The One Game Playoff: I Could Have Been There

So last week, I whined about not being able to see the White Sox crucial games in Minnesota and in retrospect, I didn't miss anything.  Due to pre-scheduled things like work and weddings, I also didn't see much of the Indians series and just a little bit of the makeup game Monday night.

But when a buddy from the southside texted me offering me a ticket to tonight's tiebreaker game, I'd jump at the chance, right?

Well, no...and that's pretty obvious because if you notice the time stamp on this, I started writing this just as the game started.  And, I may be regretting it already.

My problem came down to logic.  I live three hours away from Chicago in the western half of Michigan.  I have gone to games with no overnight stay.  I went to the 2005 ALCS game against the Angels where AJ Pierzynski "didn't" strike out, got back to Kalamazoo about 2:00 am and went to a meeting there at 7:00am. 

A few years ago, I went from work in Grand Rapids to Chicago for a Blackhawks vs. Red Wings game, and then back to a convention in Lansing, Michigan all in one night.  (That's in the middle of the palm for those without much Michigan geography.) 

Twice, I've driven a van full of relay runners from Madison, Wisconsin to Chicago while one of them runs—a 200 mile trip at top speeds of 10mph for 25 hours.  So, I can survive without sleep—but it hurts more each time.

My choice came down to this:

• Leave work at 4 pm and drive straight to the ballpark.
• Grab fast food somewhere along the way or a Polish at the ballpark (probably both).
• Go crazy for three and a half hours and hopefully come away happy.
• At best, I'd be back on the road at 11 pm (Eastern), but midnight is more likely, especially if they win and there are post game celebrations.
• Grab more fast food and caffeine.
• Get in bed about 3:00am.  Up for work at 5:30am.  Work from 7:00am - 4:00pm at one employer, then 4:30pm - 8:30pm for another.
• Do it all again Thursday, but add in a Barack Obama visit to Grand Rapids that I have to work (for work - I'm not a supporter).

Or:

• Come home from work.
• Run three miles.
• Grill steaks for myself and the missus.
• Watch and type simultaneously.
• With a win, have post game celebrations here at home
• Be functional the rest of the week.

The second option was the more logical, from a health and relationship point of view.  (and as of the second inning, the first four points have been achieved...and I'm not sharing information on the rest.)   So, I'm typing this in between pitches...but I've been debating myself all day.

The other irrational side of me does also say that the White Sox will win this tonight and there will be more options to get to a game during the postseason.  Even though I did not get ALDS tickets, I'm open all weekend, so I could get in to Chicago if a ticket magically appeared. 

Also, I didn't get to the World Series in 2005 for a very good reason...I got married on the same day as Game One.  If they get there again, I'm getting to the South side.

Anyone else ever have to make such a choice?  Regret it later or was it the right idea?

I'll know more for myself later on tonight.