Not Qualified To Comment » Cubs Clubhouse Cliques Revealed

Cubs Clubhouse Cliques Revealed

April 28, 2009 at 9:00 am | Chicago Cubs
By: Stormin' Norman Disciple

fontenot We were able to get a little closer look at what goes on behind the scenes with the Cubs after Mark DeRosa shared the fact that the Cubs have a team fantasy football league last summer. Bleed Cubbie Blue has now offered us another look at the Cubbies. This one is is a bit less reliable, but also gives an interesting take on the pecking order in the Cubs clubhouse:

I had been tipped off by the bartender that a number of Cubs players were hanging at another table in the restaurant. Between courses I decided to take a stroll through the lightly populated restaurant. Sure enough, at a large table in the back, I found Mike Fontenot, Kevin Gregg, Aaron Miles, Rich Harden and Reed Johnson seated with a few other guys (tough to remember everyone as I was waltzing past). At a smaller table next to the large one, Sean Marshall and Jeff Samardzija seemed to be banished to the weeds by the older players.

After another drink, I decided to return and let the boys know that while they would likely prefer anonymity on the road, it was my role to wish them the best over the upcoming weekend. They seemed genuinely appreciative, and in our brief exchange, it struck me that Johnson was the ringleader of the group.

As I returned to the bar to finish my drink, I noticed an older, bald gentleman enjoying a beer at the end of the bar. Sure enough, it was Mike Quade, sucking back a Bud Light, oblivious to the youngsters having dinner in the back of the restaurant. I offered Mike a re-fill, which he politely declined, and at this point I was ready to leave as the Cubs Crew had made their way into the casino.

Seems Alfonso Soriano was already seated at a blackjack table — a $10 minimum limit table, I might add — when the dinner crowd caught up to him. I took up a seat across the pit, and while watching these guys, gave back most of my previous winnings. Eventually Soriano left, and according to an informative pit boss, he took $20K in chips with him. Now, that said, he had no idea how much Soriano had bought in at the start, so it wasn’t clear if Fonzie was up or down on the night. The crowd thinned to just two guys, Shark and some other guy (don’t think this guy was a player), with Jeff playing to a large stack of green checks ($25 chips).

I guess Marshall and Samardzija are not allowed at the adults table, and have been relegated to the kids table. It makes sense though. Reed being the ringleader makes sense, since he seems well-liked and is known for being a good clubhouse presence. Also I would love to have a few beers with an old baseball man like Quade.

And how much did Fonzy win? Enough for another sweet hummer?