Cubs Asking For Public Funding to Fix Wrigley: Take Two

I think I’ve seen this episode before.  It’s the one where Jack and Chrissy ask a bankrupt Mr. Roper if they can not pay their rent for a few years while they spend the money on renovating their bathroom.  Then Janet and Mrs. Roper overhear part of the plot when Jack tells Larry about the scheme down at the Regal Beagle and hilarity ensues. Or something like that.

We knew it would only be a matter of time before the Cubs went back to the government to get public funding for their Wrigley Field renovation project.  Anyone who thought the Ricketts would settle for either not doing the renovations or paying for it out of their own money after the last disastrous public funding attempt is stupefyingly naive or new to this planet.

Greg Hinz at Crain’s Chicago Business is reporting that Tom Ricketts has been talking with new Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel about various scenarios involving public money and Rahm has at least been keeping an open mind about the possibilities:

Sources close to the matter say that team chief Tom Ricketts in recent weeks has met with Mayor Rahm Emanuel and other government officials about a funding scheme that could be put before state lawmakers as soon as the Legislature’s fall veto session.

According to sources, the plan envisions as much as $200 million in public help for a $400-million rebuild of Wrigley, with officials given a menu of potential funding options to get the needed cash.

“Rahm’s people have been much more interested than Daley’s were,” said one inside source, referring to the current mayor and former one, Richard M. Daley, who blocked an earlier plan that would have allowed the team to pocket increased tax receipts from an expanded Wrigley complex.

So this seems like basically the same plot as before, except this time, he’s going to the Mayor instead of Michael Madigan to cook up the new scheme.  That’s fine, but a little free advice to Tommy-boy: You may want to loop the Governor in this time.  He wasn’t so happy when you tried to backdoor him with the schemes last time, remember?

“Apparently, they don’t think I’m as important as some others,” [Governor] Quinn said. “I am important in this matter because I’m goalie for the people of Illinois to make sure they get their top priorities addressed.”

The governor added: “These are private owners of a baseball team. They spent almost $1 billion buying it. They knew what they were buying. To be coming to the people of Illinois for assistance now after an election isn’t a top priority… If they wanted this to happen, they should have talked about it before the election — not after.”

So besides trying a little harder to get his ducks in a row behind the scenes before running off to blab to the season ticket holders about his plan, I don’t see much different from the last time other than that the current Mayor is now not steadfastly against the plan. Hinz insinuates that part of the the reason may be the two mayors’ different team allegiances.

It probably also doesn’t hurt that, unlike Sox fan Mr. Daley, that Mr. Emanuel is a long-time Cubs fan who lives less than a mile from the ballpark.

This has been a rumor I have long heard and it seems to have taken form as a fact. However, I’ve talked to people who have worked with Daley and Daley’s people, and they have always told me that they believe Daley’s problem with the Cubs was never that he was a Sox fan.  His problem with them was that they were owned by the Tribune.  Messing around with the Cubs screwed with the Tribune and that was a more politically acceptable way to get retribution against a paper that wasn’t always kind to him.  Who knows where the truth lies, but I thought it was interesting that Crain’s included that bit.

More importantly, I think we might have a bit of an idea of what Tom Ricketts will be talking about when he addresses the State of the Cubs in the near future.  

Folks who were hoping that it would be Tom Ricketts showing Jim Hendry the door can probably start preparing to be disappointed. Bruce Miles outlines why he believes Hendry isn’t going anywhere, and I tend to agree with him:

All that speculation aside, some things are just not adding up from the perspective that Hendry is not staying, and events of this week further drive that point home for me.


Hendry is the man who supervises baseball operations, and his scouting director, Tim Wilken, just reeled in a haul of draft picks worth about $12 million.


On top of that, Hendry helped to negotiate some, if not all, of the bigger deals to get these kids to sign with the Cubs.


Is Ricketts going to turn around now and say, “Thanks for doing that, Jim. Appreciate you restocking the farm system. Now take a hike”?


I have a difficult time believing Ricketts would do that, and if he did, would he be the kind of boss anybody would want to work for?

So even though the announcement of the announcement was enough to get people hoping, I don’t think we can assume that there will be some sort of major baseball operations shakeup simply because this future statement has been announced.  There are now other things to talk about.  Like squeezing that $200 million out of a city, county or state treasury that has nothing left inthem to squeeze.  It’s sounding more like this will be a statement further slapping themselves on the back for finally approaching a draft like a major league team should and then an update on the Wrigley 2014 plan (or whatever they will call it now). 

Hell, as far as we know, they could spend a whole lot of time talking about the troughs in the bathrooms again.  For some reason the Ricketts are fascinated by the troughs and what people think of them.

urinal_questions

(h/t @Desipiodotcom)

So, as we have seen from this organization numerous times recently, we’ll just have to see what happens.

ask_for_money


0 thoughts on “Cubs Asking For Public Funding to Fix Wrigley: Take Two”

  1. So, we’ve been worried about how long before this team is viable to compete. Maybe the question we should have been asking was how long until this team is run completely into the ground and bankrupt?

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  3. [quote name=josh]So, we’ve been worried about how long before this team is viable to compete. Maybe the question we should have been asking was how long until this team is run completely into the ground and bankrupt?[/quote]I don’t know that Ricketts will run it into the ground, but I think there’s a good chance the Cubs become the Orioles of the NL.

    The only thing Ricketts has done that gives me hope is this year’s draft.

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  4. So…..anyone hear anything new on the grievence the MLBPA was supposed to file for Z? I thought I read that Logan Morrison decided to take his lumps and head back to the minors without protest (I bet dollars to donuts he was “advised” to do so).

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  5. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I don’t know that Ricketts will run it into the ground, but I think there’s a good chance the Cubs become the Orioles of the NL.

    The only thing Ricketts has done that gives me hope is this year’s draft.[/quote]No, I know. But what the hell are they going to do about the stadium? I never even considered Wrigley itself until I started reading this blog, now I’m convinced it’s going to collapse.

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  6. [quote name=ACT]http://neighborhoods.redeyechicago.com/lakeview/news-report/2766321/cubs-want-your-thoughts-on-wrigley-field-troughs/
    Wow.[/quote]I swear, this fanbase is a fucking collective Darwin award waiting to happen.

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  7. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I don’t know that Ricketts will run it into the ground, but I think there’s a good chance the Cubs become the Orioles of the NL.

    The only thing Ricketts has done that gives me hope is this year’s draft.[/quote]
    I had hope when they leveraged Naples against Mesa to get the money for the new facilities in Arizona. I like that they have at least started to tap some of the advertising dollars in the ballpark as evidenced by the Toyota sign and corporately sponsoring every part of the ballpark. That’s all money that helps them and doesn’t come out of my pocket, so thumbs up on that one.

    But mostly, this has been one facepalm after another since they took over.

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  8. [quote name=josh]So…..anyone hear anything new on the grievence the MLBPA was supposed to file for Z? I thought I read that Logan Morrison decided to take his lumps and head back to the minors without protest (I bet dollars to donuts he was “advised” to do so).[/quote]I haven’t heard anything.

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  9. [quote name=Aisle424]I had hope when they leveraged Naples against Mesa to get the money for the new facilities in Arizona. I like that they have at least started to tap some of the advertising dollars in the ballpark as evidenced by the Toyota sign and corporately sponsoring every part of the ballpark. That’s all money that helps them and doesn’t come out of my pocket, so thumbs up on that one.

    But mostly, this has been one facepalm after another since they took over.[/quote]I had forgotten about the Mesa thing, so yeah, two things. (dying laughing)

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  10. [quote name=josh]No, I know. But what the hell are they going to do about the stadium? I never even considered Wrigley itself until I started reading this blog, now I’m convinced it’s going to collapse.[/quote]
    (dying laughing)

    I don;t think it is really going to collapse anytime soon, but I think it may have passed its point of no return to fix it up well enough to avoid parts of it from falling apart before they are done (and at a higher cost than just starting over).

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  11. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I haven’t heard anything.[/quote]I guess its moving at the speed of bureaucracy. Or there are backroom deals in the works that haven’t leaked yet.

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  12. [quote name=josh]No, I know. But what the hell are they going to do about the stadium? I never even considered Wrigley itself until I started reading this blog, now I’m convinced it’s going to collapse.[/quote]It’s not going to collapse, but it needs major structural repairs and extensive work done to modernize the facility.

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  15. [quote name=josh]How did Soldier get renovated? Was public money involved in that?[/quote]Oh, yeah, but that happened in A.) much better economic times and B.) with extensive, prolonged, and very, very discreet politicking by the Bears.

    Also Soldier Field is monument to war vets; Wrigley Field is a monument to failure.

