A Cubs Annual By Any Other Name...

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2009 1:33 PM CST in Chicago Cubs News

The Cubs annual I edited last year has returned... only it's not called "Wrigley Season Ticket" this year. The publisher, Maple Street Press, has decided to "brand" it with their name.

No matter the name on the cover, this year's version will have the same types of articles that last year's did, beginning with a team and NL Central preview. I think you will especially like what we've done with the Cubs team preview, because we have added detailed stat breakdowns for the starting eight (plus one, I added Reed Johnson, since he'll likely be platooning in CF), starting rotation and closer (I chose Carlos Marmol for this, though it could be Kevin Gregg, as you know).

In addition, there are profiles of Jeff Samardzija and how he may have an impact on this year's team; of up and coming minor leaguers Brandon Guyer and Jay Jackson; a minor league overview, reviews of the 1969 and 1989 teams, and a "what if" article about Wrigley Field's future; I enlisted a couple of this site's readers with design know-how to brainstorm some changes they'd make to the park. There's everything from a detailed statistical analysis of Kosuke Fukudome to some tips if you want to see the Cubs on the road.

Also, Bruce Miles has written an article about the "soap opera" that was the 2008 Cubs; Paul Sullivan has an insider's view of Tribune Co.'s ownership, now that it is over, and Len Kasper wrote an article describing what his job is like.

The rest of the annual was written by BCB readers -- Josh77, toonsterwu, cwyers, dfrancon, and No Southern Belle.

I hope you'll pick one up. Click on this link to order one right now from Maple Street Press' website and it will ship next week. It will also be available in bookstores (see the magazine section), and places like Target and Walgreens. All the writers, from BCB readers to the professionals, worked hard to put together the best and most detailed (and advertising-free!) season preview you can get anywhere for the Cubs. It will once again be $12.99 this year -- no price increase. Thanks in advance for getting your copy.

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Cubs Review

17 bucks to get this shipped to me in Florida…… I don’t think so

by nimblenikelfoos on Feb 10, 2009 1:48 PM CST reply actions

Hey, your choice.

I suspect some others here would tell you it’s worth it.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2009 1:49 PM CST up reply actions

Hear hear

I was about to tell people to run do not walk to your nearest store and buy it or order it online.

If it’s even half as good as last year it’s worth the price and much more.

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 puckishcubsfan on Feb 10, 2009 1:56 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed

Last season’s edition was quality work and I’m looking forward to getting this year’s.

"Baseball is like Church. Many Attend; Few Understand." - Leo Durocher

by JD McCubbie on Feb 10, 2009 3:06 PM CST up reply actions

+1

Couldn’t have said it better myself. I found each & every article both informative & entertaining. Can’t wait to get my 2009 copy in the mail

by sowsman on Feb 10, 2009 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

I think it's worth it.

I wore last year’s issue out. Of course, my daughter helped. I may have mentioned this before, but she was fascinated by the pictures of the kissing bandit. For less than $20, it’s really not a bad investment – particularly as it serves as a sort of historical snapshot of where the Cubs stood going into the ’09 season.

We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.

by daver on Feb 10, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

Really, the kissing bandit photo?

I knew that would come in handy some day when I took it in 1988!

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2009 2:21 PM CST up reply actions

She was fascinated by that picture.

She’d tear the issue out of my hands just to look at it. And she made me tell her the story over and over.

We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.

by daver on Feb 10, 2009 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

LOL

It’s a great story, isn’t it? I got lucky to get that photo; I never saw one anywhere else.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2009 2:30 PM CST up reply actions

I just bought two...shipping to Florida for both was $6

n/t

"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."

by flachimesa on Feb 10, 2009 2:37 PM CST up reply actions

I really enjoyed last years.

I plan on getting one this year.

by Madison Cub Fan on Feb 12, 2009 5:11 PM CST up reply actions

Too bad SWL didn't design the cover :(

Old Style is the nectar of life.
http://www.windycitygridiron.com/

by Mordecai on Feb 10, 2009 1:59 PM CST reply actions

MY Mistake

Shipping to Florida only 6 bucks……. for me & I ordered one for my Grandson in

Forest Park…………. looking forward to it…………………

by nimblenikelfoos on Feb 10, 2009 2:22 PM CST reply actions

Wow, maybe I should go into sales.

We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.

by daver on Feb 10, 2009 2:23 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks for selling this copy!

And thanks to nimblenikelfoos for buying two of them!

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2009 2:31 PM CST up reply actions

I see that you got $6 shipping to FL

You’re going to enjoy this annual Cubs fan must-read

"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."

by flachimesa on Feb 10, 2009 2:44 PM CST up reply actions

CNN/Si has linked to this

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/cubs/

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Feb 10, 2009 2:36 PM CST reply actions

Cool!

Thanks for the link. Thanks to all who have ordered one already.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2009 2:56 PM CST up reply actions

So glad this is out

it means we’re getting closer to season AND I’ll once again have a head start. I can’t recommend it more highly — it’s a fun read with tons of inside information. What I especially liked about last year’s edition was the fact that it anticipated and answered questions I had that arose throughout the entire 08 season. I’m sure it’ll do the same for 09.

"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 Feb 10, 2009 3:12 PM CST reply actions

Can't wait to pick mine up

I really enjoyed the copy from last year — and no Ads…gotta love that.

"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make up something good"

by StevenABQ on Feb 10, 2009 3:19 PM CST reply actions

I posted a link.....

on a couple of sites I blog on other than this as well as Facebook. It was a great read last year and I can’t wait to get a copy of this years!!

In Heaven there is no beer, That's why we drink it here, and when were gone from here, all our friends will be drinking all our beer!!

by By Santo's Grace on Feb 10, 2009 3:30 PM CST reply actions

Thanks!

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2009 3:41 PM CST up reply actions

Al,

Would I be safe in assuming that this will be available at my local Barnes & Noble here in Des Moines?

Yes, we have a Barnes & Noble – 2 of them!

by TarHeelHawk on Feb 10, 2009 3:40 PM CST reply actions

Was it available there last year?

If so, it should be again.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2009 3:41 PM CST up reply actions

I have no idea...

as I did not purchase one. I’ll be looking for it!

by TarHeelHawk on Feb 10, 2009 4:00 PM CST reply actions

Ordered

$17.99 total, USPS Priority Mail to my APO AE address here in England.

Now I just have to hope that the post office decides to throw it on a plane instead of a boat so I get it sometime before the all-star break!!

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

by sanantonecub on Feb 10, 2009 4:45 PM CST reply actions

just ordered

one for my dad, will get my soon. didnt see last years so this will be a treat

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 10, 2009 6:12 PM CST reply actions

LAST YEARS WAS GREAT......

No Cub’s fan should be without it…It answers alot of the questions you want the answers to,,,,

by cubs north on Feb 10, 2009 6:28 PM CST reply actions

*cough cough**

No matter the name on the cover, this year’s version will have the same types of articles that last year’s did, beginning with a team and NL Central preview.

I’m sure it just slipped Al’s mind that I wrote those 2 pieces. :)

Rob G. of TCR…

Visit The Cub Reporter (thecubreporter.com)

by thecubreporter on Feb 10, 2009 6:33 PM CST reply actions

Rob...

… sorry for leaving you off the list of writers. You did another terrific job, and thanks.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2009 7:02 PM CST up reply actions

no worries

last year’s edition was quite enjoyable, look forward to reading this year’s.

Visit The Cub Reporter (thecubreporter.com)

by thecubreporter on Feb 10, 2009 7:14 PM CST up reply actions

Just ordered one!!!

Can’t wait to see this years addition, and to see my girlfriends artwork in the “what if” article on Wrigley’s future!!!

Heroes get remembered but legends never die

by CubbieBlue1138 on Feb 10, 2009 7:20 PM CST reply actions

And many thanks to Heather for her hard work on the project.

I’m going to make sure she gets a copy.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2009 7:26 PM CST up reply actions

anyone else

that will be kindly asking for their kudos?

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 10, 2009 7:41 PM CST up reply actions

The rest are noted above.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2009 7:42 PM CST up reply actions

was giving you a hard time

I loko forward to hering my dads thoughts on the book, adn ordering my shortly

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 10, 2009 7:51 PM CST up reply actions

In For One

Look forward to it, Al.

It seems Amazon does not have this available this year. I tried to save on the shipping last year, but it took forever to arrive so ordering direct is the way to go in any event.

by 08Cubs on Feb 10, 2009 7:38 PM CST reply actions

Can't wait to see the finished copy

It was great fun to write another article this year.

"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.

by No Southern Belle on Feb 10, 2009 7:44 PM CST reply actions

Speaking as one of last year's contributors...

…I just wanted to say thanks for all the kind words from those who read last year’s edition. Although a bit nerve-racking at times (writing an article is very different from writing a blog), I had a lot of fun with it.

I am definitely looking forward to reading this year’s edition strictly as a fan, without the stress and self-doubt of a struggling writer… ;-)

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

by ballhawk on Feb 10, 2009 10:42 PM CST reply actions