If you are younger than, say, about 40 and have often wondered what some of those wacky Wrigley Field games in the 1970's were like when the score was 18-12, last night's entertaining 6-4, rain-shortened Cubs win over the Padres gave you a little taste of it.
Sure, neither team scored ten runs, but the six home runs hit in seven and a half innings before a ferocious thunderstorm ended play actually seemed as if it might be more when the game began; three home runs were hit in the first inning alone, with the wind officially blowing out at 14 MPH.
I can tell you that wind was far stronger than 14 MPH; during the last couple of rain events that finally got so strong that they had to hold up play for good, it was too strong to even hold up my umbrella. As noted in this FanPost from section229beer, they sent all the seat vendors home at 5:30 due to the threat of bad weather (which would have forced a Thursday doubleheader -- you would have owed me another Super Big Gulp, Jessica). I did spot at least two who stuck around, carrying the tall sticks with bags of cotton candy and kettle corn on them.
At game time it wasn't even raining -- but after Ted Lilly did his usual jog around the warning track before his bullpen warmup, he jogged back to the dugout area and the field was covered until about 7:30, for a first pitch that finally occurred at 7:40. In another "didn't we see this game last night?" occurrence, Adrian Gonzalez again gave San Diego a 2-0 lead with a first-inning homer. Unlike the previous night, though, this homer was definitely wind-aided; it would have been a routine fly ball on most days.
Not so for Alfonso Soriano's 53rd career leadoff homer (tying him with Craig Biggio for 2nd all-time) in the last of the first -- that wound up on Waveland with two of the regular ballhawks (not Ken, though) in hot pursuit. Ryan Theriot followed with his fifth homer of the year (and fifth this month, tying him for the major league lead in that category with half the month remaining). I was surprised to learn two things about that event from the cubs.com game recap:
Fun stuff. Anyway, Lilly, despite the wind, gave up only one more homer, again to Gonzalez in the sixth -- no shame there, Gonzalez, who is now tied for the major league lead with 13 homers, is San Diego's one legitimate star hitter. Ted had excellent command and struck out seven while issuing no walks, and left to a standing ovation with one out in the seventh. Angel Guzman, slowly becoming a polished setup man, finished the seventh and Carlos Marmol, though a bit shaky again with two walks as rain began to fall, allowed a run on a weird play when pinch-hitter Jody Gerut singled with runners on first and second. A run scored, but Brian Giles was caught afterward in a rundown, and then the skies unleashed a downpour. The game was finally called around 11:10, by which time most in the stands, myself included, were long gone. Kevin Gregg had started to loosen up in anticipation of coming into a ninth inning that was never played; because of the rain, Marmol wound up with his third save of the year.
It was nice to see Geovany Soto hit his first homer of the year; he also singled and is starting to hit the ball with more authority. Derrek Lee, meanwhile, made a couple of nice plays in the field, but again looked lost at the plate. He could use a day off, in my opinion. The Cubs could go into a first-place tie today if they win and the Brewers and Cardinals lose (they would then be 20-14, tied with the Reds, who have the day off).
At this writing the sun is shining and it's supposed to be around 68 degrees this afternoon with lighter winds. Let's sweep this series. The pregame thread will post at 11:30 am CDT.
0 recs | 232 comments
I hope Theriot doesnt fail any upcoming tests
Whats gotten into him this year?
bren - May 14, 2009
Puppy power?
salparadise23 - May 14, 2009
Scrappy Do would be a great nickname for him
bren - May 14, 2009
1st inning
Is it me or do the Cub starters give up a lot of first inning runs? Oh well, nice win.
Jasely - May 14, 2009
it does seem to be happening more
this year. As long as we win, all it hurts is their ERA.
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
After these last two games
I’m almost hoping the Padres score two in the first today.
neverAcquiesce - May 14, 2009
+1
WanderingWanderer - May 14, 2009
GO CUBS!!!
malicedoom - May 14, 2009
Ok I am now 6-0!
Next up is Saturday vs the Astros. I wonder how long I can keep this going!
AndHart120 - May 14, 2009
Forever, we hope!
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
That's great!
Keep it going!
slcathena - May 14, 2009
Wow that's awesome.
I’m 5-0-1 and will be there on Saturday as well. That’s a good sign for our team.
cubswynn - May 14, 2009
5-0-1?
We had a tie?
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Yeah
I was wondering the same thing.
So, if you went to a rooftop does it count? Cause you aren’t technically at the game lol
AndHart120 - May 14, 2009
Rooftops count, in my opinion.
cubswynn - May 14, 2009
Me too
It just reminded me of a joke I had going with my uncle for a while. A couple years ago he was at Wrigley and I was on the rooftop. Cubs won and he was joking it didn’t count cause I wasn’t in Wrigley lol
AndHart120 - May 14, 2009
Well I call it a tie for my personal record because...
…I went to a game and had to leave during the 3rd (girlfriend was sick). The Cubs ended up losing that game. I like to think that had I stayed we would have pulled out a win.
cubswynn - May 14, 2009
Was the game tied when you left?
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
No. It's was the middle of the 3rd, we were losing 1-0.
Lilly had just made a throwing error to first.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/wrap.jsp?ymd=20090422&content_id=4386762&vkey=wrapup2005&fext=.jsp&team=home&c_id=chc
cubswynn - May 14, 2009
Hmmm.
OK, I’ll give that one to you.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
cubswynn-
Do you find it ironic that my Theriot jersey came in yesterday? 2 more dingers :) We were talking about it before when I ordered it and hit 3 in that week!
Fishbone2 - May 14, 2009
I think it's a message from God.
cubswynn - May 14, 2009
+1 :)
Fishbone2 - May 14, 2009
I agree.
Ted Lilly has granted Theriot the ability to hit homers. As with every giveth Lilly must also taketh, so The Riot can no longer tie his own shoes.
neverAcquiesce - May 14, 2009
That depends
what kind of sick? Even if we give you the tie, you may lose a BCB point. j/k, it’s probably TMI if you tell us.
tony412 - May 14, 2009
Haha.
Well that was the first game I have EVER left early. I was not happy.
It was a legit sick, not a “too much to drink sick.”
cubswynn - May 14, 2009
Last year....
with how good the home record was, I was something like 13-11. Figure that one out!
AndHart120 - May 14, 2009
I have a Cubs shirt
that is 5-0. Broke it out in Milwaukee on Sunday. Should have worn it on Sat. as well I suppose.
Slakkr - May 14, 2009
Im doing the same thing! lol
1st game I went to was the game up in Milwaukee when Soriano homered in the 9th to take the lead. I was wearing an 80’s blue road jersey.
Next game was the home opener so I decided to go with a Lee home jersey . Have worn that to each game since, so I also have a 5-0 record for something. If a loss happens I will switch to another but I swear i am not supersititious!
AndHart120 - May 14, 2009
I'm 5-0 all-time
I’m likely going to a game in San Diego and Los Angeles in August, and San Francisco in September.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 14, 2009
Excellent
Three more wins!
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
After seeing the Cubs beat San Diego in 1989,
I’ve watched the Cubs beat the following teams:
New York Mets (April 2004)
St. Louis Cardinals (July 2006)
Milwaukee Brewers (June 2007)
Chicago White Sox (June 2008)
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 14, 2009
So, you'll have two new teams...
… LA and SF… to add to your list later this year.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
I scouted SF
While I was there in early May, right before the Cubs and Giants played each other. SF depends largely on the small ball, and has trouble getting a timely hit, too.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 14, 2009
The Cubs will likely face Lincecum in September...
… since it’s a 4-game series. Hopefully, they can win the other three, at least.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
That would mean beating Randy Johnson
most likely. I predict this is the year it happens.
Not Bruce Froemming - May 14, 2009
about time.
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
Do we like the new Theriot
I predict his strike outs will rise, his hitting stroke has already changed.
I wonder if we will miss his inside-outing swing and hits into right field.
Cub Fan Mike - May 14, 2009
He needs to do both, depending on the situation.
As long as he can keep his average somewhere around .290-.300, he’ll be fine with the added power.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Strikeouts have gone up
Over his career, Theriot has walked more (153) than he has struck out (149). But so far this year, he’s got 13 walks to 21 strikeouts (on pace for 103 strikeouts, 45 more than last year). In my opinion, though, I’ll take some extra strikeouts if he can show us some power and keep his average near .290 or above.
Sobenergy - May 14, 2009
Theriots HRs
were pop flies that the wind took. They barely cleared the wall, and without the wind, they are most likely in the LFers glove.
Not saying I would give them back, but I wonder if Theriot has learned how to use the wind at WF and know when to loft one up and when not to.
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Interesting thought.
You may be right.
kanderber - May 14, 2009
Well, he's never hit a homerun on the road.
12 career homers – all at Wrigley. Though I doubt he’s mastered hitting the ball with the wind, I find it interesting he’s never put one over the fence on the road.
Bill Potter - May 14, 2009
Interesting.
There have to be parks that would be suitable for a guy with his type of line-drive power.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
I would hope he could turn on a pitch in Houston
The Crawford Boxes are only 310 feet away or so. With his power, it’s only a matter of time before he hits one on the road I suppose.
I wonder, too, how much this surge is destroying the BCB community projection for Theriot.
Bill Potter - May 14, 2009
Not just the projection,
but also the opinion. Mine included.
N Oakley - May 14, 2009
that short fence
in Houston. Except he’s only just started pulling the ball.
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
plus the wall is much higher than at WF IIRC
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
according to Wikipedia
they’re 19 feet tall.
Bill Potter - May 14, 2009
when you play 81 at home
you should learn how to use your home field and its conditions to your advantage.
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Changing your swing to fit the conditions usually is seen as a bad idea, though
Shanghai Badger - May 14, 2009
The Good-
Ted Lilly impresses more and more. At one point, late in his start, he had thrown 67 strikes to 18 balls. As has been mentioned here before, I like the fact that we have competetive athletes as starting pitchers.
The Bad-
Carlos Marmol really needs to work more efficiently. He’s throwing way too many pitches per inning due to his sporadic control.
The Ugly-
Lee looks so bad. There doesnt’ look to be any strength in his swing, and he moved really slowly on that bloob over his head in the 7th. His playing hurt is not helping the team. If he isn’t playing hurt…. yikes!
Slakkr - May 14, 2009
Lilly has been the most consistent starter all year...
… and his 1.05 WHIP ranks 7th in the NL.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
I think Lilly has proven...
that this is the real him. He has been our most consistent pitcher the past few years.
HIGGY - May 14, 2009
Agreed
It’s a bummer he never got to pitch vs LA in October.
Slakkr - May 14, 2009
Lilly reminded me of Maddux last night
with how he was working the counts, controlling and placing his pitches well
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Lilly really impressed
last night. His strike to ball ratio was incredible!
gwood - May 14, 2009
I keep defending Lee that if
healthy, he needs his at bats to get things started. However, he looks hurt to me.
N Oakley - May 14, 2009
+25
I think it is time to DL Lee, and allow his neck ample time to trule rest
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Hope it's just his neck
If he isn’t hurt, we have to face the fact that he’s in decline as a player. Hate to see it when a guy is just 34, but sometimes it happens. Dale Murphy comes to mind.
danimal15 - May 14, 2009
Murphy, though, wasn't injured, just old.
At least there’s an explanation for Lee’s decline — injury. And we haven’t even mentioned the wrist injury, which probably took away some of his power.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Wrist
Good point, Al. I was just noting that Murphy started to be no good around the time he was 33 or 34, and you’re right, there was no injury. Some players just start to decline earlier than you’d expect, so if it isn’t injury that’s causing Lee not to hit, maybe he’s just one of those early decliners.
danimal15 - May 14, 2009
Well, there's the wrist injury AND the neck and back problems.
I still think if he’d take two weeks off on the DL and rest it, maybe get some treatment, he’d come back stronger, instead of just trying to play through it.
If the Cubs didn’t have a capable backup, I could understand this. But they do.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
exactly
take 15 days or so, rest up, and come back ready to produce
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
If he is hurt...
…I would guess he doesn’t want to go on the DL at a time when Aram is already on there.
cubswynn - May 14, 2009
but if unable to produce
what difference does it make? better to get well, instead of running the risk of making a minor injury a much larger issue
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Completely agree...
…but you know how professional athletes can be.
cubswynn - May 14, 2009
just as stubborn
as non professional athletes
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Hate To Beat a Dieing Horse But --
Unfortunatley, there are not too many positives about DLee’s hitting right now. His struggles are further magnified by Lou’s determination to bat him in the middle of the order. Lee has not shown any of the potent bat he once had.
Injury? Age? Whatever the reason, he continues a trend that started last season.
His inability to catch up with a really good fastball; his lack of an aggressive approach at the plate ( something that he had in the past ); his seeming lack of ability to recognize outside pitches that he should either be laying off or attempting to hit the opposite way ( again something that he previously did on a regular basis ).
If he is injured, he should be on the DL. If he refuses to admit that an injury or poor health is the underlying cause, then he has a bigger problem. I can’t and do not want to believe that he refuses to sit down because his ego would be hurt. But he is hurting the team if he continues to face the facts.
Ask yourself a simple question — who would you want to see at the plate with the chance to drive in a needed run or two — Lee or Hoffpauir?
As I suggested a few days ago, put Lee on the DL, bring up Jake Fox and platoon him with Hoff.
The current situation cannot continue as is.
ceegeewow - May 14, 2009
Lou is slow to act
Look at how he played Fukudome so much, even in the playoffs, instead of RJ.
I suspect he will require more evidence of Lee’s decline/injury before that happens. But it really needs to happen.
dr stabbingworth - May 14, 2009
his doctors
and there are more than one, I’m sure, say he doesn’t need to be on the DL.
What he needs to do is see live pitching. You can’t do that in batting practice.
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
If he needs to "play it out"....
…he needs to be dropped in the order. He’s killing us at cleanup.
carmen_fanzone - May 14, 2009
I got
no problem with that.
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
i second that motion
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
and yet, I'll bet you a shiny nickle
That if he’s in the lineup today, he’ll be batting cleanup. Lou seems extremely stubborn when it comes to Lee
WanderingWanderer - May 14, 2009
You are assuming that rest will help fix the problem...
What if it’s a situation where rest won’t help, but surgery is too risky? Isn’t that a possibility?
If going on the DL would help, you’d think that the trainers and doctors would have said so by now.
SouthernCub - May 14, 2009
Maybe the spain reporter
that posts video fanshots here often can ask him for us?
tony412 - May 14, 2009
What I don't get
is why he is trying to pull everything. Shouldn’t Gerald and Lou be drilling right and right-center into him by now.
I don’t think I have seen a pitcher throw Derrek anything other than breaking balls low and away. If he expects to see pitches to drive, he needs to take the low and away breaking ball away from the pitcher, until then he is going to struggle mightily.
gwood - May 14, 2009
See my post below this...
i dont think it is that easy – he just needs to trust that an outside pitch swung at properly will go to right.
HIGGY - May 14, 2009
When Lee was having his monster year in 2005...
… he used to be able to turn on inside pitches and drive them. It’s likely that the neck & back problems are preventing him from doing that.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Exactly what I'm assuming.
Hard to turn on a ball if it causes sharp pain.
N Oakley - May 14, 2009
And it was on a double to left-center in St. Louis
that set the spasms in motion this season.
Bill Potter - May 14, 2009
I think at the plate he is pressing...
When i player presses he tries to pull everything (see Soto), and yesterday that slow dribble he hit to short was a perfect example of it. That pitch was a good few inches outside and he rolled it to short.
Lee is probably player hurt, but i agree with Al, take a day or two off. Hoff is showing he is capable.
HIGGY - May 14, 2009
Agreed.
Today, vs. Gaudin, would be a good day to give Hoffpauir a start.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Yup, especially with a day game
after that on and off affair of last night.
N Oakley - May 14, 2009
Day of rest
Lou said in the post game presser that he would rest some guys today. I imagine we’ll see Hoffpauir at 1B and Miles either at 2B or SS.
dmlichte - May 14, 2009
Maybe Scales will get a start today.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
You mean Booby Scales?
tony412 - May 14, 2009
Sure!
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
He's to fast to be a boob
northernsails - May 14, 2009
But adding the "y"
at the end makes it sound so much faster
gwood - May 14, 2009
I'll be hanging in the balance waiting to see if that happens...
ballhawk - May 14, 2009
+100 on Scales
That man has earned another start.
N Oakley - May 14, 2009
I know it was a typo
but I submit that any hit that should have been caught henceforth be called a “bloob.” Heh.
Also, who all besides myself shut the TV off and went to bed when the tarp came out in the 8th?
thermal54 - May 14, 2009
"Bloob"...
… hereby added to the BCB dictionary.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
My bad...
Lee played the “bloop” like a “bloob”
Slakkr - May 14, 2009
Batting Stance
Is it me or does it look like his stance isn’t as open as in the past? (standing more upright) I remember years back Lee talking in an interview about changing his stance slightly when things weren’t going right to see if something works better. Doesn’t seem to be doing that anymore.
AndHart120 - May 14, 2009
YES IT DOES....
Appear that there is something very wrong with D. LEE . Even my wife a huge LEE fan admitted it last night . THey have to seek another medical opinion .
cubs north - May 14, 2009
+ 2nd opinion
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Good stuff Al.
It’s recaps like this that I keep coming back.
lemon20pie - May 14, 2009
Thanks!
That was some nasty storm that went through here last night.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
that storm that caused the 4 min. delay
came through the NW suburbs about 20 min. prior in similar fashion. I knew they wouldn’t even get the tarp down.
thermal54 - May 14, 2009
Gordo's twitter's
during the rain delay were entertaining. Mostly because I couldn’t watch the game though.
gwood - May 14, 2009
+1
DudeVf11 - May 14, 2009
Agreed. One of Al's best this year.
dtpollitt - May 14, 2009
Listening to Pat and Ron last night on a staticy radio one of the funniest lines had to be
had to be that Lilly was standing on the top step waiting to run back out there and it was the shortest rain delay in Wrigleys history per Pat Hughes.
Ted can stop rain delays!
Madison Cub Fan - May 14, 2009
I heard that too
I think he brought on the rain, just so he can stop it. He’s simply amazing.
tony412 - May 14, 2009
Those 1970s games
I remember them well. Seems like we had a lot more of those crazy, high-scoring games back then. Maybe the wind blew out more often. Or maybe it was the fact that there were only day games – the ball might not travel as well at night. Anyway, the 16-15 game vs. the Reds and the 23-22 game vs. the Phils are the ones that stick out for me. And of course the game where Mike Schmidt hit 4 home runs (I think he hit them off both Rick and Paul Reuschel).
danimal15 - May 14, 2009
Ball travels better in day games
There’s probably some truth to that, for two reasons:
*The ground is warmer in the day, due to the sun’s radiation being absorbed. This causes rising air currents.
*The sun causes the wind to blow harder (exception being a stormy night). In the summer, I suspect the wind blows out more than in. But I don’t have data handy.
In April and May, forget all the above. More likely a noreaster blowing in off the Lake.
thermal54 - May 14, 2009
However...
… some April & May games back in the ‘70s were played on those windy/warm days when the temperature got unseasonably warm. Here’s one from April 22, 1980. (OK, so it wasn’t in the 70’s, but close enough.) Look at the game time temperature.
There’s one other factor that can make the ball jump: humidity.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
April 22, 1980
I still remember exactly where I was that day when DeJesus got the final hit he needed for the cycle. Riding in my mom’s car turning onto Pine Grove from Addison.
Only the weirdest weather can explain Ivan DeJesus hitting for the cycle. And of course, this was the day that Barry Foote will always remember.
danimal15 - May 14, 2009
That was the game
that Brick labeled “One of the greatest games ever.” Then and there, I knew it was time for him to hang up the mic. Hoo boy. Oh brother.
thermal54 - May 14, 2009
The Cubs were 6-3 after that win...
… and people walked out of the park like they had just won the World Series.
It was all downhill from there in 1980 — that team lost 98 games. Incidentally, of the six homers that day, each team had three. For the Cardinals, two of them were hit by players who would become Cubs the next year (Bobby Bonds and Ken Reitz) and the other was from pitcher Bob Forsch.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Does anyone else remember
Barry Foote, after his game-winning homer, running over to the first row by the dugout and hugging his wife? I swear I remember that, and I’m assuming it was that day (how many walk-off homers could Foote have had? I assume that was his only one).
danimal15 - May 14, 2009
Thanks to...
… baseball-reference.com, we can answer questions like that.
Here is Foote’s HR log. He hit 57 career homers. That was his only walkoff.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Foote
Interesting to see he hit homers off of some great pitchers such as Steve Carlton, Tom Seaver and Bruce Sutter. Something for him to tell the grandkids about.
danimal15 - May 14, 2009
1980 Cubs
Actually, they were 22-22 as late as June 3. Which means they went 42-76 the rest of the way. Not good.
danimal15 - May 14, 2009
Kingman
That was the year I think Kingman poured a bucket of water on a reporter in the clubhouse.
Later in his career, Kingman once threw someone off his boat into shark-infested waters. I’m not making this up.
danimal15 - May 14, 2009
No, you're not, and I know that person.
She was a TV producer/director I once worked with, who was working on a show about Kingman.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
He was a tempermental fellow
I wonder what ticked him off enough to throw her in the water?
danimal15 - May 14, 2009
I think he was just a jerk.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
However
He posed nicely for everyone on photo day at Wrigely in 1978 and 1979.. The crowds around him were tremendous.
danimal15 - May 14, 2009
What do you do for a living, Al?
Cubs and Hawks fan - May 14, 2009
I'm a television director.
Have posted about this many times on this site.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Good to see Soto get his 1st HR last year...
even if it was wind aided. That has to be a relief off his back.
kanderber - May 14, 2009
With how far up the stands that landed
I think it would have made it out even without the wind.
gwood - May 14, 2009
MY WIFE A BIG GEO FAN.....
Said he has to be ready to whack one,,,,,She got up to answer the phone…..He whacked one and much needed one ………….
cubs north - May 14, 2009
TWSS?
Although I guess that’s what she actually said.
redward - May 14, 2009
I was playing Soriano in left-center.
so I had a great view of the ball bouncing off the big yellow brick building and heading back across the street. Bit of a mad dash for it, including a passing cyclist, but when the dust settled, ballhawk dave ended up with it.
ballhawk - May 14, 2009
C'mon tell the truth
you were in the middle of a tweet
tony412 - May 14, 2009
Nope, I make it a rule to tweet only when lefthanders and pitchers are up
oh, and David Eckstein too…
ballhawk - May 14, 2009
last year, you could say
“and theriot”.
tim815 - May 14, 2009
Thanks for the update!
The last we saw of it, Mo had a bead on it, but it looked like it kept bouncing.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
oh, and btw, congrats to Al on his ballhawking exploits last night
Al proudly showed me a baseball last night that he snagged during batting practice. Now if you ask him, he’ll tell you that he just found it in the bleachers on the way to his seat last night.
Truth is though, Al was a madman. I think it was Soriano who lifted a long fly ball that ended up in the seats. In one violent flurry of actions, Al flung off his backpack, knocked over Miriam, shoved two security guards out of the way, and dove headlong down four rows of bleachers to snatch it away from little Bobby Jacobson from Skokie who was at his very first Cubs game…
Attaboy, Al – you’re officially a ballhawk now! ;-)
ballhawk - May 14, 2009
Thanks!
But really, I did just pick it up on the way to my seat.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Bobby Jacobson?
Isnt he the handicapped child who just turned 4 last week
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
No, no.
he’s the brother of Billy, the blind kid in 4C.
Bill Potter - May 14, 2009
Pretty bird... Pretty bird.
Fishbone2 - May 14, 2009
I was able to make
twenty-five extra bucks before we left.
neverAcquiesce - May 14, 2009
Howd' you do that?
sold some things.
things?
yeah. things.
Fishbone2 - May 14, 2009
that movie was horrifying
just an excuse to put Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey in the same room a lot.
northernsails - May 14, 2009
You're being serious?
I laughed a bit just thinking that it existed and that I’ve seen it about 12,000+ times.
chilango2 - May 14, 2009
Amen.
My brother and I could quote that in full to this day.
neverAcquiesce - May 14, 2009
Brutally serious.
Sorry to say that I couldn’t find anything funny about it. Just not my kind of movie.
And keep in mind I laughed out loud ever time I saw Ace Ventura.
northernsails - May 14, 2009
My regular crew in left field caught Theriot's second homerun.
cubswynn - May 14, 2009
Congrats!
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
D Lee
Lee doesnt need a day off, he needs to go to Iowa to get his stroke back…. that wont happen, but it should
LouPrules - May 14, 2009
Why? What good would that do?
cubswynn - May 14, 2009
agreed
Two weeks of rest likely would do a lot more good.
elgato - May 14, 2009
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
Why does Smokey need pants
while the youngsters don’t?
neverAcquiesce - May 14, 2009
do not question the mysteries
of the Forest.
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
Reminds me of Donald Duck
Why does he wrap a towel around his waist when he gets out of the shower? He never wears pants anyways.
jkobus - May 14, 2009
Stand by Me
Yeah…what the hell is Goofy?
neverAcquiesce - May 14, 2009
I certainly will
when there’s obvious bear-pedaphilia going on.
neverAcquiesce - May 14, 2009
game stopped early vs. game postponed
Hi Cubs fan, got a questions for you. Sometimes when it rains a game is stopped in progress and finished later, but sometimes (like last night) they just stop playing and whoever is winning, wins the game. Does anyone know how they decide what to do?
HoosierFan - May 14, 2009
The only way...
… a game gets suspended and finished later, is if it is tied when the game is stopped.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Or...
…when a visiting team starts the inning trailing, then takes the lead and that inning is not completed.
okiecubbie - May 14, 2009
Discussed in my section last night...
We were curious about the largest height difference between a pitcher and a batter who hit a home run off them. Not necessarily coming up with certainties…just stuff like, “I wonder if Augie Ojeda ever hit a homer off Randy Johnson.”
JCD - May 14, 2009
Good question
Too bad Eddie Gaedel didn’t homer. That would have easily been the record.
danimal15 - May 14, 2009
This isn't a height record, but...
… Craig Grebeck, who was 5-7 and had about as much power as Theriot, hit his first major league home run off Nolan Ryan on August 10, 1990, a real unlikely HR off a power pitcher.
Check out the boxscore to see who else homered in that game.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Good find.
Ozzie also had one off of Nolan that day. Not one of Ryan’s better outings. He still had one more no-hitter left to throw, however.
danimal15 - May 14, 2009
Soto's Left Hand?!
I know he hit the ball well last night (and even the night before with a line drive up the middle) but what’s the deal with Soto’s left hand?
It dates back to September of 2008 (which he hit only .241) with an x-ray that came up negative, but Brenly is always quick to point out how his hand often flys off the bat after a swing and Pinella has had to address the issue, but vaguely.
Soto’s a HUGE part of this team and I want to see him in there as much as possible, but I’ve begun to worry about this as much as his shoulder.
wrigley's ivy - May 14, 2009
I remember Theriot's first two-homer game.
Dusty didn’t care for it much as he promptly inserted Neifi and some other garbage back into the lineup the next day. At the time this created fan forum topic headings such as “Crazy idea: play Theriot” with full knowledge that Dusty would never consider such a thing. I view it as the start of a real pattern of Cubs AAA talent being stunted by coaches and management. Now we’ve got a bunch of 28-30 yr old rookies and sophomores that are finally getting their shot with most of their good years behind them.
Jerry Mumphrey - May 14, 2009
Dusty had something against Theriot
I never could figure it out. He definitely preferred Neifi, and guys like Bynum and Cedeno seemed to be higher on the depth chart. Although, in Dusty’s defense, Theriot wasn’t considered an option at short at that point.
elgato - May 14, 2009
Not to correct you guys...
But in all honesty Dusty struggled with Theriot because he honestly thought he was a home run hitter. I witnessed an argument between Dusty, Clines, and Theriot over whether Theriot was a home run hitter or not. Clines tried everything to get Theriot to hit like he has been, but for whatever reason Theriot wanted to hit home runs.
HIGGY - May 14, 2009
really?
elgato - May 14, 2009
No joke.
It was pretty interesting, and when Lou took over i assumed (please note making an assumption here i did not witness or know of this) he told Theriot you are not a home run hitter, you change, or you dont play kinda thing. Then Theriot totally changed his approach – that is my guess.
In 2006 the coaching staff was not a big fan of Theriot anyway, so i dont know how much that factored into it.
HIGGY - May 14, 2009
you would think Dusty
would want him swinging for the fences, so he would not be walked
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
aye
makes sense to me. Getting on base was NEVER a Dusty thing. All-or-nothing certainly was.
northernsails - May 14, 2009
He did, as it says above.
Jerry Mumphrey - May 14, 2009
I seem to recall Theriot and Fontenot talking about being overlooked
in the minors as a result of their small stature. I wish I could find the source of that.
dr stabbingworth - May 14, 2009
It's hard not to overlook em.
Get it? Cos they’re short.
neverAcquiesce - May 14, 2009
where/how did you witness this conversation?
elgato - May 14, 2009
Don't clog the bases.
Don’t hit homeruns.
What’s a Theriot to do?
neverAcquiesce - May 14, 2009
According to HIGGY, Dusty wanted him to hit for power.
Jerry Mumphrey - May 14, 2009
No other way around...
Dusty didnt want him to hit for power – Theriot wanted to be a power hitter.
HIGGY - May 14, 2009
neither wanted to see Walks in the box score
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Al,
Did Soriano’s home run go near you? It looked from the sports highlights that it went out over the left-field bleachers.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 14, 2009
It did...
… went out on the street, clearing the section just next to ours.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Wonder if Ken was around
His Tweeter didn’t mention his location.
chilango2 - May 14, 2009
Look above in this thread...
… for Ken’s comments on Sori’s HR.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Found it
Sorry, and thanks!
chilango2 - May 14, 2009
Hey Al...
Can I get Aaron Miles’ new nickname put in the BCB dictionary?
Pepe Lepew…because he stinks.
northernsails - May 14, 2009
LOL
Sure, add it if you want.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Great. It's up
in part II
northernsails - May 14, 2009
Good to see
the pen starting to straighten a few things out. If Guzman, Heilman, Marmol and Gregg can be solid, my worries about he pen will be lessened.
On the broadcast the otherday Brenley said Marshall could end up relieving and Wells might stay a starter to have another lefty in the bullpen when Z is back. I like Marshall as a starter, any thoughts there?
slocs55 - May 14, 2009
Guz is looking better and better...
he is throwing hard and making the hitters guess a lot. Good to see!!!
HIGGY - May 14, 2009
I like him as a starter as well
but I like him even more coming out of the pen, where his immense versatility and the fact that he’s a lefty that can actually get lefties out will be immensely helpful. It’s also a nice idea in that it gives Wells more of an opportunity to continue proving himself as a starter.
northernsails - May 14, 2009
I think putting Marshall in the pen
will be a mistake.
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
+1
He has been consistently getting better each start
jkobus - May 14, 2009
I agree
I think Marshall has the stuff and the mental makeup to be a solid 3 or 4 starter in the majors, I’d rather find another lefty for the bullpen…maybe a Scott Eyre type.
I was looking at his baseball reference, which I think a lot of guys on here go to and is reliable, Eyre is listed as 6’1 160lbs. Maybe when he was in high school…
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eyresc01.shtml
slocs55 - May 14, 2009
Super Big Gulp?
Haven’t upgraded to the Double Gulp yet? I remember when I worked at Blockbuster I always grabbed one for my 9-5 Sunday shift. I knew the 7-11 guy and he’d only charge the refill price of 69 cents. That thing would last most of the day and cause roughly seven trips to the bathroom.
I was fiddling around last night with MLBN in the background and couldn’t believe it when it popped up “Theriot 2-2, 2HR.” Toireht lives!
neverAcquiesce - May 14, 2009
Double Gulp...
… WAY too much to drink!
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
If anything good came of the first rain delay
and it was watching Lou’s press conference and him calling Paul Sullivan “a leg man.”
Len and Bob then called Mr. Sullivan on it when he was on air with them during the delay – he turned a nice shade of red.
Bill Potter - May 14, 2009
not a big fan of Sullivan myself
or anyone else in the Trib/Times, for that matter. Very underwhelming lot.
northernsails - May 14, 2009
Sullivan especially
He seems to hate his job. I wonder what the players think of him.
dr stabbingworth - May 14, 2009
No Doctor,
Sullivan just hates the Cubs and the culture surrounding the team. I don’t think he hates being a “journalist” per se. He just hates his beat with every fiber of his being.
chilango2 - May 14, 2009
LINEUPS!
Sori
Riot
Dome (rf)
Hoff (1b)
Soto
Cliff “Reed Johnson” Lenovo (cf)
SCALES (3b)
Miles
Demp
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
Beat me to it
Like seeing scales get a start
jkobus - May 14, 2009
Would be convienient if the Bradley suspension could come in today...
and that is was reduced to a game.
Fishbone2 - May 14, 2009
Why oh why
does Pinella hate losing? Cant he just play Fontenot just a BIT more often than Pepe Lepew?
northernsails - May 14, 2009
Err...
hate *winning.
not “losing”
northernsails - May 14, 2009
Fontenot has been pretty bad lately
I don’t have a problem with him getting the day off.
And thank God that Hoffpauir is starting and not Lee. At least we have a chance for some production from the 1B position today.
kanderber - May 14, 2009
What is
“Things I wouldn’t have believed at the start of the season.”
neverAcquiesce - May 14, 2009
eh
having Hoff spot-start for Lee is an appropriate use of a power-hitter off the bench.
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
I understand and agree with that
I just didn’t think it’d come to choosing Hoff over Lee.
neverAcquiesce - May 14, 2009
after all, it is
a tough right handed pitcher on the mound.
tim815 - May 14, 2009
At what point do you...
consider Hoff the better option on a day to day basis? Assuming he continues to outperform Lee? A month from now? The ASB? September? Never?
kanderber - May 14, 2009
even Mike Fontenot
needs rest from time to time.
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
Agreed
but Miles still stinks. Even moreso than Fontenot right now.
northernsails - May 14, 2009
gotta play the depth chart we got.
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
i wonder...
do you think scales can play mid-infield?
northernsails - May 14, 2009
he's a second-baseman
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
Oh.
I thought he played third. My bad.
northernsails - May 14, 2009
He does today
Shanghai Badger - May 14, 2009
could be worse
we could have kept Gathright and started him today in CF
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
I bow to your logic
although that would’ve allowed me to continue to call him “Cable”
northernsails - May 14, 2009
He's no Theriot
There can be only one
dr stabbingworth - May 14, 2009
and I think
this is a pretty good lineup. I would have put Scales at 2b, but I wonder if Freel’s hamstring isn’t really better yet.
drewishdrewid - May 14, 2009
BOBBY SCALES!
My new favorite player. If he can keep any sort of success up like this til the all-star break, he’s gonna be my jersey purchase this year.
dtpollitt - May 14, 2009
Bobby Scales is to 2009, as
Augie Ojeda is to 2003
dr stabbingworth - May 14, 2009
You're drunk early today Dan.
santoswoodenlegs - May 14, 2009
Can you ever be drunk too early?
jkobus - May 14, 2009
It's
5 o’clock somewhere, so no
gwood - May 14, 2009
THE ANSWER IS NO.
dtpollitt - May 14, 2009
is this like jeopardy?
ok i will take a chance
Is Braun the most classy individual ever to wear a MLB uniform?
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
or still drunk
from last night
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
It's finals week.
2 down, 1 to go. No booze, but I’ve had about 11 red bulls or Monsters in the last 4 days.
dtpollitt - May 14, 2009
still waiting
on the PTBNL from baltimore and oakland
i’m sure they’ll be drek, but i’m still waiting.
tim815 - May 14, 2009
Is it sad that MLB still hasnt ruled on Bradely?
jkobus - May 14, 2009
About as sad as Milton not playing today.
C’mon Lou!
cubswynn - May 14, 2009
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