Podcast Interview with Bruce Miles

[Tim]

I'll be sitting down with Bruce sometime next week (or so) to talk to him about the Cubs. Hopefully by the time we sit down, the Cubs will have a new owner in place.

 

Feel free to suggest any questions you might have that you'd like me to ask Bruce about.

 

Thanks!

[Outshined_One]

Let's see...

 

Are there any good clubhouse stories you have from this past season in terms of pranks guys played on each other?

 

Do you think the Cubs will try to move Aaron Miles, or is he going to play out his contract with the Cubs?

 

Have you talked to the Cubs about how their prospects are looking down in the Arizona Fall League? If so, what does the team have to say about their performances so far?

 

Can you give us an update on Soriano's surgery and rehabilitation?

 

Are the Cubs planning on pursuing a CF and moving Fukudome to RF, or are they instead going to keep Fukudome in CF?

 

What are the odds Bradley is in this team's opening day lineup in 2010?

 

Will the Cubs pursue extensions for any players during the offseason? If so, who?

 

Have you had a chance to meet the new owners yet? If so, what do you think about them?

[Guest]

It's posts like this one that have me strongly considering a major policy change for the board at 312.

 

-- edit --

 

The embarrassing post has been removed.

[CUBZ99]

Hendry mentioned that Ricketts gave the authority to move quickly on Jaramillo, what is the word from Ricketts on whether Hendry is going to have payroll flexibility going in to 2010 or whether Ricketts is likely to increase payroll?

 

Any indication in regard to what type of philosophy the organization will have under Ricketts? Invest heavily in development? Continue to make a big splash overseas?

 

Does Bruce, personally, want to see Bradley back in a Cub uni in 2010?

 

How is the relationship between Hendry/Crane and the Ricketts? Do you expect Hendry to have a long leash?

 

What moves do you expect the Cubs to make over the offseason?

 

If Brenly leaves the booth to manage, any chance that Stone comes back? (or has he burned all his bridges with the organization)

[Guest]

It's posts like this one that have me strongly considering a major policy change for the board at 312.

 

I wish you could do it here too.

[NCCubFan]

If the Cubs fall out of serious contention with time left in the season do you think Lou will still finish out his contract, or might he resign (or even be fired) to give a potential replacement (such as Trammell or Sandberg) an extended audition?

 

Along the same lines, there's been speculation about the futures of both LaRussa and Duncan. Do you think there's much chance of either or both of them coming to the Cubs for 2011?

[Roast]

It's posts like this one that have me strongly considering a major policy change for the board at 312.

yes, please.

[The Other One]

How do you view the changes to sports reporting over the last couple of decades? It seems in the past reporters had more access to players for independent reports. In the last several years, access seems much more restricted with every reporter getting the same post game interview we see on TV. Is the message much more controlled than in the past and how do you as a reporter try to get around being the standard bearer of the same message everyone else has?

 

Are the Cubs better/worse/same as every other organization for access to their players and information?

 

Many people here complain that we get misinformation on injuries as if it is of utmost importance to keep the fan abreast of the most critical information. How often are you privy to information that you can't share, and do you feel like there are good reasons for the request for confidentiality?

 

I am a newspaper guy (a dying breed), but living in the city, I am a Trib guy. Not to talk out of school, but is Paul Sullivan really as depressing in real life as he writes?

[longhotsummer]

It's posts like this one that have me strongly considering a major policy change for the board at 312.

 

-- edit --

 

The embarrassing post has been removed.

What's wrong with a Cub's fan having a sense of humor? It comes in handy if you've been one for a long time. Now really, this isn't the cure for cancer or world peace is it?

[Schwarber Fan]

I'd just like to defend myself here. There are numerous other posters that make posts far worse/embarrassing than the one I made. I won't name names, but sweet lord, lighten up Tim.

[Fred Hornkohl]

There is a time and a place for everything. Part of the process of becoming an adult is learning the right time and the right place, and acting accordingly.

[Schwarber Fan]

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/bridge/index.php?f=44&t=56046&rb_v=viewtopic

[Derwood]

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/bridge/index.php?f=44&t=56046&rb_v=viewtopic

 

The thread was locked, so what's your point?

[Keener98]

I'd just like to defend myself here. There are numerous other posters that make posts far worse/embarrassing than the one I made. I won't name names, but sweet lord, lighten up Tim.

 

Tim is trying to enhance this site by bringing in people from the Cubs organization, media, etc... to give interviews and such. Is it really that hard to understand Tim not wanting the jokes/sarcasm/nonsense in a thread designed for one of those people who are very likely to read it? This is Tims's product, and having people act like little kids, especially in a thread for one of his "guests", is probably pretty embarrassing to Tim. Its really not that hard to figure out. Like Fred said, there is a time and place for everything.

[jersey cubs fan]

In retrospect, does having the Herald keep you off the road, and thus away from the train wreck, this year look like a positive? Any word if things will be different in 2010?

 

In recent years the Cubs seem to put an effort into maximizing fan interest by the time tickets go on sale in February, whether it's acquisitions actually made before then (Soriano/Bradley), or potential acquisitions that are talked about relatively openly (Maddux/Peavy). How do you see this year's offseason playing out in terms of what they use to get fans excited to buy tickets? A rumored big name acquisition? A guy who fits a specific need, perceived or otherwise (the Hendry special), like a leadoff guy or RBI guy. Or are we looking at a year where getting rid of Bradley and paying big for a name hitting coach prove to be the biggest moves they make?

[Schwarber Fan]

Alright, I'm sorry. I still don't think the action of deleting the post was justified though.

 

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/bridge/index.php?f=44&t=56046&rb_v=viewtopic

 

The thread was locked, so what's your point?

 

Basically, if my post was worthy of deletion, his post is worthy of suspension or ban, that's my point.

[Guest]

Bruce, seeing as to this being a podcast interview, do you think things like we are doing here and your blog are the future of sports journalism or do you still see a place for the daily newspaper?

 

On a related note, how much did not being in the clubhouse after a game on the road diminish the coverage you provided to your readers. In other words, is it really important to get the quote from player or coach after the game even if it might be a cliche?

[Derwood]

Alright, I'm sorry. I still don't think the action of deleting the post was justified though.

 

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/bridge/index.php?f=44&t=56046&rb_v=viewtopic

 

The thread was locked, so what's your point?

 

Basically, if my post was worthy of deletion, his post is worthy of suspension or ban, that's my point.

 

I didn't see your post, so I can't speak to that.

[Banedon]

Alright, I'm sorry. I still don't think the action of deleting the post was justified though.

 

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/bridge/index.php?f=44&t=56046&rb_v=viewtopic

 

The thread was locked, so what's your point?

 

Basically, if my post was worthy of deletion, his post is worthy of suspension or ban, that's my point.

 

If you have further issues with this, please PM Tim about it rather than posting further in this thread. We've gone far enough of topic with this stuff.

[Mark Priors Calves]

In retrospect, does having the Herald keep you off the road, and thus away from the train wreck, this year look like a positive? Any word if things will be different in 2010?

 

I thought Bruce eventually started to travel with the team. I could be mistaken, but I thought I saw his name attached to road stories. Then again, I guess he didn't have to travel to write some things up for the Daily Herald.

[jersey cubs fan]

In retrospect, does having the Herald keep you off the road, and thus away from the train wreck, this year look like a positive? Any word if things will be different in 2010?

 

I thought Bruce eventually started to travel with the team. I could be mistaken, but I thought I saw his name attached to road stories. Then again, I guess he didn't have to travel to write some things up for the Daily Herald.

 

My understanding is that he went to a couple late season "local" road trips, to STL and MIL, but not the longer trips to NY/PIT or SF.

[illiniguy]

Bruce, you've covered the Cubs for a bit now. Can you kinda speak to what it's like to have Cub fans be so angry and disappointed with an 83 win season? Quite a change from a decade ago.

[Derwood]

What do you think the single biggest change will be with Ricketts (compared to Tribune, Inc.)?

[Coach C]

I'm going to see if I can throw this out. If it's not acceptable, I apologize.

 

Can you give an update/information on Aramis' shoulder injury? Is he making significant progress on it?

 

What are the odds that Kevin Gregg will be in the bullpen in 2010?

 

After 2010 season, let's assume Lou will not be coming back, are there any potentional managerial candidate that you like?

[wvcbxl]

During a disappointing second half like this year, is it hard to separate between Bruce-the-fan and Bruce-the-reporter?