Beany Power brings Cubs victory over Giants 8/31/12 (c) J.Pritikin

That's me giving Jack Brickhouse a Hey! Hey! Award from the cast of Bleacher Bums...and the second went to Hank Sauer,former Cubs slugger off to the right.

Cast of Bleacher Bums, Pete Meade just above the girl with the pennant. In the dark sweater is Mike Krukow who is now the Giants announcer in San Franciso.

My brother Allen, his girlfriend Joanne Ari Kaplan of the Cubs and Kari Gianni

That's me on the end... photo by Ari Kaplin

Joanne and Allen, they been a 2-some for a couple of years.

Allen and his expensive hot-dog.

Chicago: I can not recall seeing so many Giant fans here for a regular game. A gentleman stopped me and asked me if I was"Me" and then he mentioned his name... and I could not recall who he was. He mentioned he was part of a "Bleacher Bums" tie-in promotion involving the Cubs and the S.F. production of the stage play. Of course after he left, I realized who he was and made the mistake of

gaging him on his today's looks. I was amazed at his memory of the event that happened at Candlestick Park on September 5th,1981. "Bleacher Bums Sunday"

I was disappointed by the loud music and that of the organist that drowned out any conversations between innings in the bleachers. For years, the outfield speakers never worked and it was a welcome hush in the crowd, in the fabled cheap seats, were we made our own noise, and didn't need any flashing lighted sign on the scoreboard telling us to make noise! I am happy to note that there were no around the park "Waves", however a college crowd from Iowa tried several times to start the dreaded wave, but failed getting anyone else involved. Almost all the regulars were not there. It's quite

expensive for a single game.

My brother was shell shocked for what it cost him for a hot-dog and a small bottle of water. Over $13.00. Soda pops $5. Parking in and around the ball park goes between $30. & $50. During the week!

I was there with him, his girlfriend Joann and Kari Giannini. Most of the crowd were from Iowa or were Giants fans. I did pick on the Giant's center fielder. On 2 occasions my HEY ANGEL!, THIS BALL IS GOING OVER YOUR HEAD... JUST LIKE SESAME STREET! and twice Cubs hitters obliged... one of the homers went over the left fielder's head into the bleachers.

At the end of the game, there was a "W" flying from atop the Scoreboard.

BEANY POWER TO THE PEOPLE @ OAK STREET BEACH (c) J.Pritikin

Chicago: I have been wearing my Interstellar Propeller Beany Caps since 1981 when I first met Stacy Samules. Stacy created them during the late 1960s and since then has sold over a million of them. In '81, I was hired to do special promotions and publicity for the stage play "BLEACHER BUMS"in San Francisco. It was a 9 inning comedy about the Chicago Cubs instead of a 3-act play. Ever since I was a kid, the winds of Chicago always added to the adventure of a Cubs baseball game, depending if they were blowing in or out. I was hired by Director Lee Sankowich to do special promotions and publicity for the play. I discovered Stacy's product in the Yellow Pages of a telephone book. I thought a beany cap would capture the "Winds of Wrigley" for the actor playing the important part as the CHEERLEADER in the cheap seats of the Friendly Confines. Little did I know then that I would seldom leave home without mine. People will cross the street just to tell me "I LIKE YOUR HAT!" I kid you not, I hear that over 25 times a day, and even more when I walk along the beach or take in an art fair. There is an old expression that art imitates life. For me it has been just the opposite! The play was suppose to be a 6 week run that ran for over a year. I earned the moniker as the Bay Area Resident Cubs fan. That's when I started to wear my "beany". When the run of the play ended, I continued doing Chicago Tie-in promotions whenever the Cubs or Bears were in San Francisco. I evolved into a special-one-of-kind-fan that became a legendary figure at Wrigley Field. Beginning in 1984 I have been known as the "Bleacher Preacher". Like the Johnny Appleseed of Beany Caps, I've been helping Stacy spread the "Beany Revelution" here,there and everywhere. Lately it's been on the beaches of Chicago or the Summer Season's Art Fairs.

The other day, I was able to get the 3 young guys in the attached photos to join the BEANY REVOLUTION at Oak Street Beach. Their life will change, and they will bring smiles wherever they go... and they will constantly be hearing I LIKE YOUR HAT! And that's a never ending source of smiles for anyone wearing an Interstellar Propellar Beany Cap.

My 7 minutes POT Time Capsule- By Jerry Pritikin

Before the Senior Moments. I have thought about posting some of the stories left over from the 1960's and 70s and the POT connection. I used to read the Want Ads in newspapers for jobs that I didn't want. Today I prefer the WWW and CRAIGSLIST.com. In both circumstances my life changed because I was stoned on pot, and looking for jobs I did not want! I actually found a few gigs that way. The latter was looking for an Actor, and my reason for the POSTER.

Back in 1981, I was involved with the play 'Bleacher Bums' after seeing it on S.F.PBS/KQED. The next day I noticed an ad for actors for the S.F. production of the "BLEACHER BUMS". It was suppose to be a 6 week run that ran well over a year. I was hired for special promotions and PR. When the run ended, I continued doing Cubs an Bears tie-in promotions whenever they were in the Bay Area. I was tabbed by the media as the Bay Area's Resident Cubs Fan. From that, I evolved into the "Bleacher Preacher." I moved back to Chicago in the late 1980s. I spent most of the next 25 years roaming the cheap-seats of the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field, and I became part of the fabled fans in the Bleachers.

Update:

A few weeks ago, after a long, long drought(no 420) and survived liked the message in the song "I'LL GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS". A month ago I happened to see an ad on CRAIGSLIST. A director was looking for marijuana stories for his Marijuana-Rama Show and I have a 30 year supply. I have made a commitment to do a 7 minute monologue at the EEK Theater. I plan to put it all together this week. Is this that stage that Shakespeare had in mind when he wrote about the"Idiot"that struts and frets upon the stage? Anyway, if you happen to be in Chicago... My first one night stand(on a stage). Follow the instructions on the leafy green poster, and buy some tickets. Maybe instead of getting some flowers tossed at me at the end of the 7 minutes... it might be samples.

Carmella/Dutchie & Harry Caray/ Dave Kingman and The Bleacher Preacher

For some reason these images disappeared from this story when it was originally posted....J.P.

Here are a few images moments from the "Old Friendly Confines", before they had a sponsor. The#5, photo is that of Carmella Hartigan. She was to Wrigley, what Mrs. Miller was to the early "Tonight" Show. She once went on a streak of 7 Season's without missing a game. She took 2 buses, to get to the park, and most days I drove her home, after stopping at the Zyphr. I was introduced to her when she was in her 80s.... she became my sidekick for over 15 years. The late Stephanie Leather's, arranged for her to toss out the first ball prior to the Sept. 12th game. The week prior to her taking the mound, I took her over to Wells Park, and tought her how to pitch underhand. While practicing, a cub fan noticed us, came over and thought that Carmella was the Cubs next Rookie Pitcher. That game on Sept.12 WGN-TV opening shot of Carmella throwing out the pitch... A Strike! The phot was shot by Lee Balterman.

The #4, shot , at the same event... first waving to her friends in the Bleacher's,then throwing a strike, when Sammy Sosa, called her over, with a motion of his finger from her, towards himself. Carmella, waves her finger at Sammy, like a teacher a young student, to come over to her... and she won out! These images were taken by Lee Balterman. The 3 of us "Old-timers" were the Tinkers, To Ever's to Chance of Cubs baseball fans. Lee, spent many years shooting all kinds of sporting events for Sports Illustrated. Carmella and I were among the most noted "Bums" in the crowd.

#3, Dutchie and Harry Carry, spend a day in the Left Field Bleachers. Note Harry's Hawaiian Shirt. I gave Dutchie the Cub's Interstellar Propeller Beany Cap... and she wore it throughout the game. On several occasions I also put Beany's on Steve Stone, and Chip Carry, and again with Dutchie, when they graced the Left Field bleachers for a broadcast. .

#2,This was during Carmella's Centennial year, I made the sign for her... she was the true Matriarch, blessing kids, to me, in all my years as the"Bleacher Preacher",she was my favorite Cubs fan of all times! I was able to get her tickets, for the first night game and many more events, and post season games over 20 years. She was often sought out for print and broadcast media for her wit and charm. The Cubs finally gave her a "Free Pass" for her last season.

#1 My father was not a Dave Kingman fan... who he described as striking out when you needed him, and hitting Home Runs when the Cubs were leading most of the time. My dad became part of the Cubs lore, when he slipped into a coma for the last30 day's of his life. He was at the St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. He came out of the coma only once, when I was visiting him. His eye's opened and he took hold of my arm and directed me listen to him. And then uttered "We gotta get rid of Kingman!"There is no doubt, that my Dad passed on his love of the game, to me and my brother Allen. The Kingman story opened up an article about Cubs fans. The following year, at a Cubs Charity softball game... I was able to get Kingman to sign my SI, and then former Cubs and media people played a slow-pitched celebrity game... and it drizzle for the later part of the game. On a 3-2 pitch with runners in scoring and winning position... Kingman struckout swinging... and I thought I heard my Dad say" He be shit!"