In Minneapolis as part of their MLB stadiums journey are (front, from left) Jake and Kayla Tyler and Meme Krahe Yanetsko and (back, from left) Marcy Krahe Tyler, Mike Krahe and Melanie Yanetsko Diliberto.
Local News, News
June 5, 2025
State & Union: Krahe family nears finish line in MLB stadium tour — 26 down, 4 to go
What started as a healing adventure in 2013 has turned into a 13-year journey filled with home runs, hot dogs and heartwarming memories.
The Krahe family — led by sisters Marcy Krahe Tyler of Hudson, Ohio and Meme Krahe Yanetsko of Olean — recently chalked up stadium No. 26 of 30 in their coast-to-coast Major League Baseball stadium tour, with a visit to Target Field in Minneapolis.
The tradition began after a difficult spring marked by personal loss. Meme and Marcy gathered their children — Jacob and Kayla Tyler, Melanie and Mackenzie Yanetsko, and niece Ashley Sugar — and headed to Chicago via Amtrak to catch both a Cubs and White Sox game. With Melanie then 19 and Kayla just 13, none of them could have guessed it would spark over a decade of unforgettable family adventures.
BURGERS, BEERS AND BALLPARK BITES
“Hands down, the chicken, mashed potato and waffle cone at the Astros game takes the cake,” laughed Melanie Yanetsko Diliberto, now based in Tampa. “But shoutout to the deep-fried pizza dough balls at the Mets game — you wouldn’t think they’d be good, but they were weirdly amazing.”
“And let’s not forget the Stella Rosa wine at Dodger Stadium!” added Marcy. “Because you can love baseball and still be a little bougie.”
As for beer? “Lone Star in Texas and a cold PBR in Milwaukee,” said Mackenzie Yanetsko Gnan of Olean. “Classics only.”
MASCOTS, FOAM HATS AND SAUSAGE PRINTS
Each stadium visit comes with its own flair — lounging in Gallagher Square in San Diego, modeling foam cowboy hats in Texas or pretending to be pirates at Tropicana’s Captain Morgan Deck.
Everyone has a favorite. For Jake Tyler, the vibe of vintage Dodger Stadium and the engineering of Milwaukee’s retractable roof hit the sweet spot. “Walking down into Dodger Stadium from the top, it’s like stepping into baseball history,” he said. “And I still can’t get over how that roof works in Milwaukee.”
Kayla Tyler loved the polished energy of Nationals Park: “The layout, the crowd, the whole ambiance just hit right. It felt like a place where modern baseball belongs.”
Marcy’s top pick? “The fountains at the Royals stadium. It felt like art and baseball came together. You just don’t see that anywhere else.”
Mackenzie, the family’s unofficial sock souvenir queen, adds, “It’s been just as fun collecting unique socks as it has been comparing mascots. I’m still partial to the sausage race in Milwaukee, but the sea creature mascots in Miami were a close second.”
“Where else do you see life-size tools sprint past you in the middle of a game?” Meme added, laughing about Atlanta’s Home Depot Tools: B-Rush, Hammerin’ Hank, Phil the Bucket and Two Bit the Drill. “It’s weird. It’s amazing. It’s baseball.”
COORDINATING CHAOS AND FAVORITE SEATS
Now spread across the country — from New York City and Columbus, Ohio to San Antonio, Tampa, Hudson and Olean — the Krahes still gather each January during “Krahe Christmas” to plan their next stadium adventures. With only two members retired, syncing calendars is part strategy, part miracle.
“We found the best seats at the Phillies stadium last year,” says Kayla, a NYC-based marketing and social media consultant. “It was this random row of seven seats, no one on either side, and exits at both ends. We called it our VIP section — it felt like it was floating in space.”
Each family member plays a role in planning. Jacob, now an air service development officer in San Antonio, often books the flights. “In 2015, I found a roundtrip deal to Atlanta for $89. Seven of us went. We were gone for less than 24 hours, and it was awesome.”
Marcy, the group’s accommodations guru, added, “We’ve done everything from six people squished into a downtown DC hotel to a full-on suite in Boston.”
For Meme, who manages logistics and collects OYO mini-figures from each stadium, the journey has always been about more than baseball. “It’s been about family — honoring the past, embracing the present, and building memories for the future.”
BEYOND THE BALLPARKS
The Krahes also make a point to explore each city they visit — whether walking the Freedom Trail in Boston, watching sea lions in San Diego, cheering on the Cavs during NBA playoffs or touring the Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta.
“We never wanted it to be just about baseball,” says Melanie. “We wanted to really feel the heartbeat of every city.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
With just four stadiums left — San Francisco, Oakland (or Sacramento, depending on the A’s move), Arizona and Seattle — the family is eyeing Seattle as their grand finale.
“Seattle feels like a perfect last stop,” Kayla says. “The views, the vibes — it’s a grand finale kind of place.”
And in true Krahe fashion, if Arizona ends up being next year’s pick, the plan is to open it up to all 26 Krahe relatives to join the fun.
FINAL WORD: MORE THAN BASEBALL
While Meme has made it to every stadium so far, others have jumped in as they could. Over the years, husband Tom, brother Mike and sister Mary have joined for a game or two — always welcome additions to a journey rooted in love, resilience and joy.
“It’s baseball, sure,” Meme says. “But it’s our family’s version of a memory quilt — made from peanuts, PBR and perfectly timed selfies.”
As for advice? “Don’t wait,” said Jacob. “Start something. Follow the team. Make the tradition. That first train trip to Chicago changed everything.”
What began as a healing trip became a Krahe family tradition — and now, a legacy. As they round third and head for home, one thing’s for sure: it’s always been more than baseball.
