Friday, July 05, 2019

Barry Butler does it again


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.

Thursday, July 04, 2019

Wednesday, July 03, 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.

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.

Tuesday, July 02, 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. 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

Monday, July 01, 2019

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...


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)