CHICAGO — Billy Siegel's great-great-great-great grandfather, who moved to Chicago in 1861, died when he was 106 years old.
Siegel's mother, who was born in 1920, passed away when she was 93.
Siegel, a Cubs season ticket holder since 1970, is hoping he doesn't have to wait that many years for his beloved North Siders to win the World Series in his lifetime.
And like any diehard Cubs fan, he believes this is the year the Cubbies, who face the Pirates on Wednesday in a one-game playoff, finally claim their first world title since 1908.
"There are no words in my extensive vocabulary to tell you what that would mean," said Siegel, a South Shore native and Gold Coast resident who will turn 68 on Nov. 13. "That would mean I could literally ... die with a smile on my face. I would be ecstatic. I couldn't ... it would be like ... it would just be amazing."
Siegel has had four tickets five rows behind home plate since 1970. That year, he estimated the entire season ticket plan cost about $1,000. If the Cubs make it all the way, each World Series ticket will cost Siegel $350.
"I've got to tell you, that price is still very reasonable," said Siegel, a retired investor.
Siegel has been going to Cubs games since he was a 1 year old. As a child and teenager, he always wanted tickets behind the net at home plate so he could watch the pitchers. He purchased the four tickets 45 years ago after he said he befriended then Cubs owner Philip K. Wrigley, who referred him to his son-in-law, William J. Hagenah Jr., a Cubs executive and later its team president. Hagenah said the Cubs had six seats behind the plate and could offer Siegel four of them.
"And you better believe I took that offer," Siegel said.
A hat given to Billy Siegel by the Cubs signifying his longtime season ticket holder membership. [Billy Siegel]
He's attended thousands of games since with family and friends, never giving up hope despite postseason losses in 1989, 1998, 2007 and 2008 and especially catastrophic defeats in 1984 and 2003.
"I'm an optimistic person. That's how I am," Siegel said. "I'm thoroughly convinced they'll win. With the new ownership, the Ricketts family and Theo Epstein, they put together a fabulous organization with a great farm system. And this manager they have, [Joe] Maddon, he wants to win and knows how to win.
"Look at what Rocky Wirtz did to the Blackhawks. In six years, they've won three championships. It's a dynasty, and it could happen to the Cubs, too."
Siegel's first grandchild, Farah Juliet Bauer, was born on Sept. 10. His present to her was an infant pink-and-blue Cubs jersey.
He said one day, his tickets might be going to her.
A potential World Series ticket owned by Billy Siegel. [Billy Siegel]
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