Worst Cubs Game Ever...Great Times

So, I had a bet going yesterday at the end of the bottom of the 5th, when the score was Angels 11, Cubs 1, what the final would be.  I said 12-2, she said 13-3.  We were both wrong, Cubs ended up losing 13-2.  Shark Samarskdjbfer298r said it best after the game.  "They kicked my ass today".  It's true, they did.  Scoring 5 in the 1st, 6 in the 5th, (pouring it on), while the Cubs only scored 2 runs on 5 hits.  Yeah.  Ass kicked.  But you know what else kicks ass?!  Sweet Baby Rays BBQ restaurant on Clark!  A tender and juicy half slab of ribs smothered with Sweet Baby Ray's competition sauce.  Some meaty wings, poblano infused Mac and Cheese, all washed down with 3.50 cent Revolution Ale pints?!  Yes Please!!!  My server Missy said she's worked at another BBQ restaurant in the past, and Sweet Baby Rays makes the freshest food.  Where as at the other BBQ joint, they made the stuff the night before.  All this BBQ is prepared day of.  And let me tell you, the food is awesome, decently priced, (2 people ate and drank heartily for 50$ tip included), and they have dozens of delicious tap beers, local brews, and fried pickles!  Go there and pregame!!!!

Notice how I'm wearing a red shirt in this pic.  Well, I didn't have time to go home for my Cubs shirt, and I certainly didn't want to look like an Angels fan, even though last nights blowout would have been an appropriate night to switch allegiances.  But I had seen a 5$ T-Shirt stand just North of McDonald's on Clark.  I decided to root through their "Spring Training 2012 shirts, and expiring unseasonal Blackhawks t's, to finally settle on a Harry Caray shirt that says "Holy Crap! Sox Still Suck".  Given my recent experience of getting kicked out of Busch Stadium for defending Cards fans wearing a "Cubs Suck shirt" I found it appropriate that I would join in the "your team Sucks" festivities, and see what kind of trouble I can get into in this shirt in the future...

The game sucked, but the beer was flowing.  Did you know that Becks Saphire, sold at select stands, is a 6% alcohol beer?  Yeah...that's the way to do it folks.... Anyway...these guys were there....watching it all unfold...

Is that they're last name?  Cause those two little men look like they're on a Boycation.

Ahh....the Coveted Paul Maholm Jersey!

Ahh...the coveted Doug Dascenzo jersey....classic.

Had a twitter conversation with someone after posting this pic, about how she was born 3 years after Dascenzo played for the Cubs....ugh...I'm old....

But it was a beautiful night.  Bumped into Katelyn Kelley, one of the fan photo employees of the Cubs.  We also chat on twitter.  

For the first few innings, before I went down to smoke...I actually sat in my seat!  Not a usual for me...

And it all looked like this from my coveted fence leaning seats in right field.

And finally, it looked like this....

Beating traffic eh?

I think my friend Katelyn Kelley said it best in her Twitter Post from last night...

http://www.sonranto.com

Chicago Cubs; Positive Thinking to the World Series

It's not easy to be positive when you're a Cubs fan.  We always expect the worst.  But today, I want to pretend I'm a Yankee fan, and expect to win with our awesome players.  No matter the situation today,  there is a ton of good news when it comes to the Chicago Cubs, and I'm going to share it with you.  As fans, let's get behind our beloved Cubbies and cheer them all the way until I am running naked up Sheffield Ave, covered in tears and beer.  Cool?

First positive.  The Cubs are young.  Fully 15 players on the 40 man roster are 25 years old or younger, so, as guys like Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo, both just 23 years old, develop, we could be seeing a strong Cubs infield for years to come.  Darwin Barney is only 27.  If we just add a third baseman, or move Castro to make room for Javier Baez, who is only 20 and has 17 homeruns at class A Daytona, our infield really could be solid for at least half a decade and beyond.  If Wellington Castillo continues to hit, and gets better at fielding, he's only 26, and could be part of a Cubs Championship run.  The outfield should include Jorge Soler, 21, in a few years, and Albert Almora, 19, batting .346 for Kane County.  And as far as pitching goes, both Jeff Samarjndceibiwv and Travis Wood, are under 30.  Compare this with other teams, like the first place Pirates, who have 8 players on their 40 man under 25 years old, and have gone through a steady rebuilding process to the point of contention.  Their players are on average 3-5 years older than the Cubs.  The second place Cardinals have 9 men under 25, mostly in their pitching staff.  So watch out!  Of course any youth movements need to factor in actual development, but when I started playing Piano years ago, I improved through the years, why shouldn't these guys.

Second positive.  Billionaire owners.  I believe Tom Rickett's when he says he's going to bring a Championship to Chicago.  Once he gets his stadium built and the revenue streams going, I can see him buying some big name players to fill the holes we may have at any given time.  These Wall Street guys are competitive as hell, he grew up rich and has never wanted for anything, so how's a guy supposed to get fulfillment out of life?  Why, bringing a World Series Championship to Wrigley!  That's how!  I can see the Cubs adding some big name star pitchers and a huge bat in a year or two.  Shin soo choo and Robinson Cano are free agents at the end of this year, or we could trade one of our plethora of developing talents for some proven prowess.  Either way.  The Rickett's will bring a Championship here.  He has a personal stake, and something to prove.  The Cubs are billionaire fan owned.

Third positive.  The Cubs play in the best ballpark in the major leagues, hands down.  And it's about to get better... I attended the Cubs series in Boston a few years ago, and the renovations there maintained the feel and atmosphere of an old ballpark in the center of a city, while providing modern amenities for the entertainment and comfort of the fans.  At heart, I don't want anything to change, but Wrigley will still be in Wrigleyville, we'll still have more day games than anyone else, there will still be Ivy on the walls, and they're keeping the hand operated scoreboard and bathroom troughs.  So I'm fine.  So, let Rickett's get his money, and get a Championship team out on that ball field!  We Cubs' fans deserve it.

In summation, baseball is a Marathon, not a race.  And right now, we have the youngest legs, the richest owners, and the best stadium.  Even this year, our starters are 8th in the majors in .ERA.  Not too shabby. Our catchers are 5th in caught stealing.  And the Cubs are third in doubles, with 166.  I believe the current builders of the Cubs are not content to give us a flash in the pan, aging all-stars team, but rather a contender for years to come!  It's time for fans to realize where we are headed.  And that's to the top baby!  To the Top!!!!

http://www.sonranto.com

Cubs Lose, Scalpers Win!

Finding 15 while searching for a left behind Edwin Jackson Bobblehead is the best thing that happened to me at Saturday's Cub's game.

When I bought 2 terrace reserved seats off stub hub for 18$ each, and couldn't find a single person without a Graduation BBQ,  OK Cupid date, or Kids to go to the game with, I had a sinking feeling that this day would be one to just survive, and not to expect much out of the world.  

I was right.

Within moments of peddling off towards Wrigley, with plans to find someone to buy my extra, the chain fell off my bike.  Easy fix, but the sinking feeling deepened.  Tom Skilling, who apparently makes the weather around here, left us with a thick humidity that hovered like heavy spirits in expectation of Saturday's Super Moon that had the town abuzz.  It was going to be a strange day.  I could feel it in my bones.

The road to nowhere.

With a ticket to sell, the weird feelings, and a peckish for Al's Beef, I white knuckled it under the tracks, two parking lots, and two streets going the wrong way, parked, and went straight to the main box office asking if anyone needed a single.  Everyone wanted Bleachers, and as I continued on, I noticed there was a large white dude kinda tracking me, then he was up on me, but not saying anything.  I was born at night, but not last night.  I knew he was a cop, so I told some lie about how I was supposed to go to the game with my Mom, but her basement flooded, and I had an extra, and I got the bejeesus outta there.  

Decided to head down to Al's Beef and sell the extra closer to game time, but as luck would have it, I bumped into Ticket Man Terry across from the Salt and Pepper Diner down Clark asking if anybody was selling.  I told the same lie as earlier about my Mom's flooded basement. Terry lied, and said he was just trying to get into the game.  They all say that, thinking you might give them the ticket for free.   I said, "How much will you give me?".  He said, "10".  I said, "fine".  Down 8$, but at least I got something.  And no cops....

I immediately spent the 10$ at Al's Beef.  This isn't the original, but it's still a heluva beef sandwich.  The fries are some of the best in the city, and unlike all the other bar and grills on Clark, Al's had seating.

 

These children are delicious!!!

Heading back towards Wrigley, I wanted to see if Terry had sold my ticket.  He hadn't, but seemed like a cool guy, so I gave him my Son Ranto card and asked him a bit about the scalping business.  

Time for a ballgame!  

The ominous feeling had lifted slightly, as I had successfully gotten rid of my ticket, and was now full of beef.  The crowd going through Gate D was thick, and the Edwin Jackson Bobble Heads were long gone.  My niece had wanted one.  I guess I'm a crappy Uncle.  

 

Dale Sveum's tattooed forearms calling for the pitcher that will eventually lose the game loomed above, and the ominous feeling returned.  Oh right.  I'm going to watch the Cubs today.  Not who I wish the Cubs were.  But this manager, and these players.  The actual last place Cubs.  Yet, I hoped.  I mean, it's a good Saturday crowd, Game of the week, and the Astros, a team even worse than us! 

The National Anthem was decent, though he did go sharp during "Red Glare", and I settled into my favorite Right Field sun seats.  

And here's what I saw.....

                      The Double Campana

 
                                                                                            The Astro's tied, it and I went to smoke

               Amateurs doing the Wave....                             Theo Epstein look alike checking his stock      
                                                                                            portfolio during the stretch.

Nice to meet you!  I'm Goldendouche!

                                               

Cubs leave em loaded, and people leave em behind....

Oh, and the game itself?  Well, Castro did this....

But then he did this.....

Nate Schierholtz did this!  

But Castillo did this....

And Soriano did this....

The umpire did this...strike?!  Umm...no....

An Arizona Fan did this....

Ronny Cedeno...yes...THAT... Ronny Cedeno did this....

And the Cubs went down 4-3 with a quiet 9th inning.  Not even the #Cubes patented #fakerally to even have something to cheer about.  

The Cubs had their opportunities, but failed, going 1-8 with runners in scoring position, and leaving the bases loaded. not moving runners, swinging at terrible pitches...you know the usual.  

Travis Wood pitched pretty well, though it wasn't the best outing, giving up just a 3 run blast. But he should have been spotted to more runs.  You all know what happens next right?  The hitting is gonna come alive, just as the starting pitching falters.  It's the classic Cubs move.  

Anyhow, my ominous feeling was correct.  I should never have gone to this game, or left the house, and I certainly picked the wrong game to stay sober.  I was a bit hung over from the night before, and sweated it out over the first 3 innings in the sun.  But as I said at the top of this post, while searching for an Edwin Jackson Bobblehead, I found 15$, which more than made up for my 9$ loss on the scalped ticket. It was a weird day.  At least the Blackhawks won, and on the way home from Driftwood tavern, carrying my Mr. Salsa bag full of tacos, I passed by the cemetery that stands just north of the ballpark, while the Supermoon stood high above thousands of graves,  drunken revelers, and Wrigley Field.

A strange ending to a weird day.

 http://www.sonranto.com

Cubs Avoid Sweep; Make a Drunk Guy Happy

Sunday was one of the nicest days of the year so far.  Not too hot, not too cold.  So in need of a little exercise before the Cubs game, or "sweating it out", because of my gluttonous last few months, I hopped on my bike and cruised down Lake Michigan.  If you've never checked out the path next to the lake, the scenery is breathtaking, and the lake is nice too.  Hordes of bikini clad girls crowd the shoreline, causing in my case, at least a few near miss accidents.  It's unfortunately amateur day as far as biking goes, and joggers, walkers, strollers, along with novice bike renters all share the same path, and all think they should stay to the left because they are the fastest thing going.  They're not.  They're only in the way.

Not a bad way to start a game day!

I had the wind to my back, on the way back North to Wrigleyville, and a grumble in my stomach, so I sped on over to one of my pre game haunts, "The Salt & Pepper"diner on Clark, just south of Wrigley, and ordered a 4$ Bloody Mary...or two...and a Tuna Melt.  It was especially delicious after an hour long ride.  This is the best deal going if you ask me.  20$ got me all this food and 2 big old bloody's.

After a quick trip to 711 on Addison and Sheffield to buy some smokes, I entered the stadium through the main gate, but unhappy with my Terrace Reserved Seat behind a pole, I ventured over to section 242, the fence leaning sun seats over in right field.  By far my favorite seats in the park when the temperature is under 80 degrees anyway.  God Bless America and the National Anthem were sung passably, but annoyingly by a young woman who probably thinks she's better than she is, judging by her horrible choices of modal trills and vocal ornaments.  Plus, I really hate the singing of God Bless America.  That is some American taliban noise right there.  God likes us better, so bless us.  Terrible sentiment, especially for an atheist like me.  You be the judge...

Hit the seats, not my seats, but my favorite seats, and proceded to watch the Cubs be no hit through 5 innings.  That's the third time in a row that the Cubs have gone once through the order without a single hit.  Edwin Jackson, our so far bust of a free agent signing, pitched well though, keeping the Cubs in the game the entire time.  I went through a couple of beers, and decided by the 5th it was time for soemthing harder, so I hit the Capt. Morgans Club and ordered a 16$ double shot of Johnny Red.  This is what I call Credit Card drinking, as I was outta cash, but not out of lust for liquor.  And when I came back to the seats in the bottom of the 6th, feeling significantly better than before, the Cubs actually staged a 1 run rally (yes, 1 run is called a rally in Cub Land) with a Soriano sac fly, tying the game, still without the benefit of a hit. Until finally, Dionner Navarro broke up the "no no" a batter later with a basehit.  These events convinced me that I should drink more whiskey at the ball game.  It's good luck.

It was now time for the stretch, and Mr Randy Hundley ingloriously did the honors.  I think Randy is part chicken, because he certainly laid an egg.

Amazingly, he actually sings better than Ernie Banks....

But Bad singing must have lit a fire under the Cubs butt, because in the bottom of the 7th, after a couple of singles by Sweeney and Barney, Cody Ransom came up and hit a 3 run homer!  Cubs lead 4-1!

Alright!  Off to the 8th, where Carlos "no lead is safe" Marmol, actually went 1-2-3! He struck out 2 as well.  This is something Carlos Marmol does not do very often.  He usually walks the lead off hitter, or hits him and we all say "Here we go again!". But not this time.  He was lights out.  The crowd was actually stunned into silence by his performance.  More of that please Carlos.  But let's not be fooled into resigning him please.....

Kevin Gregg had a bit of a rough time of it in the bottom of the 9th, giving up a single and a double, but no one scored because of a caught stealing and the Cubs win!  So we sang....and I was happy for once.



The Cubs avoided the sweep by Pittsburgh and now take on Cincy for a four game set....Starlin Castro went 0-4 and is now batting .243.  Just thought I'd throw that in there for good measure.

Tonights a night game. 7:05. Scott Feldman 5-4, 2.84 vs. Homer Baily 3-4, 3.84.  According to the starters ERA's, we win by one run.....and I'll be there!

I'll rap at you again tomorrow, but in the meantime....http://www.sonranto.com, and here's hot dog man....