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It’s only a video game, Cub fans

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Beachwood Sports comments…

So real it’s unreal. Like, where are the overturned cars and alcohol-poisoned bodies stacking up at the morgue?

Exactly.

* This is a 2012 Major League Baseball open thread. Spring training has begun and I’m starting to get that anticipatory feeling. I’m not sure why because the White Sox have been disappointing me all winter. But, hey, it’s baseball. I love baseball and it’s the preferred sport of this website. So, talk away.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:11 am

Comments

Beisbol been berry berry good to Rick!
Chicago White Sox? I don’t know.
Chicago Cubs? I don’t know.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:15 am
It’s the of betting which team will win more games,I’m sure the Sox will prevail,the game is afoote.GoGo White Sox.

Comment by mokenavince Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:24 am
The low light of last season came when I spotted former Sox champ/Cubs discard Neal Cotts at a Babies R Us near Western Ave last summer.

Comment by Davey Boy Smithe Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:27 am
Kenny Williams wanted a puppet as manager. Now, with Robin Ventura, he has one. FIRE KENNY WILLIAMS!

Comment by No More AJ Wilhelmi Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:30 am
In January, I read an obituary of a 104-year-old Lake View resident who remembered the building of Wrigley Field. He was born in 1907, so he’s the last Cub fan who will ever have been alive when they were World Series champions.

Comment by AlphaBettor Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:31 am
After another improbable world championship, not that I am complaining, it will be interesting to see what the Cards can do in the first year of the post-Tony, Albert and Dave Duncan era. They should still challenge for the division, but won’t be a favorite in the playoffs beyond that (again).

As for the Cubs and Sox, it’s full-on rebuilding mode though I think things will go more smoothly over the next 2-3 years for the Cubs once they shed the excess salary. They have more in terms of a farm system and young talent to work with, since Kenny Williams traded it all away on the South Side. This year I’d give the Sox a couple extra wins, but expect that to reverse itself in the coming years.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:39 am
It will be interesting to see how the Cubs do with the first real shake up they’ve had in years. I think they’ll outdraw the Sox in fans, but don’t know which team will come out ahead in wins.

I think this year’s election politics will drive many back to the game, just to get away from it all. Go Cubs!!

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:41 am
North Side - South Side Debate Issue of the 2012 Season:

“Which Team Has the Superior Farm System”.

or

“Which Team Will Be Out of the Running for Postseason First (and by when)?”

It’s going to be a hard year….

Comment by Judgment Day Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:42 am
Rich, if you get a chance, take a look at my response to the Speaker @ in the Comments. I hope he reads it or somebody reads it to him.
http://wjbc.com/ill-house-speaker-wants-changes-for-workers-compensation/

Comment by SilverBack Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:42 am
The white sox are more screwed long term than the cubs. You’re in a league now with the angels, rangers, rays, red sox, yankees and tigers. You’ll be lucky if you sniff a pennant before blago gets out of jail.

The cubs have a much easier path back to contention. This year will suck, but they have a great executive and manager, have begun to rebuild and their division minus la russa, pujols and prince is a lot easier.

as for the world series win, sports illustrated in 1994 did a cover with the red sox and cubs in the world series after the strike started-that never happened, but it got my hopes up.

Comment by Shore Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:43 am
Another thing that’ll never happen: Adam Dunn hitting above the Mendoza line

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:45 am
Maybe the extra two wild-card teams will be such a resounding success that MLB will adopt the NHL method where the top 16 teams make the play-offs. Come to think of it, even that might not help the Cubs.

Comment by What planet is he from? Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:46 am
First time in a while, but I actually agree with Shore. Going to be a long, lean winter for Sox fans.

Comment by Tom B. Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:47 am
I was not listening closely to the Sox on radio the other day, but I did hear that the opposition walked Dunn. I consider that a sign of hope. we’ll always have ‘05.

Comment by amalia Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:52 am
Dale Sveum is already a great manager? That didn’t take long.

Comment by Davey Boy Smithe Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 9:59 am
It’ll happen. Probably not this year. But it’ll happen.

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 10:00 am
Odd comments from Theo in the Trib the other day, blaming boozing after day games for the Cubs losing ways.

–”It’s been a factor in ruining some careers,” the team president said. “And I’m sure it’s been an impediment to the Cubs in winning. … The approach we’re going to have is the opposite of laissez faire. We’re not just going to say, ‘Oh, that’s the way it is. This is Chicago. Boys will be boys. I’m sure they’re going to get enough sleep and I’m sure they’ll show up the next day ready to play.’

“That’s a failure on the organization’s part. We have to take a very proactive approach in setting a high standard.”–

This is from a guy whose players were drinking beer during games last year, and were doing shots of Jack Daniels before games during their amazing run to the series in 2004 against the Yanks and Cards.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 10:16 am
The further south you drive, the more red ball caps you see, the happier the baseball fans will be.

Comment by Ray del Camino Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 10:20 am
Konercko says we can have a winning season without winning.

The new Yogi?

Comment by mark walker Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 10:30 am
“This is from a guy whose players were drinking beer during games last year, and were doing shots of Jack Daniels before games during their amazing run to the series in 2004 against the Yanks and Cards.”

They won an average of 94 games a year for 10 years, made the playoffs 7 times, made 6 lcs’s and had 14 current or former all stars on that team. If you win like that no one cares. They were 80-40 at the beginning of august and missed the playoffs because they gave a 45 year old ex first baseman knuckleball pitcher 12 starts to get his 200th win.

The white sox have an organization right now with
a)an owner transitioning out of his job who just retired from running his other pro team
b)a general manager likely to be fired next winter

c) the worst farm system in baseball

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/1/23/2728027/2012-baseball-farm-system-rankings-prospects

d)a manager with no major league coaching experience

e) an al with 6 powerhouse contenders for the next several years

f) several fat long term untradable contracts

in other words white sox fans pray for a)a long bulls run this spring b)a great bears offseason c)that theo can’t do in chicago what he did in boston because if he does you’ll be lucky if anyone remembers there is a team on the south side in 5 years

Comment by Shore Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 10:32 am
#12 in ‘12! Go Cards!

Comment by LincolnLounger Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 10:47 am
That video was cruel.

I’m as excited as I’ve been in recent years for a Cubs season. We’ve got no expectations and lots of new faces. We’re practicing bunting and fielding and base running for the first time in a decade. Think about that for a minute: the Cubs are actually practicing fundamentals! Maybe some of these young kids can get from first to third on occasion, and almost impossible achievement in recent years.

The starters are average, the bullpen is uncertain and the closer is really just a set-up guy on any other team. Who knows if any of these kids can hit, and if Soriano has anything left (doubtful).

But like I said, the manager and GM and President are saying the right things and it’s going to be fun to watch young players hustling for a change.

Until they get Wrigley Field renovated, the Cubs aren’t going to be great, but at least they’re already renovating the team and the front office. That’s a great (and long overdue) start.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 10:53 am
This season is the most unanticipated on either side of town that I can ever recall. As a Sox fan I would just be happy if some of our young talent developed. It really stinks going into the season knowing that we have NO CHANCE of beating Detroit this year. Now I know what the Cub fans feel like!

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 10:56 am
I’m over the whole thing. Bud Selig and his extra layer of playoffs has killed any interest I had in the past. I’ve been a White Sox fan for 55 years but now I’m done.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 11:06 am
–It really stinks going into the season knowing that we have NO CHANCE of beating Detroit this year. Now I know what the Cub fans feel like! –

Cubs won divisions in 2003, 2007, 2008, Sox in 2000, 2005, 2008.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 11:10 am
As a Cards guy, I was surprised how annoyed I was that Braun beat the 50-game punishment, but also happy he did–call me nuts, but I still like the guy. I have good feelings about the Cards, even without Tony and Albert, but am worried about what the loss of Dunc does to the team. That said, Carp, Waino and Yadi give me reason for optimism, and while it’s still hard to believe that the Redbirds gave the keys to the rookie manager, I have high hopes for him.

I think the real interesting question for the NL Central is what the Reds might do.

As for Sox fans, man, I feel your pain. Good luck. Seriously.

Comment by vise77 Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 11:13 am
As a Cubs fan, I am excited for new management and a new future (with a competent GM). However, it is going to be a long, long season on both sides of town. And do those pesky Redbirds and Brew Crew fans, our day will come. I am excited to have baseball back.

Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 11:45 am
Sorry for the typo, I should have said “And to,” not and do.

Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 11:46 am
-Cubs won divisions in 2003, 2007, 2008, Sox in 2000, 2005, 2008.-

Wordslinger - we don’t have that Billy Goat curse working against us. If you couldn’t get to the WS in ‘03 then it’s not going to happen - ever! Your ‘08 team bears that out as they didn’t even show up to play the Dodgers.

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 12:05 pm
This is just mean.

But the part in the clip with the two random people kissing reminded of something I actually witnessed in the streets of Wrigleyville after the Cubs advanced to the NLCS.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 12:16 pm
It gave me chills, hope springs eternal in March. I Theo We Trust!!!

Comment by Obamas Puppy Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 12:30 pm
Wake me when the Cubs are in the World Series. After years of disappointment and seeing my father pass away a frustrated diehard fan, I don’t devote any emotional energy on them anymore.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 1:02 pm
I’m sorta guessing that if the Cubs win it all in 2012, it means the Mayans were right.

Comment by titan Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 1:24 pm
As Paul Konerko said: “the season can be successful even if we don’t make the playoffs” (we can collect our salaries!)

Comment by Rudy Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 2:51 pm
That scene in the clip where the older gent is cutting his beard off is priceless. I hope I live long enough to actually see some guy cut his beard off after the Cubs win the World Series, and I hope it isn’t dragging on the floor by then.

Comment by getting too old for this Wednesday, Mar 7, 12 @ 5:00 pm