More Advertising may be on the way at Wrigley Field
by Chanman25 on Mar 18, 2010 2:18 PM CDT
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ESPN is reporting that Cubs management may place a "Toyota" sign in the left field bleachers. Here is a snipit of their article:
The Cubs and automaker Toyota are working out a sponsorship deal that could put the company's logo on a sign hoisted above the left field bleachers.
I don't mind it that much, even all fields have some kind of advertisement. It's just...the artist rendition looks horrible. I'd rather have a mini electric scoreboard placed in that location instead.
Thoughts?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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My thought
is that anything that disrupts the outfield view is shit.
by salparadise23 on Mar 18, 2010 2:21 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
My view is that both of you are wrong.
Point 1: knock off the profanity.
Point 2: knock off the namecalling.
Thank you.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
see...
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2010/3/17/1377617/yikes-left-field-minitron
or
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2010/3/17/1377236/cubs-proposed-lf-billboard
See the Cubs 2010 schedule (now with game times & TV Schedule) at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2010.html
Also see what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
Sure looks like what you are talking about
Picture from comments in Al’s fanpost and from story linked in JimWa’s fanpost
Picture from ESPN Story
Looks the same to me
See the Cubs 2010 schedule (now with game times & TV Schedule) at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2010.html
Also see what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
That article was not focused initially on this topic, hence "Jumbo-Scoreboard coming" in the title
I didn’t know that was in that thread, and you wouldn’t expect to find it either. It’s no different than the 50 Bradley threads out there, IMO
This is the year...
not gonna lie
i kinda think it looks cool, I personally like seeing changes to wrigley every once in a while..
"God watches over drunks and third baseman."- Leo Durocher
by BelieveinBlue2314 on Mar 19, 2010 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I'm pretty
sure that’s the same thing we’ve been discussing.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark
by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Mar 18, 2010 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions
More of this will be coming folks...
…as Ricketts is going to capitalize on as many revenue opportunities as he can.
Look for stadium naming rights at some point, more advertising, and PSL’s on selected seats in the next 1-3 years.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Fine by me
It’s the 21st century, and ya gotta do whatever you can to bring in revenue in order to support a perennial winner.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark
by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Mar 18, 2010 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Especially...
…when your family just came up with about $900 mil and took on $500 mil in debt. Remember, they had to sell a lot of their stock at a low point to come up with the cash, so they took a bath on that piece of it and that had to hurt.
If I was Ricketts, I would be looking for every dime I could.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Agreed
I have zero problem with Ricketts maximizing the revenue potential of Wrigley FIeld. The “Toyota” sign is perfectly fine. Ditto selling the naming rights of the park. Good Cub fans don’t care about this stuff.
And like I’ve said before, sanctimonious defense of the old school feel of Wrigley is most often coming out of the mouths of people who rarely if ever go to games at the ballpark. Therefore I could REALLY care less if the presence of a red Toyota sign messes with your idyllic picture of Wrigley on the television set.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
Do you ever actually know what the heck you are talking about?
Good Cub fans don’t care about this stuff.
sanctimonious defense of the old school feel of Wrigley is most often coming out of the mouths of people who rarely if ever go to games at the ballpark.
Generalize much?
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
I completely disagree
I haven’t waited my whole life to see the Cubs win the Series and not be the same Cubs. Obviously I don’t mean that I want them to be losers. However, I fell in love with the Cubs at an early age for a number of factors including Wrigley Field, the traditions, the announcer, the players that have come and gone, the uniforms, etc.
So if the Ricketts go out and change EVERYTHING about this team and just call them “Cubs” does not mean that it will feel or mean the same. People keep saying “I don’t care what they do as long as they win the series.” Is that true? If they move them to Schaumburg, change their colors to pink and green, hire Bob Brenly to give exclusive radio and tv play by play, bring in 3 Jumbotrons, have t-shirt cannons in between innings, and ribbon signs that tell you when to Cheer, and tell Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ron Santo, Fergie Jenkins, Greg Maddux, and Ryne Sandberg that their flags don’t fit in with today’s financial world and that they’ve been replaced by advertisements, would it really mean the same?
Some of these are exaggerations, I know. I’ll probably get labeled as one of “those” fans that don’t care if they win. That simply isn’t true. I live and die by everything this team does. But if it’s not the Cubs I love when they win then I’m not for “any change to allow them to win.” Other teams have no problem winning without making a ton of changes to their franchise/ballpark/experience. Why can’t we?
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
by HoSs. on Mar 18, 2010 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I feel the same way. But then again, look who we are arguing with.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
You summarize everything that has historically been wrong about the Cubs
Winning was always viewed as an “add-on.” Those days need to END. It’s ALL about winning, especially at this stage when so many Cub fans who care about winning have had their hearts broken and the Cubs have taken on the national label of Luvable Losers.
Wrigley Field isn’t a museum to make people feel nostalgic and warm and fuzzy. It is home field to a baseball club who I hope and pray is getting close to winning a World Series.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
It can actually be both.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 18, 2010 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions
No...
Wrigley Field isn’t what is historically wrong with the Cubs. Their losing ways are what’s wrong. A stadium or traditions don’t make a team a failure unless that tradition is losing of course. Wrigley is a place where my father watched games as a boy. He got me following the Cubs. So yeah, I’d like to have him see the Cubs win while playing at Wrigley, being the same Cubs that we watched together when I was little. Like SWL said, it can actually be both. Our stadium isn’t what is holding us back.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
That's funny.
At Lambeau Field, regarded as a “Wrigley Field” or “Fenway Park” in football, the Packers, when they renovated in 2002, put a museum into a new Lambeau Field atrium. According to what I have seen, it is quite the sight to behold. At some point, I’d like to make it back there.
