I’ve been to Chicago many times on business but never made time to get out to Wrigley Field. This time was different. The Yankees were in town, starting a three game series on Friday afternoon May 5th. I decided this was the perfect opportunity to check out the “friendly confines” as Mr. Cub Ernie Banks liked to call Wrigley.
LET’S PLAY TWO?
Another saying the Cubs H.O.F shortstop was known for was “Let’s play two” because of his love for the game, he always wanted to play a doubleheader every day. I don’t think even Ernie would want to play two on this day. It felt more like Chicago Bears weather. Temps were in the low 40’s and a cold wind was blowing in off of Lake Michigan. The wind was blowing hard from left field to right field all day. Catching fly balls was an adventure the entire game. Just ask Aaron Judge who dropped a wind-blown fly ball to right field.
THANK GARD
Trailing 2-0 in the 9th inning with 2 out and down to their final strike, Brett Gardner turned on an inside slider from Cubs reliever Hector Rondon and drove it into the right field bleachers for a 3 run home run lifting the Yankees over the Cubs in an incredibly dramatic series opener. Aroldis Chapman (who had gotten his 2016 Cubs World Series rings before the game) closed the door in the bottom of the 9th ending the game striking out Javier Baez on a 100 MPH fastball.
HOLY COW
As Harry Caray would say “Holy Cow” what a baseball game. If the Yankees go on to make 2017 a special season circle this game as a key moment. There is no quit in this team and this was another example, this time against the defending World Champs. After the game I checked out a few Wrigleyville sports bars, proudly wearing my Yankee jacket. The entire day was a memory of a lifetime. Thank Gard I experienced it.
