Sunday brought another 2023 first; the first visit to Wrigley Field. I don’t care how many times I’ve been there… once I walk up from the concourse to the field level, and set eyes on her… always a special moment. I love thinking about the fact that 100 years ago, there were players and fans that filled this same exact venue. When you step inside the cathedral, you are part of history. This game specifically would be a historic one for us…
Actually, I don’t know what the longest baseball game I’ve ever attended was; I do remember being at the park for an extra inning game. I don’t think I ever made it to the 14th, where we sang the stretch again! That part of Take Me Out certainly rang true in this one… “I don’t care if I ever get back”. With all this push to speed up the game, I always think… I’m not in a hurry when I go to see my Cubs play. I don’t care if it lasts all day, and feel lucky enough to get bonus baseball in this one. Sure, did the temps drop a bit on this beautiful day in May? Yes. Did we have to move our seats into a section of the park that was bathed in sunlight? Yes. Was I thinking about leaving? No. One thing I did have to start to consider were the parking restrictions that started at 6pm; the game lasted almost 4 hours… I didn’t want to get a ticket. This may have dragged me away before the game was over. Thankfully, well, the Cubs did lose, so I ain’t that thankful, but the game did end in enough time to get back towards the car, grab our slices of D’Agostino’s, and head back home. It was a full day, the way it should be.
The game was flying along though. If it had ended in 9 innings, it would have been a very quick game; not sure how much I like that. I’m sure the vending across ballparks is taking a hit, at least the ones that get filled up. People have less time to eat, and more importantly, drink at the game now, which is where they make some serious dough. Yeah, I got one of those baseball bats filled with beer (Old Style of course), and got a matching one filled with a frozen margarita for my wife; my son asked where his was… haha. They were $30 each! Definitely too expensive, but what are you going to do? Well, I probably won’t get the bat again, but had to give it a try. We stood in our seats for most of the game, which never happens when it’s just my son and I. Of course, we’re outside playing catch half the game… haha. It was still fun, as I tried to show my son how to score the game. It wasn’t that exciting until the bottom of the 9th, when the Cubs ruined my fantasy pitcher’s complete game shutout chance by scoring two to send the game to extras. I didn’t mind, but it would have been nice to actually win the damn game. Wasn’t in the cards… Speaking about Cards… it was nice to see their flag flying at the bottom of the division… haha.
So, back at Wrigley again; we’ll be back at least a few more times this year. Yes it was a loss, but anytime I can get to a game at the cathedral… is most definitely a win. Until next time…
Leave a Reply