The Speculation On The Tom Ricketts Era Begins

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 9:59 AM CST in The Next 100 Years Comment 133 comments

That's the top of today's dead-tree edition of the Chicago Tribune.

Inside are two articles, one by two business section reporters, covering what changes might be made to the ballpark and other possibilities for new revenue, and one by Paul Sullivan discussing the possible changes that might occur to the team itself.

Sullivan mentions something that I've long speculated about:

Mark McGuire, the Cubs' executive vice president of business operations and a team employee since Tribune Co. bought the team in 1981, believes the new owner might bring in more people rather than get rid of those already in place. McGuire told fans at the Cubs Convention last week that the team has one of the smallest front offices in baseball.

I think that's one of the first things you'll see -- beefing up the existing full-time, year-round staff, including both the non-baseball and baseball operations departments. The scouting staff needs help, and I think you would all be surprised at how small the ticket department is, considering how many tickets the Cubs sell.

A lot of the rest of Sullivan's article consists of things we've discussed here, ranging from some guy who pitches for the San Diego Padres to the idea that the team may pitch for more night games (or, at the very least, having the right to play some Friday night games after road trips, which makes sense to me).

The article in the business section discusses ways that the Cubs could generate additional revenue. Many of these things have also been discussed on this site, including the "Triangle Building" that may finally get built:

There also is renewed interest in Tribune Co.'s shelved idea to construct a triangular-shaped building that would include stores and restaurants along Clark Street and create a pedestrian walkway outside Wrigley, similar to Yawkey Way outside Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox.

On game days, Yawkey Way is closed to traffic, and ticket-holders enter it, and the ballpark, through turnstiles. The setup, and wide mix of vendors, is similar to Eutaw Street outside Baltimore's Camden Yards, where the Orioles play, and enables the teams to profit from pregame spending.

Before Yawkey Way, fans were spending pregame dollars in the neighborhood of Fenway, but they weren't coming in.

"People didn't pass through the turnstile until right before the game," said Janet Marie Smith, senior vice president of planning and development for the Red Sox and architect behind the renovation of Fenway and development of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. "In order to stay competitive, we've got to make money."

Similar efforts at Wrigley, which has protected status as an official city landmark and must retain its traditional look, might aid the ballpark but could come at the expense of neighborhood street vendors, restaurants and bars.

"There are a lot of people who make money on the Cubs that are not paying the players," Ganis said. "There is no other team in baseball that has the number of businesses piggybacking on the team that the Cubs do. Increase the pie, but the Cubs have to get a bigger slice."

I wouldn't expect any existing streets to be closed; the pedestrian area they're talking about would probably be created in the area which is now parking for Cubs players and office staff (those people would then park in the triangle building itself).

Some of the other ideas discussed in that article include a Cubs TV network, which I would expect to happen as soon as the economy improves and they can get it carried on cable and satellite nationwide; adding a larger stadium club, and extending the upper deck. And for those of you gnashing your teeth over the possibility of the Cubs selling naming rights to Wrigley Field:

Other revenue-generating opportunities have potential but also may have to wait. The notion of selling some version of naming rights at Wrigley is off the table, sources said.

Finally, an old friend of Tom Ricketts, who used to live with him in that apartment across from the ballpark, says we've got the right guy:

Curt Conklin once lived with Tom Ricketts in an apartment just outside Wrigley Field, and the two were regulars at Cubs games. He knows Ricketts wasn't just a fan, but could recite Rick Sutcliffe's 1984 statistics (20-6, 3.64 ERA).

"The success of his life is that he has done this (built his company) 100 percent on his own," said Conklin, a day after it was announced Tribune Co. selected the family's bid for exclusive negotiations. Without being a meddler, Ricketts' drive and decision-making ability would be good for the team, he said.

"He's really smart, he really loves baseball and he really loves the Cubs," said Conklin, who worked at the Ricketts' family company, TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., and for InCapital LLC, which Tom Ricketts founded.

Sounds perfect to me. We are about to embark on a new Cubs era, where "one of us" is in charge.

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Hurray! It will remain Wrigley Field

How exactly would they extend the upper deck? That would take serious renovations, but would this allow them to get rid of the poles up there?

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 24, 2009 10:03 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Good question.

Neither side of the upper deck extends all the way to the street. Maybe that’s what they are discussing.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 10:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps ...

… we’ll see extensions that match the angle of the lower deck seating in the corners, bent at an angle to face the infield.

by bimi on Jan 24, 2009 10:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's possible.

It all depends on whether the architects can design something that is functional, safe AND fits in the existing footprint.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 10:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Isnt Wrigley a protected landmark?

so how would all this reconstruction be possible?

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jan 24, 2009 10:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure that the grandstand is considered a landmark

I do know that the bricks and ivy, scoreboard, and marquee are. I don’t think the bleachers are because they completely renovated them in the winter of 05-06

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 24, 2009 10:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The ivy wall and its shape are landmarked.

Obviously, they wouldn’t have been able to renovate the bleachers if the seating area itself had been landmarked.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 10:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and so is the sweeping view of/from the grandstands

Don’t remember the exact wording but my guess is they can’t just interrupt the flow of seats from one section to another by putting something else in between. In other words I interpret this as a meaning that they have to make a change such that it looks like it’s always been there. It’s what makes the bleacher renovation such a huge success. It’s almost like it’s been there since 1937/38.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 24, 2009 11:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

would have to get permission from the city

can’t imagine it would be an issue as long as they didn’t change/remove the essential elements like the scoreboard, ivy, and marquee. Plus they could easily make the arguement that the renovations are needed for safety and to increase the longevity of the park.

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Jan 24, 2009 10:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also, more seats

means more amusement tax for the city.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 24, 2009 10:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Years ago,

I recall talk about wrapping the upper deck seating around to the foul poles- would add several thousand seats, but not interfere too much with the outfield, wind and views. Maybe that’s what they have in mind.

I still think they have to rehab the entire park, and envision the granstand teardown and rebuild at some point.

"I still don't know what happened"- Fergie Jenkins on '69

by tommy veryzer on Jan 24, 2009 11:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No poles removed with the existing structure

It’s simply not viable with the upper deck over so many rows (20-28) of the terrace section beneath. My guess is they canteleiver the upper deck a half dozen rows or so over portions of Clark and Addison.

The reason these newer parks don’t have the support poles is that there are no significant seating areas beneath them. The best indoor example comparison I can give is the difference between Chicago Stadium and United Center. In the new arenas and stadiums the support poles are there, they just don’t block any seats’ view because there’s not seats behind them.

Going further down the sidelines towards Waveland and Sheffield poses two logistic hurdles. 1. Seats would be facing the bleachers instead of the field. Anyone having been to Fenway knows what I mean about the RF side seats there. 2. Extension of the upper deck towards Waveland and Sheffield (even curved inwards towards the field) would block some rooftop views. They’d then have to enter some legal agreement in that arena now, given the 20-yr agreement struck a couple years ago.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 24, 2009 11:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Some of the new ballparks DO have posts...

… they did this so they could bring the seats closer to the field rather than farther away, as they are in the Cell.

I don’t know whether the agreements the Cubs have with the rooftops preclude them adding seats that would block views.

One other thing Ricketts could consider is buying out the rooftops so that he’d own them and pocket all the revenue.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 11:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But the posts do not

obstruct views from rows and rows of seats. There’s just enough canteleiver to push the 300-level/suites and the 500-level a few rows closer. You’ve sat in the 20th+ rows in the terrace reserved. I know I’ve had to do the giraffe-neck to see the play.

Buying the rooftops; what a concept. TribCo could have done that. Let’s see the Bud-bldg went for about $8.5M last year. That’s effectively a double lot. And they didn’t have a rooftop business. So what’d it take do you think? Knowing there’s a couple more clubs up there now since the original 13. I figure it’d take over $100M.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 24, 2009 11:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Probably right about the cost.

Tribco probably could have bought every single building on both Waveland & Sheffield back in the early 80’s for about $2-$3 million. They’re probably kicking themselves for not doing that.

Ricketts could afford it, I believe — and those prices might come down in the current economic climate.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 11:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You been up there to any of the bldgs recently?

I was p/o a group to the “Glen Allen Hill” bldg back in April against the Mets. They go all out, nice tickets in a plastic protector hung from a neck strap, promotional stuff, bathroom access at the rooftop level, drinks available up top; pretty cool.

Just imagine if TribCo did buy those places. Wrigley I bet would be in the 47k-50k seating capacity.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 24, 2009 11:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Probably not.

I estimate about 100-150 seats max on all of those buildings. IIRC there are 17 of them.

That’d make the increased “official” seating capacity about 43,000-44,000, which is right in line with all the other new parks being built.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 12:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Budweiser house does indeed have a rooftop business - it's just not like the others

The ad on the roof generates a significant revenue stream for the house owner(s). No idea how much exactly, but the number I heard several years ago was $750K a year. Granted, that was just street talk from a bunch of us on the corner, but it was from those same folks that I heard the $8.5M selling price before it was made public.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jan 24, 2009 11:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Meant selling tix, having the bleacher seats, supplying...

food and drink etc. Yes this is a “business” too but just like the old Torco now Miller sign bldg on Sheffield.

