One thing you cannot criticize about the 2009 Cubs is their starting pitching.
Cubs starters are riding 14 consecutive scoreless innings after Ryan Dempster threw eight superb frames in a 2-0 win over the Brewers. Combined with the Giants' 9-1 win over the Rockies, the Cubs crept to within 6.5 games of the wild-card lead with 20 games remaining.
Yes, I know it's still a longshot, uphill climb, whatever else on the cliché list you'd like to call it. But as long as there is still a chance for postseason play, I hope the Cubs play just the way they did last night -- because in general, outstanding pitching shuts down good hitting in October. The Cubs have had excellent performance out of their starting pitchers all year; last night's eight shutout innings from Dempster was the 86th quality start of the season, tied with the Braves for second in the NL, one behind the Rockies. (Comparison point: last year's 97-win Cub team had 84 quality starts the entire season.) And that's with having one starter (Randy Wells) play the first month of the year in Triple-A and the other four all having stints on the disabled list.
Carlos Marmol finished up with a scoreless inning for his 13th save. Though Marmol does have four blown saves this year, he has none since officially being named closer in mid-August. He did issue a walk, which appears typical for him this year; command and control will be things he'll have to work on in the offseason. I was reminded last night of the way Mitch Williams closed out games for the 1989 division champs; Williams walked 52 in 81.2 innings and saved 36 games despite a 1.51 WHIP (and ten blown saves!). Closing was a different animal in that era -- 20 of Williams' saves were more than one inning in length -- but maybe the Cubs have another pitcher who can close out games despite having imperfect command. Marmol, at least, rarely gives up hits, allowing only 38 hits (and only one home run) in 68.2 innings.
The game flew by (2:15, one minute longer than the shortest nine-inning game of the year on September 2) on a flawless 76-degree September evening, with almost no wind. I had to laugh at the boxscore description of the wind as "1 MPH"; how do they measure something that small? The flags weren't moving at all either on the roof of the ballpark or on the flagpoles on the scoreboard. Both pitchers, Dempster and Jeff Suppan, were inducing ground balls in the pitcher-friendly conditions; in the combined 15 innings (45 outs' worth) they threw, 28 outs were registered on the ground, including a pair of bunts by Suppan which were attempts for base hits -- a peculiar strategy for a pitcher who has a decent .175 lifetime batting average.
One of the outs not recorded on a ground ball was an outstanding, Web Gem catch by Sam Fuld, diving after a ball hit by Frank Catalanotto with the tying run on third base and two out in the fifth inning. Fuld may not have all the tools to play more than part-time in the major leagues, but he is an outstanding defensive player. After that inning the Brewers only managed a pair of singles, and the Cubs turned a rare 6-5-3 double play when they had the extreme RF shift on against Prince Fielder in the seventh.
Incidentally, I thought it was strange that Ryan Braun, who is healthy and was hit by a pitch as a PH in the eighth, didn't start last night. And it wasn't as if the Brewers were trying out a prospect in his place, either; Frank Catalanotto, who started in LF, is 35 and about as far from prospect status as... well, as Jody Gerut, who started in RF in place of Corey Hart (who, admittedly, is just coming back from an appendectomy). If the Brewers want to start their B-lineup the rest of this series, though, that's fine with me.
The Cubs' offense was provided by Derrek Lee's 33rd homer of the year and a nice sequence in the eighth inning; a leadoff pinch-hit double by Mike Fontenot (curiosity: all four of his pinch-hits in 2009 have been doubles), followed by a perfect Ryan Theriot sacrifice bunt and a deep fly ball from Kosuke Fukudome.
The Cubs are now 9-4 in September, having one of their best Septembers in recent years. While there is still a postseason chance, I'll keep up hope. (And it's always nice to beat the Brewers.) Go Cubs.
0 recs | 320 comments
Go Cubbies
Never stop believing!
imknowdummy - September 15, 2009 via mobile
Uh-oh.
I can see “Don’t Stop Believing!” coming out here.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
Great start by Dempster
Why couldn’t he pitch like this the rest of the year? Not that he’s been bad, but he’s definitely come back down to earth after last year.
mgrace17 - September 15, 2009
Dempster should have at least three more starts.
In his last five starts, he is 4-1 with a 2.10 ERA. If, say, he goes 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA in three remaining starts covering 21 innings (assuming seven per start), he’d finish the season 13-8 with a 3.66 ERA. Not quite as good as 2008, but not that bad, either.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
he also missed, what, three starts?
I’ve been critical of the Dempster contract. But he’s impressed me with the way he’s pitched since returning from the broken toe.
elgato - September 15, 2009
His health since coming of tommy john has been amazing
nji232 - September 15, 2009
I Spent 10 minutes this morning convincing myself
that the Cubs can go 16-4 while the Rockies go 8-9 down the stretch gets us a one game playoff on October 5. All it requires is 2/3 in every series (2/4 in SF) and then a 7 game win streak against Pittsburgh and Arizona. Not to mention the Rockies would have to lose a lot. I mean, is it really that out of line to ask that the Rockies play .500 baseball the rest of the way. I mean 2 against SF (1-1) 3 against StL and LA (2-4), that’s already 3-5, then they have to play 5-4 ball against the rest. And thus, why I am a Cubs fan.
niuhuskie224 - September 15, 2009
Yep it is possible
I’m not holding my breath, but it can be done.
Ihatethecards - September 15, 2009
Not all that crazy
wish the cubs schedule set up a little better. Four games in SF at the end of a long road trip is tough and the Giants won’t be resting any starters. But what the heck, keep hope alive!
RTGrules - September 15, 2009
in a way ...
I’m glad the Cubs will have to go through that to make the playoffs — since that’s the kind of pitching they would face in October.
elgato - September 15, 2009
Not to put a damper on things, but
Take a look at the Rockies’ remaining schedule.
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
pretty easy?
elgato - September 15, 2009
2 @ SF
3 @ AZ
3 v. SD
3 v. STL
3 v. MIL
3 @ LA
Not easy, but not all that tougher than what the Cubs have.
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
maybe the Brewers will do us a favor and show up
considering that we made it easy for them to win the wild card last year.
Seriously, the Brewers series there is key, I think.
elgato - September 15, 2009
Could be
Cubs still have 6 with the Brewers, and I don’t see them laying down for the Cubs, though.
I prefer to follow the one game at a time cliche at this point. If the Cubs can get to within 4 by the end of the weekend, I’d start to be encouraged – but then that 4 game series in SF is staring at them.
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
Right, but before then...
… the Giants could help out by sweeping the Rockies. At least we have the four with a team ahead of us.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
Which, the way the Cubs have played against winning teams
Isn’t necessarily a good thing.
There’s still a chance. It’s just not good enough at this point that I’m going to remotely plan a schedule around watching the Cubs. If I’m free and the game is on, I’ll watch/listen. If not, I’m not going to fret it.
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
They need to lose 4 or 5 out of the 6 against StL and LA
Losing the two against Milwaukee would really help. If the Rockies go 2-7 or 3-6 in those 8 games, there’s a chance for the Cubs.
I think realistically we need the Giants to play .500 ball the rest of the way and the Rockies to go 6-11 down the stretch. Then, we’d need to go 14-6 down the stretch to get to 88-74 and a tie with Colorado. Anything better than that is, I think, a stretch.
SouthernCub - September 15, 2009
of course ...
there are a lot of other teams to contend with, too — not just the Rockies.
elgato - September 15, 2009
Can't ignore the Giants...
It’s not as simple as simply catching the Rockies. We have to root against the Rockies AND the Giants.
Realistically, if the team goes 16-4, then the Marlins and Braves will be out of the picture. But 12-6 is not out of the question for the Giants, and that would put them at 90-72 as well.
The odds have improved dramatically from two days ago, when they were about 1/200. But the odds are still worse than 1/50.
SouthernCub - September 15, 2009
I don't think anyone is ignoring the Giants
I for one WANT the Giants to play better because 25% of our remaining games are against them.
I think everyone realizes that we will have to sweep the Giants to have a shot at the Wild Card and not because it’s the Giants, but because we need wins.
IllinoisCubs - September 15, 2009
Yeah, I'm open to any sort of run the Cubs want to make...
…but I’m not really changing my expectations (of not making the postseason) now. I’d still simply like to see them finish over .500. And if they can fatten up enough on this homestand to endure what will probably be a a very difficult roadtrip, they’ll have a better chance of doing so.
daver - September 15, 2009
I agree with tempered expectations
Yes, I’m disappointed we’re almost certainly not going to be playing in October. But I will take some satisfaction if this team can get it’s winning percentage above .520. There’s less shame in being a good team who got beat to the playoffs by an excellent Cardinals team and what looks to be a very good wild card team (as the race is going so far).
DGU - September 15, 2009
+1
I use to feel the Cubs lost the Wild Card and Central Division races but given the distance the Cards and Rockies have put up, they have gone out and earned their races even if the Cubs end up 3-4 games out.
Also, if the Cubs finish with a winning record, it will be the first time the Cubs finish with a .500 for three straight seasons since they did it for six seasons 1967-1972.
IllinoisCubs - September 15, 2009
For a while I've been thinking about doing a fanpost
about just how good this Cardinals team has been, but there’s not much motivation to write that…
DGU - September 15, 2009
Yeah, don't do it
It’s also a lot of statistical luck. As I like to point out, Brian Barden was April’s Rookie of the Month. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
IllinoisCubs - September 15, 2009
Always nice to beat the Brewers.
mrcubsfan - September 15, 2009
Braun getting hit by that pitch brought a smile to my face
I’ll give Dempster credit- he’s been on a nice run recently, and has certainly earned his contract this season (something I didn’t think I would say).
nji232 - September 15, 2009
I didn't see the HBP.
Was there any question of intent? Demp and Braun did have that staring incident earlier in the season.
daver - September 15, 2009
Doubt it
but who knows
nji232 - September 15, 2009
Not with a man already on.
It gave the Brewers the tying run (at the time) at 2nd. Don’t think Dempster would hit Braun to set that up.
Bill Potter - September 15, 2009
Also winning two of the next three
Assures us of not having to see STL celebrate against us this weekend.
nji232 - September 15, 2009
Fuld does it again!
Wow! He is filling that void in my heart of missing Reed Johnson whose catches I often admired. However, the mom in me is starting to worry that he’s going to get himself seriously hurt if he keeps going after them with such reckless abandon.
katie casey - September 15, 2009
The chick in me is enjoying his reckless abandon.
He is sure fun to watch.
Doggie Stalker - September 15, 2009
that he is
katie casey - September 15, 2009
He is one of the bright
spots in this dismal season.
sue369 - September 15, 2009
"One thing you cannot criticize about the 2009 Cubs is their starting pitching."
Ok, I’ll try. I realize no one will agree with this but I do not think the starting pitching is beyond criticism. Yes, I do agree the backend of the bullpen, overall team defense, and of course the offense in general but especially with RISP, are all bigger problems in 09.
My perspective is our starters are good, but not great. Good enough to get you to the post season (assuming the other problems were fixed), but not good enough to get you through the postseason. Yes, Demp and Lilly have had back to back gems, but each is just as likely to only go 4 innings in the next outing. Z and Harden same inconsistency. They ALL seem to have the potential to be a #1 or #2, but in reality their overall performance are like #3 or #4.
Bottom line, who on this current staff can match up pitch for pitch with a Carpenter, Wainwright, Lincecum, or Sabathia in a playoff game?
BatCubFan - September 15, 2009
Carlos Zambrano
nji232 - September 15, 2009
That's my point ...
most peo[ple would say Z is our ace. But he is 8-6. Last ten games he only went beyond 6 innings once, and that was 7. Same ten game span he went 4 innings or less 3 times. That is not in the elite class of starters.
BatCubFan - September 15, 2009
Why does his win total matter?
Look at his start against the Mets- he dominated for 6 innings and was pulled for a pinch hitter. He wanted to go longer, same as his last start.
I won’t sit here and say this is Z’s finest season, but I can say that based on his career numbers, and the fact that he has gone pitch for pitch with one of those precious “aces” in the playoffs before I’ll take my chances going with him.
nji232 - September 15, 2009
yes, you have no choice, and
“taking your chances” with Z is a good way to put it. Any objective analysis would not put Z, orany other Cub starter ni the elite starter group for MLB.
BatCubFan - September 15, 2009
Please give me some parameters for "elite starter group"
nji232 - September 15, 2009
Umm, how about being in the Top-10 in ERA in the NL?
I’d expect an ace to at least do that occasionally. Zambrano hasn’t been better than 19th in ERA since 2006.
Zambrano was absolutely an ace-quality pitcher from 2003-2006. But he hasn’t been really been an ace for the past three years. His reputation has (for some) survived in spite of the fact that he’s consistently been among the second 16 starting pitchers in each of the last three years.
SouthernCub - September 15, 2009
I agree about Z, but I think Lilly could compete with that elite class.
katie casey - September 15, 2009
doesnt that cound when he was coming back from an injury?
i dont remember the exact date, but that was pretty recent, so that would include that….
Rhymenocerous - September 15, 2009
and how many times does lou let a starter go past 100 pitches?
jesus christos - September 15, 2009
Give me a break...
…the last manager was crucified (and still is) for letting guys go over 100 too often.
I’m not one who likes pitch counts, but considering the mental block a lot of today’s pitchers have and how fragile they can be, it’s not a bad think to be cautious.
MPH73 - September 15, 2009
it's hard to criticize them ...
for something they haven’t been able to do yet. But I see your point — the Cubs’ starters are good, but rarely dominant.
elgato - September 15, 2009
If the Cubs weren't averaging a full run LESS per game scoring this year...
the starters performances would look even better. I have no issues with our starters other than they throw too many pitches in the early innings and often don’t go deep enough into the game. Some six or seven pitch innings would be nice on occasion…
Zeke - September 15, 2009
Consistency
Dempster has made 27 starts. He’s gone at least six innings in 24 of them.
Lilly has made 25 starts. He’s gone at least six innings in 22 of them.
Care to rephrase that?
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
yeah, unfair criticism of Dempster and Lilly
Probably fair for Z and Harden.
elgato - September 15, 2009
Z and Harden
Z has made 24 starts, going six or more innings in 18 of them.
Harden has gone six or more in only 15 of 25 starts.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
How many times has Harden gone more than six?
Can’t be more than once or twice.
nji232 - September 15, 2009
Five times.
Harden’s 2009 game log here
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
Well I'm stunned
and pleasantly surprised.
nji232 - September 15, 2009
well ...
That means our ace isn’t making it past six innings a quarter of the time. Disappointing.
elgato - September 15, 2009
Baseball is 9 innings,
and especially in big games the big guns need to step up and out duel the opponent. Our guys do a great job chalking up a quality start, but to me seem to fall short when they battle head to head.
