Cubs Hometown Bums

by MikeJ on Sep 14, 2006 9:12 AM CDT

ESPN had an article today that's sort of the antithesis to MLB's Hometown Heros promotion: the Hometown Bums. They also have a full ballot with all 30 MLB teams as well.

I'll save you the click and let you know that the Cubs five were Ernie Broglio, Steve Bartman, Leon Durham, Corey Patterson and Todd Hundley.

I disagree with several of these choices, and add a few choices of my own at my blog. Yes, a blatant plug. Check it out:

http://chicagosportsblogs.com/mikej/archive/2006/09/13/7492.aspx

thanks!

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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Comments

That actually...

... would have been a fun poll, if they had just left Bartman off.

by Al Yellon on Sep 14, 2006 9:49 AM CDT reply actions

Agreed

It kind of ticked me off that they included Bartman.

by VS on Sep 14, 2006 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions

ESPN

is the reason this story won't go away, they need to give it up

by flyball on Sep 14, 2006 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

And the incessant pizza references in the cut-away

shots.

by Santos Sorrow @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Sep 14, 2006 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions

And Leon Durham.

Durham actually did a lot of good things during his time as a Cub. Even in Game 5 of the 1984 NLCS, which everyone remembers because of his error which let the tying run score, people forget that he also hit a home run early on in that game to put the Cubs out in front. Leon was a pretty good player, and he gets a bad rap because of one ground ball, which is a shame.

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

by ctcoff99 on Sep 14, 2006 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Durham hit the most impressive home run...

...I've ever seen in person. I was probably 11 or 12 years old and we were at our one Cubs game of the year (from Michigan it was a once-per-summer trip), sitting on the first base side, well up in the lower deck. We were far enough up that the upper deck overhang obstructed views of high fly balls.

Durham hit a ball skyward and we all lost sight of it (behind the upper deck), but watched the opposing team's right-fielder back up to the wall. That ball was out of sight for an eternity! Finally it came down in the basket in right field, to the chagrin of the waiting outfielder. But Durham must have hit that ball a mile high based on how long it took to reach the wall. I wished I had seen the whole flight of the ball, but it was probably more memorable this way.

by SiValleyCubFan on Sep 15, 2006 12:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Your suggestions from your website....

I'm sorry, but LaTroy Hawkins shouldn't be on the list.

by ontheuptick on Sep 14, 2006 10:06 AM CDT reply actions

Oh yes he should

"It's hard to put your finger on it. You have to have a dullness of mind and spirit to play here." --Jim Brosnan

by cubbiejulie on Sep 14, 2006 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

I second that

It's partly Dusty's fault for putting him in that situation, but an argument could be made that he is the sole reason the Cubs didn't make the playoffs in 2004.

by gauchodirk on Sep 14, 2006 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Correction

Sole is a bit of a stretch; let's just say he was a big part of it.

by gauchodirk on Sep 14, 2006 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes

He met the criteria not only because he blew many big games in both 04 and 05, but he also showed no contrition at all. Specifically, his quotes to the writers stating "I can do your job but you can't do mine."

He's a jerk.

by MikeJ on Sep 14, 2006 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Game. Set. Match.

by jcub on Sep 14, 2006 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Ok LaTroy was not the contrite type

but his quote when he came back last year
was my all time favorite by an ex-Cub
He told the media that despite what people
may think, he loved playing for the Cubs, Loved
Dusty, the team and the City
Then someone asked him about the fans
and he replied
"There is only so much love to go around"
DEAD ON given what he was put through and
a bit better than Freddy giving someone the finger

Not all players are warm and fuzzy. LaTroy's mistake
was EVER letting Dusty talk him into closing

I HATE NED COLLETTI

by jessica on Sep 14, 2006 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmmm...

... are we forgetting Latroy's impromptu press conference telling the media that he could do their job but they couldn't do his and that he was no longer speaking to the press? Sorry, but Latroy was a grade A douche bag as a Cub. He may be a nice guy "in real life", but he deserves the reputation that he has garnered for himself.

DmL

by dmlichte on Sep 14, 2006 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Ah, the endless moralism of sports

... like they say... you could read a month of newspaper op-ed pages and not see as much moral judgment passed on character, etc., as you do on sports blogs, sports columns, sports talk-radio.

Really, celebrity watching (TomKat did what?!) and sports (Barry Bonds is a big meanie!) is all about personality.

Weird how worked up people get over who is a nice guy and not. Shrug.

NLBallClub

by NLBallClub on Sep 14, 2006 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Um, yeah, but that's part of the job.

The entertainment industry pays well in most cases, but you pay the price with your privacy.

Every rose has its thorn...plus other, great '80's hair-band songs.

by jcub on Sep 14, 2006 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Yeah, I agree. Sometimes I just think it's funny listening to adult men very into sports (and we're all here on this blog, arent we?), without a hint of irony discuss ad infitum (sp) who is a nice guy and who isnt in their sport of choice.

Hey, I do it too, sometimes it just strikes me as "Hmmm, we really arent talking about 'manly' sports anymore, are we?", if that makes sense.

NLBallClub

by NLBallClub on Sep 15, 2006 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Well...

... I'm not going to get into a debate about moralism. I will disagree about your assertion that this is an attack of Latroy's personality.

Hawkins SUCKED as a Cub. That may have been because Dusty misused him. It may have been because he left the safety of Minnesota. But he sucked as a Cub. Then he comes out and lashes out against the media and fans, showing no insight into why fans were frustrated with him. I don't care about Latroy's personality, I care that he played like crap as a Cub. However, if someone is going to rewrite history and not acknowledge the major role that Latroy played in his downfall here, I will argue with that. Latroy Hawkins has only himself to blame for the PR he recieved, something that he, Bob Nightengale and Dusty Baker seemed to have forgotten. Perhaps you don't care...thats your right.

Bonds. You think it's about him being a big meanie? Wow are you out to lunch.

DmL

by dmlichte on Sep 14, 2006 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Whoa Whoa

I agree about Latroy. Cubs would have made playoffs in 2004 if he had pitched better the last week of the season, no doubt.

I was making a more generalized observation about how quick sports fans, myself included, are to pass judgment on moral issues that really go beyond the realm of baseball (or football, whatever, performance). Ok, Bonds took roids... and... and... DRUGS IS BAD... pfft. How many of my buddies have drunk driven at one point or another in their lives? How many have drank before age 21 (back then)? How many have not declared perhaps every cash gift on their 1040's? How many have maybe had a puff from the wacky tabacky at a party?

Bonds might have been the best player to take steroids, but we'll never know how many were; I suspect based on who has been busted officially thus far it was vastly beyond the poster-children everyone loves to beat up on (Sosa, McGwire, Palmerio, etc).

Maybe I am wrong about Bonds and am out to lunch, but look how many threads here, "Bynum swears!!!" etc, how much of sports radio, and how many columnists have nothing much to say other than "so and so is a bad person".
Glass houses, that's all.

NLBallClub

by NLBallClub on Sep 15, 2006 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Too bad they had...

Bartman and Broglio on that poll...Instead they should have included "all misguided excuse emakers in the Cubs organization who blame a fan for their own choke" and whoever the General manager was that traded Lou Brock...

by DudeVf1 on Sep 14, 2006 10:21 AM CDT reply actions

Brock for Broglio

The Brock for Broglio deal makes for a good story in Cubs lore, but a little research shows that, in fairness to the Cubs, the end result of this trade really could not have been forseen. Consider that Broglio was a former 20-game winner with the Cardinals who had won 18 games the year before the trade (1963). Brock, in two and a half seasons in Chicago, had hit .263, .258, and was hitting .251 at the time of the trade. After the trade, for the rest of the '64 season, he hit .348 for the Cardinals and led them to the world championship. Broglio was soon on the shelf with a torn shoulder, and was out of the game two years later, having done next to nothing for the Cubs. A painful history lesson.

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

by ctcoff99 on Sep 14, 2006 12:48 PM CDT reply actions

Broglio does NOT belong on that list

You are right about the deal and even if you
could have forseen you blame the PLAYER?
Three guesses who I am putting at the top
LARRY HIMES. I don't think I need to say why

I HATE NED COLLETTI

by jessica on Sep 14, 2006 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions

It would be interesting

to see the actual reaction to the trade at the time.

Players win awards but teams win championships.

by tharr on Sep 14, 2006 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Instead of Bartman it should be...

...Alex Gonzalez.

And Broglio?

Please.

There should be a spot for Larry Himes over Broglio.

hhhhiftqdaa

by theprognosticator on Sep 14, 2006 1:03 PM CDT reply actions

I don't think...

that error qualifies him to make the list, especially considering how many walk-offs he had that year during the regular season.

Extreme hopes are born from extreme misery. -Bertrand Russell

by thekansasian on Sep 14, 2006 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Or how about

The used up Jeff Blauser we got from Atlanta?

"I lof to hit de home ron."

by Tekboy on Sep 14, 2006 1:07 PM CDT reply actions

if we gonna play that, howzabout

Fred McGriff and Dizzy Dean?

