Sept 18, 2007
Here’s what I can tell you about last night: it was as exciting a game as you could possibly hope to attend.
My voice…I could do a nice Tom Waits impression today…
Anyway, not quite the Sandberg game, but coming back from 2 down in the bottom of the 9th – that just doesn’t happen every day.
Especially for my favorite team.
And now for the weird…
Last week I got an email from Ben*.
“Speaking of bizarro, Monday night when we go to the game I will have in my possession the ashes of my college roommate's dad (who also married my wife and I as he was a judge in California) who requested that some of his ashes be spread on the field at Wrigley (he was born in Chicago).”
Wellll...okay.
So when I met Ben and Olson on the roof, well, the Judge was there too.
In fact, the Judge joined us for the game.
And now for the excellent...
The ninth inning.
How about Aramis Ramirez’ totally clutch triple to tie the game. Hobbling Derrek Lee (on 1st) almost caught up to The Riot (on 2nd) on their way home.
But it was Mark DeRosa’s night.
Somewhere about the 4th inning, Olson goes, “So who’s your mvp for this year?”
Not a lot of thinking.
Both Ben and I said DeRosa.
Guy can play any position, and he’s such a gamer with the bat.
Without him, the Cubs aren't where they are...
So it was DeRosa (5 for 5 with a run and 2 RBI) who brought in pinch runner Sam Fuld for the winning run.
And after all the yelling and dancing and singing “Go Cubs go”, I was walking out with Ben.
It was time to spread The Judge.
“After tonight's performance, maybe we should save the Judge.” I said.
He thought for a minute.
“He’s kinda...good luck", said Ben, “Guess I’ll have to get a new baggie.”
So if you see Ben at Wrigley, you might ask to say hello to the Judge, who in one amazing night became our unofficial good luck mascot of 2007.
Judge, we ask that you help fend off the goat, and that clown with the "It's Gonna Happen" sign.
Go Cubs.
*not his real name.
