He's now 83 years old and battling terminal cancer, yet still vividly recalls some of the plays from that game, including the athleticism of fan favorite Andy Pafko.
That was back in 1945, the last year his beloved Cubbies made it to the World Series. And now, 71 years later, Ford is fighting hard to hang on long enough to see the Chicago team bring home more history with a first World Series title since 1908.
"The Cubs in six," he confidently predicted when I spoke with him earlier in the week before he suffered a major setback. "I always said they'd make it back in my lifetime ... I never gave up on them."
It's not been easy. Given four months to live by his oncologist back in July, Ford was alert enough to watch the Cubs win the National League pennant Saturday, and his daughter Tamara Sanchez even captured his reaction to that memorable moment on video. Unfortunately, a few days later, the retired Caterpillar man and father of 12 developed pneumonia and Monday evening had to be hospitalized.
"We are asking for everyone's prayers," said Sanchez, "so that he will be strong and alert enough to be able to watch his Cubs in the Series."
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