Schwarber’s dad: ‘It’s been an amazing journey’

Friends and family surround Middletown native and Chicago Cubs star Kyle Schwarber shortly after the team won Game 7 of the World Series this week. CONTRIBUTED.

Friends and family surround Middletown native and Chicago Cubs star Kyle Schwarber shortly after the team won Game 7 of the World Series this week. CONTRIBUTED.

Forty minutes before Game 7 of the 2016 World Series — called the “most important” game in baseball history — Greg and Donna Schwarber received a text from their son while they were sitting in Progressive Field.

Their son happens to be Kyle Schwarber, designated hitter for the Chicago Cubs who faced the Cleveland Indians Wednesday night.

Greg Schwarber called it “an emotional” text and said his son thanked his parents for their continued support as he reached his childhood dream, playing in a World Series.

Four hours later, after the Cubs beat the Indians 8-7 in 10 innings, the Schwarbers were reunited with their son on the field.

Father and son hugged.

“I love you and I’m proud of you,” father told son.

“It was an emotional exchange,” said Schwarber, former Middletown police chief. “I got emotional. I’m still…”

The last two weeks have been “a whirlwind,” Schwarber said. They went from believing their 23-year-old son was unable to play in the World Series because of an injury he suffered in the season’s second game, to being told he was cleared to hit, to watching him win the World Series.

“Every kid in the back yard dreams of hitting a homer in the bottom of the ninth in a World Series,” Schwarber said. “It’s been an amazing journey. He realized a lifelong dream.”

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