Walter E. Smith Field?

[matt-o-meter19]

Anyone hear this rumor?

 

IMHO - it is NOT worth $5MM / year (money that will NOT be going to payroll) to change from Wrigley to this ridiculous name. :shock:

[Soul]

Yes, I just heard this rumor on the radio. Not sure what's going on. cubfanintheknow pointed out maybe it's April Fools.

 

If it is true, man I think it's terrible. :?

[minnesotacubsfan]

Anyone hear this rumor?

 

IMHO - it is NOT worth $5MM / year (money that will NOT be going to payroll) to change from Wrigley to this ridiculous name. :shock:

 

 

who the hell is Walter E Smith?????

[Hector Villanuevas Pants]

My guess is this is an early April Fool's Day joke played by a radio station. I heard this on the Mike North Show, and they always have something on April Fool's Day (which happens to fall on a Saturday this year).

[David]

Anyone hear this rumor?

 

IMHO - it is NOT worth $5MM / year (money that will NOT be going to payroll) to change from Wrigley to this ridiculous name. :shock:

 

 

who the hell is Walter E Smith?????

 

It's a furniture store. "Walter E. Smithe You dream it. We build it."

[Sweep The Leg Johnny]

Its a joke. They've been reporting as something 'real' on the Score and NBC news. I was watching NBC news this morning when they reported it, then they followed it up with funny commercial with Dutchie Carrey and Walter E Smithe. YOu should see different TV commercials throughout the day. You can actually see the whole ad campaign here:

 

http://www.smithe.com

[CubbieRich]

Walter E. Smithe is a furniture retailer in the Chicagoland area. They have done a number of creative ads and promotional campaigns. They have a few tv ads currently running shot inside of Wrigley Field last year-with the ivy in full bloom.

 

In the past day or so, they have a tv ad promoting the changing of naming rights to 'Smithefield-Home of the Cubs'. The one ad I saw has Dutchie Caray on it, talking about how Harry would love it. The Smithe people have also had people on the local news shows holding up signs and wearing t-shirts with the Wrigley facade altered to include the Smithefield name.

 

McDonough is under pressure from the TRIB Tower to maximize profits and the naming rights of Wrigley would certainly be one of those things that could bring in more $$$. While he has held out, I think the decision is really out of his hands and MacPhail's. The TRIB can sell what they want and if they get really strapped, they will sell Wrigley.

 

For now, I think it's an ad campaign to attract attention for Smithe. It's working.

Edited March 31, 2006 by CubbieRich

[minnesotacubsfan]

 

It's a furniture store. "Walter E. Smithe You dream it. We build it."

 

 

ooo man thats thouching.......

[Cubfanintheknow]

April Fools, people. April Fools.

[YearofDaCubs]

What isn't a joke is Wrigley giving up the bleacher's naming rights. What a sell out organization.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-nws-bud31.html

[David]

What isn't a joke is Wrigley giving up the bleacher's naming rights. What a sell out organization.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-nws-bud31.html

 

I really don't understand why people are so bothered by things like this.

 

I just couldn't care less.

[badger1679666666]

What isn't a joke is Wrigley giving up the bleacher's naming rights. What a sell out organization.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-nws-bud31.html

 

Who cares? It's discreet and it's the world we live in.

 

Don't you have better things to worry about this team than them selling naming rights to the bleachers? Or is it just another area for you to criticize?

[Soul]

Its a joke. They've been reporting as something 'real' on the Score and NBC news. I was watching NBC news this morning when they reported it, then they followed it up with funny commercial with Dutchie Carrey and Walter E Smithe. YOu should see different TV commercials throughout the day. You can actually see the whole ad campaign here:

 

http://www.smithe.com

 

Definitely April Fools.

 

It's not April 1st though----that's not playing fair :lol:

[YearofDaCubs]

What isn't a joke is Wrigley giving up the bleacher's naming rights. What a sell out organization.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-nws-bud31.html

 

Who cares? It's discreet and it's the world we live in.

 

Don't you have better things to worry about this team than them selling naming rights to the bleachers? Or is it just another area for you to criticize?

Why do you care what I worry about? If there's something I like or don't like about the Cubs organization it makes sense to post it on a Cubs board. Last time I checked NSBB.com was a Cubs board. You have a tendency to call out a lot of people on this board who openly criticize the Cubs. I don't know what your story is and frankly, I don't care but there are a lot of things I don't like what this organization does.

[Soul]

What isn't a joke is Wrigley giving up the bleacher's naming rights. What a sell out organization.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-nws-bud31.html

 

Who cares? It's discreet and it's the world we live in.

 

Don't you have better things to worry about this team than them selling naming rights to the bleachers? Or is it just another area for you to criticize?

 

I do. But I still say if they're going to replace the real Wrigley piece-by-piece with new construction, and then sell each part for extra revenue, then I'd rather dispense with the coy disguises and just build an actual modern state-of-the-art ballpark.

[Garwilly]

Who wants to bet on this, seriously?

 

I will bet 100 with anybody who thinks this is real.

[Derwood]

I heard it's going to be "Snakes on a Plane War Memorial"

[badger1679666666]

What isn't a joke is Wrigley giving up the bleacher's naming rights. What a sell out organization.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-nws-bud31.html

 

Who cares? It's discreet and it's the world we live in.

 

Don't you have better things to worry about this team than them selling naming rights to the bleachers? Or is it just another area for you to criticize?

Why do you care what I worry about? If there's something I like or don't like about the Cubs organization it makes sense to post it on a Cubs board. Last time I checked NSBB.com was a Cubs board. You have a tendency to call out a lot of people on this board who openly criticize the Cubs. I don't know what your story is and frankly, I don't care but there are a lot of things I don't like what this organization does.

 

You actually think it's the organizations idea? I would bet both my limbs it's straight down from the Tribune Company.

 

I don't know what your story is either. IT seems you hate everything about the Cubs, and you just come on here to rail them about EVERYTHING. 99% of your posts are negative. It's one thing to have criticism, I more than certainly do, it just seems all you want to do is rip them about everything, including decisions that probably aren't even theirs. But whatever makes you a happy person.

[YearofDaCubs]

What isn't a joke is Wrigley giving up the bleacher's naming rights. What a sell out organization.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-nws-bud31.html

 

Who cares? It's discreet and it's the world we live in.

 

Don't you have better things to worry about this team than them selling naming rights to the bleachers? Or is it just another area for you to criticize?

Why do you care what I worry about? If there's something I like or don't like about the Cubs organization it makes sense to post it on a Cubs board. Last time I checked NSBB.com was a Cubs board. You have a tendency to call out a lot of people on this board who openly criticize the Cubs. I don't know what your story is and frankly, I don't care but there are a lot of things I don't like what this organization does.

 

You actually think it's the organizations idea? I would bet both my limbs it's straight down from the Tribune Company.

I don't know from whom it's coming from. I personally believe that Wrigley Field because of its landmark status and the fact it is one of the oldest stadiums out there should not be touched. I'm not a fan of the restaurant/bleachers upgrades they have done. IMO some things are best left alone and I think Wrigley is one of those places.

[jjgman21]

 

I do. But I still say if they're going to replace the real Wrigley piece-by-piece with new construction, and then sell each part for extra revenue, then I'd rather dispense with the coy disguises and just build an actual modern state-of-the-art ballpark.

 

between Daley/city counsel and Wrigley being listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the coy disguises are necessary. there are many politicians telling them what they cannot do with their building, so they have to jump through the hoops and do what they can.

[CubbieRich]

Tim Smithe(Mktg. brother of the family) was on with Mike North of The Score and said it was true. He also said they had talked about putting a dome over Wrigley. You could almost hear his tongue being placed in his cheek. I still think it's a marketing campaign until an offical word comes out. Apparently other news outlets are posting it on the web as true. I remain skeptical.

 

Hey Badger-How are The Cities? Have you had breakie at Keystone at Nicollet Mall yet? Watching Don and Emilia on 'CCO? Tell us all about it.

[Cubfanintheknow]

Tim Smithe(Mktg. brother of the family) was on with Mike North of The Score and said it was true. He also said they had talked about putting a dome over Wrigley. You could almost hear his tongue being placed in his cheek. I still think it's a marketing campaign until an offical word comes out. Apparently other news outlets are posting it on the web as true. I remain skeptical.

 

Hey Badger-How are The Cities? Have you had breakie at Keystone at Nicollet Mall yet? Watching Don and Emilia on 'CCO? Tell us all about it.

 

Walter E. Smithe spends a lot of money with all the media in Chicago. And to keep the Smithe dollars coming in, they're willing to play along with the little ruse--at least for a little while.

[badger1679666666]

What isn't a joke is Wrigley giving up the bleacher's naming rights. What a sell out organization.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-nws-bud31.html

 

Who cares? It's discreet and it's the world we live in.

 

Don't you have better things to worry about this team than them selling naming rights to the bleachers? Or is it just another area for you to criticize?

Why do you care what I worry about? If there's something I like or don't like about the Cubs organization it makes sense to post it on a Cubs board. Last time I checked NSBB.com was a Cubs board. You have a tendency to call out a lot of people on this board who openly criticize the Cubs. I don't know what your story is and frankly, I don't care but there are a lot of things I don't like what this organization does.

 

You actually think it's the organizations idea? I would bet both my limbs it's straight down from the Tribune Company.

I don't know from whom it's coming from. I personally believe that Wrigley Field because of its landmark status and the fact it is one of the oldest stadiums out there should not be touched. I'm not a fan of the restaurant/bleachers upgrades they have done. IMO some things are best left alone and I think Wrigley is one of those places.

 

Well to me, it reeks of the Tribune Company. Their stock is down, they are looking for ways to make money, this seems to be an easy way. I don't think the Cubs themselves are struggling for money, I really would alot of money this is a decision from the very top down.

 

Which is why the Cubs need to be sold. I mean I don't like it myself, but I don't really care, and I'd rather they field a winning playoff team than focus on naming rights to their bleachers.

[goonys evil twin]

 

I do. But I still say if they're going to replace the real Wrigley piece-by-piece with new construction, and then sell each part for extra revenue, then I'd rather dispense with the coy disguises and just build an actual modern state-of-the-art ballpark.

 

between Daley/city counsel and Wrigley being listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the coy disguises are necessary. there are many politicians telling them what they cannot do with their building, so they have to jump through the hoops and do what they can.

 

Exactly, and if they ever did build a modern stadium, they'd have to do so in a boring suburb somewhere. I don't care about the physical structure of Wrigley nearly as I do the location. I love that the stadium is in a great neighborhood in the middle of the city. So many other ballparks are glorified rest stops on the side of a highway, or part of a city's industrial area, surrounded by abandoned or broken down buildings. I hope they keep improving Wrigley bit by bit in it's current location, because I don't want to drive to a McBallpark in Naperville in the future to see the Cubs.

[badger1679666666]

 

I do. But I still say if they're going to replace the real Wrigley piece-by-piece with new construction, and then sell each part for extra revenue, then I'd rather dispense with the coy disguises and just build an actual modern state-of-the-art ballpark.

 

between Daley/city counsel and Wrigley being listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the coy disguises are necessary. there are many politicians telling them what they cannot do with their building, so they have to jump through the hoops and do what they can.

 

Exactly, and if they ever did build a modern stadium, they'd have to do so in a boring suburb somewhere. I don't care about the physical structure of Wrigley nearly as I do the location. I love that the stadium is in a great neighborhood in the middle of the city. So many other ballparks are glorified rest stops on the side of a highway, or part of a city's industrial area, surrounded by abandoned or broken down buildings. I hope they keep improving Wrigley bit by bit in it's current location, because I don't want to drive to a McBallpark in Naperville in the future to see the Cubs.

 

ne'er truer words been spoken.