Word is Bond
Cubs Want to Get $300 Million from Illinois

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

So here's the latest: Mayor Daley and Governor Quinn said they didn't like the Cubs' proposal, and House Speaker Michael Madigan said it had been withdrawn. The Cubs said no, it was still on the table and they're still working on it. Chicagoist scoffs at the Cubs' proposal, saying the state has more important priorities. But Phil Rogers says the team deserves the same public money that the White Sox and Bears got, while Greg Hinz of Crain's says we simply need to give it some more thought. Had enough yet?

Chicago Tribune: Some confusion over status of Rickettses financing...
Chicago Sun-Times: Ricketts not giving up on Wrigley rehab
Chicagoist: Ricketts are against government borrowing, except when... [+ video]
Crain's: Time out needed on Cubs' $300-million bond deal
Chicago Tribune: Cubs deserve a share of public funds to restore Wrigley
Tom Ricketts interview on Chicago Tribune Live: Part 1 | Part 2 [video]

Good Guys Finish Last
Is Ricketts Too Nice to Get Deal Done?
Clearly Tom Ricketts is a nice guy. But some people think maybe he needs to play a little dirtier to get his Wrigley Field deal passed — i.e., threaten to move the team. "If you aren't willing to play that card, then you don't have a hand," writes Steve Rosenbloom, the Trib's well-rehearsed curmudgeon. Dan Bernstein of 670 The Score agrees, saying Ricketts should examine other locations for leverage. "He's boxed himself in by going halfway with an ill-timed proposition that uses only warm fuzzies as leverage," Bernstein writes.

Rosenblog: Ricketts doesn't look like he knows politics any better than...
CBS Chicago: Bernstein: Ricketts unwilling to play hardball

Meet the New Wrigley
What the Future Could Hold for the Friendly Confines
This argument over the Cubs' funding could go on all night long. But the changes that could happen to Wrigley Field is a fascinating story, too. Bleed Cubbie Blue and Cityscapes, the blog by Tribune's architectural columnist Blair Kamin, show several drawings of what might be. "Cubs Alley," the space between Wrigley Field and the proposed triangle building, would be covered by a retractable roof and feature shops, restaurants, and maybe a museum. There's also talk of larger clubhouses (underground!) and expanded concourses. Wow.

Bleed Cubbie Blue: The future of Wrigley Field
Cityscapes: As they push for state aid, the Cubs promise to upgrade Wrigley
CSN Chicago: Years from now, what will Wrigley look like?
Chicago Tribune: Cubs unveil preliminary plans for Wrigley Field and area

Don't Look Back in Anger
Sandberg Takes Job with Phillies, Isn't Happy with Cubs
As you might have predicted, Ryne Sandberg has moved on from the Cubs. The Hall of Famer is now the proud skipper of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies' Triple-A team. Sandberg seems a little unhappy about the way things went down with the Cubs — also as you might have predicted. "I think the most games anybody saw me manage was 4-5 games," Sandberg said on Tuesday's Waddle & Silvy show on ESPN 1000. "Based on that, I don't know how I would get hired for a job if nobody saw me doing my job elsewhere."

ESPN Chicago: Ryne Sandberg questions Cubs' process [+ audio]
Chicago Breaking Sports: Ryno disapppointed with Cubs' lack of due diligence

Purple Pain?
The Pros & Cons of the NU/Illinois Game
Turns out playing football at Wrigley Field is a little tough. Ed Sherman notes there is literally no room at the end of one endzone and the Wrigley Blog refers to the Northwestern paraphernalia adorning the stadium as "defacing the landmark." Other fans don't have as much of a problem with it. Tales from Aisle 424 says, "I'm in favor of anything that adds money to the Cubs' pockets that doesn't come from me." Since the Fan Report's founder is a proud NU alum, we're in favor of painting the entire neighborhood purple.

Crain's: Outfield wall could be a problem at Wrigley
The Wrigley Blog: This might not be such a good idea
The Wrigley Blog: Milking Wrigley Field and painting it purple
Tales from Aisle 424: Wrigley gets a makeover (without using government funds)

Chat Room
Do Cubs Already Have a New Starter on the Team?
Bruce Levine. Chat. Hit me. Regarding would-be savior Adrian Gonzalez, Levine says the Red Sox "will be the lead team" in trying to get him, not the Cubs. And Levine says the team's new starter might be Andrew Cashner and that Randy Wells "will have to pitch his butt off" to stay in the rotation. And here's an important point that's been missed: Tom Ricketts says the Cubs aren't reducing payroll to make money; rather, they want to put more resources toward minor league and international player development. We are totally down with that.

ESPN Chicago: Chat with Bruce Levine

Wrecking Bawl
'Tear Down Wrigley Field,' Trib Writer Says
So it seems there really are people who think tearing down Wrigley Field is the right thing to do. And some of them even seem to have opposable thumbs. Steve Chapman, a Trib editorial writer, says Wrigley ought to be razed because it's not useful anymore. "Wrigley is attractive and charming in many ways, but it's like driving a vintage car: After a while, the novelty is not enough to justify the antiquated design," he writes. Incredibly, it doesn't seem like it was composed in crayon. But hey, you be the judge.

Chicago Tribune: Is it time to tear down Wrigley Field?

Starlin Castro tied for fifth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting... Whoa. Rumor has it the Cubs are kicking the tires on signing Cliff Lee... The Cubs reacquired utility infielder Scott Moore from the Orioles... Alas, Micah Hoffpauir is no more: He took a gig with Japan's Nippon Ham Fighters. He and Matt Murton will undoubtedly battle for MVP next year... Andre Dawson's brick outside Wrigley Field has been damaged... Here's a surprise: The Wrigleyville Harry Caray's location is closing... Have you signed up for Bulls Fan Report yet?

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