I was in the stands for the infamous “Sandberg Game” on June 23, 1984. If you are unaware of this legendary game let me explain. The Chicago Cubs were down most of the game. Hall of Fame, Ryne Sandberg came up in the bottom of the ninth to hit a game tying home run off of Bruce Sutter that sent the crowd into frenzy. The excitement left the stadium as the Cubs found themselves down by two runs in the bottom of the tenth. Sandberg found himself up against Sutter who served up a meatball that “Ryno” hit over the left field wall.
Wrigley Field was electric. Peanuts flew and stale beer covered me…but I didn’t care. My “hero” had just answered my prayer and tied up the ball game. The Cubs went on to win the game over the arch rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals.
Of all the amazing things that Ryne Sandberg had accomplished in his career, nothing was as important than what he did for me seven days later.
While at the game the previous week, my grandfather bought me a Cubs yearbook. I remember looking through this yearbook and studied the history and players stats. As I flipped through the pages I noticed something odd in the back of the book. The book had the hotel phone numbers where the Chicago Cubs stayed when on the road. This game me an idea.
It was Saturday morning and I looked at the clock. It was before noon and the Cubs were playing in Los Angeles that night against the Dodgers. Quickly I weighed the punishment that I would get when my mom gets the phone bill for calling long distance and thought I should try anyway. Grabbing the rotary phone, I began the long process of calling Los Angeles.
Hotel Operator: “Good morning. How may I direct your call?”
10 year old me: “Ryne Sandberg’s room please.”
Hotel Operator: “One moment please.”
Wait…is she really patching me through to Ryne Sandberg’s room? For sure he won’t pick up. Oh my…what if he really picks up?
“Hello”
10 year old me: “Is this Ryno?”
Ryne Sandberg: “yeah”
10 year old me: “You don’t know me but you’re my favorite player. I was at the game last week and I couldn’t believe you hit those home runs. Amazing…….”
Then I said a bunch of stuff that I can’t remember.
Ryne Sandberg: “Glad you were there. Listen, I have to catch the bus for the ballpark. I gotta go.”
10 year old me: “Ok. Hit a home run for me tonight.”
Ryne Sandberg: “I’ll try. Gotta go, see ya.”
Then click.
I screamed and had a smile from ear to ear. He actually talked to me. It was crazy. I immediately picked up the phone and dialed my buddy, David to share what just happened. Gave him the phone number and he tried himself. David called back shortly and said they told him “Mr. Sandberg had just left for the stadium.”
Then I called my mom at work.
Big mistake.
Told her what I did and she didn’t believe me. Then I gave her the number I called and she hit the roof. Something like, “do you know how much that phone call is? You are paying it out of your allowance. You’re grounded.” I didn’t care. I just spoke to Ryne Sandberg.
Later that night, the Cubs were playing the Dodgers in L.A. and I was banished to bed early. My mother sat and watched the game as I tried to listen to Harry Caray. Then my mom burst through my bedroom door and yells, “Jeff, Ryne Sandberg just hit a home run and he pointed to the camera.”
I threw the covers off of me and started jumping on the bed screaming. Happiness overtook and I could hardly sleep.
As I prepared for this post I went back and reviewed old box scores of both games, June 23 and June 30th. The “Sandberg Game” happened just the way I remembered it. However, the June 30th game didn’t. Ryno had a great game that night going 4 for 5. But no home run. When I confronted my mother with the story and how I remembered it, she said
“Yes, I remember grounding you but I don’t remember the home run.”
I replied that “it did happen and you lied to me. All these years I thought he hit a home run for me.”
“Oops…so I did.” She did it to make feel great and I appreciate that.
That is one of my most cherished memories as a child. 10 years old and talking with my boyhood hero. When I reflect on this I wonder if Ryno would remember…geez, it’s almost 40 years ago. If he happens to read this, give me a call….let’s catch up!
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