Cubs fans come to Newport Beach to honor Hendricks
The Chicago Cubs won a dramatic Game 7 and their first World Series in 107 years back in November. The celebration has continued throughout the offseason for their fans, especially at events like the one at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach on Wednesday night.
Cub fans came to see Game 7 starter Kyle Hendricks, who was roasted and toasted as the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation Sportsman of the Year. There wasn’t much roasting because Hendricks and Cubs fans like Bob Pozin and Rob Fitzgerald are seemingly untouchable after Chicago captured the World Series.
Pozin of Corona del Mar and Fitzgerald of Tustin were both born and raised in Chicago, but didn’t have to travel far to see Hendricks and the Cubs’ celebration. Hendricks is also from Orange County, as he played for Dana Point Little League and later at Capistrano Valley High School.
“This is an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Pozin, 62, who grew up about eight blocks away from Wrigley Field. “I’m so thankful to Kyle and the Cubs team for winning the World Series.”
Fitzgerald, 45, wore a Cubs suit, with Chicago Cub printed pants and coat, along with a Cubs blue fedora. He called 2016 the best year of his life, but Wednesday was just as great. He was a season-ticket holder last season and attended the victory parade, where he again wore the Cubs suit.
“Any chance I can come to support the team, I come,” Fitzgerald said. “I wanted to make sure the Cubs fans were well represented here. Turns out there are a lot of Cubs fans in Orange County.”
Hendricks embraced the love. He posed with many fans before the dinner program began.
As Hendricks became the 43rd OCYSF Sportsman of the Year he shared laughs from guest speakers Stan Morrison, Clyde Wright, Matt Barkley, Mark DeCarlo and emcee Roger Lodge.
DeCarlo, a comedian and actor, also provided a Harry Caray impression to honor Hendricks.
They were all there for Hendricks and to raise money for the OCYSF, which provides opportunities in sports for youth in Orange County.
The program also featured special recognition for Paul Salata, the Newport Beach resident who created Irrelevant Week and was also an OCYSF founder.
The roasting of Hendricks was very light. Barkley was sarcastic in praising Hendricks for showing such great emotion and energy when he pitches.
But Barkley, the Newport Beach native who starred as a quarterback at Mater Dei and USC, knew he really couldn’t speak negatively about Hendricks, who was gracious and humble throughout.
He jokingly said he was more comfortable with the pressure of starting Game 7 of the World Series than he was on Wednesday night.
“I was fortunate to have my family and so much support on my path to the big leagues,” said Hendricks, who went 16-8 and had Major League Baseball’s best earned-run average at 2.13. “You never know what you are going to do and where you’re going to end up in life. For me it happened to be making it to the big leagues. But for any kid playing sports in general it could be an opportunity of a lifetime. I truly believe finding your path really depends on the opportunities given to you. Thank you to everyone here tonight because it’s because of you a lot of kids in Orange County will be getting more of an opportunity to succeed.”
Twitter: @SteveVirgen
