Milking Wrigley Field and Painting it Purple

Today proves once again that the brain-trust over at Cubs Marketing doesn't believe in being subtle and they never miss out on an opportunity to milk Wrigley Field.

I believe you would agree that The Stadium has already been sufficiently "Northwestern-ized" for this Saturday's game. What with the Purple and White flags flying on every pole, oversized Northwestern banners hung on the West and to the South as well as eight more cluttering around our beautiful Wrigley Field Marquee. Dang heck, they even painted the right field wall window off of Sheffield Purple.

Well sir - apparently that wasn't enough, because they have decided to also paint the Wrigley Field marquee Purple. Not only are they temporarily defacing the landmark, they are also making sure they do it loudly; promoting and sponsoring it, complete with MasterCard billboards and Valspar paint cans. Because, you see - Wrigley Field isn't just a dandy place to watch a game, she is also a money making machine.

From The Vault: Bodysuited Dude Asked to Leave

Check out this dude. He shows up to a Cubs game in a full bodysuit. I'm talking head to toe red spandex... can't even see his eyeballs.

First off, one has to question the timing of this stunt. It is an midweek, low attended game. That kind of a effort deserves a Friday afternoon against the Cardinals... in the bleachers.

And besides looking odd, the dude didn't do anything at all to cause a commotion. He was even kind enough to remove his helmet for the national anthem (see below:)



But apparently there is some policy against these types of shenanigans because an inning later... security showed up and escorted the dude out like he was Steve Bartman

Cubs Skipper Search - Ignorance vs Incompetence

(image from http://www.mycubstoday.com)

I wouldn't say I'm a big fan of the Cubs new owner or their old General Manager. I'd say that the problem with Tom Ricketts is: He doesn't know what he is doing, and worse yet, he think Jim Hendry does.

And I believe this search for a new skipper is a good example of this battle between ignorance and incompetence.

I read a pretty interesting article this morning over at fanpeeps.com that talked about this very thing. The gentleman there argued that the skipper search has come down to Ricketts' choice: Ryne Sandberg vs Hendry' pick: Mike Quade. Mr. Ricketts did promise to that it was ultimately the decision of the General Manager, but that sounds to me like some sorta business-world jargon to cover his rear in case the decision goes south.

I guess my money would be on Quade at this point. Ricketts has to know that this is Hendry's last big decision as GM. If this new manager doesn't lead the Cubs to the promised land, somebody's going to have to take the fall. And you can't make Hendry the scapegoat if you take the decision out of his hands.

Well, actually Ricketts can and will make Hendry the scapegoat no matter what, but I'd still put a nickel on Quade.

Tyler Colvin Seen Wearing Tiki Idol

Tyler Colvin was seen wearing a Tiki Idol as a shard from an errant baseball bat impaled him in the chest. Perhaps it is the same idol Greg was wearing when he got into that serious surfing accident.

Tyler is doing ok in a Florida hospital, but he is done for the season.

Some people are pointing to this incident as proof that the Cubs are cursed but as our old pal Hank put it: "It kinda proves the opposite... If we were cursed he'd be dead".

Let's just hope Jeff Samardzija returns that Tiki Idol to its ancient burial ground before anyone else gets hurt.

Lolly Gaggers

I share the sentiments of the thousands who are not showing up. I've been through my share of bad seasons but this one takes the cake! Good riddance D. Lee, Theriot, Fontenot and whoever else we can unload. I can't even watch this s--- on tv. What a bunch of lolly gaggers. I guess there have been plenty of seasons this bad but not with the payroll. I could always blame the organization in the past but now we just have a bunch of overpayed lollygaggers. Maybe if we spent more time building a farm system than we spend building toyota signs we could have a winning season.

HANK

Alan Trammell & RBI

I wonder if Bench Coach Trammell ever brags about the fact that he was A speed and A contact, only Paul Molitor could say the same.

Does he also think Marlon Byrd is built like an RBI player?

I'm guessing Coach Trammell talks about this often with the current Cubbies.

And I'm certain, now that he has been told that he won't ever be the Cubs manager, he can forget about the stress of that job and the fact that he has a horrible record as a manager. Now he can focus on discussing and showcasing his A speed and A contact.

From what I hear, he is able to use his A contact to fungo a popfly straight-up to the catcher, then use his A speed to run to first base and back, pick up his fungo and hit the catcher in the back of the heel, thus distracting the catcher from making the catch.

Godspeed Sweet Lou

I watched on the news last night and heard about Lou Piniella's retirement following Sunday's game.

That was quite a drubbing they took at the hands of D. Lee and the Braves.

I wish him all the best and hope Lou's ailing mother goes peacefully.

Hank