Len & Bob's baseball blog

First off, congratulations to the White Sox on winning the AL pennant. They are clearly the best team in the AL and deserve to be in the World Series. Their starting pitching has been just jaw-dropping and if that continues, the Sox have a great shot at winning it all. Not sure how Cubs fans out there feel about all this. Feel free to post your feelings.

I wanted to answer a few posts we've gotten over the past couple weeks. Here goes...
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hey len,

i just wanted to ask a question about nomar's future with the cubs. i would love to see him back next year. i think he has proved to us that he is willing to do just about anything for the sake of the team, such
as playing third when aramis went down, or remember the night he got hurt in st. louis, he asked to dusty to drop him to the sixth slot because he was struggling. not only that, but he is still a very great hitter. what are the chances he will be back next year?

Posted by Brixen Ivy at October 7, 2005 11:45 AM

LEN: Hi Brixen, Nomar has already had an eventful off-season, helping save 2 women in the Boston Harbor. Let me say this - Nomar was a joy to be around and I just wish he had been healthy all year. The man can
simply hit. However, I'm not sure where he fits in next year - his asking price will likely be pretty high. The Cubs would like to improve defensively and I'm not sure I see him as a left fielder. My gut tells me he won't be back, but you never know.

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Hey len how's it going i bet you are havin fun at home and i hope the cubs next year is goin to be good! and i hope we keep nomar on the cubs next year dempster is allways our closer no matter what and i hope we
keep our bullpen strong and i hope you are enjoing your offseason things. this blog is so fun for the cubs fans! lets hope the white sox win today!

Posted by kristenCarrier at October 7, 2005 11:49 AM

LEN: Kristen, yes, having fun getting into off-season mode and enjoying Chicago now that I have some more time off.

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Hey Len , I hope you are enjoying your time off!
Just want to say Thanks to you and Bob for doing an awesome job this year!I am looking forward to the return of The baseball season in"06". I hope Nomar returns next year also. I also hope they will re-sign Todd Walker. Have you heard anything about them being re-signed?My husband is a sox fan and I have been watching too. I was wondering if you were catching any of the games? Have a great off season!

Posted by Debbie at October 7, 2005 02:13 PM

LEN: Hi Debbie, yes, I've been watching the post-season when I've been able to. I'm getting the impression most fans want to see Nomar return. It will be interesting to see what the Cubs do.

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It's nice to hear from you....I hope you are enjoying your time off....I want you to know, Len, that I for one really appreciate the time and effort you put into your broadcasts. It really showed......I can tell you are dedicated.

If it hasn't already....you will find that the Cubs really grow on you and you will soon be a TRUE Fan if for nothing else because you can't help it.

It's GREAT to have a talent like you in the family.

Have a wonderful offseason and see you at Spring Training.

Linda P.

Posted by Linda P. at October 7, 2005 02:13 PM

LEN: Linda, thanks for the nice compliment. I can't wait until Spring Training!

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Hey Len!
I was wondering what it is you do during the off season. Any suggestions as to what us fellow Cubs fans can do to fill the time we previously committed to watching/attending games and following Cubs
news in the paper and internet? As a college student, I'll be busy with classes during the week, but when it comes to weekends that I would spend at the ballpark or watching the games with friends, what will I
do now? Any fun activities or quirks you can think of will be appreciated. Hope to get some answers in your next blog. Rest up for a season that I'm sure will last well into October! Go Cubs!

Posted by Anna Bednarczyk at October 7, 2005 02:17 PM

LEN: Hi Anna, just hanging with my family this off-season. We're trying to get to know the Chicago metro area a little better in the off-season. If you REALLY miss the Cubs, then maybe you should subscribe to MLB.TV and you can watch all the archived games on the
internet!

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Len,

Saw your post on the MLB blog, and was extremely impressed by your ability to be open yet maintain your professionalism. I always wondered if the personalities we see on T.V. are just a façade maintained for the broadcast. It seems, in your case, you are the same person on and off the air.

To share your time with Cubs fans, during your vacation is an exceptional act of unselfishness. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the access you have granted the Cubs fans. I look forward to
future posts.

When time permits, I would like to hear your thoughts about Furcal, B. Giles, and Lofton. There seems to be a lot of attention focused on these three as prospects (re-prospect in Lofton's case) for the Cubs
organization. Is there one in particular that you think would be a "best fit" for our organization, assuming all three were interested in joining the team?

Again, thanks for sharing your time. Enjoy your off season.

Posted by Bill at October 7, 2005 04:39 PM

LEN: Hi Bill, thanks for the nice comments, but I enjoy doing this...seriously, it's fun for me to talk Cubs baseball year-round. On those free agents you mentioned, I like them all, but it will come down
to Jim Hendry's priorities and how much $$ he can throw around. I'd say Furcal and Giles would be at the top of my list of the guys you mentioned. I like Lofton too, although his age is a little concern.
But hey, one great year and a World Series and I'm good with that! Giles' OBP is what makes him attractive. And Furcal would instantly be
that leadoff guy the Cubs have been looking for.

