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My First Cactus League Game!

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Real Estate Agent with Retired

I have been an avid baseball fan for my whole life, but have never made it to a Cactus League Game (spring training in Arizona).  It is something that I have been looking forward to doing for years, but I had never made it a priority.  Last Monday, that all changed.  My buddy, Jim, called me and invited me to the Reds v. Rockies game at Goodyear Park.  It was a blast!

Jim and Ray

The ballpark was beautiful.  The spring-like weather was perfect for an evening game.  We really enjoyed watching the game between the Reds and the Rockies.  Jim and I had a wonderful time reminiscing about what we have been doing since High School in 1981.  We even had a Cincinnati Skyline Chile Dog.  It was not as good as you would get in Cincinnati, but it brought back some great memories of the game I saw in Cincinnati a few years ago.  

Goodyear Park

Goodyear Park

Did I mention that the Goodyear ballpark is less than 5 miles from my home in PebbleCreek?  I will definitely be back!

The whole experience has convinced me that I need to visit all 11 fields in the area.  It will be fun to see how each team brings a little of their hometown flair with them.  Yes, I will even look forward to visiting the local field of the Dreaded Dodgers.  Hopefully, their Dodger Dogs are as good as I remember them.  In an ironic twist of fate, they happen to be the second closest baseball venue to my home.  I will certainly be cheering for whoever is on the field against them because that is the way this Giant's fan rolls!  😎

I LOVE BASEBALL! ! !

Goodyear Park

Posted by

             eXp Realty of California, Inc

Raymond Henson, SRES, GRI, e-Pro

Past Client Testimonials   

3412 Babson Drive

Elk Grove, CA 95758

RayRHenson@gmail.com

916-698-8415

 

 

Comments(26)

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Patricia Feager
Referral Specialist - DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Licensed to April 2027

Ray Henson - Reading your blog posts since you moved has been so inspiring. It is as if you turned a new leaf on life and life is much more fulfilling. I am happy to read your stories to learn life is very good and you are learning all the time how to achieve more happiness, meet and connect with other great people whose minds are brilliant, and try new things.

I wish you always the very best life can offer. 

Mar 11, 2023 05:38 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Ray- I'm so excited for you!!! Larry and used to go when we lived in Delray Beach. It's a good way to see your favorite teams and get a closer look at the players. Enjoy!!!

Mar 11, 2023 06:21 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

That sounds like a wonderful evening!

Mar 12, 2023 05:11 AM
Ray Henson
Retired - Goodyear, AZ
Retired Real Estate Agent

Good morning, Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker.  I have jumped into a very cold pool on a hot day when we lived in CA.  I agree. It is not a good idea!  😂

If you get a chance to go to a game, I hope you get as great of weather as we did!

Mar 12, 2023 06:11 AM
Ray Henson
Retired - Goodyear, AZ
Retired Real Estate Agent

It was a fun evening, Dorie Dillard Austin TX.  It was really even better than advertised because Jim's son and my dad accompanied us.  It turns out that Jim and my dad had many of the same friends which led to a lot of great conversations. 

Mar 12, 2023 06:12 AM
Ray Henson
Retired - Goodyear, AZ
Retired Real Estate Agent

Pickleball first, Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400.  As a matter of fact, I play in a mixed doubles tournament today.  It will be some great competition.  Still, I need some Cactus League time.  I have to give myself some time to heal from all the pickleball.  😉  Can you even imagine what would happen if I could get Brian England on the courts?  

Mar 12, 2023 06:15 AM
Ray Henson
Retired - Goodyear, AZ
Retired Real Estate Agent

I am a little surprised, too, Lise Howe.  We may have only moved to Goodyear relatively recently, but we did visit quite a bit over the last few years.  You would think a huge baseball fan, like me, would have made it to at least a few games.  I need to be better at setting priorities.  I hope you are doing well!

Mar 12, 2023 06:17 AM
Ray Henson
Retired - Goodyear, AZ
Retired Real Estate Agent

I wish you all the best that life has to offer, too, Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP.  It has been really fun meeting new friends and getting to know them.  Mary Margaret has been spending a lot of time in the crafting area of the community.  She just took a two day glass fusion class.  I am looking forward to seeing what she made after they are done firing it in the kiln. 

Mar 12, 2023 06:20 AM
Ray Henson
Retired - Goodyear, AZ
Retired Real Estate Agent

I have never been to a game in Florida yet, Kathy Streib.  I think that would be fun, too.  I thought we would end up in Florida a few years ago, but Arizona won us over ultimately.  And thank you!

Mar 12, 2023 06:22 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Ray...  how nice is it to achieve a life-long dream? And to know you can repeat it, as well.

Mar 12, 2023 06:24 AM
Ray Henson
Retired - Goodyear, AZ
Retired Real Estate Agent

It is funny you should mention that, Endre Barath, Jr. My wife just asked me a few days ago, "When are you going back to work?  We never talked about you retiring so soon."  Ha!  It looks like I will be getting my Arizona Real Estate License.  I guess I am more on a sabbatical than retired.  Or maybe I have just been tired.  

Mar 12, 2023 06:25 AM
Ray Henson
Retired - Goodyear, AZ
Retired Real Estate Agent

It really was a good evening, Kat Palmiotti.  We are planning on at least one more this year and look forward to being more involved next spring training. 

Mar 12, 2023 06:30 AM
Ray Henson
Retired - Goodyear, AZ
Retired Real Estate Agent

Good morning, Nina Hollander, Broker. I do look forward to more spring training games.  It will also be fun to go see some Diamondback games this year.  They have a nice stadium and it is only about 20 minutes from my place.  It used to take me almost two hours just to get to a game for the Giants or the A's.  This will be much easier!

Mar 12, 2023 06:32 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Ray Henson I'm not much of a baseball fan... but when I lived in NY City it was easy to get to Yankee Stadium and the Meadowlands via Subway. These days, I understand the ticked to Yankee Stadium are insanely expensive.

Mar 12, 2023 06:39 AM
Ray Henson

It is expensive to go to pro games, Nina Hollander, Broker.  The tickets were not so bad at Goodyear Stadium.  

Mar 12, 2023 02:04 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Ray Henson good morning, Ray... I'd have to love baseball a whole lot more than I do to pay Yankee Stadium ticket prices! I'd rather buy a new handbag with that money!

Mar 13, 2023 04:34 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Spring Training games are a lot of fun, we should go to one together sometime, maybe next year!

Mar 12, 2023 06:51 AM
Ray Henson
Retired - Goodyear, AZ
Retired Real Estate Agent

We better get moving, Brian England.  We have a lot to get accomplished in the next couple of years. 

Mar 12, 2023 02:06 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

There is nothing finer than enjoying favorite activities with good friends.

Mar 13, 2023 08:33 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Ray, on having this blog FEATURED in the PHOTOS group!

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Mar 13, 2023 08:43 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Ray, for sharing this positive experience.

I like your idea of attending games at all 11 fields.

Enjoy the games.

Mar 13, 2023 11:16 AM
Ray Henson
Retired - Goodyear, AZ
Retired Real Estate Agent

Thank you very much, Myrl Jeffcoat.  I appreciate being featured in the Photos Group!

Mar 13, 2023 11:26 AM
Ray Henson
Retired - Goodyear, AZ
Retired Real Estate Agent

Hi Roy Kelley ! ! !  Attending each of the stadiums will give me material to write at least 10 more posts about baseball.  😃  Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.

Mar 13, 2023 11:28 AM