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 contest 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 up the pregame festivities playing catch with his father, Ken Griffey Sr. The iconic father-son duo made their entrance by walking through the cornfield.
Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr. emerge from the cornfield for the Field of Dreams Game
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 actually celebrating her fifth birthday at the Field of Dreams Game on Thursday. As for the Reds, some players weren’t sure what to think about the game. But Ken Rosenthal said their players were “fired up” by the time they arrived at the stadium.
Cubs manager David Ross spoke with Tom Verducci on the significance of the game. Ross said he “felt like I wanted to run around” when he arrived at the field on 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 the rest of the MLB.
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 studio 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 night sharing how much the movie “Field of Dreams” meant to him growing up and how much he’s looking forward to playing in the Field of Dreams Game.
Votto spoke with Ken Rosenthal ahead of Thursday’s game, saying how much he wishes his late father was 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 getting to play in the Field of Dreams Game now.
The fans at the Field of Dreams Game were able to get creative by remembering one of the iconic quotes from “Field of Dreams.”
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 the opening pitch to Johnny Bench
Fergie Jenkins throws the opening pitch to Johnny Bench before the Field of Dreams Game.
Seiya Suzuki gets 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.
Cubs jump out to early lead over Reds
The Chicago Cubs take an early 3-0 lead over the Cincinnati Reds in the Field of Dreams Game on three straight RBI 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 on Thursday “emotional.”
Cubs All-Star catcher Willson Contreras had to be helped off the field in the third inning after rolling 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 a story of facing Smoltz early in his career and 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 end up being 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 base.
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 the emotions that he feels 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. He 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 then finally got on the board. 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 that’s been carved out of a cornfield? Rosenthal shared a story on how it all comes together.
Ken Rosenthal on what goes into preparing the Field Of Dreams
Ken Rosenthal talks about the prep work that goes into making the Field of Dreams field look so nice, and what changes were made this year versus the corn that was used last year.
The Cubs wrapped things up from there to come away with a 4-2 victory over their NL Central rivals.
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