Every year my Dad and I go to see a Red Sox series. Last weekend was this year's trip and we went to Chicago to see the World Champion Boston Red Sox (saying that never gets old) play the White Sox. Of course, while you are in Chicago you have to see Wrigley Field, and we really lucked out. This weekend was Red Sox versus the White Sox (the battle of the Soxes they used to call it on Channel 38) on the southside and northside featured Cubs versus Cardinals! The last four World Series winners in town on the same weekend (Red Sox 04, 07, White Sox 05, Cards 06).
We learned several things- first in heaven the Cubs play the Red Sox in the World Series. Those ballparks are true gems. (In hell its probably the Yankees versus Phillies). Also, the people on the southside and northside *really* have a rivalry going. Its basically Boston v NY but they live in the same town! Here is one example from the southside
One of the great things about Wrigley (and there are many despite what southsiders say), is that its in the middle of a real neighborhood
Epicenter of Cub universe
Lots of action before and after game time, lots of people wandering around with gloves catching batting practices homers outside the stadium...err Field. Key point - Wrigley is a field, not a Stadium. Also Fenway is a Park. The Greek root of the word "paradise", means "enclosed green space", not concreteopolis
Wrigley is baseball Mecca
The greatest Cub of all, Ernie Banks, was our touchstone for the day - "Let's Play Two." we started at Wrigley for the day game (Zambrano got shelled) and then got crosstown for the night game.
To pull this off the L is your friend. As several Chicagoans pointed out, they are the only city that can have a true subway series, because the Red Line services both the White Sox and Cubs, whereas Mets-Yankees involves numerous transfers and so on.
We got to US Cellular Field which is fine but a shadow of Wrigley and absolutely nothing good to
eat. Luckily we had Daisuke Matsuzaka on the hill
Before every game, Big Papi holds court in center with some players from the other team, he is to be a very popular guy. Ozzie Guillen told him before the series that with Manny gone, he wouldn't see a pitch to hit all weekend (ps. he did and crushed a bases loaded double)
The question we got most was - what about the Manny trade? His replacement strikes out a lot, but is otherwise a promising player
The Red Sox and White Sox share a little history, most especially Pudge Fisk who hit the famous homer in the 75 world series for the Red Sox and then had a great career for the White Sox (actually played more games for Chicago than Boston, but went into Cooperstown with a B on his hat)
Red Sox won, hanging out in Wrigley was an even bigger highlight, and Chicago is a beautiful city to visit, by far the most accessible of the big US cities. Also, lots of good places to eat courtesy of
Thomas Ptacek.