BatCubFan - September 15, 2009
They will have that opportunity...
…. on the next road trip vs. the Cardinals and Giants. You’re right, they’ll need to step up.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
Hope they prove me wrong.
BatCubFan - September 15, 2009
I'm right with you there.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
Also, Carpenter got pounded by the Braves the other day.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
That's very, very rare
Mapmaker - September 15, 2009
I'm starting to believe it's still possible.
Maybe it’s good to get that slump out of the way in August.
Steaming Pile - September 15, 2009
Al ...
do you sit in the left-field or right-field bleachers?
I have tickets tonight, and might stop by to say hello.
elgato - September 15, 2009
LF corner, section 301.
Please do stop by.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
I think I'm sitting right around there!
See you tonight.
elgato - September 15, 2009
I'll be there the next two nights.
I’ll wave from the upper deck tonight. Not sure where I’ll be tomorrow. It’s a group thing.
katie casey - September 15, 2009
What section are you going to be in tonight?
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
I'm not sure-our friends have the tickets. It's either 516 or 517.
I’ll be the one in the Cub’s t-shirt holding a beer.
katie casey - September 15, 2009
Well, that narrows things down.
daver - September 15, 2009
I'll be wearing white shorts and since it's after Labor Day that might narrow it down.
I also have cow patch toenail polish (it’s a crazy work thing I do). I would think it’s a safe bet I will be the only one in the stands with that.
You know it might be cool to have BCB t-shirts with our screen names on the back so we could pick each other out in the crowd. Hmmm…maybe not.
katie casey - September 15, 2009
LOL!!
I think the white shorts and cow patch nail polish should get the job done. :-)
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Since I changed it from cubbie blue to cow they've been 9-4.
katie casey - September 15, 2009
Keep it that way, then.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
I will even though it looks really stupid.
katie casey - September 15, 2009
Take one for the team!
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
Do you work on a farm?
And I assume you’ll be wearing sandals, too, right?
daver - September 15, 2009
no-I don't work on a farm
yes-I will be wearing sandals
katie casey - September 15, 2009
OK, I'll be the guy...
…walking up and down the aisles in the upper deck looking at everyone’s feet.
(Just kidding – won’t be there. Have fun, though!)
daver - September 15, 2009
you just talked me into wearing socks and shoes
katie casey - September 15, 2009
Marmol was officially named closer
Confirmed last night during Cubs game by Len and Bob.
ak123 - September 15, 2009
Nevermind
Misread you Al…thought you said was not officially named closer despite no blown saves…oops.
ak123 - September 15, 2009
Speaking of postseason hope
I still don’t think they’re going to pull off a miracle…I will say that I think they’re going to get much closer to the WC spot than anyone imagined a week ago. I’m talking like 1-2 games behind it.
ak123 - September 15, 2009
this week
If the Cubs win 3 of 4 against Milwaukee and sweep the Cardinals … I think we take the wild card. Just my gut — I could easily be wrong.
elgato - September 15, 2009
Anyone know if Fuld made web gems
or MLB channel version ? I fell asleep early.
Doggie Stalker - September 15, 2009
Fuld was #1 Web Gem last night.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
Do they ever rerun them in the morning ?
Doggie Stalker - September 15, 2009
Don't know.
But you can see it here.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
Never mind found it online
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4474466
I think that is his his third #1 for the season. That is pretty amazing for a bench player who was not even on the MLB roster for the first 3 months of the season.
Doggie Stalker - September 15, 2009
That is pretty impressive - both the catch and the third No. 1 Webgem.
daver - September 15, 2009
You can also add the 2007 #1 Webgem
when he crashed into the wall and caught the ball in Sept. I could not make out all of the conversation on the above link but sounded like Gammons was a fan. I still crack up thinking of Scully’s " Little Sam Fuld" call.
Doggie Stalker - September 15, 2009
Whatever becomes of Fuld,
he has cemented an image with more than a few of us, and we’ll remember him for years to come.
chilango2 - September 15, 2009
"What makes Sammy run?"
was classic Scully.
I was listening to some LA based sports guy the other day and he was saying that when Vinny finally does retire, the Dodgers should just have natural sound on their broadcasts for the next two years, to give the Dodger fan base a chance to adjust!
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Less meaningful, but...
… it was also TSN’s Highlight of the Night.
“Sportscentre”… hehe, damn Canada. Can’t wait to get back to Chicago.
Dou - September 15, 2009
Interesting ...
if the Cubs go 11-9 the rest of the way, they’ll match the 2007 team’s win total.
elgato - September 15, 2009
I just hope we win more than 10 games.
For no other reason than it would prove to BLou that he isn’t always right.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
That's a fruitless path to follow...
Ending the season with an 85-77 season won’t change BLou’s opinion of himself. Like everyone else who is highly opinionated, he’s been both right and wrong plenty of times. Being wrong one more time won’t change anything. It’s really not worth time thinking about.
SouthernCub - September 15, 2009
Hate to break it to you
but BLou was essentially correct, no matter how many games the Cubs win from here on out.
Whatever happened to BLou – did he get banned again?
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
I gave him a temporary ban.
However, he has been reinstated, though I have not seen any posts from him since I reinstated him.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
He's occupied. The 4 ints
by Cutler has him calling for a housecleaning of the Bears over at WCG.
N Oakley - September 15, 2009
Can't take credit for this, but -
I heard Cutler was going to draw the Pick 4 #’s for the IL lottery . . .
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
Apparently, he really dislikes Earl Bennett.
Link.
Some of his comments there, particularly the ones toward Sue, are overboard. Well, “overboard” is an understatement.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
It’s going to be a long season. The NFC is uniquely strong, and the Bears might be fortunate to get to 6 wins. Cutler has awful receiver options and Urlacher is done for the season. To go on top of a wretched defensive secondary situation. Maybe it IS time to root for a player lockout (joking…er…maybe half joking).
It’s like a broken record. A different broken record.
drewishdrewid - September 15, 2009
Page down through the comments.
When Sue showed up, he said something to the effect of “The BCB c**t shows up.”
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
He's like an asshole...wrapped in a douchebag.
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
He combines assholery with douchebaggery...
…to create assadouchebaggaholery.
daver - September 15, 2009
Please add this to the BCB dictionary.
Rec’d.
chilango2 - September 15, 2009
yeah, I saw that.
joined WCG just so I could flag his ass.
drewishdrewid - September 15, 2009
Nasty
Wow, worse behavior over there than over here.
vonde6 - September 15, 2009
I don't activly participate over there...
… although i may start sometime soon after the Cubs season… but it seems like they are a bit more lenient than Al is, unfortunately.
It also seems everyone over there hates him more than we do here, amazingly.
AndrewJStone - September 15, 2009
well, its cause he is our village idiot lol
heine41 - September 15, 2009
Wow, that's quite a thread.
Clearly, he makes friends whereever he goes.
daver - September 15, 2009
Al
I hope that his use of the word c**t to describe Sue on another SBNation site would be enough to ban BLou forever. PLEASE don’t let BCB sink to this depth.
leothelip - September 15, 2009
That, coming from the guy who started the "infamous pornography thread"...
irony.
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
What?
You say something like that, but don’t provide a link?
vonde6 - September 15, 2009
I don't remember one started by leo
I just remember this one
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
Wow
That was an incredible series. Thanks for sharing.
vonde6 - September 15, 2009
That should be required reading for all that join!
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
That was fun to reread.
sue369 - September 15, 2009
I remember the first time I saw that.
Sitting at my computer, laughing my head off.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
What are you talking about?
My memory is filled with holes but this certainly doesn’t ring a bell
leothelip - September 15, 2009
Good point...
Jumping all over him being wrong about a minor issue like the win total overlooks his bigger issue. It’s sort of like the Bobby Scales “5 hit” thing. It was a foolish statement as Scales easily topped the 5 hits, but the overarching point (expecting anything of substance from Scales) was basically correct.
SouthernCub - September 15, 2009
Right
People on here get all hung up over the way that BLou communicates, and his over the top declarative statements, but if they could just get past that, they would see that he frequently makes good points.
I guess it is easier for me, because my Dad used to communicate that way. I asked him one time why he made such over the top statements, and he said, “I just like to get a rise out of people”. I suspect BLou might be like that, too.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Well, there's more to it than just outlandish proclamations...
as BLou has treated many here in an inappropriate manner.
But yes – BLou has made plenty of good (and plenty of bad) points. He just hasn’t grasped the ability (or maybe he simply refuses by choice) to communicate in a civil manner.
Certainly a lot of it is in the way he presents his points. I think he just likes people talking about him, and he doesn’t mind if it’s because he’s said something foolish.
SouthernCub - September 15, 2009
My take
is that Blou enjoys getting people worked up and being the center of attention.
As far as saying something foolish, I doubt there is anyone who posts on here regularly that hasn’t said foolish things. That is a non issue. I think what makes BLou such a lightning rod for BCB hate is: 1) His way of communicating 2) His overall negativity re: The Cubs organization and 3) The fact that the main thrust of many of his points have ultimately turned out to be correct.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
I tried talking to him in a civil manner once
and he reamed me a new one for being “fake-friendly.” Oh well. His ways are not right, but he usually has a point.
chilango2 - September 15, 2009
Yes, a point that he likes to make over and over and over and over and over again.
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
Yeah
but a lot of people on here repeat themselves as nauseum. When certain topics are raised, I can predict with 90% certainty who will post a response and what position they will take and how they will phrase it.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Ryan Theriot Sucks.
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
no he's scrappy
katie casey - September 15, 2009
the S and C keys
are really close together. It’s easy to hit them both by accident.
drewishdrewid - September 15, 2009
Have I mentioned his UZR numbers?
daver - September 15, 2009
As a test of this
post something even remotely critical of Gregg Maddux sometime and see how long it takes Doggie Stalker to respond.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Well, he's gotten kinda chubby
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
HE HAS NOT YOU JERK
Well Ok he has. Look I never said anything PERSONAL about anyone critical of Madog and contrary to popular belief I actually accepted the fact that he was no longer an ace. I can’t agree that Blou posted much in the way of serious analysis . It was more like, Lee sucks and should be traded. Dome sucks and signing him was the worst deal the Cubs ever did except for all the others, Hendry is the worst GM in the history of baseball and spends his life eating donuts, Soto took steroids which is the only explanation for his numbers last year, Lou is a great manager and Harden is the greatest pitcher the Cubs have had. I am leaving out the really personal parts too.
I think Blou is/was good for a comic foil. One day he apparently decided that my entire reason for disliking Lou was that he did not sign my autograph book. Of course I never had one and never got close to any player since age 10 to ask for one. We have plenty of cynical posters here who can express their disgust with the Cubs without calling people really foul names and making allusions to sexual activity , etc.
Doggie Stalker - September 15, 2009
Oh, I know.
I just felt like being silly – and I know you realize that.
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
You conveniently
leave out the fact that BLou lobbied long and hard for the Cubs to acquire Rich Harden and took considerable abuse over it.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
By foolish, I meant...
things like “Bobby Scales will only get 5 more hits.” Everyone says things that wind up wrong. But BLou isn’t afraid to wildly overproclaim things to be a lightning rod.
If you’re lumping insults and derogatory comments in “his way of communicating” then I’ll agree with #1 and #2. I’ll disagree on #3 to some extent, as he’s been wrong plenty even on main points. There are plenty who have been correct on the negative aspects who don’t get banned. I’d put “repetitiveness and offensiveness” above your #3.
SouthernCub - September 15, 2009
I never thought
BLou did anything that rose to the level of deserving to be banned. That should be reserved for things like excessive profanity, etc. Banning someone because you don’t like what they are saying is censorship, plain and simple. And if you are going to ban people for being abusive to other posters, than a lot of people on here deserve to be banned. It all seems very capricious to me. Making outrageous statements, even when intending to incite, is not a reason to ban someone, imo.
Everyone who posts an opinion on here will have times when they are right and times when they are wrong. But, the thing that makes BLou unique is that he incites people to react with excessive glee when he is wrong and it really seems to piss them off when he is right.
Having said that, I still maintain that his overall track record is better than most on here. It just seems like it isn’t because people put such a focus on the occasional times when he misses the mark.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
He's been banned for personal attacks and excessive inappropriate statements.
Al has NEVER banned him for merely stating an unpopular opinion.
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
I absolutely disagree with this statement
One of BLou’s recent bannings (not this last one, which I didn’t even know about), but one early this season was totally about his loudly and repeatedly stating an unpopular opinion. I don’t recall the particulars, but I do recall thinking at the time that Al was doing nothing more than censoring someone who disagreed with him and was disagreeable in the way he was disagreeing.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Let's find it...shall we?
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
I'm pretty sure every ban I've seen of his...
was following repeated profantiy-laced insults directed at other posters.
If anything, BLou and his other most-recent incarnations have gotten an extra leash from Al, because he’s realized that bannings don’t seem to get the point across anyway.
SouthernCub - September 15, 2009
Well they certainly would
get the point across if the ban were permanent. And that is something else, if Al feels he banned BLou for legitimate reasons every time – and what’s it been, 5 or 6 times now? – then why does he let him back? I think these are “time outs” rather than bans.
As I said some time ago, imo, this blog needs BLou, or somebody like him. Otherwise, it would be like a film noir without a villain.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Don't the Cubs themselves play that role?
Dear Cubs: I wish I knew how to quit you.
vonde6 - September 15, 2009
There are villians here, plenty of them.
I dont need to mention screennames as everyone is probably aware of who I’m referring to.
And then there are the trolls.
Blou on the other hand…can be Hitler/Stalin/Voldimort-esque at times
heine41 - September 15, 2009
Was he banned after what happened last year?
Asked where some particular individual was sitting at Wrigley and threatened to fight him?
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
What? Really?
No. You’re joking.
chilango2 - September 15, 2009
I don't think it was that.
His last posts as MDBNIU involved him telling someone, “f*** you mambochicken.”
I’m looking for the threat to fight someone.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
To be fair though...
mambochicken deserved it.
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
Just checked that thread.
It was our friend drewishdrewid who MDBNIU gave that moniker.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
No! We are innocent!
daver - September 15, 2009
I most certainly did not.
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
No, he posted his own seat location...
…and dared anyone/everyone to show up and fight him.
daver - September 15, 2009
It was
Hammer he wanted to meet at the game. Nothing came of it.
sue369 - September 15, 2009
Oh yeah...Hammer was the original target.
daver - September 15, 2009
Wish he'd do that to me.
:-)
AndrewJStone - September 15, 2009
how
exactly do you know that? Did Al tell you?
