Rusch vs. Arroyo part 3

by madog93 on Jun 6, 2006 12:10 PM CDT

Here is to hoping that Glendon's start against St. Louis was not a fluke. He seems to be his best out of the bull pen and then only making spot starts. I realize he has been used as a starter due to injuries and ineffective call ups, but his next start worries me. The Cubs website is showing a Rusch/Arroyo matchup in the first game of the upcoming series in Cincinatti. We all know what Arroyo has done to Glen-done in his first two starts this season. I don't like the looks of this. Maybe Arroyo should bat 3rd or 4th with Rusch pitching.

Poll

If you were the Reds manager where would you bat Arroyo against Rusch?

3rd (get him more at bats)

12 votes

4th (power against ????)

7 votes

9th (no way Arroyo can keep up his pace)

18 votes

37 votes | Poll has closed

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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Comments

Rusch had better pitch around Arroyo.

n/t

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

by cubbiejulie on Jun 6, 2006 12:38 PM CDT reply actions

If he does it...

again against Rusch, it will be very sad.

Cubbie Blue will always sPaRkLe in my eyes, but please stop losing. PLEASE!

by sparkles721 on Jun 6, 2006 12:39 PM CDT reply actions

Yes. It will be.

Very, very sad.

Well said, sparkles.

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

by cubbiejulie on Jun 6, 2006 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions

hit arroyo

first pitch. send a message.

by mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jun 6, 2006 12:47 PM CDT reply actions

Oooh,

I like that, too.

she

by Sarah Hope on Jun 6, 2006 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Wouldn't do any good

a) i don't think glendon has that much control
b) arroyo's dreadlocks will cushion the blow

Whiskey is the key that sets the monkey free.

by Foley on Jun 6, 2006 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Does he still have corn rows?

And for the sake of not offending any true Rastafarians...let's not call those pathetic carribean souveniers that he sported for way too long, dreadlocks.

Jah couldn't carry Arroyo to heaven by those ratty little pieces of twine...I believe Jah would have a big laugh while letting him fall to the fiery pits of hell after seeing those things.

Long time fan of the Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on Jun 6, 2006 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Nope.

They're gone.

she

by Sarah Hope on Jun 6, 2006 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions

definitely....

maybe try it in his first two at bats if there is no warning after the first one. too bad rusch doesn't throw hard enough to make it hurt though.

vote santo for h.o.f.

by santo for prez on Jun 6, 2006 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

I care more about how Rusch will handle Arroyo

than I care where he'll be in the order. No, I don't think that he can keep up his pace, but then again, it's only June. Do I think he'll be this good in August or next year? No. Batting or pitching. But I wouldn't take my chances with him this series.

And furthermore, I will be in the stands and will personally take it upon myself to climb down onto the field and give Rusch a swift kick in the rear.

she

by Sarah Hope on Jun 6, 2006 12:54 PM CDT reply actions

wow

I kinda Arroyo hits a dinger now. Sarah, you would be the most famous person around here if you did that.

Go Cubbies!

by NC Cubs Fan on Jun 6, 2006 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Hahahaha

I would have my mean face on, put my hands on my hips and say, "Dammit, fatty. You never learn."

Speaking of... did anyone hear that Bronson Arroyo is giving a concert at Great American Ball Park?

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060601&content_id=1483563&v key=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

We have Jimmy Buffet... they have one of their players....and a players wife....

God, I just love Cincinnati.. ugh

she

by Sarah Hope on Jun 6, 2006 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions

From what I hear...

... Arroyo is actually pretty good with his guitar, and Raquel Aurilia is a genuine talent who has a CD out.

Frankly, it sounds like it might be a pretty good show, and for a good cause, too.

by Al Yellon on Jun 6, 2006 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Also...

... note the concert is not at the ballpark, but at a theater across the river from Cincinnati in Covington, Kentucky.

by Al Yellon on Jun 6, 2006 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah,

call me a jerk, but I still don't think I'll be making my way down there.

He's been plugging his CD on the news, notsomuch the charity. And I'm sure you know that those charities are not chosen so much as approved by the player. Yes, I'm cynical, but I think he just moved to a town that was willing to let him promote himself for lack of better entertainment.

