The Boys of Summer in Washington, D.C.

This year, my friends and I went on our 19th annual "Boys of Summer" trip. The Washington Nationals lost, but that did not detract from a great trip.

Borrowing the name from Roger Kahn's great baseball book, "The Boys of Summer" started in Cleveland with a win in 2001. The original "boys" consisted of Chuck Gekas, Jim Gekas, Jason Farber and me. The first four have been on every trip. Over the years, Cuzz Gekas and Jason Fleigel joined for many trips, while John Roelke and Louie Atsaves finally joined us for the last two trips.

We have now been to 29 ballparks, only needing to add the Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros (although I have been there), Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Atlanta Braves to complete the current stadiums. (I purposely named the teams and not the stadiums, because those names seem to change so often).

Back in 2001, I was very grateful to do one baseball roadtrip. I had hopes that there would be more, but I never thought we would manage to take group trips for 19 years straight. I consider myself blessed to be a part of this, to have been to so many cities and , most of all, to have such great friends.

In the end, the baseball is the backdrop (or the excuse to go). While we enjoy the games, they have increasingly taken more of a secondary role to trying new things (like this year's Segway tour) and simply hanging out. 

It is way too early to start thinking about our 2020 trip. I certainly hope most of us can coordinate things enough to have our 20th trip. I know we all work hard at being flexible in scheduling. We shall see, but for now until spring, I am happy to simply recall the fun times with great friends in beautiful places.

I wrote more about this year's "Boys of Summer" trip online for Global Traveler at Segway Touring Around the Nation's Capitol and Capitol Dining. As you see, activities and food are a big part of the trip.

Jason Farber, John Roelke, Chuck Gekas, me, Jim Gekas and Louie Atsaves in Washington, D.C.-June 2019.

Boys of Summer 2017

The "Boys of Summer" started in 2001.  Jim, Jason, Chuck and I went to Cleveland, OH for the weekend to watch the Indians play the Anaheim Angels.  The Indians won 4-2 to start a great win streak for us and an even better trip experience which has lasted 17 years and counting.

Over the years, we have added Cuzz Gekas (2003) and Jason Fleigel (2007).  We have seen 28 teams in 27 ballparks.  We have included a few extra activities (white water rafting, the Baseball Hall of Fame, ziplining and more).  We visited other areas (Las Vegas, Washington D.C., LaJolla (CA) and others).  We have yet to see home games of the Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals.

Cuzz has missed the last couple, but is always welcome to return.  In 2015, we combined the Boys trip with Matt Parker's bachelor party in Las Vegas, which included Louie, Scott Parker and several others.

In 2001, we had no idea this experience would last 17 years.  I hoped for a few more, but 17 trips was more than I could have imagined at the time.

I love these trips and these guys.  I soak in the experience every time, knowing it might be the last trip.  I'm even at peace if the trip ends.  I feel blessed to have been on 17 trips and I know it won't last forever.

For now, I am just happy to have 2017 in the books.  It was a bit of a struggle and we ended up just "traveling" to see the Chicago White Sox.  Despite the lack of a "trip," we enjoyed the ride down to Guaranteed Rate Field, the game, the park and the meal after the game.  Most of all, I enjoyed spending a relxing and laughter-filled day with my friends.

Jason, Jim, Jason, me and Chuck in Chicago, IL-June 2017.

Meeting an (Almost) Hall of Famer

A funny thing happened on the way to try to meet Danny Gladden, a broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins (and former major leaguer). Gladden was on vacation. As we walked away, we almost literally ran into Bert Blyleven, another Twins' broadcaster and a Hall of Fame caliber pitcher.
Blyleven graciously spoke to us for a few minutes. Of course, it didn't hurt that we touted his Hall of Fame worthiness. I am an elitist as far as the HOF is concerned, but even I think that Blyleven deserves enshrinement.

Bert Blyleven and me at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN-June 2007.