Len's Partner if Brenly Leaves?

by Goat Whisperer on Oct 4, 2006 9:08 PM CDT Comment 75 comments

I've been thinking about who would be the best TV color man for the Cubs should Bob Brenly leave for a managerial position as expected. I would LOVE to see either Al Leiter or Eric Karros get the job. Both are extremely bright, knowledgeable, and articulate... the total antithesis of the boorish Joe Morgan.

Poll

Who Would You Like to See in the Booth With Len if Brenly Leaves?

Eric Karros

16 votes

Mark Grace

14 votes

Rick Sutcliffe

15 votes

Ryne Sandberg

2 votes

Someone Else

56 votes

Al Leiter

4 votes

107 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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There is no choice but Steve Stone.

n/t

by Al on Oct 4, 2006 9:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Steve Stone?

I want my Stoney back.

AC036198

by gjdow on Oct 4, 2006 9:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Stoney

n/t

by Perkins on Oct 4, 2006 9:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No Stone Choice?

Steve Stone is the obvious favorite. Anyone not named Joe Morgan or Tim McCarver would suffice though. I actually also find Sutcliffe a bit annoying though. Karros is solid.

On another note, ESPN needs to send Tino Martinez to public speaking classes - it is tough to watch. Although, Eric Byrnes has been great today - he has a future at this.

by airweino on Oct 4, 2006 9:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

1. Stone; 2. Karros

I agree Stone is the numebr one choice. I think Karros is very very solid.

Agreed about Tino Martinez. It is BRUTAL listening to him.

MissouriKev

by MissouriKev on Oct 5, 2006 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That would be great

but would stone be moved to play-by-play then? hawk harrelson made this switch, and you've got guys like scully who work alone, but do you feel confortable with stone moving to play-by-play?

by Santos Sorrow on Oct 5, 2006 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think...

... Stone could do PBP. He did so, and quite well, in 1987 when Harry Caray was out with his stroke -- at least when people like Bill Murray were in the booth.

by Al on Oct 5, 2006 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hey

how bout bill murray in the booth? no qualifications, of course, but it would be very entertaining.

by tomas21 on Oct 5, 2006 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stone & Murray together?

That'd be hilarious.

Murray, at least, grew up a Cubs fan. That's a pretty good qualification.

by Al on Oct 5, 2006 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

stone

bring him back!

"Booze, broads, and bullshit. If you got all that, what else do you need?" - Harry Caray

by 10 14 23 26 on Oct 4, 2006 9:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Stone

Would be the obvious choice.

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Oct 4, 2006 9:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It shall be Stone

hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Oct 4, 2006 10:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

stone will be in

guaranteed. i heard it from the man himself on th score

by tbizzle83 on Oct 4, 2006 10:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Um no...

... Stone said nothing of the sort. I heard the entire interview and he said that he'd weigh everything and, if its offered, he'll have to consider his entire family. It would have to be okay with his wife and he'd have to want it above any other offers that come his way.

This is how rumors spread.

DmL

by dmlichte on Oct 4, 2006 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he also said

something to the effect of "doing Cubs games is the best broadcasting job in baseball, and how could anyone not want it?" He also predicted that Brenly will have the job for at least a few more years, which is something of a denial, but saying it's the best job in baseball is something of a confirmation that if it became available, he would certainly consider it. And yes, that is how rumors get started.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Oct 5, 2006 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stone

and hopefully no other even gets a chance. The Cubs should bring him back the very day Brenly leaves. Actually they should bring him back now and make Brenly leave.

Please God no Sutcliffe. Everything is a feel good story of the week unfolding before our eyes with him. I'd take Morgan and McCarver before I'd take Sutcliffe. Well maybe not but still, say no to Sutcliffe.

Byrnes and Wells both did a nice job on ESPN. Very well spoken and even a little polished for guys who were just playing baseball for a living a few days ago. I only saw a short clip of them discussing Hunter's play and they both did a nice job.

by pageian on Oct 4, 2006 11:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Mark Grace is phenomenal...

I have the MLB extra innings package, so I get to see a lot of the other color guys.. Grace is great, funny, knowledgable. I'm confident Cubs fans would love Grace in the booth..

by ontheuptick on Oct 4, 2006 11:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Gracie

just lost his play by play partner in Arizona. Thom Brenamman announced today he has signed a 4 year deal to return to Cincinnati and work with his HOF announcer dad Marty.

by jazzman56 on Oct 5, 2006 12:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's very cool...

at first I did not like Thom when he started with the Cubs but he grew on me and now I totally enjoy his games. Must be a dream to work with his dad, but geeze, make his dad move to Arizona, he's gotta be 106...Who wants to leave the sun and no winter for Cincy? Yuk!

by DudeVf1 on Oct 5, 2006 1:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Phenominal?

Is that a code word for totally crappy?

Sorry, but Grace is loud, obnoxious and not at all pleasurable to listen to. I'd rather have Joe Carter back as at least I cold laugh at his lack of english skills. Grace on TV would mean a whole lot more of Pat and Ron for me.

DmL

by dmlichte on Oct 5, 2006 6:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grace is one of the

worst colormen I have ever heard. Stoney is the only choice.

by LT on Oct 5, 2006 7:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it would be

nice if arizona hired pinella to work with grace in the booth, that way we could see history's two worst color men together, plus we wouldn't have pinella as a manager, and we wouldn't have grace in our booth.

by tomas21 on Oct 5, 2006 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not this Cubs fan.

I have extra innings also. Grace makes D'backs games almost unlistenable. He's just about the worst I have ever heard.

Keep him there. Or get him a coaching job. But PLEASE keep him out of a Cubs broadcasting booth.

by Al on Oct 5, 2006 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mark Grace

Love Mark Grace the player, hate Mark Grace the announcer. I've heard him in the booth and he is brutal. Actually makes one pine for Joe Carter and Dave Otto...it's that bad.

by BlueBooHoo on Oct 5, 2006 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

uw man

never thought I'd ever see the words 'pine for' and "Joe Carter' in the same sentence.

"I respect the mind's power over the body, it's why I do what I do" - Dr. Jonathan Crane

by Faith plus 1 on Oct 5, 2006 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just threw up a little.

she

by Sarah Hope on Oct 5, 2006 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want the Stone Pony back

If Bob Brenly bolts for San Francisco, then Steve Stone had dang well better be re-hired by the Tribune Company.

by BlueBooHoo on Oct 5, 2006 8:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Another good thing could come from rehiring Stone

This will sound crazy, but if the Cubs rehire Stone it may mean the end of Wood and Prior for good. Wood doesn't like Stone for his honesty and criticism of his pitching mechanics. I am not sure about Prior, but I assume (yes I know how dangerous that is) that he isn't a fan of Stone either. Prior is still under contract, but Wood isn't. Maybe they could trade Prior for a Coors light cooler box. I personally think the Cubs need to be done with these two and press on with their new manager and new pitching staff. I say that as somebody who used to think the world of Kid K. I still like him, but think the club should go in a different direction.

The dumbest people I know are the ones who think they know it all.

by madog93 on Oct 5, 2006 8:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

before you all slam me for this

Let me just say that I do know how stupid it sounds for players to sign or not sign with a team because of who the broadcaster is. We are talking about the Cubs though.

The dumbest people I know are the ones who think they know it all.

by madog93 on Oct 5, 2006 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually thought about the Wood thing too.

by Santos Sorrow on Oct 5, 2006 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would imagine...

... if Stone is rehired, he'd probably seek out Wood and try to clear the air, because it seems clear Wood wants to stay.

It would be a good time to let bygones be bygones.

by Al on Oct 5, 2006 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The right decision is to say bye bye to Wood

Kerry Wood has a severely damaged arm. To count on him as any more than spring training competition for a "back of the bullpen" slot is irresponsible. And I've said this before. The presence of the injury plagued and enigmatic Wood has served to put Jim Hendry and this franchise in a state of denial for too long. Let Wood go and try to ressurect the tatters of his career somewhere else. It is best by the Cubs. And probably best by Wood.

by BlueBooHoo on Oct 5, 2006 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So...

What you're saying is that the Cubs should hire Stone back so that we can end up with nothing more than a (hypothetical of course) Coors light cooler box for the combined talents that are/were Mark Prior and Kerry Wood?

And you think that is a good thing?

You and Mike are pretty tough on players who are injured and can't play. Remember that some of Prior's problems have been sustained on the field, just like Lee's broken wrist. You can bet they'd both rather be out there playing, and when they are we are a better team for it. Should we count on them like we have in the past? Of course not, in fact Hendry should build the pitching staff like neither are even on the team going in to spring training. Isn't that what you really want, you want them gone so that Hendry can't count on them and then we get disappointed by them again? I say keep them around but don't have any expectations, then if you get anything from them it's a bonus. And most likely a very good, talented, difference making type bonus.

Ragging on them because they are hurt is a little like kicking your dog when he doesn't bring you your slippers.

by pageian on Oct 5, 2006 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wood

Question. How long is our debt of gratitude owed Kerry Wood for the 20 hitters he struck out in 1998? The guy has produced a measly 70 victories in 9 friggin years in the bigs, pitched 200 or greater innings twice in those 9 years, been compensated like a Saudi prince for years and, most importantly, has a severely screwed up right pitching arm. I like Kerry Wood. At some level I even admire Kerry Wood. But enough. The Cubs aren't a charity. Rather they are a baseball team trying to overcome the luvable loser tag and a 98 year record of futility.

It is time to wave good bye to the enigmatic and injured Kerry Wood for the good of the ballclub.

by BlueBooHoo on Oct 5, 2006 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

n/t

http://bleedcubbieblue.com/comments/2006/10/3/121326/286/77#77

by tomas21 on Oct 5, 2006 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The day I care what you

think of my opinions or posting habits on a bloody anonymous, harmless chat board is the day that shall never come. Lighten up Francis. We aren't here curing cancer, rather we are debating the goings-on of a wayward baseball franchise we all fell sucker to.

by BlueBooHoo on Oct 5, 2006 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

come off it

you know what he's saying is true....you come here, vomit 20 different times a day about the same damn thing, then get mad at someone when they say you should keep it simple.

...I don't get it.

"I respect the mind's power over the body, it's why I do what I do" - Dr. Jonathan Crane

by Faith plus 1 on Oct 5, 2006 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not

taking sides (COUGH keep Woody) but the vomit thing was pretty funny.

she

by Sarah Hope on Oct 5, 2006 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps he's a Mooninite

And his culture is beyond what we could possibly comprehend with 100% of our brains. Tell me you get the reference.

by Perkins on Oct 5, 2006 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

.....hmmm

I'm not sure, but that reminds me of a funny little song..

"CAUSE WE ARE THE AQUA TEENS MAKE THE HOMIES SAY 'HO' AND THE GIRLIES WANNA SCREAM!"

"I respect the mind's power over the body, it's why I do what I do" - Dr. Jonathan Crane

by Faith plus 1 on Oct 5, 2006 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

#1 in da hood G

It's cool we like the same junk and stuff- Phillip J. Fry

by smwojoz on Oct 5, 2006 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ahem

MY DAD OWNS A DEALERSHIP!

"I respect the mind's power over the body, it's why I do what I do" - Dr. Jonathan Crane

by Faith plus 1 on Oct 5, 2006 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have you

ever heard the guys on ESPN use quotes from ATHF in their game recaps? Priceless.

It's cool we like the same junk and stuff- Phillip J. Fry

by smwojoz on Oct 5, 2006 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

rofl

Frat Aliens are classic. I'm partial to the Wisdom Cube. "I was informed, improperly, that my keys were in a throttling wood chipper. Alas, they were not..." And of course, Shake.

by Perkins on Oct 5, 2006 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Satan like funny box!

n/t

"I respect the mind's power over the body, it's why I do what I do" - Dr. Jonathan Crane

by Faith plus 1 on Oct 6, 2006 12:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

YES!

I knew I could count on you to pick up on that.

by Perkins on Oct 5, 2006 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quiet Err,

I'm broadcasting rage.

It's cool we like the same junk and stuff- Phillip J. Fry

by smwojoz on Oct 5, 2006 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Try this on for size, Fryman

Or for 59 cents more, try the super size!

by Perkins on Oct 5, 2006 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You hear

that Denver? Or should I turn it up for you?!

"I respect the mind's power over the body, it's why I do what I do" - Dr. Jonathan Crane

by Faith plus 1 on Oct 6, 2006 12:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Extra points

for the reference to an episode not based around them.

by Perkins on Oct 6, 2006 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Y'know

If you didn't come across as being nasty, boorish, and lacking in anything resembling baseball acumen, maybe people here might take you seriously. And incidentally, I feel that keeping Wood with a low cost incentive deal, with the aim of making him a reliever and not depending on his production, is the right move. You see that mike63? I prefaced a statement with the words "I feel." If you did that more often, rather than making stupid proclamations, maybe you wouldn't be so ill-received.

by Perkins on Oct 5, 2006 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was a joke

I was joking about the cooler box, but I don't want this team to count on either pitcher going into next year. If they can keep them around as a bonus I would be okay with that, but I just don't think it is realistic. It is time to move on. I don't have anything against Wood. I wish things had been different. I thought I made that point clear. We all know that baseball is a business though, and IMO it would be bad business to bring these two back. If Wood can go in the pen I wouldn't be completely against it, but I don't think he would make it a whole season. As far as Prior goes, I just want him gone. I know, I know, I am the same guy who wanted to keep him last off season when he was rumored to be traded for Tejada. Boy was I wrong.

The dumbest people I know are the ones who think they know it all.

by madog93 on Oct 5, 2006 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually....

based on listening to him on The Score, Stoney actually has a really good relationship with Mark Prior going back to his days with the Cubs. Kerry Wood is, I think, the only one anti-Stoney guy left from the 2004 debacle. Walker, Mercker, all the other guys are gone. I don't think that would be a factor in bringing back the best color guy in baseball.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Oct 5, 2006 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You could always do what I do...

...and turn down the sound on the tv and listen to Pat and Ron call the game.

"If it bleeds, you get first base. And if it really, really hurts, you get second base. But you have to get a note from your mother first."

by Jettero2112 on Oct 5, 2006 9:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Digital cable

If you've got digital cable, the TV seems to be a few seconds behind the radio. Which makes it weird to hear what's happening a few seconds before you see it happen.

Which is why I usually turn the TV sound down and turn some music up.

When trouble arises there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that individual is crazy. - Dave Barry

by Jesse Guam on Oct 5, 2006 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Goat Whisperer -

Ever hear of STEVE STONE ? ? ?

by JFCubFan on Oct 5, 2006 11:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If not Stone....

then I go with Mark Grace. I know the consensus here is that Grace is a terrible color guy. Not having heard him before, I do not have an opinion on the matter. I do know that he was one of the best interviews in baseball during his playing days, and is a guy who, for lack of a better way to put it, bleeds Cubbie blue. I also know that the main reason he has not been around the Cubs the last several years (Andy MacFailure) is now gone. So why not bring him back if we can't get Steve Stone? Stoney is the obvious people's choice, of course. But if not him, why not Gracie? So what if he is not totally polished? We all love Ron Santo and I think he all agree that Vin Sculley, he is not. I miss having Mark Grace as part of the Cubs, and would like to see him back in some capacity even if Steve Stone does come back.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Oct 5, 2006 11:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Find yourself...

... a tape of a D'backs broadcast where Grace is the color commentator.

Listen for an inning. Your ears will fall off.

If you want Grace back as, say, hitting coach (presuming he wants to), I wouldn't be opposed to that.

But he should be kept VERY far from a Cubs broadcast booth.

by Al on Oct 5, 2006 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If it's that bad,

I'll take your word for it, especially since so many others agree with you. I just am amazed he could be that bad, knowing how articulate he was as a player. By the way, the idea of Grace as a hitting coach? Now you're talking.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Oct 5, 2006 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The rumors

have already started here in Phoenix about Grace potentially going back to Chicago.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/1005brennaman1005.html

Note the quote from the new D'Backs president saying: "At this point, Mark is still with us", which would leave me to believe that this rumor may have some substance to it.

Gonzo, Brennaman, Grace, Dozer....they were all guys Colangelo brought in. Now with the new regime, they are bailing like rats leaving a sinking ship.

by jazzman56 on Oct 5, 2006 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As you can see....

... that is MSM speculation; I guess they can do that just as well in Phoenix as they can in Chicago. The article says:

Brennaman's regular color analyst, former Diamondbacks first baseman Mark Grace, is under contract for another year. He is expected to return, but Grace might consider a move to Chicago now that Cubs CEO Andy MacPhail has resigned.

It says "he is expected to return". The rest of it is pure speculation.

by Al on Oct 5, 2006 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I prefer

rumor to speculation, but it boils down to the same thing, so I'm not sure what your point is.

Brenamman also had a contract and the D'Backs let him out of it. I'm pretty sure that they would do the same for Grace.

However, this only comes into play if 1) Brenly takes another job and b) the Cubs show an interest in Grace, both of which are pure speculation at this point.

But, this diary and 90% of the diaries posted this week are all speculation, so what is your point exactly? I still think the quote from the president saying that "as of now, Grace is still with us" reveals a lot. Why wouldn't he just say "Grace is under contract and we expect him to be our TV color man in 2007" if there wasn't something to this?

by jazzman56 on Oct 5, 2006 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's the difference.

A "rumor" is something that the reporter might have heard from someone inside the organization, or in another part of "inside baseball".

Speculation, which it appears this is to me, is simply the reporter "guessing" that something might happen. You're right that this is what we are all doing here, too.

In the past, MSM reporters have been held to higher standards. Maybe that's not the case any more.

by Al on Oct 5, 2006 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okay

well then in this case, it would be rumor, not speculation. The possibility of Grace taking a position with the Cubs now that McPhail is gone has definitely been mentioned in the D'Backs organization and Joe Reaves would not interject it into an article he wrote if that wasn't the case.

by jazzman56 on Oct 5, 2006 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reaves...

... used to write for the Tribune, didn't he?

In any case, yes, perhaps it has been mentioned in the D'backs organization, and likely, that is where Reaves got it.

There has been NO such rumor or speculation in Chicago about this, to my knowledge.

by Al on Oct 5, 2006 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wrote

an email to Reaves to confirm what I already pretty much knew. Here's his reply:

"Yes, I worked for the Trib from 82-95 ... and, yes, I know for a fact that Grace called his agent after Macphail resigned."

by jazzman56 on Oct 5, 2006 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK....

... why wouldn't he write that, then?

Plus, Grace could be looking for an on-field job as well as a broadcasting job. Grace as hitting coach under Girardi as manager; that might work.

by Al on Oct 5, 2006 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Instead of the old boy network

being applied to the hiring of Cub coaches, I far prefer core qualifications be the decider. You and I don't have the foggiest notion whether Grace can be a good teacher of hitting fundamentals and work effectively with the egos of today's ballplayer. I far prefer hiring a proven commodity at both hitting coach and pitching coach. If Joe Girardi is the guy, then I want Rick Krainitz to come back to the Cubs and be the pitching coach. He is a proven commodity AND he knows the young arms in the Cub system. In terms of hitting coach, lets find a proven commodity.

by BlueBooHoo on Oct 5, 2006 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

All I did was point out that the rumor was out there that Grace might be interested in returning to the Cubs now that McPhail is gone.

I never said anything about in what capacity.

You said it was speculation, not rumor. I have now confirmed that, using your definition, it is a rumor with some basis.

Now you are speculating. Whether he would become a hitting coach under Girardi would depend on a) what kind of a relationship he has with Girardi and b) whether Girardi would want Grace in leau of somebody else. Right?

All of this is in addition to the fact that Girardi hasn't even got the job yet, right?

And the fact that Grace contacted his agent upon hearing that McPhail had gotten fired, but before he knew who might be the new manager, kind of rules out the possibility that he was inquiring about a hitting coach position, doesn't it?

by jazzman56 on Oct 5, 2006 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh

and the fact that Reaves placed this tidbit smack in the middle of a story about Thom Brennaman signing a contract with the Reds makes it pretty clear what he thinks Gracie was contacting his agent about, doesn't it?

by jazzman56 on Oct 5, 2006 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs