Random Cubs Recap: July 4, 1986

by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2011 10:04 AM CST in History

A general view of a fireworks display above Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The photo attached to this post is partly in honor of celebrating New Year's Eve tonight, and partly to tell you where the Cubs played on July 4, 1986. (If you don't recognize the stadium, you'll have to look after the jump for the answer.)

About the game itself... well, you'll just have to keep reading.

Maybe firing Jim Frey wasn't the answer.

It seems impossible that only a year and a half after the Cubs' triumphant return to the postseason after a 39-year absence, the manager who led that charge lost his job. Gene "Stick" Michael replaced him... and has led the team to a not-so-resounding 8-12 record, including tonight's frustrating 2-1 loss to the Padres in San Diego, the second straight loss to the team that knocked the Cubs out of the '84 playoffs.

The Cubs' only run was a solo homer by Gary Matthews off Goose Gossage, tying the game at 1-1 in the eighth. Matthews is hitting just .217. I dunno. Is he done at 35? If only he could have hit Gossage during the NLCS in 1984...

There was one bright spot in this otherwise miserable game in which the Cubs managed just four other hits besides Matthews' home run, and that was the Cubs debut of Ed Lynch, who was acquired from the Mets five days ago. Lynch got hurt earlier this year and after a few starts at Triple-A for the Mets, the Cubs got him in a deal for minor leaguers Dave Liddell and Dave Lenderman. Although it's kind of weird to see Lynch in a Cubs uniform less than two years after his brawl at Wrigley with Keith Moreland, I think this is an excellent trade. Lynch is only 30 and tonight, he looked solid. He gave the Padres just three singles and a run before being lifted for pinch-hitter Thad Bosley, who doubled after Matthews' homer with just one out. But Bosley was stranded by the impotent Cubs offense.

Ray Fontenot replaced Lynch and did fine... until, with two out in the bottom of the ninth, Padres backup catcher Bruce Bochy hit a walkoff homer.

Such has been the fate of this team, and even though I'm usually an optimist, I know that the Cubs, now sitting 24 games behind the front-running Mets, have pretty much zero chance of making anything out of this season.

But Lynch looks like a keeper. Hopefully he'll be part of this organization for a long time to come.

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Comments

always disliked Ed Lynch

going back to the ’84 Mets/Cubs brawl at Wrigley…….would love to see some recaps from ’84 and ’89….years people remember and can identify with.

by MikeJW on Dec 31, 2011 10:30 AM CST reply actions

Ray Fontenot, any relation to Mike?

by mikeschieve on Dec 31, 2011 10:37 AM CST reply actions

Not to my knowledge.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2011 10:55 AM CST up reply actions

Really great recap

albeit, a painful year to remember. Mets 24 games up in July – yikes. I hated every member of that Mets team.

"Hey Hey, Holy mackerel, no doubt about it,!"

by scottsdalecubs on Dec 31, 2011 10:38 AM CST reply actions

I hated that "Let's Go Mets!" music video, too.

That was right after the Chicago Bears did their “Super Bowl Shuffle” video and some other sports teams got on the bandwagon. The Mets did the “Let’s Go Mets!” music video which, believe it or not, used to appear on MTV quite frequently. That’ll never happen again because no sports team wants to do a music video like that now and MTV doesn’t play music videos anymore.

by jeffmills1972 on Dec 31, 2011 12:51 PM CST up reply actions

Zimmer

was fired along with Frey. John Vukovich (sp?) managed a DH vs. the Cardinals, and then Gene Michael took over.

Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go!
Hey Chicago what do you say,
The Cubs are gonna win today!

by revtrh on Dec 31, 2011 10:53 AM CST reply actions

Cripes.

I forgot about Gene Michael. Zimmer managed the next year. I’ll fix it.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2011 10:55 AM CST up reply actions

You have to admit

Michael was eminently forgettable.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2011 10:56 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Or imminently forgettable.

Depending on whose side you’re on.

by jeffmills1972 on Dec 31, 2011 12:52 PM CST up reply actions

There are days when I wake up screaming with memories of him as manager. Okay that’s exaggerating (It’s Quade that makes me scream in terror).

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Jan 2, 2012 12:15 PM CST up reply actions

Something else to have a look at:

“He gave the Mets just three singles…”

In a game against the Padres?

(truly evil grin)

by MN exile on Dec 31, 2011 11:11 AM CST up reply actions

Oops.

Well, the Mets WERE really good that year.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2011 11:15 AM CST up reply actions

I HATED the Mets in 1986.

But you’re right, they were great that year. In fact, I was telling my friend in high school at the time of the World Series that the Mets were going to beat the Red Sox. I was shocked that Boston was up 3-2 before Game 6. I was not surprised that the Mets came back to win Game 6 and 7 because I thought they were the best team in baseball that year. Curse, schmurse. Boston wasn’t as good as New York that year.

by jeffmills1972 on Dec 31, 2011 12:49 PM CST up reply actions

It's a shame Vukovich never got a manager's job.

I always liked him as a coach. He reportedly was going to get the manager’s job in 1988 and there was a planned press conference for Dallas Green to introduce him, but that was squelched after Tribune fired Green. Vukovich or “Vuke” as some like to call him went on to become a Phillies coach for many years and interviewed a couple of times for the manager’s job. He did manage a few games at the end of 1988 after Lee Elia got fired, but Philadelphia hired Nick Leyva for 1989.

by jeffmills1972 on Dec 31, 2011 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

Lynch will be a great

GM someday.

Normally, I crack wise about the top draft pick from that year. As ‘meh’ as Derrick May was, there wasn’t much better on the board.

10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.

by timh815 on Dec 31, 2011 11:22 AM CST reply actions

Some players picked in the 2nd and 3rd rounds that year had better MLB careers

Kevin Tapani, Todd Zeile, Dean Palmer, among others.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2011 11:37 AM CST up reply actions

And overall

… the Cubs 1986 draft was pretty poor. Of 33 players taken, only five played in the major leagues at all: May, Pat Gomez, Joe Girardi, Jim Bullinger and Rick Wilkins.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2011 11:40 AM CST up reply actions

I remember on May 27th them showing his back as a “Date” shot. He was also the first player to make the major league roster younger than I was (by a week).

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Jan 2, 2012 5:25 AM CST up reply actions

My most vivid memory of Lynch was during a convention when he was GM he was doing an irish jig at Kitty O’Sheas. Remember this man is 6’7.

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Jan 2, 2012 5:28 AM CST up reply actions

Ah, the Murph. I remember it well.

just wondering… are there any toilet bowl stadiums left?

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 31, 2011 12:13 PM CST reply actions

oakland and snapdragon

by daily2b on Dec 31, 2011 12:54 PM CST up reply actions

That's not a toilet bowl stadium.

That’s just a toilet.

by jeffmills1972 on Dec 31, 2011 12:55 PM CST up reply actions

yeah, I was thinking Three Rivers (Pittsburgh) might have been the last one but not sure.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 31, 2011 12:56 PM CST up reply actions

Veterans Stadium was the last.

Citizens Bank Park opened in 2004. PNC opened in 2001.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2011 4:52 PM CST up reply actions

After further review...

…now I’m thinking Busch would be the last one. New Busch opened in 2006.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 31, 2011 7:16 PM CST up reply actions

Ah, yes.

You’re right.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2011 7:38 PM CST up reply actions

Of this genre, RFK Stadium is still around.

It was as used for a bowl game this past week. It opened in 1961, and according to Wikipedia: RFK was the first major stadium designed specifically as a multisport facility for both football and baseball.

It has the most unique shape of that era of stadium

You could toss Oakland Coliseum (O.com Coliseum) and Candlestick Park into this group — but neither was opened as a circular stadium. For that matter, SD Stadium/Jack Murphy/Qualcomm/Snapdragon was also NOT a circular stadium until the final expansion for the 2003 Super Bowl.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jan 2, 2012 12:34 AM CST up reply actions

For some reason I thought Candlestick Park had been torn down didn’t realize the 49ers still played there.

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Jan 2, 2012 5:29 AM CST up reply actions

I have many memories of Jack Murphy Stadium

First time I went there was 1969. You know how the Marines always take recruits to the Sunday afternoon game? I was one of those boots back then. Later in the 80’s, if things were slow on a given afternoon at Camp Pendleton, I’d tell my Exec to take over and head down I-15 for a game. It was great; used to love watching Benito Santiago throw out runners from his knees.

I enjoy this website because it's so interesting to see folks pole vaulting over mouse turds.

by BAMACOLONEL on Jan 1, 2012 10:23 AM CST up reply actions

US Cellular Field.

Oh you mean in design.

(and actually I kind of like the cell except for the too loud music).

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Jan 2, 2012 5:26 AM CST up reply actions

If that Bochy guy doesn't make it as a catcher

maybe he’ll be a manager someday.

24 days til the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!

by VegasCubFan on Dec 31, 2011 1:22 PM CST reply actions

OT

I don’t know what to believe anymore, but hear Detroit is strong candidate for Garza. not familiar with their farm system. who is good, and who has the better farm system for OUR needs? NYY TOR or DET

Mike Brown is the true definition of a businessman:
1.Build bare essentials to run business(PB Stadium)-✔
2.Hire cheap players-✔
3.When you suck don't give in to anyone's demands-✔
4. Change is a bad thing-✔

by RIP Slim on Dec 31, 2011 1:22 PM CST via Android app reply actions

It's not OT over here in this fanshot...

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/12/30/2671573/tigers-join-garza-chase

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 31, 2011 1:38 PM CST up reply actions

thanks

its hard to find on mobile

by RIP Slim on Dec 31, 2011 1:42 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

fanshots

aren’t available on mobile app. that would be why I couldn’t find it

by RIP Slim on Dec 31, 2011 1:55 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

Hmm... sometimes that might be a good reason to be goin' mobile ;-)

Keep me movin’
Over 50
Keep me groovin’
Just a hippie gypsy

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 31, 2011 2:00 PM CST up reply actions

one of the best songs ever

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 31, 2011 5:56 PM CST up reply actions

Not even the best song on that album!

Baba O’Riley?

Won’t Get Fooled Again?

Gettin’ In Tune?

by MN exile on Dec 31, 2011 7:39 PM CST up reply actions

Incredible album

10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.

by timh815 on Dec 31, 2011 7:44 PM CST up reply actions

that's it I'm playing it at midnight! !!!!

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 31, 2011 8:15 PM CST up reply actions

"Behind Blue Eyes" was (is) my personal mantra

Kept me going/sane in my formative yet troubled years…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 31, 2011 8:31 PM CST up reply actions

"Won't Get Fooled Again"

… one of the greatest songs of all time.

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by Al Yellon on Dec 31, 2011 9:07 PM CST up reply actions

dont forget Bargain!

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 31, 2011 10:49 PM CST up reply actions

ha...that was the mantra of almost every guy I went out with back then....good times :(

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 31, 2011 9:07 PM CST up reply actions

so Al, when will you start looking at the trades or signings done

in history on the date you post (i.e. see who the Cubs traded for or signed on Jan 3rd from some year and write as if that just happened). Not sure how easy/hard that might be but could be interesting to see

Q: Why did Theo Epstein cross the road?
A: To Dump Garza

by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 31, 2011 11:26 PM CST reply actions

Could do that....

… not as easy to look up, though.

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by Al Yellon on Jan 1, 2012 9:22 AM CST up reply actions

January 27th

January 27th would be one day to post something. 30th anniversary of Sandberg for DeJesus.

Maybe look up some of the best and worst and post them on those days?

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Jan 1, 2012 10:27 AM CST up reply actions

Have always felt a bond with Thad Bosley...

As we share the first name “Thad”.

by Imtrejo on Jan 1, 2012 12:54 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I will always have a bond with any players that would have my name, Heck I’d buy their jerseys and start a special rooting section for them.

Of course the chances of the Cubs ever having a player named “Stephanie” are very slim.

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Jan 1, 2012 6:09 PM CST up reply actions

Prospect

Why isn’t anyone talking about this kid named Greg Maddux we keep hearing about? I know he’s only 20 but he looks like he might be pretty decent. Maybe we can keep him for 6 years, he’ll go to Atlanta for more than a decade and come back someday?

Jessica have you heard of him? I think he’s the type of player we both might like.

I hear his brother is pretty decent and might also have a decent future as a pitching coach too and maybe a manager candidate too.

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Jan 2, 2012 12:14 PM CST reply actions

I was 8

days old in this date :(

by RIP Slim on Jan 2, 2012 10:19 PM CST via Android app reply actions

It makes me feel old that someone born the year I graduated high school could have graduated medical school and be in his residency now. When I was in the hospital the last time the resident who came with the neurosurgeon commented it was his 25th birthday and he was born in 1986.

But on the flip side it was him that pinpointed my problem.

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Jan 3, 2012 6:01 AM CST up reply actions