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7/13/2007 10:22:00 AM

Five U.S. Sports Sites The Beckhams Should Visit

Wrigley Field
If you're a sports fan, you need to catch a game at Wrigley Field at least once in your life.
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
By Lang Whitaker, SI.com

Two years ago, I interviewed David Beckham, and the topic of America came up.

"I love America," Beckham told me. "I've probably gone to America the last five or six years in the summer when I get a break. The first couple of years I was able to walk around New York or Los Angeles and have no problem. But two years ago I went there and couldn't move, I couldn't get anywhere of the press. But one thing I've always said about America is that as a nation, the patriotism is so, so big. That's the one thing I've always believed in and loved, and I think that's one of the reasons I love America so much, is that they're so patriotic about everything. Nearly every house in America, you've got the stars and stripes outside, and to me that's amazing."

Well, Dave, America is a lot more than just houses and flags. Here are five sports sites you really should make it a priority to visit…

1. Wrigley Field: When the Galaxy get to Chicago to extinguish the Fire, try to get to Chicago's North side to check out this 93-year-old gem of a baseball stadium. But go to a day game and sit in the bleachers -- the lights still don't feel right. This is America's Old Trafford.

2. Sanford Stadium: I picked Sanford because I have vast experience there, but any of the big college stadiums (Michigan Stadium, Beaver Stadium) will prove my point. The college football gameday encounter (tailgating, hanging out, etc.) is the closest experience I've had in America to attending a soccer game in Europe. Only these footballers don't flop. At least not as much.

3. The Cage at W. 4th St.: Rucker has made most of the headlines in New York City streetball history, but I prefer The Cage at W. 4th Street. It's a tiny court, but it's right in Greenwich Village and you never know who you'll see in a pick-up game -- last year some of my SLAM co-workers caught Knicks guard Nate Robinson balling there during the NBA season.

4. The Palace Of Auburn Hills: Becks told me he loved basketball, and of all the NBA games I've taken in across America over the last seven years, the crowds and the game experiences in Detroit are consistently the most exciting. It would also be cool to hear Detroit PA man Mason announce the arrival of "Da-da-da-da-David Beckham!"

5. Any NASCAR Race: I've never been to a NASCAR event, but I imagine it being a perfect representation of America's working class, people who work hard all week and then come watch their guys put pedal to metal on the weekends. Besides, I'd just like to see Posh and Becks chilling on the infield, wearing trucker hats, sucking on a couple of longnecks.

Where else should we send David and Posh? Send us your travel tips…

Lang Whitaker is the executive editor of SLAM magazine and writes daily at SLAMonline.com.
posted by SI.com | View comments |

Comments:

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Posted: July 13, 2007 2:02 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
Friday Night Lights....Any big Texas high school game.
Posted: July 13, 2007 2:20 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
You can send Victoria to my house.

They need to check out Vegas.
Posted: July 13, 2007 2:49 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
Arrowhead for a good tailgating and game experience unmatched in U.S. football.
Posted: July 13, 2007 2:50 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
KU's Allen Fieldhouse for the creme de la creme of college basketball experiences.
Posted: July 13, 2007 3:01 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
An Eagles game at the Linc, just if he gets a little homesick for some rowdy footballers.... but American style!
Posted: July 13, 2007 3:39 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
The Kentucky Derby. They can even hang out with the Queen again.
Posted: July 13, 2007 4:14 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
Why go between the hedges at Sanford when you can do one better and hit up The Swamp in Gainesville.
Posted: July 13, 2007 4:19 PM   by Blogger Upper 90
Wrigley Field are you kidding! What a joke for a loser organization. I'm from Chicago and need to laugh in the author's choice in regards to this list. Obviously he is a die-hard, next-year Cub fan who goes to the game strictly for the socialization similar to a high school basketball game. Becks and the Ms. would be better off attending:

1. The Big House - Michigan
2. Bristol - The night race
3. The Green Monster - Boston
4. Churchill Downs - Kentucky
5. Indy Speedway

A little taste of everything but we have too many new stadium that don't deliver the atmosphere that Becks is used to. How can you compare anything in LA to Old Trattford, Wembley Stadium, and The Bernabeu.
Posted: July 13, 2007 4:57 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
Lambeau Field who can miss the frozen tundra and brats.
Posted: July 13, 2007 5:39 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. In 49 states, it's just basketball...
Posted: July 13, 2007 6:54 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
Definetly a saints game.or he could come to mardi gras, plus we got the french quater and the best food in the country
Posted: July 14, 2007 1:44 AM   by Anonymous Anonymous
The Super Bowl! A USC Trojans game! In other words, GOOD sporting events, not something lame and boring like NASCAR (which should have its sports status revoked).
Posted: July 14, 2007 7:47 AM   by Anonymous Anonymous
Yankee Stadium and the Garden, what 2 places to watch sports!
Posted: July 14, 2007 11:42 AM   by Anonymous Anonymous
Two polar opposites
Duke v. North carolina at Cameron indoor and a trip to Amish country in the spring or fall and watch the kids play baseball at recess.
Posted: July 14, 2007 1:47 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
The Iron Bowl... There is nothing like it anywhere in the world.
Posted: July 14, 2007 2:13 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
nascar? are you serious? i though we wanted him to enjoy america
Posted: July 14, 2007 9:11 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
The Red River Shootout, the best college football game in the nation.
Posted: July 15, 2007 10:37 AM   by Anonymous Anonymous
Worst list ever, RUCKER PARK? DETRIOT? These should be on the top 5 places Beckham should avoid like the plague...
Posted: July 16, 2007 8:26 AM   by Anonymous big ghi
1. Moosehead Lake (Maine) and the Columbia River Gorge so that he can go fishing.
2. Fenway for a Sox/Yankees game.
3. Augusta National during the Masters.
4. Cameron Indoor for Duke/UNC men's hoops, Knoxville for UT/Vandy women's hoops.
5. An Iowa-Iowa State wrestling match.
6. Michigan-OSU football, either location.
7. Chatham, MA for a Cape Cod Baseball League summer game.
8. Lambeau, in December, against the Bears.
9. Daytona
10. A Maine/UNH hockey game.
11. A Johns Hopkins/UVA lacrosse game.
Posted: July 16, 2007 11:00 AM   by Anonymous Anonymous
Spivey's Corner, NC for the International Hollerin' Contest
Posted: July 16, 2007 11:27 AM   by Blogger Bill
5 places Posh and Becks should go to:

1. The Superdome for a Saints game/goodwill tour of N.O.

2. A Notre Dame game in the heart of fall.

3. Yankee-Red Sox game at either ballpark.

4. Of course...a tractor pull in West Virginia.

5. Hot-dog eating contest at Coney Island. Let Posh in, she could use a sanwich or 10. Still smokin' hot though...
Posted: July 16, 2007 12:25 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
Stanfurd Stadium!?! You think he should watch Stanfurd lose to San Jose State in a stadium half full? Get real; we want Becks to stay in America.
Posted: July 16, 2007 12:26 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
1. Lambeau field -- Packers/Bears
2. Cameron Indoor -- Duke/UNC
3. Fenway -- Red Sox/Yanks
4. Joe Louis Arena -- Red Wings/*
5. Churchill Downs -- The Derby

* your choice, this year-- Anahiem
Posted: July 19, 2007 5:15 PM   by Anonymous Anonymous
How about travelling back to England and staying there?
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