The Enduring Tradition of Wrigley’s Ballhawks

On June 30, flags waved in a strong wind above Wrigley Field, as Moe Mullins set up his camping chair under the ash tree at the corner of Waveland and Kenmore, a familiar ritual over the years. He arrived more than three hours before the first pitch. The neighborhood slowly came alive with street vendors setting up, merchandise stands opening, and the patio at Murphy’s filling up. Spectators gathered along the brick wall, waiting for the bleacher gates to open. In those early hours, the corner belonged to Mullins, the unofficial mayor of Waveland and Kenmore, adding character to the area.

The Chicago Cubs celebrated their 150th anniversary as a National League member, marking 110 years at Wrigley Field. While the area has changed with new buildings and businesses, the corner near left field retains its old-school charm. Lawn chairs are occupied by people enjoying lively banter, and a handwritten ad for Gatorade reflects its community spirit.

Dave Davison sells Gatorade: $3 for Cubs fans, $4 for Cards fans, and nothing for White Sox fans with ‘stay thirsty’ written on the sign.

The corner attracts various regulars: Moe Mullins, Dave Davison, Ken Keefer, Bob Krause, and Mary Ellen Gourley among others. They all share a passion for the Cubs, walking from the corner to their seats game after game. Over recent years, fewer ballhawks have maintained this Wrigley tradition, which once thrived with a rotating cast of athletes eager to catch home-run balls.

A young generation of ballhawks has not emerged, and some traditions face the risk of fading. Despite this, the remaining regulars continue to hold the corner dear. On the night of June 30, Moe Mullins helped a customer at Davison’s vendor cart just before the Cubs hosted the Padres, adding to their stories and experiences in the community.

With passion, Mullins reflects on his past catches and near misses. Notable moments like catching both of Shawon Dunston’s home runs on August 17, 1990, fill his memories. A giant video board and expanded bleachers have reduced the number of balls reaching the street. However, the regulars, including Mullins with his old Mizuno glove, still hope for rare opportunities to catch baseballs when conditions are right.

On the night of the game, Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a home run that found its way to the street, caught by Trent Weyermuller, among the younger crowd spending time at the corner. While the ballhawks stayed alert, listening and watching any opportunity, they joked and shared stories, forming a community bonded over baseballs and experiences.

The corner remains significant to both longtime fans and the surrounding community. Ken Keefer, Bob Krause, and others keep tradition alive, hosting summer cookouts and engaging with the vibrant mix of fans, vendors, and workers who continually visit.

In Mullins’ vision, he dreams of giving away his baseball collection to kids in the future, recreating the joy he experienced as a child collecting baseballs. As time progresses, the corner of Waveland and Kenmore continues as a site of cherished memories and a sense of community, grounded in the love of baseball and camaraderie.