The All-Star Futures Game, Celebrity Softball Game, and the Home Run Derby

The last two days, Michael and I spent the evenings at our home ballpark - Chase Field.  We got to enjoy the All-Star Futures game on Sunday afternoon.  That was pretty nice.  Basically, all of the best minor league players from the USA and players born outside the US faced off against each other in a game.  The cool thing is we got to see some of the players that will likely be playing in the major leagues within the next year or two.

The players being introduced

Bryce Harper was the #1 pick in the draft last year for the Nationals.  

Then, after that game was over, we got to check out the Celebrity Softball Game.  The teams consisted of retired major league players such as Ozzie Smith, Luis Gonzales, Mark Grace, Ricky Henderson, and Rollie Fingers and some current celebrities (some of who we had never seen before) but others we knew like locals Larry Fitzgerald, Jordan Sparks, Nick Jonas, Jenny Finch, and Erin Andrews.  

Michael

The mascots during the celebrity softball game

Rollie Fingers

Fred Lynn

Nick Jonas

Jordan Sparks

Mr. Cub - Ernie Banks

Yesterday, we went to the Home Run Derby.  That was very cool!  We got there early to see the players warm up and then we watched the Derby.  Robinson Cano of the Yankees beat Adrian Gonzales from the Red Sox in the finals.  But, man did they hit some huge shots!  Prince Fielder crushed one 457 feet off the scoreboard in right field and Cano just kept crushing bombs to right field.  Here are the photos:

Michael trying to get some autographs

Michael got a ball signed by Jenny Finch - nice!

The man who gave us our first World Series title - Luis Gonzales

We took the train into the ballpark

Michael outside of Chase Field

Michael and the Detroit Tigers mascot - Paws

Michael and I with Mark Grace

For some reason, Michael wore his St. Louis Cardinals hat from the trip
 and Randy Johnson  had to cover it up.

The Orioles mascot

The players warming up before the home run derby

Paul Konerko - Go Sox!

Michael checking out the Derby!

Big Papi - David Ortiz taking his swings at the Derby

Me and the main man.

Tonight, our trip officially comes to an end as we will be at the All Star Game itself.  As a kid, I always dreamed of going to an all star game.  I'm glad that not only will be able to do it, but that Michael will be with me and that it will be the last thing we do on our trip.  Our seats will probably cause a nosebleed or two, but they are in the park behind home plate in the upper deck which is all that matters.  We'll have a full post on the game tomorrow.

As I've mentioned, there are still a few things we will be posting on the blog over the next couple of weeks.  We've got about five more videos to post and I've got a couple of special things planned as well.  Keep checking us out and commenting.  We really appreciate it.