Max Flack

On this day in 1922, the goat of the 1918 World Series, Max Flack (photo), was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Cliff Heathcote between games of a double header at Cubs Park. Flack played for the Cubs in game 1 and for the Cardinals in game 2.

The Cubs won both games.

It's Prom Season

Last year I wrote about my cold war prom experience for NWI Parent.

You can read the humiliating details here.

(This photo is actually from my Senior prom in America, but I'm wearing the same blue velvet tux. I don't think anyone took a picture of me at Junior Prom.)

Zambrano's suspension

Carlos Zambrano was suspended for six games and will not appeal the suspension.

This guy is a child. I say they give him a timeout, ground him for a week, or make him write "I will not throw a tantrum" a thousand times instead.

Oh...my...gosh...

This is a real web video created by Gillette...

50 years ago today...

The Cubs pounded the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-4 in L.A.'s Memorial Coliseum. Moe Drabowsky got the win for the Cubs.

The Dodgers were on their way to a World Series championship (beating the White Sox), and the Cubs were on their way to a 5th place finish.

Drabowsky later beat the Dodgers (and former Cubs farmhand Ron Perranoski) in Game 1 of the 1966 World Series.

Unfortunately, he was pitching for the Orioles at the time.

Jay Silverheels

He would have been 90 this week. I miss Tonto.

Michael Jackson & Lisa Marie

15 years ago this week the big headline in all the newspapers was the surprise marriage of Michael Jackson & Lisa Marie Presley.


We had some fun with that story on the John Records Landecker show.

A cost saving plan

This is hilarious. Love the Onion.


Nation's Girlfriends Unveil New Economic Plan: 'Let's Move In Together'

This week in 1929, 1969, 1984, & 1989

1929

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

*Cubs ace Pat Malone is pounded by the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh on the same day that the first all-color talking picture ("On With The Show!") is exhibited in New York. The movie starred a man who would later make his name portraying players on the Cubs; Joe E. Brown.

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

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

*On the same day a Glenn Beckert error in the 8th inning leads to three unearned runs in a loss to the San Francisco Giants, construction begins on Walt Disney World in Florida.



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

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

*While Reds pitcher Mario Soto is getting into a fight (and getting suspended for five games) in Dennis Eckersley's first start for the Cubs, the video to Bruce Springsteen's brand new song "Dancing in the Dark" is getting heavy airplay on MTV.


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

The Boys of Zimmer are taking Chicago by storm.

*On the day John Smoltz and the Braves beat the Cubs 3-2 in Atlanta thanks to an error by Shawon Dunston, the Speaker of the House James Wright resigns from office amidst an ethics scandal. He is replaced by Tom Foley.

Father Knows Nothing

I posted a new Father Knows Nothing yesterday. It's called "Mow Mow Mow Your Lawn" and it's about my attempt at passing the lawnmowing torch to my sons.

Ease your pain

Has there ever been a better time to purchase one of these hats or shirts, by the way? The crying Cub logo says so much...

Last weekend at JOBC

I wasn't around last weekend, but Just One Bad Century kept cranking out the material. If you'd like to catch up, here are the links.

This week in 1908 was about the Cubs raising the 1907 championship banner. (And much more)

This week's Cubs through History was about Jesse Owens.

And on the JOBC blog, we featured the first Latino Cubs player, the Tribune Tower, and the great mustache trade.

It could be worse...

While it seems the Cubs are the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked, they have been worse. For instance...


In 1964 the New York Mets were the worst team in baseball. They lost 109 games that season.

But on this day in 1964, they beat the Cubs 19-1.

Bob Buhl gave up 4 runs in the first (he didn't survive the inning), and Don Elston gave up 6 runs in the ninth, and the Cubs hitters were shut down by Jack Fisher, who led the league in earned runs that year.




I know it's pathetic. But this made me feel better about that 8-game losing streak.

Going to Detroit

I won't be blogging this weekend because I'm going to Detroit to visit my little brother. (He doesn't actually live in Detroit). He has two boys around the age of mine, so the cousins always have a great time together.


There won't be a Chicago Radio Spotlight interview this weekend or a new Father Knows Nothing until Tuesday (I'm hoping for some good material to emerge this weekend), but Just One Bad Century will continually update with new features and blog posts.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Thanks Oak Park

Thanks to everyone who came out to Oak Park Public Library last night for our panel discussion. It's always fun to talk baseball, especially with my fellow writers from "Cubbie Blues"; Robert Goldsborough, James Finn Garner and Don Evans. That's a really nice library too, and their baseball display is tremendous. You should check it out if you get a chance.

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

From a Cardinals fan...

"I have to comment on that onesie. It still rubs me the wrong way. You should make a new one that says, "I already have more teeth than the Cubs' offense."

Rick responds: If it's rubbing you the wrong way you might not be wearing it correctly. The snaps should be in the front.

An exciting debut

This is an important day in Cubs history.

The year was 2002. I bought a ticket that day, a single ticket, and went by myself because I wanted to be able to tell my kids I saw it in person.

I ran into both Bob Sirott and Bill Zehme at the game--they went there for the same reason.

The player everyone in that ballpark came to see didn't disappoint. He won the game for the Cubs, and pitched a gem.

His name was Mark Prior.

Sigh.

Another reminder

I'll be in Oak Park tonight along with my fellow contributors to Cubbie Blues (Don Evans, Don De Grazio, James Finn Garner, and Robert Goldsborough).

Come out to the Oak Park Public Library (Main Library, 2nd Floor, Veterans Room, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park) at 7PM and see a lively panel discussion about the Cubs.

It will be funnier (and more rewarding) than watching the game against the Cardinals.

The Onion...

...is even funnier than the Daily Show. Exhibit A is below...


Police Slog Through 40,000 Insipid Party Pics To Find Cause Of Dorm Fire

So they lost the first two...

I still say this onesie is funny.

Buy yours here.

Cubs trade Chuck Klein

He's a Hall of Famer, but mostly because of his years with the Philadelphia Phillies. He had a couple of decent years with the Cubs, but Chuck Klein never approached the numbers he had in Philadelphia.

On this day in 1936, the Cubs traded him back to the Phillies. He hit a home run in his first game back.

Jesse Ventura

Am I a hopeless weirdo if I admit that I love Jesse Ventura? Watch him vivisect Sean Hannity and tell me you don't agree...

My latest for the Beachwood Reporter

I review the salad bar at Chuck E. Cheese's in Batavia.

No, I'm not kidding.

Rick is leaving the basement!

If you're in the Oak Park area tomorrow night, I'll be appearing at the Oak Park Public Library to promote the "Cubbie Blues" book.

Here are the details...

Thursday, May 21, 2009, 7 p.m.: Oak Park Public Library (Main Library, 2nd Floor, Veterans Room, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park). "Cubbie Blues" editor Donald G. Evans serves as moderator for a panel of contributing writers to the book, including Don De Grazia, James Finn Garner, Robert Goldsborough and Rick Kaempfer, who will give voice to the essence of being a Cubs fan.

Face Plant

All I can say is Ouch. Thanks to "BP" for the heads up.


Wall Faceplant After Diving Catch - Watch more Funny Videos

Babe Ruth's last appearance in Chicago...

...was on this day in 1935. He was a member of the Boston Braves, and he hit a home run. He retired as an active player two weeks later.

The Babe had a run at a movie career after his playing days were over.

Wow, was he bad.

My latest for SHORE Magazine

This article is entitled "People Persuasion, Innovation Invasion" and it's one of the cover stories in the June issue of SHORE Magazine. I've got another cover story coming next month.

Pete Townshend

He is 64 today. 30 years since he wrote the words to this one...

Joke for a Tuesday morning

Contributed by "KK," with apologies to lawyers...



A man happened upon a friend of his while walking down a suburban street. The man noticed that his friend's car was total loss and covered with leaves, grass, branches, dirt and blood. So, the man asked his friend, "What in the world happened to your car?"

"Well," the friend said, "I ran into a lawyer."

"Okay," said the man, "that explains the blood. But what about the leaves, the grass, the branches and all of the dirt?"

His friend replied, "Well, I had to chase him all through the park."

A good way to waste a morning

Thanks to "BP" for pointing out this site. It's called Loserloserloser.com

Brandmeier tackles "The Bobby Scales Story"

If you don't know who Bobby Scales is, he's the 31-year-old rookie the Cubs just brought up who is off to a great start. Everyone's rooting for him...

Bill Murray to invest in Cubs?

Ladies and gentlemen, can you imagine the potential fun we have in store for us if this story is true?

Kaempfer's Woodpecker

I know this sounds like a joke, but there really is a bird named: "Kaempfer's Woodpecker." Insert your "Kaempfer pecker" jokes here.

As you may know, I've been periodically tormented by a woodpecker at my house, so I find this bird's name appropriate in so many ways.

Harry Caray returns to SNL

This week in...

1929

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

*On the day that Charlie Root pitches three innings of shutout relief (2 days after pitching a shutout) and Rogers Hornsby homers to beat the Pirates at Wrigley Field, General Feng Yu-Xiang of China declares war on Chiang Kai-Shek government.


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

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

*Dick Selma strikes out nine and shuts out his former team the San Diego Padres on the same day The Who releases the rock opera "Tommy."




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

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

*Future Cubs closer Dave Smith walks in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth at Wrigley and the Cubs beat the Astros 7-6. The number one song in the country is the Phil Collins song "Against All Odds," which many Cubs fans see as "a sign."


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

The Boys of Zimmer are taking Chicago by storm.

*As Greg Maddux is beating the Reds in Cincinnati, the Dow goes past 2500 for the first time in history, and the Chinese government declares martial law.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest "Father Knows Nothing" column at NWI Parent. This week's column is called "The Man with the World's Longest Name." It celebrates the tenth anniversary of my award-winning children's story/poem.

23-22!

On this day in 1979, the Cubs lost to the Phillies 23-22. Fox 32's Dane Placko was there...

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Kipper McGee

This week's Chicago Radio Spotlight interview is with former WLS Program Director Kipper McGee. If you'd like to read it, the entire interview is here.

Don Cardwell's No Hitter

On this day in 1960, newly acquired Cubs pitcher Don Cardwell made his Cubs debut a memorable one: he pitched a no-hitter.

Len & Bob interviewed Don about that game on their blog a few years ago.

Cardwell passed away last year at the age of 72.

Going to Wrigley

I'm going to the Cubs game today. If you're there too, stop by section 228, row 2, seats 5 & 6 (my regular seats) and say hello.

Does a Bear in the Woods?

Contributed by "KK"...

Cubs release Dizzy Dean

He was one of the most popular players in Major League history, and then one of the most popular announcers. Dizzy Dean was one of a kind.

On this day in 1941, the Cubs released Ol' Diz, officially ending his playing career.

Read about his last stand; the 1938 World Series.

Joke for a Thursday morning

Contributed by "DS"...



A student of proctology is in the morgue one day after classes, getting a little practice in before the final exams. He goes over to a table where a body is lying face down. He uncovers the sheet over the body, and to his surprise he finds a cork in the corpse's rectum. Figuring that this is fairly unusual, he pulls the cork out, and to his surprise, the rectum starts singing, "Hey Chicago what do you say... the Cubs are gonna..."

The student is amazed, and places the cork back in the backside. The music stops. Totally freaked out, the student calls the Medical Examiner over to the corpse. "Look at this, this is really something," the student tells the examiner as he pulls the cork back out again. "Hey Chicago what do you say... the Cubs are gonna..."

So what? " the Medical Examiner replies, obviously unimpressed with the students discovery. "But isn't that the most amazing thing you've ever seen?" asked the student. Are you kidding?" replied the Examiner, "I've heard hundreds of a-holes sing that stupid song."

The American Mustache Institute interviews Fergie

The interview is here.

Harry, Skip & Chip

On this date in 1991, Harry, Skip and Chip Caray made history when three generations of Carays broadcast a game together. Tom Glavine and the Braves beat the Cubs 5-3.

Crowd sings Hey Jude

I kept waiting for McCartney to show up. He was probably in the neighborhood somewhere...



If Chicago did this, what would we all sing together?

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

From "RP" regarding my post "CBS to wield knife"

"Here it comes: NewsRadio on the cheap. Remember when All-News WMAQ used to record their 1am and 2am hours, then just replay them for the 3am and 4am hours? Maybe WBBM will also subscribe to the Channel 2/5/9/32 pool for tape. Or just cover everything by phone. How about weekend infomercials, like at KFWB?"

Anything can happen as long as these mega-corporations stay in the radio business.

Hank Borowy

He was the star pitcher on the 1945 Cubs, arguably the player most responsible for getting them to the World Series. (Unfortunately, he was also the loser of Game 7. Read all about that story here.)

Hank Borowy was born on this day in 1916.

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

AS writes...



"People magazine is running a "Leno Looks Back" article in the May 18 issue (Kirstie Alley on the cover), with Leno commenting on the highlights of his late night show. There is a photo of the Dancing Itos under "1995" and it says the following:

"'The Dancing Itos....it was my idea,' Leno says of the routine prompted by O.J. Simpson's 'ridiculous trial- everybody was preening for the cameras. But Judge Ito still drops me notes. He's a very nice man.'"

Okay, is there something in the back of his mind that still prompts him, 14 years later, to comment on who's idea the whole thing was?"

If you're not familiar with the story and my (and John Landecker's) involvement in it, the whole story is here.

Ryan Freel

From this morning's Tribune. Looks like the newest Cub (Ryan Freel) will make things a little more interesting in the Cubs dugout...

"The newest Cub also addressed rumors that he has an imaginary friend named "Farney." In a 2006 interview with the Dayton Daily News, Freel said: "He's a little guy who lives in my head who talks to me and I talk to him. That little midget in my head said, 'That was a great catch, Ryan.' I said, 'Hey, Farney, I don't know if that was you who really caught the ball, but that was pretty good if it was.'"

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted this week's "Father Knows Nothing" column. It's about my mom (on Mother's Day). I call it "Hildegard."

This week in...

1929

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

*While the Cubs unwind on the train from Boston to Chicago after a grueling 19-game roadtrip (they won 11), the first Academy Awards are held. "Wings" wins for best picture, Janet Gayner wins for best actress and the best actor award goes to Emil Jennings.

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

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

*On the same day the Cubs are rained out at Wrigley Field against the San Francisco Giants (featuring Willie Mays, Juan Marichal & Willie McCovey), the first color photos of Earth are transmitted from space by Apollo 10, and the Turtles play at the White House. Singer Mark Volman falls off the stage 5 times.


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

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

*Jody Davis hits a 3-run pinch hit homer in the ninth inning to beat the Astros at the Astrodome on the same day that South African prisoner Nelson Mandela is permitted to see his wife for the first time in 22 years.


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

The Boys of Zimmer are taking Chicago by storm.

*While Mitch Williams is blowing a save at Wrigley Field during a 4-3 loss to the Giants at Wrigley Field, President George H.W. Bush is ordering troops into Panama.