Saturday Photos

by Al on Jun 1, 2008 6:17 AM CDT in Game Photographs

Reed Johnson catches Chris Iannetta's fly ball in the 2nd inning

Alfonso Soriano crosses the plate after his HR (note sign right behind him)

Reed Johnson catches another Iannetta fly ball in the 8th despite "help" from Alfonso Soriano

This one was a team win

First place. Feels pretty good, right?

Click on photos to open a larger version in a new browser window. All photos by David Sameshima

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Onward and Upward

This team has one goal. Lets keep on that path!

There is no place like Nebraska - Go Huskers!

by sanantonecub on Jun 1, 2008 6:32 AM CDT 0 recs

O/T: Jay Bruce (aka "Babe Bruce)

After four games now hitting .571, with an OBP of .684 and an SLG of .786 and an OPS of 1470. Hit a walk-off homer last night.

Dusty doesn’t deserve that guy.

by zevkalman on Jun 1, 2008 6:43 AM CDT 0 recs

bruce

will be my key to winning the bcb fantasy league!! muahhhhhh hahahaha

It might beeeeee!! It could beeeeeee!! It issssss!! Homerun!! Holyyyyyyy Cow!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jun 1, 2008 8:21 AM CDT up 0 recs

We are going to have to deal with this kid for a LONG time.

He’s scary patient for a rookie.

by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 1, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

I saw a recent comparison

of Bruce to Larry Walker. Seems reasonable to me. Without the injuries, Walker could have been a HOF candidate.

by rlpete on Jun 1, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up 0 recs

Dusty doesn’t deserve that guy

Which is exactly why we send them Edmonds for him right now. Edmonds is aggressive! He swings at everything! He hustles! Probably a punter! Dusty will be thrilled.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jun 1, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

MLB has got it wrong AGAIN. Couldn’t watch the game on MLB package due to blackout rules. Had to follow the game on ESPN.com. We couldn’t have asked for a better homestand. I just hope we take this type of baseball on the road and play well on the West Coast this week.

A Cub fan in Cardinal territory.

by FSArkCubsFan on Jun 1, 2008 7:31 AM CDT 0 recs

It's amazing how MLB just doesn't get it

Do they think that the blackout enticed you to watch the Mets-Dodgers 3 hours later? Sheesh.

A lot of us are saying, “take our money”, and Bud and his cronies are saying, “No, thanks.”

Yet, they point to growth in the game and fan base. Imagine how much better it would be if they could get out of their own way.

by Shanghai Badger on Jun 1, 2008 8:30 AM CDT up 0 recs

MLB has gotten just about everything wrong.

From starting the season during Spring Training in Japan to the archaeic blackout rules. The owners are out of control with their spending, which has to have a limit somewhere. I think Interleague play during the season is idiotic. The two leagues do not even play the same game. However, I do NOT see any sanity overtaking idiot Bud and his cronies anytime soon.

by crazymountain on Jun 1, 2008 8:44 AM CDT up 0 recs

You just didn't realize that...

MLB was encouraging you to drive 12 hours to see a game in person somewhere or purchase plane tickets and fly to the game. They are actually promoting in person viewing, which as we all know is baseball in its purest form, LOL!

The Padres should be interesting, the Padres are playing better lately and PETCO won’t be giving away any wind blown pop-fly dingers. I like this matchup because I’d like to see our IF defense tested and perform well on the road in a tight game.

by DudeVf11 on Jun 1, 2008 9:21 AM CDT up 0 recs

The Fathers are a really REALLY bad team this year

That being said, San Diego is my LEAST favorite road location (it’s an ‘84 thing).

I hope we roll them.

by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 1, 2008 9:25 AM CDT up 0 recs

Well, the teams that play us at Wrigley

have the same winds to play with. I don’t think the wind is advantageous to just the Cubs. The others get to hit those pop fly dingers also.

by crazymountain on Jun 1, 2008 9:35 AM CDT up 0 recs

Yes, I agree with that.

My point wasn’t that the Cubs have biased numbers v. their opponents, but that PETCO will remove a certain element of offense from the game. Stopping the opponent may be a good test for our suspect IF defense.

by DudeVf11 on Jun 1, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up 0 recs

This is when..

Having Cedeno at short and Pie in CF would really be an advantage.

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on Jun 1, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up 0 recs

I think the numbers are biased because we have a better team....

by crazymountain on Jun 1, 2008 10:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

I know....

I can’t wait until we play in Phoenix. New Mexico is split with the Rocks and Snakes. However, there is no local station that carries Arizona games. I just hope that MLB EI doesn’t black us out when we play there. It is an overnight trip to Phoenix for us old farts…..or an air trip. Well, we have friends there so maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea!!!

by crazymountain on Jun 1, 2008 9:40 AM CDT up 0 recs

just means

we need to small-ball them. Manufacture runs. We know we can do that; we did it against the Dodgers.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jun 1, 2008 10:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

SWEEP!!!!!!

And then to the Madres, and let’s not forget the brooms….Sweep ‘em!

by crazymountain on Jun 1, 2008 8:19 AM CDT 0 recs

Let's enjoy this stretch

cuz if you look down the road, it’s gonna get real bumpy. West coast which includes 4 with the Dodgers. Then Atlanta,Tampa(1st place), White sucks(1st place) twice and throw in Toronto(I’m sure we’ll get Halladay). We then finish June off with SF and most likely Linsecum(sp?). If we’re stil in first after that, I bet we’re there so stay.

by GHCF2314 on Jun 1, 2008 8:29 AM CDT 0 recs

all star break

what i wouldnt give to have the cubs up in the central by 10 over everyone but the cards and up by at least 5 games on them. plus send at least 5 cubbies to the all star team so we can secure our own home field advantage.

It might beeeeee!! It could beeeeeee!! It issssss!! Homerun!! Holyyyyyyy Cow!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jun 1, 2008 8:37 AM CDT up 0 recs

Yes it will be a telling stretch for this team.

Keep the faith!!!!

by crazymountain on Jun 1, 2008 8:40 AM CDT up 0 recs

Championship teams

Win months like the June the Cubs have coming up. I’m anxious because of the schedule but excited because I think this is the team that can handle it.

by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 1, 2008 9:34 AM CDT up 0 recs

All That's Needed

is .500 ball on the road. If we can do that, we’ll blow the rest away.

And so it goes.

by Luigi on Jun 1, 2008 11:02 AM CDT up 0 recs

"to stay" that is. I can't type.

by GHCF2314 on Jun 1, 2008 8:30 AM CDT 0 recs

Interesting story.....

A story about Dempster predicting a comeback win to Sean Gallagher when the Cubs were down 8 – 0. Gallagher watched in disbelief as Demp’s prediction was fulfilled. Sean is a good kid, I am very positive on his progress and turning into a very good pitcher through the rest of the year. The story ended with this quote from a very grateful 22 year old.

“I’m really, really lucky to be up here with this team, playing the way we are,” Gallagher said. “Not a lot of people, especially when they start off their career, get to start off on a team like this. I’m blessed to be here. It’s an unbelievable experience.”

I think this quote says volumes about his motivation to make the most out of his enormous potential

by crazymountain on Jun 1, 2008 8:39 AM CDT 0 recs

Boy, it'd be nice to see him pitch his way into the rotation to stay

one less piece to have to trade for

by Shanghai Badger on Jun 1, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up 0 recs

MDBNIU might be right...

It looks like the Cubs are serious about going after another starting pitcher. There appears to be some on-the-field activity in this regard. Check out CubsCam. Current as of 8:45 am Central.

Well, I’m outta here – gotta go find my glove and spikes and head on over. Saw “The Rookie” last night and I’m psyched. I can still bring it. I can still change speeds – slow, slower, and slowest. These guys will never know what hit them…

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

by ballhawk on Jun 1, 2008 8:48 AM CDT 0 recs

never mind - it's over

Damn, I was so hoping Blue Mike would have had a chance to see it and weigh in with a “yeah but none of them are Rich Harden”...

In all seriousness, it looks like it was some sort of on-the-field clinic for Little Leaguers. There was about 25-30 kids all lined up around in the baseline between 1st and 2nd. They took turns throwing against one of those batting practice screens. Some guy with a clipboard was taking notes, and Lou was out there giving encouragement. Looks like everyone was having a good time.

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

by ballhawk on Jun 1, 2008 8:55 AM CDT up 0 recs

But wait - there's more!

Now there’s a tee set up at home plate – and a bunch of kids taking warm up swings in front of the Cubs dugouts. Clipboard guy and his assistants are standing behind second base, and there’s what looks to be some sort of white tape/rope on the ground going from pitcher’s mound straight out to center field.

Looks like this is the MLB’s equivalent of the NFL’s Punt Pass and Kick competition for kids.

Either that or the Edmonds experiment is indeed over and Lou’s still looking for some left-handed power… ;-)

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

by ballhawk on Jun 1, 2008 9:02 AM CDT up 1 recs

can guess-hitters hit off a tee?

by Shanghai Badger on Jun 1, 2008 10:42 AM CDT up 0 recs

Is the wind blowing out today Hawk?

by AlabamaCubFan on Jun 1, 2008 9:26 AM CDT up 0 recs

sadly, no...

according to weather.com, it’ll be 5-7 mph from the NE (straight in from center) shifting around to NW (left field to right field) by late afternoon. Still, you never know…

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

by ballhawk on Jun 1, 2008 9:37 AM CDT up 0 recs