Tagged: Grizzlies

Fresno: Catch Up On Your Sleep

For some reason it's always entertaining hearing what somebody traveling through Fresno thinks of Fresno.

Tacoma Rainiers radio announcer, Mike Curto, recently posted on his blog about how he uses the Fresno trips to catch up on his sleep. According to Mike…

"…there is nothing to do in Fresno, except go to the park and work. It’s
too hot and smoggy to walk anywhere, and there really isn’t anywhere to
walk to anyway. There is no nearby post-game bar
scene to get caught up in. This is, in a word, a great trip for sleeping."

Man. Next time Tacoma comes though town, one of us has to take this guy around and show him all of Fresno. Apparently he thinks the area between his hotel and The Chuck is all there is.

Here, Mike talks about what we assume was the days when the Grizzlies played at Beiden:

"It was always 100 degrees and smoggy. The ballpark was worse than a
Class-A stadium, with no broadcast booth and no air conditioning
anywhere. The hotel was 20 minutes away, in a completely decrepit
downtown area. The whole thing made me miserable – not to mention
sweaty, stinky & gross."

Well, at least we're improving in Mike's eyes:

"First of all, after years of starts and stops, they finally opened their new downtown ballpark -
and it’s a great facility, one of the top six or seven in the league.
The hotel is strong, and you can walk to the park. We’re still in
downtown Fresno, and it’s still kind of decrepit – but not as decrepit
as it was 12 years ago."

That last line has given us the best tagline for downtown ever…

Downtown Fresno: Not As Decrepit As 12 Years Ago.

[Source: Archop's Twitter feed]

Monday Morning Hangover: Fresno: It’s Like, Awesome

Fresno sure kicked a lot of ass this weekend. Friday in particular, what with the packed Grizzlies game at the Chuck downtown and a packed Tower Theatre for the opening of the Fresno Film Festival.

Then there was Vintage Days with Motel Drive winning the Battle Of The Bands, sweet tours of Downtown Fresno buildings, NOtown Roller Girls overcoming the Monster Truck Rally at the Fresno Fairgrounds to bury the SD girls (exciting Fresno's Twittersphere to no end).

Good to know that Fresno can support multiple roller derby teams as the place was full to see NOtown Saturday:

But, you know, it wasn't a perfect weekend in the No.

There were badgers loose in the Tower District (no shit there was a BADGER confrontation).

Plus, the Grizzlies' concession stands were not ready to handle a full Chuck. Fresno Bee columnist, Matt James, explains. We all can confirm what James has pointed out. And really if Chukchansi is half full you have to accept you're giving up two maybe three innings if you want to get something to eat.

But to end on a positive note, at the Fresno Film Festival we walked right up and bought a Stella in 20 to 30 seconds and even got the lady to say "Stelllllaaa!" (ala Brando from A Street Car Named Desire) as she poured it in our cup. Go Fresno!

Fresno Welcomes Its Newest Fresnan: Buster Posey

SF Giant prospect, Buster Posey, got called up to the Grizzlies yesterday. Those of you reading this that aren't Buster or Giant fans, might not know that Posey is the Giants number two prospect and one of the top in baseball. Every indication is that Busta is going to be playing for the parent club by next spring, if not this September.

Buster_Posey(davenelson) So. Buster. What's up man? Welcome to The 'No. You may be thinking "What the hell am I going to do in my downtime here?" Don't listen to your teammates, they probably don't know shit. Fresno's biggest nerds have some suggestions for you:

RADIO STATION

Ahhhh, you might want to look into getting a Sirius, but if you must listen to our stations, go with 90.7 The FOX for classic. KFSR 90.7 for nighttime listening. 104.1 for…rock. Y101 for vanilla. KMJ for bullshit. We guess B95 for R&B, but we're not sure on that one.

FOOD

We really hope you like tacos and/or tri-tip because you're in the place. Just ask any Fresnan, they'll have several suggestions for places. Also, we've got fresh fruit and veg coming out our fat orchard asses.

BARS

Just go to the Tower District, there are plenty of choices and we guarantee you'll eventually find one that's your favorite. But make sure you don't drive, Chief Shinny Head is watching.

TELEVISION NEWS

One word: Graciela.

MOVIE THEATER

Dude, if you don't care about hooking up with some teens, forget about Edwards in River Park. Head to Broadway Faire on West Shaw. It's rarely crowded and shows most of the same movies Edwards does.

OUTSIDENESS

If you get a rare day off, make a run up to one of our three National Parks [Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia] or if you just have a morning to kill, hit the Underground Gardens. If you happen to already have a kid or are a kid at heart, Storyland/Playland is a must. Also, find somebody with a pool…oh wait, you already have one.

So, there ya go, Buster, that should point you in the right direction. Enjoy your time here, don't forget us when you leave like The Freak probably has. Call if you need us.

[Photo cred: Dave Nelson]