Gym Cracks By Jim September 9, 2003 CUBS CAMP CALLS Lifelong goal realized as Berryman 'signs' with Chicago Cubs By Jim (Babe) Berryman MissingNebraska.com Western Nebraska I have been a long-time fan of the Chicago Cubs. My relationship with the Cubs started when I was 12-13 years old. I grew to adulthood in Greeley, Neb. In our home we had one radio. My father had very limited vision so he spent most of his day listening to the radio. He listened to the regional and national news reports, Jack Benny, Art Linkletter, and other radio personalities of that era. The Cubs at that time played all their home games in the afternoon. My father wasn't a baseball fan. Thus I had to find another way to hear the Cub games. I would station myself on the porch of a Greeley business establishment that sold and repaired radios. This was a pre-television era. This business owner would listen to the Cub games on a radio in his shop. Bert Wilson would do the play-by-play from beautiful Wrigley Field (It still is). Old Gold cigarettes was one of the sponsors. "For a treat instead of a treatment, smoke Old Gold cigarettes," I would hear on every broadcast. My goal in life was to play for the Cubs. Now I have the opportunity! I have signed a contract to play for the Cubs. A one-week contract was signed this week. There is one major difference. I will pay the Cubs to play for them, instead of them paying me. I will be attending the Chicago Cubs Fantasy Baseball Camp to be held in Phoenix the last week in January. This camp starts on a Sunday afternoon and ends with a banquet the next Saturday evening. My "exploits" will be videotaped. When I return home I will have a videotape of my performance on the field, a Cub uniform with my name on the back, a Louisville slugger bat with my name engraged and other paraphernalia. This camp is open to any person over 30-years of age. According to information I have received the oldest participant to date has been 73-years of age. I wont be the oldest, but I'll probably rank in the top 10 percent. Our opponent--retired Chicago Cub players! The first two-three days, the ex-major leaguers will be providing coaching advice. Then it on to the real thing. The participants in this camp will play the ex-major leaguers the last two-three days of the camp, with the grand finale being scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The brochure I received lists 20 plus names of ex-Cub players. The camp sponsors guarantee 12-15 of these men will be participating in the camp. Awards will be presented at the Saturday night banquet. Maybe, I will be selected for the best pitcher? I'm dreaming! How about the most home runs? Still dreaming! I probably have a realistic shot at being the oldest participant. Hey, you goal-setters, hang in there. I set my goal 50-years ago and finally it will come true. I have signed a contract to play for the Chicago Cubs. Feedback Previous Gym Cracks: 09-09-03: Back To Nebraska Gym Cracks By Jim 08-20-03: Retired. Now What? Gym Cracks By Jim 08-14-03: Feet Spoil Feat Gym Cracks By Jim 07-15-03: Training For Walk Gym Cracks By Jim 06-30-03: Walk Across Nebraska Gym Cracks By Jim 06-20-03: No Stress Stress Test Gym Cracks By Jim 06-11-03: Crazy Horse 'Fun' Gym Cracks By Jim 05-31-03: Friends For Life Gym Cracks By Jim 05-19-03: Spurs And Cubs Gym Cracks By Jim 04-29-03: L.A. Delay Gym Cracks By Jim 04-16-03: What's In A Nickname? Gym Cracks By Jim 03-28-03: More March Madness Gym Cracks By Jim 03-14-03: March To Remember Gym Cracks By Jim 03-07-03: Tall & Tough Gym Cracks By Jim 02-26-03: Zingerland Gym Cracks By Jim 02-19-03: Cuss The Bus Gym Cracks By Jim 02-09-03: Ratings And Recruiting Gym Cracks By Jim 01-31-03: Hoops Elite Gym Cracks By Jim 01-24-03: Nebraska's Super Connection Gym Cracks By Jim 01-15-03: Hometown Hits Big Time Gym Cracks By Jim 2002 12-30-02: Count The Numbers Gym Cracks By Jim 12-18-02: Cream Of Coaching Crop Gym Cracks By Jim 11-28-02: The Big Picture Gym Cracks By Jim 11-18-02: 2 For 2 Gym Cracks By Jim 10-25-02: Sweet On Switzer Gym Cracks By Jim 10-17-02: Best Time Year Gym Cracks By Jim 10-11-02: Odds And Ends Gym Cracks By Jim 10-04-02: The Rating Game Gym Cracks By Jim 09-22-02: Fans Panned Gym Cracks By Jim 09-12-02: World Herald Calling Gym Cracks 09-05-02: Bit By Baseball Bug Gym Cracks 08-29-02: Caring Coaches Gym Cracks 08-22-02: Nebraska "Storm" Hits Colorado Gym Cracks 08-15-02: Cubs Win, Wallet Drained Gym Cracks 08-08-02: To Coors For Cubs Gym Cracks 07-25-02: Major League Madness Gym Cracks 07-18-02: Nebraskans In The Majors Gym Cracks 07-11-02: Kile Death Sheds Light Gym Cracks 07-04-02: Couch Potato Parking Gym Cracks 06-23-02: Top 10 Nebraska High School Nicknames Gym Cracks 06-06-02: Better In The 50s Gym Cracks 05-30-02: Dangerfield of Nebraska Gym Cracks 05-16-02: Baseball Sneak Aways Gym Cracks