Read Ultimate Baseball Road Trip Online
Authors: Josh Pahigian,Kevin O’Connell
Ultimate Baseball Road Trip (83 page)
Armour Square Park to the north of the old ballpark was the supposed landing site of a ball Jimmie Foxx knocked completely out of old Comiskey in 1932. Today, the park is a good place to have a catch before the game as it
sits right next to Lot B. The park was established in 1904 and the Sox are working with the city to spruce up the grounds.
Just to the left of the Gate 4 ticket window, vines of ivy grow on the side of U.S. Cellular Field. This location used to be just across the street from old Comiskey, and there used to be a bar here called McCuddy’s, an infamous joint where legend had it Babe Ruth used to go between innings to toss back beers when the Yankees were in Chicago. It’s a romantic image, isn’t it? Imagine how well “the Sultan” could have swatted if he’d played the game sober. Then again, perhaps he hit better after a few belts. Kevin plays pool better, as long as he’s well within the “beer window,” a sliding scale of beers where improvement is noticeable within its confines. Before or after, well, that’s another story.
American Giants
Schorling’s Park was also the home of Rube Foster’s American Giants—Negro League World Series champs in 1926 and 1927. Andrew “Rube” Foster was the father of the Negro Leagues who as a pitcher won fifty-one games himself during the 1902 season with the Chicago Union Giants. He posted an unimaginable 54–1 record in 1903 with the Cuban X-Giants. Prior to forming the Negro National League, his American Giants won every championship from 1910 to 1920. He excelled as player, manager, and league administrator before suffering a nervous breakdown and dying in 1930. He was named to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.
Chicago was also home to many other Negro League teams, including the Columbia Giants, Leland Giants, Unions, Union Giants, Lelands, and, of course, the Chicago Giants. For complete information on the teams of the Negro Leagues, we recommend
The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues,
by James A. Riley.
600 W. 35th St.
This memorabilia shop features more White Sox gear than we found anywhere else, including inside the park. They have street signs bearing players’ names (Frank Thomas Way, Paul Konerko Boulevard) as well as autographed balls and shirts, old packs of baseball cards to fill out your collection, and more. Kevin was excited to find a Ken Griffey Jr. uniform, from his days as a Mariner.
BEER GARDEN TBD
Outside Gate 5 there now stands a wonderful Beer Garden called, curiously enough TBD’s. No really, that’s the name. You don’t need a game ticket to get in, and they serve beer, wine, and soft drinks. Plus, the place is open well before and after the game. It’s all part of the effort to improve the ballpark neighborhood and adds a much needed point of interest outside the park and place to meet up with people before the game.
Continuing their efforts to offer some kind of experience outside the ballpark, the Sox have opened up a full restaurant outside Gate 5 to go along with their beer garden that never really got a name.
Josh:
Unfortunately, the restaurant never got a real name either.
Kevin:
They could have called it “Cuervo at the Yard.”
Josh:
Or how about “Jack Daniel’s at the Dium”?
Kevin:
What’ s the Dium?
Josh:
Hello? Stadium.
Despite the name, Bacardi At The Park is operated by the Gibson restaurant group, and offers a very nice selection of burgers, brisket and pulled pork. They’ve kept prices reasonable and are by far the best close option outside the ballpark. There’s great Chicago sports décor in the joint. We recommend getting a mojito or rum drink of your choice and diving into the smokehouse maple chicken wings and smoked corn on the cob with barbecue butter. Then head for the meat of your choice. You really can’t go wrong.
Josh:
Mmm. Barbecue butter.
Kevin:
No, Joe. This ain’t heaven, it’s Chicago.
3501 South Union Ave.
After almost a decade of trying, we still have yet to figure out the Irish hot dog connection that is famous in Chicago. But you still gotta hit O’Malley’s before the game for a charred Vienna beef dog that is as good as it sounds. Also the joint has four green seats from the old Comiskey out front that patrons can use while they eat. In this town, dogs come loaded with pickles, tomato, relish, kraut, and more if you ask for it, but never ketchup. O’Malley’s also serves Italian beef, and an assortment of other treats sure to raise your cholesterol.
Josh:
I’m putting ketchup on. Convention be damned.
Kevin:
Dare to dream, Josh. Dare to dream.
3714 S. Halsted St.
Schaller’s is a great place to “get pumped” before the game. It’s the pub with the longest history of supporting the Sox, dating from 1881. It’s also a great place for cheap pregame grubbing. The name stems from prohibition, where a local brewery pumped their beer to the speakeasy located on the site. Access was given only to those approved through a keyhole. Inside today you’ll find friendly people, a smoky atmosphere, and cheap beers served in the can. The bar feels like an American Legion bar, with aged regulars downing Old Style. Schaller’s was a favored haunt of Mayor Daley the elder, a famous fan of Bridgeport and the White Sox. Remember to bring cash, because no credit cards are accepted.
3258 S. Princeton Ave.
A short walk across Armour Park will land you in the vicinity of the Cork and Kerry, in the spot where Jimbo’s used to be. The menu is broken down into “home” and “away” team offerings. On the
home
side you’ll find reasonably priced standard pub fare, burgers and sandwiches. But the
away
side features offerings themed toward the team visiting the South Side nine. If Seattle’s in town, you might see grilled salmon; when Boston visits, you might find a lobster roll.
514 W. Pershing Rd.
If you’re in the mood for a nice meal, Cobblestone’s is a pregame option. Along with a diverse menu that includes muffulettas (New Orleans style sandwiches), pasta and sauces, steaks, and seafood, this place offers free Sox game parking for parties who spend at least $20 on dinner. It’s a mile or so walk to the ballpark, but Cobblestone’s food, drink, and parking make it worth the effort.
www.mitchellstap.net/Homepage.html
3356 S. Halsted St.
What was once Puffer’s neighborhood bar is now Mitchell’s Tap. It still has the open-air windows and a long wooden bar. While we were disappointed that they wouldn’t let Kevin in with his baseball hat around backwards, we approve and can recommend this place.
Kevin:
We mistakenly called this place Huffer’s the first time around. It was Puffer’s.
Josh:
You think that had anything to do with its demise?
Kevin:
I do believe that would be overstating our influence.
3201 S. Normal Ave.
Look for the baseball diamond on the awning. Inside, a square bar offers limited seating. This is a “drink ’em while you stand and don’t talk to anyone” kind of place. Plan on spending about as much time here as Aparicio or Podsednik used to spend at first base.
411 West 31st St.
While you can expect good dogs from this longtime Chicago vendor, their specialty is the pork chop sandwich. Loaded with grilled onions, mustard, and served dripping with grease, this sandwich is a Chicago original, though Kevin claims he’s sampled them in Butte, Montana, as well.
1140 N. Ashland
After the game why not try a burrito that is as big as your head, and tasty too? La Pasadita is open until 3 a.m., so after the bars close this is a solid choice.
Kevin:
We were told these burritos would help allay the inevitable next-day hangover.
Josh:
How’s that working for you?
Kevin:
Can’t tell if it’s working, or if I’m in the middle of a burrito hangover.
Josh:
You’re still well within your “burrito window” my friend.
TUFANO’S VERNON PARK TAP
1073 W. Vernon Park Place
A good Italian restaurant with a liquor license to boot! It’s not really a White Sox place but it is a quality Italian place to eat close by the park.
Josh:
This place was featured on that show, you know with the guy with the spiky white hair who drives around to all those diners and drive-ins?
Kevin:
Yeah, we thought of that first.
Josh:
We should have a ballpark road trip reality show.
Kevin:
Hey E! Are you reading this?
633 N. Wells
Not only is this town divided over its baseball loyalties, there’s also a pizza war between deep dish and stuffed, both Chicago originals. Though the battle lines are a bit less clear, we suggest you try them both. Geno’s East is a great place for deep dish. But only go to the original location. For stuffed, head to the North Side and the North Side team’s chapter of the book.
670 N. Michigan Ave., Other Locations
Sure it’s a touristy thing to do and you’re going to be standing in line with a bunch of blue hairs with cameras hanging from their necks and with short pants exposing their aged spotted legs. But this here is some good corn.
518 W. Harrison
http://haroldschickenshack45.com/
Why not have some chicken where President Obama and Dwyane Wade used to eat? The fried chicken at Harold’s is something else, and the people-watching, especially after dark, is even better than the eats.
1079 W. Taylor
“You gotta’ try Al’s Italian beef over dere by Taylor Street,” our friend Jim told us. Italian dipped-beef sandwiches are something to see. Italian beef is a hot steak sandwich drowned in au jus. The bread soaks up the juice turning the whole thing into one big sloppy delicious mess.
As stated, U.S. Cellular Field started out as no small disappointment to White Sox fans, despite attempts to bring over much of the character of the old park. But the Sox have been diligently working on the situation. The addition of the new roof and the glass windows to cover the concrete seating bowl make the place look almost, dare we say it?, Yankee Stadium-esque. This place has improved greatly and there is more going on here than at most parks, so take some time to walk around and see the many sights.
A GRAND ENTRANCE
Upon entering the park on the first level, you will notice that the ballpark designers attempted to recreate the facade at old Comiskey with elegant glass windows. While the old park was done in brick, these windows are about as regal as you can get when a precast colored concrete frontage is used in imitation. Banners commemorate great White Sox players as well as other star players from baseball’s glory days, providing some of the game’s more famous quotes.
Grinder (Ball) Rules!
There are hundreds of official, or maybe we should say “unofficial” Grinder Rules posted at The Cell. This vestige of the Ozzie Guillen Era makes for a great ballpark experience even if Ozzie has since taken his act to Miami, where he took over as manager in 2012. Some of our favorites are:
- Win, or die trying
. - Every pitch is full count. Every inning, the ninth. Every game, game seven.
- Be a man. Play like a boy
. - Ixnay on talkin’ about the ayoffsplay
. - When attending a Chicago White Sox game, don’t blink
. - Pitch. Hit. Win. Repeat
. - Crying in baseball is acceptable only if champagne burns your eyes
. - Taste victory and be hungry forever
. - Respect the past, people that are shoeless, and anyone named Joe.
- In the unlikely event an opposing player turns a lucky swing into a home run here at U.S. Cellular Field—home of the White Sox—and an unsuspecting fan catches said ball, he or she should NOT throw the ball back onto the field of play.
But perhaps our favorite is:
- Hoist the city up on your shoulders. It’ll return the favor
.
There are hundreds of Grinder Rules that can be found on Facebook and other Internet sources, but looking for them at The Cell is more fun.
Entering at street level we had to use an escalator to get to the first concourse. Talk about instantly dismissing the mystique of the old park. Why couldn’t they have dug down below street level so fans could enter at the same level as the first concourse?