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John Winger is a self-proclaimed sports masochist: The 70-year-old has attended every Opening Day matchup at Coors Field since the stadium’s debut in 1995. Despite the Rox’s interminable futility, Winger remains a rabid fan—one who was happy to share his tips for enjoying the first home game of the season on April 4, when Colorado hosts the Athletics.
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1. “My first stop is Union Station,” Winger says of his pregame pregaming plan. “There’s usually live bands and decent food. This is typically a two-beer stop for me.” He then moseys over to Ballpark hot spots like ViewHouse, the Refinery, and Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row.
2. But don’t let one too many lagers make you late. Winger likes to get to Coors Field about 45 minutes before the first pitch to enjoy a different kind of pregame activity: a fireworks show and a flyover by the Colorado Air National Guard’s F-16 Fighting Falcons.
3. An early arrival also allows you to hit the New Era Store in left field to buy an Opening Day souvenir baseball, stock up on 25-ounce cans of brew from Wazee Market near section 137, and grab made-to-order tacos from Gringos Tacos near the right field foul pole before settling into your seat.
4. Winger is typically partial to his season tickets on the third baseline because the high-elevation sun cooks the other side of the diamond. “It’s easily 15 to 20 degrees hotter over there,” he says. But April weather in Colorado can be downright frigid, so selecting seats that guarantee rays is a wise move.
5. To Winger, the best part of game day is, well, actually watching the game. “I know folks like to go to the party deck and walk around the stadium,” he says, “but I like to take in that first game. After all, hope springs eternal on Opening Day.”
