Now Playing: The Cubs ring in the holidays
The Cubs kicked off the holiday season in fine fashion on Friday with the second annual lighting of the holiday tree and the grand opening of the Rink at Wrigley. Hundreds of fans were on hand to watch Tom and Todd Ricketts, David and Kim DeJesus, Fergie Jenkins, Congressman Mike Quigley and many others light the 30-foot tree, which is located in front of the famous Wrigley Field marquee. Chicago Cubs Charities and WGN also kicked off a toy drive at Wrigley. All presents will be donated to Jennifer Hudson’s Julian D. King Gift Foundation.
Now Playing: Wounded Warriors at Wrigley
Now Playing: Cubs, Kerry Wood break ground on new field
For years, Chicago Public League baseball teams haven’t had a true home-field advantage when the high school playoffs come around. Without a serviceable field to play on, city teams have been forced to trek out to the suburbs when the single-elimination tournament starts up each May. But that’s all about to change.
The Chicago Cubs Charities and the Wood Family Foundation broke ground on Kerry Wood Cubs Field Thursday, a high school baseball diamond located at Clark Park near Lane Tech High School about a mile west of Wrigley Field. The $5 million project should be completed in the first half of 2013. The stadium will seat 1,100 people and will have lights for potential night games.
Vine Line was there for the ceremony, where former Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood and Cubs co-owners Tom and Laura Ricketts spoke of the excitement surrounding this new venture.
Now Playing: Stretching out with Jim Belushi
Chicago comedian and actor Jim Belushi spent many afternoons at Wrigley Field when he was growing up and never misses a chance to come back. Vine Line talked to the Cubs superfan during his most recent trip to the Friendly Confines, where he was slated to throw out the first pitch. Belushi told us about the moment he officially became a Cubs fan, his fondest memory of Wrigley Field and what it’s like to spend time in his hometown.
To read the full interview, pick up the October issue of Vine Line featuring the best moments from the 2012 season, on sale now at Chicago-area retailers. Or subscribe to Vine Line, the official magazine of the Chicago Cubs, for just $29.95.
Now Playing: Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters debut with the Cubs
Former No. 1 draft picks Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters have been on a remarkably similar trajectory throughout their professional careers. Now they’re both trying to become core pieces of the Cubs’ future. Despite some struggles after their Aug. 5 call-ups, the duo has shown promise going forward.
“Becoming the player you want to become is a process,” Jackson said. “Creating the team you want to have is a process. I think it’s really important to learn to be patient with that process. As athletes, we want to see our results right away. We want to win every day. We want to have a winning season right away. You want to hit .300 with 50 homers right away. But I’m trying to learn that patience. I don’t think I’ll ever be patient enough to wait for something to happen because I’m always working to be the best player I can be so I can help this team be the best team that it can be.”
Vine Line got a chance to speak to the prospects about their similarities on and off the field, coming to the big leagues and being a member of the Cubs organization. To read the full interview, pick up the October issue of Vine Line, on sale at Chicago-area retailers. Or subscribe to Vine Line, the official magazine of the Chicago Cubs, for just $29.95.
Now Playing: Cubs Social Media Night 2
Last night, the Cubs helped fans pass the three-and-a-half-hour rain delay in style at their second Social Media Night event of the season. Though the game didn’t get started until 10:42 p.m., Social Media Night kicked off at about 5 p.m. in the Captain Morgan Club. Each attendee received a Social Media Night T-shirt with a design that was selected by the fans. Comcast SportsNet also broadcast their Chicago Tribune Live show from the Captain Morgan Club, and many prizes were handed out, including signed copies of Vine Line, Cubs Authentics products and a ticket upgrade. One lucky fan even got to throw out the first pitch at last night’s long-delayed game.
Now Playing: Stretching Out with Glee’s Jane Lynch
Glee star Jane Lynch has spent much of her life playing an assortment of characters on the big and small screens. But there was no acting when the excited Chicago native returned to Wrigley Field on June 27 to sing the seventh-inning stretch. Lynch, a lifelong Cubs fan, happily recalled some of her fondest memories from her countless visits to the Friendly Confines before belting out a rousing version of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” that would have made Harry Caray proud.
To read the complete interview, pick up the September issue of Vine Line, which also features stories on first baseman Anthony Rizzo and top draft pick Albert Almora.
Now Playing: Anthony Rizzo Safe at Home
Since his June 26 call-up to the big leagues, Anthony Rizzo has certainly lived up Cubs fans’ expectations. In just 57 games, his highlights include driving in the game-winning RBI in three of his first five games, hitting a dramatic walk-off home run against the Cardinals and capping an improbable rally last night with a key ninth inning double to tie the game 11-11 with Milwaukee.
Rizzo’s early success with the Cubs made us wonder about the goals he set for himself heading into the season. Vine Line looked back at our Spring Training conversation with the slugging first baseman in which he talked about coming to the Cubs, saying goodbye to the minor leagues and playing at Wrigley Field.
