End Of An Era

 Very quietly earlier this year (January 2021) one of the longest running fantasy baseball leagues in the country closed operations.  The Cubs Fan Club League (CFCL), established in 1984 by a couple of wide eyed high school seniors, ended its run.

Ten teams chased the trophy in 2019 with the Golden Sombreros coming out on top.  Covid caused confusion for 2020.  Would there be a baseball season?  Would they start the season then stop?  Would players begin to play and then be put on the Covid list for a week?  A month? The season?  Trying to navigate all the moving parts seemed impossible and that was only to be dealt with if we could figure out when to draft (usually mid/late March, but the season didn't start until July) and how? (by the time of the season starting, the country had been shut down and no one in our league was comfortable sitting in an enclosed room with nine other owners some of whom had come in from out of state).  As a league we decided to suspend operations for 2020 and hopefully re-engage in 2021.

A strange thing happened during the 2020 season, at least for the owner of Dem Rebels.  Despite being a member for 36 years (being one of the wide eyed seniors to establish the league) during the 2020 baseball season there was no longing to check box scores or daily standings.  There was no desire to make a trade or make notes on players to draft in 2021.  It was ennui to apathy to torpor for the double play.  

The Rebels had felt it building over the last few seasons.  Lack of energy preparing for the draft.  Drafting a team, managing injuries, making trades to try and make a run only to be torpedoed by outlandish trades of other teams.  Real life interests were pulling their attention away from baseball operations.  And so as all owners in the league voiced their decision to return or resign, the Rebels made the announcement to step away but hopefully watch the CFCL continue under new management.  Four other owners (Ruffins, DoorMatts, Twin Killers and Swing) decided it was time to pull the shutters closed and move on to other endeavors.  With five teams remaining, replacement owners or new blood would be needed to keep the league going.  As of this writing (April 2021) no announcement has been made that new owners had been found.

There have plenty of enjoyable memories over 36 season.  The "Snookie" Incident.  Driving to the draft for many years with DoorMatt and Twin Killer management.  Catching up in person with out of town owners, though the conversations were always too brief.  Staring down the Revenge while I overpaid (.55) for the awesome Andrew McCutcheon.  Tracking each pick every draft trying to figure out not only how am I going to build a champion (didn't happen) but what is going on in the minds of fellow owners with the selections they made.  Sure there were frustrations and ultimately that was a factor in deciding to retire, but 36 years was overall a fun run.

Another interesting observation was made by Rebel management (or, more accurately, Former Rebel Management).  His son Cooper joined an on-line fantasy baseball league.  The draft was held in February and Cooper announced the members of his team (named The Chicken Coops).  Upon hearing the draft process and the roster for the Coops, Rebel leadership felt no longing to be involved in the building of a team.  No jealousy that would stir the pot to want to run a fantasy baseball team again.  All he felt was excitement and pride in his son as he (Cooper) branched out his sporting experience to fantasy baseball.

The 2021 full baseball season will be the first in 38 years that the Rebels will not be drafting and managing Dem Rebels to most likely another low level finish.  But it will be the first full baseball season that will be filled with fatherly pride as he watches Cooper charge towards his first title.

The Evolution of A Cappella In A Young Man's Life

Do you ever think back over your life when you saw or experienced something but didn't realize what it really was?  One example for me was a cappella music.  First time I ever experienced it was watching Rocky and Rocky II.  Rocky starts with him walking at night and comes across some guys just harmonizing standing around a trash can with a fire in it.  In Rocky II he and Adrian were just married and he's carrying her home.  They pass an alley where the same group of guys are standing around a fire singing..  He tells them he just got married and they start singing a song for the newlyweds.  Their harmonies blew me away but I didn't know what I was hearing.  I didn't know a cappella was a thing.  But it planted a seed.

A few years later I saw Huey Lewis in concert and their tradition was to give the  band a break and have Huey and the News sing a few a cappella songs.  I was mesmerized, but again didn't know what I was experiencing.  I knew I loved it, but figured it wasn't really a thing, it was just Huey and the guys showing the audience how they warm up before a concert or something.

Then the lightning bolt struck.  In college I worked for a radio station.  They had tickets to see Larry Gatlin in Aurora, IL.  No one at the station knew anything about country music except me so they asked me to come up with five trivia questions they could ask the listeners so the station could give away five pairs of tickets.  As a reward or thank you the station gave me one of the pairs of tickets.  I love country music so I was totally excited.  I heard the station play commercials promoting the concert and I heard the announcer say "So join Larry and his brothers, Four Guys Standing Around Signing for a great night of music."  I couldn't understand the "four guys standing around singing" comment since Larry has two brothers and being a college student I understood that one (Larry) plus two (his brothers Steve and Rudy) were three, not four.

Fast forward to the night of the concert.  Before the Gatlin Brothers came out, an a cappella group - Four Guys Standing Around Singing - came out on stage to open the show.  Scott McEwen, Rick Vamos, Noah Budin and Darren (his real name) Stevens absolutely killed it.  They sang doo-wop.  They covered contemporary songs.  They sang an original song or two.  They were AMAZING!!!  And I was transfixed forever.  Four young guys who played local bars in Chicago and toured different colleges were the highlight of the night.  They sang  for fifteen minutes and I was disappointed when the Gatlin Brothers took the stage.  I wanted, I NEEDED more of this a cappella thing I just heard.

That started a life long love affair with a cappella music and a four or five year love affair with the 4 Guys.  I still have their audio cassettes (yes, this was back in the day before the internet and CDs and MP3 players).  Bought their t-shirts and with my best friend from high school, David, went to see the 4 Guys perform nearly 35 times.  Knowing almost all their songs and their jokes never, never, never diminished the enjoyment of their shows.

When I worked downtown for a few years, one Christmas the building my office was in had a group called Chicago Voice Exchange sing Christmas carols in the lobby.  Big acoustic heaven for sound and these guys were unbelievable.  I stumbled across them on my morning break, stayed much longer than my allotted 15 minutes, went back down at lunch and just sat there in amazement.  I hated working downtown, but for that morning it was the best thing ever.

After our experience with the 4 Guys, David was always on the lookout for a cappella.  I found the Nylons and he found (once the internet became available) a video.  Oh the video..  He sent it to me saying "I know you like a cappella, here's a group that did an interesting arrangement of the 12 Days of Christmas."  And my life changed.  At first I didn't get it because while it's the 12 Days, it isn't the 12 Days.  Without knowing what I was seeing I thought "Man, they screwed up that song."  They didn't sing it poorly, quite the contrary.  But they didn't sing it the way it was written.  It took a couple of viewings for me to realize the genius I was seeing.  The song was arranged and performed by Straight No Chaser, quite possibly the greatest a cappella group of all time.  I've seen Pentatonix on The Sing Off, their videos and in person.  I've watched Home Free, Committed and various college groups including a very talented one - UC Men's Octet.  But SNC is the platinum standard for a cappella.  Of course that's just my opinion, but believe me when I tell you I'm right.  They cover Motown, hair bands, The Beatles, the  70's, Cold Play, Madonna, Michael Jackson just to name a few areas.  They do EVERYTHING including original material.  Sometimes straight up, most often with their own "twist" to the song.  They will mash songs together in a way that you don't even know you are hearing two songs.

I have had the pleasure of seeing them live 23 times and never leave disappointed.  I have seen the faces of the audience at intermission with looks of "oh my god, I can't believe I just saw/heard that!  What is the second half of the show going to be like?"  With just nine voices (previously ten) and a pitch pipe Straight No Chaser will transport you into a world of harmony, musical creativity and humor in a way that when you walk out of their concert your life is incrementally better than it was the two hours before you sat down.

I am biased.  I've met the guys, received their autographs, taken pictures with them and joked around with them.  Even if I hadn't had those experiences, they would still be the best out there.

Pentatonix is great and adored world wide.  For me, most of their covers are of songs that I just don't connect with.  That being said, they came out with two Christmas albums that combined don't have one bad song among them.

There's a lot of great a cappella music out there, including high school groups like this one.this one.

But there is only one SNC.  Here's how they explain a cappella music.

Cooper and the Brewers

For reasons that defy understanding Cooper, my youngest and currently age 12, is a Brewers fan.  I have been a Cubs fan since 1974.  His mother has embraced both the Mets and the Cubs, though I think her current preference is for the Northsiders.  And yet, there's Cooper - blissfully happy to cross the border, break through the Cheese Curtain and cheer for the Brewers.

Personally I think it's awesome.  At younger stages of his life he has liked the Pirates and Tigers.  But now, since he likes the Brewers and we're from Chicago I am supposed to be upset.  Friends will ask "How do you allow that?"  My simple answer?  I don't care.  He likes baseball.  That is most important in my mind.  It is the sport I grew up loving.  He loves the sport as well.  What could be better?

I'm not sure why but his absolute favorite player is Lorenzo Cain, your starting centerfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers.  But he can talk about the virtues of Christian Yelich, Yasmani Grandal (until he signed with the White Sox), Josh Hader, Mike Moustakis and the list goes on.  But Cain is his fave.

This past summer I decided to take him to his first Brewers game in Milwaukee.  I was looking at the Brewers schedule to see how it fit with my work schedule and the days that Cooper spends with me when I noticed something.  When he was over for dinner I mentioned going to see the Brewers and he got excited.  I pulled up the schedule and said "Well, we could go see them play the Phillies on this day."

Cooper - OK!

Me - Or we could go see them play the Reds on that day.

Cooper - Ehh (clearly more interested in seeing the Phillies than the Reds, but that's when I dropped the decision maker)

Me - Because the day they play the Reds they're having a giveaway.  It's Lorenzo Cain Bobblehead Day.

Cooper - OH HECK YEAH!!!

Like I didn't already know which game we were going to go see.

We drove up and had the greatest time.  Yes a lot of it had to do with watching baseball with my son.  But the Milwaukee experience was amazing.  People in Milwaukee are some of the nicest people around.  When we went to get some hot dogs and nachos, obviously there was a line.  That's what happens at a sporting event.  As we approached the guy who was going to take our order he met us with "Thank you so much for waiting in line."  Then he looked me over and looked at Cooper.  I was wearing a Pirates T-Shirt and Cubs baseball hat.  Cooper had a Brewers shirt and hat on.  The guy says to Cooper, "What's wrong with your dad?  Pirates and Cubs?  Why isn't he cool like you?"

Cooper just shook his head as if in disappointment and said "Yeah, I know" which cracked the guy up.  After we received our food and started to move out of line the guy said "Thanks for coming to the game!  Have a nice day."  This was said in full sincerity.  Truly genuinely nice people.

As for the game itself, well every time Lorenzo Cain came to bat Cooper would set down his phone or food or whatever was in his hand, stand up, cup his hands around his mouth and let out a barbaric "WOOOOO!!!!" arching his back for full amplification and sound distribution.

Yasmani Grandal gave the Brewers an early lead with a homerun in the bottom of the 1st which allowed Cooper to see Bernie the Brewer come down the slide in the outfield and wave a Brewers flag.

The roof was open on a beautiful summer day, which, talking with my friends who have been to numerous Brewer games, is rare.  Not a beautiful summer day in Wisconsin, but apparently the default position for the Brewers is to have their roof closed on the off chance of inclement weather.  I have had friends attend a dozen or more games and the roof was closed each time.

Not that day.  It was beautiful.  Josh Hader came in to nail down the 6-5 win and all was right in the world.

While we stalled going to the parking lot to avoid traffic we stopped in the gift shop and found a Lorenzo Cain shirt.

We then headed back to our car, walking past all the tailgaters and grills with brats and sausages.  Asking almost a rhetorical question, I asked Cooper if he enjoyed himself.  He said yes, he had a great time.  Then, "I LOVE Milwaukee!!  Wisconsin is so much better than Illinois!"

I love the youthful certainty in that declaration, coming from a kid whose TOTAL Wisconsin exposure was I-94 to the Stadium exit ramp and then walking through the parking lot (granted filled with the amazing aroma of brats, sausages and burgers) seeing people playing cornhole, playing music, laughing and enjoying the weather, and then entering the stadium.

That's Wisconsin to Cooper.  And he LOVES it.

When Was The Last Time

Darius Rucker has recorded many brilliant songs since he went solo from Hootie and the Blowfish.  He went down the country music path and has just lit . . . it . . . up.  One song he recorded was "When Was The Last Time".  The title is a fun play on words because the chorus goes "when was the last time you did something for the first time?", reminding  us all that it's good to take chances, expand our horizons, get outside of our comfort zone.  None of which I'm good at, but I do love the song.

One day as I was listening to the song, it got me thinking.  Reversing the question in a way, "When was the last time you did something for the LAST time?"  (Or, I suppose, "When was the FIRST time you did something for the LAST time?"  It basically means the same thing, doesn't it?)

There are occasions in our life when we absolutely know we won't be doing something again.  You resign or retire from work, you know you won't be walking to your desk in that office any more.  If you're a professional athlete and you retire, you know when the last time you will face a pitcher or throw a football (assuming you are able to retire on your own terms).  I would imagine it's a rare occurrence when you know something is happening for the last time as it's happening.

But all of us will have, and have had, experiences for the last time - didn't know it at the time and may not even know it yet.  If you are of a certain age you have probably played on a playground jungle gym for the last time.  Do you know when that was?  Flew on an airplane?  Ate Chinese food?  Saw the ocean?  Kissed your soulmate?  Attended a New Year's Eve Party?

Most of us don't know, didn't know when it happened.  I think there are several reasons for that.

One is I think humans, by nature, are always optimistic.  "Oh I'll do that again." or "We'll have to do this again next year." are common thoughts or comments.  We always believe there will be another opportunity.  Some of it could be a sense of assumption or entitlement that we can have and do what we want, when we want.  Sure.  But unless you are given a diagnosis where you absolutely know there will not be a next time, I think we all believe there will always be a next time.

Additionally, there are so many things going on in our lives, personally, professionally, recreationally, that it's almost impossible to keep track of everything we've done and the last time it occurred.  The last time I cradled my child?  I don't know.  I see them all the time and they're grown, so I've hugged them, but cradled them in my arms?  Years ago and I don't know when was the last time.  Last time I shot a basketball?  Haven't been on a court in years.  Certain body parts are a little more achy than years ago.  I'd like to think it may happen again, but it's been a few years since I took any of my children to a basketball court and played "H-O-R-S-E".

The purpose of this post wasn't necessarily to make you wrack your brain to remember the last time you did some normal routine thing, though that can be an interesting exercise.  But maybe the point was to remind us all that things change, it's important to recognize and appreciate what you're doing in the moment and realize that at some point it won't happen any longer.

Passion

Joe Posnanski posed the question "What is your passion?"  He embarked on a project with a writer friend to identify and write about Passion Across America.  Joe is an award winning national sportswriter, one of the best in the country.  But anyone who has read Joe's work understands he is equally, if not more, astounding when he writes about his family, his passions, everyday ordinary things.  But I digress.

In an article he wrote, he asked what the reader's passion was.  I gave it some thought, turns out it didn't require all that much thought.  Once I eliminated my children - not because they aren't my passion, they are, but that's going to be everyone's answer either because it's true or the respondent thinks that should be the answer.  So I took it a step outside of the default obvious.  What is my passion that is mine and not society's expectation?

At a younger time in my life it would have been baseball and the Chicago Cubs in specific.  They still are an interest, but due to life experiences and changes, they are no longer a passion.

Coming in a close second is the a capella group, Straight No Chaser.  Actually in a tangential way we will soon discover, they are connected to my absolute passion.  A few quick words about SNC.  They are nothing short of incredible, awesome, unbelievably brilliant.  There are a few posts on here extolling the sheer - I don't have the proper over the top adjective to provide right now - of their music and live performances.  After further review I realized that I am obsessed with SNC.  They are my obsession.  And they introduced me to my passion.

Dancing.

"Dancing?" you say?  Yes dancing.  It has completely saturated my soul.  I've tried to figure out why and I'm  not sure I have my finger on it yet.  There are contributing factors to it, but I don't know that I've nailed the single, specific reason.

How did it start?  Well it goes back to Straight No Chaser.  I was watching videos of their tour and while I can't sing to save my life, I watched these guys not only sing but put on an entertaining show full of choreographed moves.  I remember thinking, "Man I would love to move that smoothly and have that rhythm."  That thought moved to "I should take dance lessons."

So I googled dance studios in my area and found that I passed one (Dance Fun USA - Aurora, IL) virtually every day in the normal course of my errands.  Who knew?  So I stopped in, signed up for their introductory package and after the first group lesson I was hooked.

Since I didn't know what I didn't know, we (my instructor Peggy and I) decided to cover a variety of dances instead of learning just one.  We've dug into Swing, Latin and Ballroom.  And while I'm perfectly inept at all of them, that in no way reflects the talent and abilities of Peggy and Amy (another unbelievable instructor I've coerced to teach me).  They are phenomenally talented, creative and supportive in their teaching efforts.  But even they are limited to the abilities of their students.

Dancing is my passion.  I have learned (with the help of Peggy and Amy) how every day things are a part of dance.  It's nothing that they have pointed out specifically but through their instruction and breaking down of dance steps and moves, it becomes so blatantly obvious that much of our day is a form of dance.

In partner dancing you have a lead and follow.  The lead suggests a move and (hopefully) the follow agrees.  So I've noticed similar parallels in every day life.  When I drive and I put on  my turn signal, I'm indicating what I want to have happen next.  That's an obvious one.  But even more subtle, driving in a parking lot if I move my car slightly to the right, I'm indicating to the oncoming car I would like to have them pass me on my left.

If you're standing next to someone and need to reach around them to get something, if you nudge them to the right so you can get around on the  left, you're leading (suggesting) that they move to the right.

I fall asleep with songs running through my head and to those songs I am envisioning the moves Peggy and Amy taught me or I'm trying to create something new.

When driving to a destination for work, I cannot tell you how many times I've gotten in the car thinking "Ok, I need to turn right at the next intersection.  Then a song will come on the radio and I will start dancing the song in my head, thinking of moves I know or moves that I could try.  When I get to the intersection I've turned left instead of right or driven straight through.

One time on a country road I needed to turn right about a mile down the road.  I started dancing a song in my head and eventually I looked around wondering where I was.  Turns out I was about a mile and a half past the road I needed to turn on.

Since I began lessons I have read numerous articles about how dancing helps people on so many levels.  It delays the aging process.  It improves balance, blood flow.  It provides social interaction and human connection.  And I don't care about any of that.  Those are all ancillary benefits.  Certainly huge benefits, but that's not why I dance.

Why do I?  I'm not sure.  I know Peggy, Amy, the other instructors and the environment at the Dance Fun USA studio is a big part of it.  I've been exposed to other instructors briefly and it wasn't fun.  Had I walked into another studio almost three years ago, I may not feel the same way.

Or maybe I would.  Maybe dancing has always been my passion and I would have found the proper, supportive, creative environment eventually.  Fortunately for me it happened on Day One.

Another benefit I've heard about dancing is increased confidence.  I can totally see where that makes sense.  But so far, three years in, I haven't experienced it.  Oh, when a song plays I'm confident I know what dance goes with the music and I know the basic steps to that dance.  Peggy and Amy have taught me well.  But I have not found the confidence to go out to a club and walk up to a perfect stranger and ask them to dance.  Have I EVER done it?  Sure. But not often.  If someone asks me to dance, I'm there and will do my level best to give them an enjoyable experience.  But, so far, I'm not comfortable in my abilities to ask someone to join me on the dance floor with the expectation of having them enjoy themselves.

Every week I work with Peggy and Amy I try to learn something new or polish something I already know.  Often times I feel like I'm regressing instead of progressing.  They insist I'm making strides of improvement, but I'm not convinced.

Yet with the trepidation of asking someone to dance and feeling like I'm getting worse instead of better, I can't get enough of it.  I think about it every day.  I practice in my kitchen, in the parking lot waiting to pick my son up from school, in the grocery store aisles.

What's the end game?  Winning a competition?  No, nothing that easy to identify.  Less than a year into my dance experience I was at a ballroom watching an amazing lead dance with multiple follows, whisking them all across the floor.  The follows all walked off the floor with smiles that would challenge the brilliance of the sun.  At that point I knew my dancing goal.  To make my follow feel beautiful.  Will I ever accomplish that?  Most likely not.  But it's been said that a dog that catches its tail stops chasing.

What's your passion?

Who are you?

My youngest daughter is one of the most caring, thoughtful, quiet, animal loving people I've ever met.  And right there in the first sentence I've insulted her.  Not on purpose.  Until recently completely unknowingly.  How?  The sentence seems complimentary.  Oh, that must be it.  I insulted her with compliments.  Kids HATE when their parents gush over them.

No, it's because I called her my daughter.  After many years of introspection, as many years as a 15 year old can painstakingly and painfully endure on a day to day, minute to minute basis, Kristi has identified that she is transgender.

Yeah, I had to look up the definition too even though it's been in the news because North Carolina has issues,  We live in a country where the current administration is trying to undo all the bridges built with the LGBT communities that previous administrations have established.  I never paid a lot of attention to it because I kind of worked on the premise of "if you're a good person, you're a good person and I will treat you accordingly".  I wasn't up for causes or marches.  I just figured in my little corner of the world I would treat everyone with respect that deserved to be treated with respect.

And then I discovered I was contributing to the "living hell" my little girl had to endure - her words.  This is the last time I will call her my little girl.  Kris (he prefers Kris vs. Kristi) prefers the pronouns he, him and his.  In his words "it just feels right to me."  Apparently his classmates already do this.  Kris would prefer that his mom and I view him and acknowledge him as our son.  I won't speak for my ex-wife, but that's quite a leap for me after 15 years.  My memory tells me I have three daughters.  My verbal and intellectual muscle memory reverts to "Hey girl, how was school?" when I pick Kris up from band practice.

I don't mean anything by it.  I'm not judging.  I'm not trying to change his mind.  I know I don't know much in this area, yet, but I do know it's not a mindset.  Kris identifying as a male is no more a choice than me deciding to be prematurely bald.  I just have 15 years of doing something one way and now have to adjust in another direction.

Kris was never a girly girl.  He would rather run around with the neighborhood kids playing sports or agender activities rather than play with dolls and dress up.  I think I saw him wear a dress once in his life and that was for a grade school project.

Honestly as I watched him grow up I assumed he was gay.  Never wanted to wear girl clothes, preferred boys t-shirts or gender neutral clothing.  But that was my limited understanding of gender issues.  Either you're straight or gay.  The idea of my youngest daughter being gay didn't bother me one bit.  As long as she would be happy, I have no issues.  Little did I know how far I was from understanding what was going on in her mind and how far from happiness she was/is.

Recently I asked Kris if some of the girls from school he hangs out with are just "peeps" or if they were girlfriends.  And I received the most amazing response.  "No, they're just peeps.  I don't even know who I am at this point.  I'm not going to start dating guys or girls when I'm still trying to find out who I am."  I'm paraphrasing.  I mentioned Kris is thoughtful, caring and quiet.  I left off incredibly mature.

As a parent the only thing that bothers me about all this is that I'm discovering the confusion, torture and pain that he is in on what seems like a daily basis.  He doesn't talk much.  For the longest time I attributed it to being 15 where all kids go through mood swings, introversion, wanting to avoid their parents.  But more and more I'm aware that it's also because he's trying to figure out where he fits in - at school, in the world and in his mind.

Additionally I'm concerned for his safety, both physical and emotional.  This world is filled with amazingly open minded, nurturing people.  But it also is filled with the most vile, crude and abusive people.  The second type is usually pretty easy to spot and avoid.  But there's a third type.  The type that thinks they're the first group but really are the second group.  They'll make off hand comments about a person's appearance, race, background or intelligence.  They won't deliberately try to put another person down, but it's so ingrained in their DNA that they are somehow superior to everyone else, they just can't help themselves from being obnoxious, rude and belligerent.

Those are the ones I'm concerned about for Kris.  His (and anyone's) path of self-discovery is tough enough without having to navigate past the clueless lunks who think they are all that.  Basically from the time he was able to walk, Kris has marched to the beat of his own drum.  Appropriate since he's taken such a passionate interest in becoming a very accomplished trumpet player in band **.   I have seen and heard him be exposed to comments about his wardrobe when he was younger (always wearing t-shirts and sweatpants) or befriending the "uncool" kids.  When I talked to him about the comments he would receive he would shrug it off and say "it doesn't bother me".  Maybe it did, maybe it didn't.  But he always stuck to what he believed in.

**  When he was in 5th grade the opportunity to play an instrument in the school band presented itself and Kris knew that he wanted to play trumpet.  Right around that time, either just before joining the band or soon after, as his oldest sister was exploring college options, Kris stated with complete conviction - "I am going to go to U of I on a music scholarship."

As parents often discover, we learn as much from our kids as they learn from us.  From the time he could talk, Kris has always been the helpful, thoughtful, put others first individual the world needs more of.  He was quiet, yet when he would comment on a subject it was obvious there was logic, truth and a belief in what he was saying.  Kris is one of the few young adults I've known who does not get trapped with over reaction.  His response to things is always measured and level-headed.  If adults could act the same way, there would be so much more harmony in our lives.

These qualities are still there in him, but they've been muted as he has focused what seems like every waking moment of his life recently to identify who he is and where he fits in this world.

I do know that if anyone on this planet is strong enough to figure it out, it's Kris.  And I couldn't be prouder of my son.

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.

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.

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.

Straight No Chaser Through The Eyes of an Eight Year Old

Part Two of the Legendary Aca-Experience (Part One was two days earlier) took place in South Bend, Indiana on Tuesday, December 22nd.  Actually it began about three hours before when I picked up my son for his first Straight No Chaser concert.  As I buckled him in his seat he started the adventure by saying "Ahem!  You didn't even notice I took a shower and brushed my teeth!"  This from an eight year old boy.  Is it possible he was more excited about this evening's concert than I was?

Not a chance.  Even though I caught the doubleheader Saturday at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago, I couldn't wait to see the guys again and even  more so see what my son's reaction would be seeing them live.  He has seen dozens of videos and LOVES (I mean LOVES) the official Marvin Gaye video as well as the Movie Medley video.  In fact, those two songs were what he was most hoping to see/hear.

** Side note - I can't express enough how thrilled I am that he has immersed himself in SNC's music.  But I'm a little concerned that I'm going to one day receive a call from his Catholic school principal saying "Mr. Bentel, can you come to school?  Your son is Marvin Gaye-ing in the hallway.**

So off we go, according to MapQuest a straight shot east from Chicago to South Bend.  On the way, no doubt worn out from eager anticipation, Cooper feel asleep.  He only woke up when he felt the car turning around.  "Where are we?  Are we there yet?"  "No," I told him, "we have to turn around."

Something didn't feel quite right when I passed a sign that said "WELCOME TO MICHIGAN".  I'm not exactly Magellan, but even I understood that Michigan didn't stand between Chicago and South Bend.  Not to worry, a quick U-turn and we were back on track.  I had told Cooper that if we arrived early enough we could try to find SNC's tour bus.  Well, we arrived early, but it was rather cool and windy so we hustled right into the theater, grabbed a beverage and found our seats.

The show started with Tyler singing lead on "Shut Up and Dance" and Cooper was captivated.  He didn't have to wait long for Mike to knock Marvin Gaye out of the park.

*Oh, I should point out that no matter how many times you've seen SNC, there is always something you haven't seen.  For instance, at the intermission we were fortunate enough to catch up with COTM Dottie Kovacs and her charming daughter Robyn.  Dottie asked how this show compared to the two I saw on Saturday.  In all honesty, the show was exactly the same, word verbatim on the intros, same set list (except that since we were in Indiana the boys added "Back Home Again in Indiana"), everything, so it was the same . . . except that it wasn't  - courtesy of Mike Luginbill.

During Marvin Gaye the guys (namely Jerome and Steve) like to offer their talents and accoutrements to various female attendees in the first row.  Mike, not wanting to be outdone, channeled his inner rock star and jumped up on one of the floor speakers. Or should I say "tried" to jump up on the speaker.  Well, he made it to the top, but didn't stay there for long as the speaker immediately started to tip over and almost planted Mike in the lust filled and helping hands of some women in the first row.  Showing cat-like agility, Mike managed to stay on stage, shook his head and in between lines said "I swear I thought that was taped down."  He sang a few more lines, made his way to the other speakers and said "I'm just going to check these .. . ", kicked them, saw that they moved as well and finished the song without another Mick Jagger incident.  BUT it was an awesome and different performance.

So the song ends and my son turns to me and says "When is the movie song?"  I knew it came during the second part of the show so I said "It's after intermission."

"How many songs until the break?"  Hoo boy, he came focused on what he wants.

Throughout the night I watched him as much as I watched the guys.  As the show went on Cooper became more interactive, almost responding to things that were happening on stage.  During the movie trivia and "12 Days of Christmas" as the guys were goofing around Cooper would shrug his shoulders and lift his arms almost as if to communicate "What? What are you doing?"  He already knew the routine from numerous video views, but now he was getting into it.

When the concert ended we headed upstairs for the Meet & Greet.  I made Cooper an autograph book

and to make things easy on everyone, we waited until we were last in line so the guys would have time to flip to their page and sign their name.  Tyler was first (followed by Don) and Tyler asked Cooper if he made the book.  Cooper said "Yeah, well my dad did" and then continued talking with Tyler.  It was awesome.  Don looked at Tyler's page and asked what song he was singing in the shot.  Tyler said based on his arm position he was guessing it was the Four Seasons Medley (he was most likely right).  Then Don signed his page and Tyler asked Don what song he was singing.  It was the part of their ending medley from a few years ago where Don sang (mimed, actually) "Call Me Maybe" which led to the two of them to try and figure out when that picture was taken.  Tyler finally nailed it down because he tied them doing that medley to when he met his current fiancée.  That's awesome and all, but I'm thinking "Hey guys? Uh can that wait for the bus?  Chaser here wanting to schmooz a bit."  But seriously, they were awesome.  Everyone was.  Cooper told me on the way home that Walt (who was the last guy in the M&G line) figured out (at least verbally) that the book was in alphabetical order.

Then came the highlight of the evening for me (if there can be just one highlight).  Time for the group picture.  When it was our turn, Mr. Korby (did I mention before that he's a class act?  Good lord, he's a class act) said to Cooper, "Ok, get in there!  Where do you want to stand?"  And with the energy and exuberance only an eight year old can muster he yells from deep in his throat "STEVE!!!"

Steve immediately celebrates "Alright!" and without missing a beat Charlie says dismissively "Well, there's a first time for everything."

And so I thought our awesome evening was over.  But Cooper rose to the occasion yet again.  As we were walking to our car he said "Hey Papa (that's how I roll), we never saw their tour bus."  So instead of heading to the highway we headed to the back of the theater to find a tour bus.  Successful, we pulled up along side one of the buses, hopped out of the car and took a picture of Cooper next to the bus.  Somehow in our conversation I pointed out that the guys sleep on the bus as they head to the next town to perform.  Showing he's still eight, Cooper said "Wait, what?!  They sleep on the bus?" 

Being the photographic genius I am, I chose to have him stand at the middle of the bus away from ANY supportive light.  But here it is anyway.

Trust me, both he and the bus are in the picture.  Then it was back into the car where he declares "We need to listen to music on the way home.  Can we hear "Marvin Gaye"?  Oh you bet we can, mister.  Let me just flip through my eight CDs to find . . . here it is!  From there we jumped around to other songs and in a Name That Tune sort of way, he played Name the Lead Singer.  Dang if he didn't get about 80% of the names right.  I even threw him a curve ball with Ryan singing lead on a song.  I said "You won't get this, it's Ryan singing."  Mr. Smartypants responds with "Oh yeah, he's the one that retired."  Points for creativity my man.

Postscript:  This weekend while we were making dinner, we listened to The New Old Fashioned.  When the song got to the Chariots of Fire part, I started moving in slow motion and Cooper got this big grin on his face, shrugged his shoulders, scratched his head and ran past me like he was shot of a cannon (obviously mimicking DR's role).

Officially I can say, SNC through an eight year old's eyes is pretty darn cool.

Sweet Georgia Chaser

Back in the early 1920's the Harlem Globetrotters were formed.  Everyone knows who they are and what they do.  But when they first started playing, oftentimes the players wanted to shoot trick shots, get real fancy and entertain the crowd.

The owner and coach of the Globetrotters, Abe Saperstein, made a deal with them.  He said they could do all those things, but FIRST they had to become the best, most disciplined BASKETBALL team before they could think about ENTERTAINING.

For a few years now I've thought of Straight No Chaser in that context.  Anyone who has seen them perform, like, say Saturday night to two sold out shows at the Chicago Lyric Opera House, sees an amazingly talented group of guys putting on a show that defies description.  Yes, it's a cappella singing.  But it's so much more than that.  It's funny, it's visually appealing, it's topical, it's choreographed.

But at the absolute core, it's being the best, most disciplined singing group possible.  They have to be.  Singing in and of itself is hard.  For some of us it's impossible and definitely should not be tried in public.  Then add moving around a little bit.  Add facial expressions to make your audience engaged.  Add A LOT more moving and dancing.  Oh, but above all else, maintain perfect harmony, perfect pitch, perfect tone and other musical terms I don't know or understand.  That's SNC.  They are the Harlem Globetrotters of music.  Not for one minute are they willing to sacrifice musical excellence in exchange for entertainment.

I had the extreme privilege of seeing them for the seventh and eighth times this past Saturday.  As I was going through the Meet & Greet line after the second show I pointed out that is was just possible the evening performance was better than the matinee, but I would hate to live on the difference.  Since they are still on tour, I won't provide any on stage spoilers.  But there were some amusing off stage things.

For one, and I have no idea why this happened, but while waiting for both shows to start I, like the other 3500 attendees, was hanging out in the lobby.  Apparently I was doing a really good job of it because I had not one, not two, but THREE people (three separate instances) come up to me and ask me a question about the venue because they thought I worked there.  Now I will be the first to admit that I was rather nattily attired (that's just how I roll), but I didn't think I was EMPLOYMENT attired. 

Yet there I was fielding questions for the location of the bathroom and lost and found.  I knew where the bathroom was so that was an easy help.  But let's just say that the guy who was looking for his iPhone?  Well, he's never going to find that thing.

And then, being in Chicago and at a major music event, there is always the potential for celebrity sightings.  I had no less than five encounters!  Not in any particular order, but I did happen upon...

Dan Ponce!  Chicago morning news anchor for Channel 9?  Yeah, whatever.  THIS IS THE GUY WHO FOUNDED STRAIGHT NO CHASER!!!  So what's with the picture you ask?  Why does it look like Dan is photo bombing the shot?  Because technology is no friend of mine and I absolutely SUCK at taking selfies.  This was my second attempt.  Dan was gracious enough to play along.

Toward the end of the evening I struck additional a cappella gold when I ran into  . . .

Luke Mechling (in the Colts hat), bass singer for Gentleman's Rule and brother of SNC bass Charlie Mechling and Corey Frye, former member of Gentleman's Rule.  Two incredibly talented singers (don't believe me?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miWJdXIGDVo  Bam!  Told you.) who were incredibly gracious with their time.  Corey took the picture of me and Luke and Luke took the picture of me and Corey.  Best line that didn't come from the stage Saturday night - Luke Mechling lining up the shot trying to get us to smile saying "Everyone say 'Corey's new hairstyle.'"

So two world class shows, the creator of Straight No Chaser (and Gentleman's Rule for that matter) and two members of GR.  What could be better?  Well what anyone attending an SNC concert would hope for - meeting Chasers.  Chasers, if you weren't aware, are the names of the rabid fans that worship and adore the ten guys on stage.  The pinnacle in Chaserland is to be named (by the group) as Chaser of the Month.  Being named COTM means SNC has recognized the contributions and loyalty a fan has provided to the group.  So did I meet a COTM? Heck no, not on a night when I had three employment inquiries, and met two GR members.  Nothing was happening in ones.  I met TWO COTM!!!  Maggie Sherwin AND Laura Miller.  Laura was there to see SNC for the 50th time.  Yeah, that's what I said.  It's  not a typo.  50.

Showing amazing generosity and grace with a healthy dollop of tolerance, Maggie and Laura let me hang with them in the M&G line to hear and share SNC stories.

What could be better?  I would say nothing . . . .except that Tuesday I will be driving to South Bend to introduce my eight year old son to the guys.  What's SNC look like in the eyes of an eight year old?  We'll soon find out.

Here You Go, Iowa, Catch . . . . softly

When I was in grade school I had a friend named Tom Hawkins.  Some of the kids called him Hawkeye. 

When I was in high school I would watch M*A*S*H twice a night (three times on Mondays) and was entranced as Hawkeye Pierce made us laugh . . .and think.

Now that I'm an adult I have a new Hawkeye in my life.

University of Iowa, you are about to receive a precious gift.  When her mother and I brought her home from the hospital we could not conceive of the unbelievable journey she was about to take us on.  We nurtured her, raised her, challenged her, did our best and now we present her to you.

When she walked at 11 and a half months we claimed her a genius.

At three she would lead us to the park, four blocks from our house.

When we took her to have pictures taken we unbiasedly identified her as the most beautiful child of her age in the entire world.

Two time captain of the cheerleading squad.  Homecoming queen.  National Honor Society Member.  Top 10% of her graduating class. Yet her true accomplishments rank higher than any yardstick the organized educational system can install.

She has been an amazing friend to many.  Volunteered for and impacted those less fortunate.  Connected with people on a deep, personal level ranging in ages from two to 85.  Her ability to interact with adults as well as peers and make all of them feel special and unique is unusual for a girl her age..

She is our Belle. Please keep the Beasts at bay.  She deserves a prince.  If there are none on campus we prefer she be allowed to challenge and expand her mind so she can be prepared to make dramatic contributions to whatever part of the medical field she sets her sights on.

She will make you proud and honored that she is a part of your family, just as she has done for us these past 18 years.

You should know that you were the first institution she visited.  She sought out a few others and none were able to compare with what she felt was available among your hallowed halls. She will give you everything she has and more. Give her everything you have but don't forget to send her home for the holidays so we can once again envelope her in our warm embrace.

She is absolutely incredible.  She loves candles if they smell good.  She loves her cat.  And inexplicably she loves Blake Shelton (ok, maybe she's not perfect).

She will make you laugh with the flick of an eyebrow.  She will melt your heart with her laugh.  She will break your heart when she sucks the marrow of knowledge from your bones and moves on to bigger and greater things four years from now.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

She is capable of multi-tasking, having volunteered, captained in cheerleading, nailed down awesome grades all at once.  And proving it yet again, she is your newest alum and our baby girl, all at the same time.

Cougars, Country and Calisthenics

It had been a long weekend of work with more on the horizon.  Suddenly a window of opportunity presented itself and I jumped through it.  A quick, impromptu drive up Kirk Road brought me to the doorstep of the Cougars for a beautiful Saturday  night game.

Ok, doorstep, not so much.  How about the last freaking row of the parking lot?!  Seriously?  Yes, I showed up as the game starts but c'mon.  It's minor league ball after all and Kyle Schwarber and the Cubs left last season.  Oh wait, I get it.  It was Country Music night.  Some local group did a pre-game concert, country music played between innings and fireworks set to country music after the game.  Of course it would be packed.

While the game was less than stellar (Cougars lost 7-0 committing two errors), it was memorable for all the right and crazy reasons minor league ball is so awesome.  The Cougars rightfielder Chuck Taylor made an unbelievable catch running full force through the visitor's bullpen headlong into the low fence keeping the fans at bay.  Actually it was more like "running thigh-long" into the fence since that's the part of his body that connected with the barrier before he catapulted head first into the stands - hanging on to the ball to record the out.

This was the first time I think I ever saw a 3-4-3 groundout occur ---- twice.  Not a double play mind you where the first baseman snags a grounder, throws to second to get the lead runner and then catches the return throw to get the batter.  No, this was (and IT HAPPENED TWICE) a ground ball caroming off the first baseman, over to the second baseman who grabs it, and threw to first to record the out.  It was awesome.  Twice.

There were the usual between inning antics with a country flair.  They even had two World Championship Arm Wrestling matches after the game.  But then the pinnacle of the night was reached.  I thought it would be the fireworks.  Anyone who has been to a Cougars Fireworks Night knows how awesome the fireworks are.  But that was usurped by . . . The Jesse White Tumblers.

At 10pm a group of twenty or so 8-15 (?) year olds took to the field, laying out mats and mini trampolines.  They began by doing some basic tumbling that would leave me in traction for years, gradually getting more creative as they loosened up.  I was sitting half way up in the stands on the left field side, basically behind the thirdbase dugout and that provided me with the best view in the house.

The tumblers all ran and jumped, twisting and soaring over fellow tumblers who were providing a sort of pyramid to jump over.  About half way through the performance I glanced down and was struck by the sight.  Standing in front of the third base dugout was not just a player or two from the visiting team.  IT WAS THE ENTIRE TEAM.  Standing, captivated, watching these young kids do wonderful acrobatic things.

These baseball athletes had just spent the evening hitting balls thrown at 95 miles an hour, leaping in the air to catch spheres hit at rocket speed, running and sliding and doing amazing acts of physical agility.  And here they were, transfixed watching these kids perform.  The team I'm sure could have hopped on their bus to get to the local motel, yet they didn't move. 

When the final tumbler did his thing, which was amazing (he ran and jumped over all his fellow tumblers [I didn't count how many, but at least 15?] ala Evil Knieval jumping his motorcycle over a string of cars) the kids all exited the field through the third base dugout where they were met with . . . .high fives from the entire visiting team.

Watching hockey teams shake hands at the end of a playoff series is pretty cool, but this was remarkable.  Multiple ages, multiple races, multiple cultures, multiple talents high fiving each other respecting what had been accomplished.

Then the lights were doused and the fireworks began.  Accompanied by Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown, Blake Shelton and a host of other country artists and the most amazing Aquarian blue moon down the right field line, past the picnic area, hanging just so in a perfect summer night's sky.

Breaking New Ground

When you have children you never know when that awesome comment or conversation is going to happen, you just know that it will.

Tonight such a time occurred.  With my oldest (18) and youngest (14) daughters and son (7) hanging out for dinner, the subject magically turned to baseball.  Katelyn (18) reaffirmed her love and admiration for Cubs phee-nom, Kris Bryant.  She readily admits that he became her object of affection because he's so adorable, "but hey" Katelyn says "it turns out he's an awesome player as well!  I know how to pick 'em."

For years she said I should have Alfonso Soriano on my fantasy team.  With Soriano it wasn't because he was good looking, just because "he's awesome" according to Katelyn.  Now with Bryant she chastised me for not having him on my team.  The owners in my league can tell you that I did everything I could to get Bryant right after he was drafted by the Cubs including telegraphing my moves to force another owner to snag Bryant two slots ahead of me.

"I could probably win your league," Katelyn stated confidently.  "All I need are pictures of all the players.  I would pick all the good looking ones."

I kind of laughed as thoughts rolled around my head.  "Have you ever won the league?" she asked.  I said it had been a while (almost 20 years).  Then I said 95% joking, 4% serious, 1% hoping "I recently pissed off an owner and they decided to resign.  So we have an opening. . . "

She declined, saying she didn't want to be the only girl in the league.  I pointed out she would be the FIRST girl in the league.  But that didn't stop the four of us from brainstorming and spit balling ideas for her team. 

We started with the fact that she would be a pioneer and Kristi (14) threw out a reference to Neil Armstrong.  Then Katelyn said "Amelia Earhart" and I came up with her team's tagline - "A female pioneer who loses her way and is never heard from again."  I can only assume using a drafting strategy based on the good looks of a player would destine her team to the cellar.

Well, her team needs a name.  Usually the CFCL (Cubs Fan Club League) encourages its owners to build a team name in connection to the owners name.  But Katelyn nailed the name in five seconds.

"The Air-Hearts**", she said, specifically spelling the second part of the name h-e-a-r-t-s.  "The 'hearts' go out to the good looking guys on the team."

**  Yes, Amelia's last name was Earhart.  But if we spelled the team name The Ear-Hearts, obviously people will be thinking 'hearing' and mispronounce the team name. We're exercising creative license here people.**

And literally seconds after the name was identified and my note taking began, Katelyn came up with the team logo.  I can't create it in a word document so I will describe it.  It's a baseball in the shape of a heart with the red baseball stitches in front of each loop of the heart and wings extend out to the side from the upper parts of the heart.  A shout out to Amelia flying (wings), the heart for the good looking guys on the team and baseball stitches for . . . well you understand.

A legitimate team name, logo and approach all created in less than 10 minutes.  Let me tell you.  As a father who loves his children, loves baseball and loves fantasy baseball this was . . . Eden, Nirvana, Shangri-La all rolled into one.

Think about it, the team could be located on Howland Island, the island Amelia Earhart was trying to reach when she lost contact with the Navy.  Sure the Air-Hearts would travel more than the Seattle Mariners, but think about the home field advantage.  Teams coming in suffering from severe jet lag, playing in oppressive heat. The only fans attending would be Air-Heart fans, what fan would travel to see their team play only three games at a time on Howland Island?

As an owner, while she could learn it eventually, Katelyn would have to figure out how to coordinate our salary cap with the physical appearance of her team.

This is a pipedream as she has bigger fish to fry.  After conquering high school by finishing in the top 7% of her class (already more qualified to run a team than I am) she's off to the University of Iowa in four weeks to make an impact in the Health Sciences field.  It's the right decision . . . .but this would be totally cool.

Tales From the Trail

So Monday night I had one of the best nights in a looong time.  I surprised my 13  year old daughter, Kristi, with tickets to Pentatonix.  If you don't know who Pentatonix is, shame on you.  Go to Youtube and be amazed.

On the way home - and this is an honest to God true story - we were recapping the concert and talking about "stuff".  Somehow, the conversation went like this (and before I regale you, you need to understand that Kristi has become obsessed with playing "The Oregon Trail".  Apparently it's a web based game that actually teaches the youth of America life skills like critical thinking and money management.)

On the drive home we passed a building with the letters NSA on them.  So Kristi makes the comment that the government is in that building, watching our every move.  "If you didn't already know, I am totally anti-government," she said.  Yeah, I had a feeling.  So I made a comment about her removing herself from society and living alone.

"My goal," she said in response, "is to have a covered wagon led by oxen and go on The Oregon Trail to . . . Oregon."  (I SWEAR to you this conversation really took place).

I responded "Well, that would certainly get you on the news as they follow you across the country on your way to Oregon."

"I would have my oxen scare off the reporters so they would leave me alone," Kristi said.

And from there I decided to verbally imagine what the news report would sound like.

Carol (in the studio) - We now go live to Bob who is following a story somewhere out west.

Bob (on location) - Thank you Carol!  We are following a covered wagon led by a team of oxen.  The driver's name is Kristi and it appears that she is headed toward a remote cabin in Oregon where she will be meeting up with her followers - Kristi-ites. 

*Kristi (in the car) starts laughing out loud with the occasional "oh my god" thrown in*

Carol - Bob, have you been able to ask Kristi what her intentions are?

Bob - Not exactly.  Every time we approach her she gives her oxen a command in some foreign tongue that causes the oxen to begin to attack us.  We're not sure what language she's using, we've taken to calling it Kristiphonics.  I think she created the language so only she can communicate with the oxen. 

*Kristi (in the car) narrowly misses  hitting her head on the dashboard as she doubles over in laughter.  Don't call DCFS, this is NOT my fault!*

Bob - We are currently in Montana.  It looks like she will be passing through the tall stick part of Idaho where she will pick up a few potatoes for her, her oxen and the Kristi-ites and then make her way to the remote cabin in Oregon.

Carol - Bob!  This is an amazing story!  How do you know her destination is Oregon?

Bob - Well, Carol, we have an advance team of reporters that have spotted the remote cabin, largely because the Kristi-ites are sitting in a field, holding their cellphones aloft with the flashlight feature on, creating a large luminescent bon fire for Kristi and the oxen to drive towards.  As they await their leader's arrival, they are humming and singing, a cappella, a Kumbuya type of song in their Kristiphonics communication.

*Kristi (in the car) gasping for breath, holding her hands over her mouth to prevent spitting while laughing*

Carol - Bob, do you or the advance team appear to be in any danger?

Bob - Carol we haven't been attacked - aside from the surly oxen - if that's what you mean.  Though we do have reports from the government that they are concerned that Kristi is transporting many years worth of munitions to fortify herself and the Kristi-ites as they plan to establish what we have now learned to be a new religion of goat worship.  Apparently they are establishing "Goatism" where in they meet on the second Tuesday of every June.  They need to keep it simple because, well, goats are simple.

*Kristi - there may have been a snort*

Carol - Bob, for the love of god . . . or goat, please be careful and report back to us if you hear anything new.

Bob - Thank you Carol.  We're keeping an eye on things.  Back to you in the studio.

Ice Hogs And What They Teach Us

Boy, it's been a while since a new Monroe Doctrine has been posted.  I've found that going through a divorce can really sap all creative strength from a person.  So here's an attempt to get back into the swing of things and rather than hit the ground running with baseball, I figured I would ease myself back in with, of all things, hockey.

Admittedly I am a fair weather, bandwagon jumping fan of hockey.  Didn't care much about it until the Blackhawks won the first of their two recent Stanley Cups.  That sparked an interest.

So while trying to find something fun and different to do with the kids last weekend I took them to Rockford, IL to see the Ice Hogs (minor league affiliate to the Blackhawks).  I was impressed.  The way the Ice Hogs handled their pre, during and post game stuff reminded me of the Kane County Cougars for minor league baseball.  It was fun, it was professional and it was cost effective.

My kids (three girls and a boy) seemed to view our excursion as a punishment rather than an adventure.  The older two girls absolutely wanted nothing to do with this, but they went anyway.

While the Ice Hogs put on a great game and won 3-0, for the kids the entertainment seemed to be more in the stands.  Directly in front of us was a young boy who would alternate his attention between the action on the ice and his hand held electronic device.  My son (age 7) was yelling at the players (from the second to last row of the stadium) "Get it to number 28!  Oh man, 28 was open!  Why didn't you pass it to him?!"

That caused the boy in front of him to comment "They should pass it to 57."  My son responded "Well, that is a very good suggestion!"  At which point my son leaned to me and said "Papa, I have a  new best friend."

Watching this exchange caused my 13 and 15 year old daughters to absolutely crack up to the point of near tears as the banter between the boys continued throughout the game.  That coupled with my son's efforts to get on the video screen by dancing wildly to the music during the time outs was more entertaining that anything American Idol can produce.

It's obvious my son understands the nuances of hockey because part way through the second period he asked "Hey, when are they going to start fighting?"  I explained that these players don't make much money and probably get fined if they fight.

My oldest daughter wasn't as impressed with the Ice Hogs.  Based on the play she was observing she couldn't understand how any of these guys were going to be called up to the Blackhawks any time soon.  Her standards for hockey play are pretty high.

Another interesting and telling moment during the game was when the audio people tried to get the crowd amped up.  There is a tradition for them to play "Monee, monee".  Now in the clubs, I think we're all aware of the part of the song where people will yell out about the opportunity to have some entertaining nocturnal activity.  When they started playing the song in the stadium, I cringed thinking my kids were going to hear this.  Instead the crowd is conditioned to another response.  It took me a few times through to understand what the crowd was yelling, but I finally got it.  Both my 13 and 17 year olds asked what the crowd was yelling.  I said it's "Hey, guess what? You're goalie sucks!"  Upon hearing that my 13 year old said "Aw that's just mean."

I took them to see the Ice Hogs because they had never been to a live hockey game.  And while the game was entertaining and the Ice Hogs do it up right, sitting in the stands I observed more about my kids' personalities than I did about a hockey game.  It was awesome.

Happy 100th Wrigley!!

So Wednesday (4/23) was the 100^th birthday for Wrigley Field.  The Cubs organization decided to celebrate, in part, by bringing back a few former Cubs.  I didn’t pay close attention to all the festivities since it was a day game and I had other commitments to attend to during the day.

I did notice they lost (natch) and I did see a picture posted on FaceBook showing Ferguson Jenkins, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Randy Hundley and Andre Dawson on the field.  Kind of cool.  Except Jenkins, Banks and Williams are ALWAYS at Wrigley.

400^th anniversary of the organ Frank Pelico played?  Jenkins, Banks, Williams.

Lights for the first time at Wrigley?  Jenkins, Banks, Williams.

Special Celebration Day for Ron Santo NOT making the Hall of Fame (again)?  Jenkins, Banks, Williams.

There were missing players and personnel.  One that was not missing was the jackass that wore #21 for 13 years.  All day long on sports talk radio the following day was the great debate as to whether Sammy Sosa deserved to be invited back.

NO!!!  That arrogant, roided-up, corked bat sorry excuse for an outfielder does not need to be invited back to Wrigley.  I may be in the minority on this one as other may say “Let by-gones be by-gones.”  I can’t do that.  In fact, I have a relatively comprehensive list of players who should have been invited back well before Senor Sosa.

Bill Buckner – He was (and still is) my all-time favorite Cub.  Growing up watching him waggle his bat in the lefthand batter’s box right before he laced another double to the gap was a joy.

Dave Kingman – For two years I loved watching him hit homer for the Cubs rather than against them. Yes, he spent “Dave Kingman Day” on his boat on Lake Michigan rather than at Wrigley Field.  And he gave a reporter a shoe box with a dead rat in it, but he still deserves to come back before Sosa.

Steve Bartman – This is a no-brainer.  The only problem is had he come back, then the story was Bartman and not the 100^th birthday of Wrigley.  But Bartman needs to be invited (and he needs to accept) looooong before Sosa is addressed.

Ed Lynch – Understand I HATE (REALLY HATE) Ed Lynch.  He massively sucked as the Cubs GM and he may have been a better GM for the Cubs than he was a pitcher.

Larry Himes – Was integral in having our future Hall of Fame secondbaseman retire (for the first time) too early.  And yet I would invite him back before SS.

Steve Ontiveros – Spokesman for the hair replacement company while he was “patrolling” thirdbase.  Still don’t forgive him for ending the magical game against the Phillies the Cubs lost 23-22.  His weakass, game-ending groundout ruined any chance for another comeback.

Lee Elia – Give him an open mike and a seven second delay.

Dallas Green – Architect of 1984.  Where was he on Wednesday?

Dusty Baker – Absolutely ruined our chance for glory in 2003 and yet I would rather see him walk on to the field to celebrate than Sosa.

Andy Pafko – Is he still alive?  If so, he should have been there.

Mick Kelleher – He hit 545 fewer homeruns than Sosa as a Cub.  He should have been there to make the girls swoon once again.

Andy McPhail – Couldn’t do much right for the Cubs after taking the Twinkies to the Promised Land twice.

Anyone, anyone would be better than Sosa.  Milton Bradley, Michael Barrett, Carlos Zambrano, Roy Smalley who never met an error he didn’t like.