Another Reason To Check Out Maple Street Press' 2009 Cubs Annual

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 7:00 AM CST in Chicago Cubs News

I freely admit -- this is shameless promotion. If you already have your copy of the 2009 Cubs annual from MSP, you know how detailed the new player stat pages are. If you don't have it yet, take a look at this sample page (click on it to open a larger version in a new browser window):

The stat page detail is something we added this year. There are complete pages like this for the nine regulars (I put in pages for both Reed Johnson and Kosuke Fukudome, who will be sharing CF), the five projected starting pitchers (I chose Sean Marshall for the #5 slot, though I admit he might not wind up being the choice), and closer (Carlos Marmol). Bench players and other relief pitchers also have stat lines but with less detail. (Incidentally, the age listed on the page is the player's age as of July 1, 2009 -- Aramis turns 31 on June 25.)

I've heard already from several people here who have ordered the annual who really liked the statistical details. If you don't have the annual yet, you can order one by clicking here. It's also available at bookstores and places like Target and Walmart in the Chicago area, at some (but not all) similar places in the Phoenix area (you'll find it in the magazine section of these stores), and at the gift shop at HoHoKam Park. In addition to the detailed stat pages, there are articles about last year's team, this year's team, the minor league system, and reviews of the 1969 and 1989 Cubs teams... 128 pages with no advertising. Many of the articles were written by BCB readers (complete list of articles is on the MSP website, at the above link).

Thanks if you've already ordered one, and thanks in advance for getting one if you haven't! I'll have today's game thread up around noon CST.

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I got mine this week Al

And I’ll be reading it on the plane to Mesa this Friday. Can’t wait!

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (Now #12,966 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list- UP from 13,031...WHOO HOO!)

by Zeke on Feb 28, 2009 7:01 AM CST reply actions

I wasnt sure what to expect when i ordered this but

I was really surpised by all the info it provided!!! I can’t believe all the stats you have provided about the players and I’ve only read a couple of the other stories but they are also very very good. This is a good read for any Cubs fan!

I also pre-ordered Cubs by the Numbers and I got an email this morning that it had been shipped!!!

by KC in OK on Feb 28, 2009 7:17 AM CST reply actions

Received mine in Monday.

Read it cover to cover. Worth every dollar. Great work!

Ya gotta love a team with a shortstop named TheRiot ...

by StampMe on Feb 28, 2009 7:20 AM CST reply actions

Thanks to all who have ordered the annual...

… and also Cubs By The Numbers… glad to hear that it’s being shipped!

You can order CBTN via the link on the right sidebar.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 7:52 AM CST reply actions

Amazon sent me an email stating my "Cubs by the Numbers" has been sent!

I’m looking forward to it, as I did my Cubs Annual 2009 last week.

"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 28, 2009 8:43 AM CST up reply actions

Got my Annual yesterday...

Something tells me I’m the only person in my town to have one!

Of course, I could probably replace ‘town’ with ‘country’ or ‘united kingdom’ and still be accurate… :)

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

by sanantonecub on Feb 28, 2009 9:37 AM CST up reply actions

And BTW...

…I haven’t read that article yet, but it was nice to see that Len Kasper contributed also. Good lineup of writers.

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

by sanantonecub on Feb 28, 2009 9:38 AM CST up reply actions

is the game on tv today?

i read an earlier post that said it was with the sox broadcasters on csn, but it isn’t on the online schedule.

wheatfield mike down here in god's country

by wheatfield mike on Feb 28, 2009 8:39 AM CST reply actions

It's not on CSN

Just checked my CSN listings on my TV… it’s not being carried.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions

GOOD READ ....

Really like Lisa Dreishmire’s addition to it . Why haven’t the Cubs ( and alot of us ) made the trip to Fenway Park yet ?? I am sure there would be a large following for this series .

by cubs north on Feb 28, 2009 8:45 AM CST reply actions

I haven't read this book yet

but I can tell you that is an impressive page layout. There is a considerable amount of information on there without looking too busy. Who did the design for this book? They deserve a big ol’ gold star!

"I've got an idea...an idea so smart my head would explode if I even began to know what I was talking about." ~Peter Griffin

by Goodie1969 on Feb 28, 2009 9:00 AM CST reply actions

The layout was done by MSP design people.

Kudos to them.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions

I assume you will have some copies to sell in AZ

When you are there ? Will you be able to set up table at HoHoKam at amy game or do we just track you down on the lawn ?

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Feb 28, 2009 9:04 AM CST reply actions

No table this year.

But they will (or should, anyway) have them at the HoHoKam gift shop.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 11:44 AM CST up reply actions

Ok

I like to save the shipping

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Feb 28, 2009 7:51 PM CST up reply actions

I'm confused.

The Hit Zone chart makes it look like he hits lefty?

by DaveinHouston on Feb 28, 2009 9:21 AM CST reply actions

Thought the same thing.

Also, this information is available pretty much anywhere online. Just saying.

by kanderber on Feb 28, 2009 9:45 AM CST up reply actions

True...

But it is handy to have next to you on the couch or at the game. Besides, if you spill beer on this, it does a lot less damage than if you drop a Bud on your laptop.

by ErnieBanks on Feb 28, 2009 10:12 AM CST up reply actions

Why would you need it with you on the couch/at the game?

I don’t really get it…. “oh look!! he hits balls on the outside (or inside? can’t tell since he is lefty in photo but bats righty) well, so I hope they pitch to him there!”

Also, it’s last years stats. Online stats update daily :-\

Granted, the book probaly has a lot more information, but I wouldn’t buy it just for stats.

by GoCubbies34 on Feb 28, 2009 11:15 AM CST up reply actions

FYI on the lefty hitter pictured

I used what turned out to be an old version of this graphic. The book has it correct; when I get a new version I’ll replace the one in this post with the correct one.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 5:31 PM CST up reply actions

I really had no interest in getting a copy

until this post. That stat sheet is incredibly cool – and will come in handy as a reference thru the whole season! I’m picking one up on my trip to the bookstore today.

by Champ Summers on Feb 28, 2009 9:58 AM CST reply actions

"Oh, thank heaven..."

Got mine at a 7-Eleven yesterday – I’m betting that Al cooked up some sort of royalty scheme where he gets paid in Big Gulps… ;-)

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

by ballhawk on Feb 28, 2009 10:12 AM CST reply actions

Which 7-11?

The one at Addison & Sheffield? Or somewhere else?

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 12:31 PM CST up reply actions

A little farther north...

On Clark, a few blocks north of Irving Park. Right where Southport runs into Clark.

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

by ballhawk on Feb 28, 2009 12:59 PM CST up reply actions

Ah, yes.

I know that one, too. Glad they are stocking it.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 2:59 PM CST up reply actions

May, that really is

a great looking book. Very, very cool.

Chicago Cubs Rumors and News

by Brett Taylor on Feb 28, 2009 10:19 AM CST reply actions

IF I get my copy by the 4th Al

I will let you know how it looks. My flight out to AZ for ST is on the 5th and there’s PLENTY of time on the plane to read (unless I get the itch to watch a Jeff Dunham DVD).

From what it looks on this post, it should be pretty impressive.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Feb 28, 2009 2:29 PM CST reply actions

Just ordered two copies.

One for me, and one for my cousin’s kid(well, he’s six months old, so probably his father will get more use out of it right now).

by cubbybear on Feb 28, 2009 3:11 PM CST reply actions

I will check Targets out here

and let you know if I find one.

BTW, the street I lived on in Blue Island was Maple Street! What a coinkydink!

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Feb 28, 2009 5:43 PM CST reply actions

Please let me know.

Interested in knowing whether they’ve made it out there. Also, if you could check the HoHoKam gift shop next time you’re there.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 6:19 PM CST up reply actions

Bought my copy at the local Barnes & Noble

will check the Cubs gift shop tomorrow. I keep forgetting to go in there during the games.

I read the Annual cover to cover when I got it home, what a great issue. Hopefully, net year’s will have extensive coverage of an event that shall not be named lol

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Mar 12, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions