Cubbie Blues

If you guessed that the title of this entry was about how the Cubs' 2008 season ended, well, you'd be wrong. And you'd be right.

It's not just about one season; it's about a whole lot of seasons. One hundred to be exact.

It's the title of a new book, Cubbie Blues: 100 Years of Waiting Till Next Year, edited by my good friend and now business partner Donald G. Evans.

It's a book that I contributed to in a big way. I have two essays in the book, served as an auxiliary editor, and I am a partner in the publishing venture. I am even depicted on the cover, as is Tyler, though you'll probably have trouble identifying either of us. Oh, and my mom designed the inside pages.

The book is an anthology of essays, poems, short stories, photos, artwork and Cubs trivia by Cubs fans who are trying to make sense of why they continue to support a team that hasn't won a World Series in a century.

It is the perfect book for anyone who, like me, suffers from the affliction of being a Cubs fan or as the perfect Christmas gift for someone who is.

The book will have a limited edition hard cover release on December 9. The first edition will be limited to 2,500 copies, just 1,500 of those available to the general public. These books will be available ONLY through our Web site (www.cantmisspress.com) and direct sales at events we have planned during the holiday shopping season.

We'll be celebrating its release with a party at Sheffield's in Wrigleyville on Sunday, December 14, from 7-10 p.m. I'll be on hand to sign books, as will many others who contributed to the book.

You can pre-order the book any time before Dec. 9 and you'll get this collectible first edition hard cover book for $19.95 (including shipping by USPS First Class, handling and taxes), 40 percent of the regular list price of $24.95.

Acclaimed authors such as Scott Simon, James Finn Garner, and Don De Grazia take their place beside acclaimed fans like Lin Brehmer, Mike Murphy, and Pat Brickhouse. The unique blend of voices, ranging from best-selling authors to long-time beer vendors, explores the relationship these fans have to their dubious team.

If you have any diehard Cubs fans on your Christmas list - I'm sure they will understand the motivation behind the book, even if normal people may not.

I could tell you it's a great book, which I truly believe it is, but I'll let others tell you what they think.

"For every fan who's waited a hundred years, here's elegant and passionate proof that you aren't alone," says Marcus Sakey, award-winning author of The Blade Itself, At the City's Edge and Good People.

Judy Royko, widow of legendary columnist Mike Royko, recommends keeping the book near while waiting for next year. "This anthology is full of great stories and wonderful anecdotes about the trades, plays and bad luck that make up the fiber of a true Cub fans' being."

And Royko's friend and legendary owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, Sam Sianis, says, "My advice to the great fans of Chicago? Tell them to read this baseball book with their double cheeseburger from the Billy Goat...It's good for the digestion."

Update on Friday, November 28, 2008 at 04:14PM by Randy Richardson

Don Evans, the editor of "Cubbie Blues," wrote up a nice profile of me for the book's website. Read it here.