Experience Baseball: PNC Park Takes Advantage of Surroundings

Just recently had the opportunity to spend the weekend in Pittsburgh and enjoy baseball at PNC Park one of the 30 MLB stadiums to enjoy the game. As part of the trip, we went to the Roberto Clemente Museum, where we got to learn more about his legendary career on and off the field. Today MLB honors his legacy with an award that has his name and is given to a player who demonstrates the values our Hall of Famer displayed in his commitment to community and understanding the value of helping others. A post on how Pittsburgh celebrates his sports and personal life will be available soon.

One of the Best Views in Baseball, for sure…

Pittsburgh’s history is varied with continuous evolution: from a gateway to the west in the 18^th century to a center for technology, healthcare, and education in the 2020’s. Important to their story the city’s abundant coal and iron ore led to its dominance in steel production, earning it the moniker “Steel City” in the 1900’s. At one point in time the city was behind New York and Chicago in corporate headquarters and had the most US Stockholders per capita.

Awesome Views from atop the Duquesne Incline

Today baseball continues to be an integral part of Pittsburgh life, the location of the stadium and how they celebrate their history makes PNC Park a great experience, if you add the incredible Roberto Clemente Museum you are ready for an unforgettable baseball experience. After spending the weekend in Pittsburgh I can tell you that if you were born in Puerto Rico or if you are a baseball fan it must be on the to do list.

One of the bet ball players ever, the museum is a must / Retire 21

The Pittsburgh Pirates play at PNC Park, a ballpark located downtown along one of the rivers that crosses the city, this ballpark opened in 2001 and has been ranked the best ballpark to enjoy a game many times and by many media outlets. With an awesome location, great food, and superb environment it provides a great experience to any baseball fan. After more than 20 years since opening day the stadium continues to satisfy the needs of fans in 2025.

Arrive with time, take a walk along the stadium, there are cool things to see and enjoy

On game day if you are downtown you can walk across the Roberto Clemente bridge and get to the Center Field entrance, where a huge Statue of #21 Roberto Clement receive you. Crossing the bridge to the stadium must be one of the coolest ways to arrive to a game and pump fans for a superb ballpark experience.

Once you are inside the stadium, there are many spots where they share insights on the history of their franchise and special moments that are part of Pirate history. Views from the stadium are awesome, seating from almost anywhere in the ballpark highlight the Pittsburgh downtown skyline along the river and the Roberto Clemente bridge, possibly one of the best views in baseball. There are great food options across the stadium including the famous Primati Bros. Sandwich a combination of grilled meat, melted provolone cheese, coleslaw, tomatoes, and French fries; had the opportunity to try one at the original place and it was fantastic.

For one of the games we sat at the Baseball Club Level, here you will find lounges that include a couple of whisky bars, additional premium food offerings, and even pool tables that you can use before or during the game all of these in a climate control environment. The view from these seats are incredible with an open view of the downtown skyline, getting to concessions or the bathroom is super easy. Along the halls they have tons of memorabilia and photos of the Pirates history, adding to the experience of the game.

The results of the game were not what we wanted, our Mets got swept in the weekend series but watching a baseball game in person of your favorite team is always something special. PNC Park and Pittsburgh make the experience even better with awesome views, Pirate history across the stadium, and fans that know and respect the game making it memorable. If you are a baseball enthusiast PNC Park is a must.

We continue in our journey to visit the 30 MLB stadiums; PNC Park was #14 and a special one since we got to know more about our Roberto Clemente. Thanks for taking time to read this post, please share it with your friends and sign in to receive our updates; also follow us on Instagram, and Facebook search for BORICUASLIVINGABROAD. Until next time…

Churchill Downs: Home of the Legendary Kentucky Derby

If you ask for a list of iconic sport venues, Churchill Downs the home of the Kentucky Derby, often dubbed “The Most Exciting Two Minute in Sports” would be at the top of it. Opened in 1875, it has more than 150 years of history including hosting the signature Kentucky Derby continuously including during both World Wars and Covid. Is the longest non-interrupted event held in the United States.

The racetrack was named for the family (John and Henry Churchill) that leased the initial 80 acres of land to build the site, done by Meriwether Lewis Clarck Jr. It was at the right time, since other tracks were closing. The property has evolved from the original design, today it holds more that 150,000 people during the Derby (using the infield), has luxury suites, and a big board that could fit 6 basketball courts.

Not all the renovations have been to increase capacity, in 2023 they inaugurated a new paddock that the horses use to prepare for their races and spectators can get close to the beautiful thoroughbred horses. In the property you will also find the Kentucky Derby Museum which focuses on the history of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs, a 2-story building that bring the interesting story of the best horse race in the world.

If you like horse racing or tune the TV every year to see the Kentucky Derby, going to the museum is a must. There you will find tons of information on how the race had become one of the top events in sports every year. One of the highlights in the museum is a movie run on a 360-degree theater, where they try to bring Derby Day emotion to the audience. The museum is a great half day of immersion to Kentucky thoroughbred horse racing.

Churchill Downs only has around 70 days of racing a year divided into 3 different meets, if you are planning to go make sure there are races, and you could do a full day of racing with good drinks and food while taking a chance with some bets. I would also recommend taking the Churchill Downs tour, this activity is almost half a day and start early in the morning watching horses practicing and you will have an inside view of the life at Churchill Downs.

A great activity if you are doing the Bourbon trail, and an awesome opportunity to know better Kentucky. Thanks for taking time to look at this post, please share it with your friends and sign in to receive our updates; also follow us on Instagram, and Facebook search for #BORICUASLIVINGABROAD. Until next time…

Take me out to the ball game… Opening weekend was a hit…

If you are a true baseball fan the arrival of spring means only one thing, PLAYBALL!!!! Major League Baseball is back. Records will be broken; millions of fans will go to the stadiums to see which of the 30 teams will be called World Series Champions. Baseball is the National Pastime in the United States, there is a movement to make opening day a national holiday so the fans can gather and enjoy this beautiful game in the ballpark or at their place of choice.

Opening day is special in baseball, the start of a long season brings hope to all team participating and is the beginning of new stories that will create lifetime memories for players and fans. I have been a Mets fan since the 80’s and while there are not many World Series championships (2 World Series ’69 & ’86), for this season hopes are high with the signing of Juan Soto, Lindor coming back after a spectacular year, and the return of the Polar Bear Pete Alonso for at least another year. For a cool story before the start check this video on Cam Smith call to the show from the Houston Astros a rookie player drafted in the 1st round in 2023 by the Cubs and then traded to the Astros.

Possibly one of the best 1-2-3 batters line up in the game today

Mets were opening the 2025 season in Houston to play the Astros a team with good history of boricuas players including Jose “Cheo” Cruz who is inducted into the Astros Hall of Fame. We had the opportunity in the past to enjoy games in Daikin Park (Previously Minute Maid Park) and enjoy Astros baseball, when Carlos Correa was on the team. Going back on the opening weekend with the Mets playing there would make it special. Game #1 was Thursday, but the next 2 were Friday and Saturday giving us the opportunity to watch both games. Plan was in motion to enjoy opening weekend MLB baseball.

We arrived at downtown Houston and quickly prepared to walk to the stadium and join the party, immediately you could feel the excitement of Mets fans with many people walking around the city with Mets colors. You always find fans from the visiting team, but it was clear that it was opening weekend and with the hype around the team plus a fan group named the 7 Line Army the number of Mets fans was bigger than normal. The stadium had a great atmosphere for both teams and after losing Thursday, Mets won the Friday game in a very tight contest it was an awesome experience with loud “Let’s Go Mets” chants and the Astros cheering their team with good energy.

Tons of 7 Line Mets fan at the tailgate before the game. Soto engaging with fans pre-game

The last game of the series saw the Mets lost to the Astros on an almost sold-out stadium, atmosphere again was great, and you could see 4 big sections where the 7 Line Mets fan group were seating. I was impressed with the number of Mets die-hard fans that are part of the group and travel across the country to support their team. At the end of the first series Mets were playing with a 1-2 record, as a fan you want the “W” in every game. Hey, this start is better than the 0-5 start from last year. The team showed good signs of being a very competitive team, with a chance to fight for the championship.

Great attendance for both games at Daikin Park

The extra innings for this opening weekend was going to Arlington to watch the Rangers play the Boston Red Sox in their home field called Global Life Field with Jacob de Grom pitching for the local team. Since we arrived in Chicago, we have embraced baseball and started visiting the different cities and stadiums where MLB teams are located and the Global Life Field would be stadium #10. The stadium is located near the AT&T stadium and right beside their old baseball stadium in a very nice area called Texas Live!; where you can do eating, drinking and watch a game or hear some live music.

3 big stadiums in the same area, and our Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez present

We got early to Arlington and have time to enjoy baseball culture in Arlington; you could see a good number of fans from the Red Sox and Rangers that got early enjoying the restaurants and bars outside the ballpark. Once I entered the stadium was impressed with how they build it with great spaces, great food (24-inch Hot Dog-Burrito) and entertainment including the dot race (Seems every MLB is getting a race on). If you are in the area, give yourself a chance to watch Rangers baseball and a must do, go to Hurtado BBQ and get their Brisket nachos, go early because the line is huge but for now the best nachos in a baseball stadium by far.

Huge spaces and great facilities, Huge Stores, Lines, and Food Options

It was a very good game, where Jacob de Grom had a solid outing and in a close game the Rangers won. It is always fun watch the local team win (Unless they play the Mets :-), the fans were into the game and cheer hard to support their team, Red Sox had fans but not as loud as the Mets were in Houston. Baseball has always been a game to be enjoyed with family and friends; took the opportunity and meet with one of my high school buddies and we spend a great afternoon.

Boricuas in the Rangers Hall of Fame and good friends that live in Texas!!!!

Excited for this new baseball season and for the trips to come and explore new cities and ballparks to enjoy this beautiful game. Thanks for taking time to look at this post, please share it with your friends and sign in to receive our updates; also follow us on Instagram, and Facebook search for #BORICUASLIVINGABROAD. Until next time…