For the second time this season, I was planning to attend the Chicago Cubs game which was postponed by rain (the first game was on April 19). I was still in the house (the Ultimate Sports Wife and I never enter the stadium during a rain delay until the first pitch is thrown) watching the pre-game show when the game was officially postponed. If you do not have the option of sitting in your house, then I would recommend hanging out in a bar or restaurant until the game actually …

It is not very often that you attend a rain-shortened game but do not have to sit through any rain delays inside the stadium. Last night was this exception (even though there were three different rain delays).
The game between the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres started out with a delay before the first pitch was thrown. Even though it was not raining at 7 pm, the start time of the game was still pushed back from 7:05 pm to 7:40 pm.
Obtaining TicketsThe delayed game gave me extra time to …

I was walking outside of Wrigley Field and noticed a lot of fans wearing their Northwestern purple. I had forgotten it was Northwestern Day at Wrigley Field. However, once I remembered I also remembered that the pre-party was being held at Mullen’s Bar & Grill Wrigleyville – located at 3527 N. Clark St (and the “official” Northwestern bar in Chicago). When we arrived at Mullen’s we were handed a coupon for one free drink or appetizer since we had attended Northwestern.
The GameThe Cubs defeated the Padres 6-2 after Milton Bradley …

In what had to have been one of the most exciting NHL games I have ever attended, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Vancouver Canucks 7-5 in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals. The Blackhawks advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1995.
This was the third NHL series clinching game I have attended. The other two came on May 19, 1995 as the Blackhawks defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 and May 7, 2007 as the Detroit Red Wings defeated the San Jose Sharks …

Last night I attended my 100th Chicago White Sox home game. The first White Sox game I ever attended was on July 27, 1990 at “Old Comiskey Park” with my grandparents and brother. Every other game has been at U.S. Cellular Field (or “New Comiskey Park”). The White Sox are the 4th Major League Baseball team I have seen play 100 games at home. The other three are:
1) San Francisco Giants – attended my 100th game during the 1997 season2) Oakland Athletics – attended my 100th game during the 2001 …

For the fourth time this season (and second in the playoffs), “Blackhawks Jim” invited me to attend last night’s Game 4 between the Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks. As usual, I was planning to purchase tickets on the day of the game. This is another example of why I wait to buy tickets sporting events unless I have to. You never know who might invite you at the last minute.
Pre Game DiningI met “Blackhawks Jim” and his friends at CrossRoads Bar & Grill located at 1120 W. Madison St. …

For the first time in 13 years, Chicago Blackhawks fans could attend a hockey game in Chicago in May.
Obtaining TicketsEarlier in the day, I had agreed to purchase two standing room only tickets from craigslist.org for $30 each (face value was $25 plus Ticketmaster fees). I had agreed to meet the seller at Billy Goat’s Tavern (located on the corner of Ashland Ave, Madison St. and Ogden Ave.) around 5:30 pm – where we wanted to eat before the game anyway.
Standing Room Only at the United CenterWhile many …

After going 4-0 in the month of May, the Cubs finally lost in my fifth consecutive Cubs game attended. I had a meeting for work that ran long, so I did not arrive to the game until the 3rd inning (which is why I have “half game attendance rules” – for when life gets in the way of attending sporting events).
The GameThe Giants made quick work of Sean Marshall and took an early 3-0 lead off a Benji Molina three-run home run in the top of the 1st inning. …

Last night, with our tickets already in hand, the Ultimate Sports Wife and I walked across the street for a peaceful evening at Wrigley Field. The Chicago Cubs won their fourth consecutive game (all of which I have been in attendance) by defeating the San Francisco Giants 4-2. The last time I saw the San Francisco Giants play in Chicago was July 16, 2007.
The GameRyan Theriot hit his 3rd home run in four games. Theriot had one home run all of last season. The Chicago Red Stars (of the new …

Today the Chicago Cubs retired uniform #31 in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins and future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux. The last number retirement ceremony I attended was on September 28, 2003 when the Cubs retired Ron Santo’s #10 after clinching the N.L. Central Division Title the day before. The first 5,000 fans who entered the park received an 11”x14” replica of the two paintings given to each pitcher from the Cubs.
Pre Game DiningBefore the game, the Ultimate Sports wife and I ate Byron’s Hot Dogs …