"It was a tough first 10,000 wins," [Ryan] Theriot said with a chuckle. "I hope the next 10,000 are easier."
We are in uncharted territory.
Not just for the 10,000th win in franchise history -- a 7-6, come-from-behind, extra-inning thriller over the Rockies -- but for the 15-6 start which is now tied with the Diamondbacks for the best record in baseball.
Here are all the Cub teams since 1900 that have started the season better than 15-6:
1907: 17-4.
That's it. Four other post-1900 Cub teams (1906, 1932, 1969 and 1975) also started 15-6, and a number of 19th Century teams were 15-6 or better (the best, the 1879 club, went 18-2 with one tie), but the 2008 Cubs are now in the upper echelon of great starts by this 132-year-old franchise. The 1975 team is the outlier in that group -- they were playing over their heads and wound up 75-87 in fifth place in the old NL East -- but the rest of them were all either pennant winners, World Series winners... and we won't talk about the 1969 team, as you all know how that wound up.
The Cubs also won their fourth extra-inning game on the road last night (and haven't lost any -- the only extra-inning loss this year was on Opening Day at home). The last time the Cubs won four extra-inning games on the road was 2004 -- but that year, it took them till August to do that.
Winning anything on the road, particularly at Coors Field where it rarely seems to matter how big a lead you get, is always gratifying. I want to give thanks right here and right now to the thousands of Cubs fans who made the "Let's Go Cubbies!" and "Fukudome!" chants audible -- loudly -- on the CSN telecast (although at least on my cable system, Comcast in Chicago, there was no audio at all on the HD feed for the first few minutes; later they did fix this problem). I know some of that came from BCB readers who posted here that they were attending last night's game.
Rich Hill pitched -- well, okay, considering that his career ERA coming into this game at Coors Field was somewhere orbiting Mars. He walked four, but got out of most jams mostly unscathed; his boxscore line shows he allowed two runs, but only one of those -- a Clint Barmes HR -- scored while he was in the game. Four Cub relievers contributed to the rest of the Rockies' five-run sixth inning, giving Colorado a 5-3 lead.
Then the Cubs clawed back, scoring one run and executing a double steal (when's the last time you saw that happen?) in the 7th, making it 5-4, then taking the lead 6-5 with two strikes and two out in the 9th on Aramis Ramirez' long home run 3/4 of the way up into the LF seats.
Just as Manny Corpas blew a save with two out in the 9th, so did Kerry Wood, allowing a single to Scott Podsednik (Len & Bob noted how much Pods looked exactly like he did as a White Sox, with the Rockies' very similar sleeveless uniforms) and a triple to Ryan Spilborghs, after retiring the first two Rockies in the 9th on strikeouts.
But the Cubs would not quit, and manufactured a run in good style in the 10th, the winning run being driven in by Ryan Theriot in the 2008 "Have A Different Hero Every Day" Cub style. Carlos Marmol finished it out uneventfully -- isn't it nice to know that after your closer comes out of the game for a pinch-hitter, there's someone else right behind him who can also close?
Finally this morning, apologies from me and SBN for the massive outage last night which was caused, ironically, by a server upgrade which was done the night before (if you recall, I'd made this post Tuesday night alerting you to what was supposed to be a short planned outage). Trei and the tech team are hoping we're past the issues, which were caused, we are told, by "bad RAM"... however, they are going to monitor traffic later today when more game threads get going. Apologies from me and know that they're doing everything they can to make sure this doesn't happen again.
Uncharted territory. This is also the first time in Cub history that they have had two separate winning streaks of five games or longer in April. Keep it going. I'll have a game thread up later this morning for the 2:05 CDT start.
0 recs | 129 comments
Big Win!!!
Just shows you how much character this team has. I’m getting really excited about this team.
McRipper - April 24, 2008
It was good to see them fight back
and pick up Wood after he blew the save.
The team is definitely playing with a bit of confidence right now, which is good to see.
mjk83 - April 24, 2008
What a game. WOW. And thank god we have two closers!
SackMan - April 24, 2008
Excellent!
northsider - April 24, 2008
Wouldn't he be best spread...
...over a piece of toast with butter?
IowaCubs- - April 24, 2008
Most impressive stat from last night . . .
all eight starters with OBP above .400!!!
gwood - April 24, 2008
Rockies Broadcasters
I must give credit where credit is due. I flat out enjoyed listening to them. they were very knowlegable about the opposing team and were extremely complimentary of players like d. lee. they clearly do their homework and for that i commend them. i usaully hate other teams commentators. great TEAM win last night. this team has chemistry like no other ive ever seen before.
cubsluver22 - April 24, 2008
I listened on XM
where you get the home team feed and I would agree with you
sdurst - April 24, 2008
I agree too
they call a good game.
billy pilgrim - April 24, 2008
They didnt go on rants about our fans?
:)
HIGGY - April 24, 2008
LMAO
Maybe we can send a tape to Marty Brennaman.
Al Yellon - April 24, 2008
Just don't send him this one
Cubs’ Elia’s rant about fans (April 29, 1983)
WARNING: Turn the volume down if at work or in a library.
flachimesa - April 24, 2008
I have to agree
For some reason, we received both the Cubs and Rockies broadcasts on EI in HD last night. I mostly watched the Rockies guys, at first because the HD audio was out on the comcast feed. Those Rockies guys were good – far batter than average. Very knowledgeable.
Ihatethecards - April 24, 2008
Do you have cable or satellite?
I haven’t been able to find any HD broadcasts on EI on digital cable. Anyone know where they are?
Al Yellon - April 24, 2008
Comcast...
...has said they won’t be carrying them. DirecTV OTOH is carrying ~40 games/week in HD>
jolietconvict - April 24, 2008
Yes my EI
is from Direct TV
Ihatethecards - April 24, 2008
i live in denver
so i watch the rockies broadcaster quite a bit. they don’t pretend to be neutral – they root for their team (which is fine to me, but is often labeled “homerism”). the thing that i really like about them comapred to most broadcasters that i’ve seen/heard is that the rockies guys talk baseball for the whole game. strangely enough, it is rare to watch a baseball game anymore where they actually talk about baseball the whole time.
anormal - April 24, 2008
A fantastic start
This season is off to a fntastic start and there is defeintely a new found confidence on the team. Games are not being gievn away as they have in prior years – this squad keeps fighting back and never count themselves out. There’s still a lot of baseball to be played but nothing like getting this season off on the right foot.
sdurst - April 24, 2008
The last double steal
I remember was near the beginning of Juan Pierre’s time here. Pierre and DLee had one, I believe at wrigley
Laven - April 24, 2008
April 19, 2008 vs. the Pirates
Not sure if this counts as a double steal, I don’t remember if a good throw would have caught DeRosa – but …
“As Fukudome and DeRosa took off on a double steal attempt, catcher Ryan Doumit threw the ball into left field for an error that let a run score. DeRosa took third on the play and trotted home on Gorzelanny’s wild pitch.”
gp1966 - April 24, 2008
Wasn't the Cubs...
...but did anyone see when BJ Upton stole home against the Mariners this year on the backside of a double steal? Haven’t seen the first and third double steal in a LONG time…Successfully, at least…
PurpleLineToWrigley - April 24, 2008
I didn't see it..
but honestly, I’m surprised that you don’t see that more often. Considering the postioning of the middle infielder at second, you’d imagine any baserunner with above-average speed should have a decent shot at home.
Damen Jackson - April 24, 2008
Yes it does.
n/t
HIGGY - April 24, 2008
What's the Cubs' record
for consecutive sweeps?
sdurst - April 24, 2008
Good question.
The club record for wins in a row is 21—set in 1935 during the pennant race in September. They swept the Phillies, Dodgers, Braves, Giants and Pirates… and the first four of those series were FOUR-game series. The Pirates series was a two-game series; that made 18 straight. Then they won the first three in St. Louis before losing the last two of a five-game series.
Al Yellon - April 24, 2008
5 game series??
... wouldn’t that be something to see an entire 5 man rotation go against eachother?
IowaCubs- - April 24, 2008
There was a doubleheader in that series.
There aren’t very many of those these days; the Cubs played one vs. the Cardinals in 2003 (a memorable series). If you get one now, it’s probably because of a rainout makeup game.
Al Yellon - April 24, 2008
Wow, I remember that series.
Didn’t we win 4 out of 5?
Jayo525 - April 24, 2008
Yep.
All five games were memorable.
Al Yellon - April 24, 2008
Do or die for both teams IIRC.
My dad (Cards fan) and I were so invested. Fun, fun time.
neverAcquiesce - April 24, 2008
Last night was special...
This team has a new identity, a swagger and a confidence that I haven’t seen in a while.
I am usually cynical and would normally get down after Kerry blew that save, but last night, I was like “that’s okay… we’ll get ‘em in the 10th.”
This is going to be a fun year…
CubsBullsBears - April 24, 2008
To that end...
Wood did a nice job of buckling down and getting that last out in the 9th and thereby stranding the runner on third. It would have been easy to let down after giving up the lead, however he finished it off and gave Soto/Theriot a chance to win it baby!
bap - April 24, 2008
Wood looked great
Woods slider last night was better than Marmols by far. If you look at the batting avg against Wood on the season its clear he has run into a little bad luck IE the hits came a bit in bunches.
Even after the triple to tie the game I was rewinding back to the first strikeout which was absolutely sick.
Hammer - April 24, 2008
Agreed.
It was really frustrating b/c Woody looked absolutely sick on the first 2 batters, but credit to Pods and Spielborghs for just sittin’ on Kerry’s fastball. Then Marmol comes in the 10th and I believe falls behind the first 3 batters but stuck w/ his stuff and and came through. Ironic, but oh so Beautiful. Go Cubs.
Jayo525 - April 24, 2008
Going into this game...
...I knew - just knew - that Scott Pods would use his evil White Sox mojo to hurt the Cubs. And so he did. Man, I can’t stand that spindly legged mofo.
daver - April 24, 2008
Great Win!
This team’s signature will be that they pick each other up. Go Cubbies!
Just Mike - April 24, 2008
Cubs Not Digging Big Hole for Themselves
Barring a slew of injuries, especially to pitchers, (yeah, I remember 1985), I don’t see the Cubs having to make up an 8.5 game deficit this season as they did last season. They should be in first place or close to it the rest of the season. 2 games up with 141 to go is not a bad place to be.
memphiscub - April 24, 2008
I had friends at Coors Field last night... (Cubs fans of course)
They called me right after A-Ram’s blast in the 9th… I couldn’t hear a word my friend said because the Cubs fans there were too loud. Then when Dome got up with runners on 2nd and 3rd…. they called again just so I could hear the Fuk-u-dome-A chant. If the Cubs keep up their current pace…. I think we are going to see a lot of Cubs fans crawling out from under rocks in every city we play at - something that is going to make every team we play feel a wee bit uncomfortable in their own stadium. (See Brewers, Cardinals, White Sox, D-Backs, Rockies, Padres, Pirates, Reds, Nationals, Dodgers and Marlins) I don’t know about the Blue Jays and Orioles in inter-league yet, but if we keep on playing good, I would have to say even at those stadiums Cubs Nation will make its presence felt. What a great feeling for both the fans and the players!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like McDonald’s…. I”M LOVING IT!
chi-townbleacherbum - April 24, 2008
Orioles games
Unfortunately (for us in VA) are in Wrigley
Goat Whisperer - April 24, 2008
Cub fans
have made their way to opposing stadiums for a while now. Last year there were some venues that had more Cub fans than the home teams did.
sue369 - April 24, 2008
Yuppers.
As “Cubs Forever” pointed out that’s due in great part to WGN. Cubs fans have packed a whole hell of a lotta stadiums for years, with Colorado ranking high. Obviously St Louis too, but that one goes both ways cos of the rivalry.
And let’s not forget that Miller Park is essentially Wrigley Deux. I still remember Sosa’s three three-run homer game where he curtain called in Milwaukee. Surreal.
neverAcquiesce - April 24, 2008
miller park is wrigley duex
we get tix for there every summer.
Madison Cub Fan - April 24, 2008
What a win...
...was without MLBTV coverage, so I was clinging to GameDay…Can’t wait until this afternoon for some WGN love!
PurpleLineToWrigley - April 24, 2008
Keep them coming!
Great Game! Wish I hadn’t fallen asleep during the exciting parts! I managed to keep my eyes open long enough to see Marmol get the last three outs!
Can we keep this up? The obp for this team is amazing! I know it has been beaten like the proverbial dead horse, but damn was Dusty wrong! Get ‘em on, get ‘em in!
northofwrigley - April 24, 2008
Agreed.
I also love the fact that we are seeing something that I am not used to as a Cubs fan- if an erratic pitcher is not hitting the strike zone, we have no problem taking until the first strike…No use helping them out any, especially late in tight games.
PurpleLineToWrigley - April 24, 2008
"bad RAM", I can live with...
...as long as good ARAM keeps hitting 9th inning homers!
ballhawk - April 24, 2008
LSA!
n/t
Al Yellon - April 24, 2008
He was also hustling out the box earlier in the game...
on his deep fly that became a double… It’s good to see.
bap - April 24, 2008
I think he
may have gotten his butt chewed out after his “admiring” shot earlier. Nice to see him hustle out of the box.
sue369 - April 24, 2008
Three things about last night's game
1. Great to see Howry throw so well. He is locating his fastball which he has to do since it is essentially his only pitch. If he continues this bullpen will carry us.
2. We are VERY lucky that pinch running DLee in the 9th did not come back to haunt us. That was not a smart move (IMO).
3. Lou: Please give Marmol a day off. He pitched a perfect 10th, but his velocity and location were not as sharp as normal.
I drank the Cubs Kool-Aid last night.
gocubsgo22 - April 24, 2008
Agreed
I thought the same thing when Pie pinch ran for Lee. Very curious.
With Howry starting to look better, Marmol should be able to have a day off sometime soon. But with Wuertz continuing to struggle, maybe not.
gwood - April 24, 2008
PR for Lee
I had stepped away from the game to take a phone call and came back to see Pie PR and almost had a heart attack thinking Lee had gotten hurt.
puckishcubsfan - April 24, 2008
Agreed
He was gassed last night.
Also, Matt Holliday has the biggest fricken arms, that at bat he had in the 10th was awesome. Bad result but awesome.
Hammer - April 24, 2008
Holliday is huge
I noticed that last night as well. The amazing thing is he is fast too!
Has anyone else noticed that Derrek Lee’s lower half looks bigger this year?
HIGGY - April 24, 2008
Drinkin' the Kool-Aid
Me too. Me too.
MikeIowa - April 24, 2008
The breaks
We sure have made the most of our opportunities and found a way to win so far.
We see if every year, (Tigers ‘06, White Sox ‘05, Marlins ‘03 after McKeon arrived) that the teams that find a way to win spread that confidence around the clubhouse and into the seats.
This has been a great start, despite some mediocre SP performances.
Keep it up Cubbies! On to the next 10,00!
The Ryno and I Know - April 24, 2008
I am...
beside myself with the way this team is playing right now. The way that EVERYONE is contributing and picking eachother up. This quote from Wood couldn’t be any farther from the truth:
“We’ve been picking each other up all year,” Wood said. “That’s why we are in the position we’re in. It’s somebody different every night. ... I don’t think we could predict the way we were going to be swinging the bats right now. I don’t think we have more than one guy in the lineup hitting under .300.”
I couldn’t watch the game, but followed it via cell phone (mlb gameday), ugh! Onward and upward…go Cubs!
crw89 - April 24, 2008
mlb audio
do you constantly lose the feed via your cell phone? it drives me crazy and it seems worse this year. And the audio is choppier this year than last… just curious.
cubbiefanTN - April 24, 2008
Working on a song
I’m working on a song a takeoff on Willie Mickey and Duke called “Fukudome, Ramirez and D Lee” It’s going to be a combination of the original song and Baseball and the Cubs.
I want the third line to be who is ….... anyway and trying to decide between Mark Prior and Brian Roberts
The opening lines will be
After 100 years waiting for our chance
The North sides ready for a victory dance
Who is ….... anyway?
A new era is being born
The Cardinals and Brewers we will scorn
and down on the corner america’s team
is finally getting on track
It still needs a lot of work. I’m leaning towards Prior for the who is anyway in case we get Roberts at some point in the season.
puckishcubsfan - April 24, 2008
"the employee" would work well there.
n/t
bap - April 24, 2008
I like to think I know a thing or two about popular music...
...and I have no idea who “Willie Mickey and Duke” are.
daver - April 24, 2008
I'm going to assume your joking...
you are joking….right?
santoswoodenlegs - April 24, 2008
For once, I'm dead serious.
Are they mainstream country artists? I’m not particularly familiar with that genre.
daver - April 24, 2008
Willie….Mays
Mickey….Mantle
Duke….Snider
Read this.
santoswoodenlegs - April 24, 2008
What a great start.
Obviously there is a lot of baseball left to play, but this is a great place to be in. Not only is the team winning, but the way they are doing it is what is so great IMO. Manufacturing runs when needed, coming from behind, HR, great defense and offense, could go on and on here…
It’s a great time to be a Cubs fan that is for sure!
OT instantly thought of Cwyers when, instead of BA, they posted the OBP of the lineup on Comcast last night. I would venture to guess THAT has never happened with a Cubs team!!!
Tangled Up In Blue - April 24, 2008
I believe Arams homer
was with 1 out, not 2.
Hammer - April 24, 2008
Shhh.
It’s for dramatic effect. I’m buying it.
Jayo525 - April 24, 2008
Me too.
n/t
Al Yellon - April 24, 2008
Okay it's early
But I thought besides the end result being our ultimate dream it would be really really cool to have the baseball equivalent of the 1985 Bears season. Just dominant. Kicking butt and taking names.
I want other teams fans to look at the schedule and say “Dang doogle the Cubs are coming.”
puckishcubsfan - April 24, 2008
Please never use the phase "dang doogle" again.
daver - April 24, 2008
Haha. Agreed.
But don’t worry, hopefully it’s just a phase.
Jayo525 - April 24, 2008
Dang doodle, my keyboard sucks.
daver - April 24, 2008
Dang Doogle?
Hawk is that you?
Hammer - April 24, 2008
speaking of things
that should never, ever be said…
CyberCyclist - April 24, 2008
I actually had that thought last night.
Never in my lifetime have I followed a Cubs team where, looking weeks ahead at a time, I don’t find myself worrying about any particular opponent. Finally, we’re the ones to fear.
neverAcquiesce - April 24, 2008
I particvulary
Am not worried about who is pitching for us, because like Woody said, theres a new hero every night
Hammer - April 24, 2008
Soto, Lee and Mediacom
Let’s not forget two 4 for 5 nights by Lee and Soto. That Soto guy is exactly the same guy I kept screaming about last year after watching him in Des Moines. Also it’s nice to see his old coach when he was with Iowa, Mike Quade, working with him on his defense.
Oh, and Mediacom in Des Moines is absolutely Cardinals crazy. They played yesterday’s Cardinals blow up loss back to back yesterday on FSN Midwest. They even played the Brewers/Phillies game on the “Mediacom Connection” channel last night for some reason for the 5 Brewers fans here in Des Moines… But still, they refuse to pick up CSN in Des Moines.
Oh well, I feel good even on a rainy day today because our guys won last night even if I had to listen on the radio. This is something special we have here.
IowaCubs- - April 24, 2008
Simulate your own Rockies late-inning Collapse!
I found this on Purple Row, thought it was too good especially after last night.
http://www.9news.com/sports/columnist/blogs/ontherox/article.aspx?storyid=90454
sanantonecub - April 24, 2008
Oh yes, this was actually posted
BEFORE last nights game, so just change that to read “in each of the last four games.” :)
sanantonecub - April 24, 2008
They are playing like Al Davis is running the team
“Just Win, Baby!” Doesn’t matter how or who, they are getting it done!
BigJohnAZ - April 24, 2008
Add this to the list...
of things that shouldn’t be said…
santoswoodenlegs - April 24, 2008
Can we start to believe yet?
Last night in the top of the eighth I turned off the light and fell asleep thinking “well, 5 in a row is pretty good.” This morning I read the alert e-mail and found the Cubs had won. At work this morning I listened to the game on MLB.com and read the recaps. I have found myself organizing my day around the Cub games (Have to hurry and get the lawn finished – the game starts in 15 minutes. Honey, let’s order in – the game is on.)
In the past few years (decades?) this organization has found ways to lose. Whether that was a black cat or a fan “interfering” or a goat or a wrecked back while sneezing or a corked bat, there was always something. Now, there is a confidence, a swagger, a sense of completeness, a chemistry. This team is carrying the attitude of “why not us?”
George Will said, "Chicago Cubs fans are ninety percent scar tissue." Is this the year we cut away some of that scar tissue? Can we start to believe yet?
MetsSuck - April 24, 2008
Wow.
It’s early… awfully early. But this team has done things, as I have noted, that are almost unique in Cub history. There are still five months to go. But this is an awfully nice ride we’re on so far.
Al Yellon - April 24, 2008
I agree. And I'd respectfully remind everyone...
...how we scoffed at the overexuberance of Brewers fans last season. Don’t get me wrong—we should celebrate every great victory. And we should feel good about this team. But it’s still the opening month.
daver - April 24, 2008
But... ned Yost doesn't manage our team!
SackMan - April 24, 2008
Ha, well the game starts at 2 today
Go to bed in the 5th innings, WHATEVER WORKS.
BTW, the only thing that is 90% scar tissue is Mark Priors shoulder.
Hammer - April 24, 2008
I believe the Chili Peppers wrote that song just for him.
Jayo525 - April 24, 2008
Awesome! Got a LOL out of me.
N/T
McCarron - April 24, 2008
Al beat me to it...
... but I was going to say basically the same thing. It’s too soon to be talking about going all the way, but the team playing as well as they have this month just goes to show you that it’s very possible if the continue playing this caliper of baseball. I’d personally like to see how we fare against some other teams still.
McCarron - April 24, 2008
Drinking kool-aide
Last night when Kerry gave up that run, I was in my car and hit the off button my radio. Thought Cubbies are getting back to their old ways… got home a few minutes later turned the radio on to hear them win.
Im going to believe!
Madison Cub Fan - April 24, 2008
I still trust Kerry...
...will figure things out. This isn’t exactly his 5th season as closer or anything, but he’s starting to make me nervous like Dempster did last year. Let’s hope he works out whatever problems he has soon.
IowaCubs- - April 24, 2008
I'm really still not...
...very sure about this team. It’s going to take a lot more of what we’ve been seeing over the past three-and-a-half weeks for me to erase that end-of-the-world 0-2 start we had against the Brewers.
Ok, that’s not really true…I just REALLY MISS those miserable sobs that came out of the woodwork during that first series…
Ok, that’s not really true, either.
Shawon O Meter - April 24, 2008
OT: How about this line score?
Nebraska played its in-state rival Creighton last night in Omaha at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium (which some will recognize as the home of the CWS). Trailing 4-3 after four innings, the Huskers (30-7-1) sent 17 men to the plate en route to scoring 13 runs off of five Creighton pitchers, the most runs Nebraska has scored in an inning since also plating 13 against Chicago State on March 16, 1999.
Here’s to the Cubs doing the same thing this afternoon :)
sanantonecub - April 24, 2008
Huskers
are taking it all the way this year Woohoo!
tizzle - April 24, 2008
Question.
Was anyone else confused as to why Theriot played SS and Cedeno 2B last night?
Jayo525 - April 24, 2008
I believe
Lou is more likely to move Cedeno around so he just keeps Theriot at SS.
Hammer - April 24, 2008
Probably so.
It would make more sense to switch them, though.
Al Yellon - April 24, 2008
I agree
Cedeno has better range and a better arm.
gwood - April 24, 2008
That's true, though, in Theriot's defense...
...he did make that spectacular stop in the late innings.
daver - April 24, 2008
True, he did
but it probably wouldn’t have been as close with Cedeno’s arm (assuming he made the same play of course).
gwood - April 24, 2008
You're right.... wouldn't have been close at all cause
Cedeno would’ve thrown it into the seats.
SackMan - April 24, 2008
He does
need to dial it down a bit.
gwood - April 24, 2008
LOL, touche!
daver - April 24, 2008
Magic Number
is 140 :)
CyberCyclist - April 24, 2008
we are in control of our own destiny!
LOL
bap - April 24, 2008
LOL!
It might be a little early….
Tangled Up In Blue - April 24, 2008
Soto..
IMO definately the key to this being a really good lineup. If he keeps hitting…wow. How refreshing to see a catcher who can hit AND play defense.
wicubfan - April 24, 2008
I >really< liked...
...Santo’s pre-game radio interview with first base coach Matt Sinatro, who’s been working with Soto on his throws. He mentioned that Geo was pretty much just winging it down there with all-arm throws at the beginning of the season, which was giving him all sorts of trouble. Apparently they’ve been working on Geo creating a good foundation with his feet to start the throw, and getting his whole body behind the ball during the release. Sinatro likened it to a boxer’s punch, which I thought was a pretty good analogy that most fans could relate to.
I find a lot of Santo’s interviews to be heavy-on-the-cheese, but I thought he did a great job with this one – a good look behind the scenes that we don’t always hear about.
Shawon O Meter - April 24, 2008
I know it early . . .
but at this point we probably have the top two candidates for rookie of the year on our team in Soto and Dome
gwood - April 24, 2008
agreed....
yet, Cedeno is also turning some heads early on.
Gucci - April 24, 2008
Cedeno isn't a rookie.
He had over 500 AB as the more or less regular SS in 2006.
Al Yellon - April 24, 2008
I've heard mention of how weak the division the Cubs play in is,
but a quick look at the standings shows that only the AL east and the NL east, along with our division, have more than 2 teams with winning records. What the Cubs are doing now has to be seen as more than just beating scrubs. Not that they haven’t had trouble beating scrubs in the past. I’m going to enjoy the ride and hope for a long season. Last year when I heard it was early, it was to reassure fans there was time to catch up. Now, it’s to keep us from being too cocky. I prefer cocky. Go Cubs!
teacher tom - April 24, 2008
To really judge a division's strength
You have to look at how those teams fare outside of the division.
SackMan - April 24, 2008
And unfortunately
The NL Central teams have probably played the easiest schedules thus far, with a majority of their games against the Reds, Pirates, Astros, and Giants.
gwood - April 24, 2008
How do we email Al?
Got a couple pics from yesterdays game I want to send him. I’ll post some in the FanShots section too. Thanks! Oh, and what a game! Rammy in the ninth, are you kidding me??
Lou In Blue - April 24, 2008
n/m
got it
Lou In Blue - April 24, 2008
Preparing...
I found myself last night preparing myself for a loss or (gasp) a losing streak. Winning is fun, but this team has obviously proven they have the talent to win the NL. The question to me is how will they respond to a loss or two. I was also wondering how many losses it would take for folks to start jumping off of buildings again like when they were 0-2 (doesn’t that seem like a whole season ago).
TXCub - April 24, 2008
View from our seats
A bit blurry, but we had seats in row one overlooking the cubs bullpen. Wood about to come in right after Rammy hit the go ahead shot in the ninth.
Lou In Blue - April 24, 2008
Dont worry everyone
“AROD may play tomorrow” that is of course, per ESPN, more important than a teams 10,000 victory.
Hammer - April 24, 2008
Maybe its just cause the Cubs are playing well this year
but it seems like the east coast bias is getting worse this year. Watching ESPN News this morning, the first three highlights they showed were the Yankees, Red Sox and then the Celtics. Nothing on the 10,000 wins. I think the Phillies got more coverage for their 10,000th loss last year.
gwood - April 24, 2008
I watched
ESPN last night and they did have a segment on the 10,000 wins. It was later in the show.
sue369 - April 24, 2008
Yeah, just saw it.
It was as long as it needed to be. No big deal, let’s just keep racking up wins and keep pulling for the Cards and Crew to lose more often.
Fukumania - April 24, 2008
I love this
team and the way they are playing right now. Confidence is at an all time high. Can’t wait for the game today.
sue369 - April 24, 2008
Agreed
I also love how Lou is managing this team right now. The double steal last night was excellent. Lou is being aggressive and it is a joy to watch.
gwood - April 24, 2008
double stolen bases
actually the cubs tried double steals a couple times in 2006 with derek lee and juan pierre. Vs. Mil on April 12th and April 17-18th vs the dodgers. It is nice to be finally running on people instead of being run on (having barrett, bowen, and kendall will have that effect).
cubshoyt - April 24, 2008
A statement game
That was a huge win by the Cubs. Colorado is an explosive and talented ballclub. To come back on them twice at Coors Field was huge. The Cubs are becoming one of the elite teams in baseball. The only legitimate concern is starting pitching….do we have enough to make it to the World Series? I don’t think we do, but I’m not going to worry about that right now.
MDBNIU - April 24, 2008
Of the 4,
2 didn’t make the playoffs. But of the rest of them, half of those won the World Series!
Great start from the Cubs, even if a lot as been luck so far. Similar to how last year they stopped losing all the close games, at some point this year they’ll stop winning them all.
Still, the offense is a joy to watch. Much more satisfying than the homer-happy but run-deficient squads in recent memory. If the starting pitching takes it up a notch or two, look out National League…
Gator Cub - April 24, 2008
OBP machines...
It’s great to see the “Fukudome” effect on the Cub’s lineup!
Gucci - April 24, 2008
Schedule
I know that the Cubs have to go 2 time zones after today’s game to Washington DC for a game tomorrow night, but did you see that Baltimore has to go from a late game (9:00 CDT start) in Seattle back to Chicago to play the Sox tomorrow night. What will be a tough plane ride.
Ihatethecards - April 24, 2008
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