The Billy Goat

Today is the anniversary of the famous incident during the 1945 World Series when the Billy Goat wasn't allowed to enter Wrigley Field, and Sianis supposedly placed a curse on the Cubs.

If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should check out our explanation of the entire event at Just One Bad Century. It's part of This Week in 1945. 

The entire 1945 World Series is profiled, including reports from the newspapers of the day (even the original Billy Goat report), the box scores, photos, and a rare video taken during the World Series itself.

I know you don't care about the Cubs anymore this year (even I don't), and you probably don't care about the Billy Goat curse anymore (even I don't), but I worked real hard on putting together all this info from that era. It's a good read.

Disco Duck

On this day in 1976, the song "Disco Duck" by Rick Dees was a nationwide hit.

I'm proud to say it wasn't my fault. I wasn't in the United States for a single day of 1976. All these years, I've been bummed about it because I missed the bicentennial, but it turns out there was a bright side.

I also missed "Disco Duck."

Smoky

The final Tale from a Bad Century this season at JOBC is about the man that should have been the Cubs starting catcher for a decade, Smoky Burgess.

He was an all-star for three different teams, but none of those teams was the team that had him first...The Chicago Cubs.

Read all about him here.

You Bet Your Life

It debuted on this day in 1950. Groucho was incredibly great in this format. No script, just chatting and ad libbing...

Mash up madness

This is a mashup of 16 songs. It's seamless. The editing is superb, both the audio and the video--which is extremely difficult to do. And the song is pretty good too. I'm really impressed...

Chasing Pittsburgh

This captures the 2010 Cubs season pretty well...

Janis Joplin

She was found dead of a heroin overdose on this day in 1970 in a Hollywood hotel room. She had just finished recording her "Pearl" album, which was released posthumously. I couldn't find a good video of a news report from that time, but I did find this...

Father Knows Nothing

This week's Father Knows Nothing is posted. It's called "Story problems to explain parental frustration."

You can read it here.

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Pat Cassidy

WBBM NewsRadio morning co-anchor Pat Cassidy is this week's Chicago Radio Spotlight.

You can read the interview here.

Chicago Radio Spotlight tease

Tomorrow morning's Chicago Radio Spotlight will shine on WBBM NewsRadio's Pat Cassidy.

We had a nice chat about his days with WBBM, WMAQ, WBMX, and yes, his days with Mancow. I'll be posting it tomorrow morning before I take the boys to piano lessons (that's right, baby, I live a glamorous life.)

Pow, right in the kisser!

On this day in 1955, Ralph and Alice debuted in "The Honeymooners." It was a different era. One of the trademark lines was Ralph threatening to punch Alice, with the line "One of these days, Alice. One of these days. POW! Right in the kisser!" Needless to say, that could never happen on TV today...

October birthdays

A hearty happy birthday to the following Cubs and Cubs-related people, some of whom are still with us, and some of whom are not. We've previously told stories about all of them. Click on their names to read about their Cub connections.

Cub fan Tom Bosley (Oct. 1)*
*Photo

Former Cub catcher Hector Villanueva (Oct 2)

Cub fan Groucho Marx (Oct 2)

Former Cub outfielder Dim Dom Dallessandro (Oct 3)

Former Cub pitcher Dennis Eckersley (Oct 3)

Former Cub infielder Norm "Bub" McMillian (Oct 5)*
*Photo

Cub fan Ray Kroc (Oct 5)

Former Cub pitcher Jay Baller (Oct 6)

Cub fan Jonathan Alter (Oct 6)

Former Cub outfielder Chuck Klein (Oct 7)

Former Cub outfielder Jose Cardenal (Oct 7)

Former Cub general manager Larry Himes (Oct 8)

Former Cub Catfish Metkovich (Oct 8)

Former Cub outfielder/1B Joe Pepitone (Oct 9)

Former Cub catcher Bill Reindeer Killefer (Oct 10)

Former Cub outfielder Lou "The Mad Russian" Novikoff (Oct 12)

Former Cub Pickles Dillhoefer (Oct 13)*
*Photo

Former Cubs pitcher Rube Waddell (Oct 13)

Former Cub pitcher Paul Derringer (Oct 17)

Former Cub pitcher Mordecai Three Finger Brown (Oct 19)


Former Cub outfielder Jigger Statz (Oct 20)


Former Cub GM Wid Matthews (Oct 20)

Former Cub pitcher Bill Lee (Oct 21)


Former Cub outfielder Jimmie Foxx (Oct 22)


Former Cub outfielder Rafael Palmeiro (Oct 24)

Former Cub pitcher Jim Brosnan (Oct 24)


Former Cub outfielder Bobby Thomson (Oct 25)

Former Cub pitcher Russ Mad Monk Meyer (Oct 25)

Former Cub third baseman Steve Ontiveros (Oct 26)

Cub fan and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton (Oct 26)

Cub fan Pat Sajak (Oct 26)


Former Cub outfielder Ralph Kiner (Oct 27)

Former Cub utility man Circus Solly Hoffman (Oct 28)

Cub fan Dennis Franz (Oct 28)

Former Cub catcher Kettle Wirts (Oct 30)

Former Cub first baseman Fred McGriff (Oct 31)

Cub fan Ronnie Woo Woo Wickers (Oct 31)

Guinness Record?

Anybody know if there a Guinness Record for fastest dog?

Just wondering.

My dog Ivy was sleeping in the basement last night--out cold--fast asleep. I went upstairs to get a snack, and when I opened the refrigerator door, Ivy was standing right next to me.

I don't want to say it was the speed of light, but certainly the speed of sound. That refrigerator door sound is more powerful than any dog whistle on the market.

James Dean

He died on this day in 1955...

Robin Roberts

The late Robin Roberts was born on this day in 1926.

He was a Hall of Famer, but sadly, not for his time with the Cubs.

The Flintstones

"MB" pointed out to me that The Flintstones are also celebrating their 50th anniversary this week. He sent the link to this impossible Flintstones trivia quiz. Did you know that Sally Struthers was the voice of Pebbles?

I had no idea.

I did, however, know which brand of smokes Fred and Barney preferred.

My Three Sons

The television show "My Three Sons" debuted exactly 50 years ago today. I'm now living the life of this show, humming the theme song as I go through my daily chores.



I'm just like dad in this show.

I wear a cardigan, I smoke a pipe, and I command a great deal of respect. When I tell my boys that they can't do something, they say "Aw Gee, Dad," and slink away, but at bedtime they usually come to me and thank me for the excellent advice I've given them, and the lesson they've learned from my firm guiding hand.

Yup, just like the show.

Maddux vs. Maddux

His older brother Mike was the established NL pitcher, and Greg was just the upstart young pup with the Cubs, but on this day in 1986 Maddux went up against Maddux.

Greg beat Mike 8-3 for his second career major league victory.

Jody Davis hit a homer and knocked in five runs for the Cubs.

Indicted

Exactly 90 years ago today. The Chicago Black Sox were indicted. Here they are, Eight Men Out: Eddie Cicotte, Oscar Felsch, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Fred McMullen, “Buck” Weaver, Charles Risberg and Claude “Lefty” Williams.

Homer in the Gloamin

On this day in 1938, the most famous home run in Cubs history was hit by Gabby Hartnett. It has become known as the "Homer in the Gloamin'"

This is what it sounded like on the radio.

The Warren Commission

The Warren Commission Report was released on this day in 1964. They reported that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone...

Oscar Gamble

On this day in 1969, a young Cubs rookie named Oscar Gamble made his debut.

He would later go on to have a very successful major league career...with other teams.

Father Knows Nothing

My latest Father Knows Nothing column is now posted at NWI Parent. It's called "College Contributions."

You can read it here.

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Alex Quigley

My latest Chicago Radio Spotlight interview has been posted. This week I talk with WGN's Alex Quigley.

You can read it here.

Petticoat Junction

The show premiered on this day in 1963. When I lived in Germany this show was on every afternoon, and I became a big fan (ten years after it was a hit here). I just watched the video of the opening credits, and I can guarantee you I'll be singing this line in my head all day long: "That's Uncle Joe, he's moving kinda slow at the Junction. Petticoat Junction."

I liked Uncle Joe, but I preferred Betty Jo, Bobby Jo, and especially Billy Jo. There were three different actresses that played Billy Jo, and I liked all three of them, but the best one was the last one: Meredith MacRae. (Meredith, unfortunately, passed away in 2000).

I know what you're thinking: Nobody should know this much about Petticoat Junction. Granted, but you have to remember that we were starving for entertainment in Germany. And by the way, watch the video below. I was a teenager, and you can imagine how much I loved that opening petticoat scene with the sisters.

50 years ago

It happened in Chicago exactly 50 years ago this week...

Ricketts to cut payroll

I get why he's doing it. It's probably the right thing to do under the circumstances.

But I just don't like reading that the Cubs are cutting their payroll.

It brings back memories of the Wrigley years, and boy oh boy, those were not exactly the glory days.

Andy Pafko

On this day in 1943, Cubs great Handy Andy Pafko made his Wrigley Field debut.

If anyone tells you they were there for that game, don't believe 'em. The attendance was only 314. That's right, 314. It was a miserable day, and the game was called after five innings with the Cubs leading 7-4.

Handy Andy made a splashy debut. He went 2 for 3 and knocked in four runs from the fifth spot in the lineup.

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

"BP" responds to the Sesame Street video controversy below, with three observations...

1. It wasn’t so much her dress that caused the controversy, it was when she hung a sign on Oscar’s trash can that said “if this trash can is rockin’ don’t bother knockin’”

2. They don’t call him Big Bird for nothing.

3. Sesame Street didn’t mind the dress, but when Katy Perry gave Elmo a lap dance, THAT crossed the line.

I personally think the moment they went over the line was when The Count came in and counted. "ONE, TWO. TWO items about to fall out of your dress." And then the newscaster adjusted his tie, and in his best Rodney Dangerfield voice said, "Now you know why they call me Guy Smiley."

Tommy K

I just got the latest issue of NWI Parent, which includes, as usual, a back page essay from me. This one is about my oldest son Tommy's first foray into community service.

You can read it here.

Brant Brown

OH NO! He drops the ball. On this day in 1998.

Emminence Front

On this day in 1982, The Who kicked off their first "Farewell Tour." I saw them that year, and then again during their many other farewell tours. To be honest with you, if they came here again this weekend, I'd go see them again.

This was the brand new song wowing the crowds in 1982.

New poll results

1 in 5 Americans believe that Obama is a cactus.

I love the Onion.

Choreographical brilliance

My dog would have ruined this in a second...

Dempsey-Tunney

On this day in 1927, the biggest boxing match in Chicago history took place in Soldier Field.

Jack Dempsey (photo) fought Gene Tunney.

Al Capone and several members of the Chicago Cubs were in the crowd for the fight (although, not together).

Jury Duty

There won't be any more posts today. I'm doing my civic duty, and reporting for jury duty...

Alex Trebek meets the Fact Checkers

Bill Murray

Happy birthday to celebrity Cubs fan Bill Murray.

He's 60 years old today.

Hawaii 5-0

Saw tons of promos teasing the new Hawaii 5-0 on CBS yesterday, but today happens to be the anniversary of the original show's debut in 1968. It had one of the best TV theme songs of all-time (by the Ventures), and I still crack up when I watch the opening credits...



Book 'em, Dano.

Joke for a Monday morning

Thanks to "MS" for contributing this one...

Dan was a single guy living at home with his father and working in the family business. When he found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, he decided he needed a wife with which to share his fortune.

One evening at an investment meeting he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away.

"I may look like just an ordinary man," he said to her, "but in just a few years, my father will die, and I ' ll inherit $200 million."

Impressed, the woman obtained his business card and three days later, became his stepmother.

Women are so much better at financial planning than men.

Born to Run

Tramps like us, baby, we were born to run...released on this day in 1975.

More Orion

I just happened to hear WGN morning man Greg Jarrett and his intrepid business reporter Orion Samuelson discussing the interview I did with Orion this weekend for Chicago Radio Spotlight.

Thanks so much to both Greg and Orion for the mention and the kind words about the site.

If you haven't checked it out yet, by the way, Orion tells some great stories about his 50 years at WGN, including the day he met President Kennedy, and the day he had to deliver the news that President Kennedy had been shot.

Tyler Colvin

I know nobody is following baseball anymore, at least not in Chicago, but yesterday something really scary happened to Cubs rookie Tyler Colvin.

He was impaled with a broken bat, and had to be hospitalized with a serious injury. He's out for the year.

The good news is that the prognosis calls for a complete recovery, but yikes. Baseball is really going to have to do something about those maple bats.

O'Hare Airport

On this day in 1949, Orchard field was renamed O'Hare Airport.

Read all about the person it was named for, his notorious father, and what the Cubs were doing on that day.

Father Knows Nothing

This week's Father Knows Nothing column is the story of Sean's birth.

Today is his 8th birthday!

You can read it here.

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Orion Samuelson

Orion Samuelson is celebrating his 50th anniversary at WGN radio this week. I got a chance to chat with him this week, and that interview is this week's Chicago Radio Spotlight.

You can read it here.

50 years

I had a chance to have a long chat with WGN's Orion Samuelson yesterday. Orion is celebrating his 50th anniversary at WGN next week. An amazing accomplishment.

My interview with Orion will be posted at Chicago Radio Spotlight tomorrow.* Expect some great stories from the man that has met seven presidents.





*For those of you that are really observant, I did say that Alex Quigley was going to be my interview subject this week. That interview will be next week instead.

Jimi Hendrix

He died this week in 1970. The report of his death on ABC, not exactly the most sympathetic report you'll ever see...



He would be 68 years old today.

Hogan's Heroes

45 years ago today, the show that made my dad yell at the TV every time it was on debuted. ("The Germans were not idiots!" is a sample quote from Dad.) I personally thought it was hilarious...

Sheriff

The man they called Sheriff (Blake) was born on this day in 1899.

Read all about his Cubs exploits here.

The Road Runner

The very first Road Runner cartoon debuted on this day in 1949. Here it is...

22-0

Thirty five years ago today, the Cubs suffered the worst shutout in their history (and that's saying something, believe me.)

The Pittsburgh Pirates annihilated the Cubs 22-0.  Rennie Stennet went 7 for 7 in that game, and scored five runs. Dave Parker and Richie Hebner both homered. Parker had 5 RBI, Hebner had 3, Willie Stargell added another three, and even pitcher John Candelaria knocked in two.

The Pirates did it against the best Cubs pitcher too; Rick Reuschel. Reuschel didn't make it out of the first inning. He gave up six hits, two walks, and eight earned runs. It was the shortest and worst outing of his major league career.

After the loss, the Cubs were fifteen games behind the first place Pirates, firmly entrenched in fifth place. Only the Expos saved the Cubs from finishing in last place that year.

Slow Ride

Released on this day in 1975...

Baseball in September

After last night (White Sox lose and are now 7 games out), baseball is officially dead in Chicago for the season.

But this article in Salon reminds baseball junkies about some of the great stories still going on around the league. For instance, some very interesting feel-good stories about September call ups.


(Thanks to "DE" for pointing it out to me.)

Green Acres

Here's another one I loved. It debuted this day in 1965..."You are my wife, goodbye city life!"

Ethan Allen

Ethan Allen, one of the most successful Cubs of all time, passed away on this day in 1993. He wasn't successful because of his time in the big leagues, he was just a journeyman big leaguer.

His claim to fame occurred after his playing days were over.

F-Troop

F-Troop debuted on this day in 1965. Loved this show. The "Indians" were particularly hilarious, and of course, not even remotely Native American. It could never be on the air today...

Wildfire

Wildfire Schulte was a superstar member of the Cubs team that was charging toward the World Series exactly one hundred years ago.

He was also celebrating his 28th birthday this week.

Read all about Wildfire here.

Da Bears

The Bears won their opening day game against the Lions yesterday, but for the first time in many years, I didn't even bother watching the game.

I can't remember a time when I was less excited about the Bears, and I've been a die-hard fan for more than forty years now.

By the way, I've seen that replay of the last play, and the Lions were robbed.

Rhinestone Cowboy

It was the #1 song in this country thirty five years ago today. I must admit, it's one of those songs that gets in your head and won't leave. If you don't want that to happen, don't watch the 1975 video.

Lennie Merullo

On this day in history Lennie Merullo set a record by committing four errors in one inning.

He could have easily played for this year's team.

Father Knows Nothing

My latest Father Knows Nothing is posted at NWI Parent. This one is called "Home Movies."

You can read it here.

Chicago Radio Spotlight

A few more updates this week: Richard Cantu, Rick O'Dell and Alan Cox.


You can read it here.

"Sweet Emotion"

35 years ago, Aerosmith scored their first top 40 hit...

Chicago Mayor

Now that Daley isn't running, the Beachwood Reporter did a rundown of every conceivable candidate for Mayor, and calculated their odds of winning.

You can read it here.

A glass of wine

"MM" sent me another one. This one is entitled, "A glass of wine"

To my friends who enjoy a glass of wine...and those who don't and are always seen with a bottle of water in their hand.

As Ben Franklin said: In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.

In a number of carefully controlled trials,scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 litre of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli, (E.. Coli) – bacteria found in feces.

In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of poop. However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor)because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.

Remember:
Water = Poop,
Wine = Health

Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of sh*t.

Waitle Nex Yeare

Last year on this day, Just One Bad Century got some attention and publicity when we took out a birth announcement for a little baby named "Waitle Nex Yeare."

It was obviously a joke, though many people fell for it. I did an appearance at a book club (for my novel "$everance") shortly after that ad came out, and when one of the women realized I was the guy that took out that ad, she said: "Oh my god! You're the Waitle Nex Yeare guy? We were talking about that instead of our book last week."

This year we could have taken out the ad on May 1st.

Joke for a Thursday morning

Contributed by "MM"...

Solve the Puzzle.

You are riding on a beautiful white horse. On your left side is a drop off. On your right side are several ostriches chased by a lion. In front of you are four large gazelles that won't get out of your way and you can't seem to overtake them. Behind you is a stampede of horses.

What must you do to get out of this highly dangerous situation?

ANSWER: Get your drunk butt off the merry-go-round.

Missing Cat

This is pretty funny.

An e-mail exchange between a cat-owner and a designer about a poster. Her cat is missing, and all she wants is a missing cat poster.

Walter Payton beats Jim Brown

I remember this like it was yesterday. It wasn't. It was 26 years ago.

Vin Scully

I'm glad I looked for this. I didn't think it was out there. Vin Scully does the play by play in the ninth inning of Sandy Koufax's perfect game against the Cubs...