Either go back to using WGN for the main coverage of games of the Cubs or add Cubs network that is available to all of the nation and either free or very affordable/ cheap. A big part of the reason that the Cubs have such a nation wide following is that they were available to the entire nation to watch. Also I do not think that I personally will be able to justify paying the 200 that it cost to get MLB package on directv, my internet connection is not fast enough for internet package. Also I would say to just put a better product out on the field without sacrificing our future, whether that is giving up top minor leaguers or long large contracts that hinder future moves. I do believe a little tinkering is obviously needed as shown by our not making the playoffs but not a complete overall is needed as shown by two division titles followed up by what was a winning record. When is the last time the Cubs had 3 straight winning seasons? Go Cubs and I'm already excited about what the new ownership will do, finally one of us in charge. Next year is right around the corner.

Mr Ricketts:

First of all, congratulations on your purchase of the Chicago Cubs. If I may, I would like to offer some suggestions that may enhance your vision that you have for the organization and it's fans.

* Please ditch the guest conductor of the 7th inning stretch. Some are good, but most most are horrible. Plus, they get to hang around with Len and Bob and talk about drivel. How about a recording of Haray Caray? That would be a great way oh honoring him.

* More night games! Day games should be played on Saturday and Sunday, with the rest played on weekday get away days.

* Ivy Walls? Is it possible to replace those walls with the kind that you can crash into? That way, you can put advertisments on it.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

* Be an advocate for instant replay.

* Hold your GM, scouting department, Manager and players accountable.

Mr Ricketts; my suggestions
1-Bring Stone back as a GM.
2-Bring in Sandberg as the bench coach[ it could be a good experience for him getting ready for 2011]
3-Get Duncan as a Pitching coach and watch Z,Smardija and Wells become aces.
4-Assuming Bradley goes, we stil need a centerfielder...

1. Get the payroll in line.. too much money going to to few players..
2. Stop with the no trade clauses... Tough doing business this way.. #1 and #2
3. Don't even think of trading our young players away.. Lou wants an RBI player for the middle of the lineup. I have nightmares of him selling off the farm team for another Milton Bradley.. The team needs to get younger and faster.
4. Go to a national network for the Cubs games..

Good morning CCO. Great Idea Suzy and as always great implementation Neil...
Let's get to it. This is gonna be long.
General:
1. I agree that Comcast has been a solid vehicle in the Chicago area. I also agree that dollars speak volumes. But you need to consider what got you here. Your rabid fan base, Like myself; a Wisconsinite, comes from places far from Chicago. Appeal to them again and make your games available to the masses.

2. Leave the scoreboard alone, leave the ivy alone (with better padding behind it), leave the bricks alone, Leave the name Wrigley Field alone and leave the rooftops alone...But the rest of Wrigley Field, blow it up. Demolish it right where it stands and Erect the exact same thing, just modernized and expanded to 50,000 seats. Keep the Marquis of course. You know you will sell out. The Cubs get a new stadium. The Fans get Wrigley Field, and the you, Mr Ricketts get more seats. More seats more $$$, We all know that you will sell out 50,000 every day.

3. The 7th inning stretch... a Wrigley tradition implemented by Haray, remembered for Haray. I like the idea of a recording, maybe you can play it on your new HD TV you place somewhere in the outfield....see above. I would love to hear "Alriiiiiggght...Lemme hear ya"!

Personell
1. Mr. Ricketts, Mr Hendry has been a scourge on the bankroll of this team. Think about the names that us, your loyal followers want gone: Bradley, Gregg, Miles, Hellman....see a theme??? All brought in to affect some tweaking to a 97 win team on the perverbial doorstep. This Organization needs the next Theo Epstein. A closer, a guy who gets it done and does it right. With creativity, youth, exuberance and skill.

2. Sit down and have a serious talk with Mr. Piniella. Do you want one more season??? If not, I have Mr. Brenly for a year, Mr. Trammel for a year, I have a host of options. But in 2011, I am Hiring Ryne Sandberg as my Manager...Final enough said, and announce it immediately after you announe the managerial position for 2010.

3. Agressively pursue, Rudy Jaramillo as the hitting coach, and explain that he will be retained through a 4 year contract.

4. Fire Larry Rothschild immediately and reach out to Greg Maddux as the Pitching coach to be signed to a 5+ year contract.

5. Re-assess the player model for drafts...Less of the most athletic, and more pure baseball player!

6. Set the Payroll to 145 MIl for this season with a promise that it will reduce to 130 MIl over the next 3 seasons with awful backloaded contracts coming off. It will remain at 130 Mil for the foreseeable future unless you deem it neccesary to get the next Albert Pujols or a player of franchise changing proportions.

7. Agressively pursue Carl Crawford. You can win in 2010 with that guy in CF.

Thanks for listening! You have a great opportunity to own one of the greatest franchises in sports, with the best fan base in sports! You have a lot of work to do, and you have to do it right! This franchise can do great things, and when it does break through finally, I see 2-3 titles in the decade to follow. Sunny days are coming, Part the clouds for us Mr. Ricketts. Keep our Cubby blue hearts warm and fulfilled for many years to come. WELCOME!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Chris (Loyal Cub follower since 1980 (I was 4).

Continue to reduce the number of games televised on WGN. In contrast to the writer who said all Cubs games should be broadcast on WGN, Tom Ricketts should find all ways to maximize revenue in order to put better players on the field and to give Cubs players decent facilities. Broadcasting games on WGN does not do this--hundreds of thousands of dollars are lost each game!

Cubs fans can't demand ownership to sign free agents (Chone Figgins) while begging for more WGN games. Wise up, have some financial/economic sense, and consult logic.

Mr. Ricketts, First, thank you so very much for taking our Cubs out of the hands of Mr. Zell and the Tribune Company. A few suggestions (hopes):
1. Please, please consider firing Larry Rothschild and doing ANYTHING you can to hire Greg Maddox in his place.
2. I believe that it is time to fire Jim Hendry. His decisions for the last year have been beyond horrible. Everyone in baseball knew that Milton Bradley was a horrible choice - everyone but Jim Hendry.
3. Lou Pinella with his "I'm only going to play my veterans" attitude hurt the team this year. Bob Brenly has proven himself. Please consider hiring Mr. Brenly to manage.
4. Please insist that we get a more defensive outfield (Fuld, Johnson, Fukedome). I know that offense is important, but with Soriano being so weak defensively, we can't afford any other weak links.
5. Do whatever you think best with the 7th inning stretch, but please do not give us any more Harry Carey. Harry was a Cardinal fan his whole life. When they dumped him, he swallowed his pride and signed with the white sox and then the cubs. But I cannot forget his animosity for the cubs for all of those years. Please no recordings of Harry for the stretch.
Thanks!

My suggestions are as follows:

1. Hire Steve Stone as the General Manager. His insight may not help the Cubs win a World Series, but he knows how to set things up in the organization.

He will have people in the minors teaching the players the "right" way to play baseball.

He will get all the minor league managers and coaches to teach things the same way or he will hire people that will do so accordingly.

He will get rid of the garbage type of things that have gone on in Chicago the last few years with the Trib owning the Cubs.

2. Give the 7th inning stretch either to one of the announcers to sing EVERY game or pick some sober Cubs fan and let them sing it on a given day.

I've had enough of the Cubs being another late-night-talk-show type of place where someone can come to stump for their new book or movie or concert series. I've had enough of people that get to talk about whatever they're trying to push off on us. It needs to stop.

3. This will be sacrilegious to some, but give it a chance.

Build a new stadium that has Wrigley-like parts to it, but is a better place to play.

The problem that I have with Wrigley doesn't have to do with any of the amenities ( although it would be nice to not stand directly next to someone while urinating into a trough ). The problem that I have with Wrigley is that it is a park where you have to have a near perfect team to get anywhere.

In the Spring and Autumn, you have to have on-base type, small-ball type players. You need team speed. When the wind is blowing out, you need power hitters that can get you the 3 run homer. You need to have good defenders all around but especially in right field which always limits the players you can get in free-agency.

Then you need ground-ball or strike out pitchers to keep the ball out of the air when the wind is blowing out.

In other parks you may be able to get by without an aspect or two, but in Wrigley, you need the whole package to have a decent chance.

That is my reason for a new ball park. I don't hate Wrigley, I just see how it affects the Cubs and makes it difficult for the GM and the manager as well as the players.

Thanks,

Joe from Chicago

Jim C. - I agree 100% with the seventh inning stretch, I would love to hear a recording of Harry. No more guest conductors!

No offense Jeffery, keeps the games on WGN, I am not saying all of them, buts let quit reducing the number. To me, WGN is just as much a part of Cubs baseball, as Wrigley, and the score board. Living in Ohio, I hate it every year when they reduce the number of games on WGN. Hell, when I was growing up I watched more Cubs games than Reds fans watch the Reds. A huge part of the reason you turn on the TV when the Cubs are on the road and you hear more Cubs fans in the seats than the actual home crowd is because of WGN.
There are plenty of other ways to bring in revenue.

Cloy,

You stole a lot of my thunder :-) you da man.

1.) When Lou is done, hire Ryno. We don't need old and tired, we need fresh and hungry. We need someone who understands the whole cubs experience and would work his tail off !

2.) Hire Greg Maddux as pitching coach for same reasons as above.

3.) Rebuild Wrigley in same spot. Tear it down from foul pole to foul pole and modernize it. Bleachers can stay, they were rebuilt a few years ago. I was in new Yankee Staduim 2 months ago. Looks just old stadium but its modernized. Very nice. Do the same for Wrigley. After a couple years, people won't care anymore about the old stadium, it will be distant memory, especially when new stadium will look like old one. (i.e keep the vines, socreboard, marquee)

4.) Instead of signing re-treads at the end of their careers (see Jeromy Burnitz, Jacque Jones, Cliff Floyd, etc -I could go on and on) as a band-aid, let's try and develop some of our own guys from the farm. Everyone always says that fans would not have the patience for rebuilding. I disagree. I think if we had a plan and stuck to it, the fans would LOVE to see younger guys playing.

Signing aging retreads has been a cubs staple for 100 years, and is a huge part of the failure of this team. It's the classic "spinning your wheels".

4.) Bring back the classic road uniforms from the 1960's.

5.) I like the celebrity 7th inning stretch. I don't understand why it upsets some people so much. It's such a minor issue. People need to lighten up.

6.) Don't ever let Pat Hughes go. He's the best radio announcer around. I like Len, but he's a little bland and boring for my tastes. He has the personality of a doorknob. Brenly is excellent. And Ronnie, too.

Mr. Ricketts, we are all very excited you are new owner.

Go Cubs.

I agree with Todd 100%. I live in New York and I am not able to see many games as it is. I strongly agree the Cubs should have their own network, like the Yankees. ( I hate the Yanks, but I like how they have their own network.)
I disagree with Jeffrey. Reducing the number of games on WGN will not make the Cubs money. The Cubs fans just wont be able to watch the games. It is a ridiculous price of 200 dollars for the MLB package, and as a DIE HARD fan I cant pay it. I gotta go to cubs.com for the gameday or come to the CCO for updates. I think the Cubs should have their own network plain and simple.
Thanks Mr. Ricketts

alright, here it goes...

1)demote/fire Jim Hendry. The reason you must do this, is the organization will look like a joke if it does not. You simply cannot keep a GM that continually makes bad decisions. From Jacque Jones to Cliff Floyd (instead of Josh Hamilton), to Soriano (instead of Carlos Lee-who wanted to come here for less $$ and years than Soriano) to letting McGehee go for nothing, then trading DeRosa and not having a fall-back plan, to trading one of our top pitching prospects (Ceda) for a guy (Gregg) coming off knee surgery AND 9 blown saves AND supposedly was set to be non-tendered anyhow by the Marlins. Then, the Bradley debacle, where virtually all of MLB wanted absolutely nothing to do with the guy, and he gave him a 3 year deal. WOW!!! But, it's not just the disappointment of this past year. The reason he must go is his continued mishandling of the draft and scouting personnel hires, along with the epic failure of 2004 to control the team from calling the press box to battle with Stone and Chip Caray, which eventually led to their departures. He's also proven that he will not be held accountable for any of his moves, often having an excuse for every bad move. Leadership starts at the top, and the fact that the GM had excuses for all of his failures, it allowed for everyone underneath him to make excuses (Gregg-tired arm), (Piniella-injuries), (Bradley-fans, umpires, the world), etc.

2)Hire Pat Gillick as interim GM/President. All you have to do is look at his biography to see all the teams he's turned around. In 1985, he became GM of the Blue Jays, and proceeded to win division titles in '85, '89, '91, '92, and '93, with World Series titles in '92 and '93. He left in '95 to rebuild the Orioles into a contender (and the Jays fell into decline after he left). The Orioles won division titles in '96 and '97, and he left in '98 to rebuild the Mariners (the Orioles have not had a winning season since). The Mariners made their only playoff appearances under his watch in 2000 and 2001, with a record-tying 2001 season of 116-46 (which tied our very own record from 1906). He joined the Phillies in 2005, and quickly rebuilt their farm system and turned them into a perennial contender, winning the division in 2007, and the World Series in 2008, and it looks like they might repeat this year, even though he stepped down as GM to be a special advisor. I would ask him to rebuild our farm system and remake the roster, and groom a successor, because at 72 years old, it's quite possible he doesn't want to work the rigorous hours anymore.

3)give Piniella the option of walking out on his own terms (arrange a buy-out), or being fired (which he's claimed he's never been fired, so it clearly shows he has pride issues). The reason you do this, is because he had absolutely no answers this season, and refused to make the obvious moves that made him so successful in 2007 and 2008 with this team. Whether or not playing the veterans was a directive from Hendry is beside the point. The fact is, he came right out and said that he wished he had asked for Jake Fox sooner when ARAM went down. Do you remember times when he'd walk out of the dugout towards the playing field, then stop mid-way and go back to the dugout? How about the times when he looked bewildered in the dugout? That's the sign of either a senile old man, or one that has clearly lost his passion for the game.

4)Send Rothschild packing. Yes, we've led the league in strikeouts nearly every year he's been our pitching coach, and we had a very good starting rotation this year. But strikeouts don't mean anything if you can't pitch with control or consistency, and the rotation's success has mostly come from outside of the organization. Guess who Randy Wells credited with turning his career around? The Blue Jays. Guess where Ted Lilly came from when he signed his free agent deal? The Blue Jays. Guess who Dempster credits with turning his career around? Greg Maddux. Do you think Rothschild really helped Zambrano become a 6'5" freak of nature that can throw nearly 100 mph with movement? A pitching coach can change your arm angle to affect movement, but it's quite clear that Zambrano came to the team his rookie season with movement already, and has gotten by on pure stuff alone. The problem with Zambrano is his mental state on the mound, which a pitching coach is also responsible for, and is perhaps Rothschild's biggest indictment. Isn't it peculiar that Rich Harden worked out very hard in the offseason to remain healthy, making the second most starts of his career, and yet he had the highest ERA of his career (he had a 4.29 ERA in just 9 games one year, but I'm talking about a full season of 20+starts) under the "watchful" eye of Rothschild? But the biggest reason Rothschild needs to go is his own players' comments. We have never heard a pitcher during his tenure with the Cubs, credit him with turning around their careers. In fact, a vast majority of the pitchers we bring in end up having horrible seasons with us. We've heard pitchers credit teammates (like Maddux), or their former organizations (Blue Jays for example), and we've heard countless pitchers credit Dave Duncan with their success...but never Rothschild. Why? I wonder if Hendry has ever asked himself that question?

5)After forcing Piniella and Rothschild out, do whatever it takes to land LaRussa and Duncan. LaRussa is the smartest manager in all of baseball, and Duncan is the best pitching coach in the world right now.
*as a back-up plan, bring up Sandberg to manage, and give Greg Maddux a semi-blank check to be the pitching coach, and bring in Mark Grace as the bench coach. The reason you bring in Grace, is the season is long, and someone needs to make sure the clubhouse stays loose...Grace would fill that perfectly. He also knows the game VERY well, especially after gaining a greater perspective from the booth.

6)Hire Rudy Jaramillo. Regarded as one of the best hitting coaches, we'd have the trifecta of "best in the game" with LaRussa, Duncan, and Jaramillo.

7)Advise the new GM to make the following personnel changes:

trade/release:
Miles-no value to this team whatsoever
*suggested trade partners:
DFA candidate

Bradley-(see above), plus all his teammates and 99% of our fan base doesn't want to see him in a Cubs uniform ever again
*suggested trade partners:
Rays, Giants, Rangers, Royals, Dodgers, Padres, Angels

Heilman-his only value to any team is as a starter. He was very effective in Spring Training. Either you use him as a 5th starter if Samardzija, Gorzelanny, and others can't win the spot, or you trade him outright.
*suggested trade partners:
anyone seeking a starting pitcher/long relief man

Theriot-his only value to the team is as a shortstop. Please look at the second basemen for the top 10 big market/largest payroll teams, and you'll understand that he simply cannot be our second baseman due to offensive issues. His range is lacking at shortstop, so he must go
*suggested trade partners:
any team willing to take on Bradley's contract in an expanded deal. This could be the Nationals with Dunn coming our way, or the Rays with Burrell and Upton coming our way.

