"Top 20 Cubs Games" - February 8, 2009

This is a VERY long post. I don’t expect you all to read the whole thing, but you can at least check out the game dates, results, etc.

The Cubs Convention was a couple weekends ago, which for me, calls for the beginning of the 2009 baseball season! In this period between the Convention and pitchers and catchers reporting to Mesa, Arizona on February 13, I figured I’d give one of my traditional “filler blogs” to fill the void.

Background on this, this 2009 season will be my 14th season as a Chicago Cubs fan (1996-Present), and I’ve seen a ton of spectacular games (as well as heartbreaking ones) in that period of time. A lot of them stick around in my memory, and I even have some of them in my DVD / VHS archive! It’s been a fantastic fourteen years so far, and I figured I’d share some of those memories with you.

So, clearly by the title, I will be ranking my Top 20 favorite Cubs games, and I will divide each description into two parts: Where I was and what I was doing throughout the course of the game, and what actually happened in the game thus allowing it to be on this list. Unlike my usual “ranked” blogs, I’m going to count down on this from twenty to one, just to try something a bit different. You all get the idea, but first, so we don’t end the blog on a bad note, I’m going to list the worst Cubs game I’ve ever witnessed in my fourteen years.

October 3, 2004 vs. Atlanta Braves (W 10-8)

Where I was: It was the final game of the season, so as you can imagine, it was a lazy Sunday just watching baseball. Not much of a background to this one, honestly.

What happened: The Cubs actually pulled off a 10-8 victory in the nine inning ballgame, great offensive performances by Moises Alou, Aramis Ramirez, and Mark Grudzielanek. The problem? Any Cubs fan aware of the 2004 season knows that this was Chip Caray and Steve Stone’s last season with the Cubs, because Kent Mercker, Moises Alou, and Dusty Baker all had problems with Chip and Steve’s honesty about how poorly the Cubs had played despite their 89 wins. Steve’s saying “This was a team that should’ve won the Wild Card by twelve games, but because Dusty didn’t have control over his team, that didn’t happen” pissed off Dusty and the players, thus forcing Steve to decline a contract extension after 21 years with the club and Chip Caray shown the door. Saddest thing is, they were right, and now we’re stuck with two ass-kissing broadcasters until 2012.

Sammy Sosa also decided to arrive to the ballpark five minutes before game-time, thus forcing Dusty to start Jason Dubois (who homered in the game) in right field instead of Sammy. Sosa was fined a large sum of money by the team and eventually traded to the Baltimore Orioles in January 2005. It was the most bitter tasting Cubs victory I could remember, and may attribute as to why I didn’t pay much attention to the 2005 Cubs, probably from my utter disgust.

And now, for the good moments!

#20 – September 1-4, 2003 vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Where I was: I had just recently started sixth grade, so outside of the Labor Day off-day I had on September 1, I spent the majority of the time either watching the night games or the conclusions of day games after returning home from school.

What happened: This was a tremendously important series for the Cubs, because it was a rat race between the Cubs, Cardinals, and Houston Astros for first in the NL Central. Due to a rain out that May, a double-header was scheduled for September, making this a five game series. Cubs won the first game of the series 7-0, with assistance from a solo homer by Eric Karros. The next day was the day of the double-header. Game 1 was a 15-inning thriller ending with a Sammy Sosa walk-off, two-run shot against former Cub long-reliever Jeff Fassero. The second game was a St. Louis victory, but the Cubs got gypped. Moises Alou lined a double down the line kicking up the chalk dust, but the umpire signaled it foul, resulting in his ejection. Journalists GRILLED the ump for missing the chalk in the air, because if the ball hits the line, it’s a fair ball. The Cubs fell 2-0 despite a phenomenal start by Kerry Wood.

That road block didn’t stop the Cubs. The fourth game of the series set off more fireworks, as the Cubs came back from a 7-3 deficit going into the bottom of the seventh before heroics from Alex Gonzalez and Mark Grudzielanek helped the Cubs to a five run rally in the last two innings to help the Cubs win 8-7. In the fifth and final game, there was a lot of flip-flopping with the lead, before the Cubs eventually took control in the bottom of the seventh following a Tony Womack RBI single, leading them to a 7-6 victory.

The Cubs taking four of five from St. Louis effectively ended their season, and kept the Cubs’ season alive. Perhaps the biggest series and most exciting series (outside of Milwaukee in September ’98) I’ve seen in my life. I may put multiple games down the list, but I put this series at #20 because five games is a bit much and thus an unfair advantage over other games. Perhaps the most important series the Cubs have ever played in my lifetime.

#19 – May 9, 2004 vs. Colorado Rockies (W 5-4)

Where I was: I remember this day tremendously. It was Mother’s Day 2004, and we were set to go to a family brunch with my grandma, grandpa, and uncle at Willowbrook. My grandpa kept hustling out to the car to figure out what the score was. I remember the sixth inning interview on WGN 720 with Jeff Garlin (who sang the seventh inning stretch that day) being one of the funniest things I ever heard on a Cubs game. We were in and out, whether it be the restaurant, or their house, or my house, and each time we tuned in, something different was happening.

What happened: It was a warm day at Wrigley Field. The Cubs started early with a lead-off home run by recently called up second baseman Damian Jackson (who only played a few games) in the bottom of the first. Runs were scattered here and there, and three rain delays and assorted runs here and there, the game was taken to the tenth inning tied 3-3. Closer Joe Borowski came in to fill a void from the pen and quickly surrendered a homer to Todd Helton, putting the Rockies ahead 4-3.

My grandpa’s “You never know until the last man is out” saying never held more true, because with two outs, Aramis Ramirez crushed a homer over the left-center field wall into the street, tying it again 4-4. The Cubs eventually won in the bottom of the twelfth on a double by Corey Patterson. The back-and-forth of the game was definitely a memorable one, and the perseverance of the Cubs was respectable.

#18 – July 31, 1999 vs. New York Mets (W 17-10)

Where I was: This was one of the hottest days I’d ever experienced in my life, which was a hot topic during the Cubs game, both on TV and the radio (and a nice memory to have, got me a free coffee at Dunkin Donuts on a trivia question!). The day of the trading deadline and, let’s face it, the Cubs were done that season, so nobody expected the Cubs to do anything. I spent most of the day either at my grandpa’s or on the road with him.

What happened: It was one of those high-scoring games you just don’t forget. The Cubs struck starter Octavio Dotel (yes, he actually started!) for seven runs in the first inning, led by a Gary Gaetti grand slam. After three Met runs in the top of the second thanks to a Robin Ventura home run, the Cubs would score two more against Dotel in the second thanks to a Sammy Sosa two-run blast before Mets skipper Bobby Valentine decided to pull his starter. With a 9-3 lead, the Cubs should be comfortable, yes? No!

The Mets would score six more runs by the fifth inning thanks to another Ventura home run against Cubs starter Jon Lieber, tying the game 9-9. But this awful Cubs club was resilient, and they proved it in this game. The Cubs would go on to score eight more runs compared to just one by the Mets, led by homers by Jose Hernandez and Sosa, thus resulting in a 17-10 Cubs victory.

#17 – March 29, 2000 at New York Mets (W 5-3)

Where I was: The Cubs and Mets were the first American baseball teams to play baseball in Tokyo, Japan. This was their opening series of the regular season, and the Cubs had a new look with manager Don Baylor and players like Eric Young, Damon Buford, Joe Girardi, and Willie Greene. Because the games were in Japan, they started at four in the morning here, as it was the evening there. My mother would wake my eight year old self up at five to watch the games (I would tape them so I could reflect later, SO glad I did). I’d play Pokemon Yellow while eating breakfast and watching the Cubs game. What a way to start the day!

What happened: Amidst all this excitement, there was baseball to be played. This game is important because the Cubs made an early statement in a foreign land, which was important for the team. The Cubs struck early with an RBI single by Damon Buford, but by the third the Mets would tie it up. After the Cubs took a 2-1 lead in the fifth, it was a story of the long-ball. Shane Andrews hammered a two run jack off Dennis Cook making it a 4-1 game in the seventh, and in the eighth Mark Grace slapped a solo homer off Rich Rodriguez. The Mets would not go down quietly, however, because Big Mike Piazza simply destroyed a two run homer off the just horrendous Cubs reliever Brian Williams. But, Rick Aguilera would shut down the Mets in the ninth and the Cubs won opening day in Japan against the future NL Champions. Thought it wasn’t something for fans to get used to, as they’d only win 64 more and lose about 97 before all was said and done.

#16 – October 6, 2001 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (W 13-2)

Where I was: It was a lazy Saturday on the last weekend of the season (extended due to the 9/11 attacks). The Cubs, who were contenders most of the season, lost their Wild Card spot on October 2, so didn’t have much to play for. Little did we know, after this tremendously fun game, Arne Harris, the Cubs’ camera director who was loved by so many fans, players, and broadcasters for 40+ years, would die later that evening, setting a very dark, somber mood on what I’d like to call “Black Sunday.” Though it wasn’t official, I consider this game to be the last game of the wonderful 2001 season.

What happened: The Cubs attacked early and attacked very, very often. They scored three runs in the first courtesy of a Roosevelt Brown homer driving in all three off Pittsburgh starter Tony McKnight. It didn’t stop there, however. Sammy Sosa would come up with an inside the park homer in the third, his 63rd of the season and easily capping off the greatest offensive season by an individual in Cubs history (yes, he hit 66 in 1998, but overall, with average and RBIs, 2001 was his best season). Fred McGriff would follow with another homer, going back-to-back with Sammy. One of the evening’s surprises was inconsistent starter Julian Tavarez, who only allowed one hit in 7 1/3 innings, and didn’t allow that hit until the seventh inning. The Cubs touched up the Pirate bullpen for six runs in the eighth (thanks to another three-run homer by Roosevelt Brown, giving him seven RBIs on the game).

This game is here in the memory of Arne Harris’ last game with us and the Chicago Cubs. RIP Arne.

#15 – May 16, 1996 vs. Houston Astros (W 13-1)

Where I was: Sleeping over at my grandfather’s. It’s such an old game I really don’t have much of a memory behind this one.

What happened: It was Amaury Telemaco’s first career start, a name a lot of Cubs fans (including myself) seem to remember for absolutely no reason whatsoever. The Cubs attacked early on a Leo Gomez three-run homer off Doug Drabek in the second inning, and the Cubs would score two more runs in the third to go up 5-0. Fast-forward to the seventh inning. Sammy Sosa hit a solo homer off Jeff Tabaka to lead off the inning, followed shortly by Scott Servais jacking a two-run blast off Tabaka leading to his departure. After a few assorted runs, Sosa homered again that same inning, this time a two-run shot off Jim Dougherty. This eight-run seventh inning resulted in a 13-0 Cubs lead, eventually leading to a 13-1 Cubs win.

#14 – June 10, 2005 vs. Boston Red Sox (W 14-6)

Where I was: Hmm, I was there! One of the few times I’ll take a game I was at and incorporate it in a list like this. The atmosphere was rabid, and rightfully so. Cubs vs. Red Sox, an ol’ school baseball match-up, the 2004 defending world champs vs. the…Cubs (haha). The histories of these two franchises colliding against each other was definitely worth the price of admission, and what a great day for a baseball game!

What happened: Lucky for me, I got to catch a Greg Maddux start, against the BoSox starter Bronsan Arroyo. The Cubs weren’t intimidated by the Red Sox, and thanks to homers by Todd Hollandsworth and Jeromy Burnitz, the Cubs were ahead 3-0 by the second inning. The Cubs scored four more in the bottom of the third and led 7-1 by the top of the sixth. David Ortiz homered off Maddux, but the Cubs immediately answered back in the bottom half of the inning with another homer by Burnitz and a surprising home run by Maddux himself. So the Cubs led 11-2. Despite a rough end with Cliff Bartosh allowing homers to Ortiz and ex-Cub Mark Bellhorn in the top of the ninth, the Cubs would pull out a 14-6 victory, a huge win for the Cubs beating the defending world champs.

#13 – June 7, 2003 vs. New York Yankees (W 5-2)

Where I was: Ahh, this one was special. I watched up to about the fifth inning at my house, and listened to the rest of the game on the radio. This was the first Saturday of my summer vacation and there was no better way to start it than a marquee match-up between the red-hot Cubs and Yankees on national television.

What happened: It was the pitching match-up of the year, Roger Clemens (searching for career win number 300) vs. Kerry Wood, the past vs. the future. First we saw an eerie collision between Wood and first baseman Hee Seop Choi, stopping the game for twenty minutes and Choi lying on the first base line, not moving, unconscious for about ten minutes before being carted off (his career was never the same again). The promotion of said pitching match-up delivered, with the Yankees striking first in the fifth inning courtesy of a Hideki Matsui homer against Wood. There was a combined sixteen strikeouts between both starters, until Clemens was pulled after allowing a hit to Sammy Sosa and walking Moises Alou in the bottom of the seventh, and Juan Acevedo was put in to pitch. Immediately after coming in, Eric Karros (Choi’s replacement at first) slapped a three run shot into the left-field stands giving the Cubs the lead, and thus breaking Clemens’ fourth attempt at 300. I’ll never forget borrowing my mother’s radio while we were in the Home Depot and going nuts after he hit that homer, one of my most memorable Cub moments. The Cubs would score two more runs, and eventually win the game 5-2.

#12 – June 29, 2007 vs. Milwaukee Brewers (W 6-5)

Where I was: At home, it was a lazy Friday afternoon over my summer break, and the Cubs were surging, just one game away from a .500 record of 39-39. The Cubs had a six game winning streak coming in, sweeping both the White Sox and Rockies in that order, helping them substantially in the standings. Many consider this to be the best game of the last ten years, clearly, I don’t. But this was a big deal.

What happened: It wasn’t a good start. Rich Hill immediately gave up a three-run homer in the first against Kevin Mench, and with a couple of assorted runs, the division-leading Brewers were ahead 5-0 early. But the Cubs weren’t going down easy. By the ninth inning and RBIs from Cliff Floyd and Mike Fontenot, the Cubs were trailing 5-3 in the ninth. The Cubs touched up closer Francisco Cordero early that inning, and a Derrek Lee RBI drew the score within just one run. Aramis Ramirez was up, and with the Cubs recent luck, you had the feeling that SOMETHING would happen. Well, it did, and resulted in what could be one of the more memorable homers in the past ten years. Ramirez hit a two-run game winner, defeating the Mighty Milwaukee Brewers 6-5.

#11 – April 16, 2004 vs. Cincinnati Reds (W 11-10)

Where I was: My grandpa always picked up my sister and I from school when we went to St. Dans, so I watched the first half of the game by him, and the other half at home. This was a very interesting game, one of those back-and-forth games that’s always exciting until the very end.

What happened: This was possibly the most unusual back-and-forth game I can remember. Started off poorly for the Cubs, with starter Sergio Mitre loading the bases and surrendering two runs early to the Reds. The Cubs answered quickly, however, doing the same against then-rookie Aaron Harang. The Reds would score two more in the top of the third, only to be answered again by the Cubs via back-to-back homers from Moises Alou and Aramis Ramirez. The game was quiet until the top of the sixth, when Mitre was pulled for Michael Wuertz. In only a third of an inning, he managed to walk a guy, give up a two-run homer to D’Angelo Jimenez (only 36 career homers in eight seasons), a massive two-run home run to Ken Griffey Jr. (which he just destroyed), and another run on a double. So, in the blink of an eye, Wuertz surrenders five in only a third, making the score 9-4 Reds. The Cubs, being resilient, scored one in the bottom of the inning, and proved they weren’t out just yet.

Master of the Double Switch Dusty Baker made a mistake in the seventh inning, apparently not penciling Ramon Martinez’s pinch hit appearance in the #9 slot. Martinez doubled, which was taken back, leading to a tirade perhaps more intense than Lou Piniella’s famous June 2, 2007 tirade. Dusty was ejected, but this clearly fired up the Cubs. They scored two runs off doubles by Ramirez and Alou and now were only down 9-7. Kyle Farnsworth in typical fashion decides to make it even further out of reach, giving up a big solo homer to Wily Mo Pena. The Cubs bounced back again, though, with Todd Hollandsworth hitting a two run homer to right making the score 10-9. In the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs had one last chance. Sammy Sosa hit a solo home run (his 512th as a Cub, tying Ernie Banks’ all-time team record), followed by a Moises Alou homer. The only time I ever remember the Cubs going back-to-back to win a ballgame. Immediately, my phone rang, and my grandfather pretty much shouted “Were you watching the game? Incredible, huh!?”

#10 – June 25, 2007 vs. Colorado Rockies (W 10-9)

Where I was: Initially I was heading home from my uncle’s place, listening to the beginning of the game on the radio (and being subsequently caught behind a train for a half hour). When I returned home, I simply sat down with the family and just watched the game.

What happened: The Rockies touched up Jason Marquis early on, scoring a run in the first. That didn’t stop the Cubs from hitting Jeff Francis harder in the bottom of the inning, off an RBI single from Mark DeRosa and three-run homer from Angel Pagan. The Cubs scored extra runs in the third and fifth innings, before Colorado answered back with two in the top of the sixth. Most runs were being scored off slap base hits, doubles, or careless base runners from walks. The Cubs scored more runs in the bottom of the sixth and bottom of the eighth, taking an 8-3 lead by the ninth. Scott Eyre came into pitch, who successfully walked two and allowed three hits, driving in three runs for the Rox. Just like that, it’s an 8-6 ballgame. Enter Home Run Howry to save the day, which didn’t happen. He too allowed three hits including a three-run homer to Troy Tulowitzki, and just like that, the Rockies now had a 9-8 lead. One fan was so angry he jumped out of his seat and charged Howry on the hill!

Everyone in the family retired off to bed, as the game was a lost cause. Being the fool I am, I wanted to watch the end, and I’m very glad I did. Mike Fontenot started the inning with a hit (who went 5-5 that day), followed by hits from Theriot, DeRosa, and Koyie Hill. The Cubs had driven in a run with those at-bats, tying the score 9-9. Brian Fuentes, one of the most reliable closers in the game, allowed a single up the middle to Alfonso Soriano with Hill scoring from third. My mom ran down the stairs and asked “Did you see that!?” I sure did, Cubs win 10-9.

#9 – May 30, 2008 vs. Colorado Rockies (W 10-9)

Where I was: First of all, what are the odds of having two 10-9 scores next to each other on this list, in sequential order by season, against the same team? Funny thing is, both were two totally different games. It was the second day of my summer break, and it started off with a rain delay, so I didn’t miss anything by sleeping in. I watched it on my computer, stopped for awhile, checked back in and decided to stick with it. I’m glad I did.

What happened: Ted Lilly had one of his “bad” starts (those who know Lilly know he’s VERY dominant when he’s good, and absolutely horrendous when he’s bad). Lilly didn’t even manage to go a complete three innings, allowing seven runs in those innings, including a two run homer to Todd Helton in the first and a three run shot by Chris Ianetta in the third. The Cubs scored one in the bottom of the third, but Colorado struck again, with Ryan Spilbourghs hitting a homer off pitching replacement Jon Lieber in the fourth, and another run scored in the top of the fifth. Colorado was winning 9-1, and most teams by this point would’ve given up (and Lou Piniella almost did, pulling Soto from behind the plate and Lee from first base).

But the one special thing about the 2008 Cubs was their resiliency (except in the playoffs). The Cubs scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of homers by Kosuke Fukudome and Jim Edmonds (which officially endeared himself to Cubs fans), but that wasn’t even the start of the fun. Micah Hoffpauir started the seventh with a double off Aaron Cook, only to be followed by a Henry Blanco home run. Colorado’s unreliable closer Manny Corpas came in and only made things worse, giving up doubles to Fukudome and Edmonds, and suddenly, the score was 9-8 Colorado. Mark DeRosa stepped up and smashed a two-run homer to left field, and just like that, the Cubs had a 10-9 lead. Perhaps the most remarkable comeback I’ve ever seen in a Cubs game (though #8 gives this a huge run for its money), and Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull was loving every minute of it (he was the seventh inning stretch conductor). The Cubs bullpen held it down and won by a 10-9 score.

#8 – September 18, 2008 vs. Milwaukee Brewers (W 7-6)

Where I was: The Cubs had two remarkable comeback games in 2008, and if I could place them in a tie, I would. Just because this is ranked ahead doesn’t mean it was better, you just can’t place them in a tie because they were so different from each other. This was the day of the homecoming parade at school, an event I desperately wanted to avoid, especially with the Cubs so close to clinching the division and the game starting at 1:20 (Parade or game? Dumb question). So I had Subway, and when I returned home, I promptly turned on the game. My mom surprisingly got off work that day so we watched the game together, even when it looked its worst.

What happened: The Cubs were playing the rival Milwaukee Brewers, who pretty much no longer provided a threat to the team’s progress in advancing to the postseason. The game started off roughly, with a near 40-pitch first inning from starter Rich Harden, walking a number of guys, and Mark DeRosa’s error at second base didn’t necessarily help. Luckily, the Brew Crew only ran away with one run that inning. The Cubs fought back early, with a Jim Edmonds home run in the second to tie it up. The Cubs did eventually manage to take a lead, with Aramis Ramirez homering in the fourth to put them ahead by one. But it went downhill from there for the Cubs, very quickly. Harden was pulled in the sixth, and Jeff Samardzija was put in there which proved to be a big mistake by the Cubs coaching staff. He allowed four runs, mostly on walks and slap singles, and the Brewers were suddenly up 6-2. Nobody-pitcher Randy Wells came in and shut the Brewers down, but it seemed bleak for the Cubs for the majority of the game.

However, this is another display of the team’s startling resiliency. Ryan Theriot and Derrek Lee were two quick outs in the bottom of the ninth. But Ramirez attempted to start a rally with a lead-off double, which was followed up by a Jim Edmonds RBI single, making it a 6-3 game. Mark DeRosa quickly followed with a single, moving Edmonds to third. Up stepped Geovany Soto, future National League Rookie of the Year. First pitch from Brewers closer Solomon Torres was just crushed over the left field wall for a three-run homer, and in the blink of an eye, the Cubs tied the game with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. That’s about as clutch as it gets.

So we move on into extra innings, with Carlos Marmol and Seth McClung respectively mowing down their opposition. The Brewers scared the Cubs briefly against Kerry Wood, but brilliant defensive alignments halted their progress. In the bottom of the eleventh, Jim Edmonds was thrown out in the middle of an at-bat for arguing balls and strikes, a huge lapse in judgment by home plate ump Ed Rapuano if you ask me (the ball was six inches off the plate!). Felix Pie stood in for the at-bat and coaxed a walk, but that was meaningless as the Cubs couldn’t string anything together. The Cubs started fighting in the bottom of the twelfth, with Reed Johnson drawing a walk and Jason Marquis pinch running for him. Soriano drew a walk as well, and heads up base-running by both put them at second and third with two outs (Soriano’s run didn’t matter, but heads up either way). Derrek Lee fought in his at-bat, after going 0-5 for the day, and quickly slapped a single into center to drive in Marquis and help the Cubs to a 7-6 victory. Now, homecoming parade or Cubs game, I ask you? (hah)

#7 – September 21, 1997 vs. Philadelphia Phillies (W 11-3)

Where I was: Ahh, the early-late ‘90s, where on every Sunday my mother, sister and I would head over to the grandparents’ place for lunch/dinner. My grandpa, uncle and I would watch a Cubs game while my sister, grandma, and mother would stay in the kitchen, probably watching the Cubs game as well whenever they weren’t doing anything. This wasn’t your typical Sunday afternoon baseball game, though. The horrendous 1997 Chicago Cubs were playing their last home game of the year, capping off a then-66-90 season in grand style against the Phils. Not to mention, it would be (my personal favorite baseball player ever) Ryne Sandberg’s last ever game with the Chicago Cubs. We didn’t know it until February 1998, but it would also be Harry Caray’s last home broadcast before passing on.

What happened: Who knew the Cubs would attack so vehemently on a guy like Curt Schilling so early on? Sandberg started the game appropriately with a double, driven in by Mark Grace putting the Cubs up 1-0. Starter Kevin Tapani allowed his first run a half-inning later, giving up an RBI single to Tony Barron, tying the game. The game would be scoreless until the bottom of the fifth, when the Cubs exploded for five runs courtesy of two-run homers from Lance Johnson and Mark Grace, as well as a solo shot from Dave Hansen. Schilling was pulled and the Cubs were up 6-1. Tapani allowed an RBI double to Rico Brogna in the sixth, which would be the only other run he surrendered. The Cubs struck again in the seventh, with Jose Hernandez slapping a three-run shot off Ryan Karp to put the Cubs up 9-2. After scoring two more in the bottom of the eighth going up 11-2, and Rodney Myers giving up one more run to Philly in the top of the ninth, the Cubs won 11-3 in exciting blowout fashion.

This game is very important, as it signals the end to the career of one of the Cubs’ greatest players and the final broadcast of one of baseball’s greatest voices. Hearing Harry sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame now, knowing just what was going to happen five months later, is almost eerie, but in another sense tear-jerking knowing it would be the last time we’d ever hear it. RIP Harry Caray, we sure miss you down here!

#6 – August 7, 2004 at San Francisco Giants (W 8-4)

Where I was: The last thing I was going to do was miss this game. Greg Maddux (my favorite pitcher in the history of baseball) was aiming for his 300th victory that afternoon, a feat accomplished by only a handful of others in baseball’s illustrious history. He attempted to get the win the prior Sunday against the Phillies, a game the Cubs won but didn’t draw a lead until after Maddux was pulled, giving him a no-decision. I turned on the game on my awful, big-screen Zenith TV in the living room and didn’t have to force the family to watch the game, since they were too busy preparing for us to move in a week. We headed to dinner around five that day (early by our standards), and I was listening to the game on the radio there, and watched it over the corner of our booth at Max and Erma’s to see history made. I didn’t miss a second of this one, and I’m very happy about that.

What happened: At first it didn’t even seem like the Cubs wanted to get the win for Maddux, with the offense slumping and Maddux clearly struggling to find a groove. The Giants went up 3-0 by the third inning, with RBI doubles by A.J. Pierzynski and Edgardo Alfonso, and an RBI triple from Ray Durham. But the Cubs were ready to come back, and with big RBI doubles by Aramis Ramirez and Todd Walker, the Cubs took a 4-3 lead by the fifth, and a Corey Patterson two-run blast in the top of the sixth put them up 6-3, giving Maddux a decent lead.

But Maddux ran into some trouble, allowing an RBI single to Deivi Cruz without the ability to retire a hitter to cut the lead to two, and Dusty Baker figured it was time to pull his starter. Could the Cubs’ generally-inconsistent bullpen hold down the fort? Looks like it. The Giants were kept silent by John Leicester, Kent Mercker, Mike Remlinger, Kyle Farnsworth, and LaTroy Hawkins, and were even given a little extra insurance in the top of the eighth on a two-run homer by Moises Alou. In the end, Hawkins was able to shut down the Giants in the ninth and the Cubs helped Greg Maddux to his 300th career win. The Giants fans even gave a standing ovation for the classy right-hander, proof that Maddux is a universal favorite amongst baseball fans and will happily go into the Hall as one of the most dominant, clean, and generous baseball players alive. I’m sure he’d disagree, as modest as he is, but there’s no doubt about it.

#5 – September 28, 1998 vs. San Francisco Giants (W 5-3)

Where I was: Ahh yes, the all-elusive 163rd game of the season, a game which happened only five other times before this one, all for the same purpose: to clinch a playoff spot. This game was HUGE for the Cubs, with this being only their second winning team since 1989 and the first playoff contender since then. It was the biggest event in Chicago at the time, got tremendous media coverage, and with Michael Jordan throwing out the first pitch (and giving Sammy Sosa a hug afterwards for his phenomenal season), every big name in Chicago was there, supporting their team. I was spending the night at my grandpa’s, and decided to stay up late to catch the conclusion of the game, and boy was I glad I did that!

What happened: The game was quiet for the most part, only noteworthy thing being Cubs starter Steve Trachsel taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning before it was finally broken up. The first runs proved to be HUGE, which was a two-run blast by late-season pickup Gary Gaetti over the left-field wall in the fifth inning, striking a massive blow to the pace the Giants had the Cubs at during the game (one could argue this was one of the biggest home runs in Cub history, for many factors). The Cubs knew they couldn’t stop there, as they piled on two more runs in the sixth, with Matt Mieske (subbing in for the injured Henry Rodriguez) slapping a two-run single into right.

The Cubs were up 4-0 for most of the game, and Mark Grace doubled off Giants closer Jose Mesa to add another insurance run putting them up 5-0. The game, however, wasn’t over, and the Giants made that very clear. Jim Riggleman proved he had absolutely no idea how to utilize a bullpen in the postseason, throwing Kevin Tapani out to pitch for no reason at all (he had just started the previous Friday). Well, Tapani proved he was out of place, giving up three hits and a two-run triple to J.T. Snow. Exit Tapani, enter Terry Mulholland. Yes, Mulholland was awesome in 1998, but he just started the previous day and had absolutely no business being out there again. He gave up a couple hits, which resulted in a run, making the score 5-3. Riggleman finally started to think clearly, pulling Mulholland to have reliable closer Rod Beck pitch the rest of the ninth, and he shut ‘em down instantly. Joe Carter popped out to Mark Grace (appropriately the only member of the 1989 team on the current roster), ending the game with a Cubs playoff berth. I’ll never forget the celebration, as it was the first Cub clincher of (currently) four I would see in my lifetime. It was a happy time to be a Cubs fan, and surely was fun while it lasted (no need to dwell on the awful postseason). A 163rd game is unique in its own way, and with the Cubs winning it makes it all the more important to Cub history.

#4 – September 14, 2008 at Houston Astros (W 5-0)

Where I was: Any Cubs fan reading this blog should understand the significance of this game as Carlos Zambrano’s no-hitter, so I won’t give too much of a background, other than the fact that while it was technically AT Houston, the game was still played at Milwaukee’s Miller Park (or Wrigley Field North based on the magnitude of Cub fans there) due to the dangers of Hurricane Ike and the time near the Texas area. So it was definitely a special game for that reason alone. I initially headed to my grandma’s for the day with the family, but we returned home just in time for the game. I pretty much spent the whole game on my couch in front of my Samsung, like I do for any Cub game these days.

What happened: The Cubs wasted no time jumping ahead, with Alfonso Soriano leading off the game with a solo home run, putting the Cubs up 1-0. Zambrano needed a good start, and after his first two innings he was cruising right along. The Cubs offense took advantage of the near-Wrigley scenery, with Derrek Lee and Geovany Soto getting clutch doubles helping the team to a four run third, putting them ahead 5-0. This score would remain consistent throughout the course of the game.

But the score wasn’t all that mattered in this game. Zambrano was cruising right along, walking just one guy and not allowing a hit yet. By the seventh inning, you start to think in the back of your mind “Wow, he’s pitching a no-hitter this late in the game!?” Of course you’d never say it, under the superstition that you’d jinx it. Well, by the ninth inning, the 23,000 fans who migrated from Chicago to see this game were on their feet, and ESPN interrupted the White Sox / Tigers game to broadcast this historic event. Zambrano got the first two out with ease, but then had to face the pesky Darin Erstad. Erstad took the count 3-2 and fought off a few pitches to keep the at-bat alive. Big Z threw a heavy slider that Erstad chucked at and just like that, Carlos Zambrano had pitched the first Cubs no-hitter since Milt Pappas in 1972. A moment I personally never thought I’d see in my lifetime had just occurred, and I think I actually shed some tears of happiness. It was a great game, and not only that, it shrunk the Cubs’ magic number to seven games, with a big series against the Milwaukee Brewers coming up later that week.

#3 – May 6, 1998 vs. Houston Astros (W 2-0)

Where I was: First, a little background. I found it easy to rank these pitching performances because, well, you see no-hitters every season, sometimes a couple times (like 2008). But when a guy can strike out 20 men in only his fifth major league start, that’s real dominance that we’ve seen only four times in baseball history. So naturally, this date is more significant than the one before it, though by no means is it meant to discredit how amazing Zambrano was against the ‘Stros last September, which is why it’s only fair to rank the games back-to-back.

Anywho, I was sick this day, so I took the day off from school. Whenever I did that, considering both my parents worked, I would be dropped off with my grandma and grandpa. My grandpa had to paint the kitchen that day, so I decided to watch the game in the kitchen as the rain poured down outside so I could talk to him and watch the game with him. One of the best days off I ever took in my life.

What happened: Kerry Wood, with a 5.79 ERA at the time facing easily one of the best offenses in baseball, wasted no time attacking the division rivals. He struck out the Killer B’s at the top (Biggio, Bell, Bagwell) with ease, and had his first three strikeouts immediately. Well, Astros pitcher Shane Reynolds was just as dominant, striking out the first three Cubs he saw. Wood came into the second inning and struck out the side again, while Reynolds didn’t have the same luck. Mark Grace started the inning off with a double, which set the table for an RBI single from Henry Rodriguez, putting the Cubs up 1-0.

Wood continued to cruise, striking out ten by the fourth inning. He allowed a single to future Cub Ricky Gutierrez, though I disagree with the call to this day (as would my grandfather if he were still with us). It’s not Wood’s fault Kevin Orie misplayed that ball and bobbled it. Had it been ruled an error, Wood would’ve had a no-hitter. Either way, around the tenth strikeout, I remember I’d tell my grandpa “Wow, he struck out another!” before he finally set down the paint roller to watch the game (he had a better understanding of how special this was than I did). We watched him, strikeout after strikeout, in amazement of just how dominating he was. The Cubs offense, which was mostly quiet during the game, struck again in the eighth with a Jose Hernandez RBI single, giving Wood some insurance. Well, Riggleman tossed his 20 year old starter out in the ninth there with 18 strikeouts, and Wood seamlessly struck out two more (one to end the game), proving to be one of the most dominating pitching performances in the history of baseball. Cubs win 2-0. Funny how both dominating pitching performances came against the Houston Astros. Suck on that, Drayton McLayne.

#2 –September 27, 2003 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (W 4-2, 7-2)

Where I was: This is one date, but it was a double-header. I went back and forth multiple times deciding whether to put just the last game or both, but I figured since it’s so high on the list, I’d do both. The Cubs’ magic number to clinch a division title for the first time since 1989 was three going into the day, and with a double-header against the struggling Pirates, things were looking up for the Cubs, and the fans were very optimistic.

For the first game, I was at my grandparents’, watching the game with my grandpa, keeping track of everything going on with the division rival Houston Astros (who needed to lose that afternoon). For the second game, we returned home on that dark, gloomy early-Fall Saturday evening, which was a very relaxing experience, despite the tension surrounding the game.

What happened: Wrigley Field was louder than I’d ever heard it before (even louder than the 1998 Wild Card game), and the fans were scoreboard watching all afternoon. With Mark Prior (17-6 at the time) starting, fans were very comfortable with the first game, and they had every reason to be. The game was a pitching duel between Prior and Pittsburgh starter Josh Fogg until the fourth inning, when Prior allowed a solo homer to Pirates power-hitter Craig Wilson. This happened to be the inning where the Brewers put up a few runs against the Astros, and when the scoreboard changed in center field at the end of the inning in that game, our game paused to let the fans exert their fanatic energy. The place went bonkers (for lack of a better term), and clearly helped give the Cubs momentum.

In the bottom of the fourth, Fogg loaded the bases and allowed RBI singles to Aramis Ramirez and Moises Alou (who had a scary knee-to-head collision at second base, but remained in the game), giving the fans more to cheer about putting them up 2-1. It didn’t end there for the Cubs, though, with quiet-catcher Damian Miller leading off the fifth inning with a solo homer to right field. Fogg would again let runners on, and gave up an RBI walk to Sammy Sosa, putting the Cubs up 4-1. The game, for the most part, remained quiet (outside of Pittsburgh’s other run in the sixth), until the ninth. Wrigley erupted and the team delivered, with Joe Borowski shutting the Pirates down with the two men on for most of the inning (a homer would’ve tied the game). But a pop-out to Mark Grudzielanek ended Game 1, and with the Astros eventually losing, the Cubs’ magic number was now one.

So, Dusty Baker had faith to send out the same lineup for the night-cap (subbing Alex Gonzalez with Ramon Martinez, Damian Miller with Paul Bako, and Randall Simon with Eric Karros). The Cubs made the Wrigley faithful proud early on, with Sammy Sosa slapping a solo homer in the bottom of the first to dead-center field, giving the Cubs and starter Matt Clement a very early lead. This wouldn’t be the end of the scoring, however. The Cubs began a romp in the bottom of the second, with hits from just about everyone in the lineup and RBIs from Ramon Martinez, Paul Bako, and Mark Grudzielanek, putting the Cubs up 6-0 giving the 40,121 fans in attendance faith that this was the day the Cubs would end the magical 2003 season on the highest note possible.

Matt Clement made one of the finest starts in his career, shutting down Pittsburgh with just one earned run in seven and two thirds innings. The game was quiet for the most part, outside RBIs from Abraham Nunez giving Pittsburgh two runs in the top of the eighth. Of course, the Cubs decided to answer that (even though they didn’t need to) with Moises Alou hitting a solo homer over the wall in left-center field, putting the Cubs up 7-2. Dave Veres came in, and albeit running into trouble, ex-Cub Jose Hernandez grounded into a double play to end the game, giving the Cubs a Central Division title. The only time I can honestly recall crying in a baseball game, because after such an extreme uphill climb, the Cubs FINALLY made it where they needed to. It was an excellent double-header, and in a sense, was the first of many seasons to display this current Cubs era of dominance (four winning seasons in six years, three playoff appearances). Because this win left such a positive impact on Cubs teams in years to come, there’s absolutely no reason this game shouldn’t be #2. If you can give me a legitimate one, I’ll give you $50.

#1 – September 12/13, 1998 vs. Milwaukee Brewers (W 15-12, 11-10)

Where I was: Let me preface this by saying, no matter how phenomenal that 2003 clincher was, it’s still WAY behind these two games for the #1 spot. Records were broken, the scores were abnormally high, and above all, they inched the Cubs closer and closer to where they needed to be in order to get into the postseason, as these were must win games. For the first game, I was essentially just lazing around the house, playing video games most of the day until the 3:00 start, before I rushed into the living room to watch the game with the family. For the second game, it was another traditional Sunday at Grandma’s for dinner and a Cubs game.

What happened: The Cubs lost the first game of the three-game weekend set against Milwaukee 13-11, with Milwaukee going on an early tear and sticking to it (not to mention exposing Don Wengert as a weak starter in the majors). After that devastating loss, the Cubs still had to fight, so they went into Saturday with Mike Morgan taking the hill. It was a nice start for the Cubs, scoring two very early in the second inning. But it was all down-hill from there. Morgan allowed eight runs in the third before even being taken out, courtesy of Jeromy Burnitz, Geoff Jenkins, and Bobby Hughes. The Brewers eventually scored two more in the top of the fifth, going ahead 10-2. Normally, this would be a reason to panic, but for these Cubs, it was just another reason to fight.

The Cubs began to stage a comeback in the bottom of the fifth, with Jose Hernandez slapping his 22nd homer of the season off Milwaukee starter Rafael Roque. The Cubs got two more in the next inning off a two run blast by Gary Gaetti, his 17th of the year. Milwaukee put up two more in the top of the seventh, going up 12-5, but the Cubs were by no means done scoring yet. Sammy Sosa, still in the home run race with Mark McGwire, hit his 60th of the year, a three-run liner tugging the foul line, trimming the deficit to four. Immediately after, Glenallen Hill hit his sixth of the year going back-to-back with Sosa and making it a three-run ballgame.

The bottom of the eighth came around with Tyler Houston coming up for Scott Servais, who replaced him earlier in the game. Houston homered making it a 12-10 ballgame. In the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs scored one on a Mickey Morandini RBI single, which eventually loaded the bases. Orlando Merced, who was signed by the Cubs mid-season but didn’t live up to expectation, stepped in at the pitcher’s spot to pinch-hit. After battling some pitches off, Merced cracked a deep drive to left-center field which went out for a walk-off grand slam. The Cubs won a seemingly unwinnable game by a final of 15-12.

Sunday came around and already it was one of the highest scoring series’ of the season (51 runs between both teams in two games). All eyes were on Sammy Sosa as he was only two homers away from breaking Roger Maris’ single-season home run record and catching up with his rival Mark McGwire. But not only that, the Cubs were constantly inching closer and closer to a Wild Card berth, and needed any win they could get.

Milwaukee jumped ahead quickly with a solo homer by Mark Loretta in the first inning. Fernando Vina hit an RBI double in the third that put Milwaukee ahead 2-0. The Cubs were ready, though, and once they figured out Brad Woodall, they attacked with six runs in the bottom of the third, courtesy of doubles by Steve Trachsel and Mark Grace, as well as RBI singles by Gary Gaetti and Glenallen Hill. In an instant, the Cubs were up 6-2.

After a solo homer by Jeromy Burnitz in the top of the fourth, the Cubs struck with two more in the bottom of the fifth, this time courtesy of Sammy Sosa’s 61st home run of the season, a colossal 480 foot blast to left. With an 8-3 lead, the game seemed to be in the books, but if we learned anything from the first two games of the series, it certainly wasn’t over yet. Jeff Cirillo hit a solo shot in the top of the sixth to narrow the deficit to four. Trachsel allowed his last solo shot in the seventh against Bobby Hughes, bringing Milwaukee yet another run closer. Trachsel was pulled in favor of Terry Mulholland who, while he very rarely screwed up in the course of the year, didn’t get the job done. Mulholland allowed four more runs which put Milwaukee ahead by one, and his replacement, Chris Haney, allowed one more on another homer to Jeff Cirillo in the ninth inning putting them ahead 10-8.

The bottom of the ninth came and it was crunch time for the Cubs again. After Mark Grace was retired, Sammy Sosa was up again and on a 2-2 count, pummeled #62 on another massive 480 foot blast to left field. The fans went absolutely insane, because not only did their beloved Sammy Sosa tie one of the most heralded records in all of baseball, but the Cubs were now only down by one in the ninth with only one out. Henry Rodriguez, who had a knee injury but was put in because the bench was short-handed, pinch-hit and doubled to right-center field, limping into second base before being pulled for pinch-runner Jason Maxwell. Just when you thought late-season pick-up Gary Gaetti could do it all, well, he did more, and drove in Maxwell on an RBI single, tying the game at ten. I never heard Wrigley Field louder than it was at that very moment. The game went to extra innings.

Rod Beck came in for the tenth inning and promptly shut down the Brewers in order, striking out two of them. The top of the order was due up for the Cubs in the bottom of the tenth, with Lance Johnson and Jose Hernandez going down quickly. The fans were excited, because if Mark Grace could get on, Sammy Sosa very well could’ve gone after home run #63, going ahead of Mark McGwire for the first time all season. Grace didn’t give him that chance, as he crushed a solo homer over the right field fence that won the game for the Cubs, appropriately enough on Gracie the Swan Beanie Babie day, no less. I remember being in the drive-through at Burger King with my mom and sister listening on the radio, flipping out in the car after he hit that game-winner. It was a very special game for me as a fan, and a very important one for the Cubs to win.

That was a spectacular series for the Cubs, and both teams scored a combined 72 runs in three games (the most I’d ever seen associated with the Cubs). Steve Stone said it best before the Sunday game, “Friday, Jim Riggleman felt like he was losing his best friend. Early in yesterday’s game, he felt like his friend had passed on. By the end of yesterday, he felt like someone bought him a new dog.” As silly as that is, it’s a great analogy, and an understandable one. A huge part of me wishes he still had the September 12th game on VHS, but at least I could salvage the September 13th game.

That’s that, Cubs fans. Initially I was going to make a list of five games that weren’t important enough for the list above, but I hold dear to me anyway. Well, I didn’t realize it was going to be this long, either! All I can say is, I’m sure this list will expand after this upcoming season, but we won’t know until it’s all said and done.

Pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, Arizona next Friday, and I couldn’t be more excited! Later all!

-Zach