Who will become the new Face of the Team?

by cubstoseriesby100 on Nov 19, 2008 6:43 AM CST Comment 94 comments

Okay let's assume Kerry Wood is gone. While I do hope the door is not completely closed I have decided to accept it and hope everything comes out okay in the end for everyone involved and knock on wood (no pun intended) he goes to the AL where we can fully root for him without worrying about him haunting the Cubs.

So as the Cubs move on, who do you think replaces Kerry as the face of the team and replaces his presence off the field and in the clubhouse?

(for the record I am confident in Marmol as the closer I'm more worried about replacing Marmol in his previous role)

My first vote goes at least for now for Ryan Dempster as far as off the field charitable events and clubhouse leader.

The next vote would be for Geovany Soto and I think he will not only become the clubhouse leader but he has a good chance to become the face of the franchise.

Other face of the franchise possibilities would have to be Lee or Zambrano.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

0 recs | Comment 94 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Geo or Demp

Geo likely will be in time.

Demp I think should be. He’s talkative, he’s hilarious, he gets it and he’s just a great guy from all reports.

Z probably is it but he’s too angry and mouthy.

Lee is too quiet. Never hear him say much.

by Arbusto on Nov 19, 2008 7:46 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

From KOW to ROW? So soon?

Don’t think in terms of “face” of the franchise, more just plain seniority. Which means Big Z is the Big Cheese now.

My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.

by JohnM on Nov 19, 2008 8:03 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm sorry but I think this is way overblown

Team leaders usually just evolve. There isn’t a team vote for who is team leader.

I’m still not sure that Wood was the team leader anyway. I don’t think this team has one in the way of a Derek Jeter type. That might be one of the problems on this team. Closers in any case aren’t usually the team leader.

by rlpete on Nov 19, 2008 8:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Team leader and "face of the franchise"

… aren’t necessarily the same thing.

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

by Al on Nov 19, 2008 9:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well just looking for a face

It is Lee IMO.

by rlpete on Nov 19, 2008 9:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe, except...

… Lee’s a pretty quiet guy. I’d think over time, it might become Soto.

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

by Al on Nov 19, 2008 9:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well it does go to your point on leader vs. face

Leader-wise Soto is the logical choice over time. Frequently it is a catcher. See Varitek, Pudge, etc.

by rlpete on Nov 19, 2008 9:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wonder Woman Trixie!

n/t

But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night

by N Oakley on Nov 19, 2008 8:43 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

And that has what to do with the topic?

It's a boy. My new nephew William Oliver born 11/14/2008 256 am. Thank you to all who offered best wishes when I mentioned it a few times over this summer and fall.

That's not my nephew in the picture. Don't have one to upload yet.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Nov 19, 2008 8:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's the nickname of one of our players.

Duh.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 10:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, the guy who carries the pink backpack, of course.

Sheesh.

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 10:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Who was/is the face of the Phillies?

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 8:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

It's hard to say as we are not Phillies fans...

… that designation is often given to a player who’s not necessarily the best player on the team. Maybe it’s Pat Burrell, maybe it’s Chase Utley. You’d have to ask a Phillies. fan.

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

by Al on Nov 19, 2008 9:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Scott Eyre

…definitely :)

by MarchHare on Nov 19, 2008 9:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jamie Moyer (I prefer an old face)

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 10:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The face of the franchise

Is a special effects morph of Ron Santo, a goat and Steve Bartman

The LEADER of the team is something else entirely.

I think it will turn out to be Soto. Catchers are kind of naturally there anyway.

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Nov 19, 2008 9:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I didn't know Woody was the face of the franchise in 2008...

But if it’s going to be anyone going forward, it WILL be Soto. How he goes about his stuff, the fact he’ll be in a 140-ish games and how he handles that staff especially that crazy guy we all love, named “Z” makes him the obvious choice.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Nov 19, 2008 9:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I don't think ...

there’s been a “face” of the Cubs since Sosa left. I guess you could argue D-Lee was in 2005 and in 2006 (when the team’s woes were largely attributed to his injury).

Ramirez, to me, is the best player on the Cubs. D-Lee is the team leader. DeRosa and Dempster are the quotable Cubs. Soriano, Fukudome and Zambrano are the other big names, and Soto is now at that table.

Wood was my favorite Cub for years, and I don’t mean to belittle him. But he wasn’t the face of the team considering how little he played in 2005-07 AND his conversion to the bullpen. Closers rarely occupy the “face” role. Brad Lidge was about as good as a closer could be last year, but several Phillies — Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Rollins — would get the nod over Lidge.

by elgato on Nov 19, 2008 9:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Soriano.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Nov 19, 2008 10:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I love me some Geo Soto, but...

I think it’s very premature to talk about him being the face of the franchise considering he’s only played one full season.

by kanderber on Nov 19, 2008 10:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I kinda thought that...

…one of the things that made the 2008 (regular season) Cubs so special is that they didn’t have a “face.” They were a solid team top to bottom with no one player hogging the spotlight. I mean, Kerry Wood was certainly a familiar “face” but was he “The Face.” Meh, I don’t really think so.

I’d just assume not waste too many brain cells on questions like this. In fact, my resolution for next season is to try to strip away all my silly superstitions and hero worship and just focus on baseball.

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 10:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

+1.....well said

"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08

by JB 23 on Nov 19, 2008 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Furcal.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Nov 19, 2008 2:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Adam Dunn.

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 2:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Randy Peavy.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 2:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like a porn name.

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 2:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Or a country-western singer.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 2:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Or a character from...

a Country-western themed porn.

3:10 to YuMamma’s bed.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 3:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cockfight at the O.K Corral

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Blazing Saddlebags...

A true sendup of country western pornography.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 3:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Texas Sluts Across the River

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Good, The Bad and The Really Really Bad

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hang 'Em Low

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Comes a Horseman

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Two Mules for Sister Sarah

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This wins if you put the Tijuana spin to it.

But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night

by N Oakley on Nov 19, 2008 3:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

One Hung Low?

But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night

by N Oakley on Nov 19, 2008 3:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

McClintcock

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 3:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bitch Cassidy and the Slow Dance Kid

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Midnight Cowboy

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My Darling Came in Time

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

nice

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The ass-ass-ination of Jesse James

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 3:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

How the (Mae) West was Done

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 3:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wombstone

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 3:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bareback Mountain

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They Screwed With Their Boots On

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Whore Wagon

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw whorey Josey

But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night

by N Oakley on Nov 19, 2008 3:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Damn, you beat me to it

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Magnificent Seventeen Inches

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 3:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Kitty Lickers...

starring Billy Crystal

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 3:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Blown Star

"This ball's got a chaaaaaance.....(YES!!! YESSS!!!!).....GONE!!! CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN!"

by FutureGroundscrewMember on Nov 20, 2008 4:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No Cuntry for Old Men

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 3:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

McCabe Does Mrs. Miller

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 3:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Man Who Got Liberty Valance

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Cox-Blow Incident

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 3:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bury My Hard On at Wounded Knee

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pleasure from the Sierra Madre

"This ball's got a chaaaaaance.....(YES!!! YESSS!!!!).....GONE!!! CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN!"

by FutureGroundscrewMember on Nov 20, 2008 4:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Quick in the Bed

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 3:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

AKA - Unsatisfied

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 9:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Three Amigos...ake La Menage a trois

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Whore's Soldiers

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Five Hard Studs

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Long (and Hard) Riders

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 3:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Shagandoah

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jizm

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lonesome Love

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ride the Big Divide

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And its sequel, Boobstone.

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 3:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jeremiah's Johnson

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 3:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Three the Hard Way (No change needed)

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Big Jake (also no change needed)

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Have Gun Will Travel

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Westward Ho

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Annie, grab my gun

But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night

by N Oakley on Nov 19, 2008 3:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Rawhard

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Young Guns (and Barely Legal Babes)

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 3:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Big Jim McLain

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jesse Jams

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 3:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pals of the Saddle (All male revue)

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Unforgivenandtakin

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 3:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Three Texas Queers

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 3:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

California or Bust

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

K25 I think I accidentally flagged your post when I was trying to reply

sorry about that. Or else someone else did at the exact same time I was trying to reply.

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 19, 2008 3:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm insulted.

And leaving to go watch The Rapes of Wrath

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Nov 19, 2008 3:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's only fitting.

I think Al is going to ban all of us on general principle.

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 3:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs