On Thursday March 7th, Cubs season ticket holders will have all day to pick up additional tickets to games. This is where a lot of ticket brokers will pick up additional tickets to the better selling games like weekends in May-Aug as well as tickets for games against the White Sox and Cardinals etc. As a season ticket holder, I’m only looking for a couple of additional games to get more tickets to. I think ticket brokers are very wary of how much inventory they want to carry this season.

Finally on Friday March 8th, the general public on-sale will happen. Fans in Chicago can hope that their number is close to the wristband number that is pulled or you can order via the phone / Internet at Cubs.Com . This will be the last season that the team decides to do the whole wristband thing to move tickets at Wrigley Field. It sounds like they are pushing to have everything taken care of online and will use virtual waiting rooms etc. I think that is bad for the fans in the city in my opinion.

So do you plan on getting tickets on any of the three days? I personally have quite a few games left to move that are in my season ticket package. So if anyone is needed a pair or two pairs for any games let me know via comments or on twitter @chicagocubsblog and I’ll let you know if they are still available.

Cubs Blog

2013 Cubs Tickets On Sale March 6-8

I never would have thought that CSN would only be showing two games compared to the four that WGN is getting to show. You would find much better nfl football odds then the odds on WGN carrying more games even if it is only spring training. I really think WGN will be losing more and more games in the next few seasons and at one point, we will be watching 80% of the Cubs games on CSN.

Date              Opponent                TV
March 16     Kansas City (ss)     WGN
March 17     Oakland (ss)           WGN
March 22     Milwaukee             WGN
March 23     Los Angeles (AL)  WGN
March 25     San Francisco        CSN
March 28     Seattle                     CSN

Follow the site on twitter @chicagocubsblog

Cubs Blog

Cubs Spring Training Broadcast Schedule

So where do I stand now? In between 1500 and 2000 on the list. I would never have bet that I would be asked to buy this year even if I had checking out Sports Betting World has reviews. It wasn’t even 24 hours later after I found out my new spot on the waiting list that I received another email from the Cubs. This time it was with a time that I needed to be at Wrigley Field on December 8th. It’s nice that we can pick our seats and in person if it works for you. But for someone that has to buy plane tickets, reserve hotel etc it is kind of a pain that I can’t make the purchase over the phone or online. Sure I can use a proxy, but that I have to have someone local that I can trust and currently I don’t have that option.

So in the end, after being on the waiting list for over 10 years. It looks as though I’ll be offered something other than bleacher season tickets and I will have to buy now or go to the back of the line. Time to break out the credit card and get plane tickets and hotel booked and keep that card looking shiny to make a big purchase through the Cubs ticket office. I just hope they turn things around and have a better 2013 season. Currently odds are bad for the Cubs but looking good for the Bears and their 2013 Super Bowl betting options.

I’ll keep updating once I buy tickets. For quicker updates, please follow the site on twitter @chicagocubsblog

Cubs Blog

Cubs Season Ticket Waiting List Updated

“Working here in Chicago was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my professional career,” Brenly said Wednesday. “The Ricketts family, everyone associated with the Cubs and WGN and, most importantly, Cubs’ fans everywhere, will always be in our hearts, and [my wife,] Joan, and I wish nothing but the best for the organization moving forward.

“I was very blessed to have the best play-by-play man in the game as my partner for eight years and Cubs’ fans are very fortunate to have Len Kasper as the voice of the Cubs,” Brenly said. “I’ll miss working with him, and we look fondly toward returning to Chicago in the future.” Bob commented on.

So where do the Cubs and WGN/Comcast go from here to replace Bob? Would Rick Sutcliffe say yes this time to the job opportunity? Would they hire someone from within the Cubs broadcasting ranks? One guy that has already said that he would not be interested was Kerry Wood. Which I think is good. Wood needs more time away from the game before jumping back into any full time position with a club.

What’s everyone think on the next hire? Will Sutcliffe say yes and come back to Chicago?  @chicagocubsblog is our twitter handle

Cubs Blog

Bob Brenly headed back to Arizona

I agree with the moves that have been made. Try and build up the minor league system while getting something in return for your veteran players who are now contending for playoff spots. Look at Ryan Dempster for example. The Cubs got decent return for him, and in return for him accepting the trade he is now fighting for a playoff berth with the Rangers. It was a win win for both parties.

If you were a betting man and online betting at top bet would you be betting on the Cubs in 2013? Sadly, I don’t think will be much better for the Cubs in 2013 or 2014. I just don’t see the minor league talent there to win at the major league level. It’s going to take into the 2015 season for Jed and Theo to really have things in place where they feel comfortable making a big trade, or handing out money on a long term contract. I hope the right moves are made, because every Cubs fan and player deserves to have Wrigley Field rocking and the Cubs in contention and playing in the playoffs once again.

Cubs Blog

Cubs season go as you thought it would?

One thing is for sure, we are going to need to give these guys time and be patient as fans. I really expect this to be a three or four year project for Theo and Jed. Look for the 2015 season to be when the young guys really mature and hopefully get things going. I think it will really come down to ownership and if they are able to get a couple of good starting pitchers and some bullpen help.

It will definately by fun watching Rizzo, Vitters, Jackson, Castro etc the next few years. Just as fun as playing Party Bingo where you can not only play Bingo but also online role playing games. Just like in baseball and especially true with the Cubs, you just never know when you are going to win, but if you don’t play the game you can’t win at bingo or baseball.

So what’s everyone’s thoughts on the remaining part of the season? Or has everyone already turned their attention to their fantasy football leagues and football play?

@ChicagoCubsBlog

Cubs Blog

How will this young team play the rest of the year?

It’s not only Rizzo’s offense that helps the team out. Sure he has three home runs and has knocked in some game winning runs but his defense at first base has really stood out to me as I watch the games. From always stretching to get the close called out, to lining up properly, to knowing where the throw will be coming in at the youngster has been doing it all very well. There will be some bumps and bruises just like in sports betting but in the long haul, I like the odds for Rizzo and the Cubs.

As for the second half of the season, I would except the roster to change drastically. I see Theo and the upper management eating some of the salaries to get better prospects back in return. I can see Ryan Dempster moving to the Dodgers as well as Alfonso Soriano going to the Indians or possibly the Rays and helping out in the DH roles. There have also been some rumors of Bryan LaHair and Geovony Soto being involved in a Dempter or Soriano move. It’s all about getting the better prospects in trades and it looks like the Cubs will be eating some money to make that happen.

It will be interesting to see if the Cubs can continue winning four games a week. Right now odds have them sitting around the 66-68 win mark for the season.

Cubs Blog

The Rizzo effect and the Cubs in the second half

The Cubs also selected seven infielders, eight outfielders and five catchers in the Draft. In all, 20 of their picks were college players, seven junior college players and 15 high schoolers.

The high light of the draft for the Cubs came with the sixth overall pick in the first round when they chose outfielder Albert Almora out of the state of Flordia. Almora has a very high ceiling and is someone that the team hopes they can count on in the future as being a super star.

It will be four to five years before we know much about the draft class. All we can do as fans is hope that Theo and Jed picked the right guys and the minor league instructors are able to get them on track to be major league players.

@ChicagoCubsBlog

Cubs Blog

Cubs go pitcher heavy during draft

I can’t wait until June gets here. I fully expect to see a couple guys from the Triple A roster get invited up to the big league club. Anthony Rizzo continues to hammer the ball at Triple-A Iowa and Brett Jackson has had a good season as well. It’s time to move LaHair to a different position and also find room in the outfield for Jackson. It’s been fun watching the younger guys out there and Rizzo and Jackson are the next two that should be given the chance.

I was glad that Kerry Wood was able to retire as a Cub. He meant so much to the city and to the Cubs organization that Kerry needed to walk off the mound wearing a Cubs uniform. How fitting it was to see him strike out his last batter and then see his son run up to him from the dugout. Wood and his family have been class acts and we wish them all the best.

In closing, there’s a lot of baseball to be played, but I just don’t see this team being able to get a long winning streak going. It’s called rebuilding for a reason and there are rough patches along the way. I like the way that Theo and Jed are doing things with the organization, we as fans just have to recognize that it’s going to be a couple of years at least before we see the Cubs contending.

@ChicagoCubsBlog

Cubs Blog

Cubs continue sucking and are in last place

You would think having Kerry Wood in the eighth inning and Carlos Marmol in the ninth inning they Cubs would be in good shape if they have the lead late in the game. However that has not been the case as both pitchers have sucked in the teams first five games. A blown save by both players have Cubs fans saying here we go again. Things don’t look bright out of the bullpen as all the guys are young and haven’t had much experience.

One thing I’d like to see happen is come up with a set lineup on offense. Stop plugging guys in here and there and set a damn lineup. Use your bench in the late innings with good subs (replace Soriano for defense) etc but don’t start guys once or twice a week for the hell of it. Set the line up depending on lefty/righty pitching and go with it.

We will have to see how the team responds against the Brewers today. Ryan Dempster will be getting the start and he needs to stop the bleeding and have a good outing. Your number one pitcher should be capable of that. The team could really use a win as they are heading into a tough part of the schedule and they could easily find themselves with a 2-10 record before they even know what hit them.

Follow us on Twitter as we tweet during the games. @chicagocubsblog

Cubs Blog

Cubs already in last place

So no, I’m not going to take the team up on their offer. For those of you that are wondering what the price would be for one season ticket in the bleachers for the upcoming season and for all 81 home games, you are looking at spending $3421.60 per seat or $42.24 per seat per game. Sorry but if you are smart, you would just purchase for select games during the ticket on-sale or on the secondary market where you can already purchase bleacher tickets for $15 bucks to midweek games.

So here I am on the waiting list one more season as least. I expect to get called / emailed during the the next off season and then I will hope there are two or four reserved seats in the 200 or 500 levels that I would like. Until then, I’ll continue saving up my money and hope this rebuilding process turns around quick!

Cubs Blog

Cubs Season Ticket E-mail

Ramirez played the last eight-plus seasons with the Cubs. He hit .306 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs and won the Silver Slugger award as the top offensive third baseman in 2011.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if Prince Fielder chooses to come to Northside? It would be a Ramirez for Fielder trade. Except for the many millions more Fielder would cost the club.

@ChicagoCubsBlog

Cubs Blog

Aramis Ramirez Signs With the Brewers

I don’t mind spending the extra 15%-20% to get tickets early. A lot of times it’s your only chance at getting some tickets in certain sections of the stadium so I feel the mark up is ok to pay. I came away with the Yankees and White Sox tickets that I wanted pretty easily through the virtual waiting room. It took me exactly seven minutes to get selected and once I was in, I could continue placing orders one after another.

So how did everyone else do? Get the tickets you want? Waiting until the on-sale on Friday and hope you get lucky? If you  happen to strike out, head on over to Ticket City and get the tickets that you need. They are a sponsor of the blog, and we do enjoy working with them.

Cubs Blog

Cubs Tickets Going Fast

At the beginning of the offseason,  Hendry set forth three goals: sign a left-handed hitting first baseman, a right-handed reliever and acquire a front line starting pitcher. MLB analysts, Cubs fans and sports betting enthusiasts have seen them pick up Carlos Pena, Kerry Wood and Matt Garza, so Hendry does get three check marks on his to-do list.But there’s still a lot of skepticism regarding the Cubs and whether that’s enough help for a team that finished with just 75 wins and 16 games out of first place in the National League Central.

For starters, Pena needs to have a strong rebound season. He was the 2009 American League home run champ as he cranked 39. Last season, he had just 28 and that’s with more games played and more at-bats than 2009. The bigger concern might be his batting average, which was .196 last season and just .227 in 2009.

Beyond that, the Cubs are still looking for a traditional lead off hitter and they need to stay healthy, which was a problem for them in 2009. Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano and Tyler Colvin all must return to form. The Cubs did finish 24-13 down the stretch of the season but looking up and down their roster, they simply don’t look like they are good enough. They have been lapped by the Cincinnati Reds in the Central and the St. Louis Cardinals are always steady. The Milwaukee Brewers acquired an ace in Zack Greinke, which trumps anything the Cubs have done this off season. They accomplished their goals but overall, the Cubs are still considered to be a few bricks short of load.

Cubs Blog

Hendry Accomplished Goals, But Are Cubs Good Enough?

I like that both players will be on a team that is in contention no doubt. I’m not mad that either player is gone, but something just feels weird about the move. Lilly I can see being moved even though I would have loved to possibly get a “sandwhich” pick out of him in next year draft. Theriot, well he can go wherever and take his average arm and terrible range with him. I will say that Theriot gave it his all when he had the Cub uniform on but on most teams he is not a everyday starting infielder. Utility man at best.

The main guy coming over to the Cubs should be the everyday starter at second base. Blake DeWitt’s OPS this year is almost 100 points higher than Theriot’s and he is also two years younger than Ryan. He won’t hit for power but also shouldn’t get picked off every week like Theriot seemed to do.

The next two months you are going to see a lot of younger players on the major league roster. General manager Jim Hendry has been quoted as saying “Cubs will have a “wave” of players come up soon from Iowa and then again in September.” That means plenty of veteran players will be put on the waver wire and more than likely a few will get picked up.

Pack your bags Xavier Nady because you are about to get shipped out. Maybe they are already packed and ready to go. Especially the way the team played in Denver just now as they were just swept by the Rockies. I hope you packed longer than for this current road trip!

Let’s all take the last few months and see how these younger players do. It won’t be your normal Cubs team but give the kids a chance because they could be on the big league roster next year without question. The season sure hasn’t went the way we all thought it would but then again, “There is always next year”

Cubs Blog

Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot traded to the Dodgers