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Rooting for his Cubbies from heaven

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For Chicago Cubs fans, it’s been a long 71 years since they’ve made it to the World Series. Before Guttenberg’s Dustin Eglseder passed away in 2008, he had one heck of a time at a Cubbies game. Now, he’s undoubtedly cheering them on from the best seat in the house­—up in heaven.

Dustin Egleseder was just 22 years old when he won the honor of singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at Wrigley Field. He is pictured hoisting his replica statue of Harry Caray, in September 2007, less than a year before he passed away from bone cancer.

By Correne Martin

He genuinely lived by the Cubbies.

And, now, he’s rooting for them in the World Series—from heaven.

Dustin Eglseder, a young man from Guttenberg, Iowa, died from osteosarcoma in July 2008. He was just 23 years old.

Unfortunately, throughout his two short decades on earth, he never got to see his favorite team play in Major League Baseball’s championship game. Nor have many of the Chicago Cubs’ greatest fans, at least not since 1945, the last time they appeared in the World Series.

Yet, for this crew’s unbelievable season, it seems, Dustin’s got the best seat in the house.

Growing up in a home full of Cubs fans, Dustin never missed a game. He was turned on to them by his parents, Rose Eglseder (longtime employee at Crossing Rivers Health) and John Eglseder, both of Guttenberg, and by Rose’s dad, the late Howard “Joe” Vorwald—who was in the service for the Cubs’ title series 71 years ago.

“Dad was always a Cubs fan. He had it on every day, even when he was lying in bed. Dustin would go to his grandpa’s house, steal his cookies and lay in his bed with him watching the Cubbies,” Rose reminisced.

The youngster went to his first game at Wrigley Field when he was 5 years old. He even met famed-announcer Harry Caray in person. Growing up, he played a lot of baseball, mostly in the hot corner (third base). He loved music, taught himself how to play guitar and recorded short songs for his mom quite often.

Dustin was also carefree, friends with everybody and blessed with an unforgettable smile.

“Even when he was so very sick, he was smiling,” his mom shared. “There’s something magical about people who have cancer. He always had a smile on his face.”

Dustin’s rare, stage-four bone cancer was diagnosed on March 1, 2007, when he was 21. During his treatments in Iowa City, and as he battled feeling ill for weeks afterward, Dustin found comfort in watching his beloved Cubs. Those moments were his escape from the curveballs of life.

Six months after his diagnosis, he happened upon the Cubs’ Ultimate Seventh Inning Stretch Competition. To enter, he had to write a letter stating why he felt he was the best die-hard fan to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

“Over 2,700 people signed up,” Rose said. From there, the wishful entrants were narrowed to 50 and asked to record a video of themselves singing the celebrated song. Dustin’s was chosen, putting him in the final 10 who auditioned before a celebrity panel of judges at Wrigley, including Harry Caray’s wife, Dutchie; Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Billy Williams; and radio announcer Digger Phelps. The panel’s vote, along with more than 150,000 online votes from fans at Cubs.com, determined the winner.

Before the game on Sept. 22, 2007, the winning singer was announced. It was Dustin.

“They told me that he blew everyone away in votes. It wasn’t even close,” Rose noted. Everyone in the Guttenberg area, at the family’s places of work and at the University of Iowa Hospital was voting.”

Then, in front of more than 41,000 cheering fans, family and friends—from Harry Caray’s booth—the small-town kid sang about peanuts and Cracker Jack, at the old ball game.

“I didn’t know if everyone would be just singing it and high-fiving their buddies, or if I’d actually be getting looked at. It seemed like all 42,000 people had their eyes on me. It was awesome. An experience of a lifetime, that’s for sure,” Dustin told Major League media in 2007.

After the game, the Eglseder family and friends were wined and dined by the Cubs and flown, the next morning, to New York City, to appear on “Good Morning America.”

It was all a whirlwind experience, one Dustin would never forget, and one so many felt like he deserved. What’s more is that he went home with a replica trophy of the Harry Caray statue that stands outside Wrigley Field, phone numbers of some Cubs players and a personalized “Eglseder 07” jersey, signed by Ryan Theriot: “Dustin, You’re my hero.”

“For being celebrities, the entire Cubs organization was so amazing to Dustin and our family,” Rose said. “They continued to send us tickets. They let five of his friends come to the field and put scores up for a game. Some of the girls who worked for the Cubs even came to his funeral and brought Cubs ties for the pall bearers.”

In July 2008, Dustin lost his fight with cancer.

“I miss him,” Rose whispered. “I’d give anything to have him be here for these World Series games.”

After wiping tears from her eyes, she added. “He’s got a good seat up there, by my dad. They’re probably celebrating with a beer.”

This past Saturday, Rose and Dustin’s sister, Amy, traveled to Chicago for the series. Before she left, Rose said, “I have to be in Chicago for this.”

Those days of the Cubbies’ absence from the World Series are only a footnote for fans who’ve been riding high the past two years, as the team has been among baseball’s best. Sunday night’s game was one of survival and heart, as the home team forced Game 6 in Cleveland, scheduled for Tuesday night. The Cubs would have to win on the road both Tuesday and Wednesday to take the championship.

If they win the series, Rose said she can’t even imagine how wild Dustin would be in heaven: “There will definitely be a party.”

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