tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249121992008-05-05T09:03:31.956-05:00Chicago Cubune WatchBlogger266125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-61025801044719914662008-05-05T08:01:00.003-05:002008-05-05T09:03:32.111-05:00

A week ago in Phil Rogers' "Power Poll" feature on ChicagoSports.com's "Hardball" blog, the 14-10, first-place White Sox ranked No. 4. The 16-9, first-place Cubs ranked No. 3. Both teams had a rough week. The White Sox took the collar, losing the five games between polls, and falling to second place. Dr. Phil rightfully spanks the punchless Sox down to No. 11 in his poll. He also makes the

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-39705380346960413542008-05-02T13:36:00.005-05:002008-05-02T14:05:38.492-05:00

Cell Trounces Wrigley Again in SI Fan Poll The White Sox play in the eighth most popular ballpark in America, according to Sports Illustrated's annual fan poll, while Wrigley Field (that "sacred garden" revered by the people who own it and their army of pajama-clad followers) finished 15th. The Cell consistently stomps on Wrigley in that poll, but the Tribune always finds a way to circumvent the

Chicago Cubune Watchtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-24790078189060925132008-05-01T14:11:00.005-05:002008-05-01T22:35:34.284-05:00

Paul Sullivan was lucky enough to witness a 19-5 pasting of the Brew Crew last night. But apparently he was too distracted by the presence of Mark Cuban in the park to bother fully researching his own writing. An excerpt from his game story: [Geovany] Soto has 20 RBIs in April, the most for a Cubs rookie since records began being kept in 1956. Wait a just a second. "Records began being kept?"

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-19881756772436936762008-04-28T10:58:00.006-05:002008-04-28T11:28:12.762-05:00

On page 5 of the Tempo section in today's Tribune we find a charming feature about some people who built a one-third-size replica of Wrigley Field in Freeport, IL. But we don't know anything about those people except for one name — Denny Garkey — and the word "organizers." And the story doesn't tell us anything about the community that hosts the field. Instead of emphasizing the people who built

Chicago Cubune Watchtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-86859886526240461582008-04-24T12:14:00.003-05:002008-04-24T13:01:17.872-05:00

It's pretty clear how the Tribune behaves when its Cubbies are playing poorly, trumping up every meaningless accomplishment and downplaying the achievements of the crosstown rival. And last fall, we saw the latest example of how the Tribune will try to huff and puff and blow the Cubbies into the World Series. Considering how much time and effort the Tribune has expended over the years to

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-75112109850865339192008-04-22T11:58:00.004-05:002008-04-22T12:44:39.209-05:00

The White Sox have flown out of the gate, resting comfortably in first place at 11-7, already 2.5 games in front, and 4.5 and 5 games ahead of supposed world beaters Cleveland and Detroit. This in spite of a .242 team batting average and two starters, Paul Konerko and Juan Uribe, batting well south of the Mendoza Line. So, naturally, it's time for a White Sox mailbag that accentuates the

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-69519204964266047962008-04-22T00:07:00.005-05:002008-04-22T01:10:32.250-05:00

As the prior post confirms and any sports message board of note indicates, yes, apparently there's cause for debate over the racist T-shirt being sold outside and worn inside of Wrigley Field. To some, objecting to a T-shirt depicting Cubs star outfielder Kosuke Fukudome as a slant-eyed mockery out of the Mickey Rooney school of caricature is tantamount to political correctness gone wild. Perhaps

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-65767602656516079482008-04-21T14:27:00.005-05:002008-04-24T18:33:56.569-05:00

Poll, April 21, Tribune.com: Racist T-shirt at Wrigley? Is a shirt with "Horry Kow" on the front and Kosuke Fukudome's name on the back OK? • Strohl: It's 'racist' • 'Funny? Not at all' • Who would buy one? • Vote: Offensive? • See the shirt This is really a topic worthy of debate? No, it's a shameless attempt at more page views. Seems we're one step from seeing "Horry Kow" on sale at the

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-11699468632514453692008-04-21T09:10:00.005-05:002008-04-21T12:53:00.948-05:00

Apparently, though it wasn't made known to the public or reported via the "company newspaper" Tribune, the Cubbies have "banned" the offensive Kosuke Fukudome T-shirts being sold outside The Shrine. Interesting, then, that the shirt was blatantly being sold by multiple vendors outside the park, including one highly-visible seller outside of the Cubby Bear. Today, Rahula Strohl becomes the first

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-4457421245947217482008-04-19T12:04:00.008-05:002008-04-19T16:35:21.401-05:00

The Tribune has devoted a lot of space lately about the practice of throwing baseballs onto the field during a game. Ryan Theriot thought seeing a dozen or more baseballs fly back onto the field after an opponent's home run in a Cubbies rout was "awesome." Lou Piniella, who's fallen into the habit of defending just about everyone and everything Cub, doesn't see an issue with balls flying back

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-84843058490638070412008-04-15T17:48:00.003-05:002008-04-15T17:53:38.373-05:00

Two papers, two reads on Monday's White Sox loss to the Oakland A's: Daily Herald A's Smith Outduels Buehrle Chicago Tribune Left Spinning Their Wheels Same game. Different spins. --The Lone Ranger

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-6711998150709322592008-04-15T16:49:00.007-05:002008-04-15T17:21:45.032-05:00

On page 15 in the main section of today's Tribune is a column by syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts, who complains about sports sponsorships in stadiums. Pitts focused on the New York Mets and Shea Stadium, with nary a word about Chicago. So, what photograph do you think was used to illustrate the column? Shea Stadium? No. Yankee Stadium? Nope. Shots of the new Shea Stadium? Sorry. Artist

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-17785129315413489552008-04-15T15:34:00.008-05:002008-04-15T16:43:03.860-05:00

Last night on ChicagoSports.com, White Sox beat writer Mark Gonzales weighed in on what is clearly the most glaring issue tormenting Chicago's first-place team: its lack of outfield depth. Actually, the article was a sort of bizarre, a let's just focus on the "young" outfield depth of the White Sox, piece. It's the kind of story that is meant to fill space, random or not; Gonzo could (and should

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-718468648214083542008-04-15T14:49:00.005-05:002008-04-15T15:19:54.134-05:00

It's early, but we have a contender for quote of the year, courtesy of Cubbies beat writer Paul Sullivan, penning yet another of the already-tired Dusty-Baker-returns-to-Chicago stories. In a hard-hitting piece that compares Dusty to current Cubbies manager Lou Piniella, Sully leads his story with: Asked the difference between managers Lou Piniella and Dusty Baker, Kerry Wood said they're

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-62923609486301654762008-04-14T09:10:00.005-05:002008-04-15T15:34:17.174-05:00

Two stories on the front of the Tribune's sports page today, one about a White Sox victory, one about a Cubs victory. In each, the hometown manager makes self-deprecating comments. Here's Ozzie: "We got Detroit at the right time. Those guys are going to wake up sooner or later because they have unbelievable talent."And here's Lou: Before the game, Piniella said the Cubs were "fortunate" to be in

Chicago Cubune Watchtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-28041051775476109772008-04-13T12:14:00.009-05:002008-04-13T17:40:02.489-05:00

You might recall late last season, when Tribune "baseball expert" Phil Rogers apparently fabricated a story about White Sox GM Ken Williams refusing the Diamondbacks' request of CF Brian Anderson in return for Javier Vazquez, instead steering Arizona toward CF Chris Young. As we know, Young has blossomed into a star for the Diamondbacks while Anderson failed as a starter and had forgettable 2006

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-86206972359379228142008-04-10T10:57:00.004-05:002008-04-10T11:35:41.465-05:00

The next phase of the bizarre Fred Mitchell/Ernie Banks tag-team rehabilitation effort on behalf of Sammy Sosa continues Thursday in the Tribune. The dueling apologists' most glaring remarks begin with this gem from Fast Freddie: "Although Sosa is the only major-league player to hit 60 or more homers in three seasons, his use of a corked bat, his early departure from Wrigley Field during the

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-53289080582149942992008-04-08T16:28:00.009-05:002008-04-08T22:51:04.791-05:00

In today's edition, Fred Mitchell reports that White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen missed Joe Crede's eventual game-winning grand slam in the 7th inning because he was busy sending a message to major league baseball. Jeez, the guy gets the quick thumb from umpire Phil Cuzzi and he's off in the clubhouse, playing Sims, downloading reggaeton, and exchanging IMs with Bud Selig? Whoops. Seems Fast

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-76383344101670202132008-04-07T18:00:00.003-05:002008-04-07T18:21:58.439-05:00

It was one thing to see Dave Van Dyck's tiny tear of joy shed in reporting the Cubbies' "fast start" (yeah, the 3-3 one) in Monday's paper. But DVD also throws in to the Kerry Wood support group, wherein all Tribune writers are required to get in line behind the most disappointing phenom in Chicago pitching history as he embarks on his quixotic quest to become, 10 years into his career, a closer.

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-36130389525134283392008-04-07T15:55:00.004-05:002008-04-07T17:10:59.922-05:00

In today's Tribune, Dave Van Dyck attempts to manipulate time. Unsurprisingly, his sleepy editors allow it. After Sunday's stirring win vs. Houston, the Cubbies had drawn to 3-3 on the season. Not bad, not good. Hey, that's what .500 represents, right? Not to DVD, who was beside himself with excitement over the team's three wins in six tries: "The manager, Lou Piniella, is starting to see his

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-49755809634876496362008-04-06T10:30:00.005-05:002008-04-06T12:43:57.223-05:00

Paul Sullivan practices a common Tribune tactic in his ebullient take on the finish to his north sider's second win of the season on Sunday. Call it "perfection by omission." Sully breathlessly reports that closer-until-broken Kerry Wood was able to "pick up his second save in two tries with a perfect ninth inning." Now, to the letter, Sully isn't fudging here. Wood, despite a 9.00 ERA and 1.33

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-53157676656366372322008-04-04T22:38:00.007-05:002008-04-10T12:04:31.192-05:00

As much as there is to applaud over Rick Morrissey turning his Friday column about Steve Bartman being entitled to "sincere apologies" for all the abuse he has suffered in the past four-plus years into a detailed diatribe against the Sun-Times' little engine that could, Jay Mariotti, one thing seems awfully disingenuous about Moose's attack. Forget the juxtaposition of mercy for Bartman/gallows

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-17782011584301491142008-04-02T11:28:00.005-05:002008-04-05T19:32:52.611-05:00

Last night, Chicago native and White Sox fan Doc Rivers brought his NBA-best Boston Celtics to the United Center. In the middle of his pregame comments he stopped and said, "aren't any of you going to ask about my White Sox? They got hosed in the opener..." going on to animatedly detail the infractions the umpiring crew committed against the Pale Hose on Monday afternoon. The shock among the

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-15437380016716079802008-04-02T11:03:00.004-05:002008-04-02T11:26:50.507-05:00

Even the staunchest Tribune critic would applaud the installation of a statue dedicated to all-time great Ernie Banks, if only because of the fact that the Cubbies have finally figured out that if you're going to erect monuments outside of your ballpark, they ought to be of ballplayers, not broadcasters. However, there's one little problem with the statue. The inscription reads: Lets Play Two.

Bretttag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24912199.post-77067001798845901112008-03-31T14:05:00.005-05:002008-03-31T15:32:11.889-05:00

By now, we all know that the man in control of the Tribune conglomerate is billionaire White Sox fan Sam Zell. When hallowed Wrigley Field, long considered a minor step up from a South Side sandlot in terms of playing surface quality, needed its facelift, the Cubbies called on White Sox head groundskeeper Roger Bossard. New "chief innovation officer" Lee Abrams, charged with dragging the

Brett