A thank-you to two sports legends

I have been a long time reader of the Daily Herald and I always read the opinion page. On Dec. 28, you had your favorite letters of 2015. My first thought was, "I sure hope they picked Don Klemp's letter about Ernie Banks," and sure enough, there it was!

I read the articles by your sports writers regarding Ernie Banks as Mr. Cub both on and off the field. His positive attitude on a daily basis for the game of baseball was both impressive and enduring.

I watched Ernie Banks play when I was a kid, but what I didn't realize was that he played each day knowing the coach was just waiting for him to fail.

Though known as a shortstop, Banks actually played fewer games there (1,125) than at first base (1,259). He also played 69 games at third base and 23 in left field. By moving him to different positions the coach was hoping he would fail somewhere.

When he passed away, it really brought a tear to my eye. Then, Don wrote his short but sweet letter that again brought a tear to my eye.

What Don does not know is that I grew up in Rolling Meadows watching my brothers play baseball and Mr. Klemp umpired many of those games. In fact, Mr. Klemp was an umpire for so many years and so many games that Rolling Meadows finally named the baseball field "Klemp Field."

So, after all these years from a once-young girl who sat in the bleachers watching Mr. Klemp umpire, we have come full circle. Both Ernie Banks and Don Klemp have touched the heart of this now 56-year-old-woman and Cub fan with their love for the game. Thanks Don!

Cindy Pettersen Vogel

Island Lake