On what could be Ian Happ’s last regular-season home game at Wrigley Field, the career-long Cubs outfielder threw a viral curveball — that is, he tossed a money-wrapped, personalized baseball into the bleachers to a fan.
Now-viral video footage from the Cubs’ Thursday game against the Miami Marlins shows Happ, a 10-year veteran on the team, tossing the ball into the legendary bleacher seats in Wrigley’s outfield, just above its famous ivy-covered walls. Jeff Gorski, perhaps better known as “Bleacher Jeff,” caught Happ’s gift.
The baseball, encased in tightly wrapped rubber bands and holding three crisp hundred-dollar bills, was signed by Happ and had a personalized message written on its surface in blue marker.
“Thank you for 10 incredible years, for the positivity and unwavering support,” Happ wrote on the ball. “Y’all are the best fans in sports! BEERS ON ME!”
Gorski, who said he has attended every Cubs home game this season, was wearing Happ’s jersey when he caught the $300 ball. The recognizable bleacher bum said it was no coincidence that Happ tossed the ball in his direction.
“This has been an ongoing tradition the last few years,” Gorski said. “He knows that I’m there all the time and knows who should be getting beers, who the regulars are, that kind of thing.”
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The move, though unexpected, is not unprecedented. The tradition of Happ tossing a ball and some cash to bleachers fans is five years running, according to Gorski. The balls, which always carry a note, thank bleacher fans for their support. However, $300 is the most money that’s ever been attached.
“I was really emotional,” Gorski said about the moment he caught Happ’s gift. “For the first time since the Cubs won the World Series, I haven’t felt like that at Wrigley in so long, since 2021, since the big trades and the whole team turned over, he’s been the guy in left field and really has made a good connection with all of us.”
After catching the ball, Gorski and the bleacher bums did in fact enjoy beer bought on Happ’s dime. Gorski said after tax and “generous” tips, the money was enough to cover about 16 drinks, which were shared among the fans who showed up to around 40 or 50 games at Wrigley so far this season.
Gorski said the moment, the gift and Happ’s perhaps last performance on Wrigley home turf were meaningful to the bleachers fans, who have shared left field with the player since 2017. After Thursday’s win, Happ faced the bleachers, took off his hat and put his hand over his heart.
“Everyone knows he’s been a big part of this culture and franchise for the last few years. It’s a big moment,” Gorski said. “We all felt the weight of it.”