Down 6-0 I genuinely feel sorry for the real diehard Cub fans and I know quite a few. I knew one old fellow who on his deathbed expressed that one of his major regrets in life was that he didn't get to see the Cubs in a world series. I honestly believe that the best way for true fans to support the team is by not going to the games next year, not buying the hats or shirts and not watching the games. That would force the owners to either give back to the fans (by investing in top players) or sell the team.
(I may have posted this before) NL East | NL Central | NL West |AL East | AL Central | AL West Team 2015 Payroll 1. Los Angeles Dodgers $272,789,040 2. New York Yankees $219,282,196 3. Boston Red Sox $187,407,202 4. Detroit Tigers $173,813,750 5. San Francisco Giants $172,672,111 6. Washington Nationals $164,920,505 7. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim $150,933,083 8. Texas Rangers $142,140,873 9. Philadelphia Phillies $135,827,500 10. Toronto Blue Jays $122,506,600 11. St. Louis Cardinals $120,869,458 12. Seattle Mariners $119,798,060 13. Chicago Cubs $119,006,885 14. Cincinnati Reds $117,197,072 15. Chicago White Sox $115,238,678 16. Kansas City Royals $113,618,650 17. Baltimore Orioles $110,146,097 18. Minnesota Twins $108,945,000 19. Milwaukee Brewers $105,002,536 20. Colorado Rockies $102,006,130 21. New York Mets $101,409,244 22. San Diego Padres $100,675,896 23. Atlanta Braves $97,578,565 24. Arizona Diamondbacks $91,518,833 25. Pittsburgh Pirates $88,278,500 26. Cleveland Indians $86,091,175 27. Oakland A's $86,086,667 28. Tampa Bay Rays $76,061,707 29. Houston Astros $70,910,100 30. Miami Marlins $68,479,000
Throwing money at a team isn't everything and they're doing something right... Just ask the Red Sox The cubs are in the NLCS so they're not far off from being a top team, just they're against a mets team that hasn't chocked yet. That's an unstoppable force!
Cubbies were definitely hitting stride. They had the Cards' number late in the season and we all saw them unleash some serious offensive power in the NLDS to beat the best team in baseball. Now their bats are silent, while the Mets take their turn. Somehow, I don't think NYM have what it takes to beat either AL team the Royals.
I won't pretend to be an authority on sports in general or baseball in particular but from a business standpoint, (and that's what all professional sports teams are, businesses ) if the return on the present investment is high then there is little incentive for the owners to re-invest. The Cubs are a perfect example of this, as long as the culture of going to the game primarily for a good time persists and thus generating sufficient profits for the owners then the chances of a world series win are slim.
Money doesn't mean as much in today's MLB. Look at the list Bill posted, the Cubs have a payroll that's 18 million dollars more than the Mets and are getting creamed. None of the teams that will possibly play in this year's world series have a payroll that's even half of the top one in the league.
I just told my wife, that foul ball just hit TWO Cubs in the head! I am CONVINCED there is a curse!!! damn goats.
Ok just got home from game. PUI warning! I have season tickets and had a great time at the park this season. I picked the Cubs to win 88 games this year and they finished at 97. (I think) Ahead of my expectations. But... they made the playoffs, then the NLCS... All good, but it was tough to see them fold in four games. Some guy and his son (10-12yo) Mets fan snuck down in front in the late innings when it was all but over, I shook the kids hand and told him to enjoy it that he's seeing something that I've never seen in 50+ years. Dad was cool, thanking me and wishing me luck next year. (heard that before) And for me here is where it gets hard. My friend passed away in his sleep a month ago. Big Cubs fan. A younger guy (42) he was a terrific ballplayer, captain of his college team, always the best player on the field in our "beer" leagues. The news was a shock to me and at his funeral I found out that the tickets I gave him in August was the first game he took his 5 yo son and the last game he went to. I kinda picture his wife and the boy staying up late watching the Cubs in the playoffs together, for those few hours their world isn't so bad. Now that's over, and I hope they are going to be ok. Just sad right now, not about baseball, just for a little guy who lost his Dad. Congrats Mets!
Indeed. Not a bad run for a bunch of Rookies. I was disappointed in their inability to generate runs in the last 4 games, but they weren't supposed to get THIS far, THIS year anyhow. I think Maddon's fever had an effect on his decision making ability in the last few days. Or he's not as brilliant as everyone keeps saying....... Schwarber has a good bat, but he sure as hell ain't no outfielder. Let him catch. But still, not a bad run. The Prime Directive ALWAYS is to beat the Cardinals, and that was accomplished.....
You started this thread and ironically, it was at the hands of another Murphy that the Cubs met defeat.
If using one year as the example then there may be anomalies but if over the course of an extended period of time the money is spent then it only stands to reason that the results will follow. Either way, here's to next year....
Man, you've gone on about this, but the FACTS just don't support your thesis. Here's what's actually true about the Cubs salary in recent years: Since 1998, the Cubs have averaged about 8th in total salary yearly. In that time, they had 8 years in the top 10, and 2 of those years they were third. In that time, only ONCE have they been below midpack and that was two years ago when they intentionally blew up their roster in order to rebuild. Now they are once again midpack, with a shit ton of young talent, and room to renegotiate to keep guys as they develop and their market increases. I'm a died-in-the-wool Cards fan, but you're a nutcase if you think the Cubs aren't doing exactly what they should be to try to build long-term success.
Huh. Theo Epstein isn't known for being cheap. You don't think he'll get permission to spend money when he thinks he needs to?
Cubs are doing a fantastic job of recruiting and building. 2015 was a fluke, they realistically shouldn't have gotten as far as they did. But... they couldn't just fold, they had to ride it out. The final series with NY bought out the errors and mistakes of youth, and the various holes that need to be plugged. I have no doubt that Management knows what they are doing, and will repair what is needed. Compare this year to the last three or so. Cubs Management are aware of the pitching deficit, and are working on it in the offseason. Meanwhile, plenty of youthful talent, and good management all 'round. Look for them in the World Series in 2017. 2016 is still a building block year. Likely they will make the playoffs once again, but not the WS. Purchase your 2017 WS tickets asap.
