The Loop
This PGA Tour winner once turned down throwing out the first pitch at a White Sox game because he's such a big Cubs fan
Chicago-area native and lifelong Cubs fan Kevin Streelman would love to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field one day. His response to being offered the same honor before a White Sox game, though? No thanks.
The two-time PGA Tour winner revealed he turned down his favorite team's intra-city rival in an interview with PGATour.com's Helen Ross ahead of this week's BMW Championship. Streelman says the invite to toss the first pitch came in either 2012 or 2013 on the eve of the same tournament, which is often played in the Chicago area. Initially excited by the opporunity, the appeal wore off when his agent said it was the Wite Sox who were asking.
“So, I declined an invite to throw out a first pitch—which at Wrigley would be an absolute dream come true,” said Streelman, who grew up in nearby Wheaton, Ill. “But I just couldn't do it. I couldn't do my first one down in the South Side.”
Streelman was happy to dagger the White Sox again on Wednesday, this time on Twitter:
Ouch. Getting turned down by Kevin Streelman might hurt a franchise more than being turned down by a coveted free agent.
But we give Streelman credit for being so loyal to his squad. In fact, this season he's been using a Cubs-logoed golf bag that was signed by members of the team.
We'd like to say Streelman's dedication wound up paying off with an invite to Wrigley this week. But unfortunately, the Cubs are currently on a road trip. Maybe next year. Or, well, pretty much anytime. Provided it's not during the week of a major, it seems like Streelman is warmed up and ready to go.