Dawson '88
by TheHawkRules on Nov 25, 2009 3:21 PM CST
Email
Print
I was wondering if some of you may help me out.
I was wondering why… in 1988… Andre Dawson had such a drop off in his power stats? (HRS/RBIS) Besides hitting over .300, everything else seemed pretty much normal for him… (if I remember correctly)… but his power numbers, especially from the previous season, really dropped off.
Though I was a huge baseball/Cubs fan, I can’t remember many of the details from that season. I was only 10, going on 11, at the time. Plus, I didn’t follow all the magazines, nor had ESPN, so… I just knew what I saw on the tube… whatever Harry and Steve told us.
I was wondering if any of you all remember more specific details of the season… if you could help me out? Thanks.
The Hawk Rules 4-Ever
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
98 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Because 1987 was an anomaly...
I think the answer might just be that Dawson’s dropoff from 1987 to 1988 was simply because his HR rate in 1987 was so out of line with his career norms. In 1988, the HR rate returned to normal. So the question should probably be “why did Dawson have such a phenomenal HR rate in 1987?”
As for RBI, that’s a matter of RBI being a team-dependent stat. Martinez and Sandberg had down years in front of him, and he didn’t hit as many HR.
It wasn't just Dawson who hit an outlying number of HR in 1987.
The entire National League dropped off. In 1987 the NL hit 1824 HR, in 1988 only 1279.
Dawson’s 1988 season was much more in line with the rest of his career.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
True...
There was a whole lot of the longball in 1987.
Al...
Not so much his Cubs career though…
Did he really get anything good to hit that season?
by TheHawkRules on Nov 25, 2009 5:12 PM CST up reply actions
not to mention each season
his knees only got worse, costing him that much more ability
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
But he still put up great numbers...
…and never complained! He was the man.
by TheHawkRules on Nov 26, 2009 1:02 PM CST up reply actions
110% agreed
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
wow
I never knew that. I had always wondered why it seemed that nobody even sniffed 50 again for several years… turns out it’s because nobody did.
"This next song... it's about the White Sox. It's called: F*** Em'." - Eddie Vedder
Well..
Pretty much everyone did better in ’87…
And I know Andre had the best season of his career, (in terms of hrs and RBIs)
But Andre’s power numbers seem a bit low that year… even for him. ‘89 had probably the nearest numbers in terms of HRs and RBIs, but he was hurt and missed a lot of playing time. Even in his last season with the team, he drove in 90 RBI’s.
There wasn’t really any protection in the lineup… I am sure of that…
The HR numbers really dropped that season also… didn’t strawberry lead in NL with like, 39 or something???
by TheHawkRules on Nov 25, 2009 5:11 PM CST up reply actions
I think you're looking for something that isn't there.
1988 was a low-offense season, especially compared to 1987. That’s really the only reason for the decline.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Back in '88...
What were the reporters/news people saying was the reason for the decline?
by TheHawkRules on Nov 25, 2009 6:02 PM CST up reply actions
A lot of people thought the baseballs were juiced.
That might have actually been true.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Maybe...
… but its very possible Hawk would have hit at least 30 hrs that year… and driven in 100. His power numbers in 88 where much lower than his usual Cubbie career.
by TheHawkRules on Nov 26, 2009 1:04 PM CST up reply actions
No, they weren't.
His SLG in 1988 was .504 — almost exactly what his SLG was for his six-year Cub career (.507).
Again, you’re seeking an answer that cannot be given, because you’re seeing something that just isn’t there.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Al..
… man dude, Whatever your problem is with me and my posts… I wish you would just get over it. I never said there HAD to be a problem with Andre… I just asked what other people thought… and I did ask what the baseball media was saying at the time (because I wondered if maybe pitchers tried pitching him outside a lot more, etc)… We don’t have to agree on things, thats fine… but I am getting tired of you bashing my posts and being rude to me for me just stating my thoughts/opinions.
