The Worst in a Cubs Uniform
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 11:25 AM CDT
327 comments
I know there is a top 100 Cubs of all-time here at BCB. I also know that we all probably have our own individual top ten Cubs list… but I wonder who are some of the worst men to ever wear a Chicago Cubs uniform? Has anybody wearing a Cubs uniform ever been a disgrace to this beloved team, or to Major League Baseball in general?
Is it possible to make up a top 25 worst Cubs of all-time?
By this, I don’t mean a player coming up and only having one major league at bat and striking out. Or a player only getting the chance to pinch run and get out attempting to steal. But, these people has to have really cast a negative light upon this team or MLB while wearing a Cubs uniform.
Personally, I think my most hated Cub is not a player, but a GM. Larry Himes. I’m sure some will argue because he brought over Sosa, but I find his work despicable and it was during his tenure that I almost became bitter at this team. I thought him disrespectfully releasing Dawson and Maddux unforgivable, and his silly rules having played a part in Ryne Sandberg losing his joy of baseball…for awhile. He came back after Himes was gone.
What do you guys think? Any forgettable/unforgivable Cubs? Any front office move you wish never happened? How come?
I would love to hear some of your thoughts and examples. Take care!
Go Cubs Go ’09!
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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Most hated?
Todd Hundley. No one else even comes close.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 17, 2008 11:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Haha....
I remember him….and that’s not a good thing.
Poor guy, he had some big shoes to fill.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh man what a disappointment
But at least we got some good players for him
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
by Musicdude10 on Oct 17, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I lied
Didn’t we just let him go?
Ok now I dont’ even remember
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
by Musicdude10 on Oct 17, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Few do...
If you mention his name, most will just skip him and start talking about his dad.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, Hundley did net us some decent guys in trade...
December 4, 2002: Traded by the Chicago Cubs with Chad Hermansen to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Mark Grudzielanek and Eric Karros.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hundlto01.shtml
by MarchHare on Oct 17, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was his only contribution to this team. He was really surly on top of
the fact that he played like crap.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He gave us his best...
… by leaving. How great of a guy!!!
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
While it may or may not make up for his wretched time with the team...
…at least he did eventually give up something.
by MarchHare on Oct 17, 2008 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
LaTroy Hawkins
came pretty damn close
by dmlichte on Oct 17, 2008 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is still
the main reason why I like Jim Hendry so much. That trade was awesome!!
When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo
by gwood on Oct 17, 2008 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nefi - I win the game.
Todd Hundley
Latoya Hawkins
With the exception of Grace, Sandberg, and Sosa….The entire 1994 team.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 17, 2008 11:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
dude .. that's pretty harsh
but, uh .. painfully on target ..
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
by cubnational on Oct 17, 2008 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dusty Baker
"There is not a better offense in America. Missouri has had 48 possessions and scored on 33 of them. The nation's No. 1 scoring offense has punted just five times and has yet to go three-and-out." Tom Dienhart, Rivals.com
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 11:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ole Dusty?
I know well why everybody is so mad at him… but do you think he really one of the worst Cubs of all-time? He did bring us closer to the WS than anyone in my lifetime, plus, he helped show us what kind of person Sammy Sosa really is… which I am very thankful for. So, do you think he is one of the worst Cubs of all time?
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not "one of the worst Cubs" of all-time
but one of my most hated Cubs of all time. He brought us close to the WS, but also lost it for us by completely mis-managing the NLCS. He pissed away 2004, and never showed any true remorse or dissapointment, IMHO…I just hate him…Guys like Neifi and LaTroy, now, I can sit back and laugh about them…Neifi has become a funny joke on this site…Dusty though, I will always be bitter at…
Beat Texas
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think your venom is a tad bit mis-guided. Dusty took this team
farther than it has gone in a long time. I agree that he had the potential to go all the way with the ’03 team, but to pin the blame on him and hate himthat way is a stretch. I could see hating Hundley because he never show a bit of anything, but Dusty does have some accomplishments that very few Cub managers can claim.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with that.
I think his last season was just…so bad… that if it never had happened, I doubt so many Cub fans would be hating on him like they do. Just everything spiraled down so fast, it was hard to swallow.
Personally, I’m thankful for the positive he did, and I’ll just move on from there.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Booo.
Dusty spent 2004 simultaneously destroying the present and the future of the Cubs.
He let 22 year old Mark Prior exceed 130 pitches in something like 7 of his last 8 outings in 2003.
He is one of the worst MLB managers in history. Did you know that he’s been the manager in something like 3 of the last 4 botched double-switches over the last 20 years?
Never forget. We are all witnesses.
Because good men were silent and allowed the slander that is “Dusty as a good manager” to continue unabated, the good city of Cincinnati is forced to endure years of watching him chomp toothpicks and overwork young pitchers while finding at-bats for Corey Patterson.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Oct 17, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What does that say for us if the "Worst manager in MLB history" presided
over one of the best seasons we saw in 100 years?
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
if you don't ride Prior that hard in '03
we don’t get as far as we did.
i’m not saying it was the right thing, but there is a trade off that took place there. And had we won the World Series that year, complaints would be minimal
by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 17, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How are we not sure
that Prior wasn’t ’roided up?
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Oct 17, 2008 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe you don't get as far in the regular season but Baker's
use of Prior in game 2 of the NLCS was just criminally stupid. The Cubs had a massive lead (8-0 after three, I think maybe 12-1 after five or six) and instead of pulling Prior any time after 5, 6 or 7 innings, Dusty kept him in until he actually had to be removed from the game in the 8th. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Oh well, it’s not like he tired at any key point in his next start. Dusty is a bum.
by the nth on Oct 17, 2008 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well Rested
Prior had 4 days rest in between those two starts. and he was effective in that game 6 or 7 until he imploded in the 7th or 8th inning. Dusty Baker was not at fault in that series at all, the cubs needed one lights out preformance from Prior or Wood and didn’t get it.
by NYCUB FAN on Oct 18, 2008 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Dusty Baker was not at fault in that series at all"
Come on, Dusty deserves some of the blame for the ‘03 meltdown. I’m not a Dusty hater (but I am glad he is gone), but Dusty should have gone to the mound and calmed Prior down after Alou’s overreaction to the non-catch. I’m not saying it’s all Dusty’s fault, Alou shouldn’t have overreacted, Prior shouldn’t have let it get into his head, Dusty (or Rothchild) should recognized that Prior was in a meltdown and most importantly Alex Gonzales shouldn’t have dropped that double play ball.
Dusty deserves credit for getting us closer to the World Series then anyone (except Maybe Jim Frey in ’84), but he also deserves some blame for the meltdown. And he deserves most of the blame for the franchises spiral downward into the mess that was the ’04, ’05 and ’06 seasons.
"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"
by MerlinDog on Oct 18, 2008 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
THANK YOU
Somebody who sees the truth instead of Dusty sitting on his ass in the dugout watching Alou act like an idiot and Prior get psyched.
Check out my Cubs shrine: http://picasaweb.google.com/vegascubfan/CubsRooms#
by VegasCubFan on Oct 23, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your Welcome
I just call ’em like I see ’em!!
"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"
by MerlinDog on Oct 23, 2008 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Z went twice in that series as well
Zambrano pitched game 1 and 5. If he has a better game in game 1 then Bartman never happens. You can’t blame it on Baker just like you can’t blame it on Bartman.
by JonH on Oct 20, 2008 7:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
AND he single-handedly lost the 2002 WS for the Giants.
Beat Texas
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can see your point.
But I still hate him more than probably any player. Just the way that he let his players loaf around…there was never any accountability. Coming off of 2003, there were so many hopes, and I think they way that 2004 ended made me even more bitter about 2003.
Beat Texas
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly.
Bakers bad seasons as a manager was BAD. I think he’s hated not for the Cubs failing to win it all, but because things spiraled out of control so fast.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, it was all his fault. He couldn't pitch, hit or field worth a damn. A
manager is supposed to do everything and anytime the team loses, it his fault. If the team wins, it’s because of the players. All the manager does is fill out the lineup card.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you are missing the point.
Players slacked off under Baker because they COULD. He let them get away with it. He was a “players manager” and did not demand accountability from his players. That is why I hate him. There are plenty of players that I also dislike, but Baker is still my most hated Cub.
Beat Texas
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fine. You made your point. He just falls pretty easily into the scapegoat
catagory.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, by your reasoning, all managers fall into that category
Beat Texas
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, just this case. I think the fact that it has been
so long since the Cubs have been in the WS and they got so close, created a lot of resentment towards Dusty. I’m not saying he didn’t deserve his share of the blame, but some of the players involved pretty much got a free pass.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough.
Agreed. Although I did see Alex Gonzalez’s name on this list :)
Beat Texas
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I was shocked to see that one.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Reasons I Dislike Dusty
1) He ruined Mark Prior.
2) He played washed-up veterans over kids, even when the Cubs were out of it. To play Enrique Wilson against the Yankees at New York because “he knows the stadium” was vintage Baker excuse making at its finest.
3) He took no responsibility over his poor decision making, and still believes he never got a fair shake in Chicago.
4) “Walks clog the bases”. I hope that gets thrown back in his face every day of the rest of his life. Possibly the single most stupid thing I ever heard a manager say.
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on Oct 17, 2008 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eric Young for me
When I was younger, I went to a Cubs game with my neighbor, his wife, and his son to a Cubs game. He had a pass to go out onto the field to meet with players, get autographs, etc. Every player I talked to on the field gave me an autograph. EY, who was out there as well, absolutely refused to give an autograph, despite others doing the same. He also acted like a prick too, and basically came across like he didn’t want to be there.
LaTroy Hawkins is a close second though, followed by Dusty.
by Craig in South Bend on Oct 17, 2008 11:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sorry about EY
Isn’t he on ESPN now? I don’t watch it much, but I thought I saw him on there awhile back. Painful on the ears…
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
LaTroy defintely sucked,
but he’s a nice guy. I took my little brother to the game and LaTroy signed some stuff for him and joked around with him for a minute or two.
by dakoose on Oct 17, 2008 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think LaTroy was just not comfortable playing for a big market team.
I don’t think he’s a bad guy; he just handled the media poorly. He didn’t seem comfortable handling the media attention in Chicago after being a Twin up to that point in his career.
Together with his poor performance on the field and his poor handling of the media; he became the most dislike player on the team.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Oct 17, 2008 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think
LaTroy would have done much better if they hadn’t tried to make him a closer. He should have been the 7th or 8th inning guy. I know this is arguable but some guys don’t have the mental make up to be an effective closer. I’m not defending him, but Dusty didn’t set him up succeed by putting him in roles he wasn’t able to handle.
"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"
by MerlinDog on Oct 17, 2008 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe...
… I should have mentioned BESIDES Dusty Baker and LaTroy Hawkins. Haha.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 11:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I remember...
…when they brought in Jeff. I was excited about the signing. It didn’t take long for the balloon to deflate though. For the longest of time, it almost seemed like anybody the Cubs signed, would fall apart and end up a free-agent failure. Not everyone, but a lot of people.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
Blauser had a great year with the Braves before coming to the Cubs and was a Cubs killer, and then, he was just TERRIBLE….Too bad.
Beat Texas
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Question for discussion
Was Blauser a bigger Cub-killer when he played for the Braves, or when he played for the Cubs?
Discuss.
by Jody Jody Davis on Oct 17, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha
Good question. I would still say he hurt the team worse while playing against the Cubs. My reasoning is because he never played over 120 games in a season. Still, you could argue this one any way. At least in 98, the Cubs reached the playoffs.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kyle Farnsworth
Loved his intensity and willingness to buzz batters and throw down, but every time he would come in with the lead i would close my eyes and hope not to hear an announcer call the 96mph fastball that was launched for a homer and of course we would loose after that.
by ThisOldCub18 on Oct 17, 2008 11:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
True.
I always wanted to cheer for the guy, because he seemed to close to becoming a dominate pitcher. For some reason, it never happened. He had the stuff physically, I guess not mentally. We could probably say the same about Mitch Williams, if, he didn’t have the good year in ’89.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Favorite Player of Lincoln Park Trixies Everywhere
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on Oct 17, 2008 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ernie Broglio
Didn’t do much of anything after he was traded to the Cubs. I think the Cubs sent the Cards someone named Lou Brock.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
by zevkalman on Oct 17, 2008 11:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Who?
Oh. Him. I wondered if anybody would bring Lou Brock up after I posted this. Would he have become a Hall Of Famer if had stayed with the Cubs? I know we’ll never know the answer, but it’s something to think about.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lou Brock in Right Field at Wrigley
I wasn’t born yet, but I heard that Lou Brock had problems playing right field at Wrigley and couldn’t handle the sun. The Cubs already had Billy Williams in left field. Brock may not have become a Hall of Famer with the Cubs. The Cubs were right about Brock never becoming much of a right fielder in the major leagues. He sure had a great career as left fielder with the Cardinals.
In a similar story, the Phillies didn’t think that Ryne Sandberg had the stuff to be a major league shortstop. The Phillies were right about that. Ryno sure had a great career as a second baseman with the Cubs.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Oct 17, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's one funny thing about baseball...
(Actually, all things in life)
It’s not always about how much skill you have. If the right person gets a hold of you, they may be able to bring something out that you never knew you had. Brock never did anything with the Cubs, so they traded him. He became something special under the Cards. Same with Ryno and the Phils.
There is a difference between these guys and say, Greg Maddux. Maddux did have some good seasons with the Cubs, and already proved he was an All-Star. Himes stupidity let a proven All-Star go… I find that to be even worse than say, letting Brock go, or Ryno, or whoever.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brock was never much of a fielder and he struck out
A LOT. Hard to believe the Cubs would get rid of someone whose negatives define nearly 90% of the Cubs since. Maybe his speed confused them.
by the nth on Oct 17, 2008 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok I'm going to get a LOT of heat for this
But my vote goes to JOBO and Dempster before this year. Both were just heart attacks on the mound and just disaster waiting to happen, I always hated watching them come in.
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
by Musicdude10 on Oct 17, 2008 12:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
you realize...
… that Dempster was a decent closer. I mean he’s not even in the damn team picture of closers that was the likes of Mel Rojas, Dave Smith, and Doug Jones.
by dmlichte on Oct 17, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
Dempster did a good job. So did Borowski.
See below for some horrid closer signings. Mel Rojas was the worst.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 17, 2008 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's the problem, Al? You didn't like 11 HR in 54 IP?
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget the fine closer Oscar Zamora!
He was so unimpressive a song used to be sung in the bleachers in his honor.
To the tune from That’s Amore
When a pitch is so fat
that the ball hits the bat
That’s Zamora
by the nth on Oct 17, 2008 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ha ha!!!!!
LOL
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
by zevkalman on Oct 18, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely true, too.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 18, 2008 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Any of our horrible free-agent closer signings of the 90's
Dave Smith, Doug Jones, or Mel Rojas. Take your pick – each was supposed to be a bullpen sollution, but none made it through one full season as Cubs closer.
Also Danny Jackson.
by Jody Jody Davis on Oct 17, 2008 12:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jackson and Bell
George Bell, Danny Jackson, and Dave Smith all came over in ’91. I remember there was a lot of heat on Frey and Zimmer to produce a winner, and they thought those guys with Hawk, Ryno, Grace, Maddux, etc… would be able to do it. I think some of the baseball experts had some high marks for the Cubs coming into the season. Well, Bell did OK, but he needed to be in the AL. Jackson and Smith stunk. I think it was because they signed those guys that ultimately allowed Himes to come in as a GM.
Ugh. I wish that never happened.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Thought They'd Win It All in 91
Then there was that awful game in Pittsburgh in late April…Cubs went ahead 4-3 on a grand slam by Dawson in the 9th, then Dave Smith pissed it away in the bottom of the ninth. I tell you to this day, the team quit for the rest of the year after that game.
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on Oct 17, 2008 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember that
If I remember correctly, Hawk hit another big grandslam around the same time and the Cubs bullpen blew it again.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yup, two days later
Cubs scored five in the top of the 11th inning, then the Pirates won it in the bottom of the 11th. Not long after, Zimmer got the boot and they brought in Jim “Ev’rybody Clap Yo’ Hands” Essian.
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on Oct 17, 2008 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bi-Polar Cubs Fan
Man, being such a huge Dawson fan, I was so happy when he hit those slams. He was on a hot streak, seemingly carrying the team, and after he hit those, I was running around the house so excited. Then, the bullpen blew ’em both. It basically ruined my day. It was horrible, then they fired Zim… and well, besides watching a few of the guys, I was a heartbroken Cubs fan.
Then, soon after, Himes came in… and he almost drove a wedge between me and the Cubs. I hated the guy… haven’t heard one positive about him. There is no place in baseball for a person like him.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 18, 2008 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Antonio Alfonseca
He wasn’t much of a closer for the Cubs in 2002. He was still around in 2003. Dishonorable mention goes to another failed Cubs closer, LaTroy Hawkins.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Oct 17, 2008 12:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
He would throw the same slider inside off the plate and expect batters to swing at it every time. I hated the guy.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Alfonseca
is another guy (like Rojas) who was much-accomplished when he came here, and just could never get it done…
Beat Texas
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is the Cubs' all-time leader in Fingers per Hand
Mordecai Brown has the fewest Fingers per Hand in team history. Maybe there’s an inverse correlation between number of fingers and pitching ability.
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman
by hip2bsquare on Oct 17, 2008 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fingers
I thought the cubs were destined to win it all because Alfonseca’s extra fingers maintained the balance of the Cubs having an average of 10 fingers.
One of the greatest moments in recent radio history was I forgot who but one of the Score guys asked Antonio how he got the extra fingers.
Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 18, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Alex Gonzales
And the employee might get a few votes…
by ak123 on Oct 17, 2008 12:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ouch
He should be paying monthly alimony to Bartman.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Worst memory of sports ever.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on Oct 17, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember...
… it was like I had the wind knocked out of me. My wife said I looked pale… I didnt say anything for a long, long time.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was waiting for someone
to bring that guy up…
Oi…
by hmlee on Oct 17, 2008 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm surprised
I had to be the one to do it….but lets be honest in recent memory he’s the guy. And to be fair, I only hated him because he blew it in a game in Philly. It was in 2004 and was supposed to be the first Cubs game I saw them win with my father.
Instead we saw them win in 2008 when we flew to Chicago. Did you know they play a song “Go Cubs Go” after every home win? I found that out after going 1-42 at Cubs games :)
Wish I was kidding…
by ak123 on Oct 18, 2008 3:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
DUDE
Thats not right man. Sorry.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 18, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're telling me
But it’s okay now because I saw them win 5 straight games this year. I guess my personal “curse” was reversed.
by ak123 on Oct 18, 2008 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rick Aguilera
I know he was washed up when he got here but he was a gas can here. Totally f**king useless.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bum Closers Piling Up on This List
Rick Aguilera, LaTroy Hawkins, Dave Smith, Doug Jones, Mel Rojas, Antonio Alfonseca, etc.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Oct 17, 2008 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They did...
have a long list of closers who were pretty much washed up… During the 80’s, didn’t think bring in Goose Gossage and he was pretty much shot by that time also? Seems like they let Smith go, stank for awhile, Mitch Williams had the one good year, but after 89, they stank until Randy Myers came along.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's pretty much true. The Shooter was used up when he got here
but survive on guts and big balls.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rod Beck
He really “gutted” out that last save in the one-game wild card playoff game against his old team, the Giants, in 1998. It’s a shame that he, like Kevin Foster, passed away, in his late 30’s. That’s way too young.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Oct 17, 2008 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Shooter=Rod Beck
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. Great guy...
..its impossible not to admire a guy who gets by on guts, and not by skill.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He had balls big as church bells. He would throw that 80 mph fastball
over the plate and dare you to swing at it. A lot of them missed.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he thought Mitch Williams = Shooter
"Just win tonight" - derv
by derv on Oct 17, 2008 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cezar Izturis?
Through no fault of his own, he arrived with the departure of Greg Maddux, so he was probably damned from the start. But then he provided none of the “Gold Glove” defensive ability that Hendry trumpeted following the trade. And, unsurprisingly, his bat was black hole in the lineup. He’s also the reason Ryan Theriot is the starting shortstop. (Let’s just leave that one alone.)
When all is said and done, the only thing he’ll really be remember for is grabbing a teammate’s package. Ouch.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 17, 2008 12:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He DID WHAT?
I must have missed that one.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't tell me you didn't know that he goosed Rami after his big HR? What kind of Cub fan
are you?
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just missed that one...
…thankfully, i believe…. haha
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, fortunately for you...
…the video appears to have been taken off YouTube. Suffice to say, Izturis gave Aramis a special kind of “hand” after Ramirez’s famous walk-off home run against the Brewers in ’07.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 17, 2008 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Cezar Salad...
Comes with tossed nuts…
"Sports are a crazy business. If there was a template, we'd all be champions, right? But there's one winner and 29 or 30 losers; one guy wins, everybody else is tied for last. That's the way it works" -- Mark Cuban
by TheRiot Police on Oct 17, 2008 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
CRAP!
I spit my soda out on that one. If you find that on youtube, or wherever, let me know. What did Aram do?
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure...but I bet
he went out and bought soap on a rope the next day…
"Sports are a crazy business. If there was a template, we'd all be champions, right? But there's one winner and 29 or 30 losers; one guy wins, everybody else is tied for last. That's the way it works" -- Mark Cuban
by TheRiot Police on Oct 17, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Party at ARams
(It’s saturday afternoon, and all of the Cubs players are in the dugout preparing for tonights game. While getting ready, Izturis walks up to ARam.)
CI: “Hey Man, why didn’t you invite me to your party last night? I heard the whole team, the coaching staff, and EVEN STEVE STONE was there. How come I wasn’t invited?”
AR: “Well… you see… you did a big no-no.”
CI: “? I’m sorry about the scratch on your car, for not paying back the 50k, and for making you pay for my food everytime we go to Hardees…. is this what it’s all about man?”
AR: “No… you grabbed the jewels man!”
CI: “What jewels?”
AR: “Ugh… nevermind.”
CI: “What?!?”
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
that was awesome
well played
by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 17, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
While maybe not worst in an "all-time" standpoint...
…I tend to have bad rememberences of Jose Macias.
I’m paraphrasing, but Baseball Prospectus said of Macias after one of his years on the Cubs, “Macias’ number (1) is only slightly higher than the number of good reasons he is currently playing major league baseball”.
by MarchHare on Oct 17, 2008 12:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I was thinking of mentioning him, too.
What’s weird is that I remember him playing on the ’06 team, but he actually left after ’05.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 17, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For the life of me, I can't remember a single thing that guy did.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, I can remember Macias playing third base in '05...
…when Aramis was out with leg troubles (IIRC). And I’m almost afraid to verify this, but I think Dusty let him hit lead off a few times.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 17, 2008 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sometimes I think if I had wandered onto the bench, Dusty would have let me leadoff.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe...
… you’d pitch 7-8 straight starts, and throw over 130 pitches. ;O)
Then, collect a paycheck while you sit on the DL for the next few seasons.
At least, that is what the majority say!
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
jose macias' claim to cubs fame
believe it or not, that little chub of a player was the last player to hit a home run out of Wrigley Field before the bleacher expansion. it was a somewhat rainy dreary last game of the season, and he freakin’ jacked a line drive over the back fence in left center. wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it.
And get this… this year, he hit the last homer in the soon to be torn down Yankee Stadium.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Oct 26, 2008 2:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, he didn't.
The Jose Macias we grew to know and hate hasn’t played in the major leagues since 2005.
The last homer in Yankee Stadium was hit by another Jose who’s also an ex-Cub, Jose Molina.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 26, 2008 5:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ahhh... that makes more sense
thanks for the correction. I must have misread the article about the last yankee stadium homer. Jose Macias, Jose Molina, Jose SixPack…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Oct 26, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jose the Plumber?
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman
by hip2bsquare on Oct 27, 2008 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 17, 2008 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Looking back a bit...
I went back to the 1983 season, my first year of following the Cubs, and put together the list of all they guys who made my stomach turn over the last 25 or so years. Turns out I can build a pretty mediocre team.
C
Todd Hundley – nuff said.
Jason Kendall – he barely makes the list. An anemic, nine-hole hitting catcher who can’t throw,
IF
Fred McGriff – Hindsight said we probably shouldn’t have kept trying to get him.
Manny Alexander – Sammy’s caddy
Jeff Blauser – Not good
Curtis Wilkerson – We traded for him? Why?
Tom Veryzer – bringing a new meaning to “suck”
Willie Greene – He stole money.
Lenny F. Harris – Long time bloggers will know what the F stands for.
Neifi Perez – Too easy
Todd Walker – road the coattails of others to a great contract.
Freddie Bynum – A BCB favorite. Neifi Lite.
OF
Mitch Webster – I hated that guy. Could barely hit, crappy fielder.
Marvell Wynne – See Mitch Webster
Dave Clark – See Marvell Wynne
Kal Daniels – Hoped to be the second coming of Andre Dawson. Wasn’t.
Jose Macias – I saw him hit a homer in SD. It might have been the highlight of his career.
Pitchers
Anthony Young – Why? Bad pitcher on a bad team. A great combination for breaking that losing streak.
Jason Bere – Really? Why? The Cubs thought they could fix him.
Steve Trachsel – Slow. Proof that long term mediocrity can be rewarded.
Danny Jackson – Made worse by the fact he did better after he left.
Felix “The Crap” Heredia – Gas can.
Mel Rojas – How quickly can a guy’s star fall.
Paul Kilgus – name rhymes with Kills-us. It is apropos.
Al Nipper – Looked like Super Mario
Calvin Schiralidi – I know Lee Smith. You are no Lee Smith.
Frank DiPino – Didn’t like him as a Cub. Didn’t like him after he left.
Ed Lynch – Once got thrown out at first from RF. Nicknamed by an LA reporter as Ed"Get the Lead Out" Lynch
Antonio Alfonseca – Twelve fingers, no skills
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband
by Ross on Oct 17, 2008 12:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
They say that Major league baseball has some of the best athlete's in the world. This
list call that statement into serious question.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And people are curious why the Cubs have sucked for so long...
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
by zevkalman on Oct 17, 2008 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nipper and Schiraldi
That Lee Smith trade was horrible. Smith had become the first National Leaguer in history to record 4 straight 30+ save seasons before getting traded for Nipper and Schiraldi. Lee Arthur went on to save a lot of games for the Red Sox and had his best years with the Cardinals.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Oct 17, 2008 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A classic Cub trade. Give away an all-star and get crap in return.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was Jim Frey as GM.
Some background is required. Smith had fallen out of favor in ’87 — he blew TEN saves that year — and was regularly getting booed.
It wasn’t so much that he was traded — it was pretty much agreed that it was time for him to go — but the fact that Frey got nothing in return was the bad thing.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 17, 2008 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That seemed to be his common thread. He never got anything in return.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't Frey...
…build the ’89 team?
I know long term, the Palmeiro/Williams trade doesn’t look good for the Cubs, but, Williams played a very important part for the team in ‘89. Though debatable, I don’t think they would have won without him. Didn’t Frey play a very important part in putting that team together?
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dallas Green built the '89 team.
And Jim Frey was able to turn the best farm system in the majors to shit in remarkable time.
by the nth on Oct 17, 2008 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A Lee Smith-for-Bob Welch Deal Was Close
but it fell through at the last minute. How much better off the Cubs would’ve been instead of getting Nipper and Schiraldi.
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on Oct 17, 2008 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lee Smith
Perhaps it was time for him to go, but…
I always wondered what would have happened if he had stayed a Cub throughout his career and, perhaps more importantly, the Cubs hadn’t had to give up guys like Palmeiro for Williams.
That deal and the Maddux loss stand out as the big oops that killed what could have been a very good Cub team in the early 90’s
Eamus Ursuli!
by WGNstatic on Oct 23, 2008 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
disagree with...
… Dave Clark. He was a decent pinch hitter. i never recall anyone having animosity towards him. Jason Bere was far from great but he was a sevicable end of the rotation starter and, IIRC, he came within a few outs of throwing a no-hitter once. Jason Kendall was no great shakes but he had a nice first few weeks here.
I wouldn’t say that these guys are deserving of the negative tag.
by dmlichte on Oct 17, 2008 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Kendall was a relatively harmless addition in '07.
It is frustrating, though, that he was so poor at throwing out runners that season and so much better with the Brewers this year. Damn Lasik.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 17, 2008 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I almost wrote YMMV at the end
As I said, my list was simply the list of guys who caused my stomach to turn when they came into a ball game. Your mileage may vary. Karchner was annoying, Bob Howry-esque, but I never felt ill when he was in the game.
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband
by Ross on Oct 17, 2008 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are young.
There are plenty of journeymen from the 60s and 70s that could make this list. (and 50s, before my time)
George Mitterwald
Billy Cowan
Dick Bertell
Pete La Cock
John Boccabella
Don Young
Bill Faul
…and too many more to list…………I haven’t even gotten to the pitchers
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Oct 17, 2008 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Before my time...
I have heard stories about LaCock and Mitterwald.
Don Young did fail, but IMHO – based upon what I have read about the season and the assorted history – , Santo gets an assist in his downfall.
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband
by Ross on Oct 17, 2008 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You got to the pitchers.
Bill Faul was a pitcher who had a Z-like meltdown in Houston because the scoreboard pissed him off. He used hypnosis to get his mind right to go out and suck.
Others:
Mick Kelleher. An out every time. The prototype of the scrappy little white guy who everyone loves but who kills you.
Mike Vail who announced that he could carry a team on his back. Maybe he could. Just not very far.
Roberto Pena who had an amazing opening day in ‘65 then nothing else,
Vic (not for victory) Harris. Came over with Madlock for Jenkins and fizzled.
Anthony Young. Not his fault. Just wasn’t good.
Don Landrum. No a horrible player. But you know when he’s your starting center fielder, you suck.
Corey Patterson. Bad to the 10th power.
Leo Burke, Vic Roznovski, Dave Owen, Dave Rosello, Bump Wills, Lenny Randall, Ray Fontenot, Bobby Bonds, Ken Reitz…ugh
by the nth on Oct 17, 2008 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, but Kelleher...
… once took on Dave Kingman, who broke up a DP little Mick was trying to turn, in a fight. Kingman outweighed him by at least 40 pounds and was 7 inches taller, but Mick held his own. (This was when Kingman was with SD)
Will always think fondly of Little Mick because of that.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 18, 2008 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, I remember the little white tiger taking on Kong.
As it often is with bums, the best memories do not involve actual baseball skills.
Although Dave Rosello did get the winning single in one of those thrilling crazy Wrigley Field games against the Reds back in the 70s. Of course, it was after he had made a costly error earlier.
by the nth on Oct 19, 2008 12:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was...
… this game on July 28, 1977, one of the signature games of that decade.
It was all downhill in ’77 from there. The Cubs went 21-42 after that day.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 19, 2008 4:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, Al
I took a look at the recap after posting this. I was at that game. We started in the upper deck and by the time Reuschel (sp?) came home with the winning run we were sitting right behind the Cub dugout.
I think Sutter may have missed some time before that game because I remember being particularly exciting to see him come in and strike six out of nine. But can you imagine an asset like that being used that way today? Three innings your first day back? Yikes. Talk about wear and tear on the arm. And the splitter is not a forgiving pitch on the old soupbone either.
by the nth on Oct 19, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn't Mitch Webster
the originator of ‘scrap’?
Later Cubs have just taken the scrap to a higher level, thankfully.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on Oct 18, 2008 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Expos
I think the Expos expected a lot from Webster, then he never achieved anything. Maybe the Cubs thought they could bring that “untapped-talent” out.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 18, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You left
Brant Brown of the list of outfielders.
by Fonzie2178 on Oct 20, 2008 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've always had a special hatred in my heart
For Moises Alou.
The worst beer I had was pretty good.
by Worf on Oct 17, 2008 12:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You mean Moises "that was a checked swing" Alou?
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure...
The man ever ran the bases correctly in his entire career with the Cubs. Players like him make you wish there was a base coach at every base, including at home to make sure you know how to get to first.
The worst beer I had was pretty good.
by Worf on Oct 17, 2008 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know what the hell he was doing on the basepaths. It was like
he never played the game before.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He never ran right....
… after messing his leg all up on that artificial turf. I can’t remember if it was in Montreal, or St. Louis, before they got rid of the turf, but he got his cleats caught in it and it twisted his foot backwards. It was nasty.
I remember the ESPN guys warning the viewers about how nasty it was, then they proceeded to show it 18 times.
It was very gross.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I get ...
That he couldn’t run very FAST. His problem was that he was stupid.
The worst beer I had was pretty good.
by Worf on Oct 17, 2008 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah....
… like he was always afraid he’d break his leg again.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Has Moises Made Up His Mind Yet
on whether or not he would have caught that blame Bartman ball if scapegoat Bartman had not touched it?
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Oct 17, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He probably wouldn't have...
Why? He pees on his hands.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/040511
“Hey Alou, get out on the field!”
“Just a sec coach. Gotta pee on my hands.”
That ain’t right. Who all here got an autograph from him at a ballgame?
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought he got that sliding into second base.
by Basketball John on Oct 19, 2008 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Nasty Injury?
I may be wrong, but I don’t think I am. I remember him laying on the grass/turff near first base holding his leg and his foot was backwards. I am surprised I haven’t been able to find any footage on the net because it was one of the nastiest baseball injury’s I have ever seen.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 20, 2008 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hm, well, Moises put up some decent numbers...
…but let’s just say I’d never want to shake his hand.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 17, 2008 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I did - unfortunately. About 2 weeks before that story broke.
"Just win tonight" - derv
by derv on Oct 17, 2008 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He used to come into the Niesi after games and hit on everyone's girlfriend/wife...
…but he actually was very cool.
"Just win tonight" - derv
by derv on Oct 18, 2008 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about all of the next big things
My God…look at all of these terrible names from the past…Derrick May, Ty Griffin….
"Sports are a crazy business. If there was a template, we'd all be champions, right? But there's one winner and 29 or 30 losers; one guy wins, everybody else is tied for last. That's the way it works" -- Mark Cuban
by TheRiot Police on Oct 17, 2008 12:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Was...
…Joe Carter in ’81 the first one to amount to anything in the Majors?
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yikes!
Is that really the list of Cubs #1 draft picks, or did you stumble onto the FBI’s Witness Protection Program database?
by Jody Jody Davis on Oct 17, 2008 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That list is an embarassment to the Cubs organization.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had a Ty Griffin “Future Star” baseball card. I don’t know where it is now, but I’m sure it’s worthless.
"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"
by MerlinDog on Oct 17, 2008 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ty Griffin
The guy couldn’t even play a good third base for the Charlotte Knights in AA ball.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Oct 17, 2008 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jayson Peterson
Ah Jayson. I finally got to see him pitch for the Reds’ Midwest League team a year or two after the Cubs finally let him walk from the system. Threw a complete game one-hitter that day, which might have been the highlight of his career.
Saw Ty Griffin and Earl Cunningham back in the Midwest League as well and they didn’t have memorable days. Both looked very outmatched.
by Qixotl on Oct 17, 2008 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Derrick May
Wasn’t awful. But it’s sad that he’s one of the better guys (especially among hitters) on this list.
by elgato on Oct 17, 2008 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He wasn't awful.
But there was a lot of expectations upon him. That wasn’t his fault though.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They seem to love Derrick May
in Copenhagen. :-P
"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible." ~Arthur C. Clarke
by Goodie1969 on Oct 17, 2008 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
May
My only memories of him is the obligatory shot of his uniform back on may 27th and that he was the first player to make the roster who was younger than me (by 1 week).
Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 17, 2008 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Candy Maldonado, aka "Manny Colorado"...
…was a player that I just despised. He might be about the worst free-agent that the Cubs ever signed…and it was a multi-year deal. I remember being stunned when they were able to trade him for Glenallen Hill. Why would anyone ever willingly give up a somewhat useful player for Candy Freaking Maldonado?
"Some people will look at a glass of water and say it's half-empty, while another guy will look at it and say it's half-full. A Cubs fan looks at the same glass and asks, "When's it gonna spill?" - Mike Royko
by LaddieRenfroe on Oct 17, 2008 1:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Maldonado
Didn’t everybody think he underachieved. Maybe the Cubs thought he’d be a superstar or something.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Supposed to Replace Dawson
Candy Maldonado was never the player Andre Dawson was. Heck, I believe I would have rather have had Dawson the way he was in his Red Sox years than Maldonado.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Oct 17, 2008 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My son's poopy diaper is smarter than Larry Himes
Maldonado was a Himes idea. Andre did OK with the BoSox… he was just hurt a lot. That first season with them, he was hit by a pitch and got a broken wrist if I remember correctly. That was a fluke thing and had nothing to do with his knees. Though some would disagree, I think Andre would have been fine finishing his career as a Cub.
If I remember correctly, he just wanted a 2 year contract with Cubs, but Himes didn’t want Andre on his team. I read in Andre’s book that Himes told the coaching staff that he intended to sign Ruben Sierra during the off season to play RF the next season. He said this while the prior season was still going on…while Andre was still a Cub.
I loved his last game with the Cubs. He hit a 3 run homer to beat the Expos 3-2. I have that game on tape… one of my cherished possessions.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ed Lynch was just about as bad a GM.
Exhibit A: Jon Garland for Matt Karchner.
There are others, but that one just jumps out at you.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 17, 2008 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ed Lynch was born ignorant and he has been losing ground ever since. McPhail
thought he was taking care of his buddy, but he was really taking care of the Cubs chances for about 5 years.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And he's still on the payroll
"Just win tonight" - derv
by derv on Oct 17, 2008 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lynch
I made a post abou this a weekish or so ago. if Only MacPhail had been GM and groomed Hendry from day 1.
Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 17, 2008 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but Jon Garland isn't...
… Greg Maddux.
Maddux even wanted to stay with the Cubs, but Himes didn’t want him on “his” team.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone named "Candy" who's not a stripper...
…should immediately change their name.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 17, 2008 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's amazing that a guy with 140 AB could cause such a reaction. I guess
the fact that he had twice as many stikeouts as hit could have something to do with it.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 17, 2008 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reminds me of a funny scene in Highlander
Prostitute: “My name is Candy”
Kurgan: “Of course you are.”
Harry and Steve should have said this back when Candy came to bat.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 17, 2008 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or of course the hot tub scene in "Back to School"...
“What’s a bath without bubbles? Hey, Bubbles, get in here!”
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 17, 2008 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The strangest name in baseball history...
Candy Cummings, inventor (supposedly) of the curveball.
I’ll bet a pornstar once thought about using that name, but rejected it as “too obvious”.
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman
by hip2bsquare on Oct 17, 2008 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Candy LaChance
Another baseball name from the past…
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on Oct 17, 2008 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I wouldn't recommend...
…Googling that name at work.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 18, 2008 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm late to this party and shocked none of these are mentioned
Kyle “The Napper” Farnsworth – he of the rocket arm, tight pants and late nights.
Ismael “The Blister” Valdes – big off season free agent signing, couldn’t get him of town fast enough.
Todd “Mr. Clubhouse” Walker – “Get me Stoney on the phone”
Fred McGriff – the trade that, in the end, shouldn’t have happened.
But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night
by N Oakley on Oct 17, 2008 2:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Couldnt disagree more
(1) Farnsworth gets a warm place in my heart just for that take down of Paul Wilson. Any pitcher that charges the batter is alright by me.
(2) Valdes was a bust I grant you.
(3) How did Todd Walker get on your list? His numbers were not great, but respectable.
(4) McGriff was a class act who we got too late in his career. And the trade was for Manny Aybar and Jason Smith… Aybar is still with the Rays (playing the WS), but has never been an impact player; Smith was a classic journeyman back-up.
by Orval Overall on Oct 23, 2008 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most Loved Cub?
Glenallen Hill, of course.
Beat Texas
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 2:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Aw man...
…looks like they took my favorite Glenallen Hill clip off of YouTube. Bummer.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 17, 2008 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, it was that...
…but the person who put the clip together added all these hilarious words and sound effects.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 17, 2008 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's exactly what I was thinking!
The one that was like, “When Glenallen Hill hits a homerun…He gets…PISSED”
Beat Texas
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes! It was that one.
I loved the ’BOOM!" sound effect at the very end. Killed me every time.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 17, 2008 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hahahaha...
Oh Glenallen…Master of the check-swing HR’s onto Waveland…
Beat Texas
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He kept the steroid market in business
"Just win tonight" - derv
by derv on Oct 17, 2008 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha, great story with Quevedo.
I was standing between the Cubs home dugout and screen to the left of home plate before a game several years ago. The Brewers were playing catch in right field parallel to the grandstands and Ruben missed the ball. It rolled all the way over to the bricks were I was and the guard tossed it right to me. I thought it was hilarious that an ex-Cub would miss a ball I would end up receiving!
If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base. - Dave Barry
by zm1217 on Oct 17, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
One of my all-time favorite Zambrano quotes
is about him. Someone asked Z about his weight, and did he think he was too fat? His reply was priceless:
“I wouldn’t say fat. I’m a little overweight maybe. Fat is when you are like Quevedo.”
"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible." ~Arthur C. Clarke
by Goodie1969 on Oct 17, 2008 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
dont this mentioned
steve buchelle or however u spell it. I couldnt stand him.
I BELIEVE!!!! GO CUBBIES!!!!!!!!!!
by cubsluver22 on Oct 17, 2008 4:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ahhh, Buchelle....
Beat Texas
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Buechele
Actually he was pretty decent. Nothing to really write home about but he wasn’t bad either.
Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 17, 2008 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
some addition
Juan Pierre
Jerome Williams
Danny Young
Brian Williams
Micah Bowie
Jacque Jones didn’t make many friends in Chicago either. Shawn Estes had some horrid games. Talk about paying retail, how about Mike Remlinger (and of course LaTroy). And we can’t forget Corey Patterson.
by dmlichte on Oct 17, 2008 4:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow, I can't believe no one mentioned KPatt earlier.
I wonder whether and where he’ll get a job in baseball next year. He does play a decent centerfield. How does he feel about sushi?
And I don’t have any negative feelings about Jerome Williams. He had an interesting, if tragic, backstory, and I think he tried his best. But the stuff just wasn’t here.
I kinda feel the same way about Jacque Jones. I don’t think I’ll look back on him with any sort of intense dislike, and I do believe he always played his hardest. But I can’t say that I was unhappy to see him leave. Then again, in light of how Dome’s season ended up…OK, OK…let’s not go there.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 17, 2008 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would rather have Jacque Jones than Corey x10000000000000
"Just win tonight" - derv
by derv on Oct 17, 2008 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I loathe Mike Remlinger.....the was the very definition of clubhouse cancer
"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08
by JB 23 on Oct 18, 2008 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he was not the was...
"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08
by JB 23 on Oct 18, 2008 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You mean Brant "DROPS THE BALL!" Brown?
That should be his official nickname whether he likes it or not.
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman
by hip2bsquare on Oct 17, 2008 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mark Guthrie
The 2003 version, at least. There were times when he came out to pitch, I’d be thinking, “well , if the Cubs want someone to stand on the pitcher’s mound and throw in the general direction of homeplate, I think I even could manage that” (and I know I’d be terrible). Some of those pitches were really wide of the mark. I suppose that’s why 2003 was his last year in the majors.
"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"--The Brain
by brook on Oct 17, 2008 6:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Corey Patterson, Jacque Jones, Neifi Perez
…All shouldve been traded for a bucket of baseballs…
Jacque Jones will go down in history as the cub who grounded to the right side of the infield more than anyone…and spiking baseballs into the ground in the outfield…
by jwate871 on Oct 17, 2008 6:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jacque Jones also known for
Going I think all of 2006 not getting a hit after the count went 0-2.
I felt bad for how much Wrigley boo’d him though.
by ak123 on Oct 17, 2008 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Todd Hundley
Todd Hundley was such a sad situation. He signed the year after his mom died and he was deeply affected by it still. He actually isn’t a bad guy at all. My sister in law’s family knows the Hundleys very well and I’ve met Todd through them.
I felt bad for Santo calling those seasons because if I am correct Ron is Todd’s Godfather, We all know how close he and Randy are.
The one relief is that what happened hasn’t soured Randy’s relationship with the organization.
Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 17, 2008 6:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Was there an alcohol problem with Todd?
Certainly I understand if it’s something you can’t discuss in public, but I seem to recall hearing that Todd was drinking and that compounded his struggles.
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on Oct 19, 2008 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Without making accusations....
… I heard the same thing.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 19, 2008 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There was an alcohol problem when Hundley was the catcher.
I drank way too much.
by the nth on Oct 20, 2008 1:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm surprised no one's said Home Run Howry
though my vote would go for Latroy Hawkins. My god that guy never could hold a 1 run lead, and the stubborn Dusty Baker kept throwing him out there in tight spots. Also anybody remember Jody Gerut?? He was with the Cubs for about a week before he was traded again, and I think he went like 0-14 as a Cub or something rediculous. Corey Patterson was also a cancer that I’m glad to be rid of-I hope he and Dusty are happy as can be in a Reds uniform. By the way, GREAT post-I really enjoyed it!
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
by ambrosiadreams on Oct 17, 2008 8:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Because Howry
Was consistent in 2006 and decent in 2007. And despite his blowups in 2008 I think fans saw he really wanted to dominate. Howry just couldn’t perform well.
Plus, Howry didn’t blow any playoff game and he didn’t cost us from going to a post season. If anything he’s going to be an footnote in Cubs postseason history in 2007 and 2008.
by ak123 on Oct 18, 2008 3:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ronny cedeno…that’s right i said it.
Someday we'll go all the way.
by Cubbinstrongsince86 on Oct 17, 2008 8:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hi I'm Ronny Cedeno
And I like to throw balls into the dugout after only two outs because I’m not capable to count to 3.
But it’s OK because I can count now that it’s 2007, I just have problems overrunning the base.
However my biggest joy was a Grand Slam against The Mets which sealed a victory over them. That one win cost them from playing the Brewers in a 1 game playoff.
Ronny is Ronny…hopefully some teams who might be interested in him haven’t seen the blooper reel.
by ak123 on Oct 18, 2008 3:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Terry Adams...
…hasn’t been mentioned. He pitched well in his first full season and then was maddingly inconsistent. I would never hold him up as a “disgrace to the uniform” but he always found a way to frustrate me. He’d always pitch wonderfully for a month, then get shelled for two weeks, and then start the cycle over again.
"Some people will look at a glass of water and say it's half-empty, while another guy will look at it and say it's half-full. A Cubs fan looks at the same glass and asks, "When's it gonna spill?" - Mike Royko
by LaddieRenfroe on Oct 17, 2008 8:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Nibbler Syndrome
Adams, like Michael Wuertz, never pounded the zone. Always tried to nibble and trick batters into swinging at stuff off the plate. Trouble was, major league hitters are too smart for that stuff.
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on Oct 17, 2008 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
More on Terry Adams
he was playing in Indianapolis two years ago, trying to get called up to Pittsburgh so he could hit another level of MLB service time and collect more on his pension.
Despite it being AAA ball, he refused to partake in the 2 or 3 team autograph sessions organized. He would wait until the last minute, bitching the entire time that he shouldn’t have to sign autographs (maybe he just didn’t want to see his stats on the cards). Made my stomach turn having to deal with him.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on Oct 18, 2008 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Confession time
A friend of mine went out with him for awhile. Was very nice to her but really really odd. I think she’s still in touch with him as friends.
Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 18, 2008 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ed Bouchee
Came over from the Phillies to play first base in 1960. Hit below .250 in two years with the Cubs. Was later arrested for indecent exposure to a minor.
by Clark Addison on Oct 17, 2008 11:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't Diss Ed Bouchee
he hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Cardinals in May 1961 in the first major league game I ever saw! At age 7, I thought Wrigley was unbelievably beautiful. We didn’t have much grass in my neighborhood. Now from that team, Dick Drott on the other hand was awful.
by vk on Oct 17, 2008 11:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dick Drott won 15 games as a 20 year old rookie
then, predictably for a Cub, injured his arm and was never the same. Had you seen him a few years earlier, you might have a different opinion.
by the nth on Oct 19, 2008 12:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly.
Drott was the ’50s version of Kerry Wood. Had there been modern arm surgery techniques back then, he might have been able to come back after his injuries.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 19, 2008 4:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Drott
There was a great article a few years ago about players whos careers were cut short due to injuries that today would be 1 year out and then back type things, (Gale Sayres was an example) and Drott was listed.
Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 19, 2008 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Henry Rowsenflooger...
I was never wild about Scott Servais…possibly because I liked Tyler Houston so much at the time. My final vote goes to Cesar Izturis, simply for the fact that he stands as the only blemish on BlueMike’s perfect track record for analyzing talent and predicting results.
Free Ronny Cedeno
by Kansas25 on Oct 17, 2008 11:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Service
I always thought he had the most appproiate name in sports because it was prounounced service and he was very serviceable, Another nothing to write home about but not bad player on the Cubs.
Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 19, 2008 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
P.K. Wrigley Never Wore The Uniform
But to me he was disgraceful.
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on Oct 17, 2008 11:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
howzabout Fred McGriff
The answer to the Cubs’ need for power .. feh
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
by cubnational on Oct 17, 2008 11:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Too many of these are far too recent.
Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it. Some more from the past -
Gene Hiser – a “star” of the early 70s farm system.
Cleo James – another “star” of the early 70s farm system.
Dick Ruthven, Dickie Noles, Larry Bowa – I guess there had to be some ex-Phils who would balance out the additions of Sandberg, Matthews and Dernier.
Joey Amalfatano (sp?) The longtime coach sucked as a Cub player. I was once at a game where, playing second, he tried to sell an interference play to the ump. It was cold and rainy and we just wished he’d stop and the game could go on.
Scot Thompson – the “star” of the mid-70s farm system.
Steve Ontiveros – Third baseman who did not make Cub fans forget Santo and Madlock. Came over with Bobby Murcer, who recently, unlike his fly balls as a Cub, did not die on the warning track.
by the nth on Oct 18, 2008 3:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
These guys...
…where before my time, but I love to hear people who experienced the Cubs of those days, talk about them.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 18, 2008 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll go with Kevin Orie and Gary Scott for the list
Just 2 of the many to man third between Santo and Aramis. I remember Scott was supposed to be the answer in the early 90’s, and Orie in the late 90’s.
Plus, Orie ruined Wood’s no-hitter. So that counts for something.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on Oct 18, 2008 11:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Which one had...
…like a huge spring, and everybody really thought he was going to be something. I want to think it was Orie… but, I cant remember. Haha. Prolly both of em.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 18, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually
Actually both hit the dang cover off the ball in Arizona. I remember Gary Scott and Kevin Orie very very well.
Scott was going into the 91 season Orie going into the 97 season. Both needed more time in triple A and both seemed to have a lot of talent,. They were rushed and it ruined their confidence,
Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 18, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gary Scott
I remember they were calling him “Great” Scott
Check out my Cubs shrine: http://picasaweb.google.com/vegascubfan/CubsRooms#
by VegasCubFan on Oct 23, 2008 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not a player
and has been mentioned before; Larry Himes. He was a horrible just horrible GM. Letting Maddux go after Maddux tried several times to resign, Himes was quoted " well with the money we would of used on Maddux we got 3 quality players in free agency; Maldanado, Jose Guzman and Willie Wilson" Enough said. He helped Ryno into retirement, and was a prick from what was said by many.
Player: Alex Gonzalez, just pains me, Bartman gets all the ink, but the truth with all Cub fans is Alex Gonzalez. I don’t hate the guy, just hate the error he committed.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
by Grockcubs on Oct 18, 2008 11:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Only thing
Only thing Himes did was bring Sosa in and while itended badly that was an awesome trade especially when it turns out that to play in the outfield going into 92 Bell would have needed knee surgery which would have put him out til June.
Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 18, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks
I still think Larry Himes is the worst in Cubs history.
I hope he is out of baseball… period.
by TheHawkRules on Oct 18, 2008 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Goose Gossage
Did maximum damage in a minimum amount of time.
by slide on Oct 18, 2008 3:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
my least favorite
since it seems that’s what this boils down to at times is Dennis Eckersley.
I remember him su%&ing as a Cub. Went to Oakland and he’s the worlds greatest closer! I know to be fair to him we didn’t use him that way, still left a bad taste in my mouth.
by iowacubfan69 on Oct 19, 2008 7:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That wasn't Eckersley's fault.
It was management’s for not recognizing what he could do.
In fact, he had two pretty good years for the Cubs in 1984 and 1985. It was 1986 that he sucked — what no one knew at the time was that he was battling a drinking problem, which he did something about the following offseason.
But by then they were intent on dumping him instead of trying him in the bullpen.
Don’t blame Eckersley for that.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 19, 2008 7:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
To the Cubs defense...
…I don’t think anybody knew he’d become the best closer of all-time back before the A’s got hold of him. Still, he wasn’t washed up by any means. Ah well…
by TheHawkRules on Oct 19, 2008 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget.......
Dave LaRoche. Yes, another closer. There has never been another player who was so bad for the Cubs while being good both before and after leaving the Cubs.
Here are his ERA+ numbers for his first 8 years: 105, 129, 114, 68, 80, 172, 154, 112.
Anyone want to guess which two seasons were spent at Wrigley?
by rlpete on Oct 19, 2008 7:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
How about Bob Tewksbury
I was kind young but I remember being a fan of Steve Trout and was very upset when they traded Trout for Tewsbury and then Tewksbury didn’t do well which made me not like him. And then to make matters worse later in his career he became a cardinal and had a few good seasons which made me like him even less.
"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"
by MerlinDog on Oct 19, 2008 7:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Cubs should have hung on to Tewksbury.
He was coming off an injury and hadn’t fully recovered when they had him, and because, as you say, he didn’t do well, they dumped him.
He was a sinkerballer who threw strikes — PERFECTLY suited to Wrigley Field. As good as he did with St. Louis, he could have done the same or better as a Cub.
Not sure who the GM was who dumped him, but it was probably Jim Frey.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 19, 2008 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In Thirteen Years w/ This Team...
…here’s my list of guys, position by position, who just didn’t “do it” for me.
Catcher:
Todd Hundley – Do I even need to explain?
Infield:
Fred McGriff – Too washed up and finished by the time he came here
Manny Alexander – Never totally got the job done, always left me disappointed
Jeff Blauser – A lot of promise, only to be hurt and washed up much of the time
Kevin Orie – Not his fault, rushed by the organization
Neifi Perez – Couldn’t wait for this steroid-laden cancer to get out of town…
Ronny Cedeno – I’m sorry, he sucks. Stupid fielder, holes in his bat
Alex Gonzalez – I don’t care how “clutch” he was, a .230 average and blowing our chances in 2003 doesn’t sit well with me
Willie Greene – Like someone said earlier, he robbed us, big time
Freddie Bynum – A favorite amongst my friend and I. Ugh…
Jose Nieves – Hated watching him play, just got on my nerves
Outfield:
Corey Patterson – One of the worst I’d ever seen. Just horrendous, and overstayed his welcome
Jose Macias – Need a pinch hit strikeout?
Rondell White – Surprised he wasn’t mentioned. Came with promise, was hurt much of the time
Pitchers:
LaTroy Hawkins – Supposed to make the pen better, did nothing for us but add more drama
Kent Mercker – Sorry, he was decent, but he was a cancer to this team, with the whole drama with Chip and Steve. The team should’ve worried more about winning and not what the broadcasters thought.
Jason Bere – I liked him in ‘01, I felt he was a legitimate starter, but he proved in ’02 that he just couldn’t be fixed
Ismael Valdez – Like Willie Greene, robbed us
Ruben Quevedo – Not mentioned enough, didn’t care for him
Felix Heredia – Did not see him mentioned once. Talk about not getting the job done. Just awful, possibly the worst Cub reliever I’d ever seen
Brian Williams – See Heredia
Antonio Alfonseca – You’d think you could try cool things with an extra finger…
Shawn Estes – The one start I’ll remember was that awesome one against Cinci in late ’03. But most of the time he sucked
Terry Adams – Nitpicked way too much, he never just went out and threw the ball
Mel Rojas – Promise out the window…
Just my two cents, that’s about all it’s worth.
by AeroZach on Oct 19, 2008 2:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
dude that's about 20 bucks of the best guide to Cub Suckdom in recent year I've seen here
Al oughta hire you to create profiles for the offseason ..
And don’t forget Tapani .. ecch
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
by cubnational on Oct 19, 2008 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tapani? Really?
Sheez, he only won 19 games in 1998. (Yes, I know his ERA was pretty high.) And he hit a grand slam.
I always liked Tapani.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 19, 2008 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's the point .. you about had a heart attack everytime he threw the ball
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
by cubnational on Oct 19, 2008 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yabbut...
… I’d much rather watch him pitch than, say, his teammate Steve Trachsel.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Oct 19, 2008 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tapani's start
In the 1998 playoffs against the Braves was really great. I line drive in the 7th (IIRC) from Lopez wrecked the shutout and Cubs lost 2-1.
by gocubsgo22 on Oct 20, 2008 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bottom of the 9th, I think
Tap-Tap took a shutout into the 9th when Javy took him deep and tied the game.
Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.
by CaliCub on Oct 20, 2008 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well, you got a point there
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
by cubnational on Oct 20, 2008 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tapani
My husband looks like him so I better like him!
Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.
by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 20, 2008 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you!
As for Tapani, much like Al, always liked him. Trusted him more than Trachsel, Bowie, Lorraine, Mike Morgan, etc. About on par to where Woody was with me in 2003 (you expected a good performance, and usually got it, but there was always one start…)
by AeroZach on Oct 19, 2008 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rondell White?
Can’t really blame a guy for getting injured. Until he did get hurt he absolutely scalded the ball. He hit some of the hardest gappers I’ve ever seen. And Tapani? He wasn’t amazing but man, guys like him are hardly the problem.
by the nth on Oct 20, 2008 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm going off of memory...
…but it seemed like when Sosa was hurt for a spell in 2001, Rondell White was coming up fairly big to keep us in a race that we might have otherwise been nowhere close to (even though we faded and finished 3rd in the division).
More factually, Rondell appears to have had his single best season for the Cubs that year (http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/whitero02.shtml).
In short, I have a hard time finding White to even enter the discussion of “worst Cub”. I can’t even think of an ancedotal reason, although I can’t claim to remember many of his specific at-bats.
by MarchHare on Oct 21, 2008 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tapani?
Excuse me, but you’re an idiot if you hate Kevin Tapani. Class act, winner.
by Orval Overall on Oct 23, 2008 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In Neifi's defense...
…I don’t believe there is any evidence he was ever involved with steroids. He was suspended for speed. I also don’t recall anyone accusing him of being a clubhouse cancer. In fact, one of the few things he seemed to be good at was calming down Spanish-speaking pitchers in trouble.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 20, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
First time I have seen
Neifi and defense used in the same sentence.
by gocubsgo22 on Oct 20, 2008 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I will be the last, too.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 20, 2008 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, as a defensive replacement, he wasn't half bad.
It was his bat that was the problem – especially when put in the lineup every freakin’ day.
"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Final words of the water pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.
by dat cubfan daver on Oct 20, 2008 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Neifi's Greatest Cub Moment
came as a member of the Rockies – he hit a home run that beat the Giants the las