Cubs - Astros

One last opportunity to take in a game at the Friendly Confines before the football season officially begins. Monday's night was the first of a four game series between the first place Chicago Cubs and the surging Houston Astros.

This Monday game was under the lights.
Thanks to a college friend, Brett Dolan, the radio play-by-play voice of the Houston Astros, we were treated to a trip to the broadcast booth before the game. Brett is a native of Adair, Iowa.

The tiny Houston broadcast booth looks into the voice of the Cubs, WGN's Ron Santo and Pat Hughes.

Des Moines native and Olympic Gold Medalist, Shawn Johnson threw out the first pitch as well as leading the crowd in Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the Seventh Inning Stretch.

It started out as a pitcher's duel between the clubs' aces. Tied at one heading into the 13th, Alfonso Soriano hit a walk-off Grand Slam to give the Cubs the 5-1 win and keeping them in first place. However with a long drive back to Iowa, eleven innings were all we could handle.

Opening Day at Miller Park

One of my favorite pictures when Colin was just over a year old. Here he takes in his second of two MLB games in as many days. The day before he was at Wrigley Field, this night at Miller Park watching the Brew Crew take on the Atros. It was also at a time where he was interested in walking. Luckily there was an empty seat near us and he made his way around peanut shells and his baby bag. Highlight of the night was, of course, the Sausage Race.

College Football Week 11

The weekend begins and ends in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeye's upset of Penn State rocked the college football world this past Saturday and seemingly took the Big Ten out of the BCS Title Game picture. Although Penn State most likely will finish the season with only one loss, many other teams must lose for the Nittany Lions to play for the BCS Champsionship.

Many people from around the country sent emails or texts congratulating me on the results of Saturday's game. My phone lit up following the game. Thank you to all who did. One that needs to be noted came from Mike Motl, the Video Coordinator at Iowa State. I received his congratulatory text within an hour after the completion of the game. The Cyclones lost earlier on the final play at Colorado.

Here is a look at some of the final pictures from Kinnick Stadium this past Saturday

Iowa Football Coach, Kirk Ferentz seated on the bus ride from Cedar Rapids to Kinnick Stadium.

Set up in the Krouse Family Plaza, the Big Ten Network Studio.

ABC's Primary Announcing team prepares for the contest between the Nittany Lions and Hawkeyes. Set-up for this broadcast began Thursday. "Skycam" is also controlled from this booth. Their operators sat to the left.

A look inside the ABC broadcast booth during the game. In the forefront is analyst Paul McGuire. Bob Griese and Brad Nessler alongside of him. Stacy Dales reported from the sidelines. The announcing crew typically show up on Friday afternoon to visit with the head coach and coordinators. I was very impressed with this team. All very professional and outgoing. Dales is much more stunning in person than on tv.

University of Iowa graduate, former Chicago Cub play by play man, and current voice of the Houston Astros, Milo Hamilton was a guest in the press box.

The Iowa Marching Band prior to Kick-off.

Joe Paterno being led to the coaches booth. Security was stationed outside the booth the entire game. It was a bit extreme as no other coaching staff has had this kind of attention. Members of the Penn State media questioned the need for such security and discussed the possibility of a death threat on the current Nittany Lion coach. Former Offensive Coordinator and Associate Athletic Director of Footbal Administration, Fran Ganter assisted Paterno. At one time Ganter was not allowed access to the booth.

Finally, Iowa radio play by play man, Gary Dolphin wraps up the upset victory over the #3 Nittany Lions.