Barry Butler does it again

Light Up the Sky, Chicago. Tonight is the Night! Happy Independence Day. #news #fireworks #chicago pic.twitter.com/tKXZ6QPqZV

— Barry Butler (@barrybutler9) July 4, 2019

Cubs All-Star Game Trivia

While researching my book "everycubever" (https://eckhartzpress.com/shop/everycubever/), I did a deep dive into all-star game history to see which Cub did what.

In all, 27 Cubs outfielders have played in the all-star game, but only six of them have started more than one. Frank Demaree in the 30s (twice), Bill Nicholson in the 40s (twice), Hank Sauer in the 50s (twice), Billy Williams in the 60s (twice), Andre Dawson in the 80s/90s, and Sammy Sosa in the 90s/00s. Andre started four times, and Sammy started five.

Happy birthday America

This sums it up perfectly for me...

Cubs All-Star Game Trivia

While researching my book "everycubever" (https://eckhartzpress.com/shop/everycubever/), I did a deep dive into all-star game history to see which Cub did what.

There have been 89 All-Star games, but only three Cubs have stolen a base in an All-Star game. Starlin Castro has the all-time Cubs record with two. Derrek Lee (2007) and Ryne Sandberg (1984) are the other two, and they both only did it once.

Cubs All-Star Game Trivia

While researching my book "everycubever" (https://eckhartzpress.com/shop/everycubever/), I did a deep dive into all-star game history to see which Cub did what. Here is one of the strangest things I discovered. No Cub has ever hit more than one homer in all-star game history. Bryant and Contreras have a chance to become the first. Here are all nine all-star game homers by Cubs...

George Altman (1961) vs. Mike Fornieles
Ernie Banks (1960) vs. Bill Monbouquette
Kris Bryant (2016) vs. Chris Sale
Willson Contreras (2018) vs. Blake Snell
Andre Dawson (1991) vs. Roger Clemens
Augie Galan (1936) vs. Schoolboy Rowe
Hank Sauer (1952) vs. Bob Lemon
Alfonso Soriano (2007) vs. JJ Putz
Billy Williams (1964) vs. John Wyatt

Disco Demolition

This month's Illinois Entertainer is out and features my interview with Steve Dahl about the infamous Disco Demolition.

Read it here.

What has destroyed America?

One answer: Fox News. I firmly believe it. Here's a great example...

From 2018 but newly relevant. Watch Fox News’ “evolution” on North Korea. pic.twitter.com/weiAxqsY7z

— shauna (@goldengateblond) June 30, 2019

Second Base

The Cubs have been struggling at second base all year, but wouldn't you know it? Both second baseman on the American League all-star team this year are former Cubs.

Debate Ratings

I wasn't among the viewers, but you might have been. More than 18 million tuned in to watch the Democratic debates on Thursday.

Politico has the details.

Cubs All-Star Game Trivia

While researching my book "everycubever" (https://eckhartzpress.com/shop/everycubever/), I did a deep dive into all-star game history to see which Cub did what. Here is one of the strangest things I discovered. There have been 89 all-star games, and 33 Cubs all-star pitchers.

Care to guess how many of them started the game?

The answer is one.

Claude Passeau started the 1946 All-Star Game. He also lost the game.


Here's the list of Cubs all-star pitchers...

Jake Arrieta (2016)
Curt Davis (1936)
Wade Davis (2017)
Ryan Dempster (2008)
Dick Ellsworth (1964)
Don Elston (1959)
Larry French (1940)
Larry Jackson (1963)
Fergie Jenkins (1967, 1971, 1972)
Sam Jones (1955)
Bill Lee (1938, 1939)
Dutch Leonard (1951)
Jon Lester (2016, 2018)
Jon Lieber (2001)
Ted Lilly (2009)
Greg Maddux (1988, 1992)
Carlos Marmol (2008)
Randy Myers (1994, 1995)
*Claude Passeau (1941, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1946)
Mark Prior (2003)
Rick Reuschel (1977)
Bob Rush (1950, 1952)
Jeff Samardzija (2014)
Johnny Schmitz (1946, 1948)
Lee Smith (1983, 1987)
Rick Sutcliffe (1987, 1989)
Bruce Sutter (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980)
Steve Trachsel (1996)
Lon Warneke (1933, 1934, 1936)
Kerry Wood (2003, 2008)
Travis Wood (2013)
Hank Wyse (1945)
Carlos Zambrano (2004, 2006, 2008)

MInutia Men, Episode 139

EP139: Rick and Dave discuss strange foods, bathroom emergencies, horns growing on kids, John Dillinger/Cub fan, Rick’s brush with Jack Brickhouse, and they interview radio legend John Records Landecker.

Listen to it here.

Un-eating

No idea why this is funny, but it is...

Reverse video of people eating #Summerfest food. Just because. pic.twitter.com/169EfInMEB

— Mike De Sisti (@mdesisti) June 28, 2019

Rick and Garry

Thanks again to Garry Meier for having me on his WLS show this week. If you missed it, they have posted the podcast.

You can listen to it here.

Miracle

Thanks again to the producers, cast, crew and publicity team at "Miracle" the Cubs musical. They invited me to come on stage last night and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" which was a big thrill. Everyone was very nice, and the show was tremendous. I must admit...during the second act I got a little verklempt. (I could relive that Cubs winning the World Series moment every second of my life). A note to the writer of the play: We brought along a friend from Germany who didn't know anything about the Cubs, and he was moved by the writing. I guess that makes it a universal message, right?

Everyone Loves Minutia Men

We've recorded two new episodes featuring interviews with John Records Landecker and Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky) which will be dropping soon. In the meantime, a quick look at our most recent reviews...

Love the interviews
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by rt34527382 from United States of America on June 25, 2019
I’m a huge fan of the way Rick and Dave interview guests. Not the typical stupid questions you’re used to. For instance they asked The Mooch if he ever got business cards when he worked in the White House. Really funny.

Perfect for a car ride
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by salmonbros from United States of America on June 25, 2019
My football coach turned my team on to this podcast. We listen while we drive to road games. I love it. Really fun. I haven’t heard of a lot of these guests, but the interviews are great.

Your New Favorite Talk Show!
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by Crime Culture Podcast from United States of America on June 14, 2019
Rick and Dave are engaging and hilarious as they discuss everything and anything - health tips, wacky foods and drinks, top trends, and viral news pieces being just a few hot topics! They even conduct interviews with a variety of “who’s who” in pop culture! If you’ve been looking for a good morning talk show on your drive to work, or just want a little something to take the edge off, the Minutia Men are here to entertain!

My new morning show
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by The Oddball Aussie from Australia on June 4, 2019
This show is quickly becoming my new morning drive show, started with recent episodes but now I find myself going through the back catalogue. Two podcasters who are great to listen to and will keep you entertained the whole way through.

Decompress with a couple of funny cynics
★★★★☆ in Apple Podcasts by oldyellow65432 from United States of America on May 30, 2019
Rick and Dave are a couple of cynical goofs who will entertain you for an hour or so. Give em a try on your commute.

Wow, very well done
★★★★★ in Apple Podcasts by ob530 from United States of America on May 30, 2019
Great hosts, great content, great guests. Very funny and topical and dare I say, wonderfully cynical.

Stones in Chicago

Took my bride to the Stones show last night at Soldier Field. Loved Ronnie Wood (below)! The show was tremendous. The walk into and out of Soldier Field was not. What a traffic cluster.

Got home at 1:00am.

July 17

The summer blockbuster schedule has been released. Pencil in July 17th.

That's the day Robert Mueller will testify in OPEN session of Congress. Don't call me, I will be busy that day. And if you haven't read the report (and you haven't), I urge you to watch.

You will not feel the same way after you see him explain what's in it...you know, like he should have been allowed to do immediately.

The new press secretary

Her name is Stephanie Grisham, and she had been Melania's spokesperson.

Now lets see if she does any press briefings...you know, like they have in actual democracies.

It's been nearly 100 days since the last one.

Miracle

Got plans for Thursday night? If not, consider joining me for the Cubs musical Miracle at the Royal George Theater. The details are below...

A special offer for fans of everycubever this Thursday Night!

Come to see Miracle this Thursday night! Cub Trivia begins at 7PM; a performance of Miracle begins at 7:30pm and Rick Kaempfer will lead us all in the 7th Inning Stretch right before the second act begins!

Special offer for fans of Eckhartz Press and everycubever
Use promo code: SuperG
to receive $10 off the full ticket price.

Call Group Theater Tix at 312-423-6612

Terri Hemmert reduces role

I saw someone on Twitter refer to Terri as a pair of warm socks--something really comforting about hearing her on the radio. I don't know how Terri would feel about that description, but I knew exactly what that Tweeter meant. Robert Feder has the details...

Terri Hemmert, the Radio Hall of Famer who’s been the heart and soul of WXRT 93.1-FM for 45 years, says she is cutting back her workload at the Entercom adult album alternative station but will “continue to be proud of being part of the XRT family.”

Hemmert, 71, told colleagues in an email today that she plans to step down from her Monday-through-Friday midday shift in a few weeks and switch to “a schedule with much more flexibility.”

“After 45 years at WXRT, I’m going to figure out how to turn the record over and see what plays on the other side,” she wrote. “My doctor will be thrilled I’ll be getting eight hours of sleep a night. After all these years.”

Hemmert said she will continue to host her long-running “Breakfast with The Beatles” program on Sunday mornings and will fill in throughout the year for other on-air personalities when they’re on vacation.