BLou reaps what he sows.
drewishdrewid - September 15, 2009
It's pretty easy
to follow the succession of posts and to identify where Al draws the line. It ain’t rocket science.
And in this instance, Al drew the line when he got exasperated with BLou disagreeing with him. BLou was not excessively abusive (at least no more than normal) nor profane. Al just got tired of arguing with him and sent him into time out. Plain and simple. The ban only lasted a day or two, IIRC,
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
There's a difference...
… between a couple days timeout and a permanent ban.
You also don’t know how many times I warned him. Believe me, it was plenty.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
I have no doubt of that
but, just so I am understanding correctly, you have never give BLou, or one of his earlier screen incarnations a permanent ban? Have you ever permanently banned anybody?
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Yes, I have.
All of his previous incarnations were permanently banned. But, as I said, he kept creating new names, behaving for a short time, then reverting to previous behavior.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
I had to...
… ban a particularly abusive commenter for a client of mine once. He pulled the same shenanigans, registering new hotmail addresses to get around it.
Consider banning his IP address, if your site’s framework allows for it. I eventually had to block commenting for 3 separate IPs (i’m assuming work, home and a mobile device), but it got rid of the dude.
AndrewJStone - September 15, 2009
Could you find that thread for me...
I’d like to read it.
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
Why do I have to find it for you?
You know how to use the search function, do you not?
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
OK, I'll just search for every post by Blou and Al and try to find it...
or you could provide some CONTEXT to what the argument was about since it’s got you so riled up.
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
First of all
I am not riled up. It is you that wants to track this down, not me. And if your motivation os to make it a referendum on whether I am remembering it correctly, that is your issue, not mine, because I recall it quite clearly.
What I remember is what happened and what I thought about it at the time. Unfortunately, I do not recall what the context was or what the argument was about, because whatever it was it didn’t mean anything to me at the time.
I’m sure Al could shed light on whatever it was that he gave BLou time out for a couple of months ago, but to be honest it isn’t that germain to the point I was making and I think you are being silly.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
You recall it quite clearly, except for the context and what is was about.
LOL.
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
Read what I wrote
what I remember clearly is the fact that Al banned him and that I thought it was capricious at the time. And since that was my point, that is all that matters. If you feel you need to check up on me, that is entirely your issue, but it doesn’t change my point, or it’s validity.
Think of it this way – I can say that it is my recollection that the 2009 Cubs season went down the tubes in August. I may not remember exactly what their record was in August or what the score of each game was, but that doesn’t impact my overall point. If you feel the need to go check the score of each and every game in August, have at it, but don’t ask me to do it for you.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Speaking of worthless
Where is Sandy Aldersosn that BLou promised us. Last sighting was that he was working for MLB in Latin America trying to figure out the thieves(like Dave Wilder and others) and the steroid and age problems they have had in the Latin countries and islands.
Slamdog - September 15, 2009
The rules are clear here.
Abusive behavior to other posters will result in warnings or bans. It’s clearly stated when you sign up.
He doesn’t seem interested in being civil to others. Most people here can follow those simple rules.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
There have been many many times
people have been abusive, got warned and then continued the abuse, but did not get banned. If you are saying that the banning decision is not a judgement call made solely by you and that you do not have some biases in making that call, then I would have to disagree with you.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Al, ban this clown for not getting in line.
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
I know you're joking.
We need a sarcasm font here.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
Exactly
n/t
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
He never got banned for outrageous statements
He’s gotten banned for personal attacks directed at other members of the community here. Clearly you’ve missed those comments.
SouthernCub - September 15, 2009
In fact, you even state the reasons he's been banned...
“excessive profanity,” specifically directed at other posters.
SouthernCub - September 15, 2009
"Excessive"
is a total judgement call and is not administered even handedly. There was a post not long ago that had half a dozen F bombs in it, and as far as I know, not even a warning was issued.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Warnings are only issued to the person who drops the F bombs.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
Well, right, it's Al's judgement call...
…and I personally find him much more tolerant and patient than many other bloggers/moderators on the Web.
daver - September 15, 2009
+1
My experience on other blogs is that BCB is administered reasonably. I am sure others have a different opinion—so what?
DudeVf11 - September 15, 2009
Azjazzman- you realize you are defending someone who has no problem
referring, repeatedly, to female posters here and other places now as c###s?
You really wnat to take that position? And, I don’t think Al lets him back on after a banning, it is not very difficult to sign up with a different screen name.
BleedsbluinMI - September 15, 2009
FTW
chilango2 - September 15, 2009
Well
I don’t really consider myself a regular, and if that happened then that is certainly inexcusable.
And if it did happen and Al did not immediately shut him down when it became clear he was back with a new screen name (as it would after a few posts) then shame on Al.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Well, you can't have it both ways
I have only been on here this year. I know he has at least 4 different screen names goign back several years. It did happen, numerous times in a game thread. And now, apparently in the Bears site.
I agree everyone should be able to post an opinion. There are guidelines and I think Al does a good job trying to be fair in policing things. So, he gets back on and is given another chance to express hi ideas without being out and out offensive, he just can’t do it.
BleedsbluinMI - September 15, 2009
How am I having it both ways?
I refuted your point about it being difficult to ban him when he uses different screen names. I made it clear that I was unaware of him using the word you referenced and that I personally think that is sufficient reason to ban him (or anyone) permanently. I despise that word!
But, again, how am I having it both ways?
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
You didn't refute anything
That is my point. You first say he shouldn’t be banned and allowed his opinion. Then, you say he should be banned forever. That is impossible to do as Al explained to you in his recent reply.
So, you get on Al for banning. Then, you got on Al for not banning him when he came back. It takes more than a few posts to figure that out anyway. That is why I said you can’t have it both ways.
We can agree to disagree, I’ve given Blou way more thought and effort than he deserves. I’m moving on.
BleedsbluinMI - September 15, 2009
It's not impossible at al
and that is what I said. Everyone knew who BLou was when he started posting, so if BLou is a poster who had previously been banned under a different screen name, you simply ban him again as BLou. By not doing so, Al is saying, okay I am giving this guys a second (and third) chance.
I love it when people are shown to be completely off base and they respond by saying, “I’m moving on” It’s pretty hard to follow that.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Ok, look all you need to know
is right here
BleedsbluinMI - September 15, 2009
Well, to me,
I have always operated under the guidelines that what you say is not nearly as important as how you say it.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
I feel that way too
but having said that, it is important to note that there are many, many people who do not agree with us, and they are certainly entitled to their opinion.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
I thought you guys were kidding
I did not realize he really was on a Bears blog doing the same stuff. Another reason to be grateful I am a Packer fan.
Doggie Stalker - September 15, 2009
Why would it be surprising
that someone who posts on a Cubs blog would also post on a Bears blog?
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
No that was not surprising
I just thought they were kidding about what he was posting. Basically using the “c” word re Sue said it all for me.
I am sure if there a blog for his local HS team he would be up there ripping players as being on drugs and parents as
being clueless *&^%%%% who don’t know how to construct a winning team.
Doggie Stalker - September 15, 2009
Just so I am clear
the original poster said he used the c word repeatedly. Is that the case or not?
Bottom Line: Use it once, you are warmed. Use it again, you are gone.
Even if Mike did rip players on a blog for his local HS team (which I don’t see him doing, because one of his main rants has to do with athletes who get paid to do a job), he would be entitled to his opinion.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
He used it twice in one thread on WCG in reference to our very own Sue.
Here and here.
Occasional good points or not, he’s truly an insufferable individual and i’m surprised every time somebody defends him.
AndrewJStone - September 15, 2009
I realize you're not referring to me
I don’t defend him per se.
I do rebut those who feel the need to blast everything he says just because of who is saying it.
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
I've always been of the opinion...
… and have told him so, straight up… that he’s a fairly intelligent dude who’s point is regularly lost in the way he tries to communicate it.
Knowing everything in the world isn’t worth much if you don’t have the social skills to effectively communicate it with those around you.
AndrewJStone - September 15, 2009
I thought you had a very good take on it
When you compared him to the cute girl in HS who knows she’s cute and treats everyone like garbage.
Having said that, there are a handful of people here who would blast him for saying that the sky is blue.
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
Oh, no doubt there are those people.
And they are no different then the kids in that same HS who say nasty things about the cute girl because they are jealous of the attention she gets. It doesn’t help anything.
They feed off each other. Its a vicious circle.
I, specifically, want him to be wrong with his wins prediction not only because i’d like to see the Cubs do better than he believed they would, but because i don’t wish to embolden his sense of self righteousness. A gracious winner, he is not.
AndrewJStone - September 15, 2009
No argument there
Actually, I have no argument against anything that you’re saying….I just felt the need to add the clarification.
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
I completely agree with this
and I can’t quite make up my mind whether BLou is just lacking in social skills or if he does this intentionally and is off laughing about how upset he gets people. I suspect it is the latter.
But, until someone in this thread pointed it out, I was unaware of his behavior over on the Bears blog. That is just unacceptable. Nobody should have to put up with that.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Since
these two incidents were on the same thread and less than an hour apart, I am guessing that Al issued one warning that covered both.
Also, I note that this occurred YESTERDAY. It was implied that this was historical behavior.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
This is not
first time he’s said that word. He called me that name 3 years ago and Al banned him immediately. Al has no say in who gets banned on other SBN blogs.
sue369 - September 15, 2009
Well, the incidents I linked to were on WCG...
… which is part of the SBNetwork, but not administered by Al. I don’t participate as actively over there, so i don’t know their rules and how well they are enforced.
The fact that it happened YESTERDAY is irrelevant. It happened, and it wasn’t the first time. I’m sure we could all dig through his comments and find plenty of other times he’s crossed the lines and broken the rules. Why anybody would defend that is beyond me.
AndrewJStone - September 15, 2009
Is Al in charge of WCG?
If not, it’s up to the person in charge over there to deal with this how he feels.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
Sorry to me the "c" word is like the "N" word . One strike and you are out.
“F” word, “S” word even “MF” I have no problem with a warning but some words are toxic and people don’t use them by accident or in the heat of the moment. Honestly I am not sure Blou ever posted one exactly like that at BCB but if he did to me that would rate a lifetime ban.
Sorry I am missing the famed sarcasm font re Blou
Doggie Stalker - September 15, 2009
I don't disagree with you
but I think everyone is entitled to one chance to apologize and clean up their act. But, in Blou’s case, I’m pretty sure I will not live to see him apologize for anything.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
I read through the game threads at WCG regarding the Packers-Bears game a few days ago.
After the game ended, someone over there said “Cue BLou … he’ll be here to hate soon enough.”
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
Just for conversation sake...
… Sori is out after his surgery.
The cubs are playing well (much better without him, to be frank). Its a long shot, very unlikely, but for arguments sake, lets pretend they sneak in to the playoffs.
How do we feel about that? Are we happy, in that it might send a message to him that he’s gotta straighten it out before next season because the team is looking better off without him? Are we bummed, as we are then in the playoffs without a dude who, when healthy, can go on a tear as impressive as anybody in the game? Do we feel bad for him? Does he deserve it?
Again… this is all very hypothetical, obviously. Was just pondering the implications of a Soriano-less cubs in the playoffs.
AndrewJStone - September 15, 2009
Guess i should weigh in on my own question...
… i guess i’m of the mind that the injury is real (i don’t think he’d go under the knife just as a cover for a bad season… there are plenty of injuries he could have invented that would have skirted surgery). Because of that, i’d feel bad for him. After all, he IS a major reason the team did so well in 07 and 08.
In the unlikely chance that the cubs make the playoffs without soriano, i would hope to see him in the dugout providing leadership and cheering everyone on. I would feel bad for him, and no matter what, i hope the surgery fixes whatever it is that is going on and he’s back to full strength next year.
AndrewJStone - September 15, 2009
I think the injury is real, but cannot fathom how he was allowed to keep playing all season when
he was obviously struggling.
N Oakley - September 15, 2009
Exactly.
The knee injury happened in April. By mid-May he was struggling. Should have been scoped then.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
I don't like the Soriano contract and question whether he is truly an elite hitter, even when healthy.
When healthy, he’s a monster in the regular season and demolishes back of rotation, middle relief pitching, and front line mistakes. He has a history of getting numbers that make fantasy players drool.
Regardless of all the above, his healthy production was needed in 2009. Not scoping him and getting things right so he could impact the second half reflects poorly on Soriano and Cub management.
This has to hit your top ten list of why the season hasn’t lived up to expectations.
N Oakley - September 15, 2009
i think they left it up to him and for some reason
he was scared to do it
doofus cubs guy - September 15, 2009
Unless the story in the news
was intentionally bogus, Soriano wasn’t even correctly diagnosed until a couple of weeks ago!
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
If that's true...
… that’s an indictment of the training staff, because Soriano said he hurt it in April.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
This is another story
I wish we could get some strong follow-up on.
DGU - September 15, 2009
Send the Batsignal!
Get Bruce
WayneMiles on the case!Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
♪♫ deh-neh deh-neh deh-neh deh-neh...
…deh-neh deh-neh deh-neh deh-neh…BRUCE MILES! ♪♫
daver - September 15, 2009
The story in late August
if you will recall, was that AS had what was thought to be tendinitis in his knee.
You don’t have a scope for tendinitis. What he had was a torn meniscus, although I don’t know if that has been specifically mentioned in any of the articles since.
It strike me that there is some serious CYA going on regarding this.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Soriano might have had tendinitis this year
That’s just one knee problem made more likely by structural damage (torn ligaments or meniscus). I heard also that he was getting swelling and soreness in his knee. Again, a torn meniscus makes it more likely that you’ll have swelling and soreness — but so do a handful of other things.
aldimond - September 15, 2009
No
you do not get tendinitis from a torn meniscus. I have never heard of that. But, in any event, when Soriano said he had pain when he put weight on his leg, that screams torn meniscus. That is exactly how I was diagnosed.
I have heard nothing that indicated any ligament damage for Soriano and that normally would not be a scope procedure.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
What gets me
is that in late August there was a news story that Soriano had been dealing with what was thought to be tendinitis in his knee. It was also said he sometimes had pain when he put weight on his leg, and that he had been dealing with this since early in the year.
I immediately thought (and posted here) that the pain when putting weight on the leg didn’t sound like tendinitis, it sounded more like a meniscus problem.
Of course, then it turns out it was a meniscus problem and he had it scoped.
My question is, how the heck did this go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed all summer, when it was obvious what the problem was? Why didn’t he have an MRI earlier? The whole thing just doesn’t make sense.
I am not a Dr., nor do I play one on TV, and from 2000 miles away and based on one news article I could’ve told him what the problem was. A real head scratcher.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
I agree that this situation is one I'd like to know a lot more about.
Did Soriano refuse treatment?
Did Cubs management push him to play since Rami was already out?
Did the Cubs trainers just totally screw up?
DGU - September 15, 2009
Well, when a torn meniscus
is indicated, the next step is a MRI to confirm. That is the real issue. Why was an MRI not performed until a few weeks ago? Or maybe it was and we just didn’t hear about it. Also, MRIs are not 100%. Sometimes things get missed.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
For anybody who thinks Alfonso is faking it or trying to use surgery as an excuse
Read this article about how is scared to go under the knife because he never has before.
He isn’t faking anything.
nji232 - September 15, 2009
that's what i thought - and haven't read the article yet
doofus cubs guy - September 15, 2009
Once it was announced he would go under the knife...
…. i completely pushed aside any thoughts of faking.
Frustrating it played out like this though. If he’d taken care of it in april or may, taken 2 months off, and been back after the All Star Break, who knows where we’d be right now?
Offseason moves, the Ramiriz injury, everything else aside… i honestly believe that was the one piece of bad luck (and then ensuing bonehead move) that could have been handled better and had a real impact on the season.
AndrewJStone - September 15, 2009
Umm
a scope procedure is not going under the knife. It is two pinholes. Either this was not explained to AS properly, or his fear is completely irrational. I have had both the old fashioned knee surgery and the arthroscopic procedure and the latter is a walk in the park.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
I wouldn't advise walking in the park until after the knee has properly healed.
daver - September 15, 2009
I was walking
3 days after having my knee scoped. And FYI, Doctors know tell their scope patients to walk just as soon as they can after having their knee scoped, as it helps the healing process.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
you still have
anesthesia. Things can go wrong. Yes, you were walking 3 days after having your knee scoped, but your career (probably) doesn’t depend on your knee working perfectly.
If he’s scared, he’s scared. No right to take that away from him.
drewishdrewid - September 15, 2009
I'm not taking away his right to be scared
but the thousands of people who have had this procedure with no lingering after effects are all the evidence you need that any such fear is irrational. When I had it done, it was explained to me that it is a less complicated procedure than a tooth extraction. It is an out patient procedure for crying out loud.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
I think he WOULD be in the dugout
He does genuinely seem to care. I wouldn’t feel sorry for him, though. He’s got a job any one of us would jump (hop?) at given the opportunity, and he’s had a nice career.
The message wouldn’t hurt, either. And, a healthy Soriano has been useless for 6 post season games as a Cub.
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
Given his bat is key to the construction of the team, his
bat took a vacation in clutch situations in 2007 and 2008. With him being out, a player who may contribute in the playoffs could take his place? Even more sarcastically, I’d say opposing pitchers would throw fewer sliders.
N Oakley - September 15, 2009
If they snuck into the playoffs
we’d all be glad and not thinking twice about what any particular player thought about it. Well, I suppose some people wouldn’t be happy because they want Jim Hendry fired and making the playoffs would discourage people thinking Hendry is the worst man to ever live, but besides them, we’d all be happy.
And I think the team could do fine w/o Sori, so long as it wasn’t Scales or Hoffpauir playing LF. I’ve said before that I think to break the curse, this team might need to stumble into the playoffs w/o any expectations on them.
DGU - September 15, 2009
1998
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
Right.
It doesn’t guarantee anything. I just think this team seized up under the expectations and might play better if everyone was counting them out.
DGU - September 15, 2009
Speaking of 1998....
… with five games left in the season in ’98, the Mets led the wildcard by one game over the Cubs, with the Giants third, four games behind.
The Mets didn’t win again and the Cubs and Giants wound up tied when the Giants won six in a row. The Cubs, of course, won the tiebreaker game.
You can pull off amazing things even with much less time left than there is now.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
True. Hope for it.
Just don’t expect it. Or invest too much emotionally in it.
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
Exactly...
the odds are very much against it. I’ll be very pleasantly surprised if it does happen, but I’ve resigned myself to the overwhelming likelihood that it’s not going to happen. Still possible, but I’m not holding my breath.
SouthernCub - September 15, 2009
That's what I'm talking about...
… hope we keep up the winning ways, the motivation, the swagger, regardless of where it gets us in the end. Some people have been calling it winning “in garbage time”, but who cares, it definitely beats losing and if we keep it up it might not be garbage time for much longer.
Just wanted to comment on Al’s stat on the Rockies leading the league in quality starts this year. That’s pretty amazing considering their rotation (Marquis, Jimenez, Jason Hammel, Jorge de la Rosa – hardly elite). It’s also pretty amazing considering where they play half their games… at what point did Coors stop being a hitter’s ballpark?
Dou - September 15, 2009
When they started putting the baseballs in the humidor.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
Can it really be attributed mainly to that?
I think they started using the humidor in 2002 and I remember Rockies scores still being wacky back then.
Maybe there’s different degrees of humidor-ness… or maybe I’m just underrating their pitching staff.
Dou - September 15, 2009
It may be a little of both.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
It would be nice
for once in a lifetime that the Cubs would do something that defies the odds. Go on a unbelievable run, have other teams cooperate and fail, Cubs claim the wild-card. It will take a miracle, would love to see one.
I read a stat yesterday that I could not believe, Milton has not taken a walk all month. Strange.
Grockcubs - September 15, 2009
True.
Bradley is hitting .209/.209/.302 in September.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
Milton, Theriot, and Fukudome are all having tough months
Kind of amazing we are winning games.
nji232 - September 15, 2009
The pitching has been outstanding...
… and Derrek Lee is hitting .415/.489/.976 (that’s right, a .976 SLG) with 7 HR and 16 runs scored in September.
Keep the faith. Maybe a miracle will be ours. Other teams have had them. Why not us?
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
Hmm. Sounds familiar.
Dusty, is that you?
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
"!WHY ME?!"
Nancy Kerrigan, is that you?
N Oakley - September 15, 2009
Quick, send Jeff Gillooly to Denver!
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
I knew someone would pick up on the old Dusty saying.
But really, why not?
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
I'll expand my thoughts
Essentially our offense is Derrek Lee right now. Aramis has been good on the homestand, but hasn’t showed up on the road in three years.
3 of our regulars suck right now, and the only bullpen guy not named Marmol who gets outs is hurt.
nji232 - September 15, 2009
Grabow is hurt?!?
;-)
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
forgot about him
nji232 - September 15, 2009
I told my friends I'd shave my head if we make the playofffs...
I’d be the happiest bald guy ever.
Dou - September 15, 2009
I see your wager
and I raise shaved armpits and legs if they make the playoffs. Book it.
chilango2 - September 15, 2009
I'll grow a playoff beard.
katie casey - September 15, 2009
Because they aren't that good.
I am not giving up, but what have you seen from the Cubs this year to make it seem realistic?
I’m not advocating others give up, either – but I’d temper expectations.
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
Because we are the Cubs
nji232 - September 15, 2009
key games
will be the 7 against STL and SF obviously. but we cant look past the brewers either. I will not give up until I see that E in the games back column.
imacubman - September 15, 2009
Derrek is in full incline.
DGU - September 15, 2009
He's in incline mode!
daver - September 15, 2009
Isn't Dome's hitting coach in town again right now?
AndrewJStone - September 15, 2009
Yes.
His name translated to Russian is “Igor Sikorsky”.
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
ISWYDT
Sneaky.
chilango2 - September 15, 2009
Yeah, I've been watching Bradley's Sept. stats with horror the last few days.
The lack of walks is the most disturbing part. I don’t want to read too much into any one slump, but it’s really disappointing to say the least.
daver - September 15, 2009
Why Bradley continues to take called third strikes in RBI situations
is enough to make me never want to see him in a Cubs uniform again after this season.
Mapmaker - September 15, 2009
THIS
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
Yeah, that is pretty maddening.
daver - September 15, 2009
why did wbbm pick today to report that zambrano
is on the trading block in the offseason – i’m goin gto the game tonight and figure now he’ll be so amped up he’ll give up six runs in the first inning and get thrown out of the game
doofus cubs guy - September 15, 2009
The Trib mentioned it, too.
Who knows. It could be a leaked story as a motivational ploy, or it could be the ham-fisted way the Cubs prepare the fan base for a trade – thus diminishing the players’ value significantly. (See: Sosa, Sammy.)
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
agree with you on the ham-fistedness
but at least they held out for LBR for Sammy – I bet the O’s first offer was just Jerry Jr.
doofus cubs guy - September 15, 2009
Him?
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
Paul Sullivan reports...
…that his sources indicate the Cubs “plan on” shopping Big Z over the off-season.
LINKY
daver - September 15, 2009
Crazy option
maybe Z for peavy. Ozzie would love to have Z and he would probably agree to it. So would peavy. I know, crazy, but wouldn’t be surprised.
imacubman - September 15, 2009
I don't think that's enough for Zambrano, actually
Shanghai Badger - September 15, 2009
Zambrano doesn't have the injury issues
They are both under contract till 2013 and make nearly the same amount of money.
My guess is they feel they can sign Harden for less, go with a rotation of Lilly, Dempster, Harden, Wells, Marshall/insert 5th starter option here and get some prospects for Zambrano while taking his contract off the books.
There is no upside to trading Zambrano for Peavy and not why they would want to make a deal.
IllinoisCubs - September 15, 2009
I believe Steve Stone mentioned Zambrano being tradeable on the Score this morning.
Bradley, too.
FWIW.
daver - September 15, 2009
Bradley's gone IMO
I don’t agree with it, but at this point it’s obvious he won’t be back next season.
I’m starting to get that feeling about Zambrano too.
nji232 - September 15, 2009
jimmy says
“mr. ricketts now that you’ve just spent $900 million can you spare another $100 million so we can dump some of the contracts that I gave out?”
doofus cubs guy - September 15, 2009
I'm not sure what to think about Milton at this point.
Besides that it was a lot easier to defend him when he was, like, getting on base.
daver - September 15, 2009
Zambrano to the Orioles
for Roberts!
He says, then ducks…
Canadian Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
Our postseason chances went up 1%!
ak123 - September 15, 2009
GO GIANTS!
Lets beat the brewers tonite and make it 2%
imacubman - September 15, 2009
Just keep winning!!
Keep the pressure on and let’s see how this thing plays out…
DKT - September 15, 2009
Look at this:
Don’t trust either Sullivan or Gammons, but it’s an interesting tidbit.
chilango2 - September 15, 2009
Trust me
the Rangers don’t want him back. They made NO attempt to keep him after last year (that should have been the first red flag for Hendry) and they practically helped him pack his bags.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
I thought it was more financial for Texas.
And given Tom Hicks’ financial straits now, I’m not sure they could take Bradley back, even if the Cubs pay some of the remaining two years of Bradley’s contract.
Bill Potter - September 15, 2009
Of course
I was putting it out there so everyone gets the full story. I can’t think of a single ML team that may take him at this point.
chilango2 - September 15, 2009
Toronto and San Francisco
Then the Maybes: Texas, Seattle, Yankees
DGU - September 15, 2009
I can't see him going to another NL team.
… he’d be better suited to the AL where he can DH 75% of the time.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
San Francisco
is desperate for OBP.
DGU - September 15, 2009
Just wondering...
if the Cubs are playing better, and winning games, because they’re essentially out of it, and the pressure is off?
Just a theory…
Canadian Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
I have a suspicion
that this team has not played well when the pressure is on – but how do you prove that?
DGU - September 15, 2009
It's definitely an intangible
Look how they played in Game 2 last year against the Dodgers in the first couple of innings…some people rise to the occasion, others do not.
Canadian Cubs Fan - September 15, 2009
I don't know
I’ve seen many, many Cub teams completely roll over late in seasons when it seemed they were out of it.
Mapmaker - September 15, 2009
Many people are saying this...
…but it strikes me as lazy analysis. The Cubs played pretty well in July when there was plenty of pressure still on. Let’s also bear in mind who the Cubs have played over the past week or so.
daver - September 15, 2009
Yup
all you had to do was look at the schedule and it was obvious this season would hinge on August.
The September schedule gives the Cubs a chance to make up some ground, but when it is all said and done, August will be the reason the season went awry.
azjazzman - September 15, 2009
Yep, I'll always look at that West Coast trip...
…as the stake through our collective heart.
daver - September 15, 2009
Agreed
The Cubs have gone and died on a lot of west coast trips in the past.
Last year, when they were so good, it took me awhile to believe that they were that good. I just kept thinking that this next visit from the Dodgers, or the Phillies, or whoever, would prove them to be pretenders. The biggest turning point was that visit to Milwaukee where they were slumping, but they went in and thrashed the Brewers all four games, and it was clear that team was something special. The playoffs were something else, but that was one helluva season.
vonde6 - September 15, 2009
OT: Royals closer Joakim Soria just sent me a public and a private message on Twitter after I wished him luck for the rest of the season.
What a nice guy. Chances he lands in Chicago in the future?
chilango2 - September 15, 2009
What's his Twitter ID?
daver - September 15, 2009
@joakimsoria
chilango2 - September 15, 2009
Cool, thanks.
daver - September 15, 2009
His nickname - LOL.
daver - September 15, 2009
It's pretty ridiculous, isn't it?
And people wonder why Mexicans get a bad rap…
chilango2 - September 15, 2009
Mexians are bad at rap?
santoswoodenlegs - September 15, 2009
Rico....Suave!
BleedsbluinMI - September 15, 2009
FYI
Cubs tentative 2010 schedule has been released. Discuss at this front-page post.
Al Yellon - September 15, 2009
They just keep reeling me back in...
Just when you think that the season is done, they win a game and the Rockies lose, picking up a game on the standings. So here today I think “well maybe this IS possible!” But then tonight they’ll probably get blown out and miss out on another chance to pick up a game.
kanderber - September 15, 2009
I know exactly what you mean.
Hopefully they win tonight and we can remain optimistic.
katie casey - September 15, 2009
Al you gave me slight hope for this season,
I appreciate the optimism…until the eventual disappointment.
Demp has had his ups and downs, but for all he has apparently gone through personally this year, glad to have him on our side. I hope we see the same performance next year from our starters.
slocs55 - September 15, 2009
Do some of you realize how much time you took
out of your respective lives to talk about someone you utterly hate?
IGNORE HIS ASS and HE WILL NOT COME BACK…
He gave me shit a few times. The last one, I told him to shove it and that was it.
blackhawk24 - September 15, 2009
Sorry dude... that just ain't reality.
Ignoring him will not drive him away. And frankly, i don’t wish he’d go away, i wish he’d make his points without treating everyone as if they are an inferior human being.
Telling him to shove it only emboldens him.
AndrewJStone - September 15, 2009
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=chc&c_id=chc
len sounds soooo interested…
jesus christos - September 15, 2009
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