02-08-2009, 01:06 AM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->This is a classic documentary, hard to find for a long time but now available on a few Web sites—almost always for a fee. The focus is on Ferguson Jenkins and the Cubs during the 1972 and 1973 seasons, and because the Cubs were just decent (1972) and then poor (1973), you get to hear some of the things that go unsaid in the celebratory documentaries that focus on championship teams. You hear about how much the players hated their manager, Leo Durocher, and how, after he was fired in mid-1972, “The Cubs were, once again, a happy ball team.” You also get the details on how this bad blood played out: “Ron Santo had been so enraged one day, he jumped on Durocher and nearly strangled him.” There are great snippets of dialogue on the field, in the dugout, and in the training room; brief but nifty footage of players like Billy Williams, Ron Santo, Joe Pepitone (with monster sideburns), and Randy Hundley; and a nice little summary of third base coach Pete Reiser’s notorious career ("He was carried off the field unconscious 11 times ...").
Some parts are pretty racy, and the clothes worn and sideburns sported are great.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Some parts are pretty racy, and the clothes worn and sideburns sported are great.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance