Wrigleyville Classic, Northwestern Vs. Illinois: Go West, Young Men
by Al Yellon on Nov 20, 2010 8:00 AM CST
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
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Yesterday's controversial decision to have all offensive plays in today's Wrigleyville Classic between Northwestern and Illinois head to the west end of the field lies squarely in the lap of the Big Ten, who approved the layout after months of planning.
It does not, in my opinion, make this game a "joke" or "travesty" or "disaster" or any of the other words that were batted around here yesterday. It will disappoint those who had hoped to ballhawk on Sheffield -- and really, there's no reason they couldn't kick field goals and/or extra points in that direction -- but in the end, the two teams will play football. The rule change makes this game unique, and gives it some interest it wouldn't have had before. Admittedly, those who bought tickets on the east side or east end zone -- some paying $150 face value -- have a right to be upset at having seats that they thought would be close to some action and now will find themselves far away from the game.
Not being a college football expert myself, I'll leave it to others to discuss this game and its impact. At SB Nation Chicago, Hilary Lee posts her comments and a forecast for the game. The weather -- partly sunny, temperatures in the mid-40s -- isn't that different from many Cubs April Opening Days.
I know there are many Illini fans here and there will certainly be many clad in orange in Wrigley Field this afternoon. With a graduate degree from Northwestern, I'm rooting for the purple today. Go 'Cats.
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i wonder if they
agreed to the teams going one direction on offense only, but waited until all tickets were paid for before announcing it
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
by Cubbie-Tim on Nov 20, 2010 8:52 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Doesn't sound like it.
That would be grounds for a class-action lawsuit, I’d think.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
i didnt think so either
just stirring the pot some
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
They would never stick it to the fans like that!
The fans’ experience is foremost in their minds!
by TheGrinch13 on Nov 20, 2010 11:20 AM CST up reply actions
GO U NU!!!!
My seats in 416 went from being good to awesome with yesterday’s decision. I’m looking forward to wandering all over the place down there today. Should be fun.
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
I'll be in 424.
Anyone at the game, stop on by.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'll be at home!
I have to wash my dog today!
by TheGrinch13 on Nov 20, 2010 11:21 AM CST up reply actions
Looks like a pretty good
Turnout for gameday.
by LT on Nov 20, 2010 9:06 AM CST via mobile reply actions
good lively crowd there
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
completerly assinine
A burlesque, bullshit, crap, craziness, farce, flapdoodle, folly, foolishness, hot air, idiocy, illogicality, illogicalness, improbability, inanity, incongruity, insanity, irrationality, jazz, jive, ludicrousness, ridiculousness, senselessness, silliness, stupidity, unreasonableness, distortion, farce , imitation, lampoon, libel, mimicry, mockery, parody, pasquinade, pastiche, put-on, ridicule, satire, send-up, sham, takeoff, travesty.
If the stadium is not adequate to hold a NCAA foot ball game than don’t
13- Warner, 23- Sandberg, 40- Tillman, 11- Walter
Yes, but the publicity generated for Wrigley Field,
is priceless. The small dimensions re-emphasize the fact that Wrigley Field is a ballpark, not a stadium. It’s national news. I’ve been getting emails and calls from friends and family from coast to coast, wondering if I’m going (they know I live on Addison near the ballpark) — and these are from people who might not even know that Northwestern and Illinois are in the Big Ten.
Alas, I have a prior commitment and can’t go, which is really making me mad.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Nov 20, 2010 9:49 AM CST up reply actions
Hooray! they know there's a game going on
they also know that it’s completely asinine to be playing a game in a stadium that doesn’t fit.
I can’t believe they waited this long to freaking measure the dimensions
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Yeah, but...
…are ya for it or against it?
"I don't care who the manager is OR who they sign in the off-season...I just want a frickin' World Series winner" - Easy Ed
Agreed 1000%.
Disaster.
IF YOU CAN’T PLAY THE GAME AS THE RULES INDICATE, IT’S A DISASTER.
