Film Access | 
⚾Baseball Guide Access
Opening Day at Wrigley Field was a storybook affair for the Chicago Cubs on April 20, 1946, with an electric mix of precision pitching, timely offense, and a few unexpected twists. The spotlight shone brightly on Ted Williams as he made his home debut in a Cubs uniform—a moment that promised a new era for the team. On the mound, Oscar Judd delivered a masterful complete game shutout, scattering only six hits over nine innings. His command and poise kept the visiting St. Louis Cardinals at bay throughout a game defined by deliberate, low-key play until a sudden burst in the bottom of the third shifted the narrative.
Johnny Pesky opened the frame with a crisp single, setting the stage for back-to-back blasts. Buddy Blattner followed with a towering triple, and the next batter, Carl Furillo’s equally explosive triple punctuated a three-run rally that sent the Wrigley faithful into a frenzy. Throughout the contest, key moments underscored the narrative: disciplined base running, timely walks—including a couple by Ted Williams that underscored his on-base prowess—and critical sacrifice bunts that advanced runners at pivotal junctures.
While the scoring was brief, it was decisive. The Cardinals, despite showing flashes of life with promising at bats and aggressive baserunning, could not overcome Judd’s steadfast performance. Even a late rally attempt in the top of the ninth, featuring singles by Snuffy Stirnweiss and Bobby Sturgeon, was nipped in the bud by a combination of judicious pitching and solid defensive plays. In a game that mixed quiet determination with explosive moments, the Cubs not only secured the win but also heralded the arrival of a new chapter in baseball history—one marked by the debut of a future legend and a pitching master at his best on a historic Wrigley Field stage.
⚾