Rich Hill made one mistake last night, and Corey Hart crushed it over the center field wall for a home run.
That's about all that stood between Hill and, possibly, the first Cub no-hitter in nearly 35 years, and maybe even the eighteenth perfect game in major league history, since Hill had retired the first fifteen batters he faced before Hart's bomb. The next batter, Tony Graffanino, reached base on what was a ridiculous error given to Aramis Ramirez; Aramis bobbled the ball but 1B umpire Charlie Reliford blew the call, saying Derrek Lee had his foot off the base. Replays clearly contradicted this. Then Hill committed an error, allowing pinch-hitter Geoff Jenkins to reach.
But that was it (Hill didn't walk anyone, and showed off that curveball that had everyone salivating over him when he was dominating Triple-A hitters), picking up right where he left off last September; and there was much on-air debate and puzzling by me, when Hill was lifted after only 78 pitches. Len & Bob kept saying that perhaps holding Hill to 78 pitches in April would allow him to throw an effective 115 pitches in September -- maybe this is true, and also, with an unnecessary 12-man pitching staff, you've got to get work for all of them. Angel Guzman threw well enough, though his line -- 2 runs in 2 innings -- doesn't reflect it; a two-out ninth-inning hit gave the Brewers two consolation runs, and the Cubs won easily, 9-3.
I commend all of you to Chris' diary on the game, which he attended; one thing I particularly agree with that he wrote, is that Alfonso Soriano looked far more comfortable in CF last night than I saw him in spring training. It appeared at one point that he and Jacque Jones were about to collide, and I yelled at the TV, "Take charge out there!" Replays, however, showed Soriano clearly calling Jones off the ball. He's still a work in progress, but last night was a very good sign.
As was the offensive explosion, especially the six first-inning runs, which allowed Hill to relax and throw strikes (58 in 78 pitches -- most impressive). Every position-player starter had a hit last night; Michael Barrett (what, did you think he'd go all year hitless?) had his first hits and RBI, and Mark DeRosa hit his second HR, showing signs he's going to continue the offense he had last year with the Rangers.
And Ronny Cedeno homered. As a pinch-hitter. That was his eighth career HR, and second in Miller Park; he hit his first ML home run, in fact, there on May 5, 2005, a game in which the Cubs came from behind to tie in the top of the 9th, only to have LaTroy Hawkins blow up in the last of that inning.
But that was then and this is now. Nice statement by the ballclub last night. Quick turnaround to a noon start today, so let's get to it:
| Today's Starting Pitchers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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WGN, FSN North and the Mediacenter have the game today, and as usual, for the broadcast media-less, there's MLB.com Gameday.
If you were thinking about going to this afternoon's game and thought it was sold out, as of posting time tickets are available via this link at the Brewers website.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 269 comments
Keep on keepin' on....
We have ourselves a pretty good start here. Starting pitching has done well, (except Z who we know will come around), and the bats are too good up and down the lineup to really stink it up too bad....Keep improving cubbies...
GO CUBS!!!
BillHoldenFan - April 7, 2007
Despite the 2-2 record
I still believe this team is much improved. The starting pitching has, obviously, been very impressive coming out of the gate. I'd like to see Carlos keep that going today (since, oddly enough, he's had the weakest starting performance by far this year).SuperContext - April 7, 2007
The best thing
about the Cubs' starting rotation is that we've finally kicked the Prior-Wood addiction. Two run of the mill major league pitchers (maybe 3 if Miller comes through) are better than 3 minor leaguers which we had last year, and far better than two potential superstars who can't stay off the DL.Clark Addison - April 7, 2007
I Couldn't Agree More
For the last few years we've been stuck in pinning the Cubs' hopes on Wood and Prior.To become winners, the Cubs have to let go of the Wood/Prior fixation and get prepared to move ahead without them. If Mark or Kerry can contribute in some way this year, fine.
But I don't see either of them making or breaking this or any future season.
JP
jpalaska - April 7, 2007
Baseball-Reference now updating in season
Score!Also, Go Cubs.
VS - April 7, 2007
I posted about this the other day.
I think it's extremely cool. You really don't need to go anywhere else for stats on current players.Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Any one else making the trip for this game?
madtown - April 7, 2007
Im
going tommorrow. Section 126, row 9. Its near where Steve Bartman sat, in Wrigley of course, you guys know what i mean.LilLPLancer23 - April 7, 2007
strangely...
I think that this is the game we need to win if we hope to take the series. Capuano absolutely owns the cubs. Hopefully, Sheets has a slow start like Bush last night, because if he has that curveball working with the mid to high 90s fastball, it's going to be a long, K filled day for the cubs.Thelonious - April 7, 2007
Wow, after being ripped on
by my friends for taking Rich Hill in the mid-rounds of our fantasy draft, I would have to say I am very excited. Too bad the one hit went as far as it did.LilLPLancer23 - April 7, 2007
Lineups
LineupsCubs
Soriano, CF
Izturis, SS
Lee, 1B
Ramirez, 3B
Jones, RF
Murton, LF
DeRosa, 2B
Blanco, C
Zambrano, P
Brewers
Weeks, 2B
Hardy, SS
Fielder, 1B
Hall, CF
Estrada, C
Jenkins, LF
Hart, RF
Counsell, 3B
Sheets, P
Bruce Miles - April 7, 2007
Izturis, SS
One of these things is not like the other...VS - April 7, 2007
Satisfied
Izturis has produced better than i expected, but i didnt expect much offensivly. So in that case, Im satisfied...LilLPLancer23 - April 7, 2007
One of these things is not like the other...
LOL! Ha HA! That's great!BTW - are you following your boy, Jerome Williams this year?
TheEman - April 7, 2007
Ol Jerome got lit
up by the D-Backs Friday...he started strong, though...but that was about it...San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - April 8, 2007
Well...
... at least Murton's back in the lineup.Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Yes..
..but Floyd is producing well so far. I still think that as the season goes on, Murton will still end up with 500 ABs. Floyd is gonna have some bumps and bruises as the season goes on and Murton's defense (compared to Floyd) will get him into the lineup more as the season progresses.santo for prez - April 7, 2007
I was surprised...
... at how well Floyd ran the bases last night.Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
I agree.
I believe Murton's going to develop into a very good hitter. Cliff Floyd is mashing the baseball right now, and he's a big threat in that #5 spot.I like Murton, but last year, he didn't show up until the 2nd half of the season. By looking at his numbers, you would think he did okay in the 1st half. However, numbers don't tell the whole story. There were a lot of times early last season where we badly needed a hit, and Murton couldn't come through in the clutch. So far, Floyd is producing, and he's coming up with some clutch hits. His fielding scares the hell out of me, though.
I think Murton will get the majority of at-bats in left this season, and that will be a progressive thing over the course of the summer. But, right now, we need to build on wins and confidence, and Cliff Floyd is helping to make that happen.
Mark H @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 7, 2007
Did anyone notice
Did anyone notice that both Murton and Soriano were playing CF in the lineup shown on WGN?Come on I know they both have presented worries and troubles but 2 playing 1 spot?
Bruce who is throwing out the first pitch on Monday?
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Gotta like...
DeRosa's OPS of 1.456Bruce Miles - April 7, 2007
If only...
... he could keep that up all year!But, it is an indication that he can at least come close to his 2006 production. I like what I've seen from him so far a lot, including spring training.
Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
I put him on my fantasy team last night,
and thanks to you giving us the lineups, i know i can start him today... What I really likre about him as a fantasy player is that he is elgible at 2B, 3B, and OFLilLPLancer23 - April 7, 2007
DeRosa has been a pleasant surprise thus far...
to say the least. He started hitting the ball well at the end of ST, and he's carried that right into the season. I'm lovin' it!Mark H @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 7, 2007
I really really like this team....
BillHoldenFan - April 7, 2007
Hill had been having some blister issues
as well before this game. I wonder if that had anything to do with his early departure. Maybe not so much the fact that another one had developed but just as a precautionary in a game which was already decided.akcubfan - April 7, 2007
Good point.
If he throws that well with a blister, maybe he should develop more of them!Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
That's what I was thinking
I couldn't believe he was taken out -- his pitch count was very low, and after all, he had only given up the one hit.I will remark, however, that he did get hit hard a few times, and it was good luck that sent the ball into the gloves of Izturis and Soriano.
gjdow - April 7, 2007
If blisters
If blisters make pitchers pitch this well we should get some blister maker cream and put it on all our starters.kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Hill was phenominal last night.
He was locating his fastball really well, and he was throwing that filthy curve just beautifully. He had those hitters scared of the curve all night, and that was allowing him to throw that fastball right by them. Then, when they were hesitantly looking fastball, he'd buckle their knees with that "hook." For me, the biggest test of the night was whether he could keep his focus/concentration after giving up the dinger. He lost it momentarily, but it looked like he regained his composure pretty quickly.As far as pulling him with a low pitch count, I absolutely think Lou did the right thing. It's early, and we don't need to take any chances with an injury. It's a great idea to pull your pitchers early during the first couple of rounds.
DeRosa is looking great, Barrett is on the board, Izturis is hitting the ball well, Ramirez is on fire, Lee is doing pretty well, and Ronny Cedeno...well...hehe.
The only thing that really scares me thus far is the bullpen. The outfield defense is looking a lot better than I expected, and Soriano is looking pretty comfortable out there.
Folks, we have a good baseball team here, and we have a helluva coaching staff to go with it. It's gonna be a fun season.
Mark H @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 7, 2007
He had some GREAT stuff last night
I was watching Kerry Wood's 20K performance on the computer here and watching Hill's curve ball reminded me so much like Wood's. Rich's pitches were nasty and just didn't have quite the velocity that Kerry's did, but that is probably good: I don't see Hill's tendency to the bad mechanics that Kerry seemed to show in throwing the heat that he did. Sad to see such greatness now struggling in AAA.cubnational - April 7, 2007
I had the opportunity to watch that 20K game...
last season. I think it was aired on ESPN Classics. "Woody" was so dominating that game, but, as with so many "fireballers," his arm hasn't been able to take the abuse. A person would just have to be blessed with incredible joints to be able to withstand that kind of shoulder/elbow abuse. Kerry still has that competitive fire, but I don't think his body is going to let him compete.Like you said, Rich's mechanics are a lot better than Kerry's were, and his nasty 68-69 mph curve allows his 86-90 mph fastball to be effective. It looks like Hill has finally made the transition from the minors to the majors, but I hope he continues to work on one extra pitch. I think he has the potential to be a perennial All-Star and Cy Young candidate. It's so fun to watch him pitch when his stuff is working.
Mark H @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 7, 2007
Re: Bullpen
It has been a little shaky thus far but I have a lot of confidence in our bullpen. I wonder if it had anything to do with the weather though. Sitting out in freezing temperatures for all of those innings, it has to be tough to really be ready to pitch at the end of the game. I am gonna wait a few more weeks before I really get worried about that part of our pitching staff.santo for prez - April 7, 2007
I NEVER...
liked Will Ohman.My prediction is that he'll be to weak link in the pen.
TheEman - April 7, 2007
He'll be THE
weak link...TheEman - April 7, 2007
Really?
I can't completely disagree, but I'm not exactly bullish on Neal Cotts, either. What's the point of having three lefties if two of them kinda suck?cwyers - April 7, 2007
That's a great point.
Before ST started, I stated that I thought we had the best bullpen in the NL. And, I still think that's true. You're right, it's gotta be awfully tough to sit out there in frigid weather for a couple of hours, then, all of a sudden, you're muscles are supposed to get stretched out and warm in 5-10 minutes. That's a great point.That being said, Howry and Dempster pitched exceptionally today against the Brewers. As the season warms up, I'll bet the bullpen will be fine.
Mark H @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 7, 2007
Loved it Loved it Loved it
Did I say I loved it?Now if only Z will SETTLE DOWN, FOCUS and do his thing today .. and give every one of us in the Cub Nation something to holler more loudly about.
cubnational - April 7, 2007
Has Lilly pitched against any other NL teams ?
he was with Toronto last year, right?If that's the case, during the interleague circus, did Toronto play against any other NL teams and if they did, did Lilly start against them? Anyone know?
cubnational - April 7, 2007
Easy to find...
... here is Lilly's game log from last year.He faced the Rockies, Braves and Nationals; the Rockies beat him up pretty good (in Denver), he beat the Braves in Atlanta and the Nats in Toronto (throwing 6 shutout innings in the latter).
Here are Lilly's career splits including his record vs. all ML teams.
Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
that's why I defer to you baseball academiques
I'm no scholar and I know there's all kind of online stuff to find it .. I just didn't have in mind where to start .. I hope Lilly is as much a mystery to the Astros as he was to the Reds. THAT is a game I would have LOVED to have seen.Thanks Al .. you is da man
cubnational - April 7, 2007
Yelling at the TV.
When Soriano and Jones appeared to be heading for a collision.Al's response: "Take control out there.
Mine: "OH NO! OH NO! OH NO!"
I was a little scared.
BigDumbFace - April 7, 2007
Man.
I hate not closing quotes. My bad.BigDumbFace - April 7, 2007
LOL
If you're yelling at the TV NOW, what are you going to do when there's a pennant race in August and September?Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Pad the walls.
During the playoffs in '03, I laid on my couch and tossed a baseball in the air, which is something i do a lot during baseball games or when i just get bored.But during the playoffs, I must have thrown that ball a million times. I also yelled at anyone with the nerve to try to call me while the game was going on. I get pretty nervous.
BigDumbFace - April 7, 2007
Al
I like how you said "when"......LT - April 7, 2007
Exactly!
n/tAl Yellon - April 7, 2007
Return To Innocence: Faith In The Cubs
If you want then start to laughIf you must then start to cry
Be yourself, don't hide
Just believe in destiny
Yeah, I'm stupid .. gimme the kool aid, I'll chug it. I feel like that 9 year old kid again who became gaga for the Cubs when Ken Holtzman pitched his no hitter on his birthday as he held his new Ferguson Jenkins mitt.
Love - devotion
Feeling - emotion
GO CUBBIES! make me feel YOUNG again!
cubnational - April 7, 2007
I love early games!
Lets go Cubbies!northofwrigley - April 7, 2007
This sucks
[Vent]Connecticut Comcast has got to be the one carrier in the world not to provide WGN to its viewers.
MLB.TV is blacked out.
Hence ... no game on any kind of picture tube. And it will probably be like that most Saturdays.
Frustrating.
Time to cue up Pat and Ronnie.
ttagaris - April 7, 2007
FOX
I completely forgot about that, but last year most, if not all, Saturday games were blacked out every week.This pisses me off for a few reasons: (1) I don't have cable TV, and the limited number of channels that I can get doesn't include FOX. (2) I am guessing that the local FOX station here in Nevada isn't even showing the Cubs game, which brings me to (3), if the game is NOT BEING BROADCAST NATIONWIDE, it shouldn't be subject to national blackout restrictions.
Zachary - April 7, 2007
Saturday blackout rules.
Fox has put all its games this year at 2:55 CT (odd, but that's when they will be).That's why today's game is at noon -- so WGN can carry it, since it's not a Fox game (they are carrying the Sox/Twins in Chicago).
There shouldn't be a blackout. I'm not sure why you wouldn't get the Cubs game in Nevada, presuming you have WGN on your cable/satellite system.
Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Like I said...
I don't have cable, and mlb.tv is showing it as a nationally blacked-out game.Zachary - April 7, 2007
It is odd...
I'm trying to call them, have called about ten times and everytime Im put on hold five minutes then hung up on.Chitown Mojo - April 7, 2007
Guzman
At first I wasn't thrilled with the decision to pull Hill and go with Guzman. However it seemed to make sense, over the long term, to not have starters approach the 100 pitch mark in their first outing or two.As for Guzman, initially I didn't like the thought of pitching him in back-to-back game. He is starter, for the most part. However it did make a lot of sense for Piniella to do it last night with a nice lead. See if Guzman is capable of doing it over the course of the season and get his arm used to relief work.
DmL
dmlichte - April 7, 2007
ROFL HALL
That guy is going to cause some serious heart problems for all Brewer fans all year I think.grifdog - April 7, 2007
Yup.
And you think Soriano is bad.Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Lee has just had an incredible start at the plate
NightPutting - April 7, 2007
2 bagger !!!
D Lee owns Sheetsnorthofwrigley - April 7, 2007
Dlee
Dlee owns a lot of pitchers.I love Dlee.
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Rameriz...
really playing well despite the ground out to second. Looked like he was really hustling and nearly beat it out.cubswin14 - April 7, 2007
Did I
just see Ramirez hustle down the first base line?????Tekboy - April 7, 2007
Carlos has shaved...
...some of that dirt on his chin.The Curse of the Goatee is thus broken.
K #1 for Big Z.
NightPutting - April 7, 2007
1 Out
1 K.Can we multiply this x9 innings?
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Damnit...
WGN is blacked out in Milwaukee. I was looking forward to a Len/Bob broadcast...Schwa - April 7, 2007
Interesting
Whenever the Cubs and Astros played last year, I was able to enjoy both broadcasts, lets hope it stays true this year.sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Of course
I am 3 hours away from Houston, while still a "astros zip code", it's technically a different FSN station (southwest instead of houston)sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Yeah, in Houston proper
WGN gets blacked out when playing the Astros.false cognate - April 7, 2007
I am currently in New York
And mlb tv is blacked out for me.... Reason? I thought this only happenned when the game was on national tv ie espn. Is it? I NEED TO SEE THIS GAME.. HELPChitown Mojo - April 7, 2007
All saturday games
Regardless of broadcast time, are blacked out I believe.sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
That does not make sense.
Why?Chitown Mojo - April 7, 2007
I think all of this...
is just further proof of how ridiculous the MLB blackout rules are. You figure a guy making $15 million a year would be happy to share his sport with everyone, but apparently it takes a little bit more for Bud to be happy. I knew I should have run him over when he used to walk in front of my house...Schwa - April 7, 2007
For the same reason
It's the MLB...doesn't have to make sense. Stupid contracts.sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
This is a load of crap....
Fucking ruined my day... excuse the language, but these stupid measure make absolutely no sense... If the gamne were on national tv id undertsand and even therellChitown Mojo - April 7, 2007
Not night games ...
... those are on MLB.TV and on the Extra Innings package.Tim
ttagaris - April 7, 2007
Me too
In NY as well. What BS. No one should be deprived a pitching match-up like this.BringBackRyno - April 7, 2007
That's weird.
The games NOT in the Fox timeslot (late afternoon) should NOT be blacked out. I don't get this.Time for another fan complaint campaign. Hey, it helped get EI on digital cable.
I'll mention this in my recap.
Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Z's nibbling...
I thought we were going to stop this.Schwa - April 7, 2007
Another K.
I was really getting sick of that guy hacking as many foul balls as he did with a 2 strike count.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Nice job by Z
Thought that AB was headed for a walk, nice finishing pitch.grifdog - April 7, 2007
I like this Z!
Multiply x9, as I said before...sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
ZAMBRANO!
Strikes out the side! Filthy high fastball to Fielder makes him look stupid.grifdog - April 7, 2007
3 up, 3 Ks.
Zambrano with a rare display of emotion returning to the dugout.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Zambrano? Rare display of emotion?
Don't think I've heard that put together before...sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
haha forgot to close the </sarcasm> tag...
NightPutting - April 7, 2007
If I were a major leaguer
I would not want to face Zambrano the start after a rare bad one.kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Brewer's announcers on MLB.tv -
"Three strikeouts in the first inning....Yikes!!"lilkimmer77 - April 7, 2007
murton laces one to left
lilkimmer77 - April 7, 2007
Alright
Orange Guy!phat
phatass - April 7, 2007
hmmmmm, why does ben sheets
keep rubbing his forehead??????lilkimmer77 - April 7, 2007
DEROSA
YEEUHH! RBI triple...Schwa - April 7, 2007
NIIIIIIIIICE
GO DEROSAgrifdog - April 7, 2007
Oh Man!
Can DeRosa hit (apparently) or what?NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Irony
Isn't it ironic that so far the least heralded of our offseason moves seems to be paying off the most?kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
RBI triple for mark derosa!!!
lilkimmer77 - April 7, 2007
Woohoo!
Triple!phat
phatass - April 7, 2007
Derosa
must have heard everyone here bitching about his contract....LT - April 7, 2007
Zambrano being booed
I love it!!!sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
anyone see the interview where sheets
basically guaranteed victory?lilkimmer77 - April 7, 2007
I didn't
But I'm sure hoping it was playing in the visitors clubhouse this morning.sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Blanco
what did Blanco do and why didn't he bring DeRosa home?BringBackRyno - April 7, 2007
Blanco...
hit a feeble ground out to the left side, DeRosa couldn't score. Thank God for Z. I want a WWZD? bracelet.Schwa - April 7, 2007
Thanks
BringBackRyno - April 7, 2007
HAHAHA
RBI single for ZSchwa - April 7, 2007
Zambrano RBI Single
2-0 CUBBIES!!!!!!!sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZAMBRANO
grifdog - April 7, 2007
Big Z with an RBI!
Watching him hit that always elicits a chuckle or two, but hey--he's a damn fine hitting pitcher.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
It's going to be cold on Monday
My husband and I were talking today about what we're wearing on Monday and realized we're going to be as dressed for the weather as we were for the NFC title game in January.kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
hope the game doesn't get cancelled
lilkimmer77 - April 7, 2007
It won't be...
... unless it's raining or snowing, and at the moment the forecast is for partly cloudy skies, high of 43.We've had worse, including last year when it was in the 30s.
Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Weather
Predicted high on Monday: 43Actual high on January 14, the date of the Bears' playoff game vs. Seattle: 37
Sigh.
Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
What's the warmest and coldest
You've seen it on Opening Day, Al?sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
The warmest...
... was in the low 60's, a couple times in the '80s.The coldest, by far, was 1997, when it was 29 degrees with a wind chill of 1. That is, they said at the time, the coldest it has ever been for a game at Wrigley Field.
But the one I remember was 1992, when they played an exhibition game vs. the Brewers at Wrigley Field the Saturday before Opening Day. It was 85 degrees.
Two days later, Monday, was Opening Day vs. the Cardinals. It was 40 and drizzling.
Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Isn't that amazing?
85 for an exh, 40s for the real thing. Weather gods can be nasty, sometimes......sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Yep.
It's cold in your part of the country today too, isn't it?I see that it is snowing in DALLAS this afternoon. And the Red Sox and Rangers are supposed to play a night game there today.
Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
It's 38 and light rain
According to my Firefox weather tracker, I haven't stepped outside today yet though...Yesterday was 60s/70s...
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Where are you in Texas?
Where exactly are you in Texas?Anywhere near Grand Prairie? If you are and know it at all can you help me with something? (I'm trying to play a surprise for someone who lives there and need a good recommendation for a place to hold a party)
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
As my username shows ;)
I'm on the southwest side of San Antonio. A quick google shows Grand Prairie is part of the DFW metroplex, which is about 4-5 hours north on I-35.sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
I thought you were talking about
I thought you were talking about Dallas weather my brain is fried.Actually I may need some San Antonio help later this year. Can I pick your brain later?
no perfect game.
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Sure thing
Just remember, there's not much to pick...sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
2003
You're right 2003 was warmer than 97 but with the snow it seemed colder.1998 was nice.
Sunny and over 40 is okay for me as long as there's not a lot of wind.
1984 was nice as well.
I also remember in 97 they opened on the road to give Chicago an extra week to warm up. The day they opened in Florida was 75 and sunny here.
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
I think that might have been 91
I think that was 91 Al because they did that in 92 but opened on the road. I remember that because it was in Philadelphia where I was on a business trip and got to go to the game.kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
2003
I know you asked AL but I'll also answer as Monday will be my 32nd home opener.1997 was freaking cold.
2003 they actually snowed out the scheduled opener and opened the next day it was still freaking cold and the snow was shoveled off and piled on the street behind the bleachers.
Cubs lost in 97 won in 03.
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
I had forgotten about '03.
You're right. They called off the opener at 7 am that day because it was snowing, and there were HUGE piles of snow on the streets. Was still cold the next day.Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Honestly
I love the Cubs even more than I love the Bears but the joy, emotion and fun of that day will be hard to top.I admit it. I cried at the end. Not at the end of the game but when our section started spontaneously singing the fight song arms linked and all I lost it.
Kind of like the night Kerry came off the elbow surgery DL and I made it through everything but lost it when he hit that homerun.
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
rbi single for Big Z
lilkimmer77 - April 7, 2007
Zambrano
Is it just me or does anyone else love the passion which Z plays with even if it can get a bit out of hand at times 99 percent of the time we wish every player played like he does.kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Sliver Slugger
Sweet.ttagaris - April 7, 2007
soriano
hasnt impressed me at all, not yet . . .CZ38 - April 7, 2007
Slow start.
Some players have 'em. Last year Ramirez did, this year he's hot.The team is winning, and that's what matters.
Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
soriano
just appears to be really pressing at the plate right now ...having watched him in the past, i think we can agree that its just a slow startCZ38 - April 7, 2007
If by slow you mean overly aggressive...
...he's swinging at absolutely everything.Luckily, we have a slew of batters behind him picking up the slack--and I agree, he'll eventually start showing the stuff we all know he has.
NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Pie/Izturis
Does anyone else wonder if their fates may be a bit intertwined?If Izturis shows any hitting ability the more we can live with Pie developing batting 8th if we trade Jones.
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Think it's cold here?
Look at this forecast for Minneapolis.And in three years, the Twins are going to be playing in a new outdoor stadium.
Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Amazing
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Does this make any sense?
Gameday is a full at-bat ahead of the FSN television feed. How is that possible?Schwa - April 7, 2007
Either FSN or your cable company
May be running on time delay. Here in San Antonio, Time Warner cable has a good 10 second delay on all channels for some reason, it's really annoying when I'm on the phone discussing a game with a friend who uses Charter, the other company in town.sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
That's weird.
Your FSN feed must have a delay to your cable system.Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
It's back to normal.
Not really sure what was going on, but I can use my Gameday now, so that's all that matters. I'm on Time Warner FWIW.Schwa - April 7, 2007
Corey Hart
Wasn't there a real bad teen actor in the 80s by that name?kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Corey Hart
Was a bad pop singer in the 80s."Sunglasses at Night"
Corey Haim was the actor.
phat
phatass - April 7, 2007
Thanks
Thanks it was bugging me.I remember that song. Corey Patterson was probably a better singer.
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Musician, actually.
Here's his website.Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Yes...
Him and Corey Haim were Intercontinential tag-team champions of the World.They won the title from the British Bulldogs at Wrestlemania IV.
Tim
ttagaris - April 7, 2007
FWIW...
... Gameday is about 20 seconds behind the live action on WGN in Chicago.Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
If anyone cares
The damnyankees are getting hurt 5-2 by Baltimore in the third... a 1-3 start to the damnyankees season would be beautiful.sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Home Run Milwaukee
2-1, perfect game ended in the 4th.sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Nice DP
Maybe that's what Z needs to get back in the groove.SuperContext - April 7, 2007
Lee!
Tremendous play by Lee and Izturis.grifdog - April 7, 2007
Our 2 Gold Glovers
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
DLEE
That's why he's a gold glover. Diving stab, tagged first, threw to 2nd for the tag, what a DP.Schwa - April 7, 2007
According to FSN...
Z is the son of a truck driver. I think I'm going to start saying that instead of son of a bitch (pardon the language).Schwa - April 7, 2007
Does he have a
Mother Trucker?LT - April 7, 2007
Kei Igawa
Is getting shelled by the Orioles, of all teams. Something tells me that Steinbrenner got a skinny toad to go with his fat one.I watched Igawa pitch a few games on YouTube last season. I still like his long-term prospects of being a #3 pitcher or so, but I would have liked to see him spend a season at AAA.
But once the Red Sox got Matsuzaka, the Yankees needed to get their Japanese pitcher. I bet he's in the bullpen by June and in Arizona by next season.
Josh Timmers - April 7, 2007
Z is making me nervous here
SuperContext - April 7, 2007
Nice job closing the door
And ending the inning, Z!sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
I wonder what Big Z just said...
:) nice K.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Z said,
"Why does it always take me 60 pitches to get through four innings!"TR - April 7, 2007
Z had no walks until that homerun
He gets so unsettled.vegascubsfan - April 7, 2007
Z always has at least one inning
Z has always one inning where he gets rattled and for the most part you get him there or you don't get him.GO Soriano!
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Can anyone settle a discussion?
I swear we were going to get Soriano in that 99 percent media fabricated rumor of trading Sosa to the Yankees in 2000. Does anyone else remember this?Also wasn't Floyd a big rumor back between 04 and 05 in the Sosa rumors?
Ironic we have both now and got rid of who we actually got for Sosa.
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Soriano
was mentioned in trade rumors to the Cubs for Sosa when they were discussing his extension.If I recall, the Yankees said they wouldn't trade Soriano, not even for Sosa.
Josh Timmers - April 7, 2007
Thanks
I thought I remembered his name being somewhere in all that talk.I remember most of all the Score reporting Ed Lynch was in talks with the Yankees from his office at Wrigley Field and looking out my Dad's window and seeing him mowing his lawn at that very moment 45 minutes from his Wrigley office. (my Dad lived across the street from him for a few years. Really nice guy. If niceness translated into GM abilities he would have 10 rings (same with Hendry)).
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
LOB, LOB, LOB...
It's a bit too tight of a ball game to be increasing that number ever higher.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
I hate the
new MLB Gameday. The thing slows my computer down to a crawl. Hard to do anything else while it runs, and the ad in the lower right hand corner blocks half the boxscore, and getting it to scroll is like swimming in jello.Yuck.
Josh Timmers - April 7, 2007
I don't have too much problems
Try running it in Firefox with Adblock+ extension installed, I don't see the ad atleast.sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
MLB Radio?
I remember you were watching on MLB.TV the other night ... can't you get MLB radio today? The lag isn't even that bad.Tim
ttagaris - April 7, 2007
Not me
I wasn't getting the MLB radio. And I'm talking about the on-screen real time GameCast--the thing that tracks all the games.Yeah, I'll try Camino/Firefox. I forget sometimes that MLB hates Safari and Mac owners.
Josh Timmers - April 7, 2007
You got that right.
Gameday is glacially slow on my G4 Powerbook.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
You can also
switch the address in Al's link to say 2006 and get the old style.sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Thanks
Good to know.Josh Timmers - April 7, 2007
I get an Old Style?
NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Only if I have any left
Which is likely to be not.I miss Old Style, Texas isn't part of God's country so I don't get it. A must at Wrigley Field, though...
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Is it legal
Would it be legal to ship you some? I don't know.I used to send Fannie Mae pixies to my cousin after she moved to San Francisco.
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
I'm not sure on the legality
Though even if it was, I wouldn't ask you to. Heavy and expensive to ship. I'll settle for having it my once or twice a year when I make it to Chicago :)sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Order all the pixies you want
http://www.fanniemay.com/San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - April 8, 2007
That's a damn shame.
Down at UI, Old Style Light is the cheap beer to get for Cubs fans. $15 for 30 cans.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
I'm multitasking
I'm multitasking.Writing fanfic, posting here, IMing with 2 friends and have the game on.
Wow I'm special.
I'm writing a Cubs related story sort of. Ironically last night I outlined the reconfiguring of a characters story the younger brother of the main character. I used to model him after Kerry Wood now it's more Rich Hill.
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Len and Bob
Len and Bob are starting to grow on me. They are definitely improving as time goes by.Len is an improvement over Chipster the lucky sperm boy. Of course an alien baby dog would be but that's another issue.
I think the problem with Bob is not that he's bad it's he's replacing someone so good. He is better than most are but not quite as good as who he is replacing. And it's nice to not know who he has personal problems with.
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
I love Len
I think he's really good. Bob is starting to grow on me. The best thing about Brenly is that he has a good rapport with Kasper, and that's important in the booth.Bob is better than the early days when he talked about the Diamondbacks more than the Cubs.
Josh Timmers - April 7, 2007
Agreed.
I figured it would take a couple of years before they got a good rhythm together, and also before we became accustomed to them as the "voices" of the Cubs on TV.I think they're doing just fine.
Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
A-RAM! A-RAM! A-RAM!
GO CUBS GO!sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
ARAM
goes yard. 4-1 Cubs.Schwa - April 7, 2007
Be back later
I just got hit in the head by Ramirez's homer. 90 miles south but got hit.kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
zing!
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Rammy!! Rammy!! Rammy!!
first of the year4-1!!
Chanman25 - April 7, 2007
Aram!!
nmLT - April 7, 2007
I was just saying
it'd be a good time for Aramis' 1st HRwhew. let's hold 'em, Z
cashcowsquirtingsourmilk - April 7, 2007
ARAM
Very nice!SuperContext - April 7, 2007
JJ on base, 4 straight hits
Open the floodgates!sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
and the offense keeps coming
Jones with a hit and getting hot and same with MurtonChanman25 - April 7, 2007
Sheets is getting tattered
keep those hits coming....LT - April 7, 2007
one out and an error most likely
Chanman25 - April 7, 2007
Milwaukee Error!
Brewers get an out, should of gotten two. Runners on the corners now.sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Nope - Not an error.
You can't assume the DP, so technically it's not an error. I always thought that was dumb, that was out they should have made but they didn't because of a bad throw - seems like an error to me.Schwa - April 7, 2007
that was AN out they should have made
n/tSchwa - April 7, 2007
Lucky break for the Cubs there
Definitely should have been a DP.Hopefully Hank or Big Z can make 'em pay for it.
SuperContext - April 7, 2007
Blanco sac's
And Jones scores! 5-1 CUBS!sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
sac fly
5-1Chanman25 - April 7, 2007
Woohoo, Blanco does something productive
Alert the media!grifdog - April 7, 2007
This is more like it
Okay Cubs. The last 2 games this is what you're supposed to do. Score runs.kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Yes
Gameday works a lot better on Camino/Firefox. Safari and MLB.com get along like the Yankees and Red Sox.Josh Timmers - April 7, 2007
lol
NittanyCub - April 7, 2007
Should have been caught.
Soriano looked like Mesa Soriano on that one.Schwa - April 7, 2007
Good thing we tacked on some runs
Lets hope Z gets out of this without giving up anything else.SuperContext - April 7, 2007
WHEW!
Looked like Estrada got some good wood on that one.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Those watching on FSN Wisconsin...
are currently being treated the to best song out there... "Brewers, Brewers, turnin' up the heat!"Schwa - April 7, 2007
Call me goofy
Call me goofy and you wouldn't be the first and won't be the last but I like real fight songs like Bear Down Chicago Bears or Go Cubs Go. Timeless songs.kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Hardly goofy.
I think I'm hooked on the Brewers song because of the ultimate 1982 cheesiness. But I still don't think professional sports fight songs compare to college fight songs, nothing like a full band rousing up an 85,000 person stadium with a great fight song.Schwa - April 7, 2007
"Cheesiness"
Unintentional pun, right?Didn't we hear enough of that song during spring training?
Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Polish edges out Italian today.
Chorizo still struggling near the back of the pack.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Is it sad I look forward to this
Whenever we play in Milwaukee? :)sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Polish wins!
Italian a close second, Chorizo lagging as alwayssanantonecub - April 7, 2007
WGN Graphics
If you're watching on WGN, you won't see any more lower-third or full screen graphics for the rest of the game - the duet in the TV truck died and it won't restart.augie90 - April 7, 2007
Fine with me.
I hate when they shrink the screen or otherwise distort it.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Shrinking not effected
They can still shrink it (called a squeeze back) - I'm talking about in-game stats.augie90 - April 7, 2007
Oh
Well that's different then. Fair enough.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Izzie
Beats the tag for a two-bagger!!!sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
D-Lee
Gets his first RBI!! 6-2 CUBS!sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Izturis' hustle-double pays off.
Derrek "Automatica" Lee with another hit.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Time to stretch
Take me out to the ballgameTake me out to the crowd
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack
I don't care if I ever get back
For it's root root root for the CUBBIES
If they don't win it's a shame
For it's 1-2-3 strikes you're out
At the old Ball Game!!!
LETS GET SOME (more) RUNS!
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Zambrano
Giving up too many long balls tonight, lot of close calls at the fence, this one gets over.6-3.
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Lou's leaving him in
After a mound conference. Let's see what happens.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
99 pitches
60 strikes for Big Zsanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Z responds with a K
#6 this afternoonsanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Three up, Two Down
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Inning over
And probably for Zambrano, too...Come on Pen, lets get him the win!
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
There we go.
Nice recovery--no more longballs out of the Brew Crew. Puts our bullpen in hold/save situations if the Cubs bats are dormant.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
D Lee
Wow Derrek Lee is a good 1st baseman. Effortless excellence, every day.SleepyLaBeef - April 7, 2007
Line for Big Z
7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 3 HR.Not great, but certainly a much longer, more controlled outing. And his RBI at the plate was huge.
NightPutting - April 7, 2007
2 HR, not 3
NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Only 2 HR's.
I hate how I have to say that he only gave up 2 dingers.Schwa - April 7, 2007
Howry on the mound
Lets give him a chance to make up for Friday.sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
H for Howry!
Dempster has a shot at a save barring a Cubs run.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Three up, Three Down
With a K. Dempster should get another save opportunity next inning...sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
that's more like it
good job Howry, now it's Demp in the 9th.cashcowsquirtingsourmilk - April 7, 2007
Ward pinch-hits
And gets a nice base hitsanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Just further proof
Girls can't play ball?sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Ouch.
We all thought it, but I didn't think someone would say it.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Let's not go there...
I've seen plenty of guys pull a "Buckner" along with other idiotic moves.augie90 - April 7, 2007
lol
deal :)sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Wow
What a great DP by the Brew Crew.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Double play ends the half-inning
Up to Dempster to save this, now!Have Faith, Cubs Nation!
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Jones on the warning track
Makes the catch.One down, two to go...
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Swinging K!
Two down, one to go!COME ON CUBBIES!!!
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Cubs are over .500!!
for the first time since LAST APRIL!!!!Chanman25 - April 7, 2007
Woo-Hoo!!
Cubs first winning streak of the season!! :)augie90 - April 7, 2007
Hey Hey, Holy Mackeral! No Doubt about it!
The Cubs are on Their Way!!They've got the power
They've got the speed
To be the best in the National League!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! TAKE THE SERIES! OVER .500!
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
ALLRIGHT!
Great, great save for Dempster!Nice win for the Cubs! Cheers!
NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Cubs win!!
Yes!LT - April 7, 2007
Fly It ...
ttagaris - April 7, 2007
That is one beautiful flag
sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
You betcha!
Thanks for posting this. Hope for about 90 more of them!Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Ucher and Santo
Listening to Bob Ucher (sp?) on XM. Can you imagine him and Ron in the same booth. I would pay to hear that. LOLcourtsteve - April 7, 2007
Uecker (correct sp)...
... and Santo together. You're right, that would be a laff riot. Maybe the Cubs can invite Uecker to do a guest inning when the Brewers are in town someday.Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
Lets win tomorrow
And then it's ON TO WRIGLEY!sanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Not quite Cruise Control
I was helping my mother with her computer during most of the game, but from what I seen the Cubs didn't have terribly many chances to blow the game.And it's always nice to see the lineup get 8+ hits per game and score 3+ runs, that is always a good sign for an offense
BlueDWarrior - April 7, 2007
Dempster
I like this. Get a couple of "easy" saves for Dempster to get his rhythm and confidence back before he starts getting into tougher ones.kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
I love..
..how it seeems Piniella has most of the pitchers throwing strikes. I take back everything I said about Rothschild last year...it appears that it was Dusty pushing his pitchers to nip the corners! Way to go Cubbies!!santo for prez - April 7, 2007
I agree.
I too thought it was Rothschild. But it was apparently "Nibbles" Baker.Apparently, base-clogging walks were OK for his pitchers, but not for his hitters.
I suspect he has managed his last major league game.
Al Yellon - April 7, 2007
It sort of makes (very wrong) sense
If its bad to clog the bases with walks when you're on offense, then it must be good to allow the other team to clog the bases.I can just see Dusty sitting on the bench, chomping on a toothpick serenely after the Cubs walk two guys in a row to start out the inning, and thinking, "Ah ha... look how clogged those bases are - we've got them right where we want them!!!"
SuperContext - April 7, 2007
LOL
Forty percent (66/162) of the time, it works...every time.NightPutting - April 7, 2007
Hehe :)
That's dead on!Luis
Luis - April 7, 2007
First series win
First time over .500 in what seems like forever.Hopefully we can bring out the brooms tomorrow.
SuperContext - April 7, 2007
Last season
Last season the only time the Cubs got out any brooms was at their homes when helping with the cleaning.The only time the top of the order set any tables was at their houses for dinner.
kerrysotherwife - April 7, 2007
Not quite true
We were able to parade 'em against St Louis :-Dsanantonecub - April 7, 2007
Another nice win
for the Cubs. Howry and Demspter both looked good. Z got a little rattled a few times but worked his way out of it.sue369 - April 7, 2007
hmmm
why have the cubs pitching staff led the majors in strikeouts for 6 straight seasons, yet they still suck?baglesshound - April 7, 2007
Because...
.... strikeouts aren't all that makes a winner.Last year the staff also led the majors in walks. That's something that I'm reasonably certain will NOT be repeated.
Al Yellon - April 8, 2007
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