Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This week's is called "The Best Laid Plans" and it's about one of the worst days of my summer.

You can read it here.

Jim Hendry Gets The Hook

Wow. I never thought they'd actually do it, but boy oh boy is this move overdue. The Cubs have fired the architect of this team.

Details are here.

Rahm's Open to Wrigley Funding

I heard Crain's reporter Greg Hinz on Kaplan & Noonan's show last night discussing his piece in Crain's Chicago Business.

It may be a little different for the Cubs now that we have a Mayor that's actually a Cubs fan.

Martin Mull

He's 68 years old today. Here's one of my favorite Martin Mull numbers...

Mancow

During the signoff of Q-101 last month, everyone that had been on the station during it's alternative rock hey-day came back to participate in the farewell. Everyone, that is, except the biggest star from that era, Mancow.

He tells Robert Feder this morning why he said no: "They had ratings with me, but they never appreciated what they had,” he said of his former co-workers. “I found them to be a bunch of selfish, unappreciative people when I worked with them. Lazy, miserable, ultrahip nobodies who loved to hear themselves talk. They’d celebrate this local music show [Local 101] with 10 people listening, and over here you’ve got Mancow with millions. Why was I not the hero? I’ll never know.”

I think that quote explains Mancow better than any other thing I've ever heard him say. It must not be easy walking around with such a giant chip on your shoulder.

Cold War Intrigue

On this anniversary of the Berlin Wall's completion it seems like a good day to trot out my favorite personal story of Cold War intrigue as my weekly Suburban Dad contribution to City Mom's blog at Chicago Now.

You can read it here.

The Berlin Wall

50 years ago today the East Germans completed the Berlin Wall. (Photo taken that year). For those of you too young to remember, it's hard to explain the significance of the wall.

It was really the first time a country had built a wall not to keep people out, but to keep people in. I visited West Berlin several times in the 1970s, and my Boy Scout troop even camped out within eyesight of it once, and let me tell you, it was a life changing experience. To see the guard towers, to hear the stories of the people that were shot or blown up by land mines trying to escape to West Berlin, and then to travel inside East Germany and see the Russian Soldiers with their guns walking on the streets--it's not a memory I'll ever forget.

One time I accidentally entered East Germany with proof that my father worked for the US Department of Defense on my person. (Not a good move--Wow was my dad mad at me that day). Another time we were taking a train through East Germany and Russian soldiers came into our berth and searched all of our luggage--screaming at us in a language we couldn't understand.

East Germany was simply the scariest place I've ever been. I'm so happy that it's gone forever (as it was in the 60s and the 70s).

The 25 Greatest Unscripted Movie Scenes

I had no idea these scenes were unscripted. Interesting stuff (although note--the clips in here are not bleeped)

Happy Birthday Roy Hobbs

Roy (Robert Redford) Hobbs is 75 years old today...

Big Z's Very Bad Weekend

To me, the most shocking part of Carlos Zambrano's latest blow up isn't that he lost it on the mound or in the clubhouse. It isn't that he tried to throw at an opposing batter. It isn't that he said he was retiring, or that the Cubs took the extraordinary step of suspending him for thirty days.

The most shocking part is the name of the player who chastised Carlos in the clubhouse while it was all going down.

Would you believe it was Alfonso Soriano?

Father Knows Nothing

My latest Father Knows Nothing column has been posted at NWI Parent. This week's column is about a phone call I got from my buddy Dave.

You can read it here.

Ron Santo statue

It was a special day at the ballpark for the Santo family yesterday.

MLB.com has all the details.

Lou Boudreau

From Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac this morning. It's hard to believe he's been gone ten years already...

August 10, 2001…Chicago Cubs broadcaster/Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau died of cardiac arrest at 84.

I've written about and featured Lou on Just One Bad Century many times over the last four years. If you'd like to read more about Lou and hear some of his classic moments, click here.

Charley Root

‎70 years ago today the Cubs paid tribute to their winningest pitcher of all-time, Charley Root. Charlie was given a station wagon, a desk clock, a casting rod, $50 in gas coupons, and a live pig.

We're going camping?

I just posted weekly Suburban Dad contribution to City Mom's blog at ChicagoNow.

This week I explain the origin of my camping career.

You can read it here.

Don't Go Breakin' My Heart

#1 song in the country 35 years ago today. I still like this one...

The JOBC Contest

Time for this week's JOBC Contest.

