Archive for the ‘observations’ Category
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: Bobby Dernier, Dallas Green, Dickie Noles, Elfstrom Stadium, Gary Matthews, Gold Glove, Ivan DeJesus, Kane County Cougars, Keith Moreland, Larry Bowa, Peoria Chiefs, Philadelphia Phillies, photo, Randy Bush, Ryne Sandberg, Warren Brusstar Posted in: Jim Hendry, awards, biz of baseball, coaching, manager, observations, photo of the day 
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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 in [...]
August 23, 2010
Tags: Alan Trammel, manager, Mike Quade, Paul Sullivan Posted in: Jim Hendry, biz of baseball, coaching, 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: Crosstown Classic, Pat & Ron Show, Pat Hughes, Ron Santo, WGN Radio Posted in: news, observations, schedule, the media One Comment
One Goal: Mission Accomplished
Congratulations to the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks!
I wrote a post a while back on the similarities between the Hawks and Cubs organizations. They have quite a storied past together and now of course we all hope the baseball team will follow the hockey team to a league championship.
You can bet there we Blackhawks [...]
June 10, 2010
Tags: Chicago Blackhawks, Crosstown Classic, John McDonough, NHL, One Goal, Stanley Cup Champion, Take Me Out to the Ballgame Posted in: Chicago, news, observations, rivalries One Comment
Z, Interrupted
The washout of last night’s Cubs vs. Pirates game in Pittsburgh delayed the return of Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano to the starting rotation until Friday in Houston. It baffled me that he was sent to the bullpen to begin with, and even more-so the way he was used. On the surface the entire exercise was a [...]
June 3, 2010
Tags: Bruce Levine, Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs, ESPN, Pittsburgh Pirates Posted in: controversy, observations, players One Comment
Peoria Chiefs team report
Here are some general observations on the Peoria Chiefs… Justin Bour is a large man. He’s listed at 6’4”, 250 lbs but that might be a little shy. He’s thick and strong but seemed pretty nimble fielding a looper behind first base early in the game. In BP, the ball was jumping off his bat. [...]
May 8, 2010
Tags: Greg Rohan, Hak-Ju Lee, Justin Bour, Logan Watkins, Peoria Chiefs, photo Posted in: Minor League Baseball, live report, observations, players No Comments
Bobby Dernier works with Peoria Chiefs
One of the heroes of the ‘84 Cubs and one of the few solid leadoff men in recent Cubs history, Bobby Dernier is with the Peoria Chiefs today. His role with the organization is Baserunning Coordinator, travelling throughout the ranks, teaching the Cubs hopefuls a thing or two about the game.
In the press box during [...]
May 8, 2010
Tags: Bobby Dernier, coaching Posted in: Minor League Baseball, coaching, feature, fielding, game day, live report, observations, oldschool One Comment
Took me out to the ballgame
I made my first visit to Wrigley Field so far in Year One of the Ricketts regime this week. Overall, the initial changes made by the new ownership are subtle but I found none of them objectionable. Note the new illuminated Cardinal-red Toyota sign in the left field bleachers has not yet been erected. Here are [...]
May 1, 2010
Tags: Ambassadors, bison dog, Consessions, food, Jahaan Blake, marketing, Murphy's Bleachers, pizza, restrooms, scoreboard, tips, Tom Ricketts, Toyota sign, troughs, Year One Posted in: Chicago, Ricketts family, Team Ownership, Wrigley Field, biz of baseball, game day, observations, photo of the day No Comments
Wrigley Field no place for politics
I love the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field, and value my game day experience. I also am politically aware and invested with opinions and beliefs just like most people. But Wrigley Field on a game day is not an appropriate venue for political demonstrations.
With the opening of the Cubs versus Arizona Diamondbacks series this week, protestors chose [...]
May 1, 2010
Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Cubs, politics Posted in: Wrigley Field, game day, observations, oddities One Comment
John Dewan’s Stat of the Week™
The $91-Million Set-up Man
Chicago Cubs manager, Lou Piniella, has asked his $91-million pitcher, Carlos Zambrano, to become an eighth-inning set-up man. How do the Cubs get to the point where they are sending their Opening Day starter to the bullpen three weeks into the season? Here are the key facts:
Ted Lilly, the Cubs best pitcher [...]
April 22, 2010
Tags: Carlos Silva, Carlos Zambrano, Mark Buerhle, Randy Wells, Rodney Dangerfield, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, Tom Gorzelanny Posted in: John Dewan, Stat of the Week, observations, stats No Comments
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