CHICAGO MLB EQUIPMENT OFFERINGS
Fans attending games on either side of town this September might…just might…have an opportunity at game-worn or team-issued jerseys.
At U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox-Blue Jays game on September 10 will feature the last installment of the second season of “Win-A-Jersey Wednesdays”. Scratch-off cards are given to all fans entering the gates, and 15 fans with the proper tickets can go home with autographed jerseys, some of which are team-issued, fully tagged examples.
On the North Side, the situation is more dicey. The Cubs’ offices…so far…claim that there will be no end-of-season tent sale. For a number of years, the team has had a sale outside the park near the Addison-Sheffield corner that includes game-worn jerseys and game-used bats. Finding anything other than common names, unfortunately, is rare, as those are usually saved for the live auctions at the mid-winter Cubs Convention.
However, I digress…I’ve learned over the past several years that information given over the phone is often inaccurate. A few years ago, I called three days before the final homestand began and was assured by a team employee that there would be no sale. So, I took the bus/train to the first game, and…yep. The sale was in full swing.
If you feel moved to take the chance, however, be aware of this: a few years ago, the policy of access to the sale changed…instead of any fans being able to access the sale, only fans with game tickets were now allowed. The Cubs (of course) didn’t provide advance notice of this, and dozens of out-of-state fans were livid when they found that their trips were in vain.
FIGHTING ILLINI RELIVE BUTKUS ERA
On September 6, the Illinois college football team will wear throwback uniforms and helmets reflective of the Dick Butkus era in the mid-1960s at the Champaign-Urbana school. Game jerseys and helmets will be auctioned online at www.fightingillini.com . Also being auctioned will be team-issued, unworn jerseys of Butkus (#50) and 1920s legend Red Grange (#77).
COWBOYS SEAT PRESALE
Beginning September 5, the Dallas Cowboys will begin taking presale orders for seat pairs from soon to be retired Texas Stadium. The seats will remain intact until after the last home game of the season (including playoffs), and presold seat pairs will begin being shipped 30 to 60 days after that final game. Seats will be sold in pairs at $650/pair, including shipping. The sale can be summoned online at www.dallascowboys.com/seats .
UPSHAW TO BE HONORED
The late Gene Upshaw, Hall of Fame Oakland Raiders great and longtime NFLPA president, will be honored by all NFL teams in the 2008 regular season with a memoriam patch worn league-wide. The patch, to be worn on the jersey chests, will bear his initials (GU) and his Raiders uniform number (63).
THOME’S TRIP TO THE HALL
During an off-day last week, Jim Thome and his father travelled together to Cooperstown to give the museum his 500th home run ball, returned to him by the fan who caught it.
The Thome’s received a private tour of the Hall, including a viewing of items in storage. Both men got a chance to hold a couple of the Babe Ruth game bats the Hall owns.
OBITUARY
Dick Enderle, an 8-season NFL vet who played with Atlanta, the New York Giants, Green Bay and San Francisco from 1969-76, died in Manhattan this past Thursday. He was 60.
Cause of death has not yet been reported. He was apparently working out, and was found motionless next to an exercise machine. It does not appear that he was the victim of a criminal act.
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? MAYBE AFTER THE CUBS AND SOX FINISH UP.