Last Tuesday, I was fortunate enough to be invited into the office of Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney. Over the course of an hour he granted me a wide-ranging interview covering subjects from naming rights to the team sale to possible changes in the ballpark.

I think many of you have an image of Kenney, who is 45, as a "stuffed shirt", just another Tribune Company suit. I didn't find him that way at all -- he grew up in Boston as a Red Sox fan, and so suffered through failures just as we have. He's seen the successes of the Red Sox and how they've been built and wants the Cubs to emulate that. He wants the Cubs to win as badly as any of us do.

Thanks to Crane for his time and his candid answers to my questions. We began by discussing what was then the upcoming Sports Illustrated cover story on Kosuke Fukudome.

Continue reading this post »

Thanks to Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly for answering nearly all the questions you all posted a couple of weeks ago. I'll continue the player projection series this afternoon.

BCB: How do you prepare for games and what kind of preparation do you do? Do you have any superstitions?

BB: Most of my prep work is done during batting practice. The Cub coaches graciously allow me access to the stats and scouting reports on the opposition before BP. During BP I stand around the cage and listen to what the players and coaches are talking about. (corrections, changes, opposing pitchers, etc.) I'm not really superstitious now. I did enough of that when I was managing.

BCB: Can you compare what it was like calling a Cubs game and a game on TBS? At times, viewing the TBS playoff broadcasts, it felt as if they weren't quite "ready for prime time". How did it feel inside the announcers booth?

BB: National games are completely different from local games. Even though I don't consider myself a "homer" I think it's obvious I want the Cubs to win. Every day. Every game. On a national broadcast you really have to play it right down the middle. No favorites, just a good game. National shows are more of an event, lots of bells and whistles. Our Cub telecasts are more about the ebb and flow of a long season and even if this game happens to stink, we'll be back to do it again tomorrow. TBS did have some real challenges putting together the post-season crews on short notice. I know I enjoyed working with Chip Caray and Tony Gwynn and our crew from TBS.

BCB: From your previous stint in Chicago as a radio announcer, what's your favorite Harry Caray memory?

BB: On getaway days on the road, Harry had a limo to take him from the ballpark to the airport. Everyone else rode the team bus. On occasion, Harry would come by the radio booth after the game and say, "You're going with me, kid." We would make at least one to three stops on our way to the plane and the stops weren't at museums. I always looked forward to that ride to the airport.

BCB: Who's your favorite broadcaster of all-time? Besides Len, of course.

BB: There are a lot of current broadcasters I think are really good. All-time it's hard to beat Vin Scully.

BCB: To what do you attribute the great chemistry you seem to have with Len, and how long do you think it took to develop?

BB: We both have a tremendous love and respect for the game and the players who play it the right way. The rest is just timing. Getting to know one another's non-verbal language really helps.

BCB: It's been rumored that you were being pursued by several organizations regarding a managerial position. Would you rather be sitting in the booth calling the game or would you rather be sitting on the bench managing the game?

BB: I really enjoyed managing the teams we had in AZ. The 2001 team was truly special. That being said, the lows seemed lower than the highs seemed high if that makes any sense.

BCB: You are paid to explain your expertise in baseball to average fans. What part of the game itself do you think fans know the least about? (Don't worry, we can take the criticism)

BB: I'm not sure if fans realize how truly random this game can be. The only things you can really control are effort and preparation. That is really the only time I'm critical of players and managers -- when they aren't physically and mentally prepared to play or when there is a lack of effort. No excuse.

BCB: Give us some examples of times when you really have to bite your tongue about on field play. What type of things have you wanted to say on the air but as a professional employed by the club you really have to back off about? Also, what kinds of things would you feel comfortable criticizing from the bench but not from the booth, if any?

BB: Nobody has ever censored or warned me what to say or not say. On occasion the 7th inning stretch singers cause me to cover my ears, but not bite my tongue.

BCB: What do you think of Len's use of sabermetric stats and concepts? On the air, you seem open-minded but a bit skeptical. Is that accurate?

BB: Len is very open minded when it comes to thinking outside the box. I definitely think there is a place for new statistical analysis of the game, but I place great value on intangibles and instinct. It's hard to quantify those things.

BCB: Besides Wrigley, what is your favorite stadium to call a Cubs game and why?

BB: Besides Wrigley, I would have to say Busch Stadium is one of my favorites because it's so much fun to watch Cardinal fans cry in their beer when the Cubs win there.

BCB: If you could make only one improvement to Wrigley Field, what would it be? (meaning the structure itself)

BB: Dome it with a see through retractable dome. Like one of those snow globes. Only if the weather is bad.

BCB: Will you and Len be doing your podcast for WGN again this season? And, if so, will the shows be any longer? They were really short last year!

BB: I think we are doing the podcast again. The length of shows depends on when the podcast studios are completed.

BCB: How often are the messages and questions left for them through WGN and CSN checked? About how many are you allowed to respond to during a game?

BB: The guys in the truck go through all the messages we get during a game and suggest some to read on the air. We could spend entire games responding to messages we get.

BCB: How did you develop your on-air sense of humor? What are your inspirations for your broadcast style?

BB: I learned from 6 seasons in the minor leagues that there is definitely a place for humor in the game and that includes the booth. Over the course of spring training and a regular season you will see some things that you can't help laughing at. Some of the stories that you hear on a daily basis would make for a great sitcom or stand-up routine. Of course, we can't repeat much of it, but you get the idea. I don't think I really had an inspiration for my style -- I don't even know what my style is. I just look for things, some obvious, some not so obvious, that I think people may be interested in. I try to anticipate what might (not should) happen.

BCB: How do you honestly feel about interviewing the guest conductor in the bottom of the 7th inning? And, would you ever consider leading the seventh-inning stretch by playing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" on your guitar?

BB: Fortunately, Len is so good with the 7th inning guests I don't feel I have to pipe in unless I have a question I think fans may want to have asked. I've never tried to play "Take me out to the ball game" on my guitar. I would do it only if I thought I could do it justice.

BCB: What four current umpires would you pick to form the best officiating crew? Which of the four would you choose to be behind the plate?

BB: Are you really going to ask me about umpires? I will admit baseball umpires are far superior to football and basketball officials at the same level. That's about as good as I can do.

BCB: Does 2007 stick out in your head as an odd/strange year? If not, were you ever around a team that had as crazy a year as last year was for the Cubs?

