BeerHere

I denied it for years, but I firmly believe that Sammy is a "me first" player. I totally love the guy for what he did for the Cubs, but he isn't bigger than the game or the team. I for one, would kill to get paid $500K to play beisbol. That's his idea of begging. :roll:

I laughed at that too. Excellent article in my opinion. Bruce, if you're reading this, you are by far the best sports writer in Chicago IMO. Not afraid to speak the truth and point out the faults of the individuals in charge. Nice work Bruce.

The Iowa Cobbs ok I'll shutup now.

wow

Is the mascot a pissed off antelope?

No promises, but let me know the date(s)and I'll work something out with BeerWife. It's tough with grad school and I already have tickets to each Chiefs/Cougars series this year (woo front row for each!). We actually have an uncle in Jackson so I think we have a place to stay. I've never been to a DJaxx game despite several visits to the uncle mentioned above. I'd love to go and BeerWife enjoys minor league games more than Wrigley.

I'll try to clarify. There's no question that Patterson's 2005 numbers were abysmal. Still, this is a team with a rookie in left, a fading vet in right, and bench that is so barren that Marquis Grissom gets a NRI flyer. Depsite Patterson's awful 2005, he's a young, cheap, toolsy outfielder that has had success in the past. The Cubs traded him for 2 players who will have no impact on the 2006 season and may never reach the big leagues. I think there was more to this trade than Corey's 2005 numbers. I think management was unhappy with his overall attitude and approach to coaching. It was clearly evident that he and Baker were never on the same page. I agree. Hendry publicly stated that he would like Corey to play winterball to work on his strikezone judgment. Corey refused and got dealt.

I've never heard this. Maybe you're confusing him with Jodie Dallas. Not to hijack the thread, but at the last couple Conventions I went to Jody seemed to be the ladies man. I just remembered hearing a rumor when I was a kid, no idea when or anything. No justification whatsoever beyond my feeble memory recalling a conversation I overheard while sitting in the bleachers. The guy was probably drunk anyway.

All kidding aside, I would love to hear the response to this question.

I second #2

Not that it matters or has any impact on this thread or his ability to manage or whetever , but isn't Jody Davis gay? Again, not that it matters.

You're referring to Matt Harrington. He was a high school pitcher who refused a pretty decent contract for more $$$. Boras was his agent and recommended that he reenter the draft. He played in the indy league and didn't impress. That, coupled with his high demands, led to him being drafted much lower the next year. I think he eventually signed as a 5th(?) rounder for several million less than the offer from Colorado. I may be screwing up the details, but the simple fact is that he passed on millions for more and ended up screwing himself severely in the process.

Your point is well taken. However, my argument is still valid. The New Comisky was paid for with taxpayer $$, as was Soldier Field. The Tribune was willing to pay the full cost of all improvements to Wrigley, plus enhancements to the neighborhood, and they were denied by the democratic (Daley controlled) city council. Even while pieces of concrete were falling.

I disagree with the surburbanites issue. The Cubs provide free parking and shuttle from the lot located at DeVry along Addison, and another one in Rosemont. Likewise, the "L" is easily gotten to from both Metra stations. The problem is that there is absolutely zero parking at Wrigley for anyone. Of course there are the parking scalpers who will charge $30 to park for 4 hours. The Cubs plans for the parking garage in 2007 was added solely for the residents of Wrigleyville. It'll definitly get used during the season by ticket holders, but the garage was added to placate the neighborhood.

I used to live in Wrigleyville and the explanation is simple. A couple years ago the City of Chicago designated Wrigley Field as a landmark. Landmarks in Chicago require the approval of the City Council for any changes or alterations to the structure. The Cubs aggressively opposed the declaration, but were powerless to stop it. The Tribune has made no secret of the fact that they would like to improve the ballpark by adding seats, expanding the bleachers etc. In order to get the approval to do so, they needed the City Council to give its ok. The City Council is made up of aldermen . Business owners and community members in the Cubs ward simply urged their alderman to pressure the Cubs into managing traffic, parking etc for the betterment of the community. The Cubs were forced to do so in order to get the approval needed for improvements. The City of Chicago is run by career politicians. Ask yourself this question, why were the White Sox given taxpayer $$ for a new ballpark, and more taxpayer $$ to tear some of it down, while the Cubs had to fight tooth and nail to get approval for an additional 2000 seats in an aging and decrepid ballpark, at their expense? Mayor Daley is close friends with the White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. He's also a White Sox fan, who hates all that is Cubby. Politics sucks, but its how Chicago does business unfortunately. P.S. I work for the City.

I guess you could say I was born into it as my Dad is a Cubs fan as well. I got hooked by the day games, Jack Brickhouse, and Wrigley. I love this game. If there's one thing I could give my Dad it would be a Cubbie world series championship. I struggle with "fandom" at times, but he's had 40 more years of struggles including the "dark ages" and I doubt anything would make either of us happier. Bill Buckner, Leon Durham, Ryno, Ron Cey, Fergie Jenkins, Ivan Dejesus, Barry Foote, Jody Davis.

I did the same yesterday. Then, for fun I decided to gouge out my eyes with a rusty hypodermic needle. It hasn't been a good few days for BeerHere.

More than anything, I want my dad to celebrate a world series title with me. He's 74 and a bigger cub fan than I and was around for the collapse in 69 and the futility of the decades before. He deserves a chance to celebrate our favorite teams world series title.

When the Cubs moved past the Braves in 2003, I partied like crazy for two days, not bothering to let my wife know where I was. I assumed that she would just know and understand. BeerHere + Cubs first playoff series in my lifetime + BeerBuddies = a whole lot of partying. Needless to day, I'm still paying for that to this day. She was furious and almost called the cops. BeerBuddies were in similar trouble but I think I had it a little worse as we were newly weds. Anyway, if the Cubs win the World Series in my lifetime, I'm buying everyone drinks at the CubbieBear. BeerWife will be with me, and we're not going home for a few days. Time will eventually fade my sour mood, and the renewal that springtime brings will eventually refill my cubbie coolaid.

Ensberg was awful in this series.

I feel like crap and the only thing that makes me feel a little bit better is that the post season on finally over. It could have beem much more drawn out, at least it ended as quickly as possible. I just sent the obligatory "congrats" email to all my sox fan friends. Oh, the ribbing I'll take for the rest of the winter. No human being should have to endure this level of misery. Why has God spurned me?

I love this quote: I understand they're going to make certain decisions. What I did in those 2 1/2 months is all I can do, and I'll control what I can control. I gave it 100 percent every day. In the end, I did enough to show I can compete and be successful. There are things I can get better at, but I think that's true of any ballplayer. I know I'm dedicated and committed to do that. For me, in 2006, I'd love to get the opportunity to be the starting left fielder. I hope so too kid, you certainly earned it. Go get em.

I've been alive for 33 years and have been a baseball and Cubs fan for every instant of those 33 years. I have found one certainty in life that I doubt that will ever change. God hates Cubs fans.

Those WS tickets cost a pretty penny. It could easily be argued that this guy was the upper echelon of sox fans to be able to afford the tickets.

Unfortunately, Guillen would likely buy him a beer or give lifetime season tickets to this "real sox fan". Tool