10,001 Must Wait Until Tomorrow
by Al on Apr 24, 2008 5:57 PM CDT
in Recaps
93 comments
Those flags will fly above the Wrigley Field scoreboard for the rest of the Cubs' road trip; after the team returns, the flags will be autographed by the entire team and be auctioned off at cubs.com.
That's the good news from today. The bad news, of course, is that SBN was down all day -- once again, we apologize for the extended outage and we appreciate your patience. Or maybe that was good news, because I can only imagine the angst that would have been seen here in the game thread during the disastrous bottom of the 8th in the Cubs' 4-2 loss to the Rockies, snapping their winning streak at six.
There was still some good that came out of today's game -- Jason Marquis threw seven solid innings, allowing just two runs and striking out four. Even though the Cubs lost, the seven-inning outing was very important, because with the extra-inning games of late, the bullpen has been in danger of burnout. Only one reliever -- Kevin Hart -- was used today. Hart deserved a better fate than his first loss of the season. After allowing a leadoff double to Matt Holliday, Hart got Garrett Atkins to ground out. Holliday took third, and Brad Hawpe was intentionally walked. So far so good, right? Hart then got the slumping Troy Tulowitzki to hit a DP ball to Ronny Cedeno -- but his flip to Ryan Theriot was bobbled, Holliday scored, and the Rockies put it away with another run after the second out was finally recorded.
It wasn't because Cub fans didn't fill Coors Field for another day -- I was amazed at the number of blue shirts I could see in the stands. I doubt the Rockies would have drawn 32,791 on a Thursday afternoon in April if not for Cubs fans.
These two-game series, one against the Mets and one against the Rockies, are strange not only for their brevity, but because they were both night games followed by day games -- each being two games played in less than 24 hours. It's almost as if the Mets and Rockies were ships passing us in the night, hardly to be seen again. Colorado comes to Wrigley Field in about a month, at the end of May, but the Mets won't be seen by the Cubs till the season is in its final week. Those games could wind up being really important.
I was out for a while this afternoon and thus listened to most of the first half of the game on the radio, the first time I've listened to a significant chunk of baseball via Pat & Ron this season. As most of you know, though I love Ron Santo for his Cub support and fandom, I've never liked his radio style that much -- personally, I prefer an analyst who gives more, well, analysis. That said, I know many people do love Ron for exactly who he is. I mention him because for the first time, I thought he sounded really tired -- and not just because it was a day game after a night game. Ron will be 68 in June and I hope his health holds up. This team has a chance to be something really special and I want him around to see every inning.
After a winning streak this long gets snapped, about all you can say is: it happens. Go out there and get 'em starting tomorrow night in Washington -- the Nationals are really bad struggling. Even Jay Leno noticed, making this recent joke:
"46,000 people showed up to see the Pope in the Washington Nationals' ballpark. He beat the Nationals 15-1. … To make sure the crowd did not get unruly they cut off beer sales after the 7th commandment."
Finally, when I stopped by Wrigley Field to take the photos of the flags this afternoon, I found them in the process of filming a commercial with a large group of kids on Waveland:
Click on photos to open a larger version in a new browser window. All photos by Al
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First Post!.....I get to make CRAB ANGELS!!!!
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 24, 2008 5:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
hopefully the rain with be scattered this weekend
forecast isn’t terrific for the weekend in DC. It better be good Saturday or I’ll be…well…pissed i guess..
2008 Cubs: Why Beat A Team in Regulation, when you can beat them in extras?
by Chanman25 on Apr 24, 2008 6:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Tired
looks to me we were just flat out tired today which can be expected. what a crazy schedule were being put through. On to the nats. good luck cubbies
Go Cubbies Go!!!!!!
by cubsluver22 on Apr 24, 2008 6:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What crazy schedule?
You are kidding, right? Eight game homestand. Two games in CO. to me does not mean crazy schedule. I admit though, going back east after the two set in CO. is somewhat stange. But the time difference is not that great.
