GATORS HOSTS SOCIALLY DISTANCED WATCH PARTY
by JIM GULESERIAN
On Sunday August 23, members of the Cubs World club gathered at Gators Dockside in Brownwood to watch their beloved Cubs attempt to salvage the final game of a three game set with their Crosstown rivals. As you can see from the attached pictures, fans were in full gear with a couple boasting their dislike (in good fun) of the White Sox. One guest attendee even proudly wore his Cardinal fan shirt.
Members participated in a couple of games of chance with "Guess the Score" and 10x10 squares.
After a pretty rough 2 games on Friday & Saturday, members were a little reluctant to wager on guess the score as only 7 participated. The 10x10 squares was also used at the previous game watch where the winning scores all fell on blank squares so the organizer decided to "let it ride."
Everybody was enjoying the game until Jose' Abreu (yet again) abruptly shut everybody up with his monster blast to left. We were all pretty quiet after that until the crowd erupted when Kyle Schwarber delivered a 2 run blast into right center. (right where I used to sit by the way) Yu Darvish was awesome keeping the Pale Hose in check for 7 innings. The crowd also enjoyed a rousing rendition of Take Me Out to the Ball Game for the 7th inning stretch.
After a good inning by Kimbrel, we came to the 9th where the 10 remaining brave souls stood for the final out while watching three men reach base. Finally that last out came and I don't think there was a single finger nail remaining on anybody's hands. CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
by JIM GULESERIAN
On Sunday August 23, members of the Cubs World club gathered at Gators Dockside in Brownwood to watch their beloved Cubs attempt to salvage the final game of a three game set with their Crosstown rivals. As you can see from the attached pictures, fans were in full gear with a couple boasting their dislike (in good fun) of the White Sox. One guest attendee even proudly wore his Cardinal fan shirt.
Members participated in a couple of games of chance with "Guess the Score" and 10x10 squares.
After a pretty rough 2 games on Friday & Saturday, members were a little reluctant to wager on guess the score as only 7 participated. The 10x10 squares was also used at the previous game watch where the winning scores all fell on blank squares so the organizer decided to "let it ride."
Everybody was enjoying the game until Jose' Abreu (yet again) abruptly shut everybody up with his monster blast to left. We were all pretty quiet after that until the crowd erupted when Kyle Schwarber delivered a 2 run blast into right center. (right where I used to sit by the way) Yu Darvish was awesome keeping the Pale Hose in check for 7 innings. The crowd also enjoyed a rousing rendition of Take Me Out to the Ball Game for the 7th inning stretch.
After a good inning by Kimbrel, we came to the 9th where the 10 remaining brave souls stood for the final out while watching three men reach base. Finally that last out came and I don't think there was a single finger nail remaining on anybody's hands. CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
The guess the score contest was captured by Betty Guleserian with a 5-1 prediction (the only 1 to put 1 on the Sox)
10 x 10 squares winners:
3rd Inning Dave Bellovary (money quickly snatched up by Cindy)
6th, 9th, and final score went to John Curtis who benefitted from the let it ride feature.
10 x 10 squares winners:
3rd Inning Dave Bellovary (money quickly snatched up by Cindy)
6th, 9th, and final score went to John Curtis who benefitted from the let it ride feature.
SETTING THE TONE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON
by Jack Hebron
Well, I guess it was bound to happen to our Cubs. That hot streak our team was on has suddenly brought them back to Earth. But, we still have the lead and the other teams in the division have a ton of games to make up. The situation in the bullpen has improved. Yu Darvish looks like a legitimate contender for the Cy Young Award. And Kyle Hendricks has been steady so far. To me he looks like a taller version of Greg Maddux. Throwing strikes where he wants them and mixing in some off speed pitches.
September 1st is basically the half point of this crazy season. The Cubs still have 7 game left against the Cardinals and 5 games against the Brewers. These look to be the key games. The Cubs odds of making the playoffs has dropped considerably in the last 10 days. They were at 94% but now they are at 55%.
The key for the Cubs is just get the offense going as much as possible. The rest will take care of itself. Go Cubs!
by Jack Hebron
Well, I guess it was bound to happen to our Cubs. That hot streak our team was on has suddenly brought them back to Earth. But, we still have the lead and the other teams in the division have a ton of games to make up. The situation in the bullpen has improved. Yu Darvish looks like a legitimate contender for the Cy Young Award. And Kyle Hendricks has been steady so far. To me he looks like a taller version of Greg Maddux. Throwing strikes where he wants them and mixing in some off speed pitches.
September 1st is basically the half point of this crazy season. The Cubs still have 7 game left against the Cardinals and 5 games against the Brewers. These look to be the key games. The Cubs odds of making the playoffs has dropped considerably in the last 10 days. They were at 94% but now they are at 55%.
The key for the Cubs is just get the offense going as much as possible. The rest will take care of itself. Go Cubs!
KEEPING SCORE
The scoreboard at Wrigley Field has stood proudly since it was first erected in 1937. It has become an iconic attraction and is one of only two remaining such boards in the country.
Chances are, even as the most die-hard Cub fan, it is not likely that you will ever get to see the interior in person. In actuality, most people would not enjoy the experience. It was not designed for tourists.
It is an environment that is quite claustrophobic. It can be brutally hot inside or so cold you can't move your fingers.
There are three to four workers on duty to handle the chores. They all have a wonderful communication system. They basically scream at each other!
A friendly gent named Fred Washington has worked in this uncomfortable structure for as long as anybody can remember. "Thank God we're all skinny, " stated Washington.
What would the friendly confines be without the old scoreboard? It is one of the few actual representations of old time baseball. It has historical significance and must be preserved!
HERE IS AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT THE SCORE BOARD...no home run ball has ever hit the board. However , the legendary Sam Snead hit it with a golf ball.
The scoreboard at Wrigley Field has stood proudly since it was first erected in 1937. It has become an iconic attraction and is one of only two remaining such boards in the country.
Chances are, even as the most die-hard Cub fan, it is not likely that you will ever get to see the interior in person. In actuality, most people would not enjoy the experience. It was not designed for tourists.
It is an environment that is quite claustrophobic. It can be brutally hot inside or so cold you can't move your fingers.
There are three to four workers on duty to handle the chores. They all have a wonderful communication system. They basically scream at each other!
A friendly gent named Fred Washington has worked in this uncomfortable structure for as long as anybody can remember. "Thank God we're all skinny, " stated Washington.
What would the friendly confines be without the old scoreboard? It is one of the few actual representations of old time baseball. It has historical significance and must be preserved!
HERE IS AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT THE SCORE BOARD...no home run ball has ever hit the board. However , the legendary Sam Snead hit it with a golf ball.
WRIGLEY FIELD LOSES LATEST DOG FIGHT!
A firm called REVIEWTRACKERS has accumulated and tabulated data which determines which major league ball park sells the best hot dog. It is Cubs World's sad duty to report that we haven't even made the top five!
For some reason, San Francisco has been given the latest top honor, followed by Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The weiners...er....winners are based on 130,000 customer reviews.
Of course, there will be no contest this year for obvious reasons. But Cubs fans know very well in their hearts that there is magic in a Wrigley dog that has been swimming around in boiled splendor since opening day.
A firm called REVIEWTRACKERS has accumulated and tabulated data which determines which major league ball park sells the best hot dog. It is Cubs World's sad duty to report that we haven't even made the top five!
For some reason, San Francisco has been given the latest top honor, followed by Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The weiners...er....winners are based on 130,000 customer reviews.
Of course, there will be no contest this year for obvious reasons. But Cubs fans know very well in their hearts that there is magic in a Wrigley dog that has been swimming around in boiled splendor since opening day.
A SPECIAL OFFER FOR CUBS WORLD MEMBERS!
City Fire AMERICAN OVEN AND BAR is a fixture in the Villages. Just as they say, everyone should eat, drink and be happy! For September all Cubs World members are invited to do just that by taking advantage of a special 20 percent discount coupon. This special offer is good for "in house" dining or "take out." orders.
Simply grab your phone and take a photo of the discount coupon printed here. Show it to the hostess or host and they will process the rest.
City Fire AMERICAN OVEN AND BAR is a fixture in the Villages. Just as they say, everyone should eat, drink and be happy! For September all Cubs World members are invited to do just that by taking advantage of a special 20 percent discount coupon. This special offer is good for "in house" dining or "take out." orders.
Simply grab your phone and take a photo of the discount coupon printed here. Show it to the hostess or host and they will process the rest.
AN ANTHEM SURPRISE!
by Wayne Richards
I think everybody would agree that the very best renditions of TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME during the seventh inning stretch were rendered through the years by the late, great Harry Carey! No...he wasn't a great vocalist. But, compared to the abominable version sung by Mike Ditka, Harry was Pavarotti.
However, while singing the familiar words of Jack Norworth's classic song, Harry probably didn't realize that there are actually additional verses! It's a "story song". When everyone sings about peanuts and cracker jacks, they are only singing lyrics found in the chorus.
The first version of the entire opus was released in 1908 and then expanded in 1927. The name of the character in the song demanding to be taken to the ball game is NELLY KELLY. He must've had a girlfriend named KATIE CASEY because she doesn't care if she ever gets back either! (No relation to the "Mighty Casey" that struck out.)
As far as Jack Norworth is concerned, he was not a one hit wonder. He composed over two thousand songs including "Shine on Harvest Moon."
by Wayne Richards
I think everybody would agree that the very best renditions of TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME during the seventh inning stretch were rendered through the years by the late, great Harry Carey! No...he wasn't a great vocalist. But, compared to the abominable version sung by Mike Ditka, Harry was Pavarotti.
However, while singing the familiar words of Jack Norworth's classic song, Harry probably didn't realize that there are actually additional verses! It's a "story song". When everyone sings about peanuts and cracker jacks, they are only singing lyrics found in the chorus.
The first version of the entire opus was released in 1908 and then expanded in 1927. The name of the character in the song demanding to be taken to the ball game is NELLY KELLY. He must've had a girlfriend named KATIE CASEY because she doesn't care if she ever gets back either! (No relation to the "Mighty Casey" that struck out.)
As far as Jack Norworth is concerned, he was not a one hit wonder. He composed over two thousand songs including "Shine on Harvest Moon."
A PRIVATE PROTEST
Recent news events such as the unrest in Kenosha, Wisc. have stirred emotions throughout the nation. The Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds had a pre-game meeting and decided to cancel their game, echoing the decision made by the Milwaukee Bucks.
A Cubs team pre-game meeting focusing on a potential protest was held with manager David Ross before the scheduled Wednesday, August 26th game with Detroit. The team decided to play the game with only Jason Heyward making the decision to bow out. His absence has been recorded as a "healthy scratch".
Recent news events such as the unrest in Kenosha, Wisc. have stirred emotions throughout the nation. The Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds had a pre-game meeting and decided to cancel their game, echoing the decision made by the Milwaukee Bucks.
A Cubs team pre-game meeting focusing on a potential protest was held with manager David Ross before the scheduled Wednesday, August 26th game with Detroit. The team decided to play the game with only Jason Heyward making the decision to bow out. His absence has been recorded as a "healthy scratch".
THE MOTHER LOAD OF COLLECTIONS!
You may ask why a New York Yankees fan is being featured in this newsletter. He seems friendly enough. He is smiling because this Rockford, Illinois based collector has hit the jackpot with regard to Chicago Cubs collectables!
36 year old store owner, Brad Parvin, owns a nationally renown venue called THE COLLECTOR'S BENCH. A Rizzo shirt displayed in the window has occasionally
caught the eye of Cubs fans who happen to be passing by. Once inside, most people are shocked to find that Parvin has every complete Cubs baseball card collection since 1887! This is quite an accomplishment for a man who basically wasn't interested in cards.
Cub fans still living in the Midwest might consider a trip to downtown Rockford. Said Parvin, "This display is something you can't see anywhere else. It doesn't exist. Nobody else has it!"
Brad Parvin would like to sell the collection to the Cubs organization. After all, it has been appraised in the six figures! Please feel free to check out THE COLLECTOR'S BENCH Facebook page. It's very entertaining!
You may ask why a New York Yankees fan is being featured in this newsletter. He seems friendly enough. He is smiling because this Rockford, Illinois based collector has hit the jackpot with regard to Chicago Cubs collectables!
36 year old store owner, Brad Parvin, owns a nationally renown venue called THE COLLECTOR'S BENCH. A Rizzo shirt displayed in the window has occasionally
caught the eye of Cubs fans who happen to be passing by. Once inside, most people are shocked to find that Parvin has every complete Cubs baseball card collection since 1887! This is quite an accomplishment for a man who basically wasn't interested in cards.
Cub fans still living in the Midwest might consider a trip to downtown Rockford. Said Parvin, "This display is something you can't see anywhere else. It doesn't exist. Nobody else has it!"
Brad Parvin would like to sell the collection to the Cubs organization. After all, it has been appraised in the six figures! Please feel free to check out THE COLLECTOR'S BENCH Facebook page. It's very entertaining!
DO THESE TEN BEST PASS THE TEST?
You are invited to click and sit back to enjoy a collection of what is considered to be ten of the greatest moments in Cubs history. Which one is your favorite? Don't be shy. Let us know what you think! We always love hearing from you.
AND NOW..GET OUT YOUR PEANUTS AND POPCORN and click here
You are invited to click and sit back to enjoy a collection of what is considered to be ten of the greatest moments in Cubs history. Which one is your favorite? Don't be shy. Let us know what you think! We always love hearing from you.
AND NOW..GET OUT YOUR PEANUTS AND POPCORN and click here
CROSS TOWN WAR OF WORDS!
by Wayne Richards
As demonstrated by this handsome shirt proudly worn at the recent Gator's watch party, the rivalry, dare I say, WAR between the north siders and the south siders is very much alive and well. I'm sure it will be for the rest of time.
Just this past month, as baseball revved up its engine for a shortened season, I began my yearly exchange of colorful barbs by texting my cousin. She and her hubby are devout and hardened Sox fans.
"Are you ready for baseball without live souls in the stands?" I'd ask. She responded, "I suppose so. It's going to be difficult on the players." There was a brief pause while the gears in my mind began to demonstrate a bit of functionality. "Everything will be fine, " said I. "After all, the Sox have been perfecting social distancing for decades!"
It's not just my cousin that is now on my case because of that statement , but other friends and fellow contemporaries who have, at one time or another, have shot off colorful and sometimes very graphic criticisms in return throughout the years.
My personal physician back in the Windy City was a Sox fan. This gave me pause at first since during a check up he spoke freely about his feelings of the North siders. I'm not sure if this helped to alter my blood pressure or not.
One time, we sat in the examining room for a half hour talking baseball while other patients exhibited patience while waiting for us to complete our post game show. These conversations ceased after the Cubs cast their magic spell in 2016.
For over a decade I worked at a very popular venue in Arlington Heights called BIG SHOT. I entertained at this watering hole which boasted of two big screens on each side of our long bar. On evenings whenever the Cubs and Sox were playing games at the same time, management made a consorted effort to dedicate a screen to each team. However, with a predominance of Cub fans as patrons it was quite common to see the remote being passed back and forth like a hot potato as the battle for broadcast time ensued.
I think it's safe to say that this intense rivalry will be with us for many generations to come. I must admit. I have tried to understand how some people can embrace both teams. I've tried to do that and I just can't! It seems strange to me. It doesn't make sense.
Let me conclude by stating that whenever it is safe to shake hands again, I will always do so with any White Sox fan out there who wishes to do so. I'll try not to cut you down as much. In fact, please allow me try to say something nice. I wish all south siders happiness whenever they visit GUARANTEED PARKING FIELD! OOPS! Sorry. I just can't help myself!
by Wayne Richards
As demonstrated by this handsome shirt proudly worn at the recent Gator's watch party, the rivalry, dare I say, WAR between the north siders and the south siders is very much alive and well. I'm sure it will be for the rest of time.
Just this past month, as baseball revved up its engine for a shortened season, I began my yearly exchange of colorful barbs by texting my cousin. She and her hubby are devout and hardened Sox fans.
"Are you ready for baseball without live souls in the stands?" I'd ask. She responded, "I suppose so. It's going to be difficult on the players." There was a brief pause while the gears in my mind began to demonstrate a bit of functionality. "Everything will be fine, " said I. "After all, the Sox have been perfecting social distancing for decades!"
It's not just my cousin that is now on my case because of that statement , but other friends and fellow contemporaries who have, at one time or another, have shot off colorful and sometimes very graphic criticisms in return throughout the years.
My personal physician back in the Windy City was a Sox fan. This gave me pause at first since during a check up he spoke freely about his feelings of the North siders. I'm not sure if this helped to alter my blood pressure or not.
One time, we sat in the examining room for a half hour talking baseball while other patients exhibited patience while waiting for us to complete our post game show. These conversations ceased after the Cubs cast their magic spell in 2016.
For over a decade I worked at a very popular venue in Arlington Heights called BIG SHOT. I entertained at this watering hole which boasted of two big screens on each side of our long bar. On evenings whenever the Cubs and Sox were playing games at the same time, management made a consorted effort to dedicate a screen to each team. However, with a predominance of Cub fans as patrons it was quite common to see the remote being passed back and forth like a hot potato as the battle for broadcast time ensued.
I think it's safe to say that this intense rivalry will be with us for many generations to come. I must admit. I have tried to understand how some people can embrace both teams. I've tried to do that and I just can't! It seems strange to me. It doesn't make sense.
Let me conclude by stating that whenever it is safe to shake hands again, I will always do so with any White Sox fan out there who wishes to do so. I'll try not to cut you down as much. In fact, please allow me try to say something nice. I wish all south siders happiness whenever they visit GUARANTEED PARKING FIELD! OOPS! Sorry. I just can't help myself!
HOLY COW! THIS IS A FAST MOVING SEASON!
To say the least, this has been a crazy Summer filled with challenges for all of us. But in this cauldron of darkness there is a little light.
Fans are holding on to the the fragments of baseball, hoping it doesn't tear apart. We absorb every play like we've discovered gold.
But, I think we all know in our hearts, that baseball will return in its full and glorious mode. We will also reach a time when we can all gather en masse for membership meetings and other events.
Keep the faith.
GO CUBBIES!
GO AWAY VIRUS!
To say the least, this has been a crazy Summer filled with challenges for all of us. But in this cauldron of darkness there is a little light.
Fans are holding on to the the fragments of baseball, hoping it doesn't tear apart. We absorb every play like we've discovered gold.
But, I think we all know in our hearts, that baseball will return in its full and glorious mode. We will also reach a time when we can all gather en masse for membership meetings and other events.
Keep the faith.
GO CUBBIES!
GO AWAY VIRUS!