Fontenot-no disrespect for "little people", but 5'7" guys that hit under .250, and aren't above average defensively, and do not have above average speed, PLUS, aren't all that versatile, are not worth much to any team
*suggested trade partners:
probably a DFA/non-tender candidate

Lee-In 13 MLB seasons, Lee's top 5 RBI totals are: 90, 92, 98, 107, and 111. Both of his 100+RBI campaigns were with Cubs teams that did not make the playoffs. Not only is he inconsistent, but he's also going to be 34 years old next season, has neck issues, and will make $13 million in the final year of his contract. If you can convince him to waive his no-trade clause, it'd be best to order Hendry (while he's still your GM) to explore trading him, because Hendry will most certainly try to extend his contract as he did last time he had a "career year" and Lee isn't even a close to being a consistent player. Please keep in mind that at 35 years old, Bobby Abreu could only find a one year deal, and yet he is a perennial .300 hitter, .400 OBP, 15+hr, 100+RBI, 25+SB type.
*suggested trade partners:
Giants, Mets, Angels

Fukudome-talk about a roster clogger. His $12 million/yr for the next 2 seasons will be almost impossible to move, but at 33 yrs old next season, and averaging about .258 avg, .367 OBP, 10 hr, and 56 RBI, not to mention having perhaps the ugliest swing in all of baseball...what is his worth to this team?
*suggested trade partners:
Yankees, Royals, Mariners (eating half of his contract)

Lilly-I don't want to trade him, because he was arguably Hendry's best free agent signing in his entire tenure with the organization, but Lilly will turn 34 next season, and was on the DL this season for knee and shoulder issues. Now might be the time to sell high on him to replenish the farm system, especially when we have another younger lefty (Gorzelanny) that needs to be on the roster.
*suggested trade partners:
Phillies, Mets, Angels, Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox, Nationals

Soriano-he's almost close to immovable at this point with $90 million remaining for 5 more seasons. About the only thing you can do is find an equally unattractive large contract.
*suggested trade partners:
Giants-(Zito or Rowand. If Rowand, you'd have to eat some of Soriano's deal). Blue Jays-(Vernon Wells, which would require them to eat some of Wells' deal to make it even)

Jake Fox-outside of Randy Wells, one of our only rookies with good trade value. He needs a shot to play everyday, and unless we can unload Soriano, Fukudome, and Bradley, there's absolutely no way he will see much playing time next year. You might as well maximize his trade value now.
*suggested trade partners:
combine him with Bradley and/or Theriot to expand deals to get what we need.

Soto-he will NOT age very well. He's large, and will always have weight issues. There is also something wrong with his left hand, which doesn't bode well, when it's his lead hand as a right-handed hitter. He still holds some value as a Rookie of the Year winner last season.
*suggested trade partners:
Rays, Mets, White Sox, Mariners, Royals, Brewers, Yankees, Red Sox

8)Go after the following free agents and trades:
John Lackey
Rick Ankiel
Josh Fields
BJ Upton
Adam Dunn
Eric Young Jr.
Chris Davis
Mitchell Moreland
Hank Blalock
Carl Crawford
Felipe Lopez

Our top needs are:
-getting younger
-OF help, preferably someone that can drive in 100+ runs
-speed
-middle IF help, preferably someone that does well offensively and can play both SS and 2B.
-versatilty, preferably someone that can play corner IF spots as well as LF or RF.
-an "ace"-type of pitcher to replace Harden
*each and every one of my trade/free agent targets meets those needs.

9)If you like my ideas Mr. Ricketts, please allow me to be a special advisor and/or scout. I have experience as a college pitcher and college pitching coach, and I know this organization inside and out pretty well. I also know some of your extended family in Omaha. More importantly, I just want to see this team succeed, and whether or not you take our suggestions (if they even reach you), or not, it doesn't really matter. You're a fan of this team yourself just like the rest of us. You happen to have the necessary finances to make your dream come true (bringing a championship to the North Side), and we trust that you will do the right thing.

Sincerely,

Aaron (loyal fan for almost 30 years since the day I was born)

You'll find no opinions in my list:

Stream live games online for a subscription fee like the Yankees and Padres.
The Cubs can charge more for their subscription than the Padres (I'd easily pay $100), but since that may not look great, package the subscription with high mark-up items like t-shirts, hats, 2010 Cubs media guide, whatever looks right. Maybe sell a package that includes 2 bleacher tickets with the subscription.

Start work on the Triangle building ASAP.
The earning potential of this club has never been fully recognized because of how fragile the fanbase is. You can’t mess with the Ivy, the Marquee, or the Scoreboard.
And you can’t add much extra signage. -All part of owning a historic franchise.
We can’t make ad money like newer teams, but we can sell more merchandise and tickets than they can.

Add more seats. Anywhere you can. Nosebleeds is fine.
Add 700 Nosebleeds, $10 each. The ticket price + in park purchases should be enough to pay for the construction.
Won’t make money, but it’d lower the average cost of a ticket and be a small, fan-friendly move and will be a great way to establish the Ricketts as a friend of the fan.

Pander to the media better.
The Chicago sports media tears the Cubs apart for everything from bad interviews to injuries. It’s unfair, but it needs to be addressed, and Fixed.
Fans get sick of all the negativity during the year, and that causes lost interest in the franchise. Get a better place for press conferences and expand the locker room.
Small dimensions make the good days feel the same, but the bad days feel worse.
Unhappy media write unhappy stories.

If you can’t have a celebrity that people have heard of, make it a Cubs guy.
(An announcer, Wayne Mesmer, ex-players)
Wrigley Field hosts the closest thing to Celebrity American Idol there will ever be.
It gets the Cubs on the national news everytime some B-lister’s voice cracks, let’s keep it.

Get lovable Cubs back in the spotlight. Fans need someone to associate with and it’s not Lou. The fire is out of his eyes.
Steve Stone, Greg Maddux, and Ryne Sandberg could all make the club stronger, and they demand respect from fans. Find a spot for them.

This may be one of the coolest forum topics we have had...I am looking forward to reading more, until more news comes out.... Jaramillo, Sandberg's Role, Ricketts getting the keys and most importantly the subsequent follow up (Or clean up depending on the direction).

I second the nomination of Aaron as a special assistant. As well as Jim, the financial wizard and organizational director.

Go Cubs GO.... I have never been so excited after a non-playoff extremely dissapointing season. I guess anything seems possible at this point.

And sorry for stealing anyone's thunder ;) I like to think that I have some level of common sense and like all of us am a fan of this team til the day I die. There is nothing more painful to me than seeing 95 year old men and women wearing their beaten battered Cub hats knowing that they have waited this long and may never have the chance. I don't want to be that guy! Jeannie and Bob (the elderly couple who babysat me since age 4 and made me what I am today), I thank you and this post is for you.

Here are my suggestions in no particular order...

1. If possible, promote Ryno as manager of the team this year. He has experience, knows the farm system, the city, the fans and has a good attitude to boot. If that is not possible, and it's not considered tampering, get in touch with either Joe Torre or Tony La Russa and tell them that there WILL be a home for them on the north side after 2010.

2. A new pitching coach is definitely needed/wanted for the reasons stated above by the other comments. Maddux would definitely be more then welcome.

3. A new hitting coach for the same reasons as number 2 above.

4. For god sakes get rid of Hendry. I don't need to go on another rant about why, but I think it's self explanatory.

5. Play more of the rookies and develop the system more. And please stop trading away what good prospects we have for nothing. It's becoming a joke.

6. No more no trade this and here is a blank check that for free agents. It has hand-cuffed us too much. Unless it's for a Pujols level player, and then only if absolutely necessary. Give a good player FAIR value, and if he walks, then so be it. Soriano and Dempster come to mind.

7. I agree with maybe rebuilding parts of Wrigley to better suit the team. As stated before, you almost have to have 3 different teams according to weather/wind conditions and that makes it too hard 81 games a year.

Please do what is right for the team, city, the fans and the players. This team needs it's legacy returned to it's rightful status. Thank you and good luck.

I'm surprised by the chatter here on WGN v. cable game access, etc. Gosh, for $160 on Comcast MLB I see about every Cubs game, as well as about all other games (I really enjoy listening to Scully on the evening Dodger games). I love the cable package, and it's at a reasonable price for a whole season.

Neil:

Your turn.

Some Suggestions for you.

1. Have a cubs network, with offseason rumors of who the cubs may be targeting.

2. Please please please, keep Jake Fox

3. Hire Dave Duncun as pitching coach.

4. See if the mets will take Zambrano for Jose Reyes(Can you say lead-off hitter)

5. Try to get Roy Halladay, or any TRUE ace pitcher.

6. Last and not least add more speed to this team and get younger.

Having been a long, sometime suffering Cub Fan (since the 1930's), I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Of all my children, I now have only 1 of five sons who have not yet made it to Wrigley to see the Cubs; others numerous times (me too).
I still believe that acquistion of Soriano, Bradley, Miles, and Gregg were bad. Strangely, Marmol loss his control after we acquired Gregg and installed him as closer; the control still is not completely back, but better since Marmol is closer.
I liked De Rosa, still do, and I like Baker (same mold as De rosa).
Wells will be a good Cub if we allowed him to continue to grow; he pitches, while some just throw!
While some said Bradley was the bat we needed, he was not a defensive asset.
Likewise Soriano, another player who lacks ability to play outfield (and infield) defense; that is why Yankees sacked him.
Currently we have Fukodome, Fuld, and Reed who can good defense.
Theriot is a guy not afraid to get dirty, and he makes good defensive plays; however, he and several others lack baseball sense when it comes to running the bases.
The best defensive catcher is Hill; question to me is will Soto come in shape to play next season, and will he be more agressive in players habits when doing pitch selection.
Last season we would get a 2 strike count on batters and then start picking at corners, or throw a 2-0 fastball down the middle.
I do not know who does the pitch selection calls, but whoever is doing it apparently hasn't studied the players much prior to games.
I love the Ivy, always have, and say leave it alone.
Likewise the bleachers; however, we need a smarter group in those bleachers than those that throw at opposing players.
I tell my sons that I, in all my visits to Wrigley (all in bleachers), have never heard any racial slurs at any player. I have heard many boos, and other phrases, but nothing racial in tome. If Bradley heard some, I have to believe he is the exception to the rule.
My all time favorites in outfield were Andy Pafko, Andre Dawson, and Billy Williams. I remember Kingman and a few others who had no idea how to catch a ball, but again, no racial slurs.
Santo, Banks, Hornsby, Cavaretta were my infielders; I love Sandberg, Leer, Aramus, and current players also, but old people always remember their early favorites first.
If the Cubs add any players, get those who hustle, those who play the team game, and let those with large egos find another team to ruin.
I like the idea that somehow, someday that Greg Maddux would be a pitching coach. I also loved Stone in the booth, and believe he would be a great GM.
Lastly, I would like to see the Cubs get Mark Grace involved with Cubs again; can you or anyone else show me another Cub that was as well liked as Grace? Sandburg and Dawson, Ernie Banks and Billy Williams.
We loved all the Cubbies, some just stood out more, like Grace.
Thanks for your time, enjoy your purchase, and try to make it better than you inherited it.

Mr.Ricketts and Family...We are so excited to have a new owner...Congratulations !!!
May your stewardship see several world championships along the way.

I do have some thoughts onwhat I would like to see from the Cubs.

1) Be very careful in how many night games you add. I realize it's financially motivated...But what makes the Cubs different and attainable to youth is day games in a relatively safe
neighborhood. When I was sixteen...I was allowed to take the train from the suburbs with a friend to watch the Cubs...It may have been the difference in me being a Cubs fan vs White Sox...
(they played at night in a dangerous neighborhood)

2) I am aligned with Aaron re Jim Hendry and Lou Pinella...it is time for new blood....Jim is a good man but old school.
We need a GM that is aggressive and forward thinking...utilizing statistical
analysis in the mold of the Red Sox with Bill James and Theo Epstein.
I would like our new GM to be proactive
most of the time...Identifying new and young talent like Eric Young Jr/Michael Moreland or Davis from Texas etc.

We should strive to have the best scouting and talent evaluators in baseball.

Casey McGehee is a case in point...the signing of Aaron Miles was unnecessary
if we would have looked to the minors.
Blanco and McGehee would have made Miles unnecessary and would have equaled a
$3.9 million savings.(2 @ minimum vs
1 at 4.7 mill.)

Mr. Kenney has embarrassed us as Cubs fans...no executive of any major organization should try to be one of the boys...please institute your own management team as soon as practible.

3) Please put a moratorium on long term/no trade contracts...until we have worked through the ones we have. Soriano
is horrible to watch and we're stuck with him for five more years.

If we must...for competitive reasons go that route...make absolutely sure that the talent is superior AND young...(25-
26) etc...no contracts longer than 3 years if the player is 30 or more.

4)When faced with signing an aging proven veteran at a high price...vs
giving a minor leaguer a shot...give the minor leaguer a shot...if you always leave room in the budget for midseason
acquisitions...you can usually find a bargain to fill in....if the minor leaguer falls flat.

5)Utilize as many former Cub players that love the organization...as you can.
In my mind I'm thinking of Andre Dawson in Florida/Grace and Sutcliff out west.
Maddux in retirement...etc. It will be so much sweeter when we do win the World Series...if they are around.

6) Be a proponent of Day/Night doubleheaders...so the playoffs and World Series can be played earlier...
Baseball is not meant to be played in the cold.

In conclusion, this avid 55 year old Cubs fan thanks you for listening.
I'm am really, really excited to have you aboard.

Best Wishes for Success...Suzy S...that went to her first Cubs game when she was 8.

Mr. Ricketts, one more thing...Please make everyone in the organization
accountable....If they screw up...have people that will admit it.
The whole world knows Jim Hendry screwed up last year...and we never heard "I'm sorry, I screwed up...it's my fault...I'll try and do better."

Accountability is key for success from top to bottom.
Thankyou again...Suzy S.

CCO SUGGESTION BOX

Mr Ricketts/board
this web site is affording all Cub fans the opportunity to propose our thoughts on how you should address your new acquisition"THE CHICAGO CUBS"and related areas as in the purchase agreement.
Let us begin;voiding who should be fired,free agents and trades.
You may want to consider a committee of people with upper management skills to identify specific problems on the behind the scenes operation.
Perhaps changing the positions of some ,replacing others and identifying the need to add positions.
Create a plan to encompass 3-5 yrs;with a growth goal of 5% annually in marketing,advertisement.The concessions operation should operate at 2%above cost and profit in volume of sales.
Parking is at a premium and not available to many who drive to the park.
A possible negotiation with the city to build a multi tier garage with a 80/20 split with the city might be luring.
Develope a handi-cap location close to the field for those who need assistance, include a special entrance for handi-cap fans in chairs.A limit required.
step-two
Develope a committee to seel-out the best available baseball people to assist in structuring a sound farm-system with goals/objectives clearly defined.
Expectations of the coaches&mgrs.will be extended to each player under contract.
A bench-mark for all phases of operations is to be established and reviewed every two months until satisfactory results are achieved.
Players are to be approached on what managements expectations are and at what point a review of their performance will be measured through bench-mark goals.All stats,graphs and coach discussions to be entered on a computer program designede to perform the best analytical information available.
step three
Create a merit award program for those who meet or exceed expectations.
step four
Promote from with in!
Players on the mlb roster who are not meeting expectations need to go down and a rookie brought up.
step- five-FREE AGENTS
Place a age limit/amt. of money/and length of contracts.
step-six
From minor league to major league club a detailed required uniform is to be worn W/O exception
step-seven
Seek-out the best baseball people to run your organization.
incumbants are to submit an application of employment as do outside candidates.A review board will analyze and discuss all applicants and refer three candidates for selection.The president & CEO will select the GM/and GM assistant to assist in filling vacancies.
step-eight
A three yr. development plan for players and then a review of performance and future considerations

THATS IT FOLKS FIRE-AWAY
Being a Cub fan 58 yrs I can with stand anything!!!!!!!!!!!

I would hope that the Ricketts organization will take the same approach to baseball as the Boston Res Sox did an model the aggressive tactics the New York Yankees do. In short win, not just a year here and there. I love Wrigley field, but I also hope it can become a place where other teams don't look forward to play in, but in the same sentence keep the fan experience alive and vibrant.I look forward to the coming years and will be excited to see what the Ricketts will bring to my favorite team. GO CUBS!

Cubs release So Taguchi, no surprise.

http://waldo7239117.blogspot.com/

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