Johnson ecstatic about Cubs’ win
“There are very few times in life when you think: ‘gosh, God is in this.’”
Roger Johnson said that to explain his experience while he attended Game 3 of the World Series at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Johnson, 76, of Newport Beach, has a strong connection to the Cubs. His father, Don, played second base for the Cubs in 1945, the last time the Cubs played in the World Series. Maybe Don had a hand in some of the surreal occurrences that took place that Friday, and even on Wednesday, when the Cubs won Game 7 to capture the World Series championship after 10 innings.
Roger Johnson held back tears and paused with emotion to prevent weeping when he explained his time at Wrigley Field on Friday.
His grandson, James Ferrell, became a bit irritated and anxious to enter the ballpark to catch batting practice, Roger Johnson said.
“He wanted in right away,” Johnson said. “I said, ‘James, calm down. This is going to take three or four minutes. And I waited 70 years for it. You can wait three or four minutes.’”
It was a calming and positive statement Johnson expressed. The wait was worthwhile. Ferrell caught two home run balls during batting practice and also received another ball when Ben Zobrist of the Cubs tossed him one.
In Game 7, Zobrist delivered an RBI double in the 10th inning for a 7-6 lead in the Cubs’ 8-7 victory.
Johnson was lost for words to describe his feelings about Wednesday night when the Cubs broke a championship drought of 108 years. He said he felt like a Cubs player because it was so emotional for him.
He felt joy and relief upon the final out and cheered with his family at his home.
“It was really special because my great-grandpa was on the Cubs,” Ferrell said of the Cubs winning the World Series. “It was fun to see my grandpa go through the emotions.”
Johnson said it was icing on the cake to spend Game 3 with his grandson. They had a special time there too. Johnson had with him the National League championship ring from 1945 that belonged to his father.
By amazing chance, Johnson sat next to an 85-year-old man named Al, who attended the Cubs World Series games in 1945. The man asked Johnson if his father played for the Cubs. Johnson told the man his father played second base.
The man replied, “Don Johnson,” and recited the rest of the Cubs’ lineup in 1945, Johnson said.
Johnson could only shake his head in amazement. It was a memorable experience, the type that will cause Ferrell to tell his children and grandchildren about someday in the future.
