He's the guy to blame ... or thank

[Brownie]

The Tribune's ownership regime of the Cubs has been panned as a failure, but their six playoff appearances in 27 seasons is better than the previous owner's five postseason appearances in 61 seasons, and better than the current owner's 0 playoff appearances in six seasons. The Tribune also modernized the operation of the franchise, spread its appeal worldwide, and probably ensured the Cubs could continue playing in Wrigley Field.

None of that would have been possible minus Stanton Cook, who was the guy who pushed TribCo to buy the Cubs in 1981, took the company public in 1983, created the Tribune Broadcasting arm as a separate subsidiary, and modernized the Tribune's printing press. He also was publisher of the paper in 1974 when he had the paper publish complete transcripts of Nixon's tapes and then helped pen the editorial that came out in favor of Nixon's removal from office. That staff editorial has been credited with convincing Nixon to resign immediately rather than battle an inevitable impeachment and conviction.

Stanton Cook, dead at 90.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

His only real Cub-related transgression, in my mind, was letting Maddux go--and that may have been as much Larry Himes' hubris as anything.  If any Tribune exec should be flogged for operational mis-steps in running the Cubs it'd be John Madigan, who was the guy responsible for running Dallas Green off.

[Quality Start Machine]

He also was publisher of the paper in 1974 when he had the paper publish complete transcripts of Nixon's tapes and then helped pen the editorial that came out in favor of Nixon's removal from office. That staff editorial has been credited with convincing Nixon to resign immediately rather than battle an inevitable impeachment and conviction.

Stanton Cook, dead at 90.

Gil is dancing on his grave.