The museum itself has been hailed as a great addition to an old-style ballpark. Maybe this would be a possible use for part of the Triangle Building should it be constructed.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions
IIRC, that was to be one of the uses. But if it wasn't it'd be a great idea.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
See, this is what happens when I don't follow the updates on the Triangle Building.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey, don't feel bad. I only get my updates from Al and all of them folks.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
excellent comment. rec'd.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 18, 2010 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions
A sign of advertising at Wrigley is fine by me.
Selling the naming rights, or renaming the park, not so much. Part of what makes the Cubs the Cubs is the fact that they play in Wrigley Field, and when people think of baseball, the phrases “Wrigley Field” and “Chicago Cubs” go hand-in-hard.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I read this a lot on this site...
The implication of course is that if you’re against a Jumbotron or against a Toyota or Under Armour sign or selling the naming rights to the stadium, then you must also be against “support[ing] a perennial winner.”
But lack of money has not been the reason for lack of success – at least for the past decade. The Cubs are not the Pirates, Royals, A’s, Reds, or Marlins; they have the third highest payroll in all of baseball and an enormous nationwide following. They’re not struggling financially. It’s how the money is spent that is the issue.
Fitting Wrigley for a Toyota sign or a jumbotron or whatever else that would bring in advertising money is simply largesse and would not necessarily correlate to success on the field. If you can’t perennially win with the 3rd highest payroll, then you’re likely not going to win with the highest payroll either.
by Zonk on Mar 21, 2010 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
rec'd this...of course I did
I like the way you think
Nady's beard looks fine to me!
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 21, 2010 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions
There's another factor.
If you want Wrigley to stick around, that costs money too, for the renovations the ballpark needs.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That's called overhead, Al.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
Money, yes,...
…but it’s not a pass through expense. WF is a sunk cost, and Clan Ricketts should assume all associated debt. 7-11 is not going to change the price on a Big Gulp because they feel the need to upgrade their machines.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
I'm fine with some of that ...
stadium naming rights kind of makes me worry … but there are worse things.
PSLs, though, would really upset me. This is already a ballclub that got in trouble for scalping its own seats (essentially), and PSLs are really, really disgusting.
They didn't get in trouble at all
They won the lawsuit and weren’t doing anything illegal.
well, they did get sued
So, I guess it depends on what you define as getting into trouble.
PSLs are a virtual inevitability
Fact is there is near insatiable demand for tickets at Wrigley. Definite room to push ticket prices further through the roof….and definite appetite to add PSLs.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
I hope that doesn't happen.
Prices to games at Wrigley are already high enough. This would make games at Wrigley cost well out of my price range.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions
and I guarantee...
that if the Cubs do this, you can say goodbye to the casual fans. Cubs tickets are harder and harder to get – for the casual fan who is not invested in the Cubs, but just goes for the ballpark experience, are they going to go out of their way to find tickets and pay more? I’m sorry, but for the casual person, they don’t need Wrigley Field. More people will start to spend their money a few miles south and find that U.S. Cellular Field is a fine ballpark to watch a game in.
And more Cubs fans
Will go to Cubs games in other nearby stadiums (such as Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and the like).
I hope that doesn’t happen.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions
FWIW...
… as far as I know and have heard, there are no plans for PSL’s at Wrigley.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Thank goodness.
That would drive me away from there.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions
There are no PSLs in MLB today
Why would anyone in there right mind think that the Cubs would break new ground here?
Other than the Cubs Convention, where have the Cubs been first to market with an initiative in MLB?
Look East first.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Mar 18, 2010 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions
My Bad
I did not see the post below re: Cards and Giants,
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Mar 18, 2010 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions
It should also be noted...
…that PSLs are not an inflexible commodity. They’d probably retain value better given that they’re the Cubs, but here in SF, PSLs have lost 60%-80% of their value three years running.
The Twins, Padres, and Diamondbacks round out MLB’s experiment with PSLs.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
Thanks for the local insight
PSLs are like owning real estate now. You’re stuck with the fixed asset, when everyone else wants to cut their cost.
Renting = going to some games vs. Owning = owning season tickets.
This looks odd – The Chicago Bears and the St Louis Cardinals apparently use the same marketplace/web site provider for their PSLs
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Mar 18, 2010 11:48 PM CDT up reply actions
IMO...
…the Cubs would incorporate PSL’s on a limited amount of seats, not the entire ballpark. Would they get people to pay the freight? The answer is yes as long as they don’t have a couple years of not being competitive.
I believe this will either happen in the next 2-3 years, or possibly after the grandstand is rebuilt, but I do believe it is likely. If they don’t do it, you will see a continued rise in ticket prices instead.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
New Busch has approx 10K of PSL seats
and that’s with 43K to 46K of seating
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Mar 19, 2010 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Ticket prices...
…can only rise so much more. They’re already prohibitively expensive, and if they continue to rise ad hominem you’ll start seeing more and more seats unfilled. According to Forbes, the Cubs posted just under 30-million in profit while supporting a $114-million dollar payroll. With the continual rise in prices, I doubt that margin has decreased all that much. We’ll see what happens with Clan Ricketts’ first full year of ownership.
PSLs will never be for the entire stadium. 10k is probably a safe bet, but you should never buy them unless you really, really like the Cubs. They’re not an investment.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
I agree...
…and when you mention the 30 million in profit, keep in mind the Trib had no debt service in place to take care of each year.
The current debt service Ricketts has, is probably in the 30 mil range per year – hence the importance he is facing with finding every revenue source possible.
This is why I feel the current Cubs payroll is the highest you will see for several years. Also, stadium naming rights will be the next big step (besides some in stadium advertising) because of the amount of money it would bring in (maybe 15 mil per year). Naming rights for the triangle building may also happen, but the revenue potential wouldn’t come near the stadium naming rights.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I don't really see...
…why the payroll has to ever really get beyond $140-million. You may have a couple million here and there, but we don’t need an additional $60-million to be competitive.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
Here's where things are really going to come to a head.
When the current Fox/ESPN/TBS contracts expire (IIRC, in 2013).
Do you really think TV networks are going to pony up $1 billion plus again for baseball TV rights? (Or other sports, too? NFL, NBA, NCAA, will all face this problem.)
Major media are having financial troubles. The recession may end in a year or two, and a recovery begin, but I think the era of sports leagues getting these enormous payments from TV networks are over.
You may be seeing pay per view for every sports event you want to see. Either that, or players will simply have to understand that there’s less money available, so they’ll have to make less.
The latter has about as much chance of happening as me being elected King of England.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Do I expect TV networks...
…to put up another billion for MLB? No, I don’t. However, NFL will fare a lot better than the other sports. They made the necessary changes for the long term viability of the league.
MLB used to weather economic downturns a lot better before attaching it self to the so-called luxury market. Pay per view might be viable if the league was competitive, but it’ll end up putting the “small market” teams at a further disadvantage. Players & owners are going to have to accept this boom and bust cycle they have wrought by aligning themselves with the market.
If they don’t, you’ll be looking at post-strike attendance if that.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
I wonder about the NFL.
Many seem to think they’re headed for a work stoppage after next season.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That's a definite. You will see a work stoppage in the NFL.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Mar 20, 2010 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm predicting an 11th Hour
agreement. The NFL has the recent memory of MLB’s strike season, and it would behoove both sides to see that this doesn’t happen.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
It shouldn't have to go over...
…140 mil, hell you should be able to to field a consistent winner for 100-120. The problem has been the poor decisions that has put them in the position they are in now.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I agree.
Well, almost. I feel that a good GM can field a consistent winner for between $80-$100-million, with some leeway here and there of course.
This need to further increase revenue in order to sustain the bloat is patently absurd. You’re throwing good money after bad, and I’m unwilling to go that route.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
Sorry, No Guarantees in Life
There is no such thing as an imminent World Series title. The Yankees have had payrolls of $180MM since 2004 and it took until 2009 to win a World Series again.
There are no shortcuts, including more more money. Scout, Draft, and Develop better.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Mar 18, 2010 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
totally rec'd this....I ♥ it, I've waited all day for this RiskyBusiness!
Scout, Draft, and Develop better
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 18, 2010 11:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Sorry - My browser dropped it in the wrong spot
Should have been farther down on the “frickin museum” talk.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Mar 18, 2010 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Eh, it sounds like it doesn't matter anymore.
I heard on the radio this morning they already measured for a Jumbotron too. I miss it already :(
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 19, 2010 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't understand...
…why stadium naming rights has people worried. Isn’t the objective to be more concerned with the product they can put on the field vs whether the park is called “this or that at Wrigley Field”?
You can maximize revenue potential and still keep the basic ambiance of the park, and I’ll guarantee all the things I mention above are coming.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I wish this was about naming rights...I dont give a sh#t what you call it, but I do care about how it looks.
Not opposed to advertising done with integrity, but this is on the wrong end of that scale. And if all those things are coming, its Ricketts job to start here and now and freakin do it right! This has no ambiance at all. And I’ll say one more thing…if this thing is done….I have nothing against Toyota now, my sisters have them, I have a Honda and a Chevy, I have no problem buying one, but no one in my family will ever buy a Toyota again. They know how I feel and they get me, and I know I’m not the only one who feels this way.
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 18, 2010 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Not surprising...
…because a lot of people are as big a fan of the park, as they are the team. I’m not saying that is right or wrong, just that the park doesn’t mean shit to me if there aren’t any WS championship flags flying in it.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I'm not as big of a fan to the park as the team....
I would rather they tore it down and build a Cellular Field or Miller Park or Red Sox’ Field, than ruin the thing we have? Why does everybody think we’ll get a WS flag if we prostitute the park? I dont get it. What is the limit in this advertising game? What if they want to replace the scoreboard with a Jumbotron…..is that the limit? I’m not trying to single you out MPH73….you’re just in my line of fire :) One thing that keeps going thru my head concerning this/Ricketts……“be careful what you wish for” Who said there’s no crying in baseball?
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 18, 2010 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Regarding naming rights...
…. I think you’re more likely to see naming rights for the Triangle Building, which would be worth quite a bit as the sign would be visible on Clark St. all year round, than for the ballpark itself.
“Prostitute the park”? For a couple of signs? Really? I want a World Series. If that means more revenue from sources like this, I really don’t have a problem with it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
ok, so that was a bit dramatic :) I really do think I want a WS just as much as anyone here.
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 18, 2010 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Then, seriously, I hope you'd agree...
… that the team has been fairly sensitive to keeping Wrigley mostly as it has been, and adding only a few ads. This isn’t going to be Chase Field East or anything like that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I do agree,
there isnt anything but time that will lessen the disappointment I feel, but thank you for being, in this discussion, a gentleman and a (blogging) friend. :)
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 19, 2010 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Prostitute the park?
I really don’t get that.
You do what you have to do to put yourself in the best position to win championships.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
yeah, I guess I was a little over the top there. I'm done with this anyway. Go Cubs
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 18, 2010 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions
What's wrong with you guys?
More advertising means more money. More money equals more money for scouting, developing, and signing free agents.
Also, if they do increase revenue streams from other areas, then they won’t have to keep raising ticket prices, and at the end of the day that helps the fans!
I want to start competing for WS rings, I am tired of everyone laughing at me when I tell them I have been a die hard Cubs fans since just after I could throw a baseball and swing a bat!
that’s a problem with the people laughing at you, not us.
We all want to win a world-series. Some of us prefer to not live inside a commercial to do so.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2010 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
I appreciate your position, but...
… I don’t think a couple of ads in the ballpark amounts to “living inside a commercial”.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I want to see a better representation of this particular ad, but really, I’m responding to the comments that basically say “do whatever the hell you want to the park, just buy a WS.”
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2010 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I think there's a middle ground between...
… “keep the park the way it was in the 1950’s” and “do whatever the hell you want to it”.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
absolutely.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2010 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions
What would you guys rather have?
Higher ticket prices and concessions for the Cubs to stay competitive with the teams with the new ballparks?
Personally I rather they put some more advertising if need be
I would rather not turn Wrigley into Chase field. I don’t believe that we have to break the bank to have a competitive team.
It doesn’t have to be either or. We can field a competitive team AND respect the ballpark.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2010 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Respect the ballpark?
The more money made actually means the more money put into the ballpark which actually helps the ballpark. ( I can’t believe we’re personifying the ballpark)
The more they spend on fixing up the park, the longer they will keep the park and the small % of people who want a new ball park can shove it.
if I may...
no one is saying not to advertise, but there is a right way to do it….this toyota sign, to me, is totally on the wrong side of it. This is not “fixing” up the park. I know we need revenue and as I have said before, I wish they would change the name instead of going with this type of signage. I WANT ADS. I get, that is what the organization needs to build a better team and win a WS, but this is like painting a moustache on the Mona Lisa, does that really make the team better.
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 19, 2010 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions
no one is personifying the ballpark.
You could make a lot of money for a historical cathedral by putting up advertising too, and you don’t generally do that, either.
It’s a historical place. It has a feeling to it. We don’t want to ruin that feeling. We’re not against any advertising. We just want it to be respectful.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2010 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions
There's no comparison between a cathedral and Wrigley Field.
Yes, people call it a “cathedral of baseball”.
One is a place of worship. The other is a business, presumably run in part to make money. I trust you can see the difference.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Like Annie in "Bull Durham"
I believe in the Church of Baseball.
"Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air."-Pat Hughes
I believe that Wrigley field is a sacred place, Al. We all talk to God in different ways.
That doesn’t mean it can’t change. But it does mean that it has to be changed in the right way. And yes, I know that everyone has a different definition of “right”.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 20, 2010 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions
I feel the same way about Wrigley.
I just don’t think that advertising ruins it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
well
the advertising SO FAR hasn’t. But I think it’s important to make sure that future advertising doesn’t either.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 20, 2010 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions
PSLs ??? What are they?
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
Personal Seat Licenses.
I had to look them up, too. Basically, a PSL is a seat that is sold to a season ticket holder and are the property of said ticket holder. If the season ticket holder chooses not to renew the season tickets, however, they forfeit the seats to the team.
Some teams here do use PSLs, Most notably, the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals.
In Europe, they are known as “debenture.”
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 19, 2010 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Thanks - I keep forgetting what it stands for.
The whole idea of paying to be on a waiting list seems a bit strange to me.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
by eths on Mar 20, 2010 7:43 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
The Giants, Cardinals, Padres, Diamondbacks, and Twins all sell PSLs.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 19, 2010 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Billboard up the whole park for all I care
As long as the profits go back to improving Wrigley Field and the team. They should have been doing stuff like this years ago.
Wrigley Field
Isn’t a frickin museum, it’s a place where baseball is played and if any of you are serious about wanting to see a winner then we need to allow Ricketts to do what he can to raise revenue.
Personally, I could care less if Wrigley starts resembling the Tokyo Dome as long as I know a world series is imminent. For those of you that want nostalgia, go visit the Smithsonian.
by troutfishin on Mar 18, 2010 6:44 PM CDT reply actions 5 recs
Make it green
Post of the week !!! And a sentiment felt by very, very many Cub fans.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
I'm definetly not one of them.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
Because I care about the appearance of the park.
I am NOT saying that we shouldn’t advertise at all. I DO understand that advertising generates revenue. But I also believe in the sentimental side of Wrigley Field. And advertising does not necesarily guarentee you a ring. Having that extra money helps, but it doesn’t mean that we should make the place look like downtown. There is a happy medium that should be met.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
Does peeing...
…in a trough or only being able to see half the field because you’re stuck behind a structural beam or stuck deep underneath the mezzanine bring back fond memories for ya? \ If Ricketts is going to keep this dump(by today’s standards) then he is going to need as much revenue as he can get to keep his team competitive while also being able to keep the place from collapsing.
I understand your feelings about Wrigley, I have them to but we need to let go eventually and let something better come our way, after all being a Cubs fan is about being a fan of the team, isn’t it?
If Ricketts is going to keep this dump(by today’s standards)
Supposes facts not in evidence.
I understand your feelings about Wrigley, I have them to but we need to let go eventually
No, we don’t. The Red Sox fans didn’t have to. Why would we?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2010 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions
And here we are....
…back to the original topic of this discussion. Red Sox fans put up with quite a few advertisements which help their owner with the limited revenue they get from having a smaller capacity ballpark.
BTW, what facts would you like. The Cubs organization have had to spend a lot of money renovating the bleachers(because of structural problems) and on structural engineers to inspect the ballpark after problems with falling chunks of concrete.
It's wrong to think...
…that owners make less money with a smaller seating capacity. With a smaller seating capacity, they create more demand that artificially drives up prices. 9,000 extra seats in Fenway & Wrigley would drive down ticket prices. See Camden Yards as an example.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
I have to respectfully...
…disagree. Camden was filled to capacity for a few years after it was built but they haven’t produced a very good team and interest has waned. There is a supply and demand factor that happens in Boston and Wrigley, you could add 10,000 more seats and they would invariably sell them, same thing in NY, they have one of the largest ballparks in baseball and their ticket prices are astronomical.
can I ask....do you live in the Chicago area?
Nady's beard looks fine to me!
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 19, 2010 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions
ok .....you just made me wonder,
then I saw your username and thought maybe you were from out of town. You know, where they have trout fishing. Love trout.
Nady's beard looks fine to me!
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 19, 2010 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions
No..it's just...
…a play on Steve Trouts name and I absolutely loved the ’84 Cubs. I do like to fish however.
well, well....love those guys too
best games in my life was a dbl header against the Mets on the hottest day of the summer in Aug. we won both games too. Those guys broke my heart more than any other team.
Nady's beard looks fine to me!
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 19, 2010 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I miss...
…all those double headers. I still haven’t gotten over the ball through Leon Durhams legs with 2out in the 7th and the Cubs winning 3-2.
eh, I blame Garvey and I loved those dbl headers too...what a way to spend the day
I heard Trout was coaching someone, somewhere…I just remember thinking I was glad he was still in the game
Nady's beard looks fine to me!
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 19, 2010 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Amen to double headers. My first Wrigley, way back when, was a DH.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
by eths on Mar 20, 2010 7:46 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
yes, they have a lot of advertisements
but they fit them in with the stadium, rather than making the stadium change.
You’re the one who called it a dump. Other than Ozzie, who do you think agrees with you?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2010 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions
The park is already getting a facelift as we speak. It...
…should be much more up-to-date. It isn’t going to collapse. And when you say better, I wouldn’t say seeing advertisements everywhere is better. If the advertisements are placed subtly or less saliently a la the Under Armor X’s on the outfield doors, I wouldn’t mind it as much. I am just afraid of Wrigley being overrun by ads.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
Here is 'Duk, from Yahoo! Sports', take on it. For those of you who don't know...
…he is a Cubs fan. 
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
The picture 'tis a Link.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
oh please, get over yourselves
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 18, 2010 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions
I think all of us want excellence,
It’s just we disagree in how we view Wrigley Field.
Which is fine, we can agree to disagree on this point.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions
As I commented...
…below, Yankee fans it seems didn’t have nearly the obsession over “The House that Ruth Built” than Cubs fans do over Wrigley. And Yankee stadium IS a Museum with an actual accomplished history.
As I commented above,
The Cubs could renovate Wrigley Field all they like, and they will put their history in the Triangle Building. The Packers also did the same thing, with the end result that Lambeau Field became much more fan-friendly.
It used to be just the stadium, with very little inside. Now there is an entire museum and atrium there. The Cubs could easily do the same in the Triangle Building while keeping Wrigley Field intact.
But I hope they do more towards building a World Series winner. They couldn’t win a WS in my grandfather’s lifetime (he was a lifelong Cubs fan who died last year), and I hope they do it within mine.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions
+1
"The more i practice, the luckier i seem to get" -Yogi Berra
by ChiCubsFever on Mar 18, 2010 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions
lulz
first of all, demand all you want; the fans don’t have a direct say in what happens.
Second of all, we can want a good team AND a nice ballpark that isn’t an infomercial from one end to the other.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 18, 2010 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions
$ =/= World Series
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 18, 2010 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Exactly SWL!
So are all of the people that suggest the Cubs kill all traditions and start blasting ads up believe that $$$ = Rings?
We’re already up there with the elite teams in baseball for payroll. So how much money is it going to take? How about we start making smart baseball decisions for the Chicago Cubs and stop worrying about adding advertising to add revenue.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
$ =/= championships
It doesn’t matter what sport you’re in. I wonder if Washington Redskins fans have something to say about this.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions
$ =/= <3 either, unfortunatly.
Sad face.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Mar 19, 2010 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions
$$ ======= Rings
fans of the New York Yankees might have something to say about that – 5 of the last 15 WS have been won by them and 7 of the last 15 AL Pennants have been won by them
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Correct, but keep in mind that a lot of their players that have won with them are homegrown.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
you also have to keep in mind that homegrown only counts until they hit their FA years.
After that, a team has to pay handsomely if they want to keep their homegrown stars, well, home. And in the case of Jeter, Rivera, Posada from the current roster, and Bernie Williams back in the day, the Yankee have had to pay most handsomely to keep their homegrown stars from going elsewhere. Oh and add Pettitte to that mix – they paid him a lot before he left and a lot to bring him back.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I had forgotten about that. Good point. When was Jeter's rookie year?
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
Cup of coffee in '95 (15 games, 51 PAs)
Official rookie year was 1996.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
So wouldn't he have won a couple World Series with them...
…under his cost controlled years? He is only one example, however he was still a contributing factor.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
most definitely. I'm not discounting the homegrown factor at all.
It’s just that people tend to look at homegrown stars and ignore the cost of retention after the cost-controlled years.
Case in point: I forget the year but at one point Bernie Williams was this/close to signing with the Red Sox until King George came though with more $. Net effect was just like signing a FA (which technically he was) but most people forget that.
Bottom line – while the Yankees have developed quite a few stars in recent years, there is no doubt that they have bought championships. Last year was a perfect example.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I can see your point. And yes, they have bought their fair share of championships.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
It took them a...
….decade to win again. A bloated payroll doesn’t mean you’re going to win it every year; all it has proven is that you’ll have more opportunities than the teams with smaller payrolls — their window of opportunity is smaller.
But this zipfian distribution model is part of what’s wrong with baseball.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
I googled zipfan and the only thing I could find worth mentioning is a facebook page for a scooter…anyway…If you seriously want to point out that the Yankees went 10 years between titles I think you are being asinine, they have been to 40 (YES FOUR-ZERO) world series or almost HALF OF THE WORLD SERIES EVER PLAYED. I believe if it took an ad in right field and an ad in left field and raising ticket prices $10 to get a ws ring every 3.4 years (average of yankee titles since 1903) I am guessing not a single person would have a problem with it. This notion that we as Cubs fans can have a stadium look the same exact way it did in 1914 when it was built is absolutely absurd. In today’s game money talks, sure you can bring up talent but you have to be able to keep it and supplement it with free agents, i.e. the Yankees There was quite the uproar when Under Armour came on board but now noone cares.
Correct, the Cubs have spent money foolishly on some free agents every team has – except for the Rays, Pirates, Marlins, Royals, and Twins, who never spend money anyway, maybe the 6 titles since 1970 combined is a red flag) – just teams with more can overcome more easily.
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Nitpick
The World Series has been played since 1903 (except 1904 and 1994). That’s 105 of them. 40 isn’t “almost half” of 105. It’s 38%.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I apologize
I for some reason came up with a number in the 90’s when I counted, thank you for keeping me honest and I appreciate the nitpick title, makes me feel like someone got the jist of my rant.
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
by hansman1982 on Mar 20, 2010 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions
So do us a favor...
Quit your job for a better one, lose all of your long time friend’s numbers, and any other piece of personal history (photos, letters, cards, etc.) that you may have.
Telling us that nostalgia and memories are for a museum is pretty shallow thinking.
"...but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs. So it is ME who feels sorry for you." - Steve Goodman, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"
No...
….but protesting signage to increase revenue is rather childish. Remember, Ricketts is a business man, he didn’t go into this as a hobbyist.
However, he did say that he was a big Cubs fan and he would like to respect the park.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
ah, but it IS a museum.
It’s simply one where the work of playing baseball continues.
Buildings don’t get designated historic landmarks just for kicks.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 18, 2010 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Wrigley Field is a historic landmark?
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I believe so, yes.
http://www.state.il.us/hpa/ps/nhl.htm
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 18, 2010 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions
that's not all of it
only certain parts are considered historical landmarks.
http://www.derivativeworks.com/2010/03/wrigley-field-work-new-banners-out-front-refreshed-scoreboard-new-billboard-in-left-field-batting-ca.html talks more about it.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 18, 2010 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, we can fix that
This is Chicago. We can Un-Landmark anything. Especially if it means a fat construction contract to a politically connected company.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Mar 19, 2010 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions
corruption in chicago?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
Pure Chicago Politics...
…is the reason Wrigley was designated a landmark, look it up.
Is Wrigley a nice place to watch a game? Sure. But what exactly is so historic about it? Baseball championships? No. This isn’t Yankee Stadium we’re talking about, oh wait a minute the Yankees have a NEW ballpark, I forgot about that.
by troutfishin on Mar 18, 2010 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
there's nothing wrong with adding advertising.
But it’s doable without turning Wrigley into a giant NASCAR automobile.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
I keep saying it...
…but I think that digital billboards within the concourses is the way to go. You can increase the amount of advertising without increasing the overall footprint. Granted, they won’t be paying the premium that would come with appearing on television, but you can sell a few more ads to make up the difference. I imagine companies would be falling over each other to advertise at Wrigley.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
Again...
… you get many millions of TV viewers, far more than the few thousand a game who see it on the concourses. There’s no way billboards like that are worth as much money.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'd be curious to know...
…what the difference in rates would be, but you’re probably right.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
I know this is over , but I liked what you said here.
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 19, 2010 8:09 AM CDT up reply actions
oh yeah, I should have included something about a bunk, right? ;) lol
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 19, 2010 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions
I actually love where this sign is
I don’t think it is an accident that it will block the Horshoe Casino sign and Mr. Jackass
building owner. I would like it bigger and more solid to obliterate the other building.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
You'll have to show me this building in July.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Behind you and to the right if you sit with Al
From my seats just look across and to the left
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 18, 2010 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't mind a sign being placed there
but I just don’t like the way the Toyota one looks. Make it more like the Volvo sign at Fenway.
This is the year...
I wonder if the casino owner would like that.
It’s there, the sign to the right.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions
That's kind of what I thought they'd be doing.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That kind of thing, I'm okay with.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd much prefer that.
Keep the place brick, ivy, green… i don’t have a problem with the ad, or even the placement necessarily, but the look of it isn’t in keeping with the rest of the place.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Mar 19, 2010 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Don't forget - it's going to be "illuminated"
I haven’t read anything yet on how it’s going to be illuminated. A couple targeted floodlights? Probably not a big deal.
But if it’s a neon-like red glowing sign on a larger scale of what you’d see in a bar…. that’s got some serious butt-ugly potential…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I bet it'll be the latter.
I’ve seen other Toyota signs like this. It’ll be an issue at night games.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2010 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Agree with this
Low and long, green and white.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Mar 20, 2010 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
I have no problem with this.
You can’t be one of the big fish in MLB unless you maximize the dollars! So it’s a sign, what’s the big deal? If this helps the team in its ability to have a high payroll, I’m all for it!
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie" -- Tony Montana
if it brings a world Series
turn Wrigley into a pinball maching, with a petting zoo
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Castro Blocker Fan Club
wow
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 18, 2010 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions
they could have every differnent type of bear cub in a petting zoo for kids to play with
you dont like?
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Castro Blocker Fan Club
and you could feed the bear cubs some cardinals... ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Then you'd have to call The Who in.
Because there’d be a pinball wizard in the booth, there has to be a twist.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 18, 2010 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Wait...
Who are you? Who, who … who, who?
I really wanna know!
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 19, 2010 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm not sure. But what I am sure of is that..
…nobody knows what it’s like to be the bad man.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
I forget where I read it...
…but, I liked the quote.
“They didn’t buy a circus tent, so why do they want to make it look like one?”
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
It's hardly selling anyone's soul.
It’s selling a little ad space. Seriously, our “soul”?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'm starting...
-…to realize when I read comments like these that this is an argument about ideology ,pro-capitalist vs. anti-capitalist. Advertisements in ballparks is as old as the game itself and Ricketts has a responsibility to himself, his family, management, players and fans to be and remain solvent.
by troutfishin on Mar 19, 2010 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions
This single remark does not reflect the way I feel.....I welcome advertising.
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 19, 2010 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions
there's nothing wrong with advertising.
but you seem to be incapable of understanding that some of us don’t want that advertising to overwhelm the building it’s housed on.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
I hardly think the proposed sign is "overwhelming".
THIS is overwhelming. Wrigley is never going to look like this, and I wouldn’t want it to.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
see my response above.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2010 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Chase Field?
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 19, 2010 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
or a renovted Home Depot warehouse.
you be the judge.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2010 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions
LOL!
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 19, 2010 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions
It doesn't have anything to do with being pro or anti-capitalism.
It’s a matter of aesthetics. I’m all for bringing in more money with signage. But that thing is massive and butt ugly. And of all the years to slap a giant Toyota sign on the park. Nice timing. (Insert joke here about not being able to stop it or it hopefully being recalled)
Maybe they can scan the rest of the business page and cut a deal with Goldman Sachs for right field.
It has absolutely...
nothing to do with pro-capitalist vs anti-capitalist. I’m extremely pro-capitalist…but I’m anti-advertising in Wrigley. What has made Wrigley unique is that it is so pure. Am I that insane to want to maintain that purity?
But it's not.
There are ads on the side scoreboards. They put ads on the message board. There’s a rotating sign behind the plate. There are ads on the outfield doors. There’s an ad on the tarp cover. There are ads, visible on TV, inside the dugouts.
I don’t see “purity” there, do you?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
well, it may not be "purity" in the purest sense of the word but it is a striking change.
Let’s look at an example. Just scroll down a little bit to the artist rendering of the proposed Toyota ad in the “BREAKING NEWS:” comment – and yes, just please ignore the Personal Injury Defenders billboard for the sake of this argument.
Now you have to use your memory here, but try and recall what the outfield wall door looks like when it’s closed with the UnderArmor logo visible. Oh what the heck, I’ll just post an image
One is a white graphic design at ground level on an existing structure. The other will be a red, glowing fabrication rising up most conspicuously across what had been a smooth gentle inclining structure. I trust you can see the difference.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
That doesn't bother me.
The red sign — well, that’s a little large, I admit, and … red.
But does it really ruin the entire experience? I say no.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Al...
…aside from the associated cost, is there a reason why they couldn’t blast out the area beneath Wrigley and expand, say, beneath the streets? I believe the eL is elevated entirely throughout the area, right?
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
The Clubhouses...
…are what immediately came to mind. While out, having an underground batting cage would be interesting. The Giants have an indoor one.
"With Chance on first, and Evers on third,
Great things from the Cubs will soon be heard."
Those things will likely be in the Triangle Building
… they don’t really have to be underground.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
But imagine how COOL it would be.
The Cub Cave!
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Mar 21, 2010 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions
you really think the clubhouses will be across the "street"?
even with some sort of secret underground players-only tunnel and perhaps Cub-carts to move them along, that still seems pretty far.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Not as far as you think.
Consider how large some of the new ballparks are — such a tunnel wouldn’t be more than a couple hundred feet long. I think the players could deal with that for much improved facilities.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
the fact that it might be a glowing red sign is what has me worried – hell paste the outfield to look like Sec Taylor Stadium:
Here is a picture 4th one down. Obviously move the ads to above the bleachers to keep the ivy intact.
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
by hansman1982 on Mar 20, 2010 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions
it looks like
they blew up a bunch of business cards and taped them to the wall.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 20, 2010 11:20 PM CDT up reply actions
it is AAA
and they do look better in person, albeit it looks like someone copied business cards into Illustrator and blew them up
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
by hansman1982 on Mar 20, 2010 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions
There's no way Wrigley will ever look like that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
BREAKING NEWS: Cubs Negotiate 2nd Sponsorship Deal
It has just been confirmed that a second corporate sponsor has negotiated a deal with the Cubs to place their logo alongside the Toyota sign:
by EalyEagle on Mar 18, 2010 11:13 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs
first time I laughed all day, thanks
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 18, 2010 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions
I was thinking Callahan Brake Pads from Tommy Boy, but I haz no photo shop skilz
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I take the first time I laughed thing back....there was the "music sheet" SWL posted in the game thread
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 18, 2010 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions
How about some
VICTORY AUTO WRECKERS
710 East Green, in Bensenville, near O’Hare.
BCB - We have our own dictionary!
LMAO
I think it’s the first ad I ever saw in my life.
It’s been on since before the 90’s, huh? xD
A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!! GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Mar 20, 2010 12:45 AM CDT up reply actions
LOL
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 19, 2010 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Fine piece of work!!!
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Peter Francis Gerasi
is gonna be PISSED.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
lol
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 19, 2010 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
LLOL.
(Thats a literal laugh out loud, friends.)
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Mar 19, 2010 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Late to the party, but...
This ad is an eye sore. Period. And while I get the argument that some amount of changes to Wrigley will become necessary to generate the revenue streams to keep the club competitive, it seems to me there are three points that BLou and the others advocating that point are ignoring:
(1) This isn’t about the revenue to the Cubs from the sign, its about the revenue not going to the Cubs from the rooftop. The placement of that sign makes that obvious. It seems to me there are other ways to get that revenue if that’s what they’re after. And, while I’ve never believed for a second the team had a morality objection to an ad for a casino (as if ads for beer are morally superior), its short-sighted and dumb to create a permanent eyesore simply to block the view of something else you don’t want folks at the ballpark to be looking at.
(2) Money is not this team’s problem — yet. They’re at or near the top of the non-Yankee league in terms of revenue and spending. Wiser uses of their money would help, but adding a sign does nothing to promote that. If you didn’t have Soriano’s contract and Fukudome’s contract, that’s an extra $30mm this year that could have been used on one or more impact players. I’m not trying to whip the Hendry aggressors into their usual frenzy (they do that well enough on their own), just stating the obvious IMHO.
