Blackhawks Jim joined us in Wrigleyville for the Cubs game tonight so we went to two usual places before the game.
Pre Game Dining
First up was Wrigleyville North – the cheapest place to buy beer around Wrigley Field on game day. Second, we went to Full Schilling since everyone was hungry. Now it is $7 to buy a 24 ounce beer and receive a free hot dog (it used to be $6). Since nobody was in the bar we actually received a second hot dog without having to purchase a second …

The Cubs are back at Wrigley Field for a nine-game home stand and crushed the Pirates in the first game back 14-2. It was Mike Quade’s managerial debut at Wrigley Field since Lou Piniella left the club last Sunday. Carlos Zambrano pitched well and hit a two-run home run to lead the Cubs to victory. 2010 Hall of Fame inductee Andre Dawson was honored before the game.

Two years ago I wrote that I should never drive to U.S. Cellular Field if the game is sold out. Today, I forgot about that advice since I thought I had to drive as I was going to the game with the Ultimate Sports Baby. I knew the New York Yankees were in town and I have been to Yankees games at U.S. Cellular Field in the past but they were on a Tuesday night and Thursday afternoon – not a Sunday afternoon – and not when Frank Thomas’ jersey …

We were back at Soldier Field for a second consecutive Saturday night as the Chicago Bears were hosting the Arizona Cardinals.
Pre Game Dining
Before the game we ate at Tapas Valencia located at 1530 S. State St. As I wrote last week, we paid $26 to park and the parking lots around the area are more expensive than that. When we valet parked our car at the restaurant they told us we could pay $15 if we wanted for park for the Bears game (regular valet price is $6, but a …

It was Lou Piniella’s final game in Major League Baseball and Bobby Cox’s last game managing at Wrigley Field. It was a game for history. And, the Braves crushed the Cubs 16-5.
Pre Game Dining
Before the game we went to the Stretch located at 3485 N. Clark St. We originally went here last season because they have good food and had daily $2 beers. But beer prices went up to an outrageous $3.
Beg, Borrow and Deal
We needed to buy an extra ticket since my Dad and brother were in town. We …

After the Cubs game we drove down to Soldier Field for the Chicago Bears pre-season game versus the Oakland Raiders. Since we were not tailgating we paid $26 to park in the Monroe Parking Garage at Millennium Park. The garage runs a “free” shuttle to Soldier Field, but given the pain of getting on the shuttles after the game the price is expensive for what you get.
Oakland Raiders at Chicago Bears
Last time I saw the Raiders on the road was October 5, 2003 in the Bears first season at the …

Yesterday I missed my sixth Cubs game of the season which could be the last one I miss this season if my schedule works out as planned. Today, I planned to attend both the Chicago Cubs game and Chicago Bears pre-season game at Soldier Field.
Derrek Lee, who played Friday, was back at Wrigley Field on Saturday after never leaving Chicago after his trade from the Cubs to the Braves. The Cubs snapped their 8-game losing streak defeating the Braves 5-4.
Beg, Borrow and Deal
I was planning to buy a standing room …

In the past I have written about how I have never attended a four-game sweep. Well today the Padres achieved the feat for me defeating the Cubs 5-3. I will have to admit that I was cheering for the Padres. This was the Padres first four game sweep of the Cubs in their 42-year franchise history.
Beg, Borrow and Deal
Today I actually needed more than my usual two tickets as a couple of my friends wanted to come to the game. In fact, I needed six total tickets. Since tickets are …

My decision to attend last night’s Cubs game is looking better and better especially after today’s 5-1 loss to the Padres. The Padres have won the first three games of the four game series and after tomorrow I will hopefully have attended my first four game series sweep.
As for today, Wrigley Field was once again sparsely populated as six rookie Cubs pitchers took to the mound. I understand why the Cubs priced their tickets the way they did today – a summer afternoon game in August. But …

As is normally the case, I made sure I bought Nicole a flight that landed in Chicago after the Cubs game. This way I could attend the game and still pick up Nicole. However, I debated on whether to attend this game tonight since I was already in the suburbs before the game and had to drive to O’Hare airport after the game. But then I thought this could be the first four game sweep I ever witness. I have attended two other four game series this year at Wrigley …