Yes, it finally happened! November 3rd, 2016 forever goes down as the day our beloved Chicago Cubbies ended the longest World Series drought in history. It only took 108 years, but I’m sure any fan will tell you, it was more than worth the wait. Many will never forget where they were when this unforgettable Game Seven took place. Artist Opie Otterstad has elegantly memorialized this moment in his painting titled, “It Happened”. This extraordinary painting was the center of attention on February 24, 2017 at the debut of the “Cubs Moment of Victory Exhibition” which ran from April 8th to April 30th at the Narrative Gallery in Chicago’s famed Water Tower Place.
Known as “Sport’s Art Troubadour”, Opie Otterstad has been involved with America’s favorite pastime since his graduation from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. For the last 15 years he has been a major league baseball sanctioned artist. It is his personal relationships with many of the Cubs players which makes this particular collection of paintings very special for him.
About two months before the end of the season Opie was commissioned by famed outfielder Jonny Gomes to create a multi-panel retirement gift for their good friend, Cubs catcher Dave Ross (also a Dancing with the Stars contestant). As the Cubs progressed thru the playoffs, Opie quickly realized he might have to make some changes to the work, especially if the Cubs won.
Shortly after the final out, and while the Cubs were still on the field celebrating, Opie received a call from Gomes asking if Opie could also do a painting of Ross’ home run, which made him, at age 39, the oldest player ever to hit a homer in World Series history. Gomes would also like a painting of Ross being carried off the field by teammates. He was also asking another “small” favor. It all had to be done by November l9th!
In that instant, Opie lost a month of painting time. Only two days later, Opie received a call from Cubs pitcher, Jon Lester. Was there any chance Opie could do a painting of the first pitch of Game 5 featuring Ross and Lester, with the iconic “ghosts” in the background? Instead of panicking, Opie got to work. He completed all the paintings just in time for Ross’ retirement party. While Opie’s wife drove them to the party, Opie was in the front seat, painting all the way there.
“I literally finished the painting the night of the party! If the painting had to be presented to Ross in the beginning of the party it wouldn't have been ready!”
Opie spent most of the party in a backroom putting the final touches on the paintings for Ross. By 8:30 p.m. the painting was complete and presented to Ross in a very emotional moment.
Around Thanksgiving, Opie’s agency cemented the details for the exhibition at Water Tower Place which would feature twenty to thirty new works. This labor of love would take about five months in which he never would have more than a few consecutive hours of break time. In spite of the intensity with which he had to work, Opie does not create cookie cutter images. He describes his work as “historical fiction” because they are:
“….a collection of all the moments the players had in celebrating their victory.”
His paintings put the viewer at the moment when “everyone arrives at the center of the action” even though players in the bullpen and outfield are usually the last ones to arrive to “pile on”.
One of his favorite paintings is titled “Wrigley by Night”. This is an aeriel shot of Wrigley Field, created to showcase the stadium’s relationship within the neighborhood and with the City of Chicago. “It Happened” is the painting which captures the emotions of all Cubs players, roster and non roster, as well as Coach Joe Madden and the ghosts of Cubs past. These ghosts include retired players Fergie Jenkins, Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, Billy Williams, Ron Santo, the cursed cat and goat and, of course, famed announcer Harry Carey. All these retired players are pictured tipping their caps with the exception of Ron Santo who is looking over his right shoulder at the silhouette of the cat, as if to say goodbye to the “curse”. “Harry and Bill” shows Carey and Bill Murray from the 80’s with the ghosted images of Ross, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Anthony Rizzo celebrating. Murray’s reaction from 2016’s Game 7 made it in there too.
Opie feels his paintings get better the more he does them. However, he says he has made his fair share of mistakes along the way. Some memorable ones include forgetting to include Dave Roberts in Boston Red Sox ALCS win over the New York Yankees. Roberts was the hero who came in as a pinch runner, stole second base, and eventually scored the tying run igniting the Red Sox historic comeback. Opie has also learned to never paint players in their warm up gear. In 2006, Aaron Miles of the St. Louis Cardinals was preparing to rush the field in victory. He made a last second decision to lose the warmups on the off chance that Opie would paint him from behind. He wanted his name and number clearly seen. Luckily for Miles, Opie did paint him from behind although he didn't hear Miles’ story until years after. Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward’s painting depicts the left-hander batting right handed. When Heyward pointed this out Opie responded by showing him a still of Heyward batting right-handed. Hayward told him:
“I was warming up.”
Luckily, Opie was able to contact the publisher in time to place a stop order and correct the painting. Obie's loving brush is a gift to all of us who love the game, capturing the spirit of baseball’s history, and the life and triumph of its players.
Creative Credits
- Photography
- Chase Stern
- Paintings
- Opie Otterstad
- Written by
- Lawrence Brown