If that $750k a year number is close, then given the limited amount of work they have to do, it’s certainly in line – if not more – than the net profit the other owners are haulin’ in.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 26, 2009 8:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's such a relief

to know that the franchise will transfer into such good hands. One less thing to worry about in these most worrisome of times.

"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.

by Emelie on Jan 24, 2009 10:04 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

It seems like a great pick and in hindsight will probably look better than Mark Cuban

The difference is Mark Cuban isn’t really a Cubs fan and I don’t think has the passion that Rickett’s displays to win a World Series here in Chicago. I think he’ll definitely open up his wallet to help fund for payroll, renovations, etc.

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 24, 2009 10:16 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

That Is Ridiculous

Do you seriously believe Mark Cuban was a “real Mavericks’ fan?”

Owners have business plans, which hopefully evolve over time to reflect the revnue stream. Their personal feelings for the club does not correlate to team payroll, etc. I have no doubt that Reinsdorf loves the White Sox, but that has had zero impact on how he ran the club during its low revenue years. Similarly, Turner spent a lot of his own money on the Braves during the dark ages, but only up to a point.

"One reason that the ignorant also tend to be the blissfully self-assured, the researchers believe, is that the skills required for competence often are the same skills necessary to recognize competence. The incompetent, therefore, suffer doubly..."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2000/01/18/MN73840.DTL

by Sandberg Icebar on Jan 25, 2009 6:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly how I feel.

by sue369 on Jan 24, 2009 11:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Please List Even One Fact...

..in support of this completely incredibly stupid statement, because you can’t.

The sheep like you make me sick. Cuban has literally spent 80 million of his own money against the luxury tax to make the Mavericks competitive. Cuban often shows his ass in the name of making sure his team is not jobbed by the refs. So what?

Cuban was born in 1958. The Mavs entered the NBA in 1980. Obviously, he didn’t grow up as a Mavs fan in Pittsburgh.

Claiming that Mark Cuban couldn’t be “a real Cubs fan” is infantile. Obviously, he is 100% behind the Mavericks, even at the risk of incurring fines for acting like a fan.

Double Standard? I think so.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2000/01/18/MN73840.DTL

by Sandberg Icebar on Jan 25, 2009 11:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

IMHO, people view him in a negative light

because he is so much different than other owners. There is this preconceived notion that an owner should “act” a certain way.

Personally I don’t really care. I didn’t care if he was in the bleachers sitting with the fans, drinking beer and “selling” his angle on the dancing show. I couldn’t care less.

Sure having a “fan” own the team is the cinderella-in-the-making kind of story. But it doesn’t mean cash expenditures will be any larger and/or more wise than anyone else. Money talks, bullshit walks.

With that said though, I am still happy for the Ricketts family and I hope they can do well. And since their bid appears to be more than half CASH (cha-ching!) it bodes well for their immediate test with the creditors / Ch-11 judge.

With Ricketts work at continuing to bolster revenue streams – some of those not yet realized by TribCo – that is so OVERWHELMING important, I’m confident they’ll do what it takes to weather this economic storm. A storm I believe will last into the middle of 2012.

I cannot comment on whether or not Cuban or anyone else would have done, so it’s unfair to him for anyone here to comment; using his boistrous behaviour as a reason he wouldn’t be a good owner.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 26, 2009 8:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cuban might have been a huge distraction

like he is at Maverick’s games. We’re better off this way- I think this is about the best possible outcome.

"I still don't know what happened"- Fergie Jenkins on '69

by tommy veryzer on Jan 24, 2009 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cuban is NOT a Huge Distraction

Have you ever been to a WC game? Cuban is not a distraction, because the crowd noise is too large. When Cuban shows his ass, over 80% of the American Airlines Center is also raising the roof.

Cuban has benefitted the NBA. Without his public criticism, I woud hate to consider the probable state of officiating in the NBA today.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2000/01/18/MN73840.DTL

by Sandberg Icebar on Jan 26, 2009 1:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

That is very good news for Cub fans. I hope he keeps it Wrigley Field as well.

wccubfan

by wccubfan on Jan 24, 2009 4:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Why?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2000/01/18/MN73840.DTL

by Sandberg Icebar on Jan 26, 2009 1:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

why hope he keeps it as Wrigley Field?

because tradition matters for something.

Why is it good news? Well, at least it means the ownership situation is resolved. I liked Cuban too, but I think either of them would have been good.

"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 Jan 26, 2009 9:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting story.

I know both Conklin and Ricketts and can attest to both men’s devotion to the Cubs (though Conklin’s devotion is irrelevant, his knowledge of Ricketts is not). This is going to be a very exciting time for the rest of us Cubs fans! Now if this pesky winter would just go away already…

"They say we live and learn. Often what we learn is what damn fools we have been." ~Thomas Sowell

by Goodie1969 on Jan 24, 2009 10:12 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I was never a Cuban guy

so this move I like. Sounds just by reading a good person to be in charge. He appears to be no an empty suit.
Good move, Lets go Spring Training.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Jan 24, 2009 10:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Finally

Seems like we have the right person in place finally.

I am curious how long it would take to renovate the upper deck (a much needed thing).

Might they have to schedule a summer in US Cell with all games opposite (home/road) with the White Sox while WF is given a make over.

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 24, 2009 10:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

They have talked about..

… doing some of it over an offseason, with the rest done during road trips, so they wouldn’t have to move out for a year. I’m not convinced that they could do this, but they might give it a shot.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 10:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

so then....what would happen when the Cubs played at home?

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 24, 2009 10:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What do you mean?

They’d stop the work project and play.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 10:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, but that would mean the upperdeck would be unsafe to have fans sit in

therefore, the attendance to those games would be much lower, right?

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 24, 2009 10:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Depends on exactly how they do the project.

I’m not an architect or a construction engineer, so I can’t really answer the question.

It would probably be easier if they played a year at the Cell, but we’ll see what happens.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 10:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I believe they'll play at the Cell for half a season, maybe a full year

The revenue lost while whole portions of the seating bowl are closed would be too much to bear, and the atmosphere at the park would be, to say the least, less than optimal with parts of the park resembling a war zone.

by bimi on Jan 24, 2009 10:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Probably so.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I like the half-season closure

I haven’t heard it mentioned, but closing the park through the All-Star break would give them seven full months to complete the project, and would have the added benefit of lessening the strain on the neighborhood businesses as well as ensuring that any postseason games would be played at Wrigley.

by bimi on Jan 24, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Plus

Allows the work to be done 24/7 during that stretch instead of having to stop wortk during games, and with that stop, have to also safe guard the area from fans coming and going. The game day prep work alone to continue working during the season would extend the renovation a few months.

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 24, 2009 11:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It'd be weird...

… to have the Cubs have two different home parks in a single season. Better, if they have to close down Wrigley, do it for one full year and do it right.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 11:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

no more hanging nets to catch falling concrete. enough band aids have been put WF, and it is time for the surgery to repaid her corretly.

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 24, 2009 11:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Irony

Wouldn’t it be ironic if the Cubs won the world series the year they were out of Wrigley?

Better the cell than Milwaukee easier to get to.

Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jan 24, 2009 11:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Either there, or Wrigley North

I seem to recall when they were talking about this issue months ago, they were talking about taking home games to either Sox park or Wrigley North (Milwaukee).

by dansram on Jan 26, 2009 1:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

As much as I'd love it to be Milwaukee because I live in SE WI

It wouldn’t be right to ask the season ticket holders to travel that far. Maybe a handful of games when both Chicago teams are at home — since the schedulers have shown a lack of ability…

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

by Shanghai Badger on Jan 26, 2009 4:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's also not feasible...

… to schedule the Cubs and Brewers so that neither is home at the same time. It would be MUCH easier to do that for the Cubs and White Sox.

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

by Al on Jan 27, 2009 8:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Unthinkable

Don’t even suggest the Cell it makes me ill.
Maybe Soldier Field…we’d draw 5 mil

by Clutche on Jan 24, 2009 11:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, please.

It’s just a ballpark. It’s still your team.

Soldier Field is not suitable for baseball. You wouldn’t “draw 5 million” because at least 20,000 of those seats would have terrible sightlines.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 11:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

OK OK

I’ll suck it up and hire a bodyguard

by Clutche on Jan 24, 2009 11:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

You won’t need one. If the Cubs did play at the Cell, the place would be filled with Cubs fans. You’d be among friends.

The weird part would be the Cubs/Sox series where the Cubs would be the home team.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cubs/Sox w/ Cubs at home

In Milwaukee? WF North

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 24, 2009 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nah.

Remember, if the Cubs were the “home” team at the Cell for a season, it would be CUB season ticket holders who would get most of the seats for those ‘home’ games.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 11:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cub vs. Sox fan

http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com2Fwatch3Fv%3Ddvg6n_cZxn8

by Clutche on Jan 24, 2009 12:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Cell

I actually kind of like the Cell. My only problem with it is the loud music.

One thing they have over Wrigley is tailgaiting.

I usually go to at least one Cubs/Sox game every year as well as at least one game with my Chicago Baseball internet groujp.

Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jan 24, 2009 11:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My bet on the music is...

you won’t be hit with what I call “sensory overload”. It’ll be scaled back, significantly.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 24, 2009 11:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, yeah -

Doesn’t anyone else see the sweet ‘stick it to you-ness’ that would come with the Cubs winning the WS while playing a lot of their games across town?

Hee hee hee . . . . :)

"From childhood's hour I have not been as others were - I have not seen as others saw." - Alone, Edgar Allan Poe

by Edgewood on Jan 26, 2009 10:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

New Soldier Field is just about impossible

closeness of the sidelines would make the LF and RF foul poles less than 250’.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 24, 2009 11:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I would bet that since they want to use

the BoSox and Fenway as a model (boy has that area changed since 2002), they would put in place, a plan that would allow them to make changes during the off-season for some 3-5 years in a row. A 5-year plan starting next offseason would put them right on target with Kenney’s “Wrigley-2014” concept.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 24, 2009 11:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That sounds possible.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 11:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm expanding the front office ?

Somebody who might be HIRING. Guess I had better polish that resume. I always said ( even before I lost my job) that the only way I would ever leave New York would be to work for the Cubs. I think there should be a new job, Director of Fan Relations. Sounds a bit more full time than Coordinator of #31 retirement & appreciation day.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Jan 24, 2009 11:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Better get that res.

in there QUICKLY!

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 24, 2009 11:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think

I think we all will be keeping an eye out for openings.

In the old days to get a non baseball job with the Cubs (secretaries and such) most were employees elsewhere in the Tribune Co. and would apply when the inter corporate listings were posted.

In 1997 I worked for a division of the corporation and as an April Fool’s Day joke they made a post

Division

Chicago Cubs

Position

Third Baseman

Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jan 24, 2009 11:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And all they got out of that job posting was Kevin Orie.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Funny thing

I actually worked with a guy at the time who could pass for Kevin’s identical twin.

He left on April 2nd that year.

New job in Texas? MY FOOT!

Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jan 24, 2009 11:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Al, I'm dissapointed in you...

No attempt to figure out what day the scoreboard picture was taken?

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Jan 24, 2009 11:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

it must be old

either Astros of Pirates are in 1st

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 24, 2009 11:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup.

I figured someone with a better (read: less lazy) investigative mind then me could pinpoint this down to a specific day or at least weekend based on the information we have:

Day game
Astros/Pirates in 1st place
Other divisional standings
Night games taking place

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Jan 24, 2009 11:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

1993 or later

Rockies in league

by Clutche on Jan 24, 2009 11:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

#7

Did Theriot and DeRosa both wear #7 different in seasons?
If the Cubs are batting

by Clutche on Jan 24, 2009 11:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Todd Walker?

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 24, 2009 11:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No, see below.

It was Craig Biggio, leading off for the Astros.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 11:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I decided to stop being lazy

The picture was taken the weekend of July 13, 2007, as far as I can tell.

All the scoreboard games match up. However, that’s the Brewers flag up top. Division standings that day otherwise match up:

Brewers, Cubs, Cards, Pirates, Astros, Reds

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Jan 24, 2009 11:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

BTW, the Cubs swept the Astros that series...

6-0, 9-3, and 7-6.

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Jan 24, 2009 11:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Had to be on Friday, July 13, 2007.

Note all the games at the top are night games — that makes Friday the most likely date.

The clock says 1:20 — that would be game time on a Friday. Saturday games have started at either noon or 3 pm the last two years.

This boxscore matches the scoreboard. If it was taken at game time, and #7 was leading off — that’d be Craig Biggio of the Astros. The Friday game was the only game he led off in that series.

Case closed!

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think this thread proves

Just how much of baseball geeks we are.

Or; that opening day can’t get here soon enough!

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Jan 24, 2009 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Both!

n/t

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 24, 2009 11:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This Day In Cubs History

July 13, 2007 Recalled catcher Geovany Soto from Iowa of the Pacific Coast League (AAA); optioned outfielder Felix Pie to Iowa.

Mark Cuban joined the ranks of people looking to buy the Cubs.

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 24, 2009 7:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

now this is GEEKY...Ump #'s match as well

HP – Greg Gibson #53, 1B – Larry Vanover #27, 2B – Tony Randazzo #59, 3B – Charlie Reliford #18.

by Clutche on Jan 24, 2009 12:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Change

by lexmarklover on Jan 24, 2009 11:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

This is an exciting time

This is an exciting time for the Cubs.

Tom Ricketts is a good man, a good fan and an astute businessman.

I also think he will not fire people just to fire people. If they deserve to keep their jobs they will.

Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jan 24, 2009 11:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Not a full-blown Cubs TV per se, but Kenney says Cubs video on demand will be available this year

Just heard Crane Kenney on Talking Baseball (ESPN1000) and he talked about having a Cubs video on demand “channel” in place this year. He described it as MLB.tv for the Cubs.

Obviously no realtime game coverage, but just as obviously there’s plenty of other content they could be making available. He mentioned archive footage, in depth interviews with players & coaches, etc. Talked about how they filmed 25 minute segments with each player and coach during the Cubs convention.

Didn’t get into the technical aspects of it – probably would’ve confused the ESPN guys anyway – but he sounded very optimistic they’d have something in place by Opening Day.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jan 24, 2009 12:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Not yet at least

I would look for a YES-like network being formed over next off season. It’s that type of thinking that will put the Cubs into the highest ranking of TV revenue teams.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 25, 2009 8:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that it would take that much time to set up such a network.

I do think that the radio interview he gave, speaking of that “on demand” channel, might be something they could put in place right away, with the things they mentioned. Technology does exist for such things.

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

by Al on Jan 25, 2009 1:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If they go this route

with a Cubs network, I hope they dont make it “Chicagoland” exclusive. That would hurt their following. I am sure they wont make it such, but it is a (very minor) concern.

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 25, 2009 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You can bet

that it will be a regional sports network similar to CSN.

It should be available nationally via satellite.

by bimi on Jan 25, 2009 1:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thank God

for DirecTv and family in Chicago. I might not get locals on it, but by using a family members address I never get blacked out on CSN

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 25, 2009 1:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i agree. not chicago exclusive

but it should be allowed to be gotten all over the country, blackouts be damned!

you could add the bears on that network too (i know, nfl has dealswith nbc/fox etc), but bears programming and sports talk could be done.

There's nothing wrong with this team that more pitching, more fielding and more hitting couldn't help......"--Bill Buckner

by laidbackliam on Jan 25, 2009 4:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bears

Wont do it, they own 25% of CSN Chicago as well

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 25, 2009 5:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No, they don't.

The partners in CSN Chicago are the Cubs, White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks. The Bears have nothing to do with it.

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

by Al on Jan 25, 2009 5:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i thought wrong

brb i need to go eat some crow

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 25, 2009 6:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So wait, if they do make a Cubs network

That means good bye WGN national games, right?

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 25, 2009 2:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

or WGN games in general?

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 25, 2009 2:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

maybe

Bye Bye WGN, CLTV, WCIU, CSN………………..hello “View Cubbie Blue”

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 25, 2009 2:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

huh, then I don't want a Cubs channel then

Unless it was available nationally. If not, then I won’t be able to see my Cubs games on Superstation WGN!

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 25, 2009 2:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They won't do it unless it can be available nationally.

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

by Al on Jan 25, 2009 2:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

huh, then I don't want a Cubs channel then

Unless it was available nationally. If not, then I won’t be able to see my Cubs games on Superstation WGN!

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 25, 2009 2:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry about the double post, my computer is acting up..

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 25, 2009 2:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't speak to the apparent impact on WGN

but they have to go national with whatever the endeavour. The revenue opportunities are significant and would put the Cubs on the same stage as the Yankees.

Look, nothing would make me happier to see all 162 games on WGN-CH9. That won’t happen though. The days of the best TV coverage – as well as cameramen and the late great Arne Harris running the show – are gone forever.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 26, 2009 8:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

PSL stadium funding?

It seems PSLs are the quickest and easiest way to pay for the Wrigley renovations. The way I understand PSLs is it gives the season ticket holder the right to buy season tickets every year. The season ticket holder can also sell the PSL at any time simliar to a stock. Do any other baseball teams use PSLs? And would this then eliminate the waiting list for season tickets?

by chipwood23 on Jan 24, 2009 1:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

How would it eliminate the waiting list?

Unless people cancelled their season tickets because they didn’t want to pay the PSL price.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

After all the PSLs had been sold to season ticket holders

there would no longer be a need for a waiting list (the way I understand it). A waiting list wouldn’t be needed since the only way to get season tickets would be to buy a PSL from somone.

by chipwood23 on Jan 24, 2009 1:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

nah... if they go the PSL route, I'm sure it's only a matter of time...

…before they figure out how to charge for some sort of PWLL, i.e. Personal Waiting List License.

p.s. I’m only half-kidding…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jan 24, 2009 1:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

correct..

