My heart sunk a little deeper than its usual resting place when I saw this:

http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/i/n/wrigley-field-illinois-northwestern-football.jpg

Can you see the Ricketts in their boxes during the game, looking down thinking, "hey, that doesn't look too bad.  They cut away the ivy for the distance markers ... a little less ivy isn't going to hurt anyone (or at least anyone over 4' tall) ..."

Be afraid.  Be very afraid.

So the banner with the Cubs new marketing ploy (see Chicagotribune.com - at least for the immediate time) seems to ever so slightly suggest that Soriano will be scoring the winning run when the Cubs win it all.  Anything think this will actually be the case?  Lee.  Ramirez. Byrd.  Zambrano.  I'm good with any of those fine gentlemen crossing the plate in that image ... but Soriano?  I guess they asked Lou who he thought should have been highlighted.  Or they're just trying to justify his salary in our subconcious.  In any case, I'm not buying it.

June 2, 1983.  Cubs vs. Pirates.  Visiting Wrigley Field for the first time ever, I was on a school helper "treat field trip" in the far corners of the left field upper deck.  There was a triple play from Cey to Sandberg to Buckner that afternoon. 

And I was hooked.

I've been a Cub fan since that day.  I love to see them win.  It hurts to see them lose.  I was so mad that night in 2003, our dog wet our bed.  Seriously.  But I just don't know if I want to see them win the final game of the post-season.

The Red Sox were good, and were loved across the country.  Then they won THAT game.  Now they're put in the same thoughts as the Yankees, as the Cowboys, as the Lakers.  I don't know if I want that on the North Side.

Might it be better to let them be lovable losers forever?  For now, there's always something better.  They can always win another game.  They can - I dunno - maybe even win a game in the first post-season series. But if they make it past the Grand Finale ... I think I'd be a little sad.

Besides that, what about the Cardinals fans? The White Sox followers? What would they ever do if the ONE thing they can hold over our head is gone?  I know, you don't give a rat's Astro about those teams' fans, but, come on, admit it ... you have lots of fun egging them on, just like they egg you on.  Would that be as much fun the season after they raised one final white W above the scoreboard - in November?

I want to know if I'm the only one.  This is how I feel, and that will never change ... until they're one pitch away from heading to the golf course for the winter.

Just curious ... does anyone know what the actual numbers look like generated by the rooftop partners?  Here are things I'd be interested to know:

How many rooftop seats are there in all?

How much is charged for rooftop seats?

Do they sell consessions on the rooftops? If so, do the Cubs get 15% of those sales?

How does the profit of a rooftop seat compare to the profit margin on an in-park seat? (The Cubs obviously don't have to pay for upkeep of the buildings across the street, but they DO have to pay for Wrigley upgrades, cleaning, staff, etc.)

The reason I'm curious about all this is, Wrigley Field is considered one of the smallest parks in the majors for seating capacity, and therefore - it is said - they have to be creative to find other revenue streams.  But if the REAL capacity for each game (rooftops included) is closer to 45-50,000, and the teams sells out nearly every game, just how much more revenue is needed to have a competetive team?

I'm still not horribly opposed to the car-maker's sign, but I think it's only fair to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges.

Looks like the beginning of the end - or just a negotiating tool.  Either way - I'm scared! (please just being a negotiating tool!!!)

http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/03/cubs-want-huge-illuminated-billboard-at-wrigley-field.html

By Ameet Sachdev | The Chicago Cubs, in search of new advertising revenues, have asked the City of Chicago for permission to erect a 360-square-foot billboard above the left-field bleachers at Wrigley Field, an alderman said Wednesday.