USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ THE CANTEEN SALUTES THE CHICAGO CUBS ~ APRIL 24 2003

FRiends Of The Canteen | Kathy In Alaska (Ma), MoJo2001 (The Kid)

[MoJo2001]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

---

WELCOME TO THE CANTEEN SPORTS CORNER

THE CANTEEN PROUDLY SALUTES THE CHICAGO CUBS!

(Click On All Graphics)

CHICAGO CUBS HISTORY TIMELINE

1800s

In 1876, the Chicago White Stockings become one of eight charter members of the National League led by their president William A. Hulbert, who was also the owner of the Chicago club. A.G. Spalding is the manager when the team plays its first game in the history of the Chicago National League Ball Club that takes place on April 25.

1900s What a decade for Cubs baseball, which is exactly what it was. In 1902, noting the youth movement lead by new manger Frank Selee, a local newspaper penned the nickname Cubs for the first time. The moniker prevailed over time and was officially adopted by the club in 1907. It is currently one of the longest running-and most beloved-alias' in all of sports.

1910s

The team began this decade much like they concluded the previous one-by winning. The Cubs win their fourth National League pennant in five seasons. Despite wining 104 games and capturing the flag by 13 games, they lose the 1910 World Series to the Philadelphia A's, four games to one.

1920s In 1920, Weeghman Park becomes known as Cubs Park, after chewing gum magnet William Wrigley buys out the remainder of Charles Weeghman's share of the club. The park would undergo yet another name change in 1926 when it becomes Wrigley Field.

1930s In 1930, outfielder Hack Wilson puts together one of the greatest hitting seasons in baseball history, pounding 56 homers and driving in 191 runs-a mark has never been bettered in Major League Baseball. On June 27, the largest crowd ever to see a game at Wrigley Field — 51,556 — is on hand as the Cubs play the Brooklyn Dodgers. But paid attendance is only 19,748, due to the Ladies Day promotion.

1940s

Instead of becoming one of the first teams to install lights, the Cubs went on to become one of the last when, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, P.K. Wrigley donates the lighting equipment that he had recently purchased to the War Department in 1941.

1950s With the country in the middle of the Cold War, the Cubs as a team are in the middle of a frigid decade. After experiencing success for the majority of their existence, the Cubs finish the 50s without a postseason appearance, the first decade of a drought that would last until 1984.

1960s Sport imitated life in the 60s. A period mostly remembered for rebelling against the norm and untimely deaths of promising young leaders could describe the nation's or the organization's history during this time. In 1960 owner P.K. Wrigley experimented with manager position, implementing a "College of Coaches."

1970s During the 1970s, the Cubs saw many of their greats ride off into the sunset. Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks retires from the game in 1971 with 512 home runs. Three years later he and his familiar greeting of, "Let's play two!" are inducted into the Hall of Fame. Billy Williams, who in 1971 becomes the first player in NL history to play in 1,000 consecutive games, is traded to Oakland on October 23, 1974.

1980s Ch-ch-changes are in store for the Cubs in the 1980s in regards to ownership, postseason play and the park. In 1981 the Wrigley family ends their 65-year ownership of the team when William Wrigley sells the team to the Tribune Company for $20.5 million. In 1982 Fergie Jenkins -having been picked up as a free agent the previous November-becomes the seventh player in baseball history to hurl a record 3,000 strikeouts. That season Ernie Banks becomes the first Cub to have his number retire. The fabled No. 14 now flies from the left-field foul pole at Wrigley Field while Billy Williams' No. 26-retired in 1987-flies from the right-field pole.

1990s Home runs, strikeouts and the passing of two legendary voices of the Cubs are the items of note from this decade. In 1990, Ryne Sandberg leads the NL with 40 home runs, the third-highest total ever for a second baseman. Sandberg also established a major-league record by playing errorless ball for 123 straight games. Cub pitcher Greg Maddux wins the NL Cy Young award in 1992, after posting a 20-and-11 record. The next season, Randy Myers sets an NL record with 53 saves. Setting the stage for greater things to come, in 1993 Sammy Sosa becomes the first player in Cubs history to post a "30/30" season, finishing the year with 33 homers and 36 steals.

2000s However one looks at it-whether 2000 begins the new millennium or ends the old one-the Cubs began it with a rather ominous result. While Sammy Sosa continues his swatting ways en-route to becoming just the third player in major-league history to reach the 50-homer mark in three straight seasons, the team struggles, winding up with a 65-97 record.

The Chicago Cub's Wrigley Field

DID YOU KNOW??

Wrigley Field, which was built in 1914, is playing host to Major League Baseball for the 90th season in 2003.

The Friendly Confines is the second-oldest ballpark in the majors behind Boston's Fenway Park (1912).

Wrigley Field has been the site of such historic moments as:

• Babe Ruth's "called shot," when Ruth allegedly pointed to a bleacher location during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series ... Ruth then hit Charlie Root's next pitch for a homer.

• Gabby Hartnett's famous "Homer in the Gloamin' " September 28, 1938, vs. Pittsburgh's Mace Brown.

• the great May 2, 1917, pitching duel between Jim "Hippo" Vaughn and the Reds' Fred Toney ... both Vaughn and Toney threw no-hitters for 9.0 innings before Cincinnati's Jim Thorpe (of Olympic fame) drove in the only run in the 10th inning ... Toney finished with a no-hitter.

• Ernie Banks' 500th career home run May 12, 1970, vs. Atlanta's Pat Jarvis.

• Pete Rose's 4,191st career hit, which tied him with Ty Cobb for the most hits in baseball history ... Rose singled off Reggie Patterson September 8, 1985.

Originally known as Weeghman Park, Wrigley Field was built on the grounds once occupied by a seminary.

• Weeghman Park was the home of Chicago's entry in the Federal League and was the property of Charles H. Weeghman ... the club was known as both the Federals and the Whales.

• the cost of building Weeghman Park, which had a seating capacity of 14,000, was estimated at $250,000 ... the infield and outfield consisted of more than 4,000 yards of soil and four acres of bluegrass.

• the first major league game at the ballpark took place April 23, 1914, with the Federals defeating Kansas City 9-1 ... the first homer in ballpark history was hit by Federals catcher Art Wilson - a 2-run shot in the 2nd inning off Kansas City's Chief Johnson.

• when the Federal League folded for financial reasons after the 1915 campaign, Weeghman purchased the Cubs from the Taft family of Cincinnati and moved the club to the two-year-old ballpark at the corner of Clark and Addison streets.

• the first National League game at the ballpark was played April 20, 1916, when the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in 11 innings ... a bear cub was in attendance at the game.

• the park became known as Cubs Park in 1920 after the Wrigley family purchased the team from Weeghman ... it was named Wrigley Field in 1926 in honor of William Wrigley Jr., the club's owner.

The Wrigley Field bleachers and scoreboard were constructed in 1937 when the outfield area was renovated to provide improved and expanded seating ... the original scoreboard remains intact.

• the score-by-innings and the pitchers' numbers are changed by hand ... the numbers signaling batter, ball, strike and out, along with "H" and "E" to signify hit and error, are eyelets.

• no batted ball has ever hit the centerfield scoreboard ... two baseballs barely missed - a homer hit onto Sheffield Avenue (right-center) by Bill Nicholson in 1948, and one hit by Roberto Clemente onto Waveland Avenue (left-center) in 1959.

• one of the traditions of Wrigley Field is the flying of a flag bearing a "W" or an "L" atop the scoreboard after a game ... a white flag with a blue "W" indicates a victory; a blue flag with a white "L" denotes a loss.

The original vines were purchased and planted by Bill Veeck in September 1937 ... Veeck strung bittersweet from the top of the wall to the bottom, then planted the ivy at the base of the wall.

• the bleacher wall is 11.5 feet high ... the basket attached to the wall was constructed in 1970.

• Ernie Banks' uniform number (14) is imprinted on the flag which flies from the leftfield foul pole ... Billy Williams' No. 26 flies from the rightfield foul pole.

Wrigley Field added lights in 1988.

• the first night game took place August 8 against Philadelphia, but was rained out after 31/2 innings.

• the first official night game occurred August 9 vs. New York, when the Cubs defeated the Mets 6-4.

Wrigley Field has also been the site of numerous construction projects since Tribune Company purchased the Cubs in 1981.

• new office space was created and old offices refurbished in the administrative area behind home plate in 1981-1982, while the ticket office was built directly behind home plate in 1983.

• during the winter of 1984, a new home clubhouse was completed under the third base stands ... the visitors' clubhouse was renovated in 1990.

• in 1989, private boxes were constructed on the mezzanine level, formerly occupied by the press box and broadcasting booths ... a press box and broadcasting booths were constructed in the upper deck directly behind home plate ... other improvements included a food court in the upper deck.

• following renovations in 1994 and 1995, there are now 63 private boxes.

• an elevator was added to the third base concourse in 1996.

CHICAGO CUBS CORNER

Current Standings
The National League Central Standings

CENTRAL	W	L	PCT	GB	HOME	ROAD	EAST	CENT	WEST	AL	L10	STRK
Chicago	13	7	.650	-	8-3	5-4	4-2	8-5	1-0	0-0	8-2	W1
Houston	10	9	.526	2.5	5-4	5-5	1-0	6-6	3-3	0-0	3-7	W1
Pittsburgh	10	9	.526	2.5	4-6	6-3	3-3	6-6	1-0	0-0	4-6	W2
St. Louis	9	9	.500	3.0	4-4	5-5	0-1	7-4	2-4	0-0	5-5	L3
Milwaukee	8	12	.400	5.0	4-6	4-6	0-1	6-7	2-4	0-0	5-5	L1
Cincinnati	6	14	.300	7.0	3-7	3-7	2-4	4-9	0-1	0-0	2-8	L1

A LEGEND

(Click To Hear "Take Me Out To The BallGame")

(Harry Christopher Carabina)
Age: 83

legendary radio/TV broadcaster best remembered for his oversized, black-rimmed glasses and outgoing personality that earned him the title "Mayor of Rush Street" – a nightclub district in Chicago; spent 53 years broadcasting baseball games for St. Louis, Oakland, and most memorably the Chicago White Sox and Cubs; during his 27 years in Chicago (11 with the Sox, 16 with the Cubs) Caray made the seventh-inning stretch almost as interesting as the game, crooning "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in his own off-key strain with the rest of the fans; a stroke in 1987 caused him to miss his first game and he sat out the first six weeks of the season; in 1989 he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame; his son Skip broadcasts Braves games and grandson Chip is a studio host for Fox Sports; of cardiac arrest

Died: Rancho Mirage, Calif., Feb. 18, 1998.

(Click To Hear Some Of Harry Caray's famous soundbites)

Please post any and all Chicago Cubs players, stats, graphics that you may have!
Sit back, relax, and take in a Cubbies Virtual Tour!

[MoJo2001]

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME PING!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Click on the pic and I'll guide you
to the start of today's thread.
Premier Opening of weekly Sports Day in the Canteen!


From the USO Website
"The USO mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services
to uniformed military Personnel."
USO CANTEEN FREEPER STYLE MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

The USO Canteen FReeper Style does not show any bias
towards any particular faith or political party.

This is the same as the real USO AND Free Republic itself.

From the front page of Free Republic.

"Free Republic is an online gathering place for independent,
grass-roots conservatism on the web."





To our military readers, we remain steadfast in keeping the Canteen doors open.
The Canteen is Free Republics longest running daily thread specifically designed
to provide entertainment and morale support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afganistain.
We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.


NEW!
Baghdad Bob daily Press Conference in the Canteen!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

NEW!
Baghdad Bob daily Press Conference in the Canteen!

Baghdad Bob and the real leaders of Iraq

[MoJo2001]

Good morning, Mr.Tonkin!! *HUGS* That is absolutely hilarious!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"That is absolutely hilarious!!"

sniker, sniker
I've "booked" him to appear daily!
*HUG*

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks for today's Sports Day Thread!

[MoJo2001]

Well, I'm glad he's making an appearance. He's a reminder of what it takes to be a member of one of the most sadistic and brutal regimes to walk to Earth. UGH! I'm glad they are gone and I'm thankful that our troops got rid of him! Woohoo!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Baghdad Bob and the Chicago Cubs

[MoJo2001]

YOU JUST COULDN'T RESIST, huh?? LOL!

[fatima]

bump for Baghdad Bob

[MoJo2001]

You have FReepmail!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"YOU JUST COULDN'T RESIST, huh??"

I "earned" that right!
I grew up in Chicago. LOL

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Good Morning!

[MoJo2001]

Well, did you notice that my hometown team is in last place. UGH!! Although, I take comfort in knowing they've won a championship in the 90s. Hehehe!!

[MoJo2001]

Good morning, fatima! Thanks for the Baghdad Bob bump!

[Valin]

Dying Cub Fan's Last Request
Steve Goodman

(talking blues)
By the shore's of old Lake Michigan
Where the "hawk wind" blows so cold
An old Cub fan lay dying
In his midnight hour that tolled
'Round his bed, his friends had all gathered
They knew his time was short
And on his head the put this bright blue cap
From his all-time favorite sport
He told them "its late and its getting dark in here"
And I know its time to go
But before I leave the line-up
There's just one thing I'd like to know
(Chorus, sung)

Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy covered burial ground
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the national league


(talking blues)
Told his friends "You know the law of averages says:
Anything will happen that can."
That's what it says.
"But the year the Cubs last won a national league pennant
Was the year we dropped the bomb on Japan"
The Cubs made me a criminal
Sent me down a wayward path
They stole my youth from me
(that's the truth)
I'd forsake my teacher's
To go sit in the bleachers
In flagrant truancy

and then one thing led to another
soon I'd discovered alcohol, gambling, dope
football, hockey, lacross, tennis
But what do you expect,
When you raise up a young boys hope
And then just crush 'em like so many paper beer cups.

Year after year after year
after year, after year, after year, after year, after year
'Til those hopes are just so much popcorn
for pigeons beneath the "EL" track to eat
He said "You know I'll never see Wrigley Field, anymore
before my eternal rest
So if you have your pencils and your score cards ready,
and I'll read you my last request
Give me a double header funeral in Wrigley Field
On some sunny weekend day (no lights)
Have the organ play the National Anthem
and then a little "na, na, na, hey hey, hey, Goodbye"
Make six bull pen pitchers, carry my coffin
and six ground keepers clear my path
Have the umpires bark me out at every base
In all their holy wrath
Its a beautiful day for a funeral, Hey Ernie lets play two!
Somebody go get Jack Brickhouse to come back,
and conduct just one more interview
Have the Cubbies run right out into the middle of the field,
Have Kieth Moreland drop a routine fly
Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt
And I'll be ready to die

Build a big fire on home plate out of your 'Louisville Sluggers' baseball bats,
And toss my coffin in
Let my ashes blow in the beautiful snow
From the prevailing 30 mile an hour south west wind
When my last remaind go flying over the left field wall
Will bid the bleacher bums adieu
I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue

The dying man's friends told him to cut it out
They said stop it that's an awful shame
He whispered, "Don't Cry, we'll meet by and by near the Heavenly Hall of Fame
He said I've got season's tickets to watch the Angels now,
So its just what I'm going to do
He said but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs,
So its me that feels sorry for you!

And he said "Ahh Play, play that lonesome losers tune,
The one I like the best
And he closed his eyes, and slipped away
What we got is the Dying Cub fan's last request
(Chorus, big finish, sung)

Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy covered burial ground
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the national league

[beachn4fun]

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE

GOOD MORNING TROOPS. I HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL DAY. I HAVE ASKED BJ TO PLAY YOU A TUNE TODAY. IF YOU LISTEN VERY CLOSELY YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THE TUNE OF "GOD BLESS AMERICA." And if you listen very, very closely after this you will hear applause. Now understand that this applause is NOT for BJ, but for you and all that you do. THANK YOU!

Now come here and give me a BIG kiss......

before I go......

[fatima]

Gotta go to work now,look foward to Baghdad Bob,see you all later.