Thanks, Congrats to Unsung Hero Leaving Cubs Front Office
Between the dearth of Cubs news and hangovers both actual and metaphorical, I’ve had a hard time getting back into the whole writing thing. I’m not self-important enough to think that my absence has been noted, but it does feel odd to go this long — yes, only a couple days — without putting anything out there. And since there’s only so much time you can spend buying stuff on Amazon and playing Nintendo Switch, I figured it was time to get back on the horse.
Cubs Insider has grown a lot over the last year, most of which is due to the collective talent of the group we’ve brought together here. That’s something I’m really proud of since, as you may be aware, we’re not exactly swimming in a private pool here. Given the growing number of different outlets for Cubs news and conversation, carving out a larger niche is pretty impressive. Well, I think it is.
Here’s the thing, though: It’s not all us, nor is the phenomenon entirely recent. Just as the Cubs experienced a leap forward as an organization in 2015, there was a not-so-subtle change in the team’s social media presence. Rather than existing merely as a means through which to deliver stats or updates, the Cubs began to use their various online platforms to really engage fans.
The team was also proactive in reaching out to bloggers and making us a part of events like #CubsSocial and Cubs Convention. Some of us have even had the opportunity to take part in forums at the team’s offices and to attend a tour of the new clubhouse, during which we were given access typically only afforded to credentialed media members. One of our greatest advocates, and the man who spearheaded the Cubs’ social media efforts was Assistant Director of Communications Kevin Saghy.
I had never met Kevin prior to being invited to the Cubs offices for a meeting with Crane Kenney and Julian Green regarding business operations and plans for the coming season. That was in late November of 2015, about a month after both the team and its social media efforts had reached unexpected heights. While I mainly stayed quiet and listened, I’ll never forget how Kevin beamed with pride when I noted how great a job the Cubs’ Twitter account had done of making the fans feel like a part of the team.
With all due respect to the rest of the social media team that made that all happen, I’m singling one man out because of the news he dropped just a few days ago.
Farewell, #CubsTwitter.#280characters just wasn't enough. pic.twitter.com/KHsSBTnnvV
— Kevin Saghy (@CredibleKev) December 22, 2017
Though I’d prefer to see him working for a different institution, I applaud The Ohio State University for making an incredible hire. I have the utmost confidence in the Cubs’ social media team carrying on in Kevin’s absence and I know he’ll be amazing in his new role, but I’ll miss having him as an advocate in the front office. It has meant so much to me individually and as the proprietor of this blog to have that kind of added credibility. In that, Kevin’s Twitter handle (@CredibleKev) is perfectly appropriate.
Knowing how much of our traffic comes from Twitter and Facebook, I’m guessing most of you reading this are at least somewhat active on those platforms. The team on the field getting better and winning a few games certainly accelerated things for us on the growth front, but the Cubs’ communications team really set the tone and helped to usher in the legitimacy of new/alternate media. And for that, we owe a debt of gratitude.
Thank you, Kevin, for all you’ve done, both for Cubs Insider and all the other Cubs blogs out there. Best wishes in your future endeavors and may Ohio State’s social media efforts outshine those of its athletic teams.
