Bruce Miles dissects the MacPhail era

[Soul]

Bruce, put me down as willing to accept somewhat less likable people in the front office if it means winning a World Series. I can't speak for anyone else.

 

I, too, like Andy as a person but I've been a fan of this ballclub for almost 4 decades and would like to see what only my Great Grandfather witnessed: a Cubs World Series.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce, put me down as willing to accept somewhat less likable people in the front office if it means winning a World Series. I can't speak for anyone else.

 

I, too, like Andy as a person but I've been a fan of this ballclub for almost 4 decades and would like to see what only my Great Grandfather witnessed: a Cubs World Series.

 

You're right, Soul. It ain't about niceness. It's about winning. I can deal with jerks. Winning has a way of smoothing things out.

[Wilson A2000]

The MacPhail Run=good for the Tribune because they are making tons of cash. So when you judge MacPhail, by whose standards are you judging? Why would they ever fire him?

[NewUserName]

Yeah you dont hear too many White Sox fans complaining about Ozzie being a jerk.

 

Is Andy MacPhail really not doing a good job? Is it his job to put a winning team on the field? or is it his job to make money? Does he control which way the organization goes in the draft? Does he intentionally value fast, flexible players over players that produce?

 

I am not writing this to defend MacPhail, I think a lot of the problem is the Cubs do a good job of making money even with the lousy track record. IF you ran the Tribune would you get rid of a guy who makes money under bad circumstances. Heck I would keep him without even blinking an eye. The problem is we dont have an owner who cares about winning and losing as much as making money. I also think this is why the Cubs dont ever really go with youth. Why gamble on Pie being acceptable to the masses when we can wow them with Pierre and Jones, 2 likeable, mediocre players who are way over valued on Baseball Tonight.

[C.C.]

BTW - My buddy just heard Murphy on the SCORE say that 3 sources he knows of tell him MacPhail is going to get the boot.

[Soul]

IF you ran the Tribune would you get rid of a guy who makes money under bad circumstances. Heck I would keep him without even blinking an eye.

 

I understand your point. This year though----there's got to be a drop in revenue. Those stands are looking pretty empty these days. Who knows how many hot dogs are going cold, replica jerseys remaining unsold.....advertisers complaining about the dropping viewership.

 

Trib will never tell us. But some of that has to be happening. Fan interest in this team has dropped through the floor this year.

[CUBZ99]

BTW - My buddy just heard Murphy on the SCORE say that 3 sources he knows of tell him MacPhail is going to get the boot.

 

Hopefully, Hendry and Baker get the same boot.

[goonys evil twin]

IF you ran the Tribune would you get rid of a guy who makes money under bad circumstances. Heck I would keep him without even blinking an eye.

 

I understand your point. This year though----there's got to be a drop in revenue. Those stands are looking pretty empty these days. Who knows how many hot dogs are going cold, replica jerseys remaining unsold.....advertisers complaining about the dropping viewership.

 

Trib will never tell us. But some of that has to be happening. Fan interest in this team has dropped through the floor this year.

 

The money was being made despite the losses because throughout the late 90's and early 00's, there was a ton of hope based on the belief in the farm system. Ticket sales increased based on expectations for future success, and the playoff entries just fueled the fire. Those empty seats are hitting home right now, both in terms of a loss of revenue this year (concessions), and expectations for a drop in ticket demand next spring. People bought tickets early when they realized they would be so expensive, and hard to come by, later in a successful year, and nobody wanted to be left out of a championship year. 2004 had high expectations. 2005 were just as high, despite the late season collapse in 2004. 2006 was a case of being forgiving one bad year. But 2007 is a big question mark. The team is in dissarray. Revenue is far from guaranteed. There has to be something to spark expectations, which is ultimately what drives preseason sales demand. A change in managers probably isn't going to do it. The Trib's options are to overhaul the front office, or invest in some big time players, or at least names.

[C.C.]

IF you ran the Tribune would you get rid of a guy who makes money under bad circumstances. Heck I would keep him without even blinking an eye.

 

I understand your point. This year though----there's got to be a drop in revenue. Those stands are looking pretty empty these days. Who knows how many hot dogs are going cold, replica jerseys remaining unsold.....advertisers complaining about the dropping viewership.

 

Trib will never tell us. But some of that has to be happening. Fan interest in this team has dropped through the floor this year.

 

The money was being made despite the losses because throughout the late 90's and early 00's, there was a ton of hope based on the belief in the farm system. Ticket sales increased based on expectations for future success, and the playoff entries just fueled the fire. Those empty seats are hitting home right now, both in terms of a loss of revenue this year (concessions), and expectations for a drop in ticket demand next spring. People bought tickets early when they realized they would be so expensive, and hard to come by, later in a successful year, and nobody wanted to be left out of a championship year. 2004 had high expectations. 2005 were just as high, despite the late season collapse in 2004. 2006 was a case of being forgiving one bad year. But 2007 is a big question mark. The team is in dissarray. Revenue is far from guaranteed. There has to be something to spark expectations, which is ultimately what drives preseason sales demand. A change in managers probably isn't going to do it. The Trib's options are to overhaul the front office, or invest in some big time players, or at least names.

 

Or hopefully sell the team!

[Wilson A2000]

IF you ran the Tribune would you get rid of a guy who makes money under bad circumstances. Heck I would keep him without even blinking an eye.

 

I understand your point. This year though----there's got to be a drop in revenue. Those stands are looking pretty empty these days. Who knows how many hot dogs are going cold, replica jerseys remaining unsold.....advertisers complaining about the dropping viewership.

 

Trib will never tell us. But some of that has to be happening. Fan interest in this team has dropped through the floor this year.

 

All of those tickets were already sold. They people just never came. Yes they lost some beer money, but overall it wasnt so bad. Now if they would have got the right players, they would have made the playoffs and then made a real killing. The Tribune Co isnt that smart.

[goonys evil twin]

All of those tickets were already sold. They people just never came. Yes they lost some beer money, but overall it wasnt so bad. Now if they would have got the right players, they would have made the playoffs and then made a real killing. The Tribune Co isnt that smart.

 

Ticket sales are just a portion of game day revenue. It's a big deal that those people didn't come. It's not the retirees bussing in from Iowa that spend another $75 on beer and hot dogs. You can count on those attendees. Furthermore, those empty seats this year are going to mean less demand next February. The memory of eating those tickets is going to cause some people to not be so eager to purchase when they go on sale. I know this February was the first time in many years I didn't even try to buy any tickets. And I know several people who were giving away their tickets for much of this season.

 

The trib knows that succcess breeds revenue. That's why they kept increasing payroll in the late 90's and early 00's, when many other teams were pulling back. It wasn't until Hendry's plans started blowing up in his face that they pulled in the spending reins a little (this season).

[Banedon]

BTW - My buddy just heard Murphy on the SCORE say that 3 sources he knows of tell him MacPhail is going to get the boot.

 

Cubs.com backs up that Murphy did actually say this...

 

http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=ml-cubs&msg=247294.1&ctx=0

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

BTW - My buddy just heard Murphy on the SCORE say that 3 sources he knows of tell him MacPhail is going to get the boot.

 

Hopefully, Hendry and Baker get the same boot.

 

If MacPhail does get fired, there will be a cleaning of the house. I simply don't believe MacPhail will be fired. I think we won't be rid of him until he takes Selig's job...and then the boys at the Trib will put Hendry in charge. :lol:

[Soriano12]

BTW - My buddy just heard Murphy on the SCORE say that 3 sources he knows of tell him MacPhail is going to get the boot.

 

Cubs.com backs up that Murphy did actually say this...

 

http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=ml-cubs&msg=247294.1&ctx=0

 

Awesome.

 

See ya Failure.

 

Maybe you can go back to the Twins and get a mop job.

[Guest]

BTW - My buddy just heard Murphy on the SCORE say that 3 sources he knows of tell him MacPhail is going to get the boot.

 

Hopefully, Hendry and Baker get the same boot.

 

If MacPhail does get fired, there will be a cleaning of the house. I simply don't believe MacPhail will be fired. I think we won't be rid of him until he takes Selig's job...and then the boys at the Trib will put Hendry in charge. :lol:

 

Did anybody say he was getting fired? Because him being "out" could very well mean he is leaving voluntarily - perhaps to take a job in the commisioners office.

[Banedon]

BTW - My buddy just heard Murphy on the SCORE say that 3 sources he knows of tell him MacPhail is going to get the boot.

 

Cubs.com backs up that Murphy did actually say this...

 

http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=ml-cubs&msg=247294.1&ctx=0

 

Awesome.

 

See ya Failure.

 

Maybe you can go back to the Twins and get a mop job.

 

Well....just because Murph says it, doesn't make it true... :P

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

MacPhail could be taking a job with the commisioner's office as the lead negotiator for the next labor deal and then take over for Selig after his retirement.

 

Anything that changes regimes would be nice.

[Guest]

MacPhail could be taking a job with the commisioner's office as the lead negotiator for the next labor deal and then take over for Selig after his retirement.

 

Anything that changes regimes would be nice.

 

yea, the positive effect for us would be the same - this would be far more believable than andy getting fired in my opinion.

 

one problem with cleaning house is ramirez - better get him re-signed before firing Hendry.

[soccer10k]

Excellent article.

 

The jury is out on recent drafts, but the Cubs got absolutely nothing as far as position players go in the 1995, ’96, ’97, ’99 and 2000 drafts.

 

I can't emphasize this enough. Has there ever been a club who produces less position talent in their minor league system? We're talking Mark Grace here. How can this go unpunished for so long?

 

Yup. It always baffles me how the Cubs never have any position talent in the minor leagues. Every report is how great the pitching is. I'm not complaining about the good pitching but you would think they would have stumbled onto a couple good position prospects over the years.

[A New Era]

But if we just stop throwing the baseball back, stop playing "Jump", and ban the wave, we'll be better again!!! :twisted:

 

Where the hell is the damn blow his head up smiley at.

[A New Era]

I'm gonna have to finish this peice on Sullivan. He's childish so this fits. .

 

No Paul Sullivan, you are not correct.

There's one thing I've come to expect

Your words I must deflect

You surely get no respect

 

Can you stand erect?

Can your thoughts, you reflect?

You write your columns with neglect.

They come out with no effect.

[ToupeeOnFire]

So let's examine rumors:

 

Girardi reportedly won't return to the Marlins, Girardi to the Cubs is a distinct possibility. (I don't have an opinion of Girardi either way, but I know a lot of Cub fans will be clamoring for him. I'll just be happy to be rid of Dusty and hope for the best.)

 

Major shake-up at the Tribune, Cubs could be put up for sale.

 

MacPhail rumored to be given the boot? If MacPhail is ousted, I don't see how Hendry survives. Is this rumor somehow related to the Tribune shake-up; is this part of the smoke to that particular fire?

 

Me (rocking back and forth in a fetal position):

 

I refuse to get my hopes up.

I refuse to get my hopes up.

Can only lead to disappointment, been burned before...

I refuse to get my hopes up.

[CP_414]

BTW - My buddy just heard Murphy on the SCORE say that 3 sources he knows of tell him MacPhail is going to get the boot.

 

Cubs.com backs up that Murphy did actually say this...

 

http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=ml-cubs&msg=247294.1&ctx=0

 

I heard this yesterday. Murphy said it was a rumor. He said he had talked with 4 Cubs sources about this and 3 said MacPhail might get the boot, the other said "no way." In order of confidence in the source he ranked them as follows:

 

1. He might get fired.

2. No way!

3. He might get fired.

4. He might get fired.

 

It was far from Murphy reporting this "will happen." He did speculate that if MacPhail is fired, the Cubs will promote from within.

[BigbadB]

If the Cubs were sold, it would probably be too late for a front office shake up. I have a feeling we will be stuck with Hendry for another year.

[rocket]

i can't stress enough how the cubs being sold does not necessarily mean it will be a good thing