As I mentioned in my last post I had planned to attend the Brewers afternoon game in Milwaukee yesterday. However, there were multiple options of games to attend at night – the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago White Sox were all at home. Since I was invited to the White Sox game that became the game of choice – plus I have never attended the I-94 doubleheader (both Miller Park and U.S. Cellular Field sit directly next to I-94).

Rush Hour from Milwaukee to Chicago
One issue with attending a weekday afternoon game in Milwaukee is the rush hour traffic you will hit on the way home. It usually takes 90 minutes to drive from Wrigley Field to Milwaukee. My original plan was to leave Miller Park at 3 pm and arrive back home at 5 pm (allowing for 30 minutes of traffic). However, that plan changed when I did not leave Miller Park until 3:30 pm and a torrential downpour driving home, not only made driving slow, but caused some major traffic delays. I did not get home until 6 pm (2.5 hours after leaving Miller Park).

Pre Game Dining
I was supposed to meet Bob at Schaller’s Pump located at 3714 S. Halsted St. at 5:45 pm. But Bob forgot his cell phone so there was no way to tell him I was so late. By the time I arrived at Schaller’s it was 6:45 pm and Bob was gone.

Beg, Borrow and Deal
With no ticket, I considered going to the Chicago Blackhawks game that started at 7:30 pm. But I was already at U.S. Cellular Field and knew I would find a cheap ticket. However, I was not in the mood to find a free ticket (since it took me 3.5 hours to get to the ballpark), so I bought a lower level seat ($30 season ticket holder face value) for $10.

Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox
Boy oh boy, the difference two days make in Chicago. On Monday, I wrote how I had never experienced such a beautiful day on MLB’s opening day. And, tonight, the weather had dramatically changed. It was almost 40 degrees cooler than Monday as it was less than 40 degrees for a majority of the game and fog and mist made for a dreary evening.

Jake Peavy struggled in the 4th inning as he allowed the Indians to tie the game 3-3 as the Indians eventually won the game 5-3. During the 4th inning I kept thinking there is no way Peavy can pitch in this cold since he’s been used to pitching in San Diego where the weather is perfect every day. Most players from warm weather teams are not prepared to play in the Chicago cold during April and even May.