I’m Jon, 29 yrs old from Buffalo. I’ve been a Cubs fan since I was 7, watching Harry Caray and Steve Stone on WGN since I grew up in NC and it was either the Cubs on WGN or the Braves on TBS.
My favorite all-time cub is Ryno, and I was lucky enough to be at the game on August 28, 2005 when Ryno’s number was retired.
And as for improving the Cubs this year, we need to hire Eric Hanna as assistant GM. Jim Hendry just seems way too busy.

1. Illinois/U of I 1972
2. It was either Sox/Cubs no brainer
3. Santo/Ramirez
4. Platoon Soriano/Fox, Hoffpauir/Bradley, start Lilly every other game

Dan
Long walks on the beach
Badgers, Jayhawks
11.5
A beagle named Madison
Neo from THE MATRIX
Periwinkle blue

—Name is Jeff and Im 20 yrs old and live in Romeoville,Illinois.

—Always been a Cub fan and at 20 yrs old I like to think I am one of the most die hard Cub fans at my age.

—Aramis and DLee are my two favorite Cubs on the current roster

—I think the Cubs need EITHER another bat or sum bullpen help..possibly a lefty reliever. Would also like for them to give Soriano a lil bit of rest before the break here just to let him get his feet under him because as much as he is not helping this past month we will most likely need him to get hot to be a serious contender.

—Currently attending school at Joliet Jr College

1) Live in Madison WI (pretty obvious from the name)
2) been a Cubs since I was a little girl.
3) All time fav Ryne Sandberg current favorite Soto and Lilly

I was born and raised in Bloomington-Normal and will probably be a townie for life. I am currently a senior at Illinois State Univeristy.
I just got to this board during spring training after having just read the cubs.com forums at jobs for a 2 years. Glad I found you guys.
I became a Cubs fans when my dad started buying us tickets to Cubs games as family outings. Before then I was a White Sox fan only because of Frank Thomas. Then came the ’98 season. I was one of those that became so enticed with baseball with that season.
My favorite Cub has to be Wood, he was there through every season that I began falling in love with the Cubs
Honestly I dont know if this team needs anything. Another bat would help but if Soriano, Bradley, and Soto could come back to what we know they can we will start tearing it up.

paragraphs are your friend

1. IL

2. born into huge cub fan family, grandfather was accepted to cubs summer training camp way back in 1941

3. ted lilly and dlee

4. get soriano soto and bradley back on track

Let’s see I’ve been a Cub fan since I was little(grew up in Calumet City in the 70’s), my father is a Cub fan, and although he is probably more negative than Blou, Beltway and Krummy combined, I try to balance him out with a little more optimism. (not always but I try) My brother chose the Sux, so I guess I was destined to be a Cub fan. Yea for me and my life long suffrage.

My favorite player growing up was Bill Buckner. I loved that guy and my avatar is a tribute to him. I lived through the horrible teams of the 70’s and 80’s and the close call of the 84 team, man that should have been our year. I am a diehard and no longer consider myself a luvable loser, I want the title that so eludes us.

I moved out to Cal in the 90’s and now am NE of LA. I get to see the Cubbies every year they come out to Dodger Stadium with a thousand of my brethren. Funny story, I have a son who has been indoctrinated as a jr Cub fan by me. But his mother, my ex, is a native and a Dodger fan. So when the teams met last year in the playoffs, my son was sure in a bad spot. So as only a kid could say, he was a Cub fan while he was with me and a Dodger fan while he was with his Mom. He’s just turning 8, so that was the best solution as we could have come up with. :)

I have been around the site since April, but have not gotten the opportunity to introduce myself. I was looking for some hot stove info for the Cubbies this off season and I came across the site in November. I took the often repeated suggestion from the regulars just to lurk awhile to get the feel of the site and the posters. I decided to put my two cents into the mix during the season.

As for my suggestions for the current team, I have mentioned this a few times, is for the team to do nothing(maybe one extra arm for the bullpen). I desperately want Lou to hold the players we have accountable for their play. We have plenty of talent to make the playoffs.

I love the Cubs and I love baseball itself. This site is great and I feel great to be a small part of it.

Interesting stuff.

Now, I voted for the “Al Yellon called my house right when I sat down to dinner” option in the poll, mainly because my phone seems to always ring just about that time. But who are the other people who voted for that?

I’ll introduce myself, as I am new to here, although I’ve been reading here for like a year I guess.
I live basically in Toronto Canada (eh)
I’m 29, and I’ve been a Cubs fan basically since the end of Sandberg’s career. I was a Jays fan up until the strike, then when baseball came back in 95(?) I switched fully to the Cubs.
My favourite player definitely was Sosa. He gets so much flack, but I’m sorry, I’ve been watching the Cubs for a decade and a half (I know, not that long) and he’s the only true exciting player that this team ever had. He’s the only time we had the “best” player in the game. Whether that was steroids or not, you know what, I don’t even care. All I know is I hated missing Cubs games, and I always skipped work on the home opener. 98 was an absolute dream, and I will never cheer for another team after that year.
I love baseball, and love the dominance that players can have over the game. For instance, I’m sorry but my current favourite player is Pujols, I hope he is still great when my newborn son is old enough to understand.
That’s why I love Sosa.

I have thought about doing this a few times since I found BCB, but it seemed a bit arrogant to create a fanpost for the purpose of talking about myself. This works out better.

