SB Nation User Blog: Chadnudj

OT: Northwestern Extends Pat Fitzgerald

Chadnudj — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:47:17 -0000

OT: Northwestern Extends Pat Fitzgerald

I know this is a Cubs baseball site, but I've continually beat the drum for Cubs fans to embrace Northwestern football (conveniently located directly north of Wrigley on the El line, up in Evanston). Great team, great student-athletes, free Goose Island beer pre-games, great Big Ten atmosphere, and a winning team (9-4 last year, 3 Big Ten Titles in the last 15 years).

And now, they have extended their AWESOME football coach, Pat Fitzgerald, through 2015. I hope you all find some time next season to catch a Cats game...its a phenomenal team that deserves Chicago-land support for winning the right way....

Does Sosa's bust HELP the Cubs?

Chadnudj — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:35:03 -0000

I know we are discussing the Sosa 2003 positive test leak elsewhere, and its effect on his legacy, Hall of Fame chances, corrupting effect on our memories, etc, so that should be talked about in those discussion lines.

What I'd like to talk about here is a far more relevant question: Does Sammy's PED bust (and the inevitable storm of stories that it stirs up) take the proverbial monkey off the back of THIS YEAR'S Cubs?

I mean, we know baseball is a game where you can press, and where the "press" (excuse the pun) can put pressure on you to press, and that pressing causes you to lose games. Sometimes, you just need to be able to play free from distraction, so you can see the ball, hit the ball, catch the ball, and throw the ball and perform to your best ability.

So with fans disappointed to some degree in the Cubs' start, bats being silent for much of the season, new additions not working as planned...isn't a complete side show having nothing to do with this year's team that will distract the media EXACTLY what the doctor ordered?

In other words, is Sammy's bust, in its own way, the equivalent of Lou's 2007 blow-up at the umpire, whiich took focus away from the Barrett-Zambrano duel, and allowed the team to loosen up a bit when it needed to?

I await BCB's thoughts....

Eruption time for Lou?

Chadnudj — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:51:57 -0000

A listless team....underperforming offense...recent bad performance....getting swept...injuries...falling perilously far back in the standings....heading into June with things looking bleak....

Cubs 2009, right?

Wrong. Try 2007. It was right around June 2, I believe, when the infamous Barrett-Zambrano fight happened, with the Cubs in the midst of a tailspin.

All of which begs the question -- is it time for Lou to erupt, and head out to abuse an umpire for no other purpose than to get the press/fans off of the team's back and onto his, so that the players can relax a bit and just focus on playing ball (something which we all know based on past numbers these guys can do)?

Will we be seeing Lou kicking dirt, throwing bases, and turning purple in the near-term for no other reason than to shake things up?

I'm interested in your thoughts....as well as whether you think this could work as a motivating factor....it sure seemed to work in 2007, so why not do it again now?

OT - Northwestern-Illinois Football at Wrigley?

Chadnudj — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:09:04 -0000

Teddy Greenstein reported it...what do you think?

The plan, according to sources and Jim Phillips (NU's athletic director) would be to have a Northwestern-Illinois football game played at Wrigley Field, with probably NU surrendering a home date for the game. So far Illinois is lukewarm to the idea (if the deal is a neutral site/2-game series or something where each team gives up a home date)....and Northwestern fans are excited (like me), or worried (NU has a tough time selling seats at home, and we'd probably give up the home-field advantage, to the extent we have one, to Illinois).

The game would, obviously, be played in late November....and thus would not interfere, and indeed, would hopefully be played following a Cubs World Series victory.....

Thoughts?

OT: A Northwestern Call to Arms to Cubs Fans

Chadnudj — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:14:12 -0000

From Northwestern's unofficial Football Blog, Lake the Posts (www.laketheposts.com), from whom I got permission to post this -- go to NUSports.com or call 847-491-CATS for tickets:

Caveat. The following post is intended to be serious and not a satire. As a lifelong Red Sox and Northwestern football fan, I believe I've earned the right to say "I feel your pain" Cubs fans. Most Chicago baseball fans are nodding their heads in collective disbelief at the company water cooler/coffee pot. The Cubs, well, we all know what happened and the amount of puns about Cubby "Blue(s)" is unofficially north of a million. Meanwhile on the South Side it appears Sox fans might be happier about the Cubs inexplicable demise then they are about staving off a similar fate with their win last night over the Rays. Let it be known to Cubs fan's seeking off-season solace and Sox fans who are ready to call it a day, Northwestern football wants you. Check that, we need you.

It is understandable you may not be paying attention to college football as the baseball buzz has engulfed our fair city. But as the sting of the end of the season starts to set in, I've got the perfect Purple version of a sports bloody Mary. Northwestern is 5-0 for the first time since 1962. In Chicago pro sports vernacular that is a full eight years before the Bears played a game at then Dyche Stadium in hopes of calling Evanston their permanent home. A quick refresher - the Cats have won three Big Ten titles since 1995 (1995,1996, 2000) which is second only to Ohio State and Michigan. We are enjoying the best decade in school history (total wins). But, we need your help.

The Cats entered the USA Today Coaches' Poll at #22 this week and are facing #19 Michigan State. The game as at Ryan Field in Evanston and even though we have a better record at this point than in any of our Big Ten title years, our 47,130 seat stadium is embarassingly empty. After a September to remember, the Cats are poised to have an October that would give Reggie Jackson a run for his money. I feel your pain. You've just invested 165 games of your heart and soul. For Sox fans - add at least four more to that total. But, I'm telling you, by attending a Northwestern game with some friends, you can make a difference. Our players feed off of the crowd and in the rare occasions we've packed the place in the past 15 years, the atmosphere is as sweet as any electric day in the Friendly Confines or Sox Park.

Before you scoff at the idea, let me refute the stereotype that Northwestern fans are the turtle-necked ostrich burger subjects of the hilarious Miller High Life commercials. Most of us are either Cubs fans, Sox fans - or more often than not - a hybrid like me - and root for both unless they play Boston. We welcome you with open arms -and an Old Style or a PBR. We know how to tailgate and a little known fact about our tiny school, at least for the alums of 10+ years is we had a simple creedo - "work hard, party hard" - which I think any fan can appreciate.

Our stadium is cozy by Big Ten standards and the most intimate by far. Our school has less than 8,000 students with an alumni base that has more outside the state than in the Chicagoland area. The only way we'll ever consistently fill the joint is with fans who are neither students, alums or some employment tie to the school. We need the general fan to join our team. When they do, well...check out the atmosphere at this game when our now-coach Fitz-then-stud-LB led Chicagoland on a joy ride we are still benefitting from:

You can appreciate the role of the underdog. The Cats, regardless of the raised bar of expectations, continue to get overlooked. Our style of play is extremely likable - a spread offense with, now, a defense that is a strength (we stole away Wisconsin's former defensive coordinator after they foolishly let him go!). We've got the most depth at the skill positions than we've ever had and senior leadership to support it. If this post reeks of desperation, so be it. I don't care. Cubs fans - in the same way you'd do anything to break the 100 year drought and Sox fans - in the same way you'd do anything to get some hometown equal status treatment - I'd do anything to get Ryan Field packed with purple. Regularly.

Like the Cubs, the Cats are in the final stages of breaking the annoying "lovable loser" tag. As for Sox fans, you think YOU'RE overshadowed in this town? Try finding coverage on the Cats during a 2-Chicago team foray into the MLB playoffs. I should point out here that our fearless coach, the most decorated collegiate LB in CFB history is a diehard Sox fan and a true southsider. Cubbies, don't hold it against him, he happily brings legions of NU fans to Cubs games each summer when he performs his annual 7th inning stretch. However, by the time you White Sox fans read this, there is a good chance your season will be over. If so, the combined per game attendance of 80,000+ between your two stadiums is about to head south for the winter, so why not consider helping us fill-up the final 15,000 seats we'll need to get there?

You want in? No problem. Simply go to the west lot on Saturday morning and look for the double-flags of the Northwestern purple and the Cubs signature "W". I'll be the one at the tailgate, beer in hand waiting for you, dressed in purple and black. Here is a cliff notes version of why odds are the unexpected is expected in our match-up with Michigan State (for what it's worth, we're 5-4 against them since 1995). So turn those blue(s) into purple and show us how to transform a blackout into a purpleout and beat big green. Here's a teaser from last year to get you jacked. Can't wait to see both Cubs and Sox fans there!
Posted by Lake The Posts at 10:34 AM

OT: Making 2008 Even Better By Donning Purple

Chadnudj — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:13:22 -0000

This is the most excited I've ever been as a sports fan.....and it's not entirely about the Cubs.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE Cubs fan...but just north on the Red/Purple Line, something really special is happening with my true love -- the Northwestern Wildcats Football team. For the first time since the Kennedy administration (1962!), Northwestern is 5-0. This upcoming Saturday we have a bye week before facing off at home against Michigan State on Oct. 11th at 2:30 PM CT in a nationally-televised game on ESPN2.

Which is where BCB and its Chicago-area readers come in....

The Northwestern student body and alumni are calling for a Purple Haze to descend onto Evanston for the Oct. 11th, 2:30 PM CT game -- basically that we pack Ryan Field (f/k/a Dyche Stadium to older alumni) with purple fans to root for the Cats as they try to extend their undefeated season.

Northwestern students, faculty, and staff have LONG been major supporters of the Cubs (I personally skipped many classes for Cubs games in April, May, and September when I was a student), and they now NEED Cubs fans to return their support in a small way.

So go to NUsports.com or call 847-491-CATS and buy a ticket (honestly, Northwestern football may be the best value in Chicago sports - $35 for endzone, $50 for regular seats). Take the scenic drive up Sheridan Road to Evanston for the game, or easier still, take the Purple line El train to Central (two blocks from the stadium). Come early and join me and my Wildcat friends for tailgates (west lot by the stadium). Listen to the marching band, take pictures with Willie the Wildcat, and watch Northwestern go for 6-0.

The best part? No matter what, the Cubs won't be playing on Oct. 11th, so we all have NOTHING ELSE TO DO!

But most importantly, wear purple. Lots of purple.

GO CUBS! GO CATS!

OT: USA wins Mens 4X100 Freestyle Relay - Greatest Olympic Moment Ever?

Chadnudj — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:42:48 -0000

I just wanted to post this in case people went to bed after the Cubs won last night and missed arguably the greatest Olympics moment I've ever seen.

Last night, in the Men's 4X100 Freestyle Relay, the USA men beat France by 0.08 seconds (yes, 8 one-hundredths of a second) in world record time, as Jason Lezak stalked down 100 freestyle record holder Alain Bernard of France in the last 50 meters to complete an amazing come from behind win. And all this after Bernard allegedly said the French were going to "smash" the Americans in the race.

You've all probably seen the pictures of Phelps' primal scream after the U.S. won, but you REALLY need to see this race. Find it on video. Now.

To give you an idea of how fast this race was, it smashed the previous world record (set the day before by the Americans) by FOUR seconds (an eternity in swimming). In fact, the FIFTH place Swedish team beat the previous World Record in the race, and didn't even MEDAL.

USA! USA! USA!

Best news ever...

Chadnudj — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:46:27 -0000

...please god, tell me the Redbirds are doing this.

From our favorite site for unsubstantiated rumors:

"Strauss's article also mentions that the Cards are exploring options besides David Eckstein for shortstop. They've recently been linked to Cesar Izturis."

Oh sweet lord....I'm not sure you can wish something like that on your worst enemy, but I'm wishing it anyways.

OT: Bulls Draft

Chadnudj — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:43:05 -0000

Okay Bulls fans, who do you think we get?

I figured someone needed to post some type of draft poll, since many of us have multiple Chicago team (I'm a Bears, Cubs, Bulls fan, in that order; I grew up in Florida, so no hockey for me) allegiances.

So two questions:

Who do you think the Bulls get?
Who do you HOPE the Bulls pick (in case your opinion differs from Paxson's)?

My answer to #1 and #2 is the same - Joakim Noah. All he did was win in college, and he would have been top 3 last year. If he slips to the Bulls, imagine their potential starting 5 (Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Wallace, PJ Brown?) and stud bench (Duhon, Sefolosha, Tyrus Thomas, Nocioni, and Noah). That's like 2 teams that could compete in the East. I'm praying the rest of the NBA stays this stupid...

Tuesday Hall of Fame Veteran's Announcement

Chadnudj — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 20:08:03 -0000

A place to talk about Ronnie's chances...

I figured I'd post this diary because I'm sure a lot of us are interested in discussing Ron Santo's chances of making it into the Hall of Fame thru the Veteran's Committee tomorrow, or else bemoaning their short-sightedness. So a couple questions:

Will Ronnie make it?
Here's a question for someone to look at with the research skills and time, but what changes are there to the Veterans' Committee makeup since the last election in 2005, and will these changes help or hurt Ronnie's chances?
Will anyone make it from the Veterans' Ballot?
If no one makes it, should the Veterans' Committee be abolished as an elitist waste of time (giving false hope to guys like Santo when the snobs on the Committee want to keep their club to themselves)?

Any other questions? Thoughts?

Poll

On Tuesday, Ron Santo will be:

Clicking his prosthetic heels together in joy!

48 votes

Screaming "OHHHH NOOOOO!" as if Brant Brown dropped another pop fly....

38 votes

86 votes | Poll has closed