On Friday night, the Chicago Cubs will host the Cleveland Indians for Game 3 of the World Series -- the first World Series game to be hosted by Wrigley Field in 71 years.
Prior to the game, the Cubs will task a franchise legend and Hall-of-Famer with tossing out the ceremonial first pitch -- former outfielder Billy Williams, per a team release:
BILLY WILLIAMS TO THROW CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH: Baseball Hall of Famer, Cubs Legend and Six-time MLB All-Star Billy Williams will throw the ceremonial first pitch of Game Three - the first World Series game at Wrigley Field in 71 years.
Williams is no stranger to tossing out the first pitch -- he kicked off the National League Divisional Series against the San Francisco Giants just a few weeks ago. Given the results of that series, perhaps the Cubs are hoping Williams is a good luck charm.
One thing Williams was good at for certain? Hitting baseballs. During his 18-year career (16 of which was spent with the Cubs), he batted .296/.364/.503 with 392 home runs. He ranks fourth since 1901 in Cubs history in wins above replacement, trailing Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg, and Mr. Cub himself, Ernie Banks.
It's worth noting that the Cubs have invited a Billy to throw out the first pitch and a Bill to sing the seventh-inning stretch. They're painting the billy goat on the Wrigley Field ivy, folks.
