To get started, here's the first pitch:
It's the bottom of the ninth inning, game seven of the World Series at Wrigley
Field. At 11:50 p.m. on this night in late October, it is 33 degrees. The Cubs trail the White Sox by three runs. After two were out, the Cubs have loaded the bases.Closer Kerry Wood, who struck out three in a row after loading the bases in the top of the ninth, is due up. To pinch hit, manager Lou Piniella shocks and delights the standing-room-only crowd by signalling for Carlos Zambrano, regarded as one of the best-hitting pitchers in the game.
Carlos won the two games he started, but was taken out of game five in the ninth inning with a hand cramp. There are no pitchers left in the bullpen. If the Cubs tie it, Zambrano will be the only available pitcher.
On the first pitch, Zambrano swings from the heels and misses. The second pitch looks high and inside, but is called strike two.As boos fill the stadium, Piniella races out of the dugout to complain and is immediately ejected from the game. Zambrano throws down his bat, causing his hand to cramp. The trainer comes out, but Carlos stays in the game.
When he steps back into the batter's box, Zambrano fouls off the next pitch. After fouling off four more pitches, he finally works the count to 3-2.
Wind up, the pitch, Zambrano hits a grand slam!
As the ball soars out of the park precisely at midnight, huge snowflakes begin to fall from the sky.
As he rounds third base, Zambrano stops along the baseline, picks up a goat someone has brought onto the field and carries it triumphantly over his head as he crosses the plate.
Cubs win, 100-99.
After touching the plate, Z presents the goat to another Z, Cubs' owner Sam Zell, who, borrowing a knife from Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, kills the goat.For the next 100 years at Wrigley, goat meat replaces the hot dog as the sandwich of choice. And, as a result of a lost bet, the only beverage available to fans at Cellular Field is goat milk. And, as required, all Sox players sport goatees.
P.S. Zell is so excited, he gives the team to the fans, who own it happily ever after.
Update: Due to the loss by the National League in the All-Star Game, having Game 7 at Wrigley Field has already become an impossibility, but dreams posted on this blog will not be updated every time reality intrudes.
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