Len & ________?
Speculation abounds. An informal online poll by the Chicago Tribune (5,000+ respondents so far) has Steve Stone and Rick Sutcliffe in the lead, and the Twittersphere is a jumble of random and often asinine ideas—though we’ve yet to read the expected “Bartman via satellite” offering.
Over on ESPN.com/Chicago, Bruce Levine has a quick rundown of suitors.
When the news broke yesterday, we reached out to some friends and Cubs experts in the local blogosphere for perspectives. Some interesting differences of opinion here:
“I always appreciated Bob’s ability to talk about anything when the games got dull (Lollapalooza, his iPod play list, Johnny Cash, the Middle East, whatever), and I was glad to hear him actually call out players (and the organization as a whole) for making stupid mistakes. And of course, their willingness to embrace stats was something that I loved to hear.
That said, while Bob & Len were some of the best in the business together in the booth, I always got the sense that they could just as easily have been calling a Nats game, a Rays game, a Yankees game. For me, what was missing was a real “Chicago” feel to the games – I guess I wanted a connection to the team, to Chicago. I’m hoping that, whoever replaces Bob will bring that sense to the booth.” — Julie DiCaro, Aerys Sports
“Bob Brenly will be missed here in Chicago.
He had great knowledge of the game and often gave voice to what a lot of fans were thinking, whether it was positive or negative.I think because of that, the people of Chicago connected with him. He wasn’t afraid to say what was on his mind.” – John Arguello, Cubs Den
“I’m disappointed to see Brenly go.
I enjoyed the chemistry that he had with Len Kasper as well as the honest criticism of the play on the field. He was open and honest as to his feelings when players did not hustle or play the type of baseball they were capable of playing. He was also insightful as a color guy and brought his managerial experience to the booth.
I’m actually a little surprised that he never got another managerial job. Wish him all the best.” – Joe Aiello, View from the Bleachers
“It’s too bad that WGN couldn’t retain Bob Brenly, who was an incisive analyst and popular with the viewers. It appears to me that Brenly saw the opening in Arizona, which has been his home since he managed the Diamondbacks, and decided to investigate that instead of staying in Chicago.
He’ll be missed. We were lucky to have him for eight years.”
– Al Yellon, Bleed Cubbie Blue