1. Who you are (general info like what state you live in or your alma mater)
***I live in CA, specifically in the San Jose Area (an hour south of SF for those unfamiliar with Northern CA). I am not a CA native but my family moved here nearly 50 years ago, so I am effectively a native by now.

2. How did you become a Cubs fan?
***My parents are Chicago born and raised. My parents, despite growing up on the southside were always Cub fans, so I like many here I suspect, I inherited my Cubfandom. When I was very young, my father told me stories about the Cubs of his era (30s and 40s) and taught me how to read the sports page to see how the Cubs did (not well usually in those days) so I naturally adopted the Cubs as my team, too.

On a related note: my older son-in-law, born and raised in Winnetka, is a Cub fan, too. His oldest (my oldest grandchild) got into baseball this year for the first time and announced that he is a Cub fan, too. He seems to like being a Cub fan like his father and grandfather. I jokingly asked my son-in-law if it is fair for us to let him become a Cub fan and put him through the anguish that often accompanies being a Cub fan. My son-in-law responded by saying the law of averages almost guarantees the Cubs will win it all some time in his son’s lifetime … in his own lifetime, he is not so sure.

3. Who is one of your favorite current or former Cubs?
***I played a lot of 3b when I was a kid, so Ron Santo was and is my favorite Cub.

4. What would you suggest the Cubs do to improve the club this year?
***My opinions on this question are well documented here.

1. Kyle – I was born in Texas and live in Houston now but spent most of my adult life in the Navy moving around

2. Grew up in rural TX – only Cubs and Braves and TV, thought Harry was a genius and Dale Murphy’s mole kinda creeped me out, so Cubs it was

3. I think Ted Lilly may be filling the void left by Derosa and Wood. I really like the quiet determined way he goes about his business. His passion boils below the surface.

How can Ron Santo not be your favorite former Cub. But I also grew up on the Hawk and Ryno.

4. I like the lineup changes this week. They’re a step in the right direction. I wish Sam Fuld had been allowed to keep playing until his hot streak was over. But it is a crowded outfield. I wonder if they couldn’t start working him at SS/3B in Iowa.

1. My name is Peter; I was born and raised in the northernmost suburb (Kenosha, WI . . . ) I live in WI and my alma mater should be obvious from my user name and avatar.

2. Dad grew up before the Braves came to Milwaukee and the Cubs were the closest team. When I was growing up, the Cubs games were on TV. Also had influence by a teacher in grade school.

3. Ryne Sandberg is my favorite Cub of all time (I only go back to 1982, though). My favorite current Cub is Derrek Lee, closely followed by Ted Lilly.

4. I don’t know if there are significant improvements that can be made. I’d like to see the bullpen shored up a bit. I’d really like to see an improvement at short, maybe moving the incumbent to 2B, but there’s not a lot out there. (For you newbies, that’s not going to go over well . . . )

I’ll start by saying BCB is no cure for fan angst, rather, a conduit for more. It’s hard to distance yourself emotionally from the team when you keep coming back here every day. BCB, I can’t quit you.

1. Name, well, my name’s unusual, so I’m not posting it. Happy to introduce myself in person if/when we meet.

2. From Detroit area and grew up on a steady diet of Tigers. Trammell on the Cub staff is a perfect thing for me.

3. Discovered the Cubs in college via WGN and loved me some afternoon NL baseball and full use of the 25 man roster. Living post college around the country through the 80’s and 90’s, kept eating the WGN baseball diet.

4. Not having been a fan until the mid 80’s, I’d have to say The Hawk takes it all. I admired him in Montreal and was giddy when he signed and moreso seeing him play at Wrigley.

5. Favorite current Cub is Derrick Lee. First time I’ve ever typed that as he’s taken that position by default. When I moved to Chicago it was Grace, then Wood.

6. Don’t know what to do to improve the team. I was thinking bullpen, but the Guzman, Marmol, Gregg combination looks pretty solid. With Marshall and Heilman combined the pen looks solid. If Marshall has to start for a while, I’m guessing a solid Lefty reliever is the need.

It could also be that Dempster not jumping the railing is my biggest suggestion. Open note to Demp: Ryan, I’m cutting you a lot of slack this season on concern with what your dealing with at home. In turn, I’m counting on you to limit your dumbass behavior and stay healthy. No railing jumping, no kick saves. m’kay?

I became a Cubs fan in 1982 when I was 4 years old and have been ever since. I grew up in Missouri in Cardinals country but remained a Cubs fan because of Sandberg & Grace on WGN. Currently live in Arkansas and travel to a few games a year in Chicago. Just got back actually from watching the Brewers last week..

I think if everybody gets healthy we have a better team than we have shown this year. We don’t have to make a move but you must always explore your options. If a deal works out for a middle reliever or a bat and we don’t give up a lot, jump on it.

My 2 year old son has now been to 2 games and the Cubs are 2-0 and they are 5-0 while he is in the city limits of Chicago.

But I too lurk more than post.

My name is J.R., I’m 35, and I currently live in St. Louis. Yeah, it’s fun…

There are a few reasons that I’m a Cub fan. I grew up in southern Illinois, closer to Indiana than Missouri, and at the time the Cards didn’t show any of their home games on TV. WGN showed all of the Cubs games, and before lights were put on Wrigley, Harry, Steve and the gang were my babysitters most summer afternoons.

While most of my friends were/are Cardinal fans, because of family traditions if nothing else, my grandfather was a old St. Louis Browns fan, and never has forgiven them for running the Browns out of town.

During WWII, he was stationed at the Great Lakes naval base, and got hooked on the Cubs while listening to their pennant run in 1945 (Man, between the Browns and the Cubs he knew how to pick ‘em, didn’t he?).

So, I guess TV and my grandfather’s Cub-fan genes have combined to make me the fiercely loyal Cub fan I am in my adult years.

My favorite Cub fan of all time is, shock of shocks, Ryne Sandberg. In fact, my membership card to Uniwatchblog.com is a tribute to him and the amazing (ly disappointing) 1984 season.

My favorite current Cubs are Lilly (I can’t wait to get his St. Louis ASG jersey, just because I think it’d screw with people in St. L a lot.) and Fukudome.

I think the Cubs need another lefty in the pen and possibly an upgrade at closer, but might be able to tough it out without them. If they just play up to their ability they should be able to make the post-season again, but I also wouldn’t mind if the Pirates just completely fell out of it and the Cubs could land Freddy Sanchez to play second.

My name is José. I’m originally from Mexico City. Moved to the U.S. in 1997 to go to college in Minnesota. Then moved to Iowa. Then moved to Chicago. Been here since 2003. I’m #5,767 in the season-ticket waiting list. Work in higher education, but I also freelance-write a few things here and there.

I’ve been a Cubs fan since 1984, for obvious reasons: I was 8 and had just started playing little league. Ryne Sandberg is my all-time favorite Cub. Shanghai Badger is my favorite BCB poster—a guru of sorts. Make sure you pay attention to what he writes.

I’m the President and founding member of the Aaron Heilman Sucks Fanclub. It’s a pretty elitist society, but we’re accepting applications now.

Say hi when you get a chance.

1. My name is Greg, I’m 29, and I grew up a little over two miles south of Wrigley on Clark Street in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Now I am stuck just west of the Twin Cities in MN.

2. I am a first generation American, so, unlike many here, I don’t have long familial ties to the Cubs, but growing up so close to the stadium, it was a natural fit. My dad loves cricket, so baseball was a natural fit for him, as were the Cubs, being so close and on WGN.

3. My favorite current Cub is probably Ted Lilly because he is good at his job and provides so much content for this site. As for former Cubs, I have to pick Wood (eve though he really isn’t that “former”). I just always liked how much respect he had for the game, the Cubs organization, and us fans.

4. I agree with Jim Hendry that if our current players (including our bullpen arms) play the way they are capable, we do not need to trade for anyone.

Go Cubs!!

I would like to encourage any of the females to feel free to post comments! I started out lurking, then slowly started posting a few comments here and there.

1. My name is Matt, and I grew up on the South Side, then moved to Saint Louis before coming back to the Chicago area. I went to Saint Louis University and studied special education. I always say I was raised correctly (as a Cub fan), just not in the right place

2. I became a Cub fan because if I chose any other team my father would have shipped me off to boarding school.

3. Favorite current Cub is actually Reed Johnson. I just love the way he approaches, and plays, the game. His diving catch last season (where his hat flipped up after hitting the wall) was one of the greatest plays I’ve ever seen

4. How to improve the Cubs? I think that when the offense struggles like it has for stretches this season it is time for the manager to try and manufacture more runs. More hit-and-runs, bunts (sac/squeeze), etc. Really, though, I think the Cubs are going to be alright in the long run

Thanks for giving me a baseball community to share my crazy ideas with. Go Cubs

Hi, I’m SWL and I’m a Cubs Fan. It’s been 14 hours since my last yelling outburst at the television during a Cubs game. My BCB sponsor is BLou.

My name is Greg. I’m about to start my senior year at Ball State as a Telecommunications major. My hope is that once I graduate I can start a career as a baseball play-by-play announcer in the minor leagues. I’m from the small town of Lowell in NW Indiana so I love everything Chicago.

I always loved playing baseball so it was natural for me to become a Cubs fan since all of there games are on WGN. Almost all of my family are Cubs fans too.

My favorite Cub would have to be Mark Grace. At first I liked that he was a left-handed hitter like myself but then I found more similarities between us like a lack of power hitting, good defense, etc.

I honestly don’t think there is much Hendry can do this year for the team. I would like to see Marshall stay in the rotation and have Lou be more flexible with putting guys like Bradley and Fontenot in platoons.

Bryan, 27, living in Madison for the past 2.5 years. Work at a healthcare software company doing consulting. Purdue alum, but i don’t mind all you Badger fans. From the Chicagoland area (Northwest Indiana to Lincoln Park to Schaumburg) before moving up here.

I became a Cubs fan thanks to my dad, and I grew up with a 1984 Cubs Eastern division (wasn’t it Eastern? can’t remember) championship banner in my room. Love the Hawk and Sandberg. Would’ve liked to have watched Banks and Santo. Fav current player has to be DLee for his class.

This team has quite a few holes. Besides a bullpen arm, what else can we do? Get a real shortstop and move Riot to 2nd? I just don’t see openings for a bat unless it’s off the bench.

i don’t post as often as i should. my name is chuck (38 yrs old), originally from the chicago area, but moved down to dallas ft worth a few years ago (long story). still want to move back one of these days. still make it back at least once or twice a year to catch a game at wrigley (got a family member who has season tiks). die-hard true blue cubs fan since i was a kid, especially after the ’84 heartbreak. made my son a die-hard, he loves zambrano.

my fav all-time cub is ryno, loved de rosa (the trade to the cards killed me), and current cub is probably reed johnson. ways to improve the team is to possibly get another bat and to improve the pen.

…recently relocated to Northern Virginia, from San Diego.

A Former Student.

Started following the Cubs through Brickhouse & WGN after school.

Favorite past Cubs:
Maddux, Grace, Dawson, Dunston, Wood, Buckner & DeJesus

Favorite Current Cubs:
I don’t feel strongly about the current roster. I root for them but they could trade any player and it wouldn’t upset me.

What do the Cubs need to do?
The guys getting paid the most have to produce somewhat simultaneously. So, Lee, Dome, Soriano, Aramis & Bradley have to start hitting such that 3 of the 5 are doing it somewhat consistently at the same time. (A middle infielder producing at league average is NOT why this team has struggled.)

I’m originally from the northwest side of Chicago. I went to the American Academy of Art downtown and am now a professional artist. We moved to Woodstock, IL about 12 years ago. It’s a nice location-easy to get to both Wrigley and Wrigley north.

I don’t know how I became a Cub’s fan. I’m guessing through osmosis because I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t a Cub’s fan. When I was growing up my brother always had the games on. I’ve been married to a big Cub’s fan for the last 22 years. For the most part I was more of a casual fan, but it was always there. Maybe in the backround, but it was there. It wasn’t until around 2001 that I started watching every game. Then I got totally hooked when my husband made a comparison of baseball to chess and I realized there was more to this game than simply balls, strikes and outs. Since then I’ve trying to learn as much as I can. I want to understand the game like he does. I want to be able to say what pitch should be used and when. That is truly a gift, my friends. It certainly doesn’t come naturally to me. Maybe as an artist I’m too right brained to grasp some concepts or it’s because I never played baseball myself.

My family laughs at me because pretty much the whole team has been called a favorite at one time or other(often several in the same game). Ted Lilly seems to be the one I call my favorite the most. I also tend to have a soft spot for the scrappy guys-the ones my husband calls “ball players”.

I love baseball.

Steve here, been coming for the last couple years. On mostly while at work so sometimes don’t comment a lot but keep up with the reading. Grew up watching Cubs on WGN since it was the only cable network besides TBS that broadcasted alot of baseball games – no way I would ever like the Braves. Gone to ST every year since my senior year in college (University of New Mexico 2004 – Go Lobos!).

I’ve been here a while, but here goes…

Although born in Washington, DC, I grew up in Northern Illinois. My grandmother was Milwaukee Braves fan, and my mother was a devout Cubs fan. My siblings and I were raised National League and the Cubs were the primary team on the TV or radio.

I only sort of followed the Cubs growing and into adulthood, but in the earlier part of the decade I finally embraced my late mother’s faith and became a devout Cubs fan. As far as favorite players go, I did like Ivan DeJesus when he was with the team all those years ago. I still wish they would have kept Damian Miller, and of course, I think Ted Lilly is the greatest thing since well, Ted Lilly (is there anything greater).

I also follow the Nationals as my second team. Go ahead, insert your smart-aleck comment here.

1. Who you are (general info like what state you live in or your alma mater)

I’m Alli. No “e” in real life. I live in NW Indiana (the “land” part of Chicagoland).

2. How did you become a Cubs fan?

I became a Cub fan b/c of my grandad. I love sitting on the porch listening to them on the radio, him with coffee me with coke. Year round. It was either Bears games in the library in front of the fire or Cubs games on the porch with the radio.

3. Who is one of your favorite current or former Cubs?

Aramis Ramirez.

4. What would you suggest the Cubs do to improve the club this year?

I just hope they start hitting, I don’t care if it takes chicken blood and moonlight. Just… get it done.

Figured I’d answer, since I never got the chance to introduce myself in the last one of these…

1. I’m Ian. Born in Chicago, but grew up in Oregon. I’m a proud Portland Pilot (University of Portland alumnus), and just finished my masters at the Maxwell School (Syracuse University). In the last year I’ve lived in: Oregon, New York, DC, Oregon again, the Bay Area, and now am in DC again…though I’m about to head out to Tucson for a bit. The moving is thanks to grad studies, and then moving around trying to secure a career. I’ll be thrilled when I get to settle down for a while somewhere…hopefully on the West Coast eventually. Prior to going back to school, I worked for about 3 years in graphic design/marketing.

2. I’m a 4th generation Cub fan (going back to my great-grandparents, that is). Though my dad grew up in Brooklyn as a Dodgers then Yankees fan, he and my mom raised me in a household devoted to the Cubbies (and Bears). My grandfather even played his high school football games at Wrigley Field for York High School, many many moons ago.

3. Ryno was my childhood hero (along with Walter Payton, of course). Also really love Sut, Santo, and Mark Grace (who sent me his autograph when I was a wee laddie).

4. Despite the doom and gloom that crops up around here from time to time…I actually still feel pretty good about the team’s chances. I wouldn’t mind adding a bat at 2B, but won’t be crushed if that doesn’t happen.. Otherwise, I think we’re ok. :)

I’m Matt (not Mark, like Josh first thought when posting my draft info)

1. Grew up in Wheaton, IL (yay, Jesus!) about an hour west of the city. Went to Columbia College in the loop for two years, transferring to Indiana in the fall. Like many, hoping to work in baseball, majoring in Economics.

2. My grandma and a couple uncles are huge Cub fans and I picked up on it from them. Really became a fanatic at age 14, when watching the 2003 playoffs with my 2 closest friends, while eating Little Caesar’s pizza.

3. Lilly, because I love how passive-aggressive he seems to be. Joe Mauer is my favorite player in baseball though.

4. Hmmm…..kidnap Joe Mauer?

My name is Pat, I’m 20, and I live in St. Louis. I am a student at Mizzou, so for most of the year, I’m in Columbia, MO, but for the summers I come home. I love Missouri- it’s a really beautiful and interesting state- so it’s a real shame that it’s in Cardinal territory.

I was born in New Jersey, but grew up in Naperville (suburb of Chicago). It’s far enough out that it doesn’t have a Cubs or Sox affiliation (at least, not when I lived there), so I had to choose. After one visit to Wrigley Field, the deal was sealed. Spending my high school years here in St. Louis really strengthened my passion for the Cubs!

My favorite player was Woody, but since he’s gone, I’ll take Sam Fuld- my cousin knew him growing up, so our family has a soft spot for him.

My favorite player, period, is Ryan Howard. He went to my high school (Lafayette), and I’ve met him. He is a great guy, and he gives back to our school quite a bit. He strikes out too much, but I would love it if he eventually played for the Cubs!

Rather than get better this year, I really hope the Cubs start investing more heavily in the scouting and player development programs. Imagine if we had a system like Minnesota’s, only with the financial ability to keep the good players it produces- we would dominate. Of course, that is easier said than done…

1. I am a 56 year old retired school administrator from Palatine, IL. I join in on this blog occasionally and try to not say anything to ruffle some of our edgy contributors.

2. I grew up a Cub fan, started going to games in 1960. Got hooked when Don Landrum threw me a ball one day when Iwas sitting in the bleachers (1964?). Yes, in those days you could sit in the first row of the bleachers anytime.

3. Favorite players growing up were Billy Williams and Kenny Hubbs. Right now I really like when it’s Lilly’s turn to pitch.

4. Improving this team? Sorry, that’s going to be difficult. We are buried under a lot of bad contracts. I’m afraid that when our hitting finally comes around, our excellent first half pitching will go south. The hitting needs a spark—Reed Johnson needs to get a week’s worth of at bats to see if he can infuse some energy (couldn’t hurt).

1. 28 year old marine biologist – grew up in Mount Prospect, IL, went to UNC Wilmington for 4 years, Cal State Northridge for 3 years, and now I am a real person with a real job in Los Angeles. Well… sorta real job. I definitely enjoy joining game threads while at work on west coast time to laugh at the silly things that pop up on my screen, and attempt to provide such things for others.

…and occasionally I’ll put some knowledge out there. I know some stuff about the baseball.

2. Pops was a Cub fan, just like his Pop. Can’t shake it.

3. Jody Davis was my favorite growing up, but I always like Mark Grace and Shawon Dunston. I didn’t appreciate Andre Dawson enough while he played; I should have.

4. This team needs some Thai hookers. Or me to come into the clubhouse and give each of them a swift kick in the jimmy. I’m pretty sure this team could be great, they just can’t figure it out right now. Personally, I’d do nothing personnel-wise.

1. Who you are (general info like what state you live in or your alma mater)

Tim, I was born and raised in Chicago, did more praying as a kid at Wrigley than people do in Church. I live in Austin, TX now. First sentence as a kid was “God Damn Cubs” I had heard it so many times from my Father, Aunt, Uncle, and Grandparents. Needless to say, it was known then that another generation of Coyle’s were doomed.

2. How did you become a Cubs fan?

4th generation (that I know of) Cub fan. I love that at Wrigley it is possible to sit in the same seat (by location) that my Great Grandparents hypotheticallty sat in to watch the Cubbies.

3. Who is one of your favorite current or former Cubs?

Curent, I Rami, Lilly, Marshall, RJ
Former, Ryno, Dawson, Moreland, Sarge, Shawon, Grace Jody

4. What would you suggest the Cubs do to improve the club this year?

Read BCB since we always have ideas, some insane, some reasonable, some are, well better left alone (sarcasm)

I’ve posted a few times, nothing really worth mentioning. I have to admit, it was pretty hard to catch on to some of the BCB inside jokes at first so I shied away from posting for fear of asking some stupid BCB taboo question. Now I know to just avoid asking SWL questions if you expect a serious answer!

Anyway, hi! My name is Mary and I’m a 23-year old from DeKalb, IL, home to Northern Illinois University (Go Huskies!). I’m a locally grown girl and am now raising my first child with my high school sweetheart (he’s a lurker on here and has never even botherd to sign up for his own account).

I posted my Cubs fan history on one of Al’s posts about a month ago, but I’ll give you the Cliff’s Notes version here. My grandfather grew up in Chicago in the 20s and 30s, met my grandmother in Englad during his stint as a GI in WWII and they eventually moved back to Chicago when he got out. He was a huge baseball fan (TMOTTBG was the last piece of music played at his funeral) and raised my dad to love baseball, too.

My parents met and bonded over the Cubs. They spent most of the 70s drunk in the bleachers. They eventually split up and Mom tells me that it was because they forgot that there were more things in life than baseball. Growing up, WGN radio and Cubs games were just a part of summer. I didn’t pay a lot of attention to the games as a kid, but I played park district softball in the summers and my dad taught me the rules of the game through his coaching.

My favorite former Cubs are Andre Dawson, Ryno and Mark Grace. My step-mom loves Mark Grace, too. After he was traded to the D’Backs she bought a Grace jersey and would piss my dad off by wearing it during Cubs games. My current favorite is Derek Lee, what a classy guy.

Since most of the suggestions I would have for this club have already been posted by someone else above, I’ll just keep it simple. Win baseball games and stop letting non-baseball stuff get in the way. That’s what they should do.

I am Jared (28) from Des Moines, IA. Grew up in small town IA – ISU grad.

Not sure I remember how I became a Cubs fan. I didn’t have cable growing up and couldn’t get them on the radio – so I didn’t have a lot of exposure. My uncle is a big Cubs fan, though, and that likely rubbed off on me over the years.

Former Cub: Mark Grace

Current Cub: Reed Johnson (still waiting for the fist in the air moment this year!)

I don’t see the Cubs making any major moves before the deadline. I think now that the team is relatively healthy (at least the hitters), things will start to click a little bit. That is probably wishful thinking – but I just don’t see the ability to make any moves.

My name is Matt (31) and I live in eastern Iowa.

I was born into Cubdom and have stuck with the team to the bitter end every year since.

My favorite former Cub (from my time) is Ryne Sandberg, hands down, and I loved the 80’s with Andre Dawson, Shawon Dunston, Jody Davis, Rick Sutcliffe, etc. I was also a big (dare I say….) Mark DeRosa fan. I miss having him on the team but I’m not lamenting any more, time to move on.

All Time favorite Cub: Ernie Banks.

My favorite current Cubs are Reed Johnson, Ted Lilly and anyone who hustles and shows a lot of heart. I think some of the big money guys could learn a lot from Reed about how to play the game. That being said, there’s not a Cub that I don’t like, although there are a few I’ve been very frustrated with!

All in all, I still have hope for this team but the first half has been bitterly disappointing, especially with all the pre-season hype. Don’t know what I’d do to change anything at this point, we have to get the talent that we do have working in unison, as a team. All the “swagger” , to use a Lou term, from last year has been absent thus far. There have been some glimmers of improvement but I really want to see it last more than a few days. Go Cubs!

1. My name’s Mike and I’m Illinois-born, Florida-raised. After graduating from the University of Central Florida, I moved to Chicago. Now I’m in graduate school at DePaul.

2. Being a Cubs fan is a way of life in my family. Last year, I coordinated a trip to see my parents with the Cubs first visit to St. Petersburg. A few years before that, my family planned Easter around the Cubs in Atlanta. I was there for two of the Marlins games in Miami in the 2003 NLCS. I’ve been on airplanes with both Lou Piniella and Ernie Banks (Lou when he was the TB manager: I recognized him because he had ridiculous blonde highlights after the Devil Rays won three games in a row).

But I really fell hard in the ’98 season at 12 years old. How could you not love that team?

3. Mark Grace is my favorite former Cub. Most people don’t realize how good he was for an extended period. He led MLB in hits during the 1990s. Funny guy, too.

Aramis Ramirez is my favorite current Cub. He has done a pretty good job at a position at which the Cubs have been historically inconsistent since the days of Mr. Santo.

4. I’m of the belief that, while clearly less soundly constructed than I thought at the beginning of the season, this Cubs team is possessed of too much talent to not eventually beat out the more flawed Cardinals and Brewers.

In response to an earlier comment about timidity in breaking into commenting, I’ve learned to ignore, for the most part, the fights that seem utterly pointless while enjoying fulfilling baseball conversations on this site.

Thanks for maintaining the site, Al; and thanks for this post zambranofan.

1. Born and raised in SE Iowa. Now reside in Des Moines. Aged 30 years.

2. Dad is a Cubs fan. That makes me a Cubs fan.

3. Ryne Sandberg. Of course.

4. No clue. None. I never really have any decent ideas. That is why I don’t comment often. I do enjoy reading everyone elses.

I’m Chris, aka BracketDobber, which was the name of my old site before it became Blogging the Bracket here on SBNation back in March.

But you can call me Chris because it’s a lot easier.

College hoops are my #1 obsession from November-March, the Cubs the rest of the time…and I travel a lot for both.

I was born in Niagara Falls, NY and am half-Canadian (as most of my family lives across the river), but grew up in Florida mostly. I went to UF, but am just as big a Syracuse fan as that’s where I really wanted to go to school. I ended up at UW-Milwaukee for grad school, then moved back to Florida for a few years, before moving to Arlington, VA two years ago because I couldn’t take the Partly Cloudy State anymore.

Two of my mom’s uncles from Ontario of all places got me into the Cubs when I was little (as one of their cousins played for the Blackhawks pre-expansion, they were huge Chicago sports fans). The fact that my two best friends growing up were huge Cubs fans helped too. My immediate family consists of Rays fans. Mom nearly didn’t let me sit in the stands with them when I when I arrived at game one of the series at the Trop last year, fresh from a two hour drive from the Orlando airport in my D-Lee jersey.

My favorite player growing up was Maddux. As for now, well, the two jerseys I have are Lee and Lilly, but I have a soft spot for Dempster and Harden because they’re Canucks!

My suggestion to improve the club: SIGN ERIC HANNA TO BE JIM HENDRY’S ASSISTANT. HE’D DO AN AMAZING JOB AND SAVE THE TEAM THROUGH THE POWER OF HIS MIGHTY CAPITALIZATION.

1. Who you are (general info like what state you live in or your alma mater)

My name is Dan, I’m a journalist and I live in Brisbane, Australia. I have never visited the fine shores of the USA (but plan to this September).

2. How did you become a Cubs fan?

My rugby league team were horrible last year so I spent most days at home during the week wanting to watch another sport to take my mind off how crap my team was. The Cubs were regularly televised over here, I liked the cut of Carlos Marmol’s jib, I’m a big Wilco fan and knew they’d had a connection to the Cubs, so I decided to back them.

What started out as casual watching of games at home turned into a obsession as I’ve picked up and read up on the intricacies of baseball and the rich history of the Cubs. I find myself watching every Cubs game televised in Australia (which means heading down to the pub to watch cable TV games and getting up at 4 in the morning in some cases) and logging on to the internet watching the game feeds on SI.com when I’m at work.

The culture of the Cubs is very different to the two teams I grew up supporting (Chelsea FC in the EPL and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Australia’s NRL rugby league competition) as both those teams have been very succesful in recent years. I do find myself caring about the Cubs as much as the Bulldogs and more than Chelsea now.

3. Who is one of your favorite current or former Cubs?

I really like Randy Wells cos he’s a rookie and I feel like a rookie, otherwise I like the power threats like Aramis and Derek Lee. Also Carlos Marmol. I love his before pitch routine.

4. What would you suggest the Cubs do to improve the club this year?

Obviously, I’m no expert, I read this blog to find out how the team should be improved.

I’d love to see the Cubs acquire a real threat in the lead-off position. Someone with speed and a high OBP. But more importantly the team needs a true clutch hitter or two. The team is constantly leaving RISP.

Mike, a teacher from Appleton, Wisconsin. I’ve been reading for a couple of years, but just recently registered for a screen name to post.

I grew up in Kenosha and have been a Cubs fan since the 70’s. Only recently has anyone been offended that I was a Cubs fan living in Wisconsin. It’s been fun having the Brewers in the NL.

My son loves Soriano, so I try to root for him. I’d have to say my favorites are Theriot and Dempster. I like their style. I miss DeRosa for the same reason.

I have many favorites, but Rick Monday was my childhood favorite. Saving the American flag in LA was incredible, and it came at an amazing time — 1976.

You can’t trade or release Soriano, Bradley, Fukudome, Lee, or Ramirez, so you can’t bring in someone to play their positions either. Hendry is stuck. Basically, they better start hitting. We could trade a starting pitcher for a shortstop who can hit and move Theriot to second, but too many teams are in the race to make it happen.

I’m Mary and I’m a pediatric nurse in Greenville, NC. I grew up in Waukegan running home from school to catch the end of the game. My mother was a huge fan. She was very “ladylike” but watching the Cubs she would cheer and clap. It was the most emotion she ever showed!

I went to my first game in 1963. Ron Santo was my favorite Cub. I named my sons Robert after Bobby Murcer, and Ryne. They’re 32 and 26 now. I moved to NC in 1999, but still get to a few games every year. This year we went to Atlanta and I’ve seen them play in DC and Baltimore.

I’m glad Soriano isn’t leading off for now. I don’t think Milton Bradley is a good fit. I think the starting pitching has been carrying the team, along with D. Lee.

but I’ve been here for just over a year. I grew up in a little Dutch community in NW Iowa where the lawns are impeccable, the people are friendly, and the town square is surrounded by Old World Dutch architecture (think Epcot with actual residents). I discovered baseball in my youth, and my favorite player was Johnny Bench.

Moved to Chicago 10 years ago, and roomed for years with a guy you all know as Jimmyeatworld. It was at this time that I began my obsession with the Cubs. Jimmy had always been a fan, so with that influence, plus my natural inclination to despise any league that didn’t require the pitcher to bat, I chose sides and went to my first Cubs game at Wrigley Field vs. the Tigers on my birthday in 2000. As I watched a majestic two-run homer sail from the bat of Damon Buford and into the bleachers in left, I realized two things:

1) Damon Buford was probably not going to do that again for a while, and
2) I loved the Cubs.

Found myself a nice Polish girl (now my wife) and decided to take her to her first Cubs game on my birthday, as was my tradition whenever possible. On that day, Lou Piniella decided to argue a call at 3rd base and was famously ejected. A few weeks later, my parents came to visit and took us to another game, where Aramis Ramirez hit arguably his most famous walkoff shot ever against the Brewers. I again realized two things:

1) I got to watch another Cub fan get her start right in front of me, and
2) Damon Buford couldn’t sniff Aramis Ramirez’s jock.

I love this team. I hate this team. I will never escape this team.

Just kill me now.

I lurked here a lot last season, following game threads on and off, and everyday during the postseason (not that that was very long unfortunately) — however, I didn’t actually join the site until a couple days after the Cubs 2008 season ended.

I did so as an affirmation of my Cubs fanhood — there was such doom-and-gloom, gnashing of teeth, tearing of hair, and forswearing of the Cubs forever at the end there, that joining the site officially was my way of trying to make up for those saying they would never be back — of saying “I still believe…” (and I don’t care if that sounds corny!)

Anyway, I’m Erik and I’m a Cubs addict… (pauses for everyone to say “hi Erik”). I’m 40 now and despite growing up in NC, I have been a Cubs fan as long as I can remember. That’s my Dad’s fault — he and my mom are from Rockford (maybe he’ll tell more of his story himself — you out there CubFanInRaleigh?)

I only truly got addicted during the 1984 season – I was 15 and that happened to be the 1st or 2nd year my family had cable and I could finally see games on good ol’ WGN. God, I still hate Steve Garvey so much.

I’ve had a fairly long association with Australia. I came here first on a semester-abroad marine biology program in college and then when it came time to choose a field site for doing my dissertation research, I managed to finagle my way back here for 5 more years. After finishing up my PhD, I just kept finding ways and excuses to stay on until eventually I earned a permanent job as a research scientist (ecologist) with the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation here in Canberra. Most of my research is on animal movements (mostly of birds) in fragmented landscapes.

Being in Australia is a big part of what brought me to this site, because there just aren’t people to talk about the Cubbies with here! So I mostly just come here for game threads to enjoy the camaraderie of hanging out with other die-hard Cub fans.

I can’t just chose one favorite Cub — if you put a gun to my head I’d probably say Santo. A lot of guys from the 80’s teams would be in the mix — Sandberg, Grace, Dunston, Dawson, Jody Davis (or as Harry would say “Jody, Jody Davis, catcher without a fear”), Maddux and Sutcliffe.

If I had to pick one fave Cubbie from the current roster — I just don’t know — I totally admit to being a kool-aid-drinking, rose-colored-glasses-wearing. love-every-Cub kinda fan, so it would be hard. But if you put a gun to my head again, then I’ll say Mike “Little Babe Ruth” Fontenot, aka the Wonder Hamster.

This post is already too long, so I’ll leave the suggestions for improving the team to the rest of you…

I’m sure that’s more than you ever wanted to know about me, but I’ve enjoyed reading other stories! :)

I’m Phil, retired Wildlife Ecology professor at NC State University, In Raleigh.
As CubFanInCanberra noted I grew up in Rockford (and rural Winnebago county), Illinois and was Lured to Cub-fandom by my grandfather and uncle in the late 1940’s. Every weekend afternoon in summer the radio was tuned to Cub games and banter (moans groan, etc) about the game was constant. I was weaned on this! Summer and baseball were synonymous (including our neighborhood sandlot games)

 I followed the cubs w/great interest (& frustration) until 1960, when I went off to college in Colorado, then back to mid-west at UW Madison (with 3 years in Alberta on field studies). W/o TV and cable those years away were lost ones for this cub fan.

As CubFanInCanberra noted it was cable & WGN that allowed me to rekindle my Cub-fandom and provided the opportunity to introduce another generation to the “magic” of being a Cub fan. That has prompted occasional accusations child abuse, however.
On the other hand, it was this Canberra Cub fan who introduced me to BCB, which feeds
and enables this addiction, today. And there aren’t many Cub fans in Raleigh, either!

Really hard to pick favorite old cub player, but Sandberg, Sutcliffe, Dawson and Maddux were near the top since the 1980’s.

I’ll likely take some heat with my choice of The-Riot as current roster favorite. While I really respect Derek Lee for his professional and competent demeanor on and off the field, Ryan Theriot represents the kind of player with perhaps marginal size and physical skills, but who succeeds mainly with grit and hard work. Like the Canberra fellow I think if they are in a cubs uniform they ought to walk on the water, they are the Chosen, after all they play their home games IN WRIGLEY, CUB Fan Central!

I’m not savvy enough about baseball to know what to suggest to correct the poor collective performance of this really talented team. However I don’t believe that booing them is it!
I’m hoping the AS break will magically allow the team to reconnoiter and return with a fresh new attitude that will help turn it around (more kool-aid, rose colored glasses please)

I am really enjoying learning who the folks are attached to the avatars and handles, this was a great idea!

1. My name is TJ 27 years old served in the Navy from 2001-2005. I’m from Omaha, NE but spent some time when I was little in Moline, Illinois.

2. I became a Cubs fan because that was who my grandma would watch (Cubs, Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Illini) so I just went with that.

3. My favorites would be Jody Davis and Jerome Walton. It is a family tale how my first complete coherent sentence was “I be Jody Davis” as I was in a catchers squat in front of the TV. When I was 7 or 8 I got Walton’s autograph and was fan of his.

4. Who knows until new ownership is decided. We have to see if they will cut payroll or add. I was in favor of Mark Cuban though.

Hey My name is davis and i am from Memphis, TN… I went to University of TN where i got a degree and now i have a farm in TN… I became a Cubs fan when I was 6 years old when I started taking hitting lessons and my hitting instructors favorite team was the cubs…. Favorite Cubs are Ted Lilly and Derek Lee… go to about 5 or six games a year and watch every one that I can on tv

My name is Julie. I am originally from Huntington, Indiana but am currently in Springfield, Missouri.

I am a 46 year old grandmother of two. I am also a full time student in communications at Evangel University. I also work full time so I have little extra. This site could be a weakness.

My mom has always been a Cubbies fan. We always watched games when I was a kid, but I was more of an Orioles (Palmer, Powell and Brooks Robinson) fan. I evolved into a Cubs fan after I left home, because it was a way to feel connected.

My favorite Cubbies are Banks, Sandburg, Fergie Jenkins and DLee

I do not believe there is a quick fix for the current team. When teams sell the farm to try to fix deficiencies, it usually hurts more in the long run. I do believe we need a solid all around second baseman. That is our most glaring weakness. There is no reason this team should not be competitive— if they start hitting like they are capable.

Who am I? I’m Karena from Milan, IL

How did I become a Cubs fan? Moved from PA to OK in 1986, starting to watch theCubs regularly on WGN. The rest is history.

Who is my favorite current or former Cub? now: Aramis, then: Sammy

What would you suggest the Cubs do to improve the club this year? Just swing the bat