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Whole Quade Love
New Manager Brings Internal Strength to Job
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Yes, you think you've heard enough about Mike Quade. But two in-depth profiles spell out why he won over people within the Cubs' organization. ESPN Chicago details how Quade's alopecia, a medical condition that's left him complete hairless since the age of 11, strengthened his character. Similarly, the Sun-Times details how opposing fans at a high-school basketball game threw a wig onto the court to mock him. Quade's response? He put it on his head... then led his team to victory. Nice.
ESPN Chicago: Mike Quade can handle the heat
Chicago Sun-Times: Mike Quade has always impressed
Sandberg's Next Step
Where Will Ryno Go After Cubs' Rejection?
Ryne Sandberg may not have gotten the Cubs' job, but that doesn't mean he won't have opportunities. Bruce Levine says the Diamondbacks and Dodgers are interested in talking with Ryno about jobs within their organizations. Levine says Sandberg needs more experience, sure, but he also could use "a couple years of networking to increase the familiarity of the friendly, outgoing personality he possesses now, compared to the withdrawn, reclusive image" he used to have.
ESPN Chicago: Sandberg still a Cub with a bright future
Chicago Sun-Times: Bypassed Sandberg sets sights on other opportunities
CSN Chicago: Sandberg's imprint won't disappear
Chat Room
Quade: A Hot Commodity in the Majors?
ESPN reporter Bruce Levine always gives the straight dope in his weekly chats. This week, he drops the knowledge that at least three teams requested to talk to Mike Quade if the North Siders didn't hire him. Levine also says the team is struggling to determine Andrew Cashner's role next year — starter? Middle reliever? Future closer? We'll see. Also, Levine steps out and says the team will probably struggle as mightily next season... unless Hendry can get a leadoff man, some left-handed hitting, another starter, and at least one bullpen guy.
ESPN Chicago: Chat with Bruce Levine
The Comeback Kid
Can Aramis Be Amazing Again?
Years ago, Aramis Ramirez was the team's clutch-est (yes, we're making up that word) player — after all, he hit four homers in the 2003 playoffs. But then that changed: he batted a whopping .000 in the 2007 playoffs and .182 in 2008. And then there was this year... yeesh. The Daily Herald's Bruce Miles says Ramirez "offends baseball 'purists' with lackadaisical-looking play," but notes that A-Ram hit nine homers in July. And perhaps most importantly, he's under contract. The bottom line: "I'd rather live with him" than without him, Miles says.
Daily Herald: On A-Ram: With or without him?
Demolition, Man
Blog: It's Time to Renovate Wrigley Field
Everyone loves Wrigley Field. Hell, even ESPN's Bill Simmons, the 800-pound gorilla of sports writing, says it's one of the three ballparks that gives him chills. But Cubbie Doctor's Examiner says the Friendly Confines needs some serious work, and he wants it to happen soon. The Doc says the stadium is "a serious contributing factor" in the team's inability to put together a consistent winner. "The longer the Cubs continue to delay work to Wrigley Field, the more damaging it will be the team in the long run," he says.
Cubbie Doctor's Examiner: Wrigley Field: Year 97... Same as it ever was
No Thanks, Banks
Cubs Once Cut Ties with Hall of Famer Ernie Banks
Oh, and you thought you hated the way the Tribune ran the Cubs before? Check this out: When the media conglomerate first bought the team in 1981, they cut ties with Ernie Banks because he was often late, a no-show, etc. One Trib exec went as far as saying, "It's really sad,'' the official said, "but in a few years nobody will remember Ernie Banks.'' More likely no one remembered some Dockers-wearing, doughy-faced ass-kisser who wouldn't know an ERA from a TPS report.
Chicago Tribune: At least Cubs treated Sandberg better than they once...
A baseball agent thinks the Cubs are going to sign Adam Dunn... Call to the Pen lists Cubs pitcher Trey McNutt as the 42nd-best prospect in the minor leagues... Although he hasn't exactly torn it up in the minors, there's still hope for prospect Josh Vitters... The Cubs' 2010 draft might be semi-decent, actually... The ESPN 30 for 30 documentary about Steve Bartman, "Catching Hell," has been postponed until next year.
"Unlike the Bears, at least the Cubs don't lose (but that's only because they aren't currently playing)."
-Dawn Cunningham
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