In thick of pennant race, some great Cubs memories

'Nice try': A mother's memory

It was 1946. Tuesday afternoon at Wrigley Field, Ladies Day. My mother and her best friend were skipping school to take advantage of free admission to see their Cubbies play. The only problem was they were only 14. Two years too young.

Without hesitation, my mom's father drove them to the ballpark. It wasn't unusual for these two sassy gals to play hooky to watch a game and he had no problem with that. (Hey, it was a different era back then.)

In an effort to make themselves appear older, Mom's friend had confiscated her older sister's makeup - lipstick, a bit of rouge and eyebrow liner.

Once at Wrigley, they swiftly painted their faces and then waited in the ticket line, palms sweating.

The hopeful crowd was bustling. Hawkers yelled, "Get your programs here." The aroma of Vienna Beef corn dogs wafted in the air. Drunks sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

They were thrilled. It was going to be a great day.

When they reached the front of the ticket booth line, Mom's friend casually said, "Two tickets for two ladies."

The guy at the ticket booth peered closely. "Hey, you're not 16."

Never one to be intimidated, Mom stepped forward, "Yes, we are."

"Prove it. What year were you born?"

Mom hesitated. Math wasn't her thing, not to mention she was lousy at thinking on her feet. She frantically searched her friend for a clue but neither one could figure out if they needed to count up or down.

"Umm ... 1935?" she stammered.

"Nice try. That'll be $1.80 each."

Mom batted her eyes to no avail so they reluctantly paid and hustled into the stadium to drown their humiliation in a box of Cracker Jack.

Sharon Extrom and Janice Extrom Sheridan

Arlington Heights

A family's first pitch to remember

In 2009, The Ricketts Family became the new owners for the Chicago Cubs upcoming season. Our family went to the 2010 Opening Day for our boys to enjoy their first Cubs game.

While watching batting practice, my husband got a tap on the shoulder from Mr. Tom Ricketts. He asked us if we'd like to throw out the first pitch as a family since Bill Murray wasn't able to attend.

From us being in the newspapers, on the news, and even an appearance on ESPN, it'll forever be a day that makes us smile, remember and forever be Cubs fans.

Tammy Sluga

Arlington Heights

Unforgettable cruise

My favorite Cubs memory is when I went on the Cubs Cruise in 1984.

I played softball with the team and got a hit. I ran into Scott Sanderson (literally) by accident while running through the ship. Ryne Sandberg sat in my chair in the lounge by mistake (my purse was hanging on it). I met Bobby Dernier's grandmother.

I went shopping with Dallas Green and Jim Frey and their wives in St. Thomas.

I have a picture of me with the team and several autographs. Wonderful trip that I will never forget.

Joy Libby

Georgia (formerly Chicago)

From Ernie to today, lifetime of memories

When my son was about 7 years old, we used to go to many Cubs games because they were much more affordable. My son was very interested in getting autographs, so we made an extra effort to get as many as we could, as it was easier to do this at that time.

I am nearly 80 years old and went to my first Cubs game in 1953, the year that Ernie Banks started his great career with the Cubs.

One game in the fall in the mid 1970s, we saw Ernie sitting in the stands not far from us. I told my son to walk over and ask him for an autograph but don't tie up too much of his time. He walked over to Ernie, asked him to sign his score card, and Ernie was so nice that he spent about 5 minutes talking to my son, looking at his score card, and telling him how nice a job he did with the card and asking him about why he was a Cub fan. What a memory for both of us. We still talk about it to this day. Ernie was a very good person and he went way out of his way to make my son happy.

Also in 2016, we were fortunate to go to Game 5 of the World Series. My son, daughter and I all went to the game together, and I cannot begin to tell you what a thrill this was. I have never been so excited in my entire life. The excitement at Wrigley was greater than any I had previously experienced. After the game when I got home and was telling to my wife about it, I actually started to cry.

Fred Gruber

Streamwood

Sharing the joy of a World Series

I was living in Orlando, Florida, in 2016, watching my Chicago Cubs beat the Dodgers to advance to the World Series, a day I never thought I would never live to see. This was my one chance to see them in the World Series and I wasn't going to miss it.

I had grown up watching and listening to the Cubs games with my dad for as long as I can remember.

I was lucky enough growing up here that I got to see several games at the park and on the rooftops - always a die-hard fan and always waiting for them to one day make it to October.

The night before Game 4 of the World Series, I purchased two tickets to the game and a plane ticket home. It cost more than my first year of college, but it was well worth it. My mom and brother picked me up at O'Hare airport and drove me home to Libertyville. My father and I had talked all week over the phone about the Cubs and how excited we were for this to be happening.

When I arrived home, I got out of the car and went into the back yard to see my dad, who was cutting the grass as he did every Saturday. He was so surprised to see me and asked what I was doing there. I told him that there was no way that our Cubs were playing in the World Series and that we weren't going to be watching it together.

He thought that was great and said we could sit in the den and watch them like old times. I said, "No, Dad, you don't understand, you and I are GOING to the game together at Wrigley. This only happens once in a lifetime, and we aren't going to miss it."

The Cubs lost game 4, and I can't even recall what the score was that game. However, I will never forget the look on my dad's face and the excitement when we got to the ballpark that night. It is a memory that I will cherish forever. I only hope the Cubbies can do it again this year.

Samantha Fleegle

Libertyville

A Cubs family's reunion to remember

Family reunions are a big deal with the Morris family. Just before Labor Day this year, the family met in Lisbon (just north of Morris). A relative named Jim discovered that our daughter, Laura, was working at Wrigley Field as an event planner. Jim came up to her and said, "Are you the person who works for the Cubs? Can I shake your hand?" Jim, a kind of quiet guy, was anything but reserved when it came to the Cubs.

One of my wife Cindy's uncles, also named Jim, has always played a significant part in Morris family reunions. Jim wore a T-shirt that had the words "Army" emblazoned on it.

He said that one of his grandsons had served in the Army and had given the shirt to him. We went on to talk with other folks, but when we next saw Jim, he had changed his T-shirt to one with the words "Chicago Cubs" emblazoned on it. He also donned a Cubs' World Series cap. Just like he was proud of his grandson who served in the military, he also was proud of Laura's work at Wrigley, as well as the Cubs' most recent fortunes.

And lastly, Ralph Morris, who was Cindy's dad, had been a Cubs fan for several decades. I found out that one way to get Ralph talking was to watch a game or two with him. Ralph unfortunately passed away before the Cubs actually won a World Series in 2016. Like many fans of Ralph's generation, he had waited a long time to see the Cubs achieve baseball stardom, always believing that things might be different "next year." He was one who never, ever, gave up hope.

Bill and Cindy Decker

Des Plaines

Team has provided joy for generations

My story is one of love and honor. The Cubs have truly brought great joy to all generations in my family. I used to take my kids as often as possible, even known for pulling them out of school here and there.

Now that they are older and off to college, it is easier to take Dad and really focus on him. He served more than 40 years in the Army reserve. I nominated my father, a retired decorated colonel, for the military salute years ago and the smile on his face says it all. Kyle Schwarber gave him a signed ball, which truly made him feel like a kid again.

Many veterans suffer from PTSD, so we had the perfect day game. Each year I try to create a special memory at Wrigley. Cubs friends have helped me give him some amazing game memories. He especially loved last year where we sat with the pink-hat guy.

There is definitely something about ballgames that makes you feel like a kid again. Making big memories is how I try and honor him, because the simple words "thank you" are not enough. He knows my passion, let's call it, for the Cubs and gave me cash for Game 5 and told me to go for it. I did get a standing room only and traveled all over Wrigley and even sat a few seconds next to John Hamm. This would not have happened without my father encouraging me.

Wrigley is truly a magical place. I am thankful for all the great memories with my family and friends. Go Cubs.

Tracy Carlson

Mundelein