The next time there’s a world disaster, the BN community might be the best place to turn for aid, because you folks are amazingly generous.
Last week, I offered that I would blog for 30 straight hours at the trade deadline on July 30/31 – no sleep, no breaks, minimum of one post an hour, and a whole lot of commenting and Tweeting – if you donated enough to cover the annual cost of hosting the site ($1440). I posted that offer/request on July 5, in the afternoon, just five and a half days ago. I posted it that far before the trade deadline because I anticipated that it would take a few weeks to get to the goal, if we got there at all. Clearly, I underestimated you guys.
When I totaled things up last night, I had to do a double take. I can’t put into words my level of appreciation, and, frankly, shock at the amount you all graciously donated in just a week (seriously, you can ask The Wife – I was rendered speechless as the process went on, and then again at the end of the totaling). You didn’t just reach the goal – you blew past it. So far, you have all collectively donated just north of $3,000 to the site.
Obviously that far exceeds the hoped-for $1440 in hosting costs, and I am humbled by your generosity. Not only have you helped keep the site going, and lined my fat cat pockets with dolla dolla billz (I kid, but seriously: the returns on this job are quite modest, and you just helped a lot), but you’ve also successfully forced me to blog for 30 straight hours at the trade deadline. I can’t promise that it will be trade-filled, and I can’t promise that I won’t go insane. But I can promise that it will be the most fun you’ve ever had in the history of ever. Times four.
There will be more details in the days leading up to the event.
If you’re still dying to donate to the site and didn’t get a chance before the goal was reached, I’m certainly not going to complain (but I’m not expecting any more donations):
And, for those of you who donated so generously, once again, thank you. That means all of the following supremely awesome people, and others who chose to remain anonymous:
Steve, Dave, Andrew A., Andrew J., Brian R., Andy, Justin, Elijah, Jim, John, Barry, Shawn O., Jeremy, Jonathan, Troy, Jill, Jeff S., Dale, Kevin A., Evan, Jeff M., Jon, Phil, David, Guillaume, Thomas, Kent H., Jason, Andrew R., Matthew, Tim, George, Ryan, Dylan, Robert G., TC, Daniel, Robert S., Adam, Anthony O., Drew, Tony, Kevin G., Mitchell, Juri, Keith, Travis, Michael K., Adam, Andrew B., Anthony M., Gabriel, Bruce, Benjamin, Michael J.K., Brian A., Ramah, Ronald, Chris, Douglas, Brandon, Kyle, Jason, Robert G., Daniel C., James, Thomas A., Cory, Spence, Michael C., Virginia, Tim, William, Bob, Doug, Rich, Max, Joe, David B., Alexander, Michael H., Andrew C., Anthony P., Barton, Paul, Justin, Kevin B., Shawn H., Thomas A., Andrew P., Tom, Anthony B., Edward, Scott, Cheryl B., Cheryl P., Michael S., Danny, Jack, Daniel A., and Jeremy M.
You all rock to the extreme (and thank you to those of you who included a kind note – I appreciated them all).
Let’s get nuts on July 30/31.
Source: Hickman will sign at the deadline….
Well that would be cool.
Indeed. Provided the Cubs don’t break their calculators and cost themselves their 2013 first round pick, of course.
yeah then that would seriously SUCK
Money isn’t the main issue, position change is….supposedly
Interesting. Reports just after the draft said the Cubs were content to leave him behind the plate (where, at the time, Hickman wanted to stay).
Let’s hope they’ve been doing some serious quadruple checking, and calling the league office to confirm every little bit.
if they make a mistake like that I’ll have my first complaint about this front office.
Is any of the cash going to Luke (awkward silence)? I currently make $10.12/hr, I can’t donate…yet. Give me a few yrs Brett, assuming the government doesn’t force me to work for free ($8 to read an EKG, $44 to read an Echo lol), I’ll happily ante up. This site is great, Sullivan, Muskat, and Levine who?
I am sure they will get a written confirmation from the league office that they are below the draft pick loss threshold before they make any other moves. Seems like something a lawyer would do.
Especially since he shares my name. He’d be the first Hickman to play for the Cubs since my dad, Jim Hickman, played in the 60s
.
Coldneck Hickman…
Coldneck,
I have a bone to pick with you (maybe).
Did you play little league baseball in Des Plaines somewhere between 70-74?
I remember a game where I had the opportunity to hit against one of Jim Hickman’s sons. First pitch was curveball at my head. Strike one. Second pitch was a curveball at my head. Strike two. Third pitch was a curveball at my head. Strike three. Best strikeout of my life. All I remember was a real Cub, your dad, calling me by name and saying ‘hang in there’. How classy.
So was it you or a brother. (by the way, I never hit a curveball, ever, so you not so bad!)
Thanks for posting as that is a great memory.
None of the above. That Jim Hickman isn’t really my dad. I was only kidding.
I didn’t know that was your dad – that’s pretty awesome, Cold.
He’s not my dad. It was a joke. My dad’s name is Jim Hickman though.
You suck. And I probably should have figured that out…
Hour 28 passes…… Brett is about to doze off…. news breaks that the cubs have pulled off a blockbuster trade for Nick Castellanos, Brett is awake for another 30 hours!!! Hope something like this happens, would be very entertaining.
Haha. I’d be just fine with that.
we all donate bc cubs fans are like family and especially if we like you and most if us do like you but most if all yr a cubs fan and you keep us informed as to what’s going on in cubbieland and you make it interesting and fun to be here thank you
Thanks, Curt.
Can we get some sort of live video feed so we know you’re not doing some sort of automated posting??
that would be awesome, at least a few pictures so we can see you start losing it
Ha. Considering what my attire will be in the middle hours, I’m not sure you really want that feed…
eww. Hopefully it won’t be birthday suit attire. The thought of you sitting naked blogging… got to throw up now.
I’m always covered. Well, the main area, anyway.
Banana hamock?
Ah, the Bleacher Nation banana hammock. I think Brett wears one of those every day. TWC too.
Y U no sell hammock?!!
Congrats my friend, it’s been impressive to watch this site grow from a hobby to a full out career. To think only one year ago most threads got maybe 20-30 comments (and half of those were maybe from me) and then watch this site grow at a ridiculous rate and see this site rise to the tops of the Cublogverse and all of it is done by one person. Congratulations keep it up I can’t wait to the day we all get to celebrate that final out of the season.
Thanks, as always, MG.
You deserve everything, although I’d wonder how much productivity BN drains from all of our jobs.
here here.
I second what Goat just said. This site has become my “go-to” favorite place for up to date, legit information with a funny side to it. I am amazed how fast this site has grown in the past year or two.
and 28 of those 29 were in response to DieHard’s insanity…
Don’t forget Betternews
I feel pretty late to the party since I’ve only been visiting the site for the past two seasons, but I have to say, Bleacher Nation has single-handedly made me among the most informed fans in my circle (granted, my circle doesn’t include too many die-hard fans). Not only is it informative, but it’s damn entertaining too. And, while I love giving Brett his due, I also have to say that this site stands shoulders above the rest because of the quality of comments and the intelligence of the community. I love reading the comments almost as much as Brett’s posts. It speaks volumes for the quality of Brett’s writing that he attracts such an informed and entertaining crowd of internet bums.
I bet half of us will be up the entire 30 hours with you, just following along!
Some folks will try!
Oh I will be right there with ya buddy. Thanks for all of the great work that you do
As a BN addict, I am proud to see what has been donated. Brett & Luke, it’s simply a reflection of what we think of your time & contributions. Thank you both!
Brett…remember Starbucks and Mountain Dew…stay off the crack. It’ll sure keep you up, but its hell on your teeth
Brett doesn’t drink coffee (the horror), it will be a series of runs to Chick-fil-a for some milkshake thingy. And whats stange is for a person who got through law school Brett never pulled an all nighter, I think last years 24hr blog-a-thon was his first ever 24hr marathon.
I’m not a coffee guy either. If I’m drinking something hot, it better have chocolate in it.