And certainly many current season ticket holders would be unwilling or unable to pay the psl..

The journey is the reward!

by wicubfan on Jan 26, 2009 11:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you are spot on here Chip..

The PSL’s can be bought and sold after they are issued. I’m sure ownership can place limits on the exchange if they choose.

I think PSL’s are definately comming, though probably not year 1 as the new owner would not want to anger too many of his faithful..

The journey is the reward!

by wicubfan on Jan 26, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

I have a very, very good feeling about this guy. Rickets, just like the fans, wants to win more than anything.

Chicago Cubs 2009 World Series Champions

by CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry on Jan 24, 2009 1:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Spellcheck

If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.

by Clutche on Jan 24, 2009 4:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

OT - Is it just me or are funny things happening with FanPosts sidebar on the front page?

For awhile there, no fanposts were showing up at all – just an empty section. Now at least they’re all showing up, but I’ve lost the Recommended sub-section at the top.

How’s it look to everyone else?

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jan 24, 2009 2:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

yeah me too

Its not just this site to, it might be a server issue, because it was happenning on Windy City Gridiron as well

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 24, 2009 2:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

There is a technical issue that is...

… temporarily preventing recommended posts from showing up. They are going to apply the fix sometime overnight tonight. It does affect all the SBN sites.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 5:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yup seems to be working now

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 25, 2009 10:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ballhawk-mine looks fine

No problems on my screen anyway.

That's shitastic!

by CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry on Jan 24, 2009 2:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I loved the quotes about people/businesses adjacent to the park "piggybacking" on the Cubs...

…Really? Does he mean that the Cubs are prohibited from setting up similar businesses and competing head-to-head? Or that the Cubs are prohibited from buying those businesses? Maybe the Cubs are waiting for the taxpayers to fund their can’t miss investments?

by DudeVf11 on Jan 24, 2009 4:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Piggybacking

Means that they are in business as a perihpery to the Cubs. It doesn’t imply that the Cubs are at a disadvantage because of that. Why do you think that?

Incidentally, I’m no Tribco apologist, but they’ve had exactly $0 taxpayer funding for ballpark improvements.

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

by Shanghai Badger on Jan 24, 2009 4:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No, of course they're not prevented from competing...

… in fact, that’s exactly what the article argues that Ricketts will probably do, and I doubt he’ll ask for any tax dollars.

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

by Al on Jan 24, 2009 5:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Is this a Mafia mentality?

“There are a lot of people who make money on the Cubs that are not paying the players,” Ganis said. “There is no other team in baseball that has the number of businesses piggybacking on the team that the Cubs do. Increase the pie, but the Cubs have to get a bigger slice.”

Sounds to me like a line from the Saprano’s.

" PLEASE! CHANGE THE PATCH! "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 25, 2009 7:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This Is All Very Premature

Tom Ricketts once lived across the street from Wrigley Field and met his wife in the bleachers. “My family and I are Cubs fans,” Ricketts said in a statement Thursday night. “We share the goal of Cubs fans everywhere to win a World Series and build the consistent championship tradition that the fans deserve.”

I once lived across the street from an art gallery. It didn’t make me an artist.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2000/01/18/MN73840.DTL

by Sandberg Icebar on Jan 25, 2009 8:05 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

I can't imagine a brand new owner saying anything else.

It’s not like he’s gonna come out and say: “Buying this team was a great investment for me because, no matter what happens, you fans are extremely loyal, and will come spend your money, which makes it’s way to my pockets.” A new owner has to say the crap quoted above. Does that me he wasn’t sincere in that statement? We have no way to know. But to read that quote and assume he’s genuine is fairly ignorant in my opinion.

by philadelphiacub on Jan 25, 2009 9:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

LSA

Rec’d

by scrappywhiteguy on Jan 25, 2009 9:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The point is NOBODY (yes, nobody) knows what he is going to do. Some of assertions and predictions are just silly. He could turn out to the worst owner in the history of sports. Its going to take time to decide what kind of owner he is.

Lets not go and make him the second coming of Jesus Christ just yet.

I’m going to take a wait and see approach

by scrappywhiteguy on Jan 25, 2009 9:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You are correct...

…no one really knows what philosophy he will have and time will tell us all how he will go about trying to bring a championship.

All the stuff about the park is interesting, but what I am most curious about is the front office. IMO, I would love to see him take the same path that McDonough has with the Hawks (bringing in Scotty Bowman) and pry away Dallas Green from his consultant gig with the Phillies. Green may not be possible, but someone like him to lend an experienced opinion on baseball operations is needed in my opinion.

We’ll see what happens, but I would guess he keeps everything status quo for 09.

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

by MPH73 on Jan 25, 2009 10:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Scotty Bowman

is a problem in the current Blackhawks organization. He needs a definite role/position. To date, it’s not clear who really fired Savard, etc.

I wouldn’t wish this on the Cubs without some clear demarcation of roles. For example, I would be comfortable with Dallas Green handling minor league development, and Hendry could handle the MLB club. That would play to both of their strengths.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2000/01/18/MN73840.DTL

by Sandberg Icebar on Jan 25, 2009 10:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I strongly disagree...

…that Bowman is a problem with the Blackhawks. Also, I believe his role is very clear and that is to use his vast knowledge about how to build a winning hockey club.

Who was responsible for Savard getting canned? There is no question it was Scotty Bowman and as they should have, Tallon and McDonough took responsibility. People often wonder about the goofy timing of firing Savard after four games, but the answer is simple – Bowman was not hired until late summer and it took him time to understand that Savard did not have the experience necesary to take a young club where it needed to go. It turned out to be the right move in the near term and it will also be the right move in years to come.

Hendry has his strengths, but player development is not one of them. Green in a similar role as Bowman would be one of the smartest things new Cub’s ownership could do and it certainly would put the club in a better position to not have to rely on signing FA’s every year to fill holes.

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

by MPH73 on Jan 26, 2009 9:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

$Bill Wirtz

was why he got canned. $Bill gave him the coaching gig on a promise years ago, and didnt make him first learn how to coach. No different than rushing a pitcher to the bigs before he is ready

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 26, 2009 9:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

um, just a guess here, but I believe somebody does know what he is going to do

and that somebody would be Tom Ricketts.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jan 25, 2009 10:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Definition of a Waste Post

Thank you, my entire view of sports management has been revolutionized!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2000/01/18/MN73840.DTL

by Sandberg Icebar on Jan 25, 2009 10:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent! Glad I could help!

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jan 25, 2009 10:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"One of Us" Indeed

That sounds like a recipe for disaster. God forbid someone with a history of sports franchise ownership like Mark Cuban actually owned the Cubs.

Cuban turned around a Mavericks franchise with a 40% winning percentage into a team that has a shot to make the WCF every year, precisely by exceeding the cap and spending his own money to the tune of a $19 million luxury tax in 2007-2008.

Despite all of the real, documented evidence on Cuban, people here are convinced that Ricketts is somehow better, based on exactly ZERO evidence.

The internet is a wonderful tool for education. Please use it properly.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2000/01/18/MN73840.DTL

by Sandberg Icebar on Jan 25, 2009 10:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Who Doesn't "Get It"

Our family got basic cable (WGN and WTBS) back in 1980 or so. I have no idea what made me a Cubs fan over the Braves, unless it was Ryne Sandberg. (I kid, it was Sandberg.) I do know that I virtually worshipped Ryne Sandberg until my graduation from high school. I played 2B on the varsity squad for two years and most of my years in Little League and Babe Ruth League.

For me, when it came out that Sandberg was unhappy with the Tribune Co. for failing to put a winning team on the field, my days of bleeding anything but my own #$%^ blood were fucking over.

Anyone who wants to claim some sort of moral superiority over the TV fans on account of BLEACHER season tickets is a complete ass-clown who doesn’t "get it."

Guess what? A cable dollar spends just like a season ticket dollar.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2000/01/18/MN73840.DTL

by Sandberg Icebar on Jan 26, 2009 1:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

You're kinda angry, aren't you?

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

by Shanghai Badger on Jan 26, 2009 5:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

However less of that

cable dollar gets to the team than a season ticket dollar.

Hence the reason to reach 100x or more cable viewers than ST holders.

I get what you’re saying and you’re a microcosm example of why the Cubs are so popular nationwide; out of town fan that linked their lives to the Cubs through WGN. The media landscape is different now and I fully expect Ricketts to exploit what is necessary to get the Cubs in the next stratosphere of media revenue generation.

The key to everything Ricketts is going to do (revenue generation wise) is by the statement that he wants to mimic the BoSox in how they increased revenue in and around the ballpark, and the Yankees with the YES network. This is not rocket science but it takes an organization with big enough cahoonas to pull it off on the business side; especially with an economy that could collapse in the next 6-12 months.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 26, 2009 8:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Right on the comments re: the economy.

I’m not as pessimistic on that front as you apparently are, but those conditions could and would apply to any owner, whether it be Ricketts, Tribco, or Mark Cuban.

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

by Al on Jan 26, 2009 8:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs