Tweet
Please register or log in Subscribers: Get the Advantage Search:
chicagotribune.com >> Sports >> Baseball >> Cubs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AROUND TOWN
Grace sees a road back to the Cubs (he hopes)
Fred Mitchell
Published October 3, 2006
Mark Grace telephoned his San Diego-based agent Sunday night.
"Did you hear what's going on with the Cubs?" Grace excitedly told Barry Axelrod, referring to the surprising resignation of club President Andy MacPhail.
The former Cubs first baseman and current Arizona Diamondbacks television color commentator now is encouraged about the prospect of returning to Chicago and wants to be considered as a candidate for either the Cubs' managing position or a possible television opportunity.
"Mark is open to anything," Axelrod said.
Grace and MacPhail had a contentious relationship after the popular lifetime .303 hitter was not re-signed following his free-agent season in 2000. Grace signed with the Diamondbacks and was a key player on their 2001 World Series championship team. During the on-field celebration, Grace continued to stoke the feud by saying, "I guess I'm good enough to play on a World Series champion but not good enough to play for the Cubs."
According to Axelrod, "Mark couldn't let go of it; Mark harbored ill will."
Then Axelrod added: "I told Andy many times, and I was very up front, `That's not the way that I would run a club. But then again, I am not the president of the club.'"
Grace was considered persona non grata around MacPhail's Cubs until this summer, when now interim President John McDonough invited him to lead the crowd in singing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" on Aug. 3. He also invited Grace to attend the Cubs Convention this winter.
Grace has one year remaining on his TV contract with Arizona but reportedly has an out clause that would allow him to accept a position in the Cubs' organization. According to sources, his Arizona broadcast partner and friend, Thom Brennaman, has decided to join his father, Hall of Fame Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman, in Cincinnati next season. He would take the place of the retiring Joe Nuxhall.
Grace interviewed for the Diamondbacks' managing position in 2004, but his lack of experience was cited as the reason he did not get the job that was given to Bob Melvin.
Former Cubs pitcher Rick Sutcliffe, also represented by Axelrod, called the agent Monday morning with more details about MacPhail's resignation and the pending departure of Dusty Baker. Sutcliffe, who is under contract with ESPN, previously has expressed interest in becoming a volunteer coach for the Cubs.
Word on the street
Speculation continues to run wild regarding the future of the Cubs organization. Will Cubs announcer Bob Brenly leave to resume his managing career in San Francisco or elsewhere? Would Steve Stone return? To the TV booth? As the eventual new president? As part of a new ownership group to buy the Cubs? Stay tuned. . . . Little wonder the Orioles' office management staff recently refused to turn over their computers to Major League Baseball's steroid investigation team, led by George Mitchell. As noted in this column, the investigative team wants to find out if the organization had prior knowledge of steroid abuse by several of Baltimore's players. Last weekend the story broke that several current and former Orioles, including Miguel Tejada, Jay Gibbons and David Segui, were implicated in the FBI affidavit that questioned admitted steroid abuser Jason Grimsley. By the way, Grimsley donated the remainder of his $800,000 salary with Arizona (about $529,000) to charity. ... Searching for a successor to head coach/general manager Dave Cowens, the Sky has pursued Dawn Staley but has been thus far rebuffed. Sources say the Sky also is interested in Houston Comets assistant coach Karleen Thompson.
Sights seen
Baker and first-base coach Gary Matthews were spotted at the bar of Uncle Julio's Hacienda Restaurant (855 North Ave.) Monday.
chicagotribune.com >> Sports >> Baseball >> Cubs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AROUND TOWN
Grace sees a road back to the Cubs (he hopes)
Fred Mitchell
Published October 3, 2006
Mark Grace telephoned his San Diego-based agent Sunday night.
"Did you hear what's going on with the Cubs?" Grace excitedly told Barry Axelrod, referring to the surprising resignation of club President Andy MacPhail.
The former Cubs first baseman and current Arizona Diamondbacks television color commentator now is encouraged about the prospect of returning to Chicago and wants to be considered as a candidate for either the Cubs' managing position or a possible television opportunity.
"Mark is open to anything," Axelrod said.
Grace and MacPhail had a contentious relationship after the popular lifetime .303 hitter was not re-signed following his free-agent season in 2000. Grace signed with the Diamondbacks and was a key player on their 2001 World Series championship team. During the on-field celebration, Grace continued to stoke the feud by saying, "I guess I'm good enough to play on a World Series champion but not good enough to play for the Cubs."
According to Axelrod, "Mark couldn't let go of it; Mark harbored ill will."
Then Axelrod added: "I told Andy many times, and I was very up front, `That's not the way that I would run a club. But then again, I am not the president of the club.'"
Grace was considered persona non grata around MacPhail's Cubs until this summer, when now interim President John McDonough invited him to lead the crowd in singing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" on Aug. 3. He also invited Grace to attend the Cubs Convention this winter.
Grace has one year remaining on his TV contract with Arizona but reportedly has an out clause that would allow him to accept a position in the Cubs' organization. According to sources, his Arizona broadcast partner and friend, Thom Brennaman, has decided to join his father, Hall of Fame Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman, in Cincinnati next season. He would take the place of the retiring Joe Nuxhall.
Grace interviewed for the Diamondbacks' managing position in 2004, but his lack of experience was cited as the reason he did not get the job that was given to Bob Melvin.
Former Cubs pitcher Rick Sutcliffe, also represented by Axelrod, called the agent Monday morning with more details about MacPhail's resignation and the pending departure of Dusty Baker. Sutcliffe, who is under contract with ESPN, previously has expressed interest in becoming a volunteer coach for the Cubs.
Word on the street
Speculation continues to run wild regarding the future of the Cubs organization. Will Cubs announcer Bob Brenly leave to resume his managing career in San Francisco or elsewhere? Would Steve Stone return? To the TV booth? As the eventual new president? As part of a new ownership group to buy the Cubs? Stay tuned. . . . Little wonder the Orioles' office management staff recently refused to turn over their computers to Major League Baseball's steroid investigation team, led by George Mitchell. As noted in this column, the investigative team wants to find out if the organization had prior knowledge of steroid abuse by several of Baltimore's players. Last weekend the story broke that several current and former Orioles, including Miguel Tejada, Jay Gibbons and David Segui, were implicated in the FBI affidavit that questioned admitted steroid abuser Jason Grimsley. By the way, Grimsley donated the remainder of his $800,000 salary with Arizona (about $529,000) to charity. ... Searching for a successor to head coach/general manager Dave Cowens, the Sky has pursued Dawn Staley but has been thus far rebuffed. Sources say the Sky also is interested in Houston Comets assistant coach Karleen Thompson.
Sights seen
Baker and first-base coach Gary Matthews were spotted at the bar of Uncle Julio's Hacienda Restaurant (855 North Ave.) Monday.
Comment