By David Stanczak
I hope Monday night was a harbinger of things to come. After a very successful road trip to open the season, losing only 1 game and averaging 7 runs per game, the Cubs came home to chilly, wind-swept, sold out Wrigley Field for the hope opener against the Reds. From the attire of the fans, one might have thought it was a late season Bears game or even an outdoor Blackhawks game. But the fans were warm inside, and the alcohol was only part of it. They were there to see the team that was finally going to turn around the Cubs fortunes, and relegate to the dustbin of history the old country song, “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up To Be Cub Fans.”
For 6-2/3 innings, the Cubs looked like the same team that had lost the last 9 home openers. It took that long before they got their first hit off the Reds starter Brandon Finnegan; in the meantime, the team that had scored 15 runs in their first 2 games was down 3-0 and looked like they were on their way to the 10th home opener loss in a row. The highlight of the game had been Ryne Sandburg, Ferguson Jenkins and Billy Williams singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
But the Reds’ starter left after a hit and a walk. The bases were loaded in the 7th, when Jason Heyward drove in 2 runs with a hit. Then in the 8th, with 2 men on, Cincinnati brought in another reliever aptly named Jumbo Diaz, who looked like he could throw about 150 mph. Addison Russell put Jumbo’s first pitch in the bleachers. Broadcaster Len Kasper reported that the broadcast booth was shaking.
The Cubs owners, the Ricketts family, has put a bundle into stadium renovation, building a farm system, and getting first rate management and playing talent. They are even buying their way out of litigation with the rooftop owners; they’re buying their buildings. Theyremind me of characters in an old James Garner movie, “The Wheeler Dealers”, Texas oilmen named Ray J, J Ray and JR who would buy anything on a whim.
I’m hoping they succeed. I would so love for my 96 year old father to live to finally see a Cub championship.
David Stanczak, a Forum commentator since 1995, came to Bloomington in 1971. He served as the City of Bloomington’s first full-time legal counsel for over 18 years, before entering private practice. He is currently employed by the Snyder Companies and continues to reside in Bloomington with his family.
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