The World Series celebration contrinues and the Cubs ending the drought figures to be the main topic of a lot of conversations as families gather for the holiday season. Long-time reader Joe N. sent a follow up now that the Cubs are World Series Champions. The Chicago Cubs won the World Series. For the past couple weeks, I've been trying to process what that means and more importantly how I should feel about it. My wife has told me she was surprised neither I nor my Dad shed a tear during … [Read more...]
Professional Sports Amount to Half a Loaf Much of the Time
One of our regular readers and contributors to the site, Jim Kneisley, sent me an email recently with a view of the current state of professional sports teams and their players. For fans of professional sports, this could be a thought-provoking topic ... … [Read more...]
Remembering Jackie Robinson
In honor of the 61st Anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball, here is a first hand account from someone who was fortunate enough to have had the privilege of meeting one of the game's biggest legends. I would like to thank Jim Kneisley for taking the time to share this story with all of us. During the spring of 1947, Duke Penn and I, along with several of our fourth and fifth grade classmates enjoyed pick up games of baseball during recess, lunch hour and after … [Read more...]
Just Say No
Should the Cubs trade several prospects for Brian Roberts? Should they trade for Marlon Byrd of the Texas Rangers? The short answer to both of them is a resounding no. … [Read more...]
More Than Just A Name
It's Friday and time for the latest from the CCO Feedback column. Raul Barraza does not like the idea of possibly renaming the old ballpark at 1060 West Addison.... I never thought I would see the day Wrigley Field was anything other than Wrigley Field, but Sam Zell is looking to selling the naming rights. He's a businessman and has every right to maximize his return on his investment but as a Cubs fan and baseball fan, this makes me feel worse than the words "Steve Bartman." … [Read more...]
Options for Kid K
The CCO Feedback column returns for a Tuesday afternoon edition. Here is an article from one of the Faithful, Raul Barraza, with his thoughts on Kerry Wood and his role in the upcoming season. I'm going to come out and say it, I'm a huge Kerry Wood fan. I have nothing but respect for him. I became a Cub fan around his MLB debut and planned my day so I was free to see him pitch. Most fans remember the '98 season for Sosa's homeruns, but I bet most got interested in the '98 Cubs the moment Wood … [Read more...]
A Little History for the Faithful
The CCO Feedback column is back. Over the next couple of days we will run another article from one of the Faithful, but today is Jim Kneisley's turn and I appreciate the time he took to share a few very cool stories.... When Neil says he's a history buff and that I've lived long enough to see most of it, you smile. When he asks for a little Chicago history and especially about the Cubs, you wonder if you can separate matters of possible interest from an ego trip. I've decided it is worth a … [Read more...]
If I Owned the Cubs
With the sale of our beloved team drifting slowly toward a new owner I have often pondered what I would do if I possessed the power of ownership? It's a dream question that I am sure many of us have fantasized about. Think about it, you're the owner of the CUBS! Anyway, this is my punch list. … [Read more...]
I Wanna Be Sedated
Anybody who is a fan of the Ramones probably has this song on his Ipod. For me, when I'm watching the Cubs, it is a way of life. I admit, while watching the game on TV or listening to the radio, I am a nervous wreck. For the most part, I will only watch when the Cubs are hitting. When they are in the field, I will watch until an opposing batter reaches base. I will then either walk out of the room or turn the channel. As the game goes on, I get even more nervous. … [Read more...]
Miracle Cubs?
In 1969 the New York Mets stunned the baseball world and broke the hearts of Chicago Cubs' fans worldwide by winning the World Series. The Mets began the 1969 season in a less than stellar way with a record of two games under .500 at the end of May. During the middle of August the Mets were 9.5 games and in third place behind the Cubs and Cardinals. But the Cubs went 8-17 in September and the Mets won 38 of their final 49 games and finished with a 100-62 record. Can history repeat itself only to … [Read more...]