ESPN host was Cub fan and Cardenal fan

Stan Verrett returned to his roots Monday. It was emotional forthe ESPN anchor.

When I was 8, my father, Wilbert, took me to my first baseballgame," Verrett said while taking a break from preparations for ESPN's50 States in 50 Days'' segment that aired Monday evening onSportsCenter."

It was a Cubs-Cardinals doubleheader, and my hero was No. 1himself, Jose Cardenal. I let my Afro grow out to his size, put on aCubbie cap and rode the L with Dad to Wrigley Field. A fan looked atme and said, Hey, it's a little Jose.' I was thrilled."

Those thrills returned when Verrett, seated on a platform in theMcDonald's lot at the corner of Clark and Addison, happily -- …