2007 NLDS Game 3: AZD at CHC
Posted by SBG on Saturday, October 6th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
v. 
I remember the first time I ever saw Wrigley field with my own eyes. My brother, a friend of ours, Beaner, and I went on a six stadium tour back in 1990 that took us to Kansas City, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Chicago, and Minneapolis. We had a fantastic time on that trip, but we were running out of energy after a couple thousand miles of driving, bad hotels, too much sun and so forth. We saw the Chicago White Sox in dreadful old Comiskey (that was an awful park, just awful). Randy Johnson was the starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners and he was in his first full season with Seattle. Back then, he was a wild man and he was coming off a no-hitter in which he walked six batters. He blew the White Sox away that day (and it was a day game), allowing 5 hits while striking out 10 and throwing a crisp 121 pitches. I remember that day was gloomy and overcast, the ball park stunk to high heaven and despite the fact that it was a 2-1 game, it took forever (2:57).
After the game, we drove to South Bend to stay with one of my college buddies. The forecast for the next day was rain. We were a little despondent -- we'd been on the road for a week and the centerpiece of our trip -- the Wrigley game -- was in danger of a rainout. My buddy had secured us tickets about 10 rows above the Cubs dugout (he knew a guy) and we were all set. If only it wouldn't rain. The next morning, we took off toward Chicago and it was raining. But, by the time it got towards game time, it was clearing up. There would be a game, after all. When you walk into the park and see it for the first time, man, what a beautiful site.
The game itself was a laugher. The Phillies were in town and we'd just seen Philadelphia in St. Louis earlier in the week. It was June 8, and Lenny Dykstra was hitting .410. But, all the hitting was done by the Cubs. The third inning was tough on the rubber armed starter for the Phils, Terry Mulholland. Ryne Sandberg led off the inning with a home run. By the time Sandberg came up again in the inning, Mulholland was off riding the exercise bike or something and his reliever intentionally walked Ryno to load the bases. Shawon Dunston then unloaded a grand slam to make it an 11-1 game. The Cubs won 15-2 and it was all smiles in Chicago.
What a day at the ballpark. I haven't been to Wrigley in over ten years now (maybe close to fifteen?), but you just can't beat it.
So, today could be the day that the Cubs and Phillies, opponents on that beautiful June day 17 years ago, each hit the golf course for the season. I hope to get back to Wrigley again someday -- maybe BabySBG and I can take in a game on the Northside. The Cubs'll still be looking for an elusive end to their WS drought on that day too, I think.
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You tell stories very well. I wish you'd do it more often.
My father-in-law, who couldn't care less about sports (other than rodeo), once saw that Cubs emblem, with the giant "C" and the smaller "ubs" and asked who are the ubs?
Thanks. I think I'm going to write stories on Saturday mornings. I got up this morning about 5 AM and sat down to write two game logs and my notes column. I brewed a pot of coffee and really enjoyed it.
Wonder if (then Young) Man Mulholland volunteered to pitch some of the late-game garbage innings.
I need to go on another baseball trip. I did a 5 stadium tour about that same time to Toronto, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago. They were all the old stadiums though (except for Chicago and Toronto). I would like to do it again, but now I have kids and a wife who doesn't care for baseball. Someday with the kids though.
Wrigley was much better than Fenway IMO.
Well, for the Cubs, as Shania Twain sang, it can only go up from here.
The first guy homers, the next guy doubles, and the third guy tries to bunt? Is Gardy managing this team?
Ron Santo is really fun to listen to. He and Pat Hughes make a great team.
Santo is complaining about some ball/strike calls with the Cubs batting. Those watching the game: does he have a legitimate complaint?
Santo: Hernandez "has made some good pitches, but he's been given some pitches."
According to Santo, Jones got a very bad jump on Hill's bunt attempt. True?
Lonely, I'm Mister Lonely....
Santo compares Hernandez to Sad Sam Jones. Just how old is Santo, anyway?
Cubs broadcasters promoting tomorrow's game, without any mention of "if". There's confidence for you.
Hill pulled with the score only 2-0, but he's been in trouble a lot, and the Cubs have to win, so I guess I can understand it. I'm not sure how good their bullpen is, though.
If anyone's out there, should it have been a double-play?
Arizona has blown a lot of chances to put this game away. Often, that comes back to haunt you.
Not a good idea to walk Theriot to bring up Lee.
Can they go much longer with Hernandez? He needs to make some pitches pretty soon.
This is a very long game.
From wild cheering to silence in an instant.
Hi JeffA! I was out running errands tonight. You are carrying the torch for the Nation.
Hi there. I was beginning to wonder if the Nation had been wiped out by some sort of biological weapon or something.
killer midges
The Cubs have had at least two on in every inning and only have one run. Wow.
Cubs may have blown their last, best chance in the fifth. Still, it's only a three run lead, and there are four chances left. As Joaquin Andujar told us, youneverknow.
LOL. Jeff with the subtle J. Michael Straczynski reference. "last, best chance"
Cubs fans are stunned.
I think that was Ron Santo when the Cubs hit into the double play in the fifth.
I figured this series might go four because Livan isn't particularly good. He's gone nearly six here with only 1 run. Wow.
Okay, so you've got a day off and you need a win. Why do you have Henry Rollins catching?
It's not looking good for the Cubs. I'm not particularly rooting for them to win the series, but I was wishing they would win this game, just to extend the series and give us more baseball.
I find it incredible annoying that TBS/MLB "Hot Corner" will let me watch the game but not hear the play-by-play, or mlb.com will let me listen to the game but not watch.
who the heck was that on "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"?? Horrrrrrrible.
Ron Santo. I think it's a rule that anyone who sings that has to be at least as bad as Harry was.
Good Lord! That was Santo! I thought someone was strangling a cat.
His voice reflects the pain of being unjustly held out of the Hall of Fame.
so, they cut his nuts off???
No, just his legs.
oh, right. Diabetes, right?
checking...yep.
Hell, he should be in the HOF just for his charity work. Vote him in already.
Does that explain some part of Bert's announcing?
Lee is hitting .364 in the series, but it's a pretty empty .364 with nobody ever on base/in scoring position for him.
Cubs fans, I can feel your pain.
A double play. They've ripped the heart out the Cubs fans... it's still beating but death is imminent.
If the Cubs don't have a 100 year celebration of their last WS championship next year, well they just don't have a sense of humor.
featuring a public execution of Rich Hill???
Come on, Cubs. At least get one last rally going.
Floyd with no patience there. That was not a very good ball to hit, per Enhanced Gameday.
Cub fans starting to boo. Why? I know they're frustrated, but it's not like the Cubs aren't trying to win. Sometimes, trying just isn't enough.
Man, DeRosa earned that hit.
Too little, too late. He had a terrible AB with the bases loaded and one out. Swung at a ball out of the zone, trying to pull an outside pitch, on a 3-1 count. There's your ballgame.
It's sad to see Kerry Wood used in situations like this when I remember how great he once was.
even sadder if Lou has to come get him out of there.
Stephen Drew, your series MVP.
Well, I'm afraid it's all over but the shouting. And, judging from what I can hear of the crowd, the shouting has pretty much died down.
Wow, stealing up four in the ninth. I'd be booing that.
why the hell would you steal at this point in the game? Isn't a 3-run lead enough?
sorry. 4-run lead.
I can't blame Arizona for continuing to run. It's only a four run lead, and it's Wrigley Field. Plus, it's the playoffs. You score as many as you can.
I'm heading out like a Cubs fan. I'd drop a few f-bombs too, but my kids are with me and I'm not all liquored up.
I'm Expecting the Cubs to bring the game within one in the ninth before making the final out. Make sure that there's lemon jouice on those paper cuts...
Yeah, and the final out is a player reaching into the stands and no one interferes with him.
Is there some sort of history with the Cubs and Valverde? Santo keeps making remarks like "How great it would be to make a big comeback against this guy."
Two outs left.
One out left.
No outs left. Sorry, Cubs. Thanks for playing. See you next year.
Nice work today, Jeff A. I take it you already had tomorrow's sermon done.
Well done Jeff A. +1 goat.