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Open Thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Friday 4/4, 1:20 CT

Yelloncard_tiny by Al on in Game Threads

Houston @ Chicago


I don't usually cite Rick Morrissey columns, and especially not ones like today's, where he discusses, you know, that 2003 NLCS incident, but I had to note his swipe at a certain Sun-Times columnist:

And how about an apology from Lord Voldemort over at the Sun-Times, who suggested in a column Wednesday that "the cold war should end" and Bartman should throw out the first pitch at a Cubs game this season.

Lord Voldemort. Perfect.

Onward. This got buried in the comments last night, so I thought I'd frontpage it: Paul Sullivan tells us that AC/DC's "Dynamite", played when Kerry Wood came in to the games Monday and Thursday, wasn't Kerry's idea:

"Not my choice," he said, adding he had "no idea" who chose the song.

The Cubs marketing department apparently came up with the selection, believing Wood wanted to enter with theme music, as many closers do. After Tribune readers sent more than 400 suggestions for Wood's entrance song last week, Wood said he didn't need to enter to music at Wrigley, where tradition usually trumps fads.

Asked about the choice of "Dynamite," Wood shrugged.

"I'm indifferent, really," he said. "I'm sure it will be changed at some point."

Wood said he would prefer to hear Wrigley organist Gary Pressy "tickling the ivory" rather than music coming over the loudspeakers.
And for those of you who like lineup discussions and other conspiracy theories, Bruce Miles gives you some food for thought:
Finally, Piniella dropped a hint as to why he wanted to try Soriano second, and it seemed to have everything to do with him thinking or hoping the Cubs would trade for Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts, a natural leadoff man.

"Early in the spring, he wasn't running as well," Piniella said of Soriano. "But he's picked it up. There were other reasons I put him in the 2-hole, for God's sake. You know? So we've got him in the 1-hole now. That's where he's going to stay, and we don't have to answer to that anymore."

Brian who? Never heard of him.

Today's Starting Pitchers
Rich Hill
 R. Hill
Cubs		 vs. Chris Sampson
 C. Sampson
Astros
11-8 W-L 7-8
3.92 ERA 4.59
183 SO 51
63 BB 30
27 HR 20
vs. Hou -- vs. Cubs

Stats are 2007 season stats

Rich Hill has made five career appearances (three starts) vs. the Astros; he's 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA and handles them pretty well, even Cub nemesis Carlos Lee (2-for 9, one of the hits a HR). Hill didn't have a good spring, so this game is a good test for him.

Derrek Lee is 2-for-3 vs. Sampson with a HR. Aramis Ramirez is 2-for-6. No other Cub has batted more than four times vs. Sampson, whose biggest claim to fame is that in his second major league start on June 7, 2006, an emergency assignment, he threw seven shutout innings against the Cubs. Of course, that was the 2006 Cubs, a really bad team.

Today's game is on CSN Chicago and FSN Houston, on the usual radio stations (thanks to XM for keeping the game on the same channel all week!) and at the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2008 version - this link has pitcher stats and splits up)

Also, once again today, an overflow comment thread will automatically post at 2:45 CT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

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Poor Bartman...

I get the feeling when I come to this site that he's actually hiding in the comments from time to time.

I hope we can just let the poor guy live his life and come back to Wrigley. As long as he sits a few rows back, of course.

Hector Villanueva's Career Stolen Bases: 1

by IowaCubs- on Apr 4, 2008 9:08 AM CDT   0 recs

Voldie

Mariotti strikes me more as a Lucius Malfoy type: affects an attitude of smug self-righteousness and importance, but ultimately just the lackey trying desperately to please the Dark Lord by doing and saying whatever he's told to do in order to wreak as much of Voldemort's havoc as possible.

Nitpicking from a Harry Potter obsessed librarian aside, I appreciate the reference and the jab. :-)

I also liked Tim Souers take on the recent press Bartman and Alou are being given again.

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 bluebythebook on Apr 4, 2008 9:09 AM CDT   0 recs

Hill's 2007 ERA looks high, no?

He had a 3.92 ERA last year, not 4.72.

Aside from that nitpick, let's get a win streak going!

by SouthernCub on Apr 4, 2008 9:10 AM CDT   0 recs

Whoops.

Forgot to edit that from yesterday's pitcher box. I'll fix it.

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

by Al on Apr 4, 2008 9:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Morissey

is probably just trying to get into the goods graces of those on this blog with the Lord Voldemort reference, seeing as how we have been referring to that columnist as TCTSNBN

by gwood on Apr 4, 2008 9:15 AM CDT   0 recs

Buck tradition

Good song choice by the marketers. Hope it sticks.

by lamentir on Apr 4, 2008 9:16 AM CDT   0 recs

'cept that

The song is called "TNT and not "Dynamite." Unless they played "Kissing Dynamite."

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 bluebythebook on Apr 4, 2008 9:21 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey, I didn't put that

Personally, now that John Smoltz is back to a starter, I'd go with Thunderstruck. That's a bad-ass riff to open

by lamentir on Apr 4, 2008 9:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"Dynamite"...

... was what Sullivan called it. I'm not familiar with most AC/DC music.

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

by Al on Apr 4, 2008 9:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

wasn't trying to imply you made the error

I was just pointing it out. Sorry.

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 bluebythebook on Apr 4, 2008 10:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't.

Why would they do that when Wood has made it known that he doesn't want one?

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

by Al on Apr 4, 2008 9:21 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ditto.

He should be walking out to the mound with a thundering roar from the Wrigley faithful. To the tune of KERRR-RY, KERRR-RY!

Cubs 2008
Home (1-2) | Road (0-0) | 1-Run Games (0-1) | Extra Innings (0-1)
Updated on April 3, 2008

by SackMan on Apr 4, 2008 9:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How Bout

"WE GOT WOOOOOD, WE GOT WOOOOOOD"

"The Cubs can't be stopped" -- Me

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 4, 2008 10:23 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly, I could...

of swore that Wood stated he didn't want an entrace song, mainly b/c it wasn't fitting for him or the Wrigley atmosphere. Can't find the link...

You ARE freaking out MAN!

by crw89 on Apr 4, 2008 10:16 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree.

I'm all about the rock 'n roll, but save the cheesy theme songs for ballparks that need to give people a reason besides the game of baseball to put their butts in the seats. (I'm looking at you, PETCO Park!) This is Wrigley Field. This is tradition. This is Kerry Wood. Like Woody himself implied, just ask the organist to play something appropos and let the fans do the rest.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 4, 2008 10:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ugh, really?

Enough with the AC/DC for closers - can we please find another band? I have nothing in particular against their music, but there have been some bands since the 80s and I'm sure one of them has a decent song we could use for Kerry.
On the other hand - I don't think he should have a song, how about quiet efficiency?

by bolivar13 on Apr 4, 2008 9:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How about

some ABBA - Dancing Queen maybe :).

by gwood on Apr 4, 2008 10:16 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How bout

"Hit the Lights" by Metallica. Appropriate, no?

You don't snipe in Carrington!

by neverAcquiesce on Apr 4, 2008 10:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Or maybe "For Whom the Bell Tolls"?

That way, he could have the tolling bell, like Trevor, but a different song.

No! Bad Daver! I'm being a total hyprocrite here. No theme music. Just the organ and then 98 MPH heaters.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 4, 2008 10:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Seek and Destroy would seem appropriate!

The Cubs could use a little killer instinct.

by Itchy on Apr 4, 2008 10:55 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Or

Search and Destroy by Iggy and the Stooges.......or Raw Power from the same album....

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

by JohnM on Apr 4, 2008 11:16 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Also very nice!

Speaking of The Stooges, the beginning of "T.V. Eye" off of "Fun House" is one of my all-time favorite rock 'n roll moments. That would be kinda cool, too. (Ahem, not that I'm in favor of this sorta thing...sure is fun to talk about though...)

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 4, 2008 11:18 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How about

Ironman from Sabbath. Kind of a play on words but how I hope he plays this year.

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." ~Albert Einstein

by Jettero2112 on Apr 4, 2008 11:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Nah

Bucking tradition is one thing, but playing song old rock tune as you enter the game? That's simply cliche. I appreciate Wood's stance here, and agree that the organ does suffice. If you want to break with tradition, that's fine, too. But find a way to do it with originality. That's part of what's lacking at stadiums across the league and across all of sports: the unique experience from team to team, place to place, is being lost. Wrigley is one of the few places where that experience is still original, unlike anything else. Change all you want to, but keep it a one-of-a-kind thing. Last thing anyone needs is more of the same.

"Just because you've had enough/ doesn't mean you wanted too much." -Dean Young

by Kegler on Apr 4, 2008 9:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The same Wrigley

That's getting ready to be renamed? Sometimes you just roll with the changes

by lamentir on Apr 4, 2008 9:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe.

But again, if the player makes a specific request to NOT have a song, I'm thinking the marketing dept. ought to go along with that.

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

by Al on Apr 4, 2008 9:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Unfortunately

that is true.

"Just because you've had enough/ doesn't mean you wanted too much." -Dean Young

by Kegler on Apr 4, 2008 9:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How is playing a song...

... going to make them more money? Especially when it's against one of their star player's wishes?

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

by Al on Apr 4, 2008 9:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Apparently

Something's going on with all that. Otherwise, why would they start doing it in the first place, well after Kerry shrugged it all off?

by lamentir on Apr 4, 2008 9:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Read the article.

It says the marketing department decided to do it without consulting anyone.

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

by Al on Apr 4, 2008 10:06 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Aieee

Can we just drop the closer songs please? Trevor and Hells Bells is cool, but when everyone does it, it means jack now.

"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will

by eswan9 on Apr 4, 2008 10:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

A name

is a name is a name. Sure, I'd like it to stay Wrigley, but whatever it's called it's still the same experience, as Al has said before. It's ironic though how rolling with the changes has gotten us to the point where every town in America has the exact same strips of McD/Walmart/Taco Bell/Starbuck's etc. That's what you get when you just roll....Change is change, sure, but work to make it a good change, or at least a well thought out one. Doing what everyone else has done is not so much change as pathetic sheepism, and there's way too much of that going around these days.

"Just because you've had enough/ doesn't mean you wanted too much." -Dean Young

by Kegler on Apr 4, 2008 9:29 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I Couldn't Agree More1

I began to notice 30+ years ago how difficult it was to tell most major cities apart from each other. I was In suburban Denver and were it not for the snow-capped Rockies, I couldn't tell if I was in LA or Dallas or Atlanta or .... That's one of the reasons I love Chicago as much as I do. It's one of the few cities that if one were dropped into it blindfolded, one would immediately know where they were on first peek. That said, the live pro sports experience is getting to be such that you hear and see the same old thing from venue to venue. Tradition is not in itself bad. In the case of Wrigley (or whatever it will eventually be called) it is what makes it what it is. Playing the same loud, inane music that is played everywhere is simply a step towards the complete degradation of that tradition. I applaud Kerry and his answer to the musical question. As I tell my 30 year-old son at least once a week, old is not necessarily bad and new is not necessarily good.

And so it goes.

by Luigi on Apr 4, 2008 9:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Here here

I moved to Minneapolis a few years back and really miss Chicago. Most of all I miss all of the hole-in-the-wall, mom and pop type places where you can grab a really good bite to eat for a fantastic price. Up here it is chain restaurants everywhere you look.

by gwood on Apr 4, 2008 10:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Similar situation, stuck in Omaha

Thankfully, the city has the most restaurants per capita in the country, so there are some good options if you look hard enough. I was able to find some respite when someone opened up a Chicago themed fast food joint. Chicago dogs and Goose Island 312 make for an awesome lunch.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on Apr 4, 2008 10:36 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Goose Island 312

is by far my favorite of their beers

by gwood on Apr 4, 2008 10:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

In that case, a little REO Speedwagon would be in order...

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Apr 4, 2008 10:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Heh

Excellent suggestion, ballhawk. Myself, I'd thought of "Norweigen Wood". The fact that it isn't rocking nor does it make any sense are both plusses for me.

"Just because you've had enough/ doesn't mean you wanted too much." -Dean Young

by Kegler on Apr 4, 2008 10:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

small point

but the song is called "T.N.T", not "Dynamite". Oh, and Kerry Wood doesn't need entrance music, but if they are going to play a song, that's not a bad one to do.

---AC 00 00 00 - Believe

by mjk83 on Apr 4, 2008 9:21 AM CDT   0 recs

Jeez

You'd think professional writers would look this stuff up before sending it off, no? AC/DC's ok. I'm not a big fan, but how hard can it be?

"Just because you've had enough/ doesn't mean you wanted too much." -Dean Young

by Kegler on Apr 4, 2008 9:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Duh..

I was thinking to myself that I didn't know that AC/DC song until you said "T.N.T." It is a classic, but seems a little contrived to have a theme song

by epcub on Apr 4, 2008 1:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Kerry growing

Brenly talked a few days ago about how players mentally develop in phases that somewhat depend on their success. I think we have seen a very nice development in Kerry. Even in this opportunity to return to the spotlight and be self indulgent, he is instead shunning it and focusing on team contribution. I think that is a pretty mature attitude.

This kinda brings me to another point. I love stats as much as the next guy, and I'm one revival short of converting to sabermetrics. But as a fan of the game, I get some enjoyment out of following a team made up of good guys who I think are adding to the world and not just taking. 100 years blah blah blah, I'd prefer a world series title this year. But after 3 games into the season, I'm trying to focus on taking enjoyment out of each day's game. Guys like Kerry really add to that for me.

"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard

by TXCub on Apr 4, 2008 9:45 AM CDT   1 recs

I couldn't have said it better myself.

To me anyway, that's what being a fan is all about. I enjoy following these players as individuals and really enjoy getting to know them during success and failure on the field. I don't have a favorite player on the Cubs because there are so many I've grown to love over the past couple years...

by bap on Apr 4, 2008 9:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I almost had the Aramis Homerun yesterday....

It landed about 6 rows in front of me and bounced up and a guy 2 rows in front of me ended up grabbing it out of the air. I had a legitimate shot, but I felt it prudent not to launch myself into the crowd.

Another HR story - I got to the bleachers early for BP and had just settled into my seat when a random Brewer launched one into the upper seats in right - probably a section or two away from Al's. I was sitting a few feet away from a young lady, maybe 18 years old with a cast on her leg. She was standing up, talking on her cellphone and this baseball came hurtling towards her. She simply stuck her gloved hand up and caught this ball on the fly and exhorted to whomever she was speaking to,"holy sh** I just caught a ball!" Pretty neat sight....and a great catch.

by cubsonWGN4ever on Apr 4, 2008 9:59 AM CDT   0 recs

correction...

not right field - meant left field.

by cubsonWGN4ever on Apr 4, 2008 10:00 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I haven't slept since our W!!!

So for me, this is double-header!!!!

Let's Play Two!!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

"The Cubs can't be stopped" -- Me

by lilkimmer77 on Apr 4, 2008 10:11 AM CDT   0 recs

wow.

i really have no time for rick morrissey or jay mariotti. but that really is quite a morrisey column.
absolutely mr. bartman should throw out a first pitch. the sooner the better. i'd love to see him wind up and throw some high heat into the press box where it could brush mariotti back from his three sausage lunch. maybe that could wake up a few brain cells.
as i said the day after that game, bartman is now the physical emobodiment of the pain of being a cubs fan. we feel it - he has had to live it. if you are a true cubs fan, you should want to buy mr. bartman an old style and chat about what a great team we have this year. and by all means, let him throw out a first pitch. for a team that has done so much wrong over the years, it would be fantastic to see them do something right in this case.

by billywan on Apr 4, 2008 10:13 AM CDT   0 recs

Steve B...

I wonder if he would want to come back and throw the first pitch?
He's already tasted the fury of the fans and the media when coincidence isolated him as the scapegoat.
Who would risk that again?

by Gucci on Apr 4, 2008 11:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah

i wouldn't blame him if he didn't want to come back. and frankly, i'd be nervous for him in front of the drunken masses at wrigley.

but i still think it's worth a shot. and maybe my pessimism about the wrigley faithful will prove unfounded.

but if not a first pitch, i'd still love to buy him an old style.

by billywan on Apr 4, 2008 11:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah just imagine how much he would get booed if he missed the strike zone.

by daeviant on Apr 4, 2008 1:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He would probably throw the pitch...

...then run really, really fast in to home plate and block the catcher from getting the ball.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 4, 2008 1:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think before Bartman appeared, they'd have to invite back Moises to step to the mic and address the crowd and explain why it isn't his fault first.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Apr 4, 2008 1:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

BTW... Wood hit 98mph on the gun yesterday

And I think his off-speed stuff was 83mph. But, he was consistently throwing heaters in the 94, 95, 96, 97 range.

Marmol was throwing mid 90's as usual... with his off-speed at 79 (as usual).

Cubs 2008
Home (1-2) | Road (0-0) | 1-Run Games (0-1) | Extra Innings (0-1)
Updated on April 3, 2008

by SackMan on Apr 4, 2008 10:27 AM CDT   0 recs

The gun readings are nice...

...but more importantly, Wood was hitting the outside corner with regularity and that is the most important thing for his success. I'd rather have him hitting that corner at 92-93, than throwing it right down the middle at 97.

Marmol is not yet quite in cink with his slider. It just doesn't have the same bite that it did last year. Some of that is probably the cold weather which makes it difficult to get a grip with the breaking balls.

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

by MPH73 on Apr 4, 2008 10:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I can't see the pitch location well enough from my seat

Especially when it's right-handed hitter (I'm on the 3rd base side). So, I like to look up at the gun after the pitch.

Cubs 2008
Home (1-2) | Road (0-0) | 1-Run Games (0-1) | Extra Innings (0-1)
Updated on April 3, 2008

by SackMan on Apr 4, 2008 10:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

not to be the grammar jackass...

but it's synch, as in synchronized

I have complete faith that Marmol will get a feel for his slider and get back to where he left off last year. Well, before AZ.

by bolivar13 on Apr 4, 2008 10:55 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

When I saw this, I thought

somoene was suggesting an intro song for Wood.

"Bye Bye Bye" wouldn't really strike fear into anyone, would it?

by TC Cubby on Apr 4, 2008 11:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Your right...

...I write a little too quick sometimes, and I think it may have been a Freudian slip, as I was watching golf a while ago (Stewart Cink).

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

by MPH73 on Apr 4, 2008 1:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ah, back in town and looking forward to seeing them play.

My trip was force delayed a few days and I am stuck in the office today. I have 4 tix for todays game. See the ticket exchange for how to contact me for four tix for this afternoon.

by N Oakley on Apr 4, 2008 10:41 AM CDT   0 recs

Um, Off Topic

Just wanted to find out who does the advertising choices for this site. I have been noticing today that there seems to be an awful lot of half naked girl video clip advertisements around here. Two girls making out on the right side of the page..... hmmmm. I only bring it up because today is the first day I've noticed it. New ads I'm assuming.

by Lou In Blue on Apr 4, 2008 10:52 AM CDT   0 recs

A few years ago around Valentine's day

we had an ad that everyone coined "Naked Butt Girl", caused a stir.

I haven't seen the ones that you are talking about, but I know that Al said in the past he has not control over the ads placed here. He did talk to the powers that be, as he is sensitive to the fact that kids are on this site and people view it at work.

by TC Cubby on Apr 4, 2008 11:00 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I'm not seeing any "half naked girl video clips" either.

I probably shouldn't admit this, but I'm a little disappointed. Hey, it's a slow day here at work!

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Apr 4, 2008 11:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey-O

watch yourself...

by bap on Apr 4, 2008 11:02 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs