I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; there are not a whole lot of games like Friday afternoon baseball at Wrigley. How often during the regular season are you the only game on? It happens, but to my knowledge, not to the frequency of Friday 120 games in the Cathedral. This Friday was beautiful, little chilly, but that would be nit-picking. I couldn’t wait to cut out from work early and get my ass to one of my favorite places on earth.
The first game we went to this year, the Cubs lost in 14 innings; it was, I believe, the longest game I had been to in person. That day, the Cubs didn’t score a run until the bottom of the 9th inning, when they decided to make a comeback that would eventually come up short. For the 2nd consecutive game in person, the Cubs would not score a run through the first 8 innings; they wouldn’t score a run period. Heck, I’ll raise you a run, and tell you the Cubs didn’t even get a fricking hit until the 8th inning; yeah, it was that kind of game. It was the kind of game when that first hit in the 8th inning got an ovation that combined all the cheering we should have been doing through the first seven innings. It was like we were all dressed up with no place to go… excited to start the Memorial Day weekend off early, ready to enjoy an afternoon at Wrigley, and the guest of honor didn’t show up… well, we were there and that’s all that matters.
We were almost part of history. Hunter Greene threw 6 no-hit innings, and they took him out of course. As the game went on, I thought it would be cool to be part of history; to be at a game in person to witness a no-hitter. What are the odds? Yet, when they took the starter out, the idea of being there for a combined no-hitter wasn’t that attractive; it’s not the same, sorry. Why don’t they let the starter keep going? Yes, I know… pitch count, but come on, really? How many no-hitters have been pitched in history? It’s not THAT rare, but it is a historical achievement. I’d like to check on all those pitchers who have been taken out in the middle of a no-no; did they ever get their no-hitter? I don’t care how many pitches; keep me in. How many pitches did I throw in batting practice? How many pitches did I throw between innings? I know they’re not the same pitch types, but I am throwing pitches right? What everyone is worried about… How many pitchers threw 125, 150 pitches in a game then saw their career go in the tank? I say keep them in there; they’re big boys. Let them take their shot at history. Why fold into what everybody else seems to think is right? There was a time when that would have never happened…
Maybe I’m just bitching; the stage was set for a beautiful afternoon and the Cubs face planted. We still had fun through; we always do. Any time spent in the Friendly Confines is a good time, but it’s nicer when the Cubs cooperate. 0-2 this year… maybe next time.
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