Bleed Cubbie Blue

Agreed

That was intense!! I was watching at home and my leg wouldn’t stop bouncing. I was getting chills listening to how loud the crowd got in the bottom of the 9th and 10th innings. Man, to have been at that game . . .

It was a real pleasure to watch our Cubs control a very good closer last night. We knew that Cubs were a more patient team this year, and boy did they ever prove it in the 9th.

Same here.

I think I rubbed holes in my jeans I was so wired. I kept moving from my couch to the armrest when we were up because I was just convinced we were doing better when I sat there.

LOL

I engage in the same nervous tic behaviors too when I’m watching an intense game. Mainly pacing, like Lou, and wringing my hands.

Same boat...

Right before my wife went to bed, I’d been playing with the dog, making him bark. I suddenly deduced that his barking was throwing Saito off his game.

Pro: It worked – he blew the save!
Con: That inning ended up lasting forever, and my sleepy wife’s pissed at me this morning >8)

P.S. Gareth rocks.

We all have our foibles.

Sitting on the armrest meant precisely nothing, but since I was there during the ninth I had to be there during the tenth. God bless baseball and its superstitious tendencies.

And Gareth does indeed rock.

I second the Gareth Keenan love

If you thinking watching on TV was intense...

You should have been there. :-D

It was AWESOME. It was looking like I was gonna attend my third loss in a row this season, but my friend and I (who was 0-1 herself) kept telling each other “Ninth inning rally. Ninth inning rally. Ninth inning rally.” When we tied it, everyone in my section let out an audible sigh of relief, and when we won the crowd around me went apesh!t. Everyone was hugging each other, jumping around, high-fiving and screaming, and no one wanted to leave after “Go Cubs Go” was over. We just stared at the W flag with dopey grins on our faces.

Last night’s win felt sweeter than the 12-3 Cards blowout I attended last season – they gave that win to us, practically. But we fought for that win last night, and got it.

I won’t have time to peruse the game thread for this, so I will ask here: I thought Santo was supposed to do the stretch last night—on his hat night and all. Did they opt for Sutcliffe because it was an ESPN game, or was Ron sick or what? Not that I’m complaining, as you can’t go wrong with either. Just curious.

Sut probably because he was there broadcasting

Ron is just fine. He’s scheduled to sing it tonight.

I'm glad that's the reason

and not because Ron was sick. And Sutcliffe is doing well too, right?

he goes in for surgery in a few weeks, I think

but he looked and sounded pretty good. It was a sweet moment when he sang.

Yeah.

They showed him in a pregame chat on WGN and he remarked how he was doing better, and how good he felt to read letters from Cubs fans while taking chemo. He then went on to say how happy he was to sing the stretch on a night when he could look and see the Cubs flag flying atop the standings.

http://www.kansascity.com/baseball/story/634747.html

KC Star Sutcliffe Article

Found a REALLY great Sutcliffe article from his hometown newspaper.

Love the Murray/Stone story, as does he, apparently!

You got to see

one heck of a game. Glad it turned out so well for you. We did miss you in here though. :D

I missed the thread too!

I figured northsider would share the texts I sent him from the game so I could ‘participate,’ but noooo.

Shoot I just missed being first. My dream will have to be deferred for a day.

Why did people leave after 9? How silly. At least stay a bit longer.

puckishcubsfan - May 29, 2008 reply

That was a very satisfying game.

The pessimist in me groaned when Len announced Fontenot on deck for Howry. Then he drove it to the gap. Then I was in agony with Soriano swinging so hard he appeared to be screwing himself into the batters box. I still can’t believe the Fonz shortened his swing to get the hit. I didn’t believe he was capable. Who knew? I like being proved wrong.

What a win!

Are you new to this?

It’s not like Sori is stupid. He doesn’t try for a HR every at-bat…

It is something he rarely does and my expectations of him diminish the more clutch the situation.

You might want to look up

Walk off stats in the past two years… ;)

I must admit

I was expecting feast or famine from Sori last night, and was surprised when he dinked a single into left. I guess he did the same in a walk-off last year, maybe against the Rockies (?), but I just haven’t seen him shorten up often. Maybe his success in winning games like this will make him more likely to do so in close game situations in the future. I know we’re paying him to hit for power, but driving in one or two runs in a bases loaded situation isn’t bad when compared to the prospect of striking out while swinging for the fences…

26.2cubsfan - May 29, 2008 reply

Yes... it was vs the Rockies... Oh what a night that was!

We were up by 5 or 6th in the top of the 9th… the flood gates opened when Lou tried to get in some work for someone who’d been struggling. Was it Eyre? Then, Howry came in and gave up either the tying or go ahead run. A fan ran onto the field, charged the mound, and got trucked by security.

Then, in the bottom of the 9th… I think it all happened with 2 outs. And Soriano was 0-5 up to that point. It was absolutely unreal. I’ve never gone from gloom and doom to completely ecstatic in such a short time span in my entire life. One of the best games I’ve ever been to in my entire life. Still have that ticket on my desk.

That fan was lucky. Howry woulda planted him but good.

Love the pics as always.

Thanks so much!!

ESPN's head executives are patting themselves on the back this morning.

What a game!

This team is amazing at finding ways to win. I’m not used to it, man.

None of us are.

“Amazing” isn’t too strong a word. This is shaping up to be a special season. Savor every moment.

Still made me vomit

Every time Beerman mentioned “is this the year? I’m not sayin I’m just sayin…”

I think your right Al...

...the club is showing a level of confidence that I haven’t seen since the 03 lates season run. What is especially pleasing, is the offense’s ability to milk key walks in tight games, when in years past those same players would have tried to do too much and swing at bad pitches.

If the pitching holds up well, it could be a real interesting trade deadline, because I think Hendry will be in a mood to really go for it, and try to put the club in a real good position for the last 2 months and playoffs.

This IS a special season, AL

This is a special team. Uh huh, i said TEAM. Unusual for the Cubbies. I have to disagree with you on one thing, You said Hoffpauir was overmatched by Broxton. EVERYONE was overmatched by Broxton. Think the Dodgers will have a fire sale? Man, he is a monster, physically and stuff wise. We were lucky they took him out….

He did well last night.

Very well, in fact. But two nights ago he allowed all three Cubs runs. Granted, he was handed a mess to deal with in the seventh, but if he was as sharp then as he was last night we go into the eighth still down one.

But I agree. I was thankful he wasn’t pitching the ninth.

The interesting stat

with him that Len mention was that he is holding right handed batters to a sub .200 BA, but lefties are hitting over .300 against him.

He does still have filthy stuff. Except for the 3-2 slider he hung to Aramis two nights ago :).

Right on with Broxton!

And I agree with the speacial season/team/whatever. That’s why I posted yesterday I am tired of all the talk on Edmonds-Pie-trades-whatever. This is a season to enjoy.

For Al who said “Remind me again why the Cubs need another starting pitcher? ” We may find out tonight with Marquis. Gallagher may be OK but I’m just not set on Marquis. We’ll wait and enjoy more games. ISN’T THIS WINNING THING FUN?

mrcubsfan - May 29, 2008 reply

Wish I could comment,

but ESPN2 cut away from the game for practically the entire half inning to see if Manny was gonna hit a homer. So when I got to watch my recording later, I missed it.

I think ESPN...

...will be back more than they expected this year after this series.

Clue me in here, does ESPN usually stay for a whole series like they did this week? I can’t recall seeing that before.

No, I think that's a first.

But I doubt it’ll be a last.

They do with BOSOX and NYY but the Yanks are sinking

Cubs are good drama right now and the Cards are keeping in touch for four series in August-September.

As for the Edmonds experiment I think Lou has determined that Edmonds is to be retired, his bat is slow. Hoffpauir will be experimented in RF and see if he can hit MLB pitching.

I wonder with all the experiments with Soriano, Theriot, Cedeno, DOME, why not try Fonty in CF. He has the speed, can he actually ably man the position and be a bat in the lineup with his toy cannon power.

Ivy Walls - May 29, 2008 reply

Fast =/= small

Fonty has never struck me as particularly fast. Checking stats he has 6 stolen bases and 4 caught in his Cub career.

Technically, Fukudome didn't beat out the throw...

I’ll give Fukudome credit for hustling and making Saito rush, but Fukudome would have been out by a step had Saito not completely missed the bag. It was a big break for the Cubs, and obviously a key to plating the tying run.

That was a frustrating first eight innings, but the 9th and 10th were fantastic!

Good job by Zambrano limiting the Dodgers to only one run despite not having his best command.

Baseball Gods.

They're sure

wearing their Cubbie blue this morning.

Z was wheeling and dealing...

I think he lost it a bit that inning, because he wasn’t gatting any damn calls on the corner! And, we all know what happens when Z get pissed…

I agree...

...and Fukudome’s hustle is a good example of what putting pressure on the defense does. If he isn’t going full blast out of the box, Saito wouldn’t have been as flustered and he probably hits the bag.

+1

+2

Good things can happen for you… when you hustle. A certain someone on this team should take note of that.

Matt Sinatro?

Lester Strode?

He’s been doggin’ out to the bullpen mound with his clipboard.

I agree....

Strode has looked a bit lazy when lifting that clipboard….

Best game of the season...

What was even better was the two saber-magician geeks sitting a row down from us who were lamenting Zambrano’s pitch count and were screaming “take him out Dusty, take him out Dusty!!” They actually were tracking his pitch count throughout the game. Idiots. But alas, I’m sure we are about to read multiple diatribes on how Piniella is destroying Zambrano.

Wrigley tracks pitch counts, too.

And yes, 130 is a tad worrisome.

But…we won. And that’s the bloody bottom line.

No, it's not a tad worrisome

Carlos Zambrano is a horse, and sometimes you need to ride the horse hard. 130 pitches five games in a row would be a tad worrisome. A 130 pitches in a 1-0 ballgame against a quality opponent? No. Not when talking about your ace and a physical monster.

SORI-ANO!

clap, clap, clap-clap-clap.

SORI-ANO!

clap, clap, clap-clap-clap

How’s the crow taste?

+1

(for the number of GW RBIs the man had last night)

LSA.

Call me a BCB obsessive, but one of the first thoughts that crossed my mind after Soriano hit that walk-off single was, “And MDB[lueMike]NIU was there to see it!”

Me too!!!! And then there was the catch....was that you, mbdniu?

Regardless

you don’t want your ace to throw 130 pitches if it can be avoided. That being said, if anyone can do it without problems occurring, it’s Z.

As for Hoffpauir Al, and I am not trying to open up another discussion however, he did look overmatched however, so did Johnson and Soriano. That dude was unhittable last night. Like a Farnsworth with poise and control.

CUBBIES!!!!!

Kinky Reggae - May 29, 2008 reply

From dictionary.com

tad: a very small amount or degree

So, yes, 130 pitches for your ace is a TAD worrisome.

FWIW

Z’s next start is in spacious Petco park against a team that has the rare combination of lack-of-speed and lack-of-power. I don’t take anything for granted, but Lou knowing that Z can go at the Padres and challenge them early and often may have had something to do with his decision.

bubbamike the one and only - May 29, 2008 reply

If it is a trend

then it is worrisome. One game won’t kill him but if he starts throwing 120 or more pitches a game then fatigue sets in and that can lead to injuries. Z is a horse but even horses break down.

Better safe than sorry.

it's unlikely.

Lou usually reigns his pitches in, but if you look at the game, you see that Carlos was actually getting BETTER over the course of the game. So, keeping him in saved the pen and meant that if it were a loss, Lou wasn’t blowing arms for it. Z may be the only 100+ pitch guy in the rotation, but he is that guy.

I’ll be surprised if there’s more than two or three games like this.

Don't Worry

130 pitches is a little high for a pitch count for a single game. This will only be a problem, if Big Z consistently goes over the 120 pitch mark. Big Z really battled on Wednesday night.

memphiscub - May 29, 2008 reply

I wouldn't worry either...

...and I’ll bet they take him out at about 100 pitches his next start.

I'm sorry, I thought I heard you say something like

Wow, Soriano sure came through in the clutch to WIN THE GAME.

Or perhaps you had left in the ninth?

You do realize that...

...Lou Piniella was tracking Zambrano’s pitch count, too, right? Does that make him a “saber-magician geek”?

I’ll admit I was a little freaked out when I heard Pat and Ron mention that Big Z had thrown that many pitches. He seemed fine in the post-game press conference, but I’m still not crazy about the move. I’m glad Lou at least seems aware that he pushed Big Z so far and will take steps to limit him in his next outing or so.

You're forgetting

that Blue Mike only plays the “Lou knows best” card when it benefits his case.

I don’t like Z tossing 130, but I doubt Lou makes a practice of it, and it gave the bullpen a nice rest, which makes me much less worried about it.

That's called selective reasoning.

And some people just excel at that.

130 should not be a problem

it was a cool night, Z was hydrated and not cramping, etc. Last night was a good night to let your starter eat some innings to save the bullpen. It’s obvious that Lou is trying to win at all costs, but this one outing shouldn’t hurt Z at all. Even though his control was off all night, he battled and made the pitches when he needed to.

Braxton scared the shit out me. I was so happy when he wasn’t out there in the 9th. He was bringing the heat for sure. Our patience in the 9th against Saito speaks volumes about this 2008 Cubs team. Thats how championship teams eke out victories when faced with a dominant starting pitcher.

But alas? But alas??? You really said that, Shakespere?

But, you are right, Pinella WAS right in keeping him in. However….
Say, how bout that catch with the glove in the face? Musta been someone else in LF, probably a disguised Jim Edmonds…I mean with the wall, the fan and everything….
And that guess-hitting hack made us go early. Damn, I was wanting 18 innings…
So, all in all mdbniu, a bad night all around….

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=879

Found this blog post this morning

Talking about how the whole “over use” thing may be carried to far in some circumstances, especially with veteran pitchers.

I think I agree with his general argument. The battle over protecting young arms has basically been won. But that gets carried to far when managers take out veterans who are well into their careers and can handle that kind of use.

Also interesting was the discussion of Dusty’s use of his young pitchers in a extra inning game.

Dome is my home-ay - May 29, 2008 reply

kidding?

Lou definitely had a laughing exchange with Bowa as he walked back to the dugout after the conference. I’m not so sure he was kidding! :)

rgonzale - May 29, 2008 reply

Whatever he said...

They were both laughing hard after he said it, so I believe that is what he said.

Al put what he said in his recap

Observation...umpires are getting REAL chippy

I don’t know what is happening around baseball to prompt it, but all I know is that umpires across the league have a bug up their ass right now. The strike zones of too many umpires have been all over the map. Are they pissed off about something that I don’t know about? Are they angry about the talk of instituting instant replay?

It’s not just the Cub games either. I watched a Sox game on the tube the other night and the umpire crew were complete a-holes to both Cleveland and the Sox.

I think they're feeling pressure because of the replay issue

MLB umpires are notorious for getting their backs up when people start talking about changes that could take away some of their authority.

It also seems like it’s the older guys who are doing the most posturing but maybe that’s just the games I’m seeing.

Quit deflecting your real thoughts with these

You know you were rooting against Soriano in the 10th. Admit it.

Rooting agaist Soriano?

Nope not me. Do I think he should be hitting lead off? No I don’t.

I don’t root against Cubs.

I beleive you

My thoughts were for the gentleman above you

Ahhhh

Sorry.

hey

how about that game-winning hit by Soriano!

Did you see the pitcher pitch when the Braves McCann was not in the box

I saw that on ESPN this morning

brownbuddha - May 29, 2008 reply

McCann

was being an ass, bitching balls and strikes, then he was being a bigger ass for not getting in the box when the ump told him twice.

Hes just not as good as GlenAllen Hill was.

mdbniu, unless you have been asleep for about 10 years

the umps have been aggressive and had a stick up their a$$ for a long time…..it is nothing new.

That was one of the worst strike zones I'v ever seen last night

But Z still had a hell of an outing… regardless of the fact that he couldn’t get a called strike on those corners he was painting all night. Heck, he couldn’t get one of those called when Pierre actually “checked” his swing on it. Pierre gave the ump two reasons to call strike 3, and still… nothing. It was terrible.

On a side note. Z threw 130 pitches last night… the second highest total of his career (136 in May ‘05 vs the Phils). He followed up that outing by only lasting 3.1 innings on 64 pitched in his next start… a 4-3 loss to Washington.

It might not hurt...

... if the Cubs gave Jon Lieber a spot start next week, pushed everyone’s start back a day. Z could use the extra day and so could everyone else.

Agree

Also interesting how Lou avoids Scott Eyre.

Jose Ascanio has deeply impressed me. His stuff is electric and he has a rubber arm. I think he has passed Michael Wuertz on the bullpen pecking order right now.

Rubber arm?

ha, where do you get this crap? I guess seeing a guy 4 or 5 times tells you he has a rubber arm.

SORIANO clap clap clap

Hammer...

isn’t it….. clap clap, clap clap clap?

Kinky Reggae - May 29, 2008 reply

Im tired

Keep hustling man

Or you’ll end up in the dog house with Sinato and Strode

El Borto - May 29, 2008 reply

Yeah, MDBNIU saying that Ascanio has a rubber arm...

...could be the kiss of death for Jose. Remember, David Aardsma supposedly had ice water in his veins.

What's up with Stevie

Lou did this to him last year, although last year was slightly more deserved. Last Eyre didn’t start pitching well until very late in the year. Lou needs to get him out there a little more often to sharpen him up.

Yes, please someone tell me

why Stevie Eyre hasn’t even had a chance lately. He’s like the resident warmer-upper.

And, IIRC

our only lefty in the bullpen

Yes... wouldn't be a bad idea

Especially since there aren’t any days off between his next start… and they fly out west. They’ll get the low scoring Padres first, so that’s a good opportunity to throw Lieber in there…

It wasn't bad

Just incredibly tight. REALLY REALLY tight.

Worst?

Was this your first game. He was good and consistent. Consistently small but consistent.

That was such an incredible game, plus game thread made it just that much more fun

Blue mike making an appearance after that hack did something good?

oh wait he had someone to rip on so he could avoid talking about that hack.

Let's not

Today is about the Cubbies.

LSA

Que?

It means

“Loud, Sustained Applause.”

Oh sorry

I’m still a bit newbie here sometimes :o

I knew it was a good thing, just didn’t know what…

No need to apologize.

You’re doing good for a FNG. ;-)

I was at the game

Gave the hack a standing ovation for his bloop to left field too. It was his best at bat of the year. He actually shortened up his swing for the good of the team. He never does that.

You're incorrigible.

Double-plus goodspeak

MDBNIU has always supported Soriano.

BTW

Worst game winning hit call EVER on Chris Beerman’s part. Horrible.

And it made ESPN’s #1 play of the day ROFL

I think his own network agrees.

They’ve only played Santo’s and Kasper’s calls this morning on AM 1000.

Again, they made his call the #1 play....

So not total agreement…

On TV or the radio?

I haven’t heard it on the radio so far.

Just saw it on TV.

So I guess this morning’s Sportcenter?

Ah.

That’s unfortunate. The radio side is playing Santo and Kasper’s calls, but not Berman’s.

Unfortunately

I didn’t think Len’s call was very good as well. He was so worried it was going to be foul that he sort of messed it up. But those are ten times harder than HR calls.

Yeah,

Santo’s was a bit delayed, but it was a fan’s reaction. It’s times like that when I like having Ron in the booth.

what a game!!

anyone else get those little chill bumps in the 10th inning last night? to hoffpauer’s credit theres not many players if any who were gonna hit broxton last night. 99 mph rising fast balls and mixing in sliders and changeups in the low 80’s is plain filth. when a guy like him is on(marmol) they will win any or most matchups. during the commercial i turned to my wife and said reeds leading off and lou has edmonds in the tunnel whispering in his ear some colorful words including this is your time—i need this W. when fontenot was announced I about fell out of my chair. I gotta believe edmonds days are just about over.

soriano seemed to be trying to drive the ball into right field a time or two last night. one of those team carrying streaks coming? i think so.

cubsluver22 - May 29, 2008 reply

He and Lee both seemed to be trying to go the other way

A couple times. If they start driving the ball the other way, this offense is going to be just fearsome.

Going to be?

;)

True.

It’s hard to believe that there are still some guys who are yet to get really hot in this offense.

If you think about it

Who is really that hot? ARam and maybe…

I got nothing.

Rammy, for sure. Derosa's been quietly hot, as well.

But it’s just been a pretty consistent attack thus far, almost a different guy each night.

Soto got a critical hit last night too.

As did Dome. I’ll take five guys hitting 95% over one or two hitting 110%...

You know it.

And that’s what you call a team.

Exactly.

Broxton

Overmatched all of the hitters he faced last night. He was scary. I was really excited to see him leave at the end of 8

I was with a group out in the RF corner and we got loud....

I was there the past two nights and they are definitely two of the better Cubs games I have been to over the years.

The great thing right now is that especially when they are at home I almost expect them to win. They are playing such good baseball that I don’t worry if they are down late. I believe that someone will find a way to get the job done.

mjk83 - May 29, 2008 reply

NO ONE wants to come to Wrigley right now.

Hitters park or not. And I’m loving it.

It's the Friendly Confines

if, and only if, we don’t sweep you.

This is the same feeling I had in 1969

it was a magical season, knowing in your heart the Cubs were going to win every game at home. It’s still not even June yet, I am so pumped about this year!!!

I was lucky enough to sit behind home plate last night..

...and Lowe, Broxton and Ascaino were just filthy….especially Broxton. Z didnt have his best stuff, which shows how great of a pitcher he is.

Who would have ever guessed that little Fonty would not only get the only extra base hit of the game, but against one of the best relievers in baseball? I guess

What a game!

JB 23 - May 29, 2008 reply

I wouldn't call Chan Ho Park one of the best relievers in basebal...

That’s the pitcher off of whom Fontenot got the 2B. But other than that, yes, very surprising that the only extra base hit was provided by Fontenot in the 10th inning. Great win.

wow...i guess blurred the 9th and 10th in my excitment

..what a marroon I am!

JB 23 - May 29, 2008 reply

I was right behind home plate also

I get (luckily) those seats about 15 games a year. I know I sound like a broken record, but Broxton’s performance was unbelievable.

Sneaky power

Dome and Saito

They are actually very close friends and they had dinner together, but they had finally faced off first time in 2 and half years in that critical situation…
They will surely have dinner together again when Cubs traveled to west coast next month, but the battle would be much tougher…

It seems like Dome

was a pretty popular and well-respected guy among the other players in Japan. Was there anyone he really had problems with, or maybe just a particular pitcher with whom he had an intense rivalry?

Nobody particular

comes to my mind for that kind of pitcher for Dome, but Koji Uehara, the ace of arch rival Tokyo Giants, has always good rivalry against any power hitters. Dome hit a monster homerun against Uehara in 2004 and that was very memorable one.

Wow.

That was a shot. I can see how Uehara would be tough on a hitter. He really hides the ball well in his motion. I’m still amazed by how quickly Dome gets his bat through the zone.

Koji Uehara

recently declared he will be in MLB as free agent next year. So they may face off again although I don’t know which team will acquire him… BTW Uehara having tough time right now as he was beaten 4 games in a row and in farm, and this situation will lower his market price for sure.

How old is he?

He is 33

born 4/3/1975

That will likely lower his price, as well.

Japan: gotta love those graphics!

And… wow… what a monster shot.

I want to see that kind of monster shot

at Wrigley…

I'm content

for him to wait.

To, oh, I don’t know, October for that kind of magic.

+1

Quite a home run

is there any reason why Dome was holding the bat lower in his stance than he does now?

He put it higher

to shorten his slumping time in the season in 2006 spring training, as far as I know…

How far was that?

Holy cow, that ball would be on Sheffield!

Maybe it's just wishful thinking...

...but does anyone else think the crowd’s “FUKUDOME!” chant got inside Saito’s head a little bit last night? He didn’t seem all that comfortable on the mound to begin with, but maybe it pushed him a little farther outside his comfort zone.

You could be right. I remember that the crowd was electric with the chant

And I was hoping it wouldn’t pump too much adrenalin into Dome’s AB. But Dome seems pretty level-headed. Saito had to hear that chant, and if he wasn’t completely zoned in, could have had an effect on his comfort zone..

zevkalman - May 29, 2008 reply

That's about the loudest I've heard it

unless WGN was amping it.

santo4hof - May 29, 2008 reply

Agreed

I don’t ever remember hearing a crowd that much on TV

No I don't think they had it amped b/c it was loud on radio also

FYI

One year ago today, excuse me, 162 regular season games ago-—The Cubs were 22-31. They are now 32-11 which is 10 games better. I was planning on writing a big diary on this—-but I have NO ENERGY.

32-21.

Still, you’re right. 10 games better.

We’ll take 10 games better at the end of the season, right? That’d be 95 wins.

Whoops----Ill take 32-11 next year

Ooooh.

If I was a cartoon character my eyes would’ve just been replaced with 95s.

And KOW

pointed out in the game thread that in their last 162 games, the Cubs are 95-67.. I have not double checked the math.

Really putting it together

It really seems like this team has learned to use Wrigley Field as the weapon it can be.

Patience at the plate, good defense, solid pitching and taking the home runs where they come are the signs of a winning team at Wrigley.

They also seem to really enjoy playing together. I think that’s what make players like Reed Johnson and Fontenot more important than their stats may show. Remember Dave Roberts was the catalyst for the Red Sox run in 2004. I’ve always thought that team chemistry was as vital a part of a winning team as hitting and pitching.

This team reminds me so much of the ‘84 team. They just showed up and knew they were going to win and if they didn’t, oh well they would tomorrow.

Fun times on the Northside for sure.

Last night

The way this team wins reminds me so much of the 1989 team, which so often manufactured victory out of what looked to be certain defeat. Remember the game when pitcher Les Lancaster had the game-winning hit in extra innings? This game last night reminded me of that.

About Z’s pitch count: I’d expect him to be not so great his next start and think an extra day of rest is a good idea. Still, 130 pitches is 37 fewer than 22-year old Greg Maddux threw in an 10.2-inning start he made in 1988.

danimal15 - May 29, 2008 reply

ESPN 1000

reporting that Doug Collins has been hired as the Bulls head coach.

/slaps hand to forehead. Snorts in disgust.

Eww.

And I’m not even a Bulls fan.

Good

I like Doug Collins and he is a Redbird, double whammy. I thought he was cemented with his gig at TNT, I know I wouldn’t leave there. Less stress, great schedule and great money I’m guessing.

He did coach the team to two Eastern Conference Finals...

Losing only to the eventual NBA champ in six and seven games respectively. I felt like he got scapegoated for the team not getting over the hump, when it was more likely that the team just needed time for Grant and Pippen to reach maturity.

Yeah, but he doesn't get Michael Jordan this time around.

And your point is?

It’s not like there were a lot of great options out there. Avery Johnson doesn’t get to have a team as talented as the Mavs, and nobody else has any sort of pedigree.

There wasn’t an option that had me remotely excited. Hopefully Collins can do good things with the team.

OMG. Puke.

They’ve been looking for a coach since X-Mas… and that’s all they can come up with? Seriously. You suck Pax.

Meanwhile, Avery Johnson is just sitting there.

The SCORE saying that this is a Reinsdorf move...

Not a Pax signing.

Which makes it even stupider.

They could've put a bunch of ex-Bulls names in a hat

And come up with a better hire…

Dennis Rodman?

Ex Players

Paxson said they were going to Interview 4 people and I know that 3 were ex players and one was an assist coach, Tyron Cobin was one

brownbuddha - May 29, 2008 reply

Dennis Rodman

In case anyone was wondering what not getting enough attention as a kid looks like…

MN exile - May 29, 2008 reply

Only the Bulls could screw up a gift of the #1 pick in the draft

...by hiring a washed up analyst who has never succeeded as a coach.

JB 23 - May 29, 2008 reply

Never succeeded as a coach?

Really? So you have to win the Championship to be a successful coach? And which one of those guys is waiting to be hired by us?

I'd have to slightly disagree.

Pax has gone on record saying Collins has one of the best “basketball minds in the business” and has said that he’s been a mentor to him for quite some time now. And that any time would be lucky to have him.

And apparently...

Paxson had recommended Collins as a mentor for Cartwright when Cartwright was a coach, according to the Tribune.

That’s not to say that Reinsdorf wasn’t partly (or fully) behind the move. But it does at least sound like Paxson wasn’t against it.

Cartwright wasn't a very good coach.

Case closed.

Collins didn't mentor him...

so I’m not sure I see the connection.

Paxson RECOMMENDED Collins. Collins turned down the job.

Oh.

Now I get it.

I don't like it.

Did they even interview anyone else?

Last night...

makes me even more excited to go to the game tonight. I really feel like Z has turned the corner as a number 1 started this season, he is finally becoming what we hoped he would. I think it even started with his well pitched game in the playoffs last year. The $91 million is looking like a good deal as of now.

Great win last night...

started watching on WGN, but switched to ESPN (because I like Sutcliffe and wanted to hear what he had to say), then switched back to WGN for superstitious purposes ;) One thing is that thank you ESPN for not having Joe Morgan announce last night…

Bowa did get a chuckle out of what ever Lou said last night.

crw89 - May 29, 2008 reply

ESPN

was blacked out by me last night but not on Tuesday. I really don’t understand or care how they determine what is blacked out but it is always changing.

I do like how ESPN shows BA with the different counts on the top of the screen, very interesting.

Yeah, I like that too...

crw89 - May 29, 2008 reply

But I dont like how they kept the ticker going along the bottom of the screen on ESPN2

good thing some did the murray sweep thing

completely forgot about it!

Chanman25 - May 29, 2008 reply

the long cold road ahead

I was there and it was thrilling but this roller coaster of coming home and kicking ass then going on the road and stinking up whatever joint they happen to be playing in has to stop. This team is obviously very very hard to beat at home. And they have the best record in baseball because they’ve played a schedule that is loaded with home games early. But they’ve got to learn to at least go .500 on the road or we face a slide when they play so many road games in the second half of the season.

Oh, and Al, they could use another starting pitcher because some of the ones they have either aren’t proven or have proven not to be good for an entire season.

Who should they get?

Yes, please name names.

He won't.

Talking head.

He can't

He doesn’t want to get blacklisted from Hop Sing’s…

classic

kylejo - May 29, 2008 reply

How else would an unproven starting pitcher

become a proven starting pitcher than by starting? If you bring someone in to take his slot, how can he prove himself?

Precisely...which brings us back to Felix Pie...

If you think neither

Dempster, Marquis nor Gallagher will tail off in the last two-thirds of the season, then by all means, stand pat. Rich Hill can always be released from his straight jacket and pointed northeast.

Marquis

has nothing to tail off into. He’s already tail.

I think Ryan Dempster is going to surprise a lot of people. Same with Easy-Gas.

No one’s suggesting that there be no trades. It’s MAY. (Boy, it’s not going to have the same ring on Monday when we have to say “It’s only June.”)

Let’s see what’s there at the deadline.

Waitaminute, did I miss a memo?

Who is “Easy-Gas”?

Yeah, I missed that one too.

Gallagher

Brenley called him that his last start—“Lou likes his speed, it’s easy gas.” I decided that’s a good nickname, so I’m trying to get it to catch on.

Hm, I dunno...

...”Easy Gas” sounds a little too much like a brand of antacid tablets to me. I thought we were going with “Sledgehammer.”

nothing screams "hammer" to me about him, that's all.

it’s good to have options.

Easy gas

it what I produce after a monster burro… ;)

hahahaha

ewwww, but hahahaha

northsider - May 29, 2008 reply

Need we remind you

that one cannot appoint their own phrases to the BCB dictionary. Only another may do that.

I didn't put it in the dictionary.

Brenley said it. I’m just pushing it. :D

Ah, a pusher.

Harmless.

"Easy Gas Gallagher"

it’s a very old-school kind of nickname. I like it.

sure - it's a cool nickname now 'cause he's doing well

but once he slips up a few times and throw a bad game or two, I shudder to think of what kind images SWL is going to come up with to mock “Easy Gas”...

lol

well, we know how to have our fun either way…

If it catches on

I think “E.G.” makes for cool abbreviated version; a nick-nickname, as it were.

“Sledgehammer” is a cool nickname too, and I know it related to the name “Gallagher”, but it would seem more appropriate for a power pitcher. I haven’t see Sean get to many Ks or be completely dominant yet.

Lots of key on my keyboard

don’t work apparently, including the “preview” key.

“Remind me again why the Cubs need another starting pitcher?”

Probably because, if they make the playoffs, they won’t be facing a Dodgers team that’s missing Andruw Jones, Nomar, Furcal, and Kent.

salparadise23 - May 29, 2008 reply

What a great argument.

Come on. ROFL

How’d they do facing the DBacks with the awful rotation?

I know last year they did great, didn’t they?

salparadise23 - May 29, 2008 reply

Last year?

Really? You’re gonna go there?

forget last year

last year is over. THIS year is NOW.

That wasnt this pitching staff.

Demps has been a great starter and Wood is closing now.

Plus, in the playoffs you use 3 starters. Z, Demps, and Lilly. What’s the point of getting another starter for the playoffs? Who are you kicking out of the rotation? Makes no sense.

"Cubbie occurrences"

Anyone else especially excited to see the team rebound from some morally devastating moments? I mean, as Cubs fans, we’re alway waiting for the wheels to come off, the next fan to get in the way of a catch or the next ball to roll through the first baseman’s glove. It was great to see them bounce back in the 9th after the errors/near disaster in the 8th. I was hoping they’d do the same thing last week after Fonze’s drop in Pittsburgh but of course that didn’t work out. These are the Cubs. Something bad might happen at a crucial point of a crucial game in the fall. I just hope they can rebound like pros instead of throwing tantrums (Alou) that affect the rest of the team.
Anyone else see Soriano glare at a fan after catching that foul ball on the run near the Bartman spot late in the game? Please people, keep your hands inside the wall. Pretend it’s a roller coaster. And if you’re sitting near someone who can’t help the reaching, heckle him mercilessly and remind him of 2003.

goldglove - May 29, 2008 reply

With all due respect

to that KID who reached over, even that kid knew Soriano wouldnt have caught it.

?

Soriano DID catch it

Well my point is Soriano normally

would pull up on that one. And lets not blame a kid that was probably 5 years old in 2003.

ah. got it.

Ill admit thought

Despite watching the WHOLE GAME, i did forget he caught it.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh :)

The Cubs should get

Someone with more experience than Gallagher and a better track record as a starter than Dempster or Marquis. If this superman exists, I would try to go get him when things shake out a little more clearly standings-wise.

Hey, maybe Dempster will have a year like Mike Bilecki (sp?) did in ‘89 and Gallagher will just keep getting better and better. I sure hope so. But I certainly wouldn’t scoff at anyone who says the Cubs could use more starting pitching. There’s not a team in baseball that couldn’t use more starting pitching.

Again,

Gallagher’s not going to develop into a “proven” starter by not starting. The Cubs have plenty of options already in house if he or anyone else breaks down, to wit:

Hill
Marshall
Lieber
Hart

Also again.

Gallagher may be great all year. Marquis may defy history and pitch lights-out in October. Dempster may win 23 games. But what are the odds that all three of these things happen? And who, besides Hill, do you see on the horizon to step in when one, two or all three of these guys have trouble or are injured? I’m just saying Al shouldn’t be poo-pooing the notion that the Cubs might want more pitching.

I believe Hill, Marshall, Lieber and Hart were just mentioned

in the post you replied to, nth..

WHO?????

Who?

Like I said above, let the standings shake out in the next month and see who’s available. I’m not saying they need to get a Rick Suttcliffe. I’m just saying the idea of more starting pitching isn’t a dumb one.

ok

then bring this up in a month, then.

And again, you really shouldn't post comments like this...

...unless you’re willing to name names. The Cubs SHOULD go out and put proven All-Stars at all eight positions and on the mound. It’s just not possible.

Pie

Has had three solid games in a row

I really like the

four walks and only six strike outs.

I dont trust clicking on your links anymore hehehe

Pie

I saw that as well but I don’t want to jinx him. If and when they release Edmonds maybe Pie will finally get a legit shot.

hey now

I’m not the one that sent the Soto one . . . I just told you to check!
:)

in my opinion....

same thing. you are ruled untrustworthy in my world. lol

harsh!

;-)

We're getting Griffey.

Right?

DEAR GOD NO

Left-handed power bat.

Outfielder. Bring him on, Lou~!

:this message brought to you by the letters S, A, R, C, A, S, and M:

And the number/age of 38

So ...

... basically what you guys are saying is that the Cubs should try to reconstitute the 1999 All-Star team.

Oh come on Al,

he’s only 38. That’s one year older than Edmonds and one year younger than Sosa. When over the last 10 years has he ever been hurt? ha ha ha

38! 38 Earth cycles!

0! 0 good defensive outfielders!

Whew.

Sorry I freaked out. However, his name was floated last night during the game thread and I burst exactly 7 blood vessels in my right eye.

How is Pie doing

Did his one ok game continue? I’d love to bring that kid back. The offense will survive.

Cool

But the Cubs were already 11 games over .500 THIS YEAR, I believe.

Apologies if this was already brought up.

Uh, who exactly are you responding to here?

The main thread

“completing the Cubs’ fourth three-game sweep at home this season, moving their home record to a spectacular 22-8, pushing them 11 games over .500 for the first time since the last day of the ill-fated 2004 season, and…”

When were they 11 over?

May 19th

OK, so tonight we go 12 over...

Right?

Anyone get nervous after the Cub win last night...

... that Soriano was going to get hurt somehow in the celebration on the field? :)

No.

I did - he was hopping all over the place, so...

(meant only slightly tongue-in-cheek)

I got more nervous

When he caught the ball next to the wall. He’s not 100% yet and it looked like he stopped awkwardly to not hit the wall.

Yes!

It was good to see how vociferous some of the players were in their celebration.

I think the guys actually like Soriano.

I hope so

That ‘joy’ sure looked real. Awesome to see.

Why would you not?

You say “actually” like he’s an ass or something.

I like him.

It seems others here do not, and his intensity has been questioned by a few, including Lou. (Although in a roundabout way) He’s also often tagged as a loner.

Often those types of guys are not well-liked. He’s also making the most money on the team, which can elevate jealousy.

Heresay Heresay Heresay

etc etc etc

You're missing the point, rabble rouser.

I’m saying that there seems to be a faction of fans and media who think Soriano is a loner and not exactly Ryan Dempster. He also is the highest paid guy on the team.

We’re on the same side of this argument. I think he’s well liked. I said so.

I've seen many interviews

on TV and all of the players I’ve seen interviewed say he is a fun guy to have in the club house. They do like him.

Soriano has always been very well liked and respected by...

....his teamates. I know that might be shocking given the bashing he gets here, but the Yankees, Rangers and Nats all were very open with praise for Soriano’s clubhouse presence and team attitude. Here’s a link to an ‘02 article from his Yankee days- it includes an anecdote about him goofing on Ted Lilly when they were teamates there. Here’s a link to an article from ‘06 that discusses how the Nat’s players and fans pettioned mangement to keep Soriano- who they said was a leader in the clubhouse.

The Lip - May 29, 2008 reply

Once in a while somone tries to say he's a bad teammate

all evidence to the contrary.

This game definitely reminded me of Soriano's walk-off single last year

Against the Rockies?.....Anywho, I’m lovin’ it.

"HERE COMES KOYIE HILL"

One of the best Len calls ever

Love the way Fuku takes off IMMEDIATELY after taking a swing.

Saved us last night in the 9th.

He was out by a step.

If

Saito touches the bag. He didn’t. Safe.

I'm aware that he was safe.

Just saying that he didn’t beat the throw. Obviously a great effort.

But we’ve come to expect that. FUKU! DOME!

I know what you mean

But if DOME isnt hustling all the time Saito has more time to find the bag and doesnt have to rush that play.

I thought I saw AL on TV last night...

Al-did you have on a dark blue coat-ball hat-and were you leaning against the fence at the back of the LF bleachers with a beer in your nhand laying out some of your best lines on a babe? If so-i saw you.

that doesn't sound much like Al.

That wasn't me.

I was wearing my Cub jacket and a khaki cap.

Ok--you typically wear the bright blue satin type Cub jacket--yes?

I’m writing a book

You're writing a book on the apparel choices of popular Chicago bloggers?

Yes I am--I'm told you wear a kimono to Wrigley?

Yes, and fuzzy bunny slippers. Pink.

Nice choice...

I got 10 bucks on the guy on the right.

which part--the beer ro the babe? ;c-)

definitely the beer.

I’‘ve only ever seen Al drink water or soda. Although, as everyone on this board warns us—it’s a small sample size.

I thought he drank Big Gulps.

Those aren’t small sample sizes at all.

That's very true.

44 ounces for $1.50—good deal!

Ouch.

64oz in St Louis runs 99cents.

sure,

but you have to be at a Cardinals game, and that’s a price beyond rubies.

Don't attend a whole lotta Cards games

unless I get free tix or the Cubbies are in town. And I went on a date there.

I’m allergic to red. And morans.

see,

now THAT sounds like Al.

I love how the bleachers security

wont let be bring in my big gulp anymore. Bunch of crap

huh?

Was that random?

I have now been stopped twice from both sides of the bleachers trying to bring in my drink. I usually bring in a big soda from the gas station around the corner. I never had a problem going into the concourse but am now having a problem doing so in the bleachers.

is it in a bottle?

Laura and I like to drink alcohol, so we bought drinks at the stadium, but we were told that as long as it wasn’t in a sealed bottle, we were fine.

Not sealed at all

Imagine going to Taco Bell and getting the large drink. Same thing.

I was under the impression

that was allowed.

Me too

like i said though, I had no problem in the concourse but a problem in the bleachers. I politely aruged for a second then got out of line to watch others with Big Gulps get deterred.

Wierd, so know I just put a drink in my pocket and walk past. If they force me to be sneaky I will.

They ARE allowed.

If you are stopped again, ask to speak to a security supervisor. The people who are stopping you are misinformed.

Thats what I thought

I was very annoyed. Like I said, waited and saw 5 other guys get deterred too.

What a coincidence. I like to drink alcohol, too.

I hear other members

of this bulletin board enjoy alcohol as well. We should have a get-together, and imbibe alcohol as a group!

Oh man, imagine the hijinks...

I know Sue and I would probably enjoy ourselves waaay too much, being the crazy girls we are.

For sure.

Let me get my ulcer healed first and I’m there.

About that ulcer, lemme guess: MDBNIU?

More than likely.

Let's look to do something this summer.

We can try. :-)

Exactly.

Saito KNEW Dome would be full out from the gate and that threw his timing off. Gotta love the kid. If he doesn’t do that, Soto’s flyout ends the game.

Exactly.

This game just goes to show...

sometimes…you take a guess and take a good hack.

LOL - nice pic

guess hack candy eater!

And thanks to the blindfold...

...MDBNIU doesn’t have to be bothered by Soriano’s “voodoo paint.”

How come cut/paste with a mouse doesn't allow me to post a pic?

Um, not sure.

Just use that “picture” button.

I wondered

the same thing. Just click the picture button and paste the url for the picture into the space you are given. The picture should then show up. Be sure to click the preview button first to make sure.

Slightly OT, but...

Just noticed the disclaimer at the bottom of fanposts

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

Al, is this something new or have I just not noticed it before? Was this your idea, i.e. unique to BCB or did SBN roll this out to all their sites? Are we being monitored? Is the government watching? Crunchy or smooth?

Inquiring (and slightly paranoid) minds want to know…

Understandable disclaimer....in my opinion

there’s no telling what some of may decide to create and post on a whim (especially yours truly).

agreed.

Just wondering why now, i.e. did something prompt it or maybe it was just somebody’s good idea after a SB team meeting.

and I was just kidding about the paranoid stuff. really. I trust our government. implicitly. no conspiracies here. no sireebob. clean as a whistle.

[pause while he starts the shredder…]

I just added it a couple days ago.

It’s an option all SBN bloggers have. I decided to add it. Some have it, some don’t, everyone’s is different.

Not to sound cocky,

but the Dodgers’ SBN site has six posts in its game thread from last night. Just saying.

But who was first?

It would be fun

if we all made an effort to be the first to post on the opposing team’s game recap after we defeat them.

Now THAT

would be something to brag about.

bubbamike the one and only - May 29, 2008 reply

Wouldn't that be called Trolling?

Technically no

trolling involves posting off-topic issues on a board with the intention of baiting others into an emotional response.

We would simply be posting “First!!” on their board, that isn’t off topic, nor intended to bait an emotional response. ;)

no, he's the shortstop

Hey ohhhhhhhh!!! That deserves...

...a RIMSHOT!

THIRD BASE!

Stay out of the infield!

Please help the ignorant!

What is this RIMSHOT thing? I follow the link and get to a big red button.

DON'T PUSH THE RED BUTTON~!

The beautiful, shiny button?

The jolly, candy-like button? Will he hold out, folks? Can he hold out?

Best R&S EVAR!!

I'm going to let you figure this one out on your own.

Because

The SBN Dodgers site is lame, and all real Dodger fans are over at Dodger Thoughts, which had 489 posts last night.

Josh Timmers - May 29, 2008 reply

And, of course, don't forget...

...that actress Alyssa Milano blogs about the Dodgers at her “MLB Pro Blog” called “touch ‘em all”. Sadly, she has not posted since Mother’s Day.

MMMMMM...

Alyssa Milano touching ‘em all

CyberCyclist - May 29, 2008 reply

I bet they're having a fun morning.

wow. could hardly tell

if they were watching a game. I like that the guy actually followed through and bought the Pierre shirt…

OT (big time) - lol

DOUG COLLINS to coach the Bulls?!?

Wow.

Yes, GV mentioned this above.

I suggest someone post an OT FanPost on the subj cause lord knows I’m much too lazy.

Does anyone else

Have a recurring nightmare that the Cubs are going to lose the World Series to the Tampa Bay Rays?

That would just be so wrong.

Josh Timmers - May 29, 2008 reply

I still stick with the idea...

...that I’ll be happy (for now) just to GET THERE.

let's get there first.

then we can worry about the post. Build the best team possible to GET to the post, and I think you have a good shot of WINNING the post…

They won't be leading thier division

By season’s end.

I'm having trouble remembering

what the old BCB looked/acted like. This site is the BEST now :D

It looked like this...

Not quite

Amazing

how quickly one forgets

Awesome! I knew there was a site like that but couldn't remember the name.

I love this team!

This has been an awesome year so far. Hopefully we’re acive at the Trade Deadline, so we can either bolster the offense or the pitching.

ARAM FOR MVP - May 29, 2008 reply

Another nice thing

with this team is there is confidence that most nights they will figure out a way to get it done. Nice change.

Very true - I was actually surprised when we didn't just win outright...

...after coming back in the 9th yesterday. I was like “Oh, we have to win it in extras? Um, OK!” A strange sensation, that I’m LOVING. :)

TWSS

My ROFLcopter has lifted off.

ESPN2 and the MANNY at bat

If this has been covered my apologies. When the Cubs were coming up in the eighth they cut to the Manny at bat, he is going for 500HR’s, not even split screen Cubs action, I was going ballistic, they cut back it was in a commercial, no mention of what had happened when they came back. Very upsetting, unfortunately not surprising at all. I was watching the Time Warner feed in Brooklyn, New York.

becauseicare - May 29, 2008 reply

They did mention what happened...

Broxton Ked the side. There wasn’t much else to say. They even went on about Broxton’s dominance during the next half inning.

Switching over for potential milestone HR at-bats is pretty common. They’ve done it several times in recent memory.

I missed it then....

Crowded bar beer in hand

becauseicare - May 29, 2008 reply

It was pretty quick...

much like the half-inning that we missed – Manny’s at-bat was longer than our team’s half-inning!

It was basically a quick sentence as they came back to air, saying “the Cubs went quietly, as Broxton struck out the side” or something to that effect. Then they gushed about how big and nasty Broxton is.

Reminder again why the Cubs need another SP

Because they won’t be playing an injury-plagued LA Dodgers team, exclusively at home in the WORLD SERIES.

blackhawk24 - May 29, 2008 reply

if we win 95-100 games

we’ll have home-field advantage. :D Who says the Dodgers won’t be just as injury plagued?

The Dodgers won't play us in the World Series...

unless there is a dramatic reallignment done midseason.

And as of right now, the Dodgers wouldn’t even make the playoffs, either.

But they'll still have to play on the road

a good possibility at 4 Yawkey Way, and that team won’t be the Dodgers; even in likeness.

Oh don’t get me wrong, who here wouldn’t love to see a Z, Demp and Lilly 1-2-3 in the playoffs put a hurtin’ on the opposing teams’ offences? I know I do, I just believe the Cubs have to fortify their position. The division should be won, the NLDS is a good possibility also. The NLCS is a little dicey and the WS would be rather tough.

blackhawk24 - May 29, 2008 reply

And we MAY not have home field advantage anyway...

because the World Series home team isn’t decided by record or alternating league, it’s decided by the All-Star game. It counts! (what a stupid, stupid system)

True.

My point stands, however. You really only need three starters in the postseason. We have that.

I'd love to get some 2003 payback on Beckett

but wonder how we’d match up against—CC, Carmona, Lee, Laffey, Westbrook or Lackey, Santana, Weaver or even Santana, Martinez and Maine for that matter.

There’s a LONG way to go-Matsuzaka is having a MRI on his shoulder-Schilling is working on a return-Verlander and Bonderman have bee very inconsistent-the White Sox have about as good a staff as any AL club right now—at least depth wise.

speaking of 4 Yawkey Way

after going to a game there this year I gotta say that place is crazy. I’d hate to be a visiting player going in there. It’s got all those crazy angles in the outfield that are difficult to learn and the crowd is insane. I definitely would be very worried about the Cubs if they had to play the BoSox.

mjk83 - May 29, 2008 reply

Fenway Park is a hole ..

I don’t care about the history and I sure don’t care about ESPN, that place is a big, ugly, ghastly mutant of ancient and bad stadium history. Wrigley Field is the only place to be.

And by the way, ESPN sucks too. Half way through the game, last night I remembered WGN was carrying. What a relief from Chris Berman, the usual deification of the Boston/Yanks shtick

cubnational - May 29, 2008 reply

When were...

...you last in Fenway?

I’ve been both before and after their big renovation. It’s quite a change.

Postseason

Does anyone else feel worried by this development – the fact that the Devil Rays are leading their division and may be playoff-bound?

The scenario I worry about is – the Cubs finally make the World Series, only to be beaten by an expansion team, the Rays. After all, they’ve been knocked out of their last two playoffs by expansion teams, and even the Padres in 1984 were only a 15-year old team when they beat the Cubs. Tj If the Cubs make the Series and get beaten, let it be by a team with history that also hasn’t had a WS win in a while – maybe the Indians.

danimal15 - May 29, 2008 reply

I would be worried b/c the DEVIL Rays don't exist

Remember its May 29th not September 29th.

A lot can happen in 4 months.

Will someone email Doc Brown

and ask him to drive his De Lorean to October 2008 and report back to this blog please?

JFCubFan - May 29, 2008 reply

Only Biff would do that.

He’s got the almanac!

He's too busy repairing the flux capacitor.

let's just get there first.

http://clarkeching.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/11/01/glass_half_full.jpg

I agree--but o ye of little faith.....

Is that a 1/2 shot of vodka or rumpleminze?

just so long as it's not Jaeger.

Jaeger makes me do crazy things ....

it is an evil elixir

Care to give us an example?

enough of it

made me streak my college “winter classic” football game wearing nothing but my kilt.

on my head.

Wow, I'd have to be pretty drunk just to put on a kilt alone.

Yeah, I have done many a shameful thing while

indulging in Jaeger-cize

I still couldn't get the actual pic to post--only the URL

it’s probably better-before long I’ll be going ape ka-ka with pics and besides-no one can top SWLegs

no, no... i fully expect to go deep into the post

I just agree with Al that it’s a crapshoot, and we can beat ANY team in MLB. But it’s still a crapshoot.

Allow me.

Now dad gum it...how did you do that??!!

When you realize how easy it is...

...you’ll probably want to kick yourself.

Scroll to the very bottom of this thread and look at the “POST A COMMENT” window. See the six “buttons” right under the prompt for the subject line? The one on the far right, which looks like a picture frame, is for posting images.

Just click that button and a little text box should pop up on your screen. Then just copy and paste the URL of the image into that text box and then hit OK. Then click on the “PREVIEW” button at the bottom of the “POST A COMMENT” window to make sure the image is working. If it is, just click “POST”.

Thank you Dr Daver!

Hawk?

is that you?

CyberCyclist - May 29, 2008 reply

I always knew he was a closet Cubs fan.

C’mere, you big lug.

With nearly half the league

being “expansion teams” if you’re going back to 1908 (or even 1960) as your standard, it wouldn’t be all that suprising to face one if the Cubs make the playoffs/WS.

Let's just get past the MARLINS this time.

LSA

Little help please

I keep hearing about two awesome catches Soriano made last night, including one near the B*man seats. None of the recap articles mention them, though, and I want to go back and watch them. Anyone know which innings, etc?

DeWitt fouled out ot left for the last out in the 2nd inning

that should be it.

Thanks

It also occurred to me I could check the play-by-play option in the Yahoo boxscore.

lame move

Ascanio sent down, cotts up

drodd - May 29, 2008 reply

Agreed. Lame.

Whoa, really?

I dunno…Cotts has been pitching pretty well in Triple A. I didn’t think Ascanio did all that bad, though.

LINK?

Really?

After a couple of nice outings outta Ascanio, huh? Bummer. Kinda liked what little I saw out of him.

BMoney79 - May 29, 2008 reply

You sure?

Can’t find it anywhere on the internet.

well, i'll be.

found it. odd move.

I dread this

he was TERRIBLE in spring training.

probably

a fresh arm thing!!

cubsluver22 - May 29, 2008 reply

Didn't think Jose was getting all that stale

BMoney79 - May 29, 2008 reply

Great game last night.

The suspense in the last innings was almost more than I could handle.

Let’s keep this winning streak going.

claps game thread up