Remember the ecstasy Chicago Cubs fans felt when Theo Epstein was first hired? That air of extreme optimism, something rarified at Clark and Addison? Well, that’s gone now as the Cubs are in last place, and people aren’t showing up to Wrigley Field in droves these days to consume the team like they used to. What will see first: ground-breaking on the stadium renovations? Or a playoff berth?
It appears 2015 is already out of the question for signs of true progress, so 2016 it is then, right? Or 2017?
Obviously, the luster is certainly off Theo Epstein now, and he can no longer coast on his laurels from his days with the Boston Red Sox. His actions are being questioned quite a bit from local and national media, but when does his seat begin to get warm? Sure, Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer et al do not want to rush any of the prospects up the bigs, but why not promote somebody? Give the fans some reason to show up at the ballpark this year. Why not give Kris Bryant some on-the-job training? Given the current standings, there’s literally nothing to lose.
Here to answer these questions and more is RedEye special contributor Matt Lindner. Follow him on Twitter @mattlindner. In the podcast he talks Chicago Cubs development, gives you reasons why you should attend White Sox games, opines on the state of sports social media, the dark side of the World Cup in Brazil and much more.
Paul M. Banks owns The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. He’s also a frequent guest on talk shows across the world. Banks has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including NFL.com, Forbes, Bleacher Report, Deadspin, ESPN, Washington Times, NBC and the History Channel. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)