Bleed Cubbie Blue: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:





The Top 20 Cub HR Of All Time - #4 Ryne Sandberg 6/23/1984

The Sandberg Game, as it was almost instantly tagged, burst Ryno on the national scene -- as this game was an NBC Saturday Game of the Week -- and also legitimized the Cubs as contenders for the first time in several seasons.

Quick -- without clicking on the boxscore link above or scrolling down. Who drove in the winning run in that game? (Answer below, but don't cheat!)

Sandberg actually hit two game-tying HR in this game, both of Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter, and if you've seen the replays, one of the indelible images of them is Sutter getting another ball from the umpire after the second one with a look of pure anger and disbelief on his face. Sutter was having one of the best years of his career -- up to June 23, 1984 he had 16 saves in 18 opportunities and a 1.16 ERA.

If I had to choose one of the two HR to be more significant, more stunning, I'd have to choose the second. The first, hit in the ninth inning, led off the inning. The second was hit with two out and Bob Dernier on base, and brought the Cubs back from two runs down. What a lot of you might not remember is that Dernier walked on a 3-2 pitch that was very, very close to being a called third strike -- and that would have ended the game.

There were all kinds of wild things that happened on June 23, 1984. Cub starter Steve Trout had nothing -- he allowed seven runs and didn't make it out of the second inning. Trailing 7-1 going into the bottom of the fifth, the Cubs chipped away; Sandberg had an RBI single and Gary Matthews an RBI double, making it 7-3. The Cardinals tacked on two runs off Dickie Noles in the sixth on a Willie McGee HR, but the Cubs scored five in the bottom of the inning to close within one at 9-8. McGee, incidentally, hit for the cycle and drove in six runs that day, and barely got noticed for doing it, due to Sandberg's heroics. That is, to this day, the last time a visiting player has hit for the cycle at Wrigley Field.

That's how it stayed until Sandberg's first HR. At 9-9 in extra innings, Jim Frey called on Lee Smith, who promptly gave up two runs, leading to Sandberg's second round of heroics in the bottom of the 10th.

There's one difference from modern baseball -- in a game like this, would a manager wait till the 10th to call on his closer, as Frey did? Or leave his closer in to throw three-plus innings, as Whitey Herzog did? The game has really changed in the last 24 years. Also, Smith was left in to pitch a second inning in relief, the 11th, and handled the Cardinals easily, despite a walk to Andy Van Slyke, setting up the winning rally in the last of the 11th.

Leon Durham led off the inning with a single off Dave Rucker, who had replaced Sutter. Durham stole second and advanced to third on Cardinal catcher Darrell Porter's throwing error. Herzog then ordered Keith Moreland and Jody Davis intentionally walked to load the bases, bringing up the pitcher's spot.

The last guy on the bench was little-used backup infielder Dave Owen. Facing Jeff Lahti, who had replaced Rucker, Owen lifted a soft little flare over second base, a clean single into RF, scoring Durham and winning the game -- one of only 16 career RBI Owen had.

Herzog called Sandberg "Baby Ruth" and said he was "the greatest player he'd ever seen" and he was being sincere, not overhyping him. Sandberg was having a good year -- .321/.371/.531 up to June 22 -- but this game, and the rest of his season, sent him to a MVP award and helped the Cubs win the NL East. They'd been in first place briefly into early June, but by June 23 had fallen out. Still 1.5 games out after winning that day, they went 9-4 and back into first place by the beginning of July; falling back later, a 12-2 run starting July 28 put them in first place to stay.

This game is one of the greatest regular-season games in the last quarter-century, not just Cub games, but from any major league team. Twenty-four years later, it still feels like just yesterday.

0 recs | Comment 23 comments

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

Display:

I had watched
this game on TV and cemented Sandberg in my mind as one of the games greats. Sandberg went on, for me, to be at or near the top of my favotrite Cubs list. A great player, on a great stage, doing what great players do: win games. The Sandberg Game (how many players have a single game named after them??) was made especially special because of who we beat. That was a fun team, a fun year. Here's hoping for another one in '08.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Feb 9, 2008 8:02 AM CST   0 recs

I still have the original tape
I still have the original tape all these years later, my scorecard and my ticket.  I had the scorecard autographed by Ryno a few years ago.

Oh to be 16 years old again watching my beloved Cubs have the summer of their lives and to be goo goo gaa gaa over a player like that.

By the way to show what a nuts Cubs fan I am that was my family sweet 16 birthday party.  I remember being upset before the game that because my Dad and stepmother were spending July in Europe my birthday party was going to be 2 weeks before my birthday but never complained since.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Feb 9, 2008 8:48 AM CST   0 recs

Here is...
my scorecard and ticket from that game

http://ignarski.tripod.com/june2384.html

Kasey

See the Cubs 2008 schedule with TV schedule at http://ignarski.tripod.com/sched2008.html

by kaseyi on Feb 9, 2008 9:01 AM CST   0 recs

What blows me away
is the price of your box seat ticket! Wow.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Feb 9, 2008 12:12 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Thanks Al
for mentioning that this was 24 years ago. I was 23 at the time so it was half my life ago lol.... Still seems like yesterday. I remember watching that game and thinking that the Cubs were going to win it all that year. Cubs fans already knew how good Ryno was. This game made all baseball fans aware of that fact...

by LT on Feb 9, 2008 9:15 AM CST   0 recs

I remember
listening to the game on the radio with  my parents (I was 10) as we were driving through Lemont. We couldn't believe our ears. What a game.

And Al, I just want to wish BCB a happy 3rd birthday. This is a wonderful site for all of us and I'm proud to be a part of it. Here's to many more years! (I'd crack a beer, but it's 10:30a and I had enough last night).

"Just because you've had enough/ doesn't mean you wanted too much." -Dean Young

by Kegler on Feb 9, 2008 9:37 AM CST   0 recs

Thanks for the BCB birthday wishes!
n/t
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 9, 2008 12:32 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I think
NBC did name McGee "player of the game" during the 9th inning...almost at the same time as Ryno went yard for the first time.  So he got recognition for about 45 seconds, before this game turned from "McGee's cycle" to "Sandberg's coming out party."  My dad and I still talk about this game.  

by PrincetonCubs on Feb 9, 2008 10:38 AM CST   0 recs

They did.
After Sandberg's second homer, Bob Costas says, "And move over Willie McGee, we may have a new Player of the Game."  I've had a lot of Cub favorites over the years: Sandberg, Grace, Dawson, Sutcliffe, Maddux, D-Lee, and Aramis.  But even now, if I had to pick one, it would still be Ryno.  What a ballplayer, and what a guy.  
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Feb 9, 2008 10:47 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Left Early ....
I was there with my dad and brother.  Dad was so incensed with the Cubs' play and taunting by nearby Cardinal fans that we left in the 5th with the score 7-1.  Missed out on not one but two of the greatest moments in recent Cub history that day  -- heard the Ryno homers on the radio on the way home.

MORAL OF THE STORY:  Never, Ever Leave the Game Early !!!!

If It Takes Forever ....

by wrigley1 on Feb 9, 2008 12:44 PM CST   0 recs

Ouch!
Glad I stayed.
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 9, 2008 1:19 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Dernier
I was at this game, in the front row between the Cubs dugout and the screen. So I had a perfect view.

Actually, when Sandberg hit his second homer, I was sure it was going to be caught. It didn't look, from my perspective, like it was hit hard enough to get out.

You cannot underemphasize the importance of Dernier's walk leading up to the second homer. That last pitch was strike three. You can see it in the video (I have the DVD). Dernier got away with something you almost never see - as soon as the ball was by him he threw the bat aside and started running to first. Usually, umps hate this and put up their hand to call a strike. Not in this case. I think it helped that Darryl Porter was unable to handle the pitch. It popped off his glove and rolled a little. Thinking it was strike three, Porter actually picked up the ball and tagged Dernier as Dernier ran down the baseline.

I love the call on TV:

"And this one's hit deep to left field...look out! Do you believe it? It's gone!"

And Harry was yelling on the radio: "He did it again! He did it again! The game is tied! The game is tied!"

What an exciting day in my life. I will never forget it.

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 9, 2008 1:23 PM CST   0 recs

Sutter
And of course the look on Sutter's face after giving up the second homer to Sandberg in two innings was priceless. When they threw him a new ball, he kind of jabbed at it with his glove to show how angry he was.
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 9, 2008 1:25 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Sidewalks at Wrigley
does anyone know what they are doing to the sidewalks at wrigley:

http://www.wrigleyexpansion.com/wrig08.html

?

by drodd on Feb 9, 2008 2:37 PM CST   0 recs

Not the right place
for your post.
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 9, 2008 2:47 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

No, it's not, but...
... that really wasn't necessary. You could have just left it alone, or answered it if you knew.

The answer is, they are installing some more of the paver bricks they installed last year, and getting ready to install the Ernie Banks statue that will be unveiled on Opening Day.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 9, 2008 4:09 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

OK
Maybe I was too harsh. My kids are driving me crazy -blame it on them.
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 9, 2008 5:43 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

"Insanity is hereditary..."
"...you get it from your kids."
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Feb 9, 2008 7:37 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

yeah i saw the sidewalk thing too
prob the bricks
Ramlee Zamfukusoridero

by hiphopgamer26 on Feb 9, 2008 8:30 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Magic in baseball
It's a day like this one which makes us realize that the sport of baseball has a magic to it... One that can make us stand up in awe, and can make even the smallest/simplest of people realize that they can be a hero.

by JohnMan on Feb 9, 2008 5:12 PM CST   0 recs

Nicely stated.
Thank you for reminding us why we love this game so much.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 9, 2008 5:48 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

That is one of the best parts of the game
When a relative unknown steps up and makes it big.

Also what's great is when a player gets his one moment in the sun.  

I think actually the greatest thing in sports is when a player changes boos to cheers with one swing of the bat, or one throw or one basket.

That's why Eli Manning winning the Super Bowl was so great.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Feb 10, 2008 9:00 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Check every day.....

Thanks for a GREAT site.........

by James031 on Feb 9, 2008 11:55 PM CST   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to Bleed Cubbie Blue, the Chicago Cubs blog for the SB Nation, created on February 9, 2005 by Al Yellon
Ad-medium-smq

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

T206_brown_small
Minor League Wrap--May 16
T206_brown_small
Minor League Wrap--May 15
T206_brown_small
Minor League Wrap--May 14
Dsc06236_small
Meet the Team, Have a Ball - Photos
Bestcubspic_small
The Dirt on the Pittsburgh Parrot

Recent FanPosts

Small
Take over Shea early proposition
T206_brown_small
Minor League Wrap--May 17
Welcome-to-wrigley-field_small
OT: Mike and Mike imitate Pat and Ron
Linzcubs_small
official soriano apology fanpost...
Ferruginous_hawk_01tk_small
MLB and the Magical Golden Thong
Welcome_to_the_fukudome__001_small
OT: 5/27 Game Help
2167chicagocubswin_small
More Alumni News
Img_1574_small
New Power Rankings
Small
OT: Getting married today

Post New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini

Google Ads

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recommended FanShots

The hidden benefits of the new drainage system.
What Morgan really thinks about while Miller talks.

Recent FanShots

Cardinals fans cheat. Even in Jalapeno eating contests.
Here's a little Murton to tide over the Orange Guy lovers ;-)
Mark DeRosa's Blog
Dome on mother's day... even the headline is pinky.
It's good to see he has an appreciation for the outfield now. lol.
Big Z beaning people. This was posted on the Gaslamp Ball site. Love it.
Heaven 2.0, I didn't take this picture but its as close to perfection as it gets
How you upstage Sammy Sosa in 1998 after hitting HR 61 and 62
Dome as an all-star. - found at Bocchan Stadium - 2002 in Matsuyama, Japan

Vote for Dome this year!

Post New FanShot All FanShots Carrot-mini

Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges

Yelloncard_small
Ticket Exchanges: May 9-18 Homestand
Yelloncard_small
Ticket Exchanges: May 26-June 1 Homestand
Yelloncard_small
Ticket Exchanges: General 2008 Season Requests

Ad-banner-faketeams

Editor-in-Chief

Yelloncard_small Al

Editorial Cartoonist

Toonmike_small toonmike

Photographer

Dsc_0139_small holy mackerel

ad

Site Meter