Cubs to open first homestand with festive World Series theme

The Cubs haven’t played a home game as defending World Series champions since 1909. So there will be plenty of festivities commemorating their championship in the first homestand of the season at Wrigley Field.

Most noticeably, the Cubs will wear white uniforms and caps with gold lettering and trim for Monday night’s home opener and Wednesday night’s ring ceremony — in keeping with recent Major League Baseball tradition.

The Cubs advise fans to arrive early for pregame ceremonies that will start at 6:15 p.m. Monday. Cubs alumni will join players in the raising of the 2016 championship banners. Members of the Ricketts family, which owns the team, will throw the ceremonial first pitches.

Julianna Zobrist, the wife of Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist, will sing “God Bless America.” Wayne Messmer will sing the national anthem for the 33rd consecutive home opener.

Cubs Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg and Billy Williams will lead the seventh-inning stretch.

The party will continue Wednesday night with the ring ceremony. Former Cubs catcher David Ross throwing the ceremonial first pitch and leading the seventh-inning stretch.

Twenty fans were selected to serve as honorary ring bearers during Wednesday’s ceremony.

The Commissioner’s Trophy will be housed in the Trophy Room in the new Park at Wrigley. Fans can take photos with the trophy starting Thursday. The Park at Wrigley features the new office and retail building along with a Cubs store.

The Cubs will give a replica championship banner to the first 30,000 fans before Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers and a replica World Series trophy to the first 10,000 fans before the April 15 game against the Pirates.