Saturday, July 2, 2016

Bryant vs. Ryno

This past Monday (June 27, 2016), Cubs phenom Kris Bryant had a game for the ages.  He set a record for a franchise that has been around for 140 years.  No one in the history of the Chicago National League Ball Club had ever accumulated 16 total bases in one game.  No one.  We're talking about team wonders:  Dave Kingman, Mark Grace, Hank Sauer, Stan Hack.  We're talking steroid cheats:  Sammy Sosa, GlenAllen Hill, Marlon Byrd.  We're talking about Hall of Famers,  Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Billy Williams, Cap Anson, Andre Dawson.  And we're talking about Ryne Sandberg.

In the game on Monday (won by the Cubs 11-8 over the Cincinnati Reds), Bryant went 5 for 5 with THREE, count'em three homers and two doubles.  Drove in six runs, scored four times.  Bryant had a pretty good week on Monday.

Thirty two years and four days earlier, Ryne Sandberg had a game for the ages.  He went 5 for 6, two homeruns, drove in seven runs and scored twice.  Accumulated 11 total bases.

Now just looking at the those simple numbers you can make arguments.

Bryant had a better game:  Didn't make an out.  16 Total Bases.  Scored four runs.  Hit three homeruns.
Sandberg had a better game:  Drove in seven runs.  Well, based solely on the numbers, that's about the only argument you can make for Sandberg.

Yet the game Sandberg played in on Saturday, June 23rd 1984 (I didn't have to look up the date or the day) has endured historically for going on thirty-three years.  It has become LEGENDARY.  It launched an icon, an entire team and possibly a Hall of Fame induction.

Bryant's game was superior yet my belief is that it will fade into the franchise history to be mentioned along side of Tuffy Rhodes hitting three homeruns on Opening Day, Monday April 4, 1994 (I DID have to look up that day and date) off of Dwight Gooden.

Why?  Why would a historic performance like Bryant's not be considered THE GAME of the decade?  I have some thoughts.  I could be right (possible), I could be wrong (probable).  I'll let you decide.

Who Was Watching:  June 23rd, 1984 the Cubs played the Cardinals at Wrigley Field on NBC's National Game of the Week.  Bob Costas.  Tony Kubek.  This was before the MLB channel.  This was before ESPN picked up a baseball contract.  You either watched NBC's Game of the Week on Saturday or you watched your local affiliate to watch your local team.

Monday, June 27th, 2016 was a night game in Cincinnati.  To my knowledge the only live broadcast would have been the local Chicago and Cincinnati affiliates, and possibly a broadcast on the MLB package, if you subscribed, but even then you would tap into the Cincinnati or Chicago broadcast teams.

Expectations:  At the time of the game in 1984, the Cubs were in third place, one and a half games out of first - which for them was quite an accomplishment, and a record of 37-31, also quite an accomplishment.  Ten days earlier the Cubs acquired Rick Sutcliffe in a move that ultimately would launch them into the playoffs, but on June 23rd, no one knew that.  This still was a team that Dallas Green and Jim Frey were hoping would finish at .500.  Sandberg is in his third full season, and while most of Chicago can see he's something special (whether they are seeing it with their eyes or their heart at the time) he hadn't become RYNE SANDBERG to baseball . . . yet.  So this was a bit unexpected.

2016 the Cubs arrive anointed World Series Champions, even though they haven't sniffed a World Series game in 71 years and counting.  Kris Bryant is coming off a Rookie of the Year season last year and came to the Cubs as a very highly touted prospect.  Both he and Sandberg are 24 at the time of "their games".  Bryant is expected to do amazing things on the field, in the dugout and quite possibly in his sleep.

Context Of The Game:  After one and a half innings the Cubs were down 7-1*.  On National TV.  Against the rival Cardinals.  An emotional place many, many Cubs fans have been before.

*There are many interesting story lines aside from Ryne Sandberg's coming out party in the June 23rd, 1984 Cubs/Cardinals game.  We'll get to those below.

Sandberg hit his first homerun leading off the bottom of the 9th tying the game at 9.  Prior to that the Cubs had never led or been tied in the game.  Pretty good?  Yeah.  But why so great?  Wait for it.

He hit his second homerun of the game in the bottom of the 11th with two out and a runner on base to re-tie the game, this time at 11.

Bryant hit his first homerun in the 3rd inning putting the Cubs up 3-2.  His second homerun was in the 4th and gave the Cubs a 7-3 lead.  His third homerun was a solo shot in the 8th inning extending the Cubs lead to 8-7.

So while Bryant was having an amazing game and it turned out the Cubs pretty much needed every bit of offensive output he could muster, (final score 11-8) his last two homeruns gave the Cubs some scoring cushion.

Without Sandberg in the bottom of the 9th and again in the bottom of the 11th, Cub fans go home having watched a loss.

Hit It Off Who?:  The thing that elevated Sandberg into the stratosphere is that he stepped into the batter's box in the bottom of the 9th inning and faced Bruce Sutter.  Five time All-Star, Cy Young Award Winner, Four time league leader in Saves.  World Series Champion (with the Cardinals in 1982 where he won one game and saved two including Game 7).  Sutter was on his way to a career high of 45 Saves in 1984 and another (would be his 6th) All-Star appearance.  And Sandberg parked Sutter's pitch in the leftfield bleachers.

Then Sandberg came up in the in the 11th inning with two out, one on and his team trailing by two and faced . . . Sutter again.  And again he knocked it out of the park.

Bryant hit his homeruns off of Dan Straily, Dan Straily and Ross Ohlendorf.  Doesn't really have the same cache.

How Old Are You?:  Back in June of 1984 I was an impressionable, naive 18 year old.  Everything was bigger when it came to baseball and especially the Cubs.  My world revolved around them.  I certainly didn't have to concern myself with girls or a wide circle of friends as a distraction from absorbing everything about the Cubs into my soul.

June 2016 I'm 49.  Still a big Cubs fan but with a career and children, the Cubs don't absolutely dominate every part of my being anymore.  So on a personal level, the Sandberg game will always have a more lasting impact.

There could be other factors as well, but those are the one's that come readily to mind as to why Sandberg's game endures and Bryant's may well become a footnote.

As I mentioned, in 1984 the Cubs/Cardinals game had numerous story lines.  Some well documented, some not so much.

Something that was often overlooked immediately after the game but has since been mentioned consistently years after the fact - Willie McGee hit for the cycle.  In fact by the 7th or 8th inning it was customary for NBC to name a Player of the Game.  And so with the Cardinals leading and to that point Sandberg "only" having three singles in four at bats, NBC named Willie McGee the Player of the Game.  Not really a big deal since I think it was tied to some sponsorship thing and didn't really impact the players.  But after Sandberg's second homerun Costas commented to Kubek that they may need to rethink the Player of the Game honors.

Bruce Sutter, as the Cardinals CLOSER, entered the game IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 7TH INNING!  No one inning closing for Sutter.  This was before Tony LaRussa "invented" the 9th inning closer and Sutter, Gossage, etc. were closing games as early as the 7th inning.  Sutter pitched three and a third innings that day.

And perhaps my favorite story line.  The starting pitcher for the Cardinals that day was Ralph Citarella.  If you watch the broadcast and hear Tony Kubek say his name but you're not really paying attention it almost sounds like Ralph Cinderella.  But this wasn't a Cinderella story.  Citarella was staked to a 7-1 lead after two innings.  He pitched 5.1 innings, giving up five earned runs.  Not a great outing, but he did last long enough to qualify for the win.  And until Sandberg faced Sutter in the bottom of the 9th, Citarella was going to get the win.  But the Cardinals lost and Citarella received a No Decision.  Big deal, happens all the time right?  Starting pitchers lose win opportunities as often as the sun rises and sets.  But the point here is that Ralph Citarella NEVER won a major league game.  He appeared in three seasons for a total of 21 games and didn't record a win.  I often wonder if he thinks about this game and how close he came to winning a major league baseball game.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Open Letter to Randy

Randy -




Most of us realize that when you posted video of the SNC reunion concert ten years ago you were making it easy for SNC friends and family, who couldn't attend, see the show.  It has been acknowledged that at the time you and the rest of SNC had no idea where this would lead.




When one of you talk briefly about the history of SNC during your shows, it's mentioned how posting the video changed the lives of SNC members when the president of Atlantic Records called New Year's Day with a three record deal.  There are comments about how the original members were summoned from across the country from various jobs in finance, law and entertainment to pursue this dream.  All of that is relatively obvious as to the changes in store for the guys.




Little did you know at the time you clicked "upload" that you would receive the record deal.  Or that SNC would be on the leading edge of what now is an all-too-common Viral World with over 18 million views.




Little did you  know that in short order SNC would tour the U.S.  You would tour Canada, eh?  You would tour Europe multiple times (currently you're in Paris wowing the French and celebrating Seggie's newest annual notch on his totem pole).




Little did you know you would collaborate on albums with Dolly Parton, Paul McCartney, Sara Bareilles, Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat, Cee Lo Green, just to name a few.




Little did you know you would appear on stage with Barry Manilow.  That SNC would be featured in at least two PBS specials.




Little did you know that the three record deal would actually lead to eight albums.


And that's all amazing and wonderful.  Numerous ripples in the SNC pond when you tossed the stone in ten years ago.




But that's not the half of it.  You changed the lives of ten guys (actually fifteen as members have left and joined the group since signing with Atlantic.  That's obvious - and it doesn't count the members of your team that are more behind the scenes like Richard Korby, the Roll Tide Brothers and many others I'm not aware of.




You know the extent the impact you've had on the public since SNC is consistently playing to sold out venues with attendance ranging from 3000-5000 captivated audience members.  So that's obvious as well.  Night after night of standing ovations and long autograph lines means the public adores you.  And that's all wonderful.




But little did you know that when you clicked "upload" you essentially laid the groundwork to establish a new community.  Your fans have not only connected with you, but they have connected with each other.  Chaser Nation (let's just trademark that puppy right now with all profits and proceeds making a beeline for my pocket) not only worships SNC but also has created a culture unto itself.




Little did you know that you would be facilitating a world where people from across the country, NAY!  I say the globe! have reached out to each other.  Sure we talk about SNC stuff and arrange to meet for dinner before your concerts.  But you've created a family.




Because of you and your upload abilities we have been able to support each other through deaths, divorces, job loss.  We've been able to help celebrate births, marriages, graduations.


We have watched each others children grow up and welcomed grandchildren into the world.




We've learned that there is a place in the U.S. named Roanoke (who knew?) and apparently it gets A LOT of snow in February from time to time.




We have learned the passion of Philadelphia Flyer fans.  That it's possible to find small objects across the country using GPS.  That people can feel really special receiving a video wishing them a Happy Birthday.




We have learned the power of your videos getting us through dark times in our lives.  We have been able to lean on each other and offer support to each other when life throws us a tidal wave.


Little did you know all that when you clicked "upload".




Obviously people have become exposed to a cappella when otherwise they may not have.  But some have been exposed to other types of music because of the wide range of music SNC covers.  Personally I don't know that I would have knowingly or willingly heard the music of Cold Play or Lady Gaga (or Justin Bieber for that matter) had it not been for SNC.




I haven't heard of a Chaser meeting a Chaser and creating a new Chaser Family, but that doesn't mean that it hasn't happened or isn't inevitable.


If your "upload" moment was made into a movie (and what's up with that?  Chaser Nation is waiting for SNC to hit the big screen) a la Capra-esque "It's a Wonderful Life", it wouldn't be a movie so much as a mini-series.  Clarence only had to unwind George Bailey's impact in Bedford Falls.  Your "Clarence" would have to undo the intricate web you've woven across the globe.  This could be perfect for Ken Burns to produce something more involved than his Civil War series.


So in short (yes, I'm playing it fast and loose with the concept of short), thank you for clicking "upload".  You have impacted and changed the lives of countless people in ways you can't even imagine.



Saturday, February 20, 2016

Baseball, Politics and Big John

Pitchers and catchers reported for duty yesterday (finally!) and uncharacteristically the temps were mild and the sun was shining in Chicago so my eight year old, Cooper, and I broke out the gloves and ball for our own spring training.

As a preface to make the rest of this recount understandable, Cooper and his classmates are in the middle of doing biographies of famous Americans of their choice.

So while we were lobbing the ball back and forth we led off with a little Abraham Lincoln knowledge since that's Cooper's subject.  He explained how Lincoln ended slavery, he was shot and some other tidbits.  I asked him if he knew the name of Lincoln's wife (he did). Then I off-handedly said her full name "Mary Todd Lincoln" which brought the discussion around to how women's last names change when they get married and whether their middle names change (essentially their maiden names becoming their middle names).  And then a great question - "When a woman gets unmarried do they have their old name back?"  I love that question on so many levels.  I love the wording.  I love the thought process.

We moved on to other biography subjects, namely George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and George Bush.  So we got hooked on some Presidents.  Two interesting observations from my horsehide slinging dude.  "Is Barack Obama really the first black President?"  Apparently Cooper thinks America should be a little further down the progressive thought process.  Then we talked about all the living former Presidents and their Vice-Presidents.  We identified the former Presidents still among us and Cooper wanted to know if they all died would their Vice-Presidents become President?  "And what if the President and Vice-President died?"  Ok, quick introduction to the Speaker of the House.  Fortunately he didn't question things further lest I be required to explain the Secretary of Agriculture.

We moved away from the class biographies and turned to topics he's learned recently so I was able to hear the details of Annie Oakley, Wild Bill Hicock and Buffalo Bill Cody.  In amazing detail.

We finished our ball tossing conversation with impressive and long (I mean loooong - I think a couple of snails crossed the driveway) insight of "Big John" and how he stood up for the little guy and that he outworked a machine trying to destroy a rock that was in the way of building a railroad track.

Somehow I think Jason Heyward, Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant are having completely different conversations as they loosen up for the 2016 campaign.  But I guarantee they are not having a better conversation.