Chicago Cubs: My favorite memory vs. every National League team

Chicago Cubs: Pittsburgh Pirates

There’s only been one season since I’ve been following in which both the Cubs and Pirates were really good, and that was in 2015. Two great memories stand out from that season. One of them took place on May 15, 2015, the game in which Gregory Polanco slipped and fell trying to catch a Matt Szczur pop-up, allowing the winning run to score in a wild 11-10, 12 inning victory at Wrigley Field.

Then there was the NL Wild Card game in Pittsburgh. The club had won 97 games during the regular season; the Pirates had won 98. The Cubs got to Gerrit Cole early, including a massive home run from Kyle Schwarber, while Jake Arrieta pitched a complete game shutout as the Cubs won, 4-0.

It was the first postseason victory in 12 years. Back in 2003, though the season ended poorly, I never imagined I’d have to wait that long to see that. However, that’s what made that victory so sweet.

As great as that game was, there’s another Cubs-Pirates memory that I’m going to pick for my favorite, and that is the doubleheader sweep from 2003 that allowed the Cubs to clinch the NL Central. I had to work during Game 1 and kept up with the score of that game, as well as the Houston Astros’ game, during my breaks.

The Astros’ loss meant that a Game 2 victory would clinch the division. And the Cubs put the game away early en route to a 7-2 win. It was my first time witnessing the Cubs clinch a division title. Of all the great memories I have of the 2003 season, that has to be one of my favorites. I’ll never forget how happy I was that day.