We're not holding anything back tonight on GOPN. It's an off night. I've wanted to write this for quite some time. I understand that the majority of people that show up to Wrigley Field are folks that don't know much about the game of baseball. This is true at any stadium. 40,000 fans at any given stadium are usually filled mostly novices. That said, I still have the below problems with Cub fans:
1. The 'W' Flag
The 'W' flag, for lack of a better term, is dumb. When it first came to be, the W flag was a useful tool to inform nearby people who could not attend the game (most people didn't want to for fear of being mugged outside a nasty Wrigleyville) of the result of that day's game. Since then, their has been this wonderful evolution called TV that gives us the ability to hear what the result of the Cubs game at any time of the day. The W flag has no necessity anymore.
I should take the time to let people know that, believe it or not, there's actually something called an 'L' flag! WOW! Yes, sir, a real live L flag! When the Cubs lose, they fly that lame ass 'L' flag. Apparently this is to let the 1920's newsies hear of it before they grab their papers. Lame.
Here's an idea, if you're going to put the W flag outside of your car keep an 'L' flag, as well. This way, if the Cubs lose, you can inform the public of your team's demise. I know of one couple in Libertyville that has both flags, and they update their home with each result. I have no problem with that.
What I do have a problem with are people that carry around the W flag, just to carry it around. What the fuck does it mean? I mean, really. What the fuck are you saying? The Cubs won? You want the Cubs to win? You are going to be the first Superman to wear a W for a cape instead of a red one? What the hell? Seriously.
Do yourself a favor if you own a W flag, and don't own the L flag; hang yourself.
2. 2007 NL Central Divsion Champion Car Flag
You're proud that your team won the worst division in baseball with a meesely 85-77 mark? You live in a city where the opposing fanbase actually won this thing called the World Series. You realize this, do you? You realize your biggest rival in the NL won the championship in2006, as well? Do you realize that every rival fan base LAUGHS AT YOU FOR SUCH A LAME ASS THING TO BE HANGING OUTSIDE OF YOUR CAR?!
Do yourself a favor: take your celebration of that 85-80 team, go down Michigan Avenue, have yourself a parade. Then go blow yourself.
3. Go Cubs Go
This song sucks. It sucked when I was a kid. It sucked when they tried to bring it back. It sucks now. You know what doesn't suck? Lake Shore Drive. They should play that song after every Cubs game. It would become a massive sensation. But we're stuck with the lamest song in baseball. Thanks, Steve.
4. The 'It's Gonna Happen' sign
Open dialogue to IGH people:
Remember this?
Oh, wait. You probably don't. The majority of you that I have gathered here tonight at the local Knights of Columbus in Manteno, Illinois probably don't know who Randy Myers was.
You're probably also wondering why I have bound the majority of you have carried the large Cubs signs in extremely tight roping. You may also wonder why I have 300 gallons of gasoline, and 2 tons of dynamite to the left of me, as well. Well, the answer is this: You were all dumb enough to raise an 'It's Gonna Happen' sign at a Cubs game. Now, you are all in trouble.
You probably didn't realize that this retarded drunk day-trader charged a meaningful Cubs game in September 1995. He charged one of the Cubs' best players, during the biggest game of the year. Then, he had the audacity to return to Wrigley, sell lame ass signs that have no signifance whatsoever to the Chicago Cubs, and have prepubescent boys from Winnetka raise the signs in their manpris.
Nobody who has watched this team for any period longer than five years would ever state 'It's Gonna Happen.' You are all obviously morons, and deserved to be shot. I will now release all of you from Manteno.
5. Facepaint
If you let your kid, a. skateboard, b. get his face painted before a Cubs game, or c. get an earring...
you should
d. Get shot
6. The Bleachers
Once upon a time the bleachers of Wrigley Field were filled with this odd collective of humanity. Gosh, I can't think of what they were called! What was it...hmmm...hemmm...hawwww...
OH, YEAH! Workers! They were usually night shift workers that could catch a day game at Wrigley. People who were actors who had their days open. It was a collection of Americana. That's what made the Bleachers great. The gambling, the cursing, the drinking, the cavorting, the overwhelming amount of regular guy baseball knowledge, etc.
Now? It costs upward of sixty dollars for one bleacher ticket to sit around drunken frat boy, and retarded 'W' flag waving retreads. Did I say the ticket costs sixty dollars? Blow me, bleachers. I'll pay my 12-15 in SRO.
7. The Wrigley Field name crusaders
I don't need to get in deep with these neanderthals. I'm thinking of making a sign that says "VERIZON PARK at COMCAST FIELD...IT'S GONNA HAPPEN!"
Way to kill two birds with one stone.
8. Mark Prior jersey winners
He's not a Cub. Get a new jersey. Your current one is about as effective as Darryl Kile.
9. "I'm a lifelong Cubs fan"
Oh. Really? You were a Cubs fan when you were one years old? Two years old? Three? Just do yourself a favor, shut up. You start being a Cubs fan when you can first comprehend just how fucked up of a situation you got yourself into...for me that was when I watched Frank Lucchessi manage the Cubs, 1987. Pick your time.
10. Read the outfielders on a fly ball
Just a note to all Cub fans, really. This was mentioned on HJE a couple weeks back. Just read the outfielders. Read the body language. Their has been only ONE player in my life who I KNEW when the ball left his bat it was a home run. That was Ryne Sandberg. For some reason, the way the ball left his bat was routine. You knew when it was gone.
So, if it's not Ryno for me...I still watch the outfielders.
Coming soon, Most underrated things about the Cubs that people don't appreciate ENOUGH.
19 comments:
John,
This was one of the lamest, most disturbing posts I've read in a long time. You obviously have some very deeply seated psychological problems and should seek professional help immediately.
Go Cubs Go!
The "It's Gonna Happen" guy is a retard.
He had his own son who looked like he was about 7 selling his stuff outside the bleachers when I took my girlfriend to a game in late June. Of course, the retards who don't know a damn thing about the Cubs in front of me bought them.
That's what you call marketing. You might not like it, but it's making a lot of people rich. It sells, and will continue to sell.
It's great marketing. You might not like the W flag, or "Go Cubs Go" but it sells.. That's what it's about. It's about marketing and reaching out to all types of people. Take a look at the Blackhawks, they're starting to do the same type of stuff.. It's about bringing in as many fans as you can.
The truth is the Cub are much better off with all types of fans.. It's what is best for the Cubs. Having the second most fans in all of baseball is what's best for this franchise. It makes no difference if they understand how to make a double switch or if they're are at Wrigley getting a tan. They all love the Cubs. That's what makes the Cubs so special.. Some fans love the W flag, while other fans like to memorize every Cub fact since 1900.
It's just a baseball game, not the cure for cancer. No need to get so thick with spittle over it all.
I really don't know where you're going with this.. Your post makes no sense. You sound like a 90 year old bitter White Sox fan. Are u a closet White Sox fan that pulled for them in 2005? I wouldn't put it past you.
JD-
#4 is priceless. Shoot em all I say and let the paramedics sort 'em out.
As for this marketing nonsense bringing all kinds of nitwits to the great Cub shrine remember this, until the Trib decided it needed to bail out their sagging newspaper, all those marketing profits went into dividend checks for the fatcats not the baseball club. The leading fan base in NY must have more knowledgeable baseball fans at one baseball game than then the Cubs do in one month at Wrigley.
#11. Anyone, Ron Santo excluded because he has suffered enough, who refers to the Cubs using the word Cubbies, line 'em up and shoot 'em with the rest JD.
JD-
#4 is priceless. Shoot em all I say and let the paramedics sort 'em out.
As for this marketing nonsense bringing all kinds of nitwits to the great Cub shrine remember this, until the Trib decided it needed to bail out their sagging newspaper, all those marketing profits went into dividend checks for the fatcats not the baseball club. The leading fan base in NY must have more knowledgeable baseball fans at one baseball game than then the Cubs do in one month at Wrigley.
#11. Anyone, Ron Santo excluded because he has suffered enough, who refers to the Cubs using the word Cubbies, line 'em up and shoot 'em with the rest JD.
Klute, since you're such a smart baseball fan then you should take yourself to New York and pull for the Yanks. I think you would fit right in. They sure love to second guess in NY..
klute, i agree with cubfanbudman...the only thing i ever see on this blog is you second guess...second guess howry, and pie for fukudome.. are you sick... is it just me or has felix pie shown nothing to resemble a major league hitter and by the way isnt jason dubois hitting like 3 something at aaa with a bunch of home runs...why are you trotting his name out there...oh by the way hows edmonds looking now..werent you the one second guessing the signing.. just cheer on our team or shut up and in cfbm's words move to new york..you know what... i changed my mind.. i want you to keep second guessing everything cause it always blows up in your face and the cubs are actually successful.. so keep second guessing you closet sox fan..
klute...is your real name "jay mariotti" with the stirring of the pot i swear thats you blogging here..
what do you have against flags? is it because you weren't allowed on the rhythmic flag dancing team in high-school. francis scott key just rolled over in his grave. the two things i hate about cubdom:
1. I can't find a Vance Law t-shirt anywhere.
2. heartbreak
I am not one to post but I do read. That being said, I like the "W" flag and the go cubs go song. I consider them attributes to Wrigley Field not the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Its Sweet Caroline and blocks of streets blocked off at Fenway. Its personal opinion in what you like and its not dumb. Dumb is saying Pie is answer to Fukodome and his still .370 OBP. I feel some people think that their baseball knowledge entitles them to more joy or heartache over just thst of just a "casual" fan. It is what it is, like what you like, but a lot of what you mentioned is personal preferences and opinions.
Actually I was born in NY and until my family moved to Chicago I was a Yankee fan. Still root for them as far as AL teams go. You are however wrong about my allegiance to the Cubs and my hatred for the Sox. Just making a point JD made about who is in the stands at Wrigley and the difference is night and day compared to Yankee Stadium.
As far as Edmonds goes, I can't think of anybody here who at best gave anymore than a fingers crossed endorsement of him, so get your facts straight.
Do I look with a microscope about everything Cubs? You bet your ass I do. Does it make me over analyse? You bet your ass it does that to. But to say Fukake isn't a big disappointment is assinine and if you read fucking English, all I said was that the spinning top should hit 8th and if there is no improvement, sit his ass down.
So the next spoiled nephew of John McDonough that claims the Trib did anything more than line their pockets with revenue from peanuts to the Prime Tickets fiasco should indeed be shot in the head, not once, but twice.
As for Anonymous, Manteno has programs for people with identity disorders.
Hey, Guys!
I love the Cubs!
See! I just posted 10 things I love about them!
The things I posted are usually loved by the masses, as Pat said. It sells. What are you gonna do? It's just a part of the game. It's just that I've become old, crusty, and angry.
I wanna watch my Cubs in peace and quiet...which I usually do.
I can't really complain about anything, truth be told. The boys in blue are in first place.
SLIPPIN ON BY ON LSD, FRIDAY NIGHT TROUBLE BOUND!
I don't know Klute, I went to Yankee stadium a year ago and I didn't see much of a difference compared to Wrigley in terms of fans. Oh except for when a rock concert broke out because the Yanks scored a run. Their gay jumbotron started going crazy, and for a second I though was at some 8th grade dance.
Everyone knows I have a ton of respect for the Yanks and Red Sox but they have just as many idiots at their games as the Cubs. I also spent a year living in PA listening to a lot of NY radio. Lets just say the stupid radar was blasting.
Klute,
BTW you don't analyse.. All u do is second guess. You don't give anyone credit, but you love to criticize. There's a big difference. As for Edmonds, plenty of us felt that this was a good risk. I know of only two people on this blog to jump all over Hendry for taking a shot at Edmonds.
Nobody thought he would be this good, but most people felt it was worth the risk.
CFBM,
You're certainly entitled to your opinions and maybe the points I try to make come across as criticizm. But telling it how it is concerning Fukake is not second guessing or anything other than an objective observation of his performance. Just because I was on his bandwagon earlier in the year and am now raking him over the coals doesn't change the fact that a subpar offensive performance that lasts almosts 3 three months is more than a slump. Fukake is overmatched at this point pure and simple and no matter how much I'd like for him to turn it around to help the team, he's just not getting it done. Piniella's replaced most everybody else since he's been here that hasn't performed the way expected and Fuakake should be treated no differently.
Klute,
When it comes to Fukudome I am on your side. You know that. I've been on his case for over a month. You've seen the comments I have posted about him. He's not getting the job done right now. I agree with you regarding Fukudome.
That said, he needs to continue to play and work out of it. Where I disagree with you is how u make him out to be Ichiro in April, and now he's Todd Hundley. Fukuome is not as good as he played in April, and he is not as bad as he is playing now. He is somewhere in between..
Point well taken CFBM.
I don't think I expected Fukake to be the hit machine Ichiro was, but I did think he'd be able to stay disciplined at the plate, which his strikeout totals indicate he surely hasn't.
I also thought Fukake would drive the ball better for a little more power, which he hasn't done either.
The press clipings from Japan had many of us beleiving Fukake's numbers would translate better than they actually have.
Can Fukake work his way out of this? Indications are he has a big enough body of work to say yes, but at what timetable?
A frightening prospect would be he'd mirror Kaz Matsui, who has turned into pretty much the player they thought he would be based on his resume in Japan, but only after a couple of disastorous seasons in NY.
If Piniella continues to start Fukake, let's just hope the rest of the team can continue to carry his dead weight. I just can't beleive any other player would be given this much rope.
What's disturbing is in a recent Trib article, when it was suggested Fukake may be pressing and changing his approach, Fukake said he hasn't changed much of anything.
Well here's the news... you better start changing your approach at the plate because it sure looks like the opposing pitchers have changed their appoach to how they pitch to you.
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