For the first time since June 1978, the Chicago Cubs completed an 8-2 home stand. I “only” attended six of the games during the home stand in which the Cubs went 4-2. Yesterday, the Ultimate Sports Wife and I took in the game from one of Wrigley’s famous rooftop. It was the second game I spent on the rooftop this season.
We were allowed access to the VIP room for the first time meaning we did not claim our seats before the rest of the rooftop crowd arrives. Remember, we generally …

In a rare event, Alfonso Soriano became just the 6th player since 1960 to hit safely in each of at least five at-bats, hit two home runs and still have his team lose. Leave it to the Cubs to earn this dubious achievement. Joe Morgan, the only other leadoff hitter to do so went 6-6 in 1965.
We had friends from out of town who wanted to go to the game today. I suggested they pay $15 for Standing Room Only seats and sit in our …

After an uneventful Wednesday night, yesterday had many more interesting stories.
1) Jim Edmonds made his return to Wrigley Field as a Chicago Cub. In his first at-bat he received cheers after he singled but was booed after not producing in subsequent at-bats. I was at the game on July 19, 2004 when Carlos Zambrano was ejected for throwing at Edmonds after a Scott Rolen home run. That was after Zambrano yelled at Edmonds to run the bases after Edmonds hit a home run off Zambrano onto …

The Cubs won tonight 8-5. Alfonso Soriano led off tonight’s game with a home run for the 2nd consecutive night. Last night he passed Brady Anderson for the third most leadoff home runs in major league history. Craig Biggio is #2 with 53 leadoff home runs and Rickey Henderson is #1 with 81 leadoff home runs.
For hopefully the 6th time, I will attend every game of a 4-game series. Since the Padres and Cubs both won a game already I will not see a 4-game sweep. The only …

In one of the rainiest games I have attended, the Padres beat the Cubs 4-3. There are a lot of arguments out there that say baseball is not the same as football because baseball players will not play in “the weather.” Well, I am here to tell you that is not the case. They may not play in absolute downpours (except for tonight), snow, sleet, or sub 30-degree temperatures but they will play in rain.
Currently, I believe they play in the rain because the money is too good. First, a …

The Chicago Cubs opened a 4-game series against the San Diego Padres tonight at Wrigley Field. The game time temperature was 41 degrees so I brought my winter gear to the game to stay warm. The Cubs batted around in both the 5th and 6th inning and beat the Padres 12-3.
Mark Prior, who now plays for the Padres, is once again on the DL. He was placed on the 60-day DL after having shoulder surgery on March 26. It was almost 6 years ago when …

While searching for Minor League Baseball in South Texas, I read a headline that reported the Cubs’ Midwest League Class A affiliate Peoria Chiefs will be hosting Chicago’s only affiliated minor league team Kane County Cougars at Wrigley Field on Tue, July 29. It is believed to be the first minor league game in Wrigley Field’s 94 year history.
If the Cubs’ sell more than 10,000 tickets, the game will count as one of their 30 night games, so that could have impact on the scheduling of a future Cubs’ …

The point of this blog is not to analyze player’s performance on the field, but Kerry Wood’s performance in yesterday’s Brewers / Cubs game was so poor (giving up 3 runs in the top of the 9th to lose the game 4-3) it has to be recognized. We have been through many incarnations of Kerry:
1998: Rookie Sensation – it’s amazing how a 20 strikeout performance in your 5th career start can carry you through a career.1999: Out for season with Tommy John surgery2000-2002: Averaged 28 starts per season, but …

April is in the books. The Cubs set a club record with 17 wins in April and I set a personal best by attending 17 games by April 30 (technically 16 in April).
The Cubs scored 19 runs last night (a feat they have achieved only 10 times in the last 50 years). The last time the Cubs scored that many was May 5, 2001 when they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 20-1. Last night was only the 5th time I have seen a game where a team scored 19 or …

The Cubs are back in town for a 3 game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. Last night, the Ultimate Sports Wife and I braved the cold with a game time temperature of 38 degrees. Before the game, I checked the weather and decided it was winter football weather. I put on my long underwear and wore my heaviest coat with gloves and a snow hat. Who knew that after almost wearing shorts to last Tuesday’s game that I would need to break out the winter gear for last night’s game.
For …