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Chicago Cubs

Red Bob Borkowski Shows All-Star Effort

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Despite everything, his
autograph still sparkles!

Thank you, Bob Borkowski.

He played from 1950-55. But he’s still in the game, doing his best for fans. And it’s not getting any easier.
His reply came printed in all caps:

“Tom

I’m sorry I can’t answer your ??? because I don’t see too well!!

All I can say is was nice playing in the majors.”

He signed his name on two lines, “Bob” on top, to make sure the signature didn’t get jumbled.

“HOPE YOU CAN READ THIS!!”

The former Cub and Red will get my thank-you postcard. The envelope didn’t get a “Refused.” My request didn’t wind up in his trash can. The letter didn’t come back blank.

He’s still doing his best for us. For fans who never bought a ticket to one of his games. For people who never cheered his 14 career homers (2 each off Preacher Roe and Carl Erskine).

I’m cheering now, Bob.

Tomorrow: Remembering a mother helped snag a Minnesota Twin autograph!

Jack Brickhouse Sought Cub Rich Nye’s Wit

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This 1989 Pacific set
gave Brickhouse his due!

The best baseball letters I receive redefine eras. The most memorable missives are more than punchlines, answering trivia questions such as “Toughest hitter? Hank Aaron.”

Pitcher Rich Nye, flashing superb storytelling skills, shared one much-needed reminder for me.
Cubs announcer Jack Brickhouse was a real journalist.

By the 1970s, when I was watching the Cubs via WGN-TV syndicated broadcasts, Brickhouse seemed quite low-key for me. Later, compared to Harry Caray, my memory of Brickhouse turned into a cold bowl of oatmeal. The difference? Brickhouse loved the Cubs, too. However, he kept on being a reporter (instead of pure cheerleader).

Brickhouse started on radio in 1934. He started at WGN in 1940. Brickhouse did EVERYTHING — not just baseball. He is a Radio Hall of Famer. Likewise, he appreciated that Nye brought an unusual perspective to the game.

Nye wrote:

“In 1967, the Cubs had the typical mix of old and young. Along with myself there was Ken Holtzman, Joe Niekro, Bill Stoneman, Gary Ross, Alec Distaso, Frank Reberger and maybe a couple of others who were vying for a place on the team. We were led by crusty old Leo Durocher, who had little regard for a college-educated player.

We were, however, well accepted by the media and especially Jack Brickhouse took a shine to me and had me on his show several times. He wanted to talk about my days at Cal in the 1960s when the student body was in an uproar. He knew he would get an articulate interview.”

I learned about DOCTOR Nye’s second career in this fascinating 2008 Sun-Times blog post.

Tomorrow: Nye recalls batterymate Randy Hundley and the feeling of winning on national television.  

Anti-Semitism Sidelines a Chicago Cub

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Mayer: “I’m happy with the card.
The picture was taken at Wrigley
Field. I didn’t think about the card then.”

 Pitcher Ed Mayer is a true all-star in my book. After his arm ended his decade in professional ball, his heart led him to teaching. Although a quarter-century in the schools didn’t get him on any more trading cards, he remains in the hearts of students he inspired.

Mayer wrote me:

“Thank you for the nice letter. You are a true fan. I played pro baseball for 10 years. I had to work my way up each year.”

Writing by hand,  he listed his climb up the minor league ladder, starting in 1952, including each team, class of league and won-loss record. At the end of the 1956 season, the Cardinals prospect pitched winter ball in Cuba. The non-stop action (winding up with more winter ball in 1957) wore his arm out, Meyer said.

Nevertheless, the Cubs promoted Meyer from Fort Worth in 1957. He remained on the Chicago roster in 1958.

I wrote him one question:

“The List of Jewish players from the 1950s isn’t huge. How many people (fans, teammates, media) knew of your faith? Any bad reactions?

He replied:

“I only had two experiences in 10 years. But we didn’t care about religion in those days.


Incident #1 was in Indianapolis. A fan was yelling anti-Semitic statements at me while I was pitching for Omaha in AAA. I didn’t pay any attention.

2. I was not allowed to go to the Olympic Club in Phoenix with the rest of the team in 1958 spring training.”

The team. As in THE CHICAGO CUBS. This wasn’t a rag-tag minor leaguer. Mayer had ended the year on the Chicago roster. He belonged. Who cares if it was a private club? He was a teammate, someone to stand up for.

I’ve read the articles. I watched Undercover Boss. The Ricketts family have big ideas about owning the Chicago Cubs. I’d be proud to see the new owners fix an old chapter of team history before starting a new season.

Look up 79-year-old Ed Mayer. Bring him to Arizona for one more spring training, a guest of the team. He deserved better. Once a Cub, always a Cub?

Cubs Pitcher Jim Colborn Recalls Stormy Times With Manager Leo Durocher

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Pitcher Jim Colborn sent me an early Christmas present. I asked about three topics. He sent me true tales from the diamond. Remember the old CBS “You Are There” programs? He’s that good. Why don’t we see the likes of Jim on This Week in Baseball? Baseball broadcast teams, take note. This guy is a classic storyteller.

First, I asked about manager Leo Durocher.

“Leo had an ego problem. He needed strokes so badly he put people down and manipulated them to make himself feel UP. Sad kind of person.”


Tomorrow: Colborn recounts a never-ending game against the Minnesota Twins!

Catcher Tom Lundstedt’s Humble Twins Salary

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Catcher Tom Lundstedt shared a glimpse of what 1970s felt like with a small-market team when replying to my 2000 letter.

He started with the Cubs and ended with the Twins in a too-brief career that dates from 1973 to 1975. Cub fans might remember that Lundstedt was a FIRST-ROUND draft pick in 1970.

In both places, Lundstedt wasn’t overwhelmed with free-spending owners. I asked him if he ever dealt with Chicago’s P.K. Wrigley or Minnesota’s Calvin Griffith. Lundstedt replied:

“I never had any direct contact with P.K. Wrigley but Calvin Griffith’s another story. He ran the whole show – negotiated contracts, made trades, etc. I was traded to the Twins in the winter of 1974 because I had refused the Cubs contract offer.

“When I met with Calvin to negotiate, he offered less than the amount I had turned down from the Cubs. When I asked why, he said, “Because you’re catching is no damn good!” I wonder if that’s what the arbitration hearings of this era are like?

“I have come to admire Calvin as the years go by. He was a true character who really cared about the good of baseball.”

Tom Lundstedt became an all-star, even if it wasn’t in baseball. Such a victory is small wonder, considering his winning attitude. He’s a nationally-known expert on investment real estate and taxation. Check out his impressive business stats at www.tomlundstedt.com.

Imagine the outcome today if this first-round draft pick got to renegotiate that 1970 contract in Chicago!