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* All I ask is that you please confine your conversations to Illinois-centric topics and be nice to each other. Thanks. Happy Monday.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 7:36 am
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Kind of surprising that after all these centuries the Jebbies would still be a hot topic for conversation like Friday’s Open Thread. I really didn’t expect that, but, Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition. (And, yes, I do know it was the Dominicans rather than the Jesuits who took the lead there.) The Illinois-centric part is now that another Jesuit university, St. Peter’s, lost in the Elite Eight - probably from a lack of their version of Sister Jean - we can cheer on Coach K, a Ukrainian Village guy in his last season.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 7:49 am
“would still be a hot topic for conversation”
Nothin’ like a little religion to give everyone peace.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 8:00 am
Baseball season starts soon, and I’m excited. It has been almost six years since I last went to Wrigley Field, and now I have a family of four.
My question: how much should I realistically expect to pay for a game (for me, 2 young kids, and Mrs. Zoomer, who is a White Sox fan)?
Comment by zoomer Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 8:24 am
Any other Cardinal fans a bit conflicted/befuddled/aggravated by the Pujols signing? Makes you question the commitment to winning a championship. Confirms DeWallet’s commitment to use the fan’s emotions to make more money. Glad I already have my opening day tickets. They just went up in value…
Comment by Captain Obvious Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 8:37 am
Was able to go to the KU - Miami game yesterday and that was cool to see at the UC. Go catch a tourney game someday if you can.
Admittedly I have a bias since I have paid tuition to KU in the past but…
“we can cheer on Coach K, a Ukrainian Village guy in his last season.”
No, anyone but Duke. They have a ACC montage during a timeout and every time coach K appeared he got boo’d, same when Christian Latner showed up as the answer to a trivia question.
Comment by OneMan Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 8:37 am
“how much should I realistically expect to pay for a game”
If you have the patience to wait until game time, mid week, you may be able to snag tickets at face value in the area between the train platform and the stadium. I always told my children if we didn’t get into the game, we would go downtown and go the ESPN zone. There were times, I’m afraid, they were actually disappointed that we scored some tickets.
Good luck. Wrigley field with your children creates lifetime memories for all. I can still remember my first arrival at Wrigley with my parents. And that was nearly 50 years ago.
Comment by Downstate Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 8:40 am
The Pujols signing will not end well, I’m afraid. If I want to get sentimental I’ll watch my 2011 World Series DVD. When Pujols is effective it’s only against LHP, and he’s useless against righties. This move is strictly to goose ticket sales and not indicative of a team wanting to win.
Comment by Independent Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 8:45 am
Thanks, Downstate. Appreciate the tips, including the contingency plan for ESPN zone. That’s a great lead.
Comment by zoomer Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 9:03 am
==Makes you question the commitment to winning a championship.==
I don’t know. Pujols did great vs Lefties last season. Dickerson/Nootbar will probably DH vs Righties. Not terrible. What they really need is more starting pitching. A lot of question marks (age, injuries, etc.)_in that rotation.
Comment by Make It Make Sense Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 9:06 am
Normally love the sun but today my head is banging and I could use less light. Spring….
Comment by Amalia Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 9:17 am
Pujols data from baseball reference: Batting average- vs left handed pitcher .299 vs right hander pitcher .297. Not much of a difference.
Home runs- vs right hand pitcher 492 in 8,247 at bats (one HR in 16.8 at bats) vs left hand pitcher 187 in 2,867 at bats (one HR in 15.3 at bats). Slightly more likely to hit a home run against a left handed pitcher.
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 9:23 am
“Nothin’ like a little religion to give everyone peace.”
Um. No.
Comment by Huh?" Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 9:33 am
Long time Cardinal fan. I’m not disappointed by the Pujols nostalgia signing, as long they’re not overpaying him and I’d say $2.5 million/year is a good deal for the Cards. Pujols and Molina get to have their retirement parties together. If Pujols bats above .250 and knocks a few dingers, I’ll be happy.
Comment by Steve Rogers Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 9:41 am
Downstate - ESPN Zone is long gone - replaced by Eataly. As to tickets, I believe all ticketing is digital through the MLB app these days.
Comment by Facts Matter Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 9:42 am
” ESPN Zone is long gone”
You are correct. I forgot to mention that. My point being that an alternative, fun outing, as the back-up plan can avoid disappointment.
Sorry if my response wasn’t clear.
My daughter suggested once suggested the back-up plan as the American Girl Doll store. That option was quickly vetoed, as I could have paid 3 times face value for Cubs tix and still come out money ahead.
Comment by Downstate Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 9:48 am
==If Pujols bats above .250 and knocks a few dingers, I’ll be happy.==
Plus during Pujols’ first Cardinal glory days he was wildly successful against the Cubs (e.g., the 3 HR game in July 2004, back to back game winners June 4-5, 2011, among others).
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 9:50 am
Way too much Cardinals talk, so, um, White Sox.
Comment by ddp76 Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 10:01 am
The Pujols signing is fun. Baseball needs to be fun again.
Comment by up2now Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 10:21 am
= how much should I realistically expect to pay for a game=
Completely depends on how the team is doing. If it’s like the end of last year - and let’s face it, they aren’t gonna be good - then you might score some real cheap midweek. I took one kid to a game in August and we got in for less than $20 combines
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 10:22 am
I’ll allow that signing Pujols is nostalgic and fun, but baseballwise it’s the equivalent of resigning Carpenter. I doubt it will be as much fun seeing Albert at the plate near the end of the season as it will be on opening day.
Comment by Captain Obvious Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 10:35 am
OneMan - Are you suggesting we should not cheer for Coach K because of the reaction of a crowd? Why that’s as loony as a candidate thinking that because he had bigger crowds at his rallies than his opponent did it means he actually won the election.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 10:41 am
Here is a nice way to potentially profit from the Governor’s race here in Illinois. Personally I feel JB is way overpriced at $0.87 and GOP underpriced at $0.13
https://www.predictit.org/markets/detail/7659/Which-party-will-win-the-2022-Illinois-gubernatorial-election
Comment by low level Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 11:31 am
===how much should I realistically expect to pay for a game===
I wouldn’t pay a nickel more than face value for the tickets, which carry an average price of $58. So you’re in for $200 to get in. Then hot dogs cost $6.25, beer is $9-$10, water will set you back $5.50, so eat before the game.
You didn’t mention if you needed parking, which is going to add anywhere from $20-$40 to your tab, more if you park illegally and get a ticket.
So for a nice family outing at the ballpark, the Rickett’s family expects to get about $300 from you. But they have that minor league team to pay, and they are trying to convince the British government that they hardly know Joe Rickett’s and can they please buy Chelsea and they promise not to be Islamophobic anymore.
If you want better food, and more importantly, better baseball, go to Comiskey. If you want to subject your children to the rowdy frat boy environment, sit in the bleachers at Wrigley and make your kids wear noise-cancelling headphones or they will assume swearing and calling people names is how all sports fans behave.
Going to Wrigley with a family will cost so much more than the dollars you’ll waste there.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 11:55 am
==If you want better food, and more importantly, better baseball, go to Comiskey.==
St. Louis is also a good option too
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 12:09 pm
==they will assume swearing and calling people names is how all sports fans behave.==
Not to mention “sports fans” who probably have had at least 4 beers before the first pitch
Comment by Just Wondering Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 12:10 pm
Thanks, 47th Ward. We’d likely be taking some form of public transit; no way I want to park anywhere close to Wrigley. Not into any of the whatever I’ve seen gone down over the years amomgst the fans in the bleachers, either. I’d be looking for reasonably decent seats in a family-friendly section of the park.
Not sure yet about the “better baseball” part having seen just enough Cubs baseball last year to still be recovering from that gut punch (read: anything can happen over 162 games), but I respect the lineup of the White Sox enough on paper to say you’re probably right.
And to Downstate - again, appreciate the sentiment.. a contingency plan is in order. American Girl would be an instant hit, as would Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brookfield.
Again, thanks for suggestions.
Comment by zoomer Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 1:09 pm
In non baseball-related news: just received my $162 vehicle sticker. In the recent past, it had my license plate number on it.. what felt like an extra layer of security.
Now, it just has a big fat “23” on it, with “Illinois” in smaller font underneath.
Not sure what that’s all about, but scratching my head on why that move was made by whomever.
Comment by zoomer Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 1:12 pm
Pujols is 36 HRs away from passing Babe Ruth. Tbink about that. By all estimates, he has earned a right to retire where it all began. If he can crank out 36 home runs (may require two seasons), then he will be in the stratosphere of all-time greats hitters.
Comment by H-W Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 1:17 pm
@zoomer:
It’s a supply chain issue. What you got is a temporary solution and is the best they can do right now.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 2:32 pm
@demoralized - fair enough and understood. thanks for your insight.
Comment by zoomer Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 2:54 pm
Unfortunately Albert has officially stated this is his last year, so a more realistic goal is 700. But he does look to be in better physical shape this year so you never know.
Comment by Captain Obvious Monday, Mar 28, 22 @ 7:01 pm