World Cup setting TV viewing records

It's doing pretty well here in America, but according to this article, it will set records around the world.

Things you don't want to read

Just read this one about the security situation in South Africa for the World Cup. Not thrilled with the headline or the story: World Cup Security Raises Concerns.

Let's get that tightened up, please, before June 24th (the day of my arrival).

Eddie Waitkus

He had just recently been traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, and had just made his triumphant return to Chicago, when something went terribly wrong in his hotel room.

On this day in 1949, Eddie Waitkus was shot by a deranged fan.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This one is about my photographic stalking efforts at Tommy's 8th grade graduation. It's called "The Suburban Marlon Perkins."

You can read it here.

World Cup/Daily Herald

The Daily Herald wrote an article about the World Cup. Among the people they interviewed; a certain little known local blogger that is going to South Africa.

Lit Fest

I want to be sure to invite everyone to come on out to Printer's Row Lit Fest tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 11:00 (Grace Place/2nd floor). I'll be part of a panel discussion about baseball literature, along with fellow authors James Finn Garner, Gary Moore, Robert Goldsborough, and Donald Evans.

I've done a few of these panel discussions before, and they're always fun.

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

"BD" writes regarding my Amos & Andy mention...

"Actually, Amos 'N' Andy was/were on radio, in one format or another, from 1928 until November of 1960, a total of 32 years. During the last five years they did a nightly 30-minute show that featured music between the bits. For television, 78 episodes of The Amos 'n Andy Show (which centered more on the character George 'Kingfish' Stevens, played wonderfully by Tim Moore) were produced between June 1951 and April 1953. They aired in primetime on CBS until 1955 and then in syndication until the mid-1960s. See? I do read your blog! And really enjoy it. 'Cept for all that Cubs stuff. A White Sox fan forever."

BD is correct (about Amos & Andy, not the White Sox). The radio show carried on until 1960. It was only the TV show that was canceled on this day in 1953.

The Daily Show on the World Cup

Not many people know that Jon Stewart is a big soccer fan--he actually played soccer in college at William and Mary. But they can probably guess that John Oliver, the show's British correspondent, is a big fan. Here he presents what most British people think of American soccer. It would be so sweet to beat them tomorrow...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
World Cup 2010: Into Africa - Two Teams, One Cup
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

South African fact of the day

Even though English is the recognized language of commerce and science in South Africa, only 8% of South Africans speak English at home.

There are 11 official languages: Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu. The three most spoken are Zulu (23.8%), Xhosa (17.6%) and Afrikaans (13.3%).

I think I can figure out Afrikaans (it's a lot like Dutch, which is sort of between German and English), but there's no hope with the others. That's another reason I'm considering this trip a great adventure. I leave in 13 days.

Space Oddity

David Bowie released the single "Space Oddity" on this day in 1969 to coincide with the first lunar landing, which was scheduled for a few weeks later. The original version of the song is slightly different than the one I played on the radio for many years (I like this one even better), and this video is way out there. I dig it...

Amos & Andy

On this day in 1953, Amos & Andy was canceled after 24 years on the radio and two on television. It was probably one of the three or four most important shows of the early days of radio.

Chicago plays an important part in that show's history.

Grease

It was released on this day in 1978.

I still like this song by Travolta and Olivia Newton John.

The rest of songs? Not so much.

Hank Sauer

He was a National League MVP in 1952 while wearing a Cubs uniform.

It was probably thanks to days like this one, when he hit three homers in one game.

World Cup schedule

This is a totally cool site.

It's the calendar of all World Cup events put together in a wildly creative format. The games begin tomorrow morning.

I'm getting very excited...

The BP coffee spill

The Sopranos

The last episode of The Sopranos aired three years ago tonight. I absolutely hated the ending of that series (and I was a huge fan of it), but it has really stuck in my head. I still think about that last scene three years later...which I suppose means it was much more successful than I initially thought it was. I kind of like it now. (For the record, I still hate the final Seinfeld Episode).

Elvis in New York

Would you believe that Elvis Presley's first live concert performance in New York didn't happen until 1972?

It's true...It happened on this day that year.

South African fact of the day

It's winter in South Africa right now. The average temperatures in Johannesberg are in the low 60s during the day, and the low 40s at night...basically the same weather we've had here in Chicago since April.

BLACKHAWKS!!!!

 What a strange ending to a great, great series. I loved every second of it.

I missed the first two periods because of Tommy's graduation, but I got back in time to see the excitement.

For me, the gravity of the moment didn't sink in until Jeremy Roenick started to cry in the broadcast booth. He told that story about seeing a little kid in Chicago crying after the 1992 series, and he thought about that kid when the Hawks won. Roenick, who never publicly admitted what team he was rooting for until that moment, is a Chicago Blackhawk down to his very core.

I got a little verklempt.

Congratulations, Hawks!

Uniform numbers

 On this day in 1932, the Cubs appeared with numbers on their uniforms for the very first time. These are the numbers from that very first day...



1--Woody English (3B)
2--Billy Herman (2B)
3--Kiki Kuyler (OF)
4--Riggs Stephenson (OF)
5--Johnny Moore (OF)
6--Charlie Grimm (1B/manager)
7--Gabby Hartnett (C)
8--Rollie Hemsley (C)
9--Mark Koenig (SS)
11--Billy Jurges (SS)
12--Charlie Root (SP)
14--Guy Bush (SP)
15--Pat Malone (SP)
16--Burleigh Grimes (SP)
17--Lon Warneke (SP)
18--Bob Smith (RP)
19--Harry Taylor (1B)
21--Bud Tinning (RP)
22--Marv Gudat (RP)
23--Leroy Herman (RP)
27--Bobo Newsom (RP)
31--Stan Hack (3B)
34--Zach Taylor (C)
41--Red Corriden (coach)
42--Charley O'Leary (coach)
49--Vince Barton (OF)
51--Frank Demaree (OF)
56--Lance Richbourg (OF)

USA-England

John Oliver is in South Africa covering the USA-England game for the Daily Show.

If you don't watch the Daily Show, Oliver is their British "correspondent." In the article above he beautifully sums up what a loss would mean to the UK. This game is HUGE for them.

The game is at 1:30 central time. I'll be watching it in a bar nearby the Printer's Row Lit Fest (see details below about my appearance there). Any suggestions for a good place to watch it?

He's graduating?

Yes he is. My oldest son Tommy is graduating from 8th grade tonight.

I asked him if he wanted a party and he said no. I asked him if he wanted to go out for a celebratory dinner afterward and he said no. I asked him how he wanted to celebrate, and he said: "Let's get some ice cream."

He's growing up, but he's a guy. He'll never actually grow up. That's comforting, somehow.

South African fact of the day

A popular South African dish is called Trotters and Beans.

That is made from boiled pig's or sheep's trotters (meaning feet) and onions and beans.

I won't be trying that one.

Printer's Row Lit Fest

Attention society! Rick is leaving the basement this weekend.

I'll be appearing at the Printer's Row Lit Fest on Saturday morning at 11:00. I'm part of a panel discussion about baseball literature, along with fellow authors James Finn Garner, Gary Moore, Robert Goldsborough, and Donald Evans.

I have never gone to the Lit Fest (some author, right?), so I'm not sure exactly where this is, but we'll be at Grace Place/2nd floor. The discussion is scheduled to go until Noon.

Come on out if you're in the area. I have done a few of these panel discussions elsewhere with these particular authors, and we have a great time talking about baseball and the Cubs.

Donald Duck

He made his debut exactly 76 years ago today. He looked a little different, but the voice was there from the start...

Roy Smalley

The former Cubs shortstop had a great arm.

Just ask the people in the seats behind first base. They caught most of his throws.

He was born on this day in 1926.

A new Hawks song

This is funny...



It's catchy too.

South African fact of the day

I'm researching this for my trip to South Africa anyway, so I thought I'd share in case you're interested.

The currency in South Africa is the South African Rand.

The current exchange rate is approximately 8 Rands=1 US Dollar.

Bull Durham

I still love this movie. It came out this week in 1988.

Half Full

Here is an analysis of the Cubs #1 draft pick that makes me feel a little better than the posting below.

It's from Baseball Daily Digest, which compares him to Tim Lincecum.

This analysis was provided before the draft, and he didn't think he would get picked in the first round...but at least he raves about him.

Things you don't want to read

An analysis of the draft, from the Major League expert at sports.com...

"The biggest surprise in the 2010 MLB Draft first round selections was at No. 16 by the Chicago Cubs, who dipped into Division II to take a player. Hayden Simpson was the selection by the Cubs, a nice pitcher at Southern Arkansas that didn't make it on to most of the draft boards of the experts here, on ESPN, or on the MLB Network."

Great. Just great. I'm sure this will turn out fine. Baseball America, by the way, had him ranked 181st.

The Amateur Draft

Tis the season for baseball's amateur draft.

Over the years, it has not gone well for the Cubs.

And that's a very kind way of putting it.

Blogger issues

Sorry for the lack of posts today.

There have been some issues with blogger nationwide. It was completely shut down for about twenty four hours.

Not that I've been checking it every twenty minutes or so to see if it was back up.

I don't have a problem.

I can quit blogging anytime.

Really.

Ferris Bueller

25 years ago this week, John Hughes was filming Ferris Bueller's Day Off in and around Chicagoland. One of the days of filming took place at Wrigley Field...during a Cubs game.

That story is here.

Honoring 3-Finger

The town of Terre Haute Indiana is finally honoring one of their most famous citizens.

One hundred years ago he was one of the best pitchers in baseball, the ace of the Chicago Cubs--a team that had been in the World Series four of the previous five years.

He also had one of the greatest nicknames of all-time, the result of a farming accident in his native Terre Haute.

Three Finger Brown.

Father Knows Nothing

My new Father Knows Nothing column is up. This week's is called "The Birds and the Bees" and it's about finally having "the talk" with my two oldest boys.

You can read the column here.

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Andy Masur

I just posted my latest Chicago Radio Spotlight interview. This week I talk to Andy Masur, native Chicagoan, former WGN Sports broadcaster, and current radio play by play man of the San Diego Padres.

You can read it here.

I'm trying to decide if this is my last Chicago Radio Spotlight before my summer hiatus. I think it is. I do have word out to one more big name personality, but if he can't do it this week, this will be the last one until the fall. More information to follow.

Worst Promotion Ever

On this day in 1974, the Cleveland Indians hosted Ten Cent Beer Night. Needless to say, it didn't go well. This song tells the story nicely...

Wooly Bully

It hit the charts on this day in 1965.

We used to play this at all the Landecker & the Legends shows. Our late friend Tim Weigel used to join us on stage and play keyboards...

1957

On this day in 1957, the Cubs were playing against the Brooklyn Dodgers and their young gunslinger Sandy Koufax.

Wonder what that sounded like on the radio?

Wonder no more.

World Cup

My brother sent me this link. It's a great piece written by an American comedy writer/soccer fan, comparing each of the World Cup teams to American sports teams, in an effort to help non-soccer fans in America better understand.

I highly recommend it.

Pity the Ump

There's a lot of talk today about that poor pitcher in Detroit (Gallaraga) that had a perfect game stolen because of a blown call by the umpire. I feel bad for him too.

But I feel worse for the umpire.

Read this piece in the Tribune. This is a call that will torture him for the rest of his career, and he's already feeling it.

L-O-L-A

On this day in 1970, Ray Davies of the Kinks went into the studio to re-record the lyrics of "Lola" because of a threatened lawsuit. It became Cherry Cola instead of Coca-Cola. But it was still about a one-night stand with a he-she. Great, great song...

A no-no

On this day in 1971, Kenny Holtzman pitched a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds. It was a nail biter until the very end--a 1-0 win in Cincinnati.

Holtzman scored the only run of the game himself, after reaching on an error in the third inning. (Glenn Beckert knocked him in with a single). The tough luck loser for the Reds was Gary Nolan, who gave up only five hits, and zero earned runs.

Among the hitters in the lineup for Cinci that day: Hal McRae, Tommy Helms, Lee May, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, George Foster, and Davey Concepcion.

Everybody Wants To Rule the World

This was the #1 song in the country on this day in 1985. I had to play it every single day (on WPGU in Champaign-Urbana) and eventually got really, really sick of it. But listening to it again this morning, I discovered I can finally enjoy it again. That only took 25 years.

Welcome back Jon Stewart

I'm happy he's back from vacation. I'm guessing BP is not.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Cenac - The Spilling Fields - Oil Leak Containment Ideas
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Rick Reuschel

One of the truly rare good draft picks by the Cubs was made exactly forty years ago this week. They chose a man called Big Daddy--Rick Reuschel.

He would go on to be their best pitcher of the decade.

Thank God I'm a Country Boy

This was the #1 song in this country exactly 35 years ago today. He performed this at Farm Aid ten years later, and I confess I was singing along, even though I'm definitely not a country boy. It was quite a moment...

Jimmie Foxx

The Cubs acquired the future Hall of Famer on this day in 1942.

Of course, his good years were long behind him then.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest "Father Knows Nothing" column. This one is called "Separation Anxiety," and it's about the latest addition to our house.

You can read it here.

Confessions of a Cubs fanatic

No, it's not me (this time).

It's a professor emeritus from Louisiana Tech University.

Memorial Day

For the fallen...

Gale Sayers

One of the greatest players to play his home games at Wrigley Field wasn't even a baseball player.

Gale Sayers turned 67 years old over the weekend.

His greatest game ever was at Wrigley.

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Marty Lennartz

I just posted my latest Chicago Radio Spotlight interview. This week I talked to WXRT's jack-of-all-trades, Marty Lennartz.

You can read it here.

Ringo

I just got the June issue of Shore Magazine in the mail. It's the music issue, and contains a back page essay I wrote about my brush with a Beatle.

If you're interested, you can read it here.

JFK

Tomorrow is the anniversary of John F. Kennedy's birth. I think of JFK every time I drive to a Cubs game.

Read about the Kennedy-Cubs symmetry here.

Congress won't pursue perjury case against Sammy Sosa

It's not because they don't think he lied to Congress.

It's mainly because the five-year statute of limitations has expired.

Papa Bear

He retired as the Bears coach on this day in 1968 after 48 years as their head coach. He finished under .500 only six times, and he won six championships during those years. And though he was nicknamed Papa Bear, he was anything but warm and cuddly. I love this video...

Art Linkletter

He passed away yesterday in Los Angeles at 97. He is survived by his wife of 74 years.

Punky Brewster

On this day in 1986 the final Punky Brewster episode aired. I've only seen one episode of that show. Watch part of it, and see if you can guess why...

BP

The Stones on Shindig!

It's was 45 years ago tonight. They were no Lee DeWyze ratings-wise, but they did OK for themselves...



Also on that show, by the way: Jackie DeShannon, Sonny & Cher and Jimmy Rodgers.

100 years ago

Exactly 100 years ago today, Cubs pitcher Orval Overall threw a one hitter against the Phillies. The only hit came off the bat of Sherrie McGee.

The Cubs were in first place, on their way to their fourth World Series of the past five years.

Overall would sit out the next two seasons in a contract dispute.

A truly mixed marriage

Don't think I've ever seen this before...

Keith Moon

On this day in 1978, Keith Moon played with the Who for the very last time. He died just a few months later. The Who has never been the same.

This video features an isolated Keith Moon drum track...

Fergie's 3000th

On this day in 1982, Fergie Jenkins struck out the 3000th batter of his career (Gary Templeton of the San Diego Padres). He was in his second tour with the Cubs at the time, in the second to last season of his Major League career.

Have you read his book yet? It's a good read...

Music

Music is different things to different people. To you it may be an opera or a symphony. To someone else it might be rock and roll or jazz.

To me it's the sound of Tony LaRussa and Albert Pujols feuding.

It's like Mozart is conducting.

Catalina Island

I just finished reading another good baseball book for those of you that share my love of Cubs history.

It's an Arcadia Publishing book called "Chicago Cubs: Baseball on Catalina Island" and it chronicles the era the Cubs had spring training there. The words by author Jim Vitti are informative, but it's the photographs that really caught my eye.

Look closely at the first one below. That's Stan Hack taking a swing, but that's not the most interesting part of the picture. See that guy bending over, checking the levels on his recording device? That's a Cubs radio announcer from Iowa named Ronald Reagan (in 1936). That same spring he took advantage of the Cubs spring training location (near Hollywood) to make a screen test. The rest, as they say, is history.

The second photo is from one of the first seasons at Catalina. That's Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander on the beach with teammates Bill Killefer and Speed Martin.

(These are republished with permission from the publisher.)

Cool stuff. Check it out here if you're interested.

Tommy Chong

Tommy Chong is 72 years old today. Here is he is accompanying Cheech's protest song about Mexican-Americans. I was a big fan at one time, but it somehow doesn't really stand the test of time, does it?

Let there be lights!

It was seventy five years ago today--the very first night game in Major League history.

The game was played on May 24, 1935, with the Cincinnati Reds defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 at Cincinnati's Crosley Field.

By the late 40s every team but one had lights.

I guess I don't need to tell you which one that was.

The Tribune Tower

On this day in 1924, the Tribune company broke ground for the building of the iconic Tribune Tower.

Read all about that story here.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This one is called "And Puppy Makes Six." I think you guess what it's about.

You can read it here.

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Pat Hughes

This week's Chicago Radio Spotlight is a special one for me, for obvious reasons. This week I spoke with Chicago Cubs radio play-by-play man Pat Hughes.

You can read the interview here.

The Empire Strikes Back

It was 30 years ago today.

Some of the stars recall that big day.