Wrigley's First Non-Rooftop Rooftop

New (2012-): RF Patio w/Scoreboard

Last weekend at the Cubs Convention the Cubs unveiled plans for a new patio section in the right field bleachers.  These are the first major changes to the outfield configuration since 2006, when the bleachers were dramatically expanded all the way around.  This renovation, however, probably reduces the total capacity of the area.  That's not to say it will make less money, however.  No way.  A ticket to the new patio will now come with an all-inclusive food and beverage package, a trademark principle taken from the rooftops across the street.  Oh yeah, and you'll probably have to buy 50 tickets to even get in.  But this new seating-and-standing-room-only section is unique to Wrigley and will be pretty cool to check out, if I get a chance.

The details have yet to be worked out, said Cubs resident non-baseball businessman Crane Kenney.  The section can hold a maximum of 150 total people.  The debate is whether to sell tickets individually, in three groups of 50, or one group of 150.  Kenney also described how the new section will intentionally bring a very rooftop-like environment into the actual ballpark for the first time.  It wasn't, however, modeled after the Fenway Park renovation of 2003 which saw the Red Sox rebuild the top of the Green Monster to include seats for the first time.  It does look similar, but the intentions are different here.  Over the past three years of Cubs mediocrity, the Bleacher Boxes have been increasingly empty, especially compared to the rest of the bleachers.  Why?  The Bleacher Boxes, while not only losing some of the awesome bleacher environment by having actual seats, have an obstructed view of much of the field.  The center fielder can't been seen from most of the seats.  The new patio raises the entire section, fixing this issue.

Old (2006-2011): Bleacher Box Seats

Doing an eyeball test of the old bleacher box seats got me a capacity number of around 200, so the loss in seating is minimal.  But the new section also comes with some new flashy toys that fans all around the ballpark can enjoy.  The new 75-foot LED screen will be the biggest electronic screen at Wrigley Field upon implementation.  It is very wide but not very tall so instant replay will be a challenge.  This board, rather, will be used mostly for additional scoreboard information, like player photos, pitch speed and count, and batting order.  None of those can be found on the old-school scoreboard in center field.  Fans have been clamoring for these statistics for quite some time, and they will be very pleased with this.  This is quite a pleasant surprise to me, a pro-Jumbotron advocate who didn't think it would be this easy to add an electronic scoreboard yet conceal it within the ballpark's style so well.

Old Old (?-2005): Very few rows of standard bleachers

In the artist's rendering of the patio above, the home run baskets stay in the same position even though fans will no longer have access to home run balls hit there.  This is something for Cubs fans to keep an eye on.  Both of our new power-hitting corner infielders are lefties, so moving the baskets up above scoreboard level or eliminating them completely will probably change the outcome of at least a few line-drives.  I hope the baskets stay at current position because I don't think this renovation should affect the field of play.  Besides, having a hitters' park is more fun.

This is a big step in the overall modernization of Wrigley Field.  Tom Ricketts can brag about renovating more women's bathrooms all day long but, unlike the bathrooms, this renovation serves more than 20% of the fans at the game.  So far fan reaction has been mostly positive but some are cautious, worried that this means more drastic, nontraditional changes are on the way this year.  I don't think that's necessarily true, but there will be minor changes continually throughout the season.  The design team for this project did a truly fantastic job of, like I said before, sneaking in this modern technology while still keeping it within the character of the ballpark all while redesigning one of the least popular seating areas of the stadium into the best within-Wrigley party zone within view of the field.        

Theo-cracy 2.0

Tom Ricketts introduced Theo Epstein, new President
of Baseball Operations, to the media last week.

Hopefully, a new era has arrived with the introduction of Theo Epstein as President of Baseball Operations, Jed Hoyer as General Manager, and Jason McLeod in some role in player development.  Epstein was formally introduced at a press conference on October 25 while Hoyer and McLeod will get theirs tomorrow.  I hope this means new philosophy with a solid gameplan in the Cubs front office, because for the last two years really, it seemed as if there was an argument going on between staff in favor of rebuilding and staff in favor of trying to win now, and the roster moves the Cubs made were a mix of both.  For example, trading Derrek Lee in August 2010 favored rebuilding, while trading some of the organization's top prospects for Matt Garza favored winning now.  The inconsistencies start at ownership.

I remember this part well; when Tom Ricketts was taking criticism for having a business man in Crane Kenney as President instead of a 'baseball guy' (as in a man with a scouting background who actively is overseeing player development and other staff in the organization), Ricketts replied that he doesn't need a 'baseball guy' to watch his other 'baseball guy' (talking about GM Jim Hendry).  However, Ricketts said in the Epstein press conference that Epstein had been a target to be the architect of the organization from the day Hendry stepped down.  Apparently a 'baseball guy' comes in handy, as one should.  The role of President of a baseball franchise is not to sell hot dogs and suite packages to corporations, it's to oversee all the player personnel and development staff, including the entire front office and all the players.  Kenney hardly did the second part at all.

Ronnie Woo-Woo approves.

The public's reaction to Epstein here in Chicago has honestly been stunning.  I don't really think that's a good thing, though.  If this is a true theo-cracy, then there Theo must be the deity at the center of it all.  So far, everyone in Chicago has tabbed Epstein as the savior of the Cubs organization, and surely there's no way the Cubs won't win a World Series now.  See how far that kind of thinking has gotten us?  Come on guys.

Theo-cracy 1.0, the Red Sox version, was revolutionary because it found value (or lack thereof) in players for specific traits or abilities, so as to maximize the baseball capabilities of the 25-man roster, just like Billy Beane did in Oakland.  However, Theo-cracy 1.0 was performed on a much bigger stage; Red Sox Nation, desperate for a World Series title for the first time in a Cub-like number of years.

Theo was not without seemingly random occurrences of luck.  How could he have predicted that a slow, bad-fielding first baseman-turned-DH from Minnesota, whose career high in homers was 20 in 2002, would turn into the AL home run king with 54 just four years later?  Also, it wasn't like he was taking over a bad team.  The Red Sox had put together playoff teams in 1995, 1998, 1999, and won 93 games in 2002.  He inherited Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, Trot Nixon, Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Lowe, and Pedro Martinez, six established stars on a good team.  On the Cubs, however, there is nowhere near as much star power.

In other news, the wall advertising behind Epstein during
his press conferences will no longer be the Red Sox'
signature visually-appealing Dunkin Donuts logo.

The only stars the Cubs have right now are Starlin Castro and Matt Garza.  After that, questions arise everywhere, whether it be inconsistency from Geovany Soto or Ryan Dempster or who will even start at the corners of the infield next season.  This is exactly why Theo is no savior; this is by far a harder challenge than his first in Boston.

Hoyer and McLeod, on the other hand, were just minions of Epstein back in the day.  The two took what they learned to San Diego, where Hoyer became GM in 2010 and McLeod joined the front office.  Together, they helped revamp the Padres' scouting and development system.  Partially as a result, Baseball America ranked the Padres' organizational talent eighth in MLB.  Now Hoyer and McLeod are reunited with their mentor, and I think the result will be one of the most unique decision-making forces around.

While the roles of GM and President of Baseball Operations are not interchangeable, they have their similarities.  While GM used to be the only job that seemed to matter to construct a ballclub, things appear to be changing.  When the media asked former Phillies and Blue Jays GM Pat Gillick about the Cubs' vacancy, he replied that he longer wanted to be a GM, but rather a President of Baseball Operations.

An action shot of Theo starring the ivy
in a rarely-seen autumn color scheme.

A President of Baseball Operations does exactly what it sounds like; he is the top authority in charge of everything in the Cubs organization relating to the actual team put out on the field, which means he has power over the GM and anyone else in the front office.  It appears to be a most desirable position these days.  Epstein saw the benefits and abandoned ship with the Red Sox to get it with the Cubs.  So even though Hoyer will be making the day-to-day moves like roster call-ups or arbitration negotiations, Epstein will be the key architect of the team, the big-picture guy.  McLeod, scouting director Tim Wilken and VP of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita will be shuffling minor leaguers and crunching numbers to help build the future.  I therefore think it's kind of ironic that everyone is calling Epstein the savior while the Cubs front office will be more of a team effort than it ever has been.

Even though Epstein can't play third or first base, outfield, or a #5 starting pitcher (or a #4 or #3, for that matter), his presence on the team will be felt in the next few years.  He's no savior, but he and his delegation of executives will get the team to start playing better baseball one way or another.  Realistically, 2012 probably isn't the year, but I have high hopes for 2013.  As does Epstein.

Big Z's Cubs Future

Carlos Zambrano in Atlanta, right after he was thrown out
for throwing at Braves 3B Chipper Jones.

Whether or not he pitches for the Cubs again isn't the real question


The latest blowup by Carlos Zambrano came a year after he took anger management classes as a result of his blowup before that.  Locating his pitches effectively when he returned, Zambrano went 8-0 to finish the season, which had Cubs fans thinking the man had finally reinvented himself.  Instead, he's been inconsistent and generally mediocre all season long, including a dismal strikeout rate.  He now finds himself on the 30-day disqualified list with no pay (not that he needs any) and his future with the Cubs is in jeopardy.  But the real question is, how will he be remembered by the fan base that made him what he is now?

Zambrano vs. Michael Barrett, 2007.

Zambrano's history of emotional temper tantrums goes way back.  His most notable incidents include numerous outbursts in 2006, his dugout brawl with catcher Michael Barrett at Wrigley in 2007, his 2008 attack on the Gatorade cooler at Dodger Stadium after giving up a three-run homer to Matt Kemp, his 2009 performance at Wrigley against Pittsburgh where, after being thrown out, he threw out an umpire then fired a ball from home plate to deep left field, his dugout yelling match with first baseman Derrek Lee over Lee not diving for a ball in 2010 at The Cell, and finally throwing at Chipper Jones twice in the same at-bat after giving up back-to-back homers and five homers in the game.

Zambrano vs. Derrek Lee, 2010.

Throughout all of this, Big Z has actually been a great pitcher over his 11 year career, all with the Cubs.  A homegrown prospect out of Venezuela, he asserted himself into the rotation as a 22-year-old on the 2003 team with a 3.11 ERA.  Eventually he became the ace for most of the mid-2000s despite his emotional problems.  His career record today stands at 125-81 with a 3.60 ERA.  Excellent for a homegrown prospect, no?  But of course, Cubs fans don't think of him in this way.  Instead, we wonder what could have been if he was able to control his problems at a young age.  Could Zambrano have won 20 games and/or a Cy Young?  Most definitely.

The daily warmup ritual with 5'7" Mike Fontenot.

If Zambrano pitches for the Cubs again, I think the fan base would get over this incident to some degree, just like they have all the incidents past.  However Tom Ricketts said on the ESPN broadcast on Sunday night that he has "a hard time seeing that happening," and with good reason.  If Zambrano never pitches in a Cubs uniform again, he will be remembered in a foggy cloud of potential and frustration.  I hope it's the first option.

Once he clears the 30-day disqualified list, I hope the Cubs let him back into the rotation for probably three or four starts, which is all that will be left in the season.  The ending in Atlanta is too abrupt for a veteran like Z, and I think it would be good for the fans and team to let him have one last (peaceful) goodbye before the team moves on.  This offseason, the new GM will probably come in with a no-tolerance-for-misbehavior attitude, and show it off by dumping Zambrano.  Whether this means releasing him or miraculously finding a taker in the trade market, the end will probably come at the end of this season for the big guy.

While I understand the anger fellow Cubbie fans have felt at Zambrano for all of these years of inconsistencies and questionable decisions, I know I'll be one who misses him for many reasons.  The awkward kill-the-ball swing that got him 23 career homers.  Zambrano pinch-hitting at Wrigley to a standing ovation out of entertainment and laughter.  The pointing to the sky coming off the mound which never seemed to help his anger issues.  Firing fastballs past the game's best hitters pack in the old days.  Breaking bats over his knee.  The bunt singles.  The traditional whack-a-mole warmup routine with Mike Fontenot.  The obscure, Red Bull-influenced injuries.  His insistence on wearing the blue alternate jerseys.  Even watching his BP sessions.  The overall energy and character that made the Big Z truly earn himself a place in Cubs history, for bad or (usually) good reasons.  And of course, the no-hitter against the hurricane-relocated Astros in Milwaukee.  Even if they drove us crazy mad, thanks for the good (and bad) times, Carlos.

A great teammate for the most part, smiles and jokes
were always in abundance during a day at the office for Z. 

  

Jim Hendry Walks On; Randy Bush New Interim GM

Jim Hendry walks the concourse for the last
time as general manager of the Cubs.

Late August has become a time of change for the Cubs the past two years.  Last August, Mike Quade replaced Lou Piniella as manager.  In a move I never thought would actually happen in season, GM Jim Hendry was officially fired yesterday, ending his 9-year stint with the Cubs.  Assistant GM Randy Bush has taken over on an interim basis but will not be considered for the full-time job as the organization searches for someone outside the organization, said chairman Tom Ricketts at the press conference.

Being general manager of a big market team requires standing up to a lot of scrutiny.  Sometimes you have to make move, regardless of whether you want to or not.  But Hendry was in a very odd spot.  Ricketts told him that he would be fired in mid-July but that it wouldn't be announced until August, after the deadline to sign draft picks and after the non-waiver trade deadline.  So Hendry had to sign all the remaining picks, including top pick shortstop Javier Baez, and make a trade in the Kosuke Fukudome trade, while knowing he was going to be fired.  Now that's loyalty.

Hendry was choked up during his interview at the podium, and he shouldn't be ashamed.  The Cubs under Hendry went 749-748 during his tenure, but he was still their most successful GM in over half a century, building them to three division titles with essentially two different teams.  He brought in two high profile managers in Dusty Baker and Piniella, both of whom had a sizzling start in their first two seasons but faded in their next two.  Hendry, with Baker, came five outs from getting the Cubs to the World Series in 2003.

Interim GM Randy Bush

Despite all the success Hendry had, many fans thought it was time for him to go and the team to get a fresh start.  I can see understand the viewpoint, and although I didn't necessarily agree, I think the move sent waves in the form of a wake up call through the organization, specifically the players.  The next GM will be a high profile guy as well, which is a good thing.

The reason I didn't think they should remove Hendry is because, seeing the tough position Hendry was in the last two offseasons because of the large payroll, the Cubs have a bright future.  Of course, the payroll was Hendry's fault, but the draft class this year is one of the deepest they've ever had and lots of ending contracts should make this a bullish offseason.  Hendry was also prepared for the big free agent frenzy also, possibly going after Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder.  But if Hendry had to go, now is the right time.

Right now is a crucial time to get the Cubs back on the winning track, at least at the GM's desk.  With the draft picks signed, it's up to the GM (Bush, for now), scouting director Tim Wilken, VP of player personnel Oneri Fleita, and all of their staff to develop them and get 'em to the bigs as soon as they're ready.  While that is the focus for the next few years, the Cubs obviously have the opportunity to add more this winter in free agency and a new GM will want to prove himself by making a big splash such as a Pujols or Fielder.  Success or failure in these moves will decide the Cubs' success over the early 2010s.

Now the big question everyone wants the answer to is who the next GM will be.  Lists of candidates have already been thrown out there in the media and blogosphere.  Although Ricketts made clear in the press conference that the evaluation process will not be public at all, he did say he wants an experienced executive who comes from a winning culture.  This could include, but is not limited to, Josh Byrnes, Padres VP of baseball operations and former Diamondbacks GM who impressively built the 2007 NLCS team, Jerry DiPoto, Diamondbacks Senior VP of scouting and player development, or Rich Hahn, White Sox Assistant GM.  But if it was up to me, I'd go a different route.

Rays GM Andrew Friedman:
scouting and development master

The turnaround of the Tampa Bay Rays was been constructed by scouting and development.  They went from a 66-96 team to a 97-65 team overnight, and at the helm was GM Andrew Friedman.  In the process, Friedman mastered the art of winning from scouting upwards.  That combined with the free agent buying power and overall resources that the Cubs have, and Friedman could be the best in the business in no time.

Friedman is still the GM of the Rays, but reports have stated that, with the restrictions of the limited revenue sources the Rays have, he wants out.  Time to pounce!  

Todd Ricketts on Undercover Boss

That guy you see in the video isn't just a Wrigley Field hot dog vendor; he's brother of Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts.  As part of the ownership group that bought the Cubs in October 2009, Todd is a well-known face around the Wrigley premises.  Thus the facial hair and glasses.  This episode of CBS' show Undercover Boss aired last fall and can be watched here.

If this is significant of anything, I think one thing that should be noticed is the remark made by Todd's 'boss' at the end of this promo.  "His handling of money was subpar."  Obviously, he's referring to dishing out change to hot dog-hungry fans at the park and not the dishing out of millions to free agents, but maybe it's a metaphor for Todd's skills with money in business.  Maybe now we know why it's Tom, not Todd, who's the leader of the ownership group that owns the Cubs.  Of course, just a metaphorical theory.

I think the fact that CBS chose the Cubs to be their first sports franchise episode (and so far, only) says plenty about this franchise.  If the Tribune still owned the Cubs, there's no way CBS does this.  With the Ricketts, we actually have real people as owners of the Cubs.  When the Tribune owned the Cubs, there wasn't a single figure that Cub fans could point to as owner of their team.  And that's because the Tribune didn't provide one.  Now Cub fans can point to four people as the main owners of the Cubs: Tom, Todd, Pete, and Laura Ricketts.  It's good that Todd got public exposure by doing show because Cub fans have not seen much of Todd, Pete, or Laura.  So here's 43 minutes of entertainment, courtesy of a Cubs ownership partner.      

"Oh, Boy"

"Ronnie will forever be the heart and soul of Cubs fans," said Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts Friday.  The passing of Ron Santo late last week means so much more than the death of a radio broadcaster.  It means so much more than a former Cubs player.  It means more than even his fantastic career and retired jersey flag flying among the retired numbers on the foul pole.  It means the loss of the spirit and character that embodies the franchise unlike any other in sports, the Chicago Cubs.  Ron Santo was, undisputedly, the world's biggest Cub fan.  The legendary Ernie Banks, Mr. Cub, doesn't even have that title.  This embodying spirit could be heard on WGN Radio between 1990 and 2010, and while he wasn't going to win any broadcasting excellence awards, this is exactly what made him so popular with Cub fans.  After a big home run or big play late in a game, Ron would often simply call out, "YES!  YES!  Alright!"  These words flowed into the heart of the listening Cub fans, and soon enough Ronnie became their voice as a fan.  After a bad play or important homer for the opposing team, Ronnie might go, "Oh, boy.  Oh, man."  And that would be it, leaving an undeniable signature silence on the air until play-by-play man Pat Hughes broke the silence.  Sometimes, Santo would provide the background fan commentary while Hughes was calling a play.  For example, Hughes would say something like this, "The 2-2.  And there's a high fly ball, at the track is Soriano and this ball is gone, a home run for Albert Pujols and the Cardinals have the lead," and Ronnie would repeat his line at the same time, like a heartbroken kid, "Oh no, Pat.  Oh, boy.  Not good. Not good."  One of Santo's most famous calls, in a crucial game down the 1998 stretch for the playoffs at Milwaukee, Cubs left fielder Brant Brown dropped a routine fly ball that cost the Cubs the game, a game they needed to have which prompted Ronnie to scream, "NO!!! NO!!!" Santo took losses harder than the players.

As time passed, especially in the 2000s, Santo's declining health became a factor in his job, or at least it should have.  Eventually he lost both his legs but didn't want to stop following the Cubs.  Santo never complained to anybody about his injuries, not until a certain announcement from his doctor.  Ron was told, sometime in the late 2000s, that he should not be traveling with the Cubs on each road trip, and that for some he should stay home.  Trying to separate the Cubs and Santo was like trying to separate a positive and negative end of a magnet, possible but very resisting.  Cubs TV play-by-play announcer Len Kasper told the media he was often wondering, with all the traumatic and disabling diseases he suffered over the years, "How does he do it?  How does he do it?"  In 2010, Santo was asked if he planned on returning for radio broadcasting in 2011.  He replied, "What else am I going to do?  Doing the Cubs games is like therapy for me."

Ron Santo wasn't elected to the Hall of Fame.  He is not a member of it, and never will be by the rules of induction to the Hall.  However, he's not taking it too hard.  In his speech in 2003 when his jersey was retired by the Cubs, he made something clear to Cub fans.  I thought you had to be in the Hall of Fame to get that done, Santo explained pointing at his flag on the foul pole.  He went on to explain that he didn't care about the Hall of Fame as much as having his jersey retired by the Cubs and that meant that much more to him.

Unfortunately, Santo wasn't able to see the day when the Cubs will break their well-publicized streak of championship-less seasons come to an end, but who knows when that will be.  It's entirely possible that no one reading this right now will see the Cubs do it.  It's even possible that your grandchildren won't see that day.  But for Santo and Cub fans, that's not what is most important.  The Chicago Cubs, a team like no other, would not be everything that it is today without Ronnie.  Ron Santo, without debate in my mind, is the most important person in the history of the Cubs, the eternal face of the franchise.  Without Santo, there would've been less identity to putting on the Cubbie pinstripes.  Without Santo, the Cubs would be missing a huge, heart-warming peace of their history.  Most importantly, they'd be missing an excellent guy who always put others first, but above all wanted to see nothing more than his beloved team win.  Thanks, Ron.        

The Ricketts Report

It's been more than a full year since Tom Ricketts and family took over as owners of the Chicago Cubs.  In the first year, the Ricketts have made noticeable changes.  They have made numerous changes to make the Cubs and Wrigley Field better, all while maximizing revenue.  They have received credit for the improvements, coming from a fan base tired of general statements from Chicago Tribune spokespeople and press secretaries.  There have also been criticisms of the Ricketts, especially due to the unusual and unique situation of owning the Cubs, certainly a franchise different than any other.

In the opening press conference on the day the sale of the Cubs was completed, in fall 2009 shortly after the end of the regular season, Tom Ricketts stated that if anyone in the Cubs organization believed that the franchise was cursed, he would move them to a 'lesser-cursed' team.  Among many philosophies, the Ricketts instilled from Day 1 that there is no curse surrounding the team.  This highlighted a politically correct press conference, playing conservative and saying nothing unexpected, and would set the tone for the offseason.  A new marketing campaign was launched upon, dubbing the new slogan, 'Year One'.

The 2009-10 offseason was not an aggressive one for the Cubs, who were just glad to be rid of the cancer known as Milton Bradley.  Marlon Byrd was the only positional starter signed, while the other veteran bats in Xavier Nady, Chad Tracy and Kevin Millar were intended for the bench.  A solid pickup in Byrd, but not one that could turn the Cubs into a playoff team.  The Ricketts announced change would be coming to Wrigley Field in 2010, and this could be found in the ballpark.  While not immediately noticeable, the changes include a better variety of food options including popular new nachos served in a replica helmet for $15.  Some bathrooms were remodeled (womens only; no wonder neither you nor I noticed).  Ticket prices were raised to add more revenue, improvements were made to the Captain Morgan Club outside the stadium, a new exclusive club called the PNC Club, created in the space of six former skyboxes, opened in midseason with a full bar, lounge area, seats outside, and a hefty admission tag.  Most importantly, the Cubs hired 'fan relations' staff whose job it was to learn what fans thought of the changes, and what could be done to improve further.  I was quite surprised when a fan relations staff member approached and asked me many thorough questions about the changes at the ballpark.  Of course, all of the efforts made by the Ricketts in this paragraph were all to help accomplish one goal; increase revenue.

While the Ricketts have attempted to get in touch with the fan base, many aren't sure they're listening.  It has been just one calendar year since the completed sale of the team, so withheld judgment may be necessary, but some attempts to increase revenue have not sat well with the fan base.  For example, raising ticket prices before the 2010 season was not a great idea, considering how prices have raised faster than dollar inflation in recent years.  The Cubs overtook the Red Sox in 2010 with the highest average ticket price of any MLB team at $52.56.  That figure was 10.1% increase over 2009 and a drastic comparison to the Arizona Diamondbacks' league lowest rate of $14.31.  In this current offseason of 2010-11, the Ricketts announced a proposal to the government of Illinois, a publicly-funded renovation plan of Wrigley Field.  Under the plan, fans would pay a majority of funds for the renovation through extra taxes at the ballpark and on tickets, merchandise, and the like.  Somehow, the White Sox were able to command government money to build a new stadium in the early 90s after they nearly moved to Tampa.  But now, when the Cubs decide to renovate Wrigley Field, which should be the equivalent of building a new stadium but with the same structure, we, the public, have to pay for it.  Despite the economy, the government needs to understand the vitality of this project due to the projected economic growth to the area (read on).  The renovations include the construction of the infamous Triangle Building to the immediate west of Wrigley.  The building will connect to Wrigley and have shops, restaurants, fan entertainment, a Cubs Hall of Fame, underground batting cages for the players, administrative offices, and more.  While the renovations look to create jobs and economic growth for the area (a projected $3 billion over the next 35 years), it will cost the fans plenty of money in the new taxes.  Execution of the plan is still in jeopardy, because if the Cubs continue to lose and attendance continues to drop, the revenue stream for the plan could fail.

This brings up another topic of conflict with the Ricketts ownership: winning.  The Cubs didn't do it much in 2010 and Cub fans were disappointed in the Ricketts' attempts to fix the team.  While they may be concerned about revenue first now, the team needs to win to keep fans happy.  At the moment the Cubs are being held down by bad contracts (Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome) and are short on financial flexibility.  The problem, though, is that the Ricketts are afraid to take an aggressive move this early in the ownership to win.  For example, the hiring of Mike Quade over Ryne Sandberg was the politically correct move.  Actually, both would have been politically correct, but the hiring of Quade and letting go of Sandberg is more justifiable than the vice versa option.  Quade went 24-13 at the end of the season, was supported by virtually every player on the roster, and was backed strongly by Lou Piniella.  Sandberg had paid his dues in the minors and had done everything he could to win the job, but didn't win out because his hiring would have meant a smack in the face to the entire organization that had come to like Quade.  I'd expect more aggressive moves this season, but it may not be enough.  The players and staff need to understand that the Cubs will not put up with a lack of effort or failure.

In conclusion, the Ricketts shouldn't have started their ownership of the franchise with passive action.  Renovations and improvements to the fan experience hold promise to make the Wrigley Field environment a more enjoyable one, but the methods of achieving this goals continue to raise eyebrows and uncertainty.  This team has missed the playoffs in two straight seasons, by a relatively wide margin, while failing expectations both seasons.  Neither have been good for the franchise, and winning is the crucial fix to many problems.  Winning can set up a chain reaction through a revitalization of the team meaning more revenue, that same original goal.  The Ricketts showed a disinterest in winning compared to revenue growth in 2010, a pattern that needs to change going forward.          

Update on Cubs Managerial Search

The front runners remain Mike Quade and Ryne Sandberg, reports Paul Sullivan of the Tribune (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-10-12/sports/ct-spt-1013-cubs-manager-chicago--20101012_1_mike-quade-chairman-tom-ricketts-manager-search).  That is a no doubter, but it will be interesting to see which one they choose because whichever they do choose will be negative effects on a greater group of people.  As a new ownership group, Tom Ricketts and family have to be conservative.  Especially, especially in a big market like Chicago with our tradition.  If they came out aggressive changing traditions and such at Wrigley, the people would react negatively because the public just isn't that used to change that quick.  However, if Quade is hired as manager then the question becomes what to do about Ryne Sandberg.  He could become the bench coach, but it makes for sense for him to continue managing.  Sandberg has done a great job in four minor league seasons with the Cubs, and other teams are interested.  The absolute worst case scenario for the Cubs is him being hired by someone else and catching on there, turning the team into a winner.  So if the Cubs hire Quade, they will really want Sandberg to be the bench coach.  If the Cubs hire Sandberg, then there might be some unrest within the team.  The players have spoken out unanimously saying they want Quade, which is surprising because he only was an interim manager for a month and a half and the Cubs are looking at some more high profile candidates.  I think they will go with Sandberg, but I don't know what this means for Quade.  The other candidates are long shots.  Bob Brenly ruled himself out for reasons he doesn't want to admit, and Eric Wedge was given a courtesy interview but doesn't have any experience in the Cubs system.  I see no reason for Joe Girardi to leave the Yankees, and just because he played catcher for the Cubs in the early 2000s doesn't mean he would want to come back here.  Cubs officials have been watching Girardi for any signs determining his desire or not to leave New York.  Basically, they've been watching him advance in the postseason once again and manage his bullpen over a chalupa (see video).  Not much to suggest he wants to leave.

Cubs Positional Breakdown: Coaching

Manager: Lou Piniella
'Sweet Lou' has led the Cubs to three consecutive winning seasons.  The personality of a guy like Lou with his confidence, old-school style is a good fit for the Cubs after Dusty Baker completely messed up the talents that he did have.  Piniella becomes fiery at times, but the Cubs needed that to help them rebound in the drastic 2007 turnaround.  He is a numbers guy who knows who to trust and is very substitution savvy, playing guys at the right time.  A record of 265-219 as manager has gotten Cub fans behind him.  Two postseason appearance no shows can't be blamed on Piniella, as his top hitters (Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez) decided to hit in one of the worst three game stretches all season for each.  Piniella enters 2010 with a newfound depth from the minor league system and the same talent as when the 2008 Cubs were the best team in the National League (97-64).


General Manager: Jim Hendry
Hendry knows how to get a deal done.  Even after an NL-worst 96-loss season in 2006, Hendry refused to fall into rebuilding mode and instead continued to add to the winning nucleus that still remained.  Such players as Carlos Zambrano, Derrek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez could have been traded away for prospects for the future, but Hendry came right back with big signings and get the Cubs a worst to first finish in 2007.  He is also a player at the deadline, acquiring Ramirez and Kenny Lofton in 2003 in his most famed deadline deal.  While he may not be the best GM in baseball, he does know how to assemble a winning team and is not afraid to spend the money to do so.


Hitting Coach: Rudy Jaramillo
A hitting deity in the baseball world, Jaramillo has been known to take players one-on-one and analyse each swing, doctoring an individual prescription to best achieve success for each player.  Although Gerald Perry and Von Joshua were good coaches, Jaramillo is the best.  That one-on-one strategy will be key in getting Geovany Soto, Mike Fontenot, Alfonso Soriano, and others get back on track while just improving and getting the most out of everyone else.  Jaramillo's former teams in Texas were always among the league leaders in runs and any player from down there can tell you how good this guy is, notably Ian Kinsler, whose All-Star career was saved by his work with Rudy.  The 2008 Cubs were 2nd in MLB in runs, and guess who was 1st?  Watch for an offensive rebound in a big way in 2010.


Pitching Coach: Larry Rothschild
Until 2009, Cubs pitching staffs had led the league in strikeouts for eight consecutive years.  Eight!  That tied a National League record.  It took more than Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Carlos Marmol, Rich Harden, and Carlos Zambrano to set that.  Rothschild has been very good coming out to the mound and calming a pitcher down, especially his relievers.  I think Rothschild and the Cubs were a were quicker than they should have been on hooking their starters in the later innings, I would hope that the wave has gone through them.  Kevin Gregg let a lot of games get away from the Cubs, part of the problems that plagued them early in 2009.  With a great staff of Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, Randy Wells, and the undecided 5th starter, Rothschild will once again lead a strikeout-plenty, wins-plenty group.


Owner: Tom Ricketts (and family trust)
Although I can't really grade the Ricketts versus the rest of the owners in baseball, I can tell you what an owner can do.  An owner can send a franchise in the right direction, hire the right personnel in the office, get more revenue from their venue, made additions and subtractions from the venue, just to name a few.  Ricketts has done all this and more already even before the beginning of his first season.  A new marketing campaign, extensive Wrigley Field renovations, lucrative Wrigley Field expansion projects, and a new hope in a historic franchise highlights the ownership so far.  The planned 'Triangle Building' and surrounding plaza, which will have player and fan benefits, will turn Wrigley into a state of the art facility while still keeping the old tradition that has made it famous.  I couldn't have drawn up a better time for all of this to happen, because with all of the talent already on the roster, the Cubs are ready to do big things, and right now.