They put something different on the AC sign using the same amount (or less) numbers/letters?

Example (Not meaning this is what I would want but just to get the point out):

Now: AC006299
Instead: GOCUBSGO

Something like that. Yes, reminding everyone how long it has been isnt good, as much as we would like to see AC000000. In fact if we do win someday soon they could always put that up the next year just to say it was done! But no AC000001+

Curious.

Teams like the Indians for example.

counting down the years till the Cubs win, rather than the other way around.

I might feel differently if I had been alive for more of these years.

I don’t see it as very different from hanging a championship banner commemorating a pennant or world series—if Wrigley had banners with 08 and 45 on it, wouldn’t that be the same thing to anyone who could count?

would mess the sign up. Without adding numbers, the sign could read AC063100. The single zero after the “C” would be for years after division title. If the Cubs go 10 years without a division title, another space will be needed.

The sign doesn’t bother me. Poor play in the postseason does.

In regard to Worf, Al already pointed out that the L flag only says that they lost that day. The AC sign says, or will say, we haven’t been able to get the job done in 100 years. What’s the point in that? If my fiancee pointed out to me how many interviews I’ve gone on without landing a new job, I’d end up getting pretty discouraged, and I’d end up in a fight with her. If the Cubs are something that Lakeview loves, then take the sign down. All it’s saying is, “Hey guys, congratulations on another year of failure. Oh yeah, also grats on winning the division…” It’s cruel, and if we’re looking at this like a relationship, then the side Lakeview is on certainly isn’t helping matters.

I will also say that after all the games I went to where they lost, in recent years anyway, leaving the bleachers and seeing that sign was a pretty aggravating sight. It’s not really helping anything.

This entire organization is weighed down with the expectations of fans and a lazy media who will continue to remind fans of the goat, the curse, the 100 years etc.

Whomsoever said that in order to win a championship a very unique, and probably very young, team will need to go out and play hard without care for the sign on Sheffield or anything else, for that matter.

It’s not the sign. It’s not any other reminders of the futility of this club in the last century. It’s simply down to a group of very well-paid men who are paid to ignore history, ignore the pressure and play well every day.

It’s still has its’ own karmic problem. But, why not hang some banners that say Division Champs, 1984, 1989, 2003, 2007, 2008. At least this is a postive. This is a common practice at just about every ball park. Even the Rockies have hung a sign “Wild Card Champs.”

The AC sign is on somebody’s house. We can rail about it, but it’s out of our hands. At least we can suggest the Cubs change some of their policies.

Dump the G-d-forsaken, stupid, moronic AC sign!

I despise it! I will ALWAYS despise it!

that show the successes of the team instead of just the small ones on the roof with the year on them? The 1908 flag looks the same as ones that are up there for the division champ and wild card champ teams.

Use the banners for the Bulls at the UC for example. The division banners and NBA champ banners are quite different. The Champ banners have what happened and in what year on them. They arent just a little square that says 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. Not that this would help the Cubs win any more but would be nice looking to show what has (even if little) been accomplished. Now where they would hang I have no idea lol

I don’t think it celebrates failure but hope but beyond that I don’t want to blame the outside crap. If it won’t win or effect a single game don’t fixate on it. What matters is ON the field not the rooftops.

This year the blessing, last year the sicko who hung the skinned goat from the Harry statue. Everyone has to stop this BS and focus on the play on the field.

Make a huge deal out of the division championships. I’m talking a huge sign, honor our success.

When was the sign in question put up?

Just think of how glorious it will actually feel when we see all 0’s on the AC sign.

I’ve never really thought about the L flag or the AC sign as grand symbols of failure. They’re just quirky little things. Take them down. Leave them up. Whatever.

I do miss the Torco sign though.

Wrigley Field is an old ballpark with many different items showing that. Some are necessary and some are left as tradition. The W & L flags (in case anyone does not know) were originally hung so that commuters on the train could see if the Cubs won or lost that day. We are obviously in a more modern time with much more information at our finger tips. I think it is a pretty cool tradition that should not change. I do not think it is a reminder of the Cubs horrible futility.

i want a baseball park, not a tourist attraction. Haven’t won anything in the stadium, nothing but bad things have happened there. Make a modern park, there is no tradition. Only failure has occured in the park. ever since 2003 tickets have become outrageous. I know it will never happen, and I know I am probably one of the only people who want this

Pressure – We all deal with in our day to day lives. Readers of this board come from every walk of life and are probably in every earnings level, that to me is what is great about being a cub fan you never who your going to meet but we have one huge thing in common

To me that sign reresent a long struggle, but when you see 40,000 plus at ever game it also points to loyality and brotherhood.

AC000000 the real magic number

Look at all the BTU’s burned on this topic. Why? Because someone doesn’t have a warm-fuzzy because of it? Because someone is offended because of it? This is the same BS politically correct crock of s—- I heard about the dreaded “L” flag.

Too f—-ing bad. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Cubs play on the field.

If people really want to end the bad atmosphere associated with the Cubs, move the hell out of WRIGLEYVILLE. Build a quirky ballpark with lots of fan amenities, skyboxes galore, high end audio system and neon/video stuff everywhere. Then everyone can have the Chase Field / US Commiscular / Miller Park sensory overload type of feel between every pitch, no views of the lake, no neighborhood feel and best of yet no politically incorrect Anno Catuli signs or “L” flags.

And on top of it all we’re all guilty (those of the 3.3M+ that went through the turnstyles) of feeding that monster. And guess what, I’m going to be guilty again when I drop over $20k on season tickets for 2009.

The bottom line is a good ball club wins titles, not the absense of “L” flags, the “AC” sign or some dumb-ass publicity stunt blessing the dugout before playoffs.

But the ‘AC’ sign does seem to celebrate mediocrity. Yes, it’s nice when the division numbers are at 00, but let’s be honest – whether or not the Cubs win, we’ll all know the years associated with the sign, so there’s not much point to it except for getting newcomers to Wrigley to look at the Lakeview Baseball Club’s properties (which seems self-serving).

I don’t recall any other teams keeping a running tab of their failures (unless you count different-colored pennants that the Red Sox have), which the ‘AC’ sign seems to be.

How very Ronald Reagan of you.

but if you take it down, you still have indicators WITHIN the walls that remind you of post season futility. No WS Flags. Most other ballparks, albeit newer ones, display their Pennants and WS Championships. The press reminds everyone on a daily basis of our futility, a sign surely couldn’t matter. And I don’t mean for the Cubs to go out and run up a 1945 NL Pennant flag, either.

I agree that sending the priest with the holy water in the dugout was in poor judgment.

…if they tore down the AC sign. I’d take an RPG to it myself if given the OK by city officials. (Can tuckpointing fix that?)

Changing the subject just a bit, do you know what else I think the Cubs should stop doing? HOLDING THOSE PRE-PLAYOFF FAN RALLYS. For two years in a row now I’ve gone to the damn thing and for two years in a row I’ve found myself slumped over in a pool of my own shame and disappointment just a few days later.

Looking back now, GRod’s long-winded speech and Jim Belushi’s shameless self-promotion don’t seem so funny anymore. And DLee’s 10-second “motIvational speech” seems an appropriate duration given how long the Cubs lasted in the postseason. I think I’m going to burn my free “W” towel.

To sum up: BLOW UP THE SIGN AND SCREW THE RALLY!

the so-called “Bartman” seat (113) too. You know, the one where all the tourists flock before the game and which celebrates a certain mythology about a crushing Cubs defeat?

Let’s get rid of everything that reminds us of the painful past!

To some baseball distraction for awhile. I guess I never felt it before, but winter does kind of provide a refresher for the spring.

This sort of reminds of when people want to get rid of a grading system in school. Heaven forbid some poor kid might develop low self esteem because their grades are lousy. So what if the kid is lazy or didn’t try or just isn’t as capable a student. Poor baby might feel bad. Why be held accountable for your actions? But when the bad student gets an A++++ wouldn’t it be time to celebrate. I’d like to see the AC000000.

To be honest I can’t see how taking it down would really matter. Do the players or management even know what it is? Or care? And if they do, couldn’t it have a reverse effect? Wouldn’t it be like a wake up call that they should try harder? Like how when you see a high number on the scale and decide it’s time to go on a diet. Adding that extra digit to the sign might be that wake up call.

As for the W and L flags…if you get rid of the L, then you should get rid of the W. And that is a tradition I would truly miss.

He didnt even realize the flags on top of the scoreboard were the standings til last year! lol

don’t make some dumbass ceremony out of it. Toss it quietly, in the dark of night.

-OR-

turn it into a sign that lists the number of all time Cubs victories.

in knowing whether those for or against the sign attend Wrigley regularly. I suppose the sign doesn’t bother me, in part, because the only time I see it is on tv—maybe I’d feel differently if I saw it every game.

06 07 08 10 18 29 32 35
38 45 84 89 98 03 07 08

Thats more positive

How degrading of a fan you can be to say “Hey we’ve sucked the last 100 years” and post it. I like many Cubs fans maybe one (or two My brother) living in San Antonio we were pissed at our poor play. As Spurs fans THANK GOD we have had success in winning titles….and that all starts with upper management. Management is what has to me kept the Cubs from Winning. I posted a few days ago that I would have booed the hell out of my team…don’t get me wrong I LOVE THE CUBS, but I’m sick of losing. And in the way we did….we as fans should show the Higher up’s that the shit has gone to far…..CUBS FANS DESERVE BETTER!!!!!!!…..your typical Northside Cub fan is too nice waaaaayyyyyyy to nice….here if our Spurs suck we let them know they suck …you gotta share your disgust. As far a Wrigley……TEAR IT DOWN put a new park….to may grand slams have been hit out of there in the post-season, make the MFR wind proof. Yes it’s a great ball park but it’s time for a change. Hell if Megis can annex land in Bensenville for O’Hare why not move the Cubs out there where there is land. NEW HOME, NEW START, NEW CENTURY!!!! (yes I know I’m not frrom up there even though I was born there…but I keep up with the news there) I know the Wrigleyvillers will be pissed at me saying this but WEREN"T YOU THE GUYS THAT DIDN’T WANT NIGHT BASEBALL!!!! Until it put money in your pockets….you can keep your money…..I’ll take a World Series Title PLEASE !!! Wrigley is nothing but a tourist attraction “Hey we got a historic field but our team sucks for the last 100 years” Save that crap for the Alamo down here…. and yes the AC sign HAS GOT TO GO!!!! Instead of degrading the team….hell put “GO CUBS GO!!!” up there. Tradition has got to change for the better…..billy goats, black cats, and bartman’s should be made into a trademark and sue the hell of of anyone who EVEN mentions it…ENOUGH IS ENOUGH…I WANT MY &^%$@#* WORLD SERIES TITLE NOW!!!!!!!!

Love the Blog AL!!! Thanks

Never been there before, I see them on this post and my pop-up blocker is enabled.

Neither Al nor I think that the sign is why the Cubs lost. People bitch about the image that Cubs fans have — I say, we do it to ouselves collectively.

Some say that no WS banners is a reminder of futility — bullshit. Go to Miller Park, and I guarantee you it doesn’t say, “26 years since we won a pennant! Years since WS Championship — infinite!” On any business nearby.

What other fan base puts so much stock in a foul ball that wasn’t really the root cause, anyway? Blowing it up was lame enough — serving it in pasta? Wow — way to be big city.

The goat BS, all the “reversals” of a curse that never existed — even if you believe in those things, it’s a myth — see Josh’s post on it from last week. Blessing the dugout.

Let’s put the focus on the field, where games are won and lost. Maybe if we, as a collective fan base, refuse to give the stupidity creedence, the media would follow in kind.

1 or 2 clutch hits in game one, a fielded double play ball in game 2, and this whole debate may never have materialized. To me, all of this stuff: the sign, Harry, Santo, the day games, Wrigleyville, is what make the Cubs the most fun organization in professional sports to pull for; going to the games is an experience. Even during down years, I enjoy myself when at the ball park. The players played awfully, and the coaches didn’t manage too well either, but their collective performances last week didn’t retroactively ruin all the enjoyment I gained from the team this year. The Cubs are different from all other baseball franchises not soley due to their WS futility, but due to every nuance about their experience that makes them the Cubs.

No surgery needed

Lets get rid of these pointless reminders of futility. In my opinion, they allow everyone to think that it’s ok to lose. I’d like to keep the ‘L’ flag as its a designation to the past, but there is no reason to brag about how long its been.

Wrigley. The Ivy. The Scoreboard. The AC sign. Get rid of all of it and start over.

Ps. I’m only half-kidding.

If they don’t want to ignore the losing history but use it as motivation, the sign helps. What is incongruent is the double talk going on right now. The team tells they don’t care or have anything to do with the 100 years of futility but at the same time call a priest to exorcise the curses. Either they ignore the talk or embrace it. They can’t do both.

it has brought us nothing but bad luck.

On a serious note, even suggesting to take down the sign on LBC is absurd. If you think that sign in anyway is causing us to lose, we have already lost.

Are any of these reminders of constant futility contributing to any sort of atmosphere that might be helpful towards winning a world series? Now obviously context is important and you just aren’t going to tear down Wrigley and rename the team the Grizzlies and make the uniforms teal and gold. But there is a case to be made that some of this stuff, some of this “non essential as essence of the Cubs” stuff — like the sign — sets up the fans and by extension the team for failure.

The team is not doing itself any favors by fostering a negative environment where things like curses and goats get any sort of due. Even if the players never ever think about that stuff the fans obviously do, and as evidenced in in game 1 there is a sort of grim “waiting to die” cancer patient feel at the ballpark when their should only be excitement.

That said, inferior teams win short series’ all the time. The big key is not tearing down signs or forgetting about goats but consistently making the playoffs. The last two years are a good start for the Cubs.

“Building A New Tradition”!

Who cares about the sign? Obviously some do, but they shouldn’t. Getting worked up over the sign just gives non-Cub fans more reason to shake their heads at us. Focusing on that sign, the Billy Goat, Bartman, whoever and whatever, focuses on the wrong things. Talk about taking some things too seriously. I can’t believe anyone this is even an issue.