The rival Redbirds are about to sign 74 year old second sacker Robbie Alomar. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch Alomar and the Genius Tony LaRussa have been in contact. Alomar was a great player back in the day. But his career has been declining the past three years. The Genius loves reclamation projects and that is what Alomar is at this point in his career.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Cubs settle a sexual discrimination lawsuit with scout
Tribune Corp has settled a sexual discrimination suit with Jennie D. Patton a Montgomery, Alabama woman who was a part time scout with the Cubs from '94 -- '02. This article from the Montgomery Advertiser will detail the whole situation.
The final paragraphs are very interesting:
I am not going to comment on the firing, I don't know Ms. Patton nor do I know anything about her job peformance.
I'd like to comment on Mr. Douglass' remarks. It does not surprise me that a the Cubs or any MLB team is run by a good ole boy mentality. I am surprised that a tight buttoned corporation like the Tribune is not more careful watching the good ole boys operate their baseball team. What have the "rules of solidarity, discrimination, elimination and exclusion" ever done for the Cubs? These rules have won the Cubs countless pennants and world series banners. After 96 years of futility maybe the Cubs should rethink their good ole boy mentality and the rules that come with that mentality.
Funny how no Chicago paper reported this story. The heads up on this article came from Cubs for Breakfast. Thanks.
The final paragraphs are very interesting:
Preston Douglas, an experienced scout who gave a deposition in the case, said of the Cubs, "One thing I can say very strongly about the Chicago Cubs organization is that it exemplified them, and still exemplifies, as does most of professional baseball, a good 'ole' boy fraternal attitude and practices, with its rules of solidarity, discrimination, elimination and exclusion."
"As early as 1995, I heard discussions and statements within the Cubs organization that Ms. Patton would never be a full-time scout because she was a woman," Douglas said in the deposition.
I am not going to comment on the firing, I don't know Ms. Patton nor do I know anything about her job peformance.
I'd like to comment on Mr. Douglass' remarks. It does not surprise me that a the Cubs or any MLB team is run by a good ole boy mentality. I am surprised that a tight buttoned corporation like the Tribune is not more careful watching the good ole boys operate their baseball team. What have the "rules of solidarity, discrimination, elimination and exclusion" ever done for the Cubs? These rules have won the Cubs countless pennants and world series banners. After 96 years of futility maybe the Cubs should rethink their good ole boy mentality and the rules that come with that mentality.
Funny how no Chicago paper reported this story. The heads up on this article came from Cubs for Breakfast. Thanks.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
The Steve Christmas Game Boxscore
Merry Christmas Cub fans. Below is the "Christmas Game". Steve Christmas was a backup catcher with the Reds, Sox & Cubs. He only got a cup of coffee with the Cubs in '86. On April 27, 1986 it was a white Christmas in Wrigleyville!
Chicago Cubs 12, Montreal Expos 10
DayGame Played on Sunday, April 27, 1986 (D) at Wrigley Field
MON N 1 0 0 0 0 5 3 0 1 - 10 12 0
CHI N 0 0 0 4 1 2 0 5 x - 12 14 0
BATTING
Montreal Expos AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Raines lf 4 2 1 1 1 0 2 0
Webster cf 5 3 3 0 0 0 0 0
Dawson rf 3 1 1 0 2 1 3 1
Brooks ss 5 2 2 4 0 1 2 1
Wallach 3b 4 0 0 1 1 0 3 1
Galarraga 1b 4 1 2 1 0 0 6 0
Law 2b 4 1 3 2 0 1 2 2
Fitzgerald c 4 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
McGaffigan p 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 1
Schatzeder p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Thompson ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Reardon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Riley p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 37 10 12 9 4 5 24 6
FIELDING -
DP: 1.
BATTING -
2B: Law 2 (4,off Trout,off Ruthven); Brooks (6,off Trout); Dawson (3,off Baller).
HR: Raines (2,1st inning off Trout 0 on, 0 out); Law (1,6th inning off Trout
1 on, 2 out); Brooks (4,7th inning off Ruthven 2 on, 2 out).
Chicago Cubs AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Dernier cf 4 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
Christmas ph 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0
Hoffman pr 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Baller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bosley lf 4 0 1 1 0 0 3 0
Dunston ph,ss 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
Sandberg 2b 5 1 1 0 0 0 2 4
Moreland rf 3 0 0 0 2 1 0 0
Durham 1b 4 1 1 1 1 1 10 0
Cey 3b 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2
Trillo 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
J. Davis c 4 3 3 5 0 1 6 0
Speier ss 3 1 2 2 1 1 1 3
Lopes pr,lf 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Trout p 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 1
Ruthven p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Fontenot p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mumphrey ph,cf 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
Totals 36 12 14 12 4 6 27 10
FIELDING -
DP: 2.
PB: J. Davis (3).
BATTING -
2B: Sandberg (4,off McGaffigan); Trout (1,off McGaffigan); Bosley (1,off Schatzeder);
Christmas (1,off Reardon); Dunston (5,off Riley).
HR: J. Davis 2 (2,4th inning off McGaffigan 3 on, 2 out,8th inning off Reardon
0 on, 1 out); Speier (1,6th inning off Schatzeder 1 on, 1 out).
HBP: Cey (1,by McGaffigan).
IBB: Moreland 2 (2,by Schatzeder,by Riley).
PITCHING
Montreal Expos IP H HR R ER BB K
McGaffigan 4 4 1 5 5 2 5
Schatzeder 3 4 1 2 2 1 1
Reardon L(2-2) 0.1 4 1 4 4 0 0
Riley 0.2 2 0 1 1 1 0
Totals 8.0 14 3 12 12 4 6
Chicago Cubs IP H HR R ER BB K
Trout 5.2 7 2 6 6 3 4
Ruthven 2 3 1 3 3 1 0
Fontenot W(1-0) 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Baller SV(2) 1 2 0 1 0 0 1
Totals 9 12 3 10 9 4 5
HBP: McGaffigan (1,Cey).
IBB: Schatzeder (2,Moreland); Riley (3,Moreland).
Umpires: Bob Engel, Jim Quick, Paul Runge, Dave Pallone
Time of Game: 3:01 Attendance: 30825
8th Inning Recap:
CUBS 8TH: REARDON REPLACED THOMPSON (PITCHING); Trillo made an
out to third; J. Davis homered; Speier singled to center; LOPES
RAN FOR SPEIER; MUMPHREY BATTED FOR FONTENOT; Mumphrey singled
to right [Lopes to third]; CHRISTMAS BATTED FOR DERNIER;
Christmas doubled to right [Lopes scored, Mumphrey scored];
HOFFMAN RAN FOR CHRISTMAS; DUNSTON BATTED FOR BOSLEY; RILEY
REPLACED REARDON (PITCHING); Dunston doubled to left [Hoffman
scored]; Sandberg grounded out (third to first); Moreland was
walked intentionally; Durham singled to right [Dunston scored,
Moreland out at third (right to third)]; 5 R, 6 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.
Expos 9, Cubs 12.
Chicago Cubs 12, Montreal Expos 10
DayGame Played on Sunday, April 27, 1986 (D) at Wrigley Field
MON N 1 0 0 0 0 5 3 0 1 - 10 12 0
CHI N 0 0 0 4 1 2 0 5 x - 12 14 0
BATTING
Montreal Expos AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Raines lf 4 2 1 1 1 0 2 0
Webster cf 5 3 3 0 0 0 0 0
Dawson rf 3 1 1 0 2 1 3 1
Brooks ss 5 2 2 4 0 1 2 1
Wallach 3b 4 0 0 1 1 0 3 1
Galarraga 1b 4 1 2 1 0 0 6 0
Law 2b 4 1 3 2 0 1 2 2
Fitzgerald c 4 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
McGaffigan p 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 1
Schatzeder p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Thompson ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Reardon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Riley p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 37 10 12 9 4 5 24 6
FIELDING -
DP: 1.
BATTING -
2B: Law 2 (4,off Trout,off Ruthven); Brooks (6,off Trout); Dawson (3,off Baller).
HR: Raines (2,1st inning off Trout 0 on, 0 out); Law (1,6th inning off Trout
1 on, 2 out); Brooks (4,7th inning off Ruthven 2 on, 2 out).
Chicago Cubs AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Dernier cf 4 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
Christmas ph 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0
Hoffman pr 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Baller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bosley lf 4 0 1 1 0 0 3 0
Dunston ph,ss 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
Sandberg 2b 5 1 1 0 0 0 2 4
Moreland rf 3 0 0 0 2 1 0 0
Durham 1b 4 1 1 1 1 1 10 0
Cey 3b 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2
Trillo 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
J. Davis c 4 3 3 5 0 1 6 0
Speier ss 3 1 2 2 1 1 1 3
Lopes pr,lf 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Trout p 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 1
Ruthven p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Fontenot p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mumphrey ph,cf 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
Totals 36 12 14 12 4 6 27 10
FIELDING -
DP: 2.
PB: J. Davis (3).
BATTING -
2B: Sandberg (4,off McGaffigan); Trout (1,off McGaffigan); Bosley (1,off Schatzeder);
Christmas (1,off Reardon); Dunston (5,off Riley).
HR: J. Davis 2 (2,4th inning off McGaffigan 3 on, 2 out,8th inning off Reardon
0 on, 1 out); Speier (1,6th inning off Schatzeder 1 on, 1 out).
HBP: Cey (1,by McGaffigan).
IBB: Moreland 2 (2,by Schatzeder,by Riley).
PITCHING
Montreal Expos IP H HR R ER BB K
McGaffigan 4 4 1 5 5 2 5
Schatzeder 3 4 1 2 2 1 1
Reardon L(2-2) 0.1 4 1 4 4 0 0
Riley 0.2 2 0 1 1 1 0
Totals 8.0 14 3 12 12 4 6
Chicago Cubs IP H HR R ER BB K
Trout 5.2 7 2 6 6 3 4
Ruthven 2 3 1 3 3 1 0
Fontenot W(1-0) 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Baller SV(2) 1 2 0 1 0 0 1
Totals 9 12 3 10 9 4 5
HBP: McGaffigan (1,Cey).
IBB: Schatzeder (2,Moreland); Riley (3,Moreland).
Umpires: Bob Engel, Jim Quick, Paul Runge, Dave Pallone
Time of Game: 3:01 Attendance: 30825
8th Inning Recap:
CUBS 8TH: REARDON REPLACED THOMPSON (PITCHING); Trillo made an
out to third; J. Davis homered; Speier singled to center; LOPES
RAN FOR SPEIER; MUMPHREY BATTED FOR FONTENOT; Mumphrey singled
to right [Lopes to third]; CHRISTMAS BATTED FOR DERNIER;
Christmas doubled to right [Lopes scored, Mumphrey scored];
HOFFMAN RAN FOR CHRISTMAS; DUNSTON BATTED FOR BOSLEY; RILEY
REPLACED REARDON (PITCHING); Dunston doubled to left [Hoffman
scored]; Sandberg grounded out (third to first); Moreland was
walked intentionally; Durham singled to right [Dunston scored,
Moreland out at third (right to third)]; 5 R, 6 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.
Expos 9, Cubs 12.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Cubs want the nets to be permanent; building commission's response: nope
My stance on the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field is pretty simple. The most important thing to me, as a Cub fan, is to see the Chicago Cubs win a World Series before I leave this earth. For years I have advocated that the Cubs use Wrigley Field to create additional revenues and most importantly invest these back in to the team. In recent years the Cubs have began to take advantage Wrigley Field. Advertising, bleacher expansion, rooftop deals, concerts, sponsorships, and other revenue streams have become an important part of the organization. Creating these new revenue streams is great and hopefully will bring the Cubs the championship we all dream of. The problem is the Cubs can not overlook the problems that come with playing in a 90 year old ballpark.
Tuesday's Sun-Times reported Wiss Janney Elstner filed a report, on behalf of the Cubs, suggesting that the nets be left up to catch falling concrete from the upper deck. In Wednesday's Sun-Times the City says the nets are not a long term solution. For the first time in many years, I'm gonna side with Mayor Daley and his merry band of thieves. The Cubs have got to give the City and the fans a better answer than "the ballpark's old we'll keep the nets up to protect you". They have to provide a solution to this problem.
If the lower deck at Wrigley Fd. is not safe, the Cubs have got to solve this problem before any bleacher expansion or Jimmy Buffet concert. Wrigley Field is showing it's age. Leaving up nets for the 2005 season and beyond does not solve any problems. It just delays the inevitable. Boys and girls this ballpark is crumbling literally.
The Tribsters have three choices:
Tuesday's Sun-Times reported Wiss Janney Elstner filed a report, on behalf of the Cubs, suggesting that the nets be left up to catch falling concrete from the upper deck. In Wednesday's Sun-Times the City says the nets are not a long term solution. For the first time in many years, I'm gonna side with Mayor Daley and his merry band of thieves. The Cubs have got to give the City and the fans a better answer than "the ballpark's old we'll keep the nets up to protect you". They have to provide a solution to this problem.
If the lower deck at Wrigley Fd. is not safe, the Cubs have got to solve this problem before any bleacher expansion or Jimmy Buffet concert. Wrigley Field is showing it's age. Leaving up nets for the 2005 season and beyond does not solve any problems. It just delays the inevitable. Boys and girls this ballpark is crumbling literally.
The Tribsters have three choices:
- Let Wrigley Field fall apart and demand that the State/City/or suburb build them a new park. (the White Sox and Brewers used this plan)
- Fix the problem--if possible.
- Rebuild the grandstand and upper deck at Clark and Addison.
When this all began last year Kaderbek said that netting would be a short term solution. He did not want to see nets in place for Opening Day 2005. Maybe it was unrealistic for the Cubs to get the needed survey and estimate on the work that had to be done. I would not have come back to the city with a proposal that said everything is fine and dandy. Falling concrete and ice from buildings kill people every year downtown. This situation has got to be taken seriously by City Hall.
Before the Tribsters move ahead with any of the plans to add revenue, they should tell us what they are going to do about the falling concrete. Nets that are more appealing to the eye are not a solution.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Classic 1060west: A Christmas Carol
HAPPY HOLIDAY's
Below is a Holiday episode of 1060west. This was written following the 2000 season when the Cubs were pursuing Mike Hampton and Mark Grace was heading to the desert to sign with the D-backs.
---------------------
X-mas Eve night. MacFail sits in his office at 1060 West Addison looking at the waiver wires. A loud Booom in background. MacFail leans over and sips his Starbucks. A loud boom again. MacFail gets up and walks over to the window. There stands a drunk Mark Grace and Brian McRae throwing snowballs at MacFail's window. MacFail opens the windows.
MACFAIL: Would you boys stop it. I'm trying to work.
GRACIE: (can barely stand) C'mon Andy come down to Toons with us for some holiday cheer.
MACFAIL: I don't have time for Holiday Cheer. I must rebuild this mess we call a baseball team.
GRACIE & B-MAC: (together) C'mon Andy! It's Christmas.
MACFAIL: (yelling) I don't have time.
Suddenly a snowball hits MacFail in the face and onto the scene runs a drunk Jamie Navarro.
NAVARRO: Merry X-Mas everyone. Hey Gracie where are we going?
GRACIE: We're going to Toons man, but Andy won't come.
MACFAIL: I have to get back to work. (slamming the window shut.)
MacFail takes a big swig of Starbucks and walks back to his chair.
MACFAIL: (too himself) Christmas, who the hell has time for Christmas...I'm trying to build a baseball team! (MacFail drifts off into sleep...)
SCENE 2:
McFail sleeping in his chair dead to the world. In the background, the loud boom starts again. This time, the sound grows louder and louder as if it's coming from the other side of the office door
BOOM!
McFail: What the...
BOOM!
McFail: Gracie, that's it. I'm trading you to San Francisco for Bill Mueller!!!
Voice on other side of the door: Yooou Caan't trade him, he's a free agent.
McFail:(to himself) He is? (to the door) Who's there?
Voice: Aaaannndy, we used to go to my restaurant and do the word jumble. Then I'd spell it backwards
McFail: Harry? (Door swings open)
Harry: Aaandy, you can't limit Budweiser sales to two per person. Yooou know that I'm a Cub fan and a Bud man.
McFail: Harry, I didn't think I'd ever be visited by your ghost. (to himself) Actually I figured it would be Brick haunting me for that stupid tribute to him on the foul poles.
Harry: Andy, I'mm here to tell you that because you've continued the mediocrity of the Cubs, you'll be visited by three spirits. Oh yeah, let me tell you, spirits. I remember when I used to go to Jilly's for sweeet, sweet, cocktails. And Stony would go for the sweet, sweet busboys. Oh boy, there was...
McFail: Harry!?
Harry: Sorry Andy, like I said before you'll be visited by three spirits tonight, the first at midnight. Andy, did you really bring in Ricky Guterrez?
McFail: Yes Harry
Harry: I could never say that name. Remember Aaandy, midnight. Three spirits. Oh spirits. I'm off to haunt Jilly's, bye Andy. (door closes)
SCENE 3:
Midnight. The clock begins to sound off. McFail is dozing in his chair and a dim light can be seen from underneath the door. The light grows brighter and noises outside the door grow louder. McFail suddenly wakes up.
McFail: Who’s out there? (to himself) I must have been dreaming. That was the strangest though, Harry talking about going to Jilly’s and doing the Jumble. Who would have thought.
(Noise growing louder and the light now starting to fill the entire room)
McFail: I bet its Grace and Navarro again with a spotlight. (yelling) Laugh it up guys, especially you Gracie, when I don’t offer you salary arbitration. And Navarro, I’ll have you black balled from the league during winter meetings. You won’t even be able to get a job cleaning jockstraps.
(The noise stops and the light disappears. McFail rises from his chair and goes to the door. He opens it a crack and sees an object traveling fast toward his head. He pushes the door shut and ducks as a baseball goes through. Laughter can be heard in the distance)
McFail: Gracie! Navarro! That’s it!!
Voices: SILENCE YOU IDIOT!!!
McFail: Who are you? Ben Christensen? I told you we’d clear that matter up.
Voices: YOU HAVE RUINED OUR LEGACY AND NOW YOU WILL PAY!!!
McFail: (whining) Who are you? Please tell me. I’m sorry.
Voices: We’re the 1908 World Series Champions
(The room begins to fog and McFail is transported to October 14, 1908 in Detroit. The Cub players have swarmed the mound and are congratulating each other.)
Voices: Look at the scoreboard. What does it say?
McFail: Cubs 2 Tigers 0
Voices: When was the last time the Cubs played an American League team with that result?
McFail: Well, last year. We beat the Royals 2-1 in July.
Voices: (confused) Who are the Royals?
McFail: The Kansas City Royals.
Voices: There’s a baseball team in Kansas City? And you play them in July?
McFail: Oh yeah, we play between the leagues during the regular season. There’s even baseball in Florida and Minnesota
Voices (even more confused): Minnesota???
McFail: Oh yes. I won a World Series there. You know I’m a third generation baseball czar.
Voices: (to themselves) Let’s get the hell out of here. This guy’s hopeless. (to McFail) Is there anywhere we can drop you? We’re going back.
McFail: Take me back to the office. I need to see if I can trade Joe Girardi for Mark Wohlers.
SCENE 4:
MacFail is back in his office looking at thewaiver wire. Suddenly there’s a light tap on the door.Macfail ignores. Again a light tap on the door.
MACFAIL: (scared) Jim is that you? Again there is a tap on the door.
MACFAIL: (upset) C’mon Hendry get in here.
The door swings open and suddenly there’s a young ladystanding in the doorway that looks like CindySandberg, corn-cob dress and all.
MACFAIL: Wait a minute I’ve heard about you. Keep in mind I’m a happily married man.
CINDY SANDBERG: I’m not here for that. I could go to any bar in Wrigleyville and find a better prospect than you.
MACFAIL: I’ll have you know…
CINDY: Silence Andy! I’m not here for that. I’m gonna show you what everyone’s doing this X-mas Eve.
MACFAIL: What are you talking about. I don’t have time. Mickey Morandini might clear waivers any minute now.
CINDY: (Lifting her skirt to show some leg) C’mon Andy follow me.
MACFAIL: Okay.
They walked through the door and they are on a golfcourse in Arizona.
MACFAIL: Where are we?
Suddenly to the right is Ed Lynch & Ken Kravec playing golf and laughing.
LYNCH: Ahhh Kenny it’s days like today when I miss Chicago!
KRAVEC: Yeah and the 18 inches of snow.
MACFAIL: It’s Eddie and Kenny why the hell aren’t they scouting players?
CINDY: What do you think they do with most of the time out here.
MACFAIL: (pissed) Kenny, I’d expect this from you but Ed…
CINDY: (Interrupting) It’s pointless they can’t hear you.
LYNCH: (to Kravec) Whatta ya’ think Andy’s up to now?
KRAVEC: I’m sure he’s looking for a utility infielder…
LYNCH: I wonder who’s making his coffee?
MACFAIL: Alright! Ed…
CINDY: (interrupting again) Time to move on.
Cindy leads Macfail into a bathroom on the course…
MACFAIL: Cindy I told you I’m a married man.
Suddenly they find themselves at Toons inWrigleyville. It is a smokey & crowded bar night and we see the three ex-Cubs at the bar drinking cocktails. McRae & Navarro have big Cigars and Gracie’s smoking a cigarette.
NAVARRO: Hey, Gracie I bet you’re glad to be outta here.
GRACIE: Well Jamie I’ll miss the fans but the management of this team… Well you guys know it will never… (glancing around at a table of young ladies)Man check out the talent over at that table.
MC RAE: Damn Gracie, that’s some good stuff. You still got the eye.
MACFAIL: (Yelling) What Grace? Management will neverwhat? (Pissed) I didn’t see you picking this team…
CINDY: Andy they can’t hear you.
MACFAIL: Why are they complaining about me?
CINDY: I don’t know. Do you wanna go?
MACFAIL: (excited) I told you. I’m married.
CINDY: (frustrated) Alright. A puff of smoke permeates throughout the bar. When the smoke clears MacFail is all alone in his office.
SCENE 5:
McFail sits in his office sleeping fitfully on his desk when the door bursts open. The clock is ringing 2AM. Two hooded figures walk into the office...
McFail: Whose there? (The figures walk forward. One turns to the other and mumbles something unintelligible.)
McFail: Are you the ghost of Cubs future? I thought there was only one of you?
(Suddenly the ghosts pull back their hood the reveal Hee Seop Choi and his interpreter)
McFail: Hee Seop, what are you doing here?
Hee Seop: (speaks Korean the interpreter)
Interpreter: I am here to show you the Cubs in the future if you don't change the error of your ways. Let us go.
(The room suddenly gets foggy and the trio is transported to a broadcast booth in an unfamiliar stadium. The broadcaster speaks..)
Broadcaster: Welcome to Opening Day 2015 at Beautiful Harry Caray Tribune Park on the lovely Chicago River. I'm Chip Caray, and this is my partner in the booth Mark Grace.
Gracie: Chip, how's it going today? It's a beautiful day for baseball.
Chip: It certainly is Gracie. Let's look at the starting pitching today as the Cubs face the four-time defending World Champion Colorado Rockies. The Cubs will be facing their long time nemisis Rueben "the Tornado" Quevedo against Kevin Tapani. You gotta love the way Taps held up after 17 major reconstructive arm surgeries...
McFail: Rueben Quevedo? How did he get traded to Colorado?
Hee Seop: (Speaks in Korean)
Interpreter: You traded him. For a power hitting third baseman.
McFail: So what happened?
Hee Seop: (Speaks in Korean)
Interpreter: He became the second ex-Cub to win four Cy Young awards. And the first to win four World Series.
McFail: But the Cubs had to have gotten better, right? I mean we're finally in a new stadium.
Hee Seop: (Speaks in Korean)
Interpreter: Just listen and you'll see.
Chip: Well, the Cubs gave it all they had, but they have fallen short in the home opener to the defending champs 11-2. What's your take on the game Gracie?
Grace: They suck. I'm going to Porcaro's Steak house for a beer. Coming?
McFail: How could this happen to my beloved team? How?
Interpreter: Because of your arrogance the team overpaid on bad free agents forcing the Tribune to abandon Wrigley and build a new stadium. The new stadium didn't bring in the expected crowds and you were fired a year later.
McFail: Well what happened to me?
(The room fogs up again and we find ourselves at a minor league game in Butscratch, Mississippi)
McFail: Nooooo!!!! It can't be.
(An old McFail walks with a cup opf coffee to a man whose back is to him)
Old McFail: Coffee sir?
(Man turns around. Its Ed Lynch)
Ed: Good job Andy, you sure make a good cup of joe.
(McFail slumps down crying)
McFail: It can’t be true, it can’t be true…
SCENE 6:
McFail is mumbling to himself back in his office at his desk…
McFail: It can’t be true. It can’t be true. (wakes up) My god, what the hell happened? That was the strangest night I’ve had since I got rid of Terry Mullholland and Jose Hernandez for Micah Bowie and Ruben …
(rushes to the window and flings it open. Scanning below, he sees someone approaching wearing a Cubs uniform)
McFail: (to the figure) Hey, you down there what day is it?
Figure Below: Christmas, woo. Day, woo. Christmas, woo. Day, woo. (continues on)
McFail: Ronnie Woo! (to himself) I’m not too late, I can change the future. (to Ronnie) Ronnie, go to the Jewel and grab the biggest case of Old Style you can find.
Ronnie: Old Style, woo. Never pay, woo. Wax cups, woo.
McFail: Yes, wax cups Ronnie. Get that case, and some Vienna Beef hotdogs. We need to get these to Mike Hampton to show him we’re really interested in signing him.
Ronnie: Too late, woo. Signed, woo. Colorado, woo.
McFail: Well, it’s back to the waiver wire. I can’t let this team build a new stadium.
THE END!
-------------------------
Merry Christmas Cub fans! Here's hoping 2005 is the "Next Year" we have been waiting our lifetimes for.
Below is a Holiday episode of 1060west. This was written following the 2000 season when the Cubs were pursuing Mike Hampton and Mark Grace was heading to the desert to sign with the D-backs.
---------------------
Christmas Carol Episode
of 1060 West
Cast of Characters:
Ebenezer Scrooge - Andy McFail
Marley’s Ghost – Harry Carray
Bob Crachit - Ed Lynch
Tiny Tim - Chip Carray
Ghost(s) of Christmas Past - 1908 Cubs
Ghost(s)of Christmas Present - Cindy Sandberg
Ghost of Christmas Future - Hee Seop Choi
Scrooge's Nephew - Mark Grace
SCENE 1:
Cast of Characters:
Ebenezer Scrooge - Andy McFail
Marley’s Ghost – Harry Carray
Bob Crachit - Ed Lynch
Tiny Tim - Chip Carray
Ghost(s) of Christmas Past - 1908 Cubs
Ghost(s)of Christmas Present - Cindy Sandberg
Ghost of Christmas Future - Hee Seop Choi
Scrooge's Nephew - Mark Grace
X-mas Eve night. MacFail sits in his office at 1060 West Addison looking at the waiver wires. A loud Booom in background. MacFail leans over and sips his Starbucks. A loud boom again. MacFail gets up and walks over to the window. There stands a drunk Mark Grace and Brian McRae throwing snowballs at MacFail's window. MacFail opens the windows.
MACFAIL: Would you boys stop it. I'm trying to work.
GRACIE: (can barely stand) C'mon Andy come down to Toons with us for some holiday cheer.
MACFAIL: I don't have time for Holiday Cheer. I must rebuild this mess we call a baseball team.
GRACIE & B-MAC: (together) C'mon Andy! It's Christmas.
MACFAIL: (yelling) I don't have time.
Suddenly a snowball hits MacFail in the face and onto the scene runs a drunk Jamie Navarro.
NAVARRO: Merry X-Mas everyone. Hey Gracie where are we going?
GRACIE: We're going to Toons man, but Andy won't come.
MACFAIL: I have to get back to work. (slamming the window shut.)
MacFail takes a big swig of Starbucks and walks back to his chair.
MACFAIL: (too himself) Christmas, who the hell has time for Christmas...I'm trying to build a baseball team! (MacFail drifts off into sleep...)
SCENE 2:
McFail sleeping in his chair dead to the world. In the background, the loud boom starts again. This time, the sound grows louder and louder as if it's coming from the other side of the office door
BOOM!
McFail: What the...
BOOM!
McFail: Gracie, that's it. I'm trading you to San Francisco for Bill Mueller!!!
Voice on other side of the door: Yooou Caan't trade him, he's a free agent.
McFail:(to himself) He is? (to the door) Who's there?
Voice: Aaaannndy, we used to go to my restaurant and do the word jumble. Then I'd spell it backwards
McFail: Harry? (Door swings open)
Harry: Aaandy, you can't limit Budweiser sales to two per person. Yooou know that I'm a Cub fan and a Bud man.
McFail: Harry, I didn't think I'd ever be visited by your ghost. (to himself) Actually I figured it would be Brick haunting me for that stupid tribute to him on the foul poles.
Harry: Andy, I'mm here to tell you that because you've continued the mediocrity of the Cubs, you'll be visited by three spirits. Oh yeah, let me tell you, spirits. I remember when I used to go to Jilly's for sweeet, sweet, cocktails. And Stony would go for the sweet, sweet busboys. Oh boy, there was...
McFail: Harry!?
Harry: Sorry Andy, like I said before you'll be visited by three spirits tonight, the first at midnight. Andy, did you really bring in Ricky Guterrez?
McFail: Yes Harry
Harry: I could never say that name. Remember Aaandy, midnight. Three spirits. Oh spirits. I'm off to haunt Jilly's, bye Andy. (door closes)
SCENE 3:
Midnight. The clock begins to sound off. McFail is dozing in his chair and a dim light can be seen from underneath the door. The light grows brighter and noises outside the door grow louder. McFail suddenly wakes up.
McFail: Who’s out there? (to himself) I must have been dreaming. That was the strangest though, Harry talking about going to Jilly’s and doing the Jumble. Who would have thought.
(Noise growing louder and the light now starting to fill the entire room)
McFail: I bet its Grace and Navarro again with a spotlight. (yelling) Laugh it up guys, especially you Gracie, when I don’t offer you salary arbitration. And Navarro, I’ll have you black balled from the league during winter meetings. You won’t even be able to get a job cleaning jockstraps.
(The noise stops and the light disappears. McFail rises from his chair and goes to the door. He opens it a crack and sees an object traveling fast toward his head. He pushes the door shut and ducks as a baseball goes through. Laughter can be heard in the distance)
McFail: Gracie! Navarro! That’s it!!
Voices: SILENCE YOU IDIOT!!!
McFail: Who are you? Ben Christensen? I told you we’d clear that matter up.
Voices: YOU HAVE RUINED OUR LEGACY AND NOW YOU WILL PAY!!!
McFail: (whining) Who are you? Please tell me. I’m sorry.
Voices: We’re the 1908 World Series Champions
(The room begins to fog and McFail is transported to October 14, 1908 in Detroit. The Cub players have swarmed the mound and are congratulating each other.)
Voices: Look at the scoreboard. What does it say?
McFail: Cubs 2 Tigers 0
Voices: When was the last time the Cubs played an American League team with that result?
McFail: Well, last year. We beat the Royals 2-1 in July.
Voices: (confused) Who are the Royals?
McFail: The Kansas City Royals.
Voices: There’s a baseball team in Kansas City? And you play them in July?
McFail: Oh yeah, we play between the leagues during the regular season. There’s even baseball in Florida and Minnesota
Voices (even more confused): Minnesota???
McFail: Oh yes. I won a World Series there. You know I’m a third generation baseball czar.
Voices: (to themselves) Let’s get the hell out of here. This guy’s hopeless. (to McFail) Is there anywhere we can drop you? We’re going back.
McFail: Take me back to the office. I need to see if I can trade Joe Girardi for Mark Wohlers.
SCENE 4:
MacFail is back in his office looking at thewaiver wire. Suddenly there’s a light tap on the door.Macfail ignores. Again a light tap on the door.
MACFAIL: (scared) Jim is that you? Again there is a tap on the door.
MACFAIL: (upset) C’mon Hendry get in here.
The door swings open and suddenly there’s a young ladystanding in the doorway that looks like CindySandberg, corn-cob dress and all.
MACFAIL: Wait a minute I’ve heard about you. Keep in mind I’m a happily married man.
CINDY SANDBERG: I’m not here for that. I could go to any bar in Wrigleyville and find a better prospect than you.
MACFAIL: I’ll have you know…
CINDY: Silence Andy! I’m not here for that. I’m gonna show you what everyone’s doing this X-mas Eve.
MACFAIL: What are you talking about. I don’t have time. Mickey Morandini might clear waivers any minute now.
CINDY: (Lifting her skirt to show some leg) C’mon Andy follow me.
MACFAIL: Okay.
They walked through the door and they are on a golfcourse in Arizona.
MACFAIL: Where are we?
Suddenly to the right is Ed Lynch & Ken Kravec playing golf and laughing.
LYNCH: Ahhh Kenny it’s days like today when I miss Chicago!
KRAVEC: Yeah and the 18 inches of snow.
MACFAIL: It’s Eddie and Kenny why the hell aren’t they scouting players?
CINDY: What do you think they do with most of the time out here.
MACFAIL: (pissed) Kenny, I’d expect this from you but Ed…
CINDY: (Interrupting) It’s pointless they can’t hear you.
LYNCH: (to Kravec) Whatta ya’ think Andy’s up to now?
KRAVEC: I’m sure he’s looking for a utility infielder…
LYNCH: I wonder who’s making his coffee?
MACFAIL: Alright! Ed…
CINDY: (interrupting again) Time to move on.
Cindy leads Macfail into a bathroom on the course…
MACFAIL: Cindy I told you I’m a married man.
Suddenly they find themselves at Toons inWrigleyville. It is a smokey & crowded bar night and we see the three ex-Cubs at the bar drinking cocktails. McRae & Navarro have big Cigars and Gracie’s smoking a cigarette.
NAVARRO: Hey, Gracie I bet you’re glad to be outta here.
GRACIE: Well Jamie I’ll miss the fans but the management of this team… Well you guys know it will never… (glancing around at a table of young ladies)Man check out the talent over at that table.
MC RAE: Damn Gracie, that’s some good stuff. You still got the eye.
MACFAIL: (Yelling) What Grace? Management will neverwhat? (Pissed) I didn’t see you picking this team…
CINDY: Andy they can’t hear you.
MACFAIL: Why are they complaining about me?
CINDY: I don’t know. Do you wanna go?
MACFAIL: (excited) I told you. I’m married.
CINDY: (frustrated) Alright. A puff of smoke permeates throughout the bar. When the smoke clears MacFail is all alone in his office.
SCENE 5:
McFail sits in his office sleeping fitfully on his desk when the door bursts open. The clock is ringing 2AM. Two hooded figures walk into the office...
McFail: Whose there? (The figures walk forward. One turns to the other and mumbles something unintelligible.)
McFail: Are you the ghost of Cubs future? I thought there was only one of you?
(Suddenly the ghosts pull back their hood the reveal Hee Seop Choi and his interpreter)
McFail: Hee Seop, what are you doing here?
Hee Seop: (speaks Korean the interpreter)
Interpreter: I am here to show you the Cubs in the future if you don't change the error of your ways. Let us go.
(The room suddenly gets foggy and the trio is transported to a broadcast booth in an unfamiliar stadium. The broadcaster speaks..)
Broadcaster: Welcome to Opening Day 2015 at Beautiful Harry Caray Tribune Park on the lovely Chicago River. I'm Chip Caray, and this is my partner in the booth Mark Grace.
Gracie: Chip, how's it going today? It's a beautiful day for baseball.
Chip: It certainly is Gracie. Let's look at the starting pitching today as the Cubs face the four-time defending World Champion Colorado Rockies. The Cubs will be facing their long time nemisis Rueben "the Tornado" Quevedo against Kevin Tapani. You gotta love the way Taps held up after 17 major reconstructive arm surgeries...
McFail: Rueben Quevedo? How did he get traded to Colorado?
Hee Seop: (Speaks in Korean)
Interpreter: You traded him. For a power hitting third baseman.
McFail: So what happened?
Hee Seop: (Speaks in Korean)
Interpreter: He became the second ex-Cub to win four Cy Young awards. And the first to win four World Series.
McFail: But the Cubs had to have gotten better, right? I mean we're finally in a new stadium.
Hee Seop: (Speaks in Korean)
Interpreter: Just listen and you'll see.
Chip: Well, the Cubs gave it all they had, but they have fallen short in the home opener to the defending champs 11-2. What's your take on the game Gracie?
Grace: They suck. I'm going to Porcaro's Steak house for a beer. Coming?
McFail: How could this happen to my beloved team? How?
Interpreter: Because of your arrogance the team overpaid on bad free agents forcing the Tribune to abandon Wrigley and build a new stadium. The new stadium didn't bring in the expected crowds and you were fired a year later.
McFail: Well what happened to me?
(The room fogs up again and we find ourselves at a minor league game in Butscratch, Mississippi)
McFail: Nooooo!!!! It can't be.
(An old McFail walks with a cup opf coffee to a man whose back is to him)
Old McFail: Coffee sir?
(Man turns around. Its Ed Lynch)
Ed: Good job Andy, you sure make a good cup of joe.
(McFail slumps down crying)
McFail: It can’t be true, it can’t be true…
SCENE 6:
McFail is mumbling to himself back in his office at his desk…
McFail: It can’t be true. It can’t be true. (wakes up) My god, what the hell happened? That was the strangest night I’ve had since I got rid of Terry Mullholland and Jose Hernandez for Micah Bowie and Ruben …
(rushes to the window and flings it open. Scanning below, he sees someone approaching wearing a Cubs uniform)
McFail: (to the figure) Hey, you down there what day is it?
Figure Below: Christmas, woo. Day, woo. Christmas, woo. Day, woo. (continues on)
McFail: Ronnie Woo! (to himself) I’m not too late, I can change the future. (to Ronnie) Ronnie, go to the Jewel and grab the biggest case of Old Style you can find.
Ronnie: Old Style, woo. Never pay, woo. Wax cups, woo.
McFail: Yes, wax cups Ronnie. Get that case, and some Vienna Beef hotdogs. We need to get these to Mike Hampton to show him we’re really interested in signing him.
Ronnie: Too late, woo. Signed, woo. Colorado, woo.
McFail: Well, it’s back to the waiver wire. I can’t let this team build a new stadium.
THE END!
-------------------------
Merry Christmas Cub fans! Here's hoping 2005 is the "Next Year" we have been waiting our lifetimes for.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Trouble in River City...
With a capital T.
The Redbirds signing of Mark Mulder gives the NL Champs the one thing they lacked in 2004...an ace. Don't be confused by the stats. Mulder is an ace. This was a great trade by Walt Jocketty.
How will Jim Hendry respond? Will he? If he doesn't it will be another long season. As a fan I am not sure what Cubs management is thinking at this time. The Cubs have not addressed any of their needs this offseason. The Cubs need to retool their pen and find a legitimate leadoff hitter. The Cubs can sign Carlos Beltran, if they don't find a leadoff hitter and fix the 'pen they'll be in trouble in 2005.
The Redbirds signing of Mark Mulder gives the NL Champs the one thing they lacked in 2004...an ace. Don't be confused by the stats. Mulder is an ace. This was a great trade by Walt Jocketty.
How will Jim Hendry respond? Will he? If he doesn't it will be another long season. As a fan I am not sure what Cubs management is thinking at this time. The Cubs have not addressed any of their needs this offseason. The Cubs need to retool their pen and find a legitimate leadoff hitter. The Cubs can sign Carlos Beltran, if they don't find a leadoff hitter and fix the 'pen they'll be in trouble in 2005.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Cubs and City Closing in on Bleacher Expansion Deal
The never ending saga between the Cubs and the City appears to be coming to an end.
Today's Sun Times reports: the City of Chicago and the Cubs are closing in on a deal that will give the Cubs 1,800 additional seats in the bleachers. The Cubs have agreed to lower the number of additional seats and to eliminate the controversial "El-like" columns by moving the exterior outfield walls 8' onto the sidewalks.
The bleacher expansion is just a part of the Cubs plan to modernize Wrigley Field. The construction of the Wrigley Campus above will bring the Cubs additional revenue and allow fans to enjoy many amenities newer ballparks have.
Today's Sun Times reports: the City of Chicago and the Cubs are closing in on a deal that will give the Cubs 1,800 additional seats in the bleachers. The Cubs have agreed to lower the number of additional seats and to eliminate the controversial "El-like" columns by moving the exterior outfield walls 8' onto the sidewalks.
The bleacher expansion is just a part of the Cubs plan to modernize Wrigley Field. The construction of the Wrigley Campus above will bring the Cubs additional revenue and allow fans to enjoy many amenities newer ballparks have.
Friday, December 17, 2004
East Lake View Neighbors Group threatens Cubs
No professional sports franchise has the relationship the Cubs have with their surrounding community.
The Cubs proposal to have a concert at Wrigley Fd. this labor day has already drawn criticism from Charlotte Newfeld. In today's Sun-Times the East Lake View Neighbors (a 300 member group) has announced that they will fight the Cubs with legal action.
Now wouldn't the reasonable thing be to wait and see the Cubs proposal before you threaten legal action? It would be, if you had rational neighbors. These vocal minority groups are a real issue in Wrigleyville. They paint with a broad brush and act like they are speaking on behalf of the neighborhood. The reality is these groups just want to extort something from the Tribsters.
The Cubs proposal to have a concert at Wrigley Fd. this labor day has already drawn criticism from Charlotte Newfeld. In today's Sun-Times the East Lake View Neighbors (a 300 member group) has announced that they will fight the Cubs with legal action.
Now wouldn't the reasonable thing be to wait and see the Cubs proposal before you threaten legal action? It would be, if you had rational neighbors. These vocal minority groups are a real issue in Wrigleyville. They paint with a broad brush and act like they are speaking on behalf of the neighborhood. The reality is these groups just want to extort something from the Tribsters.
Random Stuff
If you want any Sammy rumors visit The Cubdom's SammyStock 2004. My favorite rumor is the Royal deal.
The Cubs new Midwest League Affiliate the Peoria Chiefs has unveiled a new logo and a new website.
The Randy Johnson 3-way deal with the Yanks, Dodgers & D-Backs is pretty complicated. Shawn Green wants a contract extension and Brad Penny's health could be an issue. The deal will probably happen, but it could take a week to get all of the loose ends tied up.
I am very impressed with what the Braves have done this winter. Last week they acquired Kolb, this week A's ace Tim Hudson. It will be interesting to see how Billy Beane and Ken Macha use our old friend Juan Cruz.
Here's a FoxSports review of the Rule 5 Draft.
The BoSox are offering Matty Clement between $24 & $25 million for 3 years. According to Boston Herald Clement will select between the Jays, Angels & Red Sox. Good Luck Matty.
Nomar will be in Rockford on January 19th as part of the 2005 Cubs Caravan.
Happy Festuvus Everyone!
The Cubs new Midwest League Affiliate the Peoria Chiefs has unveiled a new logo and a new website.
The Randy Johnson 3-way deal with the Yanks, Dodgers & D-Backs is pretty complicated. Shawn Green wants a contract extension and Brad Penny's health could be an issue. The deal will probably happen, but it could take a week to get all of the loose ends tied up.
I am very impressed with what the Braves have done this winter. Last week they acquired Kolb, this week A's ace Tim Hudson. It will be interesting to see how Billy Beane and Ken Macha use our old friend Juan Cruz.
Here's a FoxSports review of the Rule 5 Draft.
The BoSox are offering Matty Clement between $24 & $25 million for 3 years. According to Boston Herald Clement will select between the Jays, Angels & Red Sox. Good Luck Matty.
Nomar will be in Rockford on January 19th as part of the 2005 Cubs Caravan.
Happy Festuvus Everyone!
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Happy With Nomar
Well after today's developments, I'm happy the Cubs chose to sign Nomah. It seems fiscally irresponsible to spend $40 Million on a guy who hit less than .280 and drove in only 72 RBI. Not to mention the fact that he only stole 17 bases.
He only did this 10 times in 2004.
The Red Sox should have signed Cabrera, after the job he did for them. He'd be less expensive and he brings better defense to the table. It seems the Cardinals want Cabrera.
He only did this 10 times in 2004.
The Red Sox should have signed Cabrera, after the job he did for them. He'd be less expensive and he brings better defense to the table. It seems the Cardinals want Cabrera.
More Useless Walker Jabbering
does todd walker ever shut up ? it bad enough that he can't quit running over steve stone. is there a clause in his new contract that forbade him from simply being quiet and working on ground balls? is he obligated to be the next mark grace? at least gracie could field. now he's got to start making it harder to reassimilate sammy:
whatever any of us hope or fear, sammy is a difficult commodity to move at this point and is likely to be wearing cubbie blue on april 1. regardless of whoever broke the boombox, all these guys will be sharing a clubhouse. is sammy a prima donna? yes. is that going to change? no. so what is walker doing? does he really think it's his place to back sammy sosa into a corner?
"I think what will happen is that if he does come back, we'll hold a meeting the first day and air everything out," Walker said. "Baseball players have short memories. Once he apologizes and we get that out in the open and everything is clear, then we move on from there and it's not a big deal anymore."now, if you're sammy, do you hear any of that ad hoc couching? or do you simply hear a journeyman teammate (and that's all you are, odell hale) trying to move you down a couple pegs?
Walker is not demanding an apology, but he thinks Sosa will deliver one.
"To me personally does it matter? No." Walker said. "But the reason I said that will happen is because I think Sammy will do it. He'll step forward and do it. Do I need to hear it? No.
"Half the team probably does and half the team probably doesn't. Ultimately if Sammy steps forward I think it's going to be on his own will and it will be what he thinks should be done. I know Sammy and I know he wants to win worse than anybody. And any distractions ... he's going to take care of them."
whatever any of us hope or fear, sammy is a difficult commodity to move at this point and is likely to be wearing cubbie blue on april 1. regardless of whoever broke the boombox, all these guys will be sharing a clubhouse. is sammy a prima donna? yes. is that going to change? no. so what is walker doing? does he really think it's his place to back sammy sosa into a corner?
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Random Cubs Boxscore 8/31/80
The game below may have been the only 3 hit game of Tim Blackwell's career! The Cubs also saw the great Larry Biitner go 3 for 5.
In 1980 the Wrigley Fd. favorite was Bill Buckner. On this day Billy Buck went 1 for 5. Buckner was on his way to winning the 1980 NL batting title with a .324 AVG. Today is Buckner's 55th birthday. Happy Birthday #22.
Chicago Cubs 8, Houston Astros 7
DayGame
Played on Sunday, August 31, 1980 (D) at Wrigley Field
HOU N 2 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 1 - 7 13 2
CHI N 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 3 - 8 15 1
BATTING
Houston Astros AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Morgan 2b 5 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
Cabell 3b 5 1 1 1 0 2 1 1
Puhl rf 5 1 3 1 0 0 1 0
Cruz lf 4 1 1 2 1 0 0 1
Cedeno cf 5 0 2 0 0 1 3 0
Walling 1b 4 2 2 0 0 0 4 0
Bergman 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Ashby c 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
Pujols c 1 1 0 0 1 0 6 0
Landestoy ss 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 1
LaCorte p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Niekro p 3 0 2 2 0 1 1 3
Sambito p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Reynolds ss 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 39 7 13 7 2 4 26 8
FIELDING -
E: Cabell (21), Cruz (11).
PB: Ashby (9).
BATTING -
HR: Cruz (8,1st inning off Reuschel 1 on, 2 out); Cabell (2,3rd inning off
Reuschel 0 on, 0 out).
IBB: Cruz (12,by Tidrow).
BASERUNNING -
SB: Walling (4,2nd base off Reuschel/Blackwell).
Chicago Cubs AB R H RBI BB K PO A
DeJesus ss 5 1 2 0 0 0 1 3
Randle 3b 5 0 1 0 0 2 0 4
Buckner lf 5 2 1 0 0 1 1 1
Johnson 1b 3 1 1 1 2 0 13 0
Thompson pr 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Biittner rf 5 1 3 2 0 0 3 0
Martin cf 5 0 0 0 0 2 3 0
Blackwell c 5 1 3 1 0 2 5 0
Tyson 2b 3 1 2 1 0 1 1 5
Kingman ph 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0
Kelleher pr,2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Reuschel p 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 1
Vail ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Tidrow p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 40 8 15 8 2 10 27 14
FIELDING -
DP: 1.
E: DeJesus (20).
BATTING -
2B: Tyson (18,off Niekro); Reuschel (3,off Niekro); Kingman (8,off Sambito).
SH: Reuschel (10,off Niekro).
PITCHINGHouston Astros IP H HR R ER BB K
Niekro 7 8 0 4 3 2 7
Sambito 0.2 2 0 1 1 0 1
LaCorte L(8-4) 1 5 0 3 3 0 2
Totals 8 15 0 8 6 2 10
Chicago Cubs IP H HR R ER BB K
Reuschel 8 11 2 6 4 1 3
Tidrow W(6-5) 1 2 0 1 1 1 1
Totals 9 13 2 7 5 2 4
WP: Sambito (2).
IBB: Tidrow (12,Cruz).
Umpires: John McSherry, Joe West, Lanny Harris, Paul Pryor
Time of Game: 3:00 Attendance: 14,823
Buckner won the 1980 NL batting title hitting .324
In 1980 the Wrigley Fd. favorite was Bill Buckner. On this day Billy Buck went 1 for 5. Buckner was on his way to winning the 1980 NL batting title with a .324 AVG. Today is Buckner's 55th birthday. Happy Birthday #22.
Chicago Cubs 8, Houston Astros 7
DayGame
Played on Sunday, August 31, 1980 (D) at Wrigley Field
HOU N 2 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 1 - 7 13 2
CHI N 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 3 - 8 15 1
BATTING
Houston Astros AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Morgan 2b 5 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
Cabell 3b 5 1 1 1 0 2 1 1
Puhl rf 5 1 3 1 0 0 1 0
Cruz lf 4 1 1 2 1 0 0 1
Cedeno cf 5 0 2 0 0 1 3 0
Walling 1b 4 2 2 0 0 0 4 0
Bergman 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Ashby c 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
Pujols c 1 1 0 0 1 0 6 0
Landestoy ss 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 1
LaCorte p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Niekro p 3 0 2 2 0 1 1 3
Sambito p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Reynolds ss 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 39 7 13 7 2 4 26 8
FIELDING -
E: Cabell (21), Cruz (11).
PB: Ashby (9).
BATTING -
HR: Cruz (8,1st inning off Reuschel 1 on, 2 out); Cabell (2,3rd inning off
Reuschel 0 on, 0 out).
IBB: Cruz (12,by Tidrow).
BASERUNNING -
SB: Walling (4,2nd base off Reuschel/Blackwell).
Chicago Cubs AB R H RBI BB K PO A
DeJesus ss 5 1 2 0 0 0 1 3
Randle 3b 5 0 1 0 0 2 0 4
Buckner lf 5 2 1 0 0 1 1 1
Johnson 1b 3 1 1 1 2 0 13 0
Thompson pr 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Biittner rf 5 1 3 2 0 0 3 0
Martin cf 5 0 0 0 0 2 3 0
Blackwell c 5 1 3 1 0 2 5 0
Tyson 2b 3 1 2 1 0 1 1 5
Kingman ph 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0
Kelleher pr,2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Reuschel p 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 1
Vail ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Tidrow p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 40 8 15 8 2 10 27 14
FIELDING -
DP: 1.
E: DeJesus (20).
BATTING -
2B: Tyson (18,off Niekro); Reuschel (3,off Niekro); Kingman (8,off Sambito).
SH: Reuschel (10,off Niekro).
PITCHINGHouston Astros IP H HR R ER BB K
Niekro 7 8 0 4 3 2 7
Sambito 0.2 2 0 1 1 0 1
LaCorte L(8-4) 1 5 0 3 3 0 2
Totals 8 15 0 8 6 2 10
Chicago Cubs IP H HR R ER BB K
Reuschel 8 11 2 6 4 1 3
Tidrow W(6-5) 1 2 0 1 1 1 1
Totals 9 13 2 7 5 2 4
WP: Sambito (2).
IBB: Tidrow (12,Cruz).
Umpires: John McSherry, Joe West, Lanny Harris, Paul Pryor
Time of Game: 3:00 Attendance: 14,823
Buckner won the 1980 NL batting title hitting .324
Monday, December 13, 2004
Happy Birthday Fergie!
Today is Fergie Jenkins 62nd Birthday. Happy Birthday #31. Below is a Boxscore from 1969. A classic Jenkins vs. Carlton game from back in the day. Enjoy...
Chicago Cubs 1, St. Louis Cardinals 0
DayGame
Played on Wednesday, April 16, 1969 (N) at Busch Stadium II
CHI N 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 10 0
STL N 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 5 0
BATTING
Chicago Cubs AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Kessinger ss 3 0 2 0 2 0 1 3
Beckert 2b 4 0 2 0 0 0 4 3
Qualls 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Williams lf 5 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
Santo 3b 3 0 0 0 1 1 1 3
Banks 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 11 2
Hundley c 4 0 3 1 0 0 6 0
Hickman rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Young cf 3 0 1 0 1 2 1 0
Jenkins p 4 0 0 0 0 3 1 2
Totals 34 1 10 1 4 7 27 13
BATTING -
SH: Banks (1,off Carlton).
St. Louis Cardinals AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Brock lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Flood cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Pinson rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 0
Torre 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 12 2
McCarver c 4 0 0 0 0 1 7 0
Shannon 3b 3 0 2 0 0 1 0 3
Gagliano 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Javier 2b 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 3
Hague ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Huntz 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Maxvill ss 2 0 0 0 1 1 2 1
Carlton p 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 1
White ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Torrez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 31 0 5 0 1 6 27 11
FIELDING -
DP: 3.
BATTING -
2B: Carlton (1,off Jenkins).
PITCHING
Chicago Cubs IP H HR R ER BB K
Jenkins W(1-1) 9 5 0 0 0 1 6
St. Louis Cardinals IP H HR R ER BB K
Carlton L(1-1) 8 9 0 1 1 4 6
Torrez 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 9 10 0 1 1 4 7
Umpires: Tony Venzon, Frank Secory, Paul Pryor, Satch Davidson
Time of Game: 2:14 Attendance: 16,418
Chicago Cubs 1, St. Louis Cardinals 0
DayGame
Played on Wednesday, April 16, 1969 (N) at Busch Stadium II
CHI N 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 10 0
STL N 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 5 0
BATTING
Chicago Cubs AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Kessinger ss 3 0 2 0 2 0 1 3
Beckert 2b 4 0 2 0 0 0 4 3
Qualls 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Williams lf 5 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
Santo 3b 3 0 0 0 1 1 1 3
Banks 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 11 2
Hundley c 4 0 3 1 0 0 6 0
Hickman rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Young cf 3 0 1 0 1 2 1 0
Jenkins p 4 0 0 0 0 3 1 2
Totals 34 1 10 1 4 7 27 13
BATTING -
SH: Banks (1,off Carlton).
St. Louis Cardinals AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Brock lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Flood cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Pinson rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 0
Torre 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 12 2
McCarver c 4 0 0 0 0 1 7 0
Shannon 3b 3 0 2 0 0 1 0 3
Gagliano 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Javier 2b 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 3
Hague ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Huntz 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Maxvill ss 2 0 0 0 1 1 2 1
Carlton p 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 1
White ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Torrez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 31 0 5 0 1 6 27 11
FIELDING -
DP: 3.
BATTING -
2B: Carlton (1,off Jenkins).
PITCHING
Chicago Cubs IP H HR R ER BB K
Jenkins W(1-1) 9 5 0 0 0 1 6
St. Louis Cardinals IP H HR R ER BB K
Carlton L(1-1) 8 9 0 1 1 4 6
Torrez 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 9 10 0 1 1 4 7
Umpires: Tony Venzon, Frank Secory, Paul Pryor, Satch Davidson
Time of Game: 2:14 Attendance: 16,418
Sunday, December 12, 2004
The World According to Dusty: WINTER MEETINGS
Johnnie B. Baker held court in Anaheim this weekend:
I don't know dude.
Everytime the Cub manager opens his mouth we are one day closer to the Bob Brenly Era at Clark and Addison. Here's what the Cub manager had to say on three topics that concerned the scribes in Southern California:
Sahm
On this past season:
"We needed Sammy. We still need Sammy," Johnnie B. said Saturday at the Winter Meetings. "I don't want to see him leave town under the circumstances the way they are now after everything that he's done for the Cubs and everything he's done for baseball in the late '90s. He deserves to be held in higher esteem than what happened last year."
"Right now, Sammy's on the Cubs," Baker said. "And until he's not on the Cubs, we have to figure out a way to have him be productive and hopefully happy and help us win."
On Sahm's bruised ego:
"Whatever feelings he has inside, it's up to us to get rid of that," Baker said. "I know last year it wasn't easy on him. It was the first time he was booed. I know that affected him. I could see it on his face. I talked to him about it a couple times."
On Sahm's relationship with Cub fans:
"You can repair that by hitting, hitting a lot of home runs and throwing out people," Baker said. "The only way you repair people is through action. Sammy's not old to the point where he can't continue to have great years. The last couple years he's been hurt and if you lose time, especially in the middle of the season, that's a long time. You're playing catchup the whole time."
On being Sahm's enemik:
"I don't expect an apology," Baker said.
Who's to blame?:
"First, you have to talk it out," the manager said. "It wasn't just me, it was a lot of things there. It was the fans, the media, some of his teammates -- there were a lot of things there. Sammy's one of the major parts who we have to get back together. If Sammy's going to be on our team, we need him to win."
This is rich! Baker and Hendry have made their own bed. Adam Katz the ball is in your court. Hendry and Baker miscalculated this one big time. Assasinating Sammy's character following his early exit has made Sammy public enemik number one in Cubland. Remember when Baker said he'd been "covering for him(Sosa) all year". What about the fact that they released the surveillance video showing Sahm leaving early. The Cubs hired Baker to handle superstar players. It looks to me like he's doing a great job.
The Closer
On Joe
"Who says it can't be Joe [Borowski] again? He's healthy," Baker said. "I don't know if he'll throw 93, 94 [mph] but hey, I've seen quality relievers throw less than that.
On Closers
"You need a closer. Where would the Dodgers be without [Eric] Gagne? Where would the Yankees be without Mariano Rivera?"
I'll say it. Dusty, it can't be Joe Borowski. Joe got by on smoke and mirrors in 2003. He pitched his butt off for that team. As a result of overuse in 2002 and 2003 his arm is now shot. Unless the surgeon can put 10 more MPH on his fastball, it will be tough for Joe to succeed in any role.
Bonds/BALCO and the tarnished MLB record books
On Bonds admitting to "accidental" steroid use:
"You just have to take Barry at his word," Baker said. "If that's what he said, and he said it in front of a grand jury, that's the only thing you can go by."
On people passing judgement on Bonds:
"I don't even know if that's what the testimony was," Baker said. "You have to wait until they get to court to see what was true or untrue. . . . It's going to make for good TV if it airs."
On the record books:
"Records won't be tainted until somebody has accurate proof that they should be tainted," he said. "It's hard to taint something until it really starts stinking. Once it starts stinking, then you know it's tainted. Right now, it's not stinking enough."
You have gotta love the fact that Baker takes a stance on serious issues. While managing the Giants Dusty saw Bonds hat size grow dramatically. He also saw a Benito Santiago play like Johnny Bench for a season. He was never suspicious? must have just been great managing. The proof Dusty is in the hat size.
I don't know dude.
Everytime the Cub manager opens his mouth we are one day closer to the Bob Brenly Era at Clark and Addison. Here's what the Cub manager had to say on three topics that concerned the scribes in Southern California:
Sahm
On this past season:
"We needed Sammy. We still need Sammy," Johnnie B. said Saturday at the Winter Meetings. "I don't want to see him leave town under the circumstances the way they are now after everything that he's done for the Cubs and everything he's done for baseball in the late '90s. He deserves to be held in higher esteem than what happened last year."
"Right now, Sammy's on the Cubs," Baker said. "And until he's not on the Cubs, we have to figure out a way to have him be productive and hopefully happy and help us win."
On Sahm's bruised ego:
"Whatever feelings he has inside, it's up to us to get rid of that," Baker said. "I know last year it wasn't easy on him. It was the first time he was booed. I know that affected him. I could see it on his face. I talked to him about it a couple times."
On Sahm's relationship with Cub fans:
"You can repair that by hitting, hitting a lot of home runs and throwing out people," Baker said. "The only way you repair people is through action. Sammy's not old to the point where he can't continue to have great years. The last couple years he's been hurt and if you lose time, especially in the middle of the season, that's a long time. You're playing catchup the whole time."
On being Sahm's enemik:
"I don't expect an apology," Baker said.
Who's to blame?:
"First, you have to talk it out," the manager said. "It wasn't just me, it was a lot of things there. It was the fans, the media, some of his teammates -- there were a lot of things there. Sammy's one of the major parts who we have to get back together. If Sammy's going to be on our team, we need him to win."
This is rich! Baker and Hendry have made their own bed. Adam Katz the ball is in your court. Hendry and Baker miscalculated this one big time. Assasinating Sammy's character following his early exit has made Sammy public enemik number one in Cubland. Remember when Baker said he'd been "covering for him(Sosa) all year". What about the fact that they released the surveillance video showing Sahm leaving early. The Cubs hired Baker to handle superstar players. It looks to me like he's doing a great job.
The Closer
On Joe
"Who says it can't be Joe [Borowski] again? He's healthy," Baker said. "I don't know if he'll throw 93, 94 [mph] but hey, I've seen quality relievers throw less than that.
On Closers
"You need a closer. Where would the Dodgers be without [Eric] Gagne? Where would the Yankees be without Mariano Rivera?"
I'll say it. Dusty, it can't be Joe Borowski. Joe got by on smoke and mirrors in 2003. He pitched his butt off for that team. As a result of overuse in 2002 and 2003 his arm is now shot. Unless the surgeon can put 10 more MPH on his fastball, it will be tough for Joe to succeed in any role.
Bonds/BALCO and the tarnished MLB record books
On Bonds admitting to "accidental" steroid use:
"You just have to take Barry at his word," Baker said. "If that's what he said, and he said it in front of a grand jury, that's the only thing you can go by."
On people passing judgement on Bonds:
"I don't even know if that's what the testimony was," Baker said. "You have to wait until they get to court to see what was true or untrue. . . . It's going to make for good TV if it airs."
On the record books:
"Records won't be tainted until somebody has accurate proof that they should be tainted," he said. "It's hard to taint something until it really starts stinking. Once it starts stinking, then you know it's tainted. Right now, it's not stinking enough."
You have gotta love the fact that Baker takes a stance on serious issues. While managing the Giants Dusty saw Bonds hat size grow dramatically. He also saw a Benito Santiago play like Johnny Bench for a season. He was never suspicious? must have just been great managing. The proof Dusty is in the hat size.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
The Closer Issue
The past several weeks we have been bombarded with rumors that had Brew Crew closer Dan Kolb heading to the Cubs for players like The Farns and Todd Wellemeyer. There's one problem with trading garbage. Usually you get garbage in return. Even the Brewers are not gonna trade a player, with 39 saves in 2004, for Cub pitchers that have not lived up to expectations. On Saturday, the Brewers dealt Kolb to the Braves for their number one pitching prospect. The Braves will now move John Smoltz back into the starting rotation.
This off season Jim Hendry is 0 for 3 in acquiring a closer. Percival, Benitez and now Kolb all have new addresses. The scariest thing that I have read all day is that the Cubs may try and fill this role from within the organization. I hope Hendry is just saying what he is supposed to. If they are serious about letting Hawkins, Borowski, Dempster or uhhh The Farns (why not offer the job to Michael Wuertz?) close 2005 will not be a succesful year.
Hendry has put together the best starting staff in the NL. Why is it so hard for the Cubs to find a decent bullpen? Why is it so hard for most MLB teams to find a decent bullpen? It's never easy is it?
This off season Jim Hendry is 0 for 3 in acquiring a closer. Percival, Benitez and now Kolb all have new addresses. The scariest thing that I have read all day is that the Cubs may try and fill this role from within the organization. I hope Hendry is just saying what he is supposed to. If they are serious about letting Hawkins, Borowski, Dempster or uhhh The Farns (why not offer the job to Michael Wuertz?) close 2005 will not be a succesful year.
Hendry has put together the best starting staff in the NL. Why is it so hard for the Cubs to find a decent bullpen? Why is it so hard for most MLB teams to find a decent bullpen? It's never easy is it?
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
The Louisiana Lumberjack
One thing that I found amazing yesterday was this quote from Todd Walker:
"I'm a big fan of [general manager] Jim Hendry and a big fan of [manager] Dusty Baker, and ultimately we just have a group of good guys. Chip Caray and Steve Stone might not say that, but the rest of us feel we have a great bunch of guys that just want to win and have the talent and mentality to do it."
Amazing! These guys just can't leave that Stone situation alone. If the Cubs win the pennant in '05 this will all be forgotten. If they struggle in '05, there will be more problems with this group players.
Many fans like "clubhouse lawyers" like Walker. He's quick with a one-liner, goes on all the talk shows, and loves to be quoted by the scribes after a game. I'll take a "boring" personality like Ryne Sandberg or Andre Dawson any day of the week.
"I'm a big fan of [general manager] Jim Hendry and a big fan of [manager] Dusty Baker, and ultimately we just have a group of good guys. Chip Caray and Steve Stone might not say that, but the rest of us feel we have a great bunch of guys that just want to win and have the talent and mentality to do it."
Amazing! These guys just can't leave that Stone situation alone. If the Cubs win the pennant in '05 this will all be forgotten. If they struggle in '05, there will be more problems with this group players.
Many fans like "clubhouse lawyers" like Walker. He's quick with a one-liner, goes on all the talk shows, and loves to be quoted by the scribes after a game. I'll take a "boring" personality like Ryne Sandberg or Andre Dawson any day of the week.
The Signing of Nomar, Walker, and Maddux's new caddy Henry Blanco leaves the Cubs with many of the same question marks they had in '04.
- Who is gonna leadoff? It looks to me like the current options are the new LF, Patterson or Walker. I hope they find a fast LF option.
- Next the bullpen. Who's gonna close and do you trust any of the setup guys?
- There's still a player in RF who had his boombox smashed on the final day of the year. Can they trade him? If he returns will he produce?
- Team Leadership, this team didn't have any (see Walker's comments)
- I am very concerned with the middle inf. defense.
Hopefully, Jim Hendry can find this team a player or two who will put the focus back on the field. It's sounds to me like Walker could use some help with his focus.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
NOMAR'S BACK & the Cubs make some other moves...
ESPN Radio's Bruce Levine is reporting that Nomar will be back in the fold next year. The Cubs and Garciaparra's agent have agreed on a base salary of $8 million. With incentives Nomar can earn up to $11 million in 2005. According to the radio report there are no options for 2006. So Nomar will be back on the market a year from now.
In other player news the Cubs offered Matty Clement arbitration. This will guarantee that the Cubs will get a number one draft pick when Clement signs a deal with another team. The Cubs also offered arbitration to Todd Hollandsworth. Hollandsworth may accept this with his injury problems.
There is still no word on Todd Walker, but everyone predicts he'll be back in '05.
I am happy to see the Cubs bring Nomar back. If he's healthy all year the Cubs will have one of the best SS in the NL. I am concerned with the Cubs middle infield defense if they sign Walker. Neither Nomar nor Walker is going to be confused with a gold glove winner. I was raised on strong defense up the middle. I have real concerns with watching Garciaparra and Walker botch double plays all of 2005. But hey, who's askin' me.
In other news did you guys see where the Cubs hired their 70th trainer in the last three seasons. I hope this guy does a better job. If Wood, Prior, and Zambrano stay healthy he'll be back next year.
Monday, December 06, 2004
Say it ain't so, Barry.
I just don't believe it's true. Sure Barry has grown a little. But, you know, pumpin' iron is all he needs. Take your vitamins, eat healthy, lift some weights. Voila!
Barry Bonds and his all-natural scowl
Barry Bonds and his all-natural scowl
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
2005 HOF Candidates
2005 HOF candidates
The 2005 ballot features 27 candidates, with 15 returnees and 12 newcomers. (Years on ballot)
Jim Abbott (1)
Bert Blyleven (8)
Wade Boggs (1)
Tom Candiotti (1)
Dave Concepcion (12)
Chili Davis (1)
Andre Dawson (4)
Steve Garvey (13)
Rich Gossage (6)
Tommy John (11)
Mark Langston (1)
Don Mattingly (5)
Jack McDowell (1)
Willie McGee (1)
Jeff Montgomery (1)
Jack Morris (6)
Dale Murphy (7)
Otis Nixon (1)
Dave Parker (9)
Tony Phillips (1)
Jim Rice (11)
Ryne Sandberg (3)
Lee Smith (3)
Terry Steinbach (1)
Darryl Strawberry (1)
Bruce Sutter (12)
Alan Trammell (4)
A BIASED VIEWPOINT
As a Cub fan, I look at the list above and I think Ryno and Sutter should be locks. I will not claim to be impartial.
You know you are old when you can remember the careers of all the players on the HOF ballot. The other players that I'd like to see make it include Jim Rice, Jack Morris, Bert Blylevan, and Wade Boggs (although I wouldn't vote for Boggs on the first ballot).
How did Terry Steinbach get on the list?
The 2005 ballot features 27 candidates, with 15 returnees and 12 newcomers. (Years on ballot)
Jim Abbott (1)
Bert Blyleven (8)
Wade Boggs (1)
Tom Candiotti (1)
Dave Concepcion (12)
Chili Davis (1)
Andre Dawson (4)
Steve Garvey (13)
Rich Gossage (6)
Tommy John (11)
Mark Langston (1)
Don Mattingly (5)
Jack McDowell (1)
Willie McGee (1)
Jeff Montgomery (1)
Jack Morris (6)
Dale Murphy (7)
Otis Nixon (1)
Dave Parker (9)
Tony Phillips (1)
Jim Rice (11)
Ryne Sandberg (3)
Lee Smith (3)
Terry Steinbach (1)
Darryl Strawberry (1)
Bruce Sutter (12)
Alan Trammell (4)
A BIASED VIEWPOINT
As a Cub fan, I look at the list above and I think Ryno and Sutter should be locks. I will not claim to be impartial.
You know you are old when you can remember the careers of all the players on the HOF ballot. The other players that I'd like to see make it include Jim Rice, Jack Morris, Bert Blylevan, and Wade Boggs (although I wouldn't vote for Boggs on the first ballot).
How did Terry Steinbach get on the list?
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Margaritaville in Wrigleyville?
You have to hand it to the Cubs. They sure seem to be taking a look at as many ways to raise additional revenues as possible. Today's rumor comes from Crain's Chicago Business . Crain's reports that Andy MacPhail and the Tribsters are looking into having concerts at Wrigley Field. Alderman Tom Tunney has not said yes or no to this idea.
Jimmy Buffet might be singing more than the seventh inning stretch at Wrigley in 2005!
Springsteen had a few dates at Fenway last season and the reviews that I heard from Boston were outstanding. The Cubs are looking at an act like Jimmy Buffet. Buffet has been a guest conductor of the seventh inning stretch several times through the years. Buffet is a Cub fan and a big baseball fan.
My favorite Wrigleyville resident Charlotte Newfeld had to chime in: “I can’t think of them doing a more stupid thing at a time they’re trying to have a warm and fuzzy relationship with their neighbors. People are going to go ape.”
There is not another team in sports that puts up with this much garbage from "friendly neighbors". Charlotte will rip any idea that comes out of the offices at Clark & Addison. MacPhail could find the cure for cancer and stop world hunger and Newfeld would complain. Charlotte has not actually tried to work with any idea proposed by the Cubs in years.
If this means more money for Jim Hendry's payroll in 2005 bring on the ParrotHeads!
Jimmy Buffet might be singing more than the seventh inning stretch at Wrigley in 2005!
Springsteen had a few dates at Fenway last season and the reviews that I heard from Boston were outstanding. The Cubs are looking at an act like Jimmy Buffet. Buffet has been a guest conductor of the seventh inning stretch several times through the years. Buffet is a Cub fan and a big baseball fan.
My favorite Wrigleyville resident Charlotte Newfeld had to chime in: “I can’t think of them doing a more stupid thing at a time they’re trying to have a warm and fuzzy relationship with their neighbors. People are going to go ape.”
There is not another team in sports that puts up with this much garbage from "friendly neighbors". Charlotte will rip any idea that comes out of the offices at Clark & Addison. MacPhail could find the cure for cancer and stop world hunger and Newfeld would complain. Charlotte has not actually tried to work with any idea proposed by the Cubs in years.
If this means more money for Jim Hendry's payroll in 2005 bring on the ParrotHeads!
Monday, November 29, 2004
Cubs & the City Play Nice!
The Tribune is reporting that the Cubs and the City Planning Commision have agreed on replacing the 48 folding chairs down the RF line with 32 permanent seats. The Cubs are gonna make these seats similar to the 200 seats behind home and build a shorter brickwall around them. No word yet on the seats pricing but I'd bet it'll be the same as the Premium seats behind home. The rotating ad board behind home plate was signed off on by the commision at the same time.
This proposal will go before the Landmark Commision on Thursday. If it is approved there it will go before Chicago City Council for final approval. This is Chicago people. It can't be that easy, can it? Stay tuned, this could still get ugly!
This proposal will go before the Landmark Commision on Thursday. If it is approved there it will go before Chicago City Council for final approval. This is Chicago people. It can't be that easy, can it? Stay tuned, this could still get ugly!
Cubs showing interest in Jeff Kent
Take this one with a grain of salt. According to the Houston Chronicle, the Cubs have interest in 'stros 2B Jeff Kent. Part of me thinks okay, Kent has been a good player and put up some good numbers this past year. The other part of me hates this guy. He would be a cancerous presence in an already questionable locker room. I don't know. I guess the Hendry is looking at all his options.
Can you imagine a Cub clubhouse with Sosa and Kent? Hide the Boombox.
In that same Houston Chronicle article there is some Carlos Beltran news. Nothing we didn't already know.
Staying in Texas, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Todd Walker visited the Rangers over the weekend. The Rangers have Walker atop their list to increase offensive production.
SI named the Red Sox their Sportsmen of the Year.
Can you imagine a Cub clubhouse with Sosa and Kent? Hide the Boombox.
In that same Houston Chronicle article there is some Carlos Beltran news. Nothing we didn't already know.
Staying in Texas, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Todd Walker visited the Rangers over the weekend. The Rangers have Walker atop their list to increase offensive production.
SI named the Red Sox their Sportsmen of the Year.
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Cubs Expose Sisco & Other Young Arms to the Rule 5 Draft
Andy Sisco has been considered a top prospect in the Cubs since the Cubs selected him with their second round pick in 2001. Sisco's stock looks to be falling in the organization. According to Rotoworld the 6'9" left handed pitcher was left unprotected for the upcoming, December 13, Rule 5 Draft. Other Cub pitching prospects(of note) that were left unprotected include Chadd Blasko, Luke Haggerty, Ricky Nolasco and Jae-Kuk Ryu.
Here's a look at the numbers each of the players put up in 2004:
Andy Sisco (Class A) Daytona
4-10, 4.21 ERA, 26 G, 126 IP, 118 H, 64 R, 59 ER, 65 BB, 134 K, 11 HR
Chadd Blasko (Class AA) West Tenn
5-4, 5.67 ERA, 13 G, 66.2 IP, 77 H, 45 R, 42 ER, 24 BB, 65 K, 12 HR
Luke Hagerty (Class A) Boise
0-2, 12.00 ERA, 4G, 9 IP, 15 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 9 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Ricky Nolasco (Class AAA) Iowa (through June)
2-2, 9.17 ERA, 8 G, 35.1 IP, 58 H, 36 R, 36 ER, 14 BB, 27 K, 6 HR
(Class AA) West Tenn (June to end of season)
6-4, 3.70 ERA, 19 G, 107 IP, 104 H, 50 R, 44 ER, 37 BB, 115 K, 13 HR
Jae-Kuk Ryu (Class A) Boise (through July)
0-2, 2.57 ERA, 5 G, 7 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 7 K, 0 HR
(Class AA) West Tenn (August and September)
0-0, 3.52 ERA, 12 G, 15.1 IP, 21 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 10 BB, 13 K, 0 HR
(Class AAA) Iowa (one game end of season)
0-0, 40.50 ERA, 1 G, 0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR
It is my opinion that the chances of the Cubs losing one of these prospects is very slim. According to the Rule 5: The drafted player must remain with his new club for the full season or be offered back to his original club for $25,000. It sure doesn't look like any of these guys are ready to spend all of 2005 on an MLB roster.
Here's a look at the numbers each of the players put up in 2004:
Andy Sisco (Class A) Daytona
4-10, 4.21 ERA, 26 G, 126 IP, 118 H, 64 R, 59 ER, 65 BB, 134 K, 11 HR
Chadd Blasko (Class AA) West Tenn
5-4, 5.67 ERA, 13 G, 66.2 IP, 77 H, 45 R, 42 ER, 24 BB, 65 K, 12 HR
Luke Hagerty (Class A) Boise
0-2, 12.00 ERA, 4G, 9 IP, 15 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 9 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Ricky Nolasco (Class AAA) Iowa (through June)
2-2, 9.17 ERA, 8 G, 35.1 IP, 58 H, 36 R, 36 ER, 14 BB, 27 K, 6 HR
(Class AA) West Tenn (June to end of season)
6-4, 3.70 ERA, 19 G, 107 IP, 104 H, 50 R, 44 ER, 37 BB, 115 K, 13 HR
Jae-Kuk Ryu (Class A) Boise (through July)
0-2, 2.57 ERA, 5 G, 7 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 7 K, 0 HR
(Class AA) West Tenn (August and September)
0-0, 3.52 ERA, 12 G, 15.1 IP, 21 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 10 BB, 13 K, 0 HR
(Class AAA) Iowa (one game end of season)
0-0, 40.50 ERA, 1 G, 0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR
It is my opinion that the chances of the Cubs losing one of these prospects is very slim. According to the Rule 5: The drafted player must remain with his new club for the full season or be offered back to his original club for $25,000. It sure doesn't look like any of these guys are ready to spend all of 2005 on an MLB roster.
Recovering from the Turkey Hangover
I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving. Like most of the American population I ate way too much. I was lucky to miss most of the second half of the Bears game because we had a late dinner. I guess the orange jerseys will go down as a bad experiment!
Watching the Bears and Bulls is just painful. It makes the wait for Spring Training seem longer. Here's hoping the Bears and Bulls can win a few before the Cubs report to Mesa. I can't wait for the winter meetings to see how Hendry is gonna build the '05 Northsiders.
Watching the Bears and Bulls is just painful. It makes the wait for Spring Training seem longer. Here's hoping the Bears and Bulls can win a few before the Cubs report to Mesa. I can't wait for the winter meetings to see how Hendry is gonna build the '05 Northsiders.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Cubs Find More Revenue
The Cubs are really gonna be different to watch next year. Not only will you have new voices, but you will notice something behind the batter in shots from the WGN centerfield camera. In today's Trib, Paul Sullivan writes that the Cubs are expecting approval on a rolling advertising board behind home plate. Yes, the Cubs are finally gonna put an ad board on the legendary bricks behind home plate.
In Sully's article John McDonough says: "...the money generated from that(advertising) is going to the payroll, and it's going to be deployed, as it has been, extremely well with what Jim Hendry has done with the additional budget he has."
These are not the Cubs I grew up with. Taking additional revenues and using them on payroll was never an option. I think Mr. Wrigley used to take all additional revenues and spend them on repairs for his Lake Geneva estate.
This move will offend many of the traditionalists and prompt some letters to the editor in our Sunday Trib. At one time I was one of the complainers. Remember when the Cubs tried to put up lights in the 80's? It was such a bad thing. Now a night game at Wrigley Fd. is a great way to spend a summer evening in Chicago. Even at Wrigley Field time never stands still.
By 2006, when St. Louis opens the New Busch Stadium, every team in the NL Central will have a new ballpark, except the Chicago National League Ballclub. Wrigley Fd. does not generate the advertising revenue nor the 365 days a year restaurant/gift shop revenue that the new ballparks do. If the Cubs want to keep the payroll high playing in Wrigley Field they have to make these changes, they have to modernize.
While I understand the saddness in seeing the ballpark change, wouldn't it be sadder to watch the Cubs play in Schaumburg?
Fight with City Hall Awaits
This is Chicago and nothing happens for free. In the ongoing feud between Mayor Daley and the Tribune, City Hall will probably have the Landmark Commision make this difficult for the tower. The Cubs will probably have to promise to put out more portable johns or something. That's how things work here.
In Sully's article John McDonough says: "...the money generated from that(advertising) is going to the payroll, and it's going to be deployed, as it has been, extremely well with what Jim Hendry has done with the additional budget he has."
These are not the Cubs I grew up with. Taking additional revenues and using them on payroll was never an option. I think Mr. Wrigley used to take all additional revenues and spend them on repairs for his Lake Geneva estate.
This move will offend many of the traditionalists and prompt some letters to the editor in our Sunday Trib. At one time I was one of the complainers. Remember when the Cubs tried to put up lights in the 80's? It was such a bad thing. Now a night game at Wrigley Fd. is a great way to spend a summer evening in Chicago. Even at Wrigley Field time never stands still.
By 2006, when St. Louis opens the New Busch Stadium, every team in the NL Central will have a new ballpark, except the Chicago National League Ballclub. Wrigley Fd. does not generate the advertising revenue nor the 365 days a year restaurant/gift shop revenue that the new ballparks do. If the Cubs want to keep the payroll high playing in Wrigley Field they have to make these changes, they have to modernize.
While I understand the saddness in seeing the ballpark change, wouldn't it be sadder to watch the Cubs play in Schaumburg?
Fight with City Hall Awaits
This is Chicago and nothing happens for free. In the ongoing feud between Mayor Daley and the Tribune, City Hall will probably have the Landmark Commision make this difficult for the tower. The Cubs will probably have to promise to put out more portable johns or something. That's how things work here.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Random Cubs Boxscore 9/9/99
I had forgotten that Bobby Ayala ever pitched for the Cub
Cincinnati Reds 5, Chicago Cubs 3
DayGame
Played on Thursday, September 9, 1999 (D)
at Wrigley Field
CIN N 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 - 5 14 0
CHI N 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 - 3 9 0
BATTING
Cincinnati Reds
AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Reese 2b 6 0 0 0 0 1 6 6
Larkin ss 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 1
Casey 1b 3 1 2 0 2 0 9 0
Vaughn lf 5 1 2 2 0 1 3 0
Young rf 4 1 1 0 1 0 4 0
LaRue c 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Taubensee c 5 1 3 0 0 0 3 1
Robinson pr 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Graves p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cameron cf 4 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
Boone 3b 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 0
Williamson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tucker ph,rf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Harnisch p 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Sweeney ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
Sullivan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
White p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lewis 3b 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0
Totals 41 5 14 5 5 4 27 8
FIELDING -
DP: 1.
BATTING -
2B: Casey (38,off Farnsworth); Taubensee (18,off Myers).
HR: Vaughn (36,7th inning off Farnsworth 1 on, 1 out).
IBB: Tucker (2,by Myers).
Chicago Cubs
AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Johnson cf 4 0 1 0 1 0 3 0
Morandini 2b 4 1 0 0 0 0 3 2
Myers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Brown ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sosa rf 4 1 1 1 1 1 2 0
Grace 1b 4 0 3 0 0 0 12 0
Rodriguez lf 4 0 2 1 0 0 1 0
Porter pr,lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Blauser ss,3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 3
Reed c 3 1 2 0 1 1 4 0
Gaetti 3b 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 4
Meyers pr,2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Farnsworth p 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Ayala p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Heredia p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Alexander 2b,ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Totals 33 3 9 3 4 4 27 12
BATTING -
2B: Reed (14,off Harnisch).
3B: Grace (3,off Harnisch).
HR: Sosa (59,5th inning off Harnisch 0 on, 2 out).
SH: Farnsworth (3,off Harnisch); Blauser (2,off Williamson).
PITCHING
Cincinnati Reds IP H HR R ER BB K
Harnisch 5 7 1 3 3 1 1
Sullivan W(5-3) 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
White 0.2 0 0 0 0 1 0
Williamson 1.1 1 0 0 0 2 1
Graves SV(21) 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 9 9 1 3 3 4 4
Chicago Cubs IP H HR R ER BB K
Farnsworth L(3-9) 6.2 11 1 4 4 3 3
Ayala 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
Heredia 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Myers 1.1 2 0 1 1 1 0
Totals 9.0 14 1 5 5 5 4
WP: Williamson (11), Myers (1).
IBB: Myers (2,Tucker).
Umpires: Kerwin Danley, Jim Wolf, Tony Randazzo, Ed Montague
Time of Game: 3:04 Attendance: 34976
Cincinnati Reds 5, Chicago Cubs 3
DayGame
Played on Thursday, September 9, 1999 (D)
at Wrigley Field
CIN N 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 - 5 14 0
CHI N 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 - 3 9 0
BATTING
Cincinnati Reds
AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Reese 2b 6 0 0 0 0 1 6 6
Larkin ss 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 1
Casey 1b 3 1 2 0 2 0 9 0
Vaughn lf 5 1 2 2 0 1 3 0
Young rf 4 1 1 0 1 0 4 0
LaRue c 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Taubensee c 5 1 3 0 0 0 3 1
Robinson pr 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Graves p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cameron cf 4 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
Boone 3b 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 0
Williamson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tucker ph,rf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Harnisch p 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Sweeney ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
Sullivan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
White p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lewis 3b 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0
Totals 41 5 14 5 5 4 27 8
FIELDING -
DP: 1.
BATTING -
2B: Casey (38,off Farnsworth); Taubensee (18,off Myers).
HR: Vaughn (36,7th inning off Farnsworth 1 on, 1 out).
IBB: Tucker (2,by Myers).
Chicago Cubs
AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Johnson cf 4 0 1 0 1 0 3 0
Morandini 2b 4 1 0 0 0 0 3 2
Myers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Brown ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sosa rf 4 1 1 1 1 1 2 0
Grace 1b 4 0 3 0 0 0 12 0
Rodriguez lf 4 0 2 1 0 0 1 0
Porter pr,lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Blauser ss,3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 3
Reed c 3 1 2 0 1 1 4 0
Gaetti 3b 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 4
Meyers pr,2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Farnsworth p 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Ayala p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Heredia p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Alexander 2b,ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Totals 33 3 9 3 4 4 27 12
BATTING -
2B: Reed (14,off Harnisch).
3B: Grace (3,off Harnisch).
HR: Sosa (59,5th inning off Harnisch 0 on, 2 out).
SH: Farnsworth (3,off Harnisch); Blauser (2,off Williamson).
PITCHING
Cincinnati Reds IP H HR R ER BB K
Harnisch 5 7 1 3 3 1 1
Sullivan W(5-3) 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
White 0.2 0 0 0 0 1 0
Williamson 1.1 1 0 0 0 2 1
Graves SV(21) 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 9 9 1 3 3 4 4
Chicago Cubs IP H HR R ER BB K
Farnsworth L(3-9) 6.2 11 1 4 4 3 3
Ayala 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
Heredia 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Myers 1.1 2 0 1 1 1 0
Totals 9.0 14 1 5 5 5 4
WP: Williamson (11), Myers (1).
IBB: Myers (2,Tucker).
Umpires: Kerwin Danley, Jim Wolf, Tony Randazzo, Ed Montague
Time of Game: 3:04 Attendance: 34976
Monday, November 22, 2004
It's time for these guys to shut up
It's another slow day in Cubville. Here's the latest version of "When Athletes Talk":
Mo Alou and Kent Mercker decided to start yapping again over the weekend. These two made the second half of the Cub season unenjoyable. One of the best parts of opening the paper, the last month and a half, has been that there has not been any idiotic comments from either one of these clowns. Both seemed to make a habit of making crazy comments directed at announcers and others this past summer.
Yesterday Alou decided it was time for him to stick up for Sammy in the Boston Globe. Following criticism from Wood, Prior, and Todd Walker, I guess it's good to know that somebody on the team could tolerate Sammy. Is Alou simply sticking up for his countryman and teammate? or is he laying the groundwork to ease Sahm's return to the Northside? I don't know. I have no idea why Alou ever says anything.
Former Cub reliever Kent Mercker decided it was time for him to clear the air on what happened with the Stone Pony. The stories that were told by Stone & Chip seem to be pretty different than Mercker's. I guess the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. I have a real problem with Mercker being so concerned with comments by tv broadcasters. But Dusty allowed it to happen.
These two guys were part of the problem in 2004. The whole season was painful enough. Time to move on. It sounds like neither one of these guys will be back in 2005. I'm okay with that.
---------------------------
Other Baseball Stuff
Gabe Kaplar is going to play in Japan in 2005.
It's pretty dead out there. Maybe one of these days the hot stove will begin heating up.
Mo Alou and Kent Mercker decided to start yapping again over the weekend. These two made the second half of the Cub season unenjoyable. One of the best parts of opening the paper, the last month and a half, has been that there has not been any idiotic comments from either one of these clowns. Both seemed to make a habit of making crazy comments directed at announcers and others this past summer.
Yesterday Alou decided it was time for him to stick up for Sammy in the Boston Globe. Following criticism from Wood, Prior, and Todd Walker, I guess it's good to know that somebody on the team could tolerate Sammy. Is Alou simply sticking up for his countryman and teammate? or is he laying the groundwork to ease Sahm's return to the Northside? I don't know. I have no idea why Alou ever says anything.
Former Cub reliever Kent Mercker decided it was time for him to clear the air on what happened with the Stone Pony. The stories that were told by Stone & Chip seem to be pretty different than Mercker's. I guess the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. I have a real problem with Mercker being so concerned with comments by tv broadcasters. But Dusty allowed it to happen.
These two guys were part of the problem in 2004. The whole season was painful enough. Time to move on. It sounds like neither one of these guys will be back in 2005. I'm okay with that.
---------------------------
Other Baseball Stuff
Gabe Kaplar is going to play in Japan in 2005.
It's pretty dead out there. Maybe one of these days the hot stove will begin heating up.
Washington Nationals
About 22 minutes ago they made it official. Les Expos are now the Washington Nationals. The Cubs will play the Nationals at RFK May 13-15, 2005. The Nationals will visit Wrigley Fd. July 1-3.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
What the market will cub...
The Cubs announced that ticket prices will rise across the board in 2005. This will be the third straight season that prices have gone up. The lowest increase will be in the $1-$2 range, the highest increase will be 20%.
In addition to the increase you will see an increase in the number of "Prime" dates and a decrease in the "Regular" and "Value" dates. This will mean more revenue for the Cubs in 2005. Here's the comparison between 2004 & 2005:
For a more detailed breakdown check out Byron Clarke's post at The Cubdom.
The easy thing to do right now, is to go into a rant about ticket prices. As a fan, that spends too much of my disposable income at Wrigley Field, I am really tempted. The fact is: if I choose not to go to a game, because of price, there are plenty of Cub fans who will take my ticket. Simple economics tells you the increase is the right decision.
Demand for Cub tix has never been higher. Selling out every game in 2004, for the first time in franchise history, guaranteed a ticket price hike for 2005. They won't have any trouble selling the seats at the increased price. Looking ahead we should probably expect another increase before 2006.
The Cubs are in a great position right now. The team on the field has a nucleus that will make it a winner over the next several seasons. Recently the Cubs have found the following new revenue streams: rooftop surcharges, ticket scalping, $250 seats behind home plate, scoreboard advertising down the lines and underneath the scoreboard, forming Comcast Sports Net with the Sox, Hawks and Bulls. Bleacher expansion and the Wrigley Field campus construction west of the ballpark will create even more revenue. All of these revenues will provide Jim Hendry with the money needed to build a winning franchise.
Creating Revenue: The proposed Wrigley Fd. campus and bleacher expansion
As much as I'd like to complain about the price increase, I won't. If Jim Hendry invests this money wisely, my checkbook will never notice.
Other Stuff...
According to the Trib the Cubs are going to offer Matty Clement salary arbitration.
Phil Rogers writes a piece on the great job Jim Hendry does.
ESPN's Jayson Stark is reporting that MLB is providing teams with a "Free Agent Advice Form". Take a look at a sample of the advice form.
Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are close to landing Tony Womack to play 2B.
In addition to the increase you will see an increase in the number of "Prime" dates and a decrease in the "Regular" and "Value" dates. This will mean more revenue for the Cubs in 2005. Here's the comparison between 2004 & 2005:
| Game Type | 2004 | 2005 |
| Prime Games | 28 | 40 |
| Regular Games | 45 | 35 |
| Value Games | 8 | 6 |
For a more detailed breakdown check out Byron Clarke's post at The Cubdom.
The easy thing to do right now, is to go into a rant about ticket prices. As a fan, that spends too much of my disposable income at Wrigley Field, I am really tempted. The fact is: if I choose not to go to a game, because of price, there are plenty of Cub fans who will take my ticket. Simple economics tells you the increase is the right decision.
Demand for Cub tix has never been higher. Selling out every game in 2004, for the first time in franchise history, guaranteed a ticket price hike for 2005. They won't have any trouble selling the seats at the increased price. Looking ahead we should probably expect another increase before 2006.
The Cubs are in a great position right now. The team on the field has a nucleus that will make it a winner over the next several seasons. Recently the Cubs have found the following new revenue streams: rooftop surcharges, ticket scalping, $250 seats behind home plate, scoreboard advertising down the lines and underneath the scoreboard, forming Comcast Sports Net with the Sox, Hawks and Bulls. Bleacher expansion and the Wrigley Field campus construction west of the ballpark will create even more revenue. All of these revenues will provide Jim Hendry with the money needed to build a winning franchise.
Creating Revenue: The proposed Wrigley Fd. campus and bleacher expansion
As much as I'd like to complain about the price increase, I won't. If Jim Hendry invests this money wisely, my checkbook will never notice.
Other Stuff...
According to the Trib the Cubs are going to offer Matty Clement salary arbitration.
Phil Rogers writes a piece on the great job Jim Hendry does.
ESPN's Jayson Stark is reporting that MLB is providing teams with a "Free Agent Advice Form". Take a look at a sample of the advice form.
Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are close to landing Tony Womack to play 2B.
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Time to turn down the sound, the Cubs hired Len Kasper
The Cubs must really want to push fans over to the radio broadcasts of Pat Hughes and Ron Santo. The Pat and Ron Show is very popular in Chicago each summer. It should only grow in the coming year as many fans will turn down the tv sound and turn up Pat and Ron. How come they didn't do this in the Cub clubhouse?
On Friday, the Cubs hired Len Kasper to fill the television play-by-play spot. I have listened to Kasper for several years. He was a sports show host on WTMJ in Milawaukee. The past three years I heard Len while I watched the Marlins on satellite. Kasper may end up being a fine partner for Bob Brenly, but in my opinion he does not have the experience Cub fans deserve to sit in the chair that has been occupied by hall of famers Harry Caray and Jack Brickhouse.
What the Cubs get in Len is another cookie cutter young broadcaster. He's not gonna get excited and raise his voivce very often like Chip did. But Len is flat out boring to listen to. Len lacks an on-air personality. Maybe partnering with Brenly will change that. If it doesn't change the Tribsters are gonna be bombarded with complaint letters, just like they were on Chip the past several years. I really thought the Cubs would do better finding a replacement for Chippy.
Why did the Cubs "settle" for Kasper? To most Cub fans the play-by-play tv voice is important. After Chip Caray quit the Cubs brass repeated that this was considered one of the premier jobs in sports broadcasting. If that is the case why did the Cubs hire a lesser name to fill the position? There are several reasons, but two standout. First off money, Kaspar is cheap. Second the Dusty factor. The Cubs are not regarded very highly in media circles right now. People know that the clubhouse was out of control. Why would an experienced professional broadcaster subject themselves to the treatment Stone and Caray received. The answer is cash.
There has been a real shift in the Cub braodcast booth since Harry passed away in February 1998. As long as the Cubs had been on television Jack Brickhouse or Harry Caray was the lead broadcaster. These two had personalities that were bigger than life in and around Chicago. Both of them have statues in Chicago. When the Cubs brought in a "green" Chip Caray, to replace his Grandfather, the star in the booth became Stone. Stone carried the Cub broadcasts. With the departure of Chip and Stone, and the hiring of a new team it is obvious that the Cubs new formula is have a star in the analyst seat and a caretaker calling play-by-play. No offense Mr. Kasper, but the Cub fans deserved better sitting in Harry and Jack's chair.
IN OTHER NEWS
The Cubs signed swing man Glendon Rusch. Rusch was a great pickup by Hendry late in Spring Training. He served every role Dusty asked him to in 2005. My hope is that the Cubs still find a fifth starter and keep Rush in the swingman role in 2005.
Have a great weekend! Go Badgers!
On Friday, the Cubs hired Len Kasper to fill the television play-by-play spot. I have listened to Kasper for several years. He was a sports show host on WTMJ in Milawaukee. The past three years I heard Len while I watched the Marlins on satellite. Kasper may end up being a fine partner for Bob Brenly, but in my opinion he does not have the experience Cub fans deserve to sit in the chair that has been occupied by hall of famers Harry Caray and Jack Brickhouse.
What the Cubs get in Len is another cookie cutter young broadcaster. He's not gonna get excited and raise his voivce very often like Chip did. But Len is flat out boring to listen to. Len lacks an on-air personality. Maybe partnering with Brenly will change that. If it doesn't change the Tribsters are gonna be bombarded with complaint letters, just like they were on Chip the past several years. I really thought the Cubs would do better finding a replacement for Chippy.
Why did the Cubs "settle" for Kasper? To most Cub fans the play-by-play tv voice is important. After Chip Caray quit the Cubs brass repeated that this was considered one of the premier jobs in sports broadcasting. If that is the case why did the Cubs hire a lesser name to fill the position? There are several reasons, but two standout. First off money, Kaspar is cheap. Second the Dusty factor. The Cubs are not regarded very highly in media circles right now. People know that the clubhouse was out of control. Why would an experienced professional broadcaster subject themselves to the treatment Stone and Caray received. The answer is cash.
There has been a real shift in the Cub braodcast booth since Harry passed away in February 1998. As long as the Cubs had been on television Jack Brickhouse or Harry Caray was the lead broadcaster. These two had personalities that were bigger than life in and around Chicago. Both of them have statues in Chicago. When the Cubs brought in a "green" Chip Caray, to replace his Grandfather, the star in the booth became Stone. Stone carried the Cub broadcasts. With the departure of Chip and Stone, and the hiring of a new team it is obvious that the Cubs new formula is have a star in the analyst seat and a caretaker calling play-by-play. No offense Mr. Kasper, but the Cub fans deserved better sitting in Harry and Jack's chair.
IN OTHER NEWS
The Cubs signed swing man Glendon Rusch. Rusch was a great pickup by Hendry late in Spring Training. He served every role Dusty asked him to in 2005. My hope is that the Cubs still find a fifth starter and keep Rush in the swingman role in 2005.
Have a great weekend! Go Badgers!
Thursday, November 18, 2004
I am set up
I will begin using this blog to bash as well as celebrate the great rollercoaster ride we cub fans know all to well.
It's called the cubs season. I am sure you are all well aware it is now the off season, so if you are still at Casey Moran's with your face down in a cold frosty one. I am sorry if you just found out how the great collapse of 04 unraveled.
Book your hotel reservations for the Cubs convention, its right around the corner, maybe you can save me a seat...I will be at Casey Moran's.
Waiting for another glorious year....
Mcav
It's called the cubs season. I am sure you are all well aware it is now the off season, so if you are still at Casey Moran's with your face down in a cold frosty one. I am sorry if you just found out how the great collapse of 04 unraveled.
Book your hotel reservations for the Cubs convention, its right around the corner, maybe you can save me a seat...I will be at Casey Moran's.
Waiting for another glorious year....
Mcav
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Random Cubs Boxscore 6/3/87
Look at the Score on this Cub random boxscore. This may have been Dayett's "career game"! Cubs homered 5 times in a rout of the Western Division Astros. I also love the fact that the Cubs almost scored in every inning.
Chicago Cubs 22, Houston Astros 7
DayGame
Played on Wednesday, June 3, 1987 (D)
at Wrigley Field
HOU N 2 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 - 7 9 2
CHI N 9 2 2 1 2 4 2 0 x - 22 21 0
BATTING
Houston Astros
AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Hatcher cf 3 2 1 4 1 0 4 0
Andersen p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Doran 2b 5 1 3 2 0 0 3 2
Garner 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Walling 3b 3 0 0 0 2 0 1 1
Davis 1b 5 1 2 0 0 1 3 0
Bass rf 4 0 0 0 1 1 5 0
Cruz lf 4 1 0 0 1 1 1 0
C. Reynolds ss 5 0 1 1 0 1 1 2
Bailey c 3 1 1 0 1 0 6 0
Knepper p 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Meads p 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
Householder ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Solano p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Puhl ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jackson cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 35 7 9 7 7 5 24 5
FIELDING -
DP: 1.
E: Davis (4), Knepper (1).
BATTING -
2B: Davis 2 (15,off Sutcliffe,off Noles).
HR: Doran (6,1st inning off Sutcliffe 1 on, 0 out); Hatcher (5,4th inning off
Sutcliffe 3 on, 1 out).
HBP: Hatcher (4,by Noles).
