Tag: sports

The Ross News

America’s best ballparks: Ranking the top stadiums in the major leagues (part 2)

“Take me out to the ball game” is my blog on major-league ballparks and the wonders of witnessing America’s favorite pastime up close.

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By Bobby Ross Jr.

The best ballpark in America? I reveal it below.

Twelve major-league stadiums remain on my bucket list, including the legendary Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.

But I’ve been blessed to experience games at 18 current MLB ballparks.

Last week, I shared my “bench players.” And now, here are my “starting nine” (my favorite ballparks from No. 9 to No. 1):

Continue reading “America’s best ballparks: Ranking the top stadiums in the major leagues (part 2)”

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The Ross News

America’s best ballparks: Ranking the top stadiums in the major leagues (part 1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KQydlJ-qc

“Take me out to the ball game” is my blog on major-league ballparks and the wonders of witnessing America’s favorite pastime up close.

• • •

By Bobby Ross Jr.

Twelve major-league stadiums remain on my bucket list, including the legendary Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.

But I’ve been blessed to experience games at the remaining 18 MLB ballparks, and I’m going to rank them from bottom to top. (Below my rankings, I’ll share “top five” lists from other fans who responded to a query I made on Twitter.)

This week, I present my “bench players” (my favorite ballparks from No. 18 through No. 10):

Continue reading “America’s best ballparks: Ranking the top stadiums in the major leagues (part 1)”

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
The Ross News

A father and son enjoy baseball, make memories in 29 major-league cities

“Take me out to the ball game” is my blog on major-league ballparks and the wonders of witnessing America’s favorite pastime up close.

• • •

By Bobby Ross Jr.

Easton Moore, now 18, was just 2 years old when his father, Bobby Moore, started taking him to major-league baseball games.

They first saw their hometown Texas Rangers at what is now Globe Life Park in Arlington in 1998. Later, when Bobby Moore had to make a business trip to Houston, he introduced his son to the Astrodome — home of the Astros from 1965 to 1999.

Thus was born a tradition — and a home run of an idea.

Continue reading “A father and son enjoy baseball, make memories in 29 major-league cities”

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
The Ross News

Trips to baseball heaven: Fans share cherished memories of first major-league games

“Take me out to the ball game” is my blog on major-league ballparks and the wonders of witnessing America’s favorite pastime up close.

• • •

By Bobby Ross Jr.

The stadium felt like a furnace — think obnoxious Texas heat in early July — when I walked into my first major-league baseball game at age 14.

By then, of course, I was already a big baseball fan, with thousands of baseball cards, an autographed picture of Pete Rose and a dream of growing up to do radio play-by-play.

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Me, with my children Keaton, Brady and Kendall, at a Texas Rangers game in 2013.

For all the hours I had spent watching televised games and poring over newspaper box scores, though, I had never actually been to a game.

But in 1982, my family moved to Dallas-Fort Worth, and a heaven with the greenest grass I had ever seen beckoned us.

We made it to our bleacher seats in the bottom of the first inning, just as Texas Rangers slugger Larry Parrish stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. That Saturday was “Bat Day,” so 10,000 wooden bats banged thunderously against the concrete and the crowd roared at an obscene decibel as the ball sailed over the fence — a grand slam!

A young lifetime of rooting for the Cincinnati Reds suddenly vanished. I fell in love with the Rangers that day.

Continue reading “Trips to baseball heaven: Fans share cherished memories of first major-league games”

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Remember the Titans, neglect the saints

Remember the Titans, neglect the saints: For some, gridiron gods compete with God for time and attention on Sunday.  In my Associated Press days, I wrote about a church that developed a “Holy Huddle” program to combat people leaving services early to watch the Dallas Cowboys. More recently, a preacher I know in a different NFL city complained about members slipping out in the middle of … Continue reading Remember the Titans, neglect the saints

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Christian Chronicle

Embracing family, friends and faith on Opening Day

Embracing family, friends and faith on Opening Day (column from Arlington, Texas): Why I love root, root, rooting for the home team. ARLINGTON, Texas — My three favorite holidays: Thanksgiving. Christmas. Opening Day. I was blessed to join my 16-year-old son, Keaton, and 49,029 fellow baseball fans at my beloved Texas Rangers’ season opener against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday afternoon. I originally planned to watch the game … Continue reading Embracing family, friends and faith on Opening Day

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

From bat boy to major-league executive

From bat boy to major-league executive (reporting from Arlington, Texas): San Diego Padres’ vice president and assistant general manager Chad MacDonald devoted to his faith. ARLINGTON, Texas — On his frequent trips to the San Diego Padres’ international baseball academy in the Dominican Republic, Chad MacDonald usually takes along an extra suitcase. It’s not because MacDonald, the Padres’ vice president and assistant general manager of player personnel, has … Continue reading From bat boy to major-league executive

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Oh, Brothers! For Rockies pitcher with 0.28 ERA, there’s a higher calling

Oh, Brothers! For Rockies pitcher with 0.28 ERA, there’s a higher calling (reporting from Los Angeles). Page 1. LOS ANGELES – Rex Brothers portrays himself as “just a normal dude.” Except that he’s standing in the visitors’ clubhouse at Dodger Stadium as he makes this claim — a few hours before pitching yet another scoreless inning for the Colorado Rockies. “People look at me as an … Continue reading Oh, Brothers! For Rockies pitcher with 0.28 ERA, there’s a higher calling

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Christian Chronicle

‘This is what the Lord made me for’

‘This is what the Lord made me for,’ says national motocross champion Trey Canard (reporting from Shawnee, Okla.). Currents. SHAWNEE, Okla. – Out of his racing uniform, Trey Canard seems an unassuming presence, especially for someone known for performing high-speed, bone-jarring exploits in front of 30,000 to 60,000 fans. However, the toughness and quiet confidence of the 5-foot-6, 150-pound Canard shine through as he reflects on … Continue reading ‘This is what the Lord made me for’

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