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Analysis, News & Rumors
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Archives
February 2006 Headlines
MLB.TV - Cubs Fans Should Think Twice - 2/28/06 5:16pm
World Baseball Classic: Good or Bad? - 2/20/06 9:25pm
Harry Caray Documentary Planned - 2/15/06 9:34pm
What if Sosa goes to the Nationals? - 2/8/06 10:01pm
Next Year's Changes - 2/6/06 7:50pm
What Sounds Better? - 2/3/06 10:15pm
Modernize the Scoreboard? - 2/1/06 9:47pm
2/28/06 5:16pm - MLB.TV - Cubs Fans Should Think Twice
If you are interested in getting MLB.TV as the CBB staff was last year, you may want to think twice.
MLB.TV is convenient for those fans who sit at our computers all day long. You work and watch the game at the same time. The only
problem is that most Cubs games are broadcasted through WGN, thus considered in-market.
Last year, it was estimated that fans in Chicago could only see approximately 10% of the games via MLB.TV. Instead, they were
given a chance to listen to the game across the internet.
Before you run out to spend your money on MLB.TV, be sure to investigate what games you will be able to see and whether or not
the games are considered to be out-of-market.
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2/20/06 9:25pm - World Baseball Classic: Good or Bad?
How happy are MLB team owners, managers, and fans as their star players prepare to play in the World Baseball Classic? The WBC
seems like a great idea, but it could have more negative impact than positive.
Six active Cubs plan to participate. They include Derrek Lee, Michael Barrett, Carlos Zambrano, Aramis Ramirez, Neifi Perez, and
Henry Blanco.
The main topic of concern immediately revolve around injuries. With Ramirez coming off an injury, can he be expected to perform at full
strength for the entire season? With late season injuries over the past few years, the Cubs are a little worried. We all know the intensity
that Carlos Zambrano plays with. What if he was to get hurt? Sometimes the smaller injuries nag a player through the entire season.
The second concern many have is that some players may wear out if the participate in the WBC, then play in Spring Training, and then
play in the regular season. The fact that both Cubs catchers plan to participate in the WBC makes some a little nervous. Will this wear them
out during the regular season?
Another concern is team chemistry. Will the WBC throw off players like Derrek Lee after he started the 2005 season scorching hot? The WBC
may throw off the chemistry of the team by keeping some key players apart during Spring Training.
The good news about pitchers is that a pitch count has been established. Pitchers can only throw 65 pitches per game in Round One of
the tournament, 80 pitches per game in Round Two of the tournament and 95 pitches per game in the Semifinals and Final of the
tournament. There are also rules around minimum days rest as well.
Though pitch counts have been established, players can still get injured. MLB teams pay good money to their players and have a vested
interest if their players start to compete in other tournaments outside of their own team.
Some may argue that the WBC will help prepare players for the upcoming season, but isn't that what Spring Training is for? The difference
between Spring Training and the WBC is that Spring Training is a controlled competitive environment. Before a Spring Training game, the
manager has a plan of who he is going to play where and for how many innings. The WBC may be set up with the same intent, but once
you get players on the field playing for their home countries, you will see players compete like they are playing in the World Series.
There is also the pressure on each player since their entire country is depending on them. Don't expect players in the WBC tournament
to play with the same intensity they would play with in Spring Training.
Unfortunately, a plan to expand baseball's audience to the world may backfire and cause more backlash than anything else. The instant
a star player gets hurt playing the WBC, be prepared for the questions on the necessity of the WBC.
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2/15/06 9:34pm - Harry Caray Documentary Planned
Though Harry Caray is gone, he is not forgotten. This summer, Purple Cow Productions plans to document
his life.
BusinessWire.com announced earlier this week that the film will begin production later this month. The
film will document Caray's long career that not only included announcing for the Chicago Cubs, but also
announcing for the White Sox, Cardinals, and even the Oakland Athletics. Caray spent over 53 years in
baseball broadcasting.
The film is scheduled to be released this summer.
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2/6/06 7:50pm - What if Sosa goes to the Nationals?
Tuesday, May 16th may be a day that Cubs fans will want to remember. This will be the day that Sammy
Sosa could be returning to Wrigley Field if he accepts an offer given to him by the Washington Nationals.
Since 1998, Slammin Sammy has slowly lost most of the love from his fans. In 2004, the Cubs management
and fans alike couldn't wait to bid Sosa farewell and look towards the future. It turned out to be
the right decision after he had a horrible year with the Orioles.
Since the Nationals seem to be the only team interested in Sosa, Cubs fans will likely have one final
opportunity to say goodbye to Sosa. It is very likely this farewell may not be a fond farewell. Either way,
if Sosa ends up in Washington, May 16th will be a hot game for many fans when tickets go on sale.
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2/6/06 7:50pm - Next Year's Changes
While it looks less and less likely that the Cubs will make any more blockbuster trades or acquisitions this year, it will be a different story next year.
With Greg Maddux pitching in what will probably be his last season, the Cubs will be on the lookout for a solid #3 pitcher to fill his spot. The team may
also look for a replacement for Kerry Wood. For 2006, Wood may jump back into the starting rotation or he may fill in as a setup man for Ryan Dempster.
Depending on how the rookies play, the Cubs may also be on the lookout for an outfielder or shortstop. Carlos Lee looks like the most obvious candidate
after the Brewers almost certainly will not renew his contract.
If contract extensions are not made during the season, next year will also be an important year for Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano, and Juan Pierre. Derrek
Lee will also be in the last year of his contract in 2006. Players like Todd Walker and Kerry Wood are likely to be in their last year of their contracts.
Could we see a rotation or Zambrano, Prior, Zito, Jerome Williams, and Rich Hill next year? Will Wade Miller step up this year and warrant a contract
extension? Will the rookies show they deserve to be on the field?
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2/3/06 10:15pm - What Sounds Better?
Furcal at shortstop, Cedeno at second, and Patterson in center or Cedeno at shortstop, Walker at second, and Pierre in center? It seems like an easy answer now.
Many fans were very upset when the Cubs didn't match the offer that Furcal received from the Dodgers. This may have been the best possible move by the Cubs during this off-season. Furcal went for an absurd amount of money and wouldn't have helped address some of the Cubs' other problem positions.
Face it fans. After the Furcal deal fell through, the Cubs had no choice but to set their sights on Juan Pierre. To many experts, Juan Pierre is a better lead-off hitter than Furcal. The Cubs also needed a replacement for Corey Patterson after his disastrous year in 2005. Pierre fit both of these gaping holes.
The Pierre deal also left the infield open for Walker and Cedeno. With Perez and Hairston Jr. backing them up, the infield has talent and depth. They also have a great spark in a young, Ronny Cedeno. Who is to say Cedeno isn't capable of matching his .300 average last year?
In the end, it was the right move for Jim Hendry to skip on any higher offers to Furcal and focus on Pierre. The only thing left for the Cubs is to sign Pierre to a long-term deal.
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2/1/06 9:47pm - Modernize the Scoreboard?
Since Wrigley Field is such a historic place, many fans are against any modifications or changes to the stadium.
According to WrigleyExpansion.com, only 56% of fans agree on any expansion to Wrigley Field. Though the new expansion is well underway, the Cubs appear to have made the right decisions. The field should still retain the historic look from the past, while providing more seats and other benefits to the bleacher patrons. The stadium will also keep the historic scoreboard that has made it famous.
What are people's thoughts on any potential upgrades to the scoreboard? Thirteen year-old Cubs fan, Joe Betz
from Old Orchard Junior High School in Skokie, Illinois, wrote a short essay for his 7th grade class on just
this topic.
The Chicago Cubs have had their scoreboard for over 75 years. Small improvements have been made, but it still has its main section untouched. Some people think that the scoreboard is way outdated but I think they are completely wrong in more ways than one. It has a lot of history and importance and serves as a symbol of the Cubs and Wrigley Field. It is also a part of the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.
The scoreboard is almost as old as the park itself. It deserves respect and tearing it down and replacing it with a flashy, high-tech stuff is almost a disgrace. Because of its long services to the Cubs, it should be left as is and remain a part of Wrigley Field's history.
Imagine coming into Wrigley Field during a bright sunrise. The ivy wall is beaming green, the sunlight is glinting off the shiny bleachers, and right smack in the middle is a big plasma TV with a whole bunch of gadgets and gizmos. That would ruin the whole feel! Fans know the famous landmarks of their field, and the scoreboard is one of them.
The scoreboard is a symbol of the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field. Any baseball fan can see the outfield of Wrigley and know right away that it is Wrigley Field. The Cubs have "lived" with it for many years and it has become a part of their game. It symbolizes the warmth inside of the friendly confines.
The scoreboard at Wrigley should be left alone. It is very historical, unique and symbolizes the Chicago Cubs of Wrigley field. I hope you agree for the pleasure of me, many other fans, and the players as well.
Wrigley Field is a historic landmark and needs to be treated as one. Modification can be allowed, but only if they do not change the general look and feel of Cubs history. By keeping the historic grandstand and scoreboard, the Friendly Confines will remain historic.
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