Blogger Upsets Ibanez Over Steroid Related Post--Thoughts?

by ambrosiadreams on Jun 10, 2009 8:57 PM CDT Comment 58 comments

Today on ESPN's Outside The Lines, a blogger from MidwestSportsFans.com was in the studio to discuss this article he had written 2 days prior. The article, while filled with statistics and very well written, brought up the MLB's recent problems over performance enahcing drugs, and therefore argued that Ibanez's great start was going to be subject to speculation that he was using.

The article was brought into the public eye by a journalist at the Philadelphia Inquirer, who wrote this article in today's edition. Apparently, Ibanez was made aware of the blogger's post by a team representative and was quite angry. In addition to the blogger and the journalist, esteemed baseball writer Ken Rosenthal, who I deeply respect, was on the panel. Rosenthal, however, strongly sided against the blogger, and repeatedly called his article "irresponsible" and "unprofessional".

I wanted to get everybody's thoughts on this, as we all write posts on our beloved Cubs each and every day. I'm sure that every member of this year's team (save Ted Lilly, of course) wouldn't be 100% pleased to hear our thoughts about their play at any given time, but did this blogger cross the line? Part of the beauty of this country is our freedom of speech, and I personally didn't find anything wrong with his writings. He argued today that as sports fans we are entitled to be suspicious, considering all of the wrongdoings that have come to light in recent years.

Also, as a side note Al, what would you do in your position as site administrator/founder? Is there an "unwritten rule" about certain subjects that shouldn't be brought up, or are we encouraged to discuss whatever is on our minds as long as we do it in a way that this blogger did, complete with statistical analysis and lengthy research?

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.

0 recs | Comment 58 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I believe we have a jackass on this board...

who constantly throws steroid accusations at Soto.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jun 10, 2009 9:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

OK, no matter how you feel...

… the namecalling was unnecessary.

And that individual constantly gets shouted down when he continues to bring it up.

Let’s try to discuss this without namecalling.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jun 10, 2009 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I make ZERO apology for my deep suspicion of Geovany Soto

If you don’t like it then take it up with Geo, the owners, Bud Selig and most of all Donald Fehr and the player union. They have made this mess.

You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little messed up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?

by BLou on Jun 10, 2009 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It doesnt surprise me that you are the person

Kansas was referring to

Don't assault me and I won't assault you, because you don't know what I will, or won't, do. I'm going to end it with that. - Milton Bradley 2003 to Paul Lo Duca

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jun 12, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Being suspicious doesn't make one a jackass.

I completely agree that we are entitled to be suspicious of any athlete today when posting stats out of the norm, either good or bad. I did not read the article, but with that assertion, I completely agree. Feel free to call me a jackass if you wish- to me that’s common sense, and completely warranted in the light of the failures of today’s professional athletes.

by reedjohnson on Jun 10, 2009 9:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I didn't say suspicion.

I said accusation.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jun 10, 2009 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is no one to hold the blogger

accountable. I would be upset too if someone was spewing half truths and lies about me on the internet.

As for forbidden subjects, religion and politics. Don’t mention God or Obama (even if you think they are one and the same).

A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.

by copes006 on Jun 10, 2009 9:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

His anger should be directed elsewhere

Perhaps Ibanez’s greatest ire should be directed at the other players who, through their own cheating, have now cast a shadow on any “clean” player’s success going forward. I understand his anger, but why do no current players speak out against the cheaters who have undermined the success of those (like himself, presumably) who did it the right way? Why is there no such moral outrage against them? I find that confusing.

by reedjohnson on Jun 10, 2009 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs

+3,000,000

by Poloplaya14 on Jun 10, 2009 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+21321321321313110213201321

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jun 11, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

His anger is properly directed

at the blogger who slandered him. Why should he be mad at the PEDers? They did not accuse him.

A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.

by copes006 on Jun 11, 2009 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the PEDers are the reason

the slander happened to begin with IMHO

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jun 11, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's a copout.

Everyone controls their own speech. As a nation, we are built, in part, on the concept of being innocent until proven guilty. That should apply everywhere, in all things.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. When they play over their heads, and when they play under the gutter. When they win the division, and then get swept in the division series. When they get no-hitters and when they blow no-hitters. And some day, when they go all the way and get those rings. This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 11, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.

by copes006 on Jun 11, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with that

I was just adding to copes comment.

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jun 11, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Blogger didn't slander him

If you actually read the article

St. Louis relievers... defying win expectancy since 2008
http://www.drivelinemechanics.com/

by vivaelpujols on Jun 20, 2009 3:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have tried to stay away from baseless speculation like that.

If someone else brings it up, I don’t think it’s wrong to discuss it.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jun 10, 2009 9:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Baseball has made their bed and need to sleep in it

If Raul Ibanez doesn’t like the reaction of some fans, then point the finger at himself along with Bud Selig, the owners and most of all Donald Fehr and the player union. Pee in a cup once a week if you’re so damned innocent and don’t like the innuendos. Meanwhile I’m sure you won’t blink an eye cashing the multi-million paycheck you earn thanks to fans who buy tickets, watch TV broadcasts, buy merchandise, etc.

by BLou on Jun 10, 2009 10:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

by bluekoolaide on Jun 10, 2009 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would be mad if I were Raul too.

But because I would be mad too, doesn’t mean the blogger was out of place. When the greatest players of your generation have been linked to steriods (Bonds, Clemens, Arod, Manny, etc, etc, etc….) then you have to put up with the company you keep.

No side is wrong on this one.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Jun 10, 2009 10:41 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

It is utterly inappropriate

for someone to make accusations without real, hard evidence. It’s way too easy to tar reputations with idle speculative chatter on a web-board. Anyone who does should be ashamed.

The blogger in questions appears to be trying to walk the line, but frankly it should never have been brought up in the first place.

This is not McCarthy’s America. To convict someone, you should have PROOF. No one has proof about Ibanez, just like no one has proof about Soto or Sosa.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 10, 2009 10:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well....

A. We have such a thing in this country called freedom of speech

B. Raul Ibanez should seek help if he is getting his nose bent out of shape by what is posted by an anonymous person(s) on a Internet chat board.

C. Raul Ibanez should direct his ire at the Players Union and Major League Baseball who allowed this three-ring circus to get so very hard out of hand.

D. Don’t you dare ever rip a fan who has reached the sad point in his/her baseball fandom where they question Player X or Player Y.

by BLou on Jun 10, 2009 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ah, yes

that old chestnut. Which doesn’t apply here, on a private, non-governmental website. Also, irrelevant. I’m not suggesting that you are legally BARRED from saying utterly inappropriate things. But without proof, all you’re doing is mudslinging.

After all, I bet you’ve gained weight over the years, and I hear your baseball performance since your heyday as a “ballplayer” has decreased. Obviously, YOU have just come off the juice.

So, BlueMike. Are you a juicer?

You can question who you want. And when you do so inappropriately and without evidence or merit, you’ll get taken out behind the woodshed, like so many times before.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 10, 2009 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Freedom of Speech

does not cover harassment, slander and defamation of character to my knowledge. People seem to forget that.

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jun 11, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Freedom of speech - yes, freedom to slander - no. You do realilize you can't yell "Fire" in

a theater, don’t you? Freedom of speech does not allow you to say anything about anybody at anytime. There are limits. Even though baseball players are public figures, information printed for public record must have a verifiable source or it must be labelled as gossip. Boggers have demanded they be treated like the regular media, well they are getting what they asked for and I don’t think they are going to like the results.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jun 11, 2009 12:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to say it.

I hate lawsuits but I think it may be time someone starts thinking about it with the players.

Yes I write fluffy fanfiction. I said it. If you want to read some email me for where it is.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jun 11, 2009 6:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Journalism Ethics #101

You can yell fire in a theatre… if you smell smoke. There’s a stench surrounding every single professional athlete today. Sad, but true.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Jun 11, 2009 7:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ethics 101.

Define “smoke”.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jun 11, 2009 7:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand his attempt to justify the blogger about Ibanez

but if you look at what Defamation of character is, the blogger is guilty of it.

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jun 11, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Al

This is an example of what sets you apart from many bloggers and I hope you take this as the compliment it is meant as.

I’m sure you have suspicions about many players on the Cubs or elsewhere. You might even have more than that. But the integrity of this and your integrity as a person comes first. You wouldn’t do something just to be on ESPN.

Yes I write fluffy fanfiction. I said it. If you want to read some email me for where it is.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jun 11, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good Lord, you have a HIGH opinion of random anonymous posters on an Internet chatboard

Slander? Please. This is a blog participated by a random collection of anonymous Cub fans from around the country and globe. Nobody on hear is a paid professional reporter or member of the BCB editorial board. Go soak your head.

If players like Geovany Soto and Raul Ibanez don’t like the suspicion and innuendos, then it is in their power to affect change within Major League Baseball and the Players Union. Baseball created this mess and the fans have every right to feel violated and to view the subject matter with mistrust and suspicion.

For crying out loud two of the biggest names in baseball – Alex Rodriquez and Manny Ramirez – were outed as steroid frauds in the past several months. And it wasn’t because MLB and the Players Union got religion over drug testing either. A-Fraud was outed by insider information that was kept secret for years while Manny was finally tripped up by the latest interation of drug testing.

by BLou on Jun 11, 2009 7:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I find it amusing...

that you of all people get so worked up about this. How many times have you been banned from posting, but yet you come back with a new name?

A little ironic dont you think?

"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"

by HIGGY on Jun 11, 2009 7:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wasn't referring to random anonymous posters on an Internet chatboard. You made that

assumption. I was referring to people who run blogs under the guise of conventional media. Some of these individual have taken to requesting credentials and attending press conferences. These are the individuals to which I was referring. I could care less about the average joe like myself and you. Nobody cares what we say anyway. If the individuals who run these blogs want to be treated like convention media, they should be subject to the same rules and regulations of the regular print and broadcast media. I’m not weeping for A-Rod and Manny. I am not championing their cause. What I do care about is treatment of individuals by those that have the power to influence others.

I don’t have an axe to grind against players who used PEDs like you appear to. The attitude of “If they don’t like it, they should have spoke up” doesn’t fly with me. It’s not up to the average player to police the game. If an individual player like Frank Thomas or Curt Schilling spoke up during the discovery phase of this scandal, more power to them. I applaud their courage and forthrightness. However, I am not going to indict players now and paint them with a broad brush based on decidedly flimsy evidence. Some of them weren’t even around when this scandal broke. It is fair to accuse those players now because others didn’t speak up during the controversy? I think not.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jun 11, 2009 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs

well said!

+1/Rec’d!

by drewishdrewid on Jun 11, 2009 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1 rec'd

wow! very well said. Could not have said it better IMHO

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jun 11, 2009 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Neither of you have reached a sad point in baseball fandom. You think it makes you a big shot to accuse someone of using steroids.

Yes I write fluffy fanfiction. I said it. If you want to read some email me for where it is.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jun 11, 2009 6:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A. We have such a thing in this country called freedom of speech

there is also such a thing as SLANDER, VERBAL ABUSE, FALSE ALLEGATIONS, and DEFEMATION OF CHARACTER

To throw around that a player is or isnt without any proof can be calssified as more than one of the above.

just for the record:

Defamation of character can include slander (spoken derogatory statements), libel (written derogatory statements) or both. To constitute actionable defamation, the statements must be false and expose a person to hatred, ridicule or contempt. You also can sue if the defamation harms you in your occupation.

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jun 11, 2009 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In order to prove slander or libel

Ibanez would have to sue said blogger and PROVE that what he said was WRONG and that HE KNEW IT TO BE WRONG.
The level of proof in US Law for a PUBLIC FIGURE to prove libel or slander is almost impossible to obtain. The guy clearly BELIEVES Ibanez to be using steroids so unless Ibanez can not only prove he did not but that the blogger had no reason at all to think or write that he will lose. I am not saying blogger is right just that Ibanez has no legal recourse.

"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 Jun 11, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see any "conviction" in that blog post.

He’s 37 and having a career year to wonder whether its possible isn’t McCarthyism. Its being rational.

Now if Ibanez is clean, he should be upset. But this is the situation MLB & the players have put themselves in. Attacking the fans for being suspicious will get them nowhere.

There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons

by Allie on Jun 11, 2009 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

“It’s way too easy to tar reputations with idle speculative chatter on a web-board. Anyone who does should be ashamed.”

Yes, because it’s completely unwarranted to speculate about steroid use when the person in question is having a career year when he is 37. I’ve been of the opinion for a few weeks now that fans should be at least a little suspicious of what Ibanez has accomplished – I’m not necessarily saying that he’s using PEDs, as there’s no hard evidence to support that, but we shouldn’t ignore it. Didn’t we just get done discovering that another well-known slugger putting up crazy numbers in his mid-30s actually was using steroids?

Ibanez and anyone else who is going to get bent out of shape about this issue need to understand that such performances at that age nowadays are going to be closely scrutinized, and, based on previous history, should be. If Ibanez wants to shut up the doubters, then he should take all of those tests and publicize the results. Prove to the world that you’re clean.

It’s not inappropriate or shameful to be suspicious of what Ibanez has done. The article didn’t even accuse him of using steroids, anyway.

by Pre on Jun 11, 2009 5:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

someone could have a career year at age 37

Barry Bonds for example hit 73 homeruns the season he turned 37!

oh… oh wait..

… never mind…

Pumping sunshine for the Cubs since 1968 (yeah, that's right I was a Cubs fan in the womb!)

by CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) on Jun 11, 2009 6:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

I need to stop. As been pointed out to me by numerous via PM, I need to consider the source and the vast reservoir of baseball perspective at work. I think it’s great that you get to participate in baseball discussions via the Internet. I really do. Doors of access are being opened everyday and that is a good thing I guess.

by BLou on Jun 10, 2009 11:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The big problem

The big problem with throwing out accusations like this is when there are real suspicions or real cases it makes it harder to prove.

When people like this blogger and blou shout out these accusations because they think it makes them look like big shots (ooh look at me im mr. big shot i love throwing out steroid accusations) it makes real accusations less credible.

I have as much proof this guy is a cross dressing psycho as he does of his accusations against Ibanez.

Yes I write fluffy fanfiction. I said it. If you want to read some email me for where it is.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jun 11, 2009 6:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wait, who's a cross-dressing psycho??

Ibanez? the blogger?? BLou?!?

Pumping sunshine for the Cubs since 1968 (yeah, that's right I was a Cubs fan in the womb!)

by CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) on Jun 11, 2009 6:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

Well I have as much evidence Blou and this bozo are cross dressing psychos as they have that Ibanez and Soto use steroids.

For the record I don’t think either of them are cross dressing psychos I’m just making a point.

Yes I write fluffy fanfiction. I said it. If you want to read some email me for where it is.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jun 11, 2009 6:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The blogger got what he wanted

The blogger gor whar he wanted. Got a lot of publicity for just posting an article. wow he put together stats that makes him great.

Bloggers like him are what’s wrong with the internet. Unfortunately for every Al there are 2 or 3 of these guys. I’m pretty sure Al hears 100 things every day and 200 on Tuesday he choses not to put here because he has integrity. He’d rather have it 2nd than have something wrong.

It bothers me that this guy was given a second of air time.

Real journalism would be so nice to see on the tv. Not airtime to some twit who wrote this to get publicity and got what he wanted. He didn’t do it for the good of the game or because he wanted it out he did it because he has no ability to get anything with hard work and integrity he did it by posting lies.

Good bloggers get pub because they run good blogs. Bad bloggers get pub because they write crap on a stick.

Compare the times Al has been in the paper to when this guy has been.

Yes I write fluffy fanfiction. I said it. If you want to read some email me for where it is.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jun 11, 2009 6:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The blogger got what he wanted?

The blogger wrote a pretty decent article that sets out to prove that any speculation of steroid use by Ibanez is baseless… that his hot start can be explained by other factors.

This thing blew up when the “journalist” from the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote about it and turned it into a “BLOGGER ACCUSES IBANEZ OF STEROID USE” story. He’s the one who wanted the attention (you know, the guy from the nearly-dead newspaper business).

How is what the blogger wrote any different than this piece from Rick Telander? Or is it OK since he’s a respected “journalist” and not a blogger?

Theriot?

by hokie316 on Jun 11, 2009 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Huh?

The blogger didn’t accuse Ibanez of using steroids – in fact, he was trying to debunk such speculation. The article wasn’t written to attract ESPN’s attention. It was actually a pretty well thought-out article, even if it was sloppily-worded.

No one was even paying attention to it until that tool at the Inquirer twisted the author’s words to turn it into a “Ibanez accused of steroid use” story when that wasn’t what the article said. ESPN, always looking for another sensationalist headline, scooped it up and things took off from there.

You’re overreacting a little bit.

by Pre on Jun 11, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's my main problem

The players don’t want the game to be clean. That’s the reality. A couple of urine tests a year is a joke. There is absolutely no reason not to have blood testing, except the intent by the players to keep their options to steroids available. Even with blood tests, which are inmensly more efficient than urine tests, it is hard to catch cheaters. So, players can say whatever they want, fact is, they are acting the same today as they did years ago. They still fight steroid testing tooth and nail.

In this light, all we have are statistics. If baseball decided to test the same way that athletes are tested for in the Olympics, then we could be a lot more confident that statistical anomalities may be just that, and not signs of steroid use. Until then, they get what they deserve. All of this IMNSHO.

by Luis on Jun 11, 2009 7:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

All the "proof" needed is the dramatic downturn in homerun totals across baseball

Overnight the game is returning to the way it worked in the late 70’s and early 80’s. And you mean to tell me it doesn’t have something to do with players now finally getting off the juice for fear of being tripped up ala Manny? Please.

by BLou on Jun 11, 2009 7:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think steroid use

Has been reduced, but not nearly as much as people think. Guys may go on and off steroids more often now. They will try newer steroids. Remeber, Manny wasn’t caught for steroids. Manny wasn’t suspended for steroids, but for a masking agent. In that sense, the test wasn’t good enough to detect it, even though we can be pretty sure he was using.

As years pass, this testing program will become so obsolete that steroid use may begin to rise again.

by Luis on Jun 11, 2009 7:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have read a lot of posts

in the past that were condemning of the media for sweeping steroid use under the rug and not reporting that maybe there was something going on inside the clubhouses with regards to steroids. I tend to agree with this sentiment.

Now we have a journalist (albeit a blogger) doing just that, pointing out with statistics that Ibanez’s production is a little odd for his age and previous career numbers. Because of this and because of what we do know about steroid use in baseball, it seems reasonable to be suspicious. As said above, suspicion does not equal conviction.

So which is it? Should the media report their suspicions about baseball players if they report it with research and stats, or should they just keep their suspicions to themselves and be criticized for ignoring the issue?

by Tate491 on Jun 11, 2009 7:40 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Ibanez is upset at accusations that he'd taking PEDs

And righfully so. On the flip-side… I’d like to see how some of the Cubs would react if they were accused of using NPEDs (Non-performance enhancing drugs). Because they can’t hit a frggin lick anymore.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Jun 11, 2009 7:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Freedom of speech

There is a lot of misunderstand about freedom of speech.

One government vs. private.

If the government ran BCB and it was paid for by taxpayer money they’d be very limited as to what they can restrict us too.

Since Al and SBN run it as a private matter technically Al could make us end every post with “Al is the end all and be all of all humanity”. If we didn’t like it we could go elsewhere.

Same thing when those stupid tshirts happened last summer. The Cubs are a private company. If they wanted to make us wear 3 piece suits and dresses to games they could.

You just can’t make things based on race, gender, sexual orientation etc.

Yes I write fluffy fanfiction. I said it. If you want to read some email me for where it is.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jun 11, 2009 1:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Rather

have an upset Ibanez than a useless Bradley!

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu

by propheteer on Jun 11, 2009 5:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hindsight's 20/20...

We opted for the younger player coming off a better season. Hasn’t worked out….yet.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jun 11, 2009 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Understatement of the year

How many RBIs does he have? How many games played? OPS? Not just bad, but beyond awful.

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu

by propheteer on Jun 12, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Albert Pujols

Pujols has put up amazing numbers since he has been in the league, arguably the best player in baseball, he has a “steroid” build and he hits HRs at a rapid pace. Plenty of people of said that Pujols is probably on steroids, in fact I remember a fairly recent SI article where he was on the cover where Pujols said its just part of the game today, unfortunately the better I get the more speculation there will be….. Pujols is a professional and said all he can do is go out and play his best for his team.. why cant Ibanez just take it easy and realize that this is the nature of the game.. is it unfortunate.. yes, but is there anything you can do about it.. no.. deal with it and collect your millions for playing a game and entertaining millions… life is tough Ibanez

Don't assault me and I won't assault you, because you don't know what I will, or won't, do. I'm going to end it with that. - Milton Bradley 2003 to Paul Lo Duca

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jun 12, 2009 12:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs