Moe Resner longs for the day of returning to Wrigley Field to watch his beloved Chicago Cubs. After all, he was invited by the team’s hitting coach to take batting practice with the team last year. But, due to COVID-19 precautions, it never happened.
“Now, I don’t know if I can swing a bat,” Resner said. When asked what his plan is, he said he’s “going to swing a bat no matter what.”
Moe Resner, a diehard Cubs fan, once threw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field and hopes to take batting practice with them soon. / Chelsea Senior Living
Donning his favorite baseball team’s coat and t-shirt, he even brought his go-to bat with him. Resner, 90, stands up to show how he’s been progressing from a back injury and arthritis as a resident at Maple Pointe, an Assisted Living and Memory Care community in Rockville Centre, NY, by Chelsea Senior Living.
Resner, whose birth name is Morris Resnitsky and had it legally changed, grew up in the Bronx, NY. A friend in his neighborhood was a Cubs fan and influenced him to become one as well, even though there were three New York teams, including the Yankees right in his own backyard.
Resner was 14 years old at the time and waited 70 years to see the Cubs win the World Series in 2016, the team’s first since 1908.
He was at his home in Edison, NJ during the game and when asked to describe what it meant to experience that moment, he could barely get the words out as he welled up with tears.
“I’m still crying,” Resner said.
His passion for the Cubs has surrounded him with some highly-esteemed company, such as current Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer.
“Moe always brings a smile to my face. I met him at the 2017 Baseball Writer’s dinner when Kris Bryant won the MVP Award,” Hoyer said by email. “We chatted for awhile and he told me that he would bring the house down if he ever threw out the first pitch at Wrigley.”
One day, Hoyer invited Resner to throw out the first pitch at a game. At 86 years old, Resner accepted the offer and stepped on the mound in May 2017.
“It was a big deal for 30,000 people and everybody else, but for me it was like throwing a baseball,” Resner said.
He actually had “two” first pitches – his first attempt bounced in front of the catcher, so he insisted on trying again. He was right on target the second time.
Resner has a book written about him and his Cubs fandom entitled “The Chicago Cubs…and Moe.” / Chelsea Senior Living
Being a longtime Cubs fan, though, is far from the only story about Resner. He was a minor league baseball coach, Marine veteran, a credit executive, and a stand-up comedian.
“I was naturally a funny guy,” Resner said. “Made up a few, stole a few [jokes].”
He’s also a father to two daughters and two sons. One of his daughters lives in Long Island.
“My daughter who’s a nurse picked out the best Assisted Living,” Resner said referring to Maple Pointe and confirming his satisfaction for the community.
Resner is used to the best. He was friends with stars Jackie Mason and Ginger Rogers. He’s had a book written about him, “The Chicago Cubs…and Moe” by George Gregor, now in its fifth edition. And he’s been featured in documentaries.
“Moe’s incredible energy and infectious positivity is really a model for all of us. Maple Pointe is a better place with Moe lifting everyone’s spirits,” Hoyer said.
What Moe has gained from this glamorous, remarkable life is a lot of wisdom.
“Live in the past as long as long as you can link it to the present and the future.”
