I remember watching the Cubs with my Grandpa. I would walk to his house when the games were on WGN. He would always have the pregame on when I got there. A beer in hand. There was a mini fridge in there—which had the beer. There was also Barq’s root beer. That’s what I would have.

We would watch the game on a 13-inch TV. Next to the TV was a signed Cubs baseball and a couple Mark Grace and Ryne Sandberg cards printed by Donruss, both sealed in hard plastic card sleeves with backings that allowed them to stand and watch the game, too.

I remember talking about the ‘09 season with him. About a month before he died. His favorite player was Geovany Soto. He would say “I like that Soto.” He would like Willson Contreras, too. I think he’d say “I like that Contreras.”

He used to have one of those wooden Cubs signs staked in his lawn that said “The Tripp’s.” I saw it in the garage when I was in Illinois last month. I wanted to swipe it. But it shouldn’t leave his garage. As far as I’m concerned, it should stay there. It’s his sign.

He’s probably got another sign and another TV and another baseball and another Ryne Sandberg and Mark Grace baseball card. Still, I’ll leave the sign in the garage, the cards by the TV, and a few beers in the fridge.

Those are the best memories. Go Cubs Go. Enjoy the World Series from the sky, Grandpa Tripp.