Sweet Swinging Billy

In case none of you have the fax number to Jim Hendry’s office, I’ll give it to you. It is: 1 (773) 404-4111. Go ahead and fax Jimmy all of your trade requests, God knows he needs the help. And while I’m on this thing about contacting Cub employees or personnel, you may already know that you can call the Cubs at (773) 404-2827 and ask for anybody you want. What happens first, is you will hear a menu given, but just remain on the line and an Operator will come on, and then at that time—just tell her who you want to speak to…Jim Hendry, John McDonough, Dennis Fitzsimmons, Billy Williams (my hero!), whoever it is, they’ll connect you to their office or leave that person a message that you called (this is what I did with Dusty Baker, and he called me back!). Oh one other thing, and you are probably already aware of this, but you can send a letter to your favorite Cub ballplayer, or other members of the Cub organization, by writing to: (Billy Williams c/o) Chicago National League Ball Club Wrigley Field 1060 W. Addison Street Chicago, IL. 60613. So when you write your favorite player in care of this address, they in turn, will forward your letter to where it needs to go…so go ahead and write Aramis Ramirez and Kerry Wood and thank them for resigning with the team, (they will get your letter)! Or write “Sweet Lou” with all your suggestions, on the type of players the Cubs need to get, in order to contend. Anyway, that’s enough for now. Hope this was helpful. Enjoy!

Do y'all think that the DeRosa signing mean that Hendry thinks he has his second baseman for 2007? That better not be the case, old Jimbo better be looking for a top notch second baseman that can really help this team, like Mark Loretta or somebody else...or I really am going to be furious.

Chances of Girardi being available when the Piniella regime ends are slim to none (that is if the Yanks are interested in eventually having him replace Torre).

"Pinktermite" wrote: Is there some way that you can fax or email this to Hendry's office? This sounds perfect...a little dream-like...but perfect. --- First of all, y'all don't think the Cubs would giving up too much for ARod? Shouldn't we ask the Yankees to include another player in the deal? ...Anyway, the real reason I posted a message, was to give you the fax number to Jim Hendry's Office. 1(773) 404-4111. I already sent him a four page wish list that included ARod and re-signing Aram. Fax him this trade proposal but isn't he in Florida all week? On another subject matter Pinktermite, what's wrong with our Hawkeyes?

--November 9th? Don't ask me why this date is stuck in my head...oh, and let me tell you, it's very painful.

Is Tony Gwynn currently under contract by the Padres or some other MLB club? What about Gwynn as a batting coach?

Sorry y'all if this had already been posted but I saw on ESPN News the other day, that Joe had withdrawn his name from being considered from the Nats job. Does he still want to to considered for some of the other openings around MLB? I just wish there was a way Girardi could be part of Piniella's staff--- all the openings have been filled haven't they?

CuseCubFan69 wrote: "I'm still replaying the Cubs vs Baltimore in 69 in my head." ---- That would have been an awesome series! It would have been great for my childhood hero Billy Williams, to finally get an opportunity to play in the World Series...sigh, sniff sniff. In a computerized match up between the '69 Cubs and the '69 Orioles, it would be great to see how things would play out. I would love to have a video or DVD of it.

Congrats to LaRussa and the Cards, although I'm very disappointed that they won. I really wanted a Mets --Tigers WS. Proof once again, that the better/strongest team doesn't always win. It reminded a lot the Cubs' failure in 1984, to advance to the WS. That would have been a great series, Rick Sutcliffe VS. Jack Morris. Man, that would have been awesome! I think the Cubs would have given the Tigers, more of a run for their money than the Padres. I think it was in the spring of '85 that the Cubs came out with a cassette that featured the '84 Cubs VS. the '84 Tigers. It was some type of computerized matchup of the World Series, they everyone had hoped for. Anybody remember that? Comments on any of this?

I'd like Kenny Lofton as a bench player only...but I don't think he's ready for that, he still believes that he is an everyday starter.

I agree with everything that Bruce Miles said. I could be wrong on this, but if you were to poll some of the top baseball people, and ask them, who are the top pitching coaches in the game...I gues is that he is highly respected. Remember that Leyland wanted him in Detroit but Rothschild decided to stay with the Cubs (stupid move!). Also, it was Baker calling on shots, not Rothschild. Piniella is certainly high on him and I am too.

Ah, just a rumor. If Hendry wants him, he'll sign with the Cubs. C. Lee has already expressed an interest in returning to Chicago and playing at Wrigley Field. Cub fans, get ready for the 2007 Cubs' version of the Bash Brothers: Carlos and Derrick...da Lee Brothers!

I liked Lou's comments during his press conference, I'm encouraged by some of the things he said. Among the things he indicated, was that despite being a firery manager in the past, at 63 yrs, he's mellowed a bit. I really hope he can help us turn the corner as a franchise. How do y'all think that some of Piniella's best tirades would rank with that of Durocher's?

If I remember correctly, both FOX and ESPN reported that if Joe didn't like the opportunites out there that it's possible he just might sit out the season, maybe accept a broadcasting job or join someone's staff. It got me thinking but I do think it's very likely...but what if Girardi were to accept a position on Piniella' staff? I know I'm dreaming but I think it would be cool because after Sweet Lou's 3yr. contract ran out and he was ready to retire, the Cubs could be grooming local Joe for the job. But I know, Girardi would never wait that long, especially if something else came up. Comments?

No way.

I'll believe it when it's made official. ESPN 1000 is an awful radio station, they have no credability with me. What are they reporting on the Score? Now that's a good station. If, it's true and Sweet Lou has the job, I say fire Hendry right now! Joe Girardi is the right choice.

Is_Pedro_There wrote: "I think the point was that you're "ready to move on" and "win now" yet starting threads complaining about what wasn't working now being gone". Pedro I must confess, you lost me. The tail end of your sentence is really confusing to me. "...complaining about what wasn't working now being gone". What does that mean? Anyway, it's okay. Your a Hawk fan, so you have to be a pretty decent person. I'm a 1984 graduate of the University of Iowa. Go Hawks!

Careless wrote: "Yes, obviously the best way to move on is to be the only person on the board still starting threads about dusty baker as Cubs manager. Perfectly logical''. ---Absolutely clueless. Careless, all I was doing was responding to this personal attack made on me by that "Cheesehead" badger. I have a right to defend myself you know. Careless, did you even read the previous posts? I doubt it.

badger wrote: "Is Sweet Swinging Billy actually Edward K."? --- I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd get on the Northside Board and see what was new, and low and behold, I see that badger is attacking me for a post, I submitted a couple of days ago. The reason I didn't express my feelings about Baker earlier was because when Dusty's contract was not renewed, I was undergoing Chemotherapy that week...and I really didn't feel like doing anything. As I've said before, my comments were probably based on too much emotion. The reason for this is I'm suffering from colon-cancer and Dusty Baker is a prostrate-cancer survivor, and he has taken time out from his busy schedule, to call me several times, to encourage me to hang in there and not give up. I just blows me away that he would take the time to call a peon like me. I'm not familiar with the posts made by Edward K., but judging by some of the posts that you have made in the past badger, I'd say that you have shown some pretty bad judgement on baseball matters --so you have no credibility with me. This Edward K. is probably not as bad as a person, as you make him out to be. There are alot of insulting things I could say to you badger but I'm not going to stoop down to your level. All I wanted to do is get that off my chest, the way I felt about Baker, but unlike you, I'm ready to move on and focus on what the Cubs need to be successful. I've beeen a Cub fan for almost 45 years, and I've suffered enough. I want to win now!!

Relax y'all, certainly the first priority is inproving the Cubs as a team. I was just curious as to what you thought if Girardi approached him about coming back, that's all.

Let's say that Girardi gets the Cubs job, wouldn't be interesting if he talked Popeye into joining his staff? Any thoughts on the matter?

goony's evil twin wrote: "This team needs production more than it needs scrappers and grinders". Yeah goony but didn't Pierre lead the NL in hits, and finished 2nd in steals? Despite having a weak arm, Juan still covers a lot of ground in CF. To me, he's a productive player. Maybe he's not driving in a lot of runs to suit you...but he's a lead-off man! We need to trade for and sign players, who are run producers, who will drive Juan in. There are other intangibles that Pierre brings to the table but these are some of the main points I wanted to make.

Keener and cl smooth, with regards to my comments I made about "marketabillity"... No, that's not the main reason that I would hire him, every serious Cub fan knows it about wins and losses. Marketbility and ticket sales is just icing on the cake. And yes, if you look at Torre's record, there has been a decline in the Yankees' winning percentage the last couple of years. But despite all that, he does bring a lot to the table. The hiring of Torre woul create a lot of excitement. If signing Torre is not a possibility, then hire Girardi. Brenly is my third choice. Say no to Piniella and Bochy.

Vance wrote: "Also, on Dusty's watch the 2004 team which had all the talent needed to win a World Series collapsed. Should he blamed for it? I don't know. Sure, Dusty is a good man from what I can tell. There are lots of good people in baseball, but baseball is a production game. When you don't produce, you don't get to keep your job. This is true for playersl; this is true for management; this is true for front office personel. I've never thought Dusty was anything but a good person. However, his team failed. When that happens, you will not be retained as a manager...especially when you are making four million as a manager". ---- Of all the responses to my original post, I think this one by Vance was the best. However Vance, in no way was I comparing Cub fans who are this board and wanted Baker to be fired to the Idiotic fans who threaten the life of the Manager and his players. All I wanted to do my voice my opinion, now I am content to move on. My choice for next manager is Torre or Girardi. Brenly is my third choice. With Hendry still as our GM, I agree with the poster, there's little chance that the Cubs fortunes, will change. I might be alone on this, but I do hope the Cubs can convine Pierre in resigning with the team. I love Juan's work ethic.

JR wrote: "Ridiculous post". I ask you, what's wrong in someone stating their opinion. There might not be that many of us, but I'm not the only one on this board that liked Baker. Do you disagree that Jim Hendry deserves a fair amount of blame for the Cubs demise? And besides, we don't criticize you for all of the silly posts, that you have made.