Just three days ago, BCB reader lswaidz posted "Lillyisms", a post containing all the amazing things Ted Lilly has done, can do, or will do in the future.
Among all the incredible feats posted there, we left one out: his first career triple. Ted threw 6.2 outstanding scoreless innings and slammed a ball deep into the gap in right-center field at the Juice Box last night, hoofing it all the way to third base and later scoring. This helped lead the Cubs to an impressive 7-1 win over the Astros last night, the shutout ruined by a home run in the 9th inning off Sean Marshall (can anyone explain to me why Marshall, instead of Jason Waddell, was throwing in the 9th?). I don't think it's too early to start the "Ted Lilly For The All-Star Team" bandwagon.
That last note is my only complaint about the team's performance last night. Mike Fontenot celebrated his 29th birthday -- there was a study done by Bill James years ago that indicated that players often have big days on their birthdays -- with four hits, including his sixth home run; it was nice to see him break out and start hitting the ball with authority again. Same for Geovany Soto, who had three hits. And can we officially put the "move Derrek Lee down in the lineup" talk away? D-Lee had two hits and two walks and is now hitting .269/.358/.437. Even Andres Blanco joined in the fun with a two-run double that finished the Cub scoring in the sixth inning. Jake Fox had a pinch-double -- his fifth pinch-hit in six PH at-bats this year, very impressive -- and was rewarded with a return ticket to Iowa so that Aaron Miles could be activated. I don't understand this at all; Andres Blanco and Bobby Scales can do anything Miles can, and Fox was a useful bat off the bench. He'll be back.
Milton Bradley originally wasn't going to play last night, but talked Lou into using him; he had a tough day at the plate, going 0-for-6 with three K's and leaving ten batters stranded, but made a nice diving catch in right field in the ninth inning. Speaking of runners left on base, the Cubs could have scored far more runs than they did; they left sixteen men on base, which could have been cause for alarm if the pitching staff wasn't doing so well and they hadn't scored seven runs already.
It was a good day all around for the Cubs; late in the first round of what Bud Selig and Co. have now termed the "First-Year Player Draft" (and I cringed every time I heard him say "Los Angeleeeeeeeez" in announcing Dodgers and Angels picks), the Cubs tabbed outfielder Brett Jackson from UC-Berkeley. Complete coverage of the draft in BCB's minor league section, and also last night, Josh77 posted a link to this video of Jackson taken by his father and posted on YouTube. The instant analysis of the pick on the MLB Network was universally positive; I hope they get Jackson, who is a huge Cubs fan, signed soon and playing. As a college player he could probably head right to the Midwest League, but I'm guessing he'd go to Boise at first.
And even better -- the Cardinals and Brewers both lost last night; that puts St. Louis, the Cubs, and the Reds (who won their game) in a virtual tie 2.5 games behind Milwaukee, but the Cubs, who have lost fewer games than the Cardinals or Reds, lead by one percentage point and are technically in second place by themselves, just one game down to the Brewers in the loss column. And, Len Kasper reported during last night's telecast that Aramis Ramirez had done a bit of hitting in the batting cage and taken a few ground balls, only one month after his shoulder separation. They won't rush him, but he does still appear to be on target to return after the All-Star break. And, the Cubs are now 8-4 since the eight-game losing streak ended. Keep the faith.
0 recs | 305 comments
That the kind of win I like to see
I get antsy when when we have a bunch of one run games, even when we win. Seeing as I’m an old guy and understand that you can’t win them all, I don’t freak out too bad when we lose a couple in a row. BUT- and I repeat BUT i really dislike seeing a team play like a bunch of individuals rather than as a group.
carolinacub - June 10, 2009
It is nice
It is nice to win in a blowout once in awhile. My heart can’t take much more extra innings especially on the road.
puckishcubsfan - June 10, 2009
Ted has sealed his ASG bid as long as he keeps doing what he's doing
Last night in the game thread I was trying to think of who could stop him from being the starter. We had Johan, Cain, Lincecum, and Marquis. Anybody else?
nji232 - June 10, 2009
Billingsley, maybe.
Al Yellon - June 10, 2009
Was funny
watching Lilly continually checking over his shoulder on the triple.
thermal54 - June 10, 2009
I have rewatched that triple many times since last night and enjoyed it every time. Nobody was more surprised than Ted to realize he was on third base when it ended.
puckishcubsfan - June 10, 2009
I
was impressed by his head first slide!! It looked like a very good slide.
gwood - June 10, 2009
He is Bobby Scales baserunning instructor after all
heine41 - June 10, 2009
True
forgot about that fact
gwood - June 10, 2009
We all were lucky that Lilly's cape was tucked in on that slide,
otherwise he would have flew away to help rescue some damsel in distress.
Fishbone2 - June 10, 2009
*We're
Fishbone2 - June 10, 2009
no
you were right the first time.
false cognate - June 10, 2009
unless
you mean to replace “we all were” with “We’re”
false cognate - June 10, 2009
Although Marquis leads the NL in victories...
if anyone takes a look at the rest of his #’s…. not so impressive. Not All-Star worthy imho.
digitalbenjamin - June 10, 2009
I know the fans don't get to pick
But is it a vote of managers and players that put the pitchers in? Because if it is- wins will be the only stat considered.
nji232 - June 10, 2009
Do the Rockies have any other potential All Stars?
The rule is that each team must be represented, right? If he’s the best thing they’ve got going, Lilly might just be out of luck . . .
madcow256 - June 10, 2009
Brad Hawpe is hitting .335 with 8 homers, and 43 RBI
WanderingWanderer - June 10, 2009
And if I remember...
Helton is having a good year.
CubsWin!Oregon - June 10, 2009
Right on both counts
But tough positions to fit in an All Star, when fans can get someone like Fukodome a spot. Hawpe deserves it though.
madcow256 - June 10, 2009
Lowe
maybe?
gwood - June 10, 2009
Randy Wells could be All-Star consideration if he keeps throwing the way he is...