I am highly disappointed in the coffee non consumption– you get donations but I make my living on the distribution of coffee and equipment- and all things Cubs- Thanks Brett and Luke for all the information. You make living in dirty bird territory tolerable…
I’m going to try and have some coffee this time around. It’s better for me than soda…
It also has mistical healing powers!!!! It is an aquired taste but I really do enjoy a good cup or two every day.
I thought the Chik-a-filet shake was the mint chocolate one they only do at Christmas time. I don’t drink coffee either, FWIW.
Brett, I fully plan on donating later this week. Thanks for all you and Luke do. This is by far my favorite Cubs website and it introduced me some great (and not-so-great) people I consider friends. Not to mention all the Dick (Tidrow) references.
Katie!! I am proud (??) to say I had my very first Chick-Fil-A (sp?) shake yesterday. It was damn good … the sandwiches? Pedestrian at best.
“Dirt” … OMG I remember when he pitched like 6 games in a row and was said something like “I knew when I couldn’t brush my hair this morning I couldn’t pitch today.” ROFL
Like you, I consider this my “stomping grounds.” All of us are so very fortunate to have Brett, Luke, and all of the rest of us to chat it up about out Cubs.
How about the replay of the Woodrow 20K gem!!! Was that not the cat’s freakin’ meow?
Thanks, MB.
Yeah, that’s my shake – Peppermint Chip. Why can’t they have it year round!?!?!?
(And thank you, Katie. Likewise.)
Brett/Luke
I don’t think the Cubs are going to get Lee from the Dodgers (especially after I saw the bonus they paid him, more than Kershaw) but what about Webster? Do you think he might be available?
He should be if the Dodgers are serious about improving their roster for this season. If they keep their Webster-caliber pitchers off the table, I’m not sure what exactly they’ll be using to deal with other than a willingness to eat some salary.
Dodgers are actually an ok match trade wise in that they are pitching deep in their farm system. should be fun to watch how it turns out.
Colletti once traded his top prospect and mid-level prospect for an aging average 3B…..Carlos Santana and John Meloan for Casey Blake in 2008….
Keith Law went on to say: “This is a trade the Dodgers will be regretting for a long time”
Anything is possible with Colletti….and Sabean set the precedent last fall when he sent his #1 prospect for 3 months of Beltran….anything is possible
That was an interesting trade. In some ways it worked o.k. for the Dodgers. Blake was decent at times. Santana just last year got a handle on being a big leaguer. He has a ton of things you like. He talks a ton of walks, he has power. In the minors he walked more then he would strikeout. But his avg. may never be great.
Carlos Santana and John Mellencamp?? Woah … some kinda trade!! (tongue firmly planted in cheek)
ya if we’re paying for it we should at least get some sort of laugh at seeing Brett go nuts!
Just made my donation. This site is awesome. Keep up the great work! We need a video feed! Oh I can see it now…. Brett in his Cat pajamas!
You rock. Thanks.
Damn, that is some serious money in under a week. Guess you will be going on another vacation after the deadline? lol
Ha, you’ll hate me, but the family is going to Michigan next week (The Wife’s family), so I’ll be on a “vacation” again for a few days next week. Does that count?
Hate? Nah. Jealous. Hell yes. I need a vacation. I don’t get one until next Friday, and it is only a four day vacation to Chicago for a concert. And recovery time afterwards.
If it’s any consolation, given my current job – especially in July – “vacations” are far more stressful for me than they are a real vacation.
Family things don’t count as vacation. Most times they’re more stressful than being at work! Trust me, 50+ years of family get-to-gethers and reunions!
I’m guessing you’ll be on the east coast of my state, be sure to pick up some Founder’s and Short’s (can only get in Michigan) Brews while in good old Michigan. I’ll be on the West Coast with my family next week and filling plenty of growlers and New Holland Brewing.
Jon Heyman tweeted Dodgers favorite to land Dempster if that don’t work they are talking to Cubs about Garza. Bret/Luke with Ethier and Kemp hurt can u see a pkg of Garza/Lahair or Demp/Lahair for 2 top 2 b 2c prospects? Or is that to much?
Garza won’t be going to the Dodgers
Garza+anything is going to require a premium price. LaHair is tougher to value, but I think a Dempster+LaHair package could easily cost the Dodgers two of their top ten guys, including at least one potential league Top 100.
do u think there is any way that the dodgers will part with zach lee?
Sure. He’s their best pitching prospect, but he’s not in that untouchable elite category. They won’t shop him around, but if that’s what it takes to get a deal they really like done, I think they’ll do it.
Unlike the Cubs, I think the Dodgers new owners feel like they are under more pressure to make a quick splash and go for it now.
thats good to hear because i think any deal for garza would have to involve him and maybe a straight up trade for dempster???
I’m really looking forward to this! Did you ever get a Dwolla account? I want to donate to this cause, but I don’t want to pay Paypal for the privilege.
Thanks, PKJ – I did look into it, but the timing wasn’t really going to work since I’d already gone full-bore on things. I’ll have to look into it again, probably next year (and it’s totally OK if you’re not able to donate this time around).
It’s free to join, but sounds good… Keep up the great work on the blog. I’ll do my part to support you by clicking on your ads.
Ace – I hope with these kind of donations, you will finally see fit to give us what we really want – BN Banana Hammock giveaways!
“Bleacher Nation – come for the trade deadline rumors, stay for the stylish European beach attire.”
Yours is in the mail, together with a polaroid camera.
You know you should set an amount that would result in you+bananna hammock, I know for Caleb and TWC that price point is something like $20 but I’m sure yours is a little higher. Be the pimp, embrace the pimp.
I just got back from the ground breaking ceremony for the Cubs new spring training facility in west Mesa. Festive event! The Ricketts family was there (Tom spoke) and Jody Davis was the MC. A few other notable Cubs officials were there (Crane Kenney, Lufrano, McGuire). So, the project is finally under way! First spring training game will be in March, 2014. There is hope that it will be ready for the fall league in 2013.
Link: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_southeast_valley/mesa/groundbreaking-for-new-chicago-cubs-stadium-in-mesa
That’s awesome, man. I knew that was today – so cool that you got to go.
Sooooooooooooooooo…….. since we doubled what you expected, does that mean 60 hours of blogging?
Yup. 60 hours.
Spread out over 4 days. Heck, I’ll knock it out by next Monday.
Although you met your goal, I will still soon donate for the great work
That is very kind of you. Thank you.
Thanks again Brett! It’s well worth donating for such an awesome site. Keep up the good work and use some of that moolah to buy some Red Bull/Monster/Amp/Starbucks/whatever for July 30th/31st!
Thanks, man.
I’ve been reading this site for several years, but didn’t post any comments until the post in which you dropped the Ace moniker and became Brett. The hour plus a day that I get to spend reading your (and Luke’s) insightful writing, while it takes away from the four hours I spend sending out resume’s, is one of the few joys of my day. The commenters almost seem like distant family at this point. So, to cut this short, thank you, Brett, Luke, and all of you that comment on a daily basis. This is by far my favorite website. I’m so happy that you are meeting the bills and brightening some otherwise dreary days.
Thanks.
And best luck with that job hunt. I’ve been there (for way too long) and done that (way too much). It sucks. Hopefully it won’t be for much longer.
Thanks for that, hcs. Mighty kind of you, and I’m glad you jumped into the fray.
Good luck on that job hunt. Let us know when you succeed. I’ve been there too and most everyone on this site probably knows how it feels.
The army is always looking for good workers!
hope you’re not serious.
I already served in the Navy until I was medically disqualified more than a decade shoo, so that’s out… But I appreciate the thoughts.
I hope they are taking care of you and paying all of your medical bills like they should. They = the republicons who pretend to care about the troops then don’t vote for budget enough to pay all of the medical bills for people who sacraficed everything while they sit on their butts being traitors to america.