This wasn’t because of some freak accident or weather. It’s because those in charge at all levels were / are idiots.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Nov 20, 2010 3:33 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I'm sorry Al...
….. but this IS a joke. It is hard to fathom anyone involved wouldn’t have realized that Wrigley’s seat configuration had changed since 40 years ago, and that maybe, just maybe, running the football field from right field to third base might not work. It’s undeniable it was a tight fit when the Bears did it (remember, the end zones weren’t even regulation size back THEN), so there must have been a reason why the Bears never tried RF to 3B themselves way back when. In and of itself having this gamne here is a cool, neat idea, but come on, the very next thought someone should have had (because I know I did) was “will this still fit?”.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
But here's the deal.
Everyone signed off on it. Changing it 24 hours before the game is ridiculous.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I wasn't there, so how would I know?
But, that is really beside the point. When they saw just how close that wall was to the back line of the endzone, all bets were off.
There is no quarreling with the decision. Yeah, it’s a shame they didn’t pick it up earlier. It should have dawned on somebody that there is always a problem playing football in a facility designed for baseball and maybe there is a good reason no football games were played in Wrigley in the last 40 years.
Now I read where Ricketts would like UN-Illinois to play in Wrigley every year. Good luck with that.
Yeah, I assume this won't happen any more, making today unique.
Again, if they had all approved designs, and walked through only a week ago as they said they did, changing it at the last minute seems weaselly to me.
The reasons the Bears left Wrigley Field had more to do with the lack of lights in the early 1970s and the seating capacity — Soldier Field had, at the time, 25,000 more seats — than with anything to do with the field layout.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I don't assume that they are being weasels
My guess is that the people who were doing the review of the field layout and who signed off on it were people who don’t really understand the nuances of how football is played today.
All teams now have red zone passing plays that involve crossing routes that are designed to go right to the back of the end zone. Not to mention fade routes that involve leaping over the shoulder catches while running full speed thru the end zone
I’m guessing it was only when one of the coaches got a look at the field that a red flag went up.
I’m also sure they spent some considerable time kicking around potential solutions to the problem before they went public with it.
But, you can rest assured that going ahead and playing a normal end to end game under those field conditions was never considered a possibility once the problem was identified.
Well, maybe.
NU coach Pat Fitzgerald had already mentioned he had different game plans for each end zone. My guess is that had they left it alone, coaches wouldn’t have run passing plays into that end zone, or at least not into that area.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this
Don’t run pass plays at one end of the field? If people think only using one end zone is a corruption of the game, their heads would explode over this.
C'mon, this was such a fantastic idea!
Don’t be so negative! It will give us more money to spend on all of the free agents that we’re going to sign this offseason! Give them a break!
by TheGrinch13 on Nov 20, 2010 11:23 AM CST up reply actions
speaking of money
did you make the donation for The Jake Fox Challenge
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
I donated my money to the Cubs!
I wanted them to be able to pay their electricity bill!
by TheGrinch13 on Nov 20, 2010 11:27 AM CST up reply actions
meaning you did not make it
all that talk and you skip out on it, well done.
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
it's not about nuances
or passing plays or red zone offense.
the ncaa requires that you provide a six foot "buffer around the field and that that buffer area be free from obstructions.
by circuitclout on Nov 20, 2010 11:30 AM CST up reply actions
Yes
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 20, 2010 12:00 PM CST up reply actions
B.S. B.S. B.S.
My guess is that the people who were doing the review of the field layout and who signed off on it were people who don’t really understand the nuances of how football is played today.
No nuances here. There are minimum NCAA field dimensions. can you fit the fit at Wrigley or not? End of story.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 20, 2010 11:56 AM CST up reply actions
Since the NCAA also signed off on this some time ago
I’m not sure I get your point.
I do get that B.S. B.S. B.S. is something I would expect out of someone about 10 years old.
There are no nuances to this
The field size is the field size. Measure twice, paint once.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 20, 2010 12:14 PM CST up reply actions
I don't know why I bother
You guys are really dense. Nuances of the game
My speculation, which I think is pretty viable, is that the people who signed off on this field configuration ahead of time were administrators or other people that aren’t coaches. The danger of having a wall right behind the end zone was not picked up because you need to understand how the game is played and the type of plays that are run to appreciate that.
I would bet it was when one of the coaches saw that wall that he said “if we run a fade route, someone is going to get hurt”, or something like that.
Jeez, get a life.
i'm not sure why you bother either
you don’t need to understand the nuances of the game to understand that if you need to have six feet of open space around the field, having a wall six inches from the field isn’t going to cut it, no matter how much ivy-imprinted padding you put on it.
you speculation isn’t viable.
by circuitclout on Nov 20, 2010 12:26 PM CST up reply actions
You are clueless
I just pointed out that the NCAA signed off on this like a year ago, so clearly they decided to waive the six foot requirement.
My speculation is not only viable, it makes perfect sense, which cannot be said about your posts.
wrong
everyone knew it was an issue. they knew it affected the “nuances of the game” and were going to try work around it. obviously it was decided that they couldn’t risk the liability.
by circuitclout on Nov 20, 2010 12:42 PM CST up reply actions
seems to me administrators or other people who aren't coaches...
…yet are in a position of authority whereas they can sign off on something like this are people who understand the nuances of rules and requirements.
I’d like to hear your speculation on why these non-coaches types went ahead and signed off on this event. Do you think they were not aware of the 6 foot requirement? Or if they were, why do you think they chose to ignore/waive it?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Oh no
Probably the French Poetry professor!
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 20, 2010 12:58 PM CST up reply actions
I think they clearly
made a conscious decision to waive the requirement. How could you conclude anything else?
Why? Because it is a unique venue and everyone got caught up in the excitement of staging the game.
And yes, unless you really understand the game or have played it, you do not realize what is at stake. Most of the people posting here do not get it…even after it is explained to them.
Most NCAA and Big Ten officials that would look at this either didn’t think about or didn’t realize the risk involved.
you took a good post and had to throw an insult into it
which is a shame
And yes, unless you really understand the game or have played it, you do not realize what is at stake. Most of the people posting here do not get it
that is based 100% on your opinion, and you will not only state it as fact, but I am sure try to argue til the Cows come home to prove it.
you are not ignorant, but when you have to take jabs at people in the process, they jab back. so my advice would be to avoid your own jab throwing at people and i am sure that will help others not to take jabs at you (and that goes both ways)
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
point, counterpoint
i think they clearly made a conscious decision to waive the requirement. How could you conclude anything else? they clearly changed their mind. no one has concluded anything else
Why? Because it is a unique venue and everyone got caught up in the excitement of staging the game. because they are going to make a lot of money
And yes, unless you really understand the game or have played it, you do not realize what is at stake. Most of the people posting here do not get it…even after it is explained to them. the land of lincoln trophy and bowl eligibility?
Most NCAA and Big Ten officials that would look at this either didn’t think about or didn’t realize the risk involved. only i, azjazzman, realize that this decision is really about being able to run fade routes in the endzone
by circuitclout on Nov 20, 2010 1:36 PM CST up reply actions
I'm going with Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips statement over your conjecture
From the ESPN link that circuitclout posted:
“I know both staffs are aware of it,” Phillips (Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips) said. "From the very beginning, the players’ safety was paramount. That’s what took us the longest time. We had risk managers here; we had civil engineers, safety engineers. We had so many people look at it because nobody wants or wanted to put the student-athlete at harm’s way at a riskier type of environment.
“We vetted it through all the experts at both universities and felt everyone was comfortable with the dimensions.”
Everybody from NU and IL was made aware of the east end zone.
Bottomline: They got cold feet.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 20, 2010 8:04 PM CST up reply actions
You know what?
For once, I was essentially agreeing with you on something and then you went ahead and became a complete dick again with the condescending insults towards those that disagree. Now I’m ashamed to say I was agreeing with you. I’ve said this before- if you’re really this way with people in facee to face dealings, I’m amazed you haven’t had someone beat the shit out of you by now to the point where you’re nothing but a vegetable. Or dead.
For once in your pathetic on line life, show a little class and respect.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
by BeerCub on Nov 20, 2010 12:43 PM CST up reply actions 6 recs
Rec'd
I’d like to see azjazzman at my local watering hole pulling his antics. Those glasses he wears would likely be a permanent attachment to his face.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
I would love to see that also
In fact I would love to run into you anywhere, anytime. I’m pretty sure your internet tough guy act would disappear pretty quickly. And if it didn’t, I’d be happy to remove it for you.
Ok I'm in Mesa
Every 3rd week of March for Spring Training. I’ll be at Diamonds (the old sluggos) every afternoon/evening that week. In addition, anytime you find yourself in Albuquerque, I’d be glad to make your aquaintance…with my fist. #1 your’re alot older than I am, and #2 I’m a competative runner, who hits the gym 6 days a week. I’ll have hit you and moved on before your skull hits the ground.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
Knock it off.
Threats of physical violence? Really?
Stop now.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Al
My apologies, he started it, and chose to go there.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
Thanks.
I honestly don’t care who started the threats of physical violence. They will not be tolerated here. Ever.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Alright
Probably pretty stupid for me to have even responded. I can’t believe that douchebag is still allowed on this site. He seems to be on a mission to make even the most reasonable people on this blog upset.
"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"
channel that anger into laughter
Try to imagine that his mission is to amuse us all and I think you’ll see his posts in a whole new light.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Sorry Beer Cub
but it is others that cannot have a discussion without resorting to juvenile insults not me. You are mistaken about who it is that is a complete dick. And that level of name calling just proves my point.
When you respond to a cogent point by saying: “B.S. B.S. B.S.” you get a response in kind.
""I’m amazed you haven’t had someone beat the shit out of you"
Would you like to try? I’m ready when you are, jerk.
Blow it out your ass
You’re just proving the point I made, in spades. I said I was surprised no one has beat the shit out of you. You know, the generic “no one”. You then, proving my point, offer to actually fight people here. Why you aren’t banned is a mystery.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
by BeerCub on Nov 20, 2010 1:46 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Flagged.
Of all the things I’ve seen you say, threatening to beat someone is probably the worst.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 21, 2010 6:09 AM CST up reply actions
Unacceptable.
There’s no way threats of violence are EVER acceptable here.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
D:
A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!!!
GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Nov 20, 2010 1:54 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Somebody got cold feet.
That’s all. They knew what the restrictions were. They put up specially designed (and advertised) 6 inch padding.
Maybe Pat Fitzgerald said something. But not based on his comments from Thursday’s walk-through.
Not Ron Zook – he did not see the field until Friday after the announcement.
Then again, this is not the first time the 6 foot rule has been broken and Pat Fitzgerald said that himself.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 20, 2010 12:51 PM CST up reply actions
answer: because they are going to make a lot of money
if they couldn’t have the game at wrigley the cubs weren’t in position to make a lot of money off the game and NW wouldn’t have been able to dramatically increase season ticket sales. so they had every reason to sign off on it, if they didn’t, there would be no game, and they wouldn’t make nearly as much money playing at ryan field.
it involves some speculation but it’s not hard to figure out that they knew the field didn’t fit and was potentially dangerous but they didn’t care because they were all going to make so much money. but when people starting asking questions and it became clear that the field didn’t provide the buffer required by the ncaa the powers that be realized that they would be liable if a player got hurt. recent tragic events at rutgers and notre dame have put an increased spotlight on player safety so they couldn’t get away with the “it’s old time football” excuse. so instead, they’ll play “losers walk” and hope no one fumbles into the RF end zone. and they still get to make their money, even while people watch a college football game played with pickup rules.
by circuitclout on Nov 20, 2010 11:12 AM CST up reply actions
C'mon, the Cubs never make bad decisions!
Besides, it’ll all be worth it when we have Kerry Wood, Adam Dunn, Jeff Frasor, and Scott Downs in uniform!
by TheGrinch13 on Nov 20, 2010 11:29 AM CST up reply actions
is jeff frasor related to jason frasor?
maybe we could get both. :0)
by circuitclout on Nov 20, 2010 11:31 AM CST up reply actions
Honest Answer?
Because whoever was involved was too stupid to any kind of foresight. No other answer.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
or they had green eyes
and didnt consider it a problem
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
And that's why it's a joke
and the solution to this dilemma, while probably the best that could be hoped for given the circumstances, is also a joke.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
The solution is a joke.
The adjusted game plans that were mentioned for the east end zone surely would have worked — most likely, no pass routes were going to be run into that end zone anyway.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I read your comment above.
As I noted, NU coach Pat Fitzgerald said he had different red zone game plans for each end zone, to adjust for the conditions.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That is nuts
Unless this is an exhibition game where nobody cares who wins or loses, that just simply is beyond the pale.
That would be like the coach of the Bulls saying he won’t allow any of his players to dunk, because they might hurt themselves.
doe this mean we should not hold out hope of the Super Bowl at Wrigley?
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
Actually I could envision
a Super Bowl being played there before a world series.
by troutfishin on Nov 20, 2010 11:10 AM CST up reply actions
I realize you are being facetious
but given the fact that the NFL has a requirement that the stadium that hosts the Super Bowl seat a minimum of 70,000…
If Tom Ricketts has Super Bowl fever, he’d better revisit that renovation.
Facetious yes, but as I commented
below, there is no way that future football events will be held at Wrigley without expanding the playing surface, and by where Cubs are currently located that won’t happen.
by troutfishin on Nov 20, 2010 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
The NCAA also has a requirement about buffer zones...
…yet they decided to play at Wrigley anyway.
From this espn.com article
NCAA rules state the field dimensions must have adequate space surrounding the playing surface: “Limit lines shall be marked … 12 feet outside the sidelines and the end lines, except in stadiums where total field surface does not permit. In these stadiums, the limit lines shall not be less than 6 feet from the sidelines and end lines.”
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
ESPN game day said it was 6 feet
either way, its a lot more than what WF offers and they all knew it
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
they didnt make the statement as you did
which clarifies it well (should have added above)
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
how can the game not be a joke
if the solution is a joke? i agree, they should have stuck with the original plan of playing “wall is out” instead of the new solution, “loser walks.”
by circuitclout on Nov 20, 2010 12:23 PM CST up reply actions
errrr, that would have made the game even more of a joke.
Having to tailor your gameplan because one end of the stadium is smaller than the other would have been beyond ridiculous.
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Stupid Big 10
Thanks the new conference alignment, we won’t get to play the Illini anymore. Because, as we used to say, it’s not much of a rivalry, but it’s the only one we have.
Where is Mick Kelleher when we need him?
by 3744nsheffield on Nov 20, 2010 10:10 AM CST reply actions
"We" being Northwestern?
Because you’re wrong if that’s who you are talking about.
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
ESPNU
Check local listings.
It’s not a joke. So the ball gets moved. The players still have to play the game.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree...
the ONLY people to really have a bitch are the ones sitting in the “wrong” end zone. It’s still 10 yards, 6 points, extra points, punts, defense and offense. I’m not a College football fan at all, but, am intrigued enough to watch this game.
"I don't care who the manager is OR who they sign in the off-season...I just want a frickin' World Series winner" - Easy Ed
Here's the problem, you admit that you aren't a college football fan
but then say it’s not a problem. This would be like if Selig decided that in the All-star game, the players were not going to have to run the bases if they hit a homerun due to time constraints. Then someone who isn’t a baseball fan comes on and goes, “what’s the problem”
The game is still basically the same but it is a big change and a silly one.
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
It IS a joke.
Sorry, but it is. This was poor planning to the extreme
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
The real JOKE is that this game is only on ESPNU.
I live a mile from the park and have Comcast extended digital cable, and they’re showing me Virginia Tech vs. Miami and the Stanford game. I believe most people in Chicago don’t get ESPNU unless they have some sort of satellite provider.
I mean, really. That IS a joke.
Maybe you should have signed up
For Uverse. :P
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
ESPNU for the game
ESPN has Gameday on currently from WF
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
I loved Erin Andrews trying to spin up the Rooftop on Sheffield
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 20, 2010 11:49 AM CST up reply actions
true
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
She's sad. She finally makes it to Wrigley but no Hoffpauir. So sad...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
The Big 10 knew about the field
for the months and they decide at the last minute to only use the one end zone. The Big 10 didn’t figure out the end zone in right field was close to the wall and the potential danger until this week? This had to reviewed almost a year in advance. That’s what the NHL does for the the winter classic.
This season, the Eagles were thinking of having the game against the Green Bay Packers played at Franklin Field in honor of the 1960 NFL championship team. It never happened for a number of reasons. Eagles have more season ticket holders than what Franklin Field holds, lack of bathrooms, where to sit the people who have luxury boxes and club seats, and the NFL wasn’t thrilled about the idea.
Al you have a talent for spin
“The rule change makes this game unique, and gives it some interest it wouldn’t have had before.”
If you don’t have a job in this dept., someone should give you one.
Trying to make the best of it instead of complaining and bitching.
Just sayin’.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Is that your job, to make the best of it
by now even you have to start acknowledging that if the Cubs organization wants to keep hosting some of these events it might be time to start thinking about a new and improved home. The solution cannot and will not come from stadium renovations because they can’t expand the playing surface. At the very least this is embarrassing for Ricketts.
by troutfishin on Nov 20, 2010 11:18 AM CST up reply actions
Talk is cheap, money is not, so this won't happen
See ya for baseball at Wrigley Field next summer and the summers after that…
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 20, 2010 11:46 AM CST up reply actions
In 1932 the Bears played the first ever NFL playoff game in Chicago Stadium!
80-yard field. Bears won.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
Right.
That was the first indoor game in NFL history. Played there because the Wrigley Field surface was unplayable.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Too bad
Wrigley could have hosted the World Series and the NFL playoff game in the same year. Was it an NFL Championship game? Has that ever happened?
1963 NFL Championship Game
was at WF, sadly the Cubs were just a bit short of the WS that season lol
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
My dad had two tickets to that game.
My brother and I flipped a coin to see who would go. I lost.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Nov 20, 2010 11:31 AM CST up reply actions
man, that sucks.
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
Yeah. And I still hear the stories about what a great game, great experience it was! Grrrrr.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Nov 20, 2010 11:53 AM CST up reply actions
I used to. But now he's bigger than me.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Nov 20, 2010 12:06 PM CST up reply actions
get a club lol
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
He's a pipe fitter. He'll have a 21-ft. length of 2-inch galvanized steel.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Nov 20, 2010 12:22 PM CST up reply actions
in that case
hire a club of people lol
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
reminds me of the story i heard about a coworker of my dads (since retired)
was a kid in 1945 and his parents promised to take him to the next Cubs WS cus he was too young to go in 1945
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
Well, at least the Bears have made it back to the "Championship Game" since.
But I haven’t been able to go to either of those, either.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Nov 20, 2010 12:23 PM CST up reply actions
It was called a "playoff game" because it determined final season standings.
But it was a de facto championship because the NFL “champ” was determined by standings. First place team was declared the champions.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Nov 20, 2010 11:30 AM CST up reply actions
how many stadiums have hosted
NFL, NHL and NBA championships?
Chicago Stadium did, as noted above, but did any other?
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
1956 Yankee Stadium. Giants NFL, beat the Bears, and Dodgers vs. Yankees.
Also Yankee Stadium, 1958 and 1962. Don’t you just love NY?
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Nov 20, 2010 11:39 AM CST up reply actions
Depends on what you mean by same year
If you mean same “season”, then the Metrodome in 1991 would qualify.
Twins won the 1991 World Series there and the 1991 NFL season finished with the Redskins beating the Bills in Super Bowl 26, though technically that game was played in 1992 (January 26).
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
in the same thinking
different stadium, same block…
Rangers played WS down the block from where this seasons SB will be played
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
Somebody start up the Right Field Sucks! chant
Because for this game, it will be hard to fire a comeback from the Right Field bleachers.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
RF ticketholders
really got it up the anoose with this decision. Other than that, it’s an amateur football game. So what if they head west.
Go 'Cats!
If DeRo could hit Reed Johnson with 60 yard bombs from the 3B line to RF, why can’t two major college football teams do the same thing? Am I missing something?
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
other than relevance?
I don’t even get this comparison
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Because you're not allowed to throw the ball toward RF
Special Wrigley Field ground rule. (Also: If the ball gets stuck in the ivy, it automatically reverts to second down.)
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Nov 20, 2010 2:57 PM CST up reply actions
If the organization is serious about hosting football in the future, then it can be worked out in the renovation. The third base stands/dugout could be modified to give the outfield end zone the necessary room.
Of course, such modifications would be contingent on Northwestern agreeing to play more games in the future. A more likely solution would involve convincing DePaul to renew its football program and use Wrigley as its full-time home.
The family may well have to get creative to finance its goals for the park.
by bourbon_and_branch on Nov 20, 2010 2:04 PM CST reply actions
depaul
should probably renew its basketball program before it even thinks of renewing its football program.
by circuitclout on Nov 20, 2010 2:46 PM CST up reply actions
Just one example and then I'm letting it go.
People say: “what’s the problem with going the same direction for both teams?”
The problem is that football, unlike any other sport, involves the elements. You PLAN for the elements. At the coin toss, the team who loses the toss is given the option of taking one side of the field or the other and usually base that choice on which way the wind is blowing and what way it will be blowing in the 2nd and 4th quarters. It’s a strategic advantage that is being taken away thanks to poor planning by the Big Ten.
Think I’m making too big a deal about this? Find some tape of the Nebraska-Iowa State game two weeks ago. The wind was HOWLING one direction, and in the fourth quarter with the game tied and the wind blowing in their faces, Nebraska had to basically play for overtime because they didn’t want to risk kicking a fieldgoal into the wind (or throwing into the wind for that matter) and giving Iowa State good field position.
Now, I have no idea what the wind is doing in Wrigley today, and that wouldn’t be the point even if there was ZERO wind.
This decisions removed an important part of the game. That’s why its a joke
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
I understand your reasoning.
But I still think you’re making too big a deal about it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
"Ride the Wild Wind II"?
And at the end of one, it’s the Phillies 7, the Cubs 6.
I mean the Fighting Illini 21, the Wildcats 14.
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Nov 20, 2010 3:24 PM CST reply actions
What's up kids?
More folks in Wrigley than at any time in the month of September? I think so…
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
At least Wrigley was open for sports fans in November ...
God, I would love to have been there just to walk through the place and stare at it through the keyhole even ..
Blue mountains high .. Blue valleys low
I don't know which way we shall go ..
One summer dream .. one summer dream ..
coda
ELO, 1975
Great job Illini!
Whipped those kitties and sent ’em home pouting. Take that, Al!
Starlin Castro singles on a pop up to catcher Jason LaRue.
Ryan Theriot scores. Two out -Gameday 7/23/10
by Sandberg's evil twin on Nov 20, 2010 5:51 PM CST reply actions
Tempest in a teapot
Great game, wonderful publicity, kudos to Mikel LeShoure (who went to high school with my son).
Surprised no one in this thread mentioned the graphic the broadcast showed of the field for the game being played in Yankee Stadium today. It, too had less than 6 feet just on each edge of both end zones.
No one should be untouchable on this roster unless his name is Eliot Ness...or Starlin Castro.
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