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Cubs Shouldn’t Miss Out On Air & Water Show

One date I immediately search when checking the Cubs upcoming season schedule is the third weekend in August. Sounds weird, I know, but that’s the weekend of Chicago’s annual Air & Water Show. Pair it with a weekend game at Wrigley Field and you double the fun.

I put the excitement right on par with that of a Bears, Bulls or Blackhawks playoff game. It’s thrilling. It’s memorable. It’s worth the price of admission, albeit weather permitting, of course.

Even though the fighter jets don’t buzz the ‘ol ballpark quiet like they use to (post 9-11), it’s still a tremendous vantage point to absorb the action in the air, and on the field, all at the same time.

In fact, for my money this is one of Chicago’s premier sporting events. Even if the Cubs are playing out of town you can always grab White Sox tickets and catch a slice of the air show from The Cell.

MLB, THROW US A BONE. TWO TEAMS, NEITHER PLAYING AT HOME?

Strangely, neither the Cubs or White Sox are playing at home this weekend. Granted, Wrigley Field did host the Under Armour All-American Game on Saturday. But with all due respect, that’s not exactly the same atmosphere.

A big league air show like Chicago’s should get a big league game, like the Cubs. Well, maybe not this year. But you get what I’m saying.

With two teams in Chicago MLB typically likes to schedule one team at home while the other is away. Even despite the air show, it makes little sense that neither team was in town this weekend.

WEATHER IS EVERYTHING

Much like baseball, the Air & Water Show is heavily weather dependent, and unfortunately, mother nature hasn’t been so cooperative the past several years.

With today being a beautiful and sunny 72-degrees, I jumped at the chance to take in the Blue Angels at North Avenue beach! I posted some video and pictures below.

CUBS PLAYING AT HOME DURING 2013 AIR & WATER SHOW?

The Cubs 2013 schedule isn’t due out for another few weeks. But keep it in mind to check out the third weekend in August. If MLB’s scheduling stays consistent with what’s been an every-other-year format of home and away series during the Air & Water Show, the Cubs will play a home series in 2013.

Here’s a bulleted recap of the past several seasons with the Cubs during the Air & Water Show.

• 2007 – The trifecta: Cubs vs. Cardinals, at Wrigley, during the Air Show! Damp, gloomy weather delays Saturday’s game, and part of the air show. The Cubs, however, eventually win 5-3 behind starter Sean Marshall. Ryan Dempster earns the save. Sunday is a complete washout. No baseball, no air show.
• 2008 – Cubs are on the road at Florida. Lou’s boys take 2-of-3 and improve to (76-48) with a 5.5 games lead in the NL Central. Back in Chicago the Air & Water Show is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary. The event is extended to three days beginning on Friday. Bill Murray and Gary Sinise parachute with the Army’s Golden Knights. It’s gorgeous weather all weekend in Chicago.
• 2009 – The Cubs are at home vs. Pittsburgh. Former Pirate, Tom Gorzelanny leads Chicago to a 2-1 victory. Kevin Gregg nails down the save. The weather stinks. Both events are rained out on Sunday.
• 2010 – Cubs vs. Cards, but this time it’s played in St. Louis. Chicago surprisingly wins both games. Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Vince Vaughn and his mother headline the Air & Water Show by parachuting down to North Avenue beach with the Golden Knights. Outstanding weather with the Cubs out of town. Go figure.
• 2011 – The trifecta returns. Cubs vs. Cards, at Wrigley, during the Air & Water Show! Cubs win one, lose one. Wouldn’t you know, the weather flares up delaying the Air Show into a ‘condensed’ performance.
• 2012 – Cubs are playing at Cincinnati this weekend. It’s a four-games series with a split double-header on Saturday. The first place Reds, sporting the best record in baseball since the All Star break, take 3-of-4 from the Cubs. Back in Chicago the Air & Water Show is a smash hit. Perfect weather on the lake front brings droves of spectators to the beach. The Blue Angels rock the house past the scheduled 3pm finale. Awesome!