-1

We could try putting a better player at shortstop!

And its easy to go there, I mean after all the discussions we have had about the crap that we would like to see disappear, because it does nothing for our franchise. I agree with the celebrity thing, most of the time, these people have very little knowledge of the Cubs and are just there to plug their movie, book, etc.

Disagree on the Harry thing, look he is a very important part of Cubs broadcasting history, and I believe the sign (on the building and in front of the broadcasting booth) serves to honor that – I have no problem with it. There is nothing wrong with not being the biggest fan of the guy or his style…to me he fit a period, I remember him when I was a kid, and that time has passed. A new page has turned but does not make the last page irrelevant.

I also think it is fair to credit him with creating a wonderful atmosphere for the fans and the audience. To many people he may be the most beloved part of the Cubs. Last, unlike some of the other silly stuff like the AC sign, Harry is not a symbol of losing, if anything he is a symbol of not being afraid to call it what it is when players do not perform.

If anyone should do it every time, it’s Santo

per home series, with Brenly/Kasper/Santo doing the rest?

But I agree with you. In fact, I ran into John McDonough in spring training in 1999, after they had done it for only one year. I told him it had been a nice tribute to Harry but they should drop it.

You can see how far that got. It turned into nonsensical celebrity worship, and you’re right, it doesn’t have anything positive to do with the Cubs and the future.

Will eliminating it win a single game? No, it won’t. But maybe it will help get the focus back on baseball where it belongs.

no plugging their latest movie, books, tv shows, concerts, etc. I get it – you’re a star. BFD. At Wrigley Field on a fine summers day, your Q factor may get you in the booth, but at this particular point in time, your body of work doesn’t mean diddley squat to me.

Tell me why you’re a Cubs fan. Tell me what the Cubs mean to you. Tell me about the first time your dad (or mom, grandparents, etc.) took you to Wrigley Field. I love it when I hear Conan O’Brien and Jeff Garlin talk about when they lived two houses down on Kenmore. Or the old-timers about trying to sneak in and flipping seats.

And yes, I’d even suffer through listening to Gov. Blago run off at the mouth, as long as he was talking about the Cubs and left the political garbage at the door.

people directly related to Chicago sports, with the obvious exceptions(Murray, Uecker, etc)? I could easily come up with 82 Chicago athletes that could sing during the season. This would keep it relevant, and the interviews will be interesting to Chicago sports fans

by allowing the celebs to plug their movies or books or whatever? Or do they not have to pay their expenses to get them there by letting them have an inning commercial?

That’s become a tradition at Wrigley Field. It needs to stay. I would ask that the people conducting have some rooting interest for the Cubs. That’s not a requirement. It’s a fun part of the Wrigley Field experience.

I know Jack has a statue over on Michigan Avenue. I think it’s bad that he doesn’t have one at Wrigley, and Harry does. Heck, Harry had a statue there before Ernie Banks. That doesn’t mean that Harry isn’t deserving of his statue at Wrigley. I’m just saying he shouldn’t have gotten one before Ernie. Harry isn’t as deserving of a statue at Wrigley as Brickhouse is.

Jack Brickhouse, Vince Lloyd and Lou Boudreau were the identity of the Cubs to me. I finally accepted Harry but I too thought it a little odd that he got a statue at Wrigley Field first of anyone.

I think the majority of people who have grown tired of it are ones who go to, or watch, Cubs games every single day. This may sound evil, but I think a lot of those same people grow tired of hearing the Star-Spangled Banner before every game. Leave it alone.

7th inning conductors, giveaway items, “ev’rybody clap yo’ hands”, sausage races…heck, I’d even dump organ music. How much better the baseball experience would be if people actually paid attention to what was happening on the field!

AC sign? Leave it. It’s not the Cubs doing it, it’s a separate entity. If the Cubs did it, they should be ashamed of themselves. But they didn’t so it’s not an issue. AC0063100

Curses? Could be, could not be. If you’re superstituous, you’re more inclined to believe in a curse. And…that’s fine. Always interested in hearing about supernature stuff. However, the Cubs had better not even hint in that direction from now on. After all LOU did to try to dispell that and the 100-year BS, what does Kenney do? Yikes!

What’s next?

1. Figure out how to put more proven playoff performers on the field. At least for 2009 (unless the Brewers keep CC and improve their ‘pen), the division is the Cubs to lose. They have to think about game #163 with any off-season changes. Though they’d never say that out loud, it’s how they have to think. It’ll be interesting to hear what Bruuuuuce has to say after the organizational meetings next week.

2. Get the ownership thing figured out. This could have a huge affect on off-season activity.

3. Update those flag poles atop the upper deck. Make ’em bigger and start on one side or the other with those division flags. Three of the past 6 years is a good start.