Agony & Ivy

1932: Babe Ruth's Called Shot

Babe Ruth's "Called Shot" is one of the great legends in the history of baseball and Wrigley Field - but I'm sorry to report that it never happened. It's a case in which sportswriters refused to let the facts get in the way of a great story and as the years have passed, fiction has evolved into fact.

A Fitting Tribute to Billy Williams

Whenever announcers or writers refer to a star athlete as "a natural," I believe that they are discounting all the hard work that it takes for that player to make it to the top of his profession.

Much has been said and written about the wonderful, "sweet" swing of Cubs Hall of Famer Billy Williams, and it is often said that the Hall of Famer was blessed with that swing. It is true that Williams brought a great deal of natural ability with him when he became the Cubs everyday left fielder in 1961, but I wonder how many people realize how hard the man worked to become one of the finest hitters of his era.

Busch Stadium: Section 270, Row 9, Seat 16

A road trip to watch the Cubs play in St. Louis means having to endure a boring five-hour drive down less-than-scenic I-55 and scorching heat.

The Card Who Was A Cub

Great hitter, terrible manager, compulsive gambler, incredibly unpleasant personality, and birthday boy.