The first Latino Cubs player...

...joined the team on this day in 1925. His name was Mike Gonzalez, and he was born in Havana, Cuba. (His real name was Miguel Angel Gonzalez)

Before joining the Cubs, he had played for the Boston Braves, the New York Giants, and the Cincinnati Reds, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Gonzalez played for the Cubs from 1925-1929, serving as Gabby Hartnett's backup. He even got an at bat in the 1929 World Series. But there was no joy in Cuba, for the mighty Miguel struck out.

Thanks Oak Park

Thanks to everyone who came out to Oak Park Public Library last night for our panel discussion. It's always fun to talk baseball, especially with my fellow writers from "Cubbie Blues"; Robert Goldsborough, James Finn Garner and Don Evans. That's a really nice library too, and their baseball display is tremendous. You should check it out if you get a chance.

JOBC in Oak Park

If you're in the Oak Park area tomorrow night, I'll be appearing at the Oak Park Public Library to promote the "Cubbie Blues" book.

Here are the details...

Thursday, May 21, 2009, 7 p.m.: Oak Park Public Library (Main Library, 2nd Floor, Veterans Room, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park). "Cubbie Blues" editor Donald G. Evans serves as moderator for a panel of contributing writers to the book, including Don De Grazia, James Finn Garner, Robert Goldsborough and Rick Kaempfer, who will give voice to the essence of being a Cubs fan.

Jonathon Brandmeier's take on The Bobby Scales Story

If you don't know who Bobby Scales is, he's the 31-year-old rookie the Cubs just brought up who is off to a great start. Everyone's rooting for him...

Bill Murray to invest in Cubs?

Ladies and gentlemen, can you imagine the potential fun we have in store for us if this story is true?

Harry Caray returns to SNL