Al, that's the lamest argument I've heard on this topic. The Pirates made a huge mistake by not putting some of the money made on attendance during the first couple of years of PNC back into the team. Instead, Littlefield let go of a couple of decent players and has been mired in bad draft picks. It sort of sounds familiar (at least the bad draft picks) doesn't it? Besides, the pirate fan base is much more typical with the majority of major league fan bases; they come to the ballpark when there is a consistent winner.

Contrast them with Cubs and you see a much different situation. The Cubs due to the fact that they sell out almost every home game almost have to put some of the money back into the team. I would call it somewhat of an unspoken obligation. However, don't confuse spending money like a drunken sailor with having the will or want to put together a winner. For this I can't blame Jim Hendry. It is not Jim Hendry's fault this Cubs team is operated as an entertainment enterprise selling it's product as an ode to old time ballparks that when it's lucky, offers a glimpse of decent baseball once every ten years.

The organization knows that as long as Wrigley stands the seats will be filled and as long as teams keep building these new stadiums peoples thirst for nostalgia will be will be filled at 1060 w. Addison. For this the Cubs need not worry about revamping their farm system and spending money on player development. They need not worry about keeping up with the cards or for that matter Milwaukee. Until the fans run out of excuses to keep going to wrigley this organization will continue to be run in a directionless manner, more concerned of gate receipts than wins and losses.

All I know is I grew up going to games at Wrigley. This is where I fell in love with the Cubs. This is where I want to celebrate the World Series.