There's No Place Like Home: Cubs 3, Dodgers 1
by Al Yellon on May 26, 2008 5:33 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintI had just turned the radio on to the postgame show to hear Lou Piniella discussing the merits of winning a lot of games at home and breaking even on the road, which is a nice little combination.
Wrigley Field is providing one of the best starts in club history at home -- 20 of the first 28, a .714 winning percentage which would result in a club-record-tying 58 home wins (set in 1910, a pennant year) if they could keep it up (most likely, of course, they can't)... and if they could just keep up the bargain on the road, this could be a special season.
Coming home off two disastrous losses in Pittsburgh, the Cubs once again clicked on all cylinders in defeating the Dodgers 3-1 this afternoon in front of a festive holiday crowd of 41,583, third largest of this young season, on a day which hinted of the nice summer weather to come -- a bit humid, in fact, somewhat uncomfortable since I didn't have time to change into the shorts I had brought from work, because parking was nearly impossible to find today.
Like you care, right?
What you do care about is Ryan Dempster's 11th good start of the season. Yes, all 11 -- look at his previous game log and you'll see that although he had a couple of "not-great" starts, he hasn't been blown out of any of them, and has gone six or more innings in 10 of 11. Today, after getting out of a first-inning jam he caused himself by walking the nearly-unwalkable Juan Pierre by a nicely-executed rundown of Pierre trying to score (my friend and BCB reader bison texted me from California, where he had scored it from home 1-6-4-5-2-3-4), Dempster settled down and retired nine of the next ten hitters he faced, finally running into trouble in the fifth when Mark DeRosa couldn't handle an infield popup and had no play as Matt Kemp, who had doubled, scored LA's only run.
Dempster got himself out of another jam in the 6th, after he had loaded the bases with two singles and a walk to Kemp, and again in the 7th, when no one was warming up, a testament to how overworked the bullpen was in all the extra-inning games in Pittsburgh. Dempster threw 117 pitches, 71 for strikes, and Bob Howry had to do the same thing in the 8th. We couldn't figure out why Scott Eyre, warmed and ready, didn't come in to face two lefty hitters in James Loney and Delwyn Young. Lou explained during the news conference that he thought Howry was throwing better, and it appears he wanted to give Howry a confidence-builder.
That's a risky way to win games, but it worked. Howry struck out Loney and got Young to fly to Jim Edmonds (the ball, not too far away from Alfonso Soriano, had us yelling, "Let Edmonds take it!" (We were threatening to ask the Cubs to put those beeping sounds you hear from trucks backing up near the wall so Alfonso would know when he's getting close to it, either that or yellow crime-scene tape.)
Did you ever think you'd be a Cub fan and be yelling that? Yeah, me either. Edmonds does, for all his flaws, still play a good CF -- his range isn't what it used to be, but he catches whatever he can get to. He also singled in trying to get a rally going in the 7th inning; 1-for-3 today, he has at least earned some more playing time. I, for one, am tired of all the Hoffpauir-whoever talk for the outfield; Lou seems obsessed with a LH power bat out there, and though I think Edmonds is done, I'd be happy to be proven wrong.
Derrek Lee provided the only runs the Cubs needed with his 12th HR after a walk to Ryan Theriot in the first. Aramis Ramirez hit his 9th in the 8th inning to give an insurance cushion to Kerry Wood, who very nearly hit Juan Pierre leading off the top of the 9th. I'm not sure what can be done about this, but really, that's the only thing stopping Wood from becoming an elite closer. If he can get past the yips of that first batter, he's fine. He gave up a seeing-eye single to Andre Ethier and then struck out Russell Martin and Chin-Lung Hu to end it (we all had to hold our tongues when Hu pinch-ran for Jeff Kent and all the "Hu's on first" jokes came to our collective minds in the LF corner). And for once it was the other guys stranding runners -- the Dodgers left twelve men on base today.
I don't have too much to say about Alfonso Soriano today... oh, never mind, yes I do. He handled two chances without incident, walked twice and hit a ball out to Waveland, just foul, which was caught by BCB reader ballhawk (that's your cue, Ken -- let's hear about that!).
One discordant note: remember how I've been saying Kosuke Fukudome never has a bad at-bat? He had at least three of them today, striking out twice and getting badly fooled and hitting into a 1-2-3 DP with the bases loaded and the Cubs with a chance to blow the game open in the 6th. The pitchers may be catching up to him. He has to start making adjustments. I think he's smart enough to do so -- but we'll see.
In any case, a game like this is how they should all go. Home cooking feels real good, and after 51 games, just short of 1/3 of the season, the Cubs still have not lost more than two games in a row.
Finally, former Cub pitcher Geremi Gonzalez was killed when hit by lightning yesterday in his home country of Venezuela. I remember Gonzalez well as a top pitching prospect in the mid-1990's -- he never panned out, but did have a nice 11-9, 4.25 season for a terrible Cub team in 1997, then hurt his arm and was never the same. He also played for Lou Piniella for two years at Tampa Bay and Lou remembered him fondly in some postgame remarks. For more discussion about this, see Galvan316's FanPost.
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First.
Post.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 26, 2008 5:39 PM CDT reply actions
One of these days I'm going to do this myself.
Just because.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
LOL...cheater.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 26, 2008 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Why because we like you :)
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
by puckishcubsfan on May 26, 2008 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions
It is my sole goal in life to be the first someday.
My only goal and my only dream.
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
by puckishcubsfan on May 26, 2008 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions
second
reply
squared.
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on May 26, 2008 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions
a good game.
as I said in the game thread; it’s nice to win one of the close ones (closer than the score shows).
I think Kerry’s over-throwing the first batter when he comes in. He’s too jazzed. He actually needs to take a step back, maybe. Once he has that first guy out, he’s almost always rock solid.
I’d actually like to see him come in and NOT get the first guy out, and STILL be rock solid, to prove to himself that he can do it from a “deficit”.
2008: The year we put it all together.
Your keyboard doesn't like you.
it appears he wanted to five Howry a confidence-builder.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
it sounds like some kind of prison slang...for handing someone something...
“Hey my man, can you five me those smokes?”
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 26, 2008 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually, I don't.
Did I accidentally make an Office joke, without knowing it?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Jim Halpert says it in response to Andy, who was using the "beer me" phrase from a commercial over and over again.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
Oh, I get it now.
I was LMAO at your “your keyboard doesn’t like you”.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
As a practical joke my brother did some stuff on my computer and somehow programmed it so if a website didn’t come up the message was “This website won’t let you access it because it hates Cub fans”
And if a program was not responding it sayd “Program is not responding because you’re ugly and your mother dresses you funny”
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
by puckishcubsfan on May 26, 2008 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Good developments
Ryan Dempster continues to get the job done in solid fashion. Without him our already fragile starting rotation would be a major concern.
Nice to see Bob Howry get in a groove. He is very important to this bullpen.
Kosuke looks tired. Probably the transition to MLB starting to take a toll like it has most Japanese imports. Probably also a case of pitchers adjusting.
"It is never too early to start beefing up your obituary."
He didn't look tired in the outfield...
he threw two peas that I saw.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 26, 2008 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes, his defense appears to be just fine.
That’s important, too.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Agree
His defense has been outstanding throughout. He is a Gold Glove outfielder in this league. No doubt about it.
"It is never too early to start beefing up your obituary."
We have got to stop all this agreeing with each other.
It’s upsetting the status quo.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 26, 2008 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Howry in a groove?
He gave up a single, a double and, according to the AP, a near grand slam on a foul ball.
Howry is throwing his fastball at 92 tops… I don’t think he will ver reliable until/if it reaches 95 consistently.
Agree, Howry looked very hittable today
he is not nearly as effective as he used to be. The foul ball missed being a grand slam by a few feet, the double nearly hit off the wall, and even the two fly outs he got where hit on or near the warning track.
Some credit needs to go to Kosuke for playing the double off the wall perfectly, any bobble and the tying run scores.
Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."
I think Fukudome...
...has hit a period of mental burnout, which I knew would happen after the initial glamour wore off. He will get past it, and get his average back up over .300 soon.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
So what's the solution?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
fukudome
i would sure like to see him lay a few more down the 3rd base line and force defenders to play in on him.
It might beeeeee!! It could beeeeeee!! It issssss!! Homerun!! Holyyyyyyy Cow!!!
There is no magical solution...
...to going through a period of mental fatigue other than to play through it. During a long season, everybody goes through a time where your mind is not as sharp and that means you don’t pick up the ball quite as quickly as you typically do. I don’t see the pitchers throwing him anything he hasn’t hit before, he just isn’t reacting the same way to those pitches.
He is too good a hitter to not get his hits, and he will end up this year with an average around .300 and an OBP of at least .380. I also think he will show a little more power and get into doublt digit homers before the year is done.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I hope all of what you say comes true...
... especially the HR, because if Dome starts hitting HR, maybe Lou will stop his obsession with finding a “lefty power bat” (who is NOT Micah Hoffpauir).
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Maybe...
...but I really think Lou wants to get Fukudome in the 2 hole and find that additional left handed bat that can hit 5th or 6th and provide a little pop. Whether they can find that bat, I don’t really know, but I also don’t think it is critical if the pitching holds up.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
This was an important win.
Yeah, I know, I know - it’s early. However - the Cubs have still not lost more than 3 in a row. The Dodgers are struggling—even more so than the Cubs were the last week. Outside of Ethier, this is not a very scary line-up. Jeff Kemp is fading badly. The starters are not pitching long into the game.
They flew in late last night—this had to be a tired, straggling team, (let alone the injuries) regardless of the win the Redbirds handed to them on Sunday. This team needed to be beat TODAY, to set the tone for this series. A sweep isn’t out of the question.
Make Saito a non-factor, and you will beat the Dodgers.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on May 26, 2008 5:46 PM CDT reply actions
Dodgers are still a good team
Despite their lineup issues the Dodgers possess a strong pitching staff. The addition of hotshot youngster Clayton Kershaw just adds to the mix.
This Chad Billingsley has a very bright future in this league too. He’s going to be a real good one.
"It is never too early to start beefing up your obituary."
Yes, you're right.
Scary, isn’t it?
The Cubs don’t have to face Kershaw, which is a positive. They can beat Kuroda, and Lowe has been shaky all year.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Yes
Kershaw is good. Watched him pitch yesterday, yes I know only one game. But his “stuff” is electric.
They have good pitching, just there hitting is inconsistent to say the least.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
Ned Colletti is an idiot
THAT is the biggest dilemma facing the Dodgers. Colletti inherited and deep and rich farm system. But his free agent signings have been brutally bad. Ditto just about everything else with the exception of hiring Joe Torre. But then again it looks like the hiring of Torre was more the work of Frank McCourt the owner.
"It is never too early to start beefing up your obituary."
That's funny...
...not too long ago Ned was heralded a “Genius” because he replaced that really bad guy, LOL! (I am agreeing with you.)
I think Martin and Kemp are still tough in that lineup,
however, I agree with the sentiment about this being an important win. The Cubs are finding ways to beat the good pitchers (and Billingsley is one of the best). The Cubs are beating tough RH pitchers and keeping intact the streak that they haven’t lost more than two in a row. It’s as if they buckle down after two losses and say, “We will not be swept again.”
Ok...who's the nerd that's going to look up the longest streak of not losing more than two in a row?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 26, 2008 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Nope. Not me. No time.
They are, however, the only team in the majors this year to have that streak intact through today.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Solid win
If Dempster keeps this type of performance up, he would of had me fooled. I figured a 12-10 type of year, but give him credit, he looks sharp and more importantly he looks comfortable and confident.
Dome’s double play ball today was brutal, and I am sure he knows it more than anyone. He needs to find another gear, a mental one. I can just imagine if Soriano was up and hit into the double play, goodness. A;so Theriot swinging on the first pitch with the bags jacked was not sharp, but he will get the free pass around these parts.
Good point Jazz man, don’t let there Dodger closer get into the game with the lead.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
I was listening on the radio
when Theriot had the bases loaded and swung on the first pitch, and I said, out loud, “Way to be, Riot, way to be.”
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on May 26, 2008 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions
I was walking down Irving Park Road today
And a woman in a Theriot jersey scrappily ran down a bus about to pull away at Ravenswood Ave, just before the train tracks.
But then she got picked off. Leaning towards second.
While I am one of Ryans 3 fans that was funny.
Then did Cedeno come up and overslide second?
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
by puckishcubsfan on May 26, 2008 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions
No Cedeño jerseys in sight
But I think I saw a guy in a Fukudome shirt slumping against a nearby building.
Thank you, I’ll be here all night.
Wood
I don’t know if Wood had extra fire or what but he reached 98 once and 97 many times, according to gameday from mlb.com. So far this season he’s usually been in the range of 95-96 so today he seemed to have something extra.
Btw, gameday showed Pierre’s flyball off Wood to go as far as the warning track… was that correct? I mean, it was Pierre after all.
The wind was blowing out...
take that into account.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 26, 2008 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions
How strong?
I have to be honest… Wood makes me nervous when he goes mainly fastball. It seems that everygame it gets hit hard. I was hoping that he would be more Hoffman like with his breaking stuff but it doesn’t seem like that’s the direction he wants to go.
Definitely
The Dodgers fans behind me at the game said “Wow, the wind is really pushing balls out” when Pierre hit that. They knew he can’t hit it that far on his own. And the CF flags were really flapping at that moment.
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
Gallagher pitches tomorrow,
and I’m a big fan of the kid. Show us what you got tomorrow! I’m so excited about seeing him pitch tomorrow.
Me too
He has a bright future. He’s not in the category of a Chad Billingsley but he can become damned respectable at some point.
"It is never too early to start beefing up your obituary."
