I've seen my share of Cubs games. One game that stands out is one that I didn't see to its historical conclusion, and there's another game, years later, where I celebrated by jumping out of the left-field bleacher seats.
I must have been 8 or 9 years old and it was the second game of a Cubs-Cards doubleheader. The Cubs and Cards were a rivalry, but the stakes weren't too high. Cubs teams weren't very good back then. Don Cardwell started the second game for the Cubs. And, he was pitching great. I don't remember what inning I left. I went to the game with a friend of my Dad's, and I was getting fidgety, sitting in a seat all day. So, I think halfway through the game, we left. The Cubs were winning, and I remember the left fielder for the hometeam made a nice grab to keep the no-hitter going, although I don't think I realized it was a no-hitter.
I don't remember watching the sports report on tv to catch the score. I might have forgotten about it, being disappointed in not seeing history made. But, luck would have it, I saw another Cubs no-no, when Ken Holtzman tossed one versus the Altanta Braves during the early summer of 1969. That was part of the season when the Cubs could do no wrong. Holtzman had it going. He struck out a lot of hitters, and he induced Hank Aaron to fly out to Glenn Beckert to end the game. And, wow, it was a no-hitter. My friends and I were so excited we jumped onto the field and ran toward the infield, where we met Andy Frain ushers who escorted us off the field.
Everyone was Cheering and yelling. The Cubs were on their way! Ron Santo had a little ritual of clicking his heels running down the left field foul-line then. And I remember him and Don Kessinger running together like bobsy twins. And old #2 Leo the Lip looked like a kid again. It was the Cubs building a lead that seemed insurmontable. Until August came, and the Mets got hotter than the Sun, and caught the Cubs and lept past them. We thought we had it, but we didn't. Ah, The Cubs Curse! I swear I thought I saw a black cat run around Wrigley somewhere. Not a good sign.
