SPORTSbyBOOKS.com has referenced three links regarding Mark Cuban possibly buying the Chicago Cubs for $625 million. The original story was posted on Radar Online and eventually shot down by CNBC reporter Darren Rovell.
Rumor or not, let’s speculate. On one hand, could you imagine Cuban getting a seat right behind the home plate umpire for all the Cubs’ home games? Good grief, no umpire would want to visit Wrigley. On the other hand, and more importantly, there aren’t many owners who are as committed to their clubs as Cuban is. Let’s face it, up until this past offseason, the Tribune Co. has been one of the cheapest in all of professional sports. Cuban would certainly change all that, and possibly revive one long-suffering organization.
There was speculation that the reason why the Tribune Co. opened its wallet this offseason, was because it wanted to sell. Hmm…
Hit the nail on the head w/ the Tribune Co under speculation for upping the ante in terms of opening their deep, deep pockets for some free agent signing this offseason. In fact, I think they went a bit overboard signing some of these guys (I think they called me and offered $12/3 yrs to be a bench coach), but I suppose that’s the FA market these days.
All in all, as a Baseball fan first and a Cubs fan second, new ownership for the Cubs would be the best thing for the city, fans & team itself. The northsiders deserve a winner and let’s not even talk about the Bartman-laden 2003 year. Still hurts. Why was that guy wearing a green turtleneck to a Cubs game anyway? He should have gotten hit just for that. Ah, I digress.
Take home point here is that Cuban is a great Owner for a team b/c he wants to see a winner, and will do everything in his power to assemble such a team, as you hit on with the original post. Do you think we could just get him a muzzle for when he’s behind the dish trying to screw with the ump?
D Fresh,
First and foremost, did you take the $12/3-year deal that the Cubs offered? That’s quite a deal for a bench coach…unless I’m reading that wrong and it’s actually $12.00 dollars.
I think as a Cubs fan, you have to at least be interested in what this guy could potentially do for your ball club. I mean this isn’t a team that ownership has focused on building throughout the years by spending a lot of money. He’s going to be a pain in the ass on some occasions, but man, he’ll do everything he can to build a winner.
AS
As much as I would like to see Cuban buy into the Cubs – I don’t think it will happen. Being a salary cap fan, I would love to see somebody kick Steinbrenners ass by actually BUYING more allstars then the Evil Empire. It stinks that there is such desparity in baseball. But if it will painfully continue – I can’t wait for the day a Mark Cuban or Bill Gates goes into baseball. Maybe that would open up some eyes ? It would be awesome to see the Cubs blow up that NY team in MLB’s version of Fantasy Baseball.
Love, Lou Pinella
You can keep on waiting for you’re beloved CAP into baseball but it’s not happening, they have a Union. You should also be doing handstands because the Yankee’s lost the last few years but in fact you do not.
I thought the topic was Mark Cuban buying the Cubs?
If so, I hope that he does. I like the the guy and I like the Yankee’s ….go figure. I like people that understand the cost of doing business on the major league level,
a person that is responsible to his Team and his Fans.
Welcome Mark Cuban………..You get it.
This rumor was clearly started by a Cubs fan, since they know that Cuban will do what it takes to win. The actions of the Trib, however, are fueling that rumor, since they have never, EVER been ones to spend so lavishly. It makes one wonder if they’re only doing it because they know they won’t have to pay the tab 18 months from now.
The worst part of the Cubs’ spree is that it wasn’t enough! They’re still two arms and a bat short. Yes, they’re a hell of a lot better than the team that took the field last year, but I maintain that as long as they are owned by the Tribune Company, they will never, ever win the World Series. Ever.
P.S. I went to every NLCS game in 2003. Stop blaming Bartman. It’s not his fault. It’s Dusty’s. He was out-coached, and his players were under-prepared. Simple as that.
They would have been crazy to not try and upgrade their team if they were putting it on the block. You get your car detailed before you sell it, don’t you? Of course, you don’t put any real money into it and hope the buyer doesn’t notice the oil leak or the grinding noise when you start it. That’s the Cubs…they got a nice Piniella hood ornament, put on some Sorriano seat-covers and hope a prospective buyer like Cuban doesn’t notice the worn Prior and Wood tires, the fading Lilly paint-job, or that the engine (Carlos Lee) only runs on “high-octane” (but that’s for a different discussion).
And they need to leave Bartman alone…who does Chicago think it is anyway…Boston??
Love,
Billy Bucks
Correction: Derek Lee runs on high-octaine…not Carlos. Then again, these days, you never know!
David,
I totally agree w/ you that the Trib sees this as a ridiculous excuse of using credit b/c they probably feel they’ll never have to “pay the tab” as you put it.
And you’re right they left themselves short on quite a few positions crucial for success, however they AT LEAST signed some starting pitching that can eat innings, if nothing else. They may not be spectacular but should save some wear and tear on a bullpen that should put up good numbers, IF they don’t have to throw every single day like they did last season after seemingly endless amounts of 4 or 5 inning starts by the starter.
FYI, I never said anything about blaming Bartman. I feel for the guy b/c if I were in that seat, I’d have reached for that ball too. Never did I say it was his fault they lost the NLCS, so please don’t put words in my mouth. There’s no excuse to be up that many games coming back home and still piss away the series. Dusty’s the real joke in that situation, as you hit on but don’t put me in the crowd who wants bartman to have the same fate as the ball he went after. Boom.
D-Fresh…I was making a general statement about Cubs fans and Bartman. I’ve seen in the past that you’re not in that group but I know there are a lot who do blame him. It was more an opportunity for me to put a dig in about the Redsox!!
Sorry Big Steinny, You said ” I thought the topic was Mark Cuban buying the Cubs ?” – Well, it was sir, but I was talking about the other obvious reference of an owner with deep pockets from the previous messages. I’m pretty sure your owner has deep pockets. I also understand that there will be no salary cap in baseball – this makes you happy … the League is built for you. I don’t understand how you lose any games at all ? Do you think every team in baseball generates $400 million and can have a $210 million payroll ? Thats your cost of doing business – nobody elses.
Maybe you can talk to T-Bone … I think he got off the topic a bit ? I think he is a bit paranoid about Boston ? I thought we were talking about Cuban and the Cubs ?
Get some sleep guys.
The cost of doing business is putting money back into your team to build a winner and make more money, to put it back into your team to build a winner and make more money…….etc. Too many owners think these teams are there to make money for the them to put into their pockets, not reinvest in the team. That’s got nothing to do with a salary cap. These owners don’t understand what it takes to build a winner. Mark Cuban does. The Cubs have been a cash-cow for the Tribune company despite losing for years in the 3rd largest market in the US. Their fans are loyal and the money keeps rolling in. Cuban wouldn’t stand for that and would make that investment in his team to build a winner.
The Cubs could invest more for sure – but too many other teams cannot.
Royals Fan