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Hottest tickets in town
Cubs fans braved bad weather Saturday to stand in line for what has become the hottest ticket in town - a ticket to the upcoming Cubs caravan.
Willie Mangrum of Freeport was first in line, and one of more than 100 people who gathered at the Lincoln Mall early Saturday.
The caravan, which aims to raise money for Little Cubs Field, will be held Jan. 16 at the Masonic Temple. Denny Garkey, the creator of Little Cubs Field, wasn't surprised by the turnout.
"They were happy they were going to get tickets. I knew there would be a good response," Garkey said.
Maybe Mangrum expected that response. He opted to be safe rather than sorry, arriving at 1 a.m.
"I just felt I needed to get there early enough to get a ticket," said Mangrum, who added that he's been a Cubs fan, "as long as I can remember."
The caravan will feature manager Lou Piniella, left-handed pitcher Rich Hill, right-handed pitcher Kevin Hart, and first base coach Matt Sinatro, right-handed pitcher Carlos Marmol, and second baseman Ryan Theriot.
Right-handed pitcher and minor league prospect Jeff Samardzija and Cubs broadcasters Bob Brenly and Len Kasper are also expected to attend the caravan.
Jeff Williams, Kent Bank President and Little Cubs Field board member, was happy with the turnout.
"(There are) a lot of smiles on a lot of faces," Williams said.
Selling Tickets
Longtime Cubs fan Bobbie Yount helped sell tickets to the event. Yount has been part of Harry Caray's crew for more than 40 years, thanks to her husband, Gene. She described him enjoying a televised game. After muting the TV, Gene would listen to the late Cubs announcer and Caray predecessor Jack Brickhouse on the radio.
He'd get to enjoy some face time with Cubs fixtures. Gene has met the Cubs' first African-American player, Ernie Banks, and former third baseman Ron Santo. Their daughter, Buffy, also adored the Cubs. But she liked one in particular, former second baseman Ryne Sandberg. Bobbie noted jokingly that it bordered on obsession.
"I thought we were going to lose her a couple of times," she said.
Bobbie also shared one wish.
"I'm just praying we get to the (World Series) before (Gene) passes away," she said.
Great Opportunity
Dan Strohecker of Lanark, who said he's been a fan "forever," left with four tickets. Strohecker had hoped to see second baseman Mark DeRosa. But he already knew that wish might not come true.
"I don't think he'll be here," Strohecker said.
Despite that minor disappointment, he's still anticipating the event.
"It should be quite the experience. You don't get a lot of opportunities to do that," Strohecker said.
James Willis of Belvidere is a fan who recalls players like Frankie Baumholtz and Hank Sauer.
"I go back a long way," Willis said.
Initially, he wasn't anxious to meet any particular player. But Willis later said he'd like to see Hill. Willis said the player reminded him of someone.
"I think Hill is going to be another Ken Holtzman," he said.
Holtzman was a left-handed pitcher who played for the Cubs for nine seasons. Willis said Hill's pitching style and technique is reminiscent of Holtzman's.
Joe Garrow is another veteran Cub fan, following the team for 65 years.
Garrow still has his first game stub from a 1942 face-off between the Cubs and Brooklyn Dodgers. He noted beer only cost 15 or 20 cents then. Garrow, his 12-year-old grandson, Cole, and friend will attend the fan event, he said.
"I think (Cole will) enjoy it," Garrow said.
But he noted Cole-who lives in Janesville, Wis.-has divided loyalties. Garrow described as being half-Brewer and half-Cubs.
"I got him conned into the Cubs," he said.
See more at www.journalstandard.com
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