Chicago City Council trying to sterilize Wrigleyville

[Soul]

Maybe it's because I've already been to Wrigley like 200 times in my life, but uh.....

 

 

 

***SACRILEGE ALERT***

 

 

 

Miller Park is just a more fun place to watch a ballgame than Wrigley now. No horrible smells from someone's 50-year old bodily fluids, no bathrooms that you would normally expect to find in Texas Chainsaw Massacre, seats that you can make it through a game in without needing back surgery, vendors who look like they actually shower every once in awhile (sorry guys----but a few of you need to reintroduce yourselves to Mr. Daily Hygiene), and staff who seem genuinely glad to have you there, even if you are a Cub fan.

 

It's not that I have sworn off Wrigley. Not at all. I have tix to the May 12th game, and I love Chicago to death. I usually try to make it once or even twice a year back to Chicago. But this ballclub needs a suitable MODERN ballpark in the absolute worst way.

 

What's that you say? They wouldn't be able to fill a new ballpark unless the team won? GOOD! Welcome to major league baseball :!:

[erik316wttn]

Maybe it's because I've already been to Wrigley like 200 times in my life, but uh.....

 

 

 

***SACRILEGE ALERT***

 

 

 

Miller Park is just a more fun place to watch a ballgame than Wrigley now. No horrible smells from someone's 50-year old bodily fluids, no bathrooms that you would normally expect to find in Texas Chainsaw Massacre, seats that you can make it through a game in without needing back surgery, vendors who look like they actually shower every once in awhile (sorry guys----but a few of you need to reintroduce yourselves to Mr. Daily Hygiene), and staff who seem genuinely glad to have you there, even if you are a Cub fan.

 

It's not that I have sworn off Wrigley. Not at all. I have tix to the May 12th game, and I love Chicago to death. I usually try to make it once or even twice a year back to Chicago. But this ballclub needs a suitable MODERN ballpark in the absolute worst way.

 

What's that you say? They wouldn't be able to fill a new ballpark unless the team won? GOOD! Welcome to major league baseball :!:

 

Why Wrigley will be standing forever is in bold print.

[Soul]

Maybe it's because I've already been to Wrigley like 200 times in my life, but uh.....

 

 

 

***SACRILEGE ALERT***

 

 

 

Miller Park is just a more fun place to watch a ballgame than Wrigley now. No horrible smells from someone's 50-year old bodily fluids, no bathrooms that you would normally expect to find in Texas Chainsaw Massacre, seats that you can make it through a game in without needing back surgery, vendors who look like they actually shower every once in awhile (sorry guys----but a few of you need to reintroduce yourselves to Mr. Daily Hygiene), and staff who seem genuinely glad to have you there, even if you are a Cub fan.

 

It's not that I have sworn off Wrigley. Not at all. I have tix to the May 12th game, and I love Chicago to death. I usually try to make it once or even twice a year back to Chicago. But this ballclub needs a suitable MODERN ballpark in the absolute worst way.

 

What's that you say? They wouldn't be able to fill a new ballpark unless the team won? GOOD! Welcome to major league baseball :!:

 

Why Wrigley will be standing forever is in bold print.

 

Ok. Why the Cubs will never win a World Series is in bold print.

[J.R.]

Maybe it's because I've already been to Wrigley like 200 times in my life, but uh.....

 

 

 

***SACRILEGE ALERT***

 

 

 

Miller Park is just a more fun place to watch a ballgame than Wrigley now. No horrible smells from someone's 50-year old bodily fluids, no bathrooms that you would normally expect to find in Texas Chainsaw Massacre, seats that you can make it through a game in without needing back surgery, vendors who look like they actually shower every once in awhile (sorry guys----but a few of you need to reintroduce yourselves to Mr. Daily Hygiene), and staff who seem genuinely glad to have you there, even if you are a Cub fan.

 

It's not that I have sworn off Wrigley. Not at all. I have tix to the May 12th game, and I love Chicago to death. I usually try to make it once or even twice a year back to Chicago. But this ballclub needs a suitable MODERN ballpark in the absolute worst way.

 

The attendance figures tell a different story. Apparently, most folks don't go to the ballpark to sniff the pavement, ogle vendors and hang out amongst the chamberpots.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

They did it.

 

Is that the right article?

[Soul]

Maybe it's because I've already been to Wrigley like 200 times in my life, but uh.....

