On July 12, 1969, NBC's Game of the Week featured a match up between the Cubs and Phillies at Wrigley Field. On that day, like every other home game, the left field bleachers were filled with a cast of singing, chanting, dancing characters. When the television camera panned out to the bleachers, the antics of the fans caught the eye of the announcers Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek. "This is the famous bleacher crowd here in Chicago." Gowdy said. "They call themselves The Bleacher Bums." And the phenomenon was born.
These Bleacher Bums started those traditions like throwing back any balls that made it into the bleachers from the opposing team. They sang songs and encouraged other bleacher dwellers to join in. They were passionate. They were devoted. They were making history.
The bond between the original 1969 Bleacher Bums and their Cubs was so special that team owner Philip K. Wrigley sponsored a group trip to Atlanta in August of that year so the Bums could travel to see their beloved Cubs in action against the Braves for a three game series. The Bleacher Bums made their presence known immediately upon disembarking the plane as they marched through the airport singing "Give me that Old Time Durocher" for any and all to hear. They worked their magic at the games as well, singing, chanting and pulling antics that are now infamous to Bums everywhere. It worked, the Cubs swept that series.
The proximity of the bleachers to the field at Wrigley allowed for the fans to interact with the players on the field--encouraging the Cubs, and heckling everyone else. And the Bums came to the games very well prepared. They studied not only the Cubs game, but the opposing team's game. They paid attention to the players' health, they paid attention to the players' personal lives. They took notes--and they brought those notes to the games...The original Bleacher Bums were arguably as much a part of the game as the teams themselves.
Those 1969 Bleacher Bums made the cheap seats the coolest place to be at Wrigley Field. And they wanted it to stay the coolest place. While they sang and chanted and heckled, they never let things get out of hand. They developed a system with the security and would point out any unruly fans that might spoil the fun for everyone else. They were passionate for the Cubs and wanted everyone to have a good time.
This play is a tribute to those original Bleacher Bums--Those die hard fans who care about the game, the players, and the field and wanted nothing more than to spend an afternoon together telling stories and betting on those loveable losers...Because some day they're gonna win the World Series.
We invite you to join us in the left field bleachers at Wrigley Field as the Cubs take on the Cardinals. Maybe, just maybe, Sosa will hit a home run, maybe the Cubs will win by 3 or more. And maybe, just maybe we'll see some magic from Johnson. I got faith.
Go Cubs!
Wendy Galloway
Director/Coach
