WELL! HERE IT IS FOLKS! Welcome to a new year filled with hope and happy times ahead for our beloved Cubbies! We can only hope that the alterations made during the Winter will bring us even closer to the big prize!
We want it and I know the players do to.
We want it and I know the players do to.
ON DECK FOR FEBRUARY
A VERY SPECIAL ZOOM SESSION
Monday, February 2nd
Colony Cottage
Doors open at 5:30 pm.
JASON KEMPF
"The voice of the IOWA CUBS"
A VERY SPECIAL ZOOM SESSION
Monday, February 2nd
Colony Cottage
Doors open at 5:30 pm.
JASON KEMPF
"The voice of the IOWA CUBS"
JASON KEMPF IS ON THE AIR
by Wayne Richards
Those of us who hail from the Chicagoland area tend to forget that there are fanatical Cubs fans in IOWA! I actually learned this while on a trip to Arizona to see how the Chicago team was firming up during Spring training.
During breakfast one morning in the hotel, I met some people from Iowa who shed light on the very real fact that the Iowa Cubs have a closely cemented bond. It is a special family-like relationship that cannot be denied.
Some mighty fine players have graced Wrigley after peculating in the Iowa system. Pete Crow comes to mind along with Ian Happ, Colin Rea, Matt Shaw, Cade Horton and (one of my favorites to pronounce) Moises Ballesteros.
One man who has had the opportunity to see some of these amazing talents develop is Jason Kempf. Just like Pat Hughes in Chicago, Jason's voice rings out on the air to inform and entertain the Iowa masses.
Kemph will be joining us via Zoom on Monday, February 2nd. I can't wait to hear what he has to say about the joys of grass roots baseball combined with shedding light on some future Chicago team members.
By the way, we just might have a second special zoom featuring one of our favorite people who played on the Iowa Cubs.
by Wayne Richards
Those of us who hail from the Chicagoland area tend to forget that there are fanatical Cubs fans in IOWA! I actually learned this while on a trip to Arizona to see how the Chicago team was firming up during Spring training.
During breakfast one morning in the hotel, I met some people from Iowa who shed light on the very real fact that the Iowa Cubs have a closely cemented bond. It is a special family-like relationship that cannot be denied.
Some mighty fine players have graced Wrigley after peculating in the Iowa system. Pete Crow comes to mind along with Ian Happ, Colin Rea, Matt Shaw, Cade Horton and (one of my favorites to pronounce) Moises Ballesteros.
One man who has had the opportunity to see some of these amazing talents develop is Jason Kempf. Just like Pat Hughes in Chicago, Jason's voice rings out on the air to inform and entertain the Iowa masses.
Kemph will be joining us via Zoom on Monday, February 2nd. I can't wait to hear what he has to say about the joys of grass roots baseball combined with shedding light on some future Chicago team members.
By the way, we just might have a second special zoom featuring one of our favorite people who played on the Iowa Cubs.
ITS RED WORD TIME AGAIN!
by Wayne Richards
For those of you who are new members, you may not be aware of our RED WORD contest. It's quite simple.
As you read through this monthly newsletter. simply search for a word printed in RED. When you find it jump up and down with excitement and write the word down on a piece of paper. Bring it to the next membership meeting on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd.
You many then drop your entry into a special jar for a drawing. You just might win one of two PUBLIX gift cards.
We wish you good luck!
by Wayne Richards
For those of you who are new members, you may not be aware of our RED WORD contest. It's quite simple.
As you read through this monthly newsletter. simply search for a word printed in RED. When you find it jump up and down with excitement and write the word down on a piece of paper. Bring it to the next membership meeting on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd.
You many then drop your entry into a special jar for a drawing. You just might win one of two PUBLIX gift cards.
We wish you good luck!
COMMENTS BY DAN MARX
Thank you all for indulging me every year about my sentimentality in honoring the 8th anniversary of our monthly newsletter, Cubs World Chatter.
We are all grateful for our past President, Don Mulder for coming up with the idea, and for stressing the importance of using the newsletter as an important way of communicating to the membership on a monthly basis.
This is not just a monthly listing of all of the events and meetings coming up during the year, but is also a recap of meetings which have occurred, and so , so many facts and stories about the club and anything Cub and Cubs World related.
I like to think of the newsletter as a mini magazine. We have video clips. We like to do humorous stories. We like to feature in depth stories about our members and would still love to hear from any members about themselves.
I like to paraphrase stories about my favorite book, “Why we love baseball “. And Jack Herbon, a Bleacher Bum founder ( Yes, founder!) likes to keep us up on an insight into what any bleacher bum at Wrigley today would tell you candidly on the state of the Cubs. And anybody else who has contributed along the way, we thank you. We would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have any other members contribute your thoughts. Please let us know.
However, our star contributor, is our Prez, Wayne Richards, who shares all of his wit, his journalistic intelligence and shares his true love for Cubs World and the Cubs.
Thank you all for supporting us on this wonderful journey!
Your editor, Dan Marx
Thank you all for indulging me every year about my sentimentality in honoring the 8th anniversary of our monthly newsletter, Cubs World Chatter.
We are all grateful for our past President, Don Mulder for coming up with the idea, and for stressing the importance of using the newsletter as an important way of communicating to the membership on a monthly basis.
This is not just a monthly listing of all of the events and meetings coming up during the year, but is also a recap of meetings which have occurred, and so , so many facts and stories about the club and anything Cub and Cubs World related.
I like to think of the newsletter as a mini magazine. We have video clips. We like to do humorous stories. We like to feature in depth stories about our members and would still love to hear from any members about themselves.
I like to paraphrase stories about my favorite book, “Why we love baseball “. And Jack Herbon, a Bleacher Bum founder ( Yes, founder!) likes to keep us up on an insight into what any bleacher bum at Wrigley today would tell you candidly on the state of the Cubs. And anybody else who has contributed along the way, we thank you. We would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have any other members contribute your thoughts. Please let us know.
However, our star contributor, is our Prez, Wayne Richards, who shares all of his wit, his journalistic intelligence and shares his true love for Cubs World and the Cubs.
Thank you all for supporting us on this wonderful journey!
Your editor, Dan Marx
A JOURNEY TO ST. PETERSBURG
by Wayne Richards
On a foggy January 5th morning, 28 Cubs World members boarded a comfortable Workman bus. It's destination...St. Petersburg to visit the Municipal Historical Museum.
Embedded within its walls is a fascinating and extensive display called LITTLE COOPERSTOWN. The Guiness Book of World Records recognizes this facility as housing the world's largest collection of baseballs! There are over five thousand autographed balls lining the walls.
Embedded within its walls is a fascinating and extensive display called LITTLE COOPERSTOWN. The Guiness Book of World Records recognizes this facility as housing the world's largest collection of baseballs! There are over five thousand autographed balls lining the walls.
The sun was shining upon our arrival. The brightly lit and beautiful lobby was set up for lunch. It's not often one can enjoy a catered wrap sitting right under an airplane. A similar craft was once designated as the very first commercial flight in the United States. If you were a daredevil and had some hefty cash, AIR CHANCE would transport you across the water to Tampa in 20 terrifying minutes!
Right after lunch, we were treated to a presentation by executive museum director, Rui Farias. He is a very outgoing and captivating speaker. We discovered that reality some time ago when he came to Colony. At that time, Cubs World presented him with three baseballs all signed by members. Rui promised that the balls would be displayed in the museum.
Everyone entered LITTLE COOPERSTOWN searching for the balls. They were hiding in plain sight right near the front entrance. It was a wonderful moment for all to realize that, as promised, CUBS WORLD was in the HALL OF FAME!
Everyone entered LITTLE COOPERSTOWN searching for the balls. They were hiding in plain sight right near the front entrance. It was a wonderful moment for all to realize that, as promised, CUBS WORLD was in the HALL OF FAME!
Among the thousands of balls in these halls are several that have an extra special historical punch. This is one of them. As far as humanity goes, men like Morris helped develop this weapon... contributing to an event that changed humanity forever. To yours truly, finding this autographed ball sent a chill up and down my spine.
Cubs World has spent some time examining and admiring women's baseball. From a special screening of A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN to a zoom session with bed-ridden Dolly Osburn, we've come to appreciate the contributions women have made the great game of baseball. Cubs World has every intention on keeping the development of women's baseball for the future well in focus!
Here is a real find! During a wonderful conversation Rui Farias informed me that people contribute items so often that they had to acquire a warehouse to store it all. Much of it cannot be used or verified as authentic items. But, once in a while it is possible to strike pay dirt.
I was delighted to find Bobby Dernier's autographed ball. Last year, he gave a wonderful presentation vias zoom for us. When his appearance was being booked, I thought he would join us from a hotel room since he was on the road. Instead, he gave a lengthy and fun presentation from his car. Bobby's ball autograph on display is very faint for some reason. Maybe he used invisible ink? One other thought occurred to me. First, Bobby was featured in a car and now he's stuck in a square plastic case! You just never know where a career will take you.
It is my sincere hope that those who couldn't join us make it a point to take a day trip to St. Petersburg. You will be glad you did!!!!!
It is my sincere hope that those who couldn't join us make it a point to take a day trip to St. Petersburg. You will be glad you did!!!!!
WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBER!!!
CHRIS STANNARD
We welcome you with open arms! As you will discover as time goes on, we are a family!
CHRIS STANNARD
We welcome you with open arms! As you will discover as time goes on, we are a family!
THE BLEACHER BUM REPORT
by Jack Herbon
The Milwaukee Brewers have had a quiet offseason. Their only major signing was Brandon Woodruff, who accepted the qualifying offer in early November. They did trade for left-hander Angel Zerpa, but that cost them Isaac Collins and Nick Mears. Unfortunately, the Brewers don’t appear to be in play for any of the top available free agents, but their National League Central rivals, the Chicago Cubs are. Your probably surprised I started talking about the Brewers instead of our Cubs. The big reason is they won the division and after the Cardinals they are our biggest rivalry.
On Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that an American League executive isn’t counting the Cubs out of the Alex Bregman sweepstakes and believes that they and the Boston Red Sox are the top suitors for him. This could spell trouble for the Brewers.
If the Cubs land Bregman, then this could make them the team to beat in the NL Central. The reason for this is because the Brewers are a small-market team and haven’t been in play for any free agents. That isn’t going to change anytime soon.
The Brewers aren’t going to come out of left field and sign Bo Bichette. While they continue to do well with their internal pieces and own the crown in the division, the Cubs look prepared to potentially spend big.
Spending doesn’t always make a team better than one that doesn’t spend much, but Bregman could be the missing piece for the Cubs, and that could put the Brewers at a disadvantage. The season still has to play out before it can be determined which team is better, but the Brewers are going to have to spend a little more money at some point if they want to continue being the dominant power in the NL Central. Even with Kyle Tucker likely gone, the Brewers should hope that the Cubs aren’t the ones to bring in Bregman. That will make the road to the top of the division tougher, especially since the Brewers haven’t done much this winter.
It will be interesting to see where Bregman goes. But if he goes to the Cubs, do the Brewers have a counter? And ohhh YES spring season starts in just five weeks. I have high hopes for the Cubs this season. Last year we just tapped on the door and this year we bang it down!!
On Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that an American League executive isn’t counting the Cubs out of the Alex Bregman sweepstakes and believes that they and the Boston Red Sox are the top suitors for him. This could spell trouble for the Brewers.
If the Cubs land Bregman, then this could make them the team to beat in the NL Central. The reason for this is because the Brewers are a small-market team and haven’t been in play for any free agents. That isn’t going to change anytime soon.
The Brewers aren’t going to come out of left field and sign Bo Bichette. While they continue to do well with their internal pieces and own the crown in the division, the Cubs look prepared to potentially spend big.
Spending doesn’t always make a team better than one that doesn’t spend much, but Bregman could be the missing piece for the Cubs, and that could put the Brewers at a disadvantage. The season still has to play out before it can be determined which team is better, but the Brewers are going to have to spend a little more money at some point if they want to continue being the dominant power in the NL Central. Even with Kyle Tucker likely gone, the Brewers should hope that the Cubs aren’t the ones to bring in Bregman. That will make the road to the top of the division tougher, especially since the Brewers haven’t done much this winter.
It will be interesting to see where Bregman goes. But if he goes to the Cubs, do the Brewers have a counter? And ohhh YES spring season starts in just five weeks. I have high hopes for the Cubs this season. Last year we just tapped on the door and this year we bang it down!!
A BOOK YOU MIGHT ENJOY
by Dan Marx
While I was browsing through my favorite book, “Why we love baseball “, I saw the story about Cal Ripken Jr. passing Gehrig for consecutive games played. I kept rereading it and was blown away not just by the statistics involved but by the Ripken’s character.
As we all know Lou Gehrig, the Pride of the Yankees, had the longest consecutive games played streak of 2130 , which most fans thought would never be broken.
Many fans consider shortstop to be the third most grueling defensive position besides pitcher and catcher. In fact, when Ripken got a third of the way through his streak, our own Ernie Banks had the longest consecutive streak for a shortstop at 717 games. In fact, as I am writing this in real time, the major league player that holds the consecutive streak and is still active is Matt Olson with 740 games.
Ripken was a big man, 6’4 and weighed 200 pounds. To be as durable as Ripken, you would almost have to be that big. Ripken’s consecutive innings streak at shortstop was 8264 which was pretty amazing. We all remember that Ernie couldn’t handle shortstop forever and he had to retire at first base.
During Ripken’s streak for a 5 year stretch, he NEVER came out for a pinch hitter, a pinch runner, or a defensive replacement. He was also involved in two 16 inning games, a 15 inning game, a 14 inning game, four 13 inning games, nine 12 inning games, and twenty one 11 inning games !!!
He could never understand why players would take a day off.
I tried to figure out some idea of how long any baseball player would actively.“ play “ during a game, offense and defense ( not to include standing in the field waiting for a ball to come their way) This does not include pitchers or catchers. I came up with about 25-30 minutes. Designated hitters would be about 10 minutes.
This did however take its toll on Ripken offensively. There was a time when in the middle of the 1990 season, where he was only hitting. 213 and fans were getting very concerned.
But things turned around in 1991 and he hit .323 with career years in homers and rbis and he won the MVP .
By the end of the 1994 season, he had 2009 consecutive games, but the season was canceled because of the players strike. Finally, in early September, he broke the record with many celebrities in attendance. There was quite the celebration when it became official.
Finally, in September of 1988 he rested after 2632 games and then continued on to play every game for the rest of the season.
This man was a true superstar in every sense of the word.
by Dan Marx
While I was browsing through my favorite book, “Why we love baseball “, I saw the story about Cal Ripken Jr. passing Gehrig for consecutive games played. I kept rereading it and was blown away not just by the statistics involved but by the Ripken’s character.
As we all know Lou Gehrig, the Pride of the Yankees, had the longest consecutive games played streak of 2130 , which most fans thought would never be broken.
Many fans consider shortstop to be the third most grueling defensive position besides pitcher and catcher. In fact, when Ripken got a third of the way through his streak, our own Ernie Banks had the longest consecutive streak for a shortstop at 717 games. In fact, as I am writing this in real time, the major league player that holds the consecutive streak and is still active is Matt Olson with 740 games.
Ripken was a big man, 6’4 and weighed 200 pounds. To be as durable as Ripken, you would almost have to be that big. Ripken’s consecutive innings streak at shortstop was 8264 which was pretty amazing. We all remember that Ernie couldn’t handle shortstop forever and he had to retire at first base.
During Ripken’s streak for a 5 year stretch, he NEVER came out for a pinch hitter, a pinch runner, or a defensive replacement. He was also involved in two 16 inning games, a 15 inning game, a 14 inning game, four 13 inning games, nine 12 inning games, and twenty one 11 inning games !!!
He could never understand why players would take a day off.
I tried to figure out some idea of how long any baseball player would actively.“ play “ during a game, offense and defense ( not to include standing in the field waiting for a ball to come their way) This does not include pitchers or catchers. I came up with about 25-30 minutes. Designated hitters would be about 10 minutes.
This did however take its toll on Ripken offensively. There was a time when in the middle of the 1990 season, where he was only hitting. 213 and fans were getting very concerned.
But things turned around in 1991 and he hit .323 with career years in homers and rbis and he won the MVP .
By the end of the 1994 season, he had 2009 consecutive games, but the season was canceled because of the players strike. Finally, in early September, he broke the record with many celebrities in attendance. There was quite the celebration when it became official.
Finally, in September of 1988 he rested after 2632 games and then continued on to play every game for the rest of the season.
This man was a true superstar in every sense of the word.
HI EVERYBODY
This is the Prez inviting you to take a few moments to express yourself! This is your chance to have the final word. What's on your mind? Any jokes? Any recipes? Any stories, opinions, points of view, outlook, thesis, hypothesis...etc.
Don't be shy!
This is the Prez inviting you to take a few moments to express yourself! This is your chance to have the final word. What's on your mind? Any jokes? Any recipes? Any stories, opinions, points of view, outlook, thesis, hypothesis...etc.
Don't be shy!
