The Lovable Losers: Chicago Baseball

We woke up in Hyde Park and headed for a cup of coffee at Cafe 53. Anna, our host and Portland native, had left for work, which left us with an empty schedule until game time. We heard about a record shop downtown and after nearly 3600 miles of travels, we were excited to pick up some new music. Parking was harder to come by than a University of Washington football win against the Oregon Ducks, so we settled on $31 all day parking in a garage. 

As we strolled down Madison Street, we found Reckless Records. A gem with a large selection of music that fit our taste. We picked up a Chad & Jeremy CD and a greatest hits of Harper's Bizarre. 

Time had passed as we wandered through the city and it was now time to pick up Anna for the Sox game. Like us, Anna had never been to a Sox game and was excited to come along. After circling the block until it was convenient enough to pick her up, we hit US Cellular Field (although it is only referred to as its former name Comiskey Park). 

With overcast skies and another storm on the horizon, we held out hope we would be able to see the game. Unlike our future experience at Wrigley, we walked to the box office and picked up tickets for $7 a piece. After a quick tailgating session, we walked into the stadium. 

Comiskey (aka U.S. Cellular Field) Park

Rainy day at Comiskey. We weren't sure if the Sox would be playing.

Purchased tickets in hand, hoping they would be used.

$7 seats at least afford you the opportunity to spread out. Luckily we didn't need a Kleenex. 

The view from our early inning seats. We scoped out some beauties for the 7th and the post game fireworks show.

En route to our new seats.

Working on a proper pose with some Chicago Patriots.

The view from our new and final seats on the third base side.

Anna beginning to question why she came to the game with us.

A childhood favorite of Wolf's, we flexed our muscles next to The Big Hurt, Frank Thomas.

 Even after a 2-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, White Sox's fans celebrated. Apparently this is a theme for Chicago baseball teams. Joking aside, it was a great fireworks show and we all were in awe of this 4th of July Eve celebration.

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A night after experiencing a surprisingly lousy 4th of July fireworks show on Lake Michigan, we went to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs play the Pittsburgh Pirates, the best team in baseball at the moment. I'm not giving anything away by saying the Cubs lost 2-6.

Wrigley Field, Home of the Beloved Cubbies

After discouragingly talking with eight scalpers, we finally purchased two $90 seats for $120 total. We tested our luck and traded those seats to a different scalper down the road for $70 and two average seats. We gave each other a high five and headed in to the game.

We truly felt like it was a field of dreams. Excitedly, we approached historic Wrigley Field.

A true icon and baseball legend: Harry Caray - "It's a beautiful day for baseball."

The view from our seats on the first base side near the right field foul pole.

The famed ivy-laced outfield wall. 

We think if we were to return to Wrigley, we would check out the newly implemented "rooftop seats" of the surrounding apartment complexes. 

When you're in Chicago, you gotta do like the locals do. Chicago dogs.

A little out of Wolf's comfort zone, he shed the pickle spear but left the peppers, mustard, relish, and tomatoes. 

Snapped a picture from behind home plate during our tour of the concourse. No upgrading the seats at Wrigley. For how historically bad this team is, it's amazing the stadium remains packed.

One more of the two of us before moving on to Indiana later that day.

After three nights in the third largest city in the country, we had had our fill and needed to get back to the backcountry. We were off to Chesterton, Indiana, a town that fit the trip's mold a little better than Chitown. 

A special thanks to Anna Gustafson for the hospitality and a place to stay. We couldn't have experienced the city like we did without you.  

Chad and Jeremy - "Paxton Quigley's Had The Course"

Harper's Bizarre - "Witchi Tai To"