Cubs players celebrated Opening Day the only way they can
On what was supposed to be Major League Baseball’s Opening Day, Cubs players celebrated on social media the only way they could during these quarantine times — on social media.
It’s still unknown when the 2020 season will start and in lieu of real-life games, Marquee Sports Network simulated the Cubs-Brewers game on Facebook Thursday afternoon (and yes, the Cubs won).
Players don’t know when they’ll be reunited as a team back on a baseball field and they took to their respective social media accounts to make Thursday a special day, even if no meaningful games were played.
Javy Báez used a magician’s hat emoji to help communicate how much he misses putting on a Cubs uniform and playing the game he loves:
Opening Day. Missing This Feeling😢🎩 We Need Baseball Back⚾️ pic.twitter.com/S6t6pZtv7g
— Javier Báez (@javy23baez) March 26, 2020
Jason Heyward concurs:
Anthony Rizzo and his social media savvy dog, Kevin, continue their charitable efforts even if it’s not how they anticipated spending Thursday, March 26:
Definitely not the #OpeningDay I had imagined but let's all stick together (while practicing social distancing) and help one another. #OneTeam
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) March 26, 2020
Text Hope44 to 52000 or https://t.co/AfQLkHgb3o pic.twitter.com/8ByanCqTXQ
Jon Lester went so far as to call it the “worst opening day ever” but understands why this is happening and gave a shout-out to healthcare workers everywhere:
Worst opening day ever, but focused on what’s most important right now and that’s keeping the team safe at home so we can get back to baseball soon. Special thank you to all the healthcare workers on the front lines, looking forward to celebrating y’all upon our return! #NVRQT pic.twitter.com/zWQqm8PNyA
— Jon Lester (@JLester34) March 26, 2020
Willson Contreras shared MLB’s Opening Day video (narrated by Mike Trout) and a Spanish version (narrated by Jaime Jarrín, the Spanish language voice of the Dodgers):
Newest Cub, Steven Souza Jr., missed all of last season with a knee injury and is itching to get back on the field:
#openingday2020 is very special to me, we’ve come a long way from season ending surgery and I can’t wait to step back on that field with this team! pic.twitter.com/Uk4aniuEdK
— Steven Souza Jr. (@SouzaJr) March 27, 2020
Len Kasper is binge-watching some classic baseball games online and on TV:
No live baseball today but TV and internet have a treasure trove of old games, some classic, some mundane. But any baseball at all is a great companion I think. #OpeningDayAtHome
— Len Kasper (@LenKasper) March 26, 2020
Cubs public address announcer Andrew Belleson wasn’t in Wrigley Field, but he still gave a complete rundown of the starting lineup (including Yu Darvish getting the ball on Opening Day):
Fun to pretend…#OpeningDayAtHome pic.twitter.com/aoMLg10Bjx
— Andrew Belleson (@ChicagoCubsPA) March 26, 2020
Cubs legend Fergie Jenkins wishes the circumstances were better, but also preached the need for safety and thanked nurses and doctors:
Today is tough day for all of us, players and fans included. Hang in there baseball will be back and better then ever! Stay home, stay safe, & listen to the advice from the professionals. Be thankful of nurses/doctors on the front lines. See everyone at the park soon! #openingday pic.twitter.com/rfP0oryiLp
— Fergie Jenkins (@fergieajenkins) March 26, 2020
A bunch of celebrities weighed in with their favorite Cubs memories, too, including Nick Offerman (aka Ron Swanson):
#Tbt A lesson in (poor) form ⚾️ minutes away from what would have been the first pitch in Milwaukee for the 2020 @Cubs season, a robust but definitive victory over the Brewers, who, it must be said, made a very respectable showing! #OpeningDayAtHome pic.twitter.com/9oXPhbBpV5
— Nick Offerman (@Nick_Offerman) March 26, 2020
Actor Joe Mantegna from “Criminal Minds”:
Can't wait for baseball season to start up again. I've been practicing my first pitch at home. I've broken 2 lamps so far.#OpeningDayAtHome pic.twitter.com/C8aUEO1omF
— Joe Mantegna (@JoeMantegna) March 26, 2020
And former Bears kicker Robbie Gould also shared a photo of him throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley:
Today would have been @cubs season opener in #milwaukee. We are having our own #OpeningDayAtHome. Tell me your favorite things about going to #wrigley for a baseball game? #baseball @MLB pic.twitter.com/PJVNkdkk80
— Robbie Gould (@RobbieGould09) March 26, 2020
It wasn’t the type of Opening Day celebration we thought was going to take place today, but hey, at least there’s social media (and the Cubs are 1-0 in our virtual season!).