The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field is the fourth baseball venue for baseball that I've been to and with the Pirates in town, it made things very special. The park is like going back in time with the scoreboard (which I love) and some of the more modern necessities (such as video screens that show the players name who is up to bat)

The trip itself was hyped as a very long and difficult journey through Chicago from the East Side. As we drove down the Skyway we could see U.S. Cellular Field and the Sears Tower. The traffic wasn't as bad as I thought (and was told) although I could have done without the three different tolls I had to pay.

Once there we walked about ten blocks to get to the field. I considered stopping at one of the vendors and grabbing a Cardinals Suck or one with a Chicago White Sox logo from the 80's that simply read "Sux"

We walked around to Waveland Ave and Sheffield and made our way to the Harry Caray statue (hear a probably drunk Cubs fan informs me that the "Pirates Fucking Suck" all while showcasing her middle fingers in my face. After this adventure it was time to get in the park where we watched batting practice (a first for me). I would also like to say that Brendan Donnelly is a jerk unlike Pirates bullpen coach Heberto Andrade who was willing to sign autographs.

The pre-game activities included a drum line/tumbler group which really should have been called things people can jump and tumble over. The creepy old man Six Flags guy showed up with some kids which I feel violates some restraining order of some kind.

The first pitch and take me out to the ballgame were done by none other than Thomas Ian Nicholas aka the Rookie of the Year. Needless to say I was excited.

No fouls balls came our way on the right field side, but I did see some action in front of me as seven girls were escorted out of the game (3 for buying alcohol for the 4 underage teens)

As for the game the score was disappointing as Brad Lincoln entered the game with an ERA over 6 and the Cubs were throwing former Pirate Tom Gorzelanny (who may or may not look like Sloth from the Goonies) Both pitchers threw shutouts through five innings before Gorzelanny who taken out for pinch hitter Tyler Colvin, who promptly struck out. The Pirates who add two in the 8th thanks to an Aramis Ramirez error(also a former Pirate) and a bases loaded walk by Lastings Milledge.

Thank goodness the Windy City lived up to its name as both Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano nearly put the Cubs on the board as their fly balls stopped just short of the wall.

The Pirates won to improve them to 1-2 in games that I've seen.

Best Records in games I've attended
Indians 2-0
Red Sox 2-0
Reds 3-1
Tigers 7-5 (six game win streak, seven of last eight)
Cardinals 1-0
Rays 1-0
Angels 1-0
Pirates 1-2
Braves 0-1
Orioles 0-1
Athletics 0-1
Royals 0-1
Giants 0-1
Yankees 0-1
Cubs 0-2
White Sox 0-2


Lowest Scoring Games in Person

Pirates @ Cubs (2)
Giants @ Reds (3)
Red Sox @ Tigers (5)


Highest Scoring Games in Person

A's @ Tigers (17)
Rays @ Tigers (15)
Tigers @ Indians (15)