In this country, we have a way of driving home points. And, we're a pretty proud nation, by and large. So, we have always taken great pride in all things Americana. Hence, the saying "that's as American as baseball and apple pie". Sorry, Chevrolet, but you included yourself on that one...

Again, I find myself waking up today with baseball on my mind. We are approaching the worst days in sports, days when until recent years, we had to endure NO SCHEDULED MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS. These days known as the day before and day after the MLB All-Star Game were insufferable as a child. Now, it's been abated some in recent years with the HR Derby and Futures Game. But, in the midst of baseball season growing up, they were two of the worst days of the year.

On August 8, 1988, one of the most traditional things in baseball history ended. But, it didn't really end, officially. For the first time in history, a night game was played at Wrigley Field under permanent lights. (In like 1946 they played a game there that was technically classified as a night game due to the start time.) Only trouble is, it never really happened. Officially...

I remembered this, this morning, because my boss asked me when they played the first night game, and he was shocked that I shot back immediately, "in 1988 against the Philadelphia Phillies." He then raised his eyebrows and said, "well smart guy, who won?"

I didn't know. I sat there stumped. I couldn't understand how I didn't know who won such a monumental game. It wasn't just a typical August game. It was the game that the City of Chicago virtually fought to their collective graves as sacrilege! It was a night game at Wrigley!!!

So, I did what most people do when they don't know something. I asked the Google machine. Only then did my amazement grow when I saw that the search results said that the Cubs beat the New York Mets in the first night game at Wrigley Field. I was pretty taken aback, because I freaking remember the game, and I know in my heart they played the Phillies. And, lo and behold, they did. But, they didn't...

I'm sure that by now you've guessed that if the game was played, but it wasn't officially played on 8/8/88, then the most obvious reason is Mother Nature. And, you would be correct. So, there was a first-ever pitch under the lights at Wrigley, as well as a first-ever HR, and a first-ever HR by a Cub...but, they never really happened...

If you like baseball, it's worth a read; it's an interesting story.