Chicago @ St. Louis GameThread, May 4, 2008 7:05 PM CDT

Open Thread: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Sunday 5/4, 7:05 CT

by Al on May 4, 2008 3:00 PM CDT in Game Threads

Chicago @ St. Louis

Next Game

Chicago Cubs
@ St. Louis Cardinals

Sunday, May 4, 2008, 7:05 PM CDT
Busch Stadium

Jason Marquis vs Todd Wellemeyer

Clear. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 65.

Complete Coverage >

Aren't you excited to hear these guys call tonight's game?

Yeah, me either. Let's start a pool: what's the exact moment when Joe Morgan will first criticize Ryne Sandberg? Or: when will Jon Miller will give an excruciatingly "correct" pronunciation of a foreign-born player's name (can't wait to see what he does with "Fukudome")?

Stupid injury of the day: Royals pitcher John Bale, already on the DL with shoulder problems, broke his pitching hand punching a door at the team's hotel.

Today's Starting Pitchers


J. Marquis Cubs	vs.	T. Wellemeyer Cardinals


1-1	W-L	2-1
4.45	ERA	4.14
17	SO	36
10	BB	12
3	HR	6
vs. StL	--	vs. Cubs

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Jason Marquis	1-1	5	5	0	0	0	0	28.1	36	15	14	3	10	17	4.45	1.62

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Todd Wellemeyer	2-1	6	6	0	0	0	0	37.0	32	17	17	6	12	36	4.14	1.19

It's old home week! Former Cub faces former Cardinal. I'm still not convinced that Todd Wellemeyer can actually handle a full year in a major league rotation without blowing up his ERA, but so far, he's won two games and struck out 36 batters in 37 innings (he did come up as a strikeout pitcher, and in his major league debut on May 15, 2003, he struck out the side in the 17th inning in Milwaukee to get the win). He has never started against the Cubs; his sole appearance against them was pitching the 9th inning of a 9-1 Marlins blowout of the Cubs on May 22, 2006. Oh, and Todd? Nice hair, buddy.

Jason Marquis is 4-1, 3.27 in seven career appearances (five starts) against his former team. In looking over his vs. the Cardinals stats, I was surprised to see Cesar Izturis as one who hits him well (7-for-17, 2 doubles, a triple). Troy Glaus is 4-for-6, and Albert Pujols a pedestrian 4-for-14 (all singles). Marquis has had three pretty good starts and two pretty bad ones. The Cubs need this game.

With today's game on ESPN, you don't really need this, but here's today's MLB.com Mediacenter anyway.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2008 version)

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Today's overflow comment thread will post at 8:30 pm CT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

0 recs | Comment 698 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

How did...

Jon Miller and Joe Morgan even get this job? everyone hates listening to them

by fuku-domenation on May 4, 2008 3:07 PM CDT 0 recs

damn, thought i had first

slow computer…

Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.

by Bricks and Ivy on May 4, 2008 3:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

If you think that's bad,

Joe Morgan authored the book “Baseball For Dummies”. I think its ironic that a book called Baseball for Dummies was written by a guy who is a baseball dummy.

by NOLA_Cub_Fan on May 4, 2008 5:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Son of a gun

I decided to throw a party tonight to show my girlfriend what this rivalry was all about. I made wings, nachos, and bought a lot of beer, and I have a split down the middle of 20 people coming over…..and then I read that we get Morgan/Miller tandem. Crap.

I should have gone to Church like I planned on this morning, and maybe God wouldn’t have been so hard on me.

by walsh2317 on May 4, 2008 3:11 PM CDT 0 recs

Get someone with long fingernails to scratch a chalkboard during the game

it will make morgan and miller sound a lot better.

by LT on May 4, 2008 3:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

You can try to sync up the radio call and the TV picture.

Or just watch with the sound off.

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

by Al on May 4, 2008 3:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

Change is long over due for this slot...

n/t

by DudeVf11 on May 4, 2008 3:26 PM CDT 0 recs

One word about these guys

OK, two….they suck!

Miller has this so-fake call when he says, “safe” or something of the like. Morgan thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread. Together they make me want to clip my nails in a Cuisanart.

Well, since I’ll miss at least a few innings of this game since my daughter’s softball game starts at 6pm, I can only say to those stuck with the TV call, I wish you all the best. Go Cubs! For the rest of those with the priveledge of listenening to Ron and Pat, enjoy the broadcast. Go Cubs! I’ll pick up the radio broadcast once my kids’ game is finished and everything has been put away for the night.

by blackhawk24 on May 4, 2008 3:26 PM CDT 0 recs

I was trying to play nice...

..with my comment “n/t”, but it’s hard to remain silent. I agree 100% with your take. Miller may not be King of the Phonies, I;d reserve that for Ted Leitner here in S.D. but he’s close. Morgan can’t get past his own accomplishments. I used to love Morgan as a player but after listening to his broken record of “I was great” that he plays every broadcast I tune him out. ESPN needs to get another group in this slot. In fact, I’d love to have Canseco as a third guy in the booth just so you don’t have to listen to a butt kisser all night.

by DudeVf11 on May 4, 2008 3:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

Morgan

Jon Miller doesn’t bug me too much…. Morgan, with his constant exhibition of his Sandberg jealousy did get old about fifteen years ago. So sad no new heroes of baseball announcing has come forth in the last 10 or so years. :O(

by TheHawkRules on May 4, 2008 3:34 PM CDT 0 recs

I'd love to have guys like...

...Bob Costas or Jim Rome do these national games. Costas for sure today starting tonight…Rome may not be able to pull it off but an announcer like Rome—a professional whose primary directive is not to kiss butts. How about Costas and Canseco for one night?

by DudeVf11 on May 4, 2008 3:38 PM CDT up 0 recs

Two guys who are also full of themselves?

no thanks!

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on May 4, 2008 3:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

actually, make that 3

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on May 4, 2008 3:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

You actually like Jim Rome?

I find him intolerable.

It's gotta be the shoes, folks, it's gotta be the shoes...

by Schwa on May 4, 2008 3:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

I like Jim Rome's TV show

His radio show—not so much. (It probably has to do with the length of each.)

And since he is in the “a little goes a long way” class, I’m not sure I’d like him in the booth.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on May 4, 2008 3:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

I can't stand Jim Rome.

It’d be like Dennis Miller was in the NFL booth, only stupider.

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

by Al on May 4, 2008 4:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

I can't stand him either.

Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.

by Bricks and Ivy on May 4, 2008 4:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Wow, that's the worst sports show on tv.

That’s why the announcers stick around. Some folks like them, some don’t. They’ll never please all of us.

With that said, I’d love to have Costas do the games. Costas, Scully, they’re great. I also love Stone’s in game analysis.

"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie

by buckmulligan on May 4, 2008 4:43 PM CDT up 0 recs

Stone was great on TV,

but he’s like slow death on the radio. He and Farmer are atrocious. The White Sox screwed up big time when they let John Rooney go.

"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 May 4, 2008 4:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

I like Rooney too..

Together with Farmer, I thought they were quite good…

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball"

by Bump Bailey on May 4, 2008 6:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

To anyone reading this from ESPN

I would be happy to take over for Jon Miller. You will find my salary requirements VERY reasonable. Four years experience calling baseball, lifetime experience following it. You may keep Joe, but only if I get to make fun of him.

Sincerely,
northsider

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on May 4, 2008 3:38 PM CDT 0 recs

Normally, I wouldn't voluntarily watch Joe Morgan

when given a choice of broadcasters, but this I would watch and likely enjoy.

Baseball is an allegorical play about America, a poetic, complex, and subtle play of courage, fear, good luck, mistakes, patience about fate, and sober self-esteem. -- Saul Steinberg

by bluebythebook on May 4, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

Seconded!

n/t

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

by Al on May 4, 2008 4:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Me too.

by sue369 on May 4, 2008 5:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Mark my words

Joe Morgan will bring up the Big Red Machine tonight

by GreatIn2008 on May 4, 2008 3:55 PM CDT 0 recs

lol

YEAH! And he’ll start comparing everybody to his former teammates…ugh

by TheHawkRules on May 4, 2008 4:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't mind Miller as much as Morgan...

...how bout a lil caption fun with the above picture?!

Jon: “And tonight, we have the Chicago Cubs, with numerous players whose names I cannot pronounce, like a-RAM-is, Ko-SUKE, and Pie.”

Joe: (I hate that f*ing Sandberg)

Dan

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

by dtpollitt on May 4, 2008 3:55 PM CDT 0 recs

Give Joe Morgan credit

He makes Mark Grace seem like a good broadcaster. That’s a very, very difficult thing to do.

I rank Jon Miller as my third least-favorite PBP announcer—ahead of Joe Angel and Ted Leitner.

How do I handle them? With the mute button. The 30 second delay on Gameday Audio is well worth it.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on May 4, 2008 3:56 PM CDT 0 recs

Lets fire morgan

Replace him for a few nights with sandberg, when hes not managing, and hell replace miller with boomer for the night

"God will squeeze really hard, but he will never choke you" - Carlos Zambrano

by SouthsideCUBSfan on May 4, 2008 4:10 PM CDT 0 recs

since we're talking about announcing...

awfulannouncing is a great blog. highly recommended. about last night’s game….

http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2008/05/i-havent-watched-nearly-enough-tim.html

How did Neifi Perez, Kevin Orie, and Jeremi Gonzalez get Rookie of the League votes in 1997?

by bgsiggy on May 4, 2008 4:14 PM CDT 0 recs

Hey Gagne just blew a save...walked 3 in the bottom of the 9th

Brewer fans must be heartbroken :-). Astros and Brewers are tied in the 10th.

by zevkalman on May 4, 2008 4:30 PM CDT 0 recs

it's hilarious

by far the best news of the day

by heine41 on May 4, 2008 4:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Joe Morgan and Ernie Banks...

Doesn’t he have some kind of grudge against him as well? I remember one game when a HR went into the basket and Morgan said something along the lines of, “Yeah, that basket helped Ernie get most of his 500+ HR’s…” Seeing how the basket came in the last year of his career I believe.

''As long as he doesn't talk World Series, I'm happy.'' Lou Piniella on Ronny Cedeno.

by CubsBullsBears on May 4, 2008 4:33 PM CDT 0 recs

It's not a grudge...

... so much as Morgan doesn’t do his homework. Morgan PLAYED in Wrigley Field many times as a visiting player before 1970, when the basket was installed.

Makes him look stupid.

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

by Al on May 4, 2008 4:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

True...

But just the way he said it made it seem like the basket just came in and swooped all of Ernie’s lazy fly balls and turned them into HR’s.

''As long as he doesn't talk World Series, I'm happy.'' Lou Piniella on Ronny Cedeno.

by CubsBullsBears on May 4, 2008 4:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

and totally diminished a HOF carrer to a national audience in 9 seconds.

.....I heard it and Morgan knew exactly what he was saying. It was not a mistake.

Felix Pie must play everyday!

by JB 23 on May 4, 2008 4:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

It can't be worse than darling and mccarver in the playoffs last year

------ TheRiot Squad ------

by RightFieldSucks on May 4, 2008 4:37 PM CDT 0 recs

It can't be worse than darling and mccarver in the playoffs last year

------ TheRiot Squad ------

by RightFieldSucks on May 4, 2008 4:37 PM CDT 0 recs

whoops, i meant stockton, not mccarver

------ TheRiot Squad ------

by RightFieldSucks on May 4, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

does anyone remember how stockton was calling a-ram rodriguez for the first game?

senility’s a bitch, huh dick?

------ TheRiot Squad ------

by RightFieldSucks on May 4, 2008 4:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

He also called

Soriano “Adolfo Soriano” about 8 times in a game last season.

"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 May 4, 2008 4:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

and he couldn't prononce mike quade's name either...

cubs = love

by cubs ftw on May 4, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yep

It was good ol “Rodrigo Ramirez” playing third for the Cubs during that series.

"Is there anything he can't do?" ~Len Kasper, 4/5/08, on Kosuke Fukudome

by JohnM on May 4, 2008 6:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

How about for the ESPN pool

The first tim they mention that its been 100 years since the cubs have won

by CubsBall2202 on May 4, 2008 4:40 PM CDT 0 recs

That'll happen in the intro....

''As long as he doesn't talk World Series, I'm happy.'' Lou Piniella on Ronny Cedeno.

by CubsBullsBears on May 4, 2008 4:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

It will BE the intro

t will BE the intro

" Tonight on the ESPN Sunday Night game of the week, The Chicago Cubs
who have not won a World Series in 100 years versus the St. Louis Cardinals managed
by the smartest man in baseball and his wizard pitching coach who turns cast offs into
Cy Young winners. While we wait for the game to start we will have in depth coverage of todays REALLY big story, the Yankee’s demotion of sure fire Hall of Famer Ian Kennedy
to the minors. This SHOCKING news has been on "breaking news " crawl all day but
now we will devote the next 30 minutes to the story and join the game in progress
when we finish.

by Doggie Stalker on May 4, 2008 4:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

Brilliant!

n/t

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

by Al on May 4, 2008 4:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

what Al said.

"I'd rather win ugly than lose pretty," -- Lou Pinella

by anormal on May 4, 2008 4:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

first inning

happened with fox as well

Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.

by Bricks and Ivy on May 4, 2008 4:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

lineups

mlb.com has the lineups up for tonight’s game already. no ramirez again…

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2008_05_04_chnmlb_slnmlb_1

"I'd rather win ugly than lose pretty," -- Lou Pinella

by anormal on May 4, 2008 4:46 PM CDT 0 recs

identical to yesterday's

------ TheRiot Squad ------

by RightFieldSucks on May 4, 2008 4:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm not even going to ask.

"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 May 4, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think cuz of no A-Ram...

...we can bean one of their’s, no question.

Dan

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

by dtpollitt on May 4, 2008 4:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

I am a little surprised that has not been mentioned more..

...it sure looked like a mistake, but then again with LaRussa you never know.

He doesnt really get the benefit of the doubt when a player gets hit in my book.

Felix Pie must play everyday!

by JB 23 on May 4, 2008 4:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

It is a LaRussa trait...

Living in Sacramento Ca. during the ‘80’s, saw a LOT of A’s games….

by crazymountain on May 4, 2008 5:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

Actually

One of the game recaps (I think it was Sullivan in the Trib) basically said Marmol’s hitting of Ankiel in the leg yesterday with one out in ninth was payback for Aramis. Not sure about that, but he was pretty matter-of-fact about it.

"Is there anything he can't do?" ~Len Kasper, 4/5/08, on Kosuke Fukudome

by JohnM on May 4, 2008 6:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

I like Jon Miller

He isn’t that bad of an announcer. Don’t get me started on Joe though

2008 Cubs: Why Beat A Team in Regulation, when you can beat them in extras?

by Chanman25 on May 4, 2008 4:59 PM CDT 0 recs

Jon Miller is just less terrible

by CubsBall2202 on May 4, 2008 5:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

I am with you Chanman....I think Miller is pretty good myself.

...a little dramatic at times, but just fine. Especially since he has to cover his mumbling idiotic partner.

Felix Pie must play everyday!

by JB 23 on May 4, 2008 5:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

yeah me too. i wouldn't say I like him especially, but I don't really dislike him. blah.

------ TheRiot Squad ------

by RightFieldSucks on May 4, 2008 5:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm with you, too, Chanman25.

Living away from Chicago, I can tell those who live there that there is no animosity against that announcing crew like the one in Chicago. Granted, though, Joe Morgan doesn’t say about anyone else the negative things he says about the Cubs. Jon Miller is a very competent announcer who suffers from his association with Joe Morgan, from Cubs fans’perspective.

by Fraggin Judge on May 4, 2008 5:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

The thing I hate about Miller most...

is that when something kind of ordinary happens, he gets this excitement and tone as if it was the first time it has ever happened.

“The flip to second, over to first… and… a DOUBLE PLAY!”

“And the pitch. A STRIKEOUT!”

But it’s not just normal excitement. It’s as if he just discovered it. You’ll hear it tonight I’m sure.

by BeboThoughts on May 4, 2008 6:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

And now,

here comes the production assistant, and she’s handing me water … IN A BOTTLE!

Now Joe is saying something about …. THE REDS!

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on May 4, 2008 6:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

Dumb question? I dunno...

How do I know if the game is going to be blacked out for me on ESPN. I’m in DeKalb and I have no idea how it works. I’ve had one game on ESPN actually come in and it apparently wasn’t blacked out.

I’m sick and tired of not being able to watch the Cubs…. only way I can watch them is if it’s on WGN.

Anyone know if the game’s blacked out?

Thanks mucho.

The Time Is Now. [Chicago Cubs, '08]

by EJThunder on May 4, 2008 5:04 PM CDT 0 recs