Jack Quinlan: Forgotten Greatness

by hellfreezesoverwaittillnextyear on Jan 26, 2007 1:22 PM CST

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...

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Quinlan

I have the CD's (got them two yrs. ago for Christmas). Jack would have probably surpassed all had he lived. I believe he would have been the number one national broadcaster in both football & baseball thru the 60's & 70's. He was the perfect guy for those pitiful Cub teams. He would get excited & lift you up with him, or he could show disgust & despair when it was appropriate. In my book, he was the best I've ever heard.

by KedzieKid on Jan 26, 2007 9:31 PM CST reply actions

I agree.

I was just a kid, but I remember his voice well. As great as Vince Lloyd was, Quinlan, believe or not, would have been better.

He would have turned 80 years old this week -- he was over a decade younger than his co-WGN broadcasters Lloyd, Jack Brickhouse and Lou Boudreau.

I imagine he'd have been broadcasting Cubs baseball well into the 1980's, or maybe even the 1990's.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Jan 27, 2007 4:14 AM CST up reply actions

I was just a kid

But I have a memory of his strong, resonate voice.
He really grabbed your attention. Had he lived -- I too, agree he eventually would have gained national attention.

Just a bit more on Quinlan for those who may be unfamiliar

by Smooth Jazz Man San Diego on Jan 26, 2007 10:19 PM CST reply actions

Broken link

Try this one.

by jshafer on Jan 27, 2007 5:27 PM CST up reply actions

Funny stuff

I've found this w/ Jack Quinlan and Lou Boudreau
reading live commercials for the late, lamented Wieboldt's Department Stores. (Cut 2)

From WGN Radio

by Smooth Jazz Man San Diego on Jan 26, 2007 10:34 PM CST reply actions

Had he lived

He would have been a Hall of Famer _ easily. He did the radio call of the 1963 Bears championship while Jack Brickhouse worked TV with Chris Schenkel.

by Bruce Miles on Jan 27, 2007 11:12 AM CST reply actions