2019 MLB World Series kicked off last night Tuesday, October 22nd at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX. Glitter&Gumbo had the privilege of attending Game 1 of the series and it was a blast. Houston is full of excitement as our hometown team, the Houston Astros, compete against the Washington Nationals for the title of World Champion. Due to my overwhelming likeness for the city of Washington, D.C. this World Series is bittersweet. Of course, I’m rooting for the Astros however, seeing the Nationals win won’t be so bad either.
If you’ve never attended a World Series before, it is a fascinating experience. In 2005 I witnessed the Astros reach the World Series for the first time and the feeling is surreal. It is great to be back for my second World Series game event and I want to share some new highlights.
Beware of Traffic
Getting to the stadium was half the battle due to never-ending construction and always busy Houston traffic. Sometimes Siri doesn’t know what she’s talking about and thankfully, being a native Houstonian helped me maneuver through several feeder roads and freeway excursions. Although the gates to Minute Maid Park opened at 4:00 p.m. my arrival time of 5:00 p.m. was perfect.
Parking
Paying $75 for parking is absurd to me and I refused to allow myself to give away unnecessary funds. Several streets are currently blocked off to accommodate the influx of visitors attending the game. Therefore having the opportunity to park closer to the stadium comes with a hefty price. Thank God I can walk, because I didn’t mind parking 0.5 miles away from the destination. The Four Seasons Hotel became a great alternative for me and hence I only paid $23 and received valet service. This deal is impeccable and was found in a Houston parking app. If you have money to throw away, by all means, spend $75 or more. If you would rather save, use a parking app to find the best deals.
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A neat incentive for attending the game early is walking outside of the stadium for a celebration party. Games, photo ops, face painting, and more thrilled guests with fun activities to get us pumped. During the Postseason special guest and/or artists are invited to come out and do a song or two for the fans. Houston’s own, rapper Paul Wall, performed on the stage however I was wrapped up in other things and missed it. Nevertheless, I got a chance to hear a youth band and take a few pics. Overall it is a neat concept.
Where’s The Beef?
The food at Minute Maid Park is often pricey and begins around $3 – $4 for a drink. The good news is fans are encouraged to bring in their own bottled water up to a liter in size for consumption if needed. Cheetos popcorn, ice cream, designer nachos (there were so many themes of nacho ingredients), and more await you. As a fan of beef and a girl that likes to eat some good ole Texas barbecue, a stuffed baked potato hit the spot and came in at a whopping $11.00 with everything on it. I walked around for a couple of hours with that potato in my hand and I didn’t care. I wanted my money’s worth and it was quite good. There are a plethora of food choices that should meet anyone’s appetite.
Astros Team Store
The Astros Team Store, located at Minute Maid Park, is a great place to find gear and gifts that you normally won’t see in Academy or other sporting goods establishments. The ever so cute navy blue Astros sweater that was first seen and worn by Verlander’s wife, Kate Upton, is my all-time favorite. Coming in at a whopping $200, this unique piece made me do a u-turn as I walked right past it and admired from afar. I currently don’t possess Kate Upton’s money so this is definitely out of my price range. I did, however, obtain a program which is a staple for me, so I can look back on the history and players in the World Series for future reference.
Houston Astros vs. Washington Nationals
With a score of 5-2, the Houston Astros lost game 1 and must transition to a more focused fighter mode for game 2. Overall the game was good and a nail biter at the end. George Springer dazzled us with his batting skills and came through as a clutch player when we needed him most. I absolutely adore YordanAlvarez but lately, he isn’t producing the hits we need at critical moments. I’m hoping Alvarez will develop more and show us his postseason heart. In the end, we all realize teamwork makes the dream work and no man can win a championship alone.
