Chicago Mets Fan

My lone post from NYC

Long time no post…
 
Anyway, I’m just starting week two of my three weeks in NYC for work. Some non-work highlights included seeing Eddie Vedder in concert at the United Palace Theater, a Mets game at Shea - most likely my last, and seeing a whole bunch of friends and old co-workers.
 
So, in no particular order, a few things that have been on my mind:

Staying in the heart of NYC has just about made me want to kill myself. I strongly dislike being surrounded by tons and tons of tourists who are pretty clueless, while I know where I am, what I’m doing and how to get there. Add to that, my hotel’s only source of free internet is in the lobby. After a 12 hour day of work, sitting down there is the last thing I want to do, but I also don’t want to be “that” person taking care of her internet business while at work.

Shea Stadium. As I used the woman’s room while at the game last week, it dawned on me that I’m not really gonna miss ya, but that I will still most likely buy a pair of your seats. For those who have been to my apartment in Chicago, I know that they’ll look pretty sweet on the back patio or in the back yard.

Citi Field. Excited to see the finished product. While I am not any sort of season ticket holder (part-time packages included), it’s still pretty crappy to not know what type of options await you next year.

Ok, back to work…or something.

Heat of the Moment Rant

So the Mets lost tonight. They shouldn’t have though. Johan pitched a great game and the rest of the team supported him. He just can’t get a break from the bullpen, who I blame for this one. Not Jerry Manuel, or even Billy Wagner, who I’m sure is going to get grilled about not being available.

In Manuel’s post game press conference he said he would have liked to have had his closer available.

My response to that: You didn’t. Deal with it. You have x-amount of other pitchers who should be able to pitch and get batters out, no matter the inning or situation. THEY ARE A PITCHER FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!

I mean, really. Back when he was probably a player, pitchers went a whole game. Or a team maybe used two pitchers. But now with 7th inning men, set-up, closers etc, this is just ridiculous.

This is really how it’s going to be for the rest of the season. Sigh.

Inaugural Blackhawks Convention

Long before Nik and I became Blackhawks season ticket holders, the organization announced it’s first ever Blackhawks Convention. If you are unfamiliar with why this was a big deal, read this. But once we bought our season tickets we decided to check out the convention

Myself and Nik along with a few friends/co-workers/fellow season ticket holders (Ward, Kevin and Scott) all ventured to the Chicago Hilton Friday “after work” for the opening ceremonies. The ceremony was excellent. Ed Olczyk introduced some of the team’s management, some Blackhawk alumni greats and the current team. The ceremony was highlighted by the official announcement of my hockey boyfriend Jonathan Towes being named the captain. Unfortunately, the lighting in the ballroom was horrible so my pictures look pretty crappy.

Next up for me was the autograph line for Toews. To say it was a little long was an understatement, however, I really wanted to get this picture of me with him autographed, so I sucked it up, waited and ended up being successful, even getting a personalized “To Julie.” I went home a happy camper. That would be all for autographs since the lines were crazy all weekend. We did however see cutie Andrew Ladd roaming the lobby on Saturday, so I successfully got my picture with him. Possibly my 2nd Blackhawks boyfriend:

The convention was pretty cool. They had this whole interactive room with almost every NHL trophy there; replica lockers; puck and stick games. A room with four autograph stages and a separate room for various venders. Each day had scheduled panel discussions highlighted by current and past players. There was a pretty good panel talking about the upcoming Winter Classic. New defenseman Brian Campbell, an NHL exec and Hawks President John McDonough led that panel. Later we all sat in on the Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Toews and Patrick Kane panel talking about all sort of things. Some good laughs were shared.

All in all, it was a great time. I thank the Hawks for starting something like this and I’m very much looking forward to the NHL season.

*Click thumbnails for larger image…and there are a few more pictures on Flickr

Fun and Games with Matty and Tiffany

My old pals Tiffany Simons and Matty Blake at NBCSports.com were set loose at the All-Star game the other night. The result is the video below…I encourage you to watch for some fun stuff with Billy Wagner and one of his sons.

