Father Knows Nothing

My latest Father Knows Nothing column is up at NWI Parent. This one is called "Male Homemakers" and it's about my aversion to the term.

You can read it here.

Jack Brickhouse

I always loved Harry, but to me, the all-time Cubs announcer was Jack Brickhouse. He was the guy behind the microphone when I became a Cubs fan (a day I still curse).

Jack died on this day in 1998, just a few months after we lost Harry.

Here he is talking about his all-time favorite Cub...

Spiro Agnew

On this day in 1968 Richard Nixon named Spiro Agnew as his running mate. How much of a joke was Agnew? This ad sums it up nicely. He eventually resigned in disgrace.

The Fugitive

The film "The Fugitive" was released on this day in 1993.

What does that movie have in common with Greg Maddux?

Read here to find out.

Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft

They were married on this day in 1964. I met both of them when Mel was in town launching The Producers, which I count among my all-time favorite showbiz moments. Here they are singing "Sweet Georgia Brown" in Polish on British television in 1983...



They remained married until Anne's death a few years ago. A rare successful Hollywood marriage.

Risky Business

Risky Business was released on this day in 1983.

Cubs fan and current Chicago Broadcaster Harry Teinowitz had a small part in the film.

Steve Jacula

I attended a wake last night of someone who died way too young.

His name was Steve Jacula, and he was once a member of the band Landecker & the Legends. If you ever saw us back in the 90s, Steve was our bass player. He had big poofy salt and pepper hair and a perpetual smile. (He's the one on the far left on the album cover)

He was also the producer of the first five Landecker & the Legends CDs, which were recorded in his Old Plank Studios in Naperville.

Steve had been fighting health issues for years, but no one foresaw his sudden death at the age of 55. In fact, I had just gotten back in touch with him about ten days ago on Facebook.

I'll always remember him as a gentle soul, a musical genius, and one of the nicest people I've ever known.

RIP, Steve. You will be missed.

Dallas Green

Dallas Green is 76 years old today.

He did some great things with the Cubs in his short time here, but he also wasn't exactly known for his warm and cuddly demeanor. 

This story is a perfect example of that.

Lenny Bruce

On this day in 1966 they found him dead of an overdose. A tragic life. A groundbreaking comedian. By today's standards, he isn't shocking at all. By the standards of the early 1960s...

Well, listen to the way that Steve Allen introduces him.

High Drama

The latest issue of NWI Parent is out and once again I wrote the back page Family Room essay. This issue's essay is called "High Drama" and it's about the anxiety I'm feeling about my oldest boy entering high school in a few weeks.

You can read it here.

Shooter

His time with the Cubs was short.

His time on Earth was short.

But the man they called Shooter was one memorable guy.

Today would have been his 42nd birthday.

Wear your emotions on your chest

Every season there comes a time when the JOBC logo perfectly describes your emotions. If you're a Cubs fan, that time is now.

Buy your JOBC merchandise here.

Badfinger

They recorded this song on this day in 1969. It was written by Paul McCartney and eventually released on the Beatles Apple Records.

Warren Harding

On this day in 1923 the President of the United States, Warren G. Harding, passed away while in office.

After he died, the truth about his presidency came out, including one of the worst scandals in presidential history.

It also happens to be the only presidential scandal that implicated an owner of the Chicago Cubs.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This one is called: "An open letter to my dog."

Warning: It's pretty gross.

You can read it here.

American Graffitti

It came out this week in 1973, and started the Oldies craze.

Rainbow

Steve "Rainbow" Trout is 53 today.

He's still around. I've run into him at many different Cubs-related events.

Facebook birthdays

My son Tommy came down to ask me something yesterday while I was checking my Facebook account. Because it was my birthday, I had something like 200 birthday wishes on my page. I showed it to Tommy and said...

"Look, all these people are wishing me happy birthday."

He replied, "How many are there?"

I had no idea, so we counted them together. At the time it was something like 150.

"Not bad, huh?" I said.

"But don't you have something like 1200 Facebook friends?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"That means that more than a thousand didn't wish you happy birthday."

He doesn't look very much like me, but there is no doubt about it. That's my son.

Roy Henshaw & Steam Engines in Boots

Two Cubs were born on this day.

Roy Henshaw, the author of what should have been a no-hitter in 1935.




and

Earl Moore, a man with one of the most memorable nicknames of all time: Steam Engine in Boots





 Roy would be 99 if he were still alive. Moore was born 131 years ago today.

Birthday Milestones

Thanks to Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac, I know the following things happened on my birthday throughout the years.

On my fifth birthday (1968)...The Beatles held their "Mad Day Out," an all-day group photography session across London, which produced most of their well-known latter-day photographs, including the cover of LIFE and the inside gatefold of their "Beatles 1967-1970" album.

On my tenth birthday (1973)...Grand Funk Railroad released "We're an American Band." Lee Majors divorced Farrah Fawcett on that same day.

On my 35th birthday (1998)...Monica Lewinsky received blanket immunity from prosecution to testify before a grand jury about her relationship with U.S. President Bill Clinton.

And finally, tragically...

On my 37th birthday (2000)...Kathie Lee Gifford made her final appearance as co-host of the ABC-TV talk show "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee." (I'm still reeling from that sad birthday)

Just out of curiosity, I also looked up the Cubs record on my birthday. They won a double header against the Cardinals the day I was born (I was actually born midway through the first game), and they lost today. Overall, they are 28-20. Not too bad, actually, considering how horrible they have been most of my life.

Walter Jacobson

One of Chicago's favorite TV newsmen, Walter Jacobson, turns 73 today. You may know him as a journalist, but I always like to think of him as a Cubs fan.

And a guy that shares my birthday. (Although I'm 26 years younger)

Some great Andre Dawson highlights

Featuring the voices of our departed announcers Harry Caray, Jack Brickhouse, and Lou Boudreau...

Smoking ads

On this day in 1965, Lyndon Johnson signed the bill that required warning labels on cigarette packages. Of course, cigarette television ads stayed on the air for several more years. I still remember this one from my childhood. I thought it was so cool that these kids hopped out of the television.

Bugs Bunny is 70

This first one debuted exactly 70 years ago today...

50 years ago today...

The Republicans nominated this guy...

Joe Tinker

Joe Tinker was the shortstop in the most famous Cubs double play combination of all time. So what if he and his second baseman (Johnny Evers) didn't speak to each other--they were so smooth in the field they inspired a famous poem.

100 years ago the threesome (Tinker, Evers, and Chance) played in their final World Series together. You can actually see them in action in this video.

Joe Tinker was born 130 years ago today.

Back in Black

AC/DC released Back in Black exactly 30 years ago today. It's still one of the greatest albums of all-time.

Jeremy Piven

He may have made the powers that be a little angry with his "Let's hug it out bitch" comment at the end of his Take Me Out to the Ballgame rendition, but Jeremy Piven remains an actual honest to goodness, Cubs fan.

He turns 45 today.

Andre Dawson: Hall of Famer

I thought this was a nice recap of some of Andre Dawson's career highlights.

Always loved the Hawk. He richly deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. He may not be wearing a Cubs hat in the Hall, but he'll always be a Cub to us.

There will certainly never be another Montreal Expo in the Hall of Fame. It's nice that someone is wearing their hat.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This one is called "Easy Money" and it's about a ridiculous bet I made with my kids.

You can read it here.

Comedy on the middle coast

My latest article is out in Shore Magazine. This piece is about some of the comedians plying their trade in the midwest. Thanks again to all the comedians that participated.

Roseanne

20 years ago today she was booed in San Diego for this memorable singing of the National Anthem...

Television History

On this day in 1962, the Cubs were part of television  history: the first game from America broadcast overseas.

John Dillinger

On this day in 1934, the law finally caught up with John Dillinger outside the Biograph Theater on Lincoln Avenue. It was a blistering hot July day.

Most people remember Dillinger as Public Enemy #1.

I also remember him as a Cubs fan.

Marla Collins

On this day in 1986 the Cubs did the unimaginable...

They fired ballgirl Marla Collins.

