NorthsideAvenger

I got drunk on half a sip of Zima....or was it O'Douls? ( :-k

I think Hendry included a "no givesy-backsy" clause in that trade. That has to be true. I mean And besides...last yr it was Juan Pierre who was "close to be traded to Cubs" then it fizzle, then back on, then fizzle....this yr it is Cliff Floyd.

The Marquis signing was an obvious one, what with Hendry's recent appreciation for players with French (or French sounding) names: -Jason Dubois -Juan Pierre -Jacque Jones -Marquis Grissom -Jason Marquis Then why didn't he go after Mike Piazza, then? Although there were rumors Hendry was interested in Tony Graffanino.

Then again, people would get confused when: The San Fransisco Giants would take on the New York Giants. Nonetheless, the San Fransisco 49ers would be SO appropo for the baseball team.

What the Cubs couldn't get Bill Bavasi or John Hart to bite on the assistant GM job? Oh............snap.....Dangit.

Martin Prado is also a candidate. But it wouldn't suprise me if Johnson/Aybar are used in a platoon.

Are you talking about Moises Alou? If you are he landed in New York with Mets. But I did hear, the Giants are interesting in signing Felipe to be the starting 3rd baseman, tho. They are also going to ink Jesus and Matty; "getting the band back together." http://painteroflegends.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/alou.jpg Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey are SOOOO interested in joining the party.

Are you talking about Moises Alou? If you are he landed in New York with Mets. But I did hear, the Giants are interesting in signing Felipe to be the starting 3rd baseman, tho.

Why? Thats ridiculous. What if, hypothetically, Ryan Theriot (starting this year) goes on a Ty-Cobb-esque 20 year streak in which he hits .320+ every year. Should his number not then be retired? Now, obviously, thats an extreme example. But its rather ridiculous to say that from "X" time forward there will be no more numbers retired, reguardless of what happens. His number wouldn't/shouldn't be retired, the Cubs would find another way to honor Ryan Theriot---hypethetically speaking, of course---by having a bronze statue, or doing a baseball version of the NFL's "Ring of Honor."

The Bronze statue would be fine for me to honor the TRUE greats of the franchise, I have no problem with that. It's the retiring numbers that I have a problem with. I mean so many players are going to come through the organization, and you can't just tell them not to wear a specific number, unless said number is retired. After #31, the "retiring numbers" tradition should stop, IMO. The problem is...Sosa's number is NOT RETIRED, and IMO, should be allowed to be worn by whoever, until said number is officially retired. His numbers speak themselves, if they were done legitimate, which is under question right now, but until the Cubs decide to retired #21, any player should have the opportunity to wear the number if they choose to.

I think you're wrong. I remember who wore those numbers, but I have to think about it for some. And I've followed the Cubs more closely over the past 25 years than most Cubs fans. The number isn't nearly as important as the name. I think the uproar is silly. I remember the names and not the numbers. I know Sammy is 21 because of the jersey I own but after that, I don't really know any of the old timers' numbers. But I know who Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, etc. are. And that's the point I've been trying to make. If you need to know the number to remember the player, then obviously the fan didn't follow the players' career, or the player wasn't worth following. Great players should be honored, NO DOUBT, but retiring numbers is not the option, I would use.

[i mean, come on...who doesn't want to see Brian giving Marcus "knoogies" in between innings, while they are paper football?

Hey, what are the Giants doing go after an "unproven youngster" like Klesko? I thought their mandate was to acquire "veterans" players?

I understand fully why teams "Retire numbers," but I don't agree that they should retire numbers. The number on the jersey didn't make the player as great as he was....it was his ability to play the game. Said player made the number famous, not the other way around. The ONLY number that should ever be "RETIRED" where Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby, and Roberto Clemente for not what they did as ballplayers(that would be gravy), but what they did for the game of baseball, and the significance of breaking down barriers of social equality and fairness, not to mention humantiarian efforts. Those are the ONLY numbers that should legitimately be retired. These great players should have something done for them for their contributions to the franchise and baseball, but IMO, retiring numbers shouldn't be the options, because sooner or later we are going to run out of numbers to be worn. Bottomline: The number a'int retired. The Cubs have no plans to retired the number. If Jason Marquis wants the number, the Cubs can't do anything about it, outside of making a suggestion, which I doubt they would offer. (and if they don't make the suggestion, it doesn't mean they are "classless".) Neither can the fans who can only identify players by the number on the jersey, instead of their names.

then who cares if bonds hits 756 homeruns. it's just a NUMBER. a FRIGGIN' number at that There is a difference, Rocket. we are talking about a STATISTICAL numbers in the record books, of said player accomplishment on the field. Whereas the number on the back of a players jersey has NO bearing on said player's career. So rocket, there is a BIG difference, and YOU know it, yet you use a worthless point to continue the argument. I am going to say it again........ #21 is not retired. The Cubs have no plans on retiring it in the near future. Sammy Sosa isn't offically retired, nor is he in the HOF. That means....it is to the discretion of the organization about how they issue numbers. It is not a classless move to allow another player to wear a UNRETIRED number, so get off the high horse. More mediocre to crappy players have won the number 31 after Jenkins, and in between Maddux's stints in Chicago, then there have been players to wear the #21. So where's the arugment about #31(Ayala/Guthrie/Lieber)? Or #8 (Girardi/Barrett)? Or #17(Patterson/Hill/Mabry)? If Marquis wants to wear number #21, fine, let him, it's HIS preference. If the Cubs don't stop him from choosing #21, it doesn't make the org classless. What's next, keeping Soriano from wearing #12, because it has the same numbers as #21, but in reverse order?

Only is said player is worthy to have his number retired. Santo yes...Billy Williams yes...Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, yes. Maddux/Jenkins (no and yes), but Sosa doesn't, IMO deserve. I mean he only had six yrs out of 13 with the Cubs, that his numbers were considered "great" and those numbers between 1998 and 2003 are under suspicion. And the other 7 seasons with the Cubs, his numbers were VERY mediocre as a whole. http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/sosasa01.shtml So half his career with the Cubs he was pretty much average, the other half he was ABOVE-AVERAGE. When you put the full 13 yrs together, Sosa really isn't "number retiring" quality without serious debate. So, until the Cubs decide Sosa's number should or shouldn't be retired, his number should be made available to anybody who wants to wear, just like 31 was, and 8, and 17. NO EXCEPTIONS. The only numbers that are off-limits are the numbers worn by Santo/Williams and Banks with #31 being close to being off the market, so to speack. So, again, 21 should will be made available, and if Marquis wants to wear, he SHOULD be welcome to wearing it. Marquis wearing won't disrespect what Sosa did in the numbers. You're stretching it now. You're comparing entertainment that only affects us 8 months out of the yr, and not personally to that of current events that affect our day-to-day life and history? Nah...there is a different. People are dying to protect the freedoms that this country is founded on, and to compare that to players choosing to wear another player's numbers....is beyond stretching a point to fit into your argument. Again, if you need a number to remember the "greatness" of a player, then maybe the player wasn't so great after all, or you weren't paying attention to said players career. It is "just a number." Or should players pull a "Futurama" and start wearing fractions as numbers (ie 1/8....2/5)? So, again it is "just a number", and to make it out to be bigger then it supposed to be, is beyond nonsense.

And Isringhausen/Wilson/Pulsipher.......

Disagree I agree with the Disagree! NO ONE should wear #21 in a Cub uniform again. Plain and simple. quote] Sorry, but IT'S A NUMBER.....A NUMBER....For goodness sake. All this fuss about a FRIGGIN' number. If Marquis wants to wear #21, fine, if he doesn't fine.

Let me ask this question again: Why is Marquis wearing number #21 such a big deal? Fact: Sosa hasn't retired and/or made the HOF. Fact: The number is not retired. Fact is...the number isn't retired, and is available for anybody to wear. I'm sorry some people here don't want to see #21 worn by another player, but it looks like that's going to happen. Marquis wearing #21 should not make you forget the memories of Sosa. If Marquis wants to wear #21, so be it, and the people who have a problem with this, needs to find a legit problem to worry about.

First: If you need a number to remember certain players and their accomplishments, then you prolly didn't notice the accomplishments as they are being played out. I know what you are saying, but I believe players accomplishments are measured by what he does on the field/rink/court and not by the numbers he wears. The numbers, to me, is nothing more then a self-promotion gimmick, no better then say a "wrestling gimmick." You remember the player, not the number. Second: Did you already forget Devin "Mr. Bear 23" Hester?

I doubt it. Boston may try to regotiate some "incentives" into the contract before making it official. I would play the lottery and expect to win, if Drew was healthy for a 150+ game season.

Yes. No, it's not. If a player is playing for the number/name on the back of the jersey, then he sure as heck isn't playing for the name on the front of the jersey. (Regardless of the team on the fron tof the jersey benefitting from said player's "motives".) Look, Bobby Ayala, Jon Lieber, Mark Guthrie (among others) ALL wore 31, between Maddux's stints in Chicago, nobody put up a fuss, considering the history made by Jenkins wearing the number. So, why are people putting up a fuss over the #21? The number issue is NO ISSUE. If Marquis wants to wear 21, so be it. The number isn't retired, the Cubs have no plans to retire(imo, rightfully so, until it's proven what Sosa did was legit, and NOT created), nobody else wants the number, what's the big deal? Would we be having this debate, if the player was say less bad then Marquis? Go ahead, Marquis wear the number.

Talent wise, I agree, but unlike Bobby Jenks (whom, I don't like that much, as some already know) Sisco has no sense of wanting of ever wanted to live up to his talent. In other words....you got nothing for nothing, talent aside. Trust me, and Cubs fans, you guys WILL NOT like Sisco.

I am going out on a limb and say the White Sox will not be Andy Sisco's last professional team he plays for. I see Sisco making the rounds like Mike Morgan. Now, it will be fun to see Ozzie trying to talk smack while having to look up to Sisco. That scene would remind me of a child asking for candy. Good luck Sisco, good luck Ozzie. And maybe Sisco should consider wrestling as an option, after Kenny Williams moves him before 2007 is out.

Hmm........... :-k