Yikes. I'm old.
Anyway, from Wrigley Field in 1970 when my grandparents took me to my first Cubs game through last week's trip to the ol' Jake, here is where I've been:
Wrigley Field• Wrigley Field. I recall women in mini-skirts flirting with Joe Pepitone, that wonderful first Wrigley Field "redhot" and the singing peanut man. Most of all, I remember through 10-year-old eyes climbing up those stairs for my first glimpse of that marvelous ballpark. I've spent many good times there over the years. One summer when I lived in Oak Park, a friend, Jim Rice, had bleacher tickets to every weekend game. Dear lord. Great times. I wish I could remember more about them... Mary and I also took Angela and Matthew to witness the now-infamous Randy Myers poster day.
Soldier Field• Soldier Field (old and new). In the 1970s, my family had season tickets to the Bears, although in those Abe Gibron days, you went to see who the Bears were playing: Roger Staubach, for example. Dad gave up hope on the Bears of that era and gave up the tickets just as they brought in this new rookie: Walter Payton. Still I saw many, many games in ensuing years and also attended the first Bears game in the new Soldier Field when get this, I bought Bobby Douglass a beer. Cool kismet, eh?
Old and New Comiskey ParkComiskey Park (old and new). I went with a friend and his dad to the old Comiskey when I was a kid (I preferred Wrigley) and also went to the new park as editor of the Northwest Herald for a carrier promotion. I got my picture taken on the field at the renamed U.S. Cellular Field and we sat in the first row along left field. Cool, but I still prefer Wrigley.
United Center, Chicago Stadium• Chicago Stadium. Also went with a friend and his dad, this time to watch the Bulls game. I remember big girders or poles blocking sight lines and that's about all.
• The United Center. I saw a couple of Bulls games there during their amazing run in the 1990s. It was an amazing experience, especially when my boss gave me tickets that were about 13 rows from the floor.
Tampa Stadium• Tampa Stadium. During a Florida vacation in 1976, I goaded my Dad into taking the family to watch the first ever showdown between the Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was a preseason game and my brother and I got an autograph of some old guy who was holding court: Red Grange. I still have that autograph!
Shea Stadium• Shea Stadium. In the early 1990's, when I was editor of The Leader in Corning, N.Y., I caught a New York Mets game. What I remember most is Todd Franko got busted by a cop for walking off of a bus with a beer. Like New York cops have nothing better to do than to bust rubes walking off of buses with beers. Sheesh. Great sight lines, though.
Giants Stadium• Giants Stadium (the Meadowlands). Also while at The Leader, the sports editor took me to watch the Bears get trampled by the New York Giants during the playoffs in January 1990. It was a humbling experience.
Fulton County Stadium• Fulton County Stadium. In the mid-1990's, during a NEXPO newspaper conference in Atlanta, I attended a Montreal Expos vs. Atlanta Braves game at the old Fulton County Stadium. We had great box seats (they took your order and BROUGHT you your food!) right behind the Expos on-deck circle. I mean, so close. I could mock. Which I did (with a Braves cap on). The first Expo batter braved my onslaught, stepped into the batter's box and banged a lead-off home run. As he rounded third, he pointed at me in a kind of salute. The real Braves fans all told me to shut the hell up.
Lambeau Field• Lambeau Field. In the late 1990' s, friend took me to watch the Bears take on the Packers from his family's seats at the frozen tundra. I dressed in Bears orange and blue from head to toe (even Bears logo shoes). A.) Everyone treated me nice, even though they were stinkin' cheeseheads; b.) its a really great place to watch a football game. That was hard to type.
Miller Park• Miller Park. I was invited to watch a Milwaukee Brewers game when I lived in Crystal Lake a few years ago. I was impressed with its relative proximity (and no Chicago traffic to deal with) but it really was sort of a nondescript ballpark. With a roof.
Progressive Field• Progressive Field. Because of the rain delay, we really got to crawl around the inside of the Cleveland Indians ballpark last week and we were really impressed. Lots of new amenities but they managed to maintain some old park charm. However, like everyone else, I am going to keep calling it "The Jake" (unless I get some free insurance).
This is just a list of pro sporting events venues, mind you, if I start factoring rock concerts, wrestling, etc., the list gets even longer. Like, the time we sat in the ninth row at Rich Stadium in to enjoy The Who and were deaf for two day after... A project for another day...
More later,
Mark
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