Fredi Gonzalez rumor...

[C.C.]

Based on their respective talent levels, the Marlins over-achieved and the Cubs under-achieved this year. The Cubs have a $95 mil. payroll and the Marlins a $15 mil. payroll. The Cubs sell out nearly every ball game, the Marlins never draw until they make a post season appearance. Cub's ownership just wants to compete in their division. Marlin's ownership wants to meddle/second-guess game decisions. The Trib is a faceless entity with a CEO who's a fan. Loria is a jerk.

 

A .500 season in 2007 would be celebrated as progress by the Chicago media (and too many fans).

I'd take the job in Chicago.

 

A new manager in Florida would have to be compared to Girardi's season (over-achieved and in contention for the wild card). A new manager in Chicago would be hailed as a savior to reach .500 and have some sort of direction for the 2008 team. I totally agree with you that the Cubs' job is by far a better situation. The Marlins might be good for a new under-the-radar manager to give him a chance to get some experience.

 

I think you're wrong here. I think as a fan base we don't except a .500 ballclub anymore. As a whole we want a World Series or at least the playoffs. Espically with the Sox winning it all last year and Boston the year before. Anything less is not acceptable anymore...

[Backtobanks]

Based on their respective talent levels, the Marlins over-achieved and the Cubs under-achieved this year. The Cubs have a $95 mil. payroll and the Marlins a $15 mil. payroll. The Cubs sell out nearly every ball game, the Marlins never draw until they make a post season appearance. Cub's ownership just wants to compete in their division. Marlin's ownership wants to meddle/second-guess game decisions. The Trib is a faceless entity with a CEO who's a fan. Loria is a jerk.

 

A .500 season in 2007 would be celebrated as progress by the Chicago media (and too many fans).

I'd take the job in Chicago.

 

A new manager in Florida would have to be compared to Girardi's season (over-achieved and in contention for the wild card). A new manager in Chicago would be hailed as a savior to reach .500 and have some sort of direction for the 2008 team. I totally agree with you that the Cubs' job is by far a better situation. The Marlins might be good for a new under-the-radar manager to give him a chance to get some experience.

 

I think you're wrong here. I think as a fan base we don't except a .500 ballclub anymore. As a whole we want a World Series or at least the playoffs. Espically with the Sox winning it all last year and Boston the year before. Anything less is not acceptable anymore...

 

I'll believe that when I see some empty seats at Wrigley and a non-sellout at the Cubs Convention. We invented the motto "Wait until next year."

[C.C.]

Based on their respective talent levels, the Marlins over-achieved and the Cubs under-achieved this year. The Cubs have a $95 mil. payroll and the Marlins a $15 mil. payroll. The Cubs sell out nearly every ball game, the Marlins never draw until they make a post season appearance. Cub's ownership just wants to compete in their division. Marlin's ownership wants to meddle/second-guess game decisions. The Trib is a faceless entity with a CEO who's a fan. Loria is a jerk.

 

A .500 season in 2007 would be celebrated as progress by the Chicago media (and too many fans).

I'd take the job in Chicago.

 

A new manager in Florida would have to be compared to Girardi's season (over-achieved and in contention for the wild card). A new manager in Chicago would be hailed as a savior to reach .500 and have some sort of direction for the 2008 team. I totally agree with you that the Cubs' job is by far a better situation. The Marlins might be good for a new under-the-radar manager to give him a chance to get some experience.

 

I think you're wrong here. I think as a fan base we don't except a .500 ballclub anymore. As a whole we want a World Series or at least the playoffs. Espically with the Sox winning it all last year and Boston the year before. Anything less is not acceptable anymore...

 

I'll believe that when I see some empty seats at Wrigley and a non-sellout at the Cubs Convention. We invented the motto "Wait until next year."

 

You saw it this year. The last two months you saw a ton of empty seats. You see it when players are boo(ed) on a daily basis.

[cubfan]

Based on their respective talent levels, the Marlins over-achieved and the Cubs under-achieved this year. The Cubs have a $95 mil. payroll and the Marlins a $15 mil. payroll. The Cubs sell out nearly every ball game, the Marlins never draw until they make a post season appearance. Cub's ownership just wants to compete in their division. Marlin's ownership wants to meddle/second-guess game decisions. The Trib is a faceless entity with a CEO who's a fan. Loria is a jerk.

 

A .500 season in 2007 would be celebrated as progress by the Chicago media (and too many fans).

I'd take the job in Chicago.

 

A new manager in Florida would have to be compared to Girardi's season (over-achieved and in contention for the wild card). A new manager in Chicago would be hailed as a savior to reach .500 and have some sort of direction for the 2008 team. I totally agree with you that the Cubs' job is by far a better situation. The Marlins might be good for a new under-the-radar manager to give him a chance to get some experience.

 

I think you're wrong here. I think as a fan base we don't except a .500 ballclub anymore. As a whole we want a World Series or at least the playoffs. Espically with the Sox winning it all last year and Boston the year before. Anything less is not acceptable anymore...

 

I'll believe that when I see some empty seats at Wrigley and a non-sellout at the Cubs Convention. We invented the motto "Wait until next year."

 

You saw it this year. The last two months you saw a ton of empty seats. You see it when players are boo(ed) on a daily basis.

 

As long as the Cubs are at .500 they will probably be in the wild card race. I think that is all it would take for the avg fan to be happy and keep them coming to the ball park. I'm not sure about the new manager being hailed as a savior, but I think that will be enough for the organization and avg fan to be content.

[goonys evil twin]

I still say that a team with almost 100 years since a World Series win is the most pressure filled job in all of sports. Once the Cubs get past the century mark if they do, then all fans are going to get testy, not just those on a Cubs Message board.

 

That's doubtful. The Yankees view any season in which they don't win the WS as disastrous, and Boston goes insane every season. I think those are both higher pressure than the Cubs job. Imagine if Dusty got the results he got in either of those two places. He made it 4 full years in Chicago, 3 of which he was accepted by the vast majority of the public and media as exactly the right guy for the job. He'd have been killed after the 2003 playoff loss and 2004 collapse. Instead people talked about how lucky we were to have back to back winning seasons.

[fromthestretch]

I still say that a team with almost 100 years since a World Series win is the most pressure filled job in all of sports. Once the Cubs get past the century mark if they do, then all fans are going to get testy, not just those on a Cubs Message board.

 

That's doubtful. The Yankees view any season in which they don't win the WS as disastrous, and Boston goes insane every season. I think those are both higher pressure than the Cubs job. Imagine if Dusty got the results he got in either of those two places. He made it 4 full years in Chicago, 3 of which he was accepted by the vast majority of the public and media as exactly the right guy for the job. He'd have been killed after the 2003 playoff loss and 2004 collapse. Instead people talked about how lucky we were to have back to back winning seasons.

 

Considering how they fired Grady Little after a 95-win season and a series victory over Oakland in the ALDS in 2003, I think Dusty's fate would have been similar. He wouldn't have even been around in 2004.

[SCCubbieFAN]

The Cubs have to be one of the most attractive jobs around. A guaranteed 2 years with low expectations, a full stadium, a big budget, and all the perks that go with a big city (commercials, etc.)

 

Why would a new manager have "low expectations"? I think a new manager, whoever he might be, will be expected to carry and hold the team to a much higher level than the current manager.

[goonys evil twin]

The Cubs have to be one of the most attractive jobs around. A guaranteed 2 years with low expectations, a full stadium, a big budget, and all the perks that go with a big city (commercials, etc.)

 

Why would a new manager have "low expectations"? I think a new manager, whoever he might be, will be expected to carry and hold the team to a much higher level than the current manager.

 

A much higher level than the current manager is still very low. I think an 81 season would be acceptable by most for the next manager. If that's followed by an 85 win seasons he'll be sitting pretty (and those who complain about the lack of success will be chastised). It took a full-on disaster for Baker to start feeling real heat.

[Backtobanks]

Based on their respective talent levels, the Marlins over-achieved and the Cubs under-achieved this year. The Cubs have a $95 mil. payroll and the Marlins a $15 mil. payroll. The Cubs sell out nearly every ball game, the Marlins never draw until they make a post season appearance. Cub's ownership just wants to compete in their division. Marlin's ownership wants to meddle/second-guess game decisions. The Trib is a faceless entity with a CEO who's a fan. Loria is a jerk.

 

A .500 season in 2007 would be celebrated as progress by the Chicago media (and too many fans).

I'd take the job in Chicago.

 

A new manager in Florida would have to be compared to Girardi's season (over-achieved and in contention for the wild card). A new manager in Chicago would be hailed as a savior to reach .500 and have some sort of direction for the 2008 team. I totally agree with you that the Cubs' job is by far a better situation. The Marlins might be good for a new under-the-radar manager to give him a chance to get some experience.

 

I think you're wrong here. I think as a fan base we don't except a .500 ballclub anymore. As a whole we want a World Series or at least the playoffs. Espically with the Sox winning it all last year and Boston the year before. Anything less is not acceptable anymore...

 

I'll believe that when I see some empty seats at Wrigley and a non-sellout at the Cubs Convention. We invented the motto "Wait until next year."

 

You saw it this year. The last two months you saw a ton of empty seats. You see it when players are boo(ed) on a daily basis.

 

Yea, but those seats were sold and next year's tickets will be sold out within hours.

[goonys evil twin]

Yea, but those seats were sold and next year's tickets will be sold out within hours.

 

The seats were sold, but the lost revenue from fans not buying concessions was huge. And the tickets didn't sell out this year. They won't sell out next year unless some major changes are made.

 

Just because tickets have gone quickly since 2003, doesn't mean they always will. Do people not remember the 90's? You could get seats anywhere anytime.

[C.C.]

Based on their respective talent levels, the Marlins over-achieved and the Cubs under-achieved this year. The Cubs have a $95 mil. payroll and the Marlins a $15 mil. payroll. The Cubs sell out nearly every ball game, the Marlins never draw until they make a post season appearance. Cub's ownership just wants to compete in their division. Marlin's ownership wants to meddle/second-guess game decisions. The Trib is a faceless entity with a CEO who's a fan. Loria is a jerk.

 

A .500 season in 2007 would be celebrated as progress by the Chicago media (and too many fans).

I'd take the job in Chicago.

 

A new manager in Florida would have to be compared to Girardi's season (over-achieved and in contention for the wild card). A new manager in Chicago would be hailed as a savior to reach .500 and have some sort of direction for the 2008 team. I totally agree with you that the Cubs' job is by far a better situation. The Marlins might be good for a new under-the-radar manager to give him a chance to get some experience.

 

I think you're wrong here. I think as a fan base we don't except a .500 ballclub anymore. As a whole we want a World Series or at least the playoffs. Espically with the Sox winning it all last year and Boston the year before. Anything less is not acceptable anymore...

 

I'll believe that when I see some empty seats at Wrigley and a non-sellout at the Cubs Convention. We invented the motto "Wait until next year."

 

You saw it this year. The last two months you saw a ton of empty seats. You see it when players are boo(ed) on a daily basis.

 

Yea, but those seats were sold and next year's tickets will be sold out within hours.

 

Wanna bet? You have people not even showing up to the game even though they have bought tickets. Do you think those same people will buy them next year.

[goonys evil twin]

Wanna bet? You have people not even showing up to the game even though they have bought tickets. Do you think those same people will buy them next year.

 

You also have a slowing economy, falling home prices and quite likely a lot less disposable income next February.

[C.C.]

Wanna bet? You have people not even showing up to the game even though they have bought tickets. Do you think those same people will buy them next year.

 

You also have a slowing economy, falling home prices and quite likely a lot less disposable income next February.

 

Very true. You are going to see less tickets sold on both sides of the City. Both are major disappointments.

[Andy]

Yea, but those seats were sold and next year's tickets will be sold out within hours.

 

The seats were sold, but the lost revenue from fans not buying concessions was huge. And the tickets didn't sell out this year. They won't sell out next year unless some major changes are made.

 

Just because tickets have gone quickly since 2003, doesn't mean they always will. Do people not remember the 90's? You could get seats anywhere anytime.

I'm hoping that's the case. I like the idea of not having to search Ebay religiously to find tickets.

[soccer10k]

I still say that a team with almost 100 years since a World Series win is the most pressure filled job in all of sports. Once the Cubs get past the century mark if they do, then all fans are going to get testy, not just those on a Cubs Message board.

 

That's doubtful. The Yankees view any season in which they don't win the WS as disastrous, and Boston goes insane every season. I think those are both higher pressure than the Cubs job. Imagine if Dusty got the results he got in either of those two places. He made it 4 full years in Chicago, 3 of which he was accepted by the vast majority of the public and media as exactly the right guy for the job. He'd have been killed after the 2003 playoff loss and 2004 collapse. Instead people talked about how lucky we were to have back to back winning seasons.

 

Considering how they fired Grady Little after a 95-win season and a series victory over Oakland in the ALDS in 2003, I think Dusty's fate would have been similar. He wouldn't have even been around in 2004.

 

Grady's choke job in 2003 with leaving Pedro in was far worse than anything Dusty did. Everybody knew Pedro blew up after he hit the 100 pitch mark. Everybody knew that Pedro should have been removed from the ball game. Heck, my mom changed the channel when Little came out the first time because she thought Pedro was going to be removed from the game. Nobody could believe that Grady left Pedro in that ballgame.

 

While you could argue that Prior was overworked that year, there was no evidence to suggest that Prior wasn't going to be able to complete that 8th inning. He had pitched superbly that game and didn't show signs of tiring. He had also thrown 115+ pitches numerous times over the course of the year with positive results. Dusty had no reason to think that Prior would come undone in the 8th inning that day.

 

That's the difference. Grady should have known Pedro was likely to unravel. I think Dusty would have been around in 2004, but would have been fired after the season if he was the Boston manager.

[NCCubFan]

We invented the motto "Wait until next year."

Actually, I don't believe that's true. I'm fairly sure that the slogan originated with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s and 50s. Everybody associates the phrase with the Cubs these days, but just as Hendry steals trends from other teams, Cub fans stole a slogan. :D

[A New Era]

I think our slogan this year should be. . .

 

"THERE'S SOMEONE WORSE THAN US!! THERE'S SOMEONE WORSE THAN US!!"