’Twas the night before Opening Day, and all through Wrigley Field,
Not a flag was stirring, all was concealed.
The jerseys were hung in the lockers with care,
In hopes that 1:20 on the clock soon would appear.
The players were resting, each at their place;
While dreaming of the greatness they were about to chase.
And Rossy with his grey beard, and I in my Obvious Shirt,
Had just sat down to chat over pints, which were our desserts.
When out on Sheffield there arose such a fervor
We jumped from our bar stools, and rushed out with the other observers.
Towards the exits we raced in a hurry
Threw open the door and left in a flurry.
The moon lighting up this late March night,
Reminded us all, of that great November 3rd delight.
We turned towards Wavelend and our jaws all dropped,
Harry was back on the corner, but a stature this was not.
Waving his arms, as if conducting his song,
He needed our attention because he would not stay long.
Quickly his famed voice filled the air,
As his unforgettable phrases once again rang through our ears.
Holy Cow, It Could be, it Might be, CUBS WIN CUBS WIN CUBS WIN,
He looked at us all, as his face spread to a grin.
He shouted, Dunston to Sandberg to Grace,
As we stood there somehow suspended in time and space.
The wind started blowing towards that great lake,
And I knew his appearance was not a mistake.
“They all wanted to come,” Harry was saying,
“Santo, and Billy, but with Banks around they never stop playing.”
Harry was interrupted from a sound down the way,
We rushed to the spot, expecting a new fray.
We looked all around, then up to the rooftops,
When our eyes widened as there stood our once great shortstop.
Ernie called down, and asked if we had seen Caray,
Said he was missing, and all were starting to worry.
They had found a note, left by his mic,
Said he had a message all would like.
Suddenly we heard him singing and all turned back around,
He was tossing up a stray ball that somewhere he had found.
He kept gazing at us until we all stood still,
And he said to Ernie, “Hang on if you will.”
Then he looked back at the throng,
“Listen to me now, I won’t be too long.
I have a message to share, so listen close,
I know I look real, but I am a mere ghost.
Sent here to bring, a smile to each face,
For tomorrow our Cubbies began that season long race.
There will be peaks and valleys just like every year,
But don’t get discouraged, you have nothing to fear.
For you’ve got Seiya, and Belli, Dansby, and Stroman,
Hayden, and Nico, Justin, and never forget about Ian.
Their bats will swing true, and their pitches will fly,
Your joy will rise, as that W flag flies high.
This year will be special, as the pundits watch in shock,
For a mediocre season they thought was a lock.
But they do not know what I have seen,
This coming season will be better than your dreams.
As the clock strikes midnight, I have one final thing to say,
The Cubs are gonna win today!”
Mr. Gragg 