FIRST EVER BASEBALL GAME FOR MARCOS AND JOSE

My first Cubs game of the season provided lots of fun in the sun - it was super hot hot hot in the bleachers! 

Marcos and Jose had never been to a professional sporting event in the US and had no glue how to play baseball. Barb and I gave some lessons on the game - as much as we could on this seriously sticky/muggy/sweaty day. 

The thing Jose found so different from futbol/soccer games in Spain is that people are so carefree about watching the game, whereas in Spain people would have their eyes glued to the action.

I told them that the bleacher seats are essentially a big beer garden, especially when the Cubs are 9-10 games out of first place and on the verge of trading some of their best players for younger talent. 

The Cubs won the game vs. the Phillies that afternoon - maybe because Marcos and Jose brought their good luck from Spain - ie. them winning the World Cup days before the game!

What an amazing day...We left the game a little early, got a table at Sheffield's Bar, had some beer and Southern BBQ, watched the rest of the game on TV - I love that place! 

Chicago is so spectacular in the summer! 

SEEING RANDOM PEOPLE IN WEIRD PLACES

I purchased Brad Paisley concert tickets for Saturday afternoon, a father's day present for John from our extremely thoughtful pups. We didn't end up seeing the whole concert (long story) but we did bump into our favorite Philly drycleaner.


When she saw me, she yelled out, "John, I didn't know you liked country music!" (She calls me John because our dry cleaning is under his name and never corrected her or the owner who calls me Mr. Cunningham – it’s just easier that way.)

Now, it’s not like me and my drycleaner are super close friends, we see each other once a week, but we’ve never grabbed bears and chilled out to a cover band or anything…so I’m not sure why she was so shocked to see me at a country music concert – she did, however, make me feel like a sell-out since I’m not really a country music fan.

I’ve always run into people in the oddest places. While shopping for underwear at Target I saw my high school boss from my job at Moto Photo. He was across the aisle looking at tighty-whiteys and I was checking out the hot dudes on the underwear packages. (Looking back on this incident, I was a sexually deprived gay kid looking to be aroused by pictures on underwear boxes, very sad – and another story all together!

Last year I was eating breakfast at my favorite San Francisco breakfast spot Stacks, my waitress commented on my Chicago Cubs Master Card, "I love the Cubs too, I'm from Chicago," she said. I then found out that we went to the same high school and she was my yearbook editor when I was a freshman. Double dog-gone weird!

Most people know about the “six degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon” rule – most celebrities are only “six degrees” of separation from Mr. Footloose. In fact, since you know me, you are “six degrees” from Bacon….my high school friend dated Ashton Kutcher in college, he’s married to Demi Moore who was in "A Few Good Men" with Kevin Bacon. Fun right!

These days I'm mostly stopped by older women who ask, "Did you know you look like Josh Groban?" Which has finally stopped being annoying and become the norm...so go ahead, tell me how much you love or hate him, I don't care anymore. And I often feel one degree separated from him.

And if you see me at out buying fetish underwear, porn, condoms, whips or anything else you might find embarrassing, make sure you say hello, as I enjoy meeting up with random people in weird places!

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS VS. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

The Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers have advanced to hockey's premier game, the Stanley Cup. Growing up in Chicago and living in Philadelphia might be perceived as a rough place to sit for this sports fan, but for me the choice is easy - GO HAWKS!

I think everyone can agree that the Chicago Blackhawks have been a terrible team for many years. Bill Wirtz was blamed for the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup drought, which is the second longest in NHL history and the longest in team history. In 2004 the Hawks were rated the worst professional sports franchise in the United States by ESPN.

Bill Wirtz passed away in 2007 and the team was handed over to his son Rocky. Major changes were immediately made to turn the team around - including the franchise allowing for home games to be televised on television - which Bill Wirz never allowed as he believed fans needed to pay for a ticket in order to see the game live.

Chicago brought major hockey stars into my life at a young age. Growing up as a Chicago hockey fan in the late 80s early 90s brought glimpses of greatness with memorable players like Denis Savard, Chris Chellios, Ed Belfour and Jeremy Roenick.

But much like the Chicago Bulls, after Jordan & Pippen and co. left the franchise, I was left with a "so what - who cares" mentality. Watching and professional team lose year-after-year is hard to do, unless you are housed in Wrigley Field - which is another story entirely.

Call me a fair weathered fan, but I was never able to get back into keeping up with the Hawks like I did when I was a kid but now that they're winning, I'm totally excited for this talented and very enthusiastic team.

Hawks are up 2-1 and I'm saying my prayers, watching intently and totally enjoying the excitement! GO HAWKS!

Debit MasterCard: Proudly Showing My Chicago Cubs Allegiance

When using my debit card people will ask about my ties to Chicago due to the Cubs logo proudly pictured on my card. It tends to be a pleasant conversation starter - normally people are interested because they love Chicago, are from Chicago, have a friend/aunt/brother living there, etc.

Today, while buying my lunch at a local deli, the owner told me he had to think twice about accepting my debit card because of "what THEY did to my Phillies last night."

That's right…the Cubs won 4-1 versus the defending NL Champion Phillies in Philadelphia. I was very excited to say the least and enjoyed watching the Cubs game on TV. I told the guy, "WELL, today is a new day, who knows what will happen." We both smiled, I signed for my meal and we moved on with our lives.

I've grown up watching the Cubs play on TV and have always went to at least one game with my family while growing up. In recent years I've been lucky enough to be able to purchase tickets for nine games - in the bleachers with my extended Cub family of drunkards and tanning queens.

Since moving way, it's nearly impossible to see my favorite team play and tend to just get the game highlights via my iPhone, Cubs website (Carrie Muskrat is my hero), and watching ESPN.

I miss my Cubbies and hope I get a chance to catch a game or two later this summer. I'm also hoping to make others feel the same way the deli owner felt today...of course they will have to keep winning!

Since they've always been my loveable losers, I really don't see this happening too often – but, like this afternoon - it will make me smile when it does!

RICHARD SIMMONS STARRED IN MY DREAM LAST NIGHT

I had a stomach ache last night and was moaning like a little kid who needed his mommy to comfort him.

John turned over and asked if I was OK. I responded, "I may throw-up but I'll be fine." Minutes later I was off in la-la land, exhausted from a long day of work and play.

Per our normal morning protocol, I woke up to John's phone alarm at 6 a.m. John hit the snooze button and I remember dreaming about being at Wrigley Field and drifted back into sleep.

The alarm sounded and John hit snooze once again. I stayed in my dream until the alarm sounded the third time and John got out of bed.

I've grown accustomed to waking up and falling back asleep as it happens every week day and today was my lucky day - I vividly remember superstar fitness icon Richard Simmons making a surprise appearance in my dream!

No it wasn't the type of dream that had me in a bathtub caressing him, eating strawberries off his chest and licking whip cream off his toes.

This dream combined my urning for the Chicago Cubs to start their season and me being star struck with every one's favorite flamboyant gym teacher.

The following sequence of events are as clear as day for me - I can still see his charismatic face and the skimpy gym outfit he was wearing.

I was at Wrigley Field making my way to the bleachers with my brother Ryan and his two girlfriends. I had a beer in each hand and was thinking about getting a hot dog when I spotted him out of the corner of my eye.

I exclaimed to my brother, "Oh my God, it's Richard Simmons!"

I reacted like a 16 year old who just saw her favorite boy band - Jonas/Timberlake - member. He was a much younger version of his current self, wearing the typical red, white and blue skimpy shorts and tank.

I walked right up to him to get my picture taken - I wrapped my arm around him like we were long lost friends and my brother took our photo.

Suddenly, my friend Robbie, former co-worker Chris and one of John's former employees Bill arrived on the scene and jumped at the opportunity to be in the photo with me and my new pal - this was a weird mix of people, which happens all the time in my dreams.

I then looked at the man of the hour, the star of my dream - and showered him with praise for what he's done for the chubby members of the world.

THE WEIRDEST PART...Richard Simmons never said a thing, not one word! He blushed and fluttered his eyes at me like a little school girl - but not one darn word out of his big mouth. He is never short on words in real life - why didn't he speak to me?

MEETING CHICAGO SPORTS CELEBRITIES

My friend recently posted a picture of her adorable son getting his picture taken with a famous basketball player on facebook. She said, "That was the best day of his life. We got it all on video too :)"

I then began to think about all the times my dad took me and my brothers to meet many of Chicago's finest sports stars.

I scanned in some of the photos I found in my apartment - it was a lot fun to reminisce!

Chicago Cubs famed third baseman Ron Santo - currently the Cubs radio broadcaster

Chicago Bulls guard, John Paxon - Current GM for the Bulls

Sweet Swinging Billy Williams

Future Hall of Fame Pitcher Greg Maddux

Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams and Rick Sutcliffe

Cubs catcher Joe Girardi, currently the coach of the World Series Champs - New York Yankees

Former Cubs first baseman Mark Grace, currently a baseball sports broadcaster

Former Chicago White Sox first baseman Frank Thomas

Former Bulls forward Scottie Pippen

THE DAY I MET REGGIE JACKSON, MY HERO!

A recent column by Steve Johnson in the Chicago Tribune examined why someone would ask a celebrity for an autograph.

He stated "The theory, I suppose, is that the autograph is a little piece of the person's soul, a way to make this impersonal celebrity more real. It's also a kind of proof that you've met this person."

Autograph seeking...hummm...yes sir, I know it very well - in fact it brings me back to grade school when I was a real sports autograph hound!

BACKGROUND

I had a passion for collecting, trading and buying sports cards and scoring my favorite player's autograph was always a triumphant moment - especially because I lived and breathed sports while growing up.

I went to several Chicago Cubs Conventions, baseball card shows and suburban events to see local sports celebrities. Not quite a Star Trek or video game dork, but I was a dork nonetheless.

One particular autograph I scored held a big place in my heart - it was my BIG shining glory, the end all be all of autographs for me.

THE STORY

My childhood friend Bobby L. was guided to the dark side at a very young age, he was raised a White Sox fan. If you know me you understand my deep love for the Cubbies - the White Sox arch enemies! Regardless of which team we rooted for our dad's took us to ball games on both sides of town.

One game in particular, when I was eight years old, gave me an opportunity to meet one of the greatest ball players of all time, Reggie Jackson.

On the drive to Old Comiskey Park Bobby's dad - Mr. L. - listened to sports talk radio, smoked cigarettes and chatted about his love of sports! He believed Sport Illustrated magazine was chuck full of crappy articles about New York City and Los Angeles teams, never giving proper notice of the sports teams in the best city in the world - Chicago!

Mr. L. was a die-hard Chicago White Sox fan and raised his kids to love the team. I remember him building up the anticipation of the game, "Kids, this is the last night game at Comiskey and maybe the last time we'll see Mr. October play." (Both the White Sox and A's were out of playoff contention on the last weekend of the season. Reggie Jackson was called Mr. October because of his clutch hitting when it really counted - in the World Series).

It was a brisk October night and we arrived early enough that we were able to get some players autographs by the dugout. I saw Reggie Jackson and asked Mr. L. for his pen so I could get my score card signed.

There was a big crowd standing around him but I was determined to get in front, get an autograph and take some photos! Apparently I had no shame at this age because I got low to the ground and wiggled my way through people's legs to get in front. To my own amazement - when I emerged from the ground - I found myself in the front of the pack - standing across from Reggie Jackson.

I quickly snapped a photo, right up in his face - I had paparazzi blood in me at a very young age. I put my camera in my pocket and politely waited my turn to get his autograph. It didn't take long before he looked at me - the youngest and most aggressive in the group - he smiled, scribbled his name on the paper that came with my score card. I remember saying thank you and running away to show off my new treasure!

Every moment of this short interaction is imprinted in my head. As I walked away I could see that the pen Mr. L. gave me must have been running out of ink because all you could see was a light scribble "Reggie" on the paper. Regardless, I remember thinking, I just got Reggie Jackson's autograph and I was floating on cloud nine!

Since the crowd was sparse, we proceeded to watch from several different seats - something my father would have never allowed - and took turns going into the concession area to see ourselves on TV in the background of home plate. At one point we sat next to the A's dugouts and could see Jackson sitting on the corner watching the game.

Jackson went up to bat once at the end of the game as a pinch hitter. I'll have to go back and consult my pictures but I think he hit a double.

THE END

From that day forward Reggie Jackson became my baseball hero. After he retired he hosted a television show where each week he would be joined by a major league ball player who would instruct kids how to play each position. I watched this show religiously every Saturday morning and taped them on our VCR so I could watch it over and over again.

I have a old green scrap book with his autograph, pictures I took of him and the ticket stub from the game.

Was getting Jackson's autograph a defining moment in my life? No. It's just a great story on how the game of baseball was introduced to me at a very young age and how it will always play a huge part of my life!

WRGELY FIELD IS NOW HOSTING...

The first places Cubbies..can you believe it? Hoping for a better outcome this year...I always BELIEVE in the Cubs - one day it will happen! GO CUBS GO!

RONNIE WOO-WOO IS KING OF WRIGLEY FIELD

I went to the Cubs game last night with my brother Scott. While I waited for him to get off work, I enjoyed a couple cold Goose Island beers at Murphy's Bleachers.

I was looking out for my brother near the entrance of the bar and saw Ronnie Woo-Woo talking to some fans. I was close enough to get some nice photos of him. I loved that he had a sharpie marker attached to his uniform so he could sign his autographs - he has always been a ladies man.

For those who don't know him, Mr. Woo Woo is a Chicago legend. I will always be a fan of his even though he can be very annoying, shouting woo! woo! woo! every two seconds of the game. I believe he is the Cubs unofficial mascot. True Cubs fans know the quirky history of the team and if you are truly a fan of the team you would know all about Ronnie Woo Woo!

More to come on Mr. Woo Woo. I'm going to do some research on him and report back on my findings.

WEEKEND IN CHICAGO BROUGHT RAINY CUBBIE FUN!

The trip to Chicago was short BUT really sweet! I did a lot of walking up and down Clark Street for two Cubs games and various dinners-meetings-social gatherings. I met up with a lot of people, some randomly, others planned. Here is who I saw, in the sequence I saw them...

Ryan Slattery, Joanna Rios, Scott Slattery, Vivian Savage, Cathy Mulvihill, Rose Horcher, Meghan Risch, Amy Keen, John Boex, Kevin Freeman, Wallene Blizzard, Ashley Anderson, Judy Sylvester, a chubby Albino Devil (it was quick, slightly painful, and I was glad when it when away!), Lyndell Fong-Jones, Patrick Steffes, Joleen Domaracki, Amanda Johnson, Maria K., Pat Searcy, Cathy Domanico, Ihsan Gursoy, Barbara Balaguras, Karen Riha-Johnston, Thelma Walker, Dawn Young, Mark Tunny, Lisa Meredith, Maria Alvarez, Jackie Wells, Sandra B., Sandy Kulpa, Ann Hornyak, Don Arneberg, Vivian Velez, Bryan Blaise, Bill Utter, Lauren Dolan, Ann Sylvester, Shane (from MTV's Real World), Megan Richards, Tina O'Connor, Rob Christopher, Tim Frick, Joy, John Zinn, Barbara Bystryk, Cathy Cassada, Billy Dec, Robyn Traub, Katie Harris, Dustin (Big Brother), Fernado V., Rob B., Sean Vinck.

I think I remembered everyone. I will be in Chicago for another three day trip, May 13-16. I hope to see just as many if not more people on my next adventure to my hometown!

SPRING TRAINING HAS ARRIVED - GO CUBS!

Photo from chicagotribune.com

I feel like I can breathe a sigh of relief with the news that my treasured Cubbies have started Spring Training in Mesa, Arizona.

Although Chicago will be having a big snow storm blowing through town this weekend, you can feel the warmth of spring right around the corner now that the Cubbies have started to playing ball.

I am fortunate enough to have purchased bleacher tickets for 13 games this season - I know I live in Philadelphia now, I hope to get to as many games as possible, giving the ones I can't attend to friends and family. This year I have two seats and once again I'm looking forward to rooting on my team in the best ballpark in the country.

If I was to describe the feeling of going to a ball game at Wrigley Field to someone who knows nothing about baseball, I would say the experience of watching a ball game in the bleachers on a warm summer day in Chicago is like being in that special place of comfort...maybe the greatest place on earth!

I'm looking forward to another year of great baseball at Wrigley Field - hope to see you out at the old ball game!

HOLY COW, MY HERO HARRY CAREY

I watched the Chicago Cubs play every summer, often dreaming of one day playing in the big leagues. I think it is a common dream for kids who play baseball throughout their youth. Harry Carey and Steve Stone were the broadcasters for the Cubs and they were Gods to me. Looking back on it, they really complimented each other, Steve had the great knowledge of the game and Harry was the ultimate bleacher bum.

They were the best in the biz and they taught me the game of baseball, the history of the Cubs and contributed to me becoming a life long fan of the game and the Cubs - so I am very grateful to them.

Harry Carey was the coolest man. He was a Cub fan and a Bud man...he was a ladies man, beer drinker and Cubs enthusiast - all things I aspired to be as a youngster - at least two out of three came true. Harry romanticized the game of baseball and lived, breathed and embodied the game.

I had the opportunity to sit and have my picture taken with him at the 4th Annual Cubs Convention - the first time I attended this event - when I was 10 years old. Meeting him was such a magical moment for me. I remember being really nervous walking up to the stage to meet him. My dad and I went to the Convention for my birthday, his job was to hold my coat and take our picture. I remember thinking this man is a Chicago legend, I am finally going to meet one of my favorite heros! 

I worried about a couple things too, which increased my nervousness - like what if he is a grouchy old man or what if my dad takes a lousy photo - my dream would have been crushed. I guess, even at a young age, I prepared myself for the worst and hoped for the best.

As I walked up to him he shook my hand. He mumbled some sort of greeting, I mumbled something back and had a big smile on my face. He signed my convention badge, asked how I was doing, I said I was really good...I was too nervous to make small talk. My dad took our picture, I said thanks and as I walked away I saw him take a swig of beer. 

Seriously, you gotta love the man!