With all due respect to grandpas everywhere, not many could command up to a 31/2-hour wait in line by thousands of adoring fans to get an autograph and a picture with them.
That is, unless it’s retired Cubs catcher David Ross aka “Grandpa Rossy.”
Such was the case last week for an appearance and autograph signing by Ross at Anderson’s Bookshop in downtown Naperville. With the advance purchase of Ross’ new book, “Teammate: My Journey in Baseball and a World Series for the Ages,” 1,000 lucky families — including ours — received a signed copy of the book and a photograph with Ross.
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“‘Teammate’ is the inspiring memoir from ‘Grandpa Rossy,’ the veteran catcher who became the heart and soul of the 2016 Chicago Cubs championship team,” reads a bio about Ross on the Anderson’s website, promoting what became a sold-out signing event at the store.
Ross was affectionately given the Grandpa moniker by his far younger Cubs teammates, though he’s now just 40 years old and, to the best of our knowledge, not an actual grandfather.
Rarely has a backup catcher so successfully and so quickly parlayed his playing days into a post-playing career as a broadcaster, endorser, author and more, save perhaps for Bob Uecker, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Milwaukee Brewers and sometime actor. But even Uecker didn’t get a turn on “Dancing with the Stars,” as the charismatic Ross did.
All of that — and his role as a key member of last year’s World Champion Cubs — made Ross something of a pop culture icon in his final season as a player and in the seven months since.
Which is why 1,000 families would line up along Jefferson Avenue on a warm June afternoon awaiting their chance to meet Ross, however briefly. Buying the book in advance served as a given family’s numbered place in line, conditions of which included one photo only (to be taken by a professional photographer, not on personal cameras or cellphones), no personalized autographs and no outside memorabilia to be signed. All of that was to keep the line moving quickly.
Not necessarily so, came word from those who were in early to meet Ross when the doors opened at noon. Accounts of their time with the highly personable Ross included him introducing himself to each member of every family that came through, shaking all hands and generally taking time to get to know every group.
On the one hand, that no doubt made for a fantastic experience for those folks, but it also had the line running a little behind schedule.
For those of us farther back in the line, things seemed to be at a virtual standstill for the first hour or so, giving rise to concern about whether we would all get in to meet Ross.
Many did as we did, opting for lunch at one of the downtown eateries before joining the line for our wait. Others left and came back, fetching much-needed water and other cold drinks to help brave the sun.
Pro tip: When your number is in the 900s on a warm, sunny, June day and you’re staring at a 31/2-hour wait to meet David Ross — or any celebrity author appearing at Anderson’s — chill in the shade alongside the Lou Malnati’s parking lot and wait for your spot in line to catch up with you.
Everyone in line was extremely friendly and patient. Anderson’s employees and Naperville police were equally courteous, passing along information when they had it and being extremely mindful of what Ross’ fans were enduring for a chance to meet him.
The first 500 people were asked to line up at 11:30 a.m., the second 500 at 12:30 p.m., the last of whom made their way through around 4. To their credit, Anderson’s employees ensured that Ross picked up the pace as the afternoon went by. And he stayed to sign for every last family in line.
All in all, Cubs fans waited patiently, chit-chatted, swapped stories, shared memories and generally made the best of the wait. Rarely could one say such a long wait felt like it went by so fast.
Since the Cubs won their first World Series title in 108 years last November, all things Cubs have drawn crowds, such as when the World Series trophy came to Naperville City Hall in January.
Thousands lined up for a chance to see the trophy and get a picture with it, only a portion of whom were actually able to do so before the rest of the crowd was turned away. Fortunately, we were among those able to see it that day and get our picture it.
And now we have one with “Grandpa,” too.
Rob Manker is a freelance writer who lives and parents in Naperville.
Twitter: @RobManker
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