WELCOME ONE AND ALL!
Does it seem to you that 2023 is chugging along at a rapid pace? Maybe it's the pitch count. Just like in the fall and spring, many people have trouble adjusting to the time change. SPRINGING ahead and FALLING back can be disorienting.
So, it's quite obvious that games are faster effecting many players timing. How do you feel about this?
As always, we love hearing from you! In the meantime, relax and enjoy the newsletter at your own pace!
Does it seem to you that 2023 is chugging along at a rapid pace? Maybe it's the pitch count. Just like in the fall and spring, many people have trouble adjusting to the time change. SPRINGING ahead and FALLING back can be disorienting.
So, it's quite obvious that games are faster effecting many players timing. How do you feel about this?
As always, we love hearing from you! In the meantime, relax and enjoy the newsletter at your own pace!
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS
Golf Outing
5/18/2023 | Yankee Clipper and Southern Star
Watch Party
5/21/2023 | Gators at Brownwood
June Membership Meeting
6/5/23 Colony
Golf Outing
5/18/2023 | Yankee Clipper and Southern Star
Watch Party
5/21/2023 | Gators at Brownwood
June Membership Meeting
6/5/23 Colony
MAY WATCH PARTY!!!!
by Wayne Richards
Gator's in Brownwood will be the CUBS WORLD official headquarters for the month of May. (Actually, its always our favorite place to gather for watch parties.)
On Sunday the 21st , the fine folks at Gator's will make sure we all have a wonderful time! This leads to a question I have pondered for some time now. Has anybody ever tried an alligator appetizer? How was it?
In any case, please note that gathering time is a bit earlier at 12.35. Game time is 1:45. The usual games will be available and you might just win a prize!
However, if you see an alligator serving customers... think twice about the you-know-what appetizer!
by Wayne Richards
Gator's in Brownwood will be the CUBS WORLD official headquarters for the month of May. (Actually, its always our favorite place to gather for watch parties.)
On Sunday the 21st , the fine folks at Gator's will make sure we all have a wonderful time! This leads to a question I have pondered for some time now. Has anybody ever tried an alligator appetizer? How was it?
In any case, please note that gathering time is a bit earlier at 12.35. Game time is 1:45. The usual games will be available and you might just win a prize!
However, if you see an alligator serving customers... think twice about the you-know-what appetizer!
LOOK FOR THE RED WORD
by Wayne Richards
As a creative contributor to the CUBS WORLD monthly newsletter, I do my best (along with Dan Marx) to ensure that the best product is being released for your enjoyment.
The RED WORD concept is simple. In every edition, I place a word printed in red somewhere within this newsletter. When our readers discover what it is, they write it down on a piece of paper or card and bring it to the next membership meeting to place it in a specially designated jar. There is a drawing and gift cards are awarded to the winners.
That seems simple doesn't it? But somehow I got excited and accidentally placed two words in the April edition. My bad! OOPS!
However, either word was accepted and all is well. Please continue to look for the red word as usual. Have fun!
by Wayne Richards
As a creative contributor to the CUBS WORLD monthly newsletter, I do my best (along with Dan Marx) to ensure that the best product is being released for your enjoyment.
The RED WORD concept is simple. In every edition, I place a word printed in red somewhere within this newsletter. When our readers discover what it is, they write it down on a piece of paper or card and bring it to the next membership meeting to place it in a specially designated jar. There is a drawing and gift cards are awarded to the winners.
That seems simple doesn't it? But somehow I got excited and accidentally placed two words in the April edition. My bad! OOPS!
However, either word was accepted and all is well. Please continue to look for the red word as usual. Have fun!
JUNE MEMBERSHIP MEETING SPEAKER YOU WONT WANT TO MISS!
by Dan Marx
Bill Steinberg "The Baseball Card Guy"
Bill began collecting baseball trading cards as a young child in New York and has made them his livelihood for over 30 years. He's a natural Yankee fan, but to Bill every MLB player is just a piece of merchandise in his business that
changes value over time.
We'll all be just shaking our heads as we hear Bill amaze us with personal stories surrounding these cards and the incredible value of a few of them.
You don't need to be a baseball fan to enjoy hearing about experiences from his life as a 'trader' in the world of baseball memorabilia.
Bill operated out of a store front for over 30 years. But now, he is retired and lives in The Village of Fenney. He's continuing to operate out of his home and finds business is 'better than ever".
Note: Standard club meeting charges apply. Monday, June 5th at Colony.
by Dan Marx
Bill Steinberg "The Baseball Card Guy"
Bill began collecting baseball trading cards as a young child in New York and has made them his livelihood for over 30 years. He's a natural Yankee fan, but to Bill every MLB player is just a piece of merchandise in his business that
changes value over time.
We'll all be just shaking our heads as we hear Bill amaze us with personal stories surrounding these cards and the incredible value of a few of them.
You don't need to be a baseball fan to enjoy hearing about experiences from his life as a 'trader' in the world of baseball memorabilia.
Bill operated out of a store front for over 30 years. But now, he is retired and lives in The Village of Fenney. He's continuing to operate out of his home and finds business is 'better than ever".
Note: Standard club meeting charges apply. Monday, June 5th at Colony.
ENTERTAINING MAY MEMBERSHIP MEETING
by Dan Marx
We all know that May Day is celebrated all over the world in different ways, but not quite the way it was celebrated at Colony Rec Center Monday night, May 1st. No maypoles to dance around , just more great times to bring in the new month with a great dinner and speaker.
The food was amazing with pulled pork, beef, bbq beans , and coleslaw, and cookies and cupcakes for desert, courtesy of Oakwood Express.
Jim Guleserian then enlightened us with his Let’s Play Too episode. First , we caught up on some of the videos that we missed out on last month , including Terrence Mann’s ( James Earl Jones) soliloquy from Field of Dreams. Jim went over all of the no-hitters that the Cubs have pitched in their history up to the one that was pitched a few years ago involving 4 pitchers. And yes, when Kimbrel came in and got the last 3 batters out in the 9th, he had no idea that he had helped to complete a no hitter.
Then, surprisingly enough, we found out that the Cubs really had very few games where they fell victim to being no hit themselves. In fact, as of now, the Cubs hold the record for the longest streak of years without being no hit with 49 years. The longest current streak is 31 years.
Our speaker for the night was a local resident from the Eustis area, Matt Matulia. He was part of a family which included his wife’s grandfather who was a Burnsed from McLin Burnsed fame in the Villages. Matt grew up with a love for baseball and had his childhood dream come true when he was drafted by the Cubs in the 24th round after a standout career at the Citadel. Matt played 4 minor league seasons with the Cubs advancing through 4 different levels as a shortstop.
He played in Peoria, Daytona Beach, Boise, and Tennessee. When Matt went to spring training with the Peoria Chiefs, Ryne Sandberg was his manager. He said that Ryno was the worst betting practice pitcher ever, and that none of the reporters were paying attention to the players, it was all about Sandberg.
In Matt’s career, he played in over 300 games and had a career .240 batting average. He played with a number of players throughout his career that I think most of us are familiar with. Jeff Samardzia, Chris Archer, Jake Fox, Sam Fuld, DJ LaMehiu, Wellington Castillo, and TylerColvin. He hit against Clayton Keyshawn and David Price to name a few.
Matt was called into pitch one game, and he was able to use his 80 mph fastball to pitch 5 shutout innings. Matt told us stories about life in the minors and many of the 6 hour bus rides that they had to take.
One particular story that struck me funny, was the team had a short player who couldn’t get comfortable trying to sleep in his seat. So, he decided to sleep in the overhead long luggage rack that ran the length of the bus. All I could think of was a Seinfeld episode where Kramer had 3 Japanese businessmen stay at his apartment and sleep in his dresser drawers.
Matt was a natural born leader in the clubhouse. When Matt was finally let go from baseball, one of his coaches helped him get a coaching job at Florida State University for 2 years. One of the kids he helped coach is playing in the majors with the Detroit Tigers now, Kerry Carpenter. He also worked with his family in the business world for 2 years.
But then his life took quite a turn. Matt went into the ministry in 2016, and he is a pastor in a church in Eustis presently. Matt led us all in prayer before our meal.
Thank you for your story , Matt. We loved having you.
by Dan Marx
We all know that May Day is celebrated all over the world in different ways, but not quite the way it was celebrated at Colony Rec Center Monday night, May 1st. No maypoles to dance around , just more great times to bring in the new month with a great dinner and speaker.
The food was amazing with pulled pork, beef, bbq beans , and coleslaw, and cookies and cupcakes for desert, courtesy of Oakwood Express.
Jim Guleserian then enlightened us with his Let’s Play Too episode. First , we caught up on some of the videos that we missed out on last month , including Terrence Mann’s ( James Earl Jones) soliloquy from Field of Dreams. Jim went over all of the no-hitters that the Cubs have pitched in their history up to the one that was pitched a few years ago involving 4 pitchers. And yes, when Kimbrel came in and got the last 3 batters out in the 9th, he had no idea that he had helped to complete a no hitter.
Then, surprisingly enough, we found out that the Cubs really had very few games where they fell victim to being no hit themselves. In fact, as of now, the Cubs hold the record for the longest streak of years without being no hit with 49 years. The longest current streak is 31 years.
Our speaker for the night was a local resident from the Eustis area, Matt Matulia. He was part of a family which included his wife’s grandfather who was a Burnsed from McLin Burnsed fame in the Villages. Matt grew up with a love for baseball and had his childhood dream come true when he was drafted by the Cubs in the 24th round after a standout career at the Citadel. Matt played 4 minor league seasons with the Cubs advancing through 4 different levels as a shortstop.
He played in Peoria, Daytona Beach, Boise, and Tennessee. When Matt went to spring training with the Peoria Chiefs, Ryne Sandberg was his manager. He said that Ryno was the worst betting practice pitcher ever, and that none of the reporters were paying attention to the players, it was all about Sandberg.
In Matt’s career, he played in over 300 games and had a career .240 batting average. He played with a number of players throughout his career that I think most of us are familiar with. Jeff Samardzia, Chris Archer, Jake Fox, Sam Fuld, DJ LaMehiu, Wellington Castillo, and TylerColvin. He hit against Clayton Keyshawn and David Price to name a few.
Matt was called into pitch one game, and he was able to use his 80 mph fastball to pitch 5 shutout innings. Matt told us stories about life in the minors and many of the 6 hour bus rides that they had to take.
One particular story that struck me funny, was the team had a short player who couldn’t get comfortable trying to sleep in his seat. So, he decided to sleep in the overhead long luggage rack that ran the length of the bus. All I could think of was a Seinfeld episode where Kramer had 3 Japanese businessmen stay at his apartment and sleep in his dresser drawers.
Matt was a natural born leader in the clubhouse. When Matt was finally let go from baseball, one of his coaches helped him get a coaching job at Florida State University for 2 years. One of the kids he helped coach is playing in the majors with the Detroit Tigers now, Kerry Carpenter. He also worked with his family in the business world for 2 years.
But then his life took quite a turn. Matt went into the ministry in 2016, and he is a pastor in a church in Eustis presently. Matt led us all in prayer before our meal.
Thank you for your story , Matt. We loved having you.
WELCOME TO THE NEW MEMBER BULLETIN BOARD
If you have just joined Cubs World recently, we welcome you with open arms! You will discover very quickly that we are basically a big family, sharing the ups and downs of that wonderful institution we call the Chicago Cubs.
We'd like to know more about you. We have learned from experience that many of our members have amazing skills and personal histories. If you have a story to tell, please do!
If you have just joined Cubs World recently, we welcome you with open arms! You will discover very quickly that we are basically a big family, sharing the ups and downs of that wonderful institution we call the Chicago Cubs.
We'd like to know more about you. We have learned from experience that many of our members have amazing skills and personal histories. If you have a story to tell, please do!
WE REALLY WOULD LOVE YOUR OPINION ON THIS ONE!
by Wayne Richards and Dan Marx
Once again we are gathered at the MEMBERS CORNER where ideas and opinions flow freely. My good friend and editor Dan Marx has written something very interesting and we are going to share it with you. After you read Dan's piece, we would like your opinion.
ENDURANCE
by Dan Marx
There have been numerous discussions over ( at least) the last 20 years about pitchers nowadays pitching every 5th day instead of every 4th day. And, at that, many pitchers would not pitch over 6 innings. Also, one of the laughable parts, is that you have a 4.50 era for that outing , it’s considered a “ quality start”. REALLY ???
I’m not even so sure that in the 50s and 60s , you’d stay on the team with a 4.50 era. I asked Sam McDowell that question when he spoke to us a few years ago, and he did laugh about all of that. Those were the days when all pitchers had 10-15 complete games a year, and pitched 3 days later. Sandy Alcantara , last year’s Cy Young award winner, was just out for a few days with bicep tendinitis. Upon closer examination, so were 2 other Marlins pitchers.
Yes, there are arguments against that. With relief pitchers being so fresh and having such strong arms, it can be very hard to get through the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings as a hitter with 95-102 mph heat coming at you.
But being in fantasy baseball, I’m very aware of many offensive players being pulled out of the game for the tiniest little hangnail ( or whatever boo-boo they have). My memory might be a little foggy but I seem to remember just about every athlete in just about every sport would not let any managers pull them out of games for any reasons, unless their limbs were out of their sockets. (YOU can be the one to tell Dick Butkus that he has to go out of the game with a dislocated finger.) I’m sure that many of our baseball heroes played through a good deal of pain without leaving the lineup.
Does this pampering start in high school and college or is this just owners protecting their multi million dollar investments by pulling them out of games? How much of it falls on the conditioning coaches ( Marlins pitchers), and how much of it falls on the players themselves not staying in shape the right way? Am I just glorifying the old days as let's tough out everything, or is being more cautious the way to go? What do you think?
by Wayne Richards and Dan Marx
Once again we are gathered at the MEMBERS CORNER where ideas and opinions flow freely. My good friend and editor Dan Marx has written something very interesting and we are going to share it with you. After you read Dan's piece, we would like your opinion.
ENDURANCE
by Dan Marx
There have been numerous discussions over ( at least) the last 20 years about pitchers nowadays pitching every 5th day instead of every 4th day. And, at that, many pitchers would not pitch over 6 innings. Also, one of the laughable parts, is that you have a 4.50 era for that outing , it’s considered a “ quality start”. REALLY ???
I’m not even so sure that in the 50s and 60s , you’d stay on the team with a 4.50 era. I asked Sam McDowell that question when he spoke to us a few years ago, and he did laugh about all of that. Those were the days when all pitchers had 10-15 complete games a year, and pitched 3 days later. Sandy Alcantara , last year’s Cy Young award winner, was just out for a few days with bicep tendinitis. Upon closer examination, so were 2 other Marlins pitchers.
Yes, there are arguments against that. With relief pitchers being so fresh and having such strong arms, it can be very hard to get through the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings as a hitter with 95-102 mph heat coming at you.
But being in fantasy baseball, I’m very aware of many offensive players being pulled out of the game for the tiniest little hangnail ( or whatever boo-boo they have). My memory might be a little foggy but I seem to remember just about every athlete in just about every sport would not let any managers pull them out of games for any reasons, unless their limbs were out of their sockets. (YOU can be the one to tell Dick Butkus that he has to go out of the game with a dislocated finger.) I’m sure that many of our baseball heroes played through a good deal of pain without leaving the lineup.
Does this pampering start in high school and college or is this just owners protecting their multi million dollar investments by pulling them out of games? How much of it falls on the conditioning coaches ( Marlins pitchers), and how much of it falls on the players themselves not staying in shape the right way? Am I just glorifying the old days as let's tough out everything, or is being more cautious the way to go? What do you think?
BLEACHER BUM REPORT
by Jack Herbon
Crazy, but true: despite the many close losses over the past few weeks, the Cubs are just 2.5 games out in the NL Central, and 0.5 games out of the last Wild Card spot. Yes. I’m looking at the standings on May 12.
Obviously you know the counter to that: if the Cubs had just won a few of the games they EASILY could’ve/should’ve won this year, they’d be leading the NL Central. It’s not even really all that much of an ifs-and-buts situation, either, since the underlying metrics all kinda tell the same story: the Cubs should have a much better record than 18-19. Alas. Can only move forward at this point.
To that end, I did like the way Dansby Swanson talked about the recent stretch of close losses. “It’s a lot of close games, a lot of things that if it kind of falls in our way, we’re not having this conversation,” Swanson said. “It’s so easy to kind of — I don’t want to say overreact — but it’s so easy to say, ‘What’s wrong? What’s wrong?’ We’re all for making adjustments where things need to be adjusted. We’re just going to continue to go out and do what we do. The teams I’ve been on that have been successful, that’s the mentality: You show up tomorrow and go about your business the same way and things will start to work in our favor.”
Anything can happen now that we're getting into the middle of a long season. We need a break out player who the whole team can count on. Who will that be? It's anyones guess right now. But, I have a hunch it will be somebody out of the blue that will surprise us! Go Cubs!
by Jack Herbon
Crazy, but true: despite the many close losses over the past few weeks, the Cubs are just 2.5 games out in the NL Central, and 0.5 games out of the last Wild Card spot. Yes. I’m looking at the standings on May 12.
Obviously you know the counter to that: if the Cubs had just won a few of the games they EASILY could’ve/should’ve won this year, they’d be leading the NL Central. It’s not even really all that much of an ifs-and-buts situation, either, since the underlying metrics all kinda tell the same story: the Cubs should have a much better record than 18-19. Alas. Can only move forward at this point.
To that end, I did like the way Dansby Swanson talked about the recent stretch of close losses. “It’s a lot of close games, a lot of things that if it kind of falls in our way, we’re not having this conversation,” Swanson said. “It’s so easy to kind of — I don’t want to say overreact — but it’s so easy to say, ‘What’s wrong? What’s wrong?’ We’re all for making adjustments where things need to be adjusted. We’re just going to continue to go out and do what we do. The teams I’ve been on that have been successful, that’s the mentality: You show up tomorrow and go about your business the same way and things will start to work in our favor.”
Anything can happen now that we're getting into the middle of a long season. We need a break out player who the whole team can count on. Who will that be? It's anyones guess right now. But, I have a hunch it will be somebody out of the blue that will surprise us! Go Cubs!
A CUB FAN YOU SHOULD MEET!
by Wayne Richards
In 2020, as I celebrated my 70th birthday, I perused through the many on line greetings and e -cards sent from family and friends. But one video stood out because I had absolutely no idea who the gentleman was that sent it. His name is Roger Whitworth.
The "birthday greeting" was arranged via a mutual friend (who happens to be a Sox fan.) It was a video recorded in an airport lobby! But it wasn't merely Roger wishing me a great celebration that took me by surprise. It was an entire big brass band conducted by Roger playing "Happy Birthday" in a terminal waiting area to yours truly!
by Wayne Richards
In 2020, as I celebrated my 70th birthday, I perused through the many on line greetings and e -cards sent from family and friends. But one video stood out because I had absolutely no idea who the gentleman was that sent it. His name is Roger Whitworth.
The "birthday greeting" was arranged via a mutual friend (who happens to be a Sox fan.) It was a video recorded in an airport lobby! But it wasn't merely Roger wishing me a great celebration that took me by surprise. It was an entire big brass band conducted by Roger playing "Happy Birthday" in a terminal waiting area to yours truly!
Doing a little research, I discovered that Whitworth is a celebrated vet who served as the conductor of the White House during Presidents Carter and Reagan's administration! He has backed performers such as Stevie Wonder, Cher and Barry White.
One thing I noticed about Roger after examining tons of photographs about his career is that he is a die-hard Cubs fans! Even at formal events, he will whip out his cap and display it with pride! I confirmed that fact via texts with the maestro himself. Roger.....CUBS WORLD salutes you!
One thing I noticed about Roger after examining tons of photographs about his career is that he is a die-hard Cubs fans! Even at formal events, he will whip out his cap and display it with pride! I confirmed that fact via texts with the maestro himself. Roger.....CUBS WORLD salutes you!
THIS MONTH'S STRANGE BASEBALL CARD IS REALLY STRANGE!
by Wayne Richards
I suppose blowing bubbles is a bit nicer than an image of Nellie Fox hoarding tobacco in his cheek like a happy hampster with sunflower seeds.
Actually, Doug Strange might have other cards since , in addition to the Cubs , he played for the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Montreal Expos (remember them?) , Seattle Mariners and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
by Wayne Richards
I suppose blowing bubbles is a bit nicer than an image of Nellie Fox hoarding tobacco in his cheek like a happy hampster with sunflower seeds.
Actually, Doug Strange might have other cards since , in addition to the Cubs , he played for the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Montreal Expos (remember them?) , Seattle Mariners and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
REMEMBER WHEN?
by Wayne Richards
In 1970, I graduated high school. It was a unique time because I had many decisions to make. One was whether or not to join military service because I had a very low lottery number. I had planned to study theatre at in college, but needed money. I did have a sort of scholarship, but it was anemic. You could cash it on the bus.
Wrigley Field , for yours truly, became a place to go to get away and think things through and I could spend a day there without breaking the bank. I have found a Wrigley Field menu from that year of indecisiveness. Check out the prices!
By the way, I wound up serving in the Naval Air Force reserves allowing me to attend college after I saved up enough money playing music which wound up being my career.
by Wayne Richards
In 1970, I graduated high school. It was a unique time because I had many decisions to make. One was whether or not to join military service because I had a very low lottery number. I had planned to study theatre at in college, but needed money. I did have a sort of scholarship, but it was anemic. You could cash it on the bus.
Wrigley Field , for yours truly, became a place to go to get away and think things through and I could spend a day there without breaking the bank. I have found a Wrigley Field menu from that year of indecisiveness. Check out the prices!
By the way, I wound up serving in the Naval Air Force reserves allowing me to attend college after I saved up enough money playing music which wound up being my career.
THE WAY WE WERE
by Wayne Richards
As wonderful as baseball is, it transforms with the times. I bet the founding fathers would never suspect how many changes would take place throughout the decades.
My good friend Elon Musk has created a time machine and I have volunteered to "time ride" into the past.
The ride was actually very smooth and I arrived to sometime in the early 1800's in one piece. Now, I find myself adjusting to such things as no air conditioning , strange food and dealing with the attitudes of the "old west".
Hopefully, rather than get shot, I hope to befriend someone who would be kind enough to take me to witness one of those "newfangled" baseball games.
by Wayne Richards
As wonderful as baseball is, it transforms with the times. I bet the founding fathers would never suspect how many changes would take place throughout the decades.
My good friend Elon Musk has created a time machine and I have volunteered to "time ride" into the past.
The ride was actually very smooth and I arrived to sometime in the early 1800's in one piece. Now, I find myself adjusting to such things as no air conditioning , strange food and dealing with the attitudes of the "old west".
Hopefully, rather than get shot, I hope to befriend someone who would be kind enough to take me to witness one of those "newfangled" baseball games.
It didn't take long before I got to know a gent named Franklin. He asked about my strange CUBS WORLD shirt. I professed my love for baseball. "I know where there's a game today, " said Franklin. "Would you care to attend?" "You bet I would, " said I with enthusiasm.
The first thing that would really surprise me was how the game of BASEBALL was originally spelled, BASE BALL. The name was changed to a more familiar spelling in 1884. That means I'm back in time a little too far.
In any case, I sat here with my new found friend wondering why people refuse to use deodorant. Maybe they hadn't invented it yet. Anyway... I kept my mouth shut because I didn't want to wind up in the O.K corral.
The first thing that would really surprise me was how the game of BASEBALL was originally spelled, BASE BALL. The name was changed to a more familiar spelling in 1884. That means I'm back in time a little too far.
In any case, I sat here with my new found friend wondering why people refuse to use deodorant. Maybe they hadn't invented it yet. Anyway... I kept my mouth shut because I didn't want to wind up in the O.K corral.
One of the first things I noticed on the field (and by field I mean the middle of nowhere) was that not a single ball player wore a glove! I felt for the catcher in particular until I figured something out. All the pitches were thrown underhanded and quite slowly until 1880.
I also learned that pitchers were called hurlers. I know of some journalists that love to use that word....like I just did just now.
Now this next one I wouldn't use very much, if at all. Catchers were called "the behind!" Wow! What a thing to put on a resume that you're a professional behind.
Also, If I were to attend these games on a regular basis, rather than Being called a "FAN" I'd be called a "CRANK"! I'll tell you one thing...if I was here for a long period of time without anyone using dial soap, I'd be a "CRANK" alright!
I also learned that pitchers were called hurlers. I know of some journalists that love to use that word....like I just did just now.
Now this next one I wouldn't use very much, if at all. Catchers were called "the behind!" Wow! What a thing to put on a resume that you're a professional behind.
Also, If I were to attend these games on a regular basis, rather than Being called a "FAN" I'd be called a "CRANK"! I'll tell you one thing...if I was here for a long period of time without anyone using dial soap, I'd be a "CRANK" alright!
I noticed a sign posted on the field that read, "No spitting, swearing, or acting in any manner that might be unacceptable by a lady!" It's a bit hard to determine whom this is being addressed to. After all, if I had ten dollars for every time a ball player spit in my lifetime, I'd be a millionaire!
As far as swearing is concerned, many people who have been watching games on tv for decades can occasionally decipher what players are saying, particularly when confronting umpires. I think it's a good thing that they don't mic up too many players.
Franklin struck up a conversation during a lull in the action. "There's talk of forming some leagues one of these days, " he boasted. "I mean this game has been around in the "old countries" for decades. They had different names. My personal favorite was "ROUNDERS".
Suddenly, bright lights surrounded me while a magnetic field of some kind transported me back to the future, which is really the present. The trip seemed faster going forward. It must've scared the hell out of Franklin and his friends.
I was exhausted. I kicked back on the couch and flipped on MLB to catch the Cubbies. They were winning. Swanson was basking in the glory of a home run. I was smiling. But not so much from the home run...but from the realization that baseball is timeless!
As far as swearing is concerned, many people who have been watching games on tv for decades can occasionally decipher what players are saying, particularly when confronting umpires. I think it's a good thing that they don't mic up too many players.
Franklin struck up a conversation during a lull in the action. "There's talk of forming some leagues one of these days, " he boasted. "I mean this game has been around in the "old countries" for decades. They had different names. My personal favorite was "ROUNDERS".
Suddenly, bright lights surrounded me while a magnetic field of some kind transported me back to the future, which is really the present. The trip seemed faster going forward. It must've scared the hell out of Franklin and his friends.
I was exhausted. I kicked back on the couch and flipped on MLB to catch the Cubbies. They were winning. Swanson was basking in the glory of a home run. I was smiling. But not so much from the home run...but from the realization that baseball is timeless!
As always, we hope you have enjoyed this issue of the CUBS WORLD CHATTER. This is turning out to be a rather interesting season and we'll be watching the Cubbies every move. We also have more surprises planned for upcoming newsletters. See you next month. GO CUBBIES!