Re: Sale of Cubs to Ricketts Complete (p. 15)

[David]

Anyone know why we didn't wind up getting Janet Marie Smith?

[manbearcub]

Ugh. These reporters are asking terrible questions.

Awful.

[erik316wttn]

I like what I heard, and I have no doubt that he plans to follow through, but planning to follow through and actually doing it are two different things.

 

I hope today was the start of a new chapter in the history of the Cubs, the day we look back on when we win the World Series someday and say "That was the day where it all started."

[Guest]

I read somewhere that Kaplan had someone who knew Ricketts on his show and he said that Cub fans will LOVE what he has to say at his first press conference.

Which Cub fans?

 

The ones who want Ryno to manage and Stone back in the booth?

 

Or

 

The ones who want the Cubs to consider newer ways of thinking?

 

Good question. I guess I'm hoping he comes in and is willing to spend some money, but does it in a way like the Red Sox seem to do.

Pretty good guess. ;)

[UMFan83]

lol, awesome Dempster was at the press conference.

[Andy]

Like the quotes I'm seeing. The Ricketts family says the right things - by April we'll have a good idea if they do them.

[shnsajax]

lol, awesome Dempster was at the press conference.

 

He should have been wearing his Hooters outfit.

[Cubfanintheknow]

I don’t know if this has been posted already – but here is nice video with the whole Ricketts clan talking about their vision for the team. I’m struck by how down to earth these people are. I’m trying not to get too excited, but . . .

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-31-cubs-tom-ricketts-oct31,0,1791650.story

 

Interesting quote:

 

Hendry's job is safe, at least for the time being.

 

"Jim is obviously under contract, but we like Jim and want to give him the opportunity to bring us a winner in 2010," Tom Ricketts said.

 

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but that sounds like they expect Hendry to do well this year or he's gone.

 

Finally.

 

Tom Ricketts was asked if he was going to be a "George Steinbrenner hands-on" type owner regarding personnel decisions. Ricketts says he's not going to make those decisions, but will hold accountable those who do. So I read that as "get it right or you're gone."

[David]

Pretty sure, btw, that Ricketts will be on with Boers and Bernstein today as well as with Carmen, Jurko, and Harry.

[jersey cubs fan]

Like the quotes I'm seeing. The Ricketts family says the right things - by April we'll have a good idea if they do them.

 

I don't see how the November-April timeframe will give us a good idea if he will follow through on what he says. It will be the next couple offseasons before you have any idea.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Like what I'm hearing, now put a World Series winning team on the field.

[UMFan83]

Pretty sure, btw, that Ricketts will be on with Boers and Bernstein today as well as with Carmen, Jurko, and Harry.

 

Yes! Sound effects and snickering ahead!

[J.R.]

On the fool's errand of installing a video screen:

 

There's a special feeling to Wrigley that you want to really respect. It is a special place and I don't think that Kiss Cam would do anything for us. It's a great place to watch baseball.

 

Tom Ricketts is awesome.

[Sammy Sofa]

Love the people in this thread arbitrarily demanding/creating timeframes.

[C.C.]

If we don't win a WS next year I'll consider this new ownership a dismal failure.

[Mugged By Fluffy]

Interesting quote:

 

Hendry's job is safe, at least for the time being.

 

"Jim is obviously under contract, but we like Jim and want to give him the opportunity to bring us a winner in 2010," Tom Ricketts said.

 

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but that sounds like they expect Hendry to do well this year or he's gone.

 

Good catch. Give him a chance in 2010. It made sense all along that they would give the incumbents a season whenever they finally did get the job. I'd cut the guy lose today, but I understand a new owner wanting to wait on that move.

 

I'd cut the guy loose today too. Hendry has had his chance already, knowing for two years that the team was on the market and knowing that his job was at risk if he did not make smart moves. The Cubs don't need to be in a situation again where they may need to hire a GM and a manager in the same offseason. Keeping him around this year may only delay the enevitable, and make the management situation more difficult.

 

Obviously this depends on the amount of quality GM's that are out there right now and wether they would take the job or not. If there are, I'd start pursuing them right away. If not, then I'd keep Hendry.

[David]

B&B just implied that Ricketts is a numbers guy and that they'll bring up the sabr subject. Seems like that would be worth listening to.

[Guest]

B&B just implied that Ricketts is a numbers guy and that they'll bring up the sabr subject. Seems like that would be worth listening to.

Would they have the slightest idea what questions to ask in a sabr conversation?

[SouthSideRyan]

B&B just implied that Ricketts is a numbers guy and that they'll bring up the sabr subject. Seems like that would be worth listening to.

Would they have the slightest idea what questions to ask in a sabr conversation?

 

I'd imagine numbers guy to B&B(at least Boers) means BA with men on 3rd < 2 outs, Day cERA, etc.

 

I'd like for Ricketts' first order of business to be the firing of Wasserstrom.

Edited October 30, 2009 by SouthSideRyan

[rocket]

B&B just implied that Ricketts is a numbers guy and that they'll bring up the sabr subject. Seems like that would be worth listening to.

Would they have the slightest idea what questions to ask in a sabr conversation?

 

hopefully buzz bissinger will call in and ask the questions

[Banedon]

B&B just implied that Ricketts is a numbers guy and that they'll bring up the sabr subject. Seems like that would be worth listening to.

Would they have the slightest idea what questions to ask in a sabr conversation?

 

Bernstein has some familiarity with it. He doesn't delve too deeply into it on the radio, because it's probably not much of a ratings draw, but he's mentioned VORP and Win Shares in the past for sure.

 

Anyone know what time the interview is at? I'm hoping after 3:30 so I can hear it. Can some recap it here?

[David]

B&B just implied that Ricketts is a numbers guy and that they'll bring up the sabr subject. Seems like that would be worth listening to.

Would they have the slightest idea what questions to ask in a sabr conversation?

 

I'd imagine numbers guy to B&B(at least Boers) means BA with men on 3rd < 2 outs, Day cERA, etc.

 

I'd like for Ricketts' first order of business to be the firing of Wasserstrom.

 

 

Not at all. Bernstein cites SABR stats all the time. He just doesn't talk a whole lot about it.

 

 

EDIT - Like Banedon says, it doesn't really play to the audience.

[SouthSideRyan]

B&B just implied that Ricketts is a numbers guy and that they'll bring up the sabr subject. Seems like that would be worth listening to.

Would they have the slightest idea what questions to ask in a sabr conversation?

 

I'd imagine numbers guy to B&B(at least Boers) means BA with men on 3rd < 2 outs, Day cERA, etc.

 

I'd like for Ricketts' first order of business to be the firing of Wasserstrom.

 

 

Not at all. Bernstein cites SABR stats all the time.

 

Yeah I realized after the fact that Bernstein isn't an idiot. Probably should've just put Boers rather than the parenthetical safeguard.

[David]

I didn't see it. :oops:

[erik316wttn]

I think the thing that I'm most optimistic about is the fact that people in the organization will be held accountable for their performance, from the front office to coaches to the players. That is something that has been sorely lacking in the history of this franchise, especially the last 15 years or so.