Not only did the Cubs win the World Series for the first time since 1908, but it also marked the end of the on-field bullpens, those little nooks in foul territory that housed the teams' relief corps. A low brick wall separated us and them, but it seldom interfered with across-the-wall conversations. Or the rare occasion when you could swap food (peanuts, hot dogs) for an autographed baseball. Sometimes it felt as if you were sitting in a city park just watching some youngsters at play and kibitzing with neighbors.