The Witness of History

[Tryin2Recover]

And there they were, after the cubs had come out of a horrible slump losing nearly 8 games in a row to begin September, they were to face the Astros, the hottest team in baseball who had just won 14 of the last 15 games. And to make matters worse this date with the smoking hot 'Stros was to happen on the road, in Houston, where the Cubs have struggled all year. Things were starting to look like any other year as a Cubs fan, epic failure brimming with bad omens, and terrible twists of fate.

But the Gods of baseball would not have it that way, not this time, on the doorstep of over a century of failure. As the winds of Hurricane Ike raged intensely over Houston Texas, wreaking devastation in the lives of many, the powers that be decided late on a Saturday night that the series would be moved to a 'neutral site', Milwaukee's Miller Park, aka Wrigley Field North. And not only had Ike blown the series to within 90 miles of the hallowed friendly confines, it bought the Cubs 2 extra days rest. As fate would have it the Legendary Zambrano would get the start over the previously scheduled Marquis. Zambrano, who had just had 12 days rest due to an inflamed rotator cuff, was on a date with destiny.

I got the call late Saturday night, an offer I considered turning down that would have been filled with regret. With less than 24 hours notice, having to work the next day, the prospect of a 7pm ballgame seemed insane. But the Cubs Fan within reigned supreme this night, and impulsively said 'YES!'

Arriving at the park, the atmosphere seemed surreal. At a stadium usually filled to the dome, lurked a meager 24,000 Cubs faithful. While I was grateful to have been blessed with another Cubs game this year, so late in the season, I was tired, ready to call an end to my weekend and begin the grind of Monday all over again. Then somewhere around the 7th inning those thoughts vanished. In what seemed a single cognitive thought the entire crowd of 24k realized we might be witnessing the start of something amazing. Zambrano was less than 10 outs away from blanking the Astro's with the first Cubs No-Hitter since Milt Papas in 1972.

The halls and diners lay empty, every faithful Cubs fan glued to their seat, clinging to each strike, to each out. Z endured through the 7th, and then the 8th, and then he was 3 outs from history, from being only a handful of players in over 100 years of Cubs history to complete such a feat. And then he was 2 outs. And then 1. And then the 24 thousand lucky fans erupted in a sea of joy as Zambrano pulled of an act of historical proportions.

Being a lifelong Cubs fan, having experienced many things, both good and terrible with my lovable losers, I was blessed that all of these extreme circumstances would come together to allow me to witness this amazing accomplishment.

My heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones or were affected by hurricane Ike.