Big things planned for Chicago Cubs' first two home games
MILWAUKEE - The Chicago Cubs spent half of February and all of March in Arizona. They then spent the opening week of the 2017 season on the road in St. Louis and Milwaukee.
They finally return to Wrigley Field on Monday night, and even though the baseball season will be more than a week old, they'll start over again on Opening Night.
It's not just any Opening Night - or opening week.
The Cubs will raise their 2016 world-championship banner before Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After an off-day Tuesday, the festivities continue Wednesday night when the Cubs will be presented with their World Series rings by fans who won a contest.
"A big part of what we do is for the fans," manager Joe Maddon said Sunday. "They will be out in force. It's going to be raucous. It's going to be a party for them. I love it. Our fans deserve it. They waited a long enough time.
"The reaction has been beyond spectacular. So, yeah, I am looking forward to seeing the fan reaction. Every place you go, more than anything you hear is 'thank you.' That's what you hear, and you feel like, 'come on.' I have not been around long enough there to know exactly the depth of it, but I'm learning. I'm really happy for the fans."
To paraphrase Yogi Berra, there's deep depth with Cubs fans when it comes to their team.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo has been a Cub since the losing days of 2012. He knows something of the depth of the fans' feelings after last year's World Series win.
"I think it's exciting," he said. "The reaction we got after we won it all last year, I don't think I'll ever be able to see that again or emulate that again in any sport. Images you'll never forget. Memories you'll never forget. Tomorrow will be no different. People are going to be excited for that banner to go up.
"We're excited about it, too, but everybody wants us to repeat, so we've got to focus on winning today, and tomorrow."
As for the rings, Maddon said he had "zero" input on the design, "which is good because I'm not a good jewelry guy."
The players were asked for their input about the design of the rings.
"It's going to be cool to hold it," said outfielder Jason Heyward. "There's a lot of history in it. There's a lot of our history in it with the 2016 season. It'll be an awesome thing. It's one of those things I personally won't be able to describe until it happens."
Players said they are unsure how much they will wear the ring. "I have no idea how much I'll wear it," Heyward said.
Pitcher Jon Lester will be getting his third ring. He has two from his days with the Boston Red Sox.
"I don't know, the ones have now, I don't wear much," he said. "I wear them to special occasions. We've got the Bricks and Ivy thing (special event) coming up in a couple of weeks. I'm sure a lot of guys will wear it to that to show a lot of fans and sponsors who will want to see it. I don't wear mine that often."