Cubs: The First Game of the Second 100 – 45 Years Ago Yesterday

I missed the anniversary of the “First Game of the Second 100”; i.e., the 1976 home opener for the Chicago Cubs in 1976.  The Cubs started in the National League in 1876 (and they are the only team from the start who is still in the same town), so the home opener in 1976 was the first home game in the second 100 years.  The anniversary was yesterday: April 13.  It was my second Opening Day (the first was the prior year, which, in true Chicago fashion, was postponed two days because of snow) and Susan’s first.  I made a mistake and didn’t buy tickets ahead of time, but we got in because they sold 8,000+ standing room tickets.  So we stood.  But at least it was good weather.  In the 60s.

It was an even better game.  As part of the celebration, a granddaughter of Cap Anson threw out a first pitch.  (Obviously, that wouldn’t happen today.)  Ernie was there, too.  Jerry Morales hit two-run homers in the first and the sixth (Bill Madlock was on base ahead of him each time).  The Mets got three runs in the fourth to chase Rick Reuschel, but brother Paul came in the stop the damage.  The stupid Mets tied the score on a home run in the eighth.

But then, with one out in the bottom of the ninth, Manny Trillo tripled.  The Mets predictably walked the next two pinch hitters.  (Even though it was predictable, our manager used his two best pinch hitters for the IBBs).  Tim Hosley, the third pinch hitter, popped out to shortstop, but Rick Monday chipped one into center field that just barely fell in for a hit and a Cubs victory, 5 to 4.  It was great.  I’ll never forget it – though I may be a day late in remembering it some years.

Here is the certificate they passed out to everybody.  Obviously, we got two of them.  One is filed away.  The other is on my wall.