Grant DePorter
Encyclopedia
Grant M. DePorter is a restaurateur from Chicago, U.S.
, who came to prominence in after he paid US$113,824.16 for a baseball which had played a role in the Chicago Cubs
defeat in the 2003 National League Championship Series
, and had the ball destroyed in a nationally televised event. The event was an attempt to end the "Curse of the Billy Goat
" – which has supposedly prevented the Cubs from winning the National League since – and also helped raise a substantial amount of money for diabetes research.
DePorter graduated from the Latin School of Chicago in 1983. He then graduated from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration
, and also holds an MBA
from Duke University
. He has worked in, managed or owned over thirty restaurants. He is the President and Managing Partner of Harry Caray's Restaurant Group, which owns seven restaurants, the best-known being Harry Caray's
Italian Steakhouses in the Chicago area (named after the late Hall of Fame baseball announcer Harry Caray
). The restaurants have won several awards, including been voted the best steakhouse in Chicago and the best sports restaurant in the United States.
In October 2003, the Chicago Cubs had a built up a commanding lead in the NLCS
for the National League title against the Florida Marlins
. But during Game 6 of the series, with the Cubs leading 3-0, a home fan, Steve Bartman, unwittingly deflected a vital catch out of the hand of Cubs outfielder Moisés Alou
. Following this the Marlins rallied, winning not only the game but the league and, eventually, the 2003 World Series
. Many Cubs fans viewed this as a continuation of the "Curse of the Billy Goat
", which had hung over the team since 1945, when the owner of the local Billy Goat Tavern was prevented from bringing his beloved pet goat into the Cubs' home stadium, Wrigley Field
, and thus swore that the Cubs would never again win the National League Championship. DePorter paid $113,824.16 for the infamous "foul ball" in order to destroy it, and thus hopefully to put an end to the curse.
The destruction of the ball took place outside Harry Caray's restaurant on February 26, . During its final days, the condemned ball was guarded by a team of 13 security men. It was given a massage and a final meal of steak, lobster and beer. Academy Award
-winning special effects expert Michael Lantieri
was drafted in as executioner to make the sure that ball went out with a bang. On the night of February 26, when a final reprieve failed to arrive from the governor, an explosive charge reduced the ball to a pile of string. The event was covered live on CNN, ESPN and MSNBC
. MythBusters hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman provided commentary for Keith Olberman's coverage of the event. The story made front page news in The New York Times
, Los Angeles Times
and USA Today
. Worldwide, there were over 4,000 newspaper stories and 2,000 TV stories about the event. Sales of mementoes from the ball's execution were used to raise funds for diabetes research. A year later, DePorter still trying to end the curse, used the remnants, infused in vodka and beer, to flavor a special "Foul Ball Spaghetti" then sold to some 4000 diners, Cubs fans all.
In addition to acquiring the Bartman Ball, DePorter has also bought at auction the 2005 World Series "last out" bat which gave the White Sox their first championship in 88 years, Elvis Presley
's Sunglasses and Sammy Sosa
's corked bat. He put out a $50,000 reward for the missing 2010 Chicago Blackhawks
Stanley Cup
winning puck. The FBI aided DePorter in analyzing a puck that was turned in for the reward money. The FBI was able to prove the puck was not the correct puck. After DePorter's work with the FBI made the front page of the Chicago Tribune
fans came forward with photos and home videos which showed NHL Linesman Steve Miller #89 picked up the puck. Steve Miller, in an ESPN
interview, denied ever seeing or touching the puck. Canadian CBC Sports
and TSN
then aired the never seen before footage from the Net Cam that showed in high definition Steve Miller taking the puck. Steve Miller has declined all press interviews and the NHL has stated that the matter is closed.
At the start of the Cubs' 2008 baseball season, DePorter revived the Cubs first noted fan club called the West Side Rooters Social Club which was founded in 1908 by Cubs shortstop Joe Tinker
. The fan club's official war cry is "Oof Wah!". DePorter is president of the 2008 West Side Rooters Social Club. Cubs' Hall-of-Famer Ernie Banks
is chairman, Dutchie Caray, Harry Caray
's widow, is treasurer and Cubs' Hall-of-Famer Ryne Sandberg
is secretary. The fan club was dismantled by unpopular Cubs' owner Charles Murphy
after the Cubs had won the World Series
in 1908 and the Cubs have not won the World Series
since. Cub fans hope that by bringing back the West Side Rooters Social Club, the Chicago Cubs
will finally win the World Series
. During the same week in which the Cubs clinched the 2008 central division title, DePorter released a book that he co-authored called Hoodoo: Unraveling the 100 Year Mystery of the Chicago Cubs, an entertaining account of the events contributing to Cubs unprecedented World Series drought.
DePorter has serves on the committees of several civic organizations in the Chicago area. He is Chairman of the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association and served as past Chairman of the Illinois Restaurant Association, the Illinois Tourism Alliance (formerly Visit Illinois), and the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. He also serves on the board of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
Grant's father was Donald J. DePorter
, the founder of Chicago Gateway Green, a non-profit organization dedicated to the beautification and greening of Chicago. Since his father's death in 1996, Grant has served as Chairman of Chicago Gateway Green. Grant's mother is the educator Bobbi DePorter
, who founded the SuperCamp
program and the Quantum Learning Network
(QLN). Grant attended the very first SuperCamp in 1982 as a student, and has served as a Director of the QLN. Grant and his wife Joanna have two twin daughters named Hannah and Margo.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, who came to prominence in after he paid US$113,824.16 for a baseball which had played a role in the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
defeat in the 2003 National League Championship Series
2003 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 7, 2003 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, IllinoisThe Marlins took Game 1 of the series, coming back from an early 4–0 deficit. They scored five runs in the third on three home runs from Juan Encarnacion, rookie Miguel Cabrera, and Ivan "Pudge" Rodríguez. In the sixth inning,...
, and had the ball destroyed in a nationally televised event. The event was an attempt to end the "Curse of the Billy Goat
Curse of the Billy Goat
The curse of the Billy Goat was supposedly placed on the Chicago Cubs in 1945 when Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis was asked to leave a World Series game against the Detroit Tigers at the Cubs' home ground of Wrigley Field because his pet goat's odor was bothering other fans...
" – which has supposedly prevented the Cubs from winning the National League since – and also helped raise a substantial amount of money for diabetes research.
DePorter graduated from the Latin School of Chicago in 1983. He then graduated from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration
Cornell University School of Hotel Administration
The School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University is a specialized business school for hospitality management founded in 1922 as the first four-year intercollegiate school devoted to the field...
, and also holds an MBA
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
from Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
. He has worked in, managed or owned over thirty restaurants. He is the President and Managing Partner of Harry Caray's Restaurant Group, which owns seven restaurants, the best-known being Harry Caray's
Italian Steakhouses in the Chicago area (named after the late Hall of Fame baseball announcer Harry Caray
Harry Caray
Harry Caray, born Harry Christopher Carabina, was an American baseball broadcaster on radio and television. He covered four Major League Baseball teams, beginning with a long tenure calling the games of the St...
). The restaurants have won several awards, including been voted the best steakhouse in Chicago and the best sports restaurant in the United States.
In October 2003, the Chicago Cubs had a built up a commanding lead in the NLCS
2003 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 7, 2003 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, IllinoisThe Marlins took Game 1 of the series, coming back from an early 4–0 deficit. They scored five runs in the third on three home runs from Juan Encarnacion, rookie Miguel Cabrera, and Ivan "Pudge" Rodríguez. In the sixth inning,...
for the National League title against the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. But during Game 6 of the series, with the Cubs leading 3-0, a home fan, Steve Bartman, unwittingly deflected a vital catch out of the hand of Cubs outfielder Moisés Alou
Moisés Alou
Moisés Rojas Alou |Spanish:]] ; born July 3, 1966 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a former American outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 17 seasons in the National League. In 1,942 career games, Alou had a batting average of .303 with 2,134 hits, 421 doubles, 332 home runs, and 1,287 runs...
. Following this the Marlins rallied, winning not only the game but the league and, eventually, the 2003 World Series
2003 World Series
The 2003 World Series marked the 99th baseball World Series event. The Florida Marlins defeated the New York Yankees in six games, 4–2.-Background:...
. Many Cubs fans viewed this as a continuation of the "Curse of the Billy Goat
Curse of the Billy Goat
The curse of the Billy Goat was supposedly placed on the Chicago Cubs in 1945 when Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis was asked to leave a World Series game against the Detroit Tigers at the Cubs' home ground of Wrigley Field because his pet goat's odor was bothering other fans...
", which had hung over the team since 1945, when the owner of the local Billy Goat Tavern was prevented from bringing his beloved pet goat into the Cubs' home stadium, Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
, and thus swore that the Cubs would never again win the National League Championship. DePorter paid $113,824.16 for the infamous "foul ball" in order to destroy it, and thus hopefully to put an end to the curse.
The destruction of the ball took place outside Harry Caray's restaurant on February 26, . During its final days, the condemned ball was guarded by a team of 13 security men. It was given a massage and a final meal of steak, lobster and beer. Academy Award
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
-winning special effects expert Michael Lantieri
Michael Lantieri
Michael Lantieri is a special effects supervisor on films and also was the director of Komodo. He has worked on numerous films with Steven Spielberg. One of his most famous movies was "Mars Attacks!" where he had the job of creating the very much life-like animations.He was also part of destruction...
was drafted in as executioner to make the sure that ball went out with a bang. On the night of February 26, when a final reprieve failed to arrive from the governor, an explosive charge reduced the ball to a pile of string. The event was covered live on CNN, ESPN and MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
. MythBusters hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman provided commentary for Keith Olberman's coverage of the event. The story made front page news in The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
and USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
. Worldwide, there were over 4,000 newspaper stories and 2,000 TV stories about the event. Sales of mementoes from the ball's execution were used to raise funds for diabetes research. A year later, DePorter still trying to end the curse, used the remnants, infused in vodka and beer, to flavor a special "Foul Ball Spaghetti" then sold to some 4000 diners, Cubs fans all.
