At Wrigley Field, Bears coach Ben Johnson throws out the opening pitch.

Wrigley Field is more than just the iconic home of the Chicago Cubs—it’s a symbol of the Windy City’s deep love for sports, history, and tradition. Situated in the heart of Chicago’s North Side, the ballpark has witnessed countless legendary moments, from Hall of Fame performances to unforgettable seasons. But on a bright, clear day in the spring of 2025, Wrigley Field became the stage for something truly unique: Chicago Bears’ head coach, Ben Johnson, stepping onto the diamond to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before a Cubs game.

For sports fans in Chicago, the intertwining of the Bears and the Cubs isn’t just about sharing a city—it’s about a shared commitment to greatness, perseverance, and community pride. Though the Cubs and Bears represent different seasons, sports, and fanbases, their connection runs deep. Ben Johnson, the rising star head coach of the Bears, was making history in his own right. His decision to throw out the first pitch symbolized not only his burgeoning influence in Chicago but also a sense of unity between two major franchises that, despite their differing sports, embody the spirit of the city. This moment, while seemingly simple, was an intersection of Chicago’s sports culture, its passionate fanbase, and the personal journey of a coach who had quickly captured the hearts of many.

The Setting: Wrigley Field, A Historic Stage

Wrigley Field, a ballpark steeped in over a century of history, was an appropriate setting for such a moment. Opened in 1914, it’s one of the oldest and most revered sports venues in America. Known for its ivy-covered outfield walls, the famous hand-turned scoreboard, and its nostalgic charm, Wrigley has hosted iconic moments in the world of baseball. But as Ben Johnson made his way to the pitcher’s mound, the backdrop of the Cubs’ home field took on a new meaning. It wasn’t just a baseball field—it was a stage for a crossover of two beloved Chicago teams.

The game was set to be a standard regular-season matchup for the Cubs, but as the crowd filed in, there was a palpable sense of excitement. The pairing of the Bears’ new coach with the Cubs’ timeless venue felt like the beginning of something bigger. It felt like the city’s sports culture was evolving, with a fresh energy coming from across the street—the gridiron—into the world of baseball. Fans who had traveled from various corners of Chicago to enjoy a day at the ballpark were not just thinking about the Cubs’ chances that day but about the larger symbolic gesture of the city’s sports unity.

As the Cubs took the field and the stadium filled with the usual hum of pregame rituals, attention slowly turned toward the field’s first-base side where Coach Ben Johnson was about to take the spotlight. The first pitch has become one of the great traditions in baseball, with athletes, celebrities, and notable figures from across the world taking part. But when Ben Johnson was introduced, the crowd’s response was unlike what one might expect for a typical opening-pitch ceremony. The applause was louder, the cheers more enthusiastic—it was a moment that transcended the boundaries of baseball.

Ben Johnson: A New Face for the Bears

For the Bears, 2025 had already become a year of transformation. Ben Johnson, just two seasons removed from his first head coaching job, had quickly made a name for himself in Chicago with his high-energy approach, a strong focus on both offense and player development, and a deep respect for the team’s rich history. Hired in 2023, Johnson had led the Bears to an exciting playoff berth in his first season. The team’s offense, long a point of frustration for the franchise, was beginning to show signs of innovation under Johnson’s guidance. Quarterback Justin Fields was playing the best football of his career, and the Bears’ young core was thriving under Johnson’s leadership. In just a short time, Ben Johnson had become the face of a renewed franchise.

Johnson, only in his early forties, was viewed as a leader not just by the players in the locker room but by a rapidly growing fanbase eager for success. In his first press conferences, he often spoke of Chicago’s distinct sports culture and the pride that the Bears and their fans felt for the city. His approach was always about fostering a connection between the Bears and the community. He knew that success on the field was important, but he also recognized the importance of community engagement and showing up for the city. Throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley Field was more than just a ceremonial act—it was a chance to further cement his bond with Chicago, the city he was quickly growing to love.

For Ben Johnson, a former quarterback and offensive mind, the moment had its own personal significance. Though he had played the game at the highest level, the baseball diamond was a different environment. A few days before the event, Johnson admitted in an interview that he wasn’t sure if he would be able to throw a perfect pitch. But whether it was a strike or not, the significance was not in the technicality of the pitch, but in the act itself—the simple gesture of showing up for the city and the fans that had already embraced him. “This city has welcomed me and my family with open arms. I want to give back, not just through my work with the team, but in ways that show I’m part of something much bigger,” Johnson had said.

The Big Moment: Stepping onto the Mound

As the moment of the first pitch approached, the crowd was buzzing. Wrigley Field was alive with anticipation. Ben Johnson, dressed in a Bears cap and jacket, walked down the steps and onto the field, his eyes scanning the stadium as he made his way toward the pitcher’s mound. Though his role as a football coach didn’t usually involve stepping onto the mound of a baseball diamond, there was something inherently fitting about the gesture. Here was a man who had just helped bring a new era of football to Chicago, now stepping into the world of baseball, a sport that was as much a part of the city’s fabric as the Bears themselves.

The jumbotron flashed an introduction for Johnson, and the crowd roared. The Chicago faithful, both Cubs and Bears fans alike, gave a standing ovation. Johnson waved, acknowledging the love of the fans, and took a deep breath. His throw wouldn’t be about technique—it would be about the connection with the city and its people.

On the mound, Johnson’s stance was steady, and though he didn’t have the mechanics of a professional pitcher, he was poised and confident. As he wound up, the crowd fell into a brief but expectant silence. He threw the ball, sending it hurtling toward the catcher. The pitch wasn’t perfect—it sailed just a little high—but the crowd didn’t care. It was a moment of joy and celebration, a representation of the community’s excitement and their hope for the future. The fans erupted in cheers as Johnson jogged off the field with a big grin on his face, shaking hands with the Cubs’ coaching staff and receiving high-fives from the players on the sidelines.

The pitch itself, although not a strike, symbolized something much more important. It represented a new chapter in Chicago’s sports culture—a moment where two beloved franchises were united not by competition, but by mutual respect and pride in the city they represented. Whether it was baseball or football, the fans shared a common love for their teams, and Coach Ben Johnson had seamlessly become part of that tradition.

The Significance of the Gesture

Why does throwing out a ceremonial first pitch carry so much significance? For one, it’s a symbol of connection—between athletes, teams, and their communities. It’s an opportunity for someone from one sport to engage with the fanbase of another, showing that despite the differences in playbooks, there’s a shared understanding of what it means to represent a city. When Ben Johnson stepped onto the mound, he wasn’t just a football coach; he was a representative of the heart of Chicago—a city that celebrates its athletes, its history, and its future.

For the Bears, this first pitch was also an opportunity to further solidify their place in the hearts of the Chicago sports community. The Bears have long been associated with the grit and determination that Chicagoans value so much. But with Ben Johnson at the helm, the team had entered a new era—one that was marked by hope, success, and unity. Throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley Field was just one small, yet deeply meaningful, step in fostering that relationship.

The moment also spoke to the larger theme of sports as a communal experience. In a time when cities and fanbases often find themselves divided by competition, it was refreshing to see the Bears and Cubs share a moment of camaraderie. The city of Chicago had a chance to embrace two of its beloved franchises in the same breath, underlining the fact that while the Cubs and Bears might play different sports, they played for the same city, for the same people.

A Historic Day for Chicago

As the game began and the fans settled into the rhythm of the baseball season, the memory of Ben Johnson’s first pitch lingered in the air. It wasn’t just a ceremonial act—it was a statement. It was about the ties that bind sports teams to their communities. It was about the new face of the Chicago Bears and the coach who had already become a symbol of hope and renewal for the franchise. And it was about the timeless tradition of Wrigley Field, which on this day, became a stage for a memorable moment that would be remembered by Chicago fans for years to come.

The first pitch, imperfect as it might have been, captured the essence of what it means to be part of Chicago’s sports community. It was a throw from the heart, and in that moment, both Ben Johnson and the city of Chicago were united in something greater than any single game could represent. The Bears and Cubs might compete in different sports, but on this day, they were on the same team, sharing in a moment of joy that would go down as one of the most memorable in Chicago sports history.