The Cubstiva

Former JOBC Fan of the Week Derick Lehman dropped me a line this week to let me know he was featured on a South Bend TV station last year, shortly after he debuted his Cubstiva for the world here on JOBC.

Here's the video...

Happy Holidays from JOBC

We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. JOBC will be here throughout, bringing you new material every weekday. Stop by occasionally and say hello.

We've got some new features planned for next year too that we think you'll really enjoy. We'll have more information about the new features in 2009...the beginning of year 101.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and all the best for a Happy New Year.

Cub fan, Jail man

Here's a picture of Governor Rod Blagojevic on Opening Day last year at Wrigley Field. He was there for the unveiling of the Ernie statue.

I don't know Rod personally (I met him twice in passing--the last time was at Game 2 of the 2008 playoffs), but I understand he really is a die-hard Cubs fan since childhoood.

On the other hand, I just read the statement from Patrick Fitzgerald. One of the potential charges involves extorting the Tribune to fire editorial staff in exchange for the state securing the sale of Wrigley Field.

That is so Cubs.

A die-hard Cubs fan may be going to jail for (among other things) trying to extort the Cubs, and in the process helps to make our state the laughing stock of the nation.

That is so Cubs.

Santo rejected again

I can't believe it. The Hall of Fame rejected Ron Santo again today. (Here's the article)

He fell nine votes short.

I'm glad for Ron that he didn't allow cameras to be there this year when he got (or didn't get) the call. I know it broke his heart, but at least he didn't have to try and put a good face on it for the cameras.








We feel your pain, Ron. It's moments like this that inspired us to create our logo.

Greg Maddux

I know you probably won't be going into the Hall of Fame with a Cubs hat (or that mustache), but you'll always be a Cub to us. Congrats on a great career, Greg, and Larry Himes--we'll hate you forever. (No offense pal, but wow did you blow that one.)

Cubbie Blues: 100 Years of Waiting Til Next Year

I wanted to alert you to a perfect Cubs Christmas present idea. It's a book called "Cubbie Blues: 100 Years of Waiting til Next Year," and it comes out on December 14th.

This book is a collection of some pretty incredible essays about the Cubs, including contributions from Rick Kogan (Chicago Tribune & WGN), Dave Hoekstra (Chicago Sun Times), author Sara Paretsky (the V.I. Warshawski books), NPR's Scott Simon, author James Finn Garner (Politically Correct Fairy Tales), WXRT's Lin Brehmer, WSCR's Mike Murphy, and even one from your humble Just One Bad Century editor-in-chief, Rick Kaempfer.

You can get the book through the publisher at Can't Miss Press. They are taking pre-orders now! Or you can stop by one of the book signing events listed below. Note: I will be there on December 14th at Sheffield's. Please stop by, I'd love to meet you.


SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2008, 10 a.m. - noon: FIRST OFFICIAL BOOK SIGNING, ORIGINAL BILLY GOAT TAVERN & GRILL (430 N. Michigan Ave., Lower Level, Chicago, IL 60611, 312.222-1525): What a perfect place to start. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin called the Billy Goat "a national institution." It's our favorite subterranean saloon and eatery. From table to table and across every barstool, there's an echo of "wait till next year." It's a mantra all diehard Cub fans know by heart. Sammy Sianis, who owns the Billy Goat, knows it well, too. His uncle, the orginal owner, was famous for trying to bring a goat into Wrigley Field during the 1945 World Series. The Cubs haven't been back to the Fall Classic since and the longer they go without a title (it's at 100 years and counting) the more the legendary Curse of the Billy Goat grows. Judy Royko, widow of legendary columnist Mike Royko, will be on hand to sign books. All book buyers will get a complimentary cheeseburger from the Billy Goat. Books and burgers - does it get any better than that?

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2008, 7-10 p.m.: BOOK RELEASE PARTY,
SHEFFIELD’S (3258 N. SHEFFIELD AVE., CHICAGO, IL 60657, 773.281.4989): Help us celebrate the official release. There will be a free appetizer buffet, beer and drink specials, and contributor Dave Hoekstra will spin his eclectic Cubs music collection as guest DJ. Other contributors such as Sara Paretsky, James Finn Garner,Don De Grazia, Jonathan Eig, Stuart Shea, Rick Kaempfer, Ric Hess, Christine Sneed, Julia Borcherts, Mary Beth Hoerner, Robert Goldsborough, Donald Evans and Randy Richardson will also be there to sign copies of the book. At 8:30, publisher George Rawlinson will lead a toast and there will be s special guest appearances and comments by Pat Brickhouse, Shawon-O-Meter creator Dave Cihla and others.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008, 7-9 p.m.: SUBURBAN BOOK RELEASE PARTY, ELGIN PUBLIC HOUSE (219 E. CHICAGO ST., ELGIN, IL 60120, 847.468.8810)

A Cubbie Christmas

I got an e-mail this week from the man behind the Cubbie Christmas CD. He sent me a sample of one of the songs, and I must say...I love it.

I love the whole idea of it...an entire CD of Cubbie Christmas songs. If you'd like to check it out yourself, click here. And by all means, have a happy Cubbie Christmas.