Bleed Cubbie Blue: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Around SBN: Check out our NFL Scoreboard: scores, schedule and blogs Bar-right-arrows

Open Thread: Cubs vs. Giants at Scottsdale, Thursday 2/28, 2:05 CT

Yelloncard_tiny by Al on in Game Threads

Play Ball!

At last, time for baseball! Before a couple of particulars about today's contest, a few notes:

Now, on to today's game, which features the newly-buff Ryan Dempster (I say "buff" because he has apparently taken to running up Camelback Mountain, one of the area's toughest hiking trails, for his workouts) facing the Giants' Noah Lowry. The starting lineup will read:

Ryan Theriot, ss
Ronny Cedeno, 3b
Kosuke Fukudome, rf
Derrek Lee, 1b
Matt Murton, lf
Geovany Soto, c
Alex Cintron, 2b
Felix Pie, cf
Ryan Dempster, p

Which should worry no one; Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano are simply being given an extra day to continue to make sure that their injuries from last year are completely healed.

The game can be heard on WGN radio in Chicago, KNBR in the Bay Area, and at the MLB.com Mediacenter. No, they're not giving any ST games away free this year. So, if you can't access any of those, here is today's MLB.com Gameday link.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs | Comment 358 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Anyone who runs up Camelback
can be called buff.  That's one rough trail.

by TC Cubby on Feb 28, 2008 9:08 AM CST   0 recs

I walk up Camelback and Squaw Peak
and they kick my butt! That's some serious cardio...
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Feb 28, 2008 3:01 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

First comment...
Yeah, baseball is back!!!

by cubfanwill on Feb 28, 2008 9:08 AM CST   0 recs

D'oh
Make that the second comment.  :)

by cubfanwill on Feb 28, 2008 9:10 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I was waiting since
09:15 Greenwich Mean Time for a game thread to appear, stepped out for five minutes, and blam.

Last year, ST games were given to subscribers of the previous season's MLB audio/tv, so I hope they do that again this year.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Feb 28, 2008 9:18 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

MLB audio
let me log in to today's cubs game with my password from last year; no telling if I'll be able to do the same this afternoon.  Trying to find information on that website is impossible, at least in years past.

by TC Cubby on Feb 28, 2008 9:24 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

MLB TV/Audio
It would seem free access for ST is the case again this year. I was able to access yesterday's audio and video archives.

The longer I can put off resubscribing the better; I want to know whether or not this change to their archive service is true first.

Regardless, we've got honest-to-goodness baseball today at last.

by Ayralin on Feb 28, 2008 10:10 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

First pitch count down..
I know it's only a ST game, but I cannot wait until game time.

by sdurst on Feb 28, 2008 9:31 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Cubs WOO! Cubs WOO!
Sorry Al, had to do it.  That article was just too inviting.

by Orval Overall on Feb 28, 2008 9:14 AM CST   0 recs

AAAAAUUUUUGGGGHH!!!
Don't SAY that here!

I had no idea the writer was going to talk to He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named when I spoke to him yesterday. If I had, I'd have recommended ... well, basically, any other living human being.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 9:15 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Tale of the Tape
Al's words: 27
hewhoshallnotbenamed's words: 23

Al! WOO! Al! WOO! Al! WOO!

I can only imagine what rambled out of hewhoshallnotbenamed's mouth during that ellipsis

by TC Cubby on Feb 28, 2008 9:31 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Interesting
I read that article top to bottom and I don't recall reading any sort of comment from Lord Voldemort.

by WittyUserName on Feb 28, 2008 11:45 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

re: Cubs WOO! Cubs WOO!
Dude, if BCB had a kangaroo court you'd be facing a serious fine right now.
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Feb 28, 2008 10:08 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Spring is here!!!
Epcept in Chicago we're getting more snow tonight. :(
Old Style is the nectar of life.

by Mordecai on Feb 28, 2008 9:19 AM CST   0 recs

Happy Day
But doesnt that make the snow not seem quite as bad????? Certainly going to put a little spring in my step heading to work today :)

by Madison Cub Fan on Feb 28, 2008 10:35 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I moved to AZ from Chicago in 2000
and am one of the few that misses the snow, but today all I have to say is..............

Go Cubs Go!!!

AND IT'S GOING TO BE 82° TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Feb 28, 2008 11:12 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

For those with XM Radio...
... the game can also be heard on XM 179.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 9:20 AM CST   0 recs

I dont have a radio here at the office yet.
im trying to decide between buying a small am radio or buckling and buying the mlb audio package
AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike on Feb 28, 2008 9:23 AM CST   0 recs

MLB audio
for $15 for the year, it's a good deal.  Once the season starts it's pretty reliable, and it's nice to occasionally listen to another game.

by TC Cubby on Feb 28, 2008 9:26 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

"once the season starts"
That's a good point. While it's not unreliable during pre-season games, in years past the audio quality in ST has been worse than the regular season. That may be due to the facilities available in Cactus League parks not being the same as in MLB stadiums.

At any rate I agree - it's a pretty good bargain if you think you might use it for half a dozen games -- or 162.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Feb 28, 2008 9:36 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

start of broadcast
In the past there has been an issue early on with the broadcast feed not starting with the first pitch, and up to a half-inning late.  I can't remember if it was only in ST or if it happened in the first few weeks of the season as well.  

For those of us outside of WGN range and who have to work in the afternoon, nothing beats it.

by TC Cubby on Feb 28, 2008 9:39 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Ram and Fonz
"are simply being given an extra day to continue to make sure that their injuries from last year are completely healed?"

That doesn't make much sense.  Like one more day is going to make a difference.  Why not just say it like it is....they want to see more of Cedeno and Murton.  Dare I say "exhibiting" either of them?

by Neifi Puppy on Feb 28, 2008 9:24 AM CST   0 recs

Yeah, that too.
Obviously, Murton doesn't have much place on this team and thus is probably being showcased for a possible trade.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 9:26 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Ramirez and Soriano
It does worry me not to see them in the lineup - even if someone is being showcased. They've had four months to recover from whatever ailed them. Is one more day going to make a difference? Or are they still in pain?

Maybe I'm an alarmist. But it is frustrating that neither of them has really been able to get fully healthy during their time on the Cubs. Seems like Ramirez has played hurt ever since he arrived.

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 28, 2008 9:42 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Danimal...
... three words: "You're an alarmist."
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 10:00 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

OK
I am. It comes from seeing everything that can go wrong go wrong for this team since I started following it in 1975!
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 28, 2008 10:16 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Murton.
Maybe I am missing something, but unless I am wrong this team essentially only has Sam Fuld as a backup outfielder without Murton. Dero can play some outfield but I think it would be mistake to not keep him on this team. Our bench at this point going in does not look very formidable with him, let alone without.
You gotta believe!!!

by bolson1076 on Feb 28, 2008 10:13 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Daryle Ward plays outfield...
... and better than you might think. Not that I want him out there every day, but as a backup, he's fine.

Eric Patterson may also have a shot at making the team as a backup OF.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 10:15 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Patterson
I'm beating a dead horse, I know, but let's hope Eric can get himself to work on time this year.
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 28, 2008 10:17 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Another reason
Lou also said at the start of camp that he would rest his veterans more this year even in ST ... as well as in the regular season.  While the first game benchings of Soriano and Ramirez support your suggestion, they also seem to reflect this...
Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Feb 28, 2008 10:17 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Finally!!
Let's see how these boys look!
"Oh well, there's always next year!!!" Every Cub fan

by McRipper on Feb 28, 2008 9:38 AM CST   0 recs

Or, as Casey Stengel once said:
""Hey Heffner, take them down to that other field (St. Petersburg spring training site) and find out if they can play on the road."
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 28, 2008 9:45 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I can't believe the poll quoted in the article
53% of those polled would not attend games if the the name of the field changed.

Thats gotta be BS.

Maybe people are saying that trying to influence the decisions, but I'm sure "Wrigley" would still be pull in 3 million fans a year.

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Feb 28, 2008 9:46 AM CST   0 recs

Remember...
... those polls are totally unscientific, and often worded so that those who get most worked up about this issue vote.

You're right, that's absurd. As I've said here many times, changing the name of the park would not in any way change my experience of going to a game. I told the USA Today guy yesterday that walking into the "Bud Light Bleachers" doesn't suddenly make me want to drink that swill. Going to a Bulls or Blackhawks game doesn't suddenly make me want to fly United Airlines; going to a Wolves game doesn't make me want to buy Allstate insurance. These things fall on deaf ears with me. I just don't care.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 9:59 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

hooray!
Baseball is BACK!  And I forgot my radio at home, darnit.

If 53% of readers won't go to the field if the name changes, does that mean that there will be more season tickets available?

Worst to First in 2007, brought to you by Lou, Sori, A-Ram and D-Lee.

by drewishdrewid on Feb 28, 2008 9:59 AM CST   0 recs

And so how are the Cubs any different...
...from that greedy rooftop owner who is trying to stiff them?

Not only do the Cubs want the taxpayers of Illinois to assume the risk of the construction cost of Wrigley/Old Style Stadium so that they can line their pockets at taxpayers' expense, but now everything is on the table, apparently.  There aren't any good guys here, but plenty of greedy ones.

by DudeVf11 on Feb 28, 2008 10:01 AM CST   0 recs

The greedy rooftop owner...
... is in breach of contract. The Cubs, and I am not necessarily trying to defend their actions, are at least attempting to negotiate changes before doing anything unilaterally.

The naming rights -- that's their right to do so. Other things are subject to negotiations.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 10:14 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

That picture of Len is hilarious.
Why was that taken?
"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Feb 28, 2008 10:07 AM CST   0 recs

To show how rockin' he can be
Despite his somewhat milquetoast image. All this was covered in the article. The picture is just a visula representation.
Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Feb 28, 2008 10:12 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

4hrs to flight time...
<24hrs 'til I'm at HoHoKam!

by blackhawk24 on Feb 28, 2008 10:16 AM CST   0 recs

Yay!!!
Baseball is back.... it's been too long....
I Believe!!!!

by Sarah Hope on Feb 28, 2008 10:26 AM CST   0 recs

Question for today's game
How will we tell the minor-league scrubs in the Giants lineup from the lousy players they'll actually be starting come April?

Oh, yeah, higher uniform numbers.

And Aaron Rowand.

Et tu, Augie, et tu?

by mlf on Feb 28, 2008 10:30 AM CST   0 recs

This naming rights thing is making me seriously
Pissed Off!!

What a crappy way to introduce oneself as a new owner.  I'm going to destroy any charm you've held onto for all this time piece by piece.  It's a giant F-U.  It starts with the naming rights and then it becomes a very slippery slope.  I'm a Wisconsin native, but a Cubs fan BECAUSE OF Wrigley field.  I enjoy attending Cubs games NOT because of the team, players, city, WGN, but only BECAUSE OF Wrigley Field.  Without Wrigley Field I will not care about the crappy team anymore.  I swear the Ivy and scoreboard are coming down next.  Hell, he'll probably want to change the Cubs logo and uniforms as well in a misguided attempt at marketability.  I swear just because of some mild recent success, people think it's all about winning and want to sell out just for the sake of it.  I'll say it again: if the Cubs make the WS in 2009 playing in the Cell, I will be rooting for the other team.  It cannot happen that way.  I went to the Metrodome in 1987 and thought the experience was crappy despite the WS team that played there.  And their fans lost interest a few years later because the stadium is generic and the team went back to sucking.  Exact same thing with the White Sox.  Somebody needs to gather the citizens of Wrigleyville (soon to be known as 3com-ville) and protest long and loud until this creep Zell begins to understand what a pariah he will become after he ruins our cherished institution.

by Jerry Mumphrey on Feb 28, 2008 10:31 AM CST   0 recs

You're missing the point.
First, if the Cubs have to play in the Cell for one year in order to renovate Wrigley so it lasts another 50-75 years, I don't have a problem with that. Why do you?

Second, I'm with you on attending games at Wrigley -- I love it there. What difference does it make what the name of it is? It's still the same place! Will you call it by its corporate name? I'm sure you won't and neither will I.

I think you're getting worked up over nothing.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 11:15 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I'm saying it's a slippery slope...
When it's no longer Wrigley Field, then Wrigleyville gets renamed along with it and then what comes next, a jumbotron in the bleachers?

by Jerry Mumphrey on Feb 28, 2008 11:41 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

How on Earth...
... do you arrive at that conclusion?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 11:50 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Agreed
But I hope the Wrigley Co. will buy the naming rights so we don't have to deal with a name change. After all, the Wrigleys have been getting free publicity from the name Wrigley Field for the last 27 years since the club was sold. Seems like they should step up and pay.
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 28, 2008 11:42 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I meant I agreed with Al's post, by the way
"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 28, 2008 11:42 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I really don't think it's that big of a stretch...
to imagine Zell trying to put adspace everywhere he can.  For instance, Milwaukee does the whole sausage race thing just to market hot dogs and beer.  In Wrigley they could make a killing in sponsorships off a big monitor that runs Chevy commercials and the occasional baseball-related highlight reel.  Zell would probably jump at that offer even if the fans hated it, because he figures "hell we're at capacity most of the year anyway".

by Jerry Mumphrey on Feb 28, 2008 1:00 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

What you're failing to recognize is...
... that in a year, or less, Sam Zell won't be the owner of the Cubs. The things he is doing now are trying to maximize his value from the sale of the team. You're looking at it almost as if he's going to be the longterm owner, and I don't see that happening.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 1:14 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Woooo - Whooo!
I'm ready!  Go Cubs!!  I have been watching the countdown on the top of the homepage for too long!
Bulls 402 ta zip... but Micheal Jordan will be held to under 200 points. - Todd O'Connor

by Lou In Blue on Feb 28, 2008 10:31 AM CST   0 recs

Play Ball! - One of the most beautiful phrases...
...in the English language, along with "open bar" and a couple of others that aren't appropriate for a family web site.

by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Feb 28, 2008 10:47 AM CST   0 recs

lol....agreed
What a beautiful day!! GO CUBS GO! All things great in 2008!!
You gotta believe!!!

by bolson1076 on Feb 28, 2008 10:49 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Hear Hear!
Great phrase indeed!

Although, now you've got me thinking about the other phrases...Darn you, MVET!!

by Tangled Up In Blue on Feb 28, 2008 10:53 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Perfect Baseball Weather
I'm under 2 feet of snow here in Indiana, but all I can think of today is that Baseball's Here!

by gewurztraminer on Feb 28, 2008 10:55 AM CST   0 recs

Cubs Club Members have to wait
They aren't processing last year's members until the 3rd of March apparently. That means that for those of us who forked over the $20 last year, there is no game for you today. I'll be yelling at the Gameday link for a couple days. Thanks Al for posting it.
"Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball."- Harry Caray

by TkGoUWGB on Feb 28, 2008 10:57 AM CST   0 recs

What are we wearing today?
Is anyone else like me, and woke up this morning and had to throw on some Cubs gear?  I'm sitting in my office with my 1969 Ernie Banks pinstripe throwback on, drinking from my cubs coffee cup.
Bulls 402 ta zip... but Micheal Jordan will be held to under 200 points. - Todd O'Connor

by Lou In Blue on Feb 28, 2008 11:01 AM CST   0 recs

I personally
went full Cubs uniform...well circa 2004 with my blue alternate and white uniform pants. This is really making me wish I got a pair of the gray pants too
"Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball."- Harry Caray

by TkGoUWGB on Feb 28, 2008 2:17 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

MLB is terrible
First of all.  Why is Zell allowed to have ownership interests in to two teams... in the same city no less!  Also, MLB should not have approved the sale of the Cubs to Zell.  The Cubs are a huge part of the success of MLB and they should support their history/tradition and have enough respect for the fans.  While I can understand Zell and others would be frustrated with the free naming of Wrigley Field, the fact is, this stadium was named in honor of William Wrigley, Jr.  Let's continue to respect that honor!

Also, why wouldn't a potential ownership group want to buy Wrigley Field?  Why would it be an advantage to have someone else "control" your stadium.  If I were a potential buyer of the Cubs, I would want the stadium packaged in.  Why would it be worth more to sell them seperate?  That just doesn't make sense to me.

by bp on Feb 28, 2008 11:02 AM CST   0 recs

The Zell...
... ownership "interest" in the White Sox has been explained many times. He owns a small percentage, not any controlling interest, and it is part of some sort of investment that is managed by someone else, the way I understand it.

Second, Zell didn't buy the Cubs. He bought the company that owns the Cubs, so MLB had no say in that matter.

Third, yes, the ballpark was named to honor William Wrigley Sr. (not Jr.) I'm guessing that any company that buys naming rights would keep the name "Wrigley Field" as part of the name, to honor the tradition.

Finally, there would be financial advantages even if the SAME owner bought both the park and the team in separate transactions -- tax advantages, you own the park and lease it to the company that owns the team.

I think people are getting far too worked up over this. Not a thing has changed -- yet.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 11:18 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Zell Is Still An Ass.....
... which I believed before he bought the Tribune, because of the way he lied to the people of the company he bought where I used to work. The splitting of hairs issue, if you will, over the naming rights, is that since it was named after Wrigley Junior, Wrigley Gum has NOT been "getting it free" al these years. When you get down to it, it is merely a convenient coincidence. Like I said, spitting hairs, but it is not getting it for free.
Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Feb 28, 2008 11:26 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I don't disagree with any of this.
n/t
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 11:51 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

It's not like people even think about gum
when they hear the name Wrigley.  It seems to me that the word "Wrigley" is more associated with the ballpark than the gum.
Old Style is the nectar of life.

by Mordecai on Feb 28, 2008 11:58 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Zell etc
Al, thank you for filtering my frustration.  

I thought the same thing about Jr./Sr. but according to the Cubs website, "the park became known as Cubs Park in 1920 after the Wrigley family purchased the team from Weeghman ... it was named Wrigley Field in 1926 in honor of William Wrigley Jr., the club's owner."  Maybe we need to send them a correction?

I guess I shouldn't be getting worked up over just the name... however, don't you think it will be just as easy to install a Jumbotron and get rid of the manual scoreboard?  Do you think we'll still be looking at ivy in the outfield?  If this is the beginning of these terrible changes, then we can be upset.  If none of these things eventually happen, and our park remains the park that we love it to be, then I'm fine with it.

by bp on Feb 28, 2008 11:53 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

William Wrigley Jr.
Well, maybe the elder Wrigley was named that. His son P. K. had a son also named William, who was the last Wrigley to own the Cubs -- maybe he was William III?

Anyway, no, they can't get rid of the scoreboard and ivy -- those are landmarked. I don't see those things changing "as easily", nor do I think anyone would WANT them changed.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 12:40 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Best Lou Quote So Far This Year
From the Sun-Times today:
''When you've got the energy to do that,'' Piniella said, ''that's a little Rambo-ian for me.''

Maybe he meant rambunctious?

''No, Rambo-ian,'' he said. ''Like Rambo. We'll invent a word, what the hell.''


Old Style is the nectar of life.

by Mordecai on Feb 28, 2008 11:06 AM CST   0 recs

noah lowry
so annoying to watch this guy pitch, 72 mph change up every other pitch.  hopefully this early in spring training lowrys soft-tossing ways will get eaten alive.
Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Feb 28, 2008 11:12 AM CST   0 recs

Fortunately...
... in the first spring start, he's not likely to go more than two innings.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 11:21 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Was Al misinterpreted?
The title of the USA Today article was inferring that there'd be Cub fan outrage if the name was changed.  Al's position, I believe, is that it doens't matter what the name is.  "Who cares?" basically.  That's a sharp contrast to the headline, but the author uses Al's quote to support it.  Strange and I think misleading.  

In my opinion, there'd be about 20 minutes of outrage if the name changed and then it would be back to normal.  

But, of course, a fair portrait of this would be difficult as, since we all know, all Cub woes can be attributed to a goat.

by NO100 on Feb 28, 2008 11:20 AM CST   0 recs

The article...
... was a bit more evenhanded than the headline... the author wrote:
When new Tribune Co. -- and Cubs -- owner Sam Zell reiterated on CNBC that he may sell the naming rights to the 94-year-old ballpark, reaction fell far short of a Lou Piniella tantrum.

Obviously, as happens many times with newspaper articles, the headline writer didn't bother to read the entire content of the article.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 11:23 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Don't expect to see Vizquel today...
...he's out four to six weeks for knee surgery. (This story is actually a couple days old, but I haven't noticed it mentioned.)

Also, as if any of us need a reason to feel better today given the return of Cubbie blue to the diamond, check out this Gerry Fraley article from yesterday's Sporting News. In short, let's hope Square D is on its game, because Fraley's expecting a power surge at Wrigley this summer.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Feb 28, 2008 11:27 AM CST   0 recs

Interesting notes...
... and I agree with them. This Cub team has been built for power, and if they come through, they can and will score lots of runs -- especially since they have added someone (Fukudome) with good on-base skills.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 28, 2008 12:42 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

re: Interesting notes...
Yeah, and even when the power was slow to turn on last year, the team was able to stay in contention. And this y