McDonough leaves Cubs to be president of 'Hawks
by northsidenonsense on Nov 20, 2007 9:29 AM CST
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PrintFrom the Tribune:
...
With an uncertain future of new Cubs ownership and the marketing challenge of a lifetime to restore the Hawks to their former place in Chicago sports, the move could be attractive to McDonough. He was in charge of marketing the Cubs before taking over as president, helping the team regularly fill Wrigley Field despite subpar performances on the field.
Let's discuss.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Kind of a shame for the Cubs
man too bad
i say good news
- the blackhawks desperately need marketing help to heal the wounds of the past
- the Cubs need more people with a focus on building a winning baseball organization rather than marketing a mediocre baseball organization
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 20, 2007 10:05 AM CST reply actions
McDonough
All in all, even though McDonough has been exceptionally valuable to the Cubs, he was the guy who was least likely to survive new ownership, with Hendry being close behind. As both a Cubs and Blackhawks fan, this move is really a positive thing in the long run.
What a step in the right direction for my 'Hawks
Until recently, I wanted Don Levin to buy the 'Hawks since I figured he doesn't have a good chance with Bud Light and his cronies club (a.k.a. John Canning, McKenna, Reinsdorf). But now, I'll have to say Rocky is making all the right moves.
Cubs got all they were gonna get out of McDonough. He's a business guy, not a baseball guy. His future is uncertain with the ownership change (when in the hell are they gonna get this going). He brought big crowds to the Northside shrine. Now he'll be able to do that at the mall with an ice rink in the middle.
good for him
by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Nov 20, 2007 10:26 AM CST reply actions
I Wish Him Luck
Looking forward to a smart move by the Cubbies to fill the spot for the next few years.
by HectorVillanueva on Nov 20, 2007 10:37 AM CST reply actions
Swap?
Don't even joke about that
The list I can compile of what he did to undermind the operations on Madison Ave the past 20+ years would boggle the mind.
by blackhawk24 on Nov 20, 2007 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
Joking?
Okay, okay. I was joking. The only good that would come from such a move would be his press conferences and radio interviews.
by worldcupfever on Nov 20, 2007 10:51 AM CST up reply actions
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Nov 20, 2007 8:29 PM CST up reply actions
Don't think he's still with the Hawks but...
...especially when Chris Young, Roy Oswalt, or anyone from the Cardinals is on the mound.
Walt Jocketty?
Why would any legit baseball man
It would be the equivalent of Bud Fox in the movie "Wallstreet". "Don't worry Bud, you still get to be President."
More off season uncertainty
I fear some Tribco lackey will get a temporary assignment without the experience nor passion for the team that McDonough had.
And draw and quarter the man who suggested Pulford for the job here on this board!
I'd bet
by HectorVillanueva on Nov 20, 2007 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
Hmm... a Tribco lackey with experience
http://www.tribune.com/about/bios/grenesko.html
It won't be Grenesko.
Once again, I don't think this changes the direction of the team or the offseason one bit.
Sorry I'm late fellas...
Discuss.
by Kinky Reggae on Nov 20, 2007 11:02 AM CST up reply actions
You kidding ?
by blackhawk24 on Nov 20, 2007 11:04 AM CST up reply actions
McDonough
He's a marketing genius, but Wrigley is a sellout every day, so he can't really go much higher. With the Hawks, there's only one way to go...up. McDonough can help take them there, and have greater job certainty.
For the Cubs, it is a loss, because McD was smart enough to know that he wasn't a baseball man and that he needed to let his "baseball man" (Hendry) run the baseball side.
The biggest loser is Hendry. Bud has been in the habit of telling new owners that they need to keep the baseball front office the same. (Liberty Media was "ordered" to retain John Schuerholz. The Nats were told to put Stan Kasten in charge.) McD was squarely in Hendry's corner; now a new owner might feel more free to choose his own president and fire Hendry.
mlb.com
Not sure where you came up with this
Regarding Atlanta, why wouldn't you want to retain their front office, they only made the playoffs 14 straight years and have a strong development system.
Honestly, I think you are way off base here.
He's pulling it out of his ass
Did combining the two bids help the Lerner's bid? Sure, but Kasten was just a small part of why the bid was stronger together. (More money was a bigger reason.)
Liberty Media finalized the deal to buy the Braves in February of this season. The purchase was approved by the owners in May. Schuerholz stepped down as Braves GM last month and took the president job.
I don't see how Bud could have ordered Schuerholz to "retain" Schuerholz. First of all, he was a GM and not team president. Secondly, he was the most respected GM in the game. Nobody needed to order the Braves to keep Schuerholz. That's like ordering the new Packers President in 1964 to retain Vince Lombardi as head coach.
Finally, four month after buying the team, Schuerholz resigns as GM to take the less demanding position of team president. So he's not even in the same position anymore. Hardly fodder for the Bud Selig Masonic Conspiracy.
I love how the great Bud Selig can dictate the personnel decisions of 30 clubs but can't even get them to pay slot bonuses to their draft picks.
by Josh Timmers on Nov 20, 2007 12:55 PM CST up reply actions
I dunno about the Nats...
Clarification on the Nats
Bud favored Stan Kasten's group (because of his experience running a baseball team), but they didn't have nearly as much money as several of the other groups. Lerner had the money, but he had a reputation for rash dealing and no baseball people in his group. Bud, having visions of Tom Hicks still dancing in his head, "suggested" to Mr. Lerner that adding Kasten to his ownership group and giving assurances that he would be named team president would greatly enhance his group's chances of being the winning bidder. Lerner agreed to the move, and the rest is history.
McDonough has been with the
Here is the Muskat link....
He knows
by Josh Timmers on Nov 20, 2007 12:59 PM CST up reply actions
Confirmation of new Cubs leadership
In a statement, the Cubs said Crane Kenney, who took over marketing the team when McDonough was promoted to president in October 2006, will oversee the team's business operations while general manager Jim Hendry will lead the baseball side.
DmL
Well that is just plain wrong.
It does say statement
Kenney was his boss
hendry is out also
by Believeincubbieblue23 on Nov 20, 2007 1:47 PM CST reply actions
No...
that is funny
This is a brilliant move by Rocky Wirtz
Hopefully this means that the Hawks will reach out and bring Pat Foley back.
While I love Pat Foley
He's got a big job to undue what Arthur and Bill did to this team since the Johnson administration.
The point, however, is still true.
Foley and Stone
I imagine...
Probably not till next season, though.
The way Rocky is going
It may happen...
While McDonough's job will be to do things just like bringing Pat back, I am holding out much more hope that he injects some life into that organization, which in turn makes top-notch FA's want to come here not stay away.
Foley is gone.
And, I might also add -- without actually checking -- even though Wolves games are readily available, I would assume they barely register in tenths of TV ratings points. (If anybody has access to ratings, I'd love to know. If nationally televised NHL games in America barely crack a 1.0, how would one expect a minor league telecast to garner a full point in the ratings? It's damn near impossible.) Wolves fans are usually going to the games -- a slight, very small, TINY percentage is actually watching the games on TV. (Hardly any minor league markets televise games on cable any more -- they can make more cash by streaming the video, since ad time is terribly, terribly hard to sell for televised minor league hockey.)
Perhaps Foley needed to keep his family in Chicago. I doubt that he makes anything close to what the Blackhawks paid him -- and, after all -- the younger Kelly is probably making less than what Foley topped out at.
It is going to be tough for Foley to return to the NHL, period. (It's certainly not impossible, but if he does, it will not be in Chicago.) Once you've dropped a level, it's going to be a task to be hired at the major league level again. It's much easier to move up -- for your first NHL gig. Since I have the Center Ice Package, I can easily state Foley is better than about half the PBP guys in the American NHL markets. (The terrible duo in Columbus belongs in the AHL, not the NHL -- they are the worst!) However -- since he still seems to have some bad feelings, that's going to cause problems.
The broadcast industry can be very petty, and very vindictive unless one has the clout to overcome it -- let alone the grapevine talk in ANY pro league, which could scuttle a guy's chances.
The fans, viewers, listeners -- your voices are of NO importance to team owners, and broadcast managers. That's the way it is. I don't say this out of spite, or meanness, but I have seen first-hand how good talent in the broadcast industry can be screwed over for no apparent reason, even though they were very popular. It is a very tough business. Don't expect a happy ending here, with the return of Pat Foley to the booth at the UC.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Nov 20, 2007 9:01 PM CST up reply actions
I completely disagree with you.
It would shock me if McDonough DIDN'T reach out to Foley. It may not happen this year. But I think I too know the broadcasting business. I have seen people where I work dismissed as "non-major-market talent" by one management team, yet when management changed, they were welcomed back to even greater success than they had the first time.
Perfect example: John Drury, who anchored the 5 pm news at channel 7 in the 1970's, was dumped by one management team there and told that he was "not good enough to be a 10 pm anchor in this market". He went to WGN -- which at the time was the same sort of "blip" on the TV news rating radar that the Wolves are in hockey TV rating terms now -- and anchored there for five years, before being welcomed back by new management at channel 7 in 1984 as a 10 pm anchor, where he had an 18-year run of top rating success until he retired in 2002.
The comparison to Foley's situation is apt. Again, I would be stunned if McDonough didn't at least contact him.
agree and disagree
Where I disagree is the perception about Pat's current job. The Chicago Wolves are a class-act organization. Doesn't matter if they're in the AHL and "minor league" or not. That team is better run than some major league clubs; not just hockey clubs.
Pat Foley is getting an NHL salary with the Wolves. You may know of his boss, Don Levin, who've I've praised here before and stated as my personal favorite to buy the Cubs. He is the centerpiece of an organization that could show how things can be done to many major league organizations.
Knowing Don won't really have much a chance with the Cubs because of many reasons we discussed here, I was hoping for lightning in a bottle and him buying the 'Hawks. This before Wirtz' death. The last couple years, BillW hinted on selling the team if the labor situation got testy again. When Peter Wirtz was rumored to take over, I cringed; wished for Rocky and hoped Pulford got pushed aside. I got my wish. 'Hawks fans don't realize how lucky we all are that its Rocky at the helm instead of Peter.
John McDonough's job is to do things just like this, hire Pat Foley back. Yes, the Blackhawks have fallen off the face of the Chicago sports landscape, yes they were the worst organization as voted by whoever back in 2004. I can't disagree with that. But John's job with the 'Hawks will be the same as it was with the Cubs. Did you see his press conference from United Center? Watch it, it's available on the Trib website I understand.
While I don't want to see Pat leave the Wolves, he will likely end up back with the Blackhawks. John will also do one other thing; repair the relationship with the Wolves. Asses like Pulford and the old man along with poor-excuses-for-a-GM like Mike Smith damaged a relationship that should never have to have suffered. The Wolves should be the 'Hawks farm team. They should leverage off one another, but NOOOOO, the old man couldn't see that.
Pat Foley also knows what he has here in Chicago. That's why he signed on with the Wolves. He's still hurt by what happened 18 months ago. I would be too. But if there is anyone who can fix this mess, it's JohnnyM.
McDonough will repair that relationship. It's communication that he's best at, pure and simple. Don't be surprised if we see Messmer some time down the road do the Anthem at the UC. While it'll never match the intensity I felt and experienced hundreds of times at the old barn, it will happen.
I expect a smooth transition of Pat - and Billy Gardner by the way - back to the 'Hawks next season when they have a full home TV schedule. No more simulcasts, so Weidemann and Murray stay on radio. Judd Sirott will come back to the Wolves. Dan Kelly loses out and Eddie Olczyk could likely get a coaching job; maybe even here.
Most of Pat's career with the Blackhawks, Dale Tallon was his color guy. That totaled I would say about 17 years together; many of them hanging off the facade of the 1st balcony on the North side of the building. Billy Gardner was next for several years and even Troy Murray did color with Pat for awhile. Pat flied solo for some parts of his early years on WYEN 106.7FM.
To further state...
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=81725
As Cubs fans we all probably knew what we had with John McDonough on the Northside. Now we get to see him work his thing on Madison Ave.
Their biggest similarity is...
Stone is a color guy, ex-player.
Foley is play by play, never played.
Stone is as about as arrogant as one can get; though that does come with his knowledge.
Foley is humble.
McDonough will be the one that will spearhead the effort to bring Pat back; starting the '08-'09 season though.
If we can agree
His work is very, very good. The Hawks didn't step down in quality.
OK, you are all on. A buck says (High roller) Foley doesn't return.
Al, I completely understand your analogy to John Drury (FYI, I worked with his son years ago in Aurora during that transitionary period for his father) but I don't belive it's quite equivalent here. JD was a high profile individual, and it was obvious that he was going to be rehired in the Chicago market.
Foley is a great hockey pbp guy, but he's known only to a diminshed Blackhawks fan base, and to the tiny, tiny audience of the Wolves. Foley's departure was only was upsetting to the 9K or so that came to the UC. Nobody else game a damn, to be brutally honest. It's not the equal to Steve Stone leaving -- not even close. To make that comparison is unfair to Steve Stone, a nationally known talent. Only NHL insiders know who Pat Foley is -- that does not diminish his considerable talent or skill -- but as an NHL fan , I know where the sport rates right now - it barely has a pulse outside of the markets that it's in. NBC doesn't even pay to televise about 7-10 games at the end of the season.
A completely new fan base has to be generated, in Chicago, and now -- Kelly is going to be the emerging voice to talk to this 'new' Blackhawks fan. Be sure to have your 1-dollar-bills ready!
And, as a PS -- "Fair" is a concept that doesn't come up much in the broadcast industry.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Nov 21, 2007 2:21 PM CST up reply actions
I understand your point
For me personally, I cut my teeth listening to Lloyd Pettit. IMO, Pettit was the best play by play man I have ever heard in Chicago and that includes all sports. With the speed of the game making it so difficult to call (especially on radio) Pettit was able to provide a description that painted a picture like no other in my eyes. Foley is good, but his skill is much more geared to TV. Foley is not near as descriptive as Pettit was, but he has excellent pipes and a way about him that appeals to fans.
Watching what Rocky has done to date, I would not be surprised if they launched someone to make room for Foley, and fair wouldn't have much to do with it. I also see them doing something to bring back former hawk greats (Hull's, Esposito's, Mikita's, etc.), because there are a ton of people who are 45+, who started following the hawks because of these guys.
I'll see that dollar and raise you one...
It's not "right" to throw Kelly under the bus, but when compared to a quarter century of loyalty Pat gave the 'Hawks, it's not much of a comparison.
Weidemann and Murray will stay on the radio. The simulcast days are over for good. One thing I can be sure of for the 'Hawks broadcasts.
A bridge to the next generation fan base can be made by infusing the voice of the most recent generation. Just the call of "BAAAAAANER-MAN did it again!" on the break-away stop of Keith Acton at the Met Center in the '85 playoffs is enough for me.
McDonough is in the PR business. What better way to continue the overhaul of the 'Hawks, right the wrongs and put the 'Hawks back in the mainstream Chicago sports world than to bring Pat Foley back. Oh, by the way, Billy Gardner will join him.
I'll be looking for JohnnyM at the Allstate the next few games I go. I was there last night but didn't see him. Got a chance to wish Wayne Messmer a Happy Thanksgiving but that was it, other than yet another Wolves win; 14-1-1.
Here is
The CBC's web site is a tough one to navigate, but this is their streaming viewer -- if this malfunctions, you are looking for the October 20th edition of -- "Inside Hockey." You can start over at http://www.cbc.ca/sports.
I am not discounting the fact that Kelly could leave to take another position, as he has to be observing what's taking place within the new organization. Obviously, he's second-generation in the business and would probably be offered a job fairly quickly. If he wants to depart, that's probably depending on the specifics of his contract. That's the only possibility in which Foley would return immediately (Perhaps Kelly has an opt-out, or he could be bought out.) Those are completely different situations than what's being discussed here -- the bloodlust in the water for Kelly's head, a mere bystander who was offered a gig and took it -- he did not force Foley out of his. That's the handiwork of Bill Wirtz. But, again -- I cannot envision McDonough firing Kelly to replace him with Foley.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Nov 22, 2007 2:53 PM CST up reply actions
The longer term implications
Over the long term, however, the departure of John McDonough saw the one final hope for Jim Hendry and many others in the Cubs organization to keep their jobs. It is very possible that the new Cubs owners would have come in with a president in mind, however there was also a chance that they may have stuck with McDonough for a little while, if not for the long term. McDonough likely would have stuck with Hendry.
Crane Kenney has next to no chance to being the Cubs president much beyond the sale date of the Cubs. A new owner will undoubtedly now bring in a different president. That president likely will have his ideas of how to structure a baseball organization, what philosophies to instill and who will carry that out.
Had McDonough stuck around I believe that there is a decent chance that the front office may have remained intact, at least to afford the new owner the opportunity to retain that direction. Now that possibility went out the door.
DmL
Think, however...
What if the Cubs make good moves this offseason and make the playoffs next year, and maybe advance further than they did in 2007?
Then I'd think any new ownership would have to consider keeping the current baseball management. After all, they would have produced back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time in 100 years.
Not saying they will, or even SHOULD, do this -- just that they might.
With McDonough gone...
I think the key
Good day for the Blackhawks
Am I the only one who thought McDonough should be baseball's commissioner or at least head of marketing and broadcasting?
And Crane Kenney is a suit but he's the suit that okayed the payroll leap last offseason and the Z contract.
by puckishcubsfan on Nov 22, 2007 12:54 AM CST reply actions
I wouldn't be heaping praise
Take it for what it is and nothing more.
Totally agreed
Wish the NHL's commish had the stones and power to that come 03 Feb 1995, the day Chicago Stadium died.
Kenney is just another faceless suit that knows absolutely nothing about baseball and I fear he doesn't give a rat's ass either.
The 'Hawks will totally benefit from McDonough's experience and personality. This is gonna be sooooo cool for us fans of the team owning the best sweater in all of sports.
McDonough is not a sports guy, he's a business guy working for a sports team, again.
He would never be commish, but you know who could be; a guy run out of Wrigley 14 months ago. A guy now working in Baltimore...yeah that guy, Andy McPhail.
Let's hope
Let's hope this board has people saying "DON'T FIRE HENDRY PLEASE MR. WHATSYOURFACE!"
by puckishcubsfan on Nov 22, 2007 12:55 AM CST reply actions
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