Grandpa and 08-08-08

by MissouriKev on Aug 6, 2008 11:43 PM CDT Comment 31 comments

I am very excited to look ahead to this three game series against the Cardinals. I am a lifelong Cubs fan currently living in the St. Louis area. Let's hope we put the Cardinals out further out of the race by Sunday. I have tickets for Fridays game which will be my first at Wrigley this year, but it is already turning out to be one of the most special trips to Wrigley. Here is why...

Friday of course is August 8, 2008 (08-08-08). This is my grandfather's birthday, and he is turning...88 (born Aug 8, 1920). We have obtained tickets behind the visting dugout... 8 rows back and includes seat 8 (yes, that is where Grandpa will sit). I told Grandpa that he needs to have 8 beers by the 8th inning and paint a big 88 on his chest. Those things probably won't happen...what I would like to see though for sure is an 8-0 win.

Happy Birthday Grandpa! Let's hope we are watching baseball on October 8th and beyond.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Glad you still have your Grandpa around....

...perchance did he attend the “opening night” game? (08-08-88)

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Aug 6, 2008 11:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No

He did not attend on 08-08-08. But my Grandpa did attend the first OFFICIAL night game on 08-09-88. i am pretty sure they beat the Mets that night.

by MissouriKev on Aug 8, 2008 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, they did.

They won 6-4. Take a look at who got the save that night.

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

by Al on Aug 8, 2008 3:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

DP

I also like the one double play that the Cubs turned. Sandberg to Dunston to Grace. That brings back memories

by MissouriKev on Aug 8, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Enjoy!

We took my (sadly, late) mom to a Cubs game and got her “Happy 75th” on the scoreboard. The look on her face was priceless, and it’s a memory I’ll always treasure.

Here’s hoping for a win for you and him…

by MN exile on Aug 6, 2008 11:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We are going to have a message on the scoreboard also. Something about “Happy 88th Birhtday Werner”. It is supposed to come on between the top and bottom of the fifth.

by MissouriKev on Aug 8, 2008 12:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's correct...

... that’s when they put up those messages.

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

by Al on Aug 8, 2008 3:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have a great time!

And thanks for the post. My grandpa attended the 8-8-88 game and brought his 12 year old grandson (that would be me) a pennant from the game that, to this day, I treasure. I miss him and think of him often as I look at the pennant. And no, the twelve year old boy did not wish rain on the grandpa that left him behind :)

by socalicubsfan on Aug 7, 2008 12:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Awesome

I hope you and your grandfather enjoy the game.

My granddad lived to about the same age; he was 87 when he died, in 1986. He was an immigrant from Greece, but he was a diehard Cubs fan. That’s where I got it from. His surname was Pappas—yes, he and I watched Milt Pappas’ no-hitter together in 1972. I still get chills thinking about that.

When the Cubs win it all, my first stop the next day will be Evergreen Cemetery. He and I will have a lot to talk about.

by Not Bruce Froemming on Aug 7, 2008 12:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Great Story

Thanks for sharing. My grandpa was from Germany. I would love to watch the Cubs win the World Series with my Grandpa and my father. That would be one of the best days of my life.

by MissouriKev on Aug 8, 2008 12:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

what a great story!!!!! i’m recommending this

from the mouth of Uecker:

"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."

by cubsluver22 on Aug 7, 2008 1:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I did too.

Glad your grandpa is still here to enjoy this wonderful season. I’ll bet he’s got a lot of great Cub fan stories from his decades as a fan.

Drop me an email, I’ll try to stop by your seat if I can to wish him Happy Birthday.

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

by Al on Aug 7, 2008 3:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope you and grandpa enjoy the game!!

BEAT THE CARDINALS!!!!

"I guess you had some lean years, and didnt have to beat it hard" - Craig Sager

"Soriano deep to left!! THAT BALL'S GOOOONE!! A HOME RUN!! OHHH BABY!!" -Len Kasper 8/06/08

SORIANO WATCH: AVG: .299 21 HR 55 RBI

by Galvan316 on Aug 7, 2008 2:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Have good time!

You’re lucky to be able to do this with him. Maybe you can get him a Cubs jersey with his name and 88 on the back. It would be a nice memento, for him now and especially after he finally leaves here for you (which we will all only allow to happen after the Cubs win it the World Series).

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Aug 7, 2008 9:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This would be a great idea!

Send something to Len and Bob and Pat and Ron too. Maybe they will mention his big birthday. Be sure to DVR the game so you can see it later!

"That guy is a gamer." said Ron Santo of Reed Johnson on 07-25-08

by love the ivy on Aug 7, 2008 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Email

Already sent an email to Pat and Ron. Hopefully Ron wishes him a happy brithday. Unfortunately I live in St Louis. Since it is not on WGN, I will only be able to DVR the Cardinal announcers.

by MissouriKev on Aug 8, 2008 12:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uniform

That would be a great idea. I also thought about getting him a #8 Andre Dawson Jersey… never got around to it though

by MissouriKev on Aug 8, 2008 12:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You could probably find one of those today.

They sell them around the ballpark at the various souvenir stores in the area.

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

by Al on Aug 8, 2008 3:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, those are some Crazy 8s.

Have fun and Go Cubs!

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 7, 2008 9:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Crazy 8's

I’ve got this crazy idea that the number 8 is going to cause some special things. Right now my wife is 9 months pregnant and we’re trying hard to get this kid to make his appearance tomorrow, 8/8/08. It’s an all-around cool date. Plus it’s the 20th anniversary of the first night game; last WS win 1908; and now, he could share his birthday with MissouriKev’s 88-year-old grandfather. Tell him Happy Birthday and GO CUBS!

I am an American aquarium drinker...

by HoodooMan on Aug 7, 2008 10:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

that eight run third

was verrry special

by tim815 on Aug 7, 2008 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

d'oh - I'm freakin' out!

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 7, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Enjoy every second of it

that would’ve been my Grandad’s 83rd birthday, but I lost him 5 years ago.

Cherish him. Just soak up every moment.

I think it’s just his face. - dat cubfan daver

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Aug 7, 2008 3:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Have a great time at the game with your Grandpa!

Kev, I’ll be watching for you and your family! I cant wait to hear about it, and I hope to see you in Wrigleyville at the end of October to celebrate what your Grandpa and all of us have been looking forward to for a long time! Tell your whole family hi from the Colorado Cubs fans!

by rynomite23 on Aug 7, 2008 3:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hello!!

Thanks buddy. It was good to talk to you today. Say hi to the boys for me!

by MissouriKev on Aug 8, 2008 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Friday is also my wife's birthday...

and I wish your grandfather a happy birthday as well! Curiously, my wife was born on August 8, and the doctor who delivered me in 1969 was named Grossman. (Also the surname of the man who flipped the lights on at Wrigley). I guess God meant for me to be a Cubs fan!

"Why does that man drop his club before he runs? I would bring it with me." ~Stewie Griffin

by Goodie1969 on Aug 7, 2008 6:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Great post...

..My Grandfather’s passion for the Cubs is the main reason I became a Cubs fan growing up. Your post reminded me of him today and I thank you for it.

Enjoy the game and the memories!

"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08

by JB 23 on Aug 8, 2008 8:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Enjoy the game with your Grandfather

I always wanted to take my Grandfather to a game but he never wanted to go. He said he’d rather see the game on TV so he could see the replays. He was in his 80’s at the time and the game was just too fast for him to see in person.

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson

by tucsoncubsfan on Aug 8, 2008 5:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs