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To be honest, I was excited to start following the Cubs when I moved to Chicago 11+ years ago. The Tribe would/will always be #1....but I thought the Cubs could be my #2 going forward. Boy, was I wrong.
They are really tough to support. On paper, they should be a lot better than their record is but they never are. And really, that seems to be the case every year, even when they are winning. On years they do get in the playoffs, they implode worse than a Cleveland team in the postseason.
The stadium is nice but everything else is junk. That doesn't mean going to a game is fun....it's not. Most people at a Cubs game are there to be seen, talk business or get wildly drunk. I will gladly attend a White Sox game over a Cubs game.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/Punchsmack/punch.gif) “...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
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Quote:
I hear the Cubs are going to chase Theo Epstein.
A lot of Sox fans wouldn't be upset to see him go.
Why? I don't know, but a lot don't like Theo 
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Quote:
Quote:
I hear the Cubs are going to chase Theo Epstein.
A lot of Sox fans wouldn't be upset to see him go.
Why? I don't know, but a lot don't like Theo
well, he's only helped setup 2 WS champs and has never won in back-to-back years. he's a hack 
#gmstrong
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Quote:
To be honest, I was excited to start following the Cubs when I moved to Chicago 11+ years ago. The Tribe would/will always be #1....but I thought the Cubs could be my #2 going forward. Boy, was I wrong.
They are really tough to support. On paper, they should be a lot better than their record is but they never are. And really, that seems to be the case every year, even when they are winning. On years they do get in the playoffs, they implode worse than a Cleveland team in the postseason.
The stadium is nice but everything else is junk. That doesn't mean going to a game is fun....it's not. Most people at a Cubs game are there to be seen, talk business or get wildly drunk. I will gladly attend a White Sox game over a Cubs game.
Wrigley is a dump, however I think everyone should go once, because it does have history. I just hate that most Cub fans would keep Wrigley Field if they had to choose between that and winning a WS. They got mad because ads were put on the walls, they don't want an updated scoreboard, etc... Like they are too wrapped up in their traditions because they have nothing else. There are some Browns fans like that too.
The area around Wrigley is awesome. Great place to go down and watch college football, tons of Big Ten bars, a great Ohio State bar (Mickey's) and they actually have 2 Browns backers bars within a block of each other (Cubby Bear, Red Ivy)
I always thought they should tear down Wrigley and rebuild a new modern stadium in it's place. You could easily shut down those streets as most patrons of the businesses around the stadium either live around the area (which most people don't own cars) or they are from elsewhere and are taking the train in. I think they should shut down the streets around Wrigley permanently, and make a plaza area. The result would be T intersections, but who cares because traffic pretty much blows around that area anyway.
Like I said though, Cub fan would rather pee in a trough and talk about all the history of losing in that stadium, then win in a brand new state of the art facility, all while keeping the unique feeling of that area.
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i'd side with Cubs fans on that one. it's not like building a brand new ballpark guarantees championships and spending money has not been the Cubs issue (it's spending it on the players who don't become busts - Zambrano being the best example).
so, you can either keep Wrigley and all the traditions that are associated with it (which is unfortunately for them all they have as Cubs fans). or, they can tear down a piece of history for a new ballpark and possibly increase their funds for their team slightly (that would still need to be spent properly). oh, while increasing their own taxes to help build that new ballpark.
also, factor in that teams are realizing they can make a ton more money through TV deals than previously thought (Rangers the latest to cash-in) and Chicago isn't exactly a small city. so, the ratio of expenditure increase is smaller too.
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i do love the idea of making the area around Wrigley a 'pedestrian plaza' though. use some of the funds you thought about briefly for building a new ballpark and create a really nice one.
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no, in no way am i saying new stadium = winning, but I honestly think it would be nicer for fans to have actual bathrooms, the players to have facilities like the rest of mlb does, etc...
as far as the pedestrian plaza goes, I think it would be great. Ever been to a game at Wrigley? More importantly, ever tried to leave a game at Wrigley when everyone else was? It's horrible. There is so very little room on the property that it makes for a cluster-you-know what. It takes forever just to walk out of the stadium. With a pedestrian plaza, you eliminate the streets and it becomes better to exit the stadium.
I've been to a game at Wrigley about 7 or 8 times, and the whole old school stadium thing wore off after like one game.
I say the same thing about the old muni. I don't miss that building, but I damn sure miss that atmosphere, and it's pretty obvious why that atmosphere isn't at the new place. Has nothing to do with the infrastructure.
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I've suggested to every Cubs fan I know.....tear it down and rebuild it to look almost exactly the same. Add in more seats, more luxury boxes, no more obstructed views (freaking poles EVERYWHERE) and more bathrooms. Nope, they don't want it. Shame.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
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I somehow had never managed to be in Chicago when the Cubs were in town despite visiting pretty frequently friends at NW when I was in college. I have been to Wrigley bars often though 
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I was in Chicago for a show, and we took a long a friend who wanted to go to the Cubs game. It was against St. Louis...
We drove by the stadium, stopped at an intersection, and just let him out, because the MASS of people walking around, there was no way I was trying to find any specific spot to pull over...
Took a picture of the Wrigley Sign cause I thought it looked pretty cool...
Am I the only one that pronounces hyperbole "Hyper-bowl" instead of "hy-per-bo-le"?
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Lots of fun at the ballpark last night. Cleveland honored Jim Thome and big Jim came through in style belting his 604th to straight away center! "The future home of The Jim Thome statue!" Thanks for all the memories Jim!
The Jim Thome themed fireworks after the game were great also!
You know my love will Not Fade Away.........
#gmSTRONG
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6 games left, Indians sit at 78-78 ... to paraphrase Herb Score, "I am no mathematician, but even I know that is over .500.".
The question is, was this a positive transition year towards contender status or a mirage fed by playing most our games in a weak division? I don't know.
The Indians have to find some run production at the corners, 1B-3B-RF-LF. I expect a comeback year from Choo in RF, and I believe Chisenhall will be a good hitter at 3B. He also played better at 3rd than I was expecting. We'll need a FA or trade to fill the spots at 1B and LF, imo. I also believe we need a starting pitcher, and maybe two, because I would not sign Carmona to his club option. He is a tease that will always let you down. I also would not sign the option on Grady Sizemore, because he is simply not Grady Sizemore anymore. Taking that 15 million should help fill at least one hole, and maybe two.
I also hope the Indians re-evaluate their manager. Despite the push to a .500 season, I'm not sure Acta is the guy to lead a team down a playoff stretch. I think he is soft, and would like to see some fire and some expectation that the players do their jobs. Maybe someone like Tony Pena ...
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Thanks for the entertaining year. 
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I know you're kidding, but for a team that was "in contention" until September, it didn't feel all that entertaining to me. In many ways, it was excruciating to watch this team try to squeeze a run out of a bases loaded, no outs situation ... or on those rare occasions that we scored runs, to watch the bullpen fail ... or to tune in to the game a little late and hear that Carmona gave up a 5 spot in the first inning. Sure, they were entertaining some times, and it was fun to pretend we were "in it" for most the season. But it never really felt to me like we were a truly a good team playing to its capabilities, more like the upstart little kid that the big guys let hang around the playground until it was time to swat them away. Sometimes entertaining, often annoying is how I'd describe the season.
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The indians were a .500 team all year long, except for the first month. They just didn't have enough hitting to get on a nice roll.
I fully expect Sizemore to be gone. Carrera is a better player at this point. I hope Carmona is gone too, but Acta has a soft spot for his Dominican brothers. I think Gomez has a great shot at the 4th or 5th spot. Huff has imploded recently, so I think he's out of the picture. So that leaves 1 spot available. I don't expect a name free agent. Somebody on the cheap.
I think are bigger concerns is left field. Duncan will always be fools gold to me. He's put up good numbers of late, but I don't think he'll ever be an every day player. Finding a left fielder is the most important offseason need. I could even live with santana at first, and marson catching, if they could find a bat in left field.
This is also a huge offsesaon for jiminez. We need this guy to pitch better than a 4.62 era. We will all find out if he is truly damaged goods by next summer.
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Could be worse for Indian fans. They could fool everyone by beating up on a weak division, make the post-season, then get embarrassed in the first round, and getting no-hit in the first game. 
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I like Brantley in CF, Choo in RF, and agree that a right hand hitting LF with some pop is a primary need. I guess I can live with Santana at 1B, although it bugs me that the Indians traditionally disrespect that position by putting statues over there. It is an important defensive position too, not just a parking place for a DH with a glove on his hand. Maybe Santana can become a good 1B, because he is no catcher, imo. I think the rest of the infield is set with Kipnis, Cabrera, and Chisenhall. Duncan should be a bench player, occasionally your RH DH, or a fill-in at LF or 1B. We need another catcher who is a decent hitter. Our starting rotation should be Masterson, Jimenez, Tomlin, Gomez, and Somebody Not Named Fausto. We need a match-up lefty for the bullpen ... someone to come in and strike out Robinson Cano or Joe Mauer or Josh Hamilton in the 7th inning. Other than all that, we're fine. 
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Then there's the fans of teams who spend unholy amounts of money to try and buy a World Series every year, and usually can't even get there. They are the most fun to watch.
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Quote:
it didn't feel all that entertaining to me. In many ways, it was excruciating to watch this team
I know. That's the part that entertained me.
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I don't want to talk baseball anymore  lol.
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Join us on the Featherhead Bandwagon, Jules, because some day it will happen here. Someday when Glavine and Maddux are not getting strike calls a foot off the outside corner, or when Jose Mesa throws the #@%$ fastball in the 9th inning of Game 7, or when CC Sabathia doesn't gag on a chance to clinch the ALCS. It will happen here someday, and you'll want to be a part of it. Indians' fans will welcome Browns' fans to the celebration, because we understand each others misery. I don't know where I'll be when that day comes, but I won't smell too good, thats for sure.
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The Indians went .500 this year. That's not great, but they were in contention right up till the end.
They also had to cannibalize their AAA team because of injuries. They lost starting pitchers at the Major League level, and also lost Barnes at the AAA level. They brought up players left and right from Columbus. They lost their starting outfield. They brought up the youngsters to start the transition at 2nd and 3rd. Their AAA team in Columbus still won their Championship.
This team really missed one thing. Right handed hitting. If they can find a right handed bat or 2 in the off-season .... look out. The pitching is solid, though it did wear out some towards the end of the season. Even so, our #1 coming into the season is now our #5 starter ..... and it's legitimate. The guys ahead of him all pitched pretty damn well. (again, till they wore down at the end of the season) The bullpen was dynamite. I can't wait for next year!
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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Quote:
Join us on the Featherhead Bandwagon, Jules, because some day it will happen here. Someday when Glavine and Maddux are not getting strike calls a foot off the outside corner, or when Jose Mesa throws the #@%$ fastball in the 9th inning of Game 7, or when CC Sabathia doesn't gag on a chance to clinch the ALCS. It will happen here someday, and you'll want to be a part of it. Indians' fans will welcome Browns' fans to the celebration, because we understand each others misery.
I don't know where I'll be when that day comes, but I won't smell too good, thats for sure.
No thanks, the Reds are enough like the Browns for me. I've been to that great place you are talking about 3 times with the Reds, I think I'll stick with 'em. 
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Quote:
Lots of fun at the ballpark last night. Cleveland honored Jim Thome and big Jim came through in style belting his 604th to straight away center! "The future home of The Jim Thome statue!" Thanks for all the memories Jim!
The Jim Thome themed fireworks after the game were great also!
Oh sure you didn't even say hi to me last night, didn't you see me waving I was there last night, great game and good times :-) Treated my son, daughter, and daughters fiance to the game 
I AM ALWAYS RIGHT... except when I am wrong.
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Sorry about that, I did say Hi to quite a few people around section 129 first row right field line. Were you anywhere close to there?
Good Times!
You know my love will Not Fade Away.........
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Section 153 behind home plate
I AM ALWAYS RIGHT... except when I am wrong.
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Quote:
Could be worse for Indian fans.
They could fool everyone by beating up on a weak division, make the post-season, then get embarrassed in the first round, and getting no-hit in the first game.
can't believe you wrote this w/ the Sept Boston has been having. ever hear of karma?
if not, well, then you might want to check the wildcard standings 
as for the Tribe, entertaining year with a ton of ups and downs. looking like we are building a solid corps for the next 3-4 years. alot better than it looked in March. i'll take it (still really want 81 wins).
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j/c
just wanted to give the Brewers a shout out on their first dvision title since 82. Great year and great team. They really beefed up that bullpen and look like the only team in the NL that can give Philly a run for the pennant.
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if they had any defense. they sure are fun to watch hit and they have good pitching (starters and pen) but pretty much any contact i assume is going to be a hit
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Yep, I've seen them. 1 game up with 3 to go 
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Yep, I've seen them. 1 game up with 3 to go
I think the Yankees should gift-wrap the series to TB. setup their rotation for the playoffs and stick a finger up at Boston.
then again, TB is better equipped to beat the Yankees in a 7game series than Boston (IMO). so, they could end up hurting themselves if they do that.
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I can tell you, the Yankees would rather play Boston than Tampa right now. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Yankees play everyone, and try to sweep the Rays, just to keep them out. No one wants to play the Rays right now. Luckily for us, we got Baltimore for our last 3. Hopefully we can get on track against them, get a sweep and maybe pick it up in the postseason
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Actually, the Red Sox scare me more than the Rays. I know, I know...stupid. However, the Rays are hot right now but I think their adrenaline will run out if they make it. The Red Sox are playoff vets, they'll know how to turn it on.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
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well, they either get Detroit or TX first. they have got to be hoping Detroit keeps falling off a bit so they don't have to face TX. though, they'll have Verlander in a short series, that's still better than facing that TX offense.
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I was in Cleveland over the weekend and almost went to Thome night. I had a little too much going on though, and didn't really have the chance to go.
I picked up an SI for the flight home and they had an article about "Moneyball". It was mostly an article about Theo Epstein and the Sox, but it mentioned the Indians several times. Apparently, the Indians were one of the cutting-edge "beneficiaries" of the whole Moneyball system that only a handful of teams used a decade ago. Epstein also commisioned the creation of a software program around 2006 that would compile stats and predict careers, to "catch-up to Cleveland's" own proprietary software at the time. There was also mention of a recent draft, where the Sox were enamoured with a certain draft pick (Chisenhall)... except the Indians took him one pick ahead of them, and they had to scramble for someone else.
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14-0 will do that to ya.  Oh wait ... you're a Sox fan, aren't you? Are you upset because Tampa Bay is beating the Evil Empire, and you guys are losing to that powerhouse in Baltimore? lol
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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The sox are done. Nothing like a Chris Palmer runaway train.
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We'd have to win our next two, and get some help, because Tampa owns the tiebreaker.
Too bad Tampa won't lose to the Yankees Double-A team.
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Couple things about the Rays...
1. I love the fact that they're on the verge of the playoffs after reading all last winter/spring of their demise from media and fans. "How can they compete when they lose Carl Crawford?"... um, by replacing him with a younger version. As I said at the time - their is nothing wrong with the baseball system, you just have to be better if you're not a high payroll club... the Rays have been "better" than anyone else for quite a few years.
2. Tampa doesn't deserve a team. I heard last night they had 18K in attendance. If the "playoff thing" doesn't interest you they were even playing the Yankees - the so called real team of many Tampa residents - and they still only manage 18K. The attendance for that team is a joke.
"If it weren't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college"
GO ROCKETS
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We'd have to win our next two, and get some help, because Tampa owns the tiebreaker.
Too bad Tampa won't lose to the Yankees Double-A team.
a 2team tiebreaker only means they get to be home for the 1game playoff. win both games and you are at least guaranteed a trip to Tampa.
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