FanNation

Tyson Whipple and his friends Jake and Rookie are on a nine day, nine ballpark trip – with plans of sleeping in their Toyota Corolla and eating peanut butter sandwiches. Tyson will be blogging about his trip daily.

Day 2

12:45 AM. We’re headed from St. Louis to Chicago to attend a game at Wrigley. I am passed out in the back of the Corolla, but have the pleasure of being abruptly woken by red and blue flashing lights. Rookie told me to hurry up and put my seat belt on. Apparently our driver, Jake, needed to make up for his 58 mph fastball by going 91 mph in a 65 mph zone. When the officer asked why we were going so fast, the best Jake could do it say that he was trying to make good time! The officer thought that was funny, but not funny enough to prevent him from handing over a $250 ticket.

4:32 AM. We arrive in Chicago and find a really questionable 24-hour laundry mat to wash up at. The tiles on the bathroom walls are apparently used for rival gangs to play tic tac toe. We thought it best to park in the very well lit Target parking lot down the street.

8:15 AM. After a rough night of police and sore backs, we were in dire need of a pick-me-up. I decided steak and eggs from Ihop was the cure. After stuffing our faces we headed to a local YMCA to take much needed showers. For free I might add. We then made our way over to Navy Pier and straight to the Beer Garden. But apparently 10AM is a bit too early to drink for most, especially on a Wednesday, and we got some dismissive looks. With our spirits low we walked the pier and then ended up at a great pizza place called Sonny’s.

6:40 PM. After trying to haggle five different parking lots we settled on the most expensive. Thirty dollars! My fiscal shrewdness is quite lacking today, but we’re having a blast. Walking to the park we can see that Fukudome Mania is alive and well. They’re even selling head bands with his name in his native language. Is he a ball player? Or the next Miley Cyrus? Little girls crowd the street outside in clothing with his likeness. We’re in section 527 of Wrigley, and they’re great seats. The national anthem is belted out by a large man. The flag waiving in center with the skyline in the background brings chills down my back. This is a special place.

Ted Lilly had a great outing for the victorious Cubs. He got into a little trouble in the fifth, but he had more than enough offensive support behind him from Soriano, Soto and Fukudome. Final score: Cubs 8, Padres 5. I loved the intensity of the home crowd. They were more into each at bat than the Cards fans we saw Tuesday night. They hang on each pitch and are clapping on every two-strike count.

Good night, everybody. Off to Cleveland.