Literati Glitterati

This is a regular series on celebrity authors.

I grew up watching Rick Monday play for my Chicago Cubs. I was watching on tv when he saved the U.S. flag from being burned by two knuckleheads in Dodger Stadium. That flag-saving effort launched Monday into the national spotlight. It also provided the subject of my award-winning blog for Global Traveler magazine. I thought it was only natural that I feature Rick Monday's Tales from the Dodgers Dugout.
Monday's book covers the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers, who survived the strike-shortened season to win the World Series. Monday mixes his own memories with thoughts from his then-teammates.
Monday starts with a short recap of how he originally wanted to play for the Dodgers, but ended up with the Oakland A's as the first amateur player drafted ever. Looking back, Monday said, "But I never stopped wanting to be a Dodger." Monday got his wish years later when the Cubs traded him to the Dodgers (ironically) the season after his flag-saving moment.
Monday shifts gears and gives a brief bio on many of the 1981 Dodgers. Naturally, this includes the infamous four who equaled 8 1/2. Of course, that would be Ron Cey, Bill Russell, Davey Lopes and Steve Garvey, the All-Star infield who played together for 8.5 seasons. Monday said, "I am still convinced that they were the most consistent group of infielders in the game at the time."
The foursome was nearing the end of its' run, but a rookie named Fernando Valenzuela was just starting to make his name. Valenzuela became a national sensation on his way to winning the Cy Young award and the Rookie of the Year award.
Monday covers the season, including the strike and the oddities in the season and standings because of it. The Dodgers finished in 1st for the first half and 4th for the second half. They beat the Houston Astros and the Montreal Expos to reach the World Series.
In the series with Montreal, Monday drove in the go-ahead run with a solo home run, which he told me "was every kid's dream". Monday continued, "I'd be lying if I said that I didn't then-or don't now-get immense satisfaction knowing that I played a role in helping us win that game and get to the World Series."
The Dodgers went on to beat the New York Yankees in the World Series. Monday's thoughts reveal the type of person he is. He talks of his loved ones, his love of the game and his appreciation. There are also thoughts by Steve Yeager, Mike Scoscia, Tommy LaSorda and others. This worked very well as we see several perspectives of this monumental moment.
Tales From the Dodgers Dugout is a fun book. It is a solid baseball book about a great team and a lot of interesting individuals. Monday is probably the best person to put it together. He was a solid contributor who had played long enough to appreciate everything, but he still had the excitement of a younger ball player.
I will always appreciate Monday as a player, especially his seasons with the Cubs. I will always be thankful to Monday for the interview he gave me in 2008. He was very rushed, but he took a few minutes to give me some insight and I am very grateful. Monday is certainly one of the good guys.

Rick Monday and me in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA-June 2008.

Rick Monday, David Stein and Johngy

As has been well-documented here, I contribute a weekly online piece for Global Traveler magazine. Last July 2, I wrote a piece which made GT history.
In keeping with a patriotic theme, I wrote about former Cubs outfielder Rick Monday saving the United States flag from being burned by 2 protesters during a game at Dodger Stadium in 1976. I had recently interviewed Monday at Dodger Stadium about the event.
That night, I got home from work very late (actually very early the next morning) and checked email to relax before heading to bed. A couple minutes later, I was shocked to hear David Stein of Sporting News Radio start to read my piece on nationwide radio.
To say I was shocked is a bit of an understatement. I have been previously published in national and local publications and online, but to have something I wrote being read on nationally syndicated radio was just really wild.
Of course, my massive ego demanded that I shoot a quick email to Fran Gallagher, big cheese at GT. Gallagher had regularly ribbed me about writing bubblegum pieces. I was now vindicated and would have some ammunition for the future. Seriously though, it was a big moment for me and for GT. Somebody was reading us!
It's funny, because I vividly remember Monday saving the flag. Of course, I had no idea back then that 32 years later, that event would play a part in a big moment in my life, too.

Rick Monday and me at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA-June 2008.

Cubs Versus Dodgers

Today, the Chicago Cubs begin exhibition play against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The last time these two teams met, it didn't turn out well for the Cubs. The last time these teams met in the regular season, the Cubs won 3-1 and I was there from (way before) the beginning to the end.
As I have mentioned before, I was at Dodger Stadium to interview Rick Monday for an online piece I was writing for Global Traveler magazine. Armed with a Press Pass, I decided to make the most of it and venture all over the field (and the dugouts and the clubhouses and the pressbox).
Among the highlights was Lou Piniella's pre-game interview session. Piniella discussed Ken Griffey Junior reaching 500 HR's and then answered questions from everyone, including me!
As a (frustrated) freelance writer, is it okay for me to say how cool it was to be there? Aside from playing in the majors, this was about as great as it could be. I wasn't some kid (or strange 40 year old) shoving a ball into his face asking for a signature. I was on the major league beat...part of the culture. Hey, we're all professionals here!
Since I was on the field for about 3 hours, there are many stories to be told. During the baseball season, I plan on telling them. Hopefully, you will have as much fun reading them as I did being involved in them.

Lou Piniella and me (and other reporters) in the dugout at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA-June 2008.

Interviews:2008

Here is the complete listing and linkage for all of my 2008 interviews.

I interviewed Rick Monday right outside the Dodgers' clubhouse at Dodger Stadium in June of 2008. We talked mostly about when he saved the U.S. flag from being burned. I wrote a piece about that for Global Traveler magazine's website. That GT piece was read by David Stein on Sporting News Radio.To hear the Rick Monday interview click hereTo hear David Stein read my piece click here


For another piece on GT's website, I interviewed wrestling personalities Al Snow, Terri Runnels and Scott Taylor separately at Wizard World in Rosemont, IL in August of 2008. We talked about travel, their current life and their future plans.To hear the Al Snow interview click hereTo hear the Terri Runnels interview click hereTo hear the Scott Taylor interview click here


I interviewed Mike Easler and Larry Bowa together during batting practice at Dodger Stadium in June of 2008. Easler talked about his favorite city, while Bowa wasn't quite as decisive about his. I also helped Bowa with fielding practice, although that is not part of the interview.To hear the Easler and Bowa interview click here


I interviewed Hall of Fame broadcaster Peter Gammons of ESPN on the field at Dodger Stadium in June of 2008. It was long before the game started and there were only a handful of people even there. We discussed his favorite cities.To hear the Peter Gammons interview click here


The last interview I got at Dodger Stadium in June of 2008 was with Ryan Dempster. Dempster had an unbelievable season after converting back to a starting pitcher after being a reliever for several years. Dempster was very loose and seemed happy to talk for a bit.
To hear the Ryan Dempster interview click here


I interviewed ESPN broadcaster Jon Miller at Dodger Stadium in June of 2008. Miller gave me over 3 minutes of his time, which is quite a lot for an unscheduled interview. He talked freely about a number of his favorite cities.To hear the Jon Miller interview click here


I interviewed Hall of Famer Joe Morgan right as he headed into the dugout moments before the game at Dodger Stadium in June of 2008. Morgan only had about 30 seconds, but I logged in another Hall of Famer!To hear the Joe Morgan interview click here

Doing some research for another GT website piece, I attended a couple of TNA wrestling events in the Chicago area. At the fanfest, i was able to interview Christy Hemme, Lance Rock and Jimmy Rave (collectively known as the Rock N Roll Infection). We talked about travel and the expansion of TNA.To hear the Christy Hemme, Rock and Rave interview click here


At the Walk for Hope 2008, in Glenview, IL, I interviewed actress Andrea Evans for a GT online piece. Evans discussed her return to tv's One Life to Live, her commitment to Walk for Hope, her partnership with Lather and her future plans.To hear the Andrea Evans interview click here