Marquee Sports Network heads back in time as 1980’s Week, proudly presented by Prevagen, continues tonight at 7 p.m. with one of the most impactful Cubs wins from the decade, the first night game at Wrigley Field. 

Aug. 8/9, 1988 vs. Mets

The first night game in Wrigley Field history was supposed to take place on 8/8/88, but after 3.5 innings, rain halted the action and forced a postponement. So the first official night game at Wrigley Field technically took place on Aug. 9, 1988 when the Cubs hosted the New York Mets.

Marquee Sports Network will air the first 3 innings under the lights from Aug. 8 and then jump to the action on Aug. 9, when the Mets got out to an early 2-0 lead.

But the Cubs came roaring back, scoring 6 unanswered runs en route to a special victory at “The Friendly Confines.”

Andre Dawson, Mark Grace, Ryne Sandberg, Rafael Palmeiro and Jody Davis all drove in runs for the Cubs and Palmeiro finished with 3 hits in the ballgame.

Goose Gossage gave up a run in the 9th inning, but picked up the save (his 12th of the season).

The 1988 Cubs finished with only a 77-85 record and in fourth place in the NL East, but this early-August night was a banner moment for the franchise.

Fun facts:

• A Wrigley Field bleacher ticket cost $4.00 in 1988.
• The top movies at the box office that summer were “Rain Man,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and “Coming to America.”

1980’s Week, proudly presented by Prevagen, airs each night this week at 7 p.m. on Marquee Sports Network. Click here to see the full rundown of featured games. 

Tony Andracki contributed to this story