By dvdmike (68.72.87.195) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 12:35 am:

Well, the Major League Baseball All-Star game is history, now. I was disappointed that the NL could not hold on to win, but what the hey. This town was live for the last few days. There were 6 home runs in the game and since I don't live all that far from U.S. Cellular Field, I can hear the exploding scoreboard from my apartment. Anaheim Angels outfielder Garret Anderson was named the game's MVP. This thread isn't music related, I just felt like talking a little baseball. Amy Grant sang "God Bless America" at the 7th inning stretch, though. So there was a little music. I don't however remember the name of the tastelessly attired woman who sang the national anthem. She wore a halter which she had to keep re-adjusting.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 12:19 pm:

I saw a little bit of the game... as a White Sox fan, I was glad to see that the American League's starter, Sox pitcher Esteban Loaiza, did well.

You must live in or near Bridgeport, dvdmike. I enjoy visiting that area. It's not Party Central like Wrigleyville; it's a solid Chicago neighborhood. The proximity to Chinatown is a plus too.

I haven't been to Sox Park since the remodeling. I hear it's much improved.

By dvdmike (68.23.176.181) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 06:34 pm:

I'm from Hyde Park. Hyde Park is about 20 minutes southeast of the park. Bridgeport is still not exactly one of the more "tolerant" areas in Chicago if you catch my drift, but it's improving. I've been to one game this year and they spent some big bucks on the remodeling and they did a fantastic job. It was known as arguably the worst of the newer stadiums, but no more.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 01:40 pm:

Cool, I like Hyde Park too. Great neighborhood.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 01:41 pm:

Hey, what's the latest on the Checkerboard, do you know?

By dvdmike (68.72.173.176) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 03:20 pm:

The word is that the Checkerboard may be moving into the building that used to house the Women's Workout World on 52nd & Harper. Nice location. Harper Square is right there and there are lots of restaurants surrounding the spot including Dixie Kitchen, Mellow Yellow, etc.

By Margie (67.126.160.94) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 03:51 pm:

Call me ignorant or whatever, but is U.S. Cellular just a rename of Komisky (<--sp) Park? I'm not that big of a baseball fan, but since I live in So. California, I do like Garrett Anderson. I also enjoyed watching Ichiro Suzuki - he's always fun to watch.

Margie

By dvdmike (68.72.173.176) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 04:46 pm:

Yes Margie, U.S. Cellular gave the White Sox 20 million dollars and in return, they changed the name from Comiskey Park to U.S. Cellular Field. I really hate stuff like that. Since I live in Chicago, I have the pleasure of watching both Sammy Sosa and Magglio Ordonez.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 04:49 pm:

Margie,
The site of Comisky Park is across from the new stadium. How I hate the names of some of these new stadiums.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 05:22 pm:

dvdmike, naming rights are unfortunately a sign of our times. To Sox fans, Comiskey/U.S. Cellular will always just be "Sox Park."

Of course, Wrigley Field is also named for a corporation, one that doesn't even have to pay the Cubs' owners, the Tribune Company, for naming rights. The Wrigley Gum Company gets that advertising for free...

And here in Detroit we have Comerica Park... another example. The worst, in my opinion, though, is Network Associates Coliseum, where the Oakland A's play.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 05:23 pm:

That's good news about the Checkerboard. That was always my favorite blues bar... "bar" none.

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 05:31 pm:

I wonder if Chuck and Dorothy are rolling over in their graves? Bill's probably laughing.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 06:13 pm:

Veeck probably IS laughing, somewhere.

There are those who would argue that Charles Comiskey was no saint, and that his actions were in large part responsible for the 1919 scandal and no White Sox pennant during the 40-year period after that. They would say that Comiskey doesn't deserve to have a ballpark named for him (especially since the family hasn't owned the White Sox in decades), or to be in the Hall of Fame.

I don't think that the majority of Sox fans hold the memory of Charles Comiskey in high esteem.

By dvdmike (68.72.173.176) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 08:12 pm:

Wrigley Field was erected in 1914 and was originally named Weeghman Park. The name was changed to Wrigley Field in 1926 when the Wrigleys of chewing gum fame bought the Chicago Cubs. That, I have no problem with, but these other ones...........

By Margie (68.164.148.55) on Sunday, July 20, 2003 - 12:04 am:

Fury13,

I know what you mean about park/stadium names. The Anaheim Angels now play at Edison Field, which used to be the Big A. Of couse, they used to be the California Angels.

In the 1960's Jack Kent Cooke build "The Fabulour Forum" for the LA Lakers. In the '80's it became The Great Western Forum. To us locals, it's The Forum.

I should add, that I like Sammy Sosa too. Ok, one time at bat he picked up his practice bat - at the time I thought Innocent until proven guilty, and he was proved innocent. Now, I think the Kobe Bryant thing will make people forget about the corked bat....

Margie

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 10:59 am:

YOU THINK THOSE ARE BAD?WHAT ABOUT THE NEW BUNNY RABBITS STADIUM IN SAN FRANCISCO[LETTUCE LEAF CARROT STICK PARK]?HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!!!

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 12:13 pm:

Stu....
.....isn't talk about Angels your department?

Margie....
....and before that, the Los Angeles Angels, playing a year or two in Wrigley Field (LA) before moving to the then named Chevez Ravine.

By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 12:15 pm:

RIGHT DOUG!!!...AND CALIFORNIA'S "ANGELS"...AS WELL AS "STUBASS ANGELS"...ARE *BOTH* WORLDS CHAMPIONS!!!...STUBASS