I told BCB reader dat cub fan daver, who joined us in the bleachers for today's 11-3 Cubs blowout of the Padres, that "now you have to come back every day!"
It was that kind of day, as the Cubs swept a really bad Padres team and won their fourth in a row. Walks did most of the damage, as the Cubs drew four straight walks in the fifth inning and five that inning in all, sending eleven men to the plate and scoring six runs on only three hits. One of the hits was a two-run double by Bobby Scales, who sent another ball to the wall in the sixth. He drove in four runs in all and is hitting .444 in his brief major league career. He has now hit in all six games in which he's played, the longest streak by a Cub to start a career since Jerome Walton hit in his first seven games in 1989.
This isn't to say that Scales could win a Rookie of the Year award like Walton did (and we'd hope his career doesn't end as poorly as Jerome's), but this is a wonderful story. You already know the details of Bobby's 11-year minor league odyssey and the fact that he's only still in the majors due to the injury to Aramis Ramirez. If he keeps playing like this in A-Ram's absence, the Cubs will have some choices to make when Aramis returns. Not only is Scales playing well, but his positive attitude has to be rubbing off on his teammates. What a terrific story he is; you can't help but root for him, as I think everyone loves underdogs who succeed.
It wasn't just Scales today; Kosuke Fukudome also had two hits, as did Aaron Miles and Reed Johnson, and the Cubs drew ten walks off ex-Cub Chad Gaudin and three relievers (finally, Bud Black sent closer Heath Bell to the mound, and he didn't walk anyone). It was a close game till the fifth inning, with yet another Adrian Gonzalez homer tying the game at one in the fourth. This one made Sheffield (yes, this time for sure), although it probably wouldn't have on any other day. Today, the wind was blowing out to RF at a higher reported speed (16 MPH) than last night, but perhaps due to the lower humidity, the balls weren't carrying as much as they were last night. Gonzalez, who is now leading the major leagues with 14 homers, had the only dinger today.
On a beautiful, sunny, mid-60's afternoon, the kind we just don't get enough of in mid-May in Chicago, Ryan Dempster's pitching was as gorgeous as the weather. He had command of all his pitches, walked only two, and allowed just two hits apart from Gonzalez's homer. He won his third game of the year and lowered his ERA to 4.65 (still not great, but a third of a run cut off the 4.98 he entered the game with). Dempster also had two hits, including a sixth-inning RBI double that nearly wound up in the left-field seats. Jose Ascanio threw the last two innings, and apart from one mistake which Drew Macias deposited in the right-field bleachers, pitched well. He also had his first major league at-bat in the bottom of the eighth, which resulted, as you might imagine from a relief pitcher, in a strikeout.
My dad, who is 87 years old and in town this weekend, hadn't been to a Cubs game in probably 20 years, since I last brought him to the bleachers. He bought Jessica's tickets and enjoyed himself. I told him that he, too, needed to come back tomorrow, with the big win.
Leftover oddity from last night's game: San Diego's Duaner Sanchez (who got pounded today) had been announced to pitch the bottom of the 8th for the Padres, since their previous pitcher, Luke Gregerson, was removed for a pinch hitter in the top of the inning. Sanchez never threw a pitch because of the rain, but he is credited with an appearance.
Finally, I want to add my disgust over MLB's handling of the Milton Bradley suspension appeal. While the suspension was reduced to one game, the Cubs weren't notified until after today's game was already in progress; since Bradley was sitting on a scheduled day off today, he will have to serve the suspension tomorrow and miss the opener against Houston. I thought that in the case of the incidental contact made, that any suspension at all was not justified and probably made on Bradley's reputation rather than on the specific incident. To not eliminate the suspension is a slap in the face to the Cubs and Bradley. Fortunately, others have stepped up during the time Milton has been off, and Reed Johnson had a nice day today with two hits, so he can play CF again tomorrow vs. the Astros while Kosuke Fukudome, also hot, can play another game in RF. The Brewers beat the Marlins again today, so they are temporarily in first place, half a game ahead of the Cubs, who are currently tied with the Cardinals and Reds, pending the outcome of the Reds/Diamondbacks game tonight.
Onward to tomorrow and let's keep it going against the Astros (Astros, again?).
0 recs | 214 comments
First!!! Lets keep it rollin
Cubz24 - May 14, 2009
Nice recap
enjoy every minute with him!!!! Nice win and go cubbies!!!
cubsluver22 - May 14, 2009
+1
thats great he had fun, and I hope he returns to more games.
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Unfortunately...
… probably not (he lives in California), but I’m glad he was able to make this one.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
It's so great you had time with your Dad at a Cubs game
what a wonderful memory
Emelie - May 14, 2009
And I only charged Al's dad a 50% mark up on the tickets
Vs my usual 100%. If you can’t help your friends who can you help ?
Doggie Stalker - May 14, 2009
MB suspension is crap
but we are winning, and another day off for him might not be a bad thing. It allows him legs to stay fresh, while letting RJ get some playing time. RJ is having limited action due to Dome, Sori and MB all playing well, and getting back to back games should be good for him.
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Any insight as to why this took so long?
Seems like it was fairly cut and dry… why did this take forever to work out?
AndrewJStone - May 14, 2009
my guess
two unions and bud trying to come to an agreement.
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
I'd go so far as to say
it was Bud’s idea all along to delay the decision until today’s game started. He is, after all, the former owner of the Milwaukee Brewers.
northernsails - May 14, 2009
Selig
has enough faults, do we really need to make stuff up?
Allie - May 14, 2009
+1
Shanghai Badger - May 14, 2009
The only thing about Bud Selig I've ever found funny
was at the Miller Time Pub in the Milwaukee Hilton. As you can tell, it’s a Miller-friendly establishment.
Behind the bar, there’s a photo of Bud Selig. Below the photo is a plaque. It says: “This is the ONLY Bud we serve here!”
Not Bruce Froemming - May 14, 2009
Stayed there
last weekend and laughed at that sign. I was surprised that people could still smoke in that bar. It hasn’t been that long, but seems like forever since I have seen patrons smoking inside anywhere.
Slakkr - May 15, 2009
Wisconsin...
… is currently debating a statewide no-smoking law which, if passed, would take effect sometime in 2010.
Al Yellon - May 15, 2009
Thankfully Madison and a variety of the surrounding areas has one.
Madison Cub Fan - May 15, 2009
I'm troubled by the fact MB didn't serve the 2 game ban...
…while he was injured. I understand he was trying to make a point by saying he appealed “on principle”, but now the team suffers, and what point did he make?
calicubfan - May 14, 2009
He made his point, which was...
… that the suspension was unjustified. They heard him, I am sure, loud & clear.
I think the Cubs can beat the Astros tomorrow without Milton.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Still, don't you agree...
…that the team would have been better off if Milton swallowed his pride and served the ban while he was sitting already? Whether the team can beat Houston without him or not, they still won’t have him, and they would have if he served it.
calicubfan - May 14, 2009
Well, maybe.
But since that didn’t happen, let’s just make the best of it. If the Cubs win tomorrow, no harm done to the team.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
and can you predict how Milton would have acted these last few weeks if he had indeed swallowed his pride...
…kept his mouth shut and served his suspension like a good little boy? I have an feeling that had he done that, it would have rankled him something fierce and in the short and long run, hurt the team more than it helped.
In a sense, we have to let Milton be Milton. Hendry did his research and knew this is what he’d be getting by signing MB. He and the Cubs did the right thing by letting Milton protest the ruling if that’s what he wanted to do.
Yes, the original two game suspension could have been served by MB sitting out games he was going to sit out anyway due to lingering injuries, instead of losing one game now that he would have played. But I’ll happily give up one game if it keeps MB in the proper frame of mind (for him) and lets him be his productive self.
ballhawk - May 14, 2009
Also
He would be losing two games pay instead of one….
LT - May 14, 2009
I agree.
Milton’s a lot like the Big Z – you just gotta let him play the game his way. Yes, there are downsides, but he brings so much good to the table that exercising a little patience is well worth it.
daver - May 15, 2009
Incidentally, Jerry Manuel...
…recently brushed caps with an umpire and he got only one game. Maybe there’s different criteria for managers.
calicubfan - May 14, 2009
after the appeal..
..Milton only got one game too.
bikemonkey - May 14, 2009
My point exactly.
It took an appeal for MB to get the same as Manuel.
calicubfan - May 14, 2009
the point
that when he’s right, he’d going to stand up for himself.
drewishdrewid - May 15, 2009
What bothers me most
is that by sitting on the decsion this long, and then not announcing it this morning before lineups were announced, he is still effectively serving two games, today and tomorrow.
Which, if I may jump to wild and unsubstantiated conclusions, is just the way they want it.
But in all seriousness, when was the last time an appeal took this long to hash out?
chitownhawkeye - May 14, 2009
If the Cubs are as pissed as everyone here is....
..the Players Union should file a grievance.
Also, when this Collective Bargaining Agreement expires, there should be language added to the new one that requires MLB to release information like this by like 8:00 in the morning so things like this don’t happen.
calicubfan - May 14, 2009
That would seem to be fair.
Or worst case, 9 AM or whenever their office opens. I would think that any rulings affecting team players should either be first thing in the morning or last thing at night the night before to allow the team the most time possible to move personnel
chitownhawkeye - May 14, 2009
Makes one wonder why the hell such a rule doesn't already exist?
calicubfan - May 14, 2009
the bud rule
whatever benefits the milwaukee franchise will be the preferred decision in disciplinary matters.
tim815 - May 14, 2009
because this way
they can screw with the players more effectively.
drewishdrewid - May 15, 2009
Well...
If such a rule were to come into existence, they could have then chosen to not announce the suspension until today.
What we don’t know is if they had all of their ducks in a row before the game started. If they did, then the Cubs have a right to be PO’d.
TheRiot Police - May 15, 2009
Four in a row.....
let’s make it 7 through the weekend.
Gotta love Bobby.
sue369 - May 14, 2009
+1
Agreed.
slcathena - May 14, 2009
So what does Lou do if Scales continues to hit? He seems like the perfect utility
bench guy. I would like to see him stay on the roster for a while. I guess it’s a good problem to have. It looks like Miles is starting to swing the bat a little too. Great series for the boys in blue!
willie mays hayes' gloves - May 14, 2009
If Scales keeps hitting...
… they will have a decision to make when Ramirez comes back.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
We have at least a month, probably to All Star Break...
… i doubt Scales, Miles and Freel will all still be equally worthwhile by then. A good problem to have in Rami’s absence.
AndrewJStone - May 14, 2009
How bout when Ramirez comes back
We move scales to second base?
Cubz24 - May 14, 2009
How bout we move him to 2nd base right now?
i’d rather the organization EAT miles contract than keep sending him to the plate 12 times a week.
santoswoodenlegs - May 14, 2009
true
but now that he is starting to hit also, and Fonty is the cold bat, then what?
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Here is where our opinions begin to seperate....
I don’t believe Miles will continue to hit, and Scales has him beat with power/speed/range/versatility.
santoswoodenlegs - May 14, 2009
as long as Scales keeps it up
as teams start getting a good scouting report on him, things could change. this is going to be an interesting race for a spot
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
I agree, Miles is really struggling right now, he brings nothing
Cubz24 - May 14, 2009
Miles is starting to hit...
He IS NOT really struggling right now… Additionally, he is a better ball player than many here give him credit for.
Jimmyeatworld - May 14, 2009
Haven't seen too much of that yet.
I’d love to see him contribute.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
I stand by calling him Pepe though
because he still stinks
northernsails - May 14, 2009
He did have two hits today...
and is contributing more than LBR at this point in time. That may change, but I consider AM to be valuable to the team as a platoon partner with LBR. I am just not convinced that LBR is an everyday guy.
Jimmyeatworld - May 14, 2009
IA
Although I’d like to see if we could get something for Miles.
drewishdrewid - May 15, 2009
Scales
It IS a great story. I am rooting for Scales to stick with the club.
wccubfan - May 14, 2009
At what position? i wouldnt trade Rami for any other 3B. The only Question really would be in 2B. HuffPuff has 1B locked down with DLee sucking it up bid time. SS is theriots. Koyie Hill is unfortunately doing beter than Geo (i knew i shouldnt havebought a Geo jersey :(, hes been crappy since that time). Miles isnt worth it to me.
Sidenote for curiosity sake: what happened to Jim Edmonds? i didnt hear anyting about him during the off season but he was one of my favs last year.
CubsFanInWisconsin - May 14, 2009
Scales only really projects as a utility player unless he just goes crazy and puts together some monster numbers. They have no real attachement to Ryan Freel and if he doesn’t perform I would assume they would have no problem letting him go if Scales is the real deal.
They are paying Miles alot of money so chances are unless they find some unlucky buyer who wants him he’s on the team for this year and next.
Edmonds isn’t playing anywhere, Al was lobbying the Cubs to resign him only a few weeks ago but no word on anything. People have said that he does indeed want to play again.
jeff_pico - May 14, 2009
At this point...
… I don’t see a spot for Edmonds here, though a couple weeks ago it seemed like that might be a useful thing to do.
Scales, as you said, projects as a utility player. Had the Cubs had any inkling he’d do this well, they probably wouldn’t have signed Miles. However, I think you are right, if Scales continues to perform well, I suspect Freel is odd man out when Ramirez comes back.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Edmonds
was at Joe Buck’s charity golf tournament last weekend or the weekend before and he was interviewed by the local STL station. He indicated in the interview that he was enjoying retirement. I suspect he is done but he could be stricken with Farveitis come mid-July when the races become more defined.
TheRiot Police - May 15, 2009
is there room for
Scales, Miles and Freel? All would have the same role here
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Probably not.
My guess is that Miles stays because of his contract, and the last spot is between Scales and Freel.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
hypothetically,
lou “bobby, we’re thinking of putting you on the dl.”
bobby, “sure, skip, which body part do i slam a door on.”
tim815 - May 14, 2009
That sounds like the kind of upbeat thing Scales would say.
yeesh
northernsails - May 14, 2009
If Scales keeps producing
I hope he is here to stay and Miles or Freel is gone. Scales can play any position Freel can and seems to be able to hit better.
CHCOWNTHECENTRAL - May 14, 2009
no...
scales has only played infield, whereas freel is an outfielder when if pressed can play the infield.
tootle - May 14, 2009
Scales has played tons of outfield in the minors. Just not yet for the Cubs.
jeff_pico - May 14, 2009
hypothetical
lou “bobby, can you play center”
bobby “of course, if that’s what you need.”
tim815 - May 14, 2009
Purely Hypothetical
What about possibly trading Fontenot? I am not saying I would do it or want the Cubs to do it. He has been struggling and has not been able to perform as an everday player. He has value…how much I am not sure.
shastamasta - May 15, 2009
I like Bobby Scales a lot
but if we trade Fonty, we have Freel, Scales and Miles. Which one is our starting second baseman?
drewishdrewid - May 15, 2009
I still not prepared to say Fontenot isn't an everyday player.
He’s been playing out of position at third base, so I think the jury is still out about whether he can cut it as an everyday (or almost everyday) second baseman. Granted, he’s crossed the 100 AB mark with only a .725 OPS to show for it, but there are a lot of games left to play.
And, as Drew points out, neither Freel, Scales nor Miles strikes me as an everyday player either. I think I’d like to see Freel picking up more starts at 3B while Aramis is out with Fontenot going back to focusing on 2B.
As has been mentioned repeatedly, Scales and Miles are kind of redundant players at this point, so it’s hard to say exactly what Lou should do with them. Bobby is obviously the feel-good story of the year right now – and, when you see him play live, you really get a sense of his great speed – so I’d like to see him continue to get some playing time when possible.
Oh, and your suggestion begs the obvious: Who would/should the Cubs trade Fontenot for?
daver - May 15, 2009
don't call 244 games over 8 seasons a *lot* of games
p # games
2B (11 seasons) 2B 344 1538 625 856 57 166 .963 4.31 0 0 0
OF (8 seasons) OF 244 421 388 21 12 2 .971 1.68
3B (8 seasons) 3B 131 325 88 205 32 23 .902 2.24 0 0 0
LF (6 seasons) LF 90 63 56 5 2 0 .968 0.68
RF (6 seasons) RF 16 24 20 4 0 1 1.000 1.50
1B (4 seasons) 1B 53 454 422 29 3 36 .993 8.51 0 0 0
CF (2 seasons) CF 12 0.00
SS (1 season) SS 3 9 1 7 1 1 .889 2.67
tootle - May 14, 2009
its about 1/3 of his career games have been played in the outfield. Way more experience than someone like Hoffpauir.
jeff_pico - May 14, 2009
that's more
than he has a third base, isn’t it?
drewishdrewid - May 15, 2009
FREEL
i agree, so far Freel is a big disappointment (bigger that gathright even) and im ont a huge fan of Miles either, then again im comparing him to DeRo, so thats unfair (looking at DeRo last year). Scales deserves to play more than either Freel or Miles at this time. Put Scales on 2B or 3B and fonty at the respective position, but im also biased toward Fonty(who isnt performing very well either, so :\ )
CubsFanInWisconsin - May 14, 2009
Freel is a big disappointment?
How? He’s played in three games.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
True
But his career stats Arent really that amazing. He’s just an avg hitter. So unless his fielding ability is amazing i dont really see him getting much better. But you never know
CubsFanInWisconsin - May 14, 2009
He's a bench guy
what more do you expect over “average”?
if he were stellar, he’d be a starter.
Allie - May 14, 2009
Excellent point!
cowsarecool220 - May 15, 2009
Good Lord
To quote John McEnroe, “You cannot be serious.”
After three games, you’re ready to bail on Ryan Freel? All I know is I liked him when he played in Cincinnati. Versatile, plays hard, maybe too hard sometimes. But all in all, I think he’s a good add.
You know, saying stuff like this is what gives Cubs fans a bad reputation. I’m embarrassed you call yourself a baseball fan, let alone a Cubs fan, if you really feel this way. (Or “Freel” this way, as the case may be.)
Not Bruce Froemming - May 14, 2009
i think you are dramaticizing this a little too much.. If you continued to read, i clarified that so far (including his BAL days which is also this year) he hasnt been very good. I know hes been on DL and what not this year, but if he doesnt product like he did in Cincinnati, i feel he was a bad choice. Im srry that my taste in players isnt to par with the great “not bruce froemming”. I only said so far, even if it has only been 3-4 games. Scales has had just as many games and hes shown better prospect, but maybe its just beginners luck. It was just speculation.
Cubs fans arent the only ones that say “Stuff like that either” so idk what your talking about.
Also, i feel that there really isnt enough room on the team. Im refering to starting position, of course. maybe he’ll make a good bench player, but i wouldnt put him in my starting lineup with the other talent the cubs currently have.
TL;DR calm down drama queen
CubsFanInWisconsin - May 15, 2009
What?
1 for 4 and you have given up on him already?
rlpete - May 14, 2009
huh?
sue369 - May 14, 2009
wow
quick to judge there
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
his numbers for BAL
are pretty bad so far thus year. Maybe he’ll turn around
CubsFanInWisconsin - May 14, 2009
good thing he is not here to start 140 games
he is here to help off the bench, he is just fine for that
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
good point
hopefully Rami will be back swiftly; thats really all that matters atm as far as 3B is concerned, personally
CubsFanInWisconsin - May 14, 2009
He had limited playing time in Baltimore...
and was on the DL most of his short time there. I can tell you that Freel is a fine fielder, though he’s not much more than a singles hitter really with the bat. He’s lost a step, but he is an excellent fielder.
Jimmyeatworld - May 14, 2009
he also did better in NL than AL
so lets see what happens. Remember very few wanted Edmonds last season, with similar gripes (he lost a step, he is done, etc), and Hendry showed us he knew what he was doing. Lets give Freel more than 3 games to see what happens. Also, if nothing else, he did rid our bench of Gathright
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
lol, 2 good pts
CubsFanInWisconsin - May 14, 2009
so you will sit back
enjoy the show, adn save an opinion for a few weeks from now, when he is healthy and has been able to adjust to returning to the NL, a new team, the challange of being on a competitive team, and we see how Lou uses him?
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
yea, jesus you guys just jump down my throat. do you do that with everyone who over exaggerates or jumps to conclusions. If so you must do that often, from what i’ve read on BCB.
Srry that im new here
CubsFanInWisconsin - May 15, 2009
also
i’ve only been into baseball for about 2.5 years now, so im still learning the ropes and such. Everyone makes mistakes
CubsFanInWisconsin - May 15, 2009
If you are a newbie to baseball welcome
Hey we all make mistakes even when we’ve been watching for a while.
But to call out other poster and call them names, prolly not a good way to learn more about the sport .
Madison Cub Fan - May 15, 2009
i think lou's line regarding
too many pitchers was something like…..
‘these things have a way of sorting themselves out.’
as will this
tim815 - May 14, 2009
Great to hear you caught a game with your Dad Al!!
Glad to see the Cubs made it a nice game for him to watch!
calicubfan - May 14, 2009
Kinda OT : Twitters
I’ve favorited a few of BCB members twitters. But I don’t have an account. The best twitter post of year so far had to come from Ballhawk. Hope he doesnt mind me sharing it. :)
Hoff is sure to hit one out now seeing as I stayed on Waveland. Rich and Moe got it covered. I’m saving myself for Soto.
Madison Cub Fan - May 14, 2009
"I'm saving myself for Soto"....
ballhawk and all the ladies here on BCB….
carmen_fanzone - May 14, 2009
Was just about to say
yeah…
northernsails - May 14, 2009
Obviously.
:)
slcathena - May 14, 2009
indeed. I was sorely tempted to RT that one.
Emelie - May 14, 2009
yeah, right after I hit the enter key, I thought "hmmm... I wonder what Sue and Em would say about that..."
ballhawk - May 14, 2009
obviously they aren't checking in tonight
tim815 - May 14, 2009
I hope you
get the chance to catch a ball hit by Soto. That would mean he’s hitting again.
sue369 - May 14, 2009
if you catch a Soto ball, hawk, can I have it? pretty please?
Emelie - May 14, 2009
next batting practice ball I catch that I know was hit by Soto is yours.
Home run balls though, are special, and they stay in ballhawk’s nest.
If I do catch a Soto homer though, I will take pictures and send you and Sue copies. That way you can show all your friends that you have a picture of…
[ wait for it ]
…Soto’s ball.
ballhawk - May 14, 2009
LOL
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
ROFL!!
I’ll take any Soto ball I can get.
Emelie - May 14, 2009
TWSS
literally
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
can we twss a deliberate double entendre?
Emelie - May 14, 2009
well i see no reason why not
if nothing else, it is sandbagging for post count
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
lol! but it devalues twss!
Emelie - May 14, 2009
but i still laughed
so, i say it counts. :-P
Allie - May 14, 2009
At this point
can you really devalue twss?
chitownhawkeye - May 14, 2009
A whole thread on
the mercy TWSS? Excellent.
N Oakley - May 15, 2009
well, what is the value
is it valued like Rami, or like ONEDEC? because if it is devaluied from Rami, it is only a minor slump and will be ok, if it is ONEDEC and it is devalued, then it is close to being banned
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Why do I have the feeling
the baseball will be dressed in a workman uniform when the picture gets posted…
Allie - May 14, 2009
lol! with the seam showing.
Emelie - May 14, 2009
and a hard hat
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
what about me?
Madison Cub Fan - May 14, 2009
I'll add you to the "Soto Balls" list
now if only I could get Alex Baldwin to do a voiceover, maybe NPR would pick this up…
ballhawk - May 15, 2009
Yeah!! I'm on the list.
That would be so cool!
Madison Cub Fan - May 15, 2009
can I get on that list too?
illinicubgirl - May 15, 2009
here I am and I got the tweet live
it’s just that I’m working instead of consulting (hee) and can’t drop by as often
Emelie - May 14, 2009
I absolutely HEART ballhawk's tweets! Highly recommended.
Emelie - May 14, 2009
me too
I laughed so hard when I read that. If I had a twitter account I would totally responded
Madison Cub Fan - May 15, 2009
LMFAO! from the yahoo recap
"For a month, I’ll be running like Geo Soto, just taking my time," – Zambrano
xene - May 14, 2009
That's classic.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
I love that
Z is staying upbeat while injured, instead of grumpy from not being able to play or disappointed in being hurt
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
Agreed.
I think it’s because this is not an arm injury, and was fairly minor, Z knew he’d miss only two starts and would be back on schedule.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Say Al
What do you think will happen when Z gets back? Assuming Wells pitches well his next outing, how do you decide things with the pitching staff?
northernsails - May 14, 2009
here's what i think (and nobody will agree)
send wells back to iowa after his final start. he will be back.
bring up stevens (who is on the 40-man roster now). or jake fox (on the 40-man), but i think stevens. get stevens an appearance or two ‘for free’.
return stevens when z gets back.
learn about ascanio and stevens as far as what they can be counted on for in ’09.
tim815 - May 14, 2009
it also allows
for evaluation for the pen with the young arms, not saying I 100% agree, but same time I see the idea behind your thought
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
I think the right move is to make some kind of decision on Patton. They seem awful bull headed on keeping him with the team and this turns the team into playing with a guy who’s only use is to mop up when they are either way behind or way ahead.
But I’m assuming that Asciano is actually worthy of a roster spot with this also. Maybe neither him or Stevens are, in this case Lou and Hendry are free to keep Patton for a little longer, but eventually they are going to add some pitching and Patton is going to have to go. A nice ‘injury’ would accomplish both things, be able to keep him and free up his roster spot.
jeff_pico - May 14, 2009
who would be reasonable trade bait
from a cubs/rockies perspective?
would michael brenly be a reasonable player to ship to the rockies to call off the rule 5 option? then we could send patton to AA.
if not brenly, who ya’ got?
tim815 - May 14, 2009
awww
but then Bob couldn’t keep brimming with pride about his boy being in the Cubs’ system.
northernsails - May 14, 2009
where in the rule book
are the ‘rule V’ rules? i looked in rule 5.
tim815 - May 14, 2009
rules
As far as I know a rule V player must be kept on the teams active roster all season, if not he must be offered back to the team that originally held his rights. Many times teams work out deals to keep rule V players in their organization.
If a player is on the DL this counts as still being active from what I recall.
jeff_pico - May 14, 2009
i think there is a limit of 30 days on the dl
how about jake muyco or craig muschko
tim815 - May 14, 2009
The padres have an injured rule 5 guy in SS Everth Cabrera. He is on the 60 day DL. Now the Padres can be much more patient but I don’t think there is any kind of limit
jeff_pico - May 14, 2009
he can stay there, but
he has to repeat the process in 2010 or get returned
tim815 - May 14, 2009
Exactly
Players have to spend a certain amount of time on the major league team or it carries into the next year.
rlpete - May 14, 2009
That might be a problem
I think there are limits on how quickly you can bring guys up and down as in you can’t send someone down on Monday and bring them back Thursday. If you send Wells down Saturday and Z is NOT ready Friday you have a problem. If you bring Stevens UP Saturday and he has a nice outing or two but you send him down Friday than again you can’t bring him back for a while. It does not seem worth the risk for one or two outings for Stevens even assuming Lou finds a chance to use him in a non critical situation. Let him keep pitching in Iowa and be next up on the bring up chart if someone goes down in the pen.
Doggie Stalker - May 14, 2009
you can't call up the same player
twice in a ten day stretch without an injury being involved.
the main hiccup is if z ‘says’ he is healthy, but isn’t.
i’m not sure what our schedule looks like then, but if we end up in a fourteen inning game, i’d rather not have a tired wells taking up a spot, unable to pitch, worthless to swing.
my two cents.
tim815 - May 14, 2009
I miss Zambrano.
Allie - May 14, 2009
me too
but at least Wells hasnt yet been terrible
CubsFanInWisconsin - May 14, 2009
No he's been good
but I have 2 cubs I’d pay to watch play… and they’re both hurt at the moment.
Allie - May 14, 2009
Hey Al....
The Reds/Dbacks dont play tonight big guy…still love ya though :)
kerry wood's hot tub - May 14, 2009
Oh.
Why did I think they did? Must have misread the schedule.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Slightly OT:
Al- just for kicks and giggles, I checked out another Cubs blog last night… Wow, are they ever full of hatred for you, anger in general, and think that they know it all. I can’t stand that kind of snarky know-it-all attitude(s)! So, thank you for maintaining a great site for all us Cubs fans. I, for one, as a new California transplant, (boy do I miss Chicago), really appreciate it, as I can’t see but maybe one or two games a month. Thanks buddy.
Jimmyeatworld - May 14, 2009
What kind of Cubs fans
would hate Al? Or any other Cubs fan?
northernsails - May 14, 2009
Yeah, I know the site you speak....
They’re pretty full of themselves…
carmen_fanzone - May 14, 2009
Tim's site, I'll bet
They would rather be miserable and self-righteous than watch the Cubs win in spite of the team’s “failings” that they so dearly love to point out.
CaliCub - May 14, 2009
I cannot comment about other game blogs
but I can agree with thanking Al for this one.
Cubbie-Tim - May 14, 2009
+100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Emelie - May 14, 2009
I like this site, too
I live in Vermont, so there are very few Cubs fans near me. Most people up here are Red Sox fans. It’s great to come here to talk baseball with Cubs fans, which is why I joined here.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 14, 2009
Thanks for all your compliments about this site.
About the rest, I think I’ll just say nothing.
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Mass here! *waves*
And I also adore this site. :)
slcathena - May 14, 2009
Where in Mass?
I’m passing through on I-91 on Sunday.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 15, 2009
There are OTHER Cubs blogs? The heck you say!
What would be the point of those?
Zeke - May 15, 2009
remember the bad game threads?
they’re like that. ALL THE TIME.
drewishdrewid - May 15, 2009
They are just
jealous of Al and what he has here.
sue369 - May 15, 2009
I'd like to quote
Ron Burgundy for a moment. Go f*ck yourselves San Diego. Sweeep home Chicago, Go Cubs!
Cubbinstrongsince86 - May 14, 2009
Al, one funny moment today....
Was CSN panning into the dugout and Gameboard had Geo’s fully catching gear on while Geo was cracking up next to him.
