Chicago Cubs: Memories of the 1980s battles
In the 80’s, fans watched the Chicago Cubs battle back and forth with the New York Mets. Yet only the Mets walked away with the ultimate prize in 1986.
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I was in my teens and can remember seeing my first “box-seat” game at the Friendly Confines on June 9, 1987. Greg Maddux pitched seven innings that game. Ryne Sandberg, Shawon Dunston, and Leon Durham pulled off a beautiful double play. Both Dunston and Durham hit home runs that day in a 6-5 Cubs victory.
But what I remember most Mookie Wilson’s home run in the ninth inning. The run drew the Mets within one of the Cubs who were leading by two, 6-4. Everyone in Wrigley held their breadth.
Here we go again. It’s not over. This is New York after all.
Daryl Strawberry of the Mets made his way to the plate pinch hitting for Tim Teufel with two outs. Fortunately, Cubs pitcher Lee Smith struck him out looking. But there was a moment when we almost gave it up to the Mets and everyone felt it. Filip Bondy of the New York Times emphasized the Cubs outstanding play in the 80’s.
"When the Cubs won the East in 1984 behind Ryne Sandberg and Rick Sutcliffe, the Mets finished right behind them and were building toward their greatest season of all, 1986. In 1989, the Cubs won the East, and the Mets finished second."