Crunch Time

Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening. When this blog started last year, it was my intent to use it as an avenue to elaborate on my thoughts, share stories, or give you insight you might not otherwise receive. I kept it going for six months or so, slowed it down a bit, then slowed it down some more, and then ultimately it was rarely updated with free-flowing thoughts. I want that to change.

With the injection of new energy (our new interns) and a routine established for the rigors of calling Loons baseball and hosting a 4-6 radio show, we are bringing 'Crunch Time Online' back as a home for you to check out unique content. At the very least, I plan on writing more...

This past weekend I made a sports pilgrammage to Chicago's Wrigley Field. After the Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame Dinner Friday evening, I hopped into a car and drove from Novi to the Windy City, arriving at approximately 3 a.m.. Early on in the drive I spoke to a friend to help keep me going and he mentioned one of our close mutual friends was in Chicago for his sister's graduation from law school. I hadn't seen him since our own graduation two years earlier and I was energized at the hope of seeing him. He waited up until my arrival to spend five minutes chatting before he had to go pack--and not sleep--for his 6 a.m. flight that very morning. Nonetheless, great start to my Illinois cameo. I then got to another friend's apartment at 3:45 a.m., slept a few hours, woke up, ran, showered, and by 10:15 a.m. we were out the door ready to go to ballpark.

I was giddy from the moment we stepped on the red line, taking pictures of everything like a total tourist. Hopping off at Addison and looking through every available crack to get a glimpse of Wrigley, I was so thankful that the 12:05 p.m. first pitch eliminated a lot of the angst. The scene around Wrigley is dynamic--it is the place to be whether you have a ticket or not with the Wrigleyville experience and the bars that attract seemingly the whole North side.

After snapping picture after picture, I requested a quick stop into one of the team stores, browsing large collection of items they had for purchase--I'd guess 2x more than any other team store other than an unofficial Yankees store I browsed once. It was tough to settle on a shirt and I didn't want a total 'Cubs fan' type shirt because, well, I am not. But I wanted a shirt that helped identify my presence at a sports landmark. I eventually settled on the one below and, true to my own shopping history, I probably won't wear it more than once or twice in the next decade but, whatever. I also got the oldest of my two young nephews a Cubs mini-bat. I used to collect those and he has a fascination with my collection so, one day, I am going to hand it all to him.



With the famed general admission bleacher seats, I was able to really get the Wrigley experience.



Though I had just one beer (I departed for Michigan immediately after the game--I will go back when that is not the case, trust me), I had chicago-style dog, two slices of famous D'Agostino's deep dish, and the jumbo helmet nachos pictures below.

My job takes me to some tremendous places and events. I've crossed off a lot of these bucket list items and have found that I am now somewhat immune to what otherwise would have been jaw-dropping experiences, at times. At least, I am no longer starstruck and I don't let the magnitude of certain events hypnotize my mind. It's not that I don't appreciate them because I do, just in a more introverted way. Yet, I was giddy the whole time. I grew up turning on WGN to watch Cubs games when they played during the day after school like most kids. I loved Sammy Sosa before he became Sammy Sosa and Mark Grace before the DUIs. Going to Wrigley Field was one of the coolest sports experiences I have had the pleasure of enjoying and look forward to going back. I am not going to tell you why you will enjoy it, but I will tell you, in short, what makes it so special to me:

I love modern sports venues and am amazed with what they are now capable of featuring. But Wrigley Field is a reminder of what they lack and what money can't buy. Wrigley Field presented an incredible intimate feel, yet one full of energy and passion. With some aid from alcohol, the overall level of excitement and fervor is unrivaled. It isn't so much I am really intense because we have to win this game because my team is awesome and yours sucks as much as it was I am just so happy to be here because we are going to have a blast. Let's party. You swivel around and you notice the thousands of fans watching from atop the rooftops of buildings and apartments from foul pole to foul pole. With no video board and no sign of life existing outside of the game and Wrigley, it is as if the whole city is there and nothing else matters. There is no contamination of technology and you are able to have a pure feel of joy. From the train ride to the park to the singing of 'Go Cubs Go' after the win, it unites a city and brings out the best in what makes fandom and societal unity so special.

Baseball die-hard or novice, beer drinker or straight edge, happy or grumpy--it doesn't matter. Everyone has a blast at Wrigley Field. It's therapy for the unhappy, it's a party for the joyous, and overall, it's a celebration of life.

• Brad Klein from Golfweek discussed PGA and the world of golf.
• From the Detroit Free Press, Dave Birkett talked about Lions offseason moves/options.
• Red Wings game one recap and game two preview were given by Mlive's Ansar Khan.