Here's How Bad It Got

by Al Yellon on Jul 7, 2005 2:41 PM CDT in Chicago Cubs Recaps

Forget about how bad the Cubs were -- they were putrid in a 6-0 shutout loss to the Braves, the first shutout of Horacio Ramirez' career.

It got so bad that after the Braves' five-run rally in the bottom of the 5th that chased Mark Prior and put the game away, that I thought it might be more fun and enjoyable to clean out a couple of closets and straighten up a desk or two.

Household chores = better than watching the Cubs.

That's sad, but true.

The Cubs haven't even had a LEAD since the ninth inning on June 29th, when Todd Hollandsworth's single scored Jeromy Burnitz and won the game 3-2.

That's frighteningly bad. Even the Royals and Rockies have played better than this over the last seven games.

I still won't give up on this season, because stranger things have happened. But the Cubs MUST turn it around in the next four games, and then spend the break deciding whether they want to be buyers or sellers during the remaining days of July.

Off to do some more housework. Happy happy joy joy. Don't you feel about this happy too?

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Comments

I apologize Al

I know this is a family site but this team looks like pure shit. There is no nice way of saying it. They have no heart, no leadership, and no future as a cohesive unit.

For what it's worth I think Hendry and the decision makers should deep six dusty at the break and unload as many of the vets as we can.

Let's get the kids up in the second half for some major league seasoning and look to the future --for proof that youngsters can work out on the major legue level I refer you to the Braves who are currently kicking our asses around Turner Field.

I've noticed you have referenced some truly bad teams recently in posts and I have agreed with every one you've mentioned.

This team is even worse to me because at least the bad teams of the past WERE ALWAYS GOING TO BE BAD!!! They had zero talent. THIS team went into the season with arguably the best rotation in baseball and have completely underachieved ALL year.

I understand that players have been hurt but again I point to the Braves. I blame dusty and the players (outside of D-Lee and ARAM of course) who have besically mailed it in for nearly half a season.

I'd like to remain as optimistic as you Al but DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!

At least the All-Star break is coming up. I have never looked more forward to a break in all my years as a baseball fan.

"I love winning, you know it's like, better than losing" -- Tim Robbins in "Bull Durham"

by AlabamaCubFan on Jul 7, 2005 3:01 PM CDT reply actions

no heart, no leadership, and no future

You hit the nail on the head.I have been a Cub fan since 1966 and last year and this year are the only two times I have just plain disliked the overall team.Sure they had some bad teams through the years (and some good teams that underperformed)but in the past it was a feeling of frustration and wait till next year.This team is making a joke of the game of baseball.The coaching staff and the players seem to approach each and every game like it is the first time they have been on a diamond.I understand Al's not giving up on them because through the years come July and August when the Cubs were 10 or more out I still held out hope(sometimes 12 and one half out is only 12 in the lost column).Not this year,not this team.

by jimhickman on Jul 7, 2005 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Jim Hendry: Follow my advice

Aside from making some kind of big trade, here are several thing that Hendry MUST do in order to attempt to make a run at the playoffs. Obviously this team, in its current form, has no chance.

Fire Baker and Clines. Is there a team that has worse fundamentals at the plate than the Cubs? I'm tired of the argument "Well, the hitters are the ones doing it." The coaches are paid TO COACH THE PLAYERS. Enough with the BS excuses about why everybody tries to hit 8-run home runs all the time. Baker's problem is that he'd rather be buddy-buddy with several players than be an actual major league manager. There is no excuse in the world as to why Neifi Perez still plays. None. He had a nice run for a few weeks but he is almost never on base. Why does Baker still play him? Because they're buddies. First step, get rid of Baker. Rothschild I don't have a problem with necessarily but he's on a short leash.
Designate Corey Patterson. His days in a Cubs uniform are over. He can't continue to play in Chicago, this is obvious. A team will take him for a prospect or two because of his "potential". He is done.
Bench Neifi Perez (or release him). It sucks that Nomar went down and we had to start SOMEBODY at short, but Perez is finished. Start Ronny Cedeno and see what the kid can do. How could he possibly be any worse than Perez?
Trade Maddux. We already have a pitching coach. All this talk about Maddux helping the pitchers is BS. WTF is Rothschild doing if Maddux is doing all the coaching? Performance wise, Maddux makes far too much for a guy who is past his prime. Can you really believe that Rich Hill could not do any better than a 5.00+ ERA? Ship Maddux to a contender that needs pitching and try and get some prospects. I'm sure we'd have to eat some salary but that's acceptable.
With the roster space, call up Matt Murton and Rich Hill. AND. PLAY. THEM. Here is my starting lineup:

1 CF Hairston
2 2B Walker
3 1B Lee
4 3B Ramirez
5 RF Burnitz
6 LF Murton
7 SS Cedeno
8 C Barrett

And rotation:

Wood
Prior
Zambrano
Williams
Hill

I would MUCH rather have rookies get their shot starting every day than play more worthless over-the-hill Baker Buddies.

What would be interesting is to see who could manage this team. The Cubs have gone to great lengths to try and wipe out the "lovable losers" tagline, so perhaps this team needs a hard-nosed manager who knows how to get things done. Maybe a guy like Lou Piniella?

by grifdog on Jul 7, 2005 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions

no. 2 and half of no.5 have just been done.

Patterson and Dubois were sent down. Murton was called up, along with Adam Greenberg. Time to see what the kids can do. I'm sure if they can't spark the team we'll start unloading vets such as Rusch and Remlinger and Walker...

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jul 7, 2005 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Great move

I just heard this after I posted. I guess I can deal with K-Pat in the minors. Maybe he can learn how to hit again.

by grifdog on Jul 7, 2005 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Good Post. Pinella's interesting...

how's he do with kids?

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 7, 2005 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions

um, no on pinella

how's he do with kids? what do you think he manages in Tampa? Notice how unhappy he is?

Pinella is a no.

by cephyn on Jul 7, 2005 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Piniella is unhappy

Because the owners of the D. Rays basically lied to him and told him when he signed that they'd spend money on free agents and they've basically done the opposite and stuck him with a team full of rookies. No manager in the world could win with a team filled with inexperienced players. Especially in the AL East. Every team has rookies and young guys on the team. Look at Atlanta. They seemingly have at least 2 new rookies in the lineup every year but they can win because their managers aren't morons.

by grifdog on Jul 7, 2005 11:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Well

You can't blame Piniella for how bad the Devil Rays are. The owners spend no money at all and the team is filled with rookies and young guys. Piniella was the first guy that came to my mind because he's got experience with younger players, wants to win badly after the last few years in Tampa, and is a manager who isn't afraid to say and do things that might light a fire under a player or two. In Chicago, he might be able to find a good balance with the mainstays and the rookies as well as bring a better approach to the game other than "swing as hard as you can at every pitch and hope you hit a homer".

by grifdog on Jul 7, 2005 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions

WFAN in NYC says...

Pinella is the best manager in the majors, according to Mike Francessa, who's a very knowledgable guy.

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 8, 2005 6:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Why the streak ends tonight.

The Cubs' losing streak will end tonight because baseball doesn't make any sense, but sometimes displays beautifully elegant symmetry.

On May 27th, Mark Prior went down with a line drive to the elbow, the Cubs promptly won 7 straight games, including the game he went down in.

On June 29th, Kerry Wood returned to the rotation, completing the Cubs front 5 for the first time since April. The very next day the Cubs lost the first of 7 straight games.

The lack of predictability in baseball is all i have left to cling to...

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jul 7, 2005 3:05 PM CDT reply actions

Wahtever gets you through man

I'm perusing the college football magazines! haha

"I love winning, you know it's like, better than losing" -- Tim Robbins in "Bull Durham"

by AlabamaCubFan on Jul 7, 2005 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Dateline October 18, 2005

RFK Stadium:

As the World Series between the Nationals and the Angels gets underway tonight, noted Cubs' fan, Al Yellon said, "I still won't give up on this season!"

by Ivychat on Jul 7, 2005 3:08 PM CDT reply actions

Come on, Chuck...

... that's silly.

But it's not World Series time yet, is it?

It's JULY SEVENTH. There are still 79 games left, time to make moves.

Let's see what happens before July 31.

by Al Yellon on Jul 7, 2005 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Here's what'll happen before July 31...

The Cubs will lose 3 of the final 4 games, then slither off for the all-star break.
We, like the Cub-fans that we are, will momentarilly forget the pain and start to think that maybe the break will help turn things around. Some may even forget for the moment how terrible Korey is and how stupid Dusty is.
After the break, the Cubs will continue to play erratic, poor fundemental baseball. Good pitching permormances will be rewarded with zero run-support. The RARE times when we score some runs will come when the other teams score more of them. DLee, Rammy, and Walker, will continue to hit, but it won't matter because we'll never have anyone on base to score ahead of them. All our homers will be solo shots.
By July 31 we will be 20 games out and under .500.
Just before the deadline, Hendry will pull of some trades, getting rid of young pitchers in exchange for veterans who will all of a sudden discover that they are old has-beens.
By the end of the season, our brief flirtation with success and the lofty expectations that came from having the best team since '69 will be irrevockably dashed.

We will have reverted to our natural state as beaten humans, pathetically grateful for the absense of pain that comes from our fatalistic acceptance of our permanent place as losers in the baseball world.

We will be thankful for Wriggly Field.

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 7, 2005 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Deep Six Dusty First

It's easier to replace the manager than to replace the players.

Get rid of Dusty, put some smart young guy who knows about OBP at the helm, and see what these guys can do unhampered by a strategy-blowing Korey/LaTroy lovin' fool. Let 'em play and see what they do. If it still looks like this at the deadline, sell for max profit with an eye towards filling the holes for a run NEXT YEAR.

THE BOTTOM LINE: This season is over if Dusty remains, and he will ruin the attitudes of his good players if he is allowed to continue his stupid inept management of this team.

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 7, 2005 3:10 PM CDT reply actions

Already over

Dusty, here or not, season over.

It's been over since May if you've been paying attention.

by Ivychat on Jul 7, 2005 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep. Season's Over. But that shouldn't make us...

bear with Dusty another 3 months. His ineptness is a cancer on the entire team and his immediate removal is justified and necessary, even if it doesn't do a thing to turn this team around.

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 7, 2005 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Pretty depressing

I dont know how I could have forgotten the feeling of the season ending so early. I mean, thats how it was my whole life except for like two seasons up until 2003. This is sad to watch.

I'm heavily preparing for fantasy football.

by Slaky311 on Jul 7, 2005 3:36 PM CDT reply actions

Expectations

I answered someone's diary and said I expect in a certain order so at the end i dont fall hard. At that time I was expecting a wildcard, but now i have gone down to expecting a winning season. We have a capable team out there minus very few players that can be traded or something. I liked our chances. Some writer on MLB predicted the award winners and Mark Prior won the Cy Young. Another article said the new big three was Prior, Wood, and Zambrano. The cubs only win in predictions apparently.

Now the optimistic thing, they are 13.5 games behind the cardinals and have fourteen games to play with them. If they manage to stay less than 14 games out we might win the division. Back to reality now.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Jul 7, 2005 4:26 PM CDT reply actions

Once again...

...the Cubs manage to make a pitcher who has been struggling look like Cy Young. It is really pitiful to think how far this team has sunk. It would be one thing if these losses had been competitive games. This team is the farthest thing from being one right now.
Maybe since we're facing Smoltz we reverse the trend of making bad pitchers look good and make a good piticher look bad. I am not holding my breath.

by jerry @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jul 7, 2005 5:11 PM CDT reply actions

Every pitcher is Cy Young...

against this lineup. We're the cure-all for every nobody pitcher in the league.

As for the good pitchers we face, we pad their stats.

I'm curious. Our consistency in losing to bad pitchers is so astonishing, I wonder whether anyone here has a theory?

Might as well start pondering the miracle of how badly this team plays, since there's obviously no chance to be stimulated by them in any positive way.

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 7, 2005 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Let's

Let's win eleven in a row now so we can start dreaming again and saying how amazing this team is. Oh, and I forgot... firing Dusty? What? And giving the job to Grady Little? Mark Grace? TONY PEÑA? Man oh man. Dusty's the best option until Steve Stone forgives Chicago and comes back.

Chicago Cubs. World Series. 2005. Don't lose hope.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Jul 7, 2005 5:28 PM CDT reply actions

Dusty's the best option?

For what? Dreaming up new ways to put together the worst possible lineup and misuse the pitching staff?

Any journeyman Zimmer/Frey goofball could do less destruction to this team than Dusty. He actively makes this team worse with his stupid moves.

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 7, 2005 5:31 PM CDT reply actions

I disagree

I'm sorry, but no. Definitely, I dislike Dusty and his decisions, but no one's going to do a better job than him. Definitely. Who knows what Don Zimmer would do with this team.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Jul 7, 2005 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Trading

If you're going to trade, then trade Beernitz. The Dodgers would love to get a hold of him.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Jul 7, 2005 5:53 PM CDT reply actions

Interesting...

... considering how badly he sucked for them when they acquired him in 2003.

And, what could the Dodgers offer the Cubs?

by Al Yellon on Jul 7, 2005 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Dodgers

have a very strong farm system, particularly in pitching. I dunno if we need farmboys at this point though.

by cephyn on Jul 7, 2005 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes we do

Anything to get rid of a one year contractee who happens to be a struggling veteran. Their Ja/y/son outfield is so horrid it barely hurts. Plus, bye bye to JD Drew and Jeff Kent for some time. They would take Beernitz in a second right now.

Their farm system is healthy. They have a couple of strong catchers in AA and AAA and a star pitcher in AAA whose name I forgot.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Jul 7, 2005 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions

AAA pitcher

Are you talking about Edwin Jackson? He was their stud AAA starter going into the season, but he has been awful this year. They do have other pitching prospects, however, so you could be talking about someone else.

Jackson is the one that beat Randy Johnson when Jackson was only 19, two years ago. Unfortunately, he hasn't done much since then.

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jul 7, 2005 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Exactly

Exactly him. I'm gonna check his AAA statistics after I post here. Thanks for the snippet.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Jul 8, 2005 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions

The Dodgers have a lot to give...

They have a fantastic farm system, and have at least 2 stellar prospects that can play SS. I can't remember their names off the top of my head, but if we fall further out of the race and will definitely be sellers i'll start looking at prospects and bring the names by here.

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jul 7, 2005 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Why on earth

would the Dodgers want Burnitz? When they had him in 2003 he hit .204 for them in 61 games with 13 homers, 32 RBI, with a .252 OBP and a .391 SLG. They'd be fools (DePo has done some nutty stuff, but he's no fool) to give us any type of decent prospect for quote: "a one year contractee who happens to be a struggling veteran."unquote.

Burnitz is hitting .311 over the last month, with a .404 OBP and a .533 SLG. .273/.429/.318(ok, so the SLG isn't good) over the last week. This guy sucks.

Embrace the Neifi!

by Whitebacon on Jul 8, 2005 4:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Remember

Keep this in mind before saying anything about the Dodgers' outfield:

Jayson Werth
Jason Grabowski
Jason Repko

Look at their statistics and then reply again. In this situation, the0 Dodgers would even take Eli Marrero if they could.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Jul 8, 2005 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions

They still wouldn't

take on enough of his remaing salary or give us anything decent enough for a trade to be worthwhile.

Embrace the Neifi!

by Whitebacon on Jul 9, 2005 3:28 AM CDT up reply actions

You don't think...

There's a manager out there who would decide NOT to put two of the worst 2 OBP guys in the league (Korey 142 out of 144, Neifi 132 out of 144 with more than 250 at-bats, as of last week)in the leadoff slots????

You don't think those 9 blown-saves when Dusty kept trying to force LaTroy to be a closer (which he miserably failed at twice before)made a difference???

These are the kind of decisions a manager should make if he's TRYING to lose games. And you know what? Dusty has been wildly successful at that.

This team is losing despite having great starters and a lineup that was leading the league in hitting two weeks ago.

BASEBALL 101: TEAM WILDLY UNDERPERFORMS----FIRE MANAGER.

DUH.

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 7, 2005 5:58 PM CDT reply actions

We lost again today

And the lineup was almost, almost like we've suggested all year long. It doesn't take just a lineup switch to fix a team! Who says Zimmer wouldn't recall E-Wilson? Dusty's the best option until a bigger name enters the market of unemployed managers.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Jul 7, 2005 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I simply disagree

i contend that there HAS to be a market of guys out there that can manage better than half the guys in the MLB. they just need a chance. im tired of the same mediocre managers getting hired over and over.

by cephyn on Jul 7, 2005 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions

And I respect your opinion

But I know it's going to take a lot of searching for the right guy to appear.

Offer the job to Stone. Apparently, he knows what he's doing!

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Jul 7, 2005 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions

alot of searching...

...I can agree with. But lets start now, not later. And I think it would be very wise not to limit to unemployed managers, but to open up the search to new ideas and new blood.

I don't know much about Stone. Seriously, how do we know what his philosophy is? Has he said? I'm not in tune with anything he's said lately...

by cephyn on Jul 7, 2005 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions

A lot for sure

I think they are at least thinking about it because Dusty(unless he gets a ring) is not going to be here forever. They might be thinking for a new manager for AFTER Dusty's deal is over. unless something really horrible happens....and when I say horrible i mean HORRIBLE because and 8-game losing streak is horrible and he isnt gone yet.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Jul 7, 2005 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Sticking with a proven fool...

is not the answer. The College of Coaches would be better.

Dusty blew today's game because his lineup juggling has destroyed the momentum that we briefly had when we were scoring (for the only time this year) a few weeks ago.

Dusty also blew today's game by sticking with Prior who was imploding. Just like he did with Woody in Game 7.

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 7, 2005 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Cubs don't "lead the league in hitting"

The Cubs were leading the league in batting average a couple weeks ago. This is commonly referred to in the media as "leading the league in hitting." Unfortunately, hitting is more than having a high average... it also means hitting for power and <GASP!> drawing a walk from time to time. Since this team doesn't do that, they lead the league in batting average and are nothing but average when it comes to getting on base and scoring runs.

And that's part of the problem. We need people running this club that understand the OBP is at least more important than average when evaluating talent and deciding when and where to play people.

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jul 7, 2005 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Point well taken...

Of course the amazing thing is that a team leading the league in average could find a way to be so utterly pathetic when it comes to OBP and scoring runs. Now THAT'S a real accomplishment.

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 7, 2005 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions

yup!

And that's exactly why this team needs to be shaken up. Even if Dusty isn't gone by the end of the All-Star break, we at the very least need a new hitting coach.

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jul 7, 2005 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions

If a hitting coach presides over...

a team that swings at the first pitch he must not be having any influence whatsoever.

Since you can't change the team, change the coach. Should be a no-brainer.

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 8, 2005 6:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Riggleman

Give him a shot at the rest of the year.

by Matt Allison on Jul 7, 2005 6:02 PM CDT reply actions

No no no

Why him? I'd rather take Tony Peña, for that matter.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Jul 7, 2005 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions

OH MY!

A lead!!!! i hope they can keep it!

a good team can't be beat!

by WrigleyCat on Jul 7, 2005 7:24 PM CDT reply actions

nope...

we're playing the 8th inning like we were the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

5-0 Atlanta so far in the 8th (still 0 outs in the 8th as i write this), and 8-4 Atlanta in the game.

Dusty came out in the middle of it to argue a call. I was hoping he'd get ejected to wake the team up... Nope, argues for a couple seconds, trots back to the dugout and watches the next guy hit a 3-yard dinger. Ballgame.

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jul 7, 2005 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions

How bad was that inning?

Jose Macias was our best player in it. THAT'S how bad the inning was.

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jul 7, 2005 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Nope

The team has completely given up. There are exactly no players, coaches, or managers on the Cubs who have any desire to win. The season is completely over, and if Baker isn't fired--and I mean now--there aren't going to be a whole lot of people watching the second half.

by Molechaser on Jul 7, 2005 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions

I quit.

I can't watch another game. I'll read Al's recaps, and keep up with Derrek's stats, and watch the upcoming trade deadline, but I'm not watching this team until A MAJOR CHANGE is made. Could be a firing, could be a trade, but something has got to be done. Soon. Or we can start making a wish-list of off season free agents.

Pronounced: zam-BRAH-no

by Dan @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jul 7, 2005 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Current Half Inning (last play on top)

Jones grounded out to shortstop.
Giles singled to center, Orr scored, Johnson to second.
Johnson walked.
Furcal struck out swinging.
Franco grounded out to second, Orr to third.
Jerry Hairston at second.
Ryan Dempster relieved Glendon Rusch.
Julio Franco hit for John Foster.
Orr doubled to left.
Francoeur homered to center, Langerhans and McCann scored.
Ryan Langerhans ran for Adam A. LaRoche.
McCann reached on fielder´s choice to third, LaRoche to second.
Glendon Rusch relieved Roberto Novoa.
LaRoche singled to right.
Jones homered to left center, Giles scored.
Giles tripled to deep right.
Roberto Novoa relieved Will Ohman.

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jul 7, 2005 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I JUST watched Francoeur in AA ball Monday!!

And he does thi on a Thursday. My god, what has happened. I agree with a lot of folks who have posted here. This team has completely given up.

"I love winning, you know it's like, better than losing" -- Tim Robbins in "Bull Durham"

by AlabamaCubFan on Jul 8, 2005 7:45 AM CDT up reply actions

IF

D-Lee would've been in the lineup they wouldve have won this game.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Jul 7, 2005 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Nah

It would have been 9-6(or 7). There was nothing that bad with the offense tonight. It was the bullpens fault tonight. What happened to Rusch?

by Joebot on Jul 7, 2005 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions

DLee?

Can he pitch?

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 7, 2005 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Well

with how incredible he has been and the bullpen we have I think he could do it. He would be like Babe Ruth.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Jul 7, 2005 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions

i'm thinking of changing my tag to...

The Cubs will dive in twenty-oh-five!

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jul 7, 2005 9:11 PM CDT reply actions

I'm thinking of becoming a psychic.

I listened to the game on WGN and when Pat said the last three batters in the top of the 9th were Burnitz, Barrett and Patterson, I said to myself, "How nice. Corey can strike out to end the game."

And then he did.

by dfrancon on Jul 7, 2005 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Heh!

You're not going to have Korey to kick around much longer.
http://ivychat.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_ivychat_archive.html#112079008792101861

by Ivychat on Jul 7, 2005 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Brothers

Maybe Korey and Eric will be playing together in AA by August. Wouldnt that be nice?!

MissouriKev

by MissouriKev on Jul 7, 2005 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Patterson demoted - Baseball Tonight

Right at the end of the show at 10pm CT, Karl Ravech said,

"Breaking news, the Cubs have sent Corey Patterson to the minors. More at midnight eastern"

by goldstj2 on Jul 7, 2005 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Beginning of change

It obviously took them a lot to do this because everyone knew Corey had lost his confidence already. I dont mind if they shake up the team and still dont go to the playoffs, I dont want them to go back to finishing 20 games out of playoff contention. Todd said this,"We'll go out and battle every game and every day. We at least owe that to our fans and ourselves," and I hope they at least do that.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Jul 7, 2005 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions

The sad part is...

Korey seems like a nice kid and Dusty screwed his head up by relentlessly pushing him to take a leadoff role that he simply couldn't do.

The result is this kid's a mess and may never make it back again.

Sound familiar?

Dusty made the exact same mistake trying to shove LaTroy into the closer role, and ruined a guy who was perfectly suited to be a primo set-up man.

Two guys with talent turned into two basketcases by Dusty Baker, the "players manager."

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 7, 2005 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Crap

"Dusty made the exact same mistake trying to shove LaTroy into the closer role"

That's crap. LaTroy and his agent negotiated contract incentives in for LaTroy if he finished games. Why would he want those unless he wanted to become the closer?

Dusty tried to get LaTroy his bonuses. Thats why players love to play for him -- he gets them their coin.

by Ivychat on Jul 7, 2005 11:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Crap back at you

So the fact that LaTroy or his agent wants to close is a reason for the manager to keep trying it over and over and over again at the expense of the team?

It's just like Korey "wanting" to hit leadoff this month.

A good manager would look at these guys and say, sorry, based on your horrific track records, I don't think I'll be using you that way. LaTroy, you're job will be setup man. Korey, you will be the good-field, no-hit centerfielder.

With blatantly stupid moves like this, I don't think the players are loving Dusty too much anymore.

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 8, 2005 6:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Uh huh

"So the fact that LaTroy or his agent wants to close is a reason for the manager to keep trying it over and over and over again at the expense of the team?"

Yes. Welcome to Dusty Ball.

by Ivychat on Jul 8, 2005 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Greenberg and Murton...

...were called up; Patterson and Dubois were sent down.

From rotoworld.com:

"The Cubs will recall Matt Murton and Adam Greenberg from Double-A West Tenn from Double-A to replace Corey Patterson and Jason Dubois on the roster.
They'd probably have gone with Felix Pie if he had been healthy, not that he's ready either. Murton was hitting .342/.403/.498 in 78 games, but he was better in April and May than he has been since. Greenberg was at .278/.384/.418. Maybe it's not a bad idea for the Cubs to try new things, but we doubt either Murton or Greenberg will please Dusty Baker for any length of time. Murton is the one to consider picking up in NL-only leagues"

by Patrick on Jul 7, 2005 11:25 PM CDT reply actions

oh...

forgot the link:

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/clubhouse_news.asp?sport=MLB&majteam=CHC

by Patrick on Jul 7, 2005 11:26 PM CDT reply actions

Scape Goat

so, not that Corey is gone, who's our next scapegoat? judging from the postings, it looks like burnitz or maddux...

by Foley on Jul 8, 2005 12:34 AM CDT reply actions

the guy who's been waiting on deck...

is Kerry Wood. Wood is my favorite player right now, and i don't bust on him like others do. But, look at the posts all season and the guy that gets busted on the most other than Corey is Wood. He's next to get reamed by the fans, mark my words.

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jul 8, 2005 12:52 AM CDT up reply actions

oh well

I'm 23 as of right now, so i guess i can at least drink my sorrows away and go play mlb 2005 where my cubs are 30 games over .500 at the allstar break, but then again, hell....i'm on a 3 game skid there....i need more whiskey

by Foley on Jul 8, 2005 1:54 AM CDT up reply actions

happy birthday?

Have one on me!

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jul 8, 2005 2:40 AM CDT up reply actions

There's only one scapegoat on this team...

Dusty Baker.

-He ruins talented players by trying to use them in roles they can't do.

-He's clueless in putting together cohesive lineups with OBP guys at the top.

-He makes stupid strategic moves.

-He handles his pitchers terribly, never having the right guy warmed up in time, and sticking with the wrong guys until they've turned close games into blow-outs.

Dusty Baker, the Scapegoat in Chief.

Let's play two!!!

by jsmckay on Jul 8, 2005 6:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I am having a slightly better time

at least I have been OUT OF THE COUNTRY
for this debacle. What the F is going ON. I only
get scores anywhere from 12 hours to a day and half late. This is HORRIBLE and of course I partly
blame myself. In 2003 I decided in Feb NOT to go
to a film Festival in Italy in Oct as I might
have other plans. I was mocked by everyone on the
NG. This year I decided to go to similar fest
in JULY thinking leaving DURING the season was OK
and did not indicate a lack of faith October would
and besides the Cubs did well when I was out of New York but I guess Italy is too far

Since I am not seeing this bloodbath and have
two weeks of vacation planned at Wrigley this summer I will keep hope alive

Jessica

by jessica on Jul 8, 2005 4:00 AM CDT reply actions

Good Guy

Dubois, who was hitting .239 with seven home runs in 52 games, took the move well, understanding he needed to get some at-bats.

"I'll just go down there and work and get back here as fast as I can," he said. "I've just been going downhill and I need to go uphill."

Here's to hoping the Cubs can find a place for him, either in the organization, or with an AL team where he can DH and play occasionally in the outfield.

korey of course acted like a child.

"I love winning, you know it's like, better than losing" -- Tim Robbins in "Bull Durham"

by AlabamaCubFan on Jul 8, 2005 7:50 AM CDT reply actions