Benchwarmer

Wouldn't that be sweet. Two impact players and batters that can drive in runs. Go Theo!

Andre Dawson was at Anderson's Book Store for a book signing in Naperville last night. Did anyone go see him? I've met him a few times and found him to be soft-spoken and a gentleman. One of those players you wonder if he had an injury free career, what numbers would be have put up. I was at the game last night. Can't fault Dempster at all. Gotta find some offense.

They paid their money and have seen the Marmol Show before. How else are they going to send a message that he needs to start earning his money by doing his job? (That message is already lost on one veteran.) If a few boos from the hometown paying customers rattle him in a meaningless May game, he won't see an October game.

Enough with these place holder deals, let the kids play.

So? Why is your opinion so significant in the situation? It certainly didn't do anything to prevent the giant incident. Why do you even care? It's FINE to think he's an idiot. People thought Clemens and Gibson were [expletive]...Guess how much that mattered or what tha did to stop them or the general activity? I wouldn't lump Bob Gibson in with Hamels or Clemens. While Gibson was a tough pitcher, who threw inside, he was NEVER called dirty or anything like that. He NEVER went head hunting. He didn't like batters who leaned over the plate and would brush them back. He didn't like for the other team to show off, he'd send a message. Opposing players respected him, feared him but they NEVER called him dirty.

I remember a BA article after Prior was drafted that gave an in depth analysis of whether the author felt that Cruz or Prior should be higher ranked and ended up going with Cruz, admittedly because he had pitched against professional hitters. It was a very interesting read and frankly, for a Cubs fan... Really exciting. But I think you're right. People forget about how highly thought of Cruz was. Since 2005-Cruz has more Wins.

So where's the disconnect? Is Soto looking at the bench, they're calling for a fastball. Soto calls for a fastball and Marmol is shaking him off? Or is Soto calling for a slider and Marmol's OK with that.

I caught a little bit of the Nats game last night against the Phils on MLB. Nats broadcast(kool-aid being served) talked alot about Harper maturing a great deal since last year and that he's quite religious and turning out to be a good kid. I wonder if we can just mark it down to being young and then growing up. He seems to have a good idea of the strike zone and wasn't offering at some pretty close pitches. As an aside, Strasburg threw some breaking stuff @ 88mph+ that were simply unhittable.

I'm thinking 'Sasquatch' as in the Himalyan League. Didn't Sidd Finch pitch there?

Boys will be boys. So right in so-o-o many ways. Don't we all wish Paul Sullivan would snap. Back in 1980, Jimmy Piersall(then WSox announcer) snapped and choked Rob Gallas of the Daily Herald because of a story Gallas had written. Guess he put the 'death grip' on Gallas's throat and he was turning blue, etc.. Piersall was suspended and Reinsdorf took pity on Gallas. He hired Gallas as the head of Marketing, in the grand tradition of Jerry being loyal and hiring incompetent people for positions of power. Will say that having Harry and Jimmy doing the WSox was an excellent broadcasting team. Once when the Sox had diminutive Harry Chappas at SS, a line drive went over Chappas' head at about 7 feet. Harry says: "A normal SS would have just reached up and caught it." Jimmy: "Maybe he should go get a chair."

Kinda said that already. Topps had a monopoly on the market until the late 70's and Fleer, Donruss, etc.. jumped in. There's not a better smell to take you back to your childhood than Topps cards w/Bazooka bubblegum. Speaking of collectibles..I think there was an old SNL bit of a guy goes into a store and asks: "Do you have Moses' burning bush?" "Signed or unsigned?" "Signed." "Come back tomorrow."

You've made a terrible mistake. Agreed, you should keep them. They're already paid for and all. You never know when a trend will start again and they could be worth $$$. Look at vinyl records. I've saved my 'Pet Sounds' and other albums. I think what hurt the baseball card market is the influx of other companies who simply milked it dry by flooding it. They subdivided into so many different categories, they drove prices down. I have 6 of the famous Billy Ripken 'f**k face on the knob of the bat' card, only because an Orioles friend got so many in Baltimore. Topps was King, but now I don't know where they rank. They put out a coffee table book years ago with all their cards from the beginning. Very cool to see some of the all time greats.

Bill Veeck was fabulous. He had his phone number listed for years in Chicago and people could him at home and talk. Imagine that today. I think on the Eddie Gaedel contract, which had to be approved by the league office. Veeck ignored the telegram telling him 'No' and stuck Gaedel in there anyway. Brian Taylor was touted as the next Yankee 'HOF pitcher' and his Topps card was over-hyped. I picked up a couple packs in downtown Naperville and found 3 Brian Taylors. I gave one to a friend and told him that would pay for his son's college. Not so much, I guess.

A friend in the Sox org. sent this over. Good contact with MLB HQ. Guess salary is in $60K+ range. Good luck. CRM and Database Analyst - Boston Red Sox POSITION OVERVIEW: The CRM and Database Analyst will lead in the targeted marketing effort of customers in the Red Sox CRM system. This individual will interface with the Ticketing and Marketing departments to establish strategies and processes for maximizing ticket sales to continue the sell-out streak. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Work with MLBAM to create, manage and execute targeted marketing campaigns. • Manage CRM patron database, including general patrons, season ticket holders/waitlist, and all potential sales lead lists. • Monitor email success rates for all emails. • Serve as lead contact for inter-club collaborations and discussions regarding CRM and fan data • Provide ad hoc CRM based reporting to all departments. • Work with individual departments to understand business needs and create plans of action for future CRM use and installation. • Work with departments to understand reporting needs, and collaborate with IT to create CRM and SSRS reports. • Customize User Interface in CRM based on user needs. • Provide second level CRM “Help Desk” support for user issues. • Provide on-call support for ticketing analytics/campaign management. • Develop and hold CRM user trainings, including curriculum building for classroom and one-on-one trainings. CHARACTERISTICS / QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor's degree required. • 3 – 5 years’ experience in data management and database marketing. • 1-2 years’ experience with a CRM system; Microsoft Dynamics CRM is strongly preferred. • Strong SQL skills are required. • Experience with SAS and/or SPSS preferred. • Experience with Microstrategy a plus. • Strong critical thinking skills required. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. • High-energy and self-motivated individual. • Excellent interpersonal skills with an outgoing and team oriented personality. • Strong organizational skills, able to multi-task and work well under pressure. • Able to effectively adapt to frequently changing environments. • Proficient in Word, PowerPoint, Outlook. Expert in excel – including working with Pivot Tables and Power Pivot.

nobody likes you. Gee Kap, I sure didn't see this coming. it takes a big man to mock another man's charitable cause. And a small one to cruise a funeral looking for work.

nobody likes you. Gee Kap, I sure didn't see this coming.

So far, so good. 16th trip on the DL. Good example for the younger players. Sure hope this doesn't affect his bowling night.

Two years too late. But he's good for the youngsters to show what it takes. He's a legend.

Mid season form. But he was brought back because he's such a good guy in the clubhouse. He's a legend.

Looks like they're really adding on to the media relations dept. Hope either you apply or can pass it on to someone who needs a break. Good luck! The Chicago Cubs are seeking a Social Media and Public Relations Assistant to help with the team’s social media programming, public relations and marketing outreach. As a member of the media relations department, this person will primarily promote off-the-field activities of the franchise, with responsibilities including social media monitoring and outreach, proactive and reactive media relations, compiling media coverage, proofreading, research, writing and editing. RESPONSIBILITIES To promote the initiatives and activities of the Chicago Cubs, including but not limited to: • Proactively monitor the club’s social media channels for opportunities to engage fans. • Activate elements of dedicated social media game nights digitally and in person at Wrigley Field. • Coordinate rules, prizes and logistics of sweepstakes conducted on Facebook and Twitter. • Deliver in-seat prizes and seat upgrades via Twitter during Cubs home games. • Highlight game results, roster moves, team news, pictures, video, community initiatives, business partnerships and other topics on the club’s social media properties. • Research and develop innovative social media programming for team consideration. • Drive awareness of the team’s digital platforms through dedicated promotions and publicity efforts. • Pitch noteworthy community and corporate partner initiatives to local and national media. • Assist the media relations office with reactive media inquiries. • Compile and archive local and national baseball business clips, distribute internally throughout the front office. • Perform additional projects as needed by the media relations staff.

Bradley, Soriano, Fukudome, Hawkins..etc.... you might remember them. I don't know whether the Cubs will be good or entertaining, but they appear to have a plan and I'm willing to give them time to see how it takes shape.

Blowing it up. Change is great. Beats the band-aid approach of signing a bunch of FA to long, expensive contracts and still lose. I'm all on board on Theo's vision, talent evaluation and direction. Get rid of Soriano and a couple more players(ahem) and let's see what the team has mid-season.

This one could be interesting. Coordinator, Authentics and Licensing - Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs currently have an opening for a Coordinator, Authentics and Licensing, reporting to the Director, Corporate Partnerships. RESPONSIBILTIES •Coordinate, execute and expand the Cubs’ Game Used Item program. •Develop new licensing and merchandising opportunities. •Create new revenue streams to further activate the brand and build profitability with the general public. •Generate new revenue streams by expanding our merchandise and game used item offerings inside and outside of Wrigley Field. •Aid in all marketing initiatives that increase profitability of the department. •Research and develop new ideas to increase overall revenue. Ms. Samantha Coghill is the hiring manager for this position. Good Luck!

That's the worst that can happen. Didn't you hear that Theo wants to change the culture and build a winning team? Don't you remember that Theo says he wants productive players and who have their teammates' back? How does Z fit into any of those? Has he suddenly see the light and will shape up? You want to bring back an overpaid malcontent who attacked his teammates, quit on the team and is non-productive? No thanks. This is the showcase tour. Z has little value right now and if shows something now, maybe a team will be interested. I'm sure we may have to eat some $$$, but Theo knows that Z can't be brought back. Yes, he can. Nope..as I told you earlier.

Here's your chance Nuts to show your mettle. The Cubs are looking for a new Director of Marketing: Although I feel the Cubs do a pretty job of marketing the team, there remain several opportunities to expand the brand. Looks like this position also entails the minor leagues which would be very cool. I think it would be great if someone here got the job. Have at it.