Cubs Home Opener 2008
Chicago unveils Mr. Cub Statue, Fukudome gets Curtain Call
Cubs erect a statue of "Mr. Cub," Ernie Banks before their 2008 home opener, and Kosuke Fukudome thrills fans during his first game at Wrigley Field.
Fans at Wrigley Field endured miserable weather and a Cubs extra-inning loss today. However, they witnessed two significantly bright moments this opening day. First, long overdue homage was paid to Ernie Banks with a life-size bronze of the Cub living-legend outside of Wrigley. The second highlight came late in the game, when Kosuke Fukudome hit a three-run shot to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was the type of day that, despite the rain, keeps Cub fans coming back.
Ernie Banks Immortalized
Banks had a spectacular career with the Chicago Cubs. He spent all of his 19 seasons playing his home games on the North Side. Signed by the Cubs in 1953, Ernie Banks won the NL MVP twice, hit 512 home runs, and he was an All Star 14 times before he played his last game in 1971. His number was the first ever retired by the Cubs.
The statue depicts Banks in the batter’s box, smiling in anticipation of the pitch he was about to knock out of the park, emptying the loaded bases. According to sportswriter, Jim Malony , “[The sculptor, Lou Cella] used Banks’ at-bat against Hall of Famer [Warren] Spahn on Aug. 29, 1959.” Present with Banks at the unveiling were fellow Hall of Famers, Billy Williams and Henry Aaron. Also present was Rev. Jesse Jackson, who played a significant role in persuading the Chicago Cubs to bestow “Mr. Cub” with this belated honor.
Fukudome Cub Debut
While the pregame ceremonies were dedicated to paying homage to a past Cub’s legend in Ernie Banks, fans were given significant reason celebrate a present player’s performance during the home opener. In his first game at Wrigley Field, Kosuke Fukudome went 3 for 3 with a walk, a double, and the above mentioned game tying home run off of Milwaukee’s closer, Eric Gagne. After Fukudome deposited the 3-1 pitch in the right field bleachers, 41,089 soaking wet Cubs Fans called him out of the dugout for a tip of his cap.
It was an exciting moment, but the Japanese right fielder’s heroics were not enough to lift the Cubs to victory on the day of their home opener. The Brewer’s would go on to win in the tenth inning, 4-3. Cub fans will no doubt recover from the letdown, as they are painfully used to disappointment. For example, as great a Banks was during his years in Chicago, he never once played in the post season. However, legends such as Ernie Banks, and game performances such as Fukudome’s will ensure that Wrigley Field will be at or near capacity for the entirety of the Cub’s 2008 home schedule.
