Cubs Fans Scowl, Others Donate Thousands To Send Bleacher Bum To Game In Japan
October 1, 2024
Cubs Fans Scowl, Others Donate Thousands To Send Bleacher Bum To Game In Japan
40 comments
“Bleacher Jeff” Gorski’s fandom has gotten him beer money from Cubs outfielder Ian Happ — and now a free ticket to Japan. Credit: Jeff Gorski/Dick Thomas Johnson, Wikimedia Commons CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs will open the 2025 season next March with games in Japan against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Wrigley Field staple Bleacher Jeff — real name Jeff Gorski — doesn’t want to miss it.
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Gorksi — known at Wrigley Field for his long locks, beer-fueled ballhawking and incessant banging on a left field billboard — has started a GoFundMe so supporters can send him to the Tokyo Dome.
Gorksi had raised nearly $4,400 by Monday evening, including $2,500 from an anonymous donor.
That should be enough to cover flights and hotels, the pumped-up fan told Block Club. Tickets for the Japan games are not yet on sale.
“I want to be the eyes and ears and maybe even the mouth of Cubs fans. Hopefully there’s a big sign out there to bang on,” Gorski said. “Obviously, there’s more worthy causes to donate to in the world. I’m all fine with that; but this is just a little thing for Cubs fan to see one of their own represented out there.”
Gorski’s fundraiser has rubbed some the wrong way, with fans flooding social media with gripes that he has capitalized on internet fame.
“Bleacher Jeff” at the ceremonial “burning of the baseball” conducted annually by Wrigley Field ballhawks outside the park. Credit: Jeff Gorski/GoFundMe “Cubs don’t make the playoffs and season ticket holders are asking for vacation money,” one social media user said in response to Gorski’s fundraiser. “It’s tough out here.”
“This is embarrassing, not only as a grown man asking for money for a fun trip, but saying by sending you we’re sending ‘a piece of Wrigley’ to Japan,” another fan tweeted.
Other fans were in favor of the stunt.
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“Keep the bleacher energy alive and the wave under control in Japan!” one X.com user said. “Wish it was this easy for me to payoff my student loans.”
The Tokyo Dome games will feature a matchup of Japan’s biggest baseball stars: Dodgers two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani and Cubs pitcher “The Throwing Philosopher” Shota Imanaga.
Gorski, who inherited Cubs season tickets from his grandmother a decade ago, is defending his right to a free ride to catch the series.
“I like to have fun and go to games, help people out and give kids balls, just be a good force out there. It’s never been a goal to be a famous fan,” Gorski said. “If I could pay my own way, I would. If you want to see me there, donate; and if not, there’s more important things in the world.”
Bleacher Jeff drinks his way around Wrigley Field, courtesy of outfielder Ian Happ. Credit: Jeff Gorski Among Gorski’s most notable supporters is Cubs left fielder Ian Happ, who has tossed Gorski a signed baseball — with beer money attached — as a thank-you to bleacher regulars at the end of the past two seasons.
Nisei Lounge, a Wrigleyville watering hole where Gorski irregularly works, has promoted efforts to send its worst bartender to Japan, putting out a statement last week saying Gorski was named “full-time director of Japan Baseball Operations.”
Gorski benefitting from his fame is “the American way,” said Pat Odon, Nisei Lounge’s director of beer and baseball operations. The iconic Wrigleyville bar had planned to put Gorski in a dunk tank “in the middle of winter” to fundraise for the trip — but that may no longer be necessary, Odon said.
“I think a lot of people enjoy that shaggy man-yeti in the bleachers every game, and they want to see that out in Japan,” Odon said. “You want him on that outfield wall. You need him on that wall … . He’s taking this show on the road.”
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The Cubs superfan has never been to an international baseball game “unless you count Toronto, Canada,” he said. He only missed two home games at Wrigley this season to attend Riot Fest, where he officiated 37 weddings.
Gorski plans to pay back his supporters by “making good content” about Japanese sports bars and posting tipsy updates during his takeover of the Tokyo Dome stands.
Gorski will pack a bottle of Malört on the more-than-13-hour flight so he can offer Tokyo locals a taste of Chicago.
“I see this just as another dumb, stupid thing,” Gorski said. “There’s been a major overreaction by people.”
Terrible
Begging for vacation money while millions need post-hurricane aid… Is there a bigger asshole in Chicago?
