MILWAUKEE -- We had 'em outnumbered at Miller Park last night, or nearly so.
At least it felt as if there were more Cubs fans than Brewers fans last night during the Cubs' 7-2 win over Milwaukee, the team's fourth victory in a row, moving their division lead back to a more comfortable four games and matching the season high by getting to 20 games over .500.
The Cubs were on base seemingly everywhere, all night long. In fact, they could have scored far more than the seven runs they did; they had 23 baserunners (14 hits, 8 walks and Reed Johnson reaching on a dropped third strike); fifteen of them were left on base and Ryan Theriot was caught stealing, which accounts for the seven runs.
That caught stealing was just about the only thing Theriot did wrong last night. He made a couple of nice plays in the field and had three hits and three RBI, including what was probably the biggest Cub hit of the game, a triple into the right-center field gap that Corey Hart got a really bad read on that drove in two runs in the Cubs' three-run sixth, the inning that broke open what had been a pretty good pitchers' duel between Ryan Dempster and Manny Parra up to that point.
Dempster, as he has been in virtually all his starts this year, was outstanding, mixing up his pitches well and making really only one mistake -- throwing a wild pitch with Ray Durham on third base in the first inning, allowing the Brewers to score the only run they'd get until Prince Fielder homered off Neal Cotts for a consolation run in the 9th. Other than that, Dempster allowed only four other hits, and two of them were extra-base rockets by Parra, who isn't really known as a hitter (he was hitting .179 coming into last night's game).
If Dempster keeps this up he'll get some Cy Young consideration -- and no, I don't think that's hype. Only three pitchers -- Brandon Webb, Edinson Volquez and Aaron Cook -- have won more games; Dempster ranks sixth in ERA, eighth in strikeouts, and has the fifth-lowest WHIP of any NL pitcher currently qualified (with 108 innings or more). Of course, Carlos Zambrano is among the leaders in those categories as well and both Dempster and Z should get Cy Young votes. I wasn't one of those who thought the Dempster-back-to-starter experiment was going to work, but now, exactly two-thirds of the way through this so-far wonderful season, it has been an unqualified success, and is one of the reasons this team has played so well.
In addition to Johnson and Dempster, Alfonso Soriano was one of the "stars of the game" last night, with three hits and a stolen base; he appears to be running well, perhaps for the first time since that first injury with the Cubs on April 17 of last year. The forced rest for his legs for six weeks while his broken finger healed was apparently a very good thing; Soriano stole third base last night (foolishly, I thought at the time, as ball four was being delivered to Derrek Lee, but he made it) and seemed to be running the bases much better the other four times he was on, five times on base in all via three hits and two walks; the Cubs drew eight walks and forced five Brewer pitchers to throw 190 pitches.
I ran into BCB reader hoppy91 in the Metavante Club, where I went to eat before the game. That's amazing -- naming rights sold off for a team's club eating area -- up to this year it was called the ".300 Club"; there are tons of ads all over Miller Park. I counted, in addition to the ribbon board and other "moving" ads, thirty different fixed ads in the outfield. Anyway, hoppy99 is in Milwaukee for this series from Manitoba, Canada, and made it on ESPN's telecast wearing the BCB shirt. Also had a talk with BCB reader Shanghai Badger, who stopped by my seat in section 225 before last night's game.
As noted above, the crowd seemed to be more than half Cubs fans; maybe that was because I was looking for them or maybe because Brewer fans had little to cheer about last night; starting after the 7th inning, the place started to empty out and after the Cubs' two-run 9th that put the game away, virtually everyone left was wearing Cubs blue. Loud cheers erupted on the ramps exiting the park; I doubt any of us could have imagined that the first three games of this series would go so well.
Only one discordant note -- Kerry Wood was going to throw a simulated game yesterday, but didn't and is not "close" to returning. And if you read Lou Piniella's typically cryptic quotes in that link, you'll be even more confused:
"Initially, they had talked about a simulated game, bringing a few hitters here, and let him get some work in with a pad on his finger," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "That didn't happen, because he's really not close to coming back, so why risk it?"
Not close?
"When I say 'not close,' it's not imminently close," Piniella said.
Fortunately, the rest of the bullpen has picked up the slack; Chad Gaudin, who threw another scoreless inning last night, has been excellent and can step right in to an 8th inning setup role, which is where he pitched last night. Both Jeff Samardzija and Carlos Marmol got last night off and so are available today.
Rich Harden, who has pitched extremely well in his three starts as a Cub without a victory to his own credit yet, goes today. He has struck out ten in each of the three games -- 30 in all in 17.1 innings, with only eight hits and eight walks allowed for an ERA of 1.04 and a WHIP of 0.92. Some SABR research has found that only one pitcher -- Jake Peavy from April 25-May 11, 2007 -- has struck out ten or more in four straight starts in the last four years (both Randy Johnson and Johan Santana did this in 2004). But more importantly, let's get Harden a win. The pregame thread will be up at 11:30 CT.
0 recs | 364 comments
1
First?
WittyUserName - July 31, 2008
Second
there’s not much to do in the office today…
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
Door closes at 1:00pm for a 'strategy session'.....
iluvryno - July 31, 2008
MrCubsfan and I have an appointment
with the Miller brothers. could be a long meeting – might take all afternoon.
Ihatethecards - July 31, 2008
I actually have a sales call...
...at a Des Moines bar. It’s a legit sales call that my boss knows about, but it might take a while.
IowaCubs- - July 31, 2008
Not a big deal
but all the recaps I read said that Wood did NOT throw a sim game (in fact it says so in your quote box).
JohnM - July 31, 2008
That was how I understood it as well
That Kerry Wood did not throw a simulated game.
adam316 - July 31, 2008
I misread the article...
... missed the words “did not”. I’ll fix the post.
Al Yellon - July 31, 2008
Won't do a fanpost on this
(don’t want Josh77 to tell me it’s not worthy), but if you’re inside Harden’s head this morning…what are you hearing?
1) They’ve scored a bunch of runs the last few games, I’ll get 2
2) No way the Brewers let us sweep
3) We beat their ‘new ringer….they’ll really want to beat the Cubs ‘new ringer’
4) I could be the luckiest unluckiest guy in the world right now
iluvryno - July 31, 2008
I'm not a big league pitcher, so I don't know...
...but it seems to me that someone in Harden’s situation the last few games can’t do much else to control whether or not he gets the W. Beyond giving up 2 or 3 ER, striking out everyone in sight, and being down right filthy, what else can he do? I doubt he’s thinking “I’m way too unlucky” or “They’re only gonna get me two runs of support this afternooon”.
Dan
dtpollitt - July 31, 2008
Right.
He’ll just go out there and throw his game, just as he has done the other three times.
Al Yellon - July 31, 2008
He can do something else
Pitch more innings.
The reason Kerry Wood never got more than 14 wins in any season as a starter was that he couldn’t consistently go deep into games because of high pitch counts.
That aside, Harden has of course been lights out. If he remains healthy he elevates this rotation to a whole other level.
Luis - July 31, 2008
That's wrong about Wood.
As I noted the other day, in 2002 Wood left seven games in the 7th inning or later with the lead; he could have had 19 wins that year if not for the Cubs’ bad bullpen.
Harden would have had a win already if the bullpen hadn’t blown the first game he pitched here. TEAM wins are what’s important.
Al Yellon - July 31, 2008
Hey, we agree, mostly
Team wins are what’s important, although personal wins give pitchers confidence (remember Matt Clement’s very bad luck in the beginning of 2004? I think it did affect him mentally and the team seemed to press more offensively when he started).
Your comments about Wood are right, but I don’t agree with your overall assessment. Yes, a better bullpen would have gotten him more personal wins, but the reality was that he had very high pitch counts the majority of his starts and had to be at the mercy of the bullpen.
Luis - July 31, 2008
So
This is about the value of “pitcher confidence” vs “team wins”? I think this is a no-brainer.
dtpollitt - July 31, 2008
Geez
You are not interpreting my words correctly. Team wins are what matter, but personal wins bring about more confidence and peace of mind, which in turn result in even more team wins. Ok?
Luis - July 31, 2008
Personal wins also
Bring more dollars to the paycheck. Never forget that.
It would be nice if GMs and Owners said, “Yeah, but you had team wins,” but the fact is, W-L is still the hammer owners will drop on a pitcher when they don’t want to pay him.
And the Cubs GOT Hardin knowing that he might not make it past the 5th or 6th in a lot of games.
DaBard - July 31, 2008
But...
... remember, I said he went into or past the SEVENTH inning several times, only to have the bullpen blow leads. So your statement that he wasn’t getting deep into games isn’t correct.
Al Yellon - July 31, 2008
Do you have the stats handy?
Pitching into the seventh can mean only 6IP which is not a lot, or it can mean going into the 9th and pitching 8+ innings. Big difference. Plus, it would be interesting to see how he ranked in terms of IP per start.
Luis - July 31, 2008
Go here...
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/gamelog?statsId=5982&year=2002
I’ll give a brief synopsis: Wood pitched six games of at least 7IP and two runs or less and didn’t get the win (sometimes got the loss). He had another three starts in which he pitched at least 7IP, gave up only three runs, and didn’t get the win.
Wood was 12th in the NL in IP in 2002, and most of those guys ahead of him threw 2-3 more starts. So going deep into games was NOT the reason he didn’t win more than 12 games in 2002.
SouthernCub - July 31, 2008
Thanks for the info
I’m trying to find a site that ranks the players for innings pitched per start but have had no luck. ESPN doesn’t have it even in the expanded zone.
Perhaps you guys are right. I’ll reserve my final judgment until I have the info for this stat. It’s my opinion that Wood pitched less innings per start than other guys who had comparable ERA (most guys don’t pitch a lot of innings because they suck).
Luis - July 31, 2008
Wood pitched as many innings per start...
as almost anyone in the NL that year. That’s why I gave you the rankings of IP and clarified with the fact that most of the guys with more innings also had more starts. Wood had 213.2 IP in 33 starts (6.47 IP/G). Guys ahead of him included:
Ortiz: 214/33 (6.48)
Hernandez: 216/33 (6.55)
Sheets: 216/34 (6.35)
Millwood: 217/34 (6.38)
Nomo: 220/34 (6.47)
Perez: 222.1/32 (6.95)
Glavine: 224.1/36 (6.24)
Vazquez: 230/34 (6.76)
Only the top 4 in IP and Vazquez and Perez had significantly more IP per start. Wood was as good or better in IP/start than all but six pitchers in the NL that year. So as I said, Wood’s lack of wins had nothing to do with not being able to pitch as deep into games as most starters.
SouthernCub - July 31, 2008
Ok, agreed (np)
Luis - July 31, 2008
Ugh.
This is just being greedy. We know the guy’s history. He’s thrown 17+ IP in 3 games, which isn’t bad by any standard. I’ll take his 5 or 6 innings NOW to have him for 7 or 8 LATER.
Dan
dtpollitt - July 31, 2008
heck
we have the Shark AND White Castle in the pen and available. Let Harden go 6, Marshal can pitch the 7th, Shark can pitch the 8th, and Marmol can close it out.
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
I'd let Marshall go two.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
ok
I’m good with that too.
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
Or
Cubs go up 8 in the first half of the game, Harden gets lifted after 5 and Sean Marshall gets a 4 inning save.
DGU - July 31, 2008
They way the last two games have gone
that wouldn’t surprise me in the least.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
BCBers are brimming with confidence!
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
A confident Cub fan in August.
Whodathunkit?
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Feels strange.
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
Actually....
It’s Still July
Kasey
kaseyi - July 31, 2008
Not in Auckland, New Zealand.
Besides, even if the Cubs are blown out 37 – -3 I’d say we’ll all still be pretty confident.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
I will be pleased
if we win this game, but I’m not going to be crushed if we don’t.
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
Your In NZ???
I must have missed that. My sister lives in Havelock North.
Kasey
kaseyi - July 31, 2008
Thank you for using common sense.
I also agree “Fanposts” are way out of hand. They really should have a compelling subject that leads to a long thread of responses. They shouldn’t be ‘throwaway’ thoughts. All we could do here is ‘+1.’ There’s nothing wrong with that. The fan posts turn over too quickly—so what’s the reason to write something thoughtful if only 10 people get a chance to see it?
This fits perfectly in a pre-game thread.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - July 31, 2008
Let's get Harden a win today!!!
I have a feeling Lou will be resting a lot of players. May be interesting lineup.
Cubster - July 31, 2008
I don't think Lou let's up here
sweeping the Brewers, at Miller, when coming in cold and only 1 game up would be too much of a momentum builder.
iluvryno - July 31, 2008
For one thing...
... Soto’s back in the lineup today after resting last night.
Al Yellon - July 31, 2008
and the girls are happy about that!
Emelie - July 31, 2008
what about the guys?
I can man crush too, and I’m totally comfortable with myself saying that.
IowaCubs- - July 31, 2008
the bigger the fan club, the better ;-D
Emelie - July 31, 2008
+1
sue369 - July 31, 2008
Soto does some serious eyebrow waxing
Very metro.
SouthsideCub - July 31, 2008
I much prefer Soto's eyebrows
to Edmonds eye liner
Emelie - July 31, 2008
Soto wears
eyeliner too. At least in the off season he does.
sue369 - July 31, 2008
Good morning everyone!!!
It’s a great day, Cubs going for 5 wins in a row, and a 4-game sweep of the Brew Crew!!! Da DaDada ta- I’m lovin’ it!
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
I just gave you a high five...
...with Big Mac special sauce on my hand.
IowaCubs- - July 31, 2008
Morning Jimmy.
Hope it’s another great day for the Cubs.
sue369 - July 31, 2008
I admit...
...I haven’t taken Dempster very “seriously” this year. I thought his first have was a pleasant surprise, and it was nice to see him working his butt off for the transition. Now I think it’s quite clear he’s more than quite worthy of serious Cy discussion.
Dan
dtpollitt - July 31, 2008
I agree
I was telling a friend of mine last night that even with the first half Dempster had, I still got worried everytime he took the mound. Not anymore!! Dempster is putting together a season that no one could have expected he would.
gwood - July 31, 2008
Dempster
is making himself some serious money. Isn’t his contract up after his? I would check but lazy/busy.
slocs55 - July 31, 2008
Yessir!
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
Yes...
let’s get Harden a win, the way he’s been pitching, he most certainly deserves it. I am giddy this am with the way we have handed it to the brewers. Go Cubs!
crw89 - July 31, 2008
Not only do we need to get him a win
we need to score double digit runs to make up for the shortcomings previously
gwood - July 31, 2008
I'm all for that!
crw89 - July 31, 2008
I will trade Rich Harden strikeouts for more innings pitched today
How about we get 7IP and 7K’s today.
nji232 - July 31, 2008
And fewer runs allowed than the Cubs score.
Al Yellon - July 31, 2008
I'll trade Harden's regular season innings
for more post-season innings every day. The Cubs are handling him well.
DGU - July 31, 2008
Or... how about the bullpen and offense
Does their freaking jobs for once when he pitches.
DaBard - July 31, 2008
I agree
I just hope the bats don’t go cold today. They’ve been on fire lately.
McRipper - July 31, 2008
They have travelled nicely!
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
Indeed they have!
Emelie - July 31, 2008
Trade Deadline Predictions for the Cubs??
My prediction for the Cubs Trade Deadline:
Nothing.
I think we might need another bullpen arm, and if we add anything, I hope that’s what we’re after. Will Ohman anyone?
Anyone else have any thoughts?
IowaCubs- - July 31, 2008
Channelling MDBNIU...
As I feel like I’ve posted this many times in the last few days…
RON MAHAY!
“Get ‘er done, Jimbo”
Bildo1805 - July 31, 2008
Maybe I'm being too greedy...
LaTroy Hawkins was DFA’d by the Yankees… Could be a cheap alternative, but I’m not sure who we’d replace on the roster to make room for him.
Maybe I’ll just sit back and listen today instead of playing GM.
IowaCubs- - July 31, 2008
No thanks to LaToya.
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
I read that the Astros have already picked up LaTroy
JohnM - July 31, 2008
Wasn't he just traded to the Astros?
Or was that a rumor?
tony412 - July 31, 2008
Nope.
Factual. For a Low-A prospect.
Why does Houston continue to take on salary? The mind boggles.
Bildo1805 - July 31, 2008
Huston's movements
make no sense at all. They should be selling right now
gwood - July 31, 2008
Yep...
Ed Wade again is looking like he has no clue
crw89 - July 31, 2008
Do you remember LaTroy Hawkins?
I’m not sure he wants to come back, even if he is from Gary.
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
+1
JohnM - July 31, 2008
Traded to the Astros yesterday
nji232 - July 31, 2008
No. No. And NO to LaTroy
I’d rather have a root canal with no anesthesia than have him back to skulk around Wrigley
cubnational - July 31, 2008
+1
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
Good lord no
Hawkins was bust here and he’ll be a bust wherever he goes.
He has the toughness of a wet paper towel and is about as smart.
If Hendry goes after Hawkins, you know he hates Lou and is trying to give him a stroke.
DaBard - July 31, 2008
Well, he won't.
Hawkins is an Astro. This is good news for the Cubs, since they’ll be able to face him next week.
I just don’t understand Ed Wade and his moves—he did them as if the Astros are contending, which they are not.
Al Yellon - July 31, 2008
I wonder
how much influence Drayton McLane is having over these moves. Though I don’t think Ed Wade is a good GM, I could see McLane insisting they could make a run like they used to back in years of the Killer B’s.
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
David DeJesus
DGU - July 31, 2008
Great Sig DGU, but I am pretty confident you got Darren Baker by a long shot!
JB 23 - July 31, 2008
I'm pretty sure that, if nothing else...
He knows not to stray into the path of a MLB player hauling ashes for home plate… :)
Slim1256 - July 31, 2008
Oh no.
Darren Baker has done things on the field of play that I will never even approach doing. I’d be a horrible bat boy, always distracted by the game, and an even worse human shield in press conferences.
DGU - July 31, 2008
Human shield...
Brilliant.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
+1
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
Scott Downs
DGU - July 31, 2008
Ohman? No, man.
Shanghai Badger - July 31, 2008
Last night on the Idiot network Buster Olney actually
said that Ohman was one of the hottest properties out there. I just about fell off my chair.
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
I'd take him...
over Eyre, Pignatello, etc. He’s a funny dude.
IowaCubs- - July 31, 2008
I don't think the team would welcome him back
after he hung the trainers out to try last year
Shanghai Badger - July 31, 2008
Absolutely not...
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
My prediction?
Pain…
(for the rest of the National League, as the Cubs run away in August with a ton of home games)
Chadnudj - July 31, 2008
classic line from Rocky 28 or something??????
The brewers, the brewers are no challange, but we will be happy to beat up on them for a while
cubsfaninkc - July 31, 2008
The Brewers are no challenge????
Um, the Cubs are 5-4 against them. Not exactly dominant. Four days ago, the Cubs were looking at the very real possibility of being a game out and facing Sabathia and Sheets. I highly doubt you would have posted something like that then.
Enjoy the ride, but try to maintain perspective.
Shanghai Badger - July 31, 2008
Yabbut...
... all four of the losses were in April, when the Cubs weren’t playing as well as they are now. Plus, one of them was a spectacular blown save by Wood. The Cubs could easily be 6-3 or 7-2 vs. Milwaukee.
Al Yellon - July 31, 2008
Wood had help with that blown save, btw
Two catchable fly balls didn’t get caught
Shanghai Badger - July 31, 2008
never mind . . . my reading comprehension error.
missed the rocky bit
Shanghai Badger - July 31, 2008
They shoulda NEVER came back
We gotta lotta mo’
JCD - July 31, 2008
I love the Rocky III reference...
Except Clubber lost that fight… :(
DaBard - July 31, 2008
Attention anyone in Europe
Note that (ESPN-owned) NASN will be airing the NEXT THREE Cubs games live starting today. If you don’t have NASN yet but you have a digital satellite dish and decoder, or subscribe to a digital cable service, you may be able to subscribe to it before today’s game. NASN is also available to the US armed forces on base via Cablecom.
To anyone on vacation in Europe: various bars and hotels also subscribe to the channel.
JohnM - July 31, 2008
Will be watching.
Just about to cycle home from work :)
Stan Cox - July 31, 2008
I too am heading home from work
but in a less eco-friendly manner.
JohnM - July 31, 2008
Thanks for the info..
I hope all our Cub fan servicemen and vacationers get to see the games!
Bump Bailey - July 31, 2008
Usually we get a Cubs game maybe once a month
this is a real bonanza.
(Of course I watch all the other day games on the computer – but it’s not quite the same…)
JohnM - July 31, 2008
Al... Tells us again how we can get a BCB shirt
I saw it last night in the first inning on National TV. Looked good.
Cubster - July 31, 2008
Strange Cargo
HERE ONLINE Or at the store in person.
tony412 - July 31, 2008
Thank you for the linkage.
Reminder, $8 from every shirt purchase goes to Derrek Lee’s Project 3000. Have already sent almost $500 to them on behalf of BCB.
Al Yellon - July 31, 2008
Day Game! Day Game!
the way baseball should be played. Ahhhhh…
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
+1111111111111111111111
JohnM - July 31, 2008
my productivity, which was already low
is sinking to new depths today, i believe.
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
Here here.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Agreed
especially since it is rainy and miserable here in MN today
gwood - July 31, 2008
Day game in a park with a big slide that a fat mascot slides down.
-1
Bildo1805 - July 31, 2008
drew...
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
Jimmay!
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
yes yes yes!
Emelie - July 31, 2008
I'll hava
what she’s having.
Wait! I am! DAY GAME BASEBALL!
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
I think it's fitting
that in one game we could:
-get Rich Harden his first well-deserved win
-get to 21 games over .500 for the first time all season
-sweep the Brewers in Miller Park and put them 5 games back
And even if that happens, we’ll still be behind Favre, Manny, and God knows whatever else on SportsCenter.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
fly under the radar
big deal. wait for the spotlight that is october.
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
I agree.
It’s just ridiculous the amount of coverage they get. It’s like turning a child’s storybook into a 1000-page novel.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Those two stories ahve gone to the absurd
even for ESPN. Although you must admit, for Green Bay to offer Brett $20M to sit on his ass in Mississippi, is pretty interesting. Stupid, but interesting.
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
i'll take $20 million to leave indianapolis
and sit on my hind quarters in mississippi and ride around on a snapper lawnmower
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
The cheeseheads never cease to amaze.
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
Why would you leave our fair city????
Potholes! Victory Field! The Pacers!
Ok, so one of those things is good.
Bildo1805 - July 31, 2008
Which one?
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
I'm scratching my head, too.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Victory Field is great.
Bildo1805 - July 31, 2008
you're right
if i lived on the near east side, then i’d take the $20 million
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
Might be worth not being the 20th murder in 20 days.
Or whatever we’re up to now.
Bildo1805 - July 31, 2008
i stopped keeping track
at 17 in 14 days. whereabouts in the city are you?
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
Grew up on the east side, then lived on the west side for 3 years.
I’ve lived 40 minutes west for 2 months now…I still claim Indianapolis though. Wouldn’t you?
Bildo1805 - July 31, 2008
definitely.
since there’s not much else to claim, unless you want to associate with plainfield or brownsburg. personally, as an elitist cathedral graduate, i wouldn’t.
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
Haha...
I forgot you’re Jake Fox’s classmate.
I went to Greenfield-Central, I believe a couple of my HS buddies had a hand in beating you all when you were #1 or #2 in the state back in 2001 or so.
Ah, glory days.
Bildo1805 - July 31, 2008
oh, i'm sure
i played travel ball with a couple guys from GC – they were good guys. yeah, they knocked us off in the regular season in 2001, then we beat them in the regional final that year when we won state.
good times.
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
i would make a snide harry potter comment...
but those are good books. yes, i agree, ESPN is annoying. it’s why i don’t watch as much as i did when i was younger.
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
Not kid's books....
...Harry Potter is just plain-old great LITERATURE. Don’t make me transfigure you into a teacup.
Chadnudj - July 31, 2008
please don't.
i enjoy the books. even with the last name of potter, i haven’t found it in my heart to hate the series.
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
Did someone say...
...Harry Potter?!
dtpollitt - July 31, 2008
Absolutely
Championship rings aren’t bigger or shinier because ESPN covers the team.
DaBard - July 31, 2008
Don't forget the X Games!
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
Never gonna happen
I mean Harden could throw a complete perfect came on 70 pitches an Favre and Manny
are STILL gonna be the top Sports Center stories
Doggie Stalker - July 31, 2008
Heard Rick Sutcliffe say about Kerry on ESPN cast ..
last night that he felt Wood wasn’t anywhere close to coming back after shaking his hand yesterday, apparently, he looked at the blister and knew intuitively what he saw
.. and Sutcliffe, after Gammons, is about the only guy I think I’d put any stock into what he says there on that looney bin network ..
cubnational - July 31, 2008
shark closer to closer role?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080728-kerry-wood-blister-jeff-samardzija,0,4847582.story
brian custer - July 31, 2008
big mistake
this experiment is not worth a single Cubs loss.
tony412 - July 31, 2008
well, this:
“He threw with a protective pad on [the index finger] for a while and it felt OK,” Piniella said. “Then he took it off and tried to throw without it, and he couldn’t.”
is Not Good. Marmol’s the primary closer, but if he threw three games in a row, and we needed a closer, I’d feel VERY comfortable throwing the Shark out there.
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
Ditto.
We’re fortunate that our backups would become immediate closers on any number of clubs.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
As an ND alum, I love the Shark, but he can't be relied on to be the closer.
He’s pitched all of five innings in MLB so far. He’s got great stuff, great charisma and confidence, ie, all the tools to be a good MLB pitcher.
The one thing he doesn’t have is experience. I think it’s great he’s done what he’s done, but it’s going to be a while I think we can be confident with him.
Cubfansince1957 - July 31, 2008
But the confidence will come with innings.
With Woody out for the forseeable future it’s good to get Shark into ninth-inning situations with the team up four runs or so. If today goes like the last two games I would love to see him in the ninth again. If things go bad Lou’s always got Marmol to come in.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Plus, this move is temporary.
When Wood comes back Samardzija goes back to setting up.
Al Yellon - July 31, 2008
Innings there, too.
Plus a safety net.
Good news all around.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Agree too.
sue369 - July 31, 2008
says lou
“Why not?” Piniella said Monday.
brian custer - July 31, 2008
ESPN Rumor
Lohse on the trading block? Pretty bold move I would say.
tony412 - July 31, 2008
Bold, but could make sense for them...
if they can get a bat and a bullpen arm for Lohse and prospect(s), it could work. They probably won’t resign Lohse in the offseason anyway. And getting Carpenter and (eventually) Wainright back means they have some flexibility in the rotation, assuming they’re confident in Wellemeyer, Looper, and Pineiro.
I have trouble seeing how a contender would be willing to trade an MLB ready bat and a bullpen arm for Lohse though. Seems like they’d want to keep MLB assets for the playoff push. Of course the Tigers and Yankees swapped MLB assets, so who knows?
SouthernCub - July 31, 2008
Plus Lohse
doesn’t have a track record for being this good. I think the Cardinals just want to get rid of him while his stock is high because its got no where to go but down. He hasn’t been an above-average pitcher before, and certainly never this good.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lohseky01.shtml
gwood - July 31, 2008
ascension unto glory
Samardzija’s ascension to the Cubs is the quickest for a Cubs pitcher since Mark Prior was called up in 2002 after only nine minor league starts.
brian custer - July 31, 2008
Does anyone else get a little nervous when
you here the Shark and Prior in the same reference?
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
gallows
humor. i love it. c’mon lighten up. these are happy days! we are the envy of all of baseball
brian custer - July 31, 2008
All baseball outside of Anaheim.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
we'll take 'em
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
Hey Al, I was in 227
What a great game !!! Was that a called 3rd strike on Johnson in the 1st which Lee scored? I’m not sure how to put that I my score card. Will you post yours?
It was pretty incredible the amount of Cub fans in attendance. I wish we could work out a deal to treat the Brewer fans to some fun when they play us here - I know that sounds crazy - but everyone up there was super nice to us and chided us with fun. We watched Tues’ game at Mo’s Irish Pub and there was a rumor the team was going to show up. No luck at 11:30 when we left. We heard that Lou was tearing it up at Rock Bottom Monday night.
coral - July 31, 2008
It was a swinging strike.
Al Yellon - July 31, 2008
OK - OT, but...
CBS Sportsline reporting Junior Griffey going to the White Sox…
Discuss. :)
Slim1256 - July 31, 2008
Feeling verklempt
Talk amongst yourselves
Cubster - July 31, 2008
So, 3 RF'ers and 2 DHs walk into a bar...
Bildo1805 - July 31, 2008
That made me laugh. Nice.
Slim1256 - July 31, 2008
Strange...
Where does he play? The Sox have Thome and Konerko, so he can’t DH. They have Dye and Quentin at the corner OF spots. Do they think he can still play CF? Even so, is he an upgrade over Swisher? Are they going to platoon Swisher and Konerko at 1B?
Seems odd, collecting corner OF and playing them in CF.
SouthernCub - July 31, 2008
I've always felt that any trade involving Junior...
would really be anti-climactic. There was so much discussion about it… but I just don’t see him as being an impact player any more.
Don’t get me wrong – I respect the guy. I just don’t see him being a difference maker any more.
Slim1256 - July 31, 2008
It just gives them a collection of guys...
who can hit HR but don’t do much else right now, along with Swisher and Konerko.
SouthernCub - July 31, 2008
Same with Maddux
But Junior might help an AL team as a DH.
Bump Bailey - July 31, 2008
Unless the rumor is accurate...
that he’s been traded to the White Sox (who already have a DH who is much better than Griffey).
SouthernCub - July 31, 2008
article
flachimesa - July 31, 2008
There has been a BlueMike sighting on the Griffey to White Sox fanpost!
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
bustle bustle bustle
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
What's the sound of indifference?
Oh, yes, that’s it.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Same as the sound of one hand clapping...
Slim1256 - July 31, 2008
Morning!
Smells like a sweep day! It’s probably been covered already but did anyone see the guy in the BCB shirt on ESPN in the top of the 1st?
Lou In Blue - July 31, 2008
There's a BCB shirt?
tony412 - July 31, 2008
Rumor has it
that it was a cut-away shot to a UPS…no USPS…no FedEX guy in Florida with a box of shirts!
PurpleLineToWrigley - July 31, 2008
We should do a fanpost about this.
tony412 - July 31, 2008
How about 12 fanposts about it? Like during ST?
hehe…
PurpleLineToWrigley - July 31, 2008
Take it this has been covered
Fine…. I shall leave…
Lou In Blue - July 31, 2008
Only 3.5 hours till baseball...
...makes the work day go SO much faster…
PurpleLineToWrigley - July 31, 2008
That was my thought this morning.
Tread water this morning, lunch at noon, follow the game on BCB like a manic stockbroker at 1, off work at 4. Sounds good to me.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Make sure
you allow ample time for potty breaks
tony412 - July 31, 2008
Seventh inning stretch.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Did you bring the Empty Miller Case?
or did you leave it in it’s resting place?
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
Theriot
can you imagine how high his slugging would be if he had Hart playing the right field more often. On consecutive days, Hart played a typical theriot single into triples.
gwood - July 31, 2008
He was just overcome by the sheer scrappiness.
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
You can't argue with facts
digitalbenjamin - July 31, 2008
LMAO
Perfect!!
Al Yellon - July 31, 2008
brilliant!
Emelie - July 31, 2008
that's a very scratchy jaggedy environment.
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
LOL
Another sabermagician!
Bump Bailey - July 31, 2008
you would think a ned yost-coached team
wouldn’t do things like turn singles into triples and ground outs into errors.
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
Do I detect sarcasm?
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
no, i'd never be sarcastic.
ok, that’s sacrasm, too. crap.
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
I think last night's triple was at least a double.
It found the gap. No RF was getting to that in time to hold Theriot to a single.
I can’t say anything about the one from Tuesday though, because I can’t remember the play very well.
SouthernCub - July 31, 2008
tuesday's play was worse
yesterday’s was probably a legit double, but hart has taken some awful angles this series.
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
I still say it was the scrappiness that got him.
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
I agree
I think Theriot’s extreme scrappiness slowed Hart down, making him unable to get to the ball.
gwood - July 31, 2008
or corey didn't think scrappiness
could cause a ball to scoot so fast on the grass there.
Bill Potter - July 31, 2008
Scrappiness is kryptonite to bad OFers.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
As they say - scrappy is as scrappy does!
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
Sat in Sec 101 last night, right behind the Cubs bullpen..
..pretty cool watching the players interact with each other and watch the game.
I told Scott Eyre everyone missed him and got a smirk in return. Looks like the Shark is quite the talker, jabbing away with anyone who would listen to him. Cotts seemed pretty irritated he didn’t get into the game in the 8th when Gaudin went in. He was warm and ready.
Watching Marmol warm up in the 9th was great too, love hearing his fastball pop in the glove.
Amazing how many Cubs fans were there, I almost felt bad for the Brewers fans by the end of the night.
JB 23 - July 31, 2008
Felt sad for the lone '82 AL Champ Banner
Kept showing it on TV. It looked lonesome by itself on the giant backwall.
Cubster - July 31, 2008
Just like they show our 1908 flag every commercial bump.
It’s been 100 years! Did you know that? If not, the announcers are there to inform you of such.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
1908 is a WS flag
We have many pennent flags
Cubster - July 31, 2008
Yes, but not since 1982...
nor since the 1940s actually.
It’d be nice to change that this year.
SouthernCub - July 31, 2008
Many pennant flags
but none since 1945.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Caught Stealing
To Theriot’s credit… his caught stealing was on a pitch out…
digitalbenjamin - July 31, 2008
And on Kendall's only good throw of the game.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Hard to believe..
that Kendall leads the league in throwing out runners..
Bump Bailey - July 31, 2008
Brewer series exposing Brewer's BIGGEST weakness----defense
Game 1 Cubs tied the game on an errand throw by Weeks, (yes the Johnson slide) but Fielder was unable to move and block the throw…..
Game 2 Ryan Braun in LF making a bad play on a single that would have scored 1 but led to three runs where Fukudome got a triple.
Game 3: First Fielder couldn’t hold a close play at 1B allowing Soriano to score with 2 outs on a wild pitch. Then Hart misplay’s a double into a triple allowing 2 runs to score (Ramirez from 1st and Theriot to bag another triple and score later).
These plays took out their starters which they need because their bullpen is suspect. Brewers will contend for the WC, maybe down to the final day with StL & Philly (and FL if they get Manny, which BTW will hurt both NYM & Philly more), but they are weak with the glove and give up too many outs.
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
BTW: A Win today and it puts the Brewers & Cards down 5 in the loss column with 53 remaining
These are big deals since once August begins you look at the loss column….Either way Cubs picked up 2 games in Milwaukee this week, possibly 4!
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
not if the Cards win
Shanghai Badger - July 31, 2008
whoops. loss column
I shouldn’t post during meetings
Shanghai Badger - July 31, 2008
Forget the goffy BB math.....look at the loss column from here on out!
especially during meetings that you are bored stiff and BLA BLA BLA
I used to think of Charlie Brown’s teacher’s voice sometimes when the execs spoke to hear themselves talk.
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
uh-oh
now I’m going to hear that voice the rest of the meeting….
Shanghai Badger - July 31, 2008
hear you go
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
ah, my hero, Charlie Brown!
Shanghai Badger - July 31, 2008
think about going to the game
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
I could try . .. I'm only about 3 miles east
Shanghai Badger - July 31, 2008
Wah Wah, Wah Wah Wah Wah
willie mays hayes' gloves - July 31, 2008
Leaving for a four day camping trip in the mountains....
No TV, no cell phone coverage (can’t even check the Blackberry for scores).
I moved here (Denver) from the Chicago area to live near the mountains. I’ve never felt so reluctant to leave as I do today. You guys will have to make up for my absence in terms of fandom (somehow, I think you can do it).
Talk to you all when I get back on Sunday.
Go Cubs! Sweep the Brewers!
Cubfansince1957 - July 31, 2008
where you heading?
Down here in CO Springs…...this is a good year for summer camping in the Rockies, little rain, of course a perfect environment for fires…..
Last year I took the family to Mueller State Park at 10,000 feet and we had snow, hail and cold rain in mid-July….girls couldn’t stand it——I loved it, waking up with the temps around 32 and making coffee on an open fire…...
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
Actually, going to be in south central Wyoming.
I’m going to an amateur astronomy star party. We’ll be about 50 miles west of Laramie, up in the Snowy Range, at about 9,100 feet in altitude. Dark skies, no light pollution.
Outside of no ability to follow the Cubs, it’ll be marvelous.
If you go see the Rockies some time, let me know. Maybe we can meet up and wear our BCB shirts.
Cubfansince1957 - July 31, 2008
I'm
going to a ranch just west of Laramie starting on the 11th, so I won’t be able to follow the games either, but at least there will be internet so I can check the score each morning.
gwood - July 31, 2008
good for both of you.....as for light pollution
my wife’s family has a vacation retreat up near Woodland Park, it used to be out there, we could see the glow from CO Springs and Denver…..now it is basically a ex-urban suburb…..we have to go west of South Park to get out of the lights.
Both of you enjoy yourselves….we are going camping in September…..
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
Be happy for the Milwaukee roof with the oncoming T-Storms
They are calling it Mesa-clusters in Minn and heady straight for Milw-Chi in the PM!
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
Beautiful Day here...
Weatherman said those storms would be very late tonight here or early tomorrow. But when has a weatherman been 100% right?
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
Well, in the Milwaukee area the ESPN cast was blacked out,
So I had to listen to the FSN WI guys again. It’s like watching a stand up comedy routine. A Cubs fan made a nice grab on a foul ball. And the guys in the both got overly excited and said, “it must have been a Brewers fan. When it’s hit to the Cubs they just get in the way.” followed by Schroeder who said, “or drop it.” HILARIOUS!!! Buddy have you been watching the past 3 games. Also, said a lot of the Cubs hits this series have been little flares, not sound hits. To top it off… They went over the Cubs bats the past 3 games saying 40 some odd hits,19 runs, with only 1 homerun. I think they were envious of that because the Brewers rely on the Hr. That seems to be the only way they score a lot of runs.
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
I heard they were reduced to making Bartman jokes last night
I LOVE when other teams announcers and fans are reduced to making jokes about that kind of stuff. It means that we are kicking some serious ass.
nji232 - July 31, 2008
They were borderline unprofessional...
I am not overly sensitive about anything but I was trying to remember any sports cast I’ve watched where the announcers picked on the oppositions fans as much as they did. It was almost as if they were fed up with the game and turned their attention to something that made them feel good.
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
Best was listening to the 9th inning in Game One and Uecker's description to Lee's double
“The pitch”.......silence with cheers in the background…..more silence…..then “Soriano scores” in a sad resignation,....more silence….”Derrick Lee lined a double, Cubs up 5-4, Fontenot held at 3rd”.
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
Uecker is on the radio?
I wonder if I could pick that up in Chicago?
Bump Bailey - July 31, 2008
Sounds a lot like little Thom Brenneman in Cincy
We take over their stadium, it pisses them off to no end and when we kick their butts on the field, they are reduced to taking cheap shots.
nji232 - July 31, 2008
Totally... It would be miserable for me if the games went the other direction.
I swear the first game of the series, Brian Anderson was calling it like it was the 7th game of the World Series. Which got really old in like, the bottom of the first. I’m sure people think Len and Bob are annoying too but at least they call a professional game. I’ve never heard them take cheap shots at fans or other organizations players.
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
I'd be miserable, too
but I’m not paid to announce the game. Even biased home team announcer’s don’t have to get petty. You’d never hear Len Kasper, in the midst of the Cubs being blown out, take shots at, say, Brewer fans or ridicule their playoff futility. It’s a small thing to do and I’m proud as hell that our guys are above that.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Amen!
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
Hell
We have uber-homer Santo in our booth and even he doesn’t take shots at other teams’ fans, not even the Mets fans. Some of these guys must lead very small lives.
Kegler - July 31, 2008
Which Suck,s because all the Brewers fans are watching
and getting this bad perspective from these guys. Adds more fuel to the fire.
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
Pat Hughes
You also never, ever hear Pat Hughes clam up and not describe the action if something goes massively against the Cubs.
rgonzale - July 31, 2008
Indeed.
Pat only misses calls when Ronny’s talking in his ear.
“Yes, mm-hmm. What? Oh, of course. That’s quite a story, Ron. To catch you up fans, a huge triple by Derrek Lee followed up a walk by Ramirez. Unfortunately, Edmonds popped up to end the inning. We’ll be right back.”
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Bravo!
Well played!
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
LOL
good call!
Bump Bailey - July 31, 2008
Brewer announcers
Living in Wisconsin, I hear those clowns a lot and they are essentially cheerleaders first. Not quite like Santo wearing their hearts on their sleeves, but trying to drum up fan interest in what they perceive to be a product worthy of more attention. Schroeder doesn’t like the Cubs and downgrades everything they do, but I don’t have a real problem with it as a Brewers announcer. He just loses credibility when he says things like he did on Monday about Cubs hitters watching balls out of the box while Braun does that constantly.
The only saving grace is that Anderson is far better and much less annoying thatn Daron Sutton, now stationed in Arizona.
krummy12 - July 31, 2008
I heard on the Soriano homer the other night
One of them talk about how we have some guys who “will Caddilac around the bases” when they know they hit one out.
I found that very funny.
nji232 - July 31, 2008
That was the exact comment... Also stated CC
stared down Sori after the homerun. Which was a complete fabrication.
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
And while Santo does indeed wear his fandom on his sleeve
he’s a Cub fan, not an opponent hater. Very big difference.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
indeed
he puts responsibility where it goes. When the Cubs screw up, he calls it.
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
19 runs with 1 HR.
That’s fundamental baseball and I’ll take it any day.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
It was been a good week hasn't it!?
Hopefully, Rich will get his first W and turn it into a great one.
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
Arthur Grandpa Rhodes going Fishin
Link
Funny part of this article are his comments on being ejected last night and about the ump:
tony412 - July 31, 2008
Sutcliffe having Man-love for Piniella
And he is correct in how Piniella is a master in using his bench, especially a versatile productive second set of players. Cubs rested Soto and Blanco comes through throwing out runners and getting a double. He discussed Reed Johnson and Cedeno (who got a pinch hit).
He then said that the Brewers ran into the Cubs who have better talent and didn’t approach their offense well allowing Dempster to throw pitchers’s pitch where the Brewers are free swinging while the Cubs were patient.
Cubs got 8 walks to Dempster’s ONE (what was described as a veiled intentional walk to Fielder), Cubs also got 15 hits…..and put pressure on the Brewers every inning.
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
Agree 100%
Yet after every game someone complains about Lou’s bullpen use. It might not be how I would do it but the results speak for themselves.
rlpete - July 31, 2008
So who rests today?
I’d give Lee the day off and get Ward some work.
jasoniniowa - July 31, 2008
I think Lou has to smell blood in the water and won't do that.
Rest him against PIT. You’ve seen vividly how much defense means in the first three games of the series.
Goat Whisperer - July 31, 2008
But don't you see even if there is blood in the water the bench contributes to the kill
Ward would be a good insert against a weaker RHP, possibly rest Theriot as well and play Cedeno. They will produce.
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
Ward would be a good insert to get D. Lee some rest...
but not today. I don’t think Lou wants to have suspect defense at 1st base against your closest division rival. Especially with a chance to sweep the Brewers.
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
Good post.
I think the overlooked in the series in the midst of our fantastic pitching and our bats coming alive is the patience the team has shown. The Cubs are beginning to look like the patient team we saw during the first half. It truly is a case of a team firing on all cylinders (in the face of Rami and Dome still not hitting to their potential and losing our closer).
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Question (sorta OT)
Is the plan with Samardzija still for him to eventually start? I’d love to see this rotation come out of spring training next year:
Zambrano
Harden
Lilly
Dempster
Shark/Marshall
Or are they going to just focus on using him in relief roles?
jasoniniowa - July 31, 2008
Not sure Demp will be a part of the plan....he's going to get a LOT of offers this offseason.
NotSure - July 31, 2008
I think we'll lose him for sure
which makes me very sad
Emelie - July 31, 2008
He'll have to give us
one crazy discount if we will keep him
gwood - July 31, 2008
Don't worry
Cuban will pay up!
Goat Whisperer - July 31, 2008
on that note, i wouldn't be surprised to see Cuban try to land
CC Sabathia to make a “big splash”. its not like he can’t afford it (assuming he becomes the owner, which is still a long shot)
philadelphiacub - July 31, 2008
Don't be sad.
Sure, Demp will get tons of offers. Hendry is a great GM, and this bodes well for retaining players. Many players have given the Cubs a discount to stay in Chicago with Cubs. Demp is a loyal guy, and I can easily see him being offered an incentive laden big, competitive deal. I also can see Demp being loyal and taking it. Demp has been through a lot since he came to the Cubs, and the Cubs have had his back in everything. No matter what team offers what money, I see Demp coming back. I’d almost bet on it.
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
Demp does seem like a very loyal guy
and the Cubs have done right by him in a lot of ways.
I really hope he stays, because, not only is he really pitching well, he seems like a fantastic guy to have around the clubhouse.
gwood - July 31, 2008
Assuming he is still around
one thing Hendry has been good at is signing Cubs free agents. People thought Z and Ramirez were likely gone too.
My only concern is that their offers were what I considered reasonable for age and quality. Dempster may get a crazy Schmidt Zito-like offer that is well above what he is worth. In that case, Hendry may have to let him go.
rlpete - July 31, 2008
I don't think he'll get a crazy offer like that off of one great year.
Also, with the success that Hendry has had in his tenure as GM, any new owner would be a fool to let him go.
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
Plus I think he likes being a Cub and will be reasonable in negotiating.
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
I think
we hold onto him. I think it’s more likely Lilly would go than Demp. He LOVES playing here.
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
I could see...
...Demp getting a TON of money, at least offered, especially from a certain east-coast team…
PurpleLineToWrigley - July 31, 2008
True
I guess they could go with Gaudin, maybe?
Am I thinking too far ahead?
jasoniniowa - July 31, 2008
Thinking too far ahead
Enjoy this season first.
rlpete - July 31, 2008
+1
slocs55 - July 31, 2008
Jason from the great state of Iowa:
Lou will use the Shark in the ‘pen the rest of the year. As far as next year, I think they will probably wait to cross that bridge until they come to it.
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
as opposed to crossing the bridge before them come to it?
(boy am I funny)
digitalbenjamin - July 31, 2008
Yes, you are- HA!
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
They say it's always in the last place you look.
Of course it is. Who loses something, looks for it, finds it, and continues looking?
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Piniella believes in the O's-Weaver school of developing starting pitchers
They come up and work out of the bullpen. They learn to manage innings and manage or focus on getting a batter out in game situations. Then they compete for a starting role…..Be happy for now, Cubs have 54 games left in the regular season…..with a bona fide WS contender.
Next year Cubs have Z, Harden, Lilly, Marquis, Marshall, & Hill, under contract and Dempster (and Wood) as a FA…....Samardz has some work to do.
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
predictions
Let’s make our predictions for the day:
-Manny deal happens
-Rays get Dunn
-Griffey agrees to trade
-Yankees get Paul Byrd
-Ibanez to Cubs
brian custer - July 31, 2008
I do not want Ibanez
No way
nji232 - July 31, 2008
+ALL
Kegler - July 31, 2008
There is talk of David DeJesus...
which I don’t think would be that bad. He has played some cf. hitting .300 10hr 55 rbi .368 obp and .458 slg… not sure why they are infatuated with picking up another outfielder but if they do, this guy would be my choice.
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
I would take DeJesus
nji232 - July 31, 2008
I'd rather have Jesus
digitalbenjamin - July 31, 2008
Ah, well according to ESPN he plays for the Yankees and goes by the name
Joba
nji232 - July 31, 2008
lol
digitalbenjamin - July 31, 2008
He'd be in the 'pen. He saves, doncha know?
Goat Whisperer - July 31, 2008
DeJesus would be interesting...
He’s capable of playing CF, he’s similarly productive offensively (more versatile but with less power), and he’s cheaper. And, he’s cost-contained for at least two more years, which means he provides insurance in the event that Pie doesn’t make it next year. Or, he becomes the CF and Pie becomes trade bait.
SouthernCub - July 31, 2008
I totally agree.
Not a lot to the story as CBS says they inquired about him. KC may have no desire to move him…Unless, Pie was involved in that trade?
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
I would trade Pie for DeJesus right now
He can play CF and be a strong 4th-5th OF’er with a platoon with R Johnson this year and next. Further if that trade was made I would trade or release on waivers Ward and insert Edmond’s as my left handed bat off the bench and play Edmonds once in a while.
In fact I would trade Pie and Veal for DeJesus right now.
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
No offense,
but that is probably why you are not a major league GM. That is way too much to give up.
Pie is killing AAA with his new swing and will be given a chance, in Sept. and next spring to be the CF.
gwood - July 31, 2008
Agree.
Pie is the Cubs CF of the future. For the moment, absolutely nothing wrong with Edmonds/Johnson.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Pie was the CF of the future....
unless he does a 1DEC this September and wow’s the brass like Soto did, he can hit all he wants in AAA. Murton mashed AAA too…..many players do as did Choi.
I will take a 28 year old accomplished .300 hitter with 10 HR’s who can play all fields and steal a few bases with solid veteran in Johnson and turn my attention in developing another CF in the system.
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
Doubt it.
The only way I see Pie getting a chance next year is if the Cubs win the WS this year. If we fall short (may it never be), the push to win next year will be too big to give Pie another shot. And even if we do win, a new owner may still want to make a splashy signing, Lou may not like Pie still, etc. etc. Too much working against Pie in a Cub uniform.
DGU - July 31, 2008
Actually Cubs are in WIN NOW period
trading Pie and another player for a player that would secure a hole and put this club over the top is the right move.
Pie is the future CF somewhere else even if the Cubs win the WS….for the pressure will be to win again with a new owner and big payroll….look at the NYY and BOSOX….rookies have to be a big impact…..
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
Not as much pressure once you end the drought
I AM looking at the BoSox – winning allowed them to adjust to the better Win Now (“now” defined as the WS) strategy of developing your young players.
DGU - July 31, 2008
I agree with you!
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
that's... shortsighted.
Pie is our starting CF next year. You don’t trade him for a platoon guy. And you don’t release Ward! Holy cow.
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
Another OF
is backup for the possibility that Edmonds can’t play much the rest of the season let alone the playoffs. The Pie road is now closed, and Reed Johnson can’t hit RHs, sooo…. And if Edmonds is healthy, well, it’s not going to hurt him, Dome, and Soriano to get rested by David DeJesus.
DGU - July 31, 2008
Manny is a malcontent and fool & Florida is fooling themselves if...
they think he is going to produce in that huge football stadium. Rays will get Dunn, but really who cares? Griffey agreed to the trade already. Yanks might get Byrd. Lastly, Ibanez is a smoke screen, he will not be coming to the Cubs, if he does- I’ll eat my hat.
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
I think adding Dunn to that Rays team makes them extremely scary
Dunn at DH would put them over the top as the best team in the AL (or at least neck-and-neck with the Angels).
Wreckard - July 31, 2008
I disagree.
The Rays, even with Dunn, are not nearly the team that the Angels are, not even close.
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
The Rays
might strand a lot more runners with Dunn in the heart of that order…
PurpleLineToWrigley - July 31, 2008
See I think the Angels have been overachieving quite a bit
The Texiera trade makes them better by a fair bit, but they’ve still been a very lucky game, with an suspiciously close run differential and an unsustainable record in close games.
Of course they could be this year’s D-Backs team that keeps that up all year – who knows.
Wreckard - July 31, 2008
May your hat stay uningested
and firmly upon your head. I hope you’re right.
DGU - July 31, 2008
I really don't think Hendry is fool enough to trade for someone...
that the Cubs simply don’t need, and do not have a place for.
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
I predict
we do nothing. We have a WS-caliber team right now. There’s nothing to change.
drewishdrewid - July 31, 2008
This is my thinking too.
sue369 - July 31, 2008
Griffey Trade
Waddle (out today) & Silvy show saying the Sox guys to go is Nick Massett and Danny Richar.
Wow, Kenny better be right on this one.
tony412 - July 31, 2008
Isn't Massett on the big league team?
nji232 - July 31, 2008
Yeppers.
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
heres the link
Here
tony412 - July 31, 2008
Depending the 2009 money commitment
it’s not a bad deal for the Sox. With Ramirez around, Richar won’t play and he’s marginal anyway. Masset is looking like a middle reliever type.
If Griffey helps the Sox take AB’s away from Konerko, it’s fine.
rlpete - July 31, 2008
Interesting Brew lineup per Jsonline:
Weeks
Counsel
Hardy
Prince
Braun
Kappler
Cameron
Kendall
Bush
Braun is still your best hitter and he drops him? Kendall playing again?
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
I think Kendall plays everyday for them
The rest is very wierd, I will miss Harts defense. Also Counsel will no doubt go 4-4 with a double.
nji232 - July 31, 2008
Probably why he tires at the end of every year.
he has played in 97 games. 2 me the guy looks like he could use a rest.
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
Ned Yost
That man will once again help us to win the division.
nji232 - July 31, 2008
Does he get a playoff share then?
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
I would have voted him one last year
nji232 - July 31, 2008
Send him a nice No 3 jersey, too.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
Looks like the Cubbies'll be running again.
neverAcquiesce - July 31, 2008
shake up the order is all a manager can do
Understand this, everyone on a MLB roster is paid to perform when called upon. All a manager can do is either talk or tell which player when to play.
Shaking up the unproductive lineup….I suspect that Lou will also have some changes for rest sake.
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
I am pretty sure Lou would never hit Braun 5th
if he had him. Say what you will but the guy is one of the better hitters in the league.
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
what are you talking about he had R Johnson hitting 5th
Lou has had Fukudome hit 5th, 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th, he has had DeRosa hit 5th, Edmonds, Soto (who also hit 8th the other night) Lou juggles
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
He has never had Lee hit 5th and that's what it is equivalent to.
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
Braun is a two year player, Lee is an established star
Braun might need a bit of humility
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
But is still BY FAR their best hitter.
Most of those guys are 2 or 3 year players…
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
and....he wasn't last night, nor the night before
Look, Yost is shaking them up, they are young but he is benching Durham, Hart, and Hall and moving Braun. These guys were probably told to make Dempster work (as he can walk a lot of batters) but Dempster goes 8 innings and dominates them, making them swing at pitches out of the zone….
Yes this might piss off a 2 year player who is their best hitter but might need to listen…..may I repeat all you got as a manager is I determine who plays where and when.
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
actually the Brewers have more experience than you think
Yes Braun came up last May ‘07, and Hart last year, Hardy is in his 3rd year, Fielder the same, but Hall has played for 5 years, Weeks for 4 years, then they have Branyon, Kapler who have been around, Counsel who is ageless, Kendall who is older, Cameron who starred in Seattle with Griffey and A-Rod, Durham who has been around.
They are all not babes in the woods.
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
I live in Wisconsin and know about this team so I don't need the history.
the core guys they rely on are young. Braun, Hardy, Prince and Hart don’t have 5 years of experience. That is still relatively young.
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
As a Cubs fan I think this is great
knee jerk reaction by a manager. “hmmm, my best hitter had a bad night. Best drop him to 5.”
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
my son discussed the differences of Y generation, X and Baby Boomer
Y generation do not take authority too well and being the second baby boomer generation they don’t respond well to these embarrassing tactics, I laughed and said the baby boomers were fighting the establishment and created this cultural revolution that was fought for 30 years, but
Braun will be pissed and might respond. I would rather have him depressed and not PO’d at his manager.
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
I am not a Brewer fan so i really don't care...
just think it’s an odd move by a manager… That’s all.
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
fine....but in reality it is more of a sign of despiration
It is risky for Yost’s problem last year in September was that he lost the team with his moves.
Brewers are really emotional.
Ivy Walls - July 31, 2008
It is definitely desperation...
Their main beat writer is scratching his head too:
http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=7/31/2008&id=44119
Fishbone2 - July 31, 2008
day baseball
played on house money. this will be a blast! shark for 3 innings?
brian custer - July 31, 2008
Just curious
Do you happen to be friends with The Shark? Seems like you have some serious love for him.
nji232 - July 31, 2008
the shark
no we are not personally acquainted. i just luv hard throwing live arms with temendous upside. plus the fighting irish pedigree
brian custer - July 31, 2008
Fair enough everybody is allowed their man crushes
nji232 - July 31, 2008
nji232
I bet you share my love for all things Jeremy Maclin…
PurpleLineToWrigley - July 31, 2008
You bet I do
Won’t be long before he is burning up Illinois and the Big 12. I’m thinking he gets 3,000 total yards this season.
nji232 - July 31, 2008
Amen.
Chase and J-Mac both in NY this year. Do you go to Mizzou? I just graduated in May.
PurpleLineToWrigley - July 31, 2008
Yep I'm there for another couple years
The slow race between my graduation and the basketball team making a tournament will be very interesting.
nji232 - July 31, 2008
No, no, no...
never three innings.
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
More Waddle/Silvy talk
Reporting the Cubs were offered Giles by the Padres but Cubs declined.
tony412 - July 31, 2008
Kinda OT- But
I don’t know if anyone else agrees with me, but I think this SunTimes Hot Fans thing is getting a little out of control. Now they are running a Cutest Fan contest for the children of Cubs and Sox Fans.
gwood - July 31, 2008
Hendry's put himself in a great position at the deadline
Already having made his big deal, he can just look for good deals if any other GM is desperate to make a move. Hendry has players teams are looking for (extra middle IFs, extra relievers) and if he makes a move at all, I expect it to be a steal.
Here’s a question along those lines – the Twins are looking for a 2B. Would you trade them Fontenot? If so, what for?
DGU - July 31, 2008
Lil' Lord Fontleroy
Has proven his worth to me. I like him as a reserve 2B, especially with DeRosa being the super-utilityman that he is. I would not trade the Hamster. Cedeno? Yes.
Kegler - July 31, 2008
You would trade Cedeno...
...but would you trade Onedec?
PurpleLineToWrigley - July 31, 2008
Love the nickname for Lil Lord Fontleroy.
And I’m smiling that somehow he has become untouchable in trade negotiations.
DGU - July 31, 2008
Not Fonty. Cedeno? Sure.
Not sure what for though.
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
Yeah, I'm not sure what for either
Problem if you trade Cedeno is that we don’t have a backup SS in case Theriot’s back flares up.
DGU - July 31, 2008
DeRo is a suitable back-up.
Jimmyeatworld - July 31, 2008
True
I’m not saying I’d be actively looking to get rid of Cedeno, just that I could see possibily dealing him. Hypothetically. But Lil’ Fonty? No thanks. I truly think he has value, more value than I ever thought possible last year and earlier this season.
And I wouldn’t want to have to rely on DeRosa as the backup SS, so unless we’d have another plan, I’d say Cedeno stays, but only if he exposes himself to radiation treatments and morphs into 1Dec more regularly.
Kegler - July 31, 2008
twins rumors
Twins Rumors: Bonser, Beltre, Roberts, Monroe
By Tim Dierkes [July 31 at 11:07am CST]
La Velle E. Neal III and Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune have the latest Twins buzz.
brian custer - July 31, 2008
manram deal
Posted by Peter Gammons
A source close to the three-way negotiations involving Manny Ramirez says the deal is close to dead. Florida has reportedly asked Boston for a cash outlay beyond the $7 million to cover Ramirez’s contract, in addition to two prospects. That essentially would add up to the Red Sox trading Ramirez, $9 million and two prospects for Jason Bay.
brian custer - July 31, 2008
Manny talking
probably upp’d the price Boston had to pay to get rid of him.
tony412 - July 31, 2008
ESPN on Eyre
tony412 - July 31, 2008
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