Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Cubs 365, April 25

On this day in 1911, Cub fan Jacob Rubenstein was born in Chicago. He was one of eight children of Jewish parents who had immigrated from Poland. He didn't have a happy childhood. His parents divorced when he was 11. By the time he was 14, his mother was committed to a mental institution, and he was on his own.

Despite his hardscrabble life, Jacob followed the Cubs. In fact, they brought him his first real chance at earning a living. Jack made it through eighth grade, then "found himself on Chicago streets attempting to provide for himself and other members of his family," as a famous government report put it. He earned money by scalping tickets to sporting events and by selling sports-related novelties, such as Cubs banners. He remained in Chicago until 1947. During his years as a Cubs fan/entrepreneur, the Cubs appeared in six World Series.

But Jacob isn't really known for his days in Chicago. He's better known for his days in Dallas, Texas, and for one particular day at that; the day after John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

That famous government report was called "The Warren Commission Report" and by the time he was mentioned in it, Jacob Rubenstein was known the world over by the name he adopted in adulthood; Jack Ruby.