Sure, the John Hancock Observatory has an amazing view. But does it have the Ledge? Well, the skydeck at the Sears Tower (soon to be known as Willis Tower) does. What’s the Ledge? Well, the ledge is a sectioned walking space that juts out from the side of the building, completely surrounded with see through glass, giving one bold soul the chance to “levitate” 1,300 plus feet above the ground. To get a better idea of what I mean check out this Tribune article.
Unfortunately, the Ledge wasn’t open to the public last week when Brad was in town. But it will be there for our next visitor! Would you be brave enough to walk inside the Ledge?
Did I mention that my good friend Brad came to visit last week? I first met Brad in Memphis where we spent many hours watching the Grizzlies, playing pool, and hanging out here. Brad now lives in Nashville. We make every effort to see him whenever we’re in the Music City area visiting my sister. When we saw Brad last, he told us he was planning on paying us a visit real soon. True to his word, Brad was checking into our guest room three weeks later.
Since he was only here for three days, we were only able to scratch the surface at what Chicago has to offer. But nevertheless, we had a lot of fun. And since Brad is a professional photographer, I was able to use the opportunity to be the shutterbug that I am. Here are a few photos from past week:
One of the first places I took him was the Museum Campus where one can catch an amazing view of the Chicago skyline. I’m posting my photo but it doesn’t compare to the panoramic one Brad created in Photoshop.
Afterward, we headed south on Lake Shore Drive towards Hyde Park. I knew that he wanted to check out the Museum of Science and Industry. Not for the exhibits but for the building itself since it was a part of the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. While we were in the neighborhood, he also wanted to check out Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House. We also explored the beautiful University of Chicago campus. Check out the overgrowth on the buildings in the photo above!
After we spent several hours in Hyde Park, we ventured downtown for dinner and a free concert a Millennium Park (see post below). Afterwards, along with Apryl, we walked Michigan Avenue to the John Hancock Observatory. Between the Sears Tower and the Hancock, the Hancock is my favorite in that it provides a grander view of the city.
However, Apryl and I were a bit shocked at all the additions since the last time we had been to the Hancock with Apryl’s mom. Now, there is a free audio headset provided where as David Schwimmer gives you a tour of the many sights. Also, there is a coffee shop with even a few tables. And at all times, you are being serenaded with bad pop music through the speaker system. Still, you can’t beat that view. See below:
I have to say, I was proud of my new camera. A shot as sharp as the one above wouldn’t have been possible with my previous Canon Power Shot.
Here is a shot looking north at Lake Shore Drive.
On that first day, we did a lot of walking. On our way back home, we walked through Millennium Park once more and I grabbed this shot from the garden.
Not only was there a lot of walking, but there was a lot of heat. This was literally the first week of summer and it felt like it for sure. For Brad’s entire trip, the highs were in the upper 90’s. As I explained to him, though, the next week’s highs might be in the 70’s. Sure enough, that’s just what happened.
The next day I took Brad to one of my favorite places to get a hot dog, Hot Dougs. I have heard of folks waiting hours in line to get their hands on a Hot Doug dog. There was a line when we arrived but we luckily made it through in less than twenty minutes.
I believe it’s safe to say Brad thought the dog was worth the wait. What’s funny about this photo is that he’s holding a ketchup bottle in his left hand. Putting ketchup on a Chicago hot dog is a real no no. And I can assure you that Brad followed the long Chicago tradition, and used the ketchup only for his fries.
The White Sox happened to be in town playing against the number one team in baseball, the Dodgers. So I got us some upper deck seats, and we headed out to he ballpark. But first, we made a pit stop at Chinatown. Chinatown is only one train stop from the Sox stadium, so we took in some sights and grabbed dinner.
At the game, Brad confessed to me that this was his first attended Major League baseball game. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a well played one for the Sox. When Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was asked, after the series wrapped up, why the attendance was so low for the Dodgers games, he responded “because our fans are not stupid like Cubs fans. They know we’re [insert expletive here].” Still, after that loss, the Sox have won 6 out of their last 7 games. And as amazing at it sounds, the Sox are currently in 2nd place in the AL Central Division.
This is the view you see as you’re leaving the Sox stadium.
That night we lived up old times at The Map Room. So much so, that we slept in on his last day, and barely got in a lunch before we had to head out to the Midway airport. Still, it was a great time spent with an old friend.
