Category: Dailies
Thank You Cubs Destinations Travelers!
The 2011 Cubs Destinations’ season is finished! Thank you to all Cubs Destinations travelers for a great second year! We look to continue providing Cubs’ fans with the best in VIP Road Trips for seasons to come. If you have traveled with us, you will receive e-mails with the most up-to-date information regarding our trips for next season.
If you haven’t traveled with Cubs Destinations, scroll down to see some of the amazing adventures Cubs’ fans had this past season. You can also visit www.cubs.com/cubsdestinations to get more information. Feel free to call us at (617) 226-6550 or e-mail info@cubsdestinations.com if you have any questions.
See you in 2011! Go Cubs!
Cubs Destinations
St. Louis August 13th – 15th
The Destinations crew headed to St. Louis this past weekend to take on the rival Cardinals! Fans stayed at the exceptional St. Louis Westin, literally across the street from Busch Stadium (some guest rooms face the ballpark!) The heat index was at or around 100 degrees for the weekend, however Busch Stadium filled to capacity as both Cubs and Cardinals fans poured in to catch the series.
Destinations travelers weren’t turned away by the St. Louis heat, but instead took the great opportunity to visit a new ballpark and cheer on their team. The weekend began with a tough loss on Friday night as the Cubs got behind early and couldn’t fight their way back into the game. After the loss, Destinations fans made the short walk back to the hotel to rest up for their busy day of events on Saturday.
The ballpark tour “beat the heat” on Saturday as fans got to explore the recently built (2006) Busch Stadium in the morning. Cardinals’ experts guided fans around while giving details on the new stadium as well as the extensive history of the Cardinals history (they refrained from gloating about the Cardinals’ World Series victories.) The Destinations crew made stops in the pressbox, party rooms, luxury suites, club areas, premium seating areas and made a final stop on the field! Check out a few of the pictures below!
Next, the group headed to the Champions Club where brunch and drinks awaited. Sean Marshall paid the group a visit. Sean signed autographs for the group as well as posed for pictures and met the group members. He sat down with the group for an informal question-and-answer session where he fielded all sorts of questions. Marshall highlighted his experiences in the League, with the Cubs and playing at Wrigley Field (which is his favorite park!) Check out a few of the pictures from the event!
The remainder of the series was all positive for Cubs fans as their team took the last two games of the weekend series. On Saturday afternoon, home runs by Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez led the Cubs’ offense. Carlos Zambrano pitched 5.2 innings giving up 2 runs to the Cardinals; the Cubs bullpen finished the game, shutting down the Cardinals offense completely. The Destinations crew was able to see Sean Marshall pitch 1.1 innings of shutout baseball! The Cubs ended the exciting win with a 3-2 final score.
There was more celebrating on Sunday as the Cubs finished the series with a win. The Cubs offense was hot (as was the weather) for this Sunday afternoon showdown. Ryan Dempster picked up his 10th win after pitching 6.2 innings and giving up 2 runs. A sixth run fourth inning gave the Cubs an 8-2 lead early in the game. Sean Marshall came in to pitch two scoreless outs where he gave up a walk and recorded two strikeouts! The Cardinals mounted a comeback in the ninth inning, scoring 5 runs and making the score 9-7. The Cubs were able to get out of the inning, avoided the scare and took the series!
Cubs Destinations travelers headed back to the hotel to pack their bags and head home. The series was a success; the Cubs battled against their rivals, winning two of three games, and Destinations fans got the chance to see a new ballpark and city while enjoying a baseball filled weekend vacation!
To learn more about booking your own Cubs Destinations trip or to sign up for our e-mail list for 2011, please visit www.cubs.com/cubsdestinations or send us an e-mail!
San Francisco August 10th – 12th
The Destinations’ crew arrived in chilly San Francisco for the Cubs weekday series against the Giants. Staying in downtown San Francisco at the Marriott Marquis, travelers were located just off Market Street, close to Union Square and many other San Francisco attractions. The crew layered their Cubs’ gear to stay warm and headed to AT&T Field to watch their team battle the last three games of the four game series.
Tuesday night’s game started of the trip with an exciting win as the Cubs got to the Giants’ young ace, Tim Lincecum, early in the game. Fukudome blasted a two run shot into McCovey Cove, starting the early scoring in the first inning. Ironically, Mike Fontenot provided two needed RBI’s during his pinch hit for the Cubs; Fontenot was traded to the Giants the next day! The Cubs slowly lost their lead as the Giants fought to stay in the game. The Giants posted two runs in the ninth but the Cubs ended the comeback and won the game 8-6.
Destinations’ travelers headed to AT&T Park Wednesday as the sun fought its way through the San Francisco clouds. The tour guide, Tom, led our group around the park and shared his vast knowledge of the Giants and the ballpark. Fans got the opportunity to sit in the Giants’ dugout. Check out a few of the photos below:
The group also visited the press box, luxury suites, as well as walked through the premium seating areas and corridors leading to the clubhouses! Travelers visited the upper deck to get a great view of the bay!
Lunch and drinks awaited in the club level as Destinations’ fans got the chance to relax, enjoy the views of the ballpark and chat with other Cubs’ fans. Cubs’ lefty hurler Sean Marshall stopped by to visit with the group. Sean was excited to talk with fans as he signed autographs. Fans congratulated Marshall on his positive pitching performances this season and wished him luck in the future. Fans also got the opportunity to pose for pictures with Sean; check out the photos below:
Marshall sat down with fans to field questions as shared insight on his experiences in the league. Fans asked a variety of questions and Marshall was happy to connect with the group. Sean explained how much he loves playing in Chicago and at Wrigley Field; he noted his confidence in the team’s potential and how hopeful he was for the future!
The Destinations crew made their way back to AT&T Park for the final two games of the series. Unfortunately the Cubs dropped both of the last two games however they only lost by one run each time. The group got to see Marshall pitch a shut-out inning on Thursday as he struck out two batters!
One Destinations fan was celebrating his birthday and got a special message on the video board!
The close games kept fans enticed until the very end. The Cubs put a good effort into the series but came up short as they lost three of the four games to the Giants. Destinations’ travelers escaped the heat for the week to see their team play in an amazing baseball venue. San Francisco is a worthwhile destination for adventurous travelers and interested baseball fans alike. Though the crew didn’t witness a winning series for the Cubs, they were able to cool off, enjoy the San Franciscan sights, attend the VIP events and most importantly, watch some great baseball!
To learn more about booking your own Cubs Destinations trip or to sign up for our e-mail list for 2011, please visit www.cubs.com/cubsdestinations or send us an e-mail!
Denver July 30th – August 1st
The Cubs Destinations crew descended upon Denver this past weekend for a late July series against the Colorado Rockies. Travelers stayed at the Denver Marriott City Center, conveniently located in the heart of Denver, a short walk to Coors Field and local shopping areas. The weather forecast for the weekend was questionable, however Cubs fans stayed optimistic that the rain would not ruin their vacation weekend.
Friday night’s game featured Cubs’ Ryan Dempster taking on the Rockies’ Jeff Francis. Rockies and Cubs fans alike poured into Coors Field as the ominous clouds surrounded the park, threatening heavy showers. The rain held off; however the Cubs faced a much greater threat as the Rockies broke the game open in the eighth, scoring 12 runs on 13 hits; including 11 hits in a row to break a Major League record.
Trying to forget the loss the night prior, Destinations travelers headed to Coors Field for their ballpark tour and pre-game reception on Saturday. Tour guides Sharon and Jack led the group around Coors, pulling all of the stops, giving the history of the Rockies franchise and their stadium. The group made their way into the upper decks where you can see the Rocky Mountains and are where seats are literally a mile high (the park has a row of purple seats running around the stadium to mark the exact altitude of 5,280 feet above sea level!)
Travelers headed to the club level and into the premium restaurants. A special visit to the press box marked the last stop on the tour and the group was led to the Outfield Picnic area where lunch and drinks awaited.
Cubs second baseman Ryan Theriot was scheduled to visit the group to sign autographs, pose for pictures, and field questions, however the Destinations crew was notified mid-tour that Ryan Theriot had been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with lefty pitcher Ted Lilly. Cubs left handed reliever Sean Marshall graciously stepped in to take Theriot’s place. Marshall interacted with group members, chatting with fans as they got their autographs and pictures. During the Q&A session, Marshall got to connect with fans and share his experiences in the big leagues. He told of his top moments, his MLB debut & hitting a home run, both which took place during games on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. He also shared his more personal approach to the game along with some of his other memorable experiences (including Lou Piniella sending him to play right field for an inning after being pulled from a pitching appearance.) Check out a few of the pictures from the reception below.
Saturday’s game provided more excitement than Friday’s, as it came down to the bottom of the ninth to decide a winner. The Cubs trailed the majority of the game but a three run home run by Derrek Lee in the eighth tied the score at five. Marshall came in to pitch the eighth, holding the Rockies scoreless, and he returned to pitch the ninth. One the first pitch of the innings, Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez hit a fastball for a walk-off, cycle-completing home run. Though Cubs fans witnessed another exciting and rare baseball moment, it was another heartbreaker for the team.
The Cubs continued to slide in Sunday’s game as the team lost to the final game of the series. In an unsettling event, Cubs pitcher Carlos Silva left the game in the first innings with an abnormal heartbeat. The Cubs’ bullpen shared the game with five relievers getting the ball. The Cubbies were resilient as they put together a late innings comeback scoring 2 runs in the seventh and 1 in the eighth, entering the ninth inning down 8-4. The Cubs scored 3 more runs in the ninth inning as they nearly tied the game on a Soriano deep fly ball that was robbed by Rockies’ left fielder Dexter Fowler.
Both Saturday and Sunday were exciting games that displayed the never-quit attitude of the Cubs. Though the team was swept and Destinations fans weren’t able to see the Cubbies win, the weekend was full of exciting baseball and late inning action. The reception at Coors Field and experience of traveling to Denver with other Cubs fans from across the country was a unique adventure in its own.
To book your own Cubs Destinations trip or to sign up for our e-mail list for 2011, please visit www.cubs.com/cubsdestinations!
Chicago July 23rd-25th
Cubs Destinations
travelers spent the gorgeous weekend of July 23rd-25th in
Chicago as the rival St. Louis Cardinals rolled into town for a 3 game series
at Wrigley Field. This weekend’s group also stayed in the heart of the
Magnificent Mile at the Chicago Marriott Magnificent Mile.
On Saturday, the Cubs jumped out to an early lead, getting
some big homeruns from young guns Tyler Colvin and Starlin Castro. Tom
Gorzelanny pitched 6 solid innings, and the bullpen held on down the stretch to
maintain the lead before Carlos Marmol shut the door for good in the 9th,
capping a 6-5 win for the Cubbies.
After the tour, the group arrived in the Stadium Club for
their VIP luncheon with Ryan Theriot. Ryan took time to give each fan an
autograph and a photo with him.
Ryan then took part in a candid question and answer session
with the group and clued them in to some of his own thoughts on his play and
other happenings in the league.
Despite Sunday’s outcome, the Cubs Destination group had a
great time at Wrigley. Not only did the Cubbies win the series, but the group’s
behind -the-scenes access during such a pivotal series was really exciting!
Chicago July 16th – 18th
The Cubs Destinations team spent the weekend of July 16th-18th at the Friendly Confines as the Cubs welcomed the Phillies into town. Members of the group stayed at the beautiful (and convenient) Chicago Marriott Magnificent Mile right in the heart of Michigan Avenue.
Saturday’s game seemed to be leaning in the Cubs’ favor for almost the entirety of the game, as Randy Wells tossed 7 innings of shutout ball before handing it over to the bullpen. The Cubs went ahead on a suicide squeeze by Ryan Theriot in the 7th inning, and looked ready to hold on for a 1-0 victory. Unfortunately, the Phillies had other plans and went on to score 4 runs in the 9th, leading to a 4-1 Philadelphia victory.
After the tour the group headed into the Stadium Club for their luncheon with Ryan Theriot. Ryan got right into signing for the group, getting each and every member of the Destinations group an autograph, and then took some time to take a photo with everyone.
Ryan then took some time to take some questions from the group before heading down to the clubhouse to get ready for the game ahead.
After enjoying their time in the field box seats, the Cubs Destinations group settled into their seats for Sunday night’s game. Going up against the dangerous Roy Halladay, the Cubbies didn’t seem to be fazed. Halladay gave up 6 runs, including 2 big homeruns to Geovany Soto and Alfonso Soriano, before giving way to a bullpen that gave up 5 more. The Cubs closed out the weekend on a high note, winning by an 11-6 margin and clinching a 3-1 series victory over the defending National League Champions.
Los Angeles July 9th – 11th
The Cubs Destinations team set out for Los Angeles this past weekend as the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the Chicago Cubs for the final series before the all-star break. Destinations’ travelers were a short coach bus trip away from Dodger Stadium at the Omni Los Angeles hotel at California Plaza in downtown Los Angeles. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, travelers headed out of the LA downtown area for Dodger Stadium, a Southern California landmark established in 1962. It’s safe to say that Dodger Stadium, which holds an impressive 56,000 fans, provides a different baseball viewing experience than that of hometown Wrigley Field. The Stadium has a retro, 1970’s vibe that pays tribute to its long standing heritage.
The Destinations crew quickly forgot about Friday night’s loss when they set out for Saturday’s full day of activities at Dodger Stadium. Arriving early Saturday to an empty Dodger Stadium, Destinations travelers attended a breakfast reception where they were paid a visit from Cubs’ second baseman Ryan Theriot. Ryan came to sign autographs, take individual pictures and answered all sorts of questions from the group. Take a look at a few of the shots below.
Fans were then guided around Dodger Stadium by a Dodgers expert who narrated the rich history of both Dodger Stadium and the storied Dodgers franchise. The Destinations fans gained access to the Vin Scully Pressbox, where they could sit in the same seats as the media and check out the in stadium organ. The group also went to the premium club area to see some historic Dodgers’ collectibles.
Next, Destinations travelers were first in line to experience the “On-Field Photo Day” promotion at Dodger Stadium. Both Cubs and Dodgers fans rushed across the outfield grass to get a close look at players and got the experience of being on-field!
Saturday’s Cubs’ win topped off the action packed day, while one Destinations traveler even managed to snatch himself a foul ball souvenir.
Sunday evening brought ideal weather for the final game of the series. The team didn’t manage to pull off a win but Destinations travelers ended the trip strong. Despite the lackluster on-field performance, the Los Angeles weekend was full of baseball and the visits to Dodger stadium was something that any baseball fan wouldn’t forget! Join us on your own adventure! All our upcoming trips are listed on cubs.com/cubsdestinations.
Cubs Destinations 
