CUBS CHATTER CHRISTMAS EDITION 2024
SPECIAL EVENT! (as reported by Dan Marx)
Cubs World has just wrapped up a wonderful year, and is anxious to start off the new year with something totally out of the box for us. Our first meeting of the year is scheduled for Monday night January 6th at the Old Mill Playhouse at Lake Sumter Landing. We have rented out one of their theaters for a showing of “Field of Dreams”. This is my all time favorite sports movie, and it competes with Rudy, Hoosiers, and A League of their Own, just to name a few.
We want to show you, the members, a small token of our gratitude for your support over the years, and will not charge you for admission. We are working on a concession package at $12 apiece, for those who want it.
It’s a fun idea, and we think that you’ll all enjoy the evening. “ If you show it, they will come”. Hope to see you all there. The movie starts at 6:00. You can plan on arriving between 5:00 and 5:30.
Cubs World has just wrapped up a wonderful year, and is anxious to start off the new year with something totally out of the box for us. Our first meeting of the year is scheduled for Monday night January 6th at the Old Mill Playhouse at Lake Sumter Landing. We have rented out one of their theaters for a showing of “Field of Dreams”. This is my all time favorite sports movie, and it competes with Rudy, Hoosiers, and A League of their Own, just to name a few.
We want to show you, the members, a small token of our gratitude for your support over the years, and will not charge you for admission. We are working on a concession package at $12 apiece, for those who want it.
It’s a fun idea, and we think that you’ll all enjoy the evening. “ If you show it, they will come”. Hope to see you all there. The movie starts at 6:00. You can plan on arriving between 5:00 and 5:30.
CLARK THE BEAR MAKES SURPRISE APPEARANCE
by Wayne Richards
December is the month that CUBS WORLD takes a breather without any regularly scheduled events, such as our membership meeting. But it seems Clark the Bear forgot to take note.
Intending to make a surprise appearance at Colony Cottage, Clark walked into the door of the Colony Cottage. I don't mean he walked in the lobby. He walked into the DOOR!
Several people thought that he was trying to break into the building and took action, proving that it is easy to tackle a BEAR! (At least this year).
Clark took it all in stride and said nothing...which is easy because he can't talk!
Clark the Bear didn't have to travel far to visit us. As reported in this newsletter a couple of years back, he spends the Winter months at his family compound in Ocala National Park. The staff of the CUBS WORLD CHATTER respects Clark's right to privacy and will never reveal where he stays.
by Wayne Richards
December is the month that CUBS WORLD takes a breather without any regularly scheduled events, such as our membership meeting. But it seems Clark the Bear forgot to take note.
Intending to make a surprise appearance at Colony Cottage, Clark walked into the door of the Colony Cottage. I don't mean he walked in the lobby. He walked into the DOOR!
Several people thought that he was trying to break into the building and took action, proving that it is easy to tackle a BEAR! (At least this year).
Clark took it all in stride and said nothing...which is easy because he can't talk!
Clark the Bear didn't have to travel far to visit us. As reported in this newsletter a couple of years back, he spends the Winter months at his family compound in Ocala National Park. The staff of the CUBS WORLD CHATTER respects Clark's right to privacy and will never reveal where he stays.
AS THE CROW FLIES!
by Wayne Richards
Sherman Oaks, California is the perfect place for people like Matthew and Ashley to live. After all, they were both actors who commuted to appear in television and films being produced in the L.A area.
You might've seen Matthew on the television series House and Ashley in the Spielberg film MINORITY REPORT...definitive proof that talent runs through the family.
However, it is their son who displayed skills unrelated to the thespian arts. Hollywood did not attract him, although he did wind up loving the performance of his mother in the baseball classic, LITTLE BIG LEAGUE. "It is probably my favorite film, " said PCA.
Although not interested in the thespian arts, Pete Crow Armstrong is developing star power! Just ask my wife. Every single time he appears on our tv screen she shouts out, "He's so cute!" I mean every damn time!
Of course, it's quite obvious to anybody who watches Pete that he brings a higher level of passion to whatever he does in a baseball uniform. His enthusiasm for the game generates real power and Cubs fans are ignited by all this.
The Cubs need a leader and I think Pete has what it takes to take on that position. Poise...determination...strength and a youthful energy that might power our Cubbies!
(Notice I positioned a flying crow in this article rather than PCA's photo? I don't want my wife to go into overload.
by Wayne Richards
Sherman Oaks, California is the perfect place for people like Matthew and Ashley to live. After all, they were both actors who commuted to appear in television and films being produced in the L.A area.
You might've seen Matthew on the television series House and Ashley in the Spielberg film MINORITY REPORT...definitive proof that talent runs through the family.
However, it is their son who displayed skills unrelated to the thespian arts. Hollywood did not attract him, although he did wind up loving the performance of his mother in the baseball classic, LITTLE BIG LEAGUE. "It is probably my favorite film, " said PCA.
Although not interested in the thespian arts, Pete Crow Armstrong is developing star power! Just ask my wife. Every single time he appears on our tv screen she shouts out, "He's so cute!" I mean every damn time!
Of course, it's quite obvious to anybody who watches Pete that he brings a higher level of passion to whatever he does in a baseball uniform. His enthusiasm for the game generates real power and Cubs fans are ignited by all this.
The Cubs need a leader and I think Pete has what it takes to take on that position. Poise...determination...strength and a youthful energy that might power our Cubbies!
(Notice I positioned a flying crow in this article rather than PCA's photo? I don't want my wife to go into overload.
A SPECIAL BOOK
(by Dan Marx)
Here’s a story from my favorite baseball book, Why We Love Baseball by Joe Posnanski. It’s about a very well known pitcher who finished his 15 year career as a Chicago Cub. But he is certainly not known for that.
He started his career with the St. Louis Browns , earning $850 that year. The next year with the Orioles he went 3-21 ! In 1955 he was involved in an EIGHTEEN player trade between the O’s and the Yankees. He was a regular starter with the Yankees that year, and even started game 4 of the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers . He got rocked that day. His manager was still enamored with him though, and thought that he had a terrific future with the Yankees..
One thing that was a serious little known problem about this pitcher was that he was an enormous drinker. Mickey Mantle said he was the greatest drinker he had ever seen. And that’s saying a lot!
After getting into a serious spring training accident in 1956, Stengel still stood behind him, even though there was tremendous pressure to drop him. For the last 4 months of the season, he pitched to a 2.26 era , which was just a warmup for the 1956 World Series.
He started game 2 of the Series against the Dodgers again. And again he was terrible.
After the next 2 games Whitey Ford had already pitched 2 games and this pitcher had serious doubt that he would be the game 5 pitcher. As did everyone else.
When he got to the ballpark that day, pitching coach Frank Crosetti put a baseball in his locker inside his shoe. So he was the pitcher for that day.
The problem was that the night before he went out with his friend, Arthur Richman, and had a few drinks. During the dinner, the pitcher, Don Larsen, told his friend that he was sure that he was going to throw a no hitter the next day.
That day, the Dodgers were not afraid of facing Larsen. But Larsen could do NO wrong. There were 4 very scary balls that were hit that could have ruined his masterpiece.
In the fifth inning , Gil Hodges hit a monster drive to left center that would have been a home run in any other park, but Mantle did a terrific job of running the ball down in cavernous Yankee Stadium.
Finally after 26 up and 26 down Larsen faced Dale Mitchell. Mitchell was obliging looking at strike 3, and Yogi jumped into Larsen’s arms for the iconic photo, as the perfect game was sealed.
Larsen knew that he was an imperfect man, but on that day, perfection was his !!
(by Dan Marx)
Here’s a story from my favorite baseball book, Why We Love Baseball by Joe Posnanski. It’s about a very well known pitcher who finished his 15 year career as a Chicago Cub. But he is certainly not known for that.
He started his career with the St. Louis Browns , earning $850 that year. The next year with the Orioles he went 3-21 ! In 1955 he was involved in an EIGHTEEN player trade between the O’s and the Yankees. He was a regular starter with the Yankees that year, and even started game 4 of the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers . He got rocked that day. His manager was still enamored with him though, and thought that he had a terrific future with the Yankees..
One thing that was a serious little known problem about this pitcher was that he was an enormous drinker. Mickey Mantle said he was the greatest drinker he had ever seen. And that’s saying a lot!
After getting into a serious spring training accident in 1956, Stengel still stood behind him, even though there was tremendous pressure to drop him. For the last 4 months of the season, he pitched to a 2.26 era , which was just a warmup for the 1956 World Series.
He started game 2 of the Series against the Dodgers again. And again he was terrible.
After the next 2 games Whitey Ford had already pitched 2 games and this pitcher had serious doubt that he would be the game 5 pitcher. As did everyone else.
When he got to the ballpark that day, pitching coach Frank Crosetti put a baseball in his locker inside his shoe. So he was the pitcher for that day.
The problem was that the night before he went out with his friend, Arthur Richman, and had a few drinks. During the dinner, the pitcher, Don Larsen, told his friend that he was sure that he was going to throw a no hitter the next day.
That day, the Dodgers were not afraid of facing Larsen. But Larsen could do NO wrong. There were 4 very scary balls that were hit that could have ruined his masterpiece.
In the fifth inning , Gil Hodges hit a monster drive to left center that would have been a home run in any other park, but Mantle did a terrific job of running the ball down in cavernous Yankee Stadium.
Finally after 26 up and 26 down Larsen faced Dale Mitchell. Mitchell was obliging looking at strike 3, and Yogi jumped into Larsen’s arms for the iconic photo, as the perfect game was sealed.
Larsen knew that he was an imperfect man, but on that day, perfection was his !!
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE CUBS?
by Wayne Richards
Here we are on the cusp of the New Year wondering just what the future has in store on many levels. Will my Roth IRA start taking a roller coaster ride? Will it snow in the Villages this season? Will they ever break ground for the new Costco and Portillos?
Most of all, WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE CUBBIES IN 2025? There will be a lot of questions being tossed around at the upcoming Cubs convention in Chicago.
We will have some in depth reports in the next edition of the CUBS WORLD CHATTER.
In the meantime, check out the following podcast which captured my eyes and ears. CLICK HERE
by Wayne Richards
Here we are on the cusp of the New Year wondering just what the future has in store on many levels. Will my Roth IRA start taking a roller coaster ride? Will it snow in the Villages this season? Will they ever break ground for the new Costco and Portillos?
Most of all, WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE CUBBIES IN 2025? There will be a lot of questions being tossed around at the upcoming Cubs convention in Chicago.
We will have some in depth reports in the next edition of the CUBS WORLD CHATTER.
In the meantime, check out the following podcast which captured my eyes and ears. CLICK HERE
END OF THE YEAR PRESIDENTIAL REPORT
by Wayne Richards
My fellow Cubs World citizens. Upon concluding the first of my two year term as your president, I would like to share a few thoughts. I do get them every once in a while you know.
Baseball touches people in many ways. Some people embrace statistics. Our masterful LETS PLAY TOO presenter, Jim Guleserian is just such a man.
Jack Herbon, who graciously contributes the BLEACHER BUM column to this publication, addresses the Cubs with the same ferver and skill as any major sports analyst.
Dan Marx, our CUBS WORLD CHATTER editor and good friend takes great interest in stories, as indicated by his support of a book entitled, WHY WE LOVE BASEBALL.
As for yours truly, baseball is pure entertainment both on and off the field. I love watching the interchange of fans, hugging and high -fiving each other during a grand slam home. I love the sight of beer cup snakes winding around the stands. I love a well chosen "CALL UP" song for players approaching the box.
I have loved baseball as long as I can remember. And I will most likely love it forever!
I take great pride at being your Cubs World president. Thank you and please have a safe and wonderful New Year!
GO CUBBIES!
by Wayne Richards
My fellow Cubs World citizens. Upon concluding the first of my two year term as your president, I would like to share a few thoughts. I do get them every once in a while you know.
Baseball touches people in many ways. Some people embrace statistics. Our masterful LETS PLAY TOO presenter, Jim Guleserian is just such a man.
Jack Herbon, who graciously contributes the BLEACHER BUM column to this publication, addresses the Cubs with the same ferver and skill as any major sports analyst.
Dan Marx, our CUBS WORLD CHATTER editor and good friend takes great interest in stories, as indicated by his support of a book entitled, WHY WE LOVE BASEBALL.
As for yours truly, baseball is pure entertainment both on and off the field. I love watching the interchange of fans, hugging and high -fiving each other during a grand slam home. I love the sight of beer cup snakes winding around the stands. I love a well chosen "CALL UP" song for players approaching the box.
I have loved baseball as long as I can remember. And I will most likely love it forever!
I take great pride at being your Cubs World president. Thank you and please have a safe and wonderful New Year!
GO CUBBIES!