"For the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for 17 years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans." -- Lou Gehrig
Since today is a special day, this preview will be a bit different than the usual links and briefs about the Cubs. In addition to being Independence day, today is the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's famous speech at Yankee Stadium; during games this afternoon all MLB teams will honor Gehrig's memory by replaying parts of that speech:
Saturday, Major League Baseball will commemorate the 70th anniversary of Gehrig's famous retirement speech, which he gave on July 4, 1939. Across the nation, in the middle of the seventh inning, the home teams will read the humble words of a dying man in an effort to raise awareness about the disease that took his life.
Gehrig had a marvelous baseball career that, as you likely know, was cut short, as was his life, by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the disease which now bears his name. The tribute today is part of a MLB campaign to raise awareness and funds to fight this disease, which as of now has no cure (and which also recently took the life of longtime ABC7 Chicago anchorman John Drury).
If you have not read Jonathan Eig's recent biography of Gehrig, the title of which adorns this post, "Luckiest Man", I give it my highest recommendation. Here is my BCB review of the book from November 2005.
Lou Gehrig played in a World Series at Wrigley Field, but before that he made his mark at Wrigley as a high schooler. In 1920 he played in a special "national championship" high school game between his NY school, Commerce High, and Lane Tech in Chicago. He was 17 years old. He hit a titanic grand slam onto Sheffield that landed across the street.
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Braden Looper has a 2.57 career ERA vs. the Cubs, but most of that was posted in many relief appearances before he became a starter. He and Rich Harden have already faced each other once this year, on April 10 at Miller Park, a boxscore you probably don't really want to look at if you want to keep your blood pressure down. Since that date Looper's ERA has gone steadily up. Kosuke Fukudome is the Cub who hits him best -- 5-for-16 (.313), a double, a HR.
Rich Harden has done well vs. Milwaukee. He had 10 strikeouts in that April 10 game, and no current Brewer has more than two hits off him; overall, members of the Brewers' active roster are 8-for-68 (.118) against him and his record against them is 1-0, 1.50 in three career starts (26 K and 8 BB in 18 innings). His last start vs. the Pirates was excellent... it's time he started building on that.
Today's game will, despite Bud's Dumb Blackout Rules, be on WGN -- so available nationally. It's also on FSN Wisconsin. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Overflow comment threads will post today at 1 pm, 2 pm and 2:45 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 112 comments
Lou Gehrig is first
DGU - July 4, 2009
I love the Cubs.
Happy 4th.
ScottieG33 - July 4, 2009
I saw that report on ESPN
regarding reading his speech during the 7th inning of all games today. Neat idea and a worthy cause to support.
Now, let’s win us a game today and keep the Brewers bats quiet. I’ll be interested to see the lineup today, anyone have it yet?
Happy 4th!
mrcubsfan - July 4, 2009
So it's my understand that the home team will read the speech?
Or will the audio just be played over the PA system…? It’d be really cool to have Ronny read that… I think it echoes a lot of how he feels about his 50+ years with the Cubs. I’m sure he wakes up every morning feeling like the luckiest man in the world.
Hopefully they don’t have Piniella read it…
“T-t-t-today I consider… m-m-m-m… look, I’m just lucky, ok? What am I supposed to do?” hehe
lswaidz - July 4, 2009
Happy Birthday, America!
As the French would say, Vive La Liberte!
Goodie1969 - July 4, 2009
Almost forgot...
…if you see a Veteran or Active Military Serviceman today, shake their hand and thank them.
Goodie1969 - July 4, 2009
Happy Independence Day To All
God Bless America, and Go Cubs
Grockcubs - July 4, 2009
Cmon Cubs
Let’s take this one…
and Happy 4th to all
cubswgnrocks - July 4, 2009
Lou Gehrig's grand slam at Wrigley didn't happen
If a someone hit a grand slam home run and Ballhawk Ken wasn’t there to catch it…did it really happen? NO.
zevkalman - July 4, 2009
Happy 4th all
And man…it’s going to be hard to stop myself from tearing up if they broadcast the speech today. It would have been cool if a portion of the money from ticket sales for all games today went towards his foundation.
Craig in South Bend - July 4, 2009
One of my favorite baseball stats....
….is that one year Gehrig had 100 RBI’s in road games. I wonder how many times that happened. Hack Wilson’s 191 RBI year, maybe.
roost66 - July 4, 2009
here's to 4 rbi's from Fuld on the 4th today!
doofus cubs guy - July 4, 2009
looks like you are hoping for a pinch-hit grand slam then...
digitalbenjamin - July 4, 2009
A day to remember our founding principles. Happy and Thoughtful 4th to all!
now go cubbies!
Lets grill some brewer pitching!
CubfaninRaleigh(869milestoWrigley) - July 4, 2009
Speaking of grilling...and the Brewers...
I half thought about strapping some firecrackers to a can of Miller if the Brewers lost today. I figured it would be festive AND celebratory.
Craig in South Bend - July 4, 2009
+1
I like the way you’re thinking.
mrcubsfan - July 4, 2009
I would like to see photos of this.
