Well, the outcome. But it was close and we were in it to the end. Also, our record this year is so good that this loss won't matter a damn when the playoff matchups are determined.
The day started promisingly enough. I headed for the park wearing a Cubs "Mission October" shirt and carrying my Cubbie blue drawstring bag. The happy Saturday morning commuters smiled at me and wished me luck. "You're gonna see Big Jake!" one of them said, referring to our ace, Jake Arrieta. After another asked if I was going to the game, and I nodded, he said, "Look at her smile!" Two homeless men -- whom, I suspect, live on the train much of the weekend -- engaged me in a conversation about whether or not this is "the year." I am delighted by how the city is behind this Cub team.
We had terrific seats, upper terrace, along first base. It is, of course, a beautiful park and it was fun to watch it fill up with the Wrigley Field faithful. We got to watch the Giants take BP and see Jake warm up. We also got to catch up. He's feeling more positive about his health and prospects since his major health scare last May.
neighborhood is engulfed. 40,000 fans arrive at the park at their own pace, but we all leave at the same time and the trains and buses and packed. So John and I wandered up the street to Joe's on Broadway, a neighborhood bar that is favored by real Cub fans and locals -- not the tourists who were in town for Labor Day weekend. We talked baseball and movies and music and life for a couple hours and then headed on to our respective homes. Tired but happy.
I will leave you some views of the place I'd rather be more than anywhere else -- The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field.
Sorry your team lost, but happy you had a good day and the game was a good one. Avoiding the crowd with good conversation and company is the best way to wait out the crowd!
ReplyDelete