BB: 2007 sure had its share of odd occurrences. Maybe more than its share. Every year and every team has weird stuff happen. The fact is you only hear about a small percentage of the oddities that go on. In the Cubs case, so much of their dirty laundry was aired in very public ways, it just seemed like every day was a soap opera. I played for a Giants team that was so dysfunctional that by the end of the year we had a player who was so far in the doghouse he wore white Stan Smith tennis shoes during the game. (he knew he had no chance of ever getting into a game) During one game our manager wanted to use a guy to pinch hit. He was out in the players lot washing his car. It happens all the time, everywhere.

BCB: Who do you see as legitimate NL contenders this year, and why?

BB: In no particular order: L.A. -- great pitching, if healthy. Col. -- young players who should only get better. Mets -- loaded everywhere. Az. -- same as Col., Haren will help. Cubs -- as talented as any team in the NL.

BCB: Which current Cub player reminds you the most of how you approached the game and how you addressed those opportunities each game could present? And, which of your peers, in your own baseball generation, did you admire the most?

BB: It's no secret that I'm a huge Theriot fan. The "Riot" is a max effort grinder that just finds ways to help you win a game. Mark DeRosa is such an important part of this team because of his unselfishness and versatility. During my playing days I liked Pete Rose for the way he approached every game. Ryno for his high level of consistency. Tony Gwynn for how great a hitter he was. Mike Krukow for being a great teammate.

BCB: As a former catcher, what is your analysis of Geovany Soto's defense and pitch calling skills?

BB: Too early to tell. I like his take charge attitude. He got in Zambrano's face a couple times late last year.

BCB: Lou Piniella has mentioned that he feels there is an advantage to going into spring training knowing the personnel already, as opposed to last year. Speaking as a former manager, how much of a difference will that make? Is it quantifiable?

BB: Lou's familiarity with the players is important but I think it is more important that the players now know better what to expect from Lou. As a manager, it is easier to make decisions knowing what your players are capable of doing, even based on one year's experience.

BCB: How much interaction do you have with the team? Are you able to give advice -- is it encouraged or discouraged? Do the players ask?

BB: I have daily access to the players and coaches. A few guys have asked, "what do you see?" when talking about their swing. I've talked to a few pitchers about pitch selection in general. I don't volunteer advice because I know no one knows better than the coaches what is going on with their own guys. I would never step on those toes.

BCB: Which current Cubs players would you say have the highest "baseball IQ"s?

BB: Baseball IQ? Isn't that an oxymoron? DeRosa seems to have a great handle on the subtleties of the game. I've heard Fukudome is a well-schooled player. Of course, any catchers on the roster.

BCB: If you could bring back some missing element of the game from the past, what would it be?

BB: I liked it better when every one wasn't best friends. We used to get fined for fraternizing with the other team before a game. Now, it looks like a family reunion around the cage during BP.

BCB: Your son plays ball; does he ask for your opinion often or do you offer suggestions to him?

BB: I probably offer more suggestions than he wants to hear. When I go to one of his games I take pictures with a high speed camera or a video recorder and we analyze his swings. He is so much more advanced than I was at his age it's ridiculous.

BCB: When are you and Len going to release your debut CD?

BB: We joked about that at this year's Bash. At this rate (2 songs per year) it will take about 6 years to have enough tunes for a CD.

BCB: From an OU grad... got any good stories from your days playing baseball at Ohio University? What was your favorite bar to frequent on Court Street?

BB: Ohio University was an awesome place to attend when I was there. It's a beautiful campus, the Halloween spectacular was just beginning, there were more bars than classroom buildings, great friends, oh yeah, and I got my degree. (still not sure how) We used to hang out at the Cat's Den. Several upperclass ballplayers tended bar there. We hit them all though. I still remember $1.50 pitchers of malt liquor on Thursday nights at the student union. Cheap was good! I also remember road trips to Parkersburg, W. Va. to load up for the weekends. (W. Va. drinking age at the time was 18)

Photo courtesy Len Kasper

The Top 20 HR series will resume tomorrow. Yesterday, I received the replies to the questions that all of us put to Cubs TV play-by-play announcer Len Kasper. You should recognize most of your questions here.

BCB: How do you prepare for the broadcasts? What's a typical day, both at home and on the road? What's your favorite part of your job?

LEN: I can say this honestly (and my wife will attest!), I do baseball homework every day of the year. There isn't one day when I'm not on-line reading up and checking on what's new with the Cubs and MLB in general. I have a vast database of info on players and teams that I have compiled and updated for years and it's a pretty huge undertaking. And it's one that I love. I spend a few hours a day on my computer away from the show up at the park already set to go on the air. I view it this way--if I get stuck in traffic or whatever, could I do that day's game without any other material? The stuff I get at the park just supplements what I've already done. Don't get me wrong, my ballpark prep is HUGE and without it, I wouldn't be nearly as prepared. I just like to feel like I've done everything possible to know what's going on before I even step foot in the ballpark. I take my job very, very seriously and I would never want to show up unprepared.

BCB: You often start conversations with Bob about things that are on the blogs. Do you use the Internet as a way to pick up on what the fans are interested in? What other sources do you use for inspiration?

LEN: Sure, all the time. I like to keep up with what Cub fans are saying and writing about.  It's weird, but I'm "inspired" by a lot of different things, many of which have nothing to do with baseball! You can never have too much B material just in case...

BCB: Your call of the Ramirez walk-off against the Brewers can be heard every week during "Best of" segments on just about every channel. Did you ever imagine your voice would be used for that segment on a weekly basis? How does that game/moment rank among all the games you've ever called?

LEN: It's funny, that call has become my signature call, but that's only because the moment was so great. I really don't view that moment as having anything to do with me per se.  It was a thrill to be in the ballpark when it happened and I just happened to have the honor of screaming at the top of my lungs into the mic when it transpired. The highlight show stuff is neat, but again, it didn't make those shows because of my call. It's because of the drama of that particular moment. And yes, that was my favorite broadcast moment because of the drama of it.

BCB: Do you and Bob feel at all pressured (either real or perceived) to toe the company line rather than express any true criticism of the way the Cubs are playing or of questionable moves that Lou makes during the course of a game?

LEN: No, we just do the games to the best of our ability. I think the holding back part is simply having a sense of decorum and understanding that 1) it's a very difficult game to play and 2) we're broadcasting baseball, not doing an over-opinionated talk show. We don't shy away from pointing out what's going on. I do it mostly by saying, "The Cubs are 0-for-their-last-20 in these situations" or "The Cubs have lost 9 in a row" or whatever. I treat the audience as thinking human beings who can form their own opinions. Yes, I have opinions, and they come out at times, but if I simply spouted them for 3 hours, I guarantee you, it wouldn't be a very enjoyable broadcast. Bob has his opinions too and I enjoy bringing those out, and he's not afraid to be critical at all. It's just that we don't normally scream those opinions.I think we do a thinking-person's broadcast and I'm proud of that. The biggest key for me is that we don't miss stuff. That's a huge goal of mine.  I don't ever want to ignore something just because it goes against the Cubs or might not be a positive. We owe that to the viewers.

BCB: You often work some statistical analysis into your broadcasts. Can we expect more of this in 2008? You've used advanced metrics from Baseball Prospectus before. How did you get introduced to BP? How do you weigh that against, say, more "traditional" statistics and what you hear from scouts and managers?

LEN: Yes, I'm always looking for ways to blend in some of the lesser-known, yet important, stats. It's a fine line though ... I can't drop VORP and OPS+ in too often because not enough people understand what those terms mean. I'd love to replace BA with OBP, but at least we're now putting both stats on the batter graphic, which is a step in the right direction. I was indoctrinated into sabermetrics by my good friend Jon Sciambi, with whom I worked in Florida. And then I read the Holy Grail of modern baseball books, Moneyball, and I was hooked.

BCB: Have you and Bob dicussed the possibility of Bob leaving to become a major league manager? What would you think about working with someone else, and would you have any say in who was chosen IF this happened?

LEN: I would be shocked if a team doesn't come after Bob at some point to manage again. His track record with Arizona speaks for itself. As a friend, I want what's best for him, but selfishly, I hope we're together in the Cubs booth for a long, long time to come.

BCB: Not only is Wrigley full of history and tradition, but the press box is as well. Does it feel to you, sitting in a place where Harry Caray once called games, like the Holy Grail of broadcasting jobs? Do you ever sit there and think "My God, this is where an icon and legend once roamed!" If you weren't calling games for the Cubs, what else would you be doing?

LEN: No doubt about it. It is the pinnacle of broadcasting jobs. I can't think of a better job in sports. I often think about how special that broadcast booth is and how fortunate I am to sit in a chair once occupied by Jack and Harry and Chip. If I weren't broadcasting, I have no idea what I'd be doing.Maybe a college history professor? Or as David St. Hubbins once said in Spinal Tap, "I'd be a full-time dreamer."

BCB: Talk a little about the evolution of the play-by-play voice. Specifically, it seems that guys like Vin Scully, Harry Caray, Dave Niehaus and Jack Buck are a dying breed, only to be replaced by a very specific type of voice. Do play-by-play men have the ability to develop their own unique style these days? Or, do they have to conform to what seems to have become a very pre-packaged and formulaic announcing style? Also, why do you think that the networks go for the "Big Name" announcers/analysts in guys like Joe Morgan, Tim McCarver, Chris Berman, and even Mark Grace instead of a "lesser-known" announcer who might do a "better" job?

LEN: Wow, that's a lot to contemplate! I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm simply trying to do the best job I can and to be as genuine as I can. I grew up listening to all the broadcasters you mentioned and my hero is the great Ernie Harwell, who has influenced my style more than anyone. I think there are many terrific young broadcasters working today, each with his/her own style. I know of no particular formula that I'm trying to conform to. I'm just trying to improve every day as a play-by-play announcer and that will never change.

BCB: Question from a Marquette grad: What, if any, ties do you still have with Marquette University?

LEN: I still keep in touch with friends whom I attended Marquette with and I've gone to a couple basketball games over the past few years.  It's a great college and I am forever indebted to MU for helping me get to where I am today.

BCB: About the team: how much pressure do you think Cub players put on themselves to be the first Cubs team to win a World Series in 100 years? Also, are there any players that you feel seem "overwhelmed" with everything that comes with playing for the Cubs and playing for the most fanatical fanbase in pro sports? What would be one positive and one negative resulting from the upcoming sale of the team?

LEN: Honestly, we (you and I) think about the 100 years thing much, much more than the players. In fact, while the players are aware of it, I don't think it affects anything they do. They're simply trying to win every game and get to the World Series, PERIOD. Whether it's here or somewhere else, players simply play to win and to be the best they can be. I will say this -- if I were a player, I'd want to play here.The ballpark is packed every day, the fans are amazing. There's pressure to do well, but it's good pressure. You are rewarded if you play well. I think most players love the environment of Wrigley Field.

BCB: How close are you to the players? Do they tell you things about injuries, for example? And are there thus things about this that you feel you can't say on the air because then opponents would find out? Do you ever make suggestions to players on things that you observe from the booth?

LEN: It depends on the player. Some tell me things that aren't for "air" as they say. A lot of it comes down to the trust factor. If you build trust, players feel comfortable that they can tell you things and you'll use your best judgment in using that information. It's hard to put into words because it comes down to experience, but you tend to learn what's on the record and what's not. And if I ever have a question about that, I simply ask, "Can I use that on the air?" Some may be shocked to learn that I don't use all that info, but any good reporter or journalist will tell you that in order to build strong professional relationships, you need to make people feel comfortable that you're not going to simply repeat everything you hear in a clubhouse. There's a sense of decorum in there. If every player felt like everything they tell you from the second you say "Hello" is going to make that day's broadcast, it wouldn't be very comfortable, you know? I mean, even though we're in there working, I respect their space. On the last question, I ask all kinds of questions based on what I see from the booth. I never give pointers of course!! But for instance, I'll see Aramis Ramirez react a certain way to a pitch and the next day, I'll ask him, "On that 2-1 fastball in the 3rd inning, why didn't you swing?" Or to Derrek Lee, "Why did you look frustrated on the 3-1? Did you think it was a ball or were you upset at yourself that you didn't swing?" That stuff helps me gain the perspective of the player on the field. It's not something I would necessarily use on the air, but it gives me an idea of their approach. And I've never asked, but my guess is that players (most anyway) appreciate the fact that you're paying attention. I really pride myself on asking questions. I've asked some dumb ones, believe me, but I think it's really important in my job to always seek knowledge (why did you swing at that? ... why did you throw that pitch in that spot? ... would you have pinch hit this guy if that guy had come into pitch? ... why didn't you send the runners on the 3-1? ... etc.). The "why" questions are the big ones. And again, that comes with trust. I never ask to second-guess. I always ask to LEARN. Big difference. If people think you're always criticizing or saying, "If you had done this instead, it would have worked better," you tend to put people on the defensive. It takes time, but if you ask questions in a certain way and if you gain people's trust, it gives you a lot of leeway in asking what some would view as tough questions.

