Stone-Pony

by Comfortably Numb on Feb 6, 2009 4:55 AM CST

Anyone catch Steve Stone's act on ESPN1000 the other day? The guy really has a great baseball mind, but his constant pot shots at the Cubs is just getting old and hurting his credibility in this town. When asked about the Sox pursuit of Abreu, Stone went on a long winded critique of the Cubs signing of Bradely even though a much superior player in Abreu was out there. Also, he's totally perplexed at the Derosa trade. This from a guy who was totally perplexed at the money they signed Derosa too a few years ago. Finally he couldn't understand letting go "one of the best catchers in the game" for Bako. Maybe because his neck is about to fall off. All Cub fans appreciate Henry Blanco, but injuries did hurt his defense last year. Anyhow, still a very good analyst, he just needs to rid himself of the wrongs he thinks the Cubs have done him.

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.

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I heard him too

He really wasn’t as egregious as many other times. I listen for his tone and while he’ll always be a condescending a-hole this wasn’t his worst ripping of the Cubs by far.

His comments on those two moves were not much different than many statements made right here.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Feb 6, 2009 6:24 AM CST reply actions 4 recs

Agree

The DeRosa move I believe the majority here have issue with. That being said, I don’t care for Stone, never have. Even with Harry I didn’t care for his self centered attitude.
It is easy to rip the Cubs Stoney, wow get in freaking line. What a trailblazer you are.

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

by Grockcubs on Feb 6, 2009 7:32 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs

Rec'd

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 6, 2009 7:49 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

I'm afraid that I have to recommend too...

Those are questions that Cubs fans have been asking all season. Stone is definitely bitter, but it doesn’t sound like he was being unfair.

by Damen Jackson on Feb 6, 2009 9:51 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

I have to recommend blackawk24's comment for that reason

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

by Shanghai Badger on Feb 6, 2009 9:54 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

I want to recommend someone's comment here, but I'm not exactly sure who's.

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

by daver on Feb 6, 2009 10:37 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

You can Rec this one if you want. It's pretty awesome.

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Feb 6, 2009 10:37 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs

Faux Rec'd

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

by daver on Feb 6, 2009 10:50 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs

Let's turn the entire comment list green!

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

by Shanghai Badger on Feb 6, 2009 11:28 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

Well, I did my part.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 6, 2009 1:12 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

did mine too

I rec’d all those not in gree from top to bottom, but cannot rec my own lol

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 6, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

Sooooo beautiful.

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

by daver on Feb 6, 2009 1:34 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs

LOL

This made me literally LOL.

Man… i’m lame.

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Feb 6, 2009 4:23 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

How are you insult me with a Faux Rec!

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Feb 6, 2009 4:23 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

I'm sorry, was that a Faux Pas?

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

by daver on Feb 6, 2009 5:24 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

Rec'd

by StevenABQ on Feb 6, 2009 10:08 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

Stone

Is brilliant in baseball knowledge usually, and I always enjoyed him personally. I learned a lot listening to him in the past both on the radio and on TV.

That being said, I wish he would let sleeping dogs lie. Everyone knows he got screwed. If anyone of us were working in accounting at our job and got let go because a warehouse worker didnt like us (just an example) it would tick us off as well. He gave a lot of years to the Cubs and i wish him nothing but the best.

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 6, 2009 8:15 AM CST reply actions

he didn't get "screwed" at all. His ego made him turn down

the offer the Cubs made him. He thinks he’s a baseball god and yet no one in baseball seems to value his so called expertise. He’s just an old, smug jerk. Oh yes, “For you youngsters out there…”

“look for a slider low and away”

Miss him? Nope. Respect him? No. He was a color analyst, nothing more.

by cubswin on Feb 6, 2009 10:23 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Steve Stone

Let us not forget…he was an average pitcher for the Cubs and had a couple 15 win season with the ChiSox. He had that great year in ’80 and won the Cy Young Award…he was out of baseball two years later. No question about it, he has a great baseball mind. IMHO I feel he is slightly bitter towards the Cubs for the way he was treated after the ’04 season. Anyone agree…or disagree?

by cubprofessor on Feb 6, 2009 8:27 AM CST reply actions 3 recs

Agree on Slightly Bitter, But...