Really, you do not need to make excuses for this loss. God forgive if on April 24th they are tired, than there is a real problem. Lighten up, they lost one game. Most likely the last one they will lose this season.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Apr 24, 2008 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i was at the game. they did look tired. i don’t think that’s an excuse, it’s just the way it is.
"I'd rather win ugly than lose pretty," -- Lou Pinella
by anormal on Apr 24, 2008 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tired, and lack of patience at the plate. Which they've been pretty good at up to this game.
I think Cook threw something like 70 pitches starting the 8th.
by Ilan on Apr 24, 2008 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Their game
is tomorrow night so hopefully they get a little rest and will get back in the winning groove.
by sue369 on Apr 24, 2008 6:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Rat's
I thought for sure we would not lose again this year. Same old Cubbie’s letting me down once again.
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Apr 24, 2008 6:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Seriously folks
My expectations are so high for the team this year. In my 40 + years of being a fan, I do not recall myself ever feeling this strongly about the Cubs going all the way.
At this point, anything less than getting to the WS will be a major let down. Which leads me to my biggest fear. That somehow, someway, they will let me down. But truth be told, this is one heck of a good team. I am so looking forward to following them this season.
Go get them in Nat City!
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Apr 24, 2008 7:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
personally
I dont think this will be a WS team until they add another shutdown pitcher to the rotation. But since we are talking about high hopes, I got some for Sean Gallagher.
by bheidge on Apr 24, 2008 7:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Backup Web Site?
I checked Al’s old blog at http://www.yellon.org/links.htm to see if he might have been reactivated it while SB Nation is down. At first I thought he had when I read:
Well, if you click there now, you’ll get … well, you’ll get nothing. There are server problems. The tech experts are working on it. Keep trying.
Only when I read the next sentence did I realize if was from February 9, 2005.
Why do I think Kyle Farnsworth is behind this, somehow?
Here’s another view of the 10,000 Wins flags from the Cubs Club webcam:
Al Spangler
by AlSpangler on Apr 24, 2008 7:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I use Safari on a Mac.
Does anyone else have problems with that webcam? The navigation seems to be way off for me. I click what I think is the outfield, and instead I get a lovely view of some support girders under the roof.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
by northsider on Apr 24, 2008 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I get the same thing
I have a custom comp and use mozilla
My 08 Cubs record 4-0
Updated April 19th
by Rudey on Apr 24, 2008 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok
Lou Pineilla is to Mike Fontenot
as
Dusty Baker was to ___.
by DGU on Apr 24, 2008 8:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not exactly.
The better answer is Jose Macias.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Apr 24, 2008 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting answer, but
I don’t recall Dusty thinking Macias was ever more than a bench player – never a regular leadoff man.
by DGU on Apr 24, 2008 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm.
I thought it would have been more, but Macias only led off eight times in 2005. In those eight games he hit .229/.270/.343 with six strikeouts in 35 AB.
Dusty must have been very proud.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Apr 24, 2008 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mike Fontenot strikes me as the sort of player...
...who is simultaneously overrated and underrated. He’s the sort of player that’s useful to keep around at AAA – if there’s an injury to your starter, you call him up and he can produce something above replacement level for you. There is some value to that.
But that’s pretty much Fontenot’s entire value. His inability to play any other positions adequately hurts when you only have a five-man bench. He’s not a plus defender so you can’t use him as a late-inning defensive replacement, he’s not a plus hitter so he doesn’t offer much in a pinch-hitting role, and he’s not really a stolen base threat so he’s not that useful as a pinch runner.
Given the short bench the team has, and the various constraints on it (carrying Daryle Ward makes things very difficult – Lou can sometimes burn three players in an at-bat just to get Ward into the game), Fontenot’s limitations really stand out, especially given that there are alternatives.
The fact that Lou is overexposing Fontenot’s weaknesses during Soriano’s absence just makes it worse.
by cwyers on Apr 24, 2008 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hard to underrate Fontenot
who hit .204/.288/.265 from July 26 2007 to the end of last year, and now .206/.229/.353 this year. Let’s put this in perspective – over his career, Jason Marquis has hit .208/.225/.303, so whenever Mike Fontenot pinch hits, a good question to ask is – why didn’t Lou just use Marquis? But Fontenot isn’t just pinch-hitting, he’s leading off!
Mike Fontenot is only on this team because Lou did not get his lefty-speedy middle IF and he doesn’t think Eric Patterson is ready. Lou’s insistence on playing Fontenot at the top of the lineup is absurd, precisely because Lou should know better. He had an interesting theory – that pitchers were claiming the outside corner on account of an unbalanced righty-heavy lineup. But to stick a guy who makes an out 3/4 ABs in the leadoff spot for the sake of that theory is nuts.
I said from the beginning, when people were opposing the potential Brian Roberts acquisition – it’s not about DeRosa v. Roberts, because Lou will find a way to get abother lefty bat in the lineup. It’s about Roberts v. whomever the other inferior lefty bat ends up being.
by DGU on Apr 24, 2008 11:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed...
Fontenot has consistently stunk since his hot start. He’s not remotely tolerable as a hitter. He should never be batting leadoff. Either Piniella is blinded by that great first month last year for Fontenot and thinks “we just need to get him hitting again,” or he’s actively trying to illustrate the need for a speedy LH bat to play 2B.
There was going to be an extra LH bat in the lineup one way or the other. Especially if Pie continues to scuffle. Having it be Fontenot is a big part of the tradeoff for not getting a better option in the offseason. I’m not saying the Roberts deal would have been a good idea (mainly because nobody knows what the parameters of such a trade would have been). I’m just saying that people were being short-sighted about the discussion by continuing to harp on DeRosa.
by SouthernCub on Apr 25, 2008 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Interesting that you bring this up...
And our bench in general.
My major concern for this team has been the lack of a defensive replacement in the middle infield. And, today… that concern finally reared it’s ugly head in the late innings, when Cedeno-to-Theriot failed to turn a double play that would’ve ended the 8th at a 2-2 tie.
We really need to find a PLUS defender in the middle infield. I don’t care if it’s a new starter, or a glove on the bench. We need one… period.
Cubs 2008 (15-6)
Home (10-4) | Road (5-2) | 1-Run Games (4-2) | Extra Innings (4-1)
Updated on April 24, 2008
by SackMan on Apr 25, 2008 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Something ABOVE replacement value?
I disagree with this. Excluding his amazing first month up last year (where his OPS was over 1.100!), here are Fontenot’s numbers:
July 2007: .211/.269/.211 (.480)
Aug 2007: .208/.323/.302 (.625)
Sept 2007: .233/.294/.267 (.561)
April 2008: .216/.237/.351 (.588)
I guess it depends on your definition of replacement level. If replacement level means “should be in AAA because he can’t touch MLB pitching,” then yes, he’s above that. But he’s certainly been consistently terrible month-by-month ever since he had that dream start.
by SouthernCub on Apr 25, 2008 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with the rest of what you said, though...
Fontenot’s only positive attributes seem to be that he’s scrappy, he hits LH, and he had a really good first month of 2007 with the Cubs. He should not be on the big league roster. Especially considering that we have a guy who pretty much can only pinch-hit (Ward) and we only have five position players on the bench including the backup catcher.
It’s not just Fontenot, either. Having Fontenot, Ward, Murton, and Blanco means we have four reserves who can only really play one position. And three of those four are certainly not to be confused with defensive replacements.
by SouthernCub on Apr 25, 2008 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Should
Patterson be up instead of Fontenot? He is more versatile, still bats left handed, and is a stolen base threat for late in the game pinch running. Patterson is a better defensive 2nd baseman as well, right?
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on Apr 25, 2008 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Purely as a backup player...
Yes, I think Patterson should be up ahead of Fontenot as long as the role is as a backup. He’s probably about as good defensively at 2B. He’s much faster, which means he can pinch run if needed and actually be an asset there. He can play multiple positions if needed, unlike Fontenot. And still bats LH, and can’t hit.
However, he’s probably no more worthy of an everyday role than Fontenot. The guy hasn’t exactly torn up AAA, and has looked bad against MLB pitching in limited exposure. If either is expected to be more than the 12th/13th position player on the roster right now, then that is not a good thing. In that situation, I think you’re going to get a whole lot of not very good from either guy.
I think there are two reasons that Fontenot is up and Patterson is not:
1. Fontenot is still living off that fantastic month in June, 2007; and
2. The Cubs may still envision Patterson as an eventual everyday player, and want him to get regular AB until he’s ready.
by SouthernCub on Apr 25, 2008 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
The solution then
would be to let Pie play everyday, which is something many have been pushing for some time now, play Johnson in LF and Derosa at second. This gives us the leadoff hitter we want in Johnson, and gives us a much better line up offensively and a better defensive arrangement as well.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on Apr 25, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Completely agree...
and I suggested as much down in another part of this diary. It’d be a far superior team defensively (DeRosa is a better 2B than LF, Johnson is a better LF than CF, and Pie is arguably the best defensive OF on the team). It’d also be a superior offensive team, as it would put Johnson at the leadoff spot instead of Fontenot and it would put Pie at the 8th spot. There, even if Pie did nothing more than match Fontenot’s abysmal offensive production, at least it’d be in the 8th spot and not in a spot that gets more plate appearances than anywhere else in the lineup.
by SouthernCub on Apr 25, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
See, the problem
is that your solution is obvious. It makes all the sense in the world to run that configuration out there. And Lou knows it’s a better setup, but he is playing Fontenot for one reason and one reason only – because Fontenot bats LH and isn’t Felix Pie.
So, the question is – does Lou really think batting a LH 1st or 2nd helps Aramis and DLee enough to offset a near-automatic out batting 5 times a game, or is he trying to force Jim Hendry into a trade?
by DGU on Apr 25, 2008 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd love to see this, too.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on Apr 25, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, see, you'd think it'd be Neifi
but Neifi Perez actually played defense well and therefore had some value to the team on the field.
by DGU on Apr 24, 2008 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tomorrow
Is a great day to start another 6 game winning streak…..for starters
FU-KU-DOH-MEH! clap, clap, clap-clap-clap!!!!
by tony412 on Apr 24, 2008 9:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Interesting notes from Stark tonight...
...I’ll past the Soriano part, but find the rest on espn.com
• Sori You’re Gone Dept.: In the Cubs’ first eight games without Alfonso Soriano they averaged 8.4 runs a game. They looked so good, in fact, that some scouts say they like this lineup better without Soriano than with him.
“Soriano is a first-pitch hacker, and that goes against everything Lou [Piniella] has been preaching to that club about patience,” said one scout. “They’re the most patient team in the big leagues right now. What they’ve been doing is grinding down starters and getting into those secondary relievers. But Soriano doesn’t let them do that because he’s hacking early in the count. To me, Soriano’s a valuable guy when he’s stealing 40-50 bases. And I’m not sure he’s going to do that anymore.”
I’m completely, completely amazed at how this team has gone from hack-fest a year or two ago to the “most patient team in the big leagues”. That is mindboggling. It can’t be just Reed and Dome, right? What happened over the off-season that started this? I would assume it was Lou’s doing…but why didn’t we see this as much last year?
Dan
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Apr 24, 2008 10:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'd argue that Soto is a part of it as well.
And it takes a while for an effect like this to take place. Piniella and Perry have been teaching plate discipline/patience since they got here, and it seems like it’s starting to take hold.
I think I recall seeing that this is a common occurance throughout Piniella’s career – in his second season as skipper the team’s OBP spikes up significantly. I can’t remember where I read this, though.
by cwyers on Apr 24, 2008 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This really begs the question...
...what can A-Fon really do if he does become disciplined? Seems like he already relies less on speed. Can a guy like him become more disciplined through intrinsic motivation, or will it take a team effort, or maybe a drop in the batting order? Anyone remember a recent slugger that improved his discipline over the years? I don’t know.
Dan
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Apr 24, 2008 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting.
Seems like Soriano is becoming more of a problem than a solution.
by Fraggin Judge on Apr 24, 2008 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I recent slugger
Sammy Sosa used to be completly vulnerable to the same pitch Sori is, junk away. Now Sammy didnt become overally disciplined but he sure did straighten a few things out. Cloud over Sammys head or not—-you have to put the ball in play.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on Apr 25, 2008 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he was also just as selfish of a player...
Felix Pie must play everyday!
by JB 23 on Apr 25, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ding, ding, ding !!!!
Alfonso Soriano is a $136 million headache for the Cubs and Lou Piniella. It’s a pathetic situation when you really stand back and think about it. I just hope Sweet Lou has the guts to plop him into the # 6 hole for good when he returns from the DL. Otherwise honesty prevails me to say I hope he stays on the DL all year long.
by MDBNIU on Apr 24, 2008 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well Ill take it over
other pathetic sitautions like Hampton, Brown and Zito. At least Sori produces….
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on Apr 25, 2008 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Funny, you've never mentioned feeling this way before.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on Apr 25, 2008 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't realize until now....
...that this was the first game this year Ramierz failed to reach base.
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball"
by Bump Bailey on Apr 24, 2008 10:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I blame you
And that Cook pitched well.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on Apr 25, 2008 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's all my fault...
It always is..just ask my wife….ba dum chhh
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball"
by Bump Bailey on Apr 25, 2008 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have to mention this:
Rarely does the same player throws a game away twice in the same inning. Theriot first hit into a DP in the top of the 8th, ending the team’s chances to take the lead after loading the bases with nobody out. Then, in the bottom of the same inning, Theriot bobbled the ball, not making a sure DP that would have ended the inning with the game tied. Theriot had been solid this week, until today.
by Fraggin Judge on Apr 24, 2008 10:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
There aren't a lot of line drive double plays...
...so it’s hard to get really upset about that one.
The error you can fault Theriot for, but (almost) every player makes an error every now and again. You have to step back and take a look at the entire player.
And in Theriot’s case, yeah, the entire player is pretty bad. But at least then you’re being fairly critical.
by cwyers on Apr 24, 2008 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There was one in the game yesterday too
Line drive to tulo and he doubled dlee off second. Them’s the breaks. Theriot did lose the game today, but it happens. Stating the obvious, the trick is to limit those. If they can have one bad game and six good, I’m ok with that. Don’t forget Theriot also won the game last night.
by cubsonWGN4ever on Apr 24, 2008 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, hey
don’t put it all on Theriot. Lou lost the game because he put Mike Fontenot’s name down in the leadoff spot when he could have put any of the players that did not start (besides Henry) in that spot and they would have done better.
Lou lost this game.
by DGU on Apr 24, 2008 11:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
fair enough
It’s not ALL on Theriot obviously – but he made the critical mistake. Its unfortunate, but it happens and in fact, in no way influences my opinion of Theriot. He’s very very good, but he’s human.
by cubsonWGN4ever on Apr 25, 2008 1:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ryan Theriot is very, very good?
At what, exactly?
by cwyers on Apr 25, 2008 1:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This:
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on Apr 25, 2008 6:07 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Lou didnt lose the game
Cook won the game.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on Apr 25, 2008 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, yes
I’m being hyperbolic, but whenever Lou puts Fontenot’s name on the lineup card he is putting out an inferior lineup and whenever he puts Fontenot at leadoff, he is asking to lose.
by DGU on Apr 25, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's like this -
some of you are convinced that batting the pitcher 8th is idiotic. Well, what if you batted the pitcher 7th? 6th? What if you bat the pitcher leadoff? That’s what Lou is doing whenever he puts Fontenot’s name down on the card.
by DGU on Apr 25, 2008 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha
The problem is Fontenot, for now, is the best option for what he does.
Now--Lets be honest arent we all happy that one of the Cubs biggest issues is Mike Fontenot-—-who Mike Murphy loves (btw, Mike Murphy is the biggest ‘sheep’ Cub fans. He bows to the hot hand its ridiculous)
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on Apr 25, 2008 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then the Cubs should do something else...
For example, the Cubs could play Pie in CF, Johnson in LF, and DeRosa at 2B. That is a similarly productive offense at worst, and a MUCH better defense.
Fontenot doesn’t do anything to warrant being a major league regular, and he certainly doesn’t do anything to warrant batting leadoff. If he’s the best option the team has for a LH leadoff man then the Cubs should scrap the idea of having a LH leadoff man.
by SouthernCub on Apr 25, 2008 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK
Its being said over and over again, yes the out at the second, but the DP was not guaranteed AT ALL. Theriot had to rush and that was the problem in the bobble. IMO, that run scores anyways.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on Apr 25, 2008 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know
Tulo was real late getting out of the box because of the “Oooops” swing. I think it’s turned if he plays it cleanly.
So nobody has to see the scroll bar on my posts!!!!
by McRipper on Apr 25, 2008 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And the game would have remained tied 2-2
going into the 9th. Yes, Theriot ’s error put the Rox ahead, but even if they turn the DP, the Cubs still have to score again to win the game.
The Cubs had 4 hits the entire game, 3 of them by the players that get blasted plenty on this board, Pie (2 hits) and Fontenot (1 hit).
In the top of the 9th, the heart of our lineup went 3 up, 3 down, with two strikeouts (Fukudome ends the game by striking out on-gasp-3 pitches). Not blaming any of these three for not getting it done.
Can’t win ‘em all.
Go Cubs!!!
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
by flachimesa on Apr 25, 2008 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well Said.
"In all the categories that you pay the most attention to, except the loss column, we're doing very well" - Jim Hendry
by Jayo525 on Apr 25, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What have you done for me lately??
I was listening to the game so I can only go by what the Pat said but it sounded like he wouldn’t have been able to turn a double play even if he didn’t bobble it.
Also, it sounded as if Tulowitzki made a really great defensive play on Theriot.
Again, I was listening not watching
by 1060 W Addison on Apr 25, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Curious fact.
I hadn’t posted this before because the site was down but I heard yesterday on ESPN that the Cubs’ 10,000 win was also Lou Piniella’s 100th win as the Cubs’ manager.
by Fraggin Judge on Apr 24, 2008 10:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, there were three things actually...
...1) 10,000th win, 2) Lou’s 100th win as Cubs manager, and 3) Lou moved up on the list of all-time winningest managers to tie with some other guy. (Can’t remember the other guy’s name and too lazy to check.)
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on Apr 25, 2008 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bill Brasky?
"In all the categories that you pay the most attention to, except the loss column, we're doing very well" - Jim Hendry
by Jayo525 on Apr 25, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, but HERE'S TO BILL BRASKY!
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on Apr 25, 2008 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
WTF?
My image disappered. Bastids.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on Apr 25, 2008 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I know Bill Brasky!
He’s a 10-foot-tall beast man, who showers in Vodka.. and feeds his baby Shrimp Scampi!
"I got a PBS mind in an MTV world"...Jimmy Buffett
by The Ryno and I Know on Apr 25, 2008 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You got pwned, too!
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on Apr 25, 2008 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lou just tied Ralph Houk with 1619 wins as a manager
14th on the all-time wins list for managers
Another 277 wins and he passes #13 Bill McKechnie (1896 wins)
Another 2112 wins and he passes #1 Connie Mack (3731)
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
by flachimesa on Apr 25, 2008 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lou said last night
that it would be the last manager he would pass as far as wins goes.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on Apr 25, 2008 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If true...
... that tells you Lou knows very well where he stands on the list, AND that he has no intention of managing past 2009.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Apr 25, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ralph Houk, right. How could I forget a name like that?
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on Apr 25, 2008 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ron Santo
Santo has sounded especially tired all season long. I wonder if he is up to the challenge of a full time schedule anymore. Certainly understandable. Pat Hughes deserves the Nobel Prize for not only doing the play-by-play but also “carrying” Santo in the booth.
by MDBNIU on Apr 24, 2008 10:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ron does seem tired.
but with all his health probs and that much traveling… cant be easy. One of these years maybe he’ll have to start just doing home games.
by Madison Cub Fan on Apr 24, 2008 11:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Santo Might Consider Limited Schedule
Vin Scully only does about 110 Dodgers games a year now. For Ron, doing all the home games, and going on road trips to Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and crosstown to “the Cell” might be all he can handle. Santo is a tough old Cub, though, and he’ll try to do every game.
by memphiscub on Apr 25, 2008 7:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ron's act is tired
I love Ron but yesterday he was reading faxes in the top of the 9th when the Cubs were trying to rally, forcing Hughes to miss pitches. Ron can read faxes from innings 1-8, but when it comes to the 9th, stfu and let Hughes call the game.
They should just put Ron out front and let him be Wrigley’s version of the Walmart greeter.
by dr stabbingworth on Apr 25, 2008 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I duno...
...Mike & Mike keep playing replays of his celebrations in big-game moments (A-ram’s 9th inning homer vs. COL)...he sounds pretty awake to me >8)
by Shawon O Meter on Apr 25, 2008 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is awake during
key moments of the game when the Cubs either do something good or really bad, but at other times when his color commentary is needed, he is slow to respond or stumbles through an answer or statement that doesn’t always make sense.
I love Ronnie’s enthusiasm for the game and love him for the moments when he wears his Cubs fanness on his sleeve, but his color commentary is lacking a bit more than usual this year.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on Apr 25, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scorecard
For Al, here’s the cover for the scorecard for the weekend series. In one of the better features of the new park, they give them out free with a new one every homestand. It’s kind of small (same size as the free ones in Milwaukee), but you certainly can’t beat the price.
Tomorrow’s starter Odalis Perez has pitched fairly effectively, but the Nationals offense has not been in gear at all this year – before tonight, when Felipe Lopez hit a grand slam.
Haven’t seen the Cubs in person this year and still getting used to the idea of the Cubs playing 5 minutes from my office. I expect to have photos up tomorrow night after the game. Here’s to 10,001.
The Artist Formerly Known as Chris
by 08Cubs on Apr 24, 2008 11:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Photo
Uh, here’s the scorecard cover. Still getting used to the new software.
The Artist Formerly Known as Chris
by 08Cubs on Apr 24, 2008 11:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Free is good!
I had heard that at RFK they had only $10 programs. So this is progress.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Apr 25, 2008 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pat & Ron
I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels that way about Ron.
Pat asks a question. Ron replies, “Yeah.” Not much in the way of analysis. Or when he does, it’s always late and you miss an out or two.
I do enjoy listening to him get worked up when things are going well. Listening to him cheer is fun but since I can’t actually see the game, I’d like to know what’s going on when listening to Pat and Ron.
by Arbusto on Apr 25, 2008 7:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree
Ron does seem to talk a lot during the important parts, where we who are listening would love to hear Pat actually doing the play by play. Sometimes Pat does a really good job just cutting into one of Ron’s stories and then saying “go ahead Ron” after updating what is going on in the game. Pat should just do that all the time.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on Apr 25, 2008 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just hope
that he stays healthy long enough to see the Cubs get into (and hopefully win) a WS.
by Madison Cub Fan on Apr 25, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He certainly deserves that!
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on Apr 25, 2008 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yesterday
I may be a bit nit picky here so I would like an opinion (or 20). After Holliday’s double in the 8th, the next hitter hit a fairly sharp grounder to Theriot. It looked like Holliday broke for third behind the ball. I have always heard that if you are ss and the ball is hit in front of the runner at second and he goes to third you throw to third. There wa no mention of this on TV and they never replayed the ground out. This is a situation (winning run moving to third with no outs) where I think it is okay to gamble on the out and take first and thrid with 0 outs. Thoughts?
by gocubsgo22 on Apr 25, 2008 9:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
BB kind of mentioned it
he defended The Riot though, saying he had no chance at Holliday. Didn’t get a replay, so couldn’t tell.
Soriano should hit 5th. Period.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Apr 25, 2008 2:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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