Thanks, and here's to a better team in 2007.

This was my first season on BCB - Thanks Al for providing a place to talk Cubs baseball. It's been fun being able to watch the games with other Cub fans, where ever we are, and provide running commentary. It's great to be able to talk and joke around like that during the games. So thanks again Al. And thanks to my fellow Cub fans who helped make this season a little more tolerable with their humor.

I hope next year that we have more to cheer than jeer.

(McDonough was quoted as saying, "anything less than a World Series is a failure to me," which is probably all talk from the Brave New Interim President, but it's the first time I've ever heard anything other than "competitive" come out of the mouth of any Cub Exec).

...then I think the farm gets blown up this Fall and a lot of young guys get dealt in an effort to rebuild, New York style, in order to win over the next 2-3 years, which means Pie, Veal, Hill, Pawalek, Gallagher, anyone of value, could get traded this offseason.

I think it's entirely possible that Cub management is becoming more and more afraid of that "100 years" tag getting slapped on the franchise and we could very well see more activity this offseason then the last 2 or 3 combined, not to mention the fact that if nothing drastic occurs, ticket sales will plummet.

I think the first order of business, after the departure of Dusty Baker, will be the announcement that Aramis Ramirez has re-signed for 14-15M per season.

Or, I could be completely wrong and the first order of business will be to bring back Jose Macias from exile, and we will see a chastened McDonough at his next PC talking about believing in the team currently assembled (plus a rejuvenated Macias) to turn the tide of losing.

Neither would surprise me.

Thanks for all of the writing and uploading you've done.

Sometimes I really like it. Sometimes not.

I find it interesting that you go to every game. I don't know what this really says about you, Al.

I'm a daily season holder and have been a Cubs fan since you could still use stubs to get back into the game.

But I did not revel in going to game after game of watching the worst "professional" baseball horseshit...and simply couldn't hack it anymore. It truly was not worth my time. So I sold what I could and gave away several...

I took it on the chin this year. But I'd usually still check in on the old bcb. I shall look forward to you crashing the Management Session from the Convention this year again, and your report.

As always, "Wait Til Next Year", baby!

Being in the UK this site really is my only way to hear what Cubs fans think, so I am extremely grateful for it.

With all of this talk about McDonough, can Stoney be far behind?

Waiting until next year ... and Garryowen, folks!

Great site.

I too believe this is a collective failure from the front office, Dusty and his coaches, injuries, poor performance and a farm system that is below average.
I hope they make moves quickly, I do not like the word "Interm", it mean instability in my ears. This leads to players and possible managers away from the Cubs. So lets be careful people, McPhail is gone and Dusty will follow, but right now the Cubs are on shaky ground and 07 could be bumpy also. It is so important that they make the right manager hire, can not screw up this time.

Every thing Paul Sullivan slammed Mcphail for in his article last week will be multiplied with the President of Marketing as the Team President.  

At least McPhail was a bonafied baseball man but McDonough if anyone will bring the Cubs back to the "they fill the stadium anyway so why field a winner days?"

John McDonough as the Team President would be the worst thing possible for this team.

If he can bring the same excellence and highest standards to winning that he has done in his passion for marketing and profitably, we'll be in good shape.

He is born and bred Cub and said the resources will be there.

I am more concerned with Hendry staying.

As other writers have alluded to, he'll be gone if and when a new Prez. is hired.

Pretty amazing event to me, I thought that McPhail would stay until the bitter end, i.e., since the extended Hendry to 2008, I presumed that's when the housecleaning would take place with McPhail.

In any event, if they keep Hendry, which seems likely given their remarks, then the pressure is on for him to win in 2007 (not world series or nothing, but he has to make the playoffs) so that likely means a higher budget.  If they cut back on his budget then he might as well quit as he's not the type to do well in market value transactions.  So, if Hendry stays then he's going to go veteran heavy and I think the prospects of Murton being traded will inrease.

Finally, at least McPhail took responsibility in his comments and didn't try to generate sympathy or stump for a job interview by being sad that Trib. higher ups did not look to his Twins record.  That is to say, he wasn't a weasel like Dusty (at least in this particular moment).  Geeze, when the concrete was falling in Wrigley, and berating a reporter in his office, McPhail was sounding very much like a weasel, lol...In any event, he didn't get the job done and resigned, he didn't publicly seek sympathy or blame others.  Dusty has already shown that he doesn't have that much class...I am glad that both are gone.  Hendry should do us all a favor and resign...the entire 2007 season is going to be a microscope on Hendry.  If he thought it was a pressure cooker already, the pressure was just turned up to 11...

Glad to see him go.  However, what I find most refreshing is that he actually admitted he didn't get the job done.

Kudos on accepting responsibility, Mr. MacPhail.  And don't let the door hit you in the (expletive deleted) on the way out!

is your vineline article dependant on him?  he was a failure, only someone who cares about nostalgia over results would disagree.

Regardless of the nonsense that goes on in Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Field Front Office, I remain, now and forever, a loyal and hopeful Cubs Fan, and I want to thank my fellow bloggers at BCB for helping me in my daily battle with this addiction that we all know as being die-hard Cubs fans.  Cubs Fans are truly the most amazing, resiliant, and loyal group of people that God ever Created, and regardless of the results on the field, I am proud to be part of Cubs Nation.  Thank you, Al, for making my spring and summer a bit brighter with your work, and thanks to the entire BCB gang.  Let's look forward to a productive offseason geared toward winning in '07, and I look forward to discussing and debating it all with you this winter.  

Finally, one request: I urge all Cubs fans to please do not purchase tickets in February unless management has earned our business with a productive offseason.  Hopefully they will, and we can all purchase tickets for 2007 with hope.      

Typical as with pols this is a way to dodge controversy...but with athletes they can't really escape once go into locker room (unless off limits somehow today) news hounds can corner them or at least try to get one on ones.

I feel like Baker owes us a little more but maybe he's protecting himself against himself by deciding to limit his comments to a general statement. Any sour grapes will make him less appealing to future employers, and as I posted yesterday, what's he got to complain about? 4 years at nice salary and will find something, somewhere, due to his status and general class.

Hendry was pretty evasive also about what he's looking for, etc., and no one mentioned or threw out Girardi's name just to get his reaction. I wanted to know is he one of the people you'd be interested in, or is he not a candidate (can imagine Hendry would reply, he's still an employee of the Fla. Marlins--true until tomorrow).

The evil Sharon P. of Cub PR staff shut off questions for Baker and eventually Hendry before anything heated, who told her to be such a guardian at the gates?? I had a few dealings with her in past and she is not pleasant. Maybe their housecleaning should include Ms. Pannazzo.
I've heard other writers also lament how she treats them. Get a grip, lady, just get out of the way.