Cubs Clinch!

Let the champagne flow! NL Central Division Champs!

While checking whether the Cubs' opening series against the Reds was going to be televised Friday night, my phone alerted for an incoming message from Karie: M & I have been alternating being sick. Hoping 4 a good weekend. Hope u r well. Go Cubs!

The game was not on national telecast and I had to settle on watching the Milwaukee Brewers' game against the San Diego Padres, knowing that a Cubs win and a Brewers loss will mean Chicago will once again be the Central NL champs. Win they did, 6-0 and it wasn't until more than an hour later when the Padres pulled through, to eliminate the post-season chances of the Brewers. Yehey! Second post-season for the Cubbies since I officially pledge allegiance when I had a Chicagoland address (who could forget the last gut-wrenching heartbreak in 2003?).

It was only a little over two weeks ago when I made it to Wrigley Field for the 2007 season. I was back in Chicago for a national ID conference -- and the Cubs were at home, in a night game (so I didn't have to feel too guilty missing my CMEs). The gist of that day will be another Mastercard commercial:

Wrigley Field Scoreboard

CTA train pass from downtown Chicago to Wrigleyville: $2.00/one-way

Two infield box 3rd-base side aisle seats: $92.00

A couple of Bud Lites during the game: $28.00

Being in Wrigley Field and having 40,000-plus fans sing "Happy Birthday" during the seventh inning stretch on my* birthday: priceless.

There are some things money can't buy.....yada, yada, yada.

Jacques Jones and Felix Pie celebrates with Mark DeRosa after DeRosa's game-winning single on September 19.

I was secretly hoping the Cubs will be matched up against San Diego for the first round of the play-offs because I will be in San Diego for another conference (which I probably won't mind skipping if I get tickets for Game 2). I just learned that the Cubs will instead head to Phoenix to face the Arizona Diamondbacks for Game 1 on Wednesday Oct 3. Oh well. My cheers are with them!

I wonder where John Cusack is?

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*OK, so it wasn't only my birthday. It was also the birthday of Hall of Famer, Ryne Sandberg, who was the guest "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" lead. But having the entire Wrigley Field (and I imagine, even the Cubs dugout) sing the birthday song on my birthday is the coolest thing. The Cubs actually lost that game (perhaps a representation of my jinx) but it didn't matter. As they are now division champs!

The next day, they won with Mark DeRosa hitting the winning run (Players picture courtesy of Cubs.com).