Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
Dang. I spent a half hour this morning pushing redial trying to get a ticket to the Cubs Convention in January. By 10:30, the voice mail announced that all tickets had been sold and a similar message had been posted on their website: Weekend passes for the 2007 Cubs Convention are SOLD OUT. Maybe next … Continue reading “Wanted: Ticket to Cubs Convention”
Dang. I spent a half hour this morning pushing redial trying to get a ticket to the Cubs Convention in January. By 10:30, the voice mail announced that all tickets had been sold and a similar message had been posted on their website:
Weekend passes for the 2007 Cubs Convention
are SOLD OUT.
Maybe next year. Typical rant of a Cub fan.
Someone at ESPN thinks they found the reason for Bill Buckner’s 1986 WS miscue. Hint: it has to do with the Cubs.
Someone at ESPN thinks they found the reason for Bill Buckner’s 1986 WS miscue.
Hint: it has to do with the Cubs.
Buried in the all the hoopla surrounding the hiring of Piniella is the story that Ryne Sandberg interviewed for the Cubs’ manager job. It was a “courtesy interview” as Hendry had already decided on Piniella. Hendry told Ryno that he preferred Piniella’s experience. Currently, Sandberg serves as a guest coach for the Cubs … Continue reading “Ryno turns in a resume”
Buried in the all the hoopla surrounding the hiring of Piniella is the story that Ryne Sandberg interviewed for the Cubs’ manager job.
It was a “courtesy interview” as Hendry had already decided on Piniella. Hendry told Ryno that he preferred Piniella’s experience.
Currently, Sandberg serves as a guest coach for the Cubs during spring training.
Will Lou bring his fiery style to the Northside?
“We’re going to win. That’s the end of the story.”
Once again, they’re saying the right things. But I like what they’re choosing to say.
As a Cubs fan, I actually like the choice of Lou Piniella for manager of the team. From what I’ve noticed, Cubs fans seem to favor local favorite Joe Girardi while media pundits around the country seem to like the Piniella choice. A wide generalization, I know but I think it’s true to a point.
A talking point that’s making its way around the baseball media is “What conditions does Piniella place on his hiring?” I have already heard rumors of making offers for A-Rod. Piniella tactfully denied the rumor in his press conference.
Piniella has already hired back pitching coach Larry Rothschild. Piniella gave Rothschild his first coaching job back with the Reds in the early ’90s.
Again, I think Pinella was the right choice. While Girardi would have been the sentimental choice, the Cubs need more than that. I think the Piniella choice shows that the Cubs are serious about winning some games especially if some moves are going to be made to support this choice.
Besides, anything to get Lou out of the broadcast booth, is a plus.
The folks at Cubscast.com conducted an interview with Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper. If you’re a Cubs fan, it’s definitely worth a listen. Kasper comes across as intelligent, baseball-smart and quite likable. You can download the interview from Cubcast.com’s website.
The folks at Cubscast.com conducted an interview with Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper. If you’re a Cubs fan, it’s definitely worth a listen. Kasper comes across as intelligent, baseball-smart and quite likable.
A few tidbits re Chicago Cubs: GM Jim Hendry has essentially fired the coaching staff by saying the new manager will be hiring his own staff. Last year’s coaches were hitting coach Gene Clines, first-base coach Gary Matthews, bench coach Dick Pole, pitching coach Larry Rothschild, third-base coach Chris Speier, bullpen coach Juan Lopez and … Continue reading “Cubs’ News… yes, they still matter”
A few tidbits re Chicago Cubs:
GM Jim Hendry has essentially fired the coaching staff by saying the new manager will be hiring his own staff. Last year’s coaches were hitting coach Gene Clines, first-base coach Gary Matthews, bench coach Dick Pole, pitching coach Larry Rothschild, third-base coach Chris Speier, bullpen coach Juan Lopez and special assistant Sonny Jackson.
I assume that doesn’t preclude the new skipper from re-hiring the coaches but I doubt that would be the case.
The 22nd annual Chicago Cubs Convention has been scheduled for January 19-21 and will be held at the Hilton Chicago Hotel. Weekend passes will cost $50 and will go on sale November 6.
I’m planning on attending if Teddy Ballgame will put me up. The Hilton is a little rich for my blood.
And finally, Al Yellon from Bleed Cubbie Blue, has come out and endorsed Girardi for manager for the Cubs. He has a thoughtful, researched posting on the subject.
Update: This one almost slipped under my radar. The Cubs interviewed Girardi for a job today.
It’s official. Fredi Gonzalez has been hired to take on the managerial role for the Marlins.
Fredi G had a rather humorous quote regarding Loria:
“If he wants to yell, he can yell,” he said. “He paid for the team. He has the most expensive seat in the stadium.”
Hmm, careful what you wish for, Fredi.
Gonzalez was the early favorite for the replacement for Dusty Baker. Now that he is gone, Girardi may be the new favorite.
What’s Baker up to now? He’ll be working in ESPN’s broadcasting booth. Rumors are he is in line for the Nats position.
It’s a game of Musical Managers and the music just stopped.
Andy McPhail stepped down as Cubs’ president On the heels of the somewhat unexpected news that Cubs’ prez Andy McPhail has stepped down comes the more expected news (and perhaps news that most Cubs fans have been waiting for) that Dusty Baker will not be returning as manager next year. First things first… I wasn’t … Continue reading “Overhaul in Wrigleyville”
Andy McPhail stepped down as Cubs’ president
On the heels of the somewhat unexpected news that Cubs’ prez Andy McPhail has stepped down comes the more expected news (and perhaps news that most Cubs fans have been waiting for) that Dusty Baker will not be returning as manager next year.
First things first… I wasn’t aware of any rumblings in the executive office and didn’t see McPhail’s resignation coming. John McDonough, Cubs’ senior vice president of marketing and broadcasting will replace MmcPhail in an interim role.
The big question is how safe is Jim Hendry’s job. It’s my feeling that as interim prez, McDonough won’t make too many hasty moves unless his position is solidified,
That said, McDonough had this to say:
“My goal is singular. The purpose of why I’ve been asked to do this job is for the Cubs to win the World Series — not win the Wild Card or win the division or win the pennant. It’s time to win. It’s time to win the World Series.”
I’m a pretty cynical guy and I know he’s supposed to say the right stuff but I have to say I’m glad he chose THESE words to say.
As for Baker, he officially didn’t find out till today that he was out but on Sunday, he knew the writing was on the wall.
Fortunately, the Cubs gave him a win for a going away present. Some classless fans who love kicking a man when he’s down, booed Dusty whenever he made a pitching change.
Others held signs that said “Keep Dusty”. Ok, let’s not get carried away here. Charity can go a little too far.
As for Baker?
“At this point, no,” Baker said. “I am what I am, and I am who I am. My dad taught me a long time ago to speak with truth and honesty and be yourself with no regrets.”
Hill as an Iowa Cub If the Cubs were to keep Rich Hill on the roster for the 07 season, which Rich Hill would they get? To say Hill is having a roller coaster season would be a misnomer. To be more accurate, it would be like one big well, Hill. No pun intended. Hill’s … Continue reading “Which Rich?”
Hill as an Iowa Cub
If the Cubs were to keep Rich Hill on the roster for the 07 season, which Rich Hill would they get?
To say Hill is having a roller coaster season would be a misnomer. To be more accurate, it would be like one big well, Hill. No pun intended.
Hill’s pre- August stats:
| GS | CG | GF | W | L | Sv | Sho | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | K | ERA |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 22 2/3 | 29 | 24 | 24 | 6 | 18 | 12 | 9.53 |
Since the beginning of August, something in Hill has caught fire:
| GS | CG | GF | W | L | Sv | Sho | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | K | ERA |
| 9 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 64 2/3 | 44 | 21 | 16 | 6 | 17 | 61 | 2.23 |
Does this mean Hill is a lock for the rotation in 07? Well, his improvement increases his chances but with the Cubs’ situation, nothing is a sure thing aside from perhaps Carlos Zambrano.
That said, Hill, who is a Big Ten product from Michigan, came into the bigs with a reputation from the minors. He dominated when pitching for Iowa just this year when he was named Cubs Co-Minor League Player of the Year
And right now, he claims the only complete game for the Cubs all year.
Is Rich Hill inconsistent or was it just it a matter of adjusting to the bigs?
Maybe in an attempt to show that MLB Radio doesn’t ALWAYS focus on East coast teams, Stayin’ Hot with Seth and Bone interviewed Cub rookie Ryan Theriot yesterday. You can hear the interview here. Baton Rouge native Theriot struck a chord with co-host Darryl Hamilton who is also from Louisiana. While I’m on the topic, … Continue reading “Theriot gets Hot on MLB Radio”
Maybe in an attempt to show that MLB Radio doesn’t ALWAYS focus on East coast teams, Stayin’ Hot with Seth and Bone interviewed Cub rookie Ryan Theriot yesterday.
You can hear the interview here.
Baton Rouge native Theriot struck a chord with co-host Darryl Hamilton who is also from Louisiana.
While I’m on the topic, I gotta say Darryl “Hambone” Hamilton lends some fresh air to the MLB Radio staff. He’s laid back and adds a bit of hipness that they sorely need. I’m leery of most ex-jocks who make the transition to the broadcasting/analyst role (Joe Morgan has done ok) but Bone is smart, funny and topical.