For celebrated sportswriter Peter Golenbock,Wrigleyville is a symbol of America's fidelity to its greatest sport. As he did with classics of sports literature, Bums (a history of the Brooklyn Dodgers) and Dynasty (a history of the New York Yankees), Golenbock turns to a team that has won and broken the hearts of generations of fans; the Chicago Cubs. Utilizing dozens of personal interviews with players, coaches, fans, sportswriters, and clubhouse personnel, as well as out-of-print memoirs by nineteenth-century players, Peter Golenbock has created a perfect gift for every baseball fan: a book that entertains, warms the heart, and touches the soul. This updated edition includes material on Harry Caray's death, the magical seasons of Sammy Sosa and Kerry Wood, and the Cubs' 1998 playoff dive.
In 2016 the Chicago Cubs finally won the World Series after a 108 year losing streak. But before that, "never say die” was a way of life for Cubs fans, including sportswriter Kevin Kaduk... In the summer 2005 season, in a fit of nostalgic, heartfelt (and possibly insane) loyalty to his “Lovable Losers,” Kevin quit his job as a sportswriter in Kansas City and moved back to the Windy City on a quest to find the heart and soul of what has come to be known as “Wrigleyville.” As Kevin searched for answers, he found one hell of a good time. In this rollicking exploration of baseball and blind faith, he weaves a riveting tale of the team that stole his heart—and the life of the neighborhood surrounding baseball’s most historic ballpark. He takes us from the famed ivy-fronted bleachers in Wrigley Field to the full-blast party atmosphere that vibrates through the surrounding blocks every game day. He visits the rooftops across the street from the field where the beer is ice cold and the bratwurst never stops coming and explores the depths of Wrigleyville’s bar scene, where raucous celebration and heartrending commiseration are all too common. So crack open a cold one, and get ready to experience the true adventures of Kevin Kaduk—a man who took himself out to the ballgame, bought himself some peanuts and Cracker-Jack...and never came back.
From its humble beginnings in 1884 as a one-story frame building with one bay to house Hose Company 4 and its team of horses, Engine Company 78 has been the firefighting sentinel at the end of Waveland Avenue, sitting in the shadow of Wrigley Field. Using vintage photographs and moving stories from firefighters themselves, Karen Kruse captures the spirit and heroism of this historic Chicago landmark. Captain Robert F. Kruse served the Chicago Fire Department for 30 years, half of those at Wrigleyville's Engine 78. Growing up within the tight-knit firefighting community, Ms. Kruse records the dramatic and touching stories from her father's and his peers' experiences, and combines them in this volume exploring the unique history of Lakeview's firehouse, including a foreword by Mike Ditka and preface by Fire Commissioner James Joyce. With details about little known historic districts and a brief guide to Chicago's cemeteries and their relations to firefighters, A Chicago Firehouse: Stories of Wrigleyville's Engine 78 relays in first-hand accounts some of Chicago's most fiery tragedies, the brave men who battled them, and the diversity of the neighborhood that housed them.
This collection of 19 essays examine the role of baseball's Cubs in the history and politics of Chicago. They focus on topics such as the rise of a nationwide fan base through the long reach of superstation WGN; the local uses and views of icons Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, and Ryne Sandberg; historical divides along lines of race (on the field) and class (in the stands); Wrigley Field as a public space both sacred and cursed; the importance of local and nationwide media coverage; and the Cubs' impact on Chicago music and literature.
The dramatic story of a legendary 1979 slugfest between the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies, full of runs, hits, and subplots, on the cusp of a new era in baseball history It was a Thursday at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, mostly sunny with the wind blowing out. Nobody expected an afternoon game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs on May 17, 1979, to be much more than a lazy early-season contest matching two teams heading in opposite directions—the first-place Phillies and the Cubs, those lovable losers—until they combined for thirteen runs in the first inning. “The craziest game ever,” one player called it. “And then the second inning started.” Ten Innings at Wrigley is Kevin Cook’s vivid account of a game that could only have happened at this ballpark, in this era, with this colorful cast of heroes and heels: Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Bruce Sutter, surly slugger Dave Kingman, hustler Pete Rose, unlucky Bill Buckner, scarred Vietnam vet Garry Maddox, troubled relief pitcher Donnie Moore, clubhouse jester Tug McGraw, and two managers pulling out what was left of their hair. It was the highest-scoring ballgame in a century, and much more than that. Cook reveals the human stories behind a contest the New York Times called “the wildest in modern history” and shows how money, muscles, and modern statistics were about to change baseball forever.
Thinking about moving to Chicago? What should you know about moving to Chicago? How do you get around? How do you find a place to live in Chicago? Where should you go, what should you do, and how do you meet people? Most of the people who live in Chicago have achieved promising careers, incredible friends, and incomparable life experiences. But this life was only attained after an initial period of learning to live in Chicago – where times were difficult, bewildering, and lonely. Starting a new life in an unfamiliar place isn’t easy and it can take years of trial and error to find your place in it – meanwhile your life is passing you by. That’s why this book was written for people moving to Chicago. “New in Town Chicago” is the resourceful, streetwise, savvy new resident’s guide to moving in, getting around, and building a new life in the Windy City. What you really ought to know about moving to Chicago to navigate through the minefield of financial pitfalls, social foibles, and lurking dangers that befall the thousands of new residents moving to Chicago each year. New in Town Chicago is not a reference book, address book, or yellow pages for people who live in Chicago. Here on the Internet, that information is just a click away. It is also not a review book or Zagat’s Guide giving ratings to restaurants, bars, and attractions in Chicago. Who needs another person’s subjective opinion when you can discover on your own the best stuff to do in Chicago? “New in Town Chicago” is a straight, honest, non-textbook, concise guide to take you – the fresh and naive new-in-towner – through the steps of moving to Chicago, getting acclimated with the city, building your new life here, and ultimately finding your unique place as an official resident in this sprawling cultural milieu. What you will learn about moving to Chicago * How to find an apartment in Chicago by visiting the Chicago neighborhoods that are safe, convenient, and offer the best experience for you. * Navigate the Chicago streets without getting lost, and travel from point A to point B on the Chicago CTA * Save money and avoid the costly mistakes that new residents moving to Chicago often make * How to find the people and places that interest you (from Chicago theater to Chicago street fests) and build a social life * Master the weather while you live in Chicago and experience the best of the city in the spring, summer, fall, and even winter. WARNING! New people moving to Chicago make frequent mistakes that lead to suffering, humiliation, and emotional and financial ruin. The warnings in this book will identify them for you and show you how to carefully step over these common pitfalls. SECRETS! Insider tips and tricks scooped directly from the brains of people who live in Chicago and have been around the L more than a few times and learned a thing or two. We’ve culled for the handiest and most pragmatic crackerjack counsel so you can save money, find convenience, and experience the best of the city. A Great Gift for anyone moving to Chicago! “New in Town Chicago” makes a great gift for a college graduate, son, daughter, friend, or relative that is moving to Chicago or anyone just thinking about moving to Chicago.
An honest, illustrated, detailed guide to the quintessential American city. Full coverage of all the neighbourhoods, including the downtown Loop and its prominent skyline, and ethnic enclaves like Greektown and Pilsen, plu ssighs from the Art Institute of Chicago to the shops on Michigan Avenue and all the Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Oak Park. Listings of restaurants, nightlife and accomodation cater for all budgets and include places to hear the Chicago Blues and engage in local pastimes such as rooting for the doomed Cubs baseball team. Tours and excursions to the North Shore are also listed.
A trip into the world of a Cubs fan, this brilliant collection of photos and insightful essays highlights 15 years with the Chicago Cubs, from the winter Cubs Convention to their springs in Mesa and, finally, to the Friendly Confines during the season. This passionate photo documentary is a must-have for any and all Cubs fans who love to reminisce about past seasons while looking forward to the future with unguarded optimism. Our Team—Our Dream puts the Cubbies and the throngs of fans who flock to Wrigleyville on display in one memorable collection.
