Never let it be said that the Cubs don't know how to put on a show.
In front of a packed Grand Ballroom at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, emcee Pat Hughes brought the house down with the "breaking news" that the Cubs had re-signed Kerry Wood.
(And thank you, Theo Epstein. With this one move, and the drama of its announcement, you wrote yourself into a chapter of Cubs lore. Well done!)
Theo himself got a rousing ovation and chants of "Theo! Theo!" when he was introduced. No one else got anything like it, although Ernie Banks and Andre Dawson came close.
I have quite a few photos to show you, but I can't tonight. Why? Because the internet service at the Hilton is out. I am writing this post, very slowly, from my phone.
Which leads me to yet another plea to the Cubs to move this event to a better venue. This is the third straight year I've had internet issues here. The elevators are horrifically slow, the exhibit halls cramped, the ballrooms have audio problems, and every time you walk past the doors, which is unavoidable, you get a blast of cold air and cigarette smoke in your face.
The Hilton is not suitable for this event any more, if indeed it ever was. Here's hoping next year's and future conventions are at a more suitable location. This event outgrew this one a decade ago.
I'll have more late Saturday, when I can post from home.
1 recs | 233 comments
...
Fixed it for you! Not an insult either, I love everything corny. Also, if you ever expect hotel wifi to be worthwhile, you’ll always be disappointed. You should invest in an air card, which are 4G and have some pretty incredible speeds.
Glad to see the Cubs resigned Wood at a reasonable contract and am still beyond impressed with Theo, Jed and the team to date. When Theo walked out, you could almost tell he had that, “Yep, I know what I’m doing and I’m going to bring this stadium down with a WS in a few years,” type of vibe. Love it. Enjoy the convention and hopefully I’ll be joining you next year (or at least not awake because my kid wont sleep…).
bdlugz - January 13, 2012
Actually, I rarely have trouble with hotel wifi.
Just the Chicago Hilton, three straight years.
Al Yellon - January 14, 2012
Eh, I travel weekly for work, and I've learned it can be quite fickle.
Would never leave home without my air card.
bdlugz - January 14, 2012
FANtastic!
Emelie - January 13, 2012
We celebrated by watching the 20K game.
katie casey - January 13, 2012
Great Game
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
sooo close to being a perfecto
A hit batter and Orie’s non-error got in the way.
EalyEagle - January 14, 2012
Yep
That part seems to be forgotten a bit.
Also forgotten is how well Shane Reynolds pitched that day, too. He struck out 10.
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
good idea
we will do that tonight after the 49’r game. I am very happy the Cubs resigned Woody.
wccubfan - January 14, 2012
Enjoy the convention, wish I was there.
Keep us unfortunate souls up to date with any news! Glad to see Wood back, in Theo we trust.
jpeters407 - January 13, 2012
I am so ticked...
I chose to go the Cubs Bingo… won nothing and missed Kerry and the announcement…
My Buddy Larry got a lucky scratch off for an autograph…
Endrick - January 13, 2012
It seems to me that Theo
is someone who just “gets it.” There are a select few people in sports who are able to walk into a new environment and capture the hopes and imagination of a fan base.
I am in full support of all the moves that have been made this offseason, not the least of which is the Kerry Wood signing. Thanks, TheoJed, for restoring my confidence in the future of this team.
gocubbies - January 13, 2012
I can't agree more...
I have a feeling the vibe here in Chicago is a lot like it was in Boston when he took over there…
Endrick - January 13, 2012
Except Boston had a 93-win team ready to go when he took over.
bluemagic9 - January 14, 2012
I really don't think it will take long for Theo to turn this ship around.
D98 - January 14, 2012
Even tho Theo likened it to
“turning around an ocean-liner”? I d-o feel 3 years is (pretty) realistic…
jeffstorm2 - January 14, 2012
when successful an organization turns it around one year quicker than on paper
players develop faster and teams play better together…if successful in their efforts, if not it just doesn’t happen.
Ivy Walls - January 14, 2012
Ocean liners
Can turn around pretty quick. Especially in Italy.
ferris2001 - January 14, 2012
Too soon
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
This isn't Kansas City or Pittsburgh or the QE2 or the Andrea Doria
j/k Bruce ;-)
EalyEagle - January 14, 2012
LOL.
Cubfansince1957 - January 14, 2012
where is Justin (ice)Berg when we need him?
Cubbie-Tim - January 14, 2012
Let nobody tell you different Al
you are the master of hyperbole.
troutfishin - January 13, 2012
I accept this honor.
It’s an honor, right?
And the Hilton wifi is still down. I’m connected to the Essex House wifi — the hotel next door.
Al Yellon - January 14, 2012
once you achieve the level of master in any category, you know you've done something...
right……..or wrong.
troutfishin - January 14, 2012
Caribou Coffee had good wifi.... i spent a lot of time there last year.
Ross - January 14, 2012
indeed
jesus christos - January 14, 2012
Wait, this wasn't Al baiting Easy Ed?
shoemile - January 14, 2012
Nah...I'll let this go...for now...
…we’ll continue it again next year at about this same time. Hopefully Hoy-Stein come to their senses. I think after a couple typical DL stints…they’ll figure him out.
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
They were probably aware of his injury history...
shoemile - January 14, 2012
Yeah...it didn't matter, obviously...
…it appears Hoy-Stein caved to public demand. I’ll never understand the “worship”, but, it is what it is. Hope he does well…I guess.
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
Except for the fact that Epstein valued him enough to offer him a contract last year in Boston.
Ed, it’s fine that you don’t like the guy. But if you want to convince others that you’re right (which obviously you do, since you flood every Wood thread with criticism of him), then you’re going to have to use and not ignore relevant info to further your position that Kerry Wood shouldn’t be on the team in 2012.
shoemile - January 14, 2012
It is remarkable the disdain he has for Wood.
Me don’t get. I am sure Theo and Jed can read Baseball Reference and see the DL stints.
Glad he is back.
Grockcubs - January 14, 2012
i dont think anyone gets it
including Ed
Cubbie-Tim - January 14, 2012
Shoe...
He offered Wood a contract last year because he might have ( with an emphasis on MIGHT) helped a club whom many thought as a contender last year. The Cubs of 2012…not so much. He was brought back on sentiment only $3M coulda been spent in a better way.
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
It was the right move at 3M, period.
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
This is why no one takes you seriously, Ed.
You keep changing your argument and ignoring or twisting facts to back up your opinion that you don’t like Kerry Wood. First he’s too injured, then he makes too much money, then Hendry made a secret handshake offer, then he was bad in game 7 (which is really what this is all about), and now you’ve retreated to the “Cubs aren’t going to contend” line. Some of what you say is valid, most isn’t. What’s clear to everyone is that you got a bug up your butt about the guy and you’ll do whatever it takes to discredit him.
shoemile - January 14, 2012
rec'd
Cubbie-Tim - January 14, 2012
It's kind of reminds me of the way BLou felt about Sori
Madison Cub Fan - January 15, 2012
Okay, I'll play...
What better way could that $3M have been spent?
ballhawk - January 14, 2012
Towards bringing some Soler power to the minors.
bdlugz - January 14, 2012
I still very much expect that to happen...
…and if it doesn’t, Theo & Jed are going to have some serious ’splaining to do.
ballhawk - January 14, 2012
We have plenty more money left to spend.
That doesn’t mean we should waste it this offseason. But Soler is the one guy that left that I think we should really be pushing hard for.
Dcr18 - January 14, 2012
Ed...why wish him well so half-heartedly...
…and then say ‘I guess,’ unless you’d rather see him fail – and prove you right in your own mind – than have him succeed and prove you wrong. You seem to forget, if Kerry does well, that can only benefit the team, obviously your ego and anti-Wood agenda come first.
lboodry - January 14, 2012
Ed
If you don’t really wish that Wood does well, perhaps you should go root for another team.
ferris2001 - January 14, 2012
There's an idea.
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
dude
Kerry Wood is the heart and soul of the Cubs. With Ronnie gone, every other 2003 player (I think) gone, practically every other 2007 and 2008 player gone (save Sorinao), Kerry Wood remains as the representation of every time the Cubs have even come close in the past decade and more.
Plus, you know. He’s a fine pitcher.
Theo and Jed didn’t cave. They made a savvy baseball AND business decision.
drewishdrewid - January 14, 2012
Please
I don’t mind Wood coming back, but I’m also tired of the oversentimentality for players who never helped the Cubs win much of anything.
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
I'm with you NBF, the over-sentimentality by some here is way over the top
troutfishin - January 14, 2012
This, however, does not describe Kerry Wood
BeerCub - January 14, 2012
Uh ... it kinda does
Ed has a point about Game 7 in 2003, but a lot of now-former Cubs can be blamed for the ultimate result in that series.
Again, I don’t mind Wood coming back, but I’m certainly not inclined to buy extra tickets because he’s on the team. I don’t see how Wood can be part of a team that allegedly is undergoing a “total rebuild.” Sign Prince Fielder and I’d be excited. This is just meh.
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
you are a conundrum.
drewishdrewid - January 14, 2012
I think that's the nicest thing
anybody’s ever said about me.
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
I'm
a nice guy. :D
drewishdrewid - January 14, 2012
using the 20k game as reasoning for keeping him is as dumb as using game 7 as a reason for not keeping him
jesus christos - January 14, 2012
True
But I don’t see much of a reason for keeping him on a team in which it appears he’s severely out of place.
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
I have a feeling he may be an effective, underpaid closer in short order.
D98 - January 14, 2012
Perhaps
But if Marmol’s gone and Wood is a short-timer, who will be the “closer of the future”?
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
Carpenter
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
Maybe
If this is indeed is a “total rebuild,” then give him the job.
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
They keep emphasizing this as a build not rebuild...
but I digress on that and it’s differences. I just hope they give him a shot sometime this year. I liked what little I saw from him. Sure he has things to learn, but wouldn’t you say that a (former) fireballer like Wood could help mentor someone like this?
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
I think the whole "mentoring" thing
is a bit overblown.
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
Agree to Disagree
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
Can do
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
I think you're a bit hung up on that term.
I don’t think Theo and Jed look at possible acquisitions and think “is this in line with a total rebuild?” They look at what they believe helps in the long term and the short term, with the former being the first priority.
shoemile - January 14, 2012
No.
He’s pitched like ten major league innings. He’s got a lot of potential, but give him some tests in the seventh and eight innings before throwing him in the closer’s role.
Dcr18 - January 14, 2012
We have a lot of young pen arms coming up.
Carpenter, Dolis, Kurcz, Zych, and Shark all are possibilities. Not to mention SP like McNutt could wind up as relievers. We also have four picks in the first two rounds this year, so perhaps we find a quick-moving power arm who could be ready for the bigs in 2014.
Dcr18 - January 14, 2012
Hopefully not
the Cubs are better served if Marmol or another younger pitcher steps up and closes all 10 of the Cubs save chances in 2012.
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
the cubs will be so good they will outscore the other team by 4+ every time!
jesus christos - January 14, 2012
Marmol is now one of the most expensive relief pitchers in baseball.
The Cubs would be very well served to have Marmol start 2012 absolutely lights-out in the closer role, for a few reasons.
D98 - January 14, 2012
shark as the primary setup man is an extremely scary thought
jesus christos - January 14, 2012
I think Shark pitched decently last season
especially in the second half. And he certainly has more of the proverbial “up side” than Kerry does.
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
He seemed to only pitch well in low pressure situations.
Kerry has the “upside” of being a leader and mentor.
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
I think after all this time
Shark’s “upside” is pretty much gone.
drewishdrewid - January 14, 2012
Your comment.....
…. implies he never did much of anything positive for the Cubs. No one does it by himself. If you’re going to hold one game against him, one where he had the lead going into the fifth inning, you’re suddenly a pretty tough audience.
Obviously, Chicago is a unique sports town. That’s part of its appeal. Not too many other cities revere players like Chicago. There doesn’t have to be any kind of sure logic to it, but we admire attitude and effort. See Banks, Santo, on and on. Wood fits that mold. That Kerry Wood is still an effective pitcher still sought by other teams just adds to the mix.
BeerCub - January 14, 2012
Chicago is a unique sports town
But I’m not sure it’s unique for the right reasons.
I’m not holding one game against him, although it certainly is the biggest game in which he’s ever pitched.
Kerry did a lot of positive things for the Cubs, but I’m not sure it entitles him to being a square peg in the round hole Theo and Jed appear to be creating.
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
If his name was Woody Kerry.....
….. and had similar stats, and was signed to the same contract to be an 8th inning set up guy, occasional closer, this entire argument wouldn’t be happening.
BeerCub - January 14, 2012
fwiw
if Kerry didn’t pitch like he did Game 5 of the opening Braves series we never even sniff a Marlins series
DartmouthCubsFan - January 17, 2012
ok
but that’s not Kerry Wood.
drewishdrewid - January 14, 2012
To be fair, he single-handedly won the only series elimination game the Cubs have ever won.
An argument could be made that KW has been responsible for more “winning anything” than any other Cub in the divisional era.
D98 - January 14, 2012
Point taken
Does winning Game 5 in the DS outweigh losing Game 7 in the CS? Not arguing it, but I guess that’s one of those eternal questions.
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
Not even close...
…winning game 7 puts this team (58 years removed from being in a WS AND 95 years removed from winning one) where its fan base has been waiting for them to get for a generation(s), and then that, and only THAT, puts Kerry Wood in an “iconic” position.
Ok, I know he hugs babies and rescues kittens and passes out coats to the homeless and probably says Mass (in Latin) on Sunday mornings. I’m happy for all who are happy he’s signed. Hope he does well…when he’s not on the DL.
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
then your hate should be directed at EVERY CUB since 1908
since NONE of them have won a WS since
Cubbie-Tim - January 14, 2012
Whatever
Game 7…enough said.
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
Oh, and I don't "hate" anyone for a sports reason.
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
all indications to the contrary
the loss in 2003 clearly has scarred you
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
he doesn't hate him
he just has a grudge
jesus christos - January 14, 2012
Right...that's OK, isn't it?
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
it's slightly less irrational
jesus christos - January 14, 2012
Not really, still pretty emotionally immature
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
Hasn't the loss in 2003
scarred us all?
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
no, it's just a game for cryin out loud, grow up
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
Ok, Dr. Phil...will do.
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
you really have no idea how pathetic you sound do you?
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
Overreacting a little bit?
Let’s just say until the Cubs win a World Series, I can’t get over what happened. I suspect I’m not alone.
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
It would appear that you're the one overreacting...
…if you can’t get over something that happened in a game 8 years ago.
ballhawk - January 14, 2012
I think you know what I mean
But if you want to be a jerk, go right ahead. Do what you do best.
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
Bull****, Bruce.
What ballhawk does best is make bad joke.
shoemile - January 14, 2012
*jokes.
Sigh.
shoemile - January 14, 2012
you stinks
ballhawk - January 14, 2012
There it is!
shoemile - January 14, 2012
Well, he does
do that, certainly.
Not Bruce Froemming - January 14, 2012
expected response from the likes of NBF
It’s just a game … get a life
lookingdeadred - January 15, 2012
so hate every player who played in that game
and didnt win it. KW was not alone in the game itself
Cubbie-Tim - January 14, 2012
See above
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
ok then you should hold a grudge
against every former Cub who played since 1908 since none of them have won as a Cub, including everyone from the 2003 team, not just Woody.
That is where you lose ,me. your grudge is over not winning a WS or losing 1 game in a playoff series, yet you are giving fliers to everyone else involved in those same games not named Woody
Cubbie-Tim - January 14, 2012
Whatever
Good Point and Here’s My Illogical Argument.
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
Good comeback
Denny’s would now like you to stop mooching their WiFi and surrender your table.
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
All your argument are terrible.
Enough Said.
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
arguments*
Just admit you’re emotionally scarred from one game and hold a grudge and be done with the ridiculously immature comments that everyone calls you out on.
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
Ummm...I did admit I hold a grudge...
…please try to keep up or get someone to read it to you.
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
Done with you.
Grow up kid.
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
Kid? Thanks
Lemme guess…you got a poster of Kerry Wood above your bed, right? An “I Heart Kid K” t-shirt? #34 boxers? Creepy dreams of him?
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
Mature.
Dcr18 - January 14, 2012
if you love wood so much why don't you marry him
jesus christos - January 14, 2012
admitting your problem is usually the first step towards recovery
but I bet you still will get lost along the way
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
Who cares?
shoemile - January 14, 2012
good question
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
Kerry '12!
Very cool news. One of the good guys.
scottsdalecubs - January 13, 2012
check out this comment I posted on Tuesday
damn straight I’m gonna buy a lottery ticket tomorrow…
ballhawk - January 13, 2012
Hey, when you buy that ticket
… share the numbers, won’t you?
Al Yellon - January 14, 2012
Much like ballgame ticket prices
The cost of playing Powerball jumped from $1 – $2.
scottsdalecubs - January 14, 2012
and they broke the taxes out
Cubbie-Tim - January 14, 2012
I usually go auto-pick, but today I think I'm gonna go with 12, 16, 21, 22, 38 with a PB of 8
ballhawk - January 14, 2012
Huh...no #34?
Easy Ed - January 14, 2012
Take another look at it - 34 doesn't fit into that numerical sequence.
ballhawk - January 14, 2012
That was definitely timed just right
I’m cynical enough to believe it was for timed for showmanship.
troutfishin - January 14, 2012
If Prince Fielder would have walked out wearing a Cubs uniform...
THAT would have been showmanship!
DKT - January 14, 2012
rumor on CSN last night
was that he is down to looking fora 6 year deal for $22M annual average, with an out clause after 3
Cubbie-Tim - January 14, 2012
As of this morning,
sources say he’s in TX talking to Rangers
jeffstorm2 - January 14, 2012
I think
Boras really overplayed his hand. If he had been willing to accept a 6/150 mil deal to start, I think he would’ve gotten it. But Boras scared teams off with the talk of 10 years and more AAV than Pujols.
Boras has screwed over a few clients recently doing this. I think Dye could’ve had another year or so in the league, but Boras held out too long and then nobody had room for him.
If I was the Rangers, and I could choose between Fielder for 6/140 and Darvish for a total of 6/125, I am taking Fielder all day. Fielder would crush in that ballpark, and we don’t even know if Darvish will be an average starter.
tomas21 - January 14, 2012
and Madson too
… he almost got like $45 million from philly but Boras wanted more so philly went with papelbon and madson had to take $8.5million for 1 year. imagine if he gets hurt or has a bad year! lol
chit0wn - January 14, 2012
I was thinking about that last night!
Now, predict my encounter with the Swedish bikini team.
elgato - January 14, 2012
and predict mine 30 years younger...
on a date with Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Emelie - January 14, 2012
I will just take 20 years younger on a date with,
I can’t remember who was hot 20 years ago, so I guess I’ll take my wife.
jpeters407 - January 14, 2012
wouldn't he be
ten or something?
drewishdrewid - January 14, 2012
Magic ballhawk says... "Ask again later"
ballhawk - January 14, 2012
So the best off-season acquisition by any team in MLB was Theo Epstein, no?
dtpollitt - January 14, 2012
Pretty sure Miami wins with Zambrano.
shoemile - January 14, 2012
Not Z, Miami's best acquisition was Ozzie.
troutfishin - January 14, 2012
Miami is becoming the MLB version of the Cowboys and Raiders.
Home for all the idiots and malcontents who have talent, throw them together and what do you get? Another year without success.
jpeters407 - January 14, 2012
carlos silva to the red sox
jesus christos - January 14, 2012
you jest
you jest?
jeffstorm2 - January 14, 2012
No, they did sign him to a minor league deal, I think.
daver - January 14, 2012
Thanks daver
(w.o.w.)
jeffstorm2 - January 14, 2012
I'd say Alfredo Amezaga, but we probably don't get him without Theo
Nunyabidness - January 14, 2012
Nah, Hendry would've gotten him.
It would’ve been a big league deal for 2.5 million, but he would’ve gotten it done.
shoemile - January 14, 2012
he would also make the primary backup for a position he's never played before
jesus christos - January 14, 2012
But would Jim have really let go of Koyie?
shoemile - January 14, 2012
do i even need to answer
jesus christos - January 14, 2012
Maybe he would've signed them both to big league deals and had them fight it out in ST.
shoemile - January 14, 2012
I beg to differ Sir
We do not know Jimmy H has “let go of Koyie”. Doubtless Jim still drives a car…it’s winter…cars get dirty…
jeffstorm2 - January 14, 2012
He would have been given a no trade clause as well.
troutfishin - January 14, 2012
Correct Sir.
Ding! (Pay the man Shirley)
jeffstorm2 - January 14, 2012
2 Y
7.5 M
NTC
timh815 - January 14, 2012
Pay this one too, Shirley.
jeffstorm2 - January 14, 2012
Bad hotel internet service??
Sure. Sounds like an excuse for a Spa Weekend to me… :)
RiskyBusiness - January 14, 2012
i cant think of a hotel in chicago with more space than the Hilton
… and u must not have verizon cuz i had full bars and data on my new Moto Razr! ;)
chit0wn - January 14, 2012
McCormick Place could probably fit 1000 Hiltons....
Yepsen - January 14, 2012 via iPhone app
Very enjoyable evening
I’m staying at the Essex (tip to fans – cheaper room rates and you can walk between the hotels gorgeous hotel too this and the 40 dollar difference between having to buy passes for 60 instead of 20 still saved me 200).
Great theater and drama of the opening ceremonies. Media people were tweeting as late as 5 there was no sign of him. Did see one later from David Kaplan after 5 he had spotted Sarah.
IN the category of it pays to be really nice I helped out an older lady with her bags and ran into Theo in the process. If I hadn’t been helping her I wouldn’t have run into Theo. Shook his hand got an autograph and was danging myself for not having my camera on me (and then dumb dumb dumb butt me remembered DOH I have a camera on my phone).
puckishcubsfan - January 14, 2012
I did like having the gift shop in the center of the exhibit hall floor they set up. Did like the new booth in the center of the exhibit hall floor.
Noted the Saturday night party has changed
I don’t want to be a downer but Ernie has aged quite a bit since I last saw him. I know he’s 81 but I wasn’t the only one struck by it.
Dunston and Dawson still look like they could take the field tomorrow. I always think of Shawon (Sr that is) when I hear the song Forever Young.
Also saw the Dunstons in the lobby. Sr talked about how proud he is of his son not only that he is a good player but as importantly he could get into a school like Vanderbit academicaly. Maybe Jr will join Cutler as Vandy players doing good in Chicago soon. He is a student there as well as playing baseball. I say if he’s even as good as his Dad Jr. was a great draft choice.
puckishcubsfan - January 14, 2012
Shawon Jr may be going to school at Vandy
… but he won’t be playing baseball there, not after signing a pro contract.
Al Yellon - January 14, 2012
On Banks
I met him last March. I agree completely. Ernie will always be Ernie, but he’s “gotten old” in the last couple of years. It’s time to ease off the demands on him.
BeerCub - January 14, 2012
Ditto on Essex
Mrs. Zeke and I are here too. $99 per nite. No lines at the elevator and you are 50 feet from the hotel door to the Hilton.
Zeke - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Theo and his impact
with little or no doubt Theo does know how to do his job. the Wood signing and release and release of such at the convention proves that he understands that the FAN can be as important as the player . this has been proven time and time again while not always bringing wins or championships the FAN does do wonders for a sports organization. while most if not all of us would still be Cubs fans reguardless Theo has proven even as he is in this for the buiness side he still can be a fan.
Thank you Theo for what you have done and what you hope to accomplish for our beloved team GO CUBBIES!!!
blackhawksal - January 14, 2012
"And thank you, Theo Epstein. With this one move, and the drama of its announcement, you wrote yourself into a chapter of Cubs lore. Well done!"
hopefully sarcasm, if not it is yet another example of how easily some Cubs’ fans are placated.
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
No, I don't think so.
(sarcasm). Various sources listed Wood as “#1 FA Reliever available”. And, IMHO, Wood is easily worth that kind of money. Prolly coulda doubled it elsewhere
jeffstorm2 - January 14, 2012
Agreed
Also can be a mentor and leader for some pitchers.
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
Not that big of a deal
I am okay with signing him (and I would have been okay if he went elsewhere), but signing Wood is hardly deserving of a chapter in Cubs’ lore.
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
Shouldn't we wait to see how it turns out before deciding that?
BeerCub - January 14, 2012
sure, but do you actually expect this signing to be the stuff of legends?
if you do, I’ll have what you’re drinking
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
Ease off
All I said was give it time, I didn’t declare it a coup. Some of you here are getting a bit much.
BeerCub - January 14, 2012
No need to ease off, I'm fine, and realistic
As for it being a coup, that was the jist of Al’s comment … I disagree, apparently you aren’t totally buying into it either.
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
Look....
….. it’s just about Al’s job to be that way, otherwise why run a blog like this? That he genuinely feels that way though just makes it easier for him, and why anyone is surprised and/or takes issue with him when he writes things like this is more than puzzling. It’s Al being Al.
BeerCub - January 14, 2012
^T.H.I.S.^
jeffstorm2 - January 14, 2012
I don't want to speak for Al -
But I think the “place in Cubs lore” thing has less to do with the fact that Kerry Wood re-signed, and more to do with the dramatic fashion in which it was announced.
The main point is, Theo knows what he’s doing, and he’s not only good at building baseball organizations, he’s good at selling entertainment.
D98 - January 14, 2012
Di-toe
(very french for “ditto”) :]
jeffstorm2 - January 14, 2012
very well said
Cubbie-Tim - January 14, 2012
Do you understand what lore is?
I think you should look it up. I believe this signing will go down in Cubs lore for Al. I’m sure he will fondly recall and talk to others about the day Wood showed up at the Cubs convention even 10 years from now. It sounds like it was a pretty cool moment for those in attendance.
I really, really don’t understand why a select few are SO threatened by Cub fan’s affection towards bringing Wood back. I don’t even lump Easy Ed in this, because he just has an irrational dislike for the guy. There are 3 or 4 people (Nunya, troutfishin, etc) who just can’t stop commenting on how stupid this all seems to them.
GET OVER IT!
tomas21 - January 14, 2012
Bringing Wood back may indeed not have been the most logical my dear brother. Too bad You'll never understand human emotion.
South Side Expat - January 14, 2012
tomas's tantrum
I am pretty familiar with what lore means, hence my original post, and I think it is sad that this signing of a guy like Wood ranks in Cubs’ lore. It really emphasizes just how unsuccessful this organization has been when this is considered such an important moment.
