Cubs fans celebrate past, 'Back to the Future'
Sutcliffe tosses ceremonial first pitch as movie sequel's Oct. 21, 2015 'prediction' acknowledged
CHICAGO -- Mixed in with their Cubs jerseys and "W" towels on Wednesday were posters and T-shirts with "Back to the Future" emblazoned. On the day the Cubs faced the Mets in a do-or-die Game 4 of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field, fans were just as supportive of their team as they were the movie.
That's because the 1989 film "Back to the Future Part II" sent Marty McFly to Oct. 21, 2015, to save his children. And on this day, he learned the Cubs had won the World Series, giving Cubs fans reason to believe. The prophecy, however, went unfulfilled as the Cubs went on to fall, 8-3, ending their season as the Mets advanced to the Fall Classic.
As they had in Game 3, fans packed Wrigley early in the fourth sellout of the postseason. They came to their feet before rosters were announced and stayed there waving their towels.
The band Stolen Silver, with two members hailing from Chicago, sang the national anthem before the crowd enthusiastically roared at the appearance of former Cubs pitcher Rick Sutcliffe, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The Cubs played a video montage of the Cy Young Award winner before he proved he still had good form. Sutcliffe wore a No. 14 Ernie Banks jersey in honor of the Cubs legend and Hall of Famer who passed away in January.
Video: NLCS Gm4: Thomas Ian Nicholas shares Wrigley memories
Actor Thomas Ian Nicholas, who starred in the movie "Rookie of the Year," was in attendance wearing his jersey from his time as a Cub in the film. Former Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson also was in attendance.
Video: NLCS Gm4: Vedder sings during 7th-inning stretch
Cubs fan and regular attendee Eddie Vedder, lead singer for Pearl Jam, served as the guest conductor for the seventh-inning stretch.