Cubs to Host Final Homestand of Wrigley's 100th Birthday Season Sept. 15-24
10-Game Homestand Includes Promotional Items, Special Events, Equipment Drive, Special Guest Tributes and Fan Appreciation Giveaways
CHICAGO - Wrigley Field will host the final homestand of its 100th birthday season Sept. 15-24 as the Chicago Cubs face the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals to conclude the 2014 home schedule. Similar to years past, the team will thank fans for their support throughout the season by giving away autographed baseballs in the stands before the season's final home game Wednesday, Sept. 24. The team will host fan appreciation giveaways on social media throughout the week as well.
Beginning this homestand, the Cubs will begin metal detector screenings of fans entering Wrigley Field as part of a league-wide initiative to standardize security procedures at each Major League ballpark. These security screenings are in addition to the current bag checks in place and will be uniform throughout the league during the 2015 season.
On Friday, Sept. 19, the Cubs will pay tribute to longstanding radio partner WGN Radio before the game and during the 7th inning stretch. WGN Radio aired Chicago's first professional game Oct. 1, 1924, when the Cubs and White Sox played the post-season City Series at then-Cubs Park. On April 14, 1925, WGN broadcast its first regular season Cubs game as Chicago beat Pittsburgh by an 8-2 margin. WGN carried the Cubs from 1924 to 1943, then served as the exclusive radio home for the team from 1958 to 2014. The Cubs announced earlier this season WBBM 780-AM will be the team's new flagship radio station beginning with the 2015 season. WBBM Radio had previously covered Cubs games at Wrigley Field from 1929 to 1940.
Fans with tickets to Cubs vs. Dodgers Saturday, Sept. 20, should note FOX has selected the game for their FOX Saturday Baseball "Game of the Week" broadcast. As a result, the game time has been moved from 3:05 p.m. CDT to 12:05 p.m. CDT. Gates will open two hours prior to first pitch.
On Sunday, Sept. 21, the Cubs and Baseball Tomorrow Fund encourage fans to donate new and gently used baseball and softball equipment for the 10th annual equipment day collection benefiting The Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club. To date, more than 100,000 pieces of equipment and approximately $1.6 million in total monetary donations from this league-wide program have benefited organizations in need. Fans can bring their equipment to Gate D at Wrigley Field beginning at 11 a.m. CDT.
On Thursday, Sept. 18, recipients of more than $330,000 in Cubs Charities Diamond Project grants will be recognized pregame for their commitments to improving the quality and safety of local baseball fields throughout the Chicago area. These grants were announced last week in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago.
Cubs Charities and Bank of America will host a group of military members and their families for a pregame batting practice experience, player meet-and-greet and private dinner during the team's final home game Wednesday, Sept. 24. Fans can help salute these troops during a Military Take the Field pregame ceremony that evening.
Tickets remain available for the upcoming 10-game homestand at www.cubs.com or 800-THE-CUBS (800-843-2827). Highlights of the homestand follow.
Promotional Giveaways:
Fans have the opportunity to collect several promotional items this homestand, beginning with a Cubs Travel Blanket presented By United Airlines for the first 10,000 fans Friday, Sept. 19. The following afternoon, the first 10,000 fans can collect a Cubs Tumbler presented By Pepsi. On Sunday, Sept. 21, the first 5,000 children 13-and-under will receive a Lunch Tote presented By Jewel-Osco. The first 1,000 kids can run the bases postgame as well, weather permitting.
Special Events:
The team will host three Special Events, which offer fans a chance to attend a game with others who share the same interests along with an exclusive promotional item and fan experience. Big Ten Rivalry Week kicks off Monday, Sept. 15, and matches heated rivals against each other for bragging rights and access to a ceremonial first pitch. Attendees will receive a Cubs shirt in the colors of their favorite Big Ten team. The lineup of Big Ten Rivalry Week matchups follows:
| 9/15: Indiana vs. Purdue | 9/22: Michigan State vs. Penn State |
| 9/16: Minnesota vs. Wisconsin | 9/23: Iowa vs. Nebraska |
| 9/17: Michigan vs. Ohio State | 9/24: Illinois vs. Northwestern |
| 9/21: Maryland vs. Rutgers |
On Thursday, Sept. 18, the Cubs look to recognize the outstanding patient care provided by the Chicago healthcare community at Healthcare Professionals Night. Doctors, nurses and hospital administrators are invited to join the team at this Special Event to receive an exclusive Cubs Scrub Top with the Wrigley Field 100 logo.
On Sunday, Sept. 21, guests from Historically Black Colleges and Universities are invited to participate in HBCU Day for a day of networking and fun. The school with the biggest turnout will win bragging rights and prizes at this inaugural event.
To receive each Special Event giveaway item, fans must purchase tickets through the dedicated Special Events page at www.cubs.com/specialevents.
Guests & Entertainment:
As part of Big Ten Rivalry Week at Wrigley Field, a representative from the Big Ten school with the most attendees at each game will be selected to throw a ceremonial first pitch, beginning Monday, Sept. 15, between Indiana University and Purdue University. That night, members of the 2014 National Champion Loyola University Chicago Men's Volleyball team will lead the 7th inning stretch, while their coach Shane Davis will deliver a ceremonial first pitch.
Charles Barkley, NBA Hall of Famer and current analyst on TNT's "Inside the NBA," will throw a ceremonial first pitch during his visit to Wrigley Field on behalf of the Cubs' official technology provider, CDW, Tuesday, Sept. 16.
All-Star Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah will join the team for a ceremonial first pitch Wednesday, Sept. 17.
On Thursday, Sept. 18, Big Ten Network's "BTN Live" host Dave Revsine and analysts Gerry DiNardo and Howard Griffith will lead the 7th inning stretch.
Television and radio host Larry King will throw a ceremonial first pitch Friday, Sept. 19, while WGN Radio talents Nick Digilio, Pete McMurray and Patti Vasquez will lead the 7th inning stretch.
Actors Jason Beghe and Eamonn Walker from "Chicago P.D." and "Chicago Fire," respectively, will throw ceremonial first pitches Sunday, Sept. 21.
On Monday, Sept. 22, Cubs Charities Bricks and Ivy Ball auction winner Tom O'Reilly will lead the 7th inning stretch.
Comedian and Chicago native Tom Dreesen will lead the stretch Tuesday, Sept. 23.
Members of the Wrigley Field Grounds Crew will conclude the season Wednesday, Sept. 24, with their annual 7th inning stretch from the field.
Homestand Recap, September 15-24:
Monday, Sept. 15, Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds, 7:05 p.m.
- Special Event: Big Ten Rivalry Week, Indiana vs. Purdue
- First pitch: Shane Davis, Loyola University Chicago Men's Volleyball coach
- 7th inning stretch: Members of the 2014 National Champion Loyola University Chicago Men's Volleyball team
- Broadcast: CSN-TV+, WGN 720-AM Radio, WRTO 1200-AM Spanish Radio, Cubs.com
Tuesday, Sept. 16, Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds, 7:05 p.m.
- Special Event: Big Ten Rivalry Week, Minnesota vs. Wisconsin
- First pitch: Charles Barkley, NBA Hall of Famer and current analyst on TNT's "Inside the NBA"
- 7th inning stretch: TBD
- Broadcast: WGN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, WRTO 1200-AM Spanish Radio, Cubs.com
Wednesday, Sept. 17, Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds, 7:05 p.m.
- Special Event: Big Ten Rivalry Week, Michigan vs. Ohio State
- First pitch: Joakim Noah, All-Star Chicago Bulls center
- 7th inning stretch: TBD
- Broadcast: CSN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, Cubs.com
Thursday, Sept.18, Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:05 p.m.
- Special Event: Healthcare Professionals Night
- Pregame ceremony: Recipients of more than $330,000 in Diamond Project grants from Cubs Charities
- 7th inning stretch: Big Ten Network's "BTN Live" host Dave Revsine, analysts Gerry DiNardo and Howard Griffith
- Broadcast: CSN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, Cubs.com
Friday, Sept.19, Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:20 p.m.
- Promotion: Cubs Travel Blanket presented by United Airlines, first 10,000 fans
- First pitch: Larry King, host, Larry King Now on Ora.TV
- 7th inning stretch: Nick Digilio, Pete McMurray and Patti Vasquez, WGN Radio talents
- Broadcast: WGN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, Cubs.com
Saturday, Sept. 20, Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 12:05 p.m.
- Promotion: Cubs Tumbler presented by Pepsi, first 10,000 fans
- 7th inning stretch: TBD
- Broadcast: FOX-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, Cubs.com
Sunday, Sept. 21, Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:20 p.m.
- Special Event: Big Ten Rivalry Week, Maryland vs. Rutgers
- Promotion: Lunch Tote presented by Jewel-Osco, first 5,000 children
- First pitches: Actors Jason Beghe and Eamonn Walker from "Chicago P.D." and "Chicago Fire"
- 7th inning stretch: TBD
- Broadcast: CSN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, Cubs.com
Monday, Sept. 22, Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 7:05 p.m.
- Special Event: Big Ten Rivalry Week, Michigan State vs. Penn State
- 7th inning stretch: Tom O'Reilly, Cubs Charities Bricks and Ivy Ball auction winner
- Broadcast: WGN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, WRTO 1200-AM Spanish Radio, Cubs.com
Tuesday, Sept. 23, Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 7:05 p.m.
- Special Event: Big Ten Rivalry Week, Iowa vs. Nebraska
- 7th inning stretch: Tom Dreesen, comedian, Chicago native
- Broadcast: WCIU-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, WRTO 1200-AM Spanish Radio, Cubs.com
Wednesday, Sept. 24, Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 7:05 p.m.
- Special Event: Big Ten Rivalry Week, Illinois vs. Northwestern
- Pregame ceremony: Military Take the Field
- 7th inning stretch: Wrigley Field Grounds Crew
- Broadcast: CSN-TV, WGN 720-AM Radio, WRTO 1200-AM Spanish Radio, Cubs.com