The Cubs Part II

My last post was a preview of an upcoming Cub game with a predicted rating for the experience. Now comes the actual rating, using the same criteria:


1. Are the Cubs playing for anything or in a race of some time?
In the preliminary evaluation I gave this game a 6. Given the fact that they had split the first 2 games, this game became especially important. Again, even though the Cubs are only floating around .500, there is a positive feeling coming from this team right now that adds a level of excitement to their games. So, I would bump this up to an 8.

2. How is the weather for the game.
The only word that can possibly be used here is perfect. 10.

3. Who are they playing?
The answer from the original evaluation doesn't change any here, so it receives a 7.

4. Who am I attending with?
I have obviously taken much flak over my decision to give Nancy a pre-score of 9 or 9 1/2. What seems to have gone unnoticed is that 9 1/2 is a very good score. Nonetheless, my wife makes for a wonderful game companion and earned a score of 10.

5. Quality of hot dogs and peanuts.
As always, the peanuts were fantastic. The hot dogs even rebounded from last years disappointment and were perfect ballpark franks. So, this category also earns a 10.

6. Number and quality of exciting plays during the game.
There were about 6 moments in the game that were truly exciting: All four of the Cubs runs, an inning-ending double play to get us out of a real jam, and a great catch in the 8th inning to save a run. It was certainly more than enough to keep the game interesting and exciting. So, I award this category an 8.

7. Who is singing "Take me out to the ballgame?"
I was very nervous about this, but it turns out that Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis sang during the 7th inning stretch. Although he can't sing, he didn't forget the words, sang it confidently, and engaged the crowd. I couldn't be happier with this outcome: 10.

8. Did the Cubs win?
The only way to answer this is with song lyrics:

Baseball season's on the way
Well you better get ready for a brand new day
The Cubs are gonna win today

CHORUS
They're singing, Go Cubs go, go Cubs go
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go Cubs go, go Cubs go
Hey Chicago what do you say?
The Cubs are gonna win today

They got the power, they got the speed
To be the best in the National League
Well, this is the year and the Cubs are real
So come on down to Wrigley Field

CHORUS
We're singing now Go Cubs go, go Cubs go
Hey Chicago what do you say?
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go Cubs go, go Cubs go
Hey Chicago what do you say?
The Cubs are gonna win today

Baseball time is here again
You can catch it all on WGN
So step your feet and clap your hands
The Chicago Cubs got the greatest fans

CHORUS
Hear them singing now Go Cubs go, go Cubs go
Hey Chicago what do you say?
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go Cubs go, go Cubs go
Hey Chicago what do you say?
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Score: 10.

TOTAL: 73/80, which is a very, very good score. This was a great day.
Also, Nancy & I have a brick at Wrigley Field, which reads "Dan & Nancy Erickson love the Cubs." I am kneeling next to the brick, which is directly above & to the right of the black gum spot. It seems silly, but I love Wrigley Field so much, and to have my family be a very real part of the stadium is very, very special for me. I'll hang on to this picture for a long time.