Outside Wrigley Field

Three items of interest:

* I should have taken a picture of this. It was surreal. Flyers on lamp posts alongside the stadium were advertising an upcoming concert by one Thomas Ian Nicholas. I thought to myself, "Isn't that ... ?" and then I checked when I got home. It is. Thomas Ian Nicholas is the kid who played Henry Rowengartner, the 12-year-old who pitches the Cubs to the World Series in the 1993 movie Rookie of the Year. Now he is a musician who has some Illinois dates this month. http://www.thomasiannicholas.com/ Is this an omen or what?

* I did take a picture of this. A character named Billy Cub stands outside the Cubbie Bear, an establishment across the street from Wrigley Field, and will pose for a picture with you with the famous sign in the background. He also has a bucket so he can hit you up for tips (note his left hand). I thought he worked for the bar, but apparently Billy Cub is a figure of some controversy in Wrigleyville. The Cubs are one of four teams without an actual mascot, and Billy Cub is pushing for the distinction. There's an online petition allowing you to endorse him for the spot. http://www.petitiononline.com/billycub/petition.html I signed his petition and gave him a buck. Who could refuse? The Chicago Reader also had this story about Billy Cub: http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/wayw/070727/

* They have a new Ernie Banks statue, and the old Harry Caray statue. Speaking of which, did you see Skip Caray died? I can't believe he was 68.