CHICAGO -- There was plenty of pomp preceding Jon Lester's first pitch to David Ross under the Wrigley Field lights on Friday night to open the Cubs' 1-0 win over the Giants in the National League Division Series.
Highlighting the pregame ceremonies was an appearance by Hall of Famer Billy Williams, who threw the ceremonial first pitch to Cubs reliever Justin Grimm. Williams, 78, played 16 of his 18 big league seasons for the Cubs and was a six-time All-Star with Chicago.
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Legendary Chicago Bears tight end and head coach Mike Ditka followed Williams onto the field for the "Play Ball" announcement, to which he added an impromptu, "Go, Cubs, Go!"
Players and staff from both clubs lined the first- and third-base foul lines as part of the pregame ceremonies, as well. Once everyone had been introduced, former Cubs public-address announcer and professional singer Wayne Messmer delivered the national anthem as he so often does before Cubs home games.
Former Cubs pitchers Kerry Wood and Ryan Dempster are slated to make appearances later in the evening when the two will lead the sellout crowd in the singing of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch.