Indians Player Jason Kipnis Grew Up in Northbrook as a Cubs Fan

NORTHBROOK, IL - One of the key position players standing in the way of the Chicago Cubs and their first World Series title in 108 years is an alum of Glenbrook North High School.

Jason Kipnis, the Cleveland Indians second baseman who grew up a Cubs fan, suffered an on-field injury while celebrating his team’s American League championship, will likely start throughout the World Series that begins Tuesday night in Cleveland.

The Northbrook native and 2005 GBN alum told Cleveland.com this week he had “always dreamed” of playing in the World Series at Wrigley Field with a full count and two outs.

"I always thought it was going to be the bottom of the ninth, but it's the top of the ninth now," he said.
Kipnis - who just purchased a home in his native Northbrook over the summer - was a Cubs fan growing up.

He fell in love with the team during the early 1990s era highlighted by Ryne Sandberg, Mark Grace and Sammy Sosa, according to a Chicago Sun-Times story.

“During the 1998 season it was, ‘Hey Sammy’s up,’ get to a TV every time,’’ he said. ”On WGN there was always four of his at-bats on the recaps from that game. That was pretty much what I grew up on.’’

But Kipnis’ connection to Cubs lore goes far beyond him being a fan. Most baseball fans in Northbrook cheer for the Cubs.

He grew up on the same street as infamous Cubs fan Steve Bartman. He remembers the police cars that lined the street for a month after the Oct. 14, 2003 incident involving Bartman and a foul ball, understanding the irrationality behind the fans who blamed his neighbor for the loss to the Florida Marlins that night.

“The only thing I’m mad at Bartman for is missing an easy fly ball,” he told the Sun-Times. “There’s no blame on him and there never should have been.”

To make up for the 13 years of torment, Kipnis suggests Bartman be invited to throw out the first pitch before Game 3 of the World Series at Wrigley Field.

“He deserves it,’’ Kipnis said. “Everyone would go nuts.’’

With his Chicago area connections, Kipnis’ social media accounts were flooded with more posts from Cubs fans than Indians supporters in the days after the league championship series were completed.

"The Cubs are part of who I am," Kipnis said Sunday, admitting he did “choke up” when he watched his former favorite team clinch the pennant over the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday night.

“It’s cool to see; I know the history of the team… I didn’t know how to really handle it. I couldn’t tell if I was happy, sad or mad. But I was emotional.”

When he isn’t playing for the Indians against the Cubs or Chicago White Sox, Kipnis remains a fan of Chicago sports. He was found partying in Wrigleyville the night the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in June of 2015, when the Indians just happened to be scheduled to play a rare series at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.

Read More: Cleveland Indians Player Jason Kipnis Celebrates Blackhawks Title With Fans in Wrigleyville

Little did he know at the time, but the next time he’d play at Wrigley would be for a championship of his own. One that conflicts with the championship he always wished for as a fan. And if Chicago comes out on top, it’s safe to say he won’t be partying in the streets of Wrigleyville this time.

“The curse can wait another year.”

Flickr photo by Keith Allison, used under Creative Commons license