I have been an Angels season ticket holder for seven years.

I love baseball and the Angels more than life itself. My friends on the forum know this about me.

I normally attend more than 60 games a season. I consider myself to be a true fanatic in every sense of the word.

Every year - in January - the team holds a Season Seat Selection day where all season ticket holders can come and exchange their current seats for better seats. The order is done by seniority based on how long you have owned your seats. If you don't show up, you just keep your seats from the year before. Every year it has been futile to go, as not very many folks give up seats in the really good sections. I had become so frustrated with the process that I almost didn't go this year.

Ever since my first year as a season ticket holder, however, I have dreamed of being in the Diamond Club Hall of Fame seats. These seats are right behind home plate at the edge of the screen on the third base side and encompass the first 10 rows. Nevertheless, these seats have never been available and we have always been disappointed. The Angels have the highest season seat retention rate in the Major Leagues - even more than Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park. So - even though I chose to attend again this year - I did not have high hopes.

Make no mistake, I am not complaining. We have had very good seats over the past 7 years - always field level and close to the baselines. But we were never able to upgrade to the big time.

Well, today was the day. As we came into the stadium at our appointed time, I couldn't believe my eyes. There were seats available in my absolute dream section - 8 rows from the field. I was so shocked and happy. I even jogged my fat, crippled ass down the stairs to snag them. I have not been so excited in a very long time.

The Angels asked me for my first born child in order to secure tickets. Given recent events, I gladly agreed. Thanks go to my beautiful wife for - once again - allowing me to pursue my demanding passions.

Can't wait for Opening Day!!

Here are some crappy iPhone pics we took while at the event.

Here I am getting in my designated line to check in.



The press was there. Here are Angels television announcers Mike Gubicza and Victor Rojas.



Here is Angels owner Arte Moreno. He has a lot of my money. I hope he takes good care of my son Paul.



Angels Stadium has some really cool architectural features.



Here is a shot I took from our new seat location.



Here is my fat ass sitting on the Diamond Club facade just 8 rows from our seats.



Here is my son Paul in the same spot. I hope he likes living at Angels Stadium.



Thanks for sharing this with me guys and gals.

Anyone who knows me on the forum will comprehend how much this means to me.

I feel very blessed.

Go Angels!!

 

Congrats Dana you'll get to see your son 60 times a year and buy peanuts and beer from him

 

Very cool Dana!

 

That's some serious real estate. Enjoy!

 

Dana, you crack me up.

Nice upgrade.

My grandfather was a season ticket holder for the LA Rams for 40+ years. No lie. I remember going to Angel games when they played in the football version of the stadium with the open end looking at the freeway.

 

Hi,

That's awesome, the one thing I miss about not living in the city is not being able to go to the basketball anymore.

Enjoy!

Look forward to seeing some photos throughout the season - and maybe you can even explain a bit of the game to a foreigner...

Cheers,
Nik

 

Beyond awesome. Congrats - you deserve it bud.

 

Congrats Dana!! So do you get to keep those seats as long as your a season ticket holder?

 

Nice seats pal. What's up with the field? Looks like a demolition derby.

 

I think they had a Motocross event there recently... Hence all the dirt - I've seen a few races, and a Monster Jam at that stadium.