BCB: There were quite a few BCB readers who said, "You're doing a great job!" Do you think, after three years, that Cub fans have now accepted you?

LEN: You always hope people like what you do. I think it's a process of people getting used to your style, your voice, your personality, the chemistry you have with your partner. And it never hurts to call games for a winning ballclub. I think 2007 was great for Bob and me because the team was so fun to watch. Let's face it, when we're giving you good news, it's easier to like us than when we're giving you bad news! Seriously though, it means a lot that so many people have welcomed me into the Cubs family. I appreciate all the feedback, positive or negative.

BCB: And finally, a little fun: Does Bob Brenly really get that excited about floppy hat day?

LEN: Ahhhhhh, yes, he actually does.

On Friday, September 21, Cubs PA announcer Mike Terson stopped out in the bleachers to talk to me -- about his job, how he got to where he is, and a number of other subjects. I had meant to post this soon afterwards, but the playoffs, and several trips I took, got in the way of getting this posted sooner. Now that the season's over, here's a look at the guy who mans the microphone at Wrigley Field for all weekend home games.

BCB: Explain a little bit about your background, where you're from, what you do, how you got this job.

Mike Terson: I am originally from the Chicagoland area. I've lived in Chicago my whole life - city and suburbs. When I was four years old I lived on Wilton and Addison and learned how to ride my bike on Wilton - took the training wheels off and my early memories were sitting in my living room hearing the crowd.

Eventually I grew up in Des Plaines, and then Buffalo Grove. So I've been a Cub fan, but first, my dad was a Sox fan and my grandfather and my uncle were all Sox fans. But because my parents were divorced I lived on Wilton and Addison with my mom, for convenience sake the first baseball game he took me to was a day game at Wrigley Field. So I jokingly blamed him for me being a Cub fan after that because it was his doing.

So, I've been a Cub fan my whole life.

In high school I was on the speech team. I was interested in radio and I was the emcee for the school assemblies and stuff like that - this was in Buffalo Grove. And I was a drummer for the Show Choir. And Wayne Messmer's daughter, Stephanie, was in the group with me. So way back in the `80s I met Wayne and picked his brain and do you have any advice.

I got into radio after college. I went to Harper and then I went to Northern, and worked for a station out there, 92.5.

When I was in college I was a DJ at Walter Payton's nightclubs. And we would give away a lot of Cub tickets as bar prizes back then. So we had a lot of tickets on hand and so I'd come to a lot of games but I worked nights so I'd ride my motorcycle down here during the day. So I made a point of it every time to say hi to Wayne and tell him what I was doing.

I had sort of settled into my first PA job, which was the Chicago Cheetahs. They were a roller hockey team that played at the Odeum [in Villa Park]. They went defunct after that. But I had sent Wayne a letter letting him know I was doing that and I expressed an interest in doing the Wolves. And at the time I got a very, very nice rejection letter. They weren't looking. Then a few years later I was at a Cub game, I was sitting right around section 230, 240, nice and covered on a rainy day, my brother was with me. My brother says to me "Don't you always go say hi to Wayne Messmer when he's singing the anthem and you're here?" I said, "Yeah, I do, but it's raining and I'm just going to stay dry today." I sat there for another 10 seconds and I said, "All right, I'm going to go say hi to him, you talked me into it." So I went to say hi to him and he said, "I need to talk to you about something." So he went to sing the anthem and I stood there - the longest kind of two minutes of my existence, waiting for him to finish. He came off the field and we went under the tunnel to talk. And he said, "I remember you sent me the letter and the Wolves are looking for a PA guy, would you be interested?" Absolutely! So that's kind of how all that started. I was just persistent enough to keep on his radar screen.

This is now my 9th season with the Wolves. And this is my 3rd season with the Cubs. And when the opportunity first came about, the way I was told was ... Paul Friedman, the night PA guy, he had been doing the nights and weekends and I'm sure you know the story when Wayne got shot and he used to do all the games and that's when Paul came in. But because of ... he has a wife and kid and he wanted to cut back; he didn't want to do the weekends anymore and so I think Wayne got my name thrown in there and that's kind of how it all happened.

BCB: This isn't your fulltime job. What do you do?

MT: I am the public relations and marketing manager for the Buffalo Grove Park District. And as a sports fan, someone who has loyalty to a team for as long as I have, it's kind of cool to be able to be able to carry it over to my professional life, to give back to the community in which I kind of grew up and went to high school, and one of my first part time jobs was at the park district. So it's really kind of neat to be to have that area of my life as well.

BCB: Tell me a little bit about what you do to prepare for each game.

MT: I arrive 3 hours before the game. And you wouldn't believe how long the script really is. If you ever just took a day and sat and logged everything I say from start to finish you'd be amazed.

Most of my work is before the game. I'm literally talking for a full hour before the game. I stop in the marketing office. I get the timetable for the day -- who's doing the ceremonial pitch or two, who are the Walgreens bat kids, any of those types of pregame things you'll see out on the field. Sometimes a player is getting recognized by a sponsor with an award or Major League Baseball is presenting an award -- Player of the Month. No two games are the same. Every game there's something different going on. So I get all that. I kind of get my script in order, get the lineups so I have everything pretty much in order, ready to go before the chaos of the pregame begins.

One of the things I'll do is either I'll call the other team prior to them being here, call their media department or I'll find a media person before - if there's any tricky pronunciation with a player, especially the end of the season with the minor league call-ups, you're not familiar with their name and how it's pronounced. I'll grab a bite to eat before the game. There's not a lot of time to do that during the game. That's pretty much the routine.

BCB: Who gives you all the various lineup changes and pitching changes? Where do you get those?

MT: If you listen to the TV and radio broadcast a lot of times you'll hear a voice, a mystery voice in the background. And when Sharon Pannozzo was the media director her volume was higher so you'd really hear her in the background. Peter Chase [the new media relations person in 2007] is a little lighter so you don't always hear him in the background. But that will come from the media director. Every broadcast booth up there has a speaker so you'll get the - I get those changes as Len and Bob get them, as Pat and Ron get them. That's where it comes from.

And when things are happening on the fly like that sometimes you might notice a correction. Sometimes it came over there incorrectly. He's got to read hand signals from the umpire so he may have interpreted the signals wrong and announced it over our PA system wrong so it gets announced wrong and then that's where you'll get corrections and we'll see who it really is.

BCB: Are you looking to do this on more of a full time basis?

MT: You know, I'll tell you, Al, to be honest with you, I feel like I've got the keys to Disney World. One of the things my dad said to me when I was interviewing for the job with John McDonough was: did you show him a picture of your basement? He wanted me to convey my loyalty to the Cubs. I had a pool table with a royal blue felt. A Cubs stained glass light that I had custom made. All this Cubs memorabilia, and Bears. Working for Walter Payton ...

BCB: A lot of us have places like that.

MT: Sure! But before all this happened, I was really kind of a super fan. So it's and here I am 3 years into it and every day is like a dream come true. It is such a dream job and it is such an honor to work at this level for any team let alone the team you grew up watching and rooting for and I don't know what the future holds. I don't know what Paul's aspirations are. I don't know what Wayne's plans are. I've made it clear to the Cubs that I'm available for all of the 81 games that they have at home at any time and, but I also, I have such a sense of loyalty to Wayne not only for the opportunities that he's helped me to get, but you know he's mentored me over the years. I'd like to think that if I were to be compared to anyone's style, I don't try to sound exactly like Wayne, but I like to think I have my own style.

BCB: You all three have different styles.

MT: I agree. I think so too. But I would say I was probably most influenced by Wayne. Ironically when I was a kid, my dad had DePaul tickets at the Rosemont Horizon, so it's kind of interesting to be working in that building as an adult. But I grew up listening to Jim Reibandt [the Bears' public address announcer] because he did the DePaul games when I was a kid and I always thought that he was really one of the greatest PA voices in the city and ... so I would say a combination of him and Wayne would be who I try to emulate.

As far as down the road. I don't know what would happen. I would never ... I like Paul and I like Wayne so much I would hope to see them there long-term as well.

BCB: Where is your spot in the press box?

MT: I am the very last booth on the third base site so I have a window next to me. Paul and I, we all sit there. Andi, who runs the message board under the scoreboard, she sits directly next to me and then behind me is Gary Pressy, the organist.

BCB: How do you work with your voice coming back to you on the PA speakers?

MT: It's not only that, but there's a lot going on. People come in and out of the booth. There's a lot of distractions. You wouldn't believe how surprisingly distracting it can be at times. I think just focusing sometimes I'll plug one ear when I'm talking to try and block out some of the side noise. I don't wear headphones. I know a lot of the stadiums I notice the PA does wear headphones. I don't know; my guess is that Wrigley is just it's an old ballpark and some of those amenities that you would see in a newer ballpark are not here. So whatever reason, I never asked and that's just how it is. And at Wolves games I don't wear headphones either so I'm used to announcing without headphones.

BCB: Are you in a similar spot at the Wolves games in a press box area?

MT: For Wolves games I'm at the west end of the ice kind of where the players come out. It's a big - it looks like a fish tank really, it's a big Plexiglas box and fortunately the speaker column is right above me so there's not a lot of delay whereas here there's a little more of a delay. It's actually more difficult to announce from the field. Occasionally like last year on Ryne Sandberg Day I announced from the field during the pregame. Occasionally there's something going on where they need me out on the field to do the pregame and the speakers are further away. You've gotta find the right spot near the dugout where you get the least amount of bounce-back or bounce-back from two different speakers. It's challenging sometimes but you just kind of concentrate and focus.

BCB: I see you're wearing your Wolves Championship ring. That's pretty cool.

MT: Yeah. I've got two of these. My first season they won the Turner Cup in 2000 and this is the Calder Cup ring from '02. And I've gotta tell you... I'm a Jewish kid from Buffalo Grove with not a ton of athletic ability. To walk around with a championship ring it is a thrill. And I think that one of the reasons I love doing this, and the reason I got into doing this -- I've always been not only a Cubs fan, I'm a sports fan. I was a Blackhawks fan growing up. Bears fan, Bulls, huge DePaul. I love college basketball. And I always wanted to be the guy on the court. I wanted to be Ryne Sandberg. And to be able to be a part of the production, not having the ability to play the game at that level but to still be a part of it on some level, to be able to be a part of it in some way, in this way, is just great. I was at a wedding once and there was a ticket guy from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and he had a Super Bowl ring and man, I thought my ring was big.

BCB: I was once on the same airplane flight as Billy Williams and he was sitting in the chair in the gate area right in front of me and I could see his Hall of Fame ring. It was very cool.

MT: I remember looking at Walter's Super Bowl ring and Hall of Fame ring and it is, it really is cool.

BCB: How do you separate being such a big fan and doing your job?

MT: Because if I don't I won't get to do my job any more is the best way to describe it. You have to be professional. You have to separate yourself from that because you have to.

BCB: As the home team announcer you are supposed to show more enthusiasm towards Cubs players than the visiting players, right?

MT: My style is not to. I know Paul does a little bit. I can ask you. If you were a tourist and you had never been here before, would you be able to tell if the home team was batting or the visitors based on my inflection?

BCB: No I can't. As a hometown fan I kind of would like to hear more for the home team because you're here in theory with most the people here. Granted, you get visiting people here all the time but most of the people are rooting for the Cubs.

MT: As am I. I was mentored by Wayne Messmer, John McDonough and Jay Blunk. If you listen to me do a Wolves game it is a little different. I am probably one of the most straight forward PA guys in minor league hockey as well. When the Wolves score a goal I do a little more volume but for penalties, same for either team. But as much as I think I had my own style developed when I came in, the Cubs are such an established brand, such an historic brand, for lack of a better term, that I was trained this is what we're looking for. And I think that one of the reasons they selected me for the job was because I fit with what they were looking for. And the game production that Mr. McDonough has...

You know it's funny, Al. I listen to you make that comment and I can remember John saying to me once he wanted me to even tone it back even a little more. But ...

BCB: But Paul doesn't do that.

MT: I think that Paul has been here longer. He's more established and for whatever reason that's his style, they're comfortable with that and it's one of those things I guess I don't ask. I'm so thankful to have the job and that I'm doing well enough that they continue to ask me back to do it. They're happy with what I'm doing and they've made it very clear that that's they style they're looking for.

