Archive for March 21, 2023

Hard Rock Stadium

March 21, 2023 at 11:05 pm · Filed under Football, Tennis


347 Don Shula Dr.
Miami Gardens, FL 33056

… more pix & videos on Google Maps

This multiple use stadium opened in 1987, is the home to the Miami Dolphins but is being used for a few other events, such as tennis, and college football the Orange Bowl. For tennis, they added huge sections at the stadium court, making it small because American football field is 120 yards by 53.3 yards, while tennis court is 78ft (23.77m) by 27ft (8.23m). The parking lots accommodate 26,718 cars. The seating for football is 64,767, tennis: 14,000.

We come here mainly for the Miami Open tennis. Would love to come for Dolphins game too.

Bathrooms have no ac, if I remembered right. USTA do.

The ground is nicely groomed and laid out. I enjoyed the different seating areas, bars and eateries. Lacking corporate heavy hitters, such as Amex and Chase that are stables at US Open, La Roche-Posay passes out mini size. At Amex corner at the US Open, they gave at least two different full sizes.

Don Shula (1930-2020) was a defensive back for 7 seasons but wa most famous for being the head coach of Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1995, with the winningest recored: 347 victories and 328 regular season victories. In 1972, Dolphins had a perfect session, 14-0 but failed to win the Super Bowl. The QB I knew was Dan Marino (1961-) who lost to Joe Montana (1956-) and his 49er’s in Super Bowl XIX, in 1985. Marino won no Super Bowl while Joe Cool has 4 rings.

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Miami Vice, 2023

March 21, 2023 at 11:15 am · Filed under Ice hockey, Sports, Tennis

Four sport events in a week, in and around Miami:

  1. World Baseball Classic: US lost the final
  2. Miami Open day 1
  3. Ice hockey Toronto Leafs vs Panthers: 6-2
  4. Mets’ training day: 4-4, a tie

Tampa has a few pro teams that are winning:

  • Buccaneers: 2 Super Bowls, 2002 and 2020 with the aging QB Tom Brady
  • Lightning: 3 Stanley Cups, 2003/4, 1019/20 and 2020/1
  • Rays (AL): pennants in 2008 and 2020

I think the best way to rise a city’s profile, is to have a winning pro team, imho.

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World Baseball Classic 2023, Miami

March 21, 2023 at 2:50 am · Filed under Sports

Loan Depot Park
501 Marlins Way
Miami, FL 33125

… more pix on Google Maps

This event, a celebration of baseball, holds every four years.

It’s my first indoor baseball game. We got tickets for the final of 2023 world baseball classic near midnight yesterday and rush down here today, to watch USA vs Japan. The stadium is pretty nice, new and no greasy smell, which is super great. The little graphs for the bathroom are rather artistic. The on site parking is $40 per car. There are many homeowners renting their spots out. One cross the street from stadium parking lot entrance rents his for $50. How does that work and if he’ll get any takers, is beyond me.

Again, LOVE the national anthem… go USA!

 

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