Take me out to the Ball Game

August 31, 2008

Waiting for the Red Line to take us to Wrigley Field.

So Saturday, August 30th Dad and I headed out of my place in Alexandria for day one of our trip back to Alberta. Of course we left about 2 hours later than we had planned but that was no big deal. Traffic was pretty good, we knew our timeline so it was just a matter of getting there. For us it definitely was not about the journey but the destination. That destination was of course Chicago and we had the Cubs tickets to prove it.

Dad and I out front before the game.

Now Chicago Cubs tickets are a pretty difficult (and expensive) ticket. Games are almost always sold out. If there are tickets available they are usually scattered singles (and you can only buy one at a time so who knows where the 2 might be). Season tickets get handed down from father to son (or whoever). You can always buy from scalpers but you know I like to be more prepared than that so I hit up Stub Hub and found a couple tickets....kind of in my price range. I won’t tell you how much they cost but they actually were cheaper than the Rolling Stones tickets that I bought mom and dad when mom made the trip down to the US with me 2 years ago.

Dad with the Ernie Banks statue out front of Wrigley Field. Ernie Banks was a long time Cub (they actually call him Mr. Cub (see statue)). He hit is 500th career home run at Wrigley Field May 12th, 1970.

Now I was not sure where the seats were going to be, I just knew they were behind home plate somewhere but I thought they were on the upper level. It turned out they were not which was a pleasant surprise.

This was the view from our seats. Pretty good wouldn't you say. We enjoyed them.

Don't ask me who this is because I don't know but had to include at least one actualy ball game picture.

It really didn’t matter where the seats were the important thing was I was getting to go watch a ball game at Wrigley Field with my dad. The game did not disappoint except that the Cubs lost so most people went home unhappy. I must say, I am a Blue Jays fan first and foremost but I will always cheer for the Cubs when given the chance (unless they are playing the Jays).

Dad and I in our seats and down behind home plate.

Of course one of the highlights of the game was getting to sing “Take me out to the Ballgame” with everyone else in the stadium. It is always neat to see in on TV but much more fun to be there in person. For those who don’t know, Take me out to the ball game is still sung during the 7th inning stretch at pretty much every ball park but at Wrigley Field is has been almost as big as the game itself. Harry Carey use to sing it with the crowd and after his death they decided the tradition needed to continue. Now they bring in different celebrities including professional athletes, actors, comedians, singers and local celebrities every game to sing. I cannot tell you who sang it the day we were there but that isn’t that important. Wrigley is probably the only place where you get this much fan participation.

Sing along if you want.

Umpire Chuck Meriwether (in the centre).

Wrigley Field is one of the oldest ballparks in the majors (I do believe only Fenway Park is older) and has been the site of many historical baseball moments. The biggest moment is still yet to come though. It has been 100 years since the Cubs have won the World Series. This could be the year so keep watching. Knowing my luck it will happen this year because I won't be around to see it.

After the game Dad and I headed down to Navy Pier to find some food. There were far too many people there but that should have been expected considering it was the long weekend and pretty much everything shuts down once the weekend is over. We found this really neat New Orleans style jazz restaurant and we learned what yardbird is. Not what you think but dad said it tasted good.

Looking down the Pier.

Dad walking down the stairs. His legs were a little sore after all the walking in DC so he liked going down better than going up.

From there it was on to Grand Forks, North Dakota (only because that is as far was we could get in one day) and then on to Tisdale Saskatchewan to visit Steve and Heather. There were a couple long days in the car but really not a bad trip.

Julie