tophatal’s blog

Lou Piniella is formally introduced as the Chicago Cubs' manager. Assisting him in putting on the team jersey is the GM Jim Hendry. Piniella took over the position from the fired Dusty Baker . He assumed those responsibilities on October of 2006. He signed a three year conract for $10m with a 1 year option extra as an incentive. picture appears courtesy of upi/photo/ Brian Kersey .....................

So it’d explain a great deal at present with regard to the plight of the Chicago Cubs and their woes over the last century plus. And the fact that they’ve continued to be mired in the depths of ineptitude. Furthermore the fans have had to endure these debacles without much recourse. When on the outside looking in would say it’s the Cubs’ fans undying loyalty and willingness to accept the futility that they’re prepared to endure such pain.’ Personally , I feel it’s all a bunch of hog-wash and it lies with the fact that neither the Cubs’ management or ownership aren’t prepared to be ambitious and do what it takes to place a winning product on the field of play !

Courtesy of ESPN and Associated Press :

Hearing on Cubs sale set for Sept. 24

Associated Press

WILMINGTON, Del. — A Delaware bankruptcy judge on Monday approved Tribune Co.’s request for quick court action on the company’s planned sale of the Chicago Cubs.

The family of billionaire Joe Ricketts, founder of TD Ameritrade, has agreed to buy a 95 percent stake in the team and its Wrigley Field home for $845 million, but the deal must be approved by the bankruptcy court, as well as Major League Baseball.

Judge Kevin Carey approved Tribune attorneys’ proposals regarding notification to interested parties, including creditors of both the Tribune and the Cubs.

The process approved by the judge calls for any objections to be filed by Sept. 17, followed by a Sept. 24 court hearing on Tribune’s motion for court approval of the deal. Carey also approved break-up fees ranging from $5 million to $20 million to be paid if it falls through.

The plan filed by Tribune attorneys calls for a separate bankruptcy filing by Chicago National League Ball Club, a Tribune affiliate that is not involved in the company’s Chapter 11 case. That filing would come after Carey approves the sale as part of Tribune’s bankruptcy reorganization and escrow financing documents are in place.

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Milton Bradley is formally introduced as a Chicago Cubs’ player. Listen carefully, as the player waxes on lyrically about his emotions with regard to the team. My, how times have changed ?

And even though the franchise, having been sold by real estate mogul and developer Sam Zell to Tom Ricketts and the immediate members of his family. Tom Ricketts is one the founders of the online investment firm TD Ameritrade . The final selling price was said to be $845 million . Somewhat of an overly inflated price but clearly what Zell was after- considering that he’d placed the Cubs’ parent company -The Tribune Group into bankruptcy proceedings. And whilst MLB haven’t been all that forthcoming as to the ongoing situation. We’re led to believe that Commissioner Bud Selig and MLB Chief Executive Officer Bob DuPuy were said to be closely monitoring the proceedings. This, I for one find to be totally preposterous. Considering the duo were about as cognizant of the issues with regard to the the steroid issue and its ramifications for the game as a blind man would be in the desert. You know it’s hot but you’re not prepared to do anything to safeguard yourself. Much as in the same they’ve both mishandled the issue. Albeit, that they’re now crediting themselves with what they believe to be the unparalleled success of the game’s steroid program.

In light of what has gone on with regard to Cubs . Isn’t it somewhat strange that a public comment hadn’t been forthcoming from the commissioner’s office or for that matter from anyone within the game’s hierarchy ? But then to MLB … silence is golden . Until there are serious ramifications for the health and financial well being of the game. But even then , they’ve failed to act appropriately and with due diligence. It is to be expected from an organization that has been as transparent as the members of Opus Dei . There’s a lot that they’d have us all believe divine as to their being. But there’s so much more that’s held from the prying eyes of the public. Much like the inner workings of the hierarchy of MLB

Courtesy of Yahoo Sports and AP :

Cubs suspend Milton Bradley for rest of season

By R B Fallstrom AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP)—Milton Bradley’s(notes) season is finished. Perhaps his days with the Chicago Cubs are, too.

The Cubs suspended their volatile outfielder for the rest of the season Sunday, one day after he criticized the team in a newspaper interview.

Bradley was disciplined for conduct detrimental to the team. General manager Jim Hendry said he decided to send Bradley home after learning of the player’s remarks in the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald of Illinois. Bradley, scratched from Saturday’s lineup with a sore left knee, was quoted as saying “you understand why they haven’t won in 100 years here.”

Bradley has two years remaining on a three-year, $30 million contract that he signed as a free agent last offseason. Hendry said he doesn’t know if the relationship can be salvaged.

“The last few days became too much for me to tolerate,” Hendry said. “I just decided late last night that’s what I was going to do, and I didn’t give it a lot of thought what’s going to transpire moving forward.”

Cubs manager Lou Piniella agreed with Hendry’s move.

“Jim made the decision and I support it,” the manager said. “I really do.”

Chicago signed the switch-hitting Bradley to provide balance in the lineup, but he struggled throughout his first season with Chicago, batting .257 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs. He was booed vigorously by home fans at Wrigley Field.

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And if you thought that the present situation for the Cubs couldn’t at all get any worse. You’d be entirely wrong . As the team has taken the unusual step of suspending their outfielder Milton Bradley until the end of the season. The reason behind the suspension are for the statements made to the press with regard to the Cubs’ organization by the player. The Cubs for their part see Bradley’s actions as conduct detrimental to the sport and to the organization. Both GM Jim Hendry and the team’s coach , Lou Piniella are in complete agreement with the course of action taken.

And for the Chicago Cubs as a team who’ve underperformed throughout the entire season. Theirs is a situation that if anything , is viewed as irreparable. Piniella now seems to be out of his depth and unable to communicate with his players. Hendry as the team’s GM has been about as useful to the organization as a three legged horse trying to run an obstacle course. He’s fallen so many times that it has become laughable. Personnel decisions made under his tenure have proven to be disastrous, more often ,than not. And as a duo , Hendry and Piniella would make for some very fine comic relief.
It remains to be seen upon finalization of the sale of the franchise , whether not both the general manager and manager will be asked to remain with the organization.
If they’ve not been able to lead the team win anything of merit . Then in reality there’s no reason at all for them to remain with the Cubs’ organization.

The Chicago Cubs (76-72) remain 10 games behind the NL Central Division leading St Louis Cardinals (87-63) . As the season now winds down , it has to be said that for all sense and purpose the season just can’t end quick enough for the Cubs and their long suffering fans. They’ve been asked to endure far too much and more than any one fan can be asked to bear. And even though there are second , third and fourth generations of fans that still show their unwavering support to the organization. One has to ask the question ….’how much more are they all willing to bear’ ?

Bradley’s future with the club remains bleak and it’s enough of a suggestion to believe that the player won’t be back with the club for the 2010-11 season. And it wouldn’t be at all out of the question to suggest that the player’s professional career within baseball has reached its climax. One hardly feels that there’s still a major league team that’s willing to want the player- with the all the baggage that he’ll apparently bring with him. A worse case scenario, would be to see the volatile Bradley implode once again and seemingly bring down an organization with him. Best case scenario , he once again becomes a productive player and contributes to an organization. One of those is preferable but in actuality I’m inclined to believe that he won’t be around to contribute to a team. It’s as plain and simple as that !

For the Chicago Cubs and their long suffering fans. One empathizes with them. But at the same time how must they feel seeing the likes of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays all making it to a World Series . Two of those organizations winning the game’s most prestigious prize. But bear this mind, all three in question have been around a lot less longer than the Chicago Cubs, in terms of their tenure within the game of baseball. And it has been over 100 years since the Chicago Cubs won the last of their two World Series championships. And it could well be another century before they’re liable to achieve the feat again.

So what say you as to the impending fate of the Chicago Cubs ? The game’s lovable losers seemingly can’t win but for losing. It’s not been within their DNA for years ! Winning that is .