Both papers today have articles about the future of the Cubs and both are pretty interesting. Gordon Wittenmyer at the Sun Times takes a look at the next Anthony Rizzo.

The Cubs still have the worst record in baseball, and whether the brass will feel the need or the heat to sign some free agents next winter, the overall plan of building a homegrown core doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon.

But the best of the best-looking Cubs prospects are in Class A ball (Javier Baez, Dillon Maples, Matt Szczur, etc.) and years away from their debuts.

Some who might be even better (Jorge Soler, Albert Almora) aren’t officially even in the system yet, with Soler’s signing to be announced by Monday and top draft pick Almora’s signing expected to come closer to the July 13 deadline for draft picks.

Admittedly, it could be a long time before another debut day like Rizzo’s on Tuesday.

So, rough estimate, 4 more years before the Cubs actually field a home grown team.

But, in the meantime, Paul Sullivan says the Cubs are serious about getting a Jumbotron and other things.

(Jean Marie) Smith (Orioles VP Planning and Development - former Red Sox) credits Red Sox owners and President Larry Lucchino with the plan.

“They thought that putting too many seats on top of the Green Monster would take some of the novelty out of it after a couple of years,” she said. “The idea of making them interesting spots so they’d continue to be popular long after the newness had worn off is something they really deserve credit for. And D’Agostino Izzo Quirk, the architectural firm now working with the Cubs, offered those designs.”

The Cubs insist the Green Monster didn’t “inspire” their patio, though Smith said they “certainly” are similar concepts.

“It’s certainly the trend in parks today,” she said. “Not everyone is sitting in their seats keeping a scorecard after every pitch. It’s nice to have opportunities for those who want to be at the ballpark, be a part of the scene and love the game, but are interested in social interaction as well.”

The article does mention that the Cubs still seem to have issues with Mayor Emanuel. It also mentions that the Red Sox upgrades were self financed (although you have to not blink to catch it).

I’m sorry but I find this whole thing pretty sickening.  Fully admit I’m a Sox fan who is embittered by the fact that the Sox can’t draw dick while fielding a 1st-place team that features a lot of young talent.  Meanwhile, I don’t understand how a team in a major market gets a free pass for fielding MLB’s worst product and a 4-year window to show something.  Even if the Bears “backed up the truck,” dumping GM, coaching staff and veteran players, they are not allowed to have the worst record in the NFL.

The Ricketts are selling hope right now, but it feels more like they’re playing Cubs fans for fools.  Hiring Theo was a cheap way for Ricketts to buy himself 2-4 years of patience from fans, years he can use to figure out how better to fleece them should Theo’s plans work.  Tom Ricketts openly said that his convincing argument to get his father to buy the Cubs was that the fans come no matter what, win or lose.

I have noted before that it really isn’t Cubs fans but Cnb$ fans that fill the stands. Last year a survey showed that around 40% of the paid attendees at Wrigley were tourists, knew little or nothing about the team and wanted to try Pabst. That is where the steady money comes from and that is all due to the efforts of the Trib. They marketed the crap out of the “Wrigley experience” and had Arne Harris focus on hot babes in the stands.

It worked.

I miss Arne, we both shared a passion extremly large boobs....

Roman F - 29 June 2012 01:29 PM

I’m sorry but I find this whole thing pretty sickening.  Fully admit I’m a Sox fan who is embittered by the fact that the Sox can’t draw dick while fielding a 1st-place team that features a lot of young talent.  Meanwhile, I don’t understand how a team in a major market gets a free pass for fielding MLB’s worst product and a 4-year window to show something.  Even if the Bears “backed up the truck,” dumping GM, coaching staff and veteran players, they are not allowed to have the worst record in the NFL.

The Ricketts are selling hope right now, but it feels more like they’re playing Cubs fans for fools.  Hiring Theo was a cheap way for Ricketts to buy himself 2-4 years of patience from fans, years he can use to figure out how better to fleece them should Theo’s plans work.  Tom Ricketts openly said that his convincing argument to get his father to buy the Cubs was that the fans come no matter what, win or lose.

I’d rather have Theogime in charge than that fucking idiot KW running a baseball team.

BigBadBill - 29 June 2012 01:35 PM

I have noted before that it really isn’t Cubs fans but Cnb$ fans that fill the stands. Last year a survey showed that around 40% of the paid attendees at Wrigley were tourists, knew little or nothing about the team and wanted to try Pabst. That is where the steady money comes from and that is all due to the efforts of the Trib. They marketed the crap out of the “Wrigley experience” and had Arne Harris focus on hot babes in the stands.

It worked.

How about instead of the JTJ White Sox brigade pissing and moaning over dumbasses filling Wrigley and start paying attention to those empty seats over at The Cell?

Blame yourselves for not showing up enough to support the team. Blame yourselves for not being first to think of pissing on a brick outfield wall so moss could grow. Blame yourselves for voting for corrupt Democrats that agreed to build that concrete boring white elephant of a stadium. Blame yourselves for not exaggerating the caliber of your own yesterday heroes. Blame yourselves for not first shoving Ron in a radio broadcast booth. Blame yourselves for not turning disco demolition night into the annual Sox rite of passage.

Just admit it. Sox marketing and sales fucking blows.

2005 is already forgotten by Sox “fans”.

Envy… what a bitch.