He’s got a 238 ERA+ over 40 IP. Alas, we cannot win for him.
dtpollitt - June 10, 2009
That
is a ridiculous ERA+, WOW!!
gwood - June 10, 2009
I agree to pitch 40 innings and have 238 ERA....
must be some kind of record.
j/k dan :)
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
ERA+ is actually a different metric; he didn't mean ERA
Shanghai Badger - June 10, 2009
Haren & Cueto for sure
Other than wins which are not his fault, Haren’s numbers are SICK.
Doggie Stalker - June 10, 2009
Poor Dan Haren.
He’s this year Matt Cain. His teammates don’t score any runs for him when he pitches. He must think they don’t like him.
cowsarecool220 - June 10, 2009
I don't feel as bad for Haren as I do for Randy Wells.
But I might be slightly biased.
Blue W - June 10, 2009
Carpenter
if he stays healthy through the allstar break. He might not be the starter but he has to at least be considered for the team if he is healthy and you really want to give yourself the best chance to win the game.
The other thing that could stop any of these guys is the schedule…how many of the best pitchers did not pitch because they did pitched on Sunday last year.
TheRiot Police - June 10, 2009
I wish someone would take Aaron Miles off our roster.
I got nothing against him personally. He and Gathright were bizarre pickups over the off-season.
zevkalman - June 10, 2009
Unfortunately it's a $ thing with Miles.
But if that’s the reason you keep him on the roster… why not move either Scales or Blanco and keep Fox up? Do we really need that many middle infielders?
digitalbenjamin - June 10, 2009
Hendry does love his MI's
WanderingWanderer - June 10, 2009
My guess is Fox
will be back for DH stints and they are getting him some consisitent AB’s to get ready for that role.
mrcubsfan - June 10, 2009
That makes a lot of sense.
cowsarecool220 - June 10, 2009
I got a solution:
Have Zambrano “accidentally trip” Miles in the clubhouse. I am inclined to believe this team is better with Scales, Blanco and Fox than with Miles and Freel. But then again, I’m not a general manager for a multi-million dollar baseball franchise.
chilango2 - June 10, 2009
I just play one on tv...
:)
CubsWin!Oregon - June 10, 2009
Let's send Miles out to Denver to help Clint Barmes carry
some deer meat up the stairs?
N Oakley - June 10, 2009
is Freel stil on the active roster?
digitalbenjamin - June 10, 2009
DL right now.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
I agree
We should keep Blanco in the bigs as he is our best defensive middle infielder and has crazy range at 2nd base.
srwilly - June 10, 2009
no specific place to put this
with day 2 not started yet, but pirates fans detest their draft so far. cardinals fans like theirs. haven’t visited houston, milw, or cin-cinna-tuh yet, but i’d imagine astros fans may be renouncing their team.
tim815 - June 10, 2009
Pirates fans
should detest their draft because it was designed o save money so that they had the money to sign Miguel Sanos from the DR.
Josh Timmers - June 10, 2009
2004
This is reminding me of 2004 the Cubs holding their heads above water and keeping within striking distance of first place while they wait for comebacks from injuries.
But this is a better team than the 04 one and I expect once they hit on all cylinders they will leave the Brew crew and Cardinal birds in their dust.
puckishcubsfan - June 10, 2009
and Latroy Hawkins is not on this team...
digitalbenjamin - June 10, 2009
Speaking of `04...
…I was at PNC Park when they dropped a twi-night DH in late May to the Bucs. Both were lost on late-inning home runs, one off Barowski and the other off our favorite all-time pitcher, Hawkins. Was anyone else there?
thermal54 - June 10, 2009
Bizarre
I have more of a memory of a hilarious typo on a former site when someone said Borowski had to go because he was blowing daves instead of saves.
puckishcubsfan - June 10, 2009
Mackowiak
Hit a walk-off grand slam in the 1st game (Borowski) and tied the second game in the 9th (Hawkins) with a 2-run HR. Thank you, Baseballreference.com!
thermal54 - June 10, 2009
That's the day Rob Mackowiak's son was born.
Boy, will he have a story to tell him!
cowsarecool220 - June 10, 2009
ugh, it's posting double again
cowsarecool220 - June 10, 2009
Nope, only appears to
Shanghai Badger - June 10, 2009
You learn fast grasshopper.
N Oakley - June 10, 2009
Now, that's weird.
cowsarecool220 - June 10, 2009
BITTER MEMORIES......
I took the day off to watch that game ….My wife still brings it up at times…She said i was in a very bad mood all weekend…Wonder Why ?? They shoud have won both games…..
cubs north - June 10, 2009
i still stand by prediction of the cubs winning the division by 10 games
heine41 - June 10, 2009
For some reason the Reds series put me in this camp again
Maybe not by 10 games, but these other teams are jokes. We might be in first place when Aramis comes back.
nji232 - June 10, 2009
we might be in first place by the time Dero cmes back :)
heine41 - June 10, 2009
Just to give you an idea of how hard that is...
…the Angels won their division last year by 21 games…because they won 100 games, and the Rangers were below .500. We had the 2nd biggest division lead, and that’s because we won 97 games, and that was only a 7.5 game separation.
10 is asking a lot.
dtpollitt - June 10, 2009
I understand that of course
but Ted Lilly does not
heine41 - June 10, 2009
Oh, I see what you did there.
dtpollitt - June 10, 2009
Ted understands
he understands everything. He just doesn’t care
chitownhawkeye - June 10, 2009
Yeah, winning the division by 10 games is way too rich for my blood.
The Cards are obviously ice cold right now, but there’s still a long way to go.
daver - June 10, 2009
Also on the draft
God almighty the Cubs have a bad history in the 1st round.
In 30 years the only players to have a long term career with the Cubs are Shawon Dunston and Kerry Wood. And Joe Carter is the only one to have a significant career elsewhere.
puckishcubsfan - June 10, 2009
Our drafting is a joke
I heard we took a center fielder and just laughed. Based on the history of CF prospects in Chicago, I would have looked at another position.
nji232 - June 10, 2009
yea but... this guy really "looks like a ballplayer"
digitalbenjamin - June 10, 2009
Watching that youtube video...
on the home page, i will say they guy keeps his bat in the hitting zone (strike zone) for a long period of time. Obviously i didnt see it in slow motion but it was pretty impressive.
HIGGY - June 10, 2009
agreed
but like all Josh said, it was a greatest hits video. would like to have seen him striking out a couple times
heine41 - June 10, 2009
True...
But for someone who keeps the bat in the zone for that long, it is a good sign. Greatest hits or not, the fundamentals are there.
All hitters look bad when they strike out. To me, it appeared that he was swinging smoothly and controlled, while keeping the bat in the best possible place to hit the ball.
HIGGY - June 10, 2009
Unfortunately, that motion has netted him a really low contact rate
SouthernCub - June 10, 2009
Really?
I dont know much about the guy so i am really asking – it just appears like he has the tools in place, but who am i to tell. I did have a few cocktails last night which has made for a slow morning.
HIGGY - June 10, 2009
He struck out 61 times in 247 PA this year...
Or once every four plate appearances.
For his college career, he struck out 117 times in 21% of his plate appearances.
SouthernCub - June 10, 2009
Poorly-worded last sentence...
For his college career, he struck out 117 times in 546 PA (481 AB), or 21% of his plate appearances.
SouthernCub - June 10, 2009
You must be...
trying to make this morning even tougher for me huh?
j/k. Yea those numbers are not that great but it is college, minor league teaching could change that.
HIGGY - June 10, 2009
Hopefully it gets better...
(both your morning, and Jackson’s contact rate). But I do think the low contact rate is a concern.
SouthernCub - June 10, 2009
MLB Network compared him to
Edmonds… Saying he’s very athletic, can run, hit, has all the tools to be successful… Said with a little coaching they feel they can improve the contact rate and lower the k’s.
Fishbone2 - June 10, 2009
That's what Wilken Said
In the sun-times today
in his freshman and sophmore year, Jackson had 56 strike-outs in 263 at-bats, which is a little better.
gwood - June 10, 2009
gotta love those purdy left handed swings
heine41 - June 10, 2009
Are they sweet?
Clutch16 - June 10, 2009
I think we should petition the alderman to make it illegal for the Cubs to pick a centerfielder in the first round and the Bears to draft a quarterback period.
puckishcubsfan - June 10, 2009
Many teams fail on their first round picks.
I’d like to see the results for other teams over the last 30 years. A baseball first round pick is not nearly as close to a sure thing as a first round NFL or NBA pick.
Al Yellon - June 10, 2009
I'm guessing we're well below than the average...
I think somewhere between 1/4 and 1/3 of first rounders at least make the big leagues.
SouthernCub - June 10, 2009
Over half
of first rounders make the big leagues, but a lot of those are just September cups of coffee that don’t amount to anything. People have done studies on this and I can’t remember right now, but I think it’s about 1/3 of first round picks have significant careers.
If someone could post the actual studies, that would be great.
Josh Timmers - June 10, 2009
That sounds about right.
SouthernCub - June 10, 2009
I heard someone say 55% get at least a cup of coffee
seems about right
salparadise23 - June 10, 2009
Minus...
the Bears first round picks :)
They are usually sure things that will fail.
HIGGY - June 10, 2009
When the Bears got Cutler and some people were bemoaning the trade of first round picks I thought why?
(Not as bad as those who thought we were making a mistake giving up Orton).
puckishcubsfan - June 10, 2009
Agreed.
The NCAA’s are essentially the NFL’s and NBA’s minor leagues.
thermal54 - June 10, 2009
Care to ask the Bears about that first round?
Hey, they traded (2) #’1s for Cutler! Now if they can find someone he can count on throwing the ball to that will actually catch it and run with it.
While the ‘Hawks have done well the last few years (Toews in ’06, Kane in ’07) they too were very lame in their #1’s for what seemed like decades.
blackhawk24 - June 10, 2009
Leaving out Rafael Palmeiro
SouthernCub - June 10, 2009
you'll be eating crow
when Mark Prior returns and eventually wins a Cy Young.
digitalbenjamin - June 10, 2009
What league will that be in?
The Towel League?
Al Yellon - June 10, 2009
Yep... the MTLB
digitalbenjamin - June 10, 2009
They give those out in the Northern League too?
blackhawk24 - June 10, 2009
I'm trying not to get too high about the hitting last night
Don’t get me wrong we did what we should do- beat up on a crappy pitcher. Its just that we own Moehler this year so I’ll enjoy the fun of last night, but I don’t consider it the start of a trend.
nji232 - June 10, 2009
Moehler had our number a while back this season
So the “crappy pitcher” line won’t apply.
Take it.
CubFaninNY - June 10, 2009
Moehler is the definition of a crappy pitcher
nji232 - June 10, 2009
lots of crappy pitchers have had our number
doesn’t mean they aren’t crappy. Moehler is bad.
WanderingWanderer - June 10, 2009
Here's, I'll help you keep reality:
Milton Bradley needs to go on the DL and rehab, getting his regular swings in @ the minors, or he needs to decide he’s fully and 100% healthy, THEN play. He left 10 friggin’ men on base last night. TEN. Unacceptable.
dtpollitt - June 10, 2009
Well his sure to be LOB partner in crime
Aaron Miles will try and leave guys on base right behind Milton.
nji232 - June 10, 2009
when you're the only guy making outs
you’re going to leave a lotta guys on base. We had 16 his yesterday. There’s time for Bradley to get his swing together. And I can’t imagine that an unhealthy Bradley makes those running and diving catches.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
I'm interested to see what
Lou will do in interleague play. Will he DH Fox? Will he DH Bradley and play Hoff in right or visa versa? Will he DH Bradley and play Johnson in center and Dome in right?
So many options.
gwood - June 10, 2009
With Fox back on the farm
I would guess it’ll be a combination of Hoffpauir/Bradley, depending on Bradley’s health.
If Fox is back, my guess is we’d see him split DH with Hoffpauir, depending on the pitcher. Bradley, if healthy, would be in RF.
Bill Potter - June 10, 2009
It's hard to get your timing down...
…when your clock stops every two weeks or so. That was a hell of a catch in the ninth, though, no?
daver - June 10, 2009
After the last out a few guys seemed to be congratulating him on that catch,
I think they even got a smile out of him.
It might have slightly taken the sting out of an 0-6 night at the plate.
Blue W - June 10, 2009
1. Great Recap
2. Wow, that’s alot of LOB
3. Jake Fox, you will be missed (and we will remember spots where he would have fit perfectly as PH instead of Blanco/Miles). Hurry back soon!
4. Milton, stop being so hard up on proving yourself.
This is likely why you get injured so much, you just don’t seem to understand what your limits are bc of the elephant-sized chip on your shoulder. You shoud have stopped by BCB yesterday for the Hug-it-out, you obviously need one of those Robin Williams-Matt Damon style “Its not your fault. Its not your fault. Its not your fault” sessions…
The Ryno and I Know - June 10, 2009
Fox would have been useful today vs. the LHP Rodriguez.
Al Yellon - June 10, 2009
Couldn't we just send Miles down to Iowa and keep Jake Fox?
It makes much more sense. Miles has been a disaster to this point. While Jake Fox hasn’t been good at a position yet, if we kept him up here, he would have a perfect chance to learn a position.
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 10, 2009
Not really, no.
Miles has too much MLB service time to be sent down. And, from Jim Hendry’s perspective, you don’t send sign veteran players to two-year, $5 million contracts and send them to Triple A.
daver - June 10, 2009
Plus,
The perfect chance for Fox to learn a position is really IN the minors.
Fishbone2 - June 10, 2009
It'll be interesting to see whether they put him at third base.
daver - June 10, 2009
Hopefully his manager lets him this time
nji232 - June 10, 2009
they should teach him
to play outfield. Center.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Yes, so we could eventually trade him to Baltimore.
daver - June 10, 2009
well, if he can HIT...
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
How about right wing?
Point guard?
Clutch16 - June 10, 2009
Soccer
forward.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Wicket-keeper?
Blue W - June 10, 2009
Hooker
Clutch16 - June 10, 2009
Curling Skip.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Domestique
CyberCyclist - June 10, 2009
Silly Mid-off
willie mays hayes' gloves - June 10, 2009
Kind of upset to see...
Fox go back down. I know he’s not the greatest defensively, but he can flat out hit. With White and Scales, I don’t see the fit or need for Miles anymore (or ever for that matter).
CubsBullsBears - June 10, 2009
I'm hoping he open the eyes
of some AL general managers despite his abbreviated stint with the Cubs.
gwood - June 10, 2009
plus with interleague play coming up he could have DH'd
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
I bet
he’ll be back. They’ll send Scales or Blanco down.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Hopefully Scales
Great story and all, but I really enjoy watching Blanco play defense. He seems to be starting to hit a little too.
gwood - June 10, 2009
+1
Love me some defense.
CubsBullsBears - June 10, 2009
Here's another Ted Lilly thread
from last year. Pretty funny stuff. Ted Lilly Facts
digitalbenjamin - June 10, 2009
you're right
very funny stuff. Ted Lily said so himself.
tony412 - June 10, 2009
Someone should send that link to Pat & Ron before Ted's next start.
Or maybe Len & Bob.
Blue W - June 10, 2009
Or what about Sara
She does such fun pieces with some of the players… I wonder if she would be interested in it
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
tony412 - June 10, 2009
I'll email it to Sarah Spain.
Both links, in fact.
Al Yellon - June 10, 2009
Just as a lark...
I picked a random team that has been in business as long as the Cubs to see what its first round draft history looked like. Went into it thinking nobody could have done as badly as the Cubs. Well, the team was the Tigers and – whaddya know? – they’ve done as bad or even worse than the Cubs!
copingwiththecubs - June 10, 2009
And then there is the Phillies
Who since 1997:
1997: J.D. Drew – didn’t sign, but I think it was a good pick
1998: Pat Burrell – worked out pretty well
1999: Brett Myers – again worked out pretty well
2000: Chase Utley – see last 3
2001: Gavin Floyd – pitched for Phillies through 2006 then traded for Freddie Garcia
2002: Cole Hamels – this guy hasn’t done much yet… SARCASM ALERT
2003: no first round pick
Oh and in 1996 in the 2nd round, they drafted some guy named Jimmy Rollins.
That 6-7 year run is what produces World Series Championships.
Archie - June 10, 2009
Impressive
What does the Cubs list look like?
nji232 - June 10, 2009
Since 1995
1995: Kerry Wood
1996: Todd Noel
1997: Jon Garland
1998: Corey Patterson
1999: Ben Christiansen
2000: Luis Montanez
2001: Mark Prior
2002: Bobby Brownlie
2003: Ryan Harvey
2004: no first round pick
2005: Mark Pawalek
Archie - June 10, 2009
I dunno, that doesn't look too bad to me.
Wood is a no brainer. Garland is good. Not our fault that two guys that looked like win-wins decided to suck air—Corey & Mark.
dtpollitt - June 10, 2009
I'm not going any further because you really can't say hit or miss on a guy for four years or so
Archie - June 10, 2009
I dunno, that doesn't look too bad to me.
Wood is a no brainer. Garland is good. Not our fault that two guys that looked like win-wins decided to suck air—Corey & Mark.
dtpollitt - June 10, 2009
Well, The problem
is really since 1998. Corey…ok. bummer. But you can’t go 7 years getting nothing from the first round of the draft and have a great system.
Archie - June 10, 2009
(throws up)
Thanks. Though I’m not thanking the Cubs for any of those. 0 for our last 10. Though we traded Garland for something for a playoff run right?
nji232 - June 10, 2009
He was traded for Matt Karchner in late July of 1998
Karchner went 3 -1 with a 5.14 ERA in 29 appearances out of the pen the rest of the year.
Archie - June 10, 2009
Quietly
Rome wasn’t built in a day (unless Lilly was building it) but quietly Lee is up to around 270 now.
puckishcubsfan - June 10, 2009
I am reminded of DGU's sig line.
Derrek Lee is good.
Goodie1969 - June 10, 2009
I am starting to wonder...
If Derrek Lee likes more pressure. I dont know if i could back that up with anything except that he has turned it up since Aramis went down, and he was smoking hot in the playoffs last year.
I dunno – i am just saying might be something to look at.
HIGGY - June 10, 2009
If I remember correctly
except for last year and 2005, DLee regularly started the seasons slowly, getting better once June hit. That seems to be the case this year.
gwood - June 10, 2009
Whats nice about Lee getting back to his career numbers
Is that he will have to continue to be on a tear for a while to get around to his career numbers.
nji232 - June 10, 2009
Since May 1 Derrek Lee
has an OPS of just under 1.000
Not only is he hitting really great in the last week or so, but he has been consistently hitting and drawing walks over the last 5 weeks.
DLee is doin just fine
El Borto - June 10, 2009
+10
Rome was built last month.
daver - June 10, 2009
This road trip
So far this road trip has been a turnaround and much needed one for this baseball team.
I’m sure I’m not the only person here feeling better about the team than I did before they got on the plane to Atlanta.
puckishcubsfan - June 10, 2009
Did you see a bunch of Cubs on the dugout steps late in the game yesterday?
Looks like they were having a blast, but I couldn’t quite tell what they were doing – some thought they were giving Lilly crap about changing his entire uniform after the head-first slide triple. Anyway, it was pretty funny and cool to see so many of the guys so animated like that.
malicedoom - June 10, 2009
and on radio
pat and ron were laughing about 1960’s television and hairstyles. instead of crying.
tim815 - June 10, 2009
things like that build chemistry
which is what this team needs just a little bit more of
heine41 - June 10, 2009
Pat and Ron talked about how relaxed the team was at the hotel yesterday...
Ron said he could see it and wasn’t surprised they had a good game. Said the extra inning win vs the Reds definitely helped take some pressure off.
Fishbone2 - June 10, 2009
Judd Sirott
I have to give the guy credit. While he still kind of sucks, he’s significantly improved his game calling. His biggest flaw still seems to be that he can’t instantly judge a ball after it comes off the bat and then there’s a second of silence before he figures it out.
His Soriano HR call the other day was kind of funny, in a Len Kasper way.
dr stabbingworth - June 10, 2009
I have to disagree
Unless we are grading improvement as now he is actually talking about the game most of the time instead of just chatting with Ronnie as improvement.
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
In his defense
Wouldn’t you just chat with Ron the whole time? I know I would
nji232 - June 10, 2009
Ok maybe I'd chat about baseball at least
The other night when he went off on a tangent about if Ronnie ever smoked cigars… I literary had to turn the radio off.
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
Its a weak defense
Since his job is to talk about baseball.
nji232 - June 10, 2009
Even Pat Hughes does stuff like that
Part of doing the play-by-play with Ron is that sometimes you have to let Ron do his thing, no matter how asinine.
dr stabbingworth - June 10, 2009
True Pat does have to sometimes and that I understand.
I’m not asking for Judd to be good or even average. But when Ronnie is doing a little of pxp that is just wrong.
I seem to find if I miss a game or two, Judd doesn’t seem QUITE as bad. But like in the last week where I’ve listened to them all, he makes my ears bleed.
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
there are still whole
at bats that go by without a pitch description. “He hits the ball… and he’s out.” ARGH.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Those long, pregnant pauses are still awful.
And he still sounds like he shotgunned a case of Red Bull before he showed up for work.
daver - June 10, 2009
You try recapping every AL game between the first and second pitch of an inning
Note: This does not excuse his PbP.
Clutch16 - June 10, 2009
well
if they were interested in not overriding the game, they’d cut one commercial, and let him talk then.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Yeah, I suppose it's not easy...
…but Andy Masur never seemed to bother me.
daver - June 10, 2009
neither did Cory last year
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
That's actually who I was thinking of.
Not sure why I flashed back to Andy Masur. Maybe it’s this coffee…
daver - June 10, 2009
Ha
That’s probably all I’ll be thinking about now the next time I hear him.
dr stabbingworth - June 10, 2009
Pat's not exactly great at that either...
How many times have we heard, “There’s a drive!!! And caught by the shortstop…”
CubsBullsBears - June 10, 2009
Ah, the Pat Hughes Psych.
daver - June 10, 2009
followed by the Ron Santo groan
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
JEEZ! COME ON! GOSH!
dr stabbingworth - June 10, 2009
"What is going on?!"
daver - June 10, 2009
"Yeah"
dr stabbingworth - June 10, 2009
This is my favorite
I have tears in my eyes right now from laughing so much
Craig in South Bend - June 10, 2009
LMAO
Me too. However, I don’t see how Judd Sirott has improved at all.
Al Yellon - June 10, 2009
My other favorite...
…is when a Cubs batter gets a hit with RISP and Ron starts yelling at the runners, “Come on! COME ON!!!”
daver - June 10, 2009
I like having a fan
in the radio booth. He sounds like us.
If Milton (the picture guy) had a voice, he’d sound like Ron.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Win.
neverAcquiesce - June 10, 2009
Though I'd take him any day over the radio voice 9 miles south
Ditto for Len on TV.
blackhawk24 - June 10, 2009
What Did Fox Do Wrong ?
Did Lou and / or Jim look at the pitchers Houston is using tonight and Thursday ? Both left handers.
