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104-Year-Old Cubs Fan Makes His Pitch

Lifelong booster longs to take the mound at Wrigley Field

By Sam Biddle, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 11, 2008 6:03 PM CDT

(Newser) – Diehard Cubs fan Leo Hildebrand is sticking diligently to his daily workout regimen, hoping he’ll be tapped to throw out the first pitch of a playoff game for his beloved team. The major difference between him and the legion of other fans who’d like to do the same, the Chicago Sun-Times reports, is that Hildebrand is 104 years old.

Hildebrand’s friends and family have been trying to help him in his quest to toe the rubber at Wrigley, but team management has so far refused: "Due to the large number of requests and suggestions, and given the limited opportunities, it's difficult to accommodate everyone," a rep says. "We have so many deserving fans—including Leo Hildebrand—but can't get to them all.”

A 104-year-old fan is hoping to deliver the first pitch of a Cubs playoff game. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, file)

A 104-year-old fan is hoping to deliver the first pitch of a Cubs playoff game. (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)

A 104-year-old fan is hoping to deliver the first pitch of a Cubs playoff game. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

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104-Year-Old Cubs Fan Makes His Pitch

Lifelong booster longs to take the mound at Wrigley Field

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Baseball Star Josh Hamilton Admits Relapse Into Drinking

Former MVP says he had a 'weak night'

Major Leaguer Hits Ump in Face

Texas Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba gets mad after strikeout

Angels Land Albert Pujols for $250M

Deal is for 10 years, $250 million

Cubs' Santo Wins Hall of Fame Nod

Induction comes roughly a year after his death

Verlander Wins AL MVP

Adds award to his Cy Young this year

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104-Year-Old Cubs Fan Makes His Pitch

Lifelong booster longs to take the mound at Wrigley Field

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Chicago Cubs • Wrigley Field • baseball • Leo Hildebrand

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Baseball Star Josh Hamilton Admits Relapse Into Drinking

Former MVP says he had a 'weak night'

Major Leaguer Hits Ump in Face

Texas Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba gets mad after strikeout

Angels Land Albert Pujols for $250M

Deal is for 10 years, $250 million

Cubs' Santo Wins Hall of Fame Nod

Induction comes roughly a year after his death

Verlander Wins AL MVP

Adds award to his Cy Young this year

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?