Last night, the Boston Red Sox gave up a 9 - 1 lead to the Baltimore Orioles, losing with a final score of 11 -10. For Baltimore, it was the greatest comeback in their franchise history and the greatest comeback between a last place team against a first place team in MLB history. Even better was this moment in the 6th when the Red Sox thought they had gotten 3 outs (there were only 2) and the entire team walked off the field and into the dugout. Check out the hilarity.
My friend Brad was visiting from Nashville, so we took in a game at The Cell as the Sox took on the best team in baseball, the Dodgers. I wasn’t aware of this fact, but in the middle of the game, Brad confessed to me that this was his first major league baseball game. How exciting! I only wish the game was that exciting.
Yep, we lost another one at home. While the Sox have been decent on the road, batting a team average of .280, the Good Guys are a weak .217 when having home field advantage. Which all translates to frustrated fans. Other than a blast from Paul Konerko, we weren’t given much to cheer about. Of course, the very next game the Sox beat the Dodgers 10 - 7 with six home runs. So, I guess we just picked the wrong night.
If I was more superstitious, I would be putting the blame on myself. I mean I haven’t seen a victory since May 7th. And not a single victory since I bought my new Sox cap. I actually use to be superstitious when it came to sports, but after witnessing too many Grizzlies’ losses, I concluded that it was beyond my control. Still, it would be nice to hear that victory song again!
The Dodgers hanging out in the bullpen.
Joe Torre talks to his troops.
Here’s a fun fact for you: The highest attended baseball game in history was between the Dodgers and the White Sox at Game 5 of the 1959 World Series at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. On that night, 92,706 folks witnessed the Sox beat the Dodgers 1 - 0, as Nellie Fox scored the only run and Sandy Koufax got the loss for the Dodgers.
I was suppose to be working with Ellen who was going to be at the Crosstown Classic between the White Sox and the Cubs but the game was called off due to the weather. More than anything, I was looking forward to watching free baseball. Oh well.
A friend of mine in the video business has season tickets for the Sox so whenever we get to work together we have a lot to talk about. Well, two weeks ago, he asked me if I wanted to join him and a few friends for a night at The Cell. You don’t have to ask me twice!
I met up with my friend at his condo in the South Loop. Check out his view! You can actually see The Cell from his balcony.
That’s it in the right hand corner. After eating steaks and potatoes (guy’s night out, huh?), we drove over to the ballpark. This was the first time I had experienced the parking lot of the stadium. For some reason, it looks strange to see tailgating at a baseball game. The game itself was a bit rough.
After a successful road trip (5 - 1), the Sox started a long home stand that was… well, let’s be honest, horrendous. Out of twelve games at The Cell, the Sox only came away with four wins. Forget about home advantage! That evening the Sox lost another one against a pitcher they hadn’t faced before. After the loss, the Sox were 6-1 against such pitchers. Ugh. Oh, and did I mention it was cold?
Yep, 47 degrees! Ah, a summer night at the ballpark.
Still, it was a lot of fun hanging out with the guys. And we did see an amazing line drive homer from Jermaine Dye. Check out the guys having a good time here.
Ever since my renewed interest in baseball, whenever we’re visiting Memphis, I look forward to catching a ballgame at AutoZone Park. And as Apryl mentioned in a previous post, that’s just what we did. Apryl and I had been talking about attending the Redbirds game on the 30th, but when I learned that on Friday night the Redbirds were going to be honoring Memphis’ Minor League past by donning Memphis Chicks uniforms for the evening, I knew that was our game!
I have fond of memories of watching the Memphis Chicks (Kansas City Royals affiliates) playing at Tim McCarver Stadium. Tim McCarver Stadium was notorious for being one of the ugliest of all Minor League parks. The reason for this was the oddity of having a grass outfield mixed with an artificial turf infield. It just looked awful. Of course, when I was younger none of this mattered. It was just exciting to be watching professional baseball even if the Chicks were only Class AA.
Now I’m not sure if I’m recalling this correctly, but I seem to remember one game on Independence Day when Bo Jackson was playing for the Chicks (This was a couple years away from the “Bo Knows” ads, but even then Jackson was seen as something special.). It was the bottom of the ninth inning with the game tied, and Jackson was taking a large lead off of third. And then suddenly, Jackson broke loose and sprinted homeward. He slid into home plate, was called safe, and the excitement was followed by a 4th of July firework display. Did this really happen? I mean it seems too perfect, right? (Sometimes baseball is magical.) I have been trying to research this game but even with the extensive stats on baseball, it’s quite difficult tracking down details on a Class AA Minor League game that took place over 20 years ago. It’s okay, I’ll live with my “memory”.
Unlike Tim McCarver Stadium, the Redbirds’ AutoZone Park is regarded as one of the best ballparks in the Minor Leagues. And while I personally haven’t visited many other Minor League parks, I find it hard to believe they could get any better than the one planted at 200 Union Ave. In my last baseball post, I mentioned how the Birmingham Barons left Rickwood Field in the city for a new park in the suburbs. It seems that’s quite common with cities that host a Minor League team. If it’s not in the suburbs it’s most likely not in the heart of downtown. The Redbirds could have easily done the same and built AutoZone park outside the city, perhaps near the Agricenter. But how can you compare making your way to the ballpark by passing The Peabody with walking through a large, concrete parking lot? If you favor the latter, I don’t think we would agree on much other matters.
That night, the Redbirds were taking on the Iowa Cubs. We actually got to the game a little late because Apryl, her sister Steph, and I were chowing down on some barbecue at the Bar-B-Q Shop. Which I might add was totally worth our tardiness. As we were walking into the park, I snapped this photo:
Sure, the surrounding scenery is impressive, but it’s the openness of the ballpark which really gets me. In fact, it reminds me a lot of the lower level of the Cell. In a lot of past games, I have walked throughout the game around the concourse, watching from multiple views, each one of them great. However, for that evening, we stayed in our seats for the entirety of the game.
And why move? My brother-in-law Adam, who works with the Redbirds, is quite gracious and lent me and Apryl his season ticket seats for the night. And as you can see from the photo that opens this blog entry, the seats were quite nice. We were right above the Redbirds dugout, so I was able to grab some nice photos of the team walking off the field, as you can see:
How bizarre to see that Chicks’ logo on an active jersey again!
Also being so close to the Redbirds’ dugout put us in direct view of the Chicks’ Indian mascot showing the crowd how to do the tomahawk chop. The Tomahawk Chop, which Apryl found a bit embarrassing, is more commonly associated with the Atlanta Braves. However, when I was following the Braves through my youth, I don’t remember this chant. Perhaps, it’s because I was a fan during the rough years, before their successful run in the 90’s. Anyway, squirm if you like:
As for the game, it was pitcher’s duel until the ninth inning when the Redbirds started playing similar to the Chicago Cubs in the playoffs last season, and gave up five runs to the Iowa Cubs. During that horrendous 9th, I saw something I had never seen in baseball, a huddle. Really, just like you see in football. See below:
Unfortunately, whatever was said, didn’t effect the results. After several careless errors, the game got away from the Birds, and the Cubs took the victory.
Evidence perhaps why I shouldn’t shoot baseball games. I completely loose control of the shot when out of the corner of my eye, I see that the shortstop is about to make an error.
Cubs win.
No worries though. As long as there’s a house band, no one leaves disappointed!
And we sure didn’t. It’s always nice to catch a ballgame at AutoZone. Heck, it was nice to be at a ballgame in May without having to wear a coat. Thanks Steph and Adam.
With temps in the 50’s right now, it’s hard to imagine that summer is right around the corner. However, if proof is what you need, just check out this extensive list of neighborhood festivals and street/block parties taking place in the next couple months in Chicago. Nearly all of these include music acts and are either free or ask a donation of no more than $5. Here is a small sample of musicians and groups I wouldn’t mind checking out under the warm sun:
Chicago Blues Festival: Pinetop Perkins, Bettye LaVette, Honeyboy Edwards, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings Ribfest Chicago: Office, Jukebox the Ghost, Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s, Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, Annuals Taste of Randolph Street: Dr. Dog, Urge Overkill, The Hold Steady Wicker Park Festival: Elvis Perkins In Dearland, Junior Boys Millennium Park Music Series: Dirty Projectors, Sea and Cake, The Feelies, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Pit Er Pat
And let’s not forgot the Pitchfork Music Festival (Built to Spill, Yo La Tengo, Tortoise, Flaming Lips, Grizzly Bear, The Walkmen, M83, Beirut, etc.) and Lollapalooza (which hopefully I get to work for a third year in a row)!
