Monthly Archives: September 2014

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Recommended Book

Just finished “Heart and Soul of the Cubs, Ron Santo,” written by the staff of the Chicago Tribune. For anyone that is a baseball fan or enjoys a heart warming story of overcoming physical adversity yet being extremely optimistic, this is the book for you. Although published in 2010 and he had yet to make the Baseball Hall of Fame, here’s a spoiler alert: He gets elected soon thereafter (finally!).

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Customer Service – Chicago Cubs Must Deliver a World Series Championship

Recently, the San Francisco Giants made a visit to Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs. Cubs were leading when the rain came. After 30 minutes, the storm had moved on. However, the infield was flooded, due to the less than stellar effort of the grounds crew, to maintain the field. Normally, they do a very good job to return the field to playing shape. However, the working hours for the grounds crew has been cut by the ownership, which led to less employees being available to assist. Furthermore, after a 4 hour delay, the umpires called the game in favor of the Cubs. The Giants were furious and filed a protest. To the shock of many, the league ruled in favor of San Francisco and the rest of the game was played the following day! Consider this the latest punch in the face to loyal Cubs fans throughout the country. It has been 106 years since the Chicago Cubs have won a World Series. Over the years, the team has had enough Hall of Fame or All Star quality players to match any that has played on any other team. Wrigley Field has seen a growth in attendance that rivals the largest baseball stadiums in America, with 3 million fans passing through the turnstiles in many recent seasons. Ticket prices now are at or near the top of the MLB clubs. Lights were installed and now a major redevelopment and construction project is scheduled to start soon. Yet, the one constant, like the change in seasons, the passage of time, a tradition passed along from parent to child, is the lack of a World Series Championship (or appearance) by the Chicago Cubs. I’m aware they hired former Boston Red Sox GM Theo Epstein, to work his magic with the organization and has acquired much young talent in recent years. I know that the owner, Tom Ricketts, is a Cubs fan who met his wife in the bleachers at Cubs Park. Great. As someone that has observed teams such as the Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, Florida Marlins and Chicago Blackhawks (another sport, yes I know) overcome history, tradition or lack of financial resources to win their league championships, I have to ask, what will it take for the Cubs to win it all? My thought is the process starts with a strong financial commitment, followed by research and development, along with a mindset from every part of the organization, to be the best at his or her job, each and everyday, during the season or the off season. If this owner is unable to do what it takes with the sense of urgency to act now, then it’s time to find one that will. Second is overcoming obstacles and distractions (think goat, black cat, no lights, foundation/structural issues, Steve Bartman, exorcisms and so on) to become champions. Cubs fans are the most loyal customers on the planet and deserve to have their loyalty rewarded immediately. That is the kind of service their clients deserve.