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An Evening With Michael Barrett

Last night at Gino's East on E. Superior in Chicago, the Cubs' Michael Barrett took photographs with fans (as you see above) and signed autographs, and in addition, there was a silent auction of autographed memorabilia from just about every member of this year's Cubs team (I myself am now the proud owner of a Jason Marquis signed ball). This was all for a very good cause, Project 3000, the foundation begun by Derrek Lee and Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck to fight Lebers Congenital Amaurosis or LCA, a disease which is robbing their daughters of their eyesight.

At the end of the evening I was able to sit down (well, actually, stand up, as he had been sitting for much of the evening) and ask Michael a few questions.

BCB: To what do you attribute the success of the pitching staff so far this year?

MB: I think that our pitching staff, we’ve got great chemistry among our starting pitchers, which I think is important. I think that when they went out and got Jason Marquis and Ted Lilly to add to what we already have what characteristic I love about them is they’re competitors... They’re athletes. And I think it’s a great addition to the guys we already have – like Zambrano and Rich Hill and even Guzman who are tremendous athletes as well. When you get those guys and mix them together and all of a sudden, as long as they stay healthy, they’re just going to rub off each other. One guy pitches well, the next guy wants to pitch even better. And they’re competitive like that and they have the athletic ability to out-do one another over and over and over again, really, as good as their stuff is. So I think that’s what we have going right now. And most good starting staffs have that competitive energy in a positive way where they’re just consistently trying to be better than the next guy. And so far that’s kind of the feeling I’ve had is that these guys want they want the other starters to do well. They want they to pitch well, but at the same time they watch everything they do and they just want to go out there and do it a little bit better and do everything they can to help the team win.

BCB: What’s going on with Carlos Zambrano?

MB: It’s always been a slow start. April’s never been his best month. May and June the time that I’ve been here in the last three years have been his best months. I think it’s a matter of getting into a little bit warmer weather for him that he’s accustomed to. I think also that he’s such a passionate guy. He’s such a fierce competitor that the start of the season really moves him. Maybe moves him out of his element sometimes. So, for him, it takes a little while to calm down. His arm angle is very important. When he gets his arm angle he just dominates. He knows that. It’s just that sometimes it’s easier said than done.

BCB: That’s like we saw last Friday in his first inning.

MB: The first inning he didn’t have his arm angle. As the inning went on he started to get it then the second inning had it and that was the difference in his start.

BCB: Tell me a little bit about how you and the rest of the team are reacting to Lou Piniella’s managing style.

MB: We’re still adjusting to it. You know, I haven’t really been around management that has made that many double switches this early on and it’s great in a way that he really has confidence in the entire team to use them in a situation or whatever… he feels very comfortable in utilizing the whole team in whatever way it takes to win. I think that it’s interesting. You don’t see a lot of managers have a lot of confidence in their entire team, entire bench, or the entire bullpen. But he does. I think that it’s an adjustment on our players’ part that when they’re not playing, it’s not a day off. It’s a day to help the team in another way. And we’ve got guys that care so much like Mark DeRosa. He came in as an everyday second baseman. He has given that up to be, to do whatever it takes to help the team win. Playing third base. Playing shortstop. And those are the type of players you have to have on championship teams. And Lou has shown he will do whatever it takes to win and to use whoever it is.. I mean, I may end up somewhere else other than catching. You just never know. Like [Sunday's] game, we were all scratching our head like who’s going to play second, who’s going to play left, trying to keep up with it.

BCB: Would you have gone out to play shortstop? Some of us in the bleachers thought that might be next.

MB: At that point I would have, at that point I just wanted to win the game. I would have done whatever it took. It’s a true mark about what we think of him as a manager to put our own personal desires to play one position, our own desires to want to start to help the team win. We believe in him to do the right thing to help the team win. And when you have that connection it really shows and over the course of the season it’ll show even more.

BCB: How do you feel about how you’ve done so far this year?

MB: I got off to a little bit of a slow start, got hot, now I haven’t got a couple hits, hit the ball hard…

BCB: That ball you hit in the 10th inning yesterday -- that was really a rocket.

MB: Yeah. I’ve hit right at some guys. Had some bad at bats. Had some good at bats and had nothing to show for it. Therefore that usually equals slump. I’m in a mini slump and I know that.

BCB: What do you do to get out of that?

MB: I just focus on defense. I just focus on getting my pitchers through. Contributing every way that I can. If it’s blocking a ball I’m going to find a way to contribute to help the team win if I can. I’m gong to find a way. I’m just more accustomed to doing it with the bat than I am right now.

BCB: Are you looking at any teams in particular…what do you think about what the Brewers have done so far?

MB: The Brewers have a very good team. Usually when you talk of the Brewers you don’t talk about having the chances of playing in October and stuff, but they have the team this year to do that. If they all stay healthy like any other of the championship caliber type teams they have a chance. They have built a rotation and a bullpen that’s as good as any staff in baseball. And on top of that they have some young offensive threats. If Prince Fielder continues to stay healthy, he’s got MVP type talent. Their lineup is going to be strong.. There’s a lot of pressure on the young guys at the top of their order which could be a huge difference. There’s a lot of pressure on Rickie Weeks, a lot of pressure on J. J. Hardy and they’re stepping up. They have just stepped up to the challenge right now. If they continue to play like they are, that is a good team.

BCB: You have so many new teammates this year. Has there been anything about any of these guys that has surprised you, that you didn't expect?

MB: Alfonso Soriano – great, great guy. I always knew he was a good guy but as a teammate, great teammate. Great guy. He reminds me so much of Vladimir Guerrero. Just a fun-loving, just a very good competitor. A fierce competitor but as far as a clubhouse, teammate guy, just a fun loving easy going guy that comes to play baseball every day.

BCB: How about Felix Pie?

MB: Felix Pie is very exciting… him and Soriano hang out together a lot and Soriano’s taken Felix under his wing, which I think has given him a lot of confidence and given him that guy on the team that he needs right now to bring him up. And as far as energy. He just has so much energy and we need that … as a veteran team, we need young blood, it rubs off on the rest of the veterans. So he’s one of those guys who does that. Oh, Soriano.. Something that stands out about Soriano… defensively. Center field he did a good job. In left field he’s doing a great job. He threw Jim Edmonds out at home plate, which ended up being the turning point in that game with the Cardinals in St. Louis.

BCB: Neal Cotts gets overlooked at times, but the impression I have of him is he works harder than just about anybody on the team.

MB: Yeah. Neal Cotts is slowly becoming the hardest working guy I’ve ever been around. He’s got tremendous stuff. It just takes a little time to get used to the National League. You’ve got bunt plays now, you’ve got … when you’re in the American League everything relies, every team pretty much in the American League relies on the three run homerun. And in the National League it’s a little different. So it’s a little different mentality for him. You know, hitters take a different approach in this league, like in St. Louis he hit Taguchi on an 0-2 fastball where I think over time he realizes that in that situation you have a little bit different mentality there on the hitter’s part. He’s not trying to hit a homerun, he’s trying to move runners and do situational type hitting, which in the American League there’s not a whole lot of guys that do that. I think there’s going to be a little bit of an adjustment period but as far as stuff goes, he’s got as good stuff as we have on our entire team.

Many thanks to Alan Lieberman of Lieberman & Associates, Matt Kramer, Michael's rep from Barrett Baseball, and Linda Marshall of Linda Marshall Communications for helping arrange the interview with Michael Barrett, a key cog in this year's Cub team and a truly nice guy.

Finally, among other things I learned in discussing baseball and the Cubs last night is this: the Cubs are 5-0 in May for the first time since 1937.

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Cubs are 5-0 in May for the first time since 1937
Seriously? WOW! Even though when you look up the word "futility" in the dictionary, it shows the Cubbie Bear logo next to it, that still surprises me.

 When was the last time they started 6-0 in the month of May?

Can't wait to hear more about your MeetnGreet.

"What's it all about? Booze, Broads and bullshit." Harry Caray

by lemon17pie on May 7, 2007 5:03 AM CDT reply actions  

Well, I had to look that up.
The last time the Cubs were 6-0 to start the month of May was 1930, when they started May 7-0 (and won the last game of April, too, for an 8-game winning streak).

That team went 90-64 and finished 2 games behind the pennant-winning Cardinals.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2007 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions  

1930
Ahh, I remember it well. Hack Wilson was hitting the stuffing out of the ball that month. And Woody English was also tremendous.
"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on May 7, 2007 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions  

Heck with
Barrett, how was the food?
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on May 7, 2007 5:35 AM CDT reply actions  

Really
 Oh how I miss the food in Chicago, especially the Pizza.

