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Building A Cubs Champion: The AC Sign Must Go

Tear this sign down!

Since 1945, we as Cubs fans have been subjected to 63 years of really bad baseball. We had hoped that the hurts and pains and disappointments of the last 63 years were about to be assuaged by the best team most of us had ever seen; instead, one of the most spectacular collapses we have ever seen finds us looking for answers.

The answers lie, I think, in baseball-related changes on the field -- whatever will prevent a team that plays so well for six months from collapsing in three games. But what is it we hear about from the mass media? Smashing of pipes in the dugout in Dodger Stadium. Or the guy who's allegedly selling his Cubs loyalty on eBay.

Frivolous nonsense, in other words.

This post is going to be one of an occasional series here, designed to rid Cubdom of the dumb things, the irrelevant things, the stupid off-field things that shouldn't be part of us going into the future. This team has a long and storied history on the field, even when some of that history isn't the best. Should it be celebrated? Some of it -- for example, the pennants and World Series the team did win, and the great individual performances and games -- absolutely. Some of it -- things like the College of Coaches, poor decisions by management and ownership -- should be criticized and will be here, as they have in the past (maybe not enough, in the opinion of some).

So it is in that spirit that I say today:

Lakeview Baseball Club, tear down this sign.

I'll credit this idea to a comment made by BCB reader Shanghai Badger the other day on this very subject, which got me to thinking about it. For a number of years, this sign has kept track of the years since the Cubs won a division title, a NL pennant, and the World Series. It became an "insider" thing; I'd often have to explain what it meant to newbies, and of course all of us wanted to see it read "000000".

But what does that sign actually do, other than to remind us how bad the Cubs have been for a century? You may remember that when Cubs chairman Crane Kenney suggested that the Cubs might stop flying the "L" flag after losses at Wrigley Field, I criticized that idea (and in fact, they never did stop doing this). There's a difference, I think, in what each of these symbols means. Flying the "L" flag after a home loss says only, "We lost today." It's taken down before the next game.

The AC sign says, "We have sucked for 100 years and we're going to remind you of it not only during home games, but every single day of the year," since the sign stays up year-round (though as of yesterday, it hadn't been changed and in past years, it hasn't been changed until well after the next calendar year has begun). It celebrates failure.

Since a digit would have to be added to the sign before next April, I say it's time to get rid of it. Stop reminding us of all the failures. The Lakeview Baseball Club, obviously, is a private club, with no connection to Cubs ownership (other than the financial deal they made with them a couple of years ago), so they are obviously free to do as they please. They also have signs reading "EAMUS CATULI!" (loosely translated, "Let's Go Cubs!" in Latin) and "NEC ASPERA TERRENT" (the motto of the Prince of Wales' regiments, it translates as "Difficulties be damned"). Those are positive messages and ought to stay.

Get rid of the AC sign. Yes, doing that won't win a single game. (Those of you who have asked what I think are the on-field moves the Cubs should make for '09 -- geez, give it some time! The team's organizational meetings, where they'll discuss what happened this year and lay out a plan for next, won't start till October 19.) But it is part of changing the attitude. Look forward to the next 100 years with the attitude said on a T-shirt I once bought (and still own): "CUBS 2000: The Next Millennium Is Ours".

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Keep it

  Do I not always here “screw the goat/curse”! Then we shouldn’t hawk on the sign. I like it and think it should stay. This sounds like jsut another excuse as to why the best team in the Nathional League laid down and played horribly. By the way, why not play Reed Johnson instead of Edmonds on any or all of the games or sit one of those other bust outs Soriano, Fukudome for someone with potential like Johnson?

by plumbob on Oct 8, 2008 9:41 AM CDT   0 recs

Johnson+RHP < Edmonds+RHP

and the dodgers didn’t throw any lefties

------ TheRiot Squad ------

by RightFieldSucks on Oct 8, 2008 11:07 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Regardless of what the stats said

Reed Johnson deserved more than 0 post season at bats, There was a shot of him foaming at the mouth (game 3) next to the bat rack. Way to go Lou, way to utilize that playoff roster, and don’t bother telling me he can’t hit right handed pitching. I watched him do it (when he was asked) most of the year. Felix got more abs then Reed!

by TheRamZamDLEE on Oct 9, 2008 2:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How is this an excuse?

Al said in the text that the key to winning was chanigng things ON THE FIELD.

The Cubs lost because they played like horeshit (best quote ever from Jim Frey — when something’s horseshit, you gotta say it’s horseshit), not because of the sign. Neither Al nor I said it was because of the sign.

It’s just a stupid reminder of futuilty.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 8, 2008 1:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

horeshit..... good thing you finished that quote and cleared up what you meant :)

"It's been surreal," said Cubs rookie catcher Geovany Soto, responding to a question about his unprecedented success and the team's drive to the playoffs. "Let's keep it surreal"

by Madison Cub Fan on Oct 8, 2008 4:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Whoops!

Yeah, that would be something else, entirely.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 8, 2008 4:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+063100

We’re good for another 9 years without winning the Division and I think that would be a real long shot, but another 47 without winning a pennant…I may be going out on a limb, but I don’t think that will happen either, so just shift the numbers left and no need to tear it down or add a digit. I guess I like the insider aspect that I get to explain to even long time Cub fans that have no clue what it means. I think the Anno Catuli sign is a goal, not a distraction. If it were, then the winters in Chicago are definitely more brutal than a sign that has some cultural undertones to my beloved Catuli.

Mike=Milton+Eamus Catuli = AC000000

by Cub's Paperboy on Oct 8, 2008 2:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How about...

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+

by AndHart120 on Oct 8, 2008 9:42 AM CDT   0 recs

Your GOCUBSGO

is essentially up there already, it’s called EAMUS CATULI!

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Oct 8, 2008 1:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

True, true

I agree though that the AC sign can’t go away completely.

by AceCubbie on Oct 8, 2008 7:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

At least the Tribe

can GET to the World Series!

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 8, 2008 12:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Interesting...

But if I may disagree with you on several points.

1) The Sun-Times also had stories on Fukudome, including comments from him about what he plans to do in the off-season, and a story on Harden perhaps needing surgery. Hardly fluff.

2) I think childish vandalism in response to losses is a valid story. To me, it speaks to the character, or lack therof, on the team. I never saw any stories of Yankees smashing anything after an ALDS loss. I do agree the loyalty/E-Bay thing is goofy, but I don’t think anyone sees it as more than it is, a goofy feature.

3) I don’t see how keeping the “L” flags and getting rid of the numbers can be reconciled. Both celebrate failure. Everyone does indeed know it’s been 100 years (and counting) But everyone knows the Cubs lost too. I could see the need for the flag in pre-Blackberry days, but c’mon, everyone knows.

Keep one, keep both. I personally couldn’t care less if they got rid of them both, or kept them both. They are such non-entities that I don’t care.

4) So, the response is “jeez, give it time” to questions, but the mass media is somehow failing by not providing answers???

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Oct 8, 2008 9:48 AM CDT   0 recs

I explained the difference.

The L flag doesn’t “celebrate failure”. It says, “We lost today”.

The AC sign celebrates failure by reminding us of the drought 24/7/365. I’m sure you see the difference.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 8, 2008 9:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

To me it's a distinction without a difference

We’re just quibbling over time frames. One reminds us we lost that day and one reminds us we lost for years.

To me, it’s still reminding of losing. Just because one lasts less time.

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Oct 8, 2008 9:57 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wrongo

The L and W flags, were a service (especially in days past when mass media was not on every store window and loud speaker) to people on the EL riding past the field. From a glance they could see the result of that days games. Not unlike the times I have been downtown and donning a Cubs cap or shirt, am asked by a passerby the result of the game that day. The AC sign is a reminder of a century drought it serves no purpose other than to remind people of that drought. Its as dumb as the “lovable losers” moniker and other dimunutives. Scrap it.

by StevenABQ on Oct 8, 2008 11:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 8, 2008 11:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

In addition, one is by the team, the other is not.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Oct 8, 2008 3:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's still a part of it, (The bigger picture) and

asking (or telling) these people to take it down is absurd. I thought we acknowledged that signs and all the rest have no bearing on the play that takes place on the field.

I have an Idea, next year (yes I just said that) when Fukudome or Sorinao goes 0-4, we just won’t talk about it. We’ll just show a clip of bunnies frolicking in a meadow, to pass the time pleasantly .We don’t wasn’t to put negative thoughts in out players head now do we?

by TheRamZamDLEE on Oct 9, 2008 2:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmmm

I don’t think any of us are part of a group that is formally asking them to take it down. We’re just pointing out the frustration of individuals and groups that take it upon themselves (some for profit, others for not) to create slogans, signs, whatever to bring up something that has no bearing on the current status of the team. Its gimmicky and annoying, and tends to make it appear as though that is all fans care about (ie; we have the loveable losers…thats all we need). I’m not calling for the LBBC to get rid of the sign…just saying it is dumb, and I would be fine without it — to me it is not part of any Cubs tradition. I’m also not suggesting as some may have, that such negativity is the cause of the Cubs poor post-season performance. Baseball is full of ups and downs, and we do not need a “clip of bunnies frolicking” to protect us from negative thoughts. But I think its fair game to point out when something, that may be viewed as a Wrigley tradition by the media and other, is stupid.

by StevenABQ on Oct 9, 2008 2:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's nice to see...

that you’ve moved into the next stage of grief Al.

by Damen Jackson on Oct 8, 2008 11:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1 x 4

And that auction is going to charity, with the winner receiving a donation receipt. Yeah, it’s dumb, but at least it goes to a good cause.

by dr stabbingworth on Oct 8, 2008 10:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

to me the sign has always been hopeful

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?

by TC Cubby on Oct 8, 2008 9:49 AM CDT   0 recs

It doesn't "count down the years till the Cubs win".

How does it do that? It counts UP the years of failure.

If the team had championship banners, those would celebrate SUCCESS, not failure.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 8, 2008 9:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

because

while the number might count the years from the loss, the whole purpose of the sign is to celebrate when it is all rolled to zero’s.

it just puts into numbers the thought that “all the waiting will make the winning even more special.”

by TC Cubby on Oct 8, 2008 9:56 AM CDT to parent up   1 recs

Yep

One day, when they finally drop 00 down into those slots it will have been worth the wait.

by dr stabbingworth on Oct 8, 2008 10:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It was cute when it first went up

It has become a parody of itself

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 8, 2008 1:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I get your thought process here.

It’s kind of like a glass is half full or half empty argument. My view is usually just be glad there is water in the glass, period.
I have no real opinion of the sign, it’s just there and has been for awhile. I’d be ok without it.

My heart is breakin, head is achin, stomach is churnin, acid reflux is burnin, but I will ALWAYS be a Cubs fan.

by love the ivy on Oct 8, 2008 4:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

None of us like being reminded of failure

but I accept it as a part of life. I don’t like the sign but I also know that reality is reality. You can face your failure or ignore it. As a lifelong Cub’s fan I have come to realize that the ups and downs of watching the Cubs is much like the ups and downs of life. “You take the good; you take the bad. You take them all and there you have. The facts of life.”

"We’ve still got a long ways to go, I don’t like to get giggly over things in July. But the team’s playing well, they really are. They’re playing with confidence, and it shows."

by Cubster on Oct 8, 2008 9:57 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"but I also know that reality is reality"

Well the whole point is that sign is not ‘reality’. It is a pointer to futility. The cubs not winning a World Series in 100 years is reality. Why do we need that reminder? What purpose does it solve?

by cubsnlinux on Oct 8, 2008 1:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How is it not reality?

cubsnlinux: “The cubs not winning a World Series in 100 years is reality.”

I must be missing something…

by TheRamZamDLEE on Oct 9, 2008 2:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I see it as more of

an acknowledgment then a celebration, sure they make money off of it. And if the Cubs want to change it that bad, WIN SOMETHING!!!

by TheRamZamDLEE on Oct 9, 2008 2:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

10 Years Without A Division Title

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.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Oct 8, 2008 9:56 AM CDT   0 recs

I agree with Al regarding the AC sign

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.

by Craig in South Bend on Oct 8, 2008 9:56 AM CDT   0 recs

Get rid of the sign...

But I also say get rid of the “L” flags.

I personally don’t think it matters all that much. If we’re going to get rid of all symbols of failure and despair, maybe we should fire Santo, tear down Wrigley and change the team name to the “Grizzlies”

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Oct 8, 2008 9:58 AM CDT to parent up   1 recs

Have to

agree with Al on this, I think there is a clear distinction. One is current news — the other is a “reminder” of continued lack of success. It kind of reminds me of those billboards that count up how many smoking deaths there are. The L flag is a true Wrigley field tradition and it is tied to the history of the park itself.

by StevenABQ on Oct 8, 2008 11:15 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"we should fire Santo"

Uh..why? I don’t see Santo wearing a black T-Shirt with ‘1969’ on during every Cub game. Have you?

by cubsnlinux on Oct 8, 2008 1:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Dude...

You totally whiffed on that one.

by TheRamZamDLEE on Oct 9, 2008 2:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I disagree.

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.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Oct 8, 2008 9:59 AM CDT   0 recs

Part of the problem is the Cubs are complicit in those reminders.

How many “curse-related” publicity stunts has the team allowed at Wrigley Field over the years? There was the priest blessing the dugout in the NLDS this season, the media occaisionally staging photo-ops with goats on the playing field, and so on – not the Cubs’ ideas, to be sure, but I would presume they have control over what the media is allowed to do on the field. At some point, somebody had to approach a media-relations person and say, “We want to take pictures of this goat wearing a Cubs hat in the dugout…” THE TEAM NEEDS TO SIMPLY SAY NO TO THAT. Somebody is always going to engage in shenanigans related to the team’s history, and the only way to change that is to win it all. However, until that day comes, is it too much to ask for the Cubs to not allow such things within the ballpark itself?

"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman

by hip2bsquare on Oct 8, 2008 10:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

EXACTLY!!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 8, 2008 10:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+100000000000000000

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run [i]for[/i] Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Oct 8, 2008 12:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The media suggests that our love affair with the Cubs would end if they won the WS.

Garbage! Did “Red Sox Nation” retire when they finally won? Er, no.

Only one team per year can win the World Series. You can make the argument that the season is a failure for the other 29 teams that didn’t win it all.

A balance can be struck. Consistent playoff appearances are nice. Being competitive in the playoffs is the next step. Play well, advance to the NLCS and see what happens. A World Series appearance would be a huge step to stop the “curse” talk.

Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!

by DKT on Oct 8, 2008 1:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I love good use of the word shenanigans!

Especially in a great post like this :-D

My heart is breakin, head is achin, stomach is churnin, acid reflux is burnin, but I will ALWAYS be a Cubs fan.

by love the ivy on Oct 8, 2008 4:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No one said it was the sign that caused them to lose

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 8, 2008 1:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Lose the Blue "L," as my Blackberry can tell me the damn score.

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.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Oct 8, 2008 10:01 AM CDT   0 recs

The Rockies also...

Could say 2007 NL Champs

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Oct 8, 2008 10:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

they have the flags on the roof with the years of the playoff appearances.

I guess they could do more, but it’s not like the completely ignore them.

---AC 00 00 00 - Believe

by mjk83 on Oct 8, 2008 10:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We can e-mail them and suggest that they take it down

as at least two of us have already done. They can ignore us; that’s their right.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 8, 2008 1:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

YES!!!!!

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

I despise it! I will ALWAYS despise it!

McCain / Palin: The POW / WOW! Ticket

by Goat Whisperer on Oct 8, 2008 10:01 AM CDT   0 recs

The focus should be...

…on what is happening on the field and not what is going on in the stands, rooftops or any of the other garbage. I understand some of that is part of the lore of Wrigley, but as a long time fan of the Cubs and baseball in general, I have always been turned off by the sideshow BS.

Every team has true fans as do the Cubs, but I also believe the almost “cult” following of the Cubs has created a lot of folks who are there for the show and not what is happening on the field. Because of the popularity, there is probably no way around that, but is sure as hell just seems to be a lot of folks looking to bring attention to themselves.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 8, 2008 10:07 AM CDT   0 recs

Exactly my point.

Get rid of the sideshow. Make it about baseball.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 8, 2008 10:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+101

Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.

by CaliCub on Oct 8, 2008 1:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Waitwaitwait

I know that I’m in the minority on remembering the history (good and bad) of the Cubs, so I usually refrain from commenting on this kind of stuff. But, with all due respect, MPH73, you kind of pissed me off.

You can be a “true” fan of the Cubs and also be interested in the “sideshow” stuff. As someone who suffered through the 66-96 season listening to many of the games on XM Radio (and avoiding the urge to impale myself while doing it), I resent the implication that people who are interested in the Cubs’ history — and, like it or not, 100 years and the Goat and Bartman are part of our history — are somehow only interested in the sideshow. Sure, there are some of those folks out there; we all probably know a few.

But I can’t understand this mindset that Cubs fans that pay attention to those things are somehow “less than” other Cubs fans. It happened, for crying out loud. Do Cleveland fans hang up a sign like this? No. But they damn sure discuss the “another year without the WS” thing. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a part of who they are as an organization and a fan base, just like the Cubs’ failures of the last century are a part of who we are as an organization and a fan base.

Heritage is good and bad. Ignoring part of it is just drinking Kool-Aid.

by cocknfire on Oct 8, 2008 11:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Addendum

Yes, I know the Goat and Bartman had little or nothing to do with the losses. But they still happened.

by cocknfire on Oct 8, 2008 11:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Your entitiled...

…to your opinion.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 8, 2008 12:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Taking the sign down would not be ignoring it

Leaving it up celebrates it.

As Al might say, I trust you can see the difference.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 8, 2008 1:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I can see the difference

I don’t have any problem, per se, with taking the sign down. That wasn’t my issue with what MPH73 said. My issue was his seeming suggestion that someone can’t take an interest in the “sideshow” elements and be a “true” Cubs fan who’s interested in the baseball game at the same time.

I also think things like taking a goat out on the field and having the dugout blessed and that kind of crap should stop. That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m saying that the Cubs’ history, good and bad, should be acknowledged as such, and it doesn’t make one a worse fan for doing so. That’s all.

by cocknfire on Oct 8, 2008 3:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

In that, I agree with you completely

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 8, 2008 4:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree with this too.

It is unavoidable for a Cubs fan to want to know where their team came from and how it has morphed into what it is today. And unless you are the Yankees or maybe the Cards, there is a lot of the bad, and the ugly, with the good sprinkled in here and there. No matter how much we want some or most of it to be gone, it can’t just be tossed out.

My heart is breakin, head is achin, stomach is churnin, acid reflux is burnin, but I will ALWAYS be a Cubs fan.

by love the ivy on Oct 8, 2008 5:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How about some better flags/banners

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

by AndHart120 on Oct 8, 2008 10:09 AM CDT   0 recs

Dickey Simpkins

takes his family to see that banner every year.

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)

by Fuk-U-Meter on Oct 8, 2008 10:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't agree

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.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 8, 2008 10:09 AM CDT   0 recs

Exactly my point.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 8, 2008 10:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You lost me there

it won’t change what happens so tear it down ? Ok but how is that different from the folks convinced that is day games and Wrigley
that are the problem so we should tear it down or we will never win. Does it really change how the players will feel and if it would than they would never win anyway.

PS the Red Sox did to win by doing something goofy. THE WHOLE DAMN TEAM was “goofy”. I kind of think that was what was missing this at least in the post season. Nothing was goofy and from the start the players never had any fun. That to me was the saddest thing of all.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 8, 2008 10:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree with you again.

And once again, you have, in a way, agreed with my point. I think these guys got too tight because whether they said so or not, the whole “100 years” thing was weighing on them. Get rid of the obvious signs of this, that’s the first step.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 8, 2008 10:23 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

They couldn't hit good pitching

Maybe the whole 100 years thing weighed on them, maybe not. But the fact is they lost because they couldn’t get hits off 3 good pitchers. I really doubt Soriano cares at all about 100 years or bringing Chicago its championship (I’m not saying he doesn’t care about winning, though). I know you’re talking about changing a culture, but what we really needed was guys who could hit in the clutch. Removing this sign won’t change that.

by dr stabbingworth on Oct 8, 2008 10:33 AM CDT to parent up   1 recs