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The majestic Wrigley Field
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Sam lives in Redwood City, California. Since he turned nine years old this year, he had the opportunity to spend time alone with his grandparents who live near Chicago, Illinois. The thing that Sam wanted to do most during his trip was to see the Chicago Cubs play at Wrigley Field. Although difficult to arrange, we got tickets to the Phillies game for the afternoon of July 30.
During the weeks before the game, there were several reports of cement pieces falling from the ceiling of this 90-year-old structure. Chicago city officials were concerned about the safety of patrons and insisted that safety measures be taken. Officials planned to put netting over the entire ceiling where the concrete chunks had been falling.
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Crews put up safety netting after discovering that cement pieces had fell from the stadium's ceiling.
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If the netting was not in place, the game would be cancelled. To make matters worse, the morning started out rainy.
Would the Cubs play? Would Sam make it to the game?
Sometime after 9 a.m. the announcement came on the radio saying that the netting was in place and the game would go on as scheduled.
And what a game it was! As grey skies turned to blue grey and the air cleared, nearly 40,000 fans filled Wrigley Field. Enthusiastic Phillies fans dotted the stands in their red shirts and hats. Cubs fans could be seen in all kinds of dress and undress; some even came bare-chested with Cub emblems. Some people wore hard hats to protect themselves from falling cement.
Although the Phillies scored a quick run in the first inning, the Cubs tied score was tied 3-3 by the bottom of the fourth. At the top of the fifth, the Phillies Abreu hit a home run with two men on, to make the score 3-6. Old-time Cubs fans suddenly had visions of games past flashing before their eyes.
But in the bottom of the sixth, the Cubs had their own high score winning with five runs and two homers. In the bottom of the seventh, they scored two more, and Cubs fans of every generation sighed with relief. People actually left the stadium early, but for once it wasn't because the Cubs were so far behind that the game was hopeless.
Throughout the game, fly balls flew into the stands at a rapid rate. Three bats were broken.Ramirez hit three home runs, and Derrick Lee hit one for the Cubs. Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu hit 2 home runs apiece for the Phillies, and the total number of homers for the game was 8. The final score was Cubs 10 and Phillies 7.
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Sam enjoys the Cubs game with his great-great uncle
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Meanwhile, Sam could not have been more excited about seeing his first Cubs game.
"It was a great game. The Cubs won by 3 points. I thought it was worth it to come a long way just to see the game. It is very hard to get Cubs tickets, you know," he said.
What a great way to spend a summer afternoon. Worries and cares melt away in the excitement of a great Cubs game. Sam was just lucky enough to see one.
To learn more go to www.cubs.com
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