Cubs 2009 TV Broadcast Schedule Announced
by Al Yellon on Feb 16, 2009 1:09 PM CST
in Chicago Cubs News
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PrintHere's the TV schedule; I count the following:
WGN: 63
CSN/CSN+: 79
WCIU: 8
ESPN (Sunday): 4
Fox: 8
See the entire schedule after the jump.
Day Date Opponent Time Station Mon 4/6 @ Houston 6:05 PM CSN Tue 4/7 @ Houston 7:05 PM WGN Wed 4/8 @ Houston 7:05 PM CSN+ Thu 4/9 OFF DAY Fri 4/10 @ Milwaukee 3:05 PM WGN Sat 4/11 @ Milwaukee 6:05 PM CSN Sun 4/12 @ Milwaukee 7:05 PM ESPN Mon 4/13 vs. Colorado 1:20 PM WGN Tue 4/14 OFF DAY Wed 4/15 vs. Colorado 1:20 PM CSN Thu 4/16 vs. St. Louis 1:20 PM CSN Fri 4/17 vs. St. Louis 1:20 PM WGN Sat 4/18 vs. St. Louis 2:40 PM FOX Sun 4/19 vs. St. Louis 7:05 PM ESPN Mon 4/20 OFF DAY Tue 4/21 vs. Cincinnati 7:05 PM WGN Wed 4/22 vs. Cincinnati 7:05 PM CSN Thu 4/23 vs. Cincinnati 1:20 PM CSN Fri 4/24 @ St. Louis 7:15 PM CSN Sat 4/25 @ St. Louis 3:10 PM FOX Sun 4/26 @ St. Louis 1:15 PM WGN Mon 4/27 @ Arizona 8:40 PM CSN Tue 4/28 @ Arizona 8:40 PM WGN Wed 4/29 @ Arizona 2:40 PM CSN Thu 4/30 vs. Florida 7:05 PM WCIU Fri 5/1 vs. Florida 1:20 PM CSN Sat 5/2 vs. Florida 12:05 PM CSN Sun 5/3 vs. Florida 1:20 PM WGN Mon 5/4 vs. SF Giants 7:05 PM WCIU Tue 5/5 vs. SF Giants 1:20 PM CSN Wed 5/6 @ Houston 7:05 PM CSN Thu 5/7 @ Houston 7:05 PM CSN+ Fri 5/8 @ Milwaukee 7:05 PM WGN Sat 5/9 @ Milwaukee 6:05 PM CSN Sun 5/10 @ Milwaukee 1:05 PM WGN Mon 5/11 OFF DAY Tue 5/12 vs. San Diego 7:05 PM CSN+ Wed 5/13 vs. San Diego 7:05 PM CSN Thu 5/14 vs. San Diego 1:20 PM CSN Fri 5/15 vs. Houston 1:20 PM WGN Sat 5/16 vs. Houston 12:05 PM CSN Sun 5/17 vs. Houston 1:20 PM WGN Mon 5/18 OFF DAY Tue 5/19 @ St. Louis 7:15 PM WGN Wed 5/20 @ St. Louis 7:15 PM CSN Thu 5/21 @ St. Louis 7:15 PM CSN Fri 5/22 @ San Diego 9:05 PM WGN Sat 5/23 @ San Diego 9:05 PM CSN Sun 5/24 @ San Diego 3:05 PM WGN Mon 5/25 vs. Pittsburgh 7:05 PM WGN Tue 5/26 vs. Pittsburgh 7:05 PM CSN Wed 5/27 vs. Pittsburgh 1:20 PM WGN Thu 5/28 vs. LA Dodgers 7:05 PM WCIU Fri 5/29 vs. LA Dodgers 1:20 PM CSN Sat 5/30 vs. LA Dodgers 3:10 PM FOX Sun 5/31 vs. LA Dodgers 7:05 PM ESPN Mon 6/1 OFF DAY Tue 6/2 @ Atlanta 6:10 PM WGN Wed 6/3 @ Atlanta 6:10 PM CSN Thu 6/4 @ Atlanta 6:10 PM CSN Fri 6/5 @ Cincinnati 6:10 PM CSN Sat 6/6 @ Cincinnati 6:10 PM WGN Sun 6/7 @ Cincinnati 12:10 PM WGN Mon 6/8 OFF DAY Tue 6/9 @ Houston 7:05 PM CSN Wed 6/10 @ Houston 7:05 PM WGN Thu 6/11 @ Houston 1:05 PM CSN Fri 6/12 vs. Minnesota 1:20 PM WGN Sat 6/13 vs. Minnesota 12:05 PM CSN Sun 6/14 vs. Minnesota 1:20 PM WGN Mon 6/15 OFF DAY Tue 6/16 vs. White Sox 7:05 PM WGN Wed 6/17 vs. White Sox 1:20 PM CSN Thu 6/18 vs. White Sox 1:20 PM WGN Fri 6/19 vs. Cleveland 1:20 PM CSN Sat 6/20 vs. Cleveland 12:05 PM WGN Sun 6/21 vs. Cleveland 1:20 PM CSN Mon 6/22 OFF DAY Tue 6/23 @ Detroit 6:05 PM WGN Wed 6/24 @ Detroit 6:05 PM CSN Thu 6/25 @ Detroit 12:05 PM WGN Fri 6/26 @ White Sox 3:05 PM CSN Sat 6/27 @ White Sox 3:05 PM FOX Sun 6/28 @ White Sox 1:05 PM WGN Mon 6/29 @ Pittsburgh 6:05 PM WCIU Tue 6/30 @ Pittsburgh 6:05 PM CSN+ Wed 7/1 @ Pittsburgh 6:05 PM CSN Thu 7/2 vs. Milwaukee 7:05 PM CSN Fri 