Nothing more american than beer and blowing shit up.
AndrewJStone - July 4, 2009
ditto!!!
CubfaninRaleigh(869milestoWrigley) - July 4, 2009
lets cook some sausage
jesus christos - July 4, 2009
Lineup
1. Fuku
2. Theriot
3. Lee
4. Bradley
5. Fox
6. Soriano
7. Soto
8. Fontenot
9. Harden
china423 - July 4, 2009
I like it.
china423 - July 4, 2009
How do you think Sori will feel
when the Brewers pitch around Fox to get to him in the lineup
Hammer - July 4, 2009
this should be interesting.
But Bradley continues to sit at #4.
drewishdrewid - July 4, 2009
hell bring in runs with the bases loaded walk
jesus christos - July 4, 2009
lol
JB 23 - July 4, 2009
but the excuse for his lack of RBI produciton has been
that there aren’t people on base in front of him to drive in.
santoswoodenlegs - July 4, 2009
In the interest of symmetry
I would like to see a 4th inning Grand Slam (4 RBI) for our #4 hitter on the 4th. Make it so, Cubs.
Goodie1969 - July 4, 2009
with 4 outs
CyberCyclist - July 4, 2009
Too bad Gregg pitched those 2 innings yesterday...
and therefore probably won’t pitch today.
He’s usually good for 4 outs in an inning…
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
Flip Bradley and Fox and I'd be happy.
santoswoodenlegs - July 4, 2009
so we replaced one ice cold leadoff hitter with another?
seriously, what the hell is Lou thinking?
WanderingWanderer - July 4, 2009
Fukudome
He’s had a HR and two doubles and two walks in the last three games.
drewishdrewid - July 4, 2009
Good point...
but I’d still like to see Fuld leading off and starting. Seems weird to finally move Soriano down the line-up and the not put Fuld in there.
digitalbenjamin - July 4, 2009
I expect
this is another experiment. At some point, these guys have to step up.
drewishdrewid - July 4, 2009
he's also 3 for his last 16
WanderingWanderer - July 4, 2009
I was really hoping to see Fuld batting 1st
katie casey - July 4, 2009
This
Cubsfanatic - July 4, 2009
I'm fairly certain I know what Lou's doing
He bats one of the only players colder than Soriano in the leadoff spot, so when Dome goes 0-4, or 0-5 Lou can claim he did all he could, and move Soriano back to the leadoff spot
WanderingWanderer - July 4, 2009
well if fukudome does go 0-4 that would be better than what fonzie did yesterday
jesus christos - July 4, 2009
This lineup needs more leftys no way it can be productive
I kid of course
NIUcubbie - July 4, 2009
I'd rather see The Riot lead off
Clutche - July 4, 2009
LOOPER
LIGHT EM UP!
Hammer - July 4, 2009
:)
And with this it’s official, fourth of July baseball can begin. :P
slcathena - July 4, 2009
I guess $48MM
wins over the league minimum.
Sam Fuld – know your place!
The E-Man - July 4, 2009
Also - good thing
it is a cloudy day for Bradley (sorry to those attending!)
The E-Man - July 4, 2009
Milt is a vampire?
ohhh wait… he can’t field if it’s sunny. Can’t count outs, can’t stay healthy, can’t hit, atleast he can take walks. That’s gotta be worth 5 million right! Might as well bat him cleanup Lou!
Cubsfanatic - July 4, 2009
Anyone know
how much of the proceeds for the red stars and stripes caps go to the Welcome Back Veterans Foundation? I was considering getting one, but $37 seems pretty steep, especially since I probably wouldn’t be wearing it much-like I just can’t see myself wearing it if we are playing the Cardinals or the Reds. I don’t mind spending the money if a good chunk goes for a worthy cause though.
katie casey - July 4, 2009
Why not just donate $25
outright to the foundation?
Allie - July 4, 2009
hats make it worthwhile
jesus christos - July 4, 2009
not these hats
ug-ly
drewishdrewid - July 4, 2009
the blue hat looks ok but the red ones look stupid
jesus christos - July 4, 2009
I don't like red
and that is too much red.
I liked the navy ones last year, though. But they were too dark to wear, for me. Too hot when they’re that dark, you know?
Allie - July 4, 2009
Yeah.
It is pretty ugly and somewhat disturbing looking on the players, especially with the blue jersey. That makes for one ugly uniform. I just talked myself out of the idea of getting one.
katie casey - July 4, 2009
Maybe they help
but I doubt $25 of that $37 goes to the foundation.
Allie - July 4, 2009
Anyone else notice the Cleveland hats this year?
It’s a big “C” instead of the Indian with the Old Glory face. Someone must have come to their senses.
Goodie1969 - July 4, 2009
Political Correctness mean always having to say your sorry.
santoswoodenlegs - July 4, 2009
This + Bumper Sticker = Million$.
Goodie1969 - July 4, 2009
See my sig line.
AndrewJStone - July 4, 2009
Hi everyone
Taking a break from my sabbatical to stop by and say Happy 4th of July!
ALS is an evil disease that I’ve lost too many people to. It needs to be stopped.
Having about 30 people over today for a holiday/birrhday BBQ. Having a birthday 3 days after the 4th you wind up with a lot of celebrations being combined.
puckishcubsfan - July 4, 2009
Happy 4th of July!
I’m Canadian so a big shout out goes out to all the good people in your armed forces! Without them i’m sure we’d be speaking Russian or some other foreign language by now
Cubsfanatic - July 4, 2009
and we'd be the Chicago Comrades
and the vendors would sell beet soup and vodka
digitalbenjamin - July 4, 2009
In Soviet Chicago
Ballgame takes out you!
drewishdrewid - July 4, 2009
Simpsons quotes
for the win!
Cubsfanatic - July 4, 2009
And all the baseball teams would be wearing red hats on July 4th
ChipSet - July 4, 2009
half of you speak French though!
So are you really any better off??
I keed, I keed.. :P
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
What's up with Looper's photo above?
he looks like a war criminal or something.. or is it just me??
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
at least Rich looks less
gansta. A little stretchy, tho.
drewishdrewid - July 4, 2009
yay for the lack of broken neck!
:-)
Allie - July 4, 2009
+1
Rich’s old pic was just wrong..
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
very. big improvement here.
Emelie - July 4, 2009
looks like he had it professionaly done
bheidge - July 4, 2009
maybe he's so sad
because he wanted to be a model.
drewishdrewid - July 4, 2009
All the Brewer pictures
have been dark and brooding.
’course… thats probably b/c mil sucks!
Allie - July 4, 2009
Many teams have those done in spring training....
More Here: http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/rd2NYBMRn-D/Chicago+Cubs+Photo+Day/Aurbv8Iqrdc
carmen_fanzone - July 4, 2009
that or a magician
reminds me of one of those cheesy David Copperfield pictures
DC Cubbie - July 4, 2009
yeah, I can definitely see that.. lol
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
2 days away from Rami coming back
I heard he spanked a double his first AB, walked, lined out and had 2 runs. After the game he said he was feeling fine…. excitement!
Cubsfanatic - July 4, 2009
He also played 3rd
for 4 innings.
:-) I miss that man.
Allie - July 4, 2009
Me too!
slcathena - July 4, 2009
guzman threw 1.1 innings in iowa and had 1 strike out
jesus christos - July 4, 2009
That double was a foot or two from going over the wall
and man was it crushed
NIUcubbie - July 4, 2009
That would of been an awesome first at bat
Cubsfanatic - July 4, 2009
its something about third baseman that cause them to hit a HR in their first AB
jesus christos - July 4, 2009
I think he should come back on Tuesday for my birthday. But my birthday game is Monday so he is in a way.
puckishcubsfan - July 4, 2009
how'd it get to be so late??
If I don’t go to bed soon, it’s going to become really tempting to stay up for the game… :-\
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
DO IT!!!!!
Missing the sweep that turns around this season would be sad.
slcathena - July 4, 2009
dont jinx it man!
jesus christos - July 4, 2009
oh great..
now it’s on me? lol
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
well being the obsessive fan I am..
I would still listen to the game on the gameday audio archive when I get up in the morning.. :)
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
Maybe you can keep yourself entertained
by watching the water swirl down the drain the wrong way until game time. :-)
Goodie1969 - July 4, 2009
I sure get tired of kids from the States
.. calling me collect to ask me to go flush my toilet…
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
do you have Prince Albert
in a can?
drewishdrewid - July 4, 2009
Go to bed
isn’t it like… 3am?
Allie - July 4, 2009
nearly, yes
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
is it raining in chicago?
DC Cubbie - July 4, 2009
Oh man. :(
Mother nature you’re killing me!
slcathena - July 4, 2009
Its probably sprinkling downtown
Radar
Its chilly and drizzly here…
Allie - July 4, 2009
Is the game going to start on time?
That will make my decision a lot easier..
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
More like a very light mist.
It’s barely noticeable. I don’t see it being a problem.
Goodie1969 - July 4, 2009
When did Ch9
saturday morning cartoons get so awful?
yikes.
Allie - July 4, 2009
They look like a cooking show on WGN america
LT - July 4, 2009
lucky you
What is a “Huntik” and why should I care?
Longest 8 minutes ever…
Allie - July 4, 2009
LOL
I had to check. “Huntik”? This is sad.
Scooby-Doo, where are you?
Goodie1969 - July 4, 2009
Chicago Cubs Baseball is on the air!!
.. but I’m off to bed… go get ’em Cubbies!
I’ll listen later.. :)
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
No tarp on the field
LT - July 4, 2009
I'm just repeating Pat.. :)
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
Just letting you know
that it appears that the game will start on time
LT - July 4, 2009
Night!!
Allie - July 4, 2009
'night
hopefully the Cubs keeping winning — keeps the trolls away! :)
CubFanInCanberra (9387milesfromWrigley) - July 4, 2009
DYLAN!
drewishdrewid - July 4, 2009
?
?
buckmulligan - July 4, 2009
JIMP!~
drewishdrewid - July 4, 2009
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