It’s August. The 2023 Chicago Cubs have a shot at the playoffs, and my granddaughters have become avid fans.
Life is good.
Baseball. “The greatest game in the world,” according to the significant prophet, Harry Caray.
I’ve written about my love of the Cubs before, but really, can you write about it too much?
My passion for the game probably began when I was three years old. I was a late talker. My first word was probably “Cubs,” but who can remember? My mom loved the Cubs. One of my happiest memories as a kid was going to Wrigley Field with her to watch the Cubs playing the Brooklyn Dodgers from the grandstand. They had Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella. We would usually go on Ladies Day–admission 25 cents.
The Cubs were always terrible, but I didn’t care as long as they won occasionally. It was preparation for the used machinery business–the occasional failure but having the resilience to keep playing.
My kids caught the Cubs infection, except for my middle son. I think he regrets it a little now.
For my daughter, Sarah, I think being a Cubs fan may not have been a requirement for a mate, but it didn’t hurt. Yes, she married a Cubs fan, and they landed World Series tickets and flew to Chicago for a game. And now my two younger granddaughters have the faith. We watched the Cubs games together last week in California on the MLB Network.
There are few sweeter joys than jumping up and all screaming together when a Cubs hitter smacks a home run to take the lead. It’s sharing on the most basic level. When my daughter and her husband join the screaming–Pure Joy.
A couple of days ago, my granddaughters called me at home. They wanted me to watch the game with them on TV. Long-distance rooting. How sweet it is.
One of my unspoken goals has been to be able to connect with my grandchildren in a meaningful way. They love to sing and dance, but I always forget the lyrics.
They don’t want to talk politics or business. But to my amazement, they want to share the Cubs. They want to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” in the seventh inning. They want to chant “Go Cubs Go” together after a victory. They have joined the Tribe.
It probably sounds a little crazy for people who don’t wear their Cubs hats proudly, but this is fulfilling to me. We can share a simple pleasure without thinking. It’s not intellectual. It isn’t a Tik Tok video. There are no demands. No expectations. They just want to connect with their “Baboo” and share the Chicago Cubs.
BASEBALL. The greatest game in the world when you share it.
Questions:
What sports or interests do you share with your kids, or did you share with your parents?
How have you ushered children and grandchildren into your tribe?
