Signs

The Cubs have made marketing an important part of 2007. It started with the elevation of marketing guru John McDonough to the role of interim-until-the-team-is-sold President. Next, the team hired a manager with bonafides in the area of not taking any crap in Lou Piniella. After that, the team dropped $320 million on player salaries.

Not bad for a start.

We're now on to the next two phases of this process.

The first harkens back to the early days of the Dallas Green years. Anyone remember, "The Cubs are coming out of Hibernation!"? The 2007 version is much edgier:

One look at Piniella's intense gaze in the ad campaign touting the 2007 promotions and schedule, and it's clear these Cubs are not the cuddly type.

"We're going to win here, and that's the end of the story," Piniella proclaims in the advertisement, his steely look speaking far more than words.

Billboards featuring this slogan are now viewable on the Kennedy Expressway. There are only three words to describe how this campaign should make Cub fans feel.

How
Fucking
Refreshing

Did the words "win" ever come out of Andy MacPhail's mouth? I dunno if McDonough will actually be able to get the job done, but at least he's having the team say the right things and project the right attitude.

The next sign that will get a lot of attention is the one going on the wall at Wrigley Field:

The green doors tucked into the ivy in the left- and right-field bleachers of Wrigley Field will be decorated with 7-by-12 foot advertisements, touting Under Armour's signature logo.

It's the first time the Cubs have allowed any ad or sign on the outfield doors. Jay Blunk, director of marketing and sales for the team, said the Cubs have been approached by other companies wanting to use the space. He said Under Armour was the "right fit."

There's going to be a lot of whining about this from a lot pf "purists." There's going to be screaming about the purity of the park and the uncluttered look.

Those will be the Wrigley fans speaking and not the Cub fans. They just spent $320 million to convince us to spend bux at the park. You don't expect them to do all they can to offset that cost? How can they unless they raise ticket prices? Through advertising.

Good luck. Do more of it if it brings in better players. Hell, this blog would gladly become "Barren Brick Chat" if another $50 million would go into payroll.

Two nice moves by President Pro-Tempore John McDonough.