Archive for the ‘observations’ Category

Welcome to the Hilton Chicago

Arriving at the Cubs Convention, I was pleased with how smooth parking and hotel check-in went at the Hilton Chicago. There are Cubs signs and fans everywhere and the staff is wearing Cubs logo “Hilton Staff” t-shirts. There is definately a nice vibe developing here. I was greeted in my room with a copy of [...]

January 14, 2011  Tags: ,   Posted in: Chicago, event, live report, observations  One Comment

Reporting live from the Cubs Convention

Beginning tomorrow and running through Sunday is the 26th annual Cubs Fan Convention at the Hilton & Towers on South Michigan Avenue in the great city of Chicago. After 25 consecutive years of waffling on whether or not to attend my first Cubs Convention, I’ve finally decided to grab my camera and go this year. [...]

January 13, 2011  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Chicago, event, feature, live report, news, observations  One Comment

Ron Santo and Kerry Wood’s 20-K game

The celebration of the life of Ron Santo has been wall to wall on WGN radio. It’s been really great to hear all the stories (some for the first time) and to hear tons of audio replays from the Pat & Ron Show (aka Cubs baseball radio broadcasts). Today WGN replayed the Kerry Wood 20-strikeout [...]

December 4, 2010  Tags: , , , , ,   Posted in: Chicago, game of baseball, observations, oldschool, players, the media  One Comment

Top 10 Reasons the Cubs Hired Mike Quade as Manager

Here are the top 10 reasons Jim Hendry (with a gentle nod from Tom Ricketts) hired Mike Quade to manage the Chicago Cubs through 2012 (with a team option for 2013). From the home office in Davenport Iowa*: 10:  Mike is a solid baseball lifer who began managing 25 years ago and earned his shot [...]

October 19, 2010  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Jim Hendry, manager, Mike Quade, observations, oddities  No Comments

Observations on Chicago Baseball Managers

Mike Quade started off his MLB managerial career off with a bang, posting one of the best beginnings in Cubs franchise history. I wonder now if some of the luster has worn off. He’s lost Geovany Soto, Tyler Colvin, and Carlos Silva for the year. Now two of the club’s most dependable starters get blown [...]

September 25, 2010  Tags: , , , , , , , ,   Posted in: biz of baseball, coaching, controversy, game of baseball, Jim Hendry, manager, observations, rivalries  No Comments

New Cubs Manager Choice Will Be Telling

With Year One of the Ricketts regime coming to an end, we really haven’t seen much from them to really define their priorities and style. I mean, sure, we’ve seen more fan outreach, some new marketing ideas, bison on the menu; but not much to indicate what kind of owners they will be from a [...]

September 18, 2010  Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,   Posted in: biz of baseball, Jim Hendry, manager, observations, Ricketts family, Team Ownership  No Comments

Big Z: Too good, too late

Carlos Zambrano is an enigma. There is no telling what will happen when he takes the mound for the Chicago Cubs. He could get shelled for 8 runs in just an inning and third as he did on opening day 2010 against the Braves in Atlanta. Or Big Z can effortlessly toss 8 2/3 shutout, [...]

September 11, 2010  Tags: , ,   Posted in: controversy, Jim Hendry, legal issues, observations, photo of the day, players, roster, stats  One Comment

Bob Dernier finds his way back to the Cubs

When Dallas Green came to the Cubs from the Phillies organization, he systematically plucked ‘his guys’ from the Phillie system to stock the Cubs for a playoff run. Within a year or two, the Cubs acquired Larry Bowa, Gary Matthews, Keith Moreland, Dickie Noles, Warren Brusstar, a young third baseman named Ryne Sandberg, and outfielder Bobby [...]

August 24, 2010  Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,   Posted in: awards, biz of baseball, coaching, Jim Hendry, manager, observations, photo of the day  No Comments

Mike Quade gets an audition

With Lou stepping aside early, this allows the organization to get on with player evaluation and for coach Mike Quade, an opportunity to audition for the Cubs managerial position in 2011 and beyond. When I first hear Tribune beat writer Paul Sullivan say Quade is a leading candidate for the job, I started talking to myself, alone [...]

August 23, 2010  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: biz of baseball, coaching, Jim Hendry, manager, observations  No Comments

Beginning of the end for Santo Era

It is looking like the beginning of the end of the Ron Santo Era. Cubs legend and radio color “analyst” Ron Santo announced he is limiting his broadcast schedule on WGN AM720. He will forego the coming West coast series in Seattle where the Cubs will face the Mariners in inter-league competition. Then he will [...]

June 20, 2010  Tags: , , , ,   Posted in: news, observations, schedule, the media  One Comment