NEWSLETTER
In the absence of baseball (grumble), Marquee Sports Network is re-running the top-14 games from the Chicago Cubs historic 2016 World Series run. And since I freakin’ love that idea, I thought we might play along by posting regular Pre-Gamin’ posts before each and every one.
This is the eighth televised event – Game 1 of the NLDS was Wednesday, Game 2 was Thursday, the series clinching Game 4 was Friday, and the memorable Game 1 of the NLCS was Saturday. Marquee skipped games 2 and 3 of the NLCS, moving right along to Games 4, 5 and 6 over the past few days. Naturally, it’s time to move onto Game 1 of the 2016 World Series … which I was lucky enough to attend.
A day or two after the Cubs beat the Dodgers, I got a surprise phone call from a friend of Bleacher Nation, Jeff Ulrich, who happened to have an extra ticket to Game 1 in Cleveland. I was floored. As a 25-year-old blogger living in a 700 square foot Wrigleyville apartment, just weeks away from proposing to my girlfriend, this just wasn’t something I thought I’d ever be able to attend. I could never afford it. But here came this call out of nowhere, a literal miracle for someone like me. So I hopped in my car VERY early in the morning on October 25th, picked up Jeff, got some Dunkin’ Donuts, and drove us all the way to Cleveland.
Like an idiot, I tweeted a picture of my *full* ticket while waiting in line to get into the stadium, a decision I quickly regretted as the twitter replies began pointing out my stupidity. I deleted it quickly enough, but I’m not going to lie … my heart was POUNDING as we approached the gate, worried that someone was nimble and devious enough to steal the miracle ticket (digitally or otherwise) and keep me from getting into the stadium (or at least create a headache). I was equal parts embarrassed and nervous. Fortunately, everything worked out just fine and I made it into the game.
Outcome of Game 1 aside, a smile never left my face that entire night. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t even care that the Cubs wound up losing. I was at a WORLD SERIES game featuring the most lovable and bada** Chicago Cubs team of a generation. Kyle Schwarber was back. There were six more games to go. I peed next to Ryne Sandberg in the bathroom. I was on cloud-9. I know it sounds like I’m saying this only because things wound up working out in the end, but aside from watching them win Game 7 (and maybe watching Miguel Montero’s grand slam in the NLCS), Game 1 was such a defining moment of my Cubs fandom. All of my hard work. All of the losing seasons. All of the loyalty. It all paid off. I was at the World Series, watching my Chicago Cubbies do their thing. It was beautiful.
Alright, from now on, we’ll pretend like we’re back on that night. Mostly.
We are here.
The Chicago Cubs are in the World Series. You made it. You’re alive. You got to see it. We still have no clue how the rest of the series will play out, but don’t sleep on how much this already means. It’s been more than 70 years since the Cubs won the pennant, and you’re here to enjoy it. That’s huge.
As for the game, well, it’s a big one. Despite having won NINE fewer regular seasons games than the Cubs, the Indians get home field advantage in this one, and that really stinks. However, it does allow for the return of Kyle Schwarber(!), who’s been out since his outfield collision in early April. How he’s possibly ready for big league action – against Corey Kluber, no less – is nothing short of a miracle, but maybe that’s exactly what the Cubs need.
With Schwarber at DH and Jon Lester on the mound, David Ross is behind the plate, leaving some relatively big bats on the bench (Willson Contreras and Miguel Montero). Also on the bench is Jason Heyward, who’s been replaced by Chris Coghlan tonight. Everybody else is at their usual spots around the diamond and in the lineup (man, it’s so nice to have a sure-fire leadoff hitter, isn’t it?).
And with that, I say … GO CUBS.
CLICK HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL PRE-GAMIN’ POST FROM THAT NIGHT.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (0-0) at Cleveland Indians (0-0) – Wednesday, March 25th at 7:00 CT on Marquee Sports Network
Or … watch the condensed game right here:
Starting Pitchers
Indians: Corey Kluber (R)
versus
Cubs: Jon Lester (L)
Cleveland Indians:
- Rajai Davis, CF
- Jason Kipnis, 2B
- Francisco Lindor, SS
- Mike Napoli, 1B
- Carlos Santana, DH
- José Ramírez, 3B
- Brandon Guyer, LF
- Lonnie Chisenhall, RF
- Roberto Pérez, C
Chicago Cubs:
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, LF
- Kyle Schwarber, DH
- Javy Báez, 2B
- Chris Coghlan, RF
- Addison Russell, SS
- David Ross, C
Do you remember what Jason Kipnis’ ankle looked like that night?
Remember what Jason Kipnis' ankle looked like before Game 1 of the 2016 World Series? He played that night. Dude's tough as nails.
Now he's on the #Cubs https://t.co/mPZwg3D4X4
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 25, 2020
A lot of people hated this hat, but I loved it …
When your dog eats your lucky Cubs hat the day before you head to the World Series. pic.twitter.com/zjCXfAhlQz
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) October 24, 2016
First time at Progressive:
We made it! pic.twitter.com/CUNNYq9FcU
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) October 25, 2016
The picture before the picture I sent with my fully visible ticket:
Almost there. It's getting real. pic.twitter.com/94Gpenjvu6
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) October 25, 2016
I miss having a leadoff hitter:
You go we go. pic.twitter.com/AkrL5ZVrZB
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) October 25, 2016
Inhale, exhale, repeat …
Exhale. pic.twitter.com/QXy8bVtBIW
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) October 25, 2016
