When going to a baseball game, DON’T be this guy. pic.twitter.com/pAeiRN6Q2X

— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 22, 2018

The video, which was published by sports outlet Cut4, depicted a Cubs player tossing a baseball to a young boy in the stands. The ball hits the floor, rolls behind the little fan’s seat, and is then snagged by an older man in the row behind him.

The man can be seen handing the ball to his wife as the boy looks on, and despite it being an incriminating image, the situation is not how it seems.

Thinking that the boy’s foul ball had been stolen by another spectator, the youngster was later given another ball that was autographed by Javier Baez, the Cubs’ infielder.

The boy was then delighted to be the proud owner of two game balls… that’s right, two game balls.

A @javy23baez signed ball should take care of it. #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/4YzUlG8qfN

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 22, 2018

While the Cubs’s kind gesture towards a young fan may have been heartwarming enough, several Twitter users came forward to elaborate on the older man’s actions.

Chuck Mycoff was one of the spectators who had been sitting next to the man throughout the game. He took to social media to say that even though the gentleman looked like he had been stealing a prized possession from a kid, he had been catching foul balls throughout the game so he could give them to youngsters sitting around them.

A few innings previously, the man had caught a foul ball and given it to the very boy who received the Baez autograph – hence why he ended up with two game balls.

I was sitting next to this guy. That ball was between my feet. The kid already had a ball the same guy helped him get. He handed it to his wife. She took a picture of it and they gave it to the kid next to them. This guy was great. This story is BAD.

— Chuck Mycoff (@cmycoff2) July 23, 2018

After he handed the ball to his wife in the video, she took a photo of it and passed it to another young fan sitting on her right.

The testimony was backed up by Jeff Rose, another spectator who had been sitting close to the man.

So all-in-all, there was no bad guy in this story – just a lot of kind men encouraging a kid’s love of the game.

This article originally appeared on Good News Network.

The post Chicago Cubs Give Young Fan Autographed Baseball After Foul Ball Was Thought to Have Been Stolen appeared first on Positive Celebrity News, Good Celebrity Gossip, Positive Entertainment News | Good Celebrity.

That wasn’t the only big-ticket item. Another fan, Keith Macht, pledged $11,500 to have a bar custom-made for their basement and decorated to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Wood’s 20-strikeout game on May 6, 1998.

The bar will be hand-painted by artist John Hanley, built by two Marines and a former soldier, and delivered to Macht at spring training in Arizona, where he will transport it to Oxnard, Calif.

During Friday’s event at Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch and Chicago Sports Museum at Water Tower Place, several celebrity bartenders served drinks to Cubs fans. The bartenders raised a record $11,000 in tips, with some fans paying for selfies with Rizzo and Kris Bryant.

Here’s the list of VIPs — celebrity Cubs fans, actors, athletes, musicians and Chicago TV and radio personalities — who attended.

• Cubs (current and former): Rizzo, Jason Heyward, Addison Russell, Carl Edwards Jr., David Ross, Ryne Sandberg, Rick Sutcliffe, Juan Pierre
• Bears (current and former): Jordan Howard, Israel Idonije, Ray McElroy
• Danielle Colby, “American Pickers”
• Avril Mathie, boxer, model and fitness expert
• Bonnie Hunt, actress and Cubs fan
• John Cusack, actor and Cubs fan
• Matt LaCosse , Broncos tight end
• Doug Stylz and Justin Roman, US 99 radio hosts
• Danielle Robay, WCIU’s “The Jam”
• Marley Kayden, NBC 5 traffic reporter
• Christopher “Brotha’ Fred” Frederick, Kiss FM
• Lauren Petty, NBC 5 reporter
• Ryan Chiaverini, co-host of ABC 7’s “Windy City Live”

This article originally appeared in the Chicago Tribune.

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On Tuesday, August 29, first baseman Anthony Rizzo showed why.

During a ribbon cutting at the Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, Rizzo got emotional talking about the culmination of a $3.5 million donation from his Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation.

“Geez,” Rizzo said while fighting back tears during the unveiling ceremony.

“I remember sitting with my mom saying we were going to do this 10 years ago. And it’s just a little step toward our mission but to be able to give back and do this type of work is so much bigger than winning the World Series and doing anything on the baseball field because my family has been through it, there are so many families here going through it. This is as real as it gets in life,” he said.

A cancer survivor himself, Rizzo’s donation went toward the new Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation waiting room. The renovated area is surrounded with Cubs décor, including a Rizzo jersey signed by Lurie patients fighting cancer.

pic.twitter.com/VuV051tw0H

— A. Rizzo Foundation (@RizzoFoundation) August 29, 2017

Great to catch up with one of our favorite people. pic.twitter.com/q783KH4tss

— A. Rizzo Foundation (@RizzoFoundation) August 29, 2017

Lots of tears today. Big day for the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. Dreams do come true. #DreamBig pic.twitter.com/9JDzSm0pSd

— A. Rizzo Foundation (@RizzoFoundation) August 29, 2017

A Rizzo sighting is nothing new at Lurie, the slugger makes monthly visits to the hospital. His foundation will endow two funds to support cancer patients and their families.

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As ridiculous as it sounds, fans blamed Bartman for the team’s defeat after he tipped a foul ball – that likely would’ve been caught by Cubs outfielder Moises Alou – in the 8th inning of Game 6 of the NLCS. The Marlins rallied to win the game and eventually the series, eliminating Chicago and extending the club’s World Series drought to 105 years.

Fast forward to 2016, when the Cubs overcame a 3-1 series deficit to the Cleveland Indians to capture their elusive World Series title.

Bartman was nowhere to be seen during the celebration, having led a largely private life since being humiliated on national television more than a decade earlier.

Although the Cubs organization never put blame on Bartman for the team’s past failure, owner Tom Ricketts decided it was time to bury the hatchet between the fan and the Cubbies.

“On behalf of the entire Chicago Cubs organization, we are honored to present a 2016 World Series Championship Ring to Mr. Steve Bartman,” read a statement from Ricketts and the Cubs.

“We hope this provides closure on an unfortunate chapter of the story that has perpetuated throughout our quest to win a long-awaited World Series. While no gesture can fully lift the public burden he has endured for more than a decade, we felt it was important Steve knows he has been and continues to be fully embraced by this organization. After all he has sacrificed, we are proud to recognize Steve Bartman with this gift today.”

Bartman received the ring in a Monday, July 31, meeting with Ricketts at Wrigley Field that was also attended by Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and President of Operations Crane Kenney.

Thankful for the kind deed of Ricketts and the Cubs, Bartman broke his silence issuing the following statement.

“Although I do not consider myself worthy of such an honor, I am deeply moved and sincerely grateful to receive an official Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Championship ring. I am fully aware of the historical significance and appreciate the symbolism the ring represents on multiple levels. My family and I will cherish it for generations. Most meaningful is the genuine outreach from the Ricketts family, on behalf of the Cubs organization and fans, signifying to me that I am welcomed back into the Cubs family and have their support going forward. I am relieved and hopeful that the saga of the 2003 foul ball incident surrounding my family and me is finally over.

I humbly receive the ring not only as a symbol of one of the most historic achievements in sports, but as an important reminder for how we should treat each other in today’s society. My hope is that we all can learn from my experience to view sports as entertainment and prevent harsh scapegoating, and to challenge the media and opportunistic profiteers to conduct business ethically by respecting personal privacy rights and not exploit any individual to advance their own self-interest or economic gain.

Moreover, I am hopeful this ring gesture will be the start of an important healing and reconciliation process for all involved. To that end, I request the media please respect my privacy, and the privacy of my family. I will not participate in interviews or further public statements at this time.

Words alone cannot express my heartfelt thanks to the Ricketts family, Crane Kenney, Theo Epstein, and the entire
Cubs organization for this extraordinary gift, and for providing the City of Chicago and Cubs fans everywhere an
unforgettable World Championship in 2016. I am happy to be reunited with the Cubs family and positively moving
forward with my life.”

Time apparently DOES heal all wounds.

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NBA champions the Golden State Warriors, who breezed through the NBA Playoffs with a 16-1 record, were awarded the Best Team award while the Chicago Cubs won Best Moment for winning their first World Series title in 108 years.

Because the awards ceremony falls during the baseball season, no current Cubbies were on hand to accept the trophy, so actor and die-hard Cubs fan Bill Murray accepted on their behalf.

“108 years of waiting is hardly a moment,” Murray joked. “This is the culmination of 108 years of momentum. Momentum by momentous men,” he added before listing off former Cubs players who never enjoyed the thrill of victory.

Murray then enjoyed a champagne-soaked celebration with presenter and fellow Cubs fan Nick Offerman and retired Cubs champion David Ross, who showed off some of the moves he learned on Dancing with the Stars.

Retired NFL superstar Peyton Manning served as the MC for the evening and he had fun with his former colleagues.

“Unfortunately my brother Eli can’t be here tonight, because that’s what I told the folks at the door,” he joked about his younger sibling who plays for the New York Giants.

Manning also congratulated former rival Tom Brady and the New England Patriots for winning Super Bowl 51 and he didn’t miss a chance to throw a shot at their opponents, the Atlanta Falcons.

“I know in my heart the Falcons will be back,” he said. “I want the Falcons to hear that from me now, at the beginning of the show, because I know that they’ll stop paying attention three quarters of the way in,” he added, referencing their blown 28-3 in the NFL’s biggest game.

The night wasn’t all about famous athletes and movie stars as real-life heroes were also honored.

Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro, who overcame burns on over 80 percent of his body to rejoin the Air Force and compete in adaptive sports, was awarded the Pat Tillman Award for Service and 15-year-old New Orleans Saints superfan Jarrius “JJ” Robertson, who has battled a chronic liver disease since birth, won the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.

“Don’t ever give up. These are the words by Jimmy V I have been living by my entire life,” Robertson said. “I have been doing things I never thought I could have done before – and earning the Jimmy V award tonight is amazing.”

Other notable winners included legendary broadcaster Vin Scully for the Icon Award and the late Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver whose Arthur Ashe Courage Award was presented posthumously to Shriver’s son Tim by former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s son accepts the Arthur Ashe Courage Award with @Cadillac in memory of his mother’s mission.

A post shared by espn (@espn) on Jul 12, 2017 at 8:44pm PDT

Below is the complete list of winners from the 2017 ESPYS.

Best Male Athlete

Russell Westbrook, NBA

Best Female Athlete

Simone Biles, Gymnastics

Best Championship Performance

Kevin Durant, NBA Finals

Best Coach

Bob Hurley Sr.

Best Breakthrough Athlete

Dak Prescott, NFL

Best Record-Breaking Performance

Michael Phelps extends his own record of most gold medals/most Olympic medals

Best Upset

Mississippi State defeats Connecticut, Women’s NCAA Basketball Final Four

Best Moment

Chicago Cubs final out in Game 7 of 2016 World Series

Best Game

Patriots vs. Falcons, Super Bowl

Best Comeback Athlete

Jordy Nelson, NFL

Best Play

Aaron Rodgers to Jared Cook, Green Bay Packers, NFL divisional round

Best Team

Golden State Warriors, NBA

Best International Athlete

Usain Bolt, Track and Field

Best NFL Player

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Best MLB Player

Mike Trout, LA Angels

Best NHL Player

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Best Driver

Lewis Hamilton, Formula One

Best NBA Player

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Best WNBA Player

Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks

Best Fighter

Demetrious Johnson, MMA

Best Male Golfer

Sergio Garcia

Best Female Golfer

Ariya Jutanugarn

Best Male Tennis Player

Roger Federer

Best Female Tennis Player

Serena Williams

Best Male College Athlete

DeShaun Watson, Clemson football

Best Female College Athlete

Kelly Barnhill, Florida softball

Best Male Action Sports Athlete

Mark McMorris, Snowboard

Best Female Action Sports Athlete

Anna Gasser, Snowboard

Best Jockey

John Velasquez

Best Male Athlete With a Disability

Steve Serio, Wheelchair Basketball

Best Female Athlete With a Disability

Becca Meyers, Swimming

Best Bowler

Jason Belmonte

Best MLS Player

David Villa, New York City FC

Best Male US Olympic Athlete

Michael Phelps, Swimming

Best Female US Olympic Athlete

Simone Biles, Gymnastics

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The slugger is known for launching moonshots at Wrigley Field, but it was a homer during spring training in Arizona that gave him his latest locker room decoration. During batting practice, Schwarber hit one out of the stadium where it made contact with the derriere of a Clydesdale horse.

“I got him in the butt,” Schwarber said.

This wasn’t just any horse but a member of the famed Budweiser Clydesdales. The signature Anheuser-Busch wagon was parked alongside the stadium for unloading when the ball cleared the protective netting in right field and plunked the horse in the bum.

The Clydesdale, whose name is Andy and travels with the west coast crew of the equine group, wasn’t harmed from the hit but, to show there are no hard feelings, Budweiser delivered a horseshoe to Schwarber.

“They put it in my locker,” Schwarber said while adding “I’m going to take it with me everywhere. Hopefully, it brings me some luck.”

It seems to be working out so far. Schwarber, who last year suffered a season-ending injury only three games into the season, notched his first career hits in the month of April on opening day.

Ironically, the defending World Series champions opened their season on the road in St. Louis, home of Anheuser-Busch and the Budweiser Clydesdales. With the Cubbies in town, Andy’s equine friends better keep one eye on Schwarber at all times.

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For Jim Schlegel, a 97-year-old World War II Veteran, he would love to see a Chicago Cubbies victory. He was at Wrigley Field in 1945, the last time the team was in the series. That’s back when a box seat cost less than $8, according to NBC5 Chicago.

Schlegel’s granddaughter created a GoFundMe page to raise money to purchase her grandfather two tickets to attend the series and see the Cubs in action, just like he did all those years ago. With ticket prices through the roof on the secondary market, the campaign urged to raise $10,000 to afford a pair of coveted seats.

The family was thrilled when the learned that Host of CNBC’s “The Profit” Marcus Lemonis had his heart set on taking the 97-year-old to the Series. After Lemonis heard Schlegel’s story, he made it his mission to track him down.

“I found the person I want to take to the game but I need help finding him @fox32news @Cubs @chicagotribune,” Lemonis wrote on Twitter.

Lemonis connected with the WWII Vet’s family and offered two front-row tickets to Game Three at Wrigley Field, where Schlegel could watch the Cubs come one step closer to winning the Series for the first time since 1908.

“This man is so deserving. We’ve connected and he’s going with my two tix first row Friday. Enjoy  Jim, bring us a win!!! @Cubs @fox32news”

This man is so deserving. We’ve connected and he’s going with my two tix first row Friday. Enjoy Jim, bring us a win!!! @Cubs @fox32news https://t.co/C3LxCu5V0w

— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) October 25, 2016

“Thank you @marcuslemonis & @Hugsandxoxo4u2 for donating front row tickets to my Grandpa and Dad! They will be attending Friday nights game!” Schlegel’s granddaughter replied.

Thank you @marcuslemonis & @Hugsandxoxo4u2 for donating front row tickets to my Grandpa and Dad! They will be attending Friday nights game!

— Helen Schlegel (@BoogBoog88) October 25, 2016

As for the GoFundMe page, it’s raised more than $12,000. After Lemonis donated the two tickets, Schlegel’s family decided to donate 100% of the donations to the Purple Heart Foundation.

“Now that we’ve been gifted 2 tickets to the World Series from the generous Marcus Lemonis, I’m excited to have this opportunity and the momentum of the community here to share the support my Grandpa has seen with other deserving veterans,” the family wrote.

“To continue the giving spirit here, we’ve decided to donate 100% of donations to this campaign to the Purple Heart Foundation and are looking into the best way to route funds to them. More to come on that.”

Schlegel took to Twitter to thank Lemonis in a sweet video and said, “I appreciate your generosity, and hope we bring in a winner.” He plans on taking his son with him to the epic Series.

Photo Credit: GoFundMe

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