7/3 vs. Milwaukee 1:20 PM CSN Sat 7/4 vs. Milwaukee 12:05 PM WGN Sun 7/5 vs. Milwaukee 1:20 PM CSN Mon 7/6 vs. Atlanta 7:05 PM CSN Tue 7/7 vs. Atlanta 7:05 PM WGN Wed 7/8 vs. Atlanta 1:20 PM CSN Thu 7/9 OFF DAY Fri 7/10 vs. St. Louis 1:20 PM WGN Sat 7/11 vs. St. Louis 3:10 PM FOX Sun 7/12 vs. St. Louis 7:05 PM ESPN 7/13-15 All-Star Break Thur 7/16 @ Washington 6:05 PM CSN Fri 7/17 @ Washington 6:05 PM CSN Sat 7/18 @ Washington 6:05 PM WGN Sun 7/19 @ Washington 12:35 PM WGN Mon 7/20 @ Philadelphia 6:05 PM CSN Tue 7/21 @ Philadelphia 6:05 PM WGN Wed 7/22 @ Philadelphia 12:05 PM WGN Thur 7/23 OFF DAY Fri 7/24 vs. Cincinnati 1:20 PM CSN Sat 7/25 vs. Cincinnati 12:05 PM CSN Sun 7/26 vs. Cincinnati 1:20 PM WGN Mon 7/27 vs. Houston 7:05 PM CSN Tue 7/28 vs. Houston 7:05 PM WGN Wed 7/29 vs. Houston 1:20 PM WGN Thu 7/30 OFF DAY Fri 7/31 @ Florida 6:10 PM CSN Sat 8/1 @ Florida 6:10 PM WGN Sun 8/2 @ Florida 4:05 PM CSN Mon 8/3 @ Cincinnati 6:10 PM WCIU Tue 8/4 @ Cincinnati 6:10 PM CSN Wed 8/5 @ Cincinnati 6:10 PM CSN Thur 8/6 OFF DAY Fri 8/7 @ Colorado 8:10 PM CSN Sat 8/8 @ Colorado 7:10 PM CSN Sun 8/9 @ Colorado 2:10 PM WGN Mon 8/10 @ Colorado 7:40 PM CSN Tue 8/11 vs Philadelphia 7:05 PM CSN Wed 8/12 vs Philadelphia 7:05 PM WGN Thur 8/13 vs Philadelphia 1:20 PM CSN Fri 8/14 vs. Pittsburgh 1:20 PM WGN Sat 8/15 vs. Pittsburgh 12:05 PM CSN Sun 8/16 vs. Pittsburgh 1:20 PM WGN Mon 8/17 @ San Diego 9:05 PM WCIU Tue 8/18 @ San Diego 9:05 PM WGN Wed 8/19 @ San Diego 9:05 PM CSN Thur 8/20 @ LA Dodgers 9:10 PM WGN Fri 8/21 @ LA Dodgers 9:10 PM CSN+ Sat 8/22 @ LA Dodgers 3:10 PM FOX Sun 8/23 @ LA Dodgers 3:10 PM WGN Mon 8/24 OFF DAY Tue 8/25 vs. Washington 7:05 PM CSN+ Wed 8/26 vs. Washington 7:05 PM CSN Thur 8/27 vs. Washington 1:20 PM WGN Fri 8/28 vs. NY Mets 1:20 PM CSN Sat 8/29 vs. NY Mets 3:10 PM FOX Sun 8/30 vs. NY Mets 1:20 PM WGN Mon 8/31 vs. Houston 7:05 PM WGN Tue 9/1 vs. Houston 7:05 PM WGN Wed 9/2 vs. Houston 1:20 PM CSN Thur 9/3 OFF DAY Fri 9/4 @ NY Mets 6:10 PM CSN Sat 9/5 @ NY Mets 12:10 PM CSN Sun 9/6 @ NY Mets 12:10 PM WGN Mon 9/7 @ Pittsburgh 11:35 AM WGN Tue 9/8 @ Pittsburgh 6:05 PM CSN Wed 9/9 @ Pittsburgh 11:35 AM CSN Thur 9/10 OFF DAY Fri 9/11 vs. Cincinnati 1:20 PM WGN Sat 9/12 vs. Cincinnati 12:05 PM CSN Sun 9/13 vs. Cincinnati 1:20 PM WGN Mon 9/14 vs. Milwaukee 7:05 PM CSN Tue 9/15 vs. Milwaukee 7:05 PM CSN Wed 9/16 vs. Milwaukee 7:05 PM WCIU Thur 9/17 vs. Milwaukee 1:20 PM WGN Fri 9/18 @ St. Louis 7:15 PM CSN Sat 9/19 @ St. Louis 3:10 PM FOX Sun 9/20 @ St. Louis TBD WGN or ESPN Mon 9/21 @ Milwaukee 7:05 PM WCIU Tue 9/22 @ Milwaukee 7:05 PM CSN Wed 9/23 @ Milwaukee 7:05 PM CSN Thur 9/24 @ SF Giants 9:15 PM CSN Fri 9/25 @ SF Giants 9:15 PM CSN+ Sat 9/26 @ SF Giants 8:05 PM WGN Sun 9/27 @ SF Giants 3:05 PM WGN Mon 9/28 OFF DAY Tue 9/29 vs. Pittsburgh 7:05 PM WGN Wed 9/30 vs. Pittsburgh 7:05 PM CSN+ Thur 10/1 vs. Pittsburgh 7:05 PM CSN Fri 10/2 vs. Arizona 1:20 PM WGN Sat 10/3 vs. Arizona TBD FOX or WGN Sun 10/4 vs. Arizona 1:20 PM CSN
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Hmmm
No WGN for opening day? Do the Sox get opening day telecast?