(3) This is a slippery slope. Even if you think some amount of change is necessary, but don’t want to see Wrigley completely transformed by billboards, video boards, etc., its probably in your interest to resist this sign. If signs like this are difficult for the team to get approval for, even if they ultimately do get that approval, then there will be fewer such signs overall and/or the pace of change will be slower. That makes it more likely you’ll end up in the long run with a version of Wrigley that still closely resembles the one you fell in love with as a kid. The problem with rolling over and saying “one sign won’t hurt” is that one turns into two, two turns into three, etc., and the rate at which that happens is directly connected to how difficult each change is.
by Orval Overall on Mar 19, 2010 1:09 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs
rec'd this...I love you Orval O...in a friendly, blogging way :)
"Nady and his weak beard steps in" --Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 19, 2010 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree
If they go witht he red neon sign I will spit in its general direction. If it is a nice green billboard with white logo then that will be fine.
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
This isn’t about the revenue to the Cubs from the sign, its about the revenue not going to the Cubs from the rooftop.
Yeah, it does have that windscreeny, 2002 feel to it, doesn’t it?
"There's more to life than profits...like, you know, slurpees and stuff." ~Randy Marsh
Yes, it does.
Oddly enough, the sign being there almost calls MORE attention to the rooftop ad.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
yaaaaabut
the principle of the matter is noted – try to obscure. I am upset if that owner does not pay something to the Cubs since without them, Horseshoe wouldnt care about his roof.
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
by hansman1982 on Mar 20, 2010 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm sorry Oral...
…but exactly how does one, two, three or more signs change your in game experience at Wrigley? Did you really fall in love with Wrigley as a kid because there were less billboards at Wrigley than at other parks or because of the green ivy, brick walls, and the close proximity to the field whether you were in the front row or the upper deck?
We need to realize that even if Ricketts is able to renovate Wrigley the way he wants, he is still limited to how many luxury boxes and how many seats can be added, thus resulting in the need to generate revenue in other areas.
IMHO, If Ricketts is smart he will eventually dump Wrigley and build a modern version more suited to compete with the Yankees in revenue.
if Ricketts is smart
he’ll do no such thing.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 19, 2010 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Now on this, we agree.
And he won’t, because he has made many public statements about wanting to keep Wrigley and improve it, so it can last several more generations.
I’m 100% in favor of that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
First of all
I have no problem with this or any similar signs, i actually liked the idea when they put the under armor signs on the outfield doors. But from the beginning of his ownership Ricketts has said that he wanted to preserve Wrigley for the next 100 years. In no way should he build some “new” Wrigley, But i think some changes do need to be made to make it more modern.
"God watches over drunks and third baseman."- Leo Durocher
by BelieveinBlue2314 on Mar 19, 2010 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions
on this matter
I have to say, more ads ok, tearing down Wrigley bad…Wrigley is the only reason the Cubs were the Lovable Losers. Not sure why there are so many Cubs fans other than the ballpark…there is not a single WS championship inside that park yet when I saw it for the first time 2 years ago (dont remember the date but Jason Marquis started and Aramis Ramirez blasted a 9th inning walk-off home run, that I called, during the magical 2008 season) I damn near cried…
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
by hansman1982 on Mar 20, 2010 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Years ago... I'm sure there was an opinion of the Budweiser roof being an eyesore...
And… over time, that roof became a part of the complete environment. The Torco sign lived a long time, and was eventually replaced by the Miller Lite ads. There were outcries about the green board behind home plate and the Under Amour doors… which have now become a part of the environment as well. In a different era of baseball, it was common to see entire outfield walls filled with advertisements.
I don’t know why there’s so much debate about the Toyota proposal. It’s going to bring revenue to the team, which will ultimately go into the product on the field. And, like everything else… things evolve. Change is a good thing. If you want Wrigley to always stay the same, then you wouldn’t have half the amenities you have today. Heck… you wouldn’t even have lights!
I would have liked to see a more unique design… perhaps something that represented “Cubdom.” An ivy leaf… Harry’s glasses, etc. But, ultimately… it makes no difference to me. I want to win a World Series. And this new revenue will help to achieve that goal.
"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)
.
soooo.....
how is a sign or two behind the left field bleachers worse than the Miller sign in right field or the old WGN and Budweiser signs in left field across the street? It’s not blocking any of our views and all the revenue would be going back to the Cubs, as opposed to partial revenue, like from the Miller sign.
So they want to put up a couple signs in left field. There’s already between inning advertisement on the electronic signs on the upper deck and under the scoreboard. There’s the Under Armor signs on the outfield doors and Bank of America stickers on the cup holders and that weird green screen thing that only shows advertising on television. Honestly, it doesn’t bug me that much.
With Rooftop owners agreements, they can’t block their views, so there’s what? Two spots in left field they can put up signs? No need to jump off any ledges.
good post
"God watches over drunks and third baseman."- Leo Durocher
by BelieveinBlue2314 on Mar 19, 2010 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Why not use the wierd green screen
tech out over the bleachers?
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Mar 20, 2010 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
actually now that you mention it
I’m a little surprised this hasn’t happened yet. It wouldn’t change the feel of the stadium when you were there, and could provide a more variable revenue source.
I wonder if there’s a problem with green-screening against the sky as a background, tho.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 20, 2010 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions
The green board idea certainly presents an opportunity,
However, there’s a much larger premium attached to the proposed Toyota sign because of it’s uniqueness, and prime location on televison cameras.
"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)
.
Conversion Rates
Our debate has got me curious as to what the conversion (or response) rates are for ballpark ads. How effective is a backstop billboard or outfield wall logo that advertises Brand X? What percentage of viewers are enticed to buy it, or at worst to call the toll free number?
If there are any marketing experts out there who know, please feel free to join in.
I will say
that under the current ownership this does not seem to be a ploy to get more money in their pockets but to improve the team.
I saw you in that coffee shop, breaking the fifth commandment. Congress passes these things for a reason, Lois.
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
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