Report: Theo Epstein Signs Five-Year Deal To Become Cubs GM
by Al Yellon on Oct 12, 2011 8:12 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs News
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UPDATE: On Wednesday morning, Boston radio station WEEI reported that Theo Epstein had signed a five-year deal worth $15 million to become general manager of the Cubs. (The link says his exact title has not yet been determined.) The teams are apparently still working out compensation; more details below.
Funny thing.
I was at a screening of "Moneyball" when all the news broke Tuesday evening about Theo Epstein reportedly about to leave the Red Sox for the Cubs. (Excellent movie, incidentally; if you haven't seen it, do it this weekend.)
There are a huge number of tweets from various sources coming out tonight, so I think I'll summarize them this way: Epstein apparently still hasn't decided whether he's leaving for sure, but if he does, he will be named "President of Baseball Operations", with Crane Kenney's title changed to "President of Business Operations". It could be announced in the next 24 to 48 hours, officially. The Cubs will have to give some compensation to the Red Sox, but not any "significant" player or players.
I know all of you have been discussing this in this FanShot and I thank elgato for posting it while I was out. Though it may seem like I'm here 24/7, I do have to get up from the computer from time to time.
I did, as you know, think Billy Beane was going to be the new GM. Obviously, things changed after the Red Sox did not make the playoffs and Terry Francona left as manager by mutual decision. That opened up the possibility that Epstein could also leave, and the Cubs decided to take advantage by asking, and now apparently hiring, him.
Presuming this all goes through, this is excellent news. Epstein has done a terrific job building a winner in Boston. He has his work cut out for him in Chicago, including replacing Mike Quade as manager. Which leads me to one tweet I do want to reproduce here, from one of the Red Sox beat writers:
@GordonEdes
Gordon Edes If Theo goes to Chi, Sandberg will be favorite to be named manager. Theo tried to hire Sandberg for Pawtucket last winter
FavoriteRetweet
Now that ought to give you something to talk about. Have at it.
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As I said in the other post, I found myself.
Explanation of where I was, above.
And no, you’re not Deep Goat.
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Heh.
What does the “W” stand for there?
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Mark Felt's first name was William
W. Mark Felt → W. Mark Grace
I believe he is! We have no proof that he isn't!
by ubercubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions
I can personally tell you he's not.
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But you can't prove this without giving up said source. I think this is all a ruse to keep us from thinking it's not Cubbiegoon!
by ubercubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Heh.
You’ll never know for sure. You’ll just have to take my word for it.
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You know this thread might get too long for me to attempt to rec everything again. lol
by ubercubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions
LOL!!
You couldn’t tell when my comments would take forever to get a rec from someone covering me?
by ubercubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Not with several hundred comments to go through!
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I'll have to remember that next time.
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I was wondering if you knew it was me after you said you think you knew who it was, but not Ivy. lol
by ubercubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions
I figured it out
when you came out and said “I caught.”
Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween Night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents.
by katie casey on Oct 11, 2011 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
*I'm
Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween Night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents.
by katie casey on Oct 11, 2011 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions
I tried to cover for ya :)
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Oct 11, 2011 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions
And it's on the internet
And we all know the internet doesn’t lie.
Plus, it was true at the time he typed it.
Come on Al, be honest, you were casing various Starbucks and not in the cinema... ;-)
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Just because he's not doesn't mean that he wasn't Deep Goat at the time
And no, you’re not Deep Goat.
Maybe we could all take turns at being Deep Goat...
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
one spends too much time on bcb
when this actually makes one laugh.
by Madison Cub Fan on Oct 11, 2011 11:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Yep.
And the signature even moreso.
Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween Night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Oct 11, 2011 10:02 PM CDT reply actions 7 recs
d00000000000000000dd
17'$ h4pp3n1n9!?!?!?
by lexmarklover on Oct 11, 2011 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Oct 11, 2011 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I hope Theo is ready for what he's getting himself into.
I’m pretty sure he is coming from the Red Sox. I’ll be glad to see Sandberg as the manager too. Think about it, a new GM and manager in one week?
Jack Brickhouse: "Hey! Hey!" Harry Caray: "Holy Cow!"
Vince Lloyd: "The Chicago Cubs are on the Air!" Len Kasper: "Oh Baby!!!!"
Ron Santo: "YES!" "All Right! Let's do it!" "Ohhh Nooooo!" "Gee Whiz! Come on!" AND... "This Is The Year!"
by #1 iowan cubs fan on Oct 11, 2011 10:03 PM CDT reply actions
The Phillies are out of the playoffs.
Sandberg could be hired immediately.
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If he prefers the cubs job (which, I would hope he does?)
He’ll wait it out.
feet firmly nailed to the floor of the Tyler Colvin bandwagon...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 11, 2011 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Where's NBF when I need him?
"When I came up to bat with three men on and two outs in the ninth, I looked in the other team's dugout and they were already in street clothes." - Bob Uecker
Actually most staff are under contract till 10/31
but I am sure the Phillies will grant the Cubs permission to talk to and sign him if they ask.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 11, 2011 11:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Theo is more than capable of handling this job. One thing for sure, Cubs Convention next year sure will be fun if he is hired.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions
The Epstein hiring won't sell out the convention.
A Sandberg hiring would do it, though.
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I think
Epstein alone would be more than enough to sell out the convention. Maybe you underestimate how despondent people were about the Hendry era and how exciting of a hire Epstein is to most fans.
DEJESUS!!!
To us, sure.
I wonder if many of the casual fans who go to the convention would be that excited about a general manager who they don’t know much about.
Sandberg, though, would light up the phones. It’s just the way some people are.
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agree
I would drive from Des. Moines to Chi. for Sandberg…but probably not Theo
by cozmotaylor123 on Oct 12, 2011 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Having never been, I'll ask this question
Do that many “average” Cubs fan go to the convention? I mean, shelling out money, just to hear players and front office types talk about what they are going to do next season (and meeting some players) sounds like something die-hards are more likely to do than average fans.
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Depends on your definition of "die-hard".
I see a lot of people there who would qualify as “die-hard”, but who are a lot less knowledgeable than many of us here. Those are the people who wouldn’t buy passes just because the Cubs hired Epstein, but WOULD buy them if they hired Sandberg.
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Hmmm....
I would have figured them to be even more die-hard than me, but I see what your are saying. It might be a different type of die-hard. For example maybe they are just more into the autographs, merchandise, etc. which is something I’m not particularly interested in.
Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween Night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents.
by katie casey on Oct 12, 2011 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Most people go for autographs and player interaction
I go to the sessions and can tell you the ones on the player development and the minor league system ( separate) are not that well attentended while the line for autographs is huge,
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 12, 2011 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Not to mention, it would give a big boost to season ticket sales.
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more of a
“Stop calling me Shirley” crowd
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Would you believe they were in the cone of silence?
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 12, 2011 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Plus, the Ricketts
Finally, the real Ricketts are showing up too. The owners we thought we were getting last year. :)
"The standard is the standard" Mike Tomlin
I wanted Beane too
But I’m more than happy with Epstein as long as he doesn’t cost us an arm and a leg. Meaning no Brett Jackson.
My biggest issue with Theo was compensation.
Right.
It appears it won’t be anyone among the top 20-30 prospects.
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I'm sure they'd take him if the Cubs would pay the contract.
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How about Zambrano
with Quade tossed in for free?
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions
then they'd send him to Miami
for Logan Morrison
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
for Logan Morrison
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Hey,
the system doubled my post, but took half of it..
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Zambrano/Lackey swap?
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
by Musicdude10 on Oct 11, 2011 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, hell no
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Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Oct 12, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
Wow
I doubt it’s that low. That’s hardly compensation at all.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 11, 2011 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions
It just depends on what the Red Sox want.
And, remember, it’s taking away from Epstein’s new organization.
Also, they are likely saving a lot of money letting him go.
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It's probably Rebel Ridling
The Sox have a real weakness in prospects with cool names.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 11, 2011 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd be OK with that.
Jessica, on the other hand, would be crushed.
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Rocky Shoulders is currently my favorite
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
by Musicdude10 on Oct 11, 2011 11:52 PM CDT up reply actions
It's Rock...
just Rock.
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Oct 12, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
Rock is my favorite minor leaguer
just because he’s following me on Twitter.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 12, 2011 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I never thought of that...
I should follow him… i bet he’d follow back.
I think he’s trade bait eventually, but I’m ok with that. If that happens, I’ll remain a fan of his no matter who he plays for.
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Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Oct 12, 2011 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
I thought the Sox owners said there wouldn't be compensation for a move up.
But that they would demand compensation for a lateral move. Said it was baseball’s unwritten rule. In which case it should be nothing.
"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman
by BucknerKongCardenal on Oct 11, 2011 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Technically, this would be a "move up"
… because he is being given the title of “President”.
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So there shouldn't be any prospects given up by the Cubs then?
"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman
by BucknerKongCardenal on Oct 11, 2011 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Not sure.
Some of the reports tonight say there will be. I guess we’ll find out soon.
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Jon Heyman just tweeted
That it might be cash only. Because apparently the BoSox need cash.
Still, that would be awesome.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 11, 2011 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions
it keeps getting better and better
I'm a happy panda.
by jesus christos on Oct 11, 2011 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Does this mean we could sign Cherrington without compensation?
If the Cubs named him President of Assistant GM?
"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman
by BucknerKongCardenal on Oct 11, 2011 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions
technically
they could make him the GM under president of baseball operations Epstein. But I’d like to think Epstein and Ricketts are too classy to try something like that.
Maybe Josh Byrnes?
DEJESUS!!!
I doubt that's in the plans.
“President of Baseball Operations” Epstein would BE the GM. I assume Boston will quickly name Cherington as their GM. There won’t be two people, a president of baseball ops AND a GM. Epstein will be the GM.
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But...
there could be a Vice President of Baseball Operations… and I’m just as excited for Epstein to get us some “Cheringtons” (if not the actual Cherington) infiltrating our organization vs yes men like Randy Bush. It’s going to be fun putting my effort into an organization with some intelligence for once.
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Oct 12, 2011 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Is Randy Bush a yes man?
i literally know nothing about him other than he was Jim hendry’s AGM.
So i you can give you can take it.
Yep
He brought nothing to the party.
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Oct 12, 2011 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes man is too strong
But he’s a Hendry loyalist. He’s not staying around.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 12, 2011 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
re Randy Bush
I think he knows something about baseball. I would prefer he (and Quade) perform a service for the club next year instead of being axed. Quade could roving instruct. Bush should scout.
Yes, I am old skool enough to think scouting is still good.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Czar of the
SABRsphere
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Very Unlikely
There will be significant limits as to who Epstein can hire from the Red Sox organization. Its possible that he won’t be allowed to bring anyone or that the Red Sox will have to approve each individual hire.
Even TJ11 should be happy with this.
Come to think of it, where is he?
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Oh.
Sorry, didn’t have time to read all 400+ comments there. You guys were busy tonight!
The movie was outstanding, incidentally.
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If you like HEAT/COLLATERAL (anything M. Mann) + NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN,
you’d love DRIVE.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Saw the movie last weekend. Now I want to see it again.
I thought it was one of the better baseball movies to be released in years.
Jack Brickhouse: "Hey! Hey!" Harry Caray: "Holy Cow!"
Vince Lloyd: "The Chicago Cubs are on the Air!" Len Kasper: "Oh Baby!!!!"
Ron Santo: "YES!" "All Right! Let's do it!" "Ohhh Nooooo!" "Gee Whiz! Come on!" AND... "This Is The Year!"
by #1 iowan cubs fan on Oct 11, 2011 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions
And it wasn't only a baseball movie.
Had a good story. Granted, took some liberties with what actually happened, but the basic baseball part of it was all true.
I’d recommend the book, too, if you have not yet read it.
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You have to find something though to complain about.
Cherington is not Assistant GM?
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
Don't mean too
But I’m riding cloud 9 presently
by cubsluver22 on Oct 11, 2011 10:06 PM CDT up reply actions
This off-season
can’t compete with the 2003 off season where we added Greg Maddux to the rotation with a healthy Prior, Wood, Zambrano and Clement.
But it’s up there.
DEJESUS!!!
The only way that offseason would have been better
Is if they had gotten Miggy Tejada like they should have. Trading Juan Cruz to sign Maddux was a PR move and we didn’t even make that GD playoffs.
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
ohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease
fire Quade, hire Sandberg, bring home the trophy!!!!!
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
Hey everybody, looking at Debbie Downer over here.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Stand on your head
and then Debbie Downer will be smiling. Or make her do a handstand.
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions
He may not be able to fix the "team" in the short-term sense...
…but he’s absolutely capable of fixing the organization in the long-term sense, or at least get it heading in the right direction, which is more important.
Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.
What's as exciting as these developments is the fact that the announcement...
….that Quade has been fired could come any day now.
Guys, hitting is not about muscle. It's simple physics. Calculate the velocity, v, in relation to the trajectory, t, in which g, gravity, of course remains a constant.... It's not complicated. - George Costanza
ohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease
I like to use the CTRL-V keys!!!
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
by VegasCubFan on Oct 11, 2011 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd think it would happen fairly soon after a hiring.
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Theo AND Sandberg?
We’ve git to have a BCB virtual party or something. I’m elated. I’ll bring pizza and beer. This could make for a.great start to winter!
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
by mrcubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:07 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
I may have to have a celebratory Rum and coke
if this goes down
Ill bring my Dads famous baked beans
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
My wife makes those as well
Along with a terrific salad. I invite people over all the time, just so I can have some of it.
A better start would be an NBA season, but I'll happily accept this.
feet firmly nailed to the floor of the Tyler Colvin bandwagon...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 11, 2011 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions
let me be the first to exclaim, hell to the mf'g yeah!
If true, I think it’s a foregone conclusion that Ryno is named manager… What a wonderful B-day present that would be!
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Oct 11, 2011 10:07 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
I agree, if this all happens, what a day!!!!
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
by VegasCubFan on Oct 11, 2011 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Step 2: Fire worst manager in baseball - COMPLETE!!!
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
by VegasCubFan on Oct 11, 2011 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions
true, neither is 1 but....
it could be, it may be….
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
by VegasCubFan on Oct 11, 2011 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Quade as 3rd base coach again? He needs a spot to clap his hands again.
Jack Brickhouse: "Hey! Hey!" Harry Caray: "Holy Cow!"
Vince Lloyd: "The Chicago Cubs are on the Air!" Len Kasper: "Oh Baby!!!!"
Ron Santo: "YES!" "All Right! Let's do it!" "Ohhh Nooooo!" "Gee Whiz! Come on!" AND... "This Is The Year!"
by #1 iowan cubs fan on Oct 11, 2011 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions
No thanks.
Been there, done that. Let him go be a special assignment scout or something. They have to pay him next year anyway.
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Why not? DeJesus sucks.
feet firmly nailed to the floor of the Tyler Colvin bandwagon...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 11, 2011 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions
DeJesus won't be the third base coach under a new manager
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't know what his relationship with Sandberg is
but if it’s good, I wouldn’t be shocked if he stayed around. If, of course. Sandberg is the manager.
by jerry morales rules on Oct 12, 2011 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions
My guess is that the entire coaching staff is replaced
… except Jaramillo, who has a year left on his contract. And they could conceivably eat that, too.
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Theo and rudys' philosophies
seem like polar opposites.
Marilyn Monroe "yogi your a pretty cool guy"
Berra " Marilyn you ain't so hot yourself"!
Trade Rudy to the White Sox
for a minor leaguer.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
How about...
as a mascot? Put him in a big furry goofy bear costume or give him some clown makeup and balloon animals. Komiskey had a clown for many years when it was still around.
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:30 PM CDT up reply actions
And we all know how well
clowns go over in Chicago
Clowns have the capacity for good and evil.
For every episode of the Bozo Show that brought a smile to a kid’s face (and tickets needing to be bought, what, 5 years before a kid is conceived?), there’s a murder by Gacy or a potential victim he eyed, or person he imagined killing. Quade is more a Bozo than a Gacy.
And hey, while we have Gacy, Milwaukee has creepy geeks that eat people. Boston has the strangler and an axe-happy Lizzie, New York has someone who says “I hear dead people dogs”. California has a ‘family’ out there too that left a lotta bloodlines. And Kansas (City?) has the BLT BTK killer (BLT would be the Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance The Burger King).
by ddoubleheader on Oct 12, 2011 12:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Witchita
is where the BTK Killer was.
And I can’t believe you didn’t mention Richard Speck along with Gacy for Chicago. His family must be crushed he’s been so forgotten.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 12, 2011 2:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Can't list 'em all.
as opposed to gotta catch ’em all. There was some killer of prostitutes around WA state, had a really high death count, then there was that 1892 expo in Chicago. It has a forgotten serial killer. It was the archetypal hotel where guests check in but they never check out. They killed with gas through the air vents. Quite creepy.
by ddoubleheader on Oct 12, 2011 3:06 AM CDT up reply actions
don't make fun of our Kool-Aid drinking!!!
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
by VegasCubFan on Oct 11, 2011 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Kool-aid is very good.
Especially the tropical punch. Oh yeaaaaah (or however it goes).
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:30 PM CDT up reply actions
You make it sound so debonair
I was at a screening of “Moneyball”
Most people would just say they were at the movies, but whatever.
Guys, hitting is not about muscle. It's simple physics. Calculate the velocity, v, in relation to the trajectory, t, in which g, gravity, of course remains a constant.... It's not complicated. - George Costanza
by troutfishin on Oct 11, 2011 10:09 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Well, it was a screening, as opposed to going to a theater.
Which is why I waited this long. Otherwise I’d have gone to see it the first day, but this was the day of the screening I was invited to.
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That was my sarcasm kicking in...I suspected as much.
Guys, hitting is not about muscle. It's simple physics. Calculate the velocity, v, in relation to the trajectory, t, in which g, gravity, of course remains a constant.... It's not complicated. - George Costanza
by troutfishin on Oct 11, 2011 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions
I need to aquire some of those.
Jack Brickhouse: "Hey! Hey!" Harry Caray: "Holy Cow!"
Vince Lloyd: "The Chicago Cubs are on the Air!" Len Kasper: "Oh Baby!!!!"
Ron Santo: "YES!" "All Right! Let's do it!" "Ohhh Nooooo!" "Gee Whiz! Come on!" AND... "This Is The Year!"
by #1 iowan cubs fan on Oct 11, 2011 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Feel free to copy that, save it and use it when needed.
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Al, do you think Billy Beane might go to Boston if Epstein goes to the Cubs?
I think Beane stays in Oakland for now and Ben Cherington is named GM of Boston if Epstein goes to the Cubs.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree.
Beane already turned the Red Sox down once. I suspect he’s staying in Oakland now.
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Probably
He seems to like a challenge and the Red Sox aren’t much of a challenge. Yeah, keeping up with the Joneses Yankees, but they have 2 recent WS titles. The Cubs are obviously a challenge, Oakland (or San Jose) are too. He seems content in California and many are waiting for an Athletics renaissance when they finally get out of that concrete crapper they play in now and can have something bright, something positive as opposed to the haunting of empty seats on the upper deck.
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions
The price.
And, not having to watch a zillion trailers and ads, and being able to sit in an audience that isn’t talking and texting.
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I dunno, I kinda like seeing trailers at the movies.
Still, I’m with you on the no texting thing. I’m both hip AND with it, but damn me if I don’t just want to swing an end-loaded softball bat at people who check their phones during the feature presentation. I’d probably pay a premium to have everyone check their machines at the door.
Have someone post that
on YouTube
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Trailers?
Yeah, OK with that. But the zillion commercials you now get? Not so much.
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They show them continuously at our theater now.
If you go early rather than having the lights on like they used to, the lights are now dim and there are nonstop commercials. Then the lights go all the way down for the trailers and movie.
Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween Night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents.
That's still a lot.
For that, they could reduce the price of a ticket.
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BCB is going to crash over and over if this goes through
I'm a happy panda.
by jesus christos on Oct 11, 2011 10:09 PM CDT reply actions
This place is gonna crash more
Than a blind guy at the Indy 500
by JOVE23 on Oct 11, 2011 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Loading OK for me.
But this will be a busy day. The day the hiring is announced should be busier, then whatever day his press conference is held.
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For some reason, press conferences are usually held on Friday or Monday.
So, if/when this becomes official, it probably will be done on Friday.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd agree with that.
They could wait till Monday, since the LCS are likely to be over by then.
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As long as is it gets done, I'll be happy to wait until Monday.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions
October 13th
It’ll freak out some suspicious Cubs fans that they’re jinxing his tenure if they announce that day. Maybe he can counteract it by wearing a hockey mask when he comes out and having the PA system play the che-che-che-che scary music?
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions
leave her out of this, man
I'm a happy panda.
by jesus christos on Oct 11, 2011 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions
I hope it happens, but I'm remaining cautiously optimistic...
Nothing is official yet. If and when it does, I will be very happy as will every Cubs fan.
Would Epstein hire Sandburg?
Or would he go for Francona, Bobby Valentine, Riggelman, or somebody else?
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions
I wonder what woulda happened
If he’d been watching “Fever Pitch?”
as did I
Guys, hitting is not about muscle. It's simple physics. Calculate the velocity, v, in relation to the trajectory, t, in which g, gravity, of course remains a constant.... It's not complicated. - George Costanza
by troutfishin on Oct 11, 2011 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions
I only liked the Connery character and his interactions with Ferrell's character.
by ubercubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I hear ya...
as good as Fallon’s Hilary Swank was, he did a spot-on imitation of French Stewart the other time they did “Celebrity Jeopardy” on SNL.
my names French
“well who gives a damn?”
simply awesome.
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
by VegasCubFan on Oct 11, 2011 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Hillary Swank was good
in The Next Karate Kid, even though nobody seems to like that movie…
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:38 PM CDT up reply actions
OT: The only move I ever walked out of
“Hot Rod.” What a piece of crap that was.
I walked out of the remake of "The Time Machine." It was a waste of time.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I tried to walk out of that movie
but I was on a plane. But it was that bad.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 11, 2011 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions
That’s almost as bad as being stuck on a plane with Ronnie Woo Woo which I was on the way back from Rynos HOF induction.
I begged the flight attendant to strap me to the wing. She was a Chicagoan and said “Only if I and the other crew members can be too”
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
by puckishcubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I think Ronnie "Woo Woo's" in his sleep.
Jack Brickhouse: "Hey! Hey!" Harry Caray: "Holy Cow!"
Vince Lloyd: "The Chicago Cubs are on the Air!" Len Kasper: "Oh Baby!!!!"
Ron Santo: "YES!" "All Right! Let's do it!" "Ohhh Nooooo!" "Gee Whiz! Come on!" AND... "This Is The Year!"
by #1 iowan cubs fan on Oct 11, 2011 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions
That was on the way to Country Thunder....
And I believe he was even in 1st class.
I snuck into a showing of Spaceballs
late in the movie. The usher must’ve just thought I was returning from going to the bathroom, which is funny because that was the scene the movie was on at the time. Got a sneak peek at it before I went and saw it later. And to think I wasn’t even a 1st grader then.
I don’t ever remember walking out of a movie, only walking into a movie. Mwa ha ha ha! Ironically, all of my movie matinee mischief was when I was < 10.
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I liked parts of that movie
Glad I didn’t have to pay for it though (was working at a movie rental place).
what about Battlefield: Earth?
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
by VegasCubFan on Oct 11, 2011 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions
My eye's bleed from that movie to this date.
by ubercubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions
IIRC, one of the reviewers called that movie
a, “nosehair fest.” I can’t say I disagree.
Lesson learned: Don’t let Scientologists make movies about L. Ron Hubbard books.
I for one was very disappointed in "Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas"
Hopefully Gilliam will get around to making “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote”.
I saw it in the theater
sat through the whole tragic mess in agony.
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
by VegasCubFan on Oct 11, 2011 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I saw it in theaters
I worked at the theater though, and we had to screen it that Thursday before it was released that Friday. It was awful.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Oct 11, 2011 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions
I saw it in theaters
It should have been a warning sign that my father, friend, and I were the only ones in there. We stayed through the entire awful thing. With the theater being empty, we could at least MST3K the film.
A few years later, I watched it again with another friend who didn’t believe just how awful a movie could be. After that, he never questioned my movie judgment again.
"Battlefield: Earth" was so bad that it made the "Look Who's Talking" sequels look good.
How bad did it get when the dogs started talking?
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Worst movie I ever saw in the theatre
was The English Patient.
Every day is a beautiful day for baseball!!
by cowsarecool220 on Oct 11, 2011 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
Sack Lunch was so much better.
"Whenever one finds himself in the majority, it is time to step back and reflect," Mark Twain.
by WindisBlowingOut! on Oct 12, 2011 8:04 AM CDT up reply actions
I almost saw that once on a plane
but it got hijacked to Cuba
by LT on Oct 12, 2011 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions
dude youre on fire tonight
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
I still haven't seen it, but it goes against my "Brad Pitt Facial Hair Rule".
Normally, for me, the best Brad Pitt movies are the ones where he’s got facial hair. The ones where he is clean shaven throughout the movie aren’t very good. I liked “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” so that one was an exception, too, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about “Moneyball.” I’d like to go see it with my Dad.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Go for it.
It’ll be another exception to your rule.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
Did you see Beane and Pitt on MLB Network with Costas a couple of weeks ago?
Very good show. They also had the “Moneyball” author Michael Lewis and Jonah Hill on the show.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I liked Ocean's 11.
He was clean cut in that one.
by ubercubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Wasn't really crazy about the "Ocean's" movies. I prefer the original.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Ocean's 12 and 13 not so much...
but Ocean’s 11 was golden, at least the first 100 times I’ve watched it… the luster is off after the horrible “sequels”.
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Oct 12, 2011 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
IIRC, I think the Cubs face the Red Sox at Wrigley in 2012. Should be interesting with Epstein on the other side.
Jack Brickhouse: "Hey! Hey!" Harry Caray: "Holy Cow!"
Vince Lloyd: "The Chicago Cubs are on the Air!" Len Kasper: "Oh Baby!!!!"
Ron Santo: "YES!" "All Right! Let's do it!" "Ohhh Nooooo!" "Gee Whiz! Come on!" AND... "This Is The Year!"
by #1 iowan cubs fan on Oct 11, 2011 10:18 PM CDT reply actions
Yes, the Red Sox come to Wrigley next June.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
I hope to see #23 walking out of that clubhouse onto the field on Opening Day 2012.
I can already hear the roar of the crowd and see the standing ovation that he gets if/when it happens.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm just glad things are moving forward...
The sooner Theo is introduced, the sooner Quade will be let go, the sooner we can hire Ryno, the sooner we can start building a roster for 2012 and start winning some damn ballgames next year. Let’s do this!!
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
I just hope that things get done and an official announcement comes soon.
I just want Ricketts and the Cubs to get this right. I want them to do whatever it takes to get Theo Epstein and welcome him aboard to the Chicago Cubs. There is no doubt that he will be intrigued by the promotion to President of Baseball Operations and the challenge of turning around the Chicago Cubs and bringing a World Series championship here. I’m sure that it’s not an easy decision for him, but he’s been in Boston since 2002 and leaves behind 2 World Series championships and a team in better shape than it was when he got there. Even though they collapsed in the final month, Boston is still in very good shape and a lot of that has to be credited to Theo Epstein. I’d like to see him replicate that success and do even better in Chicago. I know one thing, if/when he is hired, this fanbase will welcome him with open arms unlike he has ever experienced.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions
People are really jumping the gun on manager Ryno
The Cubs don’t even have a GM yet! And they still have Quade. I suspect Quade may be harder to get rid of than he seems…
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:46 PM CDT up reply actions
You wanna bet?
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Here's how that conversation will go:
“Thanks for trying, Quade. Thanks for the nicknames. Buh-bye now…”
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
Yep...
…Quade was done the day Hendry was fired.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I agree, but
Bruce Levine wouldn’t agree with you. He says it’s not a slam dunk.
I just can’t see Quade staying around though. It would be a major headwind on the goodwill that bringing in Epstein has provided.
by jerry morales rules on Oct 12, 2011 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
The first thing...
…on the GM’s agenda should be instilling a huge culture change. The way you do that, is to clean out as much of the useless stuff from the previous administration, as quickly as possible.
Quade is a nice guy, but he is a horrible major league manager and has no leadership either.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Aw...you guys would have loved all the Beane puns I was planning.
I can’t think of any for Epstein. Or Theo for that matter.
Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween Night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents.
Epic, though
his name makes me think of what is that, Ipicac? Theo- Theologan, Theo-logic, Theocrat(ic), Theo Huxtable, Theo-trics. Yeah, Beane was a bag of puns just waiting for use.
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah...Theo could be fun.
It’s from the Greek word theos meaning god (do I sound like the father in My Big Fat Greek Wedding?). It was past my bedtime when I said that and I couldn’t think.
Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween Night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents.
Yep. This could be more fun than I thought.
Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween Night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents.
Wrigley will be a
Theo-cracy
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
"I am the little acorn that is the oak! You can't go! All the plants are gonna die!"
“And then depression set in.”
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Oak-ay...
Though that’s more tied to Beane because one of the icons for Oakland is the Oak/Acorn (Oakland Oaks. Incidentally, isn’t that who the Iowa Cubs were?).
But the little acorn is no match for a nutty (nut-seeking) squirrel like Quade.
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Speaking of Brett Jackson,
he’s at bat now for Team USA with the game tying run at 2B in the eighth
http://www.cstv.com/gametracker/launch/gt_mbasebl.html?event=1058994&school=cub&sport=mbasebl&camefrom=&startschool=&
Does this mean
that we would still have to hire a GM, or is that Theo’s responsibility?
Maybe hire a young gun to grow under him though?
Actually first call after Ryno I want if he’s hired is if Mike Maddux is a free agent, him as pitching coach.
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
by puckishcubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't see the Rangers letting him go.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
Up to Theo!
He’s the President… he can do whatever he wants!
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Oct 12, 2011 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
I know this is going to sound a little mean, but...
If and when this does happen, won’t we all get a little perverse joy out of it since we know it’ll drive the White Sox fanbase crazy?
THIS IS A CUBS BLOG WE DO NOT DISCUSS OTHER BASEBALL TEAMS HERE
I'm a happy panda.
by jesus christos on Oct 11, 2011 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, you're right. That never happens here.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions
REDIRECT YOUR DISCUSSION TO CUBS RELATED TOPICS
PLEASE AND THANK YOU
I'm a happy panda.
by jesus christos on Oct 11, 2011 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Okay, okay. I wasn't expecting the Spanish Inquisition.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions
*jarring chord*
NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!
fetch the Soft Pillows!!!
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
by VegasCubFan on Oct 11, 2011 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions
GIVE THE RACK...
oh dear.
GIVE THE RACK A TURN
and now,
Cardinal Fang…the COMFY CHAIR!!!!
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
by VegasCubFan on Oct 11, 2011 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions
LETS TALK IN ALL CAPS!!!1!
’CAUSE IT MAKES US LOOK STUPIDER!!!
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions
You need to read the Ventura post
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 12, 2011 5:27 AM CDT up reply actions
The White Sox? No
The Cardinals? Yes.
by Outshined_One on Oct 11, 2011 11:58 PM CDT up reply actions
This is a good read about bad contracts. Here.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
This....
is the best news I’ve heard in a while…and I want Ryno too, but I actually like Quade, not necessarily as the manager, but I’ve always liked the guy. It probably won’t happen as it usually doesn’t but I’d love to see him stick around in some capacity.
by jbertram on Oct 11, 2011 10:36 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I hate to take a dump in the punch bowl...
…but something about the line “Theo hasn’t made up his mind yet…” worries me. I mean, if he doesn’t know by now….
I just hope he isn’t using the Cubs to leverage the Red Sox into a sweeter deal.
At the very least, I’m not going to believe it until his name is on the proverbial dotted line.
I know. It kind of reminds me of the Fred McGriff trade back in 2001.
McGriff was on the then-Tampa Bay Devil Rays and, for some reason, hemmed and hawed for about 2 weeks on his “no-trade clause.” Okay, so he lived in Tampa, Florida. Understand that. But the Devil Rays were an awful team then and going nowhere and McGriff had a chance to join a contender for a couple of months. Then, he could always go back to Tampa Bay in the offseason. Instead, he hesitated and the Cubs had to wait for a couple of weeks before he finally joined the team. And, call me crazy, but it seemed like the team played worse after he got here than it did before.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions
They did seem to play worse if memory serves
McGriff dragged things out so much and seemed to make it so obvious that he was completely unmotivated to play here that I think it left a bad taste in a lot of fan’s mouths. It was actually pretty anti-climactic when he finally did arrive.
In Epstein’s case though, I’m worried that the media/fan frenzy is blowing this thing all out of proportion. Now if it doesn’t happen, it’s going to make the Cubs and Ricketts look like idiots for being played.
by bluekoolaide on Oct 11, 2011 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Awesome! Get it done!
Can’t wait till Quade’s gone, then someone here will have to pay off a bet……
"Go Cubs!"
I'm looking WAY ahead here, but will Sandberg bring in any new hitting/pitching coaches?
feet firmly nailed to the floor of the Tyler Colvin bandwagon...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 11, 2011 10:41 PM CDT reply actions
Please. Let's just get step 1 done before thinking about anything further.
If they are both hired, we’ll have plenty of time to discuss possible hitting and pitching coaches.
by jeffmills1972 on Oct 11, 2011 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Seriously...those aren't going to make much of a difference until we get better baseball players on this team?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 11, 2011 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions
If the offense had more patience, it could be much better...
Yes, I’m looking at Rudy Jaramillo.
feet firmly nailed to the floor of the Tyler Colvin bandwagon...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 11, 2011 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't think Jaramillo is the reason our players don't have patience....
I think it’s just a symptom of a Jim Hendry roster.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 11, 2011 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Will you at least admit that Riggins sucks?
feet firmly nailed to the floor of the Tyler Colvin bandwagon...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 11, 2011 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions
He can't suck because
he doesn’t do anything, in order to suck you would actually have to do something.
by jpeters407 on Oct 11, 2011 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yes, Riggins totally sucks.
To the max.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 11, 2011 11:14 PM CDT up reply actions
He has a role: he's the herald.
When he visits the mound, that act tells the fans/viewers that the opposing team will score 1~many runs on that current at-bat. Whenever he visits the mound, I’m surprised if the other team doesn’t score. Never have to get angry or frustrated with the Cubs blowing it because when I see the ’stache make the walk, I know the Cubs will be blowing it in T minus 60 seconds or so.
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Regardless of what baseball players are currently on the team. Epstein is a step in the right direction. And that's a start.
Jack Brickhouse: "Hey! Hey!" Harry Caray: "Holy Cow!"
Vince Lloyd: "The Chicago Cubs are on the Air!" Len Kasper: "Oh Baby!!!!"
Ron Santo: "YES!" "All Right! Let's do it!" "Ohhh Nooooo!" "Gee Whiz! Come on!" AND... "This Is The Year!"
by #1 iowan cubs fan on Oct 11, 2011 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions
The journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step. But oh man, for the Cubs, there are (given 2000-2500 steps per mile, assuming 2250 for the average) 2,249,999 steps to go to win that World Series. Maybe Epstein counts for a mile? Maybe the Cubs can rack up frequent flyer miles on the way to cut down on the journey? Though the Cubs have the luck of finding every every exposed root, every uneven dip, every pitfall, punji trap, and prank (like the rope across the length at ankle level) along the way.
by ddoubleheader on Oct 11, 2011 11:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Wonder if Mike Maddux is a free agent and Ryno can use his long time close friendship with Greg to lure him?
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
by puckishcubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Theo and Sandberg
would make me happier than I’ve ever been as a Cubs fan.
Sooooooooo
when’s this gonna go down?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
24-48 hours is what was said earlier.
feet firmly nailed to the floor of the Tyler Colvin bandwagon...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 11, 2011 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not your doctor, but I'd say in take a cold shower or watch a Golden Girls episode and and you should be able to pee while standing up again soon.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 11, 2011 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions
if you combine both, you end up with a Golden shower!
by EalyEagle on Oct 11, 2011 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thank you for being a fiend!
Traveled down the road and back again.
by ddoubleheader on Oct 12, 2011 12:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Teaches me to turn on my phone at 1030 pm. Texts coming out my whazoo about this. I have to get up at 5 tomorrow and I can’t sleep now.
I expect this happens before we all hit the hay tomorrow.
And he’s cute too ! Sorry couldn’t resist and it’s a reponse to someone saying I only wanted Beane because I think he looks like Brad Pitt.
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
by puckishcubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:52 PM CDT reply actions
Are you a homophobe?
feet firmly nailed to the floor of the Tyler Colvin bandwagon...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 11, 2011 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions
I am a woman so if I wanted Beane to be the GM because he looked like Brad Pitt I wouldn’t be differently oriented. And I believe dtpolitt knows my gender.
And a few days ago someone said I only wanted Beane because Brad Pitt played him in a movie. I despise Brad the Pitts.
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
by puckishcubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Ah, sorry!
dtpolitt’s comment confused me!
feet firmly nailed to the floor of the Tyler Colvin bandwagon...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 11, 2011 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Brad Pitt
Let me give you a scenario. I’m at like a beach cabana, and Brad Pitt approaches. Tries to lean in and kiss me. I would definitely resist, like at first. But if he was persistent, I might give in a little bit just to see what it felt like. Would I push him away? How hard? Like, what if he’s really aggressive?
I wouldn't stop him...
I’m talking full open-mouth-get-to-the-back-teeth kissing.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 12, 2011 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Who will be the first?
Who will be the first to post a picture of Theo from the Cosby Show and Epstein from Welcome Back Kotter?
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
by puckishcubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 10:56 PM CDT reply actions
Dear Mr. Ricketts,
Theo wasn’t in class yesterday because he was honoring Diego Rivera’s birthday.
Signed,
Epstein’s Mother
Do you think the Ricketts will lower ticket prices next year?
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
Theo wins World Series in Chicago
He goes down as the best GM in the history of baseball.
Viva la Cubs Révolution!!!
You're about
173 games early on that (in the best case scenario).
by ddoubleheader on Oct 12, 2011 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions
I should sleep but I can’t.
Again I need to warn Al when I’m meeting someone from an internet group I belong to. Something always big breaks with Cubs within a day or two and met friend from group who was in for marathon.
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
by puckishcubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 11:08 PM CDT reply actions
Sorry Al but I have to ask...
is it better than a 0% percent chance that Theo is coming now? Is this enough smoke that there is at least a small fire?
John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.
Nope, no smoke here
(cough cough cough)
by ddoubleheader on Oct 12, 2011 12:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Moneyball was really good.
I just didn’t buy Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Art Howe. He didn’t know how to wear a hat, and he didn’t really feel like a major league manager to me.
Scott Bora$ is satan.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Oct 11, 2011 11:10 PM CDT reply actions
I agree
And I like Phillip Seymour Hoffman. I also like Jonah Hill., I had to get past my least favorite actor outside of Jim Belushi Brad Pitt for this movie.
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
by puckishcubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Manager
If it’s Sandberg it will be within a few days I predict.
Otherwise a couple of weeks.
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
by puckishcubsfan on Oct 11, 2011 11:12 PM CDT reply actions
So, Epstein's first move after firing Quade...
…would be to hire another rookie manager to take his place? Ain’t happenin’. Epstein’s smarter than that. He’s not gonna pull a boner right off the bat.
"When I came up to bat with three men on and two outs in the ninth, I looked in the other team's dugout and they were already in street clothes." - Bob Uecker
Can we please stop the hand-wringing over "rookie" managers?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 11, 2011 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree...
…they shouldn’t even be in the equation.
"When I came up to bat with three men on and two outs in the ninth, I looked in the other team's dugout and they were already in street clothes." - Bob Uecker
good grief...you've honestly hitched your wagon to the idea that only a veteran guy can be successful as a manager...so I'm not going any further with this.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 11, 2011 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions
"rookie"manager equation
0+Quade = -1
I'm going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp!!! Who's with me?
by VegasCubFan on Oct 11, 2011 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Same mistake's gonna happen as it did with Quade.
Ask for a rookie manager, get a wookie manager…
by ddoubleheader on Oct 12, 2011 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes.
But that’s because Gibson is a leader. (And he had better players.)
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Don Mattingly did pretty well too, considering what a mess that franchise is right now.
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
TR would never admit this...
But maybe that was a big part of why he chose to fire Hendry. After a few months of living with Quade, it became clear that Hendry hired his buddy. So he blew them out. And now here we are a few months later with Theo and Ryno!
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
I actually have wondered this too.....
Ricketts gave Hendry ONE more chance and he used it on his buddy……
That may have been a big part of it. I agree with you.
Gibson
also had a veteran bench coach, a familiar name, Trammel. If it is Ryno, he just needs a veteran bench coach. That will make a huge difference.
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
Agreed.
Jim Riggleman would be a perfect choice. Experienced manager who managed the Cubs to a playoff spot.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
I hope this happens but I'm not holding my breath
Way too many conflicting reports out of Boston and Chicago. I just read one “highly placed source” say that the situation is still “very fluid” and nothing is imminent. Translation: nobody except Theo knows anything. I REALLY hope we’re not being played here.
Don't you know?
To be a true blue Cubs fan, you have to hold your breath on this subject til you turn a delightful shade of Cubbie blue.
by ddoubleheader on Oct 12, 2011 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions
I thought this was funny.
https://twitter.com/#!/harrypav/status/123956155541237761
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Is that NBF in real life?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 11, 2011 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow don't check for a few hours and this.
I really did not him leaving. I will try to contain myself till it actually happens
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 11, 2011 11:49 PM CDT reply actions
::crosses fingers::
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Avatar provided courtesy of AndrewJStone.
Epstein lost all control over the Red Sox
what a mess, no wonder he is leaving or being pushed out.
Epstein wasn't blamed for losing control in that article
He was blamed for doling out bad contracts to Jenks, Crawford, and Lackey.
The clubhouse problem seems to be laid at the feet of the players and the coaches. Francona is known to coddle veterans and let things slide for them, so this really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
Regardless, now seems to be as good of a time as any for everyone involved in that mess to part ways.
by Outshined_One on Oct 12, 2011 12:06 AM CDT up reply actions
no chance Francona is the manager here
or anywhere next year, a man who def needs a year off. Still not a good article for Theo and cements his departure.
Epstein could have one hell of a career...
If he were to dig both the Red Sox AND the Cubs out of their “curses”. Wouldn’t that be something?
GO BULLS AND BLACKHAWKS!
by SouthsideCUBSfan on Oct 12, 2011 12:16 AM CDT reply actions
Apparently the red sox want 'something real' as compensation
which ruins my idea of giving them a unicorn.
Mermaid?
I have two Boston can have one for Theo.
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Oct 12, 2011 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Something's fishy about that pic
and false advertising too. Those mermaids aren’t hot.
by ddoubleheader on Oct 12, 2011 3:09 AM CDT up reply actions
So if they finalize the Epstein deal, does that mean they'll spend money this offseason? Does Epstein have any idea how to run a team that isn't spending?
If they sign Theo, I think they might have to spend. Does Theo know how to build a team without spending?
How about this dream scenario:
Manager Ryne Sandberg’s 2012 Opening Day Lineup:
Jose Reyes (SS) – free agent
Starlin Castro (2B)
Albert Pujols/Prince Fielder (1B) – free agents
Aramis Ramirez (3B) – re-signed
Alfonso Soriano (LF)
Brett Jackson (CF) – call up
Geovany Soto ©
Tyler Colvin (RF)
Starting pitchet
Rotation: Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Yu Darvish (free agent), Andrew Cashner, Randy Wells
Bullpen: Sean Marshall, Kerry Wood (re-signed), Jeff Samardzija, Francisco Rodriguez (free agent), James Russell, Carlos Marmol
Bench: DJ Lemahieu, Tony Campana, Darwin Barney, Bryan LaHair, Koyie Hill, Marlon Byrd (re-signed)
one can dream :)
While dreams are certainly nice...
That would likely require something like $100/mm per year just to aquire those 5 free agents and re-sign aramis (who is looking for a 3 year deal). Are we prepared for a $170mm budget?
If Tom wants to do it, hey more power to him, but I’m not sure…
by cubsonWGN4ever on Oct 12, 2011 1:40 AM CDT up reply actions
and that's the big question
all we’ve heard was that the Cubs weren’t planning on spending like this. but now if the theo deal goes through, he went out and got a GM who has spent his entire career on a team that spends big every year (usually in the top 2 in payroll in MLB).
the way I see it, there are two possibilities:
1) Tom has chosen to be one of the top payroll teams in the league and went out and got a GM who has had a ton of success doing things in that style
OR
2) Tom has decided to finance a low/medium payroll team and even though Theo has always been with a big spending organization, Tom has confidence that Theo can have success building a team in this low cost style as well as bring in that one or two big free agent when he needs to.
Last time the Cubs had a payroll of this nature ($183 million in 2008 iirc), they had a lot of regular season success, but faltered in the playoffs and then quickly fell off. All we’ve heard since then was (basically) “ok, that didn’t work. let’s go low cost and develop a team from within, Rays style”. But bringing in Theo seems to contradict that. It seems like Theo is a great candidate for a high salary team. I would have expected somebody like Billy Bean if they were still intent on going the low cost route.
The payroll is 2008 was 118 million.
A lot of that was due to the beginning of backloaded deals, but it was nowhere near 183 million. The Cubs will have a high salary team. Probably not Red Sox level, but definitely not Rays level. There is a middle/high middle ground. Theo will have money to spend. He’ll be wise to not spend it all in one offseason to correct the failures of a previous year (see: Hendry, winter 06-07).
Seeya Jimbo! Good job, Tommy Boy!
Ah yes, Geovany Soto
will be the copywriter. Always an important part of a team. Baseball’s not only played on the playing field, it’s played in the legal field. Someone call Perry Mason!
by ddoubleheader on Oct 12, 2011 3:12 AM CDT up reply actions
The Cubs have been, by and large, terrible
for a long spell for 4 main reasons.
Poor player development.
Poor trading.
Poor drafting.
Poor spending on said drafts.
Tim Wilken has upgraded the drafting recently. With Tom Ricketts upgrading the draft budget in 2011, two of the four seem to be on the uptick.
If Epstein comes in, I doubt FA spending will kick up very much. My guess is that TR will want to keep the budget in the 1 and a teen million this season. One big name free agent or two. Aramis would count as one of them.
What Epstein and Ricketts should team together very well on is drafting. By all I’ve gathered, the massive draft bonus spending was not a one-shot deal. With the sixth pick in June’s Draft, T&T would be expected to draft the best player available. Though they may well have some signings that will be made with slotting in mind, I would guess that many of the picks will be ’best player available.
One of the reasons Boston has been so goos is a steady supply of cheap talent/trade bait. You can probably play the ‘who has been a productive Sawks Draft Pick’ game better than I can. Pedroia, Ellsbury, Papelbon, Lester, and quite few others have played or traded quite well recently.
Epstein is a guy I will trust to trade well. Whether a fire sale like the Dodgers very soon, or a fifth place team in July in a few years.
I don’t expect bringing in Epstein doubles our budget, or even nudges it up much at all. Our drafts should be solid for the next decade. The player development should improve. Our trades will be better.
There is a difference between 200 million and 60 million. I’d guess 120 mil with 15 more annually on amateurs. That’s smart, not low cost.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
by timh815 on Oct 12, 2011 7:27 AM CDT up reply actions 8 recs
my thing is, i'm sick of waiting.
drafting well is important, yes. but building a team like that takes forever. it took forever with the Bulls, and they only have a 15 man roster and no minor league system.
Basketball (and Football) are not like Baseball for drafting players.
There are relatively few late round steals in the former two, and many more first round busts in MLB. It’s not really an apt comparison. But it’s hard to argue with Epstein’s record when you look at the Red Sox farm system under his tenure. That said, if he has a radically different talent philosophy from Hendry, it will take a few years for Epstein-drafted players to work their way through the system.
The Cubs don’t have the money to buy enough free agents to become favorites next season. (but baseball’s a funny game – we might contend ‘out of nowhere’ anyway!)
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Oct 13, 2011 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
This is why I hate the NBA
The only way to get good in the NBA is hope you suck in a year that a superstar is in the draft and then hope you get lucky in the draft lottery. That’s what the Bulls did.
The only other way is to be the Lakers, Celtics or some other franchise that is so attractive (Miami, I guess) that superstars will come as free agents for a discount. I guess the one saving grace of that is that the Knicks can’t even get that right.
Winning in the NBA is so much based on getting one superstar that you can build a team around. And the draft only has about one of those a year. Some years have two or three, other years have none. But if the ping pong balls don’t fall for you, you have zero chance of improving yourself.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 14, 2011 4:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Let Rammy go and trade for David Wright.
feet firmly nailed to the floor of the Tyler Colvin bandwagon...
by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 12, 2011 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
I logged on to make a Post
about preferring Ben Cherington over Theo due to compensation concerns. Scratch that.
I even had a cool comparison. Devotees of the combinations/permutations of Moneyball would be bens. Old-school commits, opposed to overslot bonuses. and the like. For Mr. Reinsdorf, they would be called jerrys.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
This sounds good, almost too good to be true....
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
would'nt
life be wonderfull if we got theo and he hired sandberg?then all we would need is a good team.and what happened to this website?the sidebar posts replaced by advertisments.terrible.
nevermind
i see the format has changed.same great site.
I'd love to believe this is going to make a difference
Don’t know if it will if we can’t increase the payroll like Boston did.
[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."
If we draft better, trade better, and develop talent better
not necessarily in that order, we will be better. Possibly good enough to possess the NLC at 120 mil plus 15 in amateur spending.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
K I went to bed, I expect some updates now.
kthanks.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Right.
Because all important Cubs news happens between midnight and 7 am.
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Theo is wearing a blue striped button-down shirt
John Henry is hoping Cherington will be his GM in 2012.
Dustin Pedroia is rolling his eyes.
Dan Bernstein is preparing his “GM’s don’t matter” screed.
Sawks nation is weepy.
Need more?
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
I can't stand Bernstein
I think the guy is a hack and a cheap shot artist that completely over estimates his intelligence and his thoughts.
However, he did say last week that if the price for Epstein is Castro, the Cubs should do it. Now, I find that to be one of the stupidest things I’ve heard from a radio guy in a while, but it would be difficult form him to backtrack from that.
by jerry morales rules on Oct 12, 2011 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions
hot da....
Can I swear on this thread? :)
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
WOW!
Epstein and possibly Sandberg!
As Humphrey Bogart once said in Casablanca, “Louis, this looks the beginning of a beautiful friendship!”
If you think you've seen it all...just wait!
by CubFanSince1970 on Oct 12, 2011 8:26 AM CDT reply actions
Great News, but here"s a nitpik Al
I did, as you know, think Billy Beane was going to be the new GM. Obviously, things changed after the Red Sox did not make the playoffs and Terry Francona left as manager by mutual decision. That opened up the possibility that Epstein could also leave, and the Cubs decided to take advantage by asking, and now apparently hiring, him.
Do you know something we don’t? Do you think Beane was the original target? Because this doesn’t make sense, if he was the original target, the Cubs didn’t have to wait for a playoff elimination seeing as how Oakland wasn’t in the playoffs.
It’s declarative statements like this, where it seems you know something others don’t that can get you in trouble.
Guys, hitting is not about muscle. It's simple physics. Calculate the velocity, v, in relation to the trajectory, t, in which g, gravity, of course remains a constant.... It's not complicated. - George Costanza
Just because Oakland wasn't in the playoffs...
… didn’t mean Beane could leave before the season was over.
I do think Beane was a target. Obviously, Epstein’s availability changed that. I don’t see that as inconsistent.
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No you're partly right but when you say...
think Billy Beane was going to be the new GM. Obviously, things changed after the Red Sox did not make the playoffs and Terry Francona left as manager by mutual decision.
you make it sound as though the organization was in lockstep with your desires up until the RedSox were eliminated from the playoffs. I thing it’s more reasonable to believe that Epstein was the intended target all along.
Guys, hitting is not about muscle. It's simple physics. Calculate the velocity, v, in relation to the trajectory, t, in which g, gravity, of course remains a constant.... It's not complicated. - George Costanza
My guess?
Ricketts put together a wish list in July. Epstein was at the top of the list, but seemed unattainable. Beane was No. 2 or 3 (Friedman was in there, too) and Beane looked to be the most available.
Ricketts probably met with Beane during the SF series. But, as the Red Sox collapse continued, Ricketts turned east. Maybe something in his conversations with Beane also made him pause.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
by elgato on Oct 12, 2011 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
I said
… I thought Beane was going to be the guy. My thinking was wrong. I don’t know if Epstein was the #1 target all along. He may have been.
Isn’t saying I was wrong enough for you? Do you want to keep piling on?
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I don't think you were quite as wrong...
… as it was that things very unexpectedly changed by the Great Collapse of 2011. Before it occurred, I would say Beane was more likely to be acquired than Epstein. Afterwords? Not so much.
Pretty much what I think.
See above.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I still think Beane
is more comfy drafting ‘low-rent’ players.
TR “I’m offering you a 12 mil budget”
BB “Yeah, but I still prefer college juniors”
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
I don't think so.
But Beane’s inability to make the playoffs since 2006? That would have given me pause.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
If he's still selecting only
low-rent players, he’ll have a tough time keeping up with the Scioscia’s and Ryan’s Rangers.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Well, sure.
But that was why he was hailed as a genius. He was selecting low-rent players and beating those teams. But, since 2006, he hasn’t been able to pull that off.
Doesn’t make him a bad GM — it just tarnishes his genius label.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
When the oppo knows your playbook,
it’s harder to win.
Plus, if walks are king everywhere, they tend to be a wash, not a winner.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
I'm not piling on but I think it's speculation to think that Beane was the...
…intended target and they moved on to Epstein. That’s all. I was just pointing out that you were you using a declarative statement when you’ were actually speculating,
Guys, hitting is not about muscle. It's simple physics. Calculate the velocity, v, in relation to the trajectory, t, in which g, gravity, of course remains a constant.... It's not complicated. - George Costanza
I did say "I think" Beane is the guy.
My opinion. Nothing more.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
When did Al say that Beane was the intended target?
Where did he state that they they shifted from Beane to Epstein?
Saying that he “thinks Beane is the next GM” or “Beane is the guy” does not equate to “The Cubs number 1 GM target is Billy Beane.”
If Al can’t state what he thinks the Cubs will do next, he really doesn’t have much left to write here.
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
by RiskyBusiness on Oct 12, 2011 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions
I think Epstein was always #1
But was presumed to be unavailable. It’s no secret that Tom Ricketts greatly admires the Red Sox organization.
And don’t forget, Epstein was the Red Sox second choice after Billy Beane turned them down. Beane would have brought many of the same qualities they were looking for in Epstein.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 12, 2011 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions
He said he thought
Beane would be the next GM. Not I know will be the next GM. I don’t see how you interpreted that to be declaritive.
Does Al need legal disclaimers on every post?
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
by RiskyBusiness on Oct 12, 2011 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'll give Al a starter disclosure
He can have his legal team look it over and modify it as necessary
This communication is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument or as an official confirmation of any transaction. All data and other information are not warranted as to completeness or accuracy and are subject to change without notice. Any comments or statements made herein do not necessarily reflect those of Al Yellon, Sportsblogs, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. This transmission may contain information that is privileged, confidential, legally privileged, and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein (including any reliance thereon) is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Although this transmission and any attachments are believed to be free of any virus or other defect that might affect any computer system into which it is received and opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it is virus free and no responsibility is accepted by Al Yellon, Sportsblogs, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, as applicable, for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use. If you received this transmission in error, please immediately contact the sender and destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard copy format. Thank you.
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
by RiskyBusiness on Oct 12, 2011 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow.
That would increase the word count of my posts, if nothing else.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
With a little work, we can make this site declaratively safe for everyone
We’ll hire an expensive lawyer to edit all your stories. The 2012 Opening Day title will be:
The Chicago Cubs may play a sporting event at Wrigley Field today.
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
by RiskyBusiness on Oct 12, 2011 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions
More correctly, that would have to read
A team reportedly called “Chicago Cubs” may or may not play a sport referred to in some places as “baseball”, either at a place called “Wrigley Field”, or some other location, today or perhaps another day, if ever.
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Ahhhh
I feel warm in the blaket of ambiguity.
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
by RiskyBusiness on Oct 12, 2011 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions
No Comment
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
by RiskyBusiness on Oct 12, 2011 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions
well, how do you know its a team
a group of individuals gathered togerther wearing what seemed to be similar outfits to spend time with another grouping of individuals who wore outfits matching, but not matching the other group. these groups were calling each other a name, but we cannot know for sure just waht that word was or what it pertained to……….
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can kill two stones with one bird
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money! - Irish toast.
Way to show your balls Ricketts!
Good job. You said you wanted to emulate the BoSox… and you’re gettin’ it done!
"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)
Here's why I sometimes hate tweets.
Take a look at this one from Boston beat writer Gordon Edes:
If Theo goes to Cubs, can Tito be far behind (and what about Ryno)? – Boston Red Sox Blog – ESPN Bo..
That has a link which for some reason didn’t reproduce here. Anyway, going to that link reveals this:
But while both Epstein and Francona spoke of the mutual regard and respect they hold for each other — a genuine appreciation on the part of both men — it would seem a long shot that the two will reunite in Chicago. One of the factors motivating Epstein to take the Cubs job is a desire for change, and after eight years with the same manager, there is a sense that extends to his relationship with Francona.
“Unlikely,’’ said one Sox official Tuesday night with ties to both men.
So the tweet implies that Francona is coming to the Cubs, but the article says it’s “unlikely”. Why would you do that?
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Cuz
and for more hits.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Reading it again
… the tweet matched the headline of the article. Which was probably NOT written by Edes — that headline writer completely misunderstood the article.
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Pretty nice day after three seasons of disappointment.
I’m happy that we’re landing one of the top GMs in the game, and that Mike Quade’s departure seems all but assured. But, strangely, I’m happier for what this says about our ownership. Managers and even general managers go. But the news of the past 15 hours shows that the team’s owners don’t think they can just stand pat, field a sub-par team and watch Wrigley fill from year to year.
