 9:53 AM PDT

That's right. Elliott and I are going to Seattle with his wonderful mom / my lovely wife (she be white). We're going to be hitting at least one, maybe two, probably not three Padres/Mariners games.

I know what you're thinking. You're crazy! That's the most heated rivalry in sports! You better bring some mace or a shotgun with bean bags!

Nevertheless, I'm curious to reach across the aisle as it were. I want to see what makes Mariners fans tick. Sure, we share an ocean and a time zone and a similar proximity to Sea Level, but what else do we share?

Therefore, I'm open to some recommendations. What is there to do? What should I not miss? What can I skip? Any good seats with kids? Places nearby that I should check out?

Any help at all is totally appreciated. If anybody else is going up for the series, make yourself known here and we'll try to meet up. There's safety in numbers. Mariners fans aren't rational.

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I go every year

I don’t really have any family friendly ideas for dining as I’m usually downing some bevs with my buds before and after the game.

One place that is kind of cool to check out is Ebbets Field Flannels

All kinds of old-timey baseball gear, including some PCL Padres stuff.

You can see here that it is just a stones throw from Safeco Field.

by The Kipper on Apr 28, 2009 10:13 AM PDT reply actions

Always enjoy going to the fish market. Incredible Russian bakery across from the market. First time I went I didn’t even know Russians could bake but the pastries were as good as I’ve ever had.

Awesome falls not far north of Seattle but I won’t even attempt to try to spell it.

Whidbey Island is cool but I like taking the Ferry to Port Townsend and checking out the Olympic Peninsula.

So I’m the partner at True Blue but a big Gaudin fan. Hope he does well for you, for whatever reason he’s been a fave of mine ever since the Rays yanked up him at the tender age of 20. Not a great beginning having to go into Coors but I hope pitching in Petco will help him get back on track.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Apr 28, 2009 10:26 AM PDT reply actions

Maybe Snoqualmie Falls?

When I’m not slack rope walking or playing hacky sack, I like to visit natural ares too. There are some prisitne places within reasonable distances of the city center.

by The Kipper on Apr 28, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions

I enjoy the Queen Anne District

Some good bars and great food. Pretty close to the Sonics Arena.

"Well, he ought to go home and find somebody else to bang." Jerry Coleman

by cubbuster on Apr 28, 2009 11:35 AM PDT reply actions

i watched some padres games in seattle

seattle is the AL version of the padres……they care, but they really dont care.

by dirtballer on Apr 28, 2009 12:05 PM PDT reply actions

Jonny Dub must be so pissed

How many souvenirs is he asking for?

by Winfield's Ghost on Apr 28, 2009 12:07 PM PDT reply actions

That's easy.

Seattle Mariners batting helmet from an ice cream sundae to fit his cat.

by Drama on Apr 28, 2009 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Another One

I’ve got two cats and was only able to eat one ice cream when I was at Safeco… they have Ben & Jerry’s in their helmets, not that soft serve crap we’ve got. So get an Ice Cream so both cats can support the M’s! And get some Ichiro gear for me!

Dex you might like the Experience Music Project, real touristy but I still liked it.

by Jonny Dub on Apr 28, 2009 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Pyramid Brewing Company

It’s literally right across the street from Safeco. Cool place to grab a beverage and some food before the game.

by Drama on Apr 28, 2009 12:32 PM PDT reply actions

I concur

I enjoyed it. Especially if it’s nice out because they have a gigantic outdoor bar area if you just want to get your buzz on while taking in some fresh air and staring at the side of a ballpark.

Note: Pyramid makes beers other than Hefeweisen there since it’s a local brewery. Try them all!

Memo to baseball managers: You manufacture runs by NOT making outs, not by making them on purpose.

by Wonko on Apr 28, 2009 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions

It does get seriously packed in there before the game

I found another bar two blocks south where you can get a drink in a timely manner

by The Kipper on Apr 28, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmmm

When I was there it was pretty empty. But, the Padres and Mariners had two of the worst records in baseball at the time.

