Chicago Radio Spotlight

I just posted my latest Chicago Radio Spotlight interview. This week I talk to WGN's Rick Kogan. Rick is also a great writer (he has written 12 books in addition to his great work with the Chicago Tribune), and part of the interview also includes a discussion of his writing.

More response

We got a ton of response today about Mary Schmich's column in the Tribune. Here are a few of my favorites...

From Yooper Bill...

"Just found out about your announcment, (I live in the U.P., and sometimes the dogsled express doesn't get through). I have had a bad couple of weeks, (agood friend lost her battle with Cancer), and you announcement was just what i needed. I laughed until I cried! God Bless you!"

From "AR"...

"I loved your ad and Schmick’s column. Those who are critical need to loosen up! We live in New Hampshire, but are mid-westerners. My husband has always loved the Cubs. We used to enjoy the Red Sox, but when they finally won the pennant, their fans became rude, mean and unbearable. We became anti-fans. I know that the people in the Midwest don’t have that meanness, so I hope the Cubs will pull it off one of these years! Always hopeful!"

From "BM"...

"The birth announcement was HILARIOUS!! Let's just hope and pray that lil' Waitle Nex is a heck of a lot better than her folks!"

From "BB"...

"Hilarious. The test of a good religion is the ability to poke fun at itself. If being a Cub's fan isn't a religious experience it is awful close. We believe in the unbelievable. We have faith that defies all reason. We have hope eternal. To quote the Joker, "I may be laughing on the outside but I am crying on the inside!" Well done guys!"

From "AR"...

"I didn't see the printed ad, but I got the joke right away. I'm a lifelong Cub fan and I thought it was funny and clever. Those who don't get the joke or are insulted by it really need to get themselves a sense of humor."

E-mails, we get e-mails...

Jon Switzer writes...



"I have only one thing to say and that is BRAVO!!! This is awesome. I am 59 years old and remember the Cubs when Dick Bertell was their catcher, when Carmen Fanzone played second AND the national anthem on his trumpet, when 650 people were at the Cubs game, when we had a right fielder named Johnny Callison and Wes Covington, college of coaches, and no lines to get into the game. I have been a Cub fan…even though we traded Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio. Thus, all that being said, I think this is hilarious! Keep up the great work. I have bookmarked this site! I will refer to it to many of my friends in business and life. Again, how hilarious! Must have been fun to do! Although sad …..but life is a game….and we need to remember it in this spirit you portray on here! Thanks a heap!!!!"

More birth announcement press

Many thanks to Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune for writing a column today about Dave and I, and our little birth announcement stunt.

The article is here: Absurd ad a way to say farewell to '09 season

Ernie & Sammy

They are the two greatest Cubs sluggers of all-time, and they both accomplished something memorable on this date in history.



In 1955, Ernie Banks hit his 5th grand slam of the season, becoming the first player in MLB history to accomplish that feat.






In 1999, Sammy Sosa hit his 60th home run of the season, becoming the first player in MLB history to accomplish that feat two years in a row.

One tear for one bad season

Wear it over your heart to show what you're feeling.













Or wear it on your head to show what you're thinking.




Both are available in our fine little souvenir stand.

Dave's Facebook Status Update

My former Half-Empty and Bald Handbook co-writer Dave Stern has this as his status update today on Facebook...

"Avoid Rose M. in the 7th bay at the Elston Ave DMV. She asked me if I wanted 'Bald' listed for my hair color on my new drivers license. Great idea.....B****."

Ouch.

This week in...

1929

The Cubs are in the midst of a pennant winning season.

*As Lt James H Doolittle guides a Consolidated N-Y-2 Biplane over Mitchell Field in New York in the 1st all-instrument flight, the Pirates lose to the Boston Braves, which clinches the National League pennant for the Cubs. A few hours later Pat Malone shuts out the Giants in Wrigley for his 22nd win.


********************
1969

The Cubs are in the midst of one of their most memorable seasons.

*Fergie Jenkins wins his 21st game of the season, but the Cubs remain 4 1/2 games behind the first place Mets. That same day, "Sugar Sugar" by the Archies becomes the number 1 hit in the nation.


********************
1984

The Cubs are hoping to make the playoffs for the first time since World War 2.

*Lee Smith loses a heartbreaker at Wrigley Field to the Pirates 7-6, but the Cubs surpass 2 million in attendance for the first time in team history. Later that night, "The Cosby Show" debuts on NBC.



********************
1989

The Boys of Zimmer are taking Chicago by storm.

*As Puerto Rico attempts to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Hugo, Greg Maddux wins his 18th game of the season, a 9-1 smackdown of the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field. Andre Dawson hits a homer in the effort.

e-$everance

My novel $everance is now available as an e-book for only $5.

You can pick up your copy here.

I am far too modest to praise it, but the Chicago Sun Times did call it "whiplash-fast choke-on-your-coffee funny."

Hilarious

The Blackout Game Part 2

On this date in 1977, the Cubs and Mets finally finished the game that was in progress when the entire city of New York went dark.

Guess who won?

Duke

His name was Thomas Leo Simpson and he was born on this date in 1927.

His Cubs teammates called him Duke.

Read more about him here.

Best tennis point ever

This is truly miraculous...

Joke for a Monday morning

Contributed by "BP"




A salesman goes up to a house and knocks on the front door. It's opened by a little ten year-old boy who has a lighted cigar in one hand, a glass of whiskey in the other and a Penthouse magazine tucked under his arm.

Salesman: "Hello son. Is your mom or dad home?"

Little boy: "What the f*** do you think?"

A new division

On this date in 1993, MLB announced that the National League was going to be split into three separate divisions.

The Cubs were moved into the newly created NL Central, and with that move, their long-standing rivalry with New York Mets was greatly diminished.

But their rivalry with the Cardinals remained intact, and sadly, still exists to this date. (Don't look at the standings today...just don't do it.)

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. It's called "Immigration Integration," and it's about the memories of my own childhood that were sparked by Johnny's best friend moving to Poland.

You can read it here.