FOR THE LOVE OF LOU
FAMILY OF HALL OF FAMER LOU BOUDREAU CAN ONLY WONDER WHERE HIS HEART WOULD BE: CUBS OR INDIANS?
Indians and Cubs legend Lou Boudreau’s heart was split between Cleveland and Chicago.
A native of south suburban Harvey, he never talked about the possibility of an Indians- Cubs World Series, according to his children.
“He was a consummate gentleman, never wanting to offend anyone, and if he were here, he’d probably do the politically correct thing and remain neutral,” said his son, Jimmy Boudreau, 56, who lives in Bolingbrook.
But his sons can’t help but wonder.
“In his heart, I think he would have been rooting for the Cubs,” said Boudreau’s eldest son, also named Lou, who lives in Arizona.
Told of his brother’s position, Jimmy relented, “Yeah, if I had to pick one, I think that’s the way he’d go. But he certainly would never slight Cleveland.”
His daughter, Barbara Golaszewski, 77, of Frankfort, isn’t as sure. “He spent more time with the Cubs, but everything he accomplished with the Indians . . . he loved them as well,” she said.
So only this much is clear: Boudreau was beloved in both cities, where his classic Midwestern work ethic made him popular with fans.
In 1942, at age 24, Boudreau took on the duel roles of player — shortstop — and manager for the Indians. He became a beloved All Star and a few years later fans threatened to revolt if he was traded.
Owner Bill Veeck wisely kept him around.
In 1948, Boudreau batted .355, won the American League MVP and led the Indians to a World Series championship — the team’s last.
When his playing days were over, he returned home to Chicago, where in 1958 he fulfilled a childhood dream by becoming a radio announcer for the Cubs. He took a one- year hiatus from that job, in 1960, to manage his hometown team.
Then he went back into the radio booth, exclaiming “Kiss it goodbye!” when home runs were jacked, until retiring in 1989.
Boudreau, whowas inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970 and had his number 5 retired by the Indians, died in 2001 at age 84.
Both his sons said they suspect they’ll travel to Cleveland next year when— although it hasn’t been officially announced — the Indians are expected to unveil a statue of their dad outside the ballpark.
“We’d be as happy if it was in front of Wrigley Field — and maybe just a little bit more happy,” the younger Lou Boudreau, 70, said Tuesday from his home in Arizona, where guests to his World Series party were greeted with a ‘ W’ flag, a keg of Old Style beer, hot dogs, peanuts, sunflower seeds and Big League Chew bubble gum.
Boudreau’s daughter said her father would relate to this year’s youthful Cubs team.
“They’re just having so much fun and they’re just out there to play and seem to enjoy it so much,” she said.
And while her father might have been torn this World Series, she said, she’s rooting for the Cubs.
“My heart is with those young kids in the Cubs dugout,” she said. “I feel like I’m everybody’s grandma.”
Golaszewski said she visited her dad’s grave at a cemetery in south suburban Frankfort shortly after the Cubs clinched a World Series berth. “I had a good talk with him,” she said.
“I did take my ‘ W’ flag, and right now it’s flying over dad’s headstone, right next to our mom, Della,” she said.