I will tell you that I alluded to this when I first emailed you. I feel like I'm the in between generation, I got out of college before the Internet. I typed papers on a typewriter so sometimes I think I missed out on some of the things technology has to offer and we're in this age of people like you have this forum, self created, where it used to be if a fan was a passionate fan like you other than the people in your inner circle you had no voice or forum and I think it's interesting in this day and age of technology that you were covered by the Chicago Tribune and there's a link I believe on the ESPN site to your site.

BCB: I can remember in 1984 when there was a similar pennant race to this year's, dialing Sportsphone 100 times a night trying to find out the scores of the other teams. Now I can go home with Extra Innings and watch the other games. It's so different.

MT: And even if you don't have the package you can go on the Internet and get each pitch.

BCB: Or watch it on your phone.

MT: Yeah. I really is amazing. And the earlier question you asked me about separating myself as a fan and checking that at the door. That's not always easy to do when you're a passionate fan and I don't when I first started with the Wolves, they have a message board on their site and they made it very clear they don't want employees responding. They have a person who does that.

When you're talking about professionalism there are certain things you do and you don't do. It comes with the territory, but the one thing I'll say is I love the territory. And sometimes it is difficult to check my hat at the door when I hear a fan... like I'll be at a McDonald's or a Culver's ordering a burger and I'll hear a Sox fan and a Cubs fan in some nice debate about baseball and someone makes a comment about something you just want to jump in there and kind of throw your two cents in and it's not always easy not to do that. I do have to remember that I do represent the organization and I can't just be a fan and say whatever is on my mind. And it's human nature to get defensive even when you hear things about yourself or read things. So it's not always easy to do that but as a fan I also really think that is so wonderful that that medium is there. There is nothing that I enjoy more than having a baseball conversation with an educated fan or a passionate fan. Or reading some of the great posts that really good baseball fans, doesn't even have to be a Cubs fan, someone who's really knowledgeable about the game has to say.

BCB: I'm a television director and there was a time when I thought I wanted Arne Harris's job. Then I thought -- if I get into sports TV being a fan, it would be like work and I don't want it to be work, I like it this way. I have a different job in TV and then I come out here and enjoy it as a fan instead of sitting in a production truck.

MT: I think if I would have had to sit in a production truck I would feel the way you do, as well. Wrigley Field is, I've always kind of referred to it as my religion, my place of worship. I'm not a religious person,  I was raised Jewish but I don't really celebrate holidays. My wife is Christian. I never was a very religious person. I kind of jokingly said this is my religious experience.

BCB: I understand that.

MT: I get to come to the game and work in a capacity where I have a very good seat, where I can see all the action and I'm so grateful to have the privilege of calling a game in this ballpark.

BCB: Do you subscribe to the no cheering in the press box theory or are you allowed to cheer up there?

MT: Technically I'm not in the press box but I guarantee you that when a game like there was Monday night (September 17), when something like that happens at the end where the place goes nuts. I'm fist pumping. I've had some conversations with fans who sit near my window on a regular basis. I'll see them after a game and they'll chat with me and they'll say oh I saw you calling a strike on that something...

I've had a fan look at me at a close play knowing I have a TV monitor ask me safe? Out? And I'll signal back to them - he was safe; it was a good call. I don't necessarily cheer yell or loud but I'll do a fist pump. Gary gets into it too. So we do have a good time up there in the booth.

BCB: Were you ever a little nervous up there?

MT: I've gotta tell you it's funny that you say that, because I've called a lot of games at Allstate Arena with big crowds but all of a sudden that first game [at Wrigley Field] was like turning the microphone on for the first time. There was something about it. It did take a little getting used to. And you would think hockey is a tougher sport to call and in a lot of ways it is but in hockey I can talk over a play. In baseball you only have a short window to get some of that stuff in and when you're not getting the information quickly and you're not getting it out, I mean it can be a little nerve wracking.

BCB: I don't know about you, but my first team in this town is the Cubs. So if you're a Cub fan above all the other teams, maybe that played a factor too. Your passion is more for baseball than for other sports.

MT: Absolutely, without a doubt. If someone said to me you can only go to one sporting event the rest of your life what is it going to be? It wouldn't even be a hesitation. It would be right here. This would be it.

Whenever you do a job like that, and you being in television can appreciate this, there's a part of you that you're an entertainer. You want people to appreciate your work and you want them to like the product you're putting out. So as a true fan you want other true fans to like your work too. It's a natural thing.

I gave a short interview to this online show this morning... the interview is posted here. They asked questions about Alfonso Soriano, Jason Marquis, Z, and more.

Note: I have tried to open this link myself and was unable to do so, on two different computers and trying both IE and Firefox. The producer of the segment assures me that it's there. Hope you have better luck than I did.

Rick from the Ohio-based blog Stiles Points emailed me several Cub-related questions over the weekend; you can read my replies to them here.

He also asked me how I feel about what seems to be the inevitable, Barry Bonds hitting his 756th career HR. Just in case you wanted to start a firestorm today.

Last night at Gino's East on E. Superior in Chicago, the Cubs' Michael Barrett took photographs with fans (as you see above) and signed autographs, and in addition, there was a silent auction of autographed memorabilia from just about every member of this year's Cubs team (I myself am now the proud owner of a Jason Marquis signed ball). This was all for a very good cause, Project 3000, the foundation begun by Derrek Lee and Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck to fight Lebers Congenital Amaurosis or LCA, a disease which is robbing their daughters of their eyesight.

At the end of the evening I was able to sit down (well, actually, stand up, as he had been sitting for much of the evening) and ask Michael a few questions.

BCB: To what do you attribute the success of the pitching staff so far this year?

MB: I think that our pitching staff, we’ve got great chemistry among our starting pitchers, which I think is important. I think that when they went out and got Jason Marquis and Ted Lilly to add to what we already have what characteristic I love about them is they’re competitors... They’re athletes. And I think it’s a great addition to the guys we already have – like Zambrano and Rich Hill and even Guzman who are tremendous athletes as well. When you get those guys and mix them together and all of a sudden, as long as they stay healthy, they’re just going to rub off each other. One guy pitches well, the next guy wants to pitch even better. And they’re competitive like that and they have the athletic ability to out-do one another over and over and over again, really, as good as their stuff is. So I think that’s what we have going right now. And most good starting staffs have that competitive energy in a positive way where they’re just consistently trying to be better than the next guy. And so far that’s kind of the feeling I’ve had is that these guys want they want the other starters to do well. They want they to pitch well, but at the same time they watch everything they do and they just want to go out there and do it a little bit better and do everything they can to help the team win.

BCB: What’s going on with Carlos Zambrano?

MB: It’s always been a slow start. April’s never been his best month. May and June the time that I’ve been here in the last three years have been his best months. I think it’s a matter of getting into a little bit warmer weather for him that he’s accustomed to. I think also that he’s such a passionate guy. He’s such a fierce competitor that the start of the season really moves him. Maybe moves him out of his element sometimes. So, for him, it takes a little while to calm down. His arm angle is very important. When he gets his arm angle he just dominates. He knows that. It’s just that sometimes it’s easier said than done.

BCB: That’s like we saw last Friday in his first inning.

MB: The first inning he didn’t have his arm angle. As the inning went on he started to get it then the second inning had it and that was the difference in his start.

BCB: Tell me a little bit about how you and the rest of the team are reacting to Lou Piniella’s managing style.

MB: We’re still adjusting to it. You know, I haven’t really been around management that has made that many double switches this early on and it’s great in a way that he really has confidence in the entire team to use them in a situation or whatever… he feels very comfortable in utilizing the whole team in whatever way it takes to win. I think that it’s interesting. You don’t see a lot of managers have a lot of confidence in their entire team, entire bench, or the entire bullpen. But he does. I think that it’s an adjustment on our players’ part that when they’re not playing, it’s not a day off. It’s a day to help the team in another way. And we’ve got guys that care so much like Mark DeRosa. He came in as an everyday second baseman. He has given that up to be, to do whatever it takes to help the team win. Playing third base. Playing shortstop. And those are the type of players you have to have on championship teams. And Lou has shown he will do whatever it takes to win and to use whoever it is.. I mean, I may end up somewhere else other than catching. You just never know. Like [Sunday's] game, we were all scratching our head like who’s going to play second, who’s going to play left, trying to keep up with it.

BCB: Would you have gone out to play shortstop? Some of us in the bleachers thought that might be next.

MB: At that point I would have, at that point I just wanted to win the game. I would have done whatever it took. It’s a true mark about what we think of him as a manager to put our own personal desires to play one position, our own desires to want to start to help the team win. We believe in him to do the right thing to help the team win. And when you have that connection it really shows and over the course of the season it’ll show even more.

BCB: How do you feel about how you’ve done so far this year?

MB: I got off to a little bit of a slow start, got hot, now I haven’t got a couple hits, hit the ball hard…

BCB: That ball you hit in the 10th inning yesterday -- that was really a rocket.

MB: Yeah. I’ve hit right at some guys. Had some bad at bats. Had some good at bats and had nothing to show for it. Therefore that usually equals slump. I’m in a mini slump and I know that.

BCB: What do you do to get out of that?

MB: I just focus on defense. I just focus on getting my pitchers through. Contributing every way that I can. If it’s blocking a ball I’m going to find a way to contribute to help the team win if I can. I’m gong to find a way. I’m just more accustomed to doing it with the bat than I am right now.

BCB: Are you looking at any teams in particular…what do you think about what the Brewers have done so far?

MB: The Brewers have a very good team. Usually when you talk of the Brewers you don’t talk about having the chances of playing in October and stuff, but they have the team this year to do that. If they all stay healthy like any other of the championship caliber type teams they have a chance. They have built a rotation and a bullpen that’s as good as any staff in baseball. And on top of that they have some young offensive threats. If Prince Fielder continues to stay healthy, he’s got MVP type talent. Their lineup is going to be strong.. There’s a lot of pressure on the young guys at the top of their order which could be a huge difference. There’s a lot of pressure on Rickie Weeks, a lot of pressure on J. J. Hardy and they’re stepping up. They have just stepped up to the challenge right now. If they continue to play like they are, that is a good team.

BCB: You have so many new teammates this year. Has there been anything about any of these guys that has surprised you, that you didn't expect?

MB: Alfonso Soriano – great, great guy. I always knew he was a good guy but as a teammate, great teammate. Great guy. He reminds me so much of Vladimir Guerrero. Just a fun-loving, just a very good competitor. A fierce competitor but as far as a clubhouse, teammate guy, just a fun loving easy going guy that comes to play baseball every day.

BCB: How about Felix Pie?

MB: Felix Pie is very exciting… him and Soriano hang out together a lot and Soriano’s taken Felix under his wing, which I think has given him a lot of confidence and given him that guy on the team that he needs right now to bring him up. And as far as energy. He just has so much energy and we need that … as a veteran team, we need young blood, it rubs off on the rest of the veterans. So he’s one of those guys who does that. Oh, Soriano.. Something that stands out about Soriano… defensively. Center field he did a good job. In left field he’s doing a great job. He threw Jim Edmonds out at home plate, which ended up being the turning point in that game with the Cardinals in St. Louis.

BCB: Neal Cotts gets overlooked at times, but the impression I have of him is he works harder than just about anybody on the team.

MB: Yeah. Neal Cotts is slowly becoming the hardest working guy I’ve ever been around. He’s got tremendous stuff. It just takes a little time to get used to the National League. You’ve got bunt plays now, you’ve got … when you’re in the American League everything relies, every team pretty much in the American League relies on the three run homerun. And in the National League it’s a little different. So it’s a little different mentality for him. You know, hitters take a different approach in this league, like in St. Louis he hit Taguchi on an 0-2 fastball where I think over time he realizes that in that situation you have a little bit different mentality there on the hitter’s part. He’s not trying to hit a homerun, he’s trying to move runners and do situational type hitting, which in the American League there’s not a whole lot of guys that do that. I think there’s going to be a little bit of an adjustment period but as far as stuff goes, he’s got as good stuff as we have on our entire team.

Many thanks to Alan Lieberman of Lieberman & Associates, Matt Kramer, Michael's rep from Barrett Baseball, and Linda Marshall of Linda Marshall Communications for helping arrange the interview with Michael Barrett, a key cog in this year's Cub team and a truly nice guy.

Finally, among other things I learned in discussing baseball and the Cubs last night is this: the Cubs are 5-0 in May for the first time since 1937.

I had a chance yesterday to run a few quick Cub-related questions by Will -- here are his responses:

Q: Let's talk about Mark Prior's labrum surgery. Why do you think it took so long for them to do this? And what's the prognosis for his future? Finally, could the two injuries he suffered -- the collision with Marcus Giles in 2003 and the broken elbow from Brad Hawpe in 2005 -- have altered his mechanics and caused the shoulder troubles?

Q: Is the hamstring injury to Alfonso Soriano going to slow him down?

Q: What's up with Kerry Wood? What's his prognosis and future?

Q: Same for Wade Miller. Any point in keeping him?

Q: If there's anything else you'd care to add that's Cub-related, go ahead!

... Al Bethke, that is, from the Brewers blog Al's Ramblings:

AY: What is the single most important key for the Brewers in 2007 if they are to contend for a playoff spot?

AB: I'd say the most important thing is that the youngsters; Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, JJ Hardy, Corey Hart, and soon to be Ryan Braun, continue to develop offensively (and to a lesser extent, defensively). They could make this team a top 5 team offensively, or a bottom 5 team.

What do you feel will determine the Cubs' success, or lack thereof, in 2007?

AY: For me, it's the starting pitching. This team will score runs, with Derrek Lee back, and Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano, Jacque Jones and Michael Barrett all capable of pounding the ball. But if the starting pitching can't go deep into games, the bullpen will be overtaxed as it was last year, and that is always disastrous. Some Cubs fans didn't like the Lilly & Marquis signings. Granted, it's small sample size, but the first start this year for each one is a good sign.

Geoff Jenkins. Comeback, or will he just get hurt again?

AB: Geoff actually had a decent year in '06, but struggled versus LHP. He will be severely limited versus LHP, so I think he'll be fine. If both he and Kevin Mench match their career numbers against pitchers that throw with the opposite hand, they might outproduce all but a few LF's, as well as provide nice corner OF depth.

Speaking of OF's, I think Matt Murton is a fine young player, and I feel badly he's seemingly behind Jones and Floyd. Explain that to me.

AY: I don't see Murton as "behind" Jones -- Jones plays RF, and Murton LF. About Jones, he may be traded sometime this year so the Cubs can make room for Felix Pie.

Floyd can hit, no question about it. I don't like the DH, but I sometimes find myself wishing the NL had it, because Floyd would be perfect. He's still recovering from heel surgery, and is a statue in the outfield. Murton will get his playing time.

Of the Brewers' young players: Corey Hart, J. J. Hardy, Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder -- who is going to become the biggest star, and why?

AB: I've been saying Weeks because he will hit and he plays a position few players hit much at. However, I think there's a good chance Ryan Braun will be better than all of them.

I was an advocate of the Crew signing Jason Marquis (only Suppan was higher on my list), but I thought he'd sign for one year at $3-4M, not the lucrative contract he ended up with. Do you agree he'll rebound, or do you have low expectations?

AY: I have had spirited debates on BCB about Marquis. I wanted him signed, and I agree, the three-year deal was over the top.

But I think he's figured out some of the things he did wrong last year. He had a good first start, he had a decent spring, and if he could replicate the year he had with the 2004 Cardinals -- a 100-win team that made the World Series, where he went 15-7 with a 3.71 ERA -- we'll be very, very happy. Who is/are the Cub player or players that you most fear?

AB: I can't say I fear anyone, but I do respect the back of the bullpen, especially Howry and Eyre, who the Crew went after and were outbid for. Who's your favorite Brewers' player?

AY: I really like Corey Hart. I see he's been pretty much pencilled in as uour regular right fielder this year, but I know he can play other positions. At his age -- 24 -- I see him developing more power as he gets older, especially with his size. I wanted to see the Cubs try to pry him away from you guys. How do you feel about we Cubs fans coming up to Miller Park and "taking over" during most Cubs/Brewers series?

AB: I have no problem with it, it's usually about a 50/50 split. The Cubs have transplanted fans all over the country, and the location makes it perfect for many northern IL fans. WI actually has quite a few Cubs' fans, many older gents from the days before the Brewers. In fact, I silently thank them for their donation to the Crew's coffers.:) Heck, the Cubs/Cards games in StL are usually pretty evenly split, and the Brewers have a fraction of the tradition of the Cardinals.  

Many thanks to Matt Kramer, Michael's rep from his website Barrett Baseball, for helping to make this interview possible. Thanks too to all the BCB readers who submitted questions for Michael, making this a true community interview.

BCB: In calling a game, how much work do you do with video to study batters and prepare a game plan for attacking opposing hitters and (2) do you do most of this or does Larry Rothschild help and (3) how much does the starting pitcher collaborate with you on a game plan? Finally, if the game starts and the starter's curve is hanging, or the fastball is flat, do you have multiple "what if..." plans?

BCB: As a catcher, you have a unique perspective on the coaching staff, as you work with both the hitting and pitching coaches. What are the major differences in the team's approach to hitting now that Lou Piniella has taken over the team? Has Larry Rothschild changed any of his advice to you or the pitching staff, now that he has a new manager? BCB: Last year, there were quite a few injuries to Cubs pitchers and thus quite a few rookie pitchers started. Rarely, though, do we hear about how you and Henry Blanco deal with it. How hard is it to handle so many different pitchers in a year, particularly young ones? And which of the Cubs' young pitchers do you feel is the most promising? BCB: When do you decide you need to go out and talk to pitchers? Do you avoid doing this if they are doing badly, or going well in a particular game? BCB: Does the grind get to you? Along the lines of fatigue for you, pitchers sometimes have problems with control after long rain delays - does a rain delay ever bother your knees/shins? BCB: Regarding your success last year's offensively, was there anything that you changed at the plate, stance or cocking of the wrists, picking a certain pitch and location, or do you think you just seeing the ball better than years past? BCB: Do you have any preferences as to your slot in the batting order? Do you think you hit better in certain slots as opposed to others? BCB: Do you think that the responsibilities of catching has ever hurt your development as a hitter? It's sometimes said that catchers develop late because "they've got so many other things to worry about, they can't concentrate on their hitting as much." Do you think that's true and if so, is your recent development as a great hitter in part related to being more comfortable behind the plate? BCB: Do you have a book on the umpires? Just how much will the pitching game plan depend on the guy standing behind you? Just how much talking do you do behind the plate? Do you feel you can get into either the hitter's or umpire's head by talking with them? BCB: What are the pros and cons of today's catchers masks - hockey style, coated wire frame, etc. Which one do you prefer? BCB: Growing up, which major league player or players did you try to emulate? And now, as a major league player yourself, who is your favorite current player to watch? Assuming that's a Cub, who is your favorite non-Cub to watch? BCB: What aspect of the life of a major league baseball player is least well understood by the serious fan?