by Mark Jent
Simply walking into a ballpark gets me excited. Whether it’s a random game in August or a World Series game in October – the lush green grass, the crack of the bat, the buzz of the crowd, the smells from the concession stand. All of it gets me no matter the importance or irrelevance of the game.
Whenever I walk through the gates and around the concourse I always keep my eyes open for whoever I might see – a vintage jersey, a face-painted fan, a kid who has just caught a ball in batting practice, etc…While scanning the crowd and passer-bys I also look for familiar faces, whether that be a friend or someone more recognizable like a former player or a media personality.
I’ve spotted numerous folks like this over the years.
- TV show host Larry King leaving his seat for the exits in 2009.
- Brooklyn Dodger Carl Erskine in Cincinnati in 2013 walking towards me with a big basket of nachos, wearing his Dodgers Alumni polo.
- Cy Young award winner and Cubs legend Rick Sutcliffe taking in a game with his grandson in 2022.
- Detroit Lions quarterback and current sports personality Rodney Peete at Dodger Stadium earlier this season.
- Three of the last four Dodger owners all on separate occasions over the years – Peter O’Malley, Frank McCourt and Mark Walter.
Another memorable encounter took place on April 12, 2017 at Wrigley Field. Fresh off their 2016 World Series title, it was already set to be a historic night as it was the long-awaited Cubs Ring Ceremony Night at the friendly confines. A group of five of us drove up from Nashville to catch a couple of games between the Dodgers-Cubs. Since they gave out “championship watches” when the team last won it all in 1908 it was set to be the first time in franchise history that the Cubs would be receiving rings.
We drove 500 miles and arrived shortly after the gates opened. We entered through the main entrance of Wrigley and walked up the stairs behind home plate. When we reached the top step and looked out at the field, it was obvious that this was more than just a ballgame – it was going to be a special celebration unlike anything that this old ballpark had ever seen. For Rob, Tommy and Patrick it was their first time to enter this iconic grand cathedral. For me and my brother, it was our first time back together since our parents took us in 1988.
The Cubs aren’t my team, but as a fan of the game I deeply appreciated what they had accomplished and that the 108 year drought was over. Like many baseball fans I will always remember watching that Game 7 on a rainy Wednesday night in Cleveland when Kris Bryant caught a grounder, threw it across the diamond to Anthony Rizzo to break the greatest curse that sports had ever known.
As we took in the electric atmosphere surrounding us, we took a left down the third base line, just savouring the moment of what was going to be an unforgettable night. Then I spotted him, walking straight towards us was Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg. It had been over 20 years since he played 2B for the Cubbies, but he was as recognizable then as he was when he was hitting dingers onto Waveland and doubles off the ivy during his prime. Having never met a stranger and without giving it a second thought, I approached him.
“Ryno can we get a picture?” I said.
“Sure, that’s fine,” he said.
We had only been in Wrigley for less than 2 minutes and here I am snapping a selfie with a baseball Hall of Famer. The walkway was crowded, so there was not a lot of room to maneuver. I needed to act quickly before he walked away or others interrupted our moment.
“Guys hurry, lean in, we’re getting a picture with Ryne Sandberg,” I said.
I didn’t have time to even let everyone get properly in the picture, which to me makes this photograph even better – Tommy barely leaned in over his shoulder, while only half of Patrick’s face is peaking around the other. Jason can’t believe this is happening so he’s in the midst of talking. Rob, a Cardinals fan, is squarely in the middle and a random guy on the far right seems to be in disbelief as well waiting on his turn.
He was so kind and accommodating, which as I’ve heard and read in recent weeks was the epitome of who he was.
Our encounter was over in a matter of seconds.
“Welcome to Wrigley Field fellas,” I said. They all stood there wondering how that just happened and how I knew it was him. “He’s Ryne Sandberg. We’re at Wrigley Field. Do you know how many games I watched on WGN growing up?”
Growing up as a kid in the 80’s we got cable once we could afford it. With our cable package came all the Cubs games on WGN and all the Braves games on TBS. (My mom tells me now that this is the primary reason we got it, to watch baseball.) This is why there are countless Gen Y baseball fans around the country who claim Dale Murphy and Ryne Sandberg as their baseball icons from childhood.
My early years of watching baseball consisted of summer afternoons in a lazy-boy with a cup of Kool-Aid, an Oatmeal Creme Pie and being affixed to WGN. With Harry Caray on the broadcast you never knew what he would say next. With Andre Dawson’s bat wiggle at the plate, he was always a threat to go deep. And a grounder to shortstop meant a Dunston to Sandberg to Grace double play was forthcoming.
Ryne Sandberg passed away last month on July 28th at the age of 65 after a battle with prostate cancer. And with his death a bit of my baseball childhood passed away too. Although he left us way too young, his life and career will forever be immortalized with his statue at Wrigley Field and his bronze plaque in the gallery in Cooperstown at the Baseball Hall of Fame.
I am fortunate to have a lot of friends who are Cubs fans. If I were to start naming them all I would inevitably leave someone out, but there is one person who’s fandom for the Chicago Cubs stands heads and shoulders above all others when it comes to my circle of baseball friends. His name is Drew Bingham. We grew up as neighbors in the small town of Lewisburg, Tennessee. Our parents have known each other dating back to their days as young adults and their friendship has lasted for nearly 60 years now. Drew’s love of the Cubs rivals my love of the Dodgers.
During the dog days of COVID Drew turned 40. Andrew Buzan and I decided to surprise him with something special – a birthday message from his all-time favorite player, Ryne Sandberg. We gladly paid the fee to Cameo to make our idea become a reality. Just like he crushed 282 home runs in his career, Ryano could also crush a 40th happy birthday video! With Drew’s permission, I posted it to YouTube. Drew’s reaction was priceless. I end this story with a link to the video so you can hear the voice of Ryano wishing my biggest Cubs fan friend a happy birthday.
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