Jim Langford - The Cubs Fans Little Book of Wisdom: 101 Truths...Learned the Hard Way

THE CUBS FANS
LITTLE BOOK OF WISDOM

by Jim Langford

THE CUBS FANS LITTLE BOOK OF WISDOM
Copyright 1993, 2002 by Diamond Communications

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced
in any form whatsoever without written permission of the publisher.

Published by Diamond Communications
An imprint of The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200
Lanham, Maryland 20706
Distributed by NATIONAL BOOK NETWORK
1-800-462-6420

The previous edition of this book was cataloged
by the Library of Congress as follows:

Langford, Jim, 1937
The Cubs fans little book of wisdom : 101 truths learned the hard
way / by Jim Langford. p. cm. 1. BaseballQuotations, maxims, etc.
2. Chicago Cubs (Baseball team)Quotations, maxims, etc. I. Title.
GV867.3.L36 1993 796.357dc20 93-37864 CIP

ISBN: 978-1-888698-53-4

Manufactured in the United States of America.

Yes, Ive read and enjoyed H. Jackson Browns two volumes of LIFES LITTLE INSTRUCTION BOOK. Though this book is partially patterned after them, it is also quite different. It is one fans treasury of truths learned from a lifetime wandering with our Chicago Cubs in the desert of the National League. In many cases, I remind readers of an actual event that taught a lesson or inspired an insight worth remembering. In some cases the quote stands by itself; Cubs fans will know why it is included here.

This book is just a beginning. Hundreds of thousands of ardent Cubs fans have no doubt learned other lessons, different truths and additional maxims to live by. I invite you to jot them down and send them to me (P.O. Box 88, South Bend, IN 46624) so that I can collect them in a sequel to this book. Full credit and a free copy will go to everyone whose entry is included.

In the meantime, may this book bring back the joys of seasons past and strengthen the resolve of all who have a big C emblazoned on their heart, to learn and grow and remain true in seasons still to come.

Jim Langford

To Trevor Justice and Emily Alice
with a fathers love

Rogers Hornsby, who hit .380 for the Cubs in 1929, was being humble when he said, Everytime I stepped to the plate, I couldnt help but feel sorry for the pitcher.

ex-Cub Dizzy Dean

General Manager Jim Gallagher said of the 1948 Cubs, This was
the best team ever to finish last in the National League.

Look what happened with Alous ribcage, Gordons shoulder, Alfonsecas waistline, Muellers knee, Sammys ego and Don Baylors brainall in the same clubhouse.Ken DeVoe

I believe that managers are expendable. In fact, I believe that there should be relief managers so you can keep rotating them. (Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley in 1959, one year before founding the College of Coaches)

Older guys like to think everybody used to hustle, to play hard and smart. Thats not so. We had lazy, dumb, careless players back then, too.ex-Cubs manager Jim Frey

When I gave up a grandslam to (Cub) Pete LaCock, I knew it was time to quit.Cardinals great, Bob Gibson

Recently a friend told me his boyhood idol was Harry Chiti, a catcher whose weight was higher than his batting average. As Fred Harris put it, Chiti looked like everybodys brother-in-law. And played like him too.

The 85 and 90 Cubs are proof enough.

On being released by the Cubs, Al Nipper warned, The Cubs havent heard the last of me. Actually, they had.

Roy Smalley, Cubs shortstop of my youth, could throw from the plate to the bleachers on the fly. Unfortunately, he could also throw it to the grandstands from shortstop on the fly. His 51 errors in 1950 remains a record.

Rick Sutcliffe might have gotten us to the Playoffs in 1984, but he was exhausted in the sixth inning of Game Five and Steve Trout was warmed up and ready. Frey stayed with Sut until it was too late.

When the Cubs traded pitcher Dave Cole to the Phillies in 1955, Cole commented sadly, Thats too bad. Theyre the only team I can beat. (Two of his three wins in 1954 were over the Phillies.)