Do-It-Yourself August 24 Game Recap

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 7:46 AM CDT in Chicago Cubs Recaps

Since I saw none of this game -- I turned on the TV when I got home to see the high-fives on the field after the Cubs' 6-2 win over the Diamondbacks, and only heard the ninth inning via WGN radio in a taxi riding back from Midway Airport, I figured I'd let you fill in the blanks:

Last night at Bank Holding Company Ballpark, took the field and against . Sean Marshall started and . Ryan Dempster had to come in for his 21st save because after had set the D'backs down in good order in the 7th and 8th innings. Newly acquired Cubs outfielder Craig Monroe entered the game in the ninth inning wearing , and proceeded to . Mark DeRosa also had a big night for the Cubs because . There were Cub fans in attendance in the crowd of 36,700, the biggest crowd at Bank Holding Company Ballpark since . Tonight, the Cubs will start on the mound against the Diamondbacks. Manager Lou Piniella's comments after this big win included: . Last night's Phoenix-area broadcast on Fox Sports Arizona was terrible because . Finally, the biggest news from last night's game is that .

Tweet Comment 89 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Brilliant!!

by blueapple on Aug 25, 2007 7:46 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks!

n/t

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 7:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Very ingenious, Al

And why was Prior in the dugout ? Was on a long distance call at the time and didn't catch the comments.

A really great game. The team is doing so much in the late innings. It's really fun !!

by coral on Aug 25, 2007 7:55 AM CDT reply actions

The Cubs have a variety of physical...

...training and rehab programs in Arizona, along with the AZL Cubs - it's likely Prior has been in Arizona with them and is just spending time with the team while they're in town.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 25, 2007 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Ahhhh......

now that makes sense. Was sorta surreal seeing him. A great feeling knowing our team has moved on from such heartbreak. 2003 couldn't have been easy on Prior either. Makes me wonder if he is now a casualty.

by coral on Aug 25, 2007 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Commissioner Gordon...

...confirms.

Also, Lou is planning to start Monroe tonight against the lefty. No word yet as to where. Personally I'd put Monroe and Murton out there and then throw bones to figure out one of Jones/Pie for center field, but I'm not Lou.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 25, 2007 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Makes sense to...

... give Pie some playing time, as the Bank Holding Company Ballpark outfield is pretty spacious.

OTOH, Jones is hot again.

Nice problem to have.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions

And The Cubs Won Because....

they don't have to pin all their hopes anymore on Prior and Wood.
they don't have to pin all their hopes anymore on Prior and Wood.
they don't have to pin all their hopes anymore on Prior and Wood.

"Everything that rises must converge"

by jpalaska on Aug 25, 2007 8:03 AM CDT reply actions

I feel a little for Mark.

Despite all his "employee" talk and recurring injuries, it's gotta be rough that he has been sitting out what seems like a magical season. The Cubs were smart not to count on him, but Mark has been through quite a bit of stuff while wearing the blue pinstripes. It's got to be hard to sit on the bench and not to be able to contribute to this team. I hope the Cubs try and recoup their investment in him by keeping him around for a while longer in the hopes things will turn around. But the real question would be--would he want to stay? Does anyone know Prior's contract status?

by lapetino on Aug 25, 2007 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions

I think we are out of luck...

he has a clause in his contract that after the 2003 season, he could only remain a Cub if he remains injured and worthless to the team. I think it is time to cut ties and allow this man to become healthy with another club, only to come back as they all seem to do, and be a superstar.

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions

I have seen the future

he will get health with the cardinals and destroy us for the better part of the next decade.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 25, 2007 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions

don't even

joke about that. I would become an atheist if that happened.

by elgato on Aug 25, 2007 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Not if

mike is God you wouldn't.

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions

I've never understood the animus towards Prior

consistently exhibited here. All he can be accused of is trying to pitch through pain. Maybe he wasn't effusive to reporters asking him questions, but when you don't have good news to report, isn't that understandable?