I think the guy’s starting to relax….
carmen_fanzone - May 14, 2009
ugh....."full" not "fully".
carmen_fanzone - May 14, 2009
perhaps both of them
tim815 - May 14, 2009
First sweep of San Diego at Wrigley in 10 years, I heard....
carmen_fanzone - May 14, 2009
We've had one since '84?
Clutch16 - May 14, 2009
Yes.
It was on July 4-5-6, 1989. The Cubs won 5-1, 5-3, and 7-3
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 14, 2009
Excuse me.
It was actually at the end of April in 1999. The Cubs won 6-5, 2-1, and 3-2.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 14, 2009
So in every year ending in 9, the Cubs sweep the Padres at home?
Glad to know we have something to look forward to in 2019!
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
I'm looking forward to our sweep of Miami in 2015
“Cubs win World Series … sweep Miami?!?”
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 15, 2009
cardinals up 2-0
rasmus hit it into the allegheny with a runner on
tim815 - May 14, 2009
How do you know when the Cubs are playing well?
BLou seems to dissapear esp when his beloved perfect Cardinals are struggling lol
The Padres are really bad and I’ll take the sweep and the Astros aren’t much better, winning the series is very likely and then we get to run into a battered Cards team and then the Pads again and then the Pirates…the schedule is stacking up very nicely.
jeff_pico - May 14, 2009
Funny how that happens
rlpete - May 14, 2009
welcome to Blou's MO
Emelie - May 14, 2009
I'll take the sweep.
Today’s game reminded me a lot of this game last year.
I work afternoons, so it will be difficult for me to post my flag for afternoon games. I can make it for night games and weekend games.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 14, 2009
I just appreciate that you made the flag. :)
slcathena - May 14, 2009
chirinos injured his leg tonight
left the game for daytona.
no idea, just looking at the running score
tim815 - May 14, 2009
Oh NO! Ex-Lugnut down! Medic!!!!
Zeke - May 15, 2009
8 game winning streak :)
I just wanted to add that I had gone 0-41 from 1983-2006 during my times living in Chicago and then moving to NY to see Cubs play Mets/Yankees. Really pathetic.
Well since 2007 when I saw the Cubs defeat the Dodgers in LA I’ve officially gone to 8 consecutive wins which includes today. I saw them play at Yankee Stadium this year but that doesn’t count because it was an exhibition game.
I could also claim it’s a 9 game streak because I had tickets for last nights game but because of weather I couldn’t go.
I’m considering getting tickets for Saturday’s game. I’ll do my share in helping the Cubs win :)
ak123 - May 14, 2009
Wow. Gotta say ak123 I thought my wife's streak of oh-for 1985-2006 was pretty bad
but I think you edged here out there. She was 0-16 at Wrigley until we went to an opening day that Greg Maddux won.
She’s seen a few wins since then and is also on a two game winning streak.
Glad to hear you finally got to see them win in person. It makes you appreciate it all the more.
Zeke - May 15, 2009
Exactly
Now my Aunt insists she just saw the Cubs win their first game in person last year.
She bends the truth a lot but she insists she hadn’t seen them win a game since 1950 (she’d go to 1 or 2 games a year). She might be lying but I really don’t think so. She’s now 2-0 since we’ve been going to games.
ak123 - May 15, 2009
Iowa up 8-2 early on
Shark on the hill.
AzCubfan24 - May 14, 2009
Scales/Wells
Bobby Scales is really impressing me lately at least with hitting. Im not too sure how he is at fielding since i dont ever get any games (i live in southern wisconsin so i cant get local channels for Chicago and i cant get MLD TV ): )…. Also lets hope wells will keep up the good work, so far he has the potential to make it in the big leagues (to me at least) if he could go a couple more innings ( i heard that lou pulled him out early, though so i really dont know what hes capable of.)
Question to you guys: Is Scales a good fielder?
Also, why did Soriano go out in the 7th, PLEASE tell me it wasnt an injury
CubsFanInWisconsin - May 14, 2009
Theres no word on any Soriano injury, probably just becoming a blowout and gave him some time off.
Scales hasn’t been awful in the field or anything and he’s looked better at 2nd than 3rd. I’d say so far the jury is out on his fielding since he hasn’t had many chances. He’s been pretty amazing considering the original plan was probably only to have him on the team for a few days. Hopefully he’s not this years Eric Patterson who was good for a few weeks and then faded.
jeff_pico - May 14, 2009
wow
Edit here, patterson was only good for 2 games not 2 weeks last year lol He had those 2 good games vs the White Sox and that was about it.
jeff_pico - May 14, 2009
Ah, i was watching gameday when i got back from an exam and i saw that he was subbed for Freel so i panicked. My heart stopped for a few seconds
CubsFanInWisconsin - May 14, 2009
C'mon Al - no full disclosure in any of your recaps?
Full disclosure in that Adrian Gonzalez is on your fantasy team??? ;-)
Now I know better than to suggest that Al would actually be cheering him on in any game situation against the Cubs, but after every Gonzalez homer, I swear when I looked up to where Al sits, I saw this shadowy little figure crouched down beneath the bleacher jumping up and down in silent joy. A yiddish leprechaun perhaps?
And I shall call him MiniAl…
ballhawk - May 14, 2009
a sweep
and 4 jacks. not bad.
tim815 - May 14, 2009
Do I really have Gonzalez?
I haven’t really been paying that much attention, honestly.
Well, in that case, my fantasy team did well and the Cubs swept. Good times all around!
Al Yellon - May 14, 2009
Those are the best series. :)
slcathena - May 14, 2009
National Anthem
I was in right-center, and I couldn’t hear the National Anthem at all today. The guys in front of me in right field starting singing their own version after a prolonged silence, and that’s all I could hear. I assume that’s not a normal occurrence?
I have to admit, it was pretty cool. There was quite a bit of singing today, between the anthem, the stretch, and go cubs go. It was a great game for me to fly up from Tulsa to see.
Xeerohour - May 14, 2009
No one heard the national anthem on Thursday.
The microphone didn’t work. That’s the first time I can remember that happening.
Al Yellon - May 15, 2009
Wasn't on TV either. Len & Bob made a joke about it...
Zeke - May 15, 2009
This happened in the left field bleachers, too.
daver - May 15, 2009
speaking of which
why was I allowed to go to a game without informing myselves?
drewishdrewid - May 15, 2009
What can I say?
I went rogue. Some day the great Mambochicken should attend a game together. Given the results of yesterday’s contest, I’m pretty sure the Cubs would win at least 22-3.
daver - May 15, 2009
if we went while Ted Lilly pitched
he would keep the other team from scoring with his mind.
drewishdrewid - May 15, 2009
any word on
heilman’s status?
brian custer - May 14, 2009
why he's fully krausened, of course.
ballhawk - May 14, 2009
Don't answer this guy regarding Heilman.
He’s the one who keeps saying that he should start. There’s no “status” regarding him; he simply hasn’t pitched the last two days because he wasn’t needed.
Al Yellon - May 15, 2009
Can't help but interject that I'm sure
Heilman could have started for the Padres yesterday if he hadn’t beaten out Gaudin for a roster spot.
N Oakley - May 15, 2009
I just need to add this here
SportsCenter tonight showed a graphic with the Dodgers record with Manny and now that he’s “on maternity leave”.
Hilarious.
Allie - May 14, 2009
Along with dpollitt
He will be out longer than Manny because he has to have babies for Reed Johnson AND Bobby Scales so that is 18 months at least.
Doggie Stalker - May 15, 2009
Too funny.
sue369 - May 15, 2009
On to Houston.
FYI, because of school I prob won’t get to that until the 4th inning either, apparently this may be a good thing. ;)
slcathena - May 14, 2009
I think it's also important to note
that Hoff, although he didn’t have a hit, walked twice. That’s major important.
northernsails - May 15, 2009
Yes, it is.
I have been impressed with Hoffpauir’s approach at the plate this year. At times he still looks bad striking out, but he has drawn some walks and cut down on the K’s.
If he can keep this up all year, he’ll have made himself into a useful bench player.
Al Yellon - May 15, 2009
Hasn't been too terrible
defending first either. Especially since DLee is hurt/ineffective/injured/whatever. I’m NOT saying Micah’s defense is comparable to Lee’s, just saying it’s been adequate.
northernsails - May 15, 2009
he's a good backup.
drewishdrewid - May 15, 2009
FYI
Macias but not a Jose hit a homerun today.
“Today, the wind was blowing out to RF at a higher reported speed (16 MPH) than last night, but perhaps due to the lower humidity, the balls weren’t carrying as much as they were last night. Gonzalez, who is now leading the major leagues with 14 homers, had the only dinger today.”
TheRiot Police - May 15, 2009
Well, Macias homers are eminently forgettable.
Al Yellon - May 15, 2009
Cubs-Astros game starts at 3:10AM...
Today’s the first day that Cubs game broadcasted nationally live, Cubs-Astros, but it starts at 3AM here…
I want to join the game thread, but I’ll cross my finger whether I still can open my eyes then…
Hope Dome keeps his domination and hitting the other side of the field…
dragonsfanatic - May 15, 2009
I hope they get the game in...
Weather isn’t supposed to cooperate today.
Fishbone2 - May 15, 2009
Anyway...
I will program my HDD recorder and go to bed… don’t know I can stay awake 4 more hours….
dragonsfanatic - May 15, 2009
yeah, definitely is past my bedtime here in australia
my wife has to get up early so I may try to drag myself to the computer for the last inning or two..
I get all the sports channels I can get here, but so far only one Cubs game.. was the one where RJ robbed Fielder of a grand slam though.. so at least it was a good one to see!
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - May 15, 2009
that sucks
but odd- that’s the one game I’ve been to this season.
illinicubgirl - May 15, 2009
It was really nice meeting you and your friends, Al.
I was a little worried that if I showed up and the Cubs lost to Chad Gaudin, I’d be blacklisted forever. Fortunately, I cashed in some good karma for a blowout win on a beautiful day. (Didn’t hurt that the Padres were the opponent, either.)
More and more, this team is showing some of the traits that made last year’s squad so great. Patient ABs, high OBP, solid starting pitching and the capacity to add on runs late in the game. Let’s hope they can carry all of this over to the next few series – all of which appear fairly winnable (especially given the Cards injury woes).
daver - May 15, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bleed Cubbie Blue to post a comment.