For the second year in a row, I watched the Chicago Cubs home opener from the bleachers. And for the second year in a row, the home opener was delayed by rain. This year the start of the game was delayed for 1 hour and 12 minutes. Last year the start of the game was delayed for 41 minutes (and again for 49 minutes in the bottom of the 3rd). Next year, I am going back to my regular seats in the upper deck which should at least keep the rain away – although the sub 40 degree temperatures will probably always be around.

Obtaining Tickets
Our friends from Evanston invited Nicole and I to the game with the bleacher seats they purchased on the day Cubs individual tickets went on sale. Bleacher seats ($60 each) are twice as much as my upper deck season tickets ($28 each).

Pre Game in Wrigleyville
We started out going to Yak-zies because our friends chose the location. Since Yak-zies was over crowded and charged $6 per beer we suggested going to our usual pre or post game hang out, Wrigleyville North, which only charges $10 for a pitcher. While we were at Wrigleyville North, we realized the game was going to be delayed for at least 45 minutes. We decided to meet another one of our other friends at Gingerman Tavern which was only charging $3 for PBRs.

MLB Rain Delay Rules
I have always heard that a major league baseball game will not start a game in rain. I have attended many games that would not start even though if the game had already started, play would have continued. However, today in a steady rain, the Cubs decided to start the game and play throughout a steady mist. While I am not sure what MLB’s official rain policy is, today’s game went against what has been decided in the past. I am sure it has somewhat to do with the fact this was one of the Cubs platinum games.

The Game
For the 5th time in the 786 regular season games I have attended, I witnessed a team being one hit. Ted Lilly, who took a no-hitter into the 7th inning, gave up one-hit to the Colorado Rockies and the Cubs relievers continued the one-hitter. The other one-hitters I have attended are:

1) June 21, 1994: Kansas City (Combined) at Oakland
2) August 5, 1995: Los Angeles (Hideo Nomo) at San Francisco
3) April 26, 2002: Los Angeles (Odalis Perez) at Chicago
4) May 18, 2004: San Francisco (Jason Schmidt) at Chicago