If you include me in those threatened fans you refer to, you are off the mark. I am neither threatened nor am I wowed by the signing. I have always liked Wood, but signing him for this season is good PR (and this is not insignificant after all it is a business) but its benefits to the future success of this organization is dubious.
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
I would like you to find
one, just one person who said signing Wood would benefit the long-term health of the organization.
The arguments made for signing Wood have been pretty consistent and not at all difficult to follow.
tomas21 - January 14, 2012
And I would like you to find where I said it was a bad deal
lookingdeadred - January 15, 2012
I never said you did
I specifically did not name you in my response. Paranoid much?
tomas21 - January 15, 2012
You didn't have to, you were responding to my post.
Disingenuous much?
lookingdeadred - January 15, 2012
I will talk slowly for you
I. Never. Claimed. You. Called. It. A. Bad. Signing.
tomas21 - January 15, 2012
I'm not the biggest Kerry Wood fan in the world,
but I still think this was a good deal for the Cubs to make. I thought the drama was a fun plus and couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement myself. So what if it placates some fans and makes them happy for sentimental reasons rather than practical reasons? That’s just icing on the cake.
katie casey - January 14, 2012
sentimental fluff, sure, legendary moment, hardly
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
He was excited,
give him a break.
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
Soon enough, you'll be in Toys R Us ruining Santa Claus for kids, eh?
BeerCub - January 14, 2012
I think I may have misunderstood you.
I thought you were criticizing fans for being so easily appeased.
Are you just saying you thought Al was exaggerating? If so, I can see people having that point of view. However, I do think to people that really love Kerry Wood, this would be a very special moment they would always remember. It had to be pretty exciting. Like I said, I’m not much of a fan of his, but even I got caught up in it. I bet if I was there I may have been moved to tears (I can be sappy when it comes to baseball-you should see me when I’m watching baseball movies).
katie casey - January 14, 2012
I ilke Wood, he appears to be a class act, wish he could have stayed healthy
but if Al really thinks this is the stuff of lore (and I think Al’s comment was tongue in cheek) he was sipping too much Cubbie Blue Kool Aid
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
OK, OK...maybe "lore" is too strong of a word.
It was a nice moment, though, which probably had a lot more emotional resonance if you were actually in the Hilton ballroom at the moment it happened. (I wasn’t.) But I’m sure the event will live on as an enjoyable anecdote for many, many Cubs fans for a long time to come.
Unless of course…the 2012 Cubs shock the baseball world, win the NL Central, rampage through the playoffs and win the World Series with Kerry Wood closing out game six with a fantastic three-strikeout performance over the Anaheim Angels — the last batter being, of course, a completely lost and helpless-looking Albert Pujols who swings and misses at Woody’s filthy slurve and loses his grip on his bat, which then hurdles into the crowd and knocks commissioner Bud Selig unconscious. (Bud would later make a full recovery, even rescinding MLB’s ridiculous broadcast blackout rules based on a dream he had whilst knocked out.)
THEN it will be lore.
daver - January 14, 2012
Nicely done
BeerCub - January 14, 2012
Wow!
You’ve got a wonderful imagination. That was pure poetry. Rec’d.
katie casey - January 14, 2012
Kudos
Rec’d.
KJ24 - January 14, 2012
Can Bud get rid of the DH too while he's at it?
katie casey - January 14, 2012
I don't know what is beyond lore, but what you describe would qualify
lookingdeadred - January 14, 2012
would Albert's wife be more upset with God then?
Cubbie-Tim - January 14, 2012
IT'S HAPPENING!
drewishdrewid - January 14, 2012
I really think this will be the stuff of lore to some people.
Maybe not you.
Only time will tell.
katie casey - January 14, 2012
A
Madison Cub Fan - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Sports. Night
Sports nite w/ theo. Jed & Ricketts was really interesting. Palmer house have had shuttles at regular intervols
Great way to start our 1st night at first. Convention
Madison Cub Fan - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Do tell...
cubzfan - January 14, 2012
Anyone have an attendance guess?
bleedinblue76 - January 14, 2012 via mobile
I thought this
Heckler story was pretty cute.
katie casey - January 14, 2012
Another Instant Hit
How about an announcement like this today:
Soriano dealt for AJ Burnett
The Yankees hate this guy right now, and they just added two starters. They need a DH, unless Andruw Jones excites you.
54 mil for 33 mil, and maybe we eat the difference. AJ would be gone in two years and trading Garza looks even easier to swallow.
I am really looking forward to being rid of Soriano – this has possibilities, where a deal for Zito does not, because it takes Soriano off the field.
KO Stradivarius - January 14, 2012 via mobile
I'd rather just
eat most of Soriano’s contract and get nothing. Burnett is no good, we have more than enough starters, and we are trying to get rid of an albatross to make room for the future, not just get a different albatross.
The swapping bad contracts seems like more of a Hendry move. I think Theo is content to write off as much of the contract that exceeds Soriano’s value and move on.
tomas21 - January 14, 2012
That's an awful lot of money
See, this team is going nowhere this year and next, so whatever money we can save will be wonderful. Maholm and DeJesus are stopgaps, and so would be Burnett.
KO Stradivarius - January 14, 2012 via mobile
How the hell did Wood sneak into the Hilton without anyone seeing him?
Before the Pat Hughes announcement???
JFCubFan - January 14, 2012
The funny thing is.........
There are two “camps” here……..
1) Those who are very sentimental/loyal fans who probably feel that despite the tough year that the Cubs are going to have, the Kerry Wood signing, to a certain degree, salvages the season and gets them a bit more excited.
2) Those who are also Cubs fans, but expect better out of the team and are incredibly frustrated with the past, enough so that a signing like this doesn’t get them excited. They realize that the Cubs are not going to be good next year, so they view others’ excitement as annoying, incorrect, fill in the blank with an adjective.
The beauty of it is, this has been debated ad nauseum on this site, and neither side is right, because it’s a matter of opinion……….but it’s been fun to follow!
jballgame - January 14, 2012
Yep.
And with very few exceptions it seems like both “camps” agree that it was OK to sign KW.
katie casey - January 14, 2012
you forgot about the prestigious "I don't care what happens either way" camp
we have pancakes
jesus christos - January 14, 2012
I'd prefer waffles.
shoemile - January 14, 2012
waffles, pancakes
i don’t care either way
jesus christos - January 14, 2012
AND NO CAP'N CRUNCH
shoemile - January 14, 2012
I'LL KILL YOU
jesus christos - January 14, 2012
How was I not aware of this group?!
LongLiveHarryCaray - January 14, 2012 via mobile
THE HARM YOU DO TO ME WILL PALE IN COMPARISON TO THE DAMAGE CAP'N CRUNCH HAS DONE TO THE ROOF OF MY MOUTH
shoemile - January 14, 2012
Not even that awesome
baseball shaped Cap’n Crunch?
katie casey - January 14, 2012
The roof of my mouth deserves better.
shoemile - January 14, 2012
How about some Alfredo Amezaga?
My Italian family always eats this dish
LongLiveHarryCaray - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Sounds decent, but I don't want to have to drive to Iowa to get it.
shoemile - January 14, 2012
Honestly I don't understand that signing
Unless the club isn’t sold on Darwin the scientific dinosaur. With Stewart and Vitters at 3b and both young players I don’t see what the point of signing Alfredo is- even to a minor league contract
LongLiveHarryCaray - January 14, 2012 via mobile
I think Josh or someone pointed out that we've lost middle infield depth in the upper minors this winter.
So that’s the reason. But I don’t follow that stuff as closely as others, so I dunno.
shoemile - January 14, 2012
I would've
rather protected Flaherty than give a spot on the 40 man to Amezaga.
tomas21 - January 14, 2012
Amezega doesn't have a 40-man spot
Dcr18 - January 14, 2012
Clubhouse sale?
Are they doing it this year? Do they have any of the old-school jerseys they wore against the Dodgers?
Ross - January 14, 2012
Yes to the first question
No to the second, at least not that I saw (I left at 1:00, was there for almost an hour). Plenty of hats from that series, though. You have to go to where the live auction is.
gauchodirk - January 14, 2012
Not there this year... too far from Cali...
But thanks for the update, fellow Gaucho
Ross - January 14, 2012
A lot of back and forth with Wood
I guess it’s nice to have him back, but not sure how much he actually helps. I don’t really understand the signing cause $3 million seems like too much for him.
I suppose this is his lifetime achievement contract. Why are most Cub fans easily satisfied by a signing like this? Oh, it’s a nice warm and fuzzy feeling; a predictable ending to a romantic novel.
Cheers to Theo!
propheteer - January 14, 2012
...
…TWSS!!
PacificCub - January 15, 2012
I dont keep up with the minors much unless I look up stats
Man I need to start looking these guys up early. I thought Brett Jackson was black. I am sorry for that.
lshaffer_69 - January 14, 2012
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