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Question of the day

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* I received this text from Freshman Rep. Hoan Huynh (D-Chicago) a few moments ago…

I’m throwing out the ceremonial first pitch today at Wrigley Field around 12:30pm in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Month and as the first Asian American to represent Wrigleyville in the Illinois General Assembly!

* Mayor Johnson threw out the first pitch before Sunday’s Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds game…

Thank you to the Chicago @Cubs & Ricketts family for having me throw the first pitch this past Saturday. They said I couldn't get the split-finger across the plate! As a kid growing up with WGN, it was an honor to receive the invitation, & a great night with family & friends. pic.twitter.com/n2DeVc3fCm

— Mayor Brandon Johnson (@ChicagosMayor) May 31, 2023


* The Question: What’s your favorite baseball moment?

posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 10:52 am

Comments

  1. July of 1990 I saw a Yankees pitcher lose to the White Sox 4-0 … and he pitched a no-hitter

    Comment by Lurker Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 10:56 am

  2. 11:47 p.m. CST, Nov. 2, 2016

    Comment by Northsider Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 10:59 am

  3. White Sox winning the World Series.

    Comment by Because I Said So…. Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:00 am

  4. Cubs winning the World Series.

    Comment by Team America Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:00 am

  5. Cubs winning the World Series.

    2nd - the time I was gifted 2 Wrigley executive’s tickets to a sold out game in Row 6 behind home plate.

    Comment by RNUG Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:05 am

  6. #1 is the obvious November 3 choice

    #2 is tough, after 150+ Cubs games attended in-person. Sammy hitting a homer in the 9/11 rescheduled game and racing an American flag around the bases was transcendent.

    Comment by The Truth Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:07 am

  7. The Cubs Winning the World Series after the greatest rain delay in history is the best. This play is a classic though… https://twitter.com/mlb/status/1662428442636214274?s=46&t=RtFyl89zKq-2h9tkQRzuUg

    Comment by Cubs Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:07 am

  8. After I moved to Illinois in 1995, I soon thereafter got to see my first professional baseball game (LA Dodgers at St. Louis). I was a baseball fan from birth and played ball through high school. But I also lived in a region where there were no actual teams to go see.

    At 37, I got to go the Cards game, and saw Willie McGee playing one of his last games. I was in the left field bleachers, and there he was, right in front of me. I could not believe I was sitting behind one of my heroes. That memory still makes me happy even though I have since been to several games.

    Comment by H-W Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:11 am

  9. So many of them, but one that stands out is the Konerko grand slam in the World Series. But what can compare with the Sox and Cubs winning the Series after so many years of failure? Will go with the Series wins.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:11 am

  10. Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. David Freese hits a two run triple to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth.

    Comment by Southern IL Bob Too Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:12 am

  11. I grew up in the Metro-East so this was easy. October 14, 1985. Ozzie Smith batting lefty against the Dodgers in the NLCS. Ozzie swung and then KMOX AM announcer Jack Buck told us to go crazy (and we did). I’ll never forget that call.

    Comment by levivotedforjudy Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:16 am

  12. Not necessarily one moment but I love watching a triple, way more than a home run. I remember a game in St. Louis back in the 1980s and Willie McGee raced from home to third in about 3 seconds (or so it seemed). A triple doesn’t have the appeal on tv as it does in person where you can watch the whole play unfold and the batter just motoring around the diamond to get to third. Love it.

    Comment by Steve Rogers Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:17 am

  13. That’s easy…Game 2 of the 2005 World Series, when my wife treated our entire family (6, including 2 sons and 2 daughters-in-law) to the best game ever! And my eldest son filmed Konerko’s grand slam!

    Comment by Retired SURS Employee Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:23 am

  14. When I saw a non-disparaging Wrigley-centric post on Cap Fax :-)
    Seriously, watching game 7 of the Cubs/Cleveland World series and wishing my long-suffering dad had made it a few years more so he could be beside us.

    Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:29 am

  15. White Sox winning the World Series in 2005. Even more so than the Bears in ‘85, by the time we got to the super bowl we knew they were going to win. The Sox somewhat limped into the playoffs after what was mostly a great season, and then that run through the playoffs, OMG.

    Before 2005, I had never once cried over sports. I did when the Sox won.

    Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:30 am

  16. August 2, 1985, when Fisk tagged out two Yankee baserunners on one play.

    Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:32 am

  17. Too many to list, but in deference to our host, one is an unforgettable day at old Comiskey, the night in 1984 when Tom Seaver got two wins on the same day. He was brought in to pitch in the top of the 25th inning (not a typo) and in the bottom of the 25th inning, Harold Baines hit a walk off homer. Then Seaver started the next game and got the win in that game too. Historic Sox game and I was glad to be there to see it.

    This also counts as my favorite White Sox game, a rare event for me.

    Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:32 am

  18. I was at the Drop Third Strike game in the 2005 ALCS. Great pitching by Mark Buehrle, great clutch hitting by Joe Crede, and a, um, heads up play by A.J. Pierzynski. What a night.

    Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:32 am

  19. Cardinals winning game 7 against the Yankees in the 1964 World Series.

    Comment by Cook Street Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:35 am

  20. My screen name gives it away but I’m also very fond of the time Robin Ventura made the ill-fated decision to charge the mound against Nolan Ryan.

    Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:38 am

  21. 1983 getting to see Bruce Sutter shut down a Cubs rally at the old Busch in STL. After the last out he stood on the mound staring at the Cub’s dugout until Whitey came and got him before things got ugly.

    Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:39 am

  22. 12 years old sitting in the living room of my uncles and see Hank Aaron hit 715. At 12 baseball was my life. On a personal level going 6 innings with a no hitter at 16. I don’t even follow baseball these days.

    Comment by clec dcn Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:45 am

  23. I’m more partial to weird and unlikely baseball moments than I am to sentimental ones. So I’d have to go with Bartolo Colon’s home run, Javy Baez stealing first, and Randy Johnson plunking a dove.

    Comment by vern Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:49 am

  24. Old Comiskey Disco Demolition night. One of the greatest spectacles associated with baseball. Granted I like mass chaos.

    Also when the father son duo decided to attack the Royals first base coach and got the crap beat out of them by the whole Royals team.
    Good times on the Southside

    Comment by Frida’s boss Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:49 am

  25. ” … see Hank Aaron hit 715.”

    Ditto. Was visiting family in Reno, and the locals were VERY happy he did it against the Dodgers … .

    Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:50 am

  26. Has to be my middle sons first hit in kid pitch. He’d been walked or struck out for weeks. Finally lines a slow one to shortstop. He’s so excited that he stood there hopping and grinning until Everyone started shouting RUN! (Luckily Shortstop over threw the bag and he made it)

    I know it’s corny.

    Comment by Mason born Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:57 am

  27. A rain delay in November comes to mind.

    Comment by Cool Papa Bell Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:58 am

  28. Top in-person experience was seeing Mark Buerhle’s perfect game in July 2009. The last inning was high anxiety followed by pure joy.

    The day before a friend asked if I wanted to catch a game, but it wasn’t convenient for me. I looked at the schedule and saw they were playing in the afternoon on Thursday, so we bailed on work and accidentally witnessed history.

    Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 12:03 pm

  29. I took my son to a game at Wrigley when he was about 10. Sammy Sosa was on his home-run streak. It was seventh inning and my son said “Sammy’s gonna hit a homer this time at bat”. Well, sure enough he hit a homer and my son’s face lit up like Christmas and Fourth of July all rolled into one. It was a magic day and I’m am so glad I got to share that with him.

    Comment by Manchester Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 12:05 pm

  30. As a singular baseball moment the final out in 2016 would be my favorite. Like many of us I grew up hearing all of the reasons why the Cubs would never win a World Series. From the curse, to not being able to win playing daytime baseball, through Bartman. I considered it virtually cast in stone. And then improbably everything changed.

    Comment by Pundent Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 12:15 pm

  31. I have one, but this one is better to the comedy.

    I was in a skybox the day “The Big Hurt”, Frank Thomas, hit his 400th home run. There. In the ball park.

    I had to step out for his AB, it was unavoidable.

    I missed the Dinger. I missed the rounding of bases. I missed it all.

    All those who attended with me that day give me such… “business”… for that, but the game after had a special feel. I was there, missed the moment.

    I have favorites, tough to choose one, but that moment, that game, yeah, (sigh)

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 12:24 pm

  32. 1 is the Cubs World Series win

    2 is the game in 1983 when the White Sox clinched the division. We were in the picnic area and when the game was over, fans pushed out the mesh and everyone went on the field. I think I still have a slice of the foul line. (I’m not a Sox fan but mom was).

    3 (tie) The Kerry Wood and Ryne Sandberg games (watched both on TV)

    4 I’m told it wasn’t my first time at Wrigley, but it’s the first one I remember and what I remember is that I was (all caps) amazed at the sight when I saw the field. I was 8.

    Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 12:28 pm

  33. Going to my 1st game @ Wrigley in August, 1969 with my Dad, an SRO game, and seeing Ken Holtzman no-hit the Atlanta Braves. Price

    Comment by Lt Guv Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 12:31 pm

  34. “A little bouncer slowly toward Bryant. He will glove it an throw to Rizzo. It’s in time! And the Chicago Cubs win the World Series!” — Pat Hughes

    I’ll admit, though, that October 26, 2005 was pretty cool too.

    Comment by thunderspirit Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 12:39 pm

  35. Being in Cleveland for Game 7 in 2016. Several of those Cubs home runs barely inched over the wall and I know every fan that didn’t live to see it was up there pushing it those last few inches.

    Comment by tea_and_honey Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 12:42 pm

  36. This will totally reveal what a petty person I am, but if I’m being honest…

    The Cubs falling to Florida in Games 6/7 of the 2003 series with Florida, especially the post-Bartman collapse. The wave of relief of this White Sox fan that we wouldn’t be enduring endless boasting by Cub fans breaking the curse while we still had ours was palpable. I used to use a videotape of the inning in my ESL tutoring.

    Winning in 2005 made the Cubs 2016 victory more palatable (plus I had to root for the Cubs given Cleveland’s “Chief Wahoo” was the most offensive thing existing in professional US sports…)

    Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 1:07 pm

  37. 1985 NLCS, Cardinals vs. Dodgers, Game 3. I was lucky to get two tickets to the game through the lottery and took my oldest son who was 7. Cardinals had lost the first 2 games in LA. The crowd was somewhat quiet pre-game with the Cards down 2-0 in the series. When the Cardinals ran on the field to start the game, the crowd roared when Ozzie Smith did a flip; it seemed to change the momentum. The Cards won that game 4-2, and the next (despite Coleman’s series ending tarp injury), and then game 5 with Ozzie’s walk off HR. Jack Clark’s heroics in the sixth game at LA got the Cards the NLCS win. They went on to lose the series to KC in seven games with some questionable umpiring. Different game, exciting times.

    Comment by Res Melius Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 1:16 pm

  38. Cubs winning the Series, but specifically the smile on Kris Bryant’s face as he fielded that last out and he knew — absolutely knew — that he had it, that they’d won.

    Comment by Suburban Mom Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 1:16 pm

  39. ===I know it’s corny.===

    As the dad of a kid who played, I have multiple memories myself. It’s not corny. Those are treasured memories fathers and sons will share the rest of their lives. The kind you have to turn your back for a moment and pretend to have something in your eye.

    Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 1:19 pm

  40. Listening to Pat Hughes and Ron Comer on the radio.

    Other than that, watching women’s college softball games.

    Going to baseball games was not a childhood experience. My summers were spent with my grandfather trimming Christmas trees, fishing, shooting, being general pest to grandmother.

    Comment by Huh? Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 2:19 pm

  41. Sitting in the box seats at Busch and seeing Lou get hit #3,000.

    Comment by Captain Obvious Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 2:20 pm

  42. Sitting with my grandfather at Three Rivers Stadium watching Steve Blass throw a three hitter as the Pirates beat the Orioles during game three of the 1971 World Series.

    Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 2:44 pm

  43. Was at game seven of the 1982 Cardinal world series victory and at Ozzie Smith’s “Go crazy folks” game.

    And I hardly go to any games.

    Comment by don the legend Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 2:45 pm

  44. Freese homer by far but for sheer fun Tommy Herr walk-off slam on seat cushion night or Coleman and Willie stealing 4 bases on 1 play in Wrigley in 1985

    Comment by Roy Bean Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 3:02 pm

  45. David Freese hit 11the inning home run to win Game 6 of 2011 World Series with Cardinals facing elimination and down to their last strike.

    Comment by Cards Fan Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 3:09 pm

  46. I’m not really a baseball fan, but I still feel bad for Steve Bartman. How Cubs fans treated him was a travesty and an embarrassment.

    I’m glad the Cubs finally won just so the poor guy could get some semblance of peace.

    Comment by Homebody Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 3:13 pm

  47. David Freese’s 2-run game-tying triple in the 9th inning of Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, when he was down to his last strike. 2 innings later, Freese hit that famous game-winning homer to force game 7 in which the Cards won it all.

    Comment by Justin Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 3:17 pm

  48. Sitting at Busch Stadium last year for Piujols’ 702nd home run and all the Cardinal World Series wins

    Comment by This Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 3:20 pm

  49. I’m with Justin and So. IL Bob. The Freese sequence was something else.

    Comment by Person Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 3:22 pm

  50. I attended a relocated and rescheduled game in Milwaukee. The Houston Astros had to play a home date in Wisconsin because Hurricane Ike had struck the Texas City.

    Tickets were sold for $10.00 each and there were no scorecards printed. It was September 14, 2008.

    Carlos Zambrano pitched the first no hitter by a Cubs pitcher since 1972. It was the only no hitter pitched at a neutral site.

    Comment by Gravitas Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 3:42 pm

  51. David Freeze’s heroics in game 6 of the 2011 WS. The triple in the 9th to tie it and them the homer in the 11th to send it to game 7. I’ll never forget that night.

    Comment by Just Saying Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 4:07 pm

  52. Final day of the 1998 season, saw Mark McGwire hit Homers 69 and 70. 69 was a moon shot. 70 was a line drive that barely cleared the left field wall. The crowd reaction to both Homers was incredible.

    Comment by Oldtimer Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 4:49 pm

  53. Favorite: being in the Wrigley bleachers for the Cubs pennant win in 2016. Second-favorite is attending the 2016 championship parade on my birthday.

    Comment by Tim Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 6:20 pm

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    Comment by olive22194 Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 11:31 pm

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