Before there was Harry Carey, Steve Stone, and Ron and Pat calling Cubs games for WGN, THE man in the booth was Jack Quinlan, a voice and human being beyond stellar in his spirit and the scope of accomplishments that he enriched us with in his too short-lived life.

Al graciously gave me some tips about posting this diary in order to head-off any possible misperceptions.  First, a few words of disclaimer: let me state explicitly that I am NOT promoting for any profit or personal gain in any manner by sharing information about Jack Quinlan and the person whom I have encouraged to join BCB, Mr. Ron Barber.  Ron received the endorsement and blessing of Jack Quinlan's wife to proceed on his work.  All of the profits from the sales of these CD's are going to the favorite charities of Mrs. Quinlan, Jack's widow, which includes the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago.

I attended my first Cubs Convention recently, and had the pleasure and honor of meeting Ron Barber, a Cubs fan extroadinaire, and a Cubbie historian and preservationist who single-handedly is resurrecting the irrepaceable life's work of Jack Quinlan.

Please visit Ron's website (www.forgottengreatness.com) for a heartwarming (tears and smiles) trip to the glory of yesteryear when Jack was in the WGN radio booth announcing Cubs games in the mid 1950s until his untimely and all-to-early and tragic death during the Cubs spring training season in 1965.

In my earliest childhood memories of the Cubs, Jack Quinlan and his radio booth partner, Lou Boudreau, are permanently etched as the best part of the tapestry that helped to weave me into the BCB fan that I am today.  I will always cherish that I had the privilege and honor of listening to Jack Quinlan.  As I relayed to Ron, it was like having a boxseat, front row, to every Cubs game-home and away.

Please explore Ron's site about Jack's magnificent contributions to the Cubs and baseball.  His CD's even include Jack's recording from the 1960 World Series between the Pirates and Yankees!

Ron is joining BCB and hopefully will be able to share more of his wealth of knowledge with us soon.  I am forever grateful to Ron and Al for providing their support and opportunities to continue to network with people who love the Cubs and baseball.

Thank you for being the caring Cubs fans who make it an honor to invite people like Ron to join our Cubs community!

  Someday...