Whatever this late-season surge eventually means, the Cubs sure have been a lot of fun to watch over the last week.
6-1 since last Sunday, they beat the Giants for the third time in a row 6-2 on Saturday afternoon, pushing the Giants farther back in their attempt to take the NL Wild Card. This win both won this series for the Cubs, as well as the season series, from the Giants.
And later last night, the Cubs were eliminated from the NL Central race when the Cardinals beat the Rockies in Denver, so the Cubs' string of consecutive division titles ends at just two. They'll simply have to start another streak next season.
Aramis Ramirez has played in 79 games this year, just short of half a season, and many of those games were played with his shoulder far less than 100% after it was dislocated in Milwaukee on May 8. He hit his 15th HR of the season and now has 64 RBI -- that would put him on a pace for 130 RBI, which would currently rank third in the National League (and also third among all ML players, since the AL leader, Mark Teixeira, has 119). The Cubs are 42-34 with him in the starting lineup, 39-39 without. This all goes to show how much the Cub offense missed A-Ram; things might be very different now had they won even half of the games in the disastrous May road trip to St. Louis and San Diego where they scored six total runs in the six games, part of an eight-game losing streak.
Tom Gorzelanny is beginning to make a case for himself for the 2010 starting rotation. He made another solid start yesterday, throwing five innings and allowing only five singles and a run. In six starts as a Cub, Gorz has thrown 28.2 innings, allowed 28 hits and only nine walks and struck out 33 while posting a 4.08 ERA -- and that includes his horrific start in Denver on August 10, when he allowed six runs in less than two innings. Gorzelanny will have to increase his stamina and lower his pitch counts -- only one of his Cub starts has been longer than six innings, his first on August 4 vs. the Reds, but he clearly has talent.
As bad an offseason as Jim Hendry had last winter, give him credit for that trade -- he got Gorzelanny and John Grabow from the Pirates for, essentially, nothing.
The rest of the Cubs also had fun yesterday, even without Derrek Lee (who should be back today) -- they piled up 13 hits and seven walks off Barry Zito and four Giants relievers, including our old pal Bob Howry, who was making his first appearance against his former teammates. All told, three Cubs (Jake Fox, Reed Johnson and Micah Hoffpauir -- who didn't even start the game) had a pair of hits.
For those of you who don't live in the handful of cities that carried yesterday's game, consider yourselves lucky. Chris Rose, the play-by-play man, and Jose Mota, the analyst, were horrendous. When Giants catcher Buster Posey dropped a foul popup, Rose said, "That reminds me of the play in the 1980 World Series when Bob Boone dropped one and Pete Rose caught it." Well, sure, Chris, it's just like that play from game six of the 1980 WS. Except that the ball in that game was caught, and the one yesterday wasn't. Listening to those two was painful. I'd almost rather have had Josh Lewin and Mark Grace doing the game.
OK, the complaint department is now closed. The Cubs have been playing solid baseball that's enjoyable to watch. And that's always a good thing. Today's game preview post will be up at 1 pm CDT.
0 recs | 183 comments
This team would have lost these games a month ago.
Here’s what the Trib has in its article. I wonder why the team is throwing Bradley under the bus. I wonder what the clubhouse was like.
zevkalman - September 27, 2009
You wonder why the team is throwing Bradley under the bus?
Maybe because he threw all of THEM under the bus in his comments to Bruce Miles?
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
He was baited!
Wait, is this the fishing thread?!
Blue W - September 27, 2009
Apparently!
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
Talking about {personal insult of player, we no longer want to mention, removed} is getting kinda old...
eths - September 27, 2009
Wait, are you calling Al old?!
Al, I think this calls for a technical balk!
Blue W - September 27, 2009
No - The talk about {non-racial insult of ex-player, we no longer want to mention} is however
eths - September 27, 2009
So he's an "ex-player" already?
Do you have information the rest of us don’t?
…Just kidding, please don’t “virtually flame” me.
Blue W - September 27, 2009
But it's so pretty...
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
Weird, It's much more pleasant than I've been lead to believe....
Blue W - September 27, 2009
Because here at BCB, we use
eths - September 27, 2009
LMAO at this part of the thread.
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
Back to the point
Arnold Palmer once said that the “game is 90% mental” (at this level), and in the same token, at this MLB level where talent for about 80% of most team’s rosters are basically interchangeable (talent-wise), the other 20-25% of the roster are the star performers (5-6 players), the game is about aligning the mental side.
So when Fox says the team is relaxed and having fun maybe he is saying they don’t have to deal with all the “negative vibes” and therefore the 90% is now clicking.
Ivy Walls - September 27, 2009
Kelly's Heroes?
Man, I haven’t seen that in ages…
vonde6 - September 27, 2009
it has more to do with realizing
the season was over and they didn’t achieve their goal at the start of the season.
socalbob - September 27, 2009
Team chemistry improved by So Taguchi
I am drinking Asahi beer right now
Taguchi99 - September 27, 2009
Are you really drinking beer so early in the morning? Or are you in Japan now?
It’s 7:27 AM CDT.
zevkalman - September 27, 2009
Reminds me of the old (not so politically correct) joke:
Japan: Home of knee-high women and Asahi beer…
Zeke - September 27, 2009
I don't get it...
Oh wait, beer!!
Blue W - September 27, 2009
Taguchi story from the game
Taguchi was nearly a statue in left field, probably still wondering why he was there.
Sometime during the game, Reed had the ball to toss it around the outfield, but Fuld was not back out in center yet (probably answering some last-minute text messages from one of his admirers). Reed tossed it over to Taguchi, who was staring into space. It bounced right by him, and he did not move until the Cubs fans in the left field bleachers shouted at him to get the ball.
vonde6 - September 27, 2009
Taguchi
“That dinner at Scoma’s was so awesome…..” The lights were on and nobody was home.
socalbob - September 27, 2009
Agree
Taguchi looked pretty lost out there. Reed was smiling in right field after that toss. By the way, it was really good to see Johnson back on the field.
wccubfan - September 27, 2009
a lot of us were smiling in right field after that toss!
I got seats in the RF arcade (section 146). Met Eric, the Giants season-ticket holder who got Bowker’s HR on Thursday night (after it bounced off of a few other Giants’ fans). We talked a lot of baseball, as did the group of Cubs fans from Fresno that surrounded us. I think that I might have recruited one of them to BCB — Dustin, give me a shout out if you join the board!
Agreed on Johnson. He always looks like he is having fun.
Another thing that you could see very well from right field. Baker’s throws to first were straight darts and Theriot’s had, let’s say, a little more arc on them. And I tried to be fair and compare throws of roughly the same distance.
vonde6 - September 27, 2009
Fresno?
That’s where I’m from. Would have loved to have gone up this weekend but work and coaching responsibilities foiled my plans.
Whitebacon - September 27, 2009
I was curious
So I checked VEB last night to see how long it would take them to mention the Cubs after they clinched.
Answer: 3 posts. Warning: They can be quite profane over there.
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
And how many posts here before mentioning the Cards?
rlpete - September 27, 2009
Probably none, if that post mentioning the Cubs hadn't been linked.
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
Cards or Sox
Do Cardinals or Sox fans obsess on the Cubs more?
They are also much more obsessed with Steve Bartmann who is discussed more on Cardinals fans forums than he ever is discussed here or any other Cubs forums.
And Sox fans are much more obsessed with goats.
puckishcubsfan - September 27, 2009
LOVED the Tigers' comeback last night and Ozzie's post game rant...
Zeke - September 27, 2009
What?
Every Sox fan I know thinks the whole goat crap is well, stupid crap. It was Crane “Fibber McGee” Kenney who marched a goat around Wrigley. And I’m quite sure it was Cubbie fans, not Sox fans, who hung goat carcasses on Harry Caray’s statue.
DrCrawdad - September 27, 2009
it was also a sox fan wearing a goat mask during the crosstown classic at the cell
jesus christos - September 27, 2009
So then clearly...
… one person’s actions speak for an entire fanbase.
DrCrawdad - September 27, 2009
well, you're one person
ballhawk - September 27, 2009
Huh?
I’m obsessed with the Cubbie curse/goat? Hardly.
DrCrawdad - September 27, 2009
This racist, homophobic, Sox-obsessed Cubbie fan ...
… represents the Cubbie fanbase?
DrCrawdad - September 27, 2009
Is it just me...
… or is this site considerably more aesthetically pleasing than VEB? Well done Al.
Dou - September 27, 2009
aesthetically, intellectually, articulately, and funly too
Emelie - September 27, 2009
Funly?
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
eths - September 27, 2009
A scientific screwdriver!
I’ll take two.
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
Just remember, if you have a hammer, then every problem looks like a nail
eths - September 27, 2009
♩♫ If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning... ♪♬
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
I'd rather ::be:: hammered in the morning
Emelie - September 27, 2009
oooh 0_o
sue369 - September 27, 2009
I like the way you think.
zevkalman - September 27, 2009
cover your eyes, kids
vonde6 - September 27, 2009
I didn't mean it THAT way! sheesh! ;-)
Emelie - September 27, 2009
LOL!!!
Just having a little fun with you Em. :D
sue369 - September 27, 2009
::blushing::
I was actually talking about drinking first thing in the morning. There are some stories from college that I am too embarassed to tell my kids, unless they ask.
vonde6 - September 27, 2009
They won our division
Figured it was worth a look.
I checked out the 2008 Cubs NL Central clinch thread here. It took 8 posts before anyone dissed the Cards.
Of course, we clinched against the Cardinals…
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
There's the difference.
If the Cardinals had clinched against the Cubs, I’d have expected the dissing. But the Cubs were 1000 miles away from the clinching.
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
Exactly, some people...
(and I don’t want to clump any fan base together, but) some people would rather see our team lose than see their own team win. It isn’t as if we posed any threat to them at this point of the season, but still…
Blue W - September 27, 2009
Ha ha that was funny. In the midst of celebrations they think about the Cubs. Pathetic :-)
zevkalman - September 27, 2009
I am in Japan
No doubt about it
Taguchi99 - September 27, 2009
So what's the future like?
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
Awesome?!
Blue W - September 27, 2009
Bright?
AndrewJStone - September 27, 2009
Gotta wear 'em
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
Creepy disembodied arm tat alert...
AndrewJStone - September 27, 2009
At night, too
Shanghai Badger - September 27, 2009
500
They also guaranteed 3 season of at least 500 ball in a row for the first time since dinosaurs roamed the earth.
As far as Bradley goes I think the best thing we can hope for is to find a team wanting to dump a similar contract and hope we find someone or someones who can be useful like with Hundley after 02.
puckishcubsfan - September 27, 2009
Dinosaurs roamed the earth
In 1972?
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
That's what my kids keep telling me.
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
When kids look at like you are really old or something, then you start to wonder
eths - September 27, 2009
Yep.
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
Well, one could argue that they still do
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feathered_dinosaurs
eths - September 27, 2009
Hendry
AS far as Hendry goes I would keep him for 1 more year.
A. The Ricketts people won’t take over until too close to the intense time of trades/free agency. You don’t want to change GMs at that point.
B. His track record earns him another year. He had a terrible offseason last year but I think the uncertainty of the ownership and finances had a lot to do with it.
puckishcubsfan - September 27, 2009
Gorz and Baker
I think Gorz and Baker are going to wind up being very good pickups this season.
puckishcubsfan - September 27, 2009
No offense to Gorzelanny...
He has done great, and I like what we have seen, but I am not ready to give him a starting role in 2010 just yet.
But what the heck do I know? I still haven’t been named manager of the Cubs despite all of my fantastic ideas…
Blue W - September 27, 2009
No, I'm not ready to give him a starting role either.
But he’s definitely put himself into the mix to win a spot.
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
And I like him a lot more than Kevin Hart
rlpete - September 27, 2009
I guess my biggest question about Gorzo
Is about his IP per game. I don’t think he’s got the stuff to be more than a 5th starter, and his short outings as a Cub this year don’t inspire confidence in his ability to fulfill that role.
Whether it’s just Lou being cautious with him or a general stamina question, I’d still rather see a proven lefty (Marshall) in that spot.
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
At the present time, that appears to be logical.
But there’s no reason Gorz can’t get in shape over the winter and be stretched out farther during spring training next year. He’s at least earned an opportunity.
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
Nothing against that idea
And nothing against the idea of having more than one serviceable long relief guy, either. It just seems like it’s a long way off before we can answer it, and Gorzelanny will get one more start this season.
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
We won't know until next season,
and I think Gorzo is certainly in the running for a #5… But at this point, I feel like Marshall would be a much better option.
Blue W - September 27, 2009
marshall was horrible in the rotation
jesus christos - September 27, 2009
I disagree
But our rotation standards are higher than most teams
vonde6 - September 27, 2009
i guess horrible wasnt the appropiate word...
jesus christos - September 27, 2009
I'm sure that we can agree that he was the fifth-best guy
Which was not true of Wells!
vonde6 - September 27, 2009
You know....
Why do the Cubs have to limit themselves to Tom Gorzelanny, or be inclined to? Seriously, we all know his upside — and sadly his downside as well. Would it really be so bad as to put him in a package, and see if you can upgrade via trade?
Damen Jackson - September 27, 2009
I have a feeling Lou is being cautious
Since Gorzelanny was in the bullpen for a while, it’s like Lou forgot he spent most of the year starting in Indianapolis.
Bill Potter - September 27, 2009
I don't recall Sean Marshall
ever being known for pitching deep into games either, though. Nothing against Sean, he’s been a pretty selfless role player who has had to deal with being jerked back and forth from rotation to bullpen at times, but one of the knocks on Sean has always been that you usually need a big can of bullpen when he takes the bump for a start.
I agree that ST is a good place to sort it all out, but Gorzelanny has given us much to like in his brief tenure here.
Goodie1969 - September 27, 2009
Winning streak at 3 with 8 wins to go!
Oh ye of little faith, let me tell you, it could be happening right now. Tonight the Cubs overtake the Giants, the Cardinals celebrate against the Rockies, and miraculous things will happen to the Blue Jays and the Nationals. Verily, in the coming days, the Cubs shall tally forth and sweep the Giants, the Pirates and the Diamondbacks before them, they shall come down upon them like an avenging storm, they shall raise them up and throw them into the dust…
Aegroto, dum anima est, spes esse dicitur – Eamus Catuli
{I just hope my crystal ball is not on the blink again}
eths - September 27, 2009
The Blue Jays?
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
Upps - serious brain fail
I went and mixed up the Marlins and the Mariners…
This is sooo embarrassing
eths - September 27, 2009
Still, your point is taken.
Let the miraculous things happen to the Mets today. (They’ll beat the Marlins.)
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
The Mets are favored (210/100) in Miami today
However, I’m guessing the hangovers in the thin air are the reason the Cards-Rox game is off the board today. Even without that, Lohse vs. De La Rosa doesn’t inspire confidence in our good friends the Cardinals to help keep us alive in the WC chase today.
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
Are those numbers the daytime high and low in Miami?
Zeke - September 27, 2009
Humidity?
eths - September 27, 2009
More intuitive that a traditional dime line
Which would be -110 in this case.
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
Hely, the only thing we can worry about...
is getting Wells his 12th win today.
Blue W - September 27, 2009
*I don't know what "Hely" means, so please don't ask.
Blue W - September 27, 2009
19:57 CEST: Top of the second, two outs and Washington leading 2 to 0
eths - September 27, 2009
Mets leading the Marlins 3-0 in the 4th.
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
Maybe the crystal ball didn't screw this one up...
eths - September 27, 2009
OT: College Football
Iowa Beats Penn St – Where do you think that gets them ranked this week? Top 20, i’d guess, with all the knock offs and upsets.
Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ohio State all won as well. Michigan seems much improved, has already won as much as last year, but isn’t blowing teams away. Wisconsin might be better than we thought… no big games yet, but they always seem to have a few extra points at the end of the game. Ohio State looks to be good as well, and hasn’t allowed a point since losing to USC.
Frankly i’d rank the Big 10 this way: Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin, although as an Iowa fan i’d like to play Ohio State the least of those teams.
In the Big 12, it looks like all Texas, but Oklahoma has Miami next week against a Miami team that will be mad after getting beat by VT this week.
ND looks good, and has two ranked opponents coming up.
Exiting times all around.
AndrewJStone - September 27, 2009
The Big 10 needs to teach their officials the simultaneous possession rule
Not that IU would have won that game, but to end it on a poor call like that was disappointing.
Bill Potter - September 27, 2009
Michigan was down as late as 2:29 left in the 4th
At home. To Indiana. Lots of questions there, still.
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
and Forcier's shoulder is hurt.
Don’t know the prognosis, but he could barely move it by the end of the game.
Bill Potter - September 27, 2009
That. Sucks.
…
Blue W - September 27, 2009
Yeah... i'd rather play them than Ohio State at this point.
But that night game in Iowa City in two weekends is gonna be sick none the less provided Michigan keeps it together next weekend. Iowa has a cupcake game.
AndrewJStone - September 27, 2009
I know where the Spartans will be ranked in the BT this week.
12th. :P
Zeke - September 27, 2009
The Big Ten
is really, really awful.
Iowa needed back to back blocked field goals to beat NORTHERN IOWA at home.
Michigan “survives” Indiana at home.
Ohio State can beat a depleted USC at home.
Minnesota loses to Cal at home.
Illinois gets worked by Missouri
and on and on.
paulucla - September 27, 2009
I wouldn't knock teams losing to USC or Cal...
… and USC doesn’t get ‘depleted’. If one five star recruit goes down, they plug the hole with another.
And don’t hate on UNI either… they aren’t a joke. They are better than half the BCS eligible teams in the country i think.
AndrewJStone - September 27, 2009
UNI is very solid
offensive line is all senior starters and the QB is a horse, maybe the best QB in subdivision play. UNI would go .500 in Big Ten.
mrcubsfan - September 27, 2009
that was Iowa's wake up game
many other teams lost their “wake up” game
Iowa——4-0
Winning at Penn. St. is never easy
cozmotaylor123 - September 27, 2009
I am a PSU guy
and they are by no means a top 20 team. There O line is young and they lost 3 solid receivers. Them being ranked at 5 was a huge mistake.
Big Ten is just not that good.
Grockcubs - September 27, 2009
PSU isn't bad i don't think.
Just hadn’t run in to any solid opponents yet.
AndrewJStone - September 27, 2009
Trust me
They will struggle, I love them but the team is young.
Grockcubs - September 27, 2009
Mark May
said on College Football Final last night he thinks the Hawks should be in the top 5. I think that’s not going to happen but some where in the 10-15 spots is likely.
sue369 - September 27, 2009
Has Iowa been ranked in the Top 5
in football at any time since Chuck Long was the QB? I can’t recall.
Goodie1969 - September 27, 2009
I don't really know either.
sue369 - September 27, 2009
top 8
3 years in a row that I can remember at the end of the year.
cozmotaylor123 - September 27, 2009 via mobile
Iowa was at #3
The last poll before losing to USC in the Orange Bowl in January of 2003. So yes, they have been, and in the Kirk Ferentz era.
Josh Timmers - September 27, 2009
Thanks Josh.
sue369 - September 27, 2009
OT: Listening to American Top 40 from 1978
Boy, the ‘70s were a real mixed bag for music, weren’t they? 15 spots ago was “Who Are You?” by The Who. Now – “You Needed Me” by Anne Murray.
Ugh.
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
How right you are.
Of the Top Ten songs of 1978, FIVE were by the Brothers Gibb (Andy Gibb, The Bee Gees).
Of course, drugs were really popular back then.
Goodie1969 - September 27, 2009
Just heard one of them
“Everlasting Love” by Andy Gibb. #8 in this countdown, it eventually reached #5 on the charts. It’s nowhere near as good as “Shadow Dancing”.
Give the Bee Gees this much: Those guys were terrific songwriters. Not my cup o’ tea when it comes to performance or production, but they sure could pen a tune.
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
True.
Two more songs in the Top Twenty of the year were also penned by the Gibbs: “Emotion” by Samantha Sang, and “If I Can’t Have You” by Yvonne Elliman.
They pretty much ruled the airwaves that year. Most of the Top Twenty from 1978 is either songs from “Saturday Night Fever” or “Grease.” Oh, those Summer Nights…
Goodie1969 - September 27, 2009
Without "Grease"
We would have never had “Physical”. Or the video for “Physical”.
I cannot describe what sort of tragedy that would have been.
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
AEROBICISE FTW!
Goodie1969 - September 27, 2009
I may crop that
And use it for my avatar
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
Be my guest.
I had it sitting in my Photobucket album all year. Didn’t get much chance to use it, unfortunately.
Goodie1969 - September 27, 2009
Close
Looks too good with the upraised finger to crop it down to avatar size, though. I’ll stick with my ugly mug for now.
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
Ha ha.
I’ve got an MB one that I really like, but I’m almost afraid to post it. With a little persuasion, I might, though.
Goodie1969 - September 27, 2009
Wait 'til the off-season
And post it as a FanShot – it’ll probably stick around for a couple of months.
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
Announcers
Those announcers yesterday were the worst Ive ever heard. Made me miss Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. Would rather have Joe and Tim and Joe Morgan do a game if given the choice.
puckishcubsfan - September 27, 2009
Another bat
We need to score more runs. Starting pitching is good. More run production.
CUBird is BEAR - September 27, 2009
I like Joe Morgan, Hate Mccarver and buck
CUBird is BEAR - September 27, 2009
You'll go far on this site
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
Shirley you forgot the sarcasm sign...
Emelie - September 27, 2009
He hasn't forgotten..
And don’t call him Shirley!
Fonzie2178 - September 27, 2009
are you related to him? his agent?
LAcarl519 - September 27, 2009
I think someone
just got their posting license recently. ;-)
sue369 - September 27, 2009
BTW, nice win by Iowa.
gonna rename it Unhappy Valley today
LAcarl519 - September 27, 2009
Thanks!!
I was so excited I didn’t get to sleep until 1:30 this morning.
sue369 - September 27, 2009
I don't think its late season surge - These are two identical teams
Both teams have great starting pitching (Giants with slightly better) but serious problems scoring runs.
This is the perfect team for Cubs to play and not really too much of a surprise their records are almost identical.
The reason the Cubs have taken 3 so far is that they’re having better at-bats and more patience. Something missing 85% of the time on the road.
A little too late for a surge but hey if they can do this all next week then when the season’s over the record won’t make them look as badly as we all will remember them being…
ak123 - September 27, 2009
The last two weeks of August
killed us. Outside of those two weeks, we’re probably not that far off the pace for a divisional crown, or a wild card.
Goodie1969 - September 27, 2009
Series vs. Cards/Brewers/Mets
Those 3 series were buzzkillers….
ak123 - September 27, 2009
Injuries
Need Rammy the whole year. Fuld should be in there next year and Fox. Let these guys play.
CUBird is BEAR - September 27, 2009
Keep Baker
He had a solid season. Heilman has to go and Gregg is a no brainer. Keep saying the same things every year. What do you guys think, Derosa back next year?
CUBird is BEAR - September 27, 2009
Don't get me wrong...
I’m a huge DeRosa fan and will be no matter what team he’s on… but with the addition of Baker I’m not sure Mark would serve a purpose on this team… Baker seems to be a poor man’s Mark DeRosa, albeit with not as much pop, he fits that utility role quite nicely and it sure seems like the change of scenery from Denver to Chicago has significantly benefited his swing. Just not sure if DeRo would have a role on the team now that Baker is in place… and we all quickly forget he is going to be having off season surgery on his wrist… Derrek Lee is JUST now coming back from his… we don’t need another liability on the team.
lswaidz - September 27, 2009
Lord no...
If the Cubs have the good sense to grab a second baseman with a larger body of work this offseason, Baker fits that role nicely, and at about 20% of what I’d expect DeRosa’s 2010 contract to look like.
Pass.
Damen Jackson - September 27, 2009
Agree on not bringing back DeRo
But I don’t think they should settle for Baker as the every day second baseman next year.
Shanghai Badger - September 27, 2009
No, I meant the role...
of super-utility guy. I’ve little interest in Baker playing second full-time.
Damen Jackson - September 27, 2009
Is it out of the question
For the Cubs to win out the rest of the season? If they can win today, I can see them sweeping the Bucs and anything can happen vs AZ. Eamus Catuli
cubswgnrocks - September 27, 2009 via mobile
under-appreciated Ramirez
for a guy so valuable to the Cubs, I can’t help but think that Rami flys under the radar. Al posts about his terrific half-season and how much he means and there are few if any posts about him. We are truly lucky to have him. He works hard, produces great numbers, and keeps his mouth shut never creating controvery.
Cubs fans, we are very lucky to have Rami. This guy is really an incredible player. Here’s to fully healthy 2010, Rami! And your run at an MVP.
socalbob - September 27, 2009
Couldn't agree more.
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
And he can opt out of
his contract next year. Cubs need to sign him, without a opt out, get it done
Grockcubs - September 27, 2009
I don't get why Hendry gives him opt-out clauses
He happens to be the one guy who we SHOULD give a no-trade clause
nji232 - September 27, 2009
Because...
he signs deals for under his market value. Gotta give something to get something.
kanderber - September 27, 2009
Exactly right
Ramirez left a lot of money on the table to sign with the Cubs. Hendry basically had to give him the opt-out clause for that reason.
Not Bruce Froemming - September 27, 2009
Put me on the Rami bandwagon
I think he’s a fine player.
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
How much closer would we be...
if Kevin Gregg weren’t our closer this year? I can think of 3 games off the top of my head that he blew in the walk off variety.
kanderber - September 27, 2009
Let's not go there...
How many games would be….
1. If Soriano would have left the lineup when he was “injured”.
2. If someone gave Gameboard an @ss-kicking in the clubhouse.
3. If Aaron Miles and Aaron Heilman were sent home.
4. IEtc.
zevkalman - September 27, 2009
If Fuld has started the season with the team ?
( tongue firmly planted in cheek).
Doggie Stalker - September 27, 2009
Well...
… at least he’d have contributed more than Joey Gathright did.
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
And he may have gotten an RBI by now
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009
I think he might actually have saved a few games as defensive replacement
to Soriano so you never know.
Doggie Stalker - September 27, 2009
there are so many things that went wrong with this team this year...
yet we will win (hopefully) 84 or more games. not bad, given all the screw ups..
with better defense up the middle and the bats living up to potential (Soriano and Soto) there is no doubt that this is a team that can win 90+ again next year.
With Bradley, Miles Gregg, Patton gone (hopefully) and Baker, Blanco, Fuld Gorzo and Grabow on the team from day 1, I think this is a much better team than the one that was on the field for much of the first half of 2009.
LAcarl519 - September 27, 2009
That's a great example of a heteronym.
We’d be a lot closer if it weren’t for our closer.
Goodie1969 - September 27, 2009
Another great win
I think Gorzelanny is more suited for a long-relief role right now. He goes 5 innings, and that’s about it. He does a good job though, just needs to be more efficient
nji232 - September 27, 2009
Another nice win.
Go for the sweep today! For those who can I watch, I will be at today’s game (match my profile picture, I’ll probably have on an Aramis Ramirez t-shirt).
I also know BCB readers vonde6 and shifafaontheside will be at today’s game, I hope to meet them beforehand.
Sweep ’em!
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 27, 2009
Have a great time!
AndrewJStone - September 27, 2009
I'll see you there, VCF
vonde6 - September 27, 2009
You will, along with shifafaontheside.
Did you get my email saying what I am wearing?
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 27, 2009
just looked when I saw this message
Got it
vonde6 - September 27, 2009
Fan Appreciation Day
The Giants are having Fan Appreciation Day at AT&T today with Cain pitching. Cain just won an award from the team two days ago so he may be rev’d up for this game.They are predicting a full and loud house. My wife and I have noticed that the Giants fans have been relatively accepting of the many Cubs fans in the last three games. Unlike Milwaukee fans.
wccubfan - September 27, 2009
Hmmm
Still good tickets available this morning, and at bargain prices…
I am pressing my luck today. 3-0 at Cubs games that I have gone to this year, and hoping for 4-0 after today.
vonde6 - September 27, 2009
Maybe your luck has helped bring these wins.
I have always found Giants fans to be friendly to opposing fans. Well, except for Dodger fans.
Al Yellon - September 27, 2009
oh well, it was worth a try!
vonde6 - September 27, 2009
Wish I could have
seen the game. :-( Did get to listen to some of it so that helped.
Cubs won and need a win today, Hawkeyes won and now the Bears need to win and my weekend will be fabulous. :D
sue369 - September 27, 2009
You must have been very excited for Iowa beating Penn State.
Maybe, just maybe, Penn State isn’t as good as people thought. I’m not complaining about that, either.
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 27, 2009
I said to my
husband either Iowa is really good or PSU was over rated. Iowa has a history of getting stronger as the season goes on so we’ll see how they handle the tough road games ahead.
sue369 - September 27, 2009
Either/or, or possibly a combination of both.
Penn State has been beating up on weak teams so far this year. Who does Iowa play next?
Vermont Cubs Fan - September 27, 2009
Cupcake game next week...
… but then Michigan for Homecoming and Ohio State later in the season.
AndrewJStone - September 27, 2009
You keep the complaint department open late...
if you like. I cannot for the life of me figure out what Chris Rose is doing with a play-by-play gig for pro sports. And especially doing nationally televised feature games.
It’s simply another embarrassment to Fox that one of the marquee posts in television sports broadcasting is being occupied by him. If that’s your organizational bench, then buddy, you’ve got problems.
Damen Jackson - September 27, 2009
yep
for play-by-play, Chris Rose is like Aaron Miles getting a full-time gig for the Cubs.
socalbob - September 27, 2009
Got to the bar too early
Remember when people used to talk about the actual teams playing the actual games?
Paging carmen_fanzone…
Clutch16 - September 27, 2009 via mobile
Let's go get the win
I hope to meet two or three regular BCB auteurs today. It should be a lovely day for a ball game.
vonde6 - September 27, 2009
You forgot the most important thing about yesterday's win
The Cubs are only one win away from proving BLou/MDBNIU/BlueMike’s prediction wrong!
DTJchris - September 27, 2009
This is going to sound weird
This is going to sound weird and I know you’re all thinking CTS a weird post? NEVER HAPPENS.
But I’m a little afraid of this offseason so I don’t want this season to end, But there’s also a part of me that wants to see what happens. I think this is going to be a very interesting offseason.
GO BEARS!
Won’t mention what happened to my cats yesterday.
puckishcubsfan - September 27, 2009
JUMP
eths - September 27, 2009
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