"Go Cubs Go

The train was jam packed. I could barely move, but I didn’t care. Nothing could ruin this day. As the train slowly pulled to a stop, everyone moved out in one big mass. We were all going to the same place so there was no need to push and shove. As I came to Addison Street, I was bombarded with people trying to sell me anything and everything. I couldn’t get distracted. I wasn’t there to buy cheap memorabilia. I kept my focus and kept walking with my friends. As we passed the vendors, we turned a corner and there it was, right in the heart of the city, Wrigley Field.

I had dreamed of going to a Chicago Cubs baseball game for years and now here I was, a few feet away from one of the most historic fields in baseball history. I had read books about the Cubs, watched them religiously on TV, but this was the first time I had come face-to-face with Wrigley Field. I had to stand a second and take it all in. I looked around. The well known roof-top bleachers were filled with dedicated fans. I had always seen those coveted seats on TV, but there I was actually staring at them. And right in front of me, the historic Harry Caray, while the statue of him at least. I had always heard my family imitate him, and I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

My friends had enough of me taking in the sights and annoyingly told me to hurry up. I guess there was a lot more to this day, like the game itself. I gripped the ticket in my hand and waited in line to get in. This was it. I we were going to go inside. The ticket taker swiped my ticket, and I was in. I was so excited to be there! My friend stopped and we took a quick picture. You could tell many of the regulars were annoyed that we would stop right in the line of traffic to take a picture, but I just couldn’t contain my excitement.

As we made our way up to our seats, I caught a glimpse of the legendary scoreboard. It was simple. No electronics, no music blasting, no corny promotions. It was simply a scoreboard. As we trekked up numerous ramps, my friends and I finally arrived at our seats, very last row in the entire field. I still didn’t care. I could see the field just fine and I had an even better view of downtown. As long as I was there, that’s all that mattered.

I waited in anticipation for thirty minutes until the game started. Dedicated fans were arriving at their seats with a beer and a hotdog in hand. The famous organ started to blast some iconic tunes and then out they ran, the Chicago Cubs. The start of the game was only minutes away and I was filled with high expectations. They had had a flawless season thus far and I expected a win that night. The Cubs were playing the Atlanta Braves, piece of cake. Within the first inning, they scored three runs. I was right, it would be a piece of cake. Second inning: two runs. Third Inning another two runs. The game was going great! There was even a fan that was hit with a baseball. As scary as it was, it added a bit of excitement to the game.

After four scoreless innings passed, it was time for the infamous seventh inning stretch. At the same time, everyone stood up and prepared themselves for, “Take me out to the ball game.” I sang the song all the time when I was little. I even had a little Cubs button that played the song. I played it so much that it finally died of exhaustion. But that was in the past, I now was able to sing that famous song in Wrigley Field. The announcer yelled out, “A one, and a two, and a three…” The whole stadium cued in and sang together simultaneously. I linked arms with my friends and we swung back and forth to the tune of the song.

The game was coming to an end and the Cubs were going to win. It was the 9th inning and the Braves had two outs. Everyone was on their feet when the pitcher was vying for the last out. First pitch: strike. Second pitch: strike. One more and that was the game. I was jumping up and down. I just couldn’t contain myself, one more, just one more. The pitcher pulled his arm back and threw a fastball. “Out” the umpire yelled. Yells and screams ensued. We won! We won! I grabbed my friends and continued jumping. My first Cubs game and they won. It was the most electrifying experience I had ever been through. To add onto the excitement, the entire crowd started singing “Go Cubs Go.” As the song died down, my friends and I made our trek back down to the streets. The mad swarm of people moved in one mass, but it was the happiest crowd of people I had ever been with. All the fans were patting each other on the back, high fiving and singing in unison. We moved back to the train station, and as we passed the memorabilia, I just had to stop and by a shirt.