The Last Hoorah at RFK

by NittanyCub on Jul 6, 2007 12:21 AM CDT

Well, this was unfortunately my last day seeing the Cubs cross into the District of Columbia, after a much-entertaining 4-game series, as they came to play the Nationals. Just a little disclaimer, so hopefully none of the other faithful posters take it as an insult: I like to joke. It's baseball! Have fun with it. Here were some quick thoughts about the series finale:

Daryle Ward can eat me in one bite. And Dmitri Young would just need to inhale me, with no proper swallowing or gulps. I'm really not kidding.

Honestly though, he had some laser shots that went deep, and obviously had some crucial hits. I'm warming up to him, honestly, as much as I am with DeRosa(and I thought those two signings were horrible in the offseason. I'm a little dense). It was a little funny to see Fontenot scoop up a ground ball, and wait a half-second for Ward to wobble onto first.

Koyie Hill seems to know how to calm his pitchers down. Who knows what he said to Marshall when he was in a couple jams, but it seemed to have worked for the most part.

Cesar Izturis started today, which seemed to have been the theme today for Piniella's scheme to get all the LH batters to start. I'm not sure he made much of an impact, though. He didn't have any good defensive stops to my recollection, nor did he do that well at the plate(went 0-4, and the total pitch count for each was 6,3,2, and 4). But I'm also not so sure whether or not Theriot would have been all that better. I do know, however, that I'm glad that Piniella seems to be trying to catch the other pitchers off-guard by switching it up a bit, with the plentiful left-handed batters today.

Ramirez seemed to be inside Jason Bergmann's head all day today, especially in the fourth. Correct me if I'm wrong(for those who were there also), but I remember Ramirez consistently fouling off pitches from Bergmann, and without a blink's notice, was already into his batting stance, staring down Bergmann from the plate. Schneider tried to talk him down by going to the pitchers' mound... didn't seem to work.

Cliff Floyd honestly seems to be a sucker for drama. He dived for a ball today and missed it, and got up pretty slowly. Dude, if you're hurt, get up and walk it off. If it hurts to get up, then just stay down. Do you really need to wince in pain for the oohs and aahs of the crowd, and then look seemingly alright for the rest of the game? Come on, Cornelius.

What I didn't really like about Piniella's starting lineup today, however, was Jacque Jones playing in CF, and not Pie. He doesn't have the better arm, he isn't as fast as him, so why not place Pie in the starting lineup? He can't be that much worse on offense than Jones. Anyone understand this move?

Marmol was throwing heat right when he got on the mound. I look up, and see his total pitch count is 9 strikes, and 1 ball total. I say to the others "Man, who needs another pitcher when we have Marmol lighting it up like this." Then he fills up the bases. My bad.

The seats started to get empty by the end of the 8th. It was me, 3 other Cubs fans, and a Nats fan/college roomate, Alex, who were together. Once they start leaving, a firefighter bell starts ringing in the ballpark. I give off a little chuckle, and Alex says, with a sigh: "I guess they really think there's a fire in the park." HIYO!

Go Cubs, and from here on in(especially the series they start Friday) Go Nationals!!

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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The Jones

Start I thought was actually good. He obviously is not as good as Pie/Pagan at all but bench players need a start every once in a while.

GO CUBS GO!!!!!!

by roach on Jul 6, 2007 4:54 AM CDT reply actions

I think

Jones is better than both pie and pagan. in the future will he be? probably not. I hink he's more talented, as we saw from him last year. this year is a different story though

If Jesus went to college these days, he would go to Notre Dame

by NDcubsfan on Jul 6, 2007 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions

How old are you, Nittnay?

I ask the question not in a derogatory manner. When you get up in age, it IS painful to walk those things off. You'll find out soon enough.

PERRY!!!!

by Goat Whisperer on Jul 6, 2007 9:36 AM CDT reply actions

Twenty, and

you're probably right.

"He's overmanaging me, just in case you guys want to hear that. Lou overmanaged Ozzie today..." - Ozzie Guillen

by NittanyCub on Jul 6, 2007 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions

I've learned these past four days

Koyie Hill is a very great catcher, but cannot hit at all!

Bring Back Matt Murton!!

by Chanman25 on Jul 6, 2007 9:41 AM CDT reply actions

Go Cubs and Nationals?

So you're a fan of both teams? Damn, and I thought I was a glutton for punishment.

Regarding Jones, my guess is he will need to start or play extended innings from time to time to try and get his trade value up. This strategy seemed to work yesterday, as his two doubles show that he is still at least capable of bringing the bat in contact with the baseball.

Brew Crew: We are coming for you. (And we mean it this time.)

by daver on Jul 6, 2007 10:54 AM CDT reply actions

Well, no.

They're playing the Brewers today.

"He's overmanaging me, just in case you guys want to hear that. Lou overmanaged Ozzie today..." - Ozzie Guillen

by NittanyCub on Jul 6, 2007 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions

also in attendance

I made a last minute decision to attend last night after taking in the first two games of the series.

I thought Marmol looked like he was throwing heat but the stadium radar gun seemed to have him much slower than Howry in the 9th.

I think Koyie Hill can kill rallies behind or at the plate. By the third time he came up with runners on and two outs, I was hoping for a pinch hitter.

The collision between Ramirez and Izturis looked scary but I guess everyone was OK

The Nats are so bad offensively (and I share season tickets) that out of 5 outfielders on their roster now, only 1 is hitting .250. Ryan Church is leading the pack at .253. With Guzman out for the season, Church is the second best hitter (for average) on the team.

by John in DC on Jul 6, 2007 11:23 AM CDT reply actions

Old school guys, after such a play

used to look like they couldn't walk another foot -- they must have broken their leg, arm, tibula, fibula, or whatever...they'd look horrible -- then, 5 minutes later they'd steal a base or make another great defensive play.

I think it's just the old story of 'playing possum.' (And that line is before your time) You might lull the other team into thinking you are hurt, and perhaps you can't make that throw, or you won't take the extra base.

European soccer stars have taken this idea even farther. Take a dive, get a red card -- appear dead -- then bounce back up as if nothing has happened.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jul 6, 2007 12:46 PM CDT reply actions