Christmas Shopping Season

Christmas shopping season is officially upon us, so once again we'd like to offer a few products for the Cubs fan on your Christmas list. We just went through our inventory, so please pay attention to the sizes and choices still available.

Allow about seven to ten days for delivery. If it's a rush order, e-mail me at rick@justonebadcentury.com, and I'll see what I can do.





This classic teardrop Cub shirt has been a big hit. It says so much without saying a word.

It's available in M, L, XL, and XXL.

Order yours here.








We're starting to see some of these at Cubs games now. It's one of those things that looks like the real thing, and leads to a double take. Ah, yes. I feel your pain too.

It's adjustable (fits everyone).

You can get yours here.







For the Cubs optimist, the Losing is Soooo Last Century t-shirt, is a popular choice. Look at how happy this young lady is wearing hers.

It's available in L and XL.

Order yours here.












And for the Cubs fan at the end of his rope, this one says it all.

It's available in M, L, and XL.

You can get yours here.











We also have a few old classic 1908 Cubs baseball cards available here.







Happy Holidays everyone!

Cubtober 15th

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here is an example of a year they were still following the team in October, and why.

On this date in 2003, the Cubs and Marlins faced off in Game 7 of the NLCS at Wrigley Field. The Cubs had their ace Kerry Wood on the mound. They even took a lead on Wood's home run, but everyone in the stands (I was there) knew that it wasn't meant to be that night. We could just feel it wasn't going to happen.

When Dusty Baker told Dave Veres (who had a horrible year) to warm up in the bullpen (with the game still close and unused starter Matt Clement available), one person even got up and left, saying "If you're not gonna try, I'm not gonna try."

That person was me.

Cubtober 14th

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here are a few examples of years where they were still following the team in October, and why.

On this date in 1908 the Cubs won their final World Series championship. They beat the Detroit Tigers 2-0 in front of the smallest World Series crowd in history (a still record 6210). The horse of the Cubs staff, Orval Overall, won the game--a 3-hit gem.

The game winning run was knocked in by the manager/first baseman of the Cubs; the Peerless Leader Frank Chance.

Read all about the series here.


On this date in 2003, the Cubs experienced one of the most painful moments in their history. It is now known as "The Bartman Game." With Mark Prior on the mound and the Cubs only five outs away from their first World Series since 1945, disaster struck.

Fox-32 reporter Dane Placko was there and tells the story...

Cubtober 13th

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here is an example of a year they were still following the team in October, and why.


On this date in 1908, the Cubs won Game 4 of the World Series, and took a 3-1 lead in the series. Mordecai Brown pitched a four hitter, 3B Harry Steinfeldt (photo) and CF Solly Hofman each drove in a run, and the Cubs won 3-0.

A measly 12,000 or so fans were in the stands on this blustery Tuesday afternoon in Detroit.

Cubtober 12th

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here's an example of a year they were still following the team in October, and why.



On this date in 1907, the Cubs become World Series champions for the first time, sweeping the Detroit Tigers. Mordecai Brown (photo) pitches a shut out to win Game 5 (game 1 was a tie). 3B Harry Steinfeldt is the hitting star.

Cubtober 11th

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here's an example of a year they were still following the team in October, and why.



On this date in 1929, the Cubs win a World Series game in Philadelphia's Shibe Park. Guy Bush beats the A's 3-1, thanks to two RBI from KiKi Cuyler.

It's the only game they win in the series.

Cubtober 10th

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here's an example of a year they were still following the team in October, and why.

On this date in 1908, the defending champion Cubs begin the World Series against the Detroit Tigers.

This will be their last World Series championship.

Cubtober 9th

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here are a few examples of years where they were still following the team in October, and why.

On this date in 1906, the Cubs and White Sox begin their one and only World Series against each other. The Sox win Game 1, 2-1, in front of only 12,000 or so fans at West Side Grounds.



On this date in 1938, the Cubs are knocked out of 1938 World Series at Yankee Stadium in front of 56,000+ fans. This turns out to be Lou Gehrig’s last game (although he doesn't know it at the time). He gets a single in his last at-bat and scores a run.





On this date in 1945, the Cubs play their final World Series game ever. They're blown out 9-3 by the Detroit Tigers in Wrigley Field.

Cubtober 8th

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here are a few examples of years where they were still following the team in October, and why.


On this date in 1907, the Cubs begin the 1907 World Series against the Detroit Tigers. The game is called a tie after 12 innings.






On this date in 1929, the World Series begins at Wrigley Field (Cubs vs. A's). It's the first World Series game ever to be played at Wrigley. The Cubs lose.







On this date in 1945, the Cubs win their last World Series game at Wrigley Field. Stan Hack doubles off Dizzy Trout (Steve's dad) in the bottom of the 12th inning to knock in the winning run against the Tigers. That win forces a decisive Game 7.




It's also the anniversary of the Chicago Fire, but that was five years before the Cubs were founded, and I think it's safe to say...that October was worse.

Cubtober 7th

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here are a few examples of years where they were still following the team in October, and why.



On this day in 1935, the Cubs are eliminated from the World Series by the Detroit Tigers. It happens in heartbreaking fashion...in the bottom of the ninth of Game 6.







On this day in 1984, Leon Durham goes down for a ball and it scoots right through his legs, costing the Cubs a shot at the 1984 World Series.








On this day in 2003, the heavily favored Cubs, fresh off their only playoff series victory since 1908, begin the NLCS versus the Florida Marlins. They lose Game 1 on a Mike Lowell home run in the ninth.

Cubtober 6th

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here are a few examples of years where they were still following the team in October, and why.


On this day in 1984, Steve Garvey sticks a dagger into the Cubs when he hits a home run off Lee Smith in the bottom of the ninth to tie the series and send it to a Game 5.

Read all about that day here.



On this day in 2007, the Cubs were eliminated from the playoffs by the vastly inferior Arizona Diamondbacks.

Read all about that day here.

Cubtober 5th

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here are a few examples of years where they were still following the team in October, and why.



On this date in 1938, the World Series, Cubs vs. Yankees begins.

Read all about that incredibly memorable series here.







On this date in 2003, the Cubs do something they haven't done since 1908--they win a playoff series, knocking off the Atlanta Braves.

Cubtober 4th

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here are a few examples of years where they were still following the team in October, and why.




On this day in 1989, the Cubs vs. Giants NLCS begins.

Read all about it here.







On this day in 2008, the Cubs vs. Dodgers NLDS ends.

Read all about that here.

Cubtober 3rd

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here a few examples of years where they were still following the team in October, and why.




On this day in 1915, the Cubs played their final game in their championship field...West Side Grounds. The next season they would begin playing in a new ballpark on the North Side.





On this day in 1938, the city of Chicago has a parade for the pennant winning 1938 Cubs.










On this day in 1945, the World Series begins, Cubs vs. Detroit Tigers. Read all about that series here.





On this day in 1976, Bill Madlock wins the National League batting title in his final at bat as a member of the Chicago Cubs.

He is traded for Bobby Murcer after the season.

Cubtober 2nd

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here a few examples of years where they were still following the team in October, and why.




On this day in 1936, the Cubs faced the White Sox in the City Championship series.

Listen to a portion of that game here.








On this day in 1984, the Cubs-Padres NLCS began at Wrigley Field.

Read about that series here.

AUDIO: Steve Trout talks about that team.





On this day in 2001, Sammy Sosa hit his 60th home run, becoming the first player in history to do that three times.

Cubtober 1st

Chicago Cubs fans have had better Octobers than October 2009. Here a few examples of years where they were still following the team, and why.



The Cubs and Detroit Tigers began the 1935 World Series.

Read about it here, and listen to the final out here.






In 1960, Billy Williams hit his first MLB home run. He hit it in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against Dodgers pitcher Stan Williams. It was a two run shot that put the Cubs up by 3 runs.

More response

We got a ton of response today about Mary Schmich's column in the Tribune. Here are a few of my favorites...

From Yooper Bill...

"Just found out about your announcment, (I live in the U.P., and sometimes the dogsled express doesn't get through). I have had a bad couple of weeks, (agood friend lost her battle with Cancer), and you announcement was just what i needed. I laughed until I cried! God Bless you!"

From "AR"...

"I loved your ad and Schmick’s column. Those who are critical need to loosen up! We live in New Hampshire, but are mid-westerners. My husband has always loved the Cubs. We used to enjoy the Red Sox, but when they finally won the pennant, their fans became rude, mean and unbearable. We became anti-fans. I know that the people in the Midwest don’t have that meanness, so I hope the Cubs will pull it off one of these years! Always hopeful!"

From "BM"...

"The birth announcement was HILARIOUS!! Let's just hope and pray that lil' Waitle Nex is a heck of a lot better than her folks!"

From "BB"...

"Hilarious. The test of a good religion is the ability to poke fun at itself. If being a Cub's fan isn't a religious experience it is awful close. We believe in the unbelievable. We have faith that defies all reason. We have hope eternal. To quote the Joker, "I may be laughing on the outside but I am crying on the inside!" Well done guys!"

From "AR"...

"I didn't see the printed ad, but I got the joke right away. I'm a lifelong Cub fan and I thought it was funny and clever. Those who don't get the joke or are insulted by it really need to get themselves a sense of humor."

E-mails, we get e-mails...

Jon Switzer writes after reading Mary Schmich's column about us in the Chicago Tribune...



"I have only one thing to say and that is BRAVO!!! This is awesome. I am 59 years old and remember the Cubs when Dick Bertell was their catcher, when Carmen Fanzone played second AND the national anthem on his trumpet, when 650 people were at the Cubs game, when we had a right fielder named Johnny Callison and Wes Covington, college of coaches, and no lines to get into the game. I have been a Cub fan…even though we traded Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio. Thus, all that being said, I think this is hilarious! Keep up the great work. I have bookmarked this site! I will refer to it to many of my friends in business and life. Again, how hilarious! Must have been fun to do! Although sad …..but life is a game….and we need to remember it in this spirit you portray on here! Thanks a heap!!!!"

Here's a few that got the joke

Let's give credit to NBC Chicago for getting the joke. They've got it up on their website now.

Also, Sports By Brooks got it too. You can read that site's take on the story here.

Really?

I can't believe people are taking this little birth announcement we put in the Chicago Tribune yesterday seriously. Just got a call from a TV station asking if it's a hoax. Are you kidding me? Of course it is. (I prefer the word "Joke" or "Parody" or "Political Statement against the team that just wasted another summer for me.") Tell that to Deadspin.com, the Mouthpiece blog and NBC.com in Los Angeles. All of them reported it as if it were real.

Just One Bad Century is being flooded with hits today from all over the country.

Welcome everyone. There's lots to read here. Explore the site while you're here.

Birth Announcement

In Today's Tribune...Section Live, page 7 lower left. (Here's the link)


YEARE, Waitle Nex

Suki and Justa Crappi Yeare of Chicago's North Side are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Waitle Nex, born August 20th in Los Angeles. The entire Yeare family eagerly awaits her arrival back in Chicago. The first Waitle Nex Yeare was born in Chicago in 1909. It's too bad great-great grandma isn't around to see the birth of her namesake. Baby Waitle was born several weeks premature but is somehow perfectly healthy. Doctors tell us the chip on Waitle's shoulder will wear down over the winter and she will be 100% healthy next spring. You should see how cute she looks with the albatross necklace around her neck. Pictures available at www.justonebadcentury.com.

9/9/09

It's a numerologist's wet dream...9/9/09. Seems like a good day to take a look at some of the Cubs that have worn the number 9. As it turns out, there have been quite a few big names...

For the first few months of 1932, future Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby wore the #9. He was fired amidst a player revolt and an investigation into his gambling.

After Hornsby left the team that year, Mark Koenig took the #9. The way his Cubs teammates treated Koenig may have provided the bad karma that lost the 1932 World Series.




In 1933 another Hall of Famer, Gabby Hartnett,took over the #9. He wore that number for the next four seasons, including the 1935 World Series.








In the early 50s (1950-1955) Hank Sauer wore #9. All he did with that number was win the MVP award in 1952. He also once hit 3 home runs in one game.








In the late 50s (58-59), the number 9 was worn by the man who hit the most famous home run in history (the shot heard round the world) a few years earlier for the New York Giants. His nickname was "The Flying Scot."







In the late 1960s the heart and soul of the Hey Hey Holy Mackeral Cubs, Randy Hundley, wore #9. In 1968, Hundley caught a ridiculous 160 games. (His son Todd later wore the same number in 2001-2002, but we don't talk about that.)




Those guys are obviously the best players to wear number 9, but there have been many others, including Frank Demaree (1937-38), Hank Leiber (1939-41), Chico Hernandez (1942), Clyde McCullough (1945-48), Mickey Owen (1949), Rube Novotney (1949), Bob Lennon (1957), Gordon Massa (1957), Del Rice (1960), Jim Hegan (1960), Cuno Barragan (1961-63), Steve Swisher (1974-77), Joe Wallis (1978), Tim Blackwell (1978-81), Butch Benton (1982), Larry Cox (1982), Fred Koenig (1983), Johnny Oates (1984-87), Damon Berryhill (1988-91), Matt Walbeck (1993), Scott Servais (1995-98), Benito Santiago (1999), Damon Buford (2000-01), Paul Bako (2003-04), Henry Blanco (2005), Jody Gerut (2005), Scott McClain (2005), Juan Pierre (2006), Jake Fox (2007), Reed Johnson (2008-09)

Ernie Harwell

From this morning's Tom Taylor column at Radio-info.com...

"Ernie Harwell just got lousy news – really lousy news. Doctors in Detroit told the 91-year old that he has cancer of the bile duct, and that it's advanced to "incurable." Harwell was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame after a 55-year career calling baseball games on radio and TV, 42 of them for the Detroit Tigers. He plans to remain very active, including writing his newspaper column and working on a new book."

Harwell is one of all-time greats. Sad news.

(AUDIO: Ernie Harwell says goodbye to Tigers Stadium 1999)

Milt Pappas

On this date in 1972, Milt Pappas threw a no-hitter for the Cubs against the San Diego Padres.

Milt is famously still upset that it wasn't a perfect game. He walked the 27th batter he faced (San Diego journeyman outfielder Larry Stahl) on a borderline 3-2 pitch.