2008 Cubs

[tacimala]

For being one of the most lucrative franchises in baseball it's not that they are doing that poorly business wise. They just haven't performed well in the postseason. You think Manny Ramirez was only a good signing because they made the postseason and won the first round? Take a look at ticket numbers before and after. Sure it's a lot of money, but it was a good BUSINESS decision, just like the Cubs and their ticket sales. The only difference is that the Cubs already had sold out games and weren't getting to the postseason. Now they are spending more and at least making the first round. All this banter is rife with dumb.

[airspuds]

the "bringing back the roar "  message reflects that the team once had some success in the past
that they wanted to bring back

not so appropriate for cubs (  as they have never had the roar )

[duain]

the "bringing back the roar "  message reflects that the team once had some success in the past
that they wanted to bring back

not so appropriate for cubs (  as they have never had the roar )

the cubs actually have more success than most teams out there, just not in the post season. they have a roar most of the regular season and they have more of a meow in the post season. one of these seasons they wont ease up on their game in the playoffs and play ball like they do all year long.

[pearso66]

the cubs actually have more success than most teams out there, just not in the post season. they have a roar most of the regular season and they have more of a meow in the post season. one of these seasons they wont ease up on their game in the playoffs and play ball like they do all year long.

I'll believe it when I see it.  They have laid an egg in the post season every year that I can remember.  I think it has something to do with the players and the team buying into the whole "curse" thing. 

Those regular season trophies probably look really good next to those attendance trophies.

[deucemeister]

From the owners point of view, why spend big bucks to get hign end experienced players when the Cubs will sell out games whatever their record is ?  The lack of true dedication on the fans, however, shows when the stands empty well before the game ends when they are behind, something you don't see on the Southside.   IT's more important to get a seat at the bar or the L train than to cheer them on to a late game comeback.  Nobody left the Cell early last night until Griffey made his (probable) final MLB swing to end the game.

[pearso66]

From the owners point of view, why spend big bucks to get hign end experienced players when the Cubs will sell out games whatever their record is ?  The lack of true dedication on the fans, however, shows when the stands empty well before the game ends when they are behind, something you don't see on the Southside.   IT's more important to get a seat at the bar or the L train than to cheer them on to a late game comeback.  Nobody left the Cell early last night until Griffey made his (probable) final MLB swing to end the game.

They have spent money, just poorly.  They did bring in Soriano, who was a glorified DH when they signed him, and now he lost his speed too.  They paid a lot of money to Ramirez, while he's good, he's done squat in the playoffs, they spent a ton of money on Fukudome, not that other people weren't trying to sign him, but he was a bust this year.  They are still waiting for Pie to develop.  They put a lot of money into the rotation and bullpen, but Marquis was a bust, just like Howry and the lefty who's name escapes me at the moment.

About the fans, you're right, they do leave early, but they also throw trash on the field when there is a call that doesn't go their way, they have thrown baseballs at their own players, Jaque Jones, and just in game 1 were throwing baseballs at Manny Ramirez.  Is this all the fans? No, but they were probably piss drunk at the time.  I've actually seen blame be put on the Cubs fans for being the reason they lost.  Because they didn't come out and cheer enough, and they booed their players in game 1 when they were losing.  But it's always been said that Cubs fans or Wrigley fans, only go to the game to drink beer and check out girls.  There are those fans on both sides, but it seems like there's more of that on the North Side than the South Side.

[Chainmeister]

From the owners point of view, why spend big bucks to get hign end experienced players when the Cubs will sell out games whatever their record is ?  The lack of true dedication on the fans, however, shows when the stands empty well before the game ends when they are behind, something you don't see on the Southside.   IT's more important to get a seat at the bar or the L train than to cheer them on to a late game comeback.  Nobody left the Cell early last night until Griffey made his (probable) final MLB swing to end the game.

They have spent money, just poorly.  They did bring in Soriano, who was a glorified DH when they signed him, and now he lost his speed too.  They paid a lot of money to Ramirez, while he's good, he's done squat in the playoffs, they spent a ton of money on Fukudome, not that other people weren't trying to sign him, but he was a bust this year.  They are still waiting for Pie to develop.  They put a lot of money into the rotation and bullpen, but Marquis was a bust, just like Howry and the lefty who's name escapes me at the moment.

About the fans, you're right, they do leave early, but they also throw trash on the field when there is a call that doesn't go their way, they have thrown baseballs at their own players, Jaque Jones, and just in game 1 were throwing baseballs at Manny Ramirez.  Is this all the fans? No, but they were probably piss drunk at the time.  I've actually seen blame be put on the Cubs fans for being the reason they lost.  Because they didn't come out and cheer enough, and they booed their players in game 1 when they were losing.  But it's always been said that Cubs fans or Wrigley fans, only go to the game to drink beer and check out girls.  There are those fans on both sides, but it seems like there's more of that on the North Side than the South Side.

I'm not going to go any further on the fans. However, I agree regarding management. In the past one could say that management knew the fans would come anyway so they never bothered trying to put a good product on the field. That is no longer the case and has not been the case for a few years. The Cubs spend enough money. This is true even though it is clear that the current ownership is tyring to sell the team. Its also hard to blame the general manager.  Hindsight is 20/20 and no player is worth Soriano's money. However, the Cubs have spent money and have put a very good team on the field.  Lets look at the scorecard: They have spent enough money. Check for ownership. . They have put good players on the field. Check for the general manager.  They have put a tough no-nonsense manager on the field.  Check for the field manager (other than letting Soriano lead off).  The players are generally good, hard working players.  Even a Sox fan has to admire guys like Lee, Da Rosa or Wood. Of course, it was the players who tanked the playoffs.  I will say 1/2 check for the players. (Uh, oh.  This is starting to sound like the Do Rei Me song from the Sound of Music...)which will bring us back to D' OH... THE FANS.  Oh well.  I went there.

[philvb85]

I have put this latest post season blunder under a microscope for a few days now.  Yeah, we made some bad decisions regarding personnel (Fukudome batting 2nd/even playing at all...), but despite any blame that falls outside of the players it was just that.  No one showed up to play.  Not in the first game, especially not in the 2nd game.  I feel like halfway through the second game (much like the majority of fans) the players had already given up.  Basically it just boils down to a colossal choke job (how many times have I said this about my Cubbies in the past?  ) and we have to move on to the post season and hopefully find a way to avoid this kind of disaster next year.  In the mean time, I'll be cheering on the Bulls, hoping they can maybe scrape the 8th seed in the East this year, as well as the Bears who I never would have imagined having a shot at the division title this year.