The 20 things I learned at the 2012 Cubs Convention
Written by Mike KincaideThis article really should consist of two sentences: The main thing I learned from the Cubs Convention is that Ernie Banks owes me $11. That is all.
Actually I learned a little more than that, but that's probably the most important one, but we'll get to that story later. The 27th annual Cubs Convention may have lacked the star-power of years past but you'd have never noticed with all the excitment Theo and his team brought to the Hilton. So for those who may have sat this one out I'll give you a recap of what a convention veteran like myself learned as the new regime made their first convention appearance.
1. I now know how to pronounce new Cubs manager Dave Sveum's name. (It's like swim...only not).
2. Kerry Wood is going to be buried in a Cubs uniform. (He's never leaving....ever. So if you're stealing his internet connection you can look forward to a few more years of free usage).
3.The Cubs are trying to set a world record for player in the organization with mullets. Seriously, not everyone needs to look like Sawyer from LOST.
4. Brad Zibung of The Heckler: taller in person. Julie DiCaro of the Red Eye: cuter in person. Barry Rosner: cooler in person. Paul Sullivan: shorter in person. Kenny McReynolds: creepier in person.
5. Shawon Dunston has a son in the Cubs organization that could be in the bigs sooner rather than later. Get your Shawn -o-meter's ready.
6. The food at the media social was much better in year's past.
7. Alfonzo Soriano is still a Cub. Carlos pena is not here, yet LaHarr and Rizzo are. Guess we know who's on first.
8. David DeJesus will make all those that miss Todd Walker and Mark DeRosa feel all warm and fuzzy again.
9. There's a new band for the Cubs Saturday Night dance party. Yeah, I'll miss Gypsee Lee too! (fyi she was a dancer at past dance parties)
10. If you don't have a baseball signed by Brett Jackson or Anthony Rizzo you just aren't cool. That Dave Otto autograph will get you no cool points in the lobby.
11. Concerts? What concerts? There's only one concert planned for the summer (oh yeah, and then there's Brad Paisley, and that whole Springsteen thing...)
12. You are insane if you are already in line at 4am waiting for a 11am autograph session for James Russell. Seriously people....seriously.
13. The Cubs trolley has video games on it! It also plays the same songs you hear Mike and Joe play at Cubby Bear. is that exciting?
14. The 2011 highlight video is amazingly missing one thing: higlights of the 2011 season. Ouch. There's a couple in there...but don't blink or you'll miss them.
15. Mike Hill, the Cubs former event operations chief is not around. Mike passed away a few eeeks before, but the notoriously all-business/jokester who would spend much of Saturday being the only guy besides the players wearing dark sunglasses was sorely missed. Many of the staff wore pins in his honor.
16. Rollie Fingers still owns a weird moustache. Why is Rollie Fingers here...good f'n question!!!
17. Ran into Dutchie Caray...literally ran into. Yes she's ok...Seconds later ran into Tom Ricketts. Yes, my job is still ok.
18.The silent auction offerred autographed items from many 7th inning stretch singers. After further review (and witnessing several items not bidded on) i have determined that we need an upgrade on 7th inning stretch singers.
19. The brunch/lunch for the players/staff in the mornings...sucks. Come one, eggs, bacon...something!!! Man cannot live off cinnamon rolls and Sierra Mist all day.
20.Ernie Banks owes me $11. Now let me explain, Mr. Cub isn like other players, he knows everyone. He knows everyone because he talks to EVERYONE! His 1 hour session turned into a 2 hour yap fest with every fan that walked by. Now thats fine....did you not say more personal attention? Did you not tell my wife more personal attention! (Jerry Maguire). Now i'm making sure the session goes smoothly, no biggie, talk that talk, Mr. Cub. I made the mistake of saying that I would get Ernie "whatever he needs". His eyes light up! "Really", he says...pulls me close and asks for a glass of Merlot. Ok fine, no biggie. I was thinking more of the free Sierra Mist but hey, he's Ernie Banks! So I send one of my guys to find a glass from one of the hotel bars, and even give him money to get it...not thinking this half of cup of grape juice would cost $11 dollars.
What else did I learn? Well Marlon Byrd looks in the best shape I've ever seen him in, we have an abundance of young pitchers, Brian LaHarr has weird hair, and Len Kasper just may be the nicest guy around.
So after another crazed weekend amongst Cubs fans my level of optimism is pretty high. How they'll do next season is anyone's guess, but at least we'll have a goal to shoot for: actual baseball highlights on the 2012 higlight video.
The 20 I learned at the 2012 Cubs Convention
Written by Mike KincaideThis article really should consist of two sentences: The main thing I learned from the Cubs Convention is that Ernie Banks owes me $11. That is all.
Actually I learned a little more than that, but that's probably the most important one, but we'll get to that story later. The 27th annual Cubs Convention may have lacked the star-power of years past but you'd have never noticed with all the excitment Theo and his team brought to the Hilton. So for those who may have sat this one out I'll give you a recap of what a convention veteran like myself learned as the new regime made their first convention appearance.
1. I now know how to pronounce new Cubs manager Dave Sveum's name. (It's like swim...only not).
2. Kerry Wood is going to be buried in a Cubs uniform. (He's never leaving....ever. So if you're stealing his internet connection you can look forward to a few more years of free usage).
3.The Cubs are trying to set a world record for player in the organization with mullets. Seriously, not everyone needs to look like Sawyer from LOST.
4. Brad Zibung of The Heckler: taller in person. Julie DeCaro of the Red Eye: cuter in person. Barry Rosner: cooler in person. Paul Sullivan: shorter in person. Kenny McReynolds: creepier in person.
5. Shawon Dunston has a son in the Cubs organization that could be in the bigs sooner rather than later. Get your Shawn -o-meter's ready.
6. The food at the media social was much better in year's past.
7. Alfonzo Soriano is still a Cub.
8. David DeJesus will make all those that miss Todd Walker and Mark DeRosa feel all warm and fuzzy again.
9. There's a new band for the Cubs Saturday Night dance party. Yeah, I'll miss Gypsee Lee too! (fyi she was a dancer at past dance parties)
10. If you don't have a baseball signed by Brett Jackson or Anthony Rizzo you just aren't cool. That Dave Otto autograph will get you no cool points in the lobby.
11. Concerts? What concerts? There's only one concert planned for the summer (oh yeah, and then there's Brad Paisley, and that whole Springsteen thing...)
12. You are insane if you are already in line at 4am waiting for a 11am autograph session for James Russell. Seriously people....seriously.
13. The Cubs trolley has video games on it! It also plays the same songs you hear Mike and Joe play at Cubby Bear. is that exciting?
14. The 2011 highlight video is amazingly missing one thing: higlights of the 2011 season. Ouch. There's a couple in there...but don't blink or you'll miss them.
15. Mike Hill, the Cubs former event operations chief is not around. Mike passed away a few eeeks before, but the notoriously all-business/jokester who would spend much of Saturday being the only guy besides the players wearing dark sunglasses was sorely missed. Many of the staff wore pins in his honor.
16. Rollie Fingers still owns a weird moustache.
17. Ran into Dutchie Caray...literally ran into. Yes she's ok...Seconds later ran into Tom Ricketts. Yes, my job is still ok.
18.The silent auction offerred autographed items from many 7th inning stretch singers. After further review (and witnessing several items not bidded on) i have determined that we need an upgrade on 7th inning stretch singers.
19. The brunch/lunch for the players/staff in the mornings...sucks. Come one, eggs, bacon...something!!! Man cannot live off cinnamon rolls and Sierra Mist all day.
20.Ernie Banks owes me $11. Now let me explain, Mr. Cub isn like other players, he knows everyone. He knows everyone because he talks to EVERYONE! His 1 hour session turned into a 2 hour yap fest with every fan that walked by. Now thats fine....did you not say more personal attention? Did you not tell my wife more personal attention! (Jerry Maguire). Now i'm making sure the session goes smoothly, no biggie, talk that talk, Mr. Cub. I made the mistake of saying that I would get Ernie "whatever he needs". His eyes light up! "Really", he says...pulls me close and asks for a glass of Merlot. Ok fine, no biggie. I was thinking more of the free Sierra Mist but hey, he's Ernie Banks! So I send one of my guys to find a glass from one of the hotel bars, and even give him money to get it...not thinking this half of cup of grape juice would cost $11 dollars.
What else did I learn? Well Marlon Byrd looks in the best shape I've ever seen him in, we have an abundance of young pitchers, Brian LaHarr has weird hair, and Len Kasper just may be the nicest guy around.
So after another crazed weekend amongst Cubs fans my level of optimism is pretty high. How they'll do next season is anyone's guess, but at least we'll have a goal to shoot for: actual baseball highlights on the 2012 higlight video.
Major League Baseball: A Sensible Instant Replay Rule
Written by Travis Clemmons
In the National Football League, a Head Coach has two options when he disagrees with a Referee's call.
- A -
He can allow that decision to stand.
- B -
He can bet one of his time outs against the possibility that a video review might cause the decision to be overturned. If the review supports the Coach, the Referee's call is overturned and the time spent on the review is treated as a normal part of playing the game. If the review supports the Referee's call, the Coach has just burned one of his time outs.
The decision on whether or not to review the Official's call is placed exactly where it should be, in the hands of each Head Coach. The fact that asking for a review might wind up costing him a very important resource prevents a Coach from demanding review after review after review. It's a system that allows the game to be played in a fair and equitable manner while assuring that it will not be needlessly slowed down by a set of people in a video room having to review almost every single decision the Referees make.
During the past five years, Major League Baseball has consistently had a patented answer for why it won't institute its own type of instant replay system. In spite of the fact that sports fans and sports writers have been increasingly clamoring for something to be done, the National and American Leagues continue to fall back on the same old tired excuse.
This is not Football.
This is not Basketball.
Major League Baseball is not a game where a Coach faces two opponents ... The Opposing Coach and the Time Clock. Unlike an NFL Coach, an MLB Manager does not have a pocket full of Time Outs. He has no currency that he can choose to gamble on the possibility of a video review going against him.
My response to Major League Baseball is a simple one.
Please stop talking about what a Manager doesn't hold in his hand. Open your eyes and take a good hard look at the currency he does have there. While it's true that a Manager has no time outs, each new game hands this individual 27 very important coins. And each of these coins is called an out.
Taking into account that this is the currency a manager has on hand, it becomes very easy to devise a method for the Manager to protest an Umpire's call and ask for a review.
- A -
The Manager of the team that is currently batting asks for a video review of an Umpire's call. He takes this action knowing that losing this protest will cause him to be charged an out.
If he has two men on base and his team already has two outs, losing the protest will immediately end his turn at bat.
If he's protesting the call that has caused his final out of an inning, he asks for a video review knowing that losing this protest will hand the opposing Manager an additional out to use during his turn at bat. When the opposing team steps up to the plate in just a few minutes, they will have the use of 4 outs for that inning instead of the usual 3.
- B -
The Manager of the team that is currently defending the field asks for a video review of an Umpire's call. He does so knowing that losing the protest will cause the batting team to be handed the use of an additional out.
In this system, the decision on whether or not to review an Official's call is again placed exactly where it should be. It rests squarely in the hands of each Manager. And each Manager is required to balance the importance of overturning an inconvenient decision against the possibility that a failed appeal would hand him a rather severe penalty.
So here you have it Major League Baseball. An easy fix that would quickly improve the fan's confidence in the quality of the officiating while ensuring that Video Review would not become a time consuming monster. Are you going to take a stand up and take a step that will help to advance the best interests of the game? Or are you going to continue kneeling there with your heads down in the sand?
Travis Clemmons
It's Theo's turn: Theo Epstein arrives to Wrigleyville...but can even he save the Cubs?
Written by Mike Kincaide
I was there for Bartman. I was there when we won the division, when we won the wild card; I was there when Marky Mark made his debut, I was also there when he got hit in the elbow. I was showered in champagne by Derrek Lee when we made the play-offs, it was our year! I’ve sat in the stands for hours with Billy Williams, traded daily barbs with Ron Santo, annoyed poor Pat Hughes, shook my head at Joe Carter, traded bands with Len Kasper (listen to the gufs!) and ran away from Ernie Banks…. I was there for the collapse of Wood/Prior\Zambrano/Maddux. I’ve seen Corey and Eric Patterson come and go. I remember Bobby Hill. I remember Nic Jackson. I was there when they no longer trusted Dusty. I was there when Sweet Lou arrived.
I believed in Michael Barrett, Carlos Zambrano, and Ryan Theriot. I witnessed the return of Kid K. I was there when we signed Notre Dame's best reciever. I was there for the resurrection of Ryan Dempster. I believed in Soriano. I believed. I was there when Sweet Lou felt sour. I was there when it all came apart for Marky Mark. I was there when Carlos came apart. I survived both the Alfonseca era and LaTroy Hawkins era. I can tell you Milton Bradley is in deed as friendly as he looks. I was there when Farnsworth...well, nevermind. Andy promised it. Hendry promised it. Even McDonough promised it. I’ve worked for numerous owners, from the Tribune, Sam Zell, to the Ricketts family. In that time nothing has changed, yet everything is not the same. I guess what I’m trying to say is we’ve come a long, long way baby, and its gonna take more than signing Theo Epstein for me to start believing again.
Granted it’s a great start. Theo Epstein had a very successful run in Boston, and his crew of guys worked their tails off to bring a competitive team to Boston (and San Diego) every year…not just to contend but also to play for a world series every year. That’s quite a task, and only a few teams realistically have that structure in place to compete on that level year after year after year. And now we’re to believe the Cubs are ready to become one of these teams (again)?
I really am full of optimism. Epstein has said the right things, has the right attitude, hired the right people, not brought back the right people... and is putting together a team/front office that will set the Cubs organization up to compete for years to come. And yes, that’s exciting, but I’ve seen a lot of pigs in my time. Some of those pigs have been very pretty; some of those pigs have just been god-awful ugly. No matter how you dress that pig up, it’s still a pig. And this little piggy has been dressed up pretty on numerous occasions, and still hasn't learned to fly.
Epstein has to get to work soon, and that starts with two key members of the 2011 ball-club. Ryan Dempster and Aramis Ramirez have been dealt with, and who's at 3rd is going to be a brilliant question. same for Mike Quade and Ryne Sandberg. Who's in the hot seat when the season start will be a monumental decision to start the Epstein era. I don’t doubt the decisions to be made by Epstein and his team. Yeah, I know what I said earlier, but lets just see how pretty this pig can be before we go making any big decisions.
Another good start is focusing on the pitching staff. In Boston, the pitching staff was not only built up to compete with the Yankees, but to be the best in baseball. The Cubs have some great young arms in the bullpen, but with Zambrano gone and not having a true number 5 starter all season long, an upgrade is necessary. Yeah, it’s true I like Casey Coleman, and Randy Wells seems like a really nice guy, but the Cubs have been inconsistent and less than threatening since Ted Lilly left town. And while picking up this new Japanese sensation to fill your number one slot seems like a good idea, Theo should look into some more solid, proven veterans.
Veterans like CJ Wilson and Roy Oswalt would be a welcomed addition to tighten up the pitching staff, don’t you think? And forget about Pujols and Fielder arriving to Wrigleyville as future residents, the Cubs have Carlos Pena and Brian LaHar. Finding another big bat is a huge step, along with answering what to do with Soriano, Colvin, Woody, and even Reed Johnson. Is it really time for the Brett Jackson era to finally start???
Theo Epstein has been given many titles since arriving to Chicago, but he’s going to have to have an incredible off-season if he is to be the Cubs’ newest savior.
Chicago the center of baseball universe in October!!!!
Written by Mike KincaideI know baseball has been dead and gone in Chicago for quite some time now, but how come we still seem to be the center of the baseball universe…or is it the eye of the hurricane? Either way its been an interesting October for Chicago baseball.
So Ozzie Guillen is no longer the manager of the Chicago White Sox. We always knew this day would come, it’s the how he’d go most people wondered. Fired was a given. And you knew there was no way he’d go out with a wimper, but more of a roar, and that’s exactly what happened. I imagined him leaving the craziest way possible, mf’ing everyone in a 200 foot distance on his way out the door, his sons taking everything not tied down, punching GM Kenny Williams in the face just before kicking Sun Times beat writer Joe Cowley in the nuts. again, this is what I envisioned.
It didn’t exactly go down like that, then again I wasn’t that far off. Who trades their manager? Ozzie’s big tirade about doing the job for money was pretty much the undertaker putting the final touches on a dead career as White Sox manager. At that point Ozzie knew he was gone. He was done, finished, kaput. He even had his goodbye already posted online before it was officially announced. Again, who trades their manager?
Oh White Sox, how silly can you be. Its amazing how wonderfully f’ed up the top of that organization is, and that says a lot from where I come from! Over on my side of town Theo Epstein is coming to run the place…but we’ll get into that later. For now let’s stay on the crazy that has become the White Sox.
So after the Ozzie/Kenny war finally comes to an end, Kenny keeps up his part of just being insane by announcing Robin Ventura as the new skipper. What? Ever see the movie Major League? I bet the conversation of Kenny asking Ventura to be manager was much like the GM in Major League calling up a tire shop and asking Lou (the tire shop manager) to come back and manage the big league team. I loved Robin…as a White Sox 3rd baseman playing with Frank Thomas and Jack McDowellback in the 90’s. I even loved him after he got beat up by Nolan Ryan. But as White Sox manager? Um….and unfortunately this is one of the few things Joe Cowley has gotten right.
You see Cowley at his job at the Sun Times (which at one point was my favorite newspaper to read for sports) seemed to be on this crusade to throw alcohol on the fire that was the Ozzie/Kenny feud. But he called Kenny out for attempting to thumb his nose up at all of us in proving that he’s the smartest guy in the room, and that he can get anyone ANYONE to do this job. BTW The Sun Times kinda sucks now…even the wrestling column sucks. Who messes up a column on professional wrestling???? Even still, Cowley got this one right on the head: Kenny thinks he's much smarter than we are.
Which leads us to more crazy….at the press conference announcing Ventura as manager K Dub as i am now calling him (sorry Kerry Wood), tells a story of thinking of asking 1st baseman Paul Konerko to be the player/manager. WTF??? You don’t even say that kind of crazy outloud, even if you did give it some thought. Poor Konerko, he wants no part of the job, or even to answer silly phone calls even remotely asking such a stupidquestion. Is that really what you thought, Kenny?
Again its at this point when you realize K Dub really thinks he can get ANYONE to do this job. That means on any given night this past summer after a White Sox game, SCORE670 am radio host Jason Goff had a shot to be manager after saying something insightful. That means Joe from Lockport, who can barely make it to 2nd base for his softball team without needing a pinch runner or farting himself to death, had a shot to be manager. That means even you, YES YOU WITH THE FACE, even you had a shot to be the new White Sox manager!!!
Now if I’m White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf its at this point I ask K Dub to get in the car, drive out to a nice far away open field, and put Kenny Williams the White Sox General Manager out of his misery. Thanks for playing, Kenny…and don’t stop believin’!
Speaking of believing, Theo Epstein is coming to the northside to bring the Cubs their 1st world series title in 100 or so years. He’s going to do the impossible. Just like Dusty Baker, Andy McPhail, Alfonso Soriano, Mark Prior, and Lou Piniella before him…he’s the one that’s going to take us to the promised land. It’s only a matter of time before…ugh, I’ve been on this ride so many times its almost impossible to actually get excited anymore.
I do like what the moves shows, and that’s a new direction for the Cubs organization as a whole, however there’s just soooo many questions and things that need to happen. The ball has to bounce just right for good things to start happening again at Wrigley, and while I believe the Ricketts and Epstein have the best of intentions and want to win, neither plays 3rd base or can throw a 100 mph fastball. Last I heard Theo wasn’t closing any games, which means Carlos Marmol is still around. Plus a new GM is one thing, but who's the new manager going to be? After the dust settles not to hire Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg for some big league job would be un-acceptable.
I’m glad Theo has arrived, but I’ve seen this movie before. The Titanic never makes it to its destination, Bambi’s mom still gets killed, that kid still shags a pie, and Jason still manages to come back no matter how many times you kill him. Call me when the winning starts.
How to save a life...or better yet how to fix the Cubs
Written by Mike KincaideWait til next year....ugh. I haven't been a Cubs fan that long but I'm damn tired of hearing that phrase. My allegiance has been strong over the last 10 years (yes it's true I have southside roots and even possibly rookie cards of Robin Ventura and Frank Thomas somewhere in my room back at mom's place, but I lived and died with Cubbie blue for a while now) and after a while it takes a toll on you. i'm tired of waiting...Ive enjoyed too much success and wishful thinking to be stuck in this pool of disapointment and despair. Ive enjoyed the feeling of knowing we're only a few outs away of going to the world series and being sprayed with champagne in the dugout by Derrek Lee and Ryan Dempster only to feel the tragedy of watching Mark Prior catch a line drive to the elbow, or knowing there's absolutely no fight in our dog as we played the Dodgers in the play-offs. I wanna walk into Wrigley field knowing there's hope, knowing there's a chance...that circus atmosphere, a packed house everyday, and hearing that damn song at the end of games..."Go Cubs Go"...but how do we get there? How do we get that all back? I have a few suggestions.
1. Hire Kim Ng as the new Cubs GM. Lets start at the top. Wanna really make a statement, well this is it. And not a statement for statement's sake, this is a well-deserved over-due statement. My friend Julie has always told me it was her dream to be Cubs GM, and I always wrote it off as just talk. Baseball is mired in tradition...the old boys network. A woman GM? Yes. Now while it would be cool to hire Ng just for the sake of being the first woman general manager in baseball, thats also the same reasoning some people voted for Obama for president. I voted for Barak because he was qualified, and the same can be said for Ng. Kim Ng is currently the senior Vice president for Baseball Operations for MLB. She graduated for the University of Chicago and at one point worked to the White Sox. She has been the assistant GM for both the Dodgers and the Yankees. You dont just luck into those positions. She's interviewed for a couple of other jobs in the past and all agree that she's more than qualified and ready. Cubs owner Tom Ricketts wants to make a statement that this is a new era, well there isnt a better way to say that than hiring Ng.
2. Hire a new skipper. Now let me just say I like Mike Quade, he's not the best manager but he's out there trying. He means well, its not a job you can be perfect at. Hell, even the best managers get fired in every sport. (Chicago loves Mike Ditka...yet Ditka was canned for a horrid 5-11 season too). That just happens. You understand that he's doing one of the toughest jobs in sports, right? The team hasnt won won a world series in over 100 years and he's the guy we're counting on to lead us to the promised land??? You really think there's no pressure that goes with managing the Chicago Cubs? Ha. We're lucky he didnt shoot himself...do you know how many homeruns Ramirez and Pena hit the first two months of the season? The fact that he even showed up everyday after the April and may they had should get him another gig somewhere else.
We need new blood, a new voice, a new feeling...and no I'm not talking about Ozzie Guillen (although that would be crazy, wouldnt it? Too bad Ozzie hates Wrigley Field like garbagemen hate the day after Christmas). While a big name would be cool, thats the old way...big name managers have gotten us where exactly? Close but no cigar, and then....splat! The Red Sox knew the answer, they didnt hire a big name, they hired someone who knows baseball...someone who knows how to win, knows the ins and out of the game. In that spirit I give you one candidate: Torey Lovello.
Lovullo is currently coaching 1st base in Toronto, so lord help him he needs rescuing. He played in the majors for a while and was Triple A manager for the Red Sox organization. Lovullo has been considered ready to manage in the major leagues for the last few years and is known as a great communicator who loves to play aggressive baseball, putting pressure on the opposition with steals and hit-and-runs.
If you dont plan to bring in Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi, Joe Torre is just too old for you, and you're still not sold on the whole Ryne Sandberg for manager idea, this is certainly the way to go.
3. Hello Goodbye Carlos. You say goodbye (Zambrano), and I say hello again (Pena). You need to change the vibe of the clubhouse. I mean, any dude that can get into a fight with Derrek Lee cant be someone you want to keep around. And people despite punching AJ in the face trust me when I tell you this: Michael Barrett is a great guy who no one else wants to puch in the face. On that note, remember how the team said the clubhouse was much better when Sammy left? As for Pena, he may not be Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder, but he gets on base and somehow has over 20 homeruns despite hitting barely .200 all year. Plus winning baseball starts in the clubhouse, and Pena is one of the most respected guys on the team and regarded as a team leader. He's out there everyday and his teammates like him, plus he does get on base. besides who's going to replace him, Tyler Colvin?
Speaking of clubhouse leaders, you're also going to want to bring back Kerry Wood and Ryan Dempster...just sayin'.
4. Speaking of replace.....its time to make room for Tony Campana and Reed Johnson. no more of this 4th and 5th outfielder stuff, these guys deserve more initial playing time, and if that means eating a part of Marlon Byrd's or Alfonso Soriano's salary, then do it.
5. Who's on 3rd? Remember the disaster that was 3rd base throughout the 90's? Anyone remember Gary Scott? It took the Cubs how many years to find an everyday 3rd basemen? While Ramirez does go down at least once a year, not including his start of the season slump ( I'm not sure if he even brought a bat to the plate during April). ARam leads the team in most offensive stats and there's no one on the market that can replace that, especially at 3rd base. You really have no other option but to keep him for another year or two, at least until someone in the farm sysytem is ready...or at least qualified to take over. As for free agent options, well you could always bring back Mark DeRosa....would you like that, ladies???
6. Have I mentioned it's time to play the kids? Colvin and Campana both need a shot at more time and need to have a great winter and spring. Its time to live and die with your young pitchers, Chris Carpenter, Casey Coleman, and Andrew Cashner. No more part time duty, its now or never for these guys to step up. You put the emphasis on Russell and Samardzija and look what happened.
Its also time to figure out if youre ready for the Brett Jackson era to start. Youre never gonna know unless you give him his shot, and there doesnt seem to be a better time than 2012.
.....and on that note 7. C.J. Wilson. You need a stud pitcher, someone other teams fear, a stud in the rotation. remember when teams would talk about not wanting to go up against Kerry Wood and Mark Prior? Well Wilson, who is a free agent when the year ends, is that kid. Already one of the best pitchers in baseball, not only does he not like playing in Texas (he's publically said he hates pitching there and doesnt like the lack of fan support) but is also "straight edge". Isn't current WWE superstar and Chicago native CM Punk a Cubs fan and "straight edge" too? I'm just sayin...maybe they could hang?????? Seriously, Wilson is just hitting his prime and still young....do whatever it takes and grab this kid now!
Either way if you're going to spend, start and stop with CJ Wilson.
Sounds like an easy fix, right? oh Mr. Tom Ricketts, you know I love you and think youre doing a great job (this is me trying not to get fired here, btw...) but this is just a few helpful suggestions from someone's who's boarded this Titanic, sank with it, and survived.
(P.S. Number 8 is personal - just as last year will it kill the organization to put some chocolate or strawberry milk in the pressbox lunchroom, please????)
"Just a small town girl..." I know, I know, its a southside thing, but its still baseball season in Chicago. So what the Bears have hit training camp, there's still a division title to be had and a a world series celebration like this town has never seen in the horizon (unless you're a Sox fan, where that 2005 party was pretty f'n cool).
So let's ruin your pres-season football plans by informing you that YES indeed the White Sox are still in the play-off hunt. Forget just how bad Adam Dunn and Alex Rios are and focus on the winning ( and don't focus on the beating potential play-off opponent New York Yankees dished out on them on four consecutive days). Winning is contageous, and finally sweeping rival Minnesota is a huge start. Getting stud Jake Peavy on track is another plus, and the bullpen getting their act together also gives the southsiders alot of hope for the fall.
But the surprise of it all comes from the north. Its hard to beilieve the Cubs aren't dead in the water yet, but they aren't....and much like a fish out of water they keep fighting and fighting to make their way back in.
That seven game winning streak was far from a fluke, as if you look at it the Cubs possess one of the best bullpens in baseball. James Russell and Jeff Samardizja and two big flame-throwers who are hitting their stride at the best time. Both have been lights-out many times and have carried the load for a usually left for veterans Sean Marshall and Kerry Wood. Thats not to say KW and marshall haven't done their part, as they were there early on when the team really needed them. Even Rodrigo Lopez has stepped up.The former Baltimore phenom has given the Cubs more than what they've expected...a small blessing in dusguise. I still have faith in the bullpen, as their experience and savvy will come into play down the stretch.
Even more Carlos Marmol worked out his issues. Seems like the Cus closer is back on track after the train fell off the rails a few weeks back. Its good to have a reliable closer on your team. Its even better to have reliable starters, and getting quality starts by Dempster, Garza, and Zambrano hel...wait,hold on, did Zambrano just try to hit Chipper Jones?
Wait a minute,did Carlos just try to hit Chipper Jones again? Oh boy....
Well....the good news is there's going to be room for Andrew Cashner when he returns. The bad news is...well, if you really look at it,is there any bad news in this whole situation? Sure the Cubs lose a potential number one starter, however Carlos hasnt been the performer his 18 mil a year contract would have you believe he is. Head case would be the mildest thing to calm him. It should say something that many teammates commented to the press how the clubhouse would only be a better place without him. He never lived up to his potential, which is a Cubs theme (hello Mark Prior), and it wasnt injuries or even talent that did him in, he only has himself to blame.
Yesthere's an appreciation for his contributions and teammates loved his competitivness,but who gets into a fight with Derrek Lee? Better yet,who gets into a fight with Michael Barrett (White Sox fans dont answer that one).
Anyhow, that issue seems to be done with,and the rest of the summer looks bright for the Cubs. Sure they make not make the play-offs, but they are playing good baseball and showing the baseball world why Starlin Castro is the Cubs next big star. And you have to love everything Tony Campana gives you, which is hustle and speed this team has sorely lacked for years. I was really hoping more time opened up for good guy Tyler Colvin, but it looks like he's going to have to fight Reed Johnson for playing time, which is fine since Johnson has been on a tear lately. The do anything and everything outfielder has been a good soldier all season long and deserves a true crack at starting or at least a key reserve spot next year....if he survives the year. the Cubs look to be re-paying the good soldier by showcasing him to other teams while he's on this hotstreak so he can be a everyday player somewhere. I really hope he stays here, however.
So until the fat lady does truly sing the Cubs are still in the race,and I really hoping for a photo finish from thesekids.
Cubs need strong 2nd half to jump into contention
Written by Mike Kincaide
Well its no longer "early".
There's roughly about 70 games left in the Cubs season, and unless the boys in blue go on a run like no other talk of next year will start,well...this year. How bad have things gone for the Cubs this season? Considering the ideas of $3 beer night and $1 hot dog night have become realistic, maybe the rumors of the Pittsburgh Pirates checking out the Cubs roster for a run at the post-season may have you in deep thought. It seems Charlie Brown will never kick that football out of Lucy's hand and the Cubs will not...cannot beat the Pirates.
The long time bottom-dwelling, worst team in baseball Pirates. ouch.
Luckily there is some hope. The late inning bullpen stars Sean Marshall and Kerry Wood have been steady. Jeff Samardzija, a sore spot for many Cubs fans, has improved alot and has become one of the teams' best weapons in late innings. The potential with young arms Carpenter, Coleman, and Russell has to have fans somewhat optiistic about the future but they need to step up this season. Plus things should get better once rehabbing fire-thrower Andrew Cashner gets back.
Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster have both had great moments this season, so dont let their records fool you. If not for an extremely shaky fist-half of season by closer Carlos Marmol who knows where the Cubs would be.
C'mon Marmol...you know Theriot likes to swing at crap,why are you throwing him sliders??? He, much like me at White Castles, loves sliders!
The Cubs are expecting more from off-season pick-up Matt Garza. While still getting adapted to the National League, Garza needs a big 2nd half if the Cubs are to make any noise in the still win-able Central. As for Randy Wells, he's been as hot and cold as the Katy Perry song.
The same can't be said for 2nd basemen Darwin Barney nor all-star Starlin Castro. They have both been the team's co-MVP's so far, plus it doesnt hurt that Aramis Ramirez has gotten hot Castro has easily been the team's best player and could potentially be one of the best players in the NL. The outfield situation has become interesting as both starters Byrd and Fukudome have had good not great seasons so far, and while the team probably hates to take super-sub Reed Johnson off the field, that 25 year-old kid who plays centerfield and steals all those bases, you know the one who looks like he's 15 (check his ID) that kid has been the spark-plug to many of the Cubs wins this year.
That kid's name is Tony Capana by the way...and you better get used to saying it, as he could be around for a while..
Again the season is far from over, so don't write the boys off yet. Last season the San Francisco Giants played great baseball after the all-star break to get back in to contention and it took them all the way to a world series title. With the NL Central being so close and possessing no dominant team, the potential to gain some ground is there. The Cubs play St.Louis 9 times, Cincinatti 10 times, and Milwaukee 9 times. The Cubs will spend most the 2nd half on the road but at least they will be back at full-strength hitting-wise. Everyone is healthy except Soriano, and he's due back soon.
Only 12 games back with plenty of games ahead, and you know how interesting things get in September.
Then again, the Cubs do meet the Pirates for 7 more games. Yikes.
It is utterly ridiculous that the MLB All Star game decides what team will get home field advantage during the World Series. There is no rhyme or reason behind it except that they can now tout the phrase "Now it means something".
Commissioner Bud Selig’s decision to let the All Star game decide anything beyond who gets bragging rights is one of the biggest farces in sports. But ok, since the decision HAS been made to let the game determine an edge in the World Series, then there are changes that must be made. That said, let it be known that even with the below changes, I am not in favor if the All Star game being anything more than a fun, exhibition game.
Fans should not vote – All Star rosters should be comprised of players based on decisions by managers and coaches in order to field the best team and not the most popular. You can’t tell me that Chipper Jones (voted in as this year’s NL starting third baseman) is the best the NL has to offer in 2011.
Each team should not be represented – There will be better players watching the All Star game on TV than some of the players that were only selected for the sole purpose of representing a team.
Pitchers/position players appearance limits – To win a game at all costs, a manager needs to keep his best pitcher on the mound as long as he is effective and play the position players a full nine innings that give his team the best chance to win. Instead, rosters are changed every few innings, starters are pitching relief and closers are not closing (and we all know how that often goes).
It’s just not fair – With a long, grueling season of 162 games, it really says something to walk away with the best record. Should home field advantage in the World Series be determined by an outcome developed by players that are comprised of different team members for one day? No. Or at least it shouldn’t be.
Another question I must ask is if the same passion exists for players from out of contention teams like the Marlins, Orioles, Astros, etc. Whereas, we know players from playoff favorites such as the Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox and so forth are undoubtedly going to play harder. Just one more hitch in Selig’s master plan.
Bottom line is this - The team with the best record at the end of the year should have home field advantage in the World Series – period. To lose home field advantage because of a factor in which a team has no control is preposterous. No sir. This is one of the worst examples of damaging a sport’s integrity in order to receive higher ratings.
