Tuesday Morning Miscellaneous
by Al Yellon on Apr 29, 2008 8:26 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs News
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PrintI feel lazy this morning. So, here are a few miscellaneous headlines and other items to occupy your time until tonight's game:
- Reed Johnson is already a fan favorite with his solid hitting and great catch the other night in Washington. But did you know that he paid his own way from Florida to Arizona when the Cubs acquired him, just so he could play in one more Cactus League game? Love that attitude.
- Bruce Miles compares this year's April performance by the Cubs to last year's and reminds us, among other things:
Even though April still has two more days to run, the Cubs already have piled up more runs, home runs and walks than they did for the entire month of April a year ago.
- In this FanPost from yesterday, people have been telling their stories about how they became out-of-town Cubs fans, and that's great. You may have missed my comment there, so I thought I'd repeat it here, and you can respond in the comments to this post: I know we have posters here from Australia, New Zealand and Japan, among other far-flung places. For the poster who lives farthest from the corner of Clark & Addison (as measured by Google Maps), I'll send you some cool Cubs stuff. Post the town you live in so I can Googlemap it.
- The Way Out In Left Field Society was created a number of years ago by Mike Reischl. Among other things, the Society has been lobbying to get an historical marker placed at 912 S. Wood Street in Chicago, the site of the West Side Grounds, where the Cubs played when they won their only two World Series. From my SABR-Chicago mailing list comes news that this is going to actually happen soon:
William Furry, the Executive Director of the Illinois State Historical Society, [recently informed] the Way out In Left Field Society that their application for a historical marker for West Side Grounds Ballpark has been officially approved by the marker committee. Additionally, Mr. Furry related that the marker could be ready for installation as soon as June 1. We are looking forward to working with the Illinois Historical Society as well as the Illinois Medical District on the project and look forward to a dedication ceremony this summer.
That's great news. There's a tremendous amount of Cub history on the West Side, where the team played from 1893 to 1915. UIC medical buildings are now on the site. It deserves to have that memorial marker. Incidentally, I like their description of how the phrase "way out in left field" supposedly originated:
The phrase "way out in left field" has evolved to mean an eccentric, odd, misguided or peculiar statement or act. Although the origin of the phrase has been challenged and debated over the years, the most logical and realistic explanation comes from an extinct baseball park called West Side Grounds that the Chicago Cubs called home from 1893 to 1915. As legend has it, a mental hospital called the Neuropsychiatric Institute was located directly behind the left field wall. The Institute housed mental patients who could be heard making strange and bizarre comments within listening distance of players and fans. Thus, if someone said that you were "way out in left field," the person was questioning your sanity and comparing you with a mental patient.
- Finally, for the WCIU-challenged, good news -- tomorrow night's Cubs-Brewers game will be seen nationally on ESPN.
Have at it.
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You forgot one big item!
Les Waldrond was released by the Iowa Cubs! Your favorite pitcher! My guess is that he will resurface in a Cubs uniform in another capacity sometime in the future. Also, Sean Gallagher was named pitcher of the week.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Let's hold a moment of silence for Les Walrond's career.
OK, that’s long enough.
My guess is that they’ll offer him a coaching job in the organization.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
912 S. Wood
I either worked at 812 or 912 S. Wood in the mid 90s when I was a medical transcriptionist for the neurosurgery department at UIC. It’s been 13 years. I have to look it up. How coool that I might have worked on top of the Cubs former ballpark!
That was a fun job. I originally was temping and it was finish off the day for a temp who called in sick. Then it was finish off the week. Then the other temp called in to say she had taken a full time job. 4 weeks later they called me into hire me (had to wait out 90 days) and I was there for 3 1/2 years first at neurosurgery than in pediatrics.
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
It was 912 S. Wood
How cool! I used to work on top of the place the Cubs won the 1908 world series at.
I can’t believe it’s been 12 years actually since I left. I worked there from 9/92 to 3/96. 9/92 to 4/84 in Neurosurgery the rest in various Pediatric departments.
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
by puckishcubsfan on Apr 29, 2008 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Can't wait to see the game on ESPN
tomorrow night. Now I need to figure out how to get out of a dinner meeting!
Pittsburgh for the Cubs (and Ron Santo)
I’ve been disappointed by the posts a few days ago disparaging Santo’s commentary and especially haunted by one that suggested that Santo should be like a Wal-Mart greeter for the club. We all know what he’s done for the team, but I think there’s something to be said for the man in the booth as well. I agree that Pat deserves the Nobel and if I had the opportunity to sit down to dinner with any living person Hughesy would be right up there with Bob Dylan and Richard Ford, but his banter with Ron is a big part of what makes him so great. I live in Pittsburgh and when April rolls around and they’re back on my radio each day I feel like some good friends are back from a journey and each year I get more and more convinced that they are the best pair I’ve heard do the game.
I love Santa
But there are times when he needs to stop reading faxes so Hughes can call the game. The 9th inning in a close game is not an appropriate time for him to stumble through a shout-out to one random Cubs fan. Santo seems to forget that the game takes precedence over his rambling. When Ron is out sick (which I would never wish on him), the broadcast picks up significantly. Even Dave Otto, a middling broadcaster, is a significant improvement over Ron.
And what better way to stroke Ron’s ego than to put him out front where tens of thousands of Cubs fans can shower him with praise and autograph requests.
by dr stabbingworth on Apr 29, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions
I just got this image
of Ron coming down the chimney on Dec. 25th. I bet santoswoodenlegs could put something together for us
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
I'm not touching that one....
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 29, 2008 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm seeing him wearing this:
and shouting “Ho Ho Holy Cow!”
Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead."
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 29, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions
I love Santa, too.
He brings me presents and always eats all the cookies I leave him.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Hmph.
Guess that leaves us Jewish Cubs fans out of it.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
You guys leave a glass of wine for Elijah...
but yeah…you get hosed on the presents.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 29, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't they get
presents for 8 days straight? That sounds pretty good to me. Plus, all the bar- and bat- mitzvahs I went to as a 13 year old. . . man those kids made a killing.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
When we used to get 8 presents...
... it was 8 small, crappy presents. We always lobbied for one BIG present like you Christians get.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Got an ARam jersey this year.
Thanks, Santa!
Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead."
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 29, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions
as cartman would say
it’s probably just a stupid dreidel anyway
by dr stabbingworth on Apr 29, 2008 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Reed Johnson...
this guy is a true gamer and has added that little extra that all teams need or desire. Great pickup!
You ARE freaking out MAN!
Pie seemed to add a spark...
...last year when he came up. There was such an excitement about him and the Cubs did really well with him on the team. And even this year everyone wants to see him succeed that when he does get a hit you can sorta feel folks holding their breath like “this might be the day that he turns the corner”. If he would just give us a little magic, he would be rewarded so greatly.
"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard
Who is Jasper?
Isn’t his name Jesper (Yes pur)?
"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard
I'm not sure who you are talking about.
Can you explain?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
He is referring
I think to the way that Johnson’s cap bill was flipped up after the catch. Jesper Parnevick is a golfer that always wears a little hat with the bill flipped up.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
this is my first post on here....
and i have to say that Reed Johnson is just an all around great player for the cubs and shows true class. When he is hit by a pitch (and has been alot so far this year) he is not sitting at the plate and crying about it like some player who get paid alot more than Reed, he will just take his base like a true player should. His awareness in the out field is great and he will do what he has to to make a catch (running into a wall, just hope he dont try that with the bricks at Wrigley). And now hearing he paid his own way just to play a game in spring ball?? WOW hats off to this guy!!
by bleed that blue on Apr 29, 2008 9:55 AM CDT reply actions
Yeah thats cool
The only reason Im not making a big deal out of him flying on his own money is the fact that he makes a lot of it,.
I like your assessment though, so far so good.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Is tomorrow's game still scheduled for 7:05?
"In all the categories that you pay the most attention to, except the loss column, we're doing very well" - Jim Hendry
I've noticed
that both ESPN games this season have been WCIU broadcasts. Is it fair to assume any further ESPN telecasts will be those WCIU games (May 5 at Cincy, May 14 with SD, etc.)?
Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead."
Not necessarily.
Keep checking the ESPN schedule. If the Cubs keep winning, ESPN will want more games. The May 5 date won’t happen—it’s already a Boston/Detroit game for ESPN.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I guess what I'm asking
is not will it be those games, but will it only be those games? In other words, can ESPN pull any game they choose, or only ones the Cubs allow?
Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead."
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 29, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
For weekday games...
... ESPN can choose whichever games it wants. If it’s on a day ESPN wants its games to start at 7 pm EDT, they can change the starting time—but they have to give at least two weeks notice on those.
There’s one other game already scheduled at 6:05 CDT—Tuesday, May 27 vs. the Dodgers.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Much appreciated.
Just got cable after four years and am trying to get reacclimated to watching more than a handful of games each year. Wanna see as much as I can.
Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead."
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 29, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions
Sounds good to me.
If you can get digital cable where you are, you should get EI—then you’d be able to watch almost all games.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I've definitely thought about it.
Maybe when Dubbya’s check arrives.
BTW, is the price still $199 regardless of which point during the season you sign up?
Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead."
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 29, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm not sure.
You’d have to call your cable company.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Thanks.
What I wouldn’t give for a team-only option, though…
Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead."
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 29, 2008 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes.
But they usually lower the price after the All-Star break. My suggestion is to subscribe now, if you are intent to watch a lot of baseball. Otherwise, do it at the break if you can live with what you get now and don’t have the money to spend. Next year, though, take the early-bird special.
by Fraggin Judge on Apr 29, 2008 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Definitely.
Didn’t order cable til about two weeks into the season after I got my pocket schedule in the mail and saw just how many WGN games I’d get to see.
Out of curiosity, what do they charge if you subscribe early?
Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead."
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 29, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions
this year
the early bird price was $160.
by false cognate on Apr 29, 2008 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Jacque Jones
Since it’s Tuesday morning miscellany: did anyone watch the Sunday night game between the Tigers and Angels? The play that knocked Verlander out of the game was a 2-run single to shallow left fielded by Jacque Jones. He had a pretty good chance to gun down the 2nd baserunner at home. He fielded it cleanly, came up with his momentum carrying him towards the plate, and you can guess what happened next….....
He threw it about 15 feet in front of him and a stunned Carlos Guillen fielded it on a couple hops and looked out there like “What the hell was that?” I nearly spit food all over the room I laughed so hard.
Jon Miller’s play by play was priceless as well, since he seemed to be expecting a play at the plate: “Single to left! Hunter scores easily! Anderson rounding third and Jacque Jones …. (awkward pause) ... .Jones hits the cutoff man Guillen, and Anderson will score!”
LOL, welcome to our world Tigers fans
wonder if they...
have that on youtube yet
by bleed that blue on Apr 29, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Ah, the memories...!
Can’t say I miss those Frank Burns-style throws. Lol, enjoyed the comment, sheep!
"Awakened by the clatter, the startled (Hack) Wilson, thinking the ball had been hit, jumped up, tore after the ball, scooped it up, and threw a perfect throw to second base. Gales of laughter erupted in the stands.
by kentmeister on Apr 29, 2008 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
That's great!
You can even see the catcher with his hand on his hips then slowly lift his mask off.
I bet Sori would’ve got him…
Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead."
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 29, 2008 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Lord Voldemort...
...over at the Sun Times even had a semi-useful column today on Lee Elia.
Then again, a broken clock is still right twice a day.
ESPN in the outlying areas
Is this like the last ESPN game vs. the Mets—blackout free?
Sometimes we get blacked out in Indy, and I really hate ESPNnews…
"This is the kind of thing … that makes you want to see the Chicago Cubs team lose." Marty Brennaman
That's a good question.
It SHOULD be… but I’m not sure.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Theriot's foot in mouth disease
From the Sun-Times article (). Ryant Theriot on hitting in front of Derrek Lee.
’’People ask me where I want to hit, like leadoff or whatever. But No. 2, with him behind me, that’s always the best spot. Really, it’s a no-brainer. A blind man could see that.’‘
Ryan, probably not the best choice of words when referring to Lee.
Ack.
No, it sure isn’t.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Happens a lot
I’m deaf and people, even people very close to me, say stuff like, “listen to that!” or “did you hear that???” before they realize the silliness of their comment. Minor foot-in-mouth but if you’re used to it, it doesn’t bother you at all.
by cubsonWGN4ever on Apr 29, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh, man...
...I didn’t even notice that when I read the article this morning, but you’re right. Painful.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Les Walrond
Despite his numbers, this is a really good guy. He said the Cubs were loyal to him, and that’s why he kept coming back. Very few non-roster invitees to spring training return to the same club if they don’t make the majors. He was good with the young pitchers. I hope he can find a coaching gig somewhere. I always enjoyed talking to him in spring training.
A lot of the best coaches/managers in any sport....
were guys who were never great players themselves. I don’t know Walrond, but he might fall into this category.
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
I've always said
that he had a better pitching career than Larry Rothschild.
The game would be better with Les Walrond in it than out of it. I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing him working with young minor leaguers next season for the Cubs. It’s certainly worth giving him the chance.
It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.
by Josh Timmers on Apr 29, 2008 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Les..
...at ST in 2007 he was one of the nicest guys there. I had a nice conversation with him, hope thinks work out well for him.
Lets do it Cubbies
I always felt...
... that the Cubs were grooming him for a coaching position in the organization. Often, the best coaches are the players who don’t have really good playing careers.
I’d like to see them keep Les in a coaching spot, even if I didn’t want him pitching for the Cubs.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
You learn something every day.
First, I have never heard of the Way Out in Left Field Society, and I enjoyed reading about them. Kudos to their effort to memorialize the location of West Side Grounds. And I love the story about how the phrase “Way Out of Left Field” originated. Not sure whether that’s true or not, but either way, it makes a great story.
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
Reed Johnson has been huge
He’s a poor man’s Nick Swisher without the power. Or better yet, our version of Eric Byrnes. He has been very important for this team in 2008.
I'm on the Moon
Al, during spring training you referred to playing in Tucson like playing on the Moon so do I win the prize for furthest away from Clark and Addison? ; )
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
Not likely, seeing as how recent threads have proven that a lot of folks are from [the proverbial] Uranus! ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
whoa! al deleted the matador post
nice work. that was a stupid post and an even worse thread.
I'm the guy in the blue under armour shirt
Hey Joe!
Did you abandon the t-shirt idea?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 29, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions
no, have been swamped at work
and traveled to chicago for the weekend for a friend’s wedding. i’ll still get it done, make one for myself and for you if you want it (i’ll buy), post it on here and see what the reaction is before making it available publicly.
I'm the guy in the blue under armour shirt
Suh-Wheat!
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 29, 2008 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks
Thanks for the info for “Way out in left field”. That is very interesting, considering probably 99% of the people who have used that phrase really have no idea where it came from, including myself. Al, you always come up with some good info I can spread on to the world of Cubdom! Thanks
"God will squeeze really hard, but he will never choke you" - Carlos Zambrano
by SouthsideCUBSfan on Apr 29, 2008 1:02 PM CDT reply actions
can't reply to comments inline:
when I click on “reply” it bumps me back up to the top of the screen. odd.
However:
Al, I was raised by a jewish mother and a christian father, and my jewish grandparents ALWAYS had an Xmas tree. :D
also:
Thanks for killing that other thread. It was stupid on the hoof.
2008: The year we put it all together.
Send the comment problem to
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
????
"In all the categories that you pay the most attention to, except the loss column, we're doing very well" - Jim Hendry
My thoughts exactly.
n/t
Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead."
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 29, 2008 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Iraq
can you beat that. But I am not sure I can tell you the exact town. but Bagdadi, will get you close enough.
Careful Son, They will break your heart. And then stomp on it. But I will be a Cubs fans until I die. Its your fault Harry!!!
Hey deployedcubfan
if you get a chance, check out this fanpost I wrote earlier this year – Operation Home Run. If your online time is short, here’s the gist of it:
I hang outside Wrigley, waiting to catch balls hit out of the park. Mostly during batting practice, but every now and then a gamer. Over the years, I’ve given away quite a few, mostly to family, friends, kids, tourists, first-timers to Wrigley, etc. Now I’m taking it a step further and trying to give our armed forces a morale boost by sending baseballs to where the action is. My thinking is that a big Cub fan would find it very cool to have a baseball that was hit out of Wrigley Field, and make being overseas just a little bit more tolerable.
So if you can e-mail with your particulars, as well as those of any other Cub fans in your unit, I’ll see about sending you a little bit of Wrigley. I think all I’d need is the proper APO address. My e-mail address is vangeloff (at) hotmail (dot) com.
And if there are any other big baseball fans (NL teams), pass along their names too if they’re cool with it. Can’t promise anything but I am keeping track of what I catch this year, so if I happen to catch a ball from their team when they visit Wrigley, I’ll send it on over.
It’s been kind of slow so far this year – not too warm yet, and wind’s been blowing in a lot. But it should warm up soon, and hopefully that’ll mean more balls make it out to the street.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
thanks
I have say as a huge cubs fan, well it is kind of a problem, maybe I need a 12 step program here. But that would be the coolest thing that I could get. Thanks for thinking of the service members over here. Lets win one tonight.
Careful Son, They will break your heart. And then stomp on it. But I will be a Cubs fans until I die. Its your fault Harry!!!
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