Opening Day... 1979

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

The whole damn game is on the Youtube.



For me a big moment at 2:25:30



http://www.mbtn.net/?p=3393http://www.mbtn.net/?p=3393

Edited March 29, 2021 by Guest

[batmagadanleadoff]

I cant find my copy of that game but this youtube video appears to be a better quality copy than mine.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Mazzilli also wore a NNOB jersey. at 1:06:34 he does his cool ball-4 bat flip:



[YOUTUBE]yFo_rF-9AhI[/YOUTUBE]

[Edgy MD]

It's been a while since I've seen that much Kelvin Chapman content.



I don't know how much of this is my being in tune to latter-day speed and movement, but Reuschel sure looks hittable (which of course he certainly was that day).

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Chapman hit the ball pretty hard! No power tho. Marty Noble said he was a terrific athlete

[G-Fafif]

Opening Day coincided with the afterschool dress rehearsal of Li'l Abner, coming to the LBHS stage that weekend, meaning I got home only in time for the ninth inning. Was delighted we were winning by so much. Got a little less delighted as the lead evaporated bit by bit. Was thrilled, natch, that it was preserved.



Future me revels in the first game of 1979 ending with two of the signature participants from the 1986 World Series facing one another.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

1:23:30 the Konger takes Swan for a ride



1:35 misplays a sinking shallow hit in left for an RBI single

[Edgy MD]

I never got the Wrigley field basket. Is it for keeping fans from falling onto the field?

[batmagadanleadoff]

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: 1:23:30 the Konger takes Swan for a ride 1:35 misplays a sinking shallow hit in left for an RBI single

1979 - Kingman's best year ever; Swan's 2d best year, one year removed from his best season.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

The other thing you can't help but notice is how small these guys are: Maddox, Chapman, Flynn all listed at 5-11, look shrimpier than even our chubby little pal Guillorme

[Willets Point]

=G-Fafif post_id=58903 time=1617047411 user_id=55]


Future me revels in the first game of 1979 ending with two of the signature participants from the 1986 World Series facing one another.

[Frayed Knot]

If only we could have an icon made of that matchup!

[Frayed Knot]

Edgy MD wrote: I never got the Wrigley field basket. Is it for keeping fans from falling onto the field?

More like to keep in-play balls from being interfered with IIRC.

And, yeah, if it also keeps a few drunks from flopping onto the warning track then it's doing double duty.

[Edgy MD]

But it presumably also turns some balls in play to homeruns. If it's to keep patrons from reaching onto the field, it seemingly kind of serves to standardize the outcome of reaching onto the field. It does the reaching for them.



Not to hijack the topic.



[fimg=600]https://cdn1.thecomeback.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/wrigley-field-basket.jpg[/fimg]

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

1:43:50 Flynn lays down a squeeze bunt, Hendoo slides under the tag

[Marshmallowmilkshake]

Edgy MD wrote: But it presumably also turns some balls in play to homeruns. If it's to keep patrons from reaching onto the field, it seemingly kind of serves to standardize the outcome of reaching onto the field. It does the reaching for them. Not to hijack the topic. [fimg=600]https://cdn1.thecomeback.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/wrigley-field-basket.jpg[/fimg]

I took the Wrigley tour a few years back. It was very fun, and we got to see the inside of the visitor's clubhouse and sit in the lockers and such.



When the tour guide took us to the bleachers, he told stories about bleacher creatures back in the day -- way back -- would get drunk and have races along the top of the fence. One competitor started at the left field line and other the right field line, and the winner was the first to get to dead center. After several patrons fell onto the field, the team rounded the top of the wall put up the fence.



Now, this might be as truthful as the billy goat story, but it's what the guide said. It was a good tour, and it was fun hanging out in the bleachers.



Side note, this video and the Sutcliffe-Gooden SI cover shows how the blue sansabelt area makes these Cubs uniforms look like pajamas. I know other teams had sansabelt pants, but I think they had a three-stripe look going, like the Cardinals. The Cubbies, with that wide elastic section, look silly.

Edited March 29, 2021 by Guest

[whippoorwill]

1979: getting ready for my wedding; desperately trying to forget Lee Mazzilli

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

If you watch his ABs you can see him stretch his chest muscles by pointing his elbows back behind him

[whippoorwill]

God he looks like he weighs less than I do now.

[nymr83]

Frayed Knot wrote: Edgy MD wrote: I never got the Wrigley field basket. Is it for keeping fans from falling onto the field? More like to keep in-play balls from being interfered with IIRC. And, yeah, if it also keeps a few drunks from flopping onto the warning track then it's doing double duty.

Might also serve to prevent souvenir hunters from trying to cut off a piece of the famous Ivy to take home?

[Edgy MD]

Just close up the first row and call the second row the first.



I'm generally a Wrigley guy, but hanging a basket over the outfielders is butt.



And no, it has nothing to do with lingering bitterness over a 41-year-old opening day homer by Kingman.