Hilarious umpire hot mic moment proves how bought-in Cubs fans are this season

With a little help from the Washington Nationals early on, the Chicago Cubs cruised to a 10-2 win on Saturday, bouncing back from a disappointing Opening Day loss two days prior. Cade Horton pitched into the seventh on just 75 pitches, Ian Happ got revenge with a long-ball after the wind robbed him of one in the opener and Pete Crow-Armstrong added two hits, two runs and a pair of stolen bases.

The 34,000-plus in attendance were on their feet, making noise from first pitch on - and the Cubs plating four runs in a chaotic second inning only turned things up to 11 for the Wrigley faithful. Part of that frame quickly went viral on social media, thanks to a hot mic moment from home plate umpire Jim Wolf.

With Dansby Swanson at the plate, Nico Hoerner swiped second base - one of three Cubs stolen bases on the afternoon. Wolf seemed to think the Nationals were challenging the ball-strike call on the pitch, but it quickly became clear that wasn't the case.

Wolf: “The catcher is challenging the ‘ball’ call."
Millas: "Oh, no, no, no."
Wolf: “Wait, what’d you say?”
Wolf: "Cancel that (challenge)."
Wolf: “I thought you said check that."
Wolf: “Damn crowd is too damn loud."

Cubs fans are riding high heading into the 2026 season

Cubs fans at Wrigley impacting the game is nothing new. Just last fall, a raucous sellout crowd appeared to get in the head of then-Brewers, now-Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta, with an unyielding 'Fredddddy' chant in a must-win Game 4. But seeing fans bring this type of energy in late isn't normal in most places.

But, here, it is.

This is a fanbase hungry for a winner - one that headed into the season amped up after a return to playoff baseball last fall and a strong offseason from the front office, capped by the Alex Bregman signing and Edward Cabrera trade. Now, with a pair of nine-figure contract extensions for Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner inside of a week, excitement has hit a fever pitch.

Don't believe me? Just ask Jim Wolf.