So, I gotta tell you about this crazy adventure I had, trying to catch the Cubs’ first night game at Wrigley Field. It all started back in, uh, 1988. Yeah, that’s right, 1988! Wrigley Field finally got lights, can you believe it? They were like the last team to join the nighttime party, which started way back in 1935 with the Cincinnati Reds, I think.
Anyway, I was super pumped for this game. I mean, it was history in the making! The first game was supposed to be on August 8th against the Phillies. I got my ticket, cleared my schedule, the whole nine yards. But guess what? The weather had other plans. It rained like crazy, and they had to call off the game after, like, three and a half innings. I was so bummed, standing there in the rain. What a letdown!
But I didn’t give up. I was determined to see that first official night game. And wouldn’t you know it, the very next day, August 9th, they rescheduled. This time it was against the Mets. I went back, crossed my fingers, and bam! The Cubs won 6-4! It was amazing! The energy in the stadium was electric, everyone was cheering, and the lights were shining bright. It was a night I’ll never forget.
I also learned some cool trivia about Wrigley Field. Did you know that it was renamed after William Wrigley Jr. in 1926? And get this, back in 1916, some guy named Weeghman started the whole tradition of letting fans keep foul balls. Now it’s like, a normal thing everywhere, but it all started at Wrigley. Pretty neat, huh?
- Going to Wrigley: First step, obviously, was actually getting to the stadium. I remember it was a bit of a hassle, but I managed.
- Waiting for the game: The anticipation was killing me! I got there early, soaked in the atmosphere, and waited for the first pitch under the lights.
- Dealing with the rain: Yeah, that first attempt was a washout, literally. I was there, getting soaked, but it just made me more determined.
- The second try: The next day, I was back. Different opponent, same excitement.
- Celebrating the win: The Cubs won! And it wasn’t just any win, it was the first official night game win. I celebrated with everyone else, it was a blast.
The Aftermath
After that game, I became a bit of a Wrigley Field nerd. I started following all their stuff, like that catchy “Go, Cubs, Go” song they started playing after wins in 2007. It’s a whole thing now. Oh, and I also remember that crazy incident with Steve Bartman in 2003, where he interfered with a foul ball during a playoff game. That was wild, but it’s all part of the Cubs’ story, I guess.
This whole experience, it wasn’t just about a baseball game. It was about being part of history, experiencing something new and exciting. And it definitely made me appreciate the Cubs and Wrigley Field even more. It’s not just a ballpark, it’s a place with a ton of stories, and I got to be a small part of one of them. It is one of the great memory in my life, for sure!
