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Now available, Part II:

In the 50's and 60's, virtually every major league city had a radio play-by-play broadcaster who had his own distinct personality.

I KNOW that was true in Chicago---where we had the amazing good fortune to have, simply, the best baseball broadcaster who ever lived-- Jack Quinlan of WGN-Radio and the Chicago Cubs.

Don't even THINK about arguing with me, because there is, quite frankly, nothing you can say or do to change my mind.

You could bury me in the desert with just my head sticking out of the sand; you could pour honey over my face; you could let the ants picnic on my eyeballs and ear wax, and I would STILL not budge an iota.

Kids in Chicagoland had Jack Quinlan---and, wherever else you were in the country, you missed out. Na, na, na, na, na to you!!!

Of course, I am prejudiced. Admittedly.

Just as you would be if you spent your formative years listening to Harry Caray and Jack Buck over the vast KMOX-Radio network; Ernie Harwell and George Kell over WJR in Detroit; By Saam in Philadelphia; Chuck Thompson with the Orioles; etc., etc.

Still, I feel that many thousands of us aging Chicagoland baby boomers trying to suck in our guts and deciding yes or no on botox treatments---would to our dying day--- say one thing absolutely, positively---Jack Quinlan was the best-- period and end of story.

Here was a guy who not only was 'born to the mike' but also born to broad- cast Chicago Cubs' baseball.

His immense talent I've always thought was just a ruse for a guy who was still a kid at heart.

In listening to him, every day we thought we had the run of the toy store. We got gift after gift for FREE, because Jack Quinlan just kept wrapping them up in a pretty package---and delivering them to us over WGN-Radio.

And, what was MOST amazing was that he managed to provide us so much enjoyment broadcasting for a team that lost millions of games.

I mean it---many is the time a ONE game winning streak was a feat of epic proportions; after all, Ernie Banks, Ron Santo and Billy Williams couldn't play EVERY position.

In doing the research for "Jack Quinlan/Forgotten Greatness", I was overwhelmed at the number of people who, remembering him, decades after his death, flat out said: "He was the greatest who ever lived.."

A good friend of mine whose name is instantaneously recognizable among sports broadcasters worldwide listened to the first couple chapters of the audio book in its formative stages.

Being from the East Coast, he remembered the name Jack Quinlan, but said to me: ".White Sox announcer, wasn't he??"

After gently excoriating him, I asked him to review the first couple chapters of the book or else I'd publicize his blatant lack of sports knowledge to the world.

One day, a couple weeks later, he called me and said:
".Barber???"
I immediately thought: "Oh, oh, I'm going to hear it now!!"
I said: ".Yesssss???."

And, he responded: "I just wanted to tell you I've listened to the demo you dropped off of the Quinlan book. And, I've gotta tell you---this guy was one of the best I've ever heard. Fantastic.

I'll tell you right now, he's better than at least half the guys who are already in the (Baseball Broadcasters') Hall of Fame."

Not a bad recommendation coming from my old KMOX-Radio broadcast mate---Bob Costas.

Earlier this ('05) summer, I asked another former KMOX-Radio colleague, Charlie Slowes, now the Washington Nats' play-by-play broadcaster, to give me his take on the book.

I wish I'd saved the e-mail he sent me a few weeks later in which he said he had 'tears in his eyes' and 'chills running up and down his spine' listening to it.

Honestly, I had tears in my eyes MANY times during the production of "Jack Quinlan/Forgotten Greatness".

Tears when I remembered Jack broadcasting late one night from Los Angeles, saying: "Well, WE arrived out here, but my luggage didn't. I'm wearing Hubbs' shirt.Banks' pants..and Santo's shorts here tonight."

Tears when I heard Jack Brickhouse broadcast the news of Jack Quinlan's death one Saturday morning in March, 1965.

Tears when I first heard Jack Quinlan's voice again after nearly 40 years.

Yes, I'm an aging hero-worshipper and proud of it.

And, if you want to know why, then I invite you to listen to "Jack Quinlan/Forgotten Greatness".

I believe that, if you're a real baseball fan, you'll have a lot of fun taking this trip.

And, my guess is, if you remember hula hoops, Trix, Little Lulu, P.F. Flyers, MAD magazine, Kookie Byrnes, Fabian, and flat top haircuts, Maverick, and 77 Sunset Strip---you'll be shedding a tear or two during the voyage.

We've made ordering the book as convenient as possible online.

However, if you're concerned your credit card may be used to finance the overthrow of Lesotho or to assist Maine seceding from the union, you can also contact us toll free, send check or money order, FAX, etc.

I am extremely pleased to add that all profits after expenses on the sale of "Jack Quinlan/Forgotten Greatness" will go to Mrs. Quinlan's preferred charities:
-Boys and Girls Clubs
and
-the Chicago Food Depository

Sincerely,
Ron Barber
(a lifelong Cubs' fan stuck in) St. Louis
P.O. 6798
Brentwood Station
St. Louis, Missouri 63144