Goodbye Old Friend — Blake Mitchamore

I have so many memories of watching baseball at Globe Life Park. I prefer to call it the Ballpark in Arlington.

As a kid I just loved baseball. As an adult I’ve grown to have such an emotional connection to the sport because of my Dad. I was lucky enough growing up with a Dad who got season tickets to the Rangers for years through his business. Because of that I’ve gone to far more Rangers games than any other sports team in the Dallas area. It’s not even close.

As the park ends this weekend I started thinking about the memories and moments I’ve had watching baseball in the Temple. I came up with 5 that I will never forget.

1. Opening Day 1994- This was the first game in the history of the Ballpark in Arlington. I was 12 years old and my Dad checked me out of school early and took me to the game. I still remember it vividly. Walking up to the park and how amazing it looked. Walking through the stadium and everything being brand new. The Rangers wearing brand new red uniforms. How huge the park seemed compared to Arlington Stadium, their former home. I can’t tell you anything about the game that day, but I have so many snap shots of that day in my head. I also still remember how cool it felt to be “playing hooky” and that my dad took me out of school just to go to a baseball game. It was a day I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

2. First Playoff Game in Team History- On October 4th, 1996 the Rangers hosted their first home playoff game in the team’s history. I was lucky enough to be there. Just like Opening Day in 1994 I remember this game vividly as well. The Rangers won the first game in New York, so the fans were energized. There was a different energy as you walked into the stadium that night. The feeling of knowing your team was playing in the playoffs was special. The stadium was completely full. Everyone was on their feet it was just different. Unfortunately, they lost that night. They lost the following day and I was there for both. Derek Jeter caught a foul ball on in foul territory near our seats on the third base line to close the series out. I yelled and screamed telling Derek Jeter how much he sucked. Boy was I wrong lol.

3. 1995 MLB All-Star Game- When you are a kid and a baseball fan the All-Star Game is a magical thing. All the best players in the game on one field. We had season tickets, so I got to go. We went to the Home Run Derby the day before and we went to the All-Star game the following night. I still remember watching Mike Piazza hit a ball over center field into the offices at Globe Life Park in batting practice.

4. Kenny Rogers Perfect Game- This also happened in the original season of the ballpark. I went to this game with my oldest brother at the night and his then girlfriend, now wife. The thing that I remember most of this game was just how awful it was for about 6 innings. The Rangers weren’t doing much. Their opponents obviously weren’t doing anything. Then it all changed. You realized holy crap, we’re in the 7th inning and Rogers has a perfect game going. It then quickly turned into one of the best games I’ve ever seen. It may be the most nerve-racking baseball moment I’ve ever seen live. Being in the bottom of the ninth you were hanging on every single pitch hoping he could hang on. Then to close the game Rusty Greer makes a catch in the outfield. It was awesome.

5. Qualifying for the Series- October 22, 2010 the Texas Rangers qualified for the World Series for the time in team history. It couldn’t have been in a better way. Alex Rodriguez who at that time was the most hated person in baseball and a former Ranger who many fans blamed for years of being bad after his exit, struck out for the final out. Being in the Stadium for this moment was awesome. Realizing our team was going to have a chance to win it all was amazing. I had been going to Rangers games since I was a little kid. I thought about my Dad and how many games I had gone to with him. It was great.

I could have probably sat here and made a list of 20 or 30 moments I’ve been to so many Rangers games in the Ballpark. I’m not one of those people who’s upset the Rangers are changing stadiums. I’m for it. I may go to a game in the summer now if I don’t have to sweat.

Even though I’m not upset the Ballpark won’t be their home any more I am sad to see it go. I don’t think I’ll ever have so many memories in another sports stadium again. So many memories that are special to me as a sports fan. So many memories that have emotional and personal significance because of being with family or being with my Dad who isn’t here anymore.

The Ballpark in Arlington is one of a kind.