The Great Summer Sporting Day Out

Yesterday was a banner day! Thanks to my friend, tp gal, we enjoyed a Mariners' victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from seats behind home plate. We partook in standard baseball game beverages.




I just love paying all that money to Starbucks.


The M’s won in what seemed to be record time. It took just over 2 hours to defeat the Devil Rays. I’m still amazed. The game was fun and all but the highlight of the day was to come. Real Madrid v. D.C. United in a friendly at Quest Field. I managed to talk my two baseball companions into going to the football match with me. I think they were a bit skeptical and nonplussed beforehand. The incredibly large crowd (66,830) and the buzz of excitement had them curious as we walked in. I have to say that I managed to pick good tickets (we went with the least expensive). 100 level on the side on the north end of the stadium. It was pretty good viewing as you can see...





Apparently, you can wear whatever football shirt you own when you go to a match because I saw a variety of shirts as evidenced by these gentleman who were a couple rows down from us.


The majority of the crowd were wearing Beckham jerseys (mostly Real Madrid, although I did see a couple of English national ones). The sponsors of this match, not being stupid, started Becks, much to the delight of the women in attendance. Me included. The man has impeccable hair (you have to have good hair for it to look that good during a match – it’s not just the hair product). I had 2 favorite moments: the team introduction and a comment made by tp gal. First, the young girl who escorted Becks out onto the field looked like she would never stop smiling. I suspect it’s because he had has hands on her shoulders during the playing of both national anthems. She will never wash that shirt; she is probably still smiling; all of her girlfriends are incredibly jealous; and I’m sure the screaming that took place off the field was deafening. It was a completely charming moment (and good for him for knowing that he just made her year). Second, somewhere in the middle of the first half tp gal was watching the game through binoculars and the following conversation happened:

tp gal: Oh. I think I’m a convert.

me & MWR: To soccer?

tp gal: No. To Beckham.

Apparently, this is how we will get an MLS team in Seattle. Just ensure that Becks or someone as attractive plays here.

The game was fairly entertaining as well. A 1-1 draw. I don’t think anyone in the crowd cared who won; everyone just enjoyed the play. We need some songs though; it was terribly quiet. I figured busting out with “God Save The Queen” wouldn’t work so I refrained. The loud drunk guys didn’t seem to think singing was in the cards either. They just heckled Becks about his blue boots.

I was thrilled by the whole evening of course, because I’ve become a football fan. I’m currently trying to figure out if I can go to South Africa for the next World Cup...