It looked like Kyle Schwarber hit it to the moon—or at least onto Sheffield Avenue, behind the right field bleachers at Wrigley Field. That’s what would have happened before the Cubs installed a massive new video scoreboard. Instead, it’s going to become a permanent fixture, on display where it landed Tuesday night.
The titanic homer during the National League Division Series helped the Cubs dispatch the St. Louis Cardinals and advance to the National League Championship Series. Everyone at the game or watching on TV knew it had been hit more than 400 feet but where it landed was a matter of mystery—at least for awhile.
A Tribune Publishing enterprise architect named Tom Comings had been taking pictures of the scoreboard and as he focused on the cement platform that held the giant, lighted Budweiser sign, he spotted the ball (look under the ‘s’).
Schwarber's home run is ON the scoreboard! @ChrisKuc pic.twitter.com/0Pf9EoZkKE
— Tom Comings (@Comings) October 14, 2015
On Wednesday, the Cubs decided not to retrieve it, but to leave it right where it was—a permanent reminder of the first home post-season series clincher in club history.
The ball likely would have fetched a big payday in an auction and the Cubs donate their game-used item proceeds to charity—but the unique opportunity to preserve history in its natural state was apparently too tempting to pass up.
A reminder of @kschwarb12's impressive power remains on display. http://t.co/7NtOC13otH pic.twitter.com/gRmdlwU6oT
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 14, 2015
And yes, Schwarber’s baseball cards have been hot sellers on eBay.
Related Stories:
Jeff Juden Q&A: Signing Autographs in High School; Memorable MLB Debut; Collecting Cards
Notes: Fauci Topps NOW Card Sets Sales Record; Shop Embraces Sports Start-Up; ’52 Mantle; Dallas Show
TV Story on Big Pull, Thurman Munson, Cool Baseball History, Hofstra Show; MeiGray Auction
Photo of the Day: 1935 World Series Moves to Wrigley Field
Cubs World Series Champions Memorabilia: A Shopper’s Guide
2016 World Series Program Includes 3 Different Versions
