Cubs Fans: Here's Your New ID

”We’re going to hire people we trust, give them the opportunity to succeed, and hold them accountable.” That’s what Tom Ricketts said at his opening press conference in 2009. We all remember it. Slightly less than all of us believed it at the time. Perhaps we should have put two and two together. The Cubs didn’t have any positions open when the Ricketts family took over, but he started off talking about their hiring philosophy. 

Maybe this hiring of baseball’s brain trust was Tom Ricketts’ plan all along, but for the first two years it felt like business as usual. The Cubs sucked. And they weren’t getting better. Tom Ricketts’ words looked like meager lip service. We had no reason to take the sentiments seriously.

We do now.

I don’t want to analyze the Cubs under the Ricketts regime. Not worth it. The shift in direction from where the Cubs were as the season ended and where they are now that they’ve employed the College of GMs is obvious. The Cubs are serious about building a winner. Long-term. In the offseason before 2007, the Cubs made an obvious effort to win, but that was entirely a short-term attempt. They added curb appeal to a franchise for sale.

This is different. They’re going to spend smart. They’re going to spend a lot. To paraphrase Rufus at the end of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, They will get better. Trust me.

 

The unprecedented nature of this move–the level of commitment, the choice of a known winner, the obvious genius of the decision overall–changes the outlook of this Cubs franchise to a state unrecognizable to the team I grew up cheering for, the team my parents and grandparents grew up not caring about. This is a team now led by people who know how to win and owned by a group of people who actually do want to win.

This is a new Cubs team. A brand new identity. They are no longer trying to win with a gritty, hustling GM. Jim Hendry was the Mark DeRosa of front office personnel. Likable. Overachieving at times. Sexy. Constantly alternating between overrated and underrapreciated. Good times. But Theo Epstein is Albert Pujols, and he’s bringing Chase Utley and a Molina brother with him. The Cubs are no longer trying to win with unproven, middle of the road leadership. They went after the best and they got it.

Instead of just going after players who try their best, Tom Ricketts decided he should try his best. Maybe some people were in love with a team owned by people with half-ass interest in baseball success, but those days are over. Hallelujah.

For most Cubs fans, no, for all Cubs fans, this is more than an adjustment. The paradigm didn’t shift, it metamorphosed. So as a fan, you changed too. Sorry if you don’t like it, but it happened.

If you’re a Cubs fan, you used to cheer for a team you hoped would succeed despite the obstacles, despite the odds, despite the absence of talent, direction, and reason. Up until now, intelligent Cubs fans had to admit that they’d made an unintelligent decision when they chose the Cubs. Up until right about yesterday, being a Cubs fan was stupid.

Call it a gut decision, call it leading with your heart, call it being loyal to the team of your youth, your geographic setting, your WGN-loving soul, your Sammy Sosa hangover. But let’s face it, exactly zero people in the history of rational non-sarcasm have been able to say, “I cheer for the Cubs because it’s the smart thing to do.” Nobody could say that. 

You could say it today, though. The Cubs are led by the best minds in baseball in the worst league in baseball. And they have (or will have) money to burn. Can’t guarantee we’re free from heartbreak or colossal disappointment (see also, Red Sox circa 2011). Can’t guarantee injuries won’t plague our existence once more (see also, Yankees circa 2010). Can’t even guarantee decisions won’t  backfire (Carl Crawford can’t either). I can guarantee that from now on the Cubs will know what they’re doing. 

That’s a strange thing to say. It’s completely foreign to everything I’ve ever known as a Cubs fan. Yesterday, I lost my identity as someone who will boldly wear the emblem of idiocy because that’s my team. Nope. Now when I wear a Cubs hat, I’m sporting a logo that says, “I cheer for the team that should win every year.” It’s not lovable. Being a loser is entirely my own responsibility now, the Cubs won’t help me out in that regard anymore.

So to everyone who thought being a longsuffering, bleeding-heart moran was a badge of honor, sorry. You’ll have to find a new shtick. We’re the smart ones now, and you’ll either have to learn how to blend in or find a new team to patronize. I’d recommend someone, but cheering for dumbass baseball teams is no longer my area of expertise.

I won’t miss it.

0 thoughts on “Cubs Fans: Here's Your New ID”

  1. Before I read AC’s article….

    [quote name=cdw]I don’t know MB. Iowa’s D is bad but not IU bad. We at least have some decent and experienced players in the secondary and some talent (minimal) on the D-line. IU has no one. Seriously. I just had a shit that has more talent than IU’s D.[/quote]You’re probably right, but this is easily the worst Iowa defense I’ve seen in the Ferentz era with the exception of the first season. Maybe the second season.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  3. This is a new Cubs team. A brand new identity. They are no longer trying to win with a gritty, hustling GM. Jim Hendry was the Mark DeRosa of front office personnel. Likable. Overachieving at times. Sexy. Constantly alternating between overrated and underrapreciated. Good times. But Theo Epstein is Albert Pujols, and he’s bringing Chase Utley and a Molina brother with him. The Cubs are no longer trying to win with unproven, middle of the road leadership. They went after the best and they got it.

    Great analogy, assuming you don’t mean Jose Molina. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  5. Instead of just going after players who try their best, Tom Ricketts decided he should try his best.

