Game Thoughts And Bleacher Reconstruction Update - April 5

by Al on Apr 5, 2006 4:31 PM CDT in 2005-06 Bleacher Reconstruction Project

It sure started out well, but Glendon Rusch and Jerome Williams showed why they really should be bottom-of-the-rotation starters today. The Cubs hit three homers but lost to the Reds anyway, 8-6.

And seriously: Bronson Arroyo hitting a HR? The guy was 4-for-55 lifetime at the plate coming into the game and hadn't had a hit in over four years. There's just no excuse for giving a guy like that a pitch to drive.

Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and John Mabry homered for the Cubs today. The best news about those HR are: they accounted for all the runs, which means, unlike last year when it seemed every homer was a solo job, at least people are getting on base before the long ball. Mabry's a good hitter; his HR was to dead-center field. I think we are going to like having him on the bench.

In addition to Rusch and Williams (who was particularly bad, not being able to find the plate), Michael Barrett had a day he won't want to remember long -- he was 0-for-4 at the plate with a strikeout, and the Reds stole three bases on him.

Or, I should say, Ryan Freel stole three bases on Barrett. Freel's a pest. When guys like that are on your team, you love them. When they're opposing you, they're worse than Albert Pujols. Freel walked twice, had a hit, the 3 SB and scored three runs, including an insurance run in the 8th on an infield out. While Barrett's not a great defensive catcher, give Freel some credit. He's a good player. I wish the Cubs had thought about trying to trade for him -- he can play five positions, draw walks, steal bases.

So, the Cubs come home at .500, and thank heavens Greg Maddux and Carlos Zambrano will throw the first two games against the Cardinals (Jeff Suppan will face Maddux; Chris Carpenter vs. Z).

And they'll find brand-new digs waiting for them. After a warmer-than-expected-and-usual winter, the construction crews are putting the final touches on the new bleachers. Yes, there's a sign for that beer that's "sponsoring" the bleachers. It can easily be ignored. David sent these photos, taken Tuesday evening:

Top: presenting the "Bud Light Bleachers" (Ugh!); Waveland Ave., behind left field. Note the strip of soil, at the base of the new wall. This strip extends around the entire bleachers; photo taken at the bleacher entrance. View inside the right field wall, looking south; the "knothole" gate, on Waveland Ave., in the far right field corner.

Bottom: view from Sheffield Ave, looking north; view inside the gate, at the new left field corner stairwell; view inside the bleacher entrance; view inside the gate, at the new right field corner stairwell. This is the passageway inside the Sheffield Ave. brick wall, looking north.

Photos by David Sameshima

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what?

they didn't show they should be botton rotation starters, they proved they shouldn't be throwing pitches period.

by mike bornemann on Apr 5, 2006 4:36 PM CDT 0 recs

This is why

I picked Rusch in my five pitchers who will amass the most loses.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on Apr 5, 2006 7:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

He won't have the chance

If is really bad he gets pulled out the rotation.
They would throw up Guzman and or wait for some
of the gimps to return. He just will not be able to
compete with the 3-5 Marin, Tampa Bay & Rockie
pitchers.

by jessica on Apr 5, 2006 8:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

Pulled from the rotation?

He's our # 2 starter! That's how far we've sunk with this rotation--Glendon Rusch is our # 2! Who the heck are they going to put in there? We don't have that many options.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on Apr 6, 2006 11:15 AM CDT up 0 recs

This is truly

... a dire situation.

You all should know by now that I am forever hopeful, but I sat at Great American Ballpark yesterday with my head in my hands. Allowing a pitcher who hasn't hit a homerun since highschool to hit a 2 run shot.... I have no words.

Of course, I've never been a Rusch fan and consider him completely useless. Yesterday, he reminded me why I don't like him so much.

she

by Sarah Hope on Apr 6, 2006 12:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

Let's keep some things in perspective

First off, just b/c Rusch started game 2, doesn't mean he's our "#2 starter." Most here believe that he will be dropped from the rotation if/when the gimps return. Why Dusty set the rotation up the way it is at the beginning of the year I have no idea. But let's not read too much into Rusch starting game 2.

Next, the homer to Arroyo. Al said something in about it's inexcusable to groove a pitch like that to such a bad hitter. I think it would've been LESS excusable for Rusch to walk him - or for that matter, even go to a full count.

Don't get me wrong. The fact that Arroyo could catch up to Rusch's fastball is not making me optomistic about his season. But I guarantee if I got however many at-bats that Arroyo has in his carreer.... EVENTUALLY I would get lucky and get one out of a small park w/ the wind blowing out. It happens.

Rusch is NOT good. But that one homer is not the end of the world for him either.

"At the end of the day, don't tell me how rough the waters are... just get the ship into port." - Stoney

by BCurt10 on Apr 6, 2006 1:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

Rusch

needed mapquest to find the strike zone yesterday.

I don't think luck had anything to do with it. I have a feeling I could have hit that ball.

The only good thing is this: knowing the Reds and the fans as I do, I know that the pressure that is on this kid after he wins his first game and homers on his first at bat as a Red will be tremendous. If he does not deliver in his next few starts, he will be written off.

she

by Sarah Hope on Apr 6, 2006 2:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

that's fair

but it should also be said that rusch is likely to stay in the rotation this year if healthy.

he doesn't get backburnered until prior, wood and miller are all simultaneouly healthy to going z and maddux. he's the sixth starter, as it were, with jw and marshall being optionable.

what are the chances of all three coming back to stay anytime soon? not very good. w're going to see a lot of rusch this year, i'm afraid.

by gaius marius on Apr 6, 2006 2:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

I suppose so. And that is sad.

But I suspect that Rusch will end up being replaced by JW or Marshall - or maybe even someone else - by the All-star break.

Of course, that's probably wishfull thinking.

It's also not outside the realm of possibility that Rusch pitches well enough to stay afloat. Not likely, but it could happen.

"At the end of the day, don't tell me how rough the waters are... just get the ship into port." - Stoney

by BCurt10 on Apr 6, 2006 2:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

Freel

I was surprised he could follow the bases, as he has such a hard time walking in a straight line when he gets his DUI's.

she

by Sarah Hope on Apr 5, 2006 4:40 PM CDT 0 recs

Rusch

Was he really that much worse than Z on Monday
Given their histories we give Z the benefit of the doubt
which is understandable but did not pitch any worse

I am not ready to give up on Rusch or the season yet

I am guessing Blanco will catch for Maddux on
Friday but FYI Maddux has had two very ugly
first starts the last two years.

Um chill everyone ( which should be easy given
the weather report)

by jessica on Apr 5, 2006 4:41 PM CDT 0 recs

Blanco/Barrett - Maddux

Have there been any comments about specific pitcher-catcher matchups? I haven't heard any this spring (not surprising, since Barrett was at the WBC for so long). I wonder if Dusty has backed off on matching Barrett with Maddux to improve Barrett's game-calling skills.

What does not kill you makes you stronger.

by Pa on Apr 5, 2006 4:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

Can go either way

but since Prior who insisted on using
Blanco as HIS personal catcher is out my
guess is he will catch the majority of Maddux
games. It is always a debate with Maddux
if he needs Blanco's arm more than Barrett's
bat, but for the opener I think they will want
him in his comfort zone so I think Blanco goes
Friday

by jessica on Apr 5, 2006 4:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

I endorse

your line of thinking!

What does not kill you makes you stronger.

by Pa on Apr 5, 2006 10:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

You can't..

...compare the two. Zambrano gave up 5 walks and did not have his command. His stuff was good, but his location was off. Several of the hits against him were not hit very hard.

Rusch had better command, but little movement and the hits against him were mostly hit hard. His stuff was not very good.

That is why you cannot rely solely on stats.

by jazzman56 on Apr 5, 2006 11:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

YES!!!

Rusch was not all over the place. He walked two in four innings. Not great but not bad. Case in point was the AB against Aurilia in the first. He had Friel in scoring position, got Griffey out...and then of course allowed Aurilia to drive him in. IIRC, he was ahead of Aurilia but couldn't finish him off, but that doesn't even matter. Glendon's stuff was just not that good and frankly, its been positively mediocre throughout his career. This is why he's been on several teams and why he's bounced from the rotation to the pen and back many times.

Most of Glendon's pitches were between 83-85 MPH, perhaps hitting 87 from time to time. He had little movement on the ball. The strikezone, from where I was sitting, was pretty damned generous, especially on both corners.

I think we know what we've got from Glendon, a guy who will have a handful of good starts, a handful of bad starts and some in between. The thing is that we have several young pitchers at AAA and, IMO, it may be time, eventually, to find out what they've got.

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 5, 2006 11:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

What?

Carpenter vs. Z?? I thought it was Jason Marquis, but I forgot that the Cardinals don't have days off like the Cubs. I'm so excited!!

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Apr 5, 2006 4:59 PM CDT 0 recs

Oh I forgot...

to comment on the homeruns. That's good. I'm glad D-Lee that Aramis and Lee hit one with people on. I'm also glad Mabry came through.

But Arroyo? What happened there?

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Apr 5, 2006 5:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

that sign is atrocious

explain to me how a team can name part of their stadium after the company that owns their biggest rival. What a joke. What next, ads on the scoreboards?

by mike bornemann on Apr 5, 2006 5:00 PM CDT 0 recs

Anheuser-Busch....

... no longer owns the Cardinals, and hasn't in quite a few years now.

Ignore the sign, and don't buy their products. That's the best way to protest.

by Al on Apr 5, 2006 5:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hey

I was wondering if anyone knows of a bar that the Cubs players frequent?

kinda a weird question but ya know im not in chicago that often

KSUCubbie

by ksucubbie on Apr 5, 2006 5:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

bars

I hear they go to Sopo on Southport, at least thats where Bako, Goodwin and Rusch used to go.

Other guys used to hang out at Stanleys when Moises lived over there on Sedgwick. Also, Rockit on Hubbard is supposed to be a place they go.

This is just what I've heard, I've never actually seen these guys out drinking, but I know girls in this city that have and the players usually let them know they're around.

by Slaky311 on Apr 5, 2006 7:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

duh

yeah i knew that, I guess i was thinkng of the stadium naming rights.

by mike bornemann on Apr 5, 2006 9:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

"Old Style Bleachers"...

...would have been perfect, as well as self-contradictory.

by Wahkeenah on Apr 5, 2006 11:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

Are the Card's skipping Ponson?

Otherwise it would be Z vs Ponson & Marshall vs
Carpenter.

by jessica on Apr 5, 2006 5:10 PM CDT 0 recs

Ponson...

... is scheduled Sunday vs. Marshall.

by Al on Apr 5, 2006 5:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

Got it

I would say that should make it more
of a fair fight but heck this being the Cubs
they could get 10 runs of Carpenter and be
shut out by Ponson.

by jessica on Apr 5, 2006 5:27 PM CDT up 0 recs

View from home plate

If somebody who goes to the game Friday could post a picture of the bleachers from behind home plate, I would appreciate it. I am very curious to see the new site lines.

Goodbye Corey. May Eric be nothing like you.

by Ross on Apr 5, 2006 5:12 PM CDT 0 recs

I don't have a problem...

With a sponsorship of the bleachers. This is a business, not a charity. Heck, I'd drive a "BudLight Mobile" if they gave me enough cash. In fact, I love the nostalgic look of advertisements plastered all over outfield walls in the minors.

Dirka. Dirka dirka. Muhammed jihad.

by Goat Whisperer on Apr 5, 2006 5:53 PM CDT 0 recs

Mike B, I assume

you are being sarcastic since a "Budweiser" sign appeared below the scoreboard in 1983 or 1984, when the Redbirds were still owned by the Busch family.
As I've mentioned before, A-B has had pouring rights to Wrigley for years, with secondary products like Old Style and now, some micro brews available. Miller snapped up pouring rights to the Cell and Soldier Field in the past years. (Not having been to the UC in years, I don't know what beer is poured there) Don't sweat this, please.

by Smooth Jazz Man San Diego on Apr 5, 2006 6:47 PM CDT 0 recs

Old Budweiser Sign

Was this taken down b/c of fan complaints or another business reason?

I've always thought the limited # of permanent ads added to Wrigley's charm. This exterior ad is not extremely offensive, but a gradual acceptance of it will facilitate interior ad placement down the line.

by ron cey on Apr 5, 2006 7:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

IIRC....

... management at the time felt the ads detracted from the "look" of the park.

Yes, believe it or not, at one time that actually trumped the extra $ they got.

You do know they now have ads on both the message board and the side scoreboards, though none are permanent ads.

by Al on Apr 5, 2006 7:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

I did know

thew ads were on the scoreboard now, I guess hadI known it wasn't the first time I wouldn't have been so annoyed when they came back 2? years ago.

by mike bornemann on Apr 5, 2006 9:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

Pics of Bud ads on scoreboard & marquee in 80s

Here are 2 pictures of Bud ads during the 80's. The first is the scoreboard with the Bud ads. http://i2.tinypic.com/t5kjdx.jpg
The second one is of the marquee http://i2.tinypic.com/t5kl1j.jpg

Kasey

by kaseyi on Apr 6, 2006 8:10 AM CDT up 0 recs

In Concerns to the Exterior Sponsorship

Looking at the Bud Light Bleachers sign, I was mad like everybody else is because you figure its Wrigley, they don't need trash like that. Deep down though seeing that, it makes me happy that the Cubs picked the right construction company. The construction company that did Wrigley Field also did the Lambeau Field renovations. I go to school in Green Bay now, so I find myself at Lambeau a lot. The brick jobs are similiar, both stadiums have a thing for the fancy green gates at the entrances, and they both play down the corporate sponsorships on the gates. The Bud Light Bleacher gate sign is similiar to the Mills Fleet Farm gate, which looks like the Oneida Casino and Associated Bank gate. The construction company knew about the tradition at these stadiums and I'm glad that when subjected to it, they still kept the tradition of the stadiums in mind.

"Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball."- Harry Caray

by TkGoUWGB on Apr 5, 2006 11:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

well i probably wouldn't have like it then either

had i been older than 3. I'm just sick of the increase of ads in general.

by mike bornemann on Apr 5, 2006 9:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yes, there was...

...a red Budweiser banner hanging under the scoreboard ca. 1984, to the left of (and the same height as) the message board which had been added maybe a couple of years earlier. Complementing the red Bud banner was a dark blue Bud Light banner hanging from the right side. That was nowhere near as obtrusive as the later artifact, the building across Waveland in left-center with its sloped roof painted as a big red Budweiser sign.

by Wahkeenah on Apr 5, 2006 11:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Old Bud Ad's

In the early 80's Budweiser purchased the digital boards for the Cubs - both under the scoreboard and out at Clark and Addison. It was something like a 5 year deal. Once the Marketing deal with Budweiser expired, the Cubs removed all the Budweiser signage.

by Tallone on Apr 6, 2006 12:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

2005 Deja Vu

Watching Glendon F Rusch and Jerome Williams walk guys in between giving up homers. Wood and Prior on the DL. Losing a completely winnable game by 2 runs when even a mediocre pitching performace would have given us a W. Please, please, please let this be the last 2005 re-run this year. All I wanted in the off-season was a leadoff man and another starting pitcher. Why couldn't we get Millwood or ANYBODY else for that matter? Rusch SUCKS!!! Williams SUCKS!!! Now we're throwing a rookie against the friggin Cardinals???!!!!

Only the 2nd game...It will get better...This is not 2005.

Okay, I think I can delude myself for another few losses.

by kinglerxst on Apr 5, 2006 7:04 PM CDT 0 recs

1 game but

Its worth noting that Millwood and Zito, the two names most often drooled over both got schelacked in their first starts...

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Apr 5, 2006 11:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

Corey update

just struck out with bases loaded and one out
Flew out with man on 2nd and two out earlier
Now THAT is Deja Vu. At least the O's having batting
9th

by jessica on Apr 5, 2006 7:29 PM CDT 0 recs

At least we're scoring a lot of runs

The Cubs are averaging what, 10+ runs a game?
If they can keep up that kind of offensive punch, I'll take my chances with this staff and bullpen. And I like their chances with any combination of Wood, Prior, and Miller added to it!

"Respect the game above all else." - Ryne Sandberg, July 31, 2005, Cooperstown, NY

by Tom on Apr 5, 2006 8:27 PM CDT 0 recs

Oh, and . ..

How did David get inside like that? Do the construction workers just recogize him now??

"Respect the game above all else." - Ryne Sandberg, July 31, 2005, Cooperstown, NY

by Tom on Apr 5, 2006 8:30 PM CDT 0 recs

Interestingly...

... David happened to email me on that very topic last night...

I know some readers wonder how I am getting inside, to take some of these photos. I am not. I just look for any gaps in the fence, or gates. I study all the angles. I then take my compact digital camera, and find where I can take an unobstructed photograph in
one of these gaps.

by Al on Apr 6, 2006 8:29 AM CDT up 0 recs

Cincinnati report...

... will be filed tomorrow at some time. I just got back after a five hour drive w/ a stop in Indy to have dinner with friends. I've got class in the morning so I've gotta take care of some stuff.

A few quick notes...Rusch looked just horrid, had absolutely nothing all day...Williams is not a reliever and its hard to ask him to be one when he isn't used to it...Jacque Jones is a big hole in the middle of the line-up...Ronnie Cedeno looked great at the plate including his double where he absolutely turned that pitch around and nailed it down the line...I sat next to perhaps the most annoying fan in the history of sports not named Ronnie Woo Woo...The Great American Ballpark, for a very new ballparks really isn't aging well.

I'll fill in the blanks tomorrow, after class, before I head up to Milwaukee to see Game two of the Frozen Four.

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 5, 2006 10:44 PM CDT 0 recs

My Goat of the Game

Is definitely Barrett. He looked terrible defensively. Allowed a passed ball for a run, threw a ball into centerfield, and didn't block the plate when Freel tried to score. Freel probably scores anyways, but he could have at least made the little guy go around him. Then he has the audacity to piss and moan at the umpire when he bats the next inning.

The more I see Barrett's defense and the way he calls games, the more I like Blanco.

by salparadise23 on Apr 6, 2006 12:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't agree

Barrett was not great, however the passed ball clearly seemed to me to be a different pitch than what was called. Barrett's throw was bad, however the back-up was out of position to stop it. And the Freel play, there was nothing Barrett could do.

DmL

by dmlichte on Apr 6, 2006 12:27 PM CDT up 0 recs

Also...

... give a little credit to Freel, who is a fine baseball player.

by Al on Apr 6, 2006 12:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

Cringing

Freel is an absolute beast of a human being. A simply dreadful person. I can not put into words how despicable this man is, nor will I share the stories I have about him. Suffice to say, he's disgusting.

That being said, I realize that his Ty Cobb nature does not make him a bad ballplayer, but please, oh please don't wish for him to disgrace a Cubs uniform. You will surely regret it.

she

by Sarah Hope on Apr 6, 2006 2:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

OK...

... why is this?

by Al on Apr 6, 2006 3:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Why would you regret it?

He has been a quiet thorn in the Reds side. Horrible attitude, DUI charges. Other incidents are rumored to have been kept quiet. He also hates the Cubs, but that's a side issue.
He was picked up for DUI and wrecking his car on opening day last year. Judging from my conversations with him, he doesn't regret his actions and finds them humorous. I have a feeling that these things will not be the last we hear of him negatively.

she

by Sarah Hope on Apr 6, 2006 3:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

I knew of the DUI charges...

... didn't know the other stuff. He does sound like a not-very-nice-person.

All I know of him is the baseball he plays. On the field, he plays it well.

If what you say is true, his off-the-field antics are going to eventually get him in serious trouble.

by Al on Apr 6, 2006 4:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah,

that's why i said the Ty Cobb thing. I know it doesnt say what kind of ballplayer he is, but I think attitude can make or break you sometimes.

He just makes my skin crawl and my instincts say he's trouble for whatever team he's on.

she

by Sarah Hope on Apr 6, 2006 4:27 PM CDT up 0 recs

Also,

for some reason I'm remembering him being sent to the minors last year? (How Corey of him) I just remember the last game of the July series with the Cubs.. July 21st, they played the Welcome Back Kotter theme when he came up to bat... maybe I'm mistaken. He could have been on the DL, which wouldn't have been his first trip last year (how Woody of him - ok I immediately regret saying that. I love ya Woody!!)

she

by Sarah Hope on Apr 6, 2006 3:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

Passed ball

Not what I or the announcers saw at all, he just plain missed it.

by salparadise23 on Apr 6, 2006 2:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Soil between wall and sidewalk?

Maybe they are going to plant ivy on the outside wall? Maybe on a razor wire trellis, to discourage souvenir seekers. d:\

by Wahkeenah on Apr 5, 2006 11:41 PM CDT 0 recs

Weds Night

I walked by the stadium tonight. Definitely soil between the walk and the brick pavers. Security said Ivy was going to be planted once the weather got nice.

by Tallone on Apr 6, 2006 12:29 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ivy

Awesome. A nice touch.

by Wahkeenah on Apr 6, 2006 1:25 AM CDT up 0 recs

Soil

I really hope they plant Ivy, cause from a brick paving perspective it is much better to run the bricks all the way up to the wall if there were not going to be ivy.

by cronoj on Apr 6, 2006 1:54 AM CDT up 0 recs

I just wonder...

... how long any ivy on the outside will last, given the fact that it'll be on a public street, AND have no direct sunlight on it.

by Al on Apr 6, 2006 8:30 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ivy

I would suspect, or hope, that they are getting a type of ivy that can do well in shade. My parents' house has a north facing wall covered in ivy and the stuff grows like a weed. Of course it doesn't have a 10-foot eave over it. But on the summer side of the equinoxes, I think the ivy will get adequate sun during the morning and evening, and on the winter side of the equinoxes, it will be dormant anyway (just like our Cubs). d:)

by Wahkeenah on Apr 6, 2006 6:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

More on ivy

Except, as you're hinting, that the souvenir hunters might strip it clean. I've heard that the interior ivy is considered "delicate". Maybe they'll plant a tougher variety outside; or maybe they'll just install poison ivy, and Lou Novikoff will be somewhere doing the "told ya so!" dance. d:)

by Wahkeenah on Apr 6, 2006 6:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

One the inside

the pictures taken inside the concourse are awesome

but is anyone else disturbed that its really clean? its all nicely paved and with fresh paint that isn't painted over 50 chipped coats

by flyball on Apr 6, 2006 8:07 AM CDT 0 recs

Not to worry...

It won't take too many games, with people tromping all over it, spilling beer on it, etc., before the new concrete achieves that "lived in" look and blends with the primordial stuff. d:)

by Wahkeenah on Apr 6, 2006 6:45 PM CDT up 0 recs