My buddy Rob was kind enough to offer me a ticket to join him and two other friends to sit in the first row “dugout box” seats in between home plate and the visitors’ dugout last night. It was the closest I’ve ever been to the action at a major-league baseball game. I shot two rolls of film (you remember film, don’t you?) and once I’ve got prints I’ll scan a few and make them available here.

It’s a real shame the game itself was such a travesty for the Cubs, who lost 8-3. Maddux gave up three two-run homers and that was all she wrote. The Cubs are now tied for the wild card with the Giants, and the Astros trail by only a half game. They must win these next two games against the Reds to have any hope.

UPDATE: I had multiple offers for free tickets to the final two day games against the Reds. I couldn’t afford the time away from work, unfortunately. But after another (What’s the appropriate word here? Let’s try …) disgusting loss today and perhaps more of the same in store tomorrow, I’m glad I had to beg off.

So too, I think, are the folks who clean up the stands after the game. As my brain would have doubtless exploded after LaTroy Hawkins blew another lead with two outs in the ninth inning, they’d have had some messy work to do. See? it worked out best for everybody.

UPDATE II: Here are some photos Rob took at the game.