Coming This Weekend

I'm not doing a Chicago Radio Spotlight interview this weekend because of my son's math meet in Champaign (Go nerds!), but I'm not quite ready for my summer hiatus yet. I've got a few more scheduled for later this month.

I will, however, be posting a new Father Knows Nothing column on Sunday. I've been ridiculously ill this week, and will provide a report card of the care I received from my family members. (Warning, at least one "care taker" will not be receiving a passing grade).

Cubs 365 will also continue with two more great stories from this day in history, and the Just One Bad Century website will go back to This Week in 1908 and 1945 as always. (The sun always shines brightly there).

Have a great weekend!

WGN-TV Morning Show

Sorry I'm late posting today. I spent the entire morning observing the WGN-TV Morning show in action for an article I'm writing for Shore Magazine. They really do a great job on that show, and they gave me some great quotes for the article.

It will be in the August issue of Shore.

Cubs 365, May 4

On this day in 1960, the Cubs made one of the most unusual trades in their history. Cubs icon Charley Grimm had been asked to come back to manage the Cubs (for the third time) at the beginning of the 1960 season. The 62-year-old Grimm was always a team player, and this was no exception. He agreed to give it another try, but it didn't take too long for Charley to realize that the game was passing him by. After only 17 games, he told P.K. Wrigley that he wasn't interested in doing it anymore.

Without a natural replacement on staff, Wrigley asked Charlie who he should name to the position. Grimm pointed out that radio announcer Lou Boudreau had won a World Series for the Indians. "Why don't you give it to him?"

"But then we would need a radio announcer," Wrigley replied.

"I'll do it," Charley offered.

And he did. Just like that, the Cubs announced one of the most unusual trades in history. They traded their manager for their radio announcer.

They both did admirable jobs in their new roles, but after the season was over, Boudreau wanted a two-year contract to stay in the job. Wrigley refused give any manager a two-year contract, so Boudreau did exactly what his predecessor Charley Grimm had done.

He asked for the radio job back...and he got it.

Ever the good soldier, Charley Grimm retreated to a comfortable semi-retirement in the front office.

Joke for a Thursday morning

"RN" sent me this. It made me chuckle...

Q: How many record executives does it take to change a light bulb?

A: First of all, before we change anything, is the light bulb really burned out? Maybe we just need to breathe some life into it; repackage it, maybe the light bulb could do a duet with somebody (Sheryl Crow? Tim McGraw?) in hopes of getting some crossover appeal, maybe it could be in a beer commercial, maybe we could get it out on the road with a brighter light bulb. The other thing to think about is that this summer, Honda is rolling out a 100 Million dollar campaign for a new car aimed at thirty-somethings who consider themselves adventurous/spontaneous but can't really afford something like a luxury S.U.V. and it might be a perfect campaign to tie this light bulb into, at least it would be the perfect demographic, in terms of age.

Also, and this is just an idea: what if we found out what video games are being released in the third quarter and maybe pitched the idea of having our light bulb make an appearance in the video game at some certain level of completion; like, you get to a dark cave, let's say, if it's an adventure game, and if you have enough points you can get the light bulb - and it would be our light bulb, obviously - and then it's easier to see in the cave. The other thing is this: worst-case scenario the light bulb is, in fact, burned out. Is that really the end of the world? I mean, maybe that's actually of more value to us in the long run: Picture this for voice over: "The light bulb is dead. . . but the legend lives on. . . re-released, re-mastered, revealed. . . the light bulb. . . IN STORES NOW."

It almost makes more sense than taking the time changing it, plus, if it's dead we can sell it without dealing with it, you know what I mean? No demands from it, no hotels, no road expense, no delays in the project from its end, etc. But, like I said, I'm just thinking off the top of my head here, just brainstorming, and none of this is written in stone. But the first thing we should do is figure out how we want to handle this, because the light bulb's manager is a total nightmare and we're going to have to take a meeting and listen to him sooner or later, and we should know what our plan is before we sit down with him. And let me tell you right now that the first thing out of his mouth is going to be, "This light bulb should be the brightest light bulb in the world, and it could be the brightest light bulb in the world, but you need to support the light bulb, you need to give the light bulb TV ads, you need to be more active in giving the light bulb tour support, we need to have some promotion from your end!" and on and on.

And in that meeting, if you're in it, the only answer from our side should be that we're obviously very excited to be working with the light bulb, that we don't think it needs to be changed, that the only problem is people haven't seen how bright the light bulb could be, and our plan is to do everything we can to make this light bulb happen.

I'll send out an email to everyone before the meeting to remind people of our position on this, but the bottom line is we don't have the budgets right now, and basically we need to see something happening with the light bulb before we go throwing good money after bad, but obviously we can't have the light bulb's manager hearing that. I can tell you all that I'm personally very excited to be working with the light bulb, I think it will light up very brightly, and we're not going to stop working the light bulb, in whatever ways budgets will permit, until it does, in fact, light up very brightly. . . the light bulb is a very big priority for us from the top of the company to the bottom. Period. We can talk more about this when I am back from Barbados next week, and I'm going to need everybody's help on this. I know we can do it, but we need everybody working hard.

Cubs 365, May 3

On this day in 1966, the Cubs played their first game on Astroturf. The game was at the Houston Astrodome, and to say that the Astros enjoyed a home-field advantage that season is to understate the case. The Astros were an awful team on the road that year, but were better than .500 at home. Many National League teams took a few games to get used to the Astroturf's unique bounciness.

The Cubs were no exception. In that first game, they made four errors. Ron Santo, Don Kessinger, Randy Hundley, and Bill Hands all succumbed. Those errors led to five unearned runs, and before the Cubs knew it, they had lost the game 10-2.

It certainly wasn't their only loss in 1966. Despite having four future Hall of Famers on the roster, the Cubs finished the 1966 season 44 games under .500, 36 games out of first, in the basement of the National League.

Book Club Discussion Questions

We've been busy beavers at Eckhartz Press readying our next book for publication ("Cheeseland" by Randy Richardson), but we're also in the midst of putting together "book club packages". Look for more details about that in the coming weeks.

Until those are ready for release, however, we've been asked by fans of our first two books to put together some discussion questions for book clubs. We know there are several book clubs currently reading both "The Living Wills" and "Down at the Golden Coin". Hopefully these questions prepared by our authors will spur discussion and debate.

THE LIVING WILLS

1) The Living Wills is a very "Chicago" book. Does the location add/subtract to your enjoyment of the story?

2) The three story lines all eventually intersect. Did it throw you off before the story lines came together?

3) Were you surprised by the way any of these story lines intersected with each other?

4) Which of the three story lines did you relate to the most, and why?

5) How does Peter's journey to find the video parallel the reader's journey to understanding Henry?

6) How does the funeral at the beginning of the novel differ from the funeral at the end of the novel?

7) What role does spirituality play in the plot? Is that something you can relate to?

8) How does the comic element serve to balance the dramatic element of the story?

9) How does the theme of "everything is connected" reveal itself in the plot as well as in the actual structure of the novel?

10) What events in your own lives have happened in "two seconds" and changed everything?

11) Can you tell that two different authors wrote this? Did you detect two different styles of writing?

DOWN AT THE GOLDEN COIN

1) How do you think you would react if you met someone claiming to be God at the laundromat, or anywhere else for that matter? Would you believe right away or would you, like Annie, demand a lot of proof? Is this something you would like to have happen, or would you prefer to never meet a Messiah in person?

2) Do you think Violet is who she says she is? Why do you think the author chose to have her be so young? Female? Pierced and tatted?

3) Why do you think Violet makes Annie go through all the “work” to come to her realizations and epiphanies, as opposed to just doing what Annie refers to as using her “little Messiah magic tricks?”

4) If you suspected your spouse was having an affair, would you, like Annie, choose to ignore the elephant in the room or would you initiate a confrontation right away? Do you think Annie and Jack’s marriage will survive his infidelity? Why or why not?

5) Have you ever learned something from your children that made you feel like the parenting tables had been turned? Have you ever found out your children knew a secret you’d thought you’d successfully kept from them?

6) Do you think God, (or a Higher Force or your Soul or whatever you want to call it) communicates with you? Do you have any examples from your own life?

7) Symbolism is prevalent throughout the story. Give some examples and describe what you think they mean.

8) Do you live in the moment, the Now, or do your find yourself, like Annie, worrying about the future or dwelling in the past?

9) The author draws on her belief that we all create our own realities. Do you think you have the ability to create your own reality? Do you have any examples from your own life that demonstrate this ability to be true or not true? Did you read The Secret and try its techniques? If so, what were your results and why do you believe you were successful or not successful?

10) How do you think the “Great Recession” has impacted how we as a society view wealth and money? Has it changed your personal view? Annie is a pretty materialistic person. How do you think she’ll do going forward with her new “enough is enough” philosophy?

Cheering for Mathletes

This week's Suburban Dad contribution to the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow has been posted. It's called "Cheering for Mathletes".

Click here for 6 new cheers, a fundraising idea, and a preview of my cheering outfit.

Cubs 365, May 2

Only one pitcher in Major League history has lost a no-hitter to another pitcher throwing a no-hitter. Of course, that player was a Cub: Hippo Vaughn. He did it on this day in 1917.

Only 3500 fans were in the stands at Weeghman Park (now known as Wrigley Field). Fred Toney was pitching for the Reds. Vaughn was the ace of the Cubs staff--a real workhorse. He was on his way to winning twenty games for the third time in the past four years, and would win 19 or more every year until 1921.

On May 2, 1917, Vaughn was feeling particularly good, but he had no idea he was even pitching a no-hitter until someone brought it up in the dugout during the 8th inning. A teammate pointed out that "We haven't even got a hit off of Toney," and another teammate countered with "And they ain't got a hit off Vaughn neither." Mentioning a no-hitter in the dugout was a big no-no (and remains so to this day), but it didn't affect Vaughn or Toney.

If either man was flustered, it didn't show in the 9th inning. Both men retired the side in order, and the game went to the 10th.

With one out in the tenth inning, Larry Kopf got a single, ending the no-hitter for Vaughn. The next batter hit an easy fly ball to Cubs right fielder Cy Williams, who dropped it, putting runners on second and third. That brought up Jim Thorpe, the Olympian. He hit a swinging bunt, but because Thorpe was so fast, Vaughn tossed the ball to the catcher to get the guy at home plate instead of throwing it to first. Cubs catcher Art Wilson wasn't expecting the throw and the ball bounced harmlessly off his chest protector, allowing Kopf to score the only run of the game. It was the first run the Reds had scored in 34 innings.

In the bottom of the tenth, Toney had no trouble getting the Cubs. They went down in order. But Cubs pitcher Hippo Vaughn also went down in history as the only pitcher to lose a no-hitter to another pitcher pitching a no-hitter.

A Fine Mess

The name of my regular column for Shore Magazine is "A Fine Mess". In the current issue of the magazine (available at newsstands now), A Fine Mess is about my WORST VACATION EVER.

It's entitled "Down the River Without a Clue"

Cubs 365, May 1

On this day in 1893, the Columbian Exposition opened in Chicago. It was the biggest World's Fair the world had ever seen, scheduled to begin on the 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the new world.

It covered 600 acres, featured 200 or so brand new structures and buildings (many designed by Daniel Burnham), and attracted more than 27 million spectators to the city. It was located in Jackson Park and the Midway Plaisance, in the neighborhoods of Jackson Park Highlands, South Shore, Hyde Park and Woodlawn. This was more than a World's Fair. It was Chicago's coming out party--it's chance to prove to the world that it had recovered and thrived after the disastrous Chicago Fire of 1871.

Dedication ceremonies for the fair were held on October 21, 1892, but the fairgrounds were not actually opened to the public until May 1, 1893. President Grover Cleveland was on hand that day. The fair continued until October 30, 1893.

The big draw was the world debut of the Ferris Wheel, but there were many other notable moments of the fair. Scott Joplin performed there, and introduced Ragtime music to a wider audience. A dancer named Little Egypt introduced the Middle Eastern culture to many Americans for the very first time.

Several foods that have become American icons were also introduced there: Hamburgers, Quaker Oats, Cream of Wheat, Shredded Wheat, Aunt Jemima pancake mix, Juicy Fruit gum, and a food that would soon become associated with baseball forever--Cracker Jacks.

And yes, a certain baseball team was already playing in Chicago at the time.

1893 was the Chicago Colts (which is what they were known as in 1893) first season at West Side Grounds (photo), the ballpark that would be their home for both of their World Series triumphs (1907, 1908). It was built slightly west and north of the Columbian Exposition in a year which must have set records for construction in Chicago.

The Colts only played their Sunday games at the new ballpark however, because South Side Park (their home from 1891-1893) was closer to the Columbian Exposition and they hoped to draw fans from there.

It was a pretty uneventful season for the Colts, aside for a few moments. On August 8th the team was involved in a train crash between Cleveland and Louisville. Jimmy Ryan was cut badly in his face and neck, and a piece of glass had to be removed from his leg. He missed the rest of the season.

Cap Anson (41 years old) made history by becoming the first pinch hitter in team history. He pinch hit in the tenth inning and got a single as the Cubs won in extra innings.

As the Exposition ended in October of 1893, so did the season for the Chicago Colts.

They finished in 9th place in a 12 team league.

Joke for a Monday Morning

Thanks to "KR" for this one...

A pirate walks into a bar with a steering wheel in his pants.

The bartender says, "Hey, buddy, do you know there's a steering wheel in your pants?"

And the pirate says, "Argh, it's driving me nuts!"

Cubs 365, April 30

On this day in 1939, future Cubs pitcher Bob Hendley was born. His most memorable game in a Cubs uniform came on September 9th, 1965 at Dodgers Stadium.

The score was 0-0 in the bottom of the fifth and neither pitcher had allowed a single base runner. That ended when Hendley walked Dodgers outfielder Lou Johnson to lead off the inning. The next batter, Ron Fairly, bunted the ball a little too hard--right to the pitcher. Hendley was prepared to whirl toward second and throw out the lead runner, but he took his eye off the ball for a second, dropped it, and had no choice but to throw to first. While the next hitter was up to bat, Jim Lefevbre, Johnson took off for third. Cubs catcher Chris Krug threw to Santo, but the Cubs great couldn't handle the throw, and Johnson ran home with the first and only run of the game. The Dodgers had scored without the benefit of a hit.

Hendley didn't give up a hit until the 7th inning, and that harmless double was the only hit he allowed all game. It was a truly incredible pitching performance by Hendley, but it wasn't good enough. The other pitcher was just a little more incredible.

His name was Sandy Koufax, and all he did was pitch a perfect game.

Casey Kasem

Casey Kasem is 80 years old today. Casey, of course, is the former host of "America's Top 40", and has been the voice of Shaggy on "Scooby Doo" since it came out in the late 60s.

Seems like a good time to listen to this classic Kasem clip about a dog dying.

Always one of my favorite moments.

Father Knows Nothing

This week's Father Knows Nothing, "A First Time for Everything", is about an unexpected question asked by my oldest son.

You can read it here.

Cubs 365, April 29

On this day in 1983, Lee Elia unleashed the most famous tirade in Cubs history.

It's captured here in all it's audio splendor, with bleeps.

Chicago Radio Spotlight: Dick Orkin

This week's Chicago Radio Spotlight interview has been posted. I interviewed radio advertising legend Dick Orkin.

You can read it here.

Cubs 365, April 28

On this day in 1975, the San Diego Padres released Glenn Beckert, ending his big league career at the age of 34. They had acquired him from the Cubs the previous season (for Jerry Morales), but Beckert was no longer the player he had once been in Chicago.

While with the Cubs, Glenn was a 4-time All-Star, a gold glove Second Baseman (1968), and for four seasons in a row, the toughest man to strike out in all of baseball. In 1971 he hit .342. Another season (1968), he led the league in runs scored. His scrappy play and willingness to do whatever it took to get on base is the reason he became a favorite of his manager, Leo Durocher.

In his book Nice Guys Finish Last, Durocher, a man who rarely praised his players, said this about his second baseman: "I got a guy over here, Beckert, bustin' his rear end. He works on his hitting. He works on his fielding. He works on all of his weaknesses. He's made himself into a hell of a player."

That's probably why Cub fans loved him too.

Coming this Weekend

I'm super excited about this week's Chicago Radio Spotlight. I just got off the phone with the legendary Dick Orkin. I'll be posting that interview in the morning.

This week's Father Knows Nothing will examine the most unlikely thing my oldest son ever said to me.

And of course, we'll travel back in time to this week in 1908 and 1945 at Just One Bad Century, and hear a few more stories from this day in history on Cubs 365 at the Just One Bad Century blog.

Have a great weekend!

Cheeseland, the website and facebook page

Eckhartz Press author Randy Richardson has created his own website for his book "Cheeseland". You can check it out here.

He also has a "Cheeseland" Facebook page, which he'd love you to "like".

The book itself is coming out on May 29, and will be available for pre-order beginning May 8. Keep checking the Eckhartz Press blog for more information about this excellent new book. We're very proud to be publishing it.

Cubs 365, April 27

On this day in 1897, Cubs Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby was born. It's hard to imagine that one of the greatest players in history was not popular in Chicago--but Hornsby clearly was not.

Hornsby had one great season for the Cubs, their World Series year of 1929, and he became the manager at the very end of the following year. Despite managing a notoriously rowdy team, he ruled with an iron fist. He didn't just ban drinking (which, of course, was illegal at the time), he banned reading, movies, soda pop, smoking, and eating in the club house. He was so hated by his players that when the 1932 team won the pennant (after he was fired), the players voted to give him zero cents of a playoff share, even though he had been with the team for 4 months.

Their hatred of him went much deeper than his strict rules. He was in deep debt to many of the players on the team. The Commissioner of Baseball, Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, became so alarmed by the reports he was getting about Hornsby, that he sent letters warning the team and the players about him. He also sent one to the NL President demanding any and all information he had about Hornsby's gambling.

Hornsby was defiant about it until the very end: "Gambling's legal," he would say. He never bet on baseball, only the horses. Probably influenced by Hornsby's star power, Landis chose not to punish him. But his letters to the club led to an internal Cubs investigation. Team owner William Wrigley and team president William Veeck discovered that Hornsby had borrowed $11,000 from his own players.

That's when they fired him and replaced him with Charlie Grimm. Grimm led the 1932 team to the World Series. Hornsby never experienced the playoffs again.

Later in life he was hired by Wrigley's son Phillip to become the teams first minor league batting instructor. The same prickly personality and inability to understand why people couldn't naturally hit as well as he did, however, made him as lousy at that job as he was as a manager.

As a player Rogers Hornsby had very few peers. His lifetime batting average is .358. He hit .400 three different times. He narrowly missed it a fourth time (.397). He won two MVP awards, two triple crowns, and seven batting titles.

And he did all that while gambling away nearly every dime he earned.

Rick on the Radio

The MP3 of the Ed Tyll show is now available on the internet, if you'd like to hear our interview from Tuesday night. Go to the April 24th show. My interview with Ed begins at about the 32 minute mark and goes until the 45 minute mark. We talk about writing in general, how characters are created, and specifically how we wrote the book "The Living Wills".

First Look at the cover for "Cheeseland"

Coming out on Eckhartz Press May 29th.

Brendan Joins a Cash Mob

What is a Cash Mob?

A Cash Mob is when a community descends on a local business on a particular night, and then they all go out for drinks afterwards.

Sounds like fun.

My co-author Brendan Sullivan ("The Living Wills") will be one of the authors on hand at Bookie's in Beverly tonight (Thursday). It starts at 6pm and goes until whenever. There will be copies of "The Living Wills" available there if you haven't purchased yours yet.

Come and meet some super talented local people (17 local authors and artists). Bring your friends! The Bookie's Paperbacks & More, 2419 W 103rd, Chicago, Illinois 60655 (773-239-1110)

Cubs 365, April 26

On this day in 1900, one of the most famous Cubs players of all-time was born. His name was Hack Wilson. Hack is remembered for his still record 1930 season when he drove in 191 runs, but during his Cubs days Hack was also known as something else: A hellraiser.

He had several run-ins with the law, his teammates, opposing players, and even fans. For instance...


*In his first season with the Cubs (1926), Hack Wilson was arrested and charged with drinking beer in violation of the Prohibition Act. Four cops arrived at his friend's house, and he tried to escape out the side door. While he was attempting to escape, his friend (a woman named Lottie Frain) threw a bookend at the cops. Wilson was caught and arrested.

*One night Wilson and his teammate Pat Malone were walking down the hallway of their hotel, and Wilson laughed. Someone in a hotel room mimicked his laugh. Wilson and Malone broke into the room and beat the hell out of four men, until all of them were out cold. One of the men was still standing and Malone kept punching. Wilson pointed out that he was already knocked out. "Move the lamp and he'll fall." Malone moved the lamp, and the man fell to the ground.

*In 1928, Wilson charged into the stands to fight a milkman who had been heckling him throughout the game. 5000 fans stormed the field during the melee. Gabby Hartnett and Joe Kelly had to physically pull Wilson off the milkman. Hack was fined $100 for that.

*In 1929, Wilson got into two fistfights with players on the Reds, and was suspended for three games. In the first fight, he charged into the Red's dugout to punch Red's pitcher Ray Kolp...after he had just gotten a single. He was tagged out in the dugout. The second fight happened that same night at the train station with Red's pitcher Pete Donohue—who was trying to stop Wilson from attacking Kolp again. Hack punched Donohue in the face twice.

*Joe McCarthy knew how to handle Hack Wilson and keep him functioning. He once took a worm and dropped it in a glass of whiskey. The worm quickly died. "Now what does that prove?" asked Joe. Wilson thought about it for a while and replied, "It proves that if you drink whiskey, you won't get worms!"

Near the end of his Wilson's life he appeared on a network radio show where he spoke about the effects of "Demon Rum." This was just a few months before his death from an internal hemorrhage on November 23, 1948. He was only 48. His body was unclaimed for three days before National League president Ford Frick paid for the funeral.

My Brush with Sam Kinison

In this week's contribution to the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow, I tell the story of my brush with comedian Sam Kinison. Sam died exactly twenty years ago this month.

You can read it here.

Cubs 365, April 25

On this day in 1911, Cub fan Jacob Rubenstein was born in Chicago. He was one of eight children of Jewish parents who had immigrated from Poland. He didn't have a happy childhood. His parents divorced when he was 11. By the time he was 14, his mother was committed to a mental institution, and he was on his own.

Despite his hardscrabble life, Jacob followed the Cubs. In fact, they brought him his first real chance at earning a living. Jack made it through eighth grade, then "found himself on Chicago streets attempting to provide for himself and other members of his family," as a famous government report put it. He earned money by scalping tickets to sporting events and by selling sports-related novelties, such as Cubs banners. He remained in Chicago until 1947. During his years as a Cubs fan/entrepreneur, the Cubs appeared in six World Series.

But Jacob isn't really known for his days in Chicago. He's better known for his days in Dallas, Texas, and for one particular day at that; the day after John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

That famous government report was called "The Warren Commission Report" and by the time he was mentioned in it, Jacob Rubenstein was known the world over by the name he adopted in adulthood; Jack Ruby.

Green White History

One of my on-going writing projects is chronicling the history of the soccer club Green White. My dad was one of the founders of the club in 1956, and each month I write about one year in Green White history.

This month it's about 1963. And it features the birth of this Green White baby.

Richard something or other.

John Lennon

Forty years ago today, John Lennon released a very controversial record. Bob Dearborn tells the story at The Olde Disc Jockey's almanac, including how this led to Bob interviewing John & Yoko...

"April 24, 1972…John Lennon's controversial single, "Woman Is the Nigger of the World" was released in the U.S. The song reached #57 on the Billboard Hot 100, even though only two major radio stations – KDAY in Los Angeles and WCFL in Chicago – aired it. Yoko Ono originally uttered the phrase during a magazine interview in 1967 and John explained that he was making a point that women deserved higher status in society. In conjunction with the record's release and my station's decision to air it, your editor enjoyed a 20-minute interview on WCFL with John & Yoko regarding the new song, his thoughts on current music, why it was important for them to reach out to Mike Douglas' audience, and his post-Beatle life in New York. They couldn't have been more interesting, charming, engaging and compelling. It was a thrill for me and remains a highly cherished memory."

Dick Cavett also interviewed John & Yoko about the song, before they performed it live...

Cubs 365, April 24

On this day in 1957, the Cubs set a big league record. It's not exactly one that they advertise.

The Cubs were playing the Reds in Cincinnati on a cold day in front of only 7212 fans at Crosley Field. On the mound for the Cubs; their young right hander from Poland, Moe Drabowsky. Moe had cruised through the Reds order in the first four innings, making only one mistake--a ball that was hit out of the park by Reds left fielder Bob Thurman.

The Cubs were leading the game 2-1 when the Reds came up in the bottom of the fifth. Moe was facing the bottom of the order for the Reds. He got the number 6 hitter, catcher Ed Bailey, on a routine fly. That's when the Polish Prince fell apart. He walked the #7 hitter, third baseman Don Hoak. He walked the #8 hitter, shortstop Roy McMillan. And then he walked the pitcher Joe Nuxhall to load the bases.

Cubs manager Bob Scheffing didn't see this collapse coming, so he got his bullpen up a little late, and was forced to let Moe work to another hitter. The lead-off man Alex Grammas was replaced by pinch hitter Jerry Lynch. Moe walked him too...tying the game at 2.

Scheffing had seen enough. The next hitter was Bob Thurman who had hit a home run his last time up to bat. He couldn't risk giving up a grand slam, so he pulled Drabowsky from the game and brought in reliever Jackie Collum.

In one way, it worked out. Collum didn't give up a grand slam. He did, however, give up another walk, the fifth of the inning, making the score 3-2. The next batter, centerfielder Gus Bell, should have been taking all the way, but he helped out Collum by grounding out to first for the second out.

With first base open, and two outs, the Cubs opted to intentionally walk cleanup hitter Wally Post to reload the bases, the sixth walk of the inning. All Collum needed was a simple ground ball and the Cubs would have escaped with minimal damage. On the bright side, he got that ground ball. But in true Cubs fashion, it went through the infield, and scored two more runs.

After Collum reloaded the bases by walking another batter for the seventh walk of the inning, he was replaced by reliever Jim Brosnan. Brosnan only needed to get one batter, and with the bases loaded, there was a force at any base.

Naturally, Brosnan walked the same batter Drabowsky walked to start the onslaught--the #7 hitter, Don Hoak. And he walked the 8th hitter in the lineup, Roy McMillan too, for the ninth walk of the inning.

Finally, and mercifully, with the bases still loaded, Brosnan struck out the pitcher Joe Nuxhall for the third out.

By the time the inning was over, a one run lead had turned into a six run deficit. In one inning the Reds managed to score seven runs on one hit, thanks to a still-record nine walks in one inning.

On the other hand, that loss (9-5) didn't exactly cost the Cubs the pennant in 1957. They finished tied for last place with the Pirates, 33 games behind the eventual World Series champion Milwaukee Braves.

Misconceptions About History

I mistakenly believed all five of these...

Cubs 365, April 23

On this day in 1914, one day after the Cubs drew the smallest Opening Day crowd in their history, a new ballpark opened on Addison & Clark. At the time, it was called "Weeghman Park", and the team that played there was in the Federal League.

This is how the Chicago Tribune described that first game: "Chicago took the Federal League to its bosom and claimed it as a mother would claim a long lost child. With more more frills and enthusiasm than had prevailed at a baseball opening here Joe Tinker and his Chifeds made their debut before a throng of fans that filled the new north side park to capacity...It may not have been the largest crowd that ever saw an opening game in Chicago, but conservative estimators placed the attendance at about 21,000. The new park is said to have a seating capacity of 18,000...every seat in the place was taken, a great many were standing up in the back of the grandstand, and more than 2,000 were on the field in the circus seats placed there for the occasion."

Weeghman Park didn't have a second deck yet. That wouldn't come for fifteen years. But it did have one feature that is quite common today...

"The windows and roofs of flat buildings across the way from the park were crowded with spectators. The surface and elevated trains leading to the north side were overhanging with people in the early afternoon and three or four separate and distinct automobile parades unloaded several thousand gaily decked rooters at the gates."

And the Federal League Whales even had a number of players with Cub roots, and a few players that would later play for the Cubs.

Joe Tinker (photo), as the Tribune mentioned, was the manager of the team. He was also the starting shortstop. Tinker was still revered in Chicago for being one third of the Tinker to Evers to Chance double play combination.

The starting pitcher was Claude Hendrix. Hendrix would later pitch for the Cubs in the 1918 World Series, and would then be quietly banned from baseball for allegedly betting on a game in the 1920 season. The investigation of that game would unearth the Black Sox scandal.

Rollie Zeider, the ChiFeds third baseman, would later play for the Cubs too. He has the distinction of having played for three different Chicago teams (he also played for the Sox).

Catcher Art Wilson, and outfielders Dutch Zwilling and Max Flack also played for the Cubs in later seasons. In fact, Flack was the goat in the 1918 World Series against the Red Sox when he dropped an easy fly ball in the ninth inning to lose the game and the series.

But maybe the most important person with Cubs connections was Charles G. Williams. He had served more than twenty-five years in the front office of the Cubs. Williams, and owner Weeghman, had a pretty ingenious plan to attract fans. They went after an audience that heretofore hadn't been so openly courted. They went after the ladies.

The Tribune piece even pointed that out...

“The significant part of the affair to the new owners was the large number of women present."

That remained a marketing quest even after Weeghman bought the Cubs, which he did in 1916

Father Knows Nothing

This week's Father Knows Nothing column is entitled "A Knucklehead's Lament"

You can read it here.

Chicago Radio Spotlight Interview: Cheryl Raye-Stout

This week's Chicago Radio Spotlight interview is with WBEZ sportscaster Cheryl Raye-Stout.

You can read it here.

Cubs 365, April 21

On this day in 1940, one of the most colorful players to ever wear a Cubs uniform was born. Some players are known as characters. Some are known as eccentrics. Still others seem to have come from another planet. Bill Faul was one of those guys...and he wasn't even a lefty...or a Californian.

Faul pitched for the Cubs in 1965 and 1966. It's safe to say that he had a quirk or two. For instance...

*He hypnotized himself before games and talked to his arm. Opposing players would make fun of him by swinging watches and saying ‘tick tock tick tock’ while he was pitching.

*He used to rip the heads off parakeets with his teeth (according to Bill Lee).

*He swallowed live toads, claiming they put “extra hop” on his fastballs.

*He liked to hold guys off the third or fourth floor hotel balcony by their ankles…upside down.

*His jersey number was — you guessed it — 13.

Former Detroit Tigers manager Chuck Dressen once said: “You watch him for a while, watch how he acts, talk to him, spend some time with him, and you figure either he's the dumbest guy in the world or the smartest one you've ever met.”

As wild and unpredictable as Faul was, he was cool as a cucumber on the field. He had to be awakened in the clubhouse only thirty minutes before his first major league start. Faul shook out the cobwebs, grabbed the ball, warmed up, and pitched a three-hitter.

Faul always seemed to be in the middle of a lot of excitement. He was one of only a handful of pitchers to be involved in fielding a triple play, and one of only two major league pitchers in history to have three triple plays in one season while he was on the mound.

He claimed the secret to his success was his hypnosis therapy, his background as a karate instructor in the Air Force (his hands and feet were both registered as dangerous weapons), and his spiritual consciousness (he was a Doctor of Divinity for the Universal Life Church).

Unfortunately for Faul, the league figured him out in 1966. When his ERA climbed over 5, he was sent down to the minors and never returned to the Cubs. He kicked around the minor leagues for a few seasons before turning up for a cup of coffee with the Giants in 1970.

Bill Faul died in 2002, at the age of 62.

"Down at the Golden Coin" in the Tribune

The Chicago Tribune has a short piece in the A&E section of the paper about Eckhartz Press author Kim Strickland and her book "Down at the Golden Coin". (Although...they got the name of the publisher wrong somehow. It's Eckhartz Press not Pink Castle. Sigh.)

You can read it here.

Her book is available here.

Coming this weekend

This weekend's Chicago Radio Spotlight interview is with WBEZ's Cheryl Raye Stout. She's been covering sports in Chicago for the last 30 years and has some great stories. I'll post it on Saturday morning.

On Sunday, I'll also post a new Father Knows Nothing column. I'm still trying to decide among three possibilities for this week. Stay tuned.

In addition, of course, Cubs 365 will continue, as will our weekly journeys back to 1908 and 1945 at the Just One Bad Century website.

Have a great weekend!

Cubs 365, April 20

On this day in 1946, the first televised Cubs game aired. WBKB-TV broadcast that first game with famous bowling announcer Whispering Joe Wilson (photo) behind the microphone.

It was a memorable day at the ballpark for a few other reasons too. It was the 30th anniversary of the Cubs playing in Wrigley Field, and the National League Pennant was raised up the flagpole for the fifth time since the Cubs started playing there. As everyone who follows Cubs lore knows, it's also the last time that happened.

In addition, this game marked the first game back at Wrigley Field for returning soldiers Stan Musial and Enos Slaughter. Slaughter knocked in Musial for the only run the Cardinals would need that day, as the Cardinals beat star Cubs pitcher Hank Borowy.

The defending NL champs finished in 3rd place that year, 14 1/2 games out of first; a finish that wouldn't be topped for another 20 years.

Brendan at the Book Club

Last night Brendan stopped by a book club discussing "The Living Wills". A great time was had by one and all. Remember, if you live in the Chicago area, and your book club is discussing one of the Eckhartz Press books, our authors (Brendan, Kim, Randy or me) would be pleased to stop by and join in the discussion (schedule permitting). I'm going to a book club in Palatine a few weeks from now. All you have to do is ask.

Cubs 365, April 19

On this day in 1969, the Cubs swapped utility infielders with the New York Yankees. The Yankees sent the Cubs Nate Oliver, who became a fan favorite during that memorable year. The Cubs sent the Yankees a player that became even more memorable in Cubs lore.

Remember this guy?

Review: "The Living Wills"

Many thanks to Megan Renehan, who just reviewed "The Living Wills" for Windy City Reviews. Her review is not yet available on-line, but I'll provide a link to it as soon as it is. In the meantime, you can read a portion of it here...




The Living Wills by Brendan Sullivan and Rick Kaempfer
Reviewed by Megan Renehan, Windy City Reviews

In The Living Wills, Sullivan and Kaempfer tell a story of interconnected lives and the consequences of split-second decisions. The novel follows five main characters: a parking garage attendant, a barista, a toilet salesman, a lawyer, and a corporate executive, ultimately connecting their lives in deep and unexpected ways. The story is structured in short chapters alternating between the main characters' points of view. Rich with emotion and local detail, The Living Wills is a story that stayed with me long after I had closed the book.

In the preface, the authors note the novel's structure is influenced by the Harold, an improvisational theater form created by Del Close. While the novel does not exactly follow the form, the interwoven stories lend themselves to the influence of improv. Sullivan and Kaempfer set themselves up for a challenge by telling the stories of five main characters each through a different point of view, but each of the story lines is unique, all the characters are clearly drawn, and there is no confusion for the reader. Short chapters advance the plot quickly and keep the reader engaged.

What struck me most about this novel was its sweetness. Sullivan and Kaempfer navigate issues of love, loss, and family dynamics with a care that is crucial to the success of the novel. The straightforward, unadorned prose does no work to convey the depth of emotion in the novel; that job is reserved solely for the characters, and they carry the load well. Though each of the characters trend slightly towards the stereotypical, the reader is able to accept them as individuals thanks to Sullivan and Kaempfer's well-placed personal details. Delmar, the toilet salesman, is a salesman to his core, and his application of sales principles to his romantic relationship is at once comic and endearing. Similarly, the scenes in the parking garage with the executive and the attendant are injected with emotion when we learn that “Reed went through the usual charade of offering a smoke to Henry, who always pretended to consider it before declining.” These details elevate the novel from cliché to something much deeper and more satisfying for the reader...

On the whole, The Living Wills was a pleasure to read for Sullivan and Kaempfer's deft characterization and effective structural choices. The rich details about Chicago only add to the novel's appeal, and I find myself thinking of Henry, Reed, and Delmar when I pass Waveland Bowl or a parking area on lower Wacker Drive.

Announcing the newest Eckhartz Press author: Randy Richardson

Eckhartz Press is thrilled to announce the signing of another author. His name is Randy Richardson, and on May 29th he will become the fourth Eckhartz Press author when we release his second novel; "Cheeseland".

Attorney and award-winning journalist Randy Richardson serves as president of the 300-member Chicago Writers Association. His essays have been published in the anthologies Chicken Soup for the Father and Son Soul, Humor for a Boomer’s Heart, The Big Book of Christmas Joy, and Cubbie Blues: 100 Years of Waiting Till Next Year, as well as in numerous print and online journals and magazines. The online publication Gapers Block named his debut novel, Lost in the Ivy, one of the notable Chicago books of 2005.

Much more information about Randy and his book "Cheeseland" coming in the next few weeks. It will be available for pre-order at Eckhartz Press beginning May 8.

If you can't wait for "Cheeseland" details, check out the "Coming Soon" tab at the Eckhartz Press website.

My Buddy's Incredible Streak of Bad Luck

That's the title of this week's Suburban Dad contribution to the City Mom blog at ChicagoNow. It's about my buddy Dave's streak of bad luck when he happens to have legitimate reasons to get out of the house.

You can read it here.

Cubs 365, April 18

On this day in 2008, Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, father of former Cubs announcer Thom Brennaman, offended every Cubs fan in America when he said: "far and away the most obnoxious fans in baseball, in this league, are those that follow this team right here (the Cubs)."

Watch and listen...



Please accept our apologies, oh dainty one. We're still trying to raise ourselves to this Cincinnati level of classiness. Or the classiness of the "banned for life" not-at-all obnoxious Cincinnati icon Pete Rose. Or the classiness of pitcher Mario Soto, who was suspended for going into the stands with a baseball bat.

Someday, if we're lucky, we'll be that classy, and hopefully that will protect you from the incredibly damaging sight of our "unbelievably obnoxious" fans throwing a bunch of balls onto the field.

Texts from a Dog

Not my dog (shown here with a ridiculously bundled up Sean)

This guy's dog.

Dog owners will appreciate the humor.

Cubs 365, April 17

If not for world events and patriotic fervor, April 17, 1942 could have been a day that all Cub fans remembered. It could have been the first Cubs game played under the lights at Wrigley Field.

The lights had been purchased and were due to be installed after the 1941 season, but after the sneak attack at Pearl Harbor, Cubs owner Philip Wrigley donated the lights to the United States War Department instead.

By Opening Day, April 17, 1942, the lights were long gone. They wouldn't be installed for another 46 years.

Although, that first season nobody seemed to mind. The Cubs were considered quite patriotic in 1942. They also donated every ball hit into the stands to the United States Military recreation department.

On the day that could have been played under the lights, the Cubs beat Reds ace Johnny Vander Meer. Bill Lee out-dueled him in a 3-2 Cubs victory. Cubs shortstop Lennie Merullo scored two of the three runs for the Cubs.

Cue the Calliope Music

The Cubs are going to the circus.

The baseball circus, that is: The Miami Marlins. It's Ozzie's first game after his suspension. It's Carlos Zambrano's first time facing the Cubs after quitting on them last year.

You'll have to watch the game to find out who wins, because the reporting tomorrow will barely mention it.

35 years ago today...

...this song was actually #1 in the country. Seriously.

Cubs 365, April 16

On this day in 1972, Cubs rookie Burt Hooten threw a no-hitter in only his fourth big league start. He walked seven and struck out seven Phillies on a cold and blustery Wrigley afternoon, throwing 120 pitches.

The Philadelphia lineup was no pushover. Among the good hitters on that team: Larry Bowa, Willie Montanez, Deron Johnson, Greg Luzinski, Don Money and Tim McCarver. The only time Hooten was even remotely in trouble was in the top of the 7th inning. He walked both Don Money and outfielder Mike Anderson before striking out Denny Doyle to end the inning.

Like another future Cubs rookie phenom from Texas, Hooten had a flair for the dramatic. He struck out the last two hitters he faced; Deron Johnson and Greg Luzinski. It was undoubtedly the highlight of his Cubs career.

Unfortunately, Hooten was traded away just a few years later to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The players the Cubs got in return, Eddie Soloman and Geoff Zahn, had no impact whatsoever in Chicago. Hooten, on the other hand, would go on to win at least 10 games eight years in a row for the Dodgers (including two seasons with 18, and another with 19), and would pitch in three World Series.

Rick and Brendan on the Internet

Metrolingua Blogger Margaret Larkin interviewed us about our book "The Living Wills".

You can read it here.

Father Knows Nothing

This week's Father Knows Nothing has been posted. It's about the most ridiculous argument ever.

You can read it here.

Cubs 365, April 15

On this day in 1886, future Cubs pitcher King Cole was born.

His real name was Leonard Leslie Cole. He started his baseball career as a pitcher with the Cubs in 1909. By 1910, he was the ace of the staff. He led the National League that season with a record of 20-4 and helped win a National League Pennant for the Cubs. His 20-4 record is the best winning percentage (.866) for a Cubs pitcher in the twentieth Century.

He was immortalized as "King" Cole by Ring Lardner, who no doubt, got it from the children's nursery rhyme 'Old King Cole.' King Cole didn't stay with the Cubs very long. He won 18 games for them in 1911, and was traded (along with fan favorite Solly Hofman) to the Pirates for Tommy Leach early in the 1912 season.

He later landed in the American League, where Cole gave up Babe Ruth's first ever hit in the majors (a double on October 2, 1914). But this King Cole would not live to be a merry old soul. In 1915, he contracted a disease that knocked him out of baseball. Some sources say it was malaria, others say tuberculosis, and still others speculate it was syphilis, but whatever the disease, it took Cole's life.

He died on January 6th, 1916, a few months shy of his 30th birthday