This week's theme: Signs of spring.
Oooh!
The first thing that came to mind for me on this theme would be pictures of flower buds rising out of the ground. While those are certainly glorious images, I thought I'd take this a slightly different direction.
I'm a hockey girl, through and through. But I have to admit that I've been undergoing a mild state of shock this past week that baseball season is already underway.
Check out some of these ads I saw for the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. You know it's springtime when these start popping up on your screen.
I'll go ahead and address the age-old question in Chicago whenever the topic of baseball comes up: I don't have allegiances to either the Cubs or the White Sox. Really, I don't. But I do find it somewhat entertaining to watch the animosity between the two fan bases.
I realize this has nothing to do with running so far. So I'll mention that I had a blast running the Strike Out ALS 5K last summer, which took place at US Cellular Field. I also had an awesome time running the Home Team Charity Run in 2011, which at the time started at the United Center and ended at US Cellular Field (now it starts and finishes at the Cell).
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| Chicago White Sox mascot South Paw and me after the Home Team Charity Run in 2011 |
On a side note, Adam and I went to a local sports bar last night to watch part of the Blackhawks game. The Bulls were also playing, so I mentioned to him that this was pretty much the Chicago sportsfan's dream to have both teams on at the same time. He mentioned that the Cubs and White Sox had both played earlier in the afternoon, as well. This means the Bears were the only team missing! So I asked him if it were ever possible to have the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, and Sox ALL playing on the same day?
Adam: (chortling) No, because it would only happen if the Cubs and the Sox both made the playoffs in the same year.
Me: But it is theoretically possible, right?
Adam: (still chortling) No. It's impossible. It will never happen.
(Don't ask. And no further comment from me.)
Happy spring and happy Friday!!!
As a transplant to Chicago, I've always had the thought of two baseball teams = twice as much baseball! But I do find the rivalry amusing. I'm of course a Tigers fan, but if I had to pick a Chicago team, it'd be the Cubs. I'm married to a pretty serious Cubs fan, but actually it's because you could see Wrigley Field from the window in my very first apartment here, which I always thought was cool.
ReplyDeleteI think a few years ago all 4 teams played and WON on the same day, which seems pretty unlikely to happen very often.
Ahhh, how cool that you used to be able to see Wrigley from your window! I used to live about a mile away from US Cellular, and I could also see it from my window. It was fun seeing and hearing the fireworks on Sox game days. Has there been any tension between you and Bob on the Tigers versus the Cubs?
DeleteWow, a day when all 4 teams played and WON? That is a sign that stars are truly aligned! Note to self: get a lotto ticket that day. =D
Wow, can you imagine if the impossible happens and the Cubs and Sox are in the playoffs at the same time! That would be so cool! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat would indeed be awesome and Chicago baseball fans would be beside themselves with excitement! I remember many years ago the Bulls and the Blackhawks were both in the championship finals the same year. Can you imagine the sportsfan frenzy!?!?!?
DeleteImagine if the Cubs and Sox meet in the World Series. I think the crime rate would drop to about 0% during the games. After the games, well that's another story, since one team will have to lose. :-)
DeleteThe Cubs and Sox meeting in the World Series?!?!? Now you're just being ridiculous. ;) But yes, I have to imagine that some SERIOUS civil war would be taking place before and after the games. It would be ugly as can be! I wouldn't want to be the mayor of Chicago at that moment, that's for sure!
DeleteBaseball!! What a great sign of spring, and one of my favorites :)
ReplyDeleteEven though I was raised in the south suburbs, and by a woman who was raised on the south side (my dad was raised in the Quad Cities), we are die-hard Cubs fans. Not really sure why, I think my mom just liked the Cubs better? Anyway. We went to a lot of Cubs games when I was growing up - for a few years we even had the tradition of going on my birthday (in August). But right now I'm kind of "taking a break" from the Cubs because they've been doing so terribly for the past couple years and I refuse to give them my money by purchasing tickets, and watching them on TV is just depressing. But, I will never switch sides and become a Sox fan. That's just wrong. However, I have a lot of friends who are Sox fans, so I do wish them well, and unless they are playing against the Cubs, I try not to root against them.
Yay for baseball! Such a great symbol of spring/summer (being from Chicago, I usually don't associate it with the fall, LOL).
DeleteOh wow, that is very unique that you are a die-hard Cubs fan despite your roots to the south side! I totally understand where you are coming from on taking a break from the Cubs when they are doing so poorly. It does make me wonder how so many fans can be so die-hard for them after decades (heck, a century!) of mediocrity. Good for you on sticking to your guns on which team you root for! True sports fans are never bandwagoners. Adam is only a mild Cubs fan but he says every year, "I've got a feeling... this could be the year!" =)
Ha ha ha! I love Adam's response! And I love youre response to the question! Very original :)
ReplyDeleteI don't watch sports, but I ate at a pub the other night where you could eat peanuts and throw the shells on the ground... and that reminded me of baseball. LOL!
Thank you. =) Oooh, I like those pubs where you can eat peanuts and throw the shells on the ground. That totally reminds me of baseball! Never mind the slipping hazard that the shells ensue (I've learned that the hard way)... =P
DeleteIt was Bill's Pub north! Have you been there?
DeleteI've driven past their location in Mundelein, but have never eaten there! My brother-in-law and his family live nearby in Vernon Hills, so next time we go visit this might have to be the dinner spot just for the atmosphere. =)
DeleteI am a Twins fan, go figure :) For that reason I will never ever cheer for the White Sox. So if I had to choose a team it would be Cubs. But 3 of the 4 years I have been here I have made it to a Cubs game with school (I have plans to go this year).
ReplyDeleteAhhh, "the enemy of your enemy is your friend." I understand how those rivalries work!!!
DeleteThe good thing about going to a Cubs game this year is that you'll probably be able to get tickets really easily and at a great price! Last year I saw a ton of resale tickets going for literally $5 or less for decent seats. Wow!
The school buys like 300 tickets to a game and sells the tickets (plus a shirt that they make) to us for like $10. Of course we take a big chance of freezing since the games they pick are always in April, but its still fun!
DeleteOh my gosh, $10 for a Cubs ticket AND a shirt? That is a fantastic deal! I hear you on the April timing, though. I once went to an opening day Cubs game, was sitting in the nosebleeds, and was so cold that I got a cup of hot chocolate and thought about pouring it over my head. Seriously.
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