Saturday, July 04, 2009
Niekro vs. Niekro
On this date in 1967, it was brother versus brother as Niekro faced Niekro in Atlanta. Joe Niekro was the pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Phil Niekro pitched for the Atlanta Braves.Mack Jones and Rico Carty both hit homers against Joe, chasing him from the game in the 4th inning. Phil pitched a complete game and the Braves won 8-3.
A sidenote to this game: Bob Uecker was the catcher for the Braves. He went 0 for 3.
Friday, July 03, 2009
Brian Jones
It was 40 years ago today that Brian died. Here's the reaction of Keith Richards and Bill Wyman just after it happened...
Santo & Sandberg
Today was a big day in the careers of Cub favorites Ron Santo & Ryne Sandberg.
On this day in 1960, Ron Santo hit the first home run of his career. It came off Cincinnati Reds lefthander Jim O'Toole at Wrigley Field. It was a three run shot in the first inning that knocked in Ernie Banks and Frank Thomas. He hit eight more homers in his rookie season and by the time his Cubs career was over he had hit a total of 337.
On this day in 1993, Ryne Sandberg got the 2000th hit of his Hall of Fame career. He hit a single off Curtis Leskanic of the Colorado Rockies in front of more 60,000 fans in Mile High Stadium. Ryno ended his career with 2386 hits. All but one of those (his first one) were hit wearing a Chicago Cubs uniform.
On this day in 1960, Ron Santo hit the first home run of his career. It came off Cincinnati Reds lefthander Jim O'Toole at Wrigley Field. It was a three run shot in the first inning that knocked in Ernie Banks and Frank Thomas. He hit eight more homers in his rookie season and by the time his Cubs career was over he had hit a total of 337.
On this day in 1993, Ryne Sandberg got the 2000th hit of his Hall of Fame career. He hit a single off Curtis Leskanic of the Colorado Rockies in front of more 60,000 fans in Mile High Stadium. Ryno ended his career with 2386 hits. All but one of those (his first one) were hit wearing a Chicago Cubs uniform.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Ted Danson
These pick up lines might be from the 80s, but I have a funny feeling they're still being used...
Momentous day in Wrigley history
On this day in 1917, three future NFL Hall of Famers played at Cubs Park (now known as Wrigley Field).
Paddy Driscoll played 2B for the Cubs. That was his only year in baseball, but he went on to a great football career with the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cardinals.
Jim Thorpe & Greasy Neal both played in the outfield for the Reds.
Thorpe's biggest baseball claim to fame was knocking in the winning run in the double no-hitter between Hippo Vaughn & Fred Toney, but he was one of the greatest players in the NFL during the 1920s, and was named to the all-decade team.
Neal was a member of the 1919 World Champion Reds (that beat the cheating White Sox), but he went on to become an NFL head coach, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to two championships (1948 & 1949).
On this day in 1917, Thorpe & Neal came out victorious as the Reds beat the Cubs 8-5.
Paddy Driscoll played 2B for the Cubs. That was his only year in baseball, but he went on to a great football career with the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cardinals.Jim Thorpe & Greasy Neal both played in the outfield for the Reds.
Thorpe's biggest baseball claim to fame was knocking in the winning run in the double no-hitter between Hippo Vaughn & Fred Toney, but he was one of the greatest players in the NFL during the 1920s, and was named to the all-decade team.
Neal was a member of the 1919 World Champion Reds (that beat the cheating White Sox), but he went on to become an NFL head coach, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to two championships (1948 & 1949).On this day in 1917, Thorpe & Neal came out victorious as the Reds beat the Cubs 8-5.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
E-mails, we get e-mails...
"JM" writes regarding the Mark Sanford controversy...
"I think he has coined a new term "taking a hike in the Appalachan's" now means having an affair.
Don't you think the Democrats and Republicans should line up on opposite stands at a high school football field and do this new CHEER ?:
We've got cheaters yes we do, we got cheaters how 'bout you?"
Rick responds: Either that cheer or this one..."D-Fense. (attorney) D-Fense (attorney.)"
Lou Piniella
He was voted the manager that players would least like to play for (Ozzie was #2), according to a poll conducted by Sports Illustrated. The details are here.
Maybe so, but I must admit that I've been hoping for a really good public Lou explosion to wake up the team this year. Call 'em out. Rip 'em good. Screw the pansies that don't want to play for him.
$everance
It's two years old, but it got another good review this week. This one is from the blog "Something that needs nothing."
Buster & the Princess
Two notable birthdays today, although both of them are sadly no longer with us.
Former Cub Buster Freeman was born on this day in 1928, and Princess Diana was born on this day in 1961.
(What does she have to do with the Cubs? Click here.)
Former Cub Buster Freeman was born on this day in 1928, and Princess Diana was born on this day in 1961. (What does she have to do with the Cubs? Click here.)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Japanese Pizza Box
You gotta love the way this guy catches the foul ball. Thanks to "BP" for sending it to me.
Foul Ball Slams Into Fan's Pizza Box - Watch more Funny Videos
Foul Ball Slams Into Fan's Pizza Box - Watch more Funny Videos
Jack Silver
I interviewed Jack Silver a few months ago when he was let go from his previous job.
He just got a new job in LA.
Separated at Birth?
'AA" writes...
"This is one of the guys on The Bachelorette (that my wife is watching and I happen to be in the same room, I SWEAR). Every time he’s on I think it’s Rick."
"This is one of the guys on The Bachelorette (that my wife is watching and I happen to be in the same room, I SWEAR). Every time he’s on I think it’s Rick."
Father Knows Nothing
Next week I'll tell you the story of my Big Easy vacation. This week I tell you about a pecker. You can read the column here.
Sammy's hollow record
Remember how exciting it was when Sammy Sosa set the record for most home runs in a month? He did it on this day in 1998. Feels hollow now, doesn't it?
By the way, the JOBC blog has continually updated this past few days. You may have missed...
A Youngster Ensnared
Forbes Field
Happy birthday to two mustaches
Or
The Babe
I'm back
Had a GREAT time in New Orleans, and I will be writing about several of the episodes that occurred there. Hang in there, it's coming. Next week's Father Knows Nothing column will be a journey to the Big Easy.
But in the meantime, I'm happy to be back in the (basement) saddle.
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