2007 Draft question

by WGNstatic on Jan 24, 2007 1:06 PM CST

I have seen that the Cubs are slated to pick 3rd in this years draft, with TB and KC 1 & 2. I seem to recall in the past that the order of selection alternated between NL and AL teams, with the #1 selection going to the worst team in the NL in alternating years.

Am I remembering incorrectly? Has something changed recently?

Any thoughts/rumors floating out there about the upcoming draft?

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I believe...

... it changed a year or two ago to slot all 30 teams in order by record, regardless of league.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Jan 24, 2007 1:17 PM CST reply actions

Way off topic ...

But i didn't want to start a new diary because of it. Al, I'm guessing that you were a journalist previously. I am 18 years old, planning on going to Wake Forest to become a sports writer. But I might attend a community college before I attend a university -- my question is, are my chances high (of becoming a journalist) if I attend college and major in Mass Communications?

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Jan 24, 2007 1:43 PM CST up reply actions

Well...

... I have never written for a living, no. I am a television director, so I do have media experience, but not as a writer.

I'd think if you do that, you'll get some great exposure to people in the business. If you do, I would also highly recommend trying to get an internship somewhere in the business, that's a great way of learning what goes on, plus making contacts. I did that in college.

Perhaps there are some others here who can also help out.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Jan 24, 2007 1:59 PM CST up reply actions

Think hard....

....about developing a specialty in a unique (but frequently newsworthy) field.

For example, in college, I knew Darren Rovell, who was an ESPN business reporter before recently going over to CNBC or something. Anyways, in college I don't even remember what he majored in, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't journalism (despite Northwestern having a FANTASTIC journalism program).

What he did do, though, is develop an arcane focus and knowledge about sports business - memorabilia, ticket scalpers (I bought tickets to big games through his connections), contracts, endorsements - that allowed him after graduation to literally walk into ESPN and tell them "I know more about sports business than anyone on your staff", and got him a job.

So, if I were you, I'd think mass communications or journalism is a good major, but REALLY think about doing a double major in something where you're sure to get a practical grounding/education in a topic that will be in the news....

(If I were you, I'd take my pick from the following topics, all of which figure to be newsworthy in the next 20 years at least: the Middle East (learn Arabic and you'll be recruited by the best papers in the world AND the CIA), India or China (both will be huge stories over the next 20 years - again, learn the languages), energy (specifically oil and the science of energy such as bio-fuels), automotives (have you seen how many car magazines are out there? Learn the science of hybrids and you'll have a bigger advantage), engineering in general (great technical minds that can boil things down in ways common folks understand are really rare), biology and genetics (where some of our biggest advances figure to come), and climatology (since we're all obsessed with global warming).

by Chadnudj on Jan 24, 2007 2:13 PM CST up reply actions

I'm a radio/TV broadcasting major......

and I'm going to need to find an internship soon. Do you have any advice you could give on trying to get an internship in Chicago?

RAMIREZ!! PRIOR!!

by PriorandAramisfan23 on Jan 24, 2007 2:15 PM CST up reply actions

Well.

If I had any influence, I'd give you one myself. Alas, I have no such clout.

However, here is the helpful page on my station's website which tells you how to apply for an internship there. (I imagine the other stations have similar pages on their websites.)

If you get it, let me know. Good luck!

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Jan 24, 2007 2:20 PM CST up reply actions

What would it take

to get Mr.Food to visit this site?

"A study in the Washington Post says that women have better verbal skills than men. I just want to say to the authors of that study: "Duh." ~Conan O'Brien

by talkingcubs on Jan 24, 2007 5:40 PM CST up reply actions

LOL

How do you know he doesn't?

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Jan 24, 2007 9:58 PM CST up reply actions

Being a journalist

Well, very complex. As one, I can tell you there are highs and lows. Don't do it for the $$, because you won't be making much when you start out. And you'll be working a lot for not a lot of money. There are great j-schools out there, the top being Northwestern, Syracuse, Missouri, UNC, etc., but you don't necessarily have to go to one of those to be great (I sure as heck didn't).

If you're a good writer, it will show, and college will be used to fine-tune your craft. I'd try like heck to get on with the college paper or do some grunt work for the local daily (in your case, the W-S Journal, which has some good people).
When you leave college, apply everywhere. You're really not going to get your pick of the litter, since many journalists leave their position either by being forced into retirement or through dying. And you might have to start on a different beat. I did education for two years before a sports job finally opened up.

With that said, there are perks. If you do become a sports journalist, you're bascially being paid to write about something you love. You get to interview and do stories on intriguing people and subjects, plus get a front-row seat to some pretty cool events. And it's always something different daily, rather than your mundane 9-5 job behind a desk (no offense to those who currently hold this position).

Hope that helps

I very excite about this upcoming season! Jenqui!

by nextyearcub on Jan 24, 2007 2:35 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks!

I was expecting to get bashed for starting this topic in this diary (hopefully the diary-starter isn't mad at me, :-)). I love coming to this site and reading everyones thoughts. The Cubs are my passion and I can't wait till the season starts and come to this site and read everyone's thoughts throughout the season!

"Losing is my only fear"

by Unique on Jan 24, 2007 2:47 PM CST up reply actions

They also

get the 31st sandwich pick for Pierre signing with LA - and I believe they only lose a 2nd rounder for signing Soriano (don't quote me on that).

"A study in the Washington Post says that women have better verbal skills than men. I just want to say to the authors of that study: "Duh." ~Conan O'Brien

by talkingcubs on Jan 24, 2007 1:38 PM CST reply actions

The Draft

According to some early accounts, this appears to be a good upcoming draft with some real talent. While the college baseball season is not yet underway (some teams start this week), it appears that there are a few top notch players, too, and the Cubs are poised to get one of them with the #3 pick.

The Cubs will lose their second round selection having signed Alfonso Soriano, (Lilly, DeRosa, Marquis are type B free agents), the last time I checked, they recieve the first pick in the sandwich round for the loss of Juan Pierre.

Last year's draft was thought to be lacking in talent, however Ty Colvin had a tremendous minor league debut and the signing of Jeff Samardzjia have given the Cubs a really solid draft. Tim Wilken will have a nice opportunity to infuse the Cubs system with some talent this spring.

DmL

by dmlichte on Jan 24, 2007 1:39 PM CST reply actions

No offense dmil

but I would hardly call Tyler Colvin's debut tremendous.

.268/.313/.483

Is hardly a great line in the lower minors for a COLLEGE player.

add in the fact that his OBP was silly low and he struck out 55 times in 265 AB's and you have a pretty poor looking OF.

Yes he can hit for power (11 Hr's in 265 AB's) but he needs to seriously work on his discipline and pitch selection.

by cubsfan2883 on Jan 24, 2007 5:08 PM CST up reply actions

3rd pick

The Cubs really have a chance to draft whoever they want. The two teams picking ahead of them very well may pass on the top talent if there are "signability" issues...

MURTON!!! - just trying to help his karma so we keep him.

by 26.2cubfan on Jan 24, 2007 6:02 PM CST up reply actions

A couple names

Delmon Young and Luke Hochevar.

Neither the Royals nor the D-Rays are going to pass because of signability issues. Small-market does not mean that teams stay away from certain guys in the draft. The Royals and Devil Rays have more than proven that. These are both two of the teams in this game that are not afraid one damn bit to give out the big dollar contract to a draft pick.

by Maddog on Jan 25, 2007 10:38 PM CST up reply actions