After enduring a spring that Mike described to me last night as "First cold rain, then hot rain", the sun came out, puffy clouds dotted the sky, a healthy breeze wafted warm air over Chicago and Wrigley Field yesterday, and the Cubs just kept on rolling with a 10-5 win over the Braves, their ninth consecutive home victory dating back to May 18.
The Cubs got solid pitching, timely hitting and outstanding defense. Really, what more can any of us ask for?
It didn't start that way. Ted Lilly had a shaky first inning, walking Yunel Escobar to lead off the game. After a single and two strikeouts, Lilly gave up a three-run homer.
To Greg Norton. Who has been around so long that one of his teammates in his first September callup was Harold Baines. Who was hitting .176 at the time. Uh-oh. This didn't feel very good. But you know what? After Lilly gave up a triple to Omar Infante, the guy who was a Cub for about five minutes last winter, in the second inning, he retired the next 11 Braves in a row and left to a standing ovation in the 7th, after the Cubs had hacked away at Tom Glavine and taken a lead (we wondered why Glavine was yanked after three innings; turns out he's got elbow trouble, which, combined with the loss of John Smoltz, may end any Atlanta playoff hopes). Lilly wound up allowing only four hits, walked three and struck out eight, and lowered his ERA to where you can almost see it (5.13).
A lot of this was thanks to excellent defense -- Lilly ought to buy Reed Johnson drinks or dinner or both after Johnson made several good-to-spectacular catches of balls Braves hitters launched into deep center field (he might have caught Infante's triple, too, had the entire OF not been playing so shallow). Aramis Ramirez made a couple of slick fielding plays, too, including on the DP grounder that, at last, ended the game.
When Lilly got into trouble, Carlos Marmol came in and ended the threat in three pitches, getting Escobar to line right at Ryan Theriot -- and that worried us in the LF corner, because we figured Lou was going to leave Marmol out for another thirty-pitch, inning-plus appearance. It was a pleasant surprise, then, to see Bob Howry trot out for the 8th. Pleasant, that is, until Howry gave up hard line drive after hard line drive, and Scott Eyre had to be summoned with the score 6-5. Eyre's strikeout of Gregor Blanco with the tying run on 2nd was the biggest out of the game.
Geovany Soto then put the game out of reach with a three-run HR into the LF basket to make the score 10-5 after the Cubs had run themselves into a couple of runs with steals off Brian McCann and a D-Lee sac fly (nice to see Lee perhaps coming out of his slump with a long HR and the RBI sac fly). This got Kerry Wood to sit down and Jon Lieber up -- and Lieber was a bit shaky, allowing two baserunners and getting Wood up again just in case, which was when Ramirez started the nicely-done DP.
Last night BCB reader Damen Jackson sat with us, snapping photos for his own website, which I'm going to link on the right sidebar later today, and he also snapped this shot at my request of the upper deck side scoreboard, one for you numerologists:
Click on photo to open a larger version in a new browser window. Photo by Damen Jackson
And that's the kind of fun you can have when you are 17 games over .500 (the last time the Cubs were more than 17 games over was in 2004), and winning games seemingly at will. Ted Lilly perhaps expresses it best:
"You just feel like you’re never out of it. We’re tough and we’ve had a lot of come-from-behind wins this year," Lilly said.
Yes, indeed. If you like, you can also credit my son Mark, who is now out of school and joined us last night. He has yet to see the Cubs lose this season -- 7-0. He'll be back in the bleachers during the White Sox series. I also met BCB reader buckmulligan last night -- thanks for stopping by -- and wanted to let you know that Wrigley Field concessionaires have responded to the tomato/salmonella health scare by removing all tomato pieces from the condiment stands (they were also gone from Murphy's, where I stopped to get a cheeseburger before the game).
Finally, some photos from David from last night:
One of Reed Johnson's fine defensive plays, this one on Brian McCann's drive in the 7th
Kosuke Fukudome steals 2nd in the 7th
Alfonso Soriano catches Mark Teixeira's fly ball in the 8th
Geovany Soto's HR swing in the 8th
Cubs outfielders celebrating the win
W flags in the LF bleachers
Click on photos to open a larger version in a new browser window. Photos by David Sameshima
0 recs | 319 comments
First
Great game and great photos. Keep it up Cubbies!!
gwood - June 11, 2008
It is really looking like
a platoon of Reed and Edmonds will work this year (provided of course that Edmonds continues playing the way he has recently). Reed just continues to make great plays in center and is a joy to watch (even though it looked a little like he over ran the first catch he made, but then made a great adjustment to actually catch the ball).
DLee made good contact with every ball he hit today, which is a good sign. He seemed to be trying to hit every ball to right field last night, and I don’t know if that was an attempt by him to get out of the slump, or what, but it is good to see him making better contact again.
Soriano looks like he is running well again, and I enjoyed seeing the Cubs aggressive on the base paths. These guys are just fun to watch.
gwood - June 11, 2008
Love the pics.
Always great to see
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2008
Couple of Observations
1. Soriano finally looks healthy. Seemed like he was running good on the base paths and in the outfield… Even though he got picked off in the first, he was aggressive when he got on base. He and Dome literally stole 2 runs last night. Great to see them manufacture runs like that!
2. Lee looked a little more comfortable at the plate last night. Got the homer but his other outs were hit pretty hard and he was going to the opposite field. From watching Lee the past few years this is a good sign.
3. Rami and RJ made some phenomenal plays. The Defense was impressive. There were a couple of breakdowns with Riot and Soriano but overall, good effort.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2008
Agreed.
Soriano’s speed has not been showcased so far this year, but he did move well around the bags last night. To me, this is yet another indication that there is more upside in his offense yet to come.
Theriot needs to think before he acts. He never had a shot a doubling-up the running, and chucking the ball on one hop into the Bravos dugout was really a brainless move. Fortunately there have been very few of these types of gaffes, further contributing to the team’s success.
Great weather and a great win last night.
tville - June 11, 2008
The best thing I can say about this team...
is that when they were down early I didn’t worry at all. The thought that ran through my head wasn’t “Are we going to be able to come back?”, it was “Who’s going to do it tonight?”
There is a confidence at Wrigley Field these days. It feels good.
mjk83 - June 11, 2008
LSA
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
Help me out
What does LSA mean?
Archie - June 11, 2008
Loud, Sustained Applause.
See the “BCB Dictionary” on the right sidebar for more.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
Ahhh
Thanks. I’m still really a chat virgin.
Archie - June 11, 2008
TWSS
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2008
that was a twss if i ever saw one
giggle
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2008
LMAO
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
yep this was the twss of the season so far
Emelie - June 11, 2008
[[COMMENT_CHILDREN_TOKEN]]/
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2008
Umm, what is that?
californiachicagoan - June 11, 2008
someone celebrating with their arms up in the air
like a referee signaling touchdown!!
northsider - June 11, 2008
That was my
take on it too.
sue369 - June 11, 2008
+1
Bump Bailey - June 11, 2008
I knew that I was teeing you up for that one.
Archie - June 12, 2008
I had a similar thought with Eyre pitching
Not, “is he going to get the out?”, but, “this inning is about to end”
Shanghai Badger - June 11, 2008
What a game
Here my bummer comment of the day. Since its summer and it seems as if everyone is out, I was in line at 730 this morning for tix and there was already 15 people in front. Normally I get there at 755 and am the 3rd or 4th. Either way got my tix. This is nearing my 20th game, should be there by the end of the month (sorry credit card)
Great game, big clutch hits.LOVE IT.
Also, in response to number 3 in the SECOND POST. Rammy made a slick play to end the game which was awesome because he knew he really got lucky on it.
Hammer - June 11, 2008
Yeah I caught that
They were all laughing and ribbing Ram on the way to the high 5’s.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2008
We'll take it, right?
I’m sure A-Ram did!
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
I missed it
how did he get lucky? I was so focused on the fact that they got the double play that I didn’t notice. Thanks in advance.
gwood - June 11, 2008
On tv
it looked like he just sort of fell down in the general area of the ball and it went right into his glove. It really was a hot shot, he only had time to lunge at it.
TC Cubby - June 11, 2008
Another funny moment last night...
...was the first time Lou came out to visit Lilly on the mound in the seventh. Did anyone else catch Lou making playfully mocking faces at Lilly as he walked out? I think Lilly was mouthing something like, “What? I’m fine!” And Lou was laughing at his rather affected nonchalance.
It was a pretty gutsy move by Lou to leave Ted in to face Chipper Jones. (At the risk of stating the obvious, his stats are RIDICULOUS.) And I was glad Lilly was smart enough not to try to challenge him.
daver - June 11, 2008
It looked like Lou
either stumbled or purposefully faked crossing the 3rd baseline to come to talk to Lilly and he was laughing about that with Lilly and whoever else was at the mound (the home plate umpire didn’t look to pleased about the whole exchange/mound visit).
I don’ t think Lou had any intention of pitching to Chipper. He just left Lilly in there to unintentionally walk him, so that Marmol wouldn’t have to come into the game a throw four balls before getting down to business.
gwood - June 11, 2008
Hm, OK. I didn't notice Lou stumble.
I thought he was just kinda teasing Lilly for acting surprised that he (Lou) came out of the dugout. And, yeah, it probably was an “unintentional intentional” walk, though I still don’t get why pitchers don’t just intentionally walk a guy they don’t want to pitch to.
Why take the chance of hanging one of those breaking balls? Maybe it’s a “face saving” thing? Would Lilly (or any pitcher) find it embarassing to give up an intentional walk and then leave the game?
daver - June 11, 2008
Yes...
I saw that. Pretty hilarious.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2008
Looked like he was imitating
a chicken. The whole sequence was bizarre, even after he got back to the dugout. I really need to work on my reading lips thing.
tony412 - June 11, 2008
Also looked like the people
in the first row were pretty entertained.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2008
That's what I thought, too.
Then the camera cut to the ump and I thought maybe he was taking it as an insult to him. Why, I don’t know, but he looked pissed.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
And the most amazing thing of all???
In his post-game comments, Lou mentioned “Scott” Eyre, not once but twice!!! Looks like “Stevie” is finally a thing of the past…
...until he screws up again… ;-)
ballhawk - June 11, 2008
Ha! Remember last year...
When Eyre couldn’t find the plate. Lou was priceless…
SackMan - June 11, 2008
Actually...
... Eyre was really good in the 2nd half last year.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
I believe I heard last night...
...that Eyre has now tied Ryan Dempster’s team record for most consecutive scoreless innings pitched. I’ll try to find a link to back this up, but if anyone has one or can otherwise confirm, please do.
daver - June 11, 2008
It's actually..........
.......consecutive scoreless appearances – not innings.
tville - June 11, 2008
Ah, OK. And it's somewhere around 30, right?
daver - June 11, 2008
I believe Len said 31 last night
HectorVillanueva - June 11, 2008
Is he going to start calling Bob Howry... Stevie?
SackMan - June 11, 2008
Might be a few "Billy Howry" comments coming from Lou
gary varsho - June 11, 2008
Howry's struggles in his last two outings...
...may never have happened had he simply accepted SWL’s “Howry Cow” t-shirt.
For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been.”
daver - June 11, 2008
Ballhawk
Were you hawking wearing a blackhawks shirt yesterday?
Hammer - June 11, 2008
nope - I was in low key fashion mode last night. drab green shirt, beat up Rays hat.
don’t recall any blackhawks shirts yesterday – leastwise not amongst the regulars. there were a lot of people out there so I probably just missed it. There was a guy in a Pippen jersey inside that made a couple of nice catches on the walkway behind the seats. I was camped under both, so if he doesn’t catch them, I might have.
ballhawk - June 11, 2008
cool
after I went for a run I stopped by for a while, there were a bunch of people
Hammer - June 11, 2008
Need A Good LHP in Pen
I don’t care if it’s Eyre or Cotts or both, the Cubs need good southpaw relief work in the pen. That has been my biggest quibble with this team. Normally, I have screaming out loud complaints about the Cubs.about which I could write volumes. It’s nice to be quibbling instead of complaining with this team.
memphiscub - June 11, 2008
Well, I think both Cotts and Eyre have looked pretty good so far this season.
daver - June 11, 2008
Eyre and Cotts both.....
have ERA’s of 0.00.
carmen_fanzone - June 11, 2008
A better question is what are
their inherited runners scored status.
bubbamike the one and only - June 11, 2008
Too Small A Sample
Eyre and Cotts have not pitched very many innings. The Cubs need to get a lot of innings of good LHP’s in the pen. I don’t know if these are the right guys. They might be. They might not. Lou needs to use them both more extensively to get an idea of what they can really do.
memphiscub - June 11, 2008
Any day of the week!
I’d take that!
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2008
Felix Pie Update
Here are his stats in Iowa.
G 24
AB 97
BA .186
OBP .233
SLG .361
Does anyone still want Pie back instead of Edmonds? Or would the claim be that the Cubs essentially killed Pie’s confidence, and that is the reason why he is floundering?
zevkalman - June 11, 2008
Personally
I think being as young as he is, he is probably being coached everyday and is just thinking WAY too much and pressing a bit.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2008
Don't know.............
..........if they “killed” it, but the move certainly didn’t help his confidence.
tville - June 11, 2008
The claim would be...
that Pie is down there making adjustments to his swing. This understandably has resulted in a 3-40 start in AAA. When you consider that fact, the .186 average makes a lot more sense. Since that horrendous start, he’s been hitting around .260 with solid power numbers. It’s not great, but it’s a step in the right direction. When players change their approach, you can expect bumps in the road.
As long as Edmonds is playing the way he’s played the past week or so, there’s no rush to get Pie back. But I wouldn’t be celebrating Pie’s struggles. Edmonds is definitely not a long-term solution, and Pie’s progress is probably going to be very important as of next year.
SouthernCub - June 11, 2008
I'm hoping PIe
continues to improve and can contribute this year. Any of the following are possible:
Pie gets called up in September for defense, pinch running duties and gets a few ABs in extra inning games.
Edmonds returns to his struggles and we need to try something different.
An injury requires his call up and he needs to play a few times a week.
Keep working Felix, we might need you for a pennant run.
26.2cubsfan - June 11, 2008
Ugh
I really hope he gets it together
AlabamaCubFan - June 11, 2008
those numbers
are tilted because of his terrible start down there - 3-30 or something like that - when he was working on changing his swing. For the past few weeks, he’s been hitting much better.
Yes. I want Felix Pie back on the team.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2008
3-40...
Yes, people keep referencing the low numbers without taking into account the context:
1. He’s changing his approach at the plate.
2. As a result of (1), he started his AAA stint going 3-40.
As Dartmouth posted in another thread, there are signs of progress. He’s making more contact than he did in previous years, and he’s not seeing any reduction in extra-base hits. The problem has been he’s not getting as many singles.
I’m a big fan of Pie, and I hope he gets it together. But right now, as long as Edmonds and Johnson can provide adequate offense and solid defense, I’m willing to be patient with Pie. But I do hope he’s back with the team as the everyday CF by next year, as that would be a good sign for the organization.
SouthernCub - June 11, 2008
LSA.
Remember, the goal in Triple A isn’t necessarily to get “ideal” results. Just as pitchers often work on things there and give up runs, Felix is working on adjustments at the plate that are likely affecting his numbers. I hope he makes it back eventually, too, though I’m not expecting to see him play in the majors again until September.
daver - June 11, 2008
K's
15Ks 101ABs which is less than 100Ks a full season, which aint horrendous, but isnt great either.
californiachicagoan - June 11, 2008
Minus his 3-40 start
His stats since then would be
BA .276
OBP .300 (3 walks during his cold streak)
SLG .517 (the 3 hits were 2 singles and a homer)
OPS .817
That’s not bad. I would not call that floundering or lack of confidence.
However for June so far, he has been cold. OBP .237 SLG .378 OPS .615 So I would say he is doing ok, but is not threatening to immediately rebound to the bigs.
californiachicagoan - June 11, 2008
I think all-in-all
it would have been better for this team long-term (and by “long-term” I include this year’s postseason), if Lou had been willing to give Pie the same extended chance he gave Jim Edmonds. Edmonds looked just as bad at the plate as Pie and for a longer stretch of time.
I’ve said all along that trying Edmonds was the best thing to try if we were going to give up on Pie because of Edmonds’ potential compared to his price. I am extremely glad that Edmonds got it together and has kept us from trading valuable pieces for another LH OF.
But the way Pie was handled did not help his development and we may end up missing him quite a bit next year and in the years to come. Hopefully Colvin develops and we never think about what might have been with Pie, because it is doubtful Felix Pie ever starts regularly for the Chicago Cubs again.
DGU - June 11, 2008
Overly dramatic
Who do you have as our centerfielder next year? Edmonds has lost .060 to .100 points of slugging each year since 2004. He is not coming back next year.
californiachicagoan - June 11, 2008
Who do you have as our manager for next year?
Edmonds won’t be back next year, but why do you think Pie will be?
DGU - June 11, 2008
I do see where I need some clarification here.
I think it is possible that Pie could get another shot in 2009 with the Cubs, especially if they win the WS. What seems most likely at this point, though, is that Pie is part of a trade package for whatever Lou thinks we need most at the trade deadline. I think that when Jim Hendry is confronted with a trade discussion where the other GM says we’d want either Pie or Player B, Hendry’s going to want to trade Pie. Remember, we weren’t the only ones arguing about Pie. Hendry’s just been through an organizational argument, too, and the Pie supporters lost. Getting rid of Pie so the argument doesn’t start over again is much preferrable to trading most of the names that could fill in for “Player B.”
DGU - June 11, 2008
Perhaps
But someone has to play center next year, and the pro-Pie front office guys can rightfully ask who is going to play it if/when a trade proposal involving Pie comes up.
californiachicagoan - June 11, 2008
Dome on Glavine
On a question of facing 300+ winner:
source – NHK MLB Highlight
dragonsfanatic - June 11, 2008
Nice -- that says a lot about his mindset at the plate.
daver - June 11, 2008
Forgive me..
if this was already adressed but after a brief search, I couldn’t find anything..
What was the deal with the second advertisement frame along the bricks behind home plate?
Scott 9 - June 11, 2008
preping for ESPN tomorrow night?
at least that is my guess
gwood - June 11, 2008
Probably.
Never even noticed it from the bleachers.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
If I recall
for past games this year, ESPN used the existing box. Being a little picky, but I wasn’t a fan. looked sloppy
Scott 9 - June 11, 2008
I asked the same ? last night
and the only guess was ESPN. It looked cheesy. We should get an answer tonight.
cozmotaylor123 - June 11, 2008
Another fine game by the HOME warriors!
Man… our bats are like night and day… home and road.
On a side note, while at the game, my buddy and I concluded that Ted Lilly MUST pitch a simulated 1st inning prior to the game… so he can give up his 3 runs in a simulated game. I don’t care if he’s doing the towel drill for this, or playing baseball on the Nintendo Wii in the clubhouse, but this MUST be protocol from here on out.
SackMan - June 11, 2008
It's the Homeruns
That continue to haunt Lilly.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2008
It's the crappy 1st inning pitching
that continue to haunt Pansy… err Lilly.
SackMan - June 11, 2008
I thought the same thing last night
Lilly seems to have trouble in the first and then settles down. I too think they needs to put some batters in the box when Lilly is warming up or something. Lilly’s first innings have been frustrating, mostly because of the way he pitches the rest of the games.
gwood - June 11, 2008
Thing is
If his off-speed stuff isn’t working his fastball isn’t good enough to fool anyone. And if his change up is up in the zone the batters can see it and hammer it. His fastball is effective when his change is good, then he mixes that curve in there. Just takes an inning or 2 to find his groove.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2008
His off-speed stuff was working
in the first inning though. He got two consecutive strike outs with his change up. Although I suppose those were the third and fourth batters of the inning. Lilly didn’t pitch well to the first two and the homer ball was a big mistake pitch.
gwood - June 11, 2008
The only solution for this...
Score 10 runs!
It’s worked twice for him in the last two weeks.
SackMan - June 11, 2008
True but
The K’s of Francour and Tex were still up. Just got away with it.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2008
Yeah. Once Ted has that good straight change going,
he settles in. It’s those night when his change stays up that he gets hammered. After the HR to Norton, It seemed like Lilly really found the grip on that change and he was sailing. Also, his curveball last night was just filthy.
gary varsho - June 11, 2008
I can't remember
if it was after the first inning or after the second inning, but I heard on the radio that before facing the first batter Lily took a few warm up pitches from behind the pitchers mound. He then got up on the mound and smoked a few past the batter. Anyway, he acknowledged in the post game conference that he’s allowing first inning runs so hopefully he’ll also acknowledge that he has to do something about it.
tony412 - June 11, 2008
Great Game
One question. Does Howry have any other pitch besides a fastball? He was throwing meatballs all night long. I thought for sure someone was going deep. Good thing Eyre came in and got some good calls.
McRipper - June 11, 2008
I Howry at least has a slider
but he doesn’t use it very often. He may have a change up as well but I am not sure about that. Howry’s pitch has been and always will be his fastball. He is only effective if he is able to locate his fastball and last night he couldn’t do that. He has been getting better, but he did regress a bit last night.
gwood - June 11, 2008
Argg! Pirate Graybar made the rest of your post walk the plank. Argg!!
daver - June 11, 2008
OMG
I am laughing so freakin hard.
Dome is my home-ay - June 11, 2008
Curse the Pirate Greybar
shiver me timbers!
gwood - June 11, 2008
What I was trying to say before the cursed Pirate Greybar attacked
was that is was nice seeing Marmol only throw to the one batter last night so hopefully Howry can pitch like he was prior to last night. Lou was just gaining more confidence in Howry which likely means fewer appearances for Marmol.
gwood - June 11, 2008
I agree, which makes it all the sadder that Howry almost coughed up the lead.
daver - June 11, 2008
Howry
As nice as it is to not see Marmol throwing 40 pitches a day, it’s not too comforting to see Howry pitch like he did. I know it’s just one appearance, and maybe he’s over the hump, but I don’t feel confident when he comes in. Lou seems to have forgotten about Wuertz – or at least he doesn’t seem to want to bring Wuertz in during late innings of tight games. Might be worth another look. Of course I believe we need to keep Marmol fresh so he doesn’t burn out down the stretch, and I like the way Lou used him last night – just to get one key hitter.
I also wondered why Lou didn’t think about bringing Wood in to get us out of the 8th. There’s no iron-clad rule that you can’t bring your closer in during the 8th. It looked touch and go for Eyre there, but luckily he got a good strike call on a questionable pitch to get the count to 2-2 and then delivered the strikeout.
danimal15 - June 11, 2008
If Woody had come in there
he wouldn’t have been available for the save.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2008
What?
I think you misunderstand. If Wood comes in with 2 outs in the 8th and gets the key out, and then stays and finishes the game, he gets the save. In fact, the word “save” was made up for just that type of appearance, when a reliever actually “saves” the game. Not for the typical “save” we see now, when the reliever starts the 9th with a 2- or 3-run lead. There should be some different stat made up for an appearance like that.
danimal15 - June 11, 2008
I think that stat
is called a “Hold”
gwood - June 11, 2008
a Hold
is essentially a save, but the reliever does not finish the game.
For example, if the reliever comes in at the bottom of the 7th with the score 5-3, and gets the three outs without giving up the lead, and then is removed in the 8th, that would be a hold.
If it had happened in the 9th, it would be a save.
false cognate - June 11, 2008
Right
What I’m saying is, the save should go to the reliever who comes in and “saves” the game (the way Eyre did last night) rather than to the reliever who comes in during a less tense situation (no outs, 3-run lead in the 9th) and finishes the game. This would definitely be complicated, because the official scorer would have to decide which reliever, if any, actually did “save” the game and assign him the save if he didn’t happen to finish the game. But sometimes wins are assigned like that, so it’s not unprecedented.
To make things less complicated, it would be nice if managers would get back to using their best reliever in the key situations (the way Lou used Marmol last night) instead of saving them and pitching less-skilled relievers during important moments of the game (the way Lou did with Eyre last night when he had Wood getting blisters on his butt in the bullpen)- althought luckily Eyre did “save” the inning – thanks to help from the ump, if I may add.
danimal15 - June 11, 2008
again, I don't think Lou wants to use Woody this way
I think Woody is best when he can start an inning, not when he comes on to inherit runners. If he hits the first guy in an inning, he can still get out of it. If he throws a passed ball in that first at bat, it’s no damage. Coming on with runners on is much more stressful, and I don’t think it’s Woody’s thing. I WANT Eyre or Marmol on in that situation, not Woody. Woody’s there to close the store, not put out a fire.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2008
I don't think
Lou wants to use Woody that way.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2008
TWSS
Lou In Blue - June 11, 2008
That questionable pitch
was getting called by the home plate umpire all day. I was not happy with those calls most of the game until Eyre got his called.
gwood - June 11, 2008
BRAVES FUN FACT:
Atlanta is 3-17 in 1 run games… worst in MLB
And of course, they’re now 7-22 on the road… also worst in MLB
SackMan - June 11, 2008
3-17 in one run games is astonishingly bad luck. They’ll bounce back. Better not be against us!
HereComesASpecialBoy - June 11, 2008
How good are they
in 5 run games! :)
Archie - June 11, 2008
And I was born at 7:22am
What this has to do with anything… I am not sure…
malicedoom - June 11, 2008
I think the Braves road record
is kinda relevant.
JohnM - June 11, 2008
Um... since we're playing the Braves...
SackMan - June 11, 2008
Great game!
When Lilly gave up the three in the first I actually said to my wife, “That’s ok, we’ll come back.” Nice feeling.
On a side note: Am I the only person who looks for AL in the crowd shots? That’s one of the cool things about BCB. I feel like I have a buddy at the game all the time.
AlabamaCubFan - June 11, 2008
Not the only one
Ever since there was picture posted on here of a left field crowd shot celebrating a homer and Al pointed himself out, I’ve been looking for him on TV too. Spotting SantosWoodenLegs on TV during the Padres series has added to my need to scan the crowd for BCB shirts and such.
HectorVillanueva - June 11, 2008
Word
I’d love to see AL throw back a (meaningless) opposing home run.
AlabamaCubFan - June 11, 2008
If I catch one...
... the throwback ball goes onto the field.
You can easily spot me in LF. I’m the one wearing blue. :)
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
speaking of BCB shirts
any update on the 2008 edition?
Shanghai Badger - June 11, 2008
Not yet.
Haven’t had time. Maybe when I get back from Toronto.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
I look
all the time. Of course, when I’m sitting in the stands next to him, it’s much easier to find him.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2008
Usually.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
I gotta admit...I've taken to glancing at the upper left corner of the bleachers when the camera swings that way.
.
daver - June 11, 2008
We thought...
... when we moved there when the new bleachers were constructed, that there would be a ton of HR to our section. Not so. Not a single one. Ronny Cedeno hit one near us earlier this year. Michael Barrett’s grand slam vs. the Cardinals in early 2006 went right over our heads.
However, Alfonso Soriano has a penchant to hitting HR to the section right next to ours. Eventually, we figure he’ll hit one to us. We await developments.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
I still find it amazing that you've caught...
...only one (correct?) home run ball in all of your time in the bleachers. I think Soriano is definitely saving a couple for you. Maybe Dome will go oppo and drop one in your lap, too.
daver - June 11, 2008
That'd be cool.
Yes, that’s correct. Just one. And it wasn’t at Wrigley, either. Leon Durham hit it in St. Louis.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
funny..
I have been to many games and only got 1 foul ball…It was hit by Leon Durham at an Iowa Cubs/Chicago Cubs scrimmage game in Des Moines. I was only going to let him sign it and then he went through all the drug problems. to this day it just sits in a curio unsigned
cozmotaylor123 - June 11, 2008
speaking of catching home runs and foul balls....
check out Lou in Blue’s fanpost. Good stuff.
northsider - June 11, 2008
Thats what I feel like during the game threads
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2008
+1
I always Tivo the game, then look for friends later on. In addition to Al, I’ve seen ballhawk a couple times and my dentist who sits near first base.
Bump Bailey - June 11, 2008
Don't forget Sori
A lot of this was thanks to excellent defense—Lilly ought to buy Reed Johnson drinks or dinner or both after Johnson made several good-to-spectacular catches of balls Braves hitters launched into deep center field (he might have caught Infante’s triple, too, had the entire OF not been playing so shallow). Aramis Ramirez made a couple of slick fielding plays, too, including on the DP grounder that, at last, ended the game.
Soriano had at least two running catches, and also a very important steal during the game. It looks like his legs are back to normal.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2008
Yes
There’s no way he makes that running to the foul line catch 2 weeks ago.
salparadise23 - June 11, 2008
good game all around
lots of things to be encouraged about: soriano stole a base and looks like his legs are back to form. Lee hit his first homerun in some time. Soto had 2 hits including a homerun which hopefully is a sign that he is starting to heat up again after a rough past couple weeks. Fukodome continued his trend of hitting much better at home with 2 hits. Lilly was dominant after a long first inning. The only thing to be discouraged about in this game is that Howry looked alot more like the Howry of April then the Howry of May. Hopefully he will wipe it off and get back into a rhythm. Good game lets go for 10 in a row at home tonight!
cubs - June 11, 2008
IIRC Soto has been dealing with a sore finger
Which does affect one’s swing. I’m just amazed that he’s been able to stay more than competent behind the plate throughout this.
cubsonWGN4ever - June 11, 2008
I would love to see
an end of season highlight reel of Johnson and Lee’s spectacular catches and plays. The two of them are thrill machines. What a great game that was!
Emelie - June 11, 2008
OT: The Chicago Bears seem to think
that starting Terrence Metcalf at LG is a good idea.
SackMan - June 11, 2008
The end is near...
BCB has Rollover Ads. Some crazy art ads. Anyone else noticed this?
Jayo525 - June 11, 2008
yup
specially annoying during slow game threads.
tony412 - June 11, 2008
Yep, can't stand 'em.
daver - June 11, 2008
I have already complained about this.
You should all pass this info along to bugreport (at) sbnation (dot) com
Maybe they’ll do something about it.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
Can't Stand Ja
What you reading there Cant-Stand-Ja?
What kind of boxers are those Cant-Stand-Ja?
californiachicagoan - June 11, 2008
I wear boxer shorts
Hammer - June 11, 2008
Rock 'n Roll was never my bag, baby.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
Last night's game
had some of the best catches I’ve ever seen in one game. Reed Johnson is so exciting to watch in the outfield and Sori had some great ones too.
More great photos too. Love the one of Reed catching and the outfeilders and of course Geo’s homerun. Thanks so much for these.
Nice to see D-LEE play well too. Good thing Lou didn’t give him a couple days off huh?
sue369 - June 11, 2008
Arrgh!!
the Pirate Greybar fancies him some Sue.
gwood - June 11, 2008
I think there's some deliberate greybarring action going on around here
It’s not all random piracy.
JohnM - June 11, 2008
Yes, several BCBers have fallen under his dastardly spell...
...and joined his wretched, scurvy crew. ARRGG!!!
daver - June 11, 2008
If there is intentional graybarring
I have no idea how to accomplish such a feat
gwood - June 11, 2008
Captain Blank says put a leading space on your line o' text and Pirate Gray Bar will promptly pay you a visit...
ballhawk - June 11, 2008
Hmm. Testing.
this is with a leading space
northsider - June 11, 2008
Are you saying Captain Blank can't count?
keep it up matey, and you’ll find yerself with the wrong end of a cutlass between your second and third rib
ballhawk - June 11, 2008
does this work
i dont know
or do i
Hammer - June 11, 2008
well i cant figure it out
oh well.
Hammer - June 11, 2008
Type your heading like this
and then type a sentence like this.
See if that helps.
sue369 - June 11, 2008
One thing...
Just don’t type too much.
northsider - June 11, 2008
i give up
Hammer - June 11, 2008
You could join the Merchant Marines...?
daver - June 11, 2008
Don't give up.
Keep practicing. I have faith you’ll get it.
sue369 - June 11, 2008
See
you can learn new things everyday
gwood - June 11, 2008
Arrrgh
Arrrgh
Shanghai Badger - June 11, 2008
Aye.
Like to see you try, Cap’n!
northsider - June 11, 2008
Bring me my brown pants!
[ punch line to a very funny pirate joke. ]
Anyway, yep, sometimes Pirate Graybar can be your friend, especially for short lines of text or small tables.
ballhawk - June 11, 2008
And this begs the question...
...is it a bug or did the SBN cybergurus design at as a weird way to emphasize something? I’m still guessing the former.
daver - June 11, 2008
I say we enter don't complain...
just enter it into the BCB Dictionary as…
The Dread Pirate Gray Bar
We use it when we want to add emphasis and talk like a pirate.
santoswoodenlegs - June 11, 2008
Wonder if it will work
in the Bucs Dugout
tony412 - June 11, 2008
Ha, I never thought of that. It probably does. Let us know.
daver - June 11, 2008
If it does,
then we can be really annoying when we go to other people’s sites. We may get banned even faster if that’s the case.
gwood - June 11, 2008
And when new people join...
...and inadvertantly trigger the Dread Pirate Graybar, we can confuse the hell out of them by replying “ARRGG!!!” to their posts.
daver - June 11, 2008
oh man, if Blue Mike ever dropped a gray bar in one of his posts...
...any newbies would be beyond confusion trying to figure out what “Arrrgghh, scrambled eggs again!” meant…
ballhawk - June 11, 2008
me hearties!
fresh meat
for the taking!
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2008
But that isn't doing him justice
gwood - June 11, 2008
I'm on it, but the comment function in the dictionary is down.
I e-mailed Al, and he’s going to reactivate it.
daver - June 11, 2008
Done.
Check the BCB Dictionary, y’all.
daver - June 11, 2008
Reed Johnson...solid pickup for the club
Reed Johnson’s catch in Washington D.C. this yr was the greatest catch i’ve seen in person. It shocked me when Baseball tonight did a highlight piece on the best plays so far and Reed’s wasn’t on it. Speaking of defense some kudos needs to be given to Aramis who usually catches heat for his defense and baserunning but so far he has played quite well in the field.
Bpatterson83 - June 11, 2008
Reed's catch in D.C.
I can’t believe that wasn’t on BBTN either! One of the best I’ve seen in a long time.
Bump Bailey - June 11, 2008
He's been a real asset this year.
Here’s hoping he does something even phenomenaler in Toronto.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
OT - Anyone do any sportsbook betting?
There are a few good sites out there for online wagering for baseball. I use tropics69. I just put a $100 down on a Seattle Mariners win today. Must be crazy! :D
Lou In Blue - June 11, 2008
I never understood sports betting
Essentially, you’re betting on something that you have no control over—you’re just a spectator. That and gambling; the probability of winning is always against you. Now poker; that’s something I’d bet my life savings on
(all 30 bucks of it)
NittanyCub - June 11, 2008
Yeabutt...
even in poker some things are out of your control.
Like they say – there are only two garuntees in life – Death and Taxes.
HIGGY - June 11, 2008
Agreed for the most part
For me it gets me involved in other games that I would otherwise not care about. It’s strictly entertainment for me. At the site I go to they give you $20 “free roll” for signing up and I’ve been playing on that since I started last year. So far, so good.
Lou In Blue - June 11, 2008
Can I say 'me' anymore??
Lou In Blue - June 11, 2008
Re: No Control Over
Tim Donaghy vehemently disagrees.
Jayo525 - June 11, 2008
Reed's catches last night...
His first one to left center was spectacular….the 2nd one..I watched a couple replays and he didn’t really run all that far for it and the ball had some loft, so I’m, thinking bad break, but great recovery. am I wrong?
cubfever7 - June 11, 2008
On the 2nd one
that’s how Len and Bob talked about it last night. Looked like his first step wasn’t good, but he was able to recover and make the catch.
I agree about the first, it was special.
gwood - June 11, 2008
Oh--didn't hear Len and Bob...sorry for the redundancy, although..
...family members grow weary of me saying something seconds before the announcers. Things are second nature to most of us baseball obsessives that post here.
cubfever7 - June 11, 2008
Steve Stone, is that you?
Jayo525 - June 11, 2008
Note to SWL: PLEASE don't post that picture again.
And you know the one I’m talking about.
daver - June 11, 2008
+ many!
my eyes still haven’t recovered
gwood - June 11, 2008
Thanks, David!
These might be your best pictures of the season so far.
northsider - June 11, 2008
Yeah, love that one of the crowd with all the "W" signs especially.
daver - June 11, 2008
OT
Anyone read the Nomar is going to be playing short after a rehab stint because Furcal is out longer? LOL
Hammer - June 11, 2008
Cubs, Denver and Democratic Party
And what do they have in common? The last time the Dems met in Denver for the national convention was 1908. And what happened in 1908? And where are the Dems meeting this year? Need I say more?
chucolo - June 11, 2008
Who won the election in 1908?
:-)
JohnM - June 11, 2008
William Howard Taft
Republican. Beat Democrat William Jennings Bryan. :)
malicedoom - June 11, 2008
Too bad Ted Lilly wasn't running
jbau - June 11, 2008
And his Vice-President? A young John McCain
Sorry, couldn’t resist
AlabamaCubFan - June 11, 2008
Taft
was heavier than both present-day candidates. That guy could put away the hot dogs.
salparadise23 - June 11, 2008
Cubs Rumor Mill...
Ken Rosenthal:
northsider - June 11, 2008
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Oh my lord NO! Fuentes is HORRIBLE!!!
Lou In Blue - June 11, 2008
Fuentes - 6'4, 220
2008: 28 G, 9 SV, 25.7 IP, 21 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB / 23 SO, 0 HBP, 1 WP, 2.45 ERA, 184 ERA+
Career: 399 G, 94 SV, 385.0 IP, 317 H, 160 R, 148 ER, 39 HR, 165 BB / 421 SO, 39 HBP, 24 WP, 3.46 ERA, 139 ERA+
northsider - June 11, 2008
Fuentes
3rd most blown saves in 2007. Just say no!
Lou In Blue - June 11, 2008
But he probably wouldn't be the closer.
daver - June 11, 2008
He definitely wouldnt be the closer
My guess is he’d replace Wuertz/Howry/Cotts – and yes I know he’s a lefty.
cubsonWGN4ever - June 11, 2008
Why don't we go after Aaron Cook?
Been great this year.
cubsonWGN4ever - June 11, 2008
+1
Lou In Blue - June 11, 2008
I think he's signed through 2010
so why would the Rockies trade him?
ohboy - June 11, 2008
Either way you slice it
the guy gets himself into too many jams. 21 hits in 27 innings for a relief guy so far this year. Blew 4 consecutive saves last season. It’s a surprise he’s still in a MLB uniform let alone rockies uniform. Lost the closer position again this year a month into the season because of poor performance. etc. etc. etc.
Lou In Blue - June 11, 2008
Slice it again
21 hits in 27 innings is a great number. With his 8 walks he only has a 1.13 WHIP. The only Cubs pitchers who have a better WHIP are Marmol, Wood, and Eyre.
He did blow 4 saves in a row last year at the end of June. Of course he had a 1.89 ERA at the time, with 20 saves and only 2 blown. Went on the DL from mid-July to mid-August. Came back and rocked in August and September with about a 1.2 ERA. This year he has a 2.45
Corpas was the Rockies Closer who lost his job a month into the season. Fuentes is the guy who took over.
californiachicagoan - June 11, 2008
I'll take Eyre thus far this season (small sample size alert)
12 G, 7.3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 1 BB/14 SO, 0.00 ERA, 0.682 WHIP, (looks like insufficient data for a ERA+)
gwood - June 11, 2008
CC
did look really good in the complete game shut out he pitched against the Twins last night.
just sayin
gwood - June 11, 2008
Yeah, saw some footage of that last night.
Man, that guy is a monster—both physically and pitching-wise (pitchingly?).
daver - June 11, 2008
Sabathia
I’d like to see him, too. But if he joins the Cubs, don’t expect Lou to let him go 9. Lou seems to have a built-in bias against CGs (though the 1987 Yankees under his tutelage had 19 CGs, but that was a different era).
danimal15 - June 11, 2008
How you feeling today?
Oh, just pitchingly, sir!
californiachicagoan - June 11, 2008
If Howry decides to start pitching... we won't need to look for somebody else.
SackMan - June 11, 2008
that link now has Rosenthal correcting himself and saying the Cubs are not interested in
Fuentes
philadelphiacub - June 11, 2008
I found it a little odd considering how Eyre and Cotts were pitching, as Rosenthal notes.
He also says they’ll be going after a starter … C.C.??
northsider - June 11, 2008
I've never seen a reporter
correct himself so quickly.
gwood - June 11, 2008
Sigh.
Figures. Yet another rumor that had no legs.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
Leave Pujols outta this.
OK, I’m sorry…I’m sorry…
daver - June 11, 2008
Hold, hold, hold...
and release.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
TWSS?
gwood - June 11, 2008
Yes.
But, I lobbed that one up there Halpert-style and was expecting it.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
+1
daver - June 11, 2008
I love seeing this team continue to show the ablility to...
overcome early deficits. The offense is really “coming together”....
santoswoodenlegs - June 11, 2008
And here's a little news for you all...
...the Walrus plays basebawwww-eee-allll!!!
daver - June 11, 2008
where at? here?
tony412 - June 11, 2008
It's nothin' to hang a slider about...
daver - June 11, 2008
and. . .
. . .and Dusty is dead
Go Lou
leothelip - June 11, 2008
If we win 10 straight at home I think
Lou should dye his hair again. I mean look how content he looked last time he did….
Jayo525 - June 11, 2008
I think all the fumes from the hair care products were making him sleepy.
daver - June 11, 2008
And Edmonds can recommed a good colorist...
santoswoodenlegs - June 11, 2008
Several, in fact...
northsider - June 11, 2008
and some fine
cut off-t shirt purveyors.
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2008
Is that
the Morans?
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
Where's Kyle Farnsworth when you need him?
(damn, I couldn’t even completely type that joke out without throwing up a little bit in my mouth)
malicedoom - June 11, 2008
santoswoodenlegs - June 11, 2008
Cubs catch a break tonight
Jair Jurrjens sprained his ankle so Jeff Bennett will pitch for the Braves.
ohboy - June 11, 2008
source?
btw, sounds like a women’s shampoo doesn’t it?
tony412 - June 11, 2008
cubs.com probables
ohboy - June 11, 2008
thanks
Probables
tony412 - June 11, 2008
Benefit?
Are they really catching a break? Too many times I’ve seen the Cubs have trouble hitting unknown pitchers. Not that they really know Jurrjens, either, of course, but they probably have some decent advance scouting.
danimal15 - June 11, 2008
Where is Mapmaker...
to tell us that Bennett will no-hit us tonight?
Book It!
santoswoodenlegs - June 11, 2008
Interesting link.
Nice to know that our children’s literacy is in the hands of a bad pizza chain.
daver - June 11, 2008
Dude
I totally did this program fifteen years ago. It actually worked as a nice incentive for a child to read.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
Yeah...
I can’t hear someone say “Book It!” without thinking about getting my first personal pan pizza in 3rd grade after reading books and getting the coupon.
santoswoodenlegs - June 11, 2008
My class was the first class in my elem. school to do the book it program.
It did motivate some kids to keep up with their reading
Madison Cub Fan - June 11, 2008
Interesting. I had no idea it had been around that long.
daver - June 11, 2008
I used to collect those coupons
when I was in high school, waiting tables at the local Pizza Hut. Remember the “5 Minute Lunch Guarantee” where you could get a cheese, sausage or pepperoni personal pan pizza in 5 minutes or it was free? We’d have to plop the timer on the table and try to beat the buzzer. I had nightmares that summer about pizzas flying out of the oven.
iluvryno - June 11, 2008
SackMan - June 11, 2008
Let him and Chipper rest up together
No need to rush anything . These minor problems could really develop into something
bad if they don’t take it easy for a couple of days
Doggie Stalker - June 11, 2008
Regarding Chipper:
Bobby Cox just had to know he wasn’t going to get anything to hit last night with first open, right? Why bring him in at all when you’ve got to immediately sub for him again?
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
Two words...
Kirk. Gibson.
santoswoodenlegs - June 11, 2008
Thankfully
Lilly is no Eckersley and either chose not to find the plate, or just couldn’t.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
Especially
with the Braves carrying 13 pitchers like they are. Makes that bench mighty small. Back-up catcher and utility guy.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2008
Fantastic pictures....I feel like I'm in the stands.
I was coaching third base last night for our women’s church team with Blackberry in hand so I could keep up with the game. Lucky I didn’t take a screaming line drive down the line straight in the temple.
Let’s get another ‘W’ tonight!!!
iluvryno - June 11, 2008
Somehow
I don’t think “screaming line drive” and “womens church league” should be represented in the same sentence. :D
Lou In Blue - June 11, 2008
it's a
different kind of screaming…
drewishdrewid - June 11, 2008
I think some of the women were raised in Iowa....
They are big and they can hit.
iluvryno - June 11, 2008
Well...isn't that special.
daver - June 11, 2008
So you are saying
women raised in Iowa are big? Illinois doesn’t have any big women huh?
sue369 - June 11, 2008
Maybe?
Lou In Blue - June 11, 2008
The quiet screaming?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vyLbW9adRg
cwyers - June 11, 2008
Funny, I never pictured you as an emo guy.
daver - June 11, 2008
The Legion of Doom is t3h r0xx0rs.
I don’t know that I’m especially an emo guy, although I probably listen to quite a bit more of it than the average person. But basically I just look for stuff with a high Value Over Replacement Song.
cwyers - June 11, 2008
That was actually a cool mashup. Pretty much seemless.
Do you play music, too? Because if you do, I guess you’d be a “Sabremusician.”
daver - June 11, 2008
ba-dum tsss
/sabermusic
northsider - June 11, 2008
And you would play one of these...
santoswoodenlegs - June 11, 2008
Very busy at work but
the only thing I have to say is why did Lou have Lilly put anything in the strike zone against Chipper (birthname Larry for those who didn’t know)? How pissed would everyone have been if he would have nailed one with a base open? That is one player that shouldn’t be challenged at all the last two games of this series unless the bases are juiced or the Cubs are up big.
slocs55 - June 11, 2008
IIRC
he didn’t. I think he put a 3-0 pitch down the middle but that was it.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
That's considered "in the strike zone" IIRC
Lou In Blue - June 11, 2008
Yes
but on a 3-0 pitch. Most batters take anything on 3-0.
And, yes, I put “most batters” in case you wanna call me out on that technicality, too.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
Well FWIW
That was a cookie that Lilly threw, it was idiotic too. Chipper should have launched that pitch.
Hammer - June 11, 2008
I think I speak on behalf of all of us
when I say “Thank you, Chipper, for not doing that.” One frustrated Lillyhop was enough for one night.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
agreed
Hammer - June 11, 2008
All in jest buddy
Lou In Blue - June 11, 2008
No worries.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
Lou in Blue and Hammer
Agreed.
slocs55 - June 11, 2008
Jirrjens is out for tonight
Bennet will be pitching. Jirrjens was leaving the dugout after last night’s game and twisted his ankle. He may join the DL. Baseball gods are mad at the Braves.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080611&content_id=2890834&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
coral - June 11, 2008
n/t
coral - June 11, 2008
Thanks.
Cubs catch a break here.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
Ahem... don't you mean Jirrjens catches a break?
Me thinks he saw what the Cubs bats did to a HOF pitcher and accidently misstepped coming out of the dugout …
ballhawk - June 11, 2008
Ah, if only this were really true.
Al Yellon - June 11, 2008
What up with Font's latley
Seems like 4 – 3 has become regular for him ??
parrotinct - June 11, 2008
OT - Mariners
Took the lead in the 9th, my long shot $100 might pay off. Oh and the Blue Jays’ coach was just ejected from the game! :D
...that is all
Lou In Blue - June 11, 2008
Can't help but wonder if that was Glavine's last game
This is the first arm injury of his long career, and his second trip to the DL of the season. You can’t help but worry when you see an injury of this type at this stage in his career.
Wreckard - June 11, 2008
You're worried?
Having had such a great career already, I don’t think even HE is worried.
tony412 - June 11, 2008
oddly
setting up perfectly for Maddux to retire and all 3 of them go into the Hall together….pretty cool IMO
Hammer - June 11, 2008
Cue
SWLs pic of Cerberus with Maddux, Smoltz, and Glavine heads.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
Not trying to advertise
I took all the ads on my site down, so it didn’t seem like I was trying to make money by posting here, but this article on Geo Soto was in Sports Illustrated today:
http://www.clubhousecancer.com/2008/06/geo-soto-in-spo.html
Clubhouse Cancer - June 11, 2008
Some pullquotes for the busy/slow computered.
On how he learned English:
On the 6’1 225-pounder’s wager with 6’5 255-pound Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano:
northsider - June 11, 2008
*going
northsider - June 11, 2008
Also, ladies will want to click for the visual stimulation.
northsider - June 11, 2008
Does he wax his eyebrows?
maybe he’s a plucker.
tony412 - June 11, 2008
When he was at
Cubs convention CSN did an interview with him and his eyebrows were waxed or plucked and he had on guyliner.
sue369 - June 11, 2008
but I'm sure that's not
what you ladies like about him anyway huh?
tony412 - June 11, 2008
correct
sue369 - June 11, 2008
it's his way of working with the pitching staff, isn't it?
northsider - June 11, 2008
Well, duh, they like his 132 OPS+, of course.
daver - June 11, 2008
Uncle Joey---says Cut It Out
Hammer - June 11, 2008
Can't wait for
mine to come in the mail tomorrow. :-D
sue369 - June 11, 2008
Cubs will move prospects?
From Buster Olney:
northsider - June 11, 2008
Cubs talk
to me only makes it feel like it then won’t be the Cubs…. just like with TTTSNBN
tony412 - June 11, 2008
Thanks for the clip
because I’m not giving ESPN any money to read stuff on their site. Call me cheap, call me ignorant or call me rude, but I don’t think that they provide the value added for me to pay to read their talking heads. If I’m spending money of analysis the money is going to Baseball Prospectus not ESPN.
But that is just my opinion and I’m often wrong except for when I’m right or left.
bubbamike the one and only - June 11, 2008
VORP....Value Over Replacement Publication?
My friend and I share an account. Shhh!
northsider - June 11, 2008
However, you do point out something ... I forgot the ($)
northsider - June 11, 2008
I used to be perfect
and then I got on the interwebs.
bubbamike the one and only - June 11, 2008
If he's a plucker
then I’d sure like to be …... well…..you know…..
iluvryno - June 11, 2008
One of these?
northsider - June 11, 2008
Ooohhh...no
that image isn’t really working for me.
iluvryno - June 11, 2008
Thought of the day
– Bill Wattersonnorthsider - June 11, 2008
hoping to make this game!
just moved into town on Monday and am hoping to score some tix for tonights game!! ticket trading post comments are down, so if anyone has 2 or 3, feel free to contact me!
mike (at) deepdish (dot) com
noiseboy - June 11, 2008
BTW, "Suddenly Summer"
sounds like a movie title. Maybe a teenage coming-of-age tale. Bikinis on the beach, perhaps.
northsider - June 11, 2008
From the 1980's, probably
Shanghai Badger - June 11, 2008
Or a 70's Porno...
That Summer is a talented lady.
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2008
Or a 60s PSA.
“A lot of youths these days can’t wait for the old schoolhouse to let out. It’s Suddenl Summer and the fishing holes are a-waitin!”
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
w/ Janet Jones (now Gretzky)
N Oakley - June 11, 2008
Well Played
Fishbone2 - June 11, 2008
Man
can’t find a “clean” picture of Phoebe Cates from Fast Times at Ridgemont High to post here.
gwood - June 11, 2008
Not understanding the problem.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
Alright, how bout this one
Now it’s a true ‘80s movie
gwood - June 11, 2008
BODY DOUBLE
Hate to burst everyones bubble….............yamma hamma——DROP DEAD FRED, ended her career
Hammer - June 11, 2008
Nothing tops
her dead dad story from Gremlins.
neverAcquiesce - June 11, 2008
Life is strange...I'm moving in stereo...
daver - June 11, 2008
Aloha, Mr. Hand...
malicedoom - June 11, 2008
Picture Of The Year Nominee: Left Field Bleachers With "W's"
I could almost cry looking at it ..
Far more realt then Michelangelo’s “David”
More smiley than the Mona Lisa
THIS needs to be hanging in the Louvre somewhere .. or at least at the 35th/Shields train stop, by Smellular Field …
cubnational - June 11, 2008
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