40 years ago today...

Diana Ross and the Supremes performed together for the very last time. It was at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, and it was recorded for the live album called "Farewell."

Here's one of the songs from that last performance...

Ray Kroc

Ray Kroc died on this date in 1984.

He didn't quite live long enough to see the team he owned (the Padres) tear the heart out of the team he loved as a boy (The Cubs).

Read all about his Cubs-love here.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

On this date in 1975 (35 years ago today), Elton John's version of Lucy in the Sky was the #1 song in the country. Here he is on stage with John Lennon performing the song at Madison Square Garden.

More on the NBC mess

Gawker has video up of all the principles discussing the situation last night: Conan, Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, David Letterman, and Craig Ferguson.

This is terrible for NBC, but it's great for comedy.

Speaking of show trials

15 years ago yesterday, the OJ Simpson trial officially began. It lasted until October.

Careers were made during that trial. Just ask Greta Van Sustern. She was unknown before the trial, and a celebrity after it ended--because she covered it daily on CNN. Mark Fuhrman became a celebrity too.

Heck, I must admit, it wasn't bad for me either. During that trial the John Landecker show was cranking out material on a daily basis that shot us to the top of the Chicago radio ratings. Roe Conn is another one that was catapulted into the spotlight.

On the other hand, a guilty man probably got away with murder. I know he's in jail now, but OJ Simpson was actually acquitted.

It's still hard to believe 15 years later.

Trachsel's take on McGwire

Steve Trachsel was the pitcher that served up #62 to McGwire in 1998.

He was interviewed about the McGwire controversy yesterday on ESPN Radio in Chicago and said something that I always suspected: Sammy and McGwire didn't even like each other.

The full story is here.

Even though Trachsel was a decent pitcher, he was never one of my favorites. He was soooooo slooooooooow on the mound. Every game he pitched took forever. But I will never forget the game he pitched in that one-game playoff game to win the wildcard in 1998. Without him, the Cubs wouldn't have won the right to be swept in three straight by the Braves.

You don't just forget something like that.

Another great mustache

This mustache is celebrating a birthday today.

It belongs to former Cub second baseman Mike Tyson, who is 60 years old today.

(More about Mike here)

Cubs hire Greg Maddux

The Cubs hired Greg Maddux as an assistant to Jim Hendry.

According to Hendry, and this is the part I love: "He'll certainly be involved in all aspects of the baseball-operations department."

First assignment in my perfect world: Taking all baseball decisions away from Jim Hendry.

Seriously though, Maddux knows baseball. He's a student of the game. He should be an invaluable resource.

Joe E. Lewis

Joe E. Lewis was born on this date in 1902. Lewis was one of the biggest stars in America in the late 1920s. Then, he picked the wrong guy to mess with in Chicago.

Read all about him and what was going on with the Cubs at the time of his unfortunate Chicago experience here.

McGwire admits it

"I used steroids" says Mark McGwire.

This news is obviously not a shock, but I give McGwire credit for admitting it.

Sammy...your turn.

Another stupid contestant

Andre's #8

I love Andre Dawson as much as any Cubs fan, but when I saw this article it made me wonder if he really should go in the Hall of Fame as a Cub.

The Cubs say they will retire his #8 if he does.

He's definitely a worthy Hall of Famer. He's definitely one of my favorite Cubs. But he only played in Chicago for six seasons. It feels a little odd to retire his number, doesn't it?

Look at those other retired numbers. Ernie was a Cub for 19 seasons. Billy was a Cub for 16 seasons. Ryno was a Cub for 15 seasons. Santo was a Cub for 14 seasons. Fergie was a Cub for 10 seasons. Maddux was a Cub for 10 seasons.

Am I wrong? It doesn't feel right, does it?

William Walker

On this date in 1934, the Chicago Cubs named a seafood salesman as their team president.

Read all about William Walker here.

Father Knows Nothing

I just posted my latest Father Knows Nothing column at NWI Parent. This one is about my little buddy--my seven year old Sean. It's called "My Comrade."

You can read it here.

Eric & Kathy

There's a great article in the Tribune today about Eric and Kathy written by Steve Johnson. I provided several quotes for the piece.

By the way, I've also interviewed all of the E&K principles over the past few years.

If you want additional Eric and Kathy reading material, here's Eric, Kathy, Melissa, Mark Suppelsa, John "Swany" Swanson, and former E&K newsman Barry Keefe.

Chicago Radio Spotlight returns next week.

My favorite Ditka Moment

We used to play the audio of this interview all the time on Steve & Garry's show (it took many hours to bleep it properly), but I had never seen the video before. Dave Kaplan posted it on his blog today. Notice that when Ditka gets up at the end of the interview, he's in his underwear.

This is classic Ditka.

Beware if you get squeamish about language. This version isn't bleeped at all...

Under the weather

Sorry there aren't quite as many posts today. I'm a little sick and so is my youngest son Sean. He's home with me today.

And now we're going to do what all the doctors recommend. We're going out to shovel another six inches of snow that accumulated overnight.

Elvis is 75!

If he were still alive, Elvis Presley would have turned 75 today.

We explored every conceivable Chicago connection to Elvis, including his concerts in Chicago (and fan reactions), and his favorite baseball announcer (Harry Caray) last year at Just One Bad Century.

There's more than you think.

Promised Land

35 years ago today, the King had one of his last hits. I still like this one. It's called "Promised Land"...

Ugh

A foot of snow in Chicago.

Me no likey.