What a great story of Chicago Cubs fan Wayne Williams, who promised his dad before his death that if, or when, the Cubs made the World Series they would be sure to watch or listen to the games together. They promised each other that regardless of where they were they would get together for the event.
His father was a World War II veteran who fought in the invasion of Normandy. His son feels like the Navy made his father the Cubs fan that he was. The Navy’s basic training takes place just north of Chicago at the Naval Station Great Lakes. He doesn’t know for sure, but is quite confident that during his time there the troops were brought to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs. His son is speculating that this made him a lifetime fan.
For Game 7 of the World Series Wayne made the trek from his home in North Carolina to his father’s gravesite in Greenwood, Indiana. With his radio in hand and sitting at his father’s gravesite they listened to the game and enjoyed the World Series championship that had eluded the Cubs for many years. This is one of the many great stories of avid Cubs fans all over the world. This one had to be extra special for Wayne since the Cubs had not won a World Series in 108 years. One thing Wayne can say is that he did not break his promise that he made to his father before his passing.
If you would like to watch the video of Wayne at his father’s gravesite go to the following link. http://launch.newsinc.com/share.html?trackingGroup=90108&siteSection=gatehouse&videoId=31594024
By Dr. Bret Simmermacher
Dr. Simmermacher is the Chair of Sports Coaching at the United States Sports Academy, and can be reached at bsimmer@ussa.edu