atcfootball

Anyone have 3 tickets but unable to go? What's the least expensive way you have found to get them? Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

I forget, how long until my nerves go back to normal? Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Warming up, tarp is in the OF, ready to roll up......everyone and his brother is throwing out the 1st pitch. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Odd on tapatalk....no gifs work for me either. Some are clickable and I can view them, others are not....

Damn it, I take it all back

So nice to see a team take advantage of mistakes. This is fun again.

Thank got my mlb.tv sucks. Radio right now is my only option. :-(

Hey hey....dexterdong.

Would also think him leaving and no signed (or indication of one in the near future) contract is a good thing. Last/best offer, not accepted, leaves, nothing beyond the visit for the media to report. Seems like very good news.

80M+ for 5 years w the blue jays. Wanted to see him behind the dish on the northside, but not for the $/yrs they gave him. Good no go by the FO I think, but wonder the impact this will have, if any, on pitching.

You know what the problem with black/white letters on a forum are? You put your emotion into what I type and try to read between the lines. I do not have an issue with the current leadership within the Cubs Front Office. I was excited when they took over and I still am. I see a light at the end this hole we have been in for some time now. I'm not saying the current GM/President do not have a history of doing well. They drafted 2013 Kris Bryant 2012 Albert Almora 2012 Pierce Johnson who BA has ranked in the top 10 within the organization. Call me scared more than anything. The fact that they have "Cubs" on their jerseys means nothing... The fact that this is baseball and can't miss prospects --- miss every year; that is relevant. Regardless of who is running the club. The history of the Cubs and baseball tell's me that for every one prospect that makes it you have 4/5 that don't. Maybe we defy the baseball Gods and our top 5 of 10 prospects have an impact in the future, who knows? I don't, I'm just scared that we are putting all of our eggs in that basket. The original post was because I thought it was amazing... Just as the 1st line stated. I also feel it is still alarming based on the history of baseball and not everyone in the "top 10" is going to make it.

Fair enough concerning the 11-13 drafts, I'm aware it takes time for players to develop.... The Cubs seem very patient in the approach they are taking with the younger players.... I also am not arguing against "Epstein and Hoyer". Point is we have historically sucked (minus parts of the 80's Green/Goldsberry) at drafting/developing players, it scares me to know that this is the way we are going, drafting/developing players and the history hasn't changed much despite who is in charge.

Baez - Yes started at AAA. So basically 2 players (not counting the emergency situations). It just seems a little weak that in 4 drafts we have had (basically) two players reach AAA. Cubs: 4 players at or above AAA in the same time. Arizona: 14 players at or above AAA in the same time. Atlanta: 10 players at or above AAA in the same time. White Sox: 11 players at or above AAA in the same time. Brewers: 6 players at or above AAA in the same time. Angels: 11 players at or above AAA in the same time. Tigers: 12 players at or above AAA in the same time. A's: 7 players at or above AAA in the same time. I get that you wouldn't expect any picks from 2013 maybe 1 from 2012. When you compare the numbers with basically (give or take) the bottom 4 farm systems in baseball (in no order: A's, Tigers, Angels, Brewers) I would expect the Cubs to have more developed players, that is not the case. (I understand this way to measure is flawed, but just by the numbers). A majority of our prospects have been gained via trade or via FA's. The trades will be difficult to continue (once you start to win; you can not trade away at the deadline) I don't fully understand the rules with international FA's, but from my limited understanding (?) it maybe difficult to continue to spend a $. So the way they need to build from within is via the draft, and it just seems we are not doing that well. The point is this: For a team building from within the Cubs have not been very productive drafting players past the first round.

This was just amazing to me. The "subject" players are the only players since the 2010 draft to make it as high as AAA. All other players drafted by the Chicago Cubs have made it no higher than AA. I know we have some prospects that are going to change that in the very near future... But man it just seems like for a team that is building through the farm we would have a few more players (not even prospects) at higher levels. 2010 draft highest level of baseball R = 2 A = 23 AA = 15 AAA = 1 2011 draft highest level of baseball R = 2 A = 24 AA = 6 AAA = 1 2012 draft highest level of baseball R = 6 A = 23 AA = 1 AAA = 0 2013 draft highest level of baseball R = 10 A = 12 AA = 0 AAA = 1 I know the 12/13 numbers will be lower in AA and AAA but man this is a little alarming to me considerning we are team building from within.

20lbs of muscle in 3/4 months is not as impossible as it would seem. - I'm 36 years old. Two years ago I was in Iraq for 6 months. During that time I had nothing much to do except work and go to the gym. I ate 3/4 solid meals a day and probably lifted a good 3 1/2 hours a day, 6 days a week. I went to Iraq at 131 lbs. I left I Iraq at 163. Was it all muscle, I highly doubt it; my bench went from 140 to 225. Squats 150 to 300 and Leg Press from 425 to 740. I would say a lot muscle and strength was added. I used no-explode, True Mass and a packet of animal stack daily without fail. I also added for about 1 month a supplement called "testra-flex" however after some research into it I decided to stop using it because it was questionable - Once bodybuilding.com stopped marketing it, I stopped using it. - I would guess that if I had been younger and a strength coach or someone who knew what they were doing in the gym the improvements could have been greater. All said I do not think a pro athlete at nearly any age would have much difficulty adding muscle and weight due to training, proper supplements, diet and rest. They have greater resources and more time to do so then the average person on the street.

Are they realistic options, yes they are. My guess is even if Pujols becomes a FA at the end of the season, Hendry will not sign him.... It's simple math really based on what we have seen for years from him..... Fielder hits from the left side, Pujols from the right! That should answer any questions that may be asked concerning whom Jimbo will try to sign (if the Cubs are looking for a new 1st baseman next season).

My math is BAD so please let me know if I'm wrong on this. 2010 Bradley = 9M (We Pay All) Silva = 11.5M (We Pay All) From M's = 3M = 17.5M 2011 Bradley = 12M (We Pay All) Silva = 11.5M (We Pay All) From M's = 6M = 17.5M 2012 Silva =2M buyout (We Pay All) So we are basically paying Silva 17.5M and 37M over 3 years (with buyout)? OR IS THIS CORRECT? 2010 Bradley = 9M (M's Pay All) Silva = 11.5M (We Pay All) From M's = 3M = Net Gain of .5M to trade Bradley? 2011 Bradley = 12M (M's Pay All) Silva = 11.5M (We Pay All) From M's = 6M = Net Gain of 6.5M to trade Bradley? 2012 Silva = 2M buyout (We Pay All) How will the numbers break down in this? If we are paying 17.5M over the next two years to trade Milton this has to be the worst trade ever... If we are gaining $ in this deal it's a great trade from my POV (point of view - Always wanted to use it on a normal board).. LOL Can someone please show me the math on this trade for cash? Thanks

Got your attention? After reading: 20-year contract to pay the New York Mets $400 million to name the team's new stadium "Citi Field." Sorry guys I'm all about tradition and I would HATE to see the name changed but if it could bring in this kind of $$$$ I'm all about it. For 20M a year I don't care if you call it "Crackhead Field"! ----- I should add I would only be for this as long as the 20M was put back into the payroll and Hendry didn't get to sign the player/s the money could buy.

Probably should go in it's own thread but this is close enough.. Do you ever think the Tribune wished they had sold this team long ago so they could have got top dollar? Reports I was reading long long ago said Cuban bid 1.3B on his first bid. True or not I don't know, but it seems like had the world money markets not taken a huge crap on them they could have got more than 900M for the team. I'm sure that the sale of a baseball team is complicated, but I would have to think it's not 3 years of complications. Wonder if the Tribune thought: Dump money into the team, drive fans through the gates and win = Drive the price up. (I'm sure it would). However they did not consider the future economy three years from that point, just a thought I have had often.

For those that live, have lived or know anything about the Korean government this sounds 100% on-point. Here is a link to some of the images I just took of the ones I have got here in Korea. I have basketball, football and MLB in the images for you all to checkout. Here http://picasaweb.google.com/Jeremy.Adams1/Jerseys?feat=directlink In 2003 this was a wonderful little thing to get into. Many of the people I worked with went on E-bay and was getting around 130.00 per Jersey. Not a bad deal back then they were 15.00 or you could cut deals for 10 for 100.00 or so. Record price back then was a John Elway throwback that sold for 257.00 + shipping. Prices now a days have fallen and you can pick them up for nothing (if they get pass e-bay's fraud section) - The fake ones that is. Hope this helps. PS... I tried to show some of the common issues I have had with them also, strings, lint and so on. The issues I have had with them are not major and I would nothing I can't spend 5 minutes and fix before I wear them. Also the stain on the Larry Bird, well I guess I just never washed it after it's last wear.

Sorry guys time difference and all.... I will post some pictures a little later as a follow-up. About to go to bed right now. "IF" the ones on the website are as good as the ones in Korea you are getting a great deal. Post the pictures soon. PS... Let me do some looking around and I will see if I can get a web address or something for everyone in Korea. I'm unsure of the Korean government cracking down on this type of stuff outside or being sent outside of Korea... I know they don't care inside Korea itself. On the corner of other street in Seoul you can get knock-off movies and so on... and Itawon in Seoul is the place to go if your in Seoul (or have friends). Any cab drive will know.

Sure they are fakes. Made by the same people that own the website (based in China) or they are getting a great deal from the person who is making them. Ever been to South Korea? My jersey collection has got to the point that I have started to give them away to make room for the new ones. Problem is I never wear them unless I'm going to a Cubs, Colts or Pacers game (haven't been in over 2 years). As far as quality I can't speak of the ones that are made in China I can say the Korean ones I get are great quality. All sown on (not screened on). The "logo's" look like they stole them off the a real jersey. I walk into the shops and wonder how in the he11 do they get them? The jersey themselves and the letters/numbers are good, quality fabric (If not the real thing, very close to it). The only issue I would have with them about sometimes the numbers/letters will fray a little (on about 10% of them). I have no idea how to tell what ones will fray and what ones will not. I pay 20$ for each of mine, so the prices/mail your gonna pay is about equal. The site is ether making them or getting a great deal from the actual family (and I'm about 95% sure) it's a single family business that makes them. If you all have any questions I can take some close-up's of a few of the ones I have and post them to show you what I'm talking about the letters (if I did not give them away already).

Wade, Great reply and I agree with some things, much like you (I assume) we both can agree that Sosa was probably using something that was NOT over the counter. I do feel that he was using something that was not on the up and up. He was a star player for years before becoming a superstar, something caused this change. I 100% agree with you on this, my only thinking (to be fair to Sosa) would be the TX picture was taken 2 years after the Cubs, (I think) 4 years after testing started. Look at the size of Giambi during his steroid years and his Non-steroids years, they are very telling of something. However I would like to say Giambi gives me the look of someone who never put a foot into the gym at all. I'm very sorry for just taking a little quote of your whole, but just wanted to make one point about this part. The very fact that they are in the very hing percentile genetically could also be an argument for the ability to gain muscle fast and easy. As many things I have read say that genetic make-up play a huge part in weight lifting and muscle gain. Just my thoughts. I was 33, turned 34 during my time here. I do agree with you that it's much harder to gain when your getting up in age! Most things I have read say a good way to keep that testosterone level high even as you age is to have had a good workout program during your life (young to old). Most say you can raise your testosterone by starting to workout as you age, but most seem to agree that you will NEVER get that "teen" level back if you didn't stat (and keep) your workout program at a young age. Either way I know we are not going to figure out if Sosa used/didn't use, I just do find it intesting to talk about. The more I learn about the human body and growth the more I can see how it would be possible for Sosa not to use and still makes gains like he did. However that don't change my basic feeling that he did use. The sad part about this feeling is, we will never know the truth, unless it comes out (duhhh). Even if Sosa NEVER USED; he will always be guilty of using in the court of public opinion because he has no way to prove he did not use - to me that's kind of sad.

Good to see everyone getting in on this topic, it's nice to hear everyone's opinions. I guess one thing I look at also is before testing pictures and after testing pictures. I assume (always bad) he was not using steroids after testing started. If he was using, he would be really really stupid (which I do not feel was the case since nothing has come up on him) because that would have for sure ended any Hall of Fame chances for him and tear down everything he worked for if caught. As for his gains in size, I do not doubt that it can happen naturally. I have spent the past five months (only one more to go) in Iraq. I go to the gym every day lifting weights and I have gained 18lbs in muscle (140 to 158). I do not use anything other then a protein shake and NO-Explode. I eat when I'm hungry about 3 meals a day. I have NO personal trainer (which I'm sure he has had), no meals designed to build me up and so on, that I would think he would have had (Diet, rest and weight training is the best way to gain size - from reading I have done). The more I work out the more I realize he very well could have gained weight and muscle the right way (clean). As far as head size I have no proof either way of a gain in this section of his body, but that would be easy to get if you know the right people (sports writers), as you could just find out what was his hat size when he first came up and what it is today, I would think that would be easy - but who knows! However I do find his pictures after 04 and on to be just as impressive as when he was with the Cubs. The photo of his arms in the earlier post I have to think was after a workout. Based on most other photo's I have seen of him during the 98 through 03 seasons. Here are some photos of his days in Baltimore and Texas (2nd time around). Keep in mind also he was in his late 30's, from what I have read natural testosterone around this time is starting to get lower in the body. 1998 http://graphics.boston.com/images/bostondirtdogs//Headline_Archives/BDD_SS_MM_SI98.jpg Years after the Cubs http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dMCVCOEiZoE/SK1e_gUzpZI/AAAAAAAABS4/0uvZLbhq0WQ/s400/sammy_sosa.jpg http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/dd51/sammy20sosa20baltimore20orioles.jpg http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/ethan_trex/02/14/left.field/p1_sosa.jpg http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2005/03/13/sports/13sosa583.jpg Another thing I do find interesting is that NO major league team has taken a chance on him as a player (outside TX 1 year ago). Maybe they know something I (we) don't know? Just a random thought.

Let me start this off with saying, do "I" feel Sosa used them? Yes. With the new report of A-Rod LINK using it makes me wonder, how/why has Sosa been able to go so long without being pointed out as a user? Sure I understand people will say he got them from his home country, thus he will never be pointed out as a user. To me this has nothing to do with it. Why has it not been brought to light the same way as Miguel Tejada (Dominican Republic) or even A-Rod. A-Rod's name comes up as one of the 104 positive tests in 03, why has Sosa's name not come up? Why has no former trainer for the Cubs came forward and said, yes Sosa was a user? Baseball has had two hearings, a Mitchell Report, countless books and much more, yet Sosa is never named in any of them (unless I missed it), why? Sure during the hearing he lost his command of English, but if I was a player in a foreign country, in front of government officials on national TV and speaking my second language I would want to know for sure I was hearing/saying the right thing. Here is one article I have found about Sosa and steroids LINK. After reading the article the only thing I can get from it is the writer is an a$$. I remember when this was first news and thought Sosa is guilty because of it. Now after reading it again and knowing a little more about players union and so on, I can understand Sosa's reaction. I named my first son after Sammy, I sure as hell don't want him to be guilty of steroids (although deep down I think he did use them), I just wonder, why has his name not come up more often other then just forums or "talk". No news reports, no positive tests, no "he said, she said" nothing...... I wonder why?