Thursday, June 12, 2014
Just One Bad Century--June 12
Today in Wrigley history goes back to 1923 and 1979. A strong man's best day, and a soccer event (which is appropriate considering the World Cup begins today)
Today's Cubs birthdays include one of the most eclectic mixes you'll find anywhere: a pitcher who was electrocuted, a cup of coffee from the 1950s, the most German-sounding name in big league history, and a player who was born in the Czech Republic.
The Cubs try to salvage a series split tonight in Pittsburgh.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Green White Soccer Club
Read all about the soccer career of the 3-time player of the year, collegiate National Champion (at Michigan State), 1972 U.S. Olympic team member, and professional soccer player (with the Chicago Sting), and how much Green White soccer club has meant to him.
It's at this link.
I'm Just Happy Our Crib Wasn't Big Enough for Me
Although I feel this father's pain. Those first few years are so hard...
School Shooting Map
This map represents all the school shootings in America since Sandy Hook. I was at a party recently when somebody actually worried out loud that his "second amendement rights were in danger". Take a look at this map. All of these shootings have happened in the last year, and not one single thing has happened to those precious second amendment rights. Not one. If anything, you have clear proof that nothing will ever happen to your gun rights. Not after first graders are shot indiscrimately. (There have been 74 more school gun incidents since). Not after a movie theater is shot up indiscriminately. Not after a sorority, a church, a school, a college, a McDonalds or hundreds of other places are shot up. Not after a president, a pope, a civil rights leader, a governor, or a rock star are shot. Nothing ever happens to your gun rights. Nothing. You can still get an assault rifle. You can still buy a gun at a gun show without registering it. There still is no database kept on gun purchases. The government is still banned from even researching the effects of guns. (This is not a joke...it's an actual law).
As long as the second amendment stays indoors and doesn't go out in the public where gun freaks can now openly carry weapons and shoot if they feel threatened, it will be perfectly safe.
It's the rest of us that are screwed.
As long as the second amendment stays indoors and doesn't go out in the public where gun freaks can now openly carry weapons and shoot if they feel threatened, it will be perfectly safe.
It's the rest of us that are screwed.
Top 10 Ways to Give Your Kids a 1970s Summer
I must add one caveat, however. This does not apply to teenagers. We all had summer jobs when we were teenagers.
Great Advice from Jim Carrey
I can't believe I just wrote that headline, but this is good advice, kids.
More Chicago Radio Ratings
Middays
&
Evenings.
Glad to see my old pals Greg Brown (#1!) and John Records Landecker (#8) on the list.
Just One Bad Century--June 11
At JOBC we posted a whole new week's worth of "The Week in Wrigley History". Today's entry goes back to 1952 and Hank Sauer's best day as a pro. We've even got the audio.
There are some really interesting Cubs celebrating birthdays today, including the Cub who quit on the day Warren Harding died, the Duke of Tralee, and Deek. Plus, did you that Jimmy Stewart and Frank Thomas were both on the Cubs? It's true. Check it out here. Jimmy Stewart is also featured in the A/V Club.
Today's Historical Event is a tragedy at Lemans in 1955. Where were the Cubs?
If they don't get rained out, tonight they'll be in Pittsburgh.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Bob Stroud
I turned in my latest Illinois Entertainer column yesterday. In the July issue I'll be talking music with Bob Stroud. Bob and I used to chat about music in the hallways of the Loop all the time, but I have never gotten any of his views on the page before. I think you'll enjoy it. The July issue will be out on July 1st.
Chicago Radio Ratings
Mornings
&
Afternoons.
Other than the top three in both categories, there were some real swings here. I was a little surprised to see WILV's Brian Peck in fourth place in the mornings. Congrats to him. Also, Garry Meier goes out on top. He's in the top ten in the afternoon ratings.
I'm just happy that I'm not in the business anymore. When the ratings come out this often, and the ratings change this much each month, the pressure must be ridiculous.
World Cup Fever
CNET has the story.
I'm getting very excited.
Just One Bad Century--June 10
Today on JOBC we go back to 1908. How long ago was 1908? This is the week that Chicago decided on it's grid system of addresses, and declared that Madison & State Street was the center point of the city. All addresses were changed to what they are now. The Lusitania is also in the news, and the Cubs are in Brooklyn and Philadelphia.
Today in Wrigley History goes back to 1942. It was also a big day for Fergie Jenkins on this day in 1983, so we featured Fergie in the A/V Club.
Today's Historical Event is the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. Where were the Cubs?
There aren't that many Cubs celebrating birthdays today. Only two. Both of them have great back stories, involving being raised by deaf-mute parents, and working in a coalmine. Read their stories here.
Now that the dust has settled from the draft, here's a new look at the top fifteen prospects in the Cubs system. Is this the group that will help lead us out of darkness? I sure hope so.
Monday, June 09, 2014
People Hate Their Cable Companies
Why won't it matter? Because cable companies have a monopoly in most markets.
And the F.C.C. is seriously considering a merger that would give even more power to cable companies. And they're also giving cable companies MORE power/control over the internet.
Sometimes you can only shake your head.
Bill Watterson is back?
This is the story behind his triumpant return.
For my money (and many other people's money), he is the greatest comic strip writer of all-time.
The Story Behind the Cubs Leaving WGN
Tom Taylor has a little more info this morning (via the Sun Times) regarding how and why WBBM wrestled Cubs radio rights away from WGN...
The Chicago Sun-Times says that by going into the concert business with CBS, any revenue from a big concert at Wrigley Field “would be exempt from [the] revenue-sharing calculations” that are reported to Major League Baseball. That would give the Cubs “a potential shelter for some of their local revenue,” by letting the team report that their rights fees from radio hadn’t increased. And CBS could make out by using its radio station assets to promote major shows at venerable Wrigley. Cubs Business President Crane Kenney says “nobody in Chicago has more access to more talent and the top artists than CBS Radio.” Just for starters, CBS has country “US 99.5” WUSN, adult alternative WXRT (93.1) and rhythmic “B96” WBBM-FM. That’s a lot of genres and potential bookings. And CBS could exploit the show well past the far-suburbs of Chicago. CBS Market President Rod Zimmernan mentions an event that CBS did at the Barclay’s Center back East in Brooklyn, which was promoted in 26 markets.
Printer's Row Lit Fest Photo Album
We couldn't have asked for better weather for this year's Printer's Row Lit Fest. Many of the Eckhartz Press authors were on hand, including Joel Daly, Randy Richardson, Chuck Quinzio, Dan Burns, David Stern, and Rick Kaempfer.
Here are a few photos of the gang...
Here are a few photos of the gang...
Just One Bad Century--June 9
SB Nation gave the Cubs an F for their first pick. Baseball America's analysis of him also won't exactly excite Cub fans.
Sports Illustrated named the Cubs and Pirates as the biggest losers of the draft.
This is really the only positive review I saw: Bleacher Report gave the Cubs a B+ in the draft.
I'm one of the people who bought into this whole rebuilding process, but I wouldn't be completely honest if I didn't admit that I am beginning to have my doubts that they know what they're doing. I hope I'm wrong, but that stomach-rumbling anxiety is back again. I don't think it will go away until one of these draft picks actually shows up at the big league level and does some impressive things.
This past weekend while the Cubs were winning five in a row and celebrating the 1940s (with a return visit by 97-year-old Lennie Merullo!), This Week in 1945 was posted at JOBC. Read about the recommendation NOT to drop the A-bomb, Gwendolyn Brooks, George H.W. Bush, and a Cubs prospect taken away by the war. There's also a clip of a very politically incorrect Danny Kaye movie that came out this week.
Today in Wrigley history goes back to memorable games in 1963, 1977, 1978, and a memorable event in 2012.
Today's Historical Event is one of the biggest stories in Chicago history, the murder of Chicago Tribune reporter Jake Lingle. There's also a bonus event--the moment Joseph Nye Welch confronted Senator McCarthy and said: "Have you no decency, Sir?" Where were the Cubs?
Today's Cubs birthdays include the Cubs shortstop just before Ernie arrived, a man who batted three times in one inning, cups of coffee from the 40s, 60s, and 00s, and one of the Cub players who contributed to the playoff run of '07 and '08. That player is also featured in the A/V club today.
Friday, June 06, 2014
Printer's Row Lit Fest
I'll be at the Printer's Row Lit Fest tomorrow afternoon along with fellow Eckhartz Press authors Joel Daly, Chuck Quinzio, Randy Richardson, David Stern, and Dan Burns. Look for us in the Chicago Writer's Association tent from 10am -- 2pm. Stop by and say hello.
The Real Curse Uncovered
I just had a thought regarding the Cubs leaving WGN after 90 years. Maybe WGN is cursed, and not the Cubs! When GN came aboard, it had only been 16 years since they won it all. I'm restarting the clock at 16 years, and considering this curse officially broken.
Make some room on that trophy shelf, Mr. Ricketts.
I'm Not The Only One That Hates Amazon
They just indiscriminately change prices, change payments, and more. But as much as I complain about them, Colbert's publisher is really getting the full wrath of amazon. It's a great example of why a monopoly is ALWAYS a bad thing.
I've got to get some of those "I didn't buy it on amazon" stickers.
Casey's Critical
From this morning's Radio Ink...
CNN is reporting that Kasem is in critical condition at a hospital in western Washington, where a spokesman for that facility says Kasem is alert and appears comfortable at this time. "Mr. Kasem is receiving antibiotics through IVs, blood pressure support medicine and care for his bed sores." Kasem was admitted to the hospital Sunday after Kerri Kasem retrieved him from a home where he and his wife were staying with friends. Kerri Kasem friend Danny Deraney told CNN Casey Kasem's brother and others were en route to Washington. When asked if they feared Casey Kasem might die, Deraney said it could be his last moments or he could get better.
Pat Foley's in the Hall of Fame
From Today's Tom Taylor column...
Pat Foley is undoubtedly bummed that his Chicago Blackhawks couldn’t quite squeeze through to the Stanley Cup Finals – but he must’ve been happy to get the phone call that he personally will be entering the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. He’ll be given the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award at ceremonies on November 17. Foley’s called the games for the Blackhawks for almost all the time between 1981 and now.
Well deserved! Foley makes hockey even more fun.
Well deserved! Foley makes hockey even more fun.
This Year's Radio Hall of Fame Class
Only one of them has a connection to Chicago this year (Dick Orkin), and for the first time, the dinner will be held in LA.
I say go to LA. I have no desire to spend $350 to attend this event.
Just One Bad Century--June 6
Another draft is in the books, and the Cubs picked someone I didn't see anyone predicting they would take on their mock draft boards. Meet their first pick (4th overall): Indiana University catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber. The Cubs say they had him ranked #2 on their board, and #1 as a hitter. Although, it sounds like they don't think he's going to be a big league catcher. More likely a left-fielder.
But what about pitching? Don't the Cubs need pitching? Yes they do. So, meet their second pick (45th overall): University of Maryland's Jake Stinnett.
I'm still willing to give Epstein/Hoyer/McLeod the benefit of the doubt. I watched a lot of reactions last night via twitter and on television, and I haven't seen too many experts claiming these picks were horrendously bad (like they correctly predicted some previous pre-Theo Cubs drafts had been). How bad were some previous drafts? Check out this analysis.
Today in Wrigley History we go back to 1923 and one of the foggiest days in the ballpark's history.
You'll be seeing this in the news all day today--it's the 70th anniversary of D-Day. It's why we chose it as today's Historical Event. Where were the Cubs?
The A/V club features a fun old baseball record we uncovered on Youtube. Ralph Houk explains pitching to kids.
And finally, Today's Cubs Birthdays are a smorgasbord of Cubs fun: A man called Little Eva, a player who ran to the wrong base after hitting the ball, a Cubs draft pick who was a bust as a pitcher but made it back to the big leagues as a hitter, Lefty, and a cup of coffee from the 1950s.
Thursday, June 05, 2014
World Cup Fever
With the World Cup starting up in a few days I thought it would be fun to watch this commercial from the last World Cup. In the final few seconds of this ad, you'll see my son Sean (representing the future of soccer). He was 8 years old at the time, and he had the toothless youngster look they were looking for. We went down to the lakefront to film this with the ad agency at the break of dawn on a Saturday. His payment was new Nike cleats and a US Soccer jersey.
Today's Best Tweets (June 5)
Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...
Darren Marlar @darrenmarlar 2m
It's NATIONAL SHUT UP DAY. But if I didn't listen to the boss the other 364 days of the year, what makes anybody think I’d do it today?
Tristyn Bloom @TK_Bloom 1h
Need some coffee in your pot? Cannabis coffee coming soon: http://dailycaller.com/2014/06/04/need-some-coffee-in-your-pot-cannabis-coffee-coming-soon/ …
Bob Nightengale @BNightengale 13m
The draft bonds the Tom Gordon family with Nicholas going in 1st round tonight. http://usat.ly/1hcMp3Z
Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4 41m
I command you to read: Our official @PerfectGameUSA mock draft @baseballpro. Now you don't even have to watch! http://bit.ly/SxyIBs
Tim Siedell @badbanana 21m
Forcing my kids to sign nondisclosure agreements. If anyone's going to write embarrassing stories about this family, it's me.
Newsweek @Newsweek 10m
Top 5 green companies in the U.S.:
1. @Allergan
2. @Adobe
3. @BallCorpHQ
4. @Ecolab
5. @SigmaAldrich
More: http://j.mp/1ulXHp8
SPN @espn 16m
Don Zimmer spent six decades with 12 teams. He was married on the diamond. He was baseball personified. pic.twitter.com/6hNXHEQ7Sq
TomLoxas @TomLoxas 3m
“@DEvanAltman: For @TomLoxas and For me, Don Zimmer was the face of baseball...http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-insider/2014/06/former-cubs-manager-don-zimmer-was-the-face-of-baseball/ … pic.twitter.com/FtWjCLcKlT”
Amy Guth @amyguth 4m
Tremendous note spotted at work: @ Tribune Tower http://instagram.com/p/o3iWWDCP7x/
daveweigel @daveweigel 44s
Clearly it’s “football” and “American football.” Like George Will says, our game combines 2 worst things about USA: Violence and meetings.
Throwback Thursday
The 1983-1984 WPGU Radio (Champaign-Urbana) Managers featuring (in no particular order) Dane Placko, Phil Manicki, Mark Bretsch, Dave Priest, Paul Sevigny, Chris Aronson, Greg Sraders, Pam Derk, Karen Tockman, Debbie Schoenecker, Gary Schwartz, Margie Mueller, Sheryl Spetnagel, Ken Gorelick, Joe Miller and me. Pardon the misspellings. It's been thirty years. Don't I get credit for remembering all the names?
The Loop's New Boss
Wayne Juhlin
Nice piece in the Sun-Times today about Chicago radio/advertising/voice over legend Wayne Juhlin. He passed away a few weeks ago. A big loss.
The Lit 50
Once again, Eckhartz Press publishers Rick and Dave didn't make the list. I'm going to blame the pothole store this year.
The high-falutin folks don't appreciate good shtick.
Just One Bad Century--June 5
Today in Wrigley history features a game that was immortalized in film in 1985. Read about the day they filmed Ferris Bueller's Day Off at Wrigley Field. And watch the scene at the A/V Club.
We also posted a whole new week's worth of historical events. Today's historical event is the assassination of Robert Kennedy. Where were the Cubs?
Today's Cubs birthdays include a famous Cubs fan, an important trading chip, a cup of coffee from 1890 (yes, 1890), and the manager of the 1918 pennant winners.
But most die-hard Cubs fans are focused on one thing today: draft day. Who will the Cubs pick? At #4, it's guaranteed to be a great prospect.
Wednesday, June 04, 2014
Speed Limit Math
It's not a tough one, boys and girls, but maybe not something you should be figuring out while driving. Thanks "KS" for sending it...
Just One Bad Century--June 4
On JOBC today we posted a whole new This Week in Wrigley History. Today's entry goes back to 1983, 1985 and 2003. That 2003 entry is featured at the A/V Club.
Today's Cubs birthdays feature two Cubs catchers who were born on the exact same day and were traded for each other. There's also an Arnold, an Orlie, and a Chang-Yong. It's safe to say this is the only day that three Cubs players with those names were born.
Today's Historical Event is the passing of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. Where were the Cubs?
In current Cub news, the team wisely (finally) released reliever Jose Veras. That one just didn't work out.
There's some news on the farm today too. Kris Bryant is tearing it up at Double A Tennessee. Will he be up with the big club before the end of this month? And there's good news on the CJ Edwards front too. His MRI came out clean.
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
John Oliver's Video Helps Crash the FCC Website
That's a beautiful thing. Just when you thought America had gone completely insane, it does something that gives you hope.
Joke for a Tuesday Morning
Thanks to "JH" for this one...
A priest meets a drunk outside a bar. The drunk claims to be Jesus.
The priest says, “prove it.”
The drunk brings the priest inside the bar.
The bartender says, “Jesus Christ, not you again.”
A priest meets a drunk outside a bar. The drunk claims to be Jesus.
The priest says, “prove it.”
The drunk brings the priest inside the bar.
The bartender says, “Jesus Christ, not you again.”
Today's Best Tweets--June 3
Here are some tweets that caught my eye today...
Brett Taylor @BleacherNation 6m
2014 MLB Draft Primer: The Schedule, the Coverage, the Order http://www.bleachernation.com/2014/06/03/2014-mlb-draft-primer-the-schedule-the-coverage-the-order/ … #Cubs
Slate @Slate 18m
Here is everything Louie's Hungarian girlfriend said to him, translated--WATCH: http://slate.me/1rHwKhX #youarewelcome pic.twitter.com/AJxJl9YTYr
David Kaplan @thekapman 10m
R.A. Dickey on overcoming sexual abuse at age 8. “You cannot keep quiet. Otherwise you are insuring that it happens to someone else."
steve rosenbloom @steverosenbloom 14m
One big reason the Bears offense will be better. The RosenBlog: http://trib.in/1o4lI25
Vox @voxdotcom 30m
A day after Obama's new climate rule, China hints it may cap its own emissions: http://vox.com/e/5539561
David Frum @davidfrum 17m
ICYMI My Atlantic post on why Putin should not have been invited to D-Day commemoration http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/05/should-vladimir-putin-be-invited-to-normandy/371574/ …
BillMoyers.com @BillMoyersHQ 20m
#MorningReads: @joshtpm thinks Mitch McConnell may have spun himself into a corner w/ the ACA. http://bit.ly/1pOW7cQ
Rolling Stone @RollingStone 54s
Watch Ricky Gervais and Jimmy Fallon get ridiculous playing "Word Sneak" on #FallonTonight: http://rol.st/1iPpO8X
ChicagoNow @ChicagoNow 2m
The Blackhawks ruined my sex life, so there's one good reason they lost. Not really. http://www.chicagonow.com/chi-town-mommy-mayhem/2014/06/the-chicago-blackhawks-ruined-my-sex-life-and-other-hit-i-like-to-tell-myself/ …
NY Daily News Sports @NYDNSports 10m
David Beckham hints he could come out of retirement and play for his Miami MLS team - when he's 41 or 42. http://nydn.us/1osCTZy
Study: Stephen Colbert More Effective Than Journalists At Explaining Campaign Financing During Last Election Cycle
Sometimes comedy writes itself.
Deadline Hollywood has the full story.
Just One Bad Century--June 3
Meanwhile at Just One Bad Century, we've got some highlights from previous years. Today in Wrigley History goes back to 1975 and 2003. That 2003 entry involves a corked bat. Instead of showing the video of the corked bat affair today, the A/V Club has video of Ken Holtzman's no-hitter from 1971. Today was the day he tossed that gem in Cincinnati. (Don't worry, we'll feature the corked bat tomorrow)
Today's Cubs birthdays include the only Molina to wear a Cubs uniform (Yes, we had one of the catching brothers at one time), plus a cup of coffee from 1902 and 2002. There's nothing like obscurity from the turn of two different centuries.
Today's Historical Event goes back to 1989, and the famous Tienanman Square crackdown in China. Where were the Cubs?
Tonight, they are in Chicago, facing the Mets at 7:05. This homestand will celebrate the 1940s.
Monday, June 02, 2014
John Oliver Perfectly Explains Why Net Neutrality Is So Important
This has been one of my pet issues. John Oliver explains it so much better than I ever have...
Danielle Tufano
You can read it here.
Next month: Bob Stroud talks music
Gangnam Style Hits 2 Billion Mark
As in 2 billion views on YouTube.
That's nearly a billion more than the next closest competitor.
I'm not sure what it says about our society, but the facts are the facts.
That's nearly a billion more than the next closest competitor.
I'm not sure what it says about our society, but the facts are the facts.
Casey Kasem Update
This is getting weirder and weirder every day. From Radio Ink this morning...
NBC News is reporting that Jean Kasem threw raw meat at stepdaughter Kerri Kasem when she arrived with an ambulance for her father on Sunday. Kerri Kasem testified at a Friday hearing that a doctor told her that her 82-year-old father had developed infections in his lungs and bladder and has bed sores. A judge ruled Kerri could take the radio icon to the hospital if necessary. NBC reports that Jean Kasem said, "In the name of King David, I threw a piece of raw meat into the street in exchange for my husband to the wild rabid dogs."
RIP Ann B. Davis
Bummer. Alice from the Brady Bunch has passed away.
The Today Show had a piece on her passing this morning.
Harry Caray's Diary
Neil Steinberg got his hands on Harry's diary from 1972. Turns out that Harry lived pretty much exactly the kind of lifestyle you thought he did.
Read Steinberg's take on it here.
Phil Collins Performed 'In The Air Tonight' With Son's Middle School Band
This would be pretty cool, wouldn't it? It happened in Miami, Florida...
100 Years Ago
William Harley and Arthur Davidson, 1914. The tattoos are obviously covered by their starched white shirts.
Just One Bad Century--June 2
Over the weekend we also posted a few gems on JOBC in case you missed it. This Week in 1945 features Nazi loot, the second tallest building in Chicago (in 1945), Marilyn Monroe before she was Marilyn, and a real life Stooge. This Week in 1908 is about white slavery and a Cub who only got one at-bat during a championship year.
Today's Cubs birthdays include a 24-game winner, the poster child of the Dusty Baker era, and cups of coffee from the 60s and 90s.
Tdoay in Wrigley History goes back to 1956, and the A/V Club is a great video about the 1970 Cubs.
And finally, today's Historical Event is President Grover Cleveland getting married in the White House. Where were the Cubs?
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