Should we be patient?

[NCCubFan]

Hey, while we patiently wait, I have a fun piece history to share. Not sure if it's a record or not, but.........

 

 

Herb Washington appeared in 105 regular season games and another 5 playoff/world series games over a 2 year span with the Oakland A's in the early 70's, and not once did he ever come to the plate for an at bat.

 

And he wasn't a pitcher.

 

I remember him. I always thought he was Claudell Washington's brother. However, I'm not sure whether he really was or not. He was fast. That's it. However, he was not so good at stealing bases. 31 steals in 48 attempts.

 

A "player" who never pitched and never came to the plate in his entire career with a World Series ring. Guess we couldn't have been so lucky if the Cubs won the World Series with Jose Macias on the team. :D

 

I do wonder if this has happened to anyone else?

In 1973 Allan Lewis (Washington's predecessor as Oakland's pinch running specialist) played in 35 regular season and 5 postseason games with zero at bats (although he did have 29 at bats in 156 games over his entire career).

[mhuber92211]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

For a moment consider that Hendry continues to ake "questionable" moves but ends up winning the world series in 2006. The next offseason he makes some even less popular moves. How would we react?

 

I understand that we haven't won anything yet, but I think in order to understand our desires and how we critique transactions, we need to better understand our expectations. Obviously the expectation is to make and win the world series, but even with a 100% approval rating, the world series is not guaranteed.

[CubsWin]

Its seems to me that we are talking about two different kinds of patience in this thread.

 

Should Cubs fans be being patient with the team overall and possibly sacrifice this season to win later down the road? Hell no.

 

Should Cubs fans be being patient with this off season so far? Considering that we haven't reached the non-tender and arbitration acceptance deadlines yet, yes, we shouldn't be judging this off season as if it is complete and we should have patience still.

 

Also, I think it is important for those of us that are looking ahead and don't like the possibilities for RF that they are seeing to remember something. If you choose to criticize Hendry, thats fine, but in order for the criticism to hold any water you must present the alternative route that he should have and conclusively could have taken.

 

For me, that route was signing Brian Giles. Whether he was ever interested in coming to Chicago, we just don't know. The fact that he signed in San Diego for what seems to be a lot less money than other teams were reported to be offering tells me that he never really seriously intended to leave San Diego. But if Hendry could have signed Giles and didn't, then I believe he can be criticized for that.

 

But after that move, what else could he have done to handle RF by now?

[BigbadB]

I don't believe he signed with San Diego for considerably less than he was being offered from other teams. I believe all the offers were pretty much the same.

 

There was a rumor about Toronto, but Toronto is not only in another country, it's in another league, it's in a division that has the Yankees and Boston, and it's about as far away from San Diego as he could possibly get. And, Toronto did deny the offers.

 

I think Giles would have left San Diego for Atlanta, St. Louis, LA and/or Chicago or another team for a significant increase, like 15m. No one offered him that. We were one of the teams that could offer that. Apparently LA could have as well, but even they didn't have a significantly higher offer on the table. At least nothing like what they offered Furcal when they lost out on Giles.

[Magnetic Curses]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

For a moment consider that Hendry continues to ake "questionable" moves but ends up winning the world series in 2006. The next offseason he makes some even less popular moves. How would we react?

 

I understand that we haven't won anything yet, but I think in order to understand our desires and how we critique transactions, we need to better understand our expectations. Obviously the expectation is to make and win the world series, but even with a 100% approval rating, the world series is not guaranteed.

 

i think we cross that road when we get to it. as for now, hendry has made this team a bad one.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

For a moment consider that Hendry continues to ake "questionable" moves but ends up winning the world series in 2006. The next offseason he makes some even less popular moves. How would we react?

 

I understand that we haven't won anything yet, but I think in order to understand our desires and how we critique transactions, we need to better understand our expectations. Obviously the expectation is to make and win the world series, but even with a 100% approval rating, the world series is not guaranteed.

 

I'll retire. Winning a WS in '06 would be exactly 1 more WS title than I ever expected to see out of this franchise in my lifetime. My grandfather (huge Cubs fan) passed away a few months ago at 85, and he never saw one. If they win a WS next year, I could care less if they fielded a team of 64 year old women in 2007. I'll always have the memory of 2006.

[BigbadB]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

For a moment consider that Hendry continues to ake "questionable" moves but ends up winning the world series in 2006. The next offseason he makes some even less popular moves. How would we react?

 

I understand that we haven't won anything yet, but I think in order to understand our desires and how we critique transactions, we need to better understand our expectations. Obviously the expectation is to make and win the world series, but even with a 100% approval rating, the world series is not guaranteed.

 

I'll retire. Winning a WS in '06 would be exactly 1 more WS title than I ever expected to see out of this franchise in my lifetime. My grandfather (huge Cubs fan) passed away a few months ago at 85, and he never saw one. If they win a WS next year, I could care less if they fielded a team of 64 year old women in 2007. I'll always have the memory of 2006.

 

My grandfather is 84 and they aren't sure he will make it to his 85th birthday. He loves his Cubs, as do most retired senior citizens in Illinois that don't like soap operas. :P

[Backtobanks]

I don't believe he signed with San Diego for considerably less than he was being offered from other teams. I believe all the offers were pretty much the same.

 

There was a rumor about Toronto, but Toronto is not only in another country, it's in another league, it's in a division that has the Yankees and Boston, and it's about as far away from San Diego as he could possibly get. And, Toronto did deny the offers.

 

I think Giles would have left San Diego for Atlanta, St. Louis, LA and/or Chicago or another team for a significant increase, like 15m. No one offered him that. We were one of the teams that could offer that. Apparently LA could have as well, but even they didn't have a significantly higher offer on the table. At least nothing like what they offered Furcal when they lost out on Giles.

 

We have no way of knowing that, but circunstantial evidence sure points to the fact that Giles didn't want to leave SD and told his agent to get him the best deal possible from the Padres.

[BigbadB]

Circumstantial evidence also points to the fact that there is no need to pick up and move your family if Team A is offering the same amount of money Team B is offering.

[Coach.]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

If the Cubs won the Series next season, Hendry would win a permanent place in Chicago Sports lore, and deservedly so. He could be assigned to the GM position for life as far as I'm concerned along with 110% retirement benefits when he wanted to step down.

[YearofDaCubs]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

If the Cubs won the Series next season, Hendry would win a permanent place in Chicago Sports lore, and deservedly so. He could be assigned to the GM position for life as far as I'm concerned along with 110% retirement benefits when he wanted to step down.

You are also forgetting the manager whoo took over after Baker was fired mid-season. :P

[Blueheart05]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

If the Cubs won the Series next season, Hendry would win a permanent place in Chicago Sports lore, and deservedly so. He could be assigned to the GM position for life as far as I'm concerned along with 110% retirement benefits when he wanted to step down.

 

I doubt that. Kenny Williams' work isnt being acknowledged by many and they waited almost as long as we have.

[Magnetic Curses]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

If the Cubs won the Series next season, Hendry would win a permanent place in Chicago Sports lore, and deservedly so. He could be assigned to the GM position for life as far as I'm concerned along with 110% retirement benefits when he wanted to step down.

 

I doubt that. Kenny Williams' work isnt being acknowledged by many and they waited almost as long as we have.

 

the cubs and sox aren't comparable in this regard. most chicagoans would admit that it would be complete and total pandemonium if the cubs won. probably the biggest chicago sports story of the century.

[YearofDaCubs]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

If the Cubs won the Series next season, Hendry would win a permanent place in Chicago Sports lore, and deservedly so. He could be assigned to the GM position for life as far as I'm concerned along with 110% retirement benefits when he wanted to step down.

 

I doubt that. Kenny Williams' work isnt being acknowledged by many and they waited almost as long as we have.

 

the cubs and sox aren't comparable in this regard. most chicagoans would admit that it would be complete and total pandemonium if the cubs won. probably the biggest chicago sports story of the century.

Totally Agree.

[Blueheart05]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

If the Cubs won the Series next season, Hendry would win a permanent place in Chicago Sports lore, and deservedly so. He could be assigned to the GM position for life as far as I'm concerned along with 110% retirement benefits when he wanted to step down.

 

I doubt that. Kenny Williams' work isnt being acknowledged by many and they waited almost as long as we have.

 

the cubs and sox aren't comparable in this regard. most chicagoans would admit that it would be complete and total pandemonium if the cubs won. probably the biggest chicago sports story of the century.

 

I am a Chicagoan. It would be larger scale just because there are more Cubs fans in the area but I dont think there would be pandemonium..

Edited December 16, 2005 by Blueheart05

[YearofDaCubs]

I think there would be. The longest losing streak in sports. The getting rid of "the curse." And when you consider how many Cubs fans there are I think there would be.

[CubinNY]

There would be pandimonium in Mahopac, NY

[RynoRules]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

If the Cubs won the Series next season, Hendry would win a permanent place in Chicago Sports lore, and deservedly so. He could be assigned to the GM position for life as far as I'm concerned along with 110% retirement benefits when he wanted to step down.

 

I doubt that. Kenny Williams' work isnt being acknowledged by many and they waited almost as long as we have.

 

the cubs and sox aren't comparable in this regard. most chicagoans would admit that it would be complete and total pandemonium if the cubs won. probably the biggest chicago sports story of the century.

 

I am a Chicagoan. It would be larger scale just because there are more Cubs fans in the area but I dont think there would be pandemonium.

 

I am too. May be pandemonium isjust the wrong word. It would be several times larger than the Sox story.

[Blueheart05]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

If the Cubs won the Series next season, Hendry would win a permanent place in Chicago Sports lore, and deservedly so. He could be assigned to the GM position for life as far as I'm concerned along with 110% retirement benefits when he wanted to step down.

 

I doubt that. Kenny Williams' work isnt being acknowledged by many and they waited almost as long as we have.

 

the cubs and sox aren't comparable in this regard. most chicagoans would admit that it would be complete and total pandemonium if the cubs won. probably the biggest chicago sports story of the century.

 

I am a Chicagoan. It would be larger scale just because there are more Cubs fans in the area but I dont think there would be pandemonium.

 

I am too. May be pandemonium isjust the wrong word. It would be several times larger than the Sox story.

 

Ok, I'll give you that, it would be much larger.

 

 

It's been brutal living in the city with a mayor who's a Sox fan. Sox paraphenalia all over the downtown (even north). Mayor Daley has even ordered the painting of EL trains to commemorate the Sox win. The only possible difference I would notice is in the size of the parade. Well, it will be more of a national story too.

[Magnetic Curses]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

If the Cubs won the Series next season, Hendry would win a permanent place in Chicago Sports lore, and deservedly so. He could be assigned to the GM position for life as far as I'm concerned along with 110% retirement benefits when he wanted to step down.

 

I doubt that. Kenny Williams' work isnt being acknowledged by many and they waited almost as long as we have.

 

the cubs and sox aren't comparable in this regard. most chicagoans would admit that it would be complete and total pandemonium if the cubs won. probably the biggest chicago sports story of the century.

 

I am a Chicagoan. It would be larger scale just because there are more Cubs fans in the area but I dont think there would be pandemonium..

 

it would probably be larger than any of the bulls celebrations.

 

and let's not forget that there are cubs fans around the country who would be celebrating.

 

But that's not really the point, the point is this: a Cub world series team would be legendary not only on the local scale, but on the national scale. it would be the biggest national sports story of the year, easily, it would be the biggest chicago sports story of all time--imo, eclipsing the 85 bears easily.

[Blueheart05]

Hypothectically, how many years of patience would Hendry earn if the team won the series next season?

 

If the Cubs won the Series next season, Hendry would win a permanent place in Chicago Sports lore, and deservedly so. He could be assigned to the GM position for life as far as I'm concerned along with 110% retirement benefits when he wanted to step down.

 

I doubt that. Kenny Williams' work isnt being acknowledged by many and they waited almost as long as we have.

 

the cubs and sox aren't comparable in this regard. most chicagoans would admit that it would be complete and total pandemonium if the cubs won. probably the biggest chicago sports story of the century.

 

I am a Chicagoan. It would be larger scale just because there are more Cubs fans in the area but I dont think there would be pandemonium..

 

it would probably be larger than any of the bulls celebrations.

 

and let's not forget that there are cubs fans around the country who would be celebrating.

 

But that's not really the point, the point is this: a Cub world series team would be legendary not only on the local scale, but on the national scale. it would be the biggest national sports story of the year, easily, it would be the biggest chicago sports story of all time--imo, eclipsing the 85 bears easily.

 

There are Cubs fans around the world so I do agree that a Cubs WS victory would have a wider scope. However, I'm not sure if it would be bigger than the 85 Bears but it would come close. Afterall, Chicago is a Bears town above anything else (its about the only thing Cubs and Sox fans agree on).

 

I do wonder how different it really would be locally (for the Chicago fan)? It would be interesting to hear and or read how the Mike North's, Phil Rogers, Jay Marriotti's, and other Cubs detractors would react. Being "Cubs like" would take on a new meaning. I guess what I'm saying is it's harder for me to conceive how ideas about an organization and its fan base will be changed seemingly over night. Its easier for me to visualize the championship.

[CubfaninCA]

I'd tip a cop car in Orange County. :o

[sethuel1]

There would be complete pandemonium in my apartment. probably outside as well.

[Andy]

I'd be willing to go so far as to say that the Cubs winning it all would eclipse the Red Sox's win in 2004 and it would be the biggest American sports story since the Miracle On Ice.

 

Just to note, my best friend's grandfather died a few years ago at the age of 92. A life-long Cub fan, he never got to see a championship from the Cubs.

[Blueheart05]

I'd be willing to go so far as to say that the Cubs winning it all would eclipse the Red Sox's win in 2004 and it would be the biggest American sports story since the Miracle On Ice.

 

Just to note, my best friend's grandfather died a few years ago at the age of 92. A life-long Cub fan, he never got to see a championship from the Cubs.

 

I think it has to be bigger because we've waited longer. On another note, is it just my Cubs bias or am I right when I think that the Red Sox winning the Series wasn't nearly as big of a deal as I assume the Cubs winning will be? I realize that it may sound like I'm contradicting my earlier statements, about the magnitude of a Cubs win, but right now I'm focusing on National/International coverage (instead of local reaction). I think the Cubs are more widely known and loved while the Red Sox are a team that ESPN, and other networks, like to force feed the public.

 

Has NESN provided the Red Sox with the same kind of following that WGN has provided for the Cubs?