WRIGLEYVILLE —The Chicago Cubs are looking for their biggest fans to give players their World Series Championship rings in April.
Fans have until Feb. 14 to post their video nominations on Twitter of someone else at least 13 years old deserving of the chance to present a Cubs player or coach with their 2016 World Series ring on April 12.
The "ring bearers" are meant to be 20 of the most loyal Cubs fans, with passion and enthusiasm for the team that infects others and lasts for years.
Scores have answered the call already, submitting entries for their brothers, girlfriends, dads and grandparents and describing their love for the Cubs.
Now a father in suburban Wheaton, Joe Taschetta once dreamed of becoming a Cub himself.
It was a "dream come true" when the young Taschetta was invited to try out for the team in 1992, his daughter said in her submission video.
You were almost signed to the @Cubs. But bc of me, you're only known as the face of TDM accounts. I nominate my Dad to be a #CubsRingBearer pic.twitter.com/STphvi5rl9
— Sarah Taschetta🎈 (@SarahTaschetta) January 30, 2017
Despite not making the team, Taschetta's love for the Cubs didn't dim. His tryout letter is framed in his Cubs-themed office, and daughter Sarah Taschetta said he would love to be on the field with his team once more.
For Abby Woods, 30, the Cubs were a "lifeline" during her treatment for stage four lymphoma nine years ago, her boyfriend said.
I nominate Abby Wood of Lake Forest, IL (living in NYC now). Age:30. #CubsRingBearer pic.twitter.com/9siMyjtUo5
— PRP (@prasadtweetsnow) January 30, 2017
"During the tough, painful times, aside from family, the one thing that kept her going? The Cubs," he said. Woods still wears her "lucky" Cubs hat, which she wore during chemotherapy and, more recently, during the 2016 World Series.
For several cancer survivors, presenting rings to Anthony Rizzo and Jon Lester on the team would be hugely meaningful, given their own fights with cancer and charitable giving to related causes, their loved ones said.
Others say they hope their family member's lifelong love of the Cubs will be rewarded.
There's Jerry Logan, the 77-year-old fan who passed down his love of the Cubs to four generations of the Logan family.
PLZ RT!! Help my dad be the bearer of rings for World Champ Cubs! Die-hard fan. So deserving!! #CubsRingBearer ⚾️🐻❤ https://t.co/pnukBcGoYM
— JillKyhn (@sunshinejilly45) January 26, 2017
Justin Wegner, 20, left his college baseball career recently to battle cancer, his cousin Nicole said. Giving him the chance to meet players like Rizzo and Lester would be a "tremendous honor" for him and "put a smile on his face," she said.
for a kid who continues to fight as hard as the WS Champions Chicago Cubs.. We nominate you, Justin! #CubsRingBearer #Jwegstrong @jweg20 pic.twitter.com/MeX8k2JaKq
— Lebron (@ElleLebron) January 25, 2017
"It's truly inspirational, just what they went through and where they're at now," Wegner said of the Cubs' World Series run. "Definitely, it gives you a lot of hope and faith that you can do the same thing."
The Cubs will accept nominations posted before 11:59 p.m. Feb. 14. Submissions should include the hashtag #CubsRingBearer, the name, hometown and age of nominees and a 60-second video describing why they deserve the be a ring bearer.
The Cubs and Wrigley Field are 95 percent owned by an entity controlled by a trust established for the benefit of the family of Joe Ricketts, owner and CEO of DNAinfo.com. Joe Ricketts has no direct involvement in the management of the iconic team.
