Cubs Will Reach Franchise Milestone On Saturday
by Al Yellon on Jun 21, 2010 8:45 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs News
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As all of you know, the Cubs and Braves are the only major league franchises in continuous existence since the start of the National League in 1876, and the Cubs the only one in the same city, with the Braves having moved twice in that 134-year span.
On September 3, 1978, the Cubs gave all fans in attendance -- yours truly included -- the certificate depicted above, marking the 15,000th game in franchise history. That day featured a scheduled doubleheader between the Cubs and Astros; the 15,000th game was the second game of the DH, which the Cubs swept to move to within 3.5 games of first place with a 69-66 record. In typical fashion in that era, the 1978 Cubs then went 10-17 the rest of the way and finished third, in a year the old NL East was won with 90 victories.
Anyway, I mention all of this because a little short of 32 years later, the Cubs will mark the 20,000th game in franchise history on Saturday night, when they take on the White Sox at the Cell. Unfortunately, since it's a road game, there won't be any certificates issued. And if you had told me on September 3, 1978, that the Cubs would mark their 20,000th game by playing the White Sox in a regular season game at a stadium called "U.S. Cellular Field", well, at the very least, I would have laughed at you.
The Braves, who began NL play at the same time the Cubs did, have played 34 fewer games in their history, due to various factors including postponements not made up, and labor stoppages. The Cubs' all-time record as of this morning is 10,196 wins, 9,639 losses and 160 ties.
There's another significant individual anniversary for the Cubs coming up on Saturday. Follow me past the jump for details.
June 26 marks the 50th anniversary of Ron Santo's debut as a Cub; he made his first major league appearance in a doubleheader in Pittsburgh.
Santo had two singles, a double, and five RBI as the Cubs swept the team that would win the World Series that season, 7-6 and 7-5.
As this FanShot posted by kaseyi this morning indicates, Santo is going to be cutting back his WGN broadcast duties for the rest of this year (and likely in the future) for health reasons. Kasey notes that:
Some people love his work on WGN, Some people hate it, but Ronnie IS the voice of the Cubs.
I'd agree. He's as much a fan as any of us, and for that, I know he feels the wins and losses just as we do. I wish Ron well, and hope the Hall of Fame inducts him next year when the Veterans Committee will vote again.
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Ron and Pat are the voice of the Cubs
because of the way they work together. Pat Hughes is so gracious with Ron and sets him up so well with the punch line. They are a team. I’ll miss Ron when he’s not on WGN but will still have Pat.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
I agree.
I find the mutual respect they have for each other a joy to listen to.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
What I'd like to see....
… is instead of Ron just fading away, that he’d at some point announce his retirement from radio, they could have a nice ceremony and honor him for all his years of service to the franchise as player and broadcaster.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That would be nice.
Also, I think he’s more deserving of a statue than Harry although I don’t advocate the statues running amok out there. Something spectacular for him in the future Triangle Building would be nice. But then again…if there is room for a big noodle…why not?
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Jun 21, 2010 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agree with you there.
Something nice and dignified. The news about him cutting back isn’t a surprise, but it makes me sad to hear it. He and Pat were our lifeline to Chicago during the years we lived in Ohio and Pennsylvania. And nothing against the other guys who work with Pat, but we were always disappointed when Ron couldn’t make a road trip or was ill for a home game. We still love listening the two of them when we’re in the car.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Jun 21, 2010 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions
I listen to them all the time.
I’m one of those that mute the TV. I even listen to them once in awhile when I am going through withdrawal in the winter.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
I bet
they planned on doing that in 2008, after the Cubs won the world-series.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jun 21, 2010 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree.
Wouldn’t it be nice if he could make this announcement in conjunction with being inducted into the HOF? He deserves to be there, and I think it would make his retirement easier for him.
Completely agree.
I wish Ron could be inducted. He definitely deserves it.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions
I mean the 50th anniversary-not the less air time.
However, maybe I should congratulate him for that too the way this year has been going.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
Ron Santo leaving
That news really bums me out. I love listening to Pat and Ron.
"I don't know what the big deal about Crackerjack is"
by theGraceyslumpbuster on Jun 21, 2010 9:08 AM CDT reply actions
He's not "leaving".
He’ll just be doing fewer games.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It would be nice to have him as a third man in the booth.
That would provide the best of both worlds to me. Information AND the shouts of joy alternated with heavy sighs that I’ve grown to love.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
Exactly
"I don't know what the big deal about Crackerjack is"
by theGraceyslumpbuster on Jun 21, 2010 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions
This sounds like a winner
Hire Keith Moreland or somebody as the “color man” for every game. Then have Santo there for as many games as possible. Let Moreland call the 5th inning, instead of Jud Sirott.
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
Third man
Great idea. Seems to me they had that in the mid-80s when Vince and Lou both stayed in the booth but neither was doing the actual play by play. Can’t remember who the play by play radio guy was at that juncture, but maybe Harry and Dwayne shared those duties.
"They found a delivery in my flaw." - Dan Quisenberry
I knew
I spelled his name wrong.
"They found a delivery in my flaw." - Dan Quisenberry
Staats spelled backwards is Staats
and Otto spelled backwards is Otto. Harry loved to say the names backwards.
by holy mackeral on Jun 21, 2010 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Somehow, "yaraC" just doesn't have the same connotation! ;-)
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions
And actually, in Santo's first year on radio
in 1990, he was part of a three man booth, with Bob Brenly and Thom Brenneman.
"I need the warmth of your smile to heat my frostbitten sorrow."
by markleonette on Jun 21, 2010 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Who is going to be joining them?
Please don’t say Judd Sirott is going to do more games, or take a larger role in the booth.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions
I relate to Ronny
In more of a “fan to fan” manner…sure, he’ll say some “dumb things”, but don’t all fans? He speaks with his heart…
on the sands of hesitation, lie the bones of countless millions, who, at the brink of the best, sat down to rest, and resting...they died. Author Unknown
Very true, Jeff. I love listening to him and I think most fans here chide him for
saying his trademark oh geez or boyoboyoboy out of affection…much like you would Harry screwing up names. He will be missed when he doesn’t broadcast greatly and radio without him will not be not same at all. I sure hope his health improves and it saddens me that he has to deal with it…he is such a genuine and gracious person I feel horrible for him.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Mr. Zeke and I have often said that when we listen to Ron on the radio it is like listening to the Cubs with your best friend.
He feels each and every up and down with the heart of a fan—you can almost see him going palm to forehead when the Cubs screw up—just like your friend would do if you were sitting on the porch with a couple of Old Styles and the radio. Technically is he a great broadcaster? No. But he epitomizes Cubs fans. Loyal. Passionate. And a little nuts.
This could appply to all of us.
Loyal. Passionate. And a little nuts.
Great choice of words.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Those qualities are exactly why he connected with the fans like Harry.
And why he has so many loyal listeners. I still like listening to him, but I will admit it gets irritating how far he takes it lately…it gets very difficult to know what’s going on in the game sometimes other than there was a play he didn’t like.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Ronnie has done so much
for we that beleive it may happen . Of course the JDRF would not be where it is today without Ronnie . Sure hope he gets the call from Cooperstown . Cub + Fan = # 10 !!
I sure hope he gets it too...it shouldn't take his failing health to get him elected,
but if it does, at least he gets in. With all the idiots elected, all the men who took shortcuts and performance enhancing drugs, I just get so disappointed that a man like Ron who did things the right way, brought a huge passion for the game, and had the numbers to support it, hasn’t been put in the Hall where he belongs. These small minded men protect it for the wrong reasons when they keep out a man of Santo’s ilk. His very name cries out for him to be there. It would be one of the most tragic mistakes to me to see him die without getting in.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Al, that brought back good memories!
Oh, how I loved double headers! To spend all day at the ballpark.
It is time for Ron to cut back
I am in the extreme minority, but I cannot stand listening to him.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
As much as I love him,
I can totally understand why someone wouldn’t-especially if you were rooting for the other team.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
So he's not a fan because he finds Santo unlistenable?
I’m a Cubs fan who likes to know what’s going on when I’m listening to the radio—as oposed to the primal bleatings that typically accompany the action these days.
Nice that the one person who expresses a divergent opinion gets called out for not being a fan. Real cornucopia of varying opinions this place is.
Knee-jerk much?
That is not at all what she was saying.
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 21, 2010 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
TY
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Jun 21, 2010 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions
No problem.
I know that’s not your style.
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 21, 2010 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
You totally misunderstood my comment.
I was AGREEING with him. I was saying I can understand how someone wouldn’t like Santo even though I do. Also saying that if I was rooting for a team other than the Cubs I really wouldn’t be able to stand listening to him.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Jun 21, 2010 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I apologize for misreading your comment
My bad.
FWIW I would think a fan of an opposing team would find him either as annoying as some of us do. Unless they hated the Cubs and delighted in how pathetically self-pitying he can be when things go wrong.
No problem.
FWIW I hate when one fan calls out another for not being a fan. Unless someone wants to call out my mother. That would be OK. She is the ultimate band wagon jumper. Never watched a hockey game in her life and now all of sudden…oh and not to mention switching over to the White Sox in 2005. Ugh. It’s a little nauseating, but we still love her.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
Must make for great talk at Thanksgiving
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Jun 21, 2010 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Al (or anyone)
What was the cubs all-time record as of the 15,000th game? Just curious…. I was born later that year so with that benchmark I could calculate their record over my lifetime. Thanks!
by cubbiefanTN on Jun 21, 2010 9:46 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
I used to have a list of these, year by year.
Can’t find it right now. You could do the math by going here and just adding the wins and losses from 1979 to date.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Thx!
Out of curiousity, would you bet it’s a winning or losing record over the last 32 years?
by cubbiefanTN on Jun 21, 2010 10:22 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Probably losing.
Since 1978 — that’s 31 full seasons (1979-2009) the Cubs have had only 10 winning seasons and have lost 94 or more six times.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yes, that's right.
Remember, in pre-lights days games often were called for darkness, or weather, as ties. There were no rules about suspending games until the last couple of decades. Many games ended in ties. 160 ties over 134 years isn’t that many, actually — only averaging a little more than one per season.
The last Cubs game that ended in a tie was on May 28, 1993. I was at that game. It was stopped after five innings for rain.
There are new rules in place that prevent any further ties in MLB; games like this would be suspended in the future. The only way you’d get a tie is if a game was stopped by rain, tied, on the last day of the season.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The infamous Merkle game was declared a tie
and wasn’t going to be replayed unless the Cubs and Giants ended the 1908 season with identical records, which was viewed as a very unlikely event!
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Jun 21, 2010 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
15,000th certificate
Al – I’m impressed that you kept it for 32 years. I’m so bad at that stuff. I wish I still had my circa 1982 Diehard Cub Fan Club card and my “Welcome Back Cub Fans, You’ve Got Style” aerial photo of Wrigley that was passed out to me and all the other fans who attended the first game after the 1981 strike (I’m betting you still have that one).
"They found a delivery in my flaw." - Dan Quisenberry
I keep all that stuff.
Somewhere, I must have that aerial photo of Wrigley from 1981, too.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Wish I kept all my stuff.
I had a scorecard from 1958 signed by “Cochise.” The stars of “Broken Arrow” were at the game in full costume and my dad got the autograph for me.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Jun 21, 2010 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Still have mine from that day too
An 8 year old version of me was also at that doubleheader. Put my certificate in a frame when I got home, and it’s been there ever since. They were my 2nd and 3rd Cub games I’d been at and they hadn’t lost any of them. In my kid “logic”, I just assumed that you went to a game and the Cubs just naturally won it. Sadly that line of thinking only lasted one more game for me!
Ha I have my
2007 Founding Cubs Fan Club member card…or whatever its called – I have it somehwere here…
Sipping the Kool-Aid since 1982 - Kinda
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
1981 photo
I was 10 at the time and of course I taped it to my wall with scotch tape. That never helps preserve something, and I’m sure it became dog-eared very quickly and was eventually thrown away during one of my moves.
"They found a delivery in my flaw." - Dan Quisenberry
1981 first game after strike
I just checked the box – what a game. It took the Cubs 13 innings and 8 pitchers to lose to the other worst team in the NL, the Mets, 7-5. The Cubs actually ran out of players and had to pinch-hit Randy Martz (a pitcher) with 2 outs in the 13th, down 7-5. He managed to draw a walk. Unfortunately, the forgettable Ken Reitz then flied out and it was all over.
Can’t remember if I stayed for all 13 innings. I know I was in the bleachers.
"They found a delivery in my flaw." - Dan Quisenberry
Santo
Ron has mentioned many times that doing these Cub games is what keeps him going. I believe he will continue to do SOME games until his dying breath. I hope he can stay around long enough for the idiots who’ve passed on him on the Vets committee to finally get him in the Hall while he is still able to attend the ceremony.
"It's a funny old world. Man's lucky if he gets out of it alive." W.C. Fields
Did I hear someone mention Joe Morgan?
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
I believe that Morgan has said publicly that he supports Santo
Just a thought but maybe he likes Santo because Morgan played during his prime unlike Banks and Sandberg who he doesn’t seem to like.
With Morgan who knows who he really likes...whatever memory he has will be made up as he goes along.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions
actually....
it’s fairly well-documented that the only person Joe Morgan likes is Joe Morgan.
Very true...he's got an ego the size of Rickey Henderson.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions
What does it take for Santo
to get into the HOF next year? Is the process any different than the past Vetern Committee failures? Is there any reason for hope this time? Any on-line campaigning?
"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14
they tweaked the system for the 2009 vote
and they still didnt elect anybody
by holy mackeral on Jun 21, 2010 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I hope it doesn't take...
…him passing away, but I fear that may be the case.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
If that happens...
… every single person on the Veterans Committee who didn’t vote for him while he was alive, should hang his head in shame.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree!!!
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Santo and Jim Kaat
Those are the two most likely ones to be get elected by the Veterans Committee. I don’t remember Santo. I only remember Kaat as a decent relief pitcher with the Cardinals. I don’t remember Kaat’s glory days with the Twins and White Sox. It’s interesting to note that Kaat and Santo were teammates with the White Sox in 1974.
I’ll leave it to those of you older than I am to determine whether or not either one of them belongs in the Hall of Fame. I know you can’t tell everything about a player’s career from merely looking at a stat sheet.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
You're right about the stats sheet
However, ponder this – look at the all-time top 10 3B-men in most offensive categories – you’ll find Santo everywhere on there.
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 21, 2010 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes, he is in there.
I sure agree about stat sheets…takes some perspective to realize what numbers are worthy of being in the HOF. Gossage to me really highlighted it…made it more obvious that you can’t always compare players of different eras based on the same standard.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Or more to the point you shouldn't compare players based on the same standard.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions
^This^
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Ronny deserves the HOF.
I don’t think any of us will disagree on that. Now, does the Veteran Committee feel the same way? Let’s hope so. He’s done so much for not only the Cubs organization, but the game of baseball. Ronny to the HOF!
"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
Indeed. I don't like the idea of his failing health being the impetus for getting him in,
But if that’s what it takes, so be it. The worst thing imaginable to me would be to see him pass away without making it. We worry about steroids, uppers, cheating with pitchers, and this guy with his numbers can’t get in? For shame HOF.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
20,000th game
Al, any idea if the Cubs will make mention of this at all? It may be the wrong way to go about it, but just because MLB muffed them playing it on the road doesn’t mean the Cubs need to ignore it.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 11:24 AM CDT reply actions
I haven't seen any mention of it at all from the team.
That’s one reason I decided to post about it — to get the info out there. Maybe they’ll make note of it during the next homestand. Monday 6/28 vs. Pittsburgh will be game 20,002.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Kinda OT: A few years ago when the Cubs were approaching their 12,000th home run in franchise history...
…Pat & Ron made mention of it more than once as the milestone drew nearer and of course, that caught the attention of the ballhawks. It was fun trading stories and creating what-if scenarios about who would hit it and when, not to mention watching closely (or checking boxscores) on the away games to see if any homers were hit.
Finally, on July 1, 2006, ARam connected on 1-0 meatball from Javy Vazquez (White Sox) in the 5th inning for a 3-run homer. #173 for him and #12,000 for the Cubs. High fly ball that I caught in the middle of Waveland, sprawled across the hood of a TMA vehicle, saving a windshield and earning a memorable souvenir.
That game featured six home runs (2 by Cubs, 4 by Sox) with the crushing blow being a 3R HR by Cubs villian AJ Pierzynski in the top of the 9th off Dempster. That one made it to Sheffield, where it was snagged by sometime-ballhawk Wes. An exciting game out on the streets even though the Sox won 8-6.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Let's hope Pat and Ron relive memories during the 20,000th game as well.
It deserves it even more and would be very cool. With the game broadcast on Fox, the TV part I doubt will do more than a token mention, if that.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
oh I'm sure one of Buck McCarver's minions will figure out how many of those 20,000 games...
…have been played since 1908 and then one of those two blowhards will casually drop that number into the conversation.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
And, unfortunately, the 100 year thing will definitely come up sometime.
Along with goat references and Bartman. Sigh. It’s bad enough having those Fox announcers broadcasting a game, worse that we don’t have WGN doing it on our anniversary.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions
It shocks me
that no one seemed to have realized about this milestone when they were doing scheduling. To have this game on the road just seems wrong.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Jun 21, 2010 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Of course it wouldn't work.
Who do you expect to figure out the schedule? Not me, I’ll tell that. I’m through with this crap after 2012, anyway, so why should I try to fix it now?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
As a lifelong Cubs fan....
I am very proud of the fact that the Cubs are the longest-tenured (by a good margin) one-city team in baseball history. We have history and tradition, I don’t think anyone has ever disputed that. But I hope the day comes, and sooner rather than later, in which we are counting world championship trophies instead of total games played, and the number of years we have been in existance. I’m proud of the history and tradition the Cubs have in Chicago. It’s a great thing. I know this is preaching to the choir, but we’ve ridden the “history and tradition” pony about as far as we can. I want to ride the world champion pony now.
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
by ctcoff99 on Jun 21, 2010 1:15 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Rec'd.
My thoughts exactly.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree with what you said here and rec'd it
though I may have chosen another way to say I want us to be WS champions than riding a pony.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions
TWSS
"One of the things I like about baseball is that between innings you can go to the restroom.'' ~Manny Acta.
Al (or anyone else) any idea about us playing a 3 pm start on Friday at the Cell?
Coming back from Seattle on Thursday, and playing a night game on Saturday, just seems to be non-sensical. I can get that perhaps Fox wanted the game on Saturday to be at 6pm, but playing an afternoon game on Thursday seems to make no sense in the schedule. Maybe I’m off base in worrying about this, but you already have a 2 hour time difference and jet lag to deal with coming back from the west coast.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 1:40 PM CDT reply actions
Let me clarify. I'm asking why we play a Friday game at 3pm on Friday after coming back
from Seattle on Thursday. Seems the Fri. and Sat. times should be switched, or at least make them both night games.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions
The Sox don't schedule Friday night games during the Cub series any more.
There were some problems on a Friday night a number of years ago.
The Saturday night start time is being dictated by Fox, which is doing another prime time game.
The game on Thursday starts at 2:40 Chicago time. Cubs should be back in town by 1 am or so — don’t have to get up real early Friday. It’s not that big a deal.
The question that should be asked is: why isn’t this series being played today, tomorrow and Wednesday with Thursday as the off day?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
only 3 games were scheduled for today
Apparently the MLB gods prefer games on Thursday instead of Monday
by holy mackeral on Jun 21, 2010 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Except for the three today.
Could have made it four. The Cubs could easily have flown out there last night and been ready for a night game today.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
once again, they didn't ask for our opinions
by holy mackeral on Jun 21, 2010 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Most of the league is their female dog in MLB's scheduling plans.
with our record they don’t worry about scheduling us and that’s I suppose my biggest gripe with them. They worry about scheduling matchups they like and the rest are much lower priorties for them.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions
That does make sense Al. I hadn't thought of the implications of it being a rowdy game
at the Cell. Like St. Louis (or most of the league), they haven’t seemed worried about playing night games at all and seem to prefer it. I had realized Fox dictated the start time on Saturday, they always do.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions
There were some problems on a Friday night a number of years ago
Probably the main reason why I avoid Cubs/Sox games like the plague…that atmosphere is so incredibly intolerable – Wrigley or the Cell, it doesn’t matter.
"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon
The three games at Wrigley this year were pretty tame.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That probably has a lot to do with how awful both teams are and fan interest in general.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably.
Also, the Blackhawks winning made for some “Go Hawks!” conversation between Sox and Cubs fans — I had a few of those myself — that may have calmed things down.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Very possible. Both teams were proud of it happening.
I thought it was very fitting that after Lou helped hold the cup up in the air with Coach Q, Ozzie grabbed it and held it up by himself. He never can resist being the center of attention.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions
I actually thought that
Well, the fans all have something in common right now (supporting the Hawks and both teams are pretty bad currently) so that should help quell drunken insults which reach shouting levels and subsequent fights.
"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon
I went to a Crosstown game in June 2008.
