(Wilbur) Good Friday

On Good Friday we tell you about former Cub Wilbur Good…

~Wilbur Good 1885 (Cubs 1911-1915)
Wilbur came to the Cubs in the trade that sent popular catcher Johnny Kling to Boston. His nickname was “Lefty” and he played for the Cubs in the years after their dynasty (1906-1910) and before their move to Wrigley Field (1916). Good was a backup outfielder his first few years in Chicago (he hit the first pinch hit HR in Cubs history in 1913), before being given the fulltime rightfield job in 1914. Wilbur responded by stealing more than 30 bases and hitting .272. Those numbers went down the following year, and when the Cubs moved across town to Wrigley Field (then known as Weeghman Park), Wilbur was not invited to join them. He was sold to the Phillies. Good holds the distinction of being the very last player to hit a homer at West Side Grounds. It came on September 29, 1915 in a 5-4 victory over the Braves. (Photo: 1909 Tobacco Card)

An Offended Massachusetts Writer

I love this. I made this same point when Donald Trump ripped the Cubs owners, but I'm biased. I'm a Cubs fan. The writer of this piece is in Massachusetts...

He has attacked the Chicago Cubs. He has threatened to take out ads telling everyone what a "rotten job'' the team's owners are doing with a club that regularly packs beloved Wrigley Field with adoring fans, rebuilt a struggling team with loads of young talent and a Yoda-like manager, and in 2015 had the third-best record of 30 teams in baseball, not counting a playoff series victory over the mighty St. Louis Cardinals - 101 victories in all.

Some places, you just don't go. Come on, now, who among us could not forgive Trump for ridiculing John McCain, a man beaten to a pulp by the North Vietnamese for five years in service to America while Trump was investing daddy's millions?

Shoot, that's just a guy telling it like it is, right, you Trumpies? But not this.

That's because with the Cubs, Trump is telling it like it isn't. This is worse than being repugnant, it's being ill-informed to the point of being clueless and stupid, which for a President would not seem like a good thing.

Say it, brother. Say it.

RIP Garry Shandling

Sad, shocking news yesterday. Garry Shandling, dead at 66. Variety has a good write up about his life.

I was a fan of Garry's since the first time I saw him--guest hosting the Tonight Show for Johnny Carson. Over the years he created a lot of high quality entertainment, including "It's Garry Shandling Show" on Fox (which I watched religiously). But his masterpiece was The Larry Sanders Show--one of the top five comedies of all-time. That really was a show about something. Garry explains it in this first clip...

Nick Lowe

Nick Lowe is 67 years old today. Happy birthday Nick! This is my personal favorite Nick Lowe song...

Keeping it Classy

Is there anything classier than a politician saying "My wife is better looking than yours?" That's what Trump just did to Ted Cruz...

"@Don_Vito_08: "A picture is worth a thousand words" @realDonaldTrump #LyingTed #NeverCruz @MELANIATRUMP pic.twitter.com/5bvVEwMVF8"

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2016

Andrea Darlas

From this morning's Radio Online...

WGN-AM/Chicago Radio anchor and reporter Andrea Darlas will receive the Diogenes Award for Excellence in Media from the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois (BBB) at the organization's 90th Anniversary Dinner Meeting on Thursday, March 24. Darlas is currently the morning news anchor on WGN Radio, a reporter on WGN-TV and CLTV as well as a contributor to the nationally-syndicated TV show "House Smarts."

"The Diogenes Award is presented to a media person who exemplifies the goals and principles of the Better Business Bureau to support and foster an ethical marketplace benefiting both consumers and businesses," said BBB President/CEO Steve J. Bernas.

"Andrea was born to chase compelling stories," added WGN VP/Programming & Content Todd Manley. "She's a passionate journalist and a trusted voice in Chicago. We're so proud of her work and this great honor."

Congrats to Andrea, a fellow University of Illinois alum.

RIP Ken Howard

He was the President of my union (SAG-AFTRA), but he will always be The White Shadow to me. Ken Howard was just a few days shy of his 72nd birthday when he passed away.

RIP Joe Garagiola

Sad news from Arizona, Joe Garagiola has passed away. Here is his entry from our "Every Cub Ever" feature at Just One Bad Century...

~Joe Garagiola 1926 (Cubs 1953-1954)
He was a backup catcher for most of his nine-year big league career, and that’s the role he served in Chicago. His big claim to fame with the Cubs was catching all nine innings of a game in what was at the time, the hottest day in Chicago history, June 20, 1953. Despite the 104 degree heat, 17,000+ fans came out to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs lose to the Dodgers 5-3. Of course, Joe became much more famous after his playing career as a sportscaster and television personality.

Sarah Palin on Court TV?

The Hollywood Reporter has a story today claiming that Sarah Palin is being eyed for a daytime show on Court TV. The producer of Judge Judy and Judge Roy Brown is attached to the project.

At her introductory press conference, I hope nobody in the lamestream media asks her an unfair 'Gotcha' question like "What's a plaintiff?"

Bill Murray's Son

Shocking revelation at the end of this father/son interview...

Woman Arrested For Smoking Pot in Police Parking Lot

Brazen or stupid? You decide.

There's a WBBM News radio audio report of the incident at this link.

Wiener Circle

I was in the neighborhood yesterday and snapped this photo. I had heard about the promotion already, but it still cracked me up to see it on the sign...

When You Just Don't Care Anymore

What does Dave look like these days?

David Letterman now. This is what happens when you don't have people on payroll anymore. https://t.co/4SYysoQmO7 pic.twitter.com/GPPJkRg8PL

— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) March 23, 2016

Uh Oh

Cover of SI...

John Cleese Discovers Fawlty Towers Restaurant

I'm no legal expert, but I suspect that the owners of the Australian "Faulty Towers" restaurant might expect a phone call from an attorney in the coming days. I was following these tweets last night from John Cleese. He doesn't appear to be happy.

I've just found out from an Aussie journalist the astonishing financial success of the 'Faulty Towers Rip-Off Dining Experience'.Had no idea

— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) March 23, 2016

Dear David
Seems they thought that by not asking, and by changing the 'w' to a 'u',they'd be in the clear! Hilarious https://t.co/Px0xQxKAMr

— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) March 23, 2016

I never heard anything was wrong with the show.After all,they start with a lot of advantages : the basic concept... https://t.co/MxZx8PqD1I

— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) March 23, 2016

...40 years of unpaid publicity,the characters' personalities,the characters' names,the characters' dress,the characters's dialogue...

— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) March 23, 2016

...twelve funny episodes to which they make reference,plus all the catch-phrases, without the need to pay Connie Booth and me a single cent

— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) March 23, 2016

Goodbye Mickey D's

Drove son #1 to a school event in the Wrigleyville neighborhood yesterday and saw the construction going on. The old McDonald's across the street from the ballpark has been bulldozed. Nothing left except the remnants of the sign. Son #1 was sad...he always wanted to eat there before the game because he doesn't care for hot dogs.

"It's the end of an era," he said with a sigh. That made me chuckle.

This guy wrote a song in tribute to the old landmark. That made me chuckle even more.

"Defending Your Life" at 25

It's hard to believe it was 25 years ago already. Love, love, love this movie.

Rolling Stone talked to Albert Brooks about his movie "Defending Your Life" on the film's 25th anniversary. It's apparently become a cult hit among the young hipsters.

Pee Wee Plays the Balloon

Company seeking paid interns to drink beer for four months

UPI has the details.

"The interns, who would each be paid $12,000 in addition to their food, lodging and travel expenses, would be required to write about their beer-tasting adventures for the company's website."

Uh oh. Wish I hadn't seen this.

RIP Rob Ford

The former Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, has passed away at the age of 46. TPM has the details.

Ford became an international punchline a few years ago for smoking crack and making incredibly incendiary comments. His death was not drug related, however.

Ford died of cancer (Malignant liposarcoma in his abdomen).