Chicago Cubs starts first home game under lights (rained-out).

The city of Chicago is famous for many things: its famous pizza, architecture, windy streets, and most notably, the Chicago Cubs, a prestigious baseball team held in high regard by the locals. However, one event that stands out in the sporting history of Chicago Cubs is the first home game that was played under lights. This wasn’t just any night game; it occurred on the 8th of August, 1988 – a date etched forever in the annals of the Chicago Cubs.

Ever since Wrigley Field – the Cubs’ home field – was opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park, it had been a tradition for the Chicago Cubs to play day games exclusively. This set them apart in the Major League Baseball world, as by the 1980s, every other team had floodlights installed in their respective baseball fields.

This unique situation prevailed until the Cubs hosted their first night game at Wrigley Field on August 8, 1988. Despite the longstanding tradition, the Cubs made a significant switch to start using lights for their home games. This was due to the increasing pressures of television scheduling and to keep up with rest of the league, but it caused quite a stir among the team’s fanbase and beyond.

The anticipation for this event was sky high, filled with excitement and uncertainty. It wasn’t just a typical game; it was a piece of history. The night game, however, didn’t exactly go as planned. Nature intervened, and the game was rained out after three and a half innings. The Chicago Cubs were ahead 3-1 against the Philadelphia Phillies when heavy rain started pouring and didn’t stop for long enough to resume the game.

Despite the rainout, the first home game under lights for the Chicago Cubs still captivated many. With the new lights powering on, breaking the near 8-decade tradition of only day games, the audience and sports commentators alike felt a new era had dawned for Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs.

The event got further recognition when Cubs’ Ryne Sandberg became the first player to hit a home run under the newly installed lights at Wrigley Field. Although the game was officially postponed due to the rain and did not count in the statistics, the memory is still etched in the minds of the Chicago Cubs and their fans.

The Cubs’ first completed night game came the next night on August 9, 1988, against the New York Mets. It was only fitting that the first official night game, though not as publicized as the first attempt, also came with its own set of memorable moments. The game featured the best the Cubs had to offer, with the team winning 6-4.

The legacy of the first home game under lights for the Chicago Cubs, though rained out, is a memorable event, not just for the Cubs, but in Major League Baseball history. The step into the world of night games was significant as it bridged tradition with the future, adding a new dimension to Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs’ story. It is a piece of history that showed the power of change, and how it can mark the start of a new era in a familiar setting.

It’s an essential part of Chicago Cubs’ history that offers a vivid reminder of tradition, change, and the love of the game of baseball. The memory of the first home game under lights on August 8, 1988, will continue to shine as bright as those floodlights at Wrigley Field. A testament to an unforgettable event that marked a turning point for the Chicago Cubs, cementing its legacy in baseball history.