Reflections of a Cubs Fan

The raising of the banners on Monday night made me do some thinking.

It’s funny how life works really. We just cruise through it living in the moment rarely stopping to take a moment to reflect on the things in our life. Often it takes something bad happening or something amazing happening to really make us stop and think.

For many Cubs fans that time of reflection came the night the Cubs won the World Series, but for me it all came pouring out on Monday night as I watched those beautiful banners hoisted to the sky over Wrigley Field.

There was something about seeing Ex-Cubs greats like Ryne Sandberg, Fergie Jenkins and Billy Williams taking part along side of the current Cubs stars that stirred something inside of me. I began to think about all the amazing memories I had experienced as a Cubs fan over the years.

I thought back to one of my most fond memories as a Cubs fan. It was the day I took my daughter to her first Cubs game ever. We arrived in Wrigleyville early on game day to go enjoy a nice breakfast at one of the local Restaurants in the area. If you knew me you would know that when I say early I mean somewhere around 5 hours prior to an early game at Wrigley.

As I sat in our booth waiting on my wife and daughter to exit the bathroom I noticed a woman approaching our table. There was only a few people in the diner that morning and I noticed her looking my way. As she approached the table I couldn’t help but notice the ESPN radio t-shirt she was wearing. She approached the table and asked if I was a Cubs fan by chance.

Wearing my Cubs shirt and Cubs hat I simply answered with a yes. She then asked me a question that was totally unexpected.

“Would you like to meet Ryne Sandberg?”

My response I’m sure was like that of a child who was awaiting Christmas morning and I responded with another simple response of “Of course, yes I mean yeah that would be cool” She explained that he was next door doing a radio interview and they needed a crowd to cheer and clap if I was available.

I nearly ran to the bathroom and yelled through the door for my wife and daughter to hurry up and get out. I didn’t though. I maintained my composure and waited patiently. By the time they emerged from the bathroom I had already paid our bill and had our stuff gathered up and ready to go. My wife and daughter were shocked by my excitement to meet this man that they knew nothing about. My wife responded to me “What’s the big deal exactly?” (Did I mention it’s now my ex-wife?)

Anyway I explained to her that growing up, I was Ryne Sandberg. In the back yards of the neighborhood as my friends and I played games of wiffle-ball we all became our favorite players. One of my friends was Milwaukee Brewer Paul Molitor (sometimes Robin Yount), another was Pete Rose, one chose ‘The Hawk’ Andre Dawson and of course I was Ryne Sandberg.

This was monumental in my life as a Cubs fan. We ventured over to the next building and there right in front of us as we walked through the door was my childhood hero, Ryno. We waited patiently as he completed his interview with ESPN radio and did our part to clap and cheer when they entered and exited commercial breaks. After he finished the interview the woman in the ESPN shirt walked him towards our table.

Now just to be clear I have never been star struck before, but on this day I guess you could say that is exactly what I was. I was blown away at how friendly he was as he thanked us for coming out to watch. After exchanging a few pleasantries he asked if we would like a picture. This was pre everyone has a smart phone days so I didn't actually have a camera with me. Ryno took care of that when he asked one of the people there if they had a throw away camera he could use.

Now I know what you are thinking. You're thinking what good would someone else's camera do for us. My thoughts exactly, but after the photo, he handed us the camera and told the other person that he would get them a new one. There I stood with my childhood hero who also took the time to sign my Cubs hat.

As I watched the banners raise on Monday I began to think about moments like these throughout my life. I thought about seeing the Cubs clinch the division in 2003. I thought about having a ball tossed to me from Jerome Walton. I thought about the night I took my son to his first Cubs game and he received an autographed Randy Wells ball and he and my daughter got to run the bases.

It’s funny when you stop and look back at all the memories that the Chicago Cubs have brought us through the years. Good, Bad or whatever they all etched a place inside of us and helped make us fall in love with this team. On Monday night all those memories came rushing back and I realized that win or lose there is something about this team that is more than just a World Series Championship.

I used to worry that a Championship would change the way we were as fans. That it might take away from that unbreakable bond we all developed with each other over the years. Now I know that there is so much more to this love affair we all have with the Cubs. Yeah we love this team, but I truly believe that those banners showed us all that they love us back.

I know that anyone who has never been a Cubs fan cannot understand this and probably thinks it’s crazy talk. But when I look back at that photo of Ryno, myself, my daughter and the ex wife (Ugh). I know that the smile on Ryno’s face was just as real as mine.

One more thing before I go. Sorry to the person who gave me their camera that day, but just so you know your pictures turned out really well.

Craig House is a die-hard Cubs fan. He still hasn't forgiven his parents for making his middle name Ryan instead of Ryne. Come on Mom & Dad.