Interview Page 2

Here is the real answer to the “What is your most memorable Cubs moment?” question:

Only one would be really tough to do.  I’d have to give you the top ten, not just one.

  1. Watching as the CUBS win the World Series – first time since 1908. Date is yet to be determined… but I like this being in late October/early November 2016 a lot.  Go CUBS!
  2. Attended the CUBS vs Dodgers game in Los Angeles on April 17, 2006 with Doug Mecimore (CORT payroll consultant). Greg Maddox (Hall Of Fame 2014) was masterful pitching for the CUBS that evening in Chavez Ravine.  It was his 301st career victory – this would be what some people would refer to his Hall of Fame game when he went over the 300 career victory number as a starting pitcher in the major leagues.   Maddox would be traded to the Dodgers later on this season.
  3. Participating in the “Take me out to the ball game” tradition at Wrigley field in July 1996 with Harry Carry leading the CUBS faithful. The CUBS lost… but it was still a dream come true seeing Wrigley and the CUBS play in person for the first time. Walking out of the tunnel near home plate and seeing Wrigley with my own eyes for the first time was amazing.
  4. Winning the ‘able to purchase ticket’ lottery for when the CUBS were in the post season in October 2008. I had the tickets, plane, hotel, and the car rental reservations to see the CUBS play in the National League Championship series (not easy to do when you live in Bend, OR) on 10/10/2008.  Unfortunately, the CUBS were swept by the Dodgers in the National League Divisional Series, so it wasn’t meant to be (yet).  Side note… I didn’t win the lottery last year when the CUBS were playing in the postseason last year (I tried) to see them play at Wrigley.
  5. ( & 6.) The other two games that I’ve seen in person at Wrigley field in my lifetime. These were with my son Justin being along with me.  Eric Goldstein and Donna Durgin (from NuView) were also along for the second game.  These games were against the Milwaukie Brewers (8/27 & 8/28/2012).  Side note… I have never seen the CUBS win at home (yet) in person and I’ve never seen them lose when on the road when I’m in attendance (SF x2, LA, & St. Louis).
  7. ( & 8.)Leading the “Lets Go CUBS” cheer from behind the third base dugout at the new Busch stadium in St. Louis during the eighth inning on Friday, August 29th, 2014 when the CUBS came from behind to go on to defeat the cardinals 7-2. Yes, I did get some very strange looks from the cardinal’s faithful that were sitting around me.  There were some CUBS fans in attendance – they picked up the cheer with me.
  9. Seeing the CUBS defeat the San Francisco Giants in September 1993 in person – TWICE in two days. After the first game was over there were a couple of really good highlights/moments.  When waiting to get out of the stadium was able to see Willie McCovey (HOF 1986) along with my family – I was able to speak with him and made him laugh, which was great.  The second was being able to meet Pat Hughes from the CUBS radio broadcast team with my son Andrew along just before we left the stadium.  A very nice gentleman in person, just like he is on the radio broadcasts.  A side note on Willie McCovey – I was in attendance at Candlestick Park on July 3, 1978.  The Giants were just returning from a road trip where McCovey had hit is 500th and 501st home runs (still considered to be the HOF threshold for a home run hitter).  Watching him get introduced for his first at bat to the home crowd was amazing for an 18 year from Madras.  Game notes:  Randy Jones pitched and won for the Padres – Rollie Fingers (HOF 1992) got the save.  Other future HOFs that played in this game for San Diego:  Ozzie Smith (HOF 2002) and Dave Winfield (HOF 2001).  This was the first major league game I ever saw in person.  I attended the game as part of a group of students/advisors from Oregon Future Business Leaders of America – the group was in San Francisco for the FBLA National Leadership Conference.
  10. The first big league baseball game I ever saw in color. The NBC Peacock introduced the game in brilliant color, the grass was green, and the bricks were red. See more on this answer in the main interview page here).