Chicago Cubs: It’s always good when we beat the New York Mets

The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets have a history and rivalry going back more than 50 years. Does it still exist?

I can remember my grandfather watching the Chicago Cubs battle the New York Mets in the 70’s and 80’s on WGN. He’d hoot and holler and slap the arm of his favorite “Cub-viewing” chair whenever the Cubs took advantage. With eyes glued to the television watching the game unfold, Grandpa would smoke his cigarettes and say “We can’t let them get the lead…” almost singing it.

“Why not Grandpa?” I asked one day.

“They’ll steal the game, the series, the pennant from us if we don’t pay attention,” he warned. Plumes of smoke trailed in the air from his cigarette like sky writing spelling ‘win’.

He was thinking about the 1969 Mets. That year, the Cubs lost 17 1/2 games  in the last quarter of the season. Essentially, the Cubs gave up the pennant to the “Miracle Mets” as they were dubbed. The Mets went on to win the World Series that season.

“It’s always good when we beat the Mets,” he concluded, bringing it back to the present.

Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune captured the sentiment my grandfather was feeling that day.

For fans of a certain age who grew up hating the Mets, the Cubs‘ visit to Citi Field this week is must-see TV, no matter their records. Memories of Ron Santo, Gil Hodges and the black cat are rekindled, along with the names of obscure players such as Don Young, Jimmy Qualls and Al Weis.

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.