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Chicago Cubs' playoff baseball has returned to Wrigley Field, and for the first time since 2018, fans will be in attendance. Of course, the Cubs made the playoffs in 2020 as the National League Central champions, but the COVID-19 pandemic prevented fans from being in attendance. Of course, it would have been a miserable experience, considering the Cubs were swept by the Miami Marlins in the opening series.
The Cubs are pulling out every stop possible to ensure that it is not experience ahead of their series against the San Diego Padres. Recently retired and now serving as an ambassador for the Cubs, Anthony Rizzo narrated the official hype video for the Cubs ahead of Game 1 on Tuesday afternoon.
Rizzo isn't the only Cubs legend making a cameo during the Cubs' 2025 MLB playoff run. The Cubs revealed on Monday that former National League Cy Young award winner, Jake Arrieta, will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on Tuesday.
Cubs are bringing out Eddie Vedder AND Jake Arrieta for Game 1 of the Wild Card. They are not messing around. pic.twitter.com/xxlg1NO7Xr
— Matt Lindner (@mattlindner) September 29, 2025
Cubs call on fan-favorite hero for dramatic Game 1 homecoming
Arrieta may not have been the first player that Cubs fans would have guessed would be throwing out the first pitch, but it's hard to argue with the selection. After all, it was Arrieta's taunting of the Pittsburgh Pirates ahead of the Cubs' 2015 National League Wild Card game that ignited the team's contention window. Responding to a Pirates' parody account on Twitter that told Arrieta and the Cubs to be ready for a "sea of black", the former ace fired back with "whatever helps keep your hopes alive, just know, it doesn't matter". Arrieta backed up his warning to Pirates fans, tossing a complete-game shutout while tallying 11 strikeouts.
While Arrieta will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, notable Cubs fan and lead singer of Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder, will be singing the seventh-inning stretch. The vibes will certainly be immaculate.
Of course, with Rizzo and Sammy Sosa recently welcomed back to the organization, it would be safe to say that the Cubs may have some more surprises up their sleeve if they go on an extended playoff run.