 It's a little pricey (roughly $24 a pizza - well worth it), but I get the Lou Malnati's Pizza pack which send's me 2 pizza's a month. I love it and look forward more to my pizza pack than my Playboys ;)~

"What's it all about? Booze, Broads and bullshit." Harry Caray

by lemon17pie on May 7, 2007 6:04 AM CDT up reply actions  

Wow...
... do you have to pay that entire amount up front?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2007 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions  

For
all the talk of Pizza (although that's true too), do you people know how hard it is to find a truly great gyros outside of the Chicago culinary orbit?  I'd say more than about five hours outside of Chicago and you're screwed.  

Still can't figure out why.  They look the same all over the country.  They sure don't taste the same.

by Josh Timmers on May 7, 2007 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

It's all in the tzatziki
The sauce on the gyro made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil (or at least that's what it should be). In Chicago, there's a Greek town with people who actually know how to make tzatziki, while in other places, such as St. Louis, where I live, the tzatziki isn't quite right. I also say this as someone who has been to Greece and had real gyros pita (and will have again in a month and a half!!).

by bluesweatergirl on May 7, 2007 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

If you are in the Phoenx (Ahwatukee) area
there is a pretty good Gyro/Italian beef/burger place called "Niro's Gyros". They are from DeKalb. Roughly south of Elliot on west side of 48th St. Yummy!
BigJohnAZ

by BigJohnAZ on May 7, 2007 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

BigJohnAZ
 I'm very familiar with "Niro's Gyro's" in the Safeway and Cactus Jack's plaza. I live about 2 minutes walking distance of 48th and Elliot. Their Gyro's are great and I always get the Gyro plate with C/Fries and extra sauce! It's a little pricey but again, it's well worth it.

 They must be Packer fans though?

"What's it all about? Booze, Broads and bullshit." Harry Caray

by lemon17pie on May 7, 2007 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

Got news for you though
A gyros pita is an American invention.  So tne "real gyros pita" is in New York, not Athens.

I've never been to New York (well, except at the airports) so I can't say if they're better in New York than Chicago.

The gyros sandwich was invented in New York's greek community sometime in the 1960s.  They made it to Chicago in 1968.

Gyro. A Greek-American sandwich made from rotisserie-roasted, seasoned lamb that is sliced and served with onions in a pocket of pita bread. The word (which first appears in print in 1970) is from the Greek gyros, meaning a "turn" and is pronounced "JEER-o." The dish is better known in America than in Greece and possibly created in New York, where gyros are sold at Greek lunch counters and by street vendors, although some say it originated in the Plaka neighborhood of Athens. It is not a dish found in classic Greek cookery or listed in Greek cookbooks. It also seems possible that the name "gyro" may have some association with the Italian-American sandwich called Hero."
---Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink, John F. Mariani [Lebhar-Friedman:New York] 1999 (p. 147)

http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodsandwiches.html

by Josh Timmers on May 7, 2007 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

Gyros/Doeners
I was always a great fan of the gyro until I lived for most of 2000 in Berlin.  The Turkish Doener kabab is a wonder; it has supplanted the currywurst with fries and the single slice of pizza as the favorite fast food of Berlin.  The meat is similar to a gyros rotating slab.  But the main difference is a more garlicy (sp?) yoghurt sauce and both shredded red cabbage and onions to go with tomato and lettuce.  An awesome creation.  And, like little else in Berlin, cheap.
Hoping to goodness is not theologically sound. --Linus

by moldyfolky on May 7, 2007 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

donners
And in Scotland they're called Donner kababs. Great stuff. They have "3-in-1" places with kababs, fish and chips, and nasty British foods like kidney pies.

by BJ on May 7, 2007 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

It was invented by Greeks, at least
I don't know if the gyros pita originated in New York or the Plaka in Athens, as the encyclopedia you posted quotes "although some say it originated in the Plaka neighborhood of Athens."

In any case, the gyros and souvlaki (grilled kebab) pitas can be found almost everywhere in Greece as fast food on the street and in tavernas. Last year I became aware of a new trend for gyros in Greece, replacing the tzatziki with mustard and ketchup!! Fortunately, only a few places I went to tried to give me mustard and ketchup and I was able to ask for tzatziki, instead.

Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd...

by bluesweatergirl on May 8, 2007 6:16 AM CDT up reply actions  

If you don't see the Gyros spit...
just keep walking. Gyros meat out of a bag is just all wrong. I've even seen it at so-called "Greek": places out here.

by bison on May 8, 2007 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'm looking forward
to your interview with Michael.
"Come Monday of next week Murton will be able to compare restaurant menus in the greater Des Moines metropolitan area"...BlueMike..5/1/07

by sue369 on May 7, 2007 7:28 AM CDT reply actions  

Actually
for all the short comings of Barrett's defensive abilities, I thought he did a real nice job what seemed blocking pitches in the dirt on Sunday.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on May 7, 2007 8:01 AM CDT reply actions  

I thought he did a nice job too
I don't think he's as bad as he is perceived to be.  Certainly not great but he's not terrible either.  With his offense I can live with his defense.

by pageian on May 7, 2007 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions  

No he's not
especially when you consider that his offensive power (compared to Blanco whom many consider a better defensive catcher than Barrett) makes up for those perceived defensive lapses.

by JFCubFan on May 7, 2007 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions  

from an outsiders perspective
it seems that every year he becomes more involved with the pitchers and game calling, maybe its not this way at all since I clearly am not in the clubhouse
keeping mediocrity at bay

by flyball on May 7, 2007 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions  

Barrett
Apparently my brother won the white W flag...I'm so jealous.

by alwaysacub on May 7, 2007 10:30 AM CDT reply actions  

Wow.
That flag went, IIRC, for over $1500 (it was a W scoreboard flag autographed by the entire team).
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2007 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions  

Woah
Only $1500?  Hell, non game used LT signed helmets go for more than that out here.

That flag would be an awesome item to frame and display.

by Kornchex on May 7, 2007 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions  

That flag...
... would be an awesome item to send to Yours Truly!!!

* UNRELATED *

My kid pitched 2 shutout innings, caught the rest of the game w/ no passed balls, went 3-for3 w/ 2 RBI trples and an RBI double Saturday night. he's the next generation of Cubs fan; he wears #12 while I wore #23 my whole "career".

Just had to get that out there - proud poppa here!

"That wouldn't be a home run in a phone booth."

by lovejones72 on May 7, 2007 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

Congrats to your son!!
"Come Monday of next week Murton will be able to compare restaurant menus in the greater Des Moines metropolitan area"...BlueMike..5/1/07

by sue369 on May 7, 2007 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

Congrats from me too!
n/t
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2007 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions  

off days
Way too many so far this year. I wish we could fast-forward to tomorrow night.
"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on May 7, 2007 11:57 AM CDT reply actions  

Agree 100%
"The game is always healthier when the Cubs are good, and in a week they have made themselves a whole lot better."

by BillHoldenFan on May 7, 2007 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

My
wife would disagree with you. Only May and she has had ENOUGH.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on May 7, 2007 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

Wife
My wife always says, "see you in October" as a joke when the season begins. Unfortunately for her, my 7-year old son is now also a Cub fanatic (the first thing he does every morning is turn on Comcast Sports for the latest Cub news), so now my wife has lost both of us for the summer!
"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on May 7, 2007 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

Opposite problem
I'm on the other side - I wish I could find a guy who can put up with my love (and knowledge) of sports!  Some of you guys get so intimidated when a girl loves AND knows sports....

by augie90 on May 7, 2007 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions  

Luckily i married a sports fan
But I can sympathise.  I dated a guy or two that if we had gotten married he would have been a football and baseball widower.
Derrek Lee would beat Chuck Norris.

by kerrysotherwife on May 7, 2007 11:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

Cubs Kid
I finally got my son hooked this year.  He is 6 and is playing catcher for his local team.  I never could get him interested until he started playing the game.  Now, I can't keep him away from watching games with me.  My poor wife... we need to adopt a girl for her!  GO Cubbies!  By the way AL, he went to bed tonight excited about reading the Barrett interview with me tomorrow.  We didn't have time tonight.

by wrigley on May 7, 2007 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

Maybe this
year your wife will not see you until late October..........
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on May 8, 2007 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

Let's hope
"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on May 8, 2007 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions  

Great interview Al.
Loved what he said about Soriano and Pie. You can see that Felix has a lot of energy even sitting in the dugout.

I think I saw you on tv last night. Sports Nite was there too and showed a clip from Gino's and I thought I saw you in that clip.

"Come Monday of next week Murton will be able to compare restaurant menus in the greater Des Moines metropolitan area"...BlueMike..5/1/07

by sue369 on May 7, 2007 1:22 PM CDT reply actions  

You probably did see me.
I saw the TV crews around -- there was one from my station, Fox, Comcast, a couple of others.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2007 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

Nice Interview Al
Good job on the Marquis ball.  Barrett really comes across as intelligent.

by Ihatethecards on May 7, 2007 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

Haha
I saw that too! I thought that might be you Al!

by Patblue on May 7, 2007 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yes great interview, Al
 You can tell from his answers that he was comftorable and laid back and not nearly as guarded as he might be if it was an (almost said "actual interview" lol) interview with a Sports reporter from a Major news outlet. He gave great answers and and not much of the typical answers you'd normally hear from an athlete.

