wrigley field

New Sports Thought Thursday Blog Chicago Cubs And Joe Maddon

 

In this Sports Thought Thursday Blog, we are going to get into the new hiring and firing of their managers.  After another year of losing and celebrating 100 years of Wrigley Field, it was time for some more changes on the field and managing team.  There was some good things that happen under Rick Renteria.  Let’s get into the 2014 year.

 

2014 Season

The Chicago Cubs record was 73 – 89 record.  Winning percent was .451.  They had a winning record at home.  They started out the season really slow and former pitcher Jeff Samardzija struggled to get his first one in the first month of the season.  He gave the Cubs some good to excite games.  They were below .500 for the first half of the season but as soon as the trade deadline came around and they traded off some key pieces.  They kind of turn their season around.  You saw the growth of Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro and a come back year and career of Jake Arrieta.  They saw part of their second half season with long winning streaks.  They saw some of their top prospects come up to the majors and help them win.  The sad thing is Rick earn to come back and he helped the growth of the kids. This is what the front office wanted.


New Manager

This is a business decision and there is no way to be loyal to someone when the goal is to win the World Series.  When a top five manager in the game comes available, you hire him.  This goes for any business or any sport.  They are not saying this is going to happen or not.  This does not guarantee a World Series but this sends a huge message to their fans and rest of the teams in baseball.  They were entering free agency looking to sign a top pitcher for their rotation.  More kids are coming to the majors in a few years.  Joe Madden experience young but talented team a few years ago with Tampa Rays.  He won AL East when the Red Soxs and Yankees were still really good teams along with Orioles team up and coming.  He also took a team to the World Series for the first time in team history.  He was manager of the year. Joe Madden left the Rays because of his former GM, who was Andrew Friendman, now works for the LA Dodgers.

Closing, I agree with everyone and the front office of the Chicago Cubs.  Yes, it sucks and unfair.  He does deserve better.  However, when a coach of his standards and elite comes available, you go and hire him.  This improves the Chicago Cubs.  This makes it easier for free agents to come to Chicago to play for Cubs.  They have not won the World Series in over 100 years.  The attitude of the team has changed since Theo and company came to aboard.  Joe completes the message from the front office to the dugout.  The players of the Chicago Cubs are going to have so much fun on the field that is something Joe brings to the field. This is something that has not been there on the Northside in a long time. I feel better being a Chicago Cubs fan.  The front office is not saying it but I believe this is the coach that will bring my Chicago Cubs a World Series.  I cannot wait for next season and beyond.  Go get yours Cubs and Go Cubbies!    Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser16

New Sport Thought Thursday Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field

In this Sport Thought Thursday, we are going to get into the debate on the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field.  We are going to review the history of Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field.  I do not think that the general baseball fan know they both have different history.  Let us get into this debate.

Chicago Cubs History

The history of Chicago Cubs started as Chicago White Stockings in 1870 by defeating the St Louis Unions.  In 1876, the White Stockings join the newly formed league known as the National League.  In 1907 and 1908, the Chicago Cubs became the first team in Major Baseball League to win back to back World Series.  They beat the Ty Cobb’s Detroit Tigers.  Everyone knows the history of never winning another World Series after that.  They are now own by Ricks and they are in rebuilding mode, which is being rebuild by former GM of the Boston Red Sox.  Red Sox just like the Cubs went on a long just like the Cubs.

Wrigley Field History

The history of the Wrigley Field is just as rich as the Chicago Cubs.  Wrigley Field was home of the Chicago Whales of the Federal League when it opened back in 1914.  In  that year, the field was known as Weeghman Park.  When the Chicago Cubs moved into the field after the Federal League folded in 1916.  The field was called Cub Park.  It was renovated in 1937 and 1988.  It was expanded in 1922, 1927, and 2006.  To build this field, back in the day was $250,000 in 1914, which today will equal $5.73 million.  This field is one of the smallest in the league.

State of Wrigley Field Today

Today, the Chicago Cubs as a business is taking a hard look at Wrigley Field. They need to restore the field and they know it.  They are looking at putting up more Ads throughout the ballpark that the previous owners would not do.  They are also looking to put more signs behind the bleachers. The problem is the rooftops are complaining that it would block their views into the ballpark.  Does this sound wrong?  It is wrong because the Chicago Cubs only get a small percentage of the ticket sales from the rooftops.  The ads they could put up behind the bleachers would cover their small percentage that they get from the rooftops and more in about a season. The other problem is the neighborhood around Wrigley Field and it does not help that the field is a historical landmark.  The Ricks, who own the Chicago Cubs, would have to get permission from the state and the neighborhood to do anything in and around Wrigley.

In closing, I believe it would be best for the Chicago Cubs to move out of Wrigley Field.  This is the reason why.  They are profitable at Wrigley Field because it is a tourist event.  I am not saying that is the fan base.  They are getting most of their money from the box office.  They cannot put signs throughout the park because of the rooftop that are stealing the product on the field.  Yes, they are giving money to the Cubs but not at what the Chicago Cubs Could make on ads.  Yes, the Chicago Cubs could fix up the locker room, etc.  They want to make sure they can do everything not somethings.  I believe Rosemont deal will help the Cubs get what they want out of the City of Chicago and the neighborhood.  I believe you will see no more rooftops in the future if the Chicago Cubs stay at Wrigley Field.  I believe the Chicago Cubs will not be playing baseball in the city limits soon. I could be wrong. Please let me know what your thoughts are about this.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser