That's the only real news, and the best news, to come out of today's disastrous 8-2 Cub loss to the Brewers, dropping the Cubs' record to 0-2 for the first time since 2001. (The good news is, if this team replicates what that one did, the 2001 Cubs won 12 of their next 15 and got into contention.)
I know this because Lou Piniella announced it at his postgame press conference, live on WGN radio, heard as I was driving home. He was asked if Soriano would be "left there", and without specifically saying so, he pretty much indicated that yes, he would.
Soriano had another bad day, coming up three times with runners on base (first base in the third and fifth, first and second in the seventh), and two out, and making the third out each time.
The first two times, he could have put the Cubs back in the game, as they trailed only 1-0 in the third, and 4-1 in the fifth. By the seventh, at 5-2, it was beginning to get out of hand, and the Brewers pushed across three runs in the 8th and 9th off Piggy and Bob Howry (who looks lost out there so far this year), and the 8-2 score doesn't really indicate that the Cubs played reasonably well up to the sixth inning, when a Geovany Soto throwing error and a Kevin Hart wild pitch punctuated a really bad inning.
Let the record show that the very first, but probably not the last, Hart-to-Hart matchup (Kevin vs. Corey) resulted in a walk. Corey scored after stealing two bases off Soto, who's not looking good so far behind the plate, though he hit his first HR of the year today. Derrek Lee also homered, to left field. I got an email from Tyler Bleszinski, proprietor of the SBN site Athletics Nation during the game, congratulating me on catching the Lee HR, which I didn't. I told him the HR was two sections over from us -- to which Blez replied, "Damn, Al, you have a wicked doppelganger out there. Dude looked just like you." There's also some conversation about this at Viva El Birdos.
I have met Blez on a couple of occasions, so he knows exactly what I look like. Scary thought, that there's a clone of me and he was in the bleachers today.
Anyway, those HR were the sum of the Cub offense; Mark DeRosa hit into a DP, ruining one inning, and for some inexplicable reason, Aramis Ramirez was running on a 3-2 pitch to Kosuke Fukudome, and even the slow-armed Jason Kendall could throw him out after Dome struck out. Ramirez had walked after D-Lee's HR and I thought maybe the Cubs might have mounted a comeback in that inning. It got worse when DeRosa, the next hitter, doubled, which would have driven in Ramirez and made the score 3-2 and maybe gotten some early action in the Brewer bullpen.
When Ted Lilly -- who at least didn't slam his glove down when Rickie Weeks hit the first pitch of the game about 40 feet directly over our heads onto Waveland -- got into trouble, Jon Lieber got up several times in the bullpen. Why get your long man up that many times if you're not going to use him? Today would have been a perfect time for Lieber to throw a couple of innings, instead of using four guys that you might need tomorrow.
By the seventh inning, there seemed to be more people in the sunny bleachers than there were in the entire rest of the ballpark; when we lost the sun as it dipped behind the upper deck, we all abandoned the LF corner and moved over to right field, still in the sun (yes, it makes a HUGE difference when the temperature is still only in the 40's).
BCB readers drewishdrewid and also Drew (from Rockford) and his girlfriend sat with us today, an entire "Drew" section, and BCB reader steinmer stopped by to say hi.
Notes: sculptor Lou Cella came down to the ballpark early in the morning and carved an apostrophe on the Ernie Banks statue, where it had earlier read "LETS PLAY TWO". I don't have a photo of the new version, but here's one that David took the other day before it was unveiled, where you can see the lack of punctuation:
as always, click on photo to open larger version in a new window. Photo by David Sameshima
Incidentally, this is a good spot to announce that David has accepted my offer to be placed on the masthead as the Official Photographer of BCB. In the future I'll set him up so he can post photos himself; I hope in that way we can get many more photos here at the new BCB. His BCB user name is "holymackerel". And in one more site note, I may not have time to read through every comment in the two game threads. Please let me or Trei know if there were any problems today.
Onward to tomorrow, when Ryan Dempster will attempt to help the Cubs salvage one game out of this series, and we'll have a new leadoff man (didn't I tell you that Soriano would wind up there?).
Last September, I started posting my scorecards and a lot of you seemed to like that. Finally had time to get around to scanning the one from Monday, and also today's (Monday's may be a little hard to read because it got wet):
Scorecard from Monday, March 31, 2008
Scorecard from Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Note: I have two extra bleacher tickets for tomorrow's game, price $22 each. If you want them, email me using the link on the left sidebar. I'll meet you at the ballpark
.Finally, if you look around some of the streets a couple of blocks south of Wrigley Field, you'll see cars and billboards from the era around the 1930's. The movie "Public Enemies", to star Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, among others, is filming in the neighborhood. Rumor has it that Depp's been spotted, so if you're in the area, keep your eyes open. You might just see him around. If only he could pitch.
0 recs | 191 comments
I heard
the rumor you caught the HR ball as well but I knew it wasn't true since it went left center. Sorry you had to experience the tough start in person. The good news is I'm not the bad luck becuase I wasn't at this game. Thats a relief. I'm glad Lou is making some sort of move. He needs to get this club fired up. If moving Soriano in the line can produce a spark then I'm all for it.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
It never comes easy
for anybody.
Not Bruce Froemming - April 2, 2008
Thats the truth.
It's early, mix things up a bit. Take a few chances.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
I really just hope dempster survives out there tomorrow
and I hope we make Bush look like what he really is, which is a mediocre pitcher at best
CubsBall2202 - April 2, 2008
Any Cubs fans out there
that had drank the preseason kool-aid had better realize that there is nothing that ever comes easy for our Cubs. Once the players realize this, they will be better off as I'm sure they knew of their lofty expectations. The underdog Brewers got us twice and hopefully we will awaken tomorrow to mash them.
