Supporting a Steaming Pile?

[dabynsky]

Reduced attendance is a direct reflection of many families forced to tighten entertainment budgets. The problem I have is the same as it was last year at this time, nothing was done last Winter when it should have. This is year number 2 that feels like we're being spoon fed this "we're in a holding pattern" nonsense. I realize the plan is to rid the albatross contracts first, but if the idea was to use Quade as a one year stop gap and then can him along w/Hendry I don't see why Hendry was even retained....and then allowed to trade a prospect for a washed up BP guy from AZ.

Just doesn't add up.

What did you want done last winter? Look I am not happy with Hendry, and I am anxious for when we can move on. That said if Ricketts can lure Friedman away this offseason, I think we will all be pretty happy that he waited a year to make his move. I really thought Crane Kenney would have been gone by this point, and it is disappointing that Ricketts hasn't made a move yet. Right now though Hendry is the best person we can realistic have running this team at this point. There is an opportunity here with several guys at the end of their deal performing well that could set this team up for the future. Hendry is the best person for that job right now because the other option is Randy Bush (maybe Tim Wilken or Gary Hughes). I wouldn't put more faith in those guys just because their name isn't Hendry.

It is frustrating. I'm tired of 90+ loss seasons, but not showing up isn't going to make change happen any quicker.

 

[Rice Cube]

Yeah, the Cubs will always have their random fans because Wrigley is popular and it's something to do for tourists. If you decide not to go to a game, someone else will still be filling that seat, or enough seats will be filled that they won't miss you.

I don't think you'd ever get a big enough boycott of the team because of where we are and the history (most of it craptastic) of the team. I just go when I can, and if a good team comes into town (Cardinals, or the Phillies game on 7/20 that you should all go to ) then I'll splurge a bit just to see the Cubs get their asses kicked or even eke out a nice victory like they did for me last season against the Cards. It's just a baseball game, and I can either watch it on TV, listen on the radio, check the box score on my iPhone, or go see it in person. I just like baseball and if there's a chance I get to see the game, I'm there. But I doubt many fans are like me anyway.

 

[Sunbiz1]

What did you want done last winter? Look I am not happy with Hendry, and I am anxious for when we can move on. That said if Ricketts can lure Friedman away this offseason, I think we will all be pretty happy that he waited a year to make his move. I really thought Crane Kenney would have been gone by this point, and it is disappointing that Ricketts hasn't made a move yet. Right now though Hendry is the best person we can realistic have running this team at this point. There is an opportunity here with several guys at the end of their deal performing well that could set this team up for the future. Hendry is the best person for that job right now because the other option is Randy Bush (maybe Tim Wilken or Gary Hughes). I wouldn't put more faith in those guys just because their name isn't Hendry.

It is frustrating. I'm tired of 90+ loss seasons, but not showing up isn't going to make change happen any quicker.

Why am I sensing you have a vested financial interest in all this?. If not showing up sends a clear message to management that fans will no longer tolerate a sub-standard product, how is it not a good thing?. Somehow the Marlins have managed to compete w/a low payroll and built a new park that nobody goes to along the way.

 

[Sunbiz1]

Yeah, the Cubs will always have their random fans because Wrigley is popular and it's something to do for tourists. If you decide not to go to a game, someone else will still be filling that seat, or enough seats will be filled that they won't miss you.

I don't think you'd ever get a big enough boycott of the team because of where we are and the history (most of it craptastic) of the team. I just go when I can, and if a good team comes into town (Cardinals, or the Phillies game on 7/20 that you should all go to ) then I'll splurge a bit just to see the Cubs get their asses kicked or even eke out a nice victory like they did for me last season against the Cards. It's just a baseball game, and I can either watch it on TV, listen on the radio, check the box score on my iPhone, or go see it in person. I just like baseball and if there's a chance I get to see the game, I'm there. But I doubt many fans are like me anyway.

You know something's out of whack when the Pirates are in the thick of the race at mid-point of the season. Good to hear you enjoy the game for the game, lots of Cub fans don't. Psychologists have written dissertations on them...like it's a disease or something...lol.

 

[Rice Cube]

You know something's out of whack when the Pirates are in the thick of the race at mid-point of the season. Good to hear you enjoy the game for the game, lots of Cub fans don't. Psychologists have written dissertations on them...like it's a disease or something...lol.

I've given up trying to catch the Astros for the #1 pick but at the same time I'd like to see a well-managed team with good prospects make it to the playoffs. That would seem to be the Pirates in a nutshell.

 

[dabynsky]

Why am I sensing you have a vested financial interest in all this?. If not showing up sends a clear message to management that fans will no longer tolerate a sub-standard product, how is it not a good thing?. Somehow the Marlins have managed to compete w/a low payroll and built a new park that nobody goes to along the way.

I'm still waiting to hear how sending this clear message is going to get this team winning any sooner. I have yet to hear how not showing up is going to make this a better run franchise. I agree that the management of this team has been bad, and I want change. Do you really think that the Ricketts family wants to spend a ton of money to finish behind the Pirates? I'm just trying to figure out why you think that not showing up is suddenly going to turn this team around when you acknowledge that the owner is putting the resources needed to field a competitive team.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Only bought a cheap Castro shirt at Target this year..

If I go to a game I'll stubhub it.

 

[Rice Cube]

Check this out...

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | CHC@PIT: McKenry hammers a go-ahead, three-run shot - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

Note the number of Pirates fans filling PNC Park. Because their Pirates are one game out of first right now. Usually you'd think Cubs fans would outnumber Pirates fans even in Pittsburgh on the road, but not true. You can observe the sea of yellow and black in the bleachers and all across the park.

The Ricketts need to worry not so much about filling seats and more about winning. Winning = butts in seats. 2011 Pirates are showing this to be true so far.

 

[Rice Cube]

Unfortunately, the dumb tourists will always be willing to waste $$. Although never a Yankee fan, at least Steinbrenner gives paying fans a return on their investment.

Just saw this...

I don't think tourists are necessarily dumb if they want to go to Wrigley Field. It's a nice place to watch a baseball game, whether the Cubs win or get their asses kicked. And it's something fun to do in a great city. That's what I decided to do one time while visiting Chicago before I actually moved here. The Cubs won It's been a while since I've seen a win live at Wrigley though.

 

[Rick]

I'm still waiting to hear how sending this clear message is going to get this team winning any sooner. I have yet to hear how not showing up is going to make this a better run franchise. I agree that the management of this team has been bad, and I want change. Do you really think that the Ricketts family wants to spend a ton of money to finish behind the Pirates? I'm just trying to figure out why you think that not showing up is suddenly going to turn this team around when you acknowledge that the owner is putting the resources needed to field a competitive team.

I have to agree with this. As I said before, I haven't spent any money on the Cubs for six years and that's because I'm angry and frustrated.

If people aren't going to the games, it might be sending a message to ownership that fans are frustrated but I certainly wouldn't count on the organization to suddenly make a ton of changes moving forward just because of fan frustration.

At the end of the day, Ricketts is still a business man and he isn't going to be a Steinbrenner....that much I know now in the short time Ricketts has owned the team.

 

[Rick]

I really thought Crane Kenney would have been gone by this point, and it is disappointing that Ricketts hasn't made a move yet.

There's one thing that I wish hadn't happened and that is it would have been nice to see John McDonough stay as team president.

While McDonough really wasn't a baseball man like Kenney, if he were still here and Ricketts chose to fire Hendry, I think McDonough would have told Ricketts "Look, neither one of us are true baseball men. Let's bring in some consultants to help us search for our next GM."

Kenney wouldn't say something like that. He just sits back and collects a paycheck. I think McDonough really wanted to make this club better. I remember during the 2006 season when he was hired in to replace Mcphail he said "our goal is to win the World Series next year"

When was the last time you heard anyone in the Cubs organization make a bold statement like that?

He never had a chance to wisely build the team though before he left because Sam Zell ordered McDonough and Hendry to spend a ton of money on contracts to make the team more attractive for buyers.

 

[dabynsky]

There's one thing that I wish hadn't happened and that is it would have been nice to see John McDonough stay as team president.

While McDonough really wasn't a baseball man like Kenney, if he were still here and Ricketts chose to fire Hendry, I think McDonough would have told Ricketts "Look, neither one of us are true baseball men. Let's bring in some consultants to help us search for our next GM."

Kenney wouldn't say something like that. He just sits back and collects a paycheck. I think McDonough really wanted to make this club better. I remember during the 2006 season when he was hired in to replace Mcphail he said "our goal is to win the World Series next year"

When was the last time you heard anyone in the Cubs organization make a bold statement like that?

He never had a chance to wisely build the team though before he left because Sam Zell ordered McDonough and Hendry to spend a ton of money on contracts to make the team more attractive for buyers.

Personally I can't be too upset about McDonough leaving because he went to another favorite team of mine and was part of the organization that ended the longest championship drought in its respective sport at the time.

Really I think the one thing that is a legitimate gripe about the Ricketts family so far, on the baseball side of things, is leaving Crane Kenney in place. I would have liked to seen the Cubs go after a guy like Sandy Alderson or try to convice Pat Gillick to come out of retirement to be the team president. Give them a year to evaluate Hendry and then when this disaster unfolded make a move for a real replacement. I'm baffled why Crane Kenney is still here, and I don't have a real good answer for that.

All that said, this is the offseason that is going to be telling about what the Ricketts family plan to do with the Cubs. If everything remains status quo in the front end and the budget goes down, then I might just be with Sunbiz in boycotting the Cubs (since I haven't been since 2008 they might not notice however). I am hopeful that the Cubs aren't going to do that, and that Ricketts is looking hard at Hahn or Friedman to take over this team. I am hoping that he is going to maintain the payroll at the major league level and continue to spend in acquiring prospects and developing prospects. You guys know that the Cubs are one of the few teams, along with the Mets and Yankees, that have 2 Dominican Summer League teams?

 

[Sunbiz1]

I'm still waiting to hear how sending this clear message is going to get this team winning any sooner. I have yet to hear how not showing up is going to make this a better run franchise. I agree that the management of this team has been bad, and I want change. Do you really think that the Ricketts family wants to spend a ton of money to finish behind the Pirates? I'm just trying to figure out why you think that not showing up is suddenly going to turn this team around when you acknowledge that the owner is putting the resources needed to field a competitive team.

They don't need to spend a ton of $$ to field a competitor, simply re-direct the wasted expenditures from JH as contracts expire.

And the real reason I want low attendance is b/c I want a new ballpark...outside of the city....now what's your vested financial interest?...lol.

 

[dabynsky]

They don't need to spend a ton of $$ to field a competitor, simply re-direct the wasted expenditures from JH as contracts expire.

And the real reason I want low attendance is b/c I want a new ballpark...outside of the city....now what's your vested financial interest?...lol.

I have no vested interest apart from wanting my team to win. As you may have read above I don't go to games all that often. I guess I can understand why you want the park to be empty on that front, and in someways I do acknowledge that Wrigley is hurting the Cubs. I do think that moving isn't the only option, but I think Ricketts needs to start threatening that if they want to be able to do the things that Wrigley needs for the players and safety of fans.

 

[Sunbiz1]

Just saw this...

I don't think tourists are necessarily dumb if they want to go to Wrigley Field. It's a nice place to watch a baseball game, whether the Cubs win or get their asses kicked. And it's something fun to do in a great city. That's what I decided to do one time while visiting Chicago before I actually moved here. The Cubs won It's been a while since I've seen a win live at Wrigley though.

True, Wrigley does give the tourists something to look at...last trip I made was a loss to the Reds. I sat in the beer garden for 4 innings, and left in the 7th to beat traffic.

 

[Sunbiz1]

I have no vested interest apart from wanting my team to win. As you may have read above I don't go to games all that often. I guess I can understand why you want the park to be empty on that front, and in someways I do acknowledge that Wrigley is hurting the Cubs. I do think that moving isn't the only option, but I think Ricketts needs to start threatening that if they want to be able to do the things that Wrigley needs for the players and safety of fans.

That brings up an entirely different problem, how to pay for a renovation when no public funds are available. Threatening to move the team isn't going to work, like it did a decade ago w/the Bears. How can the city of Chicago justify the expense when they just had to pull cops out of public schools?. And with Springfield in even worse shape, that leaves private corporate funding...with at least 1 being a major retailer or group of retailers.

While the project could be done in phases(thereby eliminating relocation of games), it would create too many congestion and parking problems...local residents would probably riot...lol. Guess the Cubs would have to invade the South side/Milwaukee?.

 

[poodski]

Only bought a cheap Castro shirt at Target this year..

If I go to a game I'll stubhub it.

I usually buy an older player T-shirt jersey when I am up there each year.

I will be rockin my Rich Harden jersey next week when I am up there.

Gonna be on the look out for a nice Theriot or Fontenot shirt Thursday. Maybe I will get lucky and get a Lilly one or if I am REALLY lucky a Bobby Scales one.

The possibilities are endless really.

 

[poodski]

I have no vested interest apart from wanting my team to win. As you may have read above I don't go to games all that often. I guess I can understand why you want the park to be empty on that front, and in someways I do acknowledge that Wrigley is hurting the Cubs. I do think that moving isn't the only option, but I think Ricketts needs to start threatening that if they want to be able to do the things that Wrigley needs for the players and safety of fans.

I will say Wrigley helps the Cubs financially FAR more than it hurts them.

 

[dabynsky]

That brings up an entirely different problem, how to pay for a renovation when no public funds are available. Threatening to move the team isn't going to work, like it did a decade ago w/the Bears. How can the city of Chicago justify the expense when they just had to pull cops out of public schools?. And with Springfield in even worse shape, that leaves private corporate funding...with at least 1 being a major retailer or group of retailers.

While the project could be done in phases(thereby eliminating relocation of games), it would create too many congestion and parking problems...local residents would probably riot...lol. Guess the Cubs would have to invade the South side/Milwaukee?.

Look I don't like the idea of the mega wealthy getting breaks from the government, but that is how business is done when it comes to renovating/building stadiums. The city is far better with the Cubs in it than without them, and the threat to leave can be a very real one. I would miss Wrigley, but if that is what it takes to win than I would be okay with it. That said I am not convinced you have to tear down Wrigley.

Naming rights to Wrigley could also net a huge sum I would guess.

 

[poodski]

Naming rights to Wrigley could also net a huge sum I would guess.

I would definitely be for that.

Pepsi stadium at Wrigley Field or something like that. I would prefer it stay Wrigley Field, but lets be honest Wrigley Field was one of the first places to be renamed by a company as advertising.