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Sep 14, 2006 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions

or Larry Bowa and the Penguin?

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Sep 14, 2006 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Any other suggestions?

I put a bunch of names in my post, but I'm certain some of you can think of more names to add.

the dishonorable mentions: Mel Rojas, Wendell Kim, Neifi Perez, Don Baylor, Antonio Alfonseca, Larry Himes, Glendon Rusch, Lenny F. Harris, Shawn Estes, Jose Macias, Freddie Bynum...though none of these guys met the "bum" quotient as they simply were untalented, overused, or both. They all tried their hardest and were mostly cordial with the fans (except for Bynum it seems!)

I'm satisfied with the choices of Hawkins, The Farns, and Baker; though I could be convinced otherwise.

I seriously thought of Himes over Hawkins, but time has seemed to heal some of those wounds. Well, no it hasn't but the Hawkins wounds are too fresh to ignore.

by MikeJ on Sep 14, 2006 1:13 PM CDT reply actions

I would remove The Farns

based solely on his perfect-form tackle of Reds pitcher Paul Wilson--as well as the subsequent face pounding he gave him. That was a great video.

by jcub on Sep 14, 2006 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Himes

Hundley and/or Rojas get my vote for players, but Larry Himes gives new meaning to the word "bum". How the hell a so-so minor league scout ever became a Major League GM is beyond me, but his results were certainly not surprising. For a full take on Himes's exploits, check out the autobiographies of Ryne Sandberg ("Second to Home") and Andre Dawson ("Hawk").

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

by ctcoff99 on Sep 14, 2006 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Brant Brown?

Maybe a stretch.

NLBallClub

by NLBallClub on Sep 14, 2006 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Hundley

Wins this award all by himself. Good god was he a bum - terrible hitter, bad behind the plate, bad attitude.

In fact, if trading him hadn't netted us Eric Karros and Mark Grudzielanek in perhaps the second most one-sided favorable trade in Cubs history (Lofton and A-Ram for Bobby Hill and other such nonsense being perhaps #1) I'd say his career in Chicago was a disaster. As it is, his career was a disaster with the Cubs, but his impact in 2003 (god I loved Karros and Grudzy!) was awesome.

by Chadnudj on Sep 14, 2006 1:56 PM CDT reply actions

Rojas

I'd vote for Mel Rojas over LaTroy. If I remember correctly, Rojas was brought in to be the closer, and failed spectacularly. That was the season the Cubs started 0-14. And he caused Santo such distress.

"When things are at their blackest, I say to myself, 'Cheer up, things could be worse.' And sure enough, they get worse." - Robert Asprin

by Jesse Guam on Sep 14, 2006 2:00 PM CDT reply actions

Rojas

You are correct that he failed spectacularly, but that team also went 68-94, and I don't think it was really expected to contend in the first place. We all know that the 2004 team was, and had an effective closer been in place all season, they probably would have won the wild card.

Plus, Hawkins' "I can do your job but you can't do mine" remark really bugged me.

by gauchodirk on Sep 14, 2006 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't remember

If the team was supposed to contend, but I do remember being surprised at just how horrible they were.

"When things are at their blackest, I say to myself, 'Cheer up, things could be worse.' And sure enough, they get worse." - Robert Asprin

by Jesse Guam on Sep 14, 2006 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

You, me, and everyone

That season was over after the first three weeks, Rojas or not.

by gauchodirk on Sep 14, 2006 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

All-time busts

I think we're over (or under?) valuing recent busts throughout Cub history there have been many more. A leaderoff hitter acquired in early '70s Vic Harris wasn't the answer (part of a bigger deal?). Willie Wilson didn't work out at all in the OF. Blauser was horrible and contributed to the early exit in '98 playoffs with a terrible AB in critical situation...I could go on and on...who was the big stud pitcher (FA) from White Sox signed to replace Maddux?? There was a long drought between '89 and '98 when the Cubs were bad, bad, bad and had a lot of bad players even though Ryno, Gracie and later Sosa were cornerstones. They never had sufficient pitching depth to contend.

I think this is the one consolation we can take from this train wreck of a season: At least some young arms are developing and looking (somewhat) promising, including a slew of lefties--something the organization has not had in a long time if ever.

by writerinwrigley on Sep 14, 2006 5:38 PM CDT reply actions

recent players

I, too, think we may be overvaluing recent players in this regard. However, a lousy player tends to stand out more when the team has higher expectations.

Think of this year, it's almost possible to name a Least Valuable Player, whereas in 2003 and 2004 it was easy to pinpoint one or two weaknesses.

by MikeJ on Sep 14, 2006 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Jim Frey the GM..

should be included. The Lee Smith for Al Nipper and Calvin Shiraldi I contend IS the worst trade in Cub history.It led to signing a washed up Goose Gossage and then the trading of Raffy Palmeiro. Say what you will about Raffy and roids, but for most of his career I'd rather had him at 1B than Grace. The Hawk even said so at the time...we tarded the wrong guy.

by wicubfan on Sep 14, 2006 5:39 PM CDT reply actions

Frey should be on there for trades

but his name should be in bold-faced caps for destroying one of the most productive minor league systems in baseball almost overnight.

by TR on Sep 14, 2006 7:12 PM CDT reply actions

I don't know if he destroyed it....

but he certainly did not rebuild it. The problem is, in the 1980's, the Cubs' farm system produced Shawon Dunston, Greg Maddux, Rafael Palmeiro, Mark Grace, Jerome Walton, Dwight Smith, Joe Girardi, and so many other young studs who contributed to the 1989 Division winning team. Those guys were all Dallas Green products, and once they all got to Chicago, the farm system was never rebuilt at all. With the exception of Palmeiro and Grace, I think all of those guys were casualties of the Larry Himes regime.

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

by ctcoff99 on Sep 14, 2006 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions

This is off-topic

but I was hoping to get some advice for a nice hotel near Wrigley Field. I will be in Chicago on business and thought I would try and catch a game

by gbs on Sep 14, 2006 8:00 PM CDT reply actions

Try this one...

... the Hawthorne Terrace. Reasonable rates, about four blocks' walk to the ballpark.

by Al Yellon on Sep 14, 2006 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Great

Thanks Al

by gbs on Sep 14, 2006 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions

When are you coming to town?

n/t

by Al Yellon on Sep 14, 2006 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions

This weekend

I am going to try and catch Saturday's game. It is a last-minute trip but I am guessing based on recent attendance that I should be able to get tickets.

by gbs on Sep 14, 2006 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Email me privately...

... I may be able to help you.

by Al Yellon on Sep 14, 2006 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions

My list

Todd Hundley (the $24 million man who could no longer catch, no longer hit and had a bad attitude and a drinking problem to boot)
Bobby Murcer (arghhhh)
Mark Prior (the biggest pussy in baseball I have ever seen in 30 years of passionately following baseball)
Scott Sanderson (the 80's version of Prior, only he worked slower and drove Harry bonkers)
Fred McGriff ("Fred slept here" is carved into the Cub dugout seats I'm pretty sure)

by BlueBooHoo on Sep 14, 2006 11:01 PM CDT reply actions

Steve Bartman

I think its really crappy that people continue to ridicule this guy. He was a fan sitting in the stands who did what 99.9% of fans would have done if in the same situation. Alex Gonzalez is the guy who should be hung in effegee. Lets cut this Bartman guy a bloody break. Jeez.

by BlueBooHoo on Sep 14, 2006 11:04 PM CDT reply actions

agree

Hey Alex turn the freaking double play.!!!

Throw out your Gold Teeth and see how they Roll

by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Sep 14, 2006 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Larry Himes, and Larry Himes

The screw over of Maddux, then acquiring Willie Wilson, Juan Guzman and Candy Maldanado. Himes also had a partial blame for Ryno to retire the first time, at least thats what I got from Ryno's book.
Hundley and Hawkins.

Throw out your Gold Teeth and see how they Roll

by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Sep 14, 2006 11:05 PM CDT reply actions

Ryno retired

because his wife was diddling Davey Martinez, Thunder Dan Majerle, and probably half a dozen other guys behind a pool hall. Ryno was distraught, and concerned for the well-being of his children.

by BlueBooHoo on Sep 14, 2006 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Not going there

and who needs too. PUSHING MADDUX OUT THE DOOR
is enough to qualify the man as biggest Cub bum
of all time.

I HATE NED COLLETTI

by jessica on Sep 15, 2006 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Ryno's wife

Jeez. Ryno's wife forced TWO players (Palmeiro, Martinez) to leave?

by Romero on Sep 15, 2006 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't forget Burt Hooton ..

Burt Hooton - the whiz kid pitcher who lost his whiz and became a brat

I remember watching him win what I believe was his first start as a rookey in a decisive fashion that had the whole town buzzing and how aw-shucksy he was - only to watch him become a whiny, overweight bullpen-bound baby. His knuckleball went too far south to help anymore and he cried so much over it they finally dumped him.

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Sep 15, 2006 10:14 PM CDT reply actions