In the summer of 1993, Cubs fans' prayers were answered. Led by 12-year-old pitcher Henry Rowengartner, the North Siders broke the Billy Goat Curse and won their first World Series Championship since 1908.
After leaving the theater, reality set back in for Cubs fans. The film Rookie of The Year was a tease. Although the Cubs won rings on the big screen, the team has still not reached the World Series since the movie's July 9, 1993, release.
Thomas Ian Nicholas, the actor behind Rowengartner, has grown up in the past 21 years. He starred in such roles as Kevin Myers in the American Pie series and Bill Woodlake in Halloween: Resurrection. In recent years, he has focused on a career as a recording artist (one of his songs can be found on the American Reunion soundtrack).
On July, Rowengartner returned to the Wrigley Field mound, a visit that has become common over the past decade. Donning longer hair and a taller frame, Nicholas tossed the first pitch before the Cubs-Braves game on Saturday. Nicholas went overhand, but did not have the "high, stinking cheddar" his character displayed:
Still got it. Henry Rowengartner, err.. we mean Thomas Ian Nicholas, fires in today's ceremonial first pitch. pic.twitter.com/gMuRt1TsfX
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 12, 2014
For Nicholas, the appearance, a rare start for Rowengartner, was not necessary to propel the Cubs to the World Series. Instead, it served as publicity for his live performance that night in Wrigleyville.
Playing an acoustic show at GINGERMAN Tavern right after the @Cubs game - 6pm pic.twitter.com/83PXqTQP9U
— Thomas Ian Nicholas (@TINBand) July 12, 2014
Nicholas also made an appearance during the seventh inning stretch:
Here's Thomas Ian Nicholas (@TINBand) singing today's 7th inning stretch: pic.twitter.com/mhUbfN2gUL
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 12, 2014
A year ago, Nicholas also made an appearance at Wrigley to throw out the first pitch. His 2013 cameo may have been more special. It was the 20th anniversary of Rookie of The Year, so Nicholas made the decision to float the pitch.
Some boos can be heard throughout the crowd. It is unfortunate news we live in a time baseball fans may not understand the reference to this legendary film scene:
On Instagram, Nicholas compared his four Wrigley first pitches in the past seven seasons. His Rowengartner gig has obviously left a solid reputation in the Windy City.
The caption reads: "2008 I lobbed it - 2010 I threw it outside - 2013 I floated it - 2014 I threw a strike - @cubs @wearecareless"
Maybe one of these years Gary Busey will be Nicholas' catcher.
-- Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.
