((ht: mlb.com))
Yikes! Who knew that NBA legend and TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkley would throw a first pitch nearly as ugly as his golf swing.
Check out the Chuckster as he steps up to the mound Tuesday night at the Chicago Cubs game vs. the visiting Cincinnati Reds.
And no, it's by no means the worst first pitch ever, there have been far worse this season, it does qualify as the worst one so far this week.
So we'll share it: (Thanks mlb.com)
Showing posts with label Chicago Cubs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago Cubs. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
BASTA: Giants Split Doubleheader Against Cubs
NB: Check out Apurv Baichwal's full library hyah...
The HQ would like to welcome the Bay Area Sports Talk Association as part of the OSG family...
Read their stuff as they are, officially, our west coast voice
The theme of this series really has to be the rain. The Giants took two out of the three games in this surprisingly rainy series, and many think they should have swept.
The first game of the impromptu doubleheader ended with the same verdict as the five-inning version: a Giants' loss. The game was resumed from the bottom of the fifth and the Giants drew blood in the sixth. They had to dig there way out from a 2-0 deficit, and they began this process in the sixth when Joe Panik pinch-hit for Joaquin Arias and hit an RBI single to drive in rookie first baseman Adam Duvall. Afterward, both teams were held scoreless for the rest of the game. However, the Giants came very close to scoring in the ninth. Duvall led off the inning with a groundout followed by Panik and Crawford hitting back to back singles to put the tying run in scoring position with one out. After Blanco struck out looking, Pagan drove a ball hard up the middle, but unfortunately it deflected off of the pitcher Hector Rondon, and he was then able to pick up the ball and underhand it to first. Everybody thought Pagan had a hit, but unfortunately the Giants were not that lucky. After the game manager Bruce Bochy said, "We all thought when Pagan hit the ball it was going through."
On the other side of the ball, the pitching was superb for the Giants. Yusmeiro Petit "started" the game for the Giants today and pitched two perfect innings with five strikeouts. Jean Machi and Jeremy Affeldt then followed with hitless innings to close out the game.
With this game, the Giants were trying to become the first team to win a protested contest since the Pirates beat the Dodgers in 1948. Unfortunately they could not, and Anthony Rizzo's two run homer in the first inning on Tuesday was enough for the Cubs to squeak through. The Giants did look sharper in the second half of the game as they had more hits and were the only team to score. The pitching was also excellent throughout the game for both teams, especially the Giants who pitched today. Fortunately, the Giants' luck improved in the next game, allowing them to take the series.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Giants came back and won 5-3. The Giants scored one in the first on a Posey RBI, but the bottom of the first haunted them with Bumgarner giving up three runs on two home runs. Fortunately these were the only runs Bumgarner gave up as he settled down for the rest of the game. He pitched 7 strong innings, scoreless after the first, and he recorded a whopping 12 strikeouts. The bullpen then closed the game out with two scoreless innings using Javier Lopez, Sergio Romo, and Santiago Casilla, who picked up the save, his eleventh of the season. Bumgarner also got his 14th win today.
In this game, the Giants spaced out there runs scoring one in each of these innings: the first, third, fourth, fifth, and seventh. Posey went 4-4 with a home run and two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored, providing a huge offensive boost to the Giants after his day off yesterday. Sandoval also went 3-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Morse had an RBI as well, and Bumgarner knocked in Arias in the fourth on a line drive single to left field.
Here's the look at Posey's night:
((HT: MLB.com))
Overall, this second game was great for the Giants with solid offense, although it did come very slowly over multiple innings. They also had the stellar pitching we have come to expect, with Bumgarner settling down after a poor first inning. The Giants take this series and stay 3.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. Hopefully they can continue the winning against the Nationals tomorrow at 4:05 PT, the beginning of a three game road series.
NOTES:
–Fittingly, there was another rain delay during the first game today that halted it for one hour, 57 minutes, bringing the total delay—including Tuesday's game-ending stoppage—to a whopping six hours and 32 minutes, or 48 hours depending on how you look at it. It also drizzled again in the second game, although it did not need to be stopped.
Follow BASTA on Twitter
The HQ would like to welcome the Bay Area Sports Talk Association as part of the OSG family...
Read their stuff as they are, officially, our west coast voice
The theme of this series really has to be the rain. The Giants took two out of the three games in this surprisingly rainy series, and many think they should have swept.
The first game of the impromptu doubleheader ended with the same verdict as the five-inning version: a Giants' loss. The game was resumed from the bottom of the fifth and the Giants drew blood in the sixth. They had to dig there way out from a 2-0 deficit, and they began this process in the sixth when Joe Panik pinch-hit for Joaquin Arias and hit an RBI single to drive in rookie first baseman Adam Duvall. Afterward, both teams were held scoreless for the rest of the game. However, the Giants came very close to scoring in the ninth. Duvall led off the inning with a groundout followed by Panik and Crawford hitting back to back singles to put the tying run in scoring position with one out. After Blanco struck out looking, Pagan drove a ball hard up the middle, but unfortunately it deflected off of the pitcher Hector Rondon, and he was then able to pick up the ball and underhand it to first. Everybody thought Pagan had a hit, but unfortunately the Giants were not that lucky. After the game manager Bruce Bochy said, "We all thought when Pagan hit the ball it was going through."
On the other side of the ball, the pitching was superb for the Giants. Yusmeiro Petit "started" the game for the Giants today and pitched two perfect innings with five strikeouts. Jean Machi and Jeremy Affeldt then followed with hitless innings to close out the game.
With this game, the Giants were trying to become the first team to win a protested contest since the Pirates beat the Dodgers in 1948. Unfortunately they could not, and Anthony Rizzo's two run homer in the first inning on Tuesday was enough for the Cubs to squeak through. The Giants did look sharper in the second half of the game as they had more hits and were the only team to score. The pitching was also excellent throughout the game for both teams, especially the Giants who pitched today. Fortunately, the Giants' luck improved in the next game, allowing them to take the series.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Giants came back and won 5-3. The Giants scored one in the first on a Posey RBI, but the bottom of the first haunted them with Bumgarner giving up three runs on two home runs. Fortunately these were the only runs Bumgarner gave up as he settled down for the rest of the game. He pitched 7 strong innings, scoreless after the first, and he recorded a whopping 12 strikeouts. The bullpen then closed the game out with two scoreless innings using Javier Lopez, Sergio Romo, and Santiago Casilla, who picked up the save, his eleventh of the season. Bumgarner also got his 14th win today.
In this game, the Giants spaced out there runs scoring one in each of these innings: the first, third, fourth, fifth, and seventh. Posey went 4-4 with a home run and two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored, providing a huge offensive boost to the Giants after his day off yesterday. Sandoval also went 3-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Morse had an RBI as well, and Bumgarner knocked in Arias in the fourth on a line drive single to left field.
Here's the look at Posey's night:
((HT: MLB.com))
Overall, this second game was great for the Giants with solid offense, although it did come very slowly over multiple innings. They also had the stellar pitching we have come to expect, with Bumgarner settling down after a poor first inning. The Giants take this series and stay 3.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. Hopefully they can continue the winning against the Nationals tomorrow at 4:05 PT, the beginning of a three game road series.
NOTES:
–Fittingly, there was another rain delay during the first game today that halted it for one hour, 57 minutes, bringing the total delay—including Tuesday's game-ending stoppage—to a whopping six hours and 32 minutes, or 48 hours depending on how you look at it. It also drizzled again in the second game, although it did not need to be stopped.
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Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Giants Protesting Rain Shortened Game After Groundscrew Snafu
((HT: MLB.com))
Giants manager Bruce Bochy is challenging the result from last night when the Cubs were awarded a rain-shortened win over San Francisco.
Here's what happened that caused the delay and the shenanigans
But, from MLB.com, here's why the game was called and not suspended:
Had the Giants led at the time of delay, the contest would have been postponed by virtue of MLB Rule 4.10, which states the game is complete if the home team is ahead through five trips to the plate by the visitors -- the case Tuesday.
The game couldn't be suspended through Rule 4.12(a)(3) for a field malfunction either, as the tarp was hauled manually.
The Giants are now 4 1/2 games out of first in the NL West and into a tie for the final Wild Card spot with the Braves, who have won five straight.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy is challenging the result from last night when the Cubs were awarded a rain-shortened win over San Francisco.
Here's what happened that caused the delay and the shenanigans
But, from MLB.com, here's why the game was called and not suspended:
Had the Giants led at the time of delay, the contest would have been postponed by virtue of MLB Rule 4.10, which states the game is complete if the home team is ahead through five trips to the plate by the visitors -- the case Tuesday.
The game couldn't be suspended through Rule 4.12(a)(3) for a field malfunction either, as the tarp was hauled manually.
The Giants are now 4 1/2 games out of first in the NL West and into a tie for the final Wild Card spot with the Braves, who have won five straight.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
The Dude Abides: Jeff Bridges Rolls 1st Pitch at Dodgers Game
((ht: mlb.com))
If you've seen the movie "The Big Lebowski" then you get the reference in the headline and you'll get this video.
Check out Jeff Bridges, Academy Award winning actor, known to many as "The Dude" from the Big Lebowski.
The Dude threw out the first pitch at Friday's Los Angeles Dodgers/Chicago Cubs game.
Only he didn't throw it.
Bridges went through a windup, then ran up and rolled the ball to the plate like he was bowling.
Again, if you've seen the movie, you know why this was very cool....and very funny..
If you've seen the movie "The Big Lebowski" then you get the reference in the headline and you'll get this video.
Check out Jeff Bridges, Academy Award winning actor, known to many as "The Dude" from the Big Lebowski.
The Dude threw out the first pitch at Friday's Los Angeles Dodgers/Chicago Cubs game.
Only he didn't throw it.
Bridges went through a windup, then ran up and rolled the ball to the plate like he was bowling.
Again, if you've seen the movie, you know why this was very cool....and very funny..
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
John Baker Gets The Win For The Cubs In 16
((HT: MLB.com))
Big deal, you say...???
John Baker is a Cubs catcher brought on to pitch the 16th inning last night at Wrigley and he did this...
It was the longest-timed game for both teams at 6 hours and 27 minutes. Baker admitted he hadn't pitched since the Cape Cod League, so we're probably talking at least a dozen years ago.
Frankly, the HQ blames Colin Cowherd since he was the one who sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." We don't know what we would blame him for, but we'll blame him just because.
Big deal, you say...???
John Baker is a Cubs catcher brought on to pitch the 16th inning last night at Wrigley and he did this...
It was the longest-timed game for both teams at 6 hours and 27 minutes. Baker admitted he hadn't pitched since the Cape Cod League, so we're probably talking at least a dozen years ago.
Frankly, the HQ blames Colin Cowherd since he was the one who sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." We don't know what we would blame him for, but we'll blame him just because.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Eddie Vedder Throws A First Pitch At Wrigley
((HT: CSNChicago))
Just how big a Cubs fan is the lead singer of Pearl Jam...???
THIS BIG
Well, before the Padres game he got to reinforce his love for the team with a little pitch and catch with Anthony Rizzo...
A little low and inside to the left-handed batter and a little Luis Tiant in the delivery, but otherwise pretty solid.
Just how big a Cubs fan is the lead singer of Pearl Jam...???
THIS BIG
Well, before the Padres game he got to reinforce his love for the team with a little pitch and catch with Anthony Rizzo...
A little low and inside to the left-handed batter and a little Luis Tiant in the delivery, but otherwise pretty solid.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Jim Deshaies Still Has It
((HT: CSN Chicago))
The Cubs Darwin Barney hit a foul straight back at Fenway tonight for the Cubs-Red Sox game when this happened
No word on whether Deshaies, like his peer Tom Hamilton, sent the ball back into the stands...
The Cubs Darwin Barney hit a foul straight back at Fenway tonight for the Cubs-Red Sox game when this happened
No word on whether Deshaies, like his peer Tom Hamilton, sent the ball back into the stands...
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Manny Gets To Be Manny In Iowa
((HT: Cubs.com))
The HQ couldn't be more pleased to have one of the sport's more colorful characters back in the game.
After not getting much of a chance with the Texas Ranges organization last season, Manny Ramirez is back as a player-coach with the Iowa Cubs. The Iowa Cubs will use Manny as a mentor-hitting coach for the kids and he'll get an occasional AB.
"We are excited to welcome Manny to the Cubs organization and look forward to him working with our young hitters," Cubs GM Theo Epstein said. "Manny is not only one of the best hitters of all time, he is also a dedicated student of hitting and has proven to be a gifted teacher with younger teammates who have worked with him in the batting cage. Behind the scenes, he has always been a tireless worker who is very serious about the craft of hitting. Manny has made real mistakes in the past, but he has owned up to them and moved his life in a positive direction the last couple of years. He is in a really great place right now and wants to share the lessons he's learned along the way. We think he deserves another chance and that our young hitters will benefit from it."
"While Manny is not and will not be a fit on the Cubs' Major League roster, we do think at this stage of his life he's a nice fit as a mentor for some of the young, talented hitters we have in the organization. Manny will coach full-time and play part-time in a limited role that does not take at-bats away from our prospects. If he shows there is still some magic in his bat, perhaps he will find his way to the Major Leagues and help another team, but that is not why he is here. We are thrilled that he wants to work with our young hitters and make a difference."
"I'm at the stage of my life and career where I really want to give something back to the game that I love -- the game that has meant so much to me and done so much for me and my family," Ramirez said. "I know I am nearing the end of my playing days, but I have a lot of knowledge to pass on to the next generation -- both what to do and what not to do. The Cubs have some very talented young hitters, and I would love nothing more than to make a positive impact on their careers. I am passionate about baseball and about hitting, and I have a lot to offer. While I would love to return to the Major Leagues, I leave that in God's hands. My focus will be on working with the young hitters, making sure they don't make the same mistakes I made, and helping the team any way I can."
Sounds like Manny still wants a shot in the bigs...
And Ben Murray had a visit with him the cage to see what's he's up to...
Plus him talking about it
Welcome back, dude...
Good to have you...
The HQ couldn't be more pleased to have one of the sport's more colorful characters back in the game.
After not getting much of a chance with the Texas Ranges organization last season, Manny Ramirez is back as a player-coach with the Iowa Cubs. The Iowa Cubs will use Manny as a mentor-hitting coach for the kids and he'll get an occasional AB.
"We are excited to welcome Manny to the Cubs organization and look forward to him working with our young hitters," Cubs GM Theo Epstein said. "Manny is not only one of the best hitters of all time, he is also a dedicated student of hitting and has proven to be a gifted teacher with younger teammates who have worked with him in the batting cage. Behind the scenes, he has always been a tireless worker who is very serious about the craft of hitting. Manny has made real mistakes in the past, but he has owned up to them and moved his life in a positive direction the last couple of years. He is in a really great place right now and wants to share the lessons he's learned along the way. We think he deserves another chance and that our young hitters will benefit from it."
"While Manny is not and will not be a fit on the Cubs' Major League roster, we do think at this stage of his life he's a nice fit as a mentor for some of the young, talented hitters we have in the organization. Manny will coach full-time and play part-time in a limited role that does not take at-bats away from our prospects. If he shows there is still some magic in his bat, perhaps he will find his way to the Major Leagues and help another team, but that is not why he is here. We are thrilled that he wants to work with our young hitters and make a difference."
"I'm at the stage of my life and career where I really want to give something back to the game that I love -- the game that has meant so much to me and done so much for me and my family," Ramirez said. "I know I am nearing the end of my playing days, but I have a lot of knowledge to pass on to the next generation -- both what to do and what not to do. The Cubs have some very talented young hitters, and I would love nothing more than to make a positive impact on their careers. I am passionate about baseball and about hitting, and I have a lot to offer. While I would love to return to the Major Leagues, I leave that in God's hands. My focus will be on working with the young hitters, making sure they don't make the same mistakes I made, and helping the team any way I can."
Sounds like Manny still wants a shot in the bigs...
And Ben Murray had a visit with him the cage to see what's he's up to...
Plus him talking about it
Welcome back, dude...
Good to have you...
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Cubs' Lake Wears Wrong Jersey
((HT: MLB))
Okay...
There are two jerseys that are away greys in your locker...
And you grab the wrong one...
Junior Lake pulled the wrong one out of his locker for their afternoon game against Pittsburgh...
Here's the look as it should have been and Lake's before he got it right...
Reliever Justin Grimm broke the news:
"Bullpen guy told me I had the wrong jersey. I looked and said [f---]," Lake said postgame to ESPNChicago's Jesse Rogers.
Okay...
There are two jerseys that are away greys in your locker...
And you grab the wrong one...
Junior Lake pulled the wrong one out of his locker for their afternoon game against Pittsburgh...
Here's the look as it should have been and Lake's before he got it right...
Reliever Justin Grimm broke the news:
"Bullpen guy told me I had the wrong jersey. I looked and said [f---]," Lake said postgame to ESPNChicago's Jesse Rogers.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Maddux and LaRussa Decline Putting Logo on Hall of Fame Caps
((ht: mlb.com))
Interesting. And after an explanation understandable.
2 of the 6 people set to be inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame this summer decided they would not choose one team logo over another to be placed on their plaque.
Manager inductee Tony LaRussa and pitching legend and inductee Greg Maddux decided to pass on using one teams logo since they both represented more than one team, something the Hall had no problem with.
LaRussa managed the Oakland A's, Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals during his 33 years in the game, Maddux, he pitched for the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves along with brief stops with the Dodgers and Padres.
Read more on the players...and managers choosing the look of their plaques from MLB.com RIGHT HERE
We thought this interesting and worth bringing to your attention. And we applaud both men for the decision. As a lifelong Braves fan, it would have disappointed me to see Maddux go in with a Cubs jersey and it would have been tough for A's or White Sox fans to see LaRussa go in as a Cardinal.
Totally understandable.
Both men are way worthy of their induction. And in the era of free agency, where players, managers and others don't stick around teams for very long, we suspect this will happen more and more frequently.
Yes, it's a break with tradition, but a necessary one and one the hall has adjusted to, unlike other things like their voting system.
So we honor LaRussa and Maddux along with Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas who comprise one of the Halls' best classes in years.
Of course we'd be remiss if we didn't mention said class leans pretty heavily towards a certain someone's favorite team...
Just sayin'....
Here's some video of Maddux doin' what he did best:
Interesting. And after an explanation understandable.
2 of the 6 people set to be inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame this summer decided they would not choose one team logo over another to be placed on their plaque.
Manager inductee Tony LaRussa and pitching legend and inductee Greg Maddux decided to pass on using one teams logo since they both represented more than one team, something the Hall had no problem with.
LaRussa managed the Oakland A's, Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals during his 33 years in the game, Maddux, he pitched for the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves along with brief stops with the Dodgers and Padres.
Read more on the players...and managers choosing the look of their plaques from MLB.com RIGHT HERE
We thought this interesting and worth bringing to your attention. And we applaud both men for the decision. As a lifelong Braves fan, it would have disappointed me to see Maddux go in with a Cubs jersey and it would have been tough for A's or White Sox fans to see LaRussa go in as a Cardinal.
Totally understandable.
Both men are way worthy of their induction. And in the era of free agency, where players, managers and others don't stick around teams for very long, we suspect this will happen more and more frequently.
Yes, it's a break with tradition, but a necessary one and one the hall has adjusted to, unlike other things like their voting system.
So we honor LaRussa and Maddux along with Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas who comprise one of the Halls' best classes in years.
Of course we'd be remiss if we didn't mention said class leans pretty heavily towards a certain someone's favorite team...
Just sayin'....
Here's some video of Maddux doin' what he did best:
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Cubs TV Contract Up For Bid, WGN Could Lose Them...
((HT: Chicago Tribune/Channick))
For the first time since 1948, the Chicago Cubs and WGN-TV could not be television partners after the current contract expires after next season...
Which, for a lot of early cable heads like the HQ, meant we grew up on things like this...
But, what this could mean are the Cubs could be going the way of the Dodgers and creating their own network. Or they could be doing it to jack up the rates for CSN Chicago and WGN. Everyone could be be just posturing to get more money, more games, or just more stuff...
From Channick on the dollars:
The Cubs get about $20 million to air 70 games each year on WGN. If the team didn’t give notice to opt out at this point in the contract, the deal would run through 2022 at the current rate, and the Cubs would lose any leverage for renegotiating the broadcast rights, according to sources.
For the first time since 1948, the Chicago Cubs and WGN-TV could not be television partners after the current contract expires after next season...
Which, for a lot of early cable heads like the HQ, meant we grew up on things like this...
But, what this could mean are the Cubs could be going the way of the Dodgers and creating their own network. Or they could be doing it to jack up the rates for CSN Chicago and WGN. Everyone could be be just posturing to get more money, more games, or just more stuff...
From Channick on the dollars:
The Cubs get about $20 million to air 70 games each year on WGN. If the team didn’t give notice to opt out at this point in the contract, the deal would run through 2022 at the current rate, and the Cubs would lose any leverage for renegotiating the broadcast rights, according to sources.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Dean Smith, Ernie Banks Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients
Former North Carolina head coach Dean Smith and baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks will receive the nations highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
According to the White House, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals, "who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security of national interests of the United States, to world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
Dean Smith won 879 games as the head coach of North Carolina from 1961-97 with two national championships and is credited with graduating 96 percent of his players.
Ernie Banks smack over 500 home runs and the first National League player to win
back to back Most Valuable Player awards in 1958 and 1959.
Both men are very much deserved of this honor and are very much beloved by their sports.
According to the White House, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals, "who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security of national interests of the United States, to world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
Dean Smith won 879 games as the head coach of North Carolina from 1961-97 with two national championships and is credited with graduating 96 percent of his players.
Ernie Banks smack over 500 home runs and the first National League player to win
back to back Most Valuable Player awards in 1958 and 1959.
Both men are very much deserved of this honor and are very much beloved by their sports.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Fog + Wrigley= Cubs And Reds
((HT: MLB.com))
It got so bad that this game...
Turned into this game...
((HT: ESPN/NFL Films))
Brandon Phillips was having a good night-driving in 5...
Redan Raiders represent...
And Homer Bailey was getting the best of Scott Feldman...
It got so bad that this game...
Turned into this game...
((HT: ESPN/NFL Films))
Brandon Phillips was having a good night-driving in 5...
Redan Raiders represent...
And Homer Bailey was getting the best of Scott Feldman...
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts: ...We'll Take A Look At Moving."
The city of Chicago and Cub fans on fire after this statement Wednesday by Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts.
“If we don’t have the ability to generate revenue in our own outfield, then we’ll have to take a look at moving, no question,” Ricketts said.
Threat of being frustrated with negotiations with the city? You be the judge.
Ricketts wants to run Wrigley Field as a business and not a museum. We agree.
This fight might get dirty.
“If we don’t have the ability to generate revenue in our own outfield, then we’ll have to take a look at moving, no question,” Ricketts said.
Threat of being frustrated with negotiations with the city? You be the judge.
Ricketts wants to run Wrigley Field as a business and not a museum. We agree.
This fight might get dirty.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Wanna See What Wrigley Field May Soon Look Like?
We will give Cubs owner Tom Ricketts this, he's trying to make the most out of one of baseball's most iconic stadiums.
Ricketts and the Cubs on Tuesday afternoon released what they say is a "New and Improved" Wrigley that would offer more amenities, more seating, a rather large Video Board and more importantly to Ricketts, more space for ads.
The scoreboard, which is superimposed on the photo here on your right, would be 6,000 square feet. The downside, it pretty much takes the seats on people's Brownstone's behind the left field wall, completely out of play. And that is a part of the plan that residents in Wrigleyville, the neighborhood surrounding the stadium don't like.
Other features include a hotel, a fan plaza, an office building and doubling the size of locker and clubhouse areas.The cost: $300 million for stadium work and another $200 million for work in the surrounding area.
Bravo for Ricketts.
Yeah, sure, it will change the look and feel, to some extent, of one of Sports most iconic locations. For any Sports fan over the age of 30, seeing a game at Wrigley Field is something you MUST have on your bucket list.
As much as we LOVED the 2 visits we made there, the place could stand some changes. Yes, the old, rundown stands/stadium. The small, antiquated entrances. The giant old scoreboard in centerfield, the are all part of the character of the place.
But these days sport is all about maximizing revenue and Wrigley for all its charm and character, is maxed out as it currently stands. The Cubs, though they've sucked for a long, long time need the increased revenues to compete with their baseball brethren and the only way to do that is to either (a) improve what they've got, or (b) build something else.
Thankfully, they are choosing choice A.
Here's a story on local reaction from Chicago's WMAQ-TV:
View more videos at: http://nbcchicago.com.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Goat's Head Delivered To Cubs Owners, Curse Still Exists...
((HT: MLB/ESPN))
How's this for interesting-slash-creepy-slash-typical of a town that is stuck in baseball neutral...
Every year...
Since 1908...
The head of a goat was delivered to Wrigley Field and the package was addressed to team owner Tom Ricketts. The package didn't look like it was dropped off by the normal mail-type folks...
The delivery comes as the team is, pretty much, telling owners of businesses and rooftop seats to stick it with the new renovation and development planned by Ricketts for Wrigley Field and the hotel to-be-planned...
The whole goat thing...???
It dates back to 1945 when tavern owner Billy Sianis bought a box seat for his goat, Murphy, for Game 4 of the World Series. When he was told Murphy could be around and they had to leave, Sianis claimed he put a curse on the team so they'd never host another World Series game...
And they haven't, now, have they...???
Here's what the curse means to Chicago, now that the Boston version is gone...
Here's coverage from our friends at MyFoxChicago...
How's this for interesting-slash-creepy-slash-typical of a town that is stuck in baseball neutral...
Every year...
Since 1908...
The head of a goat was delivered to Wrigley Field and the package was addressed to team owner Tom Ricketts. The package didn't look like it was dropped off by the normal mail-type folks...
The delivery comes as the team is, pretty much, telling owners of businesses and rooftop seats to stick it with the new renovation and development planned by Ricketts for Wrigley Field and the hotel to-be-planned...
The whole goat thing...???
It dates back to 1945 when tavern owner Billy Sianis bought a box seat for his goat, Murphy, for Game 4 of the World Series. When he was told Murphy could be around and they had to leave, Sianis claimed he put a curse on the team so they'd never host another World Series game...
And they haven't, now, have they...???
Here's what the curse means to Chicago, now that the Boston version is gone...
Here's coverage from our friends at MyFoxChicago...
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Chicago Cubs Leaving Wrigley Field? A Surbuban Mayor Makes A Pitch For Cubs To Move
In an interview with CSN Chicago's David Kaplan Stephens said, "The Chicago Cubs are being held hostage by the neighborhood as they look to run their business. We are willing to offer them a tremendous opportunity if they are interested. Bring the bricks and the ivy and we can get a deal done."
The Cubs would like to renovate Wrigley Field, which turns 99 this season, and Ricketts is will to put up an estimated $500 million to completely overhaul Wrigley Field with no taxpayer dollars.
To do this the Cubs ownership would like increase revenue by adding signage in the outfield and increase the number of night games played. Right now the Cubs are capped at 30 while the major league average is 57.
Of course politics is getting in the way and 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney, whose ward includes Wrigley Field is not playing nice and neither are the rooftop clubs overlooking Wrigley Field and local community groups.
A top aide to Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel said in Chicago Sun Times, “The idea that the Cubs would leave Wrigley Field is not something to be taken seriously,”
I would take it seriously and if I were Tom Ricketts, move the team to Rosemont.
I'm sorry, Wrigley Field is old and tired and quite frankly an albatross to the Cubs. There is no way in it's current state Wrigley Field can add new revenue. No video board, no luxury boxes, no advertising.
Built a replica or something retro in Rosemont with money coming from parking, luxury boxes, all the amenities fans expect. The Cubs need to do something to keep up with other MLB teams who have found their cash cows within their ballparks.
Heck the Cubs might end that their World Series drought and perhaps win a World Series in this century by bidding for free agents and keeping home grown talent.
Staying in Wrigley with it's current restrictions will just handcuff the team financially.
With that said the Ricketts family remains committed to working out an agreement with the City of Chicago. The lure of Rosemont might be too much to pass up down the road.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Former Baseball Star Mark Grace Gets 4 Month Jail Sentence
 |
| Mark Grace |
What is that saying about "When it rains is pours"?
Former Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks player Mark Grace was sentenced to 4-months in jail Thursday afternoon as part of a DUI arrest plea agreement.
It was not his first DUI.
Grace, who summarily lost his job as an analyst with the Diamondbacks broadcast team after his August arrest. That arrest led to 4 felony DUI counts by a grand jury.
The former ballplayer expressed his regret and apologized to the judge for his actions, but that wasn't enough to keep him out of the pokey.
According to azfamily.com, Grace reports to jail on Feb.10th, but is eligible for a "Work-release" program.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Kerry Wood Goes Out With A K
((HT: WGN-TV))
As well he should...
The Chicago Cubs Kerry Wood has been through a rough time recovering through shoulder stiffness, soreness, and rehabilitation...
He's not the strikeout guy he once was, and he wanted to go out the way he came in- striking people out...
And he did...
Thanks for your power and precision...
As well he should...
The Chicago Cubs Kerry Wood has been through a rough time recovering through shoulder stiffness, soreness, and rehabilitation...
He's not the strikeout guy he once was, and he wanted to go out the way he came in- striking people out...
And he did...
Thanks for your power and precision...
Monday, December 5, 2011
Santo Elected To Cooperstown- About Damn Time...
((HT: MyFoxChicago))
One of the biggest homers in the history of homers finally got his due...
Chicago Cubs infielder Ron Santo, who went on to be a fixture in the radio booth, was elected to the baseball hall of fame by the Veterans Committee...
While the HQ thinks this is very cool, it took entirely too long...
Here's the early part of the story from Chicago...
One of the biggest homers in the history of homers finally got his due...
Chicago Cubs infielder Ron Santo, who went on to be a fixture in the radio booth, was elected to the baseball hall of fame by the Veterans Committee...
While the HQ thinks this is very cool, it took entirely too long...
Here's the early part of the story from Chicago...
Ron Santo Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame: MyFoxCHICAGO.com
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