MILWAUKEE β Bob Roach was the star in Section 108 at American Family Field on Sunday afternoon.
In between the early innings of the Milwaukee Brewers game against Colorado, various people approached the Janesville resident in his aisle seat in Row 17 to ask for hugs and photos.
Several times the usher came down to politely tell the group to go back to their seats as action began again on the field.
On Sunday, Bob Roach was Robin Yount.
Or more accurately, Rollie Fingers or Corbin Burnes.
Roach threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the game, walking on his own to a spot several feet in front of the mound. He threw the pitch to Brewers first base coach Julio BorbΓ³n who walked out and handed the ball to βRoachie.β
Down the first base line, the 240 or so fans that made the trip to American Family Field on three coach buses from Badger Bobβs Bar and others who drove to the park on their own, let out a hearty cheer.
Roach flexed and pumped his arms.
βHeck yeah,β Roach said. βI had to do that. Get the crowd going.β
Throwing out the first pitch at a Brewers game was one of three wishes Roach put on his bucket list. In April, the 62-year-old Roach decided to end chemotherapy and radiation treatments for the cancer that is spreading throughout his body.
Longtime friend Bob Johnson helped Roach realize his dream. As a Brewers season-ticket holder, Johnson contacted the team to set up Roachβs big day. The team obliged to set aside Sundayβs game.
Johnson also lined up a Rite-Way coach bus and figured 50 sign-ups would be adequate. The bus sold out on the first day he put out the sign-up sheet. Johnson then called Rite-Way and was told three buses were available for Sundayβs date.
He called back the Brewers and asked if there was a possibility that 150 tickets in one section could be secured. When the Brewers ticket office indicated that it was not possible at that point, Johnson went up a notch.
He gave another acquaintance a call. It went to former Brewers owner and Major League Commissioner Bud Selig.
Selig got the job done.
Johnson, who also owns Badger State Auction, took 40 people to Las Vegas in March and held a mini-auction for local causes. On Sunday, when the bus riders parked their vehicles in an adjoining field next to the Johnson farm, Johnson presented a check for $5,000 to the Rock County Cancer Coalition and an another $5,000 check to Roach for cancer expenses.
In addition, another $2,500 went to recent Janesville Craig High senior Alli Biddick who is battling brain cancer.
βI always tell people, itβs not what you know, itβs who you know,β Johnson said as the group tailgated in the parking lot before the game, which included a visit from the Famous Racing Sausages.
The 90-degree temperatures did not result in any grease drips from Polish, Italian, Hot Dog or Chorizo.
Their appearance also was arranged by Johnson.
Roach prepared for months for the day. He worked out almost daily at the Janesville Athletic Club, lifting as much weight as he could with a group of friends.
He worked on his throwing with several other friends, despite the consistent pain in his shoulder.
He received a ride in a wheelchair down the first base side dirt warning track. He joked about the ride.
βIt got stuck a couple of times in the dirt,β he said. βThe guy said he needed four-wheel drive.β
But once the chair was parked along the railing a few yards from the Brewers dugout, Roach got out of the chair and walked in front of the mound on cue.
He wasnβt awed by the assignment.
βI wasnβt nervous,β he said. βI had a little tickle in my belly, but thatβs the competitive nature.β
When Roach accepted a wheelchair ride to a golf cart that took him back to the buses, the Brewers were leading 2-0. They eventually lost 4-3 in 11 innings.
But that didnβt take away from Roachβs day in the spotlight.
βIt was an awesome day,β Roach said just before he departed the stadium. βSo much awesome support.
βSuch a great day.β