    Didn’t think about it that way. Well put.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  7. WTF is happening? Kirk just called a timeout so Iowa can get the ball back and kneel down? I’m expecting to see the Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man tear down Knnick now.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  8. I was humored by a Cardinals fan on BTF who claimed the Cubs would still lose because they’re the Cubs. They may fall apart from time to time as you said here. It happens, but when this team is rebuilt, they’re going to win a lot of games. They’re going to win more games than the Cardinals more times than not. They should win more than them and I have little doubt that they will.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  9. [quote name=cdw]WTF is happening? Kirk just called a timeout so Iowa can get the ball back and kneel down? I’m expecting to see the Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man tear down Knnick now.[/quote]I didn’t get it either, but it is 3rd and 18 so it’s an automatic 1st down for IU.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  12. [quote name=mb21]Didn’t think about it that way. Well put.[/quote]That’s what killed me about that idiot Aisley FJM’d yesterday. He said Cubs fans admire players who give maximum effort, but begged Cubs ownership to not be the kind of front office that actually tries to make the team good. Well, that and everything else he wrote. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  13. [quote name=AndCounting]That’s what killed me about that idiot Aisley FJM’d yesterday. He said Cubs fans admire players who give maximum effort, but begged Cubs ownership to not be the kind of front office that actually tries to make the team good. Well, that and everything else he wrote. (dying laughing)[/quote]I don’t even know how that stuff got published. It was pure nonsense. If you turned that into your high school teacher he or she would tell you to redo it.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  14. The shift in direction from where the Cubs were as the season ended and where they are now that they’ve employed the Undergraduate College of GMs is obvious.

    /Rosentarded

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  15. [quote name=mb21]I kind of like it when Iowa is trying to score all the time. Very different.[/quote]Yeah, I feel like I’ve fallen into an alternate version of reality between the I-Offense today and the beautiful transformation happening with the Cubs. McNutt with 3TDs & 175 yrds in the 1st. Incredible. He’s dominating the IU secondary.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  17. [quote name=Mish]Great analogy, assuming you didn’t mean Jose Molina the “sexy” part. (dying laughing)[/quote].

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  19. “I cheer for the Cubs because it’s the smart thing to do.” Nobody could say that.

    You could say it today, though. The Cubs are led by the best minds in baseball in the worst league in baseball.

    I just so impressed with Rickett’s right now. I thought he would clean house when he came but he was patient. I don’t know if he could’ve pulled off the College of GMs back in 09/10. Add this to the $ in this year’s draft and the DR facilites and it looks like Ricketts is getting a hang of making his vision happen.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  26. Throughout the Hendry era, there was never a time where I couldn’t think of about a dozen different things he was fucking up, and couldn’t come up with a dozen ways for him to easily fix these fucked up things–and he was the best Cubs GM of my lifetime.

    For the first time, I don’t feel smart enough to say what the Cubs should do anymore (to be fair, it’s almost certain I wasn’t B.E. either, but it seemed like I was). Just gonna kick back and enjoy watching the Superfriends Front Office build the Cubs into one of the best organizations in baseball.

    Truly a great day.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  27. For the first time, I don’t feel smart enough to say what the Cubs should do anymore (to be fair, it’s almost certain I wasn’t B.E. either, but it seemed like I was). Just gonna kick back and enjoy watching the Superfriends Front Office build the Cubs into one of the best organizations in baseball.

    That’s exactly how I feel. I thought hiring a GM would give me a reason to write about what I think the Cubs should do, but I’m going to sit back and enjoy it.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  28. That article GW linked mentioned that the commissioner has to approve any trade in which $400,000 has been sent to a team twice or more within 6 months. Anybody ever heard that? I knew a commissioner had to approve the trade if $1 million or more was sent in a trade, but hadn’t heard the other one.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  29. [quote name=Smokestack Lightning]Throughout the Hendry era, there was never a time where I couldn’t think of about a dozen different things he was fucking up, and couldn’t come up with a dozen ways for him to easily fix these fucked up things–and he was the best Cubs GM of my lifetime.
    [/quote]
    this

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  30. [quote name=Smokestack Lightning]
    For the first time, I don’t feel smart enough to say what the Cubs should do anymore (to be fair, it’s almost certain I wasn’t B.E. either, but it seemed like I was). Just gonna kick back and enjoy watching the Superfriends Front Office build the Cubs into one of the best organizations in baseball.

    Truly a great day.[/quote]
    Meanwhile, at the Hall of Justice…

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  33. If it gets overturned I don’t think you’ll see a better pick in all of football (NCAA, NFL, CFL, whatever) this year.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  34. [quote name=cdw]That was an incredible pick by Iowa. It better be reviewed and overturned.[/quote]I think it should be overturned.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  35. [quote name=mb21]If it gets overturned I don’t think you’ll see a better pick in all of football (NCAA, NFL, CFL, whatever) this year.[/quote]Yep, and it would stand in the NFL b/c he got BOTH feet in with possession.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  38. To me, it’s very simple. Do you have possession and are you in bounds? That’s a catch. There is no fucking process for making a catch. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  39. [quote name=mb21]the process of making a catch. (dying laughing) football rules frustrate me.[/quote].
    That took away an impressive int. Rules should be made to uphold that type of play.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  40. [quote name=mb21]To me, it’s very simple. Do you have possession and are you in bounds? That’s a catch. There is no fucking process for making a catch. (dying laughing)[/quote]You catch the ball inbounds and drop it after you’re out of bounds and it negates the obvious possession when your feet are in…wtf?

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  41. When did catching a football mean you have to end up on the ground with possession? I’ve seen plenty of TDs that aren’t catches by that rule.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  42. [quote name=cdw]When did catching a football mean you have to end up on the ground with possession? I’ve seen plenty of TDs that aren’t catches by that rule.[/quote]I’d never heard it before either. some football rules are just stupid.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  43. What kind of voodoo spell do I need to cast in order for the Bears to able to draft Justin Blackmon?

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  46. [quote name=cdw]We like the players we have.
    /Angelo[/quote]I want to stab that sentence.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  48. [quote name=Smokestack Lightning]Just gonna kick back and enjoy watching the Superfriends Front Office build the Cubs into one of the best organizations in baseball.[/quote]
    (dying laughing)

    I’m guessing you meant this:

    ..but I immediately thought of this:





    (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  49. [quote name=Smokestack Lightning]For the first time, I don’t feel smart enough to say what the Cubs should do anymore (to be fair, it’s almost certain I wasn’t B.E. either, but it seemed like I was).[/quote]
    Also, (dying laughing). It took me like four reads to get this. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  50. I was actually thinking of the Superfriends cartoon as well fang, but I think Theo and friends would be more like the Lambdas from Revenge of the Nerds.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  53. Fantastic article btw, AC. Especially poignant coming from you given that your ID will actually (literally!) become meaningless as soon as the Cubs win. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  55. [quote name=mb21]BE Before Epstein (dying laughing) I didn’t know what that was either.[/quote]I had to think for another two minutes even after reading it four times. (dying laughing) (dying laughing)

    All hail the Year of Our Lord Epstein 1.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  56. [quote name=fang2415]I had to think for another two minutes even after reading it four times. (dying laughing) (dying laughing)

    All hail the Year of Our Lord Epstein 1.[/quote]I thought the Jews didn’t actually have a Messiah. Or did I misunderstand the religion?

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  58. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Dempster is on the verge of going Full Theriot.[/quote]I still give Dempster a little bit of a pass since he is a team leader and he actually gets sought out. I always got the idea Theriot would just jump in front of a camera and start answering questions nobody asked him.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  59. [quote name=Rice Cube]I thought the Jews didn’t actually have a Messiah. Or did I misunderstand the religion?[/quote]
    They’re still waiting for Messiah.

    Cubs fans are not.

    Or, at least, I’m not. I’m all in on this one.

    Hail Theo.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  60. [quote name=mb21]BE Before Epstein (dying laughing) I didn’t know what that was either.[/quote]
    I got it right away

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  61. [quote name=Smokestack Lightning]They’re still waiting for Messiah.

    Cubs fans are not.

    Or, at least, I’m not. I’m all in on this one.

    Hail Theo.[/quote]Perhaps after the Cubs fans renounce him three times, he shall provide his miracle…

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  62. [quote name=mb21]That’s exactly how I feel. I thought hiring a GM would give me a reason to write about what I think the Cubs should do, but I’m going to sit back and enjoy it.[/quote]
    I decided a few months ago to refer to it as “letting the Cubs happen to me” (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  64. [quote name=@HotStoveCubbies]Hearing Jeff Samardzija may end up as compensation for Theo. Had a good year last year but does not fit into future plans.[/quote]
    (dying laughing), not sure what is funnier, the idea of F7 as the compensation or this guy for believing his source (it’s not a rumor!!)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  65. [quote name=Aisle424]New banner up.[/quote](dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)

    The unicorn is puking rainbows BWAHAHAHAA…

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  66. [quote name=Aisle424]New banner up.[/quote]

    (dying laughing) (dying laughing), bravo.

    Only way it could be better is superimposing Theo’s face over Charlton Heston from The Ten Commandments.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  69. [quote name=Berselius](dying laughing), not sure what is funnier, the idea of F7 as the compensation or this guy for believing his source (it’s not a rumor!!)[/quote]
    (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  71. [quote name=mb21]Wait, some guy said the Sox are looking for F7? I thought the Cubs were giving the Red Sox compensation.[/quote]
    Maybe Lackey and Dan Shaughnessy were coming the other way

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  74. [quote name=Rodrigo]Anyone know what time the presser is scheduled for?[/quote]I thought it was on Tuesday?

    Also, Cardinals lead.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  79. [quote name=Rodrigo]Yes but at what time?[/quote]I do not have that answer. Perhaps you need to consult the guy in the purple shirt.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  80. [quote name=Rodrigo]Yes but at what time?[/quote]I don’t think they’ve officially announced it yet. The press released basically made it sound like Theo was definitely joining the Cubs, but they were still working on exact compensation. My read is they basically just confirmed the rumors.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  81. Human element strikes again. Holliday was obviously tagged out a full step away from first. That was an embarrassingly bad call.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  82. [quote name=melissa]Human element strikes again. Holliday was obviously tagged out a full step away from first. That was an embarrassingly bad call.[/quote]Cost them, too. Sad.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  84. Napoli with a Theriotesque throw to home costing his team 2 runs. UGH. Gives Nolan Ryan a major league facepalm.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  89. [quote name=Rice Cube]Awww, the IBB didn’t work…is anyone surprised? Although it was a bad defense thing, but still.[/quote]MGL made an interesting point about how the IBB started out with 2 unintentional balls. He said that all IBB’s should be that way (only becoming intentional when the hitter is ahead 2-0 or 3-0).

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  93. I love the new banner. Theo looks like he is saying “Come with me if you want to win.” in an awesome austrian jewish accent

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  94. [quote name=WaLi]I love the new banner. Theo looks like he is saying “Come with me if you want to win.” in an awesome austrian jewish accent[/quote]The Theo-inator! Nice.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  99. I looked at the banner a few times before it went up, and I’m still (dying laughing) every time I see it. It’s just so beautiful.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  100. [quote name=ACT]http://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN/status/127920823406297088

    *slaps forhead*[/quote]At least it’s in 30 ABs and not 3…

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  101. [quote name=ACT]http://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN/status/127920823406297088

    *slaps forhead*[/quote]
    Nelson Cruz has hit home runs in four straight playoff games. I expect him to hit one in every game he plays from this point forward. Just want to be able to say I called it.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  103. [quote name=cdw]This game has really gotten away from Wisc.[/quote]
    Feels like they’re down 90, not 9. It’s still the Wisconsin offense though. Was there any word on Ball’s injury?

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  104. [quote name=ACT]http://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN/status/127920823406297088

    *slaps forhead*[/quote]I don’t understand the media being so adamant against modern analytical tools. I guess it erases their BS narratives that are their bread and butter. And requires them to stop being lazy and actually do some research. Okay, I answered my own question.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  105. [quote name=Berselius]Feels like they’re down 90, not 9. It’s still the Wisconsin offense though. Was there any word on Ball’s injury?[/quote]Twisted Testicle?

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  106. [quote name=WaLi]Fuck human error. I want machines.[/quote]Me too. The “it’s part of the game” argument does nothing for me. If machines called balls/strikes/outs, then part of the game would be correct calls and a fair game. Teams would lose good luck on calls in addition to bad luck.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  107. Before Theo, I loved the rainbows and unicorn symbol because it represented the sickening over optimism of so many Cubs fans. After Theo, I actually believe in those rainbows and unicorns. The banner captures the new “essence” of being a Cubs fan perfectly. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  109. [quote name=josh]Me too. The “it’s part of the game” argument does nothing for me. If machines called balls/strikes/outs, then part of the game would be correct calls and a fair game. Teams would lose good luck on calls in addition to bad luck.[/quote]
    There is actually a human solution to the problem as well. Have an official in a replay booth like they do in hockey and let that guy correct horrendous on field errors like the one made on the Holliday play. It would be quick and easily correctable. At this point, I can see no argument against a guy in a replay booth especially in the playoffs.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  110. [quote name=Rice Cube]

    Jeez, the Rangers are trying to give away runs…bases loaded no outs.[/quote]Mission Accomplished!

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  114. [quote name=melissa]There is actually a human solution to the problem as well. Have an official in a replay booth like they do in hockey and let that guy correct horrendous on field errors like the one made on the Holliday play. It would be quick and easily correctable. At this point, I can see no argument against a guy in a replay booth especially in the playoffs.[/quote]Yeah, it seems like an easy enough fix. Football found a way to make it work that doesn’t seem to disrupt the game at all.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  116. [quote name=josh]Yeah, it seems like an easy enough fix. Football found a way to make it work that doesn’t seem to disrupt the game at all.[/quote]There’s so much dead time between plays in football that I don’t think it matters, particularly with commercial breaks and what not. With baseball you have even more dead time between pitches so I feel like it wouldn’t be that big of a deal to spend 20 seconds reviewing a play and buzzing down to say “yea” or “nay”…

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  117. [quote name=melissa]There is actually a human solution to the problem as well. Have an official in a replay booth like they do in hockey and let that guy correct horrendous on field errors like the one made on the Holliday play. It would be quick and easily correctable. At this point, I can see no argument against a guy in a replay booth especially in the playoffs.[/quote]I like the umpire in the booth solution for baseball too. No reason not to do it since it would not require any new equipment or technology. They’d just have to set the guidelines for overuling calls.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  119. [quote name=Rice Cube]There’s so much dead time between plays in football that I don’t think it matters, particularly with commercial breaks and what not. With baseball you have even more dead time between pitches so I feel like it wouldn’t be that big of a deal to spend 20 seconds reviewing a play and buzzing down to say “yea” or “nay”…[/quote]At the very least, I wouldn’t mind 1 or 2 reviews of disputed plays per game. I think the gain would easily be worth it.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  121. [quote name=melissa]There is actually a human solution to the problem as well. Have an official in a replay booth like they do in hockey and let that guy correct horrendous on field errors like the one made on the Holliday play. It would be quick and easily correctable. At this point, I can see no argument against a guy in a replay booth especially in the playoffs.[/quote]Hockey does an amazing job with their replay. They have people in Toronto that review every goal and they have a little buzzer they can use in the stadium to tell them to wait to restart the game while they review it if needed. The reviews seem to be damn quick too.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  124. [quote name=cwolf]WTF does McCarver mean by saying this game “will resemble a rodeo before it’s over”?[/quote]It means he wants to die in a fire.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  125. [quote name=WaLi]The reviews seem to be damn quick too.[/quote]
    I think in most cases baseball replays would be even quicker especially on plays involving the ball beating the runner on a force out or the clear tag before the runner reaches the base. The replay would take less time than the manager running out and arguing.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  126. [quote name=melissa]Before Theo, I loved the rainbows and unicorn symbol because it represented the sickening over optimism of so many Cubs fans. After Theo, I actually believe in those rainbows and unicorns. The banner captures the new “essence” of being a Cubs fan perfectly. (dying laughing)[/quote]The unicorn is puking a rainbow. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  127. [quote name=Rice Cube]This game is very unboring.[/quote]The Rangers are keeping it exciting. Now they just need to take the lead.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  128. [quote name=cwolf]WTF does McCarver mean by saying this game “will resemble a rodeo before it’s over”?[/quote]He’s going to ride Joe Buck like a wild bronco while they play God Bless America.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  129. [quote name=josh]The Rangers are keeping it exciting. Now they just need to take the lead.[/quote]I think they are having fun, therefore they will win.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  130. [quote name=mb21]The unicorn is puking a rainbow. (dying laughing)[/quote]
    It’s not like it has a choice. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  131. [quote name=AndCounting]He’s going to ride Joe Buck like a wild bronco while they play God Bless America.[/quote]That’s probably true but I like Josh’s idea better. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  132. [quote name=AndCounting]He’s going to ride Joe Buck like a wild bronco while some already forgotten American Idol winner sings God Bless America.[/quote]
    .

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  136. [quote name=mb21](dying laughing)[/quote]
    Clearly MGL isn’t an expert in giving MLB players nicknames. What is he thinking?

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  147. [quote name=Berselius]Holland and Jackson[/quote]Thankee. Both managers are going to need their guys to get at least five innings after tonight…

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  150. [quote name=ACT]I’m just glad he’s on the right side of the rivalry.[/quote]He might still get the last laugh this season, but it’s kind of funny how he also can’t play that well on the right side of the infield.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  164. This is karma spiting me for thinking that MSU would win the B1G before the season started (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  168. LaRussa deserves some of the credit, since he’s the one who put Albert in the lineup today (last dig at LaRussa today, I swear.)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  171. Oklahoma getting ass-whipped by Texas Tech. Can’t say I don’t enjoy seeing that.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  172. [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Oklahoma getting ass-whipped by Texas Tech. Can’t say I don’t enjoy seeing that.[/quote]
    Ugh, it’s the salt in the wound to Wisconsin losing.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  176. One thing I’m interested in seeing is if guys like Chuck Wasserstrom and Ari Kaplan stick around under the new regime.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  178. [quote name=Mish]WOW. Albert Pujols.[/quote]

    All this one needs is a light shining from the heavens onto the Great Pujols.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  181. [quote name=ACT]Is it too early to start overrating him and demanding he get playing time in the bigs?[/quote]Probably not since the Cubs have Castro at SS. If they had someone like Theriot at SS then we could do that. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  182. I’d just let Lake be the 2B or 3B next year. Apparently, he has a superior arm. I wonder if he could play CF.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  183. Well, maybe not in 2012, but I’d go ahead and switch his position and stick him in AAA, or maybe AA

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  190. [quote name=mb21]Probably not since the Cubs have Castro at SS. If they had someone like Theriot at SS then we could do that. (dying laughing)[/quote]
    Isn’t the knock on Lake that he can’t stick at SS anyway? I’m more than happy to clamor for him to replace Darwin Barney.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  192. Someone explain this shit to me: Carolina gets flagged for an offsides, and the dude who was offsides gets held by the Redskins O-lineman, therefore making offsetting penalties replaying downs. wtf?

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  193. [quote name=mb21]Exactly.[/quote]
    (dying laughing), that’s what I get for trying to post here while working on a talk. Meant to post this

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  194. [quote name=Berselius](dying laughing), that’s what I get for trying to post here while working on a talk. Meant to post this

    [/quote]Can’t see that one either. You need to take a nap.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  197. [quote name=mb21]Lake needs at least another year. He had a 92 wRC+ last year at AA. http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa455876&position=SS

    I don’t remember the scouting reports on Lake. I’ll get out the BA Handbook later today.[/quote]I think Lake is one of those prototypic 5-tool players that old-school types masturbate over- speed/SB’s, power, hitting, strong-arm, oh, and absolutely no patience whatsoever.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  199. [quote name=Berselius]Anyone who recognizes the operator in my mispost above gets a free 3-year subscription to OV[/quote]
    I’ve been informed by our team of lawyers that this subscription offer includes a processing fee of 10 easy payments of 19.95

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  201. [quote name=Frumpy Hobbit]Carl Rice; Ballpark Operations: Tribune Co. survivor worked way up from office grunt to ballpark manager and information technology director; also in charge of Wrigley rain delays. Reports to Mark McGuire[/quote]The way it’s worded sounds like this guy is the Weather Wizard.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  202. [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Someone explain this shit to me: Carolina gets flagged for an offsides, and the dude who was offsides gets held by the Redskins O-lineman, therefore making offsetting penalties replaying downs. wtf?[/quote]Offsides is not a stoppage of play penalty.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  204. [quote name=Berselius]6 net passing yards in the first half for the Broncos.[/quote]That Tebow is a born winner, I tell ya.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  206. [quote name=Rice Cube]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/23/jamie-moyer-still-planning-on-making-comeback-in-2012/

    Crafty lefty, anyone?[/quote]He’d better be extremely crafty.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  207. [quote name=Berselius].[/quote]
    I find it kind of amusing how all of the Tebow hagiographies over the past month or so seem to be skirting around the fact that this is really the angle they’re going for. Dogwhistle journalism at its finest.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  209. [quote name=Berselius]I find it kind of amusing how all of the Tebow hagiographies over the past month or so seem to be skirting around the fact that this is really the angle they’re going for. Dogwhistle journalism at its finest.[/quote]Yeah. The media canonization of him is pretty transparent in its motivations.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  210. I’ve said this before, but if Jamie Moyer finds his way into a starting rotation, he’d be the oldest starter ever (excepting Satchel Paige’s 3-inning publicity stunt). I think he might be able to find a club as a long-reliever/mop-up man, but he’d be useless as a lefty specialist (he’s a changeup pitcher).

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  211. [quote name=Berselius]Hopefully not in the Koyie Hill sense[/quote]Koyie isn’t crafty, he’s handy.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  213. I can’t wait to read about how this Tebow stinkbomb was all about learning humility or some other such nonsense, as opposed to him just sucking (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  215. [quote name=Berselius]I can’t wait to read about how this Tebow stinkbomb was all about learning humility or some other such nonsense, as opposed to him just sucking (dying laughing)[/quote]Pretty tough matchup for his first game though, those winless Dolphins can make anyone look terrible. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  217. [quote name=GBTS]Pretty tough matchup for his first game though, those winless Dolphins can make anyone look terrible. (dying laughing)[/quote](dying laughing) All the fans down here are going to be terribly disappointed. They wanted MIA to lose for Luck and Tebow to win b/c they miss his skin flute tickling the cysts in their throats.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  218. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Offsides is not a stoppage of play penalty.[/quote]Obviously, but the hold would not have occured had the offsides not occured. That’s a total failure of logic thats the way its supposed to be.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  219. [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Obviously, but the hold would not have occured had the offsides not occured. That’s a total failure of logic thats the way its supposed to be.[/quote]But the play continues, you can’t get a free play AND a free hold.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  220. [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Obviously, but the hold would not have occured had the offsides not occured. That’s a total failure of logic thats the way its supposed to be.[/quote]Yeah, NFL rules get weird when offsetting penalties get involved.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  222. [quote name=GBTS]But the play continues, you can’t get a free play AND a free hold.[/quote][quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, NFL rules get weird when offsetting penalties get involved.[/quote]Right, because if you could, as soon as they tossed an offside flag, OL would be coached to immediately chop down all the pass rushers. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  223. [quote name=GBTS]But the play continues, you can’t get a free play AND a free hold.[/quote]They’re wouldn’t be getting a free hold, they were called for a hold, nullifying the offsides and nullifying the free play. Its completely illogical.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  224. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Right, because if you could, as soon as they tossed an offside flag, OL would be coached to immediately chop down all the pass rushers. (dying laughing)[/quote]At the very least, you could grab the offender’s facemask and snap his spine, and the worst you’d get is a replay of the down. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  225. [quote name=GBTS]At the very least, you could grab the offender’s facemask and snap his spine, and the worst you’d get is a replay of the down. (dying laughing)[/quote](dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  226. [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]They’re wouldn’t be getting a free hold, they were called for a hold, nullifying the offsides and nullifying the free play. Its completely illogical.[/quote]No, it would be unfair if the subsequent hold WASN’T a penalty. If the defender goes offsides, that’s a penalty. The play continues. No matter what, the offense will get a 5 yard penalty. If he defender blows up a running play or sacks a quarterback because he’s offsides, it doesn’t count. If you were allowed to hold the offending player, that’d be unfair, because you not only are guaranteed five yards regardless of the play, but that hold could lead to way more.

    Or am I misunderstanding what you’re saying?

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  228. [quote name=GBTS]No, it would be unfair if the subsequent hold WASN’T a penalty. If the defender goes offsides, that’s a penalty. The play continues. No matter what, the offense will get a 5 yard penalty. If he defender blows up a running play or sacks a quarterback because he’s offsides, it doesn’t count. If you were allowed to hold the offending player, that’d be unfair, because you not only are guaranteed five yards regardless of the play, but that hold could lead to way more.

    Or am I misunderstanding what you’re saying?[/quote]No, you’re understanding it. I think in my mind the solution is just to stop the play on offsides and give the offense 5 yards. The problem is when a player is held simply because he’s offsides and has such a great jump, and then the defense isn’t penalized. I realize that by leaving it a “free play” the offense can get alot more, but an O-lineman shouldnt be punished for holding a guy who was offsides. Its gotta be hard to tell who was offsides anyway.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  229. [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]I think in my mind the solution is just to stop the play on offsides and give the offense 5 yards. [/quote]Agree with this, it’s bizarre to continue a play in spite of a penalty that occurred at the time of the snap, not after.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  230. (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)

    Orton called the overtime coin flip and lost.

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

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  231. [quote name=GBTS](dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)

    Orton called the overtime coin flip and lost.

    (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)[/quote]
    He doesn’t have divine assistance.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  235. Seattle 6
    Cleveland 3, final score

    (dying laughing)

    and no, thats not Mariners-Indians, its Seahawks-Browns

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  236. Heard on drive home: Tebow comparisons from call-ins listeners, Jesus Christ, God, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Aaron Rodgers. No joke.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  237. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Mike Martz is the worst red zone playcaller in football.[/quote]At least they burned most of the clock off. I can’t believe they couldn’t get it in in 6 downs.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  238. [quote name=cdw]Heard on drive home: Tebow comparisons from call-ins listeners, Jesus Christ, God, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Aaron Rodgers. No joke.[/quote]That’s rather funny because none of them are left-handed.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  239. [quote name=cdw]Heard on drive home: Tebow comparisons from call-ins listeners, Jesus Christ, God, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Aaron Rodgers. No joke.[/quote](dying laughing)
    (dying laughing)

    When the interview of Teblow came on, I changed channels, as Id rather see commercials for cars or Viagra than commercials for Jesus Christ when Tebow is talking.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  243. [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Is there now only 1 4pm NFL game ever televised? wtf?[/quote]
    There’s usually just one due to the NFL’s dumb TV deal. FOX and CBS alternate weeks being able to air two games.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  246. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Aaron Rodgers is playing on All Pro and rest of the league is stuck on Rookie.[/quote]
    Seriously. 20/23 for 305 yards and 3 TDs.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  247. [quote name=Berselius]Seriously. 20/23 for 305 yards and 3 TDs.[/quote]It’s like he doesn’t realize the defense is there. Or doesn’t care.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  250. Troy Aikman: “Well that’s all Kuhn does, is catch touchdowns…you know catch touchdowns and run for touchdowns”

    John Kuhn, career rec TD: 6 TD…in 6 years (35 total rec).

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  251. http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/article_3454c4a8-fd07-11e0-810a-001a4bcf6878.html

    Bernie Miklasz very much reveling (as he has every right to do) in what should be the last hurrah of Cardinal dominance of the NL Central. Though I find it interesting he would characterize the Cubs finally doing the right things as “desperation.”

    Man, those desperate Cubs. Almost as desperate as those pathetic New York Yankees.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  253. [quote name=Smokestack Lightning]http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/article_3454c4a8-fd07-11e0-810a-001a4bcf6878.html

    Bernie Miklasz very much reveling (as he has every right to do) in what should be the last hurrah of Cardinal dominance of the NL Central. Though I find it interesting he would characterize the Cubs finally doing the right things as “desperation.”

    Man, those desperate Cubs. Almost as desperate as those pathetic New York Yankees.[/quote]
    Yeah, the Cubs should take it easy, like the Cards, and someday let the best player of his generation leave town because they gave all his money to two fat OF that can’t catch.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  256. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]By Grapthar’s Hammer, Mason Crosby.[/quote]By the Sons of Worvan, kickers love kicking in domes.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  257. [quote name=Berselius]By the Sons of Worvan, kickers love kicking in domes.[/quote]By the Legion of Kamak, this could not be more true.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  259. Christian Ponder looks like every bro I’ve ever had the displeasure of having in my class.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  260. [quote name=Smokestack Lightning]http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/article_3454c4a8-fd07-11e0-810a-001a4bcf6878.html

    Bernie Miklasz very much reveling (as he has every right to do) in what should be the last hurrah of Cardinal dominance of the NL Central. Though I find it interesting he would characterize the Cubs finally doing the right things as “desperation.”

    Man, those desperate Cubs. Almost as desperate as those pathetic New York Yankees.[/quote]Any intelligent Cardinals fans understands their dominance is about to end and they don’t like it.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  261. Woodson is gonna get roasted before this game is over if he keeps trying to undercut everything.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  262. Every time AJ Hawk’s helmet comes off and we’re forced to gaze on that half-Feringi, half elephant man mug, there should be a flag thrown.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  263. [quote name=mb21]Any intelligent Cardinals fans understands their dominance is about to end and they don’t like it.[/quote]I think they’ll always be around. It’s not like losing Pujols will turn them into the PIrates.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  264. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Every time AJ Hawk’s helmet comes off and we’re forced to gaze on that half-Feringi, half elephant man mug, there should be a flag thrown.[/quote]Means his helmet is the wrong size.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  267. [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I think they’ll always be around. It’s not like losing Pujols will turn them into the PIrates.[/quote]I think Pujols remains in St. Louis, but if the Cardinals are hanging around then the Cubs have failed. They have a lot more money than the Cardinals. I don’t expect the Cubs to win the division every year, but I expect them to win it 7 out of 10 years. The advantage they have (money) is a huge one in that division and over 10 or 20 years, there shouldn’t be any team close to the Cubs.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  268. Based on the way that article is written, it almost sounds like they’re preparing for 2012 without Pujols. Their rotation is strong, put Berkman at 1B and sign Reyes for SS. He’ll cost less than Pujols, and they’d be as good if not better next year.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  269. [quote name=mb21]I think Pujols remains in St. Louis, but if the Cardinals are hanging around then the Cubs have failed. They have a lot more money than the Cardinals. I don’t expect the Cubs to win the division every year, but I expect them to win it 7 out of 10 years. The advantage they have (money) is a huge one in that division and over 10 or 20 years, there shouldn’t be any team close to the Cubs.[/quote]
    The Astros moving to the AL can’t hurt either. Easily the second-biggest market in the division

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  270. [quote name=Berselius]The Astros moving to the AL can’t hurt either. Easily the second-biggest market in the division[/quote]Didn’t know that… *embarrassed* Goodness, what’d they do wrong? (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  271. I don’t think Pujols leaves the Cardinals either, but I think Epstein et al are smart enough to get in on the Pujols market to drive his price up. They certainly have lots of experience in that with their bidding wars with the Yankees.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  272. [quote name=Berselius]I don’t think Pujols leaves the Cardinals either, but I think Epstein et al are smart enough to get in on the Pujols market to drive his price up. They certainly have lots of experience in that with their bidding wars with the Yankees.[/quote]That’s an interesting point to me considering that the Red Sox overpaid for Crawford because the Yankees might have driven his price up. Hopefully that doesn’t happen to Epstein this time around, but it’s probably an isolated thing and Crawford wasn’t supposed to suck anyway…

