It’s Draft Week in Chicago and Eric Edholm (Shutdown Corner on Yahoo! Sports) joins the Piffcast to preview it. We talk about his process in preparing for the draft, the best overall player, trading up for the “Big 2” quarterbacks and who will be available later. We discuss who could slide as well, and what the draft experience is like in Chicago. (31:30 mark, if you want to jump ahead)
TJ and I also go back and forth on Chicago baseball (he’s a Cubs fan, I’m a White Sox fan), moving to the city, some ideas we have for the show, and how we want to promote the things our listeners are doing. We want to hear from you! Let us know if you’re working on anything cool!
Feel free to react as you listen on Facebook or Twitter. Subscribe on iTunes here.
If there’s one thing I make as well as anyone, it’s a damn good grilled cheese sandwich.
I imagine you make a mean one as well, or have a line on tasty item from somewhere and I’d love for you to send a pic of it my way for a #FoodPornParty.
Send your Grilled Cheese photo my way via Facebook or Twitter and I will include it here, giving you a shoutout as well.
For reference, and strong recommendations for you to pick a sandwich up today…
The Fat Shallot
Follow them on Twitter and to see where they are next
Cheesie’s Pub & Grub (and truck)
For info on their restaurants and trucks, follow on Twitter.
The Fall Classic kicks off in Kansas City tonight on FOX at 7:07 PM CT. The Royals are making back-to-back trips after a nearly 30-year World Series drought. It’s been 15 years since the Mets were in the World Series and they haven’t won since 1986, the year after the Royals last did. Fun Fact: Neither team has ever won Game 1 of the World Series. Combined both teams are 0-7 in that regard. Also, Joe Buck will have the call and everyone will be convinced he hates their team. Both Royals and Mets fans are readying their angry tweets.
Both teams are very exciting for the objective baseball fan. The Mets have an incredible starting rotation and the Royals have the best bullpen. Daniel Murphy is doing video game things hitting 7 home runs in the playoffs and Ned Yost doesn’t give two shits about your baseball sensibilities when it comes to bunting and running. I, however, don’t care for either team.
As a fan with illogical and irrational feelings, I hate the Royals the most. I’m a White Sox fan and while people in Chicago struggle with my lack of Cub-hate, I target my frustration and dislike to the other teams in the AL Central. Whichever team is preventing the White Sox from making the playoffs the most (besides themselves), that’s who gets the majority of my distain. The Detroit Tigers used to be that team, but now the Royals carry the torch for my White Sox rivalry rage.
The Mets receive a different brand of loathing from me. Having grown up around Chicago, there’s natural detest in me and many for that giant east coast city, their tough-guy accents and pizza arrogance. For the record, I love New York but love when my teams face theirs way more. However, there’s one player who was just named to the Mets playoff roster who I can’t say a single bad thing about. His name is…
Juan Uribe.
Juan Uribe is everything that is good about baseball. He has fun. His teammates love him. He’s also no stranger to the big moment. Over his 15-year career, this will be Uribe’s 3rd appearance in a World Series. He made the final throw-out to win it all for the 2005 White Sox, homered for the Giants in another winning effort in 2010, and now he’s back to keep the 5-year trend alive.
Uribe makes the Mets’ World Series roster wearing his third different uniform this year alone. He joined the Mets in a trade with Kelly Johnson from the Atlanta Braves, and started the season as a Los Angeles Dodger. Uribe actually ended the 2014 regular season as acting manager of the Dodgers, while also paying tribute to Don Mattingly and Tommy Lasorda.
As a manager, Uribe has a 1.000 winning percentage and a Gatorade shower as well.
Now Uribe can end this season with his third World Series ring. He has a chance to become the 4th player in MLB’s expansion era to win 3 world championships with 3 different teams, after Jack Morris, Dave Stewart, and Lonnie Smith. His Mets tenure hasn’t been particularly special, batting .219 with 6 home runs and 20 RBIs in 128 at-bats (Murphy has matched that production in these playoffs alone), but it’s hard not to root for the guy.
Of course my White Sox sentiments have a heavy influence on my admiration for Uribe. In the 10th anniversary year of their World Series win, at least one of the players from the roster are competing for it again. He’s one of 5 players from the 2005 White Sox roster who were still active in 2005 (AJ Pierzynski/ATL, Mark Beuhrle/TOR, Neal Cotts/MIN, Brandon McCarthy/LAD). Uribe also gave me one of my favorite baseball memories, catching a ball in the stands during the World Series that I’ll contend was better than Derek Jeter’s famous dive…somewhat irrationally, I’ll.
A year ago, I actively avoided the World Series. I had seen the Giants thing before and you already know my feelings about the Royals. This year, I’ve got Juan Uribe and will happily buy his jersey if he gets to light victory cigars again.
Who are you rooting for to win the World Series? Let me know on either Facebook or Twitter.
From afar, I’ve admired what the Chicago Cubs are doing. Not just at the plate and from the mound, but also from a promotional standpoint. Rather than trot out any famous person who can afford a ticket with what they find between their couch cushions, the Cubs had players who appreciate where the team is now and put in blood, sweat and tears wearing the blue pinstripes to throw out first pitches in Games 3 and 4.
After Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg and 2-time All-Star Kerry Wood kicked off each game, the Cubs utilized their new video boards at Wrigley Field with videos of the late Ernie Banks and Harry Caray singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” That’s classy. That’s also what they should do from now on, but that’s a discussion for another day. (Never let Ryan Dempster do his impression of Will Ferrell’s impression of Harry Caray again)
Amidst the bat-flipping, opposing pitcher name chanting, and hardcore partying, we’ve seen the celebrity faces that we expected (some dreaded) to see at the ballpark. Billy Corgan and his new get-off-my-lawn attitude. Northside/Southside flipping John Cusack. And the worst front-runner on the planet, Jim Belushi (I cringe typing his name like he’s Voldemort). New assistant to Cubs President Theo Epstein (probably) Eddie Vedder has been fun. As an avid Pearl Jam fan, I get a kick out of him partying as hard as the players after each game.
Eddie Vedder is standing on the mound, double-fisting drinks and taking pictures with anyone who comes up and asks.
It’s also hard to imagine that Bill Murray isn’t too far away, despite his media tour next week for the upcoming release of Rock the Kasbah. If anything, he could make it an epic cross promotion for his film and the MLB playoffs.
Vedder and Murray are awesome but it’s time to bring out the big hitters to the seats in Chicago, and not just at Wrigley Field. Last summer, I countered recently-outed heavyweight racist Hulk Hogan’s baiting for angry Blackhawks fans during the Stanley Cup with my own list of better celebrity hockey fans. Those mentioned in that list (CM Punk, Mr. T, Vince Vaughn, etc) get a hat-tip, but the following names will represent star power that we’d rather see regularly, similar to the likes at New York and Los Angeles events.
1. Harrison Ford
We’re talking about Han Solo AND Indiana Jones here. How can you deny the idea of either baseball stadium in Chicago playing the “Imperial Death March” music announcing the Yankees lineup, then following it with a shot of Harrison Ford behind home plate with the Rebel Victory score over it? Maybe it’s a the geek in me, but any opportunity to implement Star Wars, especially with the new film coming out, is super sexy to me.
Note: I also refer to White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu as #Baseball Jedi, so there’s that.
Ford has Chicago in his blood, being born here and spending his college summers working on a boat in Burnham Park Harbor or managing the first Crate and Barrel on Wells. In an Michigan Ave Magazine interview, Ford said:
“I’ve been out in Los Angeles for 35 years, and I think there are some things about my upbringing that reflect the values and the attitudes of the Midwest…. a kind of work ethic that I find particular to the Midwest. I can say that those were important, formative years for me, living in Chicago.”
Cool, Indy. I’ll buy you a beer next time you’re in town, if it gets you to a ballgame.
2. Nick Offerman
Currently featured in the new season of Fargo, Nick Offerman isn’t slowing down since the end of Ron Swanson and Parks and Recreation. Offerman isn’t shy about his baseball allegiance either.
There are many grown men and women who would scream like a 90’s tween at a Backstreet Boys concert if they saw the Joliet native, University of Illinois grad, and professional canoe craftsman down the foul line at a ballgame.
If he’s willing, during a the Crosstown Cup series, there’s plenty of bacon-on-a-stick awaiting his consumption at US Cellular Field.
Double-thick maple bacon. You know you want it, Nick…
3. Gillian Anderson
Yep, X-Files fans, Scully is from Chicago. With TheX-Files revival series coming soon to FOX, they’d be making a huge mistake not having Gillian Anderson at Wrigley Field fending off the paranormal and extraterrestrial that I’m sure some Cubs fans still believe will prevent the Cubs from going to the World Series…At least come out to a Men and/or Women’s basketball game at DePaul, where Anderson finished college…something she and I have in common.
4. President Barack Obama
Partisan opinions aside, he’s the MF’n President of the United States. He’s also a hardcore sports fan, which I thoroughly laid out on his birthday, and loves his Chicago teams…
Congrats @Cubs – even @whitesox fans are rooting for you!
When his term is up, I would welcome the president taking in as much Bulls basketball, White Sox baseball, Bears football, and whatever as he wants.
5. John C. Reilly
Would you really argue with me on this? Who doesn’t want south side native John C. Reilly in their corner?
That’s exactly who you want in games against New York when Billy Crystal, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Jay-Z and Beyonce are behind the opponent’s bench.
6. Stephen Colbert
For someone who has spent a lot of his career recently in New York City, Stephen Colbert has not been bashful at all about his time in Chicago. Leading up to the new Late Show’s premiere, Colbert dedicated multiple podcasts to his years at Northwestern and doing improv in Chicago. While interviewing Jane The Virgin star Gina Rodriguez this week, the two bonded over their love for the city and living there. Most notably, as tongue-in-cheek as it sounded, Colbert predicted a Cubs World Series win…a proclamation he believes “in no way will come back to haunt” him.
If the NLCS goes to New York, I would be shocked if Colbert wasn’t in attendance. Heck, he should catch a weekend game in Chicago if the opportunity is there.
More Chicago Celebrities You’d Rather See:
John Landis, Director – Animal House, Blues Brothers
Robert Zemeckis, Director – Back to the Future Trilogy
On the one hand, the Chicago Cubs are in a one-game playoff game tonight in Pittsburgh. A year ago, the San Francisco Giants played in the Wild Card game, beat the Pirates, and went on to win the World Series. The Giants rode their ace, Madison Bumgarner, all the way to Game 7 against the Kansas City Royals and so much champagne was had after. The Cubs have a chance to do the same thing tonight with the best pitcher in baseball this season, Jake Arrieta.
The fact that the Cubs are built to sustain a run of opportunities like tonight for years to come, that their manager is a baseball genius with one of the cooler demeanors in the sport, and that every postgame is a party for their club makes me jealous. I’m jealous of the fun personalities on the team and how hard it is to find someone worth disliking. Is there anyone?
I’m not jealous of the nerves and emotions Cubs fans have been going through since Sunday. Hard to imagine that a 97-win season’s fate is being left to one game, on the road, against another one of the league’s best pitchers, Gerrit Cole, and arguably the best bullpen in baseball. I’ve been there before…2008, Game 163 between the White Sox and Minnesota Twins, John Danks vs. Nick Blackburn, decided in the bottom of the 7th off a Jim Thome home run…the only run scored in the game.
I’m also not jealous that despite having baseball’s 3rd best record, the two better records belong to two teams in their division. It’s not like the Pirates and Cardinals are going away anytime soon either.
The Cubs are ahead of schedule though. You would be lying if you told me that you expected a team with as many rookies playing as the Cubs have would be where they are this evening. Cubs president Theo Epstein tempered their expectations to fans and media alike, anticipating a season of growth toward 2016. They grew alright. They grew in a hurry.
I’m jealous that the Cubs were able to trade Jeff Samardzija to Oakland for Addison Russell, and all the White Sox got back was a 4.96 ERA and an 11-13 record from someone who started on opening day. While the Cubs were promoting their rising prospects to the Major League, the White Sox were trying to “win now” signing a closer, a number of back-end bullpen pitchers, Melky Cabrera, and another left handed DH on the wrong end of his career named Adam (LaRoche). While Cabrera turned out to be as advertised, the rest of White Sox GM Rick Hahn’s winter acquisitions weren’t. Then after 4 seasons of a .458 win percentage, White Sox brass somehow felt Robin Ventura was still worth keeping. On the other end of town, the Cubs fired manager Rick Renteria after one season simply because Joe Maddon was available.
The contrast between the two organizations is pretty glaring. One is the biggest surprise in the National League and the other is the biggest disappointment in the American League. One organization was able to gut their club, go through multiple bad seasons in order to acquire high draft picks and international assets, and are now reaping the benefits of a lot of patience. The other organization and their fan base still dealt with the multiple years of losing, but not on purpose. Rather than take advantage of chances to stock up for the future, the White Sox burned it on older free agents and loyalty to declining veterans.
This isn’t meant to be an open “It sucks to be a Sox” letter. Far from it. I still had fun supporting my team this year. White Sox fans celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the 2005 World Series team. Chris Sale was electric, breaking the single-season franchise record for strikeouts. Jose Abreu became the 2nd player in baseball history to hit 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in his first two seasons. And young talents like Carlos Rodon and Trayce Thompson emerged as bright spots for next season. Things were just a lot more fun on the north side and I have no problem admitting that.
I attended 3 games at Wrigley Field this season. There’s this unbelievably cool feeling that overcomes you climbing the stairwell to see the scene of the field and the scoreboard. The stadium was packed and the fans seemed to hang on to every pitch of consequence. I don’t know if it’s the crowd having an effect on the players or the other way around but the energy is certainly shared between two, and it was so romantic to experience. That Brad Pitt/Billy Beane line in Moneyball certainly applied.
U.S. Cellular Field wasn’t necessarily void of those feelings, as many would lead you to believe. In the 8 games I went to this summer, they only lost once (maybe I should have gone to more games). There were 2 different occasions that made me forget about the team’s record and their struggles. Both were Sale starts and both ended with late inning dramatics for the win. The first came against reigning AL CY Young winner Corey Kluber and the second was against former White Sox great Mark Buehrle. The ballpark was nowhere near as full as a Cubs game this year (keep your attendance jokes. I don’t care), but you couldn’t tell with how loud it got after every strikeout and base hit. Ultimately there weren’t many games like that, but that’s baseball for you.
At no point did I actively root against the Cubs, unless they were playing the White Sox. Being in two different leagues, neither team has any effect on the other’s chances to go to the playoffs. I care way more about what happens to the Tigers, Royals, and Twins than I do the Cubs because they are actual division rivals. Do I feel left out not wearing Cubby blue while living in the northwest suburbs? Not really. Admiring from afar as an objective baseball fan is fine enough, and I still think “Go Cubs Go” is the worst.*ducks*
…while I’m at it, I also put ketchup on my hotdogs. *ducks again*
I do genuinely hope Cubs fans are enjoying this ride. I was lucky to do so with a 99-win team 10 years ago, where everyone on the roster contributed with big moments…similar to this Cubs team. If things don’t go their way tonight, the season was still one of the organization’s best in the last century. “There’s always next year” has a totally different feel to it when you have Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, Jon Lester, Arrieta and Maddon returning to your dugout. Live in the moment and don’t even think about BS curses. My hope is that both teams are competitive for years to come and the prospects of a crosstown World Series become way more than a pipe dream.
The 44th President of the United States LOVES his sports. He is an unapologetic Chicago White Sox fan. He fills out March Madness brackets for both Men and Women’s tournaments on SportsCenter each year. He also has no problem mixing it up on the White House basketball court.
So on his 54th birthday, lets put the partisan blah blah blah on the back-burner and appreciate something we all enjoy…Sports.
March Madness
I look forward to the President’s annual segment on ESPN where he joins the rest of the nation in the Madness. Since he was elected, President Obama is interviewed by college basketball reporter Andy Katz from the White House to talk out each of his picks. Last year he took regular season undefeated favorite Kentucky to win it all (like many of you did) over Nova, and was obviously incorrect as Duke beat Wisconsin in the National Championship.
President Obama finished in ESPN’s 72.9 percentile in 2014 and was most successful in 2011 with a bracket in the 87.4%. Both years, UConn won the National Championship and he didn’t pick them. The President did choose a National Champion for his first year in office, North Carolina in 2009.
ESPN isn’t the only network who gets to share air-time with the Commander in Chief as one of CBS’s best color analysts, Clark Kellogg, took him on in a game of HORSE…err POTUS.
I don’t even want to know what would’ve happen if the President got skunked.
He Loves His Chicago Teams
Despite referring to his White Sox’s home stadium as “Kaminskey Field” early in his first term, the President has never wavered as a Chicago die hard. When the Bulls re-signed All-Star Jimmy Butler to a longterm deal, he was on it…
butler's a great player on o and d; let's sign him up long term. go bulls! https://t.co/IqbyUmcbmJ
(Ironic that it was Mike Ditka handing the President his jersey since he also wanted to run against him for a Senate seat in 2004)
The ’85 Bears and the Blackhawks may be the only Chicago teams that the President has hosted at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but he always seems to get a quick shoutout in for his favorite squads when he hosts other teams.
We all remember the drama surrounding Red Sox DH David Ortiz’s selfie with the President and the handful of athletes who make a thing out of not going to visit the White House, despite it being a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (looking at you, Tim Thomas)…
Watergate whistleblower “Deep Throat” was revealed to be former FBI Associate Director Mark Felt.
Pope John Paul II passed away, Pope Benedict XVI succeeded him.
YouTube is launched. First video is uploaded April 23rd at 8:27 PM ET.
“Live 8”, 10 simultaneous concerts around the world, took place featuring more than 1,000 artists broadcasted on 182 TV networks and 2,000 radio stations.
Actor John Spencer passed away at the age of 58.
And here’s what we saw from the world’s of Movies, Music, and Sports
Movies
Comedy
The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Wedding Crashers, Hitch, The Longest Yard, The Pacifier, Bewitched, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Fun with Dick and Jane, Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, Fever Pitch, Waiting, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Just Like Heaven, Guess Who, The Duke’s of Hazzard, The Man, The Ringer, Kicking and Screaming, Rumor Has It, A Lot Like Love, Be Cool, and…
Thank You For Smoking
(starring Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg’s doppleganger)
Action/Thriller
Batman Begins, Lord of War, Harsh Times, Saw II, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, The Island, Hostage, V for Vendetta, Flightplan, The Interpreter, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chaos, Doom, Red Eye, The Descent, Into the Blue, Assault on Precinct 13, War of the Worlds, Hostel, The Cave, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Four Brothers, Transporter 2, Serenity, Elektra, Stay, Hide and Seek, Hard Candy, The Skeleton Key, The Devil’s Rejects, Domino, House of Wax, Revolver, and…
Sin City
(wish the sequel was better)
Drama
Brokeback Mountain, Walk the Line, North Country, Kingdom of Heaven, Pride and Prejudice, The New World, Capote, The Constant Gardner, A History of Violence, The Family Stone, Coach Carter, Proof, Derailed, Cinderella Man, Elvis, Munich, The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio, Green Street Hooligans, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Squid and the Whale, The Jacket, An Unfinished Life, The Proposition, Syriana, Archangel, Lords of Dogtown, Jarhead, and…
Good Night and Good Luck
And the Oscar goes to…
The 78th Academy Awards
Best Actor
Terrance Howard, Hustle and Flow
Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain
Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line
David Strathairn, Good Night and Good Luck
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote – Winner
Best Supporting Actor
Matt Dillon, Crash
Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
Jake Gyllenhaal, Brokeback Mountain
William Hurt, A History of Violence
George Clooney, Syriana- Winner
(Clooney was also nominated twice more that night for Directing and Writing Good Night and Good Luck)
Best Actress
Judie Dench, Mrs. Henderson Presents
Felicity Huffman, Transamerica
Keira Knightly, Pride & Prejudice
Charlize Theron, North Country
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line – Winner
Best Supporting Actress
Frances McDormand, North Country
Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain
Amy Adams, Junebug
Catherine Keener, Capote
Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener – Winner
Best Picture
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Good Night and Good Luck
Munich
Crash – Winner
(Also won Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing)
Music
Rock Albums
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Hip Hop Albums
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Pop Albums
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Billboard Year-End Top 25
01. “We Belong Together” – Mariah Carey
02. “Hollaback Girl” – Gwen Stefani
03. “Let Me Love You” – Mario
04. “Since U Been Gone” – Kelly Clarkson
05. “1, 2 Step” – Ciara and Missy Elliott
06. “Gold Digger” – Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx
07. “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Green Day
08. “Candy Shop” – 50 Cent
09. “Don’t Cha” – The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes
Monday morning, the Chicago Cubs announced the “secret” headliner for the fourth annual Hot Stove Cool Music charity concert, July 9th at the Metro. Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder will be performing alongside Cubs President Theo Epstein, Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper, Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons, 670 The Score sports talk radio host Matt Spiegel, members of Wilco, Cheap Trick, Umphrey’s McGee, Tributosaurus, and more. The concert benefits Cubs Charities and Foundation To Be Named Later, which helps aid disadvantaged youth and adults.
Vedder has a long history with his beloved Cubs, having grown up just north of the city in Evanston, IL. Fans recall multiple renditions of the 7th inning stretch, but he also recorded his own anthem for the Cubs. Pearl Jam and Cubs fans alike were treated to a “double header” in 2013 as the band played before and after a storm at Wrigley Field. The late Ernie Banks even came out to yell, “Let’s Play Two!”
We all have our interests and it’s always cool when we see those interests overlap. The fan in me always seems to geek out especially when music and sports come together. I recently had the pleasure of seeing Niklas Hjalmarsson and the Chicago Blackhawks crash a Mumford and Sons concert at Montrose Beach. I made involuntary noises as Hjalmarrson commanded the band to drink beer from the Stanley Cup…then mention he should’ve told them where the Cup had been beforehand.
Just the other day, JJ Watt played concert security for the Zac Brown Band and squared up on an “intruder”.
Following Hall of Fame basketball player and entertaining broadcaster Bill Walton on the Grateful Dead “Fare Thee Well” Tour has been a treat beyond words.
Part of the allure is seeing our favorite musicians or athletes come back to Earth in a way that we can relate. They are the best at what they do but can be so humbled and excited to be around someone of another profession. They’re fans like we are.
The other part is seeing someone offer you another dynamic that you weren’t aware of. When you hear about a professional athlete releasing an album, you’re interested to hear how it sounds (except for Shaq). When you see an artist or musician signed up to play in a celebrity All-Star game, you want to tune in and see how they fair.
Here are are some examples of worlds colliding in music and sports.
Athletes in Music
Bernie Williams
5-time Yankees All-Star centerfielder, 1998 AL batting title winner, and 4-time World Series champion Bernie Williams is also a Latin Grammy nominated guitarist. Williams recorded 2,336 hits and a .297 batting average in his baseball career, and 2 jazz albums in 2003 and 2009.
Former Vikings punter, gamer and excellent Twitter follow Chris Kluwe also started a band called Tripping Icarus. They have an EP and full length LP to their credit, all spawned from Kluwe’s love for “Guitar Hero”.
Jack McDowell
Former White Sox pitcher and 1993 CY Young winner, Jack “Blackjack” McDowell had a 12 year long baseball career, and a music career that has lasted for much longer. The alternative rocker recorded 6 albums with bands V.I.E.W. and stickfigure, and is still playing in clubs today.
The 1985 Chicago Bears
The ’85 Chicago Bears went 15-1, won a Super Bowl, had 4 players go to the Hall of Fame, and became the first sports team to be nominated for a Grammy. “The Super Bowl Shuffle” was organized by wide receiver Willie Gault, and performed by 24 members of the roster. This year will be the 30th anniversary of its release, a single that went to #41 on the Billboard charts and went Gold for selling half a million copies.
Sorry you had to hear Steve Fuller attempt rapping again.
Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson and Ben Crane – Golf Boys
Losing the collared t-shirts and khakis, these golfers decided to have some fun for charity. Producing 2 viral music videos, $1,000 is donated by State Farm per 100,000 views to charity.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper is best known for heavy metal and live shows that feature guillotines, boa constrictors, electric chairs and fake blood. He also has a golf handicap of 5.3 and titled his memoirs “Alice Cooper: Golf Monster – A Rock ’n’ Roller’s 12 Steps To Becoming a Golf Addict.”
WE’RE NOT WORTHY!
Bruce Dickinson
Iron Maiden front man Bruce Dickinson is one of the world’s most interesting individuals. He is a military veteran, a licensed commercial pilot, melter of rock and roll faces…and a WORLD CLASS FENCER! At one point he ranked 7th in all the UK. Dickinson also sponsors youth soccer teams.
Garth Brooks
Country superstar Garth Brook has sold over 70 million records in his career, but his dream was to be a Major League baseball player. Brooks made that dream come true when the San Diego Padres signed him to play in Spring training in 1998. He also had Spring training stints with the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals, ending his baseball “career” with a hit off pitcher Mike Myers in 2004.
Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake is one of the best entertainers of our era. Singer, dancer, actor…and a 6 handicap golfer. Timberlake once said he would be a pro golfer by the age of 30. That has yet to happen, but he is minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies…so there’s that.
MTV Rock N’ Jock
Back when MTV was actually “Music Television” and played music videos, there was also a series where musicians, athletes and movie stars would come together to compete in basketball, football and bowling. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Chuck D, Brett Michaels and Queen Latifah would play alongside Chris Webber, Gary Payton, Rick Mahorn, George Clooney, and yes…Leonardo DiCaprio (That’s him on the bottom left). It was truly incredible television.
Do any other Sports and Music crossovers come to mind? Let me know on Twitter @Mike_PiFF03.
After both teams shook hands and the lights went dim at the Honda Center following the Western Conference Finals Game 7, Anaheim Ducks Super Fan/Crazy Person Emilio Estevez went eerily quiet on Twitter. All week, Estevez took to social media to channel a drunk version of his 1992 character, Coach Gordon Bombay, from ‘The Mighty Ducks’ to troll Chicago Blackhawks and act super sensitive when the tables were turned on him (he blocked me). The day after, Estevez did what all celebrities do after acting a fool on Twitter…claimed he was hacked (sarcastically).
This week, the coach from The Mighty Ducks movies broke into my home and took over my Twitter acct. I had him arrested. #orderrestored
Picking up the flag for Blackhawks antagonists, and ripping his tank top off in the process, is 12-time Champion of the World and apparent Tampa Bay Lightning die hard, Hulk Hogan.
“Chicago’s in a whole bunch of trouble,” said Hogan at an ESPN Special Olympics event yesterday. He also noted that the Lightning are undefeated when his daughter, Brooke, sings the National Anthem…
As I type that last bit, I start to wonder if this is really just plea to the Lightning to have his daughter sing in the Stanley Cup Final, but Hulkamania is “Running Wild” in Tampa regardless. While I would be more than okay with Hogan planting a running leg drop on Chicago’s worst celebrity ever, Jim Belushi, I have a few high profile fans in mind that I’d love to throw in the ring with him…rocking the Indian Head sweater.
1. CM Punk
The “Straight Edge Superstar”, former World Heavyweight/WWE Champion, and UFC Fighter is a longtime committed Blackhawks fan and favorite among “shoot the puck” contestants. In the wake of Tampa’s “No Blackhawks jerseys in certain sections” announcement, Punk took to Twitter to let the Lightning know he’s coming.
Who's going to tell me I can't wear Hawks gear? See you in Tampa, chumps. @TBLightning
Coincidentally, both Mr. T and Hogan starred in Rocky III together as Clubber Lang and Thunderlips. They also tag teamed on Saturday Night Liveand WrestleMania II…
but don’t be surprised to see the Lake Forest, IL resident lace’em up when the series makes it’s way back to the United Center. Anytime you’re asked to make a prediction on this series (or anything ever) the answer should be “PAIN!”
3. Michael Jordan
Is there a bigger name synonymous with Chicago? That question was rhetorical…His uniform and the Bulls championship banners he earned hang in the same arena that the Blackhawks skate in, but even Michael Jordan is a fan of a team on the verge of “dynasty” status. A photo of Jordan wearing his Blackhawks jersey was making the rounds before Game 7 against the Ducks the other night, and articles sillier than this one did as well. You can bet #23 will be doing it again during the Stanley Cup Final.
You may remember Hollywood Hogan tag-teaming with Dennis Rodman for a WCW pay per view against Karl Malone and Diamond Dallas Page, but how about that MTV Celebrity Deathmatch when MJ took on Rodman (where Claymation Jordan said he was thinking about joining the NHL)?…You’re next, Claymation Hogan.
4. Vince Vaughn
I was a little reluctant to post this, given Vince Vaughn’s recent comments that turned him into a polarizing political figure…but the guy has been at the games and was doing so when nobody was. Way more than Jim Belushi. And you get the feeling that his role in the upcoming season ofTrue Detectivewill make him appear to be someone you want on your side. He seemed to still be in character while lurking from his suite earlier in the Ducks series.
“Rule #76: No excuses. Play like a champion”, Vince.
5. Chicago Baseball
One of my favorite things to see are teams in the same city supporting each other. Despite manager Joe Maddon claiming he’s Switzerland in this series (since he managed in Tampa Bay for so long), the Chicago Cubs are in full Blackhawks mode…I couldn’t let the White Sox go unrecognized though as players like Adam Eaton have been showing their love all season long.
If their schedules permit it, I’d love to see players from both clubs (as well as the Bears and Bulls) along the glass when the Blackhawks play at home. If Paul Pierce can do it, anybody can.
Honorable mention…
…Because he’s Charles Barkley.
Who are some other Chicago celebrities that you’d like to see wearing Blackhawks jerseys during the Stanley Cup Final? Let me know on Twitter @Mike_PiFF03.
The “Final Episodes” of Mad Men and the 2015 Major League baseball season. Both gave us the feel of nostalgia, with some new little twists as well…
ESPN with their K-Zone and Roger with his Mustache.
The both have served as our pastime. They have captured American history in their own ways. They have kept us at the edge of our seats with drama unlike any other. They are also both HEAVILY sponsored.
As we say “goodbye” to one and “hello” to the other, let’s compare further and identify the true “Mad Men” of MLB.
Pete Campbell / Bryce Harper, Nationals
Pete Campbell and Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals ascended to stardom very quickly in their own way. Harper has an NL Rookie of the Year and a couple of All-Star games to his name while Pete has “Partner” as a title and Clearasil. While both are very successful, they’re also polarizing and even hated by fans. Although they may rub people the wrong way, you will rarely see them with their heads down due to a wealth of confidence…unless Pete’s in trouble.
Don Draper / Derek Jeter, Yankees
Derek Jeter may be retired, but Don Draper began his farewell tour last year too. They were the faces of their organizations and legends of their craft. While Don and Jeter may not have been putting out their best work at times, they were still perennial all-stars. They also could field a pretty strong batting lineup with both of their dating histories. And they both could sell ANYTHING…
Peggy Olson / Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
Peggy Olson was Don’s protege and Troy Tulowitzki has taken the reigns as the best shortstop in the league post-Jeter. The time is now for both of them. Tulowitzki has been held back by injuries while Peggy was held back by sexism in her industry. And as they show off their talents, they have become hot commodities to other teams as well.
Roger Sterling / Tony La Russa
I attended Tony La Russa’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony last summer, and listening to him talk about his days as both a player and a manager reminded me of the war stories Roger Sterling tells to his clients. Neither one can stay away from the game as Roger continues to sell whatever he can while La Russa just recently took a job as chief baseball officer for the Diamondbacks. Neither one minds a midday cocktail either.
Joan Harris / Jose Abreu, White Sox
On the outside, Jose Abreu is a 6’2, 260 pound Cuban baseball Jedi and Joan is a redhead with curves like a Formula One track. These two have a lot more in common than you’d think…They both joined the majors late in their careers but made an instant impact when they got there. Joan spent years in the secretary ranks and jumped to partner while Abreu went from playing for the Cuban national team for years to MLB All-Star and unanimous AL Rookie of the Year. They also have the savviness and experience to adjust on the fly and last for a long time to come.
Ken Cosgrove / Billy Hamilton, Reds
I think we all have our favorite characters from TV shows that are no more than supporting to the story, and won’t even appear in some episodes. Ken Cosgrove is exactly one of those characters for me because he is the “Mr. Hustle” for the Sterling Cooper agency. The same can be said about Billy Hamilton of Cincinnati, whose 56 stolen bases in his first full season ranked him 2nd in the majors. Hamilton’s OBP isn’t the best for a leadoff man (.290), neither is Cosgrove’s, but he makes the opponent pay when he gets his chances.
Betty Francis / Max Scherzer, Nationals
I guess this could be said about many of Scott Boras’s clients, but Betty Francis (formerly Draper) is a money chaser. Max Scherzer was one of the last high priority free agents to sign this past winter because he was waiting on the 7 year, $210 million deal that Washington happened to have lying around. And he gets to count his cash like Scrooge McDuck when he isn’t pitching every 5th day in the league’s deepest rotation. So another name that we call Betty applies to Scherzer…Frontrunner. However, there’s a reason they got to where they are now…
Megan Draper / Mike Trout, Angels
Out with the Betty, in with the new…Megan Draper, I mean. Megan was Don’s MVS (most valuable secretary), so much so that he put a ring on it. Megan also took advantage of the opportunity quickly, much like Mike Trout when he hit the big leagues. Both were under-appreciated at first, as Trout was working for an MVP nod and Megan continuously auditioned for TV roles. Both got what they wanted and both are California dreaming.
Stan Rizzo / Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
Besides the obvious (last name), both actually have a lot in common. Both Stan and Anthony had rough starts to their careers. Anthony only hit .141 in his first Major League stint with the Padres, and Stan was a sexist jerk…Both have improved immensely and serve as glue guys for their respective teams. Stan grew a beard, found recreational drugs, became best buds with Peggy and is no longer a jerk. Anthony has become an All-Star and isn’t afraid to mix it up with opponents to defend his teammates. Yep, glue guys.
Agree? Disagree? Have some more Player/Character comparisons? Let me know on Twitter @Mike_PiFF03.
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