My New Favorite Cubs Story

Rick Sutcliffe's first (of four) career stolen base? All to win Bill Murray a case of beer, when he was guest broadcasting for Harry Caray:

Sitting in the booth, Stone and Murray had to stall while a new pitcher warmed up. Murray looked at Stone and said, “I betcha a case of beer Sutcliffe steals second.”

Stone laughed and pointed out Sutcliffe had never even attempted to steal a base. He pointed out Sutcliffe had a bad hamstring. He pointed out Sutcliffe was not exactly the world’s fastest human being.

“But,” Sutcliffe remembered Stone saying, “I’ll take the bet because I’d like to win a case of beer from you.”

The pitcher was still warming up when word spreads and a fan yelled, “Hey Sut, Murray just bet Steve Stone a case of beer you’ll steal second!”

Standing on first base, Sutcliffe decided: Screw it. I’m going.

“All of a sudden the pitcher comes down and I tell my mind to go but my body won’t move and I literally almost fell down,” he said.

Then Expos manager Buck Rodgers yelled to first baseman Andres Galarraga, ‘Play behind him, he ain’t frickin’ going anywhere!’ ”

Sutcliffe took off running. All 6-7 of the Red Baron hauling ass for second base just to mess with Cubs announcer Steve Stone.

“I am gone,” Sutcliffe said. “He comes down and looks over. Well I’m halfway to second. I’m going, ‘Ah, he got me.’ Well the dummy goes to home so now I’ve got to get going again. But there’s still a play. That’s how slow I am.”

The throw. The slide. He’s safe.

“I look up into the booth and Murray’s going crazy and I kind of gave him a little whatever,” Sutcliffe said, reenacting a manly head bob. “I throw a shutout, I steal a base, and we were locked for life.”

I have a feeling that many of today's fans would not approve of such tomfoolery. Because, you know, baseball is serious business.

Found via Awful Announcing.

Steve Stone Forced Into Dangerous Neighborhood

This is all Dusty's fault.

Steve Stone Is Back In The Booth In Chicago

On the wrong side of town. And only on Fridays. And only on the radio.

Other than that, welcome back Steve!

Stoney For GM

That's what Fred Mitchell has to say.

Steve Stone, Glutton for Punishment

What happens when one of baseball's greatest in-game analysts is teamed with one of baseball's worst play-by-play men?

Ordinarily, I would hate the fact that Stoney is going to be doing Sux games -- but the fact that he will be teamed with Hawk is suitable punishment.

Cubs Quote Of The Day

"If Steve were to come back to the organization, it would have to be in a broadcast position. Seeing that all of our broadcast slots are filled right now, that would be strictly speculation. I'm not going to hide the fact Steve and I are friends. … When Steve left, it was unfortunate." - Cubs President John McDonough, on Steve Stone.

Steve Stone: No TV For '07?

Steve Stone re-ups with WSCR. But, good gravy, why doesn't he have a TV job lined up for 2007? Other than he offended Dusty and the thin-skinned Cubs a few years ago, of course.

But he is feeling bullish on the Cubs (at least for Stoney):

Stone on whether the Cubs or Sox will win more games: "I think people will automatically say the Sox, but I don't think it's so clear-cut. The Cubs have more question marks but might have a higher upside because of their weaker division."