Greatest Moments: No. 16, The Game is Never Over

(Editor's Note: Fifteenth in a series recalling the 30 greatest moments in Cubs history.)

The Cubs were in first place entering play on Aug. 29, 1989, but their grip on first place wasn't exactly secure.

Greatest Moments: No. 17, Big Z's Neutral Site No-Hitter

(Editor's Note: Fourteenth in a series recalling the 30 greatest moments in Cubs history.)

It seems so long ago, but it's only been a little over two years since the Cubs, with the best record in the National League, clinched their second straight Central Division title with a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sept. 20, 2008. My confidence in the Cubs was never - before or since - as high as it was in '08. And the highlight of that magical regular season came on Sept. 14 when Carlos Zambrano pitched the first Cubs no-hitter in over 36 years.

Greatest Moments: No. 18, Sosa's 62nd Homer

(Editor's Note: Thiteenth in a series recalling the 30 greatest moments in Cubs history.)

History has since diminished the significance of the 1998 race for the NL home run crown between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire, but while it was happening, it was captivating to even the most casual fans.

Greatest Moments: No. 19, Overpowering the Big Red Machine

(Editor's Note: Twelfth in a series recalling the 30 greatest moments in Cubs history.)

My love affair with the Cubs blossomed during the summer of 1977 and it was a wild 16-15 victory over the two-time defending world champion Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on July 28 that sealed the deal.

Garza Trade Good for Cubs

The acquisition of pitcher Matt Garza by the Cubs, along with two minor leaguers, from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in exchange for five prospects - that include right-handed pitcher Chris Archer, outfielders Brandon Guyer and Sam Fuld, shortstop Hak-Ju Lee, and catcher Robinson Chirinos - is a brilliant and gutsy move by general manager Jim Hendry.

Greatest Moments: No. 20, Dick Drott's Career Day

(Editor's Note: Eleventh in a series recalling the 30 greatest moments in Cubs history.)

The 1950s were a dreadful decade for the Cubs, but the emergence of Ernie Banks as one of the game's premier players and a bumper crop of pitching prospects seemed to indicate better times ahead in the 60s.

Greatest Moments: No. 21, The Exclamation Point on a Magical Season

(Editor's Note: Tenth in a series recalling the 30 greatest moments in Cubs history.)

On Sept. 18, 2008, the Cubs' magic number for clinching the NL Central appeared like it was going to be stuck at four. The North Siders trailed the second-place Milwaukee Brewers 6-2 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and nobody on base.

Greatest Moments: No. 22, Eight-Run Lead Isn't Enough for Rockies

(Editor's Note: Ninth in a series recalling the 30 greatest moments in Cubs history.)

The Cubs were riding high when they played host to the Colorado Rockies on May 30, 2008. They had won their previous four games to improve to 33-21 and held a 1.5-game lead over second-place St. Louis in the National League Central.

Greatest Moments, No. 23: Cavarretta's 'Greatest Day in Baseball'

(Editor's Note: Eighth in a series recalling the 30 greatest moments in Cubs history.)

Poor Phil Cavarretta.

On July 22, 1951, Cavarretta, the pride of Lane Tech High School, was rewarded for his 18 outstanding years of service with the Cubs when owner Philip K. Wrigley named him player-manager.

Thanks a lot, Mr. Wrigley.

Greatest Moments: No. 24, Victory Blows the Cubs' Way

(Editor's Note: Seventh in a series recalling the 30 greatest moments in Cubs history.)

During the summer of 1977, I was 7 years old and without a care in the world. It seemed like it lasted for years. Our family had a swimming pool installed in our backyard, I was completing my first year of T-ball with the Sluggers of the Wrightwood Baseball Association , and my parents took me to see Star Wars. Activities included managing my growing baseball card collection and clipping and pasting the scrapbook pictures of Cubs players that the Tribune provided that summer. Those were the days!