Game #36 Cubs v. Diamondbacks 7/14/2012

Angela and I were supposed to go to a wedding this day, which is why we are all dressed up. We were just going to greet the players. I always try to go to a baseball game on July 14, because it's Robin Ventura's birthday.

Unfortunately, we had car issues and we didn't go to the wedding. But we still had a fine time at Wrigs.

Here I am with Blake Parker.

Oh look. It's Rizzzzzzo.

Rafael Dolis

Darwin came over because I had a letter for him, and all the kids benefitted.

Tony Campana

I had written a song for Steve Clevenger called "Fear of the Clev" and I sung it to him to the tune of "Eye of the Tiger."

Then he gave us his batting gloves.

Hello, Matt Garza!

Fun with gloves.

After the game, the Kim and David DeJesus family had a fundraiser for ALS. These two are tireless in their commitment to the community. I have been interested in ALS since reading a book on Lou Gehrig when I was a kid. There were several people with ALS at the game.

How do you not smile when you see this kid?

With Dempster on the mound, we were hopeful.

Jay Cutler was there for the first pitch.

I love this photo. Even though Steve is clearly more talented than Soto, he was always humble and said Geo was his mentor and his favorite guy on the club.

JoJo

Spit

Here's Magic Ryan. He was outstanding.

The game was pretty quiet until the bottom of the third when Valbuena singled.

Dempster sacrificed, moving Valbuena to second.

Then Reed Johnson reached on a bunt single, moving Valbuena to third.

Starlin grounded into a fielder's choice, driving in Valbuena.

Ryan Dempster ended the day by extending his scoreless streak to 33 innings. Check out that ERA!

Paul Goldschmidt doubled in the top of the fourth, but he stayed there.

Here's a darling baby.

In the bottom of the fourth, Fonsi singled.

Then he advanced to second on a wild pitch.

Darwin doubled to drive him home.

Then Valbuena singled to drive Barney home.

Cubs were up 3-0.

Lester is also fan friendly.

Starlin did a good job not making an error here on this Aaron Hill fly.

Bullpen boys:

Scott Maine

James Russell

In the bottom of the fifth, Reed Johnson doubled.

Reed advanced to third on a Starlin fly.

He was left on base. Meanwhile, this guy tried to flirt.

And this baby was adorable.

In the top of the sixth Goldschmidt popped out to Darwin.

In the bottom of the sixth, Jeff Baker was safe at second on an error by Stephen Drew.

Geovany singled, moving Baker to third. Darwin grounded into a double play next, but Baker scored. 4-0 Cubs.

James Russell came out to pitch the seventh. Chris Young hit a home run, and then it was 4-1 Cubs.

Jay Cutler sang the stretch.

Castro walked in the 7th

Castro advanced to second on a wild pitch.

Rizzo singled, and Starlin was thrown out trying to make it home.

This guy was a riot!

David DeJesus is in the game now in center field and Reed Johnson is in right for the eighth.

We are still enjoying our gloves.

Shawn Camp is in the game now for the eighth inning.

Justin Upton walked but that was it.

LaHomer batted for Shawn Camp, but grounded out.

Then, just to play with my heart, they brought Carlos Marmol in to close. Stephen Drew doubled, then Chris Young walked.

We believed in the power of the glove. It worked.

Cubs won, 4-1.

After the game, Ryan Dempster signed for fans. We never knew when he would be traded but we were pretty sure it would happen.

 All of my photos from this day can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150957017613786.422796.511233785&type=3