Ok, never post a political message again on a Sports site. Carry on
I was here for the relatvely quiet but still fun blogathon last year and even though the cubs were quiet there was still some speculation and fun but What If all the big/important/interesting deals happen before the deadline… Are you going to stay up for 30 hours just to report a rumor about baker and Johnson to the royals for cash and a PTBNL?
I’m pretty sure he promised that. Anyway, this year will be probably the most fun, and most fruitful trade deadline for the Chicago Cubs since, well, since I can’t even remember when. We very likely could be getting 1 or 2 guys that will become core pieces of the next great Cubs team.
You’ve hinted at my greatest fear – everything will be done by the time I start. Fortunately, the dynamics of the trade season usually prevent that from happening (Team X wants to wait until the last moment to decide whether to buy, Team Y is waiting on Team X, because Team Y wants a player from Team X, and the Cubs have to wait on Team Y, because they’ve got the back-up option for Team Y, and they prefer to deal with Team Y, so they won’t take Team Z’s offer next week).
If that happens, yup, I’ll just do my best. The deadline isn’t just for Cubs trades and rumors, so at least there will be some interesting stuff to discuss. (I remember discussing the Ubaldo deal last year, even though the connection to the Cubs was thin – it was still interesting.)
Well sure he promised and I do agree it’ll be a very active trade season BUT deals can happen well before the 30 hours leading up to the deadline, I don’t know what I want more a garza/demp trade soon because I’m so anxious to see what we get or a really exciting deadline post from Brett about garza to the jays and demp/Lahair to the dodgers
Lol Brett. I’m not expecting anymore donations HERES MY DONATION BUTTON!!!
You would be surprised to learn that there are folks who wanted to donate, and would have asked for/sought out the old donation button had I not included it. Also, you’re overstating things quite a bit… I meant everything just the way I said it.
First blogging 30 hours straight…next a guest on Chicago Tribune Live. Anything’s possible
Someday…
I’ve actually wondering why they don’t do a show during the hot stove off- season with top bloggers and contributors to Internet Cubs baseball talk. They’ve already had on Dierkes from MLBtraderumors.com, then they could have yourself, plus John Arguello, and who else am I forgetting? That should make for a solid panel discussion, shouldn’t it? I’d tune in!
Thanks. I think it could make for great viewing, and I also think they might be surprised at how much additional positive attention it would bring their show. But, at the same time, “blogger” still has a bit of a negative connotation in the old media world, including TV. I think there’s a ChicagoNow-ChicagoTribune connection, though, so we can hold out hope for John, at least.
Dodgers will not do deal with Cubs on Dempster or Garza. Ned will not pay Theo & Jed’s price. Lee or Reed have not & will not be offered for Dempster.
Look to clubs who have history working with these guys – Reds, Red Sox, or Blue Jays. Tigers not willing to put up necessary assets.
Use that money for something good. I still think the BN commercial (complete with Sarah McLachlan song) would do wonders for donations. The way I see it, the more donations Brett gets, the more money he’ll have to play with for Cubs related events. We can, as a group, send Brett to the Cubs Convention, to Spring Training, to games in Chicago and potentially many other cities. And that makes for far more interesting reading than a guy stuck in Ohio reporting from afar.
Take the money and buy Brett spy equipment that he can plant in the club house, front office, player homes…even the showers (where these players think they are untouchable). That way not one molecule of info would ever be free of BN commentary.
did you just suggest shower cams? I can’t tell if you’re being serious or not. i haven’t been around the comments much lately but there’s some weird stuff i’m reading today.
Who said anything about cameras? I think shower audio is quite enough.
haha true you didn’t say cameras. it’s been a long day. im kinda out of it.
But you’re spot on with your comments about weird stuff being posted on here lately.
Does anyone have a link to Jorge Soler’s twitter page?
https://twitter.com/jorgesoler24
Not a lot there right now.
https://twitter.com/jorgesoler24
…
It would be cool if you called Theo and Tom Ricketts and set up a Bleacher Nation bleacher day, in which bleacher nation readers/commenters sit amongst each other
Is that your master plan?
Ba dumm tsss