Jake Berent

Where was your seat for the game Friday night? In the 300 level? A crowded bar, a less-crowded bar, in your front room, a friend’s front room, on a boat, with a goat? What was the seat like? Chair with a seat cushion and sturdy back? A hard wooden barstool, your favorite recliner, a third hand college couch? Or were you standing?

Wherever you were and upon whatever you parked your kiester, you were watching the game. With a Conference Finals Game 6 on the road, we were all in the same predicament as to where to watch the game. It would have been sweet to be there in L.A. and see the Hawks bring the series back home for Sunday’s Game 7. But the question arises: if you can’t be there for the live action, as the majority of fans can’t be, then what environment do you choose watch the game in? Or is it a choice at all? Continue reading →

Let me tell ya about life at the end of the bench…

What happened to episode 5? Don’t worry about it. I phoned it in last week. It was a sad attempt at a show. I apologize to anyone who listened live, and the only tape recording of the show has been burned.

The topic of six is nine. Baseball players, I mean. I talk baseball, include a brief run through my own statistics, from my broken arm all-star year to my 6-error CYO game, the only pitch I ever threw and my lifetime .082 high school average. Also, a real treat, Ohio State catcher Bubba Gyrion takes me through his league leading 3 ejections, and each “You’re outta here!” is great tale in and of itself.

I got some great baseball songs on the playlist. Who’s on First by Abbot and Costello, Van Lingle Mungo by Dave Frishberg, A Dying Cub Fan’s Last Request by Steve Goodman, and my personal favorite, (Let’s Go) Go-Go White Sox by none other than Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers.

Episode 3 has got some good stories. I’m fresh off leading a Saturday afternoon parade where I led a kazoo band 50-strong and orchestrated a deep dish pizza reception 40-stories above a cool Chicago sunset. Also, I aim to convince a bar-owner that the name he’s chosen for his bar is both offensive and plain old incorrect. The joint’s name? The Arrogant Frog.

Songs include Gondola Gondoli, In the City by Joe Walsh, the Bob Seger song that’s the only one sure way to get me to go, Love and It’s Glory by Minnie Ripperton, Turn Your Radio On by John Hartford, and The Last Thing On My Mind by Tom Paxton.

It’s episode 3.

The big topic is the parade I’m leading on May 3rd. My final parade as Guy in Charge. Jean Shepherd, writer of “A Christmas Story”, describes his Chicago Labor Day parade memories. Steve Stone joins me on the air. We discover the true meaning of the term “Cat’s Pajamas.” And, my two sisters Backy and Steph battle in a debate about the morning donut selection, and then relinquish the mic to 3-year old Logan for a harmonica solo. Finally I’m joined by an old little league benchmate of mine, Aaron Gyrion.

The deluxe model Wazoogle. With goldenhorn amplifier and yellow lightning distorter.

Songs include Thank You for Being a Friend by Andrew Gold, You Should Have Listened to Al & Love Chronicles by Al Stewart, the Mary Tyler Moore theme song, and Convoy by C.W. McCall.