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!
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!
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!
This week marks the 5th anniversary of the Steve Bartman incident at Wrigley Field. It will always be remembered in Chicago Cubs baseball history as another one of those freak curse happenings.
For those of you who were living under a rock in 2003, Bartman was the 26 year-old guy in the left field grandstand who deflected a foul ball out of Moises Alou's glove and prevented him from making an easy out. The Cubs had a 3-0 lead and only 5 outs away from their first trip to the World Series since 1945. After this play they unraveled.
Was it really Bartman's fault the Cubs didn't go to the World Series in 2003? No. The Cubs played poorly from that moment on. Remember, they went on to a game 7 (which I was at) and they lost. They had a number of opportunities to win. But Bartman still remains the scapegoat.
I just read an article in the Palm Beach Post (I know weird place to read about Cubs baseball - but this did make national news) that did a great in depth story on the incident. To read the article, click here.
After reading this story, I feel terrible for the guy. His life has been changed for one lousy mistake. It isn't like he threw a live firecracker at his friend which resulted in permanent facial burns or drank a bottle of gin and killed an innocent person while he drove home drunk. He went for a foul ball at a baseball game...and he will never live it down - his life has been changed forever!
Laurie Holmes was sitting directly behind Bartman. (as reported in the Palm Beach Post)
"People ask me, 'Why didn't you stop him?' I say there was just no way to know what was going to happen. We were looking up at the ball," said Holmes, who is visible in photos of the play wearing a white coat and red scarf.
"We are definitely lucky for our sakes that Steve Bartman was in front us. Or I (might) have been the one vilified."
It could have been a number of people but it was this poor sap. I wish the best for him and his family. I hope the Cubs will win a World Series in Steve Bartman's life time so he can be invited to celebrate with the team and be exonerated for his mistake. After all, Chicago exonerated Mrs. O'Leary's cow for burning down most of the City of Chicago in 1871 - they should let Bartman off for trying to catch a foul ball - but only if and when the Cubs win the World Series!
What a magical season it was! I really thought it was the year, with the 100 year anniversary, best record in the National League and because you all played like a TEAM this season.
It was sad to see you end the season this way, but hey...I am used to the disappointment and to be honest, I shouldn't have been as shocked as I was - although it doesn't make it any less SAD.
No pity party here, pick up your heads and do better next post season - we will all be back to cheer you on.
I have been rooting for you all season and the team has never looked better - for at least my lifetime. I do have this nervous anticipation going through me of late and especially today as it is the beginning of it all. Play hard and win this one for CHICAGO!
I can't wait for the Cubs to take on the Dodgers this Wednesday at Wrigley Field. I hope I am able to be in Chicago if/when they take home the World Series Championship!
Now, I have been saying my prayers daily but every time I think about it I get that nervous feeling inside - kind of like that "oh jeez" I may throw up feeling you get when you go on a job interview.
Send good vibes to the Cubbies this week and the rest of the month!
Mark DeRosa meet out little girl DeRosa (also called Rose Rose, Rosey, and Rosey Rosey DeRosey!). She has been rooting for you the whole season and breathed a huge sigh of relief today when you and the team clinched playoff birth and became the NL Central Champs!
This evening she asked me to wish you the best of luck in the playoffs this year! She said, "Bring home the trophy for your very deserving Chicago Cubbie fans, many of us have waited a life time for this opportunity, we believe in you boys!"
The Chicago Cubs clinched the NL Central title this afternoon for the second year in a row! With their 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, they will finish the season knowing they will play either the Wild Card winner or the worst division winner in the first round of the playoffs. They have the Best record in the National League! So proud of you guys, GO CUBS GO!
The Cubs could seal their playoff birth this weekend! Today's 12-inning win against the central division's second place Milwaukee Brewers brought the magic number count down to 2. Derek Lee singled to score pinch runner Jason Marquis to seal the victory. What a season & what a team this year! GO CUBS GO!
Relive Carlos Zambrano's no hitter against the Astros in Miller Park on September 14, 2008. Pat and Ron call it. I get chills every time I play it back. GO CUBS GO!
These Cubs fans are seriously upset with the teams losing ways the last few weeks. They have their game faces on for some better games moving forward! GO CUBS GO!
Have you seen the Chicago Sun-Times contest where readers decide who has hotter baseball fans, the Chicago Cubs or White Sox?
Both teams are making strong playoff bids this year! I believe the writers and veeps at the paper should stick to the gossip coming out of the clubhouse, because that is what I really enjoy reading, but a little popularity contest never hurt anyone:)~
NOW, wouldn't you have to agree that the north side Cubs fans are far superior in hotness than the dirty south sideSox fans?
Granted, there are some ugly ducklings in both stadiums, but if you have been going to baseball games in both stadiums since you were born, you know the Cubs have the hottest guys and girls around. Dressed to impress and looking solid in Cubbie blue - there is hotness everywhere! The stadium is located in boystown and we all know that gay men take care of themselves, so the north side wins hands down!
As I knock on the wooden table I am typing on, I must mention a Cubs vs. Sox World Series would be awesome. And I wouldn't mind if it was the Red Sox instead of the White Sox. Both scenarios would be a baseball fans dream come true, especially if the Cubs pull through.
