Meet Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wickers, arguably the ultimate Chicago Cubs superfan. In fact, he might be just as famous as some of the players! Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to attend any games this year. The 83-year-old has been staying at a nursing home in Evanston.
Even though his renowned chant is a bit muted these days, Ronnie’s infectious enthusiasm for the Cubs hasn’t faded.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
Wickers has been a fan of the Cubs since he was a little guy back in the late 1950s, making connections with legends like Sammy Sosa and Ernie Banks along the way. Despite having to catch the games from his room now, his love for the team remains unwavering.
“I miss the cheers, the crowd, the crack of a bat, and of course, the food at the ballpark,” Ronnie expressed.
His room at The Pearl nursing facility is a colorful tribute to the Cubs, filled with memorabilia like photos and logos that show just how much he loves his team.
Sadly, Wickers is battling pulmonary fibrosis, but he’s received tons of get-well cards from fellow fans, which brighten his spirits. His close friend, Janet Tabit, helped turn his room into a warm and inviting space for visitors.
“I want it to feel like home, a cheerful place where people want to come back and see him,” she shared.
Exciting news though—Ronnie is planning a trip to Wrigley Field early next month! The staff is doing everything possible to get him well enough for this long-anticipated outing to the friendly confines.
As Mark Hocuk, The Pearl Administrator, noted, “He’s an icon in Chicago, and the love he receives is just incredible—he gets so much mail and shares amazing stories. It’s truly heartwarming.”
Though Wickers played just little league baseball as a kid, his iconic chant has deep roots. He recalls creating it back in elementary school after a teacher encouraged him to make the biggest sound he could. And the rest has become a beloved tradition.
“I just have fun. God’s been good to me, and I feel blessed,” Ronnie affirmed.
On September 7, his family, friends, and nursing home staff plan to be right there with him, cheering on the Cubs at the game. And surely, he’ll return for more action later this season for the World Series too!