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  16. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Oh, yeah, but that happened in A.) much better economic times and B.) with extensive, prolonged, and very, very discreet politicking by the Bears.[/quote]It’s also owned by the park district, no? One would think that softened the sell somewhat.

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  17. [quote name=josh]How did Soldier get renovated? Was public money involved in that?[/quote]
    I forget the specifics, but yes. While we can argue about whether governments should or shouldn’t give money to teams to build/renovate stadiums, the fact is that none of the governmental bodies in Illinois have any money to give the Cubs.

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  18. [quote name=uncle dave]It’s also owned by the park district, no? One would think that softened the sell somewhat.[/quote]Yeah, there are certainly differences.

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  19. I think my first question to Tom Ricketts, should I ever meet him, will be “Why are you obsessed with urinal troughs?”

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  20. [quote name=Aisle424]I forget the specifics, but yes. While we can argue about whether governments should or shouldn’t give money to teams to build/renovate stadiums, the fact is that none of the governmental bodies in Illinois have any money to give the Cubs.[/quote]Exactly. Not to mention that Ricketts is asking for certain monies that would normally go the Illinois flagging public education system, which, as Chuck points out, is exactly the sort of thing that Papa Ricketts spends a lot of money to fight against.

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  21. [quote name=Aisle424]I think my first question to Tom Ricketts, should I ever meet him, will be “Why are you obsessed with urinal troughs?”[/quote]Because he’s a pissant.

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  22. [quote name=uncle dave]You got 16 months for this to happen, MD. I haven’t forgotten our bet.[/quote]I had forgotten it. Did we bet that by the end of 2012 they’d get the money? If I was betting today I’d bet they get it even sooner.

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  24. Wrigley Field is a monument to failure

    Yep and this is what truly baffles me about the people who are just completely against moving. I get that people like the ballpark and there’s obviously nothing wrong with that. But the place is old and the only people who remember Wrigley for anything other than failure are Cubs fans and most of them remember it for failure.

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  25. [quote name=mb21]I had forgotten it. Did we bet that by the end of 2012 they’d get the money? If I was betting today I’d bet they get it even sooner.[/quote]Yup. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned it.

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  26. [quote name=Aisle424]I think my first question to Tom Ricketts, should I ever meet him, will be “Why are you obsessed with urinal troughs?”[/quote]What? My first question would be “who owns the cubs?”

    Why? Because that’s what Al Yellon would ask.

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  27. [quote name=uncle dave]Yup. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned it.[/quote]What did we bet? A million dollars if you win and $3 if I win?

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  28. (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)

    BCB: The first question is — on the record — who really owns the Cubs, and what specifically is your father’s role in the team, if any?

    TR: He doesn’t have a defined day to day role currently. He comes to a couple games. The team is owned by the Ricketts family. I’m not sure what the strict definition of owner is. I think that people should look to me as chairman, as the person responsible for directing the family’s investment. I’m the one on the ground who is leading the family ownership.

    BCB: And your dad’s role is?

    TR: He’s interested, he comes to games. He’s part of the family, it’s a family ownership.

    BCB: So the accurate statement would be to say the Chicago Cubs owner is: “the Ricketts family”.

    TR: Yes. The Ricketts family is owner of the Chicago Cubs. And honestly, when people talk to me I use chairman. I try not to use the word owner because the meaning gets stretched.

    BCB: It’s not one individual then.

    TR: No, it’s a family asset. I’m the chairman, my siblings are directors.

    BCB: On the subject of you being chairman, the last letter than you sent out was signed “executive chairman”.

    TR: The only distinction there is that in a lot of cases there’s a chairman of the board and all they do is work with the board. An executive chairman is typically a title people use when they’re not only chairman of the board but they’re active in the business. So my card says executive chairman.

    BCB: So would you consider yourself CEO or is Crane Kenney considered CEO?

    TR: Well, Crane’s team president.

    BCB: I want to clarify so people understand.

    TR: Every team has a chairman and a president. Every team has a guy who’s representing the team at the owner’s meetings and there’s a guy who works on the team business. And it’s really kind of a triumvirate. It’s kind of president, GM, owner.

    BCB: So at the owner’s meeting it would be you.

    TR: Yeah, typically Crane, Jim Hendry and I go to the owner’s meetings.

    BCB: And would that be the same for every team — three representatives like that?

    TR: Some teams send more than one of their ownership group; you send more if you want.

    BCB: It depends on how they structure their ownership group, then?

    TR: It depends who wants to come. For example, Bill Neukom, Larry Baer, Brian Sabean, those are the counterparts at Giants, just picking one for example. Every team has those people.

    BCB: So, going forward I can talk about you as Executive Chairman and ownership is the Ricketts family. Let’s talk about the rest of the family. It has been a year, how much input have your siblings had and in what capacity? What does “director” mean?

    .

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  30. [quote name=mb21]What did we bet? A million dollars if you win and $3 if I win?[/quote]I think it was your million vs. my ten, but I’m willing to modify it to $100 for the winner’s charity of choice if that seems more fair.

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  31. [quote name=mb21](dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)

    .[/quote]I’ve seen this soo many times yet it never ceases to make my jaw drop. Obtuse, thy name is Al.

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  32. This part:

    According to sources, the plan envisions as much as $200 million in public help for a $400-million rebuild of Wrigley, with officials given a menu of potential funding options to get the needed cash.

    The bolded part is what I am wondering about. The previous cash-grab attempt was for renovation funds. This time they actually flat out said rebuild. This seems different only because of the word usage. I’m not sure if they intend on doing a rebuild for sure, but that really did catch my eye.

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  33. [quote name=uncle dave]I think it was your million vs. my ten, but I’m willing to modify it to $100 for the winner’s charity of choice if that seems more fair.[/quote]That’s right. We did bet on money to a charity, right? I’m getting old and my memory sucks.

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  34. [quote name=Rice Cube]This part:

    The bolded part is what I am wondering about. The previous cash-grab attempt was for renovation funds. This time they actually flat out said rebuild. This seems different only because of the word usage. I’m not sure if they intend on doing a rebuild for sure, but that really did catch my eye.[/quote]
    I think that may just be an honest interpretation of the plans. Essentially, they are talking about almost a complete rebuild done in sections.

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  35. [quote name=Rice Cube]This part:

    The bolded part is what I am wondering about. The previous cash-grab attempt was for renovation funds. This time they actually flat out said rebuild. This seems different only because of the word usage. I’m not sure if they intend on doing a rebuild for sure, but that really did catch my eye.[/quote]
    Since the overall cost is the same I think it’s the same plan as before. I think it was just the word the author chose to use, RC.

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  36. [quote name=mb21]Since the overall cost is the same I think it’s the same plan as before. I think it was just the word the author chose to use, RC.[/quote]
    I figured it was a semantics thing but part of me is holding out hope that they blow the fucking thing up and start all over again.

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  37. I mean, architects and engineers have to look at Wrigley and think that the place can’t last another 15 years or whatever, right? It’s not like it’s the Acropolis or the Colosseum; it just wasn’t built to last that long, based on what little I know.

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  38. Has the US ever built anyting to last that long? (dying laughing)

    The shit we make these days is built to last about 3 weeks.

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  39. [quote name=Rice Cube]I figured it was a semantics thing but part of me is holding out hope that they blow the fucking thing up and start all over again.[/quote]
    I will own the Cubs before that happens.

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  40. [quote name=Aisle424]I will own the Cubs and every other sporting team on the planet, Al will write something intelligent, and apes will rule the earth and be overthrown by intelligent insects before that happens.[/quote]
    I fixed that one myself.

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  41. [quote name=mb21]Has the US ever built anyting to last that long? (dying laughing)

    The shit we make these days is built to last about 3 weeks.[/quote]
    Amazingly, the Golden Gate Bridge is still standing 🙂

    Well, not so amazing actually…took them only a few years to make the thing which is damned impressive.

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  42. [quote name=Aisle424]I will own the Cubs before that happens.[/quote]
    I think Wrigley Field will crumble under its own age before you can own the Cubs.

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  43. [quote name=mb21]That’s right. We did bet on money to a charity, right? I’m getting old and my memory sucks.[/quote]I don’t think that was specified, but it’s my preference…

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  45. However, the MLBPA has filed a grievance to lessen the penalty. A spokesman for the Players Union said Thursday there is no timetable regarding the grievance process. The two sides will eventually meet, and if no settlement is reached, there will be a hearing in front of an arbitrator.

    The disqualified list allows a team to punish a player without compromising the rest of the roster. Players can only be placed on the list if they violate the terms of their contract or the collective bargaining agreement. In addition, players cannot be placed on the disqualified list without the approval of the Commissioner. Sanctioned players are not paid and do not accrue service time while on the list.

    http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110818&content_id=23395348&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc&partnerId=rss_chc

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  46. [quote name=Aisle424]I think that may just be an honest interpretation of the plans. Essentially, they are talking about almost a complete rebuild done in sections.[/quote]I think that’s what needs to be done. If you’re right, that means Ricketts has been talking to the right people and has realized that himself. I’d really like to see him hire (if he hasn’t already talked to them) Barton Malow. They are really the preeminent GC for sports stadium. They did Soldier Field, as well as GAB and PNC, among many others.

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  47. [quote name=mb21]http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110818&content_id=23395348&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc&partnerId=rss_chc[/quote]IIRC, the CBA requires any grievance procedure be completed with 30 days. It will be interesting to see the Cubs’ response to this.

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  48. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]IIRC, the CBA requires any grievance procedure be completed with 30 days. It will be interesting to see the Cubs’ response to this.[/quote]

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  52. [quote name=mb21]How bad is that contract going to end up being?[/quote]Depends. If they can deal him or find another position with a lesser physical toll on his legs, maybe not so bad.

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  54. [quote name=Rice Cube]Dude, Humber just took a line drive to the head and walked off the field under his own power. Holy shit.[/quote]DAT’S DA WAY WE DO IT ON DA SOWT SIGHT. BLOO CAWLER TO DA CORE.

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  55. Oh wow, it was Kosuke who hit that line drive. It bounced high in the air off Humber’s head and the catcher had to pick it up.

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  57. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Mauer ———> RF[/quote]That means Butera gets at-bats yet again. I’m still amazed someone who swings the bat that poorly is allowed to hit in the AL. Even Koyie Hill would be a huge improvement.

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  59. [quote name=ACT]Twins catchers have an OPS of .539 this year.[/quote]But their intangibles are off the charts.

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  60. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Depends. If they can deal him or find another position with a lesser physical toll on his legs, maybe not so bad.[/quote]Mauer is making $23 million per year through 2018. He’s 28 so his best years are behind him. The difference between C and RF in positional adjustment is 2.0. I vaguely recall someone running the numbers at the time of the deal and that contract working out OK if he played at least a few more years behind the plate. If he was, say, a 6 WAR player right now behind the plate, he’s now a 4 WAR player and getting worse. Could be really ugly. At best it’s just a bad deal at this point.

    That contract starts this year and they’re already moving him to RF. That sucks for them.

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  61. For what it’s worth, Joe’s playing in RF is mostly because of a depleted bench. I see no indication that this is supposed to be permanent.

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  64. [quote name=mb21]Mauer is making $23 million per year through 2018. He’s 28 so his best years are behind him. The difference between C and RF in positional adjustment is 2.0. I vaguely recall someone running the numbers at the time of the deal and that contract working out OK if he played at least a few more years behind the plate. If he was, say, a 6 WAR player right now behind the plate, he’s now a 4 WAR player and getting worse. Could be really ugly. At best it’s just a bad deal at this point.

    That contract starts this year and they’re already moving him to RF. That sucks for them.[/quote]Yeah, like ACT said, this isn’t a permanent move. But I still wonder how long Mauer can keep catching with his leg issues.

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  65. [quote name=mb21]Yep and this is what truly baffles me about the people who are just completely against moving. I get that people like the ballpark and there’s obviously nothing wrong with that. But the place is old and the only people who remember Wrigley for anything other than failure are Cubs fans and most of them remember it for failure.[/quote]In this case, I think terrorism may justified.

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  66. [quote name=mb21]Mauer is making $23 million per year through 2018. He’s 28 so his best years are behind him. The difference between C and RF in positional adjustment is 2.0. I vaguely recall someone running the numbers at the time of the deal and that contract working out OK if he played at least a few more years behind the plate. If he was, say, a 6 WAR player right now behind the plate, he’s now a 4 WAR player and getting worse. Could be really ugly. At best it’s just a bad deal at this point.

    That contract starts this year and they’re already moving him to RF. That sucks for them.[/quote]Doesn’t he get a 2 WAR spot for being a hometown boy?

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  70. [quote name=Rice Cube]Gonna be a disappointing year by the Bay if the D’Backs don’t collapse.[/quote]It’s never a good sign when your biggest midseason offensive acquisition does nothing and then gets hurt.

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  72. [quote name=josh]It’s never a good sign when your biggest midseason offensive acquisition does nothing and then gets hurt.[/quote]
    To be honest, who didn’t see that coming?