The first person that e-mails me the correct answer at rick@justonebadcentury.com will win a commemorative Greg Maddux 3000th strikeout scorecard and a t-shirt from the Just One Bad Century catalog.

Here's the question. This week in 2005 the Cubs traded a relief pitcher that was once injured on a LaZy Boy chair. Name that pitcher.

UPDATE: William Mucci was the first one to e-mail me the name of the pitcher that was injured on his Lazy Boy chair. It was Mike Remlinger, who by the way, also was the proud owner of Sammy Sosa's corked bat (which he kept from that day). This week in 2005 the Cubs traded Remlinger to the Boston Red Sox for a minor league pitcher that never made it to the big leagues (Olivio Astacio)

To read about some other embarrassing Cubs injuries, click here.

Father Knows Nothing

My latest Father Knows Nothing column has been posted. This week I try to put into words what attending the Paul McCartney concert with my son meant to me.

You can read it here.

Misunderstood lyrics

"SS" writes about misunderstanding "Bennie & The Jets" also...

"I used to sing, "She's got electric boots, her mom has too..." We were just talking about that the other day! Bernie Taupin, Bernie Schmawpin."

Colbert on Baseball's Worst Records

Colbert discusses Adam Dunn and Craig Counsel and takes an unnecessary (but funny) swipe at the Chicago Cubs in the process...

The Colbert Report
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The worst hitter ever

Adam Dunn is going after his record of the worst hitting season ever (he hit .139 one year).

Craig Counsel is going after his worst (non)hitting streak ever (he went 0 for 46 in one stretch).

But neither of them will ever match the overall futility of Bill Bergen. The New York Times has a great article about him.

Boys will be Boys

My latest Suburban Dad contribution to the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow has been posted.

This week it's called "Boys will be Boys"

Wrigley without Old Style?

There's a rumor going round that Old Style is trying to get out of their 61 year relationship with the Cubs.

The Chicagoist reports on the rumor.

Men's Advice Column

Rick Springfield

30 years ago this week I returned home from a six week adventure in Europe (the summer after my high school graduation) to discover that this country had lost its collective mind.

I knew this to be a fact when I found out that this was the #1 song in America...



When I listened to it this morning, it wasn't nearly as bad as I remembered it. Maybe I've lost my mind now too.

The JOBC Contest

Time for this week's JOBC Contest.

The first person that e-mails me the correct answer at rick@justonebadcentury.com will win a commemorative Greg Maddux 3000th strikeout scorecard and a t-shirt from the Just One Bad Century catalog.

Here's the question. Albert Pujols got the 2000th hit of his career this weekend against the Cubs. This week in 1999 a Cubs player accomplished the same feat. Name that Cubs player.

UPDATE: Gary Compton was the first person to e-mail me the correct answer to the question this week. The man that got his 2000th hit this week in 1999 was Mark Grace.

Father Knows Nothing

My latest Father Knows Nothing column has been posted at NWI Parent. This one is called "The Question I Never Ask (Anymore)"

You can read it here.

Robert Frost Checks His Facebook Account

I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. It has some bad language for those of you at work, but it's pretty darn funny...

Robert Frost Checks His Facebook Account - watch more funny videos

Roy Henshaw

Former Cubs pitcher Roy Henshaw was born exactly 100 years ago today. Don't remember Roy?

Read about his most memorable day in a Cubs uniform

Sights & Sounds

A Punky Brewster episode at Wrigley Field (in 1984), and audio of Kerry Wood striking out 20 are featured this week week in Sights & Sounds.

Watch and listen here.

Victimization

Some perspective...

The Daily Show
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On my birthday

I turn 48 years old today. As my brother pointed out, that makes me closer to 60 than 35. As my "friend" pointed out, I'm also closer to 70 than 25.

It's been a pretty exciting birthday so far. I spent the morning cleaning the house because our power was out again (lightning). All of my kids are also gone all day--Tommy & Johnny at Boy Scout camp, and Sean is in Milwaukee seeing the Cubs-Brewers game.

So, I'm spending the day with my dog, and she hasn't even mentioned my birthday. I don't think she even cares. (Bitch!)

I turned to Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac for comfort to see if anything momentous happened on any of my other birthdays, and was pleasantly surprised to see this one on my fifth birthday...

July 28, 1968…The Beatles had a "Mad Day Out," an all-day group photography session held across London. It produced most of their best-known late 1960s photographs, including one that appeared on the cover of LIFE magazine and another that was the inside gatefold of their "Beatles 1967-1970" album.

I also got a kick out of this one from my 43rd birthday...

July 28, 2006…In Malibu, California, actor Mel Gibson was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) while speeding in his vehicle with an open container of alcohol. A leaked report revealed that during his arrest, Gibson made antisemitic remarks to arresting officer James Mee, who is Jewish, saying "F---ing Jews... the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world." Gibson issued apologies for the incident, and affirmed the accuracy of the quotations. On August 17, he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor drunk driving charge and was sentenced to three years probation. He was ordered to attend self-help meetings five times a week for four and a half months and three times a week for the remainder of the first year of his probation. Gibson was also ordered to attend a First Offenders Program, was fined $1,300, and his license was restricted for 90 days.

I'm fairly sure Mel wasn't out celebrating my birthday.

Sayonara Kosuke

I know he never lived up to expectations, but I also know one boy that will be crushed by today's trade of Kosuke Fukudome: My son, Sean.

He even named his teddy bear after him.

Cub Haters

I get why some people don't root for the Cubs. But what I don't get is why they so viscerally hate those of us that do. It's like taunting a homeless man. He's already homeless, for cryin' out loud. Why dance on his misery? Just move along and try not to choke on your own bile.

This guy, for instance, has some serious psychological problems.

A Former Couch Potato's Lament

This week's Suburban Dad contribution has been posted at the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow. I call it: "A former couch potato's lament."

You can read it here.

The JOBC Contest

Time for this week's JOBC Contest.

The first person that e-mails me the correct answer at rick@justonebadcentury.com will win a commemorative Greg Maddux 3000th strikeout scorecard and a t-shirt from the Just One Bad Century catalog.

Here's the question. Exactly ten years ago today the Cubs acquired slugger Fred McGriff from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was inserted into the lineup as the starting first baseman for the rest of that year, replacing a lefty-righty platoon. Name the two first basemen he replaced. HINT: One of them (the lefty) still plays in the big leagues.

UPDATE: We have a winner! Randy Evans was the first person to e-mail the correct answer. He knew that Matt Stairs and Ron Coomer were the two first basemen that Fred McGriff replaced.

Another chance to win is coming next week!

Husband's Diary versus Wife's Diary

Contributed by "DS"...



Wife's Diary:

Tonight, I thought my husband was acting weird. We had made plans to meet at a nice restaurant for dinner. I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset at the fact that I was a bit late, but he made no comment on it. Conversation wasn't flowing, so I suggested that we go somewhere quiet so we could talk. He agreed, but he didn't say much.
I asked him what was wrong; He said, 'Nothing.' I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset. He said he wasn't upset, that it had nothing to do with me, and not to worry about it. On the way home, I told him that I loved him. He smiled slightly, and kept driving. I can't explain his behavior I don't know why he didn't say, 'I love you, too.' When we got home, I felt as if I had lost him completely, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. He just sat there quietly, and watched TV. He continued to seem distant and absent. Finally, with silence all around us, I decided to go to bed. About 15 minutes later, he came to bed. But I still felt that he was distracted, and his thoughts were somewhere else. He fell asleep - I cried. I don't know what to do. I'm almost sure that his thoughts are with someone else. My life is a disaster.

Husband's Diary:

Boat wouldn't start, can't figure it out.

Pat Gillick

Why would the Cubs be interested in Pat Gillick as team president?

Here's a primer on the FOUR teams he turned around and made winners, including two different World Series champions

Sledgehammer

25 years ago today, this song was #1. Great song. Great video.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This one is called "Ridiculous fights."

You can read it here.

Impressionistic Shakespeare

This is very impressive...

Golfing

Pray for the people on the adjacent fairways from me today. I'm golfing in a charity golf tournament. Haven't golfed in five years.

Fore!

John Lisbon Wood

My latest piece is in the new issue of Shore Magazine. It's an interview with playwright John Lisbon Wood.

You can read it here.

In Defense of Rock and Roll

I just posted my weekly Suburban Dad contribution to Kim Strickland's City Mom blog at ChicagoNow.

This week's is called "In Defense of Rock and Roll."

You can read it here.

Marilyn Monroe

From this morning's Bob Dearborn's The Olde Disc Jockey's Almanac, this little tidbit from 65 years ago today...

July 19, 1946…Marilyn Monroe acted in her first Hollywood screen test (on the set of the movie Mother Wore Tights) and signed her first contract with 20th Century Fox.

I couldn't find that screen test, but here's one from just a few years later. I'm not sure how good of an actress she was, but there's very little doubt she was absolutely stunning.

The JOBC Contest

Time for this week's JOBC Contest.

The first person that e-mails me the correct answer at rick@justonebadcentury.com will win a commemorative Greg Maddux 3000th strikeout scorecard and a t-shirt from the Just One Bad Century catalog.

Here's the question. Yesterday the Cubs went 20 games under .500 for the first time this season. Of course, they've done this many times before. Fifty years ago (1961), the Cubs also sunk to 20 games under .500. They did it in dramatic fashion; losing in the bottom of the ninth to Milwaukee on a three run homer by a player the Cubs had traded to the Braves earlier that same season. Name the player. (Hint: He has the same first and last name as one of the greatest players in White Sox history)

UPDATE: We have a winner! Kim Otner was the first one to e-mail the name of Frank Thomas, the answer to today's JOBC contest. She gets the program and t-shirt. Another contest next Monday!

Notes from the Edge of Life

E-mailed to me by "DS". You may have seen this too. I think some of them are pretty funny...


Dear Noah,
We could have sworn you said the ark wasn't leaving till 5.
Sincerely,
Unicorns

Dear Twilight fans,
Please realize that because vampires are dead and have no blood pumping through them, they can never get an erection. Enjoy fantasizing about that.
Sincerely,
Logic

Dear Icebergs,
Sorry to hear about the global warming. Karma's a bitch.
Sincerely,
The Titanic

Dear Yahoo,
I've never heard anyone say, "I don't know, let's Yahoo! it..." just saying...
Sincerely,
Google

Dear World of Warcraft,
Thank you for ensuring my son's virginity.
Sincerely,
Parents Everywhere

Dear Batman,
What was your power again?
Sincerely,
Superman

Dear Ugly People,
You're welcome.
Sincerely,
Alcohol

Dear White People,
Don't you just hate immigrants?
Sincerely,
Native Americans

Dear iPhone,
Please stop spell checking all of my rude words into nice words. You piece of
shut. Sincerely,
Every iPhone User

Dear Man,
It's cute, but can you pick up peanuts with it?
Sincerely,
Elephant

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This one relates the highlights from our recently completed family vacation.

You can read it here.

Also, if you missed last week's (which I didn't post on this blog), it was about our roadtrip on the way down there.

You can read that here.

We wuz robbed

I was listening to the Cubs game on the radio last night during my twenty hour drive home, and the announcers were saying that the Cubs got robbed on a pickoff play at second base. It cost them the game.

I wanted to see the replay, and when I saw it last night, sure enough--it's true. The Cubs may be twenty games under .500 now, but that one game should come with an asterisk. It sounds like the usual Cubs whining, but in this case you know who agrees with that assessment? The Florida Marlins.

Road Trip

I'm taking the family on a cross country road trip. (Pray for me.) Not sure if I'll be able to post anything for a week or so. If not, I'll be back at the blogging desk on July 18th.

Jeff Garlin

In an interview with Pioneer Press, Jeff Garlin talks about his addiction to sugar, his stage show, his career, and the pathetic team the Cubs are putting on the field this year.

You can read it here.

The 1962 All Star Game

A week from yesterday is this year's All Star Game. We jump the gun a bit at JOBC to talk All-Star games, and go back to the 1962 All Star game, which was played at Wrigley Field.

An unbelievable assortment of Hall of Famers played in that game.

Read all about it here.

Prospecting

This is good to see. Instead of spending money on high priced over the hill free agents, the Cubs are starting to spend their money on high priced youngsters with potential.

Here's an example.

Happy Birthday America!

Are you really 235? No way. I bet you still get carded.

I'm on assignment today in Indiana and Michigan for Shore Magazine, but I'll be back at my blogging desk tomorrow.

Have a great July 4th!

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This week's is called "Toilet Trouble"

You can read it here.

Michael Landon

Michael Landon passed away twenty years ago today. I found this little gem on YouTube: the Michael Landon roast from 1975...

Jose Cardenal

Today's Tale from a Bad Century at JOBC is about the wacky hijinks of one of my favorite players when I was a boy: Jose Cardenal.

Read all about him here.

A Suburban Dad

I just posted my weekly Suburban Dad contribution to Kim Strickland's City Mom blog at Chicago Now. This one is called "How do you know when beer is too much a part of your life?"

You can read it here.