The (Suddenly Different) New Cubs Way

I haven't written about this yet, because I've been letting the details sink in, but this new Collective Bargaining Agreement that MLB signed with the Player's Union just before Thanksgiving is only going to hurt a few teams...and one of them is the Cubs.

One of the lesser discussed features of the agreement is the capping of spending on minor league prospects and facilities. In other words, we finally get a group in here that understands how to do it, and suddenly the rules change and they won't be allowed to do it.

That is so Cubs.

So, it looks like they have to change course a bit, and now it looks like they really are interested in signing a big name free agent.

Bruce Levine has his take on that here.

I suspect that the Cubs really aren't interested in Pujols. Remember what Epstein said in his news conference..."You don't pay for past performance, you pay for future performance." Pujols is a great player, but his best years are most likely behind him. Signing him is what the old regime would have done. Then they'd get two or three good (or even great years) before paying him $30 million a year during his decline.

I think the guy they are really targeting is Prince Fielder. He's 27. His peak years are approaching. And he would welcome coming to Chicago.

We'll have to wait and see.

Maybe it's just me, but this new approach is scaring me a little bit. Now the fact that Epstein and company gave huge contracts to the likes of Carl Crawford, John Lackey, and J.D. Drew seems more relevant than it did before. Are they just going to turn into smarter, better dressed versions of Jim Hendry?

I'm suddenly nervous again.

Oh well, at least I had a few solid months there of genuine optimism.

Theo Epstein Rocks?

I didn't know that either.

The Beachwood Reporter has the back story, and several videos of Theo on stage.

Taylor on Radio-Info on "The Living Wills"

Tom Taylor writes the widely read (among media types) Taylor on Radio-Info column at Radio-Info.com, a column I liberally quote here on this blog. I was thrilled that he had a blurb in his column about "The Living Wills" yesterday...

“Two former radio guys” write a “collaborative novel”, says publisher Eckhartz Press. “The Living Wills" is about “a split-second decision made 30 years ago and the ripple effects it caused. Can the man who made that decision and the people he affected maneuver their way through a world of baristas and Army veterans, bowling teams and exploding port-a-potties, cartoon pirates and young love, to find the strength to heal before it's too late?” Co-author Rick Kaempfer once worked for Steve Dahl, Garry Meier and John Records Landecker, and Brendan Sullivan worked for Jonathon Brandmeier. Rick tells TRI “The two of us met in the hallways of the Loop back in the late 1980s.” Rick’s two previous books were both about the business – “The Radio Producer’s Handbook” and “$everance.”

By the way, Brendan e-mailed me to point out that we actually met in 1991...but at least it was at the Loop, just as I remember. Consider me properly chastised for getting the timing wrong by a year or two. I have since let Mr. Sullivan know that from now if he has any corrections or notes on he can deal with my people.

The Morning Mouth on "The Living Wills"

The Morning Mouth is a very influential radio trade magazine for creative radio shows, and this morning their daily e-newsletter gave some love to yours truly.

THE MOUTH, NOVEMBER 28TH, 2011 –– In the executive restroom at Jockline Daily's world headquarters, you'll find copies of Rick Kaempfer's first novel "$everance" (2007), and “The Radio Producers Handbook” (2004). Before becoming a full-time writer, Rick was a nationally recognized radio producer in Chicago for Steve Dahl & Garry Meier (1987-1991) and John Records Landecker (1993-2003). He currently writes a weekly parenting column (“Father Knows Nothing”), a humor column for Shore Magazine (“A Fine Mess”), a daily blog ("Rick Kaempfer") and is editor-in-chief of the Cubs history website, Just One Bad Century. Now comes word of his latest offering: "The Living Wills," to be shipped on December 1st. Co-written with creativity coach Brendan Sullivan. Rick told Jockline Daily: "My co-author Brendan and I met when we were both working at the Loop in Chicago in the late 80s (he was with Brandmeier and I was with Steve & Garry). Coming from a collaborative medium like radio gave us the perfect experience to collaborate on this novel. Plus, we both have pretty thick skin after working as producers, so we could critique each other honestly without worrying about hurt feelings." The Living Wills will be available in paperback.

Thanks so much to Don Anthony (also known as the guy who produces the yearly Morning Boot Camp seminars around the country).

Trading Matt Garza?

It sounds like the Cubs are considering trading Matt Garza if they get a good package of youngsters in return...you know, like the package they sent Tampa to acquire Garza in the first place.

(Sigh)

Countdown to The Living Wills

In the days leading up to the December 1st (that's this Thursday!) release of "The Living Wills", we'll be giving you little hints and previews of what you will find in the pages of this exciting new novel by Eckhartz Press authors Brendan Sullivan and Rick Kaempfer.

Actor William Petersen (CSI) noted in his recommendation of "The Living Wills" that it was a true Chicago novel.

Here are a few more of the Chicago locations, and the chapters you'll find them...

Lower Wacker Drive

Chapters 7, 17, 29, and 47

Grant Park

Chapter 36

Waveland Bowl

Chapters 2, 12, 22, 34, 41, 46, 49, 51, & 55

An Adoption Postcard

My good friend Kim Strickland writes a blog for ChicagoNow called "A City Mom". If you're a regular reader of this blog you know all about it, because I write a guest column for that blog every week as "A Suburban Dad".

Today Kim is guest blogging on another blog at ChicagoNow called "Portrait of an Adoption" (It's all one big blogging family over there at ChicagoNow)

Her contribution is called "An Adoption Postcard" and it's an excellent piece about the adoption of her daughter.

This explains a lot

CBS Sportsline is doing a feature about the "homegrown players" each MLB team has produced. The lineup of the Chicago Cubs could be the worst I've ever seen. These are the players that would have started for the Cubs if they only relied on their own farm system and didn't sign any free agents or acquire anyone via trade.

Ready? I warned you...it's bad.

1. Kosuke Fukudome, RF
2. Darwin Barney, 2B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Tyler Colvin, LF
5. Casey McGehee, 3B
6. Eric Hinske, 1B
7. Geovany Soto, C
8. Sam Fuld, CF

Here are the pitchers...

1. Ricky Nolasco
2. Kyle Lohse
3. Andrew Cashner
4. Carlos Zambrano
5. Randy Wells

It's hard to believe, but I'd say this team is even worse than the crappy team they actually fielded last year.

This is the real reason the Cubs have always been terrible, and it's also the reason I'm excited by the new management team they've brought in--people that have actually focused on building a farm system from the ground up.

Father Knows Nothing

My latest Father Knows Nothing column has been posted at NWI Parent.

Yup, it's yet another shameless plug for my book.

Look at it this way, after Thursday when it's officially available for immediate shipping at www.eckhartzpress.com, I'll probably return to more traditional non-shameless-plugging blogging.

No promises...but I'm going to try.

Gift Suggestion

It's the biggest shopping day of the year. You can go claw your way through gigantic crowds, or simply click on this page at Eckhartz Press to purchase a book called "The Living Wills". It makes a great Christmas or Hanukkah gift.

Let me pre-create that moment for you...

"What's this? It's shaped like a book. Is it the book I think it is?" (unwrap, unwrap, unwrap) "OH BOY! FANTASTIC! It's that new novel by Rick Kaempfer and Brendan Sullivan! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It's exactly what I wanted."

Look at that imaginary smile. It's blinding you, isn't it? That smile is easily worth the very reasonable $15.95, wouldn't you say?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Countdown to The Living Wills

In the days leading up to the December 1st release of "The Living Wills", we'll be giving you little hints and previews of what you will find in the pages of this exciting new novel by Eckhartz Press authors Brendan Sullivan and Rick Kaempfer.

Today we'd like to explain the origin of this memorable cover.

Esteemed Chicago artist (and native of Wales) Jon Langford was given an earlier draft of the book by co-author Brendan Sullivan. Brendan asked: "If you like it, would you be willing to create a cover for it?"

Langford agreed. He was inspired by the bowling team that shares the title's name, and the location of the book (Chicago), and created this beautiful piece of art.

For those of you not familiar with Langford, the talented artist/musician's website is here.

Brendan and Rick are honored to have his artwork on the cover of their book.

Robert Feder mentions "The Living Wills"

This was awful nice of Mr. Feder to mention this in his column today...

"Two former Chicago radio producers, Rick Kaempfer and Brendan Sullivan, have co-written The Living Wills, a novel about “a split-second decision made 30 years ago and the ripple effects it caused.” Harnessing the power of collaborative creativity, the two improvised the book’s three interweaving story lines. Set for release December 1 by Eckhartz Press, it’s available online at eckhartzpress.com. Kaempfer, whose previous novel, $everance, was a brilliant satire about the radio business, also writes an impressive series of blogs, including the Chicago Radio Spotlight."

Pre-Order "The Living Wills"

"The Living Wills" is now available for pre-order at Eckhartz Press.

Be among the first to receive a copy; it ships on December 1st.

And thanks in advance for your support!

Countdown to The Living Wills

In the days leading up to the December 1st release of "The Living Wills", we'll be giving you little hints and previews of what you will find in the pages of this exciting new novel by Eckhartz Press authors Brendan Sullivan and Rick Kaempfer.

The Living Wills will be the first novel in history that features all three of the following as major plot points...

Port-A-Potties

Videotape






and this song...

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This one is about a few things that have been "Falling through the Cracks" at my house.

You can read it here.

Countdown to The Living Wills

In the days leading up to the December 1st release of "The Living Wills", we'll be giving you little hints and previews of what you will find in the pages of this exciting new novel by Eckhartz Press authors Brendan Sullivan and Rick Kaempfer.

Actor William Petersen (CSI) noted in his recommendation of "The Living Wills" that it was a true Chicago novel.

Here are a few of the Chicago locations, and the chapters you'll find them...

Beverly

Chapters 9, 20, 23, 31, 35, and 52

Jefferson Park

Chapters 10, 33, and 58

Roscoe Village

Chapters 15, 27, 53





And, of course, there are many more Chicagoland locations in this authentically Chicago novel. Available very soon from Eckhartz Press.

Sveum reaction

From my e-mail box and Facebook page...

AA writes: "Isn't Sveum the new drug from Pfizer? I thought I saw an ad for it. Featured two guys sitting in side by side bathtubs looking out at Wrigley Field. But maybe that was something else."

RS writes: "No truth to the rumor that the Cubs are replacing their W flag with a V."

BP writes: "When Dale Sveum was third base coach for the Red Sox a lot of fans were unhappy with him for sending too many runners who were ultimately thrown out at the plate. One joke circulating during the time when the Iraq War was in full operation mode was “Put Dale Sveum in charge of the Iraq War. He sends everyone home.”

Sveum!

Sounds like something my German mother would say, but no, it's the name of the new Cubs manager Dale Sveum. His press conference will be later today. (Phil Rogers has some great quotes from other Cubs managers when they took over the job.)

I personally think he'll make a svell manager. Hopefully the Cubs will sving the bats for him this season.

Countdown to The Living Wills

In the days leading up to the December 1st release of "The Living Wills", we'll be giving you little hints and previews of what you will find in the pages of this exciting new novel by Eckhartz Press authors Brendan Sullivan and Rick Kaempfer.

Today we'll answer a question we've gotten quite a bit: Two authors on one novel? How in the world can that work?

Co-author Brendan Sullivan (photo) explains it in the book's author notes...

"This novel was conceived, developed and written in what we’ve come to learn is a fairly unusual way. “The Living Wills” was written through improvisation, brainstorming mind mapping and other ideation techniques, as an experiment in pure collaborative creativity. Rick and I had no pre-conceived ideas about the content of this novel, absolutely none. All we had was our own creativity, Rick’s wisdom and experience as a writer and a set of mutually agreed-upon rules, based upon my years as a professional improvisational actor and my extensive experience in applying these rules with corporate clients to improve their ideation, problem solving, team development and leadership skills.

These rules include true mutual respect, trust in yourself and your team, active listening, playfulness, being ‘in the moment,’ taking risks, supporting someone else taking a risk, accepting one another’s ideas, finding the positive and building on that, saying ‘yes…and’ first and creating a safe and healthy environment for all of this to take place.

I happen to have an awesome partner in creating this novel. Rick’s talent, experience and wisdom made this work. And there’s no replacement for that. The rules stated above are not a substitute for education, knowledge, experience and talent. But the rules tremendously increase the odds that the collaboration will be successful."

Astros Moving to American League?

According to the Tribune, the sale of the Astros is being held up by the Commissioner unless the new owner agrees to move the Astros to the American League. It looks like the new owner is willing to make that move.

You know what this means, don't you?

It means the White Sox still haven't won a World Series against a National League team since 1917.

20 Things I Know About My Wife

I just posted my weekly Suburban Dad column to the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow. Because today is my 20th anniversary, this week's column relates 20 things I know about my wife.

You can read it here.

Happy anniversary, Bridget.

Countdown to The Living Wills

In the days leading up to the December 1st release of "The Living Wills", we'll be giving you little hints and previews of what you will find in the pages of this exciting new novel by Eckhartz Press authors Brendan Sullivan and Rick Kaempfer.


"The Living Wills" is about ripple effects...

A decision made in two seconds can change, damage, save or even end a life. Henry Stankiewicz made such a decision, and he is still dealing with the ripple effects over thirty years later. Can he and the people he affected now maneuver their way through a world of baristas and Army veterans, cartoon pirates and exploding port-a-potties, Canadian cowboys and bowling teams, office politics and young love, to find the strength to heal before it's too late?

Kid K

He's not a kid anymore, he's 34, but it sounds like Kerry Wood will be coming back to the Cubs for at least one more season.

The new guys like him.

Countdown to The Living Wills

In the days leading up to the December 1st release of "The Living Wills", we'll be giving you little hints and previews of what you will find in the pages of this exciting new novel by Eckhartz Press authors Brendan Sullivan and Rick Kaempfer.

"The Living Wills" may not set sales records, but if it's officially recognized as a new category, "The Living Wills" will set a Guinness World Record.


Are you ready to have your mind blown? OK, here goes.

"The Living Wills" mentions the name of this Canadian-born Cowboy-actor more often than any novel ever written.

Buy history. Buy "The Living Wills".

Available December 1st.

Thanksgiving Control Freak

Do you think you have control freaks in your family?

Not compared to this family.

I'm trying to imagine how I would react to these requests/demands. I'm sure I would do something of the trouble-making/pain-in-the-ass variety, but I suppose it depends on which demand was made of me.

Somebody to Love

45 years ago today, the Jefferson Airplane went into a recording studio in California and recorded their best song: "Somebody to Love". It came out on their best album "Surrealistic Pillow".

A few years after the song came out, they played it at Woodstock...

Hasta mañana Aramis

He says he is done with the Cubs ("that door is closed") and his agent is mad at Bob Brenley (for comments he made about Aramis on the Waddle and Silvy show on ESPN AM 1000)

Details are here.

Aramis does have a few more good years left in him, but the Cubs should be able to spend that money more wisely (namely on younger players...hopefully pitching). I think we may have some people in place now that may actually do that.

I think in the long run, Aramis will be remembered fondly in Chicago. He did have some pretty darn good years here. Let's not forget that he was the best 3B we've had since Ron Santo. But on a rebuilding team, there's really no spot for a 33-year-old third baseman asking for close to $20 million a season.

Countdown to The Living Wills

"The Living Wills" is scheduled to drop on December 1st. What is it about? Between now and the release date we'll be providing hints and excerpts.

CSI's William Petersen, who recommends the book on its back cover, was impressed by the authentic way "The Living Wills" portrays his hometown of Chicago. He writes: "It really brings the city of the broad shoulders to life, and makes me homesick."


An excerpt from Chapter 5: "Holy Smokes"...

Reed was always struck by the incongruities of Holy Name Cathedral. The inscription in the cornerstone read: “AD 1874—AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW—THOSE THAT ARE IN HEAVEN AND THOSE ON EARTH.” The inscription looked slightly worn, but not from age. Portions of those words had been riddled with bullets during the 1920s; collateral damage from the murder of gangster Hymie Weiss. A holy cathedral’s holy words forever holey.

Holy Name Cathedral also boasted a magnificent 210-foot-tall gothic spire, but the nearby high rises and skyscrapers like the John Hancock Center and the Bloomingdale’s Building now dwarfed it, seemingly laughing at the comparatively puny church, daring it to retain its dignity and majesty.

Every day between now and its release date, I'll be unveiling more elements of "The Living Wills".

Cubs Workout Cuban Star

According to this report in the Sporting News, the Cubs are going to workout Cuban star Yoenis Cespedes. He's considered the top star to come out of Cuba in years; a five-tool 26-year-old outfielder.

If they sign him, he would be the Cubs biggest Cuban star since one of my all-time favorites: Jose Cardenal.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column. This week's is about the most awkward conversation of my life...the day I asked my father in law for permission to marry his daughter.

You can read it here.

The Eckhartz Press Roster

Meet our first four authors...

Brendan Sullivan

Rick Kaempfer

Kim Strickland

and

David Stern

Eckhartz Press Update

My publishing company Eckhartz Press is making big strides behind the scenes. Our website is almost finished, and it when it is, you'll be able to pre-order our first book (more on that below). Our Facebook page is up and running already. If you're on Facebook, click "like" on our page and you'll get all the updates about our exciting new venture as they happen. Or if you prefer, you can follow the Eckhartz Press blog, which I founded yesterday. All the Eckhartz Press authors will be featured there. Click here if you'd like to know who the first four Eckhartz Press authors are.

Now, here are the details about the first book. It's called "The Living Wills" and it's a co-written novel by Brendan Sullivan and Rick Kaempfer. We created the story line of this book in a very unusual way. Using improvisation, brainstorming mind-mapping and other ideation techniques, we came up with three interweaving story lines. From there, we retreated to our cubicles and wrote individual chapters by ourselves, and then edited and improved those chapters together. The result is something you don't see every day...a truly collaborative novel.

Hints about the plot will coming over the next days. The book is currently being formatted for publication, and will go to press by December 1st, in time for Christmas publication. We'll be doing limited traditional media before the end of the year, but starting in January you'll be seeing us all over the place. We'll also be holding several release parties in December and January, look for details here and the Facebook page and blog.

As for this cool cover? It was designed by Chicago artist Jon Langford. We're honored to have such a distinguished artist as part of this project. Also, we have blurbs on the back cover from Chicago Tribune writer Rick Kogan, famous TV/film/stage actor William Petersen (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), and author Kim Strickland.

I promise you I won't be shy giving you more details as they arise.

It all starts today; 11/11/11.

Rick Perry's Top 10 Excuses

Gotta give him credit for showing up on Letterman last night and doing this...

Veterans Day

It started as Armistice day in 1919 on the one-year anniversary of the World War I's end, and didn't become an officially recognized holiday until 1938 (a few weeks after the Cubs lost the World Series to the Yankees), and it didn't become known as "Veteran's Day" until 1954 after the end of the Korean War.

But the thought remains the same. On November 11th, we drop whatever we're doing and we honor those that fought for this country.

The Cubs Farm System

Now that he's had a little time to evaluate the Cubs, Theo was asked about our farm system. He responded: “We have work to do. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I think there’s a pretty significant gap between where we are right now between impact and depth and where we want to be."

At least he's being honest.

More details from his conference call are here.

Fernando

On this day in 1975, Frida released the song "Fernando" as a solo hit. It was released the following year by ABBA and became their biggest hit. I lived in Germany when this song came out, and it was EVERYWHERE. Is it just me, or is this not even a very good song?

The Latest Candidate

Greg Maddux's big brother Mike.

Here's how it went.

I like what he said about Zambrano: "First thing you got to do is get to meet him. I heard he's a big teddy bear," Maddux said. "I might pick him up and just burp him."

German Practical Jokes

I just posted this week's Suburban Dad contribution to the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow. This week I empty my closet of German gags because my mother got her first computer yesterday, and will now be reading my stuff.

You can read it here.