 Sometimes you forget that when a Catcher goes into a slump, how easy it could be for them to lose focus on their defensive duties and responsibilities of handling the pitching staff.

 Again great job Al.

"What's it all about? Booze, Broads and bullshit." Harry Caray

by lemon17pie on May 7, 2007 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

Nice interview, Al.
It's stuff like this that makes your site the best around. Barrett is a total class-act and it sounds like the team is finally starting to figure each other out. This is evident by what we've seen on the field lately and I'm looking forward to the months ahead.

by bergs55 on May 7, 2007 1:25 PM CDT reply actions  

Thanks.
I really enjoyed meeting him -- he seems like a genuinely nice guy, he signed and took photos far beyond the time originally allotted, and I know he feels very strongly about Project 3000 because Derrek's daughter and his own daughter are friends, and so he feels this on a very personal level.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2007 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

Very nice Al
Evidently, Kerry Wood has entered the Witness Relocation Program. Picture of him is on my milk carton.

by BlueMike on May 7, 2007 1:27 PM CDT reply actions  

Good interview
I haven't heard anything about plans for re-signing B.   I hope we can lock him up for a while. He is a good hitter and seems to be getting better behind the plate.
Anyone heard anything?

by madtown on May 7, 2007 1:50 PM CDT reply actions  

Barrett's Outlook
My own personal, completely unsubstantiated theory is that Barrett's future with the Cubs will be largely shaped by next month's draft.

If Weiters is the Cubs' pick, that'll mean Barrett will probably be looking at a 2 year transitional offer from the Cubs, possibly 3 (or perhaps 2 with an option).  The heir apparent will be obvious and the succession plan will be outlined.

If it's Vitters or someone else, I'd not be surprised to see the Cubs go out to 4 years with Barrett, with nobody else showing up on the catching radar (Jake Fox's hitting exploits notwithstanding).

The bottom line is that there seems to be some genuine mutual satisfaction between Barrett and the Cubs, but if your #3 overall pick is a fast-track collegiate catcher, that limits options.

by davearm on May 7, 2007 11:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

Barrett
I think Barrett loves it here and realizes that the Cubs in some ways really saved his career or at least had the faith in him going into 04.

I have been reading about the college catcher so I wonder if Hendry is keeping his options open?

I think while we talk about getting Lee, the Ramirez trade etc among Hendry's great moves the Barrett trade has to go up there as well.

Derrek Lee would beat Chuck Norris.

by kerrysotherwife on May 8, 2007 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions  

I personally love
Michael Barrett, but I'd almost never offer a 31 year old catcher a four year contract.

I think I would have made an exception for Mike Piazza.  I don't think I'd have even made that exception for Ivan Rodriguez.

I'd really try to get him under contract for two years, and then probably make a last, final offer at three.  Catchers are well known for going downhill rapidly after 30.  Look at Jason Kendall, for example.

by Josh Timmers on May 8, 2007 12:21 AM CDT up reply actions  

I've been thinking about this too
I wanted the Cubs to tie him down after they got Z done of course Z is undone as well.
Derrek Lee would beat Chuck Norris.

by kerrysotherwife on May 8, 2007 12:06 AM CDT up reply actions  

Barrett
seems like a good guy all right. I too think that a few folks here tend to rag on him a bit too much about his defense but that is human nature.

What impresses me is his talk of team this, team that, team etc. Not a whole lot of personal angst or anything like that. Even when in a slump, he looks for ways to help the team. If that attitude is pervasive on the field and in the clubhouse this year, I feel pretty good about the Cub's chances down the stretch and into October.

"I lof to hit de home ron."

by Tekboy on May 7, 2007 1:53 PM CDT reply actions  

Great Off-day topic
and thanks for taking time to transcribe your conversation with MB.  

Did you have an opportunity to plug BCB to the media & marketing folks while you were chatting up Barrett?

by JFCubFan on May 7, 2007 2:04 PM CDT reply actions  

Yes...
... all the people who helped arrange this interview are well aware of BCB, and now, Michael is too!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2007 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

Ditto...
Great interview Al!  Thanks for sharing it.

by augie90 on May 7, 2007 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

Swell guy, not so swell catcher
I make no apologies for having a problem with Michael Barrett behind the plate.  I wouldn't mind the guy as my next door neighbor, but that doesn't mean I have to like him behind the plate for my Chicago Cubs.  
Sue369...BEST poster ever and the straw that stirs the drink on BCB

by BlueMike on May 7, 2007 2:25 PM CDT reply actions  

1937
Interestingly enough, The Tigers have also gone 5 - 0 this month.  The last time THEY did it was 1929!

by KedzieKid on May 7, 2007 2:27 PM CDT reply actions  

Great guy, great catcher
Ingenious interview, Al. It's stuff like this -- and the extra effort you make -- that puts your blog over the top. Great stuff.

Twice now Michael has gone out of his way to share his thoughts with us and, well, I was already a fan of his, but he continues to impress me with his honesty and insights.

The most exciting thing I took from this interview is his reference to team chemistry. This seems like the one thing that the Cubs have struggled with since '03.

In 2004, the lineup was so strong on paper but never gelled. In 2005, the Cubs seemed to be taking strides toward becoming a cohesive unit but injuries and repeated losing streaks seemed to trip them up. Last year...well, less said the better.

This year I see, as Michael mentions, the starting rotation feeding off each other in terms of competitiveness and good energy. I see players deferring to Lou's judgement and playing when- and whereever necessary. I see veterans such as Soriano and Marquis willing to step outside of their predefined roles to contribute to the team.

This developing chemistry -- moreso than the individual talents of any one Cubs player -- could be what pushes this team to the top of their division.

Brew Crew: We are coming for you.

by daver on May 7, 2007 2:43 PM CDT reply actions  

Chemistry
Interesting observation.  One of the things I remember about 2003 was that the team seemed to have a good chemistry.  At the time, we (my friends and I that is) attributed it to Baker's influence.  It seems Lou is developing a similiar type of chemistry--getting everyone ready to play anytime during the game and contribute any way they can.

Of course, it does always lead to the arguement about chemistry leading to winning or winning leading to chemistry, but we won't go there :)

"Don't think; it can only hurt the ball club."

by Jesse Guam on May 7, 2007 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

re: Chemistry
Yeah, it's definitely a "chicken or the egg" kinda thing.

I think it's possible that Lou's harsh, demanding style of management -- as opposed to Dusty's style of "I'm everybody's best friend" -- might actually improve team chemistry. Kinda like the way students studying under a particularly tough professor might tend to bond together better than students studying under the lovable hippy with the bong on his desk.

The Cubs players are not only struggling to win ball games, they're struggling to live up to Lou's high expectations and, in doing so, they're elevating their respective games and supporting each other more.

Brew Crew: We are coming for you.

by daver on May 7, 2007 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

more Chemistry
I have always believed that if your manager keeps making excuses for the team, the team will eventually use that as an excuse to fail. Lou seems to take a different approach, more old school. The players are paid to perform, period. All of our bosses expect nothing less of us. Do your job or they will find someone else. Dusty hurt his teams by giving them an out.
BigJohnAZ

by BigJohnAZ on May 7, 2007 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'm gonna need more cowbell
Chemistry is a tricky word in baseball.  I'm not so sure I believe in the theory.  When things are going good then chemistry is generally labeled a positive on a team.  So what.  

I'm much more interested in the following word labels...winning, fundamentally strong, effective. complementary ballplayers, playing smart, injury-free, effective.

"Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know."

by BlueMike on May 7, 2007 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

re: I'm gonna need more cowbell
Yeah, I admit, team chemistry is a dicey subject -- particularly when none of us can say first-hand what it's like to be part of the team in question.

But that's still what struck me about Barrett's comments. Maybe if we just limit the idea of chemistry to the starting staff -- and not even the personal chemistry among the pitchers themselves. Rather, the winning chemistry created by five guys competing against each other to uphold the high standard they've set thus far in the season.

In any case, I have a fever and it can only be cured by MORE COWBELL!!!

Brew Crew: We are coming for you.

by daver on May 7, 2007 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions  

My favorite words to describe a ballclub are...
...on-base percentage. Slugging. Patient at-bats. Taking a walk. Throwing strikes. Defensive liability offset by his hitting. Station to station baserunning. Marginal utility.

by cwyers on May 7, 2007 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

Leadership
Ironically, I think both styles appeal to people, and can bring out the best.  It's hard to say what the right combination of people that works with each style is.  Well, maybe if you're a psychologist, but I only have have a degree in comp sci, so it's hard for me.
"Don't think; it can only hurt the ball club."

by Jesse Guam on May 7, 2007 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions  

Different...
....I like the comparison to 2003, but only because in both cases, the teams were transitioning to a different STYLE of manager.

Baker came in as a manager that had just been to the World Series, laid back, with the type of "I trust my guys and will sit back chewing on my toothpick" attitude that worked after the Baylor era.  The "dudes" responded to Baker's "voodoo" and 2003 was the result.

Of course, as we saw, Baker's style had a number of drawbacks.  Pitchers like Prior and Wood were abused (arguably permanently derailing their careers) because Baker was laid back enough to leave a guy out there for 120 pitches or more without remembering the season (and a career) is a marathon, not a sprint.  Sosa was given free reign of the clubhouse as Baker played to the "let it go" mentality.  Veterans got to play ALL the time, and the bench was not used fully, meaning when they got pressed into duty, rookies/younger players/bench players were rusty and ill-prepared.

Now we have Lou.  Lou, to me, preaches a style of baseball that over the long haul is more productive for an organization - everybody plays, and everybody is ready to play even if they're not starting.  Pitchers throw strikes or face a quick hook/tongue lashing.  The team is aggressive on the basepaths and intense about winning (and yet, because Lou is a kid at heart, they still go out and jump around like Little Leaguers when they win one dramatically, like on Sunday). Veterans still get the bulk of playing time, but rookies/young players are utilized enough that they can learn the game without too much pressure to produce immediately (unlike Baker with Corey, where Corey was in some ways thrown under the bus).  Guys will get rest during the season so they keep energy up for the whole season (Lou's been talking about getting DLee a game off soon, just to keep him fresh and rested).  And overall, it's all about the "team" (read Barrett's remarks) not about individual "my guys" getting it done on their own.

I like the change to Lou...organizationally, and for this team.  And I REALLY like how they've been playing lately - aggressive, fun baseball to watch.

by Chadnudj on May 7, 2007 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

See....
this is why I voted for "Barretts Bears"!

That and the free backpack!!

by bh714 on May 7, 2007 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

"The" free backpack?
As in "one" backpack?

;)

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2007 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions  

The backpack.....
was pretty sweet, not too bad of a giveaway at all.
RAMIREZ!! PRIOR!!

by PriorandAramisfan23 on May 7, 2007 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

Really??
I was not all that impressed.  Take a bobblehead any day over the backpack.
MMMMM...Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on May 8, 2007 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions  

Leadership
There have several BCB discussions in the past about the lack of clubhouse leadership on the team.  Barrett appears to be slowly embrassing this role.

Being a catcher has to be the toughest position to start learning at a late age like Michael has....and its shown.  His defense in years past has sometimes been humiliating at times.  But this year he appears to be calling a better game, and he is working his way to being an average defender.  He does not have the natural skill set to ever be a great defender, but the other parts of his game, especially his growing leadership role, make up for it.

Go Cubs!

by Neifi Puppy on May 7, 2007 3:32 PM CDT reply actions  

yep
Agreed. He seems to be stepping up in terms of leadership and he definitely seems to be growing into the game calling and pitcher calming roles. (Although it's notoriously hard to gage these things as an outsider.) That plus his bat make him a pretty good catcher, even if he's never the best guy at blocking a passed ball.

by BJ on May 7, 2007 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

Loved the interview
Al. Congrats on getting the Marquis ball, too.
BigJohnAZ

by BigJohnAZ on May 7, 2007 4:06 PM CDT reply actions  

chemistry
best thing for chemistry is winning.

by drodd on May 7, 2007 4:40 PM CDT reply actions  

If I may diverge from thoughtful baseball talk
for just a moment:

MICHAEL BARRETT IS A HOTTIE!!!

Oh, and you're cute, too, Al.  ;P

by dfrancon on May 7, 2007 4:53 PM CDT reply actions  

LMAO
Thanks, I think!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2007 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions  

That's part of baseball.
We look at these players so much, and while I understand the guys the girls must comment on this.

I don't know if he's hot, but he is cute. I think he look better without the baseball uniform.

