Cubs historical sleuthing: ‘God help us’

First of all, credit where credit is due. I found this photo on the blog of Jerry Pritikin, once known as the “Bleacher Preacher.” He was a fixture there for most of the 1980s and 1990s.

What stands out, of course, is the large “GOD HELP US” sign unfurled in the right-field bleachers. The player is obviously a visiting player, because there’s a name on the back and the Cubs didn’t have those until the mid-1990s on home uniforms.

What solved this one for me was another photo from that same blog post:

The image file name says “Opening Day 1980” but that isn’t right.