So what do they do ? Ship out Fox to Iowa — oh, maybe Fox needs to play everyday; needs more seasoning; Miles can do the job; whatever the reason — you’ve got to be kidding me — right?
Fox is the only viable right handed bat off the bench that the Cubs had — and I want to emphasize the had portion.
It makes absolutelty no sense to send Fox down — absolutely none. The Cubs do not need any extra mediocre middle infielders. If Lou is convinced that Blanco is his second baseman until Aramis gets back — what the hell does he need Scales for? If Lou thinks that Miles will take over at second — what does he need Blanco for?
If we take last night’s game out of the equation — a game in which Fox got another pinch hit — what we have been sorely lacking as of late — if not all season — is a few hits from our lineup and our bench.
Tell me — isn’t Fox what we need off the bench?
Sending Jake Fox to Iowa is an absolutely Stupid move — Stupid with a capital S.
ceegeewow - June 10, 2009
Fox didn't get a stupid 2 year contract
despite playing below league average his entire career.
Here’s to Aaron Miles tearing his ACL tonight.
nji232 - June 10, 2009
I don't think its necessary to
hope injury upon players…
cubswgnrocks - June 10, 2009
I'll hope for it anyway
Cubs baseball is better and more enjoyable when that piece of crap is gone.
nji232 - June 10, 2009
exactly be careful what you wish for
You don’t want bad karma. He is a Cub and also a human being. Although I think maybe I could hit better than him sometime, I never wish harm up anyone. Even Ryan Braun I won’t.
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
Not to mention Braun will stare a hole right through your soul!
Blue W - June 10, 2009
I think he and Bobby Scales should have a stare-off
’Course it may take a week to resolve
Clutch16 - June 10, 2009
complete opposites of the spectrum
Good vs Evil in a stare down. :)
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
When Corneas Collide!
Blue W - June 10, 2009
+1
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
he could stare a hole through two souls
at the same time… at 90 degrees of separation.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Even Ryan Braun?!
You’re a really nice girl.
chilango2 - June 10, 2009
We've had enough of it without wishing for it.
Plus it brings on bad mojo.
Blue W - June 10, 2009
Perhaps they want Fox to play 3rd base everyday for a couple weeks before they bring him back up again.
SackMan - June 10, 2009
Agreed. Also because it's the type of move that's sure to piss off the fans.
Anyway…isn’t Scales>>>Blanco? At least he can hit.
Jerry Mumphrey - June 10, 2009
Scales can't play SS
Blanco, depsite his hitting, is the best defensive infielder on the roster.
madcow256 - June 10, 2009
...Whose name isn't Derrek Lee
Clutch16 - June 10, 2009
ZING!
Seriously though, if Blanco can start hitting consistently… how great would that be?!
Blue W - June 10, 2009
A sight to behold, for sure
I’d love his glove and arm at SS every game.
Clutch16 - June 10, 2009
I'm going to guess that Blanco can play a heck of a more competent 1B than Derrek can play at SS.
Don’t get me wrong, his 1B play is great, but SS takes more defensive skills . . .
madcow256 - June 10, 2009
Athleticism vs. wingspan
Andy may get the nod on arm strength, but how many more balls could Lee field at SS just by standing still?
I’ll pull the trump card: How many Gold Gloves has Blanco won at either position?
Clutch16 - June 10, 2009
You aren't seriously proposing that DLee could be anything other than awful at SS, are you?
I don’t care if his arms are longer or not.
Gold Gloves? Blanco has won as many at the age of 25 as Derrek had. They’re as much about batting and name recognition as they are about fielding ability anyway.
madcow256 - June 10, 2009
Are there any 6 ft 6 short stops out there?
That’d be like comparing him to catcher. DLee would prolly also make a pretty bad catcher.
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
and I love DLee not a rip
just pointing out that some players are not cut out to play certain positions
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
I agree
However, I still stand by my assertion that Andres Blanco is the best defensive infielder on the team. :)
madcow256 - June 10, 2009
don't forget that defensive doesn't just mean fielding the batted ball
it also includes catching a wide variety of throws from other fielders possessing a wide variety of throwing skills (or lack thereof).
ballhawk - June 10, 2009
has Blanco
been not good at that?
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
don't know. I would presume so.
what I was getting at is a 1B has to catch a lot of thrown balls – way more than any other infielder. So this extra work should be factored in when considering “best defensive”.
ballhawk - June 10, 2009
correction: my presumption above was that Blanco HAS been good at that.
ballhawk - June 10, 2009
Ballhawk
Are you going to tweet during next home series?
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
yes. I'm back in Chicago now.
I was in LA for about three weeks so I missed the last few home series.
ballhawk - June 10, 2009
ahh ok just curious
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
Given that there is no award for "best Cubs defensive infielder"
I’ll concede that there’s no way to compare Lee and Blanco, and that I’m just happy we have a few good defensive players in our infield.
madcow256 - June 10, 2009
and yet Lou keeps putting Theriot out there.
santoswoodenlegs - June 10, 2009
And now the coworkers are wondering what I'm laughing at
Thanks SWL!
madcow256 - June 10, 2009
But DLee problem would be he's not scrappy enough for SS
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Damn, that even LOOKS like Theriot.
daver - June 10, 2009
He's got the "soul patch" & everything!
Blue W - June 10, 2009
I should put
Cubs logos over the buttons on his pants.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
and after Theriot retires and puts on a few pounds, he can start his new career as...
ballhawk - June 10, 2009
That looks like
a large flying . . .
gwood - June 10, 2009
Johnson!
willie mays hayes' gloves - June 10, 2009
santoswoodenlegs - June 10, 2009
You really brought out the scrappiness.
Blue W - June 10, 2009
The shoes are clutch
madcow256 - June 10, 2009
he needs the buttons
on his pants!
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
he needs the buttons
on his pants!
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Oh, hell - I forgot to add this:
/sarcasm
I don’t want to see Lee at SS, or Blanco at 1B. I do like Blanco’s glove and arm more than any of our other middle infielders’.
Clutch16 - June 10, 2009
Agree
And along with those, I don’t want to see Miles at any position!
madcow256 - June 10, 2009
Meh...
1B is also the easiest defensive position. Don’t get me wrong, Lee’s very good at it (channeling Bob Slidell in Office Space—I’m not gonna lie, I’m a Derrick Lee fan). But the marginal difference between a good first baseman and a not so good first baseman isn’t that large.
I’d say all things considered, a good SS/2B is more valuable than a great first baseman (defensively, that is).
CubsWin!Oregon - June 10, 2009
I celebrate the guy's entire collection
N Oakley - June 10, 2009
It's amazing that that was John C. McGinley...
mostly ad-libbing…The man’s a genius.
CubsWin!Oregon - June 10, 2009
Nothing better
than a good ol’ Dr Cox rant.
neverAcquiesce - June 10, 2009
He single handedly made Scrubs watchable...
… in spite of Zach Braff.
AndrewJStone - June 10, 2009
Aww, I like Zach Braff.
Loved Scrubs by the way. Broad, yes, but damn did it have heart.
neverAcquiesce - June 10, 2009
I like him too, to be honest.
Garden State was great, and his directorial and musical influence can make an OK movie great.
His goofy schtick just wore thin in Scrubs. Too many repeated jokes, too many episodes where his gimmick was blatantly ripped from Seinfeld or elsewhere. McGinley and Donald Faison (Turk) made that show great.
AndrewJStone - June 10, 2009
And just to be clear...
… i either own or have downloaded every episode of Scrubs ever. I love the show. It just wore thin. NBC gave up on it after it should have been killed… ABC rescuing it was a mistake.
AndrewJStone - June 10, 2009
No argument, really
but I’ll definitely buy the Season 8 DVD to finish my collection.
I liked JDs style cos I could so often relate with the nerdy vibe. But yeah, the best laughs always came from Cox, Turk, and the Janitor (and Kelso at times).
neverAcquiesce - June 10, 2009
Huh.
I actually thought the ABC season was one of the best ones they’d had in about 5 years. Mostly because they moved away from being ridiculous. Was more like the early seasons.
CubsWin!Oregon - June 10, 2009
Hendry and Lou continue their head scratchingly odd roster moves
If this team goes to the playoffs, it’s clearly in spite of management
WanderingWanderer - June 10, 2009
he isn't going to learn to field
in the majors. Hoffpauir provides our pop off the bench. We need Jake Fox to learn to use his glove.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
he apparently wasn't learning to field in the minors either
it’s not like they just realized Fox didn’t have a position
WanderingWanderer - June 10, 2009
Use His Glove ??
We need his bat — not his glove. How many infielders do you need?
ceegeewow - June 10, 2009
Psst...we don't really have a third baseman right now.
daver - June 10, 2009
What?!? You forgot Mark De . . .
Shanghai Badger - June 10, 2009
Maybe if we translate his name into english...
we can continually mention him without anyone complaining :)
From the Italian, I’m assuming that means Mark of The Rose? So maybe we can just shorten it to Mark Rose, and no one will be the wiser. :)
CubsWin!Oregon - June 10, 2009
And eventually just a picture of a rose.
The Baseball Player Formerly Known As…
neverAcquiesce - June 10, 2009
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Some dude smuggling walnuts?
N Oakley - June 10, 2009
look at how high the waisband on those pants is!
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
No kidding. That's some snug doubleknit.
N Oakley - June 10, 2009
Must be made of cotton.
neverAcquiesce - June 10, 2009
this is the national league.
he has to play a position if he’s going to get multiple at bats in a game.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Fox should DH against the AL.
Rick B - June 10, 2009
More on Fox --
Listen — two lefties and 15 interleague games right after that dictate the need for both a right-handed bat and someone to take the DH role. Be it Fox or Hoffpauir — the Cubs need more bats off the bench.
Here’s a simple problem with what I think is an obvious answer.
Runner on second with two outs in the ninth — the Cubs need a hit to either win or tie the game. Your choice — depending on who is in the lineup at the start of the game — is a bench of the following — Miles, Scales, Blanco, or Fox. Who would you use? My educated guess would be Fox. But guess what, Jake Fox is now at Iowa. Oops — good luck.
ceegeewow - June 10, 2009
We only play 6 games in American League parks this year with the DH
And they don’t start until after our next homestand on June 23
SackMan - June 10, 2009
BTW. We're only 2.5 games back! And we've played like crap so far. WOW.
SackMan - June 10, 2009
And only 1 in the loss column!
CubsBullsBears - June 10, 2009
So I say to the guy next to me at the bar...
In the 1st inning: “Moehler better hope he gets Blanco out, ‘cuz he doesn’t want to face Ted Lilly’s bat.” If Fonty had held at third…
Add that to Lilly’s list: He makes even my bone-headed boasting look good.
Clutch16 - June 10, 2009
You're bound to have a lot of men left on base when you get a lot of men on base.
The Cubs left tons of runners on base last year when they were walking all the time and hitting much better as a team. It just gets magnified when they are struggling.
Corey Patterson - June 10, 2009
An interesting stat
With two outs and runners in scoring position, the team line has batted .240/.370/.378. Notice the lack of slugging in that situation. That is certainly one way to leave a lot of guys on.
On the bright side, in that same scenario, the Cubs have grounded into zero double plays.
dr stabbingworth - June 10, 2009
We're tied for the league lead in 2-out double plays!
madcow256 - June 10, 2009
Yet still tied for 2nd in the NL Central
Madison Cub Fan - June 10, 2009
That's probably because
we’re tied for worst in the league in 1-out triple plays.
madcow256 - June 10, 2009
almost not, though
if the team would have appealed against the dodgers back in april on that fluky 2-out flyball…..
but theriot almost steals some bases.
tim815 - June 10, 2009
Are you still playing in the Nats' minor league system?
daver - June 10, 2009
'Playing' is being awful considerate
dr stabbingworth - June 10, 2009
Yeah I'm at Syrcacuse...
and I’m up to .266 thank you very much.
Corey Patterson - June 10, 2009
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.
daver - June 10, 2009
Oh man...
if he had been there last year, I probably would’ve run into him in the bars downtown. Clearly this proves that graduating is over-rated…
Now I’ll NEVER meet Corey Patterson….
CubsWin!Oregon - June 10, 2009
I hope to meet myself one day too...
Corey Patterson - June 10, 2009
Oh, great, we drafted Ed Grimley!
‘’I remember walking in and being wowed,’’ he said.
‘’It was one of the better birthdays of my life, I must say.’’
From the Sun-Times article on Brett Jackson
cubzfan - June 10, 2009
Ed Grimley
Now that’s funny – Rec
Ihatethecards - June 10, 2009
LOL - does Jackson play the triangle, too?
daver - June 10, 2009
No, but he does have an unhealthy Pat Sajak obsession.
Blue W - June 10, 2009
There's no such thing.
CubsWin!Oregon - June 10, 2009
well, the last "Brett" to play for the Cubs...
…was “Bret(t)” Barberie and he went 1 for 29 in 1996. And I think the last Jackson was Danny, who compiled a sterling 5-14 record over two years (1991-92). So from a Cubs’ namesake perspective, he can hardly do worse.
Of course, if he would hit like George and run like Bo, I don’t anyone here would mind…
ballhawk - June 10, 2009
You forgot Damian Jackson
and his 1 for 15 in 2004. I can’t believe you missed that.
rlpete - June 10, 2009
"Damie, Damie, Damie... why you do this to me?"
ballhawk - June 10, 2009
He could hardly do worse than Bret Barberie's ex-wife, Jillian
BleedsbluinMI - June 10, 2009
stare into my cold dead eyes.
santoswoodenlegs - June 10, 2009
Eyes?
Blue W - June 10, 2009
I'm finding that different, as she's looking in
two different directions at once.
Is she related to that Brewer?
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Bernie?
Blue W - June 10, 2009
Yeah...if you're going to spend that much money on body work and custom bumpers...
you could at least have them check the alignment while you have it in the shop.
santoswoodenlegs - June 10, 2009
Ha! No kidding
BleedsbluinMI - June 10, 2009
Too bad no one is actually looking at her eyes
except her Opthamologist, or so I heard…
blackhawk24 - June 10, 2009
I'm as doomed, as doomed can be, I must say....
digitalbenjamin - June 10, 2009
For what it's worth
FWIW my friend in Cleveland told me rumors are the Cubs have told the Indians they are intereested in DeRosa but the Indians aren’t selling right now. They’ve played better recently and that division is crap on a stick makes ours look like 5 27 Yankees.
puckishcubsfan - June 10, 2009
I know there...
…. were internal discussions in the Cubs front office about reacquiring DeRo, but the contract was apparently an issue (yes, even that small amount of $). Maybe they could get the Tribe to take Miles along with a couple of prospects to even out the dollars.
Sweeping the Indians while they are here next week would make them closer to being sellers.
Al Yellon - June 10, 2009
Sweeping the Indians on an unlikely barrage of Aaron Miles home runs, of course.
daver - June 10, 2009
he's gonna
DOMINATE!
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
Until he does....
Can we refer to Miles as Chicago’s “Mistake by the Lake”?
Though I agree: I don’t see any reason why he won’t compete for the triple-crown in the AL*.
*Other than, you know…skill and whatnot.
CubsWin!Oregon - June 10, 2009
Indeed.*
*Offer not valid in MLB Baseball. Prohibited by law and Miles’ career averages.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
use him out of the pen
their pitching sux
tim815 - June 10, 2009
How many of their 3 prospects sent here originally for DeRo on 12/31
would they want back do you believe? This in light of each of the 3 doing fairly well so far this year…
I fear however it’d have to be almost a wash in salary since that albatross of a sale (thank you, you a-hole Sam Zell!) now is in its 27th month.
blackhawk24 - June 10, 2009
You don't think that Miles for DeRosa...
straight up will fly? What if we agree to send along Miles’ complimentary Cubs locker-room robe? That’s a savings right there for the Indians. Overhead is killer, I hear…
CubsWin!Oregon - June 10, 2009
It's the Cubs taking on the "extra" salary for this season
Now, if it can be reasoned Miles $4.9M cumulative for 2009 can be offset by the $5.5M IIRC for DeRo for 2009 then that’d be just fine.
My guess is the Indians would inquire on any of the 3 prospects sent this way on the 12/31 deal and probably wouldn’t want Miles, IMO.
Not trying to be negative, I’d love to see DeRo back since I know Hendry’s followup plan from the DeRo trade really didn’t come through.
blackhawk24 - June 10, 2009
should read...
…Miles $4.9M cumulative for 2009 & 2010 can be offset…
blackhawk24 - June 10, 2009
Oh...
Actually I was kidding. Money aside, why in hell would the Indians trade DeRosa only to get Aaron Miles? Their fans would riot and burn down the stadium (justifiably)…
:)
CubsWin!Oregon - June 10, 2009
Ah, don't kid about this one
I think we’d all want DeRo back, not for sentimental reasons but what he offers to the lineup.
It’s too bad Miles is near worthless. In another post, it was discussed that Heilman could be offered up. Moneywise, its similar too but with the Tribe still close, I can’t see it happening. Maybe if they go on a cold streak soon, but otherwise forget it.
blackhawk24 - June 16, 2009
Well, at least we could pretend it was 2008 for one night/game.
CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry - June 10, 2009
Have faith, Cubs Fan!
Yesterday was only the beginning.
drewishdrewid - June 10, 2009
I sure hope so. Loving the optimism!
CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry - June 10, 2009
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