Now Sheila Gray of the local Fox 19 News does a LOT of good for the Make-A-Wish foundation and does it out of the spotlight, volunteering her free time. I'd rather support her than a new kid in town looking to corner another market under an altruistic guise.

she

by Sarah Hope on Jun 6, 2006 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions

wow

Very cynical

"The only way to prove that you're a good sport is to lose." - Ernie Banks

by madog93 on Jun 6, 2006 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry,

there's just so many people in this city doing good without recognition... i'm just not too keen on supporting this guy. Sorry!! :)

she

by Sarah Hope on Jun 6, 2006 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Arroyo

doesn't bother me one because he's been doing good work for awhile, and its nice to see him continue in his new town and two I figure if he can raise money for people who can put it to good use then go forward and take people's money

plus he's kinda cute, and although he's never hidden his desire to be a starter he never complained about getting sent to the bullpen when needed, especially in the post-season

"In this life there are nothing but possibilities."

by flyball on Jun 6, 2006 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

To your point,

many many ball players/celebrities "do good work". It's not unheard of, and really, we should all be "doing good work".

And I really don't see how his looks come into play on this. Do ugly people give less help to the needy? Or is there just not any vanity to compromise their motives? Rhetorical question of course.. and I need to get off my soapbox pronto... Whoop whoop!!

she

by Sarah Hope on Jun 6, 2006 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions

no

the being cute has nothing to do with any charity he may help, completely separate thought

not every player holds up their end of the bargain with charities (thats right Manny Ramirez I'm talking about you) and there are lots of ways to do it, he just happens to use his other passion, which happens to need an audience

somehow I've become the Bronson defender, which I really didn't mean to happen, and there are plenty of people who annoy me by purely existing, he's just not one of them

"In this life there are nothing but possibilities."

by flyball on Jun 6, 2006 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I bet Beantown...

would love to have their former boy back. I think Bronson stands out, and I like that he is unique from his name, his delivery to his funky cornrow-do from last year. The fact that he's as passionate about his music just adds to his appeal for me.

by koramcub on Jun 6, 2006 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm sorry,

maybe you can educate me... what exactly is so unique about his delivery?

she

by Sarah Hope on Jun 6, 2006 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions

His...

extremely high leg kick.

by koramcub on Jun 6, 2006 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions

he

always looks like he could be trying out for the rockettes

"In this life there are nothing but possibilities."

by flyball on Jun 6, 2006 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Ah yes,

I can see how that makes him very different from Dontrelle, Juan Marichal or Luis Tiant. Well, at least he still has those cornrows going for him....

she

by Sarah Hope on Jun 6, 2006 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Unique...

makes the high leg kick a rare occurrence and not a single instance so by definition, it is still unique.

by koramcub on Jun 6, 2006 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually,

by definition, "unique" is singular. Something is either unique or it isn't. Being the only one of its kind is the only way to be unique. There aren't varying degrees of unique.

So that leaves him with no unique delivery and no cornrows. Now he's just ugly.

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

by cubbiejulie on Jun 6, 2006 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions

No, Julie

Don't you know that he is the only ball player that is active in the fundraising for the less fortunate?

she

by Sarah Hope on Jun 6, 2006 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

wow

who knew he incited such dislike

"In this life there are nothing but possibilities."

by flyball on Jun 6, 2006 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions

I could say the same thing

Who knew he could be put on such a pedestal?

The kid came from being alright in the AL, to having a breakout year in the NL. Not shocking!

Once NL batters figure him out, he will settle back cozily in to mediocrity - unless he can evolve. And that i can not predict. He may, he may not. But I'm kind of tired of hearing about how he's having a breakout year. And praising him for following his agent's and front office's orders, or basing his legitimacy on his looks or leg kick... jeez.

And furthermore, debating such topics between women is a tremendous opportunity to invoke a better stereotype of women baseball fans.

she

by Sarah Hope on Jun 6, 2006 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

well

he came up with the NL, so I'm not sure saying his recent success is mostly due to switching leagues is entirely accurat

he's a good pitcher to have on your team, not really an ace, but can make the transition from starter to bullpen easily especially in long relief (in case someone like that is needed in a short series in the playoffs, which the Reds probably won't see, let alone use those talents if they get there) he has gotten better as he has matured in the last few years, and working with Varitek every outing as well as learning from Pedro and Schilling I'm sure helped that. Although he has some pretty good pitches he has outings where he's a little messy, missing spots etc, but again his control has improved every year.

I've watched him pitch before, and the windup might be weird, his leg seems to rotate in the opposite direction I would think it would, but it works for him, and I wonder if it messes with batters trying to see his release point

and although maybe this gives female fans a bad rap, I also notice that he must have velcro on his shoes as his pants always cover the heel

"In this life there are nothing but possibilities."

by flyball on Jun 6, 2006 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Velcro aside...

ERA
2000    Pirates    6.41
2001    Pirates    5.09
2002    Pirates    4.05
2003 Red Sox    2.08
2004    Red Sox    4.03
2005    Red Sox    4.51
2006    Reds 2.40

WHIP
2000    Pirates    1.73
2001    Pirates    1.51
2002 Pirates    1.69
2003    Red Sox 0.81
2004    Red Sox 1.22
2005 Red Sox 1.30
2006    Reds    1.14

His first years in the NL were just that - his first years.

I'm not saying he will fall into a slump again, but I wouldn't be surprised if he did - with or without his high leg kick.

she

by Sarah Hope on Jun 7, 2006 8:01 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree

It was my understanding that being unique was like being pregnant -- you are or you aren't.

Unless you are kinda pregnant, like a certain pitcher I keep reading about. . .

by TyWebb on Jun 6, 2006 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions

hey

my second grade teacher told me we were all unique, like snow flakes

"In this life there are nothing but possibilities."

by flyball on Jun 6, 2006 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions

His leg kick...

is unique. I haven't seen anybody with the same one. I've seen other leg kicks, but they aren't the same.

Unless I'm not paying attention.

Cubbie Blue will always sPaRkLe in my eyes, but please stop losing. PLEASE!

by sparkles721 on Jun 6, 2006 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah,

um, I don't even know what to do with that?

she

by Sarah Hope on Jun 6, 2006 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions

isn't that nice...

Now let's get on with the Glendon bashing! Just kidding Al.

"The only way to prove that you're a good sport is to lose." - Ernie Banks

by madog93 on Jun 6, 2006 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

in my last job

my boss loaded the cd onto our music list, Dirty Water is a pretty good rendition (although Damon need to talk less) and anytime you can get Stephen King to do the speaking part on a Metalica cover its good times

the real kicker is the anual Hot Stove Cool Music, Arroyo, Theo and Peter Gammons all on the same stage, it doesn't matter that they are all pretty good thats high comedy

"In this life there are nothing but possibilities."

by flyball on Jun 6, 2006 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions

actually....

I think this series/game will be a turning point. Yes, I have always been an optomistic Cubs fan, but I think Glendon will have another good start, the Cubs will rough Arroyo up, and the Reds will start a nice little skid, induced by the Cubs.

And the Cubs will keep up a nice, but realistic, pace. Heck, if they keep winning two out of three, they will end up with a chance at the Wild Card, right?

by coopergillan on Jun 6, 2006 1:56 PM CDT reply actions

Glendon sucks....

I haven't gotten to see much of the games since I am deployed to the middle east right now (I spend about the length of the game going over all the lines and stats and articles to paint a picture of what happened), but when i was home for my r&r last month i caught the rainy game against san diego(5/12). angel guzman was pitching a pretty decent game and the cubs were hitting the ball well. in comes rusch (i knew it when he took his jacket off in the pen). Well 5 Glendon Rusch runs later the cubs were getting spanked and in the end we lost by five runs. there were a couple of errors but nonetheless, i think that he is an AA pitcher that found the right team to pay him $6M guaranteed. Hopefully the cincinati hitters are having an off night.

vote santo for h.o.f.

by santo for prez on Jun 6, 2006 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Santo for prez...

stay safe over there and God Bless.

by koramcub on Jun 6, 2006 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions

thank you

vote santo for h.o.f.

by santo for prez on Jun 6, 2006 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey

Thanks for all you're doing over there. We love you guys!

Go Cubbies!

by NC Cubs Fan on Jun 6, 2006 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

keep up the good work santo for prez

I may be over there in January. Be safe and come home soon.

"The only way to prove that you're a good sport is to lose." - Ernie Banks

by madog93 on Jun 6, 2006 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Lefties are important to a rotation....

but I think that the cubs worry about that too much. I mean instead of finding quality southpaws, it seems like they just jump on anything they can get there hands on. Rusch, Fassero, Estes, Remlinger(although he did have his moments)... the list goes on. Maybe Steve Trout still has something left.... just kidding.

vote santo for h.o.f.

by santo for prez on Jun 6, 2006 3:20 PM CDT reply actions

In fairness to Rusch

Arroya was 3-3 with four RBIs in his last start Sunday
vs Pettite so Glenden is not the only guy he hits.

Not real happy with the idea of his facing the Reds
but I still have a soft spot for him

by jessica on Jun 6, 2006 4:57 PM CDT reply actions

speaking of soft spots...

Glendon has one right in the middle. Kind of like the Michelin Man. He looks bigger this year than in 04' or '05. I wonder if that has helped contribute to his ineffectiveness. Of course Scott Eyre does believe in the whole "fat fuel tank" philosophy.

"The only way to prove that you're a good sport is to lose." - Ernie Banks

by madog93 on Jun 6, 2006 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions