Rynomite!

USA Today's Paul White writes about the recent phenomenon of minor leaguers who share an unusual first name with a Cubs Hall of Famer and the manager of the team's Triple-A Iowa affiliate.

White's story reminded me of a 1983 Cubs game that TV analyst Steve Stone missed in order to call a game for ABC's Monday Night Baseball. I remember that the game was against the Cincinnati Reds, so the date of the following incident took place on Aug. 22, 1983.

Former White Sox and Minnesota Twins slugger Eric Soderholm filled in for Stone alongside Harry Caray, and as Ryne Sandbergstepped up to the plate, Soderholm and Caray had the following memorable exchange:

Caray: ... And here's Ryne Sandberg.

Soderholm: One of his teammates told me that (ha, ha) Sandberg's nickname is Ryno! (ha, ha)

(Obviously not amused, Caray responded gruffly to his partner.)

Caray: Maybe it's because his name is Ryne!

There was an awkward on-air silence for several pitches and I'm pretty sure that Soderholm never worked a Cubs telecast again. He went on to a career as a ticket broker.