I'm not sure he's ever going to pitch like he did in 2003 again. His mechanics--which everyone touted--really were pretty bad in terms of avoiding arm injury (his elbow was too high before his release, risking the kind of shoulder injury he suffered). So maybe it isn't in the Cubs' interest to bring him back. But he's done nothing to warrant the antimosity shown toward him here except not stay healthy.

by bleacher on Aug 25, 2007 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Proly

Good bullpen option. Bring him back, I say!

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Aug 25, 2007 8:08 AM CDT reply actions

"Were happy the Cardinails lost"

And then threw his entire uniform at Bruce Miles.

That is really funny stuff!

Love the recap!

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Aug 25, 2007 8:22 AM CDT reply actions

regarding the game and announcers

First the game, it was a typical non spectacular offensive performance that appears to emulate the personality of Sweat Lou,---Theriot walk, Jones FO, Lee RBI single, Floyd in field single, De Rosa RBI single, 2 Runs...then Jones doubles and scores on a pair of fly balls---Ramy's sac fly---and then they squeeze another 9th (threatening the entire game) with 6 singles and a walk---3 runs.

Grace and homer and the former Cub play by play were very unhappy over the strike zone and Marshall's cutter.

And Cubs have tied last year's win record, in '05 it was Sept 4th, 10 games from now, in ,04 it was Aug 20th (they won 89) and '03 it was Aug 22 (they were 66-61 then too!)

Milw-09-24-98--Brown in for defense--bases loaded--flyball--HE DROPPED THE BALL!!!NO NO NO, cubs lose 8-7

by Ivy Walls on Aug 25, 2007 9:37 AM CDT reply actions

Good point about the '03 record

They went 22-13 from that date till season's end.

I think 22-13 this year would just about do it.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Gracie

I think I'm the only guy on the planet who enjoys (or at least, doesn't hate) Grace in the booth. He's much better than half the guys out there -- Joe Morgan, Dusty, McCarver, Hawk and DJ and the Pirates guys who seem like they're calling funerals. And let's not even think of the AWFUL Joe Carter years on WGN.

With that as competition, can we give Grace a little slack?

by elgato on Aug 25, 2007 9:59 AM CDT reply actions

You're Right

... you are the only person I know who enjoys Mark Grace in the booth. :)

"X > Joe Morgan" is not the equation of enjoyability. My tomato plants qualify.

PERRY!!!!

by Goat Whisperer on Aug 25, 2007 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Right.

Grace isn't good. But the guys you mentioned are off the scale of badness.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Grace brought up the stat

that A-Ram is 14/25 (before the sac fly last night) with a man on third and less than two out and said "that is truly awful in getting the man home." Is it really?

No he is 15/26 (thanks for the karma, Gracie!) and I am not sure that it is that bad. First of all, A-Ram has been walked quite few times in that situation and I am not sure how that compares to other 3/4/5 hitters in the league.

But for Gracie to call that stat "awful," I assume that other 3/4/5 hitters must be at 80% or more, or at least he (Gracie) must have been that good in his entire career!

Prince Fielder...he is neither.

by LAcarl519 on Aug 25, 2007 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions

No = Now :-)

Prince Fielder...he is neither.

by LAcarl519 on Aug 25, 2007 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Why does Gracie

have to act like such a shitbag?

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Not a big Grace fan myself

but my cousin(who I last sat in 1973) claim to fame is he is the only fan who Grace has a link to on his web site. http://www.sporner.com/baseball/cubs/grace.html Of course the web page is a tribute to Grace.

by jimhickman on Aug 25, 2007 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions

i agree with the rest of the list

but i dont think mccarver is that bad

Here comes the nasty leftie to shut it down in the 9th......Clay Rapada!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Aug 25, 2007 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree.

McCarver is worse than what you think.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 25, 2007 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions

One of the worst

You failed to mention Bill Schroeder of the Brewers. The only reason he looks a little above complete incompetence is because Davey Nelson, the sidekick on their post game show is the personification of clueless. Schroeder is nothing more than a cheerleader, often acting as if every play made by Milwaukee was off the charts good. He's tough to stomach.

Eighty-five percent of the f*ckin' world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here. -- Lee Constantine Elia, 1983.

by krummy12 on Aug 25, 2007 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions

So I have to bring up our...

...cross-town rivals for just a moment. I don't know what's worse, the fact that they're trailing the Royals by a game and a half, that they're in last place in their division, or that they're doing all of this while outperforming their Pythagorean by four games.

Wow.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 25, 2007 10:00 AM CDT reply actions

I know

Isn't it great!

by elgato on Aug 25, 2007 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions

what is even better...

is that I have not gloated once towards any Sox fan, letting my silence speak for itself. The last 2 yrs all I heard was grief from them and now my silence towards them only emphasizes what crappy baseball fans they can be.

by coral on Aug 25, 2007 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions

So as not to stoop down to the level of many Sox..

...fans, I couldn't care any less. It's the team that plays to the North of Madison Ave that I care about. I don't wish anything bad for the ChiSox 'cause there's guys there that I genuinely like (Paulie, JD, Crede & Jimbo). It is interesting to see how they've fallen so quickly though.

Now that I've finished my morning chores, it's almost time to head to the airport and catch a plane for the desert. Got tickets to tonight's and tomorrow's game, plus am staying with an ex-colleague in Glendale, just like it's spring training, only 5 months later.

Leading off and playing short, TheRiot; batting 2nd and catching, Mr.OBP, Jason Kendall.....Do it Lou!

by blackhawk24 on Aug 25, 2007 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Hey, have fun!

Post a diary if you have time.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Lucky bastard...

have fun, GO CUBBIES!

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 10:38 AM CDT reply actions

looks like

rapada is going to detroit for monroe.

Here comes the nasty leftie to shut it down in the 9th......Clay Rapada!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Aug 25, 2007 12:02 PM CDT reply actions

I can't imagine...

... this has been decided yet, as the Cubs have till October 15 to choose someone.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions

MLBTR

is saying something but quoting a blog speculation on this. Not really credible IMO.

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions

PTBNL

My guess is that the Cubs and Tigers have agreed on the player. They just can't announce it yet, because the player (since he is on the 40 man roster) would have to pass through waivers in order to complete the trade. LHPs whose left arms are still attached to their bodies don't clear waivers in August. If the player has not yet been agreed upon (between Cotts, Rapada, and Ohman), the Cubs would not be able to call up any of the three in September, since the called up player would be ineligible as a PTBNL.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Aug 25, 2007 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

source?

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 12:06 PM CDT reply actions

Is it MLBTR?

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 12:10 PM CDT reply actions

seeing as how

dempster came up big in the cardinal series and giant series, i guess credit is due to ryan dumpster

by ryan dumpster on Aug 25, 2007 12:37 PM CDT reply actions

"One more bat"

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this quote from Paul Sullivan this morning:

"The Cubs could make one more trade in the next week to acquire another veteran bat, which would probably mean either Pie or Murton gets sent to Iowa and then recalled after the rosters expand Sept. 1

"We've discussed possibly adding one more piece from the outside," Piniella said. "

You would have to think it would be someone that can play SS, as the outfield is as crowded as second base was last year.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Aug 25, 2007 12:38 PM CDT reply actions

The team seems perfectly...

...content with Ryan Theriot at shortstop. I don't see any reason to suspect that they'll get a shortstop unless something incredible drops into their lap.

Of course, it's hard to speculate as to what Sullivan means without knowing what bats are available. The Craig Monroe deal kinda came out of nowhere, but afterward everyone seems to be pretty content with it. (Suprising for a guy with a .222 batting average, but he's a guy who can fill a role that has been sincerely lacking on this team.)

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 25, 2007 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions

not to take a starters role

but to be a bat off the bench and able to play SS as a backup in case the situation calls for it.

Milw-09-24-98--Brown in for defense--bases loaded--flyball--HE DROPPED THE BALL!!!NO NO NO, cubs lose 8-7

by Ivy Walls on Aug 25, 2007 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep

there's been talk about the lack of a SS backup, etc., so I thought if any "veteran bat" were acquired it might be a middle infielder. But it's also true that Sullivan's speculation should be taken lightly.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Aug 25, 2007 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

DeRosa is an adequate stand-in...

...at short for a short period of time, if it comes to that. Long term? Well, then you'd probably have to call Cedeno back up and pray. But (if you leave the Mike Fontenot question out of it) I doubt there's a backup shortstop the Cubs could acquire at this point that would provide more than DeRosa could at the position, once you take both offense and defense into consideration.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 25, 2007 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions

What if

the Cubs need a backup 3rd baseman and a backup shortstop in the same game?

by cubsbak on Aug 25, 2007 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Right this very moment...

...I am going to presume the answer would be "Daryle Ward at 3rd Base."

Yeah, kinda makes me miss Ronny Cedeno.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 25, 2007 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions

That could get

ugly. Having your starting second baseman also back up 3rd and short limits Sweet Lou's options late in games. Not ideal.

by cubsbak on Aug 25, 2007 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Indeed it could.

It's unlikely, however, so hopefully we can just coast to the end of the month without it coming up, and then we get reinforcements.

And, to be completely fair here, I think Jake Fox has played his fair share of corner infield, so a straight Fox-for-Cedeno swap wasn't all that bad to start off with, assuming Fox could hit. (That has neither been proven or disproven.) It's when you swap Monroe for Fox -- perfectly defensible on the surface, given Fox's main role on the team -- that you start getting into realizing that you're weaker in your "third string" than you might like.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 25, 2007 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Kind of something...

... not to really worry about, wouldn't you say? There are six games left in August. Next Saturday the rosters can be expanded.

Unless there's an injury -- in which case they can call someone up -- or an enormously long extra-inning game -- I think they can manage for six more games.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions

What happens

in the playoffs? Lou will be pretty limited should a playoff game go into extra innings or Ramirez and/or Theriot get knocked out of a game due to injury.

by cubsbak on Aug 25, 2007 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, you have a point.

Remember, though, that you don't need a 12-man pitching staff in the postseason. One of the relievers might be replaced by Cedeno.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Backup SS

DeRo is actually a very good SS (Bobby Cox loved his SS glove more than his bat), and he would be a perfectly adequate replacement for Riot defensively. (Riot is quicker, but DeRo has a much better arm and can play deeper.) Obviously they have different games offensively. The problems with this solution are:

Who backs up DeRo? The very thought of Cedeno playing SS (or anywhere else) in a meaningful game sends chills up my spine.
How do you replace DeRo's versatility? If you lock DeRo in at SS, you lose the ability to move him to 3B (who backs up Ramy?), 2B, 1B, or the OF.
Does the replacement, either Cedeno or an imported SS or 2B, have a bat equal to Riot's? Otherwise, how do you compensate for Riot's loss offensively?

It's just food for thought. I hope it's just a hypothetical situation, and nothing happens to Riot.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Aug 25, 2007 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Love

the username. DeRo is awesome.

by cubsbak on Aug 25, 2007 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Username

Thanks. Can you guess who my favorite player is?

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Aug 25, 2007 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Mine too

I've had a man-crush on him all year.

by cubsbak on Aug 25, 2007 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Since Al didn't see the game last night...

its not a surprise that he didn't talk about the lack of hustle by Lee and Ramírez in the 9th inning. They both were lame going to first. Lee jogged and Ramírez literally walked to first after hitting the ball to the infield.

That's unacceptable. I don't care if the player is injured, tired, frustrated or else. He's supposed to run to first. No excuses.

An old school manager would sit them both for the first innings of tonight's game (after chewing them off in his office first) but I guess that's why they are called "old school"; those managers don't exist anymore.

I just ask that if you have a kid who plays baseball you tell him that's not the way to play the game.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 25, 2007 1:01 PM CDT reply actions

Actually

L&B said that it appeared that Lee was trying to get out of the way of the throw home. As for Rami, if he isn't hustling and has no pain or injury to speak of then yes, you need to hustle.

However...

At this point in the stretch, if Rami is in pain or suffering and the ball is clearly an out, I would rather him not chance doing what he did earlier trying to leg out a single and injure himself.

Just my opinion.

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Why?

Why would Lee want to make it easier for the infielder of the opposing team? That's even worse.

And Ramírez's legs are healthy. He looked frustrated. But even if he wasn't healthy, he was supposed to run, albeit slowly, not walk to first.

They should not assume that the out is going to be made. How would they have looked if there had been a bad throw to first and they were out because they didn't reach first?

I just point this out as another remnant of the Dusty era. Last year, players did that and no one told them anything. I just hope the manager or a coach talks to them today (if they haven't done it already) because Lou Piniella didn't play like that and I don't think he'll ignore it.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 25, 2007 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with the Lee comment

didn't appear to run hard at all. I think L&B saw it also and were making excuses for it- pretty obvious.

He should be pissed off about his hitting- though he did drive in a run last night

Who cares what they think? When they go after me, they ain't goin' after no maiden"- Leo Durocher

by tommy veryzer on Aug 25, 2007 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions

The official rules of baseball...

...should shed some light here.

INTERFERENCE
(a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter- runner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules.
Rule 2.00 (Interference) Comment: In the event the batter-runner has not reached first base, all runners shall return to the base last occupied at the time of the pitch.
(b) Defensive interference is an act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch.
(c) Umpire's interference occurs (1) When an umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher's throw attempting to prevent a stolen base, or (2) When a fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before passing a fielder.
(d) Spectator interference occurs when a spectator reaches out of the stands, or goes on the playing field, and touches a live ball.
On any interference the ball is dead.

You can argue the specifics of it, but Lee was required by the official rules to not obstruct the fielder trying to make the play at the plate. If you want to advocate cheating that's fine, but I doubt that's your intention.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 25, 2007 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions

I will say also...

... that Pat Hughes at first thought Lee had come up lame running to first base, and was worried that he might be injured.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks,

and I don't think anyone wants to take a throw in the mug.

As for Rami, I was stating that IF he is in pain, I would rather him jog, to first than re injure himself and be unavailable for the stretch.

Maybe the new bat will be a position player who could play SS if needed and still hit. A Dro type?

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Exactly.

There's still baseball to be played, and I'd rather guys like Ramirez played at 90% and stayed productive for the stretch drive and (hopefully) into the postseason. The wounded pride of some Diamondbacks homers really shouldn't factor into it.

And a DeRosa-esque utility man would be a worthwhile pickup, assuming that such a thing was both inexpensive enough, available and not past the point of usefulness. I am unaware of anyone matching that description.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 25, 2007 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions

The question is...

... what major league player of this type is both a) available and b) would fill this need?

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Didn't someone mention Vizquel?

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Or

there is always, Juan "I'm not a murderer" Uribe but KW always seems to over value his players in trade talks.

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions

My bad

he is a starter and not sure that Hendry would try to get him as a backup, or that he would like that either.

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Super Utility Types

The fact that there were twelve teams that reportedly were trying to sign DeRo last winter might reveal how difficult it is to find a guy who is an excellent infielder, good outfielder, and very good hitter. I doubt if any player who is even close to DeRo would clear waivers in August.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Aug 25, 2007 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Then jog, don't walk.

n/t

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 25, 2007 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Just stay between the lines.

Had Lee ran like that to first he would have had no problems. But, please, run.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 25, 2007 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Alright whatever...

DLee just isn't the kind of "walk to first" player you speak of. Not that he was walking anyway. He was jogging and ducked out of the baseline to avoid the throw. I saw the play too.

As for Rami, fine, don;t walk, didn;t remember him actually walking but would rather him be healthy than hurt.

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions

That's what baffled me.

That's not the DLee I've come to know and respect as a pro. And ARam had been hustling so far. When both do that in a game they're winning, it's susprising and disappointing. Looks like they were frustrated because they wanted to contribute more. I just hope the coaches deal with it.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 25, 2007 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions

We might be victms of different TV feeds.

You saw the Cubs broadcast. I saw the other team's. I guess they showed different angles of Lee running to first. I know Grace was fuming on both at bats. On the other hand, Brenly apparently had a different take.

by Fraggin Judge on Aug 25, 2007 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

I think

he meant backup SS.

MMMMM...Mannys corned beef and a latke

by Kinky Reggae on Aug 25, 2007 1:02 PM CDT reply actions

The thing is...

...Sully said "a bat." If you can play shortstop and hit well enough to be "a bat," you're not a backup for very long. This is why the Wizard of Iz is now a Pirate.

The reason why most late-season pickups revolve around outfielders and first basemen is that those are the positions where you play people who can hit and not do much else, and it's how you can pick up offense on the cheap -- by sacrificing defense at the corners where it's at less of a premium.

Using a guy who can play shortstop as a bat off the bench is either a scandalous waste of resources or a Dustyesque inability to realize when Neifi Perez-types lose their value on offense (sometime around their promotion from AA, but I digress).

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 25, 2007 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree-

I think they can get by with the Theriot/DeRosa?Fontenot juggernaut for the next week, then get Cedeno back up when the rosters expand.

Frankly- I wouldn't mind seeing a long man in the BP, though at this point of the season and with the rosters expandng, that seems unlikely. Like the Monroe move, though.

Who cares what they think? When they go after me, they ain't goin' after no maiden"- Leo Durocher

by tommy veryzer on Aug 25, 2007 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Question - Playoff Roster

Assuming that there are no other trades, would you carry Cedeno on the playoff roster as insurance? (Remember that if a player is injured in game one of a playoff series, he can't be replaced on the roster until the start of the next series.) Or would you go with Fontenot as your only backup IF knowing that injuries to Riot and DeRo would mean Sori at 2B and Fontenot at SS? Sori's defense at 2B was atrocious, which is why he is now a LF, and we've all seen Fontenot's lead glove at SS. OTOH, Cedeno contributes nothing but outs and bad baserunning offensively, so he is a waste of a roster spot unless injuries hit.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Aug 25, 2007 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions

As I said elsewhere....

... you don't need a 12-man pitching staff in the postseason. I'd guess one of the relievers will go and be replaced by a position player.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions

The Cubs.com depth chart...

...becomes less useful as time goes by. Really? Murton is the starting left fielder? Jake Fox is still on the team? (And before anyone mentions that it might just be out of date: Monroe is listed as the backup left fielder. Boggling.)

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 25, 2007 1:42 PM CDT reply actions

It's not boggling

when you realize whose job it is to update it.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Aug 25, 2007 1:47 PM CDT reply actions

whose job is it ?

by coral on Aug 25, 2007 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I think John...

... is implying that it's Carrie Muskat's job. It's not. She writes articles. Someone else in the web department is charged with doing that.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions

On at least one occasion

in her Cubs Mailbag column, she has said something to indicate she was in charge of the that section of the website. Perhaps, even, saying how hard it was in some cases to decide who was where on the depth chart. Could be someone else is responsible for making actual changes, but I'm pretty sure Carrie's in charge of the content.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Aug 25, 2007 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions

I must have missed that comment.

OK, I imagine she may be in charge of deciding who's where (and I can't imagine why they let her do that, but whatever), but I wouldn't think she is actually in charge of updating the site itself.

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

by Al Yellon on Aug 25, 2007 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions