http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-80351184/
still pathetic
Cubs are disappointing on and off field
By Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune reporter
12:45 am, May 31, 2014
MILWAUKEE — If old Yankee Stadium was nicknamed "The House that Ruth Built," perhaps a remodeled Wrigley Field one day will be known as the "The House that Rizzo Restored."
Anthony Rizzo is no Babe Ruth, of course, while the Cubs are still 25 championships behind the Yankees. And if the Cubs' business operations department continues to drop the ball on their dealings with the city, the proposed $375 million face lift of Wrigley will go the way of the College of Coaches.
Before Friday's 11-5 loss to Milwaukee before a crowd of 36,100 at Miller Park, Rizzo admitted he and his teammates are tired of management telling them the long-awaited renovation, including a 30,000 square foot clubhouse, is about to begin.
Cubs business president Crane Kenney said Tuesday they had been working with the city and "anticipated them approving" their revisions to the original plan. But the last-minute, surprise alterations of the ivy-covered bleacher wall for relocated bullpens was news to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who was livid about the Cubs pulling the old hidden ball trick.
"They told us again that 'they're going to get approved, they're going to get approved,' so I know a lot of guys are not happy about that," Rizzo said. "It's kind of strange because we get excited about it and …
"Give them credit. I know they're working their tails off. But, again, it got shut down and it's kind of a bummer because we all thought it was going to happen, and now it's just wait-and-see, like everyone else."
Coincidentally, the season has been "kind of a bummer" as well, and the downer continued Friday with the first-place Brewers pounding the Cubs. The Cubs managed to end their consecutive scoreless innings streak at 22 with a two-run third, but they already trailed 6-0 at that point.
Travis Wood (5-5) lasted only 22/3 innings, allowing seven runs on 10 hits. The Cubs have yet to win a road series and have the majors' worst record at 19-33.
While the Cubs' front office is focusing on next week's draft, the business side was in damage control mode over the latest Wrigley setback. Rizzo said he believes the Cubs are "going to do everything first-class" when it comes to building Wrigley 2.0, but admits he's "sick of hearing it's going to be done."
Other players may feel the same, but only a few have the same kind of clout as Rizzo, who signed a seven-year, $41 million deal last year with club options through 2021.
"I've only been here a few years," Rizzo said. "Some guys before me have heard it before, that changes were going to happen.
"When it gets done, it's going to be great. Now it's just kind of (thinking) 'OK, when it gets done, it gets done.'"
still pathetic
Cubs are disappointing on and off field
By Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune reporter
12:45 am, May 31, 2014
MILWAUKEE — If old Yankee Stadium was nicknamed "The House that Ruth Built," perhaps a remodeled Wrigley Field one day will be known as the "The House that Rizzo Restored."
Anthony Rizzo is no Babe Ruth, of course, while the Cubs are still 25 championships behind the Yankees. And if the Cubs' business operations department continues to drop the ball on their dealings with the city, the proposed $375 million face lift of Wrigley will go the way of the College of Coaches.
Before Friday's 11-5 loss to Milwaukee before a crowd of 36,100 at Miller Park, Rizzo admitted he and his teammates are tired of management telling them the long-awaited renovation, including a 30,000 square foot clubhouse, is about to begin.
Cubs business president Crane Kenney said Tuesday they had been working with the city and "anticipated them approving" their revisions to the original plan. But the last-minute, surprise alterations of the ivy-covered bleacher wall for relocated bullpens was news to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who was livid about the Cubs pulling the old hidden ball trick.
"They told us again that 'they're going to get approved, they're going to get approved,' so I know a lot of guys are not happy about that," Rizzo said. "It's kind of strange because we get excited about it and …
"Give them credit. I know they're working their tails off. But, again, it got shut down and it's kind of a bummer because we all thought it was going to happen, and now it's just wait-and-see, like everyone else."
Coincidentally, the season has been "kind of a bummer" as well, and the downer continued Friday with the first-place Brewers pounding the Cubs. The Cubs managed to end their consecutive scoreless innings streak at 22 with a two-run third, but they already trailed 6-0 at that point.
Travis Wood (5-5) lasted only 22/3 innings, allowing seven runs on 10 hits. The Cubs have yet to win a road series and have the majors' worst record at 19-33.
While the Cubs' front office is focusing on next week's draft, the business side was in damage control mode over the latest Wrigley setback. Rizzo said he believes the Cubs are "going to do everything first-class" when it comes to building Wrigley 2.0, but admits he's "sick of hearing it's going to be done."
Other players may feel the same, but only a few have the same kind of clout as Rizzo, who signed a seven-year, $41 million deal last year with club options through 2021.
"I've only been here a few years," Rizzo said. "Some guys before me have heard it before, that changes were going to happen.
"When it gets done, it's going to be great. Now it's just kind of (thinking) 'OK, when it gets done, it gets done.'"