Come Together

On this day in 1969, the Beatles woke up early, went to Abbey Road studios and recorded "Come Together." They never performed it live, but John Lennon did...

Bye bye Lou

The news broke yesterday that Lou Piniella will retire at the end of the season.

This obviously isn't much of a surprise, but it does officially render my video obsolete at the end of this season. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

The Cubs make another change

This was a popular week for big changes in Cubs history.

On this day in 1951, the Cubs fired Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch and replaced him with the Mr. Cub of the first half of the 20th century--Phil Cavarretta.

Needless to say, it didn't end well for Phil either.

Joke for a Tuesday morning

 This one made me laugh. Thanks to "DS" for sending it to me...




I met a fairy today who granted me one wish.

"I want to live forever " I said.

"Sorry" said the fairy, "I'm not allowed to grant wishes like that!"

"Fine" I said, "I want to die when the Cubs win the World Series!"

"You crafty bastard," said the fairy.

The Cubs make a change

On this day in 1938, the Cubs sent their manager Charlie Grimm to the broadcast booth, and named their catcher Gabby Hartnett manager.

A camera crew was on hand to record the strange day.

The Rick Kaempfer interview

I was interviewed by Margaret Larkin for her podcast a few weeks ago, and she posted it last night.

You can hear the interview here.

Mark Koenig

How did this Cubs shortstop incite Babe Ruth?

It's not what he did. It's what his Cubs teammates did to him.

It was one of the biggest story lines of the 1932 World Series.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column. This one is called "A little appreciation" and it's about the reception I got from my family when I returned from my African vacation. It was a shocker.

You can read it here.

I'm Free

Released on this day in 1969...

Harry Chapin

Harry Chapin died in a car accident on this day in 1981. He was only 38. As a father of three, this song still makes me a little verklempt.

Mocking LeBron

This is very well done. It aired during the ESPYs the other night...

Dizzy Dean

He was known mostly as a Cardinal, and he was also a famous broadcaster after his playing days were over, but Dizzy Dean also pitched in the World Series for the Chicago Cubs.

The year was 1938.

Ol' Diz died this week in 1974.

Blech!

You know, one of the great things about being away from the country was being completely divorced from the daily news cycle in the United States.

I've been back a week now, and I'm re-sickened by the political dialogue in this country.

Non-stories reported with fever intensity. Fringe wackos like the Black Panthers and the Tea Partiers given air time just to besmirch an entire side of the political debate ("See? This is what the other side thinks"). Right-wing and Left-wing blogs blaming the other side for everything. Screaming talk radio predicting the end of the world (Race Riots! Bankruptcy! Socialism!).

This is our media? Really?

Wow, do we suck at reporting politics, media. Time to take a look in the mirror.

I'm turning you off so I can maintain my mental health.

Steve Goodman

This is a feel good story.

The Senate passed a bill yesterday naming the post office near Wrigley Field after Steve Goodman.

Great to see them temporarily unlocking the gridlock in the United States Senate. It passed unanimously after getting a 371-0 vote in the House. And then the entire House and Senate sang "Go Cubs Go,"* which I found to be a nice touch.


*I might have made that last part up.

The White What?

Weather Channel anchor accidentally uses correct name for Chicago's other baseball team...



Thanks to "DS" for sending this to me.

1972

"Lean on Me" by Bill Withers was #1 on this day in 1972. It's the only song I can play on the piano...

Nolan Ryan

On this day in 1973, Nolan Ryan pitched his second no-hitter of the season. He also struck out 17 batters in that game; one of the best pitched games in baseball history.

Ernie Harwell called the game for Ryan's opponent, the Detroit Tigers.

I found the audio of the ninth inning. Listen to it here.

Ernie Banks day

On this day in 1964, the Cubs held "Ernie Banks Day" at Wrigley Field.

The opponent: the woeful New York Mets. Ernie batted fifth, and managed to scratch out an infield hit in four at bats. The Cubs won the game 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth when starting pitcher Lew Burdette slugged a home run. The loss pushed the Mets 26 games under .500, and the surging Cubs only a half game behind the 7th place Dodgers.

A whopping 10496 fans attended the game.

South African Photo Gallery

OK, this is the last post about my South Africa trip. I just wanted to show you some of the photo highlights from the beautiful southern part of the country...





Just outside our hotel in Cape Town, right on the Atlantic Ocean.









The view out of our hotel window at sunset.











Downtown Capetown












And a few photos from our trip to the Cape of Good Hope...



































The Atlantic Ocean is on the left. The Indian Ocean is on the right. This is the very tip of the African continent.





And finally, the last place we visited was the top of Table Mountain...



















We were literally sitting on the edge of a 500-ft cliff. Can you see the panic in my eyes?

Maybe after seeing these pictures you can understand why I was so taken by this country.

If you ever get a chance to go, do it.

You won't be disappointed.

Toy Story 3

The Pixar people have done it again.

I finally saw Toy Story 3 with the boys yesterday, and it was another masterpiece.

I written this before, but I'll do it again: the genius of the Pixar movies is that they appeal not just to the kids--they also appeal to the parents. The writing is always crisp, the heart strings are tugged in an intelligent and not overly sappy way, and they are always exciting to watch. This film, like all the Pixar movies, has humor (Spanish Buzz, and Ken's fashion show are laugh out loud funny), poignancy, action, and a heartfelt message all rolled up into one.

And in this case, they really had a legacy to live up to. I was worried that they couldn't wrap up the story in an emotionally satisfying way. I still consider Toy Story 2 to be the best of all the Pixar films, but Toy Story 3 is not far behind.

Who will enjoy it? Any kid.  Anyone that has kids. Anyone that ever was a kid.

The boys and I were talking about some of their favorite toys on the way home from the movie. They asked me what I would do with those toys after they go away to college. I told them that their favorites are just as special to me as they are to them. When I see those toys, I see their happiness. I can actually picture their smiles as they played with them. And when my boys aren't living in the house any more, those toys will mean even more to me.

It's the same reason my mother's basement is filled with my toys, and my sister's toys, and my brother's toys.

Those are much more than toys. They are symbols of a simpler time--a time that we will always cherish and savor. Those toys are childhood itself.

I know the kids don't get that when they watch the movie, which brings me back to the genius of Pixar. My kids loved the action. They loved the humor. They even (sort of) got the message of the film. But when the movie ended, they weren't the ones wiping the tears out of their eyes.

That was me.

Happy birthday to a great mustache

The person attached to this Cubs mustache turns 63 years old today. You may have heard of him. He's currently a broadcaster for another Chicago team.

South Africa by Train

We spent the first week of our South African adventure in Johannesburg, and the last week in Cape Town, so we needed to get from one side of the country to the other.

All the flights were booked.

All the local trains were booked. (And thank God, too. We saw them later. We dodged a bullet there.)

But the Premier Classe luxury train was not. For only about $400 we could ride in luxury in a sleeper car. Granted, it was a 25-hour ride, but with a dining car, and a bar car, and a comfortable sleeper berth, how bad could it be, right?

It turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. (Photo: My cousin Martina and I entering the train)

They scheduled this train perfectly. The interesting portions of the ride, the beginning just outside Johannesburg and the few hours heading into Cape Town had incredible views. The portion of the country we traveled through in the dark was mostly desert-like uninhabited landscape. They could really film any Western movie here. It looks like the land between LA and Las Vegas. Completely desolate.

But we spent that time sitting in the bar car playing cards until dinner time. And wow were we blown away by the dinner. It was a five-star five-course meal, absolutely delicious. Breakfast and lunch were just as impressive the next day. This was probably the best food we had on the entire trip--and we ate well.


The scenery zipping by our window the second day was also something to behold. We were cruising through the wine region of South Africa (which by the way, is becoming recognized as one of the world's best).

Here are a few photos I snapped out the window of my berth...

 We didn't indulge in the spa car (that's right, spa car) because all the massage slots filled up too quickly, but we were treated like kings on this train. As someone completely unaccustomed to traveling in luxury, it was a nice feeling.

Mel Brooks said it best in The History of the World, Part 1: "It's good to be the king."