More Eating Goodyear

Among the joys of heading west for a taste of desert baseball is the taste of real Mexican food. Ray Horner and I got a tip from the Tribe's Bob DiBiasio on "Raoul & Theresa's" just south of Goodyear Ballpark (make a left coming out of the park; south on Estrella, then left on MC85 then about 100 yards on the right after crossing Litchfield) for some seriously good eating.



Other culinary notes: there's a nice gift shop off I-10 and Bullard that has a sign asking visitors to have an "ass-kicking day" -- of course, with a burrow in high rear kick. They've got a pretty decent selection of hot sauces so yes, it will do that.

The Goodyear area has plenty of decent places to eat, most of the chains included. There is still plenty of land to develop around the area and visitors this year will note the economy hasn't left the West Valley of Phoenix unscathed with plenty of empty storefronts and some of the restaurants already up for lease. Nearby Glendale probably gets more of the higher-range dining choices but you won't have any problems getting a good meal after the game.

As noted in the Pancake War post, the Black Bear Diner off I-10 & Dysart in Avondale (southwest corner south of the interchange) piles on the food at very affordable prices. I don't know what lunch or dinner is like, but for breakfast the grub is very good. One nearby table had a chicken-fried steak so huge it looked like part of a truck tire. Don't take your cardiologist to this place or else you'll get nothing but lecture through the whole meal.

If you survive.

2009 Pancake Throwdown: Alcorn v Rosey

This started in 2008 when WEOL's Tim Alcorn and Indians broadcaster Jim Rosenhaus faced off at the Winter Haven Perkins. Alcorn won, but some considered it an ugly win. Those of us in attendance, for the most part.2009's title bout same in the Black Bear Diner, Avondale Arizona. Once again this pair duked it out, trading fork for fork, even eating away at the corners. But unlike 2008, this one includes video.



Warning: scenes of breakfast gluttony may not be suitable for young children.

Indians Build For The Future

A quick and behind-the-scenes look at the new practice set-up for the Indians; they call it the "development center" for a reason, as it sets a standard for not only treating the big-leaguers as if they're in the majors but really gives the up and coming talent a taste of life in the promised land.

Greetings From Goodyear, AZ

Sorry it's been awhile...really busy but that's no excuse. Starting a thread here with notes from Goodyear, Arizona where WAKR's Ray Horner and I have been broadcasting the morning show during Wahoo Week.

It's the first season back in the Cactus League baseball season for the Cleveland Indians after 16 years in Florida (Homestead south of Miami and Winter Haven between Orlando and Tampa) and they're in the brand-spankin' new Goodyear Ballpark.



The Indians will share this playing field with the Cincinnati Reds in 2010, but for now it is all about the Tribe. More coming up in another post on the state-of-the-art player development facility (used to be called "clubhouse" but it is WAY more than that) in another post.