It's a good thing Alfonso Soriano hit two home runs last night, one of them in the ninth inning, because if Chad Fox had come into the game with only a 4-2 lead, we might not be talking about a Cubs victory this morning.
Of course, Fox probably wouldn't have been in the game at all with a 4-2 lead; the only reason Lou decided to give him some work is likely the fact that the Cubs' four-run ninth gave the club a six-run lead, and that's supposed to be safe enough to give the last guy in your bullpen some work.
Safe enough, maybe; but by the time Fox was done, Lou had to summon Kevin Gregg, even though it wasn't yet a save situation. Gregg did allow the Astros' final run to score, but threw only nine pitches in finishing off the 8-5 victory, the Cubs' sixth in their last seven games. With Milwaukee's loss to Cincinnati, the Cubs moved ahead of the Brewers into sole possession of second place, 2.5 games behind the Cardinals, going into this weekend's series against the Brew Crew at Miller Park (didn't we just do this Houston/Milwaukee trip? Thanks, bad schedule makers!).
Can we declare the Chad Fox experiment over, give him his gold watch, and send him off into retirement? Did he inherit the Neifi Perez Memorial Collection of compromising photos of Jim Hendry? He couldn't find the strike zone (8 strikes in 17 pitches, and several of those strikes were hit hard) and appears done. What did he do last night that Jeff Stevens couldn't do? Stevens, despite also having some control issues at Iowa, has given up only four hits in 13 innings for a 0.85 WHIP. I hope Jim Hendry recalls Stevens; he'd be the perfect last guy in the pen, plus, that would give the Cubs at least some positive return in the Mark DeRosa deal. And can we also declare the Joey Gathright experiment over? He misplayed a ball in CF in the 9th last night (getting signals crossed with Soriano) that wound up as an Ivan Rodriguez triple. I'd DFA Gathright today when Randy Wells is called up for tonight's start and keep Bobby Scales as a bench player.
The rest of the team did just fine last night, pounding out 14 hits off Russ Ortiz (again, I ask: why does this guy still have a major league uniform) and five Houston relievers, including a shelling of Felipe Paulino in the 9th (they'd almost have been better off with Ronny Paulino pitching). Meanwhile, Ted Lilly threw a solid six innings; his only real mistake was a two-run homer to Miguel Tejada, surprisingly Tejada's first of the year, which gave the Astros a brief 2-1 lead. They didn't score again until Fox came into the game in the 9th. Four Cubs had at least two hits, and Aramis Ramirez had three, raising his average to .369.
I suppose I protest too much. The club looked good last night; even Ryan Theriot, who got picked off third base and took the Cubs out of a possible big inning in the first, redeemed himself later by walking, doubling and scoring two runs. In addition to the 14 hits, the Cubs drew five walks and continue to be on a pace that will approach the team record for a season (650, set in 1975). There are, though, a couple of players on this roster that just don't belong there, Fox and Gathright. It's time to send them home.
0 recs | 468 comments
6-1 in May!
May this month never end! Lets pack Wrigley North!
goodstuff96 - May 8, 2009
+1... i'll be there tonight...
… anybody else?
AndrewJStone - May 8, 2009
Is the +1 for a win tonight?
Hope you get it.
neverAcquiesce - May 8, 2009
And in six weeks of baseball
the first win on a Thursday!!!!
JFCubFan - May 8, 2009
Maybe
we finally got the hang of Thursdays.
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
or finally got
wasted wednesdays under control
Allie - May 8, 2009
Fox Not MLB Material
I root for Fox because of all his injury problems, but he’s had multiple opportunities to prove himself at the big league level since 2003. He simply isn’t good enough to be in the big leagues.
memphiscub - May 8, 2009
I have to believe Fox will be going to the DL soon...
so that he can collect MLB service time without hurting the team. I like the idea of calling up Stevens and seeing what he can do. I wouldn’t call him the last guy in the pen though – that would be Patton. But if Stevens could give us something, that’d give us five decent arms back there (Marmol, Heilman, Gregg, Guzman, and Stevens) for Piniella to work with.
As for Gathright, I wasn’t a fan of the idea to begin with. It made a bit more sense before the Cubs started using Hoffpauir as a corner OF and Fukudome got his bat going. But now, there’s really no value we’re getting from him. I don’t think Scales is worth much, so I wouldn’t be heartbroken to see him sent down. But he’s at least an extra IF, and he provides as much with the bat as Gathright likely will.
SouthernCub - May 8, 2009
Gathright
That career OPS of .630 is just simply too low in this day and age. He has exactly zero extra-base hits for the Cubs this season and only 38 extra-base hits in 1159 AB’s. He’s a punch ‘n judy hitter’s punch ’n judy hitter. This Ced Landrum-type has got to go.
memphiscub - May 8, 2009
I think you're right
He’ll have some myserious soreness today and go on the DL for the rest of the year.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Sounds about right
Allie - May 8, 2009
Question
Maybe you know. If Fox is on the DL does he still get his ML salary? I would think so. If so than why would the Cubs “eat” this amount of money? Just because they are nice guys and want him to make his 10 years? Does not sound like good business sense to me. Also he burns a roster spot.
wild bill - May 8, 2009
Yes, he gets the ML minimum.
He doesn’t eat up a roster spot if they move him to the 60 day DL which removes a player from the 40 man roster spot. The player still earns ML service time ont he 60 day DL ( I think).
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Good point about the 60 day DL
Not sure
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
How does the roster spot thing work if he's on the 60 day DL?
(I’m asking seriously)… isn’t he kind of in no-man’s land? Techincally on the roster without really being on the 40 man?
Or am I confused?
Allie - May 8, 2009
A player on the 60-day DL simply does not count vs. the 40-man roster limit.
But he still gets his salary. I am not sure about 60-day DL service time. Generally, players are only placed on the 60-day DL if:
a) they are definitely out for the season, and/or
b) the team needs a roster spot and the player is not due back before the 60 days is up.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
No need for the 60-day DL for now...
As we have LOTS of space on the 40-man roster. If Fox does go on the DL, it’ll be to the 15-day DL.
SouthernCub - May 8, 2009
I believe that he does get the money, yes
But it can’t be much more than league minimum. As far as the roster goes, it’s only 1 of 40.
It seems odd, but I think that this might be a case of doing something nice for someone now and getting a rep as a players’ GM – which helps to sign/retain free agents later.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Yes
there could be something that we as fans would not be aware of. I am not sure of the league mini, but still a few hundred thousand dollars is a lot to throw away.
wild bill - May 8, 2009
Not something to be worried about
If they burn a few hundred thousand. Who cares?
rlpete - May 8, 2009
I don't
care at all, really. My point was coming more from a business sense.
wild bill - May 8, 2009
How much does 300,000 (or whatever the real # is)
matter in a budget of $134 million?
Allie - May 8, 2009
To me
if my business and my money, it means a lot. But for others maybe not.
wild bill - May 8, 2009
$300K here, $300K there
Pretty soon you’re talking real money…
Clutch16 - May 8, 2009
:)
I think that it’s viewed as an investment, though — in other players per the whole “players’ GM” thing
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Well it "matters"
but if its part of a plan to keep a player/agent happy by doing a good thing which could help you with another player of that agent…
its probably worth it, or at least Hendry probably thinks it is.
Allie - May 8, 2009
I guess
this falls under risk vs reward
wild bill - May 8, 2009
Think of it this way
If $300k this year helps them sign (just for an example) Albert Pujols in 2 years for $1,000,000 less to play for the Cubs and Jim Hendry, is it worth it?
Ramirez, Lee and Zambrano all signed for less than they likely would have gotten on the open market to stay with the Cubs. I think there is a plan with all of this.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Sort of
like the plan when they traded for Olsen and the Indians prospects to get Peavy:)
wild bill - May 8, 2009
Well . . .
I get what you are saying (and the humor that you said it with), but we don’t actually know that that was the plan. I tend to think that it’s likely, though.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Dempster
He could have gotten more.drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Agreed
I had him in there, too, at first. I deleted it because the market collapsed shortly after the open market started — but you’re correct. Many people thought he gave the Cubs a discount when he signed.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
didn't it collapse
when he signed for less money? I thought that he was the gold standard last year, and so when he signed, everyone else went all-in, so to speak.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
I don't recall
I thought it was a few weeks later.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
I believe you are correct
Demp signed fairly early. The market collapsed shortly thereafter.
dr stabbingworth - May 8, 2009
Guys I would prefer on the roster instead of Gathright
Put your answers here.
I’ll start: Chad Tracy, who might be a valuable pinch-hitter and get some life back in his bat if he’s not playing every day, and would come cheap from AZ.
cubzfan - May 8, 2009
Ryan Freel
At least he can play the infield
bren - May 8, 2009
Except
that Freel is on the DL for a head injury after being hit in the head with a pickoff throw. A little reminiscent of Corey Koskie.
rlpete - May 8, 2009
Forget it.
I don’t want Freel. Bobby Scales can do the same kind of job.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
Well a lot of people have been complaining about a lack of fire
and Freel plays, excuse the expression, balls out all the time, hes the new Dykstra
bren - May 8, 2009
He also bitched about his playing time in Baltimore...
…he’s not going to get much more here.
carmen_fanzone - May 8, 2009
winner vs loser
he might be more willing to be a role player on a good team rather than a role player on a bad team
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
I'm not so sure....
I read that as he wants to say the right thing, but not quite a “I’ll do whatever it takes” kind of comment.
carmen_fanzone - May 8, 2009
Gotcha
I was speculating. I can understand wanting to play even if your team is doing well.
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
My list
Kenny Lofton
Bob Dernier
Dom Dallessandro
Hack Wilson
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
No Frank "Wildfire" Schulte?
Clutch16 - May 8, 2009
Good point
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Dernier
He might have lost a step in the last 20 years. At 52, he still might be faster than some DH’s around now. Dernier was a “power hitter” compared to what Gathright is now.
memphiscub - May 8, 2009
Juan Pierre is a power hitter compared to Gathright
I can’t believe that some people actually mentioned Gathright as a leadoff option in Spring Training.
rlpete - May 8, 2009
I guess my scorecard is safe.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
Was that ever in doubt?
The only thing more shocking than Cable leading off with a HR… would be Zambrano deciding he wants to pitch left-handed to be more like Ted.
Allie - May 8, 2009
But could you blame the guy?
Who doesn’t strive to be more Ted-like?
neverAcquiesce - May 8, 2009
Did you ever specify
that Gathright’s lead off home run must come in the major leagues? Also, that it must come as a member of the Cubs’ organization?
You may want to keep that scorecard handy :P
gwood - May 8, 2009
LOL
Well, if he hits a leadoff HR as an Iowa Cub, I won’t be keeping score. Thus, no scorecard to eat.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
think Ty Cobb
would take a role in the pen?
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
We could also offer it to Babe Ruth
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 8, 2009
he'll take his payment
in hotdogs and beers.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
And women.
neverAcquiesce - May 8, 2009
Gathright is waived
as reported this morning. If he accepts the trip to the minors and passes through waivers. He might be an awesome guy. He just had no place on this roster and was not necessary. Scales, for now, makes much more sense.
I don’t think fox will be long for the big cubs either. Good speed on the fast ball last night, no control. At 38, he’s another goner.
mrcubsfan - May 8, 2009
Where did you hear this report?
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
Sun Times
mrcubsfan - May 8, 2009
I had not seen the S-T yet today.
Here’s the link.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
HOT DIGGITY DOG!
Let’s see how Bobby Scales can do!
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
That is good news.
Hope Bobby makes the most of this.
sue369 - May 8, 2009
THANK GOD!
That guy sucks. And to think, we could have just used Pie in that roll instead for a lot less money, and some potential upside.
SackMan - May 8, 2009
I was watching CSN this morning
and they broadcast that “Monsters in the Morning” show. Steve Stone was on talking about Pie, and how he needs to stop trying to be a power hitter, and how Eric Patterson came up through the minors without anyone showing him how to bunt.
Not shocking by any means, but if we could have helped Pie get through his swinging issues…
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
The Cubs don't show anyone how to bunt at the major league level either.
Have you watched our team try to sacrifice this year? It’s a joke.
SackMan - May 8, 2009
Zambrano
seems to be able to bunt fine. :P
A team this powerful shouldn’t be bunting all that much, IMO.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Shouldn't have to bunt? Come on dude.
What are you talking about? It’s fundamental baseball. And it’s why the Cardinals are in 1st place.
Our pitchers fail way more than they succeed. And, I have to witness any position player on our team successfully sacrifice, while I’ve been watching a game.
SackMan - May 8, 2009
"yet to witness"
SackMan - May 8, 2009
The cubs have 5,
3 by pitchers, and one by Aaron Miles, the other one by Theriot
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
Where do you find that stat?
How many do the Cards have? The Dodgers?
SackMan - May 8, 2009
Baseball Reference
The cards have 18, the dodgers have 7.
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
Yep... just found it.
13 of the 18 are from the pitching staff. So, the Cards position players have as many SHs as our entire roster. Pathetic.
Last year they had 71, and we had 65. I don’t know why we can’t do it in the early going this year.
SackMan - May 8, 2009
Is it that we cannot
or that we have not needed to? How many failed attempts do we have?
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
I wish I could find that #
I’ve seen Harden succeed and fail.
I’ve seen Marshall fail (he’s horrible at it)
I’ve seen Dempster succeed and fail (and when, he succeeded, it was hardly textbook as he got tagged out while in the batters box by Molina)
I’ve seen Lily fail.
SackMan - May 8, 2009
Ted Lilly doesn't fail
He just choses to succeed less often so as not to intimidate his teammates.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
+1
Cubsfanatic - May 8, 2009
that was a brilliant play by Molina
but you take the opportunities when you can. Keep in mind that more than a few times, we’ve had to pull our starting pitchers early, which means that Lou has either burned through pinch hitters, or had relief pitchers bunt — and they have even FEWER chances at the plate.
If the situation doesn’t call for it, don’t do it. I don’t think we can draw any conclusions over having five bunts in 25-ish games, vs another team having more.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
They had 6 more SH than we did
and we led the NL in runs.
Getting down a bunt is important… but scoring runs matters more, doesn’t it?
Allie - May 8, 2009
You put yourself in a good opportunity to score runs
by sacrificing guys over to 2nd base… especially at the pitcher spot. And, you take yourself out of the DP.
I don’t know how you could downplay the significance of this.
And, in the late innings, or extra innings… it’s crucial to execute this.
SackMan - May 8, 2009
I'm not thrilled with our execution either
but I don’t think its as dire as you’re making it out to be.
When you have lots of guys on base, you leave lots on base. It happens.
I think we’re getting better and winning anyway. Marmol & Heilman looked really fantastic last night. Gregg allowed that run to score, but got out of trouble quickly. Theriot made a TOOTBLAN, but still scored 2 runs.
The team hasn’t peaked and still managed to win 6 of their last 7. I’ll take that.
Allie - May 8, 2009
Until our execution gets better
We’re not going to be a good enough team to win against the best competition.
It’s all the little things that add up.
Heck, Pujols stole 2nd off us in the late innings to get in position to score the winning run. If we had done a better job of holding the runner, maybe we could prevent that. Again, the little things…. and the Cards are good at that, and we’re not.
SackMan - May 8, 2009
And execution improves
when you get a chance to work on it.
Serioulsy, Sack. We’re winning games and getting better. Why so mad?
Allie - May 8, 2009
Actually
I am not reading he is mad or anything. I think he brings up very valid points. Yes we are winning games. But the past few teams we have played we should be winning them.
I agree with sack that when you play better teams you need to do the little things correctly, or you will not succeed.
wild bill - May 8, 2009
I agree with that
But I see improvement being made and cause for hope going forward.
And you get better execution when you get a chance to work on it. Bunting is probably hard to work on outside of game situations (ever see an AL pitcher try during interleague play?)….
Allie - May 8, 2009
Well, I'm not seeing the improvement,
1. We’re getting picked off at every base…
2. We’ve made the 1st or 3rd out at third base on a handful of occasions.
3. We still can’t lay down a sacrifice bunt
4. We’re giving up uncontested stolen bases.
SackMan - May 8, 2009
Hyperbole much?
Sack, you’re better than this!
Yes. We’ve played sloppy and bad baseball. Does that mean we will ONLY play craptastic baseball all season?
Allie - May 8, 2009
No it doesn't
But, when I haven’t seen any signs of improvement yet… it’s alarming.
Are they practicing bunts?
Are they studying pitchers and catchers tendencies to avoid pickoffs?
SackMan - May 8, 2009
I have no idea
i’ll ask trammel next time i see him
Allie - May 8, 2009
Because we're not improving.
We’re still playing the same crappy baseball we played last month.
I can tolerate fielding blunders, because that’s more of a talent issue with guys like Hoff and Soriano in the OF, or Fontenot getting some tiem at 3rd.
But, not being able to execute the fundamentals of the game is maddening.
SackMan - May 8, 2009
and we're currently
50-50 with the Cards, who are arguably the best team in baseball.
What’s your point?
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
50-50 isnt good
it’s 50-50…you can’t go to playoffs being .500
Cubs and Hawks fan - May 8, 2009
you're misreading
we’re not 50-50. We’re 50-50 against the Cardinals, not playing our best lineup.
When we go play them again, we’ll have had Soto, Bradley, Rami and (hopefully) DLee back in the lineup for a while, and they’ll be (hopefully) getting hot.
We held the best team in baseball to a tie with our bench. Why don’t you recognize that’s a good thing?
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
50-50 is mediocre
Cubs and Hawks fan - May 8, 2009
we have done
exactly what we are supposed to against them. We won the series at home and got a game in the series on the road. we also were not at full strength for most of those games. Lets see what happens when we are at full strength against them.
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
geeze o PETE.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Quit picking
on Pete, for Pete’s sake.
wild bill - May 8, 2009
you put yourself in better position to score runs
by moving the runners over with hits.
The only statistic that matters, in the end, is wins. We have more wins that losses, and we’ve only had our complete starting lineup play five or six times. I think we’re doing fine.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Better fundamentals gives a better chance at winning
Just because the Cubs are winning doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be working on improving.
dr stabbingworth - May 8, 2009
did anyone say that?
Allie - May 8, 2009
of course
I don’t think I said that this was not the case. That having been said, I still think it’s better to move runners with hits than with automatic outs.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
uhh, well yeah of course it's better with hits
but in baseball, you fail getting a hit more times than not. Giving yourself up to move a baserunner over gives your team statistically a better chance of getting the runner over.
Cubs and Hawks fan - May 8, 2009
Outs are really valuable
so it’s not always clear whether bunting a guy over to 2nd base is a positive from a Runs Expected, statistical point of view.
That said, yes, I agree – anecdotally the 2009 Cubs are pretty bad at laying down bunts.
false cognate - May 8, 2009
The Cubs are DEAD LAST in the NL
with 5 sacrifice bunts.
I’d say that’s a noteworthy problem
SackMan - May 8, 2009
They are also 16-12
good for the 3rd best record in the league.
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
doesn't seem to be hurting the Dodgers any
and they only have 7. On the other hand, we’ve been HPB 12 times, and that puts us fourth in the league. Free baserunners, they’re like candy.
Yes, bunts can be useful, and yes, we should be better at them. But I’d say a bigger problem for us is our .251 batting average, and our 208 strikeouts.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
I haven't seen many Dodger games...
And since the stats don’t list attempts, I don’t know how well the Dodgers are executing.
But, I do know that the Cubs are failing to execute the sacrifice bunt time and time again. That’s the problem.
Fortunately, we’re getting bailed out by the long ball.
SackMan - May 8, 2009
another thing I think is more important to worry about
our pen is tied for the lead with 15 walks in 21 innings.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Yes... that is awful
And I bet we’re #1 in walking the first batter faced out of the pen LOL
SackMan - May 8, 2009
The Cubs
have also played 18 games with a margin of victory >= 3. More than any other team.
Meaning we have played a lot of games where sac bunting may not be so important
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
Bunt conversion rate
may be meaningful. But being last in number of bunts converted is neither good nor bad. Thats like saying stolen bases are good, while ignoring success rate.
californiachicagoan - May 8, 2009
Another interesting fact
over half of our Sac bunts have come at Busch…do we just play the cards tighter or does TLR bring out the manager in Lou?
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
We've played a lot of tight games...
But, maybe TLR just rubs off on him.
SackMan - May 8, 2009
Well
Isn’t that the beauty of baseball?
Allie - May 8, 2009
I have to agree with this
No one on the Cardinals is afraid to bunt.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
I didn't say "shouldn't have to bunt"
I said “shouldn’t be bunting all that much”.
There’s a difference.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
wow - this is national league baseball... you need to manufacture runs to win
all you need to do is look at the playoffs to see what depending on power can do for you
Reed's Johnson - May 8, 2009
we've manufactured plenty of runs
yesterday’s game, the day before, the day before that.
The only thing you need to win is to score more runs than the other guy. Doesn’t matter if that’s on a walk with bases loaded, home runs, or three doubles in a row, all things this team has done.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
oh, and
if this is the NL, and you need to manufacture runs, then that means that ALL PLAYERS are responsible for doing so.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
exactly – move guys over with sac bunts…
Reed's Johnson - May 8, 2009
make runs
however you can make them.
You can’t move a guy over with a sac bunt unless he’s already on base.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Not this guy again...
dtpollitt - May 8, 2009
I'm not going to get sucked in
I promise.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
league leader
We did have two of the top 10 in sacrifice hits last year.
KyCubsFan - May 8, 2009
Was watching that too
Though, I do believe that Stone said Corey Patterson was the one who claimed he was never taught to bunt.
DamonBerryhillsMitt - May 8, 2009
I get them mixed up.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Eric and Corey...
or Stone and Harrelson?
ballhawk - May 8, 2009
yes.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
I am so done with anything having to do with Felix Pie
We definitely could have developed more talent out of the guy, but it simply did not happen. Happy trails, Pie
murphymj - May 8, 2009
I'm not here keep harping about him.
Just saying, from the basis of a financial decision, and a baseball decision: they wanted a 4th OF who bats from the left side, and can be used as a defensive replacement and pinch runner.
So, they paid more money for Gathright… who friggin sucks, instead of going with Pie
SackMan - May 8, 2009
It sounds like Gathright is
being sent down if accepts the assignmnet since he cleared waivers and Wells will be activated. I would not at be surprised to Fox is released due to the fact he is just not good enough to pitch in the Major Leagues anymore. Lou was not to happy after that 9th inning, looked like he was having some words with Soto. Stevens or Waddell would be good choices, my bet would be Stevens.
cubdreamer - May 8, 2009
Excellent news!
I think Bobby Scales can do the job of a versatile bench player who can play three IF positions, OF in a pinch, and hit well enough to be the 25th guy.
I agree re: Stevens. I suspect, as mentioned above, that they’ll find another “injury” to Fox so he can go to the DL and pile up enough service time to get to 10 years’ service.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
Al, how much time
on the DL or active service is needed for Fox to get credit for a year? I assume they would help him get his MLB pension.
mrcubsfan - May 8, 2009
At the beginning of the 2009 season...
… Fox had 9 years and 54 days of ML service time (expressed as “9.054” if you see it in a list). 172 days comprises a season, thus he needs 118 days of service time this year to get to 10 full years. That’s about four months; if he went on the DL now, he’d qualify by mid-September.
Credit to The Cub Reporter for the service time chart.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
Thanks, I wondered how that works
if partial years count as entire years or what.
mrcubsfan - May 8, 2009
It goes by days of service.
Each day you spend on a ML roster counts as one day, adding up to 172 days, which is a full season.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
What does 10 years of ML service get him / any player?
JB 23 - May 8, 2009
Better
pension when he retires.
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
I assumed that much....but it sure seems to be a lot of work
…to get him from 9 years to 10, so I would guess there is a dramatic increase in some sort of vesting or benefits.
JB 23 - May 8, 2009
I believe so.
When I worked for the Indianapolis Indians, they had a couple guys shooting to get to Pittsburgh for one last shot at increasing their pension – among them was former Cub Terry Adams.
Bill Potter - May 8, 2009
I did see Lou
waving his hands around when he was talking to Soto leaving the field. Wish the camera would have stayed on them a bit longer.
tony412 - May 8, 2009
Camera work
Has been pretty lousy for a few years now.
For example, any time Jacque Jones had a throw to the infield, the camera would cut away and not show the throw. They frequently cut out all of the side stuff that is interesting, especially if it is a sore spot with the fans.
Besides that, the production is getting pretty bad as well. Missing the beginning of an inning, having the wrong ball/strike count, updating the ball/strike count really slow, refusing to show replays on any play that gives the other team a bad break, etc.
dr stabbingworth - May 8, 2009
well you can blame the "missing beginning of an inning" on the increased # of commercials.
So it’s more of a need for increased revenue than a production quality issue. It’s been that way on the radio for several years as well. They often miss 1-2 pitches before coming back on the air.
I’ll defer to other tv production folks to agree/disagree with the other points.
ballhawk - May 8, 2009
I don't disagree with anything that's been said above.
Production values have gone way down since Arne Harris’ passing.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
With all due respect to Arne
They’d gone down before he passed.
The issues that I mentioned below, plus that horrible field-level, behind the plate camera all started on his watch.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
it's also happening
on the radio — especially missing the opening pitches of the inning.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
It also seems like they're sponsoring more things during the game,
like the 15th out of the game.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Whatever keeps it "free" is fine by me
because I foresee baseball going “premium” on local radio very soon.
chilango2 - May 8, 2009
how would they do that?
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
XM
and sell them exclusivity rights.
chilango2 - May 8, 2009
I think there'd be a big
outcry about that.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
I agree 100 percent with you
but in the age of incessant search for the very last penny, I wouldn’t put it past MLB to do it.
chilango2 - May 8, 2009
XM is not exactly flourishing.
They were rumored to be going bankrupt a few months ago.
I think it’s more likely MLB will continue to find new revenue sources, like the MLB at Bat app for iPhones and iPods.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
how?
MandMexpress12 - May 8, 2009
I really like Pat, but my biggest complaint about him is
Too often, he doesn’t mention the score at the start of a half-inning.
He could fake missing one pitch and most of us wouldn’t realize it, unless we were listening at the game.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
That's my complaint about most radio play by play people.
I remember an interview Pat Hughes gave and he said the score couldn’t be given to many times. I couldn’t agree more. Most of the time when you’re listening on the radio, you’re doing other things and are distracted.
I really admire Pat’s ability to do play by play while having a conversation with Ronnie without missing a beat. I’m not sure that skill is appreciated enough.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Your last point is very valid
Not only does Pat deserve the Ford Frick Award for that alone, it’s borderline cannonization justification . . . .
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Similar thoughts on Stone as well.
Stone has said and done much to annoy me in recent years, but I still remember fondly and with much respect his time with Harry in the booth. Could not have been easy trying to do PBP with Harry in da house…
…though it sure looked like fun. ;-)
ballhawk - May 8, 2009
I'm sure it had to grate on him to always be deferential
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Camera work...
They zoom in so close on the fielder that when a ball does drop, you have no idea where it is.
Also don’t see the need to isolate on the ball on a throw to first, or to show every runner crossing the plate when the play is developing somewhere else.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
people should proofread their posts
it could help them catch errors and get them corrected….it makes it alot easier for the reader to understand
Cubs and Hawks fan - May 8, 2009
Do you think Lee should come back tonight?
He’s only 4 for 27 against Dave Bush.
Allie - May 8, 2009
Well...
… Micah Hoffpauir is 0-for-3 lifetime vs. Bush. So it’s Lou’s call.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
True
I was just wondering if Lee’s neck thing is one of those “some days its fine other it sucks” or “time off would help” things.
Probably just depends on what Lee feels like after the plane ride.
Allie - May 8, 2009
Exactly.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
Lou was quoted as saying...
Lee wasn’t going on the DL and would play this weekend, but it also depended on how he felt after the plane ride. So, you’re right.
carmen_fanzone - May 8, 2009
Last night during the game
they said the plane ride didn’t bother that much. If it were me, I would think sleeping in different beds would do it. He just needs some time off, and a neck rub!
mrcubsfan - May 8, 2009
Don't we all?
Clutch16 - May 8, 2009
I hate missing all the comcast games
You miss all that kind of stuff.
Thanks for the update.
Allie - May 8, 2009
Radio ftw
dr stabbingworth - May 8, 2009
i've tried
but my reception has been awful.
i keep getting some spanish radio station with a bored female voice talking about state farm insurance in missouri.
Allie - May 8, 2009
MLB.com has all the WGN games
for $15 for the season. Beats listening about state farm.
mrtobby - May 8, 2009
yeah
but at this point, 15 bucks is money i don’t have.
so its gameday/gamethread and hope i don’t miss anything i’ll wish i hadn’t
Allie - May 8, 2009
Hey
to the Cubs for the fifteen big ones. If they can waste a years Salary on Fox, I am sure they can bail you out.
wild bill - May 8, 2009
If you've got an iPhone...
