Since Sara and I live an airplane ride apart, the times we meet up in Boston, Kentucky, Chicago or any other destination we’ve chosen to visit, are truly special. In late April, we were able to spend an evening together in Chicago with our families and Sara’s exchange student, Lea, at one of my favorite venues, Wrigley Field.
As we walked around the stadium prior to watching the Chicago Cubs take on the Los Angeles Dodgers, I witnessed how professional sports teams can serve as powerful unifiers. They create a shared experience that transcends differences, bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds, and perspectives. Fans rally behind their team, chanting the same cheers. Whether in stadiums, at watch parties, or in the living room, this common connection fosters a sense of belonging.
At Wrigley Field, the fan experience is something the Cubs organization has focused on for decades, earning it the nickname, ‘The Friendly Confines.’ As we walked around the stadium recently, we noticed how the ushers, easily in their 70s and 80s, offered words of welcome and genuine smiles as our 9-person group made our way to the field to watch the end of batting practice.
The ushers are an institution at Wrigley, and I’ve always loved the story of one usher named Lucille, who worked there for two decades starting in 1989 when she was 74 years old. Her dedication to the Chicago Cubs reflects the cross-generational connections sports can create, and Lucille loved seeing Cubs fans whose loyalty passed down through generations.
The game I shared with Sara’s family did not disappoint. Even though the Dodgers scored the first 2 runs in the 3rd inning, the Cubs scored 3 in the 4th, and it was a close game from there, ending with a Cubs win! Sara hadn’t been to a game at Wrigley in decades, so wasn’t aware of the new tradition started in 2007, when the Cubs began playing the song “Go Cubs Go” after every home win at Wrigley Field. Written by a diehard Cubs fan and folk musician Steve Goodman in 1984, it was largely forgotten for years and became a true anthem when the Cubs won the World Series for the first time in over 100 years in 2016.
Sports teams and fan communities can show us of the power of respect and camaraderie. With political and religious conflicts making headlines, sports can unite people in ways few other institutions can. They remind us that we can always come together over a game, a team, and a collective dream of victory.
Go Cubs Go! Hey, Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today!
Steve Goodman, “Go Cubs Go”
Language of Friendship 
Leave a comment