This story originally ran April 8, 2019, the 50th anniversary of this historic event. With today’s postponement, I thought you might like to read it again. (Lightly edited to remove references to the 2019 opener.)
To understand the true meaning of Willie Smith’s walkoff two-run homer on April 8, 1969, 52 years ago today, a little background is needed.
The Cubs had gone into a two-decade slumber after 1946. From 1947-66 — 20 full seasons — they had finished over .500 just once (1963) and lost 90 or more games 11 times.
Then, suddenly, in 1967 they awoke and went into first place briefly in July before fading and finishing third.