Lou- Postgame- Fuko done in starting lineup

by mmancubfan on Oct 3, 2008 12:09 AM CDT

Man,

Lou was asked about Fukodome's inability in the press conference, he completely interrupted the question and stated..........I am paraphrasing..............., "I am done talking about Fukodome, we will play Johnson, Fontenot, who knows, the kid is not playing well and is obviously overwhelmed......he will not be playing anymore...

This expirament has not worked. I am so discouraged to look at other Japanese ball players come over here after lengthy careers in Japan. Kosuke has arguably the worst percentages of any player playing on a regular basis in the MLB.

He needs to go to Arizona and learn how to stay on the plate...

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yeah i saw this too

nothing like waiting till the last moment possible. I thought we would see Fontenot play today.

by TJ3117 on Oct 3, 2008 12:18 AM CDT 0 recs

hang on.

I admit that he hasn’t done that well, as of late, but he is in his first year of the MLB. I don’t believe he is washed up. Derosa said in his pregame interview that he understands adjusting, because he had to do himself in Venezuela for winter ball. Fukodome has the weight of the world on his shoulders having to deal with the Japanese media and having to learn a new language, different type of game, and probably homesickness. All of these things play into being a good ball player. That’s the problem with us now, we are so eager and impatient about winning that we want to blame the one person doing the worst. It’s the entire team. They started cooling off in August. Let’s calm down.

I Know you will rip me a new one now.

by phedsy on Oct 3, 2008 12:18 AM CDT 0 recs

i agree

I agree that a lot of Dome’s problems are the transition to the MLB. All of the things you mentioned are factors. I’d be more than willing to stand up and say that he would be more consistent and produce better next year. Unfortunately, I worry the pressure has been too great on Dome and combined with Lou’s words (which are completely justifiable) that he will break. Combine that with the fact that Lou doesn’t seem to give guys another chance once they’ve reached his doghouse and Dome has some major problems.

by polly on Oct 3, 2008 12:25 AM CDT up 0 recs

Fukudome...

… is going to have to change his approach at the plate. His wide, looping swing just doesn’t work in MLB where players throw with more velocity and then can dial it down with off speed stuff.

by dmlichte on Oct 3, 2008 12:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

To be fair

Several Japanese players struggled when they came here. The Matsui’s, several pitchers. Most got it together to be productive, some (Hideki Irabu) didn’t. So there’s that. Plus, mistakes are magnified. And he’s not the only guy sucking it up right now.

That said, while I’m usually on the side of development, I don’t want to sit around and see if he can get it together. I’d be more than happy to see him go back home.

by JDay on Oct 3, 2008 12:20 AM CDT 0 recs

we talked about this before

Actually no not many position players have struggled and ‘got it together’ the way that it seems to believe. That seems to be an urban legend.

by jeff_pico on Oct 3, 2008 12:26 AM CDT up 0 recs

While the two Matsui's

struggled, their first seasons are different than Fukudome’s. Kosuke has sucked terribly while the other two posted respectable numbers at their positions. Kosuke plays a position where offense is a must and only defense /OBP is just not going to cut it. Hideki put up nice numbers in his first season and Kaz never became all that good of a player. He was awful in NY and has put up nice numbers in huge hitter’s parks.

by dakoose on Oct 3, 2008 12:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

it's about

two days too late

Embrace the Goat and It Shall Be Undone

by hawkster34 on Oct 3, 2008 12:32 AM CDT 0 recs

LOL

Teixeira in 2009.

by airweino on Oct 3, 2008 12:37 AM CDT up 0 recs

I think

that if Lou had been more confident in DeRo’s quad, this experiment would never have existed.

Suffice to say, Lou is done playing around.

http://thegettinplace.blogspot.com/ Go There! It's Marginally Decent!

by TheTruth11 on Oct 3, 2008 12:33 AM CDT 0 recs

+1

Teixeira in 2009.

by airweino on Oct 3, 2008 12:37 AM CDT up 0 recs

done playing around?

i’m glad he figured it out after we got crushed two nights in a row. where the hell has he been?

Embrace the Goat and It Shall Be Undone

by hawkster34 on Oct 3, 2008 12:38 AM CDT up 0 recs

Why did Fukudome get those last 2 ABs?

One of the worst managerial decisions of Lou’s tenure. I honestly thought he’d spaced out or something.

Torre went with a relief pitcher to face Fukudome — but made sure he brought in another RHP, because he wanted to make sure Lou kept Fukudome in there. Hilarious.

Lou should have gone with Ward in that spot.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 3, 2008 12:37 AM CDT 0 recs

I've officially decided

Dome is the anti-rally. I cringed anytime he was up with someone on base.

by StlCUBBIE on Oct 3, 2008 12:38 AM CDT up 0 recs

+1

or Fontenot. or Pie. or Marquis.

Embrace the Goat and It Shall Be Undone

by hawkster34 on Oct 3, 2008 12:39 AM CDT up 0 recs

Lou

You just realized that after being out managed by Joe Torre.

Shame, shame

I've been bleeding double blue Cubbies & NY Rangers

by parrotinct on Oct 3, 2008 12:40 AM CDT 0 recs

there is no managing...

… that is going to overcome your starting pitcher walking 7 guys, your entire infield committing errors in one game, and your offense falling flat. The team is playing bad baseball and its not about Piniella.

by dmlichte on Oct 3, 2008 12:50 AM CDT up 0 recs

agree

but at some point he’s gotta stir shit up and kick these guys in the ass. maybe toss a gatorade cooler or something. they showed NO life…….until they were down by 9 and half the crowd had left

Embrace the Goat and It Shall Be Undone

by hawkster34 on Oct 3, 2008 12:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

Partially disagree

Lou still should have NEVER batted Fukudome 2nd in Game 1. I don’t know what sort of difference that could have made but it was a bad decision.

by ak123 on Oct 3, 2008 1:02 AM CDT up 0 recs

fukudome stay back in japan, u r horrible

go home u waste

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Oct 3, 2008 12:41 AM CDT 0 recs

Fukudome reminds me of Hideki Irabu. Great unfulfilled promises both.

by Fraggin Judge on Oct 3, 2008 12:41 AM CDT 0 recs

Fukudome

I wouldn’t totally trash the guy he did contribute for 2 or 3 months. He just couldn’t keep it up. I think it was a mental thing more than a skills thing, but thats just my theory.

by jeff_pico on Oct 3, 2008 12:45 AM CDT 0 recs

Uh.... so what about Soriano?

He gets a pass after being 0-anything meaningful in the playoffs? Oh okay, I see.

Dude, start Ward in LF for Game 3.

by IllinoisCubs on Oct 3, 2008 1:28 AM CDT 0 recs

Fukudome is Irrelevant

Would the Cubs have won tonight if he hadn’t played?

by 08Cubs on Oct 3, 2008 1:31 AM CDT 0 recs

Maybe, maybe not...

But I personally believe that they would have had a better chance. Every time he came up I expected an out.

by mkacer on Oct 3, 2008 1:37 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'm sorry

but no more “This one’s on Lou” comments should be permitted until this team can SCORE MORE RUNS THAN ERRORS. Sweetness can’t control that for God’s sake. Does playing DeRo in right with a bum leg instead of Dome take away that nightmare of a 2nd inning? I think not…

http://thegettinplace.blogspot.com/ Go There! It's Marginally Decent!

by TheTruth11 on Oct 3, 2008 1:47 AM CDT 0 recs