Lee Smith, Tom Ricketts to attend Citi Cubs Kids Program this week Published by adming - On 13.40 - This post haved 0 komentar

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Maybe the Cubs aren't doing so well on the field this year but off the field has been a different story.  Kudos to Cubs legend Lee Smith and and owner Tom Ricketts for supporting education initiatives in our city as part of this week's guests for the Citi Cubs Kids program.

Most of us remember Lee Smith for his intimidating presence on the mound.  I remember his huge 6'5" frame, and how he used to lumber out of that bullpen with that slow gait.  It's as if he knew it gave hitters more time to worry about what was coming.  And what was coming was a 100 mph fastball that came out of a 3/4 motion that had big league hitters bailing out halfway out of the batters box.  He finished his career with 478 saves and perhaps had his best season in 1983 when he had 29 saves and a 1.65 ERA.

Tom Ricketts, meanwhile, is best known as the man with the tall task of bringing a World Series title to Chicago, but he's also someone who gives a lot of his time to important causes like this one.

They will both be guests when Citi will resume its 2011 Citi Cubs Kids season with back-to-back programs just prior to the Cubs hosting the World Champion San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, June 29, and Thursday, June 30.  Both programs will be held at The Inter-American Magnet School (851 W. Waveland Ave, Chicago, IL), and former Cubs legend Lee Smith and team Chairman and Owner Tom Ricketts will be guest speakers.

In its second season, Citi Cubs Kids is an educational and motivational community-based initiative for Chicago students, developed by Citi in collaboration with the Jackie Robinson Foundation and the Cubs.

"The Cubs are dedicated to playing an active role in the community and this partnership with Citi is an excellent way to help impact the lives of kids in Chicago," said Wally Hayward, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer of the Chicago Cubs. "Citi Cubs Kids reinforces positive values in Chicago's youth by offering personal interaction with role models who overcame challenges on their paths to success."In addition to Lee Smith, guest speakers on Wednesday will include Mr. Gourley, Managing Director of Citi Private Bank, and Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar Inez Jones.

Participating in Citi Cubs Kids on Wednesday are students from Jensen Academy and Chicago's Housing Authority. 

On Thursday, guest speakers will include Mr. Ricketts, Mr. Gourley and Ms. Jones, and program participants will include students from Chicago Housing Authority and Mercy Housing.

As I've said in the past, we too often hear about athletes and other public figures when they make mistakes or get into trouble, and we don't often hear when they give back to the communities that continue to be a big part of their success.  Lee Smith and Tom Ricketts are positive role models and they deserve mention for the good they're doing off the field while our Cubs trying to find their way around on it.  
 

30 Jun, 2011

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Source: http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/cubs-den/2011/06/lee-smith-and-tom-ricketts-to-attend-citi-cubs-kids-program.html
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