George H. McCaskey displays on umpiring Savannah Bananas video games at Wrigley Field

Even with a rule e-book, there isn’t any telling what is going to find yourself occurring throughout a Bananas recreation. The most stunning factor McCaskey witnessed was a participant hitting the ball whereas on stilts. Players carried out their typical choreographed dance routines, on-field acrobatics and random bits of leisure. Cubs alumni David Ross, Kerry Wood and Ben Zobrist additionally made shock appearances, which was an added bonus for McCaskey – a die-hard Cubs fan.

“Ben Zobrist got on base, and I had a chance to run over and tell him, ‘I’m a lifelong Cubs fan, thank you,'” McCaskey stated. “I didn’t get a chance to say hello to the other guys, but that World Series championship in 2016, he was the hero, of course. I had told [Cubs owner] Tom Ricketts once, ‘Just once during my lifetime. That’s all I’m asking for.'”

While on the sector for 3 consecutive days, McCaskey took a number of journeys down reminiscence lane, recalling a few of his favourite moments at Wrigley Field. From watching Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers, two of the best gamers in NFL historical past, to laughter-filled rides within the station wagon together with his household after Bears wins, to NFL championship victories, there was no scarcity of recollections to mirror on.

“The ’63 Championship game, we were all there,” McCaskey stated. “It was so dang cold, but such a great result. If I had to point to one favorite memory, of course, that would have to be it. 14-10 over the Giants. December 29th, 1963. Defense had five interceptions. Great game, great team and Papa Bear’s last championship.”