Bleed Cubbie Blue

Oh God, I didn't know it had already started!

cubswynn - April 9, 2009 reply

If he can hit at half this rate...

…then Reed/Dome could be as good as Reed/Jed was last year.

I haven't seen any discussion(s) of anyone wanting to DFA Dome.

well

There’s been a lot of “Dome is going to be out of a job” talk on the “How long should Cubs give Fukudome in the 2 hole” chat.

There certainly has drew, and the majority of it is unfounded...

I just haven’t heard anyone mention DFA’g him. It simply is not an option.

Chat?

There’s a whole bloody thread!

agree............

but it was only ONE game

And to be fair

Moehler and Ortiz kinda helped his cause. I’ll feel alot better about this apparant rebound for Dome when he hits against front of the rotation pitching not named Ortiz or Moehler.

so now

he can only hit against bad pitchers? Ortiz struck out a lot of Cubs. Pete’s sake.

Also, I think that's a pretty common problem.

The Cubs have plenty of guys who disproportionately destroy bad pitching, and we don’t blast them. If Dome does nothing but rack up hits here and there against middle relief pitching, he’ll be earning his spot in the lineup.

C'mon

I don’t mean it in an insulting way. I’m not trying be a jerk about it, I’m just saying I want to see him blast against the 3-5 guys and also get some quality ABs against the 1 & 2 guys. Sheesh, don’t jump down my throat just because I’m not glad handing the guy. I AM NOT THE ENEMY.

I'm just saying

he’s doing what he needs to do — face MLB pitching and getting hits. He didn’t get any lucky bloopers last night — he hit with authority. Ortiz was eating Lee and Sori for lunch.

Alright

Drew I’ll try not to be pokin’ sticks at yer youngins’ anymore. Don’t wanna get momma all riled up!

But seriously, thats fair, I wasn’t jumping on the train to negative-town, just mentioning a cautious optimism that is playing in the back of my head. I want him to suceed just as much as anyone else. And I might add I hope he makes me feel like a fool for ever having a doubt.

well, that's fine. :D

Of course his numbers will be down against front of the line pitching.

Whose wouldn’t? As long as he is hitting MLB pitching, I am happy.

DMCub - April 9, 2009 reply

True enuff

I don’t mind his numbers being “down” but I’d like to see him consistently get “some” hits when he faces tougher opponents.

Yep

and Micah had 1 successful PH appearance. Progress is progress.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Great series to start the year.

If Guzman and Dome keep this up, this team could outpace last years.

cubswynn - April 9, 2009 reply

My entries in the “make up your own caption” contest:

“Here’s the Cub you ordered, ma’am; where do you want him?”

“Is it wrong?”
</Kevin Matthews>

jdb-44 - April 9, 2009 reply

Ugh, so much for including fake html tags in a forum post...

jdb-44 - April 9, 2009 reply

Pudge...How's my bleep Taste!

Dome-nation!

Great way to start the season!

+1

Let’s see how many “small sample size” come from the Dome haters now when they were using just that to justify how bad he was two days ago.

Great game

Ted Lilly may give up 50 bajillion home runs, but regardless he has been a very good pitcher for the Cubs. Gritty performance on his behalf last night.

David Patton? It’s only a matter of time before the organization realizes the mutual best interest of putting Patton in the minors. Trade Colorado a mid-level prospect and be done with it if you really think Patton has the potential to be a good relief pitcher someday.

Kosuke? Time for me to get off his back for the time being. He laced the ball on two ocassions, which is good to see. But I won’t get carried away into thinking the Astros have good pitching. Fact is their staff if horrendous once you get past Oswalt and Valverde.

Milton? Count me as a big and growing fan. He hasn’t gotten a hit yet, but it’s only a matter of time. He is a force. And I can already see the intensity he brings to things. We need a guy like him who gets pissed off with the situation and himself from time to time. Just so long as he keeps his infamous volatility in check.

Fontenot? He can flat out hit.

Theriot? Once again, Theriot is serving as a catalyst to this offense and consistently delivering in whatever role he has in the lineup. Cub fans need to be less cynical of Theriot. The guy plays the game the right way and contributes.

Still not sold on keeping David Patton in the bigs, huh?

What will he need to do to convince you it is worth taking a shot on him?

That is, of course, assuming that it is possible to convince you.

i think he can learn quite a bit from a year in the bigs.

it would have to be a really bad prospect for me to want to let him go. as he has success like last night, i’d imagine the asking price will drop.

i’d shuttle them a pitcher, either a middle reliever in daytona or a mop-up guy in iowa.

AlbyAlby (to help Josh)

or Whitlock from Peoria

or no dice.

and a ss/cf in A ball from pittsburgh and they can keep veal

Why would Colorado accept that?

By making a trade we’re acknowledging that we don’t want to keep him on our roster. If we release him, he would be Colorado’s again for free, and better than those relievers you mention.

madcow256 - April 9, 2009 reply

Nevermind

I didn’t realize other teams would be able to pick him up first before he’d go back to Colorado . . .

madcow256 - April 9, 2009 reply

About ten more outings like last night

I think he could end the year with an E.R.A of .50

With 30 holds and 100 Ks and BLou would still tell us he was wasting a roster spot and a team like the Cubs can’t afford to keep
guys like him on their MLB rosters.

Agreed and rec'd.

quite

BLou would NEVER have rookies play, if he could help it. Of course, all those empty parks would get boring after a while.

after all,

he played in A ball last year.

jus’ ribbin’ ya BLou

Per Clutche's "11 outings make the relief pitcher" assessment system.

Bradley

I’m with you. I love watching his AB’s. He seems to get a good AB every time.

rlpete - April 9, 2009 reply

Milton Bradley is a lion toying with his prey right now.

He’s drawin’ walks, scorin’ runs…actin’ all casual. Pretty soon, opposing pitchers are going to be lulled into a sense of security and start going after him – and then the claws will come out.

Stay healthy, Milton. You freakin’ rule.

Guess you missed those 6 outs he recorded, huh?

David Patton? It’s only a matter of time before the organization realizes the mutual best interest of putting Patton in the minors.

He’s not going to be our best reliever, but he’s going to get into games much like last night (low stress, big lead) and as long as he performs like last night, I’d say he’s a good end of the bullpen guy to have around and worth the risk.

carmen_fanzone - April 9, 2009 reply

+1

They can always ship him back to Colorado if they get tired of his services. For now, he can hide in the bullpen of a team with a great offense.

he won't get that far

washington
san diego
pittsburgh

would get waivers shots at him first

He is rule 5 player drafted from the Rockies

He must be returned if he does not stay on the 25 man roster.

Right, but he'd have to be waived first.

The Nats might not claim him, but the Padres would. They would then have to keep him under the same Rule 5 conditions that the Cubs do (on the 25-man roster all year or return him).

Wrong.

If the Cubs do not want to keep him, then he goes through waivers where he can be picked up by any other team. The order is NL worst 2008 record to best, then AL worst to best. If he is claimed by another team, he immediately goes to this team for a$25k fee paid to the Cubs and the rule 5 restrictions still apply to his new team for the remainder of the year. If he CLEARS waivers, he must be offered back to the Rockies for 1/2 the rule 5 draft fee (the fee was $50k, so for $25k the Rockies get him back.) The Rockies could say keep him, but they won’t with this guy. In fact, I doubt that he gets that far. I think it pretty likely that another team would claim him and keep him on their roster.

