Week 1 Recap

Well, it's been an interesting first week of home games at Wrigley.

Nothing exciting really happened for the Rockies series since the weather was so crappy. We just got some beers (The new Old Style (sounds weird, I know) isn't terrible!) and hung out next door. After the game was over (Cubs Win!), we all went outside and did our post game routine: Listen to "Go Cubs Go" 5 times and hi-five as many people as possible outside. Splitting the series with the Rockies was nothing unexpected, especially since we were going up against former Cub Jason Marquis in the 2nd game, and as everyone knows, players who leave the Cubs, come back to kill the Cubs.

But even before the first Rockies game, you could tell what everyone was waiting for was this weekend. The first weekend series of year at Wrigley, and it was against the Cardinals. We knew we had to do this weekend right, and I like to think we did.

Unexpectedly, we got outdoor beer die going on Thursday for game 1 of the Cardinals series. It was also a nice surprise to find out it was "Spring Hot Girl Day." I have this theory than when baseball season is over, aliens scoop up all the hot girls in Wrigleyville, and they don't bring them back until the first really nice day of the Cubs season. However, despite the hot girls best efforts, the Cubs lost to the Cardinals 4-7 and we had to hear it from every stupid fucking Cardinals fan that walked by.

Friday, Greg and I went to the game, and it was amazing. Helluva first game to go to this season. The Cubs got out to an early 3-0 lead only to have the Cards come back and take the lead, then the Cubs tied it up, and the Cards took the lead again. In the bottom of the 8th, Cubs down by 1, Soriano comes to the plate, 0-4 on the day so far. A couple rows behind us, a guy says, "There's no way Soriano goes 0-5 today." This guy was right, Soriano cranked a 2 run home over the left center wall and the Cubs had the lead. Marmol came in for the 9th and shut it down, despite walking a guy, and hitting Pujols in the arm. Marmol got someone to ground out into a double play to end the game, and insanity ensued. Greg almost completely lost his voice. We made it back to my place in about 10 minutes, put the speaker on, and resumed our usual post game ritual. A couple friends of mine came over, and we hung out on the porch, drank some beers, and basked in the glow of the glorious day.

Saturday was a day to behold. The Bulls had their first playoff game against the Celtics that night, The Cubs were playing the Cardinals, and the Blackhawks were trying to go up 2-0 on the Flames that night. ALL IN ONE DAY! Things got off to a great start when the Bulls pulled off the upset over Boston. We knew after that, this day was going to be a good one. So I went to go get a keg for the Cubs game, while Greg and my neighbor stayed in my parking spot so I wouldn't lose it. Got back with the keg and we got the festivities started. Outdoor beer die in 70 degrees during a Cubs vs Cardinals game is really something everyone should get to enjoy. The Cubs game certainly didn't disappoint either. A little bit of free baseball in the extra innings, and a little bit of Aramis Ramirez walk off 2 run homer! Things got nutty after that homer, as we were ALL going nuts, even the Sox fans we had over. I'm beginning to think we should keep a camera trained to the front yards at all times, just so we can see our reactions to things like this. We blasted "Go Cubs Go" more than usual, and hi-fived even more people than usual.

The beer die kept going into Night-Die, and we had to bring some lights outside to keep playing. Martin (our other roommate), was playing during such a time, and he sunk the die in a cup! Thing is, the guy wasn't playing the game. And for no reason whatsoever, the guy decided to flip the beer die table over. Quite rude and uncalled for. I kind of just stood there in shock for a bit. However the highlight of the night was a buddy and myself shutting out out 2 other friends in beer die. If you get shut out for any reason in beer die, bags, beer pong, whatever; you have to run to the stop sign across the street in your underwear. There's photographic evidence of this happening too, which makes it even better.

Ah, Opening Day!

Today is finally the Cubs home opener. Aside from 1 day in January (The Winter Classic), Wrigleyville has pretty much been dead since October, but today it returns to Greatest Neighborhood Ever status.

There were people camping outside the Bleachers last night, even though you could easily just get here at 9 AM and get in the game just as easily. But if being the first dude in the Bleachers in 2009 is something you strive for, more power to you.

I think it's also safe to say, people are already drunk. We here in Wrigleyville treat Opening Day like St. Patty's Day Round 2, we just don't dye the river blue (but we should! Oooh, great idea Drew!). I just woke up, and I have some problems with beer being the first thing I drink in any given day, so I'll be getting a late start on some of these fellas.

Saw in the news this morning that someone hung a goat's head on the statue of Harry Caray. C'mon people, there's no curse. All you're doing is trying to prove to your friends that you're a bigger Cubs fan than they are. That's just kind of a dick move.

More than likely the game is going to be rained out today, but that won't stop us from having a good time.

Cubs record: 4-2
Possible Record: 160-2

Go Cubs Go!

Good 'morrow!

As some and most of you know, I write a blog called Running In To Street Poles that was supposed to encompass all the crazy shenanigans we at 3709 got into this Cubs season. Good friend and future roommate Greg decided it would be a good idea to start a brand new blog, solely based on such adventures, and not have it be personal. So here it is: Wrigley's Back Yard.

Greg, myself, and possibly our 3rd roommate will be telling stories of the season all summer long for your enjoyment. Whether it be a meaningless April game against the Rockies or a late September game against the Brewers, we'll be there, and we'll come up with something for you to read.

We'll also keep track of completely random things that happen during the season, like Ronny Cedeno or LaTroy Hawkins jersey sightings, how many times people ask what the score is even though there's an updated scoreboard hanging from our porch, or how many times Milton Bradley throws a chair.

Opening day was today, and the Cubs got off to quite possibly the quickest start they've ever had when Soriano took the 2nd pitch of the season over the wall in left. Zambrano looked good and got his first win on Opening Day in 5 tries. Solid 4-2 win.

Cubs record: 1-0
Possible record: 162-0