It’s Official!

There will be a Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on New Years Day 2009. The Chicago Blackhawks will host the Detroit Red Wings.

Stay tuned…because I have a lot of hope that I’ll be there!

Around the Majors

Ok, well not exactly, but this is my mid-season post about all things Julie:

Let’s start with the Mets. They are on a nine-game winning streak. I don’t really care if it’s the change in the clubhouse or whatever that caused this upswing, I’m just glad it’s finally happening - on all levels. The young guys, the utility guys, the pitchers. It’s all just working. Keep it up boys.

Hey now, you’re an All-Star. Yep, my boy (and yours) David Wright will be making this third straight All-Star Game appearance. He made the team when NL team manager Clint Hurdle picked him to replace injured Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano. So what if he wasn’t voted to the team. He’s there representing the Mets and us fans who wanted him there. Luckily the game is in New York, so hopefully the commute to Skankee Stadium and back won’t be too much for him and he’ll still feel a little rested when the team resumes play on Thursday in Cincinnati.

Did You Know: The last National League All-Star Game MVP was Mike Piazza in 1996!

An update on my Chicago wings hunt: Back when I started this site after moving to Chicago, I said I was on the hunt for good buffalo wings. My level of standard is based on the wings at Blondies in NYC. Through some trial (and error?), I have found a few places that I like and recommend. I’ve already mentioned Merkle’s and Finley Dunne’s, so now add to the list Riverview and Southport Lanes.

Also on the bar front: Slowly Magic Hat #9 is making its way West (on draft only in Chicago). It appeared in a few bars late in the winter; Nik and I stocked up on it while in Detroit; And now, one of my favorite bars - Finley Dunne’s - carries it!

I’m still pulling for Mark Cuban and the Cubs. Heck, even SI’s Peter King agrees. In talking about the Steelers and the possible association between Cuban and the Steelers he says this: “…Putting Mark Cuban in the mix there isn’t necessary. Now, putting him in Cub ownership, that’s a different story. What a plus he’d be there.” I couldn’t agree more.

Staying on the Chicago Sport Scene: As previously mentioned here, Nik and I are now Blackhawks season ticket owners. You have no idea how anxious I am for the NHL schedule to be announced later this week. A) I cannot wait for the official announcement/confirmation of an outdoor ice hockey game at Wrigley, most certainly including the Blackhawks. B) I’ve got my fingers crossed that some of the NHL east teams I care to watch (Rangers, Penguins, Islanders etc.) do indeed come to town this season.

Get Out and Vote!

Not only is it election time in the real world of politics, but it’s also All-Star time in MLB. All-star game rosters were announced today with the final spot on each team being decided this week with an internet vote.

The NL options include David Wright, and in my mind he’s the only one that matters of the possible options. So I encourage all of you to vote him in!

Love the Facial Hair!

I think some people know I’m a fan of (most) guys with goatees. So let’s just say I think a little time off did Ryan Church well:

Meet Mookie

He’s the Rubinstein family dog. And after about 10 years we finally got him some Mets gear. It was a bit small so we had to custom tailor it a little.

Chicago Mets Fan Went Home for a Weekend

Nik and I decided in late March to try for Pearl Jam tickets. We saw that they were playing in Hartford on a Friday night and the Mets were home at the same time, so we decided to make a weekend of it: see the concert, friends and family and a Mets game.

The concert was pretty good. A small handful of songs I wasn’t too familiar with, but Pearl Jame played for just over 2 hours it seemed and they were awesome. I will not ever get tired of seeing them in concert.

The full set of pictures can be seen here

Saturday was an adventure to Shea. Despite a good amount of rain, they got the game in. And despite the Mets loss to the Yankees, I did get to see D-Wright go deep:

*click on thumbnails for larger image