Texas Rangers

We are deep in the heart of Texas!  Ed, Farley and Mark explore the Metroplex – Dallas.  So much to see and do, Fort Worth Stockyards, Cowboys Stadium with their lovely cheerleaders and Rangers Ballpark.  Ed shares his rodeo experience and interviews Branch Rickey expert, Lee Lowenfish.  Ed then interviews Brad Horn from the Baseball Hall of Fame about the 3 men who were inducted on July 25th.  Our PhD Committee then fuels up the car and heads to the next great Texas city – Houston.

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Cowboys Stadium

We know that it is Rangers‘ week but down the road from Rangers Ballpark sits a 1.6 billion dollar football stadium that is second to none.  Cowboys Stadium is a Texas size stadium that will not disappoint.  Ed Kasputis attended opening night on September 20, 2009 and stated “Cowboys Stadium has to be one of the 7 wonders of the sports world.  The scoreboard is 60 yards wide.  It’s like Xbox has invaded your live football experience.  When you visit Arlington, you must visit this stadium.”

Opening Night – September 20, 2009

Cowboys Stadium Tour

Dealey Plaza

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald at Dealey Plaza in Dallas.  Abraham Zapruder with a home movie camera (Model 414 PD Bell & Howell Zoomatic Director Series Camera) captured this assassination.

Zapruder stood atop the most western of two concrete pedestals that extend from the John Neely Bryan north pergola overlooking Elm Street in Dealey Plaza.  The above picture was taken from that same concrete pedestal.  The “x” on Elm Street marks where President Kennedy was shot.

Ed, Farley and Mark will be remembering this national tragedy during our podcast featuring the Texas Rangers.  This podcast will be released on Friday, July 30th.

John F. Kennedy Assassination

Fort Worth Stockyards

This week is Rangers‘ week with our podcast featuring the Texas Rangers being released on Friday, July 30th.  Fort Worth is 33 miles east of Dallas.  Fort Worth is the 17th largest city in the United States.

The Fort Worth Stockyards is a national historic district with shopping, lodging and entertainment such as rodeos.  During our next podcast, Ed Kasputis will share the details about his visit to the rodeo.

Fort Worth Stockyards Rodeo – Part 1

Fort Worth Stockyards Rodeo – Part 2

Los Angeles Dodgers

Historic Dodger Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Our PhD Committee is soaking up the rays and remembering why everybody loves LA.  They explore SoCal as Farley calls it.  Ed interviews George Altemose, a man who was once a kid that loved the Brooklyn Dodgers.  The Dodgers moved and George moved on but the great part of sports is that we can all remember.  Ed then describes his visit to Simi Valley and the Reagan Presidential Library.  During our 7th inning stretch, we hear the organ music from Dodger organist, Nancy Bea.  The podcast concludes as Ed, Farley and Mark say goodbye to the City of Angels and hello to Arlington, Texas – the home to both those Dallas Cowboys and first place Texas Rangers.

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Dodger Stadium

Dodger Stadium is the third oldest Major League ballpark.  It is now the largest.  The architectural elements of the ballpark will take you back to the 60′s.  Dodger Stadium is graceful and clean.

As you take your seats don’t be surprised if you meet Joe Friday or see the Brady kids sitting along the first base line.  Ed, Farley and Mark will be reviewing this beautiful ballpark on our July 23rd podcast, featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Dodger Stadium slideshow

The Music of Dodger Stadium

This week is Dodgers‘ week with our podcast featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers being released on Friday, July 23rd.  Dodger Stadium is the third oldest  and largest ballpark in the Major Leagues.  Any fan attending a Dodgers game will love the music, from I Love LA sung by Randy Newman, the classical baseball organ music of Nancy Bea and the middle of the eighth “Journey Guy”, Jameson Moss as he lip syncs and performs to Don’t Stop Believin.

Randy Newman

I Love LA was released in 1983 in the album Trouble in Paradise.  The Dodgers play this anthem prior to each game and at the end of each Dodger win.  While this song is 27 years old, the mark of a classic is that no one gets tired of its beat and energy.

Nancy Bea

Nancy Bea has played the organ for the Los Angeles Dodgers for 23 years.  She is competing against your iPod.  For the past decade, baseball executives have chosen to play more songs from your iPod and less traditional baseball organ music.  The Los Angeles Angels no longer have an organist.

A trip to Dodger Stadium will not disappoint.  You’ll quickly be charmed by Bea as she appears on the Diamond Vision and you watch her play.  She is more charming and beautiful than a 3rd generation iPod Touch, plus she can ad lib and has perfect pitch.

Married 53 years, Bea built a home in Reno, Nevada and tried to retire after the 2005 season.  The Dodgers refused.

Next year, Baseball PhD will plan more in advance and contact Bea’s high powered agent to schedule an interview.  In the meantime, click here to listen to a 20 minute 2009 interview by KUSC radio.

Jameson Moss

Jameson Moss is a 19 year old, Dodger season ticket holder transplant from Atlanta.  He started his interpretive dance routine of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin in 2009.  The routine caught on and Moss is now a staple at Dodger Stadium during the 8th inning of each game.  His band, Jameson Moss and The Thrillers have just released their first album, City of Broken Lights.

Ronald Wilson Reagan (1911 – 2004)

Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States (1981 – 1989).  The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library is located 46 miles northwest of Dodger Stadium in Simi Valley.

Ed Kasputis visited The Reagan Presidential Library on June 29th.  ”During my California trip I had the opportunity to visit 4 of the state’s 5 Major League Ballparks.  AT & T Park and Dodger Stadium were spectacular” Kasputis said.  ”I love baseball but the highlight of the trip was visiting The Reagan Presidential Library. During my morning tour I got goose bumps and wept on multiple occasions.  Ronald Reagan was my political Babe Ruth.”

Our PhD Committee will be reviewing The Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library during our podcast featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, July 23rd.  Ed, Farley and Mark will be reviewing this “must visit” Presidential Library.

Reagan Library Tour

Tribute to Ronald Reagan

The Reagan Wit

Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library Slideshow

Santa Monica Pier

This week is Dodgers‘ week with our podcast featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers being released on Friday, July 23rd.  The closest Major League Ballpark to the Santa Monica Pier is Dodger Stadium.

Drive west on Santa Monica Boulevard and you’ll hit this 100 year old landmark.  The Pier contains an amusement park (Pacific Park), an aquarium, shops, entertainers, restaurants, arcades and a trapeze school.  It’s also a great place to fish.

Leah’s Premier at the Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier Slide Show

San Diego Padres

Ed, Farley and Mark are in America’s Finest City, San Diego.  Our PhD Committee explores all things San Diego.  Ed then gets wisdom from James D. Smith III as he learns about the Padres and the importance of having a hobby.  Ed then interviews Brad Horn from the Baseball Hall of Fame as it prepares for its annual Hall of Fame Weekend which will take place from July 23 – 26.  The Wise Guys get back to the future as they battle it out with a baseball history quiz and ponder what would have happened had Ray Kroc not saved the Padres from moving in 1974.  At the end of the podcast, our PhD Committee salutes San Diego Bay and heads north toward Hollywood.  Next week is Dodgers‘ week, think blue.

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