The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL

I would have a hard time visiting Chicago without at least trying to make it to a game at Wrigley. Luckily, the Cubs had a home stand the weekend we were in Chicago, so I scooped up 4 spectactular tickets to Sunday's game against the Atlanta Braves.

Kim's parents, Bob and Gerri, joined us for the game. We had an easy, straight shot on the Red Line from the Hilton Garden Inn Magnificent Mile where we were staying, all the way out to the Addision stop. We arrived in Wrigleyville in the late morning, well before the first pitch at 1:20pm. We kicked our day off at Harry Caray's Tavern, having brunch and beers, and soaking in the Wrigleyville atomosphere.
The pub was buzzing with the big news of the morning -- the Cubs' manager, Lou Pinella, had just announced that today's game would be the last of his 26 year coaching career in Major League Baseball. The surprise announcement certainly made this otherwise unremarkable game quite significant, from a baseball history perspective.

Finishing up at Harry Caray's, we paid our tab and then walked 360 degrees around the stadium to get a taste for the neighborhood. I attended games at Wrigley in 2004 and 2006. Since then, the stadium has undergone some major renovation, and it showed. Well done, the stadium is looking great!

The marquee at the home plate entrance dates from the 1920s.

We made it into the stadium in time for the opening ceremonies and the National Anthem, which always sounds better at a baseball game, doesn't it? Play ball!

Wrigley's hand-operated scoreboard is simply a work of art.

Here's Coach Lou Pinella, standing for the National Anthem before his last MLB game.

Two coaching legends, with the umpires. This is Bobby Cox's final season too.

Our seats were outstanding -- section 120 (behind home plate), about 15 rows up. Moreover, the weather was just perfect. Sunny and warm, but we were in the shade with a cool breeze. The only downside was that the Cubs were absolutely crushed by the Braves.

We did see a few home runs (mostly by the Braves), had a few Budweisers, and of course, Chicago-style hot dogs in the 7th inning :-)

And we had a great time anyway.

It was just too bad the Cubs had to raise the blue flag with the white 'L' in centerfield that afternoon.

:-Dustin