By: Daniel Foote

On October 14, 1908, the Chicago Cubs clinched their second consecutive World Series title.  A mere 229 days later, George William Penley was born and so was a love affair with the Chicago Cubs.  You see, Mr. Penley was my grandfather (we called him “Poppa”, so you’ll forgive me for referring to him as such), and he loved the Cubs. In Poppa’s lifetime, the Cubs went to the World Series seven times (1910, 1918, 1929, 1932, 1935, 1938 and 1945).  All of them by the time he was 36 ½ years old. From 1945 to 1984, when he passed away, Poppa continued to love his Cubs.  He loved them so much, that he passed that love affair to me.

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