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  74. They aren’t put in order of where they’re predicted to finish; they have the Astros finishing with 54.9 wins and the PIrates with 75.7 wins.

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  75. My biggest surprise is that their projections don’t see the Phillies as being that good a team (.529 expected win %).

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  77. [quote name=ACT]My biggest surprise is that their projections don’t see the Phillies as being that good a team (.529 expected win %).[/quote]And yet they have them predicted with the best record in baseball by far. Does that mean they’re extremely lucky or overrated?

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  78. They predict them to finish with the best record because they have such a great record so far (that is, if they only go .529 the rest of the way, they’ll still get 101 wins). Whether they’ve been lucky so far or whether the rating system underrates them, I don’t really know. Most likely, a bit of both.

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  79. [quote name=ACT]They predict them to finish with the best record because they have such a great record so far (that is, if they only go .529 the rest of the way, they’ll still get 101 wins). Whether they’ve been lucky so far or whether the rating system underrates them, I don’t really know. Most likely, a bit of both.[/quote]
    The pitching is pretty darned good but the offense has a tendency to stagnate. So they probably took that into account when setting up the projections?

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  81. [quote name=josh]And yet they have them predicted with the best record in baseball by far. Does that mean they’re extremely lucky or overrated?[/quote]Sometimes I ask a question, then later realize my question doesn’t make sense. This has been one of those times.

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  82. [quote name=Rice Cube]http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18159983

    Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn.[/quote]Looked like it hit him square on the forehead. Lots of bone density there, but that could cause all kinds of secondary problems. Good move taking him out of the game.

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  86. Extra innings: The Cubs ranked fourth from the bottom in the National League on Thursday with a .237 average with runners in scoring position. Some of the worst offenders are regulars Carlos Pena (.183), Marlon Byrd (.194), and Geovany Soto (.227), along with Tyler Colvin (.067) and Koyie Hill, who is 0-for-28 for a .000 average.

    (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)

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  88. There are serious flaws in using batting average with RISP (Why use batting average? What about sample sizes?). There are also systematic biases, e.g., Pena gets walked a lot with RISP, and when they face him, it’s often a left-handed specialist.

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  91. Jim Hendry has been the most successful Cubs general manager in 70 years — because since the 1930s, no other Cubs GM had brought the team to as many postseason appearances as he has (three). Short of the ultimate goal, but he still appeared to be taking the team in the right direction, until the 97-win 2008 team was dismantled — and for the wrong reasons, resulting in the 2009 debacle with Milton Bradley.

    But this post isn’t about that. It’s about Jim Hendry and the baseball culture he and those he has hired to run the on-field operation have instilled.
    — Alvin

    He just couldn’t help himself.

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  92. I was watching the Diamondbacks/Phillies game on ESPN Wednesday night, and the game announcers made a point of stating that most people affiliated with the Diamondbacks franchise believe that one of the reasons — not the only one, of course, but a significant one — for their unexpected first-place showing is, as they put it, “culture change” in the clubhouse. They mentioned that manager Kirk Gibson has instituted some rules to enforce team discipline, such as wearing jackets and ties on the road, and no cellphones in the clubhouse. They quoted Justin Upton as saying that he (Upton) felt there was a much more professional atmosphere surrounding the team.

    That, I believe, is one of the biggest issues surrounding the Cubs.
    — Alvin

    Jackets + ties = wins

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  95. [quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]Any closet BCBers want to post this over there?

    [/quote]
    I’d do it just to see how quickly I get banned, but I’m too lazy.

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  103. [quote name=GBTS]www.sohowlongbeforepitchershavetowearhelmets.com[/quote]
    Which pitcher has to shave to wear a helmet? A Yankee?

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  104. [quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]Which pitcher has to shave to wear a helmet? A Yankee?[/quote]I don’t know, but apparently a caveman wants to know.

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  110. so they laud Hendry for personally negotiating a few tough draft signs and then let him and I presume his team (Wilken & Co) go.

    Its a way of life

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  111. [quote name=dylanj]so they laud Hendry for personally negotiating a few tough draft signs and then let him and I presume his team (Wilken & Co) go.

    Its a way of life[/quote]
    It’s a tad unorthodox.

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  114. [quote name=dylanj]so they laud Hendry for personally negotiating a few tough draft signs and then let him and I presume his team (Wilken & Co) go.

    Its a way of life[/quote]Stone cold awesome. Nice job. Now pack your things and gtfo.

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