Reader Q&A

Ask Paul Sullivan

The Tribune's Cubs reporter answers reader questions during the season

11:45 AM CDT, April 26, 2007

Ask Paul returns to discuss Lou's media boycott, clubhouse music, moving Soriano to second and, well, you know who's season-ending injury...

Who, in your honest opinion, should buy the Cubs? Do you think he/she should 'clean house'? --Cynthia Lee, Chicago

My personal choice would be Billy Corgan, who is a Chicagoan with great baseball insight and would definitely clean house. He could also bring the Pumpkins to Wrigley, which would be nice to see. I tried to talk him into it last winter, but couldn't get a callback. My second choice would be a team of investors including Chicago-born comedian Jeff Garlin and his pal, Larry David of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." My sources tell me they'd keep Lou and Yosh Kawano and get rid of everyone else. My third choice would be for Sam Zell to keep the team and put me in charge of the media relations department.

I hope that you're not stinging too much from Lou Pinella's unconscionable snub after the April 23 game. If Lou had appeared at the post-game news conference, what questions would you have asked him? And, if you don't mind channeling his potentially damaging thoughts, what would have been his likely responses to your questions? --Bob Mellin, Valparaiso, Ind.

Well, the first question would have been 'What happened with Gerald Perry and the umpires in the tunnel?' Lou told us the next day it was no big deal and everything's fine. My second question would've been 'Are you considering using Scott Eyre in a less pressurized role?' The next day he was a mop-up guy. I don't really mind if Lou blows off the media after games. That's his prerogative. But he should at least send a designated Lou to answer our questions, because it looks like he's ducking us just because things are going badly.

I recently attended my first ever game at Wrigley against the Reds. I was surprised tickets were readily available and plentiful outside the ballpark at less than face value, and also, at the number of empty seats inside. Are the Cubs down in attendance this year, or is this typical April? For what it's worth, it was very cold! --Don Johnston, Hebron, Ky.

The Cubs attendance is down, and the number of no-shows are up significantly. The bad weather has a lot to do with it, and I also blame the fact that many companies buy season tickets and can't find anyone to dump the tickets on. At least the scalpers are taking a bath, which is always a good thing.

Enough already! Can you let Mark Prior rehab in peace? What is it with you local sportswriters that you always question the kid and his toughness? Healthy or not, he gave his all. Now if we could put you and your whiny, instigating colleagues on the DL that would be better than a World Series. --Howard Hobson, Los Angeles

I can't speak on behalf of all my whiny colleagues, but Prior's toughness was questioned by the Cubs organization as well as the media, so let's not pretend this was a media conspiracy. But I do agree that Prior should be able to rehab in peace, and we'll start now by refusing to discuss him for the remainder of 2007.

Apparently, the Cubs' much ballyhooed experiment last season with 'small ball' is already over and we're back to the same old excuses of the team's power-laden lineup not being built for the cold and better suited to warm, humid temps. Unfortunately, the season begins in April and, if your goal is to play in the World Series, the postseason is played in October. Does this mean that the team was built strictly to hit around the All-Star break? --Steve Flores, Palatine, Ill.

No, this team was built strictly to hit in Miami. Unfortunately, they play in Chicago. It's quite a conundrum.

In the past, much was made of Sammy's boom box and his domination of the clubhouse tunes. Who's the deejay now, and what sort of fare do they favor? --Paul Brittain, Hillsboro, Mo.

The choice of clubhouse tunes is as eclectic as ever. They even play Johnny Cash and country music on Sunday mornings, which is quite a change from the salsa-related past. I believe the days of one-deejay, 25 cabs are over. Everyone seems to have a chance to play their tunes now.

How soon are we going to see Angel Guzman in the rotation? Also, how much did changing his position on the mound help him? -- Tim Ehrhardt, Payson, Ariz.

Tuesday in Pittsburgh. We'll see how much it helped when we see him pitch with regularity. He looked good in a relief role, but after one time around the lineup, he's been hittable in the past. This is basically do-or-die time for Guzman.

Was there any truth to the talk about Jacque Jones wanting out in the off-season? He claims that it isn't true, but he did take a lot of abuse from fans last year. Just wondering if you'd spoken to him about it or have any insight. Thanks. -- Adam Mamawala, Ewing, N.J.

I haven't asked him about it since he denied it in spring training. I do know the Cubs have been shopping him since November, with no takers. He did take some abuse last year, but that seems to have died down now that Cubs fans have another target, Scott Eyre. Seems like they always have to have at least one guy to abuse.

Paul, is there a reason behind Pie's decision to switch his number from 17 to 20? -- Phil "The Thrill" Golding, Chicago

Felix said it was his old number and he just likes it. I don't think it has anything to do with the Mark Grace curse on Cubs who have worn his number 17 since he left.

Paul, is batting Cliff Floyd in the No. 2 hole the worst idea ever? --Juan Mendez, Evanston, Ill.

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