Art Lande - The Baseball Trip

The stadium was dead quiet during much of this game. The kind of quiet usually heard in funeral parlors, hospitals or libraries. Shhh - baseball is being played.

Art ponders the importance of brewskis, brats, soft-serve, drink holders, scoreboards, breathing and some dramatic moments on the field.

Wrigley Field, the classic home of the Chicago Cubs. Hope Springs eternal for the Cubbies, but what's Dusty Baker have in mind to hold back the big bopper Reds batters? Will Wood's 96 mph heaters keep them in check, or will it be a slam fest in Chicago?

A hot, summer afternoon in Cincinnati has the hobbling Marlins playing the big hitting, sometimes exciting to watch Reds in a new stadium. A pickle ensues, involving no less than five Reds in a game of some spectacular plays, but mostly meandering ups and downs, leaving Art feeling unimpressed.

The appreciative and loyal Pittsburg fans apprarently make beer out of iron, create a treasure map to a pennant and have trained, poisonous frogs inhabiting center field. Will the pennant contending Dodgers earn the right to be called Dodger Blue, or the spunky, sand lot Pirates take control of this contest?

Baseball Canadian style, with fatter hot dogs, big dome and avid Yankee haters. As Jeeter walks to the plate, he takes boos from the crowd and has a classic response to the opening pitch.

Will the Indians win the third game and sweep this series with the perennial evil leaders of baseball or will the Cleveland worms be evicted from the NY Apple?

Art speaks well of the upstart Tigers and their loyal, interested fans; he brings meaningful perspective and character to these teams.

The championship White Sox may seem clear winners, but Art offers plenty of commentary and brings you his own play by play.

Two teams in the playoff race. Do you remember which one came out on top this time?

The trip starts with the home team, the Colorado Rockies vs. the Philadelphia Phillies.