Now that it’s official, Cubs manager David Ross can talk about the 2022 Field of Dreams game.
“I don’t know who let that out of the bag,” Ross joked of accidentally revealing the Cubs’ involvement over a week before MLB’s official announcement.
NBC Sports Chicago reported Monday the Cubs and Reds will square off at the Dyersville, Iowa site on Aug. 11, 2022, the sequel to the highly successful White Sox-Yankees matchup from earlier this month.
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Ross, who said he’s been to the site in the past before the big-league field was built, and the Cubs are looking forward to the experience.
“That's a really neat environment there,” Ross said. “The cornfields — just the classic movie throwback that any baseball fan probably grew up watching and loves.
“We get to play at a beautiful venue here," Ross added of Wrigley Field, "but to go and do something unique will be a lot of fun for the players and our coaching staff for sure.”
Adbert Alzolay said he watched the entire 2021 game and was excited when he found out the Cubs would play in the sequel.
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"I can’t wait to go there," he said.
It’s the second time in recent years the Cubs will participate in a special event game. In 2019, they played in the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa., beating the Pirates 7-1.
“When we did the Little League game a couple years ago, it was awesome just doing something different and getting out of the routine,” Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks said.
“I think it'll be really cool to have something super unique that you can always look back on, being able to play with your buddies.”
Playing in "the corn game" -- as Tony La Russa dubbed it -- has another draw for Hendricks.
"I’ll pick some corn," Hendricks joked. "I guess I can shuck a couple of pieces and see where it takes us."
The game is a year away, but Hendricks and Alzolay each made an early pitch to take the mound that game.
“I do hope I line up and get to pitch,” Hendricks said. “I think that’d be fun.”
Said Alzolay: “That would be pretty sick to go and pitch over there.”