Cub Tracks’ beginning of the end?

Manfred is a four-letter word. This kinda $#!% gets my dander up.

The Cubs’ competitive window apparently will close at about the same time that the game itself will close. Baseball and indeed all competitive sports have a history of being held hostage to the desires of the well-heeled big wheels that run everything, and damn the wishes of the players and fans.

For example, in 1889: The National League issues its reply to the Players League manifesto. Claiming that the League saved baseball in 1876 and that under the reserve rules players’ salaries have “more than trebled,” the NL denounces the Brotherhood movement as “the efforts of certain overpaid players to again control [baseball] for their own aggrandizement... to its ultimate dishonor and disintegration.” (BBRef)

In 2000: Citing statistics to a U.S. Senate panel, Commissioner Bud Selig states it is time for “sweeping changes” in the game’s economic make-up, raising the possibility of a work stoppage after the current contract expires on October 31, 2001. (BBRef)

It’s this kind of political football that made me vow not to spend money on anything NFL or NBA (and the Cubs are knee-deep in it). There’s a rich history of this in baseball... there are plenty of chronicles of financial malfeasance and influence-peddling on the part of the ruling class, and plenty of evidence that the behavior of the current group of owners amounts to conspiracy in its most basic sense as an agreement between disparate parties, and ample evidence of collusion in its most basic sense, to wit: “secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others.”

The Supreme Court declined to rule on the anti-trust exemption, leaving it up to Congress. The 100th anniversary of this gift is in 2022.

Coincidence? Probably. But the idea and its consequences surface often in my Baseball history unpacked series, and some of those consequences are before us now. What would it mean to change that**? Ask Josh or Tim again about the reserve clause, and what it means.

**In 1998, Congress passed the Curt Flood Act, which partially repealed the antitrust exemption to give the Players Association the same rights as the unions in the other major sports. Congress specifically stated that the exemption was still intact with respect to relocation, the reserve clause, the minor leagues, and broadcasting contracts. This Act also had the effect of writing the antitrust exemption into law, ensuring that a full repeal will only come from Congress, and not the Supreme Court.

Oh, and this is my 1,000th Cub Tracks. That’s right, Boomer — I’m now a Millennial. It’s going to be an interesting couple of years, Arte Johnson. Very interesting.

Here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes. As always, * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used here as sarcasm font.

• Jeff Passan on Cubs Talk [AUDIO].
• Gordon Wittenmyer on Sports Feed [VIDEO].
• Phil Rogers (Forbes* {$}): Have we come to the beginning of the end for Cubs’ Theo Epstein era? “It is starting to feel like it as he heads into his ninth season in Chicago.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Why did the Cubs hire Chris Young and what did he learn from his Phillies failure? “In general, I think you learn more from your failures than you do your successes,” Young said.
• Michael Ernst (Cubs Den): A look at the Cubs current rotation depth. “... with the two lefties on the down slope of their careers, and Chatwood’s inconsistent control a constant concern the Cubs will certainly look to add youth and make improvements where possible.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): 3 potential trade partners for Cubs catcher Willson Contreras. “Contreras has started back-to-back All-Star Games, is under team control through 2022 and is as good of an offensive catcher as any in baseball.” Brett Taylor weighs in on the catching market.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Nico Hoerner looked like a fit for the Cubs in September, but is he ready to be in the majors for good? “We haven’t figured that out yet,” Epstein said.
• Matt Snyder (CBS Sports*): Where will Kris Bryant play in 2020? Ranking the Cubs star’s best landing spots as trade rumors swirl. “We need to keep in mind while Bryant is a third baseman by trade, he can also handle himself fine in either corner outfield spot or first base.”
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Might the Cubs pursue an Adam Frazier trade in search of a high-contact bat? “... it’s absolutely possible that Gonzales didn’t just pluck Frazier’s name out of nowhere.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs protect Miguel Amaya, Zack Short from Rule 5 Draft. Tyson Miller and Manuel Rodriguez were also added to the 40-man roster. Mark Gonzales adds on.
• Jim Callis (MLB.com*): This is the state of the Cubs’ farm system. “Overall, the Cubs’ Minor League talent ranks among the bottom third in baseball.”
• Michel Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Getting to know new Cubs Scouting Director Dan Kantrovitz. “In just three drafts, Kantrovitz was able to collect 31.7 WAR out of his pitchers...”
• John Byne (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Gallagher Way plaza at Wrigley Field may get liquor sales and longer hours, Ald. Tom Tunney says. “... don’t expect him to agree to allowing unticketed fans in there while the team is playing.” Fran Spielman has more.
• Cubs birthdays: Billy Clingman, Freddie Lindstrom (HoF), Dick Bertell, Warren Hacker, Tony Balsamo, Alan Hargesheimer, Mike Mason, Quintin Berry, Also notable: Stan Musial (HoF), Ken Griffey Jr. HOF.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.