4 posts tagged “chicago cubs”

Who says journalism is Chicago has gone soft? The heated contest between Chicago’s two big newspapers is weak? It’s going strong, baby!

As you may know, the gajillionaire Sam Zell bought the Tribune Company, who currently owns the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field and the Chicago Tribune. The Cubs have been on sale for a since he came to power, but so is Wrigley Field, and in addition to selling Wrigley, Greedy Boy Zell has said publicly he would sell the naming rights to it.

Hooters Field? Office Max Field? Starbucks Field? In Chicago? Hell no!!!!! Chicagoans are seriously rebelling on the idea and a lynch posse to get Zell is gathering. No big name company in their right mind would consider buying the rights for risk of their business in the Chicago market going bust. And pickets.

So the Chicago Sun-Times started a contest for people to submit music videos on YouTube decrying the sale of the naming rights. Who won: the Chicago Tribune! The newspaper owned by Greedy Boy Zell. How funny.

Here’s the video.

I love this city. As I write this I'm watching Top Chef Chicago and seeing all the cool places where they filmed. I was born and raised in the city limits, so I am totally a big city gal. What is hysterical is that people born and raised in the suburbs will say they were born in Chicago. A typical conversation:

Person A: Where are you from?

Person B: Chicago.

Person A: Really. From what part of the city?

Person B: Schaumburg. (You can fill in the blank with any suburb)

Person A: (somewhat dismissively) Oh. So you're from the suburbs?

Person B: (with pride) Yeah.

News flash, Sparky - you're not from Chicago. Only if you were born and raised in the city limits can you truly say you are. Get with the program. That's like me saying I'm from Los Angeles but was born and raised in Irvine, Garden Grove or some other Southern California burb. Not happening.

I truly love the vibe and people of my city. The trains, the ability to have a car here but not rely on it to get anywhere, the people, the culture, the theater, the nightlife, everything. My precious Chicago Cubs!! Spring and Summer rocks! Fall is nice. Winter, not so much, but if you can get through a winter here you can pretty much get through a winter anywhere. Except for the Poles, Antarctica, Russia and Canada (and I think Toe-Knee can attest to that).

So yes, this is a love fest for my hometown. I think the reason I am so in love with Sydney, Toronto and London is because they all remind me of Chicago in so many ways with their own vibe and take. The first time I went to each of those cities I felt like I was home. No matter how much I travel, my heart melts when I look out the airplane window and see the gorgeous Chicago skyline with the Sears Tower, John Hancock building, and dare I say it, the skyscraper where I work. Ah, home.

Can you tell I'm bummed and PMS-ing??

I did wake up this morning to a lighter note though. Today the Chicago Cubs start reporting to spring training. Fnally! And their first game is Feb. 28. I'm as happy as a little girl. My second favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, start reporting tomorrow to defend their title. To bad they fill fall. I don't know if my heart can take a Cubs/Red Sox series. I would be on overload.

I have to be super-positive this year because it is the 100th anniversary since their last series win. (I know - I don't want to hear it, so save all your Cubs jokes and snarky comments. I've heard every possible one.).

I'm feeling good because positivity is in the air. Lou Piniella is back. Kosuke Fukudome has joined the team. The pitching staff isn't looking too bad. And there is a serious possibility of Mark Cuban buying the team. How can you not think happy juju? On top of all this, my preferred Presidential candidate is kicking serious ass at the moment.

If both the Cubs and the candidate fail me this year I will seriously go postal. It will warp my fragile little mind. The space time contiuum will go out of whack. I will change my name, move to Bolivia and become a dog groomer. Or something of that nature. They have dog groomers in Bolivia, right? They have dogs, right?

Dear Cubs,

I have been one of your adoring fans for years. I have the scar tissue to prove it. I worship you on WGN and long for you in the winter months. I become happy as a little girl on opening day. I would attend the Cubs Convention in January if only I hadn't sat on my lazy ass for so long until tickets became sold out. I can't tell you how many t-shirts I have with your logo. I would sell my kids (if I had them) for bleacher seats or private box access. I am seriously considering purchasing an authentic Wrigley Field brick or personalizing a pavement brick. Ryne Sandberg is my all-time baseball God. On game days at work I keep the MLB toolbar on my laptop and monitor the games with baited breath. Some of my most treasured memories in life are of games attended with my late dad. I am finally starting to forgive you for putting up lights in Wrigley. I'm working on your decision to let Mark Prior go. I have weathered graciously the taunts of the many scumbag White Sox fans.

But as a lifelong, rabid fan, I must implore you. I beseech you. I am down on hands and knees begging. Please, please, PUHLEEZ, show me and your adoring public some love and grant us the following:

- Allow Mark Cuban to buy you. Seriously. The man wants and needs you badly, is willing to prove it, and having him as an owner will be good for you, good for me, good for everybody.

- Now that you've acquired Kosuke Fukudome, don't fuck it up!

- Don't even THINK of getting rid of Lou Piniella. I love the smell of the Cubs in the playoffs, and this past October seriously whet my appetite.

- Next time you have a concert at Wrigley, please be more careful of the turf. As much I loved The Police show, the grass took a serious hit.

- Stop raising ticket prices. Seriously, folks. Get with the program. You're already one of the most profitable sports franchises out there. Ease up a bit. We will still come and part with our paychecks gladly.

In closing, and this goes without saying, give us a damn series!!!!! 2008 is the 100th - the 100th - anniversary of your last one. Even Boston finally threw their fans a bone. Be kind to us.

All my love.

P.S. In the spirit of the holiday season, would you be a lamb and throw a convention ticket my way?