Benny's World at the Baseball
On Sunday May 11th, 2008 Benny's World launched it's first fundraising event with a trip to Miller Park to see the Milwaukee Brewers play the St Louis Cardinals. This was Benny's first major league baseball game and he loved it. In the words of his dad, Brendan:
"The May 11th baseball game between the St Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers will not be forgotten by a bunch of Chicagoans any time soon. We had a fantastic turnout with 120+ friends in blue, purple, red and yellow “Benny’s World” t-shirts hanging out with Benny and participating in that most Wisconsin of pastimes – eating hot dogs and drinking beer. As a learned observer stated in the stands that day, “you know you have crossed the border from Illinois into Wisconsin because your blood pressure drops and your cholesterol rises”. I think on this occasion however, the healthful benefits of beer, baseball and laughter far outweighed the blood thickening issues of $1 Wisconsin hot dogs.
As a result of the generous efforts of several of our friends in Chicago (and a LA Dodger player and his wife – Gary & Ruby Bennett), Benny, myself and a couple of other dads and their boys were taken into the St Louis Cardinals clubhouse to meet the players and coaching staff. Not only did we get to see the clubhouse and meet the players but Jason Isringhausen (one of the Cardinals pitchers) gave Benny a jersey and then team members proceeded to sign it for us. We did not have to chase them down for signatures…..they came to us! Not what you expect from players preparing for a big game. One thing is for sure – for as long as I can speak I will tell the story of the decency, generosity and downright normalcy of the players of the Cardinals. I am sure other teams are full of great people but there was a special feel from the Cardinals and Benny and I now proudly wear a Cardinals cap outside in north side Chicago.
Jason Isringhausen also gave Benny a ball that he could take and have signed. Other than for signatures Benny did not let it go until we were seated in the stands – hours later. Benny did not understand the significance of the jersey but that ball was his and he wanted to throw it on the field, that was until the first player signed it – then it was not going to be thrown anywhere!
The good thing about being Australian is that you can get away with not knowing people’s names – you can simply say “thanks mate” (I often say that to Lisa). When the first Cardinals player signed the ball I said to one of the other Dads (who shall remain nameless), “who was that”? Neither of us had any idea, so we looked at the signature on the ball to try and work it out…“Burgen Shaffler”?? Still no idea but man he was a nice guy and he taught Benny how to give knuckles. Benny is a high five kid and the whole knuckles thing was foreign but “Burgen Shaffler” took the time to show Benny what to do and get him comfortable with giving “knuckle explosions”. So thanks, Burgen?
All the kids were allowed to run the bases after the game and I about peed my pants when Benny told Lisa that she was not allowed to go. He had to do it himself. Benny does not like to do too much without his Mummy but it was just what Dad ordered, “stay there I am doing this one myself”! Lily followed up behind him just to make sure he was OK but he did not need any assistance. One of the slower running of the bases but great to see nevertheless.
In a nutshell, we had a tremendous day with great friends and we raised money for a great cause. All around the world there may be crap going on but on this day it was heartening to see a little boy with his friends and high paid sports stars treating him so well. So we will continue to root loudly for the Cubs and the White Sox but whenever I go to Wrigley Field to watch the Cardinals play I will be wearing red underpants with Parrots on them (Benny calls the Cardinals the Parrots because he thinks the team jersey has Parrots on them)……maybe heresy for hard nut Cubs fans, but heck, we have a jersey signed by the Cardinals!
PS: I think the Brewers won, or something, but did I mention Benny has a jersey signed by the Cardinals!
Love Brendan."
June 30th Update
We just found some photos on another camera that were taken in the St Louis Cardinals dugout. Unfortunately I didn't find any from the locker room but at least we have solved the mystery of "Burgen Shaffler", Jason LaRue signed the baseball! You can see him in action in these photos.
Love Lisa.
Click on the photo to see the all the photos from the Dugout.
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