Memo to baseball managers: You manufacture runs by NOT making outs, not by making them on purpose.

by Wonko on Apr 28, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm a big public transit guy

And I usually don’t like renting a car. I thought I would have to in Seattle since the airport is so far from the ballpark. I was pleasantly surprised to find a very cheap bus (I think it was $1) that would run from the airport to the ballpark area (which is where my hotel was). I found out that once the bus is in the downtown area, they no longer charged bus fare. So you could hop on and off with no charge. They were also building a light rail system that would cover the same airport to ballpark area route, and I assume that is finished by now. I assume they will charge for that since construction probably wasn’t cheap.

I plan to go again in the next couple seasons since it’s an easy weekend trip, but this year I’m working in another park I haven’t been to (Houston) so I decided to pass. Couldn’t resist since with Houston bagged I’ll have the entire NL Central to go along with the NL West and AL West.

Memo to baseball managers: You manufacture runs by NOT making outs, not by making them on purpose.

by Wonko on Apr 28, 2009 12:45 PM PDT reply actions

the train

system there is called the SLUT: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/332081_slut18.html?source=mypi

by schwing and a miss on Apr 28, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions

While that is funny

That’s not the one that goes to the airport. Apparently it’s this one, call Sound Transit. It doesn’t open until July 18, which is after the Padres visit our AL rivals. It does, however, seem to have plans to hook up with the SLUT since its end of the line is Westlake Station and the SLUT frequents the Westlake Center.

Memo to baseball managers: You manufacture runs by NOT making outs, not by making them on purpose.

by Wonko on Apr 28, 2009 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions

I rode the SLUT

And it was kind of boring. It just goes in this circle that doesn’t really take you anywhere substantial in Seattle. I did make sure to pick up a t-shirt at a place called KAPOW coffee, where the proprietor there is the one that all the news stories are linked to.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Apr 28, 2009 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Depending on how long you're there I would..

make the trek to Portland and see a Beavers game. It’s a 3 hour drive from Safeco to PGE but going to Portland is worth it. Awesome expieriance. Buy the GA tix and go down to the Widmer Beer Garden right away. They have tables on the 1st base side on the field. They are home playing the Reno Aces (D-Backs AAA) during that time…..but like I said it depends on how long you are in Seattle for.

I’m going to the AAA all-star game in July. I was hoping the Pads would have the Mariners series at that time and go to both but oh well.

by SDPads_1 on Apr 28, 2009 1:18 PM PDT reply actions

Isn't the AAA all star game at about the same time as the major league one?

I’m pretty sure it is, so, your plans were doomed from the start.

Memo to baseball managers: You manufacture runs by NOT making outs, not by making them on purpose.

by Wonko on Apr 28, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

The MLB one is on the 14th and the AAA one is on the 15th. I don’t know if it’s always been at the same time or not though, but I know for sure it’s been like that the past few years (mlb 1 day-aaa the following day). But if the Pads were playing the Mariners the weekend before or after then I would have just extended my stay.

by SDPads_1 on Apr 28, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Interleague play is in June

So your plans were still doomed.

Memo to baseball managers: You manufacture runs by NOT making outs, not by making them on purpose.

by Wonko on Apr 28, 2009 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions

You're determined

to make my plans doomed aren’t you? This is cause I said Darren Smith isn’t god huh?

by SDPads_1 on Apr 28, 2009 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I think you were determined to doom your plans

You just didn’t know it.

I have no affinity for Darren Smith. I’ve always thought that he doesn’t know enough to be a sports talk radio show guy. But, then I’ve heard some people be amazed at how much baseball he knows and I wondered if I was wrong. Well, after the KT interview where he didn’t know who USC SS and potential top 5 pick Grant Green was, even though he covers at team with the #3 pick (that had already drafted the guy once) and is in Southern California and I’ve heard him talk about USC Football before. I’m inclined to believe that the guy isn’t as into the sport as much as a guy who covers it for a living should be.

Memo to baseball managers: You manufacture runs by NOT making outs, not by making them on purpose.

by Wonko on Apr 30, 2009 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Free tickets to the AAA All-Star game

are never cause for doomed plans buddy. Sorry to break the news to ya. I’ll be at the A All-Star game in Lake Elsinore this year too. Anything you want to say is doomed about that?

I do agree with you on the Darren Smith thing though. I was listening to that interview and he was making it sound like this was some breaking news that KT was scouting Grant Green. I couldn’t believe it…….he is the best “baseball guy” 1090 has though still(Scott and BR, Rome, The Coach & the Bleacher Idiots all know little to nothing about baseball). I personally enjoy his show most of the time.

by SDPads_1 on Apr 30, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Widmer makes some damn good beer.

by Drama on Apr 28, 2009 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes they do

and it’s even better on Thirsty Thursdays when it’s even cheaper!

by SDPads_1 on Apr 28, 2009 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions

How did you know about Thursdays? Do you live in PDX?

Did you get your tix yet for the MiLB game? I haven’t made the purchase yet.

by The Kipper on Apr 28, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions

No

I live in SD. I did some research before going up there last year though on where the best seats were and what type of events they had. I went to the last home game and it was on a Thursday.

I actually have some connections with the Beavers and my free tix are waiting for me already. I just still need to get my plane ticket but I’ll def be there. HR derby too.

by SDPads_1 on Apr 28, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Alot of HR leave the park

I’ll probably stand outside the fence and try to mooch a couple of balls during the derby.

by The Kipper on Apr 28, 2009 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

I was thinking about hitting up top the LF wall for the HR derby and then the Widmer Beer Garden for the actual game. I’ll probably have to get there super early though to get a decent seat.

by SDPads_1 on Apr 28, 2009 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions

If you like barbecue

There is awesome little barbecue shack not far from Safeco/Qwest. I can’t recall the name, but it is within walking distance from Qwest, and across from a large Starbucks building (not sure if it’s the HQ or not).

Killer BBQ pork sandwiches, and when they say “hot,” they really do mean it.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Apr 28, 2009 1:28 PM PDT reply actions

Mmmmm....

I love me some BBQ

by SDPads_1 on Apr 28, 2009 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Check out the Sci-Fi Museum

and Hall of Fame, its down by the needle there somewhere.
The Fishmarket is kinda fun.
I also dug the Underground City Tour.

by ABY on Apr 28, 2009 4:32 PM PDT reply actions

All Right!!!!!

I live in Seattle and would be more than happy to meet the Gaslamp Gang in Centerfield in Safeco ’cuz THAT is the place to be!!!!

Then, we can party in Pioneer Square after the game at some cheezy bar like Cowgirls, Inc…maybe move ourselves up to Belltown afterward for some yuppy swinging single factor at the Viceroy (or if you prefer crack cocaine, it’s just around the corner thanks to the local Honduran drug gangs). Later, we can put YOU in a cab to Capitol Hill if you need to get your Gay/Hipster On…meanwhile I or we can head over to Wallingford for Northwest Cuban food and DJ Woogie at the SeaMonster Lounge! Good times!!!

I’ll be the guy wearing a circa late ’90’s blue/white/orange Padre visor, and a Scripps Ranch Old Pros T-Shirt, standing on the beer deck by the bullpen.

Saludos!

by MarshmeloMartinez on Apr 28, 2009 9:23 PM PDT reply actions

I'm in!

Downtown Seattle is pretty cool. A couple of years ago we ended up chillin’ and smoking cigarettes with a Jamaican dude while he played his guitar and sang some reggae tunes. Later on we couldn’t remember where we parked the car….

My crew from Portland, including both Padres and Mariners fans, will be up for guarans if you guys want to do some hoppin’.

by The Kipper on Apr 29, 2009 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions