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The Top Twenty Home Runs In Cub History

Yelloncard_tiny by Al on in Baseball Stories

Idly scanning some of the SBN sites yesterday, I ran across this Viva El Birdos post in which Larry, the proprietor, chose his top 20 HR in Cardinals history. This idea was based on this highly subjective list by Joe Posnanski posted a couple of weeks ago of his choices for the 20 greatest HR in all of baseball history.

Given the fact that swiping ideas from other sites is a time-honored interweb sport, I thought it'd be fun if we passed some of the time between now and February 13, when pitchers and catchers report, going over a similar highly subjective list of the top 20 HR in Cub history. I enlisted Mike to help me put together such a list. As such, it's the personal opinions of both of us, and you may agree or disagree with our choices.

I'll post these over the next three weeks, maybe one at a time, maybe two or three at a time, however the mood strikes, and maybe will skip a day or two if there's actual news to post. Note: selection criteria for this list include things such as how much impact each HR had on key games, pennant races or postseason games, and then there'll be the intangible of "how memorable" they seemed at the time, or in retrospect.

Let's start with a home run that you won't find in any record book, because it happened in a game that was ultimately rained out before it became official -- thus, this HR will be granted the title "Honorable Mention" (just as the VEB list began with a similar non-official blast).

It happened on August 8, 1988 -- 8/8/88; that date is likely familiar to you as what was supposed to be the first night game at Wrigley Field. Rick Sutcliffe, on the mound for the Cubs, had allowed a leadoff homer to Philadelphia's Phil Bradley, so the Cubs began the bottom of the first trailing 1-0.

Mitch Webster led off the inning with a single; Ryne Sandberg was the next hitter. A roar erupted from the capacity crowd -- not for Sandberg, as you might think, but for Morganna Roberts, known in the 1970's and 1980's as "The Kissing Bandit", who was "racing" in from right field to try to plant a kiss on Ryno.

Security intercepted her and whisked her off the field:

"She ran so slow that the security guards caught her at first base," Sandberg said. "There was a huge boo from the crowd. All this excitement, and I hadn't even had an at-bat yet."

More excitement was only a moment away. Sandberg smacked Kevin Gross' next pitch onto Waveland Avenue for a two-run homer, giving the Cubs a 2-1 lead. They extended the lead to 3-1 later, but the game was washed out by a tremendous thunderstorm after the top of the fourth inning, six outs from being official, and so Sandberg's home run never made it to the record books.

But the way it was hit certainly deserves to be remembered, and thus worthy of mention in this list. I'll post the rest over the next few weeks -- and no, no clues as to what they are. That'll be part of the fun. Enjoy!

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I would expect
Sandberg to be named quite high on the list later too. I think his name along with Bruce Sutter will be very high on your list Al.

I look forward to reading the HR list, it's been a little slow and I tire of the Roberts talk.  I'm ready for spring training and to get out of all this cold and snow in Iowa.

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Jan 22, 2008 9:02 AM CST   0 recs

Please
Please have Willie Smith's opening day homerun on your list. That set the tone what was to become a very special year. Albeit it turned out to be a very dishearting year as well.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Jan 22, 2008 9:16 AM CST   0 recs

I don't remember the dates, but...
...Sosa's homerun that hit the old tv booth has to reside in the top 20.  There's one.

#2--Did he not also hit one that broke the glass on a building across Waveland?

#3--Didn't Brant Brown hit a homerun in the one-game playoff with SF that put us into the playoffs?  It seems that one might be up there.

Anyway, this will be fun. - TL

by timlacy on Jan 22, 2008 9:17 AM CST   0 recs

That wasn't Brown...
... it was Gary Gaetti.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 22, 2008 9:20 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Thanks, ...
...Al. As is the case in many of my baseball memories, it's the homerun, not the homerun hitter, that sticks in my mind. - TL

by timlacy on Jan 22, 2008 1:27 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Was This The...
... bomb during game 2 of the NLCS vs. Florida?

Remember, in game 1 of that same series, Sammy cranked one that tied 8-8 it with one out in the 9th?  I thought we were going to win that game... things may have been a lot different had they.  I love this call... Brenneman yelling the home run call as Lyons is screaming "He did it!  He did it!" in the background!

