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Chicago Cubs television analyst Bob Brenly will not return next season. We don’t know for certain what he’ll be doing next, but returning to the Arizona Diamondbacks is a possibility. Perhaps as a broadcaster, perhaps as a coach. Could he be replacing Mark Grace who was let go by the team as a broadcaster? Would Gracie then take the Cubs position, making this a de facto television analyst trade?
Who else could replace Brenly? Kerry Wood is a name floating around out there.
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The way Jay shows emotions may not rub everyone the right way, but if it works for him, we need to stop giving him grief about it.
Let’s face it Chicago, we’ve been spoiled. When it comes to likable team captains and superstars, there has been no shortage lately.
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Kerry Wood retired from MLB today. He ended his career with the same team he began with, the Chicago Cubs. He also had some time with the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees. Wood set a single game strikeouts record, had some big postseason moments in 2003, suffered major injuries due to aggravating motions in his mechanics, and still had a fine 14 year career. It was just a career that fell way short of sky high expectations.
Wood needed to retire, it was overdue for him to go. But he couldn’t go out like this. (that would have been embarrassing, and an injustice to the good things he accomplished in the big leagues). And he couldn’t leave with such an ugly media meltdown like that.
There’s already been a million retrospectives written about his career, so I’ll stop here. And plenty of people have already written cheesy sentimental pablum about his final baseball moments today, so I’m not going to describe that either.
But you can watch it below:
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After a day dominated by headlines about Kerry Wood returning to the North Side, day two of the Cubs Convention in Chicago was marked by headlines in other areas. New changes to Wrigley Field were discussed, some free agency matters were addressed by the Cubs’ head honchos, and there was plenty of reaction both positive and negative to all of it.
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After months of speculation as to whether or not he would return to the North Side, reliever Kerry Wood revealed his decision on Friday night by being the last player introduced at the Cubs Convention at the Hilton Chicago. The event, always geared toward recognizing the new faces the team has brought in over the winter, as well as appreciate the club’s history, but this time, it took on a special meaning with Wood emerging on the stage.
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In a tumultuous off-season for the Chicago Cubs, there have been a slew of players who have found themselves on the outside looking in with the new regime of Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer doing some serious housecleaning. Aramis Ramirez has departed to Milwaukee, Carlos Pena won’t be brought back by the club, and Carlos Zambrano, Tyler Colvin, Sean Marshall, and Andrew Cashner have all been dealt away. One free agent, however, has Cubs fans torn between their loyalty to him and their willingness to allow the new baseball brain trust to shape the team as they see fit.
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I am catching everyone a bit off-guard here on Friday, but it is always good to change things up a little bit, right? Just like the Cubs are going to need to change things up more than a little bit when it comes to their 2012 roster.
So, let’s get going and starting rambling, and maybe even start talking about next year a little bit.
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I am a rambling, rambling, rambling man.
As you can tell by the headline, it is time to ramble. Let the thoughts flow, let it all hang out, let it go.
So let’s do this. Ramble on!
• Picking up where I left off last week, the Groundhog says Spring is near. I think Punxsutawney Phil must have not seen the 24 inches of freaking snow in Chicago.
• So, the Cubs are giving good ole Lou Montanez another shot. The only person has been given more “second chances” than him is Charlie Sheen.
• I want to take Matt Garza and Carlos Zambrano out for drinks, get them liquored up and then start a fight …
• No, I don’t really want to do that.
• Okay, yes, I totally want that to happen.
• Are the Brewers really going to win the NL Central? Really? Really?
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The 26th annual Cubs Convention kicks off today. This will be my sixth convention, and it is always fun.
Nonetheless, with the Convention about to kickoff, and the excuses about to come coursing out of “the Management’s” mouth, Cubs fans are ready for a festive weekend while saluting Ronny in many ways.
So, with all that said, let’s ramble on down the road.
By: Brian McCabe
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The Chicago Cubs and right-handed pitcher Kerry Wood have agreed to a one year, $1.5 million deal. Wood returns home to the MLB organization that originally selected him in the first round (fourth overall) of the 1995 June Draft.
The righthander made his big league debut with the Cubs in 1998 and pitched for the club through the 2008 season, compiling a 77-61 record with 34 saves, a 3.65 ERA (494 ER/1,219.1 IP) and 1,407 strikeouts in 276 appearances (178 starts) with Chicago. Wood pitched for the Cleveland Indians (2009-10) and New York Yankees (2010) the last two seasons.
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Carlos Pena, Adam LaRoche … or will it be Tyler Colvin?
First base is empty for the first time in a long time. Remember when Hee-Seop Choi was the Cubs first-baseman of the future? Yea, it is darn funny to think about that.
And this is just the first of many questions regarding the 2011 installment of the Chicago Cubs.
Will Tom Gorzelanny be traded?
Will Brandon Webb be signed?
Could Paul Konerko become a Chicago Cub?
Will Sean Marshall really remain in the set-up role?
What is Andrew Cashner’s role in 2011?
Will Kerry Wood come back?
Should the Cubs go after Zach Grienke?
Will Jeff Samardzija get a real chance?
As one can see, questions regarding the Cubs are flying around the Internet and some are most likely traveling around a hotel lobby in Lake Buena Vista, Florida as well.
By: Brian McCabe
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The Backdoor Cut takes a look back at games one and two of the New York Yankees-Minnesota Twins ALDS….Umpiring, Andy Pettitte’s Dominance, playoff managing, and Lance Berkman’s re-emergance are just a few of the topics touched on…If you like what you hear, listen to the radio version of The Backdoor Cut Tuesday Nights from 9-11 p.m. on 91.7 fm KAUG or online at www.augsburg.edu/kaug.
http://thebackdoorcut.mypodcast.com/2010/10/The_Backdoor_Cut_TwinsYankees_Playoff_Breakdown-329010.html
-Mike Gallagher
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