Monday, November 30, 2009

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

I have known Nick Verveniotis for several years. I don't think we ever officially played on the same softball team, but I know we have each subbed on the other's team many times. Nick usually allows me to take the catchers position (mainly because he can play any of the other positions better than me).
I have also played a few Thanksgiving Turkey Bowls with and against Nick. A couple years ago, wearing the gold and black of the Steelers, Nick was a man on a mission, intercepting 3 passes and being named our MVP.
Today however, I am featuring Nick for another reason. Nick met Cubs legend Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers at a game last season. For those who don't know of Wickers (oh how lucky you are), he is a mainstay at Cubs games. He is easily found (or heard) because he screams "Woo" incessitantly. Usually, he places the "Woo" in between a player's first and last name, as in "Geo woo Soto woo Geo woo Soto woo Geo...", seemingly only stopping for an occasional breath (or beer).
Nick also adds that he once saw WooWoo at a wake and he was in full Cubs gear. Nick swears that he is not kidding us either. Unfortunately, I believe him on that one.
Nick Verveniotis and Ronnie Wickers in Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL-Summer 2008.

3 comments:

Hackenbush said...

How long has Ronnie been "Woo Woo"? I swear I remember him from the early 70's.

Johngy said...

Wickers (born in 1941) claims he started "woo-woo-ing" in the late 50's. He has been a fixture at Wrigley since 1984.

gritz76 said...

I've seen him different places and he is always in full uniform.