... so the Cubs made it nine wins in a row with a 9-6 win over the Padres.
First, my thanks to BCB reader GoCubbies34, who posted the two overflow comment threads last night after -- well, I could make excuses, but I just forgot.
And second, BCB reader jhj posted, two days ago, this FanPost asking people for their superstitions -- and as you likely know, baseball players have a ton of 'em, and they usually get more intense during winning streaks. I have talked about going to the men's room three days in a row during the last homestand, after which the Cubs came from behind to win all three days. And I think I've got another one going during this road trip -- each of the last two nights, I have gone to sleep after the fourth inning, with the Cubs either tied or trailing, just knowing they were going to win.
Now, tomorrow I am off work and could stay up tonight. So I'll leave it up to you guys -- should I? Or should I do the fourth-inning thing again? And if it happens again, do I carry it on to the game in LA on Thursday night (since I am off on Friday also)?
Such are the things we can talk about during this streak, now the Cubs' longest since 2001. Despite Jason Marquis' strange meltdowns last night (balking with the pitcher on base? Making a throwing error two batters later trying to pick off Jody Gerut, allowing said pitcher to score?), he managed to muddle, again, through five innings allowing only three runs to score, and when Geovany Soto and Mark DeRosa homered off former Cub minor leaguer Bryan Corey in the sixth, Marquis wound up with the win.
The way this team is winning may have been expressed best by another ex-Cub, Michael Barrett, in this AP game recap:
"The biggest thing about that lineup is that they really forced us to come to them," said Padres catcher Michael Barrett. "You don’t see them making too many quick outs."
What a difference, right? You wouldn't see that kind of thing from previous Cub teams, but this one works counts (six walks last night) and when you do that, you increase the chances that the other pitcher is going to make a mistake.
Other notes from what I didn't see: Alfonso Soriano homered again; after a somewhat slow period, maybe he's heating up again; the Cubs stole six bases off Michael Barrett last night (even though Ronny Cedeno briefly reverted to his pre-ONEDEC days and overslid second base for the only CS of the night); and boy, I sure am glad the Cubs recalled Kevin Hart to be their 13th pitcher, because he was so effective last night . Lou has got to manage this bullpen better -- last night, three of the five relievers faced two batters (Michael Wuertz, Bob Howry) or one batter (Neal Cotts). It's bad enough we have LOOGYs, now we're having ROOGYs?
These are all minor complaints, as is the complaint that the starting pitching has to, just HAS TO, get better if this team is to continue its amazing run. Even the noted curmudgeon Jay Mariotti is turning into a believer; he suggests, as some of you have already, that the Cubs inquire about C. C. Sabathia:
The ultimate prize would be C.C. Sabathia, who is Zambrano's equal in girth and talent. Could you imagine those two arms in October? For a trade to possibly go down, the Cleveland Indians have to fall out of the American League Central race, which won't happen as long as the White Sox have old men and stragglers in the middle of the order and Ozzie Guillen keeps getting the red Oz. Hendry has plenty of young talent to offer next month, including Gallagher and Sean Marshall. If Sabathia isn't available, the likes of Daniel Cabrera, Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Jeremy Bonderman and Jarrod Washburn might be.
I hesitate to post that because the name "Rich Harden" is in there, which might give a certain poster here a, um, "Harden" yet again, but the one name that's in that paragraph that intrigues me most is "Jeremy Bonderman". Like a lot of his Tiger teammates, he's off to a mediocre start -- but at age 25, he's got enough upside that a deal to a team in first place might energize him. (And no, Jay, Sean Gallagher isn't the guy I'd ship away.)
Onward and upward. Check out the "Best Cub Team Starts Since 1900" box on the right sidebar -- this team is moving up that list.
0 recs | 658 comments
First?
Please please!
Arbusto - June 4, 2008
lol
2nd
By Santo's Grace - June 4, 2008
this team....
Is something very special as has said very many time before on here. I just love the resilency that this team has. No matter who it is I truly I have complete confidence when they come to the plate in a key situation that they are going to come through!!
All things great in 2008!!
By Santo's Grace - June 4, 2008
i really believe it started w/that first game when KF hit that home run late in the game...even though they ended up losing to the BREW CREW
LOUtheMETandNATSfan - June 4, 2008
LOL LOL.....
Light Em up
(even though hes maddux)
Rudey - June 4, 2008
I agree Al...
stay away from Rich Harden. I think we’ve been through the ringer with our history of pitching injuries. Enough said.
Sabathia, I just don’t see it happening, mainly because the Indians will be in contention and I think they will eventually sign him. Plus, it would be a lot to give up and not to mention that the guy has pitched a ton in the last couple of years and is bound to break down at some point. IMO and just sayin’
crw89 - June 4, 2008
disagree
that sounds about right, why give up a lot of talent just to rent sabathia. but how much better chance would we have to win it all with two aces like that? with our lineup, our bullpen, and zambrano/sabathia at the top of the rotation we would seem absolutely unbeatable in the playoffs.
kylejo - June 4, 2008
This team
doesnt lose 3 in a row as it is… got to think that would continue with Z and CC pitching. Home field advantage could mean series wins.
tony412 - June 4, 2008
True, but...
... as you said, this team already hasn’t lost more than 2 in a row. So why does it need to give up the farm to rent Sabathia?
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
Agrre with Al
As much as I’d love CC to be here full-time, he’s made it pretty clear he wants to go back to the West Coast
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
I don't think attitude (i.e., Bonderman) is what makes the difference---finding their flaw is
First let me say eight games in a row, now two in a row on the West Coast, once the graveyard for many a Cub teams. No doubt Barrett see’s what we have all season, the Cubs hitting approach is something strategic. Interesting how he framed it, they forced us to come to them. Currently I am relegated to the Gameday format I can vouch that from their reporting the Cubs big HR’s were all grooved pitches after long AB’s.
The issue of a top of the rotation pitcher is one where there will only be a few pitchers at all dealt this summer, they are simply too valuable, s o in relative terms a team will have to overpay. This will mean that Hendry’s modus operandi where he deals from opportune will not come into play, he will have to get out of his comfort zone, or will he?
My first obvious opportunity will be Maddux, where after tonight’s start Maddux’s relative marque value for the Padres is small—-can Hendry & Co. make a trade that includes Marquis & mid-level prospect for Maddux in a money deal. Cubs basically pick up an additional $2.6M this year for Padres picking up Marquis’ $9M next year. This would improve the Cubs rotation incrementally. Padres need to rebuild and gaining a E Patterson or Murton could help them.
The next point will be for the Cubs to make one more deal. The Indians are not the target for CC will be the top free agent next year and get them a top supplemental draft pick, and seeing the ChiSox, Detroit and Minn, they are too invested to make the playoffs——unless the Cubs overpay stupidly.
So where I would look is places like LA, Peavy is going to be a FA and they are about to go deep under where Torre is going to want to dismantle this lunacy job. Other places are Seattle, KC, Texas, Toronto and Detroit where if I trade for Bonderman I want to know what is his flaw and if I can correct it. To me the guy is AJ Burnett.
Ivy Walls - June 4, 2008
Marquis actually might be a good fit for SD...
... in a bigger park where he’d allow fewer HR. That might just work if the Cubs ate some of the money.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
from your keyboard
to the mountain top.
:P
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Yeah... less HRs, more Triples. Perfect.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
as long as he's pitching for someone else.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
I wouldn't confuse that with pitching.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
well.
he meets the technical definition of the word—he stands on the mound and throws the ball towards the plate.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
more like walking around the mound...
procrastinating to throw the ball…
SackMan - June 4, 2008
that's the other thing
SPEED THE F UP! Cripes. I’m getting old here…
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Just returning from a walk
this cloudy & cool SD morning, I was thinking the EXACT same thing, AL. Marquis would be a good fit for the Pads. Give them an OF - Murton, or even Pie.
Eat most of Marquis’ contract, and take Maddux. With an offense behind him, Greg would be fine - and then he could be fitted with a rocking chair at the end of the season.
Jake Peavy just signed an extension - didn’t he? He likes pitching in Petco. I really doubt if he wants to leave. And you have to be careful for his future - he is Wood-like in his delivery. There may be more problems ahead. Let somebody else spend millions on Peavy (I still think he’d take the SD discount, if offered in the future)
Let’s hope Maddux isn’t himself tonight. (Sorry, Jessica…)
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 4, 2008
Maddux
For Murton and Pie? I wouldnt do Maddux for Pie straight up. IMO, Maddux wouldnt be a starter in the playoffs in a 5 game series.
Hammer - June 4, 2008
Agreed...
Maddux would be a nice #4 or #5 starter for the rest of the season. He’s an upgrade over Marquis. But that’s about it.
I might do Murton and Marquis for Maddux, just to get Marquis out of the rotation and off the books for next year. I honestly don’t know whether or not that’s feasible, as who knows what makes GMs tick sometimes. But trading Pie in a package for a guy who’d be (at best) the back end of a playoff rotation just doesn’t make sense.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
Yeah, I could live with trading away Marquis and Murton for Maddux, but not Pie.
daver - June 4, 2008
Um Please trust me re Maddux
IF and it is a HUGE if, he is interested in coming back to the
Cubs it will NOT cost any player you care about (unless you are among
the us Murton fans ) Kevin Towers like Hendry before him is going to
let Maddux go if he wants to. All the Cubs need is to pay the remaining salary and throw in a player maybe Murton who I am SURE they would love or a nice Iowa prospect who is a catcher or corner infielder blocked from moving. They will be in NO position to get more anymore again than the Cubs were in 06. The Maddux situation is unique and while no one would EVER say so openly he is going to dictate the terms IF he decides to move. Basically Scott Boras will call Hendry and or Colletti and say ” Greg would love to come back” Either or both of them
get on the phone and figure it out discreetly. All of them love Maddux
All of them will bend over backwords to accomadate him and it is not
like the Padres are losing someone they can use in a race.
Again I really think he stays put in California but you need not worry
about the “price’ if he wants to come back to the Cubs
Doggie Stalker - June 4, 2008
Good to know.
Jimbo, git ‘er done!
daver - June 4, 2008
no WAY
is Maddux worth Marquis AND Pie. They can have Marquis, and we’ll pay half of Jason’s remaining salary, for Maddux. If they get Murton too, we get a prospect. At least. This isn’t Greg Maddux from 2001.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Peavy pitches for San Diego...
did you mean Penny?
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
Peavy's also
currently on the DL with a “swollen elbow.”
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
Yes I meant Penny
He pitched last night and I thought he is a FA next year. The real target is Burnett though. He is going to opt out of his contract and seek the big $$$ and needs to have a marque platform.
Ivy Walls - June 4, 2008
Isn't Burnett an injury waiting to happen?
SackMan - June 4, 2008
Burnett is set to make $12 million per for two more years...
I can’t imagine with his injury history and with the fact that he’s 31 and hasn’t been to make the jump (has always just been a shade better than average), that he’d be in line to make a lot more money than that. I certainly wouldn’t be lining up to pay him more than that. I’m not saying that he won’t opt out, it just doesn’t seem like the best of decisions.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
Lee Sinns has Penny
as the 5th worse pitcher in the NL for runs saved above average. Not a good choice by any means. Not one to give up talent for.
bubbamike the one and only - June 4, 2008
Looking at LA... for Peavy?
You mean Lowe?
SackMan - June 4, 2008
I'd go wait and see on Lowe.
He’s strung together 3 decent starts, but he was awful to open the season.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
Exactly.
The Cubs are fine right now. It’s still seven weeks till the trading deadline. We have time.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
And a pretty loaded deck
as far as trading options. Nice position to be in.
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
Yep.
That said, if Lowe could turn it around, he’d be a perfect guy to add. Postseason experience, gets lots of groundballs, doesn’t walk a ton of guys, not a turd in the clubhouse…
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
yes, in favor of Lowe
though I think the Dodgers will stick around for long enough that he wont be available.
kylejo - June 4, 2008
Not to mention...
That while LA has struggled recently, they are only 3.5 games out of the division lead. They aren’t bailing out YET.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
True.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
boy
that’s a bad division… :D
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Plus, LA is hurt right now.
They’ll be a better team when they get healthy
SackMan - June 4, 2008
Right...
I don’t see the Dodgers being sellers just yet. Maybe if Jones and Furcal come back from injury and the team still falls back. But given that they’re in the hunt even without their SS or their CF, I don’t think they’re selling yet.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
Well... you know he's on the top of my list :)
SackMan - June 4, 2008
Interesting points, but haven't the Cubs won NINE games in a row?
daver - June 4, 2008
YES! WE RULE!
But, you always have to look for ways to improve.
I mean… would you want to send Marquis out to the hill to face, say the Cards Brewers, Reds, Phillies or D-Backs?
SackMan - June 4, 2008
the Reds
only if they promise to light him up the way they did Lieber.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Jay Bruce would go directly to Cooperstown
After an afternoon vs Marquis.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
Oh, I agree.
I was just pointing out an inaccuracy in Ivy Wall’s post, not implying that the team shouldn’t look for ways to improve.
daver - June 4, 2008
Trust me I thought about that
No way the Padres do this UNLESS the Cubs pick up nearly all of Marquis’
salary NEXT YEAR. They are very cheap team and they are not eating 6 million
or so for Marquis ( FYI Maddux will be owed roughly 3.2 million if traded near deadline) That said I am not sure it might not be worth eating much of the salary but
if you want the Padres to take him you take the salary just as the Cubs did with Izzy
Um Peavy has LONG term deal. Did you mean some Dodger pitcher Penny perhaps ? I don’t care for the guy but maybe
Doggie Stalker - June 4, 2008
It might be worth doing...
... to make this sort of deal.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
would Cleveland...
take Mel Hall and Joe Carter again?
bison - June 4, 2008
What about Tim Hudson?
Tim Hudson, I think a much better pitcher with a manageable salary with a couple years left. He looks to have plenty in the tank to make a good #2 starter behind Z. The Braves don’t seem to be producing much pitching talent lately as evidence by signing Glavine and waiting around for Hampton… Smoltz appears to be done with season ending surgery. I think they would appreciate some young arms right about now.
Anyway, the Braves are still in the hunt right now so likely not selling just yet…. but I would really like to see Hudson in blue.
Ok, devour me you vultures.
tony412 - June 4, 2008
Love the Sarcasm
about Hart. He was really awful last night. I also wonder what Lou said to him as he sort of grabbed a hold of him to keep him there while he talked to him a bit before letting him head off the field.
adam316 - June 4, 2008
Probably the samd thing he said to Marquis
“Throw F*&%ing strikes!” With a “I’ve got other guys in the bullpen that will,” mixed in.
With Hart it might be, “Have fun back in Iowa. Tell Piggy I said ‘hi.’”
Archie - June 4, 2008
He meant
when he pulled him.
Im sure it was something like, “your gonna get another shot, just throw strikes and you’ll be back on this mound”
Rudey - June 4, 2008
Steve Stone was saying the same thing as Mariotti
yesterday on the Score. He’s convinced, though he failed to say why, that Hendry will make “rental” type of deal, where he trades for a big-name pitcher with an expiring contract. Then Sabathia’s name came up, as he recently turned down, IIRC, 18 mil/yr from Cleveland. Stone seemed to think that was the target, though, again, he never cited where he was getting this from. So, take that FWIW, as this is the same man who said Wood could never be a closer, that Soto’s weight would force him to 1B/DH, and that Brian Roberts would certainly be a CUb.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
So IOW...
... we can forget about Sabathia or another rent-a-player.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
Lol.
It would seem so, but I wouldn’t put it past Hendry, especially if Lilly has a rough outing tonight. I don’t think He or Lou will be content with both Ted and Jason struggling, plus Dempster and Gallagher being unknown quantities at this point; Hendry may decide he wants a more proven talent in the rotation. However, these are my own suspicions, and little more. I don’t put much stock in Stone’s “predictions anymore.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
You really think Demp is still an unknown quantity?
I was just thinking thins morning about how I kind of expect him to win every start—something I never thought I’d do.
He’s been a real pleasant surprise.
Not disagreeing with you really Varsh. Is it the “going deeper into games” question?
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
He's unknown
in that he doesn’t have a track record as a starter for us to have a comfortable feel as to how he will do going forward. Will his arm hold up with the increased number of innings he will be throwing? etc.
gwood - June 4, 2008
Yeah I can see that
I’d like to think because the decision to make him a starter was made so early he changed the way he prepared this off season.
Plus he’s Canadian. If his arm starts to hurt they can just put bear grease on it or whatever.
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Right.
It’s really a question of how he will hold up over the long run. He hasn’t thrown over 100 innings since 2003. I’m as pleased with his performance as anyone, and not just because I’m invested fairly heavily in him fantasy baseball-wise at this point. It’s great to see how hard he worked in the offseason and the level of success he, and, by extension the Cubs, is enjoying.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
Yeah, it's a combination of a few things...
1. The fact that he’s not pitched over 100 innings since 2003;
2. The fact that he’s never pitched this well in his entire career; and
3. The fact that he seems to be getting fortunate on balls hit in play in that he doesn’t have more base hits allowed.
That’s not to say that he can’t continue to be really good. Just that these are three questions to which we don’t yet know the answers.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
Robin Roberts or Fergie Jenkins
would be good choices instead of Marquis.
Seattle is going to have to dump salery sooner or later, though I doubt they would give up Bedard, who they gave up their future for, and I don’t think that I’d want Washburn.
bubbamike the one and only - June 4, 2008
Luck and Skill are an incredible force
Luck exhibited by getting through several innings with Jason Marquis, and keeping a manageable score. Skill….well, skill is throughout the lineup. What else can you say. This is wonderful.
Cajuncub - June 4, 2008
And ineptitude... by the Padres offense.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
First we got Scrappy-Doo.
Now we have ROOGY-doo?
The thing that carried Hart last year was confidence. He was Lou’s golden boy. Now? He’s been pretty bad this year in the ML. I’m pretty sure Lou will give him another chance, in a decently big situation.
If Hart doesn’t produce, luckily we’ve got Ascansio waiting.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
One thing we know about Lou:
He loves having guys in the bullpen that throw hard, so Hart will likely get a few more chances, before getting sent back down.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
Had the Cubs known...
... they were going to want a 13th pitcher, Ascanio wouldn’t have been sent down. Now he can’t be recalled until he’s down there for 10 days.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
Right.
Although, I kind of felt like we were laying with fire with Ascanio. He was a bit wild. However, it’s not as if Hart looked like a worldbeater last nigh, either. What gives me hope, is that we’re talking about which pitcher we’d like to use, instead of wondering where we can get a pitcher to use! Pitching depth is a great strength of this club.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
This bullpen is turning into a real unit
Although we know them because we’re Cubs fans, I love the fact that most fans couldn’t name three people in our bullpen outside of Woody.
They just get the job done.
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
I think anonymity the case with most teams' bullpens...
Unless you’re a real baseball addict, I doubt most people can go deeper than 1-2 names in most teams’ bullpens (aside from their own team’s pen, of course).
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
If Ascanio
can come up with a decent curve, he’d be back up immediately.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 4, 2008
The move in 10 days will be to recall the Big Hoff and DH him in Toronto.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
Daryle will be ready by then.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Len and Bob seemed to be unsure of that.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
Can we please just pass that 4th place finish?
This team deserves the series, we can do it! But that is haunting me!
slcathena - June 4, 2008
Lou must have been at wits end
with Marquis (and I don’t blame him) to show him up on the mound like that. Even the Padre announcers seemed a little taken aback. I watched it on the MLB.tv replay this morning and it was surprising.
The other stat that I heard from the Padre announcers was that while DLee is hitting .291, he is only hitting .270(something) with RISP. That surprised me a bit. But, in the end it can only mean good things because we know DLee will be better and here we are scoring runs in bunches and winning nine in a row with DLee struggling.
It’s a great time to be a Cub fan.
gwood - June 4, 2008
I don’t have D-Lee’s stats in front of me, but I can’t imagine the difference between .270 (something) with RISP and .291 with RISP is any more than two or three at-bats. He’s fine.
HereComesASpecialBoy - June 4, 2008
I suppose that's true
it just surprised me since Lee is a good hitter and you would imagine that he is getting some good pitches to hit with Ramirez behind him.
gwood - June 4, 2008
Hea really looked out of sorts at the plate a couple of times last night
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Especially
on the first strike out. That last pitch he swung at was nowhere near the zone.
gwood - June 4, 2008
wasn't that part of
the double-steal? Or was that later?
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
it was
part of the double steal, so maybe it was a hit and run type thing so Derrek’s strike zone was a little expanded trying to protect the runners
gwood - June 4, 2008
scary dlee stat
he hit just .234 in May. You’ve got to think that will change and he gets hot in June, though .234?
kylejo - June 4, 2008
D-Lee's lifetime splits
May: .246/.315/.418
June: . 318/.405/.571
I’m thinking he’ll be just fine.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
He's just not being aggressive in this rut.
He takes too many “hitters” pitches while trying to work the count. Then, he gets into protect the plate mode and puts the “pitchers” pitch in play (or strikes out looking).
Gotta be aggressive big guy! You’re the RBI guy!
SackMan - June 4, 2008
He's been taking a lot of crushable pitches
and flailing at the crap.
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
Watching Lee's at bat in the 4th with RISP.
He really battled, even though he K’d. Looked like he wore Ledezma down a little.
Don’t mind that. He’ll be fine.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
It is tough having to listen
to Vasgergian and Grant, is it not?
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 4, 2008
HUGE shout out
to the Cubs fans in the stadium last night. Even when watching the highlights from Padres tv cast, the Cubs fans were LOUD!
Love waking up to the 9th win in a row.
SouthsideCub - June 4, 2008
we
ran at will last night I was impressed. onto tonight we gotta beat marquis future replacement and lower his trade value. lmao
cubsluver22 - June 4, 2008
Al--you need your rest.....after the 4th inning
it’s “turn out the lights. the party’s over.” (in his best Don Meredith imitation).
In addition, an urgent request to all BCB readers, do NOT change your shorts unless the streak somehow comes to an end. That is all.
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
If they keep winning
how long do we have to wear the shorts? Suddenly the word streak takes on a whole new meaning.
adam316 - June 4, 2008
LMAO
Sorry—I’m going to change my shorts because that’s what I’ve been doing through the streak.
But I’ll do the 4th inning thing.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
Not changing shorts=streaks.
In more ways than one. Just sayin.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
LMAO again.
Dunno if I want THAT kind of streak.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
L Your AO...
would provide NO streaks.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
True!
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
Or maybe just one huge one....
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
TW...
ah, that’s tee-ball.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
I set 'em up, you knock 'em down.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
Those aren't skid marks...
those are bacon strips.
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2008
Well --
the little pink donuts are still available at 7-11 here and I haven’t purchased one all season. My cholesterol and blood sugar come before superstition. Therefore, on my walk from a parking lot to Petco tonight - passing not one, but two 7-11’s - I will avoid the sugary treats.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 4, 2008
AL
You keep saying to embrace this Cub’s season and enjoy it as much as possible. I don’t think turning off a game in the 4th inning (unless it is for work or some committment) is embracing it. Watch away!!!
gocubsgo22 - June 4, 2008
Believe it or not
when the Bulls were in their Championship years, I never saw a 4th quarter. When I watched, they’d lose, and win when I didnt. True story.
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
I believe it
God Bless you. I don’t know if I could have handled that. :)
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Remember that 4th quarter comeback
against Portland? Didn’t see it until SportsChannel or whoever ran the repeats of the games.
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
Man. those games were awesome!
They’d be behind like 10+ points… start the full court press with Scottie terrorizing who ever had the ball, and then BOOM. You blink an eye and it’s a 2 point game.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
I have to get SOME sleep!
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
Did anyone else hear David Kaplan's rant last night?
He was going OFF about how you’re not a true, die-hard Cubs fan unless you forsake all sleep to stay up to watch these games. While I appreciate his enthusiasm, unless you’ve got a REALLY flexible schedule, that’s a lot easier said than done.
I’d also point out that, with the many options now available for watching the game or at least its highlights, you can still support your team and “see” what happened without absolutely, positively having to do so in real time.
Now, if these were postseason games, or even late-regular season playoff-race games, I would change my tune entirely of course.
daver - June 4, 2008
The trick is to not change your position on the couch.
Once you decide to “lean” a little more… you’re done.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
another trick
is to not empty the bladder until you’re ready to go to bed…. this always keeps me up… a little painful after a while but as they say, no pain no gain.
tony412 - June 4, 2008
when you've drunk
five beers, the… situation… becomes… imminent.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
I see a way to resolve that problem...
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
I drink out of bottles
not cans…
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
real time is so passe
Emelie - June 4, 2008
Sometimes..
if they’re having a rally, I sit perfectly still and don’t move a muscle until an out is made. I know, it must be some sort of disorder, but I don’t care.
Bump Bailey - June 4, 2008
I sit
on the right armrest of my couch when we’re in scoring position and in dire need of runs. I also tend to play my guitar when the opposition is up.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
I watch
when we bat, and I sit at my desk and talk on this board when they bat.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
I guess my only TV-related superstition is...
...I NEVER change the channel during commercial breaks. I have a strict “no surfing” rule.
daver - June 4, 2008
In 2003 I had a lucky Fenway Park hat...
...don’t aske me why. It ain’t so lucky anymore.
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
Shoot
i am still wearing my lucky shorts from ‘69. I am holding out hope that the shorts are not the reason the Cubs have not been to the WS in 99 years.
wild bill - June 4, 2008
Lou looked pissed
After Marquis bounced the pickoff throw about 4 feet in front of Lee. I couldn’t believe he left him in as long as he did. They kept showing Lou throughout the first 5 innings, just bitching to whoever was around. I don’t see this relationship lasting much longer, but a win is a win I suppose.
Oh and not to sound like a noob but what does LOOGY/ROOGY mean? I’ve seen it a few times and it’s not in the BCB Dictionary….
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
LOOGY
Lefty One Out GuY …. essentially someone who comes in just to get the left hander out. See: Scott Eyre
GoCubbies34 - June 4, 2008
Gotcha
Thanks
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
Is there really a BCB dictionary??
I kinda always thought that that just was a running joke. I did even glance at the home page for it at one time, but then kinda felt stupid for doing so when I didn’t notice it.
BMoney79 - June 4, 2008
yep
you can find it here
Emelie - June 4, 2008
Hey, thanks!!
BMoney79 - June 4, 2008
No problem Al! When 10:30 rolled around and the overflow wasn't up I figured something happened...
I mean you were tired and all, for goodness sakes you had Marquis pitching against a Randy Johnson look-a-like named Oswalt with the stats of Ledezma!
I fell asleep in the 8th though and wasn’t able to post my new win flag picture… guess that will have to wait til tonight!
GoCubbies34 - June 4, 2008
So Marriotti thinks we should look at Harden? Hmmmm
MDBNIU = Mariotti?
I have the same reaction when I read something either one of them has written…eyes rolling, head slapping, screaming at the computer.
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Calling Mariotti a curmudgeon is being much too nice...
Bump Bailey - June 4, 2008
Quick!
Where’s Blue Mike when Around the Horn is on?!
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Marquis is really Pi$#@ng me off
he bitches about maybe being in the bullpen and all that, so you’d think he’d pitch with a chip on his shoulder to prove he belongs in the rotation. He was his own worst enemy last night and has been shaky at best this year. Thankfully, the offense bailed his sorry butt out. He knows Lou has him on a short leash so he better get his act together or he’ll be left off the playoff roster AGAIN!
All we need are 3 studs for the playoffs, but it would be nice to have another for insurance. Look at what Dempster’s done, he took his off season seriously and worked hard and is pitching great. Maybe Marquis is doing a flip flop this year and the 2nd half will be better than what we’re seeing so far. We can only hope.
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
Mediocre pitchers
like Marquis really get exposed on good teams. On this team, being just an “innings-eater” is no longer acceptable. He needs to go deep into games and win.
.
salparadise23 - June 4, 2008
And, as I posted above,
the numbers show that he’s not even and “innings-eater,” at this point.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
Exactly.
That’s the issue. If Marquis is going 6 per game, then we can live with the mediocrity. But he’s not.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
Agreed.
As long as he doesn’t balk.
And walk pitchers.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
And throw pick-off attempts into RF
SackMan - June 4, 2008
That too.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
And bounce pitches in the dirt with a runner on 3rd.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
and be cranky about
possibly going to the pen.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Other than that
What did you think of the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
salparadise23 - June 4, 2008
LOL. Priceless
SackMan - June 4, 2008
You said it
5 shaky innings per start is not what we need right now. Z and Demp are doing great, we need Jason to get his head out of his keister and start pitching. Getting a batter 0-2 in the count and then to start nibbling raises your pitch count and lets the other team know you feel you don’t have a “finishing” pitch to put you away. They can hang in there at 0-2 and hope Marquis nibbles his way to a walk.
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
Exactly!!
BigJohn I couldn’t put my finger on it but that’s it exactly! When he gets way ahead in the count he starts getting “cute” with his pitches.
OK, he needs to stop doing that.
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Marquis blows raw monkey
He’s a tool – he should be teamed up with Michael B. on the Pads. Perfect match.
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
LMAO
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
Now, tomorrow I am off work and could stay up tonight. So I’ll leave it up to you guys—should I? Or should I do the fourth-inning thing again? And if it happens again, do I carry it on to the game in LA on Thursday night (since I am off on Friday also)?
If I’d gone to sleep at 11:30 like I said I was going to on the thread, and not stayed up till midnight, I would have missed Soriano’s monster shot into the upper deck in dead center. HUGE home-run.
Anyone see Muskrat’s article on MLB.com today? She keeps saying that we’re ekeing out these wins. We won 9-6, is that not a pretty dominant score?
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
And
the 7-6 win was one of those the game wasn’t as close as the score indicated games, IMO. “ekeing” is not the right word.
gwood - June 4, 2008
Yeah, I read Muskrat Love's article...
...on my cell phone on the train this morning. And I was really annoyed that she ended the article with the words “Just barely.” She’s a bad enough writer to begin with, but when she tries to be profound she’s makes me want to break something.
And I’m here to confess that I turned the game off after Eyre’s dominant K in the bottom of the sixth. I was up late Sunday and watched the entire game on Monday night and the sleep deprivation was just getting to me. I figured I’d miss something good, but I’m actually kinda glad I missed Hart’s implosion. I’m not sure my exhausted eyes could’ve taken the strain.
Nine in a row…wow…so this is what that feels like….
daver - June 4, 2008
Funny how she didn't write those comments
in the Cubs.com article.
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
She did...
It’s the last thing she said in the article, she also included this gem: “Yet, watching the Cubs lately, it’s hard to believe they’re on a nine-game win streak. It seems as if each game is a struggle”
MScubbie - June 4, 2008
You're correct
You know what, Carrie? Winning IS a struggle. Losing is easy. It takes a lot more energy to win a game than to lose it, 99% of the time. We’ve had a few laughers this year, but most of the wins are wins of attrition, we hung around long enough to get into the other team’s bullpen and were patient enough at the plate to get hittable pitches. Hacking away is easy.
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
I'm just saying
that a 9-6 win is a pretty good win. Even when Hart gave up the HR, did anyone REALLY think that the Cubs were gonna lose? (I was asleep,, so I know I certainly didn’t.)
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
oh, and...
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!!!!!
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Finally!
Can’t really celebrate until I see this and my boy Leon
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Al, I think you have a free pass for tonight - do whatever you want
Cubs have already won this series, and they have four with the Dodgers coming up, and given all the Dodgers’ injuries, taking 3 out of 4 is very possible. And finally, Maddux is going tonight for the Fathers. So while a loss is never desirable, they do happen. And if they have to happen, tonight seems to be a good night to take one. Then again, a 14-3 laugher of a victory would be a nice change of pace too.
So, I think tonight is one of those games where we can all take a breather, sit back, and accept whatever the baseball gods decide to send our way… unless SD pulls it out at the end and Maddux does NOT get the win. That would be unacceptable.
btw, I’m no lip-reader but I think when Lou went out to the mound to talk to Marquis, he said something like this:
ballhawk - June 4, 2008
Are you comparing Marquis to Nuke LaLoosh?
At least LaLoosh had a good fastball!
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
DUDE - Marquis is Nuke LaDOUCHE
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Naw, he's
Le Marquis du Mediocre
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
That's what Marquis needs!
Got to wear the garter belt!
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
Something tells me he already does...
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Al, go to sleep
that’s my vote because I’m on the same pattern and it’s working!
Marquis was horrible. Only an inept team like the Padres let him live another day. I would have loved to hear some of Lou’s comments in the dugout but I do appreciate (as Len and Bob stated on the air) that he doesnt go public with any of that stuff a’la Ozzie Guillen. I guess winning also helps.
tony412 - June 4, 2008
Mmmm..... Bonderman
To be true.
Away from Comerica this year. Started 6 Games, is 2-1, with a 3.08 ERA over 38 innings. If you conveniently ignore the home stat line, he looks great out of Detroit.
N Oakley - June 4, 2008
We've got a good recent history of dealing with Detroit...
Can’t see it happening though. Who would they want?
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
bullpen help
and we could provide them with plenty of it. Maybe Donnie Veal’s resurgence makes him an attractive piece to a trade. I think we could definitely make it happen, and I really like the idea of getting Bonderman.
kylejo - June 4, 2008
Detroit is rumored to covet Wuertz,
But his performances of late have likely cooled some of that initial fervor.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
They will also be looking for payroll flexibilty. With Cabrera, Sheffield, etc. they have a lot of guys tied up to big deals. They look like the Yankees of the late 90’s. Difference is if the Tigers stop winning, the fan base has a history of staying home.
N Oakley - June 4, 2008
Detroit just DFA'd Francisco Cruceta
Cruceta has never really put it all together.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
WOW. I fell asleep when Wuertz came in...
Just looked at the play by play. Man. Thank god we scored 9!!!!
Jeez. We really need to get better middle relief. I’d say finding a quality starter for the rotation and a go-to middle relief man are the top priorities.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
I was in bed...
but it looks like Hart was terrible and Wuertz wasn’t bad. Am I wrong?
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Kind of.
Hart wasn’t great, but Wuertz was shaky, as well.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
Come Friday, I will rule the world (and be able to watch games again)
Moving sucks.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
I thought Wuertz did OK, actually.
I could be imagining this, but he seemed to be pitching to contact more than trying to strike guys out. If that’s true, it seemed to work for him. He got two pop ups and the single from Greene wasn’t all that hard hit—it just went right up the middle. I thought Wuertz redeemed himself somewhat.
daver - June 4, 2008
Well, Wuertz threw 12 pitches, 7 strikes, 5 balls.
He’s been prone to wildness lately, and I think more guys are laying off the low and away slider, which has been his out pitch.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
streaks on beds
oh man
tony412 - June 4, 2008
Which is why you never bring a blacklight to a hotel room.
There are some things you are better off not knowing.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
even more applicable to a motel room
N Oakley - June 4, 2008
is there -really- any difference anymore?
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Yes, most hotels have some money to fund house cleaning, so some surfaces get cleaned occasionally. However, I see your point.
N Oakley - June 4, 2008
SOME surfaces get cleaned OCCASIONALLY.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Yeah. from the play by play Hart sucked.
Came in with a friggin 9-3 lead, and he walks the lead-off man… loads the bases, and walks a run in before getting yanked. HORRIBLE.
You think it was comical when Lou was chewing out Marquis to throw strikes. I can only imagine what he was yelling at Hart. “It’s 9-3… throw some F’n strikes you dumb piece of &&*.”
SackMan - June 4, 2008
Walks were big
with a crappy throwing catcher like Barrett.. a walk is like the equivalent of hitting a bunch of doubles. Hope the walking then running continues tonight.
tony412 - June 4, 2008
And Bard's not much better,
So, if he gets the start tonight, that shouldn’t change anything. And Greg Maddux is probably the easiest pitcher to steal a base off of this side of Jose Contreras.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
Maddux+Barrett= Many SB's
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
How many times did we steal 3rd last night?
Let’s steal home tonight!
SackMan - June 4, 2008
At this point...
I think the Cubs could steal home, cure cancer, find Osama, preside over the marriage of a Palestinian and Israeli, perform plastic surgery on Joan Rivers and give everyone a puppy.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
And make gas $1 a gallon again!
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
Asking a little much, aren't we?
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Ok, I went a little overboard :(
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
That would be sweet!
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
Can't remember ever seeing...
a steal of home, except for the Jackie Robinson highlight that’s shown a lot. Maybe Big Z will try it this year..:)
Bump Bailey - June 4, 2008
There was one last week
Can’t remember who did it though, or what team.
cubsonWGN4ever - June 4, 2008
Seattle's
Jojhmi or whatever (the pitcher) stole home on a broken suicide squeeze. Was pretty cool.
halfblindcubbiegirl - June 4, 2008
Nice..
esp being the pitcher..
Bump Bailey - June 4, 2008
To be fair
Maddux+Blanco, Bako, Perez, Girardi, Campenella, Bench, Rodriquez etc , etc
equals many SB.s.
I LOVE Madog but don’t blame those steals on the catcher.
Doggie Stalker - June 4, 2008
Great comment
any time we get a man on first, we have to try to take 2nd. Barrett is really poor at throwing runners out. If we get 5-6 guys on, the most he’ll throw out is 1 maybe 2. I;ll take those odds as the other 4 or 5 most likely will score.
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
Are you looking to post the over/under on balls thrown into the outfield?
N Oakley - June 4, 2008
And don't forget all the passed balls he coughs up
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
Two things:
“Respect the streak”, as Crash Davis said, so sorry Al, hit the sack after the 4th.
AND
Bonderman would be an interesting pickup. Having seen him pitch in Detroit, he’s an enigma wrapped in a connundrum. When he’s good, he’s very good. He also has trouble getting out of the first inning.
Alan Trammel would be able to provide some good feedback about Bonderman from his days as the Tiger’s manager.
Could be a good pickup IF it does’t cost the Cubs an arm and a leg. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski is a shrewd dealer (Willis and Cabrera), so Jim Hendry will have to be on his toes and not give away the farm.
Zeke - June 4, 2008
+1 Respect the Streak!
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
And the gnome!
daver - June 4, 2008
A couple years from now, The Marlins will have probably gotten the best of that deal.
Willis is suddenly garbage… and Cabrera will have gained 35 pounds by then.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
Is it humanly possible for him to gain more weight?
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Ask Prince Fielder
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
Somebody here order an Awesome Blossome with extra Awesome?
Is there a Miggy here?
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Mo Vaughn says, "Yes."
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
Wasn't Willis sucking last year?
He was such a stud and now total crap. He fell pretty quickly.
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
I think he's all ready
gained that 35
Ihatethecards - June 4, 2008
Maybe
For the Tigers, this year is a case of “if something CAN go wrong, it WILL”. So I’m holding my assessment of the trade until at least the end of next year.
That’s why the playoff and WS are not awarded based on a paper lineup- just ask the Yankees.
The Tigers DID give up a lot of good young arms last winter (including the Rentieria deal with Atlanta).
So, we’ll see…
Zeke - June 4, 2008
The thing about trading for a pitcher
IMO it’s not worth it if you’re just going after a mediocre pitcher that is going to come to Wrigley under intense pressure and expectations in the middle of a pennant run. For THIS team, I’m not convinced it’s a better move than just sticking with what we’ve got. It will take a tremendous amount of skill from said pitcher and luck that we haven’t had in 100 years to somehow by God’s grace come together to actually work and give us what we’re all seeking here.
Having not personally witnessed or followed Bonderman at all, and simply looking at career stats, looks about the same if not worse than Marquis.
tony412 - June 4, 2008
I understand what you are seeing with the career stats, but he came up with Trammel in those abysmal Tiger 100 loss years. His early development abused his career numbers. With Bonderman, you have to ignore the Trammel years.
N Oakley - June 4, 2008
Wow - Woody gave up a double to start off the 9th???
Glad I missed that drama after that scary 8th.
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
To Gonzalez I believe..
And he is so locked in right now we should just walk him…
Bump Bailey - June 4, 2008
Later, everyone
actually have to do some work today LOL See ya all tonight!
BigJohnAZ - June 4, 2008
Trade Market
You know I wouldn’t be surprised if CC or another good starter were to come to The Cubs. We’re not used to being that team who would get a good player in a trade due to being a contender. Yea last year I know we made some minor trades but this is different. We have enough prospects that are tradeable that we could get a good pitcher in return by July.
ak123 - June 4, 2008
I too have had enough of Marquis.
Walking the pitcher last night, the wonderful pick-off move, and the other walks, Lou had to be pissed. If there is one place to pitch, it is in San Diego, huge park and two hitters in the lineup. I don’t get it Marquis has been around long enough, he is not that dumb. Our pen has been overused, pitching to that horrible team and throwing in the Grand Canyon, THROW STRIKES.
I don’t know if Sabitha is realistic, one the Cubs would have to give up at least 4 players, and do the Cubs rent or try to sign him long term. Bonderman is intriging. I don’t know, something will shake out, if Marquis keeps throwing like this, Cubs will pick up someone in July.
Cedeno’s AB’s last night were weak, and sliding over the bag again is just to much.
The rotation needs to get squared away, that is the main point of attention. This Cub lineup is the best in the league, hate to waste this effort with poor pitching.
All this whining on my part, I do love this team. You just get to this point, and you want this team to be even better than it is. I guess you can say I/we get spoiled.
Keep it up fellas, the nights and days are fun to watch.
Grockcubs - June 4, 2008
At work again early....
I’m beat! Stayed up for the second night to watch the cubbies win. So now I feel if I go to sleep before the game is over the streak will end…. Come back to the midwest cubbies! I need my rest.
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
We have two more series like this.
June 30-July 3 in San Francisco (three late starts) and July 21-23 in Arizona (three starts at 8:40 CT).
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
Stocking up on Folgers
n/t
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
D. Lee has slipped below .350
with his OBP. He needs to start taking his shots to right field. That’s what they are giving him.
Rick B - June 4, 2008
Just say no to giving away Gallagher
That arm is very precious IMO
Hammer - June 4, 2008
TWSS
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Judges?
daver - June 4, 2008
Denied.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
I concur.
Sorry, malice.
daver - June 4, 2008
Illicit use of the TWSS. Motion denied.
gary varsho - June 4, 2008
WOW
“Illicit use of the TWSS. Motion denied. “
LOL – nice.
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Tough room - :)
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
can we use
a different motion?
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
TWSS.
daver - June 4, 2008
And it comes full circle.
Well done, everybody.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Awesome.
Jayo525 - June 4, 2008
Love you guys! Group Hug!!
LMAO!
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Well, after the Stoney Playgirl pic was posted yesterday...
... we could throw in the occasional TWSTS here and there.
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
A.J. Burnett
could be a possibility if Totonto falls back in the East.
Rick B - June 4, 2008
Stuff
I am also tired as I have fallen asleep with the game on the past 2 nights only to wake up at about 1 or 2am to turn it off. Al I would watch the game if I were you and didn’t have to wake up at 6am, but if the Cubs lose it will be all your fault. Just joshing.
If we have any opportunity to get C.C., do it! I still feel we are 1 ace type pitcher away from being able to win it all.
slocs55 - June 4, 2008
Cool thing about that...
On Comcast here in Chicago anyway, they replay the game immediately after it’s over, so if you wake up in the middle of the night, you can catch it again (or for the first time or whatever). It’s also put “On Demand” for free on Channel 999, so there you can watch it WHENEVER you like (for a few days anyway until another more recent game replaces it) and even scan through it, rewind, pause, etc. It’s quite cool.
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Yeah, putting the games On Demand is awesome.
And, as has been pointed out before but bears repeating, you can watch the game in its entirety via the Cubs Web site (or mlb.com) – and you don’t need to be an mlb.tv subscriber to do so.
daver - June 4, 2008
Yes. I woke up and Marquis was pitching again!
Talk about nightmares!
SackMan - June 4, 2008
6 am?
Try 3:30 am.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
3:30am
Thinking of getting up at that time scares me.
slocs55 - June 4, 2008
Yeah, me too.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
Al, I think you're looking at the superstition pessimistically.
Maybe going to bed after the fourth means the Cubs win games that become too close for comfort. If you stay up and watch, maybe we blow them out.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Hmmm.
There’s an idea. What say the rest of you?
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
It's worth a shot.
The Cubs have won the series.
daver - June 4, 2008
we've won the series.
go for it.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Go to bed
I went to bed also in the top of the 4th. It works for now. Ill watch Friday.
Hammer - June 4, 2008
Whatever you
are comfortable with. It would be nice to have you join us in here.
sue369 - June 4, 2008
Al
This team is good. They have a .300 hitter batting 8th. They’ll win in spite of us and our crazy superstitions.
Feel free to stay up and watch - you, of all people, deserve it.
DMH
DeRoMyHero - June 4, 2008
I think I'm leaning towards doing the same as the past few nights
Simply because I hate getting little sleep, plus I’m recovering from a cold. There’ll be plenty of opportunities for lost sleep later this season, me thinks.
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
esitate to post that because the name "Rich Harden" is in there, which might give a certain poster here a, um, "Harden" yet again
lol.
Clever. Very Clever.
ecbc - June 4, 2008
And note now that the Cubs have won 9 straight...
... Blue Mike is nowhere to be seen.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
Blue Mike
is MDB right?
slocs55 - June 4, 2008
yes
sue369 - June 4, 2008
He showed up
last night so I’d expect him any time now. He wasn’t too excited when Soriano hit his homerun however.
sue369 - June 4, 2008
hehehehe
Emelie - June 4, 2008
And that says it right there.
Whatever your feelings on a guy, you cheer for the team. Most of us weren’t amped on Edmonds joining the team but we cheered like madmen (and madwomen) when he contributed greatly to our comeback against the Rockies.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
amen.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
yep
sue369 - June 4, 2008
SWL
No mention of him yet? Any sightings last night?
tony412 - June 4, 2008
was he the guy
who almost caught the foul ball when it bounced off his wrist, and then pulled his sweatshirt up to prove he was a cubs fan to the guy who did catch the ball?
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
how did you guys feel about that?
personally, i thought catch the ball if you want it man. I dont see how he could possbily ask the guy to give him the ball, just because it hit him first. I mean, how many times does a foul ball ricoche? It happens on almost every one, if you want it, catch it. Dont complain and get a pity foul ball given back to you. I thought that exchange was very odd.
kylejo - June 4, 2008
I dunno.
I liked that the fan gave it back to him. He did give it right to his kid.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Ha, I saw that, too.
It was a rather odd and dramatic exchange. I think “sore wrist guy” was arguing that he was trying to catch the ball for the little boy he was with and that his fellow Cubs fan should hand it over.
daver - June 4, 2008
I think you're right.
Reminds me of a game I went to at Wrigley many years ago. We’re sitting in my dad’s bosses season tix a few rows back along the first base line. A foul shot lands two rows and slightly to the left of us. A kid younger than I was and his grandfather go for the ball, as does a thirtysomething dude. The dude gets it. And out come the boy’s tears. Grandpa kinda sits there uncomfortably as the dude’s friends jokingly pressure him to give the ball to the kid. He finally, grudgingly, concedes, but not before grumbling, “Been coming to games all my life, NEVER got a ball. His first time…” Gramps then elbows the boy who whimpers out a wee, “Thank you.” For the rest of the game EVERY foul ball elicited “GIVE IT TO THE KID” chants from our section.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
He made a good argument for it
Not saying he deserves the ball, but he pleaded, pleaded some more, pointed to his injured wrist and almost took his sweater off to show his Chicago roots. But at least he gave it to his kid at the end.
southloop - June 4, 2008
Might I direct you to...
...this new fanpost.
daver - June 4, 2008
He looks like Doug Flutie to me
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
Flutie!
Yes, best one I’ve heard so far. Would love to see the side by side comparison.
tony412 - June 4, 2008
Tonights splits vs Maddux
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp?playerId=1800
Blanco hitting .375! Does he get a start here?
SackMan - June 4, 2008
Oooh.
Don’t see why not. Soto can always come in off the bench if needed.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
I bet he Hank White
won’t start because Soto already had Monday off. If I were the skip I would but I’m not, instead I’m an insurance producer, real sexy.
slocs55 - June 4, 2008
show me your
tax rates!
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Yeah.
Besides, even though we all love Mad Dog, here’s hoping Blanco doesn’t even need to come in. Blow him out…I don’t need another 9th nail-biter.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
I'm so tired of going to bed...
with a decent lead and waking up to see there was an 8th or 9th inning scare….although we won by a good margin I know we can’t give up these kinds of innings down the stretch to good hitting ball clubs. BUT a win is a win and i can’t complain about 9 in a row!
SoTxCub - June 4, 2008
237th!!!!
ScottT - June 4, 2008
I really try hard
to like Marquis but I can’t. I don’t know what they can do as it seems we are stuck with him. Maybe Jim will be able to work a miracle some how.
Looking forward to tonight’s game.
sue369 - June 4, 2008
I'll say this about Marquis....
he competes! His control issues can be maddening, but it seems like in the time I’ve watched him the last couple years, he busts his hump to compete--kinda like littlle Z with mediocre stuff. He hits and runs the bases hard…..when his control is there, he’s a good #5. Lou apparently disagrees! ;c)
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
Yeah, he is a battler...
...but he wouldn’t need to battle so much if he was a better pitcher.
daver - June 4, 2008
hear hear
Emelie - June 4, 2008
Did anyone else hear the Richard Cranium SD annoucer.....
...last night when after a couple of deep fly outs early in the game, they seemed to smarmily say…”welcome to Petco”...this ain’t no Wrigley Field….after Soto and DeRosa went deep i prayed for thier cell#’s so I could say..”welcome to a team that has more than one hitter”
Dipsticks….too bad they were getting drowned out by “Let’s Go Cubbies” and thunderous applause when we scored.
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
Yeah, but check out the Padres' GasLampBall blog..here's what they write:
See it here:
http://www.gaslampball.com/
zevkalman - June 4, 2008
check out the poll
for last night’s Game thread! Title: “Who’s to Blame for This?”
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
OR check out the "5 ways to send the Cubbies Off Right"
Including such things as having Bartman throw out the first pitch at a game, wearing out the Garvey homerun video/audio, having a Petco Goat Day, etc.
zevkalman - June 4, 2008
Explain what "Richard Cranium"
means….are you referring to Matt Vasgergian or Mark Grant. Sorry, I’m old.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 4, 2008
think of a nickname for Richard...
and what cranium refers to in layman’s terms. Then put the two together.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
Oh. Now I understand. I guess I'm as old as San Diego Smooth Jazz Man.
zevkalman - June 4, 2008
Think of the nickname for Richard and synonym for cranium...
...i believe in spanish it would be cabeza. I’m probably older (1954), but I’m not sure which annoucer-they have two annoucers I like and two I don’t….I think the guy named Al is the guy who REALLY annoys me..Jerry Coleman is ok by me-the guys I refer to last night were doing the MLB.TV broadcast, so I assume that’s their local tv team….Mark Grant seemed fine if he’s the analsyt-tI think it was the play by play-who honeslty for the most part was fine—that one instance was sort of tool-sey of him.
The play by play radio guy is easily the most annoying i’ve heard in any sport at any level. My mother-in-law would be more enjoyable.
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
Ted Leitner may be who you are referring to on radio
Andy Masur is the third man in the booth….as you know, he was doing 1 inning of Cubs baseball on WGN for many years when Pat Hughes needed a batroom break.
The ancient Jerry Coleman isn’t around as much. Mostly home games….
Matt Vasgergian, the tool—is the main pbp guy on TV.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 4, 2008
problem is
his control isn’t there.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
If Hendry
could get rid of Todd Hundley, I am sure he can get rid of Marquis.
wild bill - June 4, 2008
To bad Dave Littlefield isn't around..
..for Jim Hendry to fleece. I STILL can’t believe what Littlefield was thinking when he picked up Matt Morris and ALL of the money he was owed on this contract!
cowsarecool220 - June 4, 2008
Im putting the over/under
for this thread at 550, before the game thread
Hammer - June 4, 2008
Over.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
over
sue369 - June 4, 2008
Oooooh...good number..
I do like a good wager now and then….I say under. I’ll bet a beer to all those that say over. I should be at the Sox games, so you can pay me then suckers!
Bump Bailey - June 4, 2008
Ha
You cant win. If I want the beer Ill post over
Hammer - June 4, 2008
and over
Hammer - June 4, 2008
again
Hammer - June 4, 2008
I keed I keed
Hammer - June 4, 2008
LOL..
Damn…I knew I should have put in a one post per person rule:)
Bump Bailey - June 4, 2008
You can't win, Bump.
If you guess under we will post over and over and become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
I find your lack of faith disturbing.
Your powers are weak..:)
Bump Bailey - June 4, 2008
the posts you try to suppress
the more posts will slip through your fingers.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
250+ comments by 11:30 Chicago time?
Man, I can’t keep up with this site anymore.
JohnM - June 4, 2008
It was just supposed to be a fun little fan site.
Then they started winning. That’s when things changed.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Indeed
I’d be worried about a troll invasion too, closer to playoffs is the Cubs are still contenders, not just a rise in normal traffic. I remember in 2003-2004 the Cubs usenet newsgroup (message board) was inundated – although that is an unmoderated forum.
JohnM - June 4, 2008
Lou
I am surprised at how often Lou rips his players (pitcher usually) on the field and in front of cameras. I’m not saying it’s a bad because I usually am feeling the same anger he is but it happens a lot.
Thoughts?
slocs55 - June 4, 2008
minus the a above
slocs55 - June 4, 2008
You have to give the Gaslamp kids
credit—while about 75% of the chatter has nothing to do with baseball, with a rather curious obsession about a naked Brian Giles, they’ve been able to draw more traffic than ever to their site, in a down year.
On the other hand, “True Blue LA” with a Dodgers fan base… 75x that of the Padres…
— crickets -—-
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 4, 2008
There's also a couple of good looking chicks with nice avatars and bios on that site.
Reminds me of my college days at UC Irvine :-)
zevkalman - June 4, 2008
I have a different take on the strating pitching question
I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see two of our three “stockpiled” lefty starters turn it around and make solid contributions once again. I think the key is middle relief—if two guys from the group of Wuertz, Lieber, Cotts, Ascanio, Hart , (or outsider) could become dependable in innings 6&7 before getting to Howrey, Marmol, and Wood, then maybe the question becomes moot?
leothelip - June 4, 2008
starting, sorry
leothelip - June 4, 2008
I do not understand Rich Hill.
I really don’t. He’s like friggin’ Rex Grossman. Someone explain it to me, please.
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Different situations...
With Grossman, it’s that he’s undersized, slow, and can’t read a blitz. When he has time to sit back in the pocket, he’s fine. When the blitz gets anywhere near him, he freaks out.
With Hill, it’s a command thing. When he can command his fastball and his curveball, he’s very very tough. When he can’t he’s in trouble, because his fastball is only 90-92 with little movement and he doesn’t have a good third pitch.
There may also be confidence issues with him which affect his command. With Grossman, I don’t think it’s an issue of confidence – it’s more an issue of not understanding your limitations and not being able to read a defense.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
That's what I'm wondering...
Is it one or the other or BOTH? If it’s confidence, then I DEFINITELY don’t get it. Give the damn guy some friggin’ Xanax – lol. I watched Zambrano go from not being able to do CRAP with his fastball the other night and, after a quick talking to, starting mixing in other pitches, got his head together and was able to at least LAST 5 IP and get the win. Hill was SO good when he was on – it just f’n baffles me he can’t even get AAA hitting out now… (sigh)
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Confidence is a tricky thing...
Especially when you’re so dependent upon command. Zambrano has an advantage in that he throws extremely hard with a lot of movement. He knows that if he hits his spots, people can’t touch him, and even if he misses a little, he’s tough to beat. Hill doesn’t have that luxury. He has less margin for error.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
I think that's also part of why
Dempster has been able to do so well. He doesn’t throw as hard as Z, but he has a TON of movement on EVERY pitch.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Exactly!
If he can’t locate that 90 (or less if i recall) mph fastball and gets behind—hitters wait out his curve and then make him throw behind on the count get me over cookie and it’s go time.
As Greg Maddux says-the best pitch in baseball is a located fastball-even if it’s not a great heater.
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
Hill
I think Eyre may have given us an insight to Hill’s problem. I have made a post a while back about how the public in general for some odd reason think that professional athletes are immune to pressure. Anyway Eyre said that last year he was intimidated by Sweet Lou to the point where he tried to be perfect in every outing, that didn’t work. This year Scott has allowed himself to relax a little more and realized he will not be perfect.
Back to Hill, he is probably intimidated by Sweet Lou and it has gotten into his head, now he can’t compete at the MLB level. If Hill were on the hill (pun intended) last night when Lou was barking at Marquis he would have probably soiled his pants.
slocs55 - June 4, 2008
Would the Cubs trade Rich Hill?
When talking about getting a top of the line starter, I wonder if the Cubs’ biggest trade chip is Rich Hill and whether or not the Cubs would trade him. So, the questions are:
1) How much trade value do you think Hill has?
2) Would you trade Hill for a 1/2 year rental?
For my part, I see no point in trading for a 3/4 starter. If we’re going to trade for a starter it needs to be a shut-down type guy.
DGU - June 4, 2008
I agree with your last paragraph...
I’m just not sure where Hill’s trade value is.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
If you have a flux compasitor
And go back in time to 2005: Rich Hill’s trade value is A+
SackMan - June 4, 2008
Am I reading this right?
When we sent Rich Hill down this year, he was 1-0 with a 4.12 ERA? Somehow I guess I thought it was worse. Still, 18 BBs in 19 IP…
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Marquis hasn't been any better..
but he’s being paid so much $ (thanks Jim) that they kinda have to keep him for now.
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2008
Yep -
Hill’s ERA was right at his career norm, but his WHIP (1.576) was sky-high and that didn’t bode well for Hill being able to keep his ERA low.
DGU - June 4, 2008
I believe he also missed some time in AAA with back or neck spasms?
Maybe that was the root of his control issue.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
I agree with everything but the word. It's "capacitor" not "compasitor". :-)
zevkalman - June 4, 2008
Too bad I can't go back in time and fix that.
SackMan - June 4, 2008
With Hill, you have a pitcher who will be under another team's control
for what three more years? I think Hill could pitch well in Cleveland’s home park, so is it inconceivable that he might even be worth Sabathia straight up?
DGU - June 4, 2008
I think CLE would have to be like 15 out before they'd consider anything...
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Well, for me the question is more about Hill than CC, so
replace Sabathia with A.J Burnett’s name. Would you do that deal? Would Toronto?
DGU - June 4, 2008
I hope we don't have to answer that...
The only reason to trade Hill is if you don’t think he can get his command harnessed. If he can, then I don’t think it’s a smart trade for the Cubs, as I think he has #2 starter stuff when he’s on. If he doesn’t get it back, then he has less trade value.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
Straight up?
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2008
LOL - and I agree.
“You keep using that word…. I do not think it means what you think it means…” – :)
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
So, what do you think Hill's value is?
For some teams a young pitcher under their control for several more years, who strikes out nearly a batter per inning is as valuable as it gets.
DGU - June 4, 2008
He has value...
but it’s not equivalent to a 28 yr old CY Winner still in the prime of his career. Sorry.
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2008
If this was one-year fantasy BB, straight up, of course, I want CC.
The question is – to Cleveland, is Hill’s next 3 years (am I right about that figure) worth more than half a year of CC? Are they going to get a better package for CC than Hill?
DGU - June 4, 2008
For just Rich Hill...probably.
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2008
If his presence in that 1/2 year will
bring us closer to a WS than it would Hill, then I’ll start packing Rich’s bags for him.
Jayo525 - June 4, 2008
And he can't even beat out Marquis for a rotation spot.
OK…
SackMan - June 4, 2008
Lou says: "Nice job!"
SackMan - June 4, 2008
Lou says--"who stole my dip?"
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
Lou says
hmmm… feels like chicken.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Jealous, ladies?
daver - June 4, 2008
Hey, what's wrong?
Soto’s 18.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Lou says--"dang these West coast road trips are long."
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
Lou says
“Geo, you got a purty mouf.”
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Lou says--
“does this resemble a modified Heisman pose?”
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
An example of Lou's cryptic new signs for Quade and Sinatro
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
This one is the suicude squeeze
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
hit and RUN
not hit and bum!
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
LMAO
Is that from “Deliverance”?
Bump Bailey - June 4, 2008
sumpin like
that.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Like I said, I don't really know his value...
I doubt that, right now, Hill could be traded straight up for Sabathia, even given the financial advantages. Sabathia is just so much more proven. But, again, I don’t really know.
As an aside – with Hill’s penchant for giving up the HR, I don’t think Cleveland is a good park for him.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
Let's turn this around a little.
Rank these pitchers by value for a ML team.
Pitcher A: Age 28
Career WHIP 1.268
Career K rate .92
Contract status: not yet arb eligible
Injury status: only on DL once, for minor back pains
Pitcher B: Age 26
Career WHIP 1.259
Career K rate .95
Contract status: 4.5 M this year, 7 M option for next year
Injury status: Never pitched over 190 innings; only over 100 innings 2xs; been on DL each year for past 4 years
Pitcher C: Age 31
Career WHIP 1.281
Career K rate .91
Contract Status: 12 M this year, 24 M over next two years or opt out at end of this year
Injury Status: Only pitcher over 175 IP 2xs in career and 1x in past 5 years
Pitcher D: Age 27
Career WHIP 1.273
Career K rate .82
Contract Status: In his contract year
Injury Status: Pitched over 175 IP the past 7 straight years
Pitcher E: Age 25
Career WHIP 1.385
Career K rate .82
Contract Status: 8.5 M this year, 12.5 M each next two years
Injury Status: nicked up here and there, but 160+ IP for all 5 years of career
Pitcher F: Age 27
Career WHIP 1.321
Career K rate .57
Contract Status: 3.7 M this year, just over 3 years of service time
Injury Status: Over 175 IP the past three years, basically every year of his career
DGU - June 4, 2008
For a mid-season rental. D#1... C#2
SackMan - June 4, 2008
I'm not sure I see your point...
the question isn’t what they’ve done to this point. The question is trade value. Pitcher A (Rich Hill) has great potential and was really good last year, but he’s lost command of the strike zone. We don’t know if he’ll return to being that guy whose stats you’ve listed.
I wouldn’t trade Hill for Burnett if I know Hill is going to bounce back to the guy he was last year and late in 2006. But what if he doesn’t return? GMs probably consider that as well as the career track record.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
I'm not making a point.
I’m legitimately asking because I don’t know what Hill’s value is, although I tend to think it is higher than some of the trade targets listed. In other words, compare Bonderman and Hill – there’s “upside” to Bonderman we think and might trade for him, but if Rich Hill was on the trade market, wouldn’t we want Hill a whole lot more than we want Bonderman?
DGU - June 4, 2008
The key distinction...
is how people view past performance compared to future success. Hill has had very nice success for a very brief period of time. He’s also currently struggling to regain command of the strikezone, and looked TERRIBLE early this year.
You’re presenting these data in a vacuum. There’s little context for the duration of success and current status.
I also don’t know what Hill’s value is, but it’s certainly not fully obtainable based on the very limited picture you present in your post.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
Well, sure.
When listing a half dozen pitchers, I’m not going to list every available stat, but career WHIP and K rate aren’t bad stats to use and none of these guys have dinky sample sizes. With Hill, of course, there’s the fact that his career is currently bookended by obscene WHIPs. We all are very aware of the case against Hill. I’m trying to put up the case for him, trying to imagine what I might think about him if he was on another team and I was looking for potential 1/2s. Would Hill be a trade target?
DGU - June 4, 2008
Hill has a dinky sample size...
that was my point in the previous thread, and it is why the bookend WHIP problems are a concern. It’s not like he has 3-4 years of pitching really well like Sabathia or 4-5 years of pitching solidly like Burnett.
Honestly, I think it’s a fruitless exercise, because it comes down to whether or not the GMs think they can harness Hill’s stuff and get him to be like he was last year and late-2006.
Like Harden, who has the best stuff of the bunch but is probably a week away from another DL stint as we speak, it’s a complete unknown what Hill’s trade value will be.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
Hill's Sample Size isn't dinky; it's not robust,
but it’s not dinky. He’s got a season and a half of 4.00 ERA under his belt at the ML level and another two good seasons in the minors. He’s got the stuff that says his performance isn’t flukish. He’s also got a clear problem. It’s possible we won’t be able to figure out his trade value, but it’s still more worth talking about, I think, than in repeating an old debate that can get restarted with two (or four) words that have been posted a dozen and a half times.
DGU - June 4, 2008
Fair enough - semantics...
I just see Hill as a big question mark, and thus gauging his trade value is difficult. It’s sort of similar to Harden, although for completely different reasons. With Harden, you know what you get as long as he’s healthy. You just don’t know how long he’ll be healthy. With Hill, you just don’t know what you’re going to get. So projecting trade value is going to be all in the eye of the beholder, and how willing to gamble the GM is.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
So who are these letter people?
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
A is Hill, C is Burnett, D is Sabathia
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
B is Harden...
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
A: Rich Hill
B: Rich Harden
C: A.J. Burnett
D: C.C. Sabathia
E: Jeremy Bonderman
F: Joe Blanton
DGU - June 4, 2008
F is Blanton...
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
It would take a perfect storm for Cleveland to trade CC
A. They’d have to be out of contention come trading deadline
B. They’d have to be convinced they’re not going to be able to re-sign him
C. They’d have to be overwhelmed with a trade offer.
Right now, my odds on each of those happening would be 15%, 50% and 20% respectively. Don’t quote me on the math, but that means I’d put the probability of a trade actually happening to be about 1.5%. Now the Bulls beat similar odds so anything is possible, but please don’t hold your breath.
I think Cleveland is perfectly content with riding CC to the end even if they don’t re-sign him. They would much rather grow their own prospects via those compensation picks than try to make some other team’s prospects work.
ballhawk - June 4, 2008
I agree with what you write here.
So, let’s set aside Sabathia. What about the other names Al listed? Are there any we think is an actual improvement on Rich Hill? And if not, then who do we put on the table for them?
DGU - June 4, 2008
It all depends...
if Hill finds his command, I’d take him over trading for any of those other guys, for various reasons (some due to price, some due to injury risk, some due to the fact that they aren’t as good, some due to multiple reasons). If he doesn’t, he’s not worth much at all. Without the answer to that question, it’s a big gamble.
As such, I have no idea what his trade value is. If a team thinks they can get him back on track, then he probably has decent trade value. If teams are scared by the fact that he can go for long stretches with a WHIP over 1.5, then they aren’t going to offer much.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
if Hill finds his command
but how long do we wait?
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Although there are some pitchers I might trade Hill for
I’d generally like to give him all year, because it honestly won’t matter much if Hill has no command through August, but finds it for the fall. That’s all we’d need him for.
That said, there is a legitimate question about whether or not Hill’s mentality is incompatible with Lou’s coaching style. If Cubs management thinks that’s the problem, then it’s not worth holding on to him at all.
DGU - June 4, 2008
Completely agree...
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
At least until close to the deadline...
Beyond that, it all depends (again). We obviously wait until close to the deadline, as that’s when teams might make a move. And then, it depends on what is reasonably available to us and what teams might want for Hill.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
AND........... The Bulls still don't have a coach....
SackMan - June 4, 2008
Flip?
maybe he’s their guy…
Bump Bailey - June 4, 2008
You would think that after firing their coach on X-mas....
they would have figured this thing out already.
WHAT A COMPLETE EMBARRASSMENT
SackMan - June 4, 2008
That reminds me...
Steve Kerr was sitting down on the field-level “box seats” last night…and there were a couple drunk Padre fans hassling him most of the night. David Wells was also sitting down there next to the Cubs Dugout…the Padres could maybe use him for the 2nd half…lol.
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2008
2nd half?
Of what, the clubhouse spread?
To hold down the 2nd half of the infield tarp?
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Was Kerr cheering for the cubs?
Or does he have some sort of connection w/ either team?
Jayo525 - June 4, 2008
Couldn't really tell...
I assume he as rooting for the Cubs…but I didn’t really pay too much attention to him.
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2008
Wells has never been a 'half' of anything...
well, maybe a half-ton pickup…
ballhawk - June 4, 2008
Not too excited about ANY of the options...
Still seems like Collins is going to be the guy, though, right? All of them have flaws:
Johnson: has consistently been outcoached in the playoffs
Collins: old and similar to Skiles
The rest: unproven or not very good
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
OK, so David Wells or Jason Marquis?
????
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
For a hot dog eating contest?
Wells…..though Marquis would only participate if they were Kosher
tony412 - June 4, 2008
Hebrew Nationals, baby!
daver - June 4, 2008
Those are quite tastsy..
Bump Bailey - June 4, 2008
Concur.
Though, I think Bests Kosher are better, plus are served at Wrigley.
mmmmm, Bests Kosher. I gotta get some of those frozen and sent up to me by my family. screw customs!
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
I make those at home sometimes
But they always taste better at the ballpark.
salparadise23 - June 4, 2008
Doesn't everything?
daver - June 4, 2008
How to guarantee a win
Al, try this:
1) Walk into the restroom during the 4th inning of a home game, holding a tomato slice in your teeth, and bring your scorecard
2) FALL ASLEEP in the restroom, allowing the tomato slice to fall on the scorecard
3) ???
4) Profit!
jcg996 - June 4, 2008
sounds like a winner.
but won’t they eventually kick him out of the restaurant?
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Most likely
he’d run into Larry Craig.
bubbamike the one and only - June 4, 2008
Correct me if I'm wrong...
but if I kill all the golfers, they’re gonna lock me up and throw away the key.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Didn't that senator try something like this in the airport washroom?
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Not golfers balls... GOPHER BALLS!!!
ballhawk - June 4, 2008
Question Al,
For a few after game posts you had the score in the title. I liked that but the last few games you omitted the score. Any reason?
tucsoncubsfan - June 4, 2008
Because I forgot.
I’ll try to remember.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
You see what sleep deprivation does, people?!
daver - June 4, 2008
Huge Dilemma
AFN will show tonight’s game live over here in London… do I wake up at 3am to watch? Do I wake up at 5am and see if it’s over yet? Do I do what I did the past 2 games of the road trip and wake up at 6:45 as usual and see if we won?
For the record, I do believe in streaks, and I watched the saturday afternoon game live on AFN so we have won during this streak with me watching, just not on this road trip…
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
More dilemmas...
Tomorrow’s game will also be live at 3am. Obviously, whatever I do tonight will be the same tomorrow night if the result is good.
Moving on to saturday afternoons game: the game will be shown, but tape-delayed until noon on sunday (5am chicago time). Do I follow the game live on saturday night or wait to watch the delay?
Just in case anyone cares, Sunday’s game will be live at 1am monday over here. Why do I get such a streak of televised games during the west coast trip, but not during the wrigley afternoon games?
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
Videotape is your friend.
Watch it later in the day. It’ll already be over. Nothing your superstition can do. Unless you believe your delayed viewing will rip a hole in the fabric of space/time. In which case, you have far bigger problems to deal with.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Two problems
No video recorder, and I strongly believe delayed viewing of SPORTS does indeed rip a hole in the fabric of space/time.
Plus, I can’t control myself enough to not check the score online first.
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
string theory is your friend
there is no fabric of space/time—11 dimensions! Count ‘em! All Cubs all the time.
Emelie - June 4, 2008
Dr. Beckett? Is that you?
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
I'm not sure
the same streak-rules apply over seas. You may be allowed to mix it up and just do whatever you feel like it.
tony412 - June 4, 2008
Do you have a guidebook or something saying this?
Streaks are too risky to risk taking this on someones word!
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
You see if you're in Italy you should watch it live BUT if you're in Germany.....
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
FWIW
When I’m in Shanghai and they play a day game, I get up at the same time (4 PM Central) . . . sometimes I catch the end of the game, sometimes not. It might be different if it were September, but for June, I wouldn’t get up at 3.
I have been staying up to 12 for these games, but that’s a lot easier.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
So...you are ACTUALLY in Shanghai???
Well, that’s interesting!!
zevkalman - June 4, 2008
He can't be
Shanghai is 7 hours ahead of me here in the UK… so these west coast games would start at 10am his time… if they start at midnight for him, that would mean he’s in the middle of the atlantic ocean somewhere. so well, yeah, i’m confused myself.
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
Indeed
I am often in Shanghai, but not right now. Too damn hot in the summer to be there . . . and humid.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
I stay up until midnight for the end of the game, not the start
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
That makes a little more sense!
My brain cells were throwing an old fashioned “does not compute, will self implode” at me.
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
and when I am out there
I don’t mind the west coast games, but they overlap lunch… AZ/COL night games are perfect.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
update music: Micah Meltdown
In the bottom of the 3rd Micah gives up 4 ER on 5 singles, a double and a sac fly to the Brewers as they now trail 4-1. BTW, Micah is batting 8th in the order. A loss and AZ will have the same record as the Brewers. So much for being the best team in the NL. Staying power baby, the Cubs have it!
tony412 - June 4, 2008
5-1 actually
would be nice to see them lose a game or two
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
thanks
so much for being the update guy too
tony412 - June 4, 2008
ah, well.
you can update when AZ scores 8 in the 6th. I hope.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
Only the Cubs can score 8 late!
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
how about 6?
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
On a case by case basis
I’ll allow it
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
never mind. 6 won't do it.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
Frickin' good for nuthin' D-Backs.
daver - June 4, 2008
no kiddin'
I still have confidence in the Cubs, but I find this run a little unnerving.
Of course, they still have McClung and Bush in the rotation—and Yost at the helm.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
starters
Hard to believe we’re on a 9-game win streak when the starters haven’t been able to get past the 6th inning about five games in a row.
danimal15 - June 4, 2008
Two words.
Rich Harden. Do it.
MDBNIU - June 4, 2008
That's four words
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
Last post.
Don’t even dignify this.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
More words
Trade. Felix Pie, Tony Thomas and Oakland’s pick of Rich Hill or Sean Marshall. This team has SCREAMING need for a primetime starting pitcher who can form a lethal 1-2 punch with Zambrano. 2008 is the year of the Cubs. Pull out ALL the stops baby.
MDBNIU - June 4, 2008
Yawn.
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2008
Word
I like this much better. I feel so street.
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
What'd I miss?
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Well some people were confused by the +1 comment so I chose WORD
OH and MDBNIU served up his daily vomit -er I mean chorus - of Get Harden
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
How about
Trust Jim and Lou, sit back, enjoy the ride?
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
+1
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
+2
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
But
It cant happen. Marshall is a two pitch loser and Pi e is a AAAA player. Why would Billy Beane do this? Youve already told us they suck…............tool
Hammer - June 4, 2008
I love this brand of thinking.
1) We have players that suck.
2) Other teams have players that don’t suck.
3) ...
4) Trade them!
cwyers - June 4, 2008
OK, OK, OK...
Tyler Colvin, Tony Thomas, Jeff Smardizija and Oakland’s pick of Sean Marshall or Rich Hill.
MDBNIU - June 4, 2008
But
You love Tyler Colvin?
Hammer - June 4, 2008
Why don't we just throw in...
Sec Taylor Stadium, Jackie Robinson Ballpark, O’Brien Field, Memorial Stadium and Fitch Park, too? Hell, we won’t need ‘em anymore!
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Waveland? Sheffield?
No price is too high!!
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Sheffield? sure, no problem. Save me the time and effort of running over there for Fontenot... ;-)
But NFW on Waveland. I’ll chain myself to the fire hydrant before I let that happen…
ballhawk - June 4, 2008
Cause the Shark
is unstoppable?
Give me a break. We don’t have the parts to trade without giving away the farm. AND WE DON’T NEED IT ANYWAY. What part of nine-game winning streak do you not understand?
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Lets trade the Shark
after giving him what 10 million to pitch in Tennessee?
Hammer - June 4, 2008
I’m happy to offer Laraine Day
leothelip - June 4, 2008
Say, you might be onto somethin' there
MDBNIU - June 4, 2008
Right
Im onto to you Ronnie Woo Woo. Thats because you are constantly repeating and contradicting. Why would you advocate a trade for people you already claimed sucked? Next youll throw in Marquis.
BlueMike “Cubs WOO, Marshall WOO, Pie WOO, Harden WOO” Yawn
Thanks Ronnie
Hammer - June 4, 2008
haha
sue369 - June 4, 2008
Let's trade for SANTANA!
WHOO-HOO!
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Wait, who's Rich Harden?
Never heard of him.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Check the injury report
His last 4 seasons, including this one, have totaled about 150 innings.
Hammer - June 4, 2008
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Fact: Rich Harden is the United States’ number three importer of textiles, behind Linens ‘N’ Things and Mark Prior.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
This is amazing, especially considering he's Canadian.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Well, maybe he exports them too. You know, he's an importer/exporter
and he works for Van de Lay Industries in the offseason….
ballhawk - June 4, 2008
He's in latex
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
And he's also an architect..
Have you seen the new addition to the Guggenheim? Really didn’t take very long…
Bump Bailey - June 4, 2008
Marine biologist on the side.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Y'know what? This isn't a political campaign.
You’re not going to win over new voters by constantly repeating your message. We all know you want Rich Harden. It’s in your damn sig line. Now please stop cluttering up our discussions with it.
daver - June 4, 2008
Maybe it should be a political campaign
At some point, he’d officially lose.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Vote Blue Mike for President!!!
He was for Soriano before he was against Soriano
ballhawk - June 4, 2008
He's fishing. That's all he does.
When he posts ONE LINE about Rich Bloody Harden we all can do one real easy thing: DON’T REPLY.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Doctor, it hurts when I do this!
“Then don’t do it”
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
yep
sue369 - June 4, 2008
aren't you supposed to be
in a fetal position, rocking back and forth over your angst over Soriano’s All-star performances?
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
or the fact that he has more RBIs
in 60+ less at bats the DLEE? BATTING LEADOFF!!!!!
Hammer - June 4, 2008
Knock, Knock.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
You guys have something against Knock Knock jokes?
KNOCK, KNOCK!
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Who's there?
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
Interrupting BlueMike
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
RICH HARDEN!
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Rich Harden who?
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
Never mind.
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
That's not a very good
knock knock joke then
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
You missed the "Interrupting BlueMike"
You know, like:
Knock Knock
Who’s there?
Interrupting Cow.
Interrupting C..
MOO!
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
Ha, I like that one.
I’m going to tell it to my daughter tonight.
daver - June 4, 2008
Always love the cow jokes!
cowsarecool220 - June 4, 2008
You guys are all NUTS. You KNOW who we need back...
...and are just too afraid to ADMIT IT.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bowiemi01.shtml
HE WILL PUT US OVER THE TOP!!!
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Imagine if Micah Bowie, Micah Hoffpauier and Micah Owings all played in the same game.
That’d be a whole lotta Micah.
daver - June 4, 2008
There have been only four players named "Micah" in major league history.
Those three and Micah Franklin.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
Deep Goat=
Ed Hartig?
Bildo1805 - June 4, 2008
wow - four micahs
suddenly i have this urge to redo my kitchen counters…
ballhawk - June 4, 2008
one, two, three, four
Micah’s…
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
That joke is solid!
And so easy to clean!
daver - June 4, 2008
I was afraid that was going to link to Neifi.
sanantonecub - June 4, 2008
That would not have been funny. Just disturbing.
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Neifi
is the hole in space/time.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
TNWSS
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
I can't believe that year we had Burnitz, Neifi, and Corey Patterson on the team.
And we expected to be contenders.
zevkalman - June 4, 2008
It was based on pitching and prayers...
and then the pitching got hurt again. And Nomar got hurt again.
In fairness, there was no reason to assume Patterson would completely fall off the map. He had been strong in 2003 and okay in 2004. He just fell off the map in 2005. And if Nomar stays healthy, Perez is the backup middle-IF. And we expected Wood and Prior to return to form (that was year one of the catastrophe of relying on those guys).
It really wasn’t unreasonable if you consider that the lineup and rotation were theoretically as good as the 2003 team before the injuries piled up.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2008
I'm going to take
a little nap so I will be ready for the game tonight. These late nights are catching up with me. WGN tonight so most will be able to watch.
sue369 - June 4, 2008
I made it till midnight last night
but my wife was, ah, not happy. I’ll probably going to watch till 11.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
i make it to 1030
I have gotten up to use the washroom the last two nights around the time Al is getting to work. I check the score on my phone.
Hammer - June 4, 2008
I purposely went to bed once the 8th ended and was hoping to wake up to good news.
Worked out OK. :)
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Wuss!
LOL
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Yes, yes I am. :P
sue369 - June 4, 2008
Yes, WGN!
I am ecstatic for some Cubbie baseball tonight. I would love to see every game, but being limited makes the ones I get to see that much better. Plus, get to see three of the four in the Dodger series.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
I am in real hopes that MLB will offer Extra Innigs to cable subscribers in the next contract
The NFL too for that matter.
Direct TV is Way too expensive for me
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Do you have regular or digital cable?
I have digital and it’s offered. Very seriously considering ordering it after the break (cos I believe it goes down in price then).
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
the bet
So if our boys in blue win ten in a row, Len and Bob are switching facial hair.
... egad.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Oh lord
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Not a good look for Len.
daver - June 4, 2008
Word
sorry Bama, i like this better than +1 too
gwood - June 4, 2008
Hey I hope it catches on!
We’ll all be the hippest blogsite on the web. LOL
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
word. :P
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
See? It's great.
I need to go buy some bling.
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
do we need
a gang sign?
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Chi Town Represent!!!
OK maybe that’s too much
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
maybe
a gold toof.
tony412 - June 4, 2008
/rolls eyes
northsider - June 4, 2008
Didnt Len say he couldnt grow one?
Hammer - June 4, 2008
No, TWSS.
daver - June 4, 2008
he said he'd have a shadow
and that Bob’s would grow back before he could get anywhere.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
The curse of facial hair ineptitude.
I know his pain.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Is that your own PS?
B/c I don’t remember seeing the goatee last night on TV…or maybe they came up w/ a few variations. Either way, hilarious.
Jayo525 - June 4, 2008
no, actually
it’s from Len & Bob’s blog.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
So...
this is true?
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
it's true that they've promised to do it
if the Cubs win tonight.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
GO CUBS!!!
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Yikes...
Len looks like the kind of guy your parents are supposed to protect you from.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
bwawawaw
haha nice
Hammer - June 4, 2008
no, he looks like a programmer.
Well, ok, I grant your point…
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Here's a photoshop challenge for another day...
Give Len some really really poofy floppy hair and I’d bet he’d be a ringer for Conan O’Brien.
And keep Bob cleanshaven, but add a well-worn leather hat and a whip and I’m thinking we got ourselves Indiana Brenly and the Lost Trophy of Doom.
ballhawk - June 4, 2008
Remember when...
Lou died his hair in Tampa Bay after only a 3 GAME WINNING STREAK
Jayo525 - June 4, 2008
In case you don't...This is him getting all Purrrrddy
Jayo525 - June 4, 2008
I grew up thinking
Eight WAS enough
tony412 - June 4, 2008
We are getting close to the 550 over under target
Hammer - June 4, 2008
yep
only 52 more to go
Emelie - June 4, 2008
51
tony412 - June 4, 2008
Oh, it's done.
Get that free beer ready.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Just strolled over
to GLB and it turns out that Padre fans don’t like the Cubs very much. Hard to blame them being the low man on the totem pole but wow.
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
sore losers.
When the Padres beat the Cubs earlier, I didn’t call the quality of their fans into question.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
When your team is playing as well as ours is
the only option the opponents have is to pick on their fans. We just happen to be a visible and annoying target for opponents because we always show up to their parks in numbers greater than their own.
gwood - June 4, 2008
The volume of Cub fans scattered around the US is amazing
I was at a Dodger game in LA in about ‘88 or so (Dawson hit one out for us that day) and it seemed like close to 50% Cub fans.
When the Cubs clinched on the road in ‘84 and I think ‘89 as well-there were tons of Cub fans. (last year in cincy was off the hook-i was there for it—with tickets I’d purchased in March for my B-day).
But how much of what we see now is the sort of cultural phenomenen the Cubs have become versus real fans who bleed blue?
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
Unfortunately the Cubs have to deal with some folks who aren't what they appear
I’ve seen posts here a lot about the “Wrigley gawkers” who only come because it’s a “cute thing to do”. These are the idiots that get wasted and run on the field.
I had to deal with some of these folks in Atlanta last year. They wear the Cubs gear but are about as close to real fans as MDBNIU is to coherence.
I’ll just assume that THOSE were the people the Fathers faithful were bitching about.
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Join in the fun...
...on this thread!
daver - June 4, 2008
Haha, read your comments.
Awesome!
Jayo525 - June 4, 2008
Didn't join in the fun
but I did like your response to them. A few are quite hateful.
tucsoncubsfan - June 4, 2008
it ain't worth it.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
+1
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
Word
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Hey, I'm not gonna spend all night arguing with these geniuses...
...but I don’t think it hurts to burst their bubble once in a while.
daver - June 4, 2008
well, it's not going to change their minds
and reading the stuff is only going to aggrivate you
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
True, which is why I'm really not planning on spending much more time on it.
daver - June 4, 2008
my spelling
should also aggravate . . .
I didn’t think that looked right when I typed it. Oh, well—one more post. Gives me an excuse to raise the total.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2008
Thanks!
My approach is: I don’t go to other team’s blogs looking to start trouble. But if they’re saying crazy, inflammatory sh*t like that, I will throw it back in their faces. Of course, I got banned from the Evil BCB for this very practice.
daver - June 4, 2008
Lesson not learned
:D
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
Evil BCB???
BMoney79 - June 4, 2008
Yes...
...the Evil BCB.
daver - June 4, 2008
Holy S***
Nice picture. Real class
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
That's pretty brutal
BMoney79 - June 4, 2008
Word
that IS evil
tony412 - June 4, 2008
Yep, I'm tellin' ya...
daver - June 4, 2008
My first post on BCB!
So let me get this straight. The guy in the picture kills the seals.Who feeds them all to Prince? Vegetarian his great big ass.
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
LOL!
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
How do you get that fat
Eating vegetables?
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
maybe he eats
a lot of bananas and asparagus in butter and avocados. Avocados are FULL of fat and cholesterol.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Yeah but the good kind of fat
And still. Does he eat them by the damn bushel basket?
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
even the "good" kind of fat
is bad if you eat too much of it.
And you can eat tons of peanut butter and still be a vegetarian and still be fat. Hell, you can eat DORITOS and be a vegetarian, no?
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
I always thought they used the same stuff in Doritos they used in mincemeat
dead hobos, lint, etc
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
I'm pretty sure lint
is technically vegetarian.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
you might upset
all 7 of their fans
tony412 - June 4, 2008
I was going for a banishment on my first post
A kid can always dream
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
LMAO.
Expect to be banned within the hour.
daver - June 4, 2008
Just following your lead dude
:D
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
If you run into a little weasel named Jacob...
...just give it to him with both barrels.
daver - June 4, 2008
jacob...blech
sue369 - June 4, 2008
They took down my post!!!
OK now I’m really mad.
I’m going to send prince fielder some tofu cooked in beef fat
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Not surprising.
They’re a sensitive bunch. Their feelings, so easily hurt.
daver - June 4, 2008
I reposted and asked how he cooked them
LOL
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
It's gone too.
sue369 - June 4, 2008
Oh, okay
I get it now.
BMoney79 - June 4, 2008
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2008
lol
northsider - June 4, 2008
Does the Evil BCB drive a big rig and have a goatee?
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Evil BCB
Brew Crew Ball – Brewers site
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
they're calling for Z
to die in a fire, and all the fans to get bird-flu at his funeral. What are you going to be able to say that will top that?
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
You say:
“What’s the sound of one hand clapping. I don’t know, but it probably sounds like nine wins in a row.”
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Ouch, that'll show you.
Getting banned from a place you really don’t care to visit anyway.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Yeah, I kinda consider it a badge of honor.
daver - June 4, 2008
you should flag that post
unaccepatable, bwauauauawawaw
Hammer - June 4, 2008
I replied to those schlepps.....
...but since there is ZERO traffic on their site—no one will read it. They have a real hearty fan base when something goes wrong.
cubfever7 - June 4, 2008
Sorry
I can’t see their post from way up here in 1st place… and I hope they don’t bother talking to me either because I won’t be able to hear them over all the “Let’s Go Cubbies” from our fans in their stadium.
tony412 - June 4, 2008
The Reds put Freel on the DL, and recalled C-Pat
SackMan - June 4, 2008
He drove me crazy
But I never lost complete faith in Corey. Sometimes the hype can be a real detriment.
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Wow, KPat really does have nine lives.
daver - June 4, 2008
Too bad
he comes back as Corey Patterson for each one.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
I think it's time for a Recap Overflow Thread
My compooter is bout to Asplode!
Jayo525 - June 4, 2008
We have a bet out on 550 posts before the game
Getting close.
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
How did we land on 550 anyway?
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Providence
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
What does Rhode Island have to do with this? Do they have a baseball team?
daver - June 4, 2008
That's where
Lloyd met Mary.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Can't triple stamp a double stamp!
oops wrong Llyod
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
They set all the over/under lines
LOL
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
That's the Cardinal radio station here
so it definitely wasn’t my choice.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
I just put the over/under at 550
a while ago, picked it out of the blue
Hammer - June 4, 2008
Well if we hit that...
...we can shoot for 720. :)
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Please, no
1000 would be much better
gwood - June 4, 2008
1 hundred BILLION
Hammer - June 4, 2008
gwood - June 4, 2008
well adding a picture will speed this up
hahahah
Hammer - June 4, 2008
Had to go out in style ;)
gwood - June 4, 2008
554!
Disco
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Yeah, I was thinking 720 for WGN, but whatever...
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
I think 2 billion is do-able
you can post 25 times with each registered email address.
tony412 - June 4, 2008
When is the last time the Cubs were 17 games over .500
2004?
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Yes.
They were 21 over at one point in 2004.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
Gotta have goals.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
The great love of my life is out of town and the offspring are asleep late and I’ve fallen asleep late in the game the last 2 nights and woke up. I DVR every game so I just have to find the end of the game when I wake up in the middle of the night,
I almost never wake up middle of thenight unless its to attend to a crying child only otherwise when the Cubs game ended after I fell asleep and I always have to get the score before i go back to sleep.
DVR is nice because if you turn on ESPNNEWS they always have just run through the N:L scores.
puckishcubsfan - June 4, 2008
Completely Off Topic
I was looking forward to my late in the day almost out of the office snack. Got up went to the fridge and it was gone! Someone ate my bleeping Twinkie!!
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
Prince Fielder?
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
If he did, someone should tell him that the filling is made with lard.
daver - June 4, 2008
They should be executed -- no trial
Who does that?!
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
Bastard.
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
I hope they die in a car fire.
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2008
lol
The level of deliciousness lost might warrant that!
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
OH MY GOD I CAN'T FEEL MY LEGS...
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
It's weird
how something so trivial can truly be a light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve been ready to go home and eat the leftover pizza I have all day.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Yup
now its gone….. but the Cubs are on WGN and I have a comfortable couch with mah name on it!
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
You and me both!
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
you coming over?
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
and quit writing all over
my furniture!
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
I'm there now.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
Sir, the posts are coming from...
...INSIDE YOUR HOUSE!!!!
daver - June 4, 2008
Ahhhh...
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2008
There's Mah Couch
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
Hand made quality s*** right there
Lou In Blue - June 4, 2008
SP
If the Indians remain in contention by midseason, I don’t think they will trade Sabathia, but that is only if Carmona and Westbrook return 100 percent. The possible pitchers that might be available are…
1. Meche
2. Arroyo
3. Harden
4. Blanton
5. Padilla
6. Young
7. Lowe
8. Bonderman
9. Rogers
10. Maddux
11. Burnett
12. Byrd
Out of all these pitchers, I really want Derek Lowe considering he will come relatively cheap, but that is only if the Dodgers are out of contention. I am not sure who Towers want in return for Young, but he is a good GM and will demand at least two top of the line prospects. Burnett is injury prone along and I don’t think the Cubs want to deal with Billy Beane. He is going to demand for the moon in return for Harden. Bonderman seems like the second best option for the Cubs, but let’s hope they also continue to free fall from contention.
Brad Penny might be available, but he does have a team option for next year. I am almost sure the Dodgers will not trade both Lowe and Penny, but if they had to trade one of those two, it would be Derek Lowe.
Geo4MVP - June 4, 2008
do you really think
Arroyo is going to be available, and if so, will the Reds deal him to division rivals?
I don’t. And if that list is in order of projected excellence, you should move Harden down to 20.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
It would be interesting if we ended up with Meche after all, wouldn't it...
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Meche ?????
He is in the 2nd year of a five year 55 million dollar contract no thanks.
Rogers above Maddux. What planet is that that on
What Young are you referring too ? Padres are NOT trading Chris Young.
You left off Wolf who would be 2nd choice if Maddux is not interested
He would cost significantly more but not a ton as he is just on a one year contract.
Doggie Stalker - June 4, 2008
Again
The list I have is not in order of the best to worse. And yes, I don’t think Meche would be a smart move, but the Royals will not demand top of the line prospects.
BTW, the pitchers I have above are not all the pitchers…I’m just throwing out some possibilities. YOUNG WILL BE AVAILABLE, but will not come cheap at all. Towers will look for MLB ready prospects.
Geo4MVP - June 4, 2008
Reds
That is if the Reds are out of contention. Arroyo will be available once the Reds are out of the playoff picture. I am sure Jocketty will look to start off with a younger by trading off the veterans.
And no, the list I have above is not in order of projected excellence.
Geo4MVP - June 4, 2008
Meche
He wouldn’t be a bad number three pitcher. I know he has been struggling in April and early May-Mid May, but he has been in a similar slump like Lily.
Again, he will not come expensive given that he is getting paid around 8-9 mill a year. The Royals will probably look to trade off all their high paid veterans.
Geo4MVP - June 4, 2008
I'm still astounded he WENT to K.C.
malicedoom - June 4, 2008
Meche
As the old saying goes…”follow the money.”
Geo4MVP - June 4, 2008
FYI
@ 3:30 PDT, there is some light rain falling in parts of central SD. This shouldn’t be a problem.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 4, 2008
yea!
eswan9 - June 4, 2008
I want HAIL and huge storms
I want it RAINED out and STOPPED. By the time they get to a make up game
I can hope Maddux will NOT be the starter
Doggie Stalker - June 4, 2008
Yeah right
Not in SD.
eswan9 - June 4, 2008
That's sweet.
Here’s hoping for the no decision. And a Padre bullpen that wants to get LIT UP.
neverAcquiesce - June 4, 2008
if we lose this game
you’re gonna take a lotta heat, you know…
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2008
Bring Back Sutcliffe!!!
nervousCUBlover - June 4, 2008
We've had huge storms
and hail back in March. Contrary to popular belief, there IS weather here.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 4, 2008
yep unusual though for us
eswan9 - June 4, 2008
Petco experienced a rain delay v. the Reds
That same night, the Dodgers experienced their longest rain delay in years. It can happen, especially in May and June.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 4, 2008
Ok how bout frogs ?
Could it rain frogs , or maybe a plague of locusts invades Petco
Off to a play gang which alas ends early enough for me to go home and hide
under the covers as long as Maddux is pitching.
Doggie Stalker - June 4, 2008
Hang in there, everyone.
The game thread posts at 6:00 pm CDT, five minutes from now.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2008
THE bull is back in the Cubs china shop...
METS game is over with, I look forward to participating in the blog during the CUBS / PADRES game. June gloom isn’t only a weather phenomena in San Diego this month, apparently it’s a phenomena w/the team.
LOUtheMETandNATSfan - June 4, 2008
My buddy (a CUBS) fan introduced me to this site
I’m hooked! It’s like crack…or Fun Dip.
LOUtheMETandNATSfan - June 4, 2008
Welcome Lou!
Enjoy the show
AlabamaCubFan - June 4, 2008
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