Bleacher Bums

Bleacher Bums is a 1977 play written collaboratively by members of Chicago's Organic Theater Company, from an idea by actor Joe Mantegna. Its original Chicago production was directed by Stuart Gordon. A 1979 performance of the play was taped for PBS television, and in 2002 a made-for-TV movie adaptation was produced.

Plot

Bleacher Bums takes place in the bleachers of Chicago's Wrigley Field. The characters are a bunch of Chicago Cubs fans, watching a game in progress on a summer afternoon. Most of them have been gathering here for some time and know each other; even if they might not necessarily like or tolerate each other. Beer is being drunk, hot dogs are being eaten, and friendly wagers start to take on increasing importance.

   The Original Left Field Bleacher Bums was started in the summer of 1967. The very first Bleacher Bum was Ron Grousl. Ron was unemployed at the time but was still able to some how come up with the one dollar to go and sit in the bleachers. Ron was truly a very memorable character. 
  During that year Howard Herbon also known at the time as Big Daddy made a sign out of a old bedsheet. He spray painted on the white sheet the words HIT THE BLEACHER BUM. In the middle of the large bedsheet was a hole, which was cut out and sewn by his wife Doris Herbon. Doris was also known by the nickname MaBarker. 
  During a game that summer the bedsheet made its first appearance with Ron Grousl sticking his head thru it. A photographer captured this moment and it was shown in the sports page of the Chicago SunTimes. The name Bleacher Bums instantly took off after this photo. The magazine Sports Illustrated also mentioned this group. 
  During the course of the next few years. These loyal Cub fans would gather together in the left field bleachers. They became known as the Original Left Field Bleacher Bums. The group would meet up before the games in a local watering hole behind the centerfield scorboard. The name of this tavern was called Ray's Bleachers. Many times after a game a Cub players such as Ferguson Jenkins, Willie Smith or Dick Selma would stop in and have a cold beer with the Bleacher Bums. 
   The Original Left Field Bleacher Bums also went on a road trip to Atlanta in the summer of 1969. This road trip was completely paid for by the then owner of the Cubs Phillip K. Wrigley. During this road trip the Bums made their presence known from their perch in the Fulton County Stadium's left field bleacher area. The Cubs would sweep all three of these games. During the game on Saturday the Bleacher Bums really made their presense known. After Chief Knock-A-Homa did his war dance on the mound. He sprinted towards his teepee behind the left field fence. Cubs relief pitcher Hank Aguirre "accidently" left the bullpen gate ajar. Out sprang Ron Grousl in a rented furry Bear costume. Both he and the Chief came to blows near the shortstop position. The Fulton County Stadium crowd thought this was some weird pregame fun. Stadium security soon caught on and Grousl was escorted off the field. 
    Later during this game the Bleacher Bums started to try and pull down Chief Knock-A-Homa's teepee. They had smuggled in a long rope and they tried to lasso the top of the teepee. Security again stepped in and took away the Bums rope. Later during this game one of the Bums fell 20 feet from the stands. The game was held up briefly while an ambulance took the Bum away to a hospital emergency room. He was later released with just minor injuries. 
   During home games at Wrigley Field they were known for other various bedsheet signs, organized cheers, Mike Murphy's bugle calls, battery operated megaphone, stuffed mannequins, predictions from "The Swami" and even plastic bows and arrows.
   This group also started the now long standing tradition of throwing back a visiting teams home run balls back onto the field. There is still some debate on who actually threw back the first ball. Some say it was Grousl others say it was their Vice President Mike Haley. 
   These diehard Cub fans also went to other cities to root on their Cubs. Some cities were St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. They also made yearly spring training visits to Arizona. 

Cast

Joe Mantegna and Dennis Franz starred in the original production; other cast members over the years have included Dennis Farina, Gary Sandy, and George Wendt. The 2002 TV movie version starred Brad Garrett, Wayne Knight, and Hal Sparks. Due to licensing issues with Major League Baseball, the name of the team was changed from the Chicago Cubs to the Chicago Bruins, and Wrigley Field was renamed.

External links

• Bleacher Bums (1979) at IMDb
• Bleacher Bums (2002) at IMDb
• 1984 Re-airing of the 1979 WTTW Production at The Museum of Classic Chicago Television (www.FuzzyMemories.TV)
• Play's success still amazes Mantegna
• Bleacher Bums book listing, ISBN 978-0-573-60576-5.