Friday, April 15, 2016
The Cubs
The last time the Cubs started a season 8-1 was 1969. That was the year I became a Cubs fan (and began collecting baseball cards), and I've been rooting for them ever since. Let's hope this year ends better than that year did.
iDon'tHeart Media
Clear Channel stock price, January 2000: $90.
Clear Channel stock value, April 2007: $39.
iHeartMedia stock price, July 2011: $8.30.
iHeartMedia stock price at close of yesterday: $1.15.
Taxman
On Tax Day, April 15th, everything you wanted to know about the Beatles song "Taxman" from the website Beatlesrarity.com...
Here's a great video of George and Eric Clapton performing the song live in concert...
What a great way to begin the Revolver album! “Taxman” is the opening track for the record and, of course, the count-in opens the song. In one respect it is a reference to their very first album Please Please Me which also began with the “I Saw Her Standing There” count-in when released some three and a half years earlier. Both were a count-in to four and both were spoken by Paul McCartney, but that is where the similarities end. It was now the latter half of the sixties and by the time the public would hear “Taxman,” The Beatles would be within a few weeks of their touring days being over forever. So while Paul’s 1963 “I Saw Her Standing There” count-in of “one-two-three-faaah!” simulates what you could very well hear as The Beatles kick into their set at a live show, the “Taxman” count-in symbolizes the change from the simplicity of live music to the more studio-oriented Beatles to come. Paul’s voice is somewhat disguised within a low and sinister quality and the “one, two, three, four, one, two…” spoken much slower. The nervous cough and fretboard fingering sounds that accompany it add a more studio-artificial feel to it too. In fact, it isn’t even a “real” count-in. The real count-in overtakes this artificial one and is yelled off-mike. The “four!” is the most audible in the real count-in and comes in higher, more positive sounding and at twice the speed of the slower one layered on top of it.
“Taxman” was the sixth George Harrison composition with The Beatles and, though uncredited, John Lennon helped with one or two lines including the clever couplet “Now my advice for those who die, declare the pennies on your eyes.” Around this time, George had become the “money Beatle” and would often inquire about how much they had earned on their tours, how much royalties had to be paid and what their manager Brian’s cut was supposed to be at various times. Unfortunately, the lyric in the song that says “Here’s one for you, nineteen for me” is no exaggeration. The Beatles were in the highest tax bracket in the U.K. and required to pay a 95% supertax introduced by Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s Labour Government.
Here's a great video of George and Eric Clapton performing the song live in concert...
"Internal Revenue" Servais
On tax day, we honor a man who should be nicknamed "Internal Revenue" so that we could mention him every single Tax Day. As far as we know, he didn't study accounting, and he never worked for the federal government, and his birthday isn't April 15th (It's June 4th). Nevertheless...
~Scott Servais 1967 (Cubs 1995-1998)
Born on the same day as the man he was traded for (Rick Wilkins), Servais immediately became the starting catcher for the Cubs. He had several good seasons as the Cubs backstop, especially 1995 and 1996 when had double-digit home run totals. His last year with the Cubs ended with his only career playoff apearance. He went 2 for 3 in the 1998 NLDS against Atlanta. Servais signed with the Giants the following season, and later played with the Rockies and Astros. After his playing career, he took front office positions with the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels. (Photo: Topps 1996 Baseball Card)
~Scott Servais 1967 (Cubs 1995-1998)
Born on the same day as the man he was traded for (Rick Wilkins), Servais immediately became the starting catcher for the Cubs. He had several good seasons as the Cubs backstop, especially 1995 and 1996 when had double-digit home run totals. His last year with the Cubs ended with his only career playoff apearance. He went 2 for 3 in the 1998 NLDS against Atlanta. Servais signed with the Giants the following season, and later played with the Rockies and Astros. After his playing career, he took front office positions with the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels. (Photo: Topps 1996 Baseball Card)
Ron Magers '97
One of the big stories from John’s time at WJMK Radio was the scandal at Channel 5 News in the late 90s. At that time, a “genius” named Lyle Banks ran Channel 5, and he thought it would be a great idea to have Jerry Springer come on the 10pm news every night to do a commentary. Well, as you might imagine, that did not sit well with the two anchors at that time–the legendary Carol Marin and Ron Magers. Carol immediately quit to protest the move. Ron left shortly thereafter.
Magers went on to a huge career at Channel 7, and now nearly twenty years later, has announced that he is retiring. Seems like a good time to go back in the Landecker archives and see how John handled that big blow up at Channel 5.
You can listen to the audio here. Ron Magers himself makes an appearance.
Oopa!
Parthenon Restaurant Shut Down By City After Failed Health Inspections
I'd like my Gyros without the rat droppings and roaches please. And extra sauce.
Yoko is Profound
I was amused when I saw this tweet yesterday, so I retweeted it.
A friend of mine saw the tweet, was similarly amused, and tweeted this...
Somehow it sounded a little more profound the way Yoko said it.
Silence is a sound.
— Yoko Ono (@yokoono) April 14, 2016
A friend of mine saw the tweet, was similarly amused, and tweeted this...
\@RickKaempfer or said differently pic.twitter.com/dTYWKbHDiQ
— RBull (@Bullmn1) April 14, 2016
Somehow it sounded a little more profound the way Yoko said it.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Around the Publishing World (April 14)
1. Tips from Freelance writing pros who also work full time
The truth about free lance writing is that while you get started, you probably still need a full-time job. This article gives you valuable hints about how to budget your time.
2. Romance Novel Writing Tips
There is definitely an art to writing a compelling romance novel. Some good tips here.
3. How to Write an Awesome Female Protagonist
We've seen too many manuscripts written by men who just don't know how to write a female character. A female lead is even tougher. This article is mostly from a film perspective, but it's applicable to all fiction writing.
4. Transforming real people into fictional characters
So, your book takes place in 1928 Austria, and your lead character meets Siegmund Freud. How do you do that exactly?
5. Networking Tips for Writers
Crucial advice for people who generally sit and work by themselves.
6. Tips for writing with another person
I've done it now myself on several different occasions and it's definitely harder than it sounds. This UK writer explains some of the pitfalls, but also points out the upside.
7. Sitcom King Ken Levine Mocks Millennials
Kev Levine was a writer/producer for shows like...MASH, CHEERS, FRASIER, THE SIMPSONS, WINGS, and EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND. I thought this was pretty funny parody of the kind of sitcoms we see now. Ken's take on how bad they are.
8. Ira Glass on the creative process
Nena is Back!
Her brand new song is a huge hit in Germany. It's in German, but I'll translate/paraphrase the chorus for you.
Maybe it's too late. Maybe it's too soon. Maybe it's exactly the right time. (Genau Jetzt means literally "Exactly Now")
Maybe it's too late. Maybe it's too soon. Maybe it's exactly the right time. (Genau Jetzt means literally "Exactly Now")
Trump Meets with Megyn Kelly
When your revenues are based on attracting Republican viewers (by giving them the news they want to hear), and your biggest star does not get along with the biggest Republican star, you have to do something about that. Dollars and cents always Trump (if you'll pardon the pun) all other matters.
So, yesterday a series of meetings were set up, including a crucial meeting between Trump and Kelly. The New York Times has the details.
I still think Fox News is hoping that Trump doesn't win it, but they have to cover themselves in case he does. They can't afford to have another channel come along on their right, offering even less critical pro-Republican news. They have the monopoly right now. That's worth A LOT of money.
Kris Bryant
He's the reigning Rookie of the Year.
He's a key part of the Cubs resurgence.
And...now he's a fashion model too.
Big Basketball Night
On the same night, the Golden State Warriors won their 73rd game of the year, beating the record set by the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls.
Although Jordan would be quick to point out something to both Kobe and the Warriors. The Bulls won six championships. Kobe only won five, and the Warriors--even though they look pretty tough right now--have only won one.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Anthony Bourdain in Chicago
Bourdain mentions how much he loves Chicago, and gives a shout out to the Old Town Ale House--site of a recent Eckhartz Press book signing.
The Man Who Turned Down a Spot in Led Zeppelin
His name is Terry Reid, and he was given first crack at being lead singer for Led Zeppelin.
He turned it down, and the job was offered to his buddy Robert Plant instead.
Reid's story is told today in the Washington Post.
Claude Hendrix
The first man to pitch in Wrigley is celebrating a birthday today. His story is memorable. From Just One Bad Century...
~Claude Hendrix 1889 (Cubs 1916-1920)
Claude Hendrix may be one of the most important figures in early Wrigley Field history. He started the very first game played in the ballpark (as a member of the Chi Feds), and the very first game the Cubs played there. On the other hand, his career ended with a gigantic asterisk. Team president Bill Veeck got a telegram before a game in August of 1920, saying that there had been an unusual amount of betting against the Cubs. The starting pitcher that day, Claude Hendrix, reportedly bet $5000 himself. The Cubs didn’t let him start the game. Grover Cleveland Alexander started instead (and was offered a $500 bonus if he won the game)—but the Cubs still lost 3-0. Though he had no proof it was true, Veeck ruled that the spitballer Hendrix, couldn’t play for the Cubs the rest of the season. (History fails to note that Hendrix was running out of gas at the time anyway). Veeck also reported the incident to Judge Kenesaw Landis. In Judge Landis’ autobiography, he admitted that he quietly banned Hendrix for life. No public announcements were made. While Hendrix suffered greatly for his role in this case, he didn’t suffer as badly as the team across town. The investigation into this game didn’t turn up anything against Hendrix, but it did turn up a much bigger scandal: The Chicago White Sox had fixed the 1919 World Series. The Sox were acquitted in court, but banned for life by baseball anyway. Unlike Hendrix, they will forever be branded as the most notorious cheaters in baseball history.
Claude Hendrix may be one of the most important figures in early Wrigley Field history. He started the very first game played in the ballpark (as a member of the Chi Feds), and the very first game the Cubs played there. On the other hand, his career ended with a gigantic asterisk. Team president Bill Veeck got a telegram before a game in August of 1920, saying that there had been an unusual amount of betting against the Cubs. The starting pitcher that day, Claude Hendrix, reportedly bet $5000 himself. The Cubs didn’t let him start the game. Grover Cleveland Alexander started instead (and was offered a $500 bonus if he won the game)—but the Cubs still lost 3-0. Though he had no proof it was true, Veeck ruled that the spitballer Hendrix, couldn’t play for the Cubs the rest of the season. (History fails to note that Hendrix was running out of gas at the time anyway). Veeck also reported the incident to Judge Kenesaw Landis. In Judge Landis’ autobiography, he admitted that he quietly banned Hendrix for life. No public announcements were made. While Hendrix suffered greatly for his role in this case, he didn’t suffer as badly as the team across town. The investigation into this game didn’t turn up anything against Hendrix, but it did turn up a much bigger scandal: The Chicago White Sox had fixed the 1919 World Series. The Sox were acquitted in court, but banned for life by baseball anyway. Unlike Hendrix, they will forever be branded as the most notorious cheaters in baseball history.
Al Green
The great soul singer Al Green turns 70 years old today. This song never fails to make me reach for the volume knob...
Turns Out Steve Miller is Also Kind of a Jag
I applauded Steve Miller's comments about being forced to pay big bucks for his band at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony. That is BS--inductees should be treated better. But it also turns out that Steve Miller treated the band who inducted him badly, and they had nothing to do with that surcharge. They were there as his fans.
Now realize that this was printed in Rolling Stone Magazine, and the magazine's founder is a also a founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but it's clear the Black Keys weren't being coerced to say what they said. This is part of Rolling Stone's interview with Black Keys leader Dan Auerbach, and I think you can get a true feel for Steve Miller's character...
Now realize that this was printed in Rolling Stone Magazine, and the magazine's founder is a also a founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but it's clear the Black Keys weren't being coerced to say what they said. This is part of Rolling Stone's interview with Black Keys leader Dan Auerbach, and I think you can get a true feel for Steve Miller's character...
What do you think about what's happened the past four days?
Um, well, I guess Pat and I definitely... [Pauses] I guess we felt, I don't know, we read a lot of things and we got a really uncomfortable feeling when we first met Steve. He had no idea who we were. No idea. The first thing he told us was, "I can't wait to get out of here." He knew that we signed up to do this speech for him. And he made no effort to even [laughs uncomfortably] — he didn't even figure out who we were. I don't live in New York City. This is like three days out of my life flying from Nashville and leaving my kids at home. It was just a real eye-opener for us. Because as we get older, I hope that when I'm in my twilight years, I can look back and be grateful to the people who have appreciated me and to be able to give back. Because music is about sharing and passing on inspiration and that was his opportunity to do that; not just lashing out in a way that was just completely unfocused.
What was your initial reaction when you realized that he didn't know or care who you were?
Pat and I were both definitely disappointed, to say the least. But you never really know what to expect when you meet quote unquote "superstars." Rock & roll superstars, it used to be different for them. Playing stadiums and selling millions and millions of albums. It's almost like he doesn't have respect for the younger generations and how hard it is in the business today. When he made his first record, he did it at Olympic Studios with Glyn Johns. Pat and I made our first record in a basement with broken gear. But we were there for the same reasons. Because we love music and because I felt like we had a connection just because I come from a place where I love blues music and so does he. And at least we had that connection, but that ended up not mattering in the end.
‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’ Finishes as Cable’s Most-Watched New Show of 2016
Turns out, O.J. still has the juice.
Variety has the details...
Variety has the details...
It was Tuesday’s No. 1 program on television during its run among adults 18-34 and No. 2 behind only NBC’s “The Voice” in 18-49. Among all scripted dramas to have aired multiple times this spring, the FX series ranks second in adults 18-49 on cable (behind only AMC’s “The Walking Dead”) and seventh overall, according to Nielsen’s “live plus-3” estimates. Inclusive of linear and non-linear viewing through the first eight episodes, the limited series was averaging 12.7 million total viewers each week. It is anticipated that this average will hold and likely increase with the final two episodes and the accumulation of non-linear viewing in the weeks and months to follow.
$8.8 Billion for March Madness
The TV deal for March Madness has been secured through 2032. The price tag: $8.8 billion.
Can't you understand why players may see a story like this and think..."Why don't we get paid again?"
As the Sumner Turns
Don't look now, but it appears the Redstone soap opera is not over yet. In true soap opera fashion, there's been a last second twist. From Tom Taylor's column this morning...
“Settlement talks between Sumner Redstone and ex-girlfriend Manuela Herzer hit a roadblock.” Uh-oh. That’s Meg James at the L.A. Times, and that could mean more lurid headlines about the controlling shareholder of CBS and Viacom, if they don’t patch things up before the trial on Herzer’s lawsuit about Sumner’s mental competency. Of course what we really want to know (gossip-wise) is how much money is on the table. The Times hears that “Herzer would have received $25 million to $30 million to end her claim.” Apparently that (plus whatever else was in the incentive package) wasn’t sufficient. The next events we know about are the depositions of Sumner’s daughter Shari Redstone (the new guardian of Sumner’s health care) and Viacom Executive Chair/CEO Philippe Dauman. Philippe took health-care guardianship when Herzer was asked to leave Sumner’s house last October. This week there’s a new flap in Hollywood, over whether Sumner agreed to sell part of Viacom’s Paramount movie division (per Dauman) or not (as Paramount Chair Brad Grey maintains). The judge in the Herzer case continues to be baffled by the lack of a statement from the man this is all about – Sumner.
Pardon me, but there's nothing baffling about the lack of a statement from Sumner. The man is now a vegetable, and everyone in this case knows it but the judge. If he still had his faculties he would shouting from the rooftops. That's the way he was for the first 90 years of his life.
Pardon me, but there's nothing baffling about the lack of a statement from Sumner. The man is now a vegetable, and everyone in this case knows it but the judge. If he still had his faculties he would shouting from the rooftops. That's the way he was for the first 90 years of his life.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Chicago is Catching Cubs Fever
It's an illness that lays dormant for years at a time, but when it comes out, it infects a huge portion of the Chicago population. That is apparently the case right now...
Last night's thrilling #Cubs win on WGN was our highest-rated game in 8 years. Details: https://t.co/5WE2daF7kT pic.twitter.com/J4cMd4KzgR
— WGNTV (@WGNTV) April 12, 2016
Top 100 Talkers
For 2016, Cochran moves up to #50, making him the highest ranked Chicago host.
With his return to terrestrial radio in 2014, heard weekday afternoons on WLS-AM, Steve Dahl also made his return to the Talkers "Heavy Hundred" list for the first time in many years in 2015, ranked at #57. This year, the National Radio Hall of Fame host Dahl was once again ranked at #57.
WGN-AM's new afternoon host Roe Conn returns to the list, ranked at #74 -- the same ranking he held in 2015. In 2014, Conn and former radio partner Richard Roeper, then with WLS-AM, were ranked #54 (down from #52 in 2013 and #49 in 2012).
WGN-AM's midday hosts Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder make their first-ever appearance in the "Heavy Hundred" list this year. The funny radio duo came in at #81.
No other Chicago-only talk show hosts made this list.
Why do old stereos sound better than new ones?
This Week in 1945
This week during the last year the Cubs went to the World Series...
World War II Rages On
*But it rages on without the American president. On the afternoon of April 12, Franklin Delano Roosevelt is in Warm Springs Georgia. He says, "I have a terrific pain in the back of my head." He then slumps forward in his chair, unconscious, and is carried into his bedroom. The president's attending cardiologist, Dr. Howard Bruenn, diagnoses a massive cerebral hemorrhage (stroke). At 3:35 p.m., Roosevelt dies.
*Vice President Harry S. Truman becomes the 33rd President.
*Franklin D. Roosevelt is buried on the grounds of his Hyde Park home in New York.
*Meanwhile, in the Pacific, America suffers another devastating loss. Ernie Pyle (photo), the American journalist chronicling the war, is killed by Japanese machine gun fire on the island of Ie Shima off Okinawa.
*And in Germany, the Red Army begins the Battle of Berlin, and U.S. troops enter Nuremberg. They are closing in on Hitler from every direction.
In Chicago
*The city is mourning the loss of their President, although not everyone is so shaken up. Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the publisher of the Chicago Tribune, hated Roosevelt's guts. His paper had called The New Deal "Communism." It was opposed to the war--a leader of the "America First" movement. They also kept a countdown of the number of days until Roosevelt's term was over. Despite this, the Tribune did manage to be respectful the day FDR died. Only one headline hinted at the Colonel's true feelings. Here are the headlines in his Chicago Tribune...
*As the headlines in the Tribune indicate, the Cubs and White Sox are in the midst of a crosstown exhibition series. Just like clockwork, the unseasonably warm weather left town as soon as our baseball teams arrived. It is frigid on April 12th when they play the first game of the series at Comiskey Park. Only 2200 or so fans showed up to watch the Cubs crush the White Sox 15-3. The rest of the series is canceled because of President Roosevelt's death.
*Opening day for the Cubs arrives on April 17th. They face their strongest rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs win 3-2 at Wrigley Field in front of 11,785 fans at Wrigley, thanks to a walk-off single by second baseman Don Johnson in the bottom of the ninth. Bill Nicholson homers too. The game is played in honor of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had thrown out the first pitch at Wrigley Field during the 1932 World Series.
*The Cubs are surprised by an arrival in the clubhouse before the game: holdout outfielder Peanuts Lowrey. Charlie Grimm, still angry about the holdout, tells Lowrey that he won't just be given his starting job back-- but his anger doesn't last long. Lowrey will start for most of the 1945 season.
*In St. Louis, one armed outfielder Pete Gray plays his first game for the St. Louis Browns. He goes 1 for 4.
In Pop Culture
*“A medal for Benny” starring Dorothy Lamour is released April 16. John Steinbeck wrote the screenplay and will be nominated for an Academy Award.
*Richard Strauss completes his "Metamorphosis"
Birthdays
*Joseph Ratzinger—later known as Pope Benedict XVI—turns 18 in war-torn Germany. (Photo)
*William Holden turns 27. He is serving in the Army making training films
*Harold Washington celebrates his 23rd birthday while serving in a segregated unit of the Air Force in the Phillipines. He and his unit are building runways.
*Rod Steiger's 20th birthday finds him serving as a torpedoman in the US Navy in the Pacific.
*Herbie Hancock turns 5. He is already considered a child prodigy, and lives in Chicago.
*Two future celebrities are born: Tony Dow in Hollywood, and Ritchie Blackmore in Weston-super-Mare, England.
Cub of the week
Bill Nicholson is the most feared slugger in the National League. He is coming off an MVP-caliber season in 1944, in which he led the league in HR and RBI, and came only one vote short of winning the MVP Award. He was so feared in 1944, that one game against the Giants, after he had hit home runs in his previous four at-bats, he was intentionally walked with the bases loaded.
He doesn't know it yet, but 1945 will be the beginning of the end for him. His eyesight is going because he has diabetes, and it won't be diagnosed for awhile. It also affects his swing. He can no longer hit the high heat. Leo Durocher, manager of the Dodgers, tells his team that anyone who pitches him waist down will be fined.
Nicholson is the starting right fielder for the Cubs in 1945, and hits a homer opening day, but he will finish the year with only 13 home runs and 88 RBI, a far cry from his glory days (1940-1944). He will remain a Cub, however, for another three seasons after this. They eventually ship him out to Philadelphia, who converts him into a pinch hitter. He retires after the 1952 season.
World War II Rages On
*But it rages on without the American president. On the afternoon of April 12, Franklin Delano Roosevelt is in Warm Springs Georgia. He says, "I have a terrific pain in the back of my head." He then slumps forward in his chair, unconscious, and is carried into his bedroom. The president's attending cardiologist, Dr. Howard Bruenn, diagnoses a massive cerebral hemorrhage (stroke). At 3:35 p.m., Roosevelt dies.
*Vice President Harry S. Truman becomes the 33rd President.
*Franklin D. Roosevelt is buried on the grounds of his Hyde Park home in New York.
*Meanwhile, in the Pacific, America suffers another devastating loss. Ernie Pyle (photo), the American journalist chronicling the war, is killed by Japanese machine gun fire on the island of Ie Shima off Okinawa.
*And in Germany, the Red Army begins the Battle of Berlin, and U.S. troops enter Nuremberg. They are closing in on Hitler from every direction.
In Chicago
*The city is mourning the loss of their President, although not everyone is so shaken up. Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the publisher of the Chicago Tribune, hated Roosevelt's guts. His paper had called The New Deal "Communism." It was opposed to the war--a leader of the "America First" movement. They also kept a countdown of the number of days until Roosevelt's term was over. Despite this, the Tribune did manage to be respectful the day FDR died. Only one headline hinted at the Colonel's true feelings. Here are the headlines in his Chicago Tribune...
ROOSEVELT IS DEAD!In Baseball
(Mayor) Kelly Voice(s) Shock and Sorrow
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPEN TODAY; HOLD SERVICES
Roosevelt Funeral Set for 4 Tomorrow
President's Body Is Borne from Southern Home
WASHINGTON AWAITS FUNERAL TRAIN
TRUMAN FACING WAR, PEACE AND DOMESTIC TESTS
EXPECT TRUMAN HELP IN OUSTING RED BUREAUCRATS
Cubs and White Sox Cancel Games Today and Tomorrow
Major Opener to Be Played in F. D. R.'s Memory
*As the headlines in the Tribune indicate, the Cubs and White Sox are in the midst of a crosstown exhibition series. Just like clockwork, the unseasonably warm weather left town as soon as our baseball teams arrived. It is frigid on April 12th when they play the first game of the series at Comiskey Park. Only 2200 or so fans showed up to watch the Cubs crush the White Sox 15-3. The rest of the series is canceled because of President Roosevelt's death.
*Opening day for the Cubs arrives on April 17th. They face their strongest rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs win 3-2 at Wrigley Field in front of 11,785 fans at Wrigley, thanks to a walk-off single by second baseman Don Johnson in the bottom of the ninth. Bill Nicholson homers too. The game is played in honor of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had thrown out the first pitch at Wrigley Field during the 1932 World Series.
*The Cubs are surprised by an arrival in the clubhouse before the game: holdout outfielder Peanuts Lowrey. Charlie Grimm, still angry about the holdout, tells Lowrey that he won't just be given his starting job back-- but his anger doesn't last long. Lowrey will start for most of the 1945 season.
*In St. Louis, one armed outfielder Pete Gray plays his first game for the St. Louis Browns. He goes 1 for 4.
In Pop Culture
*“A medal for Benny” starring Dorothy Lamour is released April 16. John Steinbeck wrote the screenplay and will be nominated for an Academy Award.
*Richard Strauss completes his "Metamorphosis"
Birthdays
*Joseph Ratzinger—later known as Pope Benedict XVI—turns 18 in war-torn Germany. (Photo)
*William Holden turns 27. He is serving in the Army making training films
*Harold Washington celebrates his 23rd birthday while serving in a segregated unit of the Air Force in the Phillipines. He and his unit are building runways.
*Rod Steiger's 20th birthday finds him serving as a torpedoman in the US Navy in the Pacific.
*Herbie Hancock turns 5. He is already considered a child prodigy, and lives in Chicago.
*Two future celebrities are born: Tony Dow in Hollywood, and Ritchie Blackmore in Weston-super-Mare, England.
Cub of the week
Bill Nicholson is the most feared slugger in the National League. He is coming off an MVP-caliber season in 1944, in which he led the league in HR and RBI, and came only one vote short of winning the MVP Award. He was so feared in 1944, that one game against the Giants, after he had hit home runs in his previous four at-bats, he was intentionally walked with the bases loaded.
He doesn't know it yet, but 1945 will be the beginning of the end for him. His eyesight is going because he has diabetes, and it won't be diagnosed for awhile. It also affects his swing. He can no longer hit the high heat. Leo Durocher, manager of the Dodgers, tells his team that anyone who pitches him waist down will be fined.
Nicholson is the starting right fielder for the Cubs in 1945, and hits a homer opening day, but he will finish the year with only 13 home runs and 88 RBI, a far cry from his glory days (1940-1944). He will remain a Cub, however, for another three seasons after this. They eventually ship him out to Philadelphia, who converts him into a pinch hitter. He retires after the 1952 season.
Chicago Radio Ratings
From this morning's Tom Taylor column...
Chicago – Another solid book for CBS Radio’s all-news WBBM/WCFS, winning or tying for first in every daypart between 6am and 7pm, and placing second nights and weekends. Total-week, it’s holding 6.9-6.8-6.6. Note that it just passed the Cubs baseball franchise over to all-sports clustermate “Score” WSCR. The Score is flat, early in the season, 2.6-2.4-2.5. Going back to the top of the March-book standings, iHeart’s urban AC “V103” WVAZ is second (6.0-5.5-5.6) and Hubbard’s hot AC “Mix 101.9” WTMX is third (5.2-5.5-4.9). (Its Eric & Kathy morning team is second in their daypart.) Fourth place is a tie between two iHeart stations, top 40 “Kiss” WKSC (3.7-3.7-4.0) and hot AC “93.9 My FM” WLIT (4.7-4.5-4.0). Sixth place is also a two-way tie, between iHeart’s urban WGCI (3.5-3.8-3.8 total week, but #1 at night) and Tribune’s talk WGN (4.2-3.6-3.8). ’GN’s Steve Cochran is third in mornings. Disney-owned/ESPN-run all-sports WMVP (2.3-2.5-2.6) owns a slight edge over the Score (at a 2.5, remember). Cumulus talk WLS (1.8-1.8-2.2) will be the new flagship for the White Sox. The 2.2 is its highest point since February 2014. There’s a country contest between CBS’ “US99.5” WUSN (2.8-2.7-2.4) and iHeart’s “Big” WEBG (a third straight 1.8 share). New PPM record for Chicago Public Media’s non-com news/talk WBEZ (2.4-2.7-2.8). You’d have to call the weekly cume title a dead heat between hot AC “Mix” (2,166,800) and top 40 “Kiss” (1,265,900). Although its AQH share is down (2.2-2.4-1.9), the cume for Weigel-LMA’d easy oldies WRME, on the audio of a low power Channel 6 TV signal, is roughly equal to that of the Score – and higher than WLS.
Monday, April 11, 2016
Wrigley 2016
The old girl is looking better than ever. #Cubs #OpeningNight pic.twitter.com/32v7qJus3n
— CubsVineLine (@cubsvineline) April 11, 2016
Wrigley Field 2016 pic.twitter.com/FhuEdbej5S
— CubsVineLine (@cubsvineline) April 11, 2016
RIP Doug Banks
Sad news. A giant in the radio business has died. All Access has the news...
Banks first became famous here in Chicago before taking his show down to Dallas (though it still aired here in Chicago). I've met him several times over the years. A truly nice man.
ALL ACCESS has confirmed that longtime radio veteran and syndicated morning host DOUG BANKS has passed.
BANKS was diagnosed with diabetes in the '80s. His condition worsened last year and he took some time off, but he returned to his syndicated THE DOUG BANKS RADIO SHOW early this year.
More details to come.
Banks first became famous here in Chicago before taking his show down to Dallas (though it still aired here in Chicago). I've met him several times over the years. A truly nice man.
Opening Night
Taking my bride to Opening Night at Wrigley tonight. I'll be in section 206 if you're in the house--stop on by.
Pray for Caleb
My cousin's son Caleb's life has been a roller coaster ride since he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma (cancer). The three year old had a successful stem cell transplant, but this morning I awakened to this distressing news...
With our gains, there are also setbacks. Although Bubba's numbers have gone up so have his fevers. And they are way up! Unfortunately, Caleb's fevers and elevated heart rate have gained the attention of the doctors from the ICU. He's being evaluated now to see what is going on but it's been a long 24 hours! Please keep us in your prayers that this too passes...and quickly. Please let these stem cells cure everything, uneventfully.
I'm praying for the little guy. In his honor, here's the poem I wrote for him...
SUPER CALEB
Our hero Super Caleb, awakens in a haze,
Trapped on planet Mayo-naise,
Where the bad Sea monster stays,
And makes people sad all day
Super Caleb knows that he just has to get away,
Remove the tubes and tape,
So he can reach his super cape,
And make his brave escape
He is Super Caleb,
You should see our hero fly,
He turns the Mayo people’s, sad faces into smiles,
He is Super Caleb,
And he’ll show you in a while.
The bad sea monster doesn’t know, that Caleb has some friends,
Who can give him strength again,
And he better look out when,
Super Caleb flies again.
As Super Caleb sleeps, his friend in the white coat,
Sails through the sea monster’s moat,
In a very quiet boat,
And he’s bringing Caleb hope.
He is Super Caleb!
And he makes sad people smile,
The sea monster can’t keep the people sad when Caleb flies,
He is Super Caleb!
And he’ll be here in a while.
Super Caleb opens up his eyes after a rest,
Looks down upon his chest,
Tubes are gone and he is dressed,
He knows how to do the rest.
He is Super Caleb!
And it’s time to watch him fly,
When they see him all sad people, cannot help but smile,
He is Super Caleb!
And he’s gonna win this time.
With our gains, there are also setbacks. Although Bubba's numbers have gone up so have his fevers. And they are way up! Unfortunately, Caleb's fevers and elevated heart rate have gained the attention of the doctors from the ICU. He's being evaluated now to see what is going on but it's been a long 24 hours! Please keep us in your prayers that this too passes...and quickly. Please let these stem cells cure everything, uneventfully.
I'm praying for the little guy. In his honor, here's the poem I wrote for him...
SUPER CALEB
Trapped on planet Mayo-naise,
Where the bad Sea monster stays,
And makes people sad all day
Super Caleb knows that he just has to get away,
Remove the tubes and tape,
So he can reach his super cape,
And make his brave escape
He is Super Caleb,
You should see our hero fly,
He turns the Mayo people’s, sad faces into smiles,
He is Super Caleb,
And he’ll show you in a while.
Who can give him strength again,
And he better look out when,
Super Caleb flies again.
As Super Caleb sleeps, his friend in the white coat,
Sails through the sea monster’s moat,
In a very quiet boat,
And he’s bringing Caleb hope.
And he makes sad people smile,
The sea monster can’t keep the people sad when Caleb flies,
He is Super Caleb!
And he’ll be here in a while.
Looks down upon his chest,
Tubes are gone and he is dressed,
He knows how to do the rest.
He is Super Caleb!
And it’s time to watch him fly,
When they see him all sad people, cannot help but smile,
He is Super Caleb!
And he’s gonna win this time.
Satirical Boston Globe Front Page Imagines President Trump
The details are here, but here are some of the headlines...
*Deportations To Begin
*Markets Sink as Trade War Looms
*US Soldiers Refuse to Kill ISIS Families
I'm not sure exactly why they did this, but if you take Trump at his word, those would be likely headlines after he is inaugurated.
*Deportations To Begin
*Markets Sink as Trade War Looms
*US Soldiers Refuse to Kill ISIS Families
I'm not sure exactly why they did this, but if you take Trump at his word, those would be likely headlines after he is inaugurated.
The dreaded radio dream
I used to have this dream all the time, but it's been a while. I don't miss it.
Curtiss Johnson Lands in Sacramento
Radio Ink has the details.
The Bulls Are Out
Hoping for a full house cleaning.
Steve Miller Rips Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
After he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Steve Miller went off on his hosts in the press room. From this morning's New York Times...
Sheesh. Ten grand for tickets for your band members? Although, I must say that the Radio Hall of Fame does it in a similar fashion. When my old bosses Steve & Garry were inducted, I wanted to go to the ceremony to see them recieve their honor. I was told "That will be $3500 for a table, please."
I was happy for them. Just not $3500 happy for them.
Asked to expand on his criticisms of the organization, which was founded by industry heavyweights like Jann S. Wenner of Rolling Stone and has its museum in Cleveland, Mr. Miller said, “The whole process is unpleasant,” suggesting that it be “changed from the top to the bottom.”
“They need to respect the artists they say they’re honoring, which they don’t,” the singer continued, making references to issues like licensing agreements between the show and its honorees. (Friday’s ceremony will be broadcast by HBO on April 30.)
Mr. Miller, 72, then turned to the ceremony itself. “When they told me I was inducted they said, ‘You have two tickets — one for your wife and one for yourself. Want another one? It’s $10,000. Sorry, that’s the way it goes,’ ” he said, adding, “What about my band? What about their wives?”
When a publicist for the Rock Hall tried to interrupt him, Mr. Miller persisted. “No, we’re not going to wrap this up — I’m going to wrap you up,” he said. “You go sit down over there and learn something.”
Sheesh. Ten grand for tickets for your band members? Although, I must say that the Radio Hall of Fame does it in a similar fashion. When my old bosses Steve & Garry were inducted, I wanted to go to the ceremony to see them recieve their honor. I was told "That will be $3500 for a table, please."
I was happy for them. Just not $3500 happy for them.
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