Chicago Re-Acquires Aging Writer

In a move that will surely change the landscape of Cubs blogging, one-time TCR writer Christian Ruzich announced that he was moving back to Chicago. A new job has necessitated a call-up from the minor leagues (Harrisburg, PA), and Ruzich and his family should be back in the city before the playoff roster deadline.

Scouts question what, if anything, Ruzich can bring to a Cub Reporter team without any glaring weaknesses. Known for his wit and insight in the early '00s, Ruzich has not been a regular fixture on the TCR scene in years, appearing only occasionally to offer a web link, off-hand remark, or occasional comment post.

Unnamed sources within the TCR organization have questioned whether Ruzich has anything left, but are quick to say they're happy Ruzich has returned home: "If all he does is hang out at the TCR clubhouse, telling stories about the Don Baylor days, that would be great. I'm just worried that, if he tries to write again regularly, he might upset the team's chemistry down the stretch." When asked if he saw this as an opportunity to re-establish himself in
the Cubs blogging world, Ruzich mentioned that he has been doing towel
drills for months, and hoped to be able to contribute to the team in
any way possible.

Tags: 
Site news
Submitted by Christian Ruzich on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 1:35pm
Return to Homepage

Comments

Submitted by ruz
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 1:39pm

Seriously, though, I am moving back to Chicago. Full info available at:

http://www.cruzich.com/2008/07/and-wheel-goes-roun...

Because of where the job is, housing costs, and school concerns, we're looking at places in Evanston and a handful of north side neighborhoods (Albany Park, Irving Park, Logan Square, Avondale). So anyone with realtor recommendations, please email me (ruz @ cruzich.com).

Once I get settled in, one of the first orders of business will be a Cub Reporter get-together, so start thinking about where and when that can happen. I'll be there full-time as of the end of August.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 2:22pm

No Rogers Park? That's no fun.

I just e-mailed you a realtor recommendation: Meg Kravitz, from Baird and Warner.

Submitted by Stevens
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 4:25pm

Been happy with Keller-Williams realty. Just moved out of Andersonville and I'll really miss the neighborhood.

Great to have you back around, Ruz. Looking forward to the get-together.

And as far as re-acquisitions go, this is much better than Trachesel. : )

Submitted by Cubnut
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 1:42pm

Regardless of what we had to send to Harrisburg in the deal, this is a great acquisition for us.

Submitted by Wes
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 4:35pm

Chad got optioned to the Senators.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 1:43pm

Look at Rogers Park too. Sure our alderman is a nut, but otherwise it is nice.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 5:39pm

Bernie Stone is insane! He sleeps through council meetings!

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 6:52pm

Well... most of Rogers Park had Joe Moore.

Bernie Stone has west Rogers Park.

Submitted by Tito
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 2:10pm

Is that company still hiring?

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 4:09pm

Ichiro f bombs NL in locker room speech every year befor All Star game-

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-ichirospe...

Submitted by nohit
on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 1:51am

That ROCKS! I've always liked Ichiro. I like him even more now, that crafty bleeper!

----

EDIT: Here's some (NSFW due to language) more Ichiro goodness.

Submitted by Andrew
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 4:32pm

Not sure if it's more of a Greg Maddux or Chad Fox type return, at this point. Or perhaps this is a Zell-like maneuver to move in on RobG's baby.

Hot damn, though, that's exciting. Any chance of bringing back Smart and Hill just for old timers' sakes?

Submitted by dbt
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 4:32pm

Of course, this happens just as I'm getting ready to move to the west coast.

Anytime there's beer involved, I'm in.

Submitted by carlosrubi
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 4:52pm

Welcome back Ruz!

Submitted by ruz
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 5:09pm

> Not sure if it's more of a Greg Maddux or Chad Fox type return, at this point.

Trust me, it's more like Fox.

We did look at Rogers Park, but didn't see many listings in our price range/size. What's the neighborhood like? Is there stuff to walk to (restaurants, shops, etc.)? That's a major factor for us...

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 5:18pm

Rogers PArk has terrific values, burgeoning culture east of Ridge, finally, ethnic restaurants on Clark (mostly Mex, but Middle Eastern gems have popped up recently), and has been "gentrifying" or "transitioning" for 30 years. I expect the trend to stay this slow for another 20.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 5:48pm

Well, the neighborhood by the Howard Street station is significantly worse than it was 30 years ago when it was 90%+ Jewish. Now it's pure urban blight and decay. On the bright side, you can get a new pair of sweat socks from the guy with the shopping cart for cheap!

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 5:46pm

Rogers Park is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Chicago. Lots of South Asian, Jewish, and college students by the lake. Nice homes West of Western too.

And don't ignore Roscoe Village. It's nice and quirky with tons of small, local businesses and a nice mix of young liberal white families and entrepreneurial Mexican American homeowners happily coexisting. It's gone up in price a bit in the last five years, but it's a cool neighborhood.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 5:52pm

Mmm...replying to self. I adore me.

I forgot to mention about Roscoe Village since schools are a concern that I've heard really good things about Audubon Elementary http://www.audubonschool.net/.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 9:45am

Rogers Park is a very mixed area, which is in part because of its size.

While it has stuff to walk to, mainly restaurants and coffee houses, there aren't many good shop.

In my opinion the biggest perk is that you can get a single family home, with a large lot, near the lake and Evanston without paying Evanston's much higher taxes.

http://www.rogerspark.com/

Submitted by Dmac
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 5:57pm

Having lived in Roscoe Village for over 10 years at this point, I can attest to the Audubon's rapidly improving performance over the past few years. But it's ridiculously expensive here, the homes typically go for over $$1.6MM these days, and that's in a down market.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 8:27pm

Hmm...My friends' 3-flat was just appraised at 750K in RV. I'm dubious that some decent deals can't be found in Roscoe Village right now.

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 11:07am

You can find condos in Roscoe Village very easily. (Ours, just on the outskirts near Hamlin Park is a duplex down and on the market for $490K if interested. ;))

It's the single family homes that are outrageous in Roscoe Village. We wouldn't be leaving for the burbs if we could afford one there.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 10:08pm

$490K

For a condo?

That is outrageous.

Submitted by Dmac
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 5:59pm

Mr. Whipple, there are next to no Hispanics left in the area either - they started moving out when the regentrification process went into full swing, not to mention the El Cardenas grocery store burning down to the ground. They said it was a spontaneous fire (cough, cough).

Submitted by Jumbo
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 8:28pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=ke...

This is a pretty fun article. It covers AL teams, but each team gets a persona from the '84 Cubs. For anyone who actually remembers the players, it should be a fun read. My favorite player segment in Rick Reuschel

Enjoy

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 9:27am

2008 Cubs should be Sandberg, all around good.

Submitted by nohit
on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 9:44am

Who does that make the 2008 Brewers? Palmeiro, trying to bed the NL Central title?

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 12:59pm

Davy Martinez

Submitted by Pell Mell
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 9:03pm

Welcome back Ruz! Looking muchly forward to a TCR get-together as I had to miss the last one. I especially anticipate a Cambodian-garage-rock soundtrack for the gathering.

Submitted by O.Julius
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 9:04pm

Rumor has it Ruz was busy going bankrupt and getting high on crack. He'll return to glory at next year's Chicago Sports Blog Derby.

Welcome back.

Submitted by Jackstraw
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 9:16pm

Funny how Ruz disappears during the height of the steroid scandal and is now coming back. I bet he looks 15 pounds "lighter" and will claim that he's been on a diet.

Submitted by Tom_C
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 9:30pm

anyone is better than DS9-loving Trans...

...kidding

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 10:16pm

Oh, and welcome back Ruz. Here's to hoping we get the pleasure of reading you again regularly. I must warn you though, Parachat has become a beast unto itself. Proceed with caution.

Submitted by CA-Phil
on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 11:23pm

Welcome back Ruz!

Submitted by 10man
on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 9:47am

Welcome back, Ruz! Now all we need is for Cubfan to come back and DC and kjk to make an appearance and we have ourselves a grand reunion.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 1:18pm

I was just wondering about DC. I wondered if he switched usernames.

kjk has surfaced in Parachat recently. It was nice to see him around.

Submitted by dc60124
on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 6:22am

i am one of the designated readers. perhaps for the t-c-r shindig i could be a designated driver. sorry, could not form a proper haiku.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 4:03pm

Let me know if this happens.

Submitted by Tito
on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 3:56pm

It's 2,300 square feet, 3 bed, 3 full baths, two floors and in Chicago. So there you go. And it's not even the highest priced one you can get in this neighborhood (ones that have less space but are newer can get over $500K).

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 6:08pm

That is a deal. Some condos here in Madison, WI, particularly those downtown with lake views, are going for 500-600K and are only about 1,500 square feet.

Submitted by dc60124
on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 6:18am

t-c-r part 3
coming to a screen near you
"return of the ruz"

welcome back, sir !

X
You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address.
The password field is case sensitive.
Loading