In addition to acquiring the Bartman Ball, DePorter has also bought at auction the 2005 World Series "last out" bat which gave the White Sox their first championship in 88 years, Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
's Sunglasses and Sammy Sosa
Sammy Sosa
Samuel Peralta "Sammy" Sosa is a Dominican former professional baseball right fielder. Sosa played with four Major League Baseball teams over his career which spanned from 1989-2007....
's corked bat. He put out a $50,000 reward for the missing 2010 Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
winning puck. The FBI aided DePorter in analyzing a puck that was turned in for the reward money. The FBI was able to prove the puck was not the correct puck. After DePorter's work with the FBI made the front page of the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
fans came forward with photos and home videos which showed NHL Linesman Steve Miller #89 picked up the puck. Steve Miller, in an ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
interview, denied ever seeing or touching the puck. Canadian CBC Sports
CBC Sports
CBC Sports is the division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation responsible for English-language sports broadcasting. The CBC's sports programming primarily airs on CBC Television, with some additional broadcasts on bold, CBC.ca, and occasionally CBC Radio One...
and TSN
TSN
The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
then aired the never seen before footage from the Net Cam that showed in high definition Steve Miller taking the puck. Steve Miller has declined all press interviews and the NHL has stated that the matter is closed.
At the start of the Cubs' 2008 baseball season, DePorter revived the Cubs first noted fan club called the West Side Rooters Social Club which was founded in 1908 by Cubs shortstop Joe Tinker
Joe Tinker
Joseph Bert Tinker was a Major League Baseball player and manager. He is best known for his years with the Chicago Cubs dynasty which won four pennants between 1906 and 1910; and for his feud with double play partner Johnny Evers. Tinker was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in...
. The fan club's official war cry is "Oof Wah!". DePorter is president of the 2008 West Side Rooters Social Club. Cubs' Hall-of-Famer Ernie Banks
Ernie Banks
Ernest "Ernie" Banks , nicknamed "Mr. Cub", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and first baseman. He played his entire 19-year baseball career with the Chicago Cubs . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.-High school years:Banks was a letterman and standout in football,...
is chairman, Dutchie Caray, Harry Caray
Harry Caray
Harry Caray, born Harry Christopher Carabina, was an American baseball broadcaster on radio and television. He covered four Major League Baseball teams, beginning with a long tenure calling the games of the St...
's widow, is treasurer and Cubs' Hall-of-Famer Ryne Sandberg
Ryne Sandberg
Ryne Dee Sandberg , nicknamed "Ryno" is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. During a 16-year baseball career, he played from 1981–1994 and 1996–97, spending nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, and is recognized as one of the best...
is secretary. The fan club was dismantled by unpopular Cubs' owner Charles Murphy
Charles Murphy (baseball)
Charles Webb Murphy was the owner of the Chicago Cubs of the National League from through . Originally a sportswriter for the Cincinnati Enquirer and the Cincinnati Times-Star, Murphy joined the New York Giants front office in 1905...
after the Cubs had won the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
in 1908 and the Cubs have not won the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
since. Cub fans hope that by bringing back the West Side Rooters Social Club, the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
will finally win the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
. During the same week in which the Cubs clinched the 2008 central division title, DePorter released a book that he co-authored called Hoodoo: Unraveling the 100 Year Mystery of the Chicago Cubs, an entertaining account of the events contributing to Cubs unprecedented World Series drought.
DePorter has serves on the committees of several civic organizations in the Chicago area. He is Chairman of the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association and served as past Chairman of the Illinois Restaurant Association, the Illinois Tourism Alliance (formerly Visit Illinois), and the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. He also serves on the board of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
Grant's father was Donald J. DePorter
Donald J. DePorter
Donald J. "Don" DePorter served on several civic and charitable committees in Chicago, USA. He was recognized several times by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley for his volunteerism and dedication to betterment of the city...
, the founder of Chicago Gateway Green, a non-profit organization dedicated to the beautification and greening of Chicago. Since his father's death in 1996, Grant has served as Chairman of Chicago Gateway Green. Grant's mother is the educator Bobbi DePorter
Bobbi DePorter
Roberta "Bobbi" DePorter is the President of the Quantum Learning Network and co-founder of the SuperCamp program.In the late-1970s, DePorter was co-founder of the Burklyn Business School in Vermont – an avante-garde school that taught traditional business subjects in a non-traditional...
, who founded the SuperCamp
SuperCamp
SuperCamp is an international educational summer camp program which introduces students to accelerated learning academic skills and life skills. The program is held in several different locations around the world, and has been attended by over 56,000 students since it was founded in 1982.SuperCamp...
program and the Quantum Learning Network
Quantum Learning Network
The Quantum Learning Network is an education and training organization based in Oceanside, California. Prior to 2005, the organization was known as the Learning Forum....
(QLN). Grant attended the very first SuperCamp in 1982 as a student, and has served as a Director of the QLN. Grant and his wife Joanna have two twin daughters named Hannah and Margo.