Going, going, gone... 3 and out, but I had fun!

I had an interesting experience last weekend - I got media credentials and hung out by the Cardinals dugout prior to the start of NLDS game 3. Which unfortunately turned out to be the last game of the season (and ironically the first one I attended this season!).

When I got to the stadium I literally walked in the building with Rick Horton and Bill Dewitt! Of course I took my camera with me and took a few good pictures - but I got there too late to see most of the Cardinals take batting practice. The first player I saw was Albert Pujols, but I didn't have my camera ready and by the time I did he was gone! I managed to get some decent pictures of some of the redbirds. The Dodgers came out a few minutes later and I saw all of them, including Manny Ramirez. He really does hate the media (as I pretended to be) as evidenced by a scowl he gave me:

I chatted with Jason Motte for a second or two which was really fun. He was kinda geeked-out about being in the NLDS and having his family there to watch - he asked for help looking for them (as if I knew what they looked like...) Colby Rasmus was hanging out around us too. Other guys that came around while I was there were Adam Wainwright, Jason LaRue, Jose Oquendo, Dave McKay, Ankiel, Wellemeyer, Thompson, DeRosa, Glaus - that's all I can think of right now.

Then I went up to the press box and saw all kinds of local and national sportswriters and TV analysts. I ended up hanging out with Steve Lyons and a guy who I think was his producer. He used to be on Fox Sports but now he's an analyst for the Dodgers. He said his job consists of being on TV for around 2 minutes a day! Frankly I used to think he was kind of a tool when I'd see him on TV, but he turned out to be a pretty regular guy. It was a pretty cool experience!