Looking the part: Catching obscure jerseys around Wrigley
Sometimes they're right in front of you.
Sometimes you have to chase them all the way around the ballpark.
In almost all cases, the quest is worth it.
It's the “Cubs jersey seen today” game, a bit of silly whimsy I started on Twitter a few years ago. The object is to find jerseys of obscure, forgotten or non-star Cubs players and those of greats and not-so-greats from visiting teams.
Initially, I would simply tweet “Cubs jersey seen today” and tell followers I had seen a Ryan Theriot or a Matt Mieske jersey. Soon afterward, I decided to add photos of the jerseys. Showing is always better than telling.
Ever since, the game has taken on a life of its own, and Twitter followers and Facebook friends seem to get a kick out it.
Now, it's become a challenge for me: Find the most interesting jerseys I can every day. Some days I strike out. Some days I strike gold.
The workday goes like this: I arrive at the ballpark about five hours before gametime and do my pregame research before the Cubs open the clubhouse to the media 3½ hours before first pitch. We talk with a few players and then meet with manager Joe Maddon before batting practice.
Once done with that, I grab my cellphone and roam the stands, starting from under the press box and often heading out to the bleachers and circling the ballpark.
One day recently, I saw a guy wearing a “FONTENOT 17.” Mike Fontenot was a diminutive infielder who played for the Cubs a decade ago. Then-manager Lou Piniella took a liking to Fontenot after he got a couple big hits. Lou could just as quickly sour on a guy after an 0-for-4 day.
The problem for me was that I saw the Fontenot jersey from afar and had to chase the guy most of the way around the lower deck before I could catch him and grab a photo.
It just so happens that later that day, I saw a blue, pinstriped jersey with “KINGMAN 10.” on the back, for Dave Kingman. So within the space of a few minutes, I had the long and the short of it, with the 5-foot-9 Fontenot and the 6-6 Kingman.
Another chase that paid dividends was that of a “MURTON 19” jersey. Matt Murton was an outfielder whom Piniella once called an “adorable redhead.” I'm sure Lou would adore my photo.
Dressed for success
Wrigley Field is a destination for opposing teams' fans. They also come dressed for the game.
When the Phillies were in town recently, I hit the literary jackpot by spotting a “HARPER 5” and a “LEE 33” next to one another. Talk about killing two (mocking) birds with one stone with that Harper-Lee positioning.
Also when the Phillies were in town, I spotted a “ROBERTS 36.” Hall of Famer Robin Roberts was a member of the 1950 Phillies “Whiz Kids” team. He finished his career, wearing No. 36, for the Cubs in 1966. They were hardly whizzes, finishing 59-103.
The Cincinnati Reds followed the Phils into town. In addition to spotting the jerseys of Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Barry Larkin, I caught a “NUXHALL 41.” Joe Nuxhall began his major league career in 1944 at the age of 15. He wore No. 43 in '44.
Sure, I let others play.
While the Phillies were in town, I tweeted that I'd like to see a “MORANDINI” for former Phillies and Cubs second baseman Mickey Morandini. Sure enough, a Twitter follower tweeted a Cubs “MORANDINI 12” at me the next day. I also heard from a follower who traveled to Houston last week and sent me a “RYAN 34” for Astros Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan.
Some fans let me know they're coming. One day, Father Bob Gilbert, a Catholic priest and pastor of Holy Name of Mary Church on the South Side, gave me a heads up he'd have a special jersey. Turns out the good father showed up in “BELLHORN 28,” for Mark Bellhorn, a switch hitter for the Cubs in 2002 and '03.
We'll finish with a pair of Cubs teammates from the 1984 NL East winners. Down near the dugout, I saw a “46” with no name. That was a Lee Smith jersey, actually from 1986. Around the same time, I saw a “TROUT 34,” for Steve Trout, who came to the Cubs from the White Sox.
I've been told that as long as I got Trout, I need a Tim Salmon. Maybe Monday, when Salmon's old team, the Angels, come to town.