Hurricane Ike: Cubs vs. Houston in Milwaukee for 2 games

[Hall7810]

In his just posted column, Wittenmeyer suggests that those are just "rumors" about the Cubs playing at a neutral site. Phil Rogers goes a little further and suggests MLB should step in and prevent the Cubs from even heading down to Houston. At the core of the Cubs playing in Houston: money...at least according to Rogers.

[mikeyt34]

Yeah, I just read the Rodger article too.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-080910-phil-rogers-chicago-cubs-hurricane-ike,0,4373647.column

 

Anyway, there's absolutely no reason MLB should make the Cubs go to Houston, play a day game on Friday, then "hunker down" through a dangerous storm, only to play again on Sunday and Monday, possibly having to play a doubleheader on Monday if the weather is still bad on Sunday.

 

This is ridiculous, putting players lives in danger during a dangerous Category 3 or 4 Hurricane. Once the Cubs get in on Friday, they are pretty much stuck until at least Sunday night or Monday morning. I doubt they would get much rest during the storm, probably lose electricity, phones, etc.

 

Hey, aren't the Brewers on the road? Wouldn't that be classic, running the two teams up to Milwaukee to play there. And they have a roof, so no rain outs. Makes sense to me, but considering how many Cub fans would make the trip, it might not be fair to the Astros as far as HFA.

[Schwarber Fan]

Makes sense to me, but considering how many Cub fans would make the trip, it might not be fair to the Astros as far as HFA.

 

The Astros barely have HFA in their own ballpark when they play the Cubs

[MikeG]

Suck! ... I've already paid for my hotel as well. They need to make a decision about this today so that I can make other arrangements. We'll probably end up going to Memphis instead, unless they schedule the games in Atlanta.

[Schwarber Fan]

Suck! ... I've already paid for my hotel as well. They need to make a decision about this today so that I can make other arrangements. We'll probably end up going to Memphis instead, unless they schedule the games in Atlanta.

 

As someone else said, I'd change your plans now. These games won't be played in Houston.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'm still waiting to see what's going to happen. I'm packed and loaded so I can head down there after school if they are going to play tomorrow. I'll continue through the day to make my preparations for the substitute and all that jazz. If they moved the games to Atlanta, I'd probably hastily change plans and try to go there. If they move them somewhere else, I'd probably just stay home this weekend and work as usual tomorrow.

[MikeG]

I just checked Hotwire.com's website and i'm out the $200 for the hotel room because I didn't get the insurance. I checked some online for some rooms in Memphis and it looks like we're going to be paying alot more for a room there. This really sucks ... I was looking forward to seeing a couple more games this season and I even bought a couple of cool new Cubs shirts to wear to them.

 

Now i'm just waiting for my friends to get to work this morning so we can discuss our options.

[rynefan]

When's the decision coming down? I feel for those out the cash, but why would you send a team of athletes down to an area they're gonna want to evacuate anyway? Not safe.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I just checked the Astros site and there's nothing new yet.

 

I'm the same way with priceline. I didn't purchase the insurance when I named my price, so I'm out my money as well.

[kujay]

Everybody thinking about heading down there, just be safe. I know you'll be out some cash and all, but that stuff is dangerous. I know I don't have to tell you that.

 

Selfishly, I'd be fine with the games being played in St. Louis. :wink:

[satxcubfan]

Luckily, I'm not out any cash for hotel (used my HiltonHonors points)... I'm ticked because this was my only Cubs game I could attend this year (saturday). I'm still holding on to hope that they play the night game, or move it to sunday.

[Soul]

I decided to drive through the remnants of hurricane Ivan a few years ago to get to Atlanta for a concert. Big mistake. There were these idiot truckers all over the road going like 70 MPH up & down mountainsides and everything. Horizontal rain, big time winds even though it had been downgraded to a depression. I saw 3 trucks crashed alongside the road, and still they wouldn't slow down.

 

My advice -- don't drive through this mess to get to anything. Some people have no concept of what's going on, and your life could be in danger because of it.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'll be shocked if they play there. I just checked the Houston Chronicle site and the Houston mayor has asked that employers let their employees stay home on Friday. They have ordered evacuations for the low lying areas of Harris county, but the mayor says there's no reason to evacuate the city. I'm still fairly certain they don't want a bunch of visitors coming that way, though.

 

I'm still waiting about making a final decision until I see how the games are scheduled. Since I've paid the money, if they play Friday afternoon at 1, I'll probably go to that game and then get the hell out...or at least go stay with a friend that lives a little bit north of there and wait and see if I could go back for any games on Sunday.

[mopapa]

They could always come to New Orleans and play in the Superdome. Not far from Houston, minimal wind and rain outside from the storm. Enough Astros fans so they could pretend they're home. Tons of Cubs fans. Won't happen, but it's fun to think about. :-))

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

They could always come to New Orleans and play in the Superdome. Not far from Houston, minimal wind and rain outside from the storm. Enough Astros fans so they could pretend they're home. Tons of Cubs fans. Won't happen, but it's fun to think about. :-))

 

I'm not sure they could get the Superdome configured for baseball in such a short time. It's a possibility, but I don't think it could happen on short notice.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Here'sthe latest from the Houston Chronicle on what's going on.

[rynefan]

I'll be shocked if they send the team down there. Since Katrina, it seems that there has been a big trend toward being overcautious.

[bcl412]

I agree with Soul. Sometimes people underestemate mothernature and don't take the necessary precautions. I saw plenty of people lose their home this past summer due to flooding because of this reason (many of which still don't have homes) I would hate to see someone lose their life because of this reason.

[rynefan]

Interesting link. They are only saying 2-4 inches of rain. We got about 3-4 from Gustav remains in northern Illinois.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Interesting link. They are only saying 2-4 inches of rain. We got about 3-4 from Gustav remains in northern Illinois.

 

I think that may be some of the reason why the Astros have hesitated in moving the series. Friday night and Saturday as the storm passes will be rough, but other than the coastal areas hit by the hard winds and storm surge, they may anticipate that things in Houston proper will return to order.

 

I'm still waiting to hear so I can make my decision.

[mikeyt34]

They have been saying on 670 the Score this morning that the series will still be played in Houston, but times and days will change. More than likely the will play Friday afternoon, Sunday and Monday. Either way, it's kinda of reckless of MLB when there are other more safe options availible. If the Astros lose a series at home, those are the breaks. :cry:

[C.C.]

They have been saying on 670 the Score this morning that the series will still be played in Houston, but times and days will change. More than likely the will play Friday afternoon, Sunday and Monday. Either way, it's kinda of reckless of MLB when there are other more safe options availible. If the Astros lose a series at home, those are the breaks. :cry:

 

That's crazy. MLB should step in.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'm getting very little work done in the classroom today as I keep coming to the computer to check this thread, the Houston Chronicle, and the Astros web site. When I leave this site at 10:30, I won't have the means to check on anything until 2:30, so I was hoping to know something by then.

[mikeyt34]

They have been saying on 670 the Score this morning that the series will still be played in Houston, but times and days will change. More than likely the will play Friday afternoon, Sunday and Monday. Either way, it's kinda of reckless of MLB when there are other more safe options availible. If the Astros lose a series at home, those are the breaks. :cry:

 

That's crazy. MLB should step in.

 

That's the problem. I think MLB already did step in and this is their decision. Although 670 the Score tends to be wrong in their reports from time to time, and the final word has yet to come out. Hopefully Hendry and Crane are working the phones to figure out a compromise to ensure the safety of their players. Just because the team will be staying inland, doesn't mean that the conditions aren't dangerous. These storms spawn a tremendous amount of tornadoes. Maybe the Cubs will refuse to go? Do they forfeit their games? This is ridiculous.

[kujay]

Sounds like to me the Astros are playing hardball here. They want their money.