Cubs Sale Done Just in Time for Trade Deadline

UPDATE: Bruce Levine has some pretty good info and runs down the steps for the sale to become official.The most important paragraph for those concerned with the 2009 season:

A source close to the sale told me that the Ricketts family will be
able to direct -- in an off-the-record capacity -- chairman Crane
Kenney and general manager Jim Hendry in what they would expect for the
future as far as trades and acquisitions by the trading deadline. In
other words, Ricketts will be able to direct Hendry as to whether he
can spend more money for the 2009 season.

 Of course, the headline is a bit of a misnomer, as the owners probably won't vote on it until August and a bankruptcy judge has to approve it as well. That being said, it appears the two sides have finally agreed for just a little less than $900M. Whether the Ricketts can or will allow for the Cubs to take on any salary to endear themselves to some of the fans remains a question mark. The Cubs two biggest needs would probably be bullpen help and a left-handed hitting second basemen(and a psychiatrist for our left fielder). I can only think of one left-handed hitting second basemen that might be available and that's Felipe Lopez and that's just a waste of time. They could seek out a right-handed hitting second sacker (that sounds dirty), but that would pretty much ruin the Cubs carefully laid offseason plans that helped get them into this mess. If they do decide to bite the bullet on that, I think guys like Freddy Sanchez, Aaron Hill or Dan Uggla could possibly be had.

Either way, for those of us in the speculating and crazy-ass rumors business, it'll keep the interest-level high through July 31st.

Three roster moves a coming before the game tonight as well with Aramis Ramirez, Reed Johnson and Angel Guzman due back from rehab assignments.

Tags: 
Cubs Sale
Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 11:19am
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Comments

Submitted by Ryno
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 11:44am

I propose we give some advice to Tom Ricketts.

Submitted by Ryno
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 11:45am

Dear Tom Ricketts,

Be careful giving Hendry the company credit card. He's a bit like my wife when she gets on Amazon.com

Ryan

Submitted by jacos
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 11:52am

So how does this work?

Can Ricketts make baseball decisions and have it go through Zell?
Does he need the MLB owner vote to do baseball decisions?
Or do they just do it under the table?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 11:58am

i don't think anyone knows...my guess is Zell still runs the team technically until it's approved by everyone. He may very well allow Crane Kenney to talk to Ricketts and about any future acquisitions though or he may say, nothing's happening until MLB approves.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 12:06pm

anyone catch if he was a player pick or chosen by Manuel and MLB?

thanks in advance...

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 12:16pm

MLB.COM said Manuel picked Lilly.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:49pm

So did the TV show.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 12:21pm

I don't know why you guys are wasting your time on this "Cubs Sold" story, the even bigger news is that Todd Walker was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=304959

Joe Carter, Keith Moreland, Rafael Palmero, and Barry Larkin were among the other inductees this year.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 12:28pm

"Either way, for those of us in the speculating and crazy-ass rumors business, it'll keep the interest-level high through July 31st."

Thanks ROB G! Always a great source of debate here at TCR.

The psychiatrist is a great idea. We have two OFers and a pitcher that could surely benefit.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 12:39pm

I say stand pat.

Getting Aramis,Johnson and Guzman back from the DL will be like making 3 deadline trades.

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 12:54pm

Just move Fox over to 2B and we're fine...but if Aaron Hill is available, get him! He's hitting second for the Jays, so he'd provide a perfect opportunity to move Theriot further down the lineup.

Submitted by dB
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 7:10pm

I don't think there is any reason to believe Aaron Hill is available.

Submitted by Chad
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 12:56pm

wha? are you high?

if the cubs have a chance to better the team, you do it.

(on second thought, this was tongue and cheek, wasn't it?)

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:43pm

yes

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:49pm

Yes to which question? :)

Submitted by Q-Ball
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 12:54pm

Roster Moves: I'm surprised noone is talking about the impending roster moves. Who do you think is out? Who would you send down?

Who I think is going:

Sam Fuld
Andres Blanco
(or maybe Jake Fox, because Lou can't get him ABs? I would like him to stay though)
Samardzija, though I could see Kevin Hart going down

Or maybe Hart and Shark BOTH go down, leaving more position players. Our bullpen hasn't been taxed in terms of innings much lately.

EDIT: Apparently Daily Herald article says Blanco and Baker stay for sure, and mentions Fox, Hoff, Fontenot, and Fuld as possibilities. While of that list Fontenot is most in need of a trip to AAA, I think the Daily Herald doesn't understand that Fonty and Hoff would have to clear waivers to make the trip. Unlike Cotts, neither of them would make it through.

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 12:58pm

Blanco and Baker are out of options...

Right now, I prefer Blanco at 2B over any of the alternatives.

I'm hoping it's Fuld that goes. I'd prefer to have Fox off the bench and as a 1B/3B/OF reserve.

Submitted by Newport
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:04pm

I'm hoping it's Fuld, Hoff, and PATTON. Fuck Patton, fuck him right in the ear.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:16pm

Chad, is that even possible?

Submitted by Chad
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:29pm

ear is no problem. the neck is the hard one.

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:41pm

Not if there's a stoma.

Submitted by Chad
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:58pm

you know a lot of people with stomas?

I doubt it. So ergo, it's not any easy thing to pull off.

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 2:02pm

All my friends have them. Ergo, it's only difficult to 'pull off' when they're inhaling.

Submitted by Chad
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 2:38pm

you run in a strange crowd.

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 2:42pm

Indeed.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 5:03pm

And the award for the thread most like a parachat conversation goes to...

Submitted by dB
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 7:06pm

referring to your signature quote:

as improbable as it may seem, that song actually made the Pitchfork 500. Nothing like Detroit novelty rock.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:06pm

Roster Moves: I'm surprised noone is talking about the impending roster
moves. Who do you think is out? Who would you send down?

It's been covered ad nauseum in the last 3-4 threads, including the post on Friday.

Fonty and Hoff do not need to clear waivers to be optioned. Well techincally Fontenot would have to clear optional assignment waivers, but that's more of a formality because if a team puts a claim in, the Cubs can revoke it.

Problem with dropping Fontenot is that it leaves the team with just three middle infielders meaning Lou can't pinch-hit or substitute much.

Hart and Fuld are most definitely gone, they could go with 11 pitchers and drop Samardzija....but my guess it they option Hoffpauir. Fox can play one more position, possibly two if you count catcher, and is a better hitter.

 

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:15pm

Not Now! He's 6/11 in his last three games. 8/19 in his last five starts.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:28pm

If Lou liked Blanco better than Fontenot, wouldn't Blanco, not Fontenot, have been playing against the Brewers?

Lou said the other day that Fontenot just needs to get his average in the 250-260 range with some power, and he'd be fine. Fontenot proceeded to raise his average 16 points.

Sorry, guys, he's in the Cubs' plans.

Blanco will probably clear waivers. Other teams already have middle infielders who can play defense.

Not that I don't think Blanco's a keeper, but not at the expense of Fontenot/Hoffpauir.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:34pm

Blanco isn't going anywhere until Miles returns, he's the only back-up SS.

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:42pm

Blanco isn't going anywhere until Miles returns, he's the only back-up SS.

Submitted by George Altman
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:57pm

I don't know if I'd be so confident on Andy White, Rob. A backup SS is only a day away and Fontenot could play there to finish out one game. The roster screw ups on this team are $90m and $20m still owned Soriano and Bradley after this year.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 2:05pm

still leaves the team with only 3 middle infielders, which limits the pinch-hitting options and substitutions late in games.

I was pretty convinced on Hart, but I wasn't paying close enough attention to him and Ninja over the weekend...

so Fuld, either Hart or Samardzija and Hoff. If they go with 11 pitchers, I'm guessing Fuld, Hart and Samardzija.

 

Submitted by John Beasley
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:40pm

The obvious choice is Baker.

Which brings me to my next point: You suck, Jim.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:43pm

Who replaces Baker's scrap?

Submitted by Newport
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:45pm

Reed Johnson.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 5:05pm

More Reed = more scrap. Oh goody!

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 2:45pm

How can they replace Baker? His impact on the team so far has been huge.

Submitted by Little Nate Lewis
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:44pm

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story...

Freel to the Royals for the immortal PTBN.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 1:49pm

looks like they're sending the balance of his contract as well, at least they get a minor league scrub out of it.

Submitted by Ryno
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 2:15pm

That didn't last long.

And that explains the 3rd roster move. So Hart/Samardzija & Fuld sent packing I assume.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 2:24pm

Freel was already off the 25-man roster, the Freel trade won't affect whatever other moves they make later today.

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 2:47pm

Explain this please! I thought the deal we had with the Orioles was they pay Freel's $4 million contract and we pay Gathright's $800K.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 3:02pm

I assume the Cubs will send the Royals whatever the Orioles were sending the Cubs...at least what's left on Freel's contract for the rest of the year.

Original deal, was Freel and cash for Gathright...cash being the difference between whatever Freel was owed for rest of year and whatever Gathright was owed, which amounted to about $2.7M.

We're around the half way mark, so Freel is owed about $2M of his $4M contract, i assume the Cubs are sending that to the Royals.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 3:06pm

fwiw, this article says the cash considerations will cover part of Freel's contract

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090706&c...

so maybe the Royals will pay part of the salary which would be neat.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 3:42pm

I would assume they'd pay at least a prorated portion of the ML minimum.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 3:44pm

yeah, that would probably make the most sense...good call.

Submitted by rokfish
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 2:14pm

My guess would be harden to the dl

With harden on dl we dont needa long man
hart goes down

hoffpauer also goes down baker can backup first also.

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 3:54pm

They should DL Sorryano with "anxiety disorder" and a strained clitoris. Did you see him lollygagging on the misplayed ball by Cameron in the 2nd inning yesterday? If he's busting it out of the box, he is standing on second with no problems. The only explanations I would accept as a manager for him not getting to second is that he is hurt or has some mental issues, and either way, that is a trip to the DL in my book.

He looks like he is hurting to me, and playing hurt, while admirable, is not helping the team...

If he is just lollygagging because he can, I'd sit him down for a while if I were Lou. Being in a dismal, 2-month slump is bad enough, but when you sprinkle in a lack of effort here and there on offense and defense, that is shameful...

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:01pm

They should DL Sorryano with "anxiety disorder" and a strained clitoris.

What does a clitoris have to do with Soriano?

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:06pm

Soriano spelled backwards is Clitoris.

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:10pm

He's playing like a woman so I'm assuming he has the anatomy of one too...

It's an expression, man. You've never heard this one before?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:11pm

He's playing like a woman

And how does a woman play?

And yes, I have heard the expression. And it is sexist and ignorant every time I hear it.

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:20pm

I'm married to a feminist, dude, so I know the spiel. Even my wife can take a joke when it's meant to be one... sorry if I struck a nerve.

To keep it in the same anatomic realm without offending you, how about "he's playing like a pussy?"

Ignorant - 1 a: destitute of knowledge or education; also : lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified b: resulting from or showing lack of knowledge or intelligence

Nope, that don't describe me!

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:38pm

how about "he's playing like a pussy?"

How is that any different?

Nope, that don't describe me!

Anyone who thinks that women are weak (or soft... or whatever the hell you are trying to imply about Soriano) is ignorant.

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:46pm

I've never said women are weak - it was meant to be a joke, and obviously you didn't like it. I got the message loud and clear. I'm sorry this one struck a big fat nerve with you, big lowitzki.

And for the record, Sorryano is soft...

Lastly, you SURELY don't know me well enough to call me ignorant. I may not have great taste in jokes (in your eyes), but that don't make me ignorant.

Submitted by jacos
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:52pm

Don't call him Surely.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 5:07pm

Don't be a douche. Everyone knows that women hop before catching a ball.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 8:41am

Point of fact here. Men are stronger than women. Anyone who doesn't know this is ignorant.

Submitted by Stevens
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:16pm

"You've never heard this one before?"

Never heard it? Do you remember all the Mark Prior vagina comments?

They were lame then. Still lame now.

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:22pm

Can't say as I do, since I've only been posting here for 6 months now. I'm sorry everyone is so sensitive on the issue, so I'll keep it in mind going forward.

Seems like comments about gays and politics are OK, though, right?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:32pm

not everyone...

that being said, a weird insult, considering if you're trying to insult his masculinity, then Soriano would not be trying to play through an injury, which is the same thing Prior did and I never got the vagina jokes.

we only call Chad gay...inside Parachat joke.

Politics we prefer to stay out of...it happens though, kind of like vagina/clit jokes.

That being said, no reason to assume how everyone feels about a topic based on the responses of 2-3 people, just cause they were the vocal ones.

 

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 5:08pm

Just to be completely honest, we also joke about gay witchcraft.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:39pm

Seems like comments about gays and politics are OK, though, right?

Jokes attacking gays are just as offensive.

Conversations about politics are not offensive. Not sure how using sexist sayings are the same as talking politics...

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:55pm

I'm not attacking anyone, dude - clean out your ears! It was a joke in bad taste. I'm glad to see you are such a champion for Sorryano and women. I hope you are putting that energy to good use!

I've seen the conversations about politics here - they get quite ugly and personal, just like everywhere else. It is hard to talk politics without interjecting one's own personal slant, and that opens it up to be a vicious debate, since everyone thinks their own views are better than everyone else's and are quick to judge. You know what I'm talking about, right big?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 5:00pm

Okay... a few simple questions, then I will drop it.

If "playing like a woman" is not a negative thing, then what is it? And if it IS a negative thing, why is it negative? And if you are not implying anything negative about women, then what are you doing?

Sorry that you don't like when I call out sexism. You are not the first one that I have called it out on, and, unfortunately, probably not the last.

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 5:11pm

This is really hard to answer without sounding like a tool, since you will most likely twist things around, but I'll give it a try... Playing like a woman in a game full of men is a negative to me. I'm assuming women have tried out for baseball teams over the years and have not made it to the highest level because they simply don't play as well as men do with the way the rules are set up. That's not to say it will never happen, but there has to be a reason why there are no women in MLB. I don't feel like this is a sexist statement - just a fact.

Again, for one joke in bad taste, I am a sexist? I'll let you talk to my wife and see if she thinks I am sexist. She knows me a hell of a lot better than you do...

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 8:14pm

Look... I don't know you. I don't know if you are sexist. And you are absolutely right that your wife knows much better than I do.

But I do know that it is a sexist comment.

I would be curious what your wife thinks about whether or not your comment here was/is sexist. FWIW, I asked my wife, and she said it was definitely sexist.

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 12:01am

Seriously? People say some of the most ridiculous stuff on here, but you get all fired up about someone calling a guy a pussy? Get over it.

Granted, it's good to keep the talk mostly to baseball, but let's not go overboard on the PC nonsense. It's a phrase. If I say someone's a "dick" it's not derogatory towards men, it's just a commonly understood phrase that means:

"Slang - A person, especially a man, regarded as mean or contemptible."

You know, as in, "Hey, that guy who keeps trying to stir shit up by saying people who use the term 'pussy' are sexist is a real dick."

And, along the same lines, "pussy" is just a commonly used term that means:

"Slang A man regarded as weak, timid, or unmanly."

It doesn't mean you're sexist or ignorant or whatever. I don't know if you're related to Susan B. Anthony or what, but pick another cause to harp on for awhile.

Oh, and FWIW, I asked my wife and she said anyone who gets that worked up about this type of nonsense should grow a pair.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 8:52am

Seriously? People say some of the most ridiculous stuff on here, but you get all fired up about someone calling a guy a pussy? Get over it.

I get "fired up" (which is interesting, considering those of you defending it are much more "fired up" than I am) about things that are sexist (or racist, or homophobic, etc.). Sorry you don't like it.

Sure... it is a phrase that many people use. It is slang. And it is very much rooted in sexism. You may not like that, but it is true. Just because something is a "phrase" doesn't mean that it is acceptable.

I don't know if you're related to Susan B. Anthony or what, but pick another cause to harp on for awhile.

No thanks.

And the whole "locker room" or "male audience" thing is a joke. Just because this is a baseball blog predominantly made up of men does not mean that we should say sexist comments. That is kind of like saying something like "we are a bunch of white people, so it is okay to say derogatory things about people of color."

Submitted by SJS
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 9:38am

I would strongly urge you not to visit Parachat all that often if that's the case. Blacks, mexicans, gays, straights, all sharing off-color humor all in good fun...except Whip :)

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 9:55am

I have partaken in parachat since the beginning.

FWIW, while there is a constant barrage of off-color jokes (of which I have done more than my share in partaking) I have seen very little sexism or racism. And I have called it out in there also when I have seen it.

Submitted by SJS
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 10:26am

Fair enough. I see a bunch of it, while all in good humor (& poor taste).

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 12:17pm

I respect your position and applaud you for it. My intentions were not to be sexist when I said it - it was meant to be an off-color joke, and you didn't like it, which is your prerogative.

However, when labeling someone as a sexist/racist, it is important to understand if their intent is to be one, and that is impossible to determine over e-mail. The distinction is important to me, because I am not a sexist.

Now let's get back to talking baseball, you homo!

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 12:28pm

Fair enough. I didn't mean it as a personal attack against you (and I apologize if it came across that way, and for the "ignorant" comment), but rather an attack on the language used.

Moving on...

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 12:38pm

Apology accepted, and same goes for me for offending you with the poor taste of my joke.

GO CUBS!

PS - Sorryano is still soft!!

Submitted by Chad
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 12:48pm

pussy

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 2:39pm

Bruce Miles says FOX is probably safe.
I'm cheering.

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/2247

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:11pm

roster moves announced...new post up.

Submitted by jacos
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:51pm

Thanks for the Levine bit that answers my question.

Welcome to the hot kitchen Ricketts!!

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 4:48pm

Ricketts will be able to direct Hendry as to whether he can spend more money for the 2009 season

He needs to fire Hendry, not hand him the checkbook.

Submitted by artskoe
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 9:21pm

Now, now, Nav, let's not be so negative only 2.5 games out of first and after 2 playoff appearances. It appears, at least in Wrigley, the fire is back (fire are back?) and the boys love Lou now that the trade deadline is near, so hold your peace. For now.

Submitted by Little Nate Lewis
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 9:32pm

FWIW, it didn't offend me in the slightest Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree....

Just thought I'd jump on the other side of the bandwagon.

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 12:03am

Thanks, Little Nate.

I apologize for thinking this is more of a locker room-type setting than it actually might be, based on some of the conversations and jokes I have seen which are definitely geared towards more male audiences. I may have offended many or just a few, but I am not a sexist.

And Sorryano still sucks...

GO CUBS!!

Submitted by Little Nate Lewis
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 9:42am

Sure... it is a phrase that many people use. It is slang. And it is very much rooted in sexism. You may not like that, but it is true. Just because something is a "phrase" doesn't mean that it is acceptable.

Context and intent are relevant Big. The comment was not made on a women's rights website, thereby suggesting that the intent was clearly to ridicule and incite.

The comment, made in the context of a male-dominated Chicago Cubs blog, was merely intended to imply that the Chicago Cubs left fielder is soft.

If you can't comprehend the distinguishing features between those two scenarios, then I am sorry, but most middle-of-the road individuals on the "sexism" issue are clearly able to do so.

As for your contention that the reference was sexist merely because the phrase "is rooted in sexism," I am unable to turn on a rap song without hearing the n-word a few dozen times. This phrase is obviously "rooted in racism," but in the context of a rap song, the usage is clearly not intended to be racist toward African-Americans.

Context and intent..... words can have different meanings at different times. Groundbreaking stuff....

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 9:49am

Well said, but I think Doug's wife's statement more succinctly concluded the issue.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 9:56am

Context and intent are relevant Big.

I would argue that the context doesn't change the discussion in this instance. The comment is sexist in nature - whether on a women's rights website or on a male-dominated Chicago Cubs blog. I don't think that sexism is okay just because this is a male-dominated baseball forum.

As for intent, I think it does matter, but I would also say that intent is very difficult to determine. But just because the intent was not to disparage women doesn't mean that the comment isn't sexist.

As for your contention that the reference was sexist merely because the phrase "is rooted in sexism," I am unable to turn on a rap song without hearing the n-word a few dozen times. This phrase is obviously "rooted in racism," but in the context of a rap song, the usage is clearly not intended to be racist toward African-Americans.

These are two significantly different situations. The use of the n-word is different. First, you won't find many blacks that are okay with whites using the n-word. Second, in many ways blacks have attempted to "take back" or "co-opt" the n-word as their own, taking away the racist power behind the word. The same cannot be said about a male making a sexist comment. The use of female terms to attack men in a derogatory way is in no way trying to co-opt hateful language.

Look - I am not saying that Ahone hates women, and is a sexist. And I apologize for the comment about being ignorant.

But I do believe that words matter. And I do believe that using female terminology to attack a male is sexist.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 10:55am

"First, you won't find many blacks that are okay with whites using the n-word." Actually, that's not true. If used in the proper context and pronounced correctly, it's not considered a big deal. Blacks use the word both as a term of endearment, and as an insult, depending on situation.

The urban speak that popularized the word pronounces it with an 'uh' ending, which is different from the 'er' ending. The use of that word, and the 'Stop black on black crime' bumper stickers are two of my personal pet peeves. Imagine the shit storm if Quentin Tarrentino called out Spike Lee for using the 'cr' word in one of his movies, or if people started driving around with 'Stop white on white crime' bumper stickers.

Submitted by Little Nate Lewis
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 10:01am

Fair enough Big. I completely disagree with your assessment of the situation but can at least respect your apparent passion toward the issue.

Submitted by Cubster
on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 2:06pm

pussy
---
speaking of...Len & Bob with 7th inning guest Eric Estrada discuss child porn on the internet, reality tv as well as the Ron Jeremy experience

http://eplay.typepad.com/eplay_online_sports_fanta...

and a DLee dooble as a bonus

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