Baseball Vacation 2006

Cardinals vs Braves: July 17, 2006

      After the game the previous afternoon, we took it easy and ate a nice dinner at a restaurant near our hotel. On the 17th, we drove around St. Louis a bit and took a tour of the Gateway Arch. I am claustrophobic, and was a bit stressed when we got to the top and there was a small room packed with people and I realized there was no easy way down. But once I started taking photos I forgot where I was and enjoyed myself a lot more. But I don't think I will do that again! We also tried to take a cruise on the river but (literally) just missed the boat.
      The game was at 6pm and, as usual, we got there early for batting practice. Mitchell managed to get a baseball autographed by Andruw Jones. I was well prepared for autographs, as I had purchased two dozen official major league baseballs for the trip. Our seats were down low near the dugout again, and I got some decent photos before it got dark. The Braves put on a hitting demonstration, something Mitchell and I enjoyed immensely. We left the game a bit early, as we had illusions of getting into Cincinnati early enough the next day to take a stadium tour. So we drove to Evansville to spend the night and then to Cincy the next day.

1
The sun is setting as Jeff Weaver goes through the windup for the first pitch.
2
Jeff Weaver throws a pitch in the first inning. Nice mechanics for you little leaguers at home.
3
Chipper Jones fouled off some pitches and drew a walk in the first inning off of Weaver.
4
What? The Braves score 15 runs and Andruw Jones goes 0 for 4? Here he lunges at the offering from Jeff Weaver in the first inning. Look at that back foot!
5
Andruw Jones awaits another pitch in the first inning. He was nice enough to give Mitchell a nice autograph on a major league baseball before the game.
6
Now that Andruw Jones has struck out to end the top of the first inning, Albert Pujols can't wait to bat.
7
Eckstein ended up with a walk in the first.
8
So Taguchi awaits a first inning pitch from Horacio Ramirez.
9
Taguchi flies out to right field in the first inning.
10
Albert poses for the camera in the first inning.
11
Pujols gets under one a bit too much.
12
Albert watches his lazy fly ball to right field in the first inning.
13
Scott Rolen stares down Ramirez and draws a walk in the first inning.
14
Juan Encarnacion goes for a pitch in the first inning.
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Juan Encarnacion pops up to Chipper Jones in the first inning.
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Jeff Weaver shows off his form in the 2nd inning.
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Albert Pujols prepares to keep McCann close to first.
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Jeff Weaver shows off more of his form.
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Jeff Weavers shows the kids how to finish a pitch.
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Jim Edmonds hits a solo homer in the 4th.
21
Ready for the pitch.
22
Chipper Jones flies to center in the 3rd inning.
23
Chipper watches his fly out.
24
Andruw Jones did get a walk
25
Jeff Francour tripled to right and then scored in the 3rd inning.
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