The Night Wrigley Shook

I remember this night vividly.  I was in Ankeny at Jake's watching with a bar full of Cubs fans.  A few LA fans had trickled in and were well outnumbered.  

Along with the beers, the game was going really good up 3-1.  Then the momentum shifted with the Dodgers tying it up at 3.  

As talked in the video, the Cubs got the bases loaded and Miggy went up bat.  It's interesting to hear the scenario on how Madden was going to play it out.  

As soon as the ball hit the bat, I think the bar reacted the way the Cubs dugout did.  Instant celebration.  I started hugging this older man that was standing to my right, and we were jumping up and down together.  I think Jakes shook that night too.  We were all whooping and hollering and smiling after that hit that along with the Cubs, we didn't know that Fowler hit a homer too the next at bat.  

Alas the Cubs won, Miggy was the hero of Game 1.  I ended up crashing at a friends house that night after celebrating into the night.  One of my favorite Cubs games I watched, and I still bring this video up to watch every so often just to watch Wrigley shake.  

2020 MLB PostSeason Predictions

You Only Have One First

 

They say there is nothing like your first; first kiss, first beer, and well first MLB game.  Time to jump in a time machine back to 1988.  

Years earlier my parents took my older siblings to Chicago for a vacation.  I was to young to really appreciate it, and well probably was left to not be in the way at a young age, and was left with Grandma & Grandpa.  A few years later I found a white haired, big glasses wearing guy who sang on cable TV and had become a Cubs fan.  

Outside of going to Clear Lake every summer I can prob count on my hand the vacations we went on. (The Dells, South Dakota, Orlando, Ft Lauderdale)  Now a little older and since I didn't get to go on the previous trip, in June of 1988 I was going to get to go to Chicago.  

A few things stick out from the drive there.  Before we got started, I set my suitcase out in the driveway since the car was locked and a small rain shower came through and my suitcase got soaked.  Somewhere about in Western Illinois on the interstate into town dad hit a duck and I remember turning around in the back seat to see it flop around on the road.  Finally looking out the front window for the first time at the Chicago skyline in awe.

We hit the tourist places throughout the city.  I remember the dolphins and otters at Shedd Aquarium, remember dad getting excited going through the submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry.  We stayed at the Essex Inn and had breakfast every morning in the little restaurant there on Michigan Ave.  Had pizza at Gino's East and I always thought it was such a huge place and all the graffiti on the wall.  All i really wanted was though to get to Wrigley.

I remember getting up that morning, getting my Cubs gear on, got my glove ready.  We went down to the Subway and I got my first ride on the L.  Dad was counting down the stops from the map in the train car and said "Wrigley is next" and then I got my first glimpse of the friendly confines.  I had been to Iowa football games before and always got goose bumps walking into Kinnick, I got the same goose bumps seeing Wrigley.  

Wrigleyville wasn't what it is today and well I was 10 then so we didn't stay out of the stadium long after getting off the train.  We walked over and saw the marquee and then went in to the stadium through the front gate.  

The Cubs were playing the Phillies so the game became a bragging rights game with my brother. I remember our seats were on the 1st base side under the second deck, so we had shade.  Dad said that was a good thing since Sutcliffe was pitching and he usually adds 30 minutes to any game.  While they were warming up, dad and I went down to the front row where Andre Dawson (the 1987 NL MVP) was warming up.  Along with about 10 other kids we were trying to get his autograph, alas that didn't happen.  I would get his autograph 28 years later.  

I remember some sailors sitting in front of us in their dress whites.  It was a hot day, and on the concourses in Wrigley some tar had got bubbly and made its way to the bottom of my shoe.  I put my foot up on the back of the seat in front of me and as one leaned back, a black smudge made its way to his back.  From watching movies, a part me thought I just earned this guy some push ups because of a dirty uniform.

Most plays from this game don't stick out as much 32 years later as big plays but for a few midway through the game.  Davey Martinez had got a hit to get on base.  Up came Shawon Dunston.  He smacked a homer run into the basket in about left, left center.  That was it for the scoring.  Being 10 I was all over the place.  I remember the vendors coming up and down the stairs and seeing all the souvenirs.  I wanted one of those foam hands, but eventually settled on a baseball.  Playing with the ball and looking all over the rest of the game seemed like a blur but for the 7th Inning Stretch.  I finally got to sing in person with Harry.  Looked up over my left shoulder I got to watch him wave the mic around like I had on tv.  

The Cubs won 2-1.  The day, the trip was made.  I've been to Wrigley 10 times since that day in 1988.  I'm glad I got the ball especially now that I eventually started to collect them.  Looking in the case that first one will hold a special place in the memory bank being there with my dad and mom as it sits next to the ball from my son's first trip to Wrigley with me.  

Up Next : A Family First

2018 MLB Predictions

AL EAST - Red Sox

AL CENTRAL - Indians

AL WEST - Astros

AL WILDCARD - Angels

AL WILDCARD - Yankees

NL EAST -Nationals

NL CENTRAL - Cubs

NL WEST - Dodgers

NL WILDCARD - Rockies

NL WILDCARD - Brewers

AL Division Series

Indians over Yankees

Red Sox over Astros

NL Division Series

Cubs over Rockies

Dodgers over Nationals

AL Championship Series

Red Sox over Indians

NL Championship Series

Cubs over Dodgers

WORLD SERIES

Cubs over Red Sox

Boston

Day 1
Flying out there, through St Louis the plan there was filled with Red Sox, Yankee and Cubs fans.  That was really cool and a picture of what was to come.  I got into town, did some Lyfting to get to my AirBNB, which was really nice, but maybe in an area of town I should have checked.  It’s not bad, and I really never felt bad, but did hear some gun shots.  But it worked well for what I needed it to be and was walkable to places.

I went straight to the Old North End and walked around.  I hit a place for lunch and had a beer with some clam chowder, that was pretty good.  I then walked toward the old bars, the Bell in Hand and The Green Dragon.  As I was walking to the Green Dragon I ran into “Liam Nesson” Freedom Trail guide.  This guy I met in 2015 and was one of the cool guys that stuck out that trip.  Well I walked by him and he noticed my Iowa gear and dropped a line about the Hawks.  Was awesome.  I walked then into the Green Dragon.  Great history with the bar and it has some great beer.  Sam Adams Boston Brick Red!  Sitting there a gal across the way started talking to me.  She was from Toronto there on a pharmaceutical business trip.  We talked for about an hour or so there and was really cool.

Wandered across the street to the Bell In Hand with the gal from Toronto and mozied up the bar.  On the way across ran into some kids from the NCAA Div 3 champion Hockey team and got a picture with a player and the trophy.  Kinda cool happening to just have that happen.  They were going to throw out the first pitch that night before the Sox/Yankees game.

The Bell In Hand also boasts some history also as the oldest bar in America.  Another place with some exclusive Sam Adams beers, this time I had the 26.2, made only in a certain time in Boston by Sam Adams for the Boston Marathon.  Good stuff again.  Ended up sitting next to 3 fire fighters from Las Vegas, and their wives/others.  They were pretty cool.  Talked to them for about a half hour or so.  They kept egging on the gal about trying to go Vegas.  It was funny.  They were in town for the game that night verse the Yankees and then vs the Cubs the next night.  After they left, a group an older guys came in and sat by us.  Like most that weekend, they were in town for the games and to see Fenway, from Florida this time.  Hilarious group of guys and I’m sure they had an epic time based on the time I chatted with them and their plan.  Never saw a guy chug that much beer that quick than the guy there.  Gone quick.

I decided to get going and go see some history in and went toward the little area and also Paul Revere’s house and hopped on the trail.  This is where things got cool!  Went to Mike’s Pastry to get a cannoli.  This was a place I didn’t get to go to last time in Boston and made sure I hit it this time.  As I was walking there and putting cash in my wallet, I get to a street corner, and look up and see ANTHONY RIZZO!  The Cubs were off that day and I thought a few might be out on the town, but this was AWESOME.  Rizzo, his gf and looked like a brother and someone else all had cannoli’s.  I wanted to ask for a picture with him, but he had a mouth full of cannoli, and he really wanted probably just time to relax.  But I did talk to him asking him “how are you doing?” and “thanks for last year.”  I was still in awe and star struck but I at least got to get some words out.  That was FUN.

I followed the trail to Boston Common and wandered then into the Original Cheers and sat at the corner, ala Norm, by 2 gals from Chicago.  As I got there in the evening, you started to see more Cubbie Blue coming into town.  We sampled beers and chatted about the Cubs, the Rizzo meeting and the town and 2016.  They were really fun and basically continued the trend of people I met this trip.  All just really fun and talked and all kinda in shock that I went out there all alone and praised me for going out and living life.  They even took a picture of me and posted it on Facebook in order to create drama.  That was fun for them, and we’ve texted during the series.  It was all in good fun.  They left and went for seafood and had their own encounter and met Kris Bryant that night.  All cool for there for them.  I stayed for one more beer and talked to a couple there from NOLA that were LSU fans along with Cubs fans.  We chatted Hawks/Tigers and the Capital One Bowl.  They love Ferentz and the Hawks program with the loyalty.  Interesting to get their SEC perspective on the Hawks.  Talked life, kids and beer with them too.  Awesome people.

I ended the night heading to Harvard, and John Harvard Brewing Company, supper and more beer there and wandering around that campus.  In front of the non-John Harvard statue statue was a stage they had set up.  Life lesson, if there is a stage out there DANCE ON IT AND OWN IT!  So I did.  Out in the yard were some light up teeter totters for the students during final week.  They had music blaring and every time the teeter totter would hit the ground they would light up.  I sat there and watched kids spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on their education just sit there and act like 7 & 8 yr. old kids.  It was fun and refreshing.  Ended the night with another Mike’s Cannoli and then went home to crash.

Day 2

Woke up a lil hungover, nothing a donut and coffee (I thought) would cure.  Started out walking the town in the morning in a hoodie and jeans (and to foreshadow – maybe didn’t help me later in the trip).  I walked through the campus of Northeastern University, small little place that is just placed there right in the city between Fenway and the financial district.  At the financial district, I got to walk down the final meters of the Boston Marathon.  Looking at it, thinking of all the things that happened there 4 years ago with the bombing, and then the Mark Wahlburg movie kind of gives you chills.  The Finish Line was still painted and I got the picture of it.  It would have been cool to have myself running thru it but you know traffic was involved.

After that I went after more history on the Freedom Trail and hit the Granary Burial Ground.  Resting place of Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Paul Revere.  This place is really cool and the resting place of so many prominent individuals.  It didn’t give the chills as the Washington grave site but still really cool.  This moment was also the time I saw a preview of what I would see at Fenway with all the Cubs fans there.  Next then was lunch at Sam Lagasse’s, for a pastrami sandwich.  This place was on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives and was a decent and HUGE sandwich.  I only ate half of it, which may have been a good thing.

One place I didn’t get to in 2015 that I watned to see was the USS Constitution, old Iron Sides.  On the way there I did walk right by the Garden and see the Bobby Orr statue.  I didn’t check if there was a Larry Bird one but there has to be right?  I got over walking to the bridge and ended up meeting a pilot from Delta as we were walking the same place.  We talked for about 30 mins, discussing the issues going on with United, North Korea, stuff in Boston and the ship and his upcoming trip to London.  Really cool guy, and hope to be on one of his flights, hopefully on the way home from DC in June.  Iron Sides had a bunch of scaffolding in dry dock to get it all fixed up so that was kind of a bummer but still it’s an amazing ship to view and think that it was in the navy for George Washington and named by him.  Really cool and sent that picture to dad.

At the USS Constitution I met up with Steph and we wandered down to a bar, had a beverage and talked a bit, and caught up with life about all aspects.  Always good to catch up with her.  We then walked our way to Regina’s pizza, the spot she showed us in 2015.  Good lil historic pizza place.  About this time I wasn’t drinking or eating on pace as I usually am, and well the ride back to the AirBNB to get the tickets showed that, got sick.  It was really quick but all over I-93.  Thankfully, hanging out of the Lyft, I didn’t get hit and ended up pushing through through the night, but didn’t drink up as much and it kind of took a bit out of me.

Next stop was Fenway, and I wasn’t letting getting sick keep me from there and the Cubs-Red Sox.  Again CUBS FANS EVERYWHERE.  Had a drink at the Cask n Flagon and got my 2 extra tickets sold.  SWEET!  And then wandered over to the Bleacher Bar.  At the Bleacher Bar had some water…aka Bud Light…and some gravey fries for the first time ever.  Steph ordered those, and I had a couple and went easy on my stomach all night.  Hence the Bud light.  Getting into the stadium, and walking up the ramp to see the green grass, sun light always give me chills.  Add in that it was a perfect day and the green monster looming over in left field.  It was awesome.

The tickets were in the old wooden seats in left field, and had some great people around us.  The gals from Maine were funny to interact with and the guy infront of me was hilarious.  And add on that had the Boston accent that I just wanted to hear him talk more history.  The Cubs had a bad first inning, made it a really fun close game but lose 5-4.  Kris Bryant crushed one over the green monstah in the 1st inning, but the rest was just blah.  I was pretty tame during the game due to my gut but it was still a good time.

Day 3

Didn’t sleep that well with the gut and heat, but Day 3 was all about Sam Adams.  Saturdays at the brewery, the trolley driver to Doyle’s is LEGENDARY!  I walked my way up through the town to the brewery and got on the first tour.  The tour was nothing really new from 2015.  The beer making process hasn’t changed at all and the hops still smell when you crush them in your hands.  I got the few samples at the brewery and then wandered out to the gift shop, where I ran into the trolley driver, Jason.  It was awesome.  Talked to him and got a picture with him before the trip to Double fist pump, DOYLES!

In 2015 at Doyle’s they had a beer called Black and Gold, that they only sold at Doyle’s and the Garden for Bruins games.  Great beer but didn’t have it.  The list was pretty limited this time but they had Cherry Wheat from the source!  Grabbed a couple of those and talked to a couple from New Hampshire that were Sox and Cubs fans.  Mentioning that I was from Iowa, a couple overheard me to the right who were Iowa grads.  Small world, and we had great conversation.  Nice young couple.  Even though I wanted to go easy on my gut, I had to get the Rueben.  The trolley driver raves about them and it was one of the best ones I’ve had.

With the Cubs losing the night before part of me wanted to hit the game Saturday to see a W, bought a ticket behind homeplat in the stands and walked toward Fenway again, and small world happened again.  Sat next to a gal from Sioux City most the game.  The Cubs ended up hitting 3 homers (Rizzo, Miggy, Zobrist) and won the game 7-4!  I got my W out there.

I spent the rest of the night just walking around Boston.  Getting sick had kinda been a damper, and I was missing a P.I.C. to carry me along the way and keep me going.  Walked around till about 9 and decided with the flight home early the next day to call it a night.

Overall Boston was a great trip!  Got to see 2 games at Fenway in a great series that should be a preview of October.  I hit Sam Adams, didn’t get a few other breweries hit that I wanted to but maybe again I’ll be out there.  I ran into the Trolley driver and Liam Nesson at the Quicny Market.  The worst part of the trip was not eating the seafood I wanted to get.  I missed out on that.  Luckily I’ll be in Baltimore later this summer and be able to get some there.  Don’t know when I’ll go back to Boston, but also next time I’m going to have some friends along there.

2017 MLB Predictions

AL EAST - Boston RedSox

AL CENTRAL - Cleveland Indians

AL WEST - Houston Astros

AL WILD CARD - Texas Rangers

AL WILD CARD - New York Yankees

NL EAST - Washington Nationals

NL CENTRAL - Chicago Cubs

NL WEST - LA Dodgers

NL WILD CARD - San Francisco Giants

NL WILD CARD - New York Mets

ALCS

RedSox over Indians

NLCS

Cubs over Dodgers

WORLD SERIES

Cubs over RedSox

Chicago Cubs - 2016 World Series Champions

  Birth of my kids....a few other days, but this is top 5 moment for me.

The final out..

My Reaction

At Last!

 Birth of my kids....a few other days, but this is top 5 moment for me.

The final out..

Today Was A Good Day!

Fun talk w a lady on the train this am...made friends w 2 gals from Seattle... made friends w Rick and Rick jr at Sluggers and got invited to their family outing at a dive bar South of Wrigley...hugged a strange man after the win....sang a Mexican song with Red Sox fans and befriended the bar manager and his wife. Oh and Fly the W. Now supper at Howell's & Hood.

    

    

    

Sports Moment of the Year

The Cubs 2012 Season was one to forget (as will 2013 most likely be) but in the sports world the Cubs turned in My Sports Moment of the Year.

Kerry Wood is a top 5 favorite Cub of mine. He’s had some bad breaks in his career and 2003 should have ended in the World Series. He had the 20 K game in his 5th start that was a thing of magic. The only way Hollywood wrote a better ending was if it was in the World Series, but Kid K ends his career on a strike out vs the cross town rivals, a standing ovation and a hug from his little boy at the top of the dugout.

Try and top that.

Lasting Images - Kerry Wood

Earlier this month Kerry Wood retired from MLB.  Kerry most likely isn’t a hall of famer, and his career will be remembered by pundits and “What if”, but by Cub fans one of their favorite players of the last 15 years. In my life time he’s probably my 2^nd favorite Cub behind Ryno.  They way he retired may be as good as anyone except Elway and Jordan (the 2^nd time after the 98 finals).  

Getting a K facing his last batter and walking out of Wrigley with your boy waiting for you at the dugout.  That could and should one of the first lasting images you have a Kerry Wood when you think of him and it will probably be the 2^nd image I have of Kerry, the first is easy; the 20K game. 

The way he dominated the Astros that day was amazing.  The curve ball was working and the high heater too.  He should have had a no-no that day, it was a 1 hitter on a hit that was questionable.  It was a great game, a great memory and a great lasting image!

As a Cub fan, thanks Kerry!




Kerry on the Dan Patrick Show talking about his decision and more.

6 Pack - 3 Day weekend style

1-Friday Cubs Pitcher Kerry Wood retired after one final K.  Thoughts on his career and lasting image of Kerry on the mound for you?

Matt – For me it’s easy.  The 20K game and that last pitch that baffled Derek Bell.  That is one of my favorite games ever, any sport!  The walk off with his boy at the dugout Friday was pretty dang good too!  He’s top 5 of my favorite Cubs!

Wendt – Thought if Dusty Baker didn't ruin him back in the day he would have been a dominant starter for years to come. A great Cub and happy he was able to go out on his own terms

Majors – Kerry Wood, the coulda shoulda kid! Loved watching him pitch, wish he could have done more for my Indians. Glad to see him go out on his own, as well as a final K

2-Queitly the San Antonio Spurs are making a run at another NBA Championship.  The Thunder stand in the way and then the Eastern Conf Champs.  Where does Tim Duncan rank on the all time player list?

Matt – He’s not flashy like MJ, Kobe or Shaq but he’s gotta be top 10-15 all time doesn’t he?  He doesn’t boast or want the spotlight, he just WINS!  And he plays a team game. 

Wendt – He's not flashy, doesn't talk, and is boring. With that being said he's a top 20 all timer for sure

Majors – I am a big Duncan fan. I think he is one of the most fundamentally sound players in history. All time rank? I have him top 10, maybe top 8

3-College Football conference expansion is back.  Did you miss it?  With the SEC & Big XII agreeing to a Rose Bowl like agreement for their champions, the rumors are flying of Clemson and FSU to the Big XII…Follow Chip Brown for all your expansion news.  Thoughts on the SEC & Big XII agreeing to have their champions meet and what bowl/location is the best place for the game?

Matt – To me it seems like the start of a playoff and super conferences.  I could see the SEC/BIG XII and Pac12/Big Ten just meeting 2 weeks after the Conf Champs game then the champ game 2 weeks later.  The ACC and Big East need to make moves to not be left out.  The best place, I don’t think you can just put it in New Orleans without the Jerry Dome and Cotton Bowl putting up a stink. 

Wendt – I've said it once and I'll say it again, Clemson/FSU will NOT be heading to the Big 12 (sorry Big 12 fans) I get sick of Chip Brown so I won't be following him on twitter (one of my top 5 annoying tweeters)

Majors – I think the matchup could be interesting. The issue is the Big XII doesn't play Defense, so the SEC may be able to wipe them up. I am sure it would be a middle location, maybe NOLA?

4- Getting ready for the football season HawkeyeNation.com is running the Mt Rushmore of the Ferentz era and now top 3 wins in the Ferentz era.  What are you 3 top wins for the Hawkeyes under Ferentz?  (ISU Fans we’ll get to you too next week)

Matt – In no particular order….2010 Orange Bowl….2008 vs Penn State….2002 at Michigan

Wendt – 2002 vs Purdue (Dallas Clark long TD), 2004 the drubbing of Wisconsin, 2004 over LSU (the catch)

Majors – First of all, there are ISU fans? Ok, top 3? Wow, the Penn St night game, the Orange Bowl win over GA Tech. That was a beating. Third? I still love the LSU Hail Mary from Drew in 2005. 

5-Memorial Day weekend marks the running of the Indy 500.  The 500 has lost luster since the AJ Foyts, Mario Andretti’s and Al Unser Jr’s have ran and drank the milk, will it ever be what it used to be?

Matt – The rise of NASCAR has diminished the Indy 500 and also the short Indy Car season.  It would have helped if Danica would have won one.  It was something I always thought would be cool to see but now I’d rather go there for the Brickyard 400.

Wendt – I'll end up watching a few laps but really don't care about Indy racing

Majors – Can they survive without Danica? I am kidding... I think the sport is pretty cool, I would rather watch F1 than Nascar, at least Indy & F1 make right turns.

6-Men In Black 3 comes out Friday.  Is this Will Smith’s best character he’s played?  Did we really need this 3^rd movie made?

Matt – The answer is the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.  That’s it that’s, the list.

Wendt – I really liked Smith in "Hitch" "I am Legend" and "Enemy of the State" I'm actually thinking I'll see MIB 3 in the theater, looks fun

Majors – No & no. Fresh Prince, c'mon now! He was great in I am Legend.

Best and Worst – Cubs/Braves – Travel fun & More

Haven’t done this in a while so time to throw one up…gonna span a couple weeks.

Addyson performed last Saturday (13^th) at the Iowa State Fair for her tumbling/dance class.  This a few days after her brother knocked her front tooth out.  She did really good and we got to spend a day at the fair.  Always fun, always busy.  Got the new Iowa poster, one for me and one for my son.  My son wanted it up on his wall when we got home.  After 7 hours they were spent (and me too).  Then Shawnna and I went out to eat at Joe’s Crab Shack.  We had a couple good drinks, a Shark Bite and a Twisted Cherry Limeade.  Shawnna has since tried to recreate the limeade at home.

Also last weekend (14-16) I was lucky enough to travel to Atlanta for a conference for work.  I got down there at 9 am on Sunday morning.  A buddy, Ferg, picked me up and took me to a small restaurant (Thumbs Up) for a great breakfast.  Spent 8 bucks for food that would have been enough for 2.  I don’t think I could have bought a meal like that in Iowa for that much.  I had southwestern eggs.  It was half a plate of fried tators, peppers and onions, then 2 huge breakfast burritos loaded with scrambled eggs, black beans, bacon, sausage and topped with pico de gaulo and guacamole.  I ate maybe 60% of the meal, it was huge and good. 

Somehow also I ended up sitting in like cream from a cinnamon roll and had that stuff all over my ass.  Me only packing one pair of shorts, we had to make a run to Target and I got a 2^nd pair of shorts.  We then went to meet up with some of Ferg’s coworkers and head to Turner Field for the Cubs-Braves game.  Arriving at Turner we saw the old torch that was used in the 1996 Olympics.  The wall from old Fulton County Stadium, they also have the bases painted in the parking lot and a spot marked where Hank Aaron’s record breaking homer landed.

We tailgated for 2 hours before the game, and I purposely wore my Hawkeye hat, and got a half a dozen “Go Hawks”.  We wandered into the game during the first and the Stadium looks really nice.  There are a hand full of statues that we got pictures with (hopefully I’ll get copies of them soon). We sat out in right field for the first half of the game, and then headed behind home plate for the 2^nd half of the game.  I drunk tweeted a few pics during the game.  The Cubs fell behind 4-0, but came back to win 6-5.  They also stopped Dan Uggla’s hit streak at 33 that day, a play that included a great diving catch from Darwin Barney.

The work conference was fun and interesting.  I went down with 2 others from Wells.  Meet them later after the game.  The hotel, the Intercontinental Buckhead was really really nice!  I finally got to put names with faces of others that I call and talk to what sometimes feels like a daily basis and also meet some other people who use the program we use and had some really good discussions.  Also meet a lot of other people at the evening events that were fun too.  Over all a great time…till the flight home.

My flight was supposed to be leaving Atlanta at 5 get in Minneapolis at 7 and 3 hour layover till 10pm flight to Des Moines.  Um….yea, that didn’t happen.  Flight delayed what the airport said was going to be an hour…yea it was like 2 hours.  Once on the plane…I don’t think I’ve had that much fun in a while.  I sat by two ladies from Canada going to Minneapolis for the gymnastics championships (you read that right, they flew Toronto-Atlanta-Minneapolis).  They were older, prob 40-50….and we laughed the whole time.  They were hilarious.  If you’ve seen Bridesmaids, one of them had the same sense of humor that the lady who plays Molly on “Mike & Molly” has in that movie.  So we were cracking up.  And we needed too because when we landed in Minneapolis in a rain storm at 9 we were stuck on the tarmac 100 ft from our gate for an HOUR.  We couldn’t hit the gas a little and roll up to it because of lightning.  That sucked.  My 3 hour layover turned into me running for my gate at another concourse.  My flight to Des Moines though was thankfully delayed. We left at 1045.  Funny thing on my flight back to Des Moines is I sat by a millionaire, the owner of Van Wyk trucking, and a handful of banks, some storage companies among others.  But what is also interesting is he knows my banker, and also worked with my uncle in my hometown (of 500) back in the 50s/60s.  Small world.  So I got home at midnight, worked 50 hours that week and that was without working on Friday. 

Friday I was off and supposed to take my boy to Adventureland to play since last time we were supposed to go, we didn’t since he got sick.  BUT 2 temper tantrums later he wasn’t going and he was back to preschool.  I’ve learned you can’t reward that bad behavior.  Hopefully next time he’ll learn.  And one thing we’ve done with him is from a book called 1-2-3 Magic.  With that his temper, reactions and listening has really improved.  Go check it out fellow parents.  So my Friday was spent relaxing! 

Friday night my daughter had her first “real” sleepover with a friend she went to preschool with.  Her and her friend have a blast all the time, it’s too bad they don’t go to school together anymore.  Saturday my son had his first “real” birthday party to go to with a friend from preschool and some other kids that go there.  It was at a nice little park in Lakewood.  He loved it because he could throw rocks into the lake.  Sunday we spent the day outside, mowing and playing and riding bikes.  I fixed the wheels on my grill and overall just a good day. 

This coming week we start school, the kids go to grandma & grandpas so hopefully it goes quick!

And Iowa High School Football started!  Too bad I started 5-4.  Valley beat Dowling in a classic in that series. 

Now for the bad.  Little Ryleigh has an ear infection and is teething.  IT SUCKS!  She’s 6 mos old and can’t express herself without crying and squirming and not eating or sleeping.  We got some meds for her and she’s been ok the past 12 hours.  Still a little fussy.

Also out of my realm…what the hell is going on in the world of sports?  Fights busting loose in Candlestick Ball Park?  I love going to games but this is a shame.  It’s not just happening in San Francisco, it’s all over on college campuses and pro cities.  It makes me wonder about taking my kids to a game.  I don’t want to put them in that environment.  It’s sad…and thankfully the experience at home and TV in HD has gotten so good you don’t have to go to enjoy it.

Then there’s the “NEW” CyHawk trophy that was unveiled last Friday at the State Fair by the “NEW” rivalry sponsor Iowa Corn.  First off you don’t need a fricken sponsor for a rivalry, rivalries aren’t built on sponsorships.  I can’t stand that. You’ll never see Floyd of Rosedale changed or sponsored by Hormel or Oscar Meyer (at least I hope not).  With that being said the old trophy is well cheap looking, but it has some history and has something to do to with FOOTBALL and the game.  The new trophy revealed with a family of farmers has NOTHING to do with the game other than the scores on the base.  It has drawn scorn from all over the state and country with the Govenor, Hayden Fry and ESPN chimming in.  One paper from Oklahoma said it’s a terrible trophy but at least the sports world knows Iowa-ISU now play for a trophy.  Today (Tues Aug 23) Iowa Corn has a press conference to discuss all the backlash the new trophy has brought.  Hopefully it gets changed.  And please, please Iowa-Nebraska Heroes trophy, learn something here…don’t mess up. 

So this is kind of a book but had a time to cover. 

Best and Worst of the Weekend, a fresh coat.

BEST – Well most of the weekend was really good.  Friday afternoon we had a team bowling event, got 2 drink tickets and I was able to get another ticket and a beer purchased for me.  Afterwards I went to a bar with some co-workers and had some beverages.  Later that night my mom was in town and watched the kids so Shawnna and I went out to Dos Rios.  Had some more cervasas there, along with steak asada tacos and homemade guacamole.  Great time. 

Saturday was spent painting and redoing the stairs.  The stairway downstairs we repainted yellow and white to clean it up. The stairs got a fresh coat too, and then we took up the old blue runner and stair rods and put down a nice new runner and rods.  I added a piece of black trim at the bottom.  Upstairs we repainted the living room and dining room and ceiling.  We have two walls that are now a redish/rust color and then the others are a grey color.  That was most of Saturday and Sunday.  My mom stayed with us all weekend to help, and I’m grateful for that.  We had Scornavaccas pizza Saturday night.  Bray and I went to pick it up and sat at the bar and had a drink.  He had a Shirley Temple and me a Miller Light.  He told me that he wanted to do that more, just me and him going out.  Hopefully soon we will too.  Sunday the kids had play dates at Monkey Joes and came back wiped out but on a second wind.  I need their energy.  Sunday night ended with me helping out my buddy Jason move a couple fridges and then cleaning up paint drops and sitting with Ryleigh and watching The Donald and the Celebrity Apprentice.

WORST – Worst I’m going to go with me.  Lack of sleep got me really frustrated Saturday afternoon with the kids.  And the weather and the painting and stairs kept us inside.  I know I’ve mentioned it before and how in the world did my parents deal with me?  My son is just like me, I must have drove them nuts!  This maybe isn’t a worst but the lawn is growing a bit, but I REFUSE to mow when its colder than 55 degrees.  Sorry, not gonna do it.

Another worst or something I’m upset about.  Do you ever feel that you lose out on relationships with people for no reason?  They just drift away.  I feel this way in a couple of close ones I have right now.  First is like a feeling of being replaced.  And why?  Because I’m not supportive of that life style, should I say “hey, you need to grow up” or something like that?  I think that there will be regret later in life with some decisions but it’s not my life.  Second is like a mystery to me.  People I think get to busy and try to please EVERYONE and forget about friends.  Like I said I don’t know if that is a worst but something that is really bothering me right now.

Sports nuggets…I only watched about 2 hours or so of tv this weekend, but saw some highlights.

Ouch, the 2 Memphis Redbirds who collided at Principal Park hurt me watching it, their heads rattled off each other.  Said on the news last night that one of them had facial fractures and had to have surgery.

Cubs, haven’t watched them yet this year, it just doesn’t feel like baseball yet.

Harrison Barnes is coming back to UNC, thank you!  College Basketball needs more of this, and I hope the UNC big 3 come back next year too.  I tweeted this earlier after the UConn Huskies won the championship, but I’m picking UNC to win the NCAA Championship.  The Final Four is in New Orleans, and NOLA and UNC Basketball have a magic feeling together.

NASCAR had a heck of a finish.  About 5 cars all clumped up together at the finish line.  It was like the ending of the first race in Cars with King, Chick and Lightning all tying.  Jimmie Johnson won by a hair with the help of Dale Jr.

Big XII got a new tv deal that will help get all their conference football games on tv, at least on FSN.  BUT what Cyclone fans and Big XII fans don’t know is that the deal isn’t for games on the national FOX channel.  Your only on a cable sports package that is regional.  Big Ten is still NATIONAL and has the best deal on ABC/ESPN.  I think that in a few years when the Big Ten’s deal with ABC/ESPN is up you will see FOX pay big money and the Big Ten will have 2-3 national games on Fox every weekend.  Fox has the Big Ten championship game, they want in the college football scene, they’ll throw money at the best conference in the nation.

NBA playoffs, who cares till the conference finals.

Who's in your 5 - Baseball Post season Series

With the Hunt for October going on and the end of the baseball season nearing, I thought I'd do a who's in my 5 for my favorite baseball post season series, in my life time.  I'd love to have #1 be the Cubs winning the World Series, who knows maybe I can update this next year?  Yeah right, who am I kidding.  So, here...we...go.

Ok, i'm cheating i'm doing 7, it's my blog, I can do it.

7.  2004 ALCS.  Redsox down 3-0, and in less than 24 hours Big Papi has two game winning hits to help them get to 3-2.  Then the bloody sock and game 7.  RedSox beat the Yankees and win break the Bambino's curse.


6.  1993 Bluejays vs Phillies.  A walk off homerun, that's a great start to kick off the list.  My brother still hasn't seen the Joe Carter home run leave the ball park.


5.  1992 Braves vs Pirates - The Braves and Pirates gave us great series, this went to game 7 and the Sid Bream Slide!


4.  2003 Redsox vs Yankees - Aaron F'ng Boone.  Nuff Said


3. 1991 Braves vs Twins.  Quite simply the best World Series I've ever watched.  I remember watching every game every pitch.  Kirby's homer, and catch and Jack Morris's pitching.

2.  2003 Cubs vs Marlins - Heartbreak.  Pure Heartbreak.  5 outs away.  Bartman.  Gonzalez.  The rest is history.  Watch this clip if you dare.


1.  1995 Mariners vs Yankees - I remember this mostly because of the fun I saw Ken Griffy Jr had, and it was against the big bad Yankees.  My dad is a Yanks fan and he turned the tv off, walked to bed after seeing Junior smiling and celebrating.  This is baseball..it's was fun!

Who's in your 5? Stadiums

Ok, to steal from SoundOff again. What’s in your 5, favorite ball parks.

Now I haven’t been to a lot of baseball stadiums (only 4, Wrigley – Kaufman – Coors – Old Yankee), so I’m going to go on all ball parks, football and baseball.

I'm sure people who may glance by here have been to more, let me know what your 5 are.


5. Kaufman – nice stadium and heard they made some upgrades. Place a family could go and enjoy a day at the park.


4. Coors Field – pretty cool newer stadium, and had a really fun time there too


3. Ohio Stadium – simply the loudest stadium I’ve ever been too.


2. Wrigley Field – though it’s becoming more expensive of a trip, a game in the bleachers is worth it.


1. Kinnick Stadium – seriously, is there any other?

What to talk about....

Not much on my mind today. This past Thursday my wife's grandfather passed away after battling a lot of illnesses. So Thursday, Friday and Saturday have been busy with my wife gone, getting outfits for the visitation and funeral, making plans for the kids on Sunday and Monday, and cleaning the house, doing the laundry and dishes so the wife wouldn't have too. Brady and I also got the yard pretty much 99% cleaned up from last fall. Hopefully sometime in the next few months I can get the front porch done.

Allergies hit me hard this week and I ended up only getting to the gym 2 days this week. Kind of upset me, but I've been physically worn out. Then add in from work that I'm mentally spent and now somewhat emotionally and I'm tired.

Brady has been challenging this week too. We have a heck of a time tryig to get him to bed and well its been frustrarting. Addy wasn't that bad, she'll crash anywhere, Brady has trouble. Anyone who is not reading this have a thought on how to get a 2 year old to sleep?

The I-Cubs have opened the Sandberg regime with 3 straight loses. They'll bounce back!

Cubs have choked away more leads in the past 5 games for me to deal with all year!

My Sports Moments of the Decade

So as I listen to the local and national shows this week, a lot of them are pulling out the moments of the decade. Everyone points to the moments after 9-11 and the games after that, and Jack Bucks poem.



I was lucky enough to be at Wrigley Field for the Cubs first home game after 9-11. It was an amazing experience. Something I won't forget. So as I said, nothing will ever top those moments, so I will leave those off my list. Below are my lists of my moments of the decade.



My #1 moment of the decade is something I really dont like to remember. 2003 NLCS. Game 6. 5 outs from the Cubs first World Series since 1945. Mark Prior, probably the best pitcher in 2003 in the NL is rolling. Cubs were up 3-0. 2 were on. Do I have to go on? Bartman happened. (this didn't lose the game for the Cubs). Then Alex Gonzalez, statistically the best SS in the NL in 2003, booted a sure double play ball. 8 runs later the Marlins won. Cubs lose game 7. And still we are all saying wait till next year. So close as for us Cubs fans we could smell it....and it was snatched away from us.



#2 for me is one I'd like to have a lot wrapped up in to. The 2002 Iowa Hawkeye football season was one for the books. Brad Banks led the Hawks to a 11-1 regular season, Big Ten Championship and Orange Bowl berth. The season was amazing. Great offense with our awesome line and Dallas Clark. The D was under rated among Iowa D's and then there's Nate Kaeding. Captain Kirk had lead the Hawks back to the top. And the best moment for me was the trip to Ann Arbor Michigan for the Iowa-Michigan game. Iowa hadn't won at Michigan since 1990. Hadn't beaten them since then. Well Iowa went into the Big House and gave the Wolverines their worse home loss in 35 years! Hawks 34-9. If it weren't for a long 40 yard run by QB John Navarre, the Wolverines would have been held with negative rushing yards. Along with the game, the trip there with Mike, Westy & Harmon was classic.

#3 for me is also one I could wrap up a season into one, but the best moments for me from the Chicago Bears 2006 NFC Championship run were the Monday Night Game in Arizona. And then the NFC Championship game vs the Saints.

The Monday Night game gave the NFL world "Crown their ass!". The Bears and Rex Grossman looked horrible. The offense had been rolling, the defense dominating and Devin Hester blowing up in his rookie year. But the Cards and Matt Leinart were killing the Bears. Then Brian Urlacher stripped a ball and it was ran in for a score. Mark Anderson caused a sack fumble that was returned, and Devin Hester topped it with a punt return for 6. A miss by Neil Rackers and the Bears had a comeback win for the ages!


Then the NFC Championship game. The Saints were the "IT" story. Had Heisman winner and rookie Reggie Bush, and had just beat the Eagles. The Bears went to OT with the Seahawks and everyone was picking the Saints to go into Soldier and win. But just like in the 1985 NFC Title Game. The snow started to fall, and the Bears started to roll!


What are yours?

DirecTv will never see any more of my money

So I used to blog on myspace but I’m going to be slowly phasing that out and getting to facebook and this site for blogging. But anyways that’s just I guess a hello to blogger.com.

So last night I was hoping would be a good night would grill out, work out, kids would sleep good and I could actually sleep too. It went well right up to in between grill out and works out. Noticed that DIRECTV in all the wonder and majesty that is their company thought that 1 day after sending a bill for disconnecting their service, they would take out roughly 400 bucks from my checking account with out any authorization. Apparently it is in the legal jargon, as is if you open a box means you “SIGN”, yes “SIGN” a contract extension. WTF? Does that mean that if I open a can of Pepsi I’m signed to a 2 year contract with Pepsi and can’t get out of having anything but Pepsi? No!

And who reads a box. If you’re like me, when you get something new, its like kid on Christmas day, rip the sucker open. Who reads the box? It’s a terrible way to do business. And I’m already dropping big bucks to get a DVR or HD-DVR receiver. Talk about bending your customers over and giving them the business.

So for about 2 hours my wife and I argued with DIRECTV, contacted our bank, and will be contacting Tom Miller, the Iowa Attorney General. I really like the DIRECTV product, the NFL Network and Big Ten Network are great, and hopefully (fingers crossed) gets the Big Ten Network by August 30th. But their customer service, along with Qwest and the bundle, and what they do to their customers is a totally joke and a shitty way to do business.

Ok, done venting on that.

How bout the Cubs? 2 wins on the road at Milwaukee over CC & Sheets! Big statement made by the North Siders.

Is anyone else tired of Brett Favre?