Robert J. Elisberg: The 100-Year April Fool's Joke

In 1961, a starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, Dick Drott, hit a dry spell, bad even by Cubs standards. He'd gone a year-and-a-half without a victory. And was demoted to reliever. On this particular day, the Cubs were getting crushed early, and Drott was thanklessly brought in to mop up the loss. But the Cubs actually started to score runs, and unexpectedly took the lead. With two out in the ninth inning, the crowd on its feet roaring, the last batter hit the ball...too weakly. The first words from Hall of Fame announcer, Jack Brickhouse, were simple - "There's going to be celebrating in the Drott house tonight. Because daddy won a ballgame!" I think that pretty much encapsulates the past 100 years of Cub history, as well. And it pretty much explains why the crowd that day at Wrigley Field was in such rapture over a single win. Cubs fans appreciate even a moment's joyous success, because it comes so rarely. Their exuberance over this single victory came in 1961, 53 years ... (link)