Chicago Cubs Headlines for Monday
Could this be the new spring training home of the Cubs?
In not so exciting news,
Naples, Florida is trying to pry the Cubs from the desert to what is quite possibly the craziest state in the Union. But it's closer to the ocean.
A Naples, Fla. Group aiming to lure the Cubs from their spring training site in Mesa, Ariz. has met twice with incoming owner Tom Ricketts and club chairman Crane Kenney.
The Cubs are in the process of selecting a site for a new spring facility, and must decide by next spring whether to exercise a $4.2 million escape clause in their 25-year lease with Mesa. The contract expires in 2016, but the Cubs can leave in 2012 with the buyout.
In a statement to the Naples News, Kenney confirmed the team was exploring potential sites in Naples with Chicago-based Esmark and Naples-based Fifth Avenue Advisors, adding that "Collier County has a number of suitable locations for a world-class spring training facility."
This should keep the comments section abuzz!
For the record, our dear friend
Kap says the Cubs are just getting negotiating leverage to use against the groups from Arizona.
However, there is virtually no chance that the Cubs will leave Arizona and the Cactus League for Florida and the Grapefruit League. The travel in Florida is much tougher with some of the cities much farther apart than the large group of teams that calls the Phoenix area home.
This is called negotiating folks, and as the Cubs look around it drives up the offers from the city of Mesa. And it will, in the end, make the deal that the Cubs agree to that much more lucrative. Look for the Cubs to develop a sort of "Disneyland" for spring training baseball in Arizona, with a hotel and restaurant complex located near the playing field and workout facilities at which the team will train.
In other unexciting news, someone at MLB.com did a special profile on the
early playing days of Derrek Lee.
But by the time the season ended in Rancho Cucamonga, Lee hadn't just provided chicken wings and some good-natured ribbing; he had emerged as a man in every sense of the word.
The most obvious difference was in his physique, a transition Flannery remembers as stark and sudden, not unlike any teenager's transition to becoming an adult. Except with Lee, the stronger he got physically, the more important his mental toughness -- a subtle but steady part of his game -- proved to be.
"That's something that separates the superstars from the real good players," Flannery said. "It's the mental part of it, and that's his strength."
And gleaned from MLBTR.com... Tony LaRussa has signed an extension with the Cards, and the Cards have a new hitting coach: Mark McGwire (insert steroid joke here).
120 Comments
JulieDiCaro said:
I can't believe the Cards hired Mark McGwire. Or maybe I can. Either way, still more proof that the Cardinals are pure evil.
flyball said:
I can totally believe it
gravedigger said:
I know. Because Mark McGwire is a child molester and serial murderer.
Oh, wait, no -- he was a guy who quietly went about hitting a lot of home runs. Yeah, evil.
flyball said:
ha, I was just thinking that McGwire isn't really know for his talkative attitude, which is probably ok for a hitting coach, so we won't even really hear from him
gravedigger said:
Yeah. I don't really get it -- doesn't seem like someone who would make a great coach (but what do I know, I've never been in the clubhouse wit him).
But evil? I don't really see that at all.
flyball said:
i don't think she called him evil
McGwire doesn't really bother me, he did some stuff I don't agree with, but I don't dislike him, and that season was pretty awesome
JulieDiCaro said:
I called the Cardinals evil--not Mark McGwire--he's just kind of pathetic.
gravedigger said:
You implied that he was evil. But still, I don't even see why he's pathetic. I don't get the McGwire bashing.
JulieDiCaro said:
Did you miss his Congressional testimony? It was completely pathetic. If you're going to cheat, at least cheat with conviction like Raffy did. Don't cheat, set a record, and cry about it when you're on the hot seat.
Though I do believe that the Congressional hearings were completely stupid.
flyball said:
Raffy was worse
flyball said:
in the hearings I mean
JulieDiCaro said:
Morally, yes. But he was sexy about it.
flyball said:
yeah, I don't get your crush on him
gravedigger said:
Me either. Blech.
JulieDiCaro said:
what? there's a reason he was on the viagara commercials, people. raffy= sexy.
or at least he was, before he started telling everyone he needed viagara.
secdelahc said:
I'm gonna have to disagree on this one. He never did anything for me, even before the Viagra commercials.
JulieDiCaro said:
Eh--I had a thing for latin guys when I was a teenager. Tell me this isn't a good-looking guy:
http://media.newtimes.com/id/47075/0
he looks like a spanish count!
gravedigger said:
First, mustache = ew. Second, he looks like someone who would appear to be wearing a sweater when naked.
JulieDiCaro said:
that mustache is awesome. raffy is the only guy around who can pull off a full-fledged pornstache.
millertime said:
Look how many lines this now takes up!
What have you done?!?
This must stop before someone gets hurt!
JulieDiCaro said:
YEAHHHHHHH!!!! I'm out here, Jerry, and I'm loving it!
AndCounting said:
If growing up in the Reagan era has taught me anything about Congressional hearings it's this: when you get asked questions that could implicate you in anything, you don't answer that crap. You don't recall, you are not aware, or you don't want to talk about the past.
JulieDiCaro said:
or you wag your finger at America and act insulted that the question was even asked. that's my favorite.
AndCounting said:
The Clinton/Palmeiro approach, yes. That just lands you back in court. Divas.
AndCounting said:
Remember in '98 when all the TV broadcasts would show comparisons between Sosa and McGwire's new, more compact swings and their swings from previous years? I've always wondered how much of that change should be attributed to performance enhancers (or rather, the improved strength and power brought on by working out in conjunction with using PEDs) and what was the product of better hitting technique.
There's no question that the surge in home run production for both McGwire and Sosa coincided with a change in their swings. But I don't know if that change would have been possible on a natural basis. If it is, McGwire could make a fine hitting coach. If it's not, he'll make a wonderful dietitian.
flyball said:
I love Arizona, its a beautiful state and Mesa isn't a bad place to visit at all, but Naples would be so much easier for me to go see spring training at
JulieDiCaro said:
I don't think Mesa should sweat it. Florida will be underwater soon, anyway.
flyball said:
a couple of teams just switched from the grapefruit league to cactus, Florida is going to try and get someone back
millertime said:
Tony LaRussa has signed an extension with the Cards, and the Cards have a new hitting coach: Mark McGwire. What is he, a gay fish?
JulieDiCaro said:
Kerry Wood is on WGN morning news. He looks great. :)
flyball said:
time for the bowling tournament?
JulieDiCaro said:
Something for Children's, not sure what.
I'm looking for the link. Sometimes it's amazing how he's gone from being a chubby kid with acne to a full-fledged babe.
secdelahc said:
As long as he doesn't have that thing on his chin, I will agree.
gravedigger said:
You are attracted to the strangest looking men.
Excepting, of course, Max Power.
JulieDiCaro said:
You say this because I like guys who look like guys.
gravedigger said:
So do I.
flyball said:
I completely agree with Julie on Kerry Wood
JulieDiCaro said:
What about Garrett Jones? He was just named to the 2009 Rookie All-Star team. I think we can all agree on him.
http://indianapolis.metromix.com/content_image/thumbnail/3x4/180/1243982
flyball said:
I'm pretty sure with this group we'll never agree on anything related to guys
gravedigger said:
He's not ugly.
AndCounting said:
Yahoo Sports is floating the rumor that Vlad the Impaler is done in Los Angeles of Anaheim. His contract runs out after this season, so he could be available as a free agent. It raises some interesting questions:
1) Are Vlad's days as a right fielder over? (he played only two games in right this injury-riddled year)
2) Would Vlad's absence from the LAA lineup create a void the Halos would want to fill with Milton Bradley? (in a trade for someone other than Vlad, of course)
3) If the answer to question 1 is no and the answer to question 2 is yes, what are the chances the Cubs go after Vlad?
4) Is any of this at all interesting?
Doc said:
Vlad is a DH.
This team already has 2 other DHs (Fox and Hufflepuff), and 3 if you count Bradley...4 if you count Soriano too.
AndCounting said:
So you're saying there's a high probability he winds up with the Cubs?
gravedigger said:
Exactly.
Doc said:
ugh...unfortunately, yes.
millertime said:
MB and Soriano aren't that horrible of fielders. MB is above average, Soriano was slightly below average this year(The past two he's been above average). At least according to my very brief research at The Hardball Times.
gravedigger said:
Vlad's done.
Doc said:
I can just see Mark McGuire teaching players to hit.
"Ok, so, in a 0-1 count, what you do is look for a fast ball and then just hit it out of the ballpark. In a 1-1 count, look for a change up and hit it out of the ballpark. In a 0-2 count, look for a curveball and hit it out of the ballpark. Is any of this getting through to you kids?"
JulieDiCaro said:
Hahahahahaha!
That made me LOL.
flyball said:
he is clearly the master of situational hitting
JulieDiCaro said:
he's also extremely clutch.
millertime said:
Blackhawks play tonight, on Versus Network. At some time tonight. Somewhere. Against some team.
gravedigger said:
pancreas
gravedigger said:
Estonia
Doc said:
GD is flipping out on us again.
gravedigger said:
I'm bored and you all are not entertaining me.
gravedigger said:
Rambo.
gravedigger said:
windmills.
Doc said:
Well, there's nothing to talk about with the Cubs...so do you want to talk about the Bears? Or at least the Pee Wee team that is currently calling themselves the Bears?
Doc said:
I just noticed that the planet Mars is getting dangerously close to Wrigley Field.
JulieDiCaro said:
that's a harvest moon.
AndCounting said:
From what I remember from Harry Potter, that should be an indication that the Cubs and Yankees are headed for an epic battle of good vs. evil. If Lou Piniella is Dumbledore, this is not good news.
Doc said:
Then who is Harry?
AndCounting said:
If we're going by facial scarring, it will have to be someone from the crashing-into-stuff school of thought.
JulieDiCaro said:
I don't like where you're going with this. Stop right there.
gravedigger said:
Isn't Hendry Dumbledore?
JulieDiCaro said:
there's no way hendry is dumbledore.
tyler colvin is harry.
JulieDiCaro said:
Dumbledore would have never signed Aaron Miles!
AndCounting said:
He would. And what's worse, he would give him a second chance. Who knows? Maybe Miles has Longbottom tendencies.
AndCounting said:
Hendry's Fudge. Crane Kenney could be Fudge, too, but I think anybody higher up than Hendry isn't allowed to play in this game.
Doc said:
It's too bad we aren't including the Cardinals here...because Tony LaRussa would make a great Prof. Snape...and Malfoy would be Khalil Green (he just looks like him!)
JulieDiCaro said:
colin his first mancrush--on DeWayne "The Rock" Johnson. i'm so relived that it's not like, the jonas brothers, or something.
gravedigger said:
what would be wrong with the jonas brothers?
JulieDiCaro said:
Look, I didn't spend my children's formative years cramming their sleeping brains with the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Cat Stevens so they would grow up and listen to the #$*@$&$%@#$@ Jonas Brothers.
flyball said:
see, thats why I didn't know any 80s music until 1996
millertime said:
Have him listen to White Stripes. Or The Black Keys. They're at least relevant, and still making music.
flyball said:
you forgot Red Wanting Blue
millertime said:
I haven't heard of Red Wanting Blue. Where can I steal their music?
flyball said:
I know they play shows in the area frequently
thisyearcub said:
Black Keys are stellar. I think they're going to be the next killer band to rise up, following the trend of Kings of Leon
JulieDiCaro said:
they listen to a lot of music: Pablo Nutini, Mendoza Line, Jack Johnson, The Ramones, The Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, Old Crow Medicine Show, etc.
But definitely not the Jonas Brothers.
Doc said:
no Styx?
millertime said:
Fuck Styx. Spinal Tap is way better than both.
Umbra said:
You crammed their sleeping brains with Cat Stevens and you honestly expect us not to make fun of you?
JulieDiCaro said:
How can you have gone to a hippie school like UW Madison and not like Cat Stevens?
Umbra said:
I have Tea for the Tillerman on my iTunes. I just think it's weenie-music. The sensitive stylings of his light acoustic pop rock can be lost on many children, souring them forever on all music artists named 'Cat' and 'Stevens'.
And then they would be denied Cat Power and Sufjan Stevens. Do you want to live in a world without Cat Power and Sufjan Stevens, Julie? Think of the children!
JulieDiCaro said:
Whatever. They love "Moonshadow."
So suck it.
Dmband said:
Kudos to you for exposing your kids to the right music.
For relevant, current tunes, I am big fan of Airborne Toxic Event...they just played an awesome show at the Metro.
JulieDiCaro said:
Is there any good reason the WS doesn't start tonight?
flyball said:
because its Monday?
JulieDiCaro said:
heh--because 'house' is on.
flyball said:
actually, that makes me think its probably because of football
Doc said:
yes...because Fox hates us.
Dmband said:
The fact that the WS goes into November now is just plain stupid. Perhaps with two east coast teams this year, weather will play a role again and they will realize its just dumb playing this late.
Doc said:
We should just forget about the playoff...
Get rid of the divisions.
Just have the National League and the American League...and the champion of each league's regular season plays in the World Series...and then we Cubs fans can begin to hope again sooner.
millertime said:
Wisconsin should get rid of the Bucks, and get a pro hockey team. Tell your friends.
Umbra said:
Gooooooooo Muskies!
Umbra said:
Blackhawks Recall Eau Claire's Own Jake Friggin' Dowell From Rockford to Join Burish
Skille was sent down to Rockford last week, or else we'd really be having fun.
millertime said:
He goes back and forth to Rockford every week.
A line of Dowell, Burish, and Skille would just be too much for an NHL team to handle.
Dmband said:
I have been saying for sometime, they should get rid of the month of August....games wise, I mean. Seriously 162 games? Thats a bit excessive. This way, the playoffs would be pushed back and end in the first week of Oct, so we can all move on with our football lives (if you are in to that sort of thing).
Probably a dumb idea, but it would solve a lot of problems...course there is that whole teams losing money issue that may arise with that proposal.
JulieDiCaro said:
I actually LIKE the playoffs running into November. . it helps minimize the amount of time between the WS and Spring Training, which is especially helpful to me when the Bears and IU Basketball stink (see, e.g., 2008-2009).
I just don't like off-days.
millertime said:
Hasn't IU saved up enough money to buy another championship caliber team by now?
JulieDiCaro said:
Oh, aren't you hilarious?
And UW-Whitewater last went to the Big Dance when?
millertime said:
Ahh, I see. Yes, your Division I school is much better at basketball than my Division III school. Shocker. At least Whitewater wins national championships (Football, and wheelchair basketball. Suck it).
You know who else is better than Whitewater AND India at basketball? The Lakers.
millertime said:
Btw, the Blackhawks have a guy playing for them named John Madden.
millertime said:
Kill Jake Dowell Kill! Kill! Kill!
millertime said:
Wild Power Play Over. Crisis Averted.
millertime said:
GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bolland on a rebound! 1-0 Blackhawks!
millertime said:
Jake Dowell in a fight! Kick his ass Jake!
millertime said:
Power Play coming up for the Blackhawks.
Power!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Play!!!!!!!!!!!!
Power!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Play!!!!!!!!!!!!
millertime said:
Goal!!!!!!!!!!! 2-0 Hawks!
millertime said:
Ugh, Wild on another powerplay.
Kill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
millertime said:
End of Period 1, Hawks with the lead.
Little Bear said:
What should I put on my dorm doorto decorte for Halloween? We are havin a competition
millertime said:
1. New Moon decorations.
2. Pumpkins
3. Simpsons Treehouse of Horror themed.
Little Bear said:
We decided on a Halloween football field with Little Packers and Viking players since the "big game" is this week. (Scary) but instead of helmets they have jack-o-lanterns for heads (My idea,Emma is helping)
Carl Heartscubs Gierhan said:
Thinly sliced sections of human brain
JulieDiCaro said:
embarrassing photos of your brothers.
Little Bear said:
We have little kids coming to trick-or-treat, it can be too scary.
Little Bear said:
*Can't
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