Many not in-tune with just how long 108 years is in the sports world, can refer to the ineffable joy of Cubs fans finally released Thursday morning after being bottled up for generations. One story epitomizes what exactly this win means for Chicago fans, even those who aren’t even still walking this Earth.
Wayne Williams got in his car Wednesday and drove back home from North Carolina to Indiana to keep a decades-old promise to his late father.
Via Channel 13 WTHR News –
“The gate was open,” he says as he drives in.
He’s not at the ballpark. He’s watching it with his dad.
“Got a W flag. Not supposed to fly until after the actual win,” Williams said, going over his supplies.
His dad, also named Wayne Williams, was waiting for him.
“I talked it out with my boys forever. I let them know that I told my dad – we had a pact. When the Cubs – not if, when – the Cubs got into the World Series, we would make sure we listen to the games together,” Williams said.
Look, dad, here’s your son, keeping his part of the bargain.
Williams set up camp in the military section of Greenwood Forest Lawn Cemetery after an all-day drive from North Carolina.
His dad died at age 53 in 1980. A Navy veteran.
“World War II, he was a signalman,” Williams said. “He was at Normandy, D-Day +8. He had not turned 18 yet.”
It may have been the Navy that made his dad a Cubs fan.
“I think it was because when he was at boot camp at Great Lakes. He probably went to some games, because Wrigley’s brought the guys out there for these things and it was the closest thing to big-time baseball he’d ever seen,” Williams said.
His dad was a loyal Cubs fan.
“’69 broke his heart,” he said. “If he hadn’t been dead in (1984), that would’ve done it for him.
“I’ll never forget one day he said, start of the season, I forget what year it was, ‘This is going to be our year. This is going to be our year. We’re going to be 500.'”
We asked Wayne if he thinks big Wayne is up there following the game with him.
“Knowing him, no. He was a hell raiser, baby. He was a hell raiser,” Williams said.
Enjoying a little heaven tonight.