BTW - someone should tell Brenneman that was left field, not right!

This is the Cubs new #1!

by initram on Jan 22, 2008 10:57 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I couldn't get...
either of your links to work. - TL

by timlacy on Jan 22, 2008 1:30 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

The Game 1 HR,
I was at the game, and i was shown on tv right before the HR...  I was in LF it went right over my head.  God, that is my #1 HR.  Keep in mind ive been a fan for 10 years or so (Im 16).  
PIE!!!

by LilLPLancer23 on Jan 22, 2008 3:14 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

With the Cubs trailing...........
.........the Brewers 12-5 after 6 and a half innings on Saturday, September 12, 1998, a most improbably comeback was mounted.

Still down by a pair in the bottom of the 9th, the Cubs managed to tie the score at 12 when Orlando Merced strolled to the plate with two on and one out.  

I can still see his swing and the ball sailing into right-center.  Can't recall if it landed in the seats or the basket because so many people were jumping around going crazy.

While this win helped push the Cubs to the Wild Card berth, what made this more memorable for me personally, was that my wife was carrying our unborn child that entire summer.  She probably attended a dozen games over the season, each outing her belly growing larger.  Because our child was due in early October, I thought her to be the "Miracle Baby" given the Cubs surge to the playoffs.  Instead the doc was off by a few weeks and she was born on September 25th, and the '98 Cubs, er, well, uhm.......you know the rest of that story.

And I'll never forget an elated Cubs fan in the bleachers requesting to kiss my wife's belly after the Merced homer.  Caught up in the moment, she graciously agreed.

Not sure if this will make the cut, Al, but it was one Cubs HR I'll never forget.

by tville on Jan 22, 2008 9:22 AM CST   0 recs

Tville
This was the greatest Cub's game I ever saw live.  And I see 40+ per year.  Knowing in hindsight that the Cubs needed every one of their wins to reach the one game playoff made it even better.

I was fortunate enough to attend a Brewer's team party after the game.  They were all shaking their heads.  The Cubs gave up 10 or more runs in each of the three game series but won 2 of them.

by gocubsgo22 on Jan 22, 2008 1:32 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I'm with you..........
.........gocubsgo.  Like you I make a lot of games each year (perhaps +60), but this one will go down as one of the greatest I've personally witnessed - pregnant wife or not!!

by tville on Jan 22, 2008 2:25 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I'll take the GlenAllen Hill
Homer over the heads of everyone in Left field landing on the Rooftop.  Still gives me shivers when i see the video.........what a monster.
Cubs Win!! Cubs Win!

by Ihatethecards on Jan 22, 2008 9:27 AM CST   0 recs

I think
this is when he ran in the batters box and belted it right?
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Jan 22, 2008 9:56 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I used this line...
...in a diary comment about this video a month ago, but it's still funny:

"No, Chip...it WASN'T the shoes..."

by Shawon O Meter on Jan 22, 2008 11:14 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

This call reminds me...
...of why I'm not a big Chip Caray fan.  To me sounds he's faking it.  His excitement seems forced, or cornball at least. - TL

by timlacy on Jan 22, 2008 1:29 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

There are so many..
..but I will never forget Wood's HR in Game 7 of '03 the NLCS.

The drama and emotion involved at time was unlike anything we had seen. It was most certainly the loudest Wrigley has ever been to date in my lifetime.

(I think DeRosa's AB in game 3 of last years NLDS may have been louder..)

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Jan 22, 2008 9:33 AM CST   0 recs

can't open the stream
the extension isn't associated with any known file type or player.  For me.
Worst to First in 2007, brought to you by Lou, Sori, A-Ram and D-Lee.

by drewishdrewid on Jan 22, 2008 11:00 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Sorry...
... it opened in RealPlayer for me (rtsp).
This is the Cubs new #1!

by initram on Jan 22, 2008 11:09 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

That homer
I concur that it was as loud as Wrigley could possibly get. I was there; I remember going nuts, surrounded by complete pandemoneum. I've never given so many random high fives.

By the way, Wood putting his head down and knowing it was gone was incredibly bad-@$$ for a pitcher. Also note that the count was 0-2.

by alwaysacub on Jan 22, 2008 10:31 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

There should be three #1 homers
and Tuffy Rhodes hit those opening day, 1994.  Nuff said.
I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Jan 22, 2008 9:40 AM CST   0 recs

Off...
...Doc Gooden, yeah?

by Shawon O Meter on Jan 22, 2008 10:27 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

And 1994
ended up being such a memorable year for the Cubs - not!
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Jan 22, 2008 5:17 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

You guys have made...
... some pretty good guesses so far. I'll keep you guessing, though, and also as to the actual rankings, you'll just have to wait!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 22, 2008 9:40 AM CST   0 recs

The 2nd Ryno HR off Sutter
B-10 I believe, 23June1984. That'll always be a big one and could (should) be top-5.

However Mr. Cubs' 500th, a line drive shot into the bleachers 12May1970 is my #1. Like all of Banks' HR's, did that one even go above the upper deck seating?

Our grandparents used to say, "I hope the Cubs win the Series before I die". Now the teenagers are saying it.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 22, 2008 9:43 AM CST   0 recs

Keep in mind...
... that the rankings, though somewhat subjective, also take into account the impact that the HR had on pennant races or playoff games. Banks' HR came in an early-season game and didn't "mean" that much, except for the milestone.

That still doesn't give you a clue as to whether or where I'm ranking it, though.

And yes, Banks' 500th was a low line drive that just barely made it into the first row of the bleachers.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 22, 2008 9:47 AM CST   0 recs

Hey Al
Off topic but did you see that you got a mention in Peter Gammons blog yesterday?  Insider only
I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Jan 22, 2008 9:52 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I did see that, thanks.
Nine SBN baseball blogs got mentioned there.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 22, 2008 10:07 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Am I the only one...
...who's annoyed with ESPN's "Insider" only material.  I appreciated Peter Gammons as much as anybody, but because I can't afford the subscription I'm cut off from his work.  Doesn't he make enough money from ESPN's advertising? - TL

by timlacy on Jan 22, 2008 1:33 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I agree.
Oddly, that particular link, though listed as "insider", is open to anyone.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 22, 2008 1:35 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

It annoys me as well
The only reason I pay for it is because I like Rob Neyer, and also Keith Law.  If Neyer left ESPN I wouldn't continue the subscription.  $40 a year but you also get the magazine with the sub.  I never read it though, just put it straight in the trash when I get it.
I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Jan 22, 2008 1:40 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

July, 1995
It was a relatively meaningless game between the Cubs and Philly, two teams that ultimately went nowhere that year. It was, however, my wife's first visit to Wrigley. It was one of those postcard perfect days at the Confines, and we had a perfect view of the Lake from the upper deck. As such, we were neither surprised nor terribly disappointed when the Cubs blew a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, and were down two heading into the bottom half. The first two batters went down meekly against (I believe) Heathcliff Slocumb. The next batter hit a grounder to third which Charlie Hayes booted. The next pitch hit someone who is lost to my memory. Shawon Dunston deposited the next pitch into the basket and the place absolutely erupted. We were hugging people whom we'd never met. It was a ridiculous atmosphere. As we exited onto Sheffield, there was a little band playing some dixieland as this sea of humanity all danced together in celebration. Needless to say, my wife was, is and forever more will be hooked. I'll always love Shawon for that.

by hoosierdaddynow on Jan 22, 2008 9:49 AM CST   0 recs

Eric Karros
That Eric Karros home run to spoil Clemens' bid for his 300th win.

Gotta be in there somewhere.

by Wreckard on Jan 22, 2008 9:55 AM CST   0 recs

Wish is was off the rocket
but a beauty none-the-less.
Our grandparents used to say, "I hope the Cubs win the Series before I die". Now the teenagers are saying it.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 22, 2008 9:57 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

If memory serves

Sosa had a 2-run HR in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game in the first game of the 2003 NLCS.  Unfortunately, they ended up losing the game anyways.

 

by salparadise23 on Jan 22, 2008 10:00 AM CST   0 recs

09/13/98
sure Sosa hit HR's 61 and 62, but Grace won it with a walkoff HR in the 10th and the Cubs beat the Brewers 11-10.
AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike on Jan 22, 2008 10:11 AM CST   0 recs

Aramis
His game winning HR against the Brewers this season was a fairly large catalyst. I also think that had the Cubs beaten the Marlins in 2003 his game 4 grand slam would have been more notable.

Two that have been mentioned that I saw in person, Tuffy's three HRs on opening day and Glenallen Hill's rooftop shot (I was in the bleachers with Al that day).

DmL

by dmlichte on Jan 22, 2008 10:17 AM CST   0 recs

I'd go with A-Rams walk off against the Brewers
last season.  I was in the Bleachers meeting Al for the first time.  Great game.  Started off kinda scary but they pulled it off.
"Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?"

by Jettero2112 on Jan 22, 2008 10:29 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yes,
I was at that game too.  I think that was THE turning point of the 2007 season...
PIE!!!

by LilLPLancer23 on Jan 22, 2008 3:22 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

ONe of my first memorable HR's by a Cub
 Besides obviously RYno's against the Cards, was Sutcliffe's shot in '84 game 1 of the NL playoffs against the Padres.

 I remember it so well because I was in 5th grade at the time and Cubs hysteria was at it's peek as they hadn't made the playoffs in 15 long years. It was such a big deal that our studies in school were put on hold, so we could watch the game.

 What a great game. I remember Sutcliffe's shot so well as the Cubs crushed the Padres 13-0 and as Sutcliffe rounded the bases, I remember thinking "World Series here we come.....Padres can't stop us, even our Pitchers are hitting Home Runs!!!.....Nothing can stop us now!!!" as I joyously tossed my Cubs painter hat up in the air.

What a glorious day that was.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. ` Adam Savage Mythbusters

by lemon20pie on Jan 22, 2008 10:47 AM CST   0 recs

Thanks for the correction bigjohnaz
EDIT:

 The Cubs hadn't made the playoffs in 39 long years. The City was abuzz with Cubbie fever like never before or ever since. After that game, every Cub fan were positive that "this is the year".

 

I reject your reality and substitute my own. ` Adam Savage Mythbusters

by lemon20pie on Jan 22, 2008 11:09 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I have 2 of my favorites that I saw personally
#1 Sammy hitting a 3 run walkoff HR off of Trevor Hoffman at Wrigley in the bottom of the 9th after the Padres jumped all over Farnsworth, who was a starter at the time. Don't remember what year, but Wrigley simply erupted on that no-doubter!

#2 Mark Grace hitting a walkoff against Randy Meyers on a Sunday to sweep the Mets at Wrigley. I believe that was in '89???

One I didn't see personally that has always been a favorite is the Sutcliffe bomb in game one of the NLDS against SD in '84. Our first post season game since 1945 and we rocked for those 2 home games.

And of course, the 2 Sandberg HR's vs. the Cardinals on the NBC game of the week.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jan 22, 2008 11:00 AM CST   0 recs

Sutcliffe and Sandberg
You picked some of the best. I've written elsewhere on this site many times my experience being at the June 23, 1984 Sandberg game. I won't bore everyone by mentioning it again. Wait - I just did!
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Jan 22, 2008 5:16 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Back To Back Jacks Off Danny Graves...
... on April 16, 2004, Sosa and Alou went back to back on a total of two pitches to tie (Sosa's homer that tied with Ernie Banks for the most of any Cub) and win it!

On the radio side, Santo called it, "How about back-to-back jacks"?  <giggle giggle>.  Pop!!  Gone!  Cubs Win!  Cubs Win!!

This is the Cubs new #1!

by initram on Jan 22, 2008 11:04 AM CST   0 recs

Here's two of mine...
July 30th, 1989...Mark Grace hits a two-run home run with two down in the ninth off Randy Myers (also a lefty) to complete the sweep against the Mets at Wrigley, taking the wind out of New York's sails and helping to vault the Cubs to the division title.

July 29th, 1995...Shawon Dunston hits a game-winning 3-run homer with two outs in the nineth at Wrigley to beat the Phillies 8-7.  The Cubs showing no life being down two, with the Phillies having scored three runs in the top of the 9th to take the lead.  After two quick outs, the next batter was hit by a pitch, and the next reached on an error (@ third, I think).  With Dunston (my favorite player of all time (big suprise, I know)) up next , I said "if he hits this out, there's no way you're getting me in the car to go home".  He hit it out to left on the first pitch.  My scorecard from that game STILL means more to me than any of my other memorabilia.

by Shawon O Meter on Jan 22, 2008 11:09 AM CST   0 recs

Gaaah...
BigJohnAZ beat me to the mention of Grace's HR.  Very cool that you were there to see it!

by Shawon O Meter on Jan 22, 2008 11:13 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Even BIGGER "GAAHHHH"!!!
hoosierdaddynow beat me to Dunston's HR, too.

That's what I get for taking so long to look up dates, etc while I'm in the middle of posting...

by Shawon O Meter on Jan 22, 2008 11:16 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I remember that Grace HR, too.
It was at the time only the third HR Myers had ever allowed to a left-handed hitter.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 22, 2008 1:14 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Grace 1989
I was sitting in the upper deck right behind 1st base for that Grace home run. And nobody left the park even though the game was over. All 38,000 stood on their feet going wild until finally Grace came back onto the field and doffed his cap. I heard afterward that immediately after the homer Grace and the whole team had run to the clubhouse to watch the replay. That's why it took so long for him to acknowledge us.
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Jan 22, 2008 5:14 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

A personal favorite, perhaps less known
During the Pirate division-title stretch in the early 90's there was a memorable homestad between the Cubs and the Pirates (I believe the year was either 92 or 93 and Cubs were 6.5 games back, or so).

The Cubs managed to sweep the series with a Sosa walkoff on sunday getaway... the call from Harry and the emotion in the field was just incredible. With the win the Cubs managed to close to within 3.5 games and gave great excitement and hope for a brief while.

I'll never forget it.

Luis

by Luis on Jan 22, 2008 11:10 AM CST   0 recs

I was at this game (1992)
and Ryno had a game tying 2 run homer earlier in the game. The thing that made it so memorable was the wind was blowing in about 20 miles an hour and he still put it onto Waveland. I have this on VHS somewhere and you are right, Harry went crazy. Seems like that game got the Cubs to around 3 games out of first, so that walkoff gave the area a big playoff feeling.

by LT on Jan 22, 2008 12:39 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Ryne
Wish I could see it. That was his last really good season, before injury and old age took their toll.
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Jan 22, 2008 5:13 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

i have this clip
and it was cooler than shit. It didn't reach the street- it landed in the LF seats (family section?)

if anybody knows how to convert this to my pc and youtube it, I'll do it. Never done it before :)

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Jan 23, 2008 1:55 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Actually this game was on a Wednesday
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN199207290.shtml

Check out the first 4 batters in the Cubs lineup that day:

  1. Sosa
  2. Sandberg
  3. Grace
  4. Dawson
Bonds also homered that day. The funny thing is, both Bonds and Sammy were about as big as toothpicks back in those days. Both were able to hit homeruns with a 20MPH wind in from center....

by LT on Jan 23, 2008 4:02 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

For obscure
One of my favorites is Gary Scott's hurricane aided grand-slam that the crowd seemed to will into the basket.  

I don't remember who it was against, or when it occurred, but that was a magical at-bat to me. If only I had been there...

Dave

by Dave in the basement on Jan 22, 2008 11:25 AM CST   0 recs

I was actually inside the park for that one
Usually I'm hanging out on Waveland, but I was inside for some reason that day and I clearly remember that homer.  That was one helluva at-bat by Gary Scott.  He kept fouling off them off, one right after another - here's a pitch by pitch:

Ball
Foul
Called Strike
Ball
Foul
Foul
Foul
Foul
Foul
Foul
Foul
Foul
Ball in Play

It was such an amazing drawn out sequence of events.  Every time he got back into the box, fans started clapping again.  After awhile, I just kept clapping the whole time because I was starting to personally identify with the whole scene.   Back in my high school playing days, I once fouled off 13 pitches during a single at-bat.  Two minor differences though:

  • I didn't have 23,515 fans cheering me on
  • I only ended up with a walk, not a grand slam.  ;-)
Anyway, it was April 20, 1992, and Cubs were playing the Phillies.   Bottom of 4th, pitcher was Kyle Abbott and it was Grace, Salazaar and Dascenzo on base for the Cubbies.  Cubs won 8-3.

And yes, my memory is good, but it's not that good.  baseball-reference.com is a wonderful thing...

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/event_hr.cgi?n1=scottga01&type=b

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jan 22, 2008 7:53 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I too remember that homer vividly
I was a sophomore in high school and watched that game on WGN.  I was on sitting on the edge of the couch through the entire at-bat which seemed to last 10 minutes.  After he hit that homer I had goosebumps and I decided to write him a letter.

I don't remember much about the letter, but the gist of it was that I had never been more proud to be a Cub fan than at that moment.  I didn't ask for an autograph or anything.  The awesome thing was, I got a reply in the mail with an autographed baseball card from him a few weeks later.

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Jan 22, 2008 10:10 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

How does...
someone even begin to compile such a list.  I'll have to wait and see which ones make the official list.  I could spend weeks trying to sort through all the HR's that ment something to this franchise.  Good luck Al!!  I think you may need it.

by nmrudge on Jan 22, 2008 11:55 AM CST   0 recs

Two of Mine...one old
one new.

OLD:
Willie Smith,bottom of 11th, Opening Day, 1969 (saw it on TV). Cubs win against Phillies, 7-6

BOX: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN196904080.shtml

NEW: Sammy ties the game. Two out, bottom 9th, Game Two, NLCS against Florida.

We lose when Fabulous Dave VEres gives up the go ahead HR in the top of the 10th to dead center against Mike Lowell. Go Dusty!

 

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Jan 22, 2008 12:03 PM CST   0 recs

The Willie Smith HR
was awesome! I was 10 years old and I remember rushing home from school to watch their first game and that HR started that magical season off. I remember my Mom and Uncles taking my brother and I to a bunch of games and we would go to the public authograph siginings and meet the players. That's when I got Ronnie's autograph on a ball that I still cherish today. Even though we didn't hang on and win the division, '69 is still my favorite Cubs summer. Sorry for a bit of digression...
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jan 22, 2008 12:29 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I was near the same age
AND - your mom probably paid $20 for ALL of you guys including any food that wasn't in the COOLER you were allowed to bring in! LOL!

Those were the days, boy!

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Jan 22, 2008 2:57 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

You Know it!
We used to pop pocorn and make meatloaf sandwiches and bring Kool-Aid. Oh, and either take the Rock Island in and catch the bus or ride the EL. We used to get there at like 9:30-10:00 to make sure we were there when the gates opened and we watched ALL of batting practice. We didn't get home until 6-7 at night, It was an all day event. God, I miss that. My brother and I couldn't sleep the night before. As always,as we walked up the steps we would say "Man, look at the scoreboard!"
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Jan 22, 2008 6:31 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Sammy's HR
was Game 1.  He also hit one in Game 2, but that was the 2nd inning.  Sammys Game 2 HR came a little after Wood's HR.  
PIE!!!

by LilLPLancer23 on Jan 22, 2008 3:24 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

His game 2 HR hit the CF
camera hut, didn't it?

Thought Woody's shot was in game 7.

Our grandparents used to say, "I hope the Cubs win the Series before I die". Now the teenagers are saying it.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 22, 2008 3:30 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Wood...
... hit his HR in game 7.

Sosa homered in games 1 and 2.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 22, 2008 3:50 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Oh - was there live
at the latter. Crushing. - sigh -
Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Jan 22, 2008 12:04 PM CST   0 recs

I know we all
just love Nefi, but his slam against the Cards in 03 I believe to win in ST. Louis was shocking and great.
 Graces Homer off of Meyers has to be in there, remembering that HR still gives me the bumps.

by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Jan 22, 2008 12:08 PM CST   0 recs

re: I know we all
I'll see your Neifi and raise you one Michael Barrett, who hit another Grand Salami against the hated Redbirds on April 9, 2006 -- and this one at Wrigley Field, no less.  A really, really loud but still rather thrilling YouTube clip of the Card-killing bomb can be found here.
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 22, 2008 1:12 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I hate looking back on that home run
because I alway had the feeling at that moment in the season (though it was young) that the Cubs had something special going after they finally swept the Cardinals (which never happened in 2005). One broken wrist definately changed that..
Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Jan 22, 2008 2:03 PM CST to parent up   0 recs