Off Day Fun: Witness to Greatness

No performance in baseball history has been as dominant.

(date, opponent, actual score, actual inning) but it was an April game in ‘03 I believe. Watched the whole thing on good old WGN and it was a back-and-forth affair. Cubs gave up the lead in the top of the ninth and retied in the bottom. In the tenth or eleventh, down by one, Sosa jacks and opposite field dinger to tie the game and fire up the crowd. Next batter, Moises Alou, steps up and walks the game off with another round-tripper. I was freaking, Wrigley was rocking, and even my Cardinal-loving dad was enjoying it.

I’m not saying this as a Cub fan, but Wood’s 20K game was probably the most amazing GAME I have ever seen. I didn’t realize the game was on TV, and was flipping the channels and caught it in the early innings. At first, I wasn’t thinking anything special… and then I saw how much his breaking pitches moved… so I stayed around and called a couple people. I calling my then girlfriend up and telling her I’ll see her a little later than usual… she wasn’t too happy.

There are some other special memories. Andre Dawsons last game as a Cub was special. He hit a 3 run homer that won it for the Cubs. They played the Expos and the score was 3-2. I have it on tape and cherish it…

Twins-Braves World Series where Puckett hit that home run in the bottom of the tenth. Morris pitched like a 10 inning shut out… I don’t remember if all of my facts or correct, but man, that was a great game.

Cub’s beating Expos and clinching the East in ‘89. That was the first time the club went to the playoffs after I became a fan. Ugh, Will Clark… ugh…

I saw Nolan Ryans last two No-hitters. I saw him strike Rickey Henderson out as K number 5000.

Um… man, I’ve seen a lot. I love my baseball… but Wood’s game is number one. I have never… NEVER… seen pitches move that that. Hollywood CGI couldn’t make them breaking pitches move anymore than what they where.

Ok, most of you know the details, but:

NBC declaring Willie McGee the player of the game in the ninth inning with Bruce Sutter, in his prime, on the mound for the Cardinals.

Ryne Sandberg, already 3-for-4, leading off the ninth inning with a homerun to tie a game that the Cubs had trailed 7-1 and 9-3 at 9-9.

An inning later, with Dernier on first, Sutter still pitching and the score 11-9, Sandberg connecting again to tie the score at 11-11. The entire dugout met Sandberg at the plate as if he’d hit a game-winner. (Dave Owen singled in the winning run an inning later.)

Sandberg doing that off Sutter in 1984 would be like someone doing that off Eckersley in the early 1990’s or Mariano Rivera in the early 2000’s. It just didn’t happen.

Man, that was awesome.

1. Ken Holtzman’s first no-hitter in 1969.

2. Sammy Sosa’s 63rd home run of 1998, an 8th inning, game winning grand slam into the upper deck at San Diego. He had all 6 rbi’s in a 6-4 Cubs win.

Pinch hit home run in the 1988 World Series. Man, that still gives me chill bumps whenever I see it again. And the way Vin Scully described it was just beautiful. I was jumping up and down in front of the tv, spilling my coke all over our new carpet. I went to bed that night fantasizing it was Andre Dawson doing that for the Cubs in the WS.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA199904130.shtml

This is the only one that really stands out but Ivan Rodriguez went 4-5 with a grand slam in the 1st inning and another in the 3rd.

last summer was the highlight of games I’ve seen in person at Wrigley.

The Cubs’ playoff series win against Atlanta in Atlanta was the highlight of games I’ve seen at other parks.

I can still picture where I was on the day of Kerry’s 20K game. I was seated on our old blue couch in front of the window, watching the TV off to my left, and I saw every single pitch.

And we took my grandmother to the game because she was moving to a nursing home soon. She had alzheimers and she was getting pretty bad.

It was the bottom of the 9th, and the Cubs had a late rally, and Ryne Sandberg beat out an infield single to win the game.

It was the last time my Grandma ever talked the Cubs with me, and it was the last time Ryne Sandberg had a game winning hit.

thats gotta rank up there with the greatest clouts of all time

Yankees/Dodgers World Series. Reggie Jackson hits FOUR homeruns in FOUR consecutive at-bats—once in his final AB in Game 5, then three times in a row after walking his first AB in Game 6.

I was seven years old. My life was consumed with Baseball and Star Wars forever.

Jason Marquis. That’s right. Jason freakin’ Marquis. I witnessed this game last May 9 from the back of the centerfield bleachers—a three-hit complete game shutout. And if you want to read my long-winded, overly literary take on the experience, click here.

Wow, I just realized tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of said performance. Jason would do the team a whole lotta good if he could repeat such a performance—even just once. I guess he won’t be getting the chance for a while, though…

I’d have to say the best moment I’ve ever witnessed in person would have to be Sosa hitting a GS for #63 (to tie McGwire) in this game

I saw Wood’s comeback game in 2000 when he pitched well against the Astros and jacked a HR to support his own cause. That HR may be the single most exhilirating moment I’ve had in person at Wrigley Field. (The two playoff games I’ve been to have both been losses).

Also in 98 I saw a game - I believe it was against the Braves - where Brant Brown jacked an extra inning walkoff HR.

I saw my buddy ben have 9 beers and 7 hot dogs at a Cubs game last year. Then he topped it by being in a bratwurst eating contest the next week, taking second, then buying a hot dog at the Bulls game the same night. Impressive to witness.

Sorry i can’t narrow it down

1. McGwire’s 62nd off traschel – Even though he hit it, the whole place shut down, Gracie spanked him as he rounded first, He and Sammy did Big Mac’ fake punch each other in the stomach thing, then did Sammy’s kiss blowing thing. That race was unbelieveable.
2. Sosa’s Homers in regulars/extras against the Braves in 2003 NLDS
3.Kerry’s Homer to tie it against the Marlins in the 2003 NLCS
4. 1st game – Cubs-Astros. Alou killed us, I think he went deep twice, sat 1st row behnd dugout w/dad &brothers

This isn’t Cub related or really “greatness” but it is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen at a baseball field. I was at Camden Yards in 2001 or 2002, I can’t remember, and the Orioles were playing the Mariners. We had centerfield seats about 4 rows up. Great seats. Mike Cameron was the M’s centerfielder.

There were about 4 young guys in our row down a bit and they were heckling the shit out of Cameron. It was bad. Real bad. One guy said something about Cameron’s wife and kids or maybe about his family or something and Mike C. turns around and says “What the hell’s your problem?” The guy is hammered and keeps on Mike.

Cameron’s next at bat, he hits a homerun literally about 5 feet over our heads. I’m not exaggerating because you can see me on Sportscenter trying to jump and catch it. Cameron come’s back out to man his position and didn’t hear a peep the rest of the game. That was pretty damn cool.

The game that I witnessed in person that I remember the best was June 21, 2002. McGriff hit two solo bombs to beat the cards 2-1 in a day game behind jon liebers complete game.
I remember this one for a couple of reasons. I had to pick my bro up at the airport that night so i left early from iowa to go to the game, got a seat behind home about 15 rows up. It was the first time I saw my bro since he went into the Marines.

It was also the last game Darryl Kile ever went to.

So that one sticks in my mind pretty well.

Favorite game that I ever watched had to be K. Wood’s 20K game though, only one that is close is Cal Ripkens record breaking game.

The Sandberg game, 2 near no hitters by Cubs (Chuck Rainey’s and Frank Castillo’s – sitting behind home plate for Castillo’s!) but my moment was Fergie Jenkins last complete game shutout on June 10th, 1983 (http://www.baseballscorecard.com/scorecards/fergie-1983.JPG) . I was sitting in the right field bleachers for that one. (I took off work early to go to that game). A gem by Fergie…4 K’s only 1 walk and only 4 hits(and only to 2 players, Lonnie Smith & Willie McGee both had 2 hits). I remember at one point, Lee Elia came out and it looked like he was going to pull Fergie, only to have the crowd start chanting “Fergie” Fergie”. His career was almost over at this point, but Fergie showed he still had it in him to pitch a gem.

Kasey

Last year I was near Ferris Buellars seats (bullpen left field side) the whole stadium doing to tomahawk chop when they posted scores from the Brewers game.

AWESOME

Maybe not an all time great game. But I was a few rows from the field on the third base side and got a good veiw of the whole thing. Seeing Lee’s face as he left the batters box was priceless, the dude was intense!

... Order THREE hotdogs from the dugout of an Iowa Cubs game… in the middle of an inning. Had the whole crowd buzzing about it.

Beautiful. That’s a witness to greatness if I’ve ever seen it.

I also saw a Fred McGriff walk off home run for the Cubs at Wrigley, which was pretty cool, but no feat like Hector’s.

I saw the last game that Fred McGriff played as a Padre in 1993 when I was kid. I remember they pronounced his trade to Atlanta during the game.

Wow, that’s really lame.

Now as a young person I haven’t witnessed must so don’t make fun of me for this next comment. When the Red Sox hit four homeruns in a row last year on Sunday Night Baseball would be would be the best I’ve seen. Or possibly Kerry Woods homer in the 2003 ALCS. That was the loudest I’ve ever heard Wrigley.

but I would have like to have asked Milton Altman what his greatest Cubs moment was. Unfortunately he passed away on April 30. But I imagine he’s seen just about all of them seeing as how he was 106 and a lifelong resident of Chicago. There was a nice write-up in yesterday’s Tribune. Here’s a link:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/obituaries/chi-hed_altman_cmay07,0,1274302.story

Last year, when I still worked in the UCR athletics department, I had to call over to the baseball coach. As we talked, the coach said that Troy Percival was going to be throwing a bullpen in front of scouts. I went over to the ballpark and got there just as Percival was finishing his warm-ups. He was throwing in shorts and a T-shirt, with a beat up ball cap. There were about 12-15 scouts there, a couple with radar guns. Percy was throwing to one of the school’s catchers, a senior named Jeff Dunbar. I stood about 20 feet from the catcher, off to the side, and got to see the ridiculous break on his pitches, hear the hiss of the ball come by.

He threw about 25-30 pitches, and it was interesting to watch the scouts interact with each other, comparing notes, flashing the speed to each other after the pitches. When Percival was done, he and the scouts chatted for a few minutes. I remember them saying that he was hitting high 80’s and he reminded them that he was throwing a bullpen, and that the crowd noise and ambiance would get him fired up to the point where he would throw harder.

Afterwards, it was cool to read media reports about the bullpen session. Everything was second-hand via the scouts because the only reporter on the premises was in the baseball coach’s office, interviewing the UCR coach.

I’ve seen a lot of games, seen a lot of guys throw, but it was special to watch Percival restart his career.

It was Mother’s Day, May 14, 1978 (30 year anniv. is next week). I was in Dodger stadium when Kingman hit three homeruns which started the famous Lasorda rant. Kingman hit two 3-run homers and had 8 rbi. My brother and I still talk about this game especially now that my two nephews have the Lasorda rant on their computers. The game was quite amazing to witness and to get Lasorda all riled up made it even better.

1) Clemente’s one-man show in the 1971 World Series.

2) Gibson’s walk-off HR in the 1988 World Series.

3) Fisk’s HR in the World Series.

4) Pucket’s walk-off HR in the 1991 World Series (Yeah, I like walk-off HR’s.).

5) The Sandberg game.

6)K. Wood’s 20 K’s. (And this is my # 1.)

The Cubs lost to STL the day before and were onlt 1/2 game up. Very tight game on an overcast day with the wind blowing in. Sutcliffe vs. DeLeon. The place was packed! Cards led 2-1 in the 8th when Dwight Smith singled to RF, Smith rounded 1st wide and Brunansky deked him and tried to throw behind him and nail him. Smith instead took off full bore towards 2nd, sliding headfirst ahead of the tag. Salazar singles him in after Hawk grounds out. It goes to the bottom of the10th when Hawk walks and brings Salazr up with 2 down. Salazar slices one down the RF line and into the corner, Hawk is chugging for all he’s worth, bad knees and all, and barely beats Brunansky’s throw home! The place just erupted. I was in the upper deck and the whole thing was shaking. I can still see Hawk rounding those bases and screaming for him to make it home. The Cubs never looked back after that and won the division.

Jackass fans also littered the field that day; idiots.

Agreed. If someone throws trash on the field, they should kneecapped at the gate on the way out, so everyone knows them by their limp. Or, on a gentler note, they should have to wear a scarlet “T” around their neck to every subsequent game they attend that season.

Or does Tuffy Rhodes look exactly like Jacque Jones?

I was at the game when Glenallen Hill smoked a ball onto the roof across the street in left field. I was sitting along the 3b line. It was rainy, cold and nasty. We were under the upper deck, so we couldn’t follow the flight of the ball off the bat. We just saw it land on the roof.

My recollection was that there was an eerie silence as he hit the ball, with the silent pause continuing as the ball bounced on the roof. It was like no one could believe what they just saw.

Not “the Sandberg Game”, but rather “Ryne Sandberg Day” in 1997. Very emotional. Very much a downer when we lost the game in the 9th as a result of a Sandberg error. That was one of those “only the Cubs” moments.

The part that made it great was that me and my college buddies went to Harry Caray’s for dinner before the long drive back to Cedar Falls, Iowa. It turned out that Ryno was having a party there. We saw what seemed like pretty much every living Cub great walk through the doors. Later, Harry held court and allowed some autographs. I didn’t have anything on me, so I had him sign my Cub jacket. He was annoyed by the request, but Dutchie talked him into doing it.

As for that jacket, my mom just got Ryno to sign it last week at a minor league game in Cedar Rapids.

It was a game in St. Louis. Sammy was on the radar by this time, if I recall. Both McGwire and Sosa homered in the game. We were in the nosebleeds at Old Busch high in right field. My clearest recollection is actually of a Tyler Houston jack that looked like it was coming right at me.

The Cubs eventually lost, and I received much verbal abuse from the Cardinal fans.

BTW, I find it somewhat cowardly to talk crap AFTER the game.

Tuesday, September 16, 1975 – my senior year of high school, but an extended summer vacation because the Chicago teachers were on strike. So my buddy Allan and I headed to Wrigley to see the Cubs and Pirates.

This was the game where Rennie Stennett not only went 7 for 7 (tying an NL record), but got two hits in the same inning—twice. IIRC that had never happened before.

Rick Reuschell’s line that day: 0.1 IP, 8 R (all earned), 6 H, 2 BB, 0 K.

The Pirates were up 9-0 before Don Kessinger had the Cubs first at bat.

The final was22-0.