Don Vlcek, an 88-year-old Chicagoan who just began his 19th season as an usher for the Chicago Cubs baseball team, said he wouldn't have been able to pick up his honorary World Series ring if it hadn't been for the physicians and nurses at Park Ridge, Ill.-based Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, according to CBS Chicago.
Mr. Vlcek told CBS Chicago his grandson rushed him to Advocate Lutheran two weeks ago after he woke up sweating. A cardiologist reportedly told Mr. Vlcek his arrhythmia was life-threatening and scheduled a procedure to put in a defibrillator April 17 — the same day Mr. Vlcek was supposed to receive his honorary World Series ring.
Understanding the importance of the ceremony to the life-long Cubs fan, the physicians and nurses at the hospital rescheduled his procedure for Saturday, April 16 — their day off, according to the report.
As a measure of appreciation, Mr. Vlcek reportedly returned to the hospital to thank the clinicians who helped him make it to the ceremony.