Temporary Autonomous Zones.

The Yankees won a hard fought victory yesterday against the Twins. Initially taking a two run lead the Twins quickly tied it up. The Yankees then gained a 5-2 lead and the Twins tied it up again! After gaining a 7-5 lead the Twins scored one run in the top of the ninth, but Mo was able to hold them off. Phew... But during the game I was impressed by one of the Twin's relief pitchers Pat Neshek. Although not as drop dead divine as Scott Proctor or my dear dear Kyle Farnsworth, he is an avid "grapher" or in lay-person's terms someone who collects autographs. Apparently this professional baseball player is an avid hockey fan and will steak out players hotels in order to acquire his booty. That's just precious. He also likes to trade with fans and other players, and actively auctions off autographed gear on ebay. Fresh!

He also has a clever website wherein he routinely writes updates from the road. It is a unique insight into the life of a major league baseball player. The idea of a professional baller staying in San Francisco and taking the BART to Oakland for games just tickles me. And here I thought all professional players were mincing divas, but I guess that may just be a Roger Clemons thing.

Far more accessible than Derek although Derek is more diligent with his journal than some (Read David Wright). And although Pat seems quite amiable with his fans, I'm sure Derek could call me a douche face when I ask for an autograph and I'd just brush it off as nerves. Anyway, now I seem to know what I'm suppose to do with all these baseball cards I have, and reading on Pat's website has given me all the false confidence I need to do what Anonymous D says I should do, Get autographs!

The best part of the website which you can find here was what he wrote about my hometown of Seattle and it's ballpark. Although I probably shouldn't do this I simply have to share his thoughts on our town and Safeco field:

"Well we are in Seattle and I must say this time change is really throwing me off. Each day so far I have woke up at 7:30am thinking it was almost 10! So far it has thrown me off big time. In the game last night I was yawning around the 5th inning and when I finished pitching it was almost midnight Central time.

This is my first time in Seattle and I have been impressed with nearly everything except the weather. Over the past year when I have talked to other guys on the team or friends that have played big league ball the question sometimes comes up over what my favorite ballpark was. Last year I missed out on 3 AL parks, Toronto, Anaheim and here. When I returned the question and asked them their favorite park it was almost hands down they were going to say Seattle. Honestly after spending one day here I don't blame them, this place is nice. I think it all starts with things that go on before the game that get most players to like this place the best. The hotel here is the nicest I have ever stayed in...one of those places you look for something bad to say but cannot find one thing wrong. The same could be said for Safeco field. The other things at the field really caught my eye such as the visitor clubhouse weight room, the extra space in every room in the clubhouse and how clean everything was. Then you have the field and the amazing roof, what an engineering feat! Our bullpen guys messed around before BP yesterday and mixed in frisbee with our running and got a big time workout. I'm sure the other team was looking at us different when they looked out in the outfield and saw nearly our entire bullpen doing frisbee sprints! After that BP was about to start and the roof opened. It took about 1 minute to open the roof, unreal how quiet it was. Once the game started the roof was open for about 3 innings and the next thing I knew I looked up and the roof was over us before I even had time to notice. Pretty neat field and easily in my top 3...probably #1.

Interesting note
The one thing that was kind of weird was when it started raining outside last night the rain was pouring over our bullpen and a little into left field. At Safeco there is just a roof so the sides of the stadium are still open letting air and rain come in...I thought it would be like Milwaukee but it wasn't even close. So when I warmed up last night it was pouring rain then I walked onto the field and everything was fine and dry."

I'm so glad he enjoyed his stay at our park. I understand Derek is quite fond of the lattes served in our visting players lounge. You can never put too high a price on hospitality.

Tomorrow I'm going to see The Decemberists and Band of Horses at the Hollywood Bowl. I'll spend most of the weekend in LBC and next weekend I'm off to my aforementioned and beloved Emerald City. I can't wait! Drag Dan to a baseball game and feverishly seek autographs from the players. How cool is that gonna be? Well. You can't count that high.