....really cannot win. I am capable of evaluating the Cubs objectively - and I do - but a high percentage of their fans do not want to accept the criticisms because I am a card-carrying member of SoxNation. If you have heard my views on the Cubs' blemishes, you likely have heard many of the same things being said in Bernie's or at Johnny O'Hagan's. The difference is those assessments are being expressed by guys wearing Derrek Lee jerseys.

If I were to morph into "Danny Woo-Woo," a tag erroneously slapped on me by Scorehead 84 in '98, I am perceived by Cubs fans as a bangwagoner and a Benedict Arnold by Sox enthusiasts. More importantly, I couldn't face the guy in the mirror because I know my "love" for the team would be nothing more than a disingenuous effort to garner favor among fans of the Cubs. It also would infuriate Sox fans and rightly so.

Damned if you do; damned if you don't. I've learned to live with that. It diappoints me to hear listeners say they punch the button because I'm "too rough on the Cubs" because I want listeners. At the same time, I have to be true to myself. And if said listeners aren't bright enough to recognize the validity of my criticisms, which they likely share, there's nothing I can do about it.

I get a kick out of Cubs fans who chide the Sox when they're scuffling or those who chose to wear Red Sox, Angels or Astros garb in October of '05. To me, that's part of the fun of having two teams in town. Sarcasm is something around which I can wrap my arms. I have given up expecting others to share my views... and I will continue to follow the Cubs and relish the roller coaster ride as I have no emotional investment in any of it.

As for taking delight in Soriano's injury, that's an inaccurate assessment. I never have rooted for injuries (well.... except those incurred by Roger Clemens) and only sunk my teeth into Sunday night's events because it thickened the plot. I have stated that I want the Cubs to win the NL and why I feel that way (admittedly, completely selfish). I just want it to be as dramatic and nail-biting as possible.

Cubs fan...Sox fan.... transplanted and indifferent.... I don't care. You're going to get who I really am every day for four hours and if the cynicism and criticism is too much for you, you'll do what you have to do... while I continue to be who I am.... a swing-from-the-heels blowhard.... but a guy who NEVER will bear false witness. There are no secrets between me and you. If the day ever arrives where I find myself saying things just to placate portions of the audience, that's the day I hang up the headphones and go get my teaching certificate or a job at a fishing resort or in a restaurant.

It's a Catch 22 Mac.

GO BEARS!!!!

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SideshowBob311: "Sadly enough, I think we're the "intelligent" portion of the sports radio fanbase".
"I make fun of whoever sucks, including me"- Harry 11/30/07

Mac,
If you see both Silvy and Harry on the ledge, save Silvy and let Harry jump

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

I could not agree more. Mac, that is why we all tune in from 3-7 everyday, for your honest opinion. To I always agree, no. But, if I wanted someone that just said what his audience wanted to hear I would watch all the election coverage on CNN.

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"YOU GOTTA BE BLEEPING ME"

I distinctly remember Mac stating in 2005 that the sox were choking towards the end of the season (which they were until Cleveland choked harder in that final series). I'm not a mac apologist, but he would be the first to criticize the sox if need be. Besides someone has to keep Harry in check.

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May 1, 2007 - CSFMB Civil War
“Those who don’t remember history are doomed to repeat it.”

Mac, you take yourself WAY too seriously sometimes.

You are correct, but the series did matter to cleveland for the wild card. They needed to win 2 out of 3 vs sox. Instead they give away game 1 and get swept.

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May 1, 2007 - CSFMB Civil War
“Those who don’t remember history are doomed to repeat it.”

OK Mac.
I honestly expect you to point out the flaws in the Cubs team. Couldn't be happier when you do. I don't ask you to wave their banner. I don't ask you to turn into anything you're not. I appreciate your criticism. I agreed with it all thru '03 and 04 and 05 and 06, becuase you were right. Hendry did let the team down. Baker didn't play the guys that were supposed to help. They screwed their pitching staff out of long careers. This was not the point of my criticism.

I only say that I think it is a mistake to delight in the Cubs problems as if it was a wonderful thing to happen to you. To say that you're "All things Brewers" in a Cubs town is foolish. I think you abandon your fans. Telling your Cubs fans to buy Brewer jerseys makes you less desireable a listen.

I am surprised at your Pity Post here Mac.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Not desirous of pity at all, Darkside. Just asking disgruntled listeners to try to see my side of this thing. And by the by... Ned Yost, #3, Eureka, California.

spider pig...spider pig...
does whatever a spider pig does.

baseball was exciting for about a week....last week actually.



mac, what dya tink bout devin hester on 3rd down sitchiations for da BEARS...i'll hang up an listen for my answer.

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@audioidkid

Ah Mac. I understand you're a Sox fan. I get it.
My perspective, as a listener, is that I just can't get my mind around a local host drinking Brewer Kool-Aide. Has nothing to do with winning or not winning. As far as strinking a fail balance of team love/hate, I think you were doing a kick ass job for as long as I've been listening (Since 02 personally), but hit a low with the Brew Crew Love recently.
When the Sox were better you didn't have the wrath to take out on the Cubs.
Now, you're deflecting your Sox anger at the Cubs instead of the Sox. Or so it would seem.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Dan,

I've heard you rip the Cubs, and like you indicate in your message, you enjoy the "give & take" between Cubs and Sox fans. That's fine. I am a die hard Cubs fan. I am a realist. The Cubs have sucked for years, and frankly, the Cubs & their fans are easy targets. Not all fans are the same though, and I hate the general term & over all perceptions of "Cubs Fans".

As most Sox fans do, you get great enjoyment from "giving it to" the Cubs fans when the team is down. Visa-Versa as well.

Don't try and play this angle where you don't care, or you are not emotionally connected. That is BS. Be yourself. Hate on the Cubs and rip them all you want. I don't think your honest criticism is unfair, and your "playful jabs" are usually just that.

At the end of the day..Who really cares?Its fun, its a sport & its not life and death. Good Cubs fans know we are easy targets. All I can say is that if there is a "higher being" and if and when the axis of equality ever straightens out in Cubdom, we will have our day.

Do your thing but be honest about it.

I'm a Sox fan but I sense joy in Mac's voice when things go bad for the Cubs. I think Cubs fans wouldn't mind it so much if Mac would admit his disdain for the Cubs. But he denys it all the time. Mac would say "I just call it like I see it Chicago. If you don't like it you can bite me." Criticism is warranted but Mac's happy when things go bad at Wrigley. Just admit it. Once again this is coming from a Sox fan so you can't claim I see things with blue and red glasses.

Jurko, on the other hand, openly admits he hates the Sox. So Sox fans don't have a problem with him. We know where he's coming from.

Darkside, you have proven WHY many Sox fans hate the Cubs and their fans. That arrogance and sense of entitlement makes non-Cub fans want to throw up. There are a lot of listeners that smile when Mac says he is "All things Brewers". Not everyone is a Cub fan. Are there more Cub fans than Sox fans? Probably. But, this is not the same as Bears-Packers. There is no way you can spin it that way.

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"YOU GOTTA BE BLEEPING ME"

[quote="MacI continue to be who I am.... a swing-from-the-heels blowhard.... .[/quote]

The white Juan Uribe...minus the glutes.

spider pig...spider pig...

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@audioidkid

Sense of entitlement? Where would you get that?
Cubs fans have been thru much. It is amazing to me that in their first decent season in 4 years we're arrogant. If it rains 6 days of the week one enjoys the sun on the 7th no?

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

D. McNeil -

I'm surprised! I didn't think of you as a guy who would be concerned what others thought of your opinions. Especially the thoughts of the few hundred remaining White Stocking fans who are getting upset with you for taking interest in the Cub.

I'd be willing to bet that there are some days you wake up and last thing you feel like doing is talking about the Cub. However, it's your job and it's what the people want to talk about. If that makes the White Stocking fan's pussy's hurt, let them turn the dial. It's about time they realize they're in the minority. There are 20 hours of radio time to fill every week and breaking down ANOTHER White Stocking loss just won't keep the majority of the listeners.

D. McNeil, first you're a White Stocking fan. Next, you're a sports fan and the NL Central race is only going to get better. Perhaps a little bit of you is rooting against the Cub.... that's the White Stocking in you. However, the sports fan in you thinks it would be pretty cool to see this city after a Cub World Series win.

Unlike those few fans who still support the White Stocking, you understand that a Cub World Series in Chicago would be the biggest celebration this city has ever seen.

The celebration for the White Stocking in '05 was pathetic. A few thousand show up for a stinking little parade - WOW! People just needed a reason to take a day off work.

Yea, yea, White Stocking fans - YOU got your World Series while the Cub are stuck in 1908. A year later, the "World Champs" couldn't even qualify for post season play and now they're simply the penultimate team in the AL Central. Hilarious. What a cheap ass joke of a franchise. YOU'RE IN THE 3RD LARGEST MARKET, J. REINSDORF! OPEN THE CHECK BOOK, SPEND SOME MONEY!! This city would have been better off if the White Stocking moved to St. Petersburg 15 years ago.

A white flag trade when the team is within (less than?) 5.0 games.... and nothing is done in a year the team is trailing the division leader by over 10 games. Nice.

There will be dancing in the streets for days after an improbable Cub World Series victory. Come to the where the real party is at, come to the Northside "Danny Woo-Woo"!!! I'll buy the first round of O'Douls!

Alright. Enough of this talk.

Who has the better looking 2nd wife?

Mac or Tom Glavine?

Light em up Chicago!!!!

Linda posts much lawn waste but she did have a good point here:


The Sox fans should be pretty pissed about this year. I also think they should be a little pissed about the lack of activity by 7/31. I think they should demand better from their owner and GM. I believe this was a criticism of Cubs fans by Sox fans, that we just accept craptacular seasons and still continue to go. It appears (from what I see on the board and hear on the radio) that Sox fans are venting at the Cubs, but not taking their team to task for not putting together a White Sox Winner.

is this far off?

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Glavine's wife looks like an older version of the older sister in "The Wonder Years". In other words, beau-tee-fulll...

And continuing on Doug's point...

does whatever a spider-pig does...

Point 1: Did I miss a Cubs run deep into the playoffs over the last say 3 seasons?

Point 2: Your statement about the White Sox not spending money is factually inaccurate. The White Sox have the 4th highest payroll in baseball for 2007. It's not translating to wins, but to say they are not spending money is wrong

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/salaries?team=chw

Yeah. Mrs. Glavine looks like a natural beauty. If she had work done it's not that noticable. Every time they showed her on ESPN she always had that "ready for sex" look about her. If that makes sense. Nice.

also what moves did the cubs make at the trade deadline? I guess they couldn't find another catcher out there.

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May 1, 2007 - CSFMB Civil War
“Those who don’t remember history are doomed to repeat it.”

Do not let this one season fool you. J. Dye and J. Crede certainly won't! THEY GONE!

Don't let the facts get in the way of your points Linda.

Linda S= Mike North
Match

It's a problem we all have (to much more limited extent -- we're not on the radio).

If we're fans of one team, we walk a little bit on eggshells criticizing the other team with our friends (esp. if they're fans of the other team.) Hell, even during the Sox's run, I was a Cub fan who was happy for their success (and felt the need to phrase it that way.)

There's nothing you can do: you're analytic in your praise/criticisms of the Sox; Harry takes the boosterism angle in his support of the Cubs. I'm not going to expect deep technical insight from him on that team. I might get some from Jurko; I definately would expect to hear some from you.

The thing to do is for you to do the analysis, have Harry razz you as being the Sox fan doing it, and Jurko good naturedly agree/disagree, or throw kindling onto the fire. It's entertaining, it's a little edgy: one level of listeners can enjoy the jokes, the other can listen to the "thoughts".

People turning the dial? They do that every day. They'll call up B&B and pretend to be pissed off Illini alum. Or pop in some music. Unless you're willing to play some Top 40 tuneages between segments of sports talk, they'll roam anyway.

Bearsssh soon.

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Middle Aged Crazy, like Uncle Terry

Are two seasons an anomaly? http://www.onestopbaseball.com/TeamPayroll.asp Crede isn't going anywhere unless the Sox trade him. He has one more year of arbitration left.