"I got a PBS mind in an MTV world"...Jimmy Buffett
by The Ryno and I Know on Feb 16, 2009 1:16 PM CST reply actions
WGN probably has "network" programming that day.
The Cubs opener is at night, the Sox opener is a day game.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Matlock marathon.....
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Feb 16, 2009 2:46 PM CST up reply actions
Becker's Funniest Inquest?
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
Can the cubs prevent espn from telecasting any of our games if
they bring up the same old curse/cat/bartman/100 years shit?
Those damn WCIU games,
piss me off every year! We can’t get WCIU down here in Peoria and the bars can’t get it on the MLB package because the Cubs are blacked out on those nights. It’s quite a vexing situation when I can’t watch the game anywhere on those nights. Why do those have to be on WCIU?
"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."
There is always WGN radio
Sometimes it is actually a nice treat to listen to a few ballgames on the radio. Pat Hughes does a nice job.
The radio is great
when I’m at work or riding in the car! It’s so silly that I am 190 miles from the ballpark and can’t see the damn game on TV!
"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."
Big Z's no hitter was on WCIU
and I got screwed out of watching the bulk of that one too. It’s bullcrap! Bag WCIU!!
"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."
Yep, at Miller Park
They put the last inning or so on ESPN and CSN.
"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."
That was an exception due to the circumstances.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Geez, that's pretty strong for a station that carries EIGHT games.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
And Ryan Theriot
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Feb 16, 2009 2:42 PM CST up reply actions
and my
x gf
nevermind
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
There are a host of replies to that
But I’ve exceeded my daily limit of inappropriateness . . . .
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Feb 16, 2009 3:10 PM CST up reply actions
no
he’s scrappy
There's nothing wrong with this team that more pitching, more fielding and more hitting couldn't help......"--Bill Buckner
by laidbackliam on Feb 16, 2009 5:05 PM CST up reply actions
you added an extra letter
;-)
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Feb 16, 2009 5:50 PM CST up reply actions
yeah - I think he borrowed it from "hitter"...
;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I hate those too
since I am not able to pick up Chicago locals here in TX
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
For those who haven't heard the answer before
WCIU games….also known as “CubsNet” (and "SoxNet") ARE actually WGN games. Tribco started farming those games out to WCIU back in the day of the creation of the old WB Network. Sadly, demographics now state that Tribco can make more money on network programming (whether it be the WB or the CW) than on Cubs baseball — reaching a younger demographic night, after night.
We are now programmed to view our sports on cable sports channels. Over-the-air channel 9 (and WGN America) programming is easier accessed when it’s not ‘interrupted.’ (by special events, such as baseball)
We should still consider ourselves fortunate fans that some games are still offered over-the-air and on the WGN America service.
(You’ll also note the WCIU telecasts are almost EXACTLY similar in their presentation/production to WGN. They do not look like a Comcast production. That’s another clue as to their origin.)
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Feb 19, 2009 1:57 PM CST up reply actions
The same crews are used for all games...
… a crew from Trio Video. Only the producers and directors are different, and the graphics. SDSJM is correct, that WGN’s production crew does the WCIU games.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Once again MLB & Fox screw us out of towners....
They do this every year on 12:05pm Saturday home games (those not picked up by FOX regional coverage). I counted 8 such games this season. Six will be on CSN, the other 2 on WGN.
So what does this mean? On the non-WGN days, no game if you do not get CSN. Six Saturday games that there will be no TV coverage for (except if you get the station). I have purchased MLB Extra Inning for the past 6 seasons and these Saturday games screw us. All games on Saturday starting before 6pm do not get televised on MLBEI – Thank you FOX & MLB for limiting my viewership even though I’m still PAYING YOU $170.
This is so messed up. I wish they’d get a clue.
BELIEVE!
MLB + a clue = THIS POST CONTAINS AN IRRECONCILABLE ERROR. PLEASE TRY AGAIN
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
Living overseas, I just have to say
Not having MLB.tv blackouts is very nice. I’ll be sure to stay up until midnight to watch the Cubs opener – it SUCKS that it’s a night game!
Now I just have to hope that this promised 720p quality is good… and that the Cubs games aren’t broadcast in 4:3 full frame like they were last year….
The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.
and brownies
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
Nice to know some things never change
Sue and Emelie are still as demanding as ever ;)
Emelie, as I recall, YOU were the one who provided the brownies….
The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.
by sanantonecub on Feb 17, 2009 12:31 AM CST up reply actions
of course!
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
where are you at overseas?
There's nothing wrong with this team that more pitching, more fielding and more hitting couldn't help......"--Bill Buckner
by laidbackliam on Feb 16, 2009 5:10 PM CST up reply actions
About an hour north of London
The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.
by sanantonecub on Feb 17, 2009 12:31 AM CST up reply actions
Is there a link to a clean pdf version?
I used this last year to keep track of the results of each game etc. I did some googling and couldn’t find one.
Thanks
Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right.
Henry Ford
by BLW Believes Esq. on Feb 16, 2009 2:00 PM CST reply actions
I imagine it'll be posted on the Cubs website at some point soon.
Keep checking.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
You might want to compress this on the front page
Or not, but right now, it’s dominated by the schedule
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Feb 16, 2009 2:42 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, you're probably right.
I’ll take care of it.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Kinda sad . . .
. . . to see the season reduced to four or five mousewheels down.
It’s been such a long winter, I hate seeing anything even obliquely dealing with the end of the season yet!
I suppose I’m planning on the Cubs playing after October 4th, though, so I should take that into account.
"From childhood's hour I have not been as others were - I have not seen as others saw." - Alone, Edgar Allan Poe
In other broadcasting news...
…I just heard, via Twitter from Gordon Wittenmyer, that Cory Provus has officially been hired as Bob Uecker’s partner for Brewers games.
What do YOU think?
Good for him.
Seriously, that’s a great gig.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I think we line up to see Jason Marquis on the home opener?
Is he Colorado’s 4th starter?
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
Hooray! Winning the season opener!
And maybe hitting three or four homers in the process.
(I keed, of course)
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
80
Between WGN, FOX, and ESPN, I should be able to catch 75 games. Throw in another 5 games against the Cardinals on CSN that I can catch here in St. Louis, that brings the total to 80. 1 out of every 2 games is not bad at all, I am actually happy about that.
The other half I will have to catch on Gameday Audio which I think is a STEAL for $15 a season.
It's crazy ...
that the Cubs final game isn’t on WGN!
Granted, that game has been meaningless in the three division-title years this decade. But I always liked the regular season ednding on WGN.
I live in Chicago, so it’s not a big deal for me. But still …
Don't worry....
The season will still ultimately end on WGN. It will just be live breaking coverage from the regularly scheduled matlock episode, to millions of people massing on Clark and Addison in jubilation.
Next year is HERE!!!!!
The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.
by sanantonecub on Feb 16, 2009 3:09 PM CST up reply actions
It's slightly curious that more games aren't on WGN.
Would an ownership with a fanbase built upon national exposure really want to decrease its viewership?
"Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them, well, I have others." - Groucho Marx
Opening day is always nationally televised, what gives??
I’d look for espn to pick it up
#34: You'll be missed!
Possible.
ESPN usually does three games on Opening Day, it’s very possible they’d choose the Cub game, at 7 pm Eastern time, as one of them.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
yeah they picked up the Cubs-Arizona 2005 Season Opener
And I am sure they have the past few seasons as well. I hope they do this time. It’d be nice to have one station then, so a WGN game isn’t wasted..
#34: You'll be missed!
Something that I've noticed about
the Cubs’ sked that last handful of seasons is that they always seem to have at last 2 or 3 days off the first 2 weeks of the year? Why is this – it’s not like they’re worn out from the grind of the season at this point. I can understand if weather is a factor, but why have 3 off days in April – with one of those coming in the middle of a 2 gamer with the Rockies? Move one of the those days to September, when they might really need it.
i believe it's
because of snow. just in case they need to reschedule one of the opening games in an area that can have bad weather, so they don’t need to schedule a doubleheader in the season so early, but i have no hard evidence of this.
There's nothing wrong with this team that more pitching, more fielding and more hitting couldn't help......"--Bill Buckner
by laidbackliam on Feb 16, 2009 5:16 PM CST up reply actions
For a different post,
but why didn’t the Cubs show more interest in Bobby Abreu? Cheaper deal, less years, and he has stayed healthy playing the OF.
I have been on BCB a lot this off-season and I don’t recall seeing anyone ask this quesiton. Even though Milton is a switch hitter, we know what a crush Lou has on lefties this winter.
I'm finally moving on...
Here's what you wanna do...
…go to the search window in the upper-right corner of the BCB home page, type in “Bobby Abreu” and click “Go.” I got 15 stories, 37 fanposts, 1 fanshot and 277 comments. Believe me, the question has been asked.
"[It's going to be] a long, long spring. I will get tired of the prickly pear margaritas." - Lou Piniella, 2/16/09
I guess I could have done that,
but I still haven’t seen a good reason why Bradley is a better choice over Abreu.
I'm finally moving on...
Here
Bobby Abreu, age 34: .291/.371/.471
Milton Bradley, age 30: .321/.436/.563
Abreu is getting old and is a liability on defense. Milton Bradley is very good at baseball, and is better than Bobby Abreu.
Need any other good reasons?
"Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them, well, I have others." - Groucho Marx
Please don't use Bradley's age as a positive,
he has the body of a much older player. Abreu has played on average 138 games a year, Bradley 90. At half the cost a year, a third of the length of the contract, I’d rather have a guy that will be out there.
So yes Keith, I need other reasons.
I'm finally moving on...
I'm not using Bradley's age as a positive
I’m using Abreu’s age as a negative. And instead of asking me for reasons, why don’t you defend Bobby Abreu? Give me some good reasons as to why he would be a better choice for the Cubs.
"Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them, well, I have others." - Groucho Marx
ok
since 1998 he has played in at least 150 games a year, career .300 hitter, career .400 obp, 100 rbi’s a year. Half the price annually and a third of the contract length compared to Bradley.
If Bradley could stay healthy I agree, he is better. I just don’t see it happening. I promise, I hope I’m wrong.
I'm finally moving on...
Health is my concern about Bradley, too.
The problem with Abreu is, as noted above, his age and his bad defensive abilities.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Despite his age Abreu is durable,
and is Bradley known as being a good defensive outfielder when he played the outfield? That is not meant to be rhetorical.
I'm finally moving on...
He's above average defensively.
For what it’s worth, here are the Bill James projections for the two players.
Milton Bradley: .287/.391/.489
Bobby Abreu: . 286/.389/.455
The difference may be marginal, but when the offseason began, Abreu was looking for three years at $48 million. The Cubs signed Milton Bradley for three years at $30 million, and the third season is a club option season with a $2 million buyout. Abreu ended up signing for one year at $8 million with the Angels, but to wait that long for a player that might not be available is irresponsible. Signing Milton Bradley was the right move.
"Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them, well, I have others." - Groucho Marx
I agree, given what we know now.
Also, while the offensive differential is marginal, Bradley’s defense will be better.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Best reasoning yet
I have read a few places that Abreu’s deal is for $5 million with a chance to get up to just over $6, either way it doesn’t matter. I thought it was sort of funny, if you can call it that, but Abreu was talking about his disappointment in not getting a multiyear deal. The way his comments read, it was almost like at $5 million per he was also being hit hard by the economy.
One good thing that has come out of this economic situation is that athletes contracts are going from cartoonish numbers, to still ridiculous, but a little more tolerable.
I'm finally moving on...
I think a lot of MLB players...
… are going to have a serious reality check when it comes to contracts next offseason. Teams are going to be hurting this year, and that is going to be reflected in next year’s free agent market.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Agreed
I’m very interested to see how Friday goes at Wrigley. It will be a big indicator if the Cubs are “recession proof”. I think Cubs tickets will be very available this year.
Last year I bought 2 tickets for about 25 games from a lady that has a night and weekend season ticket package. This next week we are going to figure out what games I will get from her, but I’m aiming for about 10 games. I’m banking on buying tickets a few days or a week before a lot of games. It might come back to bite me, especially because I got dibs on the playoffs tickets with her, but I’m willing to take that chance this year.
I'm finally moving on...
Some more information.
The White Sox also announced their broadcast schedule today.
So, TV coverage for the two Cubs/Sox series will be as follows:
Tues 6/16: WGN (Cubs announcers), CSN (Sox announcers)
Wed 6/17: CSN (Cubs announcers), WGN (Sox announcers)
Thu 6/18: WGN (Cubs announcers), CSN (Sox announcers)
Fri 6/26: CSN (Cubs announcers), WGN (Sox announcers)
Sat 6/27: Fox
Sun 6/28: WGN (Cubs announcers), CSN (Sox announcers)
So, essentially you’re getting two more WGN games. And, for those of you who are Steve Stone fans, Stone is one of the Sox TV announcers this year.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Not DJ.
He’s moved to radio. It’s Hawk and Stone.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
oh no more Hawk and DJ together??
Whatever will Sox fans do now? They might actually get component color-guy comments (probably not though…)
#34: You'll be missed!
Hate to nitpick..
..but it is pretty funny you misspelled “competent”.
How do you know he didn't mean "component"?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Like they're building a better color guy?
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Feb 17, 2009 10:02 AM CST up reply actions
They can make him stronger, faster . . .
Wait, doesn’t this belong in the TV thread?
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Feb 17, 2009 1:45 PM CST up reply actions
Ah, youth
Which was when I was less than a year old, but still!
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Feb 18, 2009 6:10 AM CST up reply actions
Can we clone component guy and replace Joe Morgan?
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
Stone is great,
but the Inferiority complex of now being on the south side gets old quick. Either way it will be a good booth with Hawk and Stone.
I'm finally moving on...
The Hawk and Stone.
Sounds like a pub outside of Manchester.
"[It's going to be] a long, long spring. I will get tired of the prickly pear margaritas." - Lou Piniella, 2/16/09
While Kasper & Brenly
sound like a magician duo.
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Feb 17, 2009 12:06 PM CST up reply actions
Only two games
I have to put up with Hawk. I can deal with that.
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Feb 17, 2009 10:01 AM CST up reply actions
You could always turn the sound off and listen to Pat & Ron.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
720 is sooooooooo hard to get in St Louis.
880 I believe used to be a WGN affiliate but is no longer. I can manage to get 720 for about ten minutes at a time, but usually only at night after 9pm, and even then it a) fades in and out and b) switches with the (ugh) Reds broadcast.
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Feb 17, 2009 11:02 AM CST up reply actions
Hawk or Santo?
I’ll take Santo.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Yep, I'd rather hear Santo's moaning and groaning...
…than Hawk’s endlessly repeated twangy taglines and whining.
"You've got to earn winning your division. We won more games than anybody in the National League last year, and we're going to have a target on our back, so we've got to be ready.'' - Lou Piniella, 2/17/09
And you can put that on the board.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Cubbie fans bitching and moaning about THE Hawk, talk about ...
Before bitching about THE Hawk remember the praise & adoration Cubbie fans heap on Santo. That brings this to mind:
‘Remove the rafter from your own eye first.’
I'm not crazy about Santo as a color commentator, myself.
But Hawk has turned into a caricature of himself. Even you, the rabid Sox fan, should admit that.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Caricatures sell...
I’d prefer my broadcasting a bit more straight. I think this year it will be interesting to see how Hawk comports himself with Stone in the booth. But of course Stone was there with an addled caricature while with the Cubbies.
Let’s be honest though, the real reason Hawk is despised so much by Cubbie fans is because he’s with the Sox. I remember Cubbie fans bitching just about as much about Harry Caray when he was with the Sox. Then miraculously Cubbie fans embraced Harry and claimed they loved him when he was with the Sox.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Feb 19, 2009 9:04 AM CST up reply actions
Hawk/Santo
Hawk can at least complete a sentence. You might not agree with what was said nor with the manner & style it’s presented. But at a minimum a broadcaster, especially one on radio, should be able to speak coherently and in that Santo fails, miserably.
I hate WB, or CW, or whatever the #$& they're calling it these days
Take me back to my childhood, when I could watch every freaking game (or close to it) sitting in Huntsville, Alabama. CW has essentially given WGN a choice of (a) cannibalizing the local CW stations in other markets; or (b) showing crappy reruns of shows that didn’t get good ratings when they were on television in the first place. (I’m not sure which option they go for, since I’m pretty sure WGN Superstation has a separate feed from WGN in Chicago, but I never watch WGN for anything other than Cubs games.) How about this: strike a deal with CSN where the national superstation shows the game, substituted with the CW crap in the Chicago markets. Split the new ad revenue. I guarantee you it will get better ratings than the reruns — since the non-WGN games tend to be on in the evening, when us 9-6 stiffs can watch — and generate enough money to make CSN happy. What am I missing?
At least I have XM now. Pat and Ron can’t make up for not being able to see the game, but at least it’s better than watching Joe Morgan broadcast one.
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
You're not missing a thing, except...
…. that your idea makes too much sense for the brainless people who run MLB.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
WGN and the Cubs
I don’t know the in’s and out’s of the White Sox contract with WGN. I still think WGN could show a few more Cubs games (somewhere in the 75 game range) without messing with the CW’s prime time schedule and the Bob and Tom TV version of the radio show. If WGN took the White Sox off, then that would free up more time for the Cubs. Then-WOR used to show about 75 Mets games a year back in the 1980’s. I don’t know how much WGN wants to show about 25 White Sox games a year. I’ve got to think it gets higher ratings for the Cubs.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
Probably, but...
… I’ll bet they get a pretty good rights fee from the Sox.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
See my earler post.
The CW does not run on WGN America. It is a seperate programming feed – merging only for sports telecasts, the Noon News, and the 9 O clock News) If it did carry CW programming— as you say, it would hurt CW programming in other markets — but not by much. We all may be rabid followers of Cubs baseball on WGN, but I assure you — times have changed since 1984. WGN’s cable ratings…stink. They barely register. That’s why the cable-net finally had a makeover — and, given time, and more original programming, may finally be a force in the cable network industry. As I have posted on these pages many times, WGN’s cable service is a sleeping giant. With Randy Michaels at the helm, at least they are trying to throw new stuff on the network — even it is, at the start — repackaging old stuff to make it seem ‘special.’ (It worked for “TV Land,” did it not?)
You have XM (maybe, if they stay alive) and ‘Extra Innings’ on Cable/Satellite. You can see just about every Cubs game, on WGN, Comcast Chicago, or a feed from the other team. Only games on Fox are subject to blackout. (Of course, the MLB blackout rule in certain midwest markets screws that all to hell)
But for you in Alabama, and myself, in California — we have access to well over 95% of the games.
Yeah, we have to pay more for it and it’s not part of our basic cable.
But the media industry has changed, with warp speed over the past 20 years. There’s no turning back.
The Braves are off TBS. The Mets are off WOR. Only the Cubs (and White Sox) still have plenty of games on WGN America and over the air on WGN-9 and WCIU-26
Only the L-A market comes close with as many over-the-air games. (That’s combining both the Angels & Dodgers. I don’t think the Bay Area comes as close.) So many markets are cable-only. And as Al has said many times, lift the black-out and let us pay for we want. Hell, we can order up movies from for cable-satellite boxes. So — if we want to watch the Cubs on Fox in CA instead of another Angels or Dodgers game — why can’t we PPV it?
Sorry — please, no offense — your idea just isn’t workable, for way too many boring reasons to post here.
The simplest way would be to let us PPV if a game is not available to us any other way. (The only problem is not viewing the local ads on your local Fox affiliate, and that would be the real reason stopping a PPV, and it’s a big one. I’m not sure how ‘insertion’ of those local ads on a PPV would not be a logistical nightmare.)
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Feb 19, 2009 2:22 PM CST up reply actions
Cool
Second national ESPN Sunday Night broadcast is in Milwaukee. Lots of WGN games, as usual, which is nice.
That's shitastic!
by CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry on Feb 16, 2009 6:42 PM CST reply actions
After
A second look, am I the only one that thinks there are more FOX games than usual?
That's shitastic!
by CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry on Feb 16, 2009 6:52 PM CST reply actions
I would say its about the same.....
as in years past. Usually the games against teams from other major markets. You won’t see too many against Pit, Cin, etc.
BELIEVE!
The maximum any team can have is 9.
So the Cubs are maxed out — they have 8, plus a “possible” late in the season.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
looks like I'll probably get all of those
considering they are probably the best matchup those weekends
#34: You'll be missed!
I miss having CSN
And I wish more games were on WGN…
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Good to see that they get the annual
train wreck that is trip to Arizona out of the way early. Wouldn’t it make sense to just have the Cubs open the season there every year. They’re right there in town anyway – it would save on travel costs, and cut a long trip off the end of the schedule.
The problem with that is...
… teams like to vary their schedule so they have different cities at different times of year, not the same teams at the same time every year.
There are five other NL teams that train in Arizona: Brewers, Dodgers, Giants, Padres, and Rockies. They’re “right there in town”, too. Why shouldn’t they open vs. the D’backs, too?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
4 of the 5 teams you mentioned are divisional oppenents of the D-Backs
and are going to make more than one trip to Phoneix anyway, and are much closer to Phoenix than either Chicago or Milwaukee. I just hate seeing the Cubs make trips to the West Coast in late August or September – like they’re going to have to do this year. There isn’t any reason why the Cubs can’t play the Dodgers, Padres and Giants on the same trip.
by TarHeelHawk on Feb 17, 2009 10:29 AM CST up reply actions
DREAMING....
I am dreaming now for what i have dreamt for continuously this long and harsh winter… for on april the 6th at 6:05 pm the best two words in the history of sports….PLAY BALL
Yikes
79 games on CSN. I feel bad for the customer service reps at Mediacom in DSM.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
You can get the non-WGN games if you buy MLB Extra Innings.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
MLB.TV is another option, cheaper than satellite or digital cable.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I can’t help but think – are the Cubs going to be less popular outside of Chicago in the future since a lot of games are on CSN and not WGN?
www.wrigleyexpansion.com
What? Tribune company made a mistake running the WGN/Cubs relationship?
Surely you jest. Tribune — a mistake — in baseball! Ha!
(I’m afraid you might be correct.)
Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.
While I love opening the season at home
in the bright sunlight, playing three games in a row (as opposed to an off day after the first game) is great.
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Feb 17, 2009 10:04 AM CST reply actions
WGN HD broadcasts?
I live in Texas and only get to catch Cubs games on WGN, and occasionally ESPN. I have Directv and signed for the HD package earlier this year. Directv doesn’t currently list WGN in their HD channel lineup, but I remember last season that they said they were broadcasting games in HD nation-wide. Does anyone know if the games broadcast on WGN will be in HD? I’m also considering the EI package and would like to know if others who get the EI package think it’s worth the expense. One way or the other, I’m excited about seeing Cubs baseball again.
It might be....it could be.....it is......a home run!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All Cubs games will be in HD this year.
… at least in the Chicago area. I don’t know about the national feed.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Regarding non-Illinois viewers
I’m guessing this won’t be the case, but does anyone know for sure that Cubs games on WGN/WGNAmerica won’t be treated the same as Bulls games this year? I’m sure all or most are aware that when the Bulls are televised on WGN only, they aren’t viewable to out-of-state viewers (at least that’s the case in CO). Only those that are designated for WGNAmerica can be seen by those living outside of IL. I’ve just moved to CO, and before that I didn’t pay much attention to viewing restrictions, so I’m just a bit paranoid, though still dubious, that WGN would treat the Cubs the same way.
duboisdm
The Bulls and the NBA have a separate deal with WGN.
The Cubs deal puts all WGN games on the national feed.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
The NBA limits 'national' telecasts
so as to not hurt TNT and ESPN/ABC. I’m still surprised the NBA still allows WGN America to show any games at all.
However, I haven’t watched one Bulls game this year. Wake me up when they are worth my time. I’ll hang with the Hawks, instead.
FYI, the WGN-9 games are on the NHL’s Center Ice package if the opposition team is not airing a cable-cast of the game. But, they are annoying to watch — every break is blacked out. Every bit of local content is blacked out. It seems for half of a WGN telecast there’s a slide "We’ll be right back!!! with that annoying InDemand music bed….
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Feb 19, 2009 2:31 PM CST reply actions
Which is really strange.
Why wouldn’t they want the local commercials nationally seen? That could make for higher ad rates.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
MLB_TV
Hi everyone. I had the extra innings package last year, and was happy with it, but they do not carry the WGN games on that, and that is 63 games I cannot watch.
MLB_TV is having a $10 off sale right now for the premium service, but have heard bad things about their service overall the last couple of years.
Can someone that has had MLB_TV pipe in and tell me if it is worth the $$ they want?
Thanks.
by 100 Years is Nothing on Feb 21, 2009 2:55 PM CST reply actions
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