Official Site of the Cubs · Jan 26, 2018
Better men: Cardenal, Vedder build friendship
CHICAGO -- Cubs fan Eddie Vedder will return to Wrigley Field this year when his band, Pearl Jam, plays two concerts, on Aug. 18 and Aug. 20. Jose Cardenal will probably be there, too. After all, the outfielder was Vedder's favorite Cubs player when the singer was growing up.
How did they meet? After Cubs home games, fans often wait outside Wrigley to get a glimpse of the players. Cardenal, who played for the Cubs from 1972-77, said most players would walk past the crowd and head to their cars, but he always tried to stop for youngsters. One of those kids was Vedder.
Vedder was about 12 or 13 at the time, and Cardenal not only signed an autograph, but he also talked to him.