Major League Baseball on Thursday returned to Dyersville, Iowa, the site of the classic movie “Field of Dreams,” for the Field of Dreams Game.
Last year’s matchup between the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox featured a host of magical moments.
Thursday night’s game was no different, as the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds met in a closely fought contest.
There were plenty of surprises planned for both before and during the game.
Hall of Famer and Reds legend Ken Griffey Jr. opened the pregame festivities by playing catch with his father, Ken Griffey Sr. The iconic father-son duo made their entrance through the cornfield.
Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr. emerge from the cornfield for the Field of Dreams Game
Check out the introductions of the Field of Dreams Game, featuring Ken Griffey Jr. and his father having a catch before leading the teams onto the field.
Then the players on the Cubs and Reds made their entrance to diamond through the cornfield.
Here are the top moments from Thursday’s event.
Chicago Cubs 4, Cincinnati Reds 2
To help viewers get a feel for the setting, FOX Sports’ Ben Verlander, host of the “Flippin’ Bats” podcast, gave fans a tour of the Field of Dreams field.
Take a tour of the Field of Dreams field
Ben Verlander gives a rundown on all things Field of Dreams. He shows us around the facility, the field, the dugout, the house and MUCH more! Come along with us and take a look for yourself!
Ahead of the game, Verlander reenacted the catch scene from “Field of Dreams” with his father.
Ben Verlander and his dad reenact the ‘Field of Dreams’ catch scene
Ben Verlander and his dad reenact the “have a catch” scene from “Field of Dreams” in Dyersville, Iowa.
Cubs starting pitcher Drew Smyly’s oldest daughter, Parker, was celebrating her fifth birthday on Thursday at the Field of Dreams Game.
As for the Reds, some players initially weren’t sure what to think about the game. But Ken Rosenthal said they were “fired up” by the time they arrived at the stadium.
Cubs manager David Ross spoke with Tom Verducci about the significance of the game. Ross said he “felt like I wanted to run around” when he arrived at the field Thursday.
Cubs’ manager David Ross on the significance of the Field of Dreams Game
Chicago Cubs Manager David Ross talks to Tom Verducci about the significance of the Field of Dreams Game in Iowa and what it means to Major League Baseball.
The late, great Vin Scully recited the famous “If you build it, he will come” scene from “Field of Dreams,” connecting it to the history of baseball.
Vin Scully narrates a famous scene from ‘Field of Dreams’
Vin Scully recites a famous scene from the “Field of Dreams” movie ahead of the game in Iowa.
Reds legend Johnny Bench spoke with the MLB on FOX team ahead of the game, calling it a “magical moment.”
Johnny Bench on his love for the game of baseball
Johnny Bench talks with the crew about how much he loves the Field of Dreams Game.
Joey Votto sent several tweets Wednesday sharing how much the movie “Field of Dreams” meant to him growing up and how much he was looking forward to playing in the game in Iowa.
Votto then spoke with Ken Rosenthal on Thursday, sharing how much he wished his late father had been able to attend.
Joey Votto on watching ‘Field of Dreams’ with his late father
Joey Votto talks with FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal about the connection between watching “Field of Dreams” with his late father and now playing in the game.
Cubs Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins got the honor of tossing the first pitch, with Reds Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench catching it.
Fergie Jenkins throws opening pitch to Johnny Bench
Fergie Jenkins throws the opening pitch to Johnny Bench before the Field of Dreams Game.
Seiya Suzuki got the Cubs on the board first with an RBI double. Nico Hoerner added another run for the Cubs with an RBI single. Ian Happ doubled to score Hoerner, giving the Cubs a 3-0 lead in the top of the first.
Cubs jump to early lead over Reds
The Chicago Cubs take an early 3-0 lead over the Cincinnati Reds on three straight hits in the first inning.
Johnny Bench joined Joe Davis and John Smoltz in the broadcast booth during the second inning. He called the walk to the field Thursday “emotional.”
Cubs All-Star catcher Willson Contreras had to be helped off the field in the third inning after he rolled his ankle while rounding second base. However, he stayed in the game.
Votto was mic’d up and spoke with Davis and Smoltz in the top of the third inning. He recalled facing Smoltz early in his career and shared what it’s like to face Hall of Fame pitchers.
Votto, 38, also shared how much longer he might play.
Nick Madrigal extended the Cubs’ lead to 4-0 in the fourth.
However, Reds right fielder Aristides Aquino made what might’ve been the play of the game. Aquino caught a fly ball and threw out P.J. Higgins, who was trying to tag up from second and advance to third.
Cubs All-Star Happ also joined Davis and Smoltz, as he was mic’d up on the field during the fourth inning. He said playing in the Field of Dreams Game reminded him of his summer ball days.
Ian Happ talks about playing in the Field of Dreams Game
Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ talks about his emotions playing at the Field of Dreams and reminisces about playing for baseball fans in Iowa.
This drone camera gave us a great point of view of where “Field of Dreams” was filmed and where the game is being played.
Cubs Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins joined Davis and Smoltz in the booth and recalled his battles in the ’70s against some legendary Red teams.
With the Cubs playing, who else is better to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” than former Cubs announcer Harry Caray?
Related: Harry Caray honored with special rendition of ‘Take Me Out To The Ballgame’ at Field of Dreams
Tribute of Harry Caray singing ‘Take Me Out To The Ballgame’
A recreated animation of Harry Caray led the crowd in “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the Field of Dreams Game.
The Reds finally got on the board when Matt Reynolds cut the Cubs’ lead in half with a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh to make it a 4-2 game.
Matt Reynolds cuts Reds’ deficit to 4-2
Matt Reynolds’ RBI double cuts the Cincinnati Reds deficit against the Chicago Cubs to 4-2.
Ever wonder how you prepare a baseball field carved out of a cornfield? Rosenthal shared the story of how it all came together.
Ken Rosenthal on what goes into preparing the Field Of Dreams
Ken Rosenthal talks about the work that goes into making the Field of Dreams field look so nice and what changes were made this year from the corn used last year.
The Cubs wrapped things up from there, taking a 4-2 victory over their NL Central rivals.
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