Loss of special Cubs fan strikes close to home

Like many a Chicago Cubs fan, Tom Bujnowski of Fox River Grove harbored hope his team would one day win the World Series again.

But, with that well-known near-century wait, he found a way to mark smaller successes.

You may have heard of him. He's the guy who marked Kerry Wood's 1998 20-strikeout gem against the Houston Astros with proudly made "K's" the universal, if inexplicable, marker of a strikeout in baseball.

He only had 16 signs with him but fairly easily talked other bleacher fans into baring and marking their chests for the final four strikeouts. It has been a treasured bleacher tradition, one often captured on camera.

Those who knew him and now mourn him say the ache of loss is hard to capture.

"He was definitely someone special," said friend and fellow Cubs fan Brad Hofvander, who met Tom at a Cubs game six years before his friend would be found dead on the train tracks in Fox River Grove a little more than a week ago.

"I've never met anyone like that in my life. He was almost dropped from the clouds," Brad said.

Dropped from the clouds straight into the left field bleachers at Wrigley Field, that is.

"Everyone knew him out there," Brad said. Whether on his own or sharing that love of the Cubs with a carload of kids he was taking to the game, delivering gifts to a stroke victim, coaching youngsters, teaching physical education classes, chatting with neighbors, the father of two touched many lives before his death.

Initially, Fox River Grove police at the scene had asked for the public's help to identify the man. It turned out many of their own already knew him.

"He was a very nice guy," said Police Chief Bob Polston, who quickly recognized the photo held by his officer.

Whether sharing his passion for the Cubs with game tickets, a ride, or the well-known K's which are now treasured keepsakes for many, this Cubs fan left a mark far beyond the left field bleachers. His passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes both online and in person, many noting the teacher's advice to his students: Carpe diem. Seize the day.

"I don't think I have ever met a person with such class and respect for others," Brad said. "He will truly be missed."

Oh. K.

The "K" for strikeout, by the way, supposedly comes thanks to a long-ago sportswriter who was apparently prompted by the "k" at the end of struck as in out. "S" was already used for sacrifice.

Stop by

Like fresh produce? Consider taking a ride to the Woodstock Square from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays ,where you'll find their Farmer's Market with more than 15 vendors each day.

The market's Keith Johnson tells me they have plants, soaps, candles, baked goods, cheese, beef, wine, honey, apples, dog biscuits and lots of fresh veggies.

Vendors must grow or produce their wares, and it is run by the farmers themselves. With all this rain threatening their crops, let's help them out. Take Route 47 north to Lake Street, turn left and go west to Dean Street. Turn right and you'll soon find the square. I hear they even have music -- and sometimes a wine maker with samples.

Almost!

For all of you eagerly awaiting the opening of Caputo's Fresh Market on Randall Road in Algonquin, it's almost here! General manager Chris Sychta says they hope to be open toward the end of this month. "We're excited," he said. So are we -- hurry up!