One of my buddies who also gave up his season tickets in Aisle 424 this offseason sent me a message the other day:
“The Cubs still have tickets for the Friday game against the Yankees. Good seats. Interested in playing hooky from work and going?”
I thought it was interesting that there were tickets available for a series that Wally Hayward had assured us would not be available when single game tickets went on sale in February. The Cubs sold about 26,000 season tickets, then they had the advanced sale for people on the waiting list, then they packaged a 13-game pack around the “hot” series like the Yankees. As I mentioned back in January:
The unfortunate thing for the Cubs is that they had originally thought we would buy twelve lame tickets in order to see one good game, but it seems there was a slight miscalculation, and thus the Six Pack plans are born.
So they started selling those 6-Game Packs (thus insulting their best customers who had already bought the 13-pack), then they had the 20% reverse sale the day before the single game seats went for face. And they have had about four months of days where anybody could buy single game seats for any game at any time.
But, apparently Yankees seats are still available. After getting that message, I thought I’d check to see what sorts of seats were available. Not that I didn’t trust my friend’s definition of “good,” but I thought maybe he meant good like they weren’t directly behind a pole. So I went over to the Cubs website and looked for two seats for best available.
That’s not too bad. It’s not Aisle 424, but Upper Deck Box for a game that was supposed to be so unattainable is a pretty damn good find. So I got curious what else was available. I checked to see if I could get four together anywhere:
Huh… so I only have to move back one row if I want to have a group of four for this totally awesome clash between the leagues that has been hyped on billboards on the expressways for months. This is getting weird. I wonder if I could get 8 together. That would be an outing. Me and seven good buddies hanging at an elite event like this, that can’t be possible, right?
Well, we’d have to move a whole THREE rows back from where we were if there were only four of us. But let’s go all out and try to get the maximum number of seats possible that the Cubs website will allow. Let’s get NINETEEN tickets and see what happens.
Holy. Shit. Not only can I buy 19 seats to a Cubs/Yankees game at Wrigley less than a week before it happens, I can get 19 of the supposedly most popular seats the stadium has to offer! After all this time and effort, the Cubs aren’t even sold out in the bleachers?! It’s even Andrew Cashner Bobblehead Day! The arms fall off at the shoulder and everything! (Not really.) (As far as I know.)
How does Tom Ricketts walk around with a smile on his face? This is unbelievable. It’s like people KNEW Doug Davis was going to be starting this game. Mike Quade probably let the cat out of the bag about that back in January or something.
I know what you’re saying. “But Tim, it’s the Friday game. People work on Fridays. They can’t be flitting off all willy-nilly to Cubs games in the middle of the work week.”
OK, fair point. Let’s look at the other games.
On Saturday, I could not get anything more than two together. But the fact that I could even get two tickets to the most anticipated and hyped game in the entire season is pretty shocking. But check out where they are located:
The fucking BLEACHERS! On SATURDAY! Did I mention it was against the YANKEES?! And they are giving away a TOTE BAG. OK, that sucks, but the other stuff was supposed to sell these tickets instantaneously. That’s what Wally said and Wally would never lie about something like ticket demand would he?
What have we got for Sunday? Well, if we want 2:
If we want 4:
If we want 8:
Or if we want the full 19:
Pack your baloney sandwiches! We are heading to the bleachers!
So what the hell is going on here? My guess is the Cubs have just recently released all the tickets for this series they were holding aside to include in those 13 and 6-Pack ticket plans because they didn’t sell like they hoped.
So if you want to go to the Yankees series to watch the Cubs get absolutely pummeled or to potentially see Derek Jeter get his 3,000th hit, don’t buy from deluded people on StubHub:
There are already a few deals for below face on StubHub, and if nothing else, you can get them for face value from the Cubs.
See you at Wrigley! Or not!
Seriously, does that person really think they are getting $220 (each) for a pair of seats in amongst the spider webs and pigeon shit?
I must share this.
[quote name=Aisle424]My guess is the Cubs have just recently released all the tickets for this series they were holding aside[/quote]
I think this is correct. I sold my Sat and Sun tickets for well above face value on Stub Hub awhile back. They’re 2 seats in the 400 level. Unless people are total idiots, my guess is these seats weren’t available at the time.
Makes me wish I hadn’t paid full price for those bleachers seats for the Phillies game now. With my luck the Cubs and Phillies are going to fuck me by having Doug Davis pitch against their fifth-starter-du-jour.
Just did a quickie search on the internets and it looks like the Yankees series and the Sat game vs. the White Sox “sold out” on the day single game tickets went on sale. So, there must have been a significant number of tickets held back. The Cubs probably thought at the time that they could sell these through their ticket broker arm for eleventy-thousands $$$ each (dying laughing)
Well…that’s why my tickets haven’t sold for Sunday’s game.
I was hoping to make up for some of the money I’ve lost on games I’ve been unable to go to with that game Sunday. Not good.
^ Please tell me that’s not real.
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Just did a quickie search on the internets and it looks like the Yankees series and the Sat game vs. the White Sox “sold out” on the day single game tickets went on sale. So, there must have been a significant number of tickets held back. The Cubs probably thought at the time that they could sell these through their ticket broker arm for eleventy-thousands $$$ each (dying laughing)[/quote]
Yeah, I remember seeing those games “sold out.” I’d be curious to know just how many tickets are still available now that they’ve been released. There are tons of locations available for the Friday and Sunday games.
It’s just crazy.
[quote name=Aisle424]Yeah, I remember seeing those games “sold out.” I’d be curious to know just how many tickets are still available now that they’ve been released. There are tons of locations available for the Friday and Sunday games.
It’s just crazy.[/quote]I think all the tickets available for the six-pack and 13-pack offers were reserved for those purposes only in the hopes that they could help move tickets to the other games in the package. Obviously those packages had limited effectiveness.
[quote name=Rice Cube]^ Please tell me that’s not real.[/quote]
That’s not real.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]That’s not real.[/quote]
You sit on a throne of lies.
[quote name=Rice Cube]You sit on a throne of lies.[/quote]
Or not. It could go either way.
Rec’d by Alvin. (dying laughing) Yeah, nothing to do with it. That’s why they won so many titles with Dirk and Nash.
(dying laughing) “Don’t appreciate when someone points out that I’m wrong.”
Hey Alvin, they added the second definition because braindead faget morons like you never learned the real definition.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Rec’d by Alvin. (dying laughing) Yeah, nothing to do with it. That’s why they won so many titles with Dirk and Nash.[/quote]
Seriously? I swear most intelligent people realize that Mark Cuban was the reason why so many smart basketball people came into the organization and got good basketball players to play in Dallas etc.
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/6/11/2218841/peter-gammons-calls-wrigley-a-dump
That’s amazing there are still tickets for that series.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Seriously? I swear most intelligent people realize that Mark Cuban was the reason why so many smart basketball people came into the organization and got good basketball players to play in Dallas etc.[/quote]
Dirk and Nash were Mavs before Cuban bought the majority share, but both were being used incorrectly until Cuban bought the team.
But the main thing Cuban did was turn the Mavericks into a legitimate brand in DFW, and perhaps the rest of the country. I remember going to a game in the early 90s and being able to walk to the front row and hear the players talk on the other side of the court.
/cool story
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2011/06/miami_herald_runs_macys_ad_con.php
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
cuban had nothing to do with this either
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/30227/carlisle-pushed-all-of-the-right-buttons
[quote name=Berselius]
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2011/06/miami_herald_runs_macys_ad_con.php
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)[/quote]
They’re excited about the sale.
edit: I keep finding better images.
[quote name=mb21]That’s amazing there are still tickets for that series.[/quote]
I almost didn’t want to post this because it will probably result in additional sales since most people thought it was sold out and wouldn’t have bothered to check, but it really is shocking.
I thought they would have at least sold most of the Six Packs affiliated with this series. It appears the Saturday game is the only one where it worked at all and they still had extra tickets left.
[quote name=8volumesthick]cuban had nothing to do with this either
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/30227/carlisle-pushed-all-of-the-right-buttons/quote
I wonder why they axed (that’s fired, not questioned) Avery Johnson and hired Carlisle. I wonder why Ryno expected a more stat-oriented front office in CHC if Cuban had bought the team.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]I wonder why they axed (that’s fired, not questioned) Avery Johnson and hired Carlisle. I wonder why Ryno expected a more stat-oriented front office in CHC if Cuban had bought the team.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
[quote name=Jame Gumb]I wonder why they axed (that’s fired, not questioned) Avery Johnson and hired Carlisle. I wonder why Ryno expected a more stat-oriented front office in CHC if Cuban had bought the team.[/quote]
I wonder if Cuban would’ve outnegotiated the Tribune had he been allowed to be an owner. Guess that’s moot because the Ricketts would still have overbid.
[quote name=Rice Cube]I wonder if Cuban would’ve outnegotiated the Tribune had he been allowed to be an owner. Guess that’s moot because the Ricketts would still have overbid.[/quote]
From the sound of it, I doubt it. Despite his reckless image, he’s not been one to invest poorly.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]From the sound of it, I doubt it. Despite his reckless image, he’s not been one to invest poorly.[/quote]
Plus the Tribune probably knew they couldn’t fleece Cuban anyway.
[quote name=Berselius]
[/quote]
Fixed.
[quote name=Aisle424]I almost didn’t want to post this because it will probably result in additional sales since most people thought it was sold out and wouldn’t have bothered to check, but it really is shocking.
I thought they would have at least sold most of the Six Packs affiliated with this series. It appears the Saturday game is the only one where it worked at all and they still had extra tickets left.[/quote]I know past sales doesn’t mean the tickets were sold this far in advance, but on the same Friday last year the Cubs played the Angels at Wrigley and sold close to 40,000 tickets. I imagine the final sales will be up that high for this game too, but I’d bet anything that Angels game had fewer seats available at this point than the Yankees game does.
It’s not just surprising that Cubs fans haven’t bought the tickets, but equally surprising the Yankees fans haven’t either.
[quote name=mb21]
It’s not just surprising that Cubs fans haven’t bought the tickets, but equally surprising the Yankees fans haven’t either.[/quote]
the wrigley tickets are cheap comparatively.
[quote name=mb21]
It’s not just surprising that Cubs fans haven’t bought the tickets, but equally surprising the Yankees fans haven’t either.[/quote]
I’m betting they just released these tickets within the last couple of days. I’m sure Yankee fans didn’t want to buy 5 useless seats to other games for every seat they bought to this series.
I almost feel bad for the poor bastards who bought them at inflated prices on StubHub.
The disinterested debate continued…
It is fairly recent.
I’m using “intelligent”
…not because it’s correct, but because it describes Alvin — someone completely devoid of intelligence.
The Cubs won yesterday. Not because it’s correct, but because it describes the Cubs — a team incapable of winning.
[quote name=mb21]The Cubs won yesterday. Not because it’s correct, but because it describes the Cubs — a team incapable of winning.[/quote]
Oooh, an opposite meme!
[quote name=mb21]The Cubs won yesterday. Not because it’s correct, but because it describes the Cubs — a team incapable of winning.[/quote]
False. Not just because it defines your post — which may or may not be true (it could go either way).
[quote name=Jame Gumb]False.[/quote]It’s too early to know. I’ll wait.
[quote name=mb21]It’s too early too know. I’ll take a wait and see approach.[/quote].
[quote name=Jame Gumb]The disinterested debate continued…
I’m using “intelligent”
…not because it’s correct, but because it describes Alvin — someone completely devoid of intelligence.[/quote]
That is a human being you’re… wait you’re talking about Alvin… carry on.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Video-Minor-league-manager-climbs-outfield-fenc?urn=mlb-wp9370
Now I really like the Durham Bulls’ new ballpark, but that center field fence stupidity kind of irks me.
(dying laughing) @ that manager. What the fuck?
Wood —> DL officially official
[quote name=mb21](dying laughing) @ that manager. What the fuck?[/quote]
I think he was trying to find another baseball or something. It’s kind of smart of the CF to declare ground rule so quickly even though you couldn’t tell that the ball passed through the railing.
Jeter needs 7 hits in 4 games, otherwise 3000 is happening against the Cubs.
Via Bruce Miles:
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2011/06/12/in_an_overhaul_cubs_should_try_to_put_sox_on/
Interesting.
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]Jeter needs 7 hits in 4 games, otherwise 3000 is happening against the Cubs.[/quote]
Derek Jeter was one of the players that I’ve followed ever since he came into the majors, even before I really cared all that much about baseball. I think he’ll be cheered no matter where he gets hit #3000.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Derek Jeter was one of the players that I’ve followed ever since he came into the majors, even before I really cared all that much about baseball. I think he’ll be cheered no matter where he gets hit #3000.[/quote]
I think that’s definitely true. The way this season is going, I’m also fairly certain Jeter will get 3000 against the Cubs.
Interesting lineup against Randy Wolf:
Castro SS, Barney 2B, Baker RF, Ramirez 3B, Soto C, Montañez LF, LeMahieu 1B, Campana CF, Dempster P
At least the kids are playing (dying laughing)
I think the Cubs will sweep here, but only because the Brewers are the kind of team that would take first place and then get swept by the (2nd) worst team in their division.
Anyone got any good bars or restaurants in Nashville?
[quote name=Josh]I think the Cubs will sweep here, but only because the Brewers are the kind of team that would take first place and then get swept by the (2nd) worst team in their division.[/quote]
Hopefully on the back of several Aramis Ramirez walkoffs, so we can all reminisce about the epic 2008 sweep
[quote name=Mish]Anyone got any good bars or restaurants in Nashville?[/quote]
I think that might be a little far from Atlanta, Mish.
[quote name=Mish]Anyone got any good bars or restaurants in Nashville?[/quote]
A co-author of mine works at Oak Ridge and bitches all the time about how incredibly overrated Nashville’s bar scene is. He love country and especially bluegrass but says that almost all the musicians you get in those places are just crappy cover bands.
[quote name=Mish]Anyone got any good bars or restaurants in Nashville?[/quote]
Were I more aware of your itinerary I would’ve asked my friend who went to Vanderbilt to give you some suggestions.
Not that I’m your keeper or anything. How’d you get to Nashville so fast from ATL? (dying laughing)
Unless you flew, which makes more sense than going 200 mph on I-40.
[quote name=Rice Cube] LeMahieu 1B[/quote]
Awfully peculiar considering LeMahieu has never played first in professional baseball.
I’m road tripping from Miami to Chicago. Did Coca Cola tour, Centennial Park and Gladys Knight’sChicken and Waffles. On the road to Nashville now.
[quote name=Mish]I’m road tripping from Miami to Chicago. Did Coca Cola tour, Centennial Park and Gladys Knight’sChicken and Waffles. On the road to Nashville now.[/quote]
Have fun dude! Try not to get framed for murder in Alabama.
[quote name=Chris Dickerson]Awfully peculiar considering LeMahieu has never played first in professional baseball.[/quote]
Quade has correctly surmised in this case that anyone can play first base.
[quote name=Berselius]Hopefully on the back of several Aramis Ramirez walkoffs, so we can all reminisce about the epic 2008 sweep[/quote]Ramirez didn’t hit any walkoffs that series. That was in 2007 when the Cubs were 7.5 out. In 2008 the Brewers had closed the gap and come within a game of the Cubs before the 4-game set at Miller Park. If I recall, the game that Sabathia started was pretty close, but none of the others were. Not sure what order, but Zambrano, Harden, Dempster and Lilly all started in that series. That was a massacre. (dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]Ramirez didn’t hit any walkoffs that series. That was in 2007 when the Cubs were 7.5 out. In 2008 the Brewers had closed the gap and come within a game of the Cubs before the 4-game set at Miller Park. If I recall, the game that Sabathia started was pretty close, but none of the others were. Not sure what order, but Zambrano, Harden, Dempster and Lilly all started in that series. That was a massacre. (dying laughing)[/quote]
You are technically correct, which is the best kind of correct (dying laughing). I just associate Ramirez with killing the Brewers and assumed he did in that series too
Tim, if you’re going with a group of 19, I’m in.
[quote name=Berselius]You are correct, not because you are right, but because it best describes the accuracy of your comment — something completely devoid of facts.[/quote].
Tim, if you pay for my flight to Chicago and my ticket, a drink or two, maybe a shirt and a hat, I’m in.
[quote name=Mish]I’m road tripping from Miami to Chicago. Did Coca Cola tour, Centennial Park and Gladys Knight’sChicken and Waffles. On the road to Nashville now.[/quote]
For Food:
Prince’s hot chicken, Fat Mo’s Burgers, Any of the “meat and three” places, The Pancake Pantry, Rotier’s , Blackstone Brewery…
[quote name=Southside Phil]Tim, if you’re going with a group of 19, I’m in.[/quote]
OK, I just need to find 17 others.
[quote name=mb21]Tim, if you pay for my flight to Chicago and my ticket, a drink or two, maybe a shirt and a hat, I’m in.[/quote]
Buy your own damn hat.
Broadway is apparently not just for fagets anymore.
(dying laughing)
[quote name=Rice Cube]Quade has correctly surmised in this case that anyone can play first base.[/quote]In that case, wouldn’t it make more sense to pencil in someone who can hit?
[quote name=GW]Rotier’s[/quote]Hype = justified
[quote name=Aisle424]Buy your own damn hat.[/quote]OK. I’ll just not buy a hat. What time do I have to be at the airport?
[quote name=uncle dave]In that case, wouldn’t it make more sense to pencil in someone who can hit?[/quote]Yes, but this is the Cubs.
[quote name=mb21]Yes, but this is the Cubs.[/quote]
Correct.
[quote name=mb21]OK. I’ll just not buy a hat. What time do I have to be at the airport?[/quote]
7:00. Just bypass security. I arranged everything. If they try to stop you, just explain that you have special permission. The special password is: “underwear bomb.”
[quote name=uncle dave]In that case, wouldn’t it make more sense to pencil in someone who can hit?[/quote]
Baby steps.
[quote name=Aisle424]7:00. Just bypass security. I arranged everything. If they try to stop you, just explain that you have special permission. The special password is: “underwear bomb.”[/quote]You’re quite connected. I’m going to have to plan all my flights through you in the future.
[quote name=mb21]You’re quite connected. I’m going to have to plan all my flights through you in the future.[/quote]
I’ve been known to locate certain items from time to time.
[quote name=Aisle424]I’ve been known to locate certain items from time to time.[/quote]
Aisle424 —> Red from Shawshank?
I’m heavily hedging my bets on this series. I just picked up Randy Wolf and Casey Mcgehee to join LuCroy, Weeks, and Gallardo on my head-to-head fantasy team.
Either the Cubs will at least stand a chance, or I’m going to do well in fantasy.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Aisle424 —> Red from Shawshank?[/quote]
My inner monologue is narrated by Morgan Freeman.
[quote name=Aisle424]I’ve been known to locate certain items from time to time.[/quote]Can you get me a rock hammer and a poster of Rita Hayworth?
[quote name=Aisle424]I’m heavily hedging my bets on this series. I just picked up Randy Wolf and Casey Mcgehee to join LuCroy, Weeks, and Gallardo on my head-to-head fantasy team.
Either the Cubs will at least stand a chance, or I’m going to do well in fantasy.[/quote]A new series starts tonight? I couldn’t possibly know since I only know about upcoming series when berselius posts his series preview. Lazy bastard.
Jeter —-> hit #2994
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/06/cubs-will-be-able-to-spend-hendry-says.html
Oooh, new allowance.
[quote name=Rice Cube]http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/06/cubs-will-be-able-to-spend-hendry-says.html
Oooh, new gambit to try and boost ticket sales that are flagging more rapidly than Andy Rooney’s last erection.[/quote]
Fixed.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Fixed.[/quote]
Correct. Nice snark. I can’t argue with you today. Insert meme here.
[quote name=mb21]Can you get me a rock hammer and a poster of Rita Hayworth?[/quote]
If you get caught with the rock hammer, you don’t mention my name or we never do business again.
[quote name=Aisle424]If you get caught with the rock hammer, you don’t mention my name or we never do business again.[/quote]Jim Hendry thinks this “Rock Hammer” guy sounds like someone the Cubs should buy with all their newfound wealth.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Correct. Nice snark. I can’t argue with you today. Insert meme here.[/quote]
Nice, we’re getting too lazy for memes. We may have to re-brand as a Jack Benny blog yet.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Jim Hendry thinks this “Rock Hammer” guy sounds like someone the Cubs should buy with all their newfound wealth.[/quote]
He’s going to buy gay porn with all the Ricketts’ money?
[quote name=Aisle424]He’s going to buy gay porn with all the Ricketts’ money?[/quote]That, or crullers. So, probably crullers.
[quote name=Aisle424]Nice, we’re getting too lazy for memes. We may have to re-brand as a Jack Benny blog yet.[/quote]
I’m currently eating dinner but I’ll skip it tomorrow as penance.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Via Bruce Miles:
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2011/06/12/in_an_overhaul_cubs_should_try_to_put_sox_on/
Interesting.[/quote](dying laughing)
.
[quote name=Aisle424]Nice, we’re getting too lazy for memes. We may have to re-brand as a Jack Benny blog yet.[/quote]Suburban Kid would be thrilled.
[quote name=mb21]Suburban Kid would be disinterested.[/quote]
.
[quote name=mb21]Suburban Kid would be thrilled.[/quote]
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder] Suburban Kid would be unredisinterested.[/quote].
preview up http://www.obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/previews/series-preview-milwaukee-brewers-38-28-at-iowa-cubs-of-chicago-25-39.html
[quote name=mb21]That’s amazing there are still tickets for that series.[/quote]Good seats have been available for every home game this year; people knew this team was going to be shit before Spring Training started. I don’t think anyone thought it would get quite this bad, but nobody wants to spend good money to watch a shitty baseball team get it’s brains beat in.