Bro.. to be honest, it doesn’t matter what YOU THINK… nor does it matter what I THINk… because we are not the baseball people in charge. I do wish you would just let Cub fans be Cub fans and stop dictating who they should like, who they shouldn’t… and stop acting like you know every single in and out because your history isn’t 100%… far from it
Bro.. to be honest, it doesn’t matter what YOU THINK… nor does it matter what I THINk… because we are not the baseball people in charge. I do wish you would just let Cub fans be Cub fans and stop dictating who they should like, who they shouldn’t… and stop acting like you know every single in and out because your history isn’t 100%… far from itI’m sorry man… but this is old. Just let the fans be fans and stop running over their thoughts/ideas/dreams.
by TheHawkRules on Nov 26, 2009 8:17 PM CST up reply actions
Normally, I wouldn't reply to something like this.
But you asked a question and I answered it, and others agreed with me.
And yet, you keep insisting you are right, and then you call me “rude”? I really don’t understand you.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You didn't JUST answer a question...
… you keep on hammering your point in every oppertunity you can get. That is VERY different than just “answering” a simple question that was asked.
Not everybody in the world has to think and agree with everything you state… if you are unable to understand that, then yes… you are rude. Because people that hammers others with their beliefs, are rude. .
Oh, BTW… SHOW me where I INISIST I AM RIGHT???? Like I said, I don’t think there is any right or wrong in something like this. It appears to be you and your posts who ’insists they are right!"
by TheHawkRules on Nov 27, 2009 3:12 PM CST up reply actions
AL, PLESE SHOW ME...
…where I ever insisted that I am right and you are wrong???
by TheHawkRules on Nov 27, 2009 3:13 PM CST up reply actions
Yes, it's been deafening for all of 15 minutes - apparently an eternity to some...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
15 minutes is an eternity to some...
Regardless, none of this really matters.
It’s just sad that some people aren’t allowed to view their thoughts, opinions, etc…
by TheHawkRules on Nov 27, 2009 4:08 PM CST up reply actions
You're being unnecessarily combative.
No one is barring you for expressing your opinion. I have a real problem with you calling me “rude” for answering your questions, then having you continuing to badger me with what, essentially, boiled down to “I’m right”.
If you’re going to be rude and combative here — and you have been both — you’ll be asked to leave.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
As with the Omar posts, and now this one...
…I will just say that there is a big difference between simply answering a persons question… and hammering another with your opinion. The posts don’t lie… Feel free to reread them and show me my error. I will be more than happy to leave if I am in error… but please show me.
I just wanted to know why you kept hammering my thoughts and opinions, proclaiming them wrong, and then posting yours as right? I never once said anyone had to agree with me… never… but you say I do.
Anyway… the posts don’t lie.
by TheHawkRules on Nov 27, 2009 4:26 PM CST up reply actions
I don't really like getting into other peoples shit..... but...
You stated something that wasn’t right, and it was corrected (Your SLG statement)…. then you went off on a little tangent about how your opinion doesn’t matter.
He answered your question on what people were thing around that time (juiced baseballs). What else more do you want?
There are numerous factors that could have gone into Dawson’s down year in ’88. Who knows why for sure?
Why did the dinosaurs become extinct?
WHO KNOWS? Can we THEORIZE? Yeah. Are we going to be able to find a concrete answer? NO.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
Hey EJ...
…cool off. Its no big deal.
The majority of this site is based on the opinions of people… what do you think you just did?
BTW: you obviously haven’t read all of the posts… sooo…
by TheHawkRules on Nov 27, 2009 4:46 PM CST up reply actions
Its no big deal.
oh..
1 Aaron down, 1 to go
by jesus christos on Nov 27, 2009 7:21 PM CST up reply actions
People keep giving you answer and you ignore them
That’s the passive-aggresive version of insisiting you are right.
The Hawk was all heart.
Even in 1989, he was hurt most of the year (only 118 games played) and still put up decent numbers, but then he came back with big numbers in 1990 and 1991 (27 and 31 homers respectively, and 100-plus RBI both years) and made the All-Star game both years. Even his last year with the Cubs when his knees started going bad again, he still played in over 140 games and drove in 90 runs. Don’t forget over 300 career steals (granted, most of them early in his career, much like Sandberg) and he’s the only HOF eligible player with over 1,000 career extra base hits who is not in the Hall. An absolute sham that he is not in the Hall, with all due respect to Ron Santo, who absolutely should be there, the fact that the Hawk is not there is a bigger travesty. But there is hope. Jim Rice getting in (which he should have) practically ensures that Hawk will, because Dawson has him beat in almost every category except career batting average. I’m not even mentioning his defense in right field, which was as good as you’ll ever see, and this was all done on knees that were held together with duct tape and bailing wire, and with as much class and dignity as anyone who ever played. The Hawk is a walking definition of the word “gamer”. I love the guy.
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
by ctcoff99 on Nov 25, 2009 6:27 PM CST reply actions 3 recs
rec'd
He was and still is a MAN.
"This next song... it's about the White Sox. It's called: F*** Em'." - Eddie Vedder
A MAN's man
Maybe not, the man – but the definition of a man.
…and anatomically speaking, I also hope so.
"This next song... it's about the White Sox. It's called: F*** Em'." - Eddie Vedder
As Jim Hendry said about Greg Maddux....
I’ll say the same for Dawson. I’m not ashamed to say that I love Andre Dawson.
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
Dawson used to get to the park
hours before any other player just to prepare his knees, and would be there hours after all were gone working on them as well. He is one we can say did have an 8 hour work day at the office.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
he was a true pro
and it is a shame more of the kids today playing do not have the same heart, love and appreciation for the game
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
I agree with you 100%
Both baseball… and the world… needs more people like Andre Dawson!
Good call Cubbie-Tim!
by TheHawkRules on Nov 26, 2009 8:09 PM CST up reply actions
Awesome CTCOFF99
Great post Bro.
I think you proved my point… in ’89, he only played in 118 games… yet his power numbers were basically the same as a full season in ’88.
by TheHawkRules on Nov 26, 2009 1:06 PM CST up reply actions
As mentioned you are looking for something that isn't there
In 1988, his line was .303 / .344 / .504. That was better than ‘86. He had more doubles in ’88 than ’87 so the HR’s didn’t fly out, he was still hitting. If you compare ‘88 to all the other non-’87 seasons, it looks fairly normal.
Huh?
“If you compare ‘88 to all the other non-’87 seasons, it looks fairly normal”
Not as a Cub. Look again.
I’m only talking about his power numbers and there is a difference between ’88 and his other FULL seasons with the Cubs.
by TheHawkRules on Nov 26, 2009 1:08 PM CST up reply actions
You're talking ONLY about HR and RBI.
His 24 HR are in the range of much of his career. RBI are team-dependent. With all due respect, I think everyone here has answered your question. There was nothing “wrong” with Dawson in 1988, nothing “happened”, it was a fairly normal year for him and the rest of the team.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The whole Dawson story
coming to the Cubs is like a fairy tale….blank check….a true superstar asking to play for us. The Hawk will always be one of my favorite all time Cubs, what a menacing look at the plate and the rocket throws to home from right field. 5 tool player that I am thankful I got to see him play so much. No doubt belongs in the HOF.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Great post!
Andre Dawson was my hero growing up. He still is actually. I even named my son Dawson…
by TheHawkRules on Nov 26, 2009 1:10 PM CST up reply actions
Dawson was a true class act. We need more players like him! It wasn’t about the money, he wanted to be a Cub and help us win. NO one could have played on his knees. The numbers he put up with bad knees are amazing! He should be in the Hall! He is what the current Cubs players should model themselves after!
Did you guys...
… read what Hawk had to say about MB?
Good post.
I think it also helps prove that Chicago isn’t a city full of racists.
*Applause*
Great article and a classy individual. I was lucky enough to get meet him and get his autograph a few years back at a Fort Wayne Wizards (now Tin Caps) game. Truly a great ambassador for the game.
"And Dunston hits a fly ball to left-right center field!" -Harry Caray
So if/when the Hawk gets inducted...
into the HOF, what will be on the plaque? Any Expos cap? Or a Nationals cap? As much as I’d love it, I just don’t see him wearing the Cubs cap. Not since the players can no longer choose.
The Hall decides, as you mention.
He had his best years as an Expo, but his biggest “fame”, and his only MVP award, as a Cub. I suspect he goes in as a Cub.
It won’t be as a Nat — he never wore a Washington cap.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I doubt it...
He played more years for the Expos, and as a result has more hits, runs, doubles, triples, homers, RBI’s, walks, and stolen bases in an Expos uniform. He won more Gold Gloves with the Expos, and received MVP votes more years with them than with us as well. He did, however, make 5 All Star games as a Cub, compared to 3 with the Expos.
I just can’t see the Hall giving him the Cubs cap after knowing all of what I mentioned.
One postseason appearance for each team, too.
I dunno. To me, it’s a close call.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
When Wade Boggs started this whole cap brouhaha..
Didn’t the HoF eventually come down that it’s their decision, but they would weigh the players’ preference in the case of a reasonably close call?
I think this is about as close a call as you’d get, but I can see where the Hall would like to have something for Expos posterity.
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Dec 4, 2009 5:24 PM CST up reply actions
He gained a lot more noteriety on the national scene as a Cub
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Nov 27, 2009 4:33 PM CST up reply actions
DING DING DING
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Bruce Sutter
It was a bit closer, but a pretty decent argument can be made that Sutter’s best years came as a Cub.
The HoF rules are to prevent the Wade Boggs’s of the world from writing such ridiculousness into their contracts near the end of their careers.
The Dawson wants to be a Cub in the Hall, I would bet that is the cap he wears.
Eamus Ursuli!
The Cubs also jettisoned Sutter when he had a lot of good years left
Much like the Expos did with Dawson.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Nov 30, 2009 11:21 AM CST up reply actions
The Cubs didn't "jettison" Sutter.
They traded him because at the time, the $700,000 awarded him in arb was the largest arb award up to that date. It broke the Wrigleys’ budget.
They did get some value in the deal in getting Leon Durham.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Semantics, Al. They got rid of him when he had a lot left because of $.
They had no idea Durham would be as solid as he was – and he wasn’t as good as Sutter.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Nov 30, 2009 1:10 PM CST up reply actions
Oh, absolutely.
To me, “jettison” implied they didn’t want him. They did — just couldn’t afford him at the time.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Ok, I'll concede that point
It was about a year before I started watching.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 1, 2009 6:31 AM CST up reply actions
Too bad the Wrigleys couldn't have afforded him for one more year.
Tribune Co., at the time, could have afforded to keep him.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Sure - but would they have done it
Or would Green have traded him to restock the system, anyway?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 1, 2009 8:35 AM CST up reply actions
Good question.
They did have Lee Smith coming up behind Sutter, so they could have done that, or dealt him for players like Durham (not necessarily him specifically, but a couple of young, major league ready players).
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
World Series - Deciding Factor w/Sutter
I believe if it had not been for the 1982 World Series that Sutter would have gone into the Hall as a Cub. There’s that indelible image of Sutter striking out Gorman Thomas to win the Series.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
I have a feeling...
… they will try to get him in as an Expo because Carter is the only guy in the HOF with an EXPO hat. I know the Hall decides this… but if Andre insists on a Cubs, I have a feeling they’d be OK with that. However, Andre is such a class act… he might just appreciate being in and not insist on one.
I hope it is a Cubs though. When he left the Expos, the team and city really turned their back on him. In his autobiography, he explained how that really hurt.. Cub fans never did that, and I think that is one reason why he loves Chicago so much.
by TheHawkRules on Nov 27, 2009 3:18 PM CST up reply actions
Expos Potential Hall of Famers
I believe you are down to Andre Dawson, Tim Raines, and Vladimir Guerrero. Jeff Reardon didn’t get many votes at all when he was eligible. I don’t think Raines will make it. Vlad could go into the Hall as an Angel. Dawson could be only the second and only Expo to be inducted. I don’t think there’s any way that Pedro Martinez enters the Hall as an Expo.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Bruce Sutter
Carter’s the only Expo in the Hall now, and he wanted to go in as a Met. Had Carter been a better player from 1987-1989 with New York, I would’ve listened to his argument more. He was clearly better as an Expo. That was an open and shut case.
As far as I know, Dawson isn’t getting paid by either the ex-Expos/Nationals or the Cubs organization. As far as I know, he didn’t sign any contracts with either organization stating that he would go into the Hall as a member of either organization. There’s no way one could say Dawson was a HOF-caliber player with the Red Sox or Marlins.
I hope this is an issue with Dawson finally gaining induction, but I believe the Hall should yield to Dawson’s wishes about the Expos/Cubs cap situation. I know it’s the Hall’s prerogative not to yield to the player’s wishes. It’s their museum after all. Being that Dawson doesn’t work for either organization, I don’t believe his decision would be unduly tainted or influenced.
I don’t think Dawson would be upset, if he went into the Hall with a logo on his plaque that he didn’t want. I believe he would be thrilled just to be inducted. Dawson is not petty.
With Bruce Sutter, I’ve heard that Sutter wanted to go into the Hall as a Cardinal anyway. Of course, it was the Hall’s choice. I frankly believe that was the right call. Supposing that Sutter had wanted to go into the Hall as a Cub, I think the Hall should have gone along with it, if Sutter wasn’t on the take from the Cubs. I believe there are select situations that the Hall should yield to the decision of the player.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
I imagine that...
… the Hall does ask the player, then makes its own decision.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Gaylord Perry As Mariner; Ryan As Ranger; Wade Boggs
I think the Hall should have stepped in and not allowed the Mariners logo on Perry’s plaque. Perry should have gone into the Hall as a Giant. It would have been more appropriate for Perry to enter the Hall as an Indian or Padre than as a Mariner.
Ryan should not have been allowed to enter the Hall as a Ranger. He probably should have gone in as an Angel. He also won more games with the Astros than he did as a Ranger. The Hall used to give these players way too much power with the cap issue. Perhaps, now, they don’t give them enough say.
I can understand why the Hall feels the way it does after the Wade Boggs as a Devil Ray fiasco. Good grief! Boggs might have gotten away with wanting to go into the Hall as a Yankee, but the Devil Ray stuff was absolutely ridiculous. Boggs has the appropriate logo on his plaque with the Red Sox. At least he would have had a little toe on which to stand, had he wanted to go into the Hall as a Yankee with his 1994 season and 1996 world championship. At that, he would have had an extremely flimsy case to put it mildly.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
I'm sure Andre would take...
… whatever the Hall states, and be happy…
But, he wasn’t happy as an Expo and was hurt horribly by the team, city, and fans when he left. Even though they retired his number, and tried to make things right… Dawson will forever be a Cub in his heart.
by TheHawkRules on Dec 1, 2009 11:42 AM CST up reply actions
If he makes it... That is the key.
And yes, I think he should go in…
by TheHawkRules on Dec 1, 2009 11:40 AM CST up reply actions
????
….in the HOF thread on the Home page….. on top of the page, Dawson is throwing the ceromonial pitch in an Expo shirt at a 2009 Marlins/Rays game, is there a reason he has that one on and not a Cubs shirt?
"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not." --Mark Twain
by cooliogirl47 on Nov 30, 2009 7:24 PM CST up reply actions
Because that's the only photo I had available of him...
… that SBN had the rights to.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
not what I meant...
would that indicate he would prefer to be inducted into HOF as an Expo ?
"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not." --Mark Twain
by cooliogirl47 on Dec 1, 2009 10:31 AM CST up reply actions
Here is a good interview…
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091124&content_id=7715234&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
They showed a lot of footage of Andre in an Expo uniform. I may be wrong, but I still think MLB wants Hawk to be an Expo if he goes into the Hall. I HOPE he goe in as a Cub.
I think it will be a little bit weird when he does his induction ceremony as an Expo, and the place be packed out with Cub fans. lol. I hope MLB takes that into consideration.
Selig
Add another to Selig’s evilhood. In 1996 Dawson was going to retire and was on the DL but Selig wouldn’t allow a workaround to trade him back to the Cubs to finish his career here. The union agreed, the teams agreed and the Cubs wanted to keep it quiet and when the Marlins came in for that series and they saluted him he would come out in a Cubs uni and they would announce he was going to finish his career here.
He belongs in the Hall of Fame. He wasn’t the best in any category in the 80s but people who hit more homeruns didn’t play D as well or steal bases, or the base stealers didn’t play D or hit homeruns well you get the idea. For a few years he was the best all around player or in the top 3 in the game.
If Andre Dawson was on the field he was beating you. With his bat, his glove, that gun of a right arm and his legs.
And he is one of only 3 players to have over 400 homeruns and 300 stolen bases. And only one of 2 to do it without sticking needles in his butt. (the non needle butt was Willie Mays and the needle butt was Barry Bonds).
Everyone who knows me knows Sandberg and Dawson hold an irreplaceable place in my heart. I just hope that when Dawson goes into the HOF Ronnie Woo Woo won’t be on my flight home!
My most treasured personal piece of Cubs memorabilia is a picture taken at a charity event of me with both of them. I have 2 copies both framed on the wall behind me. One is autographed by both of them and the other doesn’t have the autographs. My husband teases me that in case of favor if I had to chose between them and my wedding ring to save I’d pick the pictures!
Brennan and Booth their Story Really begins November 2009
by puckishcubsfan on Nov 29, 2009 12:36 AM CST reply actions
Andre was going to come back?
I didn’t know this. This is cool. Have any articles on this??? I would love to see them.
Take care. Thanks.
by TheHawkRules on Nov 29, 2009 5:24 PM CST up reply actions
That's the first I heard of that
Add another to Selig’s evilhood. In 1996 Dawson was going to retire and was on the DL but Selig wouldn’t allow a workaround to trade him back to the Cubs to finish his career here. The union agreed, the teams agreed and the Cubs wanted to keep it quiet and when the Marlins came in for that series and they saluted him he would come out in a Cubs uni and they would announce he was going to finish his career here.
Got a link?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Nov 29, 2009 9:31 PM CST up reply actions
I heard it
I heard it from someone who worked at Wrigley at the time someone very reliable. And it was rumored on the radio the day before.
Brennan and Booth their Story Really begins November 2009
by puckishcubsfan on Dec 1, 2009 8:41 AM CST up reply actions
Ok. I'm not saying it's untrue
But it’s hard to put much stock in it, having never heard it from anywhere other than a second or third-hand source 17 years later.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 1, 2009 9:12 AM CST up reply actions
17 years later?
It’s 2013? What did I miss the last four years?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It happens as you get older
Yeah, I realized that I goofed later…was counting from his last year w/the Cubs.
Al – did you ever hear anything along the lines of this story?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 1, 2009 10:29 AM CST up reply actions
I don't personally recall it.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t true.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree - just wondering if anyone else had heard this
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 1, 2009 11:09 AM CST up reply actions
Not much...
Ricketts still owns the Cubs, Ryno is the manager, Dawson and Santo got voted into the HoF, Castro to Lee to Pujols has been quite the productive double play combo, and the Cubs now play at Google Field with a googletron scoreboard installed in the left-field corner, right behind the last row of the bleachers.
Few more things… Jerry Reisndorf is the new MLB Commissioner, Steve Stone is the new team president/GM, Mark Grace took over when Ron Santo retired and Ronnie Woo Woo Wickers was installed as the permanent guest conductor for the 7th inning stretch.
Oh yeah, almost forgot – Yankees got a patent on pinstripes and sued the rest of the league for trademark infringement so now Cubs have to wear their blue jerseys every game.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Did they win yet?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 1, 2009 10:40 AM CST up reply actions
no, but they got real close in 2012
they made it to World Series against the Yankees. Game 5 at Wrigley Field (yes, NL still hasn’t won an All-Star game…) with the Cubs holding a 3-1 Series lead. It’s the top of the 8th inning, Cubs are winning 4-2 when Robinson Cano hits a foul ball down the 3rd base line that’s drifting towards the seats. Josh Vitters looks like he has a play on it but some guy wearing a BCB shirt reaches up and tries to catch it. Ball deflects into crowd, Vitters goes ape-shit, Marmol can’t settle down on the mound, and Ryno looks at his bench coach Dusty Baker and asks “should I go out there?”.
Meanwhile, the fan who reached for the ball is catching holy hell from the other fans so he stands up, faces the crowd, takes off his hat and glasses, and rrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiipppppppsssssss off his BCB shirt to reveal a Yankees jersey underneath it! Then he laughs maniacally “Mmwaahahahaahah….” as he’s escorted out by security
Carrie Muskat tries to get an exclusive interview before he’s hauled off to jail and all she hears is “Cubs are nuttin but a bunch of guess-hitting hacks. I told ’em there was a pitching crisis! I told ’em they shoulda hired Sandy Alderson! I told ’em! I told ’em! The Yankeeeeeesssss winnnnnnn!”
…and indeed, the Yankees do win. Cano hits a 3 run homer, Cubs never recover and series goes back to NY where Sabathia and Halladay close it out.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
And through a dizzying array of complex legal moves...
…Milton Bradley is still on the team’s payroll and, because GM Stone is on such bad terms with every other living soul in baseball, he cannot trade Bradley and refuses to release him purely out of spite.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
One assumes that Hendry signed the extension
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 1, 2009 11:09 AM CST up reply actions
Agreed about Dawson and Sandberg....
along with Mark Grace, Shawon Dunston, and Greg Maddux. Probably my top 5 Cubs of all-time. There have been some great ones since then like Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Kerry Wood, but like a lot of Baby Boomers hold a special place for the 1969 players, these are the guys I grew up with. Dawson and Sandberg, unlike those other three I mentioned, though, have always had to overcome the “stigma” of never having played in a World Series. Certainly this was no fault of their own, but even though Hall voters always say this doesn’t matter, I think it does, even if in a small way. Does anyone doubt that if Ron Santo had been a career Yankee or Dodger, he would have been in the Hall years ago?
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
I agree!
Dawson, Sandberg, Grace, Duston, and Maddux were the “main” Cubs of my youth. I became a Cub fan in ’87… So, I got to watch these guys for the next few years… I loved these guys!
You are exactly right about Santo also! Thanks.
by TheHawkRules on Nov 30, 2009 11:22 AM CST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
Click here to order your copy, available now!
Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Ku Klux Klan, umpires and bowling: Why the minor leagues tossed out Jim Evans academy
- The Cardinals Hall of Fame can now be found at Bill Clinton’s library in Arkansas (Huh?)
- Will Bryce Harper start the season with the Nationals?
- Mitch Mustain puts football behind him, signs reported rookie deal with White Sox
- Robinson Cano and Denzel Washington face off in Jay Leno’s Yankees trivia contest
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
