Alan was born and raised in Illinois. He grew up just outside of Chicago (it's my kind of town... totally) and is a HUGE Cubs fan. One of his all time favorite cubbies and the man whom our son is named after is hall of famer, Ryne Sandberg. On my first trip to Chicago we actually got to meet Ryne Sandberg at Harry Caray's... great guy and not bad looking either. ;)
Sandberg is managing the Tennesse Smokies (a Cubs minor league team) and we knew he would be coming to B'ham to play the Barons (White Sox). Alan knows the general manager for the Barons, so we were able to get in the stadium before the rest of the crowd and were the first to get autographs and pictures. It was hot. We were hungry. Had to wait almost an hour. Ryne better appreciate this some day.
It was the first time I had ever seen the stadium empty, except for the workers.
Since we had the "hook up" we went in through the executive offices and bypassed the front gates. Emma Kate's onesie said "It's not my diaper that stinks... it's the white sox!". Such a smack talker! I wheeled her quickly through so I don't think anyone noticed, but Alan and I laughed about it anyway.
So we get down to the dugout and wait... ok, so far so good.
and we wait...
and wait...
and just about the time we think we can't wait anymore...
Sandberg shows up! Thank you, Lord.
He signed a baseball card.
He signed a ball.
I got a great picture.
Now let's eat and watch some ball!
I even got a picture with both Sandberg and Ryne in it!!! ;)
