Theo Epstein

Could the Cubs really get Red Sox GM Theo Epstein?

They seem to be taking this possibility very seriously in Boston.

I'd be shocked if the Cubs actually pulled it off, but the fact that they're worried in Boston is a very good sign.

Graceland

From Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac this morning...

"August 25, 1986…Paul Simon released the single "Graceland," with backup vocals by the Everly Brothers. As the title track of his album released two weeks earlier, the song revealed Simon's thoughts during a road trip after the failure of his marriage to actress Carrie Fisher."

It may be 25 years old today, but it really stands the test of time, especially the lyrics. In my boat, Paul Simon is one of the top five lyricists of all time (in the same category as John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, and Bruce Springsteen).

Ode to a handshake

I just posted my weekly Suburban Dad contribution to the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow. This week's is called "Ode to a Handshake"

You can read it here.

When Nature Calls

When nature calls, nature calls.

Just ask former Cubs outfielder (and current Mets outfielder) Angel Pagan. Nature called the other night while his team was batting, and he held up the game because he was indisposed when it was time to head back out to the field.

The gruesome (but funny) details are here.

I believe he was the #2 hitter that night.

The Hallelujah Chorus

All three boys have their first day of school today. This song has been in my mind all morning, in eight part harmony...

A terrible tragedy

Art Anderson was one of the founders of WPGU Radio, the station that got me started in the business. I had met him several times over the years at WPGU reunions, and he was as upbeat and cheerful as anyone you'll ever meet.

This weekend he was stabbed in the neck while leading a group of Boy Scouts on a nature hike. Art was just in the wrong place at the wrong time; the killer had just killed one of his own dogs and assaulted his mother, and was presumably fleeing the scene of the crime.

An unspeakable tragedy.

Starlin Castro

I thought Bobby Valentine was being a little rough on Castro during the ESPN game on Sunday night. For one pitch, yes, Starlin wasn't paying attention. But Valentine began to hyper-focus on him after that--and I don't know many players that would look good if they were being watched on every pitch.

On the other hand, after Mike Quade reviewed the tape, he benched Castro.

So what do I know?

Led Zeppelin

On this day in 1979 Led Zeppelin released their final album "In Through The Out Door", which included this great song...

Rhyming Movie Lines

I enjoyed this little mashup...

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This week's is called "The Best Laid Plans" and it's about one of the worst days of my summer.

You can read it here.