Happy 2/2/22

As in February 2, 2022.

Well, this doesn't happen all that often.  But, the TWOs are wild today.

I remember one time being at Wrigley Field and looking at the scoreboard and saw TWOs all over the board.  The batter was Bill Buckner, number 22 and there were two outs and his count was 2 balls and 2 strikes.

The TWOS Have It.  --RoadTwo

Back to Indy-- Part 6: How Much Money Do IndyCar Drivers Earn?

Continued from June 8.

Another article in the Friday, May 28, 2021, Indy Star newspaper was titled "How much money do Indy Car drivers make?" by Jim Ayello.

You know how much athletes in other professional sports earn.  You know that baseball player earning $12 million a year with the Cubs and batting .186.  Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz signed a four-year, $128 million contract in June 2019.

But, how much do those IndyCar drivers we'll be watching Sunday earn?

The answer, like the answer to how many attend the Indy 500 race, is not known.  It is all top secret.

When a driver signs a new contract in North America's premier open-wheel series, the details seldom leak out.

One possible reason for that put forth in the article is that everyone operates on such a fine line.

Many are not paid a flat salary but things are dependent on a variety of factors.  One likely is the number of sponsorships they bring in.

--RoadRace

About That Curse of the Billy Goat

From the same source as the last post.

The five guys named their goat, get this, Wrigley.

In case some of you aren't particularly baseball fans or Cub fans, here's the downlow on the infamous CURSE.

The Chicago Cubs have the Curse of the Billy Goat on their heads.

The Curse of the Billy Goat  was issued before Game 4 of the 1945 World Series.  William "Billy Goat" Sianis, owner of the Billy Goat  Tavern & Grill in Chicago, arrived at Wrigley Field with two tickets-- one for himself and one for his good-luck pet goat.  (Remember the Billy Goat Grill from that hilarious SNL sketch "Cheesboiger, cheesboiger, cheeps, no fries.")

According to tavern history,  ballpark ushers stopped Sianis from entering, stating that animals weren't allowed to enter the ballpark.  (I don't know, but I've known some Cub fans who might qualify for that title.)

Frustrated, Sianis appealed to Cub owner  P.K. Wrigley, who replied, "Let Billy in but not the goat.  That goat stinks."

Legend has it that  Sianis threw up his arms and exclaimed, "The Cubs ain't  gonna win no more.  The Cubs will never win  a World series so long as the goat is not allowed in Wrigley Field."

The Cubs then went on, without Billy Sianis or the goat, and lost that World Series Game 4 and there has never been another Cubs World Series appearance since then (of course, until 2016).

Maybe the Five Guys' Goat Was Allowed In.  It Certainly Walked Far Enough To Deserve It.  --RoadGoat

Five Guys & a Goat Walk the Walk to Break the Curse in 2012-- Part 3: A Two-Fold Purpose

Okay, back to the newspaper article.

The ragtag group arrived at Ruidoso, New Mexico and then left the next day on their walk across the United States.  They started on February 25 at the Cubs spring training base at Mesa,  Arizona.

The goal is to arrive at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Memorial Day weekend to complete their 1,900 mile hike.  Hopefully, their goat will be allowed inside.

They are in their 20s and 30s, except for a 5-month old goat they purchased in Phoenix and they have a two-fold purpose.

One is to reverse the Curse of the Billy Goat, a plague that had kept the Cubs out of the World Series for 60 years (every Cub fan knows that).  The other reason is to raise money for the Fred Hutchinson  Cancer research Center in Seattle.

Let the Goat In.  --RoadGoat

Five Guys & a Goat Walk the Walk on Route 66 Back in 2012-- Part 2: The Who, What and Why

Like I said, the couple who have the Route 66 Times site met this group of wanderers back in 2012 when they took a picture of the Niangua, Missouri, bridge.  It is too bad they didn't also take a picture of the group.  As I said in the last post, you never know who you're going to meet on the road.

Lots of interesting stories.  What was that TV show back in the 50s and 60s that had 8 million stories?  (See below for answer.)

Probably that many with Route 66.  Well, here is their interesting story.

From the March 28, 2012, Albuquerque (NM) Journal "Cub fans, goat walk across U.S." by Jim Kalvelage.

Hey, Cub fans.  If the Cubs aren't playing the White Sox, that's my team!!  And, wasn't there something about a goat in Cub lore?  This could be a REAL interesting story.

Could this have something to do with a curse and winning the you-know-what?

Looking Forward to This.  --RoadGoat

The TV show was about New York City and was called "The Naked City"

Trip to "Cheesehead Land"-- Part 5: Wisconsin Politics and Brewer Fever

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Enjoyed the breakfast at the Baymont.  Lots of news on the Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh.  Seems strange to me that these women would all of a sudden have recollections of way past things like this at this time.  Such a coincidence isn't a coincidence.

And, Wisconsin politics are every bit as low as those in Illinois.  All that mudslinging.

And everyone has Brewer Fever right now with this run at the NL Central pennant.

Our Chevy dealer had told us that the battery  in the '11 Malibu was really low a few months back.  Evidently they were right as the car died and needed a jump.  Thank goodness Glenn was there as he really knows his car stuff.

Jumped the car and left it on the whole trip home.  As usual, we encountered some traffic jams around Milwaukee.

Then Liz drove the Malibu to Ray Chevrolet and I followed in the truck.  We dropped the Malibu off and went over to the Squaw Bar and sure had a great time as the Bears destroyed Tampa Bay.  Both the Cubs and Brewers won so will have a one-game playoff tomorrow to determine the NL Central winner.

Go Cubs.  If Not, I Can Take the True Blue Brew Crew.  --RoadDog

Me and the Cubs

Two things about the Chicago Cubs and myself.

1.  I have been keeping a journal since 1978 and in April 1981, I noted in it after an early season trip to Wrigley Field that I couldn't drink at Wrigley Field any more.

They HAD RAISED the price of beer to $1.50!!!!  How much does it cost now?

2.  Liz and I used to go to Chicago at least once or twice a month.  Even more often during the baseball season.  But when the Cubs got their lighting and Chicago put sticker-only parking around Wrigley Field and then expanded it to anywhere in Chicago that attracted people, that was it for us.

We now have been to Chicago about three times since 1988.

Oh Well.  --RoadDog

Good Ol' Neighborhood Fun At the Ball Park-- Part 7: The Top Two

O.K., here are the best two places according to the article.

2.  WRIGLEY FIELD  (Cubs)   What!!  How could this be?  Bordering on sacrilege.

I will write the whole thing for Wrigley.

The Big Three --  Murphy's, Cubby Bear and Bernie's -- have more competition than in the old days.  None of the new joints can match their tradition.

Nisei Lounge remains a bro-free alternative alternative.  Rooftops are still popular, but the "cool factor" left when the Cubs gobbled up the neighborhood.  Gallagher Way (formerly The Park at Wrigley) is ok for the kids.

Something Isn't Right Here. The #1 Must Be Something Else.  --RoadDog

Illinois' 200th, 20 Sporting Events-- Part 9: Da Bears Training and Crosstown Double Headers

16.   CHICAGO BEARS TRAINING CAMP,  Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais

A sixty mile trip south of Chicago to watch da Bears train for a few weeks before the start of the football season.  Free tickets.  Lots of family activities, and, of course, Bear warching.  But, sadly, no more sulking Jays anymore.

17.  CROSSTOWN DOUBLEHEADERS, Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park (I don't call it by the other name), Chicago.

Usually at least once during the season, there is a Cubs home day game and a White Sox night game, or vice versa.

See the one play then the other.  Liz and I have done this several times.

One time we did this with the Cubs in the afternoon then drove to Milwaukee for the Sox game versus the Brewers.

Hey, with the interleague play in MLB now, the two teams play each other in-town for two series, one at Wrigley and one at Comiskey.  As a matter of fact, they just had one this past weekend.

--RoadDog

Illinois' 200th, Sports Experiences-- Part 6: Da Sports Museum and Da Wolves and Da Ice Hogs

10.  CHICAGO SPORTS MUSEUM,  Water Tower Place, Chicago

On the seventh floor of the Mag Mile Mall.  See an extensive collection of 2016 Cubs World Series memorabilia, including Addison Russell's Game 6 grand slam and Grandpa Rossi's Game 7 catching gear.

There are interactive exhibits.  Admission is free if you eat at Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch restaurant next door.

11.  CHICAGO WOLVES,  Allstate Arena, Rosemont.

There is nothing minor league about the award-winning pregame show for the Chicago Wolves in their American Hockey League (AHL) games.

The AHL is the only minor league of the NHL (but sadly the Wolves are not the Chicago Blackhawks minor league team.

Of you want to see the Chicago affiliate, they are in nearby Rockford, Illinois, and they are called the Ice Hogs.

--RoadDog200

Illinois Bicentennial: 20 Essential Sports Experiences-- Part 1: Rockford Peaches

From the March 4, 2018, Chicago Tribune "Bicentennial Bucket List:  20 essential sports experiences in Illinois"  by Lori Rackl and Tim Bannon.

This is part of a Bicentennial List of 200 things every Illinoisan and visitor to do to commemorate out state's 200th birthday this year.

1.  ROCKFORD PEACHES

Beyer Stadium, Rockford.

Penny Marshall's 1992 film, "A League of Their Own" was about the Rockford Peaches, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League team formed during World War II by Phil Wrigley of the Cubs and chewing gum fame.

The Peaches played at this stadium from 1943 to 1954 and won several league championships along the way.

The stadium has been renovated and the Rockford Starfires, women's baseball team, formed in 2012.  Admission to home games is free with a non-perishable item.  Midway Village also has a display on the Rockford Peaches.

This is the 75th anniversary of the Rockford Peaches and the city plans special events May 30 and June  1-3.

Also, there are other women's professional teams with two in Chicago, the WNBA's Chicago Fire and the Chicago Red Stars soccer team.

--RoadDog

22 Words That Have a Different Meaning in Chicago-- Part 2: Hot Dogs

4.  OCTOBER--    To most it means Fall, but around here it is the month that has two weeks which are not too hot or too cold and where fans drink away the sadness of another failed Cubs and Sox season.

5. PIZZA--  You know.  But in Chicago it means deep-dish.

6.  HOT DOG--  Wiener, bun, ketchup to most, but in Chicago it means wiener, bun (poppy seed), onions, relish, tomatoes, pickle, peppers, celery salt and mustard.  ABSOLUTELY NO KETCHUP OR CATSUP!!!  We can't emphasize that enough.

7.  SOLDIER--  Military, but in Chicago it is where the Chicago Bears play, as in Soldier Field.  Da Bears sometimes play good, but mostly bad.

--RoadDog

Why Go Anywhere Else?-- Part 4: 1972, Two Passport Stamps, a Band and Cubs Lose

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7

Enjoyed going back to 1972 with Johnny Mars on WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback.  Brought back a lot of memories for that college year.

We had planned on going to NIU's Homecoming today, but with the wind and rain, decided not to go.

We did, however, get Chain Crawl passport stamps at two more places.  The Chain Crawl ends next Saturday with a party, so we're cutting it close.  Unfortunately we won't be able to attend as we'll be out of town.

We first went to Diamond Deli on US-12 in Fox Lake for the first stamp.  Then we went to the Aquarium on Nippersink Lake for the second one.  This is the Home of the Aquarium Club which you can join if you swallow or munch a minnow.

Next, we met Glen and Barb, two of our Usual Suspect friends, at the American Legion in Fox Lake to see the Neil Rose Blues Band play from 3 to 6 p.m..  We really like entertainment in the afternoon or early evening.  They call themselves a blues band, but they were really playing oldies songs.

Next, we went to Sunnyside and watched the Cubs blow a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning to lose 6-3.  Ouch!!

--RoadDog

Why Go Anywhere Else?-- Part 3: Zebra Mussels (They're Back!), Boat, I Pass My ID Test, and Cubs Game

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6

Took the boat over to the mechanic to get it winterized.  I found quite a group  of zebra mussels on the engine area, something we haven't had for a long time.  They must be making a comeback.

Then drove over to McHenry and went to Wal-Mart and Meijer.  I actually got carded to buy a bottle of pumpkin spice wine at one of those tasting spots.  Fortunately, at age 66, I was able to pass muster.

We met the Usual Suspects at the American Legion in Fox Lake and sure enjoyed watching the Cubs win the first game of their playoffs against the Washington Nationals.  A whole lot of celebrating going on there, including me playing "Go Cubs Go."

--RoadDog

Good-Timin' It Here Last Weekend-- Part 2: Great Music, Boats, Bars, Band, Deluge, a Cubs Jersey and a Snow Shovel

JUNE 17, SATURDAY

Saturday Morning Flashback on WXRT was on 1968 for four hours.  Makes me smile.

It took me two tries, but I finally got the boat back in the driveway.  Mike, my mechanic, wasn't at his place when I first went to get the boat.  I did stop at a new place that recently opened on Grasslake Road called Bon Voyage and had a really good omelet.  For many years it was Skanda House, but had been closed for around four years.

Came home and then went back and successfully picked up the boat.  This is when Mike asked if I knew that I had a snow shovel  in the back of the boat.  Of course, Mike.  With how fast Chicago area weather can change, you just never  know.  Well, actually, I was using it to help prop up the mooring cover to keep water from accumulating during our really rainy May.

We went to Fox Lake's Lake Front Park off US-12 by Beer Can bridge to see the New Invaders play all that great 1960s music, especially the British Invasion (hence the name).  Great show and good crowd, but then the deluge came.  Fortunately we left as the first rain drops fell and were at the Legion across Nippersink Lake when it really started storming.  Had our cocktails and stayed dry.

JUNE 18, SUNDAY

Paul McCartney's 75th birthday, overshooting 64 by 11 years now.  Featured on both Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots on WDRV and Terri Hemmert's Breakfast With the Beatles show on WXRT.  Then WDRV played all the Beatles songs from A to Z.

We went over to Hickory Lodge in McCullum Lake for their pizza and beer special, but their pizza oven was broken so settled for some other good food.  The Cubs game was on and watched it.  Shortly before we were going to leave, the bartender asked if we were going to be there at the end of the game.  We said no.

We then found out that if the Cubs win (and they were way ahead), anyone who was there by the fifth inning would be entered to win a Kris Bryant jersey,  Since there were only two others there at the time we decided to stick around.  With two tickets, we won.  But the jersey was too big for Liz and this White Sox fan "inherited it."

I sure heard about it from my Sox friends when we got over to Sunnyside.  But, I pointed out to them that I WAS wearing my Sox hat, to go along with that Cubs jersey.

Well, A Fun Weekend, Even With the Jersey.  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, November 2016: Go Cubs Go, Clocks for Meadow Gold Sign and the Mysterious "Hotel" Sign

These Route 66 tidbits are taken from the Route 66 News site.  There are many more, but I do the ones of special interest to me.

NOVEMBER 3--  The Chicago Cubs won their first World Championship in 108 years.  Ron Warnick, who owns the Route 66 News site, is a Cardinal fan, but made a big deal about the Cubbies.  Thanks Ron (even though I am more of a White Sox fan.  But, I pull for the Cubs unless they play my Sox.).

NOVEMBER 3--  The long-awaited clocks are being installed on the Meadow Gold sign in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Always great to get something back to looking as it was.

NOVEMBER 6--  Michael brown owns a "Hotel" neon sign that once stood somewhere along Route 66 in Illinois.  But, he doesn't know what the hotel's name was or where it stood, so if you have any information, give him a call.

--RoadDog

A Game for the Ages, Game 7 2016 World Series-- Part 4: A Tied Game Into the 10th, a Rain Delay and Cubs Take a 8-6 Lead!!

Now in the 9th inning, the Cubs didn't score and Aroldis Chapman still pitching, but did much better than that disastrous 8th.  One strikeout and two fly outs.  OK, so now we go to extra innings.

It was now that there was a rain delay.  It was already well past 11 p.m..  How long was the delay going to be.  We heard that Jason Heyward called a players-only meeting during the rain delay.

Whatever he said or they did, it seemed to work.  The rain delay was just 17 minutes.

In the top of the 10th, Kyle Schwarber leads off and singles to right (who was 3 for 5 in the game, thank goodness for the designated hitter in American League parks) and Albert Almora Jr. ran for him.  Bryant flied out to center with Almora advancing to second.  Rizzo intentionally walked and Zobrist doubled, scoring Almora, Rizzo to third.

Russell intentionally walked and Miguel Montero singles, scoring Rizzo.  Zobrist to third and Russell to second.  Bases loaded, but the next two Cubs strike out and fly out.  I hate to have bases loaded with just one out and not score.

BUT, Cubs are winning 8 to 6!!  How can this be we're thinking.  Could this really be happening.  Might the Cubs actually win.

That bottom of the tenth is going to be mighty scary.

Am I Watching History?  --RoadDog

A Game for the Ages, Game 7 2016 World Series-- Part 3: Tied 6-6 in the 8th

Fortunately, Jon Lester calmed down and pitched one-hit baseball the next two innings.  His catcher, David Ross hit a home run to center to make the score Cubs 6 Indians 3.

In the indians half of the 8th, again, the first two batters were out, then a single was hit and Manager Joe Maddon pulled Lester and put in his ace reliever, Aroldis Chapman, who immediately gave up a double, scoring a run.   Then Rajai Davis hit his home run, scoring two more runs.  Chapman then gave up a single before FINALLY striking out the last batter.

OH No, the Curse.  The game is now tied and the Indians are hot.  Is this going to be a loss?

What was Maddon thinking, relieving Lester like that?  And, Chapman was absolutely horrible in relief.

Liz and I decided to go home and watch the rest of the game, especially if it was going to be sad as we were now anticipating.

Ohhh NOOOO!!   --RoadDog

A Game for the Ages: Game 7 of World Series-- Part 2: Indians Score Twice on Wild Pitch

It was extra joy and relief at the end of the top half of the 5th inning when the Cubs took a 5-1 lead.  Even starting to think a bit about the Cubs actually winning... BUT NO!!

In the bottom of the fifth, the Indians first two men up made outs.  Then Cub Pitcher Kyle Hendricks, who had to this point given up just four hits and had a 5-1 lead, walked Carlos Santana and Joe Maddon pulled him for Jon Lester.and David Ross replaces Contreras at catcher.  Jason Kipnis singles.  With both Indians advancing on a throwing error to second and third, they both score on a wild pitch.  The next batter strikes out.  The score is now Cubs 5 Indians 3.

I had never ever seen two men score on a wild pitch, but the Cubs sure don't do anything the easy way.  And Lester was absolutely horrible.  What was Maddon thinking by pulling Hendricks who was pitching so well?

What Would Ron Santo Say?  --RoadDog

A Game for the Ages: Game 7 of the 2016 World Series-- Part 1: Cubs Take 5-1 Lead

This was a real hard game for us to watch.  We went from exhilaration to the depths of despair and, then, joy.  This game had it all.  And, of course, it went real, real late, way way past my bedtime.

We watched the first part at Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg, Illinois and the last part at Margaritaville in our basement.

FIRST INNING:  First batter Dexter Fowler hits a home run.  Maybe we will find a way to beat Corey Kluber.  Then, Kyle Schwarber, Liz and my favorite Cub, hits a single.  Cubs up 1-0.

THIRD INNING:   That ever-thorn in our side, Coco Crisp (such a name), hits a double and scores.  Tie score, 1-1.  As Ron Santo would say, "Oh, No!"

FOURTH INNING:  Kris Bryant singles.  Addison Russell hits sacrifice fly to center, scoring Bryant.  Wilson Contreras doubles and Zobrist scores.  Cubs 3 Indians 1.  Everyone at Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg cheering and high-fiving.  One happy group.

CUBS FIFTH INNING.  Javier Baez homers.  Back to back singles by Baez and Fowler.  Schwarber grounds into a double play.  Bryant walks, Rizzo singles to right, scoring Bryant.   Cubs leading 5 to 1. People starting to think, "Might This Be?"

BUT, IT AIN'T OVER YET.  --RoadDog