Behind The Plate: Cubs Fan Remembers 1938 World Series
CHICAGO (CBS) -- 88-year-old Charlie Greenstein recalls the players he saw on the field that early October day in 1938.
"Augie Galan, Stan Hack at third base, Cavarretta at first base," Greenstein said. "I was just a young kid at the time."
He was only 11 when he sat in the bleachers to see one of the Cubs' last appearances in the World Series.
"The Cubs were defeated by the Yankees four straight."
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One of the few people left who can say they've seen the Cubs in a World Series game, Greenstein grew up only two blocks from Wrigley Field and started his North Side alliance at a very young age.
"The grounds keeper from the Cubs came over to the grammar school, he wanted about 40 kids to help pick up garbage and I'll give you a free pass to the bleachers for the next day's game," he said. "I was hooked after that."
Now, a lawyer, a banker, a CPA and the village treasure of Lincolnwood, he's better known to be one of the longest season ticket holders and one of the diehards.
"I used to go to almost every one with my wife," Greenstein said. "Now, I only see about three or four a year. I never miss an Opening Day though."
When he's not at the game, he's watching it on TV and that's why he says his wife got her own television. But going to Cubs games has always been a family affair. His three daughters grew up at Wrigley Field.
"I taught them how to keep score but when they were young, they were more concerned about the hot dogs then the game," he laughed.
His favorite year: 1969. His favorite player: Ron Santo. His favorite memory is the 1990 All Star Game when Ryne Sandberg won the Home Run Derby on home turf.
But when he looks back at that storied 1938 series, chalk filled with names like DiMaggio and Gehrig, he admits he always thought he'd see another Cubs World Series. He was in the service in 1945 when the team lost to the Tigers but more than 70 years later, he's still waiting...but he doesn't think he'll have to wait long.
"The doctor gave me a clean bill of health," Greenstein said. "I'm in good shape so I'm confident I'll be around to see it. I'm hoping that since I missed the '45 World Series, I'm hoping to get to a World Series, at least."
A World Series he hopes he'll watch from the front row of section 215.
Greenstein is also a Bears season ticket holder and has been since 1956. He also served as the head bowling coach at Loyola University for 45 years.
