Sort It Sadiq

Chicago Cubs 9 at St Louis Cardinals 1

Major League Baseball, National League

Saturday 24 June 2023

Chicago Cubs 5 at St Louis Cardinals 7

Major League Baseball, National League

Sunday 25 June 2023

Both games played at The London Stadium (you may know it as West Ham United's ground)

Let's set the scene. Those two games were what our American Cuz's would call Regular Season Games. They're not Exhibition Matches. Nor friendlies. Nor for a Made Up Trophy. They're proper, full on league games. Counting for where the teams will finish at the end of the season.

The Cubs had won 8-3 in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The Cardinals had lost 3-0 in Washington the same night. Yet, here they were on Saturday/Sunday playing in London. By fucking Tuesday, both teams were back in the US playing Home Games. Mad that.

This is the second time these MLB London Series games have come to London. The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees played two games way, way, way before COVID. And, next year, the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies come to London for two games. It's worth explaining that those games, each year, are traditional rivalries. Because of the historic structure of Major League Baseball, teams from the same city rarely used to play each other. (That has changed over recent years).

I've actually been to Chicago White Sox v Chicago Cubs (in Chicago). But, the Cubs traditional "local" rivals are the Cardinals. Go figure.

I had a long chat with my American neighbour in Block 238 in the stadium on Saturday about the long term aims. It takes a lot of effort, and money, to turn this football ground into a baseball park. Later in July, it'll become an Athletics Track. They even import clay & gravel from the States. Maybe there's a medium term aim to convert to Baseball as soon as West Ham have finished their season, and keep it like that until the Hammer's pre season. Maybe they could play games throughout June. Different teams relocating for three games, fucking off, and two more teams landing at Heathrow. But, for now, two games is what we get.

It is worth explaining that this is the biggest stadium MLB will be played in each season. 54,662 there on the Saturday. 55,565 on Sunday. My neighbour on Saturday was a native of Chicago. Born in a 'burb. Currently living in Brighton, Sussex, England. With his wife & four kids. The eldest of whom was sat with him. Both wearing baseball mitts to catch balls hit into the stands.

"Mate, you're in Row 49, of Block 238, in the biggest impromptu baseball park on Earth. Nothing is fucking coming up here."

Lifelong Cubs fan. Get this. First game he'd EVER attended live. Mad that.

Just under a year ago I was at MLB in Seattle, at the Mariners. Remember, I write a Beer Blog. At that time, I gleefully (gleefully I'm saying) reported that I fancied there were thirty fucking eight pukka American Independent Craft Beers on offer in the Ballpark.

London Stadium. June 2023. Nominal home ground of the St Louis Cardinals. Fewer than that I'm afraid. Get it sorted Sadiq Khan.

But. Fair play. An effort had been made. Amstel, Heineken and Moretti were widely available across a variety of bars. FFS. But, (as previously) Mondo Brewing, from SW8 in London, had also got the gig.

They kegged up with;

Mondo Brewing Co, MLB Series Pale, (Hazy) on Keg at 4.8%

I'm reading - Pale Malt, Wheat and Oats..Carapils added for body. Citra and Amarillo hops in the whirlpool. Dry hopped with Citra, Amarillo and Cascade. Fermented with a Vermont Ale yeast strain. To the best of my knowledge, that was only on three bars. One bar ONLY had this on. So, was gloriously unbusy. Not fettered with non-drinking Civilians queueing up for two foot long hotdogs and implausible nachos.

But, to actually find that bar, you needed Death In Paradise levels of detective skills to track it down. A cart, hidden behind a post.

2nd Shift Brewing (St Louis, MO) in Collab with Mondo Brewing, The Birds & The Bears, Tart Pale Ale on Keg at 4.5%

Not quite what I expected. And, I'm not sure what they were aiming for. It was quite tart. But, not really finished off with any fruit loops. To the best of my knowledge, that one was only on one bar. And, there were multiple snaking queues as punters waited for all manor of food based nutrients. As I got near the bartender's apron, a guy introduced himself as the Head of the Cardinals In Ground Catering Operation in St Louis. He'd decamped over to London to ensure that side of the day went well.

"Would you like to buy this Baseball Bat shaped plastic glass, and you can pour two cans of beer into it?"

"Nah, you're alright, mate."

Revolution Brewing Co (Chicago, IL) in Collab with Mondo Brewing, Pitch Clock, American IPA on Keg at 5.5%

Named after The Pitch Clock. Which has been introduced into MLB to speed up the game a bit. Basically a countdown clock for how quickly the next chuck must be chucked after the last chuck. To the best of my knowledge, this was only on one bar. Again, you had to join long queues amongst non-suppers. But, then, fuck me.

"Hi mate, two pints of that Pitch Clock please."

"Here you go, take this chitty to that other queue at the end, and queue again, when you get to the front, give the other guy this chitty and he'll give you your beers. Have a nice day."

"Whaaaaat?"

How the fuck have they come up with the convenient two fucking queues system? As I said to my American queue neighbour, when he queried what the fuck was going on.

"Welcome to England, bro."

But, a ticks a tick.

On Saturday, Cubs Left Fielder, Ian Happ, hit two left handed Home Runs in the Second and Third Innings off the Cardinals right handed starting pitcher, Adam Wainwright.

Later on, Ian Happ faced left handed Cardinals pitchers. So, having hit Home Runs left handed, he switched to batting right handed. You know, as you fucking do.

The Cubs were up Seven Zip by the end of the fourth innings. And, the Cards couldn't get back in from there.

I sang the traditional English, anti-consumerism, Version of Take Me Out To The Ball Game during the Seventh Innings Stretch.

"Take me out to the ball game,

“Take me out with the crowd,

“Sell me some peanuts, sell me crackerjack,

“I don't give two fucks if I never come back…

Let's do it all again next year, with different beers. Yay.

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