Keep on 'em Bruce

[goonys evil twin]

You really want a player going after the media? Like Mercker did with Steve Stone, by calling the booth? Wasn't players worrying about the media part of what fans were upset about with past seasons?

 

Isn't this Sharon Pannozzo's job? Or was Jim just filling in for that woman who left for another job? Jack of all trades, master of none.

 

Yes, in general, I would think this is Sharon's job. However, it may be that this escalated beyond Sharon. Hendry is her boss, too.

 

He's ranked higher, but her boss? I'd think she'd report to MacPhail before Hendry.

[brinoch]

True, however, its not up to Hendry (who would be hearing the story secondhand at best) to go after Sullivan. If Jones was misquoted, its Jones' job to set the record straight. Not some guy who wasn't even there, and who could intimidate the writer into self-censorship.

 

No, it's not Jones's job to correct this. I completely disagree. He should never, ever deal with a reporter in an adversarial situation. Jones should let the media relations staff deal with this. If the staff dealt with it, and they felt it was still unresolved to their satisfaction, then Hendry approaching Sullivan might be appropriate. But without knowing the chain of events and conversations, I don't think it's fair to cast judgment on Hendry.

 

And, I don't blame Sullivan for leaking it, by the way. There's a reason you don't pick fights with people who buy ink by the barrell.

 

I think this is a unique situation because they both work for the same company, though. I think someone with less juice within the organization probably would have been a better choice to confront Sullivan (if, in fact, it was erroneous-which is debatable), because there is certainly a conflict of interest here and an unstable power breakdown.

 

If you really think that, then you should look at each and every article by the Tribune is a conflict of interest. Look, you don't have to think much of Sullivan as a reporter, Hendry as a GM or the Tribune as a paper, but don't attack anyone's integrity in this situation. This was not, and is not, a conflict of interest situation.

 

While the Tribune and the Cubs are all owned by the same company, Hendry is not McGrath or Sullivan's boss. They don't report to Hendry, and the leadership of the paper is NOT going to sanction, fire, or remove them based on Hendry's, MacPhail's or Panazzo's anger.

[brinoch]

You really want a player going after the media? Like Mercker did with Steve Stone, by calling the booth? Wasn't players worrying about the media part of what fans were upset about with past seasons?

 

Isn't this Sharon Pannozzo's job? Or was Jim just filling in for that woman who left for another job? Jack of all trades, master of none.

 

Yes, in general, I would think this is Sharon's job. However, it may be that this escalated beyond Sharon. Hendry is her boss, too.

 

He's ranked higher, but her boss? I'd think she'd report to MacPhail before Hendry.

 

Could be. I'm not 100% sure. Sharon's the Director of Media Relations; Hendry's the Vice President/General Manager of Baseball Operations. Ultimately, MacPhail is the head of the organization -- he oversees both of them.

 

It very well might have been that Hendry was defending his player -- as he should -- and MacPhail was brought in at Pannazzo's behest.

 

This is why I don't want to criticize any of the people in this situation. I just don't know enough of the details.

[BigbadB]

This is why I don't want to criticize any of the people in this situation. I just don't know enough of the details.

 

The situation is this team is horrible and something needs to be done. And I have plenty of criticism to offer until it does. :P

[Wilson A2000]

Not sure if this has been mentioned already.

 

McGrath was on the Score today and said that the incident happened 3 weeks ago, not last week. Is he right? Sullivan was on the Score also, he actually phoned in, and he said the berating was not over the Jones quote alone, but over his whole career and "it got personal." So did Sullivan misquote Jones or not? McGrath must have bene wrong on when it happened, cause the Jones quote happened in the last week.

 

Then I heard Bruce on ESPN and he made it seme like the lashing was just over the Jones quote or misquote. I guess he did not hear about the Score interview where Sullivan himself said it was over far more than that. Caplan on WGN came to the same analysis as did Miles so I guess the Score interview never got to them either.

