Brewers – Ballparking It

Dog Days of March: Ranking Hot Dogs by Memory

Social Distancing Day 9 …

The sports are gone. The good food is gone. I haven’t interacted with a human in nine days. So here we are.

I’ve been to eight ballparks in the past two seasons, and I ate hot dogs at six of them. I’m no food critic, but I do love ballpark hot dogs and ranking things … and I kind of remember how hot dogs taste (like I kind of remember what baseball is like … or you know, human interaction).

#7 (unofficial) Miller Park

The hot dog at the ballpark famous for sausage races may have not lived up to the hype. I was recovering from an unfortunately timed stomach bug at the time, so I didn’t get to eat one myself (thus, the “unofficial” ranking), but from what I hear, Miller Park hot dogs don’t impress.

My brother’s take? “Grossest hot dog I’ve ever eaten in my entire life.”

That seems dramatic, but some people around us shared the same sentiment. The biggest redeeming factor? It was Dollar Dog Day. At Brewers games, maybe you get what you pay for. Let’s hope the everyday dogs are better.

Miller Park’s baked potato game, however, was on point.

Verdict: I don’t know. Maybe eat a baked potato.

#6 Coors Field

In the Mile High City, I went all in on the Denver Dog. This hot dog was not bad. It just wasn’t MY kind of hot dog.

Topped with green chili sauce, jalapenos and what seemed like a mile-high pile of shredded cheddar cheese, the Denver Dog looked delicious, and on paper, it should have been. But I didn’t like all the textures mixed together, especially with the sheer amount of shredded cheese.

It was also incredibly messy to eat … and I may have forgotten what I was doing and touched my eye after eating but before washing my hands. I won’t do that again.

Verdict: Sorry, Rockies, it’s not you. It’s me.

#5 Great American Ball Park

These next two were tough. I thoroughly enjoyed all the hot dogs from here on out, and there wasn’t really anything that set Nos. 4 and 5 apart from each other (I’ve flipped them multiple times.)

It all came down to regretting my decision at Great American Ball Park. I’m not trying to penalize the Reds for offering hot dogs that sound more delicious than the one I chose, but I chose a Nathan’s all-beef frank, and in a weird turn, I wish I would’ve gone with the other basic hot dog option … which means I must’ve not completely loved the one I ate.

(In reality, I wish I would’ve chosen Skyline Chili, but again, I can’t dock Great American Ball Park for having options.)

Verdict: Pretty great American hot dog, but I would change my order next time.

#4 Busch Stadium

I love Busch Stadium hot dogs, and as a Cardinals fan, I’ve eaten a lot of them throughout my life. But the one I ate on the particular night in question wasn’t as great as I know a Busch Stadium hot dog can be.

I had also eaten a giant lunch at Ballpark Village before sitting around for hours waiting out a thunderstorm, so I probably wasn’t the hungriest. I’d still order it again if given the chance and recommend it to anyone asking.

Verdict: Great, but not greatest.

#3 Target Field

I’d consider this one a sleeper. Target Field was fairly generic in my opinion, but the hot dog (even on $1 Wednesday) was anything but.

I respect a hot dog tasty enough to stand on its own without condiments, and this one did just that, packing in a ton of flavor with every bite. And at the low price of $1, it packed in even more value.

The Minnesota Twins don’t skimp when it comes to dollar dogs.

Verdict: The dollar dog at Target Field may be one of the best ways to spend a buck.

#1 (tie) Guaranteed Rate Field, Wrigley Field

Chicago-style hot dog at Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)

I get it. Ties are disappointing, but we all root for them when it comes to multiple teams winning a division we have no stake in, so let’s pretend this is that.

I’m putting my anti-Cubs bias aside and handing over the top trophy to both Chicago teams because let’s face it, the town knows its hot dogs.

In most cases, my favorite way to eat a hot dog is plain, on a bun and dipped in ketchup … with the exception of the Chicago dog, which is the real champion here.

(And yes, I realize it’s weird to eat a plain hot dog and dip it in ketchup.)

I can’t crown one single champion. They both exceeded my high expectations, delivering on big flavor from both a hot dog and condiment standpoint.

For those not familiar, Chicago-style hot dogs feature mustard, sport peppers, tomatoes, neon green relish, a dill pickle spear and onions, all on a poppyseed bun. Basically perfection. (I always leave off the onions, though.)

The South Side dog was slightly more beautiful than the North Side one … but only because I loaded up the Wrigley one myself.

Chicago-style hot dog at Wrigley Field (Cubs)

Verdict: As much as it hurts me to say it, Chicago is king when it comes to hot dogs.

Honorable Mention: T-Mobile Park

This one didn’t make the list only because it’s pretty much impossible to rank a fish sandwich against a hot dog. But honestly, if I could have any food right now, I might choose the Ivar Dog (brought to you by a regional fish chain in Washington.)

Maybe I’m just hungry. (I am.) But this fish sandwich is one of the best fish sandwiches I’ve ever eaten in my life. Topped with tartar sauce and coleslaw, this fried cod was also one of the best things I’ve ever eaten at a sporting event.

With a stunning view of Puget Sound just outside the ballpark, a fish dog is the perfect answer to a landlocked stadium’s hot dog. Plus, it’s Lent-friendly if that’s your thing.

Dear Mariners, I want one right now.

Verdict: Does a fried fish sandwich make a good substitute for a hot dog? No. It makes a great one.

Have a good hot dog suggestion? Let me know in the comments.

Quick Turnaround for Ballpark #3, Miller Park

After knocking off Target Field a little over a week ago, I’m back at it, headed to Miller Park for my third of 30, a Memorial Day showdown between the St. Louis Cardinals and NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers.

Watching the Cardinals make up some ground on their red-hot division rivals tops my to-do list, but that’s mostly out of my control, mostly … and a little outside the scope of this blog. What else am I looking forward to doing or seeing on my Milwaukee road trip? You’re about to find out, but first, here is a quick history lesson on the Brewers.

The history of baseball in Milwaukee is complicated. The city has been home to professional baseball as far back as the 1880s and has had multiple teams called the Brewers. Today’s Brewers are an expansion team that started as the Seattle Pilots (for one season) and moved to Milwaukee in 1970 as an American League team. They switched to the National League in 1998, and Miller Park opened in 2001.

One Miller Park moment that stands out to me is the 2002 All-Star Game that ended in a tie and led to the “this time it counts” campaign for more than the next decade’s worth of Midsummer Classics (as in, the winner of the game decided home-field advantage for the World Series from 2003 to 2016.)

Milwaukee To-Do List (not comprehensive and in no particular order)

1. Sausage race

This one is a given. What started as a goofy, animated race on the video board has transformed into … a goofy, live-action race in the ballpark. The bratwurst, Polish sausage and Italian sausage are the originals. The hot dog and chorizo were added later.

What’s not to love? It’s even had its own drama (when then-Pirate Randall Simon took out the Italian Sausage in 2003).

My gut tells me to choose the hot dog, mostly because, of the five, I only like hot dogs (and I tried to execute this terrible pun … get it?), but I’m waiting to see them in person before committing to my pick.

2. Retractable roof

I’ve never seen a retractable roof and want to see it in action. I’ve also never seen baseball played indoors (unless you count P.E. wiffle ball).

3. Brewers Walk of Fame

I want to see every team’s hall of fame (or equivalent). The Brewers don’t have a hall of fame. Instead, they have their Walk of Fame, so maybe it’ll feel like I’m in Hollywood.

4. Any mention of the 1982 World Series

Unlike my trip to Minnesota, which involved a team that has defeated the Cardinals in a World Series (1987), this trip takes me to Milwaukee to watch a team that has lost to the Cardinals in a World Series (1982). It’s the only World Series the Brewers have played in, so I’m guessing it will be featured somewhere in the stadium.

5. Cheese curds

It’s Dollar Dog Day at the ballpark, so I will eat a hot dog at some point, but I regret missing out on cheese curds at Target Field (and cheese curds are even more closely associated with Wisconsin than Minnesota), so I feel like cheese curds will be a good investment here.

6. Memorial Day celebrations

I’m excited to celebrate all those who have died protecting our freedom. Will there be a bald eagle? I hope so.

7. Jelly Belly Warehouse

We’re stopping at the Jelly Belly Warehouse in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, on our way to Milwaukee. I’m at least equally as excited for this as I am the game. I LOVE jelly beans (as in, I’m addicted and obsessed), and I’m about to be surrounded by them. I’m hoping it’s Willy Wonka-esque in all the weirdest and sugariest ways.

We’ll also visit a few other places in Milwaukee, and I’ll write all about them on this blog.

Game Preview
Cardinals vs. Brewers
Miller Park
Monday, May 28, 2018
1:10 p.m. CT
Probable starting pitchers: STL Luke Weaver (RHP) vs. MIL Brent Suter (LHP)

Basically, all you need to know is the Cardinals (27-22 as I write this) are struggling, and the Brewers … not so much. As of now, they have the best record in the National League (33-20).

This is my first game in the Ballparking It era that will feature a Cardinals starting pitcher not named Miles Mikolas, so I’m in uncharted territory in that respect. However, it also marks my second straight dollar hot dog day of the season, and the Cardinals are 1-0 when I pay exactly $1 for a hot dog.

Opening Day Vibes

In honor of baseball making its grand return, I’m looking back at one of my favorite ballpark experiences, Opening Day at Busch Stadium in 2006.

Clydesdales 2006 — Clydesdales on Opening Day 2006

Opening Day is like a holiday. By the time baseball finally comes out of hibernation, we’re hungry. We’ve watched an embarrassing number of TV shows throughout the winter and have the college basketball blues (or at least that’s true for me).

Then, baseball comes along and saves us from our TV-bingeing selves.

If your team opens on the road, you basically have two full days of celebration, Opening Day of Major League Baseball and Opening Day at home.

I’ve only been to one home opener in person, but that particular one was extra special, the inaugural game of Busch Stadium III on April 10, 2006.

I was a junior in high school and used an absence to go to the game. I had gone to my first prom two days earlier, so I was pretty tired, probably from walking around in a 10-pound dress, too much hairspray and a headful of bobby pins (and dancing to too much Lil Jon), but Opening Day woke me right up.

I’m a nostalgic person and can find sentimental value in almost anything, so at first, I wasn’t sure how I would react to my favorite stadium in the world being destroyed and replaced.

(Spoiler alert: The 2006 season ended with the Cardinals’ first World Series title in my lifetime, so I moved on pretty quickly.)

Despite my initial hesitance, I fell in love with the look and feel of new Busch Stadium almost immediately. I had been to AT&T Park (then-Pac Bell) in San Francisco a few years prior, so I was familiar with and already liked the retro look.

The new ballpark food was (and still is) amazing. I was fortunate to be at the stadium long enough to eat two meals, chicken tenders for lunch AND a hot dog for dinner. My dad tried the barbecue sandwich and ice cream and enjoyed both as well.

Me eating chicken tenders on Opening Day 2006

Although I loved (and still love) the beautiful view of the Gateway Arch in the outfield, I disliked (and still dislike) that new Busch isn’t nearly as loud as old Busch because of all that openness.

All in all, the good outweighed the bad, and I decided Busch Stadium III was a worthy replacement for the former stadium. I mean, it is Baseball Heaven and all.

My dad had only gone to one home opener prior to 2006. He and my brother went in 2004, when then-President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch. (They still reference seeing Secret Service snipers on top of the stadium.)

I’m told by pretty much all St. Louis media that Opening Day at Busch is like no other. I don’t know for sure because I haven’t witnessed Opening Day in any other baseball city, but I can confirm that Opening Day in St. Louis lives up to the hype.

Downtown St. Louis basically shuts down for a daylong party. Adults take off work, and kids skip school to head over to the game and welcome back their beloved Redbirds.

The pregame ceremony features a lap by the famous Budweiser Clydesdales, followed by the parade of Cardinals Hall of Famers riding around the warning track in the backs of Mustang convertibles. Then, the current players come out in their own motorcade.

The current players shake the hands of Cardinals legends, like Bob Gibson, Lou Brock and Ozzie Smith, at home plate. (I’ve definitely teared up watching it a time or two.)

It’s magical. The Cardinals pack so much tradition and history into one day and somehow still manage to offer something new.

Opening Day of a new stadium made the whole experience even more unique (and historical). My dad and I were two of the first 41,936 (according to Baseball Reference) fans to explore the ballpark, and I’m grateful I had that opportunity.

Oh, and I almost forgot … what happened in the game?

Well, despite falling behind early, the Cardinals came away with a 6-4 win over the Brewers. Mark Mulder served up the first home run in the new ballpark, but he later (shockingly) hit one of his own. A guy named Albert Pujols did, too.

In the end, I had a great and memorable day skipping school for Opening Day and ballparking it in a brand-new stadium with my dad.

Opening Day 2006 Sights and Swag