snagging a few autographs from Adam Ottavino, Rex Brothers and RafaelBetancourt. Jordan Pacheco, Johnny Herrera, Wilin Rosario and ChrisNelson also signed for fans.

After warm ups, it was time to head to our seats down in left-fieldfoul territory. We did not stay there long as we decided to go hang outabove the Rockies’ bullpen. This was a great choice because the Rockiesbats were hot and Adam Ottavino tossed me Wil Nieves’ home run ball.This was Nieves’ first home run in a Rockies uniform. The Rockies endedup slamming the Rangers with a final score of 11-7.

Game 3 of Rockies vs. Rangers was a Sunday night game. My unclehad gotten us tickets from his company, so we ended up in the third rowbehind home plate, looking into the Rockies dugout. The best part of thisgame was that Nolan Ryan and former President George W. Bush wereone section to our right and five rows in front of us. This game was notas exciting for Rockies fans because Alex White had a rough outing and,even though we ended up out-hitting the Rangers, we could not get manyruns. The Rockies rallied in the top of the ninth, but it wasn’t enoughand the Rockies ended up losing the game with a score of 4-2.

Following the two games in Texas, we embarked on two more stopsthat hold historical significance for Denver sports.

First, we headed to New Orleans to see the Miami Marlins’ Triple-Aaffiliate Zephyrs play. The Zephyrs used to play in Denver as the Triple-A affiliate for 13 different teams between 1955-1992, including the NewYork Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers and Montreal Expos.Wouldn’t you know it: the Zephyrs were also celebrating their 20th an-niversary since being moved to New Orleans in 1992. Being able to watchthe Minor League team that occupied Denver for almost 40 years wastruly amazing, even if the weather was hot and humid. The Zephyrs tookthis game over the Memphis Redbirds, 11-3.

The last stop on this amazing road trip was Atlanta to watch theBraves play in Turner Field, where on April 17, 2010, the Colorado Rock-ies first no-hitter was thrown by Ubaldo Jimenez.

Even though I did not get to see a Rockies team every game of thistrip, each stop had Colorado baseball significance. If you have thoughtabout taking a road trip to see your favorite team play, I highly recom-mend it because, when it involves baseball—especially Colorado RockiesBaseball—you know you are in for excitement.

It was nice to get away, but I was definitely ready to get back to watch-ing the Rockies at Coors Field.

If you would like to know more about my trip, feel free to check outmy MLB blog at: TakeFromBlake.mlblogs.com or search The Take: From20th and Blake, and remember…GO ROCKIES! v

For the opportunity to write the next Rockies Fan Road Trip story for Rockies Magazine, visit coloradorockies.com/YearoftheFan.

The opinions expressed in fan-written stories do not necessarily reflect the views of Rockies Magazine or theColorado Rockies Baseball Club.

Rockies in the World

You never know when—or where—you might run into afellow Rockies fan. On June 16, 2012, during a trip to theFar East, Monica Martinez and Andrew Petraitis of Denverwere sporting their Rockies gear at the Great Wall of China.(Andrew’s white button-up shirt is a Tommy Bahama Rock-ies button-up, purchased at a Rockies Dugout Store.)

As Andrew and Monica savored the experience, theywent nearly an entire day, passing thousands of tourists justlike themselves, but not a single person was wearing any-thing from a MLB team—“not even the Yankees,” Andrewremembers.

Then, out of nowhere, Monica and Andrew spotted acouple and the man was sporting a classic Rockies cap.After discovering that they live in the Congress Park area,the four chatted about the Rockies and Denver, then theytook a photo to commemorate the unique and, in manyways, random encounter.

It is a small world after all. v

Wil Nieves’ home run ball landed in the Rockies bullpen and afterAdam Ottavino spotted us in the crowd, he tossed the ball up to us!

YEAR OF THE FANfeature

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