Theo: "Bar Scene Around Wrigley An Impediment To Winning"

[Uman85]

Theo Epstein: Chicago bar scene has been “an impediment to the Cubs in winning” | HardballTalk

Cubs president Theo Epstein has developed (and will distribute) a pamphlet outlining the way he expects players in the organization to behave. Especially those tempted by the Chicago nightlife.

“It’s been a factor in ruining some careers,” Epstein told the Chicago Tribune. “And I’m sure it’s been an impediment to the Cubs in winning. … The approach we’re going to have is the opposite of laissez faire. We’re not just going to say, ‘Oh, that’s the way it is. This is Chicago. Boys will be boys. I’m sure they’re going to get enough sleep and I’m sure they’ll show up the next day ready to play.’ That’s a failure on the organization’s part. We have to take a very proactive approach in setting a high standard.”

The Cubs still play far more day games than any other team in Major League Baseball. And in a city with 4 a.m. liquor licenses, that can mean rough sleep schedules for athletes who like to go out.

 

[brett05]

This is the same cop out. That the Cubs play all those day games should be a MASSIVE advantage. They know the routine. They can play within it better than the opposition.

Sad that Theo isn't being torn up on that.

 

[Rice Cube]

This is the same cop out. That the Cubs play all those day games should be a MASSIVE advantage. They know the routine. They can play within it better than the opposition.

Sad that Theo isn't being torn up on that.

I think they are trying to turn it into an advantage as long as there are still tons of Cubs day games by mandating that their guys don't party until 5 AM the night before a 1 PM start time.

 

[dabynsky]

I think they are trying to turn it into an advantage as long as there are still tons of Cubs day games by mandating that their guys don't party until 5 AM the night before a 1 PM start time.

Otherwise known as the Farnsworth schedule...

 

[daddies3angels]

i think Cubs do need to monitor players on Cubs cause the amount of day games

 

[DewsSox79]

thats crazy. if a dude closes out a bar at 4am, gets home at 4:30, falls asleep by 5am (thats without any random love making) gets up at 7:30-8 to be at the park at 9, thats just fucking insane.

 

[Rice Cube]

thats crazy. if a dude closes out a bar at 4am, gets home at 4:30, falls asleep by 5am (thats without any random love making) gets up at 7:30-8 to be at the park at 9, thats just fucking insane.

He could always just crash at the clubhouse :lol: But yeah, partying hard before a day game is probably not a good idea.

 

[nwfisch]

This is the same cop out. That the Cubs play all those day games should be a MASSIVE advantage. They know the routine. They can play within it better than the opposition.

Sad that Theo isn't being torn up on that.

How would it be an advantage when the other 29 teams are playing significantly fewer day games?

 

[Uman85]

How would it be an advantage when the other 29 teams are playing significantly fewer day games?

The Cubs should be used to it is what he's saying. When playing day games is a norm, you should be able to prepare for it better, since it's a consistent routine for them. That gives them the advantage, or should, in knowing how to better prepare for a day game as opposed to a night game.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Otherwise known as the Farnsworth schedule...

I remember seeing him being completely blasted the morning of a game in STL in the lobby of the Marriott..

He didnt pitch that afternoon

 

[Rice Cube]

The Cubs should be used to it is what he's saying. When playing day games is a norm, you should be able to prepare for it better, since it's a consistent routine for them. That gives them the advantage, or should, in knowing how to better prepare for a day game as opposed to a night game.

I think that's part of the point of this statement from Theo. It's very hard to get prepared for anything when you only had four hours of sleep and your liver is screaming at you :lol:

To turn it into an advantage, the club can mandate that players have a strict curfew the night before day start times (scaled depending on whether it's a noon, 1 PM or 3 PM start time) and have their players properly rested so they are ready at game time. You then send a bunch of hookers to the opposing team's hotel so they get all sexed out and dead tired when they also show up at the park.

Of course, a bunch of adults being told NOT to party might be a deterrent to playing for Chicago, but I guess they'll think of something.

 

[brett05]

If the Cubs hire "adults" in the first place you don't need to tell them how to do their job for a day game.

 

[Rice Cube]

If the Cubs hire "adults" in the first place you don't need to tell them how to do their job for a day game.

I think that's too simplistic a statement. Most of the guys who make up the active roster are under 30, some under 25. Starlin Castro is just 22. I don't know how boring your life was when you were that age, but it's safe to assume that while you're technically an adult in terms of trips around the sun, you probably were not acting like one. I guess that's a story for another day, though.