Where were you when (nostalgia)....?

[thedaymen]

I know its not an off day anymore, but some memories from over the years, excuse me if some of the dates are wrong:

 

I recently went and found the boxscore from my first baseball game (at the vet) when I became a Cubs' fan.

 

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=198606250PHI

 

Its funny, my memory is a little off...I "remembered" Ryno hitting a hr (Cubs' didn't hit any...) and Sutcliffe starting (Sutcliffe, Sanderson, who was I to remember?)

 

I remember the last home game of 1987 was a game of the week, and Dawson hit a late hr...thats when my Mom decided to watch baseball with me, which turned out to be a big moment in both our lives.

 

In 1988 we were back at the vet in the RF bleachers (until marriage to a Mets fan with access to season tickets on the first base line, I pretty much exclusively sit in the RF bleachers) and Andre waved to us before every inning. We weren't just the only Cubs' fans there, we were the only fans there period. It was cold. We had a big sign.

 

In 1989 I went to Wrigley for the first time. My parents took me and it was right after the Cubs took over first. They split a double header and Dunston had three triples. Dawson was away at the birth of his son.

 

I remember Maddux shaking his head in disgust and mouthing the words, "I don't have it" or something of the sort before getting shelled in game 1 of the NLCS.

 

I was sitting in my car in our garage glued to the radio for the last out of the 1989 playoffs (an afternoon game). The Cubs were rallying and I was just back from a soccer game and I didn't want to miss the end. I remember part of me was relieved that Dawson didn't get up to make another big out. This was the start of me being a cynical Cubs fan.

 

In 1991 we rigged up this ridiculous set of wires around the property to boost our radio signal so we could listen to the Cubs on the radio. We lived in the mountains in PA and couldn't get them any way else. We could still only get night games.

 

In 1991 we saw Zimmer intentionally walk Bobby Bonilla to get to Barry Bonds. I always wonder if that was the last time that ever happened. It ruined a ph grand slam by the Hawk who was barely walking at the time.

 

We went to Wrigley every year until the strike...my dad was a bigshot in the chocolate industry and he got invited to speak at all these conferences. My Mom would take his schedule and match it up with the Cubs. We also saw the Cubs at Candlestick, Dolphins Stadium, Olympic Stadium (where Dawson's cheers were second only to Tim Raines').

 

I got misty eyed when Dawson signed with Boston. I felt like the world had ended. Having rooted for the Cubs, Bears and Utah Jazz, I had never had a favorite player leave before. It also began a lifelong hatred for the front office.

 

That Easter I saw Curt Schilling throw a shutout against the Cubs on a broken leg.

 

I remember catching every Sox game on TV to watch him struggle as a DH, then eventually I went to Camden Yards where he played in two of the three games for a series and hit two hr's. I was convinced that it was my presence.

 

In 1991 we went to a night game at Wrigley and I lost some sort of bet with my Mom so I agreed to unflicnhingly root for Danny Jackson. We were right behind home plate (not the bleachers) and I shouted out encouragement for DJ the whole game (he was getting booed pretty bad). He pitched a good game and the next day in the paper said he heard the cheers of a couple of fans and that motivated him. We always wondered who the other fans were.

 

My last time in Wrigley was 1994, right before the strike. The Rockies were in town and since the Cubs' were the first game of the day we literally waited for Randy Myers to pop his head out of the dugout and waive. The unofficial sign that the strike wasn't today.

 

I went to college in Baltimore and was roomed with a guy built like a linebacker from TN who grew up on Harry Caray and WGN.

 

For some reason that was beyond me, he LOVED Sammy Sosa. Mind you, this was pre-1998. We used to laugh at SS's braggadicio and he actually still has the email I sent him in spring training of 1998 mocking Sammy. His exchange with the reporter was something like this:

 

Reporter: How many hr's you going to hit this year Sammy?

SS: 61

Reporter: (laughing) lets say you don't hit 61, then how many?

SS: 62

 

hahaha that Sammy Sosa, such a kidder.

 

With all the technology available to us, we somehow got great reception of WGN radio on an old record player/stereo roomy brought to our apartment as seniors. We listened to a lot of 1998 together while playing Super Tecmo Bowl.

 

Oh, and I discovered the ESPN Cubs message board and began an on-again off again posting history that ended for good when I got a link to this site.

 

After college roomy and I would take our friends (not Cubs' fans) on road trips with us. I was interviewed in Atlanta TV on why I was a Cubs fan (I told the incredulous reporter that I was a fair weather fan.)

 

We saw Sammy hit the longest home runs in Turner Field (off Maddux) and PNC Park history on successive years.

 

When Sammy's corked bat shattered on the infield grass I got a phone call from now-ex roomy. He sounded like his dog had died, and I guess in some psychological/emotional way, it had.

 

A week later we were in the bleachers in Camden Yards getting cork thrown at us. The six people we took each had a letter spelling out "S-A-M-M-Y" and he waived gratefully to us. Apparently we were on TV a bunch of times that night.

 

In 2003 one of my gal pals from college invited me to Mets-Cubs opener at Shea. It was about three thousand degrees below zero and the Cubs beat the Mets 123-0. Ok, it was 15-2. Two months later gal pal and I were dating. A year later engaged.

 

I was driving across the country with my Dad (I was between jobs) when the Cubs clinched. I was in Arizona. Two nights later I was in the upper deck at Turner Field.

 

I switched parents at Atlanta's airport and Mom and I went straight to the ballpark. Parts of the park were open, and as you walked up the place was entirely filled with Cubs Blue. At a bench next to the pizza place, everyone had three stories they told 1) why a Cubs' fan (most of us weren't natives) 2) biggest heartbreak in person (the aforementioned Bonds game) 3) story of how they got to Atlanta in time. People were awed by my story of driving across the country but then...

 

"It was hard getting plane tickets and the paperwork for a trip from Israel, but perser..." I missed the rest. Lady had stolen my spotlight. Israel...whatever.

 

EDIT: I was between houses for most of the playoffs, watching games alone in my apartment in Greenbelt, MD, ex-roomy's place in Baltimore, gf's place in Secaucus, NJ...hectic.

 

But games 6 and 7 were at ex-roomy's place. After game 5 he was already predicting the end. Game six was weird...the place went just silent in the 8th and it stayed that way until Wood hit the homer to tie game seven...

 

In 2004 fiance, Mom, roomy and I came at Philly from all directions for the first series in the new ballpark. The fans are so close to the bullpens there...seems like a bad idea, but I love it. Could hear the bullpen phone ring from the bleachers. Before the series Alou was complaining about nobody giving the offense enough credit. He had one hit in the series.

 

In NY I was there for the beginning of the end as Hawkins and the Cubs kicked the last two games of the series. Last year I went to seven games. They lost all seven.

 

This year, I'm as blah on this team as ever. A miserable offseason and a miserable start to the season. Yet, as we get closer to late July and the three game series at Shea, I'm already looking forward to getting reaquainted with the boys again.

[CuseCubFan69]

Heck I remember when 3 Finger Brown had 4 fingers.

[cubfan1955]

This thread is more depressing than nostalgic. Anyone remember that time we won a world series title?

[RynoRules]

My first game at Wrigley. There have been somewhere between 150-200 since:

 

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=198007160CHN

[thedaymen]

My first game at Wrigley. There have been somewhere between 150-200 since:

 

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=198007160CHN

 

Dusty playing left for the Trolley Dodgers...

[Roast]

THIS was my first game. It was amazing. I dont care if we lost. That was the game where Sosa hit HR #60, making him the first player ever to hit 60 in back to back seasons. The crowd cheerd for what seemed liek 10 minutes straight after he hit that one out (to right center i believe).

 

*swoon*

[gus_dog]

This thread is more depressing than nostalgic. Anyone remember that time we won a world series title?

 

Not likely. My dad went to series vs. Tigers in '45 - lucky dog.

[Proven Veteran]

This thread is more depressing than nostalgic. Anyone remember that time we won a world series title?

 

Not likely. My dad went to series vs. Tigers in '45 - lucky dog.

 

My grandmother doesn't even remember a world series title, she's 97.

[Stu]

Anyone remember the summer of '77? That was a pretty good Cubs team that got out of the gate fast. Herman Franks was manager, Bittner, Ontiveros, Mitterwald, Cardenal, De Jesus, Trillo, et. all. I remember Sutter emerged that year as an absolutely filthy closer. Remember the organ playing the Alka Selzter relief song when he came in from the bullpen.

 

that team looked like it had a chance, and then of course Sutter got hurt and the team fell apart. Still, it finished 500 that year, which was quite an accomplishment.

 

That summer I was on the couch all summer with a broken leg I'd suffered whilst sliding into second in Little League. We got cable that year, and I got to see virtually every Cubs game as back then WGN broadcasted like 160 games a year.

[XZero771679666304]

Who else remembers the game in '89 when the Cubs were down 9-0 to the Astros after the first few innings and came back to win?

 

That was one of my all time favorites.

 

Or Frank Castillo's 8 2/3 of no hit ball against the Cards in '95? (stupid Gilkey)

 

The Sandberg game (June 23rd 1984)

 

Grace's game winning 3-run homer off Aguilera w/2 outs in the 9th in '89

 

Grace hitting for the cycle in '93

[gus_dog]

Anyone remember the summer of '77? That was a pretty good Cubs team that got out of the gate fast. Herman Franks was manager, Bittner, Ontiveros, Mitterwald, Cardenal, De Jesus, Trillo, et. all. I remember Sutter emerged that year as an absolutely filthy closer. Remember the organ playing the Alka Selzter relief song when he came in from the bullpen.

 

that team looked like it had a chance, and then of course Sutter got hurt and the team fell apart. Still, it finished 500 that year, which was quite an accomplishment.

 

That summer I was on the couch all summer with a broken leg I'd suffered whilst sliding into second in Little League. We got cable that year, and I got to see virtually every Cubs game as back then WGN broadcasted like 160 games a year.

 

Yes, I remember that team - perfected the swoon, they did. 20 games over .500 at one point, only to finish 81-81.

[RynoRules]

Who else remembers the game in '89 when the Cubs were down 9-0 to the Astros after the first few innings and came back to win?

 

That was one of my all time favorites.

 

Or Frank Castillo's 8 2/3 of no hit ball against the Cards in '95? (stupid Gilkey)

 

The Sandberg game (June 23rd 1984)

 

Grace's game winning 3-run homer off Aguilera w/2 outs in the 9th in '89

 

Grace hitting for the cycle in '93

 

I believe this is the game you are referring to:

http://baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=198907300CHN

 

He hit the HR off of Myers after Aguilera put a man on ahead of him. I know this because I was there, sitting a few rows behind the Cubs' dugout. After Grace hit the dong into the RF poweralley (I can still see it in my head) he went into the dugout. When the crowd continued to dance and scream, he came back out and did a Hulk Hogan-like "muscle flex" for us, right in front of me. That game propelled them onto the NL East title. I was 13. One of the greatest memories of my childhood.

 

Here is the greatest Cubs game I ever saw in person:

http://baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=199809120CHN

 

They were down by 8 runs, came all the way back, and then recent pick up Orlando Merced jacked one into the RF bleachers for the walk off. No one left the park for 10 minutes as the music continued to blare from the speakers. I get chills just thinking about it.

 

Best part about both of hose games is that I was there with my Dad.

[FergieJ31]

Here is the greatest Cubs game I ever saw in person:

http://baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=199809120CHN

 

They were down by 8 runs, came all the way back, and then recent pick up Orlando Merced jacked one into the RF bleachers for the walk off. No one left the park for 10 minutes as the music continued to blare from the speakers. I get chills just thinking about it.

 

Best part about both of hose games is that I was there with my Dad.

 

I remember that game very well too; saw it from the bleachers. Sosa hit his 60th that day, a clutch 3-run jack in the 7th.

 

There were some crazy games down the stretch in '98, not to mention the HR chase -- just a wild, fantastic ride, culminating in a Rockie named Neifury! getting us a shot at SF.

 

Waxing nostalgic, remember when the Cubs won four consecutive games? Good times ... :cry:

[B]

 

Some ballparks had baseball-shaped golf carts to bring in the relief pitchers from the bullpen?

 

 

Bases Loaded on NES?

[BeerHere]

 

When game 163 was to be played I jumped in my car and drove to Jewel to get tickets. By the time I got there the line was around the block. I got in line and when I got to the counter I was told that they just sold out. (no lie). I bought two tickets through a scalper for $120 each, one was obstructed view but that game was incredible.

 

 

 

you're in McHenry County, aren't you? I was 11th in line at Jewel in Crystal Lake. we were in the car about 2 minutes after Neifi went deep (best damn thing he's ever done for us).

 

there were cars coming from everywhere speeding to Jewel as we drove. the only reason we were able to get tickets is I jumped out of the car and ran in as soon as we got in the parking lot, then my brother parked. people who parked and then walked in were left out, as were people who didn't have cash in hand.

 

Palatine. Although I live in McHenry county now. I was the only person in the car so I couldn't jump out as I saw the line forming in a hurry. An awful experience but I did get to see the game, only cost me $240!

[EricG]

Who else remembers the game in '89 when the Cubs were down 9-0 to the Astros after the first few innings and came back to win?

 

That was one of my all time favorites.

 

Or Frank Castillo's 8 2/3 of no hit ball against the Cards in '95? (stupid Gilkey)

 

The Sandberg game (June 23rd 1984)

 

Grace's game winning 3-run homer off Aguilera w/2 outs in the 9th in '89

 

Grace hitting for the cycle in '93

I remember the Astros game in '89 was the first day of school, we went to the game the day before.

[Wilmo]

As bad as this season has been, reading this post sure does bring back a LOT of great memories and reminds me why I root for the Cubs, the greatest franchise in ALL of major league sports. I love being a life long Cubbie fan. I'm glad my mom decided to buy me that first pack of baseball cards in 81' and thank God she didn't pick up the Hockey cards.

[bhogg]

My first pack of cards was a pack of 85 Topps (my mom bought them for me).

 

The top card was Ryne Sandberg.

[ConstableRabbit]

THIS was my first game. It was amazing. I dont care if we lost. That was the game where Sosa hit HR #60, making him the first player ever to hit 60 in back to back seasons. The crowd cheerd for what seemed liek 10 minutes straight after he hit that one out (to right center i believe).

 

*swoon*

 

Lmao, Jason Bere.

 

 

My two greatest in-attendance memories were the NL WC clincher in '98 (where people were dancing atop buses afterwards), and the infamous game 6, which left me discouraged, but feeling optomistic about the next day. I high fived the people next to me and said "well guys, Kerry will have to take care of them tomorrow" :evil: ARGHHHHH!

[Andy]

This is all making me quite jealous, as the best game I've yet attended was a 5-4 loss to San Diego on 8/12/04 when Nomar hit the go-ahead homer in the 7th and everyone went crazy. Unfortunately it was also the game where Sammy went 0-5 with 4 K's and was booed out of the stadium as I sat in shock wondering how the hell we could turn on someone so quickly. 2nd best game was a walk off win against Milwaukee last year when Holly scored Burnitz to win it. Woo de freekin hoo.

[Wilmo]

The best game I was at was back in 96, 97, 98, hell I'm really not sure. I do know is it was the day the Hawks knocked the Pacers out of the NBA playoffs. (My buddy brought a small tv to the game) Anyway, we were playing the Mets, we were in the left field bleachers and the fans were tearing up Bernanrd Gilkey. Bottom of nine, Cubs are down, Sammy comes up and rocks one onto Waveland, it bounces off the street and crashes through a window in the building across the street. I swear the ball flew directly over our heads. Of course the place was going crazy. Hands down, best game I have ever attended.

[bhogg]

My best baseball day was probably attending Sandberg's HOF induction.

 

 

My most ironic game would be a game last season against the marlins (the game before they retired ryno's number). Greg maddux, one of the games greatest control pitchers, nails Dontrelle Willis in the ass to walk in what would be the game winning run.

[biittner77]

MY brothers and I used to help the Andy Frain Ushers flip up the seats. If you did a whole section they'd give you a free pass for another game.

 

I remember Mike Krukow wearing shin guards ready to go in at catcher during one of those marathon 22-21 games against the Phillies.

[Chris]

My first pack of cards was a pack of 85 Topps (my mom bought them for me).

 

The top card was Ryne Sandberg.

 

My first pack of baseball cards was a wax pack of 1989 donruss for $ .50 that had an Orel Hershiser card. I was king of the world.

[Outshined_One]

It's funny. All my life, I've been watching and cheering for the Cubs. Cripes, there are pictures of an infant me out there wearing Cubs gear. Yet, most of my Cubs memories start in 1998.

 

I was a freshman in HS back in 1998 and remember plenty of the insanity that went down that year. I never did any homework in my math class because I was always busy watching the games. Heck, I even watched those atrocious 1999 games.

 

All throughout high school, I'd try to ditch out early to catch games. I could just hop on the red line, get off at Addison, then walk up and get decent seats. Usually I'd get the ultra cheap tickets, then walk down somewhere else if no one was in attendance.

 

The first game I attended that really sticks out for me came in 2002. It was a double header against the Pirates. I was supposed to go with this girl from HS I liked, but she stood me up. I sulked my way to the game by myself and showed up at the end of Game 1, where the Cubs had lost in an obscene fashion something like 10-1. I was a wreck.

 

Between games, my mom inexplicably showed up with the other ticket. I was annoyed with her at first, but eventually she cheered me up. Game 2 was a blast. Juan Cruz was starting against Josh Fogg and he was in the midst of that horrible win-loss record streak where he got no run support. The Cubs were down later in the game when a series of weird events took place that led to Sammy coming to the plate. Everyone in the park got to their feet and cheered him on. He managed to hit the go ahead HR that eventually won the game.

 

Other memories I have...

 

-Going to the Cubs/Braves game in 2002 on 70s night. My friend Luis and I sat next to a pair of cross-dressers. Tony Orlando waved at us. Todd Hundley hit a home run, flipped off the crowd, AND threw out a baserunner in the ninth inning with Alf nailing the game down.

 

-Being at the Cubs/Devil Rays game the day after Sammy was caught with a corked bat. That was an eerie atmosphere. My friend was disappointed that Rocco Baldelli got the day off (running joke with us).

 

-Going to the Cubs/Giants game in 2004 where, beforehand, Sammy sneezed out his back. Jason Dubois made his debut (sac fly, I believe) and Moises Alou hit a walkoff solo HR in the 10th.

 

-The NSBB mini-get-together against Colorado that Fred Hornkohl arranged. That was a terrible game.

 

-Seeing the Cubs/Astros game in 2005 where Jeff Gordon got booed out of Wrigley (I started that up in my section!) and Brad Lidge imploded in an impressive fashion in the 8th.