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* As I told you last week, our famed commenter Oswego Willy was at the Cubs home opener. He sent along a photo posing with Tom Ricketts himself…

Yep. That’s exactly what OW looks like.

* The Question: Caption?

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 12:59 pm

Comments

Willy, what’s Sen. Ted Cruz doing next to you?

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:02 pm
Willy,

How far did you get from him before checking your wallet? Ricketts is getting desperate for funds to fix Wrigley.

Comment by TCB Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:02 pm
Funny, he is usually sounds pretty intelligent-would have thought he would have been in St. Louis with a red jacket on…

Comment by downstate commissioner Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:02 pm
You try to get sunglasses with no nose or ears to stay on, k? I’m nocturnal because of it.

Me: I loved you in Bewitched

TR: Don’t tell Dad I’m taking all these pictures, I’m suppose to be working…

TR: Can you play Baseball? No, seriously, can you play?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:03 pm
Rich! You posted the one when I blinked, see?

Me: Sandberg looked good…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:05 pm
@Grandson of Man - thought the exact same thing.

Comment by Mittuns Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:06 pm
Oswego, I never knew you looked like Ted Cruz!

And why is Tom Ricketts hiding behind a fake smiley face?

Comment by Bill White Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:07 pm
A Cub’s fan. I KNEW IT!

Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:09 pm
I knew there was something about Willy I didn’t like. Posing as a Flub fan confirms it

Go Cardinals!

Comment by redleg Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:10 pm
Nothing gets past you - Bill White - .

Mr. Ricketts was very gracious.

He did ask if I had a few million or so to buy shares of the ball club.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:10 pm
Willy, I heard there was some trouble at John Barleycorn afer the game. I hope you’re all right.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:11 pm
OW finds a rich guy he sort of likes.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:13 pm
- 47th Ward -, I won’t confirm my attendance at John Barleycorn, but I will say the CPD are professionals, and I thank them for their hospitality…as always.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:14 pm
bobble head Willie day at Wrigley. He’s more handsome than I pictured in my mind.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:15 pm
Now next to you is a guy who actually does “own” something. He’s willing to sell you part of it so long as you don’t care what he does with it. Hot tip of the day: Don’t buy it.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:17 pm
- OneMan - I like all kinds of people. Heck, I am told that Mr. Rauner is the type of guy you can have a beer with, Sen. Oberweis is a prince to share a sundae with, and Jason is really Kool to grab a Slurpee and Twizzler straws with…

I’m broadening my horizons.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:18 pm
- A Guy… -, that’s my good side…think 2-face girl on Seinfeld…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:20 pm
To all of you haters on the blog, we can all rest assured that Willy’s manaical hatred of Rauner has nothing to do with the candidate’s wealth. I mean, Willy’s hanging with Ricketts, right?

Comment by phocion Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:22 pm
OW poses with Tom Ricketts shortly after his interview to be the new less violent Clark the Cub.

Comment by Dirty Red Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:23 pm
“Mr. Ricketts, my family is big in baseball, ‘Mr. Met’, you may not believe, is my Uncle..,”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:26 pm
Oswego Willy a Cubs fan. He has just lost all credibility with regards to his opinions on issues of the day.

Comment by Downstater Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:29 pm
“Have a nice day.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:30 pm
OW: “And then I walked into John Barleycorn and some dude tried to rip my head off!”

Comment by Stones Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:32 pm
Willy, glad to see you smiling now. With the start the Cubs have had, I’m afraid us Cub fans will not be smiling at the end of the season - if not earlier.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:34 pm
OW - can always find a reason to smile no matter where he is.

Comment by a drop in Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:36 pm
Lovable Losers Anonymous Launched
Revised serenity prayer acknowledges Cubs losing streak ‘never-ending’

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:39 pm
Willy - that is the most stylish hard hat I have ever seen!

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:39 pm
- Downstater -, it’s usually way before its known I am a Cubs fan my credibility is ridiculed and questioned. I appreciate you holding out as long as you did.

- Norseman -, I am “putting on” a brave face as you can see…I like the 2 out of 3 series splits. If the Cubs can make those 2 wins instead of losses, that seems to be a better ratio. Long season approaching.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:39 pm
DOJ announces it hascid’d its subject for test cases written to put its new face recog app through the ringer.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:39 pm
The Cap looks stupid. Ya what was Ted Cruz doing at a Cubs game.

Comment by Mokenavince Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:40 pm
OW incognito at Wrigley.

He heard Tom Cross was looking for a caddy.

Comment by Irish Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:40 pm
Would have known him anywhere.

Comment by Keyser Soze Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:40 pm
Sorry about the typo.

And for neglecting to add the .

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:41 pm
OW is surpisingly photogenic.
Rickets, on the other hand,is the empty-headed, dopey smiling face we always thought he was.

Comment by KGB Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:43 pm
- Team Sleep -, thank you, so stylish and functional. “Win-Win”.

- a drop in -, I try to live by that, but the reason I was smiling was Ricketts was just telling me how close the Club is to winning…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:44 pm
Mr. Ricketts was very gracious, but calling me over by saying “Hey! Sno Cone!”, was bad form, owner or not.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:46 pm
OW- I used to be a Cardinal fan but they win too much, I prefer rooting for the Underdawg.

Comment by I B Strapped Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:47 pm
“Cubs Happen”

Comment by unclesam Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:48 pm
Which guy is whiter? Still no contest, it’s ricketts.

Comment by Boone's is Back Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:48 pm
It is awesome that somebody took a picture of every Republican at Wrigley that day.

Comment by Smoggie Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:51 pm
- unclesam -, setting the bar high I see.

I just got a hair cut, so you can really see my face…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:54 pm
“Mr. Ricketts, may I introduce you to a top-flight con$ulting Firm?”

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 1:58 pm
- AA -, he took the card, and he told me I had the best Poker Face he had seen in a long time, so check the email.

“My great Uncle was the snowman in ‘Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer’, but little known fact, EIU’s Burl Ives did his voice, but that was him acting out there…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:09 pm
” Oh Yeah , the view from this 13th Ward Organization Box is Great “

Comment by x ace Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:13 pm
TR: How much would it be to make the back of your head Ad Space?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:21 pm
I’m wearing SPF 1,483.

Kinda makes my face a bit bland.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:22 pm
Willie, how many Old Styles did it take to get that look on your face?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:24 pm
OW modeling the latest Steve Bartman method of traveling in and around Wrigley!
(Yes, as a loyal WS fan, I always enjoy bringing up Bartman!)

Comment by Roadbuilder Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:25 pm
“So sorriee, I say only if goat comes will curse go away,” Sam Sianis.

Comment by Product of the 60's Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:26 pm
In other news, Barry Rozner of the Herald, who’s way tuned into Ryne Sandberg, reported that the Cubs asked the Phillies manager to wear a Cubs cap and jersey for the ceremonial first pitch on opening day.

What’s wrong with these guys?

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140404/sports/140409062/

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:27 pm
In the summer, I add red seams for Cubs games, when I golf I put on a visor and draw 314 dimples on my head and look like a golf ball.

I seem to do both alone… Alot.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:27 pm
Hey Willy,
Did you tell Tom that the Cubs may need a new closer, and you are trying out?

Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:27 pm
- wordslinger -,

If I say 4 is that ok?

It was six, but if I say 4 is that ok?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:29 pm
Cubs winning it all this year?

It’s as plain as the nose on my face…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:31 pm
Why the heck am I smiling?

Just last week Quinnocchio stole my nose. I though it was a kids’ game. Apparently not.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:37 pm
Is that Jason Plummer and his mates in the background, enjoying the game on one of the rooftops across the street?

Comment by Robert the Bruce Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:40 pm
Hope you hit up Mr. Ricketts for a nice campaign donation while you were at the game….future Governor Willy. Those negative TV ads against Mr. Rauner and Mr. Quinn aren’t going to pay for themselves.

Comment by anonymoose Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:40 pm
- RPM -, they asked me to throw for a bull pen spot, but truth be told, I’m a starter;

Pitch every 5th Day, golf with Tom Cross on my off days.

Plus, at my age, I throw every day, my breaking ball by June will be shot. Think of the Cubs, I am.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:41 pm
My mom had a cookie jar that looked just like you.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:49 pm
- Annonymoose -, I did ask. Mr. Ricketts then asked if I was the one who vacations with Rahm or wears Purple ties over and over.

So I think that’s a “No” but we are going to get coffee real “soon” he said so…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:50 pm
- VMan -,

I have been told here and out “There” I have a hollow head. Maybe I missed my “calling”?

Mmmmm. Cookies.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 2:58 pm
OW, It’s been bothering me all day. The coat is shielding the fact you’re actually the brother of the “Pillsbury Dough Boy”. The face shoulda given it away.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 3:07 pm
Are you related to the Calumet City water tower?

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 3:10 pm
I get confused all the time for a Pillsbury.

“Does my coat make me look…”

If Quinnocchio wouldn’t have taken my nose, you would have seen, clearly, I am more Frosty or Olaf, than a Pillsbury.

Better get on the treadmill…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 3:11 pm
OW…what’s your prediction for the season??

Comment by D.P.Gumby Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 3:12 pm
Cubs over/under 72 wins… I see the “number” there.

That’s 90 losses.

“Good seats still available…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 3:22 pm
Many Rickets
Very Willy
So Cubs

Comment by Cheswick Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 3:29 pm
–Not only do we have to read through dozens of OW comments on every thread,–

You can read? So it’s the reading comprehension that’s the issue…..

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 3:48 pm
As a Big White Sox fan……..whatever happens up North……

Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 4:11 pm
OW -

The Cubs AND the Illinois Republican Party? My aren’t you the optimistic one!

Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 4:33 pm
===I get confused all the time for a Pillsbury.

“Does my coat make me look…”

If Quinnocchio wouldn’t have taken my nose, you would have seen, clearly, I am more Frosty or Olaf, than a Pillsbury.

Better get on the treadmill…====

I said “Pillsbury’s Brother” the slighter of the two. Wouldn’t dare call you chubby dude. You’re a Cub fan, you’re sufferin’ enough. lol

Comment by A guy... Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 4:33 pm
- Roadbuilder - & - KGB -, good stuff there, plenty of good reads.

I have modeled for water towers, but that was when I was a child model too for Penny’s.

(Tips cap to - wordslinger - for having my 6)

- I B Strapped -, I would get bored rooting for champion teams over and over, or maybe not. I would like to know how I would feel…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 4:37 pm
===The Cubs AND the Illinois Republican Party? My aren’t you the optimistic one!===

You should see my NCAA Brackets…just saying.

- A Guy… -, pretty good “save” there, but I am using a snow scraper to get dust off the treadmill and a wet/dry vac to remove the dust. Not good.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 4:39 pm
“Now George Will–you come on OUT from hiding behind that silly, little Mask! You’re either a True Blue Cub Fan, or you’re NOT!”

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 7:15 pm
(P.S.–Oh, Willy, is that really YOU just tryin’ to preTEND you’re George Will?! Well, if not, must say you do have a nice smile, Young Man…)!!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, Apr 7, 14 @ 7:18 pm
Ugh, George Will on baseball. That aint writing, that’s typing.

That dude thought Brady Anderson was a legit home run king and Tony Larussa was Earl Weaver (turns out, it was all juice).

If you want a real poet, and you want real baseball, I give you Mr. John Fogerty.

Check out the shots in this video — makes it summer all over!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KQydlJ-qc

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 8, 14 @ 9:38 am
As an aside, my greatest baseball memory:

When I was about 12, my buddy Wags and I were hanging one hot summer Sunday afternoon at the Dairy Queen by the Kish on Lincoln Highway in DeKalb.

We’d been fishing at the lagoon on campus and had stopped off to freeze our brains with a Mister Mistee.

While we loitered in a booth there, a couple of old gents walked in for an ice cream cone, clearly coming straight from the golf course.

One of them was a giant — tall, thin, regal, decked out in the most elegant golf duds …

..,it was Joe Dimaggio.

Wags and I about plotzed.

Turned out Joe was in town to visit a friend, Sam Brody, who owned Brody Coats in Sycamore. As my very jealous brothers told me later, they’d played together in the Pacific Coast League before Joe went east to take possession of New York, baseball, and Marilyn Monroe.

Joe and Sam stood and enjoyed their cones, then Wags and I finally mustered the courage to approach them.

“Excuse me, mister, are you Joe Dimaggio?”

The giant looked down, smiled and said “yes.”

“Can we have your autograph?”

“Sure. I see your fishing poles. You boys catch anything?”

“No sir.”

“You like baseball? I used to play baseball, you know….”

Joe Dimaggio on a Sunday afternoon at the Dairy Queen in DeKalb. When you’re 12.

Can. You. Dig. It.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 8, 14 @ 10:09 am
One last thing on Dimaggio.

For his career: 361 home runs, 369 strikeouts.

A lifetime one-to-one ratio on taters to kays?

Adam Dunn, eat your heart out.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 8, 14 @ 10:46 am
““You like baseball? I used to play baseball, you know….”

He certainly did. And he married Marilyn Monroe too.

Comment by Billy Dennis Tuesday, Apr 8, 14 @ 1:25 pm