A Story

by Al Yellon on Sep 17, 2007 9:36 AM CDT in Baseball Stories

This summer I have had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with an older gentleman, a man who just turned 74 years old and who has been a Cub fan for over sixty years. He attends many home games as a long-time season ticket holder, and recently told me a bittersweet story about how he almost (yes, almost) got in to game six of the 1945 World Series.

Almost? Here, let him tell you in his own words:

I turned 12 years old on September 11, 1945 and had been a fan of the Cubs before I ever saw my first game, which was in either late August or early September of 1944. My family had just moved back to Chicago from Coal City, Illinois and my uncle took his son and me to a game. My mom and dad realized how much I loved to listen to the Cubs so they let me listen to as many games as possible on the radio, and in 1945 when they won the pennant I was so darned excited that my mother was worried that I would talk so much about how great the team was that people would be driven crazy listening to me.

Being excited was one thing, but I kept pestering my mom and dad about finding a way to get a ticket to go to one of the World Series games when they played in Chicago. I didn't quite understand the fact that 50 cents meant a lot more than we could afford for something as frivolous as a ball game when that amount of money could buy things needed more than just for fun.

The night before game six, I asked mom to let me use the money in my piggy bank to go. I had already counted the coins and had enough to buy a ticket and pay 4 cents each way on a street car to go to Wrigley Field. As you might guess, she said absolutely NO. I went to bed feeling very sorry for myself and made up my mind to go against her admonition. About 3:30 or 4 in the morning I got up, got dressed, made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, took all the coins from my bank and left the house to catch the Clark St. street car, from our home in Rogers Park. It took about 25 or 30 minutes to reach the ball park; in fact, the streetcar conductor asked me if I was old enough to be out at that hour and I told him I was going to help a cousin deliver morning newspapers. When I reached the park the bleacher ticket line started at the corner of Sheffield & Waveland (where the old bleacher box office was located), headed west to Clark, continued south to just about Addison and came back around down the other side of Clark back to Waveland, and about a quarter of a block east on Waveland where I got in line. When the box office opened somewhere around 10 or 10:30 I really believed I would get in without a problem. However, as time went on and the line moved very slowly I got worried about getting a ticket. Sure enough, when I finally reached the box office the man in front of me got the last one or two tickets to be sold.

I was totally heartbroken! I couldn't believe that this had happened. All I could do was to head back to Clark Street. I got on the first streetcar and cried like a baby the entire way home (a man on the streetcar was kind enough to ask me if I was hurt or sick). I was crying for two reasons: first, because I came so close to getting that ticket and second, because I was afraid of what my mother was going to say!

When I came in the front door mom took my sandwich bag from me without saying a word. She put it down by the radio in the dining room, turned the radio on, poured a glass of milk for me, and said, "When dad gets home, he wants to talk to you". Well, dad got home and the only thing he said was something to the effect that please remember to listen to mom or him when they say what to do or not to do -- and then said how sorry he was that I had been so disappointed by not being able to get into the game.

I believe the Cubs did win that day. [Al's note: his memory is right. The Cubs did win game six, in twelve innings; the last World Series game they won, and the only one they won in Chicago in 1945.]

Why am I telling you this story now? Because this gentleman has not been in the bleachers in, he tells me, nearly sixty years; after not making it on that World Series day in 1945, he was there once or twice later in the '40s, not since.

He's joining us out there tomorrow night. It's time. Go Cubs.

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Comments

wonderful story

Please extend our very best to this fine gentleman.

by Cajuncub on Sep 17, 2007 9:38 AM CDT reply actions

Awesome story!!

Hopefully he will enjoy a Cubs win tomorrow night!

by Neifi Puppy on Sep 17, 2007 9:40 AM CDT reply actions

My Grandpa

Hadn't been to a Cubs playoff game since that series in '45 either and in 2003 he had the pleasure of being able to go to the NLCS. Of course, it sadly didn't turn out the way we all would have liked, but for a fan like him it meant the world. He died of cancer only 3 weeks later, but that was something he had said for years he wanted to be able to do, and it was really neat to see him get to be out there during the post season again.

In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity - Einstein

by cubbieblue86 on Sep 17, 2007 9:40 AM CDT reply actions

Chills

That story gave me chills. I felt his heartbreak of standing in line and not being able to get a ticket.
Give him our best! I hope he gets to see a Cubs victory!
I will be in the bleachers too, AL.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Sep 17, 2007 9:48 AM CDT reply actions

Stop on by and say hi!

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Sep 17, 2007 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions

Will do.

I will for sure stop by and say hello. Left field, top, correct?

by Tangled Up In Blue on Sep 17, 2007 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions

You got it!

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Sep 17, 2007 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions

You took the

words right out of my mouth. What a story!!!! about a boy who tried to do everything to watch his beloved Cubs.

Lets remember that these last 12 games of the REGULAR season, its not about stats anymore, its about playing hard, smart, and with passion.

LETS GO CUBS!!!!!

by BigZ 4 Cy on Sep 17, 2007 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Amen Big Z...

by Tangled Up In Blue on Sep 17, 2007 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions

wow

this brings tears to my eyes and chills up my spine. ive been that heartbroken little boy for alot of years. i'm a man now and dont want my heartbroken anymore. its time. actually lrt me say thaT WITH MORE EMOTION-- LETS DO THE DAMN THING!!!!!!!! i know this is the year i know i know it i know it!!!

Here comes the nasty leftie to shut it down in the 9th......Clay Rapada!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Sep 17, 2007 9:50 AM CDT reply actions

How true

In 1984, as a 13-year old, I feigned illness to stay home from school to watch Game 1 against San Diego. My mom, obviously much smarter than I as a 13-year old, looked at me and told me she knew I wasn't sick but graciously let me stay home from school and watch the 13-0 victory. My ploy didn't fare as well the following day but I'll never forget her allowing me to do that. She could really care less about the Cubs to this day but even as a grown man she enjoys it when they win because she knows my sons and I are enjoying it even more. In fact, she called me immediately after the double play against Houston the other night just to see if the boys had seen it. Mothers are a great thing.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Sep 17, 2007 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

My experience was so similar ....

I was 13 too & my parents let me stay home to watch the Cubs. I still remember those games & how elated I felt watching Sutcliffe hit one out of the park. Followed by the roller coaster downhill of the games in San Diego. The heartache... it is part of being a Cubs fan.

by Basman on Sep 17, 2007 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

1984

Hey - I was 13 that year and my parents didn't let me stay home! But my science teacher brought a TV into the room, and we got to see that exciting first inning.

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Sep 17, 2007 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Ah, 1984.

I was seven years old, and the NLCS of that year was my initiation into Cubdom, I guess. I'll never forget after that series was over, my father saying to me, "If you're gonna be a Cubs fan, you're gonna have to learn how to get through things like this." I didn't understand what he was talking about at the time, and I certainly didn't understand what the Cubs' history was like at that time, but I learned.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Sep 18, 2007 12:19 AM CDT up reply actions

A story made for movies

What a wonderful story. That's a true Cubs fan -- going against your mom's wishes and trying to get into the game. I can just picture him sitting there, heartbroken, eating his peanut butter and jelly sandwich listening to the game. The guy's my hero! I hope he gets to see a huge bleacher win tomorrow!

"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.

by No Southern Belle on Sep 17, 2007 9:55 AM CDT reply actions

Playoff Tix?

Anyone have any leads on when single-game tickets for potential playoff games will be going on sale? I know a few other teams (Mets, Phillies, Padres) have done the online lottery thing, but I haven't heard anything about the Cubs' plans. Do they usually wait until the last week of the season? And would they put playoff tickets on sale during a Cubs homestand or wait until they are on the road? I'm not remembering how it worked in '03 and '04.

by ms9av on Sep 17, 2007 9:56 AM CDT reply actions

I have heard nothing.

Season ticket payments for postseason tickets were due a week ago. We have received confirmations that our payments were received, and that our tickets will be sent out by FedEx around 9/26.

Otherwise -- I don't have any info. If I get any, rest assured I'll post it ASAP.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Sep 17, 2007 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions

A fan....or riding the bandwagon?

Why as he not been in the bleachers in nearly 60 years?

Maybe because they have not been to a World Series? Did he jump off the bandwagon? Does he ONLY like the Cubs when they are in the World Series?

Aug 15 - Ted Lilly walked by the lineup card and said to nobody in particular "I can't believe I'm batting 9th again".

by mweil on Sep 17, 2007 10:08 AM CDT reply actions

Hardly.

Read it again -- I said he attends many games as a long-time season-ticket holder. He just hasn't been in the bleachers.

I'm sure you see the distinction.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Sep 17, 2007 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions

RE: Hardly

Sorry I read it too fast. I am just a little sensitive to those who are finally "bleeding cubbie blue".

Aug 15 - Ted Lilly walked by the lineup card and said to nobody in particular "I can't believe I'm batting 9th again".

by mweil on Sep 17, 2007 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions

yea im sick of ..

all these johnny come lately octogenarians too. ;)

One of Us!One Of Us!

by HerrProf on Sep 17, 2007 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

re: yea im sick of ..

LOL. Yeah, them and their "lifetime of baseball knowledge"...who needs it?!

"It's big because it knocks them out of semi-contention." Jason Marquis referring to the St. Louis Cardinals on 9/16/07

by daver on Sep 17, 2007 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions

The bandwagon ain't going nowhere...

JUMP ABOARD!!

Better late than never.. or, Better late than being a cardinals/mets/sox/brewers fan.

Go Cubs!

"trampled moss on your souls; changes all you're a part; seen it all, not at all" -pearl jam

by section229beer on Sep 17, 2007 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Here's hoping...

...someone nearby catches a Cubs home run and has enough class to give the guy the ball.

by MN exile on Sep 17, 2007 10:14 AM CDT reply actions

nice story

gave me goosebumps...

by zevkalman on Sep 17, 2007 10:15 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks, Al

A wonderful story. Wouldn't it be nice if there were still a Clark St. streetcar with which one could ride to the park?
I suppose the sadness and frustration of that little boy helped to prepare him for a lifetime as a Cub fan.
Please, give him my regards.

Hoping to goodness is not theologically sound. --Linus

by moldyfolky on Sep 17, 2007 10:31 AM CDT reply actions

streetcar

It's sickening that the streetcars disappeared. It was part of GM's strategy in the 1950s to sell cities gas-powered buses. As late as 1948, Chicago was ordering hundreds of brand-new streamlined streetcars. By 1958, the very last one had disappeared (the last streetcar in Chicago was on the Wentworth route on June 21, 1958). The last one to run along north Clark Street past Wrigley Field was in 1957.

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Sep 17, 2007 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Streetcars

I remember the streetcars in the early fifties as a little boy riding in my parents' car in Chicago. My mother grew up on the far south side, and she remembers going downtown on the streetcar around Christmas to look at the windows in Marshall Fields. (Something else wonderful, now gone!)
I've had the good fortune to live in a few European cities that still have streetcars. Last year, living in what used to be East Berlin, I rode to work every day on one. Comfortable, fast, and a much better part of the neighborhood than a subway or a stinky bus. The joke is that, like Chicago, many European cities ripped out their streetcar systems in the fifties or sixties, and gave their inner cities over to buses. Many Eastern cities couldn't afford to do so, stuck with old rolling stock, often until the end of the Cold War, but now have the infrastructure and have steadily modernized the cars.
Ah, well.
Go, Cubs!

Hoping to goodness is not theologically sound. --Linus

by moldyfolky on Sep 17, 2007 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

The oil companies

and the auto industry conspired to put the streetcars out of business. They wanted to sell more fuel, oil, tires and vehicles. There was a story on PBS years ago about this and it's no joke. Of course the people in power had a part in it as well. DOn't want to dampen the thread, just some thoughts.

Al, if you can, please take some pictures with your friend and post them for us. I hope he catches a walk off jack from Aramis!

"When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches."- Ron Santo

by BigJohnAZ on Sep 17, 2007 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Reminds me

of my Dad. Same age, similar story. Except he and his friend got in by crawling between the legs of the grown ups in line. I've got a short essay he wrote about it, Al, if interested I'll email you a copy.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Sep 17, 2007 10:33 AM CDT reply actions

Sure...

... would love to see that.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Sep 17, 2007 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions

I got chills, too.

Amazing story -- not only because of his devotion as a Cub fan, but also just to hear that it cost 50 cents to buy a ticket and 4 cents to ride the bus back and forth. Given the public transit budgetary woes currently plaguing Chicago, this latter point is particularly poignant.

Best wishes to the gentleman in question -- and, of course, to the team that he's spent his life rooting for.

"It's big because it knocks them out of semi-contention." Jason Marquis referring to the St. Louis Cardinals on 9/16/07

by daver on Sep 17, 2007 10:36 AM CDT reply actions

Heartwarming Story, Al!

Thanks for everything you do!

This should also be in the 'Why Are We Here?' archives in a special section titled "Perseverance Plus!"

I wrote my last Cubs/baseball poem in 2003 on the night of...well we all remember that night. I dedicated it to my Mom, a CubbieBlueAngel, who attended her first Cubs game in Wrigley Field in 1924 as a ten year old, and died in early July 2003. She too would have relished one more game in the bleachers, or anywhere in Wrigley!

Someday...is getting closer, maybe 11 or 12 wins away, plus a few hot streaks in October!

No matter who throws out the "official" first pitch at the next World Series game in Wrigley, I will envision this as a symbolic "Homecoming" pitch by all of the "CubbieBlueAngels"!

SOMEDAY…

"If they won a world championship, sure, we'd be proud. But we couldn't love them any more than we already do " -anonymous Cub fan

by hellfreezesoverwaittillnextyear on Sep 17, 2007 10:48 AM CDT reply actions

Wow

These stories nearly have me in tears here. My grandfather, the biggest Cubs fan I've known in my lifetime, died in February of 2003. One of the last times we spoke, we talked about the vaunted rotation and how good they could be. I managed to take my then 3-year old son to the division clinching double-header that year and didn't want to leave the park. I'll never forget the color of that day, the electricity all throughout the park and when I called my grandmother and told her where she was, just so she knew that I was somewhere near my grandfather that day.

Oh, and one more thing, GO CUBS...

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Sep 17, 2007 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions

This is a wonderful

story. I hope he gets to see the second Cubs win of this series tomorrow night.

Shawn Johnson, Des Moines, IA, worlds greatest gymnast. 2007 All Around World Champ. GO SHAWN!!!!

by sue369 on Sep 17, 2007 10:49 AM CDT reply actions

1945 game

Great story - thanks. Good relief work by Borowy in that one - four scoreless innings.

Still, probably not the smartest move by manager Charlie Grimm to start Borowy on one day of rest in Game Seven two days after that. Borowy let up 3 runs in the first and was removed before retiring a single batter, and of course, the Cubs got slaughtered.

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Sep 17, 2007 11:19 AM CDT reply actions

Great stuff.

Too bad in 1945, if you were unsuccessful in getting into the ballpark for a game, you could not just walk into Murphy's, Bernie's, The Cubbie Bear, Sluggers, etc., and watch the game on plasma TV with the TV audio playing on loudspeaker throughout the bar.

With no TV at that time, it's amazing that the only option you really had was to stay home and listen on radio. I wonder if there were any restaurants or bars around at that time where you could listen to games on the radio. Probably only if the bartender turned the volume all the way up, and you were sitting right at the bar. A lot of things about the game have not changed for the better. I would say that the technology allowing the game to reach such a wide audience, is something that HAS changed for the better. Go Cubs!

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Sep 17, 2007 11:22 AM CDT reply actions

Speaking of stories... and bars

Just got back from St Louis yesterday. Wow. They only have 2 bars there... oh, and two taxi cabs.

Tons of fun. But I'm sick to death of the color red and trash talk about world series rings. Can we friggin get one of those please? It's about time.

Some notes from the trip:

Friday night... everyone in St Louis knew Dempster was gonna blow it... except for Lou.
In game 1 on Saturday... why go with Dempster again, after Marmol was lights out?
Can't remember game 2. We were so hammered, that we actually got rid of our tickets.

1-RUN GAMES = 20-21 | EXTRA INNINGS = 2-8 | HOME = 39-36 | updated on 9/14

by SackMan on Sep 17, 2007 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Oh...

and I have tix for tonight, but for the 1st time ever in my entire life, I feel it might be better if I didn't go. My body needs serious recharge at this point.

1-RUN GAMES = 20-21 | EXTRA INNINGS = 2-8 | HOME = 39-36 | updated on 9/14

by SackMan on Sep 17, 2007 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions

STL Weekend

I was in STL too for ALL 4 GAMES! I've been doing the final Cub/Card series in STL for 30 years (since 1977), after graduating HS. I go with a couple of Cardinal buddies & my brother-in-law (Cub season tix holder) and we just needle each other all weekend long... Needless to say, I've taken alot of shots over the years! But this year was GREAT! I don't know if the Cubs can go all the way, they seem to lack the drive they had in 2003. But if the Cardinals could do it last year than so we can the CUBS!!! C'mon it's TIME !!! I don't want to be in my 70's still hoping and dreaming of a WS Win. Let's go CUBBIES!!!

PS There are alot of fun bars in STL, down on the Landing & on W. Washington Street, not to mention out on "The Hill" area. But yeah, there only 3 near the Busch Stadium, plus the Union Station area. You don't need a Taxi in STL - it's easy & safe to walk. Not like it was in 1977...., we were naive & stupid then!

by 4evercubs on Sep 18, 2007 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

One common way of enjoying ballgames...

...was to watch a light-up scoreboard. In a lot of smaller towns across the country, local newspaper offices would have a scoreboard and they would update the game from the telegraph wires. People would actually crowd around the building during things like the World Series.

Some of them were quite elaborate, actually, with a scale baseball diamond and little mechanical figures acting out the action.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Sep 17, 2007 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Just goes to show you

what an amazing thing baseball can be.

America's pastime.

1-RUN GAMES = 21-22 | EXTRA INNINGS = 2-8 | HOME = 39-36 | updated on 9/17

by SackMan on Sep 17, 2007 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions

What a bittersweet story

It gave me chills. Give him our best, and I hope he gets to see a victory tonight, and his (and all of our) loyalty will be rewarded this October.

by cubrandy on Sep 17, 2007 11:28 AM CDT reply actions

Al- a suggestion

Maybe snap a few pictures of your friend to post on this site. Just so we can all enjoy it.

by SouthsideCub on Sep 17, 2007 11:29 AM CDT reply actions

Great Story

And not just about the Cubs, but about baseball in general. I think many of us have been that little boy, and many of us will be that older man. Baseball is something that we cannot shake, it is a cursed birthright, an unholy addiction. And it doesn't matter where you are sitting in what stadium in what city. It doesn't matter who your team is.

And as I read this story I kept imagining me as that boy.

And heck, he got to ride a streetcar to Wrigley. Now that is cool!

The Cubs lost the 1984 pennant on my 9th Birthday. Top That!

by brokenland on Sep 17, 2007 11:32 AM CDT reply actions

Yep

I've been that little boy, hell, I'm still that little boy trapped in this man's body. He'll never get out and I'll make sure to never let him.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Sep 17, 2007 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

As are we all...

... in some ways; at least I hope so. Those little boys (and little girls, too) still want our childhood dreams to come true.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Sep 17, 2007 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, atleast little boys who dream

can maybe one day make it to the Big Show, too bad for us girls though, cuz a girl can never be in MLB.

There are 3 things in my life which I really love: God, family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit.

by cubsfan4life on Sep 17, 2007 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions

I sent this link....

... to my dad. He has season tix in the upper deck and has for about 25 years. My trips back to Chicago for 20 years always centered around a Cubs game with my dad and since I've been back, he's made sure I've been to at least 10 games a season (25 the first year) with him. I love hearing him tell stories about riding the street car to Wrigley as a kid, how bleacher seats cost a nickle, and I can actually see Wrigley as it was in '45 when he starts describing the field, the players and telling me stories. He related all too well to this story!

"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.

by No Southern Belle on Sep 17, 2007 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

oops

I meant he told me a regular bleacher seat cost a quarter!

"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.

by No Southern Belle on Sep 17, 2007 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions

One footnote to this story that is amazing.....

50 cents for a World Series ticket in 1945. What does that say about a $6 Old Style in 2007? Oh, how the times have changed. :)

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Sep 17, 2007 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

Box seats were $4.50!

The New York Times photo archive sells a nice shot of the front of Wrigley taken during the '45 World Series; in it, you can see a sign that says box seats are $4.50. Which I think would've been pretty serious coin back then!

by CaughtInTheVines on Sep 17, 2007 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions

wow, inflation bites

Wouldn't it be nice to have $4.50 tickents now? Well i googled an inflation calculator and that is the 2007 equivalent of $52.07. Pretty pricy. Probably also the equivalent of about a month and a 1/2 of groceries back then.

"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees." -Jason Kidd

by tony412 on Sep 17, 2007 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Considering that...

... World Series box seat tickets this year will cost $250, maybe that's not so expensive by comparison!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Sep 17, 2007 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions

A more comprehensive

Study of equivalent values is available at http://www.measuringworth.com/calculators/compare/index.php#

Just calculating by inflation can be a little deceiving. It's closer to about $100 in today's money and relative purchasing power... Still a pretty good deal. So is the $15 bleacher ticket!

"Look, what's important is to be in first place on the last day of the season." -Lou 8/1/07

by 26.2cubfan on Sep 17, 2007 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Nice story - and

I was with my 87 y.o. Dad this weekend who is visiting.

He was unable to get to any games as he was fighting the War in the Pacific in 1945.

His ship got scores days later, if at all.

But he was a big Hank Greenberg fan - that much he told me (as well as being a Cubs fan).

It is SEPTEMBER, and we're STILL IN IT! YES!

by TheEman on Sep 17, 2007 11:54 AM CDT reply actions

My own father...

... was also in the Navy in WWII, and on a ship in the Pacific. He told me they listened to the World Series games on Armed Forces Radio.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Sep 17, 2007 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Awesome story

Glad you shared that Al. How did you come to meet this gentleman?

In 2003 (Atlanta playoffs) my two friend and I were lucky to sit by a guy and his daughter that had been at the '45 world series. It was cold, he was pretty feeble. They left after the 7th to beat the crowd. Had a great time talking with him, he told us we were great Cubs fans. His final reamrk leaving was, "I hope to see another world series here someday". I hope he's OK and gets his wish.

This is Harry Carray, goodbye from Wrigley Field and So Long Everybody.

by mrcubsfan on Sep 17, 2007 12:05 PM CDT reply actions

I hope we don't need his seating changes to win...

enough with these jinxes, curses, and cursebusters, it's tie to win on the field.

Still a nice story though.

by CubFaninNY on Sep 17, 2007 12:25 PM CDT reply actions

Trachsel to bullpen!

He's not happy. Don't worry, Steve -- I'm happy enough for both of us.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Sep 17, 2007 1:06 PM CDT reply actions

LOL

That was funny -- happy enough for both of you....

I'm also pretty happy...

It was a good gamble to get Trac, but it didn't pay off very well. On the other hand the gamble to get Kendall paid off nicely. He is one of the reasons why we're still in it. And, btw, yes, I do believe that Soto's playing recently should be giving Lou "food for thought" in playing him more....

by zevkalman on Sep 17, 2007 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions

In the Mid 70's

As a kid - used to go down to the games afterschool. Most of the times after the 7th inning in Sept they would let you in for free.

Few times in the great '78 run I would take the train and stand on the salt/sand dispenser across the street from the park on the EL station platform. For a 9 year old kid that was a great view down the rightfield line!

by rmonday557 on Sep 17, 2007 1:46 PM CDT reply actions

Ah, to have recordings of Lou from the dugout ...

That's great about the jones play. That, along with the Kendall flop-throw, was the epitomy of that second game. I'm glad to read Lou was all over that lapse.

I've seen one pretty explicit video of Lou in the dugout, and was over Lou's shoulder during the suicide squeeze against the Sox. Lou was not happy about repeating that sign when Quade missed it ;)

"well the south side of Chicago is the baddest (worst) part of town" -Jim Croce

by section229beer on Sep 17, 2007 1:50 PM CDT reply actions

I've mentioned this before,

But my older brother, who's a few years older than the gentleman who's story we have just enjoyed -- was one of a bunch of neighborhood kids (he would ride his bike from Bucktown, down Fullerton to Clark) that would be 'invited' to come into the park as the game ended -- pick up the trash -- and would be given a ticket to the following game.

When he told me this story in the 1970's I just could not comprehend this type of action. But, he said -- it was standard practice.

I can only imagine the hundreds of laws and rules that, in contemporary society -- that were broken by this action. (Maybe we will get an update from CBS' Kid Nation.)

It was a simpler, less litigious time.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Sep 17, 2007 1:52 PM CDT reply actions

I had never heard of this either

And then I met a guy about 10 years ago (who wasn't even a Cubs fan) who told me he did this also when he was a kid.

Tinker to Evers to Chance.

by Matt Allison on Sep 17, 2007 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Seat flippers

Some of the older ballhawks, namely Moe and Rich, tell me that when they were kids, a bunch of them would be let into Wrigley after the games. Each kid would get their own row, and they'd just walk along their row, flipping up the seats as they went. When they got to the end of the row, there'd be a Wrigley Field person standing there with a ticket for the next day's game.

That sure beats sneaking in through the coke (coal) chute, but that's a story for another day...

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Sep 17, 2007 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions

My Grandpa

Did this too as a kid. He remembers that time very fondly. It was really special for him last year when we took him on one of the Wrigley tours during an out-of-town weekend. He isn't able to go to very many games these days (he's 83) but he loved being able to go in the dugout, the clubhouse, and all the places he wanted to see as a kid.

Following the Cubs and the new players every year keeps him sharp, but I'm embarrassed to say that last year he got frustrated and started watching (and rooting for) the Sox, after the 05 WS and the Cubs in the toilet last year. "I need to watch a winning team," he told me. But now, he's back on board, of course...

Let's see the Cubs win it all--for every one of us, and this great city!!

by lapetino on Sep 17, 2007 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Last Monday....

....we took one of my friend's father to the game with us. 65 yo, life long Cub fan, makes it to at least a couple games a year (we live near Indy). He was a little skeptical sitting in the bleachers, having never sat there in all the games he's went to (we won't sit anywhere else). Bottom of the first inning, his son asked him how he liked the bleachers. His response "It's only been a 1/2 inning and this is already the best Cubs game I've ever been to." He had a great time.

"I've come to the conclusion that the two most important things in life are good friends and a good bullpen." ~Bob Lemon, 1981

by carmenfanzone on Sep 17, 2007 2:09 PM CDT reply actions

That's awesome ...

I really enjoy hearing these stories & what being a Cubs fan means to so many people.

by Basman on Sep 17, 2007 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions

No matter where you go...

the magical feel of the Cubs at Wrigley follows. That is why the Cubs are the best team in all of baseball (whether they play well or stink up the joint) in the best ballpark in the world. It's all about the Wrigley magic.

Best seats EVER at Wrigley? Bleacher seats, no doubt about it. It just sucks that the Tribune knows that and exploits it to make a lot of profit from it. No matter how much they cost, whenever I'm back in Chicago and can go to a game, you'll always find me in the bleachers!

I hope that the Cubs read this story Al put up and they go out there in the last 12 games and play their hardest and best baseball of their lives. Win one tonight! If not for themselves, at least for him!!

Missing Da Cubbies from NYC!

by dacubsfan76 on Sep 17, 2007 2:51 PM CDT reply actions

For him...

... and for ALL of us.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Sep 17, 2007 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah...that too

;)~

Missing Da Cubbies from NYC!

by dacubsfan76 on Sep 17, 2007 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Calling Family

I still call my Dad and brother after big Cubs wins...

Aug 15 - Ted Lilly walked by the lineup card and said to nobody in particular "I can't believe I'm batting 9th again".

by mweil on Sep 17, 2007 2:55 PM CDT reply actions

As soon as the game's over

and I'm able to follow it, I text my sister and email my dad to tell them CUBS WIN!! CUBS WIN!!

My family is planning to get together at Wrigley next summer when the Mets come into town. I'll be coming from NYC, my sister and new brother in law (who is a MAJOR Mets fan!) will be coming in from MD, my other 2 sisters and parents will be coming up from the south side. It'll be nice to have another family day at Wrigley. I cherish those memories the most since I'm no longer in the same city as my family and my family's VERY close to teach other.

Missing Da Cubbies from NYC!

by dacubsfan76 on Sep 17, 2007 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions

great game tonight

I am sure your friend had a great time in the bleachers. I can't imagine he didn't thoroughly enjoy it :-)

That's the kind of game that makes young and new fans devoted for life and gives us "lifers" another reason to love the Cubs. This year holds an amazing array of memories no matter what happens in the next week!

fly your W flag Cubs fans!

by love the ivy on Sep 17, 2007 11:14 PM CDT reply actions