You probably read that Mike Quade was fishing for blue crabs when he got the call from Jim Hendry.
Nice catch, Mike.
Anyway, here are the Mike Quade entries for the painting:
Bud said:
Manager: Mike Quade
Quote: "Wow...It's been a long road from my days growing up in Mt. Prospect!
First of all, I want to thank the Ricketts family and Jim Hendry for giving me this opportunity. I also want to thank my players, who gave it their all and never gave up even when we knew the playoffs were out of reach.
Earlier today, I got a congratulatory call from Ryne Sandberg. I can't say how much that call means to me. Ryno is a classy guy!
Now I look forward to the hard work that lies ahead. We want to carry the momentum and enthusiasm from the last 6 weeks through our winter work, spring training and into 2011.
We've got a great combination of established veterans and hungry young ballplayers in this organization. It's been a pleasure to have been with many of the youngsters in Iowa and now here at Wrigley.
And to our loyal fans I promise you this. This team, players, coaches and myself will work hard every day to deserve the trust you've given us.
We intend to win. We intend to have fun. And we will bring a Cubs championship to Chicago!"
kim crouch said:
Manager: Mike Quade
Quote: "Thanks to Jim and The ricketts family for giving me the chance to show what I could give this team. We're going to get it done. That's why I'm here. I wasn't sure I'd end up in this spot, but that's where we're at. I'll do my best for the organization, we'll work hard, train hard in the offseason, and hopefully come back in the spring and be a contender."
cubbiejudi said:
Manager: Mike Quade
Quote: "Wow I didn't know I was in the mix. I've been busy winning games. I'm humbled. So, I guess the guys like me, and the fans know I can win. Wow!"
Donna said:
Manager: Mike Quade
Quote: "I will never take for granted the confidence and respect the Cubs organization showed me when they made me interim manager after Lou Piniella retired. I am honored by their continued confidence in naming me manager for the 2010-2011 season. I believe I have a good relationship with the players on this team. I admire the talent and dedication they bring to the ballpark every day. Through their hard work, they created a winning atmosphere during the last six weeks of this past season and I believe with all my heart that they will carry this winning atmosphere into the next season. As everyone knows, the Wrigley fans are the best fans in the world, and I appreciate the chance to bring them a winning team."
Rich Beckman said:
Manager: Mike Quade
Quote: "I want to thank Jim Hendry and the Rickets family for this opportunity. We had a lot of fun at the end of this season. And I want you to know that I plan on having a lot of fun next season. A team having fun is a team that can win.
Preparation is a lot of hard work, but the umpire says 'Play ball!', not 'Work ball'. When the game starts, have fun. A team that has fun is a team that will fulfill it's potential."
Larry Lundy said:
Manager: Mike Quade
Quote: "I am humbled by this offer to coach the Cubs. This is a great team backed by top flight management and it's loyal fans deserve a winning team. In the short amount of time I've had the honor of coaching this great group of guys we managed to show what we are capable of. This is a unique opportunity for me, but even more so, a chance to take this young club to the next level."
Boomding said:
Manager: Mike Quade
Quote: "Finally! This has been one heckuva road for me, and I can't begin to thank everyone in my life who made it possible. I am blessed to be standing here in front of you folks as the manager of the greatest franchise in the major leagues, and I make this promise: The Cubs will win the World Series."
Karen Tibbs said:
Manager: Mike Quade
Quote: "This is something I’ve always wanted to do and it is gratifying to have the opportunity to continue this next year. The season was a rough one but we had a good end of the season run. These last weeks have been a challenge but it turned out beyond our expectations. I feel good. I’m prepared to do this. It will be special."
And here is the transcribed Quade press conference available on Cubs.com, which will be our guide for the contest:
Mike: "This is obviously a great day and I need to start by thanking, uh, the Ricketts family and as well as Jim and Randy and the front office people. Umm. I got an opportunity uh, with 6 weeks to go, um, and that Jim was good enough go give me, uh, and I was so thankful for that. And it gave me an opportunity and I think to do what I've always believed I can do, uh, but to prove to myself and maybe to them that I could do it as well.
And without that I don't know where we're sittin' today but I was treated so well in the process by the entire family and by Jim and Randy and with all the other candidates from day one it was fair, I understood it, and I've always been a guy who understands there are great baseball people out there. You don't assume anything and you go to grind it out every day and do your job, and hope for the best, and I think that approach... I like to think that's why I'm sittin' here today.
I wouldn't be here if I hadn't worked for Lou Piniella as well. Okay? He was good enough to bring me on 4 years ago and serve 4 years with him. 4 good years. And yes, getting an opportunity when Lou went home to take care of his Mom is one thing but I don't know who is sittin' in this chair if Lou Piniella doesn't agree to have Mike Quade on the staff. And that's huge. So Skip (Lou) I know you're home. Thanks alot.
This is an incredible opportunity, the enormity of this I understand. But when you get down to it you can understand all of that and that you, and along with this city and the great fans and everything else... But you still gotta be who you are and you still gotta demand and get the kind of performance you're lookin' for from your club. And if I stay focused on that...gosh I hate that word, but it's true, if WE stay focused on that as a group, especially as a staff, uh, then you believe it'll work out. You come to the ballpark every day playing for 27 hard outs and that's what you do. But again I think you set an example for yourself by being involved and being relaxed and... having fun! I can do that fishin' sometimes."
Okay, tonight I'm gonna double check my transcription, compare quotes and we'll see who wins what! Yes, I realize that the press conference was longer than what's quoted above, there was a question and answer session and all that, but I will use this video as the guide.
In other news, the playoffs have turned strange as baseball often does.
Rangers now up 3 games to 1 over the Yankees.
The Giants up 2 games to 1 over the Phillies.
Weird.
