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OFFICIAL: Motion to the Chair (Al) of BCB.

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******************************************************
In the interest of:
Not counting chickens before they hatch,
Focusing on just winning the next game/ regular season series,
Not bringing the wrath of the baseball gods,

I hereby motion that:
We as a members of the BleedCubbieBlue institution will not post any "Magic Numbers" until the Chicago Cubs' "Magic Number" for making the playoffs is no greater than 10.

Acceptable "Magic Number" postings will be the following (if appropriate): 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.

[Badger Amendment] The "Magic Number" cannot be posted in the month of August, regardless of how low it may be.

 

******************************************************

So Al the ball in your court.  This is just a friendly suggestion from 40% of your loyal readers.

Here are the official results of the poll (337 respondents):

Yes: The motion should pass as is -- 137 votes 41%
Amendment to the motion: BCB should be able to talk about "Magic Numbers" at 15 games -- 29 votes 9%
Amendment to the motion: BCB should be able to talk about "Magic Numbers" at 20 games 85 -- votes 25%
No: I don't care about the baseball gods. Put "Magic Number" up right now. -- 86 votes 25%

----------------------------------------------------------------------


On a personal note. It is interesting that 50% of folks agree that we shouldn't mention the "Magic Number" until at lease 15 games out or less. And 50% think it should be 20 games or more.

I wonder if a fair compromise between the two sides would be 15 games.

Just a suggestion.

Thanks to everyone who participated and voted.

 

 

Poll
Vote on the stated motion above:
Yes: The motion should pass as is
137 votes
Amendment to the motion: BCB should be able to talk about "Magic Numbers" at 15 games
29 votes
Amendment to the motion: BCB should be able to talk about "Magic Numbers" at 20 games
86 votes
No: I don't care about the baseball gods. Put "Magic Number" up right now.
87 votes

339 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

0 recs | Comment 128 comments

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I would offer an amendment

That the # cannot be posted in the month of August, regardless of how low it may be.

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

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 25, 2008 2:36 PM CDT   0 recs

Wait, that's irrelevant if the motion passes

Amendment withdrawn

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

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 25, 2008 2:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We must get a second before Amendment can be made.

(But If we got a second then I would accept that motion as a friendly amendment)

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 2:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Why we need the magic number

Since I started this discussion, I thought I should make one point: We need to stop being such weenies about this.

Few people have suffered with the Cubs more than I have. I lost a 50-cent bet in the sixth grade in 1969 to Kenny Fell, who called me a sucker. I didn’t even watch the fifth game in 1984, because I knew what was going to happen (and my screaming at the TV set when Frey walked Tony Gwynn to pitch to Steve Garvey is legendary). I was at the 18-16 game, where Mike Schmidt hit four home runs. So if I’m ready to act like a fan of a legitimate major league team, all of us should be.

Does anyone honestly believe that posting the number will affect the outcome of the season?

Where is Mick Kelleher when we need him?

by 3744nsheffield on Aug 27, 2008 7:29 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

not me.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 27, 2008 3:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I second the motion...

Only for the purposes of discussions and amendments and submit that the maximum should be raised to 20.

That is the standard for other sites. Yahoo.com and MLB.com began putting the Angels’ magic number when it hit 20.

Pluto will always be a planet to me!

by DaBard on Aug 25, 2008 2:40 PM CDT   0 recs

lol

i was just about to dig out my copy of ’em.

God. I’m a nerd.

The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Aug 25, 2008 11:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

which number are we talking about

wildcard or division?

Let go cubs

by cubsfaninkc on Aug 25, 2008 2:40 PM CDT   0 recs

"Magic Number" is for making the playoffs

That wild-card or Division.

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 2:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thou shalt count down from ten, no more, no less.

Ten shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be ten. Eleven shalt thou not count, neither count thou nine, excepting that thou then hast proceed from ten. Twelve is right out. Once the number ten, being the tenth number, be reached, then posteth thou thy Holy Number of Magic towards on thy standings page.

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

by hip2bsquare on Aug 25, 2008 2:41 PM CDT   0 recs

When thost does complete thy countdown from 10, thine opponents

being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it.

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

by Shanghai Badger on Aug 25, 2008 2:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thou art incorrect

Verily, yon heart is in the right place, but we must not feareth the wicked and evil ghosts of the past.

Thy Angels of Saint Angeles of the blessed State of California have had yon magick numerals counted for weeks. We should respect no superstition, nor respect no God but Harry Caray and his minions of Budwesier.

In other words, we have just as much chance as the Angels. Let’s stop acting like bad things are going to happen.

We count down like every other team, from 20.

Pluto will always be a planet to me!

by DaBard on Aug 25, 2008 2:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Some call me............................

Tim!

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 3:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Call me Sir Dammit!

Photobucket

"I guess you had some lean years, and didnt have to beat it hard" - Craig Sager

"Soriano deep to left!! THAT BALL'S GOOOONE!! A HOME RUN!! OHHH BABY!!" -Len Kasper 8/06/08

SORIANO WATCH: AVG: .286 22 HR 62 RBI

by Galvan316 on Aug 25, 2008 4:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LMAO!

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 4:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I counted it when the Cubs swept Milw at the end of July

Just to show how it went down by 8 in 64 hours.

I know I’ll be in the severe minority here so I won’t refer to that number until I see others post it.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Aug 25, 2008 2:44 PM CDT   0 recs

Yay! Two magic number diaries today!

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Aug 25, 2008 2:45 PM CDT   0 recs

This is really a response to the other post.

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 3:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

...and once they get to that particular game

I won’t count the number of outs down and number of outs to go like I did in one particular 2003 playoff game.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Aug 25, 2008 2:46 PM CDT   0 recs

me either.....

I’ve tried to purge that memory from my head.

"We've had our ups and downs, but as long as you have a reason, something to fall back on and a plan, that's all there is to it," Soto said.

by Madison Cub Fan on Aug 25, 2008 5:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, I believe Al has made up his mind on this.

That said, I second that (e)motion.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 25, 2008 2:53 PM CDT   0 recs

LOL

Thanks! But I think if we show the body would like to start the magic number discussion later then Al would change his mind.

Al is what I call a benevolent dictator.

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 2:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL

This is all very amusing.

But I think I’ll still start doing it at 20.

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

by Al on Aug 25, 2008 3:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

TWSS

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 25, 2008 3:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LMAO

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

by Al on Aug 25, 2008 4:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You said think!

Just give us the vote. Lets see where it all falls out. The end of voting is tomorrow at the start of game time.

I can see my motion getting over 50%

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 3:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It just might.

But I don’t have to accept it.

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

by Al on Aug 25, 2008 4:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

True...thus it is a motion

Just a suggestion to the King from his peeps.

I know it does not carry the rule of law, but hey nothing wrong with getting the pulse of the peons.

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 4:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

20 is absolutely right

I can’t emphasize this enough.

There are no goats.
There are no superstitions
There are no baseball gods
There are no curses

There has only been horrid management, behind-the-times thinking and failure to respond to adversity. Bartman is a goofy footnote if any one of six players or managers react better.

We do nothing differently than any other fanbase. The Angels started at 20. The Yankees and Sox would as well.

There is nothing cursed. To treat it as such is to invite defeatism and failure.

Respect no superstition. Respect no past failure. Respect no curse.

Pluto will always be a planet to me!

by DaBard on Aug 25, 2008 4:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You could be wrong.

What’s wrong with being conservative?

By the way lay off this stuff will ya:

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 4:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

A-FREAKING-MEN!

And let the record show, as of right now the majority of votes are for posting it at least at 20 games……I think we can officially say this motion has been DENIED!

by cubswynn on Aug 25, 2008 4:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This is not Zimbabwe or Florida

You cannot decide and election when the current results suits your needs. Every person will get a chance to vote and every vote will count.

Everyone gets a vote until tomorrow at game time.

Then we will declare a winner.

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 4:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And when a winner is chosen...

… the count will go up on this site when it reaches 20.

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

by Al on Aug 25, 2008 4:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 4:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LMAO

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

by Al on Aug 25, 2008 4:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Winston Churchill..

was once asked about British naval tradition…

He said British naval traditions boiled down to “rum, sodomy and the lash.”

Cubs tradition is losing, whining about curses and Completely Useless By September jokes.

Respect no tradition. Respect no curse. Respect NOTHING but the drive for a championship.

All else is distraction. All else is failure. All else is evil.

The championship is good. The championship is life.

Pluto will always be a planet to me!

by DaBard on Aug 25, 2008 4:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This is baseball man

Good and evil should be left out of it (expect when talking about the Yankees).

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 4:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that is a thing of beauty

so when a black cat stares you down, stare back (sorry but i LOVE that line)

by cubswynn on Aug 25, 2008 4:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the Z glare

gives me goosebumps at that line. I mean if there WERE a rabid black cat staring in my direction, I’d want Z there to stare back in my defense.

The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Aug 25, 2008 11:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

One of the finest albums of all time

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 Aug 26, 2008 10:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sounds like my dad...

We could “vote” in the back of the van where we wanted to go eat, and even if it was 5-0, he’d always say, “Now for the deciding vote”.

Dome-san!!

by Goat Whisperer on Aug 25, 2008 11:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The people are evenly divided

AL has spoken…and one person does not “people” it make

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 4:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i know but i'm harkening back to 2000

right now i’m W and you are gore

i’m assuming the victory, while you are still fighting to convince people you won

by cubswynn on Aug 25, 2008 4:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

OK so I guess that makes AL

the supreme court?

I’m cool with what ever goes down but clearly with choices above most people prefer my motion.

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 4:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yes and just like florida

things aren’t adding up…..if i’m doing my math right 42+6+28+21= 97

sounds like fuzzy math to me….where’s the other 3%? did someone put it in a lock box?

by cubswynn on Aug 25, 2008 5:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hanging Chads?

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 5:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

After I hit a home run I had a habit of running the bases with my head down. I figured the pitcher already felt bad enough without me showing him up rounding the bases. ~Mickey Mantle

by Jettero2112 on Aug 25, 2008 8:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep.

Hanging Chad Fox’s – or perhaps Chad Fox’s (limply) hanging right arm.

Yes, sir!

by dat cubfan daver on Aug 26, 2008 9:55 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I voted for 20

And not b/c of the “baseball gods” but because until it hits 20 its too much for me to follow. There are enough numbers in my head, I don’t need that one yet.

The Walk: Weapon of choice for the 2008 Cubs

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Aug 25, 2008 11:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+ infinity

Current temperature in hell: 44 degrees F - and falling!

by wnielsen on Aug 25, 2008 4:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I will disagree on one point

Respect past failure. Learn from it. Do not repeat it.

by chitownhawkeye on Aug 25, 2008 4:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 4:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If by past failure you mean...

Bad pitches, bad managerial moves, and errors, fine.

If you mean black cats, goats, or anything with more legs than Aramis Ramirez, then no.

Pluto will always be a planet to me!

by DaBard on Aug 25, 2008 4:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's exactly what I mean

Curses are just excuses. “It’s wasn’t my fault…” whining

by chitownhawkeye on Aug 25, 2008 5:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

curses are just excuses, great line

by cubswynn on Aug 25, 2008 5:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You forgot...

…there is no spoon.

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Aug 25, 2008 8:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

There is no Dana, only Zool!

Pluto will always be a planet to me!

by DaBard on Aug 25, 2008 8:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So,

She’s a dog.

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 8:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Very loud sustained applause

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Aug 25, 2008 10:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I got a kind of goofy idea kind of in this light

Let’s hope there’s 4 moments this season. One playoff clinching, one divisional series win, one NLCS win and one world series win.

Let Al be the one to post the big time celebration thread. We can celebrate in the game threads but let’s wait for Al to come home and post the big main one before going all goofy in the fanposts.

(on a related note let’s hope we’re waiting for Al to come home. Wouldn’t it be great if all 4 were at Wrigley? Although I kind of like the idea of watching the buses come down the expressway).

Go Cubs

by cubstoseriesby100 on Aug 25, 2008 3:18 PM CDT   0 recs

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 3:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

what?

Uhhhhh…

by lamentir on Aug 25, 2008 6:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

AL said its 20?

correct and he has repeated that in a few posts. I dont know why we cant discuss it right now. This doesn’t mean its a guarantee its just something to talk about during a great season.

by chicagodave on Aug 25, 2008 3:41 PM CDT   0 recs

Yup...that's why I have the poll

I firgured if nothing get 50% then we can take the top two responses and then have a vote.

The motion is winning with 20 games second but No is making a strong comeback.

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 3:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Please no renegade magic numbers...

I do believe this is Al’s site, and so therefore, we follow Al’s rules. In essence – it’s his ball, and if we want to play we follow his rules or he’ll take it home and nobody gets to play.

I do remember back in 2006 when the team from st louis posted their magic number on the official mlb site, but then took a nosedive and it didn’t change for a few days. I had actually copied that to my pictures just in case I could use it in a post, but alas, I think they won. Not sure, 2005-2006 postseasons are a little fuzzy for me.

by gp1966 on Aug 25, 2008 3:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And the moral of the story is

“Magic Number” mojo is scary stuff and should not be messed with lightly.

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 25, 2008 4:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

stop!

we usually agree brewcrew, but there are NO blackcats, NO bartmans, NO billygoats, NO curses, NO hexes, NO jinxes

by cubswynn on Aug 25, 2008 4:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs