Last week, on the way back from visiting family in Texas, my wife and I decided to attend a Texas Rangers baseball game. It had been four years since we saw the Rangers play at Globe Life Field, and that’s too long.

If you’re a regular reader of this column, you know that when I travel, I like to take in a baseball game; whether it’s minor league or major league doesn’t matter much. I just enjoy traveling and getting to visit different ballparks. I do have a goal of someday getting to all the Major League Baseball stadiums.

There are currently 30 MLB ballparks, one for each team of course. I’ve been to somewhere around 20 different ballparks, but I’ve only seen 16 teams play at home. For some of those teams, I saw them play in their old ballpark as well as their current ballpark.

This was not my first time to visit Globe Life Field. In fact, I have been to three different stadiums in Arlington to watch the Rangers play; The Ballpark at Arlington, Globe Life Park, and three times now at Globe Life Field. That’s why the goal is to see every team play at home, regardless of what ballpark they play in at the time.

Anyway, it was great to be back at Globe Life Field for a day game against the Seattle Mariners. It was my first time seeing the Mariners play in person, anywhere, so that was a treat. Also, the Mariners and the Rangers are battling for the top spot in the American League West, and that put additional importance on the game.

It was 98 degrees outside at game time, but a comfortable 74 degrees inside the stadium with the roof closed.

The Rangers do a great job of making the game fun for the entire family. There are memorabilia exhibits all around the concourse highlighting former players, bobble head collections, murals, and even longtime public address announcer, Chuck Morgan, has a glass case loaded with his keepsakes. All of this gave my wife and me plenty to see and do prior to first pitch. I mean; I always like to get to the ballpark at least 90 minutes before game time just for this very reason – to explore.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Everything is bigger in Texas.” Well, it’s certainly true for several menu items at the concession stands. The Rangers have featured large sized, food selections available for hungry fans and their family. They are all intended to share, but there’s no judgement if you choose to order it for yourself.     The wearable 9th Inning Rally Sombrero is a 26-inch fried tortilla shell filled with nine layers of dip, including refried beans, cheddar cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, black olives, jalapeños, and shredded lettuce, served with tortilla chips along the rim. The Boomstick Burrito is a 26-inch flour tortilla stuffed with rice, beans, seasoned taco meat, nacho cheese, pico de gallo, lettuce, and sour cream. The Boomstick hotdog is a 24-inch hotdog with chili, griddled onions, nacho cheese, and jalapeños. Also, you can order the Boomstick Triple-Play, which is three hotdogs all with different toppings. That’s just a few of the large sized offerings to enjoy.

I usually request a media credential when I go to MLB games, just so I can go to the press box to get game notes and a lineup/scorecard. I usually attend the game with either my wife or a friend, so I rarely stay in the press box, but I have on rare occasions when traveling alone. So, we bought tickets and sat together. The Rangers are running a great promotion right now with Citi credit card and American Airlines. You can purchase select tickets to certain games for only $19.26.

Former Tulsa Drillers outfielder Luke Raley plays for the Mariners. He played 93 games in Tulsa during the 2018 season, while in the Dodgers organization. That season, he was traded to the Minnesota Twins organization where he played only a year before being traded back to the Dodgers. After reaching the majors with Los Angeles in 2021, he was traded to Tampa Bay in 2022 and then Seattle in 2024.

In this game, Raley went 0-for-2 with two walks and a strike out. Later in the week, the Mariners put him in the injured list with a left forearm strain.

On the Rangers roster is former Tulsa Drillers shortstop Corey Seager. He played 20 games for the Drillers in 2015 before being moved to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He made it to MLB with the Dodgers late in the 2015 season and spent most of seven seasons with L.A. Seager signed with the Rangers as a free agent before the 2022 season.

I was wearing a Seager No. 5 Rangers jersey at the game, but unfortunately, we didn’t get to see him play because he was on the IL. The Rangers activated Seager just this past weekend.

I don’t know if I’ll get to another MLB game this season, it’s not looking very likely, but I’m sure glad I had the opportunity to visit Globe Life Field this time around and look forward to going back again soon.

TULSA BEACON RADIO

Tune in to “Tulsa Beacon Weekend” radio show every week, featuring interviews with local and national guests, talking about everything from politics to family issues. This week, my guests will include local political pundit Chris Medlock to discuss the Anthony Fauci Senate hearing, and Nick Wiget, the P.A. Announcer for the FIFA World Cup matches in Miami. The show airs on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. CST on 970am KCFO.