Dallas Alas

I’ve been fortunate to spend a few extra days here in Dallas. The schedule allowed me to take a few off days, and I wasn’t one to hesitate to use them. It’s been nice having some time off to enjoy myself. Sleep in until 7:30AM. Relax. Run a few errands. Essentially return to the life of a normal human being for a little bit.

Scott and Caroline were a couple who heard about Biking for Baseball, and along the the rest of the Diamond Dawl couples were willing to help out in any way possible. That meant they were willing to spend their Saturday driving me around to run some different errands. Showing me around Dallas, and completely spoiling me with an amazing peanut butter shake. We stopped at Richardson Bike Mart where I stocked up on bike tubes, got some new gloves to help alleviate that numbness from my Ulner nerve I mentioned in a previous blog post, and even got some Richardson Bike Mart swag. The owner had heard about Biking for Baseball from different customers and was excited to see me in the shop! Sometimes, I’m just completely blown away by how many people have heard about this trip. It’s incredible.

Oh, I also desperately needed a haircut. I was getting a little shaggy. The heat was getting hotter, and my long curly dark hair was only making it worse. When my hair gets long, it doesn’t grow down, it grows out. I was affectionately known as the Pilsbury ‘Fro Boy in Junior High for my recognizeable curly head of hair. I don’t need to be rocking that through the heat of the summer. No thank you. Thus, the haircut was needed and appreciated.

Scott himself has done a number of triathalons and a great deal of biking, so he splurged and helped me out with my bike in anyway he could. That meant washing it down. The rains of the past few weeks has really made Benny The  Jet Rodriguez awfully dirty. From mud to dirt and everything inbetween, the bike needed a bath. The bike really made a transformation and was looking more than good.

This morning, I got up and headed to a Denny’s for breakfast, courtesy of Josh Hamilton’s home run the night before. Thanks again Josh! The Grand Slam hit the spot. Denny’s is good, but it’s even better when it’s free. I also sat beneath one of my favorite pictures as I consumed the sausage links and pancakes. It was a picture of Jackie Robinson stealing home during the 1955 World Series. Jackie’s one of my favorite ballplayers of all time, and rightfully so. He doesn’t need any introduction, but that play just epitomizes baseball. Yogi Berra to this day will argue that Jackie was tagged out. He said he’ll take that to his grave. Though, that gutsy and heroic move will always be remembered.

I met up with Caroline and Scott before the game and picked up my tickets that the Texas Rangers left me for the game. Woah. They’re not only just tickets, they are absolutely incredible tickets. Five rows behind homeplate. As in, you can see me on the television broadcast.

INSANE. The Rangers were playing the Red Sox once again, and it was a great game. Back and forth, always a one run game. No home runs, but you just got the sense that both teams were playing their hearts out. From huge hot dogs, to an ice cold bud light in the Texas sun, it was a perfect day for baseball. I even got interviewed as the fan of the game by Fox Sports Southwest. Pretty cool!

Donning our rally caps the Rangers were down by one in the bottom of the 9th. Up to the plate stepped Prince Fielder. Now, Prince, is one of my favorite Brewers of all time. If not my favorite. He’s a fun loving player who up until last year and his neck injury, would play every singel game. You just don’t see that anymore. Cal Ripken’s streak will never be broken, but it’s always good to see a player who’s willing to play everyday. Unfortunately they intentionally walked Prince, and rightfully so. Prince is the hottest player in baseball right now. However, the Rangers responded by bringing Josh Hamilton to the plate. Runners on 1st and 3rd, two outs. Game on the line. And Josh delivered. He roped a screaming liner to the left center gap, and sent Prince huffing and puffing around the bases before diving head first and sliding across home. Game over. Walk off winner. Rangers win.

The games in Arlington have been a blast. I’m completely enjoyed my time with the Rangers. The fans, the atmosphere, and the hospitality have been second to none. I felt bad I didn’t wear a suit because the Rangers definitely rolled out the red carpet for me. From putting me on the field prior to the field, to incredible seats, to scoreboard recognition, and an interview with the TV Broadcast. It was awesome.

But wait, it’s not over yet. After the game the Diamond Dawls found one last way to spoil me. They took me to a restaurant called Babe’s with family style cooking. If you think of southern cookin’ think of Babe’s. It was delicious. However, the waitress did tell me I had an accent. I mean, I know I may elongate the a in bag. Or a few other things, but Texans certainly have more of an accent than myself. Either way, the Diamond Dawls are a ton of fun, and their husbands aren’t half bad either. I can’t thank them enough to opening their homes, weekends, and time to a complete stranger from Wisconsin who’s a crazy dude on a bike. You girls have officially been elected to the B4B Hall of Fame. Talk about a major resume booster.

For now, it’s off to bed. These off days have been refreshing, but I’m ready to ride. It’s off to Houston tomorrow. They’ve gotten a lot of rain as well, but don’t think that’s going to stop me. I’m gonna keep pedaling like I have for the previous 4,000 miles, because if there’s a will there’s a way, and I’ve definitely got the will. It’s onward to stadium no. 10!

Matt