By Allison Knab From Sox to Cubs, the L takes Chicago baseball beyond spectator sport. When you're done with the architectural and historic Chicago cruises (or before, depending on your priorities), try taking a baseball cruise of the Red Line L, riding between the White Sox's U.S. Cellular Field and the Cubs' Wrigley Field. Wrigley's Addison stop may have gone up 69 years before the Sox-35th stop, but now the two are inexorably linked together. From downtown, hop on at Lake, Washington, Jackson or Madison and head north or south, depending on your loyalties. Then stop off at some of these other cruise-worthy sites.<a href="http://whitesox.mlb.com/cws/ballpark/cws_attractions_map.jsp">U.S. Cellular Field</a>  Especially since their 2005 World Series victory which overcame an 88 year slump since their previous victory in 1917, the White Sox still inspire fierce loyalty. Old Comiskey Park went up in 1910 and the new stadium was built in 1991; last year it officially became U.S. Cellular Field (though try telling that to die-hard native fans). They say there's not a bad view in the house, plus the Sox' new home has every amenity you could desire. Fans here are notorious for their bawdiness, scoffing at their more ‘genteel' competitors to the north. Most of the action happens inside the park, so go straight in for your beer, hot dogs, burritos and of course, baseball. Just try not to mention that whole Black Sox incident. (L: Sox-35th stop) <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=3714+S+Halsted+St+Chicago,+IL+60609&fb=1&geocode=15733762133694138275,41.827216,-87.646335&oi=manybox&ct=14&cd=1&resnum=5">Schaller's Pump</a> To finish off – or start – your White Sox experience, head on over to Schaller's Pump, which has been serving up Bridgeport locals and visitors since 1881, making it one of the city's oldest bars and a former hangout for many of the Daley clan. Go during the game to root the Sox on with the family of owners and the locals, or afterwards to celebrate with a cold beer. Make sure to try the corned beef and cabbage or the pork chops. (L: Sox-35th stop, walk two blocks south and three blocks west.)<a href="http://www.grandstandsports.com/">Grandstand Sports </a>Whether it's an autographed player photo, a reproduction jersey from the Negro league, or a t-shirt from your choice of minor league team, Grandstand has it. They also claim to have the largest White Sox selection around, and a glance at rack after rack of shirts makes it hard to imagine they're wrong (not to mention the selection of White Sox Santas for sale). Glass counters hold rare and framed baseball cards, as well as official game balls. (L: Sox-35thstop, walk three blocks west) <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/ballpark/index.jsp">Wrigley Field</a> The action at Wrigley is both inside and outside the park; from the moment you step off the L you're mobbed by fans heading both for bars and for the stadium. From inside Wrigley, porches and rooftop decks and bars rise above the stadium's ivy-lined walls to reveal fans watching outside the borders. Built in 1914 and the Cubs' home field since 1916, Wrigley is now the second-oldest stadium in the Major League (and celebrating its 90th anniversary this year). It's worth going just to see the hand-turned scoreboard, view Lake Michigan from the cheap seats, or soak up some sun in the bleachers. Plus, although winless in the Series since 1908, this could be the Cubs' year. (L: Addison stop.) <a href="http://www.gooseisland.com/AgePage.asp?URLPage=/index.asp">Goose Island Brewing Company</a> With nine TVs and three giant projection screens, Goose Island is not a bad place to watch the game if you've missed out on tickets. And with its large outdoor area, it's also not a bad place to party afterwards. Try the beer selection made locally: the classic Honker's Ale, Special Brown or the latest summer brew. Then attempt to identify the nine baseball greats in the mural on the back wall (hint: not one of them ever played for the Cubs). (L: Addison stop, walk two blocks west and a half block south.) <a href="http://www.murphysbleachers.com/history.html">Murphy's Bleachers </a>If you want beer-swilling and Cubs-celebrating fans, this is the place to find them, as it's virtually an extension of the stadium's bleacher section. It's also a place to find great soups, chili and burgers in an open-air bar. Be sure to check out baseball memorabilia decorating the walls, and check out your neighbors: Cubs have been known to stop by after winning games. (L: Addison stop) <a href="http://espnzone.com/">ESPN Zone</a> With a 16-foot TV, the ESPN Zone may have the largest view of games outside of the stadiums. Stop in before or after games for cheese fries, sliders (bite-sized burgers), pasta and burgers, then work it off with the never-ending selection of interactive games. (L: Grand stop, walk one block north and one block east.) <a href="http://www.harrycarays.com/home.html">Harry Caray's</a> It's hard to miss the enormous Holy Cow! sign hanging from the side of Harry Caray's, a celebration of the famous Cubs' announcer's favorite saying. Sit down and dig into the famous steaks and Italian dishes, then walk through the more than 1500 items of baseball memorabilia on display. At the front of the restaurant, stroll down the “Walk of Fame,” honoring people important in Caray's life. Or just grab a beer at the 60' 6” bar (the exact distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate). (L: Grand stop, walk three blocks south and one block west.) 2007-08-13T15:50:14+00:00 <img src="/guideimages/0000/0087/535122503_574a168ec9_thumb.jpg" border="0" alt="chicago el" width="100" height="75" align="left" /><a href="http://www.transitchicago.com/">Chicago Transit Authority (CTA):</a> The Chicago CTA takes locals and visitors alike all over the city on buses and trains. One of the longest lines, the Red Line, offers one entertaining option after another throughout its daily travels through the city of Chicago.  false

88 CTA: Chicago's Red Line

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