Maybe that’s less of an idealistic realization than a practical one. After two years of owning a mediocre/bad team with high ticket prices in the middle of a recession, the Ricketts might have figured they needed Epstein (or a top-tier GM) to continue to draw 3 million a year. But it doesn’t really matter — assuming this move isn’t an anomaly, the Cubs have owners who have the right mindset.
Throughout the 2011 season, I’ve posted that while it was pretty evident what Hendry (after nine years as GM0 and Quade (with more decisions happening in front of us) were capable of. But most of what an owner does happens behind the scenes. In less than two months, Ricketts is about to do what many around here would have scoffed at at the ASB: He canned Hendry, and he’s about to land Theo Epstein.
Maybe Ricketts took too long to get his footing. But I think he’s found it. I’m optimistic about Theo, but if that doesn’t work out, I think the team will be OK in the long term.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Theo was in the vanguard of GM's
who used the “new tools.” He even hired the Guru. That brought a significant competitive advantage to the Red Sox. It is good to see the Cubs front office finally join the 21st Century. I do wonder, however, why Lucchino and Werner are apparently happy to see Theo go.
To be more accurate
it was John Henry that hired Bill James, not Theo Epstein.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 12, 2011 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey, didn't know that.
Always thought that his hiring transformed James and his approach from outsider to insider. From then on, the “new tools” became a part of the established order, except of course here in Chicago, where Hendry persisted with his Old Fashioned approach to player development and acquisition.
A very big step in a new and better direction
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
For an organization that has historically...
…lagged behind the times, hiring Epstein would be a huge step in the right direction. He is the quintessential 21st Century GM. I’ll await the official announcement, but this is very, very exciting news.
Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.
by daver on Oct 12, 2011 9:11 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
The Quint Essentials
Great name for a rock band.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
There'd be 4 members for the irony.
"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07
I am looking forward to all the news and so far so good.
What a day. Let’s move on to Sandberg now.
What worries me, more just a thought popping in my head, what if he keeps Q knowing that a failure either during the season or after, he could get Francona who is presumingly taking a year off.
We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.
Check some of the other articles out today.
Looks like it’s time for Francona and Epstein are mutually parting ways.
I think Francona does take that year off. He seems burned out.
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Yeah. Thank God, no Francona.
I don’t want the no accountability clubhouse that the Boston pres is reporting Francona oversaw.
by Fraggin Judge on Oct 12, 2011 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Did not know his marriage had broken up till i read the article
Guy needs a year off the field
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 12, 2011 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
He was good as a color man
He should spend a year in the broadcast booth.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 12, 2011 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
over Tim McCarver?
but then, I would listen to my muted tv more.
I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.
Bruce Levine just brought up on ESPN 1000
that we shouldn’t be surprised if Quade sticks around for another year to wait for the contracts of other big fish managers to expire, or to get Francona some time off.
I honestly do not see that happening. Seems really ridiculous.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Oct 12, 2011 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Man I really hope we stay the hell away from Francona
He seems to be a slightly smarter Mike Quade with better credentials.
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I think he's better than that
but after reading about this last season in Boston, I would imagine he’s incredibly shell shocked and that would kneecap him as a manager. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sat out for more than a year.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Oct 12, 2011 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't like the reports of a guy who coddles veterans
I want someone who is going to play the best the team has. I also don’t want another guy who “needs some time off”
As I said in another thread, those guys tend to be rejuvenated for a while, but that new energy wears off.
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey, I'm not saying I want him
I want Sandberg, but I agree with what you’re saying.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Oct 12, 2011 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not sure I want Sandberg, but I know I don't want Francona. (Or Quade)
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
In fact, until we hire someone else, I'm gonna just keep praying we can get Maddon away from the Rays
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
He has another year, right?
That’s who I would want the most, too. Great personality that guy has also, would love to see him and his expertise with the Cubs.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Oct 12, 2011 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions
better to go without a manager and draw names out of a hat
or let Theo double duty for one season
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can kill two stones with one bird
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money! - Irish toast.
college of coaches redux
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Oct 14, 2011 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Before the Phillies and Red Sox collapsed this did not seem possible.
Now Epstein… with Sandberg? Epstein is a coup for the Cubs. If Epstein brings Sandberg with him, he’ll be the darling of Cubs fans immediately. Shrewd move!
Twitter says
BreakingNews
Report: Red Sox GM Theo Epstein agrees to 5-year deal with Cubs worth more than $15 million – @WEEI http://bit.ly/pOLvwA
Retweeted by CarrieMuskat
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Kaplan article
Almost sounds too good to be true, hopefully the deal gets done and the press conference corroborates these details
http://www.csnchicago.com/baseball-chicago-cubs/news/-?blockID=576086&feedID=619
Expect aggressive moves from the get-go and a willingness to retool the entire major league roster as he looks to build a winning combination for the Cubs for the first time in 103 years.
just as long as he keeps the hearts of the team
Soriano and Big Z
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Oct 12, 2011 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Koyie. Hill.
Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.
by daver on Oct 12, 2011 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's some pretty solid writing.
LET’S SEE AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE CUBS ALREADY!
This 24-48 hours shit has got to go.
First time in 103 years?
So, the teams in 2008, 2007, 2003, 1989, 1984, etc. sucked?
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 12, 2011 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Bullcrap
So 28 teams this year suck. That’s a horses^$t rationale.
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 12, 2011 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Hey, you said sucked, not me.
There are numerous ways to define “winning.” Clearly, by referencing 103 years, we’re looking at “Get to the World Series” type of winning. Based on this parameter, 28 teams are not going to “win” this year.
I said it because Kaplan implied it
And you replied to me that you agreed.
And 103 years is WIN the World Series, not get to it. Which is what we all want, anyway.
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 12, 2011 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh, you're absolutely correct.
My mistake. Though, by that reasoning, 29 teams will suck this year, not 28. ;-)
Indeed
Granted, they haven’t exactly had a sustained run of quality teams for a while. In fact, the closest that they’ve been in the last 50 years is probably the late 1960’s/early 1970’s team that didn’t win anything at all.
Here’s to better times ahead.
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 12, 2011 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
DeMarlo Hale?
… major league sources told me Tuesday that they believe Epstein will look in another direction, perhaps at Cubs legend and current Phillies minor league manager Ryne Sandberg or Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale, who is a Chicago native and considered a rising star in the game.
This is the first I’ve heard of Hale. I’m curious about others’ impressions of him who might know more.
Harry Caray: Marshall is going back to LA to get cocaine for his injured foot.
Steve Stone: Harry, that’s Novocaine.
by Julio Zuleta's Voodoo on Oct 12, 2011 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Oops, sorry about including my comment at the bottom of the block.
Harry Caray: Marshall is going back to LA to get cocaine for his injured foot.
Steve Stone: Harry, that’s Novocaine.
by Julio Zuleta's Voodoo on Oct 12, 2011 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Never heard of him either
but I would think if he is a hot commodity, Boston might also be considering him for their vacant manager position.
Hale
They were said to be considering Hale, who also had been mentioned elsewhere to be a solid managerial candidate. I wonder, however, with all that has come out about the Red Sox this year if they’ll feel the need to go outside to bring in a new voice.
He's a top candidate
for the Red Sox job too. He’s considered an up and comer.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 12, 2011 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Sample Size
I was living in Oklahoma City when he was the AAA-Manager for the Rangers. He managed the Redhawks to 2 second place finished in the PCL in 2000 and 2001. From afar, I always liked the guy. I would prefer Ryno, but wouldn’t be disappointed with Hale either. It would be nice to have someone on the coaching staff familiar Theo’s expectations and helping change the philosophy.
"The standard is the standard" Mike Tomlin
I think Hale
is getting the Red Sox job. No inside info, of course. Just a guess.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 14, 2011 4:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Is Ricketts done here? Or is there more to come?
Theo gets a bigger title than GM. Is it possible another hire is coming to play in the sandbox with Theo?
"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)
Theo will be named "President of Baseball Operations"
Will we be hiring a GM too? Or will Randy Bush be a puppet?
"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)
Everything I've read says he will be GM too
but I suppose he could bring in other top minds in the game to work with him.
Agreed.
I can’t see him wanting to use someone as a puppet when it’s clear that he wants to have direct control. He’ll probably want to have a very robust supporting staff, I imagine.
I wonder how much this will take out of Kenney’s hand.
It's supposed to take ALL the baseball stuff out of Kenney's hands.
“President of Baseball Operations” IS the general manager. It’s simply a different title.
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This would be another great aspect of the hire.
Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.
What does Kenney oversee these days, anyway?
I’ve always been rather foggy on his role in the organization.
The non-baseball parts of the organization, from what I understand.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
No, it will be like the MacPhail situation in Baltimore
President and GM, overseeing all baseball operations and decisions.
If true...
…congrats to Mr. Ricketts, better late than never and a terrific step in the right direction.
I would imagine, Theo was told they would like him to be GM as well and when the organization gets in order, they will allow him to hire his own GM (maybe in 3 years or so).
Now, just get out of his way and let him to his job.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Kudos to Mr. Ricketts
this may be another thread but he has done about everything we could have hoped for. spent money on the draft. Epstein (hopefully) and with any luck Ryno. After a lot of Ricketts bashing its time to give him massive props.
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
This quote makes me happy
“In fact, sources tell us that Ricketts is not opposed to spending big money on a star player, but for him to sign a mega contract the player must fit long-term with the organization.:
Hi there Prince Fielder
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Was thinking the same thing.
And Fielder could probably look past one bad Cubs team — which is still possible in 2012 — if he sees movement in the right direction by years two or three of his contract.
That happens with a GM like Epstein and a commitment like the one Ricketts is about to make.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I've got to think the hiring of Epstein opens doors to a lot of free agents
that hiring an up and comer like Cherington of Hahn wouldn’t.
Simply because he’s both known and well regarded. Cherington might be well regarded, but not well known as “the man”
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
Totally agree.
The harder job for Epstein, IMO, is landing another starter. Getting Fielder is a little easier because Boston and New York both have first basemen. Landing a TOR starter will be tough.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
And it get worse
If Wilson gives Texas a discount and stays there, which is the talk down there. that really thins the herd.
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
That's why the Cubs probably can only hope for .500 in 2012.
I’ve said this before, but Zambrano really screwed the Cubs over for next season. Even if he was just an effective No. 3 starter — which he basically was for most of 2011 — he helped fill out the rotation.
Now, the Cubs have Matt Garza, an aging Ryan Dempster, a who-knows Randy Wells and a who-knows Andrew Cashner. Plus, they’ll have to pay a good chunk of Z’s salary AND find a good way to replace him in a starter-light free agent pool.
Epstein’s signing makes me think the Cubs will spend more this offseason, but they won’t overpay for mediocre pitching (i.e. a Jacque Jones-esque signing). We have to hope that Epstein can buy-low on a starter (something the Cubs were terrible at during the Hendry years, other than Demspter and Rusch), or that Dempster and Wells can revert to 2009 forms (or that Cashner can stay healthy and one of the other guys reverts).
If the Cubs can get two decent starters behind Garza and they can improve the offense, they might be able to find reinforcements at the trade deadline. But that’s about the only way I can see the Cubs being a true contender in 2012.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I’ve said this before, but Zambrano really screwed the Cubs over for next season.
With Theo in the mix, I’ll take the over on the odds that Z will actually be in the Cubs starting rotation in 2012. Z screwed the Cubs under Hendry, he has not screwed the Cubs under Epstein. Outside of 7 (or 24) starts where he let off 5 or more runs, Z was actually quite good in his other 2011 starts.
I’m fairly certain, Theo will look at the Z situation objectively. Keeping Z (and maybe flipping him at the trade deadline) is the best option for the 2012 Cubs. Certainly better than eating close to $18M for Z to pitch somewhere else or taking on a bad contract.
This is a new era for the Cubs. Whatever happened in the Hendry era is (thankfully) behind us and IMHO, that includes Zambrano. There needs to be a fresh perspective on the Zambrano situation and Theo will have a fresh perspective. If he believes the Cubs are better off without Zambrano than so be it, but my money is on Theo wanting to keep Z as part of the Cubs 2012 starting rotation
I doubt it
I think Z has pitched his last pitch with the Cubs. Let’s not forget that there were players that trashed Z too and they may still be with the club. And he embarrassed Ricketts.
I just don’t see Epstein wanting to take the risk of Z melting down (with the collateral damage that would follow) and I’m not sure if Ricketts would allow it anyway.
by jerry morales rules on Oct 12, 2011 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions
there were players that trashed Z too and they may still be with the club. And he embarrassed Ricketts.
I don’t remember any player trashing Zambrano, the worst was Dempster, who said something to the effect of he made his own bed so sleep in it or he needs to look himself in the mirror. I think Soriano, Byrd, and ARam all said similar things. Those are true statements, I don’t see them as trashing statements.
And I’m going to hold Ricketts to his words that Theo will have full control over baseball related issues and Zambrano is a baseball related issue. I can’t see Ricketts telling Theo that Zambrano needs to be gone, if Theo wants to keep him.
Soriano was yelling at him in the clubhouse
I’m sure that these guys have made statements to the press that are more tempered. Maybe “trashed” wasn’t the right word, but I’m not sure that he’d be welcomed back to the clubhouse.
by jerry morales rules on Oct 12, 2011 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions
??????????????????
There needs to be a fresh perspective on the Zambrano situation and Theo will have a fresh perspective.
What is this? I don’t even…..
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 12, 2011 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
I think he needs to stop smoking the Magic Blue
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Oct 12, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Also this:
Z screwed the Cubs under Hendry, he has not screwed the Cubs under Epstein.
If Theo Epstein comes anywhere CLOSE to this philosophy we’re in major trouble.
Hey, Neifi Perez sucked for the Cubs under Hendry, not under Epstein.
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe Milton Bradley will be nicer under Epstein...we could get him for next to nothing I bet!
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 12, 2011 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Is there something unclear to you about that statement
replace fresh with any one of the following words: new, outside
I hope that helps you with “what is this? I don’t even…….”
Just because you think it's a good idea ...
doesn’t mean Theo Epstein does. I think you are literally the only person on earth who thinks Z returning is a good idea.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Actually, there are quite a few of us
we’re the people who don’t believe it is good practice to eat $18M and sell low on players who are still decent, actually have value, and could fetch more if held on to for a few more months.
Like I said, I’ll take the over on Zambrano being in the Cubs rotation in 2012 with Epstein as GM. There are just a lot of really good reasons to keep him and only one decent reason to get rid of him. Epstein’s a smart man and I’m actually pretty confident he’ll conclude that the 2012 Cubs are better off with Zambrano than the alternative. If I was thinking with my heart, I’d agree that Zambrano should be gone, but when I decide to use my brain, I see a lot of negatives with getting rid of him.
Reasons to keep him:
1) can allocate limited available financial resources to other problem areas on the team
2) Zambrano is still a pretty good pitcher and probably the best hitting pitcher in the NL
3) If he stays healthy and pitches well in 2012, the Cubs wouldn’t have to eat as much money and might even get a decent prospect back in a deal at the deadline if out of contention in 2012.
4) don’t have to take back some other teams garbage contracts
Reasons not to keep Zambrano:
1) He had a shitty game, threw the ball at Chipper Jones, and retired for 2 minutes before thinking better of it because he’s a hothead.
Please share some additional (legitimate) baseball reasons that getting rid of Zambrano would make the Cubs a better team, just like ARam, I’m not really seeing it, the only thing I see is a worse team with more holes that will need to be filled.
In a vacuum...
I’d take Zambrano back. I’m on record as stating, i think its totally worth his 19 million to play for the Cubs for one year. not much else can happen in one year that hasnt already happened. we need a pitcher, he’s a good pitcher, he costs 19 million dollars, i dont want to pay some team 12 million of that for him to pitch on another roster. as of right now we have no leverage to move him, other than if the Marlins inquiring to trade for Z tampering thing works out, let him start the season with the cubs and see what happens.
So i you can give you can take it.
This is pretty much my position as well
even if we sent Z to the Marlins, we’d still have to eat at least 75-80% of his contract……..
Oh, COME on.
Actually, there are quite a few of us [,] we’re the people who don’t believe it is good practice to eat $18M and sell low on players who are still decent, actually have value, and could fetch more if held on to for a few more months.
This statement is so without context that it’s laughable. Z isn’t just an $18 million player whom the Cubs would have to sell low. He’s an $18 million player who’s acted like a child on numerous occasions — not just the meltdown in Atlanta — that, along with his diminishing peripherals, would force the Cubs to sell low.
And this, Z-screwed-the-Cubs-under-Hendry business is laughable. He also screwed the team under the Ricketts and while several players who will be back — Garza, Dempster, Castro, Barney, Soto, etc. — were on the team. The only way your logic works is if Z’s outburst were somehow connected to Hendry. It wasn’t.
You’ve drawn your line in the sand, and that’s fine, I guess. But you’re picking and choosing facts to back up your argument and hanging on to an alleged ‘head-over-heart’ philosophy. And I’m calling shenanigans.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
*outburst was
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
along with his diminishing peripherals
What decline in peripherals?
outside of declining velocity, more HR/9, his BA against being up 0.039, I’m not seeing a lot of “diminishing peripherals”. His FIP and xFIP were up, but all of those might be fluky. Usually when pitchers start to decline, you also see changes in other peripherals. And there is a lot more evidence in his peripherals suggesting that he was basically the same pitcher in 2011 that he has always been. His BABIP, WHIP, K/BB ratio, GB%, FB%, LD%, %LOB, . His 2011 numbers in these peripherals were right in line with his career averages.
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=305&position=P
He also screwed the team under the Ricketts and while several players who will be back — Garza, Dempster, Castro, Barney, Soto, etc. — were on the team.
Ricketts doesn’t make baseball decisions (or at least that’s what he says) so this he screwed over Ricketts theme you’ve been rolling on doesn’t make much sense, IMHO unless Ricketts plans on making a decision (getting rid of Z) that are usually made by GMs.
And how exactly did he screw the 2011 Cubs? They weren’t in contention when he got suspended. They sucked with Zambrano and they sucked without Zambrano. Jim Hendry screwed the Cubs by night having enough starting pitching depth and generally just making bad move after bad move.
Each and every one of those guys would accept Zambrano back with open arms if Theo came to them and said “I’m gonna keep BigZ so we don’t have another hole to fill in the rotation, and I’m going to use that money saved (by not spending on Z’s replacement) to sign Prince Fielder, resign ARam, and sign Edwin Jackson” How do you think those players would respond then? I think they’d take Zambrano out for a nice steak dinner after all sharing in some hugs. All the guys you mentioned want to win and if keeping Z allows the FO to spend on filling other holes, I think they would welcome him back with open arms.
In your plan, we get rid of Zambrano and then we’ll have to go out and spend on 2 FA starters instead of just one (or maybe you’re okay with the Cubs going with Wells/Cashner as the 4-5 starters again in 2012?), maybe Pena with the remaining payroll. We’ll still need to fill 3B and still be a terrible team. In my plan we keep Zambrano, fill the 1 spot in the rotation, sign Fielder, and resign ARam.
The 2012 Cubs team under my scenario will be much better than the 2012 Cubs under your scenario. And winning has this way of curing terrible clubhouses.
So, it's totally cool with you ...
that Carlos Zambrano melted down AGAIN after promising not to do so for the 20th time? You keep glossing over the point that what Z did in August wasn’t an isolated incident.
Your thinking is the kind that gets Milton Bradley $30 million. Sure, Bradley and Z can contribute on paper, but their ridiculous behavior has a destabilizing effect on their teammates. I think Z is a better guy than Milton, but he’s a walking time bomb — and he’s proven that again and again.
I’m fully aware of the failings of the rotation with or without Z and the budgetary constraints the Cubs have in 2012. But I seriously doubt that Theo Epstein — whose clubhouse in Boston was so drama-filled that the team had a historic collapse last month and is causing David Ortiz to talk about going — is going to put up with Zambrano nonsense. I’m sure guys like Dempster and Garza would publicly say nothing bad about Z if he were back, but I doubt they’ll be thrilled about it.
Last point: I respect numbers and a more analytical approach to the game, but you can’t run a big-league club like a fantasy baseball team. The best way to improve clubhouse chemistry is to win, obviously. But if any moves to improve chemistry otherwise were completely irrelevant, then Milton Bradley wouldn’t have been traded.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
*causing David Ortiz to talk about going to the Yankees
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
He finally did get a hug in Manhattan
So there’s that.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 14, 2011 4:14 AM CDT up reply actions
So, it’s totally cool with you …
that Carlos Zambrano melted down AGAIN after promising not to do so for the 20th time? You keep glossing over the point that what Z did in August wasn’t an isolated incident.
I don’t really think his actions against in the Braves game was that big of a deal. TLR actively tells his pitchers to intentionally throw at opposing players and hit them, but somehow, LaRussa is the best manager in the world. Zambrano throws a pitch that does not even come close to hitting Chipper, gets thrown out, retires, and then unretires, and Cubs fans act like he committed some egregious offense.
This doesn’t even register on the list of shit Zambrano has done. Most of his actions are more amusing than anything else. His worst act was getting into a fight with Barrett, and Cubs fans actually loved that, they say it turned around the Cubs 2007 season…..
And are you seriously comparing Bradley with Zambrano? You lost me right there. Bradley is a selfish prick, who was good at getting on base, but bad at everything else. And Zambrano is a community leader who donates to charities in the community and still a pretty effective starter who sometimes has a temper tantrum. Yup, those are identical examples.
This wasn't ordered by the manager
This was done by the pitcher. Twice. And his TEAM said that what he did was egregious. Sorry, I’ll go with their opinion over yours on this one.
And consistently showing up your teammates is most definitely NOT amusing.
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 14, 2011 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Wilson is not the guy to target as a starter, the mediocre FA market for SPs will drive his price to high
We should be looking into more middle rotation (but still very good) starters like Edwin Jackson or Mark Buerhle for this offseason. The time to get a TOR starter is after the 2012 season when Big Z and Dempster’s salaries are off the payroll and Hamels, Danks, Cain, Greinke, Shields and a few other legitimate 1-2 starters are likely to be available.
The money not spent on CJ Wilson could be used as part of the Salary for Fielder, resigning ARam, and signing Jackson or Buerhle.
But could Fielder look past all the excellent food in Chicago?
I’m scared he’d be pushing 400# by July. Every place around Wrigley would have a photo of him sitting with a giant pizza, platter of cheese fries, or whatever the house specialty is.
"Go Cubs!"
As long as it he still hits for at least 4 years...
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Oct 12, 2011 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Can the Cubs spend big?
What ever happened with the situation with MLB where cubs were up against some debt covenants or ratios? it was mid-season about when the Dodgers imploded. At the time it appeared it would hamper the Cubs spending. Did that go away or was it over blown?
You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone. - Al Capone
Hmmm. I don't remember that very clearly.
Anybody else?
Considering we haven’t heard much about it since, maybe it wasn’t that big of a deal?
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
This quote made me happier
In addition, Tom Ricketts stressed to Epstein that the family was committed to the Cubs long term and that it wanted to build the franchise the right way. Not trying to quick-fix the major league roster to improve the record.
I’m tired of the quick fix stuff… making the playoffs for one year, only to then have to see several years of crap.
by dmlichte on Oct 12, 2011 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Surprised. Excited to see this in action
Congrats to the Ricketts for nailing this down. This offseason could be exciting but still some big contracts to get rid of this year.
While Friedman was my guy (because I wanted him to bring Joe Maddon with him)
I can honestly say, the only other day this season I’ve been happier with this team is when it was announced Jim Hendry was fired.
Giggity
Proud Colts fan boycotting StampedeBlue.com since 7/17/2010
Ticket prices will be out Friday
I bet they were in a hurry to get this done. In the 2006 off season the Cubs did not raise season ticket prices BUT after signing Sori, Lilly & Lou they raised prices for all other tickets bought. The only year there was a difference.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 12, 2011 10:47 AM CDT reply actions
The Cubs did....WHAT!
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 12, 2011 10:48 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs
I do.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 12, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Some Sox fans are grumpy
“Good riddance…now we can try to hire a GM that will help us win, instead of forcing us to try to win in spite of him. Of course, he has handicapped the team for the next 5 years with Lackey and Crawford. Maybe the cubs secretly hired him a couple years ago and they are just now making the hire public now that the damage has been done to the Red Sox?”
Sounds like they have a SenorGato
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I do not understand.
Why does everyone think Crawford is a bust? He had ONE down year. Why can’t he turn it around?
I continue to be heavily in favor of that. Proposed three way deal:
Cubs send Soriano (and Z?) to Red Sox for Crawford. Straight up, each side takes on the other’s contract in full.
Red Sox trade Soriano to the Marlins for Logan Morrison, eating 60% of Soriano’s remaining salary, or about $11 million /year for three years.
Advantages:
- Cubs get 6 years younger, faster and better defense in LF, and have essentially only a marginal increase in salary for 2012, 2013 and 2014 (with 3 years of Crawford after that).
- The Red Sox save a ton of money and get out from Theo’s last mistake, paying $33 mm to Soriano to avoid $120 million in remaining obligation to Crawford. The $87 million savings lets their new GM get right to work rebuilding the team; and Morrison is an effective LF for them for several years to come.
- The Marlins get rid of a problem; get a Dominican “star” to help sell tickets to the Latin American community in Miami; and only have to pay $7mm per year for Soriano.
by Orval Overall on Oct 12, 2011 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
According to Ozzie, it seems more likely that we would send Zambrano to the Marlins
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions
we should make the Marlins take the entire contract too
after all, Ozzie talking to Zambrano about the idea of the Marlins trading for him is tampering
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can kill two stones with one bird
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money! - Irish toast.
You people are amazing
How do you have time to come up with this stuff? Is writing on BCB message boards your full-time job?
In my lifetime please!
We're fans....try to keep up.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 12, 2011 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
You could click on my username, if you like, and see that I've posted zero other comments in this thread
And maybe 5 all week. So no, this isn’t my full time job. And who asked you anyways?
by Orval Overall on Oct 12, 2011 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions
I wasn't blasting you Orval
I was complimenting you. Your knowledge is impressive. And Santoswoodenlegs — I do keep up — I just have a family and take classes and teach for living. I’d love to write more, I just can’t unless I want to avoid my life.
In my lifetime please!
Point taken.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 12, 2011 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Its all good
I just am truly amazed and impress by people’s knowledge of contract details and statistics. This is cyber-heaven for me. You baseball-brains give me all the info I need!
Anywhoo.
In my lifetime please!
Adding my $0.02
Unfortunately, tone doesn’t come across in the printed word. After reading what you wrote directly above and the reply to OO, I re-read your first note and I see it. But it could have been construed as condescending the first time (obviously it was).
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 12, 2011 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Construed, not consdescending....
Anyway, onward
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 12, 2011 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions
I think kennabelle might be the anti-SenorGato.
Nice, pleasant, complimentary….. its funny i read the same condescension in the post though.
So i you can give you can take it.
Because
Crawford was never a mega-star player. Just look at his OPS+ numbers. 2010 was the only time he was over 117. He was always a better fantasy baseball player than a real baseball player. It was foolish to pay a guy like that as if he was an MVP candidate.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 12, 2011 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Sometimes, when you have the Yankees in your division...
you have to do foolish things with money.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 12, 2011 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Sorry that he broke the Curse of the Bambino and created one of the most respected systems in the country that produced two WS titles
Shame. On. Him.
Viva la Cubs Révolution!!!
this old Cub fan
Has been rejuvenated. I have hope again. I’m retiring at the end of this year, and hope to go down to spring training in March to see the new look Cubs!
"It's a funny old world. Man's lucky if he gets out of it alive." W.C. Fields
Epstein & Sandberg
fingers and toes crossed now. If it actually happens, then I just have to hope that fans give them some time to clean up the mess before starting to demand that they be fired..
Well ...
there will always be the crazies. But both guys will get a lot of rope before firing demands happen from anybody but the fringe fans.
I know, I know — Quade was almost instantly decried this season. But Quade is a moron, and he was associated with the Hendry era, that dated back nearly 10 years.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Being someone who has been calling for Quade's head for a while now
I’ll say I was fully prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. Had he learned from even ONE of his myriad of mistakes I would STILL be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I will treat Ryno the same way. If he’s making rookie mistakes, but actually STOPS making them as the season goes on, that’s all I’ll need to see. If he’s as hard headedly stupid as Quade, then I’m gonna have problems with him.
Theo? Theo gets afew years to fix this mess. Unless he signs Alfonso Soriano to an extension.
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Agree with both.
If anything, Q seemed to get worse as the season progressed. Then the September shenanigans should absolutely, positively seal the deal.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
The Sandberg tweet is all speculation - no concrete evidence to support it
Nevertheless, I do not see Sandberg turning down the offer of managing the Cubs if Theo gave him the opportunity. I think it comes down to either Francona or Sandberg. With a duo of Epstein-Sandberg, I would hope Greg Maddux would stay on as the pitching coach or Assistant General Manager. Imagine that type of leadership for this team! It’s like Billy Martin in the 1970 Yanks! Not to mention the personnel Epstein will bring will further enhance our recruitment and development of the minor league system. Boston has had a prestiguous minor league system under Epstein, and it excites me to think we could create something like that here.
The Epstein signing means that we will soon become contenders.
Viva la Cubs Révolution!!!
Francona with Sandberg as his bench coach...
…that’s the best I can do.
"When I came up to bat with three men on and two outs in the ninth, I looked in the other team's dugout and they were already in street clothes." - Bob Uecker
Pass.
Last thing we need is a big-name manager who has half a tank left (if that). I’m not saying we need Sandberg, but Francona seems like a bad (and unlikely) bet for the Cubs.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I think you're going to be disappointed
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 12, 2011 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Regretfully...
…if happens what everyone wants to happen…we all will be.
"When I came up to bat with three men on and two outs in the ninth, I looked in the other team's dugout and they were already in street clothes." - Bob Uecker
I remain confused
as to why you are 1000% convinced Ryne Sandberg will be a failure as a big league manager. It’s like you believe you can see the future.
At this point, there isn’t really a compelling reason to not hire Sandberg.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
For the same reason he's a 1000% convinced that no team should ever bring a player back
if they don’t give the team a world series
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions
And why he's 1000% convinced that Jim gave some sort of super-secret contract to Kerry Wood
Easy Ed’s just not grounded in reality
by Nunyabidness on Oct 12, 2011 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
Though I like Sandberg as manager and Greg Maddux as bench coach///pitching coach
Viva la Cubs Révolution!!!
Greg Maddux doesn't want that job
Step Two: Develop an organizational plan
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 12, 2011 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Ryno looks like the leading candidate to manage right now
But… are we going to have a real friggin pitching coach? Who (not named Maddux) is a candidate?
"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)
Mike Maddux isn't available yet..
"When I came up to bat with three men on and two outs in the ninth, I looked in the other team's dugout and they were already in street clothes." - Bob Uecker
I'd be surprised if Duncan doesn't call it a career after the Cards' season ends...
…his wife, from what I take, is quite ill.
"When I came up to bat with three men on and two outs in the ninth, I looked in the other team's dugout and they were already in street clothes." - Bob Uecker
Correct
She has a brain tumor…he was absent from the team for a good portion of August and September. He did not return to the team until the last series in Houston. I suspect that if TLR retires, Duncan will most certaintly retire or at least take a year off. Duncan does have a multi-year deal versus TLR year to year deals.
"All I want is food and creative love" - Rusted Root
by TheRiot Police on Oct 12, 2011 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
That's really sad.
Every day is a beautiful day for baseball!!
by cowsarecool220 on Oct 12, 2011 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Dave Duncan
is not a real person. He’s simply Tony LaRussa’s imaginary friend. He can’t go anywhere that LaRussa’s not managing.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 12, 2011 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm more interested in the status ...
of Rudy “hack first, ask questions later” Jaramillo.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Agreed...it's funny how well his last team seems to be doing since he left...
…Rudy needs to take the train.
"When I came up to bat with three men on and two outs in the ninth, I looked in the other team's dugout and they were already in street clothes." - Bob Uecker
I caught 'Moneyball' a couple weeks back.
A part that struck me was when Beane talks about how taking pitches wears out the opponents’ pitchers. Rudy’s “aggressive” approach certainly inflated some batting averages and home run totals — look at Aramis and his first-pitch numbers — but it’s kind of a junk food high.
Rudy’s biggest success stories occurred in the pre-Moneyball era or with guys (like Marlon Byrd) who play like it’s still the pre-Moneyball era. And, to finish off the point, Jim Hendry — never a Moneyball or stats-oriented guy — gave him a 3-year deal.
What’s the line from ‘Airplane’?
“Irony can be pretty ironic at times.”
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Yes, oh yes....
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
How does somebody who looks 15 years old
Get to be presidents or GMs of baseball teams?
I really chose the wrong profession.
Holy shit!
I don’t know what to say other than that, so again my friends, HOLY SHIT!
Also, Astros are being moved to the AL West!
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Oct 12, 2011 12:09 PM CDT reply actions
...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 12, 2011 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Source?
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Oct 12, 2011 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Peter Gammons reported that the sale of the Astros will be completed Mid-November
and in it is a provision that they be moved to the AL West. No Wild Card changes yet, but we’re getting two 15 team leagues next year with year round interleague.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Oct 12, 2011 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Hmm...
That means that, except during Interleague play, there will always be at least one team in each league that is always off on every single day? Or is interleague play going to be spread out throughout the season more?
why don't you read his post again...
Bob Brenly on Leo Nunez "Dan Uggla just saved Nunez’ life because Koyie would break him into a million pieces"
Cubs have already advertised their 2012 schedule
I don’t think MLB will be going to year-round interleague play in 2012.
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
by RiskyBusiness on Oct 12, 2011 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
This is for 2013
It’s too late to do this for next year.
This is going to screw up a lot of fantasy baseball leagues. There goes my long-term investment in Jose Altuve.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 12, 2011 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions
maybe he was at Starbucks
per ESPN.COM
Epstein has been to Chicago on two separate occasions to meet with Cubs officials, sources said. .
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can kill two stones with one bird
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money! - Irish toast.
Hope Theo tells us in his press conference ( I am staying positive)
but not as funny as Curt Schiling going on the Sons of Sam Horn blog and having to prove who he was while chatting about if he should go to Boston.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 12, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions
so (if it is true) would that mean i rebunked that he was at Starbucks
or simply bunked
Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can kill two stones with one bird
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money! - Irish toast.
OMG FIRST THIS THEN IPHONE 4S
WHAT NEXT, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES COMES OUT THIS WEEKEND?!
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
How do you look at yourself in the mirror?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 12, 2011 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Say wa? You already got a 4s?
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
What about the 4S
is worth $199 (or whatever) to upgrade from the iPhone 4?
I’d just wait until iPhone 5.
by Josh Timmers on Oct 12, 2011 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions
If you have a 3gs then the upgrade makes sense...
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
For all German speakers out there - This just won't get out of my head this evening...
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
upppps...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2rgifLrNTQ
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
HEY EVERYBODY!
I posted another thread that you can use as an overflow.
This one’s getting a bit slow.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
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If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
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