LIL' BUDDY'S BLOG - WENT TO A BALLGAME AT WRIGLEY FIELD, AND A HOCKEY GAME BROKE OUT!
THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
Happy New Year, you dogs!
Woof - I don't know about you, but I'm glad to see 2008 come to an end here in Chicago. The sluggish market for home sellers. Increasing scrutiny for those seeking a home mortgage loan. The threat of foreclosures. Escalating unemployment.
And that's not even mentioning what happened when my beloved Chicago Cubs were swept out of the National League Playoffs in October! Much bad news indeed!
Well, as many of you know, 2009 on the North Side of Chicago got started on a much-anticipated positive note, here at Wrigley Field, about a couple of miles away from our Real Estate Office in the Lincoln Square Neighborhood.
Earlier today, there was a historic NHL Hockey Game here in Chicago - The 2009 Winter Classic - between arch-rivals the Detroit Red Wings, and our own Chicago Blackhawks, outside, at Wrigley Field, of all places! And . . . I got to see it!
Naah . . . I didn't get to go inside the ballpark, you dogs! You all know they don't allow Little White Dogs inside Wrigley - summer or winter. And, beside, the $350 price for a prime ticket scared me off a bit.
But I did watch the entire game, including incredible pre-game and post-game festivities, from my favorite watering hole, just a few doors north of the ole' ballpark. (Don't get the wrong idea - I only drank WATER! Can you imagine how much I would pee if they served me beer?)
What a show! Two of the Original Six NHL Teams! The old-time Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings hockey players! The vintage jerseys! The Regulation NHL Ice Rink, temporarily in place across the infield! The player introductions, beginning at home plate, extending up the first and third base lines! The fireworks, kids' skate, fake snow on the outfield, hockey scores on the old scoreboards, temporary Jumbotron Screens in the outfield!
The weather was cold, the breeze was strong - but those properly-dressed, most in Hockey Fan Attire - did OK. And, there was hockey attire representing the home Chicago Blackhawks and the visiting Detroit Red Wings. Many from The Motor City made their way down to Chicago for this highly-publicized game.
The game itself? Well, true to Chicago lore - not very good news if you're a Blackhawks fan, I am sorry to say. The Hawks ended up losing the game, 6-4. despite having the lead 3-1 early in the game!
But it was historic - NHL Hockey has only been played outside twice before - last New Year's Day in Buffalo NY, and once many years ago in Toronto ON. In fact, the sport of hockey has never been played at Wrigley Field, although, over the years, sports ranging from boxing, to ski jumping have been played here. Indeed, from the 1920's to 1970, Wrigley was home to the Chicago Bears!
And, even though I was a dog on the outside - it was a lot of fun!
Click for full game coverage in today's Chicago Tribune, including a recap by reporter Chris Kuc.
Next big event at Wrigley Field - Chicago Cubs Opening Day in April! Who wants to be there?
YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,
BUDDY HOLLY MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
