Marquis can have #21

[Southpaw191679666239]

Even though there is some discussion of this in the Lilly press conference thread; it's neither a transaction, nor about that event. So, I thought I would put it here for further discussion.

 

Chicago Tribune[/url]"]Another prominent number, however, may soon be taken out of mothballs. McDonough said if free-agent pitcher Jason Marquis wants to wear his No. 21 after he officially signs with the Cubs, he can have it.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I'm sorry, but when you put up an ERA better than 6.02, then you can wear that number. He's not a top tier FA. There's no need to kiss his ***.

[David]

I'm sorry, but when you put up an ERA better than 6.02, then you can wear that number. He's not a top tier FA. There's no need to kiss his ***.

 

I don't think it's wanting to kiss his ass as much as it's them wanting to burn all bridges with Sammy.

 

Sad. There's no reason they can't ask him to take another number. This organization has no class.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

This sucks. A suck-ass pitcher will get to wear the number of a living legend. I'm not happy.

[Jon]

Considering the one year contract Sosa would sign for, I'd rather have him out on the pitchers mound next year in #21.

[Soriano12]

This garbage arm is gonna be wearing #21? What a freakin joke.

[hawkcub]

You guys act like he is the only prominent Cub to have someone else to wear their number when their days of a Cub are done.

[Southpaw191679666239]

You guys act like he is the only prominent Cub to have someone else to wear their number when their days of a Cub are done.

 

Not only that, but it's just being "allowed" if Marquis chooses that number. Let's see what kind of decision-making skills Jason has before vilifying the man. Wait for his ballooned ERA to do that. ;)

[Butterscup1679666578]

Awful.

[cbbryan]

You guys act like he is the only prominent Cub to have someone else to wear their number when their days of a Cub are done.

 

Anyone wear #14? Because there's a difference between a "prominent" player and a "FRANCHISE" player.

 

While I have my problems with Sosa, no one should wear his number again in a Cub uni.

 

Ernie

 

Ryno

 

Sammy

 

Franchise players.

[erik316wttn]

What kind of a message does this send to other players?

 

"Come play for the Cubs. Bust your ass for us and be the face of the franchise and be the only reason anyone is at the stadium for many, many seasons and we'll run you down every chance we get for a few indiscretions!"

 

How do we know for certain that, say, 10 years from now the Cubs aren't doing this to DLee or Zambrano?

[sweetpeteman]

You guys act like he is the only prominent Cub to have someone else to wear their number when their days of a Cub are done.

 

Anyone wear #14? Because there's a difference between a "prominent" player and a "FRANCHISE" player.

 

While I have my problems with Sosa, no one should wear his number again in a Cub uni.

 

Ernie

 

Ryno

 

Sammy

 

Franchise players.

 

You forgot Santo.

[DCNashville]

Is a number really that big a deal?

[cbbryan]

You guys act like he is the only prominent Cub to have someone else to wear their number when their days of a Cub are done.

 

Anyone wear #14? Because there's a difference between a "prominent" player and a "FRANCHISE" player.

 

While I have my problems with Sosa, no one should wear his number again in a Cub uni.

 

Ernie

 

Ryno

 

Sammy

 

Franchise players.

 

You forgot Santo.

 

Well, I could put Billy in there too.

[cbbryan]

Is a number really that big a deal?

 

Yes.

[erik316wttn]

Is a number really that big a deal?

 

It's been made to be. A team retiring a players number is second only to a HOF induction in terms of the size of the honor. To issue the number of a former player who happened to be your franchise player and a sure-fire HOF'er to a mediocre pitcher is a slap in the face.

[cbbryan]

Is a number really that big a deal?

 

It's been made to be. A team retiring a players number is second only to a HOF induction in terms of the size of the honor. To issue the number of a former player who happened to be your franchise player and a sure-fire HOF'er to a mediocre pitcher is a slap in the face.

 

Exactly!

[DCNashville]

I am certain I will be ridiculed for asking this, but do you guys believe that Sammy's "indiscretions" should ever have any consequences? I feel like most of what I read here concerning the relationship between Sammy and the Cubs villifies the organization and deifies Sammy.

[WrigleyField 22]

Wow, all this comotion over a number.

 

I guess, if anything it just upsets me because it suggests they have no intent to retire it, but maybe the next ownership group will do it to try to drum up fan interest because the team sucks while paying Lilly 14M, Fonz 17, and Zambrano walked for FA.

[cbbryan]

I am certain I will be ridiculed for asking this, but do you guys believe that Sammy's "indiscretions" should ever have any consequences? I feel like most of what I read here concerning the relationship between Sammy and the Cubs villifies the organization and deifies Sammy.

 

A better question would be: Are Sammy's "indiscretions" enough to ignore what he brought to Chicago, the Cubs, and the game of baseball?

 

Again, I have my problems with Sammy, but I also have alot of GREAT memories. I have more great memories of Sammy then I do bad memories.

 

He's a HOF and he's a Cub. The Cub organization should cherish that relationship, not tarnish it. I know it was bad in the end between them, but it should be a relationship that is repaired.

[cbbryan]

John McDonough

 

jmcdonough@cubs.com

[USSoccer]

That's insane.

 

No one should ever wear #21 again, ever. Even if the Cubs want to publicly continue to stick it to the one of the 2 best players in franchise history, they should at the least informally retire that number.

 

McDonough and whoever else at the Tribune Co. who had input in this decision ought to be ashamed of themselves. They'll likely trip all over themselves to honor a pitcher who spend the vast majority of his HOF career with another team by retiring #31, but won't show respect to Sosa.

[oldstyle81]

Is a number really that big a deal?

 

If teams retire numbers so no one can ever use that number then its a big deal

[Abe Frohman]

If Mabry can wear #17, and several players can wear #8, I don't see why it is a problem for someone to wear #21. Even #31 has been worn.

 

I don't like it, but until the Cubs honor a player by retiring their number, there should be no qualms about it being used by others.

 

But 8, 17, 21, and 31 should be put in the closet if I had my way.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Gah. I'm not surprised but that's very disappointing.