Will Cook County News

By Claude Martinez.

Joliet — People lined up outside the Old Joliet Prison on April 30 for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the Joliet Slammers take on the Gateway Grizzlies in a unique “prison matchup” on the historic grounds.

A sold-out crowd enjoyed local vendors, live music, and of course baseball. The game was part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which runs through Joliet.

The Old Joliet Prison at 1125 Collins St. opened in 1858 and housed prisoners until 2002. During that time, inmates passed the time by playing baseball and listening to games on the radio.

It is also well known to film and television fans, having appeared in The Blues Brothers (1980) and the TV series Prison Break (2005).

Some fans, Jacob Wyderski and Jason Zuklic, embraced that history by dressing like the Blues Brothers and encouraging others to visit the prison and learn more about its past.

The preseason exhibition match began on a chilly 60-degree afternoon, with light rain starting in the second inning.

Joliet hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third, but it was not enough as the team was locked up 14-3.

Opening day for the Joliet Slammers is set for Friday, May 8 at 6:35 p.m., when they host the Washington Wild Things.

To hear from Wyderski, Zuklic, and Frontier League Deputy Commissioner Matt Shepardson watch the news package on YouTube (linked below), Facebook or Instagram @ Will Cook County News.

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