I don’t think he hates the Cubs. I still respect his opinions on baseball and the Cubs. Not working for the Cubs now, he feels he can be more critical of the way the team is run. I think if he were still with the Cubs, he would be more critical of the way the White Sox are run. I think he was upset about how his Cubs broadcasting ended, but I don’t think he carries much of a grudge.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Feb 6, 2009 12:59 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

I think Stone still likes the Cubs

It’s his job to be critical about baseball teams. I’ve heard far worse criticism about the team here, and frankly, he echoes the same concerns that we often debate.

I have no doubt that he still roots for the Cubs, and that most likely leads to his critical tone when he doesn’t understand moves they make.

by dr stabbingworth on Feb 6, 2009 2:45 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

He always likes to get his shots in...

They played a little clip from “Sox Fest” on Comcast the other day, and a fan asked Stone about how he felt to be on the other side of town now. Stone’s reply was something along the lines of, “It’s good to be with the team that actually won a playoff game last year”.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Feb 6, 2009 9:34 AM CST reply actions 3 recs

Pandering

Sure, he could have been more gracious, but what is he supposed to say? “Well, it’s a job. I’d rather be with the Cubs, because all y’all have massive chips on your shoulders, but here I am.”

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

by Shanghai Badger on Feb 6, 2009 9:56 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I understand...

But there were other ways to answer that question without taking shots at the Cubs. He could have taken the Sammy route when he got traded to the Orioles, “I love the Sox now, this is my new house!”

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Feb 6, 2009 10:04 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

Agreed

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

by Shanghai Badger on Feb 6, 2009 11:29 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

I'm a little disappointed, to be honest.

I thought this Fanpost was going to be about a gathering of Cubs fans at the venerable Jersey rock club The Stone Pony.

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

by daver on Feb 6, 2009 10:39 AM CST reply actions

He's also bitter because of privately campaigning

for a GM’s position and then after failing to put together a business group to buy the Cubs, he signed that 6-yr deal with the team 9 miles south.

His bitterness towards the Cubs fits right in with a significant number of their fans. In order of their priority:

1. Sox win
2. Cubs lose
3. Twinkies, Cats and Tribe lose

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Feb 6, 2009 11:08 AM CST reply actions 2 recs

He should be bitter, especially now that he

has to commute to the Cell and be in the same booth and travel with Hawk. Yuck dadgummit!

by N Oakley on Feb 6, 2009 11:28 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

I think you've got the first two transposed

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

by Shanghai Badger on Feb 6, 2009 11:30 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

OK...

1. Cubs lose
2. Sox win
3. Twinkies, Cats and Tribe lose

Makes ’em even more pathetic; if that is possible.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Feb 6, 2009 1:48 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

The old

Twinkie defense?

by JodyDavis on Feb 6, 2009 12:18 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Not sure what you mean

But as a Cubs fan, I’m sure as hell more interested in keeping an eye on the BrewCrew, the RedBirds and the ’stros these past several seasons.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Feb 8, 2009 10:27 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Amazing

With each passing day the venom amongst the anti-Steve Stone populous increases exponentially.

Al, you should just tack a permanent thread somewhere on the site so people can just go there when they feel like bashing Stone.

by dmlichte on Feb 6, 2009 11:31 AM CST reply actions 2 recs

I hear Jake Peavy dislikes Stone . . .

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

by Shanghai Badger on Feb 6, 2009 11:34 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Brian Roberts, too.

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

by daver on Feb 6, 2009 11:42 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

Wait -- Peavy dislikes Roberts?

That’ll make for an awkward Cubs clubhouse!

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

by Shanghai Badger on Feb 6, 2009 12:33 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Valid Peavy/Roberts rumor

here

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Feb 6, 2009 4:25 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

anchor link fail.... by me.

ah… well….

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Feb 6, 2009 4:25 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

The problem was

that they didn’t ask him about the Cubs. They asked him about the Sox going after Abreu. Instead of answering the question, he went into this long, prepared speech, about how Hendry had screwed up getting Bradley and trading DeRosa. It is especially funny because, like someone said, he was the biggest critic of Hendry signing DeRosa in the first place. He said DeRosa’s numbers would not transfer from the hitter friendly Ranger Park. If it sounds familiar, it’s the same thing he said about Bradley coming over. He’s just a bitter ex employee. Have fun on mullet day.

by Rick B on Feb 6, 2009 11:33 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

Lol...

Isn’t every day mullet day at The Cell?

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Feb 6, 2009 1:17 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

He's now working for the Sox

and their flagship station. What did you expect? Hell, I’m almost sure he’s being told to slant his opinion in an anti-Cub direction, because White Sox fans love that stuff.

I’m sure that’s come up in ESPN 1000’s audience research.

Talk show hosts/commentators (sports or politics) go for their core audience. Others listen because they get pissed off. (and they keep coming back to see what the guy is going to say to piss them off again)

Talk shows are entertainment, nothing more – and the host doesn’t even have to believe or agree with what he’s spouting off about.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Feb 6, 2009 1:02 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

IMO

he is doing what the Sox need, stirring up sh*t and in the process, making the Sox more talked about, leading to more fanfare, and in the process will drive up ticket sales and TV ratings. Harry did the same thing while on Rush Street with the Sox and Cubs.

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 6, 2009 1:05 PM CST up reply actions

Its a double standard, my friend

People here often echo the sentiments of Stone, complain about moves, and overall team problems. They say the same things that Stone does. But since its Stone, when he says it, he’s bitter, holds a grudge, and just wishes he were a GM.

by dmlichte on Feb 6, 2009 1:10 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

However...

We are Cub fans. We are talking and debating about our team. Stone has no connections to this team anymore, so why randomly bring up the Cubs on ESPN1000 (not his flagship The Score) when the question asked had absolutely nothing to do about them?

This is just one example of many on why Stone is considered still bitter and holding a grudge.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Feb 6, 2009 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

with the accuracy...

… that most people seem to have when quoting, paraphrasing or detailing Stone’s various radio appearances, excuse me if I doubt the veracity of this overall thread. I am a frequent WSCR listener, especially their afternoon show. I have heard people complain countless times about Stone’s comments yet having listened to the exact spot that they complain about, I can say that they truly lack listening comprehension.

by dmlichte on Feb 6, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

+English Lady

by dr stabbingworth on Feb 6, 2009 2:48 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs

I like Steve Stone, always will

He’s one of the precious few talking heads on TV or radio who actually has intelligent and insightful thoughts to share. It sure beats listening to rumor mongering beat reporters who are desperate for something salacious to print or fill air time with. And Stone is light-years ahead of the Steve Phillips types.

Stone has a right to be perturbed about his ending with the Cubs. Do I think he’s bitter and does he sometimes flash it? Yeah. But who cares. At least when I listen to Stone I’m gaining legitimate insight and blunt candor.

by BLou on Feb 6, 2009 2:04 PM CST reply actions 2 recs

wow..

Even Mark Grace got over it..come on Stone, grow up

The journey is the reward!

by wicubfan on Feb 6, 2009 2:21 PM CST reply actions 2 recs

Stone was an a..hole

when he was broadcasting for the Cubs and is still the same a..hole today. He fancies himself the all-time baseball expert and talks down to his audience.

“Climb the ladder with another high inside fastball and Patterson is outa here.”

That’s about the extent of his baseball insight. He can’t carry Bob Brenly’s microphone.

by Clark Addison on Feb 6, 2009 4:47 PM CST reply actions 5 recs

Rec'd

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 6, 2009 5:29 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Also

Also if anyone thinks 04 was the first time Stone had a problem with the players they are goofy,

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 6, 2009 6:24 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs