Just Another Boring Off-Day
So.
It's Tuesday. Anything interesting happen yesterday?
While you're all stewing and mulling and pondering and hyperventilating over the impending sale of Tribune Company, and what it means to the Cubs and whether Wrigley Field will be included in the Cubs sale (and I cannot imagine any prospective owner NOT wanting the ballpark, too), I wanted to tell you about a book I've recently read, which I highly recommend and which will give you, or ought to, a new perspective on your life.
"In An Instant" is the story of Bob Woodruff, the ABC News reporter and anchor who was seriously wounded while reporting in Iraq.
I feel an affinity toward him and his wife, Lee, who co-wrote the book, not just because I also work at ABC, but because both of them attended my school, Colgate University, though after I had graduated. The book is written in "segments", almost like a diary written by both of them as a conversation or journal, describing not only how he was wounded and recovered, but also how they got to that point in both their lives.
The recovery itself was nothing short of miraculous -- half of Woodruff's skull was destroyed by the bomb blast and had to be reconstructed, and he is lucky to be alive. Lee Woodruff tells of how she had to tell her kids, and the rest of her family, and how they all pulled together. While it is true that, because he is a journalist and thus has access to resources that others perhaps wouldn't, the story is still one of survival, of doubts, of highs and lows, that anyone in such a situation would go through. It's a story of love too, not just Lee and Bob, but their entire family and how their faith in each other and in their doctors helped bring him back to where he could return to work at nearly full capacity, though his rehab continues even today.
One very good thing that came out of this event, was that Bob Woodruff was able, through his position as a reporter, to help bring attention to the plight of soldiers who don't have the resources he had, and also the current troubles in VA hospitals around the country. His family has also started the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury, which will help to assist members of the military who have suffered brain injuries.
I'm not sure I've really managed to capture how much I was touched by reading his story, an amazing tale of survival and renewal. It's a story of love and family and hope, and well worth reading. In the summer of 2008, I'll be attending my 30-year college reunion (gulp! how could it have been that long?), which I have learned will be Bob Woodruff's 25th. I hope to meet him then and shake his hand -- I admire him and his wife greatly.
Read this book. Well worth your time.
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Comments
Didn't want to panic....
The concept that Wrigley could be sold to someone other than the buyer of the Cubs is jarring and something that I hope does not happen. I am hopeful that this is the start of public posturing to maximize the sale value. Maybe the Tribune is also being represented by Drew Rosenhous...
by N Oakley on Apr 3, 2007 9:07 AM CDT 0 recs
Wrigley and the Cubs
I am guessing that we may see the Tribune tower sold as well. No reason why the Tribune has to be right on Michigan Avenue. They can move what's left of the paper to over near the Printing Center . Zell is going to bring major changes, mostly bad, to the City.
by frustratedfan on Apr 3, 2007 9:22 AM CDT 0 recs
Speculation...
Sure, they could do that. The city, however, won't know about the Olympics till 2009, which is when the IOC will make the final choice of its host for 2016. Unless, of course, the USOC chooses Los Angeles when they make their decision later this month.
I think the value of Wrigley Field to Tribco is higher if it's sold as a ballpark than as real estate. It could increase the value of the franchise by $100 million or more. There's no way that land is worth that much if it's not a ballpark.
by Al on
Apr 3, 2007 9:26 AM CDT
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Actually,
If the Zell deal goes through, it would be smart to divide the park and the team. They will get more if sold seperately. The new owner of the team may want the park, but likely would be outbid by someone with a plan for the property.
by timeforachange on
Apr 3, 2007 11:38 AM CDT
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Landmark Status
DmL
by dmlichte on
Apr 3, 2007 11:46 AM CDT
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Correct me....
There was a big deal made of it, but it passed through with the mayor's backing.
I hope the park stays up, but, I would not be shocked if the new owners go to the city and asks to build a new park to strengthen their revenue sources. My guess would be somewhere on the West Side.....
by timeforachange on
Apr 3, 2007 3:36 PM CDT
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Where?
by Al on
Apr 3, 2007 3:38 PM CDT
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Bonds.....
My guess is it would be tied to the olympic bid....
I would have to look at the #####'s BUT, I could argue it would be better for the new owners to self fund the stadium rather than lease Wrigley....
by timeforachange on
Apr 3, 2007 3:46 PM CDT
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I'm willing to bet
by sanantonecub on
Apr 3, 2007 12:26 PM CDT
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yup
by mike on
Apr 3, 2007 12:35 PM CDT
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But...
It was suggested in one article that the Tribune could sell the park to someone who would lease it to whoever buys the Cubs. Or they could keep it and lease it themselves.
That makes more sense, I think,.
by Al on
Apr 3, 2007 12:57 PM CDT
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Yep...
The Cubs and the ballpark are what make the neighborhood and nightlife what they are. A lot of things would be adversely effected if Wrigley was gone...
by Mark H on
Apr 3, 2007 2:31 PM CDT
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Actually,
by timeforachange on
Apr 3, 2007 3:06 PM CDT
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Or...
by Al on
Apr 3, 2007 3:39 PM CDT
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NO!!!!!!!!
An up and coming Lincoln Park!!!!
by timeforachange on
Apr 3, 2007 3:43 PM CDT
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lol
by Mark H on
Apr 3, 2007 4:25 PM CDT
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That's the thing that bothers me though
Oh, and earlier in this discussion it was said Zell has to sell the team because of his part-ownership in the White Sox. C'mon. He could more easily sell the share of the Sox than the Cubs. He's selling the Cubs because his buyout plan is highly leveraged. The Cubs don't fit in with the rest of the Tribune's media conglomerate and they can be easily sold to pay down the debt without affecting the core business.
by Josh77 on
Apr 3, 2007 3:07 PM CDT
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Al,
If they have to lease the park, the new owners would, IMHO, be nuts to not seek a new park. It would be a bad business decision if they did not. The prospective buyers did not get to this point because they are bad businessmen.
by timeforachange on
Apr 3, 2007 3:41 PM CDT
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Do me a favor.....
I would bet the farm if another person or group purchased the park they would place unrealistic demands on the new team ownership group. The owners would virtualy have NO choice but to seek other options.
by timeforachange on
Apr 4, 2007 3:28 PM CDT
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Nonsense.
by frustratedfan on
Apr 3, 2007 5:50 PM CDT
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hmmm
by 26.2cubfan on
Apr 3, 2007 10:11 PM CDT
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Stretch of Bars
by frustratedfan on
Apr 4, 2007 10:02 AM CDT
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If the Cubs are sold
If I were looking to buy the Cubs, I'd probably buy the team and Wrigley together, then look to sell the stadium in a sale-leaseback with a VERY favorable tenant-lease for a huge term like 99 years. That'd be the way to do it.
by Jhoratio on
Apr 4, 2007 3:22 PM CDT
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Re
There is a chance, however, that Zell would split the team and the park and try to sell the park for real estate development. That is, after all, his business. It would be a shame to lose Wrigley, but not out of the question. Between the additional revenue a new stadium would give the new owners and the income from a major residential project that would go to Zell, that's a lot of money to give up just to keep the Cubs at Clark & Addison.
Visit The Digital Gazette
by Jed Taylor on
Apr 3, 2007 2:27 PM CDT
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not possible
And yes, the Meigs site makes no sense at all.
I grew up in "Wrigleyville" before it was Wrigelyville. It was just plain Lakeview back then, before Wrigley Field became an icon and the bars sprouted up like dandelions. Back then, it was a middle class to working class neighborhood, and slightly sleazy, especially right around the ballpark. I don't think it would go back to being that way without the Cubs. The bars might suffer, but the ethnic restaurants and the lakefront would keep people coming to the neighborhood.
by danimal15 on
Apr 3, 2007 2:43 PM CDT
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Little Richie and Meigs Field
by frustratedfan on
Apr 3, 2007 5:54 PM CDT
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fyi
why you find it necessary to be condescending to the people who choose to frequent your site is beyond me.
by tomas21 on Apr 3, 2007 9:33 AM CDT 0 recs
Suit yourself.
by Al on
Apr 3, 2007 9:41 AM CDT
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Hyperventilation
by Kyle Turney on
Apr 3, 2007 9:54 AM CDT
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LOL
by Al on
Apr 3, 2007 10:04 AM CDT
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you should use a funnier word to not anger people
http://www.bergen.org/AAST/projects/Yiddish/English/comwor.html
For example
"While you kakameyme sheygets are all farblondzhet and farklempt and got the shpilkes over the impending handl of Tribune Company..."
by HerrProf on
Apr 3, 2007 10:14 AM CDT
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I find everything is funnier in yiddish
by tucsoncubsfan on
Apr 3, 2007 10:23 AM CDT
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Thank you.
by Al on
Apr 3, 2007 10:24 AM CDT
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i picked
by HerrProf on
Apr 3, 2007 10:25 AM CDT
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LOL
by Al on
Apr 3, 2007 10:30 AM CDT
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It's called
Sorry but I had to say this.
by shop girl on
Apr 3, 2007 10:00 AM CDT
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FYI PT.2
by BigJohnAZ on
Apr 3, 2007 2:06 PM CDT
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I don't think it's insulting at all...
Give me a break, man. As soon as you're sure that you never unintentionally offend/insult anyone, than by all means begin preaching to other people about how to talk.
by Mark H on
Apr 3, 2007 2:26 PM CDT
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What about Bob?
by Kyle Turney on Apr 3, 2007 9:45 AM CDT 0 recs
Right...
In this way, something like this happening to someone famous, calls attention to a problem which might otherwise go unnoticed.
by Al on
Apr 3, 2007 10:05 AM CDT
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I agree
by Kyle Turney on
Apr 3, 2007 10:15 AM CDT
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Re
This is one of the saddest aspects of the way this invasion and occupation has been conducted. While tens of billions of dollars are spent each year on grandiose weapon systems that don't work and are of dubious strategic value, young men and women are sent into urban guerrilla combat without basic proper protection. Then, when they get injured, they suffer again because they lack the resources a well-known journalist has. And because of improved battlefield medicine, far more soldiers survive serious injury than before.
This is the biggest crime - that Bob Woodward is able to get better medical and rehabilitation care than those who serve our country. There's only one person to blame for this situation, and we all know who it is.
Visit The Digital Gazette
by Jed Taylor on
Apr 3, 2007 2:39 PM CDT
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Since...
by Al on
Apr 3, 2007 3:17 PM CDT
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nobody is buying the Cubs without Wrigley
owners without controlling interest. Lets just say it ain't over till
the fat lady sings
by jessica on Apr 3, 2007 9:59 AM CDT 0 recs
Jessica you are correct
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/rosenblog/
by diehardmark on
Apr 3, 2007 2:50 PM CDT
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I wonder
by HerrProf on
Apr 3, 2007 2:58 PM CDT
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And Would They Have A Choice?
And at least some new owners will want a new park with that substantial skybox revenue. Another location for the Cubs (in addition to Miegs, which is viable) is somewhere over near the United Center on the West Side so that the Cubs can share the United Center parking and other infrastructure. This also gives King Richard what he wants, a chance to further push for the "Circle Line" and an expansion of the "Pink Line".
Wrigley's gone within the next 5 years.
by frustratedfan on
Apr 4, 2007 10:07 AM CDT
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I've heard that before
I'm coming around to the opinion some others have expressed here and that Trib columnist Rick Morrissey wrote about today (it's actually an idea I had about 20 years ago, but never shared with anyone except my brother, so I get no credit for it):
Keep the bleachers and scoreboard, the ivy-covered walls and the Clark and Addison Wrigley Field sign. Then take down the existing grandstand and build something more practical and modern (but keeping the traditional brick wall, old-fashioned lights, etc) where the grandstand now sits.
This isn't my favorite solution (which would be keeping the park as it is and upgrading where necessary), but perhaps it is the most realistic if we want to keep the essence of Wrigley (the neighborhood, the bleachers, the view of neighboring apartment buildings) long into the 21st century.
by danimal15 on
Apr 4, 2007 12:02 PM CDT
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Yeah...
Win-win scenario, the way I see it.
by Al on
Apr 4, 2007 2:17 PM CDT
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I could live happily with the old
I would hope that they'd cantilever the decks to eliminate poles but keep the seats close to the field. One only need look at the Cell to see how non-overlapping of the decks pushes the fans far from the field. And like the current lower grandstand, any upperdecks should curve toward the foul poles to give better sight lines to home plate.
by TR on
Apr 4, 2007 2:17 PM CDT
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one more thing
Also, the brick wall would have to be taken down brick by brick and the same bricks used in whatever new grandstand they build. There's no way you could replace the bricks without hurting the "essence" of Wrigley. I detest some of those new stadiums (I think Houston is one of them) that have tried to use the bricks behind homeplate look, but with a much more modern feel. Give me the humble old ones at Wrigley any time (and with no ad on them behind home plate, but that's not an argument I'm ever going to win)
by danimal15 on
Apr 4, 2007 2:33 PM CDT
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Nice solution
But since you're a loyal BCBer and Rick Morrissey isn't, I'm going to give you full credit for this idea (and will try and start the rumor that he stole the idea from you).
by Jesse Guam on
Apr 4, 2007 3:08 PM CDT
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BCB should buy the Cubs!
Send all money to:
BCB Cubs Purchase Fund
c/o Al Yellon
1060 W. Addison St.
Chicago, IL 60657
by bergs55 on Apr 3, 2007 10:11 AM CDT 0 recs
Hey, wait!
But maybe we should do this. I tried to start this yesterday and I think we raised $41.
That's a start, right? Maybe I should rent a PO Box. Any other ideas?
by Al on
Apr 3, 2007 10:15 AM CDT
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I would do this
by HerrProf on
Apr 3, 2007 10:22 AM CDT
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Sounds good to me.
by Al on
Apr 3, 2007 10:23 AM CDT
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Somebody yesterday calculated
How do you get people to document commitments for that much money?
Maybe this is where we need Mark Cuban and his technical expertise.
Someone contact Ernie Banks, Bill Murray and Steve Stone to be our front men.
No one tell the air raid siren.
by N Oakley on
Apr 3, 2007 10:44 AM CDT
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hey
Relocation wouldn't be an issue. We would have the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Baltimore Colts, and the Athletics would be in Philly.
I realize I'm rambling a bit now, but you get the idea.
by mike on
Apr 3, 2007 12:34 PM CDT
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I really like this idea...
I'm all for seriously starting this, if anyone else is!
by stadiumguru on
Apr 3, 2007 12:45 PM CDT
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I like the concept of having
Perhaps we should start it as a web poll to see how many would invest and at what level. ($1,000, $800, $600, $400, $200?).
Anyone want to start the Diary?
by N Oakley on
Apr 3, 2007 1:54 PM CDT
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Stoney..
by wicubfan on
Apr 3, 2007 5:31 PM CDT
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Zell
by dmlichte on Apr 3, 2007 11:12 AM CDT 0 recs
Now let me get this straight.
Who is going to benefit most from this?
I shoulda gone to business school.
by Clark Addison on Apr 3, 2007 11:37 AM CDT 0 recs
Well
by 26.2cubfan on
Apr 3, 2007 10:20 PM CDT
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Thanks for the Book Tip, Al
The one that got me in particular was when Woodruff went back to the hospital room where he recovered and, upon entering, immediately broke down in tears (soon followed by his wife). It was really affecting.
There was another striking scene where Woodruff's young daughters were teaching him how to pronounce simple words. Just staggering stuff.
I appreciate some other posters' comments about how hundreds of U.S. servicepeople have sustained similiar injuries and not gotten book deals, TV shows, etc.
But, as Al pointed out, Woodruff has used his celebrity status to draw attention to a shameful problem with our military's healthcare system and to raise money for those similiarly afflicted. Would you prefer he remain silent and do nothing?
Whether Woodruff is a hero is something every one of us needs to decide according to our own criteria. I think it's undisputable, however, that he is a hero to his own family -- something we should all aspire to.
by dat cubfan daver on Apr 3, 2007 11:58 AM CDT 0 recs
Well put. Thanks!
by Al on
Apr 3, 2007 1:05 PM CDT
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