Spring Training 1946

The boys were home from war, the Cubs were defending NL champs, and everything looked rosy in Spring Training 1946.

Watch the Cubs in action here.

That's the last time you'll ever see them as defending National League champs.

Another great mustache

This great Cubs mustache is 60 years old today.

Read all about Doug Bird here.

Spring Training 1955

Listen to how young and green Ernie Banks is in this interview.

It was conducted during spring training in 1955. The interviewer is Cubs radio announcer Bert Wilson. Ernie is about to enter his second full season in the big leagues.

Baseball Writing Workshop

 Attention aspiring baseball writers!

My friend Don Evans (editor of the book "Cubbie Blues") is teaching a baseball writing workshop at Loyola's Continuum. They need at least three more students to sign up. Don't miss out on this opportunity. Don is a great writer and editor. I highly recommend this class.

Baseball Literature

The Bird Cage, the Book Shelf, and Everything in Between

Donald G. Evans, MFA • Six Thursdays, March 18-April 29

(no class April 1) • 6:30 pm–8:30 pm • Water Tower Campus

Tuition: $275

In this course, students will critique a range of sports writing, including works by Ring Lardner, James T. Farrell, August Wilson, and Nancy Willard. Students will also examine technique and process to create their own pieces.

 Register today.  Visit www.LUC.edu/continuum

Spring Training 1939

The Cubs are in Mesa Arizona right now, conducting Spring Training, but from the 1920s until the 1940s they had spring training at the island owned by Cubs owner William (and then his son P.K.) Wrigley.

Watch this video to see the defending NL champion Cubs in the spring of 1939.

(Photo: The Cubbies arrive on the steamer! From left to right: Hall of Fame Catcher Gabby Hartnett, W.L. White (mayor of Avalon), E.R. Pollok (city manager), and Dizzy Dean)

Another great mustache

This great Cubs mustache is celebrating his 60th birthday today.

Read all about Pete Broberg here.