Chicago 2010

As we get older these trips get more and more about hanging with the fellas than actual baseball. This year was no different. Mind you the baseball is still the reason we go. If the trip ever evolved into just a guys weekend, I think we'd be encouraged to find divorce lawyers. But since we mix in one game in the four days we're gone, we can still call it the "Ball Trip".

This year, we returned to Comiskey/US Cellular Field on the South Side of Chicago. If you've read any of these posts before you'd know Jason, Matt, Keith, and I (Jeff) have already been to Comiskey in its former state (before the renovations in 2001). We even got a mini tour and pics taken in the White Sox dugout. We had never actually seen a game there until this year. As for the park, well, I'll get to that in a few...

Chicago...if not for the awful traffic, I think I would love to live there. I've been there four times in my life and had an absolute blast every single time. There's just so much to do and see and the experiences there were second to none. This time was no different.

Our trip began with a new kickoff...a scramble golf outing at Hickory Woods. We had six guys so we split into two three-man teams (picked out of a hat for fairness). The grounds were a little soggy due to the prior night's thunderstorm but for the most part, the course was in good shape. Unfortunately, I can't say the same thing about my team (Jason-Paul-Jeff). We just never got it going and were soundly beaten by Keith-Matt-Shane. As part of the deal, the losing team had to buy the winning team lunch (Chipotle...yum!). In addition, we had four closest-to-the-pin contests...Shane and Jason took one each, I got the other two, including a near hole-in-one on #11.

Golf was such a rousing success that we're going to try to incorporate it into every trip from now on...provided we have enough space in the car(s). Bravo to Shane for the suggestion.

Here are a few golf pics taken by our photographer Keith...

























After golf, back to my house, pack the car and jet for Chicago around 1:00. Not bad except for one thing...rush hour traffic. Took us about 90 minutes to get through Chicago traffic and to our hotel near O'Hare. Still not a bad trip...and made much more enjoyable by some interesting music and Gay Robot (Adam Sandler) which would pretty much be on everyone's mind the entire trip.

Thursday night...Chili's for dinner (a ball trip staple) and back to the hotel to unwind after a long day with some Corona's, Bud Lights, and cigars. Not a bad day...and we're only getting started.

Friday, quickie breakfast, then off to see downtown Chicago as you can see in these pics...












Then, I think I'm speaking for the entire group, we had the best meal ever on a ball trip (Tilted Kilt).



It was phenomenal! Afterward we head to Comiskey/US Cellular Field for the White Sox-A's. OK game...nothing too exciting. Some baseball was played to a less than packed house which is odd considering the Sox are in first in the A.L. Central and there are over 3 million people in Chicago.

Anyway...batting practice was cool. Always nice to see the big boys rocket baseballs off unsuspecting people's domes. Point of note: if you do get to a game early, remember batting practice is ongoing and you should LOOK OUT!!! To the lady in right field, I'm sorry for making an example out of you, but seriously, it's not NERF baseball.

The Sox won 6-1 and there was a 10 minute fireworks display afterward. Pretty much as exciting as me typing it.

Proof that we went...



Saturday...breakfast was good. Service not so much, but hey it's Chicago. Not gonna get the small town service everywhere you go. From there we went back downtown to walk around a bit. Saw Michigan Ave...exciting if you like crowds. Then we made the best decision of the weekend (well, aside from the Tilted Kilt of course)...Wrigleyville to try to watch the Reds-Braves game.

There are a plethora of bars to choose from in Wrigleyville if you've ever been there before. We chose the Cubby Bear...or as we were saying the "Chubby Cub". Not a bad place. Nothing to it really. Some tables, TV's, and bars. Unfortunately no Reds game. For some reason, Chicago was carrying the Red Sox-Tigers game. UGH!!!

After lunch at the Chubby Cub, a few of us (Paul, Shane, me) decided to take a tour of Wrigley Field. Best $25 spent on the trip...aside from the Tilted Kilt of course. Some great stories (the basket is a "people catcher" not for catching home runs), and very cool scenery that you can see here...



About this time is when the moonshine kicked in...



And spectacular pictures of some of the lesser celebrated things at Wrigley...

Just outside the Cubs' dugout...

Some beautiful crushed brick...

Needs no explanation...

A camera covered by a bag...

Jeff's shoe...

Following the tour, we caught up with the rest of the boys at the beautiful Sports Corner Bar on the corner of Sheffield and Addison.



(If I'm correct, this is when Keith said he started to lose his vision. Good thing Matt was there to guide him around.) Not only is it a cool bar across the street from Wrigley, but it has an open roof bar and we may have picked the perfect day to be up there. Low 80's, no humidity, bright blue skies and you can see here...

Isn't it lovely?

So not only is it just a cool area to be in, but Cub fan was NOT out and about, which makes life much easier to stand. After that, we strolled around looking for fun places to go. Went to Harry Caray's which was really cool. Then it got interesting...

Suffice to say...bachelorette parties, guys with gashes in their heads, fake ID's, Keith lost his sight, and Shane, Paul, Keith, and Jason are still waiting for the pizza guy.

Sunday morning, as predicted, we drove back in a fog. Not much talking on the way back. Just a nice drive back while listening to our beloved Redlegs on the radio.

Chicago was great as usual! Can't wait to go back. But for now, the clubhouse leader for the 2011 Ball Trip is.......

Baltimore and Camden Yards! When Fish returns, we'll have: seven guys, two cars, golf clubs, baseball, and "Good Times! Good Times!"