'They'll Put a Man on the Moon Before Gaylord Perry Hits a Home Run'

I was listening to the Surf, 94.9 FM out of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, recently and during Jim Morgan's show he was doing a Time capsule back to 1969 and had this story which is a good one.

From Did You Know?

Gaylord Perry was a very good pitcher but notoriously a bad hitter, especially in the home run department.

Supposedly in 1963, he said, "They'll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run."  On July 20, 1969, a few  hours after Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, you'll never guess what happened?

That's right.  One Gaylord Perry hit his first home run!!

It is also suggested that his manager, Alvin Dark, suggested, "They'll put a man on the moon before he hits a home run.

Whoever said it, this is one neat story.

Next, Find Out About Gaylord Perry.  --RoadMoon

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

Along 66, May 2021: Red Cedar Inn to Reopen As a Visitors Center

MAY 25

Pacific, Missouri, signed a $2,2 million contract to turn the old Red Cedar Inn into a visitors center.  

The city purchased the place in 2017 for $290,000 and had hoped to reopen it this year, but the virus and other issues delayed it.

The restaurant was built by the Smith brothers on Route 66 in 1932.  Then a tavern was added to it a few years later.  Over the years quite a few notables visited it including baseball legends Dizzy Dean and Ted Williams.

It closed abruptly in 2005 and is on the NRHP.

We had planned to go to it after we "discovered" it in 2002, but it closed before we had the chance to go.  

--RoadDog

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

Along 66, Jan. 2021: More Neon in Tulsa and Joplin's Black Heritage

JANUARY 10

The 16th neon sign has been completed in Tulsa, thanks to the city's Neon Sign Grant Program.

This sign is at Justin Thompson Catering located near 11th Street, which, of course, is none other than good ol' 66.

Like the guy on SNL said, to paraphrase him, "We need more neon."  You can never ever have too much neon.

JANUARY 11

A new exhibit in Joplin, Missouri examines Route 66's impact on culture.  The exhibit is called "Route 66:  Crossing Lines" and is at the Spiva Center for the Arts and runs through March 6.

Just in time for Black History Month, it focuses on black baseball players and jazz artists.  

Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige, while in the old Negro Baseball League, played in Joplin's Miners Park.

Jazz performers Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington also performed in Joplin.

More Neon!!  --RoadDog

Filling Shoes At the 'Shoeless' Joe Museum in Greenville, South Carolina-- Part 1

From the Oct. 22, 2019, Chicago Sun-Times by Mitch Dudek

Chicago bartender heading to South Carolina to run shrine to tarnished White Sox legend.

He may have been the greatest baseball player ever, but sadly is disgraces and was kicked out of baseball with the 1919 Chicago Black Sox.

Dan Wallach is a huge Joe Jackson fan.  His right foot even has a tattoo of Joe Jackson's autograph.  Even if his tattoo doesn't match the real Joe Jackson autograph.

Dan Wallach, 32, is abandoning his life in Chicago and moving to Greenville, S.C.  That means, selling his home in Skokie and quitting his job at Yakzies (across from Wrigley Field) and taking over operations at the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum.

And, yes, despite working by Wrigley Field, Dan is a bona fide White Sox fan.

That museum is inside Joe Jackson's house.

Go You White Sox.  --CootSox

Good Ol' Neighborhood Fun At the Ball Park-- Part 8: So, Who's #1?

1.  FENWAY PARK  (Red Sox)  Here's what they say:

They renamed Yawkey Way, but the streetfest outside the park before games is a must-attend party and gives Fenway a slight edge over Wrigley's neighborhood bar scene.

Italian sausage, lobster rolls, live music, beer -- it's all good.

If only the Cubs were able to replicate it on Sheffield and Waveland.

Still Don't Agree.  --RoadCub

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

Good Ol' Neighborhood Fun at the Ball Park-- Part 5: Gaslamp District

Of course, you always hear so  much about Chicago's Wrigley Field and you might have noticed it hasn't been listed yet.  So it is somewhere in the Top Five.

Let's see.

5.  AT&T PARK--  (Giants)--  The neighborhood around it has blossomed.  Mo-Mo's.

4.  SUNTRUST PARK--  (Braves)  The Battery Atlanta.   Traffic can be a problem.

3.  PETCO PARK--  (Padres)  Opened 2004.  Gaslamp District

Well, That Leaves Two Ball Parks.  One Must Be Wrigley.  --RoadDog

Good Ol' Neighborhood Fun At the Ballpark-- Part 4: The River Boat Park

Sadly, prices at almost all places near these ballparks reflect the unbelievably high prices inside the park, unless you tailgate.

12.  GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK--  (Reds)  Hotels nearby.  Looks like a river boat.

11.  PROGRESSIVE FIELD--  (Indians)   East 4th Street is such a happening place at happy hour that the Indians start early season night games at 6:10.  Is that the old Flats?

10.  ORIOLES PARK AT CAMDEN YARDS--  Inner harbor.  Hopefully the city won't begin taking down statues there as well.

9.  PNC PARK--  (Pittsburgh)  Restaurants right near it.

8.  COORS FIELD--  (Rockies)  LoDo

7.  TARGET FIELD--  (Twins)    North Loop area.

6.  SAFECO FIELD--    (Mariners)   30-minute walk from Seattle's Pike Place Market.  Game-day buzz especially strong on sunny days.  Sunny days in Seattle?

Remember Back In the Days When We All Knew All of the Names of the Ball Parks?  --RoadDog

Good Ol' Neighborhood Fun At the Ballpark-- Part 3: Where Does Your Team Rank?

Now that the regular season is almost over, playoffs begin next week, I figured I best finish this which I started back on July 19, 2018.  If you want to see the first two posts, just click the MLB label below.

18.  CITIZENS PARK--  (Phillies)  Xfinity Live is a sports and entertainment venue across the street.

17.   COMERCIA PARK--  (Tigers)  The ballpark is a centerpiece of Detroit's amazing revitalization.  Lots going on around it.

16.  NATIONALS PARK--  (Or Walgreens as Liz calls them)  Poor subway scheduling causes some fans to have to leave early on lengthy night games.

15.  ROGERS CENTRE--  (Blue Jays)  CN Tower overhead, Toronto Harbourfront  Also nearby Hockey Hall of Fame.  Hockey in Canada?  Go figure.

14.  CHASE FIELD--  (Diamondbacks, I had to look this one up as the article didn't give any clues)  A solar shade pavilion at left field entrance.  That should have been a clue.

13.  BUSCH STADIUM--   (Cardinals)  Ballpark Village features a 34,000-square-foot bar and restaurant, but the rest of it is ho-hum.  And, then there are those pesky Cardinal fans.

Play Ball!!!  --RoadDog

22 Words That Have a Different Meaning in Chicago-- Part 3: The Beach

First, what it means everywhere else.

8.  DIBS--  Claiming something that's yours.  In Chicago it is a parking space saved by you because you dug it out of the snow.  You mark it with old chairs or some other piece of furniture.  Fights can occur if people disregard your "dibs."

9.  DRAKE--  Guy who hates Chris Brown.  (Not sure what this about>)  In Chicago it is a fancy, expensive hotel.

10.  THE BEACH--  A tropical sandy beach with blue waves coming ashore.    In Chicago it is a sandy beach by a REALLY COLD Lake Michigan.  OK for sunning, not too much fun for swimmin'.  No kidding, that water is C-O-L-D!!!!

11.  THE CELL--  Place for prisoners.  In Chicago, it was the name of the stadium where the White Sox play.  Now named something else, but still called Comiskey Park by most fans.  I still call it that.  And, it is still the Sears Tower and will still be the John Hancock whenever its name gets changed.

12.  THE BEAN--  Food that makes you fart.  Chicago--  Art in Grant Park.

--RoadDog

Building the Ultimate Baseball Stadium from Wrigley and Comiskey-- Part 3

BEER--  Comiskey.  regardless, all are way over-priced.  Lines usually shorter at Comiskey.

CONCOURSES--  Comsikey  "Navigating through the Wrigley Field concourse after a game is like playing bumper pool in a closet."

DUGOUTS--  Comsikey.  A little more space and better seating and views.

CLUBHOUSES--  Comiskey.  Sox got their $3.2 million home clubhouse renovation first. Visiting clubs claim Wrigley's are the most cramped in the majors.

RESTROOMS--  Comiskey.  Especially after the 2015 opening-day restroom mess at Wrigley.

FOOD--  Comiskey.  Both are over-priced, but Comsikey way ahead.

STATUES--  Split decision.  Wrigley: Harry Caray, Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Billy Williams.  Comiskey Park has a sculpture of scenes from the 2005 World Series Championship as well as statues of Minnie Minoso, Frank Thomas and Paul Konerko.

--RoadDog

Building the Ultimate Baseball Stadium from Wrigley and Comsikey-- Part 2

UPPER DECK--  Wrigley.  Comiskey's Upper deck is very destested by Sox fans.  Too high to enjoy the game.

MUSIC--  Comiskey.  Nothing compares to "Na Na, hey, hey"  The new organists carries on nancy Faust's tradition and ear for the game.

TRANSPORTATION--  Comiskey.  Although both are sreved by public transportation.

PARKING--  Comsikey.

GREENERY--  Wrigley.  Hey, IVY!!!

VIDEO BOARDS--  Wrigley.  Now.  Comiskey's are much too small.

CENTER-FIELD SCOREBOARD--  Wrigley.  But here I would almost call a tie.  Nothing like Bill Veeck's exploding scoreboard.  But then there's that great old sign at Wrigley, a throw-back to another era.

OUTFIELD WALLS--  Wrigley.  Well, IVY!!!

SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD--  Wrigley.  Wrigleyville is a party destination even when the Cubs aren't playing and have every imaginable kind of bar.  Just one bar across from Comiskey, but some good ones in nearby Bridgeport.

--RoadDog

Building the Ultimate Baseball Stadium from the Best of Wrigley and Comiskey-- Part 1

From the July 10, 2015, Chicago Tribune "Central Park: Building the ultimate baseball stadium frpm the best of Wrigley and the Cell."

As folks in these here parts get real excited about tonight.  Of course, I still refer to Sox Park as Comiskey.  I don't use the new name.  If you took the best of both, you'd have one "wunnerful' park.

BULLPENS:  Wrigley.  Right on sidelines, but in 2016, moving them under the bleachers to make room for new seats.

PRESS BOX:  Wrigley.  Comiskey is the most-hated press box i the majors.  Way out of the way.

BACKDROP:  Wrigley. Just too much.

FOUL TERRITORY:  Comiskey.  Much more room so safer.

TURF:  Comiskey.  Roger Bossard, but he designed and oversaw new field at Wrigley in 2008.  He has been involved with the construction of 12 major-league fields.

BLEACHERS:  What d'ya think?

GRANDSTANDS:  Comiskey.  At Wrigley folks stand and get in your way.

--RoadDog

A Trip to Milwaukee-- Part 9: Sad Brewers, Real Expensive Beer

We were now settled into our seats and with the roof closed and ready for the game to begin.  It did and it wasn't too long before the Brewers were down 3-0 in the first.  Miami added four more in the third and now the Brewers faced a 7-0 deficit.  Just mighty poor playing in all aspects by Milwaukee.

I saw a beer vendor and saw what appeared to be $9 on a button he was wearing.  Nine Dollars for a beer! Even if it is a 16 ouncer.   I don't think so.  I just don't drink at those prices are actually anything much over $3.  I can remember writing in my journal back in 1961 after attending an April Cubs game that I couldn't drink at Wrigley Field anymore because they had raised the price of beer to $1.50.

And, then it got hot and muggy in the park.  The roof was closed and it seemed that the air conditioner only worked once in awhile   A nice blast of cool air would blow by.  Making it also uncomfortable was the fact our area was packed elbow to elbow.  Too bad they don't have personal fans.

--RoadDog

A Trip to Milwaukee-- Part 8: Miller Field

The roof of Miller Field was open when we took our seats which e\were good ones, just past third base and about 20 rows back.  Right in line for hard hit foul balls.    At game time I looked up and saw that they were starting to close the roof.  rain had been forecast for tonight so I figured some must be on its way.  That is the way to play baseball.  Outside in nice weather and under a roof for rain or cold.

The Brewers are having another of their many bad years.  That is too bad as they are my third favorite MLB team, behind the Sox #1 and Cubs #2.    They've dropped a long way from the great early 1980s teams when they were in the American League and the True Blue Brew Crew.  Loved it when they had Molitor, Yount, Cooper and Gantner.

Right now, the Brewers are in last place and surely playing like a last place team.  I thought there was going to be a really small crowd, but by game time the place was about 3/4 full of fans.  Fans tend to wear more of the old 1980s logos and jerseys than the new ones.

--RoadDog

A Trip to Milwaukee-- Part 7: The Racing Sausages

The famous Milwaukee Racing sausages have their own site on the Milwaukee Brewer site.  I was trying to remember the other sausages so looked them up.

There are five:  Brat sausage, Polish sausage, Italian Sausage, Hot Dog and Chorizo.  The first three listed were the original three and the other two have since been added.  Of course, Klement Sausages was only too happy to get involved with it.

Of course, Milwaukee is famous for its German influence (think beer) and of course, that also has to so with sausages.

The Racing Sausages started as a cartoon in the 90s and the first time they were actual people inside costumes was on the final day of the old County Stadium.  They have since become a much-anticipated crowd-pleaser.  I especially like them.

And, you can book them if you like.

Sausages In the House. What Would Liz Think?  --RoadDog

A Trip to Milwaukee-- Part 6: Miller Field and the Sausages

Next, we went to nearny Miller field which has replaced the old County Stadium.  I always liked the old County Stadium and saw many games there when the Milwaukee Brewers were in the American League,  Their 1982 team is still one of my all-time favorites with Molitor, Yount, Cooper, Gantner and Thomas and all the rest.  I still believe they would have beaten the Cardinals in the World Series that year had Rollie Fingers not been injured. All of their losses came after the other Brewer relievers would allow the Cards to come back.


After rthe bus parked, we walked over to the stadium.  Others of our group had brought along tailgating items and stayed out in the parking lot.  We passed by those great Klement Sausage guys who were out on the main walkway greeting game-goers and having photo opportunity.  I love it when they have their "race" around from the left to the right field lines.  Kip took a picture of me with the bratwurst guy and took one of Kip and Susie by him as well.

--RoadBrat

Some More Major League Ballplayers Who Passed Through Clinton, Iowa

The souvenir program had two pages of small print double columns with these players.  I only recognized about one/third of a column's worth of names.

Year/ name/ Major League team

1970  Darrell Porter--  Milwaukee Brewers
1970  Gorman Thomas--  Milwaukee Brewers--  Hey, Stormin' Gorman!!!
1973  Ron LeFlore--  Detroit Tigers--  also the White Sox
1977  Ron Kittle--  White Sox
1977  Mike Scioscia--  LA Dodgers
1977  Dave Stewart--  LA Dodgers
1979  Orel Hershiser--  LA Dodgers
1979  Candy Maldonado--  LA Dodgers
1979  Steve Sax--  LA Dodgers

Just Three Steps from the Majors.  --RoadDog