Remember last September when the Chicago Cubs visited the Atlanta Braves? Although the Braves had things pretty locked up on their end, there was a lot on the line and very tense moments every night in Chicago. The Cubs were still in the hunt for the National League Central division while trying to hang on to their Wild Card spot.
Wednesday, September 23, 2023. The Cubs took the lead in the top of the tenth inning. But after a Ronald Acuna Jr. single in the bottom of the frame, the game was tied at five. On the very next pitch, Acuna stole second base. This was his 70th steal of the season.
This was the first time in Major League Baseball history that a player hit 40 home runs and stole 70 bases in a season. Of course, this is an extraordinary accomplishment. But what happened afterward was a bit over the top.
Acuna stopped the game to obtain the base he stole for the historic mark. Between this and acknowledging the fans, there was about a five-minute break in the action for the show that the Braves and Acuna prepared. Because they could not wait until postgame, Daniel Palencia could not stay loose on the mound, and the Cubs lost the game shortly after that.
This struck a nerve with the Cubs and their fans, who were fighting for their playoff lives. They ended up missing the postseason by one game. Who knows what could have happened if the game had just continued like normal, but the event certainly prevented the Cubs from getting a chance at victory.
Fast-forwarding to a lovely Thursday afternoon in May at Wrigley Field, it appears the Cubs have not forgotten about Acuna and the Braves’ excessive celebration.
After Ian Happ stole a base for the Cubs against the Braves on Thursday afternoon, the video board operators had something prepared for the occasion. They showed a picture of Ian Happ holding a base up in the air with a perfect caption. “1st player in MLB history to steal a base on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Wrigley Field in the bottom of an inning.”
Although rightfully deserved, the game did not come to a screeching halt. Happ did not pick up the base in celebration. The Cubs did not turn on their new fancy lights to turn Wrigley into a rave dancefloor. The game just moved on like normal. That, in my opinion, is respecting the game.
Baseball is just better at Wrigley, am I right?
