Blogger issues

Sorry for the lack of posts today.

There have been some issues with blogger nationwide. It was completely shut down for about twenty four hours.

Not that I've been checking it every twenty minutes or so to see if it was back up.

I don't have a problem.

I can quit blogging anytime.

Really.

Ferris Bueller

25 years ago this week, John Hughes was filming Ferris Bueller's Day Off in and around Chicagoland. One of the days of filming took place at Wrigley Field...during a Cubs game.

That story is here.

Honoring 3-Finger

The town of Terre Haute Indiana is finally honoring one of their most famous citizens.

One hundred years ago he was one of the best pitchers in baseball, the ace of the Chicago Cubs--a team that had been in the World Series four of the previous five years.

He also had one of the greatest nicknames of all-time, the result of a farming accident in his native Terre Haute.

Three Finger Brown.

Father Knows Nothing

My new Father Knows Nothing column is up. This week's is called "The Birds and the Bees" and it's about finally having "the talk" with my two oldest boys.

You can read the column here.

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Andy Masur

I just posted my latest Chicago Radio Spotlight interview. This week I talk to Andy Masur, native Chicagoan, former WGN Sports broadcaster, and current radio play by play man of the San Diego Padres.

You can read it here.

I'm trying to decide if this is my last Chicago Radio Spotlight before my summer hiatus. I think it is. I do have word out to one more big name personality, but if he can't do it this week, this will be the last one until the fall. More information to follow.

Worst Promotion Ever

On this day in 1974, the Cleveland Indians hosted Ten Cent Beer Night. Needless to say, it didn't go well. This song tells the story nicely...

Wooly Bully

It hit the charts on this day in 1965.

We used to play this at all the Landecker & the Legends shows. Our late friend Tim Weigel used to join us on stage and play keyboards...

1957

On this day in 1957, the Cubs were playing against the Brooklyn Dodgers and their young gunslinger Sandy Koufax.

Wonder what that sounded like on the radio?

Wonder no more.

World Cup

My brother sent me this link. It's a great piece written by an American comedy writer/soccer fan, comparing each of the World Cup teams to American sports teams, in an effort to help non-soccer fans in America better understand.

I highly recommend it.

Pity the Ump

There's a lot of talk today about that poor pitcher in Detroit (Gallaraga) that had a perfect game stolen because of a blown call by the umpire. I feel bad for him too.

But I feel worse for the umpire.

Read this piece in the Tribune. This is a call that will torture him for the rest of his career, and he's already feeling it.

L-O-L-A

On this day in 1970, Ray Davies of the Kinks went into the studio to re-record the lyrics of "Lola" because of a threatened lawsuit. It became Cherry Cola instead of Coca-Cola. But it was still about a one-night stand with a he-she. Great, great song...

A no-no

On this day in 1971, Kenny Holtzman pitched a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds. It was a nail biter until the very end--a 1-0 win in Cincinnati.

Holtzman scored the only run of the game himself, after reaching on an error in the third inning. (Glenn Beckert knocked him in with a single). The tough luck loser for the Reds was Gary Nolan, who gave up only five hits, and zero earned runs.

Among the hitters in the lineup for Cinci that day: Hal McRae, Tommy Helms, Lee May, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, George Foster, and Davey Concepcion.

Everybody Wants To Rule the World

This was the #1 song in the country on this day in 1985. I had to play it every single day (on WPGU in Champaign-Urbana) and eventually got really, really sick of it. But listening to it again this morning, I discovered I can finally enjoy it again. That only took 25 years.

Welcome back Jon Stewart

I'm happy he's back from vacation. I'm guessing BP is not.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
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Rick Reuschel

One of the truly rare good draft picks by the Cubs was made exactly forty years ago this week. They chose a man called Big Daddy--Rick Reuschel.

He would go on to be their best pitcher of the decade.

Thank God I'm a Country Boy

This was the #1 song in this country exactly 35 years ago today. He performed this at Farm Aid ten years later, and I confess I was singing along, even though I'm definitely not a country boy. It was quite a moment...

Jimmie Foxx

The Cubs acquired the future Hall of Famer on this day in 1942.

Of course, his good years were long behind him then.