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  274. 7-0[quote name=Rice Cube]Didn’t know that… *embarrassed* Goodness, what’d they do wrong? (dying laughing)[/quote]
    Ed Wade. And FWIW they were in the WS not that long ago

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  275. [quote name=Berselius]7-0

    Ed Wade. And FWIW they were in the WS not that long ago[/quote]Yeah, it’s amazing how quickly it all went to hell.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  276. [quote name=Rice Cube]That’s an interesting point to me considering that the Red Sox overpaid for Crawford because the Yankees might have driven his price up. Hopefully that doesn’t happen to Epstein this time around, but it’s probably an isolated thing and Crawford wasn’t supposed to suck anyway…[/quote]The difference is that the Yankees could have afforded Crawford if he said yes. The Cardinals can’t. There’s only so much bidding a team can do to drive the price up and that’s only what they can afford. The Cubs are in a position to drive the price up because they can afford to. Once in awhile they may get stuck with the guy, but that happens.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  277. When you have to begin by saying, yeah he doesn’t know how to throw, and it looks ugly, then whatever you say after that is jsut made bullshit to justify some preconceived notions you have a bout some pious white kid that you like for no other reason that those.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  278. [quote name=mb21]The difference is that the Yankees could have afforded Crawford if he said yes. The Cardinals can’t. There’s only so much bidding a team can do to drive the price up and that’s only what they can afford. The Cubs are in a position to drive the price up because they can afford to. Once in awhile they may get stuck with the guy, but that happens.[/quote]Do the Cubs really have that much of a $$ advantage over the Cards particularly in the short term with a decent amount of Cub revenue going to debt servicing? I think the Cubs have an advantage but I’m not so sure it’s a huge one.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  279. I’d offer Pujols 30M per year for 7 years. I doubt that gets it done, but I think its a better idea to try to get him with higher annual value over less years instead of adding years. Hell, you could add options or triggers to the deal to make it at 10yr, 300M deal if he is still performing at a certain level in years 6 and 7. You could also give him an opt out.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  280. [quote name=cwolf]Do the Cubs really have that much of a $$ advantage over the Cards particularly in the short term with a decent amount of Cub revenue going to debt servicing? I think the Cubs have an advantage but I’m not so sure it’s a huge one.[/quote]The Cubs already trimmed 10-15M off their payroll from 2010 to 2011, and they are freeing up almost 40-50M this offseason, right? I’d say they can afford him. Even if the AAV of his contract is 30M, it will be somewhat backloaded.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  281. [quote name=cwolf]Do the Cubs really have that much of a $$ advantage over the Cards particularly in the short term with a decent amount of Cub revenue going to debt servicing? I think the Cubs have an advantage but I’m not so sure it’s a huge one.[/quote]I think it’s at least $30 million right now and will probably be much larger years down the road. I expect the Cardinals to have a much higher payroll next year (than this year). They’ve done that in the past after going deep into the playoffs so I figure they sign Pujols with that extra money. The difference may not be $30 million next year. I doubt it will be, but if you factor in money spent on baseball ops I think it will still be close to that.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  282. [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]The Cubs already trimmed 10-15M off their payroll from 2010 to 2011, and they are freeing up almost 40-50M this offseason, right? I’d say they can afford him. Even if the AAV of his contract is 30M, it will be somewhat backloaded.[/quote]I agree that the Cubs can afford Pujols if they want to go that route. I was commenting more on the overall $$ differences between the two teams.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  283. [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]I’d offer Pujols 30M per year for 7 years. I doubt that gets it done, but I think its a better idea to try to get him with higher annual value over less years instead of adding years. Hell, you could add options or triggers to the deal to make it at 10yr, 300M deal if he is still performing at a certain level in years 6 and 7. You could also give him an opt out.[/quote]Options can’t be based on performance. You can base it on playing time, time spent on the DL and other things like that, but you can’t trigger an option if someone hits 30 home runs (for example).

    I think I’d prefer Prince Fielder if the Cubs are going after a 1st baseman.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  285. [quote name=cwolf]I agree that the Cubs can afford Pujols if they want to go that route. I was commenting more on the overall $$ differences between the two teams.[/quote]My bad, I must not have been clear. I’d say its obvious in the long run the Cubs will have an advantage; in the short run they have debt and renovating Wrigley, but I bet after that renovation gets done, history suggests they’ll bring in more revenue. Assuming 3-4 years of Epsteins influence, they should also regularly start to have a winning record. There’s no way renovations don’t include additional revenue streams through advertising.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  286. [quote name=mb21]Options can’t be based on performance. You can base it on playing time, time spent on the DL and other things like that, but you can’t trigger an option if someone hits 30 home runs (for example).

    I think I’d prefer Prince Fielder if the Cubs are going after a 1st baseman.[/quote]I’m fine with Fielder, absolutely, but would not want to exceed 5 years on the deal.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

  287. [quote name=mb21]
    I think I’d prefer Prince Fielder if the Cubs are going after a 1st baseman.[/quote]I think I would too but I have no idea if they’ll pursue either. It would be pretty cool to see either Pujols or Fielder at 1B for the Cubs but I don’t know if it’s the right way to go at this point. I’ll leave that one to the new brain trust. (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *