Jack Brickhouse

I always loved Harry, but to me, the all-time Cubs announcer was Jack Brickhouse. He was the guy behind the microphone when I became a Cubs fan (a day I still curse).

Jack died on this day in 1998, just a few months after we lost Harry.

Here he is talking about his all-time favorite Cub...

Spiro Agnew

On this day in 1968 Richard Nixon named Spiro Agnew as his running mate. How much of a joke was Agnew? This ad sums it up nicely. He eventually resigned in disgrace.

The Fugitive

The film "The Fugitive" was released on this day in 1993.

What does that movie have in common with Greg Maddux?

Read here to find out.

Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft

They were married on this day in 1964. I met both of them when Mel was in town launching The Producers, which I count among my all-time favorite showbiz moments. Here they are singing "Sweet Georgia Brown" in Polish on British television in 1983...



They remained married until Anne's death a few years ago. A rare successful Hollywood marriage.

Risky Business

Risky Business was released on this day in 1983.

Cubs fan and current Chicago Broadcaster Harry Teinowitz had a small part in the film.

Steve Jacula

I attended a wake last night of someone who died way too young.

His name was Steve Jacula, and he was once a member of the band Landecker & the Legends. If you ever saw us back in the 90s, Steve was our bass player. He had big poofy salt and pepper hair and a perpetual smile. (He's the one on the far left on the album cover)

He was also the producer of the first five Landecker & the Legends CDs, which were recorded in his Old Plank Studios in Naperville.

Steve had been fighting health issues for years, but no one foresaw his sudden death at the age of 55. In fact, I had just gotten back in touch with him about ten days ago on Facebook.

I'll always remember him as a gentle soul, a musical genius, and one of the nicest people I've ever known.

RIP, Steve. You will be missed.

Dallas Green

Dallas Green is 76 years old today.

He did some great things with the Cubs in his short time here, but he also wasn't exactly known for his warm and cuddly demeanor. 

This story is a perfect example of that.

Lenny Bruce

On this day in 1966 they found him dead of an overdose. A tragic life. A groundbreaking comedian. By today's standards, he isn't shocking at all. By the standards of the early 1960s...

Well, listen to the way that Steve Allen introduces him.

High Drama

The latest issue of NWI Parent is out and once again I wrote the back page Family Room essay. This issue's essay is called "High Drama" and it's about the anxiety I'm feeling about my oldest boy entering high school in a few weeks.

You can read it here.

Shooter

His time with the Cubs was short.

His time on Earth was short.

But the man they called Shooter was one memorable guy.

Today would have been his 42nd birthday.

Wear your emotions on your chest

Every season there comes a time when the JOBC logo perfectly describes your emotions. If you're a Cubs fan, that time is now.

Buy your JOBC merchandise here.

Badfinger

They recorded this song on this day in 1969. It was written by Paul McCartney and eventually released on the Beatles Apple Records.

Warren Harding

On this day in 1923 the President of the United States, Warren G. Harding, passed away while in office.

After he died, the truth about his presidency came out, including one of the worst scandals in presidential history.

It also happens to be the only presidential scandal that implicated an owner of the Chicago Cubs.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This one is called: "An open letter to my dog."

Warning: It's pretty gross.

You can read it here.