Postcards from PETCO Park

by Jenn on Jun 04, 2010 in Ballpark experience

Today’s missive is about my recent trip to San Diego, where my fangirl luck (the Nationals are .714 in the 14 home games I’ve attended so far this year) wasn’t much help at PETCO Park. Two games, two losses. Not what I had in mind, but still a nice weekend at the ballpark and with my family, in one of the cities I consider home.

Over the 2008 Christmas holiday, I went on the ballpark tour at PETCO, but I’d never watched a game there before last week. It’s a lovely, yet simple ballpark, in a way that fits San Diego. With a lot of open space in the outfield, allowing views of downtown buildings and the mini-beach where kids can hang out during the game, I underestimated the Park’s 42,445-seat capacity. Only slightly bigger than Nationals Park based on seat count, PETCO is cozy and pleasant.

I wandered around the ballpark with my camera, and share a bunch of my photos below. But first, I wanted to describe the image that sticks with me most, even though I just observed it without snapping a picture.

Jim and Nyjer

For those who don’t know me personally, a little bit of context. I’m a big fan of Jim Riggleman. Seriously. Big. Fan. I adore him and have told him as much, in one of those situations where the otherwise articulate fangirl makes crazy comments in an autograph line, and the kind, then-interim manager responds with a gracious reply and winning smile.

In contrast, I’m not a fan of Nyjer Morgan. Never have been, in part because I can’t relate to Tony Plush. I understand why he’s been a favorite for some people, and I appreciate the upbeat energy he generally provides for his teammates, but Nyjer’s just not the type of player that I adopt as my own. Even before the inside-the-park home runs and the glove incident, Nyjer was getting under my skin with his adventures in fielding and baserunning. In the same way Nyjer got emotional about his missed outfield play, I’ve been a bit emotional in my frustration with Nyjer.

On Sunday at PETCO Park, I had fabulous seats, on the second row behind the Nationals dugout. I watched Nyjer make some timely plays in centerfield and found enough humanity in my tiny heart to recognize his effort with a golf clap. I also noticed two at-bats when Nyjer really battled, but ultimately didn’t get on base.

Riggleman also noted these plate appearances. It was a day game and for the most part Jim stayed in the shade of the dugout. At least I think he was in the shade; he was generally out of my view. But after Morgan’s at-bats, Jim emerged from the dugout to meet Nyjer at the warning track, or maybe he made it to the grass. Jim reached out to Nyjer like a father, with a supportive pat on the arm and back, and the Grinch-lady’s heart grew several sizes.

I understand from someone who would be in a position to know that Nyjer’s baseball and emotional transgressions have been managed behind closed doors, and I think that’s how it should be. My instinct has been to trust that Riggleman will strike the right balance between accountability and compassion, and seeing him interact with Nyjer made me adore him even more (if that were possible).

I’m guessing that Jim also gets frustrated with Nyjer from time-to-time, and that he also might not relate to Tony Plush. So with Jim’s good example in mind, the next time Nyjer gets caught stealing or flubs a play at the wall, I’ll try to dial down my hostility a notch.

Images from PETCO Park

And now, the photo “postcard,” starting with my family, who went to the ballpark primarily because Aunt Jenna loves it.

Say “hello,” from left to right (back row), to my sister, father, brother-in-law, and step-mom. Also left to right (front row), my nieces and me. My sister and her family live in the San Diego area, but my dad and step-mom traveled from Salt Lake City. Feel free to address in the comments whether my nieces should have worn the Washington Nationals T-shirts their Aunt Jenna brought for them. Photo by Tim (thanks for joining us).