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DJ Spencer
A few months ago, I was invited by Dave Shabaz, our publisher here at the News-Telegram, to come to a Texas Rangers baseball game and experience it from the press box at Globe Life Field. I decided this would be a fun time for both of us, so I accepted.
After looking through the schedule for a Saturday home game, we settled on the Rangers’ Aug. 6 game against the Chicago White Sox. We figured it would be a good one. Plus, we could watch White Sox star Jose Abreu in person, and, at least for Dave, root against one of his most despised teams. After a couple of months of anticipation, the day finally arrived. Me and Dave met up at the newspaper office and then immediately left for the game. On the way there, we listened to the Chicago Cubs vs. Miami Marlins game, which is only fitting since the Cubs are Dave’s favorite team. The Cubs won that game 3-0, which helped bolster Dave’s mood. After a couple of hours on the road, we finally arrived in Arlington. Once we were there, I had to look at the parking map (because people still use them!) to help navigate to the media parking lot, because the GPS would only take us to the stadium. Eventually, we made it there and Dave parked.
Once we parked, we walked to the media window to pick up our press passes. After that, we entered the stadium, went through the metal detectors, and then went to a special elevator to go up to the press. However, right before we went up, a security guard tracked us down and scanned our press passes. We almost made it up there without scanning, but I guess you just can’t sneak in.
After we made it to the press box, we decided to go ahead and have dinner. The dinner consisted of some kind of meat and vegetables, salad, pizza, and rolls. I just ate pizza and rolls, since I’m a picky eater. I also got a Dr. Pepper to drink.
Afterwards, we walked to the seating area to pick out seats, then we ate. After we ate, we had some ice cream before the game.
Let me just say that sitting in the press box is a very different experience. The seats are comfortable, you get an awesome view, and you get to sit where thousands of people in the stadium could only dream of sitting.
Before the game, the Rangers have this contest on Twitter called the “Mitel Call.” That's where you go on Twitter and predict which Rangers player would hit a home run first. I got Dave to take on the challenge with me. I picked Corey Seager, which was more of a safe pick, while Dave picked Nathaniel Lowe.
Soon after, the game started. It was a packed house, with over 38,000 fans in attendance. The first two innings were scoreless, as both pitchers were playing extremely well. Finally, in the bottom of the third inning, the Rangers broke the game open after Ezequiel Duran hit a solo home run into right field, giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead. So with that, neither of our home run predictions came true.
Later that same inning, the Rangers scored again when Adolis Garcia hit a 2-RBI single into left field, bringing, Marcus Semien and Seager home and extending the lead to 3-0.
When the next inning rolled around, the Rangers extended their lead to 4-0 after Meibrys Viloria scored on a wild pitch.
After two scoreless innings, the Rangers extended their lead to 7-0 after Garcia hit a 3-RBI double, brining Semien, Seager, and Lowe home. The lead went up to 8-0 after Garcia scored a run.
During the game, me and Dave chatted and had a good time. We also got some souvenir shirts that were gonna be given out the next day, so that was a bonus.
In the end, the Rangers won 8-0, which made for a great game.
Afterwards, we drove back to Sulphur Springs, drove through Whataburger for our second dinner, and then he dropped me off at my truck. I got home after midnight, but it was a fun day.
My first press box experience was a great one. All I can say now is I can’t wait to go back to Globe Life Field and watch another game from their press box.