Sitting with Papa Eli’s angel at The Friendly Confines during Cubs-Brewers series

CHICAGO – As I walked into Wrigley Field to cover the Milwaukee Brewers series against the Chicago Cubs this week, I heard my Papa Eli’s voice. 

“Are you ready for this, Champ?”

“Ready for wha…”

My question to Papa Eli was interrupted by the crack of Cody Ransom’s bat as he belted a three-run homer to left field that gave the Cubs a 4-1 lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

That voice I heard was a memory from my first time at Wrigley as a fan. That game was June 9, 2013. 

On the morning of Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, when I looked toward Papa Eli's seat above the Cubs' dugout, it was empty.

In 12 years, a lot has changed. 

The Cubs went from being a laughingstock to ending a 107-year World Series drought in 2016, as I watched Papa Eli experience the rollercoaster of a seven-game series. 

Chicago fulfilled the request of Papa’s Just one before I die shirt, but I didn’t realize it would be the only one he ever saw.

The man who raised me departed unceremoniously. 

Eliberto De Anda passed at 66 years old on Nov. 13, 2020, after losing a battle to COVID-19. Despite the massive loss for my family, a giant blue W flag could still be seen at his funeral.

I never said goodbye while he was alive. I never believed that was how he’d go. 

Because of the pandemic, the pillar of my family didn’t get the storybook ending he deserved with family surrounding him; instead, he was alone in quarantine.

In the nearly five years since his death – a word that still feels wrong to type – I worked hard to help my family keep moving forward. 

But nothing about it was easy. 

I did everything in my power to fulfill the wishes I knew he had for me. No matter how painful it has been to do so without him. 

Despite dropping out of college twice, I fulfilled my promise to him by graduating this spring with my degree from the University of Central Florida as a first-generation college student. 

Through the pain, I grew. I continued to refine my writing, something he helped me with throughout grade school as the wordsmith of our family. I became the second UCF student in 33 years to receive Sports Journalism Institute honors – essentially All-American honors for college sports reporters – and was sent to intern at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for the summer.

As I was growing up, Papa watched every Cubs game, whether it was spring training or the World Series. I hadn’t put a game on since he passed away, but this summer, the Brewers and their power of friendship helped me unlock the joy of baseball that I thought had been lost when he died. 

As I walked around The Friendly Confines for the first time as a reporter, I wore an inherited old tie and gold chain of Papa’s, and I couldn’t help but think of how proud he’d be, even though I was there to cover the rival team. 

“Wrigley is the closest thing to heaven on earth, Champ.”

The man with a Harry Caray tattoo loved the team and field so much that years before he passed, he made the family promise that his ashes would be sprinkled at the ballpark. 

Back to the present. 

Now an adult, I look back and appreciate how he saved to afford seats on top of the dugout and tried to share the experience through his eyes. 

Words can't convey the full range of emotions I've experienced. Six De Anda relatives bought tickets to support me emotionally at this series.

For a moment, before the first pitch, I left my media counterparts to sit down in the seats Papa purchased for my first game 12 years ago and enjoyed a career milestone with my old man. 

Tears welled up in my eyes and were ultimately shed as I accepted my first full-time job offer as a reporter, knowing he was beside me, giving his blessing through what he’d have referred to as a "sentimotional" event.

I wish he and I could talk about this actual experience, so I could hear what it’s like for him to see me carry the De Anda name on my press credential, proudly representing him. Instead, I’ll settle for words from an old graduation card and memories that still feel fresh.

“Congratulations Champ!

I am especially proud of the young man you've become in spite of the obstacles you've faced.

Stay focused on your faith & familia always. 

You’ve developed a great work ethic, which will pay off ‘big time!’

Remember, as always, I'm here for you, looking forward to your amazing future!

I thank God for you; the son I never had.

Love Papa 5/26/20”

To Papa, Wrigley was heaven on earth, and for this series, I've taken comfort in believing that my angel is sitting alongside me. 

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Memories of Papa Eli comfort intern while reporting on Cubs-Brewers