Pie Now Wearing #20

[Garwilly]

grace wasn't let go for McGriff. he was let go for Choi, who then got hurt, and then was left on the bench for mcgriff who was traded for about 6 weeks too late. I was super happy for Grace when he won a ring, especially since he was key in Game 7

 

Your timeline's off by a couple of years. Grace was let go after 2000, Choi wasn't hurt and left on the bench until 2003.

 

2001, the year of Matt Stairs.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'm surprised it took Pie this long to switch to 20, seeing as Ryu was traded in the offseason.

[Garwilly]

I'm surprised it took Pie this long to switch to 20, seeing as Ryu was traded in the offseason.

 

 

I'm excited, I bought an authentic nameless #20 last year planning on this. I know it looks a little cramped when adding a name above the 2006 models (the numbers sit a tad higher), but it still looks fine.

 

I'm dropping it off for lettering tomorrow.

[Amazing_Grace]

I first became a Cubs fan watching Grace continuosly be the only player worth a damn on terrible teams in the early to mid-90's on WGN. What I always liked and respected about Grace was the fact that he wasn't particularly big or strong or fast, and that he succeeded mostly on his technique and skill. He was nearly impossible to strike out, got on base at a near .400 clip, got a lot of extra base hits even without the homers, and up until 1998, there was no question in my mind that with the game on the line, I'd rather have Grace at the plate than any other Cubs hitter. I still respect Grace as a player for all those reasons. He was one of the top 5 hitters in terms of AVG and OBP in all of baseball during the 90's and didn't get very much credit because of the teams he played on. His career averages are comparable to such hitters as Tony Gwynn and Wade Boggs, but he doesn't have the totals because he didn't play for as long. I also believe Sosa very probably did use steroids (something I also believe of Bonds, McGwire, Clemens, and many others), and had he not done so, Grace would be remembered as the better player.

 

That said, Gracie hasn't distinguished himself off the field, especially since leaving the Cubs. The locker room feuds with Sosa that spilled over into the media were juvenile and stupid. The team's management during the 90's certainly deserves much of the blame for continually throwing losing teams out there, but I still think it's in bad taste for a player to criticize his former team as bitterly as Grace has. He's not someone I'd probably like to know beyond just watching him play baseball.

 

Either way, when I think about Cubs players, the first one that pops into my mind is Mark Grace. He was my favorite player from childhood and there's some sentimentality attached to that.

[Jon]

I'm surprised it took Pie this long to switch to 20, seeing as Ryu was traded in the offseason.

 

 

I'm excited, I bought an authentic nameless #20 last year planning on this. I know it looks a little cramped when adding a name above the 2006 models (the numbers sit a tad higher), but it still looks fine.

 

I'm dropping it off for lettering tomorrow.

And I had a new one which I had never worn that I sold on eBay this offseason because he didn't switch to #20.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I'm surprised it took Pie this long to switch to 20, seeing as Ryu was traded in the offseason.

 

 

I'm excited, I bought an authentic nameless #20 last year planning on this. I know it looks a little cramped when adding a name above the 2006 models (the numbers sit a tad higher), but it still looks fine.

 

I'm dropping it off for lettering tomorrow.

And I had a new one which I had never worn that I sold on eBay this offseason because he didn't switch to #20.

 

I left you positive feedback, didn't I? :wink:

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'm surprised it took Pie this long to switch to 20, seeing as Ryu was traded in the offseason.

 

 

I'm excited, I bought an authentic nameless #20 last year planning on this. I know it looks a little cramped when adding a name above the 2006 models (the numbers sit a tad higher), but it still looks fine.

 

I'm dropping it off for lettering tomorrow.

And I had a new one which I had never worn that I sold on eBay this offseason because he didn't switch to #20.

 

Ugh, you should have waited a bit at least. Young players often change their numbers after their initial promotion.

[Jon]

Actually, it was during spring training, so I figured he was going to keep #17. It was an alternate jersey, though, and I would only wear it to games. I doubt I'm heading to Wrigley much this year.

[Derwood]

grace wasn't let go for McGriff. he was let go for Choi, who then got hurt, and then was left on the bench for mcgriff who was traded for about 6 weeks too late. I was super happy for Grace when he won a ring, especially since he was key in Game 7

 

Your timeline's off by a couple of years. Grace was let go after 2000, Choi wasn't hurt and left on the bench until 2003.

 

but wasn't he let go to make room for a younger, cheaper 1B. Julio Zuleta maybe?

[Garwilly]

grace wasn't let go for McGriff. he was let go for Choi, who then got hurt, and then was left on the bench for mcgriff who was traded for about 6 weeks too late. I was super happy for Grace when he won a ring, especially since he was key in Game 7

 

Your timeline's off by a couple of years. Grace was let go after 2000, Choi wasn't hurt and left on the bench until 2003.

 

but wasn't he let go to make room for a younger, cheaper 1B. Julio Zuleta maybe?

 

Zuleta had 106 ab's in 2001.

 

He started 23 games.

[jersey cubs fan]

grace wasn't let go for McGriff. he was let go for Choi, who then got hurt, and then was left on the bench for mcgriff who was traded for about 6 weeks too late. I was super happy for Grace when he won a ring, especially since he was key in Game 7

 

Your timeline's off by a couple of years. Grace was let go after 2000, Choi wasn't hurt and left on the bench until 2003.

 

but wasn't he let go to make room for a younger, cheaper 1B. Julio Zuleta maybe?

 

He left after 2000, and it was, in part, due to the Cubs having Choi in the wings. He was on a series of one year deals, and felt insulted by his last offer, which, as it turns out, was actually more than he made the next year in Arizona. The difference being the number of guaranteed years. Choi missed about half of 2001 with an injury after coming off solid 1999 and 2000 seasons. So he didn't debut until 2002.

[cjbucks]

Don't know the reason as I am watching the game on mute. Looks like everyone who still has a Mark Grace man boner can relax and continue the (hopefully) fruitless crusade to get his number retired.

 

Is there any other kind?

 

And also...

 

Bitter much?

 

I believe there was the famous "Merkle's Boner"