The 2016 Chicago Cubs have set the baseball world by storm this season, shattering the 100-win mark in the regular season and waltzing into the World Series following playoff wins over San Francisco and Los Angeles. For many Cubs fans, this has been a drastic change of pace following difficult seasons and heartbreaking finishes to playoff runs, short of the ultimate prize. For one Chicago Cubs fan, she knows this feeling all too well, but has stayed true to her Cub blue.
Meet 101 year old Avon Burt, a resident of Marshalltown, Iowa, and a life-long Chicago Cubs fan. Avon was born in December of 1914, six years after the Cubs last World Series Championship. Over her more than century-long life, Avon has seen a variety of historical events and advancements in technology, along with changes in the way people walk, talk and go about their every day life. Perhaps the most consistent aspect of her life has been her beloved baseball team residing on Clark Street on the north side of Chicago and its historic stadium which was completed the same year she was born.
Avon’s Cub fanhood began in the 1920s in Southern Iowa, where she and her family listened to games regularly on the radio. Since her family grew up on the farm during the Great Depression, spending money on fun and games wasn’t often in the picture and there was always work to be done. In the 1950s, Avon and her husband attended their first Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Since then, Avon has raised a family of Cubs fans, including her daughter Andy, featuring many visits back to the Friendly Confines.
On Tuesday morning, Avon Burt learned she will be making an extra special visit back to those same friendly confines she has attended games within for the past 60+ years. On Saturday, Avon will be attending Game 4 of the World Series in Chicago with her daughter Andy.
“She initially didn’t believe me, then it was shock….it’s finally sinking in,” her daughter Andy remarked. She added: “Being a child from the Depression she vacillates from thinking about the cost to excitement! She won’t believe it really until we are there. Too many times of hopes high to be dashed mercilessly.”
After 90 years of fanhood, Avon will receive her wish to see the the World Series on the north side. Finally, after growing up in the Great Depression and unable to attend a game, to witnessing heartbreaking loss after heartbreaking loss, Avon will witness firsthand the Chicago Cubs in the Fall Classic.
As you watch the 2016 World Series, I hope all sports fans take the time to understand the magnitude of this historic accomplishment for the Chicago Cubs and their many loyal fans. For myself (a Cardinals fan) I have always known my friends Avon and Andy to be some of the most dedicated and loyal Cubs fans and I personally could not be more happy for them as they embark on this special pilgrimage home to the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field to see their beloved Cubs in the World Series.
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