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on May 7, 2007 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

I will say this...
... I didn't realize how tall he was -- I see on his baseball-reference.com page that he is 6-2. For some reason I didn't think he was that tall -- I'm 5-10, but I think I look shorter than that in that photo.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2007 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

Height
It was a little confusing from the picture.  Al, I remember you not being short, and in the picture, it looks like Barrett is towering over you.
"Don't think; it can only hurt the ball club."

by Jesse Guam on May 7, 2007 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

Michael
Barrett and DLee are 1-2 on my list of hottest Cubs.
Derrek Lee would beat Chuck Norris.

by kerrysotherwife on May 7, 2007 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

Agreed
Michael Barrett is darn good lookin. I do like him in uniform... makes his eyes pop ;-)
He is to me what Mark Grace was in the early 90's. Geesh, I am getting old!
Al, now that I know who I am lookin for, are you going to be at the Memorial Day game?
I did find some halfway reasonable bleacher tickets after all. it would be great to meet some of the folks from BCB.
It isn't near as important to be loved for yourself as it is to be loved in spite of yourself.(true of the Cubbies)

by love the ivy on May 8, 2007 1:44 AM CDT up reply actions  

Yes, I'll be there.
Stop on by!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 8, 2007 4:34 AM CDT up reply actions  

so, the rotation for this series goes....

lilly
marquis
zambrano

is that right?

I don't care about a world series, just be competitive thru September.

by buckmulligan on May 7, 2007 5:28 PM CDT reply actions  

Al
In the future, it would help if you caption the photos so we know who is who. For the life of me I didn't know whether you were on the right or left of the picture. Only when you referred to height was I able to pick you out.
Players win awards but teams win championships.

by tharr on May 7, 2007 5:35 PM CDT reply actions  

I'll do that.
Sorry for the confusion!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 7, 2007 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions  

Chemistry
I don't think the 1977 Yankees had much team chemistry, but they won the World Series. Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson were enemies by June (after Jackson was quoted saying, "I'm the straw that stirs the drink. Munson thinks he can stir it, but he can only stir it bad.")

Jackson said other nasty things as well in that interview, and Munson was livid. When someone suggested to Munson that perhaps Jackson had been misquoted, Munson replied, "For three pages!?"

Also, there was the celebrated game of the week when Jackson and Billy Martin almost got into a fist fight on national television.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on May 7, 2007 6:14 PM CDT reply actions  

Agreed...
the Cubs teams of the last few years have had great chemistry.  That chemistry got them nowhere.  Baseball is an individual enough sport that chemistry isn't necessary to succeed in any given season.

by SouthernCub on May 7, 2007 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

um
Are you seriously comparing this team to the 77 Yankees?

by jdoolsiu on May 7, 2007 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

They're both baseball teams.
It's not necessarily illegitimate to compare the two. It would be wrong to EQUATE the two (e.g., the 2007 Cubs are the 1977 Yankees.)

by cwyers on May 7, 2007 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

It's all about how you compare them...
nobody is saying this team is in the same talent category as the 77 Yankees.  People are just pointing out that chemistry doesn't matter as much as some people like to suggest.

Plenty of teams with bad chemistry go on to greatness (see '77 Yankees).  Plenty of teams with good chemistry have gone on to fail (see '04, '05, and '06 Cubs).

I don't think I saw anything in this thread that says we are anything like the '77 Yankees.

by SouthernCub on May 8, 2007 7:07 AM CDT up reply actions  

jdoolsiu
Re-read my original comment and you'll see I was in no way comparing the two teams.
"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on May 8, 2007 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

Just when I think BCB
can't get any better..........it does!!!

Good stuff, Al.

Hey Lou, we're long overdue.

by deadcatbounce on May 7, 2007 8:27 PM CDT reply actions  

Michael
Michael is a real nice guy.

Also had a chance meeting with him downtown a couple of years ago.  

Was downtown with an internet friend from Germany and the rest of our local group members were there too and I heard there was a commotion downstairs.

The german friend said "There's a real hottie down there who plays for the Cubs."

It was Michael and he graciously signed autographs and posed for pictures as he was waiting for his wife who was talking to someone on her cell phone.

So my friend from Germany has a picture of herself with Michael Barrett on her desk at work.  She works with a lot of american clients and it is a conversation starter.

Derrek Lee would beat Chuck Norris.

by kerrysotherwife on May 7, 2007 11:25 PM CDT reply actions  

Verne Troyer has a brother !!
Just kidding Al.  A very fine interview.  
Ah, come on guys... It's so simple. Maybe you need a refresher course. Hey! It's all ball bearings nowadays. ...

by BlueMike on May 8, 2007 10:49 AM CDT reply actions  

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