Have a nice weekend

I won't be posting on the blog for the rest of the weekend because I'm heading out of town and going to New Orleans with the family.

Just One Bad Century will still be going strong in my absence (brand new material every day), but this blog and my Father Knows Nothing blog won't return until Tuesday...when my actual body returns to Chicago.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

This week in...

1929

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

*On the day that the big 3 hitters in the Cubs lineup all homer (Rogers Hornsby, Hack Wilson & KiKi Cuyler) to beat the Pirates 4-3 in Wrigley Field, President Herbert Hoover authorizes the building of the Boulder Dam. It's later renamed "The Hoover Dam."

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1969

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

*Ron Santo knocks in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth (with a sacrifice fly) to beat the Pirates 5-4 in Wrigley Field on the same day that Warren Burger is sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.


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

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

*Jody Davis walks with the bases loaded and the Cubs beat the Pirates in the bottom of the eleventh inning at Wrigley Field. Meanwhile, Susan Lucci is trying to decide which dress to wear for the Daytime Emmy Awards, certain that she couldn't possibly lose the Emmy for the fifth year in a row.


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

The Boys of Zimmer are taking Chicago by storm.

*The Cubs get crushed in San Francisco by the Giants (12-2) at the same time Susan Lucci gets crushed at the Daytime Emmy Awards...losing for the tenth year in a row.

Ryno says Sammy doesn't belong in the hall

And he was Sammy's teammate for many years. Don't forget that Ryno also issued veiled slams at Sammy during his Hall of Fame speech.

More about Ryno's comments here.

Rollie Hemsley

Nobody remembers good ol' Rollie Hemsley, but Charlie Grimm used to tell a great story about the Cubs backup catcher.

Rollie almost got Charlie fired on his first day managing the Cubs.

The story is here.

Rollie was born on this day in 1907.

Kevin Gregg

SUCKS.

Olympic Day in Chicago

If you like a little local snark, check out this piece in the Beachwood Reporter.

I contributed to this tribute to today's "Olympic Day" in Chicago.

More Ryno Talk

Thanks to Chicagoist and Cubhub for also posting my YouTube video of my recollections about that game 25 years ago today.

Status of Cubs sale

Don't know if Sam Zell is doing this to put pressure on the Ricketts family, but there's a new bidder (actually one of the previous bidders, re-entering the negotiations.)

All of the details are here in Crain's.

E-mails, we get e-mails

From "MB"



"Great post on the Samdberg game. I had no idea McGee hit for the cycle that day! Those were unbelievable Cardinals teams. I was there too-SRO on 1st base side most of the game with my sister & dad. We jockeyed for empty seats with a bunch of sailors from Great Lakes, who looked as if they just arrived at the ballpark from the set of a 1950's Jerry Lewis Navy movie. It's almost hard to believe how effortless it was to go to a Cubs game then. Saturday afternoon; national TV game; Leon Durham's Sports Illustrated cover had just been published; "hey, let's drive in to the city without tix and go to the Cubs game!" Do people still do that? I think Cubs season attendance peaked at just over 2.1M in 1984. It was less than 1.5M the prior year. Now 3M+"

25 years ago today...

...Ryne Sandberg became a national celebrity. I was there. It was my favorite day ever at Wrigley Field.

A funny observation...

Fewer dads staying home

According to this article, I'm becoming an endangered species.

Here's an excerpt...

"Thirty-one percent of working dads would leave their jobs if their spouses or significant others earned enough money to comfortably support the entire family. Although that's a sizable percentage, it's a slight drop from last year's 37 percent and a significant drop from 2005's 49 percent."

69% would rather work? And they say that Germans have a ridiculous work ethic.

Super Barack

John Dillinger

John Herbert Dillinger was born on this day in 1902.

Sure, he was a notorious bank robber, but he was also something else: A fan of the Chicago Cubs.

He attended his last Cubs game just a few weeks before he was gunned down outside the Biograph Theater; exactly one month after his 32nd birthday.

(The movie about his life, starring Johnny Depp, opens on July 1)

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. It's about my latest Father-Son outing to Wrigley Field. I call it "A day at the ballgame"

And by the way, dads, Happy Father's Day to one and all.

Hottest day in Chicago history

It was on this date in 1953. The official temperature was 104 degrees, and the Cubs actually played a day game at Wrigley Field. Incredibly, 17,000+ fans came out to smolder in the steamy hot ballpark and watch the Cubs lose 5-3 to the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Hank Sauer hit a homer, but two errors by shortstop Roy Smalley cost the Cubs the ballgame.

Joe Garagiola started at catcher for the Cubs and caught all nine innings.

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

"DE" writes...



"There’s an uncanny resemblance between you and Mr. Ricketts – sure you not holding out on us, and you’re really the heir to the TD Ameritrade Holding Corp Fortune?










Love your site, I check it out every day. Keep up the great work."

If I am related, they are holding out on me. I'll have to send them a letter.

No-No!

The Cubs were in Brooklyn on this day 57 years ago. They faced a pitcher named Carl Erksine...and he no-hit them. The game took 1 hour and 48 minutes, and only 7700 fans were on hand to witness it.

The Vendor-Client relationship in real life situations

Will Ricketts ever buy the Cubs?

It's looking like it might not happen now.

Read this CNBC article about the sale. It doesn't take too much reading between the lines to sense potential trouble here.

Ozzie mows Wrigley

Click on this link to see a picture of the T-shirt Ozzie Guillen thought was so funny before yesterday's game. It's a borderline racist shirt that says "Ozzie Mows Wrigley."


Look, Cub fans, should we really be taunting at this point? (This isn't the 1930s)

Our team stinks. We're a game below .500. And guess what? Ozzie's team really did mow Wrigley yesterday. They beat us 4-1.

Harvey Walken

The man who trademarked the phrase "Any team can have a bad century" passed away yesterday. His name was Harvey Walken, and I traded e-mails with his office several times last year while I was developing my site Just One Bad Century. Read his obituary at the link. He lived a very interesting life. (Among other things, he was once one of the owners of the Pittsburgh Pirates).

My correspondence with him began when we posted that famous quote "Any team can have a bad century" on our website, but we attributed it to Jack Brickhouse. Mr. Walken's office notified us to let us know that Harvey actually owned the copyright to that, and that we needed to attribute it to him. If you click on the asterisk next to the quote on our home page now, you'll read the whole story.

Mr. Walken was kind enough to send me an autographed copy of his book "Here's Lookin' At Me Kid," which includes lots of great quotes from a very colorful man (the introduction was written by Phil Rosenthal). His autograph reads: "Rick, thanks for your work on MY behalf! Any team have can have a bad century. Let's hope it's only one. Go Cubs! Harvey"

Happy Birthday Bridget

My lovely wife Bridget is celebrating a birthday today. I don't know how she does it, but she remains four years younger than me.

A few years ago she wrote a column for this blog.

Last year on our 17th anniversary, I wrote 17 things about her.

This year the boys and I are taking her to her favorite restaurant for dinner. Check that. We're taking her to her favorite restaurant that has menu items the boys will actually eat.

This week in...

1929

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

*On the same day that Phillies pitcher Ray Benge (who led the league in home runs allowed and had an ERA of 6.29) strikes out 13 Cubs to win at Wrigley Field, Otto E. Funk finishes a marathon walk that took him from New York to San Francisco (4165 miles).

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

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

*While the Cubs are splitting a double header at Crosley Field to the Reds (they lose the opener 7-6 on a Bobby Tolan single in the bottom of the ninth, and win the second game 5-4 on a Paul Popovich home run), Hee Haw is debuting on CBS-TV.


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

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

*They lose a game 5-2 to the Phillies in the afternoon thanks to a big day from former Cub Ivan DeJesus, but manage to get out of the ballpark in time to watch the big Thomas Hearns-Roberto Duran fight that night. Hearns knocks him out.


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

The Boys of Zimmer are taking Chicago by storm.

*Doc Gooden shuts out the Cubs 2-0 at Shea Stadium (in a rain-shortened game), but the big story in the news that night is Zsa Zsa Gabor's arrest for slapping a policeman in Beverly Hills.

Sammy finally outed

On the eve of the Cubs/Sox series, some fodder for Sox fans.

According to this article, Sammy Sosa's name was indeed on the list of players that failed steroid tests in 2003. That's the same list A-Rod's name appeared.

Can't say I'm surprised, but somehow, believe it or not, I'm still disappointed.

By the way, can somebody please go check on my friend Dave Stern (if you know him)? This news has been out for almost an hour and a half and I haven't gotten a gloating phone call yet.

Thanks Elliott Harris!

Elliott Harris put another picture of our Just One Bad Century girl (holding his book) on the Chicago Sun Times website today.

I know he's promoting his book signing, but it's still a nice gesture. By the way, Ernie Banks will also be on hand at Elliott's book signing today, along with co-authors Grant DePorter & Mark Vancil from 5-7 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, 33 W. Kinzie.

Rules for flying the "W" flag

The Tribune has the rules of etiquette regarding the "W" flag. Cross your fingers that we'll get a chance to fly it at least twice over the next three days. The Cubs play the White Sox.

Why you need to keep the kids busy

If you don't, they'll come up with stupid things to do, like this...


Invisible Rope Prank II - Watch more Funny Videos

Casey & Harry

Exactly 100 years ago today this dramatic reading of "Casey at the Bat" was recorded. (June 16, 1909). The actor reciting the poem is Dewolf Hopper (photo), who was hugely popular for doing this on the Vaudeville circuit.

I'd call it ridiculous overacting...I actually laughed out loud a few times.



84 years later (June 16, 1993) another famous orator had a melt down when the good folks at Cracker Jacks wanted to celebrate their 100th anniversary. His name was Harry Caray.

Television Faces

The latest issue of Shore Magazine is now out.

It features an article I wrote called "Television Faces." There are interviews/profiles of local television newscasters like Chicago's Mark Suppelsa, Mark Giangreco, Dane Placko, Kristyn Hartman, & Bob Sirott, along with Grand Rapids anchor Juliet Dragos, South Bend anchors Maureen & Terry McFadden, and Merrillville's Lindsay Grome.

The article also features great pictures taken by Shore Magazine photographer Natalie Battaglia.

Read the whole thing here.

100 Best Movie Lines in 200 Seconds

Love this...

Today in Cubs history

A few memorable events happened on this day (JUNE 15) in Cubs history.




In 1916, the pitcher who starred for the 1910 World Series Cubs died. His name was King Cole.

In 1942 Cubs pitcher Hi Bithorn finally couldn't take another second of Leo Durocher's taunting from the opposing dugout. So he threw a pitch into the dugout, trying to hit Leo.

In 1951 the Cubs made one of their worst trades ever. They traded stud pitcher Johnny Schmitz and star outfielder/infielder Andy Pafko (probably the most popular Cub) to the Brooklyn Dodgers for for Bruce Edwards, Joe Hatten, Gene Hermanski and Eddie Miksis.

In 1964 they made another trade, acquiring a pitcher named Ernie Broglio. I'm still not emotionally prepared to talk about it.

In 1997, the Cubs played their first inter-league game against the Chicago White Sox. They won the game 8-3.

Billy & Champ

He is 71 years old today. One of the all-time great Cubs players, and one of my all-time favorites. I can't tell you how many times I tried to do the spit and swing in my backyard. For me, that probably started in 1969.





Champ Summers is also 63 years old today. They called him Champ, although he never was one. Happy birthday, Champ.

Let there be lights!

On this day in 1948, the Detroit Tigers erected lights at their stadium, leaving only one major league team without lights. It would only be 40 more years before that team, the Cubs, followed suit. (Photo)

How did that work out for the Cubs?

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest "Father Knows Nothing" column at NWI Parent. It's my review of the film, "Up".

Joe Carter

On this day in 1984, the Cubs traded away their top prospect, Joe Carter, along with a few others (like Mel Hall) for Rick Suttcliffe.

I'll never begrudge the Cubs that trade because it brought them their first division title in 39 years and within a few outs of the 1984 World Series.

On the other hand, don't you ever wonder what it would have looked like to see this guy in the same outfield with Andrew Dawson (who arrived in Chicago just a few years later)?

Chicago Radio Spotlight

I'm not going to be doing Chicago Radio Spotlight the rest of this summer. With all three boys at home, it's really difficult to conduct professional interviews.

I'm still going to be doing this blog, Just One Bad Century, and Father Knows Nothing (in addition to working on two book projects), so it's not like I'm just throwing in the towel. But something's gotta give.

Chicago Radio Spotlight will return at the end of August.

Coining a term?

My son Johnny left for school this morning (last day) and didn't realize until he hit the sidewalk that he forgot to put on his shoes.

He came back inside slapping his head.

"Sorry Dad," he said, "I think I just had a junior moment."

Larry French

He was a pitcher for the Cubs, so it only seemed natural that he buy a bear cub as a pet, right? Larry French did it on this day in 1938.

It didn't turn out so well.

Public Enemies

Awesome story in the latest issue of Shore Magazine. It's an insider's account into the making of the Johnny Depp movie "Public Enemies" (about John Dillinger...filmed in and around this area). The writer of the piece, Don Ascher, has a part in the movie. Lots of great behind the scenes pictures too.

Read the whole story here.

Charlie Hollicher

He was born on this day in 1896 and went on to star for the 1918 pennant winning Chicago Cubs as a rookie, but the Charlie Hollicher story doesn't end well.


Read all about his tragic life here.

Mr. Ed & Herman Munster try out for Leo Durocher

Here's Mr. Ed's tryout...Sandy Koufax pitches to him.



Here's Herman Munster's tryout...



Despite their obvious talent, neither of them lasted in the Big Leagues.

Charlie Grimm & Frankie Frisch

On this day in 1949 Charlie Grimm resigned as manager of the Cubs because he couldn't take the losing anymore. He wasn't living up to his nickname Jolly Cholly, he was living up his last name...and inspiring this portrait by Norman Rockwell.

The job was given to Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch. He had no idea what he was getting into.

E-mails, we get e-mails

"JE" writes...



"Rick, I am in Hong Kong, completely jet lagged and up at 4am....so what's a gal to do.....surf the web and catch up on my favorite sites since I was in the air flying for the last 24 hours. So, after pulling up the Loop to listen online, I grab yours and both of them came up in Chinese. The Loop had enough graphics that are still in English that I could navigate it.....yours, on the other hand....a little more problematic. Thought you might like to see what your site looks like over here."

Click on the picture below to enlarge it...

Roy Smalley

Roy Smalley is 83 years old today. He played shortstop for the Cubs during some of their darkest days. His brother-in-law Gene Mauch was one of his teammates. His son Roy also played in the big leagues for the Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, and the Chicago White Sox.

Toy Story 3

It's about time. My kids are going to be excited when this comes out next summer. Here's the first trailer...

E-mails, we get e-mails

"RP," a father of three grown boys, responds to my latest Father Knows Nothing column...


"Yes, you will miss it when the boys are gone. Because you've been so involved in their growing up, you'll feel it even more than the average dad. Every now and then, something will remind you of some little incident that happened when the kids were small, and you'll have a wistful little tug at your heart. Remember them well, for these days will never come again."

Wise advice.

Sammy's 2000th

He hit it on this day in 2003. He currently stands at 2408 hits. Has he ever officially retired, by the way? The rumor is that announcement is coming this week.

Dave Benson

My old Loop buddy Dave Benson, recently let go by KFOG in San Francisco, has landed a new gig in Seattle at KMTT. From this morning's Radio Online...

Dave Benson heads to Entercom's AAA KMTT-FM (103.7 The Mountain)/Seattle as Program Director. Most recently, he served as PD of Cumulus' AAA KFOG-FM/San Francisco and nine years with the company. He had also overseen co-owned Classic Rock KSAN-FM (100.7 The Bone). Before joining KFOG in June, 2000, Benson served as PD of KBCO-FM/Denver.

"Every radio format, like every business, has its leaders -- the two or three who are the best at what they do," said Entercom/Seattle OM Dave Richards. "In Triple A radio, Dave Benson is that person."

Dave Richards once worked in Chicago too. John Fisher, another long-time Chicagoan, is the afternoon guy at that station.

I've previously interviewed both Benson & Fisher at Chicago Radio Spotlight.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This one is about my loud children. I call it "Loud." You can read it here.