The stadiums of South Africa

Rustenburg

This is a shot from outside Royal Bafokeng Stadium just outside Rustenburg, South Africa. This was taken the night the U.S. was defeated by Ghana. It was a chilly night, the crowd was pretty pro-Ghana (although the U.S. did a nice job of representing), and the atmosphere was positively electric, but I have to say it--the stadium is a dump, and the security situation was a disorganized mess. It took us three hours to get in, and three hours to get out, and after a ridiculous bus ride back to Johannesburg, we didn't get back to our hotel until 5 A.M.

Soccer City

As much as I was disappointed with Rustenberg, I was blown away by Soccer City in Johannesburg. It's a palace. I took this picture the night of the Mexico-Argentina game. We just showed up and scalped some tickets for about $100 a head, and we were not disappointed. (Argentina beat Mexico 3-1). The stadium holds 80,000 plus, and will host the finals between Holland and Spain.

Ellis Park

Ellis Park is located right in the heart of Johannesburg, in a very scary neighborhood (although for reference, probably no worse than the neighborhood around the Chicago Stadium in the 1970s and 1980s). As you can see, we had tremendous seats for this game. Brazil beat Chile that night 3-0. What an honor to see such gifted players, and what an atmosphere. We sat right between a Brazil section and a Chile section, and they were singing and dancing all night. Lots of drums and vuvuzelas. (My sister wore ear plugs, but my hearing is shot anyway...it didn't really bother me.)

Cape Town

We saw the Germany-Argentina game here, and that was probably the highlight of our whole trip. The stadium was pristine, although it was a little chaotic going in and out of the place. Still, it overlooked one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen, and the Germans had their best game of the tournament. (Don't talk to me about yesterday...) We had to scalp tickets for this game, and we paid a little more than we wanted to (about $300), but it would have killed me to miss it.

I have to say this about the Argentinian fans. I hate to paint with a broad brush, but wow are they pushy and aggressive. They have a definite modus operandi. They push people out of their seats so they can form an Argentinian block, to make more noise for their team. I had heard rumors of this, but didn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. Some Argentinian jerk actually pushed two ten year old kids out of their seats right next to me, and I stepped in to stop him. He started yelling and threatening me (as if I was the one being a dick), and the police had to come in and escort him out there. Over the next half hour or so, they stopped another thirty or so Argentinians from doing the same thing. It made the win extra sweet for me.

There was no question what team we were supporting. This is my sister Cindy, my brother Peter, and my cousin Martina wearing their Germany uniforms and face paint. It was the last game we saw live.

Tomorrow I'll share some pictures and stories from my safari.

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon is 52 years old today.

If you're one of those people that likes to play Six Degrees of Separation with Kevin Bacon, and you know me, you have two degrees of separation.

I met him once about ten years ago.

Just One Bad Century

Thanks so much to Mike Davis, my webmaster at Just One Bad Century. He held down the fort there while I was away, and posted all of the scribblings I wrote before I left town.

You can catch up here and here if you're interested.

Oh, and Steve Garvey gets it World Cup style today too.

I'm glad to see the Cubs surged into first place while I was away. 

All Star Game at Wrigley

On this day in 1947, the All-Star Game was played at Wrigley Field.

That was just two years after reaching the World Series, and the Cubs were a sixth place team. They finished twenty five games behind the pennant winning Brooklyn Dodgers.

I'm back

I'm finally back on American soil. (Photo: My fellow travelers--my brother Peter, my sister Cindy, my cousin Martina, and me in front of front of Ellis Stadium in Johannesburg before the Brazil-Chile match)

South Africa was fantastic, but my trip home was a bit of an adventure. My flight from Amsterdam to Detroit was canceled and I was stuck in Amsterdam for twenty four hours just as Holland was playing in the semi-finals...although, I must admit, that was actually kind of fun. I watched that game along the dams and locks in Rembrandt Square.