 

 

 

***SACRILEGE ALERT***

 

 

 

Miller Park is just a more fun place to watch a ballgame than Wrigley now. No horrible smells from someone's 50-year old bodily fluids, no bathrooms that you would normally expect to find in Texas Chainsaw Massacre, seats that you can make it through a game in without needing back surgery, vendors who look like they actually shower every once in awhile (sorry guys----but a few of you need to reintroduce yourselves to Mr. Daily Hygiene), and staff who seem genuinely glad to have you there, even if you are a Cub fan.

 

It's not that I have sworn off Wrigley. Not at all. I have tix to the May 12th game, and I love Chicago to death. I usually try to make it once or even twice a year back to Chicago. But this ballclub needs a suitable MODERN ballpark in the absolute worst way.

 

The attendance figures tell a different story. Apparently, most folks don't go to the ballpark to sniff the pavement, ogle vendors and hang out amongst the chamberpots.

 

More likely, most Cub fans just have no clue what they're missing with a modern ballpark.

[Andy]

Maybe it's because I've already been to Wrigley like 200 times in my life, but uh.....

 

 

 

***SACRILEGE ALERT***

 

 

 

Miller Park is just a more fun place to watch a ballgame than Wrigley now. No horrible smells from someone's 50-year old bodily fluids, no bathrooms that you would normally expect to find in Texas Chainsaw Massacre, seats that you can make it through a game in without needing back surgery, vendors who look like they actually shower every once in awhile (sorry guys----but a few of you need to reintroduce yourselves to Mr. Daily Hygiene), and staff who seem genuinely glad to have you there, even if you are a Cub fan.

 

It's not that I have sworn off Wrigley. Not at all. I have tix to the May 12th game, and I love Chicago to death. I usually try to make it once or even twice a year back to Chicago. But this ballclub needs a suitable MODERN ballpark in the absolute worst way.

 

The attendance figures tell a different story. Apparently, most folks don't go to the ballpark to sniff the pavement, ogle vendors and hang out amongst the chamberpots.

 

More likely, most Cub fans just have no clue what they're missing with a modern ballpark.

Even more likely, most Cub fans have seen what they're missing and realize that Wrigley is better.

[J.R.]

They did it.

 

Is that the right article?

 

It was this afternoon. Looks like they moved it.

[J.R.]

More likely, most Cub fans just have no clue what they're missing with a modern ballpark.

 

Really? Cub supporters are well-traveled fans, and discounting that, there are three modern stadiums within the Chicago city limits. Wrigley thrives because it's great ... not because its patrons are deprived folks who've never seen a game anywhere else and don't know any better.

[Soul]

More likely, most Cub fans just have no clue what they're missing with a modern ballpark.

 

Really? Cub supporters are well-traveled fans, and discounting that, there are three modern stadiums within the Chicago city limits. Wrigley thrives because it's great ... not because its patrons are deprived folks who've never seen a game anywhere else and don't know any better.

 

You will all see, when Wrigley finally rots away as it eventually will, most Cub fans will be saying "I loved Wrigley and all, but it *is* nice to finally have a great new ballpark."

 

This is how I feel right now---except the new ballpark hasn't been built yet. I'm about 15 years ahead of the curve.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

More likely, most Cub fans just have no clue what they're missing with a modern ballpark.

 

Really? Cub supporters are well-traveled fans, and discounting that, there are three modern stadiums within the Chicago city limits. Wrigley thrives because it's great ... not because its patrons are deprived folks who've never seen a game anywhere else and don't know any better.

 

You will all see, when Wrigley finally rots away as it eventually will, most Cub fans will be saying "I loved Wrigley and all, but it *is* nice to finally have a great new ballpark."

 

This is how I feel right now---except the new ballpark hasn't been built yet. I'm about 15 years ahead of the curve.

 

It must be awesome to be you.

[erik316wttn]

Maybe it's because I've already been to Wrigley like 200 times in my life, but uh.....

 

 

 

***SACRILEGE ALERT***

 

 

 

Miller Park is just a more fun place to watch a ballgame than Wrigley now. No horrible smells from someone's 50-year old bodily fluids, no bathrooms that you would normally expect to find in Texas Chainsaw Massacre, seats that you can make it through a game in without needing back surgery, vendors who look like they actually shower every once in awhile (sorry guys----but a few of you need to reintroduce yourselves to Mr. Daily Hygiene), and staff who seem genuinely glad to have you there, even if you are a Cub fan.

 

It's not that I have sworn off Wrigley. Not at all. I have tix to the May 12th game, and I love Chicago to death. I usually try to make it once or even twice a year back to Chicago. But this ballclub needs a suitable MODERN ballpark in the absolute worst way.

 

What's that you say? They wouldn't be able to fill a new ballpark unless the team won? GOOD! Welcome to major league baseball :!:

 

Why Wrigley will be standing forever is in bold print.

 

Ok. Why the Cubs will never win a World Series is in bold print.

 

I sense a circular arguement coming....

 

Seriously, though, Wrigley isn't the problem. Look at 2003. Assuming they won Game 6 or 7, are you saying it would have been impossible for them to beat the Yankees simply because of Wrigley?

 

You can get luxury boxes and jumbotrons anywhere. I want baseball as it used to be. I want the neighborhood atmosphere. I want the old scoreboard and the ivy. I want the rooftops. You're going to lose most of that with a new stadium.

 

I would not in any way be opposed to a full and complete 1-year rennovation of Wrigley, with the Cubs splitting home games between Milwaukee and US Cellular while the remodeling is being done. However, Wrigley is not the cause of the Cubs losing.

[J.R.]

You will all see, when Wrigley finally rots away as it eventually will, most Cub fans will be saying "I loved Wrigley and all, but it *is* nice to finally have a great new ballpark."

 

This is how I feel right now---except the new ballpark hasn't been built yet. I'm about 15 years ahead of the curve.

 

You like Miller Park. That's fine, but the fact that you think it's a "great new ballpark" is all that really needs to be said to discredit your views on this matter.

[J.R.]

I would not in any way be opposed to a full and complete 1-year rennovation of Wrigley, with the Cubs splitting home games between Milwaukee and US Cellular while the remodeling is being done.

 

I think the bleacher work is a preface to that. Wrigley won't rot away - it'll be replaced a piece at a time, just as has been done throughout its life to this point.

[Soul]

Maybe it's because I've already been to Wrigley like 200 times in my life, but uh.....

 

 

 

***SACRILEGE ALERT***

 

 

 

Miller Park is just a more fun place to watch a ballgame than Wrigley now. No horrible smells from someone's 50-year old bodily fluids, no bathrooms that you would normally expect to find in Texas Chainsaw Massacre, seats that you can make it through a game in without needing back surgery, vendors who look like they actually shower every once in awhile (sorry guys----but a few of you need to reintroduce yourselves to Mr. Daily Hygiene), and staff who seem genuinely glad to have you there, even if you are a Cub fan.

 

It's not that I have sworn off Wrigley. Not at all. I have tix to the May 12th game, and I love Chicago to death. I usually try to make it once or even twice a year back to Chicago. But this ballclub needs a suitable MODERN ballpark in the absolute worst way.

 

What's that you say? They wouldn't be able to fill a new ballpark unless the team won? GOOD! Welcome to major league baseball :!:

 

Why Wrigley will be standing forever is in bold print.

 

Ok. Why the Cubs will never win a World Series is in bold print.

 

I sense a circular arguement coming....

 

Seriously, though, Wrigley isn't the problem. Look at 2003. Assuming they won Game 6 or 7, are you saying it would have been impossible for them to beat the Yankees simply because of Wrigley?

 

I find it quite difficult to assume we won games that the standings say we didn't. Don't you?

 

Seriously though. If we couldn't get to the World Series at Wrigley in 2003 with all the advantages we had going for us, it's not going to happen. Change the ballpark. Become an actual baseball team with an active fans:winning percentage ratio that makes logical sense. That's the way to a World Series.

 

It's one thing to sit at Clark and Addison, step into the booth with Len with your cool sunglasses on, and proclaim how hard you are trying to win all the while knowing the fans will be there no matter what. It's an entriely different story to need to win or the ballpark is empty.

 

I want a Championship before I die, man. I've seen Wrigley. Now I want the ring (figuratively speaking, of course). Wrigley is a ball and chain around every Cub fan's ankle at this point, whether they realize it or not.

 

No incentive to win equals, not suprisingly, no winning.

 

Add to that the fact that Wrigley *is* old and somewhat decrepit at this point, and newer ballparks *do* provide more & better amenities, and there you have it. Must get new ballpark.

[Soul]

You will all see, when Wrigley finally rots away as it eventually will, most Cub fans will be saying "I loved Wrigley and all, but it *is* nice to finally have a great new ballpark."

 

This is how I feel right now---except the new ballpark hasn't been built yet. I'm about 15 years ahead of the curve.

 

You like Miller Park. That's fine, but the fact that you think it's a "great new ballpark" is all that really needs to be said to discredit your views on this matter.

 

I actually never said that. But hey----why let what I really said stop you from twisting my words?

[Andy]

Because, as we all know, the Cubs have made no effort to win over the last few years. That's why they gave Prior a huge contract straight out of college. That's why they traded for DLee and immediately signed him for 3 years. That's why they gave Aramis Ramirez a nice extension right before Opening Day last year. That's why they've picked up (at least at the time) very good relievers every off-season for the last three or four years. That's why they signed Sammy to a gargantuan contract back in the early 2000s. That's why they gave Wood a rich extension. That's why they were prepared to pay Furcal $10 million a year before the Dodgers trumped their offer.

 

I could go on, but I think you get the point, which is that this ownership group has actively tried to win. Wrigley's not holding us back, injuries, bad managing and suboptimal performance are.

[J.R.]

You will all see, when Wrigley finally rots away as it eventually will, most Cub fans will be saying "I loved Wrigley and all, but it *is* nice to finally have a great new ballpark."

 

This is how I feel right now---except the new ballpark hasn't been built yet. I'm about 15 years ahead of the curve.

 

You like Miller Park. That's fine, but the fact that you think it's a "great new ballpark" is all that really needs to be said to discredit your views on this matter.

 

I actually never said that. But hey----why let what I really said stop you from twisting my words?

 

What do you actually think of it?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Because, as we all know, the Cubs have made no effort to win over the last few years. That's why they gave Prior a huge contract straight out of college. That's why they traded for DLee and immediately signed him for 3 years. That's why they gave Aramis Ramirez a nice extension right before Opening Day last year. That's why they've picked up (at least at the time) very good relievers every off-season for the last three or four years. That's why they signed Sammy to a gargantuan contract back in the early 2000s. That's why they gave Wood a rich extension.

 

I could go on, but I think you get the point, which is that this ownership group has actively tried to win. Wrigley's not holding us back, injuries, bad managing and suboptimal performance are.

 

Soul's convoluted logic(correct me if I remember wrong) says that if we had a new ballpark, then we wouldn't have a guaranteed revenue through ticket prices. Then in order for ownership to make money, they'd have to make sure the product was good, which means firing front office people in addition to supplying a high payroll. We'll ignore the parts about Cub fans coming out no matter the stadium, and that new management(while I'm certainly not against getting rid of Hendry/Baker/etc.) is no guarantee of success. Even if fans stopped coming to the new stadium, then any owner ever is going to lower payroll, which will lead to a worse product, and so on...

[Soul]

Because, as we all know, the Cubs have made no effort to win over the last few years. That's why they gave Prior a huge contract straight out of college. That's why they traded for DLee and immediately signed him for 3 years. That's why they gave Aramis Ramirez a nice extension right before Opening Day last year. That's why they've picked up (at least at the time) very good relievers every off-season for the last three or four years. That's why they signed Sammy to a gargantuan contract back in the early 2000s. That's why they gave Wood a rich extension. That's why they were prepared to pay Furcal $10 million a year before the Dodgers trumped their offer.

 

I could go on, but I think you get the point, which is that this ownership group has actively tried to win. Wrigley's not holding us back, injuries, bad managing and suboptimal performance are.

 

I appreciate that's your opinion. I happen to disagree with it. We genuinely *TRIED* to win in 2004, after the Cubs had a taste of success in '03.

 

Once '04 tanked, the desire and effort to win from this organization took a nose dive. The results speak for themselves. We need to ask ourselves why only one year? Why didn't they keep trying like they did in '04?

 

No motivation. That's why. Why is there no motivation? Because that ballpark is filled no matter what. The sales stay pretty much constant no matter what--or at least more than almost every other team.

[SouthSideRyan]

 

I appreciate that's your opinion. I happen to disagree with it. We genuinely *TRIED* to win in 2004, after the Cubs had a taste of success in '03.

 

Once '04 tanked, the desire and effort to win from this organization took a nose dive. The results speak for themselves. We need to ask ourselves why only one year? Why didn't they keep trying like they did in '04?

 

No motivation. That's why. Why is there no motivation? Because that ballpark is filled no matter what. The sales stay pretty much constant no matter what--or at least more than almost every other team.

 

Man the Mets haven't tried in years.

[erik316wttn]

Replacing Wrigley won't make a difference. It would if attendance was sagging and they absolutely needed a new park. However, new does NOT necessarily equal "better".

 

Bad management and bad baseball people are the reason that this team is where it is. It's not Wrigley. I really don't see how more bathrooms and a jumbotron is going to help the Cubs win the World Series.

[erik316wttn]

Because, as we all know, the Cubs have made no effort to win over the last few years. That's why they gave Prior a huge contract straight out of college. That's why they traded for DLee and immediately signed him for 3 years. That's why they gave Aramis Ramirez a nice extension right before Opening Day last year. That's why they've picked up (at least at the time) very good relievers every off-season for the last three or four years. That's why they signed Sammy to a gargantuan contract back in the early 2000s. That's why they gave Wood a rich extension. That's why they were prepared to pay Furcal $10 million a year before the Dodgers trumped their offer.

 

I could go on, but I think you get the point, which is that this ownership group has actively tried to win. Wrigley's not holding us back, injuries, bad managing and suboptimal performance are.

 

I appreciate that's your opinion. I happen to disagree with it. We genuinely *TRIED* to win in 2004, after the Cubs had a taste of success in '03.

 

Once '04 tanked, the desire and effort to win from this organization took a nose dive. The results speak for themselves. We need to ask ourselves why only one year? Why didn't they keep trying like they did in '04?

 

No motivation. That's why. Why is there no motivation? Because that ballpark is filled no matter what. The sales stay pretty much constant no matter what--or at least more than almost every other team.

 

This sounds more like a gripe with management or the ownership to me. Nowhere in this statement do I hear anything about why Wrigley is bad.

[Soul]

You will all see, when Wrigley finally rots away as it eventually will, most Cub fans will be saying "I loved Wrigley and all, but it *is* nice to finally have a great new ballpark."

 

This is how I feel right now---except the new ballpark hasn't been built yet. I'm about 15 years ahead of the curve.

 

You like Miller Park. That's fine, but the fact that you think it's a "great new ballpark" is all that really needs to be said to discredit your views on this matter.

 

I actually never said that. But hey----why let what I really said stop you from twisting my words?

 

What do you actually think of it?

 

Parking: better than Wrigley.

SightLines, % of seats with a good view: better than Wrigley

Amenities, cleanliness: better than Wrigley

Seats: better than Wrigley

 

Atmosphere: much worse than Wrigley, obviously

Area of town: worse than Wrigley, though there's no crime around Miller Park, there's not much of anything else, either.

History: much worse than Wrigley

 

I believe I said Miller Park is a more fun place to watch a ballgame than Wrigley. Which to me it is. Now----after the game, or as far as the entire experience of the neighborhood, the history, that's different.

[Soul]

Because, as we all know, the Cubs have made no effort to win over the last few years. That's why they gave Prior a huge contract straight out of college. That's why they traded for DLee and immediately signed him for 3 years. That's why they gave Aramis Ramirez a nice extension right before Opening Day last year. That's why they've picked up (at least at the time) very good relievers every off-season for the last three or four years. That's why they signed Sammy to a gargantuan contract back in the early 2000s. That's why they gave Wood a rich extension.

 

I could go on, but I think you get the point, which is that this ownership group has actively tried to win. Wrigley's not holding us back, injuries, bad managing and suboptimal performance are.

 

Soul's convoluted logic(correct me if I remember wrong) says that if we had a new ballpark, then we wouldn't have a guaranteed revenue through ticket prices. Then in order for ownership to make money, they'd have to make sure the product was good, which means firing front office people in addition to supplying a high payroll. We'll ignore the parts about Cub fans coming out no matter the stadium, and that new management(while I'm certainly not against getting rid of Hendry/Baker/etc.) is no guarantee of success. Even if fans stopped coming to the new stadium, then any owner ever is going to lower payroll, which will lead to a worse product, and so on...

 

If the fans will still attend no matter what even in a new ballpark, then we're screwed.

 

Lower payroll doesn't always equal a worse product, BTW. That's pretty interesting logic on your part. Did you miss the Marlins, Angels, and White Sox World Series recently?