Full Court Press

Craziest Cub fan I ever saw was Mr. Ronnie Woo Woo Wickers. Before they got his grill fixed. He was such a great fan, they did a special on him.

Ron Santo is the most loyal Cub fan ever. He has more unabashed love and enthusiasm for them than anyone. His fervent contempt of the Mets, even after 38 years, is an inspiration to all of us who remember that "best of times, worst of times" season.

Roman responds: Thanks, but let's keep famous people out of this. Let's keep it to people you know.

I would have to say the craziest cubs fan I ever knew was my best friend and next door neighbors older brother Jeff Rosenblum.

Back in the late 80's they went to prom and stayed out all night, and and the next day they ditched their dates and went to the cubs game instead...still wearing their tuxedo's and they actually walked down to the field and walked out past security...onto the field....with the lady who sang the national anthem....as her back up singers. No sleep, same clothes, they had pictures!!

To this day, the story is still Legendary!

Roman responds: Good post, keep those coming.

Okay, well in that case, not to toot my own bugle, but I am the craziest, most loyal Cub fan I know. I used to ditch work several times during the season to go to Opening Day, the last home game of the season and other selected games. Every Cub Convention saw my shadow. In 1984 and 1989, while at work, I used to listen to games on my transistor radio and ran the little earpiece cord under my shirt so my supervisor wouldn't know. I finally got fed up with driving from the western suburbs to the games so I quit my job and moved to Wrigleyville for several years, becoming a weekend/holiday season-ticket holder and sitting in the bleachers attending most of the weekday games as well. There are about 12 Cub jackets, 45 Cub t-shirts and 15 Cub hats in my closet. A few years ago, circumstances dictated that I move next door to Indiana, but one whole room of my new home and my basement are devoted to housing Cubs memorabilia and pennants.

Roman responds: Good post!

I am the worst Cubs fan ever....I can't say I have always been a cubs fan---because of the sweet memories of Ralph Garr,Chet Lemon and Claudell Washington...then theres Steve Trout's personal Autograph on his 1978 card. However..since 1979...when I went to see the Cubs play the Montreal Expos with My Grandmother (who has ben a fan for 80 something years-and I have to hear about it all the time),and saw Dave Kingman hit a homer while chowing down on John's frozen pizza(Remember it!!!!-they actually served it there--or at least tasted just like it.), I have been a Cub's fan. However that is the only Cubs game I have ever been to because I have been trying to keep that moment with my Grandmother special. I have been to many Sox Games on the company's dollar. That alone makes me the worst die-hard cub's fan ever. Oh,and I also sold my personalized 'CUBBUB' Wisconsin plate to a Sox fan so I could buy part of my wifes engaement ring( a thousand smakeroos helped me upgrade it), so they could destroy it..........that's what you get when you hang around with Southsiders. I am just a bad all-around fan. Go Bears!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never cheated on you!! ------Well there was the Cowboys before I discovered Walter..........................................................................

My cousin little Cletus once spent one whole weekend just walking circles around and around wrigley field. Never did find his ticket.

Once upon a time, I was that boy.

Back in '69 I went to every home game during summer vacation. Kids were given free grandstand passes to the next game if they helped sweep the aisles. For less than an hours work, we considered ourselves to be well compensated.

That season was the last time I ever rooted for the Cubs.

Many years later, in an email to Norman Chad, I asked, "If the Cubs were in the World Series leading three games to none against ... let's say the Yankees, and they were up by a score of ten / zip in the eighth inning of game four, how much money should I place on New York to win the series?"

This question, along with my willingness to back it up with actual coin of the realm should indicate the utter hopelessness that lies ahead for the Great Unwashed who worship at the ivy covered shrine on Clark and Addison.

As a gullible young lad back in 1969, I too bought into the possibility that, "This is the year" only to have my hopes and dreams crushed under the weight of a total collapse; the likes of which hadn't been seen since the fall of the Roman Empire. I swore to the Gods that I would never subject myself to such heartbreak again.

At that precise moment in time I came to this simple conclusion: It doesn't make any difference who's in the starting line-up, who's on the pitching staff, or who's coaching the team, because in the final analysis they're Cubs, and are therefore doomed to failure.

It was a revelation. An epiphany. A life changing experience.

I was freed from the annual torment of hope and inevitable despair that is a Cubs fan's lot in life. The vicious cycle had finally been broken.

In 1984 after the Cubs had swept the Padres at home I watched the final three games of the series in the company die hard friends who had yet to see the light. Sitting at the bar, listening to their anguished screams and watching as the tears streamed down their faces, I was unmoved and not the least bit surprised.

Someone asked, "Can you believe that? How can you just sit there in peaceful silence? Say something!"

"They're Cubs”.

An almost identical scene was repeated in 2003. The faces in the bar had changed, (the previous group having drank themselves to death during the 90's) but it was deja vu all over again.

Like lemmings drawn to a cliff, they bellied up to the bar.

Someone screamed, "We're on our way!"

I replied under my breath, "No you're not."

Another one of the believers said, "That's ridiculous. We’re up three games to one. How can you say such a thing?"

As I settled back to watch the ensuing carnage I casually replied, “They’re Cubs.”.

I asked around yesterday, and unfortunately the only story I have is a bad one. A work acquaintance of my hubby's (a Sox fan) went to the Cubs/Sox series at Wrigley this year. After one of the games, he was walking down Clark St. in his Sox jersey and a drunk Cubs fan reached out though a bar window and punched him in the face. Broke his nose. Because he didn't like his shirt. I don't remember who it was (a poster) that mentioned he laughs every time he sees someone wearing a Wrigley Field shirt, but I'll always remember that. I actually saw one the other day that said "Wrigley Field Drinking Team." Now THAT would warrant a punch in the nose!

I know this isn't the type of thing you were asking for Roman, but it was all I had. I suppose you could consider it extreme loyalty for a Cubs fans to sucker punch someone minding his own business because they didn't like his Sox jersey. Crazy too.

Wait - I got the story wrong - the guy in the Sox jersey was in a cab and the Cubs fan was walking by and reached into the open window and broke his nose. The cab was on Clark, so I got that part right.

Given the Cubs' predilection for consistently falling flat after great expectations, all of us who have stuck with them in spite of the last hundred years or so have to be crazy. I often ask myself why and still haven't figured out an answer. Masochism? I think I'd pick that older woman WGN always shows singing along on the seventh inning stretch song. She must have a season ticket and camps out there in the winter. Maybe she could star in a film entitled "Homeless in Wrigley."

Julie sez: "Wait - I got the story wrong - the guy in the Sox jersey was in a cab and the Cubs fan was walking by and reached into the open window and broke his nose. The cab was on Clark, so I got that part right."

No, no, no ...

A. J. Pierzynski was in a horse drawn carriage, on his way "home". (he was wearing a Jim Thome jersey)

Suddenly, Michael Barrett came out of nowhere and sucker punched the horse.

A street clearing brawl ensued.

I'll never drink mai-tais again. I was sitting behind home plate with some family of "Leggo" Mike Gallego who was coaching 3rd for the Rockies at the time two years back, staring down at my mai-tai as I gulped it. Mark Prior was on the mound. I then heard two distinct cracks of the bat, one right after the other. I looked up, a little startled because it sounded so unnatural, and Prior was writhing in pain on the ground. He has never been the same since.

So I've given up a very tasty drink for the Cubs. Mai-Tais are bad luck.

Ronnie Woo is at the head of loyalty. In second place are the thousands and thousands who follow that team, no matter what, for reasons that go beyond loyalty or out of motivation not necessarily related to loyalty.

Google has over one million entries on Ronnie Woo but only 150,000 on Ronnie Cedeño. Whatever became of that Wrigley Field fixture?

I spent the summer (and all my allowance) in the Wrigley bleachers in 1969. I was 13 and heartbroken. All my loyalty went for naught and I didn't pay any attention to baseball for a few years.I eventually married a White Sox fan. he took me to Cominsky and it was such fun to watch a game and not have the angst and emotional baggage of being a Cub fan hanging over my head that I became a fan of the Sox.
We still took our kids to Wrigley and enjoyed it but the attachment to the team just went away. Sorry this isn't a "love letter" to the team.
By the way, that Ronnie WooWoo guy shows up at U.S. Cellular field ALL THE TIME! In his Cubs uniform! Would someone please stop giving that bum free tickets?

My whole family is the craziest. My brothers name is Ryne after Ryne Sandberg. I played 2nd base from little league to college because of Ryne Sandberg. Even had a Ryne Sandberg glove. Cubs posters in the basement. I have cubs hats, t-shirts, and Jerseys. I took off of work to watch the post season in 2003. I currently live in Green Bay, WI. Took of work when the cheifs were in Appleton just to get Ryne Sandbergs autograph. I even converted my girlfriend from a Braves fan to a Cubs fan.

i have been a cubs fan since the 80's. (born in 74) in elementary school i developed my first crush: Ryne Sandberg! xoxo And that was the beginning of many heart breaks.. i'm sure all cubs fans can attest to. i will always adore the Cubs. No matter "who's in the starting line-up, who's on the pitching staff, or who's coaching the team, because in the final analysis they're Cubs" to quote the comment above. I watched the HBO decumentary and cried for a week. But I listen to Ron Santo every game and still get amped when they win and bummed when they lose. When the Cubbies do win it all, which I believe will be very soon, I will be proud to say I was CUBS FAN all along!!

did i mention i'm a south-sider?

Well, there's this movement currently underway to buy the Cubs for the fans.. maybe you've heard of it? Home base is the website 4fanssake.com. I'm a Cubs fan working with Eric Majeski on this push, and of course I think he's the craziest, most dedicated Cubs fan. The man is putting up his own money to make other fans aware of his goal and help them feel a connection to the team again. I think the post from "Victor" sums up the feeling of many fans, and Eric just wants to make sure people feel unity with their team again. That he's putting time and energy and effort into this might be crazy, but he's doing that instead of just complaining about how bad things are.

My brother and I call each other quite frequently, and we talk a lot about the Cubs. Well, at least we used to. When the Cubs went on that really bad stretch (knock on wood) that culminated gloriously in Zambrano beating up Barret, my brother refused to answer his phone. I wasn't even really calling him to talk about the Cubs, but he was so upset about the subject that he wasn't willing to chance picking up his phone when he saw my number on it. Our relationship still really hasn't really recovered. I don't know whether this means that my brother is a big Cubs fan or if it just means he's neurotic.

Roman - Is the entire world blind? The game yesterday, August 5th, and the one on August 3rd were obviously and blatantly rigged. I'm not usually one to blame the umps, but what do you call it when they blow twenty or thirty calls, and only a few of those go our way? And when it happens for game after game, what do you call it then? The game on August 2nd was also questionable, and I didn't see the one on the 4th (which we won).

The twisting of these games to fit the umps' purposes was especially clear when watching balls and strikes. In the August 3rd game, with Zambrano pitching, the ump was calling pitches balls that went almost right down the middle, then giving the opposing pitcher the corners. The brain-dead WGN announcers noticed that Zambrano gave up a lot of walks, but never mentioned the reason why, which is not surprising as they are undoubtedly two of the dumbest announcers ever to foul a booth. The ESPN announcers were a slight improvement during the August 5th game, but they only commented on the two pitches that Cubs batters argued loudly about (both were obvious balls according to "K-zone"). The rest of the time they were too busy kissing Glavine's butt to notice that something on the field stank.

Someone needs to go through the games on August the 3rd and August the 5th, using something like K-Zone, and compose a list of bad calls that went for the Cubs, and bad calls that went for the Mets. I bet the Cubs were outscored on bad calls 24-4 in both games. The August 2nd game against Philadelphia wasn't pretty either; the score was probably more like 15-3 in that one.

Doesn't this bring up the fear that umpires are rigging games, especially after the recent NBA debacle? They may not be doing it for money, but purposely giving one team or player an advantage over another, for any reason, degrades the sport and makes it political rather than pure.

PLEASE start a blog about making umpires accountable for their calls, or at least one that talks about the umpiring in the Cubs-Mets series. If a player goes 4 for 53 with ten errors, he gets sent to the minors - why do umps get to fly under the radar, when the entire legitimacy of the game rests on their shoulders?

P.S. Ron Santo and Pat Hughes need to switch to television.

My brother and I call each other quite frequently, and we talk a lot about the Cubs. Well, at least we used to. When the Cubs went on that really bad stretch (knock on wood) that culminated gloriously in Zambrano beating up Barret, my brother refused to answer his phone. I wasn't even really calling him to talk about the Cubs, but he was so upset about the subject that he wasn't willing to chance picking up his phone when he saw my number on it. Our relationship still really hasn't really recovered. I don't know whether this means that my brother is a big Cubs fan or if it just means he's neurotic.

Roman - Is the entire world blind? The game yesterday, August 5th, and the one on August 3rd were obviously and blatantly rigged. I'm not usually one to blame the umps, but what do you call it when they blow twenty or thirty calls, and only a few of those go our way? And when it happens for game after game, what do you call it then? The game on August 2nd was also questionable, and I didn't see the one on the 4th (which we won).

The twisting of these games to fit the umps' purposes was especially clear when watching balls and strikes. In the August 3rd game, with Zambrano pitching, the ump was calling pitches balls that went almost right down the middle, then giving the opposing pitcher the corners. The brain-dead WGN announcers noticed that Zambrano gave up a lot of walks, but never mentioned the reason why, which is not surprising as they are undoubtedly two of the dumbest announcers ever to foul a booth. The ESPN announcers were a slight improvement during the August 5th game, but they only commented on the two pitches that Cubs batters argued loudly about (both were obvious balls according to "K-zone"). The rest of the time they were too busy kissing Glavine's butt to notice that something on the field stank.

Someone needs to go through the games on August the 3rd and August the 5th, using something like K-Zone, and compose a list of bad calls that went for the Cubs, and bad calls that went for the Mets. I bet the Cubs were outscored on bad calls 24-4 in both games. The August 2nd game against Philadelphia wasn't pretty either; the score was probably more like 15-3 in that one.

Doesn't this bring up the fear that umpires are rigging games, especially after the recent NBA debacle? They may not be doing it for money, but purposely giving one team or player an advantage over another, for any reason, degrades the sport and makes it political rather than pure.

PLEASE start a blog about making umpires accountable for their calls, or at least one that talks about the umpiring in the Cubs-Mets series. If a player goes 4 for 53 with ten errors, he gets sent to the minors - why do umps get to fly under the radar, when the entire legitimacy of the game rests on their shoulders?

P.S. Ron Santo and Pat Hughes need to switch to television.

Jen sez: "When the Cubbies do win it all, which I believe will be very soon, I will be proud to say I was CUBS FAN all along!!"
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My deepest, and most sincere condolences.

Cindy sez: "I spent the summer (and all my allowance) in the Wrigley bleachers in 1969. I was 13 and heartbroken."

I can relate.

I was 16, and they'll NEVER do that to me again.

They're dead to me.

Don't get me wrong; I hope they do win the World Series. And I'll be happy for them, and all of their fans.

I just won't be emotionally invested in the process.

John S, I sympathize with your attitude regarding umpires, but perhaps you overstate the case a bit. There certainly were some key calls in crucial moments that went against the Cubs. Having umpired myself and having refereed youth hockey, I have a lot of respect for the difficulty of those jobs.Mostly the players win or lose games, not the officials,but there are times in close games when a bad call is critical. Maybe the calls will even out over time, or maybe we are just a little biased in our perspective.

Don and Charlies in Scottsdale, AZ and the Pink Poney have some of the BEST CUBS MEMORABILIA EVER. These are places where the cubs hang out when they are in Spring Training. Very cool. Anyone who comes out here, and is a cubs fan or Chicago sports fan should check these places out, they are like Cubs Fan Mecca's

Cover your eyes, stick out your index finger and spin in a circle. When you stop, you will be pointing at the craziest Cubs fan ever, because they all think they're the second coming of Ronny Woo.

Paul Manter,

I understand that umpiring is a difficult job, but it's not impossible. I usually get really annoyed when people blame the umps for the Cubs losing, and a few bad calls are a part of the game.

What struck me about the two games in the Mets series (Aug.3 and 5) was the fact that calls that consistently went against us consistently went for them. The strike zone changed drastically when the Mets pitchers were on the mound as opposed to our pitchers. I think a systematic review of the game using K-zone would definitively prove this.

Now, what would you say if this review came up with similar numbers as my unofficial count? What if they came up with 24 bad calls that went in the Mets favor and 5 that went in the Cubs favor, for both games?

Because I guarantee you that that is what they would find.

I think it is a no-brainer that these types of reviews should exist, to protect the game from becoming corrupt. I hate watching the Cubs lose, but fair is fair, unless it's not, in which case baseball becomes meaningless and political, like the NBA.

Please go back (if you can) and watch the August 3rd and August 5th games again, paying close attention to the strike zone. You would not have called those games the same way, unless you had some outside motivation. Not only that, but NOBOBODY WOULD HAVE if they were trying to be fair.

It is amazing to me that after the NBA controversy, where a referee admitted to fixing games, that there is still no oversight of the actions of the officials.

If a journalist goes back and analyzes those games then that umpiring crew will have some explaining to do, and maybe we won't have to watch baseball teams win and lose at the whims of the umpires any more.

As for motivation, an umpire could stand to make tens of millions of dollars fixing games, and since it is so easy to do it without anyone noticing, why shouldn't they?

We are the craziest cubs fan....every one of us ;)

Wee Willy was finally sent packing. Why did it take so long? Now he says his shoulder has been hurting. At least Eyre,when he was pitching as bad as Willy, said he felt great and just didn't understand what was wrong.He has subsequently come back a bit but still doesn't enter into my considerations as an MVP, maybe an un-MVP. Is there anyone on the Cubs who can get a key hit these days? Lots of scoring opportunities are there ( it seems Theriot is on third with one or fewer outs every other inning ), but no runs cross the plate.

Hey,Roman, I posted that one about Wee Willy. I don't believe in anonymous postings. One should have the courage to sign his or her comments.
Okay, John S., maybe you're right. I still think dumb approaches by the Cub batters are more to blame than umpires though. One would think hitting a sacrifice fly or going to right field would not be that difficult when a runner's on third and there are fewer than two outs. these guys are supposed to be professionals. Of course the pitchers are pros too, but batters should win on occasion.

I agree with you completely Paul. Cubs hitters have definitely been playing like crap lately. Witness last night's game, when the home plate umpire definitely made more bad calls that helped us than helped Houston, and Houston's batters still managed to come through. Our batters sucked even though they had the advantage. Our guys need to stop thinking about home runs, standings, injuries, and heroism, and start paying attention to the ball. Singles win ballgames, and when everyone is thinking about extra base hits we go 0 for 20 with runners in scoring position. A single with a man on second or a bases loaded walk is equivalent to a solo home run. RBIs are all that matter; I wish this team would recognize that.

My big point is that there should be stats kept on umps. It would be pretty easy to monitor home plate umps using k-zone as comparison, and the most important stat would be consistency of the strike zone for both teams. Stats could be kept on the other umpires based on the number of obviously blown calls - close plays would be eliminated, or logged separately.

Post the stats on a publicly accessible web site, and voila, you've made it really hard for umpires to fix games. Not only that, but the umpires who are just plain bad will eventually be eliminated as it will be obvious to everyone that they aren't doing their jobs. I think that this is something that fans, as well as the good and honest umpires, would appreciate. It is long overdue.

Anyway, the Cubs need to stop playing like nervous schoolgirls and grow some friggin' balls. A team that plays not to lose will always lose. They all need to focus on the game and forget the hype.

Let's at least see some fire and some more relaxed hitting, and the wins just might start coming.

Go Cubs!

Last night's Cub game was fun to watch for a change.Good batting approaches most of the game,and Lily fought through the light air problem like a pro. He wasn't great,but the defense saved him a couple of times, and the bullpen came through. Let's hope the hitting continues and that the Cardinals and Houston don't start winning streaks. I don't mind the Brew crew winning a few more games. Better that they are second rather than those other division teams.

Iam an avid Cubs fan from South Africa.
I have been a Cubs fan for 15 years now.
I tape all Cubs games they show on ESPN.
I loved the 1998 season when the Cubs won the wild card and the awsome Homerun race between Mark Mc Gwire and Sammy Sosa.
2003 was a terrific season until game 6 of the NlCs.
I was very dissapointed when they lost.
Every year Iam optimistic.
My uncle baught me a cubs shirt when he was in America .
I wear it with pride and also my cap I got from my brother's former teacher.
I never give up on my team .
My dream is still to watch the Cubs live at Wrigley field.
The Cubs can do it!

Has anyone seen a t-shirt at Wrigley that mentions the 10 reasons I bought this shirt at Wrigley? If so can it be purchased on-line?
Thanks
Go Cubs!

Has anyone seen a T-shirt with 10 reasons I bought this at wrigley field?
Thanks