Dave Kingman

Today's Tale from a Bad Century is about the not-too-pleasant Dave Kingman era in Chicago.

Read all about it here.

Shufflin' Phil

This week's Great Nickname at JOBC is the troubled "Shufflin Phil".

Read all about him here.

This week in 1908, 1945

Every weekend JOBC goes back in time to the last year the Cubs won the World Series (1908) and the NL Pennant (1945).

This week in 1908, the Wright Brothers take the world`s first one hour flight, Frank Chance celebrates his 31st birthday, and the Cubs are still in third place behind the Pirates and the Giants.

This week in 1945, Gen. MacArthur accepts Japan's official surrender, the Palmer Castle is razed in Chicago, and Cubs third baseman Stan Hack gets his 2000th career hit.

Every team leads the league in something

That's the thesis of this article in USA Today.

For instance, the White Sox lead the league in being hit by pitches. And the Reds lead the league in balks.

As for the Cubs? They lead the league in errors.

(Sigh)

Sights & Sounds

A classic scene from the movie "Field of Dreams" and a song about Sammy Sosa written by your humble blogger await you in this week's Sights & Sounds at JOBC.

Watch and listen here.

Question from a Reader

I don't know the answer to this question, but I'm throwing it out there just in case anyone does know. It came in via my Just One Bad Century mailbox... 

"Hi Rick, I really love the website. I’ve been a Cubs fan for nearly 50 years. One of my earliest memories is of Ed Bailey hitting a home run at Wrigley in 1965! Still remember the roar of the crowd to this day. I have so many great memories over the years. My question is about the old Chicago Cubs flags that the Wrigley’s flew from the foul poles. Do you know what ever happened to them and why they have never been brought back? I have written the Cubs a couple of times about this but have never received a reply. To quote the 1968 press guide: “The Chicago Cubs flag-red and white on a blue background-displays 16 red stars representing the Club’s 16 National League Championships. The two blue stars represent the Club’s two World Championships.” I think it would be a nice touch to have them above the flags of the retired numbers, a remembrance of the glories of the past. Once again, thanks for the site and keep up the good work! Go Cubs! Mike Bowers"

It's funny that the flag would still work. Still have the same number of NL championships. Still have the same number of World Championships.

If you know the answer to Mike's question, drop me a line at rick@justonebadcentury.com

No-No

Today's Tale from a Bad Century at JOBC is about the last time the Cubs were no-hit. It happened all the way back in 1965, and remains one of the best pitched games in baseball history.

Read all about it here.