Ron Santo statue to be unveiled today.


It's Ron Santo Day.
Today at 5:30 outside the right field gate at Wrigley, the Ron Santo statue will be unveiled.
The team will be out there along with the Santo and Ricketts family and any other member of the Chicago Cubs family.
People will speak, maybe even Kerry Wood, and it's sure to be pretty emotional.
So take a minute today to think about Ron as a Cub and Cub Fan.
I don't know for sure, but I'd turn on WGN AM 720 about 5 today and see if they cover it live, and leave it on thru the game because you'll want to hear Pat Hughes do the game tonight.
And man do I hope they did something with the statue along the lines of the Billy Williams and Ernie Banks statues rather than get all arty like the Harry one. 

Submitted by CubbyBlue on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 8:58am

Comments

Submitted by tbone
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 9:43am

I agree on the Harry statue. Looks like something out of Dante. The only problem I have with the Williams statue is that rather than showing his distinctive batting stance or swing, it looks like he just awkwardly fouled a ball down the left field line.

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 10:44am

Agreed--like a comic book splash page or a medieval woodcut, or a Lord of the Rings commemorative pewter statuette and Harry is Sauron.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 4:12pm

Harry Caray Statue Looks like Sauron
-----

"Pop up to Rey Sanchez. This will be the third out of the in....WOOOAAHH! He dropped the ball! You cannot hide. I see you. There is no life in the void. Only death. Holy Cow."

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 10:06am

Supposedly the Santo statue is of him fielding.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 10:45am

I guess clicking his heels would have been too ironic.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 12:03pm

from callis

None. Believe those are both done & under wraps. @jdfisch: Does Rock shoulders signing affect vogelbach Gretzky signing? #cubs #mlbdraft

and

Believe it's done, just not officially announced. @Dylanj85: what happened with Trevor Gretzky ? Did that deal fall through? #cubs #mlbdraft

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 12:03pm

John Manuel doing a chat as well right now, just got started

http://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/?1312987961

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 12:44pm

No Cubs stuff so far, what's the point? ; )

Bubba S for $6 million - I continue to be glad we didn't sign him, at least until we don't sign Baez.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 12:48pm

I think I saw Miles say we're close on Baez.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 12:57pm

Colin (Chicago): If Cubs are able to sign the likes of Maples, Dunston Jr, and Jacquez, as well as Vogelbach, Baez, and Gretzky, are all those guys immediately Top 20 prospects for them?

John Manuel: I'd say yes on Baez, Vogel-bomb and Maples and probably on Jacquez, who I really like though he's small. Not so much on the legacy kids.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 1:56pm

itto (PR): What's the upside of Abreu, aquired by the Cubs in the Kosuke Fukudome deal?

John Manuel: We had a feature on Abreu earlier this year by venerable K-Tribe beat writer David Hall, and Abreu has all kinds of upside. He's got plus raw power and bat speed to spare. But he's one of the minors' freer swingers (kind of strange how the Cubs keep accumulating such players) and has to identify spin better, and that's just not a skill that develops overnight. Good to see him off to a good start in Daytona, but he's new there; curious to see if he makes adjustments when pitchers realize they don't have to throw him strikes.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 12:54pm

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/minorleague...

Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Rays (High-A Charlotte): 2-for-5, R, K. Three straight multi-hit games for the first time in over a month; .317/.389/.442 overall.

Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 3-for-5, 2 R, BB, K, SB. Up to .313/.407/.615 in 26 Triple-A games; hard to see him not spending most of 2012 in the big leagues.

Jae-Hoon Ha, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-3, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI; 2-for-4, CS. 20-year-old Korean was hitting .241 entering August, but 16-for-32 run in last nine games have him up to .300/.336/.457 in 37 games.

Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs (Double-A Mississippi): 2-for-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI, CS; 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, 2 K. Hitting .406 in August in .287/.322/.463 overall; there is progress here, but is it enough?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 12:59pm

speaking of, Lee promoted to AA with Tim Beckham moved to AAA

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 2:19pm

Supply side economics, baseball style.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 2:28pm

beckham still hasn't shown the power he was supposed to develop...shame.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 2:37pm

Reminds me of the Lou Montanez pick.

Submitted by Newport
on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 2:08pm

Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs (Double-A Mississippi). Huh?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 2:31pm

Not following you there, but Beckham slugged .359 in High A at the age of 20, Montanez .353.

Vitters slugged .445 at High A in his 20 year old season.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 2:47pm

Jason Parks chat

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.p...

Moe (NYC): Hey Jason- I had a question concerning #TheLegend. I was curious who you consider a better prospect, Mr. Alfaro or Matt Szczur? I ask because they are extremely different beasts one (#TheLegend) is a raw MONSTER the other (Szczur) is a solid player with an unspectacular upside. I know Alfaro's chance to reach his ceiling are just a fraction of Szczur's chances to be a solid everyday guy or bench guy, but how to you weight the factors? Thanks Professor.

Jason Parks: Alfaro is the better prospect. I'm a big fan of Szczur, but despite the speed, does he have anything elite in his skill-set that could change games at the next level? Not really. Lots of tools, but he's not going to be elite. #TheLegend, on the other hand, is a bigger risk, but a much bigger reward, with an arm that is a 7/8 and power potential that is at least a 7. Those are game changing tools from a premium position on the diamond. That makes him the better prospect.

and

Toby (Toronto): The Blue Jays have the 2nd best farm system in baseball. True or False?

Jason Parks: I don't know. They are top 5 for sure. I haven't thought about it much because it ultimately doesn't matter how the national media grades systems.

hehe, truth.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 2:51pm

more

Matt (Chicago): What is your current call on one Josh Vitters? He's squaring the ball up but BBs still lacking.

Jason Parks: He's never going to walk. He loves to swing and has one of the better raw hit tools in the minors. If only he could work himself into quality hitting environments he could hit .300 at the major league level. It's not going to happen and its a huge waste

and

Starlin Castro has put a few doubles over the fence the last week; sign of things to come? What would you project the power to? Thanks for everything.

Jason Parks: ... Castro will develop more power as he matures, but I don't expect crazy production in that department. I love his swing. He has one of the best hit tools in the game.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 2:54pm

keeps going

Matt (Chicago): Is there any hope of Trey McNutt materializing into a decent mid-to-top of the rotation SP? Is he the only notable SP prospect in the Cubs system?

Jason Parks: Sure. I think staying in the middle-of-the-rotation is more realistic, but I'm a fan of his stuff.

and

Matt (Chicago): How do you think Brett Jackson's D will hold up in CF at the ML level? Btw, I love reading your pieces at BP, you've helped cover the loss of Christina?

Jason Parks: Thanks. In my recent CF piece (submitted to BP editing) I called Jackson Mr. Solid-Average. I think his defense will be just that.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 3:30pm

When these analysts talk about average players are they all on the same page about what they mean? Are they talking about middle of the pack qualified regulars or just talking?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 11:01pm

More importantly, who the fuck is Jason Parks?

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 4:32pm

CUBBY BLUE: Caught your back page in Vineline.

Ricketts may be "SO COOL" to you in the 500 section as you cash your freelance check, but you may want to wipe the grease off your fingers.

I hope your check doesn't bounce, either.

Any mixed feelings about doing that for an owner that can't find the toilet yet, or are you able to separate yourself from the whoring that many of us have had to endure to make a buck?

Anyway, you sure are getting some nice gigs. Congrats.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 4:41pm

wow.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 4:48pm

Just saying. I'd say 100% of us have been pretty critical of Ricketts here, including this artist. I'm sure, without a doubt, Tom is a very nice person but he is doing nothing for myself or any other Season Ticket Holders after two years, who have supported this team with emotions and a small fortune.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 4:54pm

Recession rage?

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 9:51am

Frugal fatigue?

Submitted by CubbyBlue
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 6:01pm

Hi E-Man.
Yeah, you're right and there's no defending that drawing.
Stupid on my part.
Next time I'm doing a VL, yes I have to be positive there, but I'll remember your words here.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 9:42am

I so want to see this drawing...

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 9:37am

That might be the rudest comment I've ever seen at TCR. Congrats.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 4:41pm

Q-Ball mentions LaHair as a possible Sept call-up to reward his good season.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 4:43pm

I can't wait!

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 5:01pm

MLB eliminates off days, tightens up playoff schedule

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/10/...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 5:03pm

#thingstheCubsdonothavetoworryabout

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 11:03pm

But still a good thing. The playoffs have almost become unwatchable with the 6 man pitching staffs and the delays.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 12:00am

LOL...really

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 5:21pm

http://www.cltv.com/videobeta/?watchLive=wgnt...

live stream of the today's event

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 5:29pm

article on the advantages of signing before the deadline, here's the Cubs mentions I could find

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php...

Catcher: Neftali Rosario, Cubs. Rosario, a sixth-round pick out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, received a $150,000 bonus, one of the biggest in the round. The 18-year-old has lived up to expectations by showing excellent receiving skills and a plus arm. He’s also shown a surprisingly good bat, hitting .340/.375/.566 in limited action for the Cubs’ complex team in Arizona. He might not be ready for a full-season assignment in 2012, but this summer's performance gives him a better chance for one.

1B
Big Names Unsigned: Cubs second-round pick Dan Vogelbach is an exceedingly beefy bat-only slugger with huge power potential, and it will take big money to sign him away from Florida. Cron's younger brother, Kevin, was a third-round pick by Seattle and is a similar player to his brother.

2B
Big Names Unsigned: Players are rarely drafted as second basemen, as it's a position created when shortstops prove unable to play on the left side of the infield. There are no unsigned players drafted as second baseman in the first, but plenty will end up there. Cubs first-rounder Javier Baez is the highest-drafted player likely to end up at the keystone.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 6:16pm

http://lockerz.com/s/128441576

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 10:57pm

Nice likeness of Ron, Tim!

Submitted by CubbyBlue
on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 9:03am

From a photo I got online a long time ago, and I wish I'd have gotten the name of the photographer so I could give props. And thank you!

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