WARNING!! Annual Off-Topic Baseball Thread. Esteemed Members BEWARE!!

[ChuckElias]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I don't think any manager can win with the same staff the Cubs used last year.

And Piniella has shown that he gets very frustrated, very quickly with below-average talent. He was terrific in Cincinnati and even in Seattle (with A-Rod and Junior in his prime). But with the Devil Rays, it seemed like he just didn't care. Just get through the year. I don't think Lou is long for Chicago.

And unless there were guns drawn in the clubhouse, I think the Macha firing is indefensible. They didn't get along? Boo-hoo. He got them to the division title and the ALCS!

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I really don't want the Cardinals to win, but I don't want a N.Y. team to win either. So for me, watching that series is like watching a traffic accident. You know you shouldn't look, but you just can't help yourself.

It takes a Cubbies fan to elevate rooting against the winners to an art form.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

It takes a Cubbies fan to elevate rooting against the winners to an art form.

Hey, I'm also a Bears fan, so I don't just root against winners.

But I've certainly had enough practice rooting against the Cardinals, Mets and Yankees...sigh...

My first real experience rooting against the Mets was 1969, when they overtook the Cubs in the standings to go to the WS. Ron Santo was on that Cub team, and he does the color commentary on the Cubs radio broadcasts now. You can still hear how he feels about N.Y., and it all started that year. He also doesn't travel to N.Y.; I think the main issue is his health and the fact he cannot travel as much as he used to, but I don't think it's coincidence that he doesn't make it to Shea.

[tjones1]

So... M&M... the chances of Lou getting ARod are about the same of the Cubs winning the World Series this year!

[JRutledge]

A-Rod has a "no trade clause" and he is not going to give up going to the Yankees to go to a team that cannot make the playoffs but every 3 or 4 years at best. He did that already on Texas, he is not going back. Lou might want that, but it is not going to happen.

Peace

[tjones1]

And besides... what on earth do the Cubs have that the Yankees would want?!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by tjones1

So... M&M... the chances of Lou getting ARod are about the same of the Cubs winning the World Series this year!

They were already speculating this morning in a coupla NY papers about A-Rod maybe going to the Cubs. I can't see it personally; the Cubs don't have the young pitching that the Yankees need.

A-Rod is gonna go someplace.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by tjones1

And besides... what on earth do the Cubs have that the Yankees would want?!

Good question.

Peace

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

A-Rod is gonna go someplace.

A-Rod is going to remain a Yankee.

Peace

[JRutledge]

GO CARDS!!!!!

Chuck is wrong again.

When the hell did I get my #8000 post?

Peace

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by tjones1

And besides... what on earth do the Cubs have that the Yankees would want?!

Better fans.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Better fans.

You call fans that go to a game just because the ball park they play in are better fans?

Peace

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Better fans.

Of course they would be better fans for A-rod.

They won't ever have to watch him play in October.

:shrug:

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

A-Rod is going to remain a Yankee.

As far as him coming to the Cubs, I agree that there may not be enough for them to give up. Also, if Ramirez is at 3rd, and a former All-Star Izturis is at shortstop, where do they put A-Rod? As of now, it doesn't make sense for the Cubs as well. Now, if there's some issue with Ramirez's contract, then there's an opening.

How about him ending up in St. Louis? With the on-going "feud" between LaRussa and Rolen, there might be an opening at 3rd base there next season.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

You call fans that go to a game just because the ball park they play in are better fans?

Better fans than the ones in NY that go to a game just to yell, "Hey, _______, you suck!"?

Yep.

Where were the all the White Sox fans before 2005? In fact, weren't there games not sold out at the Cell late in the season last year? According to ESPN.com, the Cubs still averaged more than 2,500 per game more than the White Sox in 2006. And they averaged almost 10,000 fans more per game in the year the White Sox won the World Series. And it isn't because Wrigley holds more than the Cell. And it certainly isn't because it's easier to get to Wrigley, or easier to park, etc. Sure, it's easy to be a fan when your team's winning. So what does that say about White Sox fans?

I will give St. Louis fans their due. They seem to have a good reputation of support, although I would like to see how their support would stay if they had the same record as the Cubs. However, they're trying - there are a few members of this forum ..ahem...tjones1... who can practically say they have not seen the Cardinals win a W.S. in their lifetime.