Not a single problem whatsoever. I certainly heard other people who had problems, but nothing happened to me at all. Or anywhere near me.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions
What kind of problems?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions
According to WSCR
I only heard a few minutes of Danny Mac but they sounded like it was likely Santo’s last season on radio, and even hinted he might be in more serious health situation than the original news reports indicated. The guy working alongside Danny is not a Santo fan and I didn’t hear too much to draw any conclusions, but I wondered if they had inside info or were just using the news story as a jumping off point for discussion—something talk radio does.
I hope his health is OK and he can continue to stick around for his eventual HoF induction. I would miss him in a way on radio, but agree he has serious flaws as an analyst. Moreland or another notable ex-Cub (maybe from more recent team) would be fine replacement.
Keith Moreland is "recent" enough, wouldn't you say?
He’s 56 years old — could do the gig for another 10+ years if he wanted. FWIW, Pat Hughes is 55.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Just for fun - Al, you are at a point that I am swiftly approaching
To a lot of fans, someone who last played for the Cubs in 1987 isn’t recent. I don’t know how old Quincy Cub is, but let’s say he’s been a fan for 10 years – would you have considered Dom Dallesandro “recent” in 1970, after you’d been a fan of about 10 years?
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 21, 2010 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I see your point.
Dallesandro — I never saw him play. You’d have to be over 30 to have any real memory of Moreland as a Cub.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
And I have a lot of memories of Moreland as a Cub
♪What a drag it is getting old♫
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 21, 2010 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions
my favorite memory of Moreland was the hit he put on Met pitcher Ed Lynch
Lynch nailed him with a pitch in a 1984 game, and Zonk went to the mound, and instead of swinging, he hit him like a linebacker would. Of course Lynch was with the Cubs in 1986-87, and then General Manager from 1995-2000. I wanted to him Lynch a few times during those years (Garland for Matt Karcher??)
by holy mackeral on Jun 21, 2010 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Good Clutch Hitter
Moreland drove in 106 runs in 1985 while only hitting 14 HR’s. He seemed like he was a master of getting the runner home from third with less than 2 outs.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Getting a runner home from third with less than two outs?
What is the definition of this?
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, July 10. Preparation hike up Mount Mansfield in Vermont planned for June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions
The Cubs Could Use A Moreland Now
I wonder how unsuccessful the Cubs have been this season at leaving a runner stranded at third base that got there with only no outs or 1 out recorded in the inning. It seemed as if Moreland was the best guy on the club at getting the sac fly, hit , or even a ground ball with the infield playing back, to drive in that runner from third with less than 2 outs.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
I remember that game well
I was at the series finale the next day – 4.5 out to 4.5 up in less than two weeks.
And yeah, that trade was awful.
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 21, 2010 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Karchner had a 5.15 ERA before coming,
And then a 5.14 ERA after the trade. Terrible trade.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, July 10. Preparation hike up Mount Mansfield in Vermont planned for June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions
At least he was consistent
"They found a delivery in my flaw." - Dan Quisenberry
Man I'm gonna hear Barbra Streisand belting out "Memories" soon here I just know it.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Free agency doesn't give us enough "longstanding team guys" like in the older eras of baseball.
So if you’re looking for “recent longstanding Cub”… You’re pretty limited to Sosa, who doesn’t speak English, Sandberg (Manager-in-waiting?), Wood (still playing), Prior (still throwing towels), Grace (GAH!!!)… Maybe Jon Lieber (no idea how he’d sound)?
Short list…
by Steven Schweickert on Jun 21, 2010 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions
To be specific -
Sosa doesn’t speak English to Congress.
Would be fun just to see everyday if he's changed his skin color again.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions
you forgot Dunston
and Girardi. doesnt he already have a job?
by holy mackeral on Jun 21, 2010 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I know you were being facetious, but Girardi really wasn't all that long-tenured a Cub
Although, by today’s standards, I suppose he was.
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 21, 2010 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions
not exactly longstanding, but I wonder if Glanville would ever consider broadcasting
or maybe he’s having too much fun being a writer.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Interesting.
I bet Glanville would be real good in the booth.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Maddux would be fun...only problem is we'd give up him being able to help the team a lot.
And would he actually speak for a whole inning lol? He’s kind of a quiet guy.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm trying to figure out
why the Braves would have lost more games due to work stoppages than the Cubs.
It's not JUST work stoppages, as I said.
It’s that, PLUS rainouts not made up, etc.
The difference comes to one game every five years. Are you trying to be difficult?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think that he comes by it naturally, no extra effort required...
"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk
No
just trying to figure out why there would be ANY difference at all. Makes no sense to me. Seems like work stoppages would effect both teams equally.
Rainouts not made up would be my guess.
Remember the Cubs-Pirates game from last year, or Cubs-Astros from a year before.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions
I would think that evens out over time
but I’m guessing that the Braves had less tie games. The labor stoppages shouldn’t have made much of a difference. Hey Al, on a slow day next winter, can you pinpoint exactly why the Cubs have played 34 more games than the Braves? :)
by holy mackeral on Jun 21, 2010 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Tiebreaker games?
That may also have been the case, though I can’t see games like that adding that many more games to our total.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions
It's probably something we're not thinking about, which is causing that 34-game difference.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, July 10. Preparation hike up Mount Mansfield in Vermont planned for June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Did I say it was all due to work stoppages?
No, I did not. READ WHAT I WROTE!
The Braves, who began NL play at the same time the Cubs did, have played 34 fewer games in their history, due to various factors including postponements not made up, and labor stoppages.
Since you brought this up, the difference in games played due to work stoppages is one (Cubs played one more game in 1972, one less in 1981, one less in 1994). The rest are likely due to an unequal number of games cancelled in the early days of the game due to postponements not made up.
As I said, the difference comes to approximately one game for every four seasons.
If that doesn’t make sense, I don’t know how else to explain it to you. It’s really very simple.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yes, Yes He Is
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by WayneCampbell08 on Jun 21, 2010 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Ever consider Sutcliffe?
Maybe I’m the only one, but I really enjoy listening to him on ESPN broadcasts.
"When I die, I hope they don't cremate me 'cuz I'll burn forever." Harry Caray
by Mikey Blue Eyes on Jun 21, 2010 5:22 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
I'd like that.
But I don’t think Sutcliffe wants a fulltime gig.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
He's sure the best one I can think of that I have heard broadcast recently.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Eric Karros would be an inspired choice.
But Keith Moreland would work fine for me.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Meh. Karros is a good analyst in my opinion.
Never really think of him as a Cub though.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I do, because he was a significant contributor to a division title.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
And he still talks about how much he loved being a Cub
I’d welcome him, too.
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 21, 2010 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Full Page Ad in the Tribune
Karros took out a full-page ad in the Tribune thanking Cubs fans some time following the 2003 season. I doubt he did anything like that in the Los Angeles Times, after he left the Dodgers.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
I didn't see that ad living in Stl by then, but I have heard him talk about
loving the year he was with us. Perhaps he would be a good fit…though with Len and Bob here it would seem right now he’d have to do radio.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 21, 2010 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow that is cool...makes you wonder what happened to him
all those years for the Dodgers he doesn’t seem to care about.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 22, 2010 7:47 AM CDT up reply actions
You're not alone.
He’s one of the few guys at ESPN I actually like.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Sutcliffe and Karros are two of the very few.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 22, 2010 7:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
I recently heard the same, but not sure who it was asking him.
"When I die, I hope they don't cremate me 'cuz I'll burn forever." Harry Caray
by Mikey Blue Eyes on Jun 21, 2010 5:42 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Al, what was the score of game 15,000?
And is that a picture of your certificate? I’m assuming you were at the game.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 6:30 PM CDT reply actions
Yes, it is.
The 15,000th game was the second game of the doubleheader on September 3, 1978. The Cubs won 4-2.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Okay, I feel young for a change.
That was six years before I was born.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Preparing to hike to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Saturday, July 10. Preparation hike up Mount Mansfield in Vermont planned for June 26....
State high point count: 2/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jun 21, 2010 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions
You feel young "for a change?"
If you’ve only been able to legally drink for five years, nothing should make you feel old.
Except maybe Justin Bieber.
"One of the things I like about baseball is that between innings you can go to the restroom.'' ~Manny Acta.
Yeah, I thought from some of his posts about youth he was a little older than that.
He was born when I graduated high school lol. You’re not old Vermont! Don’t listen to the wife! Lol
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jun 22, 2010 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Wow, you are almost as old as me!
I think this Cubs team may be aging me prematurely. At the beginning of the year I was getting carded at Wrigley all the time, but this last week I went to three games and didn’t get carded once. Trying to figure if the poor play has given me more gray hairs or if the poor play has led them to be less strict so they could numb the fans and deceive them into thinking they were having fun at the ballpark anyway.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
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