Alex Box Visited Now for The First Time!

Well, I got up early and made the 5 hour trek to Baton Rouge. Should've been 4 hours, but the last 9.8 miles was 48 minutes. I kept refreshing WAZE because I was going "WTF?...that can't be right?" Then I thought...LSU, college town, baseball game, spring football game, dammit. So I grinned and beared the 2 mph last bit going over the Mississippi. Was cool to see the stadium off in the distance.

I showed up. Thinking that the baseball game got pushed back and was heading towards Death Valley. Great Atmosphere, but as I'm walking past Alex Box, I hear a "Ping" and roar of a crowd. Asked one of the attendants if the game already started, she said yes. Well $#it..so I jog back to my truck to get my tickets but I made it in and it was only the top of the 2nd, so I was good.

Ran into one guy that said "Hey, are you the Oregon State guy from Tiger Droppings?" I said I was. First thing he asked me was "Where've you gone to eat so far?" I was like "Man, I literally just got here so have had no time but going to check out Walk-On's and Chimes and a few other places after the game."

Got to my seats way out in RF after grabbing a bud light. Talked with a few nice folks. Talked college baseball, pro baseball, college football. Had a HR land about 30' from me. Guy next me didn't see it as we were talking, I saw it right off the bat and went "Oh that's gone!"

Started getting a little baked in the sun so at the end of the 4th I wanted to walk around and check out what many of you told me to go see. Saw the museum. Guys, that was first class! We have something similar in Corvallis, but not to the scale (as our program isn't as storied as yours). Loved the displays, history, I'm a Cubs fan so I took a pic of Theriot and Fontenot hi-fiving each other as teammates and my kid loves Bregman so got a pic of his glove.

THen headed to the main concourse behind home plate and tried some of the local brews. I think I had Jucifer? Had a great view of the field behind home plate and seeing Death Valley in the back was cool. Had a few people pass me and go "Hey...Go Beavers!" Chatted them up and was having a blast. Guy bought me a beer! I was watching 3 games at one time as my 2 boys are still in Oregon right now playing. So watching a tight LSU game and watching icons on GameChanger. What’s great, all teams I was rooting for won!

Around the 8th innning, I was getting hungry and thirsty. Most of the stands were already shut down so I walked to Walk-On's. Got myself a Po-Boy and beer. Cool Sports Bar and everyone was super nice. Then I was tired and hit the hotel for about an 1-1/2 hour nap.

Took a quick shower, changed, and then hit the bar at the hotel. Had a Ghost Machine (I think)? Not too bad. But after a beer and the bar being pretty dead, got an Uber and hit Chimes. Now that place was my jam. Loved how it was old-school. Met another Tiger Droppings guy and he said "Hey, you're the Oregon State guy!" He bought me a round (THANK YOU). They left and then some college students came in. Chatted with them for a while. They bought me a round. Well, I returned the favor. Now I'm their best friend and they invited me to a party so I was like, what the heck, why not?

So, go to a fraternity party (my first one in 20 years), I was probably the oldest guy there but nobody cared. Had a few beers, listened to some good live music from a band from Georgia (can't remember their name). As it had been a long day and was almost midnight, I got an Uber.

Next morning, got up, and went to Louie's at the recommendation from one of the Tiger Droppings contingent. He said it's not the best, but it's an LSU staple so when in Rome, right? Drove through campus which was really cool. Reminded me a lot of Oregon State on how it's laid out (probably a lot of college campuses are similar). Hit up Louie's, had their #1 combo, had a bloody mary and some coffee. Liked how they dressed the bloody with Tony's Creole seasoning. Found out that it's pretty much anywhere in the South. That stuff was good, they don't have that in Oregon. After that, I hopped in the truck and headed back to Houston.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY!!! Great first experience and it will not be my last! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Thank you for all the tips. I wish I had more time to go see Mike the Tiger but I had to get back home. But I will be back!!