Intra-squad spring training games start today! Is everybody excited! Another year, another chance for the Cubs to eke out some way to screw it all up...I'll be listening anyway. In honor of another season, I wanted to write a little blog love letter to Steve Goodman.
You can't call yourself a Cubs fan unless you know who Steve Goodman (wiki) is. Born and raised in Chicago, Goodman became quickly famous in folk guitar circles right out of high school. He was also diagnosed with leukemia. He's most famous for "City of New Orleans" made famous by Arlo Guthrie (youtube). His was a die-hard Cubs fans, and his contributions include "Go Cubs Go", still played constantly in Chicago, and the following, recorded here from one of the Waveland rooftops:
Steve died at the age of 36, on September 20, 1984, 11 days before the Cubs played their first playoff game since 1945 (meaning they never made the playoffs during his lifetime).
His ashes are buried underneath home plate at Wrigley Field, making him part of the legend. After Ron Santo, who was yesterday denied entry into the Hall of Fame by a mere handful of votes, he is perhaps the most famous and most diehard cubs fan.
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2 comments:
Good to see your post about Steve Goodman. He often doesn't get his due. Thought you might be interested in an eight-year project of mine that is coming to fruition -- a biography of Goodman that will be published this spring. Please e-mail me at ceals@comcast.net if you would like me to e-mail you a background sheet on the book. Or check my Internet site below.
Clay Eals
1728 California Ave. S.W. #301
Seattle, WA 98116-1958
(206) 935-7515
ceals@comcast.net
http://www.clayeals.com
P.S. Contrary to legend, Goodman isn't buried under home plate, but a part of Steve is at Wrigley, and the full story is in the book!
Comment and email response:
I found two books, a Washington Times article, and numerous online references to Goodman's ashes being buried beneath home plate. The online references (even stevegoodman.net) are mostly pointers back to wikipedia, which admittedly offers no source.
Of the many references I found, one said his ashes were "partially scattered" at the field. All others point to home plate.
You've only half corrected me, offering no other explanation or source. Until then, I can only assume the story is true.
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