Rita and I head to Denver on Sunday to take in a Rockies game at Coors Field. We then move on to Telluride for the annual film festival held on Labor Day Weekend. Yes, a movie report is in your Hot Stove future.
In the meantime, for your consideration…
Friday, September 8 – Joe Posnanski Author Event: Joe Posnanski covered sports at the Kansas City Star for 13 years (1997-2009). Joe’s current gig is his popular (and prolific) Substack blog titled JoeBlogs (worth every penny; click here to subscribe).
In 2021, Joe published the baseball blockbuster of the year – The Baseball 100. It ran for many weeks on the NYT best-seller list and is already considered a classic of sports journalism.
And now he’s back with another book that promises to be just as big: Why We Love Baseball: A History In 50 Moments. Release date: September 5.
When Joe got his advance copy of Why We Love Baseball, he gave it the Seinfeld seal of approval. “I’m holding it in my hand. It’s real, and it’s spectacular.”
On September 8, Joe will be at Unity Temple on the Plaza to discuss his new book. Tickets are available from Rainy Day Books upon purchase of the book. Click here to order.
But wait, there’s more! At the event, Joe will be in conversation with Michael Schur, sitcom creator and writer (Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn 99, The Good Place, etc.). Schur is Joe’s podcast partner on the Poscast, self-described as “A sort of sports show but not really. Filled with meaninglessness.” They are hilarious (and as long-winded as Hot Stove). Take a listen by clicking here. Below from left, Schur, Nick Offerman and Pos, at the outfield wall at Wrigley Field.
Other Posnanski stops: For St. Louis fans, it will be September 7 (with Gerald Early; info here). In Topeka, on September 16 (with Bill James; info here).
Sunday, September 10 – Rustin Dodd and Mark Dent Author Event: Rustin Dodd was a sportswriter at the Kansas City Star from 2009 to 2018, including several years as a Royals beat writer. He is now a senior writer at The Athletic. Mark Dent also once worked at the Star and his work has appeared in the New York Times, Texas Monthly, Wired, etc. He is a senior writer for The Hustle.
Dodd and Dent grew up in Kansas City and will be returning on September 10 to discuss their just-released book Kingdom Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs, and How a Once Swingin’ Cow Town Chased the Ultimate Comeback. This is another Rainy Day event at Unity Temple on the Plaza (tickets here).
This is more than a biography of Patrick Mahomes. There are also stories of the Chiefs (and Texans), the NFL/AFL, and parts of Kansas City history that I did not know (or forgot – a nice refresher course). Some random topics to give a flavor: Robert Van Horn (mayor of KC during the Civil War and namesake of my high school), Pendergast, Roaring Twenties, barbecue, Negro Leagues, Count Basie, J.C. Nichols, segregation, Country Club Plaza, urban renewal, etc.
The book weaves in this history with pro football in Kansas City. An example is a chapter on Lloyd Wells who in the early days helped Lamar Hunt sign many Black players. Those signings were followed by the awkward reality of the players being barred from many public venues in the city and the difficulty of finding housing in areas like the Country Club Plaza. Fast forward to the current day when Patrick Mahomes was out front on Black Lives Matter.
When Rustin Dodd was growing up, he was “a sports-obsessed kid from the suburbs” of Kansas City and remembers reading Joe Posnanski’s articles in the Star. Dodd realized then he wanted to be a sportswriter, and today he is getting accolades from Posnanski. I agree with Joe’s take on the book.
The League – New Documentary: The centerpiece of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is the Field of Legends. Satchel Paige is on the mound and Josh Gibson behind the plate. The kneeling umpire is Bob Motley, the last living Negro Leagues umpire until his death in 2017.
Bob Motley lived in Kansas City, served on the NLBM board and was a Royal Lancer. In 2007, he co-authored a book with his son Byron – The Negro Baseball Leagues: Tales of Umpiring Legendary Players, Breaking Barriers, and Making American History.
Byron Motley thought his father’s story would make for a good documentary film. It took several years, and the scope of the film expanded to include the history of the Negro Leagues and their effect on the Black community. Award-winning director and editor Sam Pollard came on board, and co-producers included Questlove of the Roots. The title came from Maya Angelou who told Byron Motley that, as a child, whenever people spoke of the league in the Black community, they were referring to the Negro Leagues.
A primary narrator in the movie is NLBM president Bob Kendrick, and he takes the lead in the trailer (click here). Also representing Kansas City are two top Negro League historians, Larry Lester and Phil Dixon. The movie is enriched by newly discovered archival film, including a good portion from Latin America where Negro Leaguers barnstormed and were treated as equals.
Two thumbs up from Rita and Lonnie. Streaming on Prime, Apple and other platforms ($7).
Black Aces – NLBM Exhibit: In 2007, Jim “Mudcat” Grant’s book Black Aces chronicled the story of why very few Black pitchers have won 20 games in the major leagues. First, there was segregation. And after that, per NLBM’s Bob Kendrick, “There was this underlying belief that the Black athlete, just like the Black quarterback, was not smart enough to play that position.” [The NFL was also slow, but talented Black quarterbacks forced open the door, and Kansas Citians get to savor the magic of Patrick Mahomes.]
The NLBM has expanded on Mudcat’s work with an exhibit celebrating Black and Latino pitching aces, including those playing in the Negro Leagues and in Latin America before integration. For a good introduction to the exhibit, check out this 2-minute video clip from Bob Kendrick.
Above, a photo from when Rita and I recently toured the exhibit. The pitcher in the center is Don Newcombe, the first Black to win 20 games in the NL (1951). The first in the AL was Mudcat Grant (1965; the AL integrated at a slower pace). The pitcher on the right is Sam Jones, the first Black pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the majors (1955). Satchel Paige, Bullet Rogan, Juan Marichal, Luis Tiant and many others are part of the exhibit.
This FREE exhibit continues through September 30.
September 9 – Black Aces – Hall of Game: Established by the NLBM in 2014, the Hall of Game honors former MLB greats who played the game in the spirit and signature style that made the Negro Leagues a fan favorite. The honorees for the Class of 2023 are all Black Aces featured in the current exhibit at the museum:
Vida Blue (posthumously), Mike Norris, Dwight Gooden, Al Downing and Dontrelle Willis.
The induction ceremony will be held at the Gem Theater on Saturday night, September 9. Details and tickets here.
[Vida Blue KC Trivia: The Kansas City A’s selected Blue in the second round of the 1967 MLB draft. But by the time Blue reached the majors in 1968, the A’s had moved to Oakland where he became a star and part of three World Series winners. In 1982 and 1983, he played for the Kansas City Royals.]
KC Legends Mural at Chappell’s: Another major sports museum in Kansas City is Chappell’s where the memorabilia collection covers every inch of the walls of the iconic restaurant in North Kansas City. The collection was assembled by Jim Chappell who opened the restaurant in 1986. The baseball memorabilia are so extensive that the restaurant has been referred to as “Cooperstown West.” There is also plenty for fans of other sports – if a team played in or near KC (pro, college or high school), there will be something there to remind you.
In 2018, Jim retired and sold the restaurant which is now owned by a group of investors led by real estate developer David Block. David is keeping the collection intact and recently added a mural above the bar to honor “KC Legends.” The mural is in two parts on opposite sides of a beam in the ceiling. This is the left side:
And here is the right side:
The two parts are connected by a portrait of President Harry Truman in a Missouri University football jersey.
Now for your test. How many do you recognize? Answers are on the Chappell’s website at this link.
Dylan is Coming! Dylan is Coming!: On October 1 and October 2 to the Midland Theater. Bob Dylan is kicking off the next leg of his Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour in Kansas City (details here).
Speaking of Dylan…
Lonnie’s Jukebox – Bob (Wehrman and Dylan) and Robbie (of The Band): This edition of Lonnie’s Jukebox is dedicated to my friend and former law partner Bob Wehrman who passed away on August 11 at the age of 79 (obit here).
I met Bob at UMKC Law School. He was a couple of years behind me, but we were part of the same social group through our professional fraternity. That social connection continued after law school, and by 1979, six of our group were partners in a firm on the Plaza. Below, from 1980 in Las Vegas for a firm retreat (Standing: Jim Polsinelli, David Welte and former partner Lee Shapiro; sitting: Dale Schulte, Lonnie, Mike White and Bob Wehrman).
In 1994, Bob and I attended a conference in Vancouver, and Rita and Bob’s wife Peggy went along. The main memory for the four of us was touring the famous Butchart Gardens (photo below). Otherwise, Bob and I listened to boring seminars while Rita and Peggy shopped. It turned out to be life-changing shopping for Rita because she bought her first big hat (the one in the photo). A hundred hats later, Peggy says of Rita, “no one can sport a hat like that girl.”
Bob had a fine legal career that was sadly cut short by Alzheimer’s. He will be remembered for his friendship, warmth and humor, and as aptly stated on the funeral home condolence page…
From Terry Hudson: “My earliest memory of Bob was him coming into Plaza Bank. All the calculator machines, all the teller machines would stop, and phones would be put on hold. All the gals would just watch him walk across the lobby. He was a super handsome guy. He also was the nicest guy ever. A perfect combination. I got to know him better when I started at Polsinelli. What an excellent human. I am better for having known him. My deepest condolences to Peggy and family.”
Two days before we lost Bob, Robbie Robertson (above right) died at the age of 80. Robbie was a member of The Band, the frequent backup ensemble for Bob Dylan (above left).
The connection: Bob Wehrman’s favorite artist was Bob Dylan. I always found this to be a perfect match for our soulful friend Bob.
With help from Peggy on the playlist, I’ll start with some of Bob’s favorites by Dylan, then mix in some selections from The Band (thanks to Jim Bird for his input), and then back to Dylan for the encores.
“Blowin’ In the Wind” by Bob Dylan (1963). The first big hit written by Dylan, but it was not his version that went to #2 on the charts. That was Peter, Paul and Mary (click here) who also covered Dylan’s “Times They Are A-Changin’” in 1964.
The nine rhetorical questions asked in the song resonated with the Civil Rights Movement. Mavis Staples was astonished that a young white man could write such a powerful song that captured the frustrations and aspirations of the Black community. Dylan’s song inspired Sam Cooke to write his own anthem for the Civil Rights Movement, “A Change is Gonna Come.”
“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan (1973). Written by Dylan for Sam Peckinpah’s movie Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. This past June, KC writer (and Dylan aficionado) Steve Paul presented a paper about this song and movie at the World of Bob Dylan symposium in Tulsa. Per Steve, “Peckinpah didn’t much like the song, which Dylan had written in a few minutes on a plane, and preferred an instrumental version for the movie (1973). Things changed, and the song became a certifiable hit for Dylan and a string of wildly diverse musicians who’ve covered it, including Guns N’ Roses and Avril Lavigne.”
In addition to doing the soundtrack for the movie, Dylan had a small acting role. Because of his pop fame, the film’s marketing campaign elevated Dylan to marquee status alongside the stars playing the title roles.
“Things Have Changed” by Bob Dylan (2000). Featured in the movie Wonder Boys, this song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
When Bob Dylan embarked on his first “electric” tour in 1966, he hired five musicians who had been working together under various band names since the late ‘50s. Robbie Robertson (RIP 2023), Rick Danko (RIP 1999), Levon Helm (RIP 2012), Richard Manuel (RIP 1986) and Garth Hudson (now 86). They became frequent collaborators with Dylan, including studio work for his albums.
Touring as Dylan’s backup band gave the group great exposure and prompted them to take on a new name in 1967 – The Band. The following year, they recorded their first album under the new name (Music from Big Pink). The single released from the album was a Robbie Robertson masterpiece…
“The Weight” by The Band (1968; video clip from 1969 movie Easy Rider). The first single under their new name became a classic. It only reached #63 on the charts, but it became part of the rock ‘n’ roll songbook when it played in Easy Rider during a motorcycle ride through Arizona’s Painted Desert and Monument Valley.
“Up On Cripple Creek” by The Band (1969). This was their second song to chart and their biggest hit, peaking at #25. They had only one other Top Forty hit, “Don’t Do It” (#34 in 1972).
As the original group of five, The Band played their last concert on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976. Bob Dylan and other guest artists were on hand to help celebrate the moment. The concert was memorably captured in Martin Scorsese’s 1978 film, The Last Waltz.
“The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” by the Band at the 1976 concert. Robbie Robertson, one of the four Canadians in The Band, wrote this song specifically for the drummer from Arkansas, Levon Helm. When the single was released by The Band in 1969, it did not chart, but the 1971 cover by Joan Baez went to #3 (click here).
“The Weight” by The Band with the Staple Singers, as seen in The Last Waltz. The Band played “The Weight” at the concert, but Scorsese elected to use a studio version of the song for the movie. This included the Staple Singers and is one of my favorite versions of the song. Another good cover is in the final scene of the 2008 movie It Might Get Loud. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Edge (U2) and Jack White (White Stripes) played an informal acoustic version of “The Weight” over the final credits (click here).
“I Shall Be Released” by The Band with Bob Dylan and other guest artists joining in for the finale in the 1976 concert (below). Bob Dylan’s original recording of this song was in 1967, and the studio musicians were the guys who became The Band.
Between songs in the movie, Scorsese did a series of interviews with the band members. This was spoofed by director Rob Reiner who did similar (but hilarious) interviews of the band members in This Is Spinal Tap. Scorsese was initially not amused but came around to love Reiner’s parody.
Scorsese and Robbie Robertson worked together to edit The Last Waltz, and this led to Robertson scoring many of Scorsese’s films (Raging Bull, The Color of Money, The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street, etc.). Robertson’s final completed score was for Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, which premiered at Cannes in May and will be in wide release this October.
Now back to Dylan…
“Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan (1965). Dylan’s first Top Ten hit, peaking at #2.
“Forever Young” by Bob Dylan (1974). Performance by Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen at the 1995 Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
RIP Bob. And love to Peggy.