E-mails, we get e-mails...

From "RP"...

"Harding was actually my favorite bumbling President. I did a couple of reports on him in school and have read a couple of biographies of him. Harding had even more of a Chicago connection than you note. His mistress--the first one--was named Nan Britton, and during Harding's Presidency, she lived in seclusion in Evanston, occasionally traveling to Washington on, um, business."

It's true. Read about their daughter: Elizabeth Ann Blaesing

2000 hits

On this date in 1971 Cubs great Billy Williams got his 2000th hit. It came in the 8th inning of a 4-4 game against Atlanta Braves reliever Jim Nash.

Unfortunately, the Cubs lost that game in the bottom of the ninth on a walk off home run by pinch hitter Zoilo Versalles.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest "Father Knows Nothing" column at NWI Parent. This one is called "Things I never thought I'd have to say." You can read it here.

The minor league system

Why have the Cubs been terrible for so long?

There are many, many reasons, but one of the biggest reasons is their approach to their minor league system.

For this week's bonus "Tale from a Bad Century," I analyze that history. It's not pretty.

32 years ago today

Cubs beer-thrower turns himself in

He's 21 years old. At least we know that beer was bought legally. From the Tribune...

"The 21-year-old Cubs fan who threw a beer on a Phillies outfielder said Friday that he got caught up in the "heat of the moment" and hoped his actions would not taint the Cubs' image.

"I am a true fan. I love the Cubs," Johnny Macchione, of Bartlett told the Tribune Friday.

He said his decision to throw the beer on Shane Victorino Wednesday night was not premeditated or encouraged by his friends. He partly blamed the move on frustration for how the Cubs were playing in the eventual 12-5 loss."

Let's keep it in perspective. It's not like he and his dad ran onto the field to beat up a first base coach.

Randy Myer's poster day

It happened on this date, 16 years ago. Let's just say it didn't exactly turn out as planned. Jeff Sargent was there and tells the story...

Colbert mourns Beck's advertisers

Glenn-Harried Glenn-Lost

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Meryl Streep

Hats, get your hats

I wear my Just One Bad Century hat every day, and it's a real conversation starter. You can get yours here.

Oh and the updated t-shirts are available here too.

Another beer bath

What happened last night at Wrigley isn't exactly unprecedented.

Remember this famous Beer Bath at old Comiskey Park? That's Sox outfielder Al Smith getting doused by his own fans during the 1959 World Series.

Wrigley scandal

I went to the ballgame last night with my son Tommy. It was his 14th year in a row going to a game with Dad.

The Cubs got creamed. It was really over before the Cubs came up to bat. Jeff Smarzija was throwing batting practice out there. We left in the fourth inning. The score was 12-1.

I guess we missed the excitement, however, because a fan doused Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino with a beer.

I'm sure Victorino has never seen that kind of behavior before. After all, he plays in Philadelphia.

Billy Williams

On this date in 1987, the Cubs retired the number of one of the all-time greats: Good Ol' Number 26, Billy Williams. It was only the second number they ever retired (Ernie was first).

Billy's #26 now shares a flagpole with #23 (Sandberg), and #31 (Maddux & Jenkins).

Craig Ferguson...

...speaks the truth about why everything sucks. This is so true. Thanks to "MB" for pointing this out to me.

Baseball striking again

On this date in 1994, MLB players went on strike.

The John Landecker Show wrote a great song about it.*




*Full disclosure: I wrote the lyrics with John.

Genius

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Healther Skelter - Obama Death Panel Debate
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Spinal Tap Performance

Kevin Gregg

Sucks.


(Eleven home runs hit against the closer. That's pretty bad, isn't it?)

Al Capone closure

On this date in 1986, the Cubs finally completed a suspended game from April. That game started the same day that Geraldo opened Al Capone's vault live on national television.

This week in...

1929

The Cubs are in the midst of a pennant winning season.

*On the day that Babe Ruth hits his 500th career homer for the Yankees, Charlie Root and the Cubs beat the Boston Braves 3-1 in Boston to go 38 games over .500.



********************
1969

The Cubs are in the midst of one of their most memorable seasons.

*On the day the Manson family commits the Tate-LaBianca murders, the Cubs are also in LA. Bill Hands shuts out the Dodgers and the Cubs go 30 games over .500.




********************
1984

The Cubs are hoping to make the playoffs for the first time since World War 2.

*Ryne Sandberg singles, steals second, and scores the winning run in the ninth inning to beat the Expos in Montreal on the same day that Carl Lewis ties Jesse Owens record with his 4th Olympic Gold Medal in LA, and President Reagan creates controversy in Washington by joking that we're going to start bombing Russia in five minutes.

********************
1989

The Boys of Zimmer are taking Chicago by storm.

*While South Africa simmers, and new President De Klerk takes office, Mike Bielecki beats the Reds 5-1 in Cincinnati, and the Cubs go 20 games over .500.

35 years ago today...

A sitting president resigned from office. It was an unbelievable day that I remember vividly even though I was only 11 years old at the time...

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This week's column is called "Behind the Iron Curtain" and it's a story about a scary childhood visit to Romania. You can read it here.

The Lights

21 years ago today the Cubs played their first official night game at Wrigley Field.

The history of lights at Wrigley is a long and sordid tale, but it's one we told last year if you're interested.

46 years ago today...

This is a real heartwarming story about a game on August 8, 1963.

Joke for Saturday morning

Contributed by "MJ"


Question: What did the Sarah Palin say when she looked into the box of Cheerios?

Answer: "OH LOOK!!! Donut seeds."

Ferris Bueller

John Hughes loved Chicago, and most of films took place here.

Of all his movies, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" was probably his biggest homage to our city. This scene took place during a parade I was always forced to attend...the Von Steuben Parade (German-American parade). Now, I must say, I don't remember them ever playing the Beatles at that parade, but I still enjoy this scene...

Don Larsen

Former Chicago Cub pitcher Don Larsen was born on this date in 1929.

That's right, I said former Cub pitcher.

Sure, he pitched a perfect game in the World Series for the Yankees, but he was also a member of the Chicago Cubs.

Read about his Cubs career here.

Time to come clean

I was also born in Kenya. Here's my birth certificate. Click on it to see the full size version. (There go my presidential aspirations)

Summer Classes for Women

Contributed by "RS"

Summer Classes for Women at
THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER

NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL
OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM.


Class 1
Up in Winter, Down in Summer - How to Adjust a Thermostat
Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 wks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hrs beginning at 7:00 PM..

Class 2
Which Takes More Energy - Putting the Toilet Seat Down, or Crabbing About It for 3 Hours?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Drive Past a Wal-Mart Without Stopping?--Group Debate.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between a Purse and a Suitcase--Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5
How to Ask Questions During Commercials and Be Quiet During the Program.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM

Class 6
Can a Bath Be Taken Without 14 Different Kinds of Soaps and Shampoos?
Open Forum.
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 7
I Was Wrong and He Was Right!--Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.

Class 8
How to Parallel Park In Less Than 20 Minutes Without an Insurance Claim.
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.

Class 9
Learning to Live--How to Apply Brakes Without Throwing Passengers Through the Windshield.
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined

Class 10
How to Shop by Yourself.
Meets 4 wks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 11
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering To Take a List To The Store, Avoiding Separate Trips for Each Item Needed.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2=2 0hours..

Class 12
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.


Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

Jack Brickhouse

We lost Jack Brickhouse on this date in 1998. His widow Pat championed the cause of getting Jack a statue. Listen to her tell the story of how that statue came to be...

No explanation necessary

47 years ago today...

MLK in Chicago

On this date in 1966, Martin Luther King led a march through Gage Park in Chicago.

It didn't go so well.

Click on the link above and see a video from that day, and find out what was going on with the Cubs during that same era.

NWI Parent

The "Back to School" issue of NWI Parent just came out, and I once again contributed the back page essay.

This one is called "I've got your back" and it's about the dangers of entering Junior High School.

Garry Meier

I went to the Cubs game on my birthday (July 28th) with my buddies Dave & Dane. Imagine our surprise when it was time for the 7th inning stretch, and they announced the singer of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." It was my old boss and colleague--Garry Meier.

Here's the video of Garry...

Kurt Busch

He's 31 years old today.

And still a big Cubs fan.

Batting Stance Guy

I love this guy.

Great catch by a fan

Rod Beck

He was born on this date in 1968.

Sadly Rod Beck is not around to celebrate his 41st birthday.

But no-one can ever take this moment away from him. His 50th save for the 1998 Cubs.

Kevin Gregg

Sucks.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. It's called "If it quacks like a duck."

You can read it here.

Have a nice weekend!

I'm heading out of town in a few minutes, driving up to Wisconsin to pick up the boys from summer camp, delouse and disinfect them, then going on a mini-vacation to Green Bay to visit some old friends.

Just One Bad Century will continue to update all weekend, and I will have a new Father Knows Nothing column on Sunday (probably late in the afternoon/early evening), but I'm shutting down this blog for the weekend.

Have a great weekend, and Go Cubs!

The Bull

He was known as "The Bull" and he was an All-Star first baseman for the Chicago Cubs during the 1980s.

Unfortunately for him, he also let a ground ball get through his legs at just about the worst possible time.

Today is his 52nd birthday.

Read all about Leon Durham here.

Another great laughing baby

Sure to cheer you up...

ESPN to do Bartman documentary

Phil Rosenthal reports in today's Chicago Tribune that ESPN has ordered a documentary about Steve Bartman.

Here's a portion of Phil's report...

"Steve Bartman, an accidental icon of Chicago Cubs futility, is getting thrust into the spotlight once more.

ESPN announced Wednesday that it has commissioned a one-hour documentary on Bartman, the Cubs fan whose attempt to catch a foul ball late in Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship series was cast as some kind of catalyst in the long-hamstrung team's eventual collapse that year.

The revisiting of the Bartman incident and a look at its ugly legacy by Alex Gibney, writer-director of the Oscar-nominated "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" and the Academy Award-winning "Taxi to the Dark Side," will be part of ESPN's "30 for 30" series.

According to ESPN, Gibney will attempt to answer the question: Can Bartman ever forgive Chicago?"

I'd love to know if Bartman has actually agreed to participate. If so, that will be a heavily watched show. If not, it's just picking off an old scab.

I have never blamed Bartman. Even that night. And I wouldn't blame him if he has a chip on his shoulder. I think his story is a tragedy.

The Colonel

Robert McCormick was born on this day in 1880. He was a Colonel in World War I and insisted on being referred to as such the rest of his life.

Most of that life was spent owning the Chicago Tribune.

One of his lasting achievements was the building of the Tribune Tower.

Lindsay Lohan's E-Harmony Profile

Funny stuff...

Lindsay Lohan's eHarmony Profile from Lindsay Lohan

1980 Cubs

I went to the ballgame last night with my buddies Dave & Dane and had a great time. The Cubs lost, but we sat in the bleachers, and relived our youth.

Things have changed a little since this team patrolled Wrigley Field: The 1980 Cubs. (They are today's Tale from a Bad Century)

You could walk right up and buy tickets for a buck or two then, and the bleachers were considered the cheap seats. Last night they were $60 a piece.

Summer Camp

Got the first phone call today from summer camp. Tommy has been lost twice already. He and Johnny just got there on Sunday.

Sigh.

This was my NWI Parent story about my summer camp fears.

Keeping my fingers crossed they can make it through three more days.

Shatner does Palin

Mark Buehrle on Letterman

I thought he did a nice job with the Top Ten List last night.

Time to bring these out again...

Losing is soooo last century.*

Your shirts are available here. Still selling for 19.08% off.






*I know I stuck a fork in the season on May 1, but what can I say, I've been sucked back in again. Maybe you have been too.

Birthday announcements

Two famous Cubs fans were born on this date.

Joe E. Brown was born in 1892.

Walter Jacobson was born in 1937.

Also, your humble Just One Bad Century editor Rick Kaempfer was born on this day in 1963.

Piano playing otter

E-mails, we get e-mails...

I have to say, I'm beyond touched by this e-mail. It's from the people that gave Sean and I the great seats at the Cubs game on Friday. (If you missed it, I wrote about it in this weekend's Father Knows Nothing column.) I sent them the column via e-mail as an additional thank you, and this is how they responded...

"Good morning Rick,

I think that Cheryl and I were the real winners Friday. How can you beat helping a cute little fella like Sean in having his best day ever? Friday is what life is all about. Kids having fun and a special day with their dad. Sean won't remember the score or many of the details of the game, but he will always remember who shared his special day with him. Congratulations on being a wonderful parent, a very nice and appreciactive guy and a fabulous writer! Your article was great, and I would be thrilled to read your book. That is very generous of you. Thank you. I'm glad that we got to share a great game and some time with you and Sean. People like you help remind me what is still truly good in a hectic world today. Thanks again for for sharing a lot of smiles with us! Karma really is a beautiful thing!

Tell Sean we say hi!

Brian and Cheryl"

Leo the Lip

Leo was born on this date in 1905.

He was a big challenge for Lou Boudreau to interview every day during the Cubs pre-game show (Durocher in the Dugout). There weren't enough bleeps in the world to clean up some of those radio interviews.

Ever hear one of the unedited versions? Listen to this with caution. It's full of unbleeped f-bombs. Consider yourself warned.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest "Father Knows Nothing" column at NWI Parent. It's about my day at the ballpark with my youngest son Sean. You can read it here.

Mick is 66

That just sounds wrong doesn't it?

His days in Chicago are recounted here, if you're interested.





And here's a taste of Mick in his prime...

Steve Goodman

If he were alive today, Steve Goodman would be celebrating his 61st birthday.

The die-hard Cubs fan left us way too soon.

Take me out to the ballgame

I'm taking my youngest son Sean (the biggest Cubs fan in the family) to the Cubs game today. I hope the weather holds up.

I take each of the boys to one game a summer, but Sean looks forward to it the most. He woke me up at 7 this morning with his Cubs shirt and hat on, holding his mitt.

Last year he almost got to express his Cubs love to a national audience. This year, he'll be satisfied to express it to the Cubs themselves.

This week in...

1929

The Cubs are in the midst of a pennant winning season.

*Riggs Stephenson slugs a home run and Sheriff Blake beats the Brooklyn Robins in Wrigley Field on the same day that 60,000 SA and SS troops march in Munich, flexing their Nazi muscles.

********************
1969

The Cubs are in the midst of one of their most memorable seasons.

*While Fergie Jenkins is striking out 10 Pirates and throwing a two-hitter in Chicago, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young are preparing to perform at the Fillmore East, their first ever concert together.


********************
1984

The Cubs are hoping to make the playoffs for the first time since World War 2.

*The Cubs score eight runs in the eighth inning to beat the Mets 11-4 in New York, but most Chicagoans aren't watching the game. They're watching the opening ceremonies of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.


********************
1989

The Boys of Zimmer are taking Chicago by storm.

*On the day that George W. Bush makes his self-proclaimed "biggest mistake ever" (trading Sammy Sosa to the White Sox while he was President of the Texas Rangers), the Cubs beat the Mets 10-3 at Wrigley Field. Greg Maddux gets the win.

Ron Santo & Diabetes

On this date in 1971, Ron Santo admitted that he was a diabetic. In this video he talks about the challenges he faced, including the scariest moment of playing with diabetes...it somehow resulted in a home run.

Bumper Stickers

- I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.

- Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.

- I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

- You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.

- BEER: It's not just for breakfast anymore.

- I got a gun for my wife, best trade I ever made.

- So you're a feminist...Isn't that cute!

- I'm just driving this way to tork you off.

- Keep honking, I'm reloading.

- As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in public schools.

- I took an IQ test and the results were negative.

- Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

- Very funny, Scotty. Now beam down my clothes.

Fart wars

I went to college with one of the fart warriors in this piece; Joel Comm. Looks like he has become quite successful.

Watch it here.

Glenn Beckert's Hitting Streak

Today in 1968, Glenn Beckert extended his hitting streak to 27 games.

That hitting streak is among the most cherished Cubs memories of WDRV afternoon host Bobby Skafish. He told us all about it in this exclusive video...

Nirvana meets Ric Astley

This really is incredibly well done...

Reverse Racism

Stephen Colbert has been on fire this week.

Another great piece on Reverse Racism.

The Crab & the Polish Prince

Two important Cubs birthdays today.

The Crab, Johnny Evers, was born on this date in 1881. Find out why they called him the Crab here.

The Polish Prince, Moe Drabowsky, was born on this date in 1935. Read about his worst day in a Cubs uniform here.