In watching this year's Cubs team, I can't help but be reminded of my favorite team of the past: the '89 Cubs. In the seemingly endless string of years in which we as Cubs fans would let out a collective expletive come August/September (let's be honest: most years it was June/July), mine were typically directed to the managers. I feel the style of play has to come from the top. When a manager (whose name will not be revealed--we will call him, Wusty Daker) allows his "superstars" to swing out of their shoes trying to hit a five-run homer with no one on base, trailing in the eighth inning, not only Dan Roan could tell you that something has to change. Although, maybe I'm being too hard on him--he did some stuff that fell under the radar. Like for example, I know it wasn't Sammy Sosa's idea to make a 3-1 count an automatic swing situation regardless of pitch location, speed, break, inning, score, outs, runners in scoring position, runners not in scoring position, who's on deck, in the hole, nuclear war, no--he was swinging 3-1. Now I know Du--I mean Wusty had to be coaching him to do so. I mean, could Sosa really have thought of that on his own? We as a knowledgeable group of fans want a manager who is going to coach his guys to, get this, TAKE A WALK should a 3-1 pitch not be what he's looking for. Double steal, sac bunt, squeeze bunt, hit and run, steal home. This is the style of play we want. So naturally, when I saw our Cubs playing the game the right way, I thought, wow, the last time we had a manager who preached such a passionate style of baseball was Don Zimmer. Here are more similarities between the two:
Don Zimmer was born in Cincinnati; Lou Piniella used to manage the Cincinnati Reds.
The Cincinnati Reds radio announcer is Marty Brennaman who recently insulted Cub fans everywhere (see link below). His son, Thom Brennaman was once an announcer for the Chicago Cubs.
Chicago also houses the White Sox whose former announcer was Harry Caray. Harry Caray was the announcer for the Cubs in '89, coached by Don Zimmer.
Don Zimmer played middle infield. If you combine the numbers 89 and 08 the middle numbers are 90.
Lou Piniella's Cincinatti Reds won the World Series in '90 whose radio announcer was Marty Brennaman, whose son at the time was announcing for the Cubs along with Harry Caray who was drinking Old Style at the same time Lou Piniella was getting doused in it.
Don Zimmer many years later was tragically slammed to the ground by Pedro Martinez.
So...
Here is Marty Brennaman spouting off:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky9Kso9q_Ws
An open letter to Marty from me:
Dear Marty,
I just want to start by saying that I haven't been following your career since day one. I am not a huge fan, and it is not an honor to be writing you. First off, I know how embarrassing it must be to call yourself a loyal Reds' fan. I mean, besides Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Ken Griffey jr., Barry Larkin, the Nasty Boys, Chris Sabo, Frank Robinson, Johnny Bench, Eric Davis, and Royce Clayton, who did that team ever have? And who, really, is a Reds fan? At least when our team breaks our hearts, we can bitch and complain with fellow Cubs fans. The reason the Cubs are infamous for losing is because it affects so many across the country. So one can clearly see what is going on here: you are simply jealous of the passion and commitment that Cubs fans exude in astounding numbers. I don't know much about broadcasting, but I know this: when something happens during a sporting event which does not please you, you are paid to have a voice of reason--not to make blanket statements directed at the millions of Cubs fans around the country, simply because you didn't like the drunk few in the (perennially sold-out) bleachers on that particular afternoon. You cannot just whine and cry like a little baby on the air when something does not go your way. Who do you think you are, Hawk Harrelson?
Sincerely,
An ACSF
- posted for jghack by the numbers guy
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