Chicago Cubs upcoming homestand celebrates 1940s

Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs will celebrate the 1940s during the next six-game homestand starting Tuesday with events and giveaway honoring Wrigley Field’s 100th anniversary.

The Cubs host the New York Mets and Miami Marlins during the homestand.

On Friday, June 6 there will be 10 alumni from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball league (AAGPBL) to throw out ceremonial first pitches and sing the seventh inning stretch. The league, which was featured in the film, “A League of Their Own,” was created and financed by then Cubs owner Philip K. Wrigley in 1943. The first 10,000 fans at the game will receive a bobblehead.

Lennie Merullo, who is the last surviving player from the 1945 World Series team will throw out a ceremonial first pitch and sing the seventh inning stretch with family members on Saturday, June 7. He is also the fifth oldest of all living former players and oldest living player to have played in any World Series.

The first 5,000 kids ages 6-13 will receive a mini figure of Any Pafko, a five-time All-Star and Merullo’s teammate on the Cubs’ 1945 team. Also, the first 1,000 kids 13 and under can run the bases postgame.

The Cubs will wear throwback uniforms from 1942, the last year the team wore its uniform with a zipper vest and blue undershirt. This uniform also features a “Health” patch that was worn by teams that year to promote the “Hale America” fitness campaign. The visiting Marlins will wear a uniform inspired by the Miami Sun Sox, a minor league team in Florida during the late 1940s and 1950s.

Here is what the Marlins’ cap will look like.

There will also be 1940s-inspired food, including Monte Cristo Sandwich and the Decade Dogs stand near section 123 will serve Corn Dog Nibllers, which are deep-fried Vienna Beef mini corn dogs.

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