RynoHawk23

It would be naive of me (and everyone) to think Sosa didn't use, but I want to believe he didn't. Until there is evidence, I will at least feel like he didn't completely betray me as a fan. Although, the corked bat and way he left the Cubs did enough damage. But I tend to remember him for the summer of 98 and his 2001 season. He was bigger than life and an awesome player to watch. Even if its found that he used, I still have those memories and it was a fun time to watch the Cubs - for the most part. :) But it was the beginning of the Cubs changing their culture and focusing on winning. I think its a shame that he is grouped with the players that have been found to use. And I think its a shame that he fell from grace with Cubs fans the way he has. I don't want to make excuses for a guy, but I think its comical that the organization made him out to be a monster in the end, when they were the ones that created that monster. I don't know about you guys, but I think the ARod situation is ridiculous. There is really no point to bringing his name out other than to ruin him. This is not justice until all 104 are released, then you are trying to correct something. Right now its just to ruin a man's career and reputation. Which is fine, its the bed he's made - but not fair when there are 104 others. I just find it so incredible that this hub bub is over numbers. The only reason any one cares about this steroid era are these numbers - 61 and 756. Because in baseball these are the holy numbers and in no other sport do they have numbers regarded in the same manor. The people that guard these numbers are fraternal baseball writers who still talk about Ruth, DiMaggio, Mantle and Mays. Era's are era's. Ruth's era had no integration. Mantle and Mays had mounds lowered and the introduction of anphetimines. You can find something in every era that gave them an advantage. Are you going to tell me those guys wouldn't have taken something to get an edge? Mantle was an abusive user of alcohol. You don't think he would have taken HGH to prolong his knees and career if it was available? Guys back then were protected by the media. In this day and age they are stalked and watched like hawks for one misstep. Those holy numbers are the reason the NFL gets a pass. Merriman and others get found out and punished and its like it never happened. That helmet does wonders. No one cares about Merriman because he's not going to be immortalized. The best he can do is win a championship really. In the NFL its about the ring and the Lombardi Trophy - not individual numbers. Especially ones by a linebacker. And even if it is a guy like Peyton Mannning - what did it do for him? Did it make him throw harder? Did it give him the stamina to stay fresh the whole season? No one knows or has a tangible item to attach steroids with football. Baseball has those holy numbers and even though its a team sport there are individual accomplishments. I get that there is right and wrong, and what these guys have done is wrong. But its not the end of the world. I will still watch and enjoy baseball every day I have on this earth. And I will enjoy the evolution of the game and remember when this happened and that happened. Its the story of the game, why does it have to be terrible? It is what it is now, let's move on. I actually would be more offended by a player that would test positive today than back 5 years. Because I do believe there was no penalty, so there was a LOT of gray area. Again, I don't approve of that culture, but now baseball has the proper testing in place. Now its officially cheating the system. Its time to move forward now, and let the steroid era be what it is and was.

He's a gold glove, switch hitting second baseman with some pop and speed - plus a great character guy. I saw a tv piece on him a while back that was all about his personality. Good guy. I don't understand how we're not interested and it wouldn't be a major upgrade over Fontenot. I like Fontenot, but some guys flourish for a reason - and Fontenot is best when playing 2-3 times a week with pinch hit opportunites. He doesn't seem like an every day guy to me. The problem is our bench would be pretty weak for power options with Miles and Fontenot having to be there. I'm with most of you, I don't understand why we traded DeRosa and I'm not a big fan of signing Miles.

I'd back Wigginton. He can play the OF, 3B, 2B, 1B. And do it with some pop.

Nice chain type places - $8-$20 a plate, with drinks - more Tempe - Mill Avenue - Heart of Arizona State... Gordon Biersch Brewery - brewery PF Changs - chinese food Oregano's - off Mill a little - AWESOME pizza Z Tejas - steak/grill Bamboo Club - Like PF Changs but better Mesa - a little tougher to find places, not a nice as Tempe... Chevy's - Chain Mexican Island Burger - Great burgers (might be considered in Gilbert, not sure) Sluggo's - Cubs bar, few blocks away from Ho Ho Kam, decent food, bar pretty much though Actually if you go south on Stapley from Mesa you end up in Gilbert across the interstate, there is a big mall area with tons of nice chain restaurants, lots to choose from. Scottsdale Another Oregano's, PF Changs I believe Sugar Bowl - Ice Cream & Desserts, great before a game or after :) Buca De Peppo - family style italian, good stuff Grimaldi's - oven fired authentic italian pizza, awesome as well If all else fails, drive to Old Town Scottsdale and just walk around, you'll find something you'll like, guaranteed. I know there are bar & grill type places and nice authentic mexican. Hope that helps, we've been going for 8 years now, those are some of the one's we always to to when we visit.

I'm truly bummed about Kerry Wood not coming back. So I thought I'd start a thread in honor of him and his career as a Chicago Cub. Please post your favorite memories of Kid K. Mine would be, me and my Dad in a rash decision, drove to see Kerry pitch his rookie year up in Minneapolis against the Twins. Added bonus was Sammy was in the midst of hitting his 20 hr in June of that summer. I'll never forget the literal sound of the whizz-thap of him warming up in the Metrodome. I've been to see over 20 Twins games (grew up in NW Iowa) and have NEVER heard anything like that. Another would be his generosity. Long time Spring Training attendee, Kerry Wood ALWAYS acknowledged the fans and was easily the best "signer" of autographs for kids and all fans really. Those are my personal ones. The fan stuff - Him leading us past the Braves in 2003 was awesome. Great player.

I know there are probably good reasons on both sides of the bill on whether or not to sign him or keep him a Cub. Sometimes don't you just wish everything wasn't about money in baseball though? I mean the Kerry Wood situation has been different than most I've seen in my fanhood. Kerry seemed to WANT to be here - and I know this is probably not his choice to leave. But you would hope the club could come up with a fair market deal for a guy that's given everything to the franchise - especially when we have one of the top payrolls in baseball now. Now we have a need or at least a question mark at the end of our bullpen. Doesn't make a lot of sense. What's really unfair is a guy like Fukudome is getting $12 million a year now to platoon. Nice. Kerry Wood was an all-time favorite of mine. He'll always be a Cub to me.

Sorry, I didn't know if it should be its own topic. I feel like Kerry is worth it. This blows.

Pitcher Kerry Wood and the Cubs will part ways after 14 years with the organization, general manager Jim Hendry said today. Wood, who came up in the Cubs organization as one of the team's most heralded prospects ever, had the longest tenure of any Cubs player on the 2008 roster. Earlier today, the Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Kevin Gregg from Florida on Thursday to plug a hole in the bullpen, sending Double-A prospect Jose Ceda to the Marlins. Whether Gregg will be a closer, as he was in Florida, or a set-up man depends on if Carlos Marmol is ready to step into a more significant role. Either way, the Cubs are trying to maintain their options as they head into the free agent season, which officially kicks off on Friday, when teams can makes offers to free agents outside their organization. More on the Gregg deal in Hardball -- Paul Sullivan, Chicago Breaking News Center

They probably want controllable pitching, but Harden, Marshall, & Pie would work for me. Peavy is an upgrade over Harden. Maybe its too much, but I'm not seeing how Harden will ever be reliable health wise. I know Peavy has had his issues too, but I'd rather see him in pinstripes.

Why don't they play at Wrigley, make Houston the home team and give the gate revenue to the Astros so then they don't lose their gate? I know it really wouldn't be home games, but all they really care about is the money. With a hurricane around, you would think sellouts at Wrigley would be more fruitful than half crowds in Houston. I'm crazy aren't I?

Any one want to actually comment on how horrible Rich Hill has been and how he IS a headcase with little to zero confidence? I don't know how you can suggest we leave him in a game to get beat around, when he has no confidence when the game is 0-0. Along with Soriano, he gave the Cardinals that game last night. And this isn't something new. He's been throwing like this since Spring Training. I watched him walk 6 and get hit around in 1 2/3 in a st game. I commented in the offseason how we were a #2 pitcher short of being a real contender. (we can win the division as currently constructed) But got the stat heads all over me with Rich Hill's numbers and they all ignored how he pitched in September and in the playoffs last year. Plus I was told Ted Lilly is a nice #2, even though last year was the only time he ever pitched that way in his career - even he seems to be reverting to his natural decent #3 status. We have an ace, and four #3-#4 starters. This is not a World Series contender and the Diamondbacks would crush us in any type of series. I can only hope that the non-Roberts trade, has now allowed us to have enough tradable assets to acquire a real deal #2 starter.

Maybe I've mistated what I'm trying to say. I'm not necessarily crediting Dusty Baker. I'm just saying that that was the point in Cubs baseball history that the landscape changed - in my opinion. And like it or not he is associated with that event. But, I think you are being very unfair to Dusty in general. He does deserve some credit for the 2003 season. He wasn't idly standing by and had a largely mediocre team. 2004 is when the team was stacked and didn't come through.

From 1990 to 2002 you tell me where the commitment to winning was by the front office. Was it the signing of Henry Rodriguez? Or was it was that mid-season acquisition of Rick Aguilera? Was it letting Greg Maddux go over a few million dollars and some respect? How about the commitment to finding a great manager? Was it Jim Essian or Jim Lefebvre that is on your pedestal of great Cubs' managers? Since 2003 we have spent money on premeire free agents, made significant in-season/off season trades, and hired the best managers available. All while the fans have put more emphasis on winning, to the point of running players/coaches/broadcasters out of town that weren't up to snuff or on board due the pressure of delivering the winning atmosphere that is craved. I'd say that's a pretty big mindset change. And I'm sorry, Dusty Baker is the person that delivered that change - whether he cultivated it himself or not. "In Dusty we Trusty" was a real thing for 2 years in Chicago.

That's not what I said. Read and understand. He changed the landscape/mindset of the franchise from "lovable losers" to one that doesn't accept losing as an option any more. We have the New York/Boston mindset we just don't have the championships - yet. Maybe the new owner will take the extra steps to do so. Even so, Dusty Baker was the manager of the 2003 team that changed Chicago's mind on what is acceptable. Whether you like it or not, whether he did it on his own merit or not, 2003 in my mind is when this franchise turned the corner and winning became the focus.

I loved Dusty when he was here, but I do realize how bad of a manager he eventually became. I hated the fluff that he presided over - Sammy's departure, Chip & Stone, and the 2004 collapse. That stuff is hard to forget because (other than the collapse) its petty stupid crap. And from his comments of late - he still holds on to those kinds of feelings like he had no part of it or control over it. I think the thing I will remember him most as - the guy that changed the "Lovable Loser" mindset. Because after the taste of success in 2003, the Cubs and the fans have never been the same. There is no more "enjoying a day at the ball park and if we lose - so what" stuff. Cubs fans are driven to win and win now. Which I like. So when we win a World Series, in my opinion he deserves the credit for changing the landscape that will get us there. Whether he did it on purpose or not.

Wow, dude, chill out. Have you ever been to spring training? I'm at the ball park, I'm not running these guys down in their street clothes at the mall or something. I'm looking at guys 5 feet away from me and many of them will not even look in my direction. That's all I'm saying that is disappointing. I'm not the only one there or even asking them to do anything. Its the kids that yell and get no response that is a little concerning. However, you've blown past all relevance of my post and made it about me being an a$$ and you being high and mighty guy. So good luck to you. My actual posts were about establishing a time and a date so these guys could actually fulfill people's small dreams and be less bothered by the whole situation. And for your information I don't collect autographs for personal gain. Personal memories, and small mementos of trips I spend with my family. Sorry if that's too much for you to wrap your brain around.

I really don't think I'm owed an autograph. I do think the fans are owed appreciation. That appreciation comes from seeing an effort from the players to connect with the fans. The guys that I appreciate at least wave, maybe take a picture, or talk to the fans, which in a lot of ways goes a lot further than an autograph. Forget autographs in general, the fans support these guys and do in some way help pay for their salaries. Appreciation and acknowledgment IS a part of their job whether they like it or not. I like to do my main job a lot, but there is a lot of crap I don't like doing - but you know what I have to do it, because its a part of my job. Because if I don't show respect to my superiors who pay me for doing my job - guess what - I don't have a job. That goes for anyone in any profession. HOWEVER. That was not really the point of my post. I actually agree with you about the badgering and over-board fans. Thats why I said the idea of an "Autograph Day" is over due. Make a set time and schedule that fans can show up. And then make security tell fans that the players only sign at a certain time, so if they are waiting around, they are wasting their time. Its really as simple as that.

I like this little thread. This is probably for the folks that actually do enjoy getting autographs though. :) For those Spring Training goers, I think the long over due idea of "Autograph Day" once a week at home games at Hohokam or at least have the team designate some guys to do it for the week needs to happen. It is increasingly harder and harder to get an autograph from ANYONE. I mean you kind of hope that you can get Geo Soto or Ryan Theriot or even Kevin Hart. But you don't even dream of getting Fukudome, Lee, Ramirez or Soriano. The best is DLee because he will sign a few before every game right after he warms up. Ramirez and Soriano warmup in places to directly avoid the fans. That's the frustrating part, when these guys don't even give the effort or trying to put on the mirage that the sign for free. When they don't, to me it says, "you want my autograph, you can pay for it." This year, they moved back fences even farther and I saw more golf carts than I've ever seen. I realize these guys get bombarded with this stuff every day, but I'm sorry, its a part of the job. Is people adoring you so much that they want to actually remember meeting you too much to handle? Where would these guys be if those people weren't there? Now don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those guys that thinks these guys owe me something. I totally understand that the art of the autograph is being at the right place at the right time - so basically luck. BUT, if it is such a burden on the players, then let's specify a time that everyone knows its going to happen. Because I've waited around for an autograph for a long long time for many occasions in Spring Training, and there's nothing worse than watching a kid waiting and waiting for a chance, and seeing the players 10 feet away from them and then the players don't even acknowledge their existance, let alone stop and sign a few autographs. I like a good autograph, I'm not trying to attain 10 from one guy, I just want a small memory of connecting with the team I follow. And most of the time I'd probably be willing to pay for it (as I did this year for Fergie Jenkins & Lee Smith). Is that really too much to ask for the money I spend traveling down there and while I'm there and then through the season and over the years?!?!? I get the over crowding seats stuff, and that could be corrected too by an "Autograph Day" or certain time period that is designated for autographs. I don't know if an Autograph Day could be instituted at Wrigley, as I've never actually tried to get autographs there, so I don't know the difficulty level. Would love to hear thoughts. Thanks!

I also don't like the network/local channel blackout. I have DirecTV HD, and WGN doesn't come in in HD here in Des Moines, so if the game is on ESPN - its blacked out because I am getting the game on WGN. I pay to have ESPNHD and WGN, so why am I not getting the programming. Makes no sense. Maybe that's a new wrinkle that MLB will deal with as well.

I think this might be good in the long run, as I can see us needing a legitimate #2 starter for the playoffs or maybe even a real deal closer if Wood doesn't cut it. We also maybe searching for CF or (hopefully not) a catcher. I like the team as put together -its solid, not necessarily great. Definitely a NL contender. Not thrilled with the lineup though. Roberts would have fixed that at least.

Not to nit pick, but I was at Spring Training the last week and Cedeno played third several times. I think the Cubs are officially out on trying him in the OF, but you can now officially pencil him in to play 2b, ss, and 3b this year if needed.

I was probably being too generalistic, I know a lot of you have lived the pain. :) The ones calling for a a walk away from the table were the ones I was referring to. I too don't want to mortgage the future either though, the new trade proposal out today is my limit. I feel like we are giving up a lot (especially pitching), but getting a lot too. But its the right kind of trade for the team that is currently built. Not one of the players in that deal would impact this season. This only adds to the contending team we feel we already have. Plus we would have Roberts for 2 seasons, so the core of this team would be even stronger for the next 2 seasons. I too have to wonder how the Orioles are not accepting this proposal.

The same could be said for more suitors becoming available for Roberts. Then the price may be even higher. I think I am asking for the same thing you are - only more. I want Roberts plus whoever becomes available, and we do have the resources to make those things happen. If the trade goes through somewhat close to as rumored - Gallagher, Cedeno, EPatt and Ceda. We still have resources like Marshall, Murton, Marquis, and Veal to acquire the players that might become available. Roberts is available now, and is a solution to our needs in my opinion. I don't think you let that slip away. Just my two cents. Overall, I just want a verdict one way or the other. I hope it happens, but will understand if it doesn't.

You have completely missed the point of my post. That's a fair point of view. I can accept that. But my opinion is that Roberts is worth the risk. I don't think its reckless abandon - and I'm not advocating that. Leadoff may not be a position, but it is a need for us. Roberts would reshape our lineup in a way that makes sense no matter where Lou puts Soriano/Roberts/Fukudome. Making DeRosa a super-sub improves our bench and give us security against inevitable injuries. Let's say Ramirez pulls a hammy hustling - DeRosa has to play third. Now we have Fontenot at 2b? Does that give you confidence to keep winning? Or do we plug in DeRosa at 3b and have Roberts at 2b - and probably don't skip a beat. I just don't see the downside in making it happen to win now. I know SS and CF are more pressing needs. But Roberts is another solution to the problem of a deficiency in the team to contend for the pennant. They can contend for the division as is. Don't you want more than that? You should. And if Roberts isn't the answer - who is?

I can tell that many of you really aren't that old, and really have not suffered or shared the great GREAT exhiliration that comes with living the Cubs fan life. Many of you have probably only heard of 1969(me too), 1984 and 1989, and didn't actually live through it. Some of you might not even come close to appreciating how sweet and bittersweet 2003 really was (Do you realize how awful it was to be a Cubs fan from 1990-2002? 1998 was great, but team wise just a tease). For me 2007 wasn't that great. No one had a great year, the team really was crap until June, in general it was winning a division that was pretty blah and it all ended with a big flop that we could see coming. I don't have a bunch of stats to throw at you. I don't have a bunch of strong opinions about Hendry or where Soriano should bat. But I do know one thing, I want to win. I want to win now. I don't want to go into the season hoping to fill holes by the trade deadline and seeing how we are doing in June to decide. So when you say you would "be upset" or "Hendry should walk away" about trading 4 players that MIGHT help us in 2-3 years down the road for a proven all-star calliber professional player in the vein of a Derrek Lee, just shows me that you don't get it yet. I know the mindset, you want our own players coming up and building a "Cubs Dynasty." You want them to be the guys that you knew they were going to be great back in the day. That's not what happens though, the most likely scenario is that all four of those guys aren't going to make an impact, and hell they might not even make it. (Example - every one flames Hendry for the Pierre trade - but what do the Marlins really have to show for that trade? Sergio Mitre?!?!) So to be able to add a winning player, a player that can shape our team in a way that is only beneficial, and a player that clearly gives us the ability to realistically challenge for the NL pennant - I don't know how ANY of you can say no. It would be great if we could build a dynasty of our own prospects. But that is a once in a lifetime kind of thing. We have the team built to win now, win this year. If we can add Roberts, and THEN take our chances of adding more at the trade deadline, then we are acting like the winner we want to be. Flame away.