Why? Because the kid has some talent. Same reason I think that Cubs should just try to keep him.

this kid

could be very special. He struck out Lance Berkman, for pete’s sake. We should NOT let him go…

All told -

I think the Cubs came out alright on this Rule 5 business. I’d rather be Chicago, using David Patton in the bullpen all year, than Pittsburgh, trying like heck to hide Donnie Veal.

well that

but i was more proud of how he seemed to gather himself after the HR to Pence.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

I wonder if Lilly is struggling because of the WBC

He didn’t pitch much. When he came back to camp, he was like 3 starts behind everyone else.

daeviant - April 9, 2009 reply

Note that Lilly got off to a bad start last year, too

In 2008, Lilly’s first four starts:

4.2 IP, 4 ER
3.2 IP, 5 ER
4.1 IP, 5 ER
6 IP, 5 ER

John Q Freejazz - April 9, 2009 reply

for pete's sake

he struck out BERKMAN. He played VERY well. So did Guzman. Admit you were wrong about Gaudin & Shark, and BE DONE WITH IT.

Great showing for all last night!

Question: did the team do away with the red-billed away caps?

crw89 - April 9, 2009 reply

yup.

thank goodness

i hate red billed caps. :-)

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Do they now use the blue caps with white "C" for all games?

No, red "C"

outlined in lush white

and padded with rich corinthian leather.

Corrrrrrrdoba!

Deh plane! Deh plane!

Okay, Thanks

RE: Dome

Phew I was getting close to the ledge, glad I can finally back away.

(insert sarcasm sign here)

sarcasm being 'getting close to the ledge'

not ‘finally back away’

still plenty’o’dome-jerseys on the ledge

Sarcasm being "the whole Dome sucks thing"

I can’t believe how many people have been calling for his head based on 2 games this year. And yes I remember that he had a poor second half last year.
As Al has said time and time again this is a marathon not a sprint. If you look at his contract he still has 3/4 of his commitment to go.
Somehow I have enough faith in our coaching staff and management to think that they are also looking at all his little quirks and how he runs routes to the ball and how he throws etc. etc. etc.
I enjoy watching the Cubs win and dislike when they lose but everyone needs to remember it’s not the end all be all of our existence.

No one was calling for his head based on this season.

It was/is pretty much entirely based upon last season.

That being said, he’s not going anywhere – the contract pretty much guarantees that he’s going to be a Cub for a long while. May as well hope for the best.

Dome sucks was

mild compared to one guy who said he hates Dome. I find that really sad.

and weird.

Anyone know why the game was relegated to CLTV last night?

…was this planned before the season or did something change because it wasnt listed in the guide….took me the whole first inning to find it!

I also thought the Cubs had committed that every game would be in HD all season?

Blackhawks hockey !!!

It is a GREAT time to be a fan of Blackhawks hockey right now !!! The future is very bright and the playoffs start next week.

I agree, I love it! ... I flipped back and forth between the two last night...

As did I.

it was in HD

depending on provider you may or may not get it. I’m on DIsh and the game was on an alt-HD channel.

ballstitch - April 9, 2009 reply

Comcast......I couldnt find in HD anywhere.

Comcast+ HD

is Ch 285 for high-def users.

Suffice to say, I was continually switching between Ch 200 and Ch 285 last night.

blackhawk24 - April 9, 2009 reply

thanks, I didnt know that (obviously) and couldnt find that listed anywhere.

Just a little helpful tip for the future

Just hit “Menu” on your Comcast remote, then select the “Search” icon on the screen, then select “Sports.” The list that comes up will have a bunch of MLB Baseball listings. Scroll down until you see the HD CSN+ listing. That’s how I found it.

Goodie1969 - April 9, 2009 reply

Cubs and Hawks

Ditto on Ch 285 and the constant switching for me. I think the Hawks finished before the Cubs, even with OT. Man, the stalling by the `Stros battery was maddening. Every time a Cubs baserunner, IRod out to the hill to discuss signs.

thermal54 - April 9, 2009 reply

someone needs to remind him

there’s no clock to run out in baseball.

my CNS+ game

was in HD. On ATT UVerse.

Due to this

the EI freeview only had the Astros broadcast. Which, by the third inning, consisted mainly of analyzing what food the crowd was eating.

We got L&B in Atlanta :)

Got in Cent. Wisconsin as well.

Lucky buck.

They weren’t the worst I’ve ever heard. Lightyears ahead of those Cubs/Sox games that WGN gives to Hawk.

Russ Ortiz

Al, the Cubs’ long reliever is Luis Vizcaino — who wasn’t even invited to warm up with a 5-run lead.

Yeah, I get the feeling that Sweet Lou and Rothschild are very loathe to turn to Vizcaino

Not that I blame them

But still, if he’s ever going to pitch, last night was the game. If he’s not – once again, why do the Cubs need 12 pitchers? Hell, I’ll sit there and do nothing for $400k.

Vizcaino is doing it for 10 times that amount.

Tate491 - April 9, 2009 reply

I'll be 1/10 as effective, too!

Vizcaino is on the staff because he is owed $4 million in 2009

He’s immovable. And Lord knows Jim Hendry has already eaten enough bad contracts.

I agree that he's immovable, but -- that's a sunk cost

There’s no financial disadvantage to jettisoning him, other than the league min to pay a rookie replacement.

But who replaces him?

Unless you want to go with one more bench player and one less pitcher, he might as well sit there and wait for his Jon Lieber moment.

I do want to go with one more bench player

12 pitchers are too many — especially when one never pitches. And, while I"m a Lou fan, he goes thru the bench like a madman.

Jake Fox is my choice for player #25

It's entirely possible...

… that Vizcaino might throw well enough for a couple months to make him tradeable later in the year (when half of his deal will already have been paid).

Right now, actually, the Cubs’ long reliever is Sean Marshall — who hasn’t pitched, either. Marshall may not get a start till the Cardinal series, so it’d be nice to actually get him in a game.

If he's pitching well, why not keep him?

Unless the Cubs need to move $1-2 million for a mid-season acquisition, you might as well keep him if he’s effective.

This seasons Scott Eyre perhaps?

Not exactly, though

Eyre actually saw game action before he was banished.

Banished to Philadelphia.....

\Where he got one of those rings that seems so elusive….

kcjones - April 9, 2009 reply

I meant banished to obscurity before the trade

But you make a good point.

You get it....

kcjones - April 10, 2009 reply

I don't think Vizcaino is a long relief guy

Kind of insane he was not used last night for an inning or heck even a batter.

I'm not sure WHAT his role is

Other than:

— Cost savings over Marquis
— Waste of a roster spot

Agreed

I would rather we had kept Gaudin under the hopes that he might rebound, and cut Luis since he’s a known quantity and we apparently don’t see any use for him regardless.

madcow256 - April 9, 2009 reply

I dont think so

Gaudin couldn’t even get outs. At least Vizcaino got some outs in between pitching BP.

i'm no viz fan, but...

anyone with a live arm and experience is worth keeping around just in case, unless they have an attitude problem.

if he is throwing strikes (which has admittedly been a problem), he could figure ‘it’ out, if only for a few months. if someone had had a slight nick before opening day, we would still have gaudin for the same reason.

there will be an extra inning game where viz will get a win or play a key role in a win. the difference between ‘bad’ pitcher and ‘okay’ pitcher is very slight. he’ll have an era in the low 5’s prolly, which is worth a spot on a team that mashes like we do.

My point is, if he's going to be on the team, let him pitch on occassion.

that's the sort of thinking

that let Bob Howry pitch… :P

Well, the problem with Howry last season was...

…Lou didn’t just pitch him “on occasion.” He threw him out there repeatedly, endlessly – no matter how many times Bobby got hit hard.

Exactly

There seems to be no middle ground in this regard with Lou. It’s almost — dare I say it — Dustyesquwe.

he'll pitch vs milwaukee

he’d probably have pitched last night instead of marmol, but for the day off.

His role is...

to be whippin boy and scapegoat til he can be shipped to someone like say the Marlins who need a vetran experienced bullpen guy for the stretch run…on the way to one of those elusive rings…cough cough…

kcjones - April 9, 2009 reply

Actually,

Russ Ortiz is the Astros 5th starter, which may be even worse. Though I think when Backe is back he’ll move – unless Moehler can’t bring his ERA of 37.50 down.

Al, minor correction:

Didn’t Lilly give up 4 home runs for 5 runs?

cubsonWGN4ever - April 9, 2009 reply

You're right. I lost count!

I’ll fix the post.

Lilly gave up 4. Patton gave up 1

gocubsgo22 - April 9, 2009 reply

Acutally the first 7 men reached base for the Cubs (not 6)

gocubsgo22 - April 9, 2009 reply

Aslo I think Fontenot only had 2 hits (not 4)

gocubsgo22 - April 9, 2009 reply

Fontenot had 2 hits...

Ramirez had 4.

srwilly - April 9, 2009 reply

Fontenot had 4 RBI... read the wrong column.

I’ll fix that, too.

Astro's

are a better team than I thought and may be more competition than the Cards (who most pick for second). Their pitching is a major downfall but with Lee-Pudge-Berkman-Tejeda- they have a solid nucleus to score runs. Pat said last night their 2nd half record has been better than their first half since 1997 and last years’ 2nd half was best in the majors. I would be very happy to beat them a lot early and get their hole as deep as possible.

I think we will see more hitting nights like last night too. We have the walks and singles to get the bases full for a big hit and a lot of crooked numbers. Left handed bats help (just kidding).

mrcubsfan - April 9, 2009 reply

I just don't see it

All the good teams in the league have 3-4 really solid hitters-

Lee, Ramirez, Bradley, Soriano
Lee, Berkman, Tejeda, Pence
Pujols, Ankiel, Ludwig
Braun, Fielder, Hardy

The difference is that the Astros have no payroll flexibility, no farm from which to call up players or trade for other players, and their pitching is awful.

Lee?

D LEE? His bat looked so slow last night it was almost funny. I am very concerned about him being much of a factor. I know it’s early, and I know he had one hit, but he really looked bad last night

tommy veryzer - April 9, 2009 reply

another bashing bandwagon

Houston put up Moehler in their 3rd slot in the rotation is not a good thing at all. He didn’t eat up any innings. I am unsure as to the rest of their rotation but I fail to see them winning more than 75-77 games.

He's looked a little better than last year

But still, I’d like to see him batting 5th or lower. Aramis batting 5th takes away too may at-bats.

quickly becoming my least favorite ABs to watch...

DLee is right back to (seemingly) taking every strike and swinging at every pitcher’s pitch.

I believe my favorite last night was his pop up in the middle of 3 walks.

I love his glove…LOVE IT…but I hate watching a guy who already looks frustrated at the plate after 3 games.

(I’m sure it’s not this bleak, but my frustration colors my perception.)

JCD - April 9, 2009 reply

Caption:

“I didn’t know Cesar Izturis moved to catcher.”

10 14 23 26 - April 9, 2009 reply

hahaha

Good one.

daeviant - April 9, 2009 reply

Kosuke

He seemed a lot more aggressive last night. He was swinging at first pitches. I think Lou told him to swing away. Whatever works, right?

daeviant - April 9, 2009 reply

sorry Lou wouldn't do that

he might say when you see a pitch to drive be it the first pitch or after 6. You are on your own in the batters box except if Lou calls for a flat out take or sacrifice or run and hit.

Still

That could be part of what he’s been working on with Gerald Perry. Also, I don’t think Lou would tell him what to do, but I’m pretty Lou would give him some advice. Didn’t Lou work with both Kosuke and Felix last year?

And

When you’re doing as bad as Kosuke was, and since Lou is Teh Decider, it might be in Kosuke’s best interests to listen to what Lou has to say (if Lou suggested something).

Pitchers...

Would get strike one on him, and then try to get him to flail away at junk. He was jumping all over those first-pitch strikes last night.

CubsBullsBears - April 9, 2009 reply

he's standing in the box better

he’s ignoring all that low and away crap, he’s not leaning over to go after them, and he’s not leaning back to hack at the up and in stuff either. He had good, tight swings. That home-run was a thing of beauty.

Especially

the bat flip. His bat flip after home-runs is so graceful

That was smart baseball by him

Instead of watching the fastball that you can hit go by, attack it and don’t let them throw the breaking balls to you. Above the hits that is what I liked from Fukudome last night.

Dome's success yesterday

was his balance at the plate. Even though it can be seen from the CF camera, watching from the 3B side for a lefty will show a lot.

He was balanced. He kept his weight back even after the front foot was planted. And equally important, he didn’t pull of the ball as he brought the bat through the zone. It was a sight to see; especially watching the replay from the 3B side on that double that one-bounced over the fence.

blackhawk24 - April 9, 2009 reply

that mechanical look see also points to his head

did he keep his head steady on the ball, that in part is what balance provides you. It also allows you to come through the ball with power.

Agreed with this.

If he can do this all year, we might actually see the Dome we thought we were getting from Japan.

Good point

But its a little easier to maintain balance when the ball looks like a beachball coming at you. Just sayin’ people could be right that he has changed his approach slightly and will be awesome moving forward. But, I think I’d like to see him take some ABs against some quality starters.

Instead of one game of validation how about a series win

Great to see a few immediately offering contrite about the Dome bandwagon rejectors, Dome seems to create bandwagons in both directions. This might be Fukudome’s best offensive day as a Cub…..in that last year 04/07/08 he was 3/5, 04/23/08 he went 3/3, 05/01/08 he went 4/4, 05/03/08 he was 3/5, 05/14/08 he went 3/5 and 08/25/08 he went 3/4 after that he did not have a game with more than 2 hits (23 games).

Two extra base hits with a HR and 8 total bases is pretty good.

Ramirez has started good out of the gate but funny after a sizzling spring training Bradley goes hitless for 3 games.

The important point is that the Cubs took 2 of 3 in Houston, a place this franchise has always had a rough time in. They now go to Milwaukee and if they can start the year 4-2 they will have pushed their division with two road series wins out of the gate. BTW, STL is 1-2.

Bradley

is just REALLY REALLY PICKY about what he swings at. His OBP is over 300 cause he keeps walking, and he ran the count to 3-2 at least three times last night.

and worked counts from behind

love when guys get behind 1-2 and and then work it back to 3-2

makes me feel like they are seeing the ball well

JCD - April 9, 2009 reply

Does anybody know how many 3-2 counts he has worked?

Because I think its almost every at bat this season.

Don’t know for sure, but it’s been at least three in every game.

In his 8 plate appearances this year...

he’s had a full count in 4 of them.

surely it's more than that...

I looked it up on basebll reference...

and stop calling me Shirley.

surely

it seems like more than that.

Looking over there real quick

They don’t have last night’s game up yet.

I just realized that.

Lemme recalculate with last nights game included.

I bet some of those 3-1 counts

he’s walked, too. How many walks? What’s his OBP? Does he like unicorns?

14 plate appearances 7 full counts.

That's pretty good

Nice patience for MB

He's taken some really close pitches

for ball 4 too. Some of the pitches I can’t believe he let go by in full count situations. He does seem to get the benefit of every doubt. Almost like Bonds did in his heyday where umpires wouldn’t call a strike if Bonds didn’t swing at it, almost like they were deferring to Bonds’ judgment

Hey, he's got Bob Watson on his speed dial.

I’m tellin’ ya, it’s a brillant move.

Bradley

When he takes a close pitch or even a not so close pitch, Bradley’s body language seems like he is thinking “Don’t throw me that s#@!.” I truly enjoy watching his at-bats.

Nice to see Dome not only get hits, but nice hard convincing hits. That first shot right up the middle was fantastic!

As for Lilly, I wonder if having an 8 run lead…he felt just that throwing strikes would be the best route to go. One never knows. But the Astros can hit the long ball…not much else.

chiavsfan - April 9, 2009 reply

Pence's homer

I could only see the little clip they posted on Gameday, but Pence’s homer bounced out of the stands back to Bradley. It looks like he kept it instead of giving it back to the fans. On the one hand, that’s perhaps a bit rude, but I also got a chuckle. Poor fan – no favors from the visitors.

bungle - April 9, 2009 reply

Well....

….he did toss a ball in the stands when he made the 3rd out in the 7th or 8th. So maybe he was just teasing them. lol.

carmen_fanzone - April 9, 2009 reply

I'm sure they were peppering him with pleanty of nice things before that play

I wouldn’t toss them the ball either. I don’t think there’s a team or fans I hate more than Houston.

Series win

That’s all that matters. Patton’s curveball looked good and Ted ALWAYS gives up runs when the Cubs give him a huge lead. Always.

SouthsideCub - April 9, 2009 reply

Was that the curveball...

He was getting those K’s on or a change-up?

CubsBullsBears - April 9, 2009 reply

Yes.

Per Gameday, the strikeouts were on curveballs, though they looked more like sliders to me. (They weren’t the “sweeping” variety of curveball, anyway.) Brenly said Patton was throwing a “spiked” curveball, which refers to holding up one of his fingers (the pinky?) while throwing the ball.

I'll bet its his middle finger

Insulting them while he strikes them out…

Yep, I hear he learned it from Ted Lilly.

Strikes

I think Ted probably wanted to throw strikes with a big lead. Some of those get hit out, but throwing a lot of pitches and walking guys isn’t any better. Or maybe he’s still rusty from a lack of work.

bungle - April 9, 2009 reply

Whose brilliant idea was it to have Sunday's game be a NIGHT game

the day before the Cubs home opener? Oh, yeah- ESPN.

Nothing like making sure the guys are bright eyed and bushy tailed Monday morning when they report for the day’s dog and pony show festivities. Given the weather forecast too, what’s the over/under on Cubs runs & hits for the day?

At least it’s a short drive back home from Milwaukee. Still…

Zeke - April 9, 2009 reply

I'd like to blame Selig...........

so I will

+1

and rec’d.

chilango2 - April 9, 2009 reply

how are you doing after Monday night?

Green and White alumni came out of the wood work last weekend and they were good as I thought on Saturday but UNC had that Vinnie Johnson microwave button stuck on ON that night.

BTW, actually this might not be too bad. My guess is that today the club actually go to Chicago and get some personals done and have a short late get together in Milw tonight via a bus ride. Then after the game they will all take a bus ride home to the Monday opener. The players will be keyed up for that one. The thing is that Wednesday’s game is the let down game after another off day, where many players will be distracted trying to get settled in Chicago.

If I were a guessing man Lou should play his entire bench on that Wednesday to give them a full compliment and lift and offer the entire starting crew two days after a long road experience so they are ready for upcoming Cards.

The Cubs' plane flew directly to Milwaukee last night.

I thought that was strange, but they do have a day game on Friday.

interesting that means Tuesday will be the much awaited personal day

hmm, interesting.

Well, at least it was over in a hurry for the Spartans. There was a period of time in the game

that I was kind of hoping for a mercy rule. Classy of coach Williams to have the guys take their foot off the gas in the second half. That was as perfect a first half as any team played against us all year. And one of our worst 20 minutes of basketball. Bad game to do THAT in.

You know it’s bad when the “home” crowd cheers and tries to rally the team after they closed it to “only” 13 points. Ugh.

Like every Cubs fan can understand: “Wait ’til NEXT year!”. We’ll be AWSOME. Well, pretty good I hope.

Zeke - April 9, 2009 reply

Of course, that's assuming the two Spartan players WHO BROKE THEIR FEET in the game heal up...

Unreal…

Zeke - April 9, 2009 reply

Look at it this way

The Brewers are playing at 7:00 PM tonight in San Francisco. I’d say they have it worse.

And, either team could have scheduled the next home game at night. So, that’s the way it goes.

Exactly.

With a 4:00 PT first pitch in San Francisco, Milwaukee will be lucky to be on a plane heading back home by 8:30 PT (10:30 CT), and first pitch tomorrow is 3:00 CT. I think they might be a bit worn out.

Whoops, I was off by 1 hour

But yeah, the point stands.

I think Milwaukee's schedule is worse.

At least the Cubs will be in the same time zone. After 4 days in San Francisco, it’ll feel like a 1:00 p.m. start for the Brewers tomorrow.

Often times the effects hit the second day

and 1 PM isn’t so bad.

Still, I have to wonder why they wouldn’t just play a night game.

Opening Day tradition in Milwaukee, perhaps?

I have no way of confirming that, but maybe that’s a reason.

Could be.

SF really should have to start that game at 1 local time. I don’t know why the union doesn’t make a stink about things like that.

Excellent question.

Maybe because it doesn’t happen often enough for most teams, since most teams’ games are at night.

Good Friday Holiday?

It may be because it’s a Holiday on Friday?

only for some.

I have the day of...

I consider that to be a Good Friday! Add in day baseball and that makes it a Great Friday!

*off

Well, the Catholic observation is generally 12-3, not at night.

With a first pitch at 3:05 local

technically, they’re avoiding Good Friday observations, unlike the Tigers.

I heard it is now changed to 3:25

to give the Catholics more time to get to the game after 3!

doofus cubs guy - April 9, 2009 reply

well that's nice of the Tigers.

the brewers-cubs start time

was changed – tigers still playing hardball as far as I know

doofus cubs guy - April 9, 2009 reply

Source?

was my sister in elm grove

also saw it today in local (not chicago) paper – no change on brewers and/or journal -sentinel websites though

doofus cubs guy - April 10, 2009 reply

Everywhere I look still says 3:05

I wonder if she was thinking EDT for pre-game?

She said they were talking about it

on the radio – we talked on Monday night so I’m wondering why it wouldn’t be noted anywhere by now (except for the NW Herald) – I’ll be waiting on that first pitch time!

doofus cubs guy - April 10, 2009 reply

I watched a bit of the SF-MIL game last night

They were stil saying 3:05

so does brewers

website, tribune, journal-sentinel and everyone else – but I’m going with Sis until that first pitch -

doofus cubs guy - April 10, 2009 reply

I grew up catholic so I get the importance of Good Friday

but the NBA plays Christmas day.

I remember reading something how some Tigers fans

are upset at the Tigers for having an afternoon home game on Good Friday, so it isn’t out of the question for Milwaukee to have a later start because of that.

Ok, so why not a night game?

Got me

It could get even worse for the Brewers...

it’s already drizzling here in the Bay Area, and we’re supposed to get more rain this afternoon. They’ve already determined (when it looked like the Opener might have rain) that the Brewers would have a tough time getting back here for a make-up, so they’ll likely do anything possible to get this one in today.

Anybody see Gallardo’s homer off Randy Johnson? Crushed it.

bison - April 9, 2009 reply

Yeah, I saw that.

High-larious. Gallardo looked both thrilled about the home run and terrified that Johnson was going to come shambling off the mound after him.

Ortiz

Brenly said last night that he’s actually their #5 starter but was not needed as a starter the first go-around. The Astros depth chart confirms this.

It was nice to see how the Cubs worked Moeller in the first and second innings. With the wind blowing out in a HR hitting ballpark the Cubs shortened their swings and just got hits. This has been an issue of Cub teams past, flailing away against finesse righty pitchers.

It is a pleasure to see Bradley bat, even if he still has yet to get a hit… his taking so many pitches and making the pitcher work has an impact on the starter and IMO he is having the same impact early this season that Fukudome did last season. Stay healthy, Milton!

dmlichte - April 9, 2009 reply

Pitching around Bradley has to suck

You toss a bunch of pitches and battle with Bradley just for the privilege of pitching to Aramis.

You betcha

Having Bradley before Rami and the R-L-R with Lee-GB-Rami is gonna make Rami put up some huge RBI totals.

blackhawk24 - April 9, 2009 reply

Maybe Lou was right all along.

And I think Rami is more than happy to take the fifth spot if it means he’s gonna be seeing beachballs.

BTW in that they are skipping Marshall this weekend

wonder if he is on deck if Harden is still laying the ball on the proverbial tee?

IIRC the only other pitcher in the pen not to see the mound was Vizcaino?

correct

My caption vote:

“Afterwards, Lilly offered Ramirez some pointers on his technique: ‘Drop a shoulder and keep those legs pumping.’”

I like this one!

Slight alteration

“Shortly after this picture was taken, Ted Lilly charged from the Cubs dugout and plowed into Rodriguez because Ramirez did it wrong.”

Or

“Lilly ran out to take Rami’s place. No one steals a kill from Lilly”.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

"'And that's how you take out a catcher,' Lilly muttered as he returned to the dugout."

As he walks back to the clubhouse

muttering “when do i get a molina again!”

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Lilly

is reported to have said to Ramirez “That’s how it’s done, but Pudge ain’t no Molina”

Prediction on managers fired:

Cecil Cooper will be fired before June 11th.

The Cubs will finish off the Astros will the pletheria of games early in the season.

Personally, I have been less than impressed with Cooper’s in-game strategy. Along with how he allowed the team to lose focus after the hurricane last year, I think he will be one of the first managers fired.

Drayton McLane (owner) fired a manager in the middle of the season before (2004) and got positive results as the team made the playoffs so I think he would be open to make that type of change again. They have a lot of money invested in the team and I’m guessing they will be desperate to salvage ticket sales early in the season by firing their manager to try to jumpstart the team.

The question is, who would they hire to replace Cooper?

cowsarecool220 - April 9, 2009 reply

Craig Biggio?

I think McLane has to realize that Houston is a long shot right now.

The popular former Astro Jose Cruz is a coach there.

He might work as an interim replacement.

When managers are let go this year...

The Cubs need to watch out that Trammell doesn’t get lured away. Most people believe that Lou is now keeping the seat warm for Ryno, which leaves Trammell out in the cold… I’m quite sure Trammell wants to manage again.

Good point

He never really had a chance with that horrific Detroit team from earlier this decade.

Larry Dierker.

or maybe Scrap Iron himself would return.

Woudln't that be funny?

Since Cooper replaced scrap iron (who brought around the last mid-season turn-around), it would bring it full circle!

cowsarecool220 - April 9, 2009 reply

I wouldn't put it past McLane to at least inquire.

Dierker did manage the Astros to four 1st place finishes 1997-2001

flachimesa - April 9, 2009 reply

I know, he's a pretty good manager

I think McLane would look into it.

I say replace Cecil Cooper with Alice Cooper

rememberthecoop - April 9, 2009 reply

that should put the fear of god

in the Diamondbacks… Alice Cooper likes snakes…

or Cecil Fielder

Welcome to their nightmare.

One could say the new Yankee stadium is a billion dollar baby.

Easy, Action.

Bob Brenly perhaps

Seriously?

I think BB would rather enjoy calling Cubs game in the booth then stepping into that pitching-poor nightmare.

I know that Bob would probably be a good manager

But I don’t see why he would go back at all. He has his WS ring and now he gets to sit in a booth with no pressure and talk for 3 hours a night.

I know people want to compete and all that stuff, but if it was me I would stay in that booth until they threw me out.

Depends how Bob wants to be remembered

If he was able to win another World Series or two, he could make a decent case for the Hall of Fame, as a manager, if he rang up some good win totals and managed for a while.

Another reason why he wouldn't pick the Astros.

Yep, I think Bob won't leave unless he feels the team is ready to win.

I could see him going to San Francisco in the offseason if Bochy gets canned.

That team has talent, and Brenly played there, so I think there’s a fit.

Oh, yeah. I've heard he's a favorite there.

If they can get some offense for him to work with, he just might do that.

You heard it here first.

Brenly to San Francisco in 2010.

He's been taking interviews, though, right?

His name seems to be connected to quite a few managerial openings- I’d assumed that he’d been taking interviews, but not getting the call.

Regardless, for selfish reasons, I’d like to see the Len and Bob team stick together. They’ve gone from “finding their way” to “among the best in the business” in record time.

Quite a few?

The only one I heard about was the Brewers job.

That's the

only one I heard about too.

Agreed on that Cooper will most likely get canned...McLane's payroll is $100m+

…and he will need a scapegoat for the cast of misfit toys of a team they have assembled for Cooper.

Even Len Kasper said the injury could linger all season

I agree we shouldn’t panic over Soto’s injury but it’s hard not to, when even Cubs broadcasters start sounding the alarm. On yesterday’s broadcast, Len said this is the kind of injury that coudl bother Geo all year and Bob chimed in by saying that catchers can’t just rest from throwing. Plus, this apparently happened in the spring as well, so it does seem to be a reocurring thing.

rememberthecoop - April 9, 2009 reply

We'll probably see base stealing

attempts increase against the Cubs with this news of Soto’s injury. Hopefully he will be able to discourage that.

Very nice win...I love when it is relatively stress-free

I also love winning the day before an off-day, makes getting through the off-day more bearable.

Few things worse than losing and having a full day to stew about it.

As Piniella has said

The way to win at baseball is to win series. We did that here.

http://deadspin.com/5205302/angels-pitcher-nick-adenhart-killed-in-auto-accident

OT: Angels Nick Adenhart killed in car accident

Don’t have enough for a fanpost, but here’s the link from Deadspin:

Yes, it was a hit-and-run

Three people were killed, including Adenhart.

That is so sad.

Adenhart was a talented up and comer in the Angels organization, and only 22? Just a kid. I’m so glad they caught up with the guy who caused the wreck. RIP Nick.

Damn

Really horrible.

southloop - April 9, 2009 reply

This sucks

Really sad when this happens, especially since Adenhart was the victim.

Wow.

That’s awful. My thoughts go out to his family and the Angels organization.

Hunter Pence

Hello, all Bleed Cubbie Blue people. I am a long time reader, first time poster. I was born in Chicago in 1947 and became a Cub fan in 1953 or 1954 when Ernie came up. I still remember watching him on our old tv with my dad. Ernie was supposedly “good field/no hit” his rookie year. He proved a couple of critics wrong over the years.

I was watching the game the other day and my roommate Katherine came by and saw Hunter Pence hitting. She immediately said “Who does Under Pants play for?” Out of the mouths of babes.

Allan in LA - April 9, 2009 reply

Welome Allan...

Here’s to a great Cub season!

is she a babe? :D

Schwing!

Welcome, Allan

Someday you, too, may hit 2,000 posts :-D

heck

I’ve got less than 900 to go before I hit 2000. Night games are GOOOOD.

You both need to add a '0' there . . .

whups.

I was gonna say

I know drew has more posts that me and I have just over 2000

that makes much more sense

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

details ;-}

I usually get my measurements off

by a factor of ten as well, girls…

there goes your shot

at having Em hire you to build her a shelf or something…

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

well

I could come to install one shelf, and install ten.

All your shelves are belong to us.

You have no storage make your pile.

or you could put together all my furniture

that the movers dissembled…

need me to

drive some screws?

Still worked up over that Darth Vader pic, eh?

I can't stop looking at it.

the POTENTIAL.

baby you can drive my car

you don’t know how lucky you are

did you buy the car?

what did you get?

I'm test driving this afternoon

almost 100% it’ll be a Subaru Impreza wagon. Not sexy, but safe which is what I’ll need as a new driver (AND ice and snow… yikes).

by the way

somewhere, I missed why you moved to Alaska.

You need to see

This.

cool.

very

wow

Great car

Subarus are great cars, and you’ll have all wheel drive for the snow and ice that will be constant parts of your life now

precisely. I'll need all the help I can get.

You don't need math for that new job, eh?

;-)

one, two many

utility installers.

lol! no... I'll have someone do the math for me

as one LA guy to another, welcome!

…the first comment is always the toughest.

LAcarl519 - April 9, 2009 reply

Welcome aboard, Allan.

Under Pants ain’t bad. He is one odd-lookin’ dude. I like calling him Punter Hence myself.

I didn't see this mentioned above

Did anybody else see when Dome caught a fly ball early in the game right next to Bradley and he wound up and gave him a huge smack on the butt. That was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.

I LOL'd :D

“That’s how you call guys off your ball, pal!”

TWSS

+1

Well done!!

How did i miss this earlier.

PERFECT use of the “twss”. Well done, Mike!!

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Caption: "If I can just find that waistband, I'm gonna give Pudge one hell of a wedgie!"

LAcarl519 - April 9, 2009 reply

Great game all around.

Dome was phenomenal and Gameboard, while still looking for Cub Hit No. 1 is making me a big fan with his P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E.

Pic Caption: Ted Lilly says, “This is NOT how you kill a catcher.”

Photo caption:

Having been forced off the juice, Pudge bulks up with a few “Aramis curls.”

nice

Where in the world are some video highlights from last night's game?

Usually Cubs.com has a few snippets, but nothing from last night. It sure would be nice for us out in La La land to be able to see at least a few highlights. Bud probably wants to charge us all for those as well…

MLB has been awful with highlights so far this year

Its really pathetic.

I guess...

Selig must go!

him

I’d happily DFA.

no question

HA! Yes, release him, DFA him, fire him...

Whatever it takes! He must go before he completely ruins the game we all love so much… Bud Selig makes MLB look stupid with his inept running of the league. Fire Bud Selig now, and let him go back to selling used cars…

Had to

work last night so I didn’t get to see the game. However I was able to check in periodically on the computer. It was great to see Dome break loose last night. Did get to hear Ronnies call of his homerun. I just hope her can continue to perform well, things are looking good.

iowacubfan69 - April 9, 2009 reply

Caption

In his free time during the offseason, Ivan Rodriguez perfected an alternative to the Heimlich maneuver, as he is demonstrating on Cubs 3rd baseman Aramis Ramirez. When asked whether forcing choking victims to run full speed into his shoulder would really dislodge the obstruction, Rodriguez replied, “I got sick of waiting for Spring.”

cubbybear - April 9, 2009 reply

Caption

A Ram into Pudge

San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - April 9, 2009 reply

Watching the Astros feed last night

(but perhaps I missed it) there was no reason mentioned why the Juice Box roof was open last night. It was obviously very windy, and combined with cool temps, fans were wearing winter wear (or what passes for such in south Texas) and were huddled in blankets.

Isn’t this one of the reasons to have retractable-roof ball parks? It wasn’t raining, as is the norm there — but why not close the roof for the comfort of fans and players alike?

Those LF HR’s were not helped by the wind…..

I don’t understand this.

I'll bet you 1 Cubs Foam Finger

that if they close the roof, they have to turn on the AC so the people aren’t roasted by the heat from the lights, and they didn’t want to spend the money.

but drayton mclane isn't

that cheap, is…..

oh, never mind

San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - April 9, 2009 reply

Well, Harris County owns the place

…and that other “Harris County Domed Stadium” that still sits surrounded by an empty parking lot. So, who knows — McLane may have such a sweetheart deal that he just shows up in his box and pours a Chivas.

Perhaps Harris County didn’t want to pay the electric bill! It isn’t raining, it’s not 100-degrees…keep the roof open!!

Maybe they were watching for hurricanes.

Y’know, in case they would have to relocate.

they'd 'wait it out'

What's more annoying about the astros

A) Jose Valverde
B) McLane’s hawk like presence behind home plate
C)The train
D Watching Hunter Pence play baseball

TheRamZamDLEE - April 9, 2009 reply

Dang, can we add an "all of the above"?

+5

"Home games should be played at home!"

Watching the Cards/Pirates game..

Carpenter looks nasty. Getting up to 94 with the heater, sharp looking curve, and he’s been very, very efficient. If he can pitch like this for more than 140 innings, the Cardinals are definitely going to contend for the division this year.

Schwa - April 9, 2009 reply

Well, he's got a no-hitter through 5

Losing, though.

Hm, perhaps I should tune in to that game...

…and use my evil mojo to break it up.

pirates gunning for

first place in the division.

give us a veal update if he throws.

If we wind up behind the Pirates in the standings I am definately moving to the ledge.

even on an off day

on day 4 of the season?

if that puts you on the ledge… you should pick another team. :-)

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

I will not settle for anything less than leading the division wire to wire.

Also, pitching is king.

oh go find some sand

lol

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Yeah, I'm rooting for the Bucs today.

and carp has a no-no through 6

no-no over

vazquez singles in the seventh

Ladies and gentlemen...

…Felix Pie is 2 for 2 vs. A.J. Burnett! Yanks up 3-2, bottom 4.

Your point?

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile. Pie never showed any kind of ability to hit while he was here. He may yet become a good player but I don’t regret the Cubs trading him. I’ll feel bad about if he ever becomes an All Star. Same deal with Fukudome. A lot of folks getting excited because he had one good game. Let’s remember last season before we put him in the Hall of Fame. I personally think he will break out of it and have a good season, but I’m sure as heck not going to be convinced after one game. Two out of three in Houston is really nice start to the season.

qccub - April 9, 2009 reply

My point was to provoke a rant just like that.

Mission. Accomplished.

its almost too easy lately

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Fish in a barrell.

Dammit daver, I hate when you make you point at our expense!

after 20,000

you’d think we’d recognize daver baiting when it happens.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

He's sneaky fast that one.

you know

doing image searches for “mission accomplished” doesn’t really turn up a lot of variety…

Yeah, I did that one yesterday while looking for my 20,000 post celebratory image.

How long should the Orioles give Pie as the left fielder?

4 ABs.

don't you mean

they should have demoted him to single-A ball before he set foot in Baltimore?

Maybe he will be so ashamed he will take a slow boat back to the Dominican.

from your keyboard

to the mountain top! Goodness gracious!

Sounds like a Fanpost in the making!

sigh

off days.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

The days 'tween games when boredom runs high

The nonsense discussions that makes that gal sigh
God I love this time of year!

beginning to wish

i’d read the poem thread.

you seem to have gotten a lot of material out of that one.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Go find it -- it's still there.

You wont miss any game action.

True

i might later… but i need to save my eye… too much reading might make it explode. Or at least feel like it will.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

The times when the club, in idle, slacks

And fanposts are driven off the tracks
God I love this time of year!

That wasn't close to a rant

I think the mission you accomplished was to prove you are a douchebag.

qccub - April 10, 2009 reply

Yeah, it kind of was a rant

Pie never showed any kind of ability to hit while he was here.

That happens, when you don’t get to play.

True, not to mention that statement is a gross exagerration.

Are you guys

on Pie’s payroll or something? Good grief.

qccub - April 10, 2009 reply

no

we simply see the value of such a player. You don’t have to like it.

Pie was pretty good in his call-up last year.

He never “failed” with the Cubs. He just didn’t play a lot. Sometimes, he hit. Sometimes, he didn’t. hit.

The fact that the Cubs would rather pay Joey Gathright three times Felix Pie’s salary is mystifying.

They go to all the trouble to scout the kid at age 17, sign him, bring him along slowly through the system over a period of years, coaching him, watching him adapt to, and then destroy, every league he’s placed in, finally he’s up to the big leagues, getting his turn at bat…. and then they dick around with his playing time for a couple of weeks, then totally cut bait and trade him to Baltimore for no one in particular, and then trade that guy away in a deal for a middle reliever.

This was the good part! The part where your top prospect CF arrives in MLB and is cost-controlled for six years beginning with his age 24 season! That’s his entire prime! For a team with the kind of payroll issues the Cubs have, and will continue to have, due to the back-loaded nature of most of their contracts, a handful of cost-controlled everyday players isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

At a minimum, you have to let him actually fail before giving up entirely. I will never, ever understand that trade.

me neither.

I did it!

Chris Carpenter’s no-no bid is OVAH!!!

is his arm still attached?

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

So far.

He does look really good. But, as the Mets showed last season, one ace pitcher does not a playoff appearance make.

With that vaunted Cardinal offense, he had better throw a few no-hitters to have a shot.

Congrats.

Have a cookie.

But, Daver, I AM your dessert!

Once to the dark side of the cookies you turn, forever will they control your dietary habits.

and chocolate

Dunk it in the milk, you should.

Dunking leads to sogginess.

Sogginess leads to angst.
Angst leads to emo-core bands.
And emo-core bands are the path to the dark side.

All American Rejects lied to me!

I hate them! I hate them all!

It's okay.

Go find a copy of Live at Leeds. You’ll be alright.

That was the first album I ever bought

Black goo from outer space

also leads to emo.

thats either

an arrowhead with scratches, a bell, or darth vader.

it could go any way.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

use the force as a clapper

you should not.

Get it? clapper? CLAPPER???

haha

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

see fellas?

the way to a lady’s heart is through her sense of humor.

and rich guys with fancy cars are ALWAYS the funniest.

No, it's through your wallet.

that's, uh...

strangely arousing…

I sense a disturbance in the force.

I sense a disturbance

in my PANTS!

Why is her codpiece

bigger than his?

you don't think

Mrs. Vader would be in charge?

She doesn't

appear to wear the pants in the family

Given that Darth is more machine than man....

and thank heavens

for THAT.

since when does vader have boobs?

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

actually, the caption for that is

Luke and Leia, 20 years later… :P

EW! EW! WRONG!

It’s like something out of a Wagner opera!

hey,

the Pharoh’s did it.

They're all dead now.

There’s a lesson there somewhere.

Your skills at finding just the wrong pictures never cease to amaze me, SWL.

the google force is strong with this one

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

I hear those two have been together for a long time.

They really know how to push each other’s buttons.

They know exactly where to put the light sabre.

Can you imagine their fights?

They’re both chokin’ each other using only their minds…

is that a fight

or is it sex?

Yeah, maybe it's a little of both.

I'll be

in my bunk.

i admit

i have a huge crush on jayne.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

And I on Saffron.

"Nice Bible."

Oh, I'm going to the special hell...

man...

what if PADME had become Vader instead of Anakin.

That would have been SO MUCH BETTER.

And she was somehow unaware she had twins.

and killed

all the Gungans and Ewoks.

And there were no midichlorians.

and George Lucas didn't write the script.

Three times.

You can rest easy now; 2-1 STL

Bases loaded, 0 out bottom 7.

Whew.

'course, the Cubs were already in second place for a few minutes this season

@$%&*#!!!

Wellp, better bundle up. I hear it’s cold on the ledge today.

Yep, Carpenter's out, too.

92 pitches, one hit.

and the Cards didn't add any runs after I posted

"Write"

Is a pretty strong word for those pieces of crap.

chitownhawkeye - April 9, 2009 reply

"expell"

onto a page.

Luke, come with me...

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
What? That’s it.

You people are seriously bored

so am I but be grateful that I neither know how to post photos or find them.

Great game for Dome.

Hope he can continue that type of play all season.

Okay

enough off day chatter for now. i’m gonna go play with the dogs, i think. :-)

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

sniff

You have dogs to play with at home. I have to go out and stalk a few.

they didn't want to play again yet

2 of them are asleep out in the sunshine and the other one is laying with his bunny on the rug in the living room… so no play for me. Bummer.

If you can go stalk them in person, you can see them here on my Flickr.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

fun pix

what great, cute, happy dogs you have!

we try to keep them that way

they’re a blast.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Nice pics

For some reason I would have to venture a guess that your’e a dog person

Noticed, huh?

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

I just got back from the post office

I hit up one beagle, one terrier, one of those funny white ones with the narrow heads ( forget the breed) and a pug puppie. That should last me through dinner. Really nice weather in NYC so dogs and the people they train are out in force today.

what do you 'hit up' dogs for?

gnaw toys?

bones?

Snuggles. Doggy fur. Wagging tails.

What don’t you hit up dogs for?

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Anything their little paws desire.

Will rub ears & tummies for snuggles & licks. I can even handle two dogs at once, one with each hand.

twss

Reed updated his blog

It’s good to get the real thing started, and good to get all the Opening Days over with, too. You’ve got the ceremonies, and things of that nature, and it’s nice for the players and the fans as well but it’s good to get down to the grind of playing.

Linkage.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

since we're quiet

except for puppies and codpieces…

any ideas on what we might get for

hill or roquet as PTBNL

What do you think this is?

a Cubs blog or something?

silly me

i know that is a ‘needle in a haystack’ sort of question,

but this place has some ridiculously knowledgeable people

It does

have some ridiculously knowledgeable people. However, we tend to get off topic on off days.

especially on off days

sometimes, we're just knowledgable about ridiculousness

i won't knock ridiculous

I won't knock codpieces

TWSS

Especially if it's a-rockin.

That's cause

it still hurts, even with the codpiece on

Like knocking on wood.

depends on the codpiece.

speaking with some authority, drew?

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

I've worn

a codpiece or two in my time. Before I was a Cubs fanatic, I was a historical re-enactor.

BCB - Your one-stop website for all codpiece information

BCB's alternate name

is Bang Codpiece: Blue

Beats Codpiece Bashing

Shh

I thought that was OUR secret.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

I'll never tell

anyone else. :P

Thats the last time I share a secret

with you…

I’m movin’ on, Drew.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

oh

I am crushed to the core…

haha

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

WOE...

Oh please don't cry Drew

You’ll never win me back like that!

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

My heart

is split in twain… Micah Hoffpauir could win you back better!

I do have a thing for

29 year old rookies.

They’re my weakness. Don’t ya know?

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

I think

Shanghai Badger is around here somewhere. I’m way past 29, and haven’t been a rookie for quite some time. :P

I'm 29

but no rookie. Do I get half credit?

do you come

with references?

Are you a Texan?

Do you bat left handed?
Can you play the OF without everyone around you praying the ball doesn’t come anywhere near you?

The application process is really difficult, you see.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

No, but I can mock the accent.

Yes.

Depends on your definition of “praying.”

You lost at the lack

of lefthandedness. I took Lou’s offseason tips to heart and made my personal lineup much more lefthanded.

Although the ability to mock the texan accent helps.

So close though.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

You misread lady.

I’m, like, totally left-handed.

I did indeed misread

Well then.. we’ll just have to see, won’t we.

LMAO

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

"We'll just have to see."

Was that a blind joke? Cos I love self-deprecating humor.

Unintended

but we’ll just go with it.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Keep on rollin...

You guys are edgy.

3 Cub fixes aren't enough

I’m back on the wagon and off days make me twitchy.

:twitch:

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Just do what I do

Chant a mantra of “Sori, Dome, DLee, Gameboard, Rami…” until the bad feelings go away.

That, or stare at pictures of Micah and sigh wistfully.

::Fires up google images and goes off to chant::

Couldn’t hurt.

:-P

later.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

But not straight edge.

That shit’s boring.

Not surprised at difficult application process

Not many can be in the majors :)

If I said yes

I’d be lying

You're not that much older than me

Good thing you're wearing a codpiece.

We know Lilly gives of homers,

I’m glad 4 came in a game where it didn’t matter. Nice start to the season.

slocs55 - April 9, 2009 reply

"Just set that down anywhere."

TWSS

“Yeah I got a Ramirez for a Rodriguez.. where do ya want him?”

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Ok this is a thought i have always wondered about....

This may have been said before but why not put the starting pitcher from the night before in the 9 spot to start each AWAY game because then if the cubs get to a point where they were last night rallying in the top of the first, they can have a pitcher like Z bat who can actually do damage or sub in any offensive player to hit

Then whether they get to the 9 spot or not you sub in your starter for the night….. I dont see any harm in this especially if u want to put a team in a HUGE hole to start the game, not just 4-0 (even though that is a good lead)

I have no idea what this even means...

why not put the starting pitcher from the night before in the 9 spot to start each

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

It means put Lilly in the 9 spot tomorrow

let him bat, and then switch him out for the “regular” starting pitcher. I’m not sure why it works, unless your previous pitcher is Z.

There's probably a rule against such a thing.

Otherwise you could theoretically announce Hoffpauir as your pitcher, let him bat ninth if such an occasion should occur (like last night) than substitute your regular pitcher for him.

As it is, the Cubs have used Z as a PH before.

It would

sort of be like having a DH for half an inning. On principles alone, I don’t like it.

Agreed.

And, like I said, there has to be some sort of rule to prevent this.

If there isn't, something tells me...

…a Cubs player or two would take a fastball to the ribs. I don’t think other teams would appreciate the move.

Indubitably.

example...

Last night have dempster in the 9 spot to start the game… even though he will never play

Then there are 2 scenarios:
1) Cubs don’t get to the 9 spot and then Lilly comes in to pitch
2) Cubs rally to the 9 spot and take dempster out for a bench player such as Micah… or if the pitcher in the ‘place holder’ spot is Z, then let him bat, and then take him out.

Plus if this works to full advantage, you can take out an every day starter right away. For instance if Hoff then batted 9th, he could then come in and play 1st and give Lee the whole day off except for 1 AB

Okay....

but I still don’t understand WHY this is something you’d want to do.

How often do you really bat around in the first inning? 2x a season? Tops?

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

not neccisarily

when you have an offense like the Cubs

Maybe

but doesn’t this then burn your best PH for later in the game?

If you just start Hoff over Lee then you have Lee in the 8th… your way means a good bat is worthless.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

oh, I see.

Of course, I cannot imagine why anyone would want to take out Lee for Hoff.

It just seems like gaming the system. That having been said, I expect LaRussa to try it next week.

its not meant to take him out....

but if you put up an 8 spot in the first…. just give him the day off

Well, one problem that comes to mind...

…is that you’re burning a bench player in the first inning, aren’t you?

and with Lou

we need all the bench players we can get!

And we know Lilly hates hitting ninth.

Imagine him not being on the lineup at all!

Molinas

the world over quiver at the thought.

Great minds, daver.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Yep.

he's been mind melding all day

well

it’s been fun, but the only baseball I get today is Max’s little-league practice. It’s COLD. Mutter.

See you all tomorrow!

Later!!

Have a good time watching your little Brewer!

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

he nearly

got a hit. As in, he actually put the bat on the ball — a sharp grounder to second. Thrown out by about a step. I took him to task for trying to slide into first, tho.

As you should -- nip that in the bud!

yeah.

actually, I’m going to post something OT about it.

Go Max's Little League Team Go

The hell, people?

I go away and it’s all “codpiece-this” and “codpiece-that” and now you’re talking baseball?

Sheesh.

That'll teach you to leave.

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Lesson learned.

Baseball...

Baseball?

Nope, doesn’t ring a bell.

But I can get a cheap laugh by quoting a movie with the best of em.

Hey!

“He stole my move!”

"I do not knick them, I borrow them."

Chris Finch, The Office

Caption:

“This won’t get you a better review on hotels.com.”

LeSaboteur - April 9, 2009 reply

Heh

Taking a look at The Crawfish Boxes’ game review thread, and the very first comment made me chuckle a little bit. They should stop by here sometime.

Well we can't hold other blogs to our high standards.

It takes skill to have nearly 600 posts for off day thread about puppies , codpieces and tragic romantic misunderstandings ( I’m rooting for you Drew).

Or it's just possible that we're all a little touched in the head.

Seriously, though, WTF am I gonna do tonight with no game on? I’m not liking the choices at the moment.

I don't think that should be an "Or"

chitownhawkeye - April 9, 2009 reply

I can't wait for BLou to show up and berate us for it.

He goes AWOL

after games where his pet theories ( Patton, Guzman and Dome being worthless carcasses paid millions by moron Hendry) take a beating. I am sure he will reappear as soon as Guzman gives up a run.

Hope he has a nice long time-out, then

Angel’s looked good in his two outings this year.

He commented on the Geo thread today

He thinks Geo should be on 15 day dl no matter what the MRI said. So he isn’t AWOL.

Too funny.

Glad you all were having fun while I was on a plane this afternoon.

Codpieces?

Off days are just a day to be a little off.

:-P

Hope you had a safe flight!!

halfblindcubbiegirl - April 9, 2009 reply

Thanks!

Arrived 20 minutes early. Can’t beat that!

Hope your luggage arrived with you.