7 replies to this topic

[5412]

Hi,

I am totally impressed each morning by what Brett has to say; some cool in depth stuff and fun to read. After reading about 5 articles I decided to combine my thoughts all into one post, fully expecting some folks may well take issue with what I have to say.

1. In the article about prospects, I found the name Junior Lake was not mentioned. There comes a point where potential and results have to be separated and the article had some names of guys who got the job done. That was refreshing.

2. Vogelbach is huge. With Rizzo at 1B it presents an interesting challenge. When I first learned about him I took an interest because he signed out of Bishop Verot in Fort Myers where my youngest daughter went for a couple of years and was the scorekeeper for the baseball team. He was described to me (by a guy who at one time was a national cross checker for a team that won the world series) as a kid who was not very athletic and had to drop 50# before he would be drafted. He is pounding the heck out of the ball which is getting a lot of folks attention. Will he be adequate at 1B? Sure hope so. Normally big bruiser type DH's are not brought through the system as a DH; but rather proven major league hitters who have also proven to be a liability in the field. It will be interesting to see what the Cubs do with him.

3. There was a comment that the Cubs thought the problems with Jackson's swing were mechanical and could be corrected. Ummmm, I seriously queston that and hope it is true. How many called third strikes did he have this year? He can have a great swing but if he can't see the pitch as a strike and swing the bat appropriately he will still have problems.

4. A lot of talk about Tom Ricketts and motivation. If anyone has got to know him a little bit, it does not take long to realize what you see is what you get. He is sharp, personable and really wants to win. He has more money than he needs for several lifetimes and I personally believe he would love to have the legacy about being the guy who got it done with the Cubs. He is not going to let a few million dollars keep him from that goal. What a legacy that would be.

In an early conversation I had with Tom a few years back I mentioned to him some things he might not know. Most folks did not realize that Bobby Cox totally built the Braves farm system as GM, got it where it needed to be, and then went back on the field to manage the team to 15 straight trips to the post season. Cox had just retired and I suggested to Tom that he might give some thought to hiring him as a part time consultant to look over what they were trying to do; Cox is in his 70's and would be the kind of guy you could hire for a short term analysis. Three months later I saw Tom again, introduced myself and he pointed to the first base dugout. He commented, "I remember you, we were in the first base dugout and you were telling me about Bobby Cox." Now that surprised me. I could also provide other examples, but you get the point.

My last conversation with him was a couple weeks ago and he and I discussed the state of the team. He really wants to build a consistent winner and has me convinced.

5. I find the discussion about the governor and mayor going back and forth about funding Wrigley improvements interesting. Both the city and state are broke. It would not surprise me in the least if the entire thing is a charade to delay things because they both don't want to spend the money. Ricketts comments about creating 1,000 permanent jobs was the best sales tool I have seen to date on how to sell the idea to reluctant taxpayers.

6. Off season acquisitions could be interesting. As many pitchers were mentioned, it sounded to me like they want to find another Dempster. Some guy who was injured and will work cheap to prove themselves that may turn into an all star. Good luck with that. It is not like they are the only team that has figured out those type players can be good investments. The fact they will have a better chance to work their way back with the Cubs does give them a recruiting advantage.

7. And finally, I still feel we will get some sort of offseason surprise. Money will be spent or players will be traded to move the team forward at a faster pace. There is good justification for that from a marketing perspective. Put some good players on the field and stands will start to fill up again and TV ratings are better which is a good thing when going in to renegotiation of a TV contract.

Brett, once again, thanks for a terrific job; you make it much easier for this old Cub fan to keep up.

Regards,
5412

[TWC]

But what are your thoughts on Ben Klafczynski?!?!

[Tommy]

I want to know what 5412 means?

[Katie]

Excellent thoughts 5412! I think Tom Ricketts is sincere as well.

[Brett]

Thanks for the kind words, and the deep thoughts, 5412.

He has more money than he needs for several lifetimes and I personally believe he would love to have the legacy about being the guy who got it done with the Cubs. He is not going to let a few million dollars keep him from that goal. What a legacy that would be.

I thought that was particularly well-said, and is a point I haven't made an effort emphasize enough. I will try to remember it going forward.

[5412]

I want to know what 5412 means?

Hi,

5412 is amazingly simple. Well over a decade ago I discovered the Cubs board. Being old and not computer savvy, and never having been on a message board before, I was afraid I would forget my name. I figured I would be on it once a month or something. To make it simple 5412 happened to be my house number at the time, I figured I could remember that.

Well 20,000 posts later I still have the same name. Lots of the folks who were banned had to change their name, etc. 5412 stuck and it is easy and quick to type so I just never changed it.

My real name is Dennis Miller, like the guy on MNF, only I had it first. That would be confusing so 5412 it still is.

Kinda sounds dumb now I guess but that is the story.

Regards,
5412

PS: I am just an old fat long time Cub fan. My photo is on www.millersmoney.com If you see me at Wrigley or Spring Training, please say hello. I love to talk Cubs baseball with folks who know what the heck they are talking about.

[TWC]

I checked out your website. On the "About Dennis Miller" page, I'm sensing something missing. Your pic there looks like you should be wearing a Cubs hat and tossing a baseball in the air. Am I wrong?

[5412]

I checked out your website. On the "About Dennis Miller" page, I'm sensing something missing. Your pic there looks like you should be wearing a Cubs hat and tossing a baseball in the air. Am I wrong?

Hi,

I am in my office. Off to the left is a HUGE picture of Wrigley signed by about 20 former Cubs. Right above my head are 5 bobbleheads and the Wrigley Field Marquee that folks used when they set up a Christmas village. We won't go in to the baseballs or the plaques signed by Willams, Banks and Sandberg. They had to take that photo in a studio because I have so much stuff in my office it would look cluttered.

I am serious, if you see me at Wrigley or Spring Training, please say hello. If I remember, next spring I will post our section number of our seats at Wrigley.

Regards,
5412

PS: I also have a block of Cub tickets that were printed up for the 1995 World Series framed on the wall. Obviously the tickets were not used.