Bleed Cubbie Blue

Yes!!!

My first ‘first’. I wanna thank… myself.

Congratulations

Your life purpose is now fulfilled. You can die a happy man.

Now put some thought into it.

blackhawk24 - September 2, 2009 reply

I agree Wells won't have enough for ROY.

Might have been interesting if he had won more of those hard-luck games when he first came up.

the nth - September 2, 2009 reply

He might have a shot...

… but only if he has a lights-out September and Happ fails.

cozmotaylor123 - September 2, 2009 reply

Cubs not making playoffs will hurt as well,,,,IF they dont make it

2 wins?

Is it possilbe for the Cubs to win 2 games in row before losing 3-4 games in row.And why is Fuku not leading off?

dhouse - September 2, 2009 reply

If only

there was such a thing as a happy Milton. I like the work the bullpen has done lately.
If we could ever get a consistent offense, we might still have a chance. If its good enough for Mr. Christmas its good enough for me.

Why do you have to start off this post with negative comments about Bradley?

He’s playing well and guys like you still can’t let it be. It’s obnoxious.

smash! - September 2, 2009 reply

Agreed

I can’t stand Bradley the player but that wasn’t warranted.

Seems we should never mention politics, religion or Milton Bradley in polite conversation.

At least not around here.

Basically

I said I wish things were better. How is that unwarranted?

Ive never said anything

Negative about Bradley, don’t throw me in that group. I’ve been supporting him all year just like any other player.
That statement was meant to bash him. I wish he didn’t have any problems so he can avoid all the conteversy and just play, which he does well.

Don't you know by now not to say his name unless you want people to jump all over you.

I think I know what you mean though. It seems he may thrive on controversy. Which I personally wish wasn’t the case. I’d rather not have all the sideshows and distractions.

I guess I cant say his name.

I thought I was safe though because I didn’t think I could obnoxious and negative while still throwing in a Dumb and Dumber reference in the same post.

I think you should just refrain...

… from saying things like “I wish there was such a thing as a happy Milton” directly after a game where he played well and displayed no unhappiness. You got your wish last night!

MB has been playin well of late, which is Great!!!

Increase that trade value for the off-season!

I'm glad most people on here aren't GMs.

There’d be nobody left… we’d have ditched our entire outfield at some point during or just prior to this season, everybody who’s touched 2B or shortstop since DeRosa left, our first baseman in July, both of our catchers at some point, our entire bullpen, and everyone who has touched the starting rotation save for Lilly and Wells.

You are aware that there is only one Pujols, perfect both on and off the field, right? And that beyond that one dude, every team has its share of malcontents, slumpy hitters, redic contracts, and generally dumb individuals.

You are advocating ridding ourselves of one of the more productive players the team has. A dude who has been SHOWN here to be statistically playing at a level above his contract. A guy who may rub you the wrong way, but tries hard and seems to care.

I dare say if we had a team of MB’s, we’d be better off than we are right now… and i mean both in play and in contract situations.

+1

Agreed

Over-reacting is rewarded on the ol’ bulletin board. If they haven’t done anything for us lately, ship ’em out.

The same goes for reaction to Lou’s moves. I think that Lou has more patience than many here would like. He also has a boss to answer to that we don’t, and some of his moves might have longer-term goals than winning today’s game. I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, because he is my personal Cubs MVP for 2007 and 2008. I think that he brought a winning attitude to this team that was sorely lacking, and in following the Cubs for forty years, I have only seen on rare occasions.

I'm not sure we want a happy Milton

Let the man be angry. He does better when he’s angry.

Worf - September 2, 2009 reply

sure seems that way

CubsBullsBears - September 2, 2009 reply

new to this board

Been here alot reading and finally decided to post. cant stand the cubs.com board, too much bickering. anyway, I am not saying that Wells is the next Maddux, but he is that type of pitcher. relies on control and placement more than power or stuff. definitely THE bright spot for the cubs this year. I was at the game in ATL when he had a no-no in the 7th and we blew it a 6 run lead for him w/ errors and bullpen.

imacubman - September 2, 2009 reply

Welcome aboard...

There isn’t much bickering here. o_0

Its all in good fun.

Beats work.

Welcome aboard, and I agree about Randy Wells.

But what is this “bickering” you speak of?

Shut up you fool.

I am Inspector Closeau, yew fewl.

Ahhh

In that case…never you mind.

non!

Ieee hem Inspeeecour Clouseau!

Welcome. Enjoy the site.

with a little offense

Wells could easily have be a 17-18 game winner this year.

CubsBullsBears - September 2, 2009 reply

At least over a 13-game winner...

Which would make him the winningest Cub rookie pitcher? I believe Kerry had 13.

Wells games at the beginning of the year

5/8 no decision – 5IP 0ER
5/16 no decision – 6IP 0ER
5/23 L (0-1) – 7IP 3ER
5/28 L (0-2) – 7IP 2ER
6/2 ND – 7IP 1ER left game with 5-1 lead
6/7 ND – 6 2/3IP 2ER left game with 1 run lead

Then another tough luck outing a couple weeks ago:

8/21 L (9-6) – 6 2/3 IP 0ER (2R)

Arguably should have at least 5 more wins there. Interestingly, June 7th was the last no decision that Wells has had. He has picked up a win or a loss in every game that he has pitched since then.

Excluding his first start where he was pulled after 84 pitches having given up no runs, Wells has pitched at least 6 innings in all but 3 of his other 24 starts. He has given up less than 3 runs in these outings 19 of 24 times. That is giving your team a great chance to win when you take the ball. I have been VERY impressed with this guy this year. He arguably should be 15-7 or so instead of the 10-7 that he is so far. Let’s hope that his sophomore campaign is just as good.

Wow, great research.

This team’s inability to plate runs has hurt Wells and, well, the team.

Aw shucks

baseball reference makes it pretty easy… ;)

wasn't Baker

the one who missed the Throw by Koyie Hill? At least that’s what Len and Bob were saying, I wasn’t watching at the time, HW srry :/

Rhymenocerous - September 2, 2009 reply

You're right.

It was Baker. I’ll fix the post.

I'm happy to have turned the calendar page from August to September.

Hoping this is the start of an exciting month.

doofus cubs guy - September 2, 2009 reply

cubs =

completely unbeatable by september

Hm, not sure that makes sense - but nice effort.

It's just a better saying

than some of those Cardinals fans have on their shirts when we’re there.

Fonzie2178 - September 2, 2009 reply

Well, naturally.

No kidding!

I just hope that doofus cubs guy is right…

Fonzie2178 - September 2, 2009 reply

One down and 24 to go...

This I hope is the start of something good. Listening to the WGN radio archive of yesterday’s game via mlb.com here at work made me feel very optimistic about today’s game.

The sad thing is, I won’t be around over the weekend and between the 10th and 20th of Sept. and will not during this period have any internet access, so I’ll miss a lot of the (hopefully) upcoming streak.

Eamus Catuli

The bullpen

really has been impressive lately. Marmol did give up a single last night, but it seems he is doing a much better job of not panicking when someone gets on base. It’s nice to know the Carlos from last year is almost back.

bamix1 - September 2, 2009 reply

Can someone confirm something?

I believe I heard Pat and Ron mention last night that John Grabow’s 16 scoreless appearances sets a team record for a newly acquired relief pitcher. Did anyone else hear this?

Yes. Confirmed. I heard it but I don't have the link in front of me.

doofus cubs guy - September 2, 2009 reply

I did - I think they

mentioned it first when he came in – that 15 was a record – so he added to his own record last night

Wells

just continues to impress, who would of thought it?
Sori’s knee still seems to bother him. Running the bases gingerly, and the strikeout in the 7th he looked like he hardly put any pressure on his knee at all.
Last night Milton had great patience at the plate, when he takes a few pitches he really gets zoned in.
Theriot needs a day off or two, hope Blanco is in the lineup today.

Grockcubs - September 2, 2009 reply

When are the Cardinals gonna lose?

Anybody know a good witch or a Santero? This is getting pretty ridiculous.

I understand there’s little to no chance to fight for the division, but still…

Maybe in the NLDS.

This season's theme:

schadenfreude.

Weltuntergangsstimmung as well...

What about "nomesteschingandocontualemancabron"?

My Rechtsschutzversicherungsgesellschaftsbevollmächtigtenvertrauensperson will visit you

Don't worry

The Phillies are waiting. Cole Hamels is superman again.

Lineup

Funny you mention the Cubs high water mark when they beat Cincinatti on August 4th to go 57-49, that is also the day Soto came off of the DL and also the day in which Lou changed the lineup around moving Fukudome from leadoff to 5 and letting Theriot 2 (is it me or does he always have an 0-2 count against him). Yes Bradley has raked from the 2 spot, but I would rather him toil down in the lineup and have the Cubs winning games. They were 13-5 after the all star break with the lineup being
Fukudome
Theriot
Lee
Ramirez
Bradley
Soriano
Baker/Fontenot
Hill
Soto comes back and he puts Bradley in the 2 hole drops Kosuke to the 5 spot, and moves Theriot to the leadoff spot, and since then it has been a struggle to score runs. It is not coincidence that was when the slide happened, hey I am even up for putting Bradley in the 3 spot and dropping everyone down a notch with whoever plays 2B batting 7th and C batting 8th. But the above lineup and good pitching is why the Cubs were the hottest team coming out of the gate ion the 2nd half, and i do not know why they have not gone back to it,

victophine - September 2, 2009 reply

good point.

interesting

Theriot sucks

Lots of first pitch swinging and lots of strikeouts. Of course nobody cares because he isn’t Bradley, Soriano, or Zambrano.

What you say about my scrappy?!!!

Lower expectations, too.

Plus, I think he’s just hitting the wall in terms of endurance.

If that endurance thing is true

That marks the second time in three seasons Theriot hasn’t been able to handle a full MLB season. Shouldn’t that be addressed?

It could/should have been addressed by having a real backup shortstop.

And that’ brings us back to Aaron Miles…

Sigh.

Well, I’d like to see Andres Blanco starting a few games in the next week or so, give Theriot a breather.

Me too.

yup

Count me in

That gets my vote.

Funny how all bad things end up in his lap deservedly so in my book

But I agree to an extent. Theriot needs some days off, but his fitness level should be where he can handle the rigors of a 162 game season.

And it hasn't even been that hot this summer!

I’m sure Ryan would deny the theory. I mean, who knows, maybe he’s more mentally exhausted than physically. But if that’s the case,batting him in the leadoff spot is all that much worse of a move.

Riot at the top of the order is the chief reason why we are struggling.

Hacking away constantly, low pitch/ab and the OBP is pretty bad too. And yet, as the sun is out today, he will still be leading off today and tomorrow and etc…

KaliCub - September 2, 2009 reply

I didn't think Bradley was a 3-hitter

Worf - September 2, 2009 reply

If you were at the game last night...

As lame as I initially thought it was….did anyone else even bother with the baseball bingo cards that were handed out?

Although I figure most were virtually impossible to get all 24 requirements, it actually helped move along on otherwise uneventful game save for a few Cubs runs.

Randy Wells’ outstanding performance helped the bingo sponser of Kimberly Clark get quite a bit of action. Everyone I saw in my section seemed to be paying attention to the bingo game.

I’m interested to know if anyone got all the requirements…we fell just 4 short on one card.

AGC - September 2, 2009 reply

Bingo Cards at a Ball Game?

::shudder::

FWIW... they were a constant theme...

…of Len and Bob’s broadcast.

Bob had “fair ball gets stuck in the ivy” on his card.

fsuapollo - September 2, 2009 reply

Yeah, I did it.

There was at least one space on each card (I had three of them) which, as said above, was nearly impossible to get.

I’m guessing they had very few winners.

that one was brutal

but the card we only missed 4 on were run and hit related.. 12 or more runs.. 3 or more runs in an inning, 20 or more hits

I think the other was sacrifice fly or intentional BB, I forget.

AGC - September 2, 2009 reply

Pat & Ron never mentioned them

I think…

Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009 reply

Way to go Milton!

Now that the pressure is off.

Now how ‘bout doing that starting in, say, I don’t know…April?!

blackhawk24 - September 2, 2009 reply

If he had a great April

and a terrible August/September people would complain about him “fading when the games matter most.”

+1

spot on. It would be even more brutal than it has been.

Tune in next season - same Cubs time, same Cubs channel.

Uh, assuming he’s not traded.

Oh wait April, May, and June don't count

Just ask around the board, those months don’t count because those aren’t near his Career Norm so those can be thrown out.

Has anyone actually said this?

No

but straw men arguments are SO MUCH EASIER to defeat…

Indeed.

Image fail?

Works on my screen.

Here, I think this is what you were trying to do.

That's the image I posted.

It doesn’t show up for you?

Nope.

I found it at another site.

Ha ha - I just got pwned.

Now that I’ve refreshed my screen, I get one of those “image linked without permission” messages. Clearly, there are many dangers to a strawman argument.

funny

Or maybe it has been stated several times by

Kalicub and drewisddrewid, along with others, that if you take out April his numbers are close to his Career Norm. Same people have said that his numbers after the all-star break are in line with his Career Norm and that is what we should expect from him, so we need to stop making such a big deal about his cold start.

Are you telling me you didn’t read statement to that effect?

Of course not, and now you will want a link to those statements, and I’m too lazy to actually search for them so please disregard my statements.

But in saying that

no one is saying that those numbers don’t count. What is being said is that you can’t judge a 3 year contract by numbers in one or two months. Don’t judge the player’s worth by looking at a couple of months; particularly where those months (good or bad) are far out of line with his normal production. Yes they count. Yes, they hurt the team. No, they don’t indicate the value of Milton Bradley over the next 2 1/2 (at the time) years of his contract. What we are seeing from him right now is precisely why you don’t judge a player on two months. Water almost always returns to its level.

Incidentally, I have a concern with Wells on precisely this basis. Is his career in the minors a better indicator of what to expect in the future, or his one really good (and out of line with expectations) year this year. Maybe he just figured something out mentally. He’s to hoping.

no one

has suggested that his april was not good. What has been suggested is that if you look at his performance this year, he has consistently improved.

You are ascribing intent where there is none.

Here’s what coversations with you are like:

You: BRADLEY SUCKS!
Us: Well, he had a bad April and a mediocre May/June, but July and August have been pretty good, especially the end of august.
You: IT DOESN’T MATTER, HE SUCKS! HE WAS BROUGHT HERE TO DRIVE IN RUNS!
Us: Look at his OBP. He’s getting on base at a huge rate, which means he’s there to be driven in by other players, and isn’t scoring runs the most important thing?
You: IT DOESN’T MATTER! HE SUCKS! HE’S A WIFE ABUSER!
Us: He was never arrested, and both parties made calls to the police. They’re divorced now. Why does that matter anyway?
You: IT DOESN’T MATTER, HE SUCKS! HE’S A BRAWLER AND MAKES TOO MANY SCENES ON THE FIELD!
Us: He’s been kicked out of one game, arguably on a call he got jobbed on, and the suspension was reduced to a single game.
You: IT DOESN’T MATTER, HE SUCKS! LOU CALLED HIM A SH!T HEAD!
Us: And apologized for it.
You: IT DOESN’T MATTER, HE SUCKS! HIS DEFENSE IS CRAPPY!
Us: Actually, he’s just into negative territory on his UZR, he’s pretty close to average, and his career numbers are pretty good.
You: IT DOESN’T MATTER< HE SUCKS! UHHHHH!! HE SUCKS!

Rec'd.

And i wish i could do it twice.

I'll pitch in

Lets turn that green

since I have been ignoring gaclaudy all morning and yet get called out on something I NEVER said.

KaliCub - September 2, 2009 reply

I apologize for stating my opinion, I will ensure not to do it agree

Please delete all posts that I have made since I am an idiot and don’t understand baseball.

I am a lousy fan and will not voice anything again.

Please enjoy website and I did not mean to cause you problems by having a opinion that was different than you.

I now understand that all TRUE FANS most like all players on the team, unless stated otherwise by select indiviual. You may not dislike anyone player, unless it is approved by the correct personnel.

Once again Al, please delete all my post as they were inapporiate.

Thank you

Where is that unrec button you wanted?

Just kidding!!! :)

Although you can lump me in that “doesn’t matter” category if you want to.

it's not up to me

to lump you into a category. I just think that it’s possible to have a nuanced conversation about Bradley. Yes, he allows himself to get baited into arguments with the press. Yes, his april stunk on ice. Yes, he needs to control his temper.

But, he’s also been quite productive for the Cubs this year, especially after the all-star break. But, his relationship with his ex-wife has nothing to do with his play on the field. But, it doesn’t matter if the RBIs are produced by his bat, or by someone else’s bat driving him in.

Personally, I like him. I like people who stand up for themselves. It’s one reason I like Z so much. That doesn’t mean I don’t like Lee or Rami or Sori or Dome, who are less… voluble.

Well personally, I don't like him.

I prefer those less …voluble (actually I think the word volatile is more accuarate) guys like Lee and Rami. And there isn’t much anyone can say to change that opinion. So I guess that means I somewhat agree with what you said above. However, just because I don’t personally like a player doesn’t mean I am not rooting for him.

Not Bruce Froemming - September 2, 2009 reply

Personally, I don't care one way or the other

if he’s the Albert Schweitzer of baseball or if he spends all day chasing kids off his front lawn. If he can play, that’s OK by me.

Doesn't matter as long as his OBP is up

Whatever, I will no longer post anything about Bradley, as I am not worthy to comment about him or have an impressions on a player.

Please provide of subjects that are acceptable for me to comment on.

He will do

that for us next April.

I've been waiting for Wells to blow up since he got here

and he has taken his beatings a couple of time but he has shown a great ability to bounce back. He isn’t taking batters off any longer and he’s certainly one of the few bright spots on this Cubs team.

Anybody else see Dome and Milton joking around right when the game ended? I would love to know what those two talk about.

Muppet conversations

The Inside Scoop

Dome’s favorite is cookie monster, Milton’s is Elmo.

I would have guessed Oscar for Milton.

There you go

Going negative

couldn't resist

Yes I saw that too.

They were both smiling and I would love to know what was said.

Some contradiction in the recap above.

John Grabow, Kevin Gregg and Carlos Marmol allowed no hits…

…and after a leadoff single to Pence, [Marmol] struck out the side to end the game.

tibbelkrunk - September 2, 2009 reply

I'd guess Al meant "runs" not "hits."

Yeah, that's what I meant.

Man, I’m tired. I’ll fix the post.

Thanks Al

You do a great job here and we all really do appreciate the work. There are FAR less errors like this than most of us (I know I speak for myself) would have if we ran the site.

Thanks again for your work.

Shhhh...

Nothing to see here. Please disperse.

OT

Anyone see the Dodger/DBack game last night? A fan flew a remote control airplane around the stadium for about 30 seconds b4 it finally crashed. No one knew who was doing it. Our ol’ buddy Augie Ojeda tore the plane up after it crashed.

LMAO - that's a new one.

Here’s the video.

Look, I am in no way condoning this outrageous and disrespectful stunt, but…well…I laughed.

I love how Vin Scully mentions at the end that it could become a "bad habit" at the ballpark

Bc I could see a legion of remote control airplanes flying around Dodger Stadium one night (wonder what Marty Brenneman would think).

I'm surprised it hasn't happened before (assuming it hasn't).

It could definitely be dangerous if the plane is up in the air when a player is trying to catch a fly ball, so I’m seriously not condoning the stunt. Just the image of that thing buzzing around while the game is going on struck me as funny. It would’ve been even funnier had it been a D’Backs-Pirates game or something.

What would have happened if a ball had actually hit that little plane?

What would the umpires have ruled?

Fan interference by proxy?

LOL

I like that!

But umpires aren’t that creative.

I bet that the reason it hasn't happened

is the difficulty in getting something like that into the ballpark. You have to think that it would be confiscated if anyone tried to bring it in. And where would you hide something that big? I can’t believe that whoever it was actually got it through the gate. I’ll bet that the gate agents are read the riot act this morning and that NOTHING gets in for a few days at least.

It seems like it would be easy

You just need to get the controller through the gate. One guy launches the plane out in the parking lot with a remote control. His buddy with another remote gets into the park and takes over as it flies over the right field bleachers.

Not that I am condoning this sort of behavior

Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009 reply

Marty would find a way to blame Cub fans

I agree

I found it pretty funny! It will tried again and again though I’d bet, at which time it will get annoying.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/geovany-sotos-sophomore-jinx

Geovany Soto's Sophomore Jinx

Courtesy of Fangraphs…

Curtain Jerker - September 2, 2009 reply

It was a fun game.

Nice to get the win. Keep doing that, and good things will happen.

I had to...

… scroll up and down and compare a few times (like that trashy bar game!) to determine that the Randy Wells picture on this post wasn’t the same picture as the one on the first pitch thread directly below it.

Same face, teeth, uni, pose… Uncanny! Eventually realized his long sleeve shirt was pulled up to the elbows in one and not the other.

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/9/2/1011953/ricketts-shark-and-what-else-peavy

Preview for today's game is up

Nice game last night.

Wells has been a pleasant surprise in an otherwise disappointing year so far.

Keep up the goood work Milton. I think he will be a major contributor for us next year.