Actually,
Gallagher has the better minor league numbers, to wit:
Billingsley: 405 IP, 168 BB, 460 K, 3.18 ERA, 1.21 WHIP
Gallagher: 480.2 IP, 188 BB, 482 K, 2.77 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
As good as Billingsley is, and he’s pretty good, Gallagher could actually be better.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Gallagher could
but I don’t think it’s likely. From everything I’ve read, Billingsley’s stuff is significantly better, as you can see partially by the higher K rate. Billingsley’s got to get control of his pitches – that’s one thing that could hold him back. Billingsley has definite #1 potential – a rare thing. Gallagher’s more at the 3/4 level, not a bad thing at all.
I partially agree.
Billingsley does have ace stuff, but I think you’re underestimating Gallagher a bit. I think he could be a solid 2, given the right circumstances.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Ballhawk
As mentioned in the game thread, you were on TV twice. The first time, just before Soriano’s first AB, when they showed a few ballhawks gathering on Waveland. The second time, after the catch.
"Is there anything he can't do?" ~Len Kasper, 4/5/08, on Kosuke Fukudome
Thanks for the confirmation.
Somebody told me they saw me on the monitors inside the park, after the Soriano foul ball, but I didn’t know if that was the same feed as the one on WGN.
Speaking of which… in a shameless attempt at making my 15 minutes of fame last as long as possible, did anyone record the game today? I imagine tapes are a thing of the past – I hear there’s something called TiVo that’s pretty cool – but if there’s a way to burn a DVD with either Soriano’s at-bat and me getting the foul ball, or the third inning or heck, even the whole game (whatever’s easiest), I’d appreciate a copy. I’d certainly provide a replacement disc in return and even toss in a baseball for your effort.
shoot me an e-mail at vangeloff (at) hotmail (.) com. thanks.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Alas. my kingdom for a Whataburger in Chicago...
Alas, ‘tis not to be… but yeah – I’d say a Soriano foul ball would be worth a Whataburger meal. Now if it’d been a home run, then we’re talking Double Meat territory and a shake too!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
If you have access to MLB.TV
check the archived video stream at 24:28 and 53:40. If I could record it, I would, but that’s beyond me at this point in time. BTW, what happened to your hat between the first inning and the third inning?
(Re: MLB.TV – maybe they offer a free trial)
"Is there anything he can't do?" ~Len Kasper, 4/5/08, on Kosuke Fukudome
I have a GameDay audio subscription...
...and I’ve gotten the impression from previous posts in here that that may give you access to the video of the games once they’ve been archived. Never bothered to verify that (or not) so now’s as good as time as any to check it out – thanks for the tip.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Oh, and as for the hat...
I wish I could say it fell off because I’m just too fast for any hat to keep up with me but no such luck. Or that it fell off when I dove for the ball a la Reed Johnson, forgetting in all the excitement that they be wrought iron fences out on Wavleand, not the padded ones…
But nothing that grand. Weather was supposed to bad yesterday, so that was my ‘rain’ hat – it’s an old TB Devil Rays hat that has seen better days. As a result it doesn’t fit too well.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
You're afraid of going back on a ball?
You’re afraid of wrought iron? :-)
Even Reed Johnson wouldn’t dive for a ball on concrete!
"Is there anything he can't do?" ~Len Kasper, 4/5/08, on Kosuke Fukudome
Sigh of Relief
Relief is appropriate for both the weather holding up and for the Cubs holding onto the lead.
Three photos:
Derrek Lee’s home run:
Dome waits to ground into the double play. I was as disappointed as Al, but I still liked the picture:
Martin after his out to end the 6th – with the tying run at second:
Best moment of the day – Messmer announces the pinch runner in the eight. ”... Chin-Lung Hu. Hu’s on first.”
The Artist Formerly Known as Chris
by 08Cubs on May 26, 2008 6:13 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Great pictures!
I didn’t hear “Hu’s on first”. Nice call by Wayne.
Wayne had no idea who the pinch-hitter was for Billingsley in the 7th. It was Terry Tiffee, just recalled yesterday by LA and not listed on the scorecard.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Hu?
Definite note of mischief in Wayne’s voice. I missed your aside on this in the recap, but apparently he was just giving voice to what you all were thinking.
The Artist Formerly Known as Chris
As long as the Dodgers don't get a player named "Watt", we're OK.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Except for the fact
that every announcer, PA or play by play, has already used this line, ever since Hu’s first game for the Dodgers. It’s gotten more than a little stale by now.
Fantastic home run shot!
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
Thanks for the cue, Al
[Camera three in 5, 4, 3…]
“Hello again everybody, and welcome to Ballhawk Baseball…” ha ha
Quite the crowd today out on Waveland – little kids playing wiffle ball, bigger kids playing catch in Waveland, people without a clue just leaving their bikes laying on the ground, and there I am in my usual spot against the yellow brick building trying to keep track of everything so I know where to run and not run if one comes out.
Well, as Al said, one did come out – Soriano jacked a nice long one right down the line, unfortunately it was foul by several feet. Sure did look nice coming up though. I took off down the sidewalk towards the firehouse and managed to time it perfectly to snag it on the bounce. I almost lost it in the sun though… I kid, I kid.
Some media crew from FSN Rocky Mtns was out there, maybe doing some advance work for the upcoming series with the Rockies. Anyway, they were psyched because they were right there when I caught it so of course they stick the camera in my face and ask me what it was like to catch a homer.
I had to tell them the truth – it was only a foul ball. Man, were they bummed – I could almost hear the wind going out of their sails. It was pretty funny. But they asked me a bunch of questions anyway, so I shared a few ballhawking nuggets with them. Like I said, I think this was just promo stuff for the upcoming series against the Rockies, so anyone in the FSN Rocky Mtn viewing area, check out their preview shows this week and let me know if I survived the cutting room floor.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
That's pretty damn cool...
...ignorant question, I know both of us have been on here long enough…are you the guy that’s caught something like thousands of balls outside of Wrigley?
Dan
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
One of them.
I went over the 3000 mark last season, which should get me into the Ballhawk Hall of Hame someday… ;-)
But there are several guys who have caught more than me. Moe is the leader with well over 5,000, Rich, Andy & Dave are easily in the 4,000s, maybe higher. Bruce, “Cabbie”, Yimmy, Cincinnati Johnny – I’m sure they’re all in 4 digit territory.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I stopped by and said hi to ya today
Didn’t realize you caught two balls today. Congrats.
by GoCubbies34 on May 26, 2008 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually it was only one - just the game foul. I got shut out in batting practice.
Yeah, I was talking to someone else but I heard ‘ballhawk’ and ‘BCB’ and my ears perked up. Thanks for stopping by and saying hi.
And a shout out to BCBer “emelie”. She stopped by the corner as well and we conducted our long planned business transaction – she got an authentic hit-out-of-Wrigley-Field ML baseball and I got a Fisher Nuts golf club head cover (yesterday’s giveaway). We both walked away feeling like Jim Hendry after a phone call with the Pirates… ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Today's game
will nationally televised soon on NHK, not live but recorded, so I knew how Dome’s ABs were and I also have no time to watch today – but I believe he can make small adjustments and come back, as some other Japanese hitters did in the past…..
I'm bleeding Dragons Blue.
Kuroda vs Dome
They will face tomorrow and know each other very well… let you know if I got some stats.
Also Soriano and Kuroda was team mate at Hiroshima Carp – they met today first time in 11 years.
I'm bleeding Dragons Blue.
by dragonsfanatic on May 26, 2008 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks, those are interesting
I forget, how long did Sori play in Japan? I for one find it strange he didn’t pick more solid fundamentals while he was there that most Japanese players exhibit.
Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."
Soriano
He came from Hiroshima Carp Baseball Academy in Dominican Republic and played for Hiroshima for 1996-97 (mostly in farm team) after graduation.
I'm bleeding Dragons Blue.
by dragonsfanatic on May 26, 2008 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Kuroda and Soriano were supposedly teammates...
... and are friends. How much do you know about this, if anything?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
They lived in same dorm
Here’s an article of their reunion – they were both rookie in 1996 at Hiroshima Carp and lived together in same Misasa dorm of Carp near Hiroshma Citizen’s Ballpark (known as smallest hitter’s ballpark in Japan, close to The Hiroshima Peace Memorial, had eaten same breakfast and dinner there for 2 years until Soriano quit after 1997 season.
They met yesterday at Wrigley first time in 11 years and greeted each other. Soriano said about the reunion:
Felt nostalgic pretty much. But I cannot be too relaxed to hit against him tomorrow….
I'm bleeding Dragons Blue.
by dragonsfanatic on May 26, 2008 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
What's your thoughts on his mini-slump here?
Pitchers are learning to adjust to him?
Dan
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
If you look at Hideki Matsui's 2003
he had a very similar path where he started hot, then got incredibly, disturbingly cold, but then he got hot again for the rest of the year and was even stronger in 2004. There are a lot of adjustments to be made, even for hitters moving from the AL to the NL or vice versa. I imagine there are adjustments Dome has to make that we haven’t even considered.
Matsui's case
He stepped closer to plate for outside pitch and his ave rose. I’ve not seen Dome’s recent at bat on TV but I know there are lots of pop ups when Dome experiences slump. Dome’s effort in recent years at sprin training is aimed at shortening slump time technically, so watch out his pre-game batting practice is you guys have chance….
Tommy Lasorda will sing tomorrow at 7th-inning stretch? That’s what Japanese TV says….
I'm bleeding Dragons Blue.
by dragonsfanatic on May 26, 2008 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Lasorda?
Wow. He’s over 80 years old.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Yep Lasorda tomorrow. I love Lasorda who said a few years ago the only other team he would ever want to manage would be the Cubs.
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
by puckishcubsfan on May 26, 2008 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Ugh.
Lasorda’s a self-promoter who, I understand, can be a real ass in private. I’m glad he’s retired.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I have heard that too...
...maybe he has a littlle Steve Stone in him.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I just got a horrible mental image.
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
by puckishcubsfan on May 26, 2008 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Lasorda
My company worked with Lasorda a few years ago on a promotional campaign and I heard terrible things from my co-workers about what a jerk he was. We will never work with him again.
"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979
I was down in Vero Beach a couple years ago for Spring Training
...and saw Tommy in his golf cart, singing some autographs, talking it up with the silver-haired ladies, telling people where to go for dinner, etc…
Then I overheard a couple of Dodgertown employees behind me muttering something to the effect of “If they only knew how much of a $x%x*#$ SOB he really is…”
Sounds like most celebrities – good when the camera’s on, bad when it’s off.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
First hand knowledge that he is an ASS
Maybe just a grumpy old man. But he looks like the penguin from the second Batman movie—-Michael Keaton style
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
I know you weren’t asking me, but all the leftys on the Pirates didn’t helped. They should contract that team and divey up a lefty for every team in MLB.
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. - George F. Will
Great sig!
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Thanks
George Will’s a cub fan. And the quote is spot on.
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. - George F. Will
George Will when he was with ABC in the past had it in his contract if the Cubs win the series he can appear on the Sunday shows in full regalia celebrating it.
It’s like Billy Peterson, Gary Sinise and Jim Belushi having it in their contracts show production is shut down if the Cubs are in the series.
Of course it might be like my parents promising me a pony when the Cubs win the series the network bosses probably figure they never have to fulfill it.
(And when the Cubs win the series I AM DEMANDING the pony my parents promised me. In 03 my Mom told me she was going to get me My Little Pony or something like that)
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
by puckishcubsfan on May 26, 2008 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Also one of the best columns ever written on the Cubs was one he wrote about 15 years ago “Chicago Cubs, Overdue” Its in the Cubs reader.
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
by puckishcubsfan on May 26, 2008 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions
One of my favorite George Will quotes
I put on my sig. So true, especially for me.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
I'm still scratching my head...
at Lou putting the Cubs’ leading hitter between two guys who are on the Interstate.
I know that Lou is a god on this board, but I’m really having some doubts…
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Anybody notice
that at this moment the best record in the MLB belongs to the Tampa Bay Rays?!
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott
And right now
Scott Kazmir is throwing a one hitters through 5 innings with 9 strikeouts.
He’s in his fifth year, he has to be getting close to free agency. This guy is a flamethrowing lefty stud. I’d love to see him in a Cubs uniform down the road.
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
He just signed an extension on the 14th of this month
3 years/$28.5M (2009-11), plus 2012 club option
"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."
Let's hope we don't have to face him in Tampa next month.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I'll be there!
"Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me." -Dusty Baker on OBP
Me too!
Thursday night’s game. Right next to the Cubs’ dugout!
I’m looking forward to a great matchup.
"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."
Id love to see them win their division and go to ESPN and stuff something in the places of the ESPN Red Sox and Yankee network.
They might fade as the year goes on but if someone pumps some money into them in the offseason watch out!
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
by puckishcubsfan on May 26, 2008 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Nice
not losing more than 2 in a row is a great way have a nice little record at the end of the year.
keep rolling cubbie.
by louisiana lumberman on May 26, 2008 7:52 PM CDT reply actions
Gonzalez RIP
Sad to see.
I was at the May 9, 1998 game in which he threw a 6-hit shutout vs. the Giants. At the time, he seemed like he had a lot of potential, as it was his second shutout in just 30 major league starts.. Obviously, he never became a star. I think he got hurt in the middle of 1998 and didn’t even get to be on the playoff roster.
"Hey hey, kiss it goodbye! That one's in Milwaukee! Man oh man did he hit it. Isn't that something?" - Lou Boudreau, May 17, 1979
One complaint about today
What was Riley (the home plate umpire) doing following Derosa to the dugout. Some umps just have to put themselves front and center. I think Dero has a legit beef with the umps on some the the strikes he called in that at bat (and some to DLee earlier), first a low strike then a high strike for the third one. Weird strike zone all day.
Great game. Fun to watch, lots of action, unfortunately some of it was a little gut wrenching with all the Dodgers on base, but the Cubs staff did a great job pitching out of the jams today, good to see. Our two big guys came through for us today and that is always good to see too. On to tomorrow, let’s get them again.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
Usually Riley is a very good ump,
but today he had a terrible game. And he’s been around long enough to know better than to bait a player. Hopefully, that will cost him a WS assignment.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Too many umpires are doing this these days.
It really has to stop. Umpires have to have their say, then turn the other way.
This crew worked the series at the Cell last weekend. I heard there were a ton of complaints about ball/strike calls from them. We have to put up with them through Wednesday.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Ha a ton of ball/strike complaints?
Really? Isnt that just a typical game listening to Hawk Harrelson bitch about the umps are against the Sox?
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
LOL!
Usually, this is true, but I watched a couple of those games—this crew was bad, Riley especially. I’m not a proponent of replay, but MLB’s got to do something to ensure a modicum of consistency in the strikezones.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Riley was bad yesterday
But just like a player can have a bad day so can the ump. I try not to blame the umps—-its has nothing to do with my weekend money doing little league :)
I like watching the White Sox and its funny its like wanted to poke yourself with a needle listening to Hawk——its just not justifiable.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Yeah. I watch on mute, actually.
Riley’s had a bad two weeks, though. It wasn’t just this game and it’s more than just ball and strike calls at the plate; there were a couple of horrible check-swing calls in one of those Sox games, too.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Check swing calls
should eventually go to the corner umpires no question. Brenly has been a big advocate of saying how can an ump make that call when he should be concentrating only on the pitch.
Another thing about Riley, and Im not being overly critical because I think he normally does a nice job, but behing the plate he is always moving around. He actually have more “balked strike calls” them most umpires IMO
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
That's just it.
He was ringing guys up on check swings from behind the plate. Ozzie went batsh*t about him not asking for help from the corners.
I noticed the movement, too, that was odd. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another ump do that.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Len
really makes a point to make sure those of us at home don’t get too critical of the umpires. There was one pitch last night (don’t remember which Cubs was batting) that I thought was a few inches outside, but Riley called it a strike, immediately sending me into a fit. But then Len specifically pointed out that Dempster got that same pitch called a strike earlier in the game. Not saying that calmed me down at all. I have noticed Len doing this a couple of times so far this season. I have never noticed an announcer doing it before.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
True
it was “consistently bad” which actually is consistent
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
IMO
that’s really all you can ask of umpires is to at the very least be consistent. If the ump insists on having an odd strike zone, just make sure the strike zone is odd for everyone.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
Yeah
I also dont like to bitch about it because occasionally the Cubs get a gift too. I found myself a few times yesterday saying out loud “thats not a strike its not even close” and fortunately some of those the Cubs got the call.
Is it 6pm yet? I need a bag of peanuts and a beer.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
I agree...
...one of the main reasons the game was low scoring (with the wind blowing out) was because of Riley.
The plate was expanded 4-5 inches with 2-0 and 3-1 counts and it shrunk back when the count was 0-2 or 1-2. If an umpires strike zone is a itttle off, that is one thing, but it should be the same regardless of the count.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
right up till Woody came out
anyway.
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
BTW
Bleachers tonight---see you there ITS COLD. WInter cap again.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
See you tonight.
Anyone who’s coming, DRESS WARM.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Riley...
...had a brutal game behind the plate today, the worst I have seen this year. His strike zone expanded when the hitter was ahead and shrunk when the pitcher was ahead.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Agree
Wood had Ethier (sp) struck out looking…but the pitch was called a ball. Thankfully it did not lead to anything but it could have.
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on May 26, 2008 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Dome
That may help account for his performance today as well. Seemed to me he was taking some key “strikes”.
Guy a couple of rows behind me yelled: “Hey, ump! If he doesn’t swing at it, it’s not a strike!”
The Artist Formerly Known as Chris
heh
Dome knows the strike zone.
Dome knows walks.
Dome knows RF.
What don’t Dome know?
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on May 26, 2008 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions
If I’m not mistaken Gonzalez’s last start before his 1998 surgery was the last game of the 3 game sweep against the Sox that started with the famous ball in the ivy game that Sox fans still whine about to this day.
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
A whining Sox fan?
How dare you suggest such a thing! They may bitch and moan and complain, but whine? NEVER!!!
Linus: Life is rarely all one way, Charlie Brown. You win some, you lose some. Charlie Brown: Really? Gee, that'd be neat.
by CyberCyclist on May 27, 2008 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Today's Game
Although not total retribution for the lost weekend…at least it was a partial. In all honesty, this was a game that they probably should have lost. But alas, they did not so that is the Baseball Gods helping us out after working against us yesterday.
I was disappointed to not see Dero make the throw to first on Pierre’s swinging bunt…it would have been close but it looked like on the replay that Pierre still had about 30 feet to go. I don’t believe that he would have thrown it away or that the runner from second would have tried to score.
Nice to see Sosa #2 work two walks after going down 0-2 both times.
Demp gutted another one out.
For most of the year, Dome has been the one hitter that when up with runners on base, I feel confident that he is going to put a good swing on the ball. However, lately, he has not. Hopefully it is just a minor funk and he will work through it.
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
When I saw DeRosa's play
it really looked to me like he didn’t have a good grip, and he didn’t want to throw it away. I could see his arm moving around as he tried to get the ball that was already in his mitt; the only play was at home and if it’d been a bad throw, the game coulda been tied.
I don’t know. It woulda been risky.
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on May 26, 2008 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe so
I did not look at the grip aspect of the play. In the end it did not matter, except for the 20 new gray hairs that I acquired through the later stages of this game
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on May 26, 2008 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions
he looked like he was struggling.
and I’m glad if I get only 20 gray hairs per non-blowout game these days. Lieber’s start in Cincy was no fun, but at least we knew what was going to happen. :D
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on May 26, 2008 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions
damn...
beat me to it!
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
Wait, we're on ESPN tonight and ESPN2 tomorrow?
Holy Cow.
Cubs cocktail: Add equal amounts of devotion and stubbornness over ice, stir and serve.
I know
I noticed that this morning. Interesting that ESPN would choose the same series to play on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday’s game is supposed to be on WGN also.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
Wed. matchup:
Lowe vs. Z
I will shoot myself if we lose that game.
Cubs cocktail: Add equal amounts of devotion and stubbornness over ice, stir and serve.
I dont know the numbers
WELL I DO KNOW THE NUMBERS.
1-1 with a 3.72 in 6 starts
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/psplit.cgi?n1=lowede01
But I remember Lowe normally having the Cubs number.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Que
LAD: D. Lowe (2-5, 5.03)
CHC: C. Zambrano (7-1, 2.47)
Cubs cocktail: Add equal amounts of devotion and stubbornness over ice, stir and serve.
I agree
Isnt it nice to expect a win when Z goes out? I got money that he outhits Edmonds tomorrow. Im sure very few would disagree
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
will he also
outhit the Dodgers infield? :D
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2008 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Good win....
I think we’re now 11-16 in games decided by 1 or 2 runs
"The 12 second rule is how long it takes Carlos Lee to hear, turn around, run over, find and eat a hot dog dropped by a fan in the Crawford Boxes at Minute Maid park" - ballhawk
THAT's the stat we need to get higher.
I don’t care if they’re home or away. We need to win these close games. Blowouts are fun, but I wonder if they make the team a little complacent the next day.
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2008 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions
even better
yesterday was a game that for most of the day felt like a loss. We stop hitting after the 1st…Dodgers have chance after chance…......Marmol was’nt available…...but we still hung on. They have won a few this year that I think in the past surely would have wound up in the loss column.
As for tonight…......hopefully Lou plays Reed in CF…...though he prbably won’t. It will be cold with the wind howling in and I think were going to have to manufacture one or 2 runs to win. Might even be a good idea to get ONEDEC in the lineup as well and give Soriano a night off. Small ball is needed tonight IMO
How concerned is everyone..
regarding the Cubs on the road? I can’t figure out if this is a real trend or just a bad start.
Lets do it Cubbies
It's just a bad start...
... and not THAT bad, as if the last two games had gone the other way, the Cubs would be 12-11 on the road.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
No concern what so ever...
...check out the Red Sox record on the road – they will straighten that out as well.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
things should even out
they won’t be on this home pace all year and by the same token they will do a bit better on the road. All we need is a little over .500 on road and kick ass at home
Warming up Wood
I think they should put up a cardboard figure of a batter at the bullpen homeplate and when Wood warmsup have him hit it. That should get the hit batter problem out of the way before he comes into pitch.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
RICKY VAUGHN!
California Penal League style!
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2008 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Leverage Index
The Dodgers had 32 plate appearances with an above average leverage index. The Cubs only had 8. The Dodgers had a lot of chances to get back in this game and never quite could.
vr, Xei
Excuse my ignorance
but what is leverage index? I have never heard of this.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson
by tucsoncubsfan on May 27, 2008 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Per
THT’s Glossary:
Leverage Index, invented by Tangotiger, is a measure of how critical a specific batting situation is. One (1) is average, anything above one is more critical and anything less than 1 is less critical.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
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