Cubs Legend Gets a Makeover

If you've been hanging out in Wrigleyville near the corner of Clark and Addison, you've noticed something different.

Ernie Banks is missing.

But don't fret, the statue of "Mr. Cub" (not the Hall of Famer himself) was removed, transported to Peoria because, well, the Chicago Cubs legend was turning green.

"It was oxidizing a little too fast, and the Cubs didn't want it to," Lou Cella, the Chicago artist who originally did the Banks statue told the Peoria Journal Star.

So...what to do?

Last week, Cella and crew cut the seven-foot, 400-pound bronze statue from its base, loaded it by crane onto a flatbed trailer and drove it south three hours to Bradley University's Heuser Art Center sculpture studio.

"He was covered up," added Kyle Chipman, the guy who chauffeured "Mr. Cub" to town, "so it wouldn't attract too much attention."

Unfortunately for Banks, the statue, it didn't get to enjoy any of the nightlife in Peoria.

Instead, the statue's old finish was burned off with a torch, sandblasted and degreased before getting a chemical coating to change the appearance of its surface.  It was then waxed and buffed and given a new coat of lacquer.


In 1982, Banks was the first member of the Chicago Cubs to have his uniform number retired. In 2008, his number 14 was immortalized in bronze and joined the late broadcaster Harry Caray on the perimeter of Wrigley Field.

"Mr. Cub" looks to be returning soon.

Japan to Manny: "No Thanks"

With nothing else going on in sports, I, for one, am glad we still have Manny Ramirez to count on to make news.

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark...the 2004 World Series MVP had a workout in Florida a couple weeks ago for Japan's Fukuoka Softbank Hawks...but the workout "didn't go well."

And they consider Matt Murton good.

This, from Rotoworld.com:

"The Japanese don't like 'baggage' in a player," the source told Stark, "no matter how talented he might be." We're not sure why the Hawks didn't know about Manny's baggage before the workout, but, regardless, it appears that heading overseas might not be an option for the 39-year-old. Ramirez wants to return to baseball next season, but if it's with a major league team, he'll have to serve a 100-game suspension for a second positive PED test.

Back in April when Ramirez disappeared from the baseball world, I hoped that that wouldn't be the last we heard of the slugger.

Something tells me...dude's story is not over yet.

For Sale: Bill Murray's Old Swimming Pool

I only took two semesters of logic in college...but I think I have this one figured out.

Actor Bill Murray is a huge Chicago Cubs fan.

Bill Murray has a gazillion dollars.

Therefore, he probably spent far too much of it putting a Cubs logo at the bottom of his swimming pool.

Alright...I might be wrong.  And, perhaps, my two semesters of logic should've tipped me off to the fact that that was, quite possibly, the worst way to get into a story about Bill Murray having a swimming pool with a Cubs logo in it.

But here's the thing...you can now own that pool.

Yeah, it's true!  It's gonna cost you though.

Need proof it's his?  He's an excerpt from a random blog I found!

And besides, if I hadn’t talked to him, how would I have known that Bill Murray (the actor extraordinaire, not scientist extraordinaire) also frequents Kennebunkport, or that in Mr. Murray’s New York home he has a large Cubs logo on the bottom of his outdoor pool which is clearly visible from the flight patterns of planes to the NYC area airports.

Apparently, back in the day (the early 90s are officially "the day" by the way), the comedic actor bought the Palisades, New York house and outfitted it with both a Cubs pool (cool?) and a fire pole from "Ghostbusters" (much cooler).

And, at the time, it was worth close to five million dollars.

Now, current owners, Oscar-winning composer David Shire and his wife Didi Conn have the 5100 square foot estate on the market for close to half of that.

So, gang, if you're a fan of Murray, the Cubs, "Ghostbusters" or "that one chick from 'Grease'"...this is the house for you!

And in case you needed more pictures of the house...click HERE!

***Props to Paul over at Uni-Watch for making this thing bounce around my head.***

Former UT-Martin Outfielder Still Alive

As "Survivor" hits its midway point, it's time to check in with our favorite contestant...former University of Tennessee-Martin outfielder Albert Destrade.

So far, the nephew of former big leaguer Orestes Destrade is looking pretty good.

He's in the power alliance.  He's one of only four castaways to not have his name appear on the parchment.  And did you see the way dude pulled teammate Brandon Hantz up over the wall (go to the 1:15 mark) in that challenge?

Damn!

Anyway.  I knew Destrade's gameplay was impressing me...but I was curious what "Survivor" guru (and XFINITY TV blogger) Gordon Holmes had to say about the chiseled Florida native.

HOVG:  I've been rooting for Albert since Day One.  What do you think of how he's playing the game so far?

HOLMES:  How do you not love the game Albert is playing right now? As a post-merge Alpha male, he should have a huge target on his back. But, his alliance with Coach will keep him safe until Savaii is gone and it also opens up a world of opportunities once they are.

HOVG:  Alright...break it down for me.

HOLMES:  First, the guy is a freakish challenge destroyer. My big takeaway from watching the first challenge (you can watch it below!) in Samoa was watching him lift Brandon over the wall using nothing but his arms. Super impressive. 

HOVG:  And two?

HOLMES:  Second, the Upolu alliance relies on trust in Coach. The second Coach considers stabbing an Upolu member in the back the whole thing will break down. Thank Brandon and his Tribal Council hissy fits for that. If Albert can work his way into a final three with Coach, Upolu jury members (and there will have to be at least three) will feel more betrayed by Coach than they will by Albert.

HOVG:  What about how he played the Edna-Mikayla situation?

HOLMES:  Albert played the Edna vs. Mikayla Incident perfectly. He could’ve blown up the alliance by telling Brandon about Coach’s idol. Boom. They’d head into the merge without a solid direction. Instead, he realized that it’s better to keep the alliance together and let Rick make the final decision. He may have lost the battle, but the knowledge that Rick and Brandon are going to follow Coach over him may prove to be valuable later.

HOVG:  You've been writing about "Survivor" for a while now...how do you see this whole thing with Albert playing out?

HOLMES:  The season seems to be heading toward a Coach/Sophie/Albert final three. If that’s the case, and Albert manages to pick up some individual immunities on the way, it does seem entirely possible that the million-dollar check could be used to buy a new fungo bat and some Big League Chew.

You can follow Gordon Holmes and get his thoughts on the the latest season of "Survivor" over at XFINITY TV.  He can also be found on Twitter or at his personal blog.

And to tie this whole thing back to baseball...he's also a rabid fan of the 2011 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals.

Ta daaaa!

Ryno to the Cardinals? "It's a Possibility"

Almost as exciting as the eventual hot stove action is the talk of what skipper is going to end up where.

The St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs all have managerial vacancies and, depending on which way the tide is flowing...each have a frontrunner to take the top job.

While, the Red Sox and Cubs seem to have some of the candidates in the mind...the World Champion Cardinals is looking at a former rival to help lead them back to the postseason.

And according to, well, everyone, Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg might have the inside track.

This from the Chicago Sun-Times:

Sandberg, 52, was contacted almost immediately by the Cardinals after manager Tony La Russa announced his retirement Monday. The Cardinals sought permission to interview him and were granted it by the Philadelphia Phillies, who hired Sandberg to manage their Class AAA team last fall after former Cubs general manager Jim Hendry let him go.

“I’ll be interviewing with the Cardinals,” Sandberg said Wednesday. “It’s on the calendar in the near future, so that’s the next thing for me. As of right now, that’s been the only call.”

So, on this, the 10,000 "day-versary" (props to Chris Jaffe of The Hardball Times) of "The Sandberg Game" (look it up, people), it's fitting that the Thirty Mile Zone caught up with "Ryno" in Malibu.

Enjoy.

John Axford to Lose Signature 'Stache

Our friends with the American Mustache Institute constantly remind us all that, according to the Dead Sea Scrolls, an angel in heaven dies and falls to earth every time a mustache is shaved.

I'm not really a "chicken or egg" kind of guy, but I have to think that if the asterisk came before the Hebrew Bible, the Scrolls would have included the following:

Each time a mustache is shaved, an angel in heaven dies and falls to earth. *-except in the case of Movember

Now, I run you through all that to get you to this.

Milwaukee Brewers closer John Axford is shaving off his signature mustache.

But, as I alluded to earlier (kinda)...it's all for a good cause.

Read!

Last day for the fu-man! Going to Movember Canada in Toronto to get it shaved to start new! Just so everyone knows...you're supposed to shave ALL facial hair to start Movember. I just couldn't because of prior engagements! Movember Canada was on board with the prior engagement...that's why I got to keep it! Now I'm going to shave it to keep with the rules!

Say what?

Yes, the same mustache that has been immortalized on t-shirts!  

And, yes, this is also the same lip sweater that helped the AxMan earn the title of "2011 Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year".

But don't sweat it, kids, the American Mustache Institute isn't.

"Mr. Axford's undertaking is for charitable purposes, and we trust that the Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year will fulfill his duties and continue to represent our community as he has throughout the past year," AMI chairman Dr. Aaron Perlut said.

Whew.

Looking to help?  You can make a donation to Axford's MoSpace page and help support the AXFACEKILLAS by clicking HERE!

UPDATE:  Courtesy of @MoBroJesse...below is Axford sans the fu manchu.

Raul Ibanez Joins Phillies Greats Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton in Cooperstown

When it comes to players making it to the Hall of Fame, you're either "in" or "buying a ticket like the rest of us".

Well, this past weekend, Raul Ibanez did the latter...and in the process, made history by becoming the the first active Major Leaguer to spend the night in the Museum.

The Philadelphia Phillies outfielder joined a group of more than 40 that had an exclusive experience to learn more about baseball's history and see the game's treasures before calling it a night in sleeping bags on the floor of the hallowed Hall.

"To be a part of this, to see the artifacts and the history of the game, is just a tremendously humbling experience," Ibanez said in a story that appeared over at The Hall of Fame's website. "I'm in awe of the history and the greatness of what has been achieved and what is documented about the game."

Oh, before you ask, no, Ibanez and his group didn't just wander in and spend the night...they took part in the Museum's "Extra Innings Overnight" program in Cooperstown.

This Week in Baseball Cards: November 7

You know how I know Bo Rosny's been hanging out at The Hall of Very Good too much?

Mustaches.

Here's This Week in Baseball Cards!

This past week The Hall celebrated Milwaukee Brewers closer John Axford being named Mustached American of the Year. Axford’s mustache is OK, but doesn’t really require any work. The last Brewer closer before him to win a playoff series was Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers. There was a man who put some effort into his mustache. Let’s see Axford break out the handlebar in 2012.

Of course, in 2011, mustachioed closer Axford was beaten by the St. Louis Cardinals and their bearded closer Jason Motte. Motte looked an awful lot like the bearded closer on the 1982 Cardinals, who also beat the Brewers, Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter.

Speaking of the 1982 Cardinals, there was the sad news that Bob Forsch, one of that team’s star pitchers, died just days after throwing out the first pitch of game seven of the 2011 World Series.  Let’s celebrate Forsch with a look at his 1983 Fleer card, complete with an ad for D’Addario guitar strings – Top of the Rock!

And remember, gang, you can check out Bo's daily insights over at his site...Baseball Cards Come to Life.