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Book Review: "Entangled in Ivy: Inside the Cubs' Quest for October" by George Castle

As an avid reader of all things Cubs, I ran across this new release in Barnes & Noble the other day, and after reading a few pages of the introduction, I knew I had stumbled onto a great one.  If you want the best answers yet to that universal Cubs fan question, "Why?" you must get this book and read every word.

George Castle follows up his initial book on the Cubs' ownership/management, or lack thereof, called "The Million to One Team" with "Entangled In Ivy".  While giving a detailed recap of the first 25 years of Tribune ownership and all of the GM and managerial regimes of the era, the book's main focus is to debunk any theories that the Cubs' 99-year world championship drought, and 62-year World Series hiatus has anything to do with goats, black cats, or Steve Bartman.  

The main reason for the drought is, as Castle so eloquently puts it, "the human factor".  He goes into great detail about how the lack of a quality farm system (except for a six-year stretch under Dallas Green and Gordon Goldsberry), an understaffed front office, outdated and inadequate facilities at Wrigley Field, corporate meddling, conservative fiscal policy, and an overall lack of understanding of the Cubs and their fans have all contributed to where we now stand: 99 years and counting.  

It's the brutal and honest truth, and I recommend it for all Cub fans everywhere.  Castle also hints at something else throughout the book, although he does not actually verbalize it until page 262 (out of 264 pages): "Even if management updates it practices and upgrades to a fully staffed baseball operation--and it's the most painful cut of all in their attempt to win--the Cubs need to explore a successor ballpark to Wrigley Field."  Painful, yes, but after reading this book, I'm sure you'll agree, as I do.  I hope you enjoy it, and thank you for your time.  Go Cubs!    

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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Successor ballpark
Hmm.

Didn't read the book, but it sounds interesting. Still, Wrigley Field is a very weak excuse for not winning. Didn't the Red Sox just win a championship in a park even older than Wrigley? The 1984 Tigers didn't seem too inhibited by playing at the ancient Tiger Stadium.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on May 8, 2007 12:28 PM CDT reply actions  

True....
although the book does not cite Wrigley Field as THE reason the Cubs don't win, but as a contributing factor to many bigger problems that already plague them....namely the people who have run the team over the years.  Castle admits that Wrigley is still great for fans, but not as great from a player's point of view.  In any case, he makes some very interesting observations that fans may not know about since we only see Wrigley from the grandstand or bleachers.  And of course, there is the day baseball argument.  But in the end, it's up to the reader to agree or disagree.  
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on May 8, 2007 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions  

George Castle on myspace
about a month ago I was looking at my myspace account and I had an invite from a guy named George. I was a little confused so I looked at his profile to figure out who it was and saw that it was George Castle. I guess he figures that it's as good a way as any to try to get word out about his work. I added him as a friend and complimented him on "The Million to One Team", which is a very good read. I thought it was pretty cool to see an older writer embrace a new idea such as mySpace.
AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on May 8, 2007 1:42 PM CDT reply actions  

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