Visalia SS Chris Owings snags a linedrive during BP

San Jose SP Justin Shumer starts warmups wit C Andrew Susac

San Jose pitching coach and funniest guy around, Steve Kline

Shumer warms up with Steve Kline looking on

Shumer and Susac go over the game plan before the start of the game

Basehit for San Jose SS Joe Panik…

…and then a steal

San Jose SP Justin Shumer

Shumer looks to 1B with Ricky Oropesa holding the runner on

San Jose IF Carter Jurica waits to catch a pop up

San Jose OF Devin Harris

Visalia SP Andrew Chafin

San Jose Skipper Andy Skeels

Justin Shumer

San Jose 1B Ricky Oropesa

Couple of favorite between inning entertainment like Smash For Cash and Horse Races

San Jose OF Chris Lofton with an infield hit

Andrew Susac is an OBP machine

Susac chats with substitute 1B coach, OF Jarrett Parker

Susac

Oropesa…

… with a basehit

San Jose Giants mascot Gigante

Joe Panik avoids getting caught stealing

After checking into our hotel, the Magnificent Mile was the first stop.

On our way to the Navy Pier, I could see Shepard Fairey has been here, too.

Our hotel was situated pretty close to the inlet to the Chicago River. Here, the Wrigley Building stands next to it.

Formerly the Sears Tower, the Willis Tower have these amazing glass boxes that stick out of the building, 103 stories up, to give you a literal clear view beneath your feet. Thunderstorms were expected that morning, but luckily it cleared up enough to see below.

In the Loop

After that we headed down the street to Grant Park to partake in the Taste of Chicago. Good times and good food from around the city. Break time at the Buckingham Fountain. I hear Frank Sinatra singing in my head, every time I see this:

Dinnertime called for the Signature on the 95th Floor of the John Hancock Tower.

A view from our table

The food was just good, too.

Game day morning called for breakfast at the original Billy Goat Tavern. Putting a little juju on the Cubs was on my mind when we stepped in here. We just loved the atmosphere in this place. Don’t ever ask for a Pepsi in this place.

Architecture river tour was next, but I don’t think you all want to see a bunch of pictures consisting of buildings. Although, I did like these particular ones that looked like corncobs, Marina City

There was a doubleheader at Wrigley Field that day, and the place was rocking with fans, Cubs and Giants fans alike. Wrigley has that neighborhood ballpark feel to it. It was pretty close to Fenway Park, in terms of baseball nostalgia

Barry Zito warming up

The cool thing about getting off the Red Line from Wrigley is our stop was right next to the Chicago Theater.

I couldn’t help to get another shot of the “Bean”, this time at night.

Finally, the night ended with a great view from our hotel room. Chicago was pretty fun.