Imagine the roar of Wrigley Field, the palpable energy after a clutch hit... but can you pinpoint the exact moment in Cubs history captured in a single, seemingly simple photo? Al Yellon, the managing editor of Bleed Cubbie Blue since 2005 and author of "Chicago Cubs Firsts," has taken on the challenge of identifying a key moment in Cubs history from a photograph provided by a reader. Get ready for some historical sleuthing!
The photo in question features what appears to be Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Jacque Jones celebrating a grand slam at Wrigley Field. The focus is on the jubilant reaction of the players after the fourth player, whose face is clearly visible, rounds the bases. The photo was sent to Al Yellon by BCB reader Clark Addison, providing the impetus for this deep dive into Cubs history.
The biggest clue to unlock this mystery lies with Jacque Jones. He only played for the Cubs for two seasons: 2006 and 2007. But here's where it gets controversial... In 2006, the Cubs sported jerseys without player names on the back, a decision made by the front office in the name of "tradition." And this is the part most people miss... Sales suffered. Realizing this impacted merchandise sales, the team wisely reinstated the names on the back (NOB) for the 2007 season. Therefore, the photo MUST be from the 2007 season.
With the year narrowed down, the next step was to identify the grand slam hitter. Considering the limited number of Black players on the Cubs roster in 2007 (primarily Derrek Lee and Jacque Jones themselves), the search became significantly easier. The mystery hitter was Daryle Ward!
Daryle Ward launched his grand slam in the bottom of the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, August 18, 2007. This pivotal hit propelled the Cubs to a 5-3 victory over their rivals, capping off a five-run inning. You can find the box score of the game at Baseball-Reference.com.
That win boosted the Cubs' record to 63-59, placing them atop the NL Central standings by a slim half-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers. They maintained their division lead for the remainder of the season (with only a brief two-day dip), ultimately clinching the NL Central title. (We won't dwell too much on the subsequent postseason performance...).
Ward enjoyed a stellar 2007 season as a valuable part-time outfielder and pinch-hitter, boasting an impressive .327/.436/.527 batting line in 93 games. This grand slam was one of only three home runs he hit that year, making it a particularly memorable moment. You can even find video of the grand slam online!
So, what do you think? Are historical deep dives like this valuable in appreciating the nuances of baseball history? Does knowing the context of a single photo enhance the experience of being a fan? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Was the front office right to get rid of the names on the back of the jerseys in the first place? And was it justified to bring them back with the sole intention of driving jersey sales? Let's discuss!