When I finally got to Detroit, they confiscated my carry-on bag because it contained a snow dome (I kid you not), and then lost the rest of my luggage. Our airplane had to deplane because it was sweltering inside (the air conditioning broke), and then the engines wouldn't start up correctly. After an eleven hour flight from Cape Town to Amsterdam, and a nine hour flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, wouldn't you know it--it took nine hours to get from Detroit to Chicago!

But I'm home, and I'll be posting pictures and stories from my great adventure over the next week or two.

Heading out of the country

I haven’t been away from my kids for more than five days since they were born.

I haven’t been away from my wife for more than five days in 21 years.

I haven’t been away from my dog for more than three hours since she moved in with us about a month ago.

I generally don’t leave the house.

But I’m leaving today to go South Africa to see the World Cup, and I’ll be gone for two weeks.

It could be the adventure of a lifetime or it could be a disaster, but either way, I’m sure there will be some good material to share with you. You know I'll be writing about it.

My sister is bringing a computer, and I may be able to check e-mail, but I'm not sure if I can post my blog or not. I'm also bringing a camera and will be taking lots of pictures. Will I be able to figure out how to post them while I'm in South Africa? That's a big if. My guess is no.

By the way, while I'm gone I also won't be posting any new Father Knows Nothing columns (those will resume July 11), and I won't be posting any Chicago Radio Spotlight interviews (those won't return until the fall), but Just One Bad Century will keep on ticking. I've written a whole month worth of material over the past few weeks, and webmaster Mike will be posting new stuff every day.

If you're a Facebook friend, I'm hoping that's the place I can keep in touch while I'm gone.

See you in a few weeks.

Have a great 4th of July weekend. I promise not to embarrass our country overseas.

Go U.S.A!

Jackson Browne

30 years ago today he released one of my favorites--"Boulevard." I've seen him in concert a few times, and he never played it, but he did play it for Soundstage a couple of years ago. Still sounds good...

Jack Dempsey

Jack Dempsey was born on this day in 1895.

He was one of the most famous Americans in the 1920s. During that time he became acquainted with a certain scarfaced gangster in Chicago--and that caused him quite a bit of embarrassment the night of his biggest fight.

Several of the Chicago Cubs were on hand to witness it.

U.S.A!

That was an unbelievably tense game, but the bottom line is this: U.S.A WINS!!!!!

I don't know how anyone who saw that game can say that soccer isn't exciting. I chewed my fingernails to the bone. And Sean and I both set white guy jumping records when they scored.

Now I get to see the USA play in the round of 16. Look for me in the crowd on Saturday.

South African fact of the day

 The drinking water in South Africa is among the safest in the world...provided you get in the city. The tourism board says Johannesburg and Cape Town are safe, which is where I'm going, but if you have any doubts, they suggest drinking coffee, tea, sparkling water, or any alcoholic drink instead.

Now we're talking.

White Sox Fans

This photo (sent to me by Sox fan "DS") is from the Blackhawks parade. I think this sums up White Sox fans better than anything else I could show you. During a parade celebrating a Chicago championship, totally unrelated to the Cubs, a White Sox fan shows that there's only one thing that pulses through their veins: pure hate.

Jimmy Piersall

On this day in 1963, Jimmy Piersall hit his 100th home run and ran the bases backwards to celebrate. I couldn't find video of that, but this is wild. Jimmy as a mystery guest on What's My Line...

Ryne Sandberg Day

26 years ago today...

Harry blacks out

Everyone remembers that Harry had a stroke and missed time during the 1987 season.

But not many people remember that he had another incident seven years later, during the strike-shortened season of 1994. On this day that year, Harry blacked out and fell while the Cubs were in Miami playing the Marlins. He missed a full month of broadcasts while he recovered from the fall.

It was the beginning of the end for Harry. He was 80 years old at the time of the fall. He died less than four years later.

South African facts of the day

 A few extra facts today...it's getting close to D-day for me.

If you rent a car, remember that you must drive on the left side of the road. If you rent a Volkswagen Beetle, it's known as a "volksie" (pronounced 'fork-see'). If you take a cab, most taxis are white minibuses, and yes--taxi drivers drive like maniacs.

South Africa, like most of the rest of the world, uses the metric system; litres, metres, kilometres, kilograms and celsius (centigrade)

The drinking age is 18.

Haggling is not commonplace. Pay the fixed price.

Mmmmm

My kids have been laughing about this video for the past three days. Tommy asked me to post it. So, here you go. It's a montage of Homer's mmmmms.

Judy Garland

Judy Garland died on this day in 1969. She was only 47 at the time.

Most Notorious Cubs Fan Ever

It's a pretty stiff competition; there are a few that could claim the title.

But we say it's this guy.

After all,  he was Public Enemy #1.

He was born on this day in 1902.

South African fact of the day

The two cities I'm visiting, Johannesburg and Cape Town, are major metropolitan areas. How big are they? Johannesburg has approximately three times the population of Chicago, and Cape Town is about the same size as Chicago.

But neither city has a giant reflecting bean.

7 Goals

I just watched the Portugal-North Korea game--the most one-sided World Cup game I've ever seen. The final score is 7-0 in favor of Portugal.

I'm not a huge Portugal fan (crybabies), and I'm normally not a fan of a team running up the score like this, but somehow, against North Korea it feels right. The North Korean fans in the stands are reportedly Chinese actors hired to portray North Koreans. That's how ridiculously repressive North Korea is.

The only thing that gives me pause is what will happen to these poor North Korean players when they get home. Grant all of them diplomatic immunity immediately.

25 years ago today...

"Cocoon" was released. It was Ron Howard's second hit as a director (the first one was "Splash"). The whole theme of the film appeals to me more now than it did then--I was only 22 at the time.

Captain & Tenille

This was the number one song in the country on this day in 1975. I know this reveals a character flaw on my part, but I actually like this song...

35 years ago today...

This movie debuted.

I saw it the first day. And I saw it three more times after that. Loved it. Was still scared the fourth time I saw it. Saw it again recently on cable. It's still scary.

This week in 1945

Eisenhower returns home, the battle of Okinawa ends, the United Nations charter is signed, Chicago school kids go on vacation, and Cubs pitcher Ray Starr is featured This week in 1945.

The Red Baron

Happy Birthday, Rick Sutcliffe.

The Red Baron is 54 years old today.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column. This one is called "Another great day at the ballpark" and it's about my latest journey to the ballpark with my very lucky son Sean.

You can read it here.

South African fact of the day

Some of the biggest music stars in South African history are Juluka, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Mango Groove, Brenda Fassie, Just Jinger, and Henry Ate.

I loved the Juluka song "Scatterlings of Africa" when I was in college. We played it on WPGU all the time.

Watch the video here.

Bull Moose

On this day in 1912, the Republicans met in Chicago to begin their convention.

It didn't go so well.

At the time, the Cubs were only four years away from their last World Series title.

South African fact of the day

The president of South Africa is Jacob Zuma.

In the 60s and 70s he was in prison with Nelson Mandela on Robben Island (a place I'm going to visit, by the way. It's a major tourist attraction now).

Zuma believes in redistribution of wealth, and identifies himself as a Socialist. He has been the president since May of 2009, and before that was deputy president for six years.

Other than a few *ahem* "minor" legal problems (being charged with rape in 2005 when he was deputy president, and racketeering and corruption since he became president), Zuma's reign has been smooth sailing.

Happy birthday Bridget

My lovely wife is celebrating a birthday today. I've written about Bridget many times over the years, but here are her two favorites (written on our last two anniversaries)...

18 years in 18 pictures

And

17 Things I've Learned about my Wife

Happy birthday, wife. You'll always be four years younger than me.