[sunnydoo]

I think Hendry and company should look into hiring this guy for the Media Relations Post. He has had experience with this type of thing before. "Remain calm everyone. Nothing to see here."

 

http://www.cfpeople.org/military/070404/BaghdadBobCBS.jpg

[oldcubsfan]

Not sure if this has been mentioned already.

 

McGrath was on the Score today and said that the incident happened 3 weeks ago, not last week. Is he right? Sullivan was on the Score also, he actually phoned in, and he said the berating was not over the Jones quote alone, but over his whole career and "it got personal." So did Sullivan misquote Jones or not? McGrath must have bene wrong on when it happened, cause the Jones quote happened in the last week.

 

Then I heard Bruce on ESPN and he made it seme like the lashing was just over the Jones quote or misquote. I guess he did not hear about the Score interview where Sullivan himself said it was over far more than that. Caplan on WGN came to the same analysis as did Miles so I guess the Score interview never got to them either.

 

It goes back to where Sullivan said Jones "ripped" the fans severalweeks ago. Ask Bruce about what Jones said, and he will tell you Jones didn't rip the fans. The Suntimes story and the Herald story were very different than little Paul's story.

[Wilson A2000]

Well then for that Sullivan and McGrath deserved a scolding, especialyl when they didn't put out a correction the next day and Jacque got ripped. But the meeting was over far more than that.

[CubinNY]

Well then for that Sullivan and McGrath deserved a scolding, especialyl when they didn't put out a correction the next day and Jacque got ripped. But the meeting was over far more than that.

 

Didn't Sullivan indicate that it wasn't him who leaked the story? Regardless, I can only ask why? Why would either Hendry or MacPhail feel the need to do this? I mean, what where they thinking? Everyone who reads Sullivan know he's more gossip columnist then beat writer. And on top of all that, why should they care? If Jones is that fragile, if I'm Hendry I'm looking to get him out Chicago on the next flight to KC, Miami, or Seattle. holy smokes, this is bad. Real, real, bad. But it does explain a lot about the Cubs.

[Wilson A2000]

Well then for that Sullivan and McGrath deserved a scolding, especialyl when they didn't put out a correction the next day and Jacque got ripped. But the meeting was over far more than that.

 

Didn't Sullivan indicate that it wasn't him who leaked the story? Regardless, I can only ask why? Why would either Hendry or MacPhail feel the need to do this? I mean, what where they thinking? Everyone who reads Sullivan know he's more gossip columnist then beat writer. And on top of all that, why should they care? If Jones is that fragile, if I'm Hendry I'm looking to get him out Chicago on the next flight to KC, Miami, or Seattle. holy smokes, this is bad. Real, real, bad. But it does explain a lot about the Cubs.

 

Sullivan didn't say who leaked the story, but Sullivan wanted it to stay in house. He did say he always got along with Hendry and thought he did with MacPahail, but is still mad at MacPhail now.

 

What were they thinking? They didn't want the company that owns the Cubs ripping the Cubs. The Score ripped this apart today. What purpose do you have as a writer if you can't be objective?

 

You can't get rid of Jones. He is the Cubs hottest hitter, even though that aint saying much. Remember Sullivan misquotes Jones. Jones isn't as fragile as Sullivan made him seem. Walker is.

[RynoRules]

Message to Jim and Andy:

 

http://images.art.com/images/-/Dilbert---Just-Shut-Up-Poster-C10114871.jpeg

[CubinNY]

Well then for that Sullivan and McGrath deserved a scolding, especialyl when they didn't put out a correction the next day and Jacque got ripped. But the meeting was over far more than that.

 

Didn't Sullivan indicate that it wasn't him who leaked the story? Regardless, I can only ask why? Why would either Hendry or MacPhail feel the need to do this? I mean, what where they thinking? Everyone who reads Sullivan know he's more gossip columnist then beat writer. And on top of all that, why should they care? If Jones is that fragile, if I'm Hendry I'm looking to get him out Chicago on the next flight to KC, Miami, or Seattle. holy smokes, this is bad. Real, real, bad. But it does explain a lot about the Cubs.

 

Sullivan didn't say who leaked the story, but Sullivan wanted it to stay in house. He did say he always got along with Hendry and thought he did with MacPahail, but is still mad at MacPhail now.

 

What were they thinking? They didn't want the company that owns the Cubs ripping the Cubs. The Score ripped this apart today. What purpose do you have as a writer if you can't be objective?

 

You can't get rid of Jones. He is the Cubs hottest hitter, even though that aint saying much. Remember Sullivan misquotes Jones. Jones isn't as fragile as Sullivan made him seem. Walker is.

 

The Tribune and the Cubs are only related because they are held by a sinlge mulit-national, billion dollar corporation. The tribune isn't Cubs.com. The job of Hendry and McPhaill is to put a winning product on the field. The job of Sullivan is to write about that product. I suppose Hendry & Co. have a right to their opinion but people in their position shouldn't do what they did. This is like Stonegate all over again. They are only making it worse for themselves.

[Wilson A2000]

They had a vested interest in this story not going public. Fortunately it did. I wonder if Hendry knew it got out which is why he has been doing hordes of interviews lately.

[oldcubsfan]

Well then for that Sullivan and McGrath deserved a scolding, especialyl when they didn't put out a correction the next day and Jacque got ripped. But the meeting was over far more than that.

 

Didn't Sullivan indicate that it wasn't him who leaked the story? Regardless, I can only ask why? Why would either Hendry or MacPhail feel the need to do this? I mean, what where they thinking? Everyone who reads Sullivan know he's more gossip columnist then beat writer. And on top of all that, why should they care? If Jones is that fragile, if I'm Hendry I'm looking to get him out Chicago on the next flight to KC, Miami, or Seattle. holy smokes, this is bad. Real, real, bad. But it does explain a lot about the Cubs.

 

Sullivan didn't say who leaked the story, but Sullivan wanted it to stay in house. He did say he always got along with Hendry and thought he did with MacPahail, but is still mad at MacPhail now.

 

What were they thinking? They didn't want the company that owns the Cubs ripping the Cubs. The Score ripped this apart today. What purpose do you have as a writer if you can't be objective?

 

You can't get rid of Jones. He is the Cubs hottest hitter, even though that aint saying much. Remember Sullivan misquotes Jones. Jones isn't as fragile as Sullivan made him seem. Walker is.

 

The Tribune and the Cubs are only related because they are held by a sinlge mulit-national, billion dollar corporation. The tribune isn't Cubs.com. The job of Hendry and McPhaill is to put a winning product on the field. The job of Sullivan is to write about that product. I suppose Hendry & Co. have a right to their opinion but people in their position shouldn't do what they did. This is like Stonegate all over again. They are only making it worse for themselves.

 

From your statement, I can only assume that you do not work for a large company, quite possiblby you work in the public sector or are in school. The relationship is far deeper than you describe, the Trib is a media company in the entertainment business and to have some contract worker hack ripping apart everything, everyday, well it just isn't good business. The Board will look at a 500 mill asset vs a $50k writer or editor and decide which is the more valuable asset to protect. It sure won't be Sullivan or McGrath. Just as Stone and Chip thought they were the product and found out that wasn't the case, so will Sullivan and McGrath.

[CuseCubFan69]

Let me get this right. Hendry is upset about Jones being misquoted? What did he say? "I don't think I should swing at every pitch". That probably mad Hendry and Baker very angry.

[Larry Horse]

I am suprised anyone could even defend the Cubs on this one.

 

Sullivan's job is to write, Hendry and McFails job is to attempt to assemble a winning team.

 

One can do his job and the others don't want to hear how they are failing in theirs.

 

I wonder if Sullivan stood and bitched out Hendry and MacPhail the day Jacque Jones or Neifi Perez was signed? Same difference, no?

[JC]

I am particularly enjoying how the argument now is that Sullivan will learn the lesson that Stone and Caray did when rocking the Tribune boat, but the argument at the time when Steve and Chip left was that the Cubs had no influence on that part of the Tribune company. Whatever is convenient, I guess...

[oldcubsfan]

Here's the Sullivan interview-

 

http://www.670thescore.com/includes/news_items/1/919/paul_sullivan.mp3

[CubinNY]

Well then for that Sullivan and McGrath deserved a scolding, especialyl when they didn't put out a correction the next day and Jacque got ripped. But the meeting was over far more than that.

 

Didn't Sullivan indicate that it wasn't him who leaked the story? Regardless, I can only ask why? Why would either Hendry or MacPhail feel the need to do this? I mean, what where they thinking? Everyone who reads Sullivan know he's more gossip columnist then beat writer. And on top of all that, why should they care? If Jones is that fragile, if I'm Hendry I'm looking to get him out Chicago on the next flight to KC, Miami, or Seattle. holy smokes, this is bad. Real, real, bad. But it does explain a lot about the Cubs.

 

Sullivan didn't say who leaked the story, but Sullivan wanted it to stay in house. He did say he always got along with Hendry and thought he did with MacPahail, but is still mad at MacPhail now.

 

What were they thinking? They didn't want the company that owns the Cubs ripping the Cubs. The Score ripped this apart today. What purpose do you have as a writer if you can't be objective?

 

You can't get rid of Jones. He is the Cubs hottest hitter, even though that aint saying much. Remember Sullivan misquotes Jones. Jones isn't as fragile as Sullivan made him seem. Walker is.

 

The Tribune and the Cubs are only related because they are held by a sinlge mulit-national, billion dollar corporation. The tribune isn't Cubs.com. The job of Hendry and McPhaill is to put a winning product on the field. The job of Sullivan is to write about that product. I suppose Hendry & Co. have a right to their opinion but people in their position shouldn't do what they did. This is like Stonegate all over again. They are only making it worse for themselves.

 

From your statement, I can only assume that you do not work for a large company, quite possiblby you work in the public sector or are in school. The relationship is far deeper than you describe, the Trib is a media company in the entertainment business and to have some contract worker hack ripping apart everything, everyday, well it just isn't good business. The Board will look at a 500 mill asset vs a $50k writer or editor and decide which is the more valuable asset to protect. It sure won't be Sullivan or McGrath. Just as Stone and Chip thought they were the product and found out that wasn't the case, so will Sullivan and McGrath.

 

LOL, BREAKING NEWS: Sullivan rips Jones in Trib. Stock Drops 50 points.

 

If the Trib want to protect their 500 million dollar ass(et) then the best thing they can do is get rid of Hendry and McPhaill and not worry about some hack writer trying to sell copy.

[Wilson A2000]

Well then for that Sullivan and McGrath deserved a scolding, especialyl when they didn't put out a correction the next day and Jacque got ripped. But the meeting was over far more than that.

 

Didn't Sullivan indicate that it wasn't him who leaked the story? Regardless, I can only ask why? Why would either Hendry or MacPhail feel the need to do this? I mean, what where they thinking? Everyone who reads Sullivan know he's more gossip columnist then beat writer. And on top of all that, why should they care? If Jones is that fragile, if I'm Hendry I'm looking to get him out Chicago on the next flight to KC, Miami, or Seattle. holy smokes, this is bad. Real, real, bad. But it does explain a lot about the Cubs.

 

Sullivan didn't say who leaked the story, but Sullivan wanted it to stay in house. He did say he always got along with Hendry and thought he did with MacPahail, but is still mad at MacPhail now.

 

What were they thinking? They didn't want the company that owns the Cubs ripping the Cubs. The Score ripped this apart today. What purpose do you have as a writer if you can't be objective?

 

You can't get rid of Jones. He is the Cubs hottest hitter, even though that aint saying much. Remember Sullivan misquotes Jones. Jones isn't as fragile as Sullivan made him seem. Walker is.

 

The Tribune and the Cubs are only related because they are held by a sinlge mulit-national, billion dollar corporation. The tribune isn't Cubs.com. The job of Hendry and McPhaill is to put a winning product on the field. The job of Sullivan is to write about that product. I suppose Hendry & Co. have a right to their opinion but people in their position shouldn't do what they did. This is like Stonegate all over again. They are only making it worse for themselves.

 

From your statement, I can only assume that you do not work for a large company, quite possiblby you work in the public sector or are in school. The relationship is far deeper than you describe, the Trib is a media company in the entertainment business and to have some contract worker hack ripping apart everything, everyday, well it just isn't good business. The Board will look at a 500 mill asset vs a $50k writer or editor and decide which is the more valuable asset to protect. It sure won't be Sullivan or McGrath. Just as Stone and Chip thought they were the product and found out that wasn't the case, so will Sullivan and McGrath.

 

Cub fans aren't dumb anymore. If the Cubs don't produce soon, Chicago could become a Sox town cause Chicago is looking for a winner. It is in the company's best interest to obey Sullivan's advice if they want to remain profitable. Because the Sox won the WS, Cub fans want a winner now. If they don't get it, soone or later people will stop going and then the Tribune will lose money. Sullivan is right on. If the Cubs follow his advice it will be for their best interest.

[oldstyle81]

Why the hell does this pathetic team try to blame everyone else for their own shortcomings.

 

First it was Steve and Chip, now its harsh writing in the tribune. i love how Cap put it today, If you suck, we are going to tell you, you suck. Sullivan also went on to say, i never heard anyone bitch about anything when things are good. I went down to the cell today and saw a great team in the sox (It so pains me to say that) beat up on a hapless pathetic team. FORGET FIRING DUSTY, This team cant beat anyone other than truly mediocre teams like the nationals. He cant do anything when all important offensive stats are last in the league. We looks so absolutley dreadful out there today. the saga that is Perez, a great signing by Hendry. Whats sad is that when all the sox fans yelled, "CUBS SUCK" Not only did they mean it, but it couldnt be any truer

 

the best thing that can happen is that this becomes a soxs town. it sure as hell looked it on the train today. We are bad, there is no other way to put it, we absolutely suck.

[Soul]

I heard even Todd Walker is getting in on the fan bashing now.

 

This is truly incredible.

 

No, Todd. You've lost 14 of 17. It doesn't matter if it wasn't your fault for getting doubled off. You lose like this you're going to get booed. Deal with it.

 

 

My GOD. What is this team? It's like they're taking lessons from the Bush administration or something. "How to tank and pretend it hasn't happened," by Carl Rove. Seminar co-hosted by Jim Hendry.

 

Can someone buy the Trib a clue, please? Or better yet, can someone WITH a clue buy the Cubs? Throw me a bone here.

[oldstyle81]

I heard even Todd Walker is getting in on the fan bashing now.

 

This is truly incredible.

 

No, Todd. You've lost 14 of 17. It doesn't matter if it wasn't your fault for getting doubled off. You lose like this you're going to get booed. Deal with it.

 

 

My GOD. What is this team? It's like they're taking lessons from the Bush administration or something. "How to tank and pretend it hasn't happened," by Carl Rove. Seminar co-hosted by Jim Hendry.

 

Can someone buy the Trib a clue, please? Or better yet, can someone WITH a clue buy the Cubs? Throw me a bone here.

 

We all know todd walker is as good as gone come the trade deadline

[oldstyle81]

it really pisses me off that Jim Hendry really meant it when he said the soxs winning it didnt put any pressure on him.

[Soul]

it really pisses me off that Jim Hendry really meant it when he said the soxs winning it didnt put any pressure on him.

 

That irked me too. He refuses to compete with the other ballclub in town. They've been competing with us and it won them a World Series. Our response is, "we don't want to play."

 

Terrible.

 

All I want to know is when we can clean house and be rid of these clowns.