I am a bum and can out drink this guy. Send me, please
What a tool bag.
lol this asshat threatened to jump me with his buddies because I joked I would take his seats during a game. I understand it’s fun to have fan personalities but the entitlement is insane.
Walmart Woo-Woo over here
This fuckin guy
I can’t believe people are actually throwing their money at this guy
I hope someone robs him
Everyone has a right to do what they want with their money and everyone has a right to ask.
But man do I lose respect for people who ask for handouts like this. I’m sure there are a couple thousand people we could send who actually deserve it.
*He only missed two home games at Wrigley this season to attend Riot Fest, where he officiated 37 weddings.*
In a row??!
Who is stupid enough to donate to this guy?
Hopefully Japan deports him before the game starts
Crowd funding a vacation is fucking wild
The second hand embarrassment I get from this entire thing is crippling.
Crowdfunding has some great use cases, like when someone loses their home to a fire. Our healthcare system sucks, so medical debt is another reason people ask others for help.
I’d like to know when it became okay to ask strangers to give you money for something totally frivolous. Years ago I was FB friends with a guy who started a GoFundMe to raise a few hundred bucks so he could go camping. I unfriended him on the spot. To me it says something really sad about our society.
He can afford bleacher season tickets, plus beer money for every game ($14/beer) on a part time bartender wage, but can’t afford the trip on his own?
Something tells me he inherited more than just the tickets and he’s set up the GoFundMe as a publicity stunt. And it’s working because I never heard of this guy before.
“Nisei Lounge, a Wrigleyville watering hole where Gorski irregularly works, has promoted efforts to send its worst bartender to Japan..”
I almost went there last time I was home. Not on my radar any longer.
Who donated 2500$?
“I want to be the eyes and ears and maybe even the mouth of Cubs fans. Hopefully there’s a big sign out there to bang on,”
Hard pass bud. I don’t want some loud obnoxious d-bag representing me in Japan. “Hopefully there is a big sign to bang on? Is that really a must have at the game? I’ll have eyes and ears and my own mouth watching from home. I have a stop sign at the end of the street if I need to bother everyone around me too.
This is insane as I just paid for my hotel/flights and he basically just got gifted the trip.
I really only knew his name before yesterday and really just thought it was a dumb thing and also who cares, but since the go fund me there have been enough stories about him that he just sounds like an entitled prick
He seems like the type to try to get a wife over there too lol
I didn’t know that the Cubs had Wooks but I’m really not surprised
Send this guy on a one way trip to the moon
To quote Lemon from “Bullet Train”:
> You look like every homeless white man I’ve ever seen.
I wouldn’t waste energy getting upset fellas. Not my money, not my problem, no reason to care
I can already tell this guy is gonna be the obnoxious tourist that causes a scene and gets hammered in public. They haven’t even announced how tickets work yet too. If it’s like the Korea games, good luck getting any tickets as a foreigner.
I’ve been aware of this guy for about 3 days and I already can’t stand him.
Let him cook.
This guy ends the debate, Left Field sucks.
Is he related to Don Gorski, the Big Mac champion?
I greatly dislike this guy
Can a season ticket holder please show up for a game at Wrigley Field next year and take his seat next to the sign?
The irony that a ticket holder is asking for a handout. What a piece of shit.
“Gorski plans to pay back his supporters by “making good content” about Japanese sports bars and posting tipsy updates during his takeover of the Tokyo Dome stands.”
No thanks, he can keep the change
Absolutely the biggest loser I’ve ever seen. Asking to donate to his vacation fund is wild. He’s at every single home game and can’t put money to the side for a trip like the rest of us who work hard. The ppl who donated are even stupider than he is. I hate everything about this guy. Wish he’d get banned from wrigley. I hate seeing him there.
Fuck this guy.
The only Cubs fan I would have contributed to was Dorthoy Farrell. Seeing her for decades at games always made me smile.
Do what you want with your money. Personally, I’d rather donate to the [Cubs fan on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/CHICubs/s/5fYVetjj10) that needs surgery and was going to sell his prized Cubs cards to cover the cost.
40 comments
“Bleacher Jeff” Gorski’s fandom has gotten him beer money from Cubs outfielder Ian Happ — and now a free ticket to Japan. Credit: Jeff Gorski/Dick Thomas Johnson, Wikimedia Commons
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs will open the 2025 season next March with games in Japan against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Wrigley Field staple Bleacher Jeff — real name Jeff Gorski — doesn’t want to miss it.
LISTEN 🎧
Audio Player
Conquering The Cubs-Sox Red Line Doubleheader
Change Playback Rate 1x
Skip Backward
Play Pause
Jump Forward
Share This Episode
Gorksi — known at Wrigley Field for his long locks, beer-fueled ballhawking and incessant banging on a left field billboard — has started a GoFundMe so supporters can send him to the Tokyo Dome.
Gorksi had raised nearly $4,400 by Monday evening, including $2,500 from an anonymous donor.
That should be enough to cover flights and hotels, the pumped-up fan told Block Club. Tickets for the Japan games are not yet on sale.
“I want to be the eyes and ears and maybe even the mouth of Cubs fans. Hopefully there’s a big sign out there to bang on,” Gorski said. “Obviously, there’s more worthy causes to donate to in the world. I’m all fine with that; but this is just a little thing for Cubs fan to see one of their own represented out there.”
Gorski’s fundraiser has rubbed some the wrong way, with fans flooding social media with gripes that he has capitalized on internet fame.
“Bleacher Jeff” at the ceremonial “burning of the baseball” conducted annually by Wrigley Field ballhawks outside the park. Credit: Jeff Gorski/GoFundMe
“Cubs don’t make the playoffs and season ticket holders are asking for vacation money,” one social media user said in response to Gorski’s fundraiser. “It’s tough out here.”
“This is embarrassing, not only as a grown man asking for money for a fun trip, but saying by sending you we’re sending ‘a piece of Wrigley’ to Japan,” another fan tweeted.
Other fans were in favor of the stunt.
LISTEN 🎧
Audio Player
The Cubs-White Sox Rivalry Goes Back To A Baseball ‘War’ In 1900
Change Playback Rate 1x
Skip Backward
Play Pause
Jump Forward
Share This Episode
“Keep the bleacher energy alive and the wave under control in Japan!” one X.com user said. “Wish it was this easy for me to payoff my student loans.”
The Tokyo Dome games will feature a matchup of Japan’s biggest baseball stars: Dodgers two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani and Cubs pitcher “The Throwing Philosopher” Shota Imanaga.
Gorski, who inherited Cubs season tickets from his grandmother a decade ago, is defending his right to a free ride to catch the series.
“I like to have fun and go to games, help people out and give kids balls, just be a good force out there. It’s never been a goal to be a famous fan,” Gorski said. “If I could pay my own way, I would. If you want to see me there, donate; and if not, there’s more important things in the world.”
Bleacher Jeff drinks his way around Wrigley Field, courtesy of outfielder Ian Happ. Credit: Jeff Gorski
Among Gorski’s most notable supporters is Cubs left fielder Ian Happ, who has tossed Gorski a signed baseball — with beer money attached — as a thank-you to bleacher regulars at the end of the past two seasons.
Nisei Lounge, a Wrigleyville watering hole where Gorski irregularly works, has promoted efforts to send its worst bartender to Japan, putting out a statement last week saying Gorski was named “full-time director of Japan Baseball Operations.”
Gorski benefitting from his fame is “the American way,” said Pat Odon, Nisei Lounge’s director of beer and baseball operations. The iconic Wrigleyville bar had planned to put Gorski in a dunk tank “in the middle of winter” to fundraise for the trip — but that may no longer be necessary, Odon said.
“I think a lot of people enjoy that shaggy man-yeti in the bleachers every game, and they want to see that out in Japan,” Odon said. “You want him on that outfield wall. You need him on that wall … . He’s taking this show on the road.”
LISTEN 🎧
Audio Player
Meet The Spanish Radio Voice of the Blackhawks, Bears, Cubs and Bulls
Change Playback Rate 1x
Skip Backward
Play Pause
Jump Forward
Share This Episode
The Cubs superfan has never been to an international baseball game “unless you count Toronto, Canada,” he said. He only missed two home games at Wrigley this season to attend Riot Fest, where he officiated 37 weddings.
Gorski plans to pay back his supporters by “making good content” about Japanese sports bars and posting tipsy updates during his takeover of the Tokyo Dome stands.
Gorski will pack a bottle of Malört on the more-than-13-hour flight so he can offer Tokyo locals a taste of Chicago.
“I see this just as another dumb, stupid thing,” Gorski said. “There’s been a major overreaction by people.”
Terrible
Begging for vacation money while millions need post-hurricane aid… Is there a bigger asshole in Chicago?
I am a bum and can out drink this guy. Send me, please
What a tool bag.
lol this asshat threatened to jump me with his buddies because I joked I would take his seats during a game. I understand it’s fun to have fan personalities but the entitlement is insane.
Walmart Woo-Woo over here
This fuckin guy
I can’t believe people are actually throwing their money at this guy
I hope someone robs him
Everyone has a right to do what they want with their money and everyone has a right to ask.
But man do I lose respect for people who ask for handouts like this. I’m sure there are a couple thousand people we could send who actually deserve it.
*He only missed two home games at Wrigley this season to attend Riot Fest, where he officiated 37 weddings.*
In a row??!
Who is stupid enough to donate to this guy?
Hopefully Japan deports him before the game starts
Crowd funding a vacation is fucking wild
The second hand embarrassment I get from this entire thing is crippling.
Crowdfunding has some great use cases, like when someone loses their home to a fire. Our healthcare system sucks, so medical debt is another reason people ask others for help.
I’d like to know when it became okay to ask strangers to give you money for something totally frivolous. Years ago I was FB friends with a guy who started a GoFundMe to raise a few hundred bucks so he could go camping. I unfriended him on the spot. To me it says something really sad about our society.
He can afford bleacher season tickets, plus beer money for every game ($14/beer) on a part time bartender wage, but can’t afford the trip on his own?
Something tells me he inherited more than just the tickets and he’s set up the GoFundMe as a publicity stunt. And it’s working because I never heard of this guy before.
“Nisei Lounge, a Wrigleyville watering hole where Gorski irregularly works, has promoted efforts to send its worst bartender to Japan..”
I almost went there last time I was home. Not on my radar any longer.
Who donated 2500$?
“I want to be the eyes and ears and maybe even the mouth of Cubs fans. Hopefully there’s a big sign out there to bang on,”
Hard pass bud. I don’t want some loud obnoxious d-bag representing me in Japan. “Hopefully there is a big sign to bang on? Is that really a must have at the game? I’ll have eyes and ears and my own mouth watching from home. I have a stop sign at the end of the street if I need to bother everyone around me too.
This is insane as I just paid for my hotel/flights and he basically just got gifted the trip.
I really only knew his name before yesterday and really just thought it was a dumb thing and also who cares, but since the go fund me there have been enough stories about him that he just sounds like an entitled prick
He seems like the type to try to get a wife over there too lol
I didn’t know that the Cubs had Wooks but I’m really not surprised
Send this guy on a one way trip to the moon
To quote Lemon from “Bullet Train”:
> You look like every homeless white man I’ve ever seen.
I wouldn’t waste energy getting upset fellas. Not my money, not my problem, no reason to care
I can already tell this guy is gonna be the obnoxious tourist that causes a scene and gets hammered in public. They haven’t even announced how tickets work yet too. If it’s like the Korea games, good luck getting any tickets as a foreigner.
I’ve been aware of this guy for about 3 days and I already can’t stand him.
Let him cook.
This guy ends the debate, Left Field sucks.
Is he related to Don Gorski, the Big Mac champion?
I greatly dislike this guy
Can a season ticket holder please show up for a game at Wrigley Field next year and take his seat next to the sign?
The irony that a ticket holder is asking for a handout. What a piece of shit.
“Gorski plans to pay back his supporters by “making good content” about Japanese sports bars and posting tipsy updates during his takeover of the Tokyo Dome stands.”
No thanks, he can keep the change
Absolutely the biggest loser I’ve ever seen. Asking to donate to his vacation fund is wild. He’s at every single home game and can’t put money to the side for a trip like the rest of us who work hard. The ppl who donated are even stupider than he is. I hate everything about this guy. Wish he’d get banned from wrigley. I hate seeing him there.
Fuck this guy.
The only Cubs fan I would have contributed to was Dorthoy Farrell. Seeing her for decades at games always made me smile.
Do what you want with your money. Personally, I’d rather donate to the [Cubs fan on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/CHICubs/s/5fYVetjj10) that needs surgery and was going to sell his prized Cubs cards to cover the cost.