Watergate anniversary

On this day in 1972, the Watergate burglars were arrested. Thanks to the good hard reporting work of Woodward and Bernstein at the Washington Post and others, this was eventually tied directly to the president (at least the coverup of it).

Two years later articles of impeachment were filed.

This was one of his speeches addressing the scandal while he was still the President, and still believed he could survive...



By the way, care to guess what the number one song in the country was on the day that the Watergate burglars were arrested.

Would you believe it was sung by Sammy Davis Jr.?

(Confession time: I loved that song. LOVED it. But then again, I was nine.)

Kaempfer's Tody Tyrant

One of my ancestors must have been a bird lover. Last year I told you about a bird called "Kaempfer's Woodpecker," which is a real bird that was discovered in Brazil in 1926.

Well, I just found there's another bird named Kaempfer. This one is called "Kaempfer's Tody Tyrant" and it's on the endangered species list. There are only about 9000 of them left, and they are also found in Brazil...

The luckiest people on earth

Don Kessinger

On this date in 1969, things were looking pretty good for the juggernaut Cubs.

Don Kessinger even hit an inside-the-park home run.

I don't follow the sport too closely, so I'm not sure what became of the Cubs that season.

South African fact of the day

The most popular radio station in Johannesburg is 94.7 Highveld Stereo. Their morning host is the very well-known (in South Africa) Jeremy Mansfield. Jeremy calls his breakfast program the Rude Awakening. And yes, it's a wacky morning show.

Mansfield has released four CDs - "Raw", "Beer-ya-ti-ful"; "Even More Raw" and "Eastlife". But here's the item that will really impress my kids--Jeremy will be contributing a voice for the movie Toy Story 3.

I'm going to get to hear the last few weeks of his radio show. He plans to retire after the World Cup.

30 years ago

The item below about the Blues Brothers coming out 30 years ago reminded me of something else that happened exactly 30 years ago this week...my family moved back to America. The Blues Brothers was the first movie I saw here after we moved.

I was 17 years old at the time.

I've only been back to Germany four times in those 30 years (1981, 1990, 1994, and 1996), and I've never taken my children to see the Fatherland. I need to rectify that situation in the coming years. Tommy is almost the age I was when we moved.

30 years ago today...

Most of the critics hated it, but I was there opening night in 1980 and absolutely loved it. Heck, they even had a Mt. Prospect police car.

The Blues Brothers movie debuted exactly 30 years ago today.

I saw it recently, and it doesn't exactly stand the test of time--but the music is still great.

50 years ago today...

America was scared to death by the premiere of this film...

Cracker Jacks

On this day in 1993, on the 100th anniversary of Cracker Jacks, the company that makes the tasty treat made a terrible judgment call.

They asked Harry Caray to talk about them...

Around 350,000 people have viewed the video we created about that memorable day.

The Hawks on the Tonight Show

These guys seem to be enjoying their time in the limelight.

Camp Calamity

The latest issue of NWI Parent magazine is out, and as usual, the back page "Family Room" essay is mine.

This issue's column is called "Camp Calamity."

Daily Show World Cup Coverage

This was an enjoyable little segment...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
World Cup 2010: Into Africa - US Ties England
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

South African fact of the day

If you're traveling to South Africa, and you've packed something electrical (a hair dryer, an electric razor, etc), be sure to bring a converter. Their electrical system is not compatible with ours--they use 220 volts.

By the way, I found this great site for anyone traveling to any country in the world: Electricity Around The World.

Hee Haw

On this day in 1969, Hee Haw debuted. It was a combination of country music and corny jokes, and my father, the immigrant from Austria, absolutely LOVED it. Seriously. He watched it every week...seriously.

I wish I could eliminate it from my memory banks, but I saw enough of this show to remember the bits. "I'm a pickin' and I'm a grinnin'," was a banjo pickin session interrupted by one-liners, and BR-549 was the fake phone number for Junior Samples fake country comedy commercials. Heaven help me.

E-mails, we get e-mails

Some World Cup e-mails.

From "RP"...

"In honor of the World Cup (TM), you have a South African fact of the day. I think you should also have a Dive of the Day, which plays much more to the sensibilities of the uninitiated American, who finds dives to be the most interesting thing in any soccer match: Here's one."

I've seen a few so far, but that's a good example. I also got this e-mail from "BP" (Unfortunate initials these days, eh?)...

"Can’t stand those vuvuezelas. Hope you’re bringing earplugs."

Can't stand 'em either. And yes, I will be packing earplugs.

Worst Trade Ever

A day that will live in infamy in Chicago.

This is the anniversary of the Lou Brock trade.

South African fact of the day

I think a lot of Americans think of Africa as a largely Muslim continent, but Christianity is very strong in Central, Eastern and Southern Africa.

In South Africa, nearly 90% of the population is Christian, across all demographics, black and white.

Casey Jones

"Casey Jones" was released by the Grateful Dead on this day in 1970. Here they are performing the song the following year...

World Cup setting TV viewing records

It's doing pretty well here in America, but according to this article, it will set records around the world.

Things you don't want to read

Just read this one about the security situation in South Africa for the World Cup. Not thrilled with the headline or the story: World Cup Security Raises Concerns.

Let's get that tightened up, please, before June 24th (the day of my arrival).

Eddie Waitkus

He had just recently been traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, and had just made his triumphant return to Chicago, when something went terribly wrong in his hotel room.

On this day in 1949, Eddie Waitkus was shot by a deranged fan.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This one is about my photographic stalking efforts at Tommy's 8th grade graduation. It's called "The Suburban Marlon Perkins."

You can read it here.

World Cup/Daily Herald

The Daily Herald wrote an article about the World Cup. Among the people they interviewed; a certain little known local blogger that is going to South Africa.

Lit Fest

I want to be sure to invite everyone to come on out to Printer's Row Lit Fest tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 11:00 (Grace Place/2nd floor). I'll be part of a panel discussion about baseball literature, along with fellow authors James Finn Garner, Gary Moore, Robert Goldsborough, and Donald Evans.

I've done a few of these panel discussions before, and they're always fun.

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

"BD" writes regarding my Amos & Andy mention...

"Actually, Amos 'N' Andy was/were on radio, in one format or another, from 1928 until November of 1960, a total of 32 years. During the last five years they did a nightly 30-minute show that featured music between the bits. For television, 78 episodes of The Amos 'n Andy Show (which centered more on the character George 'Kingfish' Stevens, played wonderfully by Tim Moore) were produced between June 1951 and April 1953. They aired in primetime on CBS until 1955 and then in syndication until the mid-1960s. See? I do read your blog! And really enjoy it. 'Cept for all that Cubs stuff. A White Sox fan forever."

BD is correct (about Amos & Andy, not the White Sox). The radio show carried on until 1960. It was only the TV show that was canceled on this day in 1953.

The Daily Show on the World Cup

Not many people know that Jon Stewart is a big soccer fan--he actually played soccer in college at William and Mary. But they can probably guess that John Oliver, the show's British correspondent, is a big fan. Here he presents what most British people think of American soccer. It would be so sweet to beat them tomorrow...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
World Cup 2010: Into Africa - Two Teams, One Cup
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

South African fact of the day

Even though English is the recognized language of commerce and science in South Africa, only 8% of South Africans speak English at home.

There are 11 official languages: Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu. The three most spoken are Zulu (23.8%), Xhosa (17.6%) and Afrikaans (13.3%).

I think I can figure out Afrikaans (it's a lot like Dutch, which is sort of between German and English), but there's no hope with the others. That's another reason I'm considering this trip a great adventure. I leave in 13 days.

Space Oddity

David Bowie released the single "Space Oddity" on this day in 1969 to coincide with the first lunar landing, which was scheduled for a few weeks later. The original version of the song is slightly different than the one I played on the radio for many years (I like this one even better), and this video is way out there. I dig it...

Amos & Andy

On this day in 1953, Amos & Andy was canceled after 24 years on the radio and two on television. It was probably one of the three or four most important shows of the early days of radio.

Chicago plays an important part in that show's history.

Grease

It was released on this day in 1978.

I still like this song by Travolta and Olivia Newton John.

The rest of songs? Not so much.

Hank Sauer

He was a National League MVP in 1952 while wearing a Cubs uniform.

It was probably thanks to days like this one, when he hit three homers in one game.

World Cup schedule

This is a totally cool site.

It's the calendar of all World Cup events put together in a wildly creative format. The games begin tomorrow morning.

I'm getting very excited...

The BP coffee spill

The Sopranos

The last episode of The Sopranos aired three years ago tonight. I absolutely hated the ending of that series (and I was a huge fan of it), but it has really stuck in my head. I still think about that last scene three years later...which I suppose means it was much more successful than I initially thought it was. I kind of like it now. (For the record, I still hate the final Seinfeld Episode).

Elvis in New York

Would you believe that Elvis Presley's first live concert performance in New York didn't happen until 1972?

It's true...It happened on this day that year.

South African fact of the day

It's winter in South Africa right now. The average temperatures in Johannesberg are in the low 60s during the day, and the low 40s at night...basically the same weather we've had here in Chicago since April.

BLACKHAWKS!!!!

 What a strange ending to a great, great series. I loved every second of it.

I missed the first two periods because of Tommy's graduation, but I got back in time to see the excitement.

For me, the gravity of the moment didn't sink in until Jeremy Roenick started to cry in the broadcast booth. He told that story about seeing a little kid in Chicago crying after the 1992 series, and he thought about that kid when the Hawks won. Roenick, who never publicly admitted what team he was rooting for until that moment, is a Chicago Blackhawk down to his very core.

I got a little verklempt.

Congratulations, Hawks!

Uniform numbers

 On this day in 1932, the Cubs appeared with numbers on their uniforms for the very first time. These are the numbers from that very first day...



1--Woody English (3B)
2--Billy Herman (2B)
3--Kiki Kuyler (OF)
4--Riggs Stephenson (OF)
5--Johnny Moore (OF)
6--Charlie Grimm (1B/manager)
7--Gabby Hartnett (C)
8--Rollie Hemsley (C)
9--Mark Koenig (SS)
11--Billy Jurges (SS)
12--Charlie Root (SP)
14--Guy Bush (SP)
15--Pat Malone (SP)
16--Burleigh Grimes (SP)
17--Lon Warneke (SP)
18--Bob Smith (RP)
19--Harry Taylor (1B)
21--Bud Tinning (RP)
22--Marv Gudat (RP)
23--Leroy Herman (RP)
27--Bobo Newsom (RP)
31--Stan Hack (3B)
34--Zach Taylor (C)
41--Red Corriden (coach)
42--Charley O'Leary (coach)
49--Vince Barton (OF)
51--Frank Demaree (OF)
56--Lance Richbourg (OF)

USA-England

John Oliver is in South Africa covering the USA-England game for the Daily Show.

If you don't watch the Daily Show, Oliver is their British "correspondent." In the article above he beautifully sums up what a loss would mean to the UK. This game is HUGE for them.

The game is at 1:30 central time. I'll be watching it in a bar nearby the Printer's Row Lit Fest (see details below about my appearance there). Any suggestions for a good place to watch it?

He's graduating?

Yes he is. My oldest son Tommy is graduating from 8th grade tonight.

I asked him if he wanted a party and he said no. I asked him if he wanted to go out for a celebratory dinner afterward and he said no. I asked him how he wanted to celebrate, and he said: "Let's get some ice cream."

He's growing up, but he's a guy. He'll never actually grow up. That's comforting, somehow.