Ryan Dempster was just outstanding today, and he needed to be... this is exactly the sort of thing that winning teams do, have one guy pick the other up when the team is struggling, and Dempster threw 73 strikes out of 104 pitches and I thought Lou should have let him finish. The Cubs haven't had a complete game shutout since May 9, 2007, thrown by, of all people, Jason Marquis, and today would have been a fine day to give the bullpen a rest and let Dempster get his first CG shutout since July 3, 2001 -- long enough ago that it was against a team that no longer exists, the Expos.
I know, I complain too much, and shouldn't after an outstanding team performance today, a 9-0 shutout of the Astros. Virtually everyone contributed, if not offensively (three more hits from Ryan Theriot, two doubles from the slumping Kosuke Fukudome -- good to see -- a HR and two singles from Mike Fontenot, and I still can't figure out how he hits baseballs that far), then defensively (fine plays by Aramis Ramirez and Mark DeRosa in the field), and a quick and efficient inning from Carlos Marmol. That latter is just what the ballclub needed, too -- Marmol has been so bad the last month, and was so good before that, that seeing him back on track both in the All-Star Game and today is an exceptionally good sign.
Both the radio and TV broadcast teams referred to Alfonso Soriano's upcoming rehab stint, scheduled to begin tomorrow (in a 10 am game, played early in the day to minimize the desert heat) with the AZL Cubs and to continue, presumably, for Iowa at Tucson on Tuesday and Wednesday. But both broadcast teams also hinted -- just hinted, mind you -- that if everything goes well with Soriano in tomorrow's morning game, he could be activated as soon as tomorrow night.
Just sayin'. The club misses him, no matter how infuriating his strikeouts and misplays in the outfield can be at times. He came off the DL in May on fire, and did so also last September. The Cubs really do need him to do that again.
I thought Brandon Backe's little tantrum after he was called out on strikes in the fifth on an admittedly borderline call is going to work against him in the future. What umpire is going to ever give Backe a close call from now on?
Nitpick with the offense, and this is hard to do on a day when the Cubs had 13 hits and 9 runs: the Cubs were walkless for the second consecutive game. That's OK if they're hitting, but I'd like to see them resume their patient ways tomorrow.
Nitpick with the radio broadcast today: I happened to be out at first pitch time, and had the game on the radio in the car. If you didn't hear it, they missed the first play of the game entirely while running another in their endless series of commercials, and Ryan Theriot had by then led off the game with a fly to right. If missing the play wasn't bad enough, Pat then had to read some sort of ad that said that IF Theriot had gotten a hit, some sponsor would have given some sort of donation to some charity (you can see how much impact that made on me, because I can't remember either the name of the sponsor or the name of the charity).
The reason I was out early this afternoon was to see my son Mark's Park District game, a makeup from a rainout yesterday. I mention this because he's on the Astros this year. They lost 10-5 -- a harbinger of another Astros loss this afternoon.
As I was writing this, Troy Glaus hit a three-run homer for the Cardinals and they took a 5-3 lead over the woeful Padres. But I decided to wait to post, and amazingly enough, the Padres came back and tied it up in part because of a bad misplay by Rick Ankiel in CF, but then they lost anyway when Aaron Miles, of all people, hit a walkoff grand slam. Stupid Cardinals. And the Brewers, who acquired Ray Durham from the Giants this afternoon, are leading the Giants 2-0 early in their game. Durham has hit very well against the Cubs in his career, including in the seven Cubs/Giants games already this season, and with ten Cubs/Brewers games left, the Brewers clearly are trying to take advantage of that. Rickie Weeks, hitting .218, wasn't cutting it for Milwaukee and they're obviously looking at Durham as a short-term fix.
Site note: you may have noticed that some avatars and images are missing today, and you may be having trouble posting images. There are issues with the server hosting images; it's being worked on.
So if those leads hold up, the division lead will remain at 2.5 games, and the Cubs need to go into Arizona and take care of business. Fascinating pitching matchup tomorrow: Rich Harden vs. Randy Johnson. Enjoy the rest of your evening. Onward to tomorrow.
0 recs | 190 comments
Samardzija
Needs to be called up. :-) He walked nine and struck out one today in six innings.
Josh Timmers - July 20, 2008
Sorry
That’s backwards. He struck out nine and walked one. Sounds terrible He was great.
Josh Timmers - July 20, 2008
Whew!!!
mondello58 - July 20, 2008
Sounds like we need a 8 man rotation right now.
Z
Lilly
Harden
Dempster
Marquis
Marshall
Samardzija
(hopefully soon) Hill
nji232 - July 20, 2008
Trade bait...
perhaps???
mondello58 - July 20, 2008
I don't know
who you are saying is trade bait, but Samardzija has a no-trade clause.
Josh Timmers - July 20, 2008
Couldn't the Cubs ask him to waive the trade?
I wouldn’t want him to, because I think he’s a stud, but just saying.
I definitely wouldn’t mind Marquis, Hill, or Hoffpauir—or maybe a combo of the three—being traded for some relief help.
NittanyCub - July 20, 2008
Anything is possible
but he made it pretty clear that he was giving up a football career to play for the Cubs. If he had been drafted by a different team, he might have played football instead.
I don’t think any team, except maybe the White Sox, would be willing to risk him quitting for football. He really wants to play in Chicago.
You’d never trade Samardzija for relief help, and I’m not sure Marquis, Hill or Hoffpauir would get you anything.
Josh Timmers - July 20, 2008
I think that Samardzija is more useful AS bullpen help...
...than as part of a trade.
cwyers - July 20, 2008
Agreed
You just don’t trade Samardzija right now, even if he didn’t have a no-trade.
Josh Timmers - July 20, 2008
Hill is history for this phase of operations
We’re in the hunt. The NL is by no means ours.
The room for mistakes is almost non existent.
It’s late July and before you know it, August will be gone and the last leg of the chase will begin.
If Hill comes up at all, it will be to sit in the bullpen – not the rotation. Pie, if he comes up, will sit in the dugout. Both will be on very, very short leashes.
I hope both can come back, but not at the expense of a critical moment in a tight race. Nope. Let them wait til next year .. like we have ..
cubnational - July 20, 2008
if Hill came back up
why on earth would you sit him in the bullpen and let Marquis pitch?
drewishdrewid - July 20, 2008
Lou likes lefties.
If he and the staff are convinced that Hill is back to what he was a year ago, he’ll be back in the rotation.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
The way Samardzija pitches
he would throw a complete game shutout and strike out 15 if he did get called up.
Unique - July 20, 2008
Remember that Kerry Wood game?
The way he improves every time he gets promoted, that’s not out of reach.
How can someone be better in the PCL than in the FSL?
Josh Timmers - July 20, 2008
What a weird, weird, pitcher Samardzija is
IIRC, he was completely cold with Daytona and then (somewhat arbitrarily) gets bumped up to Tennessee where he does great in 2007. He starts doing bad this year with them, and then gets bumped up to Iowa where he has a 3.45 ERA. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does so piss-poor in Iowa to only get called up to Chicago and throw a perfect game.
NittanyCub - July 20, 2008
Lou has been on record a couple months ago
saying that if Jeff keeps doing well, he would not be against calling him up to give him a shot.
That would be amazing.
cubnational - July 20, 2008
Your stats are old
and didn’t take today’s game into account. His ERA is now 3.13 and that includes two of his six starts being in Albuquerque, which I call “Coors Field on Steroids.” Five of his six starts have been “quality starts” The one that wasn’t was in OKC, not ABQ, though even that was only four runs in 6.1 innings.
He’s now struck out 40 in 37.1 innings and has walked only 16.
Josh Timmers - July 20, 2008
Just looked up minor league park factors...
...and, well, Albuquerque is insane. And Des Moines is not exactly a pitcher’s park either.
cwyers - July 20, 2008
If he keeps this up...
... he may be up before September.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
You'd call him up after one good start?
Lets see a pattern of good starts develop, then call him up in September.
Bump Bailey - July 20, 2008
What about Cashner?
I know you’re the minor league expert around here, so what (if anything) have you heard about Cashner? When he was drafted, I recall hearing that he could be a September call-up this season.
Curtain Jerker - July 20, 2008
Second...
is the first to lose :(
mondello58 - July 20, 2008
Hey, Al
didn’t Dempster have a CG in June? It was a home game, of course.
drewishdrewid - July 20, 2008
He didn't have a CG shutout.
Read what I wrote again.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
oh, ok.
drewishdrewid - July 20, 2008
Thank you, Al
Al – I am a lurker on the boards, and read your post-game summaries religiously. I just wanted to give you a sincere thank you for all you do… I enjoy the game summaries (of course), but also really appreciate (and need, frankly, after a loss), your perspective. I enjoy your posts and have given every Cubs fan I know the BleedCubbieBlue address. So let’s all give it up for Al. Whoo-hoo!!
Ryno72 - July 20, 2008
Thanks!
As posted below, let this be the first game of a long winning streak.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
welcome to BCB :)
Madison Cub Fan - July 20, 2008
Al, the lead is 2 games, not 2.5
And let’s hope that this is a start of a long winning streak—that road record has got to get better if the Cubs are going to hold off the Brewers and Cardinals.
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
Well, I WANT it to be 2.5 games.
Or more!
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
Five games
sounds about right. :)
mondello58 - July 20, 2008
Me, too
I really want the Cubs to have a lead of more than 4 games on the Brewers before they play in Milwaukee. If that’s the case, I think the pressure is on the Brewers.
I know, I know, one game at a time—but this weekend was an agonizing one as far as the Cubs are concerned. Cain was awful, LIncecum is getting beat through 6 and I think the Padres had a lead in all 4 against St. Louis.
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
I actually have a good feeling...
about the series in Milwaukee. I think it will be at least a split. The Cubs have played well at Wrigley Field North.
mondello58 - July 20, 2008
Past results no guarantee of future performance . . .
But I’m hoping the Cubs win at least 3. A split would almost be like a win if the Cubs are still in first at that point.
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
Lets hope for a win on the 29th........
Im going with a Brewer fan to the game. (this is my first game of the year!!!!)
As soon as tickets went on sale, I ordered my Brewers/ Cubs tickets. I doubt that as many Brewer fans were as quick to snatch up those tickets back the end of Feb as Cubs fans were. So my guess easily Wrigley North. :)
Madison Cub Fan - July 20, 2008
It really is THREE games.
First thing my dad taught me about baseball is that what mattered was the LOSS column.
You can WIN more games but you can never get rid of a loss. Cubs lead Brewers and Cardinals
by 3 games each in the loss column
Doggie Stalker - July 20, 2008
True.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
I won't have any "comfort".....
till its a 10 game lead w/ 9 to play….
kcjones - July 20, 2008
Let's sweep the D-Bags...
and have the Brewers and Cardinals beat each other silly over the next few days.
mondello58 - July 20, 2008
Works for me.
Actually, I’m still not a believer in St. Louis, so I’ll be rooting for them to win 3 of 4. I remain convinced the Brewers are the better team, so I’d like to see them pushed back as far as possible.
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
It's very possible...
the series is in St. Louis and the Brewers have had problems there.
mondello58 - July 20, 2008
I agree.
The Brewers have a losing road record, too.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
Fukudome's swing
His two hits today were nice to see, but I’m curious, does Perry have any idea how to suggest or make adjustments to his swing?
Hagen - July 20, 2008
OT: Just saw The Dark Knight for the second time this weekend...
...and now I can’t wait to see it a third time next weekend @ IMAX. The storyline – as jam-packed it is – benefits from a second viewing; and I was able to savour Heath’s performance more this time around…my first viewing simply found myself drooling in awe of his Joker portrayal.
And be sure to watch for the Joker’s “introduction”...his first “joke” will go down as one of the best.
Dan
dtpollitt - July 20, 2008
If people haven't seen TDK
They really should A.S.A.P.
DTJchris - July 20, 2008
This deserves its own thread...
So we can talk about it endlessly. An absolutely fantastic movie in every way. And Aaron Eckhart makes Tommy Lee Jones look like a booger.
DaBard - July 20, 2008
Dark Night was AMAZING
SouthsideCUBSfan - July 20, 2008
I think Ledger's Joker...
...makes Jack’s look like child’s play. It’s pretty amazing that Eckhart’s performance is overshadowed by a guy that’s casting was called into question…
Dan
dtpollitt - July 20, 2008
Comparing the two is like apples and oranges
Comparing Jack’s Joker and Tommy Lee Jones’s two face is not a fair comparison. The style of the early Batman movies was a whole lot different than this version. Jack did a excellent job in his rendition of the material he had just like Jones did all he could with what he had to work with. That being said, TDK was a pretty good film for a super hero flick.
jajonez77 - July 20, 2008
Disagree
Were you afraid of Jack’s Joker? Not at all. Heath’s is both plausible and surreal; my girlfriend turned away in a few of his scenes – not because of the graphic content (there wasn’t much at all) – but I think because Heath’s Joker is much, much more realistic and fits the world of Gotham to a tee.
Dan
dtpollitt - July 20, 2008
You're right.
You could have plugged in a Prince song anywhere in this film and it wouldn’t have seemed out of place at all.
jajonez77 - July 20, 2008
If you guys set up a thread
and you offer SPOILERS, make sure you have that as a header. Some of us (read: me) haven’t seen it yet, and would be a little angry (read: I’d flip out) if it was spoiled for me.
NittanyCub - July 20, 2008
Agreed.
I hope to see it sometime this week. Keep the spoilers out of your discussion unless you give spoiler warnings.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
good point
Emelie - July 20, 2008
thank you... I was going to make point.
I have no desire to wait in lines etc. so I am waiting to see it for a while
Madison Cub Fan - July 20, 2008
*spoiler*
It was freaking awesome!
DTJchris - July 20, 2008
ok that doesnt count as a spoiler *giggle*
but any more than that….. and it might.
Madison Cub Fan - July 20, 2008
Nothing discussed has been a spoiler or referenced plot points
dtpollitt - July 20, 2008
And, secondly...
...I think of “spoilers” when discussing something that isn’t available to the general public – such as media seeing a pre-screening of a television show, movie, etc. I think once it’s open for anyone, “spoilers” become somewhat irrelevant. It’s the biggest opening for a movie ever (financially and in theatre number), I’m sure there are available showings…
“Do I look like a guy that has a plan?”
Dan
dtpollitt - July 20, 2008
I respectfully disagree
reviewers are often careful to notify readers that they are about to discuss key plot points. I would hope if that happens here co-posters would be respectful enough to do the same.
Emelie - July 20, 2008
I'm just sayin...
...those types of reviews are often by writers that have seen a movie or show pre-release. Not four days after it’s been out. I read an article about the season finale of LOST, and looked at proper etiquette for when “water cooler” discussion of television shows was appropriate; needless to say, the author determined any time a show’s been aired, it’s okay to discuss it. I’m sure no one hre will give spoilers, but the movie’s been out for 4 days now, and made $160,000,000. Spoilers are out.
Dan
dtpollitt - July 20, 2008
I'm gonna start a thread to discuss this movie, so we can move my off-topic-ness to a more appropriate thread :)
dtpollitt - July 20, 2008
HERE'S A TDK SPOILER THREAD, FOR ALL THAT HAVE SEEN THE FILM...
CLICK HERE IF YOU WANNA CHAT ABOUT THE BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR…
Dan
dtpollitt - July 20, 2008
When you have 13 hits and 9 runs
You don’t need walks. Jeez.
And it was more important to get Marmol in a nine-run game to build his confidence than to have a complete game.
DaBard - July 20, 2008
I agree with your Marmol statement, but youre wrong about the walks DaBard
Remember when the Cubs were amongst the top in the NL, and Fukudome was leading the team and amongst the top in the league at pitches per at bat, WELL, we were dominating the central at that time, no one could touch us. I understand we got 9 runs, and I am not complaining at all, but I agree with Al, we need to be a little more patient at the plate, especially the middle of our lineup
Marmol though, should have gone in. We needed him to pitch in a non-pressure situation, so I agree with you on that
SouthsideCUBSfan - July 20, 2008
Exactly.
No complaints with 9 runs and 13 hits, but I’d still like to see more walks.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
+50,000.....
I’d like to see the patience that’s rewarded the “Cubs” all year…naturally back in place…BUT I do see your point and will take runs over walks any day…..
kcjones - July 20, 2008
True but
without being more patient, we’re not gonna keep getting as many runs as we did today.
rea5661 - July 21, 2008
Don't forget a fair share of yesterday's hits were jam shots/broken bat singles
which probably even out with smoked line drives over a season. Good to see Fukudome hit with authority for a change. Theriot is still getting on base which bodes well. BTW, I will at the game on Tuesday night, Marquis against Owings. Normally, I would figure a Cubs loss, but Owings is getting rocked lately, so I feel pretty good. I hope we can win, been going to at least one game per series out here since I moved to AZ and have yet to see a Cubs victory in the desert.
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
Dempster CAN win on the road!
Woo hoo!
Brett Taylor - July 20, 2008
Fontenot had a single and a double, not 2 singles...
....aren’t you glad you have 300 editors here, Al? lol
carmen_fanzone - July 20, 2008
LOL
I misread the boxscore—got confused with all the hits!
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
Fontenot now leads the team with a .903 OPS
Jerry Mumphrey - July 20, 2008
I don't know how that leads the team.
Hoffpauir has a higher OPS (Edmonds did going into today as well), and Fontenot isn’t qualified for the batting title.
cwyers - July 20, 2008
To clarify...
...that’s Edmonds’ line as a Cub I’m referring to, not overall.
cwyers - July 20, 2008
Fontenot still beats him in OPS if you're only look at the time since Jimmy's arrival.
That and Hoffpauir never plays.
Jerry Mumphrey - July 20, 2008
So, in other words...
Fontenot isn’t leading the team in OPS.
Got it.
cwyers - July 20, 2008
Great Strong Game
Al, you bring out every highpoint of a game packed with them. Demp at the top of his game, Fonty killing the ball (despite, as someone noted in the game thread, his rather one dimensional presence), Dome’s two DPs—is he, could he be coming off that awful slump?, DeRosa’s great catch. This is the team that’s got our juices boiling.
And, best yet, they put this together while on the road. I’m disappointed that most of the games this week will be late and later, but can’t wait to see what they will do.
On a related note, recently I read somewhere that the team is so tight they spend a lot of time together in their off hours. When they play as tight as they did today it shows.
Great, great group of men, all of them. Even the ones that drive me to distraction. (I know, isn’t that all men?!)
Go Cubs!
Emelie - July 20, 2008
Fortunately...
... these “late” games aren’t that late… 8:40 is almost reasonable for a west coast (and yes, during baseball season I consider AZ “West Coast” because they are on the same time as PDT) start. Hope to see almost all of this upcoming series.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
good point
they are “late” for my bizarro bio rhythms
Emelie - July 20, 2008
which nights are they on WGN?
BradB311 - July 20, 2008
tues, fri, sat
Emelie - July 20, 2008
Thank you
too lazy to look it up
BradB311 - July 20, 2008
Off the ledge
I’m far too baseball bi-polar (or bipolar).
This was a great game to have in in the background while I was playing GTA4. Al, you’re right about the promos and commercials being way too intrusive, as well as WGN’s habit to miss the first pitch of a new inning because they are showing another Bud Light Lime or Southwest Airlines commercial.
Side note: Do you know anyone whose ever done the “How far did it fly” promotion? I’ve probably seen parts of at least two thousand Cubs games, and my friends several thousand more, but none of us have ever mailed the distance in. I’m just wondering if anyone here has.
Great game, great win. Agree with getting Marmol the IP, and keeping Dempster’s innings as low as possible. I want him fresh in September and October.
Curtain Jerker - July 20, 2008
I've never mailed one of those entries in.
I’m guessing whoever does probably has fairly good odds of winning, then.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
I'm actually glad the NL Central race is so close
I feel that the competition keeps the ballclub sharp.
NittanyCub - July 20, 2008
I agree.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
I trust no one wants Heath Bell anymore
I remember his being mentioned by some. Thanks heath 7 runs in two innings to
Cards this weekend. I didn’t like him because he blew a few games for Maddux but
he was TERRIBLE this weekend
Doggie Stalker - July 20, 2008
I saw a stat yesterday
during the Padres/Cardinals game about how SD relievers have allowed 47% of inherited runners to score. Not good.
Bullpen success and failure vary greatly from year to year. SD has usually had a pretty good ‘pen, but this year they don’t. In related news, they have over 60 losses…
Curtain Jerker - July 20, 2008
Bell
Unfortunately he’s on my fantasy team. Thanks, Heath.
danimal15 - July 20, 2008
Al, just curious....
what is the deal with your insistence on unnecessarily bashing Jason Marquis?
“The Cubs haven’t had a complete game shutout since May 9, 2007, thrown by, of all people, Jason Marquis”... I appreciate the historical reference to the last CG shutout but feel the “of all people” comment is just ridiculous! I’m all for complaining about a bad performace but to be critical of a player when mentioning their success is just wrong.
cubbiefanTN - July 20, 2008
You're a bit off base here.
Most people know that I don’t “unnecessarily bash” Marquis. In fact, I’ve generally been a defender of him here.
The comment “of all people” was intended to indicate surprise, not bashing. Of all the Cub starters, he’d be about the last one you’d think of when you’d think “complete game shutout”.
Right?
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
+1
drewishdrewid - July 20, 2008
still it's
a backhanded complement at best…. the guy is a professional pitcher and has looked amazing at times. maybe you are a marquis defender but i still feel that the “of all people” wasn’t necessary. agree to disagree…. GO CUBS!
cubbiefanTN - July 21, 2008
Al's been one of the FEW Marquis supporters around here...
...but yes, a Jason complete game shutout is nearly mind-boggling.
Dan
dtpollitt - July 20, 2008
Cubs will miss both Webb and Haren
If they can’t take atleast 2 of 3 from the DBacks while missing both Webb and Haren, than I’ll give up any hope for this team have success on the road anytime this season.
High_Tight_Fastball - July 20, 2008
Love the sig
And I agree with you. Arizona isn’t a very good team, hopefully the Cubs can take advantage. I won’t be able to see the games, however, as I’ll be out of town until Wednesday night.
Curtain Jerker - July 20, 2008
Webb
He was robbed of a win tonight when the pen blew it in the 9th. He had pitched 8 strong innings, and he’s a guy who can finish a game. Stupid managing to take him out.
danimal15 - July 20, 2008
Melvin probably put Lyon in there as a confidence boost
because he almost blew the save the night before. Also, the D Backs misplayed a DP off the bat of Jones that would have probably changed the outcome of the inning. Lyon has now pitched 3 days in a row, a total of about 70 or so pitches, probably won’t see him tonight.
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
Just like missing Oswalt?
Still got to play the games.
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
Heck.....
Oswalt throws good pitches…..
Perhaps the hitters know what to do with those….
kcjones - July 20, 2008
Incidentally, +1
Come and get me.
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
+1
drewishdrewid - July 20, 2008
LOL
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
+1
sue369 - July 20, 2008
+1
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
-1 on your sig.
Bump Bailey - July 20, 2008
+1
Emelie - July 21, 2008
What umpire is going to give Backe a close call from now on?
Just as many as he got before. Do you really think an umpire is going to hold a grudge against a pitcher who was upset at a strike call? Do you honestly believe all of them will band together and do so? Come on, Al. If that was the case, no pitcher in the game would get a close call because they’ve, sooner or later, pissed off at least one umpire. Do you really think that an umpire is going to make, perhaps an incorrect call, just to get back at him? People say this every time when something like that happens and it’s never changed anything. These umpires have too much self-respect to call the game any differently than they normally would.
Maddog - July 20, 2008
Pat and Ron described it
as a “make-up call” – on the previous pitch he tried to check his swing and the other umpire said No Swing, but P&R thought it was an awful call – Backe had swung. And Backe was especially mad because he thought he had an RBI.
ChipSet - July 20, 2008
I think it was a make-up call -- and thought it was at the time
And I think that’s the only reason Backe was allowed to jump around as much as he was.
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
Umpires do this all the time.
If you don’t see that, you’re not watching games closely enough.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
For example...
... remember how Moises Alou used to get that agonized look on his face every time he was called out on strikes on a close call?
Do you think umpires EVER gave him a close one? Doubt it.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
Difference is
Alou did that time and time again—not just once.
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
True.
But Backe put on quite a show.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
I thought
they were going to sell tickets.
I mean, they did, but you know what I mean.
drewishdrewid - July 20, 2008
Sure, but Moises' hissy fits
Were pretty demonstrative, too.
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
Exactly my point.
I have no definitive proof, and getting such proof is virtually impossible. But I would guess that in the later stages of Alou’s career, when he was performing these hissy fits, every single close call went against him.
Al Yellon - July 21, 2008
I agree on Moises
But again, that was a pattern. Backe did it once, as far as we know.
Shanghai Badger - July 21, 2008
Yes I do.
I’d guarantee he has. I’d bet my life savings on it. Would you?
Maddog - July 20, 2008
Of course not.
Got any proof? “Guarantee” is a pretty strong word.
Al Yellon - July 21, 2008
You made the claim!!!
You are the one who made an outrageous claim that cannot be backed up by facts. It is not my job to provide evidence. It is your job to provide evidence for claims that you make. Don’t even begin to tell me this is my job to prove one of your opinions is incorrect. You first have to show evidence and you haven’t even bothered.
You know what? It would be very simple to figure it out. There are 2 ways in which you could, but I have no doubt you won’t bother. God forbid you make a claim, someone challenges it, and then you actually have to do some work to back up your claim. It’s much easier to say someone “doesn’t watch the games” or “do you got any proof that my absurd claim is wrong?”
Guarantee is not a strong word at all. You said that the umpire would never give him a borderline call ever again. Your words. I sad I guarantee he has. Even if there is some conspiracy, which is just plain absurd and you know it, I can guarantee the umpire would have messed up and given up a close call.
How about you start backing up your claims that umpires are cheating? I thought doing things like that around here wasn’t acceptable. I can’t say so and so is taking steroids, but apparently I can say which umpire is cheating the strikezone. Good to know.
Maddog - July 21, 2008
I expressed an opinion.
Please tell me where I wrote “the umpire would never give him a borderline call ever again.” I did not write those words. Take a look at the post again.
You’re overreacting to a simple statement of opinion.
Al Yellon - July 21, 2008
CaliCub - July 21, 2008
You'll have to do better than
“you’re not watching the games” to convince me it’s happening, Al. First of all, making a strike or ball call for an umpire doesn’t come with any thought of who is batting. It’s an instinct. The umpire isn’t sitting there after a pitch was thrown saying to himself, “a year ago this guy threw a tantrum, it’s a borderline call, I’m going to make it go against him.”
What you think you have seen is probably not even accurate. You will never convince me an umpire who makes strike/ball calls on instinct is pondering who is batting and what they have done to piss them off.
Frankly, the idea that any ump would do this is silly. These aren’t 7 year olds out there. They’re grown men and they all have pride in what they do. They aren’t going to call a strike a ball because of that one game. It’s asinine to think it has any impact. Maybe you hold grudges against someone, but these are professionals who take pride in their work and they’re not going to act like a teenager while doing their job.
The fact of the matter is that if umpires did this they couldn’t possibly keep track of who they won’t give borderline calls to and who they will. Is the ump sitting back there, “I think one game in 2003 this guy argued a call so that pitch that was just down the middle that I was supposed to make a call on 3 seconds ago is going to be a ball. Wait, that was someone else. No, it was him. Ball.”
Give me a break.
Maddog - July 20, 2008
+1 and *2* more....
I hate crybabies….
kcjones - July 20, 2008
I agree with your logic
However, Al wasn’t talking about the umpire making biased calls based on who is batting, rather, on who is pitching. His premise is the ump will get back at Backe as a pitcher, not as a hitter. Theoretically, the Ump-With-a-Grudge doesn’t have to make a snap judgment during an at bat, but can come into a game knowing he’s gonna be tough on this pitcher who once showed him up all day.
There is evidence of certain pitchers getting certain strike zones, and some pitchers not getting the benefit of the doubt that others do. And, there are certain umpires who do not always act like professionals. That said, in this case, I don’t think it amounts to anything.
JohnM - July 21, 2008
Thank you!
That’s exactly what I was trying to say.
And I do believe that it is possible that yesterday’s plate umpire, who got shown up by Backe, might not give him a close call or three next time he’s behind the plate when Backe pitches.
They are professionals. Absolutely. But doing something like that is human nature.
Al Yellon - July 21, 2008
So now it's down to a call or three?
Can’t you just admit your initial claims were ridiculous instead of adding this in later on? Had you said, “I think it likely this umpire not give Backe the benefit of the doubt a couple times in the future” I would not have said anything. That’s an opinion, but you passed off this nonsense as fact and said he’s NEVER get a close call by ANY umpire.
Maddog - July 21, 2008
Al said
he’ll never get another borderline call in his favor by any umpire. Not just the one umpire from yesterday, but every single one of them. They’re all going to band together and ruin Backe’s career because they have the mental makeup of a midget. Getting back at someone is so important to these guys, it’s true because Al told us so and he watches the games.
I agree with you that there is evidence of some pitchers getting different zones, but I think that has narrowed a lot since they started tracking the umpire’s accuracy. I’m sure it still exists to some degree. But making a claim that this is happening because the umpire had his feelings hurt is preposterous.
These are 3 year olds out there umpiring. Most importantly, it’s ridiculous to say an umpire is doing that when you have no evidence whatsoever. Then it’s even more ridiculous to act as Al did in that he said it was my responsibility to prove what he said wrong. That’s bullshit.
Maddog - July 21, 2008
Could have been hyperbole when Al wrote "(n)ever"
as is often the case when opinions and other throwaway comments include absolutes. That’s how I took it, anyway.
I don’t think in this case it amounts to anything. I don’t know who the umpire was, but I believe you when you say that umpires in general behave professionaly and don’t have vendettas. So this particular umpire would have to be one of the few who act unprofessionally, and he would have had to believe Backe had no cause. The way the call was made immediately after the bad check-swing call, and was followed the next inning by the horrible called strike three on Aramis (which the Houston broadcast’s pitch tracker showed was WAY off the plate), leads me to think this particular umpire may be unprofessional in a different way, that is, more motivated by a misguided sense of “fair play” which includes redressing the balance after bad calls by making another bad call.
JohnM - July 21, 2008
Also, John,
I’m not so sure it’s as easy as you claim it is for an umpire to intentionally adjust his strike zone from half inning to half inning. It’s like calling a runner safe or out. It’s instinct. The umpire has a certain strike zone ingrained in him and it would take a lot of effort to make changes to that zone and thanks to pitchf/x this is something that could be proven when Backe pitches with this umpire behind the plate. Brooks Baseball has a neat little strikezone map of each pitcher for each game and if Backe’s zone matched that of the opposing pitcher, it made no difference. One game is a very small sample, but I think you’d be surprised at just how many “borderline” calls would go in his favor. I do not think an umpire can consciously call balls and strikes any differently than they have learned them.
And it is not my job to prove they can’t.
Maddog - July 21, 2008
In the course of a game
I would guess there are as many as a dozen ball/strike calls where the ump really has no clue what to call it, because it’s on the border of the zone, or because he didn’t see it properly, or because he was distracted.
Normally, I believe in situations like that umps are trained to call balls (and “safe” if they’re not sure on an out/safe call). But if an ump did have a grudge and meant to get back at a pitcher, he could simply prep himself to use any of those calls against that pitcher. Like any deceit, it would be hard to do well or consistently, but I don’t doubt that some umps try.
JohnM - July 21, 2008
Stupid Cardinals
Enough said, when, as the great sage Willy Wonka once said, in life for some things there are no words.
cubnational - July 20, 2008
freaking Brewers
won too.
At least the DBacks lost.
drewishdrewid - July 20, 2008
D-Backs lost
That helps the Cubs how, exactly?
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
I like
it when they lose. And we play them soon. Better they be down when we’re up.
drewishdrewid - July 20, 2008
Is that because of 2007 NLDS, or you just don't like them?
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
well
I don’t like them because of 2007. :D
drewishdrewid - July 20, 2008
I see.
Well, while I certainly can understand that, there are a lot of other teams that knocked the Cubs out . . . but I won’t argue that.
I suppose there is something to them losing a tough one before they play the Cubs, but you know the ol’ saying—momentum is only as good as your next starting pitcher. Hopefully Harden’s good!
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
Dempster,
I have more confidence in him right now than I do Zambrano. An ace stops losing streaks, and Dempster not only stopped the losing streak, he was down right dominant doing so.
Nevertheless, the Cubs losing 2 of 3 to the Astros is not gonna cut it. They need at minimum 2 of 3 from the DBacks – 3 straight would put them back where they were before the losing streak IMO. The Cardinals and Brewers are not going away, too much good pitching and hitting. So, those head to head games we have with those two will tell us a lot about who is the class of the Central.
Mr W - July 20, 2008
we swept the DBacks before
No reason we can’t do it again. :D
drewishdrewid - July 20, 2008
Yeah and we swept the White Sox
but that didn’t help us when WE went THERE.
ChipSet - July 20, 2008
shhh!
I won’t tell them if you won’t.
drewishdrewid - July 20, 2008
Tell them what?
ChipSet - July 20, 2008
He may well be the most talented...
guy in the starting staff….and he’s a great competitior…...and He’s one of my favorite cubs…BUT…I worry about how he’s going to pitch wwhen his arm has 180+ ionnings on it….....I Really hope my wories are all ffor naught......
kcjones - July 20, 2008
Commercials
Al – it’s getting worse. Besides missing the first play today, they came back from commercials last night with the count already 3-0 on someone. And the in-game ads are ridiculous.
danimal15 - July 20, 2008
Agreed.
I don’t listen much on the radio anyway, but I imagine Pat must be pretty frustrated at having all of this get in the way of his actual work.
Al Yellon - July 20, 2008
he has actual work
besides commercials? :P
drewishdrewid - July 20, 2008
The Brewers radio broadcasts have a contest
where a contestant wins if the Brewers get a 3rd-inning triple. It’s called, “3 Bagger in the 3rd Presented by Lincoln Contractors and FABCO Rents.” Every time Uecker or Powell promotes it, they say the whole dang name. It’s comical.
It reminds me of a bowl game the Illini were in, I want to say late 1992: “The Chrysler Presents the Thrifty Car Rental Holiday Bowl.” As in, “we’ll be back to the Chrysler Presents the Thrifty Car Rental Holiday Bowl after these messages.”
ChipSet - July 20, 2008
....
ILL
kcjones - July 20, 2008
ZOU
joeschmitt - July 21, 2008
+1
Seems to be happening more and more, with both tv and radio. I remember it happening a few times last season, but this year it’s getting very annoying.
Bump Bailey - July 20, 2008
also during the games
I am happy that a company like Walgreens donates so much money to JDRF. It’s a worthy while charity from what I understand…. that being said does it have to be mentioned every base on balls and home runs. Now dairy queen also jumped on board and is sponoring something.
Madison Cub Fan - July 20, 2008
Looking at STATS ZR...
...I’d say that Durham is definitely a bad defensive second baseman, but that Weeks is worse. (Weeks is the worst second baseman in my ZR projections.) I’ve got IDs mapped to the RZR data finally, and I’m going to try to get RZR projections set up soon.
But I really don’t see how this move makes the Brewers better unless he’s taking playing time from Weeks, and I mean a lot of playing time. If you’re just looking for a bat on the bench, the Brewers have a ton of those guys in the minors who can hit, don’t they?
cwyers - July 20, 2008
And...
...I so meant to post this somewhere else.
cwyers - July 20, 2008
That Backe at bat
Calling it borderline is quite the stretch. That ball was low (very low) and outside. There is no way that was a strike. No way. I would have been pissed if I were an Astros fan. But with that said, Backe positively went around on the pitch before and should have been out already.
kanderber - July 20, 2008
Nice to get
the win today. The Cubs are 7-3 for Sunday games on WGN. The schedule shows they have 9 more Sunday games on WGN but some of those are TBD so that may change.
Demspter pitched a gem today and I’m happy he got a road win finally. He said in his post game press conference that he was happy to have the win if only to finally stop the questions about not having a road win.
Let’s keep winning!!!
sue369 - July 20, 2008
7-3 on sundays...
doesn’t cut it…..
Must be poised to win everyday
kcjones - July 20, 2008
that's impossible.
drewishdrewid - July 21, 2008
The Cubs
probably are “poised” to win everday, but on some of those days, the other team decides to play better.
gwood - July 21, 2008
Either that....or they are
more poised…....
I’m not expecting the impossible….BUT….in order to acchieve the diffficult, you must want the impossible….
kcjones - July 22, 2008
Good God.
They are not robots playing the game. They are human beings. Your thinking is just ridiculous. If you had read what I said was 7-3 on Sunday when on WGN.
sue369 - July 21, 2008
Dempster
Al, you know I won’t argue with you about Dempster not being allowed to finish. I understand the need to get Marmol an inning of work in a game that’s not on the line (wasn’t that the idea when he was put into that 7-2 game vs. the Giants last week – oh yeah – that wasn’t exactly an outing that built confidence), but still, I think Dempster should have been allowed to finish. CGs are so hard to come by these days – it would have been a great chance for one, and the entire pen could have rested.
danimal15 - July 20, 2008
I was ok with Marmol coming in -- once it was 7-0
Marmol had only pitched one inning in a week. If the Cubs are to count on him, he needs to be sharp. It was the perfect chance to get him in.
The entire pen did rest, really. Other than Carlos, who probably needed an inning.
Shanghai Badger - July 20, 2008
I was OK w/ Marmoil....
Coming in any game whenever…...
I might female LAB and moan…BUT…he’s gotta throw to be effecctive…..I think he’s the only CUB to benefit from the ASSG experience….
BTW…whats up w/ Ramierez????He’s the 1 who worries me
kcjones - July 20, 2008
Ramirez needs to start hitting . . . soon
And Lee needs to find the power again.
Shanghai Badger - July 21, 2008
+1
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
I'm sure Marmol will most definitely be a factor
in our games here at the BOB.
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
Are you going to any of them?
Shanghai Badger - July 21, 2008
Tuesday night!
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
Go Cubs
Hopefully Marquis continues to pitch well…
Shanghai Badger - July 21, 2008
Chad Fox ???
I noticed him in the dugout today.
Is he still traveling with the team all the time
parrotinct - July 20, 2008
Don't know
but I think he lives in Texas, so that might explain it.
JohnM - July 21, 2008
Take this FWIW
But a buddy of mine who’s connected in the sports agency business and the Brewers are close to acquiring Huston Street.
He’s been right before, so take this FWIW..
ARAM FOR MVP - July 20, 2008
They can have him...
He’s looked terrible lately.
Bump Bailey - July 20, 2008
Brewers have without a doubt switched to win now mode
there is no way they can keep Sabathia, Sheets, Street, Fielder, and Braun all on the same team tehre
Chanman25 - July 20, 2008
Street is a FA after the 2010 season
but as for the rest, you are most likely correct.
I can see why they do it. They haven’t been to the playoffs in 26 seasons. They figure a nice playoff run will increase the season-ticket base, which will help offset the red ink they’re taking on with this current run.
Curtain Jerker - July 20, 2008
Bring It On, Beermeisters!
May the best club win – as long as it ain’t the Cards!
j/k
CaliCub - July 20, 2008
FWIW....
ICGARA
kcjones - July 20, 2008
OK, I'll Bite...
ICGARA?
WTF?
Slim1256 - July 21, 2008
"I could(n't) give a ...."
JohnM - July 21, 2008
Ahh... Thank you
Though – this does make me think, “Seriously, when are the crazy acronyms-because-we’re-too-lazy-to-type-out-a-sentence going to end?”
Or, as I like to think of them: ABWTLTTOASs
Slim1256 - July 21, 2008
Calling All Grammar Cops
Is the correct phrase “I COULD care less” or “I COULDN”T care less”?
CaliCub - July 21, 2008
Grammar cop here
Just think about it for a minute, and all will be revealed…..
JohnM - July 21, 2008
good response
Emelie - July 22, 2008
Decide for yourself
http://dictionary.reference.com/help/faq/language/g09.html
BigJohnAZ - July 21, 2008
I just text too much
sgtg
kcjones - July 22, 2008
My vote is for...
Couldn’t.
But, the Grammar Police revoked my badge a while back. Said something about me being a loose cannon, with no respect for authority…
Slim1256 - July 21, 2008
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