"If it's this hard to write about them, how hard must it be to cut the Cubs a check?"

Actually there is quite a bit to write about with the Cubs. Obviously next year is vital in terms of their transition from the 2008 core to a new one (that hopefully will be built a lot stronger and not a house of bricks). Looking at who the Cubs are targeting (Nick Johnson or Lance Berkman, Jon Garland and a right hand relief pitcher though I think Kerry Wood is just another David Kaplan wet dream) they are obviously looking at continuing to build their team within and get more flexible with their payroll (Both Carlos are on the market and I suspect Zambrano to be gone and Fukudome by mid-season). Correct me if I am wrong but wasn't that blurted out of Ricketts mouth from Day 1? Seems to me he is following exactly what he said he was. I would just amend that he should say they are following the Red Sox model when it comes to the business aspect of the organization while following the Phillies model when it comes to building the roster IE finding a nucleus that you develop (and resigning them to long term deals which is something he states all the time) and then finding the right FA to push your team over the top. That what the Phillies did and I would absolutely love to have their roster and success over the past 4 years. But we don't even have to look at the Phillies. We just look at our hometown Blackhawks and see that is EXACTLY what they did. They first got their nucleus of players from the draft (Toews, Kaner, Keith, Seabrook, Sharpie I know he came in a trade but he was a young player they targeted early in his career, Hjalmarsson and hopefully soon Morin and Beach) and then went out to get those missing pieces via FA (Hossa, Campbell, etc).

After a full year of the Ricketts, it's quite obvious that they have a plan and are going to execute it despite outside pressures to not do so and so far, are being patient which IMHO is a good trait in business. Good things take time especially when you have a long term plan in mind. The Cubs are investment to this family, not a toy. I much rather have someone treat the team I follow like an investment and want to see long term success as their baramater instead of a toy they wish to play with for 5 years and then throw away. It's quite obvious too that some people (bloggers) cannot seem to grasp this very elementary fact. Sucks to be them I guess!
 

That "house of bricks" comment is pretty ironic considering that Wrigley Field is made of them.

The Cubs have three Carloses on the Major League roster. I'm guessing that the second one you reference but did not name was Silva, but don't forget Marmol. The wiser move might be trade him now while his value is at its peak.

We can make all kinds of analogies regarding how the Cubs are run. You want the team run like a business. Depending on the source, anywhere from 33% to over 50% of businesses fail in the first two years. Maybe the Rickettses succeed and maybe they don't. Only time will tell. Unfortunately, that is something that many of us are quickly losing.
 

http://chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/11/ricketts-seeks-state-aid-for-200m-to-upgrade-wrigley.html

Looks to me they are continuing to make the right steps though these are no-brainers. Unless your a Meatball Cubs purist, you know the ballpark and surrounding area is not built for a team in the 21st Century. They had to do this. I find it interesting they are going to throw $200 million of their own money to help build the triangle building and other revenues around the ballpark. It will make it easier for this to get passed and it should. If the state completely funded the ballpark on the South Side (and Jerry didn't throw in 10 cents of his own money), the state can throw in money for one of it's biggest tourists spots. And $200 million by the family isn't chump change. Wasn't their some blogger who said the family bascially didn't have any "hard cash"? *shrugs*
 

It will be interesting to see if the state goes along with the offer. I'm guessing it's going to be a difficult sell, especially since the Ricketts don't have another option. What are they going to do if the answer is no, move the team to Las Vegas?
 

Anonymous, yeah, that's great. Why don't I come over to your house, hold you at gunpoint, and make you write a check to me? That's essentially what the Ricketts are doing.

Fuck these people. I'm getting ready to give up on the Cubs.
 

"Anonymous, yeah, that's great. Why don't I come over to your house, hold you at gunpoint, and make you write a check to me? That's essentially what the Ricketts are doing.Fuck these people. I'm getting ready to give up on the Cubs."

Learn some perspective please. The Cubs organization has been looking at this remodeling for years now going back to the last regime:

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/03/reinsdorf-on-cu.html

This proposal by the Ricketts actually use less taxpayer dollar for it. Again, can some perspective please. And if your don with the Cubs, fine. That is your problem. Not ours. Understand? :)
 

"It will be interesting to see if the state goes along with the offer. I'm guessing it's going to be a difficult sell, especially since the Ricketts don't have another option. What are they going to do if the answer is no, move the team to Las Vegas?"

Move the team to Glenview I guess or tell him what will happen if they dont: the money making machine that is now Wrigleyville will go down the toliet since nobody wants to hang out in a craphole.

My guess they will get their funding. Yes, money is tight but this proposal has been on the table for years and this is the most taxpayer friendly one they have come up with since the Ricketts will be investing 200 million of their own dough combined with the fact the team will not have to move during the construction which means the party can still go on as they work.
 

"It will be interesting to see if the state goes along with the offer. I'm guessing it's going to be a difficult sell, especially since the Ricketts don't have another option. What are they going to do if the answer is no, move the team to Las Vegas?"

Move the team to Glenview I guess or tell him what will happen if they dont: the money making machine that is now Wrigleyville will go down the toliet since nobody wants to hang out in a craphole.

My guess they will get their funding. Yes, money is tight but this proposal has been on the table for years and this is the most taxpayer friendly one they have come up with since the Ricketts will be investing 200 million of their own dough combined with the fact the team will not have to move during the construction which means the party can still go on as they work.
 

I suppose if they get Mike Madigan on board, then it will happen. That the Governor is miffed really doesn't matter in this state.
 

Yeah, I found that rather funny he is miffed. He sounds like a kid not pick to play Dodgeball at recess. Plus, they know what his answer is going to be so why even bother with him. Talk to the people that matter like Madigan and Thompson then go from there.
 

But can Madigan round up enough votes to override a governor's veto? I have huge doubts on that one.