98navigator

I really don't know. It could be that his minority interest in the White Sox would preclude him from purchasing a stake in the Cubs. Even if he was forced to divested himself of the White Sox I'd be worried about his true intentions for the Cubs. He's in cahoots (because apparently some people don't know of the association) with Reindsdorf on the Sox and Bulls. You never know what a new "owner" would try to do. He might have designs on moving the franchise to make things more profitable for the White Sox (while mistakenly believing that the Cubs are a cash cow that can withstand adversity...) Or, perhaps he would consider the Cubs and WGN as afterthoughts in his desire to take over the Tribune. I know this angle is one for the conspiracy theorist in me but I would not welcome his affliation.

:lol:

Today's Crain's Chicago Business reports that the Tribune is considering a "recapitalization plan" while also mulling over an offer from Samuel Zell. In an article on 2/7/07 it was reported that Mr Zell approached the Tribune about acquiring its assets. The concern I have for Zell is, in addition to be a wealthy real estate magnate, he's also a friend and partner of Jerry Reinsdorf. Specifically, he has an ownership stake in the Chicago White Sox (among other things). On a related note, the "Cubune.com" is a scary place full of conspiracy theories about the Tribune and it's relationship with the Cubs. It's also where I learned of the relationship of Zell and the White Sox. Here's an interesting cubune quote: Let's just hope the Tribune follows through on its plans to restructure the company internally.

Thanks. I'm a long time lurker but finally decided to join and get into the action (last season didn't inspire much posting...)

He will be a FA after 2007 but He's also thankful for the having the chance to play with the Cubs. I like Barrett but I'm not convinced the Cubs will pay him what he would command on the open market (and their obviously not working hard to extend him). I think he'll be gone. IMO, Blanco was signed for two years as insurance against losing him.

I'm not familiar with how XM does their programming but MLB does have archived games. For instance, current MLB.TV members can view past games from 2005 & 2006 (and Gameday Audio subscribers can listen). Available games are Spring Training, Regular Season, and Postseason (listen only). MLB also allows you to listen and view BaseballChannel.tv, MLBradio, and Podcasts. These features are free BTW. I wasn't very clear in my question. MLB.tv doesn't independently do broadcasts, correct? I thought the broadcasts they carry are the WGNtv or Comcast or whatever game broadcasts. If that's the case, the schedule in the game thread forum has all the tv & radio broadcasts of the Cubs spring training games that I could find (still missing AZ DBacks broadcast info). Ah, I see what your saying. I could be wrong but I think Electron was looking for the full ST schedule of all the team's games. That's what I was referring to when I said no schedule was listed... When they do get around to posting it, the dates and times of the games will be available to select. Audio listeners can also choose between Home and Away broadcasts. that's a good point Laura - I suppose if no one (i.e. WGN comcast, etc.) isn't broadcasting the game, MLB.tv won't carry it either. 98Navigator, you sound like you have been a member for at least a year or two. Do they archive whole games for subscribers? Like, later this year, could I watch a game from early april in its entirity? Does this archive include games from previous seasons? I'm pretty excited to have mlb.tv this, since I live outside of Chicago. I have been a member for a couple of seasons. To answer your question, yes, they do have whole games archived for the previous two seasons. Until the regular season begins subscribers can access 2005 games (the available list is always the current and previous Spring Training, Regular Season, and Postseason audio). You can watch an April 2005 game in March 2007. Both Standard and Premium MLB.tv also offers condensed games in the same package. I like watching the archived games as if it were live so I don't like this feature as much but apparently some people do...

Are you kidding? "2 yr wonder Wood" has had more than two good years and he was under a longterm contract which is why the team has been patient with him. Kerry Wood wouldn't have survived this long without a tremendous upside. Wade Miller's age, risk level, and small contract make him easily expendable. Add to that diminishing stuff and its a recipe for getting released.

I'm not familiar with how XM does their programming but MLB does have archived games. For instance, current MLB.TV members can view past games from 2005 & 2006 (and Gameday Audio subscribers can listen). Available games are Spring Training, Regular Season, and Postseason (listen only). MLB also allows you to listen and view BaseballChannel.tv, MLBradio, and Podcasts. These features are free BTW. I wasn't very clear in my question. MLB.tv doesn't independently do broadcasts, correct? I thought the broadcasts they carry are the WGNtv or Comcast or whatever game broadcasts. If that's the case, the schedule in the game thread forum has all the tv & radio broadcasts of the Cubs spring training games that I could find (still missing AZ DBacks broadcast info). Ah, I see what your saying. I could be wrong but I think Electron was looking for the full ST schedule of all the team's games. That's what I was referring to when I said no schedule was listed... When they do get around to posting it, the dates and times of the games will be available to select. Audio listeners can also choose between Home and Away broadcasts.

I'm not familiar with how XM does their programming but MLB does have archived games. For instance, current MLB.TV members can view past games from 2005 & 2006 (and Gameday Audio subscribers can listen). Available games are Spring Training, Regular Season, and Postseason (listen only). MLB also allows you to listen and view BaseballChannel.tv, MLBradio, and Podcasts. These features are free BTW.

wow I'm sorry but you can't say "so and so is going to be healthy" one week and then say "we're going to hold so and so out of his regular starts" another week, and not expect to be questioned about it. I want to know why if so and so was healthy last week they need to miss starts this week. If it's precautionary, what are they worried about the guy reinjuring. If he is in danger of reinjury, why is he not rehabbing still and why aren't we being told that instead of "he'll be ready". The way this organization handles these things is a pet peeve of mine. They either don't know what they're talking about when they make these announcements, they're not listening to their coaches as they should be, they're deliberately misleading the fans to boost ticket sales, or some combination of the above. My guess is that they say things like "Prior is ahead of schedule" when a reporter asks so they don't have to tell the truth, which is "we have no earthly idea when, if ever, Prior is going to pitch in another ballgame." The only answer is that they said they were going to take it slow with him at the beginning. Also, its Prior that has assured everyone that he will be ready by Opening Day. Rothschild is merely echoing the sentiment based on what he knows/has seen. Only Prior knows for sure if he is healthy. I think its a big leap from "their taking precautions" to "Expect an announcement about Prior going throwing a simulated game rather than a ST game about 2 days before he's scheduled to start." Well, that particular statement was hyperbole on my part, but things like that have happened before. Thanks for pointing out that it was Prior who is inisting he'll be ready by Opening Day. The player is probably the last guy the press should listen to when discussing returns from injury. I wish the organization had the courage to say "we just don't know yet, we'll have to wait and see", rather than making optimistic predictions, or, in this case, reinforcing Prior's optimistic predictions. To be fair, Rothschild has been saying just that for the last two offseasons (including this one). At the Cubs Convention I believe Larry said that "you never know about Prior until the grass turns green." He's also said in the past the Cubs shouldn't rely on he and Wood to be healthy... The truth is, until Mark Prior pitches a complete season injury free he will have doubters. Afterwards, some people will still say "show me again that you can stay healthy for 30+ starts." He definitely has something to prove. Call me crazy but I believe he and the Cubs are being honest. He's already accomplished more this offseason than in recent memory. I expect he'll pitch March 7th or 8th.

I looked but no schedule is listed. The banner I saw said there would be over 150 games. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/ad/Subscription/y2007/300x60_sub_spring_az_teams.gif Just to clarify, I am a subscriber. No schedule has been released that I know about.

wow I'm sorry but you can't say "so and so is going to be healthy" one week and then say "we're going to hold so and so out of his regular starts" another week, and not expect to be questioned about it. I want to know why if so and so was healthy last week they need to miss starts this week. If it's precautionary, what are they worried about the guy reinjuring. If he is in danger of reinjury, why is he not rehabbing still and why aren't we being told that instead of "he'll be ready". The way this organization handles these things is a pet peeve of mine. They either don't know what they're talking about when they make these announcements, they're not listening to their coaches as they should be, they're deliberately misleading the fans to boost ticket sales, or some combination of the above. My guess is that they say things like "Prior is ahead of schedule" when a reporter asks so they don't have to tell the truth, which is "we have no earthly idea when, if ever, Prior is going to pitch in another ballgame." The only answer is that they said they were going to take it slow with him at the beginning. Also, its Prior that has assured everyone that he will be ready by Opening Day. Rothschild is merely echoing the sentiment based on what he knows/has seen. Only Prior knows for sure if he is healthy. I think its a big leap from "their taking precautions" to "Expect an announcement about Prior going throwing a simulated game rather than a ST game about 2 days before he's scheduled to start."

I looked but no schedule is listed. The banner I saw said there would be over 150 games. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/ad/Subscription/y2007/300x60_sub_spring_az_teams.gif

Hopefully the White Sox won't "run out of pitchers" again. That was pathetic last spring. IIRC, the White Sox only used 3 pitchers in that game. It was totally bogus because there were pitchers in the bullpen. I guess losing to the Cubs, even in ST, is a no go for Guillen. I hope Rich mows them down.

wow

I don't like seeing quotes like this :shock: Why? It seems in line with how they said they would be handling him from the onset. I see this as progress. Did he pitch live BP at all last Spring? I can't remember for certain but I don't think so. Also, we were hearing a lot of chatter from Will Carroll about Prior's injuries and we've had no such negativity this year.

from this angle, Jim looks to have put back on all the weight we thought he lost Ha, I was thinking the same thing but I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Those vertical stripes up close may be affecting the look versus the full length pic we had previously. I also questioned if this was new (taken today) or just newly released... http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070217/capt.azmg20702172001.cubs_spring_baseball_azmg207.jpg

I'll give it a try!

"This is how they did it in my day!"

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20070225/i/r2549486363.jpg Konner (02) and Kameron (01) Kinkade, sons of Chicago Cubs player Mike Kinkade, stretch as they watch the team's spring training camp in Mesa, Arizona, February 25, 2007.

Let's face it, Piniella's delivery is kind of boring so from a media perspective (he may be pleasant to deal with but) he's not very entertaining overall. The Score guys have been talking all week about his penchant for cliches. Actions are more important than words. I think when it comes down to it he will make the right decisions the majority of the time.

From the same article:

35 pitches................ so about 1 inning? Yeah, that's about what they are all doing in Mesa (at least I haven't seen an article where more pitches were thrown). 35 pitches would be a rough one inning. Yup, I was agreeing with the pitch number not so much the idea of one inning for Prior. lol

Also, look for Prior to pitch March 7 or 8.

35 pitches................ so about 1 inning? Yeah, that's about what they are all doing in Mesa (at least I haven't seen an article where more pitches were thrown).