Our day started off deciding where to eat brunch before the game. We decided to eat at Salt & Pepper Diner (where we ate last Saturday), but when we arrived there was a line. Since we did not have to wait last Saturday, we thought there might be a line because we were trying to eat about 20 minutes earlier. Instead, we decided to order some Irish breakfast at Irish Oak (located at 3511 N. Clark St.).

Irish Oak is similar to any other Irish Pub. The main difference being that it is the closest Irish pub to Wrigley Field. So if you are looking for a pre-game Irish breakfast and a Guinness this is the place to go. However, we would probably choose to eat at Uncommon Ground (better food) or Salt & Pepper Diner (cheaper) over Irish Oak.

Last Tuesday night, I wrote that I had never sat in closer seats at Wrigley Field – seven rows from the visitor’s dugout. However, yesterday, I was sitting in my season ticket, upper deck seat when my friend, Andy Anderson, called and asked, “Where are you sitting? Are you by yourself?” He next stated he was sitting in the first row behind home plate ($300 face value ticket) and that there was an empty seat next to him. He said to meet him behind section 117 at the end of the 4th inning. I left the upper deck immediately.

As I wrote on May 28, be sure your friend brings the other ticket stub(s) in order to sneak you into a lower level section. Mr. Anderson brought his Dad’s ticket stub and I was able to sit in the first row behind home plate – a definite first (at any park) and hopefully not my last chance to sit in the front row. Since Mr. Anderson was flying to San Francisco for a new job the next day, he decided to splurge on the best tickets in the ballpark.

From the front row seats, we watched the Cubs beat the Pirates 5-1. When sitting close to the Cubs dugout, be sure to get Alfonso Soriano’s attention. Soriano will listen to most of what the fans say and react while he is in the on deck circle – a definite plus when sitting so close. However, once it is time to bat, he shuts off the fans and goes about his business.

Cubs Ticket Buying Tip: Mr. Anderson explained to me that he logged onto www.cubs.com on Friday night and bought the $300 tickets. During the first few innings, the other fans sitting around him also had bought their tickets within the last few days. Thus, if you want to celebrate a special occasion or just want to sit in the best seats at Wrigley Field, it appears you do not need to plan that far ahead – just hope the seats are available online.