We just got rid of our fancy cable package. We are now a basic cable household and rely on streaming services like Netflix, MLB.tv, etc. Yes, I’m going through a bit of withdrawal, but I think it’s for the best.
Anyway, the catch with MLB.tv is that we’re often blacked out of watching our beloved Yankees. So we decided it would be fun to choose a favorite team in each division of each league. This way we’ll still watch games and get to know other teams. I think it’s more fun to watch a game when you root for a team, even if your choice is purely random.
You’re probably wondering, what does this story have to do with local food? Bear with me, I’m getting there.
The other day my husband calls me into the living room where he was watching the San Francisco Giants play the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. The camera was focused on a pitcher warming up in the bullpen and then I saw what appeared to be a tomato plant. Both of us thought we were seeing things. But really, is it that crazy? It kind of makes sense to have some kind of a garden at a baseball stadium. I mean, after all, just look at all that green space. I excitedly hopped online to confirm the visual. Yup, it is a veggie garden in the Padres bullpen. How cool, right?
Yoder made a few videos about the garden with the help of MLB.com. This one is about the harvest.
Apparently good old Shea Stadium had the majors’ first bullpen vegetable garden, started with just a few tomato plants back in 1969. Unfortunately, the garden wasn’t resurrected at the new Citi Field.
I just love the idea of edible gardens in fun places. Know of any other MLB teams out there growing food in their stadium? I’d love to hear about it.