Victory in the Face of Defeat

The boos could be heard as far north as the Uptown Theater when the home run king apparent stepped to the plate to pinch hit. Two runners on, one out, top of the eighth. Scored tied 2-2.

We were outside in the courtyard "walking our cats". Our radio was situated against the screen of our second-floor apartment so we could keep abreast of the action while our kitties got their nightly fresh air.

Pat Hughes and Ron Santo called the action: swing and a miss! And the palpable cheers (this time) heard as far north as The Crew at Lawrence and Broadway.

The San Francisco Giants, currently at the bottom of the National League West standings, attempted to snap a five-game losing streak. The hot Chicago Cubbies, winners of four straight since the All-Star break, breathing down the necks of the Central Division leading Milwaukee Brewers now after a slow start in spring.

Then, the crack of Bonds' bat. A line-drive hit right at Soriano in left-field. For a split-second Alfonso lost the ball in the lights but ultimately it was another hitless at bat for an aging and broken-down Barry Bonds, mired in a slump, body giving out. Soriano recovered and snatched the ball routinely from the Wrigley Field night as cheers erupted and shook the north side.

We toasted our cold Amstel Lite as our cats ate grass. Two pink balloons, helium-less, kissed on the warm blacktop of Irving Park Road. All was right with the world, at least until consecutive Will Ohman walks and a Giant infield hit plated two runs. San Francisco defeated the Cubs, 4-2.

But we were certain of this: Aaron and Ruth are safe in this part of the country.

Barry Bonds is no home run king in this town -- not in Chicago -- no sir.

Not now. Not ever.

Source: http://mgspandg.blogspot.com/2007/07/victory-in-face-of-defeat.html