Two weeks ago, I traveled with my Dad to Birmingham, Alabama to attend The 14th Annual Rickwood Classic. The event, as Apryl mentioned in the previous post, takes place once a year at historic Rickwood Field, the oldest operating ballpark in the United States. Rickwood Field, which opened in 1910, has been the home park for the Birmingham Barons since 1910 and was the home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro League from 1920 until 1963. Some of the legends of the game that have graced the field include Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, and Reggie Jackson. And despite the fact that the current Barons left Rickwood over twenty years ago for the suburbs, the park (thankfully) still lives in the past. Check out the historic marker outside the ballpark:
As you can see, Rickwood Field takes great pride in being the “oldest surviving baseball park in America.” Now, I suppose I should tell you that there are others making claims to the oldest ballpark. One of these is Labatt Park in Ontario, Canada, which has a baseball history that dates back to 1877. Of course, Canada is not America, so Rickwood’s claims are still true. Fuller Field, in Clinton, Mass., on the other hand, states it has held a baseball field since 1870. However, I would argue that while Labatt Prark and Fuller Field are both historic places, they are baseball fields as opposed to a baseball park like Rickwood. So, in my book, Rickwood holds the record!
Alright, let’s get to the game. The first pitch was supposed to be thrown at noon, so we left Memphis early in the morning. We gave ourselves way more time than we needed and arrived at the ballpark around 10:30 am. While we were driving there, I was thinking what a shame it was that the Barons only play one game a season at Rickwood. I mean, why did they have to leave for the suburbs in the first place? Well, when we arrived at the park, making our way through a dicey neighborhood, it begin to make sense. Still, you can’t beat character like Rickwood with a ballpark named Regions Park.
When I first heard about the Rickwood Classic, I read about how the players dress up in period uniforms for the game. However, when we got there, the teams on the field were in modern uniforms. Well, the Braves’ uniforms did seem a bit outdated but hardly vintage. As it turns out, the Braves were playing in 1982 replicas. So, a step back in time but not as far as I would have liked. Still, I found out later that every year the teams pick different periods. So, that’s nice.
Seating was general admission. We grabbed seats on the first base line with minimal obstructions and took in the first pitch, which actually took place closer to 1 o’clock. Our view of the game below:
As always, I have to get a shot of my hot dog. A Barons’ hot dog is a grilled dog with mustard and sauerkraut. A Barons’ dog is also yummy!
One of the highlights of the game was getting to see Gordon Beckham. Beckham, who was a stand out at the University of Georgia and took them to the College World Series, has been seen as a future super star for the White Sox organization. The Rickwood Classic turned out to be Beckham’s last game with the Barons as he was immediately promoted to Triple A in Charlotte and then about a week later to the White Sox.
While Beckham didn’t get a hit during the game, he did walk twice and scored one of the Barons’ two runs for the day. Another future Sox hopeful is catcher Tyler Flowers. Unfortunately, Flowers didn’t start the game, though we did get to see him pinch hit in the 9th inning:
He lined out to first. Oh well.
One of the funniest things that happened during the game was when a foul ball popped up and smashed one of the lights over the Barons’ dugout. Below, a view of the classic night lights:
The broken glass fell directly on top of the Baron’s dugout and had to be swept up during the next inning by the grounds crew. Not quite The Natural.
Another thing that was funny was how the Barons would sit on top of their dugout instead of sitting inside. I’m guessing it was too hot in there.
One of the craziest moments of the game was the folks on the rooftop. Now, I don’t think folks were really supposed to be hanging out on the roof, but they weren’t being sent away. Actually, it was a great place to catch foul balls, so there were quite a few kids up there. And the view was amazing. The photo at the top of this post was taken from the rooftop. Of course I went up there!
As the game progressed, we moved around the park to experience different views of the game. My favorite was our spot in the ninth, where we sat right next to the far right field. As soon as we were sitting down in our seats, we saw a Braves’ homer over the right field wall. The next batter hit it right over the right fielder’s head, bouncing it off the wall, making a loud smack that was quite glorious.
The Braves ended up scoring two runs in the ninth inning, which was enough to win the game. After the game, the fans were allowed on the field. I love this. What a wonderful move by the Barons’ organization!
Check out the wonderful scoreboard that is operated by a human filling in the numbers.
Of course, the best part of the game was just being with my Dad. I never dreamed we would get to see two ballgames in one season. Next year, it will be the 100th anniversary of Rickwood Field. We already have plans for making it back!
Oh, I forgot to post this short, shaky video of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
