SRO and Wrigleyville post Cubs game

In my last baseball game before MLB’s All-Star break, the Cubs beat the Reds 5-1. Carlos Zambrano pitched a gem of a game - giving up only one hit (a HR to Adam Dunn) in 8 innings.

I attended 41 regular season games (43 if you count Spring Training) in the first half of the season this year. Just short of my record 42 regular season games attended before the All-Star Game in 2004.

I bought a standing room only ticket to last night’s Cubs game. Most people refuse to purchase a SRO ticket. However, I would argue that it can be better than buying an actual seat. First, it is cheaper than any seat in the stadium. Second, you will probably end up sitting in pretty good seats since you have the incentive to sneak down to the lower level.

The main draw backs are that 1) you will get kicked out of your seat a few times (which many people mind) and 2) you will not be able to sit together if your group is larger than 2. Since I was attending last night’s game by myself, I knew I would be able to find a seat in Wrigley. In fact, I finally ended up in section 228, row 2 (a $52 face ticket) – of course, that was my 4th seat in that section.

After the game, I met Nicole at Pizza Rustica. It is safe to say that Pizza Rustica is the best pizza in Wrigleyville. The restaurant is located two blocks north of Wrigley Field’s bleacher entrance and is a must if dining before or after the game.

After dinner, we headed to John Barleycorn’s with some friends of ours who had been on a Wrigley rooftop. Barleycorn’s is one of the largest bars in Wrigleyville which means there is more room to walk around and talk.