Wednesday, September 28, 2005

And the rains came..

As I look out at the blue "L" flag that waves over the centerfield bleachers, it seems that today's rain-soaked loss was actually a fitting end to the Cubs' home season at Wrigley Field. Trailing 3-2 in the ninth inning, the Cubs managed to load the bases but couldn't squeeze in a single run and lost the final home game of the 2005 season.

The Cub fans, thousands of whom joined yours truly in their seats despite the pouring rain, gave a collective sigh as yet another disappointing season nears its close.

This game was especially indicative of the inconsistent Cubs season; Mark Prior, one of our aces, hit one batter and walked two more to load the bases in the first inning (but miraculously emerged unscored upon); Derrek Lee, our top hitter, could not take advantage of the wind blowing out to center field and went homerless; Nomar Garciaparra, the former Red Sox icon and our substitute third baseman, threw away a routine groundball, giving away a run.

The only highlights for me were 1) the Wrigley Field groundscrew sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the seventh inning and 2) rookie pitcher Roberto Novoa was hazed by his teammates and appeared from the postgame locker room dressed in the white and gold robes and high hat of the pope!

It's hard to explain...this end-of-season sadness. Of course, it isn't nearly as shattering as in
2003 when the Cubs were in the playoffs. That year, it was exciting, thrilling...and heartbreaking.

The pieces never quite fit the puzzle for this year's team, so not qualifying for post-season isn't as disappointing as in 03. This feeling, this my-friends-are-all-going-on-vacation-without-me has become an annual melancholy for me. So much of my summertime fun is tied into days and nights at Wrigley Field.

For so many years now, I've watched the ivy turn from April's dead brown vines to thick, lush green in June and (in that magic/tragic season of 03) to October's red! Watching the grounds crew draw the foul lines on the field and the batter's box the old-fashioned way - -no automatic anything here! Hearing Wayne Messmer sing the national anthem (can we make a Wrigleyville home-rule law that states that no one else can sing it?)

And, of course, Wrigley Field would not be the same without the people who work there. The people who have become my 6-months-a-year friends. The security guards (with whom I've PROMISED to have a beer in the off-season), the ticket sellers, the beer guys (one of whom bought ME a beer today!) and of course, my favorite employee, my adopted Cubs grandma who works behind home plate. It's always hard to say goodbye to her, as she's in her mid-80s now and I always leave with the fear that next spring will start without her.

Well, my boys go to Houston now, to try to spoil the Astros' post-season hopes. And on Monday, they pack up and go home, wherever that may be. They scatter to the wind and in the spring, some will be back and some won't.

Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in February 2006. I'll be there in March.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Me and Rudolph

Looking down at my polka dot tennis shoes (which I call my "Island of Misfit Toys shoes"), I remembered the story of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. Me and Rudy, we have a lot in common. We both want to be accepted and loved for who we are, not who people think we should be.

Allow me to explain...

Teddy Bear and I went out to dinner two nights in a row, both times to restaurants of my choice because his choice was not open. The first night, I fixed my hair the same way it was when he first saw me (a few hours earlier...hot day..needed a shower) and dressed nicely but not too fancy.

We had a nice time and he told me TONS about himself and his coworkers. The former sports writer in me was thrilled! He also told me several times how surprised he was about our meeting; he usually leaves work early and this time he stayed late; he'd never seen me at the game until that day; he usually eats at the park and didn't this time (the reason for our dinner). He was so pleasantly surprised that I called.

After talking to me for about an hour, he asked if I might be able to join him at a charity event that the Cubs were having in November. (Okay, he's planning a date 2 months in advance?!?!)

He wanted to go out again the next night and even offered to pick me up from work! (no thanks)

The next night, I wore my hair as I normally do with a bit of wave in it and I'll have to admit that I wasn't as dressed up as the first night. (Probably because I'd already decided that this relationship wasn't going anywhere).

I got into his car and he immediately asked if I cut my hair.
No.
But it looks a lot shorter.
That's because it's a bit wavy, but no I didn't cut it.
Really?
Yes.

I noticed that he was dressed nicer than I was. I apologized for not being so dressed up (but, jeez, it was a Monday night!). I told him I didn't want him to have to wait for me.
I hate being late.
That's okay, I would've waited.

(Does that mean that I should've dressed better? Or that he's not impatient? Or that he expected me to be more high-maintenance?)

Whatever, it was a nice evening. Well, as nice as it can be with a man with whom I'll have no future.

He mentioned that he has some friends coming into town over the weekend. I wasn't invited to join them. Kinda strange since he was already inviting me to a public event in November.

Anyway, I ran into him on Friday (did I mention that he lives in the building next door?) He said he'd call me later.

Friday night comes and goes. No call. Saturday comes and goes. No call. Went to both Cubs games and he saw me both times.

Sunday, I go to the Cubs game with Firecracker and as she and I are chatting with Security Guy after the game, Teddy Bear pulls up and chats with SG. (That's good because I pretended to be very involved airing out my umbrella and not seeing him.)

After TB drives away, SG (who originally set me up with TB) said that he told Teddy Bear how he's making SG look bad by not calling me. TB comes back with something about telling me he had friends in town. (Great! Now I look needy!)

Since we've only been out twice, we can't be expected to know each other's signals. When he says "later," that must mean later this week or next week or next lifetime. Who's to know?

I guess it doesn't really matter since I was planning to let this whole thing die a natural death in the off-season. And besides that, he seems to want me to fit this mold of the player's wife/girlfriend. Dressy outfits to baseball games, perfect long blond hair (in a rain delay??), always smiling and laughing (after a one-run loss?). Or maybe I'm just imagining that last one. I don't know.

I really don't think he'd dig the "Island of Misfit Toys shoes."