We don't really need to get too involved in what happened the last time the Cubs visited Dodger Stadium. However, Chris DeLuca in today's Sun-Times uses it as a scathing indictment of Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella that makes me think he read my post from yesterday; he talks extensively about the "we need to get more lefthanded" mantra that Lou apparently began just after that series ended, since the Cubs had faced no lefthanded pitchers at all from the Dodgers all year:
The next night, after the Cubs were swept by the Dodgers, a frustrated Piniella stood in his office and repeated the remarks about the Dodgers' no-lefties approach. It was a theme he would take into the organizational meetings. And when a blueprint for the offseason was drawn up, "getting more left-handed" in the National League's most feared lineup became the Cubs' cause.
Never mind that the Dodgers did have LHP in 2008 -- Clayton Kershaw, Hong-Chih Kuo and Joe Beimel among them -- it just happened that the Cubs didn't face any of them. And never mind that the Dodgers wouldn't necessarily be a Cubs postseason opponent in the future, or that they might change their pitching staff. Nope, said Lou: "Get more lefthanded". DeLuca concludes:
Keep in mind, the Cubs went 5-2 against the Dodgers during the regular season. This despite hitting .238 with a .656 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentages) against the Dodgers -- their lowest marks in each of those categories against any NL team last season.
So granted, Dodgers pitchers did the best job of cooling off the NL's most productive offense last season. They did it without a single left-handed pitcher -- and that might say more about the Dodgers' lack of left-handed pitching than anything about the Cubs.
But that was no reason to overreact and tear up a 97-victory team that could've been just as dangerous in 2009.
Bingo. The Cubs won't face a lefty tonight, but they will tomorrow -- Randy Wolf -- and the Dodgers have three in their bullpen, Kuo, James MacDonald and George Sherrill.
Guess you outsmarted yourself, eh, Lou?
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Note: Gorzelanny's numbers below are with the Cubs only. See the pitcher box above for his full-season numbers.
Jeff Weaver has made five career starts vs. the Cubs (2-0, 4.05), but that's largely irrelevant, because the last one was two years ago and the other four were in 2006 and before, and only Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee remain from those teams. The first start he made vs. the Cubs was on June 3, 2000, when Weaver was with the Tigers. I post that boxscore link for amusement value. Anyway, please don't tell Lou this: the Cub who hits Weaver best is Aaron Miles (6-for-15). Six hits is how many Miles has had in his last forty-five at-bats dating back to June 10 (.133 average). Please don't let Miles anywhere near tonight's game.
Tom Gorzelanny has made two starts vs. the Dodgers, both in 2007 while with Pittsburgh; he's 1-0, 4.26 in those starts. No current Dodger has homered off him, but the players currently on LA's roster have a .314 average (16-for-51) against Gorzo. Brad Ausmus is 4-for-8 with 5 RBI.
The Cubs return to WGN tonight, and if you have EI, you'll be listening to Vin Scully on Prime Ticket. Listen now, because Scully is retiring after 2010. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Dodgers site True Blue LA.
Overflow comment threads will post today at 10 pm, 11 pm and 11:45 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 319 comments
First...
Should I stay up and watch tonight… hmmm.
CubsBullsBears - August 20, 2009
Good question. Another good question
Would be why Al even mentioned Miles’ performance against weaver. No need to have a chance of influencing Lou…(though it’s painfully obvious he doesn’t care about BCB…It’s pretty obvious what most of the people think of Miles including myself).
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
If Lou starts Miles because of that split
I’m on the next plane to LAX with a fresh knuckle sandwich for him.
SackMan - August 20, 2009
2,000 miles...
To stop 1 Miles. Do it.
CubsBullsBears - August 20, 2009
I will go with you....
JB 23 - August 20, 2009 via mobile
Tie him up and make sure he misses the flight back with the team
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
I take straight cash, homey
Unmarked bills in my possession = me heading to Dodger Stadium tomorrow and punching Lou
It’ll save you time, and maybe money.
PacificCub - August 20, 2009
Torn about watching this one
The last handful of games I’ve been able to actually watch have been hot garbage.
I’ll probably watch, but it happens again and I really will start to develop some kind of complex.
Allie - August 20, 2009
It has been hot garbage, when you see Lilly pitching lights out with nothing to show for it.
It was easy to watch last night’s game…with the losing streak and being so far out of first place I didn’t feel any pressure and I thought they would probably win. After winning however a glimmer of hope emerges and I am wondering if I should subject myself to it as well. By the way Allie, your Ginger looks just as cute on Windy City Gridiron.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
is hot garbage worse than cold garbage?
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
Little more pungent
Allie - August 20, 2009
Probably a LOT more pungent.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
Hot trash is the worst
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
Just watch it.
sue369 - August 20, 2009
OK. Here's a question.
Does anyone remember hearing that the Dodgers and Cubs had exactly the same record against each other throughout franchise history? I believe they were tied at some point last year. The postseason shouldn’t count in that record, so my guess is that they are still pretty much neck and neck. I’m really a numbskull when it comes to finding stats. Does anyone know how I can find out what their all time record is against each other?
katie casey - August 20, 2009
I wish I was at a point watching the Cubs this season I was motivated to check that kind of stat.
Maybe a winning streak would do it…sure couldn’t hurt. And after thinking about it I have no idea where to find it…other than starting a google thing…Al? you listening?
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
Baseball-reference.com
is usually your best bet for stats like that, in my experience.
Allie - August 20, 2009
I went there, but I didn't know where to start to search for it.
I didn’t know what to call the stat I’m looking for. Like I said, I’m a numbskull when it comes to stats. It’s way over my head like algebra. I’m too right brained. I need more lefty.
katie casey - August 20, 2009
no...
you need more cowbell
tootle - August 20, 2009
LOL
If you only knew. That is so funny you said that. I spend a lot of time working with cows for my job. That is one thing I do not need around here.
katie casey - August 20, 2009
Yeah
bb-ref is over my head a lot of the time too. :-)
it’ll probably be a graphic on sportscenter later, i’ll keep my eye open for you! LOL
Allie - August 20, 2009
thanks
I don’t know if I’m staying up for this one.
katie casey - August 20, 2009
Start at baseball reference.com
….by far the best site for stats…quite a few posters here are BR experts and can chime in here
JB 23 - August 20, 2009 via mobile
They are still tied.
I checked my scorecard. They were tied going into the series at Wrigley and split it.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
I find that amazing!
katie casey - August 20, 2009
1014-1014
BigJohnAZ - August 20, 2009
two of the most storied
national league teams, for over a century — and they’re tied.
I love baseball.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
Hmm
That means the Dodgers would account for approximately 1/10th of all Cubs victories, no?
Clutch16 - August 20, 2009
thanks
katie casey - August 21, 2009
The Cubs haven't been the same since the Dodger playoff season, despite the ramblings of Al to the contrary
There hasn’t been a single stretch of the 2009 season where you could say the Cubs were playing well. Not a single damned stretch. And yes, the death blow to this current iteration of the Cubs happened last October versus the Dodgers.
2010 looks bleak. Bleaker than 2009. Immovable contracts aplenty and too many players on the downside combined with zero reinforcements ready to help from the minors. And all these journeyman minor leaguers will start turning back into pumpkins sooner rather than later.
Pray for Ricketts to be named owner asap and for Bud the Dud to expediate an owner vote so he can take over asap and shit-can Hendry. It’s the only hope for getting a long-term rebuilding plan and new organizational strategy in place. Another wasted offseason with Hendry in charge is only going to prolong the extreme makeover that is desperately needed.
BLou - August 20, 2009
I didn't even need to read this post after the words "ramblings of Al" to know who wrote it.
Same stuff, different day. Thought maybe we wouldn’t see you after the Cubs won last night.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
He's gotta hammer it home that the Cubs will lose
so he’ll be right.
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
BLou has been right about a lot of stuff this year, honestly.
I don’t see why you guys give him such a hard time.
Theroid - August 20, 2009
This coming from the person who was giving him a hard time
NOT EVEN HALF THE PAGE DOWN
Whatever it is you do, you’re terrible at it.
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
I was giving him a hard time about his ridiculous sig line.
He’ s been pretty spot on when it comes to the rest of his analysis for the year.
Theroid - August 20, 2009
It's not his text sometimes
It’s his name calling and nasty language his uses. There are reasons that pathic little man has been banned 3 times in the last 3 years and he keeps coming back under different names.
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
Actually, four times.
But know what? Someone else is about to break his record.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
frightening.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
(dying laughing)
What reason do you have for banning me, Al?
Theroid - August 20, 2009
you've been banned 4 times too?
LT - August 20, 2009
I have about six other reasons.
Bye.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
I will say this
You have to do a ton to get banned, so whatever this guy has done must go far an beyond being a general nuisance.
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
Yep.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
Hell, I've only been banned once!
Worf - August 20, 2009
what name am I missing
Blue Mike
MDI (W/e it was)
Blou
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
that second one was MDBNIU
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
I know it was something odd...
but still doesn’t answer the one I’m missing
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
I can't remember it either.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
I think he's the only guy here
Egotistical enough to quote himself in his sig. That should tell you something.
Clutch16 - August 20, 2009
And yes, the death blow to this current iteration of the Cubs happened last October versus the Dodgers.
Yeah, Bradley and Miles and Gregg and Gorzo and Ascanio and Fox and Baker and Grabow really took it hard. Especially Grabow. He was like a wet banana.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
What's amazing, is that a sweep by the cubs here would move them to 4 1/2 games behind the Dodgers..
Baseball is a funny sport.
DisCUBbobulated - August 20, 2009
Pray for Ricketts?
No…pray for BLou to recycle his same tired mantra on another site. It’s become uber tiresome here.
leothelip - August 20, 2009
20-20 hindsight and getting better
On the “blowing up the 97-win team” column. I think that the left-handedness thing was one factor in what they did, but the overriding factor was a sense — from the fans first, then probably the management — that the chemistry of that team was too pansy-ass to win in the playoffs.
I don’t think that the fans would have accepted standing pat with that team, no matter how fondly we long for it now.
vonde6 - August 20, 2009
weird photo from dodgers-cards game
joeschmitt - August 20, 2009
Whoa...
Manny’s hair is long.
CubsBullsBears - August 20, 2009
Is this running gag about over?
Because I’m tired of it already.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
You mean the squirrell gag?
I saw a reporting on TV this week, so I’d say it’s still going on strong, unfortunately.
Fraggin Judge - August 20, 2009
It's run its course here.
Further appearances will be deleted.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
This is the first time I've seen it
But I wholeheartedly support banning it.
Worf - August 20, 2009
where the heck
did it come from, anyway?
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
A couple took a photo in the wilderness with their camera timer...
and the squirrel stepped in front of the lens at the moment the photo was shot. The couple posted the photo on the internet and it became viral with the squirrel being photoshopped into many other photos of current events.
Fraggin Judge - August 20, 2009
It's just about had its 15 minutes, though.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
It's well beyond that
chitownhawkeye - August 20, 2009
+ 1
Fraggin Judge - August 20, 2009
Photobomb
Allie - August 20, 2009
The great LEFT HANDED myth
I really don’t know where Al Yellon pulls this garbage. Exhibit A.
2008 Cubs left-handed hitters…Edmonds (gone), Ward (gone), Kosuke, Fontenot
2009 Cubs…Kosuke, Fontenot, Milton, Hoffpauir (when he was here)
BLou - August 20, 2009
IT'S HAPPENING!?!?!?!?!?!?
lexmarklover - August 20, 2009
You forgot the new switchies
Miles & Bradley. They aren’t pure LH, but they were part of the change.
Allie - August 20, 2009
I think Milton = Bradley
Miles? He’s a switch hitter who is 25th man on the roster and who has been on the DL for many weeks. Very, very feeble argument for how Lou bullied Hendry into making this team more left-handed to bring up the name of Aaron Friggin Miles.
BLou - August 20, 2009
That's really a bold quote there, BLou.
You predicted the Cubs wouldn’t have a great season, halfway through a mediocre season?! You’re a regular Nostradamus.
Theroid - August 20, 2009
Bradley has been on the DL for many weeks?
In 2009?
25th man on the roster? Wow.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
BLou is out of the penalty box and back in the game, folks!
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
Theriot SS
Bradley RF
Lee 1B
Ramirez 3B
Fukudome- CF
Soriano LF
Baker 2B
Hill C
Gorzelanny P
lexmarklover - August 20, 2009
Phew...
No Miles.
CubsBullsBears - August 20, 2009
Saves me and Sack Man a flight to LA
…..for now at least
JB 23 - August 20, 2009 via mobile
Good...
I’m turning the car around.
CubsBullsBears - August 20, 2009
Hill's catching again?
hmmm
katie casey - August 20, 2009
California has medicinal marijuana...
Geo’s oblique may still be sore… you do the math.
CubsBullsBears - August 20, 2009
Classic. Love it ;-)
BigJohnAZ - August 20, 2009
Dude, no joke
There are eight (8!!) smoke shops within 2 miles of where I work. It’s hilarious. There isn’t even an attempt to not be obvious about who does or buys what.
PacificCub - August 20, 2009
I dunno what there is to hmmm
Soto’s slumping hard off the DL. :(
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
It's just that Soto is generally referred to as the starting catcher,
so I’m a bit surprised (and happy ) to see Hill starting again today.
katie casey - August 20, 2009
Hill sucks.
Theroid - August 20, 2009
Except he's been more than serviceable this year
and we’d be worse off without him. Thanks for trying though.
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
LMAO.
Yeah, we’d be worse off without a guy who has OPSed .619. He’s really saved this team.
Theroid - August 20, 2009
You do understand there's this whole other thing he does
that doesn’t involve hitting, right?
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
And the statistics show he hasn't been any more valuable than a replacement level player
when you include offense and defense.
Theroid - August 20, 2009
when he plays, they win. end of conversation.
lexmarklover - August 20, 2009
Great argument. Makes tons of sense.
Theroid - August 20, 2009
yeah ... it makes TOO much sense apparently
lexmarklover - August 20, 2009
Actually, it's idiotic.
I trust you’ve never bothered to learn the difference between correlation and causation?
Theroid - August 20, 2009
lol
Ok, that was you. Yeah, there’s no sense in talking to you. Keep being who you are.
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
Great arguments you're making...
… to criticize a guy with whom the team has been 30-19 in the games he has started.
Oh, maybe that .619 OPS isn’t the only thing he contributes. Maybe there’s … intangible things? Maybe he does well with the pitching staff?
I shouldn’t bother, because arguing with people like you is pointless.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
Al, are you honestly telling me that you believe those 30 wins
are caused by Koyie Hill? It’s easy to calculate is WAR, and it isn’t pretty.
Theroid - August 20, 2009
Tell your statistics to shut up.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
So much for the civility of this blog.
I was just trying to have a baseball discussion with you, Al. I can see you have no interest in that.
Theroid - August 20, 2009
The discussion looked
pretty one sided to me.
LT - August 20, 2009
Apparently you wanted to act like an ass
more than you wanted to have a discussion.
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
That's the way it looked like to me.
And “Tell your statistics to shut up” is a line from an old Peanuts cartoon. I used it in the title of a post only a few days ago.
Guess that doesn’t matter to someone who’s been banned here several times. Yes, that’s right. I just outed you.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
So that's BLou?
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
Nope. try again.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
I was around before Craig,
so I doubt he’ll know who I am.
Theroid - August 20, 2009
Doesn't matter if he knows.
It matters that I know.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
This much is true
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
Spandau Ballet
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
Not that I really care,
but what reason would you possibly have for banning me Al?
Theroid - August 20, 2009
I've read here for much longer than I've been registered
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
I give it
I honestly couldn’t say who has been banned from here, aside from BLou because most people that get banned are random trolls. It’s cool though.
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
I give up, rather
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
he's not gonna start
quoting the entire script of Hamlet, is he?
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
Othello, perhaps?
Bill Potter - August 20, 2009
Nope.
Don’t worry about that.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
the worst part
was that he was quoting the entire script of Hamlet OUT OF CONTEXT. :P
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
LMAO
True.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
phew.
as much as I appreciate Shakespeare, those comments/posts were a bit much.
Bill Potter - August 20, 2009
santoswoodenlegs - August 20, 2009
Al, you can out me all you want.
I didn’t come here to get banned, I came here to talk about baseball. Instead, you choose to ignore all reasonable evidence, and act as if statistics that are PROVEN FACTS are erroneous, and substandard when compared to your point of view. It’s disturbing.
Theroid - August 20, 2009
No one is saying that, least of all me.
I never said statistics are “erroneous and substandard”. I simply say, they are not the only way to analyze baseball players and games. There are factors that cannot be measured.
If you do not understand this, I really feel sorry for you.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
you're missing the humor...
it’s a quote from a movie.
santoswoodenlegs - August 20, 2009
WAR was stupid...and we were stupid
and love means nothing… and someone show me how to do that musical note thing..
Worf - August 20, 2009
"WAR... What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!" :-)
Fraggin Judge - August 20, 2009
I said, WAR.. HOH -- GOOD GOD Y'ALL
YOU DON’T NEVER TOUCH A BLACK MAN’S RADIO!
Worf - August 20, 2009
♫
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
OK, how do you do that?
I’m BLACKINESE!
Worf - August 20, 2009
hold the alt key down
hit 1 and then 4 on your number pad.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¢
That’s what I get when I do that. But then, I have a Mac.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
same here
damn you Steve Jobs!!!!
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
macs
don’t have alt-keys.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
Well, yes they do.
I’m looking at a key that says “alt” right now.
But it does different things than the PC alt key.
¡™£¢∞§¶•ªªº–≠‘"æ÷≥≤…œ∑´®†¥¨¨ˆøπ¬˚∆˙©ƒ∂ßåßΩ≈ç√∫˜µ≤≥
Fun, but no musical notes.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
on my mac (MacPro), alt shares a key with option
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
Mine too.
That’s how I got all those funky characters.
⁄€‹›fifl‡‡°·‚—±’"∏؈¨Áˇ‰´"ŒÅÍÎÏ˝ÓÔÒÚÆ¿˘¯Â˜ı◊Dz¸
There are some holding down “alt” and “shift” on my MacBookPro.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
cause by?
probably not. Achieved with the help of?
It would be interesting to compare the stats of pitchers when Hill is catching vs when Soto is catching.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
I don't care what it is
if we win more.
katie casey - August 20, 2009
what's more important stastistics or winning games?
lexmarklover - August 20, 2009
Statistics, apparently.
And he’d probably rather be right than win.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
He'd also like to hassle posters here
and then wonder why other people hassle the same poster. So, there you go.
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
we should take a poll on this issue and analyze the results...
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
hes been better than geo
unfortunately..
jesus christos - August 20, 2009
Right. Both hitting and catching.
Fraggin Judge - August 20, 2009
I like that lineup.
I think I’d only change it with Fox in left. Perhaps Fuld instead as well. It’s better than Lou has done other times this week for sure…any lineup without Miles always is an improvement.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
I'm guessing...
1-7 is going to stay pretty constant for the rest of the season, with Geo and Hill splitting time.
CubsBullsBears - August 20, 2009
♪♫...ooo hooo Dream Weaver, I believe you can get me through the night... ♪♫
And if that doesn’t work, I found me a case of Diet Mountain Dew – CODE RED!!! If Miles sees any action, I’m chugging a can.
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
um
My eyes. They burn. Maybe I WON’T watch this one.
Allie - August 20, 2009
Breathe deep allie
Miles isn’t on the lineup so you can at least watch the start of the game…
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
Thinking of Miles' orgasm face aren't you, kiddo?
Worf - August 20, 2009
Worf
You are evil. How dare you say such things.
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
No need to go there...
Last time I saw it Alannis Morrisette’s old bf popped out and I about lost my lunch.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
You owe me a gallon of brain-bleach
Oh, the goatee action….(shudder)
Clutch16 - August 20, 2009
bow chikka wow wow...
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
Where is this Diet Code Red...
Of which you speak? I used to love the original, and I can’t find diet anywhere.
CubsBullsBears - August 20, 2009
I found some at Target
the one on Addison. I think the cross street is Sacramento, or close to it.
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
you frakker!
where do you find code red in CASES anymore???
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
What was the Halo 3 brand Dew?
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
I've no idea.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
I've got a bottle of tequila the wife and I got in Mexico on our honeymoon
That’s what I’m chugging if Miles gets in.
If you guys think Worf is bad… you should see drunk Worf.
Worf - August 20, 2009
All I'm asking
is you share. Because we’ll all need it
chitownhawkeye - August 20, 2009
how long until the baby is here?
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
Official due date is Oct. 11, but he's measuring big
We just him to cook for a few more weeks. Really, anytime after Labor Day is possible.
Worf - August 20, 2009
When Ricketts takes over Sandy Alderson will be named Team President
You heard it hear first.
BLou - August 20, 2009
Just out of curiousity, what makes you say that?
Bill Potter - August 20, 2009
he heard it from Paul Sullivan
lol
lexmarklover - August 20, 2009
lol looks like he heard it
“hear”
joeschmitt - August 20, 2009
Alderson is client of a significant law firm I know from my work
Tom Ricketts and Sandy Alderson have been in dialogue for several weeks. This is breach of confidentialty if the actual lawyer representing Alderson told me this, but he didn’t. But loose lips among Cub fan within that firm did.
BLou - August 20, 2009
i totally believe you
jesus christos - August 20, 2009
i do too
lexmarklover - August 20, 2009
Ricketts and Alderson have been bargaining on two fronts
A. Minority ownership interest in the Cubs
B. Alderson to assume title of Team President, thereby a contract around that title
BLou - August 20, 2009
And why would that be a good thing?
….Alderson is Bud’s lackey and certainly didn’t accomplish much in SD
JB 23 - August 20, 2009 via mobile
Actually, that's been in the press for awhile now
but you go on thinking it all starts with you.
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
That's a bold quote there, BLou.
You predicted the Cubs wouldn’t have a great season, halfway through a mediocre season?! You’re a regular Nostradamus.
