In an unfortunate bit of timing for the Cubs, the dumping of manager Dale Sveum on Monday inadvertently led to an embarrassing report on the dumping of a piece of memorabilia saluting late broadcaster Ron Santo.

The Cubs apologized for the gaffe on Tuesday without explaining how it happened.

“That was an unfortunate mistake and certainly one that we apologize for – for any fan who was offended or saw the images on social media,” spokesman Julian Green told WSCR-670 AM. “It shouldn’t have happened.”

Green did not return messages from the Tribune.

The story began to unfold Monday morning when the Cubs began doing some postseason cleaning of Wrigley Field, setting up a dumpster near the players’ parking lot on the northwest side of the ballpark. Among the items being tossed were banners of Cubs players that hung in the concourse and a giant card from the 2011 Cubs Convention signed by fans with their thoughts and memories of Santo, who died of bladder cancer in November of 2010.

The Cubs held onto it the last two years, but apparently ran out of storage space.

On any other day, it probably never would have been seen by the media.

But the Cubs decided to make the media wait outside Wrigley Field while Sveum was officially being fired by president Theo Epstein, and reporters watched a parade of people heading to the dumpster to retrieve the memorabilia, which including the banners, posters and barricades from the ballpark.

The Santo memorabilia-- including a sign reading “We’ll miss you, Ron!” -- were seen on top of the pile of trash. Some outlets, including the Tribune, tweeted pictures of the discarded memorabilia. Photos from ESPNChicago.com wound up on Deadspin.com, which poked fun at the Cubs for disrespecting the memory of one of their iconic players.

Green told The Score that “even one piece of memorabilia that’s paying homage to one of our greatest Cubs players ever should not have been tossed into the recycle bin.” He did not explain why the items were tossed, but said they were removed from the dumpster and taken to the Cubs’ offices for safekeeping.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

The Cubs don't have a leg to stand on in this story.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

I think the bigger story is all the banners and other items that the Cubs decided to throw away, rather than give away or donate to a charity.

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You know, I always thought the Cubs sold that stuff during fan appreciation days, along w/ jerseys from players who hadn't been w/ the club for a while.

Could've been a good way to raise money for Cubs Care during the Convention.

Maybe they have won some Championships in the last 104 years but they just lost them

I don't see why this is a big story. How long are they supposed to hold on to this thing? Does anyone here throw out birthday or sympathy cards?

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Oh, you're a dying child? Here is a Carlos Marmol banner.

I don't think they need to keep it forever, but tossing it into a dumpster right where you're making a bunch of reporters who are desperate to keep their jobs cool their heels isn't exactly the hallmark of Really. Smart. People.

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General Jim wears Fort Bragg down... to get it!

I love that the beat reporters were the ones dumpster diving. Hilarious. And then they had to move the dumpster behind a fence so they wouldn't do it again.

Couldn't they have sold a lot of the stuff in the dumpster? This wasn't a great way to MONETIZE EVERYTHING!

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General Jim wears Fort Bragg down... to get it!

They could have kept it forever if they had an appropriate place to keep it. See, this is what happens when you don't let the Cubs build the Triangle Building!

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The Cubs should have been a little more discreet about how they discarded that stuff, but I still think it's silly for anyone to be offended by this.

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Kid Cairo's Boers & Bernstein YouTube Channel

Kid Cairo: 2013 March Madness Tournament Winner!

"Cowabunga? Cowa fucking piece of dog shit! This game is diarrhea coming out of my dick!"

I'm not offended so much as I'm embarrassed for all parties involved. It's silly to get worked up over it, but the imagery of hand-written well-wishes sitting in a dumpster just looks so callous, especially for the "warm and fuzzy" team and one of their most beloved figures. On second thought, you know what, why not just frame the damn thing and stick it on a wall somewhere? Why would that have been so hard?

This shit never would have happened if John McDonough were still in charge. Say what you will about the guy, but he, ugh, gets it.

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If only the signatures on Castro's contract were that easily thrown out.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Reads like an Onion story. I didnt care about Santo while he was alive, I certainly dont care if a sympathy card was thrown away 3 years after his death. Ask the Widow Santo if she still has her funeral plants.

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What if she does?

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Then I would also wager that she has stacks of newspapers all over the house as well.

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At least a foot deep.

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OH NOOO!!!

lol m i doin it rite?

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Along with a couple dozen cats.

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I guess they really do hate Santo. 2500 dollar donation...really?

Message from the Chicago Cubs on facebook:

There’s still time to sign up for JDRF’s 2013 Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes this Sunday! As long-time supporters of the event, we’re proud to donate $2,500 and a Cubs Dream Day in the Santo family’s honor to cap this tough week on a high note for a great cause.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Maybe the organization feels they need to move away from Santo, who is the embodiment of the Meatball Cubs Fan.

They should put their best foot forward.

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Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

You give it to the Santo family so they can throw it away.

I'm telling you, this never would have happened with John McDonough in charge. He either would have found some way to preserve it and in doing so tell the fans "we treasure your memories of Ronnie, now please kindly continue to give us money" or if the team did throw it away, he would have made sure it didn't sit on top of a dumpster for Paul Sullivan to see. He was the Cubs' really smart person (not capitalized).

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Sully is lucky if he can see the top of a garbage pale,let alone a dumpster.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Jerry: It was a 'thank you' card from Kristin because I'm doing the PBS drive.
I mean, how long am I supposed to keep it?

George: The rule is a minimum of two days.

Jerry: You making that up or do you know what you're talking about?

George: I'm making it up.

Jerry: I mean really, what's the point of saving it? I could see if I had a
mantel.

George: Oh, well, a mantel's a whole different story.

Jerry: Absolutely.

George: If my parents had a mantel, I might be a completely different person.

This might literally be the stupidest story in the history of Chicago Sports.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014