Les Grobstein, Chicago reporter who received Lee Elia’s words, dies

CHICAGO – Les Grobstein, a longtime Chicago sports radio reporter and talk show host, captured the famous quote about a Cubs fan in a famously obscene post. of Lee Elia, passed away.

He was 69 years old. WSCR-AM reported Grobstein died Sunday at his home. No cause has been given.

Grobstein has been the station’s overnight host since 2009. The position suits him because of his reliance on callers and his willingness to listen and engage die-hard fans in discussions. long. “The Grobber” also features an encyclopedic knowledge of Chicago sports.

He was at Wrigley Field on April 29, 1983, when Elia – then the Cubs coach – hit the field in front of the team’s fans after the loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The crowd threw trash at Keith Moreland and Larry Bowa as they made their way from the dugout to the clubhouse afterward.

The 4-3 loss sent the Cubs down 5-14 and Elia’s frustration spilled over for a long time, which Grobstein recorded on his tape recorder. Filled with profanities, Elia claims 85% of “the world is working. The remaining 15 people should come out.”

To this day, clips of Elia’s passion are still played on sports programs when Memorable tides mentioned.

A Chicago native who attended Columbia College, Grobstein started as a basketball commentator for the Northwest in 1970 and established himself as a fixture on the city’s sports scene. over the next five decades.

Grobstein called games for various teams and worked at several radio stations and called on scores and quotes to outlets including The Associated Press.