First Look: Cubs to host Pirates and Cardinals on June 17-22

by Press Release - Thu Jun 16 09:10:04 GMT-05:00 2016

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs will square off against two National League Central Division rivals as they host the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals June 17-22 at Wrigley Field. To honor the victims of the tragic shooting in Orlando, the Cubs will host a moment of silence prior to the team’s first home game since the incident.

This homestand begins with the second Budweiser Bleacher Friday of the season, June 17, featuring a "Save Ferris" T-shirt celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” for up to the first 5,000 Budweiser Bleacher guests age 21-and-older. Wrigley Field’s Decade Diner will transform into a Bud and Burgers pop-up restaurant, including specials like the Big W Burger, Mesa Burger, BBQ Burger and Cheddar Brat Burger. Fans can view the Bud Fridays promotional schedule and purchase tickets at www.cubs.com/budfridays.

That same evening, Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and his Foundation To Be Named Later (FTBNL) will kick off the fifth annual Hot Stove Cool Music Chicago event at Wrigleyville’s Metro. Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Liz Phair will headline the show, joined by Epstein, Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons, Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper and an All-Star lineup of musicians and personalities. “Mad Men” actor Joel Murray and WXRT-FM’s Lin Brehmer will serve as the evening’s emcees, helping celebrate music, baseball and giving back.

The Cubs will join all Major League Baseball teams in wearing Father’s Day-themed uniforms Sunday, June 19. These items will be authenticated, collected and auctioned by Cubs Authentics at www.cubs.com/authentics. Net proceeds from the auction benefit Cubs Charities.

Immediately following the homestand on June 23, the Cubs will kick off the On Deck Luncheon Series with 670 The Score at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House. The series, presented by XFINITY, RSM and TimberTech, begins with Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts as the featured guest. Tickets start at $50 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis at www.cubs.com/ondeck.

Ticket availability is limited for the homestand. Fans can purchase at www.cubs.com or 800-THE-CUBS (800-843-2827). Highlights of the homestand follow.

Promotions:

“Weekends Start Here” with Bud Fridays at Wrigley Field, featuring a "Save Ferris" T-shirt for up to the first 5,000 Budweiser Bleacher guests age 21-and-older June 17.

On Father’s Day, June 19, up to the first 5,000 kids 13-and-under receive a Kids Hooded Towel presented by Advocate Children's Hospital.

Guests and Entertainment:

On Friday, June 17, former Cubs outfielder Jose Cardenal will throw a ceremonial first pitch and lead the 7th inning stretch.

Chicagoan actor Joel Murray from “Mad Men” will throw a first pitch and lead the stretch Saturday, June 18.

Members of the ESPN broadcasting team will lead the stretch Sunday, June 19, as part of their Sunday Night Baseball broadcast.

Mike Brey, Notre Dame Men’s Basketball Coach, will throw a first pitch and lead the stretch Monday, June 20.

“Chicago Fire” actress and Grand Marshal of the 2016 Pride Parade, Monica Raymund, will throw a first pitch Tuesday, June 21, while country music star Brett Eldredge leads the stretch.

Ben Higgins from “The Bachelor” will throw a first pitch Wednesday, June 22, while Chicagoan actor Bob Odenkirk from “Better Call Saul” and “Breaking Bad” leads the stretch.

Food Specials:

Wrigley Field’s Decade Diner will transform into a “Bud and Burgers” pop-up restaurant this homestand to coincide with the second Bud Friday of the season. Guests can order four specialty burgers while supplies last, such as the Big W Burger topped with American and cheddar cheese, sliced tomato, shredded lettuce and Levy sauce on a brioche bun; the Mesa Burger topped with jalapeño jack cheese and a relish of chorizo, charred green onions, tomatoes and jalapeños, served on a charred jalapeño crema on brioche bun; the BBQ Burger topped with white American cheese, pulled BBQ pork, applewood smoked bacon, crispy fried onions, sliced tomatoes and crispy lettuce; or the Cheddar Brat Burger smeared with beer cheese and topped with a Budweiser braised bratwurst and caramelized onions on a pretzel bun.

Hot Doug’s will continue its rotating sausage selections at Platform 14 in the Budweiser Bleachers. The Gene Clines is a Vienna Beef spicy polish sausage with sweet and spicy mustard, caramelized onions and shredded cheddar cheese. The Pete LaCock is a ribeye steak sausage with horseradish cream and blue cheese. The Jody Davis is a cheddar-stuffed bratwurst with Goose Island beer mustard, crispy fried onions and smoked gouda cheese.

“Let’s Give” Cubs Charities Events:

Music and baseball share the stage at Wrigleyville’s Metro Friday, June 17, when Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons and Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper join an All-Star lineup of musicians and personalities for the fifth annual Hot Stove Cool Music Chicago benefit concert. Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Liz Phair will headline the show, which will be emceed by actor Joel Murray and WXRT-FM’s Lin Brehmer. The fifth annual event is presented by the Chicago Trading Company and sponsored by CBRE, with proceeds benefiting youth and families from disadvantaged neighborhoods through Epstein’s Foundation To Be Named Later (FTBNL). Tickets and more information are available at www.ftbnl.org.

As part of the weekend’s Hot Stove Cool Music events, Foundation To Be Named Later will host The Summer City Urban Baseball Classic June 18 at 11 a.m. at Jackie Robinson Park located at 10540 S. Morgan St. The event, which shines a light on the importance of youth baseball and the role it plays in the development of successful young leaders, features urban youth playing exciting baseball as Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West and the Boston Astros face off. The event is free and open to the public.

Manager Joe Maddon continues his support of Chicago nonprofit organizations through his “Respect Community” charity T-shirt initiative. After every Friday home game, Maddon represents a different Chicago nonprofit by wearing the organization’s T-shirt during his postgame press conference. On Friday, June 17, Maddon will represent Urban Initiatives, which partners with Cubs Charities to help power the Cubs on the Move Fitness Program that encourages youth in Chicago to “Play Every Day.”

Homestand Recap, June 17-22:

Friday, June 17, Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:20 p.m.

· Pregame: Moment of silence for victims of Orlando shooting

· Promotion: Bud Fridays "Save Ferris" T-Shirt, up to first 5,000 Budweiser Bleacher guests age 21-and-older

· First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Former Cubs outfielder Jose Cardenal

· National anthem: JC Brooks from Chicago American indie soul band, JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound

· Broadcast: ABC 7, MLB Network, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

· Postgame: Hot Stove Cool Music Chicago

Saturday, June 18, Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:15 p.m.

· First pitch and 7th inning stretch: “Mad Men” actor Joel Murray

· National anthem: Ariel Upton

· Broadcast: FOX, 670 The Score, Cubs.com