More Than A Game

Well, we knew the Cubs’ undefeated run wouldn’t last forever, and that moment came yesterday as they fell to the Reds 7-3 at Sloan Park in front of a lively crowd of 13,660. Cubs highly regarded prospect Matt Shaw made his spring debut after recovering from an oblique injury. He went 0-for-3, including a pop-up with the bases loaded in the 4th inning.

But while the Cubs may have taken a loss on the field, there was a big win for the heart before the game even started. Fans saw an inspiring moment as Cathy Weadley and Denise Vasquez were honored in a special ceremony. The two first met at Cubs Spring Training in 2022, bonding over their shared love for the team. But their friendship became something much more when Denise was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening kidney disease. Without hesitation, Cathy stepped up and made the ultimate sacrifice—donating one of her kidneys to save Denise’s life.

Now, both women are on the road to recovery, using their incredible story to raise awareness and inspire others to consider becoming organ donors. Their journey is a reminder that baseball is about more than just balls and strikes—it’s about the people who make up the game’s passionate community.

As if their story wasn’t already special enough, Cathy, Denise, and members of Club 400 took to the mic for a heartfelt rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the 7th-inning stretch, filling the stadium with a sense of unity. Because sometimes, spring training isn’t just about the teams or game on the field—it’s about the moments that remind us why we love this game!