James Russell is a good guy

Last night I met an 8-year-old girl. When she was 5, after many diffferent doctor visits and no answers except being told she was dying, she was diagnosed with a rare allergy to light. She's not simply allergic to the sun, but even lightbulbs. There is only one other person in the world who has this illness, a middle-aged man in England. Her doctor has made a sunscreen especially for her that she has to drink. This allows her to be in the sun for up to 10 minutes instead of the usual 2. She has to use a special umbrella at all times while outside. Most of her time in school, she has had to stay in one special room while the rest of her class went to art and P.E. and recess. For library time, they would ask what kinds of books she wanted and bring her a couple (However, her principal recently received a grant that paid for changes at school that now allow her to have much more movement around the building.). Exposure to light causes her organs to fail, and she literally begins burning from the inside out.

BUT during one of her particularly long and difficult hospital stays in Chicago, several players and coaches from the Chicago Cubs came and visited her. Most of them said hello and stayed for a few minutes and then left, but James Russell and Lester Strode stayed for a long time and played with the children. The little girl fell in love. From that moment on, she has referred to him as her "honey." He had been traded to the Braves for a short time, but when she learned he was back with the Cubs, she danced around the house and cheered.

She talked a great deal about him and was wearing his spring training jersey, which hung like a dress around her tiny body. A man in the front row next to the bullpen gave up his seat so she could watch him walk out and see him again. Her whole face glowed, as if all the light she had to avoid was shining right out of her at that moment. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen, the way her face looked when she saw James.

He did a pretty small thing for a sick girl 3 years ago that she and her family will never forget. The cameras were gone. It wasn't about PR. It was just a kind thing to do.

Stories like this make me almost forget about the gross things in life. It's a small thing to be kind to people, but the results are incalculable.

 

 

 

In the lower right corner, you can see the top of the girl's umbrella, and the woman next to her is her mom. They're watching the bullpen boys.

Jill and Alex List the Top Ten Beards on the Chicago Cubs

Jill Jedd and I decided to put our love of beards to good use. Which Cubs made the list of the top 10 beards? Keep looking to see!

Now, I will tell you right off the bat--Carlos Villanueva did NOT make the list. Why? Because he had the greatest beard ever, and then he just walked away from it. You do NOT walk away from an amazing beard like this. So he is off the list.

#10. Ryan Sweeney--The Amazing Non-Beard

Okay, so the Cubs outfielder doesn't really have a beard. But he doesn't need one, and that is why he makes the list. Possibly the only person in the history of the world whose non-beard is so beardly that it had to be on the list.

#9 Dale Sveum--The I-Can't-Be-Bothered-To-Shave Beard

The Cubs skipper has a lot on his mind right now, and shaving is the last thing he cares about. He has five o'clock shadow all day long, which leads us to believe that, since he gave up the 'stache from his playing days, this is as long as his facial hair grows.

#8 Matt Garza--Creepy Goat Boy Beard

While this beard is more of a goatee and would generally look creepy on anyone else, Matt Garza pulls off this look with the same ease which he uses to get the job done on the mound. His quirky personality fits his beard so well, and both have made him a fan favorite. How long will this beard be in Chicago? Probably not long, so enjoy it while you can.

#7 Jeff Samardzija-- The Backwards Beard ("I Grow Long Unruly Beards on the Back of My Head")

While the Shark generally sports facial hair of some kind, the real beard he has is his long brown mane. It flies in the wind when he pitches, and it follows him bouncily as he walks off the field after striking out the side. Jeffrey Alan does everything he can to make himself look unattractive and intimidating, but most of his true fans enjoy his look.

#6 Nate Schierholtz--The "Beard or Goatee or Both?" Beard

Nate has certainly produced on the field, and he has been a welcome addition to the Cubs. But one of the most welcome additions is his beard. At times barely more than a 1/8" growth around his face, at other times a solid goatee, this otherwise-bald man knows what he's doing with a baseball bat and with a razor.

#5 David DeJesus--The Light, Cultured Beard

I asked this Cubs outfielder if he had his beard professionally shaped. He said no, and this man does not lie. Somehow, David has managed to perfect the look of this perfectly lined beard. This handsome man, who chose a career in baseball over a career in professional modeling (I'm assuming), perfects the look, causing people everywhere to say, "Just when I thought he couldn't get any more good-looking, he adds a beard over the dimples."

#4 James Russell--The "Don't Call Me Jimmy" Beard

This trusty Cubs closer hails from Texas, so this beautiful beard that covers most of his face probably helps keep him warm during those cold April games. While some would argue that he also sports the Backwards Beard (see #7), the traditional beard overshadows his beautiful, flowing hair.

#3 Matt Guerrier The "Beard and Baseball Hair Combo" Beard

The newest addition to our beard collection is newly-acquired Matt Guerrier's beard. The picture on the left was taken a few years back when I met him in Detroit. Since then, he has traded in his clean-cut locks for the most perfect baseball hair you will ever see (see right--photo taken from nbcchicago.com). In addition, he has really unleashed his beard. While never out of control, his full beard (also darker now) adds the fierce intimidation and quirkiness that one needs to be a successful baseball relief pitcher. Two thumbs way up, and we welcome you and your beard to Chicago!

#2 Blake Parker--The "Now-You-See-Me, Now-You-Don't" Beard

Blake scores high on our list of Cubs beards for the simple fact that his face is a revolving door of beardliness. No matter the length, he looks suave and sophisticated and ready to let loose. Even on the rare occasions when he shaves it all off, his facial hair grows back in a matter of minutes. His facial hair has the magical ability to change styles with his clothes. You never know what you'll see on Blake's face from day-to-day, and that mystery makes him #2 on our list.

And the # 1 spot belongs to Travis Wood!

Yes, he's an All-Star, but his beard was growing long before his fame grew. Last season, he sported some crazy Arkansas long hair to go with a short beard, but this year, he has wisely opted for the short hair/long beard approach. Travis and his beard are not only great pitchers, but they also hit the ball pretty well, too! And Travis's beard has everything you could ever want from a beard: fullness, flair, a touch of ginger, and a penchant for being unruly. We wish Travis and his beard the best in the upcoming All-Star game and the rest of his time here in Chicago!

Jill and I hope you've enjoyed our list of the best beards in baseball, and from both of us, and Steve Clevenger, who should really grow a beard, we say thanks for joining us.

Cubs Convention Part Nine

This was the last day of Cubs Convention. I was pretty tired, but I still managed to get up in time to be in Darwin Barney's autograph line. Everyone wanted a piece of him. And then he was late. Tardy, tardy, Darwin. It was pretty disappointing. And because of his sleeping in, by the time I got out of his line, Scott Baker's line was closed. Whatevs. He was worth the wait.

Now, the Cubs security started to get kind of pushy about getting photos with the players. And I get that, because people were wanting to move the lines along, etc. But I watched Angela jump into Darwin's little area from Scott Baker's, and I was like, NO. She didn't wake up in time--she should suffer. Of course, she didn't suffer. Darwin loves her. She got a photo with him and like seven autographs. Sheesh.

So i got up and snapped a good one. I love this so much. His bed head is A-MAAAAZING! And also, that security guard in the background, and I think his name is Bob or something, screamed at me after. I don't care. It was worth it.

I then went over and talked to James Russell. James and I are pretty tight. He made a fan cave video for me, which was ultimately unsuccessful, but whatever. It was awesome. He said I'm the Cubs biggest fan. I knew he would have a great season. Don't we look like BFFs here?

Oh, and this is us chatting. He is entranced by my words.

Now, the autograph/meet and greet portion was about done. But some of the people in the Darwin Barney line had been reading a book that they got at the Convention called The Chicago Cap Murders. Naturally, I had to check it out. That is where I found the book, as well as its author and his wife. This is the writer, Warren Friedman. He was simply lovely. If you are a Cubs fan and a Chicago fan, you should read the book. It's amazing how accurately he gets every detail about Chicago!

In the lobby, ready to leave, who do I see but good old Alan, my favorite Under Armor spokesperson!

Here's our crew. It had been a long but awesome weekend.

And just when we were thinking about food, I spotted Josh Vitters. Erin, who had been sleeping, woke up immediately. This is her sleepily waiting for Josh Vitters to take a picture with her. Isn't she the cutest?

Here's me and Josh. He looks fresh.

And here is the autographed ball I got in my Cubs Convention mystery bag. Who the crack is this?

It was a great weekend, and here I will leave you with some of the Pepsi booth pictures.

Me and Steve Trout

Me and Dave Sappelt

All of us and Tony Campana

Me and Tony Campana

Hey, Cubs fans, go to Cubs Convention next year. It isn't all about autographs and meeting the players--although if you think you're too cool to enjoy that, you are a pretentious snob. You get to see cool things, meet awesome people, and learn a lot. I think I liked the seminars more than almost anything. Next year, we're staying at the hotel.