1st Diary, Crap article...

by BadGuy on Jul 21, 2006 11:20 AM CDT

OK, so this is my first diary. I usually just contribute by posting in the comments but I thought I had to post a link to this crazy article by Paul Ladewski, from the Daily Southtown.
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/columns/ladewski/x18-lad1.htm
Now, I know this issue as been covered ad nauseum in various comments and diary posts, I just thought that the toxic tone of this article was interesting. Personally, I don't think it matters where we play, and if we are going to win a World Series I can't think of any other place I want the Cubs to win one.

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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Oh please.

The tired old "the ballpark's the problem" argument.

The Cubs need better players. Period. I don't see the Pirates winning in their fancy new ballpark.

by Al Yellon on Jul 21, 2006 11:29 AM CDT reply actions

Wrigley Cash Cow

"I don't see the Pirates winning in their fancy new ballpark".

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.

cubsfan4life

by cubfan4life on Jul 21, 2006 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe but....

I can't believe that if they are going to spend $100 million on a payroll, that they wouldn't rather have a winner than not.

by BadGuy on Jul 21, 2006 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions

The only person...

...who might care about this debacle is Jim Hendry. I'm sure his mindset going in was that he was going to do what all his predecessors couldn't. Look, the Cubs were not purchased by the Trib because some former jock with an ego wanted to try his hand at bringing a winner to Chicago. The tribune broadcasting co. realized the profit that was to be made by bringing the Cubs into the fold of their media conglomerate. What are they doing right now? Making huge profits off of the Chicago national league ballclub, and that's the bottom line not winning and losing.

cubsfan4life

by cubfan4life on Jul 21, 2006 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

The only reason for a new stadium

is to eliminate day games. I know that people disagree, but it takes players anywhere from 1/2 to full season to get their stamina corrected. And, imo, it does affect their play, specifically, when they are playing west coast night games.

Otherwise, Wrigley field itself isn't the problem, but the front-office.

And you can include the Indians, Orioles, Brewers as clubs with somewhat new stadiums, but no results. No correlation.

by Grnwithivy on Jul 21, 2006 11:43 AM CDT reply actions

Front Office

That is why I am less than thrilled about our future because of the ineptitude of those in charge.

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.

by BadGuy on Jul 21, 2006 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Ditto

At this point, unfortunately, I don't have faith in Hendry nor Baker. And don't believe either men will be held responsible for their ineptitude and fired.

But, won't let that fact affect my enjoyment in watching this team, and living for the moment that one day the dream will come true.

by Grnwithivy on Jul 21, 2006 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Excuses, excuses

Right on, Al.

The best reason to want to win a World Series? Like climbing Everest, becuase it's there.

The second best reason? To put to an end once and for all this already discredited, inane argument that says we can't win because we play at Wrigley Field.

by Sidd Finch @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jul 21, 2006 11:43 AM CDT reply actions

This guy is nuts.

7. Sept. 28, 1998: Steve Trachsel shuts out the San Francisco Giants in a one-game wild-card playoff. The Cubs don't win another game the rest of the season.

Huh? If it's a one-game wild-card playoff that we get shut out in, isn't it kind of obvious we don't win another game the rest of the season, since we err, DIDN'T PLAY ANY???

Go Nebraska Football! Beat USC!

by sanantonecub on Jul 21, 2006 1:20 PM CDT reply actions

Whoops

I just realized my stupid mistake here. Ban me forever from Cubdom.

Go Nebraska Football! Beat USC!

by sanantonecub on Jul 21, 2006 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions

That's OK

He's still Nuts....

by BadGuy on Jul 21, 2006 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, and not only that...

... although Trachsel didn't give up any runs, it wasn't a shutout -- the Cubs won 5-3.

by Al Yellon on Jul 21, 2006 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

well that last week of 04

as i sat there watching homeruns become popups, I sure as hell hated Wrigley then.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jul 21, 2006 5:07 PM CDT reply actions

That, of course...

... wasn't the ballpark, it was the players.

by Al Yellon on Jul 21, 2006 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions

well the wind

that blew the balls in was the ballpark. pretty much have to build the perfectly balanced team to win there.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jul 21, 2006 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions

The wind...

... didn't give up that double to Javier Valentin after Mark Prior had dominated the Reds that day.

LaTroy Hawkins did that.

by Al Yellon on Jul 21, 2006 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions

true

every pop up sosa etc hit was not latroy'd fault though.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jul 21, 2006 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions

That's true, too.

The whole last week of the '04 season was like watching a train wreck in VERY slow motion.

by Al Yellon on Jul 21, 2006 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions

famous last words of mine

"As much as getting laid off sucks, I will get to be there for the whole wildacard race starting tomorrow (saturday) in New York, and will probably be there for that whole final homestand."

disgusting where we are versus where we were.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jul 21, 2006 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions

And what is this WHOLE season?

A very, very, very slow train wreck? Or one that gets repeated over and over and over and over...

Cubbie Blue will always sPaRkLe in my eyes, but please stop losing. PLEASE!

by sparkles721 on Jul 21, 2006 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Or...

... "Groundhog Day"?

by Al Yellon on Jul 22, 2006 5:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Good grief...

...man. Can't you see the connection between Wrigley and the lack of a competitive team? This organization doesn't market the team as it's product, they market a relic. I don't believe it's the ballparks fault for a lack of a consistent winner, I blame the ownership for taking the easy way to the money.

cubsfan4life

by cubfan4life on Jul 21, 2006 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions