Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman /Allsport
September 11, 1969 dawned, and we pennant-hopeful Chicago Cubs fans woke to the knowledge that the New York Metropolitans, the perennial butt of jokes since their 1962 inception, had taken over first place in the National League East.
I’d like to say that a lively pennant race ensued, with the Cubs making a gallant, if ill-fated, effort to regain their title, but that would be so far from the truth we’d have to drive to get there. Maybe even consult a map. They were 8-17 down the stretch. So much for our gonfalon bubble.