"IN 2021...WE'LL GET IT DONE!"
If the great Ernie Banks was still with us, this might be the kind of thing he'd say at the start of the season. Do you have a similar poetic expression you'd like to share? Don't be shy...let's hear it!
If the great Ernie Banks was still with us, this might be the kind of thing he'd say at the start of the season. Do you have a similar poetic expression you'd like to share? Don't be shy...let's hear it!
HI EVERYBODY!
This is your good friend Clark here to remind you that as you read through this newsletter, please search for any word PRINTED IN RED.
Write the word down on a piece of paper, an index card or similar artifact and bring it to our next membership meeting on Monday May 3rd at Colony for a drawing.
This is your good friend Clark here to remind you that as you read through this newsletter, please search for any word PRINTED IN RED.
Write the word down on a piece of paper, an index card or similar artifact and bring it to our next membership meeting on Monday May 3rd at Colony for a drawing.
WATCH PARTY BRINGS TOGETHER FRIENDS...BUT NOT A CUBBIE WIN
by Dan Marx
You could see the excitement in all of the members’ eyes. It was opening day, and “wait till next year” was finally here. And, we were playing the Pirates !
For the first time ever, Cubs World congregated for their game watch at LaHacienda Rec Center instead of in a restaurant. We were socially distanced, we played our games ( pick a Cub, guess the score, etc. ) and we struck up old friendships.
And then the game started. Rizzo got a hit in the first, and then................ there wasn’t a hit for a long time. We couldn’t even get a hit off of a closer who had a 7.11 ERA last season. And Hendricks - his pitching was as bad as our hitting. BUT, we did execute a good pickoff play. Final score Pirates 5 Cubs 3. Cubs hits 2.
Anyways, that’s why they play the other 161 games.
Go Cubbies!
by Dan Marx
You could see the excitement in all of the members’ eyes. It was opening day, and “wait till next year” was finally here. And, we were playing the Pirates !
For the first time ever, Cubs World congregated for their game watch at LaHacienda Rec Center instead of in a restaurant. We were socially distanced, we played our games ( pick a Cub, guess the score, etc. ) and we struck up old friendships.
And then the game started. Rizzo got a hit in the first, and then................ there wasn’t a hit for a long time. We couldn’t even get a hit off of a closer who had a 7.11 ERA last season. And Hendricks - his pitching was as bad as our hitting. BUT, we did execute a good pickoff play. Final score Pirates 5 Cubs 3. Cubs hits 2.
Anyways, that’s why they play the other 161 games.
Go Cubbies!
TWO SPEAKERS HIGHLIGHT APRIL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Cubs World members were treated to a terrific meeting with 2 of the biggest local sports personalities in The Villages. Daily Sun award winning sports reporter, Cody Hills, and the head baseball coach for The Villages Charter School, Brady Bogart.
Cody, who is a great friend to Cubs World, gave us his annual projection as to how the Cubs would do this season . He believes that the Central division is not a very strong division, and he feels we should win at least 85 games and have a real good shot at getting into the playoffs.
Cubs World members were treated to a terrific meeting with 2 of the biggest local sports personalities in The Villages. Daily Sun award winning sports reporter, Cody Hills, and the head baseball coach for The Villages Charter School, Brady Bogart.
Cody, who is a great friend to Cubs World, gave us his annual projection as to how the Cubs would do this season . He believes that the Central division is not a very strong division, and he feels we should win at least 85 games and have a real good shot at getting into the playoffs.
Cubs World members were treated to a terrific meeting with 2 of the biggest local sports personalities in The Villages. Daily Sun award winning sports reporter, Cody Hills, and the head baseball coach for The Villages Charter School, Brady Bogart.
Cody, who is a great friend to Cubs World, gave us his annual projection as to how the Cubs would do this season . He believes that the Central division is not a very strong division, and he feels we should win at least 85 games and have a real good shot at getting into the playoffs.
Cubs World members were treated to a terrific meeting with 2 of the biggest local sports personalities in The Villages. Daily Sun award winning sports reporter, Cody Hills, and the head baseball coach for The Villages Charter School, Brady Bogart.
Cody, who is a great friend to Cubs World, gave us his annual projection as to how the Cubs would do this season . He believes that the Central division is not a very strong division, and he feels we should win at least 85 games and have a real good shot at getting into the playoffs.
Bogart loved coming in to talk baseball with us. He has had a very successful run since he took over as manager for the Buffalo. He is very high on fundamentals with his players. His 5 most important parts of the game which he impresses on his players are pitching, hitting, defense, base running and bunting. He expects his players to hustle all of the time.
All 3 of his sons have gone on to play college baseball, as has his one daughter. Brady himself was a pitcher at St. Leo’s University, and related a story of how he proposed to his girlfriend in the 7th inning of a game that he was pitching in.
And ask any member who was at the meeting and they can tell you why the Cubs were named the Orphans at one time, thanks to Jim Gulesarian’s Let’s Play Too segment.
All 3 of his sons have gone on to play college baseball, as has his one daughter. Brady himself was a pitcher at St. Leo’s University, and related a story of how he proposed to his girlfriend in the 7th inning of a game that he was pitching in.
And ask any member who was at the meeting and they can tell you why the Cubs were named the Orphans at one time, thanks to Jim Gulesarian’s Let’s Play Too segment.
THE BLEACHER BUM REPORT
by Jack Hebron
The 2021 Cubs season is off and running and already one name stands out. That of course is our closer Craig Kimbrel. His fast ball has returned and already has nine strikeouts and has allowed no earned runs. He also hit a major milestone recording his 350th career save. He is currently at number 12 in career saves and should pass Troy Percival and Jeff Reardon later this year.
One major concern is our hitters look rusty at the start of the season. Could it be the weather? Or did we just face some good pitching to start the season. It's great to see some fans in the stands. It does remind me of those games back in the mid 60's when you could sneak down to the box seats after the first couple of innings.
Cubs manager David Ross is a good man and I believe will get the best he can out of this team. Right now we need one of our young players to jump out and surprise us! Go Cubbies!
by Jack Hebron
The 2021 Cubs season is off and running and already one name stands out. That of course is our closer Craig Kimbrel. His fast ball has returned and already has nine strikeouts and has allowed no earned runs. He also hit a major milestone recording his 350th career save. He is currently at number 12 in career saves and should pass Troy Percival and Jeff Reardon later this year.
One major concern is our hitters look rusty at the start of the season. Could it be the weather? Or did we just face some good pitching to start the season. It's great to see some fans in the stands. It does remind me of those games back in the mid 60's when you could sneak down to the box seats after the first couple of innings.
Cubs manager David Ross is a good man and I believe will get the best he can out of this team. Right now we need one of our young players to jump out and surprise us! Go Cubbies!
DON MULDER-THE HEART OF A VAGABOND
by Wayne Richards
Many people share a craving for adventure. They long to visit exciting locales and experience different cultures. Within Cubs World lives such a man. His name is Don Mulder, our President.
Perhaps his sense of exploration began in the fifties in Western, Michigan. He was a tinkerer, particularly when it came to amateur radio and other gear. “One of the things I loved was pulling in games from WGN, “ said Don. “We were unfamiliar with the other leagues being from Michigan. We loved listening to those EXOTIC games from the national league.”
A passion for electronics led Mulder into an impressive educational journey in which he procured a number of degrees, including a master for science and engineering as well as business.
With a wealth of skills in his proverbial tool belt, Mulder was given the opportunity to work for prestigious companies such as Bell labs (15 years) and Centel.
Among Don’s many impressive accomplishments is one we can think about every time we glance at our cell phones. The ability to log onto web pages exists because of special software designed by Don Mulder.
We also might remember the days when setting up “voice mail” was a bit of a hassle. It took adapters and special gear to make it work. Through the innovative contributions of Don, we now easily receive voice mails right on our phones.
Extensive travel was a huge part of Mulder’s career. Don spent a considerable amount of time in Russia working with Booz Allen Hamilton, a company involved in analytics, digital, engineering and cyber technology to help businesses and military organizations.
Additionally, Uruguay and Hungary and even Kuwait helped satisfy his craving for adventure. After all, who wouldn’t enjoy the experience of riding the concord like it was a puddle hopper?
Life does have rewards, but Don Mulder can boast of an incident that is unique to say the least! “When I worked in Kuwait I was presented with a gift, “ said Don. “I was given a TANK!”
But the experiences did take its toll. Said Don, “I enjoyed the travel and all the work, but it did create a strain on the family.” It is a family to be proud of indeed with his wife Carol whom he married in 1966 and their three children together...Greg Computer systems development manager at Meijer headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan ), Karen (Mayo Clinic blood pathology Lab director in Rochester, Minnesota) and Joel who is a micro brewer in Traverse City, Michigan. Don and Carol have 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Of all the companies Mulder has graced such as U.S. Robotics, Carrier Services and Northern Telecom, it is his own creation, an award winning company called Hyperedge that brings the greatest pride...and rightly so being one of the fastest growing companies in the country!
Since the formation of Cubs World, Don Mulder has graced us all with his unquestioned organizational and business skills. He has helped shape the club into an attractive and orderly option for Villagers who love the Cubs.
Don Mulder now reflects on life in the Villages. “There are three groups of living as a Villager,” Mulder states. “The first I call GO GO comprising of people who are very active and need to be doing something all the time. The second is SLOW GO and the third is NO GO. I think Carol and I are in the SLOW GO phase. But, I must admit. I dream about visiting Istanbul!”
It seems that the heart of a vagabond never stops beating.
by Wayne Richards
Many people share a craving for adventure. They long to visit exciting locales and experience different cultures. Within Cubs World lives such a man. His name is Don Mulder, our President.
Perhaps his sense of exploration began in the fifties in Western, Michigan. He was a tinkerer, particularly when it came to amateur radio and other gear. “One of the things I loved was pulling in games from WGN, “ said Don. “We were unfamiliar with the other leagues being from Michigan. We loved listening to those EXOTIC games from the national league.”
A passion for electronics led Mulder into an impressive educational journey in which he procured a number of degrees, including a master for science and engineering as well as business.
With a wealth of skills in his proverbial tool belt, Mulder was given the opportunity to work for prestigious companies such as Bell labs (15 years) and Centel.
Among Don’s many impressive accomplishments is one we can think about every time we glance at our cell phones. The ability to log onto web pages exists because of special software designed by Don Mulder.
We also might remember the days when setting up “voice mail” was a bit of a hassle. It took adapters and special gear to make it work. Through the innovative contributions of Don, we now easily receive voice mails right on our phones.
Extensive travel was a huge part of Mulder’s career. Don spent a considerable amount of time in Russia working with Booz Allen Hamilton, a company involved in analytics, digital, engineering and cyber technology to help businesses and military organizations.
Additionally, Uruguay and Hungary and even Kuwait helped satisfy his craving for adventure. After all, who wouldn’t enjoy the experience of riding the concord like it was a puddle hopper?
Life does have rewards, but Don Mulder can boast of an incident that is unique to say the least! “When I worked in Kuwait I was presented with a gift, “ said Don. “I was given a TANK!”
But the experiences did take its toll. Said Don, “I enjoyed the travel and all the work, but it did create a strain on the family.” It is a family to be proud of indeed with his wife Carol whom he married in 1966 and their three children together...Greg Computer systems development manager at Meijer headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan ), Karen (Mayo Clinic blood pathology Lab director in Rochester, Minnesota) and Joel who is a micro brewer in Traverse City, Michigan. Don and Carol have 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Of all the companies Mulder has graced such as U.S. Robotics, Carrier Services and Northern Telecom, it is his own creation, an award winning company called Hyperedge that brings the greatest pride...and rightly so being one of the fastest growing companies in the country!
Since the formation of Cubs World, Don Mulder has graced us all with his unquestioned organizational and business skills. He has helped shape the club into an attractive and orderly option for Villagers who love the Cubs.
Don Mulder now reflects on life in the Villages. “There are three groups of living as a Villager,” Mulder states. “The first I call GO GO comprising of people who are very active and need to be doing something all the time. The second is SLOW GO and the third is NO GO. I think Carol and I are in the SLOW GO phase. But, I must admit. I dream about visiting Istanbul!”
It seems that the heart of a vagabond never stops beating.
ROMANCING THE GAME
by Dan Marx
People will come, Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive at your door as innocent as children longing for the past.
“Of course we won’t mind if you look around”, you’ll say. “It’s only $20 per person”. They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it. For it is money they have and peace they lack.
And they’ll walk out to the bleachers, and sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They’ll find they have reserved seats somewhere along the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they’ll watch the game , and it’ll be as if they dipped themselves in magic water. The memories will be so thick, they’ll have to brush them away from their faces.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been BASEBALL! America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game— its a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that was good, and it could be again. Ooooooh people will come , Ray. People will definitely come.
Thank you all for indulging me. This is my favorite sports movie (Field of Dreams), and I post this soliloquy by Terrence Mann ( James Earl Jones) every opening day on my Facebook page. Think about how we loved baseball when we were kids. Many of us played until it was too dark to play. Most of us knew not only all of the names of all of the Cubs, but we knew just about every player in MLB.
During our adult lives we had so many responsibilities- being a parent, making a living, the upkeep of a house etc. We still loved our Cubs. We saw as many games as possible, but so many things got in the way that the love of the game might have taken a little bit more of a backseat to us then what we wanted .
Fast forward to The Villages and the retirement years. Are we now the innocent children longing for the past? Have we been dipped in the magic water? And do we even want to brush any of those memories away from our faces. Do we see the double play combination of Ernie Banks and Gene Baker? Do we hear Jack Brickhouse broadcasting a Ron Santo or Billy Williams home run? And do we see this in black and white, or in color?
I think that we do look at baseball in a whole different light at our age now. And, I, for one, am very happy to have Terrence Mann remind me of it every year.
Are you seeing baseball through a different lens now? We’d love for you to share your thoughts.
by Dan Marx
People will come, Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive at your door as innocent as children longing for the past.
“Of course we won’t mind if you look around”, you’ll say. “It’s only $20 per person”. They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it. For it is money they have and peace they lack.
And they’ll walk out to the bleachers, and sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They’ll find they have reserved seats somewhere along the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they’ll watch the game , and it’ll be as if they dipped themselves in magic water. The memories will be so thick, they’ll have to brush them away from their faces.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been BASEBALL! America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game— its a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that was good, and it could be again. Ooooooh people will come , Ray. People will definitely come.
Thank you all for indulging me. This is my favorite sports movie (Field of Dreams), and I post this soliloquy by Terrence Mann ( James Earl Jones) every opening day on my Facebook page. Think about how we loved baseball when we were kids. Many of us played until it was too dark to play. Most of us knew not only all of the names of all of the Cubs, but we knew just about every player in MLB.
During our adult lives we had so many responsibilities- being a parent, making a living, the upkeep of a house etc. We still loved our Cubs. We saw as many games as possible, but so many things got in the way that the love of the game might have taken a little bit more of a backseat to us then what we wanted .
Fast forward to The Villages and the retirement years. Are we now the innocent children longing for the past? Have we been dipped in the magic water? And do we even want to brush any of those memories away from our faces. Do we see the double play combination of Ernie Banks and Gene Baker? Do we hear Jack Brickhouse broadcasting a Ron Santo or Billy Williams home run? And do we see this in black and white, or in color?
I think that we do look at baseball in a whole different light at our age now. And, I, for one, am very happy to have Terrence Mann remind me of it every year.
Are you seeing baseball through a different lens now? We’d love for you to share your thoughts.
A CUBS WORLD CHATTER BONUS!
Field of Dreams, a motion picture enjoyed and celebrated by Dan Marx as well as millions of film enthusiasts is a poetic and wonderful love ode to baseball. Here for your enjoyment is the magical soliloquy delivered masterfully by James Earl Jones.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBwhjAhNmKA
Field of Dreams, a motion picture enjoyed and celebrated by Dan Marx as well as millions of film enthusiasts is a poetic and wonderful love ode to baseball. Here for your enjoyment is the magical soliloquy delivered masterfully by James Earl Jones.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBwhjAhNmKA
The Cubs World Dinner Team
From it's very beginning Cubs World saw itself as more than a fan club.
It's a social club, helping like-minded Villagers become friends.
One of the best ways to build friendships is to share a meal together.
Two couples stepped forward to make this a part of every meeting:
Jan Jackman Karen Parris
Ken Suchy Bob Smith
They tested restaurant menus, ordered meals, and sometimes served them buffet style. In a show of gratitude the club recognized them with
it's annual All-Star Award.
Covid caused the unfortunate cancellation of most of our club meetings
in 2020. But exciting meetings are being planned in 2021, including the
sharing of dinner at the start of club meetings again.
Our Dinner Team served us from the beginning days of the club and but
would like to step aside to give others a chance to manage this important
part of club life.
Please contact club President Donald Mulder if you are interested in this
unusual way to contribute to club success.
DRMulder@aol.com
847-372-7244
From it's very beginning Cubs World saw itself as more than a fan club.
It's a social club, helping like-minded Villagers become friends.
One of the best ways to build friendships is to share a meal together.
Two couples stepped forward to make this a part of every meeting:
Jan Jackman Karen Parris
Ken Suchy Bob Smith
They tested restaurant menus, ordered meals, and sometimes served them buffet style. In a show of gratitude the club recognized them with
it's annual All-Star Award.
Covid caused the unfortunate cancellation of most of our club meetings
in 2020. But exciting meetings are being planned in 2021, including the
sharing of dinner at the start of club meetings again.
Our Dinner Team served us from the beginning days of the club and but
would like to step aside to give others a chance to manage this important
part of club life.
Please contact club President Donald Mulder if you are interested in this
unusual way to contribute to club success.
DRMulder@aol.com
847-372-7244
Cubs World members can look forward to their next membership meeting on Monday night , May 3rd at Colony Cottage Recreation Center. The featured speaker is a former Cubs pitcher, Ken Frailing , who pitched for both the Cubs and White Sox between 1972-1976. He was involved in a very notable trade between the 2 teams. He has many interesting stories for us to get an inside look into Chicago baseball in the mid 1970’s.
Also, we’re all going to get smarter when Jim Gulesarian treats us to Let’s Play too.
Details to follow very shortly.
Please circle that date. And while you’re doing that, please circle the date for June 7th. Ric Mitchell has just signed up for us to play Juke Box Bingo that night. This is one of the most popular games in The Villages.
GO CUBBIES!
Also, we’re all going to get smarter when Jim Gulesarian treats us to Let’s Play too.
Details to follow very shortly.
Please circle that date. And while you’re doing that, please circle the date for June 7th. Ric Mitchell has just signed up for us to play Juke Box Bingo that night. This is one of the most popular games in The Villages.
GO CUBBIES!