On August 1st, 2008, a phenomenon known as “Fire Dusty Baker 2” took off. For those new folks here, we were at an old site talking baseball when the person owning it disappeared without a trace. 22 year old me stepped up and brought a majority of the readers over here on that day. We have seen so much bullshit and hey, even *some* joy when it comes to Chicago sports. After all, mediocrity was what brought us here in the first place. We’ve seen some weirdos come along and tell us we are idiots over these years and we’ve had others who have praised us for our FIRE AND PASSION. But whatever it may be, we welcomed all of it with open arms.
Since then, we have had several iterations on the banner to fire countless other hacks such as Tom Thibodeau, Lovie Smith, Jerry Angelo, Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace. And now, it’s a dual banner featuring incompetent fools Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus.
I usually write an article like this every August 1st. Last year was different because I just simply forgot. While I love this site more than anything, it just hasn’t been popping like it was even a few years ago. But I keep paying for this site every year because of the history of it. Literally 15 years of everything I’ve ever written on this site exists in the archives. I sometimes take a look at them every once in a while. Sad to say, some shit I wrote ten years ago still applies today to some teams. Nostalgia at it’s finest, I suppose.
When this website started, I was 22 and just out of college. I was still living in a tiny apartment that the bedroom was actually as big as the living room and kitchen combined. Now, I have emerged into adulthood where I work 60 hours a week and am constantly on the go. It’s also another reason why I haven’t posted as much. When football season rolls around, traffic tends to rise and engagement is more common. When logging in, I do see the stats (cue Yeti). I am very thankful to see some people checking in.
As long as I am still able to do this, I will. I wish I could write more positive articles when it comes to my teams. But damn, they just keep being mediocre. But at least I have this outlet. We have had some glimpses of recognition in the media many years back. From Sarah Spain getting pissed off at us for telling the truth about her to getting our site mentioned in Kenny Albert’s Wikipedia page, I find it all fascinating.
I seriously cannot thank you all enough. For those who just read without posting, you are just as important as the ones who do. It’s appreciated. For the regulars who still post here, you are just fantastic human beings. Even in the times we have disagreed on something, it was always a respectful debate. I have had the (dis)pleasure of meeting and being good friends with Genrebuster and Jimmy D. Then there is Chucky and while I haven’t met him, I am sure it would be a blast seeing him walk around with a chainsaw in his hands.
I really pray I don’t forget some others. But readers such as Dave, DVX, Ernie, Pie, John, Grant, USAgent and many more deserve praise. Seriously, thank you. It’s just incredible how some of us are talking here after all of these years. I sincerely do not take anyone for granted.
Here’s to many more birthdays for this dark corner of the internet.
Fire Ryan Poles | Fire Ben Johnson 
August 1, 2023 at 10:49 am
Ah, FroDog, my long-time fitness frendt, congratu-fucking-lations on hitting 15 years! It’s hard to believe it’s actually been that long. I can’t thank you enough for keeping this site going for so long. I helped me keep my sanity (or is it insanity? I don’t know for sure) through all the years of absolute, utter bullshit. God only knows, we’ve had our share of bullshit! But as you said, we’ve had a few high spots too, The Hawks winning three Stanley Cups, the Cubs winning the World Series. Who thought we’d ever see that?
There’s a lot of guys who have come and gone through our dark little corner that I miss to this day. Mad City Mac, KSMC, Robert, Matt Stairs Superfan, jimmyd, Captain Kirk, and digging deep into the archives, The Ghost of Leo Durocher, and Ron Santo’s Legs, those are all guys who have serious history here with us. and I wish they were still here. We had an outrageous amount of fun and pissed off commentary about our teams successes and failures. Thank you Fro, for providing an outlet for it all.
I do have a question for you though Fro. I think you are still into wrestling, maybe not as much as before, but I was wondering why you really haven’t posted much on it in recent years. I remember you did post when The Iron Sheik died, but no WrestleMania summaries, or any earth-shattering news on wrestling in general, like Ric Flair wrestling at 73 years old (and, of course, him blading and bleeding like a stuck pig). I’ve had some thoughts that I’d love to share, if you’re interested. Just an idea.
Thanks again Fro. I’m really grateful you’ve stuck with this for so long!
August 2, 2023 at 1:42 am
I really appreciate the words. It isn’t taken for granted.
As far as the wrestling talk, I just haven’t had the desire to write about. But I have attended a ton of shows in the last two years for both WWE and AEW. I apologize for not telling you about it as it just wasn’t on my mind. I am driving to Detroit on Saturday for Summerslam.
Even though the product hasn’t been great for the last 21 years or so, I still find myself watching and attending shows as an escape in life. I can’t figure out why.
August 2, 2023 at 11:15 am
Fro, you EARNED all those words I said. And I know that you appreciate all of who vent in this dark corner of the universe. I certainly appreciate you for all you do for us.
I really wish I had the money to go to a show with you. If a show comes to Rosemont, even just a house show, which might be cheaper, I WILL try to get there. And providing I can stay out of the operating room long enough to do it. I’m going in again next Wednesday for a left hip replacement. I can’t seem to stop falling apart! HA HA! Anyway, I want to go, badly.
August 2, 2023 at 5:33 pm
As one of the few that followed you over here, thanks Fro for all you do. I live in L.A. area and don’t have the ability to meet all you guys, but maybe someday I will. I miss Genre’s updates on the miserable Cubs, but I know he must be involved in other things. Anyway, thanks again Fro for keeping this going.
August 4, 2023 at 12:58 pm
Happy Birthday, Fro Dog, and congratulations on being The Last Man Standing. Lots of people who used to do what you have come and gone…glad you’re still around!
August 4, 2023 at 12:59 pm
Happy Birthday!!!
August 4, 2023 at 3:09 pm
I was starting to get a little bit of confidence in the Cubs after their series with Cincinnati. But I said to myself, let’s see what they do with Atlanta the best team in the National League. Result: Atlanta scored 7 runs off Hendricks in the fourth. 8-0 Atlanta in the seventh. I’ve regained my equilibrium fellas, like I’ve said throughout the season, the Cubs lack the starting pitching needed to compete for a championship. Kyle Hendricks has always been a tease, but he’s nothing but a AAA pitcher and always will be. I know my friend Chucky will back me up when I say, “Goodbye Cubs, it was a nice run but see you next year.”
August 4, 2023 at 9:04 pm
Consider yourself officially backed up Ernie, my fitness frendt. That was an utterly shameful performance today, and exposed the flaws this team has, especially with fake-ass manager sitting in the dugout with his thumb up his ass.
Guys, I’m not a man who prays, but we need to keep a good thought for Steve “Mongo” McMichael. He was admitted to the hospital, either today, or yesterday. With him courageously battling ALS, he’s now dealing with sepsis. Sepsis is a brutal thing to fight. I know this, it killed my mother over tour and a half years ago. It’s really sad to me. Mogo was one of my favorites from the 85 team, right there with Jim McMahon. I’m really upset about this.
August 5, 2023 at 8:23 am
Fro,
15 motherfucking years! WOW!!! Where does the time go??? Yes, Bobby D fell off the face of the Earth and you stepped up to the plate. KUDOS and THANK YOU!
While I don’t post as much as I used to, I still visit to read all of the posts. It was the Cubs that sucked me into this “black hole”, but the fun and passionate fans kept me coming back.
As you mentioned, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting and actually sharing a couple of Bears/Packers games at Lambeau Field…maybe soon to share one on your turf.
Love you like a brother (even though you’re young enough to be my son)…LOL!
Keep on keeping on, but Ernie and I (as lifelong Packer fans) will continue to say that “The Bears Still Suck”…LMAO!
Now, back to the Cubs. While I agree that Ross is not a strength and Jed makes me scratch my head, this team is stronger than most are giving them credit for. They are nearly a top 5 hitting team and they are near the top of the league in OBP. That’s the stuff that give you a chance to win games. The bullpen (gas pen, as we used to call it) is an atrocity…as it always has been. It’ll be fun to see how this shakes out, but NOBODY had this team anywhere near .500 this late in the season. If it weren’t for the 7-game losing streak just before the All Star game, they’d be leading the division. Let’s see how this shakes out. GO CUBS GO!!!
Later,
Jimmy D
August 5, 2023 at 6:01 pm
Can I get an Amen somebody for this take I found on a Yankee blog concerning Dusty:
It took him like 25 years just to win one ring after
1) overmanaging and pissing away the 2002 World Series
2) Blew a 3-1 lead in 2003 to the Marlins, Bartman be damned
3) destroying the careers of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior while setting the Cubs backwards by a decade
4) doing absolutely nothing with the Reds and setting them back a decade and
5) failing to get past the first round with a Nats team that had prime Scherzer, Strasburg, Harper, Rendon, and Murphy
He’s never been a good manager; he just has longevity. The one thing I will absolutely credit him for is taking the scandal pressure off of the Astros. But other than that, his career has been littered with terrible moves and mismanagement.
Now there’s a fan who knows Dusty like we know Dusty! Why they keep hiring this fool is beyond me.
August 5, 2023 at 9:06 pm
A-FUCKING-MEN, and hallelujah, Ernie.
I can’t believe this jack-off can get a job higher than selling beer in the bleachers for any organization.