Bad weekend for celebs

Lost a few greats this weekend.  

Peter Green from Fleetwood Mac...

Regis Philbin

Olivia de Havilland

Daft Punk Trump

This Daft Punk remix by @iamlouislaroche is incredible pic.twitter.com/RGVRUhueOF

— Melissa Stetten (@MelissaStetten) July 24, 2020

Inside Melania

Don't look now, but the Eckhartz Press book "Inside Melania" has shot up to the top ten in it's category on Amazon.

RIP Jerry Taft

Sad news. I used to run into Jerry all the time when he was at Channel 7 and I was at WJMK. Our buildings were only a block apart. A very nice guy. So sad to hear this...

We are mourning the loss of Jerry Taft, who served as a meteorologist at ABC7 for 33 years. He was 77. https://t.co/awHmYfm2EA

— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) July 24, 2020

Free Kicks--The Final Premier League Weekend

The final week of the Premier League season is always filled with intrigue. Even more so this year. Adam and I break it down, go over the possibilities, and preview the drama.

Listen to it here.

Larry Wert

Chicago Magazine has a piece on my old boss Larry Wert. It's worth a read. Check it out here.

Genius

pic.twitter.com/bUz21Sf2In

— William Gale (@WilliamGale2) July 23, 2020

Minutia Men Celebrity Interview--Janene Carleton

This week's Minutia Men Celebrity Interview is with one of the most esteemed stuntwomen in Hollywood, Janene Carleton.

She has some great stories about her days working on the sets of the biggest grossing films of all time.

Listen to it here.

Trump ‘Chaos & Violence’ Scare Ad Is Actually Just An Old Picture Of Ukraine

The funny thing is, he could have easily used a real picture from one of the American protests, but no. Even in this situation, he has to lie. Details here.

And the irony of it being Ukraine is not lost on me, either.

And the fact that Chaos truly is Trump's middle name. Who caused the chaos here, jackass? The guy who is NOT president?

UPDATE: It's even worse than I thought.

In defense of Dr. Fauci

Just wanted to make sure you saw this. #Hamilton #Fauci pic.twitter.com/uYBV4DFUMK

— 𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐘 𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐃 (@aalkermd) July 21, 2020

Another sex harrassment lawsuit at Fox News

This time it involves Ed Henry mainly, but also accuses Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, and Howard Kurtz. Details are here.

Tom Weinberg

The latest news about Eckhartz Press author Tom Weinberg, via Robert Feder's column today...

Tom Weinberg, the revered Chicago video pioneer, documentary producer, and founder of the nonprofit Media Burn Independent Video Archive, will headline a virtual talk about his work at 6 p.m. Thursday on Zoom. (Here is the link to register.) The free hourlong event is the third in a series of screenings and discussions with “impactful videomakers.” Weinberg earlier founded the Fund for Innovative TV and created the landmark public-television series “Image Union” and “The 90’s.” He also taught video and documentary courses at Columbia College and Loyola University.

Tom also wrote the book "Chasing the Lost City" which is still available at Eckhartz Press.

Cubs Through History

#Cubs through history: July 20, 1969. Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to step foot on the moon. He says “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” The Cubs are in Philadelphia, sweeping a double header against the Phillies.

Ferguson Jenkins wins first game 1-0.

Cubs History

#Cubs history: July 20,1933, Babe Herman has biggest day ever as a Cub, clubbing three home runs in a 10-1 win over the Phillies. Herman personally accounts for eight of the ten runs

Minutia Men--Hot Dogs, Hot Words, and Hot Plagues

This week's episode includes a grammar section about words vs. nonwords (and nonword is a word--see what I did there?)

Listen to it here.

Sinclair Broadcasting

It's even worse than you think...

Some stations report the news.

Others read prepared “news”.

This is Sinclair Broadcast Group... pic.twitter.com/TvuVlLCToN

— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) July 20, 2020

RIP Hans

Sad news to report. Hans Metzinger Sr., one of the most influential members in Green White history, passed away today. We can't really put into words what Hans meant to the Green White family. He was there from the very beginning, served as our president for decades, and had a strong say in everything we did as a club up until his last day. Hans Metzinger is a member of the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame, and was an important member of the soccer community at large, but to us at Green White he was the face and heart of the organization. Rest in Peace, Hans. We will do our best to carry on without you.

Here is the latest update: Because of the COVID virus, the family will be having a private service and funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for people to make donations to Green White Soccer Club.

The family also hopes to have a public memorial or celebration of life for Hans when everything settles down (probably in the spring). We will keep you informed about the details as they develop. We hope to give Hans a proper send off as a thank you for his lifetime dedication to the club.

Eagle Project

Long weekend for the Kaempfers, but a productive one.

Completed Eagle Scout project! Congrats to Sean, and heartfelt thanks to the dozens of fellow scouts, family, and neighbors who helped build this butterfly garden in honor of my nephew Caleb, who passed away last year. This garden now bears his name.

Roleplaying?

Unless I'm playing the part of the doughy middle aged guy, I'm not role playing...

This chart lists the most common fetishes per state.

California’s like “ooooh wax play, am i freaking you out yet?” while harmless little Alaska is like “don’t stop at the wrist” pic.twitter.com/pIJogqYoIx

— Abe “Dr. Pepperbeans” Goldfarb (@AbeGoldfarb) July 17, 2020

Minutia Men Celebrity Interview--Bill Kurtis

Rick and Dave interview CBS Newsman Bill Kurtis about his journalism career, his days in Top-40 Radio, and of course, his role in the movie “Anchorman”.

Listen to it here.

Free Kicks--Battle for the Top 4

Adam and Rick discuss the battle for the Top 4 Champions League spots in the Premier League. With the lifting of Man City’s ban, the race has suddenly gotten very interesting. [Ep76]

Listen to it here.

No need for further comment

In hindsight maybe Trump and Fox News took a victory lap on coronavirus too soon pic.twitter.com/PwAm1sV9zj

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) July 14, 2020

AND...

George Will perfectly sums up the state of the union.

Chip Off The Block

Meet my oldest son, Tommy. He's a music critic. EDM is his passion. His YouTube channel has about 10,000 followers...

well, today's the 5th anniversary of my starting TWA, so it's time for the video I made to mark the occasion:

40 More Greatest Electronic Albums Of All Time https://t.co/tuyQ3VPs6Z pic.twitter.com/A3YPo7H4CM

— 256 Pi / The Wonky Angle (@256Pi) July 15, 2020

For a Good Cause

Tame those flames of summer today, July 15th at the Chase Bank parking lot in Mt. Prospect (111 E. Busse Ave.) from 4-6 pm. Kona Ice - frosty, funky fun to cool you down and cheer you up.

A portion of the proceeds goes to the BTB Foundation - Beat Tom and Bill Beat Cancer! Helping local Chicagoland families in their battle against cancer. (One of the recipients this year is the wife of my Free Kicks podcast co-host Adam, Laura Howarth)

Stop by -- have a treat and do some good :)

Flat Out Looney Tunes

Well, seriously, folks: WTF? https://t.co/iMT7Q192Jj

— Charlie Sykes (@SykesCharlie) July 14, 2020

WBBM Cuts

From Robert Feder's column this morning. More radio cuts...

Even the No. 1 radio station in town isn’t exempt from cutbacks sweeping the media industry. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM, the top-rated and top-billing Entercom all-news powerhouse, just laid off two station stalwarts known for their dedication and consistently excellent work — longtime sports anchor George Ofman and “Mobile 780” radio traffic and spot news helicopter reporter Kris Habermehl.

It's a tough time for every business, and radio is no exception, but one wonders how much this really helps the bottom line at the top rated radio station in town.

Piano Legs

#Cubs through history: July 14, 1881. Billy the Kid is shot dead by Sheriff Pat Garrett in New Mexico. The first place Cubs (known then as the White Stockings) are en route from Worcester to Buffalo to play the second place Bisons. Piano Legs Gore (photo) is their starting CF.

The World's Laughing Stock

Just need Americans to know this is what Canadian political cartoons look like these days pic.twitter.com/OsCxJwIrgT

— jaclyn (@j_n_foster) July 14, 2020

The Unplanned Life on the radio

Check out this interview with Eckhartz Press author Roger Badesch...

“Hey ma! I was on the radio!”

Did you miss my chat with @hannahaggie & #fredweintraub on their @HannahFredShow this past weekend?

Well, click the link & listen now! https://t.co/9IEazMCzJp

— Roger Badesch (@TeacherRB) July 14, 2020

Of Course!

2020 is a massive Candid Camera bit...

Public health officials have announced that a squirrel in Colorado has tested positive for the bubonic plague. https://t.co/ksYZNRPZdu

— ABC News (@ABC) July 14, 2020

The Write City Review, Volume 3

The 3rd volume of The Write City Review is available now. It features this excellent cover shot by Eckhartz Press author Randy Richardson. He's thrilled to be the cover boy. Here's what he posted today on Facebook...

So this is pretty cool...I've never really thought of myself as a photographer, I just enjoy looking for beautiful things and capturing them on my iPhone camera. Well, one of those many sunrise-by-the-lake pictures that I've been taking is on the cover of the Write City Review, Vol. 3, available for preorder now through the Chicago Writers Association (link below). Many thanks to Kristin Oakley and her team of editors at the WCR, and to Eckhartz Press publishers Rick Kaempfer and David Stern, for putting together this beautiful collection of writing and art.
https://www.chicagowrites.org/write_city_review?fbclid=IwAR3wVx_TzeqiDdXzB6J__teAgN-F5kfEe0XXYGlnaoPVdDdcm5kGNlR9S8k

Get your copy now. One of my photographs (Wrigley at Sunset) is also included in the book, as is a painting done by my cousin Derek Roth. Oh, and there are some great stories in there too, written by members of the Chicago Writers Association.

It should be true

This one made me laugh out loud

From the mouths of babes...the youngsters will save us.

🖐😭 pic.twitter.com/Ly81dwPAPk

— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) July 13, 2020

Happy Anniversary Deutschland!

Six years ago today, Mario Gotze’s extra-time goal secured Germany’s fourth World Cup 🏆

It was heartbreak for Messi and Argentina 💔 pic.twitter.com/3BsJUwXw0y

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 13, 2020

Cubs Through History

July 13, 1985. Live Aid, the biggest concert event since Woodstock, takes place simultaneously in Philadelphia and London. Meanwhile at Wrigley Field, Dodgers infielder Dave Anderson leads off the game with a homer off Larry Gura (in his second stint with the Cubs) and Fernando Valenzuela throws a 5-hitter in a Dodgers rout of the Cubs. Davey Lopes homers in the 4th to provide the only run in 9-1 rout.

Tucker Carlson's Writer

If you watch Tucker Carlson for even a few minutes, you will hear racist comments. If you don't live inside the Fox bubble, the comments are jarring. But it turns out his head writer is even worse. He was fired over the weekend for posting racist comments on-line under a pseudonym.

Folks, this isn't cancel culture at work here. A man has the right to be as racist as he wants to be. His company also has the right to fire him for holding those racist views. Even Fox News recognizes that some things are just beyond the pale.

Minutia Men--Catholics, Coronavirus & Kurtis

Second season begins with Rick and Dave discussing ironic PPP, Catholics and Balds during COVID, Rick’s brush with a recently departed comedy legend, and a Minutia Men Minute with legendary newsman Bill Kurtis. [Ep186]

Listen to it here.

James Finn Garner

My pal James Finn Garner, the brainiac behind the Inside for Indies fundraiser, was on WGN Radio last night with Rick Kogan discussing it.

You can listen to it here.

RIP Seth Mason

Charlie Meyerson sent me this e-mail this morning. Charlie worked with Seth many years at WXRT...

Hi, Rick. Thought you'd want to know about this sad news.

Seth Mason, who was one of the visionary founders of two iconic Chicago radio stations—WXRT and WSCR The Score—and who launched the careers of dozens of Chicago’s most acclaimed broadcasters (and me) has died at 71—losing an 11-month battle against pancreatic cancer early Saturday evening.

Seth was one of Chicago broadcasting’s mostly-unsung giants.

Seth’s wife, Susan Mason, says the family will eventually hold a celebration of his life at Glencoe Union Church—date to be determined later. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made in his honor to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) online at PanCan.org/donate, or through the mail at 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

For more information, contact Seth’s longtime colleague and friend, Vance Harrison, at harrison@oabok.org.

Footnotes:

Radio&Records in 1978.
The Tribune in 1997.
In his post-broadcasting years, Seth also served as an assistant women’s soccer coach with Dominican University. (Here’s a link to a cached page on the Dominican website.)

RIP Kelly Preston

This is sad news. I didn't even realize she was sick. Way too young...my age. She was 57.

Inside for Indies

Note: this was before I got my pandemic haircut. :) Also, listen to Mr. Garner on Sunday night on WGN Radio. He'll be on with Rick Kogan (7:30) to discuss our campaign for Indies. Jim is a great spokesperson for this cause.

Rick Kaempfer, author of EVERY CUB EVER, takes us on a tour of his workspace and tries to hide the liquor. INSIDE FOR INDIES brings you into the offices of your fave writers, to help indie bookstores in this time of crisis. @RickKaempfer https://t.co/oYai9kbyJT

— James Finn Garner (@jamesfinngarner) July 10, 2020

Amen

Free Kicks--The Relegation Zone

Adam and Rick discuss the teams in danger of dropping down to the lower league, and pick who they think will survive to play another Premier League season.

Listen to it here.

Carl Reiner by Steve Martin

I've read all the obits of my comedy writing hero Carl Reiner, but this one actually made me cry. It's written by Steve Martin.

Read it here.

All you need to know about Tucker Carlson

This is a real quote...

"President Trump! You have one last chance to turn the tables, win this election and save America -- and yourself ! Nominate Tucker Carlson for Vice President. This would energize your campaign beyond belief."
--Former KKK Leader David Duke, July 8, 2020

Bob Stroud

Congrats to my old pal Bob Stroud, who is on the list of possible Radio Hall of Famers. He deserves it. From Robert Feder's column today...

Bob Stroud, one of Chicago radio’s most knowledgable and respected authorities on rock music for 40 years, has been nominated for induction in the Radio Hall of Fame. The top-rated midday star and host of the long-running “Rock ’n Roll Roots” on Hubbard Radio classic WDRV 97.1-FM is one of 24 nominees in six categories announced today. Chicago’s only other nominee is “Wait Wait . . . Don’t Tell Me!,” the NPR comedy-quiz show produced by Chicago Public Media WBEZ 91.5-FM. Winners will be announced August 17. In lieu of an awards dinner this year, the 2020 induction ceremony will be a live radio broadcast from multiple locations in October. The Radio Hall of Fame is based at Chicago’s Museum of Broadcast Communications.

Minutia Men Celebrity Interview--Jack McDowell

This week's Minutia Men Celebrity Interview is with former Cy Young Award winner Jack McDowell. He tells a great story about how Carlton Fisk reacts when it appears the team plane is going to crash.

You can listen to it here.

Best Day Ever

My favorite day ever as a soccer fan occured six years ago today...

Six years ago today, Germany beat Brazil 7-1 in their own backyard to reach the World Cup final 😲

(via @FIFAWorldCup)pic.twitter.com/8nxxoWH9vW

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 8, 2020

Chicago Radio Ratings

Courtesy of Robert Feder. To see the day-part breakdowns, click here.

1. WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM all news, 6.9 (7.0)
2. WDRV 97.1-FM classic rock, 6.4 (6.4)
3. WVAZ 102.7-FM R&B, 5.6 (5.2)
4. WLIT 93.9-FM adult contemporary, 5.5 (5.2)
5. WLS 94.7-FM classic hits, 5.2 (4.6)
6. WTMX 101.9-FM hot adult contemporary, 4.8 (4.9)
7. WGN 720-AM news talk, 4.5 (5.2)
8. WXRT 93.1-FM adult album alternative, 3.9 (3.9)
9. (tie) WBEZ 91.5-FM public radio news talk, 3.8 (4.7); WOJO 105.1-FM Mexican regional, 3.8 (3.2)
11. WKSC 103.5-FM Top 40, 3.3 (2.7)
12. WRME 87.7-FM soft rock oldies, 3.0 (2.5)
13. (tie) WGCI 107.5-FM hip-hop, 2.8 (2.6); WKQX 101.1-FM alternative rock, 2.8 (2.5)
15. (tie) WUSN 99.5-FM country, 2.5 (2.4); WLEY 107.9-FM Mexican regional, 2.5 (2.8)
17. WSHE 100.3-FM adult contemporary, 2.3 (2.3)
18. WBMX 104.3-FM classic hip hop, 2.2 (2.2)
19. (tie) WBBM 96.3-FM Top 40, 2.0 (2.1); WLS 890-AM news talk, 2.0 (2.1); WPPN 106.7-FM Spanish adult contemporary, 2.0 (1.8)
22. WEBG 95.5-FM country, 1.7 (1.5)
23. WPWX 92.3-FM urban contemporary, 1.6 (1.6)
24. WSCR 670-AM sports talk, 1.5 (2.1)
25. WCKL 97.9-FM contemporary Christian music, 1.3 (1.3)
26. WVIV 93.5-FM Spanish contemporary, 1.2 (1.0)
27. WMVP 1000-AM sports talk, 0.8 (1.2)
28. WSRB 106.3-FM urban adult contemporary, 0.7 (0.6)
29. WFMT 98.7-FM classical 0.6 (1.2)
30. (tie) WDCB 90.9-FM jazz, blues 0.5 (0.5); WERV 95.9-FM classic hits, 0.5 (0.4); WZSR 105.5-FM hot adult-contemporary, 0.5 (0.4)

Ringo is 80

Happy birthday Ringo! He turns 80 years old today.



This autograph is a collector's item because he doesn't sign them anymore. Yes, it's an album from the Loop album library. I needed something for him to sign when he came to the station to record a national call-in show. Don't worry, former Loop management. I replaced the album with a brand new Blast From Your Past.

Baseball Schedule

Looks like there really will be a baseball season. The schedule was released yesterday.

Best part for the Cubs? Seven of the 10 games versus the Cardinals will be held at Wrigley. Same with the Brewers.

Not that homefield matters that much when there aren't any fans.

Not a dog whistle

It's an air raid siren.

This was not a coincidence! pic.twitter.com/cVIC5YZGhu

— John Dean (@JohnWDean) July 6, 2020

RIP Charlie Daniels

He passed away today at the age of 83. Never met him. Saw him in concert twice. First heard him on American Top 40 while driving through Italy on AFN Radio in the late 70s. This song was unlike anything I had ever heard before, and it made a big impression on me...

Barry Butler

Solar Vortex Survival? One way to get thru this week's heat in Chicago is to be near the Lake...it's always cooler! Well, at least, photographically. #weather #heatwave #chicago pic.twitter.com/CvbcsFRGGC

— Barry Butler (@barrybutler9) July 6, 2020

Billy Jurges

July 6, 1932

Cubs shortstop Billy Jurges had a day he would have loved to forget. He was known as a fiery, ill-tempered, good fielding, weak-hitting shortstop for the Cubs, but he was also one of the team leaders during the best decade of the Cubs bad century (they were in the World Series in ’32, ’35, and ’38).

But for all of his on-the-field hijinks, Billy Jurges will always be remembered for what happened off-the-field on July 6, 1932.

He was living at the Hotel Carlos at 3834 N. Sheffield Ave (now known as the Sheffield House Hotel), and so was a girl he had “seen” a few times–Violet Valli. She called Jurges on the telephone, and asked if she could see him. Before leaving her room, she wrote a suicide note saying that she was sorry for killing Billy Jurges and herself, but she had no choice because their “beautiful love had been broken up” by his teammates Kiki Cuyler and Lew Steadman. Jurges later said he had no idea what she meant by that.

Jurges let Violet into his room, but when he saw she had a gun, he grabbed at it and took a bullet in the hand and another through the ribs. Despite the injuries, he managed to get the gun away from her, and prevented her from killing herself. Then, after he recovered from the shooting, he refused to testify against her in court. The case was dismissed.

Valli used her notoriety as part of her act (she was a dancer), and signed a twenty-two week contract to sing in local nightclubs and theatres. She was billed as “Violet (What I did for love) Valli, the Most Talked About Girl In Chicago.”

Amazingly, Jurges wasn’t hurt too seriously. He returned to the Cubs before the end of the season, and hit .364 in the World Series against the Yankees.

Minutia Men--The Lost Episode

Dave and I took the weekend off from Minutia Men, but we did do an interview late last year that never saw the light of day. Our producer Tony Lossano unearthed it, and posted it this weekend. It features an interview with Field of Dreams star Dwyer Brown.

Listen to it here.

Rick on WGN

This is the interview I did with Phil Manicki on WGN Radio Friday night.

Thanks so much to Phil for having me on.

Back to You

I know the guests on this show quite well...

.@Back2YouPodcast EP40: Howard and Steve sit down with Minutia Men’s Rick Kaempfer and David Stern https://t.co/5mSD12lTxl

— Radio Misfits (@RadiosMisfits) July 6, 2020

Headline Capitalization

This is the headline in Forbes: Loss Of Chicago Cubs' Jose Quintana Puts A Hole In The Team's Rotation

Wonder which A Hole has been placed in the rotation.

Hope he starts being a little nicer to people.

Now available on e-book

If you prefer reading your books on a Kindle, and you’ve been waiting to purchase the great Eckhartz Press books by Lauren LoGuidice, Roger Badesch, and/or Keith Conrad, today’s your lucky day.

All three books are now available as e-books on amazon.com…

Inside Melania

The Unplanned Life: The Roger Badesch Story

Righteous Might

Phil Manicki

From Robert Feder's column this morning...

It’s been two months since Phil Manicki was cut after 21 years at classic rock WDRV 97.1-FM. The popular evening personality was one of 12 employees released in companywide layoffs at Hubbard Radio Chicago. Tonight Manicki will be back on the air when he fills in for Dave Plier from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Nexstar Media Group news/talk WGN 720-AM. His guests will include former radio colleague Steve Downes and rockers Dennis DeYoung and Jim Peterik. Plier, in turn, is filling in today for Bob Sirott from 5 to 9 a.m. on WGN.

Not mentioned in the column, I will be one of Phil's guests too. Listen for me in the 11pm hour.

A whole YEAR of golf

And he seriously had the balls to complain about Obama playing too much golf. This president just hit the 365 day mark. Out of 3 1/2 years as president (including two months of quarantine), he has played golf for an entire YEAR.

President Donald Trump has arrived at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia at 9:52am according to the pool report.

It is the 365th day he's spent at one of his properties and the 273rd day he has been to one of his golf clubs.

— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) July 3, 2020

Free Kicks--The Liverpudlian Champions

This week's Free Kicks includes a tribute to the Premier League champions Liverpool.

Listen to it here.

RIP Hugh Downs

I honestly thought he passed away years ago, but no. It was yesterday. Hugh Downs was 99 years old.

Here is the ultimate Hugh Downs minutia. He plays the part of the Little Blue Man in this song.

NFL greats play baseball

July 2, 1917.

Three future NFL Hall of Famers played at Cubs Park (now known as Wrigley Field) in a big league baseball game.

Paddy Driscoll (photo) played 2B for the Cubs. That was his only year in baseball, but he went on to a great football career with the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cardinals.

Jim Thorpe & Greasy Neal both played in the outfield for the Reds.

Thorpe’s biggest baseball claim to fame was knocking in the winning run in the double no-hitter between Hippo Vaughn & Fred Toney, but he was one of the greatest players in the NFL during the 1920s, and was named to the all-decade team.

Neal was a member of the 1919 World Champion Reds (that beat the cheating White Sox), but he went on to become an NFL head coach, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to two championships (1948 & 1949).

On this day in 1917, Thorpe & Neal came out victorious as the Reds beat the Cubs 8-5.

The music makes this one

this is one of the most powerful ads i have ever watched pic.twitter.com/gOMgfXqfGq

— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) July 2, 2020

A Good Retort

Welcome to the Freedom Cafe! We trust you to make your own choices if you want to wear a face mask. And, in the same spirit of individual liberty, we allow our staff to make their own choices about the safety procedures they prefer to follow as they prepare and serve your food.

— Libby (@libbyjones715) June 28, 2020

John Williams

This month's Illinois Entertainer is out, and features my interview with WGN talk show host John Williams. Thanks again to @wgnkingjohn for doing the interview!

You can read it here.

How the rest of the world sees us

Minutia Men Celebrity Interview--Howard Sudberry & Steve Baskerville

Two celebrities for the price of one this week...Former Channel 2 legends Howard Sudberry and Steve Baskerville are our guests. Fun conversation:

Listen to it here.

A man on an island

I'm curious who is still supporting Trump now.

JUST IN: Hundreds of former George W. Bush officials launch pro-Biden super PAC https://t.co/k4bEZq6ec7 pic.twitter.com/1js4msns2S

— The Hill (@thehill) July 1, 2020

One Upped Again

Barry Butler is the king.

Welcome to July! This morning's sunrise in Chicago. #weather #news #ilwx #chicago pic.twitter.com/bSVl9XqSXS

— Barry Butler (@barrybutler9) July 1, 2020

Serious Question

Have the sunsets always been this beautiful but I've been too busy to notice the last 56 years, or this year particularly amazing?

This is going to leave a mark

Former U.S Navy Seal Dr. Dan Barkhuff wants to know if @realDonaldTrump is a coward who can't stand up to Putin or if he's complicit.

Well, Donald, which is it? pic.twitter.com/rZUsgSpDv2

— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) June 30, 2020

RIP Carl Reiner

A genius. One of my idols. The writer/producer of the greatest television sitcom of all-time (The Dick Van Dyke Show). A mensch of a man. I met him a few times and he couldn't have been nicer. He sent me a birthday card for my 50th birthday. He was active on Twitter until the day he died. I'm truly saddened by this one, but treasure the fact that we got to enjoy him for so long.

pic.twitter.com/QbycBcRzFo

— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) June 30, 2020

Pills

The official video of Sonic45's debut single pills...featuring among others (lead singer) Matt Spiegel, (lead guitar) Dag Juhlin, and (bass & songwriter) Len Kasper...

The official music video for Sonic45's debut single "Pills" can be found here. Video produced/edited by Tom Ordover. https://t.co/pD2TtXHZWQ

— Sonic45 (@Sonic45Music) June 29, 2020

Borat Undercover

Borat (Sacha Baren Cohen) went undercover to lead a group of Republicans in a sing-a-long. You have to see it to believe it. We live in a very sick country, we really do.

Minutia Men--Cringeworthy Injuries and Legendary Stunts

On the final episode of season 1, Rick and Dave discuss unusual COVID injuries, baseball’s new rules, Kosher lube, Rick’s brush with an Academy Award-winning actress, and they interview legendary (Avengers Endgame) stuntman Bobby Holland Hanton.

Listen to it here.

N-MAGA

Not making America great again. This is really inexcusable...

Cubs Through History

The three major contenders for the presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention 1932 (held at the Chicago Stadium from June 27 – July 2, 1932) were Franklin Roosevelt (Gov of NY), Speaker of the House John Nance Garner and former governor of New York and 1928 presidential candidate, Al Smith. Smith was the machine candidate. The NY Democratic machine (Tammany Hall) and the Chicago Democratic machine (run by Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak) were firmly behind the man who lost to Herbert Hoover in 1928. Cermak made sure the Stadium was packed with Al Smith supporters. Roosevelt had the support of influential Senators like Burton Wheeler, Cordell Hull, Alben Barkley, and Huey Long, who held the Deep South for Roosevelt. Roosevelt also had the western progressives, ethnic minorities, rural farmers, and intellectuals; none of which had previously been Democratic voters. Garner had newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst behind him. Roosevelt didn’t win the 2/3 majority until Joseph P. Kennedy (father of John) convinced Hearst to get Garner to drop out and urge his supporters to go with Roosevelt. When that happened, Roosevelt won the nomination handily.

A significant decision was made by the National League while the nation’s Democrats were slugging it out at the Chicago Stadium. The league passed a rule requiring all teams to wear uniforms with numbers.

During the convention, these new Cubs uniforms (left) made their debut.

The 1932 Cubs were a powerhouse on their way to the pennant, and now they could be identified more easily by the fans.

These are the original numbers passed out that day…



1–Woody English (3B)
2–Billy Herman (2B)
3–Kiki Cuyler (OF)
4–Riggs Stephenson (OF)
5–Johnny Moore (OF)
6–Charlie Grimm (1B/manager)
7–Gabby Hartnett (C)
8–Rollie Hemsley (C)
9–Mark Koenig (SS)
11–Billy Jurges (SS)
12–Charlie Root (SP)
14–Guy Bush (SP)
15–Pat Malone (SP)
16–Burleigh Grimes (SP)
17–Lon Warneke (SP)
18–Bob Smith (RP)
19–Harry Taylor (1B)
21–Bud Tinning (RP)
22–Marv Gudat (RP)
23–Leroy Herman (RP)
27–Bobo Newsom (RP)
31–Stan Hack (3B)
34–Zach Taylor (C)
41–Red Corriden (coach)
42–Charley O’Leary (coach)
49–Vince Barton (OF)
51–Frank Demaree (OF)
56–Lance Richbourg (OF)

The numbers on the backs of uniforms remain to this day, although it should be noted that many of the players on this list eventually took different numbers in later seasons. With their new uniforms, the Cubs played a three game series against the Reds at Wrigley Field, winning the first two and losing the third. Guy Bush (#14) and Lon Warneke (#17) won, and Charlie Root (#12) took the loss. They were in first place as the Democrats left town, and they would go on to win the National League pennant, before losing to Babe Ruth’s Yankees in four straight.

Another great one

🌈 @musicboxtheatre @chicago https://t.co/HxKfUngLHI pic.twitter.com/woqGT4S1cX

— Joshua Mellin (@JoshuaMellin) June 27, 2020

One-Upped Again

Barry Butler nailed this one...

Double Pink Rainbow and Lightning Strikes at 821pm in Chicago on Friday. #weather #news #storm #ilwx #chicago #lightning pic.twitter.com/TEKX1VH0SR

— Barry Butler (@barrybutler9) June 27, 2020

Amazing Sunset

The sky was amazing over the Chicagoland area last night, so I went out and snapped a few pics outside my house. Here they are...

Cubs through history

#Cubs through history: June 26, 1963. President Kennedy gives a speech at the Berlin Wall, and says “Ich Bin Ein Berliner!” The Cubs take the lead in the top of the 14th inning against the Mets on a 2-run homer by Billy Williams, only to lose it in the bottom of the 14th in NY.

8th anniversary

#OTD in 2012, a young guy by the name of Anthony Rizzo made his debut with the #Cubs. pic.twitter.com/iHl96Cm401

— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) June 26, 2020

100 Reasons

The Bulwark has compiled a handy list of 100 resaons why Trump is unfit to be president.

It's in chronological order. You've probably forgotten 50 of them. And they are all disqualifying.

Now do Biden. Come up with a hundred of the worst things ever said about him, and compare.

This is not a difficult choice, even if you hate both of them. it's the easiest choice in the history of this country.

The Chicks

The Dixie Chicks have removed the word "Dixie" from their name. In the book "Records Truly Is My Middle Name" John Landecker and I wrote about the day the Dixie Chicks almost ended our radio careers. If you'd like to read it, that story is here.

Sunrise in Chicago

One of the things I love the most about Barry Butler is that he'll get up early and capture the sunrise. If you need sunset photos, I'm happy to oblige. Sunrise? Not a chance.

Friday's color explosion over the Chicago skyline at sunrise #weather #news #ilwx #sunrise #chicago pic.twitter.com/vLvFFHLNpf

— Barry Butler (@barrybutler9) June 26, 2020

Damning Graph

#winning pic.twitter.com/72YKJpdjyX

— Charlie Sykes (@SykesCharlie) June 24, 2020

Chris Wallace started in Chicago?

I had no idea about this part of Chris Wallace's career. (His Dad also got his start in Chicago). From Robert Feder's column today...

Fox News anchor Chris Wallace reminisced the other day about his first TV job — as a reporter at CBS 2 in 1973. “I’m still trying to live that down,” the Chicago native joked in an interview with Bob Sirott on WGN 720-AM. (Here is the link.) “I’d worked for the Boston Globe for four years, and I came to Chicago and it was when the Channel 2 newsroom started and the anchors were Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson, Brent Musburger was the sports reporter, I was a fledgling but I was the political reporter. And I have to tell you: I knew then that was a really special group. I’m sure a lot of people would remember some of these names — John Callaway, John ‘Bulldog’ Drummond, a bunch of others. It was a really good newsroom, and we were very proud of ourselves.”

Free Kicks--Smack Barm Pey Wet

Adam and Rick discuss the latest Premier League scores and news, and explain an inexplicable English culinary tradition called Smack Barm Pey Wet. It’s as good as it sounds. [Ep73]

Listen to it here.

The Winning Message

Incredible new ad by @ProjectLincoln. https://t.co/WljeX12U0j

— Republicans for Biden (@GOPforJoe) June 25, 2020

Minutia Men Celebrity Interview--Carmen Fanzone

This week's Minutia Men Celebrity interview is with former Chicago Cub Carmen Fanzone. Fun chat with a man who wore #23 before Ryne Sandberg.

Listen to it here.

White House Correspondent's Dinner Canceled

This event has been a non-event during the Trump years because the little boy can't handle a little criticism, so it's probably not a big deal that it was canceled.

Details are here.

Baseball will finally return!

Looks like July 23-24 is the start up.

DH in NL, extra-innings start with runner on 2nd, mega-division with 10 midwest teams including White Sox, 60 game schedule. All of that is a little weird. But I'm still happy Cubs will be back soon.

All the details are here.

The Ryne Sandberg Game

36 years ago today...

Phase 4 Sunrise

The Lakefront is now open. A view I would have never seen. Thanks to Barry Butler for getting up at sunrise and capturing it. Amazing.

The motto is now "move, move, move" along Chicago's lakefront. #chicago #covid19 pic.twitter.com/LElivHbP1x

— Barry Butler (@barrybutler9) June 23, 2020

Playing with his head

These ads are not for the voters. These ads are strictly to mess with Donald's fragile ego. I don't think it would work on any other president in history, but it will definitely get into the head of this guy...

.@realDonaldTrump’s limp performance in Tulsa is going to seriously agitate his electoral dysfunction. pic.twitter.com/TOHY1ZOKxM

— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) June 22, 2020

COVID strikes

Former US Mens National Team (soccer) player Ken Snow, a former teammate of my brother at Green White Soccer Club, has passed away at the age of 50. Details are here.

Comedian DL Hughley passed out on stage in Nashville, and has tested positive for the virus. He is currently quarantined.

This virus is not going away, folks.

Minutia Men--God Friended Us and a Galapagos Turtle

This week's episode of Minutia Men includes an interview with "God Friended Me" writer/producer Steve Harper (@yourcreatvlife ). He offers his thoughtful insights into the #BLMprotests. Smart guy. Classes up the podcast.

Listen to it here.