Chicago Cubs to host 10-game homestand July 22-31 with 1970s theme for Wrigley Field's 100th Celebration
Homestand includes 1978 throwback uniforms, extensive promotional item calendar, specialty foods and celebrity entertainment
CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs will host another 10-game homestand as the Cubs face the San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies July 22-31. The team's throwback uniform, promotional giveaways, specialty food and beverage offerings and entertainment will mirror the sights and sounds of the 1970s at Wrigley Field as part of the season-long celebration of the ballpark's 100th birthday.
The Cubs' promotional schedule includes eight giveaway items and one Cubs Special Event, which offers fans a chance to attend a game with others who share the same interests along with an exclusive promotional item and fan experience. This homestand's Special Event is Cubs Girl Scout Night on Monday, July 28. The team has worked with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana to host the Special Event for Girl Scouts, family and friends, with attendees receiving a commemorative Cubs-themed Girl Scout patch. In addition, $3 per each ticket sold will be donated back to the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
Tickets for the Padres, Cardinals and Rockies remain available at www.cubs.com or 800-THE-CUBS (800-843-2827). Highlights of the upcoming homestand include:
Throwback Uniforms:
On Sunday, July 27, the Cubs will wear a popular throwback light blue road uniform from 1978 to honor the Cubs of the late '70s. The Cardinals will participate as well by wearing 1978-inspired throwback uniforms.
Promotional Giveaways:
Fans coming to the ballpark will have the chance to collect a unique promotional item at various games of the homestand, beginning with a special Cubs Wine Tote presented by E&J Gallo Wine for the first 10,000 adults 21-and-over Tuesday, July 22. On Thursday, July 24, the first 10,000 fans will receive a Cubs T-shirt presented by StubHub. The first 10,000 fans will receive a Jack Brickhouse Bobblehead with an audio chip of Brickhouse calling Ernie Banks 500th home run, presented by Advocate Health Care, on Friday, July 25. On Saturday, July 26, the first 10,000 adults will receive an Ernie Banks Replica Statue presented by Budweiser. The first 5,000 children will receive a '70s Throwback Cubs Magic Baseball presented by Gonnella Baking Co. Sunday, July 27. The following evening, 5,000 fans will receive a Northwestern Football Magnet Schedule when they depart the ballpark while attendees of the Cubs' annual Girl Scout Night will receive a commemorative Cubs-themed Girl Scout Patch. On Tuesday, July 29, the first 10,000 fans will receive a Mobile Device Power Bank presented by The Private Bank, while the first 10,000 fans in the ballpark Wednesday, July 30, will receive a Cubs T-shirt presented by Benjamin Moore.
Specialty Food Offerings:
Levy Restaurants continues its decade-inspired menu at the Decade Diner, located inside Gate D near section 142. The 1970s homestand features a Kraft Breaded Chicken Parmesan Sandwich with herb-breaded chicken breast, house-made marinara sauce and melted Kraft Provolone Cheese served on a toasted hoagie roll. Fans can also try the Kraft Classic Tuna Melt homestand special, which includes Levy Restaurants' signature tuna salad served on toasted rye bread with aged Kraft Cheddar Cheese and sliced tomatoes.
The Decade Dogs stand near section 123 is serving the 1970s Pulled Pork Dog; a Vienna Beef hot dog topped with pulled pork, barbeque sauce and coleslaw. The Pulled Pork Dog is available all season.
Adults 21-and-over can enjoy a Cooperstown Iced Tea. The cocktail is a variation of a Long Island Iced Tea, which surged to popularity during the '70s, made with Captain Morgan's Ready-to-Drink Long Island Iced Tea Mix.
Guests & Entertainment:
With the San Diego Padres coming to town, visiting broadcaster and Chicago native Mark Grant will sing the 7th inning stretch Tuesday, July 22. Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam will follow the next day with a ceremonial first pitch and 7th inning stretch performance.
On July 25, Pat Brickhouse, widow of legendary broadcaster "Hey Hey" Jack Brickhouse, will toss a ceremonial first pitch and sing the seventh inning stretch during Jack Brickhouse Bobblehead Day. On Saturday, July 26, former Cubs pitcher Rick Sutcliffe will throw a first ceremonial pitch and lead the seventh inning stretch. On Sunday, July 27, Northwestern University's head football coach, Pat Fitzgerald, will throw a ceremonial first pitch and lead the seventh inning stretch to close out the Cardinals series.
On Monday, July 28, National Public Radio's Scott Simon will start the Rockies series by throwing a ceremonial first pitch. ESPN celebrities will join the Cubs Tuesday, July 29, as Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic throw ceremonial first pitches while Colin Cowherd sings the seventh inning stretch. Former '70s Cub, Pete LaCock, will throw a first ceremonial pitch Wednesday, July 30. Fitz & The Tantrums, also performing at Lollapalooza, will finish the homestand strong by singing the seventh inning stretch Thursday, July 31.
Historic Moments:
Wrigley Field hosted noteworthy baseball and non-baseball events in the 1970s, including Ernie Banks' 500th home run and the Chicago Bears' last game at Wrigley Field.
In 1970, Mr. Cub Ernie Banks connected for his 500th home run off Pat Jarvis to help beat the Braves, 4-3. He would go on to end his career with a franchise-record 512 home runs.
Seven months later, Jack Concannon passed for four touchdowns and ran for another in a 35-17 victory over the rival Green Bay Packers. It would be the Bears' last game at Wrigley Field.
On a frigid day in April in 1972, Cubs rookie Burt Hooton threw a no-hitter in his fourth career start to beat the Phillies, 4-0. He was the first National League rookie in 60 years to throw a no-hitter. Five months later, Milt Pappas nearly threw a perfect game as he retired the first 26 Padres batters. He ended up walking Larry Stahl with two outs in the ninth on a questionable ball-four call, but he retired the next batter to complete the impressive no-hitter and beat San Diego, 8-0.
On May 14, 1976, Dave Kingman of the New York Mets hit the longest home run in Wrigley Field history, driving the ball more than 500 feet. The ball traveled down Kenmore Avenue.
On July 28, 1977, the Cubs and Reds combined to tie the National League record for most home runs in a single game with 11. The Cubs ended up beating the Reds, 16-15, in a 13-inning classic.
To learn more about these historic moments and others, visit www.wrigleyfield100.com.
1970s Homestand Recap, July 22-31:
Tuesday, July 22, Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres, 7:05 p.m.
- Promotion: Cubs Wine Tote presented by E&J Gallo Wine, first 10,000 adults 21+
- First pitch: Brad Guzan, USA World Cup team and Chicago native
- 7th inning stretch: Mark Grant, San Diego Padres' broadcaster and Chicago native
- Broadcast: CSN+, WGN 720-AM Radio, WRTO 1200-AM Spanish Radio, Cubs.com
Wednesday, July 23, Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres, 7:05 p.m.
- First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam
- Broadcast: CSN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, Cubs.com
Thursday, July 24, Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres, 7:05 p.m.
- Promotion: Cubs T-shirt presented by StubHub, first 10,000 fans
- 7th inning stretch: TBD
- Broadcast: WGN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, Cubs.com
Friday, July 25, Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 3:05 p.m.
- Promotion: Jack Brickhouse Bobblehead with audio chip presented by Advocate Health Care, first 10,000 fans
- First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Pat Brickhouse, widow of legendary broadcaster "Hey Hey" Jack Brickhouse
- Broadcast: WGN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, Cubs.com
Saturday, July 26, Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 3:05 p.m.
- Promotion: Ernie Banks Replica Statue presented by Budweiser, first 10,000 adults 21+
- First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Rick Sutcliffe, former Cubs pitcher
- Broadcast: CSN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, Cubs.com
Sunday, July 27, Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 1:20 p.m.
- Throwback uniforms: Retro 1978 road uniform
- Promotion: '70s Throwback Cubs Magic Baseball presented by Gonnella Baking Co., first 5,000 children
- First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Coach Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern University Head Football Coach
- Broadcast: WGN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, Cubs.com
Monday, July 28, Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies, 7:05 p.m.
- Promotion: Northwestern Football Magnet Schedule
- Special Event: Girl Scout Night
- First pitch: NPR's Scott Simon
- 7th inning stretch: TBD
- Broadcast: CSN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, WRTO 1200-AM Spanish Radio, Cubs.com
Tuesday, July 29, Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies, 7:05 p.m.
- Promotion: Mobile Device Power Bank presented by The Private Bank, first 10,000 fans
- First pitch: ESPN's Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic
- 7th inning stretch: ESPN's Colin Cowherd
- Broadcast: WGN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, WRTO 1200-AM Spanish Radio, Cubs.com
Wednesday, July 30, Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies, 7:05 p.m.
- Promotion: Cubs T-shirt presented by Benjamin Moore, first 10,000 fans
- First pitch: Pete LaCock, Former '70s Cub
- 7th inning stretch: TBD
- Broadcast: CSN+, WGN 720-AM Radio, Cubs.com
Thursday, July 31, Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies, 1:20 p.m.
- 7th inning stretch: Fitz & The Tantrums
- Broadcast: CSN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, Cubs.com
For more information on Wrigley Field's 100th birthday celebration, please visit www.wrigleyfield100.com.