Keith Moreland.
The walking definition of an nineteen-eighties Cub: not super gifted, but he played so hard you just had to pull for the guy even more.
The joke was when you were watching WGN, and if he hit a grounder to short the camera would focus on where the out was going to be made - at first base.
Most of the time, Keith wouldn't make it into the frame before the out was called.
So not a real fast guy.
He was one of those guys who could play 1st, 3rd, and he could catch, but mostly I remember him in right field.
He was out there when I first started hanging in the RF bleachers for real with my brother and Flynn.
Zonk.
He hit 100 homers for the Cubs while he was in Chicago.
In '85 he hit .307, in '87 he hit 27 homers.
When the Cubs lost to the Pads in the '84 NLCS, he went 6 for 18 with a couple doubles and RBIs in those 5 games.
But mostly I remember a giant fight that started when he got drilled by Met pitcher (and eventual Cubs General Manager) Ed Lynch.
Arne Harris' center field camera had the best shot of Moreland charging the mound like the former University of Texas football player he was.
You can read more about it at Bleed Cubbie Blue.
Anyway, he's gonna be at the Cubs Convention, and I would imagine he'll be sort of approachable.
Like, Derrek Lee?
He'll have a bunch of guards around him all the time.
I don't think Zonk's got that kind of security.
Hope I get to say howdy.
And lastly, something to celebrate this below zero day: a watercolor from a couple years ago on vacation.
We were visiting my sister in law and her boyfriend in Kona, Hawaii (the Big Island), and this day we were at a beach called "The Ponds".
If you panned left, you'd see a sort of natural lava wall about a hundred feet out with waves breaking over the top, and you could swim in the pools in front of that with a bunch of tiny fish.
For those of us not able to get near the convention, I am taking full advantage of watching replays from last season that I saved.....got to do something to keep warm right.
Remember folks we have only 29 days to Spring Training and 41 days until the first spring game. Lets just hope that Pat and Ron will be broadcasting it.
Posted by: pondorotravis | January 15, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Thanks for the date update, Pondo!
Also, I GOT A TICKET!
WOOO HOOOO!
Posted by: Tim@Cubby Blue | January 15, 2009 at 03:52 PM
My favorite part of the convention is listening to the "old timers". They tell such wonderful stories--Sutcliff had us laughing so hard last year. A lot of these guys are still pretty young, and I always wonder what they think when they see everyone fawning over the current players. It wasn't too long ago that they were the hot ones!
Travis, the Cubs web site lists the spring training games to be broadcast and the first game will indeed be on the radio. So in a little over a month, we'll be hearing "Cubs baseball is on the air!"
Glad to hear you got a ticket, Tim!
Posted by: Donna | January 15, 2009 at 04:12 PM
Donna I could not agree with you more. The old timers have the best stories. Ernie tells great stories and just doesn't stop.
2 years ago my friend and I talked with Sutcliff for 20 or so minutes at Kitty O'Sheas and he had great stories and was so humbled by the amount of people waiting to get his autograph. He said he felt bad that he couldn't stay longer at the stage to sign for everyone.
Posted by: Sarah | January 15, 2009 at 04:59 PM
So guys when are we going to have that drink now that we know Tim has a ticket?
Posted by: Sarah | January 15, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Somebody pick a time and day. I'll be there Friday night and most of the day Saturday. IF I have school tomorrow, I won't be able to read the comments section of the blog (dang filters). If a decision isn't made until tomorrow, Tim could you please email me? Thanks!
Posted by: Donna | January 15, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Okay, I spent a little time looking around and the only info I can find is a list of players attending and the dates and times.
Even though I've been to the last 3, I have never made it to the first night, and I don't know what happens.
But, I'll get off work at 5, and I'm just up the street so I could be down there in minutes.
I think I'd like to see the thing I always see photos of where Cub Royalty appears to be on a balcony, and I think they introduce new Cubs and talk a bit (is that what happens?)
So I'd love to see that, but if there's time for a beer or two beforehand it would be awesome to meet whoever wants to meet at Kitty Oshea's or whatever.
Talk to me, please.
Posted by: Tim@Cubby Blue | January 15, 2009 at 06:28 PM
The schedule I got from the Tribune says Opening Ceremonies from 5:00-5:30. I'd never been able to make it to this because we usually can't leave Geneva until 3:30 or so. Again, IF there is no school, we plan to be there well ahead of time.
Posted by: Donna | January 15, 2009 at 06:39 PM
Tim, I just emailed you a scan of the schedule.
Posted by: Donna | January 15, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Ok...uncle!!!
I'm sitting here making all my comments about Arizona weather and I can't hide it any longer...I wish I were there to meet you guys for that drink!
Damn...that would be so cool! (No pun intended)
And Donna! Are you serious? You leave from the Geneva train station? Me too. We must be close neighbors! I'm in St. Charles (in the summertime).
Wanna buy a house? I'll toss in a kick-ass snow blower!
Posted by: Bud | January 15, 2009 at 08:44 PM
Donna (or Tim): could you send me that schedule as well? Uh, how to get you my email without the spambots finding it...igg? Maybe have Tim do it - he's got my email. I don't know that Sarah has the most updated one.
Oh hell, now I really want to go to the opening ceremony too. But then I want to get in line for auto, and bingo and everything and ZOMG. First convention hyperventilate!!
Posted by: DB | January 15, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Hey DB--I put a copy of the schedule here:
www.picasaweb.google.com/dpotaczek
Hopefully you can read it and foil those spambots!
Bud--I actually live out in the country north of Sycamore, but teach in Geneva. Who knew we were neighbors! How cold has it been here? Today, I just looked out at the snow in the driveway and wasn't even tempted to shovel it! The wind chill tomorrow morning is supposed to be 40 below! Ugh!
Posted by: Donna | January 15, 2009 at 09:21 PM
No school today! So we'll be heading into the city early this afternoon.
Posted by: Donna | January 16, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Thanks!
*sniff* Right next to Mark!
Posted by: DB | January 16, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Okay, since I don't know any better place to go, Sutter and I will head to Kitty Oshea's anywhere between 3:30 and 4 (we gotta find will call).
I'm certain it'll be packed in there, and I have nothing remarkable to make me stand out, but I'll be looking for people who look like the pictures on this page...
Posted by: Tim@Cubby Blue | January 16, 2009 at 12:33 PM