Doubleheader Day in Minneapolis

Tonight I am flying up to Minneapolis for a doubleheader day tomorrow. In the first game of the day, the Minnesota Golden Gophers host the Northwestern Wildcats at 11 am. Second, I am attending the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves game. Tip off is at 7 pm.

When I booked the ticket in August (and ever since) airfares from Chicago to Minneapolis have hovered between $400 and $450. Since that is an unreasonable amount of money to pay for a day trip to Minneapolis, I chose to book my ticket using the 25,000 miles I had on Northwest Airlines. I have had these miles for a few years and have never been able to use them because Northwest does not fly anywhere from Chicago except for Detroit and Minny. Thus, I can now say good riddance to NWA.

NBA Opening Night: Bucks at Bulls

Last night was the NBA’s Opening Night. It does not have the same ring as Opening Day for Major League Baseball, but with the Bulls playing and Nicole spending her night working, I was definitely going.

As I was driving to the United Center, I texted “Old Style Tom” – could I stop by after the game? Remember he lives 3 blocks from the UC. He said they were going to bed by 9:30 pm for an early morning workout but were around beforehand if I wanted to stop by.

Obtaining Tickets
In order to not stop by after the game, I figured I should stop by Tom’s house before the game which may make me late. Thus, I had to buy tickets from a scalper before I parked in front of his house. Since I was parking at the 2200 block of Warren Blvd, I knew I could walk the three blocks to the United Center.

Ticket Buying Tip: If you are planning to (or know you will) be late to a game try to have tickets ahead of time.

I stopped at the corner of Madison Ave. and Wabash St. (where the east side scalpers hang out). I offered $10 for a ticket as scalpers slipped their tickets into the passenger side window. None of them accepted my $10 offer (I was at a negotiating disadvantage since I was still in my automobile). So I grabbed my wallet, took out a $20 and asked which one of them had a ticket while stating I needed $5 change (I was offering a $5 premium since I was still in my car. If I was on foot I know my ticket would have been cheaper). My offer was accepted as a scalper found 5 $1 bills out of each of his pockets (remember scalpers do not like to make change).

The Game
It was Derrick Rose’s NBA debut and in his first game he added his name to the record books. He had 9 assists which tied him for second amongst #1 draft picks in their first NBA game. He tied Lebron James, who had 9 assists 2003, and was second to Jimmy Walker who had 10 assists in 1967.

CFB: Kentucky at Florida

With Gainesville, FL under a 90 minute drive from my in-law’s home, I drove up to watch Florida host Kentucky this afternoon. The game started at 12:30 pm which was the perfect time based on our “family plans” for the day. I arrived at the University of Florida a few minutes after noon. As with most college campuses there is no official parking lot. Thus, I found a house to park at for $10 and walked to the stadium.

Obtaining Tickets
As I walked to the stadium, I noticed that many fans (and scalpers) had extra tickets – meaning they would accept almost any offer since supply was greater than demand. I offered a man with a single $10 (for a $40 face value ticket) and he accepted immediately.

The Game
Florida beat Kentucky 63-5 today as Tim Tebow tied Emmitt Smith’s school record of 36 career rushing touchdowns. . It was the third time I have ever witnessed a college football team score more than 60 points in a game. The other two games were:

Nebraska defeated Northwestern 66-17 in the 2000 Alamo Bowl
Iowa defeated Northwestern 62-10 on November 9, 2002

Pre and Post Game Dining
As I walked to and from the stadium, I stopped at Italian Gator and purchased a slice of pizza each way. There are quite a few bars and restaurants along University Ave. across the street from the Ben Griffin Hill Stadium.

World Series Game 2: Phillies at Rays

Ideally I would be attending World Series games at Wrigley Field this weekend. However, when the Tampa Bay Rays made the World Series after beating the Boston Red Sox, the Ultimate Sports Wife and I decided to visit her family in Florida. Her family lives in Central Florida – less than a two hour drive from many major Florida cities – Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Gainesville and Daytona Beach. So with the World Series coming to St. Petersburg, FL, we flew down to Florida for Game 2.

Obtaining Tickets
I did not wait to buy tickets outside of Tropicana Field before the game. My rule for championship games is that most transactions take place before everyone arrives at the stadium. Thus, there are either no tickets available or if there are tickets demand is greater than supply.

Instead, I bought tickets through craigslist.org. Initially, I checked my usual “market” sites (stubhub.com and ticketsnow.com). I realized that ticket prices continued to decline and actually wondered if we could buy tickets to the World Series for under face value. However, with ticket prices hovering between $170 and $200 for upper deck seats (face value was $100) I found an ad on craigslist for an upper deck single for $120. Normally if a price is too low, the poster will receive many responses and never reply to your email. However, the poster responded to my email within a few minutes.

In order to ensure the transaction (and tickets) were real I asked for his phone number to his first reply to my initial inquiry. He responded with a number and I continued to ask more personal questions with each reply. In each of his replies he answered my questions so I figured we had a “legit” transaction. In fact, he even had a second ticket available (making the total $250 for 2 tickets). With these tickets being the cheapest World Series tickets in years (not to mention this year’s SRO tickets in Philadelphia were selling for $600 each), the Ultimate Sports Wife decided she would attend her first World Series game.

I asked the poster if I should pay via PayPal and he could email me the TicketFast tickets. He said no and that he would meet us at the Orlando Airport when we arrived – enforcing the legitimacy of the sale.

The Exchange
We landed at Orlando Airport on Thursday morning. We met “Ed the Student” in front of the Dollar Rental Car counter. We asked if we could take his picture and he agreed.

Ticket Scalping Tip: If possible, try to take a picture of your ticket seller. If they are hawking fake tickets you at least have a picture of the culprit.

The Game
The Ultimate Sports Wife wrote about most of the details of our Game 2 experience. The Rays defeated the Phillies 4-2 in the 5th World Series game I have attended and one of the “perceived” most crowded. With the Rays experiencing one of their first 40,000+ crowds of the season, the concourses of the stadium were crowded and lines for concessions were extremely long before the game. Rather than wait in those lines, we found our seats.

In the middle of the 1st inning, I headed back to the food court on the first level. Since the Rays were batting, there were no lines for food. By the top of the 2nd inning, I was back in our seats with all of the necessary sustenance for the game – nachos with a lot of toppings, steak tips and a diet Pepsi.

Edmonton Oilers at Chicago Blackhawks

Last night the Ultimate Sports Wife and I attended the Chicago Blackhawks game. They hosted the Edmonton Oilers. One of our friends mentioned we should stop by his place before heading to a game at the United Center since he lives only a few blocks away – along the 2200 block of Warren Blvd. We parked in front of his house and stopped in. With no parking restrictions on his block and only a three block walk we chose to take advantage of the free parking and walk to the United Center.

Obtaining Tickets
As we approached the United Center we ran into a few scalpers. I offered the first scalper I saw $5 per ticket for two tickets. At first he said no, but then realized nobody else was buying and accepted the offer.

The Game
Khabibulin shut out the Oilers 3-0. It was Khabibulin’s 4th shut out since joining the Blackhawks during the summer of 2005. I have actually been in attendance for 3 of his 4 shutouts with the Blackhawks – the other two coming on February 20, 2008 and March 19, 2008.

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

Rather than tailgating to start out a Bears game day I met some friends at Wabash Tap. Wabash Tap is conveniently located just off the Roosevelt Red Line stop on the corner of Roosevelt Rd. and Wabash Ave.

The Game
The Bears beat the Vikings 48-41. The 89 total points was the highest scoring NFL game I have ever attended. The second highest total points I witnessed was 73 when the 49ers defeated the Falcons almost 16 years to the day on October 18, 1992.

In addition to the total points record (not to mention Northwestern scored the most points in a game I attended at Ryan Field yesterday), the Bears scored the second most points I have ever witnessed in an NFL game and was the 10th team to score 40+ points in a game I attended (the Vikings were the 11th team to score 40+ points about one quarter later).

The other nine teams to score 40+ points were (4 of which were in the playoffs or the Pro Bowl):
October 18, 1992: 49ers 56, Falcons 17
February 2, 2003: AFC 45, NFC 20
January 15, 1994: 49ers 44, Giants 3
September 18, 1994: Vikings 42, Bears 14
January 12, 2008: Packers 42, Seahawks 20
January 4, 2004: Colts 41, Broncos 10
October 29, 2006: Bears 41, 49ers 10
September 8, 2008: Broncos 41, Raiders 14
October 8, 2006: Bears 40, Bills 7

Post Game Dining
After the game we ate dinner at Chicago Firehouse Restaurant (ironically owned by the same owners of Wabash Tap – our pre game hangout) located at 1401 S. Michigan Ave. The Chicago Firehouse is pricier than the other restaurants the Ultimate Sports Wife and I have dined at after Soldier Field events, but was definitely better and worth it for a post game splurge.

10 Year Reunion: Purdue at Northwestern

Yesterday was Northwestern’s homecoming and my 10 year reunion. As usual, I started my Northwestern game day at the tailgates in the west parking lot. And, as usual, one of my friends had an extra ticket they were not planning to use.

The Game
Northwestern score the most points I have ever witnessed in the 55 games I have attended in Evanston, IL. They beat Purdue 48-26.

Assembly Hall in Champaign, IL: Jazz vs. Bulls

For the first time since 1989, the Chicago Bulls played a pre-season game at Assembly Hall in Champaign, IL. Since I had not attended a game at Assembly Hall, I decided to drive to last night’s Bulls game rather than attend a University of Illinois basketball game. Last year, I had planned to drive to Champaign when the Fighting Illini hosted Northwestern on Sunday, January 27. Instead I went to the Chicago Bulls game that day.

The drive to Champaign from Chicago is about 2.5 hours. I have made the drive four times before (3 time for Bears games during the 2002 season and for an Illinois football game when they hosted Northwestern in 2003).

Pre Game Dining
I arrived in Champaign around 5:30 pm and drove to Green St. – the entertainment and retail center for Illinois students. The main two bars on Green St. are Legends and Murphy’s Pub. Six years ago, I remembered going to Legends before the Jets and Bears game. I walked into Legends and texted my friend who went to U of I. He texted back – get out of there and go to Murphy’s Pub. I left Legends and went to Murphy’s Pub – a place the Ultimate Sports Wife and I went before the Lions game in 2002. Each bar had $2 beer specials and Friday night food specials.

Obtaining Tickets
At 7 pm, I headed over to Assembly Hall. I parked in a university lot that did not need a permit on a Friday night – aka free parking. I walked around Assembly Hall and found the main ticket office – normally the spot to find extra tickets. I noticed one fan trying to sell an extra ticket but the scalpers would only offer him $5. He got in line to enter the arena without selling the tickets. I went to find him in line and asked if he had an extra ticket. I also explained I was going to the game and would take the ticket if he was just going to “waste it.” I also promised not to sit next to him if he wanted to extra seat. He seemed annoyed, but handed me the ticket. The ticket was 11 rows from the court. Thus, I found a seat a few sections from where the actual seat was located.

Phoenix Coyotes at Chicago Blackhawks

In my first NHL game of the 2008-09 season, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Phoenix Coyotes 4-1. New at the United Center this season is a Jagermeister concession stand. Fans can buy straight shots of Jager or a Jagerbomb (the drink is pre-mixed).

Obtaining Tickets
Before the game, I checked craigslist.org and noticed fans were asking for $5 per ticket. Thus, I had planned to buy a $5 ticket outside the United Center. I held back and did not even ask how much tickets were from the scalpers along Madison Ave. As I approached the United Center, multiple people were giving away their tickets. One guy gave me a single and another fan had two extras he was trying to give away.

It appears that the Blackhawks did such a good job marketing their team this summer that fans may have over bought tickets. Although the Blackhawks may state their games are sell outs, it may be a prime season for free or close to free tickets. Time will tell.

Doubleheader Day: Columbus Crew at Chicago Fire

In my second sporting event of the day, I attended the Chicago Fire match at Toyota Park yesterday. It was also the second MLS match I have attended this season.

Obtaining Tickets
From the parking lot, I walked to the main box office at Toyota Park. I noticed a man leaving Will Call with more tickets in his hand than people around him. So I asked him if he had extra tickets. He said he did and wanted $10 per ticket. I offered him $20 for 3 tickets (face value was $20 per ticket) and he accepted the offer.

The Game
The Chicago Fire clinched an MLS playoff berth by playing to a 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew. Brian McBride scored 2 goals and just missed a third when his header shot went over the goal by a few inches in the 83rd minute.

Toyota Park
I made a new discovery at Toyota Park yesterday – the Ice Cream Nachos for $5. My mom mentioned she wanted ice cream at some point during the game, so while walking by BV’s Zone behind section 113, we read “Ice Cream Nachos.” Not sure what this meant, we asked the concessionaire. It was cinnamon chips covered with soft serve ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream – by far one of the best desserts I have had at a sporting event. Next time you are at Toyota Park and have an ice cream craving try the Ice Cream Nachos rather than Dippin’ Dots at $4.50.

Chicago Marathon

This morning we headed over to watch the Chicago Marathon. Once the Elite runners started the race at 7:55 am we left the house and walked over to the Northwest corner of the course at Addison St. and Broadway St. Since our corner is between mile marker 7 and 8 we figured it would take “the elites” about 30 minutes to reach us. Thus, we stopped off at Starbuck’s for some coffee since we had time. Around 36 minutes after the race started the elite men ran by us. At 44 minutes the elite women ran by. Then as you would expect, the masses descended upon us.

As with any marathon, the main reason you are watching is to see your friends take on the 26.2 mile odyssey. Of course, with 45,000 people running and 30,000 completing the race it can be difficult to spot your friends. Thus, a strategy needs to be implemented. One of our friends, whose husband was running in the race, bought a Hannah Montana balloon so her husband could spot us. That worked as he found us before we even saw him.

After the race we went out for brunch. What better way to end an early Sunday morning.

CFB: Michigan St. at Northwestern

For the first time since 2005, Northwestern played a football game in which they were ranked in either the Coaches Poll or AP Poll. Northwestern went into Saturday’s game ranked #22 in the Coaches Poll. However, Northwestern failed to confirm that ranking as they went down early to Michigan St. 17-0 and traded scores with the Spartans in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter. Michigan St. won the game 37-20.

The parking lots were packed before the game with tailgates. The first conference game in Evanston, a Northwestern 5-0 record and a perfect 70 degree day made the fans come out. The attendance was over 30,000 for the first time since Iowa fans came out to Evanston last year.

The Spartans won 6 straight games for the first time since 1999, which is also the last time I saw Michigan St. play.

Obtaining Tickets
Having received tickets from my friends the last few times at the tailgate, I waited to buy tickets from a scalper until I asked them if they had extra tickets. On the walk to Evanston, it appeared that most scalpers did not have any tickets. I asked my friend (who seems to be the keeper of all of our friends extra Northwestern tickets) if he had 3 extras – I was with my parents. He did so we avoided having to buy from a scalper…or worse the box office.

NLDS Game 3: Phillies at Brewers

In the first playoff game at Milwaukee in 26 years, the Milwaukee Brewers lived to see another day after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1.

Obtaining Tickets
A friend of mine was able to purchase tickets to each playoff game through a contact of his at the Brewers. Since he had a prior engagement on Saturday, he sold his tickets to me for face value – including the parking pass.

Parking
In a rare event, Miller Park only allowed fans who had pre-purchased parking coupons into the Miller Park parking lots. Most cars were re-routed to off-site parking. However, since we already had a parking pass we were able to enter the lot. As I did last Saturday, I met some friends in the parking lot for a pre game tailgate.

The Game
In a rare play, Shane Victorino was called for interference in the top of the 9th inning, taking the Phillies second run off the scoreboard. The Brewers were leading 4-1 and the Phillies had the bases loaded with nobody out. Pedro Feliz hit a ground ball to 3B Bill Hall, who threw to second base to start a double play. However, Victorino did not slide into second base, but stood up and interfered with 2B Craig Counsell’s throw to first base. Although Counsell was able to complete the double play, second base umpire Jim Joyce called for interference. After discussing with the other umpires, Ryan Howard was told to return to third base, erasing the run he had scored.

NLDS Game 2: Can the Cubs Reverse my Dodgers Curse?

As a fan, the Los Angeles Dodgers have always been a thorn in my side. Even though they have not won a playoff series since 1988, they somehow manage to spoil the fun of the teams I have followed over the years. I’ll give you a brief history of the pain the Dodgers have inflicted on me over the years. I grew up in the suburbs of San Francisco. Since Bay Area fans can be apathetic towards their home teams, there was no “you cannot root for the Oakland A’s if you are a Giants fan” as there is in Chicago. Thus, I rooted for both. Regardless of which side of the bay you lived on, we could all agree on hating the Dodgers rather than hating each other.

Then 1988 struck. The other bay area team, the Athletics, played the Dodgers in the World Series. The A’s were heavily favored over the Dodgers and I was convinced the A’s would win. However, with one swing of the bat Kirk Gibson hit his famous home run in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium and swung the World Series to the Dodgers favor. My hatred for the Dodgers increased.

Come 1993. The Giants and Atlanta Braves are tied with 103 wins apiece heading into the final Sunday of the season. The Braves win their final game meaning the Giants must beat the Dodgers to force a one-game tiebreaker which will be held at Candlestick Park Monday afternoon. I convince my father to wait in line with me for tiebreaker tickets while we listen to the Giants game on the radio. However, the Dodgers had other ideas and took an early lead, finally beating the Giants 12-1 – more disappointment.

Granted I was not attending those games in person. Over the years we would fight and yell with Dodger fans at Candlestick Park. However, it was not until April 30, 2007, when Dodger fans revealed their true selves to me when they stole my fleece blankets and vandalized the Cubs license plate holder on my car. This is a team that would resort to kicking puppies and mugging Santa just for sport.

Now it is 2008. The Cubs for the first time in awhile had the momentum coming out of the regular season to make a run in the playoffs. They were no longer a surprise playoff team. Sure they are playing the Dodgers. But earlier in the season the Cubs swept my historical nemesis.

But, of course, the Dodgers have continued their punishment of my teams. Wednesday night the Cubs lost Game 1. I was not too concerned at the time. However, last night the Cubs lost Game 2 and the concern set in that history was going to repeat itself. Only one team has come back in a best of 5 series after losing the first two games at home – the 2001 New York Yankees. However, that team was playing for the city of New York after September 11.

Can the Cubs somehow put the city of Chicago on their backs and win two games at Dodger Stadium before heading back to Wrigley Field for Game 5? If they can, they will not only begin to reverse their curse but my curse against the Dodgers as well.

The Game
Needless to say, there is not much to write about yesterday’s game. The Dodgers beat the Cubs 10-3 in the latest game time in the history of Wrigley Field – first pitch 8:37 pm. The game ended just before midnight. A few records were set last night:

1) Every Cubs infielder committed an error. The feat has now only been achieved twice in the playoffs. The Detroit Tigers successfully achieved the same milestone in Game 1 of the 1934 World Series.
2) Manny increased his postseason home run record by hitting his career 26th postseason home run.
3) Joe Torre won his 78th playoff game.

NLDS Game 1: Dodgers at Cubs

In my first of at least three MLB playoff games this week, the Chicago Cubs lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers last night 7-2 at Wrigley Field. It was the first time the Dodgers opened a postseason series with a win since the 1988 World Series.

The Game
The game started off well for the Cubs when Mark DeRosa hit a pop fly that the wind carried over the right field fence for a home run. This moment had us asking – were the fates finally with the Cubs?

That question was quickly answered. In the top of the 3rd inning, Ryan Dempster loaded the bases which he also able to work through. But he also loaded the bases in the top of the 5th inning. Very rarely can a pitcher get out of two bases loaded jams in the same game. Dempster did his best though. He had Matt Loney with two strikes and two outs in the inning when Loney homered to center field for a grand slam – Dodgers 4, Cubs 2.

As soon as the ball went over the wall the intensity of the stadium went with it. Cubs fans were quiet the rest of the game as the Dodgers added three more runs in the late innings.

Obtaining Tickets
The Ultimate Sports Wife and I already had tickets with our season ticket package. However, friends of mine bought tickets for $125 each in our same section (face value was $30 each).

Playoff Ticket Tip: Divisional Series playoff games, in my experience, are pretty hit or miss when it comes to the secondary ticket market. If you want cheap tickets hope your team’s playoff games fall on weekday afternoons. I have had success buying tickets under face value for games in San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego and Chicago (the White Sox that is). Of course, those games started before 5 pm on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Post Game Dining
To drown our sorrows and to get away from Wrigley Field we walked a few blocks to the Mexican restaurant, El Mariachi at 3420 N. Broadway St. The restaurant was empty after the game. They make guacamole right at your table and have drink specials every evening.

Note: Nicole and I did not spill a beer at this game. Last year, we debated on whether to spill a beer or not. Both times a beer has taken a tumble at Wrigley Field (during the 2003 and 2007 playoffs), the Cubs have won their home game. If we have not, they have lost.

Black Out at U.S. Cellular Field

The Chicago White Sox asked for all fans to wear black to U.S. Cellular Field for last night’s one-game tiebreaker versus the Minnesota Twins. The fans complied and the stands appeared to be completely black.

In the first AL one-game tiebreaker game since 1995, the White Sox defeated the Twins 1-0. It was the first 1-0 clinching game since 1987 when the Detroit Tigers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Twins could only produce two hits in a game that lasted 2 hours and 20 minutes. It was the first 1-0 game I attended all season. The game came down to two major plays – Jim Thome’s 7th inning home run and Ken Griffey Jr.’s strong throw to home plate to throw out Michael Cuddyer tagging up in the 5th inning.

The game marked the first time since 1906 that both the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox qualified for the same postseason. The game also marked the first time in MLB history that one team defeated three different teams on three consecutive days to end the season.

U.S. Cellular Field Drink Tip: At the end of the 7th inning, the beer lines were long. Plus, you are limited to two beers per person. Instead, I discovered the margarita line. Not only was there nobody in line (where the beer line was 5 deep), but you could buy 4 margaritas per person.