My Top 6 Cathedrals of Sport

Firstly, the wine

This one is continuing the search for good red wines for under $20 and like a couple of the previous ones, I picked it from the shelf because of the label and/or bottle. While it is hard to see in the photo, the bottle resembles one you would expect from a bottle of port; short and stumpy which in sync with the label. The Little Giant 2018 Barossa Shiraz is very young and drinks as such. The label talks of "black fruit, peppery spices and chocolate" but all that came through was the fruit. I would say that had a lot to do with how young it is. It was a good everyday wine and one that perhaps is better the day after (which says a great deal for letting a wine breathe). I would buy it again and if I have the patience, keep one for another 12-18 months before opening. I think it's true potential will come out then.

Firstly, apologies for last week's hiatus. It was work related but am back and ready to hit the keyboard again. As we approach the start of professional sports again here in Australia (the pros and cons of which will be left for another week), it led me to think about the challenges facing sports worldwide and those that I follow and have watched live. In the midst of this, I realised that I have been fortunate to have visited a number of the most famous sporting landmarks; not just in Australia but also in other parts of the world.

In light of this (and because of these times of isolation I have drifted into nostalgia once in a while), I decided to list the top sporting venues that I have watched a game at. I make that distinction as I have visited a few to do a tour but it is when you attend a game that you truly experience the venue. That and everyone loves to debate a list lately!

Sydney Cricket Ground

This is my home ground so not only does it have to be on the list but to me, it is very much like a second home. My first visit to the Sydney Cricket Ground was in 1979 during the World Series Cricket days and since I have seen cricket, rugby league, AFL, MLB and the odd concert. I have also been fortunate to sit in nearly every part of the ground thanks to different employers as well as my friends (hat tip to my mate Roy in particular). My favourite spot has to be the back row in Bay 30 in the Brewongle Concourse. Like a good solid opening batsman, if you can get through the first session in the January sun, you have the rest of the day in cool shade as you get a great view from a wide mid on/off or a wide fine leg. That said, like every other venue on Earth if you get a run in corporate hospitality, you never knock that back!

Adelaide Oval

In my opinion, since it's redevelopment the Adelaide Oval is the best ground in Australia when it comes to watching cricket. It has also become the defacto home of day/night Test Cricket in Australia. There is nothing better than grabbing some cheese, cold meat & fresh bread from the Central Markets, sit by the riverbank with a nice South Australian red and have a lazy lunch prior to the day's play. If not, there is plenty of room at the back of the stands to do that; not to mention the many pubs in the CBD & North Adelaide. Once you're in, there isn't a bad seat in the place as up high and at ground level gives you a great view of play. Same goes for AFL as well. I do need to head there for a 'Showdown' (Adelaide v Port Adelaide) once crowds are allowed back...sometime next year

Melbourne Cricket Ground

I originally did think of leaving 'The G' off my list as it seemed too obvious and part of me wanted to be somewhat controversial. In the end, you just can't leave it off the list. It is the only ground in Australia that has the ability to fit 100,000 people in it and when it gets close to that, the atmosphere is amazing. I have been fortunate to be at the MCG for Boxing Day and for home and away games in the AFL. Add to that, I was able to attend my first AFL Grand Final last September and the Women's T-20 Cricket World Cup Final in March which were very much bucket list kind of events. I hesitate at calling the MCG the home of Australian Sport...only because I don't want to give those south of the border the satisfaction.

Yankee Stadium

During my first visit to New York, I was keen to get to a baseball game and the Yankees were playing at home that weekend so off I went to Yankee Stadium. After that, not only was I hooked on baseball but on the Bronx Bombers as well. From there, I read up on Yankee history, subscribed to MLB.com and have followed the Yankees ever since. I have been to three games and every time, sat along the first base line. I have also done the tour in December which was memorable for nothing else that it was soooo cold. I am looking forward to exploring more of the park in future trips and seeing many more Yankee wins.

Fenway Park

As part of my baseball education, I soon understood the rivalry between the Yankees & the Red Sox. When there was a chance to see them play in Boston during one US trip, I jumped at the chance (it was also during Derek Jeter's last season which was also a bonus). I went to Boston overnight solely for the game so I soaked up the atmosphere along Landsdowne Street, had a beer at the Cask & Flagon and went to the Bleacher Bar where I chatted to a couple from Philadelphia who couldn't believe that I was there all the way from Australia. To visit America's oldest ballpark was great as it had a different, very unique feel to it as opposed to Yankee Stadium or any other ballpark that I have been to. And the Yankees won!

Old Trafford

I am not a huge fan of what the late, great Les Murray called 'The World Game" but I can appreciate the atmosphere and the theatre that football can provide. I do feel very fortunate to have been able to visit the 'Theatre of Dreams' and even more so that I was able to do it on match day. It was always on the bucket list to see a Premier League game and while not a blockbuster game against Bournemouth, to experience something that I had only seen on TV and hearing the singing of the crowd as something that I will never forget.

There are a few others that I didn't include and I am sure that you may have your own list of sporting venues that have left an indelible impression on you. Feel free to share your own thoughts and let's hope we get the chance to expand on those lists some time very soon!