Before I say anything about last night's 3-1 Cubs win over the Dodgers, I have a question.
Was there some basketball game on TV last night?
I swear, if I had seen one more split screen or one more update on the NBA finals, I was about to throw something at the TV screen. Talk about shameless promotion. Don't these people realize that if people wanted to watch the basketball game, they'd probably already have switched channels to do that?
And don't even get me started about the bleatings of Jon Miller and Joe Morgan. I was trying to keep track of all the mistakes and platitudes put on the air by Morgan and Miller, but I lost count, there were so many (I am SO sick of hearing Miller do the "politically correct" pronunciation of foreign players' names -- I mean, really, "Chaaaahn Ho Park"?).
Having gotten that out of the way -- what a fine, fine performance by our favorite team last night. Apart from Geovany Soto's throwing error on Juan Pierre's first-inning steal, which allowed Pierre to go to third and score on an infield out, the Cubs were nearly flawless in front of the national audience. Jason Marquis -- see, I knew he had this kind of talent, as Mark DeRosa said:
"I think sometimes he becomes his own worst enemy," DeRosa said. "He sometimes doesn't realize how great his stuff is. When he's on, he's tough to hit. He has a good sinker, he had good command of his slider and his split. He's a good pitcher. He's been a good pitcher in this league."
Exactly. Marquis threw strikes last night and had terrific movement on his pitches. If he hadn't run into trouble in the 7th inning, Lou might have let him finish, as he had thrown only 89 pitches when he was removed, but taking him out in favor of Carlos Marmol was the right thing to do. (Incidentally, the last Cub CG thrown in a victory was by... Marquis, when he shut out the Pirates 1-0 on May 9, 2007. The Cubs have had one CG since then, by Carlos Zambrano in a 1-0 loss to San Diego on June 16, 2007, the day Chris Young and Derrek Lee had their brawl.) Marquis' 6.1 innings without allowing an earned run dropped his ERA by almost half a point, from 5.02 to 4.54.
More outstanding play: Marmol had his nasty slider working last night, though he went to 3-2 counts too often for my tastes (and Lou's, too), throwing 36 pitches (good thing the Cubs have today off), and he and Derrek Lee combined on a slick fielding play to end the last real Dodger threat in that 7th inning.
And then Kerry Wood came in and slammed the door -- he seems more comfortable in the closer's role with every appearance, having saved 18 games, struck out 40 in 34.2 innings, allowed only one HR (to the Pirates' Jason Bay on April 9, in a game the Cubs won anyway) and walked only seven. (Wood's hit almost as many batters -- six -- as he has walked, though only one in his last nine appearances since that disastrous HB in Pittsburgh led to a loss -- in those nine games he has thrown 8.2 innings, allowed five hits and two walks, struck out 15, allowed no runs and registered eight saves.)
Even more outstanding play: hitting hero of the night was DeRosa, who homered (yet another HR that landed just beyond the Dodger Stadium wall that didn't seem to be hit that hard at first), singled in the second run and scored the third on an Aramis Ramirez double. All of this was off Brad Penny... who appears, to be charitable, way out of shape. He's a big man, yes... and I don't really want to be politically incorrect and say he's "fat"... well, yes I do. Penny looked fat last night, and maybe that's why he's been off to such a bad start.
It was a nearly flawless performance that ended the Cubs' first winning road trip of the year. The 14-16 road record the Cubs sport doesn't look that good -- until you look at everyone else's road record. Only three teams in all of baseball -- the Cardinals (17-14), the Phillies (18-13) and the Angels (21-12) have winning records on the road. Nineteen teams have road records worse than the Cubs'. This is unusual -- normally, the home-field advantage isn't as strong in baseball as it is in other sports, particularly the NBA (Say, was there a basketball game going on last night?), and I'm at a loss to explain why this is so. Fortunately for the Cubs, they come home for another of those goofy three-game homestands to face a team with the worst record in baseball on the road, the Braves, 7-21 away from Atlanta, and having to play for at least a game or two without their best hitter, Chipper Jones, currently hitting .420 but out with a slight tear in his right quad.
One other bit of news: Lou is considering skipping Sean Gallagher's turn, given the off day today, and starting Carlos Zambrano on Thursday; the idea is to give seven starts before the All-Star break to the top three starters (Z, Lilly and Dempster) and six to Marquis and Gallagher. Sounds good to me.
So enjoy this off day -- again BCB reader gary varsho has posted an off-day fun post to discuss our favorite bad Cubs -- and relax while the Cubs rest, still with the best record in baseball, and check out the sidebar box ranking this year's team after 64 games with the starts by other teams in Cub history. It's right up there. This is already a special season, and Kerry Wood, who has been on three Cub postseason teams, was asked how this year's team compares:
"It's different," Wood said. "It's a different feeling here. We all know we have something special. We're trying to take advantage of it."
Amen, Kerry. Keep it going. Onward.
0 recs | 474 comments
Winning record on a road trip
I’m happy with it. Now come home and pound the Braves while they’re down.
N Oakley - June 9, 2008
We have 51 games left on the road. Let’s shoot for 29-22 on the road the rest of the season. We have 47 at home shoot for 30-17. That would make our final record 99-63.
puckishcubsfan - June 9, 2008
I believe I will be okay with that.
N Oakley - June 9, 2008
I am happy with the road trip… now we just need to keep playing at that pace on the road.. if possible a little bit better than that.. and we will be good to go.
DvdD - June 9, 2008
How did I manage this?
Chipper Jones NOT being in the line-up is huge.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 9, 2008
No kidding. Chipper in street clothes and Smoltz on the DL, and Marquis already pitched and won last night. Surprised I find myself thinking that winning the series is expected.
N Oakley - June 9, 2008
I'm not.
this is gonna rock.
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
And furthermore...
The Braves are 7-21 on the road.
John Q Freejazz - June 9, 2008
Missed it by THAT much.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 9, 2008
See, you didn't go last night and the Cubs won.
No more games for you in the state of California. Fortunately, the Cubs are done in SD and LA for this year.
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
Well maybe they’ll be back in the LA area in October.
puckishcubsfan - June 9, 2008
Playing the Angels, I hope you mean.
I don’t see the Dodgers in the postseason.
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
Yes the Angels. So let’s hope we see them this season.
puckishcubsfan - June 9, 2008
You know...
I think I disagree. I really liked what I saw of them. The pitching is still sharp, and they’re staying within five of the Diamondbacks, even during this extended losing streak—which helps. This is a team that I could see turning into this years’ version of the 2007 Rockies easily. Get Furcal and Jones back, and maybe find an impact bat at 3rd. They’ve got the assets. Seriously, I wouldn’t write that team off.
Damen Jackson - June 9, 2008
They have an impact bat at third....
he is 22 and, I think, the most dangerous man in the Dodgers lineup…...
crazymountain - June 9, 2008
What about the 3
games in San Francisco July 1,2 and 3.
cubdreamer - June 9, 2008
Well...
... I meant SDSJM isn’t going to any more games because he lives in San Diego.
The Cubs actually have FOUR games in SF, June 30, July 1-2-3. But SDSJM (who appears to be bad luck when he goes to games in SOUTHERN California) won’t be going.
Hope that’s clearer.
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
AL
Do you always sit in the left field bleachers right behind Soriano? I am going to be at my first bleacher game this year, tomorrow night and would like to stop by and say hello. Thanks!
rtraugs25 - June 9, 2008
Yep, that's where you can find me.
Stop on by!
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
LF corner, section 301.
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
same thing with me
I drove down Friday to see the Dodgers-Cubs on Friday night and Sat day and the Cubs lost both games. I drove home Sunday and watched the game (with the sound off so I didn’t have to listen to Morgan and Miller) on TV and the Cubs win. I think I stop going to SD and LA for the Cubs games.
wccubfan - June 9, 2008
same here
I went to the friday and saturday games as well. I don’t think I’ll be going to the games in SF, I’d much rather watch them win with Joe Morgan than watch them lose in person.
Tate491 - June 9, 2008
lets not forget San Fran though… lol i think we still got three down there.
DvdD - June 9, 2008
I know
I already have tickets and now I think I should give them to my kid and watch on the tube.
wccubfan - June 9, 2008
Oh, but Dad....
...I wanna stay up late.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 9, 2008
Marquis was great last night.
That was quite a performance. Let’s hope he can keep that going.
I was kinda hard on Ronny for appearing to argue the called third strike in his final AB, but after some TIVO’ing, I think I was wrong. Ronny kind of leans back, obviously, from his body language, he doesn’t like the call (it was a good call, IMO) and then it looks like Hernandez says something to him. Ronny kind of looks at Angel and appears to say “I’m going, I’m going.” And Hernandez appears to keep jabbering at him. That guy (Angel Hernandez) has a serious problem. No other umpire is so blatantly confrontational with the players. Others, Phil Cuzzi, C.B Bucknor, are bad, but Angel is way too ready to get in a player’s face.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Agreed
I was a little hard on Ronnie too, but looking at it again, it did look like Angel had a little too much to say. It looked like Angel gestured toward the dugout too, as if he had said something like “just go sit down.” Either way, you’re right, Angel is bad and way too willing to confront the players
gwood - June 9, 2008
Ronny still has to get the bat off his sholder & protect the plate wit 2 strikes
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Yep.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Agreed.
I witnessed his last AB in the ninth, and the called third strike was right over the plate. Go away, Cedeno, we want 1Dec back!
daver - June 9, 2008
Am I the ony one..
who thought that last pitch to Ronny was a bit high? Still too good to take with 2 stikes….just sayin..
Bump Bailey - June 9, 2008
Looked good to me.
That high strike was getting called most of the series.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Yep, the second it landed, I said, "Strike."
And then Ronny got rung up.
daver - June 9, 2008
Angel is anything BUT......
he is, besides being one of the worst umpires in the show, confrontational, to be nice…..
crazymountain - June 9, 2008
Like Al, I cringed at just about everything the announcing team said ....
Very, very condescending and overtly simplistic towards our Cubbies. That said, I almost fell out of the chair when Joe Morgan mentioned that this was a very special club … one that comes around every one-hundred years. Or something like that.
Flabbergasted.
—t.
Little Rock Ryno Fan - June 9, 2008
“So Lou, are you pleased with Marquis performance so far in the game and to what to you attribute the difference today?” Lou: “Well, he’s throwing strikes.”
N Oakley - June 9, 2008
Joe is SO incisive....
God, between him and McCarver, I have worn out three dozen pens and fifteen notebooks….just rewinding, rewinding some more…..man, I feel now that I have some serious insights into baseball…..and just think…..all the wisdom gleaned from folks like Jolly Cholly during my kiddom is just shit….wow, I am in awe of Joe and Tim…...(for folks like MDBNIU and other intelligent types, that is sarcasm…y’all can look up sarcasm in the dictionary….OH….a dictionary is a book that tells you what words mean…..)
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
What the hell is basketball?
I was right there with you Al, every inning “and over on ABC the finals are underway….” NO KIDDING! Also in the line of shameless promotions, what is the deal with these expanding advertisements on this site? I know its good money, but what a pain in the arse.
Lou In Blue - June 9, 2008
I think we heard the team names Lakers and Celtics more than Dodgers and Cubs last night.
puckishcubsfan - June 9, 2008
I have complained about the rollover ads.
I hate them, too.
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
As long as there are no ads linked to words in our actual comments....
SackMan - June 9, 2008
Switching at breaks
I was switching to the NBA at breaks last night. Kevin Garnett is going to get his ring this year. Having seen him in person on and off the court, he’s not just an awesome player, he’s a personable and very classy guy in real life. I’m sorry he’s not still on the T-Wolves, true, still, I’m glad he is on a real winner. No one in the NBA deserves it more.
And as soon as the last out was called, it was over to KSTP (local ABC affil) for the rest of the game.
MN exile - June 9, 2008
NBA Finals!!!
I completely agree with you guys about the ads for the NBA Finals on ABC…
We wanna watch our CUBBIES not the stupid NBA Finals.. OUR BULLS SUCKED THIS YEAR.
DvdD - June 9, 2008
It's the same company
...they are just trying to recycle the audience around. It’s not a big deal.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - June 9, 2008
Can you believe boob 1 and boob 2 actually found a way to bring up Joba Chamberlain in the 9th inning last night.
Is Scott Downs still playing? If he was pitching they’d probably say “Scott Downs’ stepmother was on a soap opera that featured a Chamberlain family so let’s talk about Joba Chamberlain!”
(Scott Downs’ stepmother is Rebecca Hollen who played Trish Lewis on Guiding Light in the early-mid 80s)
puckishcubsfan - June 9, 2008
Also will the media stop making a big deal every time Zambrano expresses frustration. The way they covered it you would think he shot someone. It doesn’t hurt anyone and it doesn’t affect the teams win and losses.
puckishcubsfan - June 9, 2008
Expresses frustration?
I call it acting like a horse’s rear end. It may not hurt anyone, but it detracts from the rest of the team because of how much attention it focuses on negativity and away form the good things that the team does. At lease he had the good sense not to punch the thing.
cubfever7 - June 9, 2008
call it what you want
it’s Z acting like Z. it’s not going to change. And frankly, if it did, I’d be worried.
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
I hate to do this but please allow me to call
BS. This kind of thing is common in baseball and it doesn’t take away from anything. When players don’t show emotions then fans have fits because they don’t care, when they do show emotion then they post stuff like this. He was pissed at himself and he took it out on the water cooler. A old time baseball tradition. No one is bothered in the least. Just like when Mt. Pinella erupts the only one it really disturbs are stuffed shirt fans. The players laugh, the umps stifle a smile and broadcasters have a good story. No one focuses on negativity and it doesn’t take away anything.
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
No problem BubbaMike...
...you may be right; it is an old tradition, but old or new, guys who do it look 2 year olds and the media will replay something like that over and over and may in place of something good.
I see glove slamming go on alot more than I used to-but Z in my view looked like a complete dipswitch picking up not one but 2 coolers-he darn near couldn’t lift the one. If he hurts his lower back, then we can come back and talk some more tradition.
But we just disagree—it’s cool and I freely admit to be a huge stuffed shirt on this topic.
cubfever7 - June 9, 2008
Wow, you said that?
I am with Lou…..damn glad he did it…..sheesh…....do you work for Fox or ESPN?
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
espn announcers
1) fukudomo coming to the plate oh mean fukudome!
2) morgan about choked when his partner started talking about how great a 2b kent was
3) jon miller says the protevtive gear is great because it keeps players from getting hurt when they get, joe morgan says I hate the protective gear.
4)joe morgan is every black player heaven sent?? make it a lil more obvious you prejudice idiot.
ok i’m done i have about 40 of those. espn my god your not that stupid, find some announcers that arent idiots.
hey i will take a 4-3 road trip anyday. not the best but very acceptable.
cubsluver22 - June 9, 2008
FOOKOODOMO
that’s how he said it .. i died everytime he did
cubnational - June 9, 2008
and McCarver too....what idiots
The national networks NEVER do research before a game…..I think there were only, between the Fox and ESPN games, only 3,006,763 cliches, and one fact between the two weekend broadcasts…..Fukodomo indeed!!!!!!
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
I don't even watch the game on TV when the Cubs
are on Sunday Night Baseball. I listen to Pat and Ron.
wrigleyrocker12 - June 9, 2008
I'll bet Soto was happy about his protective gear
when he took that foul ball off the VERY INNER THIGH late last night…..
iluvryno - June 9, 2008
Ditto everything you said, especially the part...
where Miller praies Kent. Joe was speechless.
cubfever7 - June 9, 2008
That was my favorite part of the broadcast and I don’t care for Kent.
N Oakley - June 9, 2008
re: ESPN Announcers
i think we already knew that the espn guys were dumber than a door nail.
DvdD - June 9, 2008
Stuff
Did anyone hear Morgan say Rothschild’s name? What a joke.
Jason pitched great but I still don’t trust him that is the bottom line for me.
Glad the Cubs didn’t give up on Wood to soon as most of the radio and print media wanted and I haven’t heard Mike North mention Kerry at all since he was killing him after the Pitt struggles. What a doofus.
Just found out I’m going to Comisullar the 27th so I can mix it up with some South Siders. Side note, I had a Sox friend tell me the Cubs record is bloated because we have played the Pirates so much, and their division has a combined .463 winning percentage. I didn’t respond.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
Here's ammunition for your Sox fan friend.
The Sox are 14-4 against the three bottom teams in their division, Cleveland, Detroit and KC.
They are 7-12 vs. the AL East, and they haven’t played the Red Sox yet.
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
And I believe
the AL Central is the only AL division with a losing record to the NL this year.
Rick B - June 9, 2008
True, BUT...
... the AL Central is only 7-8 against the NL. And the AL has continued it’s trend of winning against the NL so far this year. BTW the Sox swept their one inter-league series so far.
DrCrawdad - June 9, 2008
Once again correct.
Though we’re still waiting for an illuminative point.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Interleague play sucks....that is why there has been a WS since 1901.....
well, 1902 was cancelled….and 1994(?) also…but for very different reasons….The AL and NL USED to be separate leagues, league presidents, league umpires…NOW the AL doesn’t even play baseball, they have the DH and the leagues are merged into MLB? It is just sick…..
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
Further evidence
that they will eventually come back down to earth. I think the Sox are playing way above their head.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
The Sox are a good team
in a very bad division. But I don’t see them competing against a healthy Red Sox or a healthy Angels team.
Rick B - June 9, 2008
Saw the 3 Angel gams & Angel pitching really silanced there bats
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Well I think most teams were shutting down
the Sox’ offense all year but their middle of the order guys have definitely stepped it up on this homestand which I think is more of an indicator that their arrow is pointing up. Their pitching has been filthy all year (I wanna say best in baseball) and if their O continues to rise, I’d say their a team that could make some noise in the ps.
Jayo525 - June 9, 2008
I would not
call them a good team. They are mediocre at best in a bad division.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
yup
tal1286 - June 9, 2008
That's what many people said...
... about the ‘07 Cubbies and they were proven right in the post-season.
DrCrawdad - June 9, 2008
This is true.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
well, then let the same thing
happen to the Sox.
In other words, what’s your point?
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
You've gone and ruined my punchline.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
I like to think
that I’ve taken your punchline and made it better… stronger… faster than it was before…
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
I'll accept that.
We’re like the Smothers Brothers!
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
mom
always loved you best.
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
And further more...
The Pirates are a winning team when they are playing anyone except the Cubs. Take out the 3-9 record against us this year and they are a good bit over .500
Archie - June 9, 2008
Naysayers...
It is a fact that the Cubbies have gotten fat off the carcass of the Pirates. Good for them.
Cleveland, Detroit and now Minn. all have losing records in large part because the Sox kicked their collective arses.
And while the Sox have not played the Red Sox yet. The Sox have only played KC one series so far, and swept them. (Not that you mentioned it, but there is this myth about the Royals beating the Sox the last few years. It’s not true. The Sox have a winning record against the Royals each of the last 3 years.) Not that past will predict, but I like the Sox chances in the games that remain with KC.
The Sox have the best ERA in MLB. The Sox have a very strong BP. The Sox have a 6.5 game lead in the AL Central, in spite of an offense that had been under-performing.
So much for those who mocked the Sox starting pitchers, BP and defense…
DrCrawdad - June 9, 2008
Yes, you're very right.
Both Chicago teams have made hay against the bad teams they’ve played. That’s what good teams do.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Well, that is a plus for the White Sox.....
an MLB leading ERA in a league with the DH…..they MUST have good pitching…
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
First goal win you division
second goal = win yor league
third goal= win word series
Who picked the Cards last year?
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Nobody, and they didn't win.
You must be talking about 2006.
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
Mind a little vague (lost a year somplace)
was thinking 2006 but the point is the same you have to win your division to advance.(I know wild card is the the exception) You still have have a better record than everyboby else.
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
He wouldn't shut up
Why did Joe Morgan go on and on about unintersting things? Why can’t he just be quiet and go home to fish and talk about how good he was. And, Miller is getting worse.
Feel lucky Cubs fans on our winning road trip. Home team winning percentages are at a 75 year high. Can anyone explain this?
mrcubsfan - June 9, 2008
Miller is getting worse...
I don’t know how much longer ESPN can do this to true baseball fans. Never thought I’d say this but I’d even rather watch the game on Fox.
SoTxCub - June 9, 2008
LSA
I rarely watch ESPN games…. but due to storm couldnt listen to Pat and Ron. I commented repeatly to the friend I went over and watch it just how bad they were. I think Fox games are better. That really isnt a compliment to them
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
It's that darn Sasquatch.
Bildo1805 - June 9, 2008
Yeah, and Joe's fishing stories
didn’t even make since. He never really finished the 2 I heard him tell, and the stupid trivia question he asked Miller was misphrased from the start…......don’t get me started. For those of you wanting a good laugh, “FireJoeMorgan.com” is a great website. Joe’s ESPN chat analysis is especially funny.
Ihatethecards - June 9, 2008
Well, he was right about one thing....
Al Oliver DID hit the hardest line drives…..man, what a hitter he was!!!
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
What do you think about
ONEDEC at the plate last night?
SoTxCub - June 9, 2008
He's not looking very ONEDEC'y lately, is he?
Lack of playing time, the possible explanation.
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
yeah he didn't look very comfortable last night...
and looked terrible swinging at some of those outside pitches.
SoTxCub - June 9, 2008
agree
I think its showing that outside pitches are his weakness….he’ll probably see a bunch of them in the near future from opposing pitchers.
cubsmania - June 9, 2008
I agree.
give him some sustained time.
Of course, we’ve said this before, for some other highly-touted prospect…
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
In Lous book 1 for 4 wont get you extended playing time
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
He was pretty upset with the ump after his final striekout...
SackMan - June 9, 2008
We talked about that up higher.
From replays it looks like much of that incident was instigated by Hernandez,
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Ooops. Just scrolled up and saw it:)
SackMan - June 9, 2008
Probably
He was completely unwilling to take a walk, which got him behind. Then he was left guessing.
californiachicagoan - June 9, 2008
Can anyone comment on 1Dec's defensive play?
Did he get a chance to show off the greater range and arm strength many of us have been harping about?
I was able to watch only the final two to three innings of last night’s game. Marmol was good, though I wish Lou would use him only for three outs. And Kerry Wood was simply awe-inspring. Overpowering, nasty, and now the NL leader in saves. Congrats to Kerry.
daver - June 9, 2008
he was solid last night defensively
SoTxCub - June 9, 2008
He caught the ball.
So, that’s something.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
I thought he looked more like CEDENO
Buttt he played a solid SS. I wasn’t expecting much though.
Jayo525 - June 9, 2008
Lou needs to figure out
a way to get him some more playing time or we’re gonna see more of last night’s performance
SoTxCub - June 9, 2008
That was vintage Cedeno at the plate last night...
I thought that Cedeno was gone forever. This season he seemed to have turned the corner and learned the strike zone. Ronny’s performance was about as puzzling as Big Brown’s.
cubfever7 - June 9, 2008
More ESPN; Morgan: "I want to see Wood pitch...." plus an another Ivy Walls overview
Morgan in a sarcastic [hopeful] tone stated he wanted to see Wood pitch continuously reminding the world that Wood has struggled early on as a closer. Wood then comes in and immediately throws a 98 MPH and overpowers the first batter as after 3rd or 4th FB notice their [seemingly high as in speed trap calibrated] radar gun. Then Wood flashes his bender where each batter is geared up and swinging early missing the ball by feet.
3 dominant K’s——think the rest of the league has not taken notice. I think Torre did for his eyes were in a blank, almost disinterested stare as Wood closed out the 9th for the Cubs 40th win of the season.
Now an overview; Cubs now have 98 games remaining on the regular season schedule and have not lost three in a row since late September last year. What people failed to notice was that Piniella subtly changed the lineup after the second loss in a row moving DeRosa up to the 2-hole. This is not a coincidence where DeRosa became the offensive star of the game. Cedeno also played SS resting Theriot. I will suspect that someone will be sat on Tuesday, [hope, I hope, I hope] it is DLee where DeRosa plays 1B where Piniella can insert Theriot at 2B to see how he does.
Last note: Piniella’s public statement that he has 3-very good relief pitchers and how he does not like to use all three in a game. May I continue to hope that either Eyre or Cotts becomes a 4th. Last thought….Wood looks like the dreams that many of us had for him dating back to ‘04. Batters look overmatched if his velocity and command of his FB is what it is now and then he spots that huge bender.
Ivy Walls - June 9, 2008
Failure to notice
Everyone noticed the lineup change
What you failed to notice is that Loney flied out to Soriano in the ninth. Wood struck out two, not three.
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
Looney
flew out to reed johnson, he replaced Sori in the 9th
gwood - June 9, 2008
see, I failed to notice that!
actually, I did notice it when it happened, but I forgot. Whoops
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
How could you not notice that!!!
As soon as I saw that, my buddy and I were yelling, “Thank god! Now you’re gettin it Lou!”
SackMan - June 9, 2008
I was really happy to see RJ in, too.
Methinks that Lou perhaps “eased” Soriano into accepting being taken out for a defensive replacement. If so, kudos to Lou for this deft HR manuver.
daver - June 9, 2008
Yeah... this has got to be the 3rd time or so in the past 10 games he's done this!
Kudos.
And I think I remember there being a game in San Diego, when Woody was closing out… and Reed made a nice catch at the wall. Chances are, Soriano botches that up.
SackMan - June 9, 2008
I doubt it....
Soriano is NOT a defensive genius, but the catch you are talking about ain’t it. Try again….
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
Can we do the same as far as bringing in Onedec
in the late innings for TheRiot? Although I do remember Theriot starting some late inning rallies this year by getting on base ahead of some of our boppers.
Jayo525 - June 9, 2008
I doubt it...
You don’t often see your SS removed for defense. And Lou is too in love with Theriot anyway.
Bump Bailey - June 9, 2008
I noticed...please see the text
just made a mistake in my haste to point out someone else’s…karma
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
LOL
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
KARMA? Someone else's KARMA?
Man, I have to be really dumb to not get that one….so maybe you can explain, Shanghai?
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
When Wood is on
batters don’t have a prayer. He makes players look bad.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
/rolls eyes
Here we go again…
northsider - June 9, 2008
indeed...
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
I'm lost. (Not an uncommon occurence)
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
This is what I’m referring to.
northsider - June 9, 2008
Or this.
northsider - June 9, 2008
Ah. I see.
Pardon my slowness.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
LOL, looks like someone failed to notice the game thread.
daver - June 9, 2008
I totally thought
that DeRosa was Theriot. Except for his batting, his fielding and his hair.
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
He's a little taller, too.
daver - June 9, 2008
I didn't know our BA we were worst in the NL
with 2 outs when having men in scoring position, yet Aramis seems to do it quite well.
SoTxCub - June 9, 2008
*our BA is worst...
SoTxCub - June 9, 2008
But 3rd in NL
with overal runs in scoring position… which means a lot of those runs have already scored… eventually you have to make the third out.
tony412 - June 9, 2008
good point
CyberCyclist - June 9, 2008
But is BA or OBP the right measure?
Plus with less than 2 outs, you can score on outs, so RBI/opportunity seems better. But then, I dont know where to get that stat.
californiachicagoan - June 9, 2008
Another starting pitcher
The cubs are in need of another strong arm to backup Zambrano…the list of potential candiates lost one with the injury of Bondermann of Detriot. I can only hope that the A’s fall off the map and Rich Harden could become available. He is absolutely filthy! To make a run deep into the playoffs we need another money pitcher
Bpatterson83 - June 9, 2008
Agree
They need one more arm. All the talking heads say the Cubs in short series does not have a pitching staff that win. You throw Z, Dempster, and maybe a Harden type – that is three pretty good arms in a series.
FSArkCubsFan - June 9, 2008
But bpatterson
can Rich Hardon stay healthy? We have had enough bad luck with pitchers with arm trouble.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
So Lilly wouldn't start in the postseason?
daver - June 9, 2008
Right now...
Harden is 3-0 with 58 K’s and a 2.85 ERA
Lilly is 5-5 with 69 K’s and a 5.23 ERA
When Lilly is on – he is tough. When he is not – he gets bombed. He would be a good 4th starter in a 7 game series.
FSArkCubsFan - June 9, 2008
But remember
Harden has never pitched this many innings without getting injured. He’s a huge, huge injury risk.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
IF healthy, Harden would our second-best starter...
However, that is a massive “if.” He has not been healthy for any extended period of time in the last several years.
SouthernCub - June 9, 2008
As of last night, Harden has achieved his career high in IP with 47.2 IP.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
That is not quite correct...
He had 74.2 IP in 2003, 189.2 IP in 2004, and 128 IP in 2005.
He HAS achieved his highest IP count since 2005, however.
SouthernCub - June 9, 2008
And those were only MLB innings...
he had over 88.2 minor league IP in 2003 before he got called up (and a handful of IP in 2004 and 2005, but that’s not really important).
The main point still holds – he’s been hurt A LOT over the past 3 years. There’s no reason to expect him to stay healthy for the rest of this year.
SouthernCub - June 9, 2008
gah. Nice catch.
I f-d that one up big time.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Haha, no sweat...
Your general point still definitely holds though. He’s another arm injury waiting to happen.
SouthernCub - June 9, 2008
Lilly has been coming on.
He started the season poorly. After those first 4 starts though, he has had 9 starts with a 3.86 ERA, just under 6 innings a start, over 9Ks/9innings, 2.7 walks/9 (hasnt allowed more than 2 walks in his last 8 starts). The only blemish is an unsightly 1.51 hr/9.
Which is a good thing, in case Dempster cant keep his walks down or balls start finding holes at a more average rate
californiachicagoan - June 9, 2008
And Harden is lucky to not have been on the DL yet THIS year..
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
Actually, he HAS been on the DL this year...
April 10 through May 11. He’ll probably be back soon.
SouthernCub - June 10, 2008
MDBNIU?
How did you get into Bpatterson83’s account?
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
He's breaking it in to use...
...after you ban him as MDBNIU.
daver - June 9, 2008
LOL
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
Must be simple......
and I am in complete awe of Al, who hasn’t banned me yet…...wow, just heard the collective sigh!!!!!!
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
Me either, but I know that he's thought
about it.;-) If I’m lucky he will be merciful and forgive my missteps.
bubbamike the one and only - June 10, 2008
I want to see
how the rotation shakes out for the rest of the season before the ASB. I think Lilly may very well have come around, and I’m almost more worried about Dempster after his last four-inning performance.
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
I'm worried about Dempster every time he comes near a baseball.
Just waiting for the fairy magic to wear off and for him to turn into a pumpkin.
cwyers - June 9, 2008
You know... with that new funky delivery of his....
This might just be a career year for him.
SackMan - June 9, 2008
Hope So
I sincerely hope he has a career year. He will have to pitch pretty badly from here on to avoid doing so, after the start he’s had.
simonuk - June 9, 2008
Mor worried about Lilly tha Dempster
Dempster seems like he has something to prove this year. Lilly has been hit hard.
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
+1
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
except Lilly
had a pretty good start last time, didn’t he? I mean, we lost the game, but he went 7. And Demp’s last start was not-so-good, nu?
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
Well, at this point...
Dempster after 80.7 IP: 2.90 ERA/1.128 WHIP/.191 BAA (151 ERA+)
Lilly after 72.3 IP: 5.23 ERA/1.382 WHIP/.266 BAA (84 ERA+)
So Demp’s got Lilly beat in pretty much every way except strikeouts. (It’s 69 to 64 Lilly at the moment.)
daver - June 9, 2008
The concern with Dempster...
has less to do with what he’s done to this point and more to do with what people think he’ll do moving forward.
Yes, Dempster has clearly outpitched Lilly to this point. He’s also had a ridiculous BABIP, and wildly outperformed his career norms. Lilly, on the other hand, has been worse than he usually is.
Maybe I’m just not an unabashed optimist, but I’m certainly wary of Dempster moving forward.
SouthernCub - June 9, 2008
Yep.
You said it.
DGU - June 9, 2008
Remember Dempster cam to cubs as a starter
Gave Marlin 2 pretty good years . One as an allstar
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
He had ONE good year...
and that was like eight years ago. He also had three or four pretty BAD years as a starter. He’s never been remotely close to this good.
Dempster came to the Cubs as a reclamation project due to poor performance and a major arm injury. Yes, he was for a brief time an effective starter for the Marlins. But he followed that with several years of poor pitching before the Cubs picked him up off the scrap heap.
SouthernCub - June 9, 2008
At which point he boosted his G/F number and has been an asset ever since
californiachicagoan - June 9, 2008
girlfriend number? like Marisa Miller?
northsider - June 10, 2008
Yeah, I'd guess most women would agree that...
...every time a guy boosts his girlfriend number he becomes more of an asset.
daver - June 10, 2008
I just want to compare last starts.
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
Your fearless of the small sample is inspiring.
daver - June 9, 2008
make that "fearlessness"
daver - June 9, 2008
heh.
I’m just trying to see if there’s a trend…
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
Morgan is so painfully stupid
The entire conversation about who hit “the hardest and most consistent line drives” that he had ever seen, and John Miller saying, “Well that’s not really a trivia question, there’s no correct answer,” and Morgan insisting that yes there was a correct answer.
That went on for 5 minutes. At one point my wife, in the other room, asked, “What are they arguing about?” to which I replied an exasperated, “I have no idea!”
Wreckard - June 9, 2008
That was one of the many things that was stupid.
So many I lost count. I couldn’t figure out why they were arguing either.
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
Morgan
said many times that the 100 year draught could end this year. Later in the year he will remind everyone of this when they continue to play well, he is one of those guys.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
Morgan and Miller
Toward the end of the game I almost started timing their irrelevant stories to see how many minutes they could go without mentioning what was happening on the field. I couldn’t help thinking that if any blind people were tuning in they would have no idea a ballgame was taking place. They would have thought they’d accidentally tuned in to a couple of baseball geeks droning on about their favorite baseball moments on a public access station. It was as close as I ever want to get to having nails pounded into my head.
Mike Vails Evil Twin - June 9, 2008
Precisely
and I thought they had awkward chemistry together. I got the feeling they didn’t get along very well. It was painful on too many levels.
Emelie - June 9, 2008
as someone who depends on good PBP
it was awful. without the game threads and gameday (which i can sort of see) i would’ve been completely lost because of how competely awful they are about even remembering why they’re at a ballpark.
halfblindcubbiegirl - June 9, 2008
Yep, this is pretty much the biggest indictment against Miller and his ilk.
Play-by-Play Responsibilities (as I see them)
1. Make it about the game first and foremost. Make sure people know what’s going on. Let the players tell the story.
2. Highlight the color man (by which I mean, set him up with good questions and thought-provoking comments to bring the best of his or her knowledge out for the fan’s benefit)
3. Make it fun to listen to
that’s it!
northsider - June 9, 2008
The problem
with Miller and Morgan is that the only thought ever provoked in Morgan’s head is that he is the greatest. Some of the tripe that he spews is ridiculously off base, but he will never, ever admit to making a mistake.
CyberCyclist - June 9, 2008
I was trying to come up
with a good analogy. How’s this:
Provoking a thought in Morgan’s head would be like trying to fly to the moon by flapping your arms.
CyberCyclist - June 9, 2008
Yeah but..
he’s got the arm flap down….:)
Bump Bailey - June 9, 2008
I was almost furious at the TV at that point.
SackMan - June 9, 2008
The one that really pissed me off
Was turning the Kerry Wood from starter to closer story into talking about Joba going from reliever to starter. Hey boneheads if you want to talk about a reliever becoming a starter how about looking at Ryan Dempster.
The other thing was the non-stop Red Sox/Celtics/Patriots nation crap.
Next time the Cubs are on ESPN I might have people over for a How often can they mention the Red Sox or Yankees drinking game.
El Borto - June 9, 2008
+46 to you
northsider - June 9, 2008
TRUE
I never wanna hear about the /red sox/celtics/pats NATION ever again!
SoTxCub - June 9, 2008
maybe if the couple winning the next few years
other places can say that about cub nation :)
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
thats part of the problem w/ ESPN
even when the Cubs do get the sunday night game or some attention they find a way to ruin it.
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
Harden
Your right Slocs he has experienced arm trouble but if he can stay healthy for the next month we need to make an effort to get him. Who’s hacking into my account?
Bpatterson83 - June 9, 2008
We need to make a run at CC,
I don’t care what it takes. At that point I would love for Sweet Lou to have to choose between Lilly and Demp as the 3rd starter, now that would be a great problem to have.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
CC
With the Tribe being 8 1/2 games out and Oakland 4 1/2 games out, I wonder how long until they become sellers. Harden or CC would be good in a Cub uniform.
FSArkCubsFan - June 9, 2008
Dont see Hendry bringing in a 1 or 2.
A move by Hendry to bring in #1 or #2 doesnt sound like hendry. Would take 8 mil plus to keep CC in Chi for 4 years.
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
I am on the CC bandwagon, definitely.
Jayo525 - June 9, 2008
Sox game?
Slocs55 how did you score those tickets? Hopefully your not banking on Sh*thead Pat coming through with those tickets…I would like to see DeRosa stay in the two hole. And kudos to Pinella for keeping the streak of not losing three in a row. CC would be great but he has shown interest of moving West and is in a contract yr. We definetly would need to scout him hard. Unlike what that D-bag did before the Diamondback playoff series.
Bpatterson83 - June 9, 2008
The Ring should be enough insentive.
World series ring should be goal of ant major leager
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
A lady at work,
her daughter works at Comisullar. I just found out this morning and am assuming I will get 1 of the 4 but that is up to Arniold, if not it will be a bad day for everyone here.
Has Sh*thead Pat heard any new news on those tix?
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
like this one?
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
hook it up
I spoke to Sh#thead Pat last night and he gives me the same bs…his father has been flying around on a private jet with his buddies playing golf around the south. When he is in town they only talk business. Overall I say we have about a 5% chance of seeing those tickets. It’s annoying when you plan on going to a great game like that and then as usual he doesn’t come through. Tell Arnie what’s up and I’ll do hardwork or do a hit on one of his competitors for a ticket!
Bpatterson83 - June 9, 2008
Bpatterson
please use the reply button to continue a conversation otherwise you will be told to thoroughly clean the pool.
I will see what happens with these tix, he might have 2 more from a guy he knows. 3:05 start, that would be a fun Friday.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
Slocs55
The pool is clean other than the leaf in it. A round of golf in the morning and then head to the jungle for the game would be a money day
Bpatterson83 - June 9, 2008
Clean the pool?
Who’s pool? How’d it get dirty?
JohnM - June 9, 2008
It is from Bottle Rocket
Luke and Owen Wilson’s first movies, it is pretty damn funny.
slocs55 - June 10, 2008
Ah
JohnM - June 10, 2008
I wish I had a friend named Sh*thead Pat.
daver - June 9, 2008
I have a friend named Dammit....
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
He has earned that name
with too many stupid encounters with the law.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
You know Cedric Benson?
;-)
sue369 - June 9, 2008
good one, madam
Emelie - June 9, 2008
why thank you
sue369 - June 9, 2008
Pat, perhaps, but not Dammit
Dammit only gets traffic tickets
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
Wood was filthy last night ...
He looks more and more comfortable in this role as the season goes on. Very happy with the winning road trip and hopefully the Cubs can come home to sweep the Braves, who have their own problems on the road.
Basman - June 9, 2008
yardwork not hardwork
Bpatterson83 - June 9, 2008
My Favorite Morgan Moment
last night was when he got talking about Fuk’s ‘downturn’ since the hot start…..he said something like it was ‘the pressure of playing at Wrigley plus the stress of the pennant race”.
I’m pretty sure I spit whatever I was drinking out in sheer surprise. I looked at hubby and said…”Did you hear that??? It’s JUNE and we’re having stress over a pennant race????” After ranting for a few more minutes I turned the sound off.
By the way, Miller then brought up that Fuk was traveling more this year – he said that the whole Japanese league was similar to the land mass that is California – and that perhaps THAT was why Fuk had tapered off a bit.
iluvryno - June 9, 2008
And of course Morgan ignored the fact that...
...Dome has a 1.034 OPS at Wrigley Field. Yeah, he’s really “feelin’ the pressure.”
daver - June 9, 2008
No, no, you're all wrong ..
It’s FOOKOODOMO .. FOOKOODOMO .. when will you lowly peons get it?
cubnational - June 9, 2008
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto...
...FOOKODOMO (DOMO), FOOKODOMO (DOME)
daver - June 9, 2008
I think we've pretty well established
that Joe Morgan is a useless piece of flotsam. Can we talk about something else now :)
Does anyone think that Lou will leave DeRosa in the two hole or was he just trying to shake things up for last night’s game? I really liked that line up.
CyberCyclist - June 9, 2008
I've wanted Derosa batting second for some time now.
Though Dome appears better suited, skill-wise, to that slot.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
If Lou isn't going to go with Dome in the 2 spot...
... I’d be fine with DeRo there.
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
Lou has to be careful not to upset the chemstry
Riot has that average for a reason. That #2 spot is going top see a lot more fat balls because #3 & #4 are behind him More pitchers are going to after That #2
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Fukudome
I didn’t think about the fat pitches. Dome in the 2 hole with that protection is a really good option. DeRosa could bat there vs. lefties. Theriot is a patient hitter so he would probably draw a lot of walks in the 8 hole.
CyberCyclist - June 9, 2008
Riot would never get a hit again at #8
Riot wouldnt see the pitches that he sees @#2. Walk yes.
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Inter league is the only time riot should be batting 8th
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Riot has that insde out swing if he must me moved let him hit in #7 spot
Riot has the ability to hit behind runners. Possibly raising RBI totals knocking #3 #4#5 doubles
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Only Ryan doesn't hit doubles.
Though his career numbers suggest that the only place beside the 2-spot where he hits well is the 7-spot.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Ment knocking doubles ahead of hie
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Agree on both accounts
Dome is better suited to the 2nd slot, but with the way Dero performed last night, I am quite happy seeing Derosa batting second more often
gwood - June 9, 2008
With all due respect to Jim McKay
Jon Miller talked through 2 batters about his passing. I mean, not one word about what was going on on the field. And, truly, after the first batter he was just repeating himself. And they weren’t short at-bats, either.
Joe Morgan trying to explain the “young guys vs veterans” and how these kids have “to learn the game” went on way too long and he never really did make his point.
Jon Miller squeezing in (during the last out of the 9th) about Joe Torre’s family finally moving out to California was ill-timed and of no substance.
Yeah, give me WGN or Comcast any day….
carmen_fanzone - June 9, 2008
The Torre thing
almost seemed like it was done to prove that they are crap announcers. “Well if you haven’t noticed all the irrelevant dribble we’ve spewed out so far, here’s one more rambling pointless story to make sure you know we suck. And just for emphasis let’s do it during the ninth of a close game.”
Schmucks…I’ve never been so disappointed at announcers as I was last night
El Borto - June 9, 2008
as much as I hate the Yankees, Torre in Dodger blue just looks strange
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
Why wife said he looks "evil."
I’ve always thought he just looks kinda sad and tired.
daver - June 9, 2008
He looks kinda like Esther Rolle
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
I think more Richard Nixon like
n/t
TORCO - June 9, 2008
Maybe he should give a "Checkers" speech to avoid being fired...
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
remember, he also wore
Cardnial red. Met orange. Brave blue or whatever the hell those were.
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
Don't think anyone has mentioned it,
what a play by Lee. We really are spoiled watching him play defense and I really just expect him to make that type of play every week or so…
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
Yeah, that play was amazing.
Not just the stop, but the perfect throw to Marmol at first.
daver - June 9, 2008
It's great
that he seems to have at least one amazing play per game. It’s at the point where we almost (almost) take it for granted.
Emelie - June 9, 2008
Real nice play
That was a great play by Lee especially with two runners on…and good job by Marmol do the little thing by hustling over to first base immediately after the ball was struck
Bpatterson83 - June 9, 2008
Those are the types
of things that weren’t happening in ‘06.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
Wait a minute
You complain about mistakes made by the announcers and then you complain when John Miller CORRECTLY pronounces foreign players’ names? Pick a side of the fence and stick with it.
Tackle Box - June 9, 2008
Sort of agree...
I can’t stand Jon Miller, but I also am annoyed by the Americanizing of foreign names. At least he tries to do that correctly.
SouthernCub - June 9, 2008
I know this point has been address before but I can't remember the details
How many innings @ this current rate is Marmol going to be pitching by years end?
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
One...million...?
daver - June 9, 2008
With one third of season gone Whit Castle has pitched 40 Innings if used at same pace 120 innings
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
so at what point does that number become dangerously high since I noticed he pitched 67 last year
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
How many minor-league innings
Did Marmol pitch last year?
I think some of this is a function of the Cubs winning so many games. If you’re not winning as many games, you’re not using guys like Marmol.
After today, he’ll have pitched once in four days. I suspect with Cotts and Eyre pitching well, you might not see Marmol again until Wednesday at the earliest. Plus, Howry hasn’t pitched since Thursday.
Not Bruce Froemming - June 9, 2008
Marmol pitched 41 innings in the minors last season
and 69.3 innings with the big club, for a total of 110.3 IP
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
I forgot he was in the minors for part of last year.
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
Innings count isn't a great metric...
because there’s a big difference between the workload of a starter and a reliever. Starters are expected to throw way more innings than relievers, but they get consistent workloads and consistent rest. Relievers get yanked around, have to warm up rapidly, and don’t get regular rest. The wear and tear for a reliever is such that they can’t go for big inning counts.
You have to look at games pitched as well as innings pitched for a reliever when discussing overuse, because they’re destined to not get as many innings. Marmol was overworked last year in his 69 MLB innings (which equate to over 80 IP if he’d been a reliever all year). The 41 IP in the minors were as a starter. So while they count, they count a bit differently.
SouthernCub - June 9, 2008
Absolutely
And all innings are not equal, either. Marmol has had a lot of quick, low-pitch-count innings this year. But last night’s eighth wasn’t one of them.
simonuk - June 9, 2008
ok thanks one can always learn something @ bcb
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
like "the Cubs should get Rich Harden"?
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
*rolls my eyes* @ shanghai lame sense of humor
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
aw, go watch your movie!
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
what movie?
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
Bull Durham
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
get a room!!! :D
northsider - June 10, 2008
Marquis has not
been my favorite player but he really pitched a great game last night. I’m hoping we’ll get to see more of this Marquis the rest of the season.
My husband just laughed at some of the stupid comments from the announcers last night. Pathetic is the only word I can think of to decribe them.
sue369 - June 9, 2008
Don't intend on sounding to MDBNIUish
but I wouldn’t count on Jason.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
...and your thoughts on Rich Harden?
daver - June 9, 2008
Get used to it because Hendry wont $pend on a 1 or 2 otherwise we would hav Satana
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Revisonist history alert!
This has been hashed over sooo many times. Hendry asked. Minnesota said no.
You don’t think the Cubs have spent money???
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
Santanna Said he would have waved No trade
after the fact tho.
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Source?
Plus, the crux of your argument was that Hendry won’t spend money. Do you really believe that? Have you looked at the payroll?
Who was available as an ace pitcher that the Cubs didn’t go after? Other than Bedard, and for all we know, they tried.
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
Further...
... Santana wouldn’t have guaranteed the Cubs anything, no matter how the national media bleated that “METS WIN SERIES!
!” after they traded for him (NOT signed as a free agent, so money wasn’t the issue).
He’s 7-4 with a 3.08 ERA. That’s good, but hardly dominant.
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
Money is always an issue
Santana’s name was only an example.
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Money is always an issue but the Cubs have spent Plenty.
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
Exactly.
If cubbierc thinks the Cubs “haven’t spent money”, just look at this year’s payroll.
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
And beforehand, he said he WOULDN'T...
it’s easy to say afterward that you would waive the trade. It makes Santana look better and look less like he was holding the team hostage.
SouthernCub - June 9, 2008
Santana's comment was that he was NOT informed that the Cubs were asking....
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
Payroll already too high with a team with no set ownership.
I would love to see a 1 or 2 come in. This has been my worry since last year. But we dont have a good atmospher fo a spend at a win at any cost. IE Johnson & Hollywood. There is still future years to consider
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Again, who is available?
Let’s wait until August 1 before deciding that they wouldn’t spend money on another pitcher.
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
You are correct
Must wait to see who is avaible.
What has been spent since Zell took over.
Have followed Zell’s career for some time now & he wont spend 8mil unless he can get 32 mil in return.
His drive is dollars not champinships
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Revisionist history alert has been cancelled
However, a spurious argument warning remains in effect. Also, be aware for glaring inconsistencies.
You started out by blaming Hendry for not spending money on Santana. Now you’re saying we’re stuck with Marquis because of Zell…
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
No body said Marqui is here to stay
I will say unless you dump a 5 mil salery 8mil is out of the question for a #1 or #2 starter
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
actually, you said it above
when you said get used to it.
if he pitches like he did last night, I’m ok with that. not likely, though….
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
To get rid of Marquis the cubs will have to eat colse to 1/2 tat 5 mil
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Zell, for all his a$$holeness, is a businessman...
he will spend ANYTHING to get the ring. With the ring, the Cubs go way up in value…..so I wouldn’t worry about not being able to spend the moon for the ring.
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
WOW - Cubs/Sux on ESPN's front page
http://espn.go.com/
I’m scared. Hold me.
malicedoom - June 9, 2008
question is...
what team will get the jinx?
tony412 - June 9, 2008
wow alot of C.C. mention in there
damn Jerry Crasnick is gonna give Cub fans another trade topic to run into the ground. that being said, i’d love to see Sabbathia in blue haha
philadelphiacub - June 9, 2008
ESPN also think Chicago is
The Weirdest Sports Town
Jayo525 - June 9, 2008
Is there video online somewhere...
...of Big Z flipping out on Saturday?
malicedoom - June 9, 2008
Ask and you shall...
...receive.
daver - June 9, 2008
Cool. Thanks.
Wow. Appears he DID keep himself somewhat in check – nice to see he’s remembering that even when he decides to go apeshit.
malicedoom - June 9, 2008
Somewhere in check
Have seen 5yr olds act more mature
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
It's really not uncommon...
...for players to vent their frustrations like that in the dugout. Dempster did some glove slamming the other day. So did Howry. Yeah, Z took it a little further, but that’s just the nature of his personality. I really don’t think it was a big deal at all.
daver - June 9, 2008
Maddux and Mark Buehrle
possibly the two most low-key guys in baseball have both taken bats to coolers this season. It happens all the time, the only reason this is a big deal is because it’s Zambrano. If it was anyone else, we’d all be laughing—and we should be anyway. It was pretty funny, IMO.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
+1
Lou used to tear up a water cooler or two back in the day. As long as he doesn’t hurt himself let him vent away. I for one love the latin passion.
Emelie - June 9, 2008
It happens all the time is not a good excuse.
Some one could have been hurt.
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
you must be kidding.
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
Being an athlete is no excuse
If this happened in your work space what woud you think.
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
I'd think
I’m surprised someone hasn’t done that a long time ago around here!
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
Apples and oranges.
The two things can’t be compared.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
I'd probably applaud my coworker's passion...
...but wonder who the hell was going to pay for that laser printer.
daver - June 9, 2008
we let athletes get a way w/ tons of things that you or I couldnt get away with
same w/ movie stars etc.
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
you get PAID to throw things around, right?
at least kind of….
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
I would think to myself
it’s about time I started getting people to pay attention to me.
But I agree with Gary, I don’t think they’re comparable. And believe me, while my fits may not be pitched against the refrigerator, people KNOW when I’m not happy about something.
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
I'd think I'd say
You Had A Bad Day
Jayo525 - June 9, 2008
This One Works Better
Jayo525 - June 9, 2008
Ahem.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
LOL. Watch the video clip I posted above.
The coolers never came near anyone.
daver - June 9, 2008
Well, an asteroid coulda fallen on your house too, cubbierc.....
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
Any specifics on Maddux doing it THIS YEAR ?
After the post in the previous thread I checked with my two best Maddux buddies
( who are even BIGGER fans than me) and since they are not the nervous types
they have seen pretty much every inning of every game and neither remembers him
attacking a cooler this year. Not saying he definately didn’t but usually they would know
I only know of the Florida attack in 06.
Also Maddux is very CONTROLLED and gives the impression of being low key in that
he eschews publicity but he is a serious bad ass. Try lip reading him on the mound during any game, if he was miked up even he could not afford the fines he would get for
his “language” ( strictly to himself)
Also per a previous post I don’t have anything wrong with healthy attack on a cooler
as long as you don’t use your hand’s to do it,
Doggie Stalker - June 9, 2008
Saw it on the WWL
don’t remember specifics, not sure they’re as important.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
I am guessing it was a "rerun"
0f the 06 incident. I don’t care so much if he did it again as much as I would
be shocked if I had missed knowing about it. I make an effort to keep track of all things Maddux and should i miss them my two buddies give me updates.
Doggie Stalker - June 9, 2008
Did he/she also ask you
to Pass The Grey Poupon?
Jayo525 - June 9, 2008
The best part is how no one on the bench
really reacts at all. Hilarious.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
I still he looks silly..but he's SO mad....
..that when I watched it again just now, it really was funny. Glove, cooler # 1, cooler #2, hat and th en who knows what in the runway—Kenny Rosenthal from Fox said he heard multiple noises from the runway after Z disappeared from sight.
cubfever7 - June 9, 2008
Sure
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
LOL, the watercooler in the white shorts got totally pwned.
daver - June 9, 2008
The guy in the black shorts lost, too.
Apparently, it’s illegal to pull off the Texas Piledriver in a sanctioned boxing event. Who knew?
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Is that guy still alive?
Bpatterson83 - June 9, 2008
Yeah, and he won the match!
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Wow, what a comeback!
daver - June 9, 2008
Well it was because
Marquardt (the guy in the black trunks) got two points deducted for the piledriver, so he won by 1 point. Marquardt might get suspended, too.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Was the guy in the black trunks hospitalized?
Did he ever fight again? I can only imagine what that could do to one’s spinal column.
daver - June 9, 2008
Black trunks did the slamming.
He was taken to the hospital, but appears to be fine. This was last night, BTW.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Oh, right. Sorry -- I meant white trunks.
Glad to hear he’s OK. Must be pretty scrappy.
daver - June 9, 2008
Wow
Good thing that guys neck didn’t snap. I wonder how long it will take before someone gets killed in MMA.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
That's why there's been a pretty visceral reaction.
A couple fansites have started petitions to have him suspended. Seeing solid fight action is one thing, but stuff like this is bit beyond the pale.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Z
I agree with Al we should move him up and skip Gallagher. The idea is to start your best starter as often as possible. This is a good chance to do that. Plus, he probably can’t wait to get on the mound again to rebound after his collapse on Saturday.
danimal15 - June 9, 2008
Dumb things heard
Often from Joe Morgan – my favorite last night was when he talked about the Cubs being off to a good start, but said they had “had some losing streaks too.” A few seconds later Joe’s partner in the booth mentioned that, if the Cubs were to lose, it would be the first time all season they had lost more than two in a row. Of course, this was not met by any acknowledgment of idiocy by Joe Morgan.
The second idiotic thing I heard recently was Mike North this morning saying that the Sox were a better team and the Cubs had “real problems” on the road (even though they had just finished a winning road trip). Later on I checked, and the Sox road record is only 17-17 – right at .500. That is slightly better than the Cubs, but nothing to crow about and certainly not an indicator of superiority.
SuperContext - June 9, 2008
The next time Mike North says something intelligent will be the first time he's said anything intelligent.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
+ ONE MILLION
malicedoom - June 9, 2008
One millions "Word(s)"
tony412 - June 9, 2008
Indeed.
daver - June 9, 2008
War--What Is It Good For?
cozmotaylor123 - June 9, 2008
+1 Seinfeld reference
daver - June 9, 2008
yup
marine bioligist I do believe…
cozmotaylor123 - June 9, 2008
I don't want to defend knuckle-head North, BUT...
... IF you heard the same comment of his about Sox/Cubs I believe there was more to it than what you’ve written. And no I don’t remember the details of what he said, it’s not worth even the time I’ve given him in this post.
DrCrawdad - June 9, 2008
Nope. I heard them. They're fairly represented here.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Fine...
... he’s a wind-sock loudmouth. Perfect for sports blab, I guess. The goof somehow managed to grab a large contract for himself and put the hot-dog stand behind.
DrCrawdad - June 9, 2008
And, if rumors from Mac and Teddy Greenstein
are to be trusted, he’ll soon find himself back at the hot dog stand, though a puerto rican sandwich shop currently occupies the old BeBe’s space. Maybe he can yell them out there.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
the game
I was at the game last night. Ton of Cub fans, glad to see a winning effort in what hopefully wont be my only game all year.
They play by Lee and Marmol was amazing to see in person.
louisiana lumberman - June 9, 2008
How were the Dodger fans?
Bpatterson83 - June 9, 2008
Chicago Radio Ratings
http://www.arbitron.com/home/content.stm
On the right hand side select “Radio Ratings”
Then select market “Chicago” (or your local market if you care)
Interesting to see the numbers. Can’t wait to see the Spring 08 numbers and how many Cubs fans SCR has turned off. I would think ESPN will have higher numbers in the fall and winter due to Bulls games and SCR higher in the summer with Sox games. WGN is so far ahead of the pack.
tony412 - June 9, 2008
Since I no longer live in Chicago....
...is SCR antiCub? Is that why you mention them “turning off Cub fans?”
cubfever7 - June 9, 2008
Other than Mike North, they're pretty much anti-everything.
It’s just turned into a snark fest.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
I can't listen to WSCR in the A.M. anymore...
...because of North. I am almost always on WMVP – ESPN 1000
malicedoom - June 9, 2008
I long ago learned that sports talk radio
was much noise signifying nothing.
It’s an idiot’s game.
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
+1
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
+2
malicedoom - June 9, 2008
+1,000,000,000,000.....
Al Yellon - June 9, 2008
I would think
that 1000 has way better ratings.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
Lee Elia hired as the Mariner's hitting coach!
Linky
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
They need some people who can hit first....
cubfever7 - June 9, 2008
I can hear it now:
“85 percent of the league can hit; the f*@%n’ 15 percent play here!”
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
EIGHTY FIVE PERCENT OF THE TEAMS HAVE GOOD MANAGERS...
...the other 15% end up in Seattle!!! A fkin’ playground for the cksuckers!!!
(Just kidding, Lee. You rock.)
malicedoom - June 9, 2008
Wow - that was creepy.
malicedoom - June 9, 2008
Did you just call your own comment "creepy"?
daver - June 9, 2008
LOL - no, the back to back Elia quotes...
malicedoom - June 9, 2008
And PRINT IT!!!!!
cubfever7 - June 9, 2008
Trust the Mariners to get it wrong.
With a $117 million payroll and a last place team they fire the hitting coach and hire Lee, fracking, Elia, instead of firing the guy who put together a team that has no chemistry, no fire and no chance of turning it around. The guys who needs to go is Bavasi, Armstrong and Howard Lincoln. People talked about Wrigley and how he didn’t care for the team look at the Mariner owner who has never attended a game. When you build your team around guys like Sexton, Vidro and Ibanez how do you think you’re going to contend? Trade your best young players for a good but not great pitcher and then fire the hitting coach when the team sucks megagallons? Stupid or what?
But let me tell you how I really feel.
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
Yeah. Bavasi might be the wrost GM in baseball.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
A guy who makes Hendry look like
Branch Rickey.
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
Alright, so the Mariners front office is bad.
Getting rid of them isn’t going to help. Releasing bad players (Vidro is the worst DH in the history of history) would be a good start, if avoiding 100 losses was part of the plan.
cwyers - June 9, 2008
At this point what difference does it make
if they lose a hundred or not. The thing is to start building the team back up so that they can contend in a couple of years. While I would have no problem cutting Vidro and Sexton and Bautista I would rather get some bean for them if possible. Maybe if you know what you’re doing you get some magic beans like they did when they got Jay Buhner for Phelps. But that will never happen with Bavasi on top. Build the minors by cutting over paid crap from the big league roster, put the money into scouting and people who have an idea of what they are doing. The M’s have had one of the biggest big league salaries since Lou’s time and what have they done since he left? Put out crap teams. By fate they were almost in it last year and instead of looking and seeing it was a fluke they thought that if they added a couple of players they could contend. Bad analysis.
Frankly reminds me of the Cubs under Lynch, trying to catch fire in a bottle.
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
The funniest thing about it -- ...
besides the fact that you would actually trade for Jose Vidro—is that they really still had a chance to compete this season. When it became obvious that Sexton and Vidro weren’t going to hit again this year, and Wilkerson was a bust, they could have made some moves quickly outside the organization and stopped the bleeding. Nothing major, but at least a Matt Murton-like player, who could give you some league average hitting. But instead they called the kids back up, who they’d already decided weren’t ready for prime time. Dumb.
Only weirder team that I’ve seen is the Rangers. 25 years, and they still can’t - or won’t - find some pitching.
Damen Jackson - June 9, 2008
The Rangers try but I don't know how their park
plays for pitchers. They have had some decent pitchers but not many. Paying what they did for Millwood was not the answer any more than overpaying for ARod when that meant that they couldn’t afford to get more pitching to make a complete team.
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
Past Nolan...
I can’t think of anyone worth talking about other than Bobby Witt in the last 25 years. And he was no stud. Personally though, I didn’t have a problem with signing Kevin Millwood. I would have preferred that they had found someone with more groundball tendencies, but it was an light FA class, as I recall. What really gets me is a quarter-billion dollars for A-Rod, knowing you couldn’t afford pitching after.
But it’s a close call between those two clubs.
Damen Jackson - June 9, 2008
Rangers decided they didn't need Volquez or Chris Young.....
...it’s amazing that they trade that type of talwent-there’s others I’m forgetting-but if you subtract Josh Hamilton and plug in the 2 aforementioned pitchers and even Byrd in CF every day and you’ve got a nice team. Dumb.
cubfever7 - June 9, 2008
Frank Costanza- "How could you trade Jay Buhner?"
Steinbrenner – “My baseball people love Ken Phelps bat. They kept saying Ken Phelps, Ken Phelps.” Classic!
Bump Bailey - June 9, 2008
+1
Frank Costanza might be the best supporting character in TV history.
“You wanna piece of me?
?!”
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Serenity now!
daver - June 9, 2008
"You're not giving away out WaterPik!"
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
NO SOUP FOR YOU
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
hoochie mama
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
5 Cups, chopped porcini mushrooms
11/2 cups olive oil…..
That’s right, soup nazi, i’ve got the recipes. No more soup….for you!
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
NEXT!
daver - June 9, 2008
"Are you trying to keep us out of Del Bocca Vista?"
Bump Bailey - June 9, 2008
Here is a link to a blog on the PI about the Pentland firing
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
Let's try that again
Pentland lacked a Sosa
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
one more time....
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
Ok I know that I can do this dang it.
Pentland lacks a Sosa
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
highlight the text, then click the link symbol
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
One more time
Pentland
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
got it!
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
Thanks
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
np
it is truly amazing, btw, that they’d blame the hitting coach. I know that’s already been discussed here, but wow.
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
Someone had to go
so pick the lowest guy on the totem pole. You can’t blame management.
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
not yet, perhaps
but eventually someone will
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
The fans have but
not the big guys. When they finally feel the heat then we’ll see some change. My fears, and these come from years of being a Cubs fan is that they will just change the name and get more of the same.
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
well, with the Cubs, it took a lot of empty seats
will that do it in Seattle?
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
That will be the ticket.
And it has started. But as long as they can put butts in the seats not much will change.
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
I think they need to DFA Ichiro and have him sign here....
I think Ichiro is the root of the Mariners problems and needs to be punished by being sent to the north side of Chicago…..now, there, I just solved Seattle’s biggest problem. If they send us Ichiro for…..mmmmm, Marquis, they would just tear up the AL West….
crazymountain - June 10, 2008
You drinking Gennie Creams?
bubbamike the one and only - June 10, 2008
What the hell is he supposed to do?
Tell Jose Vidro to stop being a waste? I don’t get it.
cwyers - June 9, 2008
He's going to turn old Richie Sexton
into young Richie Sexton.
Of course if this was possible Leo would have done it to Ernie back in ‘68 and ‘69.
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
I wish that were what he was supposed to do.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
And WHAT was that about relating to Kurt Russell?
That would be a frightening movie:
“Being Jon Miller” – starring John Malkovich
cubnational - June 9, 2008
OT: Evil BCB ( i know we don't like to reference them here, but...)
there is a fanpost at evil BCB regarding the statistics of all NL bullpens. I found it very encouraging and thought others may want to check it out as well.
While it doesn’t exactly alleviate the fears of overuse, it is encouraging to see how good our bullpen has been thus far this year. We lead the NL in WHIP and strikeouts and are third in ERA and RA.
Also, it should come as no surprise that the entire discussion on the board is in regard to the Cubs. The jealousy is overwhelming sometimes ;).
gwood - June 9, 2008
I'll take care of this.
I’m going to put those Evil BCBers in their place. Why I’ll compose the most devastating series of comments they’ve ever seen. I’ll weave a sorcerous spell of logic and rhetoric. I’ll…I’ll…oh, wait…that’s right…I’VE BEEN BANNED FROM THE EVIL BCB.
Oh, for the love of God, I feel so impotent and helpless. I can only sit here in this purgatory and gaze upon the sumptuous feast of baseball knowledge they have laid out before me. But I cannot taste. I CANNOT TASTE!
Fight the good fight, Good BCB brothers and sisters. Carry on without me! Do the best you can. For as soon as either KOW or BlueMike shows me how to create a new user name, I SHALL RETURN TO WREAK HAVOC ON THEIR PUTRID SOULS!
daver - June 9, 2008
I shouldn't encourage this, but.....
try a yahoo! e-mail address. do me a favor, though—call yourself the fan of someone other than the Cubs if you do it. make them think everyone is more rational than them. because, well, they are…
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
Thanks for the tip.
I may do that at some point but don’t really care enough right now. Maybe if the Brewers get back into it.
daver - June 9, 2008
you could always be a Twins fan.
heh.
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
Mariners
It’s too bad their SP is getting banged up. Bedard and King Felix are starting to become more and more injury prone, but at least their farm system is solid
I think the RP that the Cubs could use is Sherill from the O’s. I know he is a closer, but he would make an great setup man for Wood, that is, if Howry continues to be inconsistent.
Geo4MVP - June 9, 2008
Howry has not been inconsistent lately… we dont need relief pitching.. we need starting pitching that can last 6 to 7 innings every time out without having high pitch counts.
DvdD - June 9, 2008
Actually, Howry's been very consistent lately.
Up until he gave up that run against the Dodgers on 6/5 (a game the Cubs won anyway), he hadn’t given up a run in his previous NINE appearances. That said, I agree that the Cubs need starters to go deeper into games.
daver - June 9, 2008
Yeah
This is where Lily and Marquis (Im sorry, but Marquis isn’t going anywhere. No team wants an overpaid mediocre number 5 pitcher) need to step up. That is unless the baseball gods show mercy to the Cubs and Marshall/Hill return with full vengeance.
Geo4MVP - June 9, 2008
No to Harden!
Have you guys learned anything about Billy Beane?! He is going to demand the whole moon for Harden! Just think…he was demanding alot for Blanton, for Harden I can see him demanding Veal, Vitters, and yes, Gallagher.
Geo4MVP - June 9, 2008
Sabathia and Harden
I think Hendry should throw in all the beans and go get CC Sabathia and Rich Harden….he is prolly not going to be the GM after the team is sold anyways. Then send Gallagher back down… dont get me wrong I like Gallagher and hes been doing well but I would rather have Lilly who has been inconsistent at best all season be my number five and either make Marquis (who has also been inconsistent at best) all season a long reliever or tell him to pack his bags.
I know we would have to pay an arm and a leg for both of these guys but if its about winning NOW then we should do it. Pie is still the top prospect, maybe his problem is not that he cant hit MLB pitching maybe its the hype that surrounds the Cubs and if we here in a smaller market like say, Oakland he would thrive… you might be able to get the A’s to do a deal for Pie and Hill for Harden (which in my opinion is not paying too much) and then turn around and pay an arm and a leg to get Sabathia.
DvdD - June 9, 2008
These
wouldnt happen the way you described them. Other teams wanna win also :D
Rudey - June 9, 2008
yes other teams wanna win too.. but if both those teams are sellers at the deadline one never knows…deals for both coming to the Cubs could happen.
DvdD - June 9, 2008
No to Harden.
The injury issue aside, Harden is slowly becoming an extreme flyball pitcher, which plays well in that cavern in Oakland, but would not play well in Wrigley. His career GB/FB is 592/511, but here’s the past 3 seasons:
2006: 50 GB, 34 FB
2007: 24 GB, 28 FB
2008: 32 GB, 59 FB
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
I like your argument that he is slowly becoming an extreme fly ball pitcher.. and that is a very good point that I did not realize before.
So now I say we just need to go after Sabathia.. and maybe if the Padres dont try to fleece us get Maddux back just for good measure in case we do win it all.
DvdD - June 9, 2008
These are admittedly small samples,
but that owes to the fact that Harden hasn’t tossed more than 50 innings since 2005 due to a spate of injuries. However, his career home/road splits bear out my suspicions just a bit:
Home: 3.06
Road: 4.13
He’s a full run worse on the road.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
I finds majority of A's pitchers overrated
the only two pitchers that don’t suck are Haren and Hudson (he is not posting up the numbers like he did with the A’s). Zito, Mulder, and Blanton are mediocre, but due to the obvious humongous A’s ballpark, those pitchers posted amazing numbers.
Geo4MVP - June 9, 2008
but but but
he has a Rubber Arm.
We Should Pull Out All The Stops.
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
Exactly
The prospects for Harden will not be worth. IF we can get him for a small price, then yes. However, knowing Beane, he will demand the maximum. Beane may be a complete asshole when it comes to trading, but he is an evil mastermind. He is without a doubt the best GM in the game today.
And keep in mind, the Cubs farm system is not so great. This is a limited farm system, but again the Cubs need to use their pieces wisely. Yeah, it’s been 100 yrs, but lets make a trade for a pitcher that is actually worth those prospects (e.g. Sabathia).
Geo4MVP - June 9, 2008
Great point on the fly balls
cubfever7 - June 9, 2008
Uh, you do realize that to get Sabathia and/or Harden...
...the Cubs would probably have to trade Sean Gallagher, right? There would be no sending him down.
daver - June 9, 2008
Did you read what Edmonds said about Gallager
He said he pitches like vintage Chris Carpenter. Hell, Pinella is really high on this guy and think he will be a solid pitcher for years to come. I have seen some of his pitches and I think he can become a number two-three pitcher.
Geo4MVP - June 9, 2008
Would you trade Gallagher to rent Sabathia for a year?
and then maybe figure out a way to get him to take a Z contract?
What if CC and Z got into a club house rumble? We’d have to hire Kimbo Slice for a clubhouse guy so he could break them up.
cubfever7 - June 9, 2008
Depends on the Indiands demand
I would rather give up Vitters, Veal, Patterson, and yes, even Colvin/Pie for Sabathia, but not Gallagher.
Geo4MVP - June 9, 2008
Yeah, I've read that Gallagher projects to be...
...a No. 2 or No. 3 pitcher at some point, so I hope the Cubs hold on to him, too. I also urge Cubs fans to vote “Sledgehammer” instead of “Easy Gas” or threads like this will become all too commonplace.
daver - June 9, 2008
no, i think the Cubs want to hang on to Gallagher.. i think he would be the one to stay and Hill and/or Marshall would go.
DvdD - June 9, 2008
Of course the Cubs
want to hang onto Gallagher, but if it means getting CC with a legit shot at winning the World Series then it is well worth the risk. If the Cubs could resign him great, if not oh well. With a team like the Cubs have there must be some risks taken to try and win this year.
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
Let's win now!
If trading some of our top prospects for CC so be it and if we can’t resign…oh well. Let’s Win Now! We have a solid team we are just missing a few key pieces.
Bpatterson83 - June 9, 2008
We've been doing that for as long as I can remember
and what has it got us? A hundred years of nothing. Better to keep some of the good kids than trade them for a handful of win now beans.
bubbamike the one and only - June 9, 2008
Disagree
We haven’t had this complete of a team since 1989 (guessing because I was too young). This is a very unique situation, even in 2003 that team was not nearly as complete although the starting pitching was better. So I really don’t think you can compare other moves to this season.
slocs55 - June 10, 2008
Actually '84
89 seemed like they won with smoke & mirrors.
tootle - June 10, 2008
Hm, I don't know. Maybe.
Hill’s stock is pretty low right now, though. And I believe Marshall doesn’t project to be anything higher than a No. 4, and he’s had some durability problems. I’d guess Gallagher would be in the conversation somewhere.
daver - June 9, 2008
Exactly
Pie’s and Hill stock is pretty damn low now. Hill is no longer a young pitcher. He is 28 yrs old and Pie just used up his last year option being sent down to AAA. I think the indians will demand Colvin/Patterson/Veal/Vitters/Gallagher. Im not saying all those players will be in demand, but three of those 5 prospects will be involved in a deal.
Geo4MVP - June 9, 2008
I would say deal!
slocs55 - June 9, 2008
Yeah, but the Cubs need to becareful
But I am reluctant to give up on Gallagher. Lets hope it any of those players besides Gallagher.
Geo4MVP - June 9, 2008
Geo4MVP is on the same page with me… only one difference though…
I would only do a trade if we can get CC signed to an extension before the trade is finalized.
DvdD - June 9, 2008
The thing is,
you’re not gonna get much without Gallagher. He’s the best system arm and has shown that he’s got the skills to contribute in the majors. If the Cubs are looking acquire a player that’s good enough to actually help, as opposed to some asinine Traschel-esque deal, they’ll have to be willing to part with him. But even with Gallagher, I doubt the Cubs have enough to net Sabathia. Other teams that would no doubt be interested if he were made available could make better offers, imo.
ohboy - June 10, 2008
who said that we had to give them pitching in return… you might be able to package up some average pitchers like say.. Hill and Marshall with some top offensive prospects like Hoffpauir and Pie (if he is able to start hitting again) to get a deal done for CC.
But I would not want to make another Pierre type trade where we only get CC for one season I would request that for the trade to go throw we get to get a 48 to 72 hour window in which we can discuss an extension with his representatives.
DvdD - June 10, 2008
Well, you have to give up something GOOD to get CC.
It’s not that you have to trade pitching for pitching, it’s just that Gallagher is probably the only prospect we’ve got with decent value. Pie and Hoffpauir are only “top offensive prospects” to Cubs fans because the rest of our farm system is awful in terms of position players. But in reality Pie’s stock has fallen a lot this year and the loss of his last option year makes him less attractive. As for Hoffpauir, he’s 28 years old and I just can’t imagine anyone else in baseball considering him a top prospect, at all. I’m sure you could package either of them in some deal, just not for someone of CC’s caliber if Gallagher’s not in the mix somewhere.
But I don’t think it’ll matter. If CC’s available, there will be a bidding war and even with Gallagher the Cubs can’t match what other teams would probably be willing to give up for him.
ohboy - June 10, 2008
Why in the world
would the Indians give up Sabathia for Hill and/or Marshall? They could get better offers than that from so many other teams.
ohboy - June 10, 2008
I never said we would only be giving them Hill and/or Marshall… I was just suggesting that they could be a part of the trade.
DvdD - June 10, 2008
Again I would
give up whatever prospects are necessary to get C.C. This is a legit shot to win it all, I say all in. (in KGB voice from Rounders)
slocs55 - June 10, 2008
No game today
sigh
CyberCyclist - June 9, 2008
I know!
a summer day without baseball is… well, it’s as grey as it is outside right now.
drewishdrewid - June 9, 2008
When I was a kid...
before there was night baseball, I use to get home from school as fast as I could to catch the last few innings of the Cubs home games. ‘84 was a magic year. Every day I would read all I could about the previous day’s game even though I already knew what happened. Baseball has a feeling about it that is very difficult to explain. One of my favorite aspects of baseball is that there is no running out the clock. Both teams get the same number of chances. There is always a huge thrill when going to a game with the first moment you walk out into the seats and see the field, particularly at old parks like Wrigley and Fenway. I don’t get that feeling at any other sporting event.
CyberCyclist - June 9, 2008
Well
It was a must needed off day for the bullpen, Soto, Derek Lee, and gives Lou the chance to skip the 4/5 pitcher for Big Z. Honestly, I am glad the Cubs had this offday because the up and coming games is going to be tough. The Braves, D Rays, and Blue Jays are going to be tough.
Geo4MVP - June 9, 2008
I agree that it's good for the team
I just have a hard time waiting for the next game. Winter especially sucks.
CyberCyclist - June 9, 2008
Such a fun season makes off days seem just that much longer
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
Ced Benson has waived by the Bears, per ESPN 1000 AM
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
^been
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
I guess Sports Talk Radio
is good for something
Jayo525 - June 9, 2008
But I say Good Riddance
What A bust of a player
Jayo525 - June 9, 2008
I personally loved his second mugshot
www.clueless.com
He should hang with Ricky Williams.
malicedoom - June 9, 2008
Drugs & alcahol dont mix
cubbierc - June 9, 2008
Neither do
Malice and linkies
Jayo525 - June 9, 2008
LOL
I realized after I posted that joke that it would be a clickable link and… um… yeah. Ooops. Can you edit posts here? :)
malicedoom - June 9, 2008
That was funny--had the same problem
cubfever7 - June 9, 2008
What the heck...
...am I gonna do tonight? I hate off days. I’ll probably end up having to talk to my kids or something.
TXCub - June 9, 2008
Hardball Times: Cubs are projected to win 101 games
According to the Hardball Times Dartboard, the Cubs are also the number one team in baseball. See here:
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/tht-dartboard-june-8-2008/#dartboard
For an explanation of how they make their predictions, see here:
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/tht-dartboard-june-22-2006/
zevkalman - June 9, 2008
That's assuming a neutral schedule.
Which we don’t have. I don’t know the strength of schedule for the rest of the season off the top of my head. They’re also not regressing the Cubs’ record, so far as I can tell. So take with a grain of salt.
cwyers - June 9, 2008
I see you now use the Wonder Hamster as your avatar. Good for you!
zevkalman - June 9, 2008
Yeah.
I’d knock at least 7-8 games off that prediction, given the Cubs current road record and thier road heavy schedule in the 2nd half.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
Griffey hit # 600.
good for him!
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
without steriods
he’s really had a power outage lately, though. now, where does he get traded?
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
are you implying that you think he juiced????
I had thought Seattle earlier in the year but with the chaos there I am not sure.
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
no, I'm not
I said he did it without steroids
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
if you meant it as two separate thoughts.
it didnt read that way.
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
alrighty
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
I seriously doubt Jr. juiced.
gary varsho - June 9, 2008
I totally agree w/ you gary
he’s never been assoicated at all w/ any of that scandel. I’d be very surprised if he was.
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
ok, I'm confused
how do two of you read “I think he juiced” into “without steroids”?
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
Read it as one sentence...
“without steroids he’s really had a power outage lately…”
It can pretty easily be interpreted as suggesting he juiced at one point.
SouthernCub - June 10, 2008
Oops, didn't read the rest of the posts...
sorry for expounding on something already discussed!
SouthernCub - June 10, 2008
without steriods
he’s really had a power outage lately.
this statement would leave one to believe you meant he was on steriods and now isnt
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
no, it probably was poorly written
I meant that he accomplished it w/out steriods—good for him. seriously.
his power numbers are down this year. nothing to do with pharmaceuticals.
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
there was a "though"
meant to separate the two thoughts. but I can see where it was confusing.
Shanghai Badger - June 9, 2008
that makes way more sense
off to bed. and I will so love games that start at a normal time this week!!!
Madison Cub Fan - June 9, 2008
OT: great artcile regarding TSWSNBN
in today’s Tribune he is even getting skewered by his “colleagues”
gwood - June 10, 2008
I can't believe they're censoring Telander's columns.
Mariotti is being a complete douchenozzle and The Sun Times is letting him get away with it. That ship is sinking fast.
gary varsho - June 10, 2008
It's really sad
that mariotti is the face of the sun-times. He is universally hated (hence is 6% approval rating according to the poll in the article).
I had forgotten that he refuses to go into the White Sox clubhouse anymore. What a wuss, if he is going to criticize, he has to able to take the flak he will get for such criticism. What’s the saying, “if you can’t take the heat then get out of the kitchen.”
gwood - June 10, 2008
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