RESPECT.

 Pope Leo XIV is a Chicago White Sox fan. At least they have that going for them.

The rest of the rational thinking people in the Chicagoland area are sure of a few other things. They’re sure that they will one day be called on to conquer Bozo’s Grand Prize Game and they prepare for that moment accordingly. Chicagoans also are sure that they can count on quality carpet and flooring installation with the press of a few easy to remember numbers. “588-2300 EMPIRE” Real Chicagoans are sure that the Cubs are the best baseball team in the city. If you sang the jingle along with me, then you have no doubt spent a part of your life in the 1980’s on WGN-TV channel 9 and if that’s the case than hopefully for your soul, you’re a Cubs fan like me and the rest of the Free World.  

We recently returned from a family reunion, a wonderful gathering of the descendants of Earl and Ellen Fox. The Fox family proudly claims the Chicago Cubs as the ball team that most embodies our family’s sprit and attitude. The loveable Cubbies are ours because Grandma Fox said so. There are a few exceptions to the rule of course – the Black Sheep- like that shyster lawyer cousin of mine that pledges his allegiance to the St. Louis Cardinals. Nonetheless, most of us bleed classic red, white, and blue.

The Chicago Cubs of the 1980’s are my true sports heroes. Guys like Ron Cey and Mark Grace. Rick Sutcliffe, Lee Smith and Jody Davis, Andre Dawson, Gary Matthews and Leon Durham…those are my guys but man that middle infield with Shawon Dunston at shortstop and Ryne Sandberg at second…. I wanted to be them. To me, the Hawk, Penguin and Ryno could do no wrong.

It’s on record and common knowledge that the most revered athletes in Chicago are Michael Jordan (1), Walter Payton (2) and Ryne Sandberg (3). Ryno was the best in the business, a guy that played the game the right way. He was a perennial leadoff/top of the order man with exceptional power for a second baseman. As a matter of fact, when he retired, he was the leader in career homeruns at 2^nd. On the basepaths he was a threat to steal and always situationally aware, but it was his 9-time golden glove that most remember him for. #23 played the game the right way and in his own Hall of Fame speech he said that was because of one word, “Respect”. Ryne Sandberg had earned the respect of every teammate, every opponent and every true baseball fan because of his attitude, hustle, and effort.

With his passing this week, baseball enthusiasts remember him for his love of and commitment to the game. Ladies in their 50’s have a tear in their eye and an ache in the hearts because Sandberg was their first true crush. I long for those days of my youth and one more call from Harry Caray and Steve Stone as  Ryno and Dunston turn a 6-4-3 double play or Sandberg delivers another clutch hit in the bottom of the ninth to hear Caray call – “Cubs Win. Cubs Win. Holy Cow….the Cubs win.”

I miss Grandma Fox.

 

“Go Cubs Go’oo… Go Cubs Go’ooo…

Hey Chicago whaddya say….the Cubs are gonna win today!”