Cubs in NY this Weekend

by brokenland on Aug 3, 2005 12:08 PM CDT

Well, this weekend I will make my annual pilgrimage to Shea Stadium to watch the Cubs hopefully not choke against the Metropolitans. I've got UD box seats all three games, the last two right behind the plate, which I think are some of the best seats in the house. Great bird's eye view and nice chance for a Burnitz foul ball.

I went to the first two games of the Yanks-Cubs series and found it quite warm and friendly. Yankee fans generally respect the game and respect the history of the Cubs. I believe they also appreciated the fact that we were not jerks like Met or Red Sox fans can be.

I can say with certainty that Met fans are not the same. And I would really really like to beat the living crap out of them this weekend. I recall two years ago when the Cubs were up by about 10 runs on opening day (and Patterson hit 2 homers off Glavine), that I was taunted by several teenagers behind me who compared being a Cub fan to being a homosexual, though they did not use that word. Finally I informed them that if they wanted to taunt someone, questioning their sexuality is one of the least creative avenues. Besides, I questioned, exactly how many of them had even slept with a girl. I said that a good starting point would be a hearty "1908" chant. They didn't understand the reference and I turned away in disgust.

It appears that the pitching matchups should be:
Hill v. Glavine
Maddux v. Ishi
Zambrano v. Zambrano.

Hill has pitched well and Glavine has been the epitome of inconsistency this season. Or should I say Maddux has been the epitome of inconstancy. He either blows you out of the water or gives up 7 runs in 4 innings. But he is lights out against the Mets, having shut them out once this season. Ishi is 3-9 and should be easy pickings for the middle of the lineup.
ZvZ is the match up I have been waiting for a year now. Probably Jayson Stark has too. Let's see, our Zambrano pitched 8 scoreless innings last night. They're Zambrano gave up 6 runs in 1.1 innings. That included 4 homers.

Of course I cannot count on anything. These are the Cubs anyway. With our dumb luck Victor Zambrano will throw a no-hitter and Carlos Zambrano will be out in the third inning. So goes Cubbie Blue. But I have my hopes up. Hey, at least we don't have to face Pedro.
I hope to see as much blue there as last year. Go Cubs!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I like Pedro...

and I wanted to see him pitch, but I really didn't want him facing the Cubs. These match-ups are intersting. Maddux hasn't been incosistent. The offense behind him has. He pitched several games he should have won, and maybe a few games where he just completely lost it(Florida game at Wrigley). There is two lefties going and of course a Z versus another Z. I didn't know the Zambranos would pitch against each other, so it should be fun.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Aug 3, 2005 12:20 PM CDT reply actions

Carlos and Victor are not brothers or cousins

but they both are from Venezuela. It would mark the first time that both Zambrano would face each other in the history.

Two years ago, when Victor was playing for Tampa Bay Devil Rays, for the Interleague Play matchup between Devil Rays and the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Victor almost faced Carlos. Victor pitched on June 4, 2003 at Wrigley Field and beat the Cubs. Two days later, Carlos pitched against the Yankees at Wrigley Field on Friday June 6, 2003.

If it happens, it would be 4th time in MLB History that both starting pitchers with last name beginning with "Z" would face each other.

For your trivia... Who was the 3rd time in MLB History with both last name "Z" to pitch against each other?

It happened last year at Wrigley Field. See answer below....

Barry Zito vs. Carlos Zambrano in an Interleague Play matchup between Oakland A's and the Cubs at Wrigley Field in June 2004.

by Julius on Aug 3, 2005 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions

I've Been Accused Of This....

"Barry Zito vs. Carlos Zambrano in an Interleague Play matchup between Oakland A's and the Cubs at Wrigley Field in June 2004."

You know too much. :)

by BeerCub on Aug 5, 2005 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions

What were you accused...

for what in that ballgame?

by Julius on Aug 5, 2005 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions

What I Meant Was..

I've been accused by some as kowing what some would call "useless trivia" such as your Zambrano and Zambrano information. Personally, I don't consider it useless but rather vital.

by BeerCub on Aug 5, 2005 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions