Cubs, Phillies started game with worst air quality in world

Thomson's club was among a handful of MLB teams that had a game postponed in early June due to poor air quality. Other leagues like the NWSL and WNBA postponed contests due to the issue as well, while the New York Giants canceled multiple practices.

Per Mooney, a "gloomy haze hovered over the rooftops in Wrigleyville, dulling the normally brilliant colors of the grass and ivy," on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the battle between third-place teams and a "heavy smell lingered." The senior writer noted that both the National Weather Service and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued air quality alerts ahead of Tuesday's tilt and the mayor of Chicago warned residents of an unhealthy environment, recommending "children, senior citizens, pregnant women" and "people with heart or lung diseases" to limit their time outside.

Still, the game went on.

"I could smell it the whole game,” Thomson said, per Mooney. "But, yeah, as long as it’s safe for the players, you play."

Mooney wrote that MLB made the decision to play the game after getting input from the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) and that some workers at "The Friendly Confines" wore masks through the evening.

Notably, the Cubs -- who were off on Monday following their weekend "London Series" against the St. Louis Cardinals -- are just starting a stretch of 13 consecutive days with games, before the All-Star break.

Jameson Taillon, who started the game for Chicago, said there were discussions about delaying the game against Philadelphia.

"I was on a text thread with some of the union reps, and I know there were conversations about (delaying the game)," Taillon said, per Mooney. "It seemed like MLB got the information it wanted to see as far as the air quality was supposed to get better by start time and get better throughout the night. I guess they felt better about it, and we just had to trust that. There wasn’t much we could do at that point."

The righthander added "We’ll see how we all feel tomorrow bouncing back. But I think we’re all right."

According to Mooney, the air quality concerns didn't seem to impact attendance, with Wrigley reporting a crowd of 37,072.

"The bleachers were packed. Fans danced to 'Y.M.C.A.' -- and cheered as they saw their faces on the video board -- when lefty reliever Gregory Soto replaced Philadelphia starter Ranger Suarez with one out in the eighth inning," Mooney wrote. "With the windows closed in the press box, it almost looked normal."