Baseball has only been back for a day and we’ve already got some amazing stories.
The Chicago Cubs won their first game of the season, beating the Miami Marlins 8-4. As many had speculated all spring, Ian Happ did end up being the team’s leadoff hitter for Opening Day.
This is where it gets interesting. Popular Cubs blogger Michael Cerami, who writes at Bleacher Nation, tweeted before the game that he would dive into Lake Michigan if Happ hit a leadoff home run.
If Ian Happ leads off today's game with a home run, I will jump in Lake Michigan later today.
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 29, 2018
Well…Happ did just that. In fact, he homered on the very first pitch of the game. The switch-hitting 23-year-old hit from the left side of the plate and sent a no-doubter into the upper deck of right field. This was Cerami’s reaction after Happ launched the homer:
I'M ALREADY REGRETTING THIS.
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 29, 2018
It was in the low 40s in Chicago by that point in the afternoon, so it’s easy to understand why he might have had some regrets. Cerami proved to be a man of his word, though. He tweeted out a video where he takes the cold plunge into Lake Michigan in shorts and a t-shirt.
Promises are promises. #ThanksIan #LetsGoCubs #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/IqB66kzoJE
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 29, 2018
Props to Mr. Cerami for following through on his promise. That couldn’t have been a pleasant experience. As compensation for his significant drop in body-temperature, Ian Happ himself chimed in to compliment Cerami’s form after the game.
Next: Cubs take opener over Marlins
Great form on the dive👌🏻 https://t.co/b7TNVxhklE
— Ian Happ (@ihapp_1) March 29, 2018
This season is already off to a fun start. These are the kinds of awesome moments that only baseball can bring us. Here’s hoping Cerami was well-stocked with blankets afterwards.