“Cheaper on the outside” – the famous quote heard from all peanut vendors as you walk from your car to the ballpark. And, if you have been to Wrigley Field before, you know there is no way you cannot avoid a peanut vendor on your way into the ballpark. I would argue that they are not actually cheaper. Yet, my friend, Frank Garrett, buys these peanuts every game as he enters the ballpark – until tonight when he will no longer buy them “on the outside.”

Not only did he find …

For the second day in a row, I met up with The King and Gary Herman as they were attending their 5th of six baseball games in three days. They attended the Friday afternoon Cubs game, the Friday night Brewers game, the Saturday afternoon Cubs game, the Saturday evening Kane County Cougars game, the Sunday afternoon Cubs game and Sunday night baseball in Milwaukee – just a typical weekend for the two of them.
Beg, Borrow and Deal
As was the case Saturday I was planning to sit with Gary and The …

It was a meeting I had looked forward to for 10 years. On September 23, 2000, the Ultimate Sports Wife and I traveled to Milwaukee for a doubleheader at County Stadium. I met a guy who called himself Mr. Ballpark. He had attended a MLB game at every ballpark including all one off games. He had been to Monterrey, Mexico in 1996; Honolulu, HI in 1997 and earlier in the 2000 season had travelled to Tokyo, Japan.
While we were talking at the Brewers game he mentioned he met two guys …

Yesterday the Ultimate Sports Wife and I returned back from the hospital with our new baby boy. Today, Dylan Van Cleve (nickname TBD) attended his first Cubs game at the young age of 3 days old. Rather than waste our season tickets, we decided it was the perfect opportunity to go to Wrigley Field.
No matter how old you are you can receive a “My First Visit To Wrigley Field” certificate. Stop by Guest Services on the lower level concourse behind home plate to claim your kids (or your) certificate.

Florida Marlins …

What do most people do when they return from the hospital after the birth of their first born child? Sleep? Buy necessary supplies from Walgreens or the grocery store? I did both of those things. However, when you live next door to Wrigley Field and did not sell your tickets before the birth then why not relax at Wrigley Field before settling into a long first night.
That’s what I did after running errands before the game. Granted I was late and left early, but I …

Tonight game was just one of those nights. The wife and I did not have any plans and my first child is due soon so I decided to spend a free Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field. I probably will not be getting to the Southside much more this season.
Beg, Borrow and Deal
I bought a premium lower level box seat (season ticket face value is $44, day of game face value is $58) for $10 as soon as I got off the train.
What I do not understand is why the …

It was one of the most exciting Blackhawks games I have attended this season. The Canucks scored two goals within the first five minutes of the game and it appeared Game 2 was heading in the same direction as Game 1. However, the Blackhawks reversed their fortunes and also scored a goal in the first period.
After a scoreless second period, Patrick Sharp scored a shorthanded goal to tie the game at two goals apiece with 13:11 left in the game. It appeared the game was heading into overtime until Kris …

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon in Wrigleyville as I attended my 20th MLB game of the season. Alfonso Soriano hit two home runs to lead the Cubs to a 10-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
This was the 10th four-game series in which I attended every game of the series. I have never witnessed a four-game series sweep. The results of the four game series I have attended are below:
July 1994: Red Sox (3) at Athletics (1)
June 2001: Padres (1) at Giants (3) – only …

As opposed to the doubleheader I attended on Friday, I had a lot of time in between the Cubs game and Blackhawks game on Saturday. Thus, I went home to relax before driving to the United Center.
Parking
I parked for free on Washington Blvd. between Ashland Blvd. and Paulina St. The walk is not too far from the United Center and will allow you to pass scalpers as you walk to the arena.
Beg, Borrow and Deal
After parking, I walked to the United Center box office directly. I saw a scalper I …

In all the games I have attended at Wrigley Field, I cannot ever remember seeing the wave. That all changed today when, in the 8th inning, the crowd at Wrigley Field not only started but continued the wave around the stadium several times. While the wave occurs in stadiums all over the world, most traditionalists feel the wave is inappropriate to perform at a sporting event. It shows the fans have become bored with the game and need another form of entertainment. For this reason, the wave is inexcusable at …