BCB Casual Friday

by Al on Oct 17, 2008 11:33 AM CDT in News Comment 75 comments

It's been a long season -- but you don't really need me to tell you that.

Since the NLCS is over and the ALCS isn't resuming till tomorrow, it's a baseball day off.

And I'm taking the day off from posting. In the meantime, you could talk about the MLBPA's accusations of collusion about the non-signing of Barry Bonds last year (nonsense, I think); or what's up with the Cubs' participants in the Arizona Fall League (Ryne Sandberg is serving as hitting coach), or even the Blackhawks' shocking firing of Denis Savard as coach after only four games (quick on the trigger a little bit?).

Have at it. I'll be around. Still working on my magnum opus on what I think the Cubs should do for '09. Maybe by Monday.

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Magic # is 162

"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 11:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Do you think Al will post it on the front page?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 17, 2008 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You should make it your avatar again.

Beat Texas

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

163

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 17, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OT: My first campaign commercial....

I honestly didn’t have anything to do with this…but I do approve this message.

Slightly inappropriate for work (and no, it isn’t Sue in the video) - SWL’s first campaign commercial -

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 17, 2008 11:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Obviously, it's Casual Friday for the actress in your commercial, too

My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.

by JohnM on Oct 17, 2008 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any candidate that runs on a platform of junk in the trunk and booty shakin' has my vote.

In the immortal words of YouTube user eaeaear: "SWL is by far the best!

"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 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's it, Chad.

You have my vote.

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Oct 17, 2008 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent... SWL & Sue have my vote!!

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Oct 17, 2008 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's quite a platform you have there, SWL

All generalizations are false.

by Emelie on Oct 17, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What happens with the Bonds grievance anyway?

It seems it would be largely ceremonial, its not as if they can force someone to sign him ,so they must have some sort of concrete evidence he was deliberately not signed b/c of his off the field issues, right? So I assume one or more parties will be fined?

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Oct 17, 2008 12:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Collusion by MLB:

All the teams looked at it and decided they’d be better off not signing a declining and potentially felonious cheater.

That’s not collusion, it’s common sense.

What a load of crap.

by cocknfire on Oct 17, 2008 12:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd still like to see Bud get knocked down a notch or two

by dr stabbingworth on Oct 17, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Next union agreement

will have the clause that all over 40 former MVP’s with major health concerns have to be signed to big money multi-year deals. ha!

But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night

by N Oakley on Oct 17, 2008 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Savard

I can’t say I’m a huge hockey guy but its clear that this wasn’t a firing as a result of four games. The organization likely had some concern. It seems apparent that Scott Bowman was brought in to turn this organization into a professional one. I imagine he saw in Savard someone who was just not ready to be a big time coach. Now its likely that the team should have axed Savard during the off season if they felt there were problems but its also possible that Bowman and others saw real concern during training camp in how Savard ran the team.

by dmlichte on Oct 17, 2008 12:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I would compare...

…Piniella and Bowman to have a lot of comparisons and they were both brought in (primiarily) by John McDonough.

Don’t be fooled by McDonough’s great media personality, he is a very demanding individual and he has a good nose for those who are not getting the job done and others that are the best to help get the job done.

This was a Bowman recommendation through and through, and it just took him a little time to conclude that Savard was lacking something behind the bench. It just happened to come to a head 4 games in.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 17, 2008 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This kind of thing happens in hockey a lot. Coaches seem to be treated as

interchangeable parts and are tossed out like used kleenex. That has got to be one of the most unsecure jobs in sports.

"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 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Second only to the Raider's Head Coaching Position.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 17, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least one day Al Davis will croak, I think.

"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 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We can only hope WCF does, someday

Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.

by CaliCub on Oct 17, 2008 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hockey and basketball

… coaches seem to have a shelf life of about 14 months.

interestingly, this could really be an off season where MLB sees ZERO managerial moves. I think its unlikely that Riggleman remains at the helm in Seattle and Sveum seems like a 50/50 proposition. But the possibility exists that there will be no managerial firings. There will be minimal front office moves, however, compared to most off seasons.

by dmlichte on Oct 17, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think basketball coaches are flushed nearly as quick as hockey. Hockey seems to

have no problem dumping a guy after a few games.

"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 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

Case in point: New Jersey, who have twice fired their coach with a week left in the season while holding one of the league’s best records. I do think, however, that in the Hawks case that expectations are a bit too high. I love all the young talent, but they need time to work and grow together. Good things are definitely in the works.

"I'm not an athlete, I'm a baseball player"
-John Kruk

by thinskull on Oct 17, 2008 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

IMO...

…they were trying to correct something that never should have been in place – Savard as head coach. The dude from the Daily Herald had a good article about this yesterday and I agree with his conclusion, that Savard never should have been named the coach in the first place.

As a Hawks fan, I love the guy, but I’ll listen to what Bowman has to say 100 times over Dale Tallon. By the way, Tallon is next, and he is another guy who really got his gig just because of ties to the organization and not because of ability to do the job.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 17, 2008 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are a lot of nervous people in the Hawk organization right now. Savard's firing

shook things up and a few people probably feel they may be next.

"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 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not a hockey fan

and I don’t understand why the Hawks fired their head coach only 4 games into the season.

If they didn’t have confidence in their coach, WHY didn’t they replace him in the offseason?

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 17, 2008 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah! Or fire him two weeks before the end of the season...

…like the Brewers!

"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 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Simple reason...

…Scotty Bowman was hired in August, and he needed time to give McDonough his opinion on the coaching situation.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 17, 2008 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's hope Rich Hill makes a comeback

He would be a brilliant (and cost-effective) addition to our roster if he can get his head together.

by dr stabbingworth on Oct 17, 2008 1:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hope you're right doc, but I'm not betting the mortgage on 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 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aw go ahead...bet the mortgage!

The government will bail you out.

"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 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope, we're not rich, we're just the taxpayers that pay the bills!

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 17, 2008 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Long time no read y'all

Have a good weekend.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Oct 17, 2008 1:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

There has to be something to the

Scotty Bowman infuence — the Hawks have not played well (save for the victory over PHX) over the first 4 games, but that’s just not enough to lose one’s job.

I only missed the PHX game — they did look listless in the first 3. Huet didn’t play very well in the nets, and gave up a few soft goals. He was awful in the shoot-out loss. Same shot to the 5-hole beat him every time. K-B actually looked like the better goalie, even in his loss.

But his play is too erratic to depend on.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Oct 17, 2008 2:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

At least we have the Bulls to fall back on!

"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 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a feeling the Bulls are going to be really bad.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 17, 2008 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rumor has it that

the brass wanted Huet in goal on Monday night and Savard wanted Khabibulin, and the “stand-off” that ensued and Savard making a point by Starting Khabi may have in fact been the final straw and an excuse to do the firing after the game, regardless of outcome. I do agree that it was Bowman though…Savard just wasn’t the best coach- albeit an unbelievable player and Hawks legend.

Beat Texas

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Oct 17, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How can you be so sure the collusion charges are nonsense

…when we don’t know what the evidence is?

by Wreckard on Oct 17, 2008 3:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

But we do know who is making the accusation.

End. Of. Story.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 17, 2008 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"But we do know who is making the accusation."

So? Everyone’s protected under the law. That statement is just wrong on so many counts.

by cubsnlinux on Oct 17, 2008 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes...everyone's protected under the law, and some are protected more than others.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 17, 2008 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand where you are coming from but

that should never be taken as an excuse to encourage more wrong doings.

by cubsnlinux on Oct 17, 2008 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who's encouraging?

I’m merely pointing out that you should take into consideration not only the accusation being made, but also the credibility of the person making it.

When the AIG executives staged their “protest”….do you think anyone really gave them the benefit of the doubt they had a legitimate argument?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 17, 2008 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ha ha ha..That's a funny pic

I agree that for all pragmatic reasons the credibility of a person often plays a big role when others judge his accusations against people whose credibility is perceived to be more. But if there is enough evidence that corroborate the substance of those accusations then it is immoral and idiotic for the concerned not to act.

by cubsnlinux on Oct 17, 2008 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We seem to agree more than we disagree on this point.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 17, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We do know who is making the accusation...

…and it’s the MLB Players’ Association, not Borris or Bonds.

Furthermore, we know who is denying the accusation, and to be quite frank MLB spent most of the late 80s pissing away their credibility when it comes to collusion, and then went ahead and did it again earlier this decade.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 18, 2008 1:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

MLB did "what" again earlier this decade?

Do you mean collusion, or piss away their credibility?

Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.

by CaliCub on Oct 18, 2008 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 18, 2008 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So I assume you mean both.

But what evidence is there that the owners colluded? Seemed to me they were signing free agents for big money back then – unless your assertion is that collusion was a majority (versus a unanimous) strategy. And then, in that event, the other 20+ owners might have argued that the Yankees, Red Sox, etc. were apples to their oranges when it came to revenue.

Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.

by CaliCub on Oct 18, 2008 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The $12 million they paid in the 2006 CBA to settle collusion allegations?

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 18, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And here’s the citation. This isn’t some wack-job conspiracy theory; MLB settled 60 collusion allegations from the 2002 free agent class to the tune of $12 million.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 18, 2008 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Honestly Wasn't Aware Of This

Thanks for setting me straight.

Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.

by CaliCub on Oct 18, 2008 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had forgotten about that too.

But that comes to only about $500,000 per allegation — chump change in today’s market. I’m not saying MLB hasn’t or won’t do this again — but in the case of Bonds? Nonsense.

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

by Al on Oct 18, 2008 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the collusion allegations turn out to be true then the responsible parties should be held accountable.

You cannot right a wrong with a wrong. It is just disgusting to even think the people designated to enforce the rules are the ones that might have broken them.

by cubsnlinux on Oct 17, 2008 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just use my common sense,

Who in their right mind would sign a player who has been accused of cheating (steroids) and is currently waiting trial which could land him in the clinker for quite some time?

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 17, 2008 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eh, Cubs could've used his bat in the playoffs.

What?! Just sayin’…

"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 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OT: What would the North Side of Chicago and all of Cubdom be saying now...

…if we had managed to choke a playoff game with a 7 – 0 advantage (and with 9 outs to go) like the Rays did? Especially with a critical error by our 3rd baseman who threw a ball into the stands…

Methinks there would be immediate comparisons to 1969, 1984, 2003, 2007, 2008, and I imagine, tooth-gnashing and unbearable angst displayed in the newspapers, talk shows, ESPN, and every other media outlet. Talk about the “Curse” would increase, and all sorts of pressure would be laid on the team.

I think that’s how it would go if we had lost a game like the Rays did last night….

Just thinkin’ aloud here….

"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 5:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

and the dodgers blew their last game with 3 errors too....huh...

it’s almost like defense is important or something.

Oh well, I say we trade Lee for Dunn, and get Giles to play RF instead of Dome.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 17, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what's wrong with Dome in RF?

It was his redeeming factor this season. He played RF nearly flawlessly.

All generalizations are false.

by Emelie on Oct 18, 2008 8:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was being sarcastic.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 18, 2008 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ooooh

never mind

All generalizations are false.

by Emelie on Oct 18, 2008 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It will only have impact on the Rays

if they blow the series. Even then, it’s just a few games. Their fans won’t care. It can be explained away (“too young!”) Repeat this pattern 20 times over 75 years, then you’ve got yourself a legend!

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Oct 17, 2008 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Giles will invoke his no-trade.

He ain’t goin’ anywhere. He likes playing in his hometown. He’s winding down his career. He’s phoning it in. Surfing is just as important to him now. Forget him. Who needs another laid-back dude in a Cubs line-up which, apparently — is full of them?

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Oct 17, 2008 6:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs