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First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs. Marlins, Sunday 8/17, 12:10 CT

Let's go Demp!

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LET'S GO CUBBIES!!!!

back-to-back wgn games. woo!

Let's do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
first pitch delayed 30 minutes
WHAT!?
1:30 EDT, 12:30 CDT start time
haha a no "rain delay"
They were expecting showers, thought the tarp would have to go on

the showers never came, sunshine…

Let’s go Cubs!

are they on tbs? they oftentimes start at 1230
GO CUBS

Go get em DEMPSTER!!!

Stupid me

I chose to take some overtime at my office today…Like right now, failing to remember there’s a game today.

Chicago baseball is on the air!
Amazing

how empty that stadium is….

And yet

They’re going to be building an entirely new stadium, at least I thought they were. Or was that for the Rays?

Yeah they are getting a new stadium as far as I know
I still think

that Miami is about the worst area to place a major league baseball team. It’s even dumber they’re putting in a new stadium, for all the fans that don’t go now, and probably still won’t go in the future.

Planned for 2011 on the site of the Orange Bowl

There’s a lawsuit that may delay the project.

no thats for them

It doesnt make sense when I first heard it BUT they play in a football stadium, they dont do crap for their fans and their team has been consistent since he beginning of their franchise. So maybe a new stadium will acommodate their fans better and show the respect that that team deserves

We have to wait atleast another 20 minutes?!?!

Weather delay

OT: more reason to hate Jeff Kent

He’s badmouthing Vin Scully.

Link

Kent's an ass, but he has a point.

And in an contest between Kent and Simmers, I pick Kent. Simmer’s such a useless hack that I’ve felt compelled to defend Juan Pierre from his screeds.

Could you elaborate?

I’m having a hard time finding Kent’s point.

Lineup protection is vastly overrated.
Interesting.

I don’t suppose there is a simple reason for that that I (not good with stats) would understand.

Well by what mechanism is lineup protection supposed to work, exactly?

Jeff Kent’s OBP on the season is .327, and it’s .472 over the past 14 days. Am I supposed to believe that pitchers, managers and teams are so braindead that they’ll put Kent on base more often when they’re trying to put him on base less often and just not realize it?

You're vastly over simplifying

to make your point.

See the Torre quote below.

What complexities and nuances am I missing?

Joe Torre thinks it works. Joe Torre thinks a lot of stupid things. If Joe Torre didn’t have George Steinbrenner’s money backing him up for so many years he’d probably be doing Dan Plesac’s job these days. Your point?

You're just taking a hard line stance

that lineup protection has no bearing on Kent’s resurgence (not to mention he has no right to be an ass when a hall of famer makes such a suggestion).

While Manny’s presence might not be the only factor contributing to Kent’s boost, I find it a bit obtuse to dismiss is as having no impact.

You say:


Am I supposed to believe that pitchers, managers and teams are so braindead that they’ll put Kent on base more often when they’re trying to put him on base less often and just not realize it?

No one is asking you to believe the other team is braindead. But it is certainly a possibility that Manny’s ominous presence behind Kent has put pressure on pitchers to not walk Kent and to that end throw him more pitches in the strike zone.

This set of circumstances certainly could contribute to Kent’s recent success. It definitely could.

And Kent is dead wrong to call out Scully for saying it.

Well it didn’t work for David Ortiz. Ortiz actually hit better (not dramatically so, but just a little bit) when Manny Ramirez wasn’t playing.

And here’s a more generalized study on lineup protection. There’s no measured effect of lineup protection on hits on balls in play.

Not sure your exception

proves your point. But like I said, Manny may not be the reason for Kent’s success. Although I obviously think it has at least contributed in the short term.

But he reveals himself to be a low-quality human being to speak so disrespectfully of Vin Scully. That was my main argument.

I never argued that Kent was a decent human being.

In fact I think I called him an ass… yep, just checked, I called him an ass.

That doesn’t change the fact that Kent is correct and Scully is wrong on the merits.

Should no one

question why Kent’s hitting .500 since he started hitting behind Manny?

Maybe lineup protection isn’t the answer, but its the obvious change in circumstances.

There’s no way Kent gets a pass for speaking out of turn against Scully.

Sure you should question it!

But you should start by asking questions like, “How likely is it that a good hitter hits .439 for two weeks?” And, “What’s the effect of protection on major league players in general?”

Also...

“Manager Joe Torre also disagrees with Kent.”

“I think it’s helped him,” Torre said, while aware this might draw a steely glare from Kent. “Jeff is a good enough hitter in his own right, and being a good hitter he has the patience to take advantage of a pitcher who doesn’t want to walk the guy who bats ahead of Manny.”

I don't think the rain delay

will be very long. The radar out of Miami just shows a few pop up showers here and there.

it's not raining there. the game is going to start at 1:30
Pat says

“rain is eminent” lots of dark clouds rolling in

Hmmm...

Maybe I won’t miss much of today’s game. I mean, I hope it isn’t cancelled, but hopefull I can catch half of it when my overtime is done in a few hours.

Agreed

I gte off work at 2, would like to plop on my couch and watch the last few innings

Couch is nice

But I have a family cookout to attend, and I know the game will be going there, which will make things all the better…That is, as long as they’re winning or being competitive.

I thought I was roped into a

family party at 4:30 today

turns out it is next Sunday

lucky me!

1:30 Eastern Time

don’t alarm our Central Time fans. :)

Or I guess it is a

they are expecting some rain delay

since we have time....

let’s go. batter up. we’re taking the afternoon off.

it’s a beautiful day for a ballgame
for a ballgame today
the fans are out to get a ticket or two
from walla walla washington to kalamazoo

it’s a beautiful day for a home run
but even a triple’s okay
we’re gonna cheer, and boo,
and raise a hullabaloo

at the ballgame today

Light em up, Cubbies!

Let’s take two of three in Miami!

Love the word hullabaloo!
Pat's on talking about Ron

sounds like Ron’s okay

Who's doing the radio broadcast right now?
not sure now

Was Pat, but now someone just killing osme time til the game starts

I'm assuming they filmed this before the game
I've been thinking...

Where’s Ron? Since he hasn’t been on the broadcasts, I’ve been hoping he’s OK. What happened to him? Sorry if I missed that bit of info.

Ron doesnt make every road trip these days

I do worry about the man’s health tho. Living with diabetes is rough, particularly after he’s lost both his legs.

Sadly enough

My grandma from my father’s side passed away from complications caused by it, my mom is diabetic, a couple of my uncles too. I try to do what I can for as far as donations go to research a cure.

Didn't make the road trip

to Atlanta and Florida. No particular ailment – “Ron’s Fine” they’re saying. Saving up his energy for the stretch drive.

I can't blame Ron for wantng to miss

Hot-lanta and Miami. Who would want to go to those cities in August? I think it was a smart decision on his part. Save his energy for the stretch drive. We need him!!

he's taking the week off.

never been any concern.

And the weather for Dolphins stadium today is..........

60% chance of rain

currently 90 degrees… feels like 99, wind is coming from the east at 15 mph

volquez retires st. louis in the first

0-0 b 1

If this guy talking on WGN is driving south on I55,

he should probably be paying attention to the road. That is by far the hardest strip of interstate to navigate out of all the ones I have been on around Chicago.

speaking of living with diabetes being rough, see conversations above

I am doing a run for the cure of diabetes in Indianapolis in October (more details to come) and am raising money for it.. the minimum to raise is only 100$ but I want to raise around 2000$, so within the week I will have a website set up for donations, and a facebook group that has information on how to donate for the cause and what not… so when I do that I will let all you know, if you are interested in donating for the cure to diabetes… if not, thats ok, just thought I would share that news

Good to hear.

I am very involved in my local Relay for Life to find a cure for cancer. It is good to find something you are passionate about and helps so many people.

yea my GF has type 1 diabetes and so do 3 of my aunts, so its the only way I can help in that situation

Im glad to hear that people are reaching out for cancer too

"Let's win another nine and no one will remember this one."

—Lou Piniella on the 9-game road winning streak being snapped.

Not digging the singing of the NA.
i was just thinking that
I do't like when people mess with the

tempo, key, etc of the anthem. That’s a song too sacred to change.

had something else on (johann hummel) but

i remember someone once criticizing a rendition of the anthem saying

“it should be performed as it was written.”

it was written as a poem

I see what you are saying

I guess I just mean for it to sound as most people are used to hearing it.

Out of key or something...
2 on none out for cinci

but patterson isn’t in the lineup

Now that they've traded away Dunn...

…I’m not sure they have three outfielders better than C-Patt anyway.

First pitch...
A swinging strike

Color me shocked.

thusly colored
Boy, that was a high strike two to the Riot.
I don't think these umps want a long game
well phelps

is finished, so they dont have to rush to see that anymore

Strike zone

Has been all over the place this series.

63

53

dee lee

weather

sounds like new orleans. hot and stiiiiiicky

kinda like a hurricane might be headed that way

oh wait…….

Love the city, hate the weather.
I live in South Florida, high humidity
I grew up in Chicago, in high humidity.

I live now in Denver, where the humidity is very low. It has its drawbacks, but overall, I love low humidity.

Ok I am going to the other room to watch the game

Ill be back to the thread to join in with excitement or depression in a bit!

nice to see Aramis back in the lineup
only if he's healthy
He wouldn't be out

there if he wasn’t.

why would they rush him back??

…what purpose would that serve?

wasn't it a deep bruise?
It was a bruise

never daid if it was deep or not

All right

Lets get an early lead and ride it out.

and the reds lead 2-0
Nice crowd there, to support the Marlins.

But they are disguised as empty seats.

full count on rami

c’mon!! get a hit!!

NICE

way to talk a walk rami!!

Ah

gray shirts gray trosers blue caps blue shoes
Love Pat’s descriptions

Lets go KOSUKE
2 on..

let’s bring them home

fuku! fuku! fuku!
He does no

like to be called that.

seems like we have to say that everyday
Yes it sure does.
that's right, baby!

run up that pitch count!

Come Dome, let's see some of that old patience at the plate.
Pitch count?
Think in the mid 20's already.
oops sorry

after i typed that i realized that you meant =)

this went from a quick inning to 25+ pitches

…nice.

great ABs by Lee and ramirez
Nice at bat

By Ramirez. Hopefully Volstad will implode if we can run the pitch counts up even more.

ddd''ooooohhhhhh

k

no runs

but 29 pitches

I was just typing that

Great minds :)

true, it's still progress

a tird Marlins pitcher is a good thing. Any idea if this guy can handle 100 pitches well or not?

the guy grew up in the area

so I assume he is accustom to the weather. but I assume 110 pitches is all anyone will throw today.

29 total pitches
lohse 27 pitches for stl thru 1

volstad 29 thru 1

could be worse

isnt there a hurricane thats supposed to

hit fl soon?

headed towards the keys

and haiti, i heard

Still a tropical storm

but getting stronger last I heard

I think yesterday

My company received a notice that Cuba was under a hurrican watch, with more watches expected to be issued.

It's Hurricane Dempster.
I don't like it

I LOVE it!

moving through Cuba...

4 dead so far, but still listed as a tropical storm.

I hate storms

of any kind.

amen
Same

I’m fairly terrified of tornados. Few weeks ago, the storm that hit Chicago, hit us too, and the first time in forever my fiancee and I head into our basement.

it would be nice to see Dempster have a fast inning

and run this guy out there quickly. No rest.

wow he hits dempster well
NASN (UK)

Are running “remembering the house that Ruth built” segments almost every half inning of every game this year. Boy am I sick of it.

Up till the All-Star game, we were treated to the same crap on Fox.
Odd

NASN are owned by ESPN not Fox

alright!!

quick inning!

He looked good

Demp that is

perfect!

Volstad is still gasping

Awesome

8 pitches thrown so far. Way to go!

Let's get some runs!!!
OT: The music that Phelps listens to before a race.....

Young Jeezy, Jay-Z and Rick Ross

where did you read that?
my buddy just text messaged me from bloomington, IN and said he read it

Because we were having a conversation about what we think he listens to, apparantly he found out

i thoght he was more a

rocker….oh well

Yea I was guessing some ACDC or somethin
like thunderstruck

or TNT.

Hells Bells
I personally think a good one for him could be

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

here it is

http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=9371704
yeah i wouldn’t have expected this selection from him but i guess it works!!

Come on Geo!!!
a walk for Geo
or another walk
lbr

move him along

bob just said

“i wish i had a sponge in my pants”….in regards to spongebob squarepant give away day

lol, because of the heat
I am sure the SpongeBob sponsors

want that image for the product. :-)

Is that why they call it “product placement?”

I dunno...lol
Good eye, Geo. Hope the patience at the plate keeps up.

Then we’ll get that guy.

BOB, A SPONGE IN YOUR PANTS OR ARE YOU JUST GLAD TO SEE ME?

TWSS?
approved

although not very flattering, lol

Not as good as homer

But again, way to work the pitcher, and hopefully we can eventually put 2 or 3 up.

disgusting comment by Brenly

about a sponge in your pants.

It was funny.

He was referring to it as a way to keep cool there today.

2-0 volstads missing a lot
40 pitches

in the 2nd inning thus far will do that

is guy is walking a lot of people today

we have to get those guys in

nice rope lbr
woo!

no outs, two on. let’s not leave ’em there!

No DP!

Bring up Soriano

Don'
Let me start over. Don't want to freak out just yet but...

if we don’t score this inning, it’ll start to feel a lot like last night.

well, im gonna get off for a bit...

brb later

time for a Dempster bunt

…and then our first timely hit since Friday night.

Need to cash in on these runners

Cant let this guy off the hook

pun intended?
Good catch.
But was THAT pun intended?
Indeed, a fine kettle of fish!
Bring Geo home....please!!
great bunt

Let’s get ’em in Soriano

C'mon Fonzie ...

Get these guys home

Well that was poor.
cripes

don’t kill Geo, Sori!

bum!

strike three.
stranded 4 so far

bah

that was a prime opportunity.

Terrible at bat Soriano

Too many LOBs

Just like last night so far....

We’ve stranded three runners in scoring position in the first two innings.

We’re facing a pitcher who is wild (like last night), and we’re letting him hang in the game.

Great

And this is why I hate it when they play in Miami. Something about that team makes it impossible for the Cubs to score runs.

Hey guys just lurkking today

Let’s get the series today!

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