… you can get the MLB at Bat 2009 app for $10, and get that same audio included. No commercials, too. Just plug the headphone jack in to some external speakers and… instant radio.
AndrewJStone - May 8, 2009
changes
the fact that fox even got a contract shows how sof hearted hendry must be.why continually waste time with this guy??lets hope lou sends him packing as fast as he did samardzja. looks like gathrights cub career came to a quick end too.no room at the inn joey.sorry.
NOMAR - May 8, 2009
I'm not sure
Chad Fox and Shark are really comparable; the Shark was sent back down to stretch out more and work on his pitches. There’s simply nothing Chad Fox can do at this point. DL him, get him his 10 year pension, and then release him.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
The thing
with the Shark that bothers me is this. They start him off in AAA to become a starter. Thye bring him back and put him in the pen. For what a couple weeks? Now he is back to become a starter again. Did he burn up an option with this move?
wild bill - May 8, 2009
Options are by
year not by number. (i think)
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
No, option is a misleading term.
wax eagle is correct
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
as Wax Eagle and my alternate persona #1 say
options are by year, not by move. It wasn’t the best idea to bring Shark up, but perhaps Lou was casting a fond eye back to last year, when the lad came up and got us out of some jams. This year, his fastball isn’t enough. It’s a setback for him, but if we leave him down there for four months, he could get a sept callup and be valuable.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
I agree with this
Shark was great last year at the end of the year. But I think they have really screwed with him this year. If they wanted Fox up they should have brought him up instead of Shark. I hope they give Fox one more shot then we see Wadell or Stevens.
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
I agree
and that is the thought I attempted to write. I don’t understand that move at all. Show a comittment and keep him in AAA as a starter for the balance of the year, period. When the IA team season is over, call him up in Sept.
wild bill - May 8, 2009
Agree
or he could have been the spot guy today.
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
Which he could
have been if they did not make that move. Honestly I would have preferred watching him over Wells tonight. WIn or lose, I think our chances would have been better to win with Shark. Having said that, Wells will throw a shutout!
wild bill - May 8, 2009
Don't know
much about Wells. I feel like Jeff is a pretty known quantity at this point. If he is good he will get guys out and is electric. when he is off he does not have much control and walks guys.
I hope that Wells enjoys his cup of coffee for now and can be a contributor as the season moves forward.
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
You
know what I like about this and dream of. Let us say Wells comes up and does such a good to outstanding job and for that reason they can not send him down. That would be really cool.
wild bill - May 8, 2009
It would be awesome.
I think even if he does a really excellent job he will end up back in Iowa for most of the rest of the season. The rotation is set for now, but he would allow some great flexibility in Sept and then next year (especially if Jeff is deemed ready).
There would be little pressure to resign Harden next year if Marshall has a good year (looking like #3 or 4) and Wells and Samardj are both looking good at the end of this year. (Id still love to resign Rich, but there would be less pressure to do so).
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
If you can
have a few young studs from the system pan out at the ML level, think of the possible trades that could be made. Everyone needs decent starting pitching. If your team has ample, you are in the cats bird seat (not sure what the heck that means)
wild bill - May 8, 2009
Too true
Texas and Washington both need pitching and have plenty of young position talent. Would be nice to trade for some of that
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
In the words
of Sam Kinneson, I like the way you think.
wild bill - May 8, 2009
"I'm gonna be watching you..."
ballhawk - May 8, 2009
Maybe rushing him didn't give him time to work on his off-speed pitches
Although I think we all would like to see him help out the club, he may need a full season at AAA to be an effective starter. He moved up so fast, and it may be catching up to him.
dr stabbingworth - May 8, 2009
Agreed on both counts
Gathright and Fox have no business on this team. I wish them well and hope they move on.
salparadise23 - May 8, 2009
Fox
I am going to go against the sentiment here and just remind that it was one game. The guy has battled to get back to the major leagues so its not out of the equation that he was a little emotional… it was his first time back this year and 4th appearance since 2005. I am not saying that Fox is going to be good or that he would have even been my choice to be called up but he was having success at AAA and it was just one outing. I was not thrilled last night that he forced Lou to bring in Kevin Gregg, but now that he’s here I think we need to give him another game or two before we declare his career over.
dmlichte - May 8, 2009
Rec'd
DGU - May 8, 2009
He did have really good velocity
Maybe it was just 1 game jitters or something.
Allie - May 8, 2009
94mph
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
yeah
thats what daver said…. er tweeted.
Allie - May 8, 2009
like Ortiz - Fox
may not belong on a major league roster – however with 360 pitching spots to fill there are probably 40-50 ‘minor leaguers’ now pitching in the majors – rare is the team where everyone is happy with the full staff these days
doofus cubs guy - May 8, 2009
Hey, thanks for the tweet shout-out.
Yeah, I agree with dmlichte – Fox’s velocity was good. He obviously had control problems, but if Gathright makes that catch, Chad very well may have finished the inning and perhaps a few more of us would be saying, “Fox showed some promise,” rather than “Send the bum off to Shady Oaks Retirement Home!”
daver - May 8, 2009
Mister, mister
wild bill - May 8, 2009
"Broken wings"?
daver - May 8, 2009
Happy Gilmore
wild bill - May 8, 2009
I agree. I also
thought I read he stunk at first, but settled down.
I expect he will get one more chance in a non-clutch situation before any final decision is rendered.
N Oakley - May 8, 2009
I'm glad we won...
but, we keep playing like garbage. It’s disgusting, and we’re not improving at all, despite the W-L record.
Last night, Theriot gets friggin picked off at 3rd base… that costs us a run = bad fundamental baseball.
Ted Lilly can’t lay down a friggin sacrfice bunt to move over runners to 2nd and 3rd. The next at bat by Soriano results in an inning ending DP = more bad fundamental baseball.
Joey Gathright comes in as a friggin defensive replacement in the 9th, and allows two triples = crappy baseball player who has no value to this team in the field or at the plate.
We better start to improve, because we don’t get to play Houston every week.
SackMan - May 8, 2009
Well... actually we kinda DO get to play HOU every week
at least for the next little while.
Allie - May 8, 2009
LOL
SackMan - May 8, 2009
Gath is gone.
We did win 8-5. I thought they played alright. Dome had some great catches, Hoff did alright at first.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Thank god he's gone.
I didn’t read that news before my rant.
SackMan - May 8, 2009
We were saying the same thing last year
When we were playing Pittsburgh every other week early in the season.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 8, 2009
Sure would like to
play Pitt right now… seems everyone else is beating up on them pretty easily these days. Lost 3 to Mil at end of April, followed by losing 2 of 3 to Cincy, followed by losing the next 2 to Mil, then losing the next 2 to STL.
tony412 - May 8, 2009
We play them about three weeks from now
Not soon enough, IMO. It’s right before our series against the LA Dodgers.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 8, 2009
You are about to get your wish, Al
Gordon W. reports:
dfrancon - May 8, 2009
Good.
What took them so long?
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
Tought to admit you made a mistake
That was a bad signing.
dr stabbingworth - May 8, 2009
This along with
the Bako signing had me shaking my head this past off season.
wild bill - May 8, 2009
the Miles signing put me into full body convulsions...
ballhawk - May 8, 2009
Bako made sense to me,
signing a veteran catcher to a non-guaranteed deal is what I consider an insurance sign.
Miles, on the other hand is a puzzle but I’ll reserve judgement untio the end of the season.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Agreed...
Though I might have just paid a bit more for Blanco (after declining his more expensive option) rather than signing Bako. Miles was just a poor decision.
SouthernCub - May 8, 2009
I think they signed Joey in part,
because of the uncertainty with Fukudome. I don’t think they really knew what they’d get out of him this year.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
How did Theriot get picked off of 3rd?
I didn’t see the game.
kanderber - May 8, 2009
Scrappily?
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Too far of a lead and Pudge nailed him
The call was very close – Theriot was not happy about it at all.
Clutch16 - May 8, 2009
Yep
Theriot made a huge stink about it, and Quade had to get between him and the ump
SackMan - May 8, 2009
Did they tip hats?
Villeslgr - May 8, 2009
I was at the game
and they didn’t show a replay. Was it the right call? From my vantage point, the throw beat him handily, but I thought he got his hand on the bag before the tag was applied, as the throw was about waist high.
false cognate - May 8, 2009
It was a very close call.
Theriot may have gotten his hand on the bag before the tag, but the throw beat him, so the ump went with that. It seems like Theriot gets called out on a lot of close baserunning plays. Part of me feels bad for him and another part of me thinks that he’s just not as fast as he thinks he is. He’s almost as fast as he thinks he is, but not quite.
daver - May 8, 2009
Alfonso Soriano
Since, Alfonso Soriano really gets raked over the coals when he’s underperforming, how about a tip of the cap while he’s playing so well? He’s hitting .276/.344/.569. Projecting his counting stats out over a whole season 146 Rs, 48 HRs, 92 RBIs, 21 SBs.
The one disappointing note – that patience we had seen before has ticked back down to career expectations; he’s only walked twice since he was moved back to the lead-off spot.
DGU - May 8, 2009
those would be some nice numbers.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Still..
…. .344 is a decent OBA to go with a .276 average. If he could keep the OBA around .350 all year, that’d be just fine for him leading off, with the other things he contributes.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
I wouldn't even be implying a possible complaint
if we hadn’t been tempted by the possibility of so much more the first two weeks of the season. Fwiw, Soriano’s OBP is below .300 since being moved back to the lead-off spot, with quite a bit of that coming from a .250ish AVG.
DGU - May 8, 2009
I said it during the 1st week of the season...
and I’ll say it again. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Soriano is the NL MVP this year.
kanderber - May 8, 2009
You're looking good with that prediction
although Albert Pujols may lap the field if he keeps going all season long at this pace.
DGU - May 8, 2009
Pujols may win the triple crown.
It’ll be fun to watch and see if he can do it.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
And if he wins the triple crown
it won’t matter if the Cardinals fade down the stretch and end up in 4th place, Pujols will get MVP.
DGU - May 8, 2009
But MVP's are supposed to be only awarded to teams that make the playoffs...
Even though Pujols claimed that, he had no problem snagging the award last year.
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
Riggggght.
Because it’s his fault he was given an award?
dtpollitt - May 8, 2009
Don't you think that Pujols was somewhat hypocritical?
For saying himeself, “MVP’s should be on playoff teams”, then in fact take it when HE wasn’t on a playoff team.
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
It's not like he went out and purchased an MVP award.
It’s not his fault that he was the best player on the planet and won awards for it. This is a stupid friggin’ argument. I know what he said, you can’t blame a guy for (1) being pissed that he’s winning individual awards and not team ones and (2) for being the best player in MLB.
dtpollitt - May 8, 2009
Can't it be both?
I thought he deserved the MVP but I also thought it was hypocritical of him to say what he said in 2006 and then win the MVP last year.
I think Albert is a great player but he says dumb things sometimes and I have no problem calling him out when he does, just like any other player.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
I'd like to know how this scenario would play out in a way that would please you:
“Thanks guys, gee wiz, but I can’t accept the most coveted award in our sport. I’d rather give it to Matt Kemp or Prince Fielder…at least they made the playoffs. Hell, even Jamie Moyer could take it.”
I’m sure we can find contradictory statements from every player. This is a problem with too much media—there doesn’t need to be this type of micro-analysis. You don’t turn down an MVP award. An ambassador for the game of baseball doesn’t do that. I took Albert’s statement to mean that he cares much more about his team’s success than his individual success, which to me is a mark of a stand-up teammate, not of someone that’s being hypocritical.
dtpollitt - May 8, 2009
Maybe the lesson here is to be careful of what you say.
The gracious thing to say in 2006 would have been to congratulated Ryan Howard on his award and leave it at that. He chose to comment further and frankly, it sounded like sour grapes.
I just find it humorous that the same situation happened again 2 years later with the parties reversed.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Maybe the lesson is to not try and find nitpicky things to argue about
Pujols said he thought the MVP should be from a playoff team. So what? The voters didn’t agree with him and gave him the award last year. I don’t see anything wrong with what Pujols did.
rlpete - May 8, 2009
Who's arguing?
We’ve had an interesting discussing.
I find it interesting to hear other people’s point of view on subjects such as this one.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
It's not fair
to say he was being hypocritical when he made that statement in 2006. Obviously if he knew he would win it last year w/o making the playoffs, I doubt he would have said it.
I think he felt he deserved the award in ‘06 and used the team’s success to bolster his argument.
DMCub - May 8, 2009
Ok, how about we call it ungracious?
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
That is at least fair
Look, I’m not a Pujols apologist. I was angered when in 2006 he said Glavine “was not good at all” after shutting the Cards down for 7 innings.
BTW, what is the point you are trying to make? I understand it is amusing that he won the award w/o making the playoffs, and that he scoffed at that idea a few years prior…..but where are you going with this?
DMCub - May 8, 2009
I believe we've just been discussing MVP's and triple crowns.
However, I think the lesson here is to be careful what you say in the heat of the moment. Because of what Albert said 2 years earlier, he looked foolish last year. Athletes are some of the most competitive people in the world but it is important how you win and lose.
Albert made an ungracious statement in 2006 that make him look like a hypocrite in 2008 when the same situation happened with the parties were reversed.
Maybe that’s a better way of summarizing my thoughts.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
what did he say last year when he won it?
If he came out and said MVPs should go to the best player regardless of if their team makes the playoffs or not, then yeah, I can see why you might think him to look foolish, and yes, even hypocritical.
But assuming he said the usual niceties in accepting the award last year, then I don’t think he looked foolish at all. Remember, he doesn’t control the voting – if the voters want to vote for him, they’re going to vote for him. It’s the voters’ philosophy on what MVP really means that matters here – not Albert’s or any other player’s.
And I don’t think you honestly believe he should have refused the award, do you?
ballhawk - May 8, 2009
No, he shouldn't refuse the award.
I don’t recall Albert saying much of anything, beyond the usual niceties.
Maybe he learned his lesson?
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
He said that in 2006 when Ryan Howard won the award
and the Phillies didn’t make the playoffs.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Where in the rules
is it that only players on playoff teams should win MVPs?
Some idiot sportswriters say that, but don’t forget, three of them voted for Edinson Volquez for ROY last season despite him not being a rookie.
Soriano is having a great season. Pujols is unquestionably having a better one.
Josh Timmers - May 8, 2009
Albert himself said that in 2006.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
He doesn't get a vote
Josh Timmers - May 8, 2009
Some Hawk guy won it on a poor team.
N Oakley - May 8, 2009
Oh, and for the record, Pujols AVERAGES an MVP season every year of his career:
.335/.426/.626, with an OPS+ of 171, 42 HR, and 129 RBI. Average.
In his career, his MVP voting:
2001 – 4th to Bonds, Sosa, and Gonzo, all who have cheated/accused
2002 – 2nd to Bonds, I hate Barry Bonds
2003 – 2nd to Bonds, I really hate Barry Bonds
2004 – 3rd to Bonds and Beltre, both of whom have cheated/accused
2005 – Won MVP
2006 – 2nd to Howard
2007 – 9th, which was his only down year – .327/.429/.568 with 32 HR and 103 RBI
2008 – Won MVP
dtpollitt - May 8, 2009
down year
that’s a down year? Wow.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Pujols is a beast
Always forget until you see how otherworldly his numbers are.
I wish he played in another division so I could really enjoy watching him.
Allie - May 8, 2009
I don't think anyone is arguing that Albert doesn't deserve
to win the MVP virtually every year with the numbers he puts up, it’s just that he said something dumb in 2006 when Ryan Howard won the MVP.
It just seemed like sour grapes when he said it and then he went on to win the MVP in 2008 when the Cards didn’t make the playoffs.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
I kind of think it depends on if there
are any stand-out players on playoff teams.
That’s assuming the Cardinals don’t make the playoffs.
I think the NL Central will product 2 playoff teams.
Personally, I think it would be fun to watch a Cubs/Cards NLCS.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
I'd personally think it was fun
to win a playoff game. or 11.
Allie - May 8, 2009
Well, we'd both have to win 3 to face each other in the playoffs!
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
oh i agree
that’d be fun. i can’t even imagine how crazy central Illinois would be.
Allie - May 8, 2009
What Do We Owe Fox?
Chad Fox is not a “lifelong” Cub. He was given an opporfunity a few years ago and unfortunately blew out his arm. He wants to pitch — I fully understand that. But at some point in his life, he has to accept the fact that he can no longer deliver at the major league level.
Chad Fox owes the Cubs a great deal of thanks for allowing him to continue this long. But his time is up.
What I don’t want to see is a repeat of a game — I think it was last year — where Lou put him in and the game was much closer. Fox wound up losing that game.
Watching the game on EI last night, gave me some thought about a possible destination for Fox if he really wants to continue his career. He is from the Houston area according to the lousy Houston TV guys. Considering how bad the Astros pitching corps is, maybe they would take him. Obviously, nothing in return. But it would guarantee that he would not show up in a Cubs’ uniform again.
ceegeewow - May 8, 2009
I think you're missing the big picture
It’s not so much a favor to Fox as it is goodwill in general — see some of the comments above.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
They can give him the goodwill on the major league DL.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
Here is a question
would his salary be covered by insurance on the DL?
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
No, teams only attempt to insure
long-term, big money contracts. And even then, they have trouble due to the cost.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Yeah, insurance companies aren't in the business of just handing out free money...
Insurance is expensive to purchase, especially for MLB contracts. And insurance companies are really good at assessing risk in their favor. I can’t imagine that the Cubs would have paid money to purchase insurance for Fox, given how (relatively) little he makes and how likely he is to get hurt (meaning insurance would be more expensive in his case).
SouthernCub - May 8, 2009
very true
why insure a contract that is surely less than 1 1/200th of your payroll budget
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
The kind of goodwill from an organization...
goodwill that can combat some of the ugliness we hear brought up around the league regarding what it’s like to play here.
When some players complain to Torii Hunter about how rough the fans can be here, it’s nice to be able to say that we will make sure that you are taken care of in other ways.
JCD - May 8, 2009
We should get something back in a trade
Maybe a box of balls and a palette of fertilizer?
Clutch16 - May 8, 2009
Good morning
Good news about the Cubs this foggy morning. But I’m concerned about tonight’s starter. Let’s hope he settles down quickly and doesn’t do anything the offense can’t overcome. Most encouraging thing about last night’s game—in my opinion—is how the big bats are coming alive. Soriano’s homers were blasts, albeit the pitchers gave him a couple gifts.
On a different note: I noticed two people were being incredibly obnoxious and semi-offensive on the game threads last night. Other than ignoring them, can other actions be taken to placate them? Obviously, good play by the team they “love” is not enough to quell the annoyance.
Have a great day.
chilango2 - May 8, 2009
at least one
of them was kicked off; they’ll be back in a few days under a new name, of course.
Nothing for it. There’s no way to moderate game threads proactively.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
That's just too bad
I understand and can tolerate ledge jumping when things are bad. But last night was just outrageous. I hope there weren’t any personal attacks after I left.
chilango2 - May 8, 2009
Al took care of it.
By the time I got to the game thread, there was nothing left. :P
Sue’s supposed to email me the details, tho, RIGHT SUE?
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Forward the juicy details
please?
chilango2 - May 8, 2009
use the email in your profile?
if/when I get the info, I’ll forward it.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Yes please
or jhernandez dot lagunes at gmail dot com
chilango2 - May 8, 2009
suspense is killing me, me too please?
N Oakley - May 8, 2009
We do a good job of moderating ourselves, methinks.
The game threads can get a bit out of control, but to me, it’s a virtual get-together of Cubbies fans around the TV or at a bar. There’s always going to be some ridiculousness. It’s one of my favorite parts of coming here to BCB.
dtpollitt - May 8, 2009
I agree
However, last night was a bit outrageous.
chilango2 - May 8, 2009
Very much so
I just read back through the comments. Thank you, Al, for stepping in. I managed to begin commenting late in the game, well after the person in question had been kicked off.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 8, 2009
oh
what’s left is very tame, apparently. You can get a taste for it by going to the aramis user profile.
http://www.sbnation.com/users/aramis
Just scroll through the post titles.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Oh wow
I can’t imagine what some of those were like.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 8, 2009
Correction:
I can only imagine what some of those were like*
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 8, 2009
There was a lot of personal attacks and slurs
I’ll let you use your own imagination (or if you see what Sue sends out).
It was ugly though. The sort of ugly that you get when you disregard rule #1, never say anything that you wouldn’t be willing to say in person.
chitownhawkeye - May 8, 2009
That would be my guess too
It seems he was directing it at Sue, and I would be interested to see this email she sends it. It’s only a matter of time until this guy comes back and we have to play “guess the nickname” again.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 8, 2009
Another correction:
I’d be interested in seeing this email Sue sends out.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 8, 2009
Great Googly-Moogly
I seem to recall him taking a bad tone in game threads last year, too – but nothing like that.
Wowie Zowie.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Last year
he posted as sackings108. Very argumentive with everyone and called people idiots a lot.
sue369 - May 8, 2009
see, now
I remember this guy.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
aramis was sackings?
Wow, that guy bothered the hell outta me.
dtpollitt - May 8, 2009
thanks for the email sue!
can’t believe how crazy that all was.
glad i left when i did. ug-lee.
Allie - May 8, 2009
yw
count yourself lucky
sue369 - May 8, 2009
Yeah, I remember that user name, too.
daver - May 8, 2009
Wasn't he the one
Who blasted a couple of fans who were being civil, just because they were opposing fans?
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
I think he did that a few times.
N Oakley - May 8, 2009
Curious how you figured him out.
His aramis posts were usually brief, but inflammatory.
N Oakley - May 8, 2009
He volunteered
the information in one of his rants.
sue369 - May 8, 2009
Yep
A lot of things made sense then. Not sure what other names he’s posted as, since he’s been banned multiple times.
chitownhawkeye - May 8, 2009
I've only known him
as sackings and now aramis.
sue369 - May 8, 2009
I wonder if I'm in the 90% or the %10?
santoswoodenlegs - May 8, 2009
I guess it depends...
…would you rather be one of the 90% or one of the 10%?
dtpollitt - May 8, 2009
Well, if he talks like that,
I’d rather be one of the 90%.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 8, 2009
+90%
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
He dissed you
too Dan in his farewell speech.
sue369 - May 8, 2009
Really?
(throws chest out)
I’m so proud. I wish I could have seen it, I wasn’t even there.
dtpollitt - May 8, 2009
I still
don’t know what he said about us.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
I wish I
could remember more. Maybe Tim will be able to share that with you.
sue369 - May 8, 2009
Holy crap - he really snapped, didn't he?
And if you scroll down far enough, you see four amusing words: “Joined Brew Crew Ball.”
daver - May 8, 2009
he's also
a Packers fan.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Don't press your luck
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
so I hear
Favre has decided to NOT go to the Vikings.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Not NOW anyway...
I don’t believe him.
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
I kinda hope he does
Might be a rude awakening for him — especially in Green Bay.
So tired of his ego — even when he was with the Packers. And the hero worship of him goes beyond the Legend of 2008 Ryan Theriot that a few of us were bantering about yesterday. To some, he can’t do any wrong, and it is insane.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Agreed
He acted upon a different set of rules than the rest of the team while he was in Green Bay, and I was very interested in hearing what the Jets said about him last year.
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 8, 2009
It was borderline blasphemous around these parts
To even suggest that 5 years ago, but yeah, after the Super Bowl win, I always thought he carried himself with an, “I’m Brett Favre, who the hell are you?” attitude.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Nope
on ESPNEWS they’re reporting he’s sent his x-rays to see if he needs surgery on that shoulder.
If he doesn’t, he’s coming out of retirement and to the Vikings.
Allie - May 8, 2009
I thought
he had something wrong with his biceps in his throwing arm. They needed to re-attach the tendon or something?
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
thats what they're determining
they’ve reported the bicep would repair itself without surgery… but now they’re saying it might need it.
who knows. the whole thing is so unending.
Allie - May 8, 2009
Such is Chett Favre.
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
Going to any of the games this weekend?
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Nope...
Watching from home tonight. Heading down to Rockton for Mom’s day and my Gramps B-day party… Which is focused around Saturday’s game… Ol’ guy turns 91!
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
You going?
We still need to meet up one of these times and catch a game.
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
Going on Sunday
Bummed about tonight — had a buddy over for dinner. F’in Brewer fan!
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
I hate for him
to do that since the Vikings just signed Sage Rosenfels. I’d really like Sage to have a chance but if Favre does go there Sage stands no chance.
sue369 - May 8, 2009
I hate to defend Sage
but if Brett goes there, at this point, Sage is a better QB. It would be bad enough to be benched, but to be benched for the aging carpetbagger star is the sort of thing that destroys your relationship with the team
chitownhawkeye - May 8, 2009
but because favre is a bigger name
he’ll get every chance while sage will get shafted.
which works out for me as a bears fan… but kinda sucks because sage seems like a nice guy.
Allie - May 8, 2009
Sage is a
personal friend and we really want him to be successful ……except when he plays the Bears of course.
sue369 - May 8, 2009
See what I mean Dan?
It’s one thing if he tells me to put appendages in my mouth, but a much different thing is when he messes with our female population, i.e. sue.
chilango2 - May 8, 2009
sue +
others, but yes.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
You're right
I should’ve used “e.g.” I would’ve flunked out of grad school for such a mistake.
chilango2 - May 8, 2009
Huh?
What did I do?
dtpollitt - May 8, 2009
Goodwill ?
If we were the Washington Nationals, I could understand the Goodwill part. If this were the end of the season and nothing was at stake, I could understand the Goodwill part.
But thankfully we are not.
We are a good team with the hope of taking the prize. It is not the time or the place to be goodwill ambassabors for a no longer serviceable thrower.
ceegeewow - May 8, 2009
please use the reply button
it makes life so much easier on everyone. :-)
Allie - May 8, 2009
You are wrong
this is not just about a nebulous “good will” this is about taking care of players and earning a reputation for taking care of players. Helping out a guy who is close to getting his pension is the equivalent of not firing someone the week before he retires even if it squeezes the company a bit. It earns the club the reputation for helping out players and can lead to better free agent signings (sometimes even cheaper ones). This is thinking two steps ahead rather than in the moment.
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
Exactly
As I said, read some of the other comments above, cgwow.
And Allie is right — reply is your friend.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
Not Really --
Fox was give a job — albeit at AAA. The Cubs did not release him. They have brought him back twice from his ulitimate fate.
Don’t you believe that their goodwill was evident when they invited him to camp? The fact that they did not release him and had him pitching at Iowa was certainly a further example of that.
Again — this is a guy who has been hanging on a thread for the last few years. He has been given an opportunity that few others get.
I just think that it is time to end this.
ceegeewow - May 8, 2009
Sigh
Please read the comments above about how it helps them sign other players. No one is going to keep typing them in. You can disagree with those comments, but it appears that you’re not seeing that side of it.
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
One Last
Sure it might help them sign other players but the fact is that the Cubs have already done their part to promote this by giving Fox these opportunities.
Letting him go now does not diminish the fact that Fox has again shown that his time at this level is up.
ceegeewow - May 8, 2009
the dude
throws 94 mph. You don’t toss that guy away after one shot. Give him another chance.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
This response I have no problem with
I might not agree, but at least you’re seeing the other side.
And, sorry about the ‘sigh’…that really wasn’t necessary. I was rushing to squeeze some actual work in . . . .
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
And
he’s not throwing junk every time.
He’s got good stuff when he’s healthy. Maybe they’re :gasp: giving a guy a chance.
Allie - May 8, 2009
Did you consider the possibility
that maybe the Cubs think he could actually be good if he came back healthy? He did have a 1.64 ERA in AAA.
DGU - May 8, 2009
Do You Really Want to See Him Again?
And again because of that they gave him another opportunity. He did not have command. He was wild and when he got the ball over the plate, he got rocked by some solid shots. Granted that Gathright misplayed one but the ball was still hid hard.
I for not just do not want to see him out there again. Why risk seeing the same thing again?
Do you?
ceegeewow - May 8, 2009
I want to see good bullpen arms
and I’m not convinced after one game that Chad Fox cannot be one of those arms.
DGU - May 8, 2009
in another 8-2 game?
sure, why not. How do you think minor league players get experience? I recognize that this is Fox’s last shot, but this is what you do with pitchers you bring up from the minors — you put them in low-stress games to see how their stuff works against major league talent.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Gathright misplayed a deep fly
in the same game that Fukudome made a great catch on a similar deep hit earlier, which ended the inning and prevented two runs from scoring.
The contrast between the two could not have been lost on Lou, hastening Joey’s ride back to Iowa.
JFCubFan - May 8, 2009
we had
a six run lead. That’s when you throw out the pitchers who aren’t good enough to get us out of a jam. In addition, Chad Fox has worked hard, and suffered injuries; why NOT give him a little help? We’re not talking about putting him in the rotation. He’ll pitch in one or two more blowouts, and then get put on the DL to rack up his time and get his gold watch — and then, when he gets hired to be a pitching coach for a college, he can talk about how the Cubs are the best team to play for, because they watch out for their guys, and when we come to draft those players, they’ll remember it.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Drew
could not agree more. I joked yesterday that Lou would put Fox in no matter the score last night. Lou said he likes to get guys in right away when they come up (in ref to Scales) and I figured he would. Al had commented that if there had not been a homer in the 8th he probably would have pitched the ninth. I was glad to see him get some work and I hope he gets in a few more games. If he is effective great, if not DL him and let him get his time.
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
Just guessing that
Fox is day to day. He’ll earn appearances if he can stack a few decent ones together. If he has another poor showing, the DL will loom.
N Oakley - May 8, 2009
I thought that everybody would like to know...
…that after listening to the Royals game yesterrday here in KC, Ronny Cedeno of the Seattle Mariners was awarded the “worst game performance” (or whatever advertising title it has, I forget) after his 0-3, 3 Ks, 1 fielding error performance. Congrats, Ronnie!
Dan
dtpollitt - May 8, 2009
It would seem he's gone from ONEDEC back to Cedeno again
Vermont Cubs Fan - May 8, 2009
It's Lou's fault;
he still has contacts in Seattle.
DGU - May 8, 2009
Does he keep a pair in every city?
Or did he just forget to grab them from his old house when he moved out?
/here all week
Clutch16 - May 8, 2009
LOL
Allie - May 8, 2009
i cant believe that made me laugh....but it did.
JB 23 - May 8, 2009
Visions of Rick Wild Thing Vaughn, making the Hall of Shame
SackMan - May 8, 2009
That movie was on last night on one of the HBOs
I hat to watch it until I fell asleep. What a gem.
chilango2 - May 8, 2009
"Cable, you may run like Hayes, but you hit like sh--."
JCD - May 8, 2009
Ot: Melvin fired in AZ Cubs connection.
Out here in AZ, the name of Brenly has been tossed about by local media and sports talk radio, any conversations about this being a possibility in Chicago?
lemon20pie - May 8, 2009
Brenley
has been pretty specific that he does NOT want to leave the booth.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
it
certainly would not leave him very free to go catch one of his son’s games every now and again. He seems to enjoy that a lot.
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
not necessarily
He said he will only leave the booth for the right job. Doubt he’d up and leave in the middle of the season and perhaps AJ Hinch is just an interim guy… but AZ management is different than the one that fired Brenly, the ballpark there is empty, and bringing back Brenly might make the fans excited again.
dmlichte - May 8, 2009
Brenly's name might come up in Cleveland when Eric Wedge gets whacked within a matter of days
Brenly is an Ohio native. Not sure an overrated sabermagician GM like Mark Shapiro would hire a Brenly, but it does bear some watching.
BLou - May 8, 2009
I don't think the Cubs would let him out of his contract during the season.
They would accomodate him in the off-season but I doubt they’d let him out during a season.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
and he doesn't want to take over a team that's in a rebuilding mode.
He wants a club ready to win now, just like the Cubs will be after Lou retires.
Itchy - May 8, 2009
*scratches head*
i think i see what your getting at…i was hoping for Trammel with Ryno as bench coach
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
i don't know about Trammel.
I don’t see much brilliance coming from him during games.
Itchy - May 8, 2009
How long ago did he specifically say he does NOT want to leave the booth
Didn’t he interview for the Brewers vacant Managerial position last off-season?
lemon20pie - May 8, 2009
there was something
recently. There’s a fanpost about an interview with him from the past few weeks.
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/5/5/865700/bob-brenly-interview-on-knbr-680
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Seems that he's quickly changed his mind...
considering that he definitely interviewed for the Milwaukee job this past offseason.
Or perhaps he’s just toeing the company line and not openly campaigning for another job while he has a job currently.
SouthernCub - May 8, 2009
Maybe he's just keeping his options open?
If someone called me to interview for one of only 30 jobs in the world, I’d go to the interview.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Could be that, too...
SouthernCub - May 8, 2009
quickly?
the interview was in November or December, wasn’t it? I dunno if that’s “quickly”.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Chad Fox -- Jim Hendry's personal charitable cause
All I can think of his that Fox has pictures of Hendry doing something he shouldn’t have. Fox has had one semi-relevant major league season in his professional career. Punctuated by years of awfulness and trips back and forth to the minors combined with his arm falling off every 18 months or so.
BLou - May 8, 2009
Well here's hoping Fox at least gets a good couple of outings...
…even if it’s in “mop up” time, just for his sake.
malicedoom - May 8, 2009
maybe Waddell or Stevens will be better but at this
point why not bring him up – the others will be getting regular work in Iowa’s bullpen which is probably more beneficial – at this point – than being the last guy in the Cubs bullpen. Let those guys help out in mid-season – and once again – with 360 major league pitching spots to fill you’re going to get some clunkers on almost every team
doofus cubs guy - May 8, 2009
I really know nothing about Randy Wells...
…but I know the horrible Dave Bush is throwing tonight, and last time Dome hit a dong off him. Here’s the box score from that game.
dtpollitt - May 8, 2009
I think the Cubs may make a play at Ryan Freel...
Per MLB traderumors reports:
And Levine writes in his blog:
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
Any idea what Freel is making this year?
With him on the DL and underperforming the last couple of years, any dollars on that contract make acquiring him unlikely. If he can’t outperform Scales, why would Hendry spend the money?
N Oakley - May 8, 2009
$4 mill.
Doesn’t Baltimore owe us a player already?
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
He is owed another 3.3 mill this season.
I think they do owe another player. But I thought it was dictated on what Rich Hill does.
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
3.3 mill... I am not supporting this...
Just found it interesting that Levine has reported a possible trade for a utility guy and the O’s wanting to dump him. He actually is ready to come off the DL. If they are interested in him I would see if they can get him as a released player instead of a trade. Then, they wouldn’t have to take the contract.
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
That's a load of dough, but regardless of cash
the question is still does Freel offer more than Scales.
Looking at Freel’s 2007, 2008 and this year so far, I don’t see it and comparing Scales last 4 years in AAA, he can do the same things with better slugging,better health history, and more “Damn, I’m happy to be in the majors,” versus “Damn, I really should be starting” attitude.
My vote’s on Scales until he proves he can’t do it.
N Oakley - May 8, 2009
I don't disagree but it's starting to pick up more steam.
Rosenthal is reporting it now too:
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
I really wish
that the words “outfield depth” and “micah hoffpauir” weren’t so connected.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
If the Cubs did indeed add Freel, do the Cubs need both him and Miles???
I know Freel would mainly be added for 3B depth and versatility in the OF, but I wonder if there would be any interest from other teams in Miles for a BP pitcher.
lemon20pie - May 8, 2009
Depends,
on if you mean bullpen or batting practice. /sarcasm
N Oakley - May 8, 2009
I'd guess Miles had very little trade value,
at least during the season.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
well
we all know how Lou works. If Freel does come to the Cubs and won’t take the backup role, Lou is just going to sit him, or dump him. What’s another 3.3 mill?
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
The remaining contract cost of a
good bullpen arm or two at the trade deadline?
N Oakley - May 8, 2009
Very happy to see Bill Murray make an appearance in the gamethread last night!
Chanman25 - May 8, 2009
just for you, Chanman. :)
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
TWSS
Shanghai Badger - May 8, 2009
mmhmm
damn right thats what they ladyfolk say to me
Chanman25 - May 8, 2009
lol
sue369 - May 8, 2009
haha well thanks!
studying for an AP test last night…oh so fun…
Chanman25 - May 8, 2009
time for Brian Roberts to don a Cubs jersey
Instead of clogging the DL with Fox, D-Lee, Gathwrong, How about trading some of the fluff away?
LarryCubFan - May 8, 2009
IT'S ALIVE!!!!!!
dtpollitt - May 8, 2009
lol
one of these things is not like the other…
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Ugh
this is why i stay away in the offseason the running joke later is old… no way i’d survive the ‘real thing’
Allie - May 8, 2009
I just
threw up in my mouth a little.
DMCub - May 8, 2009
why do people on here love the sac bunt so much?
Why do you want to score fewer runs, and have a smaller change of scoring 1 run?
Cubs pitchers whose last name does not begin with a Z should be sacrificing runners over. Those are the ONLY players that should be sac bunting (if our goal is to score runs, which I think it should be).
joeschmitt - May 8, 2009
disagree
there are situations where it is beneficial to sac bunt even if a good hitter is hitting. But that is mostly late in a close game, something the cubs have not played many of
wax eagle - May 8, 2009
there are situations where
a sac bunt attempt by a good hitter incresaes run expectancy, or increases the odds of scoring 1 run? I doubt that but would be interested in seeing your support.
joeschmitt - May 8, 2009
Regarding one Fox, Chad:
I’d recommend everyone look at his pitch info on Gameday. The velocity on his fastball was consistently 93-94. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but that makes for a pretty good differential on his 82-83 MPH slider.
OBVIOUSLY, he had control problems. OBVIOUSLY, he served up meatballs to Pudge and Erstad. But if he can iron out his control, he could help this team. (I think he needs to mix in his slider more.) Maybe the bullpen could use his veteran presence.
Oh, and believe me, I wasn’t expecting to find myself defending Chad Fox today. But, as mentioned above, I believe that whole inning turned (for Fox, anyway) on the grotesque misplay by Gathright and Soriano.
daver - May 8, 2009
I dunno, he's old
and has injury frequency, so why not just pre-emptively get rid of him before he dissapoints and we prove whether or not he can add value.
Heck, the system has an unlimited number of effective arms to replace him. I hear that Shark guy is really advancing…
Oh, I also read the stock market is a steady investment with a slow upward curve and never ever dips.
N Oakley - May 8, 2009
You're a little too obsessed with velocity.
Velocity alone does not get hitters out. Bob Howry threw consistently at 92-93 last year. How’d that work out?
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
Yup
And yesterday FONZI’s second bomb came off a 97 mph heater. The harder they throw the farther they go sometimes.
MandMexpress12 - May 8, 2009
I agree
I’d rather have a guy throwing 88, 89 and hitting his spots.
DMCub - May 8, 2009
Right, but it's a starting point.
And, as mentioned, being able to throw a low to mid-90s fastball sets up his slider – always his best pitch – nicely. I just don’t think it’s fair to ship the guy off to retirement based only on his first appearance. Ted Lilly started the game much the same way – no control, served up a meatball to Tejada then worked his way back into the game. Fox never got that chance.
And we’re not talking about a Kyle Farnsworth-type who throws 98 mph. Fox has the kind of velocity that he very well could control if given the opportunity. I think he deserves that shot.
daver - May 8, 2009
However...
… if velocity is all you have to recommend Fox, he’s pretty worthless. It doesn’t appear that he has much of a slider left.
If he were younger, I’d say sure, give him another chance. But he’s 38. What’s the point? Jeff Stevens could do better.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
Like I said, his velocity is just the starting point.
He faced four batters, threw 17 pitches and got some pretty shoddy outfield defense – not exactly the fairest audition. I’d like to see him get another chance to show whether he still has some control at the major league level. If he fails another time or two then, by all means, show him to the rest home. I have to think Hendry wouldn’t have brought him up if his slider was gone. He must’ve been throwing it in Iowa, no?
I’m definitely not married to the guy – I’d like to see what Stevens can do, too. But it’s still May 8. There’s plenty of time to spin the revolving bullpen door a few more times.
daver - May 8, 2009
As a starter Ted Lilly has that luxury.
A reliever and career reliever prepares, and trains to be at his best from the moment he enters the game for an inning or 2 at most. However, your point is valid not to judge him on one outing, especially first one back in the Big’s. It is fair tho to speculate his “bionic” elbow (Al put it so greatly in his wrap) is hanging by its last tendon.
MandMexpress12 - May 8, 2009
That's true.
And, yeah, his elbow is certainly mythical at this point. Didn’t seem to be bothering him last night, though.
daver - May 8, 2009
I don't care what his velocity was
when he got the ball over the plate it was crushed, period. Thanks for trying but see ya. He’s not some rookie, he’s got 9 years of service, it wasn’t nerves, it was lack of pitching skills.
Itchy - May 8, 2009
I think you're oversimplifying...
…if you really don’t think nerves were a factor. And the fact that he’s been in professional baseball that long would seem to indicate he has some pitching skills.
daver - May 8, 2009
I've heard lots of players say they get nervous on opening day
and last night was opening day for Fox.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Did he lay the same egg last time we brought him up?
He’s just a jouneyman bum, no more, no less.
Itchy - May 8, 2009
I don't think anyone's expecting him
to be anything more than a journeyman. I agree with Daver — he’s here for at least a few weeks. Let’s give him another chance, in another blowout, on a short leash. It’s not like Gregg got gassed yesterday.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Once again I find myself defending the undefendable.
Maybe I should open a law practice.
daver - May 8, 2009
Maybe
LOL!
Itchy - May 8, 2009
By the time he got in the game no one but Cubs fans were left in the stands
Why be nervous?
Lame excuse.
JFCubFan - May 8, 2009
Oh, I don't know...
…maybe because his major league baseball career was on the line? Just throwin’ that out there.
daver - May 8, 2009
I don't think
it’s the wrath of the Cubs fans he’s worried about. It’s still an audition for Lou.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Jeff Stevens
As I told Josh77 I am going to the Memphis vs Iowa game tommorrow night and will hopefully be able to see Steven’s pitch, as Smarge is smarge is starting and will not go the full length. I will do my best to try and report a detailed description of all of Steven’s pitch sequences and any other relevant info.
I agree with Al though, we were a bit lucky last night and Scales deserves at least a couple more starts before we dismiss him. At the very least, Scales is versitile and plays multiple positions, Gathright does none of that and can’t hit. For those who argue the speed factor, Scales led the AAA club in runs scored last year and I believe stolen bases.
Will report again on Sunday with hopefully a Jeff Steven’s update.
les
Les Lancaster - May 8, 2009
I want Scales to get a chance too but I am biased.
I am a proud Milton High School Alum. I bet Bobby Scales when he substitued my brother. Could not meet a nicer more respectful guy. Always worked to help our baseball team. Bobby once told our class a very entertaining story about him during class. It was 2002 or 2003 and Kyle Farnsworth was hitting triple digits. Scales knew my brother and I were big Cubs fans being from Chicago. Well when Scales was at school at Milton, Kyle Farnsworth went there too. They obviously both played baseball but they both played basketball during the winter. Well one basketball season the mens b-ball team had to practice in the auxiliary gym because the girl’s team was playing a game. The men’s team was scrimmaging and scales and Farnsworth were going back and forth trash talking. Well after Scales blocked his shot and did a little trash talking, Farnsworth lost his temper (big surprise). The big Farnsworth picked up the little scales and threw him through the curtain down into the main gym into the girls basketball game. The gym erupted in laughter and the basketball refs had to stop the game. Scales said he was never so embarrassed. No surprise the type of guy Kyle turned out to be after hearing that story years and years ago. Ill never forget it. Farnrworth was also suspended multiple times in high school for fighting. Like the old saying goes some people never change
MandMexpress12 - May 8, 2009
typo
I met Bobby Scales when he substituted my brother and I. Sorry!
MandMexpress12 - May 8, 2009
thanks for the clarification.
I was thinking there must have been some really high-stakes poker games going on down there at Milton High during study hall…
ballhawk - May 8, 2009
Ballhawk
Do you do hawking for all the games, a vast majority, or just when you can?
MandMexpress12 - May 8, 2009
Yes ;-)
I live in close proximity to Wrigley so getting to the games is not an issue. More than anything else it’s a function of employment.
When I first moved to Chicago, I had the traveling consultant gig so my hawking was limited to mostly just weekends. When that shifted to a downtown job, it was more nights, weekends, and the occasional long lunch hour (the Red Line is a wonderful thing). And when that morphed into more of a work-from-home situation, then I was able to get to at least BP for most all the games, and sometimes able to come back for the game itself – just made up the time later.
Of course, when one is unemployed (like now) that it becomes all games – wind direction, temperature and arthritic knees permitting.
ballhawk - May 8, 2009
Cool story.
Definitely NOT surprising about Farnsy.
daver - May 8, 2009
Fox / Howry
Interesting comparison.
What Howry offered when he was right
- a good breaking ball that he got over for strikes. Then his fastball -which had no movement — was good enough to finish the job. When he no longer could get his breaking pitches over the plate, the batters just waited to pop his diminishing straight-as-an-arrow fastball.Small comparison to what Fox showed last night — could not get his breaking ball over the plate. Then his fastball gets hammered.
ceegeewow - May 8, 2009
Exactly right.
We already saw this movie, last year. There’s really no need to see it again. Get Jeff Stevens up here.
Al Yellon - May 8, 2009
agreed
cant wait to see Steven’s tommorrow night! +1
Les Lancaster - May 8, 2009
Sorry if this has already been asked and answered...
Has the decision on the suspension of Bradley come down from MLB yet? They said Friday.
malicedoom - May 8, 2009
No word yet.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
OK, thanks
malicedoom - May 8, 2009
I think that's good.
If the 2 games was going to stand, I think they would have announced it quickly.
I’m guessing it will either be reduced to 1 day.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Looks like it is official:
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
So long Joey.
santoswoodenlegs - May 8, 2009
Can't really say I'll miss him.
Never showed much when he played. Other than what NOT to do when you pinch run.
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
He reminded me of Cedeno,
getting picked off, oversliding 2nd base.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Just guessing, but not in a good way?
N Oakley - May 8, 2009
Definitely not good.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Tools but no toolbox type scenario.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
I have no problem with Gathright moving on, but
I don’t see what Freel adds either.
Here’s hoping he’s the 2003 era Ryan Freel.
N Oakley - May 8, 2009
He adds
another Scrappy player…
Fishbone2 - May 8, 2009
Another deal with the Os - love it...
malicedoom - May 8, 2009
Does anybody have any
Insight on Greg Reinhard? He’s been pitching great, but I had never heard of him until about 2 weeks ago.
wrigleyrocker12 - May 8, 2009
What level is he pitching at?
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Iowa
I know that. Here’s his stats and bio.
wrigleyrocker12 - May 8, 2009
Looks like he has his own website
LINK
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
He was acquired from the Rays
for Jae Kuk Ryu in the off-season in 2007.
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
You know there's a guy named Josh on this site...
…who covers the minor leagues, right?
daver - May 8, 2009
Yes
But there’s no way of directly asking him.
wrigleyrocker12 - May 8, 2009
there's a link to e-mail him at the bottom of the main page.
tootle - May 8, 2009
You could just post a comment...
…in one of the minor league wraps he puts up EVERY FREAKIN’ DAY.
daver - May 9, 2009
Gregg
Is it just me or is Kevin Gregg growing on anyone else?
puckishcubsfan - May 8, 2009
Well
I have this bet, you see…
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
Are you talking about the bet
that Gregg will at least equal the number of saves Woody had in 2008?
Who did you bet?
cowsarecool220 - May 8, 2009
Kinky
Reggae, I think.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
and yes
that’s the bet I’m talking about.
drewishdrewid - May 8, 2009
I had a Kevin Gregg growing on me once...
…but I went to a dermatologist and had it removed.
daver - May 8, 2009
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