A very talented artist from Chatham has immortalized a pitching legend through a pencil drawing that's now on display at Fergie Jenkins Field in Chatham.
Lucy Thrift, a 17-year-old student at Chatham-Kent Secondary School, took two months to meticulously draw a giant portrait of Fergie Jenkins.
Jenkins himself was present for the unveiling on Friday afternoon and told CK News Today the portrait is very impressive and the gifted artist did a great job capturing his likeness from yesteryear.
"I think it's one heck of a portrait. The young lady did a fabulous job. I'd say it's like the 1970s when I grew a mustache for the Cubs. Billy Williams and I and there was a couple of other guys that grew a mustache in spring training. So, I can recall that was the year I grew a mustache, 1970," said the Chicago Cubs pitching legend.
Thrift said she was inspired to draw Jenkins because he is such a huge role model.
"He's very important in Chatham and he grew up in Chatham. So, it's great to represent the city," Thrift said.
Jenkins said he pitched at that field when he was just 15 or 16 years old when he was learning to pitch, adding he's very proud to be from Chatham-Kent.
Fans who attend the home opener for the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers at Fergie Jenkins Field Saturday night will be among the first to feast their eyes on the artistic delight.
