Field of Dreams Game 2022: Top moments from Cubs-Reds

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. 

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.

Ahead of the game, Verlander reenacted the catch scene from “Field of Dreams” with his father. 

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. 

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.

Reds legend Johnny Bench spoke with the MLB on FOX team ahead of the game, calling it a “magical moment.”

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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

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. 

Ever wonder how you prepare a baseball field carved out of a cornfield? Rosenthal shared the story of how it all came together.

The Cubs wrapped things up from there, taking a 4-2 victory over their NL Central rivals.