Hardball Times: 5 Questions - Chicago Cubs

We've heard a good deal of this before, but there's some interesting info in here and some good perspective on the early playoff exits. I certainly agree that the likely wild card team is coming out of the NL East.

I just picked up my tix at the box office this morning. This is going to be a damn good year. Apologizes in advance if this is supposed to be a fan post.

almost 3 years ago wrigley's ivy 13 comments 0 recs |

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Nice HoF Endorsement of Santo

The article suggests that Santo is more worthy of the Hall than Jim Rice. One can’t forget that Santo won five gold gloves. Rice was never known for his defense.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Mar 26, 2009 9:20 AM CDT reply actions

They also mention that Santo's numbers were put up in a pitcher's era.

Santo’s four best years were 1964-67, right in the heart of the era when the mound was higher and pitchers dominated.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 26, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Mar 26, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed!

I thought that was a very nice touch. Baseball is a team sport but the HOF should be reserved for an individual’s career performance during the era in which they played and NOT the team’s performance which they were on (not to say that some of Ronny’s teams weren’t very good).

Too many decent to good yankees/dodgers etc have been given preferential treatment and undue credit for their team’s success. I can’t imagine most ballplayers taking significant credit when it’s a 40-man team + coaches + staff that all contribute to the team’s ultimate success.

Ronny has done so much for baseball, chicago and diabetics throughout the country. But none of those should be the reason he gets in (nor his public desire)…. look at the man’s stats.

"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." - Yogi Berra

by wrigley's ivy on Mar 26, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

The Baseball Writers always maintain....

that a player’s team’s performance does not factor into their decision, but there are also those who always maintain that the moon landings of the 1960’s and 70’s were staged in the Arizona desert. Everyone knows that if Ronny had been a career Yankee, he would have been in the HOF twenty years ago. OK, granted, the normal East Coast bias did not really help Jim Rice, as he waited the full 15 years. Still, no doubt that playing in two World Series helped him. And BTW, I do agree that Rice is a Hall of Famer. But he is no better than Santo by any stretch of the imagination.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Mar 26, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions

perfect example

Dave Winfield and Dawson

very close stats in comparision, Winfield in, Dawson waits….

Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 26, 2009 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Santo would have been in on the first ballot had he played in NY his whole career

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

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 26, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Or if the Cubs had won a World Series or two with him playing a key role.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 26, 2009 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Why I think the Cubs need to make a mid-season trade that is more about mental

Varitek comes to mind, a player not for the actual statistical contribution but the locker room leadership—-he could become available for a song as his contract will be $5M plus a $5M club option or $3M player option and performance bonuses.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Mar 26, 2009 9:57 AM CDT reply actions

But what good will he be if he's not on the field?

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Mar 26, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions

$5 million for "leadership" is a bit harsh in this economy.

Why not just sign Kirk Gibson?

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Mar 26, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Uh, yeah, spending $5 mil on an intangible reeks of panic.

Let’s just get there (again) first.

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 26, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Finally got a chance to actually read this article...

…and, yeah, it’s pretty sobering – especially the postseason stuff. That’s not to say I don’t believe in this Cubs team. I watched about half of the game last night and saw a lot to look forward to. But nothing’s ever easy for the Chicago Cubs.

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 27, 2009 9:36 AM CDT reply actions