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Dear Len
Could you ask wgn if they could show some cubs games from this past season on wgn during sat's and sunday's?? I think it would be fun and people would get to tell you what game to put on. I thinik the first one should be the july 3rd game thanks again
keep warm
jeff berta

Posted by jeff berta at October 7, 2005 05:17 PM

LEN: Jeff, that's not my department, but I'm sure Bob Vorwald will see this post and have an answer for you at some point. Not sure if that's something that's been done in the past or not.

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Congrats to the WhiteSox, who just swept the RedSox.

I just have a few quick questions for whenever you get a chance: What are your favorite stadiums to visit? After a series, does it take long to get to the airport and to the next destination? Lastly, what was the change like going from the Marlins to the Cubs- any major differences? We all appreciate the change. Thanks for being a great all around person. Hope you have a great offseason; you deserve it. =]

Posted by Kyrstin at October 7, 2005 07:22 PM

LEN: Kyrstin, Wrigley is my #1. As far as other parks, SBC in SF, Dodger Stadium in LA and Minute Maid Park in Houston come to mind. But I like most of them to be honest. On your next question, we usually
are off the ground 2-3 hours after the game. And, the biggest difference is the Cubs fans and their incredible passion. I'm not knocking the Marlins fans at all...they have great fans. But Cubs fans
might be the best in all of sports and they outnumber most other teams' fans by a wide margin.

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Len and Bob
My name is SPC Chad O'Leary i'm currently in Iraq with the 172nd SBCT(Stryker)and i am very hurt that the Cubs did'nt make it this year.I'm a Cubs fan so i know that everybody thinks we're the "Loveable Losers" but i'm tired of that.Just like this war i'm not going to give up on the CUBS "EVER"i will defend the team till hell freezes over.i'm not just a fan i am the CUBS!
I'm from KS so i have only met 2 other Cubs fans
(crazy)but it's true all i want to know is if i can get an email or anything from the team saying that there with me here as i am with them every game.I just love the cubs like no other and it gets pretty lonly
over here with the little(very little)down time i get i'm thinking about my kids,my wife and what the cubs are going to do to get better.so with that i say thank you for your time and Cubs in 2006
Thank You
SPC Chad O'Leary
U.U.Army Armorer

Posted by SPC Chad O'Leary at October 7, 2005 10:23 PM

LEN: SPC O'Leary, first off, we are all extremly thankful and proud of you and all our troops abroad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in Iraq. Like you, I hope the Cubs can get over the hump next year and win it all. Please stay in touch with us and hopefully you are back in the US with your family very soon.

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Hey Len,
I wish we were still keeping this blog going because we were in the playoffs, but..... oh well.. What I did want to ask was what is Jim Hendry and Dusty's priority NUMBER ONE heading into this offseason??????? Is it that combo lead-off man/centerfielder or a
thumping outfielder??Or is it BULLPEN or QUALITY STARTER??? I know what the papers have written and other blogs THINK, but you're CLOSE to the team. What's our most GLARING need?????? And Len... thanks for a great year. Hopefully next year we'll be participating instead of watching. Thanks.

Posted by lenny c at October 7, 2005 10:41 PM

LEN: Hey Lenny, my guess is that the #1 priority will be adding offense and figuring out the middle of the infield and the entire OF. From there, a starting pitcher and bullpen help. It's a lot to work on, but I'm sure Jim Hendry is figuring out his next move as you read this!

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Len,

Do announcers do anything special in the off season to get ready for the new baseball season?

Posted by Brad at October 8, 2005 08:44 AM

LEN: Brad, I'm on-line every single day of the calendar year looking for interesting news and nuggets. I keep a database of info on my computer that I use during the season and I'm always adding to it.

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Hey Len,
I was wondering if you'd heard anything on re-signing Nomar Garciaparra? relly like him and hope he's on the '06 Cubs team! What are the chances he'll be back?
Thanx again Len,
Sarah Barshop

Posted by Sarah Barshop at October 8, 2005 09:07 AM

LEN: Sarah, please refer to one of the first posts where I address this question. Thanks for writing!

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Since WGN already has blocked off programming for the ALDS games 4 & 5 this weekend, is there anyway they could replay Friday's Sox sweep of the BoSox? Especially in HiDef? Please, please, please...

Posted by Kevin O'Neil at October 8, 2005 12:11 PM

LEN: Kevin...I hope you were able to enjoy that weekend anyway!

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Are you also LenKasper on the Cubs.com message board? Or are you just LenKasperCubsTV?

Posted by Steve at October 8, 2005 12:12 PM

LEN: Steve, I've only posted as lenkaspercubstv on cubs.com. Anybody else is impersonating me.

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I was wondering if we could get a look at the Cubs 2006 tentative schedule. I know that some teams have them already on their websites. Do you know where I can find it?

Posted by Mike at October 9, 2005 10:48 AM

LEN: Mike, I'm pretty sure the Cubs will release their schedule pretty soon. I believe Bruce Miles from the Daily Herald had an item about it in late September.
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Hey Len-

Just wondering what you thought of the possibility of going after Johnny Damon as a leadoff hitter?

Posted by Jordan Albertsen at October 9, 2005 04:22 PM

LEN: Jordan, I like Damon, but he's gonna make a ton of money. It depends what the Cubs believe he's worth.

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Hi Len,

I'm writing from Spring Hill, Florida (around the Tampa area) and I just want to congratulate both you and Bob on your first year of doing Cubs baseball together and hope for an even better second year in 2006. A few questions:

1. I know you're probably enjoying your long vacation but does it kinda hurt not to have the Cubs in the playoffs so you guys could have a few more days' work even if you wouldn't be calling the games on TV?

2. How much of the MLB playoffs do you usually watch on TV?

3. Does the White Sox advancing into the ALCS bring hope that there could be a World Series winner in Chicago?

Hope to be hearing from you when you get the time. Thanks very much.

Sincerely,
Jimmy Delach,
Spring Hill, Fla.

Posted by Jimmy Delach at October 9, 2005 11:08 PM

LEN: Jimmy, 1) Yes, I'd much rather be following the Cubs into the World Series right now than talking about next season. 2) I watch more as the playoffs get closer to the World Series. I do my best to not
miss the big moments. 3) Now that the White Sox are in the World Series with home field advantage, I'd say they're in a great position.

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Hey Len -- you've earned the right to kick back and knock back a few cold ones while watching the postseason....please enjoy and continue to
do so! But when you feel ready to post some answers here, I'd like to know why everyone keeps talking about Furcal possibly going to the Cubs. Do they know something about Nomar's status that we don't? Also,
where has BB been? I thought he was gonna be calling games on Fox with Thom Brennaman, but I haven't seen him yet. Thanks again for a great year -- I'm knocking a few back myself, right along with ya! :)

Now that the Astros have won, I officially HATE the NL representatives -- I find myself with no choice but to pull for the AL from here on out! BLAH!! :(

Posted by Carrie C. at October 10, 2005 09:06 AM

LEN: Carrie, BB is calling the NLCS w/Brennaman and Lyons. And they sound great. And now that the White Sox are in the World Series, are you going to pull for them?

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Len,

What's the one significant issue you think the Cubs need to address in the offseason? For me, it absolutely has to be the outfield. We lost
production at the positions it is usually the easiest to find it - the corner OF. In general baseball terms, up the middle if more defense oriented, and the corners are for offense. Do you think Burnitz and
Murton are the answers at these positions? And is C-Patt going to be able to re-establish himself as a reliable CF?

For me, this outweighs starting pitching (if Wood, Prior, and Zambrano are healthy we're fine) and relief (which tends to be unpredictable). Your thoughts?

Posted by Kyle B. at October 10, 2005 09:01 PM

LEN: Kyle, I think the bullpen and adding guys who get on base are the most pressing issues. I guess I don't really care where they play (RF/SS/2B). I think the Cubs' offense suffered from a lack of
baserunners...not enough walks and too much inconsistency because of the low OBP. Defensively, this team needs to improve as well. And you're right--up the middle has to be solid defensively. P.S., I think Matt Murton has a pretty legitimate shot at being the everyday LF--why? Because he gets on base, has a good approach and showed a little pop at the end of the year as well. And at last check, he was doing very well in the Arizona Fall League.

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Well Len,

I hope that mood to post happesn as much as it can, so that the Chicago Cubs fans won't forget about you, and I hope that you will still get to read your e-mail for the WGN Cubs TV booth, even through the season has
ended for them.

Posted by Stephen Verhaeren at October 10, 2005 09:11 PM

LEN: Stephen, I'll be around all off-season ready to talk Cubs baseball!

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Len,

Just wanted to post and tell you that you and Bob Brenly did an outstanding job as the new voices of the Cubs this season. I look forward to next season and hope the Cubs can turn it around.

Hope you enjoy the off season

What changes do you see the Cubs making in the off season? Will they trade Corey Patterson? I think if they Put Hairston in Center they have a quality leadoff hitter and some speed at the top. Look what Posednik did for the White Sox. What about in left field? I have an idea. I heard that Magglio Ordonez was not happy in Detroit. How about bringing him back to Chicago in a Cub uniform. I know it would take a lot to get him and he has a big contract but he would make a great Cub left fielder.

Posted by Patrick Lake at October 11, 2005 02:05 PM

LEN: Hi Patrick, I would view Hairston as a great super-sub--a guy who can play 2B and all 3 OF spots. The Ordonez theory is interesting...but is he a health risk? On Patterson, wow, that's a tough one - you can't get anything of value if you try to trade him, but he can't help the Cubs unless he makes some major changes in his approach. Who knows, maybe 2005 was just a bizarre anomaly and he'll show up at spring training a new player.

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It's too bad the cubs lost I thought for sure that they were gonna kick butt this year. Also I'd like them to show Aramis Ramirez's game saving homerun.

thanks by!!!!

Posted by damon at October 11, 2005 09:11 PM

LEN: Damon, let's hope the Cubs kick butt in 2006.

Thanks for the posts and keep 'em coming!
Len Kasper