A very good Monday

New signage on Clark Street. Bryzzo!

I spent June 3 within the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field with my nephew! It was a lovely way to spend the day.

I got a good price for the tickets. It was a one-and-done with the Angels, a makeup for the game last month that was snowed out. It seemed fitting that I be there, since I was in LA at the TCM Film Festival, getting a little sunburn on my neck, when LA's team was getting snowed on here in Chicago.

I'm impressed by what a baseball nerd my nephew is. When he was a wee one, we used to spend summer Sunday mornings with the sports section, me explaining the National League standings. I told him there was a lot of math involved with being a Cub fan, and if I had been a better student, I would be a better Cub fan today. As he got older, we progressed to batting averages and ERAs. It seemed like a painless way to encourage him to pay attention in class.

The student has far exceeded the master. My nephew knows his Sabermetrics! He ignores my old school reverence for batting average and rhapsodizes about the OPS (on-base slugging percentage, for my fellow oldsters out there).  I love what a baseball nerd he's become.

The game was a fine affair. My guys snapped a losing streak with a 6-run sixth inning and ended up winning 8-1. Jon Lester went deep into the game and new Cub Carlos Gonzalez made his Wrigley Field debut with a terrific catch in the outfield. I just wish Anthony Rizzo had gotten a hit. Of course, I'm sure Rizz wishes that, too!

After the game, we stopped at a Wrigleyville dive bar for drinks (Auntie) and ice water (Nephew) and chips. We talked about school -- he's doing very well and got more scholarship money for his sophomore year. Enough to make his own dorm room affordable! Yea! I wish he was having more fun this summer -- he spends an awful lot of time with his parents and I worry about his cocooning at home.

But he loves college. He says he loves being home and sleeping as long as he wants every morning. He hopes to find a summer job soon. I didn't sense anything wrong and I guess I shouldn't overlay my expectations on him.

It's just that I wish he'd find his tribe. People who care about politics and policy and cats and baseball as much as he does! Maybe next year, when his poli-sci classes get more advanced.

And besides, I worry too much. We had a good day, and just look at the marquee that said farewell to us on the way out!