Theroid - August 20, 2009
in blou's defense
he caught a lot of flak when he made that prediction, and a-holes like me put it in his sig to (hopefully) eventually rub his face in it. he is looking more and more correct everyday. but i still hope to eventually rub his face in it
joeschmitt - August 20, 2009
That just makes you look foolish.
It doesn’t change the fact that BLou made an obvious prediction, and now is flaunting it around like he’s really accomplished something. Here, I have a prediction: Pujols will win the MVP. And you can quote me on that….
Theroid - August 20, 2009
I've never "flaunted" being accurate prognosis for the 2009 season
I’ve cried over it. I’ve been sad over it. I’ve argued with the kool-aid drinkers and those who lack objective brain cells in their head on the social chat board formerly known as BCB. But “flaunt” it? No. Never.
BLou - August 20, 2009
It's sitting in your sig line.
It’s fine though Lou. I understand why you’d be so proud to have predicted a mediocre team would be mediocre. It’s a truly groundbreaking theory.
Theroid - August 20, 2009
I'll give you this much Blou...you gave me a good laugh..no never ...youd never flaunt it
your “prediction” posted every time you type in your sig line…you might try being a little subtle to have your crap overlooked.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
we'll see.
I think it’s closer to 90.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
Might be time to replace the batteries
Just sayin.
BLou - August 20, 2009
you're always
just sayin’.
We’ll see.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
its going to be months until the purchase closes
joeschmitt - August 20, 2009
Daddy, I want another pony.
santoswoodenlegs - August 20, 2009
OT: Normally I can't stand preseason football
but I have the Colts-Eagles game on now and something is missing…
THE ANNOUNCERS!
Don’t know if it’s by design or a technical glitch, but there are no broadcasters – no PBP, no color guy, no ex-player, no nothing. Just the sounds of the game. It’s actually quite refreshing…
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
I have announcers
must be a local problem
LT - August 20, 2009
Yeah, I'd say you have the problem. ;-)
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
Yeah
Kenny Albert and the Moose
LT - August 20, 2009
Damn!
A bunch of static, and now the announcers are back.
Beware the power of BCB….
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
Need 3 out of 4
If they can do that…I might actually have some rejuvinated hope for ’09.
Canadian Cubs Fan - August 20, 2009
Good. To me it's over.
Fraggin Judge - August 20, 2009
So you're not coming back even if they win 3 of 4?
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
No. I'll still be around.
I’d love for this team to prove me wrong. It’s just they’ve been so inconsistent his year that it’s hard to believe they will.
But I commend fans like you, Al, who refuse to concede defeat until the very end.
Fraggin Judge - August 20, 2009
More Left Handed?
Correct me if I’m wrong but LHP are better against left-handed hitters, right? So, that would mean that RHP are better against right-handed hitters. Wasn’t Lou’s whole “we need to be more left-handed” idea to protect the right-handed hitters (Sori, Lee, Rami) to name a f ew. The RHP’s that were put up by LA last year were able to work the outside corner until our offense became completely inept.
I don’t understand why it is pointed out that LA didn’t use a single LHP in that series, seems to me that’s just explaining the reasoning. Why would LA have used a single LHP in the series when there was no legitimate left-handed threat by our team.
Am I confused?
cubbiefanTN - August 20, 2009
It's a mystery, too.
…. why Reed Johnson and Ted Lilly saw zero action in the series.
Too many modern day managers are too locked in to the platoon differential. I thought we’d gotten away from that when we got rid of Dusty, but I guess not.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
That's why I say Lou is Dusty in disguise.
Fraggin Judge - August 20, 2009
In some ways, he is.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
I think that when otherwise "great" managers feel the heat
they fall back on old school tactics. Too afraid to play their gut. That’s what I have always loved about Brenly when he was out here commanding the 2001 D Backs. It seemed that he used his instincts more than Lou has, IMO.
Your comment about Lilly and Reed has been brought up by myself and my brother back in Chicago many times. MANY times.
BigJohnAZ - August 20, 2009
I can sense the doomsayers circling the water in this gamethread..
Be prepared for a litany of “I told you so’s”. After the Dodgers series, it is feasible that the Cubs could be 10 games out – perhaps some can smell blood in the water.
DisCUBbobulated - August 20, 2009
Hey!
How about some positive thinking, please?
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
It's also feasible that we could be 2 games back!
I’m good. The way I see it, we’re four back inthe L column right now with three games left vs the birdies. That alone gives us a lot of hope. Let’s start tonight by taking care of the Dodgers. If we sweep them, we’re only 4 games behind them.
DisCUBbobulated - August 20, 2009
I like that kind of thinking.
Go Padres!
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
or
if we take the series and the Cardinals lose big, we could be just a game or two out.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
i like
that thinking…. a 4-3 road trip would be a huge success. in a perfect world that would have meant a sweep of the padres and splitting with the dodgers. if we win 3 of 4 in this series there’s sitll hope!
cubbiefanTN - August 20, 2009
Too many "ifs" there.
Fraggin Judge - August 20, 2009
two ifs
1) If we take the series
2) if the cardinals lose big
The second if is less likely then the first.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
"If" is this years theme I think....or maybe "when"...
Like…..When Soriano starts hitting.. If we can get Jake Peavy..etc etc
JB 23 - August 20, 2009
Calling all Al's, calling all Al's....
Kindly explain the great left-handedness myth you reference 86 times a week in your very tired diatribes against Lou Piniella.
2008….Edmonds, Ward, Fontenot,Kosuke
2009….Milton, Miles (25th man who was DL’d and rarely plays), Fontenot, Kosuke
How in tarnations is THAT a major left-handedness push by Lou PIniella? Can you add up names? Do you realize that less at bats have been allocated to left-handed hitters in 2009 verusus 2008?
BLou - August 20, 2009
I didn't make the lefthandedness comment.
Lou Piniella did.
Why don’t you ask him?
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
But you keep saying that Lou ruined the 2009 Cubs because he insisted on getting more left-handed
And in fact the Cubs DID NOT get more left-handed AND have struggled mightily in 2009, which therefore is STRONG argument for Lou’s insistence on being more left-handed.
Crikey.
BLou - August 20, 2009
You are misstating the facts.
Miles didn’t replace Ward; Hoffpauir did.
DeRosa was traded and essentially replaced by Bradley.
Miles took over the bench spot that last year was handled by Fontenot.
Fontenot was overexposed as a starter and Miles can’t play at all.
The entire idea was silly.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
and maybe the most frustrating part of all of this...
…is they didnt go get a real LH bat!! Bradely is a switch who hits better RH!!
That though, is on Jimbo
JB 23 - August 20, 2009
Exactly.
If Hendry had gone and got the guy Lou (apparently) wanted, we’d have Raul Ibanez — and the Phillies wouldn’t, meaning we might have won more than one game vs. Philly this year.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
I think you're misstating the facts
by, again, ignoring Jim Edmonds. Like Drew points out down below, Lou wanted to get more left handed since Edmonds wasn’t retained. Recall that our right fielder, Fukudome, was left handed. Milton Bradley replaced him. Dome moved to center, replacing Edmonds. The only significant addition that changed the lefty righty balance was making fontenot a full time starter, which, as we can agree upon, was a mistake. Still, I think cubs management thought he was ready to be a full time player not because of which side of the plate he hits from, but because he’s still young and had a good year.
shoemile - August 20, 2009
My cat's breath smells like catfood.
santoswoodenlegs - August 20, 2009
So does...
A Prawn’s.
CubsBullsBears - August 20, 2009
saw that today
awesome.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
Hey Blou... I have a serious idea for you..
Have you ever thought about starting your own blog? I’ve just tnoticed that you have a very unique perspective, and a strong desire to share it. You’re already very, very well know, so you’d get a lot of “curiousity traffic”. Also, you could really set the tone for a set of discussions that fit your take on the Cubs, and the best attitude for being a fun. Think about it.. We can always use more blogs and persepctives.
DisCUBbobulated - August 20, 2009
BLou's got zero appetite to administer a blog and deal with morons
My goodness. I’ll still fight the good fight to see BCB return to its former glory status.
BLou - August 20, 2009
Plus you won't be able to get the attention you do here and would have to tons more work.
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
BLou has career and lovely wife and daughter to worry about
BLou has zero appetite to set up a blog. BLou is here to rally for the old school BleedCubbieBlue days. This blog used to be RELEVANT. This blog used to be participated in by outstanding and OBJECTIVE posters. This blog used to get the attention of the media forces. Today this blog is one step away from having a recipe corner to share recipes for red, white and blue Cubbie jello recipes. I’m not going to allow Al Yellon to flush this thing down the crapper without a fight.
BLou - August 20, 2009
Rickey - is that you?
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
Does anyone want my new brownie recipe? IM me on Facebook.
santoswoodenlegs - August 20, 2009
ok
jesus christos - August 20, 2009
mmmm.... brownies!!!!
DisCUBbobulated - August 20, 2009
BLou like to refer to himself in the third person. Weird.
BleedsbluinMI - August 20, 2009
So just because I don't agree that this season is over, this site is "down the crapper"?
That’s an interesting perspective. I suppose that WHEN the Cubs come back and make the playoffs, you’ll be nowhere to be found? Where will we share the joy with you?
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
Al, Al, Al....
Completely GONE are days when the edgy and insightful Cub fans participate on this site in droves. This used to be sight that was about unvarnished truism about the Cubs. You could talk with others in intelligent dialougue about the good, the bad and the ugly. And you knew Al Yellon was the marshall in town to deal with idiots like BLou who would get a little too carried away sometimes.
Bring back the old BCB.
BLou - August 20, 2009
Hmmm.
Seems to me all of that is still going on.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
obviously
not up to his EXACTING standards.
It’s too bad you can’t make BLOU moderator for a day, and have to deal with all the crap you do. He’d lose in about 30 seconds.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
that is why he's never doing his own
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
Exactly.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
And
we’d all be banned
chitownhawkeye - August 20, 2009
quite possibly.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
now that would be funny....
….“you’re not being overly confrontational with your posts, you’re banned”
JB 23 - August 20, 2009
Nobody would be banned
But installed would be a dipshit meter linked to each user name. That way the wheat could be separated from the chafe and the rest of us could deal in lively and intelligent OBJECTIVE debate about the Cubs.
Seriously, it has become downright criminal to critique any facet of the Cubs on this board. Saying in May that this team looked like garbage and was en route to a wretched season was classified as heresy. How in great horny toads is THAT permitting unvarnished and objective dialogue among posters?!?! Say ANYTHING contrary and 29 kool-aid drinkers and bored housewives from Iowa pounce all over you and get all puffy chested because they are in the majority with their anonymous friends on a friggin blog.
BLou - August 20, 2009
Can you share with us oh wise one
When was the board like this?
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
Right.
There’s plenty of criticism here, including from me. However, most people can at least be civil about it.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
How many people
have lamented the lack of an ignore or un-recommend button? If you could get that installed by the tech folks at SBN that would be a tremendous win.
chitownhawkeye - August 20, 2009
Send your suggeston to...
… support (at) sbnation (dot) com
They will get back to you.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
it's been suggested multiple times
they’re not interested right now.
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
Second paragraph is so true
Clutche - August 20, 2009
When did you consider it good?
in the last 3 years I’ve missed that.
FUNNIEST. LINE. EVER on bcb
I’m not going to allow Al Yellon to flush this thing down the crapper without a fight
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
Sounds like a great signature line for everybody!
section229beer - August 20, 2009
hmmmm
I dunno…
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
BTW, BCB'ers.. has anyone ever tried to make shitstorm pie..
I just can’t get the sauce right? Any ideas.. I think I’m not adding enough cheese. Recipes?
DisCUBbobulated - August 20, 2009
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
Reminds me of a quote from a movie - went something like this...
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
Blouto...hahaha
sue369 - August 20, 2009
Best nick ive seen in a loooong time.
Germans bombed Pearl Harbor…Germans? Forget it, he’s rolling….
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
I just made banana bread today, recipe from America's Test Kitchen. Moist and Yummy!
BigJohnAZ - August 20, 2009
I thought you had given up posting for the year
tommy veryzer - August 20, 2009
BLou, who was the administrator back in the good old days?
Clutche - August 20, 2009
Oh well.. that's too bad. I guess we should be thankful that Al's willing to do that, then.
Hope you reconsider… It’d be an interesting blog.
DisCUBbobulated - August 20, 2009
with your amazing
non-admin powers!
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
Lou Piniella sez
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-22-cubs-brite-chicago-jul22,0,7693304.story
Lou Piniella sez:
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20090802&content_id=6217154&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc
Lou Piniella sez:
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
Thanks for the quotes.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
All this thread needs is for KOW to show up and take us on a completely perpendicular tangent! ;-)
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
HI! MY MASTER TOLD ME TO COME AND FIND YOU SO HE COULD
SQUIRREL!
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
LOL
Fraggin Judge - August 20, 2009
Wow... haven't seen that one in a while
Worf - August 20, 2009
Get the feeling it's just that much worse because it's a late game?
chitownhawkeye - August 20, 2009
don't say KOW three times
don’t say KOW three times or she will appear
LT - August 20, 2009
This thread has made me laugh
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
Al
I’ve read your site for about three years and commenting for about two years.
This place was a great place to talk about baseball. I enjoyed getting different perspectives.
Now, it seems as if you’re on some kind of power trip by banning everyone. It’s pathetic that you cannot agree that someone knows more than you when it comes to stats. The smug attitude is funny to watch. Especially your “Ousted” comments. Do you really get a kick out of banning everyone?
serbianking33 - August 20, 2009
everyone?
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
You must have missed that thread
Al came in and started pointing “You…banned. You…banned. YOU…BANNED!”
/sarcasm
chitownhawkeye - August 20, 2009
it was pretty scary..
jesus christos - August 20, 2009
Al, ban this clown for not getting in line.
santoswoodenlegs - August 20, 2009
he hasn't ban Blou yet this year
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
That isn't the point.
I have never professed to be an expert on advanced metrics. I do know what they are and how to use them. I object to people telling me that they are the only way to analyze baseball players.
Further, the individual above has been banned SIX OTHER TIMES under different names. I figured it was just a matter of time before he came here and started disrupting things again. I was right.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
honestly
Al, I’m not sure you do understand how to use them/how they work. The things you have said in the last few days really makes me wonder of you “get” how some of the more advanced metrics we use work and maybe you feel threatned by this as though somehow your understanding of the game is worth less people there are better ways to qualify what we see on the baseball field.
Or I could just be projecting my impression of you but either way you have really had an obtuse attitude towards this for about 2-3 days now. It’s too bad because it isnt a stats vs non stats thing at all, these metrics are everyone’s friend.
CalCalender - August 20, 2009
Stats help us form our expectations of what players might do...that is all.
santoswoodenlegs - August 20, 2009
"thats all"
To YOU.
If you want to believe that Koyie Hill is somehow more than what he is (which is a replacement level backup catcher) and that somehow he manages to sprinkle magic fairy dust and make the Cubs win when he starts over a catcher that is better than him feel free. Just understand that this way of thinking is going to be in the past very soon. Everyone is entitled to view stats or baseball the way they want but people in front offices are moving towards better analysis rooted in science and fact over the kind of hocus pocus we have see in the past.
Better, more detailed analysis is the future, period.
CalCalender - August 20, 2009
can you address SWL's point?
What else do stats do besides helping us predict what will happen?
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
This is the crux of the problem.
santoswoodenlegs - August 20, 2009
ok
Stats are a record of what has happened and what is happening right now.
When you properly applyt hem you can to a greater degree of accuracy than what teams used to use — give a good range of expected production in all facets of the game. Offense, defense, running whatever. You can judge and quantify the quality of players you have on your team. You dont have to think Adam Dunn sucks on defense you can find out just how much he sucks, in what areas of defense does he suck, how much he sucks this year vs the last few, how many runs he costs you with this suckitude. You can do this all day long with anyone you want with a decent sample size.
So when posters like you pine for Adam Dunn and savage a measurably better player like Milton Bradley you can point out why this is wrong without just using opinion.
They are a helluva lot more useful than trend analysis.
Now my question to you/people of your mindset. Can you think of something else you honestly feel is more important than the volumes of data you get from these metrics?
CalCalender - August 20, 2009
boobies.
santoswoodenlegs - August 20, 2009
Yesssssssssssssssssssssss
Craig in South Bend - August 20, 2009
well yeah
just until my new tit metric is ready!
CalCalender - August 20, 2009
actually yes.
My enjoyment of watching the game.
I guess I’m lucky – I’m not a GM, manager, front office exec, scout, agent, or any of the many other professions that depend heavily on those volumes of data. And since my livelihood does not depend on those volumes of data, it’s just not that important to me to try and predict to the nth degree what someone may do. I’d rather just watch the game and see what happens in real-time.
That’s not meant to be an anti-stat position. I understand enough about stats to know they have a purpose and can be productive and/or misleading depending on how they’re interpreted. I just get more enjoyment out of watching the game.
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
maybe i was misleading
your positon is fine. If people just want to enjoy the game thats cool. Where I get bothered is positons like “you can’t measure THAT with your stat sheet!” Or Al saying “what a sad life we must lead”
People dont like stat guys having much backbone or fighting back to insults/crap like that. I would imagine Al would polish his “ban” button if I just started to write things like “what a sad life (fill in the blank) must live being so stupid he cant follow simple math formulas” or “is basic math too hard mouthbreather!?!?” because that is the EXACT mirror to the things I have seen Al and others say the last few days.
CalCalender - August 20, 2009
ugh
horrible editing on my part- supposed to say
“somehow your understanding of the game is worth less than stat people’s now that there are better ways to qualify what we see on the field”
CalCalender - August 20, 2009
If that was always true there would be no need for a manager...
metrics and stats are useful but not infallible or cover every situation. I doubt very much he feels anymore threatened by them than I or Pinella does. Perhaps he just has a different idea when to use them? is that possible?
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
nobody says
stats are the end all. nobody. Al keeps trotting out this straw man argument because…. well you would have to ask him.
CalCalender - August 20, 2009
Better, more detailed analysis in the future, period...
And equating his judgement over metrics as fairy dust sure doesn’t sound like you have any doubt they are always best. I just say everyone is entitled to agree to disagree without needling each other.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
of course
i trust metrics more than Al’s judgement. You would have to be insane to take the word of a fan over something like UZR or WAR.
Thats not a shot at Al in the slightest its simply common sense.
CalCalender - August 20, 2009
I think Al handled an irritating post well. Just my two cents.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
Now I'm curious.. Which post got banned?
DisCUBbobulated - August 20, 2009
The squirrel's. ;)
Fraggin Judge - August 20, 2009
LOL.
Now THAT is funny.
Al Yellon - August 20, 2009
You mean this one?
DisCUBbobulated - August 20, 2009
I am suppose to be getting stuff done tonight
Thanks to ballhawk, I’m now watching football. This thread amusing me…..
I haven’t moved my butt from this couch LOL
I curse BCB LOL
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
See
Right down the crapper! :-)
chitownhawkeye - August 20, 2009
hmmm
How did you know that one of the things on the to do list is clean my bathroom?
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
We won last night and I didn't read the BCB Pre-Game or watched/checked the score until it was over.
Maybe I’ll do it again tonight.
dtpollitt - August 20, 2009
ummm you are reading the pre game thread
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
...
CURSE YOU, MEGATRON!
drewishdrewid - August 20, 2009
Oh, yeah.
I forgot that. Shut up.
dtpollitt - August 20, 2009
started early tonight dan?
Madison Cub Fan - August 20, 2009
Well, haven't you defeated the purpose now?
Assuming you’ve read this…
Bill Potter - August 20, 2009
no he closed his eyes and posted that
jesus christos - August 20, 2009
Spritual posting
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
Ready to watch
Can’t wait to watch the game tonight…..so i switched from wearing my cubs hat to the bears hat and we won. Think I’ll wear it again tonight…if it doesn’t work…you can blame it on me
Sandburg23 - August 20, 2009
I'm going with my Bulls championship t shirt
Bricks and Ivy - August 20, 2009
Zambrano...
went 4 innings and gave up 4 hits and 0 runs at Peoria tonight.
ryan89 - August 20, 2009
not too shabby
hopefully his back feels fine tomorrow.
Bill Potter - August 20, 2009
how did he bat?
j/k
Bricks and Ivy - August 20, 2009
four home runs
jesus christos - August 20, 2009
Knowing him that would be the best game ever he played.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
If nothing else
this thread has made the night go by fairly quickly
chitownhawkeye - August 20, 2009
Pitching matchup
Gorzelanny 5-2 (5.24 ERA )vs. Weaver 5-4 (3.71 ERA) Not the greatest matchup ever…how long do you give both of them?
Sandburg23 - August 20, 2009
Hopefully Weaver's gone by the third inning - great way to start a long series.
If we can get 6 innings out of Gorzo with less than four runs, that’s a win.
DisCUBbobulated - August 20, 2009
What? Oh yeah, there's a game tonight. I almost forgot... ;-)
ballhawk - August 20, 2009
agreed
Sandburg23 - August 20, 2009
Weaver looked like shit
when he pitched in Chi.
But all he throws is off-speed junk.
Which, as we know, is not one of our strengths in facing…
The E-Man - August 20, 2009
He looks pleasantly constipated in that picture.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
This thread has
been an interesting read tonight.
Go Cubs!!!
sue369 - August 20, 2009
Punchy..
I think I’ve laughed more on this thread than I have in a long time. We really need a Cubs win tonight.. mayhem on BCB would definitely ensue….
DisCUBbobulated - August 20, 2009
Oh for the days of BCB when only logic, reason and unemotional chit-chat ruled the day.
santoswoodenlegs - August 20, 2009
Sounds like a bizaaro world you mention there...
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
Seeing Blou go into hiding as a result is always a plus.
Sandberg's evil twin - August 20, 2009
Screw Bud Light
JUMP!
Clutch16 - August 20, 2009
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