A mid-August, Sunday night national game, with Max Scherzer and Cole Hamels facing off in an NLDS rematch from the year before: the perfect stage for a statement game.
Rarely, with an ESPN game, will our crew here at NBC Sports Chicago ask to get an interview on the field following the national broadcast, but because of the big storylines heading into this matchup between the Cubs and Nationals, we made arrangements to be ready, “just in case.” And let’s not forget the rumors of a tiff between Joe Maddon and Alex Rodriguez following A-Rod’s comments about team chemistry issues.
Scherzer was dominant, striking out 11 in seven scoreless innings, and the Cubs offense didn’t appear to have much going on. But I vividly remember having a conversation with one of our photographers in the camera well as the bottom of the ninth began at Wrigley. This photographer, who happens to be a die-hard White Sox fan, looked at the scoreboard with the Cubs trailing 3-0 and told me this game was over, he’d meet me in the press room. I looked at him and grinned, knowing a Cubs loss would make his night, and said, “Hang tight, I wouldn’t count this group out just yet.” I said that knowing this team had a thing for come-from-behind victories — they’d pulled off a league-leading 36 of them coming into the night. With that exchange, he laughed and sat back down. From there, I proceeded to enjoy watching him squirm as the dramatic rally unfolded.
With one out and the Cubs down three, Jason Heyward reached on an infield single and Albert Almora Jr. was hit by a pitch. Ryan Madson got the second out but then plunked Willson Contreras to load the bases for pinch hitter David Bote. Standing right next to the dugout, I could feel the goosebumps surface as the crowd came to their feet. And just like that, 2016 vibes were back. Every player in pinstripes was up against the dugout wall, arms propped on the ledge, eyes glued to Bote at the plate.
Pause for dramatic effect.
In a short amount of time, Bote, who was called up when Kris Bryant hit the DL with shoulder inflammation, had started to win over Cubs fans’ hearts. The team’s 18th-round draft pick from 2012 proved to have a reliable glove on the hot corner and showed impressive composure at the plate in big situations. Against Arizona in late July, Bote hit a game-tying two-run homer in the ninth to help the Cubs to a 7-6 comeback win. A week later he turned in a career-high three-RBI night, helping the team to a victory over the Royals. And here he was again with an opportunity to come through in the clutch. The scenario every kid playing baseball in the backyard dreams up: their team trailing by three runs, the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the crowd chanting their name.
Un-pause.
MLB
Bote turned that young dream into a professional reality as he connected on Madson’s 2-2 fastball and blasted it off the roof of the batter’s eye at the Friendly Confines. Just the 25th known “ultimate slam” sent Wrigley into euphoria. An epic, magical moment, with an equally grand bat flip and celebration as Bote flew around the bases, arms extended, and met his ecstatic teammates at home plate. The roar of the crowd continued as the Cubs jumped around and ripped off Bote’s jersey with him channeling his inner Hulk. From there the pandemonium unfolded with Bote getting a huge hug and handshake from Bill Murray, followed by an ESPN headset interview and a couple Gatorade baths, and then we swooped in with our camera.
With Bote still digesting the memorable moment, he told me it was unbelievable and couldn’t even put into words what he was feeling. The next day he told me his wife, Rachel, was able to step out onto the balcony of their Wrigleyville apartment and absorb the crowd erupting. She took a picture of the bright lights and just listened to the crowd singing “Go Cubs Go.” His 2-year-old daughter, Shayli, was happy for her dad, but was very concerned about the torn jersey. She kept wanting to know what happened and could they fix it.
For Bote, that helped put one of the most memorable plays in franchise history in perspective. But really it was Rachel who maybe put it best when she said, “Sometimes baseball gives you a moment to just sit back and enjoy.”
Cubs fans can certainly agree with that when reminiscing about the Bote walk-off grand slam.
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