Mark Grace still wants to be a Cub
Posted by: Richie Rich in Announcers, Cubs, Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks TV Broadcaster Mark Grace had an illustrious 16 year career – 13 years with the Chicago Cubs (1988-2000) followed by 3 seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2001-2003).
Grace compiled some great stats with the Cubs, where he led the Majors in hits and doubles during the 1990’s …
… but his nights in the Arizona Desert probably outshine his days in Cubbie Blue …
- 2001 - Won a World Series with the D-Backs, sparking the series-winning rally in Game Seven
- 2004 - Became the D-Backs’ TV Analyst and is signed through 2010
- 2004 - Interviewed for the D-Backs manager position
- 2008 - Named to the D-Backs Tenth Aniversary Team at First Base
Despite all that … I think Grace would jump at the chance to be part of the Cubs again.
In the playoffs last season, before the Cubs and D-Backs met in the first round, Grace tried to butter both sides of his bread …
“My dad always taught me to never bite the hand that feeds you,” he said. “And right now I’m being fed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. You always want the team you work for to move on, but if they are going to lose, you certainly want it to be the team you have the history with.
Not very gung-ho for the D-Backs there.
And when the D-Backs travelled to Wrigley Field this past weekend, Grace came back to his old stomping grounds … on Friday, he made it clear that he still has some real warm feelings for the Cubs and their fans …
cue the video …
Did Grace just “bite the hand that feeds him?” Did he sell out the Diamondbacks … who were on the field below him? Are D-Backs fans pissed off about that?
You don’t usually hear “Root root root for the Cubbies” and/or “I love you guys” come out of the opposing team’s broadcaster’s mouth at Wrigley. Bob Uecker always roots “for the Brewers” when he gets a chance to sing at Wrigley, as he did earlier this season. I’d love to see what Marty Brenneman might do up there.
I know it’s not unusual for a player to have a fondness for the team he played 13 years of his 16 year career, even if his greatest team success came after he left the club for warmer climates … but you don’t see them sell out their current team like that.
I think Grace would love to move into the Cubs’ broadcast booth if given the chance … there’s a lot of money to be made if you’re a fan favorite in Chicago, whether you won anything there or not.
Ask Ron Santo.
Entries (RSS)