Chicago Cubs
AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Dernier cf 6 1 3 2 0 1 0 0
Sandberg 2b 5 4 3 3 1 0 1 5
Dawson rf 5 2 2 1 0 0 1 0
Noce ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
J. Davis c 1 5 1 0 4 0 5 1
Sundberg ph,c 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0
Dayett lf,rf 3 3 2 4 3 0 2 0
Moreland 3b 5 2 3 7 0 1 1 0
Dunston ss 5 1 1 0 0 1 2 0
Martinez lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Trillo 1b 5 2 3 0 1 0 10 1
Sutcliffe p 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 2
Matthews ph 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0
Lynch p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Noles p 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
Totals 44 22 21 21 9 6 27 10
FIELDING -
DP: 1.
BATTING -
2B: Dayett (6,off Meads); Trillo (3,off Meads); J. Davis (6,off Solano).
HR: Dayett (4,1st inning off Knepper 3 on, 1 out); Moreland 2 (6,1st inning
off Knepper 0 on, 1 out,6th inning off Solano 3 on, 1 out); Sandberg (10,1st
inning off Knepper 2 on, 2 out); Dawson (19,3rd inning off Meads 0 on,
2 out); Sundberg (2,7th inning off Solano 1 on, 2 out).
SF: Moreland (3,off Meads).
BASERUNNING -
SB: Dawson (6,2nd base off Knepper/Bailey).
PITCHING
Houston Astros IP H HR R ER BB K
Knepper L(2-6) 1 7 3 9 9 2 1
Meads 3 7 1 5 5 3 2
Solano 3 7 2 8 8 4 2
Andersen 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 8 21 6 22 22 9 6
Chicago Cubs IP H HR R ER BB K
Sutcliffe W(8-2) 5 7 2 7 7 6 3
Lynch 2 0 0 0 0 1 2
Noles 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 9 9 2 7 7 7 5
WP: Meads (1).
HBP: Noles (2,Hatcher).
Umpires: Doug Harvey, Dick Stello, Eric Gregg, Steve Rippley
Time of Game: 3:22 Attendance: 19725
Chicago Cubs 22, Houston Astros 7
DayGame
Played on Wednesday, June 3, 1987 (D)
at Wrigley Field
HOU N 2 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 - 7 9 2
CHI N 9 2 2 1 2 4 2 0 x - 22 21 0
BATTING
Houston Astros
AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Hatcher cf 3 2 1 4 1 0 4 0
Andersen p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Doran 2b 5 1 3 2 0 0 3 2
Garner 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Walling 3b 3 0 0 0 2 0 1 1
Davis 1b 5 1 2 0 0 1 3 0
Bass rf 4 0 0 0 1 1 5 0
Cruz lf 4 1 0 0 1 1 1 0
C. Reynolds ss 5 0 1 1 0 1 1 2
Bailey c 3 1 1 0 1 0 6 0
Knepper p 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Meads p 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
Householder ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Solano p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Puhl ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jackson cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 35 7 9 7 7 5 24 5
FIELDING -
DP: 1.
E: Davis (4), Knepper (1).
BATTING -
2B: Davis 2 (15,off Sutcliffe,off Noles).
HR: Doran (6,1st inning off Sutcliffe 1 on, 0 out); Hatcher (5,4th inning off
Sutcliffe 3 on, 1 out).
HBP: Hatcher (4,by Noles).
Chicago Cubs
AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Dernier cf 6 1 3 2 0 1 0 0
Sandberg 2b 5 4 3 3 1 0 1 5
Dawson rf 5 2 2 1 0 0 1 0
Noce ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
J. Davis c 1 5 1 0 4 0 5 1
Sundberg ph,c 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0
Dayett lf,rf 3 3 2 4 3 0 2 0
Moreland 3b 5 2 3 7 0 1 1 0
Dunston ss 5 1 1 0 0 1 2 0
Martinez lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Trillo 1b 5 2 3 0 1 0 10 1
Sutcliffe p 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 2
Matthews ph 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0
Lynch p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Noles p 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
Totals 44 22 21 21 9 6 27 10
FIELDING -
DP: 1.
BATTING -
2B: Dayett (6,off Meads); Trillo (3,off Meads); J. Davis (6,off Solano).
HR: Dayett (4,1st inning off Knepper 3 on, 1 out); Moreland 2 (6,1st inning
off Knepper 0 on, 1 out,6th inning off Solano 3 on, 1 out); Sandberg (10,1st
inning off Knepper 2 on, 2 out); Dawson (19,3rd inning off Meads 0 on,
2 out); Sundberg (2,7th inning off Solano 1 on, 2 out).
SF: Moreland (3,off Meads).
BASERUNNING -
SB: Dawson (6,2nd base off Knepper/Bailey).
PITCHING
Houston Astros IP H HR R ER BB K
Knepper L(2-6) 1 7 3 9 9 2 1
Meads 3 7 1 5 5 3 2
Solano 3 7 2 8 8 4 2
Andersen 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 8 21 6 22 22 9 6
Chicago Cubs IP H HR R ER BB K
Sutcliffe W(8-2) 5 7 2 7 7 6 3
Lynch 2 0 0 0 0 1 2
Noles 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 9 9 2 7 7 7 5
WP: Meads (1).
HBP: Noles (2,Hatcher).
Umpires: Doug Harvey, Dick Stello, Eric Gregg, Steve Rippley
Time of Game: 3:22 Attendance: 19725
Random Cubs Boxscore 5/15/95
Chicago Cubs 6, San Francisco Giants 1
Daygame
Game Played on Monday, May 15, 1995 (D) at Candlestick Park
CHI N 0 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 - 6 13 1
SF N 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 - 1 3 1
BATTING
Chicago Cubs AB R H RBI BB K PO A
McRae cf 4 0 2 0 1 0 5 0
Sanchez 2b 5 1 2 0 0 0 0 2
Sosa rf 5 1 2 1 0 1 3 0
Grace 1b 3 2 1 0 2 0 10 1
Wilkins c 4 1 1 1 1 2 4 0
Dunston ss 5 0 0 0 0 1 2 2
Buechele 3b 3 0 1 0 1 1 2 4
Bullett lf 4 1 3 2 0 0 0 0
Trachsel p 3 0 1 1 0 1 1 0
Totals 36 6 13 5 5 6 27 9
FIELDING -
DP: 1.
E: Buechele (4).
BATTING -
2B: Bullett (1,off Leiter); Grace (8,off Bautista).
3B: McRae (2,off Leiter).
HR: Sosa (6,7th inning off Bautista 0 on, 0 out).
SH: Trachsel (2,off Leiter).
BASERUNNING -
SB: Sosa (4,2nd base off Leiter/Manwaring); Grace (1,2nd base off Frey/Manwaring).
CS: Sanchez (3,2nd base by Leiter/Manwaring).
San Francisco Giants AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Lewis cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Patterson 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 3
Bonds lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 1
Williams 3b 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 3
Hill rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
Clayton ss 4 1 1 0 0 0 5 2
Phillips 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 9 1
Manwaring c 3 0 1 1 0 0 5 1
Leiter p 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 1
Bautista p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Lampkin ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Frey p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dewey p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 30 1 3 1 3 3 27 13
FIELDING -
DP: 2.
E: Manwaring (1).
PITCHING
Chicago Cubs IP H HR R ER BB K
Trachsel W(2-1) 9 3 0 1 1 3 3
San Francisco Giants IP H HR R ER BB K
Leiter L(1-1) 5.2 10 0 3 3 2 3
Bautista 2.1 3 1 2 2 2 1
Frey 0.2 0 0 1 0 1 1
Dewey 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 9.0 13 1 6 5 5 6
WP: Dewey (1).
Umpires: Mark Hirschbeck, Frank Pulli, Joe West, Larry Poncino
Time of Game: 3:01 Attendance: 9096
Daygame
Game Played on Monday, May 15, 1995 (D) at Candlestick Park
CHI N 0 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 - 6 13 1
SF N 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 - 1 3 1
BATTING
Chicago Cubs AB R H RBI BB K PO A
McRae cf 4 0 2 0 1 0 5 0
Sanchez 2b 5 1 2 0 0 0 0 2
Sosa rf 5 1 2 1 0 1 3 0
Grace 1b 3 2 1 0 2 0 10 1
Wilkins c 4 1 1 1 1 2 4 0
Dunston ss 5 0 0 0 0 1 2 2
Buechele 3b 3 0 1 0 1 1 2 4
Bullett lf 4 1 3 2 0 0 0 0
Trachsel p 3 0 1 1 0 1 1 0
Totals 36 6 13 5 5 6 27 9
FIELDING -
DP: 1.
E: Buechele (4).
BATTING -
2B: Bullett (1,off Leiter); Grace (8,off Bautista).
3B: McRae (2,off Leiter).
HR: Sosa (6,7th inning off Bautista 0 on, 0 out).
SH: Trachsel (2,off Leiter).
BASERUNNING -
SB: Sosa (4,2nd base off Leiter/Manwaring); Grace (1,2nd base off Frey/Manwaring).
CS: Sanchez (3,2nd base by Leiter/Manwaring).
San Francisco Giants AB R H RBI BB K PO A
Lewis cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Patterson 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 3
Bonds lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 1
Williams 3b 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 3
Hill rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
Clayton ss 4 1 1 0 0 0 5 2
Phillips 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 9 1
Manwaring c 3 0 1 1 0 0 5 1
Leiter p 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 1
Bautista p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Lampkin ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Frey p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dewey p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 30 1 3 1 3 3 27 13
FIELDING -
DP: 2.
E: Manwaring (1).
PITCHING
Chicago Cubs IP H HR R ER BB K
Trachsel W(2-1) 9 3 0 1 1 3 3
San Francisco Giants IP H HR R ER BB K
Leiter L(1-1) 5.2 10 0 3 3 2 3
Bautista 2.1 3 1 2 2 2 1
Frey 0.2 0 0 1 0 1 1
Dewey 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 9.0 13 1 6 5 5 6
WP: Dewey (1).
Umpires: Mark Hirschbeck, Frank Pulli, Joe West, Larry Poncino
Time of Game: 3:01 Attendance: 9096
Cub Happenings & a Quick Word for Mr. Paul Tagliabue
Not much is going on in Cubdom, but alot is going on in Cubdom...
First off Dave O'Brien will not be the Cubs new play by play man. ESPN has decided not to allow him out of his contract. O'Brien will remain with ESPN and he'll call 50 games for Sammy and the Mets in 2005.
Speaking of Sammy, a couple of other teams have popped up with interest in number 21. The Devil Rays (Straightup for a youngster named Joey Gathright) and the Marlins are looking at La Pantera. Maybe there is a market for Sammy and his big contract. Stay tuned...
Here's the latest on Cubs never ending battle with city hall: the Cubs are taking another shot on bleacher expansion. According to the Trib they want to move the outside bleacher wall out to the curb on Sheffield and Waveland. Thus they would eliminate the sidewalk next to the park.
I have so many questions and maybe a comment or two on this:
Why is blocking the sidewalk better than "El-like" posts over the streets?
Don't people walk and drive underneath the "El" throughout Chicago?
If public safety is the worry, just have Daley install a few more cameras.
Didn't the Trib just sign lucrative agreements with all the rooftop owners; how will this screw up their views?
If you owned a rooftop would you ask the Cubs to lower their fees if the view is less?
How can a city that built "The New" Soldiers Field critique any teams plans for their stadium?
Paging Mr. Paul Tagliabue
I don't usually comment on social issues nor the NFL on this site. But this whole "Desperate Housewives/Monday Night Football" controversey is great.
Read what Dan Rooney (Steelers Owner) said:
"I couldn't believe it. It's a disgrace. When they have a football player and they're in a dressing room and they're selling our shield, our product, they've got to have some idea of correctness. It's insensitive. It's inconceivable.
"The Janet Jackson thing was bad--I'm not lessening that. This thing was worse."
These comments don't look good Mr. Rooney.
Hey Dan and Paul be careful what you say. The NFL more than any other league has marketed T&A for years. T&A and the NFL Shield go together like PB & J.
This league and their shield bring the Raiderettes, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, and several other teams dance squads into your living room on a weekly basis. Several preseason publications have pictures of cheerleaders in their centerfolds. Have you seen the camera shots of the cheerleaders during games? Take a look at the women who have been featured in beer commercials for years, remember the Coors Twins? Do any commercials have more sexual innuendo than all the new male enhancement drugs? What about all the good looking female sideline reporters, were they the best journalists available?
The more the NFL makes a big deal of this, the more they look like hypocrites. The NFL makes alot of money from networks like ABC and commercial spots that sell sex. Give back the beer advertising money, get rid of the cheerleaders, no hotties on the sideline. C'mon. T&A is a BIG part of the NFL presentation. It has been since the 1970's. Everybody over at the NFL needs to take a deep breath and worry about something that matters.
First off Dave O'Brien will not be the Cubs new play by play man. ESPN has decided not to allow him out of his contract. O'Brien will remain with ESPN and he'll call 50 games for Sammy and the Mets in 2005.
Speaking of Sammy, a couple of other teams have popped up with interest in number 21. The Devil Rays (Straightup for a youngster named Joey Gathright) and the Marlins are looking at La Pantera. Maybe there is a market for Sammy and his big contract. Stay tuned...
Here's the latest on Cubs never ending battle with city hall: the Cubs are taking another shot on bleacher expansion. According to the Trib they want to move the outside bleacher wall out to the curb on Sheffield and Waveland. Thus they would eliminate the sidewalk next to the park.
I have so many questions and maybe a comment or two on this:
Why is blocking the sidewalk better than "El-like" posts over the streets?
Don't people walk and drive underneath the "El" throughout Chicago?
If public safety is the worry, just have Daley install a few more cameras.
Didn't the Trib just sign lucrative agreements with all the rooftop owners; how will this screw up their views?
If you owned a rooftop would you ask the Cubs to lower their fees if the view is less?
How can a city that built "The New" Soldiers Field critique any teams plans for their stadium?
Paging Mr. Paul Tagliabue
I don't usually comment on social issues nor the NFL on this site. But this whole "Desperate Housewives/Monday Night Football" controversey is great.
Read what Dan Rooney (Steelers Owner) said:
"I couldn't believe it. It's a disgrace. When they have a football player and they're in a dressing room and they're selling our shield, our product, they've got to have some idea of correctness. It's insensitive. It's inconceivable.
"The Janet Jackson thing was bad--I'm not lessening that. This thing was worse."
These comments don't look good Mr. Rooney.
Hey Dan and Paul be careful what you say. The NFL more than any other league has marketed T&A for years. T&A and the NFL Shield go together like PB & J.
This league and their shield bring the Raiderettes, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, and several other teams dance squads into your living room on a weekly basis. Several preseason publications have pictures of cheerleaders in their centerfolds. Have you seen the camera shots of the cheerleaders during games? Take a look at the women who have been featured in beer commercials for years, remember the Coors Twins? Do any commercials have more sexual innuendo than all the new male enhancement drugs? What about all the good looking female sideline reporters, were they the best journalists available?
The more the NFL makes a big deal of this, the more they look like hypocrites. The NFL makes alot of money from networks like ABC and commercial spots that sell sex. Give back the beer advertising money, get rid of the cheerleaders, no hotties on the sideline. C'mon. T&A is a BIG part of the NFL presentation. It has been since the 1970's. Everybody over at the NFL needs to take a deep breath and worry about something that matters.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Mets clearing room for Sosa by dealing Piazza to Angels?
The Sammy-to-the-Mets (for Cliff Floyd) rumor seems to have legs. Here's the latest from NYC. Another NYC rag has the Mets dealing Piazza to the Angels to make room for Sahm. The Mets have also declined the $10.2 Million option on Al Leiter. (Note: Leiter might fit in great with the Cubs he could be the fifth starter and sit in the TV booth the other 4 days with Brenly. Brenly would let him talk more than McCarver and Joe Buck did during the ALCS.)
So the Mets are clearing payroll, meanwhile Adam Katz wants the players union to allow Sammy to restructure his deal so the automatic option for 2006 will not kick in when he is dealt(yes, I said when). This article in the Bright One says that the players union is leaning towards allowing this to happen. If the union will allow this, it looks to me like the trade is a done deal.
Another rumor that I heard this evening has Hendry bringing back Womack to play 2b and leadoff. This probably makes sense due to the lack of production at the top of the lineup in '04.
I cannot help but wonder what the Cubs would have looked like in '05 had they won the Wild Card in '04. Hmmm.
So the Mets are clearing payroll, meanwhile Adam Katz wants the players union to allow Sammy to restructure his deal so the automatic option for 2006 will not kick in when he is dealt(yes, I said when). This article in the Bright One says that the players union is leaning towards allowing this to happen. If the union will allow this, it looks to me like the trade is a done deal.
Another rumor that I heard this evening has Hendry bringing back Womack to play 2b and leadoff. This probably makes sense due to the lack of production at the top of the lineup in '04.
I cannot help but wonder what the Cubs would have looked like in '05 had they won the Wild Card in '04. Hmmm.
Monday, November 15, 2004
Shortstop
With Omar Vizquel signing in San Fran it's time to look at who will lead the Cubs 2005 infield.
Nomar said all the right things while play SS for the Cubs. The injuries were just too much. Nicknamed "Glass" by his Georgia Tech teammates, Nomar lived up to that billing down the stretch. That being said Jim Hendry knew he was getting an injured player when he traded for Garciaparra. The Cubs GM has to figure out if Nomar will ever have another healthy season. When he's healthy he's a great player.
Renteria has always been a favorite of Jim Hendry. Signing the Redbird SS would add to the Cubs and more importantly take away from the rival Cards. One thing is sure, Renteria is gonna make alot of money this off season. How much are you willing to pay a Gold Glove SS who hit .287 with 10 HR, 72 RBi, 84 R, & 17 SB?
Who is the real Orlando Cabrera? The one who played in 2003 with Montreal, the one that played in Montreal this year, or the one we saw in Boston during the playoffs. One thing is sure, Cabrera can pick it. If he ever plays up to his potential he'll be an All Star SS in the NL.
Other FA Shortstops:
Christian Guzman - switch hitting SS the Twins are going to let test the FA waters. Hit .274 in 145 games, 576 AB, 84 R, 158 H, 31 2b, 8 HR, 46 RBi, 10 SB, 5 CS, & a .693 OPS. Rumor has it he'll end up on the Southside.
Royce Clayton - yuck!
A-Gon - Botched the DP in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS. He'll never be back.
Barry Larkin - old and injury prone. Dusty loves veterans.
Pokey Reese - not a starter but he's a good glove man.
Jose Valentin - This guy is AWFUL! Don't even think about it Jim Hendry.
Nomar said all the right things while play SS for the Cubs. The injuries were just too much. Nicknamed "Glass" by his Georgia Tech teammates, Nomar lived up to that billing down the stretch. That being said Jim Hendry knew he was getting an injured player when he traded for Garciaparra. The Cubs GM has to figure out if Nomar will ever have another healthy season. When he's healthy he's a great player.
Renteria has always been a favorite of Jim Hendry. Signing the Redbird SS would add to the Cubs and more importantly take away from the rival Cards. One thing is sure, Renteria is gonna make alot of money this off season. How much are you willing to pay a Gold Glove SS who hit .287 with 10 HR, 72 RBi, 84 R, & 17 SB?
Who is the real Orlando Cabrera? The one who played in 2003 with Montreal, the one that played in Montreal this year, or the one we saw in Boston during the playoffs. One thing is sure, Cabrera can pick it. If he ever plays up to his potential he'll be an All Star SS in the NL.
Other FA Shortstops:
Christian Guzman - switch hitting SS the Twins are going to let test the FA waters. Hit .274 in 145 games, 576 AB, 84 R, 158 H, 31 2b, 8 HR, 46 RBi, 10 SB, 5 CS, & a .693 OPS. Rumor has it he'll end up on the Southside.
Royce Clayton - yuck!
A-Gon - Botched the DP in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS. He'll never be back.
Barry Larkin - old and injury prone. Dusty loves veterans.
Pokey Reese - not a starter but he's a good glove man.
Jose Valentin - This guy is AWFUL! Don't even think about it Jim Hendry.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
The FA Market is Now Open...
Let the bidding begin. Take a look at this list. This list creates alot of possibilities for teams that have money to spend like the Cubs.
Scott Boras is licking his chops. While Carlos Beltran prepares to break the bank other Boras clients J.D. Drew, Maggs Ordonez, Adrian Beltre and Derek Lowe look to do okay. Most fans hate Boras. As a Cub fan, I have hated Boras since maddux went to the Braves. That being said the guy is a tremendous agent. The fact that he was able to get Tom Hicks and the Rangers bidding against themselves in the A-Rod negotiations still amazes me. If you were a ballplayer, why would you have anybody besides Boras represent you?
We will see how serious the Cubs are about Beltran. We will also find out if they can get a leadoff hitter from this crop. Who will be the SS? The waiting is over or is it just beginning?
INSTANT REPLAY
New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman is pushing instant replay. Although a 15-15 vote at the General Managers meeting means nothing will happen in the coming year, mark my words instant replay in the grand old game is just a matter of time.
For the record I do not like instant replay in the NFL nor the Big Ten. I'm not really sure how instant replay is used in the NBA and I quit following the NHL when Gretzky left Edmonton. The major reason replay is so important in football is gambling. Betting on baseball is no where near that of the NFL or College Football. So why does baseball need instant replay? I don't think it does.
In the playoffs you saw Umpires huddle up and change calls. In each case they got the call right. That will not always happen. Bad calls are part of sports. Many instant replay calls are still called incorrectly--rememeber Don Majkowski's pass against the Bears. Jeez that brings back bad memories.
WHO WILL SIT NEXT TO BRENLY? (DOES ANYBODY REALLY CARE?)
Finally here's a link that will tell you more about the Cubs soon to be named play by play man Dave O'Brien:
http://www.sportscastingjobs.com/roundhorn1.asp
Scott Boras is licking his chops. While Carlos Beltran prepares to break the bank other Boras clients J.D. Drew, Maggs Ordonez, Adrian Beltre and Derek Lowe look to do okay. Most fans hate Boras. As a Cub fan, I have hated Boras since maddux went to the Braves. That being said the guy is a tremendous agent. The fact that he was able to get Tom Hicks and the Rangers bidding against themselves in the A-Rod negotiations still amazes me. If you were a ballplayer, why would you have anybody besides Boras represent you?
We will see how serious the Cubs are about Beltran. We will also find out if they can get a leadoff hitter from this crop. Who will be the SS? The waiting is over or is it just beginning?
INSTANT REPLAY
New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman is pushing instant replay. Although a 15-15 vote at the General Managers meeting means nothing will happen in the coming year, mark my words instant replay in the grand old game is just a matter of time.
For the record I do not like instant replay in the NFL nor the Big Ten. I'm not really sure how instant replay is used in the NBA and I quit following the NHL when Gretzky left Edmonton. The major reason replay is so important in football is gambling. Betting on baseball is no where near that of the NFL or College Football. So why does baseball need instant replay? I don't think it does.
In the playoffs you saw Umpires huddle up and change calls. In each case they got the call right. That will not always happen. Bad calls are part of sports. Many instant replay calls are still called incorrectly--rememeber Don Majkowski's pass against the Bears. Jeez that brings back bad memories.
WHO WILL SIT NEXT TO BRENLY? (DOES ANYBODY REALLY CARE?)
Finally here's a link that will tell you more about the Cubs soon to be named play by play man Dave O'Brien:
http://www.sportscastingjobs.com/roundhorn1.asp
Sosa to the Mets Rumors Continue
The NY Post is reporting that Omar Minaya has interest in bringing Sammy to the Big Apple. To get this deal done the Mets would have to unload their garbage: Mike Piazza and Cliff Floyd. The Cubs can take Floyd and play him part time in the OF. The guy's never healthy. Piazza is a different animal. The Cubs don't have room for him at 1B and he can't catch anymore. Hendry will have to find an AL team to get involved in this deal. Time to call Theo!
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Secondbase
Bruce Levine with ESPN 1000 is reporting that the Cubs are looking at Placido Polanco or Craig Counsell as replacements for Grudz and Walker in 2005.
POLANCO
Polanco is 29 years old. In 2004 he played in 126 games, hit .298 with 17 HR, 55 RBi and 7 SB. Polanco had 27 BB and 39 SO, his OBP is .345. Polanco is right handed hitter who had a .995 fielding percentage at 2B in 2004.
COUNSELL
Counsell is the other option, Bruce is reporting. Counsell is 34. The former Golden Domer struggled in 2004 with the Brewers. In 140 games he hit .241 with 2 HR's, 23 RBi and 17 SB. His OBP was .330 with 88 SO and 59 BB. Craig had a .983 fielding percentage in 2004 playing all but one game at SS. Counsell hits left handed and has the most disturbing batting stance in baseball.
Another Candidate:
The Louisiana Lumberjack
The Louisiana Lumberjack! Todd Walker had a good offensive season with the Cubs. In 129 games he hit .274 with 15 HR and 50 RBi. His OBP was .352 he had 43 BB and 52 SO. The problem for Lumberjack is that there are two parts of the game. Walkers defense is not good. He had a .981 fielding percentage at 2B in 2004. Walker was a pretty outspoken member of the team this year.
Other Free Agents
Robbie Alomar - Just kidding
World Series Hero The Horn -- Never
Miggy Cairo - Don't laugh, he is just as good if not a better option than all of the clowns on top.
Grudz - I don't see Grudz coming back. He didn't like the paycut he took last year.
Jose Hernandez - Not again
Jeff Kent - Another jerk. This guy would fit in great in the Cub clubhouse!
Desi Relaford - Please no
Tony Womack - Womack was the sparkplug for the Cards offense this past season. He is the only guy on this list that could leadoff. His age and injury history are an issue.
POLANCO
Polanco is 29 years old. In 2004 he played in 126 games, hit .298 with 17 HR, 55 RBi and 7 SB. Polanco had 27 BB and 39 SO, his OBP is .345. Polanco is right handed hitter who had a .995 fielding percentage at 2B in 2004.
COUNSELL
Counsell is the other option, Bruce is reporting. Counsell is 34. The former Golden Domer struggled in 2004 with the Brewers. In 140 games he hit .241 with 2 HR's, 23 RBi and 17 SB. His OBP was .330 with 88 SO and 59 BB. Craig had a .983 fielding percentage in 2004 playing all but one game at SS. Counsell hits left handed and has the most disturbing batting stance in baseball.
Another Candidate:
The Louisiana Lumberjack
The Louisiana Lumberjack! Todd Walker had a good offensive season with the Cubs. In 129 games he hit .274 with 15 HR and 50 RBi. His OBP was .352 he had 43 BB and 52 SO. The problem for Lumberjack is that there are two parts of the game. Walkers defense is not good. He had a .981 fielding percentage at 2B in 2004. Walker was a pretty outspoken member of the team this year.
Other Free Agents
Robbie Alomar - Just kidding
World Series Hero The Horn -- Never
Miggy Cairo - Don't laugh, he is just as good if not a better option than all of the clowns on top.
Grudz - I don't see Grudz coming back. He didn't like the paycut he took last year.
Jose Hernandez - Not again
Jeff Kent - Another jerk. This guy would fit in great in the Cub clubhouse!
Desi Relaford - Please no
Tony Womack - Womack was the sparkplug for the Cards offense this past season. He is the only guy on this list that could leadoff. His age and injury history are an issue.
Say it ain't so...Lil' Thom back with the Cub
Nothing, I mean nothing, runs cold chills up my spine in the middle of August like having to listen to Lil' Thom Brennaman giggle like a little school girl. Thank the good man upstairs that he has seen fit to place Thommy out in Arizona. The D-backs have become so irrelevant in the NL that I never turn to FOX Sports Ariz. in the summertime. The two or three times each year that he shows up in Chicago covering a National Game for FOX is more than enough for my tastes.
So with Lil' Thom long out of my mind (besides when he holds the NLCS hostage each year) I turn to read Barry Rozner today and I get this headline "Brennaman now seems a possibility". I spit up my Cap'n Crunch.
I don't care what lame mid-market announcer the Cubs pull out to sit next to Bob Brenly. Please, please don't let it be Brennaman. I was under the understanding that this guy had burned so many bridges leaving Chicago that there was no way he would ever come back. Keep those bridges burned Trib Exec's! It was bad enough that he called the Cubs in the NLCS in 2003. 7 games of Brennaman was hard to take, imagine 150+.
I have been pretty down on this franchise for sometime now. One way to bring me back will be to hire ANYBODY, BUT THOM. I PROMISE I WILL BE A POSITIVE CUB FAN IN 2005 IF THEY DON'T HIRE THOMMY BOY.
Keep him and his "silent h" out in the Arizona heat.
So with Lil' Thom long out of my mind (besides when he holds the NLCS hostage each year) I turn to read Barry Rozner today and I get this headline "Brennaman now seems a possibility". I spit up my Cap'n Crunch.
I don't care what lame mid-market announcer the Cubs pull out to sit next to Bob Brenly. Please, please don't let it be Brennaman. I was under the understanding that this guy had burned so many bridges leaving Chicago that there was no way he would ever come back. Keep those bridges burned Trib Exec's! It was bad enough that he called the Cubs in the NLCS in 2003. 7 games of Brennaman was hard to take, imagine 150+.
I have been pretty down on this franchise for sometime now. One way to bring me back will be to hire ANYBODY, BUT THOM. I PROMISE I WILL BE A POSITIVE CUB FAN IN 2005 IF THEY DON'T HIRE THOMMY BOY.
Keep him and his "silent h" out in the Arizona heat.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
WHO BASHED SAMMY's BOOMBOX, Part III
This thing is getting funnier by the moment.
In today's Tribune Kerry Wood, when asked if he destroyed Sahm's boombox, said: "I don't have the balls to do that". If this is true, and who wouldn't believe Kerry, it probably means that we have another 1060 West scoop--reported by our Wrigleyville "Neighborhood Sleuth" Vehere. Vehere told me right after this story broke that Mark Prior did it. Even after I told him ESPN1000 reported it was Wood, he told me his sources said Prior.
If Kerry's telling the truth, I think we have our guy Inspector...
Who Broke Sammy's Boom box?
SUSPECT #1
Mark Prior
1060west's Vehere is reporting that Mark Prior did the damage.
--------------------------------------------
In real Cub news--well kind of-- Bob Brenly's gonna sit next to the play-by-play man to be named later in the Cub tv booth. Brenly is a good announcer, with network experience at FOX. I'm happy for Brenly, he won't have to sit next to lil' Thommy anymore.
What I really find interesting about this move is the Cubs now have a TV analyst who has managed more World Series wins than Dusty Baker. I have no inside contacts, like Vehere, but I find it very interesting that the Cubs added Chris Speier (who coached for Brenly on the 2001 World Champion D-Back team) to be Third Base Coach and now Brenly to be the TV analyst. Either one of these guys could be the next Manager of the Cubs. I am not saying this is going to happen. But if the Cubs get off to a mediocre start in '05, Dusty may want to take a look over his shoulder.
Wouldn't either Speier or Brenly be a better replacement than say Bruce Kimm or Jim Essian?
--------------------------------------------
As I'm sure you've heard by now Roger Clemens one his 100th Cy Young today. Big Deal. Congrats to Carlos Zambrano for coming in 5th place!
Here is the voting:
Player, team 1st 2nd 3rd Tot
Clemens, Hou. 23 8 1 140
Johnson, Ari. 8 18 3 97
Oswalt, Hou. 1 3 5 19
Schmidt, S.F. - 1 10 13
Zambrano, Cubs - 1 5 8
Pavano, Fla. - 1 3 6
Gagne, L.A. - - 3 3
Lidge, Hou. - - 1 1
Sheets, Mil. - - 1 1
Carlos had a great year. He was 16-8 with a 2.75 ERA in 209.2 IP. Prior and Wood were on the covers of all the magazines, but Zambrano was the Cubs best starter.
--------------------------------------------
GM Meetings
Quiet as expected. FA activity will pickup after the 12th.
In today's Tribune Kerry Wood, when asked if he destroyed Sahm's boombox, said: "I don't have the balls to do that". If this is true, and who wouldn't believe Kerry, it probably means that we have another 1060 West scoop--reported by our Wrigleyville "Neighborhood Sleuth" Vehere. Vehere told me right after this story broke that Mark Prior did it. Even after I told him ESPN1000 reported it was Wood, he told me his sources said Prior.
If Kerry's telling the truth, I think we have our guy Inspector...
Who Broke Sammy's Boom box?
SUSPECT #1
Mark Prior
1060west's Vehere is reporting that Mark Prior did the damage.
--------------------------------------------
In real Cub news--well kind of-- Bob Brenly's gonna sit next to the play-by-play man to be named later in the Cub tv booth. Brenly is a good announcer, with network experience at FOX. I'm happy for Brenly, he won't have to sit next to lil' Thommy anymore.
What I really find interesting about this move is the Cubs now have a TV analyst who has managed more World Series wins than Dusty Baker. I have no inside contacts, like Vehere, but I find it very interesting that the Cubs added Chris Speier (who coached for Brenly on the 2001 World Champion D-Back team) to be Third Base Coach and now Brenly to be the TV analyst. Either one of these guys could be the next Manager of the Cubs. I am not saying this is going to happen. But if the Cubs get off to a mediocre start in '05, Dusty may want to take a look over his shoulder.
Wouldn't either Speier or Brenly be a better replacement than say Bruce Kimm or Jim Essian?
--------------------------------------------
As I'm sure you've heard by now Roger Clemens one his 100th Cy Young today. Big Deal. Congrats to Carlos Zambrano for coming in 5th place!
Here is the voting:
Player, team 1st 2nd 3rd Tot
Clemens, Hou. 23 8 1 140
Johnson, Ari. 8 18 3 97
Oswalt, Hou. 1 3 5 19
Schmidt, S.F. - 1 10 13
Zambrano, Cubs - 1 5 8
Pavano, Fla. - 1 3 6
Gagne, L.A. - - 3 3
Lidge, Hou. - - 1 1
Sheets, Mil. - - 1 1
Carlos had a great year. He was 16-8 with a 2.75 ERA in 209.2 IP. Prior and Wood were on the covers of all the magazines, but Zambrano was the Cubs best starter.
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GM Meetings
Quiet as expected. FA activity will pickup after the 12th.
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