Repeat to yourselves, "It never comes easy, It never comes easy."
mrcubsfan - April 2, 2008
Well that's nice
that Lou gave this all of two games to see if it would work. Why has there never been a suggestion of Soriano batting 3rd? If he needs fastballs to succeed, wouldn't putting him behind two guys getting on base and in front of Ramirez and Lee get him those? The other spot suggested for Soriano was 5th, but that doesn't make any sense either as teams would just walk Ramirez, then throw 3 sliders to Soriano and we'd move on to the next inning. Couldn't do that with hitters behind him. And Lee wouldn't care where he hits, as he's a team guy.
SamFels - April 2, 2008
I like your idea better than Lou's.
I wouldn't mind something like this:
Fukudome
Lee
Soriano
Ramirez
But, that's a lot of righties in a row. Soriano certainly is an unusual player: he's probably the most dangerous bat on the club, but he's also the easiest out (or nearly anyway).
buckmulligan - April 2, 2008
I think Ramirez is the most dangerous.
Now, I have thought a little and I would go with
Theriot
Lee
Sori
Rami
Dome
The only reason I like THeriot there is because he is the only real base stealer IMO
Hammer - April 3, 2008
Yabbut,
he sees the fewest pitches per AB, has little to know power and is not the wisest baserunner. No way I want Theriot. I say:
Lee
Dome
Rammy
Derosa
Sori
gary varsho - April 3, 2008
YIKES! "little to know"=little to NO.
gary varsho - April 3, 2008
Well if Lou is changing the lineup
Soriano
Fukudome
Lee
Ramirez
Soto
DeRosa
Pie
Theriot
And some of these guys need to calm down, or get a life. 2 freaking games. I still think this team will win 90+.
Unique - April 2, 2008
That'd work for me..
... although I think I'd hit DeRosa ahead of Soto.
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
Yeah -- that's a topic worth talking about,
and I somewhat agree. I think Soto is going to be more of a threat than DeRosa down the line .. but the smarter idea might be to put DeRosa 5th.
By the way, what the hell was Lou thinking by double switching so early . Why would you take DeRosa's bat out of the lineup? Stupid, IMO.
Unique - April 2, 2008
I agree about the double-switch
Don't know why he did that. Cedeno looked pretty freakin' stupid when he pinch-hit too, popping up on a 3-1 fastball.
drewishdrewid - April 2, 2008
My understanding of the double-switch
was that it was done because of where we were in the batting order at that time. The pitchers spot was due up 2nd in the bottom of the inning, which would have meant pinch-hitting and a new arm. I think Lou double-switched because he wanted Hart to pitch more than a couple outs. Dero had just batted in the previous inning, so replacing him meant the pitcher's spot in the order was furthest away.
philadelphiacub - April 2, 2008
let me rephrase
I understand WHY he did it, but I don't understand his reasoning. I get the technical reasons. :D
drewishdrewid - April 3, 2008
Yea I'm with you
philadelphiacub - April 3, 2008
The reason is because
He wanted to use Hart for more than one inning and Harts spot in the lineup was up 2nd. I thought Hart was in for 1 hitter until I saw the double swtich
Hammer - April 3, 2008
I'd swap Lee and Ramirez..maybe.. and for sure swap Soto and DeRosa so no one will pitch around the 4 hitter. DeRosa is more of a threat right naw than Soto
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
I like this...
Except I have a feeling Lou will put Theriot 2nd. But I think it's become obvious that Fukudome is a #2 hitter on this team.
CubsBullsBears - April 2, 2008
Yes, yes, yes!
This is exactly the lineup I've been trumpeting (and I don't even play the trumpet). I even take back my suggestion for having an alternate lineup against "tough" lefties. Screw it -- just stick Johnson in the the seven hole where Pie usually is and have at it.
daver - April 3, 2008
I just believe
DOME has to hit 5th in THIS lineup
Hammer - April 3, 2008
I still
think putting Soriano immediately ahead of Ramirez gives him the best chance of seeing hittable pitches. Whether you put Lee second, with Soriano third and Ramirez fourth and Dome fifth. Or put Dome 2nd and slide everyone else down one. I just like the idea of protecting Soriano with Ramirez.
gwood - April 3, 2008
i posted this same..
message about an hour ago in the game thread
cubsluver22 - April 2, 2008
Yeah, that's a topic worth talking about,
and I somewhat agree. I think Soto is going to be more of a threat than DeRosa down the line .. but the smarter idea might be to put DeRosa 5th.
By the way, what the hell was Lou thinking by double switching so early . Why would you take DeRosa's bat out of the lineup? Stupid, IMO.
Unique - April 2, 2008
Further....
... I think I would have batted Ward for Theriot in the 7th, with the score 5-2 and two on and one out. You had a chance to tie the game right there and get Torres out of there. Cedeno (who had a crappy AB, running the count to 3-1 before the popup) could have stayed in the game to play SS.
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
Power off the bench seems to be an unsolved issue. Ward is the only guy. I'd be nice to have two long ball threats....
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
100% agree
I had no doubt in my mind ward was coming out instead of Cedeno.
Rudey - April 2, 2008
Agree
100%
Unique - April 2, 2008
Lieber
I have a feeling the Cubs will need Lieber more tomorrow than they did today. I see Dempster's start being a walk-fest disaster.
Ross - April 2, 2008
Naw
No worries i got front row tickets for tommorow and ill make sure Dempster stays pumped up.
He needs to help us win that world series :D
Rudey - April 2, 2008
As pumped as he needs to be!
Honestly, I don't think Dempster could be any worse than Lilly was today.
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
I have that mindset
Where id rather have someone out there who cares about winning then someone who goes out for the paycheck. Even though sometimes its hard to tell if a guy just keeps his emotions inside its nice to see someone like Dempster give 110%.
Rudey - April 2, 2008
No doubt about that. The guy wants to win or he wouldnt have put his head on a platter to the media by predicting a World Series win. I'm not worried about Dempster tomorrow.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
I doubt
Ill be able to get out to the bleachers to see some of u guys, because i dont like elaving my seats and would rather watch every second. But ill most likely have bleachers some time this year and ill make sure to say hi.
And oh yea! A good outing by Dempster is pretty much the exact thing this team could use right now.
Rudey - April 2, 2008
I doubt
you will either becuase you have to have a bleacher ticket ot get into the bleachers. So here's my offer. Give me your front row ticket and I'll get you a bleacher ticket so you can go say hi to everyone. Whatcha thicnk?
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
Note...
... which I just added to the front page. I have two extra bleachers for tomorrow. If you (or anyone else) wants them, email me using the link on the left sidebar. $22 each.
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
I know
in the future ill be coming to you for some tickets :p
Rudey - April 2, 2008
oh man. Why did I schedule to have my taxes done tomorrow and take the wife out to dinner.....dang dang dang.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
Tax deadline isn't till the 15th
C'mon down!
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
It's not the tax
part I'm worried about.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
It's a day game.
Dinner with your wife is at night, right?
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
Nope. I have to meet her at the olive garden in west dundee at 5:30
I would LOVE to go to the game tomorrow, and I for sure appreciate the invite. But after the week the wife has had....I cant chance it. I'd hate to blow the dinner and have her hold it against me the next time I want to go to Fogo de Chao.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
West Dundee at 5:30?
Piece of cake! Game over by 4. Can't take more than an hour to get to West Dundee.
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
hhmmmm
I can fake sick at work tomorrow, thats no problem. And even in rush hour traffic I'm pretty good at getting where I need to be on time. I'll have to think about htis some more.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
Stop by the corner
and I'll give you a ball you can give her if you're late. Better than flowers! ;-)
ballhawk - April 2, 2008
What a deal!
You get the tix from me and a ball from ballhawk.
Email me later tonight or in the early AM if you want the tix and I'll make arrangements.
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
HAHA
You guys are gonna get me in trouble!
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
Ballhawk
Tried to meet you yesterday but it was the wrong guy. It was the guying wearing the ballhawk shirt and sittingon the SE corner of Kenmore/Waveland
Hammer - April 3, 2008
Very tempting
But i dont talk to strangers o.0
Rudey - April 2, 2008
hahaha. You still live at home with the rents dont ya.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
haha yea
Way2poor to go to school and live in an apartment, but of course i was joking :P
Rudey - April 2, 2008
but resourceful enough to score front row seats. nice work!
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
Friends
With tickets all the time help :D
Rudey - April 2, 2008
When Aramis got thrown out...
were they trying a hit and run? That really killed that inning, but I can't say that I disagree with the decision to try it, with a guy who hadn't produced an out this season at the plate.
WartburgCub - April 2, 2008
It might have been...
... but it was on a 3-2 pitch, not exactly the best time to try a hit-and-run.
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
I'm sure Lou...
Was confident Fukudome would put the ball in play on that one.
CubsBullsBears - April 2, 2008
No...
...Lou was betting that the contact hitting Fukudome would either take ball four or put the ball in play. I would have done the same, but Suppan made a great pitch, a change up low in the zone. On virtually every 3-2 count today, Suppan got guys out on change ups.
MPH73 - April 2, 2008
Soriano
while I was as ecstatic as anyone when he was signed........I had no idea how bad this guy is. He may hit 40 HR this year but who really needs a guy who makes 18M a year and you can't put him in the middle of your lineup because he is feeble with RISP? 7 more years of this guy is way too much to take. He'll go down as 1 of the worst wastes of money in free agent history
plenz - April 2, 2008
Wow...
Are you paying the $18Mill? He was the BEST free agent available at the time we were coming off a horrible season. He was a 40/40 guy who has the potential to do that again this year if he's healthy.
CubsBullsBears - April 2, 2008
but...........
..he will hamstring the payroll for many years. I'd bet anything he'll never even see 30/30 again. I loved the signing at the time.........I get that he was THE free agent to have. I just think he's nowhere near the player we thought.........he's sosa without the 3 run homers
plenz - April 2, 2008
I'd take...
a '98-2001 Sosa right now.
CubsBullsBears - April 2, 2008
Of course you would...
So would anybody. The '98-'01 version of Sosa is on the short list of most productive hitters EVER. Soriano is far from that level. He's still a pretty good hitter, but his production is nowhere near the value the team paid for him him.
SouthernCub - April 2, 2008
I agree completely...
it's amazing how much all of us (Hendry included) were fooled by this guy-he's brutal and we're stuck with him long term-
bluekoolaide - April 2, 2008
Like you said. You are stuck with him so you might as well pull for his success and quit crying about it.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
Congrats, David!
And also:
So. True.
northsider - April 2, 2008
Al
you are so lucky to sit in the bleachers... It was so cold when out of the sun.. And it was so windy under the grandstand...
LPLancer23 - April 2, 2008
You were in the sun
all game. I am so jealous...
LPLancer23 - April 2, 2008
It did get VERY cold...
... once the sun ducked behind the upper deck. That's why we moved.
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
I was 2 rows from the top of the 200 level (211) (almost even with 3B/2B line)
and moved to the second row in the same section in the 3rd inning. In the top of the 8, i moved down somewhat near the LF foul pole. If u recall there was a foul ball overthere, I cant remember who hit it or even if it was the Cubs or Brewers. It was much warmer there cause there was about a 2 seat wide beam of sunlight coming through, lol.
LPLancer23 - April 2, 2008
wow
i didnt know it was that cold. I thought Santo was over reacting after being in Arizona so long. He kept talking about how cold it was.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
it was
VERY cold. I was shivering, and I was wearing three shirts, a jacket and a hat.
drewishdrewid - April 2, 2008
dang
I guess it wasnt that cold Monday. Or maybe it was the booze keeping me warm. I do however remember almost leaving a night game last year in April becuase I was so damn cold.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
I WAS TOASTY
In the sun in the RF Bleachers---sorry bwbwawwaw
Hammer - April 3, 2008
we ended up moving over there.
drewishdrewid - April 3, 2008
Oh my Gosh
It was freeeezing. My brother signed up for a credit card just to get a blanket, and he had freaking long johns on!
At least the hot cocoa is still pretty cheap. That helped.
bluebythebook - April 2, 2008
haha
great call for the free blanket. the game I almost left last year I counted more than 10 people buying fleece Cub blankets from crazy guy vendor for $50 each. You can get the same dang blanket for $15 at Dominicks!
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
The sky is falling, The sky is falling
I said to my family this spring, put Soriano in the leadoff, and leave him there. He has there 95% of his playing career, thats where he wants to be, put him there.
No panic here, lets see where the Cubs are at after 40 games, the first quarter.
IMO, if Cubs continue to have that lack of spark, not getting runners in, look for that player who we can not name in a Cub uniform, just a hunch.
Get them tomorrow, wonder if Lou will give Cedeno a start tomorrow?
Grockcubs - April 2, 2008
CEDENO!!!!!
northsider - April 2, 2008
Reading this (and the game thread)
I'd almost think most of these people have never heard of Cubs baseball.
Slow down, take it easy. 2 games. A marathon, remember? Stop listening to sports radio, it just makes things worse.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - April 2, 2008
AMEN. LSA
northsider - April 2, 2008
I'm not mad at the team. I'm not worried. I've been a Cub fan for 25 years. Two losses doesn't bug me. What bugs me is losing to the Brewers at home. rrggggggggggg
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
pennants
are not won in april and may......
but they can be lost....
ugggggggggggggg
plenz - April 2, 2008
Well
It does kinda look like Al, even though I have never met him...
What say you, BCB'ers?
A) Al indeed has a twin brother
B) Al is lying to us and went over to mack on some hot chick.
Cribbs463 - April 2, 2008
no way
1st off he doesnt seem like the type of guy to wear a white hat. 2nd, he wouldn't be able to fill out his score card wearing a glove.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
That's pretty weird.
That guy does resemble me. But I don't sit in the first row.
Thanks for posting the screen cap, it saved me from having to go through the archive.
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
NO.
n/t
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - April 2, 2008
No to what?
n/t
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
Keystone, I date back to
my first game as a tot in 1959, and was a teen in 1969.
This ain't nothin...
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - April 2, 2008
haha
Now thats some Cubbie experience!
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
My dad is in the same boat as you. He went to Glenbrook North and if I had $1 for every time he told me he snuck into the stadium as a kid..... His most told story is about Ron Cey, his hero. When he was on the American Legion team he would get his arm worked on with a trainer at Wrigley. He said the saddest day of his life was when he went into the clubhouse and saw Cey in the locker room smoking a cigarette. haha
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
im also a GBN Alum....class of 2000
cubsonWGN4ever - April 2, 2008
ha!
I think he graduated in the 60's. He loves the fact Ferris Bueller was filmed there.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
Too late for the Weeks homer
I was by the old YumYum building, heading towards Waveland when I heard the call from Pat & Ron about Weeks depositing the first pitch onto Waveland. Damn! Why did I have to eat that last sandwich... ;-)
My sources tell me the ball cleared Waveland, landed on the brick sidewalk area, bounced up against the yellow brick building and back onto the ground. Not too many people around yet, so one of the part-time ballhawks, Nick, was able to snag it. I was also informed that had I been in my usual spot, it would have been an easy grab for me.
Oh well... I got my consolation prize several innings later when Aramis crushed a very long, but very foul ball that I chased down to add to my collection. Braun also hit a foul ball out of the park that a passer by grabbed. Combined with the Fielder & Pie foul balls from Monday's game, that's 5 balls out of the bark already. Sucks that we're 0-2, but I'm liking the street action.
ballhawk - April 2, 2008
How many
have you collected so far? Not this year but overall....
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
Don't have the exact number handy, but early last year I made it to the 3000 ball club
I've spent a lot of my 'career' at Wrigley, but that total also includes spring training, Comiskey and the Cell on the South Side, Municipal Stadium and The Jake in Cleveland, plus a few other major league parks over the years. First ball I ever got was from George Brett in batting practice when the Royals were visiting Cleveland. Got him to sign it many many years later here at Wrigley when he was doing some broadcast work for FSN I think. That ball is going to the grave with me.
ballhawk - April 2, 2008
Incidentally...
... you are correct. When we turned around watching the ball fly over our heads, I expected to see you there, glove in hand.
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
Thats wild. Where do you keep them all? 3,000 baseballs must fill a room.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
Just because I've caught 3,000 baseballs doesn't mean I still have them all
I've given lots away over the years, mostly to kids after the games or tourists/fans that stop by the corner during a game and strike up a conversation, especially the out-of-towners or first-timers. I also like it when I can tie a special event to balls I may have caught that day. I try to do the birthday (or half-birthday) thing for family and friends. And I try to keep tabs on any births during the season - kinda like getting a copy of the NYTimes from the day you were born thing.
At the end of the 2004 season, I stayed on the corner after the last game and gave away 21 balls to kids in honor of what I felt would be His Royal Samminess' last season with the club. And after the 2006 season? Well, I had to bring a big bag to the corner after the last game because I gave away 96 balls that day - one for each of the Cubs' losses that year.
But yeah, I still have a lot left. I use them to get autographs when I can, so I have lots of tubs and bags full of signed balls, including one tub full of autographs that I have no idea who they are. That one's gonna keep me busy when I retire... ;-)
ballhawk - April 2, 2008
Thats awesome
Thats what I like to hear.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
You are amazing...
how is your job so flexible?
bap - April 2, 2008
Ha! I wish my job was so flexible...
Q: What do Barry Bonds, Mike Piazza, Sammy Sosa and me have in common?
A: We're all free agents looking for work.
I'm between jobs right now so I unfortunately/fortunately have the time to hang out at Wrigley. Actually come to think of it, my previous job was pretty flexible - I was able to work from home most of the time and set my own hours for the most part. Helps having clients all over the world - somebody somewhere was always having a problem and instant messaging never sleeps... So it was no big deal if I stepped out for a few hours in the afternoon and then make up the time that night. Somehow I doubt I'll be that lucky in my next job, but one can always hope...
ballhawk - April 2, 2008
Well, if the Cubs have some memorable HR's
that leave the park... I hope you're there for them this year.
But I also hope you can get a job too! I will stop by your corner for some night games sometime... I can imagine the stories you have to tell.
bap - April 3, 2008
Ah, Yum-Yum.
I loved their fries as a kid. Salty as hell, but nice and crispy. It was my dad's regular pre-game stop. The bear claws were killer, too.
gary varsho - April 2, 2008
Best place for a dog and fries...
Gene and Judes. hands down. me and a buddy make a 30 min drive from our area all the time just forit... So good....
LPLancer23 - April 2, 2008
was that your ballhawk.net basket?
drewishdrewid - April 2, 2008
nope that belongs to ballhawk Dave
he's the guy that caught the Bonds homer last year out on Sheffield - I think it was #752?
ballhawk - April 2, 2008
is ballhawk.net your site? holy s__. Do you have to rent a storage unit to keep all those baseballs in?
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
nope - that's ballhawk Dave's site
my site is ballhawk.com, although it should be called ballhawk.lame. I wasn't able to spend a lot of time on it last year (and it shows), and I'm still trying to get a makeover in place for this year. I still think going from a Windows machine to a Mac was the right move for me, but this is one area where I'm paying the price for taking a leap of faith. When I feel like I have something worth sharing, I'll be sure to post something here, change my signature, take out an ad on BCB, etc. ;-)
ballhawk - April 2, 2008
Looks like you have
either a Cleveland, Boston or St Louis hat on. what the hell?
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
It's probably Cleveland or Boston
since I grew up near Cleveland and went to college there. Plus I liked Yaz and the whole green monster thing as a kid so I've always pulled for Boston, but I can guaran-damn-tee you it's not a St. Louis hat!
ballhawk - April 2, 2008
HAHAHA
I threw the STL in there becuase I knew for damn sure it wasnt an STL hat. Though that might get some soft of reaction.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
Ugh.......!
Playing "semi-must " win games in the third game of the season does'nt bode well for decent night sleep.... No panic but.......
James031 - April 2, 2008
Why is it great news that Soriano is moving to leadoff?
Does anyone believe he's less likely to fail in the clutch because of his spot in the lineup? If it IS true, than he really is Sammy Lite.
Shanghai Badger - April 2, 2008
K,
My brother is older than I. He used to CLEAN UP Wrigley Field as a kid. Free Labor. My family grew up in Bucktown. He'd bike to the park, get let in free in the 8th inning, and all kids who helped clean up would get a ticket to the next game.
To this day, I cannot believe that, but that's what life in the early 1950's was like at Wrigley.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - April 2, 2008
I might believe that. Wrigley wasnt always a sell out and it was probably cheaper to pay off the kids with a ticket hoping they'd bring their parents and but food than to pay an employee.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
That's what one of the veteran ballhawks (Rich) would do
He's around 60 now. He was a "seat-flipper" when he was a kid. After the game, each kid would get their own row and their job was to start at one end and walk through their entire row, flipping up each seat. When they got to the end of their row, someone from Wrigley would give them a ticket for the next game.
He got to see lots of ballgames for free that way. And on the days he didn't have a ticket... well, there was always the coke chute, but that's a story for another day. Stop by the corner sometime, and ask for me (Ken) or Moe.
ballhawk - April 2, 2008
That was done well into the 1960's.
I remember them talking about this on TV when I was watching games as a kid.
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
I don't understand why we have to move him back to leadoff
So, he's had a bad couple of days... you can say the same for our entire team.
Moving him back to the top, just caters to his ego. Force him to adjust to a new spot in the order, and over time, he'll get comfortable and realize it's not much different. He'll still see fastballs hitting in front of DLee, or Aram, or Fukudome, or wherever he hits. But for god sake, don't bat the man at leadoff!
Nothing about his play exhibits that of a leadoff man. He's not going to be patient and make the pitcher work... so the pitchcount goes up, and his teammates can get a good look... and, he's not going to run on his bad quad.
And when he does hit his 30+ HRs, wouldn't it be be nice if someone was on base for them?
SackMan - April 2, 2008
Ego...
How do we know this is all b/c of Soriano's ego or unwillingness? I personally don't think Sori is a Sammy type egomaniac. I think Lou was just pissed at the results so far and decided to go back to what worked last year for the most part.
CubsBullsBears - April 2, 2008
The major proble with this is...
What if by "chance" Soriano has a great day tomorrow in the leadoff spot? A day that he likely would've had anyway, regardless of where he hit in the order, just on pure odds.
So, he goes 2-4 with a HR and a double tomorrow, and everyone on the north side will be screaming "keep him at the leadoff spot." Which, is in my opinion, not the best move for this team.
With his swing away, all or nothing approach, he needs to be driving in runs from the middle of the order... not setting the table.
SackMan - April 2, 2008
That's a very plausible scenario
I think part of the problem here - if two games into a 162 game season is enough to be called a problem - is Lou tipped his hand too early. He was taking a risk by moving Soriano out of the leadoff spot without having a bona fide leadoff hitter ready to take over, i.e. Roberts. So he went with Theriot, feeling I guess that he was the best option from the current roster. Too early IMO to call it a mistake, but I don't know too many folks here that felt confident/comfortable with this decision from the get-go.
Again, two games is by no means a valid test of Theriot at leadoff. But if Lou is going back to Soriano so soon, then that tells me Lou wasn't banking on Theriot long term anyway and more importantly, I think this means Hendry is still working the trade market to find a leadoff hitter, be it Roberts or someone else.
I wouldn't mind seeing what Reed Johnson could do in that spot - guess I'll have to wait until we face our first lefty.
ballhawk - April 2, 2008
I don't think he's an egomaniac...
but I do think he's a headcase-I think he might actually have convinced himself that he can only hit lead-off. he looks truly cluelss up there and, with Lee and ramirez following him, there's no reason why he still wouldn't be seeing his share of fastballs. Btw-it's nice to think we're paying 18m for a guy who's afriad of the curve.
At least Lou's making some moves though-
bluekoolaide - April 2, 2008
Just catching up on the action today from the threads...
....yuk.
Glad to hear a change was made and made quickly. I hope this is the tonic that gets this thing going.
JB 23 - April 2, 2008
Does anyone else get really annoyed
by the comments posted at BrewCrewBall? I just went over there for the first time since mid-season last year. Honestly, a fifth of their comments isn't about the Cubs, it's about us.
I finally had to comment about it.
I bet they recognize my comment first by me linking it here, as opposed to just finding it by reading through their own game thread.
NittanyCub - April 2, 2008
Just ignore them.
That REALLY pisses them off.
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
Yep
That's the main reason for the hatred of the Cubs and the Cubs fans by Brewers fans . . . they haven't been relevant for two decades and it galls them that they aren't seen as important.
Of course, the fans were so arrogant in the early 1980's, I wouldn't cry if they never made the playoffs again.
Shanghai Badger - April 2, 2008
Which is a shame
I grew up in Racine WI 77-87, and at that time, with the Brewers in the AL, you could root for both teams.
TC Cubby - April 3, 2008
OT
Just watched the Reds get a 3 run walk off homer (which takes Arroyo off the hook in my fantasy league, about the only good thing) and I just noticed Rick Ankiel is 3-3 with a HR. Nuts
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
I dont know the rules here about posting 'good' things about rival teams so if I broke a no-no rule sorry....
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
Nah, that's fine.
Just talkin' baseball. (We don't have to be HAPPY about Ankiel's night.)
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
how about a lineup of:
Soriano
Theriot
Lee
Fukudome
Ramirez
DeRosa
Soto
Pie
Yes? No? Maybe So?
Chanman25 - April 2, 2008
Does Dome have the power needed to bat 4th? Or is power not a necsesity in the 4 spot when you have Lee in front and Rameriz behind him?
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
I think
Everyone just wants to see some runs batted in, without it being a home run.
Its only the second game we are fine :D
Rudey - April 2, 2008
becuase honestly I'd like to see how a balanced lineup would work out. i've always wondered if a lineup would end up being more productive spreading out the power than having it stacked. Like having a homerun hitter bat 6th rather than 3rd. Yea yea I know that goes against the 'get more at bats' theory. That all being said I havent wondered all that much. If it did work I'm sure I'd see it in MLB which I dont.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
Yea
Its so hard to know, I personally get the most gratification when we keep knocking in players from second.
TOMORROW!
Soriano singles
STEALS second
Theriot singles
Soriano scores
Cubs fans dont ask much.
Rudey - April 2, 2008
And now I know why
this looks stupid on my part. Just like Rudey said, it's obvious the other team would just pitch around the power hitter further down the lineup. DUH! geeesh.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
I dont
Make lineups cause i don't think you can make a "perfect lineup" with this current set of players....Unless
Pie turns into a lead off man
Soriano becomes a power hitter and can accept the 5/6 spot
Theriot can be successful along with Soto in 7/8
Fukudome can hit in pie in the 2 spot
But they arent those players yet. So any sort of lineup seems to have its flaws.
Rudey - April 2, 2008
I think combined since the end of last season
Soriano and Ramirez HAVE 1 HIT. And it was 1 for Sori in the postseason. GET OFF THE PINE.
Hammer - April 3, 2008
The radical...
I am completely fed up with Alfonso Soriano. His defenders can say what they want, but the guy is garbage. I've talked to several of my diehard friends and they concur...we all wince everytime Soriano is at bat. He is rapidly becoming an albatross.
Where do you put the $136 million man in the lineup?!?! Step back for a moment and think how insane it is to even have to raise this question !
Here's what I would do.
1. DeRosa
2. Fukudome
3. Lee
4. Ramirez
5. Soto
6. Soriano
7. Pie
8. Theriot
You can quibble with this all you'd like. And I really don't give a rat's keester whether Soriano will be upset about demotion to the 6 hole. Let Soto bat fifth and benefit from theoretical lineup protection in the form of Soriano hitting after him. Likewise, let Pie bat seventh and let him benefit from the theoretical advantage of Soriano hitting in front of him AND the fact that he isn't subjected to how pitchers pitch the # 8 hitter.
MDBNIU - April 2, 2008
We know...
You made a whole post about it.
CubsBullsBears - April 2, 2008
And I just want to make it clear
on that post I wasnt trashing Soriano or trashing his ability. I just wish he'd not play with the crowd sooo much during the game.
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
I think
Everyone would throw Soriano junk with that lineup so they could get the easy out with Pie
Rudey - April 2, 2008
exactly
Keystone80435 - April 2, 2008
I mean
I do agree with the fact that im annoyed with Soriano but he did so much last year that everyone needs to lay off. Did you forget already how he carried us at the end of the year?
Sure id love what we played for but hes not an old man, give him some time to gain his confidence back, cause honestly i feel that hes a head case and needs to get comfortable again.
Calm down Cubby Fans :D
Rudey - April 2, 2008
They throw him junk anyway.
Think about it: your on the mound, Soriano's up. What do you throw him? I don't care where's he at in the lineup, you're throwing him junk (unless the bases are loaded, etc.). Personally, I'd much rather have Soriano in a spot where I thought the pitcher would pitch around him. Maybe that would force Soriano to take some walks.
buckmulligan - April 2, 2008
*you're (we need an edit option)
buckmulligan - April 2, 2008
This is the last thing of yours I will ever reply to.
If you really think this line up is better than any of the others being floated around this web site, then you sir, are not only a hater, but an idiot (apologies to Al for the name calling, but I couldn't resist). You complain about the crap Soriano swings at when he's batting ahead of Lee/Ram/Fuku, so your proposal to fix things is to bat him ahead of Pie/Riot/Pitcher. You seriously think this would be a good idea? Either you know nothing about baseball (possible, but unlikely) or you just really get kicks out of creating a stir on a web site from the comfort of behind your monitor. Please just change your name from 'MDBNIU' to 'SorianoIsTheMostWorthlessBaseballPlayerInTheHistoryOfMLB'. That way, we won't even have to read your posts, since that is the exact same message you throw on everyone every single time you post.
Good lord we need to win a ballgame already...
Schwa - April 2, 2008
Your point is taken...
... I just wish you hadn't resorted to the name calling.
Al Yellon - April 2, 2008
That's why I apologized right then and there.
A frustrating few days for all, but nothing some winning won't cure.
Schwa - April 2, 2008
A
Good win with Dempster and if we can knock the brewers pitching around tomorrow, a lot of people will have nothing but happy things to say.
Rudey - April 2, 2008
Don't count on it.
They will find things to bitch about anyway.
sue369 - April 3, 2008
so then you can complain about
a $136 million dollar 6 hole guy who is hitting .240?
He produces at the top of the lineup. If he's messed in the head, he's messed in the head, and there's nothing we can do about it; put him where he'll hit the freakin' BALL!
drewishdrewid - April 3, 2008
lets instead do a lineup of
Pie
Soto
Ward (in LF)
Theriot
Ramirez
DeRosa
Lee
Fukudome
Personally Ward has the power to be a third hitter. Theriot has definite potential to hit 30 homeruns, he isn't showing it. Soriano should be benched.
Chanman25 - April 3, 2008
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not...
drewishdrewid - April 3, 2008
A line such as...
..."Theriot has definite potential to hit 30 homeruns" can indicate only sarcasm or fever-induced delirium.
daver - April 3, 2008
Brian Roberts
Can someone restart the rumors just to give me some hope of having someone get on base. . . I am okay with the idea of never having him, I just like the idea that it could happen. Is that pathetic?
SETX Cub - April 2, 2008
No
Its not pathetic I still think about it everyday.
Rudey - April 2, 2008
Forget Roberts
I think the roberts deal is dead and we need to move on. Roberts is not the correct solution. I think theriot needs to go fast. This guy cannot hit. Im sorry he is not a leadoff hitter and if he plays the whole season i wouldnt be surprise if his batting average is lower the Pie's. His defense is medicore too at best. This crap that he is a "sprak plug" is nonsense. It's just a typical cubbie way of looking at something optimistical.ly when we shouldn't be. We should of really tried for a player like orlando cabera or even eckstien to replace theriot in the offseason.
Bardusk87 - April 2, 2008
I heard Macphail
had a late conference call with Cubs brass last night which appears to mean negotiations are still going forth.
And then I woke up. And cried a little.
AC 00 00 00 - April 3, 2008
Focus on Fukudome
That guy's quickly becoming my favorite Cub.
buckmulligan - April 2, 2008
With Soriano batting leadoff
Any hope that Theriot will bat 9th? Or is Lou too old school.
GoCubbies34 - April 2, 2008
He mentioned last year
that he thought about trying batting the pitcher 8th. I doubt that Lou wants to look like a copycat.
buckmulligan - April 2, 2008
I wouldn't mind copying another persons idea
If it really works. Just sucks it is our rivals over at St. Louis and Milwaukee
GoCubbies34 - April 3, 2008
I've been researching this
AC 00 00 00 - April 3, 2008
a lot lately
There is this interesting lineup analysis tool created by the guys at baseball Musings:
You can put in a lineup and mess around with the order to see runs. If someone has more time and patience than me, I'd like to see some interesting results. From what I've read, it appears to work (obviously given the lineup).
AC 00 00 00 - April 3, 2008
A copy cat?
Like Ned Yost? I read an article where Bobby Cox (Yost worked under him) laughed about it because it was such a dumb idea. Hmmmm.....Ill agree with BOBBY FRICKEN COX Hall of Fame manager
Hammer - April 3, 2008
Let's rationalize here people
we should all know by now what we have with the package that is Alfonso Soriano. He's a player that's gonna frustrate fans (especially with his bling bling) every year. The man strikes out a lot, doesn't perform particularly as strong in cold weather, blah blah blah. But the bottom line is in the long run his influence is gonna win you more games then he loses. Everywhere the guy has played there have been the naysayers for the same reasons. That being said, I'd still LOVE to see Fuku leading off but I prefer this Fonz over The Riot cause, let's be honest, he's not ready to be a major league leadoff hitter at the moment. Let's turn this bi@#% around tomorrow.
lilkimmer77 - April 3, 2008
"Bling Bling"?
If you mean money, ok, I guess. But if you mean flashiness, I don't get it. The guy hustles, smiles, seems to work hard. If my employer offered to triple my salary, I'd take it, even though I wouldn't be "worth" it.
Hating Soriano is illogical if you claim to be a Cubs fan. If you hate the contract price, direct your vitriol towards Hendry, or, more accurately, MLB as a whole (since the contract is not out of line for the best free agent available that year). If you hate Soriano's play, since there is no evidence that he is not a hard worker, it must be a mental deal, and booing him would only make it worse (an outcome unacceptable to a true Cubs fan).
TC Cubby - April 3, 2008
Oh
And the facts regarding "clutch", (stolen from Josh77 in the latest MDBNIU fanpost rant):
Soriano is so unclutch that he only hit .278 with a .391 OBP and a .481 Slugging with two outs and runners in scoring position last season.
He only hit .318 in "late and close" situations with a .356 OBP and a .518 slugging percentage.
Based on these facts, no one can complain about Soriano lacking clutch hitting. I think the only thing one could complain about is a perception that he has to hit leadoff to be productive.
TC Cubby - April 3, 2008
LSA
The Lip - April 3, 2008
2 games and Lou panics.
I get the feeling Soriano was under-performing so he could lead off again. I just hope I'm wrong but I'm too cynical. Conspiracy! (lol)
I'm still hopeful the team will play better. I won't form an opinion based on just the first couple of games of the season. However, it's true that a good team tries to avoid losing two in a row to a division rival.
Fraggin Judge - April 3, 2008
"Under-performing"?
Geez. It's TWO GAMES!
Al Yellon - April 3, 2008
It was a joke, Al.
See the (lol) above. I guess my dark humor didn't come across in print. We both agree that 2 games aren't enough to form opinions.
Fraggin Judge - April 3, 2008
BTW, Al
Thanks for ruining my morning after reading this post's headline. (lol) I think I'll wear it off by doing my morning walk right now.
Fraggin Judge - April 3, 2008
NO SHOUT OUT FOR HAMMER
Well Al and I had a breif encounter because I had to get over to my seats.
Just so you all know (along with Lees homer) I new Sori and Theriot were going to flip flop/ As goofy as it is to have Sori hitting 1 its worse with him batting two. UGGGH, that game was really irritating.
And to the Brewer fans trolling DONT EVER CALL IT MILLER PARK SOUTH, you know why.....Because there really were not that many of you.
Lastly, my girlfriend was adament about Lee taking that 2-0 pitch because we were behind and I said no he isnt and she said why and I said because he is going to hit a bomb. I usually call about 10 homers a game its nice to get some right.
Hammer - April 3, 2008
Sorry!
Yes, it was nice to meet you. Guess I was still freezing when I was typing yesterday.
Al Yellon - April 3, 2008
About the game thread...
...it was somewhat improved but still not what I'd call "highly functional" -- at least not for me.
I was able to "z" through comments and post comments a little more easily. But there were still points during the game -- especially late in the game and whenever something big happened (e.g., DLee's home run) -- where my browser (again, IE 7.0) basically froze up and my entire computer got really, really slow and confused.
I appreciate the tech guys' efforts to improve things, but I hope they don't consider the problem fixed. If only the game thread was really slow, I might be able to live with it. But the fact that my entire computer seems to go into vapor lock has me considering simply not logging on to BCB during games, which would be a damn shame.
I'm still wondering whether a live chat function would cure the game thread problem once and for all. Unlike threads such as this one, live chats are designed to field multiple, quick real-time posts. Granted you lose the ability to have "subthreads" within the thread. But at least we'd all be able to converse (or commiserate, at the moment) without massive problems.
Having said all this, I'm not a tech guy, so I have no idea what demands a live chat function would put on the site, so I would, of course, understand if it's not possible.
daver - April 3, 2008
Tell you what...
... send this along to bugreport@sbnation.com.
Al Yellon - April 3, 2008
Will do.
daver - April 3, 2008
Al, in case you're still reading this...
...my e-mail got bounced. (And this happened the last time I tried sending an e-mail to that address as well, when I went to make my suggestion about restricting the fanshots section to only images and video). Amongst the long error message was this:
I'm going to do what I did last time: Go the SB Nation site and leave a message here. I hope it does some good, because I never received a response to my last inquiry.
daver - April 3, 2008
OK, now apparently I was rejected again.
I just received an e-mail indicating that, even when I tried contacting SB Nation via their Web site, my message was bounced. This is really frustrating.
daver - April 3, 2008
Maybe there's something wrong with the site.
Or your domain is blocked for some reason.
Email me and I'll try to help.
Al Yellon - April 3, 2008
I really like
the chat room idea A LOT. It makes sense since during the game we're not posting extensive thoughts or opinions but rather short quick updates or comments about the game. Having the chat room open 1/2 hr before and after the game, then auto closing it, would force us all to migrate back to the main thread.
tony412 - April 3, 2008
Thanks, yeah...
...it could work. They've been doing over at The Cub Reporter since last season and MLB.com offers in-game chats as well.
daver - April 3, 2008
Nervous already are we?
Changing the order to have Soriano bat 1st already? Why bat Soriano first, that bum has no plate discipline or patience at all. Put Fukudome in the 2-hole and let Soriano hack for the fences in the 5 or 6 slot...
I love how the boobirds are already out this year. Giving Kerry Wood an ovation and then minutes later booing him was one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen. I also love how the post-K Soriano booing is coordinated to precisely end when Soriano passes Lee and then cheers begin again. Is this what Cubs fans do instead of the wave now, choreographed booing?
I_Bleed_Beer - April 3, 2008
I also have noticed over the years
That lots of fans dont pay attention. I may have been the only one near me to realize Pie got that hit late in the game.
Hammer - April 3, 2008
in addition to Johnny Depp
other celebrities have been seen in the area, courtesy of google:
http://maps.google.com/maphp?ie=UTF8&ll=41.950027,-87.653496&spn=0.01023,0.019269&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.946702,-87.656063&cbp=1,59.26822691026359,,1,21.015685839174928
You'll have to cut and paste it.
Link actually from the "other" BCB
TC Cubby - April 3, 2008
That's pretty cool!!
gwood - April 3, 2008
ALSO
Best line of the day yesterday said by me
"The brat stop called and youre late for work" well I thought it was funny, but not funny enough to yell.
Hammer - April 3, 2008
Booing for the sake of booing
It seems to be the "cool" thing to do. Granted Todd Hundley was horrible, but he got booed as he walked up to the plate. I never saw more confused "fans" when he proceeded to hit a home run. I liked booing the guy when he deserved it after a terrible at-bat, as well as Neifi. But wait until they do something right then and there to deserve the booing. You lose all right to cheer for a player if you blindly boo them. Hundley and Neifi are special cases, I understand, but it happens with many other players.
AbeFroman - April 3, 2008
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