Archive for February, 2009

Spring has Sprung for the Cubs

Here is a guest post from my friend Karen G. at Spring Training in Mesa, AZ…
Last year’s movie, The Bucket List focused attention on lists of things we want to do before we die. I’ve long had a list of places and events I want to visit and so far I’ve been doing a pretty good [...]

February 27, 2009  Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,   Posted in: guest post, players, roster, spring training  No Comments

Recession? What recession?

It seems the folks that like their entertainment in Wrigleyville haven’t picked up a paper lately. When the first date for the Billy Joel & Elton John “Face 2 Face” tour stop at Wrigley went on sale, the concert sold out so quick, Live Nation seemed to scramble to add another date.
Now today single game tickets [...]

February 20, 2009  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Wrigley Field, biz of baseball, game day  No Comments

John Dewan’s Stat of the Week™

How often does a leadoff man come up with no one on base?
Q: How often does a leadoff man come up with no one on base? A: 67% of the time. Or conversely, 33% of the time with at least one man on base. Overall, MLB hitters come up with at least one man [...]

February 20, 2009  Tags:   Posted in: John Dewan, Stat of the Week, stats  No Comments

Elton & Billy add second show

Wrigley Field will play host to a second show featuring Elton John and Billy Joel “Face 2 Face“.  In addition to the July 21 show, they have added another performance on Thursday July 16, 2009.  Tickets go on sale Monday at noon, but great seats for both shows can be had from StubHub.
What strikes me as odd [...]

February 19, 2009  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Wrigley Field  One Comment

Something positive found on Rod Blagojevich

The folks over at Just One Bad Century have succeeded in doing the unimaginable. There is a fairly kind yet still accurate article on the former First Fan of Illinois, the dishonorable Rod Blagojevich. There is no denying the guy loves the Cubs. Aside from the usual rah-rah of public officials supporting the local team, his [...]

February 19, 2009  Tags: , , , ,   Posted in: other Cubs sites, the media  No Comments

11 years since we lost Harry

Eleven years ago today Harry Caray passed away in a California hospital.  Harry had collapsed in a Palm Springs restaurant waving to fans after taking wife Dutchie out on Valentine’s day. He never regained consciousness and died on February 18, 1998. He was a beloved figure at Wrigley Field and has been missed by many. Harry’s [...]

February 18, 2009  Tags:   Posted in: Wrigley Field, game day  No Comments

Shame on us – and PLAY BALL!

Here is why I don’t write about baseball & steroids very often…
Honestly, I’ve had it about up to here with all this pharmacological intrigue. The bottom line is competitive guys do whatever they have to do to get ahead. They are competitive. They want to, and must win. If there is some edge they can [...]

February 17, 2009  Tags: , , , , , ,   Posted in: controversy, game of baseball, legal issues, observations, players, the media  One Comment

Hope springs eternal

Pitchers and catchers have reported to Mesa. Some postition players too (including Milton Bradley!). The Cubs 2009 campaign has officially begun. Let’s just hope there is nothing significant about camp opening on Friday the 13th this year. But I digress.  This is spring training and all is righteous and hopeful in Cubs camp. The ivy [...]

February 16, 2009  Tags: , , , ,   Posted in: Wrigley Field, curse/superstition, observations, photo of the day, spring training  No Comments

John Dewan’s Stat of the Week™

What’s A-Rod’s Favorite Toy?
No, I’m not going to talk about that! (much)
Bill James created a method (for details see “Career Targets” in The Bill James Handbook 2009) called “The Favorite Toy” to estimate the probability that a player will achieve a specific career goal like career hits or home runs. The basic components of this [...]

February 12, 2009  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: John Dewan, Stat of the Week, stats  One Comment

Piano Man and Rocket Man to rock Wrigley

First Jimmy Buffett then The Police, now: Elton John and Billy Joel bring their “Face 2 Face” tour to historic Wrigley Field on July 21, 2009!  There is already speculation brewing as to their possible set list, based on typical song lists from the last time Billy & Elton toured together in 2002/2003. No matter the [...]

February 11, 2009  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Wrigley Field  No Comments