When he’s at school, Mr. Paluch, the Band Director at Mannheim Middle School, teaches students how to play instruments. Outside of school, he is one of the biggest Chicago Cubs fans you will ever find. MMS Newsroom asked Chicago White Sox superfan Leo Trischan (pictured above) to step into the dugout with Mr. Paluch.
When did you first become a Cubs fan and start going to a lot of games?
I became a Cubs fan because my grandfather was a huge fan. We used to listen to the Cubs games on the radio all the time. He was a big fan in the 1970s, and he could name all the players. That’s how I learned the names and nicknames. That is how I became hooked.
Tell me about a memorable Cubs game you’ve attended.
I went to a Cubs playoff game in 2016, the year after they won the World Series.
Where were you for Game 7 of the World Series in 2016?
I was at my sister’s house with her, my nephew, and my two nieces. We all went crazy when the Cubs won. It was past midnight when they finally finished that long game, and we were all screaming our heads off. It was one of the happiest days of my life.
Have you met any Cubs players?
I have met manager Craig Counsell. I’ve also met Dansby Swanson, Justin Steele, and Kyle Hendricks. I have also met some legends: Kerry Wood, Ryne Sandberg, and Fergie Jenkins. Those are just a few of the players I’ve had the privilege of meeting.
Who was your favorite player in the 2025 or 2026 season?
I really like Nico Hoerner, he’s one of my favorites. I also really like Pete Crow-Armstrong. He’s a super exciting player. I’m also excited about Seiya Suzuki, he’s a great player, too.
Do you think the Cubs could sweep the White Sox this year?
The White Sox will be better than they were last year, so the Cubs probably won’t sweep the whole season. Usually, they play six games total, three at Wrigley and three at the Rate. I suspect the Sox will win a couple, and they might split the series.
What do you think about Sox fans?
Sox fans are loyal to their team. I don’t feel about Sox fans the way they often feel about Cubs fans. In general, I think Sox fans sometimes dislike Cubs fans for the wrong reasons. They often automatically think Cubs fans are “bad” or “nasty” people, but Cubs fans don’t usually have that same level of contempt for Sox fans.
Where do you think the Cubs will be in 10 years? Do you think they could win a World Series by then?
I hope they win a World Series in the next 10 years. I hope they are still a good team. They’ll have a lot of new players by then. They will probably have an entirely different roster in a decade.
