It's That Number Two Thing Today and the Rest of the Week

Well It's a Number Thing Today.

2/22/22

The twos have it.

Remind me of the time that I saw Bill Buckner's number 22 up on the board at Wrigley Field.  And it was 2 outs and he had a 2 and 2 count on him.  Lots of  twos.

Then, yesterday was 2/21/22 as in 2/2/1/2/2.

The rest of the week will be:

2/23/22

2/24/22

2/25/22

2/26/22

2/27/22

2/28/22

And, earlier this month we had 2/2/22.

Two for Tea.

Pleased 2 Meet You.  --RoadTwo

Last Week-- Part 3: Cubs-Sox Game, Stucky's, Parish Fest and Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6

Decided to go to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes to watch the afternoon White Sox-Cubs game.  Also knew that buddy Coz would be there and he is a huge Sox fan.  And, this was one unbelievable game.  

The Sox had a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the 8th with the Cubs at bat.  We were thinking Sox victory, but no.  Former Cub reliever  Craig Kimbrel, he with the funny right hand posture when he pitches, blew it and the score was 4-4.  But the Sox scored 4 times in the 10th and held on for an 8-6 victory.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg for  the $1 draft pints.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8

I went to Parish Fest in Johnsburg and enjoyed Die Musikmeisters Oompah band and had some great food.  Later, Liz and I went to McHenry and I went over to the Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive salute to the Greatest Generation at Veterans Park.  I enjoyed Bill's Little Big Band playing all those great songs from WW II.

I wrote about both of these events in more detail in my RoadDog's RoadLog Blog.

--RoadDog

LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE, THE COFFEE LAW:  As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

Chicago Cubs Success Breeds Haters, But Not Me

From the July 4, 2019, Chicago Tribune by Paul Sullivan.

It was probably inevitable, but the success of the Cubbies has brought about the haters.  Now, not just certain White Sox fans or Cardinal fans,  but people across the nation.

Data from Twitter suggests that the Cubs are now second only to the New York Yankees in the hatred in the hearts of folks.  The Yankees are the most-hated baseball team in 28 states while the Cubs are a distant second with 8.

I have always disliked the Yankees.  Why, I don't even like the name.  But they have been a bane to my White Sox for too many years to list.  If I was at a Sox game against the Yankees and the Yankee pitcher was throwing a perfect game or a no-hitter, I would seriously have to consider whether I'd be pulling for him.  Well, I would pull for him, but only after much soul searching.

Some Cub-hating states are obvious, like Wisconsin (the Brewers) and Missouri (the Cardinals).  But other states not keen on the North Siders are Iowa, Indiana, Arkansas, Nevada, Wyoming and South Dakota.  South Dakota?

Other "hateable" teams are Dodgers (5 states), Cardinals and Mets (4 apiece) and Red Sox (1).

I am not a Cubs hater.  As a matter of fact I am a big Cub fan unless they play the White Sox.

Well, at LEAST They Are Not As HATED As the New England Patriots.  --RoadHateYankees

JSS: Decent Winter So Far-- Groundhog Days-- Cubs Hat

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  DECENT WINTER SO FAR--  After that horror that was last winter, this one has been much better, despite all the scary predictions of it being worse.  I can live with that.

2.  GROUNDHOG DAYS--  The annual Woodstock, Illinois, Groundhog Days kicked off last night with the lighting of the Groundhog and continues tonight with the Groundhog Day Ball at the Moose Lodge in Woodstock, where the dance and auction was filmed in the movie.  They have a buffet and a band.

3.  CUBS HAT--  I have been getting a lot of comments about my Cubs hat that I have been wearing this past week.  Everyone knows I like the Cubs, but won't wear any of their gear.  But, I am wearing my Cubs hat in honor of the late-great Ernie Banks.

We'll miss you, Ernie.  Especially that ever-present smile.

Just Some Stuff.  --RoadDog


WITTY OBSERVATIONS:  Everyone has the right to be stupid.  SOME just abuse the privilege.

Jackie Robinson West Parade Today

Chicago is holding a much-deserved parade for the city's Little League World Series team that won the U.S. World Series before losing to South Korea in the championship game last Sunday.

We watched them play for most of last week and sure pulled for them.  Not only were we pulling for them, but, we were in bars for most of the games and most folks there were pulling for them as well.  As a matter of fact, there would be a Cubs or Sox game on and everyone would still be watching out Little Leaguers and cheering for them.

One place could only get one station and it was asked that the Cub game be turned off so we could watch the Little Leaguers.

Of course, this may have something to do with Chicago's two last place MLB teams who are going nowhere.

So, Anyway, WAY TO GO JACKIE ROBINSON WEST!!!  --RoadDog

About Last Weekend-- Part 2 The Yard, Captain's. Bars, Bulls and Hawks

SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH:

 Did a whole lot of burning of yard waste, clearing out flower beds and raking on a pretty nice day at first. Took the lawn tractor out to cut the grass for the first time, but after 30 minutes it started making a strange noise and I found that the belt had pulled out and was broken.

Temps really started dropping around 3 in the afternioon.

Went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake to watch the Chicago Rev Up band play, but left after the first set as it was too crowded with a Fox Lake Fireworks fundraiser and a 70th birthday party.

Then checked out the new Angry Beaver on Grasslake (where the old Dirty Rooster was). They had a deejay, but not much going on. Ended up at Antonio's in Spring Grove and tried their new watermelon/cucumber margarita. Quite the tasty treat.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27TH:

 Drove to Twisted Moose in McHenry to watch the Bulls playoff game (unfortunately they were blown out by the Wizards).

The big reason was to see the sixth game of the Black Hawks-Blues playoff game. Huge crowd and most everyone in Black Hawk attire. We were joined by several of the Usual Suspects, our Bear-viewing crew. Great time, especially in the 3rd period when the Hawks really came alive and went on to win 5-1. Lots of air horns, flashing red lights and "Chelsea Dagger." And the Hawks go on to Round Two!!!

Stopped at Sunnyside Tap on the way home. And, both the Cubs and Sox won!!

Go Hawks!!! --RoadDog

Cub Season Opener Today, But, I Am A Sox Fan

In a little while, I will be adjouring to Margaritaville to watch the Cubs play their season opener at Wrigley Field, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Sure glad I'm not there as the weather is horrible. Temps are in the low 40s, with lots of wind and a cold that goes to your bones.

Now, I am more of a White Sox fan, but always tell folks I root for the Cubs... unless they play the Sox. People say you can't be both a Cub and Sox fan, but I am.

I looked at the Cubs roster and am sad to say that I only recognize seven names.

I do have a Cubs hat, but won't wear it until they get to the World Series, well, now I'll settle for playoffs. I did wear it back a few years ago after my all-time favorite Cub player, Ron Santo, died. He once gave me a ride home from Fremd High School in Palatine and even came in for a cup of coffee with my parents. Was I ever in the ozone that day.

Like I Said, Both a Cub and a Sox Fan. --RoadDog

Congrats to Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas and Greg Maddux

I was definitely happy to see that these two Chicago players made it to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Copperstown, New York on the first ballot. Even though, Maddux no doubt will be going in as an Atlanta Brave, he started his career with the Chicago Cubs. //// And, what can you say about Frank Thomas? He was the "Big Hurt" because of the pain he caused to opposing pitchers. And, he did that during the steroid years when so many of the other home run hitters were using. Frank wasn't. //// Well, At Least This Helps Make Up for the Ron Santo Mess. --RoadDog

Sox Blow It, Miss Out On 100 Losses

Figures they couldn't even get that right. They had to lose their last four games and could only lose three of them. As such, they couldn't "clinch" that 100-loss season I was hoping for. If you're going to be bad, don't be half-bad, be all-the-way bad and 100 losses pretty well says it for me.

Hey, the Cubs couldn't even reach it either and only lost 96 games, losing out to the Sox by three games.

As bad as they were (and in a season that was expected to be good after being in first place most of the 2012 season), there were two other teams that managed lo lose 100 or 100+ games, Houston (who the Sox played in the 2005 World Series) and Miami.

Glad It's All Over. As Sox Fans Are Fond of Saying (and especially Cub Fans), Wait Until Next Year. ---RoadDog

Two More Days of Chicago Baseball Agony

13-1.

That was the combined score last night of the Sad Sox and and Sad Cubs. The Sox lost 6-1 and Cubs 7-0. The Cubs also got to see a second celebration of a team clinching playoff spots. Last night, the Cardinals won the National League Central and last week, the Pirates clinched a Wild Card spot.

Both teams are at the bottom of their divisions and neither has even a shot at next-to-last place. It is so bad that I am pulling for the Sox to lose the two remaining days to hit that 100-loss mark. Why just be somewhat bad when you can be REALLY BAD. One hundred losses makes it for me.

I did read that the teams with the ten worst records do not have to lose a #1 draft pick if they pick up a premium free agent. And we have bottom ten sewed up.

Well, at least those Yankees are out of the playoffs, so all isn't a total loss.

As They Say, Wait Until Next Year. --RoadDog

Cubbies Beat Up All Over Us

The White Sox finally managed to ovecome horrible baseball and get back up to the .500 mark for the season...that is until we opened the four game intercity series (two at Comiskey Park, don't call it by that other name,and two at Wrigley Field) Monday.

It was a cmplete disaster.  You'd have thought we were playing the best team in baseball, inctead of the sad-sacks playing on the North Side these days.  The only fortunate thing we Sox fans had was the rainout Tuesday (with Cubs winning 2-0).  Other than that, it was 7-0, 9-3 (and that one guy hit three homers!!) and 8-3.

And yesterday was mighty typical.  Things like that happen and you know you're doomed.  The first two Cub runs came with two outs and four straight hits.  The killer was when the Cub pitcher (PITCHER!!??) hit a grand slam.  Then, our best bet was when Marmol relieved and struck out two and got the third batter out in his inning.  I mean, if you can't score ten or twelve runs on Marmol, what's the use?

Oh well, there is a makeup game, hopefully when we've gotten over this Cub whammy thing.

Oh, the Humanity of It.  --RoadDog

Baseball's Hairston Family

While on the subject of Herry Hairston breaking up that perfect game 30 years ago, I suspected that Jerry Hairston Jr, playing for the Dodgers and Scott Hairston playing for the Cubs might be his sons.  They are.  But, I didn't know his father also played in the majors

Sam Hairston spent most of his baseball days in the old Negro League playing for the Birmingham Black Barons and the Indianapolis Clowns before playing for the White Sox in 1951.  Sadly, it was his only year in the majors and he didn't play much, but he broke the color barrier on the White Sox.

This is something I didn't know as I always thought Minnie Minoso was the first black player on the Sox.  This hits home with all the hoopla about that excellent Jackie Robinson movie "42."

The Hairstons three generations of players at the major league level ties them with the Boone and Bell families.

Then, Johnny Hairston, Jerry's brother played three games for the Cubs in that infamous 1969 season at catcher/left field.  Johnny and Jerry were the second generation of black players in the majors.

Quite the Family (And With a SOX CONNECTION).  --RoadDog

Milt Wilcox and That Near Perfect Baseball Game

I wrote a lot about that near-perfect baseball game between the Tigers and White Sox that took place back on April 15, 1983.  I sure would have liked to see that perfect game as that is a rare opportunity, despite the joy some Sox fans had when Jerry Hairston got that hit.

Here is some more information about Detroit pitcher Milt Wilcox.  He was born in 1950 (a year before me) and made his Major League Baseball debut September 5, 1970 with the Cincinnati Reds, beginning a career that went to 1986 and closed with him playing for the Seattle Mariners.

Overall career record 119-113 with a 4.07 ERA and 1,137 strikeouts (I would have liked to have had that strike out number one higher with a Jerry Hairston striking out that night back in 1983).

Reds--  1970-1971
Indians--  1972-1974
Cubs--  1975 (I never knew he played for the Cubs)
Tigers--  1977-1985
Mariners--  1986

Today, he runs an outfit called Ultimate Air Dogs in California.  It holds competitions to see how far a dog can jump off a dock into the water.

And, I really came up with some interesting stuff on Jerry Hairston and his family.

Sure Would Have Liked a Perfect Game.  --RoadDog


TOO PUNNY:  What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary?  A thesaurus!!

Leading Last? The Trials of Chicago Baseball

Yesterday, we went to Antonio's and Tommy's here in Spring Grove.

While getting out $10 sixteen-inch pizza at Tommy's, we got into a discussion with some of the bartenders.  We all agreed our two Chicago baseball teams were playing mighty poorly, with both occupying last place in their respective Central Divisions.

Chris said our teams were "Leading Last."  Kenny said we were "First in Last."  I think they have it.


1984 CUBS PLAYOFF/WORLD SERIES TICKETS

While at Antonio's (enjoying $1 bottles), we saw Tim looking at a picture frame.  We asked what it was and he showed us a full set of Chicago Cubs (Leading Last this year) 1984 playoff and World Series tickets.

Tony, the owner had bought them from somebody for $100 and had been offered $500 for them.  Cub fans?  Who could figure?

These were box seats and what we really found interesting was the cost.  The box seats for the Playoffs cost $20 (just shy of the cost of a beer these days) and the price of that box seat for the World Series was.............$30. 

You couldn't even get bleacher seats for that price today, even on the rare "Regular" game price days.

Loving My "Leading Last" Teams.  --RoadDog

OK, So Wrigley Field Is Not ALL That Magical

From the April 9, 2013, Northwest Herald Musick: Wrigley's blemishes embraced" by Tom Musick.

Everybody likes to talk about Chicago's Wrigley Field being such a great experience, despite the team that plays there.  Tom Musick took a walk around and observed some things that weren't so great.

I'm listing his findings.  He has his reasons, so check out his article.

1.  Urinal troughs for the guys
2.  Poles that block the view
3.  No escalators
4.  Black metal netting below the upper deck (to save you in case a piece of cement falls off.  Now, that's more than a little worrisome.

I might add, the money-grubbing rooftop owners, the offensive prices on everything you might want to buy in and outside the park and horrendous parking prices (especially since you can no longer park on the streets around the park unless you have a resident parking sticker.

Now, Who Sent the Goat Head?  --RoadDog

A Sports, Movies Kind of Weekend

Other than going to Stormy Monday on Friday and Tommy's on Saturday to watch the Blackhawks-Predators hockey game, just stayed in.

Watched the Cubs get swept by Atlanta.  The only real sad one was Saturday night when they had a 5-1 lead into the 8th inning, until Cubs relievers let the game get the game get tied and then Carlos Marmol (with his 27,00 ERA) gave up that walk-off homerun.

The Sox lost Friday to the Mariners, but then won the next two, including yesterday's walk-off home run!!

The Blackhawks played the Nashville Predators twice and beat them both times.

As far as the NCAA Final Four, I had hoped for a Wichita State win, and they were ahead until near the end.  Oh well.  I don't like either Louisville and especially Michigan, so will be pulling for Louisville, but don't really care.

As far as the Bulls are concerned, I see Mr. Rose is still earning all those millions not to do anything.

Also enjoyed "Bat Man Returns" as campy as the TV show, "Thelma and Louise" with that ending I sure didn't expect, "Shawshank Redemption" about surviving prison and "Erin Backovich" about making a company pay for wrongdoing.

Of course, then at 8 PM, "Mad Men" returned and after that "The Vikings."

I've Got to Stop Watching So Much TV.  --RoadDog

Up Way Too Early, But Listening to WXRT's Cubs Opening Day Broadcast

Up way too early, but at least I get to listen to start of WXRT's Lin Braemer's Season Opener Show from Wrigleyville.  That means those sadsack North Siders are having their home opener.  They are at a bar near Wrigley Field and besides a bunch of fans (already there) and bands, will play until 1 AM, right before the first pitch at Wrigley.

Of course, should the Cubs amaze and actually have a lead near the end, that will be gone quickly if they put in chief reliever Carlos Marmol, who has been absolutely horrible so far this season and should be giving his salary to charities.

However, I think Braemer should be fair and have an opener show for Chicago's much better, but still sad, White Sox.  The world does not revolve around the Cubs, sorry Len.

Just heard that Marmol and his 27 ERA is no longer the closer.

How Long Did That Take You to Figure That Out?   Well, Anyway, Go Cubs.  --RoadDogs


TOO PUNNY:  This girl said she recognized me from a vegetarian club, but I'd never met herbivore.

Alfons and "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" by Steve Goodman

If there were ever a bigger Cub fan than Alfons, I'd sure like to know who that might be.

So, it was kind of strange Monday morning, while I was listening to Len Braemer on Chicago's WXRT and he played Steve Goodman's "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request."  That is a very fitting song to remember Alfons by, who took a lot of grief from all the Sox fans at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.  But his devotion never wavered. 

Just about every day you could find Al at the bar, sucking down beers and playing that NTN game.  And, if there was a Cub game on, woe be the person who tried to change it as it would be the Wrath of Al.

And, there he would be with that blue Cubs jacket.  Well, seasonally.  If not the Cubs jacket, it would a Bears jacket, his other team.

The words to the song hit home.  WXRT is celebrating its 40th year of broadcasting Chicago's Finest Rock and going back to one year each weekday and spotlighting it.  Monday was 1981.  Braemer dedicated the song to Steve's mother, Annette Goodman, who still lives on Chicago's Northwest Side.  The song payed at 9:33 AM.  It sent shivers down my spine, having learned that Al had just died the day before.

Some of the words that hit home:

"Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy covered burial ground"

Give me a double header funeral in Wrigley Field
Make six bullpen pitchers carry my coffin
and six groundskeepers clear my path.
Have the umpires bark me out at every base
in all their holy wrath.

It's a beautiful day for a funeral
Hey Ernie let's play two

Build a big fire on home plate out of your Louisville Sluggers baseball bats
and toss my coffin in
Let my ashes blow in the beautiful snow
From the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind.

That Pretty Well Covers It for Ya, Alfons.

End of the Baseball Season for Me

Watched the White Sox finally play some good ball last night as they closed out the 2012 season in second place in the AL Central Division, by far the weakest one, with an 85-77 record.  They did better than most had expected and largely because three previously worthless, highly-paid players, had finally started doing what they were paid to do.  That would be Dunn, Peavey and Rios.

Now, it appears Peavey will be leaving as a free agent.  Too bad, because he got paid very well (over $10 million) for two years when he certainly didn't earn it.  He should stay at least one more year to make up for his worthlessness.  Either that or give a lot of that ill-gotten money back or at least to charity.

The Sox were plagued right to the end by lack of attendance at home games.  Too bad.

Then, there were the Cubs who only out performed one team, the Houston Astros, in their Central Division of the National League.  So, it was a 61-101 record and fifth place.

Even their main fan base, the beautiful people, abandoned them toward the end as Wrigley Field was no longer the place "TO BE SEEN."  Some tickets for the last series against the Astros were going for under $1.  Even with that horrendous record, they still really outdrew the Sox by a lot.

Anyway, now with no team I like in the playoffs, it will not be necessary for me to watch any games.

Wait Till next Year...Again and Again and Again.  --RoadDog


WHICH CAME FIRST:  Hershey Bar, M&Ms, Eskimo Pie, Popsicles.  Answer tomorrow.

Congratulations to Ron Santo

It is about time he got into the Hall of Fame.  Should have been in many years ago.

Unfortunately, he had to die before the voters realized it.

Definitely one of the two Mr. Cubs in my book.

Why, I even wore my Cubs hat for the first time when he died and will have to wear it again in honor of his acceptance at long last.

And, I Don't Take Wearing a Cubs Hat Lightly.  I Had Said I'd never Wear It Until They Finally Get Into the World Series.  --RoadDog