Putting the Cub in Cuban
To make a bad week worse for the Cardinals, it appears Mark Cuban could win the bidding for the Chicago Cubs. According to a published report, he is one of three would-be buyers still in the hunt.
As owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Cuban earned a reputation for passionate and generous stewardship. He is the ultimate nightmare for rival franchises: A superfan who also happens to be a billionaire.
And, oh yeah, he is also a marketing genius. Cuban would find new ways to get a nice return on his investment, which could top $1.5 billion.
Chicago Sun-Times columnist Rick Telander understandably endorses the notion of Cuban striking this deal with Tribune Co. owner Sam Zell: “Cuban is a lone wolf, a rebel like a much younger Zell who answers to no one but his ego and his sense of fun and his wallet (which is fat).”
So Cards fans must hope that nervous Commissioner-For-Life Bud Selig puts the kibosh on Cuban, just to maintain order at his owners meetings.
MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE
Questions to ponder while waiting for somebody, anybody, to save a game for the Cardinals:
- Is anybody worried that the Cards will rush Chris Carpenter back to the rotation too soon?
- Is Chris Perez working extra hard on his slider, knowing that the Cards really, REALLY need him back in the bullpen?
- Who could have possibly guessed that Kerry Wood would end up on the disabled list?
MELEE OF THE WEEK
Never mind that WNBA tiff. Class A teams Peoria (a Cubs affiliate) and Dayton (Reds) played for keeps during their free-for-all Thursday night in Dayton.
The bottom line: Peoria pitcher Julio Castillo was jailed on charges of felonious assault, a Dayton fan was hospitalized and Peoria second baseman Gian Guzman suffered a broken leg.
Castillo hit two Dayton batters, one in the head. The second player Castillo hit, Angel Cabrera, retaliated with a hard slide into second base to break up a double play attempt.
That prompted Castillo to throw another pitch up and in, which led to a heated debate between Dayton manager Donnie Scott and interim Peoria manager Carmelo Martinez, which led to Martinez shoving Scott . . . and then the benches emptied.
Castillo also tried to throw a ball into the Dayton dugout, but he missed and clocked a fan instead. Hence his arrest.
Here is the breakdown:
QUIPS ‘R US
Here is what some of America’s leading sports pundits have been writing:
Rick Morrissey, Chicago Tribune: “OK, true, the Cubs have had injuries. A lot of them. But it’s hard to play the injury card when the Cardinals have put together a team with Popsicle sticks and Elmer’s glue and still managed to win.”
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel: “The nation can’t get enough of imagery and pageantry of the SEC. This is the league that has the defending Heisman Trophy winner and the defending national champion. This is the league that draws the most fans and makes the most money. This is without question the No. 1 league in college football. And there is no No. 2. If the SEC is the King of Hearts, everybody else is the 6 of Clubs.”
Mark Kriegel, FoxSports.com: “Just when it seemed as if there’s been real progress combating drug abuse in Los Angeles, you turn on the radio and hear guys talking about a Dodgers-Angels World Series.”
Steve Rosenbloom, ChicagoSports.com: “The Bears flipped a coin to see which quarterback would get the first chance to play with the first team. The rest of the offensive gameplan will be dictated by a Magic 8 Ball.”
MEGAPHONE
“What you see is what you get. I wear my emotion on my sleeve. I’m a true person. I’m not going to be fake or fabricated to anybody.”
New Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey.
Dear Mozeliak,
I understand you want to develope talent, but the opportunity to win isn’t always there. Look at the Yankee’s, talent isn’t always everything. Chemistry is a big key, and this team has great chemistry. I know you don’t want to be the GM that trades away Mickey Mantle in your first year. But listen. Coby Ramsus could be the next Mickey Mantle or the next J.D. Drew. Shoot he could be the next Jim Linderman or Germino Pena. Remember sometimes it is better to get cash in hand than a promise note. Please don’t let us and the team down by not getting bullpen help. And a possible bat, upgrade.
Signed,
Cardinal Nation
Speak for yourself John. This member of Cardinal Nation wants to see Colby wearing the birds on the bat.
Bullpen help? really? Remember you asked for that 5 years from now. We can get help and give up a lot less than our best prospect since Pujols.
I am not recommending giving up Coby Ramsus for just a “Joe Smoe”. I was just using him as an example, maybe a bad example of some of the minor league talent we have.
My point is the Cardinals have always overvalued their prospects. I believe nothing should untouchable.
You remember in 5 years, if he is the next J.D. Drew. I hope he is all that is billed to be. But I have seen many players that were billed as the next big thing and turned out to be average players at best in the majors.
Minor league players are a gamble, and I think the Cardinal management has always see our side of the fence as being greener than it really is.
I would love to trade the surplus of outfield talent, we have for a good, young reliever. Someone who could help for the next decade, not some broken down has-been.
I do agree, Coby might was a bad example. He was just the biggest name for discussion.
Rasmus is injured and, currently, virtually untradeable.
There, I just rendered the above conversation moot.
You would have thought we could have traded Anthony Reyes to Washington for Rauch. Reyes did win Game 1 of a World Series after all.
Speaking of overrated prospects. If anyone believes Chris Perez is going to be a shut down closer they’re dreaming. The 99+ MPH heater we kept hearing about when he was in Memphis never made it North of the Ohio River. I never saw a reading above 93 in the games in which I watched him pitch. The guy is meat.
What’s that? You mean this organization has overrated their pitching prospects? I find that hard to believe.
Manny Aybar anyone?
I agree with Gordo that Claude Wroten won’t be missed but his suspension sets a lousy tone for training camp.
Why doesn’t Tony consider using multiple pitchers in the 9th, just as he does in other innings? Thompson was warmed up last night, so why not bring him in after Franklin gets the first out. Why not use three pitchers in the 9th until this gets worked out? Maybe this is a bad idea, but it seems like a better one than leaving Franklin out there to get rocked again.
Was Colby Rasmus above the Mendoza Line with his batting average when he got hurt? I keep hearing about how great this guy is going to be but I don’t believe it when guys like Mather and Stavinoa are brought up ahead of him.
Is Steven Jackson not under contract to the Rams for this season? Doesn’t he have an obligation to the Rams and his team mates to show up for work? I’m sick of his me, me, me attitude and think he should be traded while he still has some value. I wouldn’t want him watching my back.
To Mr. Burwell I say two things; 1. Orlando Pace, not Jackson, is the most important cog on the Rams as evidenced by last years collapse without him. 2. I wouldn’t want YOU on my team either.