Today’s CBS Chicago column …
(CBS) When it comes to replacing Bob Brenly in the TV booth, the Chicago Cubs don’t just need a color man for 2013.
They need a colorful man. Very colorful.
After all, for the Lovable Losers, next season has the looks of another lean one – and, by this point, that’s hardly lovable. Considering that another triple-digit-loss season is a strong possibility and the dearth of star power on the field, it’s crucial for the Cubs to replace another star alongside play-by-play man Len Kasper up in the booth.
Because, if the team is hoping for fans to tune in to watch a game in August with the Cubs 20 games out, they need a compelling reason.
Or, even better, an entertaining one.
On Friday in his column for the Chicago Tribune, 670 The Score’s Dan McNeil astutely observed that, “We have a much more intimate relationship with those behind the microphones for our baseball teams than other sports. For six months, on an almost daily basis, baseball announcers become our companions. They are guests in our living rooms. Our cars. Our headphones.”
The last things Cubs fans want is a dull summertime companion. And the last thing the Cubs can afford is an analyst incapable of taking the attention off the on-field product when the team is stinking up the joint.
Thus far, in regards to potential replacements for Brenly we’ve seen the likes of Cubs icons Mark Grace, Rick Sutcliffe and Kerry Wood names thrown around. We’ve seen ESPN’s Doug Glanville and Comcast Sports Net’s Todd Hollandsworth and MLB Network’s Dan Plesac have their names pop up as well, along with White Sox analyst Steve Stone and Fox Sports’ Steve Lyons.
But on Friday, my long-suffering Cubs fan buddy Ryan tossed out a name that I haven’t seen yet when he emailed to say: “I’ve never heard his name mentioned, and doubt it would ever happen. But John Kruk would be a hoot.”
And, jeez, wouldn’t he be?
Continue reading at CBSChicago.com …