Many years ago, me and my friends Nicky and Paulie snuck in to Wrigley Field every way known (and unknown) to man to watch the larger than life Chicago Bears.
I remember one game in particular when they were playing the Los Angeles Rams. Bob Waterfield was the Rams quarterback, but more importantly, he was married to Jane Russell which caused all of us to have those pre-teen 2 inch boners - as she was really hot. So naturally, we had to go sneak in.
At that time there was a small outbuilding along the Clark street side (east stands) that we got on the roof in order to scale the chainlink fence to get up into the grandstands. We did not know, before we started this endevor, that Wrigley Field had greased the chainlink fence. But having started our ascent we continued to climb the greasy fence. What could possibly go wrong? - We were probably 12 years old and greased fences meant nothing.
Any way, somehow we all miraculously made it up to the second deck (I definitely did not look down during the climb). So as we were approaching the floor of the 2nd deck, what did I see but two shiny black shoes and royal blue pants with a yellow stripe and then the greeting of "You boys having a good time?"
Oh shit, we're busted, and I damn well don't want to try to climb back down with greasy hands and shoes. But wait, Mr. Andy Frain is a good guy. He lets us scale the fence and come onto the 2nd deck of the east grandstand and then escorts us down to the first row of the upper deck - MIDFIELD, sits all 3 of us down on the row step, and tells us we can stay there if we promise not to cause any more trouble. We stay for the whole game, the Bears win, but not a glimpse of Jane Russell. When I get home, I'm in big trouble - the least of which, my mom burns my clothes at a time when nobody could afford new clothes for such folly.
In future years, Nicky gets a (ahem) academic scholarship to Yale and is converted from a QB to a halfback (I think he might have set a kickoff return record, but not sure as I was in the Marine Corps at the time). Nick's cousin becomes an all Big Ten tight end at Northwestern. My brother-in-law starts a 50 year coaching career spanning the Big 10, Big 8, Southwest Conference, several NFL teams including a Super Bowl appearance. Our nephew becomes the assistant director of player personnel for an NFL franchise. And finally, I don't have to sneak in to NFL games anymore
Have to say that the subsequent move to Soldier Field, and now to Arlington Heights doesn't move any needles for me compared to sneaking in to Wrigley. As far as I'm concerned, the only real owner of the Chicago Bears will only, and always, be GSH.
