RedIvyCub

This is the most comical thing I have read in the Sneed column of the Sun Times... Play ball! Tipsville . . . January 13, 2008 BY MICHAEL SNEED Sun-Times Columnist Sneed hears Crane Kenney, senior veep and general counsel of Tribune Company, hopes to become the new baseball commissioner, replacing Bud Selig. • • The upshot: Word is a head-hunting company is vetting Kenney as a candidate. • • The backshot: Kenney oversees the Cubs for Tribune Co.

There you go...he put it better than I ever could have imagined. It wasn't like that before 03...it wasn't like that when Sammy was the Gladiator and didn't even show up to the convention quite frankly.

Okay, you had a room at the Chicago Hilton for the convention and you cancelled it because you didn't have tickets? I am going to now tell you something that will make you kick yourself that obviously you didn't understand...each room comes with four passes which you pay $10 each for at registration. Someone at the Hilton obviously did not tell you that when you called to make the reservation. http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/community/com_convention.jsp Thanks Red Ivy but I had a reservation at the Palmer House Hilton, which is at 17 East Monroe Street (maybe 6 blocks from the Convention?)... so I don't think that applies to the Hilton, where I booked a room. Anyway as it turns out, that week I'll be going in for Chemotherapy-- so I'm not sure how I'll be feeling by the weekend. I think what I'm going to try to do instead, is just go and catch a game in Spring Training. But I do appreciate the info.--you're right, I wasn't aware of that. Sorry to hear that you have to go through Chemo and I hope you get well quickly. However, now you know for next year and make sure you reserve the room early.

Glad you saw that McD is nothing but a marketing man. Get used to the Hawks referred to as a brand. Whole front office was there because they were probably required to attend with no excuses accepted. Very doubtful Cubs would allow Wrigley to be used for an outdoor game after the money they put into the field this offseason. People don't think of that. Well, his story of how he got hired is proof of his active imagination. Little more to that I am afraid but it isn't for public consumption, sorry. I know, most won't believe me with no story but...

That he did. Didn't make a move without talking to McD. He reported to McD for his entire Cubs career. Not understanding making Blunk head of Business Operations as he has been a marketing type his entire career. Now Hawks have two guys who know little about the business side of running a franchise. Pretty scary stuff. He won't have anything interesting to say as it will all be in marketing speak. Just watch your back on that event and not a word of what I have told you here to McD. Not sure if any of you saw how he pretty much dissed Woody, Prior and Cubs fans in a quote mid last month at an autograph signing the Hawks had downtown. The hawks didn't have guys who knew anything about running the franchise before McD and Blunk. And guess what, they still don't have guys who know anything about running the franchise.

I agree that's more of a slap at Cub fans. Who, in their right mind, would want to stand outside in the middle of January anyway? That is exactly how I felt about the quote. But I guess you have to know McD to understand.

Okay, you had a room at the Chicago Hilton for the convention and you cancelled it because you didn't have tickets? I am going to now tell you something that will make you kick yourself that obviously you didn't understand...each room comes with four passes which you pay $10 each for at registration. Someone at the Hilton obviously did not tell you that when you called to make the reservation. http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/community/com_convention.jsp

It was in the Vineline and the complete list will be in the Chicago Tribune sports section the Sunday prior to the convention. You all are excited to go and I am thrilled out of my mind not to go this year. It hasn't been the same since October 2003. The fans are different and it is oversold and packed with people. It has forced the players to hide from the fans rather than hang out in Kitty O'Sheas and talk at the end of each day's activities. Even the former players hide because the fans are different now. It used to be a lot of fun but not anymore to me. I can't imagine I would enjoy this thing. What do you mean about fans changing? Are they new fans who don't understand baseball, or are they fans that actually, like, expect the Cubs to win lots of baseball games and can't understand why they don't? You wouldn't enjoy it because there are a handful who know baseball for one and not just new fans. Many are there for autographs so they can sell them and make a quick buck as it is why they get in line at 2 AM and sleep on the floor. Cubs Convention has become a hangout for bandwagoners who think it is the cool place to be and get drunk and party. Not what it used to be about. Like I said, you could sit down and chat with current and former players away from the festivities of the convention. Was fun to sit down with guys like Beckert or Santo or any of the old timers and listen to their stories about the old days. The whole vibe is different and I don't find it enjoyable any longer.

[quote name="jiml60 Who' date=' Blunk or McDonough? What did he say?[/quote] McD and Marriotti lifted it for his column yesterday. McDonough reveals fest plans December 27, 2007 Coming next for the Blackhawks: a fan convention that apparently will be called HawksFest. That shouldn't be much of a surprise, considering new Hawks president John McDonough created the concept when he was with the Cubs and it turned into such a success that the White Sox and Bears created similar events. McDonough revealed convention plans for the Hawks during a WSCR-AM (670) call-in show in which McDonough, chairman Rocky Wirtz and general manager Dale Tallon took questions for 1 hour, 20 minutes before the Hawks' game Wednesday against the Nashville Predators. McDonough said convention details would be announced in mid-January. ''We're looking at dates, and we're considering having it at a downtown hotel or the United Center,'' McDonough said. ''We want to market this team 12 months a year, and a convention will help us.'' Plans for the convention escalated after McDonough saw the turnout for an autograph signing by Hawks rookies Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews on Dec. 8. About 3,000 attended, most of them waiting in a line that stretched far outside of HawkQuarters on Michigan Avenue. ''I don't know if we could have had 3,000 to see [Cubs pitchers Mark] Prior and [Kerry] Wood four, five years ago if they had to stand out in the cold,'' McDonough said. McDonough also said he's ''very much in favor'' of moving weeknight game times from 7:35 to 7:05 next season. Wirtz said it was his decision to nix Hawks games on the NHL's Centre Ice TV package for fear it might hamper attempts to schedule games on free TV next season. Len Ziehm

It was in the Vineline and the complete list will be in the Chicago Tribune sports section the Sunday prior to the convention. You all are excited to go and I am thrilled out of my mind not to go this year. It hasn't been the same since October 2003. The fans are different and it is oversold and packed with people. It has forced the players to hide from the fans rather than hang out in Kitty O'Sheas and talk at the end of each day's activities. Even the former players hide because the fans are different now. It used to be a lot of fun but not anymore to me.

That he did. Didn't make a move without talking to McD. He reported to McD for his entire Cubs career. Not understanding making Blunk head of Business Operations as he has been a marketing type his entire career. Now Hawks have two guys who know little about the business side of running a franchise. Pretty scary stuff. He won't have anything interesting to say as it will all be in marketing speak. Just watch your back on that event and not a word of what I have told you here to McD. Not sure if any of you saw how he pretty much dissed Woody, Prior and Cubs fans in a quote mid last month at an autograph signing the Hawks had downtown.

Looks like the Cubs are going to have to hire some new marketing guys. Any big trades on the horizon? Not that I am aware of. Hendry keeps things close to the vest and then runs and tells the media before anyone in the office even knows about it or a press conference.

Be afraid, Hawks fans, be very afraid. Nice for the puppetmaster to have his puppet again...

I won't leave you in suspense now that there is a press release. Blunk Named Senior VP, Business Operations Chicago Blackhawks Press Release Jan 3, 2008, 1:15 PM EST The Chicago Blackhawks today announced that Jay Blunk, a 22-year sports marketing veteran, will join the team to direct the team’s business operations. Mr. Blunk will be the team’s senior vice president of business operations, a newly created position. Blunk joins the Blackhawks after directing many of the Chicago Cubs’ successful marketing strategies and is viewed by many in the industry as an energetic sports marketing innovator. During his tenure with the Cubs, he held several marketing and sales, branding, promotions and advertising positions. As Senior Vice President of Business Operations he will oversee the team’s marketing operation as well as media, tickets, broadcast and community relations. Mr. Blunk’s appointment is effective Sunday, January 6. He will report directly to Chicago Blackhawks’ team president John McDonough. “Bringing an exceptional talent like Jay on board represents another step towards restoring the Blackhawks and its brand to its rightful place among sports’ most treasured franchises,” said McDonough. “There is no question in my mind that Jay has the right credentials, the credibility and the leadership to help us build on the progress we’ve made in a short time. He will join a great team of professionals who have contributed to our growth. We are thrilled to have him with us.” “I am eager to get started. I look forward to a new challenge and have seen Chicago’s passion for this team, its players and the direction it is headed” said Blunk, a native of Bloomington, Illinois. “The 22 years I spent with the Chicago Cubs has been very rewarding. It was a privilege to be a part of one of America’s most storied franchises. I am proud of the professional achievements that I accomplished there and look forward to bringing much of that experience to the Blackhawks. Our team is playing great hockey, is committed to winning and is working every day to strengthen and expand its fan base.” Mr. Blunk has spent is entire career with the Chicago Cubs, joining the team as an intern after graduating from Illinois State University in 1986. Most recently, Blunk was the team’s senior vice president of marketing and broadcasting. He and his wife, Marci, have three children and live in the northern suburbs. Mr. Blunk’s appointment comes on the heels of several recent moves made by team chairman W. Rockwell “Rocky” Wirtz to generate more excitement among Chicago sports fans about a talented group of young and veteran players. Shortly after assuming the role of chairman, Mr. Wirtz moved swiftly to place eleven home games on television and to appoint Mr. McDonough as the team’s new president.

Stay tuned...you will soon be hearing of another defection from the Cubs front office. No, not Hendry but an executive is flying the coop very soon!!!

More like he had all the coaches signs.

Every team but the Cubs shuts down for the holidays so this is why you have not heard anything. Tribune will not all the Cubs to close the offices like other teams do. MLB is even shut down.

Rolen didn't start one of the 2006 playoff(NLCS?) games and was not happy about it. Whether that qualifies as TLR or Rolen starting it, I'm not sure. Well, seems to make me think it's Rolen who is the problem here. He had issued in Philly with Bowa but I figured it was just because Larry could be such a hot head. Now beginning to think that it is Rolen who is the prima donna causing all the problems.

It's all an act.

My feeling exactly. If we start crucifying and holding amphetamines against players, then we need to dig a lot deeper than just a few years back. Quite frankly, would probably be easier to list player who didn't use amphetamines than those who did I would suspect.

Well CSNC now but you know why games are on WCIU...to placate the non cable audience. Yes, Virginia, there are people who still do not have cable or satellite. I think you would be surprised just how many. That justification makes no sense seeing as how WGN is broadcast over the air and carries close to half of the games. Quite simple actually. Those WCIU games are kept off the superstation and hence no superstation tax. If they weren't on WCIU, I can guarantee they would be on CSNC and not WGN for that reason alone. Ok, but my point still stands. Putting games on WCIU to "placate the non cable audience" makes no sense, since the non-cable audience already gets close to half of the Cubs games already via WGN. Whether the games currently on WCIU would go to WGN or CSN is of little consequence. Why they are on WCIU in the first place is the issue, and you explanation does nothing to give us any idea as to why they are. Can honestly say I don't know why they chose WCIU because I wasn't privy to that decision making. I do remember when they started moving those games in 98 that they moved them to CLTV which you need cable to receive. At the time, where I lived, we could not get cable and satellite would not have helped either to get the CLTV games since satellite doesn't carry that station. However, I am saying if WCIU were not in the picture that those handful of games would be on CSNC not WGN so it is of consequence. I know, it's only a handful of games but when you don't have cable a handful of games is alot. Trust me, I have been there.

While I am adamantly opposed to a name change (obviously), a part of me wonders how realistic it is for Zell to sell the naming rights? One can get villainized pretty quick for it. It's not like with Comiskey, where it wasn't the original park. Also, wouldn't selling Wrigley off as another name potentially lower some of its market value A) in general and B) to a prospective buyer? Potential Wrigley purchase by state holds up Cubs sale http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-fri_wrigley_1221dec21,0,4672721.story

Not a chance. If they are now just getting to review the clubs financial records, it cannot happen in two days and most of baseball is out for the holidays. First Zell would need to select who he wants to sell to and I think he has bigger fish to fry revamping the executive level of Tribune. Then it needs to be approved by the ownership committee. THEN, it goes to the owners who would have to meet and approve the deal. That doesn't happen in two days. Who the heck is O's Insider anyhow? Sounds like a blog which means don't believe it. This reply is absolutely hilarious. I love it. How did I miss this? Classic!!!!!! Again, care to explain why this is "classic"? Yeah, I am a little offended. Sorry but I don't spend my time reading every baseball tidbit and every thread on this board. I read what interests me and there was nothing to indicate to me that this person was not being serious.

Not a chance. If they are now just getting to review the clubs financial records, it cannot happen in two days and most of baseball is out for the holidays. First Zell would need to select who he wants to sell to and I think he has bigger fish to fry revamping the executive level of Tribune. Then it needs to be approved by the ownership committee. THEN, it goes to the owners who would have to meet and approve the deal. That doesn't happen in two days. Who the heck is O's Insider anyhow? Sounds like a blog which means don't believe it. This reply is absolutely hilarious. I love it. And my reply is hilarious because???? Sorry, that is the process.

No matter what you think, if the Cubs are as successful this year as expected, I would think Hendry has a good shot at being rehired. Of course, there are different definitions of being "successful". If the new owner is a real "take charge" owner and comes in with a set idea of hiring certain front office people, then Hendry might be in trouble. I would think most of the ownership groups would probably want to keep him until things settled down. If by some miracle, the Cubs win the World Series, he would get a lifetime contract. Hendry will be around until the end of his contract. Depending on who the new owner is, he will probably want